ARLnow.com | ARLnow

Morning Notes

Published June 19, 2014 at 9:05AM | Updated June 19, 2014 at 2:34PM

Park Activists Taking It Too Far? — Residents pushing for the Arlington School Board to scrap a plan to build a new elementary school on parkland next to Thomas Jefferson Middle School might have taken their effort to preserve parkland too far. Activists reportedly placed “Save TJ Park” signs in the yards of some school board members overnight before the vote on a new Arlington Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan. School-related activism “seems to be getting out of hand,” writes Sun Gazette editor Scott McCaffrey. [InsideNova]

HOV Enforcement Today — Virginia State Police, Arlington County Police and other D.C. area law enforcement agencies are conducting an HOV enforcement campaign today on I-395, I-66 and other local highways. The enforcement took place during the morning rush hour and will take place again during the evening rush hour. [Associated Press]

Around Town

Video: Arlington’s New Noise Ordinance

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 5:30PM

The Arlington County Board approved an updated noise ordinance last month, amid concern from businesses that it’s too strict and complaints from residents that it’s not strict enough.

Around Town

UPDATED: Cafe Caturra May Close, Reopen as Tazza Kitchen

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 2:00PM | Updated June 19, 2014 at 5:56PM

(Updated at 5:50 p.m. on 6/19/14) Cafe Caturra (2931 S. Glebe Road) is expected to close in order to be converted into a Tazza Kitchen restaurant.

The restaurant opened in the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center in September 2011. It is expected to close for renovations in the near future, though no timeline has yet been set, according to co-owner Jeff Grant, the founder of Cafe Caturra. The restaurant has applied for but has not yet been granted building permits.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Samantha

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 12:30PM

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Samantha, a 10-year-old corgi mix that greets her owners with a “jig” when they return from work.

Here’s what Samantha’s owner, Stephanie, said about her dancing dog:

Around Town

Free Smoothies in Va. Square for ‘National Flip Flop Day’

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 12:05PM

Friday is apparently the 8th annual “National Flip Flop Day,” and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe store in Virginia Square will be giving out free smoothies to mark the occasion.

From 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., the store at 3811 N. Fairfax Drive will be giving away free 24 ounce strawberry banana smoothies to anyone wearing flip flops, according to owner Marcus Barnett.

News

No Streetcar Referendum, Says County Board Majority

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 10:45AM | Updated June 18, 2014 at 11:18AM

Rendering of a streetcar along Columbia Pike (file photo)

County Board Chairman Jay Fisette, Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada all read statements at Tuesday’s County Board meeting, stating opposition to a referendum on the streetcar and giving reasons why they support the $585 million project.

The Board members said they oppose using general obligation bonds to build the streetcar lines on Columbia Pike and in Crystal City. Rather, they expect to fund the streetcar with a mix of federal and state funds and with transportation-designated local business tax revenue.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2014 at 9:15AM

Politico to Stay in Rosslyn — The Capitol Hill publication Politico has been looking for new office space, but will keep its home at 1100 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn after all, according to an internal memo. Politico’s owner, Allbritton Communications, said last year that it plans to use proceeds from the sale of its Rosslyn-based TV station WJLA (ABC 7) to fund an expansion of Politico. [Fishbowl DC]

Woodstock Park Improvements Approved — The Arlington County Board has unanimously approved a $644,127 contract to construct improvements to Woodstock Park, including a new basketball court and playground. [Arlington County]

News

Power Outage Impacting Arlington Neighborhoods

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2014 at 7:00PM

The outages are centered around Rosslyn and parts of Columbia Pike, according to Dominion’s outage map. An “Arlington Alert” message suggested the Pike power outage is due to “equipment failure.”

The utility is hoping to have electricity restored no later than 11:00 p.m.

News

A-Town Faces Grilling on Permit Renewal

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2014 at 4:30PM | Updated June 18, 2014 at 3:45AM

Earlier: A-Town Bar and Grill is facing scrutiny over noise and crime as it seeks to renew its live entertainment permit tonight (Tuesday).

The restaurant, located at 4100 N. Fairfax Drive in Ballston, has been drawing the ire of neighbors who complain about loud, drunken patrons. It’s also the subject of an investigation by Arlington County police and the Virginia Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), over a violent episode at an employee-only party on Feb. 12.

Feature

Ask Adam: Looking for a D.C. View

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2014 at 2:30PM | Updated June 17, 2014 at 4:08PM

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty, voted one of Arlington Magazine’s Best Realtors of 2013 & 2014. Please submit your questions via email.

A. That’s one of the nice things about Arlington… we have the best views of D.C. Below is a list of the condos and townhomes I would put at the top of my list when it comes to view. I highly recommend experiencing the view in person to make sure it meets your standards as they vary significantly. You may also want to visit in the evening as some evening views can be quite spectacular. After all, you need to make sure it is worth the premium you are going to be paying.

Around Town

New Irish Bar Coming to Columbia Pike?

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2014 at 2:05PM

A restaurant called “The Celtic House,” from a company called “Green Brigade LLC,” has applied for a permit to serve wine, beer and mixed beverages at 2500 Columbia Pike, in the Arlington Village Shopping Center. That’s the current home of Manee Thai restaurant, which has been open for 13-14 years.

“Mo,” a man identifying himself as the owner of Manee Thai, told ARLnow.com today that he is in talks to sell the restaurant and retire. But he said nothing has been finalized.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2014 at 10:15AM | Updated June 17, 2014 at 10:35AM

Arlington’s Last Segregated Class Marks Anniversary — The last class that attended segregated, all-black schools in Arlington from start to finish celebrated its 50th reunion over the weekend. The class graduated from Hoffman-Boston High School in 1964. [Washington Post]

Summer Swim Season to Start — The Northern Virginia Swimming League will begin its five-week regular season on Saturday. There are four Arlington teams in the NVSL: the Overlee Flying Fish, the Donaldson Run Thunderbolts, the Arlington Forest Tigers and the Dominion Hills Warriors. [InsideNova*]