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Published March 20, 2013 at 3:00PM

From now until the end of the festival, five participating Arlington restaurants will “serve creative spring and Festival-inspired entrées, appetizers, desserts, cocktails, or multi-course menus.” Last year, no Arlington restaurants participated.

The special offerings are part of the festival’s Cherry Picks program, now in its 11th year.

News

Beer Garden to Replace Velocity 5

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 2:05PM | Updated March 20, 2013 at 2:36PM

The new owners of Velocity 5 (2300 Clarendon Blvd) in Courthouse say they’re planning to convert the 200-seat restaurant and bar into “Social Haus,” which they describe as “a traditional beer garden with a modern twist.” They’re hoping to renovate the restaurant soon — a project expected to take several weeks — and reopen it by the end of May.

According to Matt Rofougaran, one of six partners who purchased the Courthouse location of Velocity 5 last month, Social Haus will feature a selection of 100 beers, including 35 on tap. The beers — which will range from local brews, German and Belgian imports and standards like Corona — will be available in bottles or, for beers on tap, in steins and boots ranging from half a liter to a full two liters.

Events

Batman to Visit Arlington YMCA

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 12:15PM

The Caped Crusader will be at the ‘Y’ from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22, hosting an event called “Be a Superhero in Your Home.” The event, which is sponsored by the YMCA, the Alliance for Consumer Education and the American Association of Poison Control Centers, will teach kids “to be a superhero in their home by reading labels, asking permission before using an unknown product, and other poison prevention tips.”

Robinson made international news last year when his $250,000 Lamborghini Batmobile was pulled over by Montgomery County Police. The dashcam video of the traffic stop went viral and Robinson became a minor celebrity in his own right.

News

Board Approves $50K for 9/11 Tribute Room on USS Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 11:00AM

The ship, which will carry U.S. Marines, helicopters and expeditionary vehicles to hot spots around the world, is set to be commissioned on Saturday, April 6, in a ceremony that will be attended by numerous Arlington County officials and first responders. The ship was named the USS Arlington in commemoration of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.

The USS Arlington Commissioning Committee has been trying to raise $500,000 for the commissioning and for a Sept. 11 Tribute Room on the ship. Though the fundraising has recently hit a slow patch, with only 2/3 of the goal met, the Arlington County Board gave the effort a boost Tuesday night with a $50,000 allocation for the Tribute Room.

News

Arlington Restaurants Nominated for RAMMY Awards

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 10:15AM

The annual awards gala is organized by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Nominees were announced last night in 16 categories.

While Arlington was shut out in the “fine dining” and “upscale casual” categories, Arlington-based restaurants made up more than half the “Casual Restaurant of the Year” category.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 9:05AM | Updated March 20, 2013 at 10:22AM

It’s the First Day of Spring — At 7:02 this morning, astronomical winter ended and spring officially began. Spring also means longer days. Currently, we’re gaining about two and a half minutes of daylight per day. [Capital Weather Gang]

EFC Has Fullest Metro Parking Lot — East Falls Church has the fullest parking lot in the Metro system, with a 120 percent usage rate. Demand for the lot is only expected to increase when the Silver Line opens. [Washington Examiner]

Traffic

Major Backups on GW Parkway

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2013 at 5:20PM

Commuters are experiencing major backups on the GW Parkway due to a serious accident in Fairfax County.

The crash occurred on the GW Parkway near Route 123. According to an Arlington Alert email, traffic was shut down in both directions to allow a Medevac helicopter to land.

News

Opponents of Potomac Overlook Plan to Hold Meeting

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2013 at 3:45PM | Updated March 19, 2013 at 4:12PM

The plan calls for a new stage/shelter, a new scout camping area, a renovated bird of prey structure and, possibly, a tree house overlook and a small urban farm. The initial plan, which included a zip line, a rock climbing wall and a paved parking lot, was modified after an outcry from residents.

Opponents of the plan have formed the Potomac Overlook Preservation Association, and launched a website that implores visitors to “Save Potomac Overlook Park.”

Feature

Ask Adam: To Waive or Not to Waive

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2013 at 2:00PM

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. Please submit follow-up questions in the comments section or via email.

Question: I’m planning to purchase a home in Arlington this spring and have heard stories about how crazy the market is getting. I’ve read about people waiving their appraisal contingency in markets like this. Can you explain how that works?

News

DEVELOPING: $600K Smash and Grab Robbery at Mall

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2013 at 12:45PM | Updated March 19, 2013 at 3:02PM

(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A group of robbers got away with $609,000 worth of Rolex watches in a smash and grab robbery at Pentagon City mall this morning.

According to police, four men wearing ski masks and gloves entered the Tourneau watch store, near the main S. Hayes Street entrance to the mall, around 10:30 a.m. The men smashed the front of a display case with a hammer, then grabbed 23 Rolex watches valued at $609,000, police said.

News

Residents Speak Out About Proposed Child Care Regulation Cut

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2013 at 11:15AM

Donnellan’s budget, which is under consideration by the County Board, cuts the county’s Child Care Office, which regulates local daycare centers. Three full time positions would be eliminated, saving $250,000 annually.

If the cut were made, a local ordinance regulating daycare providers would be eliminated, and oversight of such daycare centers would be returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which opponents say has weaker standards than the county. In addition, family daycare centers with up to 5 children are not regulated by the state and would instead go unregulated.

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