| ARLnow

Crystal City Robotics Company Aims to Make Seniors’ Lives Easier

Published June 1, 2015 at 12:00PM

Editor’s Note: Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

One Crystal City has a solution that could help the country — and its seniors — as resources strain to accommodate the Baby Boom generation: robots.

Feature

Ballston Entrepreneur Sells Lightweight, Affordable Running Lights

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 18, 2015 at 12:00PM

Editor’s Note: Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

AthLights, founded by Daniel Staples, sells compact, lightweight LED lights that, paired with a rare earth magnets, give runners, walkers and cyclists a way to warn drivers of their presence when they’re out in the dark.

WWBG: Rosé Time

Published May 15, 2015 at 2:45PM | Updated May 15, 2015 at 3:54PM

Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This column is written by Dominion owner Arash Tafakor.

Rosé wine sales in the U.S are increasing year after year. Why this change? Simply put: quality and affordability.

Feature

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 15, 2015 at 12:00PM

We’ve hit the halfway point of May and Arlington is experience its biggest real estate week of the year to this point. Happy hunting.

See our real estate section for a full listing of open houses. Here are a few highlights:

Schools

Police to Increase Presence at Schools Until Summer

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 15, 2015 at 11:00AM | Updated May 15, 2015 at 12:10PM

Walk and Bike to School Day 2012 at Oakridge Elementary School

School Resource Officers will conduct “saturation patrols” and educate students about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Until school lets out June 18, ACPD plans to put more officers at malls, parks and community centers around Arlington. Police will also have a heightened presence at school and community events.

“This initiative encourages positive interaction between officers and the students of Arlington County,” School Resource Officer Supervisor Lt. Ron Files said in a press release. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment in the school communities by using crime prevention strategies and utilizing enforcement measures.”

News

FAA: Arlington, D.C. is a ‘No Drone Zone’

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 15, 2015 at 10:00AM | Updated May 15, 2015 at 10:40AM

The FAA launched a public outreach campaign this week to try to stop the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the federal restricted airspace around D.C. It comes as a man was detained for flying a drone near the White House for the second time this year.

The area within a 15-mile radius of Reagan National Airport is restricted airspace, and all aircraft must get approval, even the small, remote-controlled kind.

News

Arlington Names Jay Farr Chief of Police

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 14, 2015 at 3:30PM

Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan announced today that acting chief Jay Farr will ascend to the permanent job after serving in Scott’s stead since March. Farr has previously served as deputy county manager and deputy chief of police for systems management, operations and criminal Investigations, and has served in the ACPD since 1990.

“Jay has demonstrated a commitment to excellence during his more than two decades in Arlington,” Donnellan said in a press release. “He brings strong leadership skills, an outstanding professional background, and a true passion for connecting communities with law enforcement. He is the right man to lead the department into the future.”

Around Town

Two More Shirlington Restaurants Closing, Businesses Blame Landlord

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 14, 2015 at 11:30AM | Updated May 14, 2015 at 3:38PM

If Bonsai doesn’t reopen and Bungalow indeed closes on June 10 — when manager Carla Marquina tells ARLnow.com it will — the two businesses will be added to the growing list of Shirlington establishments that have fallen by the wayside, and more could be on the way.

Since last October, counting Bonsai and the Bungalow, seven businesses in the Village at Shirlington have closed: Bloomers, Periwinkle, Aladdin’s Eatery, Cakelove and The Curious Grape are all gone. Other than the Curious Grape, whose space was quickly taken over by an Italian restaurant, all of the spaces remain vacant.

Events

Young Republicans to Hold Gay Marriage Discussion in Clarendon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 14, 2015 at 10:15AM | Updated May 14, 2015 at 3:09PM

NextGenGOP, a Virginia group hoping to push statewide Republicans forward on social issues, is hosting a “Freedom to Marry Happy Hour” on Wednesday, May 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd).

The event, praised by Washington Post opinion blogger Jonathan Capehart, is aimed directly at millennials who, even among Republicans, largely support marriage equality.

Events

Taste of Arlington Returns on Sunday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 13, 2015 at 5:00PM

This year, Taste of Arlington will feature 49 restaurants and a beer and wine garden that’s bigger than ever. Booklets of tickets for tasting and drinking are on sale now.

Stop by the Ballston farmer’s market tomorrow evening, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 901 N. Taylor Street, for a $25 packet of 10 tickets. If you purchase on the Ballston Connect mobile, app, a packet costs $30. Packets purchase online are $35 and packets purchased at the festival will be $40. Tickets to the VIP pavilion, with unlimited beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by SER, cost $100 online, and $110 at the festival.

Around Town

Ramen Shop to Replace Kite Runner Cafe in Cherrydale

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 13, 2015 at 3:30PM | Updated May 13, 2015 at 3:47PM

Kite Runner Cafe, the critically acclaimed Afghan restaurant at 3800 Lee Highway in Cherrydale, will close tomorrow afternoon.

In its place, possibly in a month, will be Gaijin Ramen Shop, the second ramen shop coming to Arlington after Yona in Ballston was announced last year.