Ethan Rothstein | ARLnow

Arlington’s 2014 Crime Rate was Lowest Since 1961

Published March 20, 2015 at 3:30PM

Arlington’s rate of Part I offenses (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) dropped 8.22 percent from 2013 to 2014, and the total of 3,863 Part I offenses was the lowest in the county since 1961, ACPD said.

“The historically low crime rate is a true testament to the partnership among the community and Police Department,” Police Chief Doug Scott said in a press release, his last as ACPD chief before his retirement became official this week. “We will continue make these partnerships even stronger as it has made our community safer.”

Events

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy’s Event in Arlington ‘No Laughing Matter’

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 20, 2015 at 1:30PM

The fundraiser will include stand-up comedy from Foxworthy and an opening act, determined by a nationwide competition, and it’s called “No Laughing Matter.” The event will be at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (1700 Jefferson Davis Highway) at 7:00 p.m., and tickets are on sale for between $79 and $790.

The fundraiser aims to educate people on the link between acid reflux disease and esophageal cancer, and it’s sponsored by the Esophageal Cancer Action Network.

Feature

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 20, 2015 at 12:30PM

Today is the first day of spring — don’t let this morning’s precipitation fool you — and the weather figures to be perfect to check out a bunch of open houses in the next two days.

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

News

Tap Water to Taste Different Starting Next Week

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 20, 2015 at 11:30AM

Kitchen sink and tap water (file photo)

The change is a result of the region’s annual switch in water disinfectant, from chloramine to chlorine, according to the Department of Environmental Services. The change, which helps clean the area’s water distribution system, will last until May 4.

“Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor,” DES spokeswoman Jessica Baxter said in a press release. “Water filters are also effective for reducing chlorine taste and odor.”

Around Town

California Tortilla Hosting Reading Fundraiser Tonight

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 19, 2015 at 3:30PM

From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 2057 Wilson Blvd, any customer who mentions the Arlington-based The Reading Connection will have 25 percent of their order donated to the nonprofit.

“The Reading Connection is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children and families, who are living in shelters,” Reading Connection board of directors member Lynn Cannon told ARLnow.com, “by helping them create and sustain literacy-rich environments and motivation for reading.”

Around Town

New Sushi Restaurant Opening in Ballston

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 19, 2015 at 11:00AM

Sushi will soon be available just steps from the Ballston Metro station.

A new restaurant called Sushi 2Go is moving into the space next to Italian bakery Tivoli Gourmet, in the Metro plaza at the corner of Fairfax Drive and N. Stuart Street.

News

AWLA Tells Supporters to Lobby County Board for More Money

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 18, 2015 at 5:15PM | Updated March 18, 2015 at 6:01PM

“There’s a point at which we have to say ‘you’ve got to step up here’,” AWLA CEO Neil Trent told ARLnow.com today. “If you want to maintain the high level of animal welfare in Arlington, you have to give more.”

Every year, Trent said, the animal shelter — which is the county’s contractor for all animal control services — gives the county a budget for how much it costs to maintain its level of service.

Around Town

Late Night Meal Delivery Service Launches in Arlington

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 18, 2015 at 3:45PM

Savory officially launched in ZIP codes 22202 and 22201, serving chef-prepared meals between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Savory is also offering meals tonight (Wednesday), founder Glenn Espinosa told ARLnow.com.

Savory officially launched last Friday out of its base in D.C.’s Union Kitchen. Espinosa founded it after working as a nurse with shifts late at night.

News

County: No Streetcar Alternative Plan Coming Until 2016

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 18, 2015 at 2:55PM | Updated March 18, 2015 at 3:11PM

“Transportation is complex,” County Manager Barbara Donnellan told the Board yesterday in an update on the area’s transit plans. “We really need to move forward in a deliberative way. We want a transit alternative very fast, but we’re going to make sure that the community is involved in whatever we do in terms of coming up with an alternative.”

Arlington Transportation Director Dennis Leach said the post-streetcar plan for Columbia Pike and Crystal City will likely mean more buses — buses that may be larger and fancier than those currently serving the corridors. While the county did previously study alternatives to streetcar, Leach said those plans need to be updated.

News

County Seeks Public Input on Long Bridge Aquatics Center’s Future

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 18, 2015 at 11:00AM

On Tuesday the Arlington County Board charged County Manager Barbara Donnellan — and, after June, interim County Manager Mark Schwartz — with undertaking a broad public input process and coming back with recommendations for the aquatics center and the second phase of the Long Bridge Park project in January 2016.

The Board that hears the recommendations and moves forward with the park’s second phase of construction will lack the current chair and vice chair, Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada, who are retiring at the end of the year.

Around Town

Bowl’d in Clarendon is Now Open

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 17, 2015 at 4:45PM

Photo courtesy Allen Reed

A new, fast-casual, healthy restaurant in Clarendon has opened its doors at 1028 N. Garfield Street.

Bowl’d marries the quick, customizable serving style popularized by Chipotle with healthy, gluten-free options.

News

‘Yield to Pedestrian’ Sign Installed at Intersection of Doom

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 17, 2015 at 3:35PM

The Arlington County Police Department has installed one of its movable-type signs — notably used to tell drivers “Don’t hit the car in front of you” in 2013 — at the intersection of N. Lynn Street, Lee Highway and the I-66 westbound off-ramp. The sign tells drivers to “Yield to Pedestrian,” a persistent problem as those coming off I-66 try to turn right on a green light toward the Key Bridge.

The sign is the latest in a multi-departmental effort to reduce accidents at the intersection. Last month, a temporary, no-turn-on-red signal was installed. The timing of the lights has been altered to give pedestrians and cyclists — coming from the Custis Trail to the west and the Mt. Vernon Trail to the east — a head start before cars begin turning.