Vernon Miles | ARLnow

Local Startup HUNGRY Feeds National Guard and Arlington’s Less Fortunate

Published January 28, 2021 at 2:45PM

A HUNGRY food distribution event in Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

For Jeff Grass, CEO and Chairman of Ballston-based startup HUNGRY, a food distribution event in Arlington yesterday (Wednesday) had a bittersweet flavor to it.

While the company was able to prepare 6,000 hot meals for people in need at a drive-thru food distribution event at Central United Methodist Church (4201 Fairfax Drive) near its headquarters, it’s also a painful reminder that nearly one year after a global pandemic began, many Americans face a food accessibility crisis.

News

Arlington Historical Society Fights to Save Dominion Hills Mansion from Demolition

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2021 at 4:45PM

The Febrey-Lothrop estate on Wilson Blvd was razed before achieving historic-district status (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

As a large Arlington estate nears a potential demolition, a local historic preservation group is fighting to have the estate’s main house saved.

The Febrey-Lothrop Estate — also known as the Rouse estate — is a 9-acre site at 6407 Wilson Blvd, near Arlington’s western border with Fairfax County. On it sits a more than 100-year-old home that has housed prominent business figures and celebrities over the years.

Around Town

Local Historian to Lead Smithsonian Associates Lecture Series on Arlington’s Hidden History

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2021 at 4:45PM | Updated January 22, 2021 at 8:39AM

(Updated at 8:40 a.m.) Bad news: the Marceytown treasure is probably a myth.

It’s one of those little local history stories that, according to local historian Kathryn Springston, starts from one fact but gets distorted by years of retelling. The good news, Springston says, is that behind many of the exaggerated local legends are equally fascinating but underreported true stories.

Around Town

Cosi Closes in Rosslyn, Starbucks Closing Soon

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2021 at 1:30PM

Interior of the closed Cosi in Rosslyn (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The doors are closed, the lights are off, and all the interior decorations and furniture are gone: Cosi (1801 N. Lynn Street) in Rosslyn is closed.

The fast-casual restaurant chain build on flatbread sandwiches had several closures — of locations in Crystal City, Virginia Square and Ballston — early last year when the company filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving the Rosslyn location as the last D.C. area location on this side of the Potomac River.

Around Town

Italian Market Planning to Open Soon at Pentagon Row

By Vernon Miles

Published November 6, 2020 at 3:50PM

Napoli Salumeria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new Italian market is opening at Pentagon Row with a grab-and-go version of a beloved D.C. restaurant.

Napoli Salumeria (1301 S. Joyce Street) will have the sandwiches, pastas, salads and desserts of the Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Napoli Pasta Bar in D.C. (2737 Sherman Avenue NW), but the Pentagon Row location is built around picking up food in the store and taking it home, according to owner Antonio Ferraro.

Feature

Arlington Company Secures $21 Million for Fish Skin Research on a Larger Scale

By Vernon Miles

Published September 14, 2020 at 1:15PM

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. Monday Properties is proudly featuring Shirlington Gateway. Say hello to the new 2800 Shirlington, which recently delivered a brand-new lobby and upgraded fitness center. Experience a prime location and enjoy being steps from Shirlington Village, a large retail hub with a variety of unique restaurants and shopping options. Spec suites with bright open plans and modern finishes are under construction and will deliver soon!

Joint Arlington-Icelandic regenerative-medicine biologics company Kerecis has reeled in a new batch of funding.

Opinion

Ed Talk: Online Education for Adults

By Vernon Miles

Published September 4, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated September 4, 2020 at 3:29PM

While elementary and secondary school students across the country adjust to full-time distance learning, adults have been learning online for years.

Online courses offer adults the flexibility to continue their education while working and taking care of families. Some enroll in these courses to learn new job skills and expand their employment opportunities. Others are lifelong learners who enjoy studying the arts, literature, language, history and a myriad of other subjects offered online.

Around Town

Courthouse Restaurant Summers Could Close Without Outdoor Seating Permit

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 11:49AM

Summers Restaurant in Courthouse, in February

After nearly 40 years, Joe Javidara said the future of his soccer-themed bar Summers Restaurant in Courthouse (1520 N. Courthouse Road) hinges on a permit he said is being processed through Arlington County government.

The restaurant announced on Monday that it was temporarily closed until it could get a permit for outdoor seating.

Events

Crystal City Plans New Drive-In Movie Series

By Vernon Miles

Published September 1, 2020 at 9:55AM

The National Landing BID (née Crystal City BID) is hosting a series of drive-in movies, starting Thursday and running weekly in September.

Retro drive-ins have become a popular alternative to traditional theaters, which can be a COVID-19 hazard. In Alexandria, a similar drive-in series has already sold out all of its tickets.

Around Town

Consignment Shop For Parents and Kids Coming to Westover

By Vernon Miles

Published August 31, 2020 at 2:15PM

Those who mourned the closing of Finders Keepers in Westover (5906 Washington Blvd) should be happy to know a new consignment shop is coming to the same space, but with some significant new changes.

True to the consignment store spirit, Amber Scivolette is taking a second-hand retail space and breathing new life into it — Finders Keepers is becoming Blossom and Buds Consignment.

Events

Arlington Drafthouse Remaining Open With Comedians and Cult Classics

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2020 at 2:05PM

Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A month into Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse’s (2903 Columbia Pike) reopening “test drive,” the venue is moving forward with more programming, but also adapting for some of the bumps in the roads.

“We’re coming into the fourth weekend,” said owner Tim Clark. “We have kept capacity right around 25% and that seems to be working pretty well. I’m really happy with how we opened. Staff has been great in keeping things sanitized and clean, and making sure people have been adhering to policy.”

Around Town

Late September Opening Eyed for Ballston’s Mosaic Park, But Pandemic Puts Some Features on Hold

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2020 at 1:45PM

Mosaic Park (photo courtesy Arlington County)

After delays in planning and over a year of construction, Arlington’s ambitious overhaul of Mosaic Park (538 N. Pollard Street) is about a month away from its debut.

The park is planned to open, in part, in late September, according to Susan Kalish, spokeswoman for the county parks department.