Around Town | ARLnow.com

Why Arlington Gets Scooped Up in ‘City’ Rankings

Published October 25, 2019 at 9:00AM

Ever wondered why Arlington County gets scooped up in “city” rankings so often, despite being technically a county? Turns out it’s by design.

The county is marked as a “Census Designated Place” (CDP) within the U.S. Census, which allows officials to compare it to cities as if the Arlington were one, too. And because data on CDPs and cities are both published in the same level of the federal survey, Arlington gets ranked against other U.S. cities by companies eager to rank everything from parks to bike friendliness.

Sawatdee Thai’s Dining Room Temporary Closed For Renovations

By Kalina Newman

Published October 24, 2019 at 5:30PM | Updated October 25, 2019 at 9:50AM

A sign at Sawatdee Thai states the dining room will be closed but the restaurant will ramain open for delivery and carry out orders (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 1 a.m.) Sawatdee Thai (2250 Clarendon Blvd) has temporarily closed for renovations.

Today (Friday) was the first day in seven years it closed its doors to sit-down customers other than for holidays and weather emergencies, a representative from the restaurant told ARLnow. The renovations are expected to upgrade the restaurant’s interior.

ACPD to Host Anti-DUI Event Ahead of Halloween, SoberRide Offering Lyfts Home

By Airey

Published October 24, 2019 at 4:30PM

Tomorrow (Friday) police officers will kick off the event highlighting what alcohol does to motor skills at 8 p.m., at the intersection of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon.

To make room for the event, ACPD is planning to close N. Hudson Street from Wilson Boulevard to 13th Street N. between 7-11 p.m. Friday night and post temporary no-parking signs in the area.

Arlington’s Au Pairs Connect to Community Through Service, Culture

By Kalina Newman

Published October 24, 2019 at 3:30PM | Updated October 25, 2019 at 8:17AM

Arlington Au Pairs volunteering at DC Central Kitchen (Image courtesy of Jennifer Bhartiya)

Across Arlington, numerous families live with au pairs. What many don’t know is how au pairs have built a community of their own in Arlington.

An au pair is an young adult between the ages of 18-26 who moves to America from another country as part of a cultural exchange. They are matched with a host family, and the au pair lives with them and provides up to 45 hours a week of childcare.

Law Enforcement To Host a ‘Take-Back’ Day to Help People Dispose of Drugs

By Airey

Published October 24, 2019 at 11:00AM

Local and federal law enforcement agencies are organizing an event to dispose of unwanted medications.

On Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Arlington County Police Department, the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will collect prescription drugs from people who want to clear our their cabinets.

We, The Pizza to Open Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published October 24, 2019 at 9:00AM

We, The Pizza in Ballston

It’s official: We, The Pizza says it will open its new Ballston location next week.

The restaurant at 4201 Wilson Blvd, in the Ballston Exchange complex, is expected to open on Wednesday, Oct. 30. In addition to the usual pizza selection, the restaurant will be introducing four flavors of gelato shakes, including Hazelnut Nutella and Stracciatella

A Group is Pushing the County for a Dog Park in Rosslyn

By Airey

Published October 23, 2019 at 1:30PM

R-Dogs is pushing for a new dog park in Rosslyn (Image courtesy of Irma Magadan Couto)

A new group is pushing the county for more space dedicated to its four-legged residents in Rosslyn’s growing neighborhood.

R-Dogs, LLC was one the groups at last week’s Cider Fest — the new group set up a table to hand out treats and dog waste bags, while advocating for a new dog park.

Pet Care Business Opening in Ballston Quarter Next Year

By Kalina Newman

Published October 23, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated October 30, 2019 at 11:46AM

Incoming Heart + Paw location in Ballston Quarter

A “reimagined pet care” business is eying a 2020 opening in Ballston Quarter.

Heart + Paw will offer veterinary care, a grooming spa, and a pet day care, according to the Ballston Quarter website. Its interior will be an “elevated space designed using the latest research on low stress environments.”

CVS in Shirlington Expected to Open Next Summer

By Kalina Newman

Published October 23, 2019 at 10:00AM

Cheesetique is moving, making way for a new CVS in Shirlington (Staff photo by Jay Wescott)

CVS Pharmacy is planning to open its new store in the Village of Shirlington by the summer of 2020, according to a spokesperson from the shopping center.

The 10,906 square-foot space will be located at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and S. Randolph Street, taking over a temporary women’s clothing boutique and the current Cheesetique space.

Indoor Swim School SwimBox Is Coming To Lee Highway

By Kalina Newman

Published October 22, 2019 at 1:30PM | Updated October 22, 2019 at 2:57PM

A new indoor swimming school is coming soon to Lee Highway in Arlington.

SwimBox offers one-on-one lessons to swimmers of all ages, from beginners to athletes. All lessons take place in the shallow, warm-water “Endless Pool,” with instant video feedback to customize swimming technique.

MONA, Local Community Groups Scramble As Yahoo Groups Shutters

By Kalina Newman

Published October 22, 2019 at 10:15AM | Updated October 22, 2019 at 10:39AM

Local groups including Mothers of North Arlington (MONA) and the Alcova Heights Community Association were left scrambling last week after Yahoo announced it would be shuttering its still-widely-used online messaging tool, Yahoo! Groups.

“This listserv was very valuable to the neighborhood,” said Mark Wigfield, the moderator for the Barcroft School & Civic League chat list (Bsclchat). “People [used it to] chat back and forth about hiring plumbers and carpenters, local issues, crime reports, ‘curb alerts’ for stuff they’re putting out on the curb for the taking, and more.”