An art studio featuring free classes and a light-up scrapyard velociraptor opened its doors yesterday (Wednesday) in Pentagon City.
Catherine Anchin, executive director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MoCA), cut the ribbon for the new Innovation Studio + Store alongside several local officials at Amazon’s second headquarters. The project, a collaboration between Amazon and MoCA, seeks to take a fresh approach to connecting the public with contemporary art.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City will be bringing to life the movie-musical “The Greatest Showman” this Saturday.
The event at 1660 Crystal Drive includes an interactive circus, from 5:30-7 p.m., between two screenings of the film at 3:30 and 7 p.m., which will both have a sing-along portion.
Summer in Arlington means packed farmers markets, community events and plenty of dogs enjoying the outdoors alongside their owners. For Chippin, a pet food company scaling the use of sustainable proteins, these summer traditions have been more than just a part of local life. They have helped shape the company’s growth.
Headquartered in Arlington since 2021, Chippin attends dozens of events across the DMV each summer. The company is inspired by the unique ability pets have to bring people together and spark conversations that might not otherwise happen. A simple “Would your dog like a treat?” has opened the door to discussions about everything from digestive health and food allergies to stories about flying invasive fish and the environmental impact of traditional protein sourcing.
Founded on the belief that environmental challenges can become opportunities for innovation, Chippin built a consumer brand around alternative proteins, including cricket protein and invasive silver carp. Their work with invasive carp has been supported by conservation leaders, including the World Wildlife Fund, as an example of how market-based solutions can address environmental challenges. By creating economic value for an invasive species, the company helps align ecological restoration with commercial opportunity.
As the company has grown, so has the opportunity. What began as a pet food brand is now evolving into a broader ingredient platform. This year, Chippin launched IGNIZA, an ingredient platform designed to unlock nature-positive proteins for the pet food industry, starting with invasive silver carp.
The company is already expanding beyond carp. Through a USDA-funded initiative, IGNIZA is developing supply chains around invasive blue catfish, a species threatening the health of the Chesapeake Bay. By creating commercial demand for invasive species, the company is advancing market-based solutions that benefit ecosystems, local economies and domestic supply chains.
Arlington has been the ideal place to launch and scale this vision. The unique combination of a highly educated workforce, thriving startup and technology ecosystem, and proximity to Washington, D.C. has enabled Chippin to build partnerships with conservation organizations, government agencies and mission-driven businesses working to solve complex environmental challenges.
Just as importantly, Arlington’s dog-loving community has helped inspire the company’s evolution as it works to build the next generation of sustainable pet food ingredients.
This summer, as the team continues meeting dogs and their owners across the region, they are reminded that some of the best business ideas start with a simple conversation. Sometimes, that conversation begins with a dog treat.
Arlington Economic Development supports innovative companies like Chippin as they grow and scale in the region. Learn more about resources for startups and mission-driven businesses.
Say hello to Rocky!
This little guy is the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week and is currently in foster through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
A new bill in the Virginia General Assembly would give the Arlington County Board the authority to change its structure without seeking further approval from state lawmakers.
Del. Patrick Hope’s HB 1225 would allow the Board to decide if it should retain its 5-member, at-large form of government or consider altering the size, to between three and 11 members, and changing to a district-based representation model. It would also allow the County Board Chair to be elected by popular vote for a 4-year term where currently, the practice is to rotate the chairship among members yearly.
🫶✨ Calling all Swifties! ✨🫶
Get ready for a night celebrating every era as The Fearless Eras, DC’s only all-Taylor Swift cover band, takes over The Renegade in Arlington for more than 3 hours of Taylor’s biggest hits and fan-favorite deep cuts.
(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) The 50-meter pool at the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center will have shorter hours for several months for needed repairs.
The pool area will close at 8 p.m., about two hours early, on weekdays starting next Monday, Jan. 29 to replace leaky pipes and water-damaged ceiling tiles caused by a corroded sprinkler hose, the Arlington County Dept. Parks and Recreation said in a press release. Weekend hours will not be affected.
The Macy’s store in Ballston is slated to close this spring, as soon as March, ARLnow has learned.
The department store at the Ballston Quarter mall was one of five locations the company identified last week as set to close in 2024. Macy’s is also planning to cut some 2,350 jobs this year.
Murder Suspect Nabbed After Carjacking — “A woman wanted for murder in Prince William County was arrested Tuesday after a carjacking in Arlington and pursuit into Prince George’s County, Md. At 11:55 a.m., police were called to 2nd Street North in Arlington after a woman approached another woman from behind, grabbed her shoulders and demanded her car keys, Arlington County police said. A struggle ensued and the suspect indicated she had a gun, stole the keys and took the car.” [InsideNova, Twitter]
Theft Suspect Arrested After Bike Chase — “At least seven Fairfax County Police Department vehicles were involved in the pursuit. They get held up at a stop light in the eastbound lanes on Columbia Pike at the Arlington County border while a bicyclist passes by, headed in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes. The man was ultimately caught at the Columbia Pike and S. Greenbrier Street intersection.” [FFXnow, Twitter]
Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 24, 2024.
An Arlington man accused of sexually assaulting women he lured into his car in Clarendon has been found guilty on all counts.
Julio Basurto was convicted on four criminal counts after a three-day trial, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington and Falls Church announced Wednesday evening.
