The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with FRESHFARM, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture and improves food access and equity, the Friends of Urban Agriculture, an Arlington organization working to build a future of healthy, sufficient and affordable sustainable food for all in the Arlington community, and the Wakefield, Gunston and Hoffman-Boston parent-teacher associations, has launched the Farm-to-Families initiative to provide fresh produce to local families in need.
The BID has contributed approximately $10,000 to the program, enabling over 150 families to receive a weekly stock of fruits and vegetables from FRESHFARM and its local suppliers. The program is targeted at families in need that are living in National Landing, Shirlington, Columbia Pike and the surrounding neighborhoods with children who attend the participating schools.
Beginning Friday, September 4, 2020, Street Guys Hospitality’s Clarendon landmark restaurant, TTT (Tacos, Tortas & Tequila) known for its casual Mexican-influenced fare is adding an exciting bit of fun on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons with virtual DJs. Guests dining on the first floor and on the third floor TTT Rooftop, which seats 82 and offers wonderful views on the city, will enjoy watching and listening to live streaming DJ performances via large screen projection. The featured DJ will be spinning in real time for four hours from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each DJ’s playlists are designed specifically for TTT. For this new dining entertainment venture, TTT is installing a new 150-inch rooftop screen for easy viewing, while the first floor of TTT boasts the largest retractable flat screen in the area, which is 190 inches and suspended from the ceiling.
With live broadcast viewing, TTT’s performances will integrate a variety of genres played by featured DJs. The music will be upbeat and eclectic. Virtual performing musicians are also part of the future for TTT’s enhanced experience for weekend dining. There will be a weekly rotation of the talent. Every performance is inclusive with content devoid of any negative language which will be curated by Pelonkey. TTT will be broadcasting the playlists designed specifically for TTT’s audience, and one will be able to find them posted on the restaurant’s website, as well as shared on social media platforms to learn about upcoming DJs and anticipated content of their shows.
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue is excited to debut its much-anticipated patio, now open daily for outdoor dining and drinking. Arlington residents and visitors can now enjoy Smokecraft’s award-winning barbecue outside on a socially distant patio, consisting of 38 seats.
The new restaurant has also launched its to-go cocktail program. Enjoy Lead Mixologist Lauren Paylor’s designs like the Smoke on the Water with Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, spiced honey, and angostura bitters, the Cucumber Collins with Beefeater Gin, salted cayenne cucumber, house sour, and soda, and the Chipotle Margarita with Sauza Blue Tequila, house sour, Cointreau, and chipotle bitters. Growlers of craft beer and wine bottles are also available for carryout.
District Taco donated $1,000 worth of burritos to families of Barrett Elementary School to ensure students’ needs are fulfilled while schools are closed for in-classroom instruction.
As a member of one of the industries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, District Taco has stayed true to their commitment to support the community. District Taco has historically supported local organizations with thousands of dollars of donations, both in food and monetary contributions.
Upcoming construction activity for the new W&OD Trail Bridge over Lee Highway (Route 29) in Arlington will require a trail detour for about two weeks beginning Monday, August 24. Closure of this trail section and the current, temporary routing around bridge construction will allow crews to build a permanent trail connection between the new bridge and the nearby sidewalk and crosswalk on Lee Highway.
Details include:
Beginning with applicants for the Fall 2021 semester, Marymount University will adopt a complete test-optional policy for submission of SAT and ACT scores.
This decision builds off of the University’s longstanding commitment to a holistic review of applications, as Marymount has been test-optional for select students for a number of years already. Previously, students who had a high school GPA of 3.0 or above were not required to submit their SAT or ACT scores for admissions consideration. Now, students with a GPA below 3.0 will also not be required to do so.
In its latest strategic initiative, Transform MU, Marymount University is restructuring its existing academic programs into three highly focused Colleges, each combining disciplines to create broader educational and research opportunities. These changes are part of Marymount’s Strategic Plan, Momentum, which builds on the University’s strengths and creates market-leading learning opportunities that prepare both first-time students and adult learners for rewarding careers and fulfilling lives.
The new structure, which will be implemented immediately and completed during the fall semester, is designed to maximize interdisciplinary education and research while accommodating future student growth and program expansion to meet changing societal needs. Each of the Colleges, led by deans, will be composed of a number of interdisciplinary schools without departments that are led by school directors. Dr. Hesham El-Rewini, Provost and Senior Vice President at Marymount, stressed the importance of this new structure to students and the community.
U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on Vice President Joe Biden’s selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate:
“Amid a strong field of highly qualified women, Senator Harris stands out as a powerful and historic choice.
Overnight ramp closures are scheduled to occur this week on I-66 East in Arlington for asphalt paving as part of the I-66 Eastbound Widening Project. Detours will be posted to direct traffic.
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Berkadia announced today the $19 million refinancing secured for Hilton Garden Inn, Crystal City, a full-service hotel in Crystal City, a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia. Director Matthew Raptosh and Associate Director Connor Wimsatt of Berkadia’s Hotels and Hospitality specialty team secured the loan on behalf of Sound Hospitality. The deal closed on July 30.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected the hospitality industry, leaving many owners struggling to secure the financing they need. Berkadia matched the borrower with a competitive, interest-only, non-recourse bridge loan just as they faced an upcoming maturity. Stonehill Strategic Capital provided the financing.
On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued its most recent guidance regarding international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities for the Fall 2020 semester. Most notably, it clarifies that new foreign students will not be allowed to enter the country if their school is operating entirely online, with the recently-announced flexibility for international students only applying to those who were actively enrolled on March 9.
In light of this guidance that disrupts the academic plans of so many individuals both regionally and nationally, Marymount University has confirmed its ability to welcome additional international students during the upcoming fall semester and beyond. As stated in its “Saints Reunite” Guide to 2020-21 Reopening, Marymount continues to prepare for a complete re-entry of students, faculty and staff, and a return to on-site learning and living with new protocols that safeguard the health and safety of its campus community. This plan was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) last week.
Clarendon Presbyterian Church (CPC) thanks everyone who contributed to its Food and Toiletry Drive in July. The church collected 105 boxes and bags of donations for homeless shelters in Arlington – an estimated value of more than $5,200 in groceries and toiletries! The food donations support Bridges to Independence in Clarendon, a shelter and housing program for families with children. And the toiletries donations support Residential Program Center (RPC), a shelter on Columbia Pike for single adults. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the next Drive-thru Collection on August 15, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Clarendon Presbyterian Church is located at 1305 North Jackson Street, Arlington, VA 22201. No physical interaction. Masks required. Drop-off at curbside location outside church. Please send questions to [email protected] or (703) 527-9513. Thank you!
