fundraiser | ARLnow.com

Published November 5, 2019 at 1:35PM | Updated November 5, 2019 at 2:03PM

Chefs in the La Cocina, now Kitchen of Purpose (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 2 p.m.) Arlington’s culinary school La Cocina is planning to add a cafe and a business incubator — as well as triple the number of students it teaches.

The bilingual non-profit donates healthy meals and trains Hispanic immigrants for culinary jobs. But now La Cocina is planning to move from the basement of a church near Ballston to a 5,000-square-foot space in the affordable Gilliam Place housing development at 3507 Columbia Pike, where the organization’s CEO and Founder Patricia Funegra says La Cocina will help residents cook up new businesses.

Around Town

GoFundMe Campaign Has Raised $5K+ for Express Distributors

By ARLnow.com

Published September 17, 2019 at 10:00AM

A sign supporting former Washington Post Express distributors is pictured on an Express box near the Courthouse Metro station on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 in Arlington. (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

When the Washington Post’s Express commuter tabloid abruptly shut down last week, dozens of distributors who hawk the papers around Metro stations were left without a job, their futures uncertain.

Express’s 16-year run was made memorable by the friendly men and women who would greet commuters each morning, papers in hand. Now one reader is trying to ensure they’re not forgotten.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 28, 2019 at 7:30AM | Updated August 28, 2019 at 8:23AM

APS Students Now Can Identify as Nonbinary — “Students enrolling in schools in the District, Alexandria City, Arlington and Montgomery Counties now have the option to mark their gender as ‘X’ meaning nonbinary or unspecified. That’s in addition to male or female gender categories.” [WAMU]

Traffic Delays ACFD Response to I-395 Crash — “The I-395 incident happened shortly after 1 p.m. near the Duke Street overpass. Blunt said a crash left a woman trapped inside her car, but because of bumper-to-bumper traffic and other vehicles not moving out of the way, it took crews 24 minutes to respond when it would’ve taken them just eight minutes otherwise.” [Fox 5]

Events

Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K Returning Next Month

By ARLnow.com

Published August 12, 2019 at 4:30PM

Runners lined up for the 9/11 Memorial 5K Run on Saturday (courtesy photo)

Arlington public safety personnel are again organizing a 5K race for a good cause, in memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

The 18th annual Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K will be held on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 7. This year, the race will raise money for two organizations:

Around Town

Tens of Thousands Raised for Westover Businesses and Residents Impacted by Flood

By Vernon Miles

Published July 30, 2019 at 10:00AM | Updated August 13, 2019 at 11:27PM

Flood-damaged debris behind Ayers Variety & Hardware

Over $77,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign to support Westover retailers damaged by a flash flood earlier this month.

The campaign started the day after the flood by a customer at Ayers Variety & Hardware (5853 Washington Blvd) with an initial aim of $25,000. As of today, the campaign has raised $77,231 out of a new $100,000 goal.

Events

Cherrydale Fire House to Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary

By Ashley Hopko

Published July 19, 2019 at 11:30AM | Updated July 19, 2019 at 5:44PM

Cherrydale Fire House 1946 (photo courtesy of Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department)

(Updated at 2:55 p.m.) Cherrydale’s volunteer fire house is set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its construction in 1919 this weekend.

The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department will host festivities and a fundraiser for the anniversary this Saturday (July 20) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The Central Firehouse, owned the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department, is the oldest in Arlington and recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as a local historic landmark.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2019 at 7:30AM | Updated July 22, 2019 at 4:18PM

(Updated on 07/22/19) Office Vacancy Rate Dropping — “The commercial vacancy rate in the County continues to improve. The vacancy rate as of the second quarter of 2019 stands at 16.6%, down nearly 5% from its historic high of 21% in 2015. Arlington Economic Development also announced it successfully closed 26 deals in FY 2019, representing 7.2 million square feet of office space and 43,000 jobs.” [Arlington County]

County Adopts New Bathroom Policy — “The Arlington County government has adopted what amounts to a […] policy for government-building restrooms and locker rooms. The policy, outlined to County Board members on July 16, will formally allow any individual to use a male or female restroom ‘that corresponds with gender identity or expression,’ county staff said.” [InsideNova]

Around Town

Organizations Sponsor Supply Drives for At-Risk Kids

By Ashley Hopko

Published July 16, 2019 at 10:00AM

APS Walk and Bike to School Day 2013 (file photo)

It seems like summer break just started, but some local organizations are already pitching in to help at-risk students prepare for the upcoming school year.

Arlington-based Offender and Aid Restoration and Verizon Wireless retailer TCC are two of the organizations that are setting up drives for backpacks and other classroom necessities in Arlington.

Around Town

Local Businesses Reopen as Residents Donate Thousands

By ARLnow.com

Published July 15, 2019 at 4:45PM | Updated July 15, 2019 at 5:01PM

Sign on a window of a Westover business

A week after devastating flash flooding, the lights are coming back on for some affected businesses in Arlington.

SER Restaurant in Ballston, which was inundated by water coming through the ceiling during the Flash Flood Emergency, is planning to reopen at 5 p.m. today (Monday), co-owner Christiana Campos told ARLnow.

Around Town

Ballston Restaurant SER Launches Fundraiser After Flooding

By Airey

Published July 12, 2019 at 1:30PM

Flood damage to Spanish restaurant SER in Ballston (photo via GoFundMe)

Ballston restaurant SER is hoping a GoFundMe campaign will keep the business afloat after Monday’s devastating floods damaged the locally-owned eatery.

“The water apparently came through faulty drains in the building’s third floor balcony, spread through the third and second floors, and then seeped into every corner at SER,” owner Javier Candon wrote on the GoFundMe page. “We are at a loss about the physical and emotional toll this has taken on us and our entire SER family.”

Around Town

Nearly $34,000 Raised in One Day for Storm Damaged Westover Stores

By Vernon Miles

Published July 10, 2019 at 3:30PM | Updated July 10, 2019 at 5:48PM

Flooded basement at Ayers Variety & Hardware

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) One day after a GoFundMe campaign launched to support Westover stores hit by Monday’s flooding, the fundraiser has passed its initial aim of $25,000 and has moved towards a new $100,000 goal.

Flash floods on Monday left stores on the north side of the 5800 block of Washington Blvd ankle-deep in water, with basements filled to the ceiling with water. Kristy Peterkin, a manager at Ayers Variety & Hardware, estimated the storm caused at least $100,000 in damages to the merchandise. Days after the storm, power still hasn’t been restored and most of the stores on the block remain closed.

Events

Brunch and Boxing Charity Event in Rosslyn This Weekend

By Ashley Hopko

Published June 28, 2019 at 8:30AM | Updated June 28, 2019 at 9:29AM

BASH Boxing Charity Event (BASH/Eventbrite)

BASH Boxing and the Hyatt hotel in Rosslyn are teaming this weekend to sponsor a brunch and boxing charity event to benefit the Aga Khan Foundation and Save the Children.

Boxing fans can enjoy a 35-minute BASH training session followed by a tapas-style brunch this Sunday (June 29), from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd).