local business | ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2010 at 12:18PM

“I came up with the idea because Lyon Hall has great significance in our relationship and I wanted it to be a part of our proposal,” said Schwartz, who teaches high school English for Loudoun County Public Schools. “Lyon Hall… was where I fell in love with her.”

While proposing at the restaurant itself may have seemed like a natural choice, Mitch had bigger plans. He wanted more privacy, more intimacy for the big moment. He wanted to spread flower pedals around the room, light candles, put on their favorite song and surprise Laura without two dozen people gawking at them. But he still wanted Lyon Hall to be a part of it. So he talked to manager Mark Fedorchak.

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Arlington to Launch “Green Games” Competition

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2010 at 12:34PM | Updated October 12, 2010 at 1:09PM

The “Arlington Green Games” will begin next Tuesday (Oct. 19) with an opening ceremony in Rosslyn, complete with booths that will instruct competitors on ways to reduce energy consumption and cut down on emissions. The event will start at 11:00 a.m. on the 30th floor of 1000 Wilson Blvd.

The competition is being organized by Arlington’s Fresh AIRE program, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions in the county. Competitors will first benchmark their “current energy and sustainability practices,” then work to improve performance in those area.

Around Town

What Will Replace the Pike’s La Cabana Restaurant?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 5, 2010 at 3:54PM

Several months ago, La Cabana restaurant, on Walter Reed Drive next to the Arlington Drafthouse, boarded up its colorfully-decorated windows and locked the doors.

Since then, despite the increasing foot traffic in the area and the continuing revitalization of Columbia Pike, leasing agents have struggled to find any restaurants that want to move in and fix the place up.

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You Asked, We Asked: The Papery

By ARLnow.com

Published September 20, 2010 at 1:41PM

But a store employee tells us they’re not closing shop, they’re just low on stock. A new shipment should be arriving soon, we’re told.

So don’t worry, it seems that you will still be able to order Vera Wang-designed wedding invitations in the heart of Clarendon.

Around Town

The Music Stops at the Westover Market Beer Garden, For Now

By ARLnow.com

Published September 13, 2010 at 2:55PM

The changes were mandated by the county’s zoning enforcement office, which acted upon noise complaints from two neighbors.

In terms of the music, Westover Market had neglected to apply for a live music permit before it started hosting performances. Such a permit requires county board approval. Market manager Devin Hicks says they have since applied for the permit, forking over most of the $1,200+ application fee in the process. The earliest the board could act on the application is November, at which point outdoor concerts are out of the question for all but the hardiest music fans.

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More Dunkin’ Donuts Stores on the Way?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 8, 2010 at 10:24AM

Next week Dunkin’ Donuts will hold an information session in Tysons Corner to discuss franchise opportunities with interested local entrepreneurs. Among the localities where the company wants to expand are Arlington, Fairfax, Charles and Prince George’s counties.

Arlington is home to four Dunkin’ Donuts stores, excluding location in National Airport. Current locations include Crystal City, Pentagon City, Columbia Pike and Lee Highway — so far, none in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 7, 2010 at 5:06AM | Updated September 7, 2010 at 5:59AM

Back to School — The nearly 21,000 students enrolled in Arlington Public Schools are returning to class today. Watch out for school buses on the roads this morning.

Arlington Parents Like Their Kid’s School, Teachers — On Friday, we reported that a survey conducted on behalf of Arlington Public Schools found that parents were very much opposed to redrawing school boundaries. Now comes more evidence that parents of APS students are happy with their kid’s current school. Asked to grade their child’s school, teachers, and quality of education, parents gave each a 4.4 out of 5 on average. More from the Sun Gazette.

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Controversy Erupts Over Dog Murals, But Help May Be On The Way

By ARLnow.com

Published August 26, 2010 at 3:18PM | Updated August 26, 2010 at 3:37PM

Painted on the side of a cinder block warehouse and facing the popular Shirlington dog park, a large mural of happy dogs, bones and paw prints seems like a nice addition. And it would be fine with county regulators — if it wasn’t for the fact that a dog-related business commissioned it. But since the mural belongs to a small doggy daycare it’s considered advertising under county zoning code — and may eventually have to be painted over. For now, a blue tarp covers the $4,000 mural.

Thus is the paradox of county regulations intended to protect Arlington from commercial eyesores but permit public artwork — even if the “advertisement” is actually beautifying a monolithic wall in a run-down neighborhood, it is considered a violation. Yet if the doggie daycare were to paint airplanes or fire trucks or elephants on the side of the wall — which is in plain sight of a steady procession of defecating dogs — it would be perfectly fine.

News

Gov. McDonnell To Visit Arlington on Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published August 23, 2010 at 12:10PM

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will stop by Arlington on Wednesday to participate in a grand opening ceremony at the new offices of New Media Strategies in Rosslyn.

NMS recently moved into larger offices at 1100 Wilson Boulevard, and the governor will help CEO Pete Snyder formally dedicate the space. No word yet on whether Snyder will break out the jumbo ribbon-cutting scissors for the second time this month.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 17, 2010 at 4:59AM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 2:25PM

Hit-and-Run Bus Driver Facing Discipline — The Metrobus driver accused of rear-ending a car in Ballston and then driving off “will be disciplined,” a WMATA spokesperson tells TBD. Metro says the accident was “preventable” but is refusing to release the results of drug and alcohol tests performed on the driver after the accident.

Local Technology Firm Sold — Arlington-based ICx Technologies has agreed to be purchased by Oregon-based Flir Systems for $274 million. ICx manufactures high-tech sensors that can detect radiation, chemicals, explosives, and biological agents. Some of ICx’s largest clients include the U.S. military and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. More from the Oregonian.

Around Town

Clarendon Grill Closes for Renovations

By ARLnow.com

Published August 2, 2010 at 9:23AM | Updated August 2, 2010 at 10:40AM

Popular local cover band Gonzo’s Nose was the last band to play at the “old” Clarendon Grill. A restaurant rep says the new Grill will still host bands and have a dancefloor — but refused to divulge any additional details.

Clarendon Grill will remain under the same management, the rep said. It’s unclear whether it will retain its name.

News

Would-Be Restaurant Will Be Torn Down, Turned Into a Park

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2010 at 2:02PM

The strange case of Haze Restaurant, Bar and Lounge is coming to a close.

Essentially an old house gussied up in goth black paint and gaudy decorations, Haze looks severely out of place between the Arlington Arts Center and a soon-to-be yoga studio (formerly Curves). It was apparently meant to be a lounge-y kind of a place, which could have brought some nightlife to the relatively dead section of Wilson Boulevard near the Virginia Square Metro, but it was brought down by some very poor planning.