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Morning Notes

Published October 12, 2011 at 8:14AM

A Star Wars stormtrooper in the Arlington Central Library

Star Wars Event at Library — Arlington Central Library hosted a Star Wars costuming event over the weekend, as the above photo (uploaded to the library’s Facebook page) demonstrates.

School Stats Released — The class of 2011 at Arlington Public Schools had an on-time graduation rate of more than 87 percent, just above the state average of 86.6 percent. Arlington’s drop-out rate is declining, meanwhile. The rate was 9.8 percent in 2011, compared to 12.5 percent in 2008. [Arlington Public Schools]

Around Town

Kavenchy Spa Salon Closes in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published October 5, 2011 at 2:37PM

Customers of Kavenchy Spa Salon received an email from owner Sam Kavenchy last night stating that the glitzy salon was closing effective immediately.

“We certainly enjoyed having you as part in [sic] Kavenchy’s success for the past two years,” the email said. “But now it’s time to say goodbye.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 5, 2011 at 8:57AM | Updated October 5, 2011 at 10:03AM

County Board Candidates Debate — The three candidates for Arlington County Board — two incumbent Democrats and one Green Party challenger — answered questions at the Civic Federation candidates forum last night. The Democrats, Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada, spoke generally about the advantages of living in Arlington, while challenger Audrey Clement sharply criticized the County Board as being “in bed with developers.” [Sun Gazette]

Unopposed Candidate Roundup — Six Democrats who are running unopposed for local offices also spoke at last night’s candidates forum. [Sun Gazette]

Around Town

Pizzeria Eschews Groupon, Offers Own Half-Off Deal

By ARLnow.com

Published October 3, 2011 at 3:59PM | Updated October 3, 2011 at 6:49PM

Pete's New Haven Style Apizza (2011 file photo)

But Pete’s New Haven Apizza (3017 Clarendon Blvd) in Clarendon is trying something a bit old-fashioned. In the age of Groupon and Living Social, Pete’s is deliberately skipping the daily deal websites and offering its own 50-percent-off promotion.

Starting today, Pete’s in Clarendon is offering dine-in customers half-off pizza on Mondays. All day. No coupon required.

Around Town

New Apartment Building Coming to Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published October 3, 2011 at 11:06AM

The Goodyear tire store and service center in Ballston will likely be torn down at some point next year to make way for a new apartment building.

Arlington County’s Site Plan Review Committee is expected to discuss the building proposal in November. The developer hopes to start construction on the building next year, with construction wrapping up by mid-2013, according to the Washington Business Journal.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2011 at 8:32AM

Wakefield Loses Full Accreditation — Wakefield High School was the only Arlington County public school that failed to receive full state accreditation this year. The school was accredited “within warning” because only 77 percent of the class of 2011 graduated. Wakefield will need to show a rising graduation rate for the next two years or it will lose all state accreditation. [Washington Examiner]

Arlington Skate Park Remarkably Graffiti Free — The Powhatan Springs skate park in Dominion Hills has nary a graffiti scribble, in contrast to nearly every other public skate park in the country. Plus, it also has a rain garden. [Greater Greater Washington]

Around Town

Ballston Smoothie King Abdicates

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2011 at 3:35PM

The Smoothie King in Ballston has given up its throne in an effort to conquer Adams Morgan.

The eatery, at 850 Randolph Street, across from Ballston Common Mall, is now closed. A sign in the window says the store is moving to 18th Street in Adams Morgan.

News

Meet Your Crystal City Concession Stand Vendor

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2011 at 2:10PM | Updated September 29, 2011 at 3:40PM

Adel Ishak in 2011

If you’ve ever met Ishak, you probably know him as a hard-working guy who greets customers with an easy smile. What you probably don’t know about the guy serving you snacks and sodas is that not too long ago he was a prominent attorney in Egypt, with a large office and business before the Egyptian Supreme Court.

Ishak moved his wife and twin daughters to the United States five years ago, he says, after they started fearing for their safety. Being a Christian in Egypt, as they were, had become too dangerous, says Ishak.

Around Town

BRAC’d Building in Rosslyn to Be Renovated

By ARLnow.com

Published September 23, 2011 at 11:00AM | Updated September 23, 2011 at 1:59PM

Renovate, renovate, renovate.

That’s the plan announced by real estate firm Penzance earlier this week for its 17-story office tower at 1500 Wilson Boulevard. Most of the building, minus ground-level retailers like Santa Fe Cafe and a couple of lower floors, will be vacated next year thanks to the Base Realignment and Closure Act, and Penzance is planning to spruce things up.

News

Arlington Encouraging Businesses to Close Their Doors

By ARLnow.com

Published September 13, 2011 at 3:01PM | Updated September 13, 2011 at 3:23PM

“The Campaign is a voluntary effort through which retailers pledge to keep their doors closed if the air conditioning or heat is running,” said county spokeswoman Shannon Whalen McDaniel. “Arlington is asking retailers to make this commitment to close their doors, which will help save them money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more comfortable indoor environment for staff and customers.”

It’s “a win-win situation all around,” Whalen McDaniel said.

Around Town

Seoul Food Truck: Business Is Good

By ARLnow.com

Published September 9, 2011 at 1:59PM

“It’s too good to be true,” she said of the lines that formed outside the truck while it was parked in Rosslyn last week. “It’s amazing.”

The Gorees, along with their one full-time employee, were serving between 200 and 250 customers a day last week. By 1:30 p.m., most of the menu was sold out. And that was perfectly okay with Anna.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 9, 2011 at 8:44AM

Wild Animals Rescued During Hurricane — Given this week’s weather, Hurricane Irene is increasingly looking like a brief summer rain shower. Nonetheless, the hurricane created a dangerous situation for humans and animals alike. Animal control officers from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington rescued more than 20 wild animals during the storm, mostly baby squirrels. [Washington Post]

Defense Contractor Moving HQ to Arlington — Defense contractor ATK is moving its headquarters from Minneapolis to Rosslyn. The move will only affect the top brass at the company, however. Fewer than 10 employees, mostly executives, are expected to make the move. [DefenseNews]