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Morning Notes

Published July 26, 2012 at 8:48AM

Meriweather Pleads to DWI Charge — Washington Redskins strong safety Brandon Meriweather has pleaded no contest to the charge of driving while intoxicated in Arlington. As part of the plea, Meriweather was assessed a fine, a driver’s license suspension, and a 180 day jail sentence — though the jail time was suspended. ARLnow.com was the first to report in April that Meriweather had been arrested for DWI following a traffic stop on I-66 in Arlington. [Washington Post]

Heat Advisory Issued — A heat advisory will be in effect from noon to 8:00 tonight. Heat index values are expected to reach around 105 degrees, which brings the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. [Weather Channel]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 24, 2012 at 9:50AM

Boathouse Meeting Today — A public meeting regarding a proposed boathouse along Arlington’s Potomac River shoreline is being held tonight. The National Park Service is holding the meeting at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Senor Pan Closes — After just 6 months in business, Columbia Pike-area cafe/bakery Senor Pan has apparently closed, according to the Pike Wire Twitter feed. Senor Pan was located at 922 S. Walter Reed Drive.

Around Town

Arlington Catering Company Uses Aquaponics to Farm Fish

By Katie Pyzyk

Published July 18, 2012 at 2:50PM

Main Event Caterers (3870 S. Four Mile Run Drive) recently began using the urban farming technique. Aquaponics is the practice of using a closed-loop ecological system to grow both fish and plants in one body of water. Water circulates through fish tanks, moves through filters and plant beds, then heads back to the fish tanks.

The catering company says the process benefits the business as well as the environment.

Around Town

A-Town Bar & Grill Sets Aug. 1 Opening Date

By ARLnow.com

Published July 17, 2012 at 11:15AM | Updated August 3, 2012 at 11:24AM

A-Town Bar & Grill — the re-branded and remodeled incarnation of Caribbean Breeze — is hoping to open on August 1, a co-owner tells us.

Located at 4100 Fairfax Drive in Ballston, A-Town Bar & Grill will feature an expanded beer list; an “eclectic” menu including sushi, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and steaks; a redone outdoor patio; and lots of flat screen TVs.

Around Town

Hee Been Asian Bistro Buffet Has Closed

By ARLnow.com

Published July 13, 2012 at 3:05PM

The family-owned restaurant opened on the ground floor of the Eclipse condominium building, near Potomac Yard, on Christmas Day 2011. No word on why the restaurant closed, but a tipster tells us it didn’t seem to be attracting enough customers. Hee Been was closed yesterday, according to another business owner at the Eclipse, and a property manager was seen changing the locks today.

Hee Been’s original Alexandria location, at 6231 Little River Turnpike, is still open, according to an employee who answered the phone there this afternoon.

Around Town

McDonald’s on Wilson Closes for Construction

By Katie Pyzyk

Published July 10, 2012 at 1:30PM

The McDonald’s at the Corner of Wilson Blvd and George Mason Drive has suddenly closed, at least for now.

Although a couple of employees were spotted milling around inside, the restaurant is dark and the parking lot is taped off. A sign hanging in the window says the restaurant is closed for construction.

Around Town

Caribbean Breeze to Become ‘A-Town Bar & Grill’

By Katie Pyzyk

Published June 22, 2012 at 1:00PM

Existing owner Mike Cordero will partner with his son, Nick Cordero, and newcomer Scott Parker for the revamped establishment, which will be called A-Town Bar and Grill. Parker says the new menu will be “eclectic,” and features a wide range of choices including sushi, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and steaks. The beer list will expand from four to about 10. Food will be served every day, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.

Parker said Caribbean Breeze, which just celebrated its 10 year anniversary last month, has consistently been financially successful. However, the partners believe the broader concept should appeal to more people.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 19, 2012 at 9:00AM

“Route 50 in Illinois” in Arlington — Why does Route 50/Arlington Boulevard show up in Google Maps as “Route 50 in Illinois?” That’s unclear — but it turns out the mis-labeling problem in Google Maps is not limited to Arlington. [Yurasko.net]

Latest Salvo in Buses vs. Streetcar Fight — Greater Greater Washington’s Ryan Arnold weighs in on the argument that articulated buses are a better alternative to streetcars on Columbia Pike: “Articulated buses are appropriate in many places, but they are not the same as streetcars. They don’t accomplish the same goals, and are not merely a less-expensive substitute.” Arnold says a streetcar will “accomplish the planning goals set out by the county and approved by its voters” in a way that buses cannot. [Greater Greater Washington]

Around Town

Sangam Restaurant Closes on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published June 11, 2012 at 1:35PM | Updated June 11, 2012 at 4:45PM

Owner Edward Dean says financial difficulties forced him to shutter the location. For the time being, Dean says he’s continuing to operate a delivery and catering business, with the same staff as Sangam, out of another Indian restaurant in Arlington. Customers can call 703-524-2728 to place orders, he said.

Dean, a retired diplomat, says he lost more than $1 million trying to make the restaurant work between 2004 and today. While perhaps not a financial success, the restaurant did win some accolades, including three straight first place awards at the Taste of Arlington.

Around Town

Then and Now: Hot Shoppes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published June 6, 2012 at 1:45PM | Updated June 6, 2012 at 5:58PM

Hot Shoppes restaurant on Langston Blvd, circa 1930s

The photo on the left shows the Hot Shoppes location at 1325 Lee Highway in Rosslyn, during the 1930s. It was part of the chain started locally by J. Willard Marriott in 1927.

Marriott and his wife, Alice, moved to the D.C. area from Utah. He launched a restaurant based on his affinity for American Southwest foods such as spicy BBQ, chili and tamales. The name came from his desire for a restaurant that would provide hot food to warm the D.C. residents during the wet chill of an Eastern winter.

Around Town

O’Sullivan’s to Expand into Sam’s Corner Space

By ARLnow.com

Published June 4, 2012 at 9:50AM

O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd) in Clarendon has signed a new lease that will allow it to expand into two adjacent storefronts.

O’Sullivan’s will soon take over the next-door Fragrance World and Sam’s Corner storefronts, owner Anselm Griffiths tells ARLnow.com. Fragrance World will move to a new storefront on N. Irving Street while Sam’s Corner, a deli, will close permanently, Griffiths said.

Around Town

Restaurant 3 in Clarendon to Close

By ARLnow.com

Published June 1, 2012 at 1:00PM

The Clarendon restaurant has announced that it will close its doors for good after last call tonight. Co-owner Jonathan Williams says he and fellow co-owner Greg Cahill, who also owns nearby Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Boulevard), have decided to sell the 221-seat restaurant.

“It has been a fun and exciting ride,” Williams said of the restaurant’s four and a half years in business. “I’m very appreciative for the neighborhood support. I’m proud of my staff and proud of what we’ve built.”