Author: Ethan Rothstein

Fairlington Farmers Market May Get County Board Approval

By Ethan Rothstein

Fairlington farmers market location (photo via Arlington County)(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) The proposed Fairlington farmers market could clear its final regulatory hurdle this Saturday, when the Arlington County Board will vote on whether to approve it.

County staff recommends the approval of the farmers market, proposed by the Arlington-based nonprofit Field to Table, citing a positive response from the community. The market would be held in the parking lot and on the pedestrian path of the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street).

The market, if approved, would be held on Sundays from April to November, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., according to the county’s staff report. The first market would be held in April 2015.

The Fairlington market would be the county’s ninth farmers market. Currently, the closest market for Fairlington and Shirlington residents is the new Arlington Mill farmers market.

Field to Table, in its proposal, anticipates between 15 and 20 vendors for the market, with up to 29 tents under which goods and produce would be sold.

Some in the community expressed concern about the market’s impacts, but county staff said those potential impacts will be mitigated thanks to proper planning.

“Staff received correspondence from area residents who are concerned about impacts to parking, traffic, safety, and trash/environmental impacts related to the proposed use,” according to the report. “The recommended conditions of approval will mitigate any potential adverse impacts to the site.”

Staff said there is ample parking in the community center’s parking lot, but the market is designed with intent of having Fairlington residents walk to the center. The community center, which has been open since 1940 and used to be Fairlington Elementary School, is closed on Sundays, staff said, so the market wouldn’t conflict with any of its regular programming.

If approved, the County Board will review Field to Table’s permit to operate the market next October.

Police to Host ‘Open Dialogue’ With Community

By Ethan Rothstein

ACPD Chief Doug Scott at the WCA meeting 3/13/14The Arlington County Police Department wants to build its relationship with the community in light of the national unrest surrounding the events in Ferguson, Mo., this summer.

To help strengthen the community’s trust in the ACPD, the department is hosting a forum this Wednesday at the Wakefield High School auditorium (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

“With recent national media coverage of law enforcement and community relationships, the Arlington County Police Department feels it is imperative to continue to build relationships through open dialogue,” ACPD said in a press release. “The Arlington County Chief of Police, along with Commonwealth Attorney, County Sheriff and other distinguished panel members, will conduct a community forum focusing on the community’s trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.”

Police Chief Doug Scott, Sheriff Beth Arthur, Commonwealth Attorney Theo Stamos, NAACP Arlington President Elmer Lowe, community activist Andres Tobar, who is the director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center, and ARLnow.com founder and editor Scott Brodbeck.

WJLA’s Jeff Goldberg will moderate the panel, which will hold a discussion with topics including use of force, community policing and the use of police body cameras, according to the police department. After the discussion, the panelists will answer audience questions.

The event is free and open to the public. ACPD will be live-tweeting the event at its Twitter account for those who can’t attend.

File photo

Falloween Returns to Market Common Next Week

By Ethan Rothstein

Falloween Logo (photo via Market Common Clarendon)(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) Market Common Clarendon is again hosting its annual “Falloween” family festival, in its cul-de-sac at the intersection of Clarendon Blvd and N. Edgewood Street.

Falloween runs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, with a petting zoo, trick-or-treating and “strolling entertainment” throughout the event. The festival is intended for families to dress up, along with their pets, and all events during the day are free.

In addition to the petting zoo and trick-or-treating at retailers, starting at 10:00 a.m., D.C.-based children’s performer Mr. Knick Knack will bring his guitar and entertain the youngsters for the morning. At 11:45 a.m., Rocknoceros will take the stage with its three-man band of multiple instruments, including the accordion, ukelele and keyboard and continue to play for the little ones.

There will also be a festive photo booth and pumpkin painting. A spokeswoman for Market Common also promised “surprises” throughout the event.

Image via Market Common Clarendon

 

McAuliffe Discusses Startup Economy in Rosslyn

By Ethan Rothstein
1/7

Gov. Terry McAuliffe met with founders and executives from the Tandem NSI initiative in Rosslyn on Friday, discussing ideas for how the state government can help startups grow.

Six companies from Tandem NSI — a public-private partnership between Arlington Economic Development and investment firm Amplifier Ventures focusing on turning national security innovations into private sector businesses– were on hand to demonstrate their products for McAuliffe.

“There are 31,000 tech jobs open in Northern Virginia that we cannot fill,” McAuliffe told the crowd of a few dozen entrepreneurs and staffers from the county. “We have 840,000 veterans in Virginia. Let’s get them credentialed and trained so they can join the workforce.”

McAuliffe seemed receptive to some new ideas the entrepreneurs had. One said that the Center for Innovative Technology Gap Funding that the state provides to Virginia-based startups isn’t enough.

“CIT gives $50,000 to cybersecurity firms,” said Steven Chen, a board member with Blue Venture Investors. “That doesn’t really move the needle. A company can move to Maryland and get $2 million.”

Another member of the audience said they had a product in testing, but the step from testing to the first client is a source of anxiety. She recommended the state become an early adopter of some startup technologies, both to help the state innovate and give credibility to Virginia startups.

“I think some of the startups that may have applications for us should come to us first,” McAuliffe said, telling his secretary of technology, Karen Jackson, to explore the possibility. “If we could be the first customer for a startup, that would be a great idea.”

McAuliffe pointed out that Virginia will continue to see its jobs from the Department of Defense cut due to sequestration over the next two years, and that the “Virginia economy of old where we relied on the federal government is over.”

Arlington Agenda (Oct. 13-19)

By Ethan Rothstein

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Wednesday

The view of Wakefield's new building from S. George Mason DriveCollege admission counseling event*
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

A free event for high school students hoping to attend college. Counselors from Purdue University and Virginia Tech will be on hand to answer questions. The event is free to attend.

Equal Rights for All posterThe Future of Marriage Equality
National Rural Electric Cooperative headquarters (4301 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

After last week’s historic events, the Arlington Young Democrats host openly gay state Sen. Adam Ebbin in a discussion on what’s next for marriage equality.

Thursday

Capital Splendor book coverBook Signing: Capital Splendor
Little Falls Presbyterian Church (6025 Little Falls Road)
Time: 11:00 a.m.-noon

Author Barbara Glickman will be on hand to sign copies of her book, “Capital Splendor: Gardens and Parks of Washington D.C.” Books will be available for purchase. RSVP by calling 703-532-1959.

Friday

Kevin Heffernan and Steve LemmeLive Comedy: Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10:00 p.m. (also on Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.)

Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme from “Super Troopers” (Rod Farva and Mac) perform stand-up comedya, with lots of crowd interaction and trivia from Broken Lizard movies. Tickets are $25.

Saturday

The State of Privacy in Virginia*
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd)
Time: noon-3:30 p.m.

The Northern Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union hosts a free brunch with speakers state Sen. Chap Peterson (D-Fairfax) and Del. Rich Anderson (R-Woodbridge). Guests can register online.

atozA to Z of Wine and Beer*
1500 Wilson Blvd
Time: 3:30-10:30 p.m.

Participants can purchase $36.50 tickets online fo4 samplings of either 26 beer or 26 wine offerings. Hors d’oeuvres will also be served. Sessions are from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-10:30 p.m.

2014-gala-inviteArlington Academy of Hope Gala*
National Rural Electric Cooperative headquarters (4301 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:00-9:30 p.m.

“AAH will celebrate 10 years of transforming lives in rural Uganda through education, healthcare, and community development.” Tickets are available online.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Afghan Festival Comes to Rosslyn This Sunday

By Ethan Rothstein

Poster for the Afghan Festival in RosslynThe 5th annual Afghan Arts and Culture Festival will take over Gateway Park in Rosslyn all day this Sunday.

Running from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the festival features live music from Afghan artists, traditional Afghan food and a bazaar featuring vendors plying wares that you might find in one of the street markets in Afghanistan.

The festival is hosted by Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow (AEBT), a California-based nonprofit focused on promoting Afghan culture in the U.S. and raising awareness of the rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan.

“It is an opportunity for the Afghan diaspora to share their rich culture and history that is not often portrayed in the western media,” Maryam Rashid of AEBT said in a press release. “As the largest Afghan-American event in the D.C. region, this festival provides an opportunity for positive cultural exchange, and embracement of ethnic and cultural diversity.”

The Afghan Festival in 2013 (photo via Afghan Festival)The event includes kite-making workshops for children, a “nomad tent” where visitors can try on Afghan clothing and jewelry, a fashion show and a Mr. and Miss Afghan contest open to boys and girls in two age groups: age 2-4 and 5-7. There will also be several Afghan artists displaying their paintings and sculptures.

According to the event website, there will also be an eating contest, but not of hot dogs: contestants will wolf down some mantu, which are dumplings filled with beef and onions.

There will also be live music throughout the day with performances by Afghani artists Mahroof, Abdul Faqiri, the Nawaz Brothers, Larmal Wasiq, Nived Sultan, Ebadullah Ebadi, Zia Beghoman, Nomad Dancers, an Afghan dance troupe, with hosts Qias Omar and Harris Khattak, according to the press release.

Photos via Afghan Festival

Parkmobile Now Available Throughout Arlington

By Ethan Rothstein
1/3

The rollout of Arlington’s smartphone parking system is expected to be complete by the end of the weekend.

Metered parking has been gradually adopting the Parkmobile system — which allows users to download the Parkmobile app and use the app to connect to their credit card and pay the meter, including sending notifications when a session is about to expire — neighborhood by neighborhood. It launched in Crystal City and Shirlington in July, in Clarendon and Ballston last month and in Courthouse, Rosslyn and Columbia Pike in the last two weeks.

According to county Dept. of Environmental Services spokeswoman Jessica Baxter, the final phase of the system will be done by the end of the weekend, meaning all meters run by the county in Arlington will be eligible to be paid via smartphone. The kiosks and coin-operated machines are still functional, if motorists prefer to pay with other methods.

Baxter said the system had 34,000 transactions in September. Initially the rollout of the service was expected to stretch into 2015, but due to the widespread use of the system, the county accelerated the app’s deployment. Last month, Columbia Pike had been targeted for a winter expansion of Parkmobile.

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Ethan Rothstein

The housing market has settled in for the fall, but there’s still plenty of variety to choose from this week, from a duplex in Arlington Ridge for $420,000 to a seven-bedroom house in Williamsburg.

See our real estate section for a full listing of open houses. Here are a few highlights:

2910-13th-road-s2910 13th Road S.
2 BD / 1 BA condominium
Agent: Kathryn Loughney, Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $299,900
Open: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

3109-s-high-street3109 S. High Street
2 BD / 1 1/2 BA duplex
Agent: Janet Callander, Weichert, Realtors
Listed: $419,950
Open: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

2039-n-vermont-street2039 N. Vermont Street
3 BD / 1 BA single family detached
Agent: Carol Wilder, McEnearney Associates
Listed: $619,000
Open: Sunday, Oct. 12, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

2529-s-kenmore-court2529 S. Kenmore Court
3 BD / 3 1/2 BA townhouse
Agent: Jane Jensen, Century 21 New Millennium
Listed: $799,900
Open: Sunday, Oct. 12, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

1153-s-monroe-street1153 S. Monroe Street
4 BD / 3 1/2 BA townhouse
Agent: Brett Billington, Re/Max Gateway
Listed: $879,990
Open: Saturday, Oct. 11, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday Oct. 12, 11:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.

6506-36th-street-n6506 36th Street N.
7 BD / 5 1/2 BA single family detached
Agent: Robert Ferguson, Re/Max Allegiance
Listed: $1,699,900
Open: Sunday, Oct. 12, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Singh, Roche Among ’40 Under 40′ Honorees

By Ethan Rothstein

Paul Singh, Founder and CEO of Disruption Corporation, which runs Crystal Tech Fund(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) Disruption Corporation and Crystal Tech Fund founder Paul Singh and Arlington Chamber of Commerce President Kate Roche are among those chosen as Leadership Arlington’s “40 under 40” honorees.

Singh and Roche were among the more than 250 nominations Leadership Arlington received this year for the distinction. The honors go to “40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate impact personally and/or professionally through their exceptional leadership throughout the D.C. metropolitan region.”

Singh, 33, opened his Disruption Corporation headquarters and launched its venture arm, Crystal Tech Fund, in Crystal City in April. Since then, Disruption has become a registered investment advisor focused on investors who want to fund private companies.

New Arlington Chamber of Commerce President Kate RocheRoche, 29, was named president of the Chamber of Commerce in June, taking over for the now-retired Rich Doud, who had served for decades in the position. At the time, Roche said her youth was a positive, and let her bring new energy and perspective to the position. Roche’s focus at the chamber has been to build partnerships, and get businesses working more closely with community organizations around Arlington.

In addition to Singh and Roche, The Shooshan Company’s Kelly Shooshan is also among the honorees. Shooshan leads residential development for the Ballston developer, leading projects like, most notably, the Liberty Center development in Ballston.

Other honorees include Kim Klingler of the American Society of Clinical Oncology; Ron Novak of Segue Technologies; Joe Petty of the Crystal City Business Improvement District; Terron Sims, II of Doug Pollard, LLC; and Kedrick Whitmore of Venable LLP.

The 40 under 40 awards will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Army Navy Country Club. The lunch is $60 per person if tickets are purchased before Nov. 20.

The complete list of honorees, after the jump.

(more…)

Bangkok 54 Market Reopens After December Fire

By Ethan Rothstein
1/10

Bangkok 54’s grocery store has reopened, nine months after a fire tore through the business and forced it to shut down.

The market is connected to the Bangkok 54 Thai restaurant at 2919 Columbia Pike, which was able to open the day after the Dec. 12 fire. Owner Bundit Sookmee said the fire, which was concentrated in the front of the store, forced him to spend eight months rebuilding and restocking the store, which specializes in Asian grocery products.

“Everything was gone,” he told ARLnow.com today. “The ceiling fell down, there was water everywhere. You couldn’t even walk in here. We had to throw everything away.”

The market reopened three weeks ago, Sookmee said, largely unchanged, aside from a different layout of refrigerators and shelving. One change that could be coming soon: a 15-20 seat cafe serving fast meals like Thai noodle soup for customers in a hurry. The new cafe would be connected to the market, not the Thai restaurant, and Sookmee is currently applying for county permits in hopes of opening soon.

Tutto Bene in Ballston Closes

By Ethan Rothstein

Tutto Bene in Ballston closes Tutto Bene in Ballston closes

Italian restaurant Tutto Bene, at 501 N. Randolph Street in Ballston, across from Ballston Common Mall, is now closed.

Owner Orlando Murillo posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page that its last day open was Sept. 29, and a sign on the restaurant’s front door reads “We’re going out of business as of 09/29/2014.” Murillo said in his post that the restaurant never recovered from the recession, despite the continued growth of Ballston’s food scene.

“The great economical problem that hit us since 2009 was [the] number one problem and not easy to resolve,” Murillo wrote. “We were hoping that in a couple years we will come back on our feet, but that never happened. It was very sad to see how things were going down hill and all the progress coming to Arlington bring the increases that we were not able to overcome.”

“On September 30, 2014 we decide that there was no way for us to continue in business, and it was an extremely sad day for me and my employees. The fact that they stayed with me from the first day to the last, 26 years together living every day as a big family I will keep all of them deeply in my heart.”

The restaurant drew rave reviews from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema in 2004 for both its Italian food and its special Bolivian food offerings on the weekend. There’s no word on what will replace it.

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