award | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published June 25, 2013 at 8:00AM

Gondola From Rosslyn to Georgetown? — The Georgetown Business Improvement District has floated the idea of running a gondola from Georgetown to Rosslyn in order to make it easier Metro riders to shop and dine in the D.C. neighborhood. Georgetown businesses are worried about competition from other, more trendy neighborhoods. [Washington Post]

Job Fair Today — Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is holding a job fair for his Eighth District constituents this morning. The job fair is taking place from 9:00 a.m. to noon at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King Street) in Alexandria. [Rep. Jim Moran]

Award for Half-Cab Half-Cop Car — A combination police car / taxi cab, created by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Arlington County Police and Red Top Cab, has been honored with the Virginia Governor’s Transportation Safety Award for its role in deterring impaired driving. [WRAP]

High School Graduation Recap — The Sun Gazette has published recaps of each of the three Arlington public high school graduation ceremonies last week. According to the paper, Washington-Lee grads were “encouraged to reach for the stars, stay true to beliefs;” Yorktown grads were “urged to embrace challenges, take setbacks in strides;” and Wakefield grads were “urged to build on the past to create the future.”

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

‘Green Pig’ Chef Honored With RAMMY Award

By ARLnow.com

Published June 24, 2013 at 2:35PM

Scot Harlan, owner and chef of Green Pig Bistro in Clarendon, has been honored with an award from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

At a swanky ceremony in a D.C. hotel last night, Harlan was announced as the winner of the RAMMY award for “Rising Culinary Star of the Year.”

In his acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Harlan thanked his staff, “who make me look good every day;” his family, who “believed in me to do my best;” and “every chef and cook I’ve ever worked with.”

An Arlington native, Harlan worked at notable restaurants and with famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay before opening Green Pig Bistro, in the former American Flatbread space at 1025 N. Fillmore Street, to generally favorable reviews last year.

The other four nominees in the Rising Culinary Star category were Tim Ma (Maple Avenue Restaurant and the future Water and Wall in Virginia Square), Marjorie Meek-Bradley (Ripple), John Melfi (Blue Duck Tavern) and Nathan Shapiro (Ashby Inn and Restaurant).

Other Arlington restaurants nominated for RAMMY awards — including Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) and Cocina y Tequileria (2800 Clarendon Blvd) — went home empty-handed, aside from the honor of the nomination and the copious amount of food and drink at the reception after the ceremony.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 3, 2013 at 8:55AM

Woman Attacked on Four Mile Run Trail — A man with a knife attacked a woman who was walking alone on the Four Mile Run Trail on Saturday morning. The woman suffered “minor, non-life threatening” injures. The suspect is still at large. [WJLA, NBC Washington]

Yorktown Falls in Soccer Championship — The Yorktown High School girls’ soccer team lost 2-1 to Chantilly in the Northern Region championship game on Friday. The team, which finished regional play with a 20-2 record, will still continue to the state tournament. The first round game will take place on Tuesday at Battlefield High School. [Sun Gazette]

ACPD Officers Honored for Fighting Car Theft — Three Arlington County Police officers have received state Law Enforcement Officer Awards for their work in helping to fight car theft. “LEO Award winners are selected by judges from the insurance industry, partnering law enforcement agencies and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for their exemplary actions related to Intelligence, Prevention, Enforcement and Recoveries in fighting the crime of vehicle theft,” police said in a press release. [Arlington County]

Examiner Skewers Board for Signature Bailout — The Arlington County Board “blindsided” taxpayers by approving a $250,000 bailout for Signature Theatre during a closed session, according to a Washington Examiner editorial. “Other financially struggling artistic venues have to scale back productions, sublease space or launch pledge drives when money gets tight,” the Examiner editorial board wrote. “But Signature Theatre has friends in high places who apparently believe it’s too fabulous to fail, county taxpayers be damned.” [Washington Examiner]

Photo by MJordanRomero

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 23, 2013 at 9:00AM

Man Shot By Arlington Sheriff Worked for TV Show — Julian Dawkins, the 22-year-old man shot and killed by an off-duty Arlington deputy sheriff in Alexandria early Wednesday, worked as a shuttle bus driver for the PBS Newshour in Shirlington. He was also the cousin of Washington Mystics player Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. [NBC Washington]

Chamber’s ‘Best Business’ Awards — The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has handed out its 2013 Arlington’s Best Business awards. The winners were: John Marshall Bank (Business of the Year), Dante Consulting (Business of the Year), InfoLock Technologies (Technology Small Business of the Year), Minuteman Press Crystal City (Service Small Business of the Year), House of Steep (Retail Small Business of the Year), AHC Inc. (Non-Profit Small Business of the Year), BbG Fitness (Home-Based Business of the Year Award). [Sun Gazette]

Arlington Sells $77 Million in Bonds — Arlington County issued $77 million worth of bonds at an average interest rate of 3.6 percent on Tuesday. The bonds will help fund the acquisition of the office building at 2020 14th Street N, for use as a year-round homeless shelter and for county offices, and for the affordable housing redevelopment of Buckingham Village 3. [Arlington County]

Photo courtesy CG Liacouras

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2013 at 8:30AM

Elderly Woman Missing from Airport — An 83-year-old woman with memory problems went missing from Reagan National Airport on Friday. Victoria Kong was last seen by a surveillance camera walking north on the Mt. Vernon Trail. [NBC Washington]

African-American Students Honored — Ninety-one African and African-American students from Arlington have been honored for academic achievement. The awards were issued by the Civic Coalition for Minority Affairs at its 21st annual ceremony. [Sun Gazette]

Miss Gay Arlington Pageant Held — Shaunda Leer has been crowned the 2013 Miss Gay Arlington at the annual pageant over the weekend at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City. [YouTube]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 3, 2013 at 9:05AM

Politico May Leave Rosslyn — The offices of the Capitol Hill publication Politico will likely move from Rosslyn to some place closer to the Hill. The expected move was announced at a staff meeting, which also discussed the pending sale of TV station ABC 7, also located in Rosslyn. [DCRTV]

Crime Solvers Awards — A Sheriff’s Office narcotics K-9 officer and a second-generation Arlington Police detective were the winners of the 2013 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards. The awards were presented yesterday at a luncheon sponsored by Arlington County Crime Solvers. [Sun Gazette]

Police 50/50 Raffle — Arlington police officers are holding a 50/50 raffle to benefit and police sergeant and an officer’s wife who were recently diagnosed with cancer. The raffle drawing will be held on May 14. Tickets are available for $20 at Hard Times Cafe (3028 Wilson Blvd) and Crystal City Sports Pub (529 23rd Street S.) [PDF]

Miss Gay Arlington Pageant — The annual Miss Gay Arlington pageant will be held tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City (555 23rd Street S.). The pageant, which is sponsored by the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Aliance, will judge drag performers in four categories: self-expression, talent, evening gown and on-stage question. [Facebook]

Lyon Park Home & Garden Tour — The Lyon Park neighborhood will hold its annual home and garden tour on Sunday. The self-guided tour runs from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. [PDF]

Flickr pool photo by ddimick

Chamber Accepting Nominations for Best Business Awards

By Katie Pyzyk

Published April 19, 2013 at 11:50AM

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Arlington Best Business Awards.

Winners of the merit-based awards are chosen by a panel of past winners. Businesses can nominate themselves or other businesses that are Arlington Chamber members by submitting the online nomination form by Wednesday, May 1.

The businesses are scored on the following four criteria:

Must be a viable, on-going, full-time business that has experienced significant growth or stability over its business life.
Must be well known and thought of by its customers or clients for consistently delivering exceptional quality or service.
Must be a leader in its industry in Arlington OR must have a significantly unique approach to delivery of its goods or services.
Must have displayed an interest in and concern for the Arlington community – either corporately or through its owners and/or employees backed by the company.

The awards ceremony will take place on May 21, and also includes the induction of some local business leaders into the Arlington Hall of Fame.

These awards are separate from the annual ABBIES, which are announced in the fall and selected by the community’s popular vote.

Public Safety Personnel Honored for Heroic Acts, Service

By ARLnow.com

Published April 17, 2013 at 6:00PM | Updated April 17, 2013 at 6:49PM

Arlington police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and 911 operators were honored today (Wednesday) at the 31st annual Valor Awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony, organized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, was held at the Ft. Myer Officers’ Club at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Arlington County public safety personnel who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism or exceptional performance were presented with awards, certificates and medals.

Among those awarded were:

Donald “DJ Winsock, a 911 operator whose CPR instructions saved the life of a woman who suffered a medical emergency in Rosslyn on August 21, 2012.
Sgt. Jack Lantz, a nearly 30-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, for meritorious service over the course of his career.
Sgt. David Bowers, and deputy sheriffs Efthimios Alpos, Monica-Lyons-Carr and Arthur Pitts, who saved the life of an intoxicated woman who tried to commit suicide in a holding cell, after being arrested at Reagan National Airport on Nov. 10, 2012.
Sgt. Richard Laureano, of the Sheriff’s Office. Laureano used an automated external defibrillator to revive a boy who collapsed during a wrestling match in Woodbridge, while off-duty on Feb. 2, 2013.
Capt. Kevin Reardon, for 26 years of meritorious service to the Arlington County Police Department.
Cpl. Richard St. Clair and Officer Patrick Maxwell, for valor while attempting to help Alexandria paramedic Joshua Weissman, who fell 30-feet off a bridge and later died while responding to a car fire on I-395.
Cpl. David Munn, Officer Daniel Gardner, and Officer Hilary Maloney, for physically restraining a suicidal military veteran from jumping off the 18th floor of a Pentagon City apartment building on June 16, 2012.
Capt. Trevor Burrell for meritorious service to the Arlington County Fire Department, specifically in the area of firefighter training.
Firefighter Joshua Wise for helping to stop a car that was driving erratically on I-395, while off duty. After the car stopped, Wise rendered aid to the driver, who was suffering a diabetic emergency.

The full explanation of each award and act can be found below, after the jump.

“Often, this is the only public recognition these officers receive,” said Chamber of Commerce President Rich Doud said in a statement. “It is unique to hear the stories of their heroic acts and to meet the officers involved. We are fortunate that they work in Arlington and perform so selflessly in the service of our businesses and citizens.”

ABC7 meteorologist Brian Van De Graff served as emcee to the lunchtime event. In addition to police and fire department personnel, attendees included Arlington County Board members, state legislators, elected constitutional officials, school officials and local business leaders.

(more…)

Arlington Restaurants Nominated for RAMMY Awards

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2013 at 10:15AM

A number of Arlington restaurants were named 2013 RAMMY Award nominees last night.

The annual awards gala is organized by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Nominees were announced last night in 16 categories.

While Arlington was shut out in the “fine dining” and “upscale casual” categories, Arlington-based restaurants made up more than half the “Casual Restaurant of the Year” category.

Among the five casual restaurant nominees were Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road), Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza (3017 Clarendon Blvd) and Nando’s Peri-Peri (1301 S. Joyce Street). Bayou was the only purely Arlington restaurant; Pete’s and Nando’s both have other locations outside of Arlington.

Clarendon’s Fuego Cocina y Tequileria (2800 Clarendon Blvd) was nominated in the New Restaurant of the Year category. Meanwhile, chef Scot Harlan of Green Pig Bistro (1025 N. Fillmore Street), another Clarendon restaurant, was nominated as in the Rising Culinary Star of the Year category. Also nominated in the Rising Culinary Star category was Tim Ma, who’s planning to open a new restaurant, “Water & Wall,” in Virginia Square.

The RAMMY Award winners will be announced at a gala event on Sunday, June 23.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 14, 2013 at 8:50AM

Pi Day in Arlington — Today is March 14, or 3/14, the day that celebrates the mathematical constant Pi (3.14159). In honor of Pi Day, the business review website Yelp is holding a “pie” event at Bakeshop (1025 N. Fillmore Street) in Clarendon, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. [Yelp]

Red Light Cameras Play ‘Pivotal Role’ — Red light cameras play a “pivotal role” in improving traffic and pedestrian safety. Arlington County says. The county’s red light cameras — currently active at four intersections — resulted in a 50 percent decrease in red light violations at those intersections, the county said. [Arlington County]

State Awards for APS Schools — Eight Arlington public elementary schools have earned a distinction as 2013 Virginia Index of Performance award winners. The schools honored are Arlington Science Focus, Arlington Traditional, Ashlawn, McKinley, Nottingham, Taylor, Henry and Jamestown. [Arlington Public Schools]

Arlington’s All-Male Book Club — “Our Man in Arlington” columnist Charlie Clark explores “one of those rare literary phenomena — an all-male book club.” The group of 10 professional men has been meeting to discuss books in the East Falls Church/Westover neighborhood for 13 years. [Falls Church News-Press]

Photo courtesy “Westover Leftover”

Arlington to Honor 2013 ‘Women of Vision’

By ARLnow.com

Published March 4, 2013 at 12:15PM | Updated March 4, 2013 at 2:16PM

Arlington County will honor its 2013 Women of Vision award winners on Thursday.

Four women were selected to receive the annual award this year. Among them:

Dr. Katharine Panfil — Former APS educator and principal of Key and Randolph Elementary schools, now retired.
Denise Hart — Co-founder, The Leadership Foundry, which promotes the goal of more women serving on corporate boards in the Washington, D.C. area.
Linda Denny — Former executive of for-profit and not-for-profit companies. Now a consultant and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Women’s History Museum.
Angela Guzman — Director of Fundraising and Constituent Relations at Integrated Direct Marketing. She has also chaired a women’s health organization and helped launch a scholarship program.

“Each year, the Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women honors women recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to improving the lives and opportunities for Arlington residents, especially women,” the county said in a press release. “The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) works to advance initiatives and policies that empower women and serves as a community advocate and resource on the social and economic interests of all Arlington women. The CSW is an Arlington County Board advisory group and members are appointed by the County Board.”

The Women of Vision ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (4301 Wilson Blvd) in Ballston. Tickets are not required but a $25 donation to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Anna Maynard at [email protected] or 703-228-7096.