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ArlinArlingtonTheThe gton ConnectionConnection Page 11 Dozens of supporters and friends of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society hit the bars early on Saturday, Aug. 16, for the 2nd annual Light the Bar Crawl. Global Printing account executive Shannon Bailey and LLS Foundation campaign man- ager Megan Swahn greet pub crawlers at the first stop, Sobe’s. Classified, Page 14 Classified, ❖ Entertainment, Page 8 ❖ Sports, Page 12 Doing Good School Board Down to Quorum News, Page 3 And Having Fun Lebanese Taverna News, Page 3 Celebrates 35 Years News, Page 4 Requested in home 8-21-14 home in Requested Time sensitive material. sensitive Time New Day in Postmaster: Attention PERMIT #322 PERMIT Easton, MD Easton, PAID The Old Dominion Postage U.S. News, Page 5 STD PRSRT Photo by Louise Krafft/The Connection online at www.connectionnewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.comAugust 20-26, 2014 Arlington Connection ❖ August 20-26, 2014 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ August 20-26, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren News 703-778-9415 or [email protected] School Board Photos by Louise Krafft/The Connection Krafft/The by Louise Photos Barely Has Quorum At the end of this week, Arlington School Board will be down to three members. By Michael Lee Pope ously held by Noah Simon.” The Connection Filling those seats will take two separate elections, a general elec- oah Simon has already tion for Baird’s seat and a special Nresigned from the Ar- election for Simon’s seat. Both lington School Board, have been scheduled for the gen- explaining that he needs to spend eral election date on Nov. 4. But The 2nd annual Light the Bar Crawl raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma time with his family after the death School Board members could Society and the Oct. 18 Light the Night DC Walk. of his wife. And Sally Baird will make a recess appointment as officially step down early as Sept. 4, a at the end of this scenario that looks week, a decision she “I tend to be increasingly likely Doing Good and Having Fun said is for personal considering the and professional superstitious dwindling number ozens of supporters and friends of the though costumes were optional. Four local bars: reasons. That means of policymakers for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Sobe, American Tap Room, Bracket Room and So I’ll take the D that the Arlington the Arlington Public hit the bars early on Saturday, Aug. 16, Whitlows offered drink and food specials to the School Board will be Schools as the fall for the 2nd annual Light the Bar Crawl. This year participants. Whitlow’s pledged 15 percent of congratulations down to three mem- semester ap- the bar crawl was in Clarendon and organized by group sales to be donated back to the LLS. Last bers, the lowest proaches. Global Printing. Superheroes was the event theme, year the group raised $8,000. on Nov. 4.” number of members — Nancy Van Doren “If somebody is in recent memory. sick, they can’t have “We have received a quorum,” said Ms. Baird’s resignation with sin- Linda Lindberg, registrar of voters cere regret,” said School Board in Arlington. “That’s why I think Chairman James Lander. “The they would be compelled to ap- board will reconsider making an point somebody in the interim. appointment to fill the seat previ- See School Board, Page 7 What’s on Ballot In Arlington? November general election Rachel Shearer collects ticket stubs at the en- to feature two special elections. trance to Sobe’s on Duc Nguyen and Keller David Cashwell and Paul By Michael Lee Pope Arlington County. “But it’s the Saturday afternoon. Patterson Bailey The Connection most expedient thing to do in this case because of when the vacan- oters in Arlington are fac- cies occurred.” Ving an unprecedented The Senate race will be at the number of special elec- top of the ticket, pitting incumbent tions this fall, aside from the U.S. Sen. Mark Warner against House of Delegates seat filled this Republican Ed Gillespie. Voters week. This November, voters will will also choose a new member of make selections in two separate Congress to replace longtime U.S. special elections that will be on the Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who an- same ballot as the regular general nounced his retirement earlier this election. One will be for the posi- year. Voters will also consider a tion of treasurer, which was va- constitutional amendment dealing cated by Frank O’Leary this sum- with surviving spouses of those mer; his deputy has taken the po- killed in military action as well as sition in the interim in advance of four county bond referendum the election. The other will be for questions. The ballots will have Sobe’s on Clarendon the School Board seat vacated by one County Board election and Boulevard opened early Noah Simon, who resigned to be two School Board elections, al- for the Light the Bar with his family after the death of though it’s possible that Nancy Van Nui Dhepyaswuan, Jenica Patterson and Nikki Hogan Crawl and offered spe- his wife. Doren will get a recess appoint- enjoy light beverages on the outside patio at Sobe’s. cial prices on beverages. “It is a little unusual,” said Linda ment on Sept. 4. Lindberg, registrar of voters for See What's on the, Page 7 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection ❖ August 20-26, 2014 ❖ 3 News Photo by Ross Sylvestri/The Connection by Ross Sylvestri/The Photo Customers at Lebanese Taverna in Arlington on July 28, marking its 35th anniversary. The early days of Lebanese Taverna in Westover. Lebanese Taverna Celebrates 35 Years gress such as Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Family business Sen. Ted Kennedy. Kennedy, according to Shea, had his marriage to his second wife, grows to serve Vicki, at the restaurant. In the early 1990s, Shea said, “It was great Arlington and to be in D.C. and have all these people be just our customers. Half the time we didn’t beyond. know who they were.” On July 9 of this year, Moran spoke on By Ross Sylvestri the floor of Congress to give remarks on the Business The Connection 35th anniversary of the Abj-Najm’s business. partner “Lebanese Taverna has come to symbol- Henrik Suhr, lmost 40 years ago, the Abi-Najm ize the realization of dreams and the re- far right, with family left their native land of wards of dedication … This family embod- Dany, Dory, Lebanon and came to the U.S. ies the very best ideals of the American A and Gladys with almost nothing. This year, dream; hard work and a strong commitment Abi-Najm and they celebrate the 35th anniversary of Leba- to family and community,” said Moran. Grace Shea at nese Taverna, which started out as a res- Shea said she and her family were flat- the Lebanese taurant in Arlington’s Westover neighbor- tered to be recognized by Moran. Taverna loca- hood. Since that first restaurant, the Leba- “It was an honor for our family, especially tion in Balti- nese Taverna Group has grown to five other being immigrants, on the floor Congress to more around restaurants, including another Arlington lo- be appreciated and recognized for what 2007. cation at Pentagon Row, four cafes, a mar- we’ve done,” said Shea. ket, and a catering service throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Cooking THESE DAYS, Lebanese Taverna is being classes are also offered on how to make Photos run by the five Abi-Najm children; their Lebanese food. courtesy of parents stopped being involved in the early Before immigrating to the U.S., Tanios Gladys Abi-Najm 2000s. However, Shea said that her mother Abi-Najm worked as a customs officer at a has “come out of retirement” and each week port in Lebanon. In 1975, a civil war broke she visits the kitchens of the restaurants and out in the country. Two of his children were spends times with the employees. conscripted into a militia and were only 13 Each of the children has their own spe- and 14 at the time. Not wanting any of his cial set of skills that help in the running of children to fight in a war, especially at such the business. Dany Abi-Najm is the presi- a young age, he decided in 1976 to leave sistant, and Tanios did painting. to try something different besides the usual dent and does much of the planning, David for the U.S. with his wife Marie and their Later, the Abi-Najms pulled their re- pizza and subs that was being served and Abi-Najm is in charge of finances and fa- five children. sources together to buy a Greek restaurant most people at the time had never tried cilities management, Dory Abi-Najm is re- “He put us all on a cargo ship and we left in Westover called Athenian Taverna in Lebanese food, Shea said. As a result, the sponsible for community and customer re- in the middle of the night with just what 1979 and renamed it Lebanese Taverna. menu was expanded. Also, reviews from lations, Gladys Abi-Najmdoes does all of the we could carry,” said Grace Shea, the young- However, Shea said that the first year and publications such as The Washington Post graphic design and printing, and Grace Shea est child in the family. She was only one a half was slow. Magazine in the early 1980s helped to is the vice president. and a half at the time.