Around Town

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 24, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. ACPD: Six officers and police K-9 hurt while trying to arrest break-in suspect (25380 views)
  2. DEVELOPING: Arlington votes ‘yes’ on redistricting as Virginia voters approve amendment (17275 views)
  3. Ballston Holiday Inn closes, preparing for 504-unit redevelopment project (15547 views)
  4. GOP bill to return Arlington, Alexandria to D.C. condemned as ‘unconstitutional’ by Rep. Beyer (7210 views)
  5. What to expect in Tuesday’s special election on Virginia redistricting (12510 views)
  6. Nam-Viet Restaurant, the last outpost of Clarendon’s ‘Little Saigon,’ celebrates 40 years (11868 views)
  7. Police investigating possible armed robbery outside of H-B Woodlawn (11470 views)
  8. New turning restrictions on Arlington Blvd to be installed starting next week (10789 views)
  9. Arlington looks toward two congressional districts after local voters overwhelmingly back change (9855 views)
  10. Barnes & Noble to reopen next month in Clarendon, smaller than before (9586 views)
  11. Fees for county gymnastics programs increase 44% in revised budget proposal (9548 views)
  12. County Board approves one Langston Blvd redevelopment, but defers action on another (9538 views)
  13. Split County Board approves 2-cent tax hike as part of $1.7B budget (9528 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Showers are likely today, with possible thunderstorms after 5 PM, and mostly cloudy skies with a high near 66°F. Expect east winds at 10 to 13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, and a 60% chance of rain with minimal accumulation except during thunderstorms. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms continue with a low around 47°F, northeast winds around 14 mph, gusts up to 22 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum. 👋


Around Town

As its 60th birthday approaches, Encore Stage & Studio is expanding its reach while remaining true to its core beliefs.

“We’ve worked hard to advance Encore’s mission,” the organization’s board chair, Lisa Sullivan, said at an April 22 benefit breakfast at Washington Golf & Country Club.


Sponsored

Welcome to the new column, Kami’s Korner, where we will take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next.  From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.

Where have all the cowboys gone? Um… I mean condominiums.

For new condominiums, this last cycle has been a bit sleepy. For those wanting to own a piece of Arlington, it has been block after block of attractive new rentals, but no chance to own. If you are in the market for a new condominium, there isn’t a single new one on the market today to consider, either in presale or recently delivered with a model to tour. And it’s not for lack of demand. (more…)


News

Two buses crashed head-on near a Pentagon bus stop on Friday, injuring 23 people, including Defense Department personnel.

The Omni Ride and Fairfax Connector transit buses struck each other shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to a press release from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Emergency personnel transported 18 of the injured to local hospitals for further medical evaluation. Five were treated at the scene.


Announcement

Is your summer camp calendar still open? Consider Art House 7 for your kids, a creative, well-loved space with a fabulous range of quality summer camps for ages 5-14. Your kids will love the imaginative themes and fun teachers. We’ll be making pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpting. Among our camp themes: modern masters of art, “green” art, animals, fairytales, and folk stories. Our weekly camps are morning or afternoon, Monday-Friday.

Art House 7 is near the Lee Harrison Shopping Center in Arlington. We have a 2-story studio and free parking.


News

New county grants worth $80,000 seek to support renewed vibrancy in the Green Valley neighborhood — although leaders acknowledge the funding may not go very far.

The funds, which will be split among four organizations, will “jump-start some neighborhood activity that would bring neighbors together, create an environment of civic engagement and civic exchange,” Board member Takis Karantonis said.


Event

Join us at Surfside Tenleytown for a Cinco de Mayo celebration you won’t want to miss! 🌮✨ An event for the whole family! Enjoy classic margaritas, Happy Hour specials, and buy two, get one free tacos (all day, dine-in only), along with face painting and balloon twisting from 3:30–7:30pm and live music from 5–10pm. Reserve your table today on Resy!


Events

The Village at Shirlington is planning to host another yacht-themed party this June to kick off the summer season.

The neighborhood is bringing back last year’s nautical bash “by popular demand.” Guests are invited to dress up and partake in the neighborhood shopping center’s sip and stroll policy, while enjoying live yacht rock and dining specials around 2700 S. Quincy Street.


Sports

The Washington-Liberty High School crew team gathered April 18 at Columbia Island Marina to celebrate the christening of the girls’ newest eight-person-plus-coxswain racing shell.

It’s named in honor of distinguished alumna and rowing pioneer Ellie Cochran.


Opinion

Arlington’s trusted pediatricians offer professional, compassionate care for children all the way from those first checkups on newborns to teenage sports physicals.

Here are the nominees for “Best Pediatrician in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite pediatrician? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Electrician Serving Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Plumber Serving Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Chandler’s Plumbing & Heating
  2. All Plumbing Inc.
  3. Arlington Plumbing Heating and Cooling (tied)
  4. B.L. James & Son (tied)

Around Town

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).


News

The County Board has taken a step toward considering potential historic status for the Melwood site, despite vigorous opposition from the development team’s attorney.

Board members voted 5-0 to start consideration of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board’s (HALRB) recommendation to designate a portion of the former Nelly Custis Elementary School at 750 23rd Street S. as historic. This is a procedural step and doesn’t indicate whether they support the recommendation or not.