Leadership of the Fairlington Citizens Association (FCA) has decided to cease monthly print publication of its All-Fairlington Bulletin newsletter in 2025.
The decision was based on rising costs, declining advertising revenue and changes in readership habits, the civic association’s leadership said.
The decision “was a difficult one for FCA and for me personally,” FCA president Guy Land told ARLnow.
“I have always viewed it as essentially the heartbeat of Fairlington, and we have tried to embrace high standards in the writing and design of what is largely a volunteer publication,” he said. “I think it has set Fairlington apart from many other civic associations in Arlington.”
Unlike typical civic-association newsletters, the All-Fairlington Bulletin was supported by what has been a healthy advertising base. Its December edition runs 32 pages, focusing on issues ranging from transit and development updates to the Dec. 14 visit of Santa to the community.
While still featuring a good mix of advertisers, the total number has fallen off as some, including those in the real-estate arena, have moved to online options.
“The result is that the Bulletin no longer provides the kind of income that we need to maintain the current quality and publication frequency and have funds available for the other activities we sponsor to benefit the community,” Land said.
On a Facebook group for the Fairlington community, there were expressions of sadness over the end of an era:
- “This is a real loss,” wrote Margaret Tulloch Rhodes. “People rarely read another email, but they usually read the Bulletin.”
- “I understand their position, as costs have gone up so much, but it makes me sad as I enjoy reading it each month,” added Kay Houghton.
(Houghton had been doing her part in keeping the publication financially viable. The real-estate professional placed full-page ads, including one in the December edition.)
It is not necessarily the end of the road for print publication. In a note to advertisers, FCA leadership said it was possible a print newsletter could move to a quarterly production cycle.
Land, who is departing the presidency following a dozen years in office, told ARLnow the FCA’s board will make final decisions in coming months.
The FCA website maintains an archive of All-Fairlington Bulletins going back about a decade, and some back issues in print format are stored at the Fairlington Community Center. Land said he maintains a personal archive of print editions going back a half-century.
“I started keeping copies shortly after I moved here in 1980, and then gradually filled in some of the earlier years,” he said.
It has been a rough year for print publications in Arlington. The GazetteLeader ended publication in September, with its assets purchased by ARLnow parent company Local News Now. The Connection newspaper group, which has an Arlington edition, is facing its own financial struggles.
“Newspaper advertising is lagging, leaving our revenue very short,” the newspaper company said in the Dec. 4 Arlington Connection. “Without help, we won’t be able to continue publishing.”
The company is exploring converting to non-profit status, and in 2020 launched a GoFundMe campaign that is still active and has raised nearly $50,000.
