Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Arlington’s real estate market reflects the broader community — it’s diverse, dynamic, and never boring.
This weekend’s local open houses offer a snapshot of Arlington’s wide variety real estate offerings, from affordable condos to multi-million dollar homes. One highlight: a $3 million new construction house with three fireplaces, stone patio and an expansive three-car garage.
Shadows cast on the low clouds over the Air Force Memorial before dawn on Election Day (courtesy Peter Roof)
Karantonis Plans Re-Election Bid — County Board member (and likely 2025 chair) Takis Karantonis plans to seek a new term next year, he confirmed to ARLnow this week. Karantonis, first elected in 2020, plans to focus on economic-development issues during his re-election bid, likely to be formally announced in December or January. —Scott McCaffrey
Armed Robbery on Columbia Pike — “At approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 6, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business and went to the counter to make a purchase. Before the transaction could be completed, the suspect brandished a firearm, made threatening statements towards the employee and demanded they open the cash register. The suspect subsequently fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.” [ACPD]
N. Va. Burbs Slightly Redder — “The Northern Virginia suburbs shifted slightly toward President-elect Donald Trump in Tuesday’s election, defying conventional wisdom about the D.C. area’s status as an increasingly blue bulwark, according to unofficial returns.” [Washington Post]
Spotlight on Ranked Choice Voting — “Arlington County became the first locality in Virginia to use ranked-choice voting for city and county governing bodies in the general election Tuesday. But three years after a law went into effect giving localities the option to adopt ranked-choice voting, only Arlington County and the city of Charlottesville have adopted the method.” [Virginia Mercury]
New Bike-Comfort Map Debuts — The Arlington County government has published its 2024 bike-comfort map, aimed at giving bicyclists real-world information on biking conditions and using more data than previously had been available. [BikeArlington]
F.C. Planning Director Departing — “Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields notified the City staff that the highly accomplished and popular young City Director of Planning Paul Stoddard will be leaving the City at the end of November to accept a position as a deputy planner for the City of Alexandria.” [FCNP]
Record High Temperature — “A record high temperature of 84 degrees was set at Washington National DC yesterday. This breaks the old record of 81 degrees set in 2022.” [IEM]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind that will increase to 5-10 mph in the morning and potentially gust up to 20 mph. The clear conditions will continue into Friday night, with a low around 45 degrees. The north wind will remain around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 18 mph. [NWS]
Brush fire along Four Mile Run Drive in 2017 (photo courtesy John Chandler)
Arlington and much of the D.C. region is under a Red Flag Warning today.
The warning is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Expected conditions this afternoon — wind and low humidity, paired with an ongoing dry spell — will allow brush fires to rapidly spread.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, accompanied by a light northwest wind that will increase to 5-10 mph in the morning and potentially gust up to 20 mph. The clear conditions will continue into Friday night, with a low around 45 degrees. The north wind will remain around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Autumn sun shines through the trees and remaining leaves at Lacey Woods Park (staff photo)
Arlington and the D.C. area remain under a drought watch as the region faces its driest spell in at least a century and a half.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced today that the watch, initially declared in July, will continue through the fall and winter months. This marks the first regional drought watch since 2010, affecting nearly 6 million residents across the D.C. metro area.
Fallen leaves in Lubber Run, in Woodlawn Park (staff photo)
Water Disruption on the Pike — From the Columbia Pike Partnership: “On Wednesday, November 6, a water service line near Columbia Pike & S Edgewood Street was damaged during construction… Affected buildings include: 1029 through 1045 S Edgewood Street, 2820 Columbia Pike, 2602 through 2704 Columbia Pike.” [Twitter]
Thanksgiving Pie Recommendations — “Thanksgiving and pie go together like turkey and gravy, and now is the time to place those orders. Find classic apple, pumpkin and cherry, as well as elaborate flavors like pumpkin dulce de leche or pecan chocolate maple, at these area bakeries.” [Arlington Magazine]
I-395 Ramp Closure Tonight — “The northbound I-395 ramp to Shirlington Circle will be closed [Thursday] night, with traffic diverted to Parkfairfax. The Virginia Department of Transportation said the closure is expected to last from 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, to 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, for rehabilitation work on the Shirlington Circle south rotary bridge.” [ALXnow]
Starbucks Holiday Drinks Return — “Starbucks rolls out its 2024 holiday menu Thursday that for the first time includes holiday refresher drinks… Seasonal beverages include the returning Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, the nondairy Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte and Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai.” [Axios]
It’s Thursday — Showers are possible, mainly before noon, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 77. The calm wind will shift to northwest at 5 to 7 mph in the morning, with a 40% chance of precipitation. For Thursday night, there is a slight chance of showers, while the sky remains mostly clear, with temperatures around 50. [NWS]
Showers are expected mainly before noon, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 77. The calm wind will shift to northwest at 5 to 7 mph in the morning, with a 40% chance of precipitation. For Thursday night, there is a slight chance of showers, while the sky remains mostly clear, with temperatures around 50 and a north wind at 6 mph. Precipitation chances will drop to 20%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Police response near the Clarendon Metro station in 2023 (photo courtesy anonymous)
A Gainesville man is facing a number of charges after a wild incident in Clarendon last night.
Arlington County police say the 45-year-old suspect spat on and threw a brick at a man who was walking in the area. Police say they located the suspect along Clarendon Blvd, leading to a foot pursuit and the suspect allegedly spitting on an officer.
“Vote to avoid the apocalypse” sign among Halloween decorations (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Fake Arlington Dems Sample Ballot — “Men claiming to be volunteers for Republican 8th District candidate Jerry Torres distributed fake sample ballots with the Arlington County Democratic Committee logo at at least one Alexandria polling location today. The sample ballots — distributed outside of John Adams Elementary School — have all Democratic candidates marked except for Torres.” [ALXnow]
Local Holiday Races — “‘Tis the season for running races. From early November through the end of 2024, you can meet your step goals while honoring veterans, wearing a turkey onesie or laughing all the way. Options run the gamut—ahem—from 5K flat courses to half-marathons on, well, still pretty flat courses.” [Arlington Magazine]
La Coop Opens New D.C. Cafe — After La Coop Coffee closed in D.C. in February, its only brick-and-mortar location was here in Arlington Forest. The café’s shuttered D.C. location has since moved to 500 Kennedy Street NW and opened for business last week. [PoPville]
Rainless Record Likely — “D.C.’s rainless streak — nearing five weeks — will tie a record Tuesday. The day is set to mark the 34th day in a row without measurable rain in Washington, equal to the previous longest streak set in 2007. Weather records in Washington date to 1872. The record is poised to be broken Wednesday, assuming there’s not a stray rain shower, which is just a slight possibility.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high around 79 degrees and southwest winds at 10 to 13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. The night will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 63 degrees. The southwest wind of 6 mph will become calm after midnight. [NWS]
