Author: Dan Egitto

Dan Egitto is an editor and reporter at ARLnow. Originally from Central Florida, he graduated from Duke University and previously reported at the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Vallejo Times-Herald in California. Dan joined ARLnow in January 2024.

Around Town

Five spots in Arlington and Falls Church make Washingtonian’s top 100 restaurants list

By Dan Egitto
Some dishes on the menu at Padaek (courtesy Noh Leftovers)

Two restaurants in Arlington and three in Falls Church made the grade in Washingtonian’s new “100 Very Best Restaurants” list.

Regulars in the local dining scene will be familiar with most of these spots, all of which were also highlighted last year. They range from a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church’s Eden Center to a popular French-inspired establishment on Langston Blvd.

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News

Duplex destroyed in Bluemont house explosion gets rebuilt with new townhomes

By Dan Egitto
Three townhomes under construction on N. Burlington Street in the Bluemont neighborhood in January 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A trio of townhouses is coming to the site of a duplex destroyed in an explosion in the Bluemont neighborhood two years ago.

Construction on the project at the end of a cul-de-sac off of Bluemont Junction Trail is well underway, with an expected delivery in late summer, according to signage posted at the property. Each of the three townhomes, located at 836, 840 and 844 N. Burlington Street, are advertised with over 4,000 square feet.

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News

Gov. Spanberger’s inauguration raises expectations for wave of bills coming out of N. Va.

By Dan Egitto
Surrounded by her family, Gov. Abigail Spanberger gets sworn into office, Jan. 17, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Northern Virginia Democrats were in high spirits at the inauguration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger this weekend, looking toward new opportunities for a variety of bills held back by the previous administration.

Legislators and political observers expect fewer vetoes and more collaboration with Democratic policymakers — including those in Northern Virginia — under Spanberger, a centrist Democrat who emphasized bipartisan solutions to issues like housing and health care costs on the campaign trail and in her inauguration speech.

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News

House committee threatens to force Arlington prosecutor to send documents in bias investigation

By Dan Egitto
Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti at an anti-ICE rally in Courthouse (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The House Judiciary Committee is threatening to legally force Arlington’s commonwealth’s attorney to send documents related to her handling of an ongoing criminal investigation.

In the latest escalation of a months-long dispute, Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) argued that he has the authority to compel Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti to submit a wide variety of materials related to her requesting limits on the search and seizure of an Arlington activist’s cellphone.

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Around Town

Arlington ultramarathoner, 51, preps for seven days of 50K races across all seven continents

By Dan Egitto
Michael Wardian competing at a race in May (courtesy of Michael Wardian)

An Arlington ultramarathoner with a history of extreme athletic stunts is preparing for one of his most ambitious challenges yet: seven back-to-back 50K races on all seven continents.

Michael Wardian, a 51-year-old Arlington Forest resident who ran across the entire country from coast to coast in 2022, has already competed in the World Marathon Challenge twice before, running a full marathon every single day in a different part of the world. Later this month, he’ll be back in action with an even loftier goal — seeking to beat the world record for the even longer 50K option.

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Events

MLK Day brings speeches, volunteering and free parking to Arlington this weekend

By Dan Egitto
MLK Day of Service 2023 at Washington-Liberty High School (via Volunteer Arlington/Facebook)

Performances, speeches and a day of service in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. are coming to Arlington this weekend.

Speeches from local civic activists and motivational speakers are coming to the Wakefield High School Auditorium from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, along with performances from a lyrical dancer, an elementary school choir and middle school step team.

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Around Town

Golf training center with ‘indoor country club vibe’ coming to Ballston area

By Dan Egitto
Three Ballston Plaza at 1100 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

An indoor training center meant to help golfers improve their game year-round is under construction inside an office building near Ballston.

The Golf Yards, a membership-only training facility with golfing simulators, a sand bunker and “elite-level coaching” for golfers of all experience levels is aiming for an early April opening at Three Ballston Plaza (1100 N. Glebe Road).

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Around Town

Poppyseed Rye is closing in Ballston after four years selling sandwiches and flowers

By Dan Egitto
Poppyseed Rye at 818 N. Quincy Street (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A cafe and flower shop in Ballston is shuttering after four years, in the latest closure for the neighborhood.

Poppyseed Rye, which sold bouquets and hosted flower arrangement workshops in addition to serving up soups, sandwiches, salads and coffee, is closing its doors for good on Sunday at 818 N. Quincy Street. Founder Scott Parker told ARLnow that business had been down for about five or six months, despite loyal customers in the neighborhood.

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Around Town

Onelife Fitness hosts grand opening of expanded Ballston Quarter location

By Dan Egitto
The ribbon cutting at Onelife Fitness's expanded Ballston location (courtesy of Onelife Fitness)

The Onelife Fitness in Ballston Quarter celebrated an expansion into the mall’s second floor with a ribbon-cutting and other festivities yesterday (Wednesday).

The fitness center, whose entrance is on the third floor of the mall at 4238 Wilson Blvd, marked the addition of 12,000 square feet to its space — roughly doubling the gym’s square footage dedicated to turf and strength training.

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News

New owner of Columbia Pike building seeks retail tenants instead of redevelopment

By Dan Egitto
The former Acme Pie Co. space, now for rent at 2803 Columbia Pike (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A large commercial building previously slated for redevelopment on Columbia Pike has a new owner with a new focus on revitalizing the property.

The Elkins Building at 2801 Columbia Pike — currently home to a half-dozen businesses including Art & Framing Club, Sicilian Pizza and Urban Pets Paws — changed hands for $5.9 million on Dec. 29, property records show.

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News

High-visibility traffic enforcement happening in Arlington this month

By Dan Egitto
High visibility traffic enforcement in Courthouse (via Arlington County Police Department)

Targeted traffic enforcement and education events are coming to Arlington this month as part of an annual safety campaign.

This winter’s Street Smart Campaign, a region-wide initiative, focuses on improving drivers’, pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ awareness and compliance with traffic laws.

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News

Series of weekend Metro closures coming to Crystal City and Reagan National

By Dan Egitto
The forthcoming east entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A series of weekend closures at the Crystal City and Reagan National Airport Metro stations is taking place between February and June.

Blue and Yellow Line trains won’t run in affected areas during the closures, which are for passenger and crew safety during the construction of a second entrance to the Crystal City station.

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