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

Arlington Restaurant Week participants offer early taste of next month’s menus

By Dan Egitto
Glass of dark red beverage on a white table, foregrounded by a plate with avocado-topped tortilla chip and salsa, decorative bottle in background.
Food and drink from La Posada Restaurant at the Restaurant Week preview (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Businesses participating in next month’s Arlington Restaurant Week offered a preview of what they have in store at a tasting last night (Thursday).

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted a first-of-its-kind preview of the annual event, which will bring specials to restaurants across a range of price points from Monday, Oct. 12 to Monday, Oct. 19.

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News

JUST IN: County Board orders release of footage from fatal Columbia Pike police shooting

By Dan Egitto
Police confront Shawn Valn along Columbia Pike before he barricaded himself in the 7-Eleven on May 8, 2026 (courtesy Dave Statter/X)

The County Board has ordered the release of available footage from a fatal Columbia Pike police shooting earlier this year.

The Board announced this morning (Friday) that it has directed County Manager Mark Schwartz to release video of the incident that resulted in the death of 33-year-old Shawn Valn by Friday, Oct. 16. No footage accompanied the announcement and it is unclear what, specifically, will be released.

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Events

Falls Church movie theater to screen international film festival

By Dan Egitto
The outside of Paragon Theater in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two screenings of an international short film festival are coming to a Falls Church movie theater this weekend and next.

Paragon Theaters will host two screenings of the Manhattan Short Film Festival on Founders Row at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 4.

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News

County Board rejects Big Tony’s karaoke despite objections

By Dan Egitto
The exterior of Big Tony's Pizzeria & Dive Bar in Clarendon (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The County Board has voted against a Clarendon bar’s request to host DJs and karaoke, citing concerns about recent violations at the location.

The split 4-1 vote on Tuesday night came despite arguments from the owners of Big Tony’s, who said that live entertainment helps keep the restaurant alive and that there was confusion about the county code and the compliance process.

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Around Town

New fantasy bookstore and ‘witchy’ hideout nears opening in Falls Church

By Dan Egitto
Closed storefront with windows covered in brown cardboard, door labeled 112, suggesting renovation or temporary closure.
The Dark, Unbound in Falls Church (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new bookstore specializing in fantasy, sci-fi and “all of your witchy needs” is getting close to opening in Falls Church.

The Dark, Unbound, in the works for over a year, has been gradually taking form at 112 W. Broad Street. A new sign for the “mystic parlor,” which plans to sell incense, herbs and candles in addition to books from diverse authors, says it’s planning to open this fall.

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Around Town

Lil’ Cakes cupcake and ice cream shop opens in Falls Church

By Dan Egitto
Storefront sign reads 'Lil Cakes & Creamery' with large glass windows and ice cream posters in the display posters in the window.
Lil' Cakes & Creamery in Falls Church (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new spot for homemade ice cream, specialty cupcakes and other sweet treats has opened its doors in Falls Church.

Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened at 120 Founders Avenue, on Founders Row, earlier this month. So far, a store employee told ARLnow, the business’s deluxe cupcakes have been particularly popular — with flavors like pumpkin salted caramel cheesecake, caramel apple pie crisp and maple pecan praline.

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Events

Clarendon Day returns this weekend, bringing road closures

By Dan Egitto
Clarendon Day 2023 (staff photo)

Clarendon Day is back this weekend, bringing music, vendors and several road closures around the neighborhood’s Metro station.

The event, which starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, will feature live rock, yacht rock and ska music through the day, in addition to 175 vendors and booths from local organizations.

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Events

Event series on healthy tech habits for kids coming to Arlington this week

By Dan Egitto
People on smartphones (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A panel, booth and fair focused on best practices for raising kids around technology are taking place in Arlington this week.

All three events are organized by the local chapter of The Balance Project, “which equips and mobilizes families, schools and communities to shift cultural norms around technology and bring modern childhood into balance,” according to a press release.

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News

NEW: House committee blasts Arlington’s ‘sanctuary’ policies in latest escalation

By Dan Egitto
A woman in a blue dress speaks at a microphone podium while protesters hold signs behind her, including a cardboard sign that reads ‘STOP ICE CRUELTY’ and ‘Families First.’
Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti speaks at a recent anti-ICE demonstration (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The House Judiciary Committee continued a war of words with many of Arlington’s local leaders in a new report slamming attempts to shield undocumented immigrants.

Building on aggressive letters to several local agencies earlier this year and an ongoing public dispute with Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the committee took aim at policies at the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in a 23-page interim staff report reviewed by ARLnow.

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News

Quantum computing company opening U.S. headquarters in Ballston

By Dan Egitto
A large group of people posing on stone steps in front of a brick archway and conical-roof structure outdoors, wearing matching dark shirts.
The Phasecraft team (via Phasecraft/X)

A U.K.-based quantum computing company is establishing a new U.S. headquarters in Arlington.

Phasecraft, which develops algorithms for quantum computers with a focus on industrial applications, plans to create 19 jobs in Ballston, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office announced in a press release today (Monday).

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Around Town

Corso Italian closes permanently due to flooding in Shirlington

By Dan Egitto
Front of a Corso Italian restaurant with a black-and-white striped awning and large glass windows beneath a red sign.
Corso Italian in Shirlington (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Corso Italian has abandoned plans to reopen after closing its doors last month due to flooding.

The Italian restaurant, which closed indefinitely on Aug. 2 following water damage to its dining room and basement, announced in an email to customers yesterday (Thursday) that it will not be reopening.

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