Author: Dan Egitto

Dan Egitto is the managing editor 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

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.

Go to Lil’ Cakes cupcake and ice cream shop opens in Falls Church Read more
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.

Go to Clarendon Day returns this weekend, bringing road closures Read more
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.

Go to Event series on healthy tech habits for kids coming to Arlington this week Read more
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.

Go to NEW: House committee blasts Arlington’s ‘sanctuary’ policies in latest escalation Read more
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).

Go to Quantum computing company opening U.S. headquarters in Ballston Read more
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.

Go to Corso Italian closes permanently due to flooding in Shirlington Read more
News

Anti-ICE protest and vigil to target Trump official in South Arlington

By Dan Egitto
Anti-ICE protesters at a recent demonstration in Courthouse (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Anti-ICE protesters are planning a demonstration near the South Arlington home of a top federal official tomorrow (Saturday).

A vigil and procession taking aim at ICE tactics, federal immigration policy and the actions of Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, are expected to take place in Alcova Heights.

Go to Anti-ICE protest and vigil to target Trump official in South Arlington Read more
News

County staff seek to crack down on karaoke at Big Tony’s

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

Karaoke nights at Big Tony’s Pizzeria & Dive Bar are going up for debate at an upcoming County Board meeting.

The retro-style Clarendon bar is seeking county authorization to host karaoke nights and DJs at 3100 Clarendon Blvd — but it’s facing pushback from county staff, who say that the establishment violated the county’s zoning ordinance multiple times by hosting karaoke without permission.

Go to County staff seek to crack down on karaoke at Big Tony’s Read more
News

New ‘near miss’ report targets street safety on Washington Blvd, S. Glebe Road

By Dan Egitto
FedEx Express van parked at a busy intersection with a pedestrian on the sidewalk and a brick church in the background.
S. Glebe Road and 7th Street S. (via Google Maps)

A new analysis of over 100 “near miss” traffic incidents in Arlington zeroes in on disproportionate issues on a handful of busy roads and intersections.

The report from Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets analyzed 136 incidents in Arlington where people said they were almost hit by vehicles. The data shows that “failure to yield” remains the most common risk factor, mentioned in 64% of the incidents, followed by vehicles speeding (35%) and running red lights or stop signs (29%).

Go to New ‘near miss’ report targets street safety on Washington Blvd, S. Glebe Road Read more
Around Town

Arlington Scouts rescue teens from sinking boat in rural Tennessee

By Dan Egitto
Three people wearing life jackets sit on a small motorboat on a calm lake, with a capsized white kayak nearby and a forested shoreline in the background.
The Jackson siblings on their grandparents' Pond Prowler (courtesy of Nick Jackson)

Three Arlington siblings came to the rescue of a sinking boatful of teenagers while on vacation in rural Tennessee this summer.

Declan, Cormac and Elsa Jackson — ages 10, 12 and 13, respectively, and all involved in scouting — were out at their grandparents’ house on remote Boone Lake on the afternoon of July 28. Declan and Elsa were fishing and had just finished helping a baby bird escape from the water when they heard a foghorn.

Go to Arlington Scouts rescue teens from sinking boat in rural Tennessee Read more
Around Town

Rocoto’s Tex-Mex restaurant makes progress toward opening in Courthouse

By Dan Egitto
Brick storefront with a large sign reading 'Rocoto's Restaurant and Bakery' above glass windows and awnings.
The planned Rocoto's Restaurant and Bakery in Courthouse (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

After almost a year, some signs of progress are appearing at a planned Tex-Mex and Latin American fusion restaurant in Courthouse.

Signage for Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery is up at 2111 Wilson Blvd, and a liquor license was approved last week.

Go to Rocoto’s Tex-Mex restaurant makes progress toward opening in Courthouse Read more
Events

Celtic Festival returning to Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington this weekend

By Dan Egitto
A previous year's Celtic Festival (via Samuel Beckett's/Facebook)

Samuel Beckett’s is hosting its annual Celtic Festival on Saturday, bringing Irish music, drinks and vendors to Shirlington.

The annual event will take place from noon to 6 p.m., closing off Campbell Avenue from S. Randolph Street to 28th Street S.

Go to Celtic Festival returning to Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington this weekend Read more
View More Stories