Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Cherry blossoms are back: Events, sightseeing and more in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Cherry trees in bloom at Long Bridge Park in March 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

As cherry blossoms begin to bloom, seasonal events and dining specials are blossoming around Arlington.

From live music and art markets to themed coffees and donuts, here’s a look at where to get festive and where to spot the famous flowers.

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Around Town

Good Company Doughnuts plans to roll out new food truck in Rosslyn

By Katie Taranto
The new Sprinkles food truck (courtesy of Good Company Doughnuts)

Arlington’s Good Company Doughnuts is debuting a new food truck to share its sweet treats, coffee and breakfast across the region.

The local shop — which has locations in Ballston, Crystal City and D.C. — is hoping to park regularly in Rosslyn in addition to catering at events throughout the region.

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Around Town

Flight Wine Shop opens Crystal City store after D.C. departure

By Katie Taranto
Flight Wine Shop's new storefront in Crystal City (courtesy of Albert Ting)

Flight Wine Shop has landed in Crystal City.

The local wine retailer celebrated a grand opening over the weekend at 269 19th Court S., on the ground floor of The Grace apartments. The new shop is a spinoff of D.C.’s former Flight Wine Bar, which spent a decade in Chinatown before closing in late 2023.

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Around Town

Tierra Encantada bilingual daycare aims for May opening in Va. Square

By Katie Taranto
Tierra Encantada's new spot at 3804 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A Spanish immersion daycare center hopes to open this May in Virginia Square.

Tierra Encantada is preparing to open at 3804 Wilson Blvd, where Staples closed last February. It has a tentative opening date of May 19, Alexandria program director Angel Ricardez told ARLnow.

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Around Town

It’s March 14: Where to find Pi Day deals in Arlington and Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Livin' The Pie Life's apple pie (via Livin' The Pie Life/Facebook)

It’s Pi Day, and local bakeries and pizzerias alike are celebrating with sweet and savory deals in honor of that important figure, 3.14.

From $3.14-per-slice discounts to treat boxes and taste tests, here’s a look at some of the Pi Day specials happening in Arlington and Falls Church today.

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News

Amid federal layoffs, Arlington sees surge in people looking for jobs

By Dan Egitto and Katie Taranto
A town hall for federal workers and contractors at Central Library in February (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Amid mass federal layoffs, local businesses and resource centers are responding to a surge in Arlington residents seeking jobs.

While business owners say they’ve received a flood of inquiries from people now out of work, the Arlington Employment Center has seen a 45% year-over-year increase in people accessing services.

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Around Town

Local nonprofit seeks to expand music lessons for low-income students

By Katie Taranto
Piano & More teachers pose with students (courtesy of Piano & More)

An Arlington-based nonprofit offering music lessons to low-income students is aiming to double its program size through new community engagement efforts.

Play it Forward, a nonprofit by local music organization Piano & More, provides free piano lessons, resources and mentorship to students at Title I schools. With an eye on expanding, Piano & More launched new sponsorships this month and intends to apply for more grants later in the year.

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News

As egg prices remain high, local restaurants mull price hikes

By Katie Taranto
Eggs at a grocery store in Ballston (staff photo)

Local businesses are weighing their options to cope as record-high egg prices are expected to continue rising this year.

Several Arlington restaurants and bakeries have told ARLnow they are considering raising prices as they face increasingly high costs and, at times, shortages of the ubiquitous ingredient.

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Events

Mister Days’ legendary ‘Rally in the Alley’ returning this weekend in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Mister Days owner Bobby Lee points to a photo of a previous Rally in the Alley in D.C. during the 1980s (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A local piece of long-lost bar scene history is making a comeback in Clarendon this weekend.

The newly reopened Mister Days sports bar is hosting a once-popular street festival dubbed “Rally in the Alley” this Saturday at 1101 N. Highland Street. It’s the first time the festival will happen in Arlington — and also the first time Mister Days has hosted the event — since the bar left D.C.’s Dupont Circle in 2001.

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Around Town

Arlington woman with early-onset Parkinson’s receives national advocacy award

By Katie Taranto
Allie Signorelli receives the Citizen Scientist Cultivator Award (courtesy photo)

A Dominion Hills woman diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease received national recognition last month for her advocacy work.

Allison Signorelli was honored with the Citizen Scientist Cultivator Award for participating in various research trials after being diagnosed with the disease in 2022 at age 47.

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Around Town

Nepalese restaurant ‘Himalayan Wild Yak’ opens in Ballston next week

By Katie Taranto
Himalayan Wild Yak's new restaurant at 1010 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new Nepalese restaurant is opening next week in Ballston.

Himalayan Wild Yak is set to open at 1010 N. Glebe Road, where the Booeymonger sandwich shop closed last year. The family-owned restaurant specializes in dishes made with yak, a cultural staple comparable to bison meat, owner Dipraj Magar told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Jersey Mike’s, CVS and Five Guys opening soon on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Jersey Mike's new location on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

New lunch options and another drugstore are all scheduled to open on Columbia Pike in the coming weeks.

The sandwich and burger franchises are wrapping up construction at Westmont Apartments on 925 S. Glebe Road, while CVS is expected to open there later this month, Stacy Hornstein, Senior Vice President of Republic Properties, told ARLnow.

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