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.

Events

Free movie nights coming to Pentagon City this fall

By Katie Taranto
Movie @ Met screening (photo courtesy National Landing BID)

Two places in Pentagon City are hosting free, family friendly outdoor movie nights this fall.

Westpost, the retail center formerly known as Pentagon Row, is slated to begin its Movies on the Plaza series tomorrow night (Wednesday) with a showing of “Barbie” at 1201 S. Joyce Street.

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Events

Oktoberfest returns to Crystal City this month with German beers, food and tunes

By Katie Taranto
An Oktoberfest musician plays the tuba (via National Landing BID/Facebook)

A day of German beers, food and music is coming to Crystal City later this month for the neighborhood’s annual Oktoberfest celebration.

The festival — based on a celebration of beer and Bavarian culture in Munich, Germany — will run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2200 S. Eads Street.

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News

Noise complaints at Va. Square lounge attract scrutiny in county review

By Katie Taranto
Darna Lounge in Virginia Square (via Google Maps)

Despite recent improvements, a history of complaints related to noise and rowdy customers at Darna Lounge has attracted county scrutiny in a five-year permit review.

The lounge and restaurant at 946 N. Jackson Street has been the subject of 285 police calls and three citations for noise violations since 2019, a county staff report says.

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Around Town

Popular Langston Blvd halal grill opens new spot on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Charga on the Pike, 3203 Columbia Pike (courtesy of Ibrahim Al-Amin)

A halal chicken restaurant based on Langston Blvd has opened a sister eatery on Columbia Pike, with a grand opening expected later this month.

Charga on the Pike is the second venture of Charga Grill, an eatery whose original location at 5151 Langston Blvd surged in popularity after claiming the No. 1 spot on The Washington Post’s ranking of the best casual restaurants in the D.C. area in 2022.

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News

West Falls development project prepares to welcome 400 new tenants in F.C.

By Katie Taranto
Rendering of The Alder apartment with The Fresh Market on the ground floor, 136 W Falls Station Blvd (via The Alder/Facebook)

A $650 million Falls Church development project is approaching some key milestones as 400 units of housing are slated to welcome their first tenants in coming months.

Phase One of the West Falls Development Project, which seeks to redevelop 10 acres of land at the former site of George Mason High School, is nearing completion, Mary Beth Avedesian, Senior Vice President of Development at Hoffman & Associates, shared at a public event Monday night.

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Around Town

The historic State Theatre brings nostalgia center stage in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
The State Theatre (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An 88-year-old music venue in Falls Church is continuing to breathe new life into classic hits with a cornucopia of cover bands.

With tributes to artists like Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin all in the lineup of upcoming shows, the State Theatre at 220 N. Washington Street seeks to retain nostalgic charm while appealing to concertgoers of all stripes.

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Around Town

Ruffino’s Spaghetti House, under new ownership, plans to keep serving Italian favorites

By Katie Taranto
Ruffino's Spaghetti House (via Google Maps)

Ruffino’s Spaghetti House is under new ownership, with plans to spruce up the menu and decor while still serving up customer favorites, management said.

New owner Henry Saavedra is reviewing the menu of Italian cuisine and plans to cut some items and add a few new ones — but regulars shouldn’t fret, he told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Compass Coffee to open at former Slipstream spot in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Compass Coffee at 4100 Wilson Blvd, down the road from another planned Compass Coffee location (photo courtesy Ballston Quarter)

Another Compass Coffee is slated to open a couple of blocks away from the local chain’s current Ballston location.

The new location will replace a coffee shop that just shuttered last week.

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Around Town

Korean steakhouse aims to open in Falls Church next month

By Katie Taranto
106 Founders Avenue on Founders Row (via Google Maps)

A new steakhouse with table-side Korean grilling is expected to soft open early next month in Falls Church.

Seoul Prime promises to combine “the robust flavors of traditional Korean grilling” with “the elegance of an American steakhouse” on the ground floor of Founders Row, an apartment building at 106 Founders Avenue that is also home to several other restaurants.

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Around Town

Training ride for BellRinger cancer fundraiser to take place in Arlington this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Cyclists riding for BellRinger in 2023 (via BellRinger/Facebook)

In advance of an annual bicycling fundraiser for cancer research next month, a 14-mile training ride is scheduled to happen in Arlington this weekend.

The ride in preparation for the BellRinger — which raises funds for Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center — is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. this Sunday, Sept. 8. Starting at Trek Bicycle in Ballston, the route heads west toward Fairfax before returning to 3924 Wilson Blvd.

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News

Car crashes into CarPool in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Two of CarPool's shattered windows (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A driver crashed into the front of a Ballston bar early this morning (Wednesday), shattering two of its storefront windows, a manager said.

CarPool at 900 N. Glebe Road was partially blocked off with police tape this morning, and employees were seen assessing the damage.

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Around Town

Slipstream coffee shop in Ballston has closed

By Katie Taranto
The former Slipstream location in Ballston, soon to be Compass Coffee, earlier this month (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

After a little over a year in business, Slipstream’s Ballston location served its last coffees, espressos and brunch treats to customers on Monday.

Workers could be seen removing furniture from the cafe at 4300 Wilson Blvd this morning (Wednesday).

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