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

Compass Coffee opening ‘Ballston West’ location this weekend

By Katie Taranto
The new Compass Coffee at 4300 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Ballston’s second Compass Coffee will open to the public this weekend with some giveaways.

The new cafe at 4300 Wilson Blvd, which the company has dubbed “Ballston West,” will hold its grand opening this Saturday. The first 100 customers who show up after the coffee shop opens at 6:30 a.m. will receive $25 gift cards.

Go to Compass Coffee opening ‘Ballston West’ location this weekend Read more
Events

Samuel Beckett’s to host 10th annual Celtic Festival in Shirlington

By Katie Taranto
A previous year's Celtic Festival (via Samuel Beckett's/Facebook)

Late September marks the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day, and in Shirlington, it also means the return of the neighborhood’s annual Celtic Festival.

The free festivities take place from noon to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 21, in and around Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub at 2800 S. Randolph Street.

Go to Samuel Beckett’s to host 10th annual Celtic Festival in Shirlington Read more
Around Town

Young writer in Green Valley releases first book after successful lemonade stand

By Katie Taranto
A mock up of "The Four Princesses" by Nora Jacoby (courtesy of Maria Jacoby)

A fifth grader in Green Valley who ran a lemonade stand this summer to support the creation of her first book is now a self-published author.

Nora Jacoby, 10, celebrated the release of “The Four Princesses” earlier this week. It’s a tale of three princesses who use their powers to help a fourth princess who has lost everything.

Go to Young writer in Green Valley releases first book after successful lemonade stand Read more
News

F.C. medical office to relocate, expanding services and doubling its staff

By Katie Taranto
107 Park Place in Falls Church, the new location for ProHealth Medical Center (courtesy of Divaris Real Estate)

A medical provider in Falls Church plans to relocate into a space with room to accept over 5,000 more patients and double its current staff.

ProHealth Medical Center is slated to relocate to an office nearly five times its size, Human Resources Manager Haley Bui told ARLnow. Currently located at 2946 Sleepy Hollow Road, the provider intends to move to a 7,200-square-foot office at 107 Park Place sometime between April and June of 2025.

Go to F.C. medical office to relocate, expanding services and doubling its staff Read more
Events

Fall happenings in Falls Church: Farm Day, Halloween Carnival, movies and more

By Katie Taranto
Children pet animals at a past Farm Day in Falls Church (via Falls Church/Facebook)

After the Falls Church Festival this past weekend, the Little City has a not-so-little lineup of events this fall.

From outdoor movie nights to the annual Halloween Carnival, here’s an itinerary of upcoming events.

Go to Fall happenings in Falls Church: Farm Day, Halloween Carnival, movies and more Read more
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.

Go to Free movie nights coming to Pentagon City this fall Read more
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.

Go to Oktoberfest returns to Crystal City this month with German beers, food and tunes Read more
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.

Go to Noise complaints at Va. Square lounge attract scrutiny in county review Read more
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.

Go to Popular Langston Blvd halal grill opens new spot on Columbia Pike Read more
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.

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

Go to The historic State Theatre brings nostalgia center stage in Falls Church Read more
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.

Go to Ruffino’s Spaghetti House, under new ownership, plans to keep serving Italian favorites Read more
View More Stories