Author: Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole is a reporting fellow at ARLnow and an Arlington native. He’s a 2022 Yorktown High School graduate and a 2026 graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied journalism and covered sports for campus publications.

Around Town

Kids to learn business skills running their own booths at Arlington County Fair

By Ryan Cole
Colorful carnival scene with a striped big-top tent, a Ferris wheel, and visitors strolling along a paved midway on a sunny day.
Opening day of the 2026 Arlington County Fair (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

Booths run by some of Arlington’s youngest entrepreneurs will be setting up at the Arlington County Fair this weekend, selling crafts, food and more.

Kids Markets will be hosting two kid-run markets on Saturday and Sunday at the fair, setting up booths in the upper field with goods such as jewelry, arts and crafts, crocheted items and fidget toys. Vendors aged 5-17 will be setting prices, handling transactions and pocketing their profits.

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Schools

Report alleges history of antisemitism with limited consequences at Yorktown HS

By Ryan Cole
Yorktown High School (staff photo)

A state investigation alleged repeated antisemitic incidents at Yorktown High School with limited response from the administration, according to a national outlet.

The Free Press reported on a 39-page summary of evidence that it says former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) issued last October, alleging antisemitic conduct among students at Yorktown.

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Around Town

Seki Sushi opens in Crystal City with extensive sushi roll menu

By Ryan Cole
Storefront of a sushi restaurant with large glass doors, an 'OPEN' sign in the window, and a chalkboard promo sign outside.
Seki Sushi at 480 11th Street S. in Crystal City (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A new sushi restaurant has opened in Crystal City, offering a wide menu of sushi rolls and other Japanese dishes.

Seki Sushi serves nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls such as The Pentagon Roll, with snow crab, avocado, cucumber, scallops, jalapenos and a poke sauce. It opened at 480 11th Street S. in late June and offers a dinner experience where patrons can sit at the bar and watch sushi chefs at work.

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Events

Arlington County Fair starts today with opening ceremony, outdoor fun

By Ryan Cole
Arlington County Fair (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Arlington County Fair opens today (Wednesday), kicking off five days of fun with a ceremony honoring the event’s 50th anniversary.

The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on the basketball courts at Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.), featuring a photo booth, music and a historical photo display tracing 50 years of festivities.

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Around Town

Lost Dog Cafe’s rescue foundation celebrates 25 years of helping homeless pets

By Ryan Cole
Three fluffy puppies—black, cream, and black—being held outdoors by a person wearing a plaid fleece jacket.
Puppies rescued by Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (courtesy of Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation)

A mainstay Arlington restaurant is celebrating 25 years operating its dog and cat rescue shelter.

Lost Dog Cafe, the Westover-based pizza and sandwich spot, has helped more than 50,000 dogs and cats find homes since it launched the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in August 2001, co-founder Pam McAlwee told ARLnow.

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Schools

Glebe Elementary PTA receives national honors for work supporting diverse families

By Ryan Cole
Front view of an elementary school with a tall flagpole, glass atrium, and landscaped bushes outside the entrance.
Glebe Elementary School (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

The Glebe Elementary School parent-teacher association has received national recognition for its efforts to combat food insecurity and improve multilingual communication.

The school was named a National PTA School of Excellence earlier this month, joining 320 other associations around the country in being recognized for “leadership in creating welcoming, inclusive school communities and lasting change.”

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Around Town

New Thai street food spot serving up ‘fast, fresh’ bites on Langston Blvd

By Ryan Cole
Red brick storefront with large white 'KAPHRAO EXPRESS' sign and a green circular leaf logo, windows showing Thai cuisine banners outside.
Kaphrao Express at 5123 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A new Thai restaurant specializing in basil fried rice and other street food-inspired dishes has been getting settled on Langston Blvd.

Kaphrao Express opened at 5123 Langston Blvd in January, serving authentic Thai recipes like pad thai with tamarind sauce and basil dishes served with rice and proteins like stir fried chicken and crab meat. Its owner, Yook Limrat, already has expansion on his mind.

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Events

Full schedule for Arlington County Fair features classic rock bands, magic shows and more

By Ryan Cole
Arlington County Fair (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The lineup and events schedule for next week’s Arlington County Fair are officially set.

Yacht rock, electro-pop and classic rock bands will all feature in the free festival at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, with headliners including the popular local cover band Milk Mountain. Other features include a princess “glam” tent, a portable planetarium experience and four magic shows.

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Around Town

Hello Kitty truck returning to Pentagon City with new mugs and totes

By Ryan Cole
Crowd of people lines up at a pink Hello Kitty Cafe truck, serving snacks outdoors with a city building backdrop.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck (courtesy of FWD PR)

In one of the great constants of nature, a bright pink truck with a feline mascot is coming back to Pentagon City.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Westpost at National Landing this Saturday as part of its tour of the United States, hauling its usual load of sweet treats and bubble-gum pink goodies.

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News

Pentagon City post office restricts lobby hours due to ‘vagrancy and crime’

By Ryan Cole
USPS post office storefront with a dark sign, green awning, and glass double doors. A shopping cart is visible outside.
The post office at 1301 S. Fern Street in Pentagon City (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

Another Arlington post office has scaled back access to its lobby over concerns about crime and homelessness.

The Pentagon City post office (1301 S. Fern Street) introduced new restrictions on the hours for both its lobby and its P.O. boxes on July 30, citing “increased safety issues because of vagrancy and crime.”

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Around Town

Selfie-friendly mural with colorful local symbols completed in Rosslyn

By Ryan Cole
Colorful mural of a red bird on a branch with large flowers and geometric shapes, in an outdoor seating area underneath a concrete structure.
New mural under a walkway at 1101 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A new mural with local symbols and bright colors is complete and ready for Instagram in Rosslyn.

Beneath an elevated walkway at 1101 Wilson Blvd, the 2,631-square-foot mural has been up since May and underwent final touch-ups two weeks ago, its designers told ARLnow.

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Events

Arlington’s 9/11 memorial 5K returns next month, marking 25 years since attacks

By Ryan Cole
A marching band in gray uniforms stands on a wet city street under an arch made by two fire-truck ladders, with a large American flag centered between them.
Starting line at the 2025 Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff and ECC 9/11 Memorial 5K (courtesy of Josh Milfeit)

An annual race in honor of first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is returning next month, maintaining a longstanding tradition in Arlington.

The Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff and ECC 9/11 Memorial 5K will take place on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m., with a starting line outside the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City (300 Army Navy Drive).

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