Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Mar 23, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 23, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

It will be sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 51°F. Winds from the north will blow at 5 to 7 mph but will calm by the afternoon. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 38°F. Winds will be calm initially, then shift to the south at around 5 mph after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.

‘Pilates on the Mat’ fitness studio plans new location in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Pilates on the Mat is "coming soon" to 269 19th Court S. (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new Pilates studio is rolling out plans to open in Crystal City.

Signs advertising “Pilates on the Mat” have appeared on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments (269 19th Court S.). A website for the upcoming business advertises “a revolutionary fitness concept providing reformer-quality Pilates classes at a fraction of the price,” in addition to “corporate wellness” classes offered at offices and apartments.

Go to ‘Pilates on the Mat’ fitness studio plans new location in Crystal City Read more

Mellow Mushroom pizzeria eyes Arlington for new D.C.-area expansion

By Katie Taranto
Mellow Mushroom pizza and sides (courtesy of Mellow Mushroom)

A pizza franchise with a flair for the psychedelic has its eye on Arlington and Alexandria as it plans a major new expansion into the D.C. area.

Mellow Mushroom has named the two localities among its “highest-priority growth markets on the East Coast,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. The business — known for its “stone-baked pies,” appetizers and kaleidoscopic colors — is planning to open eight to 10 new locations in the region, according to Jamie Cecil, vice president of franchise development.

Go to Mellow Mushroom pizzeria eyes Arlington for new D.C.-area expansion Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Mar 20, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 20, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Rep. Beyer introduces bill to eliminate federal income tax for Americans earning under $46,000 (1039221 views)
  2. Local restaurateur buying out Westover Taco to launch N. Va.’s first women’s sports bar (20169 views)
  3. DEVELOPING: Arlington Public Schools to dismiss early Monday due to storm risk (14924 views)
  4. UPDATED: Awaiting second round of storms after Arlington sees mostly rain from first wave (10579 views)
  5. UPDATED: Tornado Watch cancelled for Arlington (9820 views)
  6. County withholding nearly $1M from trash contractor due to missed collections (7953 views)
  7. Xi’an Famous Foods plans new Chinese restaurant in Clarendon (7071 views)
  8. ACPD officer steps in with pizza after APS charter bus gets stuck in mud (6278 views)
  9. Residents question proposal to leave a portion of DCA pedestrian bridge uncovered (5156 views)
  10. New ‘event-driven’ restaurant planned after Rooftop Recess closes in Courthouse (5073 views)
  11. NOW: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Arlington (4507 views)
  12. Service cutbacks, staff furloughs possible in Arlington depending on tax revenue (4281 views)
  13. Virginia Democrats pass full affordability agenda as General Assembly adjourns without a budget (3994 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 66 degrees and a gentle north wind blowing at 6 to 8 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 48 degrees, and winds shifting from the east to south at 6 mph after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum. 👋

Thai restaurant Rien Tong closes for ‘complete transformation’ in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Rien Tong in Clarendon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime Thai restaurant and sushi bar has closed for business in Clarendon, but it appears the business won’t be gone for long.

Rien Tong Thai Asian Restaurant & Sushi Bar plans to spend the next 10 months rebranding at 3131 Wilson Blvd, located just across the street from the Clarendon Metro station. A message posted in the restaurant’s windows teases improvements under new management.

Go to Thai restaurant Rien Tong closes for ‘complete transformation’ in Clarendon Read more

Twins Ace Hardware plans to open in Crystal City next month

By Katie Taranto
Twins Ace Hardware "coming soon" in Crystal City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An Ace Hardware store is opening soon in Crystal City.

Arlington’s second Twins Ace Hardware is preparing to soft open at 2051 S. Bell Street on Tuesday, April 7, owner Jeff Smith told ARLnow. This will be followed by a three-day grand opening with “swag, gift bags, giveaways, and plenty of surprises” from May 29-31.

Go to Twins Ace Hardware plans to open in Crystal City next month Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Mar 19, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 19, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers after 2 PM with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Winds will shift from light south to southwest at 8–13 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 PM and 2 AM, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Southwest winds will be 7–10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation, with expected rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.

ACPD officer steps in with pizza after APS charter bus gets stuck in mud

By Dan Egitto
A charter bus stuck in the mud next to Arlington Blvd (via ACPD/X)

A busload of middle schoolers had a rollercoaster of a morning earlier this week after a charter bus took a wrong turn onto a bike path next to Arlington Blvd.

The students from Kenmore Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School were on their way to a music assessment on Tuesday morning when their bus driver, who was trying to follow GPS directions, ended up turning onto a paved pathway that runs alongside Arlington Blvd, police spokesperson Kiyah Daniell told ARLnow.

Go to ACPD officer steps in with pizza after APS charter bus gets stuck in mud Read more

Paint-your-own-pottery studio plans grand opening in Shirlington this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Paint Your Heart Out's Shirlington storefront (courtesy of Paint Your Heart Out)

A new pottery studio offering customers a chance to paint their own bowls, mugs and figurines is opening in Shirlington this weekend.

Paint Your Heart Out is throwing a grand opening starting at 11 a.m. this Saturday for its new studio at 2780 S. Arlington Mill Road, where Shirlington Cleaners used to be. The grand opening will include a $50 gift card raffle, and the first 50 guests to make a $50 purchase will be given a complimentary mug to decorate.

Go to Paint-your-own-pottery studio plans grand opening in Shirlington this weekend Read more

Xi’an Famous Foods plans new Chinese restaurant in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Xi'an Famous Foods noodles (via Xi'an Famous Foods/Facebook)

A family-owned chain of fast-casual Chinese restaurants, known for having dishes once celebrated by Anthony Bourdain, is eyeing Clarendon for its next location.

Xi’an Famous Foods is planning a new restaurant at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, in The Crossing Clarendon shopping center. The New York City-based eatery offers cuisine inspired by CEO Jason Wang’s childhood in Xi’an, China — including a variety of hand-ripped noodles, dumplings, and a spicy cumin lamb burger favored by Bourdain on the show “No Reservations” in 2007.

Go to Xi’an Famous Foods plans new Chinese restaurant in Clarendon Read more

Breakfast burrito spot with West Coast inspiration opens next week in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Monstera Burrito is "coming soon" to Crystal City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A popular West Coast-inspired burrito shop and cafe from D.C. is opening for business next week at Crystal City’s Water Park.

Monstera Burrito opens Monday at 1721 Crystal Drive, bringing its signature San Diego-style, French fry-packed burritos and an extended menu of burgers, bowls, sandwiches and other bites. It’s the restaurant’s second location, joining a residency inside Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters that opened in 2024.

Go to Breakfast burrito spot with West Coast inspiration opens next week in Crystal City Read more
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