Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 20, 2025

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 — Oct 20, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high of 71 degrees, accompanied by a south wind ranging from 5 to 11 mph and gusts reaching 22 mph. Tonight, there is a 40% chance of showers before 2 am; however, the mostly cloudy skies will gradually clear with a low of around 49 degrees. The west wind will be around 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination.”
– Jimmy Dean

🌅 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.

Fire Works Pizza plans renovations and rebranding in Courthouse under new owner

By Katie Taranto
Fire Works Pizza at 2350 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Changes are coming to a longtime pizzeria and American restaurant in Courthouse.

The family that had owned Fire Works Pizza since 2010 is departing, having passed the torch to local restaurateur Fitzgerald Lewis earlier this month. The entrepreneur, whose resume also includes the Clarendon restaurants Green Pig Bistro and Buena Vida, intends to refresh the 15-year-old restaurant with new furnishings and a new name next year.

Go to Fire Works Pizza plans renovations and rebranding in Courthouse under new owner Read more

Falafel Inc opens on Restaurant Row after closing Water Park kiosk

By Katie Taranto
Falafel Inc on Restaurant Row (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A fast casual Middle Eastern restaurant is now open on Restaurant Row after relocating from Water Park.

Falafel Inc opened last week at 500 23rd Street S. after departing its previous Crystal City kiosk at 1601 Crystal Drive. The D.C.-based chain, known for its affordability and award-winning falafel, replaces a bank that closed in 2023.

Go to Falafel Inc opens on Restaurant Row after closing Water Park kiosk Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 17, 2025

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 — Oct 17, 2025.

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

  1. Top White House official selling Arlington home after activists write chalk messages on sidewalk (194338 views)
  2. UPDATED: Key Bridge closed for hours Thursday evening (49236 views)
  3. Lost Dog Cafe to close on Columbia Pike this week after months of declining sales (19011 views)
  4. Man seen fleeing on 14th Street Bridge after chase found dead in river (10371 views)
  5. APS enrollment drops by 1.1%, leading to staffing tweaks at numerous schools (8362 views)
  6. New models depict ‘Arc de Trump’ monument on Arlington side of Memorial Bridge (8187 views)
  7. JUST IN: Intersection blocked in Clarendon after vehicle overturns in crash (7811 views)
  8. TRAFFIC ALERT: Key Bridge closed again Friday (8769 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 cloudy skies to gradually clear up and bring sunshine with a high around 71 degrees. The calm wind will transition into a southerly breeze at 5 to 7 mph during the afternoon. As for Saturday night, it will be mostly clear and a low of approximately 55 degrees, accompanied by a southeast wind around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Peace begins with a smile.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 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. 👋

WBJ: Ikea is closing in Pentagon City, opening new Georgetown location

By Katie Taranto
Pentagon Centre's Ikea storefront (photo courtesy Ikea)

Ikea is closing its Pentagon City location this fall.

The Swedish furniture store at 1201 S. Hayes Street will remain open until Nov. 30 as the company opens another “plan-and-order” store in Georgetown, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday (Thursday).

Go to WBJ: Ikea is closing in Pentagon City, opening new Georgetown location Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 16, 2025

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 — Oct 16, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 46 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
– Florence Nightingale

🌅 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.

Help support ARLnow’s newsroom during uncertain times

By ARLnow.com
The U.S. Capitol dome behind some fall foliage (Flickr pool photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim)

It’s been another busy fall for ARLnow’s local reporters, with lots of scoops and detailed community reporting.

But we need your help. The ongoing federal government shutdown has dampened our advertising sales at a crucial time of year, creating financial headwinds for our newsroom. To maintain our current staffing levels — the highest they’ve been since our founding nearly 16 years ago — we’re counting on readers like you to join the ARLnow Press Club.

When you become a Press Club member, you’re not just supporting local journalism — you’re getting something valuable in return. Members receive a “pro” version of our afternoon newsletter with easy-to-skim summaries, plus a sneak peek at our coverage plans every weekday morning, so you’re always a step ahead on what’s happening in Arlington.

We’re proud to cover the Arlington community at a level that very few suburban locales receive anywhere in the country. But sustaining that coverage takes resources, and in challenging times like these, your support makes all the difference.

Thank you, Arlington, for your continued support. Click here or on the button below to learn more and sign up.

Flickr pool photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim

Learn More

Timberland opens at Pentagon City mall amid a wave of incoming businesses

By Katie Taranto
Timberland in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Timberland has opened a new store at the mall in Pentagon City, joining a lineup of recent and upcoming additions at the shopping center.

The shop opened last weekend on the mall’s second level with a “a full assortment of footwear, outerwear and accessories for men, women and kids,” including the brand’s popular leather boots. The opening comes as the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is expected to welcome several new businesses over the next few months.

Go to Timberland opens at Pentagon City mall amid a wave of incoming businesses Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 15, 2025

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday 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 — Oct 15, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature around 62 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 26 mph. Thursday night will be clear with the temperature dropping to a low of around 42 degrees, while the north wind continues to blow at approximately 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius

🌅 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.

Lost Dog Cafe to close on Columbia Pike this week after months of declining sales

By Katie Taranto
Lost Dog Cafe on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime Columbia Pike pizzeria is closing its doors for good.

Lost Dog Cafe will serve its last pies at 2920 Columbia Pike this week after 16 years in business there. The closure comes months after the local business’s owner shared concerns of flagging sales amid ongoing roadwork.

Go to Lost Dog Cafe to close on Columbia Pike this week after months of declining sales Read more

H-B Woodlawn music teacher named semifinalist for Grammy educator award

By Katie Taranto
Bill Podolski (photo by Kathleen Akerley, courtesy of Bill Podolski)

An Arlington Public Schools teacher is in the final rounds for a Grammy award honoring outstanding music educators.

Bill Podolski, the choral director at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, is one of 25 nationwide semifinalists for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award, announced last week. The accolade is bestowed on one music teacher each year who is honored during the week of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Go to H-B Woodlawn music teacher named semifinalist for Grammy educator award Read more

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 14, 2025

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 — Oct 14, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 70 degrees with a north wind at 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. For Wednesday night, the skies will remain clear, and the temperature will drop to around 45 degrees. The north wind will persist at approximately 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.”
– Dan Reeves

🌅 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.

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