Sledding in Bluemont Park, January 2024 (Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick)
Accumulating snow is likely to fall Sunday night into Monday morning.
Chances of the season’s first significant snowfall are increasing, with a near certainty of at least an inch of snow and a roughly three-in-four chance of more than 3 inches, according to a Thursday afternoon forecast update from the Capital Weather Gang.
The timing of the storm, notably, could extend what has already been a two-week winter break for local students.
With just a tenth of an inch of accumulation so far this season, and below average snowfall over the past few years, how are you feeling about this potential storm?
Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn, in his first year as the team’s head coach, the Commanders have undergone a renaissance few would have dreamed possible when former owner Dan Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris last year.
Given the excitement over the team, after years of futility, we’re wondering just how big the fanbase is in Arlington. How many residents are jumping on the bandwagon — or have never stopped rooting for the team? And how does that compare to those who still support other NFL teams?
As 2024 draws to a close, let us celebrate the animal companions who have captured our hearts and made our community a bit more special with their adventures.
We’ve gone back and reviewed the adorable pets of Arlingtonians to compile the top picks for “Pet of the Year” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
The holidays are here and in less than two weeks we will be in a new year.
Before we welcome in a new year, it’s time to highlight the voices that made community discussions on ARLnow so engaging in 2024. We’ve gone back and checked the stats to compile the top choices for “Commenter of the Year” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Don’t see your favorite ARLnow commenter listed? Write them in.
Polls will close in two weeks, so don’t wait to vote!
Voting for Best Hill to go Sledding on in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best place to get a massage. The results are now official:
Christmas tree at Reagan National Airport (staff photo)
Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah are on the same day this year — Wednesday, Dec. 25.
The midweek holidays may make travel plans more difficult or more straightforward, depending on your perspective and your work situation.
When we polled readers on holiday travel in 2020, it was in the middle of the pandemic and only 22% of the more than 2,000 respondents said they had plans to travel.
Let’s see how much your holiday travel planning has changed between then and now.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) says Virginia workers shouldn’t pay state tax on tips they get from customers.
Adopting the policy — supported on a federal level by both president-elect Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris during the recent election — would let tipped workers keep an extra $70 million each year throughout the Commonwealth, the governor’s office said in a press release Monday.
Youngkin says he is proposing the tax change in his upcoming budget. GOP state senators, meanwhile, signaled their support for Youngkin’s proposal in statements Monday, after introducing a bill last week to eliminate state income tax on gratuities.
The governor’s press release is below.
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax. This proposal will return an estimated $70 million annually to the pockets of hardworking Virginians to further deliver on Governor Youngkin’s commitment to lower the cost of living for working families across the Commonwealth. This builds on the more than $5 billion in tax relief already delivered for Virginians under his administration.
“We have delivered over $5 billion in tax relief to date, and we remain committed to lowering the cost of living for hardworking Virginians. It’s their money, not the government’s,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By removing tips from taxable income, it will directly increase the take-home pay of hundreds of thousands of Virginians and give them more buying power, which in turn will improve financial stability, stimulate local economies, and honor the value of their hard work.”
The Virginia Department of Taxation and the Virginia Employment Commission estimate that more than 250,000 Virginians within the food service industry, personal service industry (such as hair stylists), and hospitality industry (such as bellhops and concierges) could benefit from the proposed tax relief. Workers who receive tips from their employment in other industries would also benefit.
Virginians who earn tips will be able to claim a deduction on their state tax return, provided the income is included in their federal adjusted gross income. The Department of Taxation will use IRS data and employer-reported W-2 information to ensure compliance.
The Commonwealth’s robust financial health, marked by record employment levels, rising revenues and surpluses, robust reserves, and a AAA bond rating, enables the Commonwealth to implement meaningful tax relief for Virginians while maintaining fiscal responsibility and sustaining vital investments in public services.
Critics of exempting tips from tax have a number of reasons why they think it’s a bad policy, however, from issues of fairness to a loss of revenue to the risk of distorting labor markets.
“It’s not fair to subsidize Le Cirque waiters but not McDonald’s customer service associates with tax-free tips. Or to so favor a hotel’s housekeeper, but not a homeowner’s house cleaner,” the Tax Policy Center wrote in September. “Or, for that matter, traditional employees and not independent contractors in the growing gig economy.”
What do you think? Should Virginia exempt service tips from state income tax? Or do you oppose the governor’s proposal?
The official start of winter is around the corner — Saturday, Dec. 21, to be exact — and it brings snow lovers hope that mother nature may soon bestow upon us a blanket of the white, fluffy kind.
With snow, of course, comes outdoor activities including sledding. Here in Arlington, there are plenty of sloping hills to choose from.
Here are the top picks for “Best Hill to go Sledding on in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Have we missed a great spot for sledding? Write it in! Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Place to Get a Massage in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best bakery. The results are now official:
This time of year can be stressful, but Arlington is home to a number of places to relax your body and mind.
Here are the top spots for “Best Place to Get a Massage in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. These spots are sure to destress and detox your body this season. Is your favorite place not listed? Write it in!
Don’t wait to vote as polls will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Bakery in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best local shop. The results are now official:
The holiday season is here and that means sharing freshly baked treats with family and friends!
It also means finding the bakery that delivers the best festive cookies, mouthwatering cakes and flaky breads in Arlington.
We’ve collected the top choices for “Best Bakery in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Don’t see your favorite bakery listed? Write it in!
In two weeks voting will close, so don’t forget to choose the bakery with the sweetest treats!
Voting for Best Local Shop in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best restaurant for takeout/delivery. The results are now official:
Going out and enjoying the nightlife on Columbia Pike (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)
Tonight is the night before Thanksgiving, traditionally one of the busiest nights for local bars and restaurants as people return home and reunite with old friends.
Nicknamed “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving” by some, the evening has become something of an unofficial holiday, particularly among young professionals.
Local establishments often offer special events and deals to draw in the pre-Thanksgiving crowds, and many Arlington bars and restaurants are expecting large turnouts tonight.
Regardless of whether you’re in town or out — will you be heading out to celebrate with friends tonight, staying in to prep for tomorrow’s feast, or something else entirely?
As the holiday season begins, Arlington offers a plethora of opportunities to shop local and support the community.
Here are the top choices for “Best Local Shop in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. These shops offer unique gift options and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences. See a shop that isn’t listed? Write it in!
Voting will close two weeks from publication time. Make sure to cast your vote for your favorite local shop.
Voting for Best Restaurant for Takeout/Delivery in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best lunch spot. The results are now official:
It doesn’t matter if you’re in need of a meal to-go or at your doorstep within an hour, these restaurants serve up mouthwatering selections secured for travel.
We’ve gathered the top spots for “Best Restaurant for Takeout/Delivery in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Feel free to write in your favorite restaurant if it’s not already on the list.
Voting will close in two weeks! Don’t wait — make sure you vote for your favorite spot.
Voting for Best Lunch Spot in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best urgent care. The results are now official:
