(Updated at 10:35 a.m.) Arlington’s public libraries are trying to figure out how to get patrons back after Covid closures.

Since starting to reopen in mid-2021, library use has been down more than 25% from pre-pandemic levels, the Sun Gazette reports.


Don’t you wish you were an Oscar Mayer weiner?

No, it’s no April Fools Day joke — the Weinermobile rolled through Arlington. Perhaps it was the same large sausage vehicle that was posted up at the Springfield Lidl in Fairfax County this afternoon. It will also be at the Fairfax Lidl at 11179 Lee Highway on Sunday between 9 a.m. and noon for anyone who really wants to get a photo.


Love it or hate it, Nextdoor has undeniably found its place in local life here in Arlington.

It’s a place where people go to buy, sell and give away things; kvetch about noise or other local inconveniences; share crime and safety tips; and — for the past week at least — share lots of photos of cherry blossoms. It’s used by thousands of Arlington residents and the county itself to share information.


The blossoms have bloomed and there’s plenty to see and do in Arlington this weekend, despite the expected chilly weather.

In conjunction with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, this Saturday the Blossom Kite Festival will bring some of the festivities to Virginia Highlands Park in the Pentagon City area. The D.C. Tattoo Expo is also coming to Arlington.


Earlier this month, the Arlington School Board meeting featured some business casual attire on the dais.

That was not well received by the Sun Gazette’s Scott McCaffrey. He took to his editor’s blog to rail against the “sans cravate” look for elected members and other top officials:


It seems spring weather may be here to stay — just in time for the first day of (astronomical) spring this Sunday.

After strong winds and snow last weekend, daytime temperatures have been mostly in the upper 50s, 60s and 70s each day this week. Those temps will continue through Tuesday, before some rain is expected, according to the National Weather Service.


At least two U.S. cities are using automated noise enforcement technology. Should Arlington?

Knoxville, Tennessee recently deployed a noise-monitoring camera as a test to see whether it helps to stem rising noise complaints downtown. From local TV station WATE:


This week some signs of spring have started to poke through despite the wild and wintry weather expected tomorrow.

Blossoms have started to bloom and some residents are planning for peak season viewing later this month. With the seasonal changes also comes daylight saving time — don’t forget your clocks will jump ahead one hour this Sunday at 2 a.m.


This month’s cartoon by Mike Mount riffs on the local debate over historic preservation: what’s the dividing line between historic and just old?

With a state bill to make it easier for preservation advocates to prevent demolitions now dead for 2022, and the proverbial wrecking ball unlikely stop swinging, the debate seems likely to continue for some time.


TGIF, Arlington.

We hope you have a restful weekend and avoid any convoy protest-related delays. The latest update indicate that truckers and supporters in personal vehicles will arrive on Saturday, with the Beltway and the White House as possible destinations.


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