Opinion

Morning Poll: What is your favorite sugary harbinger of spring?

By ARLnow.com
A Shamrock Shake purchased from an Arlington McDonald's on Feb. 5, 2025 (staff photo)

Big news: the Shamrock Shake is back.

McDonald’s may try to tell you it’s returning on Monday, Feb. 10, but ARLnow obtained an early edition of the minty green milkshake from the set-for-replacement McD’s on Langston Blvd around lunchtime yesterday.

Apparently Uncle O’Grimacey is making up for lost time.

The Shamrock Shake’s triumphant return, and the imminent return of Girl Scout cookie booths in Arlington, got us thinking about other sugary, seasonal treats that seem to herald the coming of spring.

Which is your favorite of the following four?

Morning Poll: Are you a Valentine’s Day procrastinator?

By ARLnow.com
Valentine's Day cookies from Village Sweet in Arlington (file photo)

Valentine’s Day is nine days away. Have you made all of your plans for the big day yet?

Some people are V-Day go-getters who made restaurant reservations months ago. Others are Valentine’s Day procrastinators who will figure it out when they get a chance — maybe later this week?

Today we’re asking readers: which one are you?

Oh and in case you were wondering, previous Valentine’s Day-related ARLnow polls have determined that Arlingtonians prefer food to flowers as a present (70-30) and would much rather stay in than go out on Feb. 14 (85-15).

Poll: Best Arlington date idea

By ARLnow.com

The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. And so has the countdown to planning a memorable and special time with your significant other. But there is still time and plenty of date night destinations in Arlington to choose from.

Here are the top picks for “Best Date Ideas to do in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Don’t see your favorite date idea listed? Feel free to write it in.

Voting will close in two weeks so don’t wait!

Voting for Best Florist 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 Best brunch spot in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Ruthie’s All-Day
  2. Busboys and Poets
  3. Ambar

Poll: Best florist in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

The floral scene in Arlington is blooming with talented shops crafting elegant arrangements for every occasion. This includes Valentine’s Day — taking place Friday, Feb. 14 — and it’s the perfect holiday for gifting flowers to a special someone.

Here are the top picks for “Best Florist in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Have we missed a florist? Write it in.

The poll will close in two weeks, so don’t wait to vote!

Voting for Best Brunch 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 Best restaurant for a fancy dinner in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. The Portofino Restaurant
  2. Cafe Colline
  3. Lyon Hall

MLK’s ‘beloved community’ has inspired social justice work for decades − what did he mean?

By The Conversation
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in D.C. (photo via Adam Fagen/Flickr)

By Jason Oliver Evans, University of Virginia

(THE CONVERSATION) Since 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law, many Americans have observed the federal holiday to commemorate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader, Baptist minister and theologian.

Go to MLK’s ‘beloved community’ has inspired social justice work for decades − what did he mean? Read more

Poll: Best brunch spot in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Brunch has become a weekend staple and Arlington is home to countless brunch spots serving up everything from Eggs Benedict and bottomless mimosas to waffles and french toast.

We’ve complied the top picks for “Best Brunch Spot in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Your favorite brunch spot not listed? Write it in!

Don’t delay — voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Restaurant for a Fancy Dinner 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 Best gym/fitness studio in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. E60 Fitness
  2. Xtend Barre Arlington
  3. MADabolic

Morning Poll: Are you planning to watch the inauguration?

By ARLnow.com
A view of the 59th Presidential Inauguration from the US Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Inauguration Day is just four days away.

With president-elect Trump about to take the oath of office for the second time, we were wondering how many people in Arlington were planning to watch — or attend.

Those attending will have to be a hardy bunch, given the forecasted wind chill in the teens on Monday. On the other hand, there should be no shortage of options for watching on TV or online (including clips).

So what’s your plan?

Help guide ARLnow’s coverage in 2025

By ARLnow.com
ARLnow logo and Rosslyn skyline

As we kick off another year of local news coverage, we’re turning to you – our readers – for guidance on how we can better serve Arlington.

Your feedback has been instrumental in shaping ARLnow over the years. Thanks to survey responses from readers like you, we’ve expanded our reporting, launched new features, and adjusted our coverage to focus on the issues that matter most to Arlingtonians.

Beyond news coverage, we’re exploring new ways to keep you informed and engaged with your community. Weigh in on that and other topics — from email newsletters to podcasts — in our 2025 ARLnow Reader Survey.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, but its impact will help guide our decisions throughout 2025. Thank you for your support and feedback, Arlington!

Take Reader Survey!

Morning Poll: Budget cuts, tax hikes or both?

By ARLnow.com
Arlington fiscal 2025 spending (Arlington County)

Arlington County is facing a $30-40 million budget gap in the fiscal year starting July 1.

Arlington’s” budget season” is now underway and county leaders are focused on how to allocate funds and balance the budget. But with more than half of county spending considered non-discretionary, options for cuts are somewhat limited.

On the other hand, another way to close the budget gap — higher property tax rates — looks to be politically challenging given that a continuous rise in home assessments paired with a tax rate increase last year has Arlington homeowners more sensitive to higher taxes.

Given our recent reporting on some of the potential options and tradeoffs, which option for balancing the budget are you leaning towards?

If you vote for cuts, let us know where in the budget should they be made.

Poll: Best restaurant for a fancy dinner in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Though Valentine’s Day is next month, it’s not too early to make reservations to celebrate with your special someone.

We’ve compiled the top spots for “Best Restaurant for a Fancy Dinner in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Before choosing your favorite, consider menu options, taste, service and overall atmosphere.

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Write it in!

Don’t wait to vote as polls will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Gym/Fitness Studio 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 ARLnow’s pet of the year 2024. The results are now official:

  1. Dottie
  2. Trifecta
  3. Princess Kona!

Morning Poll: Did APS make the right call?

By ARLnow.com
Wakefield High School in the snow in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After a winter break extended by three consecutive snow days, Arlington Public Schools students are going back to class today, albeit on a delay.

APS announced the two-hour delay last night, shortly before Fairfax County Public Schools announced it would stay closed on Thursday. Loudoun County first announced a delay, then shifted to a closure.

Among other nearby school systems, Alexandria and Montgomery County are both on a two-hour delay, while D.C. schools are open on time for the second day in row.

When APS announced it was staying closed on Wednesday, the school system cited “persistent hazardous conditions on side streets, sidewalks and parking lots near our school sites.”

A student-created online petition showed photos of still-snow-covered roads and trails, and cited frigid wind chill temperatures today, in arguing that APS should remain closed Thursday and Friday.

The petition has garnered more than 6,750 online signatures.

“The school has recently announced a delayed start for the day,” an update post on the petition says. “While this is an improvement, we still believe that more can be done to ensure the safety of the APS community. Continue to sign this petition to show that we still don’t feel safe going to school.”

Given the current conditions and the actions of other jurisdictions, do you think APS made the right call today?

Poll: Best gym/fitness studio in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington fitness community contains a variety of spots to help get you moving in the new year.

Here are the top picks for “Best Gym/Fitness Studio in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. From high-intensity training to mindful yoga classes, these spots will keep you motivated and sweating.

Don’t see your gym or fitness studio listed? Write it in!

Voting will close in two weeks so hurry to vote for your favorite fitness spot.

Voting for Pet of the Year 2024 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 ARLnow’s commenter of the year 2024. The results are now official:

  1. Flood Czar
  2. VTFuze
  3. Cp Tighe
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