Around Town

(Updated at 2 p.m.) Washington Nationals all-star outfielder Juan Soto says in a new video that he recently moved into a new house in Arlington.

The video, below, shows Soto visiting a mini golf course and a frame shop in the county. Specifically, the mini golf at Upton Hill Regional Park and Italo Frame in Clarendon. The video also features shots of Ballston and a visit to Caribbean Plate restaurant in Falls Church.


News

‘Missing Middle’ Fight Heats Up — “The topic of housing wasn’t even on the agenda for lawmakers in Arlington County, but residents streamed into one recent meeting with a sea of posters to express their dueling views on the issue… That raucous meeting offered a taste of what promises to be one of the most contentious political battles in recent memory in Arlington: a proposal to legalize ‘missing middle’ housing — from townhouses to duplexes to eight-unit buildings — that many are treating as an existential debate over the future of this affluent, deep-blue Northern Virginia suburb.” [Washington Post]

Arlington Has Priciest Local Rent — New data shows that the average rent for one-bedroom apartments in Arlington is the highest in the region, after rising 5% month over month to $2,310/mo. [Zumper]


Sponsored

Tucked into the rolling hills of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival blends world-class music with small-town charm and breathtaking scenery. Held at historic Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, this beloved summer tradition has brought live performances to the region for over six decades.

Each summer, audiences gather under the stars at the Festival’s open-air pavilion, surrounded by mountain views and fresh country air. As the sun sets over the Blue Ridge Mountains and the first notes rise, the setting becomes as memorable as the music.

The Festival offers a diverse lineup, from country and classic rock to Americana and symphonic performances, featuring nationally recognized artists in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

This season’s lineup includes:

  • July 17 – Little River Band
  • July 18 – The Four Tops
  • July 24 – Diamond Rio (with special guest Voth)
  • July 25 – The LSO Big Band: A Big Band Birthday Celebrating America’s 250th
  • August 7 – Original Beach Boy Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band: A Tribute to Brian Wilson
  • August 8 – The Bacon Brothers: People In The World Tour
  • September 5 – Hotel California: The Original Eagles Tribute
  • September 6 – Hot Strings & Cool Breezes Americana Minifest, featuring:
    • Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter
    • Josh & Jenee of The Wood Box Heroes

(more…)


Announcement

✨You’re invited to one of the most exclusive evenings Washington D.C. has ever seen, a night where the Embassy of France transforms into the heart of Paris. Midnight in Paris blends French elegance, world-class gastronomy, and unforgettable energy without ever leaving D.C.

An experience designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life.


Around Town

The Clarendon Ballroom is coming back.

The well-known Wilson Blvd nightlife spot is once again opening its doors, perhaps as early as this weekend, with a renovated interior, a new rooftop deck, and a state-of-the-art audio/visual set-up, owner Michael Darby tells ARLnow.


Around Town

Ethiopian cafe Meda Coffee & Kitchen has opened on Columbia Pike.

Visitors to the new restaurant, at 5037 Columbia Pike, can dine on traditional Ethiopian fare during its grand opening weekend, set to begin this Friday (July 15).


Weather

Updated at 2:15 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also just issued for the area.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/SpwWlujlua


News

Arlington has ranked No. 1 on the American Fitness Index for a record fifth year in a row.

The county topped the list, published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Elevance Health Foundation, after placing first in the nation in six separate fitness and health categories. The new rankings were announced this morning.


News

More New Transit Stations Along the Pike — “Arlington County Board members on July 16 are expected to approve a contract revision that will allow for installation of eight transit stations along Columbia Pike, rather than the four originally envisioned when the contract was first consummated. The proposal calls for upping the contract total from $1.65 million to $2.72 million to accommodate the doubling of pre-fabricated transit stations to be installed at various spots along the route.” [Sun Gazette]

Missing Middle Form Closes Today — A feedback form for Arlington’s Missing Middle Housing Study is closing today, as the County Board is set to hold a work session on the draft proposal to allow relatively small-scale multifamily housing where only single-family homes can currently be built. The work session, which comes amid both vocal opposition to and support for the proposal among dueling groups of residents, starts at 3 p.m. today. [Arlington County, Arlington County]


Announcement

Ghost Limb is a timely and haunting examination of authoritarianism set during Argentina’s Dirty War that draws poetic inspiration from the Persephone and Demeter myth. When Consuelo’s son is “disappeared” by the military, she discovers a psychic link between her injured arm and her tortured child-and races to find him before it’s too late.

Performance Days and Times