An institution in the D.C. area adult entertainment scene is changing hands to a regional chain.
Crystal City Restaurant and Gentlemen’s Club (422 23rd Street S.) has been sold to Paper Moon, which operates other gentlemen’s clubs in Richmond, Northern Virginia and D.C. It’s only the second time the family-owned business has transferred ownership in its 62-year history.
As the end of the year approaches, this week we’re taking a step back to look at something many residents say they love about Arlington: its community.
Year after year, Arlington’s community events help to bring people together and offer an opportunity to share in experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.
Here are the nominees for “The Best Community Event in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite event? Write it in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Spa in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Arlington. The results are now official:
Address: 1815 N Highland Street
Neighborhood: Lyon Village
Type: 5 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3866 sq. ft.
Listed: $2,295,000
Noteworthy: Beautifully preserved 1929 Lyon Village Spanish Bungalow
A Lyon Village gem! Step into the charm and character of this beautifully preserved 1929 Spanish Bungalow, offering 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and just under 3,900 square feet of inviting living space. Rich in architectural detail, the home showcases classic white stucco walls, a red terracotta tile roof, graceful arched doorways, and elegant ornamental ironwork, creating a warm, timeless ambiance from the moment you arrive.
Inside, exquisite craftsmanship blends seamlessly with thoughtful updates. The welcoming living room features soaring 11.5-foot ceilings, dramatic Palladian windows, and a stunning kiva-style fireplace, while a gracious formal dining room sets the stage for memorable gatherings. The cozy family room with custom built-ins opens through French doors to a private patio, perfect for effortless indoor-outdoor living.
At the heart of the home, the spacious kitchen offers top-of-the-line appliances, an expansive island, abundant storage, a pantry, and a charming breakfast area framed by a bay window and arched entry. The main level also includes two bedrooms—one ensuite—providing flexible living options, along with a stylish powder room.
Upstairs, the serene primary suite features a fireplace, walk-in closet, and spa-inspired bath with soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower, and double vanity. Two additional bedrooms—one with a delightful window seat—share a Jack-and-Jill bath, and a whimsical hidden playroom adds character. A conveniently located laundry room completes the upper level.
Additional highlights include hardwood floors, new carpeting, a terracotta-tiled lower level with ample storage, a two-car garage, and a private, landscaped yard—just blocks to Clarendon’s shops, dining, Metro, and more.
https://listings.blueskyemedia.com/videos/019dd575-4fa8-7391-8027-12a1366764af?v=461
Listed by:
Sheri Grant – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
[email protected]
(703) 405-1016
An ever-increasing amount of Falls Church history is now available with just a few keystrokes.
The city’s Mary Riley Styles Public Library has started encouraging the public to take a test drive of its new digital archive.
The Rosslyn Farmers Market brings fresh, locally grown food to the heart of the neighborhood on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. beginning on May 6. Located at Central Place Plaza (1800 N Lynn St) and operated in partnership with FRESHFARM, this thoughtfully curated mid-week market connects the community with regional farmers and food producers offering seasonal produce, baked goods, ready-to-eat items, and other local essentials.
Just steps from the Rosslyn Metro station, the market is a convenient destination for Arlington residents, commuters, and visitors searching for a farmers market near Washington, D.C. From farm-fresh vegetables to artisanal breads, the Rosslyn Farmers Market makes it easy to restock your pantry or fridge with dinner-ready staples right in the middle of the workweek.
At the close of a tumultuous economic year for Arlington, County Board Chair Takis Karantonis is seeking a return to stability and continued focus on infrastructure goals in 2026.
Karantonis, who is coming to the end of his one-year turn at the County Board chairmanship, used an interview with Fox 5 yesterday (Thursday) to emphasize the hardship that 2025 has brought to many of Arlington’s federal workers, immigrant communities and businesses large and small.
Online event (see link)
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An affordable housing complex on Columbia Pike has been added to the Virginia Landmarks Register, setting the stage for possibly achieving historic status.
The Barcroft Apartments community, located near the corner of S. George Mason Drive and S. Four Mile Run Drive, was one of eight properties added to the Virginia Landmarks Register by the Virginia Board of Historic Resources on Dec. 11.
The Arlington County Board has tapped the brakes on discussing any changes to the county’s governance structure, agreeing to return to the issue after some preliminary steps.
The 5-0 decision on Wednesday night, which deferred a vote on setting up a governance task force for at least seven months for further public outreach, represented a compromise between a deeply divided Board.
Youngkin Touts Strong Va. Economy — “At a time when legislative budget analysts warn of a looming downturn, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) had a contrary message Wednesday for the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D): The state’s economy is “rip-roaring.” Don’t mess it up. “Let’s hold the next administration accountable for keeping it going. That is what I am most worried about,” Youngkin told reporters Wednesday morning.” [Washington Post, FFXnow]
East Potomac Golf Changes? — “Behind the scenes, administration officials have discussed a far more ambitious makeover for East Potomac. They have floated potential names such as “Washington National Golf Course” and talked about whether the site could someday host the Ryder Cup. To make such a venue possible, officials and outside advisers have discussed expanding the course’s footprint toward the water, potentially eliminating portions of Ohio Drive SW.” [Washington Post]
Cold Weather Set to Return — “Late December may turn colder — and possibly wintry — again. Even as parts of the central U.S. warm up around Christmas (with a bit of that mild air occasionally nudging east), there’s little evidence of a sustained warm stretch for our region. Instead, signals are growing that chillier, more unsettled weather could return late next week and beyond.” [CWG/X]
It’s Friday — Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm in the morning, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5 pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. [NWS]
Two people suffered serious injuries after reportedly being struck by the driver of a Jeep in a road rage incident.
The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and N. Wakefield Street in Ballston, near SER Restaurant. Initial reports suggested both victims suffered serious traumatic injuries after being intentionally struck by a driver.
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 18, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
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.
Local rising kindergartener, Phin, has advanced to the Top 5 in his group in the national Jr. Ranger Contest, a competition that celebrates children who are passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploration. After making it through earlier rounds with strong community support, Phin is now in 4th place and working toward the top spot needed to move on to the quarterfinals.
The contest encourages kids to engage with the outdoors and highlights their curiosity and love for learning about the natural world. For Phin and his family, this experience has been both exciting and meaningful, made even more special by the encouragement from friends, neighbors, and the broader community.
