Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jan 6, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 6, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature of around 57°F. The northwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 11 mph, and it could gust up to 23 mph. For Wednesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 36°F. The northwest wind will diminish to around 6 mph and become calm by the evening. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.</em

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.

News

JUST IN: New plan for Key Bridge Marriott site calls for 1,775 residential units and a hotel

By Dan Egitto
Rendering of the Key Bridge development proposal (courtesy Quadrangle)

Plans for five residential buildings and a new hotel have been filed at the vacant Key Bridge Marriott site in Rosslyn.

The proposed “Potomac Overlook” development at 1401 Langston Blvd, announced today (Tuesday), would include 1,775 residential units, a 200-room hotel and underground parking on the empty 5.5-acre lot overlooking the Potomac River.

Go to JUST IN: New plan for Key Bridge Marriott site calls for 1,775 residential units and a hotel Read more
Sponsored

Donate with us to local charity for families of fallen heroes

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

Thank you to all who have served and to the families who have sacrificed or lost loved ones for our freedom. I hope you and yours have a special Memorial Day weekend with friends and family to celebrate our country and those we’ve lost defending it.

The Eli Residential Group donates annually to Arlington-based TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) in honor of Memorial Day. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 to those grieving a death in the military or veteran community, through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

If you are interested in donating to a great charity this Memorial Day, TAPS is a four-star rated charity on Charity Navigator with 87.5% of funds raised going towards program expenses.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

Schools

New pen pal program with high schoolers in Ukraine coming to Arlington this year

By Scott McCaffrey
Streetscape in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine (photo via Maksym Kytsiuk/Unsplash)

Students from Arlington high schools will have the opportunity to connect directly with their counterparts in a city in Ukraine later this year.

A new pen pal initiative with Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine will add to a pilot program connecting local high schoolers to Reims, France.

Go to New pen pal program with high schoolers in Ukraine coming to Arlington this year Read more
Around Town

K-pop themed Korean restaurant replaces chicken spot in Ballston

By Jared Serre
K-Food Casual in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A fast-casual Korean restaurant with K-pop themed advertising has taken over a chicken spot in Ballston.

K-Food Casual has replaced Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings at 875 N. Randolph Street, with graphics inspired by the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” and a menu playing heavily on kimbap and bibimbap dishes.

Go to K-pop themed Korean restaurant replaces chicken spot in Ballston Read more
Event

Mozart and Bruch: The Great Concertos

Gunston Arts Center - Theater 1

2700 South Lang Street

Arlington, Virginia 22206

Website Contact Social

Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.

The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.

Go to Mozart and Bruch: The Great Concertos Read more
News

Letty Hardi will remain the mayor of Falls Church after split 4-3 Council vote

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

Falls Church’s incumbent mayor narrowly won reappointment to a new two-year term yesterday (Monday).

Letty Hardi was selected by colleagues to continue in the post on a 4-3 vote, with new Council member Arthur Agin delivering the slim margin of victory.

Go to Letty Hardi will remain the mayor of Falls Church after split 4-3 Council vote Read more
News

Matt de Ferranti becomes new Arlington County Board chair for 2026

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (screenshot via Arlington County)

Matt de Ferranti is the new chair of Arlington County Board for 2026, while Maureen Coffey is the new vice-chair.

De Ferranti, who was first elected in 2018 and who previously held the chairmanship in 2021, used his remarks last night (Monday) to tout a local government that can be responsive to community needs and fight for local values while being prudent with taxpayer funds.

Go to Matt de Ferranti becomes new Arlington County Board chair for 2026 Read more
News

Flu cases jump in Arlington, prompting calls for more vaccinations

By Dan Egitto
A vaccine shot (via Arlington County/YouTube)

As flu cases surge in Arlington, health leaders are encouraging residents to get vaccinated and practice healthy habits.

Hospitalizations for the flu surged by more than 50% in Arlington during the last week of 2025, according to Arlington Public Health. About 14% of all patients visiting emergency departments and urgent care clinics were diagnosed with the virus.

Go to Flu cases jump in Arlington, prompting calls for more vaccinations Read more
News

Plans for 15 townhomes in Falls Church head to Planning Commission

By Scott McCaffrey
Construction of the first phase of the Lee Park townhouse project (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A plan to consolidate and then subdivide three parcels in Falls Church to build 15 townhomes is heading to the Planning Commission.

The commission will be briefed on Madison Homes’ plans for the parcels at 701, 703 and 705 Park Avenue, just north of W. Broad Street, on Wednesday.

Go to Plans for 15 townhomes in Falls Church head to Planning Commission Read more
News

Morning Notes for January 6, 2026

By ARLnow.com
Fireworks over the National Mall for the Freedom 250 celebration, on Jan. 5, 2026 (staff photo)

Last Night’s Fireworks — “Washington Monument – Freedom 250 Fireworks Display – Monday, January 5, 2026.” [DCFEMS/X]

Fantasy League for Seniors — “If you wander into Sunrise at Bluemont Park on a Sunday afternoon, you’ll likely hear it long before you see it — laughter, lively cheers, and a spirited back-and-forth… Walker and Colby first arrived at this assisted living and memory care community earlier this fall, eager to launch their community service project: a fantasy football league for seniors.” [Sunrise Senior Living]

Community Police Academy Applications — “The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for its 30th Community Police Academy… The CPA is an immersive educational program that strengthens communication, collaboration and mutual understanding between the department and those we serve.” [ACPD]

Local Burial Ground Profiled — “One of Arlington’s oldest family burial grounds, the Old Ball Family Burial Ground, is the final resting place of Ballston’s namesake… The individuals buried at this cemetery are interesting enough to warrant a visit, but it’s the hidden location — behind the parking lot of an auto mechanic shop — that makes it a must see.” [Atlas Obscura]

Honoring LGBTQ+ Journalism Pioneers — A celebration of the Falls Church News-Press’ Nicholas Benton and the Washington Blade’s Lou Chibbaro, Jr., two trailblazing LGBTQ+ journalists, will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Woman’s National Democratic Club of Washington. D.C. Both in-person and online participation options are available. —Scott McCaffrey

Traffic Deaths Down — “Traffic deaths in the D.C. region fell roughly 18 percent in 2025, continuing a trend from the previous year that is reflected across the country: A spike in fatalities during the pandemic is now on the decline.” [Washington Post]

New Starbucks Winter Menu — “Starbucks is kicking off 2026 by betting on viral Dubai chocolate-inspired beverages — alongside more protein-forward drinks. The menu push is part of the coffee giant’s broader turnaround effort to boost traffic and revive sales.” [Axios]

Sunsets Getting Later — “Sunset cracked 5 pm in DC today, for the first time since early November. Goodbye to the 57-day streak of 4-o’clock darkness… and now we’re gaining a minute of evening light daily. Onward!” [CWG/Bluesky]

It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 51°F, accompanied by a calm southeasterly wind at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night, it will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 44°F and a westerly wind at 7 mph. [NWS]

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