They have done it before, and supporters of the Cherrydale branch library say they will again fend off efforts to close the branch.
The advocacy group Citizens for Cherrydale Library is once again mobilizing to save the facility, this time from County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposal to shutter the branch in order to save about $450,000 in the coming fiscal year.
One Arlington leader wants localities to be more aggressive in seeking transportation and transit funding along the I-66 corridor.
County Board member Takis Karantonis lamented that nearly $40 million in available funding will be left on the table in the latest round of “I-66 Commuter Choice” grants.
This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].
The Arlington County Fair has always been the unofficial ode to summer. Funnel cakes and flashing lights act as the bridge between the memories of summer and the anticipation of the school year ahead. From early-morning trips with my family as a child to staying until curfew as a teen, the “urban fair” has been a tradition for myself and most every Arlingtonian I know.
This year marks the fair’s golden jubilee. For five decades, the fair has been one of the East Coast’s largest free events. The mission of the fair has always been to bring premier entertainment for everyone and to highlight the diverse makeup of the county. Community involvement has always been the backbone of pulling off this one-of-a-kind fair.
In 1976, the local garden program wanted to show off the fruits of their labor at a “Harvest Day”. As the event planning started, the idea to expand to include more community members led to the county fair concept. The inaugural fair was immediately praised by Arlington residents and local press. An old-school, rural-style event situated amongst an urban area was intriguing. The Washington Post previewed the fair stating, “Where can an exceptional chrysanthemum raised on the tenth-floor balcony of the Crystal House apartment complex in Arlington receive its just due? Until this week, nowhere. However, if entered before 9 a.m. Friday it could be a blue-ribbon winner in the First Annual Arlington County Fair.”
On Friday, August 28, 1976, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and Arlingtonians were given the opportunity to showcase their crafts, hobbies and talents. Ranging from eggplants to bundt cakes, many of the competitive exhibits were similar to the ones residents still enter today. The event’s pioneers also brought in livestock from the Loudoun County 4-H Club, keeping with the traditional elements of a fair. By the early 1980s, the exhibit and vendor applications skyrocketed. Live entertainment, including a barbershop quartet, Hungarian folk musicians, and even a ventriloquist, was added to the docket. Eventually, livestock appearances started to fade, but the midway rides we know today were added.
In recent years, the volunteer-driven Arlington County Fair Board has continued to include entertainment, vendors and spaces for all residents (and all 150,000 visitors in attendance). Additions have included cuisine outside of the traditional candied apple and hot dog, featuring local businesses that reflect the area’s diverse food scene. A beer garden, featuring Solace Brewing Company’s libations, now makes for a great space to sit down and appreciate the performances. And as a toddler mom, I personally appreciate the recently established sensory-friendly hours during the opening hours on Saturday & Sunday.
The week leading up to it, Thomas Jefferson Community Center starts its transformation from soccer fields to fairground. Driving down 2nd St. South acts as a sneak peek at the fun ahead. Though the fair continues to expand outwards, there is still a comfort and nostalgia, year after year, walking the same route around the fair. Whether you beeline for the Zipper, or skip over to the ring toss, or make sure to sample the food trucks first — you know exactly where to find it.
Another Assault Arrest After Arraignment — Bryan Betancur, a pardoned Jan. 6 Capitol rioter, was arraigned in Arlington County court on an assault and battery charge for allegedly touching a woman’s hair on a Metro train. He was then arrested again in the courthouse parking lot by Metro Transit Police on an outstanding D.C. warrant related to a series of similar incidents on Metro. [NBC 4, Tisha Lewis/X]
Mob Assault Near Pentagon City — Two D.C. women, ages 23 and 24, were arrested and charged with malicious wounding by mob after allegedly assaulting an acquaintance outside a building on the 1100 block of Army Navy Drive early Friday. The victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital. One suspect was additionally charged with DUI and breath test refusal. [ACPD]
MPD Frets About ACPD Raise — D.C.’s police force has dropped to 3,144 officers, with attrition outpacing hiring for seven consecutive years, according to the Washington Post. Interim chief Jeffery W. Carroll told the D.C. Council that federal agencies offering signing bonuses of up to $70,000 are “drawing not only recruits, but also MPD officers who resign.” Carroll also cited Arlington’s forthcoming pay hike to $90,000 as a recruiting challenge. [Washington Post]
Condo Project for Langston Blvd — Taicoon Property Partners will take plans for a seven-story, 88-unit condominium project at 1501 Langston Blvd before the county Site Plan Review Committee in the coming weeks. The building would replace a vacant office that housed the Air & Space Forces Association for 40 years and include a 1,300-square-foot Air Force Heritage Gallery on the ground floor. [UrbanTurf]
Board Visits Fire Training — “Today, several County Board members attended a live burn training at the Fire Training Academy and saw firsthand the discipline, teamwork and preparation required of Arlington’s fire recruits. We’re grateful for their commitment to serving the community.” [Arlington County Board/X]
County Survey Is Real — Arlington County is reminding residents that a survey about county services and programs — distributed via direct mail, email, social media and in person — is legitimate. [Arlington County/X]
Dems Challenge Trump Arch — Congressional Democrats have joined a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch, arguing in U.S. District Court that the project at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery must receive congressional approval. “This is not Pyongyang,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) said. “Most Americans want to be able to appreciate the view of Arlington Cemetery without a massive eyesore.” [Washington Post]
D.C. Water Still at Risk — The Potomac River remains the sole source of drinking water for D.C. and surrounding N. Va. communities, and the region has narrowly avoided a contamination crisis three times in the past six years, according to NOTUS. The Army Corps of Engineers is studying backup supply options but has so far identified only a modest reservoir expansion that would add about 12 hours of supply. [NOTUS]
Cristol Leaving Tysons Alliance — Former Arlington County Board chair Katie Cristol will resign Friday as CEO of the Tysons Community Alliance after leading the organization for less than three years. Cristol told FFXnow she is “departing to pursue other opportunities.” [FFXnow]
Taco Bell 50K Returns — The Taco Bell DC 50K, a 32.4-mile race to eight Taco Bell locations through Alexandria, Arlington and D.C., is returning Nov. 27. About 500 people participated in last year’s Tex-Mex-fueled race, which requires runners to eat at least one menu item at every stop. [ALXnow]
Super El Niño Possible — New climate data suggests a strong or even historically intense El Niño could develop by fall or winter, according to the Washington Post. The Capital Weather Gang notes big El Niño winters tend to be “feast or famine for snow in DC,” bringing either a massive snowstorm or a too-warm, mostly-rain season. [Washington Post, CWG/X]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 77, accompanied by calm winds that will shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph later in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low around 61 and a gentle south wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.
Exciting Full-Court 3×3 Basketball League is BACK!!
DMV 3×3 announces that its 3×3 Youth Basketball Full Court League is returning for a sophomore season this Fall!
Good Monday 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 — Mar 9, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 77, accompanied by calm winds that will shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph later in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low around 61 and a gentle south wind of 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.”
– Kevin Kruse
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
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Frequent local candidate Audrey Clement was attacked over the weekend while gathering signatures for another Arlington County Board run, ARLnow has learned.
The incident happened just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, outside of Arlington Central Library in Virginia Square.
For a second consecutive week, an Arlington Public Schools alum will be making an appearance on “Jeopardy!”
Lydia Cawley, a 2016 graduate of Washington-Lee High School (now Washington-Liberty High School), will be one of three contestants competing on the trivia show on Thursday night.
Arlington will have some representation at the Oscars this weekend after a film scored by a local resident was nominated for “Best Animated Short.”
Composer Isaac Wardell, who lives in the Westover area, will be donning a tux and heading to the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, for his work on the film “Forevergreen” — a 13-minute short about an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly evergreen tree.
Field events were where Arlington athletes enjoyed the biggest success during the recent 6D North Region and Class 6 state indoor track and field high-school meets.
In those competitions — held in Landover, Md. (region) and Virginia Beach (state) — county athletes won three events and had top-10 finishes in many more.
A new grocery store off of Langston Blvd is expected to open later this year.
Sprouts Farmers Market is targeting a September opening at 3115 Langston Blvd, the former home of a Giant supermarket that closed two years ago, in March 2024.
ConnectJew LIVE! is a social discovery night where 20+ local Jewish organizations, clubs, dinners, and communities come together so you can explore the DMV young adult Jewish scene in one evening. A mixer for Jewish life, friends, and community — meet people, discover social clubs, find Shabbat dinners, and plug in at whatever level feels right. Tickets required; exact address sent 24 hours before the event (Metro Center / Chinatown area).
