Fountain and play equipment at The Crossing Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
Columbia Pike Robbery — Police are investigating a robbery in the 4800 block of Columbia Pike on Thursday night. “The suspects then assaulted the victim while stealing his cash and cards,” the daily crime report said. One suspect brandished what appeared to be a box cutter before all three fled the scene on foot. No injuries were reported. [ACPD]
New Arlington Eats — Four new Arlington restaurants are featured in a roundup of recent Northern Virginia openings. Tio Pelé brings Brazilian flair to Langston Blvd, while Monstera Burrito and bubble tea shop Spot of Tea have both opened in Crystal City. A new outpost of sports bar Wood & Iron has also opened along Fairfax Drive. [N. Va. Magazine]
Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of 61°F and a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. By Saturday night, the weather will turn partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 43°F and a northwest wind at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋
A colorful new landmark is bringing fresh energy to Columbia Pike while celebrating the people, cultures and stories that define one of Arlington’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
The mural, commissioned through Arlington Public Art and Arlington Economic Development, is part of ongoing creative placemaking efforts designed to strengthen neighborhood identity, enhance public spaces and create welcoming experiences for residents, visitors and local businesses.
For Bathurst, an artist whose work explores the relationships among people, nature and cultural heritage, Columbia Pike offered a rich source of inspiration. The mural features portraits of women representing cultures reflected throughout the neighborhood, surrounded by imagery drawn from local history, global artistic traditions and the natural environment of Four Mile Run.
What makes the project especially meaningful is the community’s role in shaping it. Public input gathered at the Barcroft Resource Fair and Columbia Pike Farmers Market revealed a strong desire for artwork that reflected the neighborhood’s diversity, vibrant character and connection to nature. A community advisory panel helped guide the project from concept through completion, ensuring the final design reflected the voices and experiences of the community it serves.
The resulting artwork is both a visual landmark and a celebration of the people who make Columbia Pike unique. It highlights the corridor’s longstanding role as a welcoming and multicultural community while creating a vibrant new point of interest along one of Arlington’s most traveled commercial corridors.
The project was made possible through a partnership with Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, which provided the highly visible wall for the mural. Located on the Goodwill building at 4714 Columbia Pike, the artwork transforms an everyday streetscape into a destination that invites residents and visitors to pause, reflect and connect with the neighborhood’s identity.
As Arlington continues investing in public art and placemaking initiatives, projects like this demonstrate how art can strengthen community pride, foster connection and contribute to vibrant public spaces. Public art not only enriches the visual landscape, but also helps tell the stories of Arlington’s neighborhoods and the people who call them home.
The community is invited to join the celebration on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free event will feature remarks from the artist and community representatives, music, refreshments and family-friendly activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the mural up close and learn more about the community stories, cultural influences and local inspiration behind its creation.
For Columbia Pike, the mural represents more than a new work of art. It is a lasting reflection of the corridor’s creativity, diversity and community spirit, and a vibrant new symbol of the neighborhood’s past, present and future.
Art Focus is a regular series highlighting the artists, organizations, public art projects and creative initiatives that enrich Arlington’s cultural landscape.
Police looking for suspect in the Arlington View neighborhood on May 1, 2026 (via traffic cam)
A search for a wanted suspect disrupted dismissal at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School this afternoon.
It started around 3:15 p.m. when a police officer reported seeing a wanted suspect along Columbia Pike and asked for backup. The suspect then ran off into the Arlington View neighborhood south of the Pike, where the school is located.
“The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium is seeking to fill three vacancies on its 2027 Board of Directors. Interested candidates seeking information and an application can find details at the FOAP Elections web page. The deadline for submission is Nov. 15, 2026.”
Independent County Board candidate William Bayne (via campaign website)
Local Republicans might end up endorsing an independent for County Board if the party can’t come up with its own nominee.
The Arlington County Republican Committee “has not made a decision” on a slate of candidates, party chair Matthew Hurtt said at the April 27 committee meeting.
Although vaccines stand as one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements, preventable illnesses are resurfacing as declining immunization rates intersect with political polarization and media misinformation. In the 2026 Dolan Lecture, distinguished infectious disease specialist and global health strategist Dr. Bruce Gellin examines the history, current trends, and complex policy dynamics surrounding US and global vaccine programs. While science provides the empirical foundation, public trust and political forces ultimately determine whether life-saving tools reach the population—proving that vaccines do not save lives until vaccination actually occurs. Designed specifically for medical professionals, this presentation offers essential insights into navigating today's fragmented media landscape, overcoming vaccine skepticism, and translating evidence into effective public health practice.
Reception immediate following in the hospital atrium. No charge for the public.
Grogu and Darth Vader doughnuts from Astro Beer Hall (courtesy of Scott Suchman)
Star Wars Day is next Monday, May 4, bringing themed bites, activities and giveaways to Arlington.
A Lego Star Wars building event, Grogu-inspired donuts and even an on-theme protest are just some of the ways local residents will be acknowledging the iconic sci-fi saga. Here’s a look at what is planned in the next few days.
With flea and tick season approaching, Arlington is home to numerous veterinarians committed to keeping the community’s pets healthy and happy.
From longtime neighborhood clinics to certified hospitals, here are the nominees for “Best Veterinarian in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite vet? Write it in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Pediatrician Serving Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Matt Davis appears on 'Jeopardy!' (courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc)
An Arlington man with a background in trivia game shows will be competing on “Jeopardy!” on Monday night.
Matt Davis, a Capital One banker who lives in Halls Hill, previously competed on “It’s Academic” when he was in high school, and on “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” in college. He took his first online test to try and compete on “Jeopardy!” 15 years ago, and had auditioned for the show three times before finally getting his chance.
Updated design proposal for 4420 Fairfax Drive (images by Hickok Cole via Arlington County)
A revised proposal for a 23-story Ballston redevelopment project calls for fewer total units in an unusual mix of apartments and condos.
Aria Development Group, which owns the site at 4420 Fairfax Drive, now proposes to build 59 condominium units and 182 apartments at the site of a five-story office building — down substantially from an earlier proposal to build just over 300 units.
