ARLnow - Arlington and Falls Church, Va. local news

Morning Notes

Published October 20, 2020 at 6:00AM

Board Shelves Pike Housing Proposal — “Arlington County Board members on Oct. 17… [removed] from consideration a staff proposal to change rules governing affordable housing on Columbia Pike. Board members, who had weathered intense community skepticism of the proposal when it first was heard in June, had placed the proposal back on their October agenda, and had recommendations from both the Planning Commission and county manager to approve it. But when critics again suited up to do battle, board members threw in the towel.” [InsideNova]

Another Top Bond Rating for County — “For the 20th year in a row, all three credit ratings agencies have reaffirmed Arlington County’s debt ratings of Aaa/AAA/AAA — the highest possible rating. Arlington is one of just 48 counties in the United States, and one of nine in Virginia, to receive this designation.” [Arlington County]

Schools

APS Presents Return to School Plan Based on Student Need

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 19, 2020 at 4:45PM

Depending on local health conditions, Arlington Public Schools students who opt for hybrid instruction could start entering classrooms between the end of October and mid-January.

The staggered return times, along with more details about the school system’s preparations, were announced on Friday during a town hall for parents with Superintendent Francisco Durán and his staff.

LadyBug Academy Arlington opening announcement

By Sponsor

Published May 21, 2026 at 12:45PM

Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement

LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement

LadyBug Academy will officially open its newest location, LadyBug Academy Arlington, on June 1st, 2026, at 1915 N Uhle Street, Arlington, VA. (Ladybug Academy)

An Open House for the community is scheduled for May 30th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Families and community members will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet staff, and learn more about the programs offered at the new location. (Ladybug Academy)

The event will include family activities such as a bubble party, face painting, balloon twisting, and a petting zoo.

LadyBug Academy provides early childhood education programs focused on creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for children. The school’s curriculum emphasizes language, literacy, math, science, social development, and hands-on learning experiences led by experienced educators. (Ladybug Academy)

The Arlington location will offer priority enrollment to Arlington County employees.

For more information about the Open House, please contact [email protected] or visit LadyBug Academy.

Schedule a Visit Now

Around Town

The Spirits of ’76 Is Closing in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2020 at 3:45PM

Spirits of '76 in 2016

The Spirits of ’76, a bar in Clarendon that opened just before the 2016 election, is closing just before the 2020 election.

The bar at 3211 Washington Blvd is just off the main drag of Clarendon, on a block in which restaurants have struggled. It opened in October 2016 with Americana decor, a robust whiskey list, and a menu of American comfort food.

Opinion

Progressive Voice: Don’t Yet Feel An Urgency to Vote?

By Progressive Voice

Published October 19, 2020 at 3:00PM | Updated October 19, 2020 at 3:29PM

By Elaine S. Furlow

A while back, I was tutoring a young Afghan refugee when the time came for a statewide election. For that week’s real-life lesson, I dutifully collected campaign literature from both sides and used it for an invigorating session (I thought) on how Americans choose their leaders and vote.

Event

The Alex Manfull Fund 5K (Jennie Dean Park)

June 13, 2026 8:00 am -10:00 am

Jennie Dean Park

3630 27th St S

Arlington, Virginia 22206

Website Contact Social

Join Jadin O’Brien, Olympic athlete, 3x NCAA pentathlon champion and 10x All-American (heptathlon) winner for this in-person and virtual 5K. This event is sponsored by The Alex Manfull Fund to raise awareness and advance research on debilitating infection-associated neuroimmune disorders (including PANS and PANDAS) that affect young people. The 5K is part of the organization’s 36 Hours for PANS and PANDAS Advocacy in Motion event. Runners will receive a Finisher’s Medal, Technical (Drifit) Event Shirt and A Chip Timed Event. The event commemorates the life of Alex Manfull, who died at age 26 due to PANDAS. Susan and William Manfull established the Fund in their daughter’s name with the vision that no life ever again be cut short—or interrupted—by these illnesses. Learn more at TheAlexManfullFund.org.

News

Photos: Biden Car Parade Over the Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2020 at 2:00PM

A parade of Latino voters drive to Walter Reed Community Center to cast their votes in-person during the first day of early in-person voting (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Trump campaign famously has had boat parades. Over the weekend the Biden campaign organized a car parade in Arlington.

On Saturday, the first day of expanded early voting, Biden’s Virginia campaign held a Latino Car Parade “to encourage Latinos to vote early and highlight the importance of the Latino vote in Virginia.”

Feature

Legal Insider: Are You in the Wrong Federal Retirement System?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Published October 19, 2020 at 1:15PM

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq

Feature

Students Introduce New Dating App in D.C. Area

By Scott Fields

Published October 19, 2020 at 12:30PM

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups, founders, and other local technology news. Monday Properties is proudly featuring Shirlington Gateway. The new 2800 Shirlington recently delivered a brand-new lobby and upgraded fitness center. Experience a prime location and enjoy being steps from Shirlington Village. Spec suites with bright open plans and modern finishes are under construction and will deliver soon!

Finding a relationship during the pandemic has gotten a little easier.

Around Town

Zinga! Frozen Yogurt Appears Closed

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2020 at 11:30AM

Zinga! Frozen Yogurt appears to have closed

Zinga! Frozen Yogurt has closed in Arlington’s Williamsburg Shopping Center, though it’s not immediately clear if the closure is permanent.

The froyo shop closed last week, and a “for lease” sign was placed in the window. As of Friday, the leasing sign was down, but the store remained closed and many of the furnishings appear to have been cleared out.

News

Audrey Clement Turns Upzoning into New Election Battleground

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 19, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 11:26AM

As Election Day nears, Audrey Clement, the Independent candidate for Arlington County Board, took shots at her opponent, County Board Chair Libby Garvey, on the county’s Missing Middle Housing study.

Facing a shortage of moderately-priced housing options in the “missing middle” between apartment buildings and single-family homes, the County is kicking off a study to figure out whether it should open up some areas zoned only for single-family homes to denser housing types.