The Bishop O'Connell boys hold the state cross-country championship trophy (courtesy of O'Connell cross country)
A cross-country season that began strong and seldom faltered finished with the Bishop O’Connell Knights boys cross-country team winning the Division I private-school state championship for the first time since 2000.
Improving from fifth place in last year’s meet, the Knights brought home the title Nov. 6 on the 5,000-meter Panorama Farms course near Charlottesville. O’Connell finished ahead of second place and defending state champion Potomac School.
Wakefield's Judah Connor, left, completed nine passes to Andrew Mason, right (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
Although they didn’t win, the Wakefield Warriors ended their high-school football season on a high note of sorts.
By rallying late in a 35-32 home loss to the McLean Highlanders in Liberty District action Nov. 7, the Warriors scored the most points in a contest during their seven-game losing streak.
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].
Question: How does home value appreciation vary in Arlington by property type?
Answer: The Arlington VA housing market has appreciated by an average price of 49% and a median price of 39% over a ten-year period, but that appreciation is not evenly distributed across all property types.
Detached Homes Appreciate Over 60%
Those who spend the most on a home benefit from the highest appreciation rates, with detached home appreciation of 60%+ over the course of a decade, and new detached homes appreciating the most of any property type, at 65%.
Condos Appreciate 1-2% Annually
The worst performing category over ten years in Arlington is the one-bedroom condo, with appreciation close to 1% annually and just 15% over ten years. Two-bedroom condos perform moderately better, with an average annual appreciation closer to 2% at 28% over ten years.
Townhouses are the Goldilocks Property Type
More expensive than condos and less expensive than detached homes, townhouse/semi-detached properties fall right in the middle of cost and ten-year rate of appreciation, coming in at 40% over ten years. (more…)
Campaign signs at the Madison Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 (staff photo)
Arlington County is seeking input on its rules for public signage, including sandwich boards outside businesses and political signs in median strips.
A public feedback form is open through Nov. 30, inquiring about respondents’ comfort levels with existing signage in sidewalks, medians and other public places as part of the county’s Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative.
Maui Glow Club in Clarendon (staff photo by Jared Serre)
A new spray tanning studio is hoping to bring a spritz of the islands to Clarendon.
Maui Glow Club opened its doors last week, offering “a glow so natural it looks like a vacation” above the Starbucks at 2690 Clarendon Blvd. This is the brand’s second location, following one that opened in Vienna in March.
Metrobus riders will soon have the ability to use credit and debit cards to pay for rides.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is adding the same “Tap-Ride-Go” ability to its buses as it currently has on the rail system, creating an alternative to cash and physical or phone-based SmarTrip cards.
Crystal House Apartments (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The number of Arlington rental units that are financially accessible to those earning less than 80% of area median income (AMI) has skyrocketed rather than plummeted over the past decade.
Not because housing is becoming cheaper, but because incomes of local residents have risen faster than the cost of renting.
Paul Ruiz checks messages at Democratic Committee meeting, with Tony Weaver in the background (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The current deputy chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee has launched a bid to become the next chair, competing against another party leader.
Deputy Chair Paul Ruiz spent part of the Nov. 5 monthly party meeting working the room for support of his campaign to succeed Chair Steve Baker. He has said he wants to “build a Democratic committee that listens, builds up new leaders and leads with purpose.”
Autumn leaves and the Los Primos truck on N. Rhodes Street (Flickr pool photo by Jeff Vincent)
Stephen Miller Case Update — “Late Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala denied the FBI’s petition for a warrant to search the smartphone owned by the suspect in the case, a 66-year-old retiree named Barbara Wien. The Justice Department plans to appeal, a source told Axios. The FBI wants to examine Wien’s phone to see if she lied to investigators or was part of a group that might pose a risk to Miller and his family.” [Axios]
Veterans Day County Closures — “Arlington County Government offices and services are operating on modified schedules for the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Trash/Recycling/Yard Waste Curbside Routes – Regular collection. Parking – Permit parking is always in effect unless specifically noted on the sign. Meters are not enforced on holidays.” [Arlington County, Arlington County]
Vets Day Event at ANC — “The 72nd annual National Veterans Day Observance will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.” [ANC/X]
Now Open at Pentagon City Mall — “Fashion Centre at Pentagon City… is redefining the shopping experience with two new openings, POP MART and Duck Donuts, both debuting on Saturday, Nov. 8. Together, the beloved global collectible retailer and local donut shop bring a mix of flavor, creativity and interactive energy to the center.” [Press Release]
Blue Wave May Benefit Metro — “Democrats will soon control top positions in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. That could lift transportation projects, including Metro funding. A new task force has a fresh proposal on how to fund Metro’s capital budget.” [WBJ]
Power Costs at Ballot Box — “Electricity costs were a key issue in this week’s elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, a data center hotspot, and in Georgia, where Democrats ousted two Republican incumbents for seats on the state’s utility regulatory commission.” [Associated Press]
Overreach Defines Va. Elections? — “Many will look at Tuesday and the Virginia GOP’s worst massacre of the 21st century and shrug it off as a blue state doing what a blue state does. That conclusion ignores abundant state political history and squanders two informative takeaways, writes columnist Bob Lewis.” [Virginia Mercury]
SNAP Payments Coming — “Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that, following federal notification that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paid this week, Virginia will pause the issuance of Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to ensure full compliance with federal requirements.” [Press Release]
VDOT Preps for Winter — “It may not feel like it now, but winter weather is approaching. To prepare, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is stocking supplies and inspecting equipment to ensure crews and materials are ready for when the first snowflakes fall.” [Press Release]
Growing Season Over — “As of today, the growing season has been declared over for most of the region. Frost/freeze products will not be issued in these areas until spring.” [NWS/X]
New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks mixed-beverage license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 49 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 11-16 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low of 29 degrees and similar wind conditions. On Veterans Day, it will be sunny and breezy, with a high near 45 degrees and a west wind at 15-20 mph, gusting as high as 33 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting on the first steps to end the 40-day government shutdown Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who wanted to continue the fight.
The group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — said they would vote to reopen if the Senate passed three annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the deal Sunday night and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it.