Outside the Courthouse Library (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
A grave conversation is coming to Courthouse Library next week.
A sold-out “Death Cafe,” seeking to “increase awareness of death” and put society’s stigmas about it to rest, will involve a free two-hour group discussion over tea and cake next Tuesday. Volunteer and Courthouse resident Stephanie Dillemuth hopes to help attendees “make the most of their finite lives.”
The Wakefield Warriors kick off the annual Arlington football rivalries this weekend (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
There may be no trophy awarded to the winner of the unofficial Arlington County high-school football championship, contested each year between the jurisdiction’s three public-school teams.
Address:1621 N Quincy Street Neighborhood: Cherrydale Type: 4 BR, 2 BA single-family detached – 2200 sq. ft. Listed: $1,250,000
Noteworthy: Experience Living in Cherrydale: Expanded Cape Cod Retreat
Set in the heart of Cherrydale, this expanded 4-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod blends timeless architecture with refined modern living. A 2021 architect-designed addition introduces a serene upper-level primary retreat with walk-in closet, while the reimagined main level offers seamless flow for everyday living and elegant entertaining.
Exterior improvements include HardiePlank siding, updated roof, gutters, and masonry. Outdoor spaces feature a private brick patio, composite deck, and curated gardens with mature plantings. Notable upgrades include Andersen windows (2024), roof (2021), two-zone Mitsubishi HVAC, custom built-ins, new door hardware and lighting throughout.
Prime Arlington location. Moments to Ballston metro, parks, trails, library, shops and dining. This is Cherrydale living at its finest.
Chipmunk at a bird feeder in Westover (courtesy Clarita Mrena)
Latest on the Shutdown — “Senior federal officials have quietly counseled several agencies against firing employees while the government is shut down — as President Donald Trump has suggested he will — warning the strategy may violate appropriations law, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.” [Washington Post, Virginia Mercury, WJLA]
Disruptions from Pike Project — “Three years of roadwork along Columbia Pike in Arlington has shifted to a new phase. Local business owners aren’t happy.” [NBC 4]
Expect Loud Booms Today — From AlertDC: “October 3, at 12PM, a total of 11 (LOUD) rounds will be fired as part of a gun salute being conducted at the Washington Navy Yard.”
Coffey to Serve as Acting Board Chair — County Board members on Thursday tapped Maureen Coffey to serve as acting Board chair from noon on Oct. 3 to noon on Oct. 12, when Board Chair Takis Karantonis will be in Germany at an Arlington Sister City Association program, and Vice Chair Matt de Ferranti is on paternity leave. Though no official actions are expected during the period, “a lot can happen in one week,” Karantonis acknowledged in the runup to the 4-0 vote. –Scott McCaffrey
Video of Carjacking — “Some distant video of Tuesday morning’s carjacking in Crystal City. It happened as a man walked across S. Eads Street to his Lincoln MKZ parked in front of Kabob Palace around 2:30 a.m. @ArlingtonVaPD reports he was approached by two men with knives who knocked him down and stole his cell phone and keys and then drove off with the car.” [Dave Statter/X]
Local GOP Fundraising Record — “And finally — the metric I usually share with you (but not the only measurement of success) — $22,722.62 raised in the 3rd Quarter, $5,629.96 more than our previous quarterly fundraising record of $17,092.66 in the 3rd Quarter of 2023.” [Arlington GOP]
Fairfax Supports Arlington, F.C. Projects — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to support Arlington’s request for Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding for multimodal projects on S. George Mason Drive, as well as Falls Church’s funding request for construction of a shared-use path on Haycock Road. Decisions on whether to fund the projects will come next summer. –Scott McCaffrey
Youngkin Transgender Order — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive directive to ‘prevent biological males from participating in organized female-only athletic teams and competitions in Virginia” and “prevent biological males from using designated female spaces where females are likely to be in a state of undress.'” [Nick Minock/X, Washington Post]
D.C. Recession Predicted — “D.C.’s top financial official predicts a “moderate recession” (escalated from a “mild” one) through the next 12 months, with more anticipated job losses than once thought… Over the next five years, 40,000 federal jobs are expected to evaporate in D.C., coinciding with lagging private sector job growth, per Lee’s office.” [Axios]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 72°F, as calm winds shift southward at around 5 mph in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low temperature around 52°F. [NWS]
Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 72°F, as calm winds shift southward at around 5 mph in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low temperature around 52°F and light south winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) will host its 2026 Impact Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., dinner, dancing and impactful programming, at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria downtown Washington, DC. The annual event will bring together a stylish crowd of advocates, community leaders, and supporters to raise critical funds for the organization’s “Fight Forward” campaign, which supports access to reproductive health care, education, and advocacy across the region. Along with live music, diner and programming, special guest appearances include actress and activist Sophia Bush, professional soccer champion Ashlyn Harris, and other special invited guests. Join us for a fabulous evening for an important cause.
The U.S. Air Force Memorial is closed for the government shutdown (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
As the government shutdown brings a major portion of Northern Virginia’s economy to a halt, the commonwealth’s senators are doubling down on demands to strike a deal.
After months of upheaval, thousands of Arlington’s federal workers are facing renewed uncertainty as the shutdown that began yesterday (Wednesday) forces several agencies with local headquarters to furlough employees — all while the Office of Management and Budget is threatening another round of mass firings.
Job seekers line up at career day in Crystal City (staff file photo by Jay Westcott)
Joblessness in Arlington County is up 38% year-over-year in new state data, and local officials are warning that federal layoffs will likely bring further increases.
A total of 5,413 Arlington residents were recorded as seeking jobs in August, according to data released yesterday (Wednesday) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement. That’s compared to 3,932 unemployed residents in August 2024.
Water Park visitors sit outside for an event (courtesy of Water Park)
The first weekend of October will bring seasonal festivals, outdoor activities and celebrations of a new Taylor Swift album in Arlington and Falls Church.
But first, federal workers and contractors affected by the government shutdown can take some solace in discounts and deals at several local businesses.
Inside Lesly's in October 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
After a nine-month stint as a Caribbean restaurant, Lesly’s Restaurant Bar and Grill has returned to its previous owner and nixed its new menu in Falls Church.
The restaurant at 306 Hillwood Avenue has returned to its roots as a Latin American restaurant and nightlife spot following a dispute in management, departing owner Ricky Bartlette told ARLnow. The eatery has reinstated its previous offerings, which include entrees like carne asada and a variety of fajitas and tacos.