Schools

A divided School Board last Thursday backed a 22% cut in the anticipated future cost of a renovation/expansion project at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, but left the door open to more discussion.

The 3-1 vote, with one abstention, reduces the cost estimate to $130 million, from an initial $168 million proposed by Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff.


Around Town

A quick service version of Pizza Paradiso has opened a new location at the National Landing Water Park.

Pizza Paradiso Pronto is currently “soft opening” its new fast-casual pizzeria at 1611 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, serving up personal pies and pizza by the slice, as well as salads, paninis and craft beer. Guests can now try a taste ahead of the shop’s official opening this Friday.


News

The treatment of those enslaved by Bazil and Elizabeth Hall on their 330-acre Arlington farm in the 1850s was known to be excessively cruel even by the brutal standards of the era.

Last Saturday (May 30), eight of those who lived in bondage on the farm were honored with the latest “stumbling stones” placed through the Memorializing the Enslaved of Arlington initiative.


Around Town

After three decades, a family-owned Italian restaurant has announced plans to relocate as its current home is slated for redevelopment.

Il Radicchio closed over the weekend at 1801 Clarendon Blvd, where it has served wood-fired pizzas, pasta and other Italian fare since 1994. Its closure comes as the site at Wilson Blvd and N. Rhodes Street, roughly between Rosslyn and Courthouse, is set for redevelopment into an apartment building.


Sports

Behind the standout performance of a talented freshman and the help of her many teammates, the Yorktown Patriots made history in girls softball.

The high-school team won the Liberty District tournament for the first time when the third-seeded Patriots edged the host and top-seed Langley Saxons, 2-1 in extra innings, in the May 28 championship game.


News

Play is already underway, and Arlington officials on Wednesday, June 10 will celebrate the opening of a new six-court pickleball complex at Walter Reed Community Center.

It is the county’s first dedicated outdoor pickleball facility, using former multi-court space at the community center.


News

Despite a year-over-year decline, Arlington’s apartment market in May retained its position as most expensive in the region and fifth most expensive urban area nationally.

The county’s median apartment-rental rate of $2,609 — $2,457 for one-bedroom units, $2,969 for two bedrooms — was down 1.4% year over year, according to figures reported May 28 by Apartment List.


News

The clock continues ticking as Arlington Republicans work to find contenders for County Board and School Board races.

Chris Wright, who heads candidate recruitment for the local GOP, said that so far, efforts have not paid off.


News
Dinner at the National Landing Water Park on a summery Saturday night (staff photo)

CoStar Buys Zonda for $800M — Rosslyn-based real estate tech giant CoStar Group has agreed to buy home construction data firm Zonda for $800 million in cash, extending its reach into a new segment of the market. The all-cash deal, which adds to a portfolio that already includes Homes.com and Apartments.com, is expected to close in the second half of the year. [WBJ]

Women’s Sports Bar Takes Off — Fresh off its rebrand into N. Va.’s first women’s sports bar, Westover Taco has found a quick following. “We have a huge fanbase here,” owner Sarah White told WTOP. “They’ve all really enjoyed having a place that they can go, where they know the game will be on.” [WTOP]

Designers Furnish Fresh Starts — Two formerly unhoused Arlington women received free apartment makeovers last month from local interior designers volunteering with the D.C.-area nonprofit A Wider Circle. “My house actually looks like a home now,” said Jalisha Quarles, who had been living in a shelter with her young son. “We went from homeless… to a place of our own, and now we actually have a home.” [Arlington Magazine]

Data Center Diesel Fumes — The roughly 10,500 diesel backup generators at Virginia data centers produce enough pollution to harm public health even when run rarely, according to an analysis. Virginia is home to about a quarter of the nation’s data centers. [Washington Post]

Farewell to Foam — All Virginia food vendors must stop using expanded polystyrene foam food containers, a Styrofoam-like material, by July 1 under a 2021 state law. Larger chains with 20 or more locations had to comply last year. Vendors can seek a one-year hardship exemption from their locality, and violators face fines of up to $50 per day. [Bay Journal]

Redistricting’s Root Problem — After an $85 million campaign, Virginia’s congressional map remains unchanged: with redistricting struck down by the state Supreme Court. A new analysis argues the deeper issue is a U.S. House frozen at 435 seats for more than a century, leaving reapportionment a zero-sum fight. [WHRO]

Weather Gang Goes Indie — After more than 18 years with the Washington Post, the Capital Weather Gang has returned to its independent roots as Capital Weather. The team said it will keep serving the D.C. region with trusted forecasts and continue providing insights to Post readers during major weather events. [Washington Post]

It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 79 and a light north wind of 3–8 mph. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 55. [NWS]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant (Duke’s Burgers) applies for ABC beer, wine, mixed, liqueurs on/off license. [Public Notices]

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