Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 13, 2025

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 13, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 89. Light northwest winds of 3 to 6 mph, and a 30% chance of precipitation. On Thursday night, a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by a slight possibility of showers until 2am. Partly cloudy skies with a low around 73 and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Sponsored

Celebrate Business Appreciation Month with BizLaunch

By Sponsor
Image from Celebrate Business Appreciation Month with BizLaunch

May is Business Appreciation Month,, and the BizLaunch team is recognizing Arlington’s small business community with opportunities to connect, learn and discover new pathways for growth. Entrepreneurs are invited to take part in two upcoming events designed to foster collaboration and open doors to new business opportunities.

AANHPI Entrepreneurs Gather for Brunch and Business: Power in Unity

Arlington’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) business community will come together for Brunch and Business: Power in Unity on Monday, May 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Richmond Hwy. in Arlington.

Hosted by Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch team, the event brings AANHPI entrepreneurs, small business advocates and community leaders together for conversation, connection and shared learning. Guided by the theme Power in Unity, the gathering highlights how diverse cultures, perspectives and experiences strengthen Arlington’s small business ecosystem.

Attendees will hear from four local business owners during a moderated panel discussion, engage in meaningful dialogue and expand their professional networks. The event is designed to foster collaboration, celebrate AANHPI leadership and support continued growth across Arlington’s business community.

Continue the Momentum: Learn How to Do Business with GSA (more…)

Weather

Flood Watch now in effect for Arlington and D.C. area

By ARLnow.com
Flooding along Military Road (file photo)

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, the District and surrounding areas.

The watch is now in effect and goes through 9 p.m. Heavy storms are expected this afternoon and evening, with the potential for flash flooding from excessive rainfall.

Go to Flood Watch now in effect for Arlington and D.C. area Read more
Announcement

Top 5 and Climbing: Local Child Needs Votes to Reach #1 in Jr. Ranger Contest’s Group Phase

By Tiffany Lavinder

Local rising kindergartener, Phin, has advanced to the Top 5 in his group in the national Jr. Ranger Contest, a competition that celebrates children who are passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploration. After making it through earlier rounds with strong community support, Phin is now in 4th place and working toward the top spot needed to move on to the quarterfinals.

The contest encourages kids to engage with the outdoors and highlights their curiosity and love for learning about the natural world. For Phin and his family, this experience has been both exciting and meaningful, made even more special by the encouragement from friends, neighbors, and the broader community.

Go to Top 5 and Climbing: Local Child Needs Votes to Reach #1 in Jr. Ranger Contest’s Group Phase Read more
News

New Arlington program offers vouchers for e-bikes worth up to $1,650

By Vernon Miles
E-bike on a trail (photo courtesy Julianne Miles)

A new voucher program for Arlington residents seeking to buy electric bicycles is kicking off tomorrow.

The e-bike voucher program will provide about 250 vouchers that can be redeemed at participating bike shops. The main vouchers are as follows.

Go to New Arlington program offers vouchers for e-bikes worth up to $1,650 Read more
Around Town

Falafel Inc plans new Restaurant Row location in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
A Falafel Inc truck parked outside its future Crystal City location (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An award-winning fast-casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern street foods is planning to open in a new location in Crystal City.

Falafel Inc has confirmed plans to open at 500 23rd Street S. on Restaurant Row, where Burke & Herbert Bank closed in 2023. The restaurant, which currently has a spot in nearby Water Park, is known for its affordable prices and efforts to fund food assistance for refugees.

Go to Falafel Inc plans new Restaurant Row location in Crystal City Read more
Around Town

L.A. Bar & Grill expands Columbia Pike menu to include new Bolivian dishes

By Katie Taranto
L.A. Bar & Grill on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime bar and grill on Columbia Pike is introducing new specialty dishes from Bolivia this summer with the help of an overseas restaurateur.

L.A. Bar & Grill’s wide menu of bar snacks and entrees is expanding with Chillamicito, a new pop-up offering a popular Bolivian food, pique macho. The bar at 2530 Columbia Pike launched the menu this summer through a partnership with chef Andrés Ferrufino.

Go to L.A. Bar & Grill expands Columbia Pike menu to include new Bolivian dishes Read more
News

Commissioner of Revenue continues hunt for those hiding vehicles to evade car tax

By Scott McCaffrey
Commissioner of Revenue Kim Klingler (file photo)

Arlington’s perpetual cat-and-mouse game with people attempting to avoid vehicle taxes continues.

“There are people who will do anything in their power to dodge the system,” Commissioner of Revenue Kim Klingler says. “It makes you want to find them even more.”

Go to Commissioner of Revenue continues hunt for those hiding vehicles to evade car tax Read more
Schools

APS selects AI tools for teaching and operations in coming school year

By Scott McCaffrey
Students at computer (via Anastassia Anufrieva/Unsplash)

Artificial-intelligence tools will play a larger role in Arlington Public Schools classrooms and operations in the coming school year.

After a pilot program last year that involved about 400 educators, the school system has selected SchoolAI as its primary artificial-intelligence tool. In addition, staff will have access to Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini and NotebookLM for professional use.

Go to APS selects AI tools for teaching and operations in coming school year Read more
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