K-Food Casual in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)
A fast-casual Korean restaurant with K-pop themed advertising has taken over a chicken spot in Ballston.
K-Food Casual has replaced Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings at 875 N. Randolph Street, with graphics inspired by the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” and a menu playing heavily on kimbap and bibimbap dishes.
Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi (screenshot via City of Falls Church)
Falls Church’s incumbent mayor narrowly won reappointment to a new two-year term yesterday (Monday).
Letty Hardi was selected by colleagues to continue in the post on a 4-3 vote, with new Council member Arthur Agin delivering the slim margin of victory.
The Towns on Monroe offer modern new construction living just five minutes from the Virginia Square metro.
Brand-new boutique townhomes by Midtown Partners on N. Monroe Street, featuring modern architectural design just steps from Ballston and Virginia Square.
Sun-filled, open-concept second-floor living and dining space at 633 N. Monroe St., showcasing expert craftsmanship by Midtown Partners.
Private outdoor living at its finest, featuring a main-level patio, a front balcony, and a back balcony designed for seamless entertaining just steps from Virginia Square.
Luxurious primary bathroom retreat featuring a spacious walk-in glass shower and a high-end double-bowl vanity in your new Arlington townhome.
If you’ve been searching for a brand-new home situated on a quiet residential street just a five-minute walk from the Virginia Square Metro, your search is complete. Located at 629 N. Monroe St., The Towns on North Monroe present an exclusive collection of only three boutique luxury townhomes positioned right in the heart of Arlington’s vibrant Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.
Brought to you by Midtown Partners—a trusted multifamily and boutique home builder rooted in the Northern Virginia real estate landscape since 2010—these residences deliver the ultimate modern living experience.
Prime Location & Unmatched Walkability
Set just one block from Maury Park (featuring tennis courts, a playground, and expansive open green space), The Towns on North Monroe put the best of the neighborhood right outside your front door:
5-Minute Walk: Virginia Square Metro Station for an effortless commute.
10-Minute Walk: Clarendon’s premier dining, shopping, and nightlife destinations.
Everyday Convenience: Seamless access to local grocery stores, coffee shops, and major commuter routes.
Thoughtfully Designed for Modern Living
Available now and priced starting at $1,649,000, each home offers approximately 2,400 square feet of thoughtfully crafted living space designed with functionality and style in mind:
3 Bedrooms & 3.5 Baths: Generous, well-proportioned layouts tailored for everyday comfort and hosting.
Elevated Primary Suite: Features an expansive walk-in closet and a refined primary bath complete with a double-bowl vanity.
Private Outdoor Spaces: Enjoy a main-level patio, a front balcony, a back balcony, and a spacious backyard—a rare and coveted feature for urban townhome living.
Dedicated Laundry Space: Equipped with room for a full-size washer and dryer.
Premium Finishes: Elevated with wide-plank hardwood floors, sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and high-end designer fixtures throughout.
Private Off-Street Parking: Dedicated parking space for every home.
Zero HOA Fees: Complete freedom with no monthly association dues.
Crafted by Midtown Partners
With deep roots across Alexandria and Arlington, Midtown Partners brings exceptional quality, structural integrity, and dedicated community focus to every project. The Towns on North Monroe showcase this commitment, offering homes built for lasting value and contemporary lifestyles.
Schedule your private tour today—availability is strictly limited to this intimate collection of three homes.
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (screenshot via Arlington County)
Matt de Ferranti is the new chair of Arlington County Board for 2026, while Maureen Coffey is the new vice-chair.
De Ferranti, who was first elected in 2018 and who previously held the chairmanship in 2021, used his remarks last night (Monday) to tout a local government that can be responsive to community needs and fight for local values while being prudent with taxpayer funds.
As flu cases surge in Arlington, health leaders are encouraging residents to get vaccinated and practice healthy habits.
Hospitalizations for the flu surged by more than 50% in Arlington during the last week of 2025, according to Arlington Public Health. About 14% of all patients visiting emergency departments and urgent care clinics were diagnosed with the virus.
Join us in person for a day packed with excitement and peace of mind! Our Child Safety Fun event features a cool fair filled with games and activities for the kids, plus a seat check station to make sure the car seats are installed correctly and to ensure your little ones are buckled up safely. It's a perfect chance to have fun and learn some important safety tips. Don’t miss out on this awesome event made just for families!
Fireworks over the National Mall for the Freedom 250 celebration, on Jan. 5, 2026 (staff photo)
Last Night’s Fireworks — “Washington Monument – Freedom 250 Fireworks Display – Monday, January 5, 2026.” [DCFEMS/X]
Fantasy League for Seniors — “If you wander into Sunrise at Bluemont Park on a Sunday afternoon, you’ll likely hear it long before you see it — laughter, lively cheers, and a spirited back-and-forth… Walker and Colby first arrived at this assisted living and memory care community earlier this fall, eager to launch their community service project: a fantasy football league for seniors.” [Sunrise Senior Living]
Community Police Academy Applications — “The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for its 30th Community Police Academy… The CPA is an immersive educational program that strengthens communication, collaboration and mutual understanding between the department and those we serve.” [ACPD]
Local Burial Ground Profiled — “One of Arlington’s oldest family burial grounds, the Old Ball Family Burial Ground, is the final resting place of Ballston’s namesake… The individuals buried at this cemetery are interesting enough to warrant a visit, but it’s the hidden location — behind the parking lot of an auto mechanic shop — that makes it a must see.” [Atlas Obscura]
Honoring LGBTQ+ Journalism Pioneers — A celebration of the Falls Church News-Press’ Nicholas Benton and the Washington Blade’s Lou Chibbaro, Jr., two trailblazing LGBTQ+ journalists, will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Woman’s National Democratic Club of Washington. D.C. Both in-person and online participation options are available. —Scott McCaffrey
Traffic Deaths Down — “Traffic deaths in the D.C. region fell roughly 18 percent in 2025, continuing a trend from the previous year that is reflected across the country: A spike in fatalities during the pandemic is now on the decline.” [Washington Post]
New Starbucks Winter Menu — “Starbucks is kicking off 2026 by betting on viral Dubai chocolate-inspired beverages — alongside more protein-forward drinks. The menu push is part of the coffee giant’s broader turnaround effort to boost traffic and revive sales.” [Axios]
Sunsets Getting Later — “Sunset cracked 5 pm in DC today, for the first time since early November. Goodbye to the 57-day streak of 4-o’clock darkness… and now we’re gaining a minute of evening light daily. Onward!” [CWG/Bluesky]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 51°F, accompanied by a calm southeasterly wind at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night, it will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 44°F and a westerly wind at 7 mph. [NWS]
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☁️ Tuesday’s forecast
Expect patchy fog to clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 51°F, accompanied by a calm southeasterly wind at 6 mph in the afternoon. For Tuesday night, it will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 44°F and a westerly wind at 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
The Hazel and Azure apartment towers at 3030 & 3130 S. Potomac Avenue (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Median apartment rents in Arlington ended 2025 about 1% lower than they started the year, the first annual decrease in five years.
But according to one analysis, rents in the county remain among the priciest in the nation, about 19% higher than the D.C. area as a whole and 86% more expensive than the national median.
Another Democratic challenger is seeking to unseat longtime Rep. Don Beyer in this year’s election.
Daniel Gray, an Arlington resident and energy and sustainability program manager, announced yesterday (Sunday) that he is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for Virginia’s 8th Congressional district.