An open house about a planned expansion to Green Valley’s Drew Park is happening next week.
Part of a long-anticipated project to create a new Drew Park Master Plan, the event will let community members provide input and learn more about the future of the recreation area at 2310 S. Kenmore Street, between John Robinson, Jr. Town Square and Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
Unveiling of stumbling stones in Arlington View neighborhood on Oct. 18, 2025 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The effort to memorialize people enslaved in Arlington is receiving an additional push over the coming month before it takes a winter break.
Six “stumbling stone” ceremonies have been planned through mid-November at locations across the county. They began Saturday in the Arlington View neighborhood with the unveiling of three new bronze markers embedded into the sidewalk.
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].
On Friday, I learned that the house fire at the Hyde Park condominium in Ballston was the home of my friend, Greg, his wife Caroline, and their beloved dog, Maisie. I’m sure you saw it in Wednesday’s ARLnow news cycle.
Greg and Caroline were not home when the fire occurred, but they tragically lost their dog Maisie, a loss that overshadows the loss of their personal belongings.
A Bit About Maisie
Maisie lived in the Ballston neighborhood since she was born almost six years ago. She loved meeting old friends and new, between her walks at home and her frequent training walks in Old Town, she had more than either of her parents did. She loved every dog and cat and person she ever met, but she never got over her mistrust of squirrels. She will be missed as much as she was loved.
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is an exemplary nonprofit that helps homeless pets find their way to loving homes through rescue and adoption.
There is nothing Greg and Caroline would appreciate more than knowing that Maisie’s memory is helping support the well-being of other dogs and cats.
Leave a Kind Word for Greg and Caroline
If you would like to share well wishes with Greg and Caroline, please leave a comment, and I’ll make sure it gets back to them.
Haven Columbia Pike apartments (via Arlington County)
A proposal to designate an Arlington Mill garden-apartment complex as a local historic district will not move forward following opposition from the property owner and neighborhood civic association.
Members of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) voted Oct. 15 not to embark on a staff study of the historical significance of the 1940s-era Haven Columbia Pike apartments. The vote concluded a three-year gestation period after the proposal was submitted by local activist Bernie Berne.
Wine & Food Tasting Event at Arrowine, Saturday, August 15, 1- 4 p.m.
Summer adventures are calling — whether you’re packing up for the Beach, escaping to the Shenandoah Mountains, planning a picnic, or heading out for a romantic night of music at Wolf Trap. And if you want those moments to be stress‑free, delicious, and perfectly paired, we’ve got just the tasting for you.
The tops of buildings in Rosslyn and Courthouse (staff photo)
Cybersecurity Firm Acquired — “Dataminr, a New York tech firm that helps businesses and government agencies spot threats to their operations, has acquired Arlington cybersecurity company ThreatConnect Inc. for $290 million… Datminr’s local office is in the Courthouse section of Arlington and ThreatConnect’s office is nearby in Ballston. Bailey said both local offices will remain open for now, though he’s open to a potential consolidation in the future.” [WBJ]
Local Consumer Sentiment Turns Negative — “Consumers and businesses in Greater Washington are growing more pessimistic about economic conditions locally, as the region faces rising unemployment from federal cuts and the uncertain economic effects of a government shutdown. That’s according to the Metropolitan Consumer Sentiment Index, a quarterly index.” [WBJ]
Unemployment Measure Rising in Va. — “In the first two weeks since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, about 1,250 initial claims for unemployment listed a federal employer, VEC Commissioner Mitch Melis told the Commission on Unemployment Compensation Monday.” [VPM]
Leaf Collection Coming Soon — “The fall vacuum leaf collection season starts in a few weeks… Vacuum Leaf Collection Program: Nov. 10–Dec. 19 (no collection on Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day).” [Arlington County]
Chatty Robber in Va. Square — “3300 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 11:34 a.m. on October 19, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the store, engaged an employee in conversation, assaulted them, collected merchandise and exited the business without payment. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]
ACFD Training in Ashton Heights — “You may notice fire department crews training in the 3400 block of 3rd St N this week. Training will occur daily from 0800–1700 through October 25, 2025. Please use caution in the area and allow crews space to work safely.” [ACFD/X]
Day of the Dead Events — “Dia de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—is a Mexican holiday that falls on Nov. 1 and 2, when families and friends celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. Unlike Halloween, the idea is not to spook, but rather embrace the spirits of the dead. Here are some spots where you can honor lives well lived.” [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Clouds will increase throughout the day as the temperature reaches a high near 64°F. West winds will blow at 8 to 14 mph, occasionally gusting as high as 24 mph. For Wednesday night, expect mostly clear skies with a low of 44°F and a west wind of approximately 7 mph. [NWS]
Clouds will increase throughout the day as the temperature reaches a high near 64°F. West winds will blow at 8 to 14 mph, occasionally gusting as high as 24 mph. For Wednesday night, expect mostly clear skies with a low temperature around 44°F and a gentle west wind of approximately 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
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Finn Watson, middle, holds his state-championship award (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
Having not played well on the same course two weeks earlier, Finn Watson said he had “no expectations” when returning to the Bristow Manor Golf Club to play in the Class 6 state tournament.
He proceeded to make the most of the second chance.
Arlington Economic Development director Ryan Touhill (screenshot via Arlington County)
Arlington Economic Development is pursuing new options to market the county as a travel destination after the county attorney’s office halted its original plans.
This combo image shows Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, left, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, right. (AP Photo)
PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) — Rae Pickett stepped onto Richell Hines’ front stoop wearing a pink T-shirt that foretold the case she hoped to make to Virginia voters as she knocked on doors on a sunny Saturday in early October.
Wilson Hardware at 2915 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon (file photo)
An entrepreneur behind some big names in D.C.’s nightlife scene has turned his attention to Arlington, taking the reins of a Clarendon restaurant.
Antonis Karagounis became the new owner of Wilson Hardware earlier this month at 2915 Wilson Blvd, where he intends to introduce a different, as-yet-unnamed restaurant concept in the new year.