Pumpkin soup and seasonal items from El Rey in Ballston (via El Rey/Facebook)
A new dining promotion is bringing autumnal dishes including pumpkin-flavored pancakes, pasta and cocktails to Ballston starting next week.
At least 13 restaurants are participating in Pumpkin Palooza, a new dining punch card program hosted by the Ballston Business Improvement District. Participants must try six eligible menu items at Ballston restaurants by Nov. 6 to qualify for a fall mug giveaway.
Nick Morris, No. 4, was a standout on offense and defense in O'Connell's most recent game (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
For two seasons now, the Bishop O’Connell Knights have won little during the early portion of their high-school football campaigns.
Through four contests this fall, the private-school squad owns a 1-3 mark, losing to the Washington Patriots (2-2) of Charles Town, W.Va., by a 29-14 score in its most recent contest, played the night of Sept. 19 in non-conference action.
This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Victoria Khaydar, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.
This complaint about the quality of copper ingots has been rejected, because it was submitted on the a tablet of improper diameter. On on after 1750 BC, complainants must use the new tablet… Image is free for public use. Attribution here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ea-n%C4%81%E1%B9%A3ir
USCIS administers immigration benefits. In the time-honored tradition of government agencies since the days of Ur and Uruk, USCIS uses forms to collect, store, and interpret information. Immigrants complete these forms in order to obtain benefits. Most U.S. citizens have no idea what reams of paperwork these forms require. An ordinary green card application is comprised of ninety-seven pages of bare forms, which typically are supported by several hundred pages of supporting documents.
In better times, forms are a necessary evil. In the times we actually live in, forms are just another weapon with which to thwack your political opponents.
In the second iteration of the Trump Administration, USCIS has discovered a new, extremely petty way to make immigrants’ lives more difficult – by releasing new form versions which make utterly minute changes, and then decrees that yesterday’s official version is obsolete as of today.
The Office of Management and Budget, by the way, requires that all government forms have an ‘edition date’ and an ‘expiration date.’ USCIS evades this neatly by making the expiration date purely notional – the form can be valid after the expiration date, and it can be decreed obsolete at any time before or after the expiration date. (The edition date is notional, too – in the first months of the Trump Administration, USCIS persistently released forms backdated to January 20, 2025, seemingly just for the inaugural vibes.) The forms altered in the last two weeks are highlighted below.
Form G-28. Four pages, stating that a lawyer represents you.
Form G-28. Four more pages, stating that the same lawyer represents your spouse.
Form I-130. A twelve-page biographical survey of you, the U.S. citizen.
Form I-130A. A six-page biographical survey of your spouse.
Form I-131. A fourteen-page request for permission to travel while the government thinks about whether to grant the green card application.
Form I-485. A twenty-four pager. This is the green card application itself. It repeats all of the biographical detail from Forms I-130 and I-130A.
Form I-693. A fourteen-page list of certifications concerning your health and fitness. (No, your family doctor can’t do it for you – you have to go to someone called a Designated Civil Surgeon.)
Form I-765. A seven-page request for a work permit while the government thinks about whether to grant your green card application.
Form I-864. A twelve-page contract in which you (the U.S. citizen) promise to repay the government for welfare benefits, if your spouse draws on them, and in which you further promise to keep your spouse above the poverty line.(more…)
We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes.
Draft visualization of revamped park at on 23rd Street S. (via Arlington County)
By popular demand, county leaders are seeking a new title for a rather unimaginatively named park in Aurora Highlands.
An effort to improve amenities and visibility at the 900-square-foot park, currently known as “23rd Street S. and S. Eads Street Park,” is coming up. But before construction starts, county leaders need to settle on a name.
Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM. This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community. The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites. This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival. Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together. The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!
Arlington Public Schools' chief academic officer Gerald Mann (screenshot via APS)
Arlington Public Schools was near the top of the pack in both the state and in Northern Virginia in its test scores for the 2024-25 school year.
APS trailed the Loudoun school system in the five broad Standards of Learning categories last school year, but outperformed Fairfax and Prince William counties and the city of Alexandria. It topped the averages statewide in each category.
Wakefield quarterback Judah Connor waits for a snap (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
A football season of resurgence continued for the Wakefield Warriors with their most recent victory during the early portion of the 2025 high-school campaign.
The host Warriors defeated the Justice Wolves, 33-12, the night of Sept. 19 to improve to 3-1 with a third straight win.
Fallen leaves starting to accumulate on a north Arlington sidewalk (staff photo)
Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The United States Military will conduct a flyover in the National Capitol Region, at Arlington National Cemetery, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:05 AM.”
Public Safety Soccer Match — “Last night, Arlington’s public safety agencies competed in a friendly soccer match against @arlingtonsoccer coaches, ending in a 3-3 tie! A great game and community building were had by all!” [ACPD/X, ACFD/X, WUSA 9]
Compass Acquires More Brokerages — “Anywhere’s brands include Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, Sotheby’s International Realty, ERA Real Estate and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, all of which have offices in Greater Washington. In addition to being the D.C.-area’s No. 1 residential real estate company, Compass, led regionally by Kimberly Harris Campbell, also owns the @properties brand, which includes RLAH@properties and its five D.C.-area offices.” [WBJ]
RIP Jeff Clabaugh — “Jeff Clabaugh, who covered Greater Washington business for both the Washington Business Journal and WTOP for more than three decades, died Thursday. He was 63. His death came after a yearlong battle with cancer, his partner, Russ Rader, told WTOP 103.5. He did his last radio report on Tuesday.” [WBJ, WTOP]
AARP Urges Food Drives — “This year, we encourage you to take action by organizing a food drive through the groups you’re involved with — be it your neighborhood association, book club, alumni group, AARP chapter, house of worship, civic organization, or even your HOA.” [Letter to the Editor]
It’s Rosh Hashanah — “Shana Tova to all Virginians and families across the world beginning the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. As the Jewish New Year begins, may this season of reflection and renewal bring peace, joy, and prosperity to all who observe.” [Gov. Glenn Youngkin/X]
It’s Tuesday — Showers are possible in the afternoon and evening. Expect increasing clouds and a high near 85 with south winds at 6-8 mph. Precipitation chance is 30%. For Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms may occur, mostly before 11pm. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66 and southwest winds becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation remains at 30%. [NWS]
Showers are possible between 4pm and 5pm, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Expect increasing clouds and a high near 85 with south winds at 6-8 mph. Precipitation chance is 30%. For Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms may occur before 11pm, with a slight chance of showers from 11pm to 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66 and southwest winds becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation remains at 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence.” – Osho
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Home at 2312 2nd Street S. (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The planned sale of a historic property in the Penrose community may be a way for the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington to find a permanent home.
An online fundraising effort is seeking to help purchase the circa-1900 home at 2312 2nd Street S. In the early 20th century, this served as the Hunter Station trolley stop, where the Fort Myer branch of the D.C., Alexandria and Falls Church commuter-rail line connected to trolley service.
There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.
This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.