It’s almost time for “Friday night lights” in Arlington as the county’s three public high school teams get ready for the upcoming season starting on Aug. 28.
Wakefield, Washington-Liberty and Yorktown are in different stages of development and expectations, but they all play in the Liberty District. That means they will all face one another this season.
A new juice shop is coming to Pizza Roma’s former space near the Ballston Metro station, after Scolapasta backed out of plans there this spring.
Paradise Juice has signed a lease and is preparing to open at 4219 Fairfax Drive, owner Sal Salim told ARLnow. He hopes to differentiate the shop from competitors by preparing juices in-house.
When Maripili O’Connell launched Sun & Honey Grazing in spring 2026, she set out to do more than create beautiful charcuterie boards. Her goal was to make it easier for people to gather, celebrate and connect.
Based in Arlington, Sun & Honey Grazing creates custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables for events ranging from intimate family gatherings to corporate celebrations. Using fresh, thoughtfully selected ingredients, O’Connell handles the shopping, preparation and presentation, allowing hosts to focus on spending time with their guests.
“I really just want to help people gather more often by taking one more thing off their plate,” O’Connell said.
Although she officially launched the business this year, O’Connell began testing the concept during the 2025 holiday season. After spending her career in the corporate world, she turned to Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program for guidance on navigating entrepreneurship.
“From the first day I walked into BizLaunch with just an idea, they supported me every step of the way,” she said.
Through BizLaunch, O’Connell connected with mentors, educational programs and organizations including the Latino Economic Development Center and SCORE. The experience helped her understand everything from licensing and business planning to marketing and networking.
One lesson, shared by a mentor through LEDC, continues to guide her approach today: Don’t wait for perfection.
“You can’t sell a product you haven’t tested,” she recalled. That advice encouraged her to launch, gather feedback and refine her offerings based on what customers wanted.
For O’Connell, the most memorable moments often have little to do with food itself. One customer in Colombia contacted her to send a sympathy board to a cousin in Maryland after the loss of a loved one. When the recipient shared how much comfort the gesture provided, O’Connell was reminded of the deeper purpose behind her work.
“Sometimes a charcuterie board becomes a way to say, ‘I’m thinking of you,’ ‘I love you,’ or ‘I’m here for you,” she said.
As an Arlington resident, O’Connell says the community was the natural place to build her business. Her neighbors became some of her first customers, helping spread the word and providing encouragement along the way.
Looking ahead, she hopes Sun & Honey Grazing becomes a trusted part of life’s milestones, from baby showers and quinceañeras to milestone birthdays and company celebrations. She is also expanding beyond catering through community-focused events, including a Paint, Sip & Graze experience this fall and upcoming charcuterie workshops.
“Creating beautiful boards is something I enjoy,” O’Connell said. “But what excites me most is creating opportunities for people to gather.”
For more information about Sun & Honey Grazing visit: www.sunandhoneygrazing.com or their Instagram page at @sunandhoneygrazing. For more information about BizLaunch visit www.bizlaunch.org and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on small business resources in Arlington.
President Donald Trump’s crackdown on homeless encampments in D.C. comes during a period of increasing need for homelessness resources in Arlington.
The number of people without homes in Arlington has been steadily rising for the past four years — growing from a 10-year low of 171 in 2021 to 271 as of this January. Those numbers come hand-in-hand with increased demands on a local network of related services, including emergency housing.
Looking to get your car squeaky clean? We bring premium mobile detailing straight to your home or office. Skip the wait and drive something that feels brand new again. We provide interior deep cleans, exterior washes, paint shine, stain removal, and attention to every detail. Reliable, convenient, and built around your schedule.
Book your detail today and let us do all the work!
After eight years in business online, a Northern Virginia-based men’s clothing shop is preparing to open its first physical location in Falls Church.
Withered Fig is a small business retailer specializing in “premium menswear” and imported garments. It’s currently only an e-commerce site, but owner Richard Lin told ARLnow he hopes to open the new shop early next year at 255 W. Falls Station Blvd, on the ground floor of The Oak condominiums.
Join us for Pike Fest, Columbia Pike’s signature fall festival, on Saturday, October 10!
Celebrate everything that makes Columbia Pike one of Arlington’s most vibrant and diverse communities with an afternoon full of live music, delicious food, family fun, and local shopping. From incredible restaurants and food vendors to artisan makers, community organizations, and small businesses, Pike Fest is your chance to experience the very best of the Pike all in one place.
As the first leaves start to turn yellow, a full slate of community activities and entertainment is planned in Arlington this fall.
Upcoming events include the annual Clarendon Day and Rosslyn Jazz Fest, as well as cultural celebrations like the Festival Latinamericano this October. Here’s a preview of some of the local happenings planned next season.
Three people are in jail after police say a man was beaten, robbed and threatened with machetes in two separate incidents.
The alleged incidents took place over the weekend just hours apart, on the same block of Columbia Pike, near the intersection with S. Four Mile Run Drive.
Vet Keeps Conducting Commitment — Arlington resident and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Arnald Gabriel fulfilled a 30+ year promise to conduct the Wheaton Municipal Band in Illinois on his 100th birthday, though he did so remotely due to health reasons. Despite age and distance, the World War II vet kept perfect timing, according to a segment on the CBS Evening News. [CBS News]
Back to School Patrols — “Arlington Public Schools will welcome students back into their classrooms on Monday, August 25… The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) will conduct a coordinated high-visibility transportation safety campaign in and around school zones to ensure the trip to class is as safe as possible.” [ACPD]
Jury Duty Process Starting — “The Arlington Circuit Court, which includes the City of Falls Church, will soon begin its annual juror qualification process. Juror Questionnaires will be mailed in August to approximately 35,000 randomly selected residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City.” [Arlington County]
Overdose Awareness Vigil — “Arlington County Government invites members of the public and media to attend the 4th Annual International Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil at Shirlington Library Plaza on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at 7 p.m.” [Arlington County]
New Metro Train Designs — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unveiled three options today (Monday) for the exterior design of its incoming 8000-series rail fleet, which is expected to arrive next year.” [FFXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Showers are expected after 1pm, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high temperature near 73°F. A northeast wind will blow at around 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers may continue into Tuesday night, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 67°F. The east wind will blow at 5 to 7 mph, and the chance of precipitation remains at 30%. [NWS]
Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 18, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Showers are expected after 1pm, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high temperature near 73°F. A northeast wind will blow at around 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers may continue into Tuesday night, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 67°F. The east wind will blow at 5 to 7 mph, and the chance of precipitation remains at 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
– Nelson Mandela
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.
While the Ferris wheels and games are probably the Arlington County Fair’s most iconic attractions, an entire second world could be found this weekend indoors.
Many fairgoers sought refuge from a 100-degree heat index inside the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.). There, they encountered vendors selling assorted wares, advocates seeking signatories for petitions, assorted competitions and more.
ConnectJew LIVE! is a social discovery night where 20+ local Jewish organizations, clubs, dinners, and communities come together so you can explore the DMV young adult Jewish scene in one evening. A mixer for Jewish life, friends, and community — meet people, discover social clubs, find Shabbat dinners, and plug in at whatever level feels right. Tickets required; exact address sent 24 hours before the event (Metro Center / Chinatown area).
