Despite higher year-over-year home sales in July, several data points suggest that economic concerns are driving a continued cooldown in the Arlington housing market.
That also appears to be the case regionwide.
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.
This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].
The Arlington County Fair has always been the unofficial ode to summer. Funnel cakes and flashing lights act as the bridge between the memories of summer and the anticipation of the school year ahead. From early-morning trips with my family as a child to staying until curfew as a teen, the “urban fair” has been a tradition for myself and most every Arlingtonian I know.
This year marks the fair’s golden jubilee. For five decades, the fair has been one of the East Coast’s largest free events. The mission of the fair has always been to bring premier entertainment for everyone and to highlight the diverse makeup of the county. Community involvement has always been the backbone of pulling off this one-of-a-kind fair.
In 1976, the local garden program wanted to show off the fruits of their labor at a “Harvest Day”. As the event planning started, the idea to expand to include more community members led to the county fair concept. The inaugural fair was immediately praised by Arlington residents and local press. An old-school, rural-style event situated amongst an urban area was intriguing. The Washington Post previewed the fair stating, “Where can an exceptional chrysanthemum raised on the tenth-floor balcony of the Crystal House apartment complex in Arlington receive its just due? Until this week, nowhere. However, if entered before 9 a.m. Friday it could be a blue-ribbon winner in the First Annual Arlington County Fair.”
On Friday, August 28, 1976, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and Arlingtonians were given the opportunity to showcase their crafts, hobbies and talents. Ranging from eggplants to bundt cakes, many of the competitive exhibits were similar to the ones residents still enter today. The event’s pioneers also brought in livestock from the Loudoun County 4-H Club, keeping with the traditional elements of a fair. By the early 1980s, the exhibit and vendor applications skyrocketed. Live entertainment, including a barbershop quartet, Hungarian folk musicians, and even a ventriloquist, was added to the docket. Eventually, livestock appearances started to fade, but the midway rides we know today were added.
In recent years, the volunteer-driven Arlington County Fair Board has continued to include entertainment, vendors and spaces for all residents (and all 150,000 visitors in attendance). Additions have included cuisine outside of the traditional candied apple and hot dog, featuring local businesses that reflect the area’s diverse food scene. A beer garden, featuring Solace Brewing Company’s libations, now makes for a great space to sit down and appreciate the performances. And as a toddler mom, I personally appreciate the recently established sensory-friendly hours during the opening hours on Saturday & Sunday.
The week leading up to it, Thomas Jefferson Community Center starts its transformation from soccer fields to fairground. Driving down 2nd St. South acts as a sneak peek at the fun ahead. Though the fair continues to expand outwards, there is still a comfort and nostalgia, year after year, walking the same route around the fair. Whether you beeline for the Zipper, or skip over to the ring toss, or make sure to sample the food trucks first — you know exactly where to find it.
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.
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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.
Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!
Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.
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.
Everest may be a peak puppy.
A playful explorer just six months old, Everest is looking for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA).
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.”
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.
Reminder: Fair Starts Today — “Starting next Wednesday, Aug. 13, and lasting through Sunday, Aug. 17, this year’s fair at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.) includes a relocated beer garden and a new partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation.” [ARLnow]
Burbs Hit Harder By DOGE — Federal spending cuts under the Trump administration have severely impacted Greater Washington’s economy, with significant job losses and reduced government contracts, particularly affecting Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. Despite these challenges, there are positive trends in mobility, visitation, and the apartment rental market, suggesting resilience in the region. [WBJ]
Exposure in East Fall Church — “2800 block of N. Westmoreland Street… at approximately 7:00 p.m. on August 1, the female victim was walking outside when the male suspect approached her and attempted to engage her in conversation. The victim continued to walk past the suspect during which he exposed himself before fleeing the scene.” [ACPD]
Arlington Trivia on Local TV — “Annie Mae hosts this segment of Hometown Trivia in Arlington, VA.” [Fox 5]
Free ANC History Walk — “Arlington National Cemetery, in partnership with @USArmyMuseum, will host a free, two-hour guided walk at ANC on Friday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m.” [ANC/X, NMUSA]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, potentially intensifying after 3pm, with a high temperature around 89°F and south winds at 3-6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter-inch, or higher during thunderstorms. Later, the chance of precipitation will decrease to 40% with showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Anticipate a mostly cloudy evening with the temperature dropping to around 73°F. [NWS]
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.