Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for May 7, 2025

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 7, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers after 2pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 78 with calm winds turning southeast at 5 mph; there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Thursday night brings likely showers and a potential thunderstorm before 2am, followed by a chance of showers and storms later, mostly cloudy skies, a low around 58, and a northeast wind at 3-6 mph. Precipitation probability is 70%, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.

News

Developer reportedly abandons plans for 88-unit Columbia Pike project

By Katie Taranto and Dan Egitto
The Elkins Building on the 2800 block of Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A planned redevelopment project at a busy Columbia Pike intersection has reportedly been canceled.

Developer Christopher Companies has abandoned years-long plans to turn the Elkins Building at 2801 Columbia Pike into a multifamily building with 88 units, Angela Kostelecky, senior architect at Devereaux and Associates, told ARLnow.

Go to Developer reportedly abandons plans for 88-unit Columbia Pike project Read more
Sponsored

Donate with us to local charity for families of fallen heroes

By Eli Tucker

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].

Thank you to all who have served and to the families who have sacrificed or lost loved ones for our freedom. I hope you and yours have a special Memorial Day weekend with friends and family to celebrate our country and those we’ve lost defending it.

The Eli Residential Group donates annually to Arlington-based TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) in honor of Memorial Day. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 to those grieving a death in the military or veteran community, through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

If you are interested in donating to a great charity this Memorial Day, TAPS is a four-star rated charity on Charity Navigator with 87.5% of funds raised going towards program expenses.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

News

Arlington law enforcement to be honored during National Police Week

By Dan Egitto
An Arlington County police officer presents a wreath at an observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day in Courthouse in 2018 (photo by Alex Koma)

A ceremony honoring fallen officers and a 5K race are coming to Arlington in coming days in honor of National Police Week.

The annual celebration of law enforcement officers, which often brings motorcades and busy hotels, is next week.

Go to Arlington law enforcement to be honored during National Police Week Read more
News

UPDATED: FBI investigating after armed standoff in N. Arlington neighborhood

By ARLnow.com
FBI on scene of standoff in Old Glebe neighborhood (staff photo)

A large contingent of FBI personnel and unmarked vehicles have blocked off a street in an otherwise quiet north Arlington neighborhood.

An armed standoff involving someone inside a house on the 3600 block of N. Abingdon Street, in the Old Glebe neighborhood, started early Wednesday morning.

Go to UPDATED: FBI investigating after armed standoff in N. Arlington neighborhood Read more
Events

Outdoor movie nights and live music coming to Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
A past movie night at Mason Square Plaza (via University Life Mason Square/Instagram)

With warmer evenings ahead, free, outdoor live music and movies are coming to Clarendon this spring and summer.

The Clarendon Alliance’s concert series, Music by the Metro, began last week, while a movie series hosted by George Mason University kicks off this Friday.

Go to Outdoor movie nights and live music coming to Clarendon Read more
Around Town

Falls Church nightlife spot becomes Caribbean restaurant under new owner

By Katie Taranto
Ricky Bartlette behind the bar at Lesly's (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A fixer-upper nightlife spot in Falls Church has transformed into a new Caribbean restaurant and bar under new ownership.

Ricky Bartlette took Lesly’s Restaurant Bar and Grill under his wing in January, hoping to improve its reputation. Since then, the entrepreneur, who also owns a Baltimore-based security firm, has renovated and added a Caribbean menu.

Go to Falls Church nightlife spot becomes Caribbean restaurant under new owner Read more
News

85-year-old ‘narrowly escaped’ falling tree limb in Virginia Square park

By Vernon Miles
Marianne Beith and Xoco (photo courtesy Malcolm Beith)

An 85-year-old woman escaped with a broken wrist, a lucky dog and a scary story after she fled a falling tree branch in Virginia Square last weekend.

According to her son Malcolm Beith, Marianne Beith “narrowly escaped serious injury” when walking through Hayes Park with her dog Xoco on Saturday.

Go to 85-year-old ‘narrowly escaped’ falling tree limb in Virginia Square park Read more
News

County Board considers better bike lanes and new stop light on S. Walter Reed Drive

By Scott McCaffrey
S. Walter Reed Drive looking toward Grace Hopper Center construction (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Protected bike lanes, a new stop light and improved bus stops along S. Walter Reed Drive are included in a proposed $7 million county contract.

The transportation improvement contract, slated for County Board consideration on Saturday, is for part of the “Complete Streets” project on Walter Reed between 5th Street S. and Columbia Pike.

Go to County Board considers better bike lanes and new stop light on S. Walter Reed Drive Read more
News

Arlington Historical Museum reopens with updated exhibits and expanded access

By Scott McCaffrey
Jeanine Brundage and Karen Darner explore Arlington Historical Museum exhibition (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Crowds descended on the Arlington Historical Museum on Saturday as the facility reopened after months of renovations.

Hundreds of people filtered through the six-hour open house, appreciating the new facelift to the museum’s physical presence and exhibitions. The building at 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road had been closed since the summer of 2024 to allow for the restoration of 47 original windows.

Go to Arlington Historical Museum reopens with updated exhibits and expanded access Read more
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