The weekend is here and so is a new episode of the ARLnow podcast.
In the latest episode, Vernon, Dan and Katie discuss a few notable local news stories in Arlington from the past week, including:
With summertime parking at a premium at Reagan National Airport, more travelers are arriving with reservations in hand.
The number of drivers with advance parking reservations rose 36% year-over-year during both the Memorial Day and Juneteenth travel periods, Chryssa Westerlund, chief revenue officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), said at a Wednesday board of directors meeting.
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.
Arlington ice cream shops are preparing to scoop out some sweet deals in honor of National Ice Cream Day this Sunday.
Here’s a look at some local parlors that plan to offer discounted scoops for the annual celebration, along with a couple other local flavors to try anytime.
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).
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The team behind a Vietnamese restaurant in a closing Annandale food hall is dropping hints about its upcoming project in Crystal City.
Balo Kitchen, which is closing this summer along with the rest of the vendors at The Block in Annandale, has teased a new “project” in Crystal City this fall. Its owners, Huy Nguyen and Long Lai, are slated to design the menu of the upcoming Scapegoat Beer Garden at 556 22nd Street S.
Welcome to our free community event! Our Bully-Proof Anti-Bullying Seminar is an interactive program designed to teach children and teens practical strategies they can use both in school and everyday life. Through age-appropriate instruction and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to stay calm, make smart decisions, and protect themselves without resorting to unnecessary violence.
Participants will learn:
A selection of top-rated steakhouses in Arlington are known for their satisfying meals and quality prime cuts.
Here are the nominees for “Best Steakhouse in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite place? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Things to do with Kids in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Barbecue Restaurant in Arlington. The results are now official:
- Sloppy Mama’s BBQ
- Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
- Texas Jack’s Barbecue
Arlington County is collecting feedback on possible improvements to a Wilson Blvd intersection near the Dominion Hills Centre strip mall, possibly including a new traffic signal.
Respondents have until Sunday to submit feedback on existing pedestrian crossings, a bus stop and travel lanes at Wilson Blvd’s intersection with N. Livingston Street, as well as the pedestrian signal between Powhatan Springs Park and the strip mall.
The only Domino’s in Falls Church will soon relocate to a shuttered bike shop, possibly making way for another pizzeria to set up shop.
The Domino’s, currently located in a strip mall at 1106 W. Broad Street, plans to move to 438 S. Washington Street in mid-November, operations manager Himel Uddin told ARLnow.
Child Drowning Warning — “Arlington County Public Health urges parents and caregivers to be extra careful around water this summer. Eight children under the age of five have accidentally drowned in Virginia pools since Memorial Day – that’s more than the total number of child drowning deaths in each of the last three years (three in 2024, two in 2023, and four in 2022). In Arlington, there have been two reports of near drownings in the past two weeks.” [Arlington County]
ICE in Arlington — “Guatemala national David Cabrera was collared by ICE last week after being set free by sanctuary-aligned jurisdiction Arlington County, who refused to honor a federal detainer and released him without notifying ICE… Cabrera entered the U.S. illegally in 2014 and was convicted of felony rape in 2015. He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison, although a portion of it was suspended.” [Fox News]
Crash on I-395 — “Two views as a single car crash takes out a sign and a pole on I-395S at Boundary Channel on Tuesday afternoon. The car drifted over three lanes and narrowly missed hitting other cars. I don’t know if this was from a medical problem or some other issue.” [Dave Statter/X]
Robbery in Arlington View — “The male victim was inside his parked vehicle when the male suspect drove up… and subsequently made threatening statements before stealing a personal item from the victim’s hands. The victim then exited his vehicle and was running away from the scene when the suspect chased the victim, began to assault him and attempted to steal the victim’s phone. When unsuccessful, the suspect fled the scene. The victim sustained minor injuries.” [ACPD]
Community Police Meetings — “The Arlington County Police Department’s (ACPD) Community Engagement Division invites the public to the summer quarterly community meetings covering community issues, crime prevention tips and quality of life concerns. All are welcome to attend.” [ACPD]
Roosevelt Bridge Work — “For the next 3½ years, the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge will be undergoing a major $128 million rehabilitation that will involve lane closures that increase over time. The work threatens to snarl commuter traffic… On Monday, that fourth eastbound lane was removed entirely, so there are only three lanes in each direction.” [Washington Post]
It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms after 5pm today, with otherwise partly sunny skies and a high near 87. The north wind of 6 mph will shift to the northwest in the afternoon, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Tonight, the showers and thunderstorms will most likely occur after 8pm, leading to mostly cloudy skies and a low around 73. A light southeast wind will accompany the 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
PADAM ENTERPRISE, LLC
Trading as:
LEDO PIZZA
1035 S Edgewood St,
Arlington, Arlington County, VA 22204
The above establishment is applying to
the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a
Restaurant – Wine and Beer On and Off
Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic
beverages.
Padam Regmi, Member
NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this
license must be submitted to ABC no
later than 30 days from the publishing
date of the first of two required
newspaper legal notices. Objections
should be registered at www.abc.virginia.
gov or 800-552-3200.
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