Events

The Village at Shirlington is planning to host another yacht-themed party this June to kick off the summer season.

The neighborhood is bringing back last year’s nautical bash “by popular demand.” Guests are invited to dress up and partake in the neighborhood shopping center’s sip and stroll policy, while enjoying live yacht rock and dining specials around 2700 S. Quincy Street.


Sports

The Washington-Liberty High School crew team gathered April 18 at Columbia Island Marina to celebrate the christening of the girls’ newest eight-person-plus-coxswain racing shell.

It’s named in honor of distinguished alumna and rowing pioneer Ellie Cochran.


Opinion

Arlington’s trusted pediatricians offer professional, compassionate care for children all the way from those first checkups on newborns to teenage sports physicals.

Here are the nominees for “Best Pediatrician in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite pediatrician? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Electrician Serving 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 Plumber Serving Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Chandler’s Plumbing & Heating
  2. All Plumbing Inc.
  3. Arlington Plumbing Heating and Cooling (tied)
  4. B.L. James & Son (tied)

Around Town

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).


Event

Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Play, connect, and earn points throughout the evening in the Civic Cup Competition with activities ranging from sack races and relays to collaborative community art and trivia in the beer garden. No pre-registration required, assemble a team of four, pick up a Civic Cup scorecard, and compete for the Civic Cup Trophy!


News

The County Board has taken a step toward considering potential historic status for the Melwood site, despite vigorous opposition from the development team’s attorney.

Board members voted 5-0 to start consideration of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board’s (HALRB) recommendation to designate a portion of the former Nelly Custis Elementary School at 750 23rd Street S. as historic. This is a procedural step and doesn’t indicate whether they support the recommendation or not.


News

A Republican legislator’s proposal to make Arlington and Alexandria part of D.C. has earned immediate condemnation from the region’s congressional representation.

U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) introduced the “Make DC Square Again Act” yesterday (Wednesday) in the wake of Virginia voters approving a redistricting referendum to benefit Democrats’ representation in Congress. McCormick’s legislation seeks to reunite Arlington, Alexandria and the District, which had been the case for 46 years in the 19th century.


News
Birds on wires along S. Joyce St. near Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Potomac Spill Lawsuits — The Justice Department and Maryland attorney general have both sued D.C. Water, alleging the utility knew for at least eight years that the Potomac Interceptor pipeline was severely corroded and needed immediate repair. The January collapse dumped more than 240 million gallons of sewage into the river, and scientists say contamination lingers in downstream waters. [NYT, Axios]

Columbia Pike Robbery — A man was robbed at knifepoint on Columbia Pike early Thursday after approaching four men and engaging them in conversation, according to ACPD. The group assaulted the victim just before 2:30 a.m. on the 4900 block of Columbia Pike, then threatened him with knives and stole his cellphone and backpack before fleeing the scene. The victim suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The investigation is ongoing. [ACPD]

BizLaunch PitchFest Winners — Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch handed out $25,000 in prizes at the PitchFest Finale on April 21, held at Amazon’s Visitor Landing at HQ2. Sun and Honey Grazing took the top $10,000 prize; District Bangle won $7,500; Amanda’s Churn got $5,000; and Persist Physical Therapy earned a $2,500 honorable mention. [Arlington County]

It’s Friday — Mostly sunny today with a high near 82 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Northeast wind around 5 mph with a 40% chance of precipitation. Overnight lows near 55 with a continued chance of storms. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Thursday 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 — Apr 23, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛅️ Friday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 81, although there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 5 mph. Friday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 55 and a continued 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with southeast winds around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure… but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
– Francis Chan

🌅 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! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.


News

County Board members agreed to a significantly smaller fee increase for the local government’s competitive gymnastics programs in a last-minute budget change last night (Wednesday).

Instead of increasing by 44%, fees will rise by 25% in the coming year. It still appears that the full 44% increase — or more — could come into effect next year.