An Arlington nonprofit has received a $200,000 award supporting its food assistance programs and career training for immigrants and minorities.
Kitchen of Purpose last month received the annual Neighborhood Builders Award — a Bank of America grant recognizing high-impact nonprofits nationwide. The award comes as Kitchen of Purpose seeks to increase revenue streams under a new CEO who took the reins in late 2023.
Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive single-family homes sold last month (January 2025).
Most expensive single-family homes sold
Arlington’s small business community is strong and resilient. However, local businesses continue to face challenges from economic uncertainty, drops in consumer confidence, losses in access to capital, and disruptions from artificial intelligence. BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development, continues to rise to the challenge by supporting over 6,000 small businesses in Arlington with one-on-one counseling, innovative programming and robust marketing to encourage consumers to shop locally.
During a recent presentation to the Small Business Coordinating Council, BizLaunch Director Tara Palacios highlighted fiscal year 2026 results that underscore both the impact of Arlington’s business support programs and the pressures ahead.
BizLaunch provided technical assistance to entrepreneurs at a level 56% above its annual goal, reflecting sustained demand for one-on-one advising and business guidance. The division also served a diverse business community, including 52% women-owned businesses and 45% minority-owned enterprises. Nearly a quarter — 24% — of clients were in food and retail, industries that continue to face heightened economic pressure.
Major marketing and PR campaigns drove engagement across Arlington. Small Business Saturday, one of BizLaunch’s signature programs, prompted more than 4,141 transactions and $211,862 in consumer spending through the Open Rewards incentive, supported by a $10,625 investment of County funds. A coordinated marketing campaign with the BIDs and Partnerships further amplified the effort, generating more than 56,000 organic social media impressions, 44,000 video views and 1,619 engagements, along with nearly 2,000 paid ad clicks.
Support for business development through programming has also expanded. The BizLaunch Transformational Challenge and Pitchfest drew 40 participants for a five-week training program covering strategic planning, marketing, artificial intelligence and financial management. Participants developed pitch decks and presented to a panel of private lenders and business leaders. In all $25,000 was awarded to local businesses through the pitch event which came from private donations and contributions from the Industrial Development Authority. (more…)
Legislation giving Arlington residents more local-governance options has cleared a key hurdle in Richmond.
But it has two more to go.
The newest Adoptable Pet of the Week is Pepe!
Pepe is tan and white dog up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. He’s currently living with a foster.
Bring the whole family to Arlington Mill for an evening of laughs, basketball, and underdog determination with Goat.
This animated family comedy follows a determined young goat chasing his dream of becoming a professional basketball star. Before the movie, kids can enjoy face painting and family-friendly activities, making this one of our most kid-focused events of the summer.
County leaders are urging local residents to connect with neighbors and help one another if February and March bring more snow.
“This is an opportunity for people to renew their relationships with their neighbors and say, ‘Let’s team up and help,'” County Manager Mark Schwartz said during a Tuesday (Jan. 28) County Board snow briefing.
Six months after all its members were unceremoniously removed from office, Arlington’s Human Rights Commission is back in operation.
County Board members on Tuesday (Jan. 28) made seven appointments to the body, with terms running through January 2028.
DCA Crash Update — “Authorities said Sunday they have recovered the remains of 55 of the 67 people killed in the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001… They spoke hours after families of the victims visited the crash site just outside Washington, D.C., walking along the banks of the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport to memorialize their loved ones.” [Associated Press, Adam Tuss/X]
Vigil at Ballston Iceplex — “MedStar Capitals Iceplex will be hosting a private candlelight skate for local skating clubs affiliated with Washington Figure Skating Club and The Skating Club of Northern Virginia in honor of those who perished in the tragedy. The vigil will feature a remembrance tribute and the placement of flowers at center ice in memoriam of the victims and the incredible presence they brought to the rink.” [Washington Capitals]
Priest Rushed to Comfort Loved Ones — “After he learned of the Jan. 29 midair collision of a passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Reagan National Airport, Father Frederick H. Edlefsen, pastor of nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington, rushed to the airport, accompanied by parishioner Joe Mazel.” [Arlington Catholic Herald, Catholic News Agency]
Bishop Discusses Immigration Actions — “As the United States government revises its immigration policies, and after prayerful discernment and consultation, I offer pastoral encouragement to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Congressional leaders, elected officials, and all Catholics and people of goodwill to consider the common good of our country with the light of faith. The Church teaches, as does our Constitution, that a political community exists to protect the family and human dignity.” [Diocese of Arlington]
County Wants Feedback on Resolution — “The County Board announced that it will consider adopting a Climate Action Resolution at its February 2025 County Board meeting. The Board welcomes feedback on the draft of this resolution via this feedback form. To ensure the Board has ample time to read and review comments, interested residents should submit feedback by February 14, end of day.” [Arlington County]
City Pressed to Support Paper — “Long-time City of Falls Church community activist Keith Thurston delivered an unexpected, passionate appeal to the Falls Church City Council this Monday to support the City’s long-standing community newspaper, the Falls Church News-Press. The newspaper announced earlier this month that due to financial pressures, it was forced to suspend its practice of carrier-delivering the paper to every household in Falls Church for the first time since its founding in 1991.” [FCNP]
Phil: Six More Weeks of Winter — “Early Sunday morning, before a cheering crowd in western Pennsylvania’s Gobbler’s Knob, the famed prognosticating groundhog emerged from his den and saw his shadow, his handlers proclaimed. That means Punxsutawney Phil has declared six more weeks of winter.” [CWG]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures around 57°F and south winds blowing at 3-8 mph. By night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with the temperature dropping to approximately 46°F, as southwest winds pick up to around 7-10 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has called an Industrious office home for years and we love the convenience. You get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Different high-school track and field teams from Arlington had strong showings at a couple of different recent meets.
For the Washington-Liberty girls, Ella Kaplan won two events and was second in another at a competition at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington.
The six new members of Washington-Liberty High School Athletic Hall of Fame were recognized and inducted at a Jan. 24 ceremony at the school.
The event occurred during halftime of the boys home varsity basketball game between W-L and the Langley Saxons.
