Around Town

Two nightlife venues have closed in Clarendon ahead of a neighborhood redevelopment project.

Arlington Beer Garden is no longer in business at 3217 10th Street N., an employee told ARLnow, and the nearby Clarendon 54 club is now fenced off, with new signage advising of “on-site construction activity” at 3200 Wilson Blvd.


Around Town

A local Thai restaurant chain with lunch specials and astrology-themed cocktails is celebrating its Falls Church debut this weekend.

After nearly a year of preparations, My Home Thai Bistro plans to host a grand opening this Saturday for its new restaurant at 1009 W. Broad Street. The new eatery aims to bring “a modern take on Thai cuisine with a refined yet welcoming atmosphere,” co-owner Anuchit “Andrew” Suthus-na-Ayuttaya told ARLnow.


Sponsored

Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.

Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.

First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.

Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.

Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.

You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.

Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.

Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)


Schools

Advocates for permanent local funding for after-school programs received support, but not necessarily promises, from county leaders at a March 27 rally.

Hundreds turned out for the evening program at Kenmore Middle School, urging county leaders to see the value in safety-net programs for students.


Schools

The Arlington School Board’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget makes no immediate revisions to a nearly $860 million spending package presented by the superintendent.

The School Board package lining up with that of Superintendent Francisco Durán “is not unusual” at this stage of the budget process, School Board Chair Bethany Zecher Sutton said at the March 26 Board meeting.


News
Springtime in Crystal City (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Mob Assault Near Columbia Pike — A man was assaulted by a group of juveniles outside a residential building in the 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road around 10:26 p.m. on Saturday, police say. Three of the approximately six juveniles attacked the victim before fleeing. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. [ACPD]

Close Calls Preceded DCA Crash — Internal safety reports obtained by 60 Minutes show that the day before the January 2025 midair collision at Reagan National that killed 67 people, there were two close calls between passenger jets and military helicopters, both triggering cockpit collision alarms. A former DCA air traffic controller told the program there had been warning signs for years. [CBS News]

Pike’s Deep Roots — FCNP columnist Bill Fogarty traces the history of Columbia Pike, which served as a trail for Indigenous people centuries before the Columbia Turnpike Co. was chartered in 1808 to build a toll road. Fogarty spotlights the Columbia Pike Partnership’s documentary project, which chronicles the corridor’s diverse community. [FCNP]

It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 82 degrees and southwest winds of 10–15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Overnight lows settle around 64. [NWS]

Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.


Around Town

Good Monday 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 — Mar 30, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 82°F and a southwest wind blowing at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. On Tuesday night, the weather will be partly cloudy with a low of around 64°F. The southwest wind will continue at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
– Thomas Jefferson

🌅 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.


Sports

The Bishop O’Connell Knights girls softball team has had dozens of talented pitchers in its storied past. Yet none achieved what right-hander Annie Van Dyck accomplished during a recent extra-inning game.

In that 11-inning high-school contest against host St. Paul VI Catholic, the junior struck out 28 batters in 10 1/3 innings of work in a 4-3 walkoff loss.


News

Clearing operations after this January’s snow and ice storm cost Arlington County upwards of $4.5 million.

The county’s response to the Jan. 25 winter storm — including hauling over 2 million pounds of snow from commercial corridors, clearing over 900 bus stops and running emergency operations for 165 hours straight — far exceeded the Department of Environmental Services’ base budget for snow operations.


News

No injuries were reported this afternoon (Monday) after a vehicle drove straight through a residence in the Buckingham neighborhood.

The Arlington County Fire Department responded to the 400 block of N. George Mason Drive just before 12:30 p.m. after a vehicle accelerated through at least one wall, coming to a rest with its front end in an exterior garden.