Opinion

As 2024 draws to a close, let us celebrate the animal companions who have captured our hearts and made our community a bit more special with their adventures.

We’ve gone back and reviewed the adorable pets of Arlingtonians to compile the top picks for “Pet of the Year” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Read more about our top picks: Lilith, Leo, Miso, Dottie, Buddy, Louie, Fresa, Trifecta, Zuzu and Jasper.

Did we miss your favorite furry companion? Write them in! And don’t forget to vote — polls will close in two weeks.

Voting for Commenter of the Year 2024 is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best hill to go sledding on. The results are now official:

  1. Bluemont Park (Reeves Farmhouse)
  2. Hill in front the Netherlands Carillon (near Marine Corps War Memorial)
  3. Nottingham Elementary

Around Town

Arlington’s real estate market reflects the broader community — it’s diverse, dynamic, and never boring.

This weekend’s local open houses offer a snapshot of Arlington’s wide variety real estate offerings, from affordable condos to multi-million dollar homes. One highlight: a 2023 built home, priced at just over $3 million with an attached 3-car garage and a built-in elevator.


Sponsored

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of July 20, there are 176 detached homes, 60 townhouses and 275 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 37 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Image from Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: July 22, 2026

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 


News

The organization most vigorously pressing for Arlington governance changes has affirmed its desire to see the General Assembly bestow blessings on the efforts.

The Arlington County Civic Federation earlier this month approved its 2025 legislative-priorities package, which includes requests to support measures related to changes in the county government’s governance structure.


News

Arlington County police are looking for suspects in a pair of robberies that happened just before the Christmas holiday.

The first happened in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood around 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, and involved two teens — one reportedly armed with a gun — who robbed another teen in the “shared common area of a residential building.”


News
Christmas nativity scene outside of Calvary United Methodist Church in Aurora Hills (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Ballston Building Sold — “4040 Wilson, located in Arlington’s Ballston submarket, was sold for $190.5 million ($95.25 million for Brandywine’s 50% share). The property has 405,000 square feet of office, retail, and residential space, as well as 494 parking spaces. 4040 Wilson was 96% leased (residential) and 94% leased (commercial) at the time of sale.” [Brandywine Realty Trust]

Menorah Lighting This Weekend — “Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration. Experience the festival of lights!! *Lighting of a giant 9-foot Menorah *Enjoy delicious hot Potato Latkes *Hot Cocoa, Donuts, Chocolate Gelt and Dreidels for all *Lively Chanukah music **FREE ADMISSION – REGISTRATION REQUIRED.” [Event Calendar]

Free Lyft Rides for New Year’s — “The 2024 Holiday SoberRide® program – which has run nightly this month since December 13th — will be in operation beginning at 10:00 pm on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31, 2024) and operate until 4:00 am on New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1, 2025) as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers.” [Press Release]

Local Game Studio Strikes Deal — “Loric Games, an Arlington video game studio, has obtained its first publishing deal to bring its inaugural title, Echoes of Elysium, to market next year, a significant milestone for the startup as it looks to establish itself in the highly competitive gaming landscape.” [WBJ]

Amazon Is a Top Local Employer — “Amazon employs more than 61,000 across Virginia, Maryland and D.C. The e-commerce and cloud computing giant… is Arlington County’s top private employer, having previously overtaken Deloitte and Accenture, according to Arlington’s recently released annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30.” [WBJ]

Juice Shop Continues Expansion — “Greenheart Juice Shop is ramping up its growth plans roughly two years after restaurateur Reese Gardner acquired the once-struggling business from founder Alicia Swanstrom. The company just added its sixth location, in Reston… It had just a trio of shops when Gardner, whose Arlington-based Wooden Nickel Bar Co. also owns Copperwood Tavern and Quinn’s on the Corner, stepped into the picture.” [WBJ]

Rainy Weekend on Tap — From Washington Weather Geeks: “Some much-needed rain will arrive this weekend across the region (Most remain in a moderate to severe drought). The heaviest rain will fall on Sunday as a cold front works its way through and could also drag some storms with it. The flooding risk remains low, but we can’t rule some out in common trouble spots.” [Twitter]

It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies today, with temperatures reaching a high of around 43 degrees and calm winds shifting to southeast at 5 mph in the afternoon. Friday night sees increasing chances of rain, mainly after 1 am, accompanied by patchy fog and overcast conditions, with lows around 38 degrees. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, with rainfall accumulating between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar


Legal Notice

Good Guys Hospitality, LLC trading as Dudley’s Sport and Ale, 2766 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington VA 22206.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Johnson Lewis, Member, Good Guys Hospitality, LLC.

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.


Legal Notice

Green Pig Bistro, LLC trading as Green Pig Bistro, 2900 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Fitzgerald Lewis, Member Green Pig Bistro LLC

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.


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 — Dec 26, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Friday’s forecast

Expect partly sunny skies today, with temperatures reaching a high of around 43 degrees and calm winds shifting to southeast at 5 mph in the afternoon. Friday night sees increasing chances of rain, mainly after 1 am, accompanied by patchy fog and overcast conditions, with lows around 38 degrees. Southeast winds will be gentle at 3 to 5 mph, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall possibly accumulating between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis

🌅 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.


Sports

By dominating the time of possession, the Yorktown High School ice-hockey club team defeated host Fauquier/Patriot, 4-1, at Haymarket Iceplex to cap the first half of its regular season.

Yorktown took 65 shots on goal in the win and allowed only nine.