The eyes of Virginia soon will be upon Arlington.
At least for those eager to know how the county’s first-in-the-Commonwealth ranked-choice-voting (RCV) general election transpired.
Outdoor ice skating is back at the Westpost shopping center in Pentagon City.
The outdoor ice rink at 1201 S. Joyce Street announced yesterday that it has returned for the 2024-2025 season, offering lessons and public skating hours seven days a week. That’s despite predicted high temperatures in the 60s, 70s and — today — 80s over the next ten days.
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
A bank and a Thai restaurant are the latest planned additions to a Falls Church development project’s retail scene.
Chase Bank and Dok Khao Thai Eatery are expected to join the West Falls development project in April and August 2025, developer Hoffman & Associates announced this month.
Say hello to Ace, the sweetest pup you’ll ever meet and the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!
Ace is a tan and white dog currently in foster through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
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Have old bikes or bike accessories lying about? Donations welcome of serviceable bicycles of any model, bike parts & accessories including tools & clothing. Also portable sewing machines in operating condition. Items will support community programs around the globe providing access to jobs, education, health care, & youth development. A suggested $10 per bike helps defray the expenses of getting a serviceable bike & supplies to a qualifying destination. Bikes for the World is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit agency & provides a receipt good for tax purposes for all donations.
Separately, Arlington County will accept residents’ old electronics & batteries, household hazardous materials, scrap metal & other items. Details for the County event are at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Recycling-and-Trash/Household-Hazardous-Materials-HHM/E-CARE
Arlington’s first outpost of a popular D.C.-area pizza chain is expected to land in Virginia Square this winter.
Construction is underway on Andy’s Pizza at 901 N. Pollard Street, formerly home to Ballston Place Gourmet. The restaurant, which has been in the works since at least July 2023, hopes to open in December or January, employees told ARLnow.
Leaders of Arlington Public Schools are getting an early start on health-insurance renewal, while bringing employees into the conversation from the very beginning.
The goal, Superintendent Francisco Durán told School Board members Tuesday (Oct. 29), is to do better than in 2023, when confusion over a change in health-care providers and poor communication with the rank-and-file about it sparked outrage and led to an auditor’s investigation.
Looking for a parking spot on N. Glebe Road? Be sure to read the signs.
A roughly 0.7-mile section of the road is home to Arlington’s lone “rush hour zones,” portions of the roadway where drivers may only park outside of hours of peak road congestion.
The underground Dunkin’ over the Crystal City Metro station has closed.
“At this time, I don’t have any information on whether this is a temporary or permanent closure,” Dunkin’ spokesperson Hannah Goldstein told ARLnow in reference to the location at 1687 Crystal Square Arcade.
Halloween Driving Safety Reminder — “Drivers should be extra cautious on Halloween. Slow down, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and turn on your headlights earlier in the evening to spot children from greater distances.” [ARLnow]
Local Race Fundraising Update — “As of Oct. 24, [County Board candidate JD Spain, Sr.’s] campaign committee received a total of $203,414 in donations… That’s nearly five times more in donation money than the $21,332 reported by Audrey Clement (I) By comparison, Forward Party candidate Madison F. Granger raised $11,419 and Republican Juan Carlos Fierro brought in $9,545.” [Patch]
Sen. Kaine Coming to Green Valley — From JD Spain, Sr.: “[Today], October 31, Senator Tim Kaine and I will be hosting ‘Conversations at the Barber Shop’ here in Arlington. Join us at noon.” [Mailchimp]
Jail Gets Medical Director — “The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the creation of a new county position, Chief Medical Director, that will oversee and enhance the healthcare services provided within the Arlington County Detention Facility. This new leadership role is part of Sheriff Jose Quiroz’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest standard of care.” [Press Release]
Unlawful Entry Arrest in Buckingham — “The male victim was entering a vacant unit in a residential building to perform maintenance when he observed the male suspect inside. The victim verbally confronted the suspect who subsequently left the building. The suspect then approached victim outside the building and allegedly attempted to strike him before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunshine, breezy conditions and a high temperature around 79 degrees, with a southwest wind between 7 and 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Tonight, there is a slight chance of showers after 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 64 degrees. The southwest wind will continue at 11 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. [NWS]