“Pink Boney Club” Halloween decorations outside of a home in Virginia Square (staff photo)
Idido’s Owners Buy D.C. Pub — “The owners of a now-closed Northeast D.C. brewpub have sold the Rhode Island Avenue property to the proprietors of an Arlington cafe, who plan to open a coffee shop there and possibly redevelop the site in the long term. The Public Option, a go-to pub in the Langdon neighborhood since 2015, shuttered in December… The property… sold Oct. 22 for $1.4 million to the owners of Idido’s Coffee and Social House.” [WBJ]
F.C. Warns of Phone Scam — “The City of Falls Church Police Department is alerting the community about an active financial scam involving impersonators claiming to be police officers and requesting payment over the phone… Remember: no legitimate law enforcement agency or officer will ever call you demanding money or immediate payment under any circumstances.” [City of Falls Church]
More Winter Predictions — “Snow lovers in the D.C. area have been deprived for the last five winters and the upcoming season offers little hope for a revival. Forecasters from five private companies expect another mild winter with a meager supply of snowflakes.” [Capital Weather Gang, ARLnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 77 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind at about 7 mph. As for Wednesday night, anticipate partly cloudy conditions and a low around 60 degrees. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high near 77 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind at about 7 mph. As for Wednesday night, anticipate partly cloudy conditions and a low around 60 degrees, with the southwest wind persisting at approximately 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
A colorful new landmark is bringing fresh energy to Columbia Pike while celebrating the people, cultures and stories that define one of Arlington’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
The mural, commissioned through Arlington Public Art and Arlington Economic Development, is part of ongoing creative placemaking efforts designed to strengthen neighborhood identity, enhance public spaces and create welcoming experiences for residents, visitors and local businesses.
For Bathurst, an artist whose work explores the relationships among people, nature and cultural heritage, Columbia Pike offered a rich source of inspiration. The mural features portraits of women representing cultures reflected throughout the neighborhood, surrounded by imagery drawn from local history, global artistic traditions and the natural environment of Four Mile Run.
What makes the project especially meaningful is the community’s role in shaping it. Public input gathered at the Barcroft Resource Fair and Columbia Pike Farmers Market revealed a strong desire for artwork that reflected the neighborhood’s diversity, vibrant character and connection to nature. A community advisory panel helped guide the project from concept through completion, ensuring the final design reflected the voices and experiences of the community it serves.
The resulting artwork is both a visual landmark and a celebration of the people who make Columbia Pike unique. It highlights the corridor’s longstanding role as a welcoming and multicultural community while creating a vibrant new point of interest along one of Arlington’s most traveled commercial corridors.
The project was made possible through a partnership with Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, which provided the highly visible wall for the mural. Located on the Goodwill building at 4714 Columbia Pike, the artwork transforms an everyday streetscape into a destination that invites residents and visitors to pause, reflect and connect with the neighborhood’s identity.
As Arlington continues investing in public art and placemaking initiatives, projects like this demonstrate how art can strengthen community pride, foster connection and contribute to vibrant public spaces. Public art not only enriches the visual landscape, but also helps tell the stories of Arlington’s neighborhoods and the people who call them home.
The community is invited to join the celebration on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free event will feature remarks from the artist and community representatives, music, refreshments and family-friendly activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the mural up close and learn more about the community stories, cultural influences and local inspiration behind its creation.
For Columbia Pike, the mural represents more than a new work of art. It is a lasting reflection of the corridor’s creativity, diversity and community spirit, and a vibrant new symbol of the neighborhood’s past, present and future.
Art Focus is a regular series highlighting the artists, organizations, public art projects and creative initiatives that enrich Arlington’s cultural landscape.
O'Connell girls runner Grace Fumich (staff file photo by Dave Facinoli)
The Bishop O’Connell Knights had middle-of-the-pack finishes at conference cross-country championship meets, but saw positive signs in the performance of ninth-grade runners.
The champion Washington-Liberty cheerleaders (courtesy Washington-Liberty cheerleaders)
The Washington-Liberty Generals prevailed as the champions of the Liberty District cheerleading competition, the squad’s first district title since 2013.
“This is huge,” Washington-Liberty coach Ghita Haronni said.
High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!
Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Sen. Tim Kaine (right) and Arlington Democrats Chair Steve Baker (left) after an event at Walter Reed Community Center in 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) made an appearance at the Walter Reed Community Center in Arlington today (Tuesday) as the push for voter turnout enters its final stretch.
With one week to go until Election Day, Kaine and Arlington Democrats Chair Steve Baker expressed optimism about their numbers so far but said they aren’t taking their foot off the gas.
Trick-or-treating at an elaborately decorated Arlington yard in 2023 (staff photo)
We’re two days away from Halloween and for some — mostly newcomers — there may be questions about the local trick-or-treating customs in Arlington.
Unlike some places in other parts of the country, Arlington does not designate an official day and time for trick-or-treating. Instead, the annual, costumed candy-gathering spree takes place on Halloween — Thursday, Oct. 31 this year — and starts shortly before sunset.
As fall colors sweep across the D.C. area, Arlington leaf collection season begins in two weeks.
Crews are expected to begin passing through Arlington neighborhoods starting Monday, Nov. 11, according to a tentative schedule. Residents are encouraged to rake leaves to the curb the weekend before their civic association’s posted start date.
Falls Church’s new-in-2024 police chief wants one of his eventual legacies to be safety improvements that benefit the drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who share the city’s roads.
“I’ve made it a priority — we have stepped up enforcement,” Shahram Fard told City Council members Monday night (Oct. 28). “I take traffic safety very, very seriously.”
