Immigrant Food, a D.C.-based restaurant with a focus on “gastroadvocacy,” has opened its first Arlington location in Ballston.
The restaurant with global offerings and a mission to celebrate immigrant communities opened its doors last week at 4245 Fairfax Drive, across from the Ballston Metro station. Bold flavors from cuisines around the world come along with the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local nonprofits.
A dog-friendly block party originally scheduled for this Sunday has been pushed back to the end of September.
With temperatures on Sunday at one point expected to reach around 90 degrees — the forecast now shows a high in the mid-80s and scattered showers — the Summer Bark Bash in Green Valley has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29 “for the safety and comfort of all our dogs and their humans.”
While summer is often a slower season for many businesses, BizLaunch has been hard at work supporting Arlington entrepreneurs and preparing an exciting lineup of fall programs. From business growth strategies to inspiring founder stories, there are plenty of opportunities ahead for small business owners looking to learn, connect and grow.
Arlington Growth Accelerator
Ready to take your business to the next level?
The Arlington Growth Accelerator is a selective, cohort-based leadership program designed for established businesses poised for growth. Offered in partnership with SCORE, the program features six hybrid half-day sessions that guide participants through the development of a practical four-year growth strategy focused on operations, financing and long-term success.
Participants will leave with:
Whether you’re planning your next phase of expansion or looking to strengthen your business foundation, this program provides the tools and support to help you grow with confidence. Join us for an info session about the program on Aug. 5 at 12:00 p.m. Program kicks off Sept. 25.
Chefpreneur Chat: Unidos Somos Más (Together We Are More)
Join us Oct. 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for a special Chefpreneur Chat celebrating this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, Unidos Somos Más (Together We Are More).
Hosted by BizLaunch in partnership with Arlington Public Libraries, this interactive event will spotlight the entrepreneur behind Panamericana Bakery. Attendees will enjoy a live fish preparation demonstration while hearing firsthand how the business was built and grown in Arlington.
The conversation, moderated by Dov & Company, will explore entrepreneurship, culture, community and resilience. Guests will gain practical insights from a successful business owner while celebrating the contributions of Hispanic entrepreneurs who help shape Arlington’s vibrant business community.
To continue the celebration, BizLaunch will also launch a social media campaign highlighting stories of collaboration, partnership and the collective impact of Hispanic-owned businesses across Arlington. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when registration for this event opens.
Stay Connected
Fall is just getting started.
In addition to a full lineup of educational programs and networking opportunities, BizLaunch will soon open registration for its annual, 2027 BizLaunch Transformational and PitchFest program, a five-week cohort experience where participants compete for cash prizes while strengthening their businesses.
Stay up to date on upcoming events, workshops and resources by subscribing to the BizLaunch newsletter. Learn more at www.bizlaunch.org.
Arlington has a new top climate official to steer the county toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 — a goal that some activists fear the county is not on track to meet.
Jennifer Fioretti, previously deputy director of the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, has been named Assistant County Manager for Climate Policy, the county announced in a press release. She will oversee the development of policies that engage both county government and the broader community in achieving Arlington’s environmental goals.
As the summer is winding down, Art House 7 is gearing up for August Classes! Offerings include painting, drawing, cartooning, mixed media, and printmaking. Some highlights: Animals of the Serengeti, k-2nd; Digital Art, 4th-6th grades; Painting Metal with Watercolor, Adults. Classes are 3-4 weeks: a short commitment for a lot of creative output. Check out everything on our website.
August Classes at Art House 7:
Torri Huske’s Local Impact — “Kathy Koczyk, who said she helped teach Huske the butterfly when she was a child, said Huske’s Olympic success isn’t a surprise. Even as a kid, she was a quick learner and great listener, Koczyk said. ‘What it proves to me, which is what I love, is it’s the technique,’ Koczyk said. ‘Because you don’t have to have brawn and heights in the water if you have the right technique. You can beat even big people.'” [WTOP]
Boeing Hires New CEO –Boeing hired Robert ‘Kelly’ Ortberg as its next chief executive, picking an aerospace veteran to steer the jet maker through its manufacturing turbulence and a regulatory storm. Ortberg ran one of Boeing’s big suppliers, Rockwell Collins, until 2018 when it merged with another aerospace manufacturer and eventually ended up part of RTX.” [Wall Street Journal]
Local Student Drafts Bill — “A high school student from Arlington was one of the 15 students from around the DMV who participated in the Students Opposing Slavery International Summit from June 23-28… Each of the 15 students drafted bills designed to promote the fight for freedom. The bills were presented on the final day of the summit. Vivian Monaco of from Arlington presented a bill to expand and enforce protections for migrants in the U.S. on temporary H-2A visas and doing agricultural work.” [Patch]
Sweltering Conditions Return — “High heat is back. It’s the start of a several days in a row of temperatures in the mid-90s or higher locally. Add humidity and it’s feeling more like 100 or higher in the afternoon.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high temperature around 95 degrees, accompanied by a west breeze from 5 to 7 mph today. Tonight, there’s a small possibility of sporadic showers and thunderstorms before 2 am, followed by partial cloudiness with the temperature dropping to about 76 degrees. The wind will shift to the southwest at 3 to 6 mph, and there’s a 20% likelihood of precipitation. [NWS]
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 30, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect predominantly sunny skies and a high temperature around 95 degrees, accompanied by a gentle west breeze from 5 to 7 mph today. Tonight, there’s a small possibility of sporadic showers and thunderstorms before 2 am, followed by partial cloudiness with the temperature dropping to about 76 degrees. The wind will shift to the southwest at 3 to 6 mph, and there’s a 20% likelihood of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
“You can’t outwit fate by standing on the sidelines placing little sidebets about the outcome of life. Either you wade in and risk everything you have to play the game or you don’t play at all. And if you don’t play you can’t win.”
– Judith McNaught
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.
West of Arlington, in the 2.2-square mile city of Falls Church, there’s a food and dining community blooming with long-loved eateries and up-and-coming stars.
It’s a city of diverse eateries, where businesses support each other and where locals return to friendly, familiar spots and also seek out fresh flavors.
Arlington has a new top communications official.
Erika Moore, the former communications manager for Arlington’s Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development, is the new Assistant County Manager for Communications and Public Engagement, the county announced in a press release earlier this month.
A “suspicious vehicle” in the Pentagon parking lot near Pentagon City has prompted road closures and an investigation.
Pentagon police said on social media shortly after 11 a.m. that officers were “responding to a suspicious vehicle in the Pentagon South Parking Lot.”
The man responsible for posting over 1,500 “empathy” signs around the area is steering clear of Arlington and some other Northern Virginia locales these days.
That’s because an unknown person or entity has been taking down the handmade markers meant to encourage greater human connection and understanding. In Arlington, in Falls Church and as far out as Annandale, the signs — which started appearing in 2022 — started going missing from utility poles sometime around March.
Local entrepreneur MaryBeth Powers is being featured on an episode of Women in Power, a series that highlights inspiring women whose passion, perseverance, and purpose have made a meaningful impact in their communities.
The episode shares the remarkable story behind Teddy’s Turmeric Tamer®, an all-natural daily wellness topper for dogs that was born from love and determination. After MaryBeth’s beloved dog, Teddy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and given just 2–4 weeks to live, she refused to give up hope. Through extensive research and a commitment to natural wellness, she created a unique blend of premium ingredients to support Teddy’s health. Teddy went on to enjoy three more years filled with love, comfort and quality of life.
