Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 2, 2024

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday 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 — Aug 2, 2024.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. BREAKING: Arlington’s Torri Huske wins gold in Paris (26315 views)
  2. Mysterious removal of ’empathy’ signs leads artist to stop coming to Arlington (12995 views)
  3. A failed development project leaves a void on Columbia Pike. Was Amazon responsible? (10820 views)
  4. A beginner’s guide to the food and drink scene in Falls Church (9291 views)
  5. One year in, revamped Crystal City Water Park is seen as success (5930 views)
  6. Yet another power outage reported in Ballston and Virginia Square (5202 views)
  7. JUST IN: Another Olympic medal for Arlington swimmer Torri Huske (5042 views)
  8. JUST IN: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Arlington (5025 views)
  9. NOW: Pentagon police investigating ‘suspicious vehicle’ (4512 views)
  10. Hello Kitty truck returning to Pentagon City with exclusive 50th anniversary merch (3943 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⛈️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms, primarily after 2 pm, with a partly sunny high near 92 and heat index values up to 101. Southwest winds will range from 5 to 9 mph, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation. Rainfall may measure between 0.1-0.25 inches, with higher amounts during thunderstorms. On Saturday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 8 pm, and mostly cloudy skies will hover as temperatures dip to around 74. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation and potential rainfall between 0.25-0.5 inches. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.”
– James Stephens

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

Sponsored

Ask Eli: The summer market felt slow. Was it?

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

Question: It seems like listings lingered on the market longer than usual this summer. Is that reflected in the market data?

Answer: The summer real estate market is usually slower than spring, but since late June, this summer has felt unusually slow compared with past summer markets. I analyzed Arlington homes listed for sale in July and August, going back to 2016, and found that we did indeed experience a historically slow summer market.

5-Bullet Cliff Notes

  • Summer 2026 was slowest summer market since 2016
  • Showing activity is down significantly
  • Listing supply (homes for sale) is up significantly
  • It is still a seller’s market, just more balanced
  • Too early to accurately observe impact on prices

Slowest Summer Since 2016

Fewer homes listed in July and August went under contract within the first ten days on market (my preferred measure of market pace) than any summer since 2016.

The condo market experienced the brunt of that slowness, with the percentage of condos under contract within ten days falling 17.9 points below the trailing ten-year average. Arlington’s detached/townhouse/duplex market, one of the most robust sub-markets in the country, was not spared either; falling 6.7 points below the trailing ten-year average.

Lingering Inventory

The clearest sign of a summer slowdown is the amount of inventory that remained unresolved at the end of August. 53% of the listings entered in July and August were still active, compared with about 31% in 2025 and 27% from 2023-2025.

Even among July listings, which had at least a full month to attract a buyer, 36% remained active: more than twice the recent three-year rate. As of Aug 30, ~25% of all active summer listings had accumulated at least 30 days on market, and 9% accumulated at least 60 days.

Showings Down, Active Inventory Up

Showing data shows that we have fewer buyers in the market, not simply more indecisive/deliberate buyers. In the week ending August 23, showings in Arlington were down 7.9% from the prior week and 26.4% from the same week last year.

There are also a lot more homes for buyers to choose from, with active listings (homes listed for sale) up 2% from the week prior and 21.5% from the same week last year. Buyers will take longer to make decisions when they have more choices.

The Arlington trends are consistent with other Northern VA/DC Metro markets as well. In the DC Metro, weekly showings dropped to five-year lows in late June and remained there during most weeks of the summer. At the same time, the week ending August 23 delivered the most new listings to the market of any year since 2021, for the same week.

Total active listings in the DC Metro have been above the same week in the prior year since the second week of January 2025.

(more…)

News

JUST IN: Power problem closes Ballston Metro station, prompts shuttle service

By ARLnow.com
A bus parked at a new bus bay outside of the Ballston Metro station (file photo)

The Ballston Metro station is closed due to a power issue that has split the Orange and Silver lines in two.

Metro reported the issue on social media around 12:45 p.m. Metrobuses and shuttle buses have replaced trains between Clarendon, Virginia Square and East Falls Church.

Go to JUST IN: Power problem closes Ballston Metro station, prompts shuttle service Read more
Announcement

Fall Art Classes Are Here!

By Art House 7
Young girl paints at an easel in an art studio, with pumpkin-themed artwork and autumn leaf pottery on a red table nearby, Art House.

We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes. 

Fall 1 Session begins Tue. Sep. 8.

Go to Fall Art Classes Are Here! Read more
Around Town

Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed

By Katie Taranto
Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo)

After less than a year in business, a Latin American restaurant at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City has seemingly shuttered.

Maizal’s bright yellow exterior sign at 1100 S. Hayes Street, near Macy’s, has been removed and its interior appears to be cleared out.

Go to Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed Read more
Event

Rosslyn Reserved

People raise and clink wine glasses in a toast, celebrating together.

Event location

The NOW Pop-Up Park

1401 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, Virginia 22209

Add to Calendar

We’ve made the reservation. You’re invited.

Spend an evening discovering exceptional wines, live acoustic music, and community at Rosslyn’s newest event: Rosslyn Reserved. Enjoy a tasting experience with a sommelier from Screwtop Wine Bar, savory bites from local Charcuterie business, Graze Craze, and more!

Go to Rosslyn Reserved Read more
Around Town

Wagamama opens in Clarendon: take a look inside the long-awaited restaurant

By Jared Serre
Two musicians perform outside of Wagamama's grand opening event (staff photo by Jared Serre)

One of Arlington’s most-anticipated restaurants has started serving customers.

More than two years after Wagamama’s first D.C.-area outpost was announced, the “playful modern Asian concept” restaurant opened in Clarendon on Thursday with a sold-out grand opening event.

Go to Wagamama opens in Clarendon: take a look inside the long-awaited restaurant Read more
Weather

Excessive Heat Warning in effect amid activity cancellations and earlier trash collection times

By ARLnow.com
The sun and clouds on a hot day (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington County and most of the D.C. area is under an Excessive Heat Warning today.

Heat index values of up to 110 are expected today, making time spent outdoors potentially hazardous, especially for those working, exercising or who are medically vulnerable.

Go to Excessive Heat Warning in effect amid activity cancellations and earlier trash collection times Read more
News

UPDATED: Outage in northern Arlington after reported power line issue

By ARLnow.com
Power outage on Aug. 2, 2024 (via Dominion)

Just over 1,200 Dominion customers were without power in Arlington this morning on an exceptionally sweltering day.

The outage affected a far northern section of Arlington — along parts of N. Glebe Road, Military Road and Chesterbrook Road — plus a portion of McLean. It followed reports of an arcing power line on the 3600 block of Miliary Road, which prompted a fire department response.

Go to UPDATED: Outage in northern Arlington after reported power line issue Read more
News

Morning Notes for August 2, 2024

By ARLnow.com
Rosslyn buildings, including Central Place and 1812 N. Moore Street, as seen from ‘The View of D.C.’ observation deck (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Pickleball Unlikely for Park — “Hell hath no fury like pickleball fanatics scorned. But at present, odds appear to be running against inclusion of pickleball courts in the soon-to-be-redeveloped Gateway Park in Rosslyn. Only one of three proposed design options includes sport courts, and at least right now, public sentiment apparently isn’t coalescing behind their being included.” [Gazette Leader]

Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, at 10:01 AM.”

Torri’s YHS Cheering Section — “In Paris, swimmer Torri Huske was surrounded by family, friends and classmates from Yorktown High School, enveloped in tear-filled hugs as she won her first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 100-meter butterfly. Back in Northern Virginia, people who knew Huske — and even those who didn’t — were watching the competition with bated breath as the two-time Olympian won by 0.04 seconds.” [Washington Post]

Latest on Local’s Racing Dreams — “WTOP’s Matt Kaufax zips down to the Driver’s Club at Dominion Raceway in Thornburg, Virginia… At Dominion, Matt met 15-year-old Hudson Schwartz, the youngest driver in the USF2000 Championship, a racing series that’s just a couple of divisions away from IndyCar, North America’s highest class of open-wheel car racing.” [WTOP]

Oral History of Rt. 29 Renaming — “Efforts behind the renaming of Arlington’s 5.2-mile swath of U.S. Route 29 have been commemorated for posterity. Using a county-government mini-grant, the Langston Boulevard Alliance worked with researcher Bennett King, a graduate student at Goucher College, on an oral-history project focused on the name change from Lee Highway to Langston Boulevard.” [Gazette Leader]

Retirement for Police K-9 — “Happy retirement, K9 Arlo! K9 Arlo began his career with ACPD in November 2018 after attending a basic K-9 school hosted by the @LoudounSheriff. As a Patrol/Narcotic K9, Arlo faithfully served the Arlington community by helping locate dangerous drugs and criminal suspects.” [Twitter]

Leadership Change for AWLA — “The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) has announced that Sam Wolbert, President & CEO, will be stepping down from the role effective December 15, 2024. After seven years of dedicated service, Mr. Wolbert will be moving away from Arlington… AWLA will now conduct a nationwide search for a successor to lead the organization into a new era.” [Press Release]

New Cameras Issuing Warnings — From ACPD: “The newly installed red-light safety cameras in four intersections will begin to issue warnings from August 1-31 to raise public awareness and encourage compliance before issuing tickets for violations beginning on September 1.” [Twitter]

Watch Parties for Local Olympian — “Two watch parties have been organized in the city to witness the fastest man on the planet, Alexandria native Noah Lyles, race in the 100 meter and 200 meter finals in the Paris Olympics… The watch party for the 100m final will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4 at Pork Barrel BBQ (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray.” [ALXnow]

It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with otherwise mostly sunny and hot conditions, a high near 97, and heat index values up to 106. There is a 60% chance of precipitation. Friday night, showers and thunderstorms will continue, likely before 5am, followed by a slight chance of showers. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 75, and a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 1, 2024

By ARLnow.com

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 — Aug 1, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with mostly sunny and hot conditions, a high near 97, and heat index values up to 106. Winds will be calm, shifting to south around 6 mph in the afternoon, with a 60% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts will range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Friday night, showers and thunderstorms will continue, likely before 5am, followed by a slight chance of showers. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 75, southeastern winds of 6 mph becoming south after midnight, and a 60% chance of precipitation. Expect rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is our choices that define us, far more than our abilities.”
– J.K. Rowling

🌅 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.

Announcement

Ever Wanted to Duel with a Sword or Hit a Bullseye? Fall Registration Is Open at Nova Fencing & Arch

By Nova Fencing & Archery Club
Two young athletes in sport gear: a child fencer in white on the left and a girl drawing a bow in archery on the right, with NOVA Fencing & Archery Club logo

There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.

This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.

Go to Ever Wanted to Duel with a Sword or Hit a Bullseye? Fall Registration Is Open at Nova Fencing & Arch Read more
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