News

A year after the passage of Arlington’s “Missing Middle” ordinance last March, the jury is out on the long-term implications of the zoning change.

Challenges include a substantial slowdown in Missing Middle applications and continued opposition from some residents.


Weather

Update at 8:45 p.m. on 3/20/24: Due to the smoke, air quality in Arlington has reached moderately unhealthy levels, according to AirNow.gov.

Update at 5:30 p.m. on 3/20/24: A smoky haze has settled over Arlington amid multiple brush fires in parts of Northern Virginia and West Virginia. Small outdoor fires — mostly mulch fires — have also been reported in Arlington.


News

Governance Change Postmortem –With their dreams of swift legislative action in Richmond quashed, proponents of Arlington governance changes say they’re not backing down in an effort to achieve their goals. ‘We need to regroup,’ former County Board member John Vihstadt said during a March 12 discussion of the matter at the Arlington County Civic Federation.” [Gazette Leader]

More Meter Enforcers? — “Summertime could bring additional Arlington government staff to hunt for expired (or never-paid-at-all) parking meters. The county’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) has proposed the addition of three new traffic-safety-specialist positions, plus an additional supervisor.” [Gazette Leader]


Event

A collaborative Summer Solstice gathering hosted by Inner Seasons and Spiritual Enhancements.

The Summer Solstice marks the peak of the sun’s power, the moment in the Wheel of the Year when light is at its fullest expression. In many traditions, this is the season of radiance, visibility, and creative fire. It is the time when nature stands unapologetically in her fullness, inviting us to do the same.


Around Town

There is a new play area for kids inside Ballston Quarter with plenty of pint-sized attractions.

Located on the first floor of the mall, near the about-to-close Macy’s, Junior Playland has everything from a pink-and-blue carousel to a party room to a make-believe “village” with a hospital, restaurant and police station.


Around Town

A senior at Washington-Liberty High School has been awarded as a “2024 Military Child of the Year.”

Taylor Walsh, the daughter of a Space Force colonel and an Air Force veteran, has been recognized for her resiliency. Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that supports military families, said that despite the frequent deployments, family separations and other hardships of being in a military family, Walsh continues to excel.