Around Town

Booths run by some of Arlington’s youngest entrepreneurs will be setting up at the Arlington County Fair this weekend, selling crafts, food and more.

Kids Markets will be hosting two kid-run markets on Saturday and Sunday at the fair, setting up booths in the upper field with goods such as jewelry, arts and crafts, crocheted items and fidget toys. Vendors aged 5-17 will be setting prices, handling transactions and pocketing their profits.


Around Town

A mainstay Arlington restaurant is celebrating 25 years operating its dog and cat rescue shelter.

Lost Dog Cafe, the Westover-based pizza and sandwich spot, has helped more than 50,000 dogs and cats find homes since it launched the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in August 2001, co-founder Pam McAlwee told ARLnow.


Events

A pop-up book sale with live music and deals at local businesses is happening in Crystal City this week.

Stalls selling over 5,000 donated books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl records, all for under $8, will be set up in the courtyard between the Grace and Reva buildings at 19th Court S. from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday.


Around Town

A rotating exhibit of art pieces from the Arlington Artists Alliance is coming to an American restaurant in Clarendon through a new partnership.

Westville will be hosting a reception for the new project from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. The exhibit, which is expected to change on a quarterly basis, will feature works available for purchase that are aligned with the restaurant’s earthy aesthetic and veggie-forward menu.


News

Arlington leaders are still working through the implications of a change to state law making it easier for religious organizations to build affordable housing.

The Faith in Housing Act removes some, but not all, local regulatory approval for affordable housing constructed on land owned by nonprofit organizations, including religious groups. Despite some concerns from various local governments around the commonwealth, the measure had the backing of Democrats in the General Assembly and ultimately was signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).


Around Town

An Arlington nonprofit that hosts dance lessons and community events plans to celebrate the grand opening of a new dance hall this weekend.

Inspira Dance is opening this Saturday on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd, across from Onelife Fitness. The nonprofit — previously operating as an event pop-up at various local businesses — has planned a lineup of dancing activities throughout the night to celebrate the new space, starting with a bachata class at 7 p.m.


News

The Arlington Community Foundation “Holiday Wish Catalog” needs a final push to break last year’s giving total.

Just over $170,000 had been donated in support of safety-net providers through today (Tuesday). In 2024, the effort raised $176,000, “so there is a real chance to top that,” foundation officials said.


Around Town

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, an international day of donations that many nonprofits rely on for an end-of-year fundraising bump.

Arlington County is home to numerous nonprofits that depend on local residents’ donations, including over 200 community organizations listed on a county directory. Below is a selection of some noteworthy groups — selected based on a recent ARLnow Readers’ Choice poll and other sources — to consider contributing to this year.


News

The construction phase of a project bringing a new group home for adults with intellectual disabilities to the Reeves Farmhouse is expected to begin soon.

A year after the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and HomeAid National Capital Region broke ground on the historic structure at 400 N. Manchester Street in October last year, HomeAid and the construction company Toll Brothers announced that they’re ready to start work on the next stage.


News

Arlington County is sending $350,000 to the county’s largest food pantry in response to possible disruptions in food aid for thousands of residents.

The funding transfer is intended to expand the Arlington Food Assistance Center’s capacity to help the roughly 10,000 local residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is expected to go on pause beginning Saturday because of the government shutdown.


Around Town

An Arlington man is preparing to scale the highest peak in Africa with a prosthetic leg, aiming to fundraise for clean water and inspire other amputees.

Jacob Rainey, who walks with an artificial right leg, is embarking on a seven-day, 43-mile challenge to hike Mount Kilimanjaro this February. Alongside a group including veterans and former athletes, he is raising funds for Waterboys, a clean water advocacy initiative by former NFL defensive end Chris Long.


News

An Arlington artist with a growing involvement in civic life is planning a new project in the aftermath of Arlington Independent Media’s demise.

Wilson Bender — the Penrose-based satirist behind numerous posters poking fun at local public figures, a new zine about life in Arlington, and a pop-up art studio in Clarendon and Courthouse — has announced plans to launch “Arlington Autonomous Media,” an independently funded Roku channel with a focus on local happenings and political commentary.


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