Daylight Saving Time is around the corner.
The annual time change is set to take place early this coming Sunday, March 10. Clocks will “spring forward” by an hour, thus providing an extra hour of daylight in the evening (but one fewer hour of sleep Sunday).
In a previous ARLnow poll, some 60% of readers said they would like to see Daylight Saving Time be extended throughout the year. Earlier this week, the time change was the second-most popular choice for “Which March thing are you most looking forward to?”
Given the local affinity for the extra hour of daylight, we were wondering what, if anything, readers were planning to do with that extra daytime.
Pick the best answer in the poll below and let us know in the comments if there’s another daylight-enhanced evening activity that you’re even more jazzed about.
It’s March and the month to come is packed with holidays, events and the arrival of spring.
There’s warmer weather, cherry blossoms, Daylight Saving Time, March Madness and St. Paddy’s Day, just to name a few.
Given all that’s to come over the next few weeks, it might be hard to pick just one thing you’re looking forward to — so we’re letting you pick up to three.
Of the following dozen options, what are most looking forward to?
This month’s Mike Mount creation references the ongoing debate over if and how to cull deer in Arlington.
Coincidentally, the Arlington County Civic Federation is holding an online town hall on the topic tonight, from 7-8 p.m. The deer decision has prompted strong feelings among those in favor of a cull, by sharpshooters or otherwise, and those who want non-lethal options.
A deer management reality show, however, might not attract much support. See Mike’s local ‘toons in the ARLnow Press Club weekend edition newsletter.
It’s Valentine’s Day, truly the Super Bowl of the floral and heart-shaped-chocolate-box industries.
Previous ARLnow polls have already established that a strong majority of readers — both single and in a relationship — prefer to stay in rather than go out on V-Day. Today we’re wondering about readers’ Valentine’s Day gift of choice.
Whether you’re more of a gift giver or gift receiver today, what do you typically prefer to give and/or get on Valentine’s Day? Between the two, do you prefer flowers — or food, like the aforementioned chocolate box? (You can use the comment section to brag about getting both.)
Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his stump at Gobbler’s Knob this morning and did not see his shadow — thus predicting an early spring.
The annual Feb. 2 ritual has been taking place about 85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh since the late 19th century. It “has roots in ‘ancient, undoubtedly prehistoric, weather lore,'” according to the Associated Press.
This year’s ceremony can be viewed below.
While Wikipedia argues that Groundhog Day is “based upon a communal light-hearted suspension of disbelief,” and Fox Weather pegs Punxy Phil’s predictive accuracy at just 39%, maybe there’s something to be said for the staying power of a weather-predicting rodent — even one that’s wrong more often than right.
The national media and tens of thousands of groundhog faithful still dutifully converge on Punxsutawney every year. What else in American life that dates back to the 1800s has that kind of draw today, in 2024? Even the World Series, contested since 1903, is a late comer by comparison.
So this morning, on Groundhog Day, we’re asking our well-educated, worldly Arlington readers: despite what the so-called experts might say, do you believe in the groundhog? Maybe just a little?
The New Hampshire primary is today, and Virginia’s presidential primary is six weeks away.
After former president Donald Trump’s record-setting win at the Iowa caucuses, all eyes are on New Hampshire to see if his remaining major opponent, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, can make it a competitive race.
While Trump consolidates support within the party, the Never-Trump faction of the GOP is rallying around Haley. And they might also be secretly hoping to get some help from across the aisle.
Virginia is among a number of states that hold an open primary, meaning that Democrats can vote in the Republican party and vice-versa.
“Virginia is an open primary state meaning that voters do not register by political party,” notes the Arlington County elections website. “Any registered voter is eligible to vote in any primary election. If both the Democratic and Republican parties hold primaries on the same day, voters must choose which party ballot they wish to vote, per Virginia Code § 24.2-530.”
The Democratic race, meanwhile, remains moribund, with challengers to President Biden mostly polling in the single-digits. A non-competitive Democratic race may — in theory, at least — drive a few more voters over to the more dynamic GOP primary, particularly Dems dead set against another Trump presidency.
So whether you vote on Super Tuesday, March 5, or vote early — in-person early voting started Jan. 19 in Arlington and ballot drop boxes opened yesterday — this morning we’re wondering which primary are you planning on voting in?
In case you haven’t heard already, we may be getting snow this weekend.
There’s broad agreement among weather forecasters that a storm is on tap for Saturday into Sunday, though the big debate is how much of the precipitation will fall as snow in the D.C. area. As is often the case, our area is around the predicted transition from snow to rain.
More, below, from the Capital Weather Gang, which has yet to get too excited about the possibility of significant snowfall:
Rain and snow are likely to fall in the D.C. region this weekend, as a significant winter storm impacts much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. In the D.C. area, precipitation could go back and forth from rain to snow during the storm, perhaps mixing with a little sleet. How much snow, and whether it is cold enough for it to accumulate, depends on the exact track of the storm, which is still uncertain.
The storm has the potential to produce anything from mostly rain to shovelable snow across the area, although as of now the odds lean toward more rain than snow. The best chance for accumulating snow is north and west of the District, where temperatures will be the coldest, with decreasing chances to the south and east.
Of course, with a slight change in the track of the storm, we could end up with snowman-worthy accumulation. But the probability of that happening at this point is well below 50%.
Big snowstorm coming?
Perhaps, but not necessarily for the I-95 corridor.
We know:
– there will be a storm off the East Coast
– it will have moisture
– cold air may be iffy/in shorter supplyBasically a 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 chance of big snows NYC/PHL/BWI/DCA. pic.twitter.com/tJUYBuKs13
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) January 1, 2024
Serious uncertainty remains with this weekends storm on track and totals. Areas to the west of the Blue Ridge will likely see snowfall regardless the track of this system.
Here locally, details become difficult. The rain/snow line could cause significant differences in totals.… pic.twitter.com/FjwRXPV7pr
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) January 2, 2024
Given the forecast, and perhaps keeping in mind our area’s propensity for predicted snow storms turning out to be duds, what is your snowfall prediction at this point?
The new year is almost here, and we’ll have a full three-day weekend to enjoy the arrival of 2024.
With a new year comes certain activities and traditions, from meals to visits to sports to resolutions. We’re wondering which ARLnow readers are most looking forward to.
Vote below or let us know in the comments if you have any other traditions in the first day or two of the new year that would have topped your list.
A new year is almost upon us, and it begs the question — will 2024 be a better year than 2023?
Economically, it’s looking like a solid maybe. For the state of the nation during a presidential election — also highly questionable.
But what sort of vibes are you getting, when it comes to how the year will play out for you and yours, personally? Are you optimistic about a better year, or do you think things might take a turn for the worse?
This month’s Mike Mount creation references a very specific driving experience that is unfortunately not uncommon in these parts.
“The constant nails in the tire, thanks to all of the construction and unpoliced construction dumpsters,” Mike said of the topic. “Seems to be a thing for a lot of people I talk to around here.”
See Mike’s local ‘toons in the ARLnow Press Club weekend edition newsletter.
As we have been reporting, local public access station Arlington Independent Media is at a crossroads as it vies for funding from Arlington County and local cable providers.
Despite some internal strife, a bigger force is driving the existential questions around AIM: the ongoing loss of cable TV subscribers known as cord cutting.
Cable providers are losing some 10% of video customers every year, as consumers rely instead on some combination of broadcast TV and streaming. For some, cutting the cord is all about saving on those steep cable bills, while for others it’s simply a matter of not wanting to watch commercial-laden cable channels anymore.
Whatever the case, cord cutting will have notable impacts on everything from cable access channels to local TV news to professional sports teams — which derive significant revenue from cable channels — in the coming years.
Given that, we’re wondering how many readers have decided to cut the cord so far.