Arlington Magazine Issue - Arlington Magazine

Cycling as Therapy

Biking propelled me through a cold, dark, Covid winter. It was a life-changing gift.

Time to Undo Those Pandemic Bad Habits

Life during Covid gave rise to all kinds of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Which ones do we need to unlearn?

Her Neighbors Needed Help. This Mother of Four Stepped Up.

Mariflor Ventura has coordinated assistance for more than 100 families hit hard by the pandemic.

Knitting for Stress Relief

When her daughter was hospitalized, Carol Caparosa took up knitting. Now, her nonprofit teaches it to others as a form of therapy.

Extraordinary Teen Awards 2021

Their pandemic senior year was anything but ordinary—which makes these new graduates all the more extraordinary.

A Musical Mystery Tour

People were missing live music. So Justin Trawick and his band started performing socially distanced sets in surprise locations.

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Father Figures

A meditation on fatherhood.

The Black Women Code Breakers of Arlington Hall Station

Their top-secret unit played a critical role during World War II.

Picture-Perfect Patios

Looking to upgrade your outdoor entertainment space? Here's some inspiration.

The Other Ocean City

Make plans to visit this family-friendly beach town in New Jersey.

The Book Bus Delivers

The "Pajama Mama" is on a mission to spread the joy of reading to all.

Great Spaces: A Double-Island Family Kitchen

This remodel dispenses with formality. Bye-bye unused dining room. Hello, bigger kitchen.

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The Detective’s Notebooks

Jim Irving kept notes from his days as a private eye. Forty years later, he published his first novel.

Get These Burgers While They’re Hot

Gee Burger, a pandemic pop-up, gets the thumbs up from our dining critic. But the concept may not be here to stay.

No Note, No Explanation

Suicide rates are rising, and the pain of the pandemic put more people at risk. Talking about it matters.

“Love, From Your Muslim Neighbors”

How a group of friends is tackling hunger, one home-cooked meal at a time.

She Took a Gap Year and Became a Princess

During the pandemic, Eva Gary's company, Princess Wish Parties, kept the magic alive for kids.

Making Friends With Whiskey

Scott Sklar's outdoor happy hours have brought all kinds of people together.

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She Believed Black History Could Be Taught Better

So she wrote a curriculum that's now offered in more than a dozen Virginia school districts.

Letter from the Publisher

Turning a Corner

8 New Restaurants That Opened During the Pandemic

They're worth a visit, and our dining critic has a few suggestions about what to order.

Where There’s a Need, There’s a Free Yard Sale

Spring is here and the Green Valley Free Community Yard Sale is back.

The Urban Farmhouse Has a New Owner

Sarah Allen is putting her stamp on the Bluemont boutique.

Shop Local: Karina Gaull Handbags

Choose your fabrics and patterns, and zip it good!

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Put Stracci Pizza on Your List

Former Vermilion chef Tom Cardarelli is making Roman-style pies from a tricked out trailer.

“We’ve All Been Through It This Year”

Survival stories and silver linings from one of the restaurant industry's toughest years ever.

Track Record

Before the Pentagon was built, gamblers went there to bet on horses and hot rods.

The Front Porch Project

How photographer Sarah Goldman got to know her new neighbors while raising money for local nonprofits.

Shop Local: Tulusa

Brighten your days with block-printed pillows, table linens and wearable art.

Written in Arlington

April is National Poetry Month. This anthology features works by 87 hometown writers.

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Great Spaces: Kitchen Electric

A tiny kitchen with a big personality.

Belonging to America

Spring break, 1991. It was one of the worst moments of my life. And also one of the best.

A Home That’s Luxe and Loungy

Their first two home makeovers played it safe. They were boring. Third time's a charm.

Solace in A Minor

WETA radio host James David Jacobs has known tragedy and triumph. Music is his constant.

Shop Local: Art by Alanna Rivera

The Arlington painter specializes in portraits of families, pets, home exteriors and more.

The House of Four Pavilions

This ultra-modern Arlington home is all about windows and light. And it challenges the conventional wisdom about floor plans.

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Cocktail Kits, Anyone?

Shake up some mighty fine drinks at home with these DIY kits designed by professional mixologists.

A Dream Home That Feels Like New England

The owners of this McLean beauty went for shingle-style architecture and whimsical furnishings.

Shop Local: Scout & Indiana

Emily Ullo Steigler's creative wearables include fun kids' clothes and personalized denim jackets.

Alonso Abugattas is a Natural Treasure

Arlington's natural resources manager knows the local flora and fauna. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Letter from the Publisher

The Missing Middle

Letter from the Publisher

Neighborhoods We Love

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The Missing Middle

Escalating home prices have shut middle-class buyers out of Arlington's real estate market. Is there a solution?

Love Notes for Teachers

A middle-school student's small acts of kindness speak volumes.

Top Real Estate Producers 2021

Looking to buy or sell a house? Here are the top producing residential agents and teams in Arlington, McLean and Falls Church.

Pierogies, Please

Zofia's Kitchen specializes in both traditional and creative versions of the Polish comfort food.

Preservation Biscuit is Coming to Falls Church

Get ready for housemade biscuits, fried chicken, sausage gravy and seasonal jams.

Home Sales Trends in 400+ Neighborhoods

The local real estate market is on fire. See which areas are selling fastest and commanding top dollar in our expanded real estate guide.

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Washington’s Diaries and Lincoln’s Pockets

Tom Albro has helped preserve many a U.S. president's personal keepsakes.

Island in the Stream

Theodore Roosevelt Island's 88 acres are packed with wild history.

Bluey the Parakeet: A Love Story

A boy and his bird are reunited with a little help from a kind neighbor.

Gelato With a Mission

Amore Congelato serves up artisanal cups and cones with messages about social justice.

Great Spaces: Small and Smart

Eclectic furnishings and cool art make this living/dining space both functional and personal.

This Home Makeover Is a Home Run

A redesign for a baseball-loving family includes subtle references to America's favorite pastime.

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An American Dream

At 23, Sonia Nga Johnston arrived on U.S. soil with little more than the clothes on her back. Today she's a bank president.

Visionary Thinking

Jennifer Bethel has been legally blind since birth. It didn't stop her from becoming an award-winning graphic designer.

Shop Local: Tried & Truhn Ceramics

Let Victoria Truhn make your favorite coffee mug or ice cream bowl.

The Other Epidemic

I'm a fifth-generation addict. I'm more than a statistic.

The Other Epidemic

I'm a fifth-generation addict. I'm more than a statistic.

6 Winter (and Spring!) Resorts to Put on Your Radar

You don't have to ski to enjoy these ski resorts. Put them in your idea file for your next trip.

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Letter from the Publisher

Silver Linings

A 21st-Century One-Room Schoolhouse

An Arlington 8-year-old needed a place to concentrate in the time of Covid. More than 25 neighbors donated materials for her rainbow classroom.

A Makeup Artist’s Tricks of the Trade

Give your look a refresh with these tips from beauty expert Sharon Macorol.

What to Do with Old Crayons

A local mom is melting and resurrecting them into new shapes for kids in need of art supplies.

These Hot Cocoas Are the Bomb

Order them from F&R Sweets, a confectionary venture started by two Wakefield High School seniors.

Rocks of Love

They started painting rocks for fun. Now their stoop is a neighborhood attraction.

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Best of Arlington 2021

Times are tough, but there's still lots to love and celebrate in our hometown, including these reader and editor favorites.

Great Spaces: A Heavenly Ceiling

This great room takes exquisite carpentry to new heights.

Buy a Juice, Donate Produce

South Block's Fruitful Planet initiative is tackling food insecurity.

Shop Local: All That Yazz

Yasmine Bandali-Alvarado's artisanal soaps have an eco-mission.

6 Spots for Winter Stargazing

These dark places offer ample views of the night sky, away from the urban glare.

The Pastor and the Pandemic

Glen Evans would rather be in Honduras. Even with the threat of Covid.

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Dragonfly Spies

Is it an insect? Or a drone? If you're near CIA headquarters you can't be too sure.

Cooler Than Your Average Townhouse

Retro-industrial accents and modern furnishings give this end unit the feeling of an urban loft.

Covid’s Ripple Effects

These area residents didn't become sick from the coronavirus, but their lives were changed by it.

Rethinking the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Here's a new way to enjoy this fall tradition: Break it down.

Hip-Hop for Cello

Ever heard The Weeknd on strings? Meet Arlington musician and TikTok sensation Andrew Savoia.

Shop Local: HB Fiori

Order Hermon Black's stunning arrangements to brighten someone's day—or your holiday table.

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13.1 Miles Toward Social Justice

This half marathon fundraiser focused on more than fitness. The training included conversations about race.

Top Dentists

Looking for an outstanding oral surgeon, dentist or orthodontist? Here are our area's most respected dental health experts, as nominated by their professional peers.

Race and Rebuilding

Arlington is proudly progressive, yet its schools, neighborhoods and police records tell a different story about race. Where do we go from here?

To Beirut, With Love

Lebanese Taverna supports relief efforts with hummus sales.

Touch and Go

My place of employment is open now, but I'm not there. None of the choices feel good.

American Barbecue With Asian Flavors? Yes, Please.

Wild Tiger is a pop-up concept that's not to be missed.

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Do You Like to Doodle?

Illustrator Zara Gonzalez Hoang does. And she's got a new book out, along with downloadable drawing activities for kids.

Shop Local: Soultry

Khadeejah Honesty's travel-inspired statement jewelry will take you places.

Getting Scrappy

Arlingtonians donated hundreds of yards of fabric for a community art project. None of it went to waste.

Great Spaces: A Room of Many Uses

A tired den is transformed to offer greater functionality—and style.

Advocating for At-Risk Kids During a Pandemic

Volunteers with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program have gotten creative.

He Turns Fallen Trees Into Heirloom Furniture

Jeff Spugnardi's pieces are one-of-a-kind and built to last.

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A Little City T-Shirt With a Big Impact

Sales of the "Falls Church, Better Together" shirts have helped local businesses and families.

The Post-Pandemic House

Will Covid-19 change our definitions of home and the design features we want? We asked experts to weigh in.

Her Restaurant Is Like Family. Its Fate Hangs in the Balance.

For Fava Pot owner Dina Daniel, the pandemic has brought heartbreaking choices, and optimism.

When Baseball Was Segregated

Arlington's Black baseball clubs drew crowds in the first half of the 20th century.

Where Arlington’s Class of 2020 Applied to College and Got In

Here are the numbers, as reported by graduating seniors.

Kids Were Hungry. This Café Stepped Up.

Good Company Doughnuts has provided more than 3,000 free meals to school-age kids since March.

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Organizing For Change

Anika and Yolande Kwinana planned several Black Lives Matter protests this summer in Arlington. Now they're turning the conversation to policing.

Take Me To the River

Situated on a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, this vacation home has wraparound views.

The 230-Year Old Piece of History in the Backyard

Ten of D.C.'s original boundary stones are in Arlington, Falls Church and McLean.

Great Spaces: Feels Like Wine Country

These outdoor spaces evoke the aesthetic of Napa and Sonoma.