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Go green with this local app
A leisurely bike ride through Crystal City can earn you leaves on GetGreen. | Photo via Arlington County
You can help Arlington County reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, all from your phone.
Enter:the GetGreen Arlington app. The county launched the app in late January with the help of environmental education nonprofit EcoAction Arlington to empower residents to take incremental climate action through attainable and engaging challenges.
How does it work?
Once you input your information and set goals for areas of your life you’d like to make greener (like on the job, during transportation and travel, or while dining at local bars or restaurants), you’re met with recommended actions.
Each completed task earns leaves, and each leaf quantifies your energy-saving practices. For example, one leaf is equivalent to emissions from manufacturing 30 single-use coffee cups.
And why not make it a friendly competition? All of your earned leaves are tracked in the GetGreen Arlington Community Team leaderboard — see if you can earn a top spot on the list of supporters as you help bring the county to its goal of 3,000 leaves.
Earn leaves for learning about plans, use county resources, and attending community events.
Graphic by NOVAtoday
Start small and earn leaves through actions like toting reusable shopping bags for a week — or opt for a more involved challenge, like using Arlington County’s lending library for tools or attending a local farmers market. Bonus: The app also gives you actionable advice on participating in many of the county’s green programs, like the Stormwater Utility Credit Program and Car-Free Diet.
After the app
Beyond racking up points for environmentally friendly actions in GetGreen, the county has plenty of ways to help you use less energy.
Friday, April 18 Carlos Mencia | 7 + 9:30 p.m. | Arlington Drafthouse, Arlington | $25+ | Comedian Carlos Mencia is coming to Arlington, serving up laughs as he finds the funny in everyday life and headlines alike.
Saturday, April 19 Yoga in the Galleries | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | $15+ | Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, Arlington | Find your flow in the Tiffany Gallery before flexing your creative muscles in a drawing session.
Sunday, April 20 Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial | 6:30-7:45 a.m. | Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC | Free | Celebrate Easter morning with a special outdoor service at the Lincoln Memorial, a DC tradition.
Tuesday, April 22 Earth Day Island Yoga | 5:30-7 p.m. | Columbia Island Marina, Arlington | $25 | This yoga class will be at Island Time Bar & Grill to celebrate Earth Day. You will also get a beverage of your choice after the class. Make sure to bring your own yoga mat.
Saturday, April 26 The MV Big Flea | 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Mount Vernon Recreation Center, Alexandria | Free | This flea market in Del Ray offers a variety of secondhand items like furniture, home goods, books, and more. After 12:30 p.m., everything is free.
Fairfax HisTree Day | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Historic Blenheim, Fairfax | Free | The city combines Earth Day and living history in this celebration with interactive activities, crafts, presentations, and tours.
Historic Garden Week Old Town Alexandria Tour | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Alexandria Visitors Center, Alexandria | $55+ | This annual tour is your chance to explore private townhomes and secluded gardens along the streets of Old Town Alexandria.
Sunday, April 27 Earth Day Every Day | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lee Heights Shops, Arlington | Free | Celebrate Earth Day locally with live music, kids activities, the Arlington Art Truck, community exhibits, food and drink vendors, and a local art market.
Saturday, May 3 Rec Fest 2025 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Patrick Henry Recreation Center, Alexandria | Free | Connect with the ALX community at this fest filled with games, nature activities, live music, and learn about local ways to get involved.
Have you seen the concept plans for the new waterfront park in Alexandria? Renderings for Point Lumley Park include shady areas, a kayak launch, and plenty of places to sit. The Board of Architectural Review will review the plans on Wednesday, May 7. (Alexandria Living Magazine)
If you’re looking for ways to get moving this spring, why not try a 5K? This list of 5Ks around Northern Virginia will get your blood pumping. The next one is the Arlington Bunny Hop on Sunday, April 26.
Biz
$5.8 million. That’s the contract amount awarded to Hill International, Inc. for the Western Loudoun Recreation Complex coming to the Purcellville area. The indoor rec center and park are slated to open by fall of 2028. (Loudon Now)
Real Estate
An Alexandria estate is listed for $9.95 million. The home might have been George Washington’s hunting lodge — though we doubt the first president enjoyed the heated pool. Take a look. (WTOP)
Plan Ahead
Do you have the need for speed? Head to Gunston Hall on Sunday, April 27 to check out the Britain on the Green car and motorcycle show. There will be over 250 British cars for you to see. (FFX Now)
Coming Soon
A new movie theatre will open next month in Falls Church. Paragon Theaters will bring seven screens and in-theater dining to 112 Founders Ave. by Thursday, May 22. The best part? Free parking. (ARLnow)
Edu
Randomly selected high schools in Fairfax County will take part in a new pilot program designed to increase safety measures. Each week, one school will install an OpenGate weapon detector throughout the school year, starting Monday. (WTOP News)
Ranked
Where do you want to be buried? According to a recent study, Arlington National Cemetery is Virginians’ favorite burial spot. The scenic cherry blossoms and historic monuments also appeal to the living — check out the cemetery’s horticulture tours.
City Guide
City Guide
Plan your next brunch date in NOVA
Our top tip for brunch at Matt and Tony’s: Arrive hungry. | Photo by @ashleydelinay
Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas. We’ve compiled a whole bunch of brunch options in NOVA — whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs or stacked chicken and waffles — along with menu recs, pro tips, and an interactive map to track ‘em.
The CrossOver Bra by Honeylove feels as good as it looks. It’s beautifully made + engineered for real life wear (read: sculpting support without digging in or discomfort).
Next week, we’ll be handing the newsletter over to our local editor Ava. Be sure to say hello!
Today, I want to say thank you again to our editorial launch support group: Brianna Williams, Amelia Grooms, Haley Bartlett, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Madison McMillen, Michael Beausoleil, Shea Stapley, Grace Powers, and Allie Remhof. And behind the scenes — our operations, marketing, and revenue teams, as well as our local readers, friends, and partners, help us keep things working and ensure this newsletter stays free to readers.
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