The Clarendon neighborhood is made up of about 7,000 residents, with the median age being 34. | Photo via NOVAtoday
Hey, NOVA. Newsletter Editor Ava Wojnowski here, back with another afternoon (+ evening) adventure in Northern Virginia. This time, I took a stroll through the vibrant Clarendon neighborhood in Arlington — and trust me, there’s plenty to see, sip, and savor.
Seating is easy to find at this popular café, with options on the patio, upstairs, and downstairs. | Photo via NOVAtoday
One of my favorite places to hang out is Northside Social Coffee + Wine. It’s truly one of those jack of all trades establishments where you can order a coffee, a sandwich, or a glass of wine. I’m often here writing the newsletter while grabbing a coffee and a breakfast sandwich.
Some highlights include:
Board game Mondays, which commence at 7:30 p.m., but it’s asked that you arrive at 7 p.m. You just need to make a minimum of a $10 purchase to play.
🕺 Tell us which evening plan most matches your vibe:
A. The laid-back crew who loves cracking open a cold one and getting competitive over board games at The Board Room. B. The dessert-loving squad ready to treat themselves to some handcrafted scoops at Nicecream. C. The music-loving group looking to vibe out and dance the night away to live tunes at O’Sullivan’s.
2025 NOVA Running Club 5K | 6:30 p.m. | Bluemont Park, Arlington | $25 | Put your running skills to the test and seize the opportunity — online registration is closed, but in-person registration is available.
Spanish Conversation at Courthouse | 6-7 p.m. | Courthouse Library, Arlington | Free | Practice your Spanish in a fun, informal setting with fellow community members.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Pups in the Pavilion | 5-7:30 p.m. | Reston Town Center, Reston | Free | Bring your pup for a pop-up dog park with local vendors, giveaways, and more.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Beginners Latin Dance Class | 4-5:30 p.m. | Lubber Run Community Center, Arlington | Free | Learn the basic steps of Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and Bachata.
Friday, Aug. 22
Live Standup Comedy with Anthony DeVito | 8-10 p.m. | Crystal City Sports Pub, Arlington | $18+ | Join fellow comedy lovers for a night of laughs with DeVito, a seasoned performer who’s appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Comedy Central.
Luna Hall, a food hall located in DC + Maryland, has officially launched in Tysons with both a Tous les Jours and a Dumpling District location. Located at 8201 Greensboro Dr., this new food hall will be adding more spots, including Takumi and Pelicana Korean Fried Chicken. (FFXnow)
Transit
The arrival of the 8000-series rail fleet is getting closer, with 80 railcars expected to be in service by 2028. Right now, Metro is inviting the public to vote on the final design of the cars. Which of the three options do you prefer? You have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, to cast your vote.
Plan Ahead
Aslin Beer Company celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 3 to 9 p.m. Your ticket gets you access to live music, comedians, food, and of course, beer. Early bird tickets are $40 through Monday, Sept. 1. (ALXnow)
Opening
Dano’s Granola, originally located in Chantilly, will now call Reston home. Saturday, Sept. 6, will be the grand opening of this storefront located at 11495 Sunset Hills Rd. The new spot is about 2,000 sqft, whereas the original location was only 650 sqft. (FFXnow)
Festival
A free music festival is coming to Del Ray to benefit Wilderness Kids Alexandria, which provides after-school programs to local middle schoolers. On Sunday, Sept. 28, hear the tunes of various local artists, including MAYSUNS and the Derds. (ALXnow)
Pets
Have complaints about dog licensing in Arlington?The process recently moved fully online, eliminating the need for in-person visits. However, it remains a two-step system with wait times between stages. The city aims to streamline it further, allowing users to complete everything in one go for a faster, more efficient experience. (ARLnow)
Try This
Alexandria + Old Town Farmers’ Market is looking for volunteers to help with its Bike for Good program. You would make food deliveries, with food from local farmers, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to older adults and those in need of food. (ALXnow)
Cause
The Virginia Lottery’s mission has one focus: giving back to Virginia public schools. Since 1999, all Lottery profits — totaling more than $12 billion — have gone to support local students and teachers in grades K-12. Follow the money.*
Wellness
Support your liver’s daily grind with Dose. This orange juice-flavored shot blends curcumin, milk thistle, ginger, and dandelion root into a vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free formula. Try Dose for 30% off — your liver will thank you later.*
Learn
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Learn AI skills in three minutes a day with Superhuman AI newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
Yesterday was the start of construction and updates to the Franconia Rec Center in Alexandria. Make sure to check out the post to see the timeline for expected closures during the construction period.
For the gym: Shop this strappy sports bra for a cute, ribbed look that’s non-padded and stretchy for extra comfort. For v-necks: This best-selling deep v bra features no underwire, seamless edges, and a material that’s soft on skin. For tees: Calvin Klein’s Invisibles comfort bralette is made from soft and smooth microfiber and is lightly lined for coverage.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
We recently shared how The Board Game Bar + Brewery teamed up with the Animal Welfare League to feature photos of local pets on their beer cans. See which animals won.
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