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Business
Battle of NOVA’s sports bars
Who will win? | Photo by NOVAtoday
It’s time to crown the best sports bar in Northern Virginia — and we need your help to do it. We’ll be hosting three rounds of voting to determine our readers’ top pick. While we couldn’t include every sports bar in the region, we’ve selected standout contenders: two each from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Loudoun County.
Cherry blossoms don’t get all of the fun. Netherlands Carillion in Arlington is hosting a Tulip Festival on April 11 from 4 to 9 p.m. and on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with crafts, ranger storytime, night sky viewing, and more. Pack a picnic and enjoy the blooms and fun activities for all ages.
Real Estate
This charming Cape Cod-style home in Reston offers four bedrooms and three and a half baths — all for under $1 million. I can already picture myself unwinding with a good book on the screened-in porch. Plus, it’s just a five-minute drive to a Trader Joe’s. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Open
A spot of tea, anyone? Literally. A DC-based bubble tea shop, Spot of Tea, is now open in Water Park in National Landing. This is the first location in Virginia. For the first month, it’s hosting “Matcha Madness” with fun flavors, scratch cards, and prizes for those who order matcha. (ARLnow)
Shop
From Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, the Bloom Together shopping event takes place along Old Town Alexandria’s King Street. More than 20 stores are participating — collect 10 stamps to be entered to win $500 in gift cards, or 15 stamps for a chance to win up to $1,000. (The Alexandria Brief)
Community
Have opinions regarding Alexandria City High School’s new principal? The community survey for Alexandria City Public Schools’ search for a new high school principal is open through Monday, March 23, giving residents a chance to share their input. The job posting for the position is live for those interested in applying. (ALXnow)
Coming Soon
Middleburg is set to welcome two new dining destinations in fall 2026. A restaurant and speakeasy are taking over the former Fun Shop space. The concept comes from the team behind Hotel Burg, The Huntōn, and The Diana Lounge, which are located in Leesburg. (The Burn)
Plan Ahead
If you’re planning to celebrate cherry blossom season in Alexandria, Old Town is rolling out a lineup of can’t-miss events in the weeks ahead. I’m eyeing the cherry blossom sightseeing cruises.(ALXnow)
Biz
Northern Virginia is getting its first women’s sports bar, as restaurateur Sarah White transforms Westover Taco at 5849 Washington Blvd. into a venue centered on women’s athletics, spotlighting teams like the Washington Mystics and Washington Spirit. (ARLnow)
Drink
Crooked Run Fermentation has filed plans to open a new taproom at 2003 Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria, taking over the former space of beloved dessert shop Dolce & Bean. The applications for the location are pending. (The Alexandria Brief)
Travel
Planning a trip to Florida? Starting Thursday, May 21, Frontier Airlines is adding nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale from Dulles International Airport. You can get a one-way ticket as low as $49. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Edu
Arlington Public Schools is considering adopting new rules and regulations this spring. If approved by the school board on Thursday, March 26, the proposal would introduce an ethics hotline designed to report concerns such as waste, fraud, and abuse. (ARLnow)
Eat
When dinner turns into a staring contest with your fridge, Forkful meals save the night. They’re fully prepared and ready in minutes — with zero seed oils and high-quality proteins. Use code CMD50 to take 50% off your first order.*
Tech
If your computer overheats with a few tabs open or sounds ready for liftoff, the problem might not be your device — it’s likely your antivirus. Many big-name brands are bulky + full of pop-ups. Webroot’s antivirus protection uses 33 times less space and scans up to six times faster. Get protected.*
The Buy
The best Easter eggs and decorations on sale ahead of the holiday. We recently shopped online party supply store Oriental Trading, and it’s got Easter covered — especially if you’re hosting an event on a budget. Check out our faves + use code BCFREESHIP for free shipping on any order:
I’ll be away for a couple of days because I’m going to New York for a long weekend — but don’t worry, NOVAtoday will still land in your inbox as usual. I’m taking the train, and if you’ve been thinking about riding Amtrak, be sure to check out our guide. Make sure to keep an eye out for a first-hand recap of my trip from DC to New York.
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