Washington

It’s a homecoming for new Washington-Liberty girls soccer coach | ARLnow.com

Published

1 year ago

January 25, 2025

It’s a homecoming for new Washington-Liberty girls soccer coach | ARLnow.com

Mike Woods is coming home, where there is so much longstanding family history.

The 1986 graduate of Washington-Liberty High School (then named Washington-Lee) recently was named the new head girls varsity soccer coach for the upcoming spring season.

Woods played for the boys varsity soccer team when he attended W-L. His father also attended the school, his mother worked there for many years, and his sister was on the girls gymnastics team for head coach Joe D’Emidio, who still coaches that unit.

Also, back in 1992, Woods helped out a bit coaching the W-L girls soccer team.

“I’m excited and pumped up to be going back. It’s a different and great new challenge and is really special,” Woods told ARLnow. “I still have my Washington-Lee soccer jersey [No. 6] from when I played. I’ve always been a big promoter of high-school soccer.”

Since graduating for W-L, Woods has remained heavily involved in the sport, as he has continued to live in Arlington. He played on the club team at the University of Virginia during his time at the school, then in adult leagues afterward. He’s had four sons who have played high-school soccer in Arlington for the Yorktown Patriots.

“I rooted for my sons and Yorktown teams, now I will be coaching against Yorktown,” said Woods, who as a youth swam for the Arlington Forest Tigers summertime team of the Northern Virginia Swimming League.

Woods also has been a longtime coach of Arlington youth soccer for girls and boys teams, on many levels and of all ages. For some 25 years, he coached many of the players who went on to play on the girls and boys high-school teams in Arlington.

Woods, 56, estimates he’s coached 60% of the players who will be members of this spring’s Washington-Liberty girls squad.

Some parents of those players encouraged him to apply for the W-L job.

I’m hooked on soccer and love it,” Woods said. “It’s my hobby. I enjoy seeing players develop.”

The new coach takes over a team that will be the defending Liberty District tournament champion, with a number of top players returning from that squad. He said his style of play will be a ball-possession game on offense.

The spring season begins for Woods and Washington-Liberty on Thursday, March 20 with a home game against the Annandale Atoms in non-district action.

Dave Facinoli grew up in Prince George’s County, Md. and attended Friendly High School. After attending Prince’s George Community College and James Madison University, where he covered sports on both college papers, he launched a local newspaper career that included roles as the sports editor of the Alexandria Gazette, the Arlington Sun Gazette and GazetteLeader, and other local papers.

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Washington

Tulip Day Washington draws buzz as sign-up site goes down

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

WASHINGTON – Coming up this month, spring’s most colorful new event: Tulip Day Washington.

What we know:

On March 15, 2026, Tulip Day Washington will transform DC’s National Mall into a vibrant tulip-picking garden beautiful views of U.S. Capitol

This one-day event will take place from 11:15 AM – 4:15 PM, offering a floral showcase of approximately 150,000 tulips; visitors are invited to pick their choice of 10 tulips for free upon arrival.

Dig deeper:

The registration site for Tulip Day is currently down, showing users “This site is currently unavailable. If you’re the owner of this website, please contact your hosting provider to get this resolved.”

Users on social media say the event may be sold out.

Check tulipday.eu for updates.

The backstory:

The event is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and Royal Anthos, a Dutch trade association, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The display of tulips will be in the shape of the number 250.

The bulbs come from the Netherlands, but are being grown in Virginia and New Jersey.

These won’t be the first tulips on the National Mall, however. The Floral Library, also known as the Tulip Library, features 93 beds of flowers near the Tidal Basin. The Floral Library was established in 1969, and is maintained by the National Park Services. These flowers, though, are to be enjoyed only – not to be picked.

Things To Do in the DMVNewsWashington, D.C.

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Washington

PHOTOS: Long Beach State Dirtbags vs. Washington State, Baseball

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

PHOTOS: Long Beach State Dirtbags vs. Washington State, Baseball

The562’s coverage of Dirtbags Baseball for the 2026 season is sponsored by P2S, Inc. Visit p2sinc.com to learn more.

Long Beach State dropped a 9-7 decision against Washington State on Sunday afternoon, closing out a busy weekend on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

The visiting Cougars took the lead for good in the eighth inning when Long Beach Poly grad Ryan Skjonsby delivered a game-winning two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded. Skjonsby was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs for Washington State in their road victory.

For the Dirtbags, catcher Damon Valdez scored twice and had a key two-run single in the sixth to help lead a Long Beach comeback. Trevor Goldenetz had a pair of hits at the top of the order, including an RBI triple. Camden Gasser walked twice and singled, improving his on-base percentage to .574 on the season.

Long Beach State (4-7) will be back in action at home on Tuesday with an exhibition match against Waseda University from Japan. The Dirtbags will then visit San Diego State on Wednesday and open Big West play at UC Santa Barbara this weekend.

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Washington

Week Ahead in Washington: March 1

Published

2 days ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Operation “Epic Fury” — the weekend military operations carried out by the U.S. and Israel against targets in Iran — tops the agenda for Congress as lawmakers return to Washington.

Sunday, President Donald Trump said the new leadership in Iran wants to talk to the Trump Administration.

Democrats in both chambers called for Congress to return as soon as possible for classified briefings on Iran, followed by a move to vote on the War Powers Act. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war on another country.

Congress’ return to Washington was originally delayed due to the start of the 2026 midterm elections cycle.

Tuesday, voters in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas head to the polls for primary elections.

North Carolina and Texas are drawing significant attention, as both states are facing congressional redistricting and competitive primary races for Senate seats.

In Texas, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) is facing primary challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing state Rep. James Talarico.

In North Carolina, candidates are vying to replacing retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R) . They include former Governor Roy Cooper (D) and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.

Also this week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson is laid to rest. He will be honored Wednesday in Washington before a final memorial service Saturday. Jackson died Feb. 17.

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