Get into the fall spirit at National Landing’s can’t-miss Oktoberfest event on Saturday, September 30!

Featuring a traditional Bavarian Steinholding competition, best-dressed contest, lawn games, clove decor for kids, beer and ciders for adults, and live entertainment, this event has pint-sized fun for everyone.

So, break out your lederhosen and enjoy the fall weather celebrating Oktoberfest in National Landing! on Saturday, September 30th!

Secure Your Tickets!

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

This is a guest column by the Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour.

Every September, art lovers roam throughout Arlington County to meet artists in their studios and see their work. The county is dotted with art studios in homes and commercial buildings. One weekend each year, they spark into view.

This year, fifty artists will open their studios to the public free of charge on the weekend of September 23 and 24.

The Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour organizes this artful weekend by publishing a guide showing what’s on view where. Whether you like paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints or jewelry, you can find makers of all those. And this year, makers of furniture and textile artists are present, too.

Anyone can pick their favorite art works now online, find where they’re made on a custom map, and plan a route. Printed guides are now available at art galleries, recreation centers and libraries throughout Arlington. On Saturday, Sept. 23, participating studios in North Arlington will be open to the public; on Sunday, Sept. 24, South Arlington artists will take their turn. Each day studios will open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A special exhibit at Gallery 3700 (3700 S. Four Mile Run Arlington VA 22206) will feature work by the same artists who are participating in the tour. Called AVAST@3700, the show opened on September 9. The opening reception for the tour will also take place at Gallery 3700, from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 22. The show, opening reception and studio tours are all open to the public.

The Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour is a joint effort of independent artists and volunteers, supported by contributors including Schnider Investment Group, Dominion Lighting, Falls Church Art and Frame, Palette 22, and in cooperation with Arlington’s visual art organizations. Click here for detailed information.

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of September 18, there are 145 detached homes, 29 townhouses and 157 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 37 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

• 4765 33rd Street N., 22207 — NOW: $4,445,000 (Reduced $5,000 on 9/15)

• 5643 6th Street N., 22205 — NOW: $1,975,000 (Reduced $20,000 on 9/15)

• 1018 19th Street S., 22202 — NOW: $1,949,900 (Reduced $45,000 on 9/15)

• 3812 N. Richmond Street, 22207 – NOW: $1,390,000 (Reduced $60,000 on 9/14)

• 1300 Crystal Drive #905S, 22202 – NOW: $825,000 (Reduced $15,000 on 9/16)

• 3650 S. Glebe Road #465, 22202 – NOW: $639,000 (Reduced $21,000 on 9/15)

• 2301 25th Street S. #4-404, 22206 – NOW: $423,000 (Reduced $12,000 on 9/15)

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

In two weeks, I’ll be hosting my first ever Ask Eli Home Buyer Workshop, with my business partner Jean Ropp and Loan Officer, Jake Ryon, with First Home Mortgage.

Catering will be provided by our local favorite, Ruthie’s All Day!

The workshop is free and will cover:

• How to use data and strategy to maximize the home purchase process
• How to use market trends to your advantage
• The latest on interest rates and mortgage programs/products
• 5 common mistakes to avoid and some tips for success

Who is it for?

• Any buyer type from first-time buyer to experienced buyers
• Ready to purchase now or planning 18-24 months out
• Home buyers in Northern Virginia, D.C., or the Maryland Suburbs
• You or anybody you know who would benefit

Where and When?

• Tuesday, October 3 from 6-7 p.m.
• Our Ballston office at 4040 N Fairfax Drive 10th Floor, Arlington, VA

Registration is free and is now open — space is limited. Click on the event graphic to RSVP. Bring your appetite and your home buying questions!

I’d love to see you there. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions about the event.

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10CA

Auxmite Village Condos, located at 1100 S. Highland Street, currently has only two remaining townhouse-style affordable dwelling units (ADUs) for sale.

The sizes of the two bedrooms range from 913 to 948 square feet.

The units are listed for $369,301, and the monthly condo fee is $169, which will vary year to year based on HOA assessments. You can purchase parking separately for $25,000.

This is first-come-first-serve. Act fast!

Eligibility criteria include:

You must also be a first-time homebuyer with no homeownership or real estate interest within the past three years.

To apply, submit a homebuyer assessment form, complete a Virginia Housing First-Time Buyer Class and get mortgage pre-approval. Email these materials to the Arlington County Housing Division at [email protected] to start the process.

For more information on Arlington’s affordable housing units, visit the Arlington County Housing Division website.

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Janice Chen, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

Today, we begin a new series here at Statutes of Liberty, in which we interview professionals in our field to provide our readers with varying perspectives on what it is like to work in the immigration system.

For our first installment — Meet Your New Immigration Lawyer — we’re pleased to introduce Austen P. Soare, Esq., the new attorney at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC. A Q&A between Mr. Soare and the pointy-headed boss James Montana follows here.

Montana: Hi, Austen. You have an unusual last name. How do you pronounce it?

Soare: Sir-RAY.

Montana: Did your new boss mispronounce it repeatedly during the interview process and for your first two days on the job?

Soare: I have no regrets about accepting this job offer and am excited to work at the firm.

Montana: Why on earth did you become an immigration lawyer?

Soare: I enjoy helping people from a variety of backgrounds. I find myself learning a great deal from different sorts of people, and enjoy the broad array of cases that immigration law has to offer. I find it fulfilling to help people to pursue their dreams and goals, and finding ways to realize them.

Montana: What makes practicing immigration law different from other specialties?

Soare: I previously worked with criminal defense attorneys when I was a law student. In specialties like criminal defense, you see a lot of similar cases; in immigration law, the variety is endless. For example, every asylum case presents a completely different life story. Telling that story, as part of the process of seeking relief, is an exciting way to practice law.

Montana: Before you came to the lovely premises of The Law Offices of James Montana, what did you do for a living?

Soare: I worked at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. There, I dealt mainly with pro bono cases, naturalization, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) cases. It was a wonderful nonprofit to work at, with a strong educational component. I enjoyed it very much, and it led me to continue working in the field.

Montana: If you could tell our intelligent and thoughtful readers one thing about immigration law that they ought to know, what would it be?

Soare: There are many forms of relief, some of which are not always obvious. It’s important to speak to an attorney before concluding that you don’t have any options. Where one avenue appears closed, another may open. There is no substitute for expertise.

Montana: Do you have any advice for law students who are considering becoming immigration lawyers?

Soare: Find volunteer work in the field. Nonprofits are always looking for smart young people who want to volunteer their time. Seek out coursework in immigration law. Stay up to date on the news — DACA litigation just took a turn yesterday! — and learn everything you can. Immigration is a great field to pursue.

Montana: Are you accepting new clients?

Soare: Yes.

Montana: How can they reach you?

Soare [audibly groaning]: I can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 571-562-5003.

Welcome to the firm, Austen!

As always, we welcome your comments and will do our best to respond.

This article was written by Adam Henry, CEcD, EDP, Senior Business Development Manager for Arlington Economic Development.

Last week, Arlington Economic Development (AED) in partnership with the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, American Real Estate Partners and Unstuck Labs celebrated the grand opening of Unstuck Labs’ pop-up studio in Rosslyn. This innovative partnership along with support from AED’s Arlington Innovation Fund’s Ecosystem Support Fund will help support new startups in the studio and host weekly events for companies and entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate.

Unstuck Labs is an award-winning digital agency, venture-building studio, and hyperlearning community based in Arlington. Founded by a team of career professionals turned entrepreneurs, Unstuck Labs helps early-stage startups and innovation programs to validate ideas, build products, and launch ventures. Unstuck Labs offers a range of services, including mobile and web development, branding and marketing, pitch decks and fundraising, and advisory and mentoring. Unstuck Labs also runs a 12-week startup studio program that provides hands-on support, deliverables, and perks to selected founders.

In April 2023, the Arlington County Board approved $1 million in funding for the Arlington Innovation Fund. The new program is comprised of two components — Catalyst Grants and the Ecosystem Support Fund.

AIF’s Catalyst Grants help increase funding for early-stage technology startups through technical assistance and non-dilutive, co-investment grants from $25,000 up to $50,000. Applications for the Catalyst Grants will open in the coming weeks, those interested in the program can sign up to receive updates as they are announced.

The Ecosystem Support Fund is a discretionary tool for Arlington Economic Development to support local and regional programming and strategic initiatives focused on advancing the local and regional technology ecosystem.

Arlington Economic Development is excited about its first strategic investment with Unstuck Labs to fuel innovation and boost local entrepreneur programming and networking in Arlington. Investments like these will drive entrepreneurial activity in Arlington and illustrate the community’s support for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of September 11, there are 147 detached homes, 27 townhouses and 1596condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 27 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

• 3114 1st Street N., 22201 — NOW: $2,595,000 (Reduced $50,000 on 9/6)

• 1508 N. Ohio Street, 22205 — NOW: $1,490,000 (Reduced $59,900 on 9/9)

• 1306 S. Kenmore Circle, 22204 — NOW: $1,349,900 (Reduced $50,000 on 9/9)

• 2200 N. Pollard Street, 22207 — NOW: $1,199,000 (Reduced $51,000 on 9/8)

• 900 N. Madison Street, 22205 — NOW: $1,070,000 (Reduced $110,000 on 9/8)

• 5943 2nd Street S., 22204 — NOW: $755,000 (Reduced $20,000 on 9/8)

• 900 N. Stafford Street #22225, 22203 — NOW: $739,000 (Reduced $36,000 on 9/6)

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: In the six months since Arlington passed Missing Middle, what have you seen and what do you think of it?

Answer: It’s been about six months since Arlington passed the Expanded Housing Options (EHO) aka Missing Middle (MM) zoning changes, allowing the construction of 2-6 unit properties on lots that were previously zoned exclusively for single-family homes. There has been much excitement and angst about it changing the fabric of our community, but it seems to me that the outcome will be much milder than many people expect. Unfortunately (or not?), it seems like it won’t go far enough to make the proponents happy but goes far enough to make the opponents angry.

For those who want more of an introduction to Missing Middle, you can read my initial thoughts on MM from March. This week, I’ll share an assortment of thoughts and observations I’ve gathered over the last few months while I try to better understand what MM means for Arlington. I’ll caveat the entire column saying that MM is all very new, very much undeveloped, and we probably won’t understand where and how it will be most utilized for another 4-5 years.

Don’t Expect Floodgates to Open

More than a dozen Missing Middle applications were submitted during the first week the County opened applications (on July 1), but according to Arlington’s application tracker, there are currently 22 applications submitted and under review and 5 applications approved. I consider this to be a modest pace of applications, suggesting there’s not a huge appetite yet to build Missing Middle. I’ve run at least a dozen scenarios with builders and architects and have mostly found that the numbers don’t make sense or that the margins are too tight to justify given the risk of the unknowns (outsale prices/demand, permits, lawsuit, etc).

Initially, I expected MM to add significant value to many older, smaller Arlington homes right away and cause a bit of a frenzy in the marketplace. The limitations of the new zoning code coupled with uncertainties about market demand for MM products and the County’s permit process seem to have kept, from my observations, developers and investors from paying a premium for tear-down homes intended for Missing Middle development (the pending lawsuit is also a significant factor).

Based on my conversations, it seems that the approach many are taking is to apply a similar valuation to an acquisition as they would for single-family development so there’s a safe exit if the Missing Middle project doesn’t work out or the lawsuit prevents further development. Each investor will evaluate potential MM deals differently, but it seems unlikely, for now, that we’ll see a frenzy of buying at a premium over previous tear-down valuations. There will of course be exceptions for certain lots that set-up perfectly for MM.

Applications Don’t Mean Much

So far, all we’ve seen are applications for Missing Middle construction not actual construction, but it’s important to understand that applications, even the five approved applications, are a small first step towards delivering a Missing Middle project. The County does not charge an application fee and the requirements for an application are simple:

• Floor plans
• Building elevations
• Existing property plat and building location survey
• Proposed property plat and building location survey
• Landscaping and/or tree preservation plans

I think that many approved applications won’t get any further, especially after going through Arlington’s ever-changing Land Disturbance Activity (LDA) and Stormwater requirements (this comes after the MM application gets approved), which adds a lot of cost and complexity to construction projects in Arlington and hamper profitability.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the owners are hoping to sell their home with an approved Missing Middle application and set of plans, but don’t intend on actually building it themselves. That means they may not have done a true cost/profit analysis to determine if MM is financially viable or more profitable that a single-family development, so they might not get built.

One question I have for the County is that, given the limits on the number of applications they’ll allow each year, how will they clean out the application pool of applicants who decide not to build, sit on their application, or get stuck in the application process?

Read More

Under the direction of Music Director James Ross, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2023-2024 season and 80th anniversary celebration on September 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center!

The season and celebration continue on October 1, at 3:00 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

The program entitled “ASO at 80-oh!” opens with Toast, an original commissioned piece featuring composer Lester Green at the keyboard leading into Quinn Mason’s Toast of the Town with full orchestra.

The program includes two masterworks: Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Elissa Lee Koljonen as soloist. Hailed for her sensual and personal playing, Koljonen has graced the stages of prominent venues throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Elissa Lee Koljonen appears by arrangement with the Curtis Institute of Music.

Both venues provide free parking. Season subscriptions and single tickets are on sale. Subscription packages start at $86 for five concerts; adult prices for single tickets start at $20 with $5 for youth (18 and under) and $15 for students. Military, senior and group discounts are also available.

Children’s National Hospital will host the annual Race for Every Child on Saturday, October 21 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., and virtually.

Funds raised from the 5K and Kids Dash benefit Children’s National patients and families. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Children’s National relies on donations to make world-class care and research possible. The event has raised more than $11.4 million since 2013.

Sam, who had heart surgery as a baby at the hospital, now plans to run the 5K for the 11th year. His parents, Taryn and Eric, are co-chairs of the Race. “We wanted to do everything we could to help this amazing hospital who helped us,” Taryn says.

Register for free to support kids in the community like Sam.