Dedicated to early childhood development, Little Ambassadors’ Academy provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow through discovery.
As teachers and administrators, we provide an encouraging and creative school environment in which students develop intellectual curiosity and outstanding moral character. We celebrate the individuality of each child and work with them to reach their full potential.
We believe in a supportive learning environment where children can become active and engaged learners. Little Ambassadors’ Academy is dedicated to building a solid foundation for lifelong learning.
A well-balanced program is essential for a positive early childhood development experience. LAA creates well rounded students by exposing them to strong learning components. Through daily healthy living activities, students are developing the tools they need for personal growth and gross motor development.
The art of language is supported by our Spanish lessons and visits to our school library. Music enrichment and process based art projects encourage the creative strengths of children.
Our hands-on approach with science creates opportunities for:
Critical thinking
Observation skills
The ability to form conclusions
Our curriculum creates a diverse learning experience for our students and contributes to their overall development which fosters their growth into bright, responsible, and caring citizens.
We are thrilled to announce we’re entering our fifth school year and are now offering a Kindergarten programat our Overlee Campus!
For more information, please visit the Kindergarten page on our website!
This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
Over the summer, we’re going to be doing a deep dive into the regulations many startups skip when starting their business. Last summer, we detailed one of the main regulations some startups forget, which is an Arlington Business License. Today, we’re going to highlight the other main regulation many Arlington’s independent consultants working from home forget which is a home occupation permit.
A home occupation permit is a requirement if you are using a residential address as your principal place of business. Many occupations are permitted by the home occupation permit such as accountant, consultant, engineer, artist and many others.
However, there are some occupations that are not permitted in residential areas such as antique shops, nursery schools, restaurant or tearoom, motor vehicle repair and more. The reason such occupations are not allowed is because many of these occupations would create nuisances in residential neighborhoods reducing the quality of life for the surrounding community.
A home occupation is fairly simple to obtain, simply fill out the Home Occupation Application in Permit Arlington, log in or create an account. Under the create drop down menu at the top, click zoning application and a list of different zoning applications will expand and select Home Occupation. To obtain a home occupation permit, the applicant must be an Arlington County resident, and a parking disclosure map is required for home occupation. Use the Parking Map tool to comply with this requirement.
While a particular occupation may be permitted under the Home Occupation Permit, we strongly encourage applicants to check their lease or condo documents to ensure their apartment or condo association allows residents to run a business out of their house before they apply for the Home Occupation Permit.
We know permitting and regulations can be overwhelming; however, we have the “easy button” at BizLaunch, and we can walk startups through all the regulations specific to their business. Simply schedule your one-on-one counseling appointment today with one of our three small business experts.
To learn more about BizLaunch and to take advantage of the many small business resources we offer, visit: www.bizlaunch.org.
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: Are there any signs of the market slowing down?
Answer: As we know from previous columns, the second half of the year tends to be slower and less intense for buyers than the first half of the year. I think the second half of 2024 will bring a more significant second half slowdown than we’re used to (unless interest rates drop by 1% or more).
Prices Have Increased Significantly This Year
Despite lingering high interest rates, home prices have generally increased 5-10% in 2024 due to low supply and buyers accepting long-term high interest rates. Higher prices have been the result of ongoing competition amongst buyers and those buyers begrudgingly offering more to get into the undersupplied housing market. If demand tapers off and/or supply increases, leading to less competition, buyers will happily pay less than the prices we’ve been seeing in the first half of the year.
Below you can see the 5-10%+ year-over-year (YoY) increase in median and average prices for Northern Virginia and the Greater D.C. Area.
Med Sale $ – YoY% ChangeAvg. Sale $ – YoY % Change
This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Austen Soare, 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.
The Biden Administration announced a large amnesty program on Monday — the “New Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families.” The purpose of this article is to describe the program, advise prospective applicants of how to prepare for the program’s implementation and — no less importantly — to discourage potential applicants from paying anyone to apply for this today, because, as of this writing, the application window remains firmly closed.
Extra! Extra! Read All About It! (The 1992 Film Newsies)
What is the New Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families?
As we’ve discussed in prior articles, U.S. immigration law treats people very differently based on how they entered the United States. Those who enter with visas — even if they later overstay those same visas — are allowed to apply for permanent residency if otherwise qualified; those who cross the border generally are not allowed to do so without first leaving the United States and attending an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
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 June 17, there are 137 detached homes, 35 townhouses and 126 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 29 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
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: I’ve been hearing about a lot of changes to real estate laws lately, can you explain what’s changing?
Answer: We have entered the transition period of significant changes to the operations of residential real estate across the entire country — led by the massive class action lawsuits and heavy hand (and opinions) of the Department of Justice over buyer agency commission. I wrote about these changes in this March article and will dedicate at least one or two more columns to them in the near future.
The commission-related changes will capture the most attention from consumers, agents, brokers, attorneys, etc but there are other unrelated changes being introduced this year that would normally be worthy of their own headlines, but are overshadowed by the commission storylines, so this week I’ll highlight three consequential upcoming changes that are important to recognize.
Negotiable HOA/Condo Three-Day Review Period
For years, Virginia law gave buyers purchasing a home in an Association three days to review the Association’s resale package/certificate (by-laws, budget, reserves, violations, etc) from the time it was delivered or three days from the purchase contract being ratified, if delivered on or before ratification. A buyer can void the contract at any time within this three-day review period, by delivering unilateral Notice to Void (yes, it can be used as a “get out of jail free card”). Other states have similar laws — D.C. is three business days and Maryland is seven days for condos and five for HOAs.
Last year, the governing code for the condo and POA/HOA resale disclosures, previously two separate codes, was combined into one code (linked here). When this happened, the requirement for a three-day review period was MISTAKENLY (at least, that’s what I’ve been told by attorneys in the know) deleted which led to a lot of confusion in the real estate community over whether the three-day Association review period could now be removed by the buyer and seller because it was no longer protected by Virginia law.
In response, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) and most brokerages issued guidance saying that the review period should not be removed because it was untested legally and Virginia did not actually intend to delete that language.
This is the 20th year anniversary of The Go-Go George Community Day which is organized and sponsored by Brother 2 Brother MC and J R Moore & Sons General Contractors Inc.
This day has become a beloved annual event for the past two decades. This event, founded with the noble intention of fostering community spirit and bridging generational divides, has consistently succeeded in its mission. With a focus on promoting unity and providing a safe space for all, this Community Day brings together residents to revel in the vibrant sounds of Go-Go music, indulge in delicious food, and cherish precious moments with family and friends.
Brother 2 Brother started Community Day in 2002. There were 2 years the event was not held because of covid and bad weather. This is their 20th year anniversary for this event. The name was changed to the Go-Go George Community Day to pay respect to the founder of Brother 2 Brother, Mr. George Long, who passed away in 2010. This event has been dedicated to this amazing man and carried on by his loved ones in his memory.
The Go-Go George Community Day has been more than just an event: it’s a cornerstone of unity with the community. Through the tireless efforts of Brother 2 Brother MC and the generous sponsorship of J R Moore & Sons General Contractors inc., this gathering has evolved into a symbol of togetherness and celebration. As attendees gather at Drew Model Elementary on Saturday, June 29 from 2-8 p.m., they can expect not only an afternoon of live entertainment but also an opportunity to strengthen the bonds that de fine their shared sense of belonging.
Everyone is warmly invited to join the festivities at the 20th year anniversary Go-Go George Community Day this year. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the community, this event promises an experience filled with joy, laughter and the spirit of camaraderie.
Let’s come together on June 29 to celebrate our community, honor its rich heritage, and create lasting memories that will resonate for years to come.
Connect with neighborhood expert Janel Moore to learn more about Arlington and other surrounding areas and events.
For 40 years, McEnearney Associates has been a premiere residential, commercial and property management firm with 11 offices located in the Washington metro region. With service excellence, hyper-local expertise, powerful data insights, innovative technology and cutting-edge marketing, McEnearney Associates have helped their clients make informed decisions on their most valuable real estate investments. There is an important difference at McEnearney: It’s not about us, it’s about you. To learn more, visit us at www.McEnearney.com.
Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market. This biweekly feature is written and sponsored by Coral Gundlach Homes.
Hello Arlington!
Coral Gundlach here with Coral Gundlach Homes at Compass in Arlington. I’ve been an Arlington homeowner since 2001 and a Realtor since 2004. I love this real estate market, even though it has its challenges.
Just Listed for this week as we march into summer brings even a mix of higher and lower inventory numbers compared to our last column. Congratulations to all the recent graduates of our local high schools! I know parents, students and teachers alike are proud of this class of kids who began high school on lockdown during 2020. It has been a relief to see them soar. It will be interesting to see how the end of school affects buyer and open house traffic this weekend.
We continue to have an uptick in overall listings but new ones are down from two weeks ago in several categories. Single family homes are still typically selling fast for over asking but others are taking a bit longer. We will start tracking Under Contract/Pending sales in this column as well.
Here are the numbers as of the time of writing: Friday June 14, 11:15 am.
All active listings in Arlington: 286 (up from 282 two weeks ago)
NEW Listings in the past week: 64 (down from 76 two weeks ago)
Under Contract/Pending in last week: 56
All active detached listings: 121 (up from 112 two weeks ago)
NEW active detached listings: 28 (up from 22 two weeks ago)
All active townhouses, fee simple: 29 (down from 33 two weeks ago)
NEW active townhouses, fee simple: 8 (down from 16 two weeks ago)
All active condos/co-ops: 129 (down from 142 two weeks ago)
NEW active condos/co-ops: 28 (down from 39 two weeks ago)
The data shows us that things are slowing a bit, but sellers still have an advantage and prices are strong. I like to focus on just the past week as that is the latest, rather than compiling a month ago, as our market is ever changing. The average cumulative days on market (CDOM) for both Active Under Contract and Pending sales in the past week are 29.
CDOM includes homes that were withdrawn and re-listed. Eighteen Detached homes closed in the last week. Average CDOM for the closed homes are 50 and they sold for an average of 98.9% of original asking price, 99.4% of current asking price. This is quite a drop in list to sales price ratio from the previous two weeks. Is it a trend? Only time will tell.
Contact Coral Gundlach Homes today at (703) 200-3631 or email [email protected] to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate.
Today’s featured home is a fantastic remodeled Dutch Colonial in Barcroft in South Arlington. 812 S. George Mason Drive, is a 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home built in 1979 and is over 3200 square feet. The gleaming white kitchen is remodeled and ideal for cooking and entertaining. The home is bright and open with so many details like recessed lights and solid hardwood floors. It is listed by my colleague Casey O’Neal with Compass and is open Saturday from 1-3 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Offered at $1,075,000.
*These numbers do not include The Jefferson, a 55 plus community in Ballston. Between research and publication, some numbers may change.
Want to see more Just Listed properties? Interested in an Open House this weekend? We’re happy to show them to you privately! Click here or contact Coral Gundlach Homes.
Please note: While Coral Gundlach Homes provides this information for the community, they may not be the listing agents of these homes. Equal Housing Opportunity.
The event that “Arlington Magazine” calls “Arlington’s best block party,” the 27th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15 (1-8:30 p.m.), celebrating women in the blues with an all-woman-fronted lineup headlined by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith.
“The New York Times” had this to say about this year’s headliner, “Bette Smith moved effortlessly across the stage wearing a tight holographic vinyl dress and five-inch-heeled thigh-high boots, strutting like Tina Turner.”
Get an advanced taste of Smith’s third album, Goodthing (Kartel Music Group), with Grammy-winning UK producer Jimmy Hogarth. The lineup of all-woman-fronted bands continues with:
Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent
Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers
The Stacy Brooks Band
The Honey Larks (Carly Harvey, Jenny Langer and Holly Montgomery)
Bring your whole family to this free event spanning three blocks at the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike in Arlington.
The Columbia Pike Blues Festival draws thousands of blues fans to the Pike each year. Now in its 27th Year, the Columbia Pike Partnership presents the event in collaboration with Arlington Arts. Click here for the complete schedule and detailed Columbia Pike Blues Festival information.
New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith returns with her third studio album — Goodthing — a triumphant injection of soul music and gospel into rock & roll. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, James Bay, Paulo Nutini, Sia), the album showcases Bette Smith’s penchant for anthemic, feel-good Soul Rock carried by her signature raspy, soulful vocals inspired by legends Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Etta James. The album sees her sound scale new heights and builds on the accolades she received on 2017’s debut Jetlagger and 2020’s The Good, The Bad, and The Bette. Smith’s tremendous range and power combined with her infectious energy to solidify her position as a dynamic rising force in soul music.
Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent is a modern-day piano-pounding, juke-joint hollering powerhouse of American music. A legendary performer and southern songwriter, she spent the first two decades of her career under the tutelage of Abie “Boogaloo” Ames, before winning the Blues Foundation’s Blues Challenge and bouncing onto the international scene. Since then, she has earned steady honors, three Blues Music Awards among them. Her new album Getaway Blues presents nine original songs recorded in London with a four-piece band and will be officially released on June 21, 2024. Laid down in London. Mixed up in Memphis. Made in Mississippi.
Infusing a distinctive creativity into the blues genre, this dynamic six-piece blues fusion ensemble honors its soulful roots while crafting a unique musical identity. At the helm is Mama Moon, renowned as D.C.’s “Goddess of the Blues.” The band claimed the title of 2022 DC Blues Society “Battle of the Bands” champions and made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Currently in the throes of crafting their debut EP, the band is deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Washington, D.C.’s lively music scene.
Winner of the DC Blues Battle of the Bands, The Stacy Brooks Band has competed in the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2014) and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2012). She has been nominated multiple times as “Best Female Blues Vocalist” by the Washington Area Music Association. Brooks has shared the stage with numerous greats, including: Bobby Parker, Eddie Shaw, Sugar Blue, and opening for the legendary Buddy Guy at his Chicago club.
Featuring Carly Harvey (D.C.’s Queen of the Blues), Jenny Langer (Blues Hall of Fame) and Holly Montgomery (Blue Elan Records). In 2020, these three best friends shared their love of the blues in a virtual concert in the absence of live concert opportunities during the pandemic. What was intended to be a fun, one-off show turned into a female super-group with fans requesting more.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq
Our Virginia employment lawyers represent Virginia employees in severance agreement negotiations. Severance agreements are contracts that govern an employee’s departure from an employer. It is important to have counsel when an employee is faced with leaving an employer and needs to negotiate a resolution. We provide legal advice and representation to employees seeking the best possible severance agreement terms.
Severance Negotiations in Virginia
Severance is not required under Virginia law. However, severance agreements may be offered by an employer in any number of situations. The employee may be facing termination and the employer may want to resolve all outstanding issues before they leave. Severance agreements are also sometimes offered to employees who are laid off or facing retirement. If an employee is let go but not offered a severance agreement, hiring counsel can often prod the employer to offer a severance agreement. In some cases, the severance agreement process can be resolved through simple talks between your lawyer and the employer’s lawyer.
Common Severance Agreement Terms
While severance agreements typically involve the payment of a monetary sum to a departing employee, there are many other terms to consider. Some of the possible terms to consider in a Virginia severance agreement may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Financial payments, tax consequences, and timing of severance payments
Continuation of employment benefits (e.g. health, life, disability)
Rights to unemployment compensation
Claims to be waived (wrongful termination, discrimination, whistleblowing)
Confidentiality clauses
Non-Disparagement clauses
Re-employment possibilities
Non-Compete clauses
Stock provisions
Preservation of trade secrets
How references will be handled
Recommendation letters
How disputes are handled
When signing a severance agreement, an employee is required to give up important rights. Before signing such an agreement, the employee should consult with an attorney to discuss the rights that he or she may be waiving and the terms included. Hiring counsel can help negotiate the best severance resolution possible.
Contact Us
We offer a full set of legal services to protect your rights in the severance agreement negotiations process in Virginia. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Virginia severance agreement lawyers, please contact us at (703) 668-0070 or by visiting our website.
In an exciting move to foster innovation and collaboration, Arlington Economic Development’s (AED) Business Investment Group and BizLaunch, in partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) have officially launched #LaTech, a groundbreaking community dedicated to Latino tech entrepreneurs.
The initiative aims to create a dynamic and vibrant community where talented tech professionals from the Latino community can share knowledge, explore partnerships and connect with other key players in the industry. #LaTech is open to Latino tech entrepreneurs from any location, with activities anchored in Arlington, one of the top tech hubs in the United States.
The vision for #LaTech is to cultivate a space where Latino entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute significantly to Arlington’s economic growth and beyond. The community is designed to attract top tech talent from Latin communities and backgrounds globally, providing a supportive environment for collaboration and impactful partnerships.
This initiative is part of Arlington’s broader strategy to enhance the tech landscape in Arlington and create opportunities for diverse groups to engage and succeed — the latter of which is in direct alignment with Arlington’s RACE and overarching equity initiatives.
The launch event, held on May 30, convened an initial group of Latino tech entrepreneurs. The discussion focused on the needs, successes and opportunities within the tech space and highlighted key challenges and areas for growth.
Given its proximity to Washington, D.C., the presence of tech giants and high-growth companies of all sizes and its diverse international community, Arlington is uniquely positioned as a strategic location for this initiative. Arlington’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and fostering sustainable business models makes it an ideal home for #LaTech. Participants at the launch event emphasized the importance of networking, access to investor capital and mentorship as crucial factors for their success. The vibrant tech ecosystem in Arlington will undoubtedly provide fertile ground for these entrepreneurs to flourish.
As part of the ongoing efforts to build this community, #LaTech is hosting its next event on July 25, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Unstuck Labs and Pryze, the event will take place at 1700 N. Moore Street, 16th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209. Register today to get more information as it is announced.
As #LaTech moves forward, the community is set to become a beacon for Latino tech entrepreneurs in the United States, offering a platform for growth, collaboration and success.
Ready to be part of this innovative community and/or drive your tech venture to new heights?
Contact AED’s Business Investment Group today to learn more about how you can get involved with #LaTech and explore the myriads of opportunities available. Your journey toward tech success and impactful partnerships begins here!
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 June 10, there are 146 detached homes, 35 townhouses and 141 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 30 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
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.
