A congressional candidate from Falls Church says he will leave the race if the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting stands.
“If there is no new 7th District, then I will not be running for anything this year,” Joe Schiarizzi told ARLnow. “I will not run in the 8th or anywhere else.”
An all-you-can-eat sushi spot is replacing the shuttered Takohachi Japanese Restaurant on Columbia Pike.
Signs for the new restaurant, MoMoGoGo, have appeared at a storefront at 2501 Columbia Pike in Penrose Square, where Takohachi closed earlier this year. MoMoGoGo — which plans to serve “fresh sushi & Japanese cuisine,” according to its website — has received work permits and is currently hiring.
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].
Question: Do you have guidance for choosing a Title Company to work with when buying or selling a home?
Answer: Title companies manage the legal side of the transaction like ensuring buyers have clear ownership after closing, reviewing and recording the deed, issuing title insurance, and preparing paperwork for the buyer and seller to sign at closing. They work in the background of transactions and, usually, the less you hear from them, the better. In the DMV, title companies generally do not represent one party; they are a fiduciary to the transaction (support both parties).
Locally, it is common for buyers to select the title company. Sometimes, a seller may want to use their own firm/attorney and will request a “split settlement” but that is uncommon.
Your Real Estate Agent, But Ask Why
Among the reasons you’d hire an agent should be their network of professionals that support a real estate transaction: title, lending, inspections, contractors, etc.
If you have an agent, they should be the first person you turn to for a title company recommendation. They’ve probably worked with dozens of local firms before and should have a vetted service partner.
It’s perfectly fair to ask your agent why they’re recommending a title company to make sure it’s for the right reasons. Some agents and brokerages benefit financially from doing business with title companies and it’s important that you know if a financial relationship exists.
Fees
Title insurance is typically the largest fee, and rates are set by the insurer, not the title company. Rates are usually similar, so large differences may reflect basic vs. enhanced coverage. Buyers can choose the coverage level; or whether to purchase owner’s title insurance at all.
Discretionary fees charged by the title company usually don’t vary by more than a few hundred dollars. You can always find a cheaper option for title services, but the quality of legal/title support on a real estate transaction may not be a smart place to save a few hundred dollars.
Location
Use a local title company who is familiar with the local real estate and tax practices, not just licensed to practice here. I use a different title company in Northern VA than I do in Washington DC or Maryland.
Office locations matter less than you’d think because most title companies will support virtual (like a Zoom meeting) or mobile (send a notary to you), but most consumers like closing in an office so check where they conduct closings to make sure it’s convenient.
Attorney Experience
Most sales follow a standard, predictable process that inexperienced title companies/attorneys can handle but occasionally something unexpected comes up that requires experience and expertise to resolve. If problems do surface, having access to an experienced local title attorney makes a big difference in keeping a deal on track and reducing the risk, stress, and effort of all parties.
The Scoop N Scootery has set a June grand opening date for its new late-night ice cream shop in Clarendon.
The ice cream franchise will hold a grand opening on Saturday, June 6 at 1138 N. Irving Street with merchandise and treat giveaways to celebrate. The shop plans to offer more than 70 loaded sundae variations for pickup and delivery until 2 a.m., five days per week.
Love your neighborhood, but not the way your house works?
Do you add on? Go up? Move walls? Or rethink the space you already have?
Some Columbia Pike community members are planning a vigil tonight (Wednesday) for a man police fatally shot during a standoff last Friday.
The death of Shawn Valn, 33, remains under investigation by the Northern Virginia Critical Incident Response Team and no new information from the Arlington County Police Department is publicly available right now, police spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.
We’ve made the reservation. You’re invited.
Spend an evening discovering exceptional wines, live acoustic music, and community at Rosslyn’s newest event: Rosslyn Reserved. Enjoy a tasting experience with a sommelier from Screwtop Wine Bar, savory bites from local Charcuterie business, Graze Craze, and more!
Construction is underway at the long-vacated Cosi restaurant in Rosslyn — but it’s not for a new dining tenant.
Instead, the Department of State is expanding its lobby, located next door, into the empty retail space at 1801 N. Lynn Street, an agency spokesperson told ARLnow. The expansion is intended to “accommodate security upgrades, visitor badging, and updated finishes” at the building, which is home to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
The writer and mathematician who played Winnie Cooper on “The Wonder Years” will be hosting a book reading for kids at a Pentagon City book fair this weekend.
Danica McKellar, who went on to become a New York Times bestselling author and internationally recognized mathematician following her role on the sitcom, will be reading from her math picture book, “Goodnight, Numbers,” at HQ2 from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Trapped Driver Rescued — “Crews responded to a vehicle that ran off the roadway and down an embankment near the split of the SB GW Pkwy and SB I-395, just before the bridge. One occupant was trapped and extricated by firefighters. The patient was transported to VHC with non-life-threatening injuries.” [ACFD/X]
Unlawful Entry Arrest — A New York man, 38, was arrested May 8 after allegedly trying to enter a home through a secured door in the 2600 block of N. Upshur Street, ACPD said. He “attempted to run from the officers before being taken into custody” and was charged with unlawful entry and obstruction of justice. [ACPD]
Reentry Hearing Delayed — “A federal judge has rescheduled the court appearance for an Alexandria man indicted for illegal reentry into the United States following a felony hit-and-run arrest in Arlington.” The defendant’s arraignment, plea, and sentencing, originally set for May 13, are now scheduled for May 20. [Patch]
Nurse Sweeps Top Honors — Arlington Public Health’s Heather Williams, RN, has been named Virginia’s Nurse of the Year by the Virginia Department of Health, completing a sweep that also includes Northern Virginia Regional and Arlington Public Health Nurse of the Year honors in 2026. Williams works as the public health nurse at Wakefield High School. [Arlington County]
Andy’s Pizza Goes AI — “Behind the counter at Andy’s Pizza, AI now helps direct everything from when mozzarella gets ordered to the moment a pie needs to hit the oven.” Owner Andy Brown has spent the past year building “Andy’s OS,” an AI-powered operating system for the fast-growing D.C.-based chain, which has 14 DMV locations. [Axios]
Spanberger Signs Leave Bill — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed a bill Monday making Virginia “the first Southern state to offer paid family and medical leave.” Up to 12 weeks will be available; paycheck contributions begin April 2028, with benefits available that December. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D). [NBC Washington]
Dulles Overhaul Eyed — “Less than a year after adopting a new master plan for Dulles International Airport, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is considering an update that would expand the facility’s main terminal, redesign its concourses and eliminate the polarizing mobile lounges.” The proposed $22 billion plan would begin construction this year and finish by 2034 . [FFXnow, WBJ]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 76 and southwest winds of 13–16 mph, gusting to 28. A chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms gives way to a wetter night, with showers and storms likely before 3 a.m. and a low around 54. [NWS]
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Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 12, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect increasing clouds with a high near 75°F, a 30% chance of showers, and possible thunderstorms after 5 PM, accompanied by southwest winds at 14-16 mph, gusting up to 28 mph. Wednesday night will have showers and thunderstorms until 2 AM, with a slight chance of showers until 3 AM, and a low of around 53°F. Winds will shift from south to northwest, blowing at 5-9 mph, with a precipitation chance of 90% and potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, or more in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
“The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.”
– Marjorie Pay Hinckley
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
After months of complaints about missed trash pickups and other waste collection issues, Arlington County is ditching its current contractor in favor of its former provider.
The county announced today that it will be ending its contract with Bates Trucking and Trash Removal on Aug. 1, one year after Bates took over responsibility for providing curbside pickup for trash, recycling and organics — a change that almost immediately led to complaints from dissatisfied residents.
The League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City will host Candidating for the general election on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th St. S.
The event gives Arlington residents the opportunity to speak directly with the candidates seeking county office this November.
