Around Town

The former Bob & Edith’s Diner location on Langston Blvd may not be vacant for long.

Chelsea Market & Deli, which currently operates a location in Courthouse Plaza, filed a liquor license application at 5050 Langston Blvd on Feb. 4. That’s roughly a week after Bob & Edith’s announced its closure on Jan. 26.


Around Town

A pre-St. Patrick’s Day race centered around Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse will result in some road closures on Saturday.

The Arlington County Police Department plans to close the following roads from 8-11 a.m. for the Four Courts Four Miler, which begins and ends on the hill at 2051 Wilson Blvd.


Sponsored

No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.

Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.

Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.

Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.

Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.

It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.

The Bottom Line

A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.

If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.

Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.

Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com


Sports

First as an assistant then as a head coach, Brian Slay has been impactful in helping high-school football teams throughout Northern Virginia improve and enjoy success in recent seasons.

He hopes to continue that trend as the new head coach of the Wakefield Warriors football squad in Arlington.


Announcement

As the summer is winding down, Art House 7 is gearing up for August Classes! Offerings include painting, drawing, cartooning, mixed media, and printmaking. Some highlights: Animals of the Serengeti, k-2nd; Digital Art, 4th-6th grades; Painting Metal with Watercolor, Adults. Classes are 3-4 weeks: a short commitment for a lot of creative output. Check out everything on our website.

August Classes at Art House 7:


News

A concourse at Reagan National Airport was cleared of passengers while police investigate a suspicious package.

The suspicious item was “located in a break room” around 9 a.m. Thursday, the airport said on social media.


Event

Join us for the Little Lambs Academy Open House! Families with children ages 3 months to 12 years are invited to tour our classrooms, meet our caring staff, and learn about our educational programs. Discover our STEAM curriculum, Christian learning environment, language enrichment, music education, and other unique opportunities we offer. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to explore the facility while enjoying complimentary snacks and refreshments. We look forward to meeting your family and answering any questions about enrollment!


News

Demolition has begun at the site of an eight-story former office building off of Columbia Pike, making way for a 16-home townhouse redevelopment.

Crews got to work last week tearing down a garage structure at 2300 9th Street S., preparing to demolish the 1970s-era office building beginning next week. That teardown is expected to take four to six weeks, according to a notice shared with nearby residents.


News
Remaining “snowcrete” in Courthouse on a warm March day (courtesy Peter Roof)

County Defends Rescue Merger — Arlington County pushed back on what it called “incorrect information circulating” about the proposed FY27 budget, clarifying that Fire Stations 2 and 9 will remain open. The proposal consolidates ACFD’s two heavy rescue companies into a single unit at Fire Station 1 (500 S. Glebe Road), boosting per-shift staffing from four to six. The County Board work session on the fire department budget is set for March 19. [Arlington County/X, Arlington County]

Pepper Spray Road Rage — A man, 46, of Arlington was charged with attempted malicious wounding by caustic substance after he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle near Arlington Blvd and S. George Mason Drive, then attempted to pepper spray the other driver before fleeing. He was later located on Columbia Pike, according to police. [ACPD]

Three Seasons in One Day — After record highs of 85–86 degrees Wednesday, evening thunderstorms and tornado warnings, the D.C. area faces a 45–50 degree temperature plunge today as a strong cold front barrels through. Rain showers will change to a brief rain-snow mix this afternoon before ending, though accumulation should be minimal given the warm ground. [CWG/X, WWG/X]

Metro Grout Pad Work — Metro crews replaced grout pads — which elevate the tracks and hold them in place — between Pentagon City and Braddock Road on the Yellow and Blue lines this past weekend. [WMATA/X]

Arlington Restaurant Churn — An AI-assisted analysis of closure data found the county has about 700 restaurants, with roughly 25 closing over the past year — a rate of about 4%, below the national average. The median closed restaurant was about 5 years old, and an estimated 25–30% of current restaurants are 10+ years old. [ARLnow/X]

McAuliffe Eyes Congress — Former Va. first lady Dorothy McAuliffe announced she will run for the proposed 7th Congressional District, which would stretch from Arlington to western Augusta County. She joins Del. Dan Helmer and former federal prosecutor J.P. Cooney, who served as a deputy to special counsel Jack Smith, in a crowded Democratic primary. [FFXnow]

N. Va. Leads Job Losses — The D.C. metro area lost more jobs on a percentage basis than any other U.S. metro with 1 million+ residents last year, shedding around 56,000 positions — 96% from federal layoffs, according to the Brookings Institution. The UVA Weldon Cooper Center now forecasts Virginia employment will shrink by 0.2% in 2026. [Cardinal News]

It’s Thursday — Rain showers will transition to a mix of rain and snow by 2pm, with temperatures dropping to around 40°F. Expect breezy conditions with northwest winds at 14-21 mph and gusts up to 38 mph. Precipitation chances are at 90%, but snow accumulation should be minimal. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 33°F, northwest winds at 5-9 mph becoming calm after midnight, and gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.


Around Town

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 11, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

🌦️ Thursday’s forecast

Rain showers will transition to a mix of rain and snow by 2pm, with temperatures dropping to around 40°F. Expect breezy conditions with northwest winds at 14-21 mph and gusts up to 38 mph. Precipitation chances are at 90%, but snow accumulation should be minimal. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 33°F, northwest winds at 5-9 mph becoming calm after midnight, and gusts up to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
– Aesop

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.


News

A ballot measure to substantially increase D.C.’s minimum wage would undoubtedly have major effects on Arlington’s neighbor, but the region-wide impacts are murkier.

One Fair Wage’s proposal to raise the District’s minimum wage to $25 per hour by July 2029 has earned support from labor advocates seeking to make D.C. more affordable for the working class, but criticism from business owners worried about going out of business or having to lay off employees.


Announcement

At Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS), one of the region’s largest and most established human services nonprofits, we believe every child deserves to walk into the classroom on the first day of school feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn. But for many local families, the excitement of a new school year is overshadowed by the financial stress of buying school supplies. By helping families meet this essential need, we can ease financial pressure and give students the tools they need to succeed from day one.

This summer, NVFS is bringing together individuals, businesses, and community partners from across Northern Virginia, to provide new backpacks and essential school supplies to more than 1,500 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade.