Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 53 degrees and light, variable winds. Moving into Thursday night, the skies will become mostly cloudy with a low around 40 degrees, accompanied by a southeast wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle
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Progress on the southern expansion project at Arlington National Cemetery (via ANC/YouTube)
Arlington National Cemetery’s southern expansion project continued to take shape in 2025, preparing the way for 80,000 additional spaces for graves and urns just north of Columbia Pike.
In a video update posted last week, the cemetery spotlighted a new parking garage and other buildings under construction in a forthcoming service complex, along with progress on improved pedestrian access to the Air Force Memorial and the realignment of a portion of Columbia Pike to accommodate the expansion.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
Falls Church's voting dropbox at City Hall (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
Falls Church will be able to hold ranked-choice City Council elections as early as 2027, if current Council members want to make the switch.
The city is on track to acquire new voting equipment that would accommodate the ranked-choice format in time for the 2027 elections, city elections director David Bjerke told the Falls Church Electoral Board on Monday.
Deli sandwich from Buffalo & Bergen (courtesy of Birch Thomas)
A New York-style deli, a hot pot place, a French-inspired cafe and other restaurants are expected to open in Arlington in 2026.
Following an eventful 2025, which saw the opening of numerous restaurants like Nettie’s Tavern in Clarendon, Scolapasta in Ballston and Bar Chinois in Crystal City, dozens of restaurants are expected to open this year.
Join Kaiser Permanente for Healthy at the Harbor, a free community health and wellness event taking place Saturday, June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Bring your family and friends for free full day of fun, fitness, and preventive care along the waterfront.
Throughout the day, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians will offer no-cost health screenings, alongside a health and wellness expo focused on preventive care education. A lively Kids’ Zone will keep children active and entertained with spin-art bikes, face painting, balloon art, games, and more.
The Compass Coffee at 4300 Wilson Blvd in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Compass Coffee plans to close one of its two cafes in Ballston after filing for bankruptcy yesterday (Tuesday).
A coffeehouse at 4300 Wilson Blvd is one of 10 locations where the regional cafe chain is seeking to cancel its lease as soon as Jan. 30, according to a motion filed in D.C. bankruptcy court.
The tower at Reagan National Airport on a sunny day (staff photo)
A Maryland man was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday) for stealing multiple vehicles from Reagan National Airport, including one belonging to a federal law enforcement agency.
Tyrese McKinnon, 25, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for conspiring to steal five vehicles from Reagan National, and another vehicle from Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
Arlington activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland was honored by the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington in 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Rep. Don Beyer’s efforts to secure a Congressional Gold Medal for a local civil-rights icon remain in limbo.
A piece of legislation, introduced last May, would make Joan Trumpauer Mulholland the newest recipient of Congress’s highest honor. But it is unlikely to win passage while Republicans control Congress, a staff member said.
Yorktown's Bennett Haas takes a shot against Potomac Falls (photo by Truman Becknell)
With productive scoring and some strong shutdown defense, the Yorktown High School varsity ice-hockey club team is enjoying a 5-1 start this season.
The winning record is no surprise — Yorktown has become one of the top teams in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League in recent seasons and has an experienced lineup this fall, including eight seniors.
Sun and shade among the twin towers of Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Arlington’s RTX Gets Big Contract — “The federal government has picked two companies to replace 612 radar systems nationwide that date back to the 1980s as part of a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control system. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that contractors RTX and Spanish firm Indra will replace the radar systems by the summer of 2028.” [Associated Press]
Board Candidates Plan Announcements — County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti and challenger James DeVita are expected to formally kick off their election campaigns at tonight’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. The meeting will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Washington-Liberty High School, and also will feature voting for party chair. –Scott McCaffrey
U.S. Attorney Order — “A federal judge ordered Trump ally Lindsey Halligan to explain why she’s identifying herself as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia despite a court ruling that she was unlawfully appointed to the role.” [Axios]
‘Neighborhood Village’ Earns Grant — Arlington Neighborhood Village is one of 11 organizations across Virginia to share grants totaling more than $105,000 to expand efforts supporting seniors facing social isolation. The funding also will support the development of new Villages programs across the commonwealth, with an emphasis on underserved areas. Funding comes the Virginia Villages Collective and Washington Area Villages Exchange. –Scott McCaffrey
Park Corps Application Open — “Get experience in Park Services. Join the Park Corps one-week program where you will learn first-hand with permanent park employees. You’ll get real work done, all while having fun outside, building job skills and making connections with other like-minded students. This program is for ages 16-18 and participants will receive a $200 stipend.” [Arlington County]
VHC Holiday Donations — “Over the recent holiday season, more than 400 people received gifts as part of the Virginia Health Center’s Adopt a Family Gift Drive. The program provided gifts for 231 children in 66 local families plus another 100 individuals who might have otherwise gone without during the holidays.” [Patch]
Volunteer Arlington Award Winner — “Volunteer Arlington selected Camille S.A. Watkin as the fourth recipient of its Beloved Community Award and will present the award at the MLK Day of Service opening program on Monday, January 19.” [Leadership Center]
Seven Corners Development Proposal — “The longtime owner of a 3.15-acre site that borders the Seven Corners intersection has filed plans to redevelop the property with 450 apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail… The property, bounded by Arlington Boulevard, Hillwood Avenue, East Broad St. and the twin office towers formerly known as the Falls Church Corporate Center, is currently home to a New Grand Mart international supermarket and Pistone’s Italian Inn.” [WBJ, FFXnow]
Plea Possible in CEO Murder — “Loved ones of a CEO killed while asleep in his Fairfax City home are speaking out against a potential plea agreement that would allow the suspect to serve time in a mental institution instead of prison. Authorities say Gret Glyer, 32, died while he was in his bed next to his wife in June 2022. Joshua Danehower, 36, of Arlington, was accused of shooting Glyer 10 times.” [WUSA 9]
Va. In-State Tuition Case — “Virginia officials reached an agreement with the Justice Department in its effort to bar undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition, sparking criticism from advocacy groups and the incoming Democratic state attorney general. The Legal Aid Justice Center and the ACLU of Virginia filed an emergency motion to intervene in the case, saying affected students deserve a chance to be heard in court.” [Washington Post]
Federal Employment Decline — “There are 271,000 fewer federal employees than there were at the start of 2025 — about a 9% drop, per the latest tally from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sharp decline is a result of President Trump’s efforts — initially spearheaded by Elon Musk’s DOGE — to drastically reduce the size of the federal government.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature of around 57°F. The northwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 11 mph, and it could gust up to 23 mph. Wednesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 36°F. The northwest wind will diminish to around 6 mph by the evening. [NWS]
