Staff and volunteers at Virginia Cooperative Extension put on a showcase of the year gone by and plans for the future last week.
From healthier meals to more energy-efficient living, those serving Arlington out of the Fairlington Community Center shared their experience helping thousands of local residents this year and every year.
While a major portion of GW Parkway construction work is wrapping up in Arlington, another is scheduled to get underway next year.
From Spout Run Parkway up to the Beltway in McLean, paving is done and mainline construction is on track to conclude by the end of the month as a major rehab project announced in 2021 draws toward a close.
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…)
Two D.C. men are facing charges after an incident that started with a request to remove a mask in the Pentagon City Metro station.
It happened Thursday night around 5:45 p.m., with holiday shopping in full swing at the Pentagon City mall and the evening commute underway.
Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.
Whether you’re looking to unwind with a massage, refresh with a facial or treat yourself to a full day of pampering, Arlington has plenty of spas ready to melt your stress away.
Here are the nominees for “The Best Spas in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite spa? Write it in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Beer/Wine Shop in Arlington. The results are now official:
Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.
The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.
Preparations are underway for a wintry weekend in Arlington, with at least 1-3 inches of snow looking likely Saturday night into Sunday.
While some snow flurries are possible today (Friday), the accumulating snow in the forecast for later this weekend has brine trucks out on the roads in Arlington.
The Washington-Liberty Generals girls varsity basketball team is adjusting well to a new coach, the loss of key players and the arrival of new faces.
In addition, first-year coach Horace “Buck” Willis is adapting to the new experience of leading a girls squad.
The Arlington Education Association (AEA) is calling for a boycott of Starbucks in solidarity with a unionization campaign.
The local teachers’ union announced yesterday (Thursday) that it had joined the “No Contract, No Coffee” campaign, urging the public not to patronize the coffeehouse until a contract is reached with Starbucks Workers United.
County Board Chair Swearing In — “The Arlington County Board Office invites the public to attend the swearing-in of Chair Takis Karantonis as a member of the Arlington County Board on Tuesday, December 16. The swearing-in will begin at 6PM with a reception to follow. This will be held at the County Board room on the 3rd floor of the Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.” [Arlington County]
Assault on Officer in Shirlington — “At approximately 3:27 p.m. on December 10, officers conducted a traffic stop and determined the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. During the course of the investigation, the suspect, who was the driver of the vehicle, was instructed to exit the vehicle. Upon doing so, the suspect ignored commands and was detained by an additional responding officer while the initial officers continued their investigation. While detained, the suspect struck an officer.” [ACPD]
Falls Church Budget Worries — “Burdened by preliminary projections of a revenue gap for the coming fiscal year of between $2.7 and $5.4 million due to wider conditions impacting its local economy, the Falls Church City Council voted Monday to adopt a “guidance” document for upcoming budget deliberations filled with cautionary language.” [FCNP]
It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 38 degrees with a light west wind of 3 to 6 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn mostly cloudy with the temperature dropping to a low of around 28 degrees. The wind will remain calm throughout the night. [NWS]
Good Thursday 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 — Dec 11, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 38 degrees with a light west wind of 3 to 6 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn mostly cloudy with the temperature dropping to a low of around 28 degrees. The wind will remain calm throughout the night. See more from Weather.gov.
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
– Maya Angelou
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
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