A high-end restaurant and bar with dry-aged meats, an extensive wine list and a series of curated rooms for dining and relaxing is preparing to open in Pentagon City.
Ember is looking toward a soft opening in late August at 1301 S. Joyce Street, followed by a grand opening in September, founder Nicholas Mounts told ARLnow. It brings food and drink inspired by European cuisines and five seating areas, including a VIP room, a banquet hall and a “secret lounge.”
An incoming Italian restaurant in Ballston has posted signage and is moving forward with plans to open in about a year.
Grazie Nonna, a full-service restaurant inspired by the home cooking of its founder’s grandmother, hopes to open in mid-2027 at 4075 Wilson Blvd, a spokesperson told ARLnow. Signs direct visitors to the establishment’s Instagram and a newsletter for more updates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
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.
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.
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
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plans to build a skyline-altering arch in the nation’s capital won initial approval Thursday from a key federal commission.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve preliminary site and building plans for the 250-foot (76-meter) arch the Republican president wants to build on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of Memorial Bridge from Washington.
Update at 2:35 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued, on top of the earlier Flood Watch. The storm watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Storms later today may pack damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/lOTk36DpsE
Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 34th Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026 featuring live jazz, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Rosslyn! This year’s lineup is bringing a diverse mix of performers and bands redefining the jazz music genre including Plena Libre, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Parlor Greens, and Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band.
Advocates for the shuttered Lee Community Center are making a last-minute bid to include renovation funding in the county’s updated capital improvement plan.
Jean Henceroth, president of the Leeway Overlee Civic Association, said $10 million in funding would allow for the upgrades needed to reopen the facility.
For those planning on running for county treasurer, the county’s elections staff is ready to assist in completing the special-election paperwork.
“If anyone is interested in running, come see us,” said Gretchen Reinemeyer, the county’s election director, at the July 7 Electoral Board meeting.
Sexual Battery in Pentagon City — A teenage girl was inside a business in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street around 11 a.m. Tuesday when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her and fled, according to Arlington County police. Officers canvassed the area but did not find the suspect. [ACPD]
APS Phasing Out Toddler Program — For the second time in as many years, parents are urging Arlington Public Schools not to end the Integration Station, which offers toddlers with disabilities early intervention services. In a June email, The Children’s School said the district plans to “phase out the Integration Station partnership over the next few years,” with one grade phased out annually beginning in 2027. [WTOP]
Courthouse Tower Sold — The Commodore, a 423-unit high-rise with ground-floor retail next to the Court House Metro station, has changed hands. Berkadia arranged the sale, in a deal that closed June 30. Completed in 2023, the 20-story building is the tallest residential tower in Courthouse. [Press Release]
Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, July 9 at approximately 10 a.m.”
IIHS Wants More Self-Driving Studies — The Arlington-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says driver-assist features and robotaxis are helping prevent crashes but still need far more study. “We’re going to need a lot more data over a more extended period of time to really assess whether those systems are safe or not safe,” David Harkey, the institute’s president, said. [WTOP]
Arch Would Block Va. View — A federal commission is set to review President Trump’s plans today for a 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, at the Virginia end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. Critics say the monument — 84 feet taller than columns proposed for the site a century ago — would reshape the skyline and block views of Virginia from the Lincoln Memorial. [Washington Post]
Kennedy Center in Limbo — The Kennedy Center was set to close for two years starting Sunday, but a court order is keeping it open for now. Executives say no new shows or concerts will be scheduled, and the building sat nearly empty this week as staff packed up and volunteers awaited word on the center’s next steps. [Washington Post]
It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are likely today, with a high near 88 and a 90% chance of rain. Storms should be heaviest in the afternoon, when a half to three-quarters of an inch is possible. They taper off overnight, with a low around 72. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Good Wednesday 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 — Jul 8, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F and south winds around 6 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. Showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. Rain chance remains at 80%, with new precipitation between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though thunderstorms may bring higher amounts. See more from Weather.gov.
“A man is a product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
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.
Having saved the Cherrydale Library from closing, advocates now want the county government to address the building’s accessibility issues.
Making upgrades to reach Americans with Disabilities Act standards “will allow the library to better serve the neighborhood and the county, and strengthen its long-term viability,” said Michael Gessel, president of Citizens for Cherrydale Library, at a public hearing on the proposed FY27-36 capital improvement plan.
