Weather

Arlington and the rest of the immediate D.C. and Baltimore metros are now under a Winter Weather Advisory.

There is now less uncertainty about whether there will be accumulating snowfall. Flakes are set to start flying late Saturday or early Sunday, with 1-3 inches expected to fall by the time the precipitation wraps up Sunday morning.


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Dec 12, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Sharpshooters to begin Arlington deer cull in February (40684 views)
  2. ‘Arlington Sauna’ seeks to launch Finnish-style wellness spot in 2026 (9202 views)
  3. Man sentenced for setting fires at three Crystal City restaurants (8080 views)
  4. Change in plans for new Career Center facility angers Arlington Tech parents (7675 views)
  5. New bus route will reconnect Shirlington to D.C. starting next week (6362 views)
  6. New affordable housing building near Rosslyn celebrated with ribbon cutting (6349 views)
  7. Demolition beginning soon at townhouse development planned near Columbia Pike (5539 views)
  8. County manager punts on questions of local takeover of Glebe Road and Langston Blvd (5131 views)
  9. Officer’s request for man to remove mask leads to arrests in Pentagon City (5760 views)
  10. Local ‘Geezers’ use lunch gatherings to keep tabs on Arlington politics (4573 views)
  11. Proposal to add 700+ more housing units to RiverHouse heads to County Board (4225 views)
  12. Mae’s Market and Cafe closes in Pentagon City, making way for new Maman (3661 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌥️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high near 45 and a southwest wind around 6 mph. On Saturday night, snow showers are likely, possibly mixed with rain, before turning into all snow after 4am. The low will be around 29, with calm winds shifting to north at 5 to 8 mph after midnight. The chance of precipitation stands at 80% with new snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches possible. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋


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


News

State Sen. Barbara Favola (D) is stepping into a new role as chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee on the other side of a recent battle with cancer.

When the Virginia General Assembly convenes in January, Favola, who announced in May that she had been diagnosed with uterine cancer, will be only two months removed from the end of chemotherapy treatments.


Sports

Between them, girls and boys varsity public high-school basketball teams in Arlington have six regular-season rivalry games scheduled this season.

The first contest was a boys clash Thursday night, Dec. 11, when the host Wakefield Warriors (3-1) lost to the Yorktown Patriots (4-1) by a 73-41 score in Liberty District action.


News

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.


News

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.


News

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.


Opinion

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:

  1. Flight Wine Shop
  2. Arrowine & Cheese
  3. Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique

Weather

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.