The weekend is here and so is a new episode of the ARLnow podcast.
In the latest episode, Vernon, Dan and Lene — and a special guest, Sol Schott from Acme Pie on Columbia Pike — discuss a few notable local news stories in Arlington from the past week, including:
Democrats, Republicans and the Forward Party made their case to the electorate this morning (Friday) as early voting kicked off across Arlington and statewide.
“When we vote, we win,” County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at the Arlington Democrats early-voting kickoff event held at Courthouse Plaza. It attracted about 65 attendees.
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
A sidewalk chalk protest at the North Arlington home of a top Trump administration official became a talking point for powerful Republican voices this week.
The Sunday demonstration around the home of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller involved a handful of activists writing in chalk on sidewalk slabs with messages like “hate has no home in Arlington,” “no white nationalism” and “Stephen Miller is destroying democracy.”
Bun’d Up is closing next month at the Westpost shopping center, making way for a new Indian restaurant led by longtime chefs.
The last day for the Taiwanese restaurant and its speakeasy, Noonchi, is Sunday, Oct. 19, owner Scott Chung told ARLnow. The space at 1201 S. Joyce Street will make way for Pink Saffron, an eatery promising Awadhi cuisine and Indian street food.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
Arlington is home to some must-try spots for Japanese cuisine with delicious options for ramen, sushi and more.
Here are the nominees for “Best Japanese Restaurant in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Hardware Store 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 New Restaurant in Arlington. The results are now official:
A country-themed bar with a mechanical bull opens tonight (Friday) in Clarendon, aiming to bring a piece of Nashville to the neighborhood.
With antique fixtures, crocodile leather accents and country-inspired bar fare, BOE debuts this weekend in part of Coco B’s former space at 2854 Wilson Blvd. The new honky-tonk is named after Bodacious, a storied bucking bull, and will soon introduce mechanical bull riding contests, according to its website.
“Reclining Liberty,” the iconic artwork gracing the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington for the past two years, is staying put.
Members of the county’s Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) on Sept. 17 voted 9-0 to allow the 25-foot work featuring the Statue of Liberty in repose to remain in front of the circa-1910 former school building at 3550 Wilson Blvd.
Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an aircraft flyover in the National Capital Region (NCR) over The Pentagon on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 10:45AM.”
Federal Prosecutor Being Fired? — “President Donald Trump is expected to fire the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after his office was unable to find incriminating evidence of mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to sources… Administration officials have told Siebert of Trump’s intention to fire him, sources familiar with the matter said. Siebert’s last day on the job is expected to be Friday.” [ABC News]
Defense Firm Opens New Office — “Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), held an opening event yesterday for its new office in the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia, minutes from the Pentagon.” [BusinessWire, WBJ]
Crystal City-Based PBS ‘Optimistic’ — “PBS CEO Paula Kerger told Axios Media Trends Live on Thursday she is optimistic about government funding after being included in a continuing resolution proposal.” [Axios, Axios/X]
Profile of a Six-Plex Project — “In spite of an ongoing court challenge brought by nine single-family homeowners, some EHO permits have been allowed to continue due to separate individual court rulings. One of the most promising EHO examples under construction is a six-plex on 3802 14th Street North.” [GGW]
Beyer Blasts Trump TV Threat — “The Trump Administration has declared war on the First Amendment. They’re getting people fired for expressing opinions. He’s bullying the press with lawsuits and government powers to silence critics, and targeting political opposition. Americans’ freedom of speech is at risk.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Digital Equity Grants — “At its September Meeting, the Arlington County Board voted to award $500,000 in the inaugural round of digital equity grants to seven community organizations. Through these community partners, the County will realize key recommendations of the 2024 Broadband Study and key goals of the Digital Equity Initiative.” [Arlington County]
July’s Passenger Count Down at DCA — July’s passenger enplanements of 1.09 million at Reagan National Airport were down 6.5% year-over-year and off 7.6% from budget projections, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority officials said this week. Weather issues and the economic impact of federal-government downsizing were largely to blame, officials said. Traffic was up 5.7% to 1.4 million at Dulles. –Scott McCaffrey
Poor Marks for Local Airports — “Airline passengers traveling in and out of the D.C. region’s two main airports are not all that happy with their experience these days. That’s according to a passenger survey released this week by J.D. Power, which found that among 27 large airports in North America, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport ranked among the lowest in customer satisfaction.” [WBJ]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny conditions and a high of 87 degrees accompanied by a light northwest wind. Moving into Friday night, skies will turn partly cloudy with a low of 64 degrees. [NWS]
Eli’s Taqueria LLC
Trading as:
Eli’s Taqueria
3207 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, 22204-4305
The above establishment is applying to
the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a
Restaurant – Wine, Beer and Mixed Beverages On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
Nevi Paredes Espana, Owner
NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
