Falls Church officials hope that 2026 will be the year they start making decisions about the city’s portion of the 20-acre Gordon Road Triangle.
Much of the city’s portion of the industrial area is occupied by the Robert L. Goff Operations Yard on Gordon Road. It is likely the city would work to find private partners to fund on-site renovations to — and new facilities on — the well-worn facility, rather than try to cover all those costs itself.
Dems Early Voting Rally — “Kick off Early Voting with Senator Mark Warner and the Arlington Democrats this Friday at 8am! We’ll rally at Courthouse Plaza, then go cast our ballots.” [Arlington Democrats/Bluesky]
GOP Endorses Rives — Arlington Republicans have endorsed the candidacy of James “Vell” Rives IV in the School Board race that also features candidates Monique “Moe” Bryant and Major Mike Webb. “I’m happy to have their endorsement — school issues go beyond party politics this year,” Rives said, adding he also hoped to get support from across the political spectrum in his fourth bid for a School Board seat. –Scott McCaffrey
Art Studio Tour Next Week — “The 2025 Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour is coming soon! The eighth annual AVAST tour will take place on September 27 and 28 at over 25 locations throughout Arlington.” [AVAST]
Coffee With a Cop Returns — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is proud to join communities nationwide in celebrating National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, October 1. To mark the occasion, our Community Engagement Division is hosting two informal engagement opportunities for Arlingtonians to connect with the officers that serve them.” [ACPD]
Eagle Scout Project at VHC — “A Langley High School senior’s Eagle Scout project rejuvenated a calming space at VHC Health’s Sid and Reba Dewberry Cancer Center in Arlington, where patients can find some respite as they undergo treatment.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and potential storms are likely throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 70°F and north winds of 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. The chance of showers decreases Wednesday night, with a cloudy low of 63°F and north winds of 6-8 mph. [NWS]
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
Good Tuesday 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 — Sep 16, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Showers and potential thunderstorms are likely throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 70°F and north winds of 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. The chance of showers decreases to 30% before 2am on Wednesday night, with a cloudy low of 63°F and north winds of 6-8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.”
– St. Augustine
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.
Arlington’s oldest elementary school is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Friday with student-centered activities and a community picnic.
Festivities at Barcroft Elementary School will include a human chain beginning at the site of the original Barcroft School and a mini “field day” where students participate in games and activities that kids might have played 100 years ago.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
A rewrite of the county’s current tenant-relocation guidelines aims to provide more privacy protections to impacted renters.
County staff have tweaked some proposed changes recommended by the Tenant-Landlord Commission, which had sought more specific information about people required to move out of apartments because of redevelopment.
The Washington Capitals are clearing out old merchandise and gear at a charity “garage sale” in Ballston this weekend.
Caps T-shirts, bobbleheads, posters and more will be available for purchase from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex at 627 N. Glebe Road. Merchandise proceeds will benefit the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, the team’s official charity.
A dapper Dutch rabbit, complete with his own tuxedo coloring, is looking for a home in Arlington.
Chadwick Fancypants, or Chad to his friends, is a 6-year-old rabbit available for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
The Arlington County Police Department is holding a planned training in a building in Crystal City later today (Tuesday).
The closed training exercise will happen from around 6 p.m. to midnight on the 1800 block of S. Bell Street, according to an ACPD press release. An 11-story tower on this block is currently teed up for an office-to-apartment conversion project, with public hearings scheduled for later this fall.
Three weeks into the high-school football season, a big and experienced offensive line has been clearing the way to help the Washington-Liberty Generals to a 3-0 start.
The line has opened holes for running backs like Brayden Black, and in pass protection has given quarterback Tyler Flint-Steinig plenty of time to find open receivers.
