Natural stormwater filter on the corner of 22nd and N. Kentucky Street in the Leeway Overlee neighborhood (via Arlington County)
A proposed tweak to Arlington’s two-year-old stormwater-fee program could help members of homeowners’ associations save a little money.
County Board members are considering a possible change to the county’s stormwater-credit fee in areas where homeowners’ groups have made specific stormwater improvements. The change, which Board members voted to advertise for an October public hearing, would allow for financial rebates of up to 35%.
Falls Church Registrar David Bjerke feeds provisional ballots into a scanner (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
Falls Church election officials are getting ready for the start of early voting on Friday and the general election in November.
At a meeting last week, leaders provided updates on plans to send mail-in ballots, select election officers and ensure that voting equipment is good to go.
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.
Thinking about selling your home and moving into a luxury condominium? For many empty nesters, the idea sounds wonderful in theory: less maintenance, better location, more time, lock-and-leave convenience. But then reality sets in. Where will all my stuff go? Will I have enough room? Can I still host Thanksgiving? What happens to my gorgeous furniture? And, most importantly, am I really ready to give up my house?
Most are worried about simplifying without feeling like they’ve diminished their life. Let’s explore some of the details you might look for to make that transition more exciting and less stressful. I’ll bet you have been comfortable in your house for three decades and now desire a lifestyle shift but don’t want to make a housing mistake.
There is an art to downsizing without downgrading.
Having sold thousands of new condominiums to Baby Boomers, I’ve learned that one of the biggest competitors for a new condominium isn’t another community. It’s the buyer’s existing home. There are certain elements which will help make this transition an enjoyable one where you don’t have to trade the things you love. In fact, finding a condominium that allows you to bring a lot of what you already value (while eliminating the parts of homeownership you no longer want) is the key to the perfect fit.
Will I have enough space? Remember the basement, attic and garage you’ve accumulated over three decades? They’re not coming with you.
The right condominium can make you realize you didn’t actually need all that stuff. The wrong one will have you wondering where you are going to hide the Christmas decorations.
Most empty nester couples cannot fit in less than 1,400 square feet unless they have another home elsewhere (like a family house in Rehoboth or weekend cabin in West Virginia.) 1,400 sq ft gets you a larger than average 2 bedroom with walk-in closets, 2 bathrooms (so no one is in your primary bathroom), and perhaps an additional powder room, linen closet, pantry, or spacious utility room. Anything smaller means you are on top of one another and likely won’t have the storage capacity you need.
The ideal size for this demographic in Northern Virginia is a 1,700-2,200 square foot 2 bed plus den or 3 bedroom, with 2.5-3 baths. The den is critical and its placement should be an extension of the living room, not down the hall and cut off from the rest of the layout. During a party it expands the entertaining space while leaving the bedroom areas private…but on Tuesday it becomes a cozy spillover room to watch TV, read, and relax while your partner is cooking or watching videos of the grandkids on the laptop at the kitchen island. Don’t worry, you can still shout to one another. Some traditions shouldn’t be lost.
Christmas items now on sale at Costco in Pentagon City (courtesy John Antonelli)
New Pop-up Park in Rosslyn — “There will come a time when Monday Properties’ vacant twin offices at 1401 Wilson Blvd. and 1400 Key Blvd. in Rosslyn are finally redeveloped, as has been planned for over a decade. Until then, the large site… will serve the larger neighborhood as an ambitious pop-up park featuring event spaces, a “pet relief area” and urban gardens.” [WBJ]
Senators: Release N. Va. School Funds — “U.S. Senators Tim Kaine… and Mark R. Warner (both D-VA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the immediate reversal of the Department of Education’s decision to withhold millions of dollars in federal funding from Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools,” and other N. Va. school systems. [Press Release]
Gun, Drugs Found During Stop — “2400 block of S. Lowell Street. At approximately 7:06 p.m. on September 11, an officer observed an improperly registered vehicle, conducted a traffic stop and determined the driver had a suspended license. During a search of the vehicle prior to towing, a concealed firearm was recovered and, during a search of the driver, suspected narcotics were recovered.” [ACPD, ACPD/X]
ACSO Participates in Plane Pull — “Thousands gathered at Dulles International Airport over the weekend for the annual Plane Pull, where teams tested their strength to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia… Even the Virginia State Police and the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office teamed up during the event.” [WJLA]
Paper Pillories Football Fans — “How many mammoth stadiums, sole lasting monuments to our current culture, are filled to the brim with fanatics (“fans” for short) every Saturday for college games and Sundays for pro games, screaming and chanting for their favorites as players on the field, now at record levels of weight and speed, plow into each other down after down… Millions are spending their entire weekends engaged in these rituals.” [FCNP]
F.C. HS Notches Big Win — “The Meridian High School football team had three different players eclipse 100 rushing yards, and quarterback Cruz Ruoff intercepted two passes (yes, on defense) as the Mustangs beat Annandale 52-20.” [FCNP]
More on APS Reading Pilot — “The group Arlington Parents for Education, which has been advocating for a volunteer reading program, said the pilot “is a huge step forward for student literacy and a win for everyone who spoke up for more investment in reading support.” The application to volunteer is scheduled to close Sept. 26. Mann said 48 people signed up on the first day it was open.” [WTOP]
Colada Shop Landing at DCA — The local Cuban restaurant is placing roots at Reagan National Airport, with a new location expected in Terminal 2 by the end of the year. It will replace the restaurant’s Potomac location, which is closing Sunday, Sept. 28. –Katie Taranto
Fall Fest at West Falls — The new residential and retail development in Falls Church is hosting a grand opening celebration and Fall Fest on Sunday, Sept. 28, with live music, seasonal treats, family-friendly activities and giveaways from local businesses. –Katie Taranto
It’s Tuesday — Expect showers, thunderstorms and cloudy skies, with a high of 72°F, and a northeast wind of 14-17 mph, gusting up to 29 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Tonight, anticipate a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 8pm. The night will be cloudy with a low of 61°F, and a northeast wind around 15 mph, gusting to 23 mph. [NWS]
Registration is now open for Rosslyn Fall Fest, returning to the NOW pop-up park (1401 Wilson Blvd) on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 6 p.m. Expanded this year onto Oak Street, the FREE event will transform Arlington’s most urban neighborhood into a seasonal destination featuring an inflatable corn maze, local makers market, seasonal beer garden, live music, and fall-themed experiences for all ages to enjoy.
Attendees can explore a curated market of local makers and artisans, enjoy ciders and seasonal brews in the beer garden, navigate an inflatable corn maze, test their skills at inflatable axe throwing, and take part in pumpkin-themed activities and other fall experiences. Food vendors, live music, and dog-friendly programming round out the afternoon.
Expect showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4pm, followed by likely showers and possible thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be mostly cloudy with a high of 72°F, and a northeast wind of 14-17 mph, gusting up to 29 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Tonight, anticipate a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 8pm. The night will be cloudy with a low of 61°F, and a northeast wind around 15 mph, gusting to 23 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch can be expected, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
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.
Visit the fun and free Fairfax Funky Flea, home to over 80 vendors selling antiques and vintage clothing, jewelry, home goods, tools, ephemera, art and more. Food and baked goods, refreshments and coffee n ai fun, festival setting. Free close-by parking, pet friendly, restrooms.
Janet Garber was torch-carrier for the 2026 Senior Olympics (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
More than 200 of Arlington’s “seasoned citizens” are among a record 1,200 across the region participating in the 2025 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.
That county’s total of 209 competitors is up 17% from 2024, making Arlington the jurisdiction with the second most participants this year — behind Fairfax County.
Arlington Independent Media staff at work in earlier times (via Arlington County)
Arlington’s top elected official says there’s nothing the county government can do to prevent the demise of Arlington Independent Media (AIM).
“The law is what the law is. We cannot do too much about that,” County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at the Sept. 13 Board meeting, responding to concerns raised during the public-comment period about the state of local media in Arlington.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy delivers remarks and answers questions from members of the press in 2021 (photo courtesy Biden White House/Flickr)
One of the nation’s leading voices in public health will speak about issues related to loneliness at an Arlington event later this week.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, who served as surgeon general under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, will address the “epidemic of loneliness” on Thursday at VHC Health (1701 N. George Mason Drive).
Crime is declining on the Metro system, but riders’ perceptions of safety depend on which mode of transportation they use.
Riders on Metrobus reported more safety concerns than those on Metrorail. Overall, however, rider satisfaction rates are either flat or improving, according to data reported at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority’s safety and operations committee.