Members of Wakefield's novice four (courtesy of Wakefield crew)
On the first of two weekends of Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association competition, the Wakefield Warriors had a champion in what is known as the novice states regatta.
The Wakefield girls novice 4 finished first in 6:29.1, coming in ahead of five other shells in the race on the Occoquan Reservoir. In the finals, Battlefield finished second in 6:35.7.
Jim Spiridopoulos coaching at George Mason HIgh (courtesy of the Spiridopoulos familiy)
In addition to his vast success as a high-school basketball coach throughout the metro area, the late Jim Spiridopoulos is being remembered for his unique, passionate and tireless involvement and dedication to the sport and to his players.
Spiridopoulos, known to many as “Spiro”, died April 29 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 80.
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at[email protected].
Question: Why would anybody waste thousands of dollars each year on condo fees?
Answer: Most people associate paying condo fees with throwing money down the drain, but most people do not look at condo fees the right way.
In this June 20 article, the Wall Street Journal reported a study by Angi (formerly Angie’s List) that home maintenance and emergency repairs have increased by 85% and 175%, respectively, from 2019 to 2025.
By comparison, condo fees in Arlington increased by an average of just 32% from 2019 to 2025, making them a steep bargain for condo owners compared to other homeowners.
What Do Condo Fees Pay For?
For those who haven’t spent time studying condo budgets, some of the main expenses in a condo budget include:
Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Utilities: general upkeep and operations of the building
Reserves: a building’s savings account for major repairs or replacement of things like the roof, elevators, carpet, etc
Property Management/Staff: contracts for a property manager, front desk, janitorial services, and engineer
Master Insurance: this policy usually protects everything except your personal items and improvements within each unit
Expect sunny skies and a high around 72 degrees with northwest winds at 10-13 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. For Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of approximately 56 degrees. The west wind at 5 mph will become calm during the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Residents worried about our urban forest, their neighbor’s tree, or the declining oak in their own yard can apply now for a seven-week course to learn about trees and become a volunteer Tree Steward with Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria.
Chairs at the Center for Youth and Family Advocacy's PEER Ambassador Academy (via CYFA/X)
A new restorative justice program for youth has scored some success but continues to grapple with layered challenges around juvenile offenses in Arlington, leaders say.
“What stands out most is the complexity of needs among the young people we serve,” said Devanshi Patel, CEO of the nonprofit Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA).
City Council work session of May 5, 2025 (screenshot via City of Falls Church)
In just a few months, Falls Church leaders are hoping to reach a final decision on whether to shift how they fund city trash collection.
City Council members on Monday directed City Manager Wyatt Shields to set up a task force on the issue and come back to Council members by Aug. 4 with recommendations.
After a wet start to Friday, things are looking up for Mother’s Day weekend.
Meteorologist Jackie Layer of DC News Now breaks down the forecast specifically for Arlington — including vital info for your Mother’s Day brunch plans — in the video below. She also previews what might be a rainy stretch next week.
First responders and bikers tend to Caleb Maloy after a hit-and-run on I-395 (courtesy of Caleb Maloy)
A Falls Church man who fled the scene after striking a motorcyclist near the Pentagon last year has been sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.
Fullas Abebe, who admitted in October to striking the bike on I-395 before speeding off, received more than the recommended 180-day sentence in Arlington Circuit Court last Friday, May 2.