By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a slew of bills reforming labor and gun laws, blocking Democrats’ attempts to reintroduce legislation nearly identical to what they proposed unsuccessfully last year.
The Arlington Public Library’s semiannual book sale is coming back for the spring season.
Offering books, games and puzzles at bargain prices, the sale begins next Thursday, April 3 in Central Library’s parking garage at 1015 N. Quincy Street.
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.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
Organic Chain Coming to Ballston — “Life Alive Organic Cafe is expanding to Northern Virginia following its local debut in January from space on D.C.’s West End. The Massachusetts-based fast-casual chain, which features healthy food options including bowls, salads and wraps, has inked deals for space in Ballston and Old Town Alexandria, with several more outposts expected to follow.” [WBJ]
Accelerator Coming to Crystal City — “A Los Angeles venture capital firm will launch an accelerator program in Arlington later this year to help aerospace and defense startups establish a permanent presence in Greater Washington. Starburst Ventures’ National Landing Launchpad, to be located in 1,600 square feet at 2231 Crystal Drive, is set to accept applications for its first cohort of up to 10 startups on April 1.” [WBJ]
Gov. Vetoes Ranked Choice Bill — “Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation that would have made technical improvements to Virginia’s ranked choice voting statute. The bill contained clarifications for election administrators regarding audits, recounts, and equipment testing.” [Ranked Choice Virginia]
Notable Va. Bills Signed — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin, now in his last year in office, has made decisions on nearly 900 pieces of legislation from this session. Of those bills, he signed 599, amended 159, and vetoed 157. Here are some of the standouts.” [N. Va. Magazine]
Alexandria Braces for Fed Cuts — “Two regional planning experts delivered sobering news to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday (March 25) about the potential impact of federal workforce reductions, warning that the city faces significant economic challenges if proposed cuts materialize.” [ALXnow]
It’s Thursday — The weather will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees, accompanied by a west wind at 6 to 9 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with lows around 44 degrees. [NWS]
Good Wednesday 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 — Mar 26, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
The weather will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with lows around 44 degrees and southwest winds at approximately 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
– Robert Frost
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
A collaborative Summer Solstice gathering hosted by Inner Seasons and Spiritual Enhancements.
The Summer Solstice marks the peak of the sun’s power, the moment in the Wheel of the Year when light is at its fullest expression. In many traditions, this is the season of radiance, visibility, and creative fire. It is the time when nature stands unapologetically in her fullness, inviting us to do the same.
Firefighters battled a large house fire in the Woodmont neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
The fire scene is the 2900 block of 24th Road N., south of the YMCA gymnastics center. Black smoke could be seen rising from a distance as a result of the blaze.
An immigration operation at a cluster of Ashton Heights apartments last week left many residents on edge and concerned for themselves and their neighbors.
On Thursday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempted to enter several apartment buildings as part of an investigation. An ARLnow reporter witnessed agents loudly banging on doors in one building before leaving the building to interview several passersby.
An outdoor fire just north of Washington-Liberty High School prompted a large emergency response and shut down some roads Wednesday afternoon.
The fire, in a backyard along the 1500 block of N. Stafford Street, was reported around 2:30 p.m. The blaze started in a shed and spread to nearby trees and brush, according to scanner traffic.
Several Arlington County programs may be canceled or significantly reduced as officials face a restricted budget this year.
The budget calls for rolling back an eviction prevention program, cutting positions in the county’s planning department and canceling a preschool program and a traveling art truck.
A middle school student is facing charges after police say he threatened another student with a knife.
Police were dispatched to Swanson Middle School in the Westover area around lunchtime Tuesday for a report of a 14-year-old student making threats. They subsequently seized two knives that had been brought into the school.
