Around Town

An Arlington pinball arcade has opened a second location above the Rosslyn Metro station.

The Pinball Basement is now operating on the first level of 1700 N. Moore Street underneath the Upside on Moore food hall, Upside Director of Operations Sam Groh told ARLnow. The arcade offers daily playing passes and monthly memberships.


Events

The weekend leading up to Cinco de Mayo calls for plenty of live music and libations across Arlington.

Margaritas, dancing and deals on Latin and Tex Mex food are all on the schedule this weekend and Monday in honor of the annual May 5 celebration — which, historically speaking, commemorates Mexico’s 1862 victory against French forces in the Battle of Puebla.


Sponsored

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.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

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.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

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.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

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.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

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.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

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.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

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


News

WASHINGTON (AP) — Detailed Army plans for a potential military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June call for more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians, The Associated Press has learned.

The planning documents, obtained by the AP, are dated April 29 and 30 and have not been publicly released. They represent the Army’s most recent blueprint for its long-planned 250th anniversary festival on the National Mall and the newly added element — a large military parade that Trump has long wanted but is still being discussed.


Opinion

Several companies offer lawn care services in Arlington, helping neighbors keep their yards in tip-top shape with mowing, weeding and more.

Here are the nominees for “Best Lawn Care Services in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss a favorite provider of yours? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Roofing Company in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Bike Shop in Arlington. The results are now official:

1. Conte’s Bike Shop

2. Bikenetic

3. Phoenix Bikes


Event

Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 34th Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026 featuring live jazz, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Rosslyn! This year’s lineup is bringing a diverse mix of performers and bands redefining the jazz music genre including Plena Libre, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Parlor Greens, and Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band.


Schools

The president of the Arlington Education Association says she will give up the position if elected to the School Board.

“Would I step down if elected? Yes, I would,” June Prakash said when questioned on her plans by Arlington NAACP education chair Tia Alfred at the civil-rights organization’s online candidate forum earlier this week.


News

Changes to Silver line service and less frequent Blue and Yellow line trains are scheduled for this weekend due to planned track work.

Trains between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport will run every 18 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, the Silver line’s eastern terminus will be in New Carrollton instead of Largo.


News
Overnight utility work in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)

Roosevelt Bridge Project Starting — “A key connection between D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, is about to go through a 3-and-a-half-year rehab, with traffic shifting as soon as next week. The Roosevelt Bridge over the Potomac River, which supports almost 100,000 vehicles a day, has been classified as in poor condition for some time, according to the D.C. Department of Transportation.” [NBC 4]

Beyer Bill to Benefit Fired Feds — “Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., who represents more than 72,000 federal workers, is introducing legislation to make it easier for government employees removed under the Trump administration to rejoin agencies and to deter a future president from undertaking a mass firing of the workforce.” [Government Executive, Press Release]

Arlington and N. Va. Lauded — “It could be better (nobody’s perfect) Northern Virginia is probably the country’s best-executed version of suburban growth and I feel like nobody talks about it.” [Matthew Yglesias/X]

Arlington PitchFest Recap — “On April 30, 2025, 17 small business owners from Arlington and across Northern Virginia took the stage at the BizLaunch PitchFest Finale, held at Amazon’s Visitor Landing at HQ2. The event marked the culmination of the BizLaunch Transformational Challenge, a months-long program designed to equip entrepreneurs with critical skills to strengthen and scale their businesses.” [Arlington County]

ACFD Heat and Recovery Study — “Arlington Fire and GW presented a research study yesterday at the GW University research symposium on new technology to help prevent heat injuries and improve recovery for firefighters while performing fireground activities.” [ACFD/X]

Marymount Fashion Show Tomorrow — “This is not Paris Fashion Week. It’s a scene from Marymount University’s annual Portfolio in Motion (PIM) spring fashion show, where everything similarly happens by design… For the first time, PIM will make its 2025 debut at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, on May 3.” [Arlington Magazine]

More on Arlington’s ‘Green’ App — “On Earth Day and all year long, Arlington County is urging its community to “get green” and help the planet and they’re doing that with the Get Green Arlington app. The app allows residents to find green initiatives and track their daily impact on their neighborhood and planet.” [DC News Now]

It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, with otherwise mostly sunny conditions and a high near 87. Expect southwest winds of 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. Friday night, the storm threat continues until 2am, with a 40% chance of precipitation, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low of 66. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 1, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2pm, with mostly sunny conditions and a high near 87. Expect southwest winds of 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. For Friday night, the chance of showers and thunderstorms continues until 2am, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low of 66. South winds will be around 6 mph, with a 40% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C. S. Lewis

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.


News

Campaigns in Arlington’s Democratic primary and School Board caucus are kicking into gear, with three competitive races at the local level.

Candidates Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash are competing for one open seat on the Arlington School Board.