The spring sports season is beginning in earnest starting this week and next for the majority of teams at all four high schools in Arlington.
A few teams have played regular-season events this week, while others are still participating in scrimmage events.
After weeks of playing defense, some D.C.-area leaders are now considering a more aggressive approach to the Trump administration.
“We know the president responds to pressure. It’s really important that we continue to fight,” said Fairfax Supervisor James Walkinshaw during a Wednesday (March 12) meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).
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…)
Arlington’s proposed FY 2026 budget continues after-school programs kicked off last year aimed at curbing substance abuse among local teens.
Data shows that Arlington overdoses did, indeed, decline last year among juveniles and in the general population. However, it’s somewhat unclear how much of a role the new Arlington Public Schools programming played in this.
Substantial economic uncertainty has left Arlington officials facing tough questions as they consider beefing up the county’s reserve fund this year.
The current Fiscal Year 2026 budget draft includes a proposed $11.5 million increase to the county’s Economic Stability Reserve — increasing it from $21.5 million to $33 million.
We’re excited to announce the opening of our second location in Arlington, VA! ❤️
📍 Opening June 1st
Arlington Rents Still Rising — “Arlington, Virginia, experienced the largest year-over-year increase in asking rents last month, with a 12.1% rise. The average rent in Arlington now stands at $2,591. Bethesda, Maryland, is nearing $3,000 monthly, with a spike similar to Arlington’s.” [WJLA, Zumper]
NTSB: Close Calls, Radio Problems — “At a crucial moment, just 17 seconds before impact, the pilot and other crew members in the Black Hawk may not have received a key instruction from the air traffic controller guiding their flight. The controller told the helicopter pilot to pass behind the American Airlines plane. But, the NTSB said, according to information from the cockpit data recorder, ‘the portion of the transmission that stated ‘pass behind the’ may not have been received.'” [Washington Post, CNN]
Spring Allergy Season Underway — “Sneezing? Watery eyes? A general malaise? It could be the tree pollen. The D.C.-area tree pollen count climbed to 1504.8 grains per cubic meter of air in the latest update. Boosted by the well-above-average temperatures, that value is more than three times higher than yesterday’s count.” [CWG]
It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy conditions and a high around 59. A gentle northeast wind of 6 mph will be present during the day. The night will also remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 43. [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 12, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Patchy fog will clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy conditions and a high around 59. A gentle northeast wind of 6 mph will be present during the day. The night will also remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 43, accompanied by a similar east wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
– Albert Einstein
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.
Local businesses are weighing their options to cope as record-high egg prices are expected to continue rising this year.
Several Arlington restaurants and bakeries have told ARLnow they are considering raising prices as they face increasingly high costs and, at times, shortages of the ubiquitous ingredient.
Just a few hours remain until the first round of public input closes on transportation needs along Langston Blvd.
The Virginia Department of Transportation and Arlington County have teamed up on a study of the major east-west corridor from N. Veitch Street to N. Lynn Street.
A local piece of long-lost bar scene history is making a comeback in Clarendon this weekend.
The newly reopened Mister Days sports bar is hosting a once-popular street festival dubbed “Rally in the Alley” this Saturday at 1101 N. Highland Street. It’s the first time the festival will happen in Arlington — and also the first time Mister Days has hosted the event — since the bar left D.C.’s Dupont Circle in 2001.
