The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns Saturday, bringing a lineup of soulful tunes, artisan vendors and local bites amid the start of summer.
Preparing for its 29th year, the festival will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at a new location, Penrose Square (2597 Columbia Pike), hosting several regional and nationally recognized music acts.
Medical crews and hazmat teams were dispatched to the Pentagon this morning for a reported hazardous materials incident.
Initial reports referenced “a positive anthrax system alert” around 9 a.m., along with “a suspicious odor” and at least one individual with chest pain in the inner courtyard. They also referred to a need for further lab testing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
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.
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.
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
As if it wasn’t humid enough already, Thursday will be even more sweltering as temperatures rise this afternoon.
A Heat Advisory has been issued for Arlington. That means hazardous conditions for those working outside and no outdoor recess for Arlington Public Schools students.
A new payment and processing system for Arlington parking tickets launched yesterday (Wednesday).
The new site is intended to make it easier for motorists to resolve citations. Users can enter either their ticket number, their license plate number or their vehicle identification number to view open tickets.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
Construction of the 250-foot-high triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near Memorial Bridge could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete the project within three years.
That’s according to a preliminary assessment by the National Park Service.
A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses.
The commonwealth’s “Clean Slate” law is expected to automatically seal over 100,000 criminal records of Virginians who were once convicted of misdemeanors such as shoplifting, trespassing and distributing marijuana, but who haven’t reoffended in the past seven years. This will make make housing providers and many employers unable to access such records via criminal background checks.
Four Courts Braces for Crowds — Ireland’s Four Courts is preparing for World Cup crowds after being voted America’s best soccer bar by the Men in Blazers podcast. Staff are pulling furniture to pack in more fans and stocking up on chicken wings and Guinness. “Once the World Cup starts, it’s going to be like a Saturday every single day,” managing partner David Cahill said. [WTOP]
Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over the Lincoln Memorial Thursday, June 11, at approximately 11 a.m.”
Pop-Ups Touch Down at DCA — “The Market at DCA is bringing together local pop-up finds from Blondies Bakery Box and MelanBrand Skin … baked goods and natural skincare.” The pop-ups run through June 30. [Reagan National/X]
Pentagon City Car Carrier Drama — “Car Carrier Gate got very interesting during the noon hour. One driver who apparently didn’t get the word that deliveries and pickups are now to be done on mall property soon had a visitor from Arlington County. That was followed by three others. Their message was apparently pretty strong, considering they wouldn’t even let the driver enter the mall through the exit with his last car.” [Dave Statter/X]
UFC Card Closes Major Roads — A UFC event at the White House will bring a string of road closures and parking restrictions across downtown D.C. from Thursday through Monday. Memorial Bridge closes Friday evening, and stretches of I-395 and I-66 will be affected. D.C. police said all closures and times are subject to change. [WTOP]
Emergency Sewer Repairs Set — D.C. Water will begin emergency repairs Monday on 1,700 feet of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Maryland, work meant to protect drinking water intakes downstream. “Inspections found structural deterioration, including significant corrosion and exposed rebar that requires immediate attention,” according to D.C. Water. The repairs follow a January spill of roughly 240 million gallons. [WTOP]
Kaine Targets Teacher Shortage — Sen. Tim Kaine (D) introduced a bill creating a grant program to address the national teacher shortage and support early-career educators through mentoring. “It’s both an educational effectiveness program, but also a teacher retention program,” Kaine said. He is championing the Better Education Through Mentoring Act with Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut. [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 96 and heat index values as high as 104. There’s a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m., with west winds 3–7 mph. Overnight lows drop to around 73, with thunderstorms possible before 1 a.m. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
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 — Jun 10, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of 96°F and heat index values reaching 104°F. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 PM, with west winds at 5 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 73°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Winds will calm to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
– Vince Lombardi
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
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.
A portion of N. Glebe Road is closed near Chain Bridge due to a death investigation.
Initial reports suggest that someone jumped or fell from a bridge along the GW Parkway around 2:30 p.m. They were reportedly found near the Potomac Heritage Trail and pronounced dead on the scene.
