A French cafe and creperie with a vintage aesthetic may be opening soon in Falls Church.
The Little Falls Cafe is a new concept by Enzo Algarme and Anastasiya Laufenberg, the founders of Pupatella, an acclaimed Arlington-based pizzeria. The team aims for a spring opening.
Arlington Public Schools leaders are trying to ensure families continue to feel safe following immigration enforcement changes under President Donald Trump.
The school system has rolled out additional trainings for school administrators and staff and launched a new webpage with immigration resources for families, Superintendent Francisco Durán announced yesterday (Thursday).
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 real estate market reflects the broader community — it’s diverse, dynamic, and never boring.
This weekend’s local open houses offer a snapshot of Arlington’s wide variety real estate offerings, from affordable condos to multi-million dollar homes. One highlight: a $2 million home with a covered front porch, two car garage and fenced yard.
Exciting Full-Court 3×3 Basketball League is BACK!!
DMV 3×3 announces that its 3×3 Youth Basketball Full Court League is returning for a sophomore season!
The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. And so has the countdown to planning a memorable and special time with your significant other. But there is still time and plenty of date night destinations in Arlington to choose from.
Here are the top picks for “Best Date Ideas to do in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Don’t see your favorite date idea listed? Feel free to write it in.
Voting will close in two weeks so don’t wait!
Voting for Best Florist 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 Best brunch spot in Arlington. The results are now official:
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.
A new pizza option plans to open soon in Rosslyn, offering Roman-style rectangle pies and Italian cuisine.
Ravenna Pizza is preparing to open for business next month at 1500 Wilson Blvd, where Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop closed in 2022.
After nearly three decades in elected office, former County Board member Libby Garvey plans to remain active in Arlington civic life.
Garvey, who ended more than a dozen years on the County Board on Dec. 31, plans to continue publishing her civic newsletters while working to become a clearinghouse for thought-provoking political conversation at the local and national level.
Skaters, Students Among the Dead — “Northern Virginia’s figure skating community is reeling after receiving the news that a coach and multiple young skaters from the area were killed when an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River.” [NBC 4, Sky News/X, FFXnow]
Questions About Air Traffic — “The airspace along the Potomac River where an Army helicopter and an airliner crashed Wednesday night poses some of the most complex challenges in the country for pilots, requiring them to rely on layers of procedures and electronic safeguards to avoid a catastrophe.” [Washington Post, WSJ, WBJ]
DCA Tower Was Understaffed — “The air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport was understaffed on Wednesday evening when a passenger plane and a military helicopter collided in midair… NATCA, the controllers’ labor union, has warned in recent years that a thinly stretched workforce poses a risk to safety.” [Washington Post]
Regional Response Lauded — “There is probably not a region in the country as well prepared as the national capital region for the large scale public safety response that we have seen on the Potomac River since last night.” [Dave Statter/X]
Witness Accounts of Crash — “Schulman said he saw sparks spreading along the plane, nose to tail, as the aircraft banked sharply to the right… Another witness, Courtney Cain, 28, said she was at home at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling when she heard a bang outside. She looked out her living room window, where she saw a flash.” [Washington Post]
Prayers for Victims — From Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge: “We share a sense of shock at this sudden profound loss of so many lives here in our community, both civilians and military personnel training to keep us safe. We grieve alongside the many who have lost beloved family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow parishioners, including at least two from our own parishes.” [Diocese of Arlington, YouTube]
Beyer Offers Help to Families — “My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones last night. I want those families to know that my office is here to help you in any way we can in this time of grief and loss.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Local Police on GW Parkway? — “A proposal advancing through the Virginia Legislature would give state and local police the authority to conduct traffic enforcement along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The 22-mile stretch of highway is patrolled by U.S. Park Police, but some lawmakers say federal traffic enforcement is lacking and safety is at risk.” [NBC 4]
Crash in Aurora Highlands — “There was a crash at the intersection of 23rd Street S. and 26th Street S. in Aurora Highlands, sending one car down into the yard of a home.” [ARLnow/X]
Gun Investigation at Yorktown HS — “On January 29, police were dispatched to the report of a weapons offense. The preliminary investigation indicates the reporting party allegedly saw a juvenile male with what appeared to be the handle of a firearm in his waistband. The juvenile male was no longer on school property at the time of police arrival but was subsequently located by officers. No weapon was located.” [ACPD]
It’s Friday — Expect rain with a high near 55, south wind at 9-11 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph. Precipitation is expected to range from half to three-quarters of an inch. Friday night may bring more rain until 1am, followed by clearing skies and a low of around 42. Southwest wind will be 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The nighttime precipitation chance is 50%. [NWS]
Good Thursday 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 — Jan 30, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect rain with a high near 55, south wind at 9-11 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph. Precipitation is guaranteed, with new amounts ranging from half to three-quarters of an inch. Friday night may bring more rain until 1am, followed by clearing skies and a low of around 42. Southwest wind will be 7-10 mph, turning northwest post-midnight, and might gust up to 20 mph. Precipitation chance is 50%. See more from Weather.gov.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
– 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.
Arlington public opinion continues to be divided on the future of ranked-choice voting.
By one measure, that split is nearly right down the middle.
