Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Dougherty (screenshot via City of Falls Church)
The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The Falls Church City Council passed a resolution supporting the volunteers on Monday. It came just a few days before the specific date — Feb. 27, 1925 — that the fire department was established.
Another “Tesla Tuesday” protest outside of the Tesla store on S. Glebe Road (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
Family Shares Integration Station Story — “After the switch [to the APS Integration Station program], the difference was significant, Villapando said. Leo wakes up excitedly on Saturdays and Sundays, asking whether it’s a school day. His child psychologist said he could reach the general education level by kindergarten if he continues to get the proper support in preschool. But that progress may be in jeopardy, she said.” [WTOP]
Upcoming Local Events — “Perhaps no month holds more promise in the DMV than March. With the start of spring comes milder weather and the return of outdoor fun (think concerts, ball games and cherry blossoms). Start planning your calendar with these upcoming options.” [Arlington Magazine]
Sexual Battery Investigation in F.C. — “The City of Falls Church Police Department is investigating a series of sexual batteries that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, February 25, 2025 and seeks possible additional victims or witnesses to the crimes.” [FCNP]
Feds Consider Agency Moves — “The Trump administration is giving federal agenciesuntil mid-April to suggest relocations of bureaus and offices out of the D.C. region, a move that would have widespread impacts on the local economy.” [Washington Post]
Cherry Blossom Bloom Prediction — “D.C.’s cherry blossoms will hit peak bloom March 28-31 this year, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Thursday.” [Axios]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 54 degrees, as the northwest wind at 10 to 15 mph shifts southwest during the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 25 mph. Clouds will increase Friday night, bringing the temperature down to around 44 degrees, accompanied by southwest winds at 10 to 13 mph and gusts reaching 18 mph. [NWS]
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at[email protected].
Question: Why would anybody waste thousands of dollars each year on condo fees?
Answer: Most people associate paying condo fees with throwing money down the drain, but most people do not look at condo fees the right way.
In this June 20 article, the Wall Street Journal reported a study by Angi (formerly Angie’s List) that home maintenance and emergency repairs have increased by 85% and 175%, respectively, from 2019 to 2025.
By comparison, condo fees in Arlington increased by an average of just 32% from 2019 to 2025, making them a steep bargain for condo owners compared to other homeowners.
What Do Condo Fees Pay For?
For those who haven’t spent time studying condo budgets, some of the main expenses in a condo budget include:
Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Utilities: general upkeep and operations of the building
Reserves: a building’s savings account for major repairs or replacement of things like the roof, elevators, carpet, etc
Property Management/Staff: contracts for a property manager, front desk, janitorial services, and engineer
Master Insurance: this policy usually protects everything except your personal items and improvements within each unit
Expect sunny skies and a high of around 54 degrees, as the northwest wind at 10 to 15 mph shifts southwest during the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 25 mph. Clouds will increase Friday night, bringing the temperature down to around 44 degrees, accompanied by southwest winds at 10 to 13 mph and gusts reaching 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde
Columbia Pike looking westbound in October 2024 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
Despite leaders’ hopes for a brighter future on Columbia Pike, both new and established businesses continue to face difficulties as roadwork drags on.
At this month’s “State of the Pike” forum, speakers highlighted a “light at the end of the tunnel” for establishments that have endured years of nearby utility work and road and sidewalk reconstruction.
Due to the extended period of extreme heat forecasted for the next several days in our area, the Civic Jam event originally scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, has been postponed to Friday, July 24, 2026.
Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Bar Bao in November 2020 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
A Clarendon bar shut down early and crowd control was needed last weekend following a reported fight — a relatively common occurrence at the establishment.
Police were once again dispatched to Bar Bao — the site of almost 1,000 police calls for service between 2022 and 2024 — following a report of a quarrel around 8:53 p.m. on Sunday.
The state wrestling tournament in Saturday, March 1 (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
All that remains on the winter high-school schedule for Arlington teams are state-championship events in a number of private- and public-school sports.
State competitions are ongoing in basketball, gymnastics, swimming/diving, track-and-field and wrestling.
Mardi Gras in a Box and Li'l KC donuts from 2024 (courtesy of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery)
King cakes, parties and themed drinks and foods are coming to Arlington and Falls Church for Fat Tuesday next week.
From purple, green and gold-covered sweets to New Orleans cuisine and church pancake suppers, here’s where you’ll find community celebrations and Mardi Gras activities next Tuesday, March 4.
Goodwill's Mobile Donation Express in Clarendon (courtesy of Goodwill)
Goodwill has launched a new donation center out of a mobile trailer in Clarendon.
The nonprofit opened a Mobile Donation Express earlier this month at 2636 Wilson Blvd, near Whole Foods Market. Although moveable, the trailer will remain parked at the location for the foreseeable future, a Goodwill representative told ARLnow.