Some celebrations in honor of Lunar New Year are coming to Arlington and Falls Church next week.
Observed by many Asian communities on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the holiday signals the upcoming spring season and usher in the year of the snake on the Chinese zodiac calendar. From specialty menus to festivals, here are some of the cultural activities taking place in Arlington and Falls Church.
Plans for two new bridges over the Potomac River have moved “to the next level” with the announcement of a contractor to design and build the structures.
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) last week named Long Bridge Rail Partners — a joint venture between three general contractors — as the organization responsible for finalizing designs and beginning construction on the “South Package” of the Long Bridge Project.
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
Construction contracts for new pickleball facilities and improvements to Central Library are on the agenda as Arlington County Board members meet on Saturday, Jan. 25.
It will be the Board’s first working meeting of the year, and follows a Jan. 7 organizational meeting at which Takis Karantonis was elected chair for 2025.
The future of ranked-choice voting in Arlington’s general elections remains undecided as officials await a report on public attitudes.
The Arlington County Board expects to receive said report at a Tuesday, Jan. 28 meeting. The results “will give us a lot to think about,” Board Chair Takis Karantonis, who has seen some of the data, said at an Arlington County Civic Federation meeting last week.
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.
Metro Ready for Returning Feds — “Metro has the capacity to accommodate federal workers ordered back to the office by the Trump administration, one top transit leader says… NVTC member Takis Karantonis said he hoped planning efforts would help make the system ‘extra welcoming’ to those returning as commuters.” [FFXnow]
Beyer on Jan. 6 Pardons — “Trump pardoned the people who beat and tazed my constituent, Officer Michael Fanone, who gave a brain injury to my constituent Officer Jeff Smith days before he died by suicide, and who attacked and sprayed my constituent, Officer Brian Sicknick, with bear spray hours before his death from two strokes.” [Press Release]
Pepper Spray Incident at Bar — “500 block of 23rd Street S. At approximately 11:57 p.m. on January 18, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect became involved in a physical altercation with the three male victims inside of a business during which he deployed pepper spray before fleeing the scene. The victims were treated on scene by medics.” [ACPD, Twitter]
Va. Bill to Protect Pedestrians — “State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) plans to introduce legislation this year that would sidestep debate over what counts as ‘careless’ or ‘distracted’ by punishing any driver who seriously injures or kills somebody who is in a crosswalk or otherwise legally on a roadway with up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.” [Washington Post, LIS]
New U.S. Attorney — “Erik S. Siebert was sworn in today as the Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.” [Press Release]
S’mores Snafu Stymies Scouts — “A truck containing thousands of boxes of S’mores wouldn’t start this morning, holding up the annual troop pickup of cookie orders for the Girl Scouts Nations Capital at Cameron Run Regional Park (4001 Eisenhower Avenue). Not to worry — the S’mores truck officially arrived.” [ALXnow]
Beltway Closure This Weekend — “Starting on the night of Friday, Jan. 24, four of the six northbound lanes on I-495 will be shut down for one mile from the Route 7 interchange (Leesburg Pike) in Tysons to Lewinsville Road in McLean to accommodate construction.” [FFXnow]
Sports Coverage Change — Starting this week, ARLnow is shifting most of our sports coverage to Saturday. Some articles about big games will still publish during the week, however.
It’s Wednesday — Expect clouds to increase, reaching a high near 20, accompanied by wind chills as low as -3. Northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph will ease in the afternoon. As for Wednesday night, expect partly cloudy conditions with a low of around 12, accompanied by calm winds. [NWS]
Good Tuesday 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 21, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect clouds to increase, reaching a high near 20, accompanied by wind chills as low as -3. Northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph will ease in the afternoon. As for Wednesday night, you can anticipate partly cloudy conditions with the temperature settling at a low of around 12, accompanied by calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
– Chinese Proverb
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 Schools are opening on a two-hour delay Wednesday due to extreme cold.
The delay — and cancelation of morning field trips — comes after APS opened on time Tuesday.
This is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church. I will be providing updates on a monthly basis, recapping what we know and letting you know what’s to come.
With the holidays over and the new year settling in, many of us are shifting back into work or keeping up with resolutions. Staying inside might be tempting this time of year — especially with temperatures dipping into single digits this week — but there are still good reasons to get out and about in Arlington.
Next month will mark the 50th anniversary of the permanent preservation of Arlington’s oldest existing residential structure.
The Ball-Sellers House, which began life in the mid-1700s as a two-room log cabin, was donated in February 1975 by its last private owner to the Arlington Historical Society. The society then refurbished the Glencarlyn home and opened portions of it to the public as its contribution to the nation’s bicentennial celebration of 1976.
