Around Town

A fifth grader in Green Valley who ran a lemonade stand this summer to support the creation of her first book is now a self-published author.

Nora Jacoby, 10, celebrated the release of “The Four Princesses” earlier this week. It’s a tale of three princesses who use their powers to help a fourth princess who has lost everything.


News
Steel flowers on a gray day in Clarendon (staff photo)

Local Military Contractor Hits Snag — “Arlington defense contractor AeroVironment Inc. has been forced to suspend its work supplying certain military drones to the U.S. Army after a rival firm protested the award of a contract valued at close to $1 billion.” [Washington Business Journal]

End is Near for Circulator — “Oct. 1 will mark the end of the Rosslyn-Dupont Circle Route of the D.C. Circulator bus service, part of the phased elimination of the bus network, which is operated by a contractor on behalf of the District of Columbia government.” [GazetteLeader]

Architect Sought for DCA Revamp — “The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking an architectural and engineering firm to kick off the planned redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Reagan National Airport… a design contract that could be worth as much as $108 million over eight years.” [Washington Business Journal]

Video: Crash in Pentagon City — From Dave Statter: “Two very lucky pedestrians. They almost got caught up in this two car crash at Army Navy & Hayes in Pentagon City around 9:20 a.m. No injuries.” [Twitter]

Another Crash at Same Intersection — From Statter: “The second crash in less than an hour at Army Navy & Hayes in Pentagon City. At least one injury from this one. And yes, the light was red for Army Navy traffic.” [Twitter]

More on Rosslyn Building Sale — “Brookfield has sold Potomac Tower, an office building in Rosslyn designed by late architect I.M. Pei, to the building’s largest tenant for $143 million. Venture Global LNG Inc., a liquefied natural gas provider whose global headquarters is located there, paid roughly $600 a square foot for the Class A building at 1001 19th St. N. in Arlington. The building, with leasable 242,000 square feet, is fully leased.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Thursday — Showers are possible today, with mostly cloudy skies and a high around 78°F. Expect a north wind at 6-8 mph and a 20% chance of precipitation. Thursday night will be partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 63°F. [NWS]


Sponsored

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.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

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.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

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.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

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.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

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.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

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.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

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


Around Town

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 18, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

🌦️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers are possible before 11am and after 2pm, accompanied by mostly cloudy skies and a high around 78°F. Expect a north wind at 6-8 mph and a 20% chance of precipitation. For Thursday night, the sky will be partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 63°F, with a north wind at about 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”
– Malcolm X

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.


News

Matt Sughrue has become a top player in U.S. Senior Amateur

It took a while, including two stretches when he pretty much quit playing competitive golf for more than 20 years combined, for Matt Sughrue to understand and enjoy what he believes is most important about the sport.


Event

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.


News

By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer

Boeing’s CEO said Wednesday that the company will begin furloughing “a large number” of employees to conserve cash during the strike by union machinists that began last week.


News

More corporate hotel rooms and up to 1.8 million square feet of development are on track to come to Pentagon City following votes last weekend.

An approved amendment to the Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan would allow for the redevelopment of two aging office buildings just east of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The change does not come with specific plans for new development, but tentative proposals call for up to 1,675 new dwelling units and 70,000 square feet of retail space.


News

Early voting on national, regional and local candidates and issues begins this week in Arlington.

In addition to the presidential election, Arlington residents will vote on races for Arlington County Board, Arlington School Board, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate, as well as bond referenda and a proposed Constitutional amendment.


News

A medical provider in Falls Church plans to relocate into a space with room to accept over 5,000 more patients and double its current staff.

ProHealth Medical Center is slated to relocate to an office nearly five times its size, Human Resources Manager Haley Bui told ARLnow. Currently located at 2946 Sleepy Hollow Road, the provider intends to move to a 7,200-square-foot office at 107 Park Place sometime between April and June of 2025.


Events

After the Falls Church Festival this past weekend, the Little City has a not-so-little lineup of events this fall.

From outdoor movie nights to the annual Halloween Carnival, here’s an itinerary of upcoming events.