More than one in five Arlington residents is experiencing food insecurity, according to a new report.
The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) released its 2024 Hunger Report yesterday (Thursday), revealing that 23% of households in Arlington County struggle to afford enough nutritious food.
The installation of two athletic lights and additional fencing at Bluemont Park is teed up for approval as plans to renovate the park’s tennis courts move forward.
A use permit application for the changes is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board tomorrow (Saturday).
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
The most important meal of the day is… all of them. Breakfast, lunch and dinner — Arlington’s food scene is bursting with tasty new spots.
From neighborhood burger joints to authentic international dining, these fresh establishments have added vibrant flavors and experiences to our community.
Below are top newcomers for “Best New Restaurant in Arlington” as part of our new ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards, selected from a list of openings over the past year by weighing a combination of article views and online reviews.
Consider taste, variety, service and overall atmosphere when choosing your favorite. Don’t see your favorite spot listed? Write it in.
Voting will close in two weeks and then we’ll officially announce the top three vote-getters. So don’t wait and select the spot you can’t stop thinking about.
Another Chase Ends at the Pentagon — From Dave Statter: “For the second time in less than two weeks police pursued suspected car thieves at the Pentagon… you can see the Accord hit the wall on the left side of I-395N, north of Glebe Rd. Speeds reached 130 mph plus at times. The chase then went onto Washington Blvd and eventually across Pentagon’s South Parking where the car came to a stop.” [Twitter]
Gateway Park for the Dogs? — “The jury is still out on whether a dedicated area for man’s best friends will be part of the amenities as the Arlington County government plans a major renovation at Gateway Park in Rosslyn… numerous respondents said the county government needed to provide more space for dogs and less for a proposed 4,000-person outdoor-events space on the site.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Autumn Festivals — “Paint pumpkins (or your face), sip cider and enjoy live music at these autumnal street fairs and celebrations.” [Arlington Magazine]
Remembering 9/11 in Arlington — “Worry and uncertainty mounted as news trickled into Randy McKnight’s school, H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, about planes crashing into New York skyscrapers and later at the Pentagon on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Some of the English teacher’s students had parents at the Pentagon. Another girl’s father was a pilot. ‘I just remember it so vividly. They couldn’t get in touch,’ McKnight said in an interview.” [Washington Post]
First Responders Remember — “Arlington County Fire Battalion ChiefJustin Tirelli… was new to the Arlington County Fire Department at the time, having only been on the job for about six months. ‘My first day driving the ladder truck was September 11, 2001,’ he told 7News. ‘That’s burned into my memory.'” [WJLA]
Vote on Library Agreement — “They have been partners for decades, but the relationship between the Arlington County library system and Friends of the Arlington County Library is set to be memorialized on paper. Arlington County Board members on Sept. 14 are slated to approve a memorandum of understanding between the two bodies.” [Gazette Leader]
History of W&OD Trail — “The first ride took place on September 7, 1974 in The Little City, where the first segment of the trail purchased and opened by NVRPA was located (the rest was purchased in sections between then and its eventual completion in 1988). Today’s W&OD is a 45-mile long, 100-foot wide park and paved trail (with a 32-mile adjacent gravel horse trail) stretching from Shirlington to Purcellville.” [Falls Church News-Press]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 82 and a northeast wind at 5 to 8 mph. Friday night is anticipated to be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 64. [NWS]
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.
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 — Sep 12, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 82 and a northeast wind at 5 to 8 mph. Friday night is anticipated to be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of approximately 64. The east wind at 5 to 8 mph will become calm as the evening progresses. See more from Weather.gov.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
– Confucius
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.
Title game were all play on the Barcroft Park fields
The annual First Responders Cup girls softball tournament finished Sept. 8 in Arlington when four age-group champions were crowned at different Barcroft Park fields to complete the two days of competition.
A proposal to build a 187-unit apartment building at the site of an office building and two long-standing restaurants is scheduled for consideration this weekend.
A proposed site plan amendment at 1840 Wilson Blvd, near Courthouse, calls for demolishing the buildings housing Rhodeside Grill, Il Radicchio and the headquarters of the National Science Teaching Association to make way for a seven-story structure with 11,948 square feet of ground-floor retail.
Despite recent improvements, a history of complaints related to noise and rowdy customers at Darna Lounge has attracted county scrutiny in a five-year permit review.
The lounge and restaurant at 946 N. Jackson Street has been the subject of 285 police calls and three citations for noise violations since 2019, a county staff report says.
Two new synthetic turf fields could be coming to Kenmore Middle School by spring 2027.
Pending final design approval and a proposed $2 million contribution from two local sports organizations, construction on the new fields is slated to begin in winter 2025.
