Around Town

A halal chicken restaurant based on Langston Blvd has opened a sister eatery on Columbia Pike, with a grand opening expected later this month.

Charga on the Pike is the second venture of Charga Grill, an eatery whose original location at 5151 Langston Blvd surged in popularity after claiming the No. 1 spot on The Washington Post’s ranking of the best casual restaurants in the D.C. area in 2022.


News

Update at 8:55 p.m. — Dominion is still reporting 663 customers without power in the area, with an updated restoration time range between 11 p.m.-4 a.m. According to an email shared with ARLnow by a local resident, the outage involves burned underground power lines that need to be replaced and tested.

Earlier: Hundreds are without power this morning in the Ballston and Virginia Square area.


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


News
Metrorail track along I-66 near East Falls Church (courtesy Eric Dunham)

Biden, Harris Visit Pentagon — From President Joe Biden: “Arlington, Virginia. It was here that civilians and service members at the Pentagon rushed into the fiery breach to rescue their colleagues, showing the world what Americans are made of. When faced with evil – and an enemy that sought to tear us apart – we endured.” [Associated Press, Twitter]

Change for Military 9/11 Responders — “Based on new authority from Congress, today the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program has expanded enrollment to include additional responders who served on 9/11 and in the following weeks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania… research shows it is possible that up to 8,500 people may have responded at the Pentagon site.” [Press Release]

NYC Eatery Coming to Clarendon — “A popular, New York City-based restaurant chain is coming to Greater Washington. Westville, so named for its original location in New York’s West Village, has signed a lease for nearly 4,000 square feet at Crossing Clarendon, Regency Centers’ Whole Foods-anchored retail center by Clarendon Boulevard and Edgewood Street in Arlington. It aims to open next year in space previously occupied by Ann Taylor and Jos. A Bank.” [Washington Business Journal]

Driveway Closure for Pike Work — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “The Harris Teeter and Centro Apts. garage will close on Columbia Pike 9/12-13 for lane paving on the Pike. Stores will remain accessible from S. George Mason Dr.” [Twitter]

Alexandria Dems Beat Arlington Dems — “Perhaps not since its twice-in-2014 defeat at the hands of independent County Board candidate John Vihstadt has the Arlington County Democratic Committee faced such an unhappy local competitive result. This time, however, it was on the athletic field, as the Arlington Democrats were bested by the Alexandria City Democratic Committee in a Sept. 7 kickball competition.” [Gazette Leader]

More on Mall 9/11 Exhibit — “With Wednesday marking 23 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a mall in Northern Virginia has an exhibit that includes never-before-seen images and video from the attack at the Pentagon. The new exhibit at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City runs through the end of September.” [WTOP]

New F.C. Tourism Website — “The City of Falls Church is excited to announce the launch of its new tourism website, visitfallschurch.com, designed to provide an enhanced and comprehensive resource for visitors and residents alike. The new website serves as a dynamic platform to showcase the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique attractions that make the City of Falls Church a must-visit destination.” [City of Falls Church]

Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Naval Air Force will conduct a flyover in the National Capital Region over Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 3:15PM.”

It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will clear by 9am, making way for a mostly sunny day and a high near 81, accompanied by an east wind of 3 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy as temperatures drop to around 63. [NWS]


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 11, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Patchy fog will clear by 9am, making way for a mostly sunny day and a high near 81, accompanied by an east wind of 3 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy as temperatures drop to around 63, with the southeast wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln

🌅 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.


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

Changes could be coming to a segment of the Four Mile Run Trail in East Falls Church as a streetscape improvement project moves forward.

The new design, according to a staff report for the Arlington County Board meeting on Saturday, would create a straighter trail spur that directly connects to the intersection of N. Sycamore and 19th Street N.


News

Police recovered two firearms, including an AR-style rifle, and numerous rounds of ammunition after responding to a reported domestic dispute near Clarendon.

The incident occurred around 9:18 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) at an apartment building in the 900 block of N. Ivy Street in Ashton Heights, according to ACPD’s latest crime report.


Schools

Tests of three new weather sirens near Arlington high schools will be taking place this Friday.

The sirens — located at athletic fields at Wakefield, Washington-Liberty and Yorktown high schools — will sound a 15-second, one-horn blast and flash strobe lights. Under ordinary circumstances, this means that lightning has been detected within a 10-mile radius and people should shelter indoors for 30 minutes.


News

A $650 million Falls Church development project is approaching some key milestones as 400 units of housing are slated to welcome their first tenants in coming months.

Phase One of the West Falls Development Project, which seeks to redevelop 10 acres of land at the former site of George Mason High School, is nearing completion, Mary Beth Avedesian, Senior Vice President of Development at Hoffman & Associates, shared at a public event Monday night.


News

Discarded marijuana joints in local parks are raising some concerns about the safety of Arlingtonians’ furry friends.

“In some of Arlington’s parks we need to be more vigilant to protect our dogs from accidental marijuana ingestion,” Ann Marie Douglass wrote in an article for the Arlington Neighborhood News Exchange, which distributes resident-written content to civic association newsletters across the county.