Opinion

Last week we rounded up the eight airlines applying for new long-haul flights at Reagan National Airport.

Tomorrow is the final day for public feedback to the U.S. Department of Transportation on which airline proposals should receive one of the five new congressionally authorized slots.


News
“Ice ice baby” on a gelato pop stand at The Crossing Clarendon (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Plans to Replace DCA Terminal –“The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is in the very early stages of planning a new facility to replace the Terminal 1 gates used by Southwest and other airlines at Reagan National Airport. The authority, which manages both DCA and Dulles International Airports, is scheduled to discuss a planning document for the new facility at its meeting Wednesday, per an agenda released Monday.” [Washington Business Journal]

Gunfire Investigated in Arlington Mill — “At approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 13, police were dispatched to the report of suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, it was determined the victims were inside their residence when they heard a loud noise and upon further investigation, located property damage and a bullet fragment. No injuries were reported. The investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.” [ACPD]

Union Vote at Rosslyn Compass — “A unionization vote [for several Compass Coffee locations] is scheduled for July 16. In the runup, its workers have complained that a hiring spree is aimed at weakening their support.” [Axios, Twitter]

Kink Causes Metro Delay — From Metro yesterday: “Trains are single tracking between Crystal City & National Airport because of a heat kink outside Crystal City. Expect delays in both directions.” [Twitter]

Country Club Revenue Rises — “Country club revenue has been soaring nationally since the pandemic, and many Greater Washington nonprofit country clubs are seeing similar gains… Army Navy Country Club, which has facilities in Arlington and Fairfax, grew revenue 27% from $33.66 million in 2020 to $42.97 million in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]

More Use SoberRide on July 4 — “The SoberRide initiative of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) saw a major bump up in usage for the Independence Day holiday. A total of 738 people used the service during a 12-hour period from July 4 at 4 p.m. to July 5 at 4 a.m. That’s up from 447 a year before.” [Gazette Leader]

Wizards Help Local Camp — “Drew Summer Camp, a 4-H after-school enrichment program, is up and running with programming for youth ages 4 to 12 in Arlington’s Green Valley community. The first week of the program kicked off with a donation from the Washington Wizards through community partner Leveling the Playing Field.” [Gazette Leader]

VP Pick Lives Down Avenue from Arlington — “Author, Ohio Senator, Del Ray resident and yarn bomb victim J.D. Vance has been tapped as the Vice President pick for Republican Candidate Donald Trump. Vance moved into an over $1.5 million home in Del Ray back in 2023.” [ALXnow]

It’s Tuesday — Expect isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with sunny and hot conditions marked by a high near 101 and heat index values reaching up to 108. A southwest wind will be blowing at 3 to 8 mph, and there is a 20% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur before 2am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 78. A south wind at 6 to 8 mph can be anticipated, maintaining a 20% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar


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 Monday 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 — Jul 15, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with sunny and hot conditions marked by a high near 101 and heat index values reaching up to 108. A southwest wind will be blowing at 3 to 8 mph, and there is a 20% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur before 2am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 78. A south wind at 6 to 8 mph can be anticipated, maintaining a 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
– Viktor E. Frankl

🌅 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.


Announcement

Join us on August 1 between 10 AM to 2 PM for a drop‑in event for the whole family! Explore our Dojo—the high‑tech, STEAM‑driven space where you can dive into activities like MakeCode Arcade, Roblox, Minecraft, robotics, 3D printing, drones, VR, and more. While you’re here, take advantage of our amazing enrollment specials, or simply enjoy a fun day of coding, meeting new friends, high fives, and plenty of Hi‑Yahs!


Event

Bring the whole family to Arlington Mill for an evening of laughs, basketball, and underdog determination with Goat.

This animated family comedy follows a determined young goat chasing his dream of becoming a professional basketball star. Before the movie, kids can enjoy face painting and family-friendly activities, making this one of our most kid-focused events of the summer.


Around Town

A Goodwill Donation Express center is slated to open later this year at 5210 Langston Blvd, formerly Tops Cleaners.

The new facility will mainly operate as a donation drop-off spot, a local Goodwill spokesman tells ARLnow, but a limited selection of donated goods will be for sale.


News

A county expert asserted that Arlington’s sewage systems are well equipped for expected growth as the Missing Middle civil trial neared its conclusion today (Monday).

Jon Lawler, chief support engineer at Arlington County Water Sewer Streets, pushed back against previous testimony from a plaintiff’s witness, who argued that an influx of additional housing units could cause backups in individual sewer systems.


Around Town

As high temperatures knock on the door of 100 degrees, two things can combat the heat: air conditioning and ice cream.

We asked readers about favorites for both a few years ago but today we’re going to focus on ice cream. Specifically: listing every ice cream shop in Arlington.