The Washington-Liberty Generals were hoping otherwise, but the result in this season’s Liberty District girls basketball tournament championship game was déjà vu all over again.
For the second straight year, and again on the Langley Saxons’ home court, the second-seeded Generals (20-5) fell short — losing 48-37 in the high-school contest.
A tax rate increase, the closure of the Cherrydale Library and the elimination of a popular youth gymnastics program are key components of the new budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.
The $1.69 billion spending plan, released at a County Board meeting on Saturday, is down a fraction of a percent from the adopted fiscal year 2026 plan. The almost unprecedented year-over-year decrease reflects ongoing concerns about declining revenue from commercial office buildings, hotel stays and the federal government.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
What a difference a storm makes.
After January’s winter storm left nearly-impossible-to-plow snowcrete covering neighborhood roads in Arlington for days, local residents are waking up today to something very different: neatly plowed streets across much of the county.
This Memorial Weekend: Argentine Festival USA Returns May 23
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Virginia’s two U.S. senators say they will try again to reduce air traffic and take other steps to address safety concerns at Reagan National Airport.
Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are throwing their support behind the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final report into the January 2025 midair collision near the airport
Join Kaiser Permanente for Healthy at the Harbor, a free community health and wellness event taking place Saturday, June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Bring your family and friends for free full day of fun, fitness, and preventive care along the waterfront.
Throughout the day, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians will offer no-cost health screenings, alongside a health and wellness expo focused on preventive care education. A lively Kids’ Zone will keep children active and entertained with spin-art bikes, face painting, balloon art, games, and more.
Soccer in the Snow — “It’s going to take a lot more than this to stop soccer in Arlington. While it has been snowing hard for hours, it only recently started sticking to the grass in Crystal City and Pentagon City.” [Dave Statter/X]
Award for Marymount Athlete — “Marymount University women’s tennis player Francesca Loiseau received the 2026 NCAA Inspiration Award during the NCAA Honors Celebration last month in Washington. The award is presented to varsity letter-winners, coaches or administrators who have demonstrated perseverance, dedication and determination in overcoming a life-altering situation and become role models. Only one winner is selected each year across all NCAA divisions.” [Arlington Catholic Herald]
Next E-CARE Scheduled — “The spring 2026 Environmental Collection and Recycling (E-CARE) event is happening Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie St.) This free, biannual event allows Arlington residents to safely dispose of household hazardous materials (HHMs) and old electronics. Small metal items will also be accepted.” [Arlington County]
Letter: On Housing in Va. — “Virginia’s housing crisis has developed over decades, fueled by underbuilding and exclusionary zoning. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s recent executive order is a positive step toward increasing housing supply by streamlining permitting processes and removing outdated barriers. If we believe everyone deserves access to safe and livable housing, expanding supply must be part of the solution.” [Letter to the Editor]
Alexandria Tourism Slump — “Occupancy in Alexandria hotels is down year over year by about 3% for the period from July to December, according to Visit Alexandria. Revenue per available room is down even more, by about 9%, with midweek travel showing the most sluggish demand due to a drop in group and government business travel.” [WBJ]
Fairfax Casino Revenue — “A Fairfax County casino would produce an estimated $313.6 million in gaming revenue, delivering $62.1 million in local and state taxes, the county’s Department of Management and Budget said in a summary of a feasibility study it commissioned from the consultant MuniCap. That would send approximately $42.4 million in tax revenue to the Commonwealth and $19.9 million to the county under Virginia’s current tax rate for casinos.” [FFXnow]
It’s Monday — Snow is likely in the morning and it will be cloudy with a high temperature around 39°F. Expect a breezy northwest wind of 17 to 20 mph, gusting up to 33 mph. For Monday night, the sky will transition from mostly cloudy to mostly clear, as the temperature drops to around 23°F. The northwest wind will continue at 14 to 17 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
With heavy snow continuing to fall, Arlington Public Schools has decided to close Monday.
The snow day for Arlington students follows earlier decisions by nearby Fairfax County and Montgomery County to also close. D.C. schools, meanwhile, will open on a two-hour delay.
Update at 9:20 p.m. — Arlington Public Schools will now be closed on Monday, the school system announced.
Earlier: The snow is starting to accumulate in Arlington as another winter storm ramps up.
A Winter Weather Advisory has officially been issued for Arlington and much of the D.C. area, ahead of Sunday’s expected storm.
The National Weather Service is currently predicting 2-4 inches of snow accumulation. The flakes will mostly fall Sunday night and early Monday, with temperatures dipping below freezing after a cold rain for most of the day.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer picked by judges to serve as the top federal prosecutor for a Virginia office that pursued cases against foes of President Donald Trump was swiftly fired Friday by the Justice Department in the latest clash over the appointments of powerful U.S. attorneys.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing of James Hundley on social media shortly after he was unanimously chosen by judges to replace former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. While the law says that the district court may choose U.S. attorneys when an initial appointment expires, the Trump administration has insisted that the power lies only in the hands of the executive branch.
