A petition filed by a Union Kitchen employee is calling for the end to its relationship with its labor union, but the union is dismissing the effort as a ploy by management.
It was announced on Friday that a Union Kitchen employee has filed a petition with the National Labor Review Board (NLRB) to end its relationship with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400. The petition has reportedly been signed by a number of Union Kitchen employees, including those who work at the Ballston location
Surreal is opening in Crystal City in the fall (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Surreal is aiming for a fall opening in Crystal City, but much still remains unknown about the restaurant, situated in a park-like setting.
Surreal, from the award-winning D.C.-based chef Enrique Limardo, is set to move into a newly-constructed space in the JBG Smith-owned courtyard of 2121 Crystal Drive. The restaurant is part of the developer’s “Dining in the Park” project and will utilize both indoor and outdoor areas while being “set among more than an acre of greenery.”
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at[email protected].
Question: Why would anybody waste thousands of dollars each year on condo fees?
Answer: Most people associate paying condo fees with throwing money down the drain, but most people do not look at condo fees the right way.
In this June 20 article, the Wall Street Journal reported a study by Angi (formerly Angie’s List) that home maintenance and emergency repairs have increased by 85% and 175%, respectively, from 2019 to 2025.
By comparison, condo fees in Arlington increased by an average of just 32% from 2019 to 2025, making them a steep bargain for condo owners compared to other homeowners.
What Do Condo Fees Pay For?
For those who haven’t spent time studying condo budgets, some of the main expenses in a condo budget include:
Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Utilities: general upkeep and operations of the building
Reserves: a building’s savings account for major repairs or replacement of things like the roof, elevators, carpet, etc
Property Management/Staff: contracts for a property manager, front desk, janitorial services, and engineer
Master Insurance: this policy usually protects everything except your personal items and improvements within each unit
Double rainbow over Arlington on Friday evening (photo courtesy Craig Smith)
Clarendon Fitness Center Opening — “Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, today opened a one-of-a-kind athletic country club in Arlington, Virginia. The development also is home to Life Time Work, the Company’s premium coworking destination, which will open July 17. Combined, the new destination makes Life Time a main anchor at The Crossing Clarendon.” [PR Newswire]
More on Broyhill Brouhaha — “Another close-by neighbor, Vivian Kallen, tied it to the broader Missing Middle debate, calling the new development ‘sad, and hard to understand–it breaks my heart.’ She’s lived since the 1950s in an Arlington ‘that has always been a community that values beauty, nature, and trees, while decisions were made by called The Arlington Way,’ she said. ‘I think it’s gone from being a community to being a piece of real estate.'” [Falls Church News-Press]
Residents worried about our urban forest, their neighbor’s tree, or the declining oak in their own yard can apply now for a seven-week course to learn about trees and become a volunteer Tree Steward with Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria.
Storms bring heavy rain, wind and flooding at night (file photo)
The possibility of a succession of storms tonight packing heavy rain has prompted a Flood Watch from the National Weather Service.
The watch is in effect until 4 a.m. for Arlington, the District and much of the Washington region. Forecasters say flash flooding may occur during prolonged downpours.
Janet Mary (Corcoran) O’Neil passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Tuesday, the 27th of June in Richmond, Va. She lived most of her life in Arlington, Va., but hailed from Newton Lower Falls, Mass., as did her kith and kin. She was the daughter of Henry J. Corcoran and Mary Powers and had two brothers, Henry “Bud” Corcoran Jr., and Gerald Corcoran.
Arlington County is buying its fourth home for stormwater mitigation — this time in Westover, near the neighborhood’s main drag.
The Arlington County Board is set to approve the terms of the purchase, including a price tag of $1.5 million, on Saturday. The home is located at 5840 18th Street N., across the street from Cardinal Elementary School and the Westover Library branch.
