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Arts Focus: Arlington announces two $50,000 creative placemaking grants

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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The arts have long been a driving force behind vibrant and thriving commercial corridors. From captivating galleries and dynamic performances to inspiring public art, these creative experiences draw crowds that fill cafés, boutiques and restaurants with energy and life.

Now, Arlington Arts and the Arlington Commission for the Arts are launching an exciting new Creative Placemaking Grant, offering funding for two standout arts and culture projects designed to ignite creativity and attract people to Arlington’s commercial districts.

Two (2) $50,000 grants will be awarded to foster meaningful interactions among residents, workers and visitors.

By creating or activating spaces for shared arts and cultural experiences, these projects will deepen community connections, instill a sense of belonging and pride in Arlington, and strengthen the local arts ecosystem. They should promote cross-cultural engagement, cultivate an inclusive environment for all, and prioritize youth well-being.

Successful grant proposals may include the following:

  • Temporary public art installation project
  • Arts and cultural programming, events or festivals in outdoor spaces
  • Adaptive reuse of vacant commercial space for the arts-based uses

The grant’s impact should extend beyond the arts, fueling Arlington County’s economic vitality by drawing visitors, boosting foot traffic and driving sales for local businesses. It will also generate direct investments in the creative economy, supporting local artists and arts-based organizations.

To amplify its reach, the program encourages applicants to forge dynamic partnerships with individual artists, arts organizations, nonprofits, higher education institutions, Arlington’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Neighborhood Partnership Organizations.

About the Arlington Arts Grants Program

The Arlington Commission for the Arts administers the grants program for Arlington County artists as well as arts and cultural organizations. The Arlington County Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists (as approved by the Arlington County Board in 1990) describes eligibility for the program, application procedures and criteria for evaluation.

The Arlington Arts Grants Program is one of the important ways Arlington addresses investment in our arts infrastructure. Those applying for funding should consider the ways in which their work helps to further the vision and values of Enriching Lives: Arlington Arts and Cultural Strategy.

Enriching Lives also aligns with the following goals set forth in the Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists:

  • To create a climate within the County that is conducive to the growth and development of Arlington’s artists and arts organizations through public and private support.
  • To foster the development of excellence and diversity in the arts, ensuring that a varied program of cultural activities is available to satisfy the interests of Arlington’s citizens.
  • To guarantee to all Arlington artists and arts organizations an open and fair policy which assures equal access to County arts resources.
  • To encourage development of public/private partnerships in support of the arts.

Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of the Arlington County Government’s Arlington Economic Development (AED), department. Our mission is to create, support and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington. We do this by providing material support to artists and arts organizations in the form of grants, facilities and theater technology; integrating award-winning public art into our built environment; and presenting high quality performing, literary, visual and new media programs across the County.

Two (2) $50,000 grants will be awarded. Application closes on March 21. For detailed information about the grant, the guidelines and how to apply, visit the Arlington Arts grants webpage.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: February 26, 2025

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Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of February 24, there are 111 detached homes, 23 townhouses and 139 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 18 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

2425 N. Utah Street

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: Curious about new construction or remodeling/adding-on?

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This regularly scheduled sponsored 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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

In two weeks, on Tuesday, March 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., ARLnow is hosting a public, educational panel discussion that I’ll be moderating focused on new construction (process, financing, challenges, options, etc) and remodeling/adding-on to an existing home.

The panel will be highly educational and informative for anybody who is curious about the topics, but especially for anybody who is struggling with the decision many local homeowners face trying to decide whether to improve and expand their current home or move to a larger existing or new home.

This is a 100% educational event — you will not be marketed to or contacted afterwards unless you request follow-up.

The panelists are some of the top local professionals in the business:

  • Matt Rzepkowski, President/Owner of MR Custom Homes (new construction expert)
  • Chad Hackmann, Regional Partner/Owner Alair Homes Arlington (remodeling/expansion expert)
  • Tripp DeFalco, President/Owner of DeFalco Home Design (architect)
  • Brad Pace, Wealth Management Mortgage Banker and Construction Builder Specialist with US Bank (lending expert)

The event will be hosted at the Arlington Central Library Auditorium, is free, and will include a panel discussion, moderated by me, followed by an audience Q&A session, and a chance to talk to the panelists individually afterwards or schedule a follow-up meeting.

You can RSVP using this link or clicking on the graphic below.

Feel free to share the invitation with anybody you think might find it useful. If you have questions or are interested in the discussion, but unable to attend, feel free to email me at [email protected].

“Build or Renovate?” event flyer

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

Upcoming (pre-market) ERG Listings, Details and Additional Listings Available by Request

  • Williamsburg – 6 BR/6.5 BA/6,000 sq. ft. – Detached Single Family (2025) – 6580 Williamsburg Boulevard, Arlington VA, 22213
  • Courthouse – 1 BR+den/1.5 BA/850 sq. ft. – Condo (2007) – 2220 N. Fairfax Drive #308, Arlington VA, 22201
  • Cherrydale – 2 BR/2 BA/1,150 sq. ft. – Condo (2013) – 2101 N. Monroe Street, Arlington VA, 22207
  • Stonegate/Alexandria West – 4 BR/3.5 BA/2,800 sq. ft. – Townhouse (built in 1999) – Lambert Street, Alexandria VA ,22311
  • Arlington Ridge/Aurora Hills – 3 BR/2.5 BA/2,450 sq. ft. – Detached Single Family (1961) – S. Grove Street, Arlington VA, 22202
  • Island Creek/Kingstowne – 3 BR/3.5 BA/2,185 sq. ft. – Townhouse (built in 2017) – Parrish Glebe Road, Alexandria VA, 22315

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. (703) 390-9460. 

Five great condos for Rosslyn Metro users

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This recurring real estate feature is sponsored by The Eli Residential Team. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service. This newest post is written by Carolanne Korolowicz.

Whether you are team blue, orange or silver line, every avid metro rider knows the importance of residing by a station.

Those who prefer living a stone’s throw away from The District don’t want to miss out on these condos perfect for rolling out of bed and onto your morning commute.

Here are 5 condos to check out:

Turnberry Tower has become a Rosslyn landmark since it was erected in 2009. The amenity package is one to brag about — private theatre, fitness center, valet parking and an indoor heated pool, to name a few.

If a more modest living quarters is your style, this Georgetown Vista 2-bedroom is perfect for the weekday commuter. Views from the private balcony overlook towards the Potomac.

A true urban oasis, this one-bedroom Wooster and Mercer Lofts condo features Brazillian Cherry floors, reclaimed exposed brick and high-end appliances. Anyone who has lived in the metro-corridor knows it is difficult to snag an assigned parking spot. This property comes with two spots — a true rarity!

You can literally live like Eloise! The Waterview’s first twelve floors are occupied and operated by The Meridien Hotel. The actual hotel amenities (yes, residents have access) are one-of-a-kind, along with the building’s iconic views.

Built in 2021, this property is closest to “new” Arlington has to offer for condominiums. With no new developments planned for the next two to three years, this is truly a rare opportunity!

In 1987, The Belvedere was the first of its kind; defining resort-style living in Rosslyn. This  1,600+ square-foot condo includes an expansive enclosed balcony — perfect for cold weather or watching the fireworks in July.

If you have any questions regarding these listings, or would like to schedule a private showing, please feel free to contact The Eli Residential Team or reach out to Carolanne Korolowicz.

Open houses this weekend: February 21, 2025

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This recurring Open Houses feature is sponsored by The Eli Residential Team. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service. This week’s post is written by Carolanne Korolowicz.

Stay out of the cold this weekend at these must-see Arlington open houses. From Bellevue Forest to Aurora Hills, there is no shortage of lovely (and warm) properties to view.

Let’s take a look at some upcoming open houses, below.

Want to beat the crowds? Let’s set up a private showing!

Let The Eli Residential Team expertly guide you through the unique market dynamics in Arlington. Start by filling the form below. It will support ARLnow’s local news mission and you’ll get some perks in the process.

Biz Talk: OxiWear, revolutionizing oxygen measurement from the heart of Arlington

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OxiWear is an Arlington-based company

This article is sponsored by Arlington Economic Development’s Business Investment Group.

In the dynamic world of medical technology, innovation thrives where necessity meets opportunity.

OxiWear, an Arlington-based company, is leading the charge in preventing silent hypoxia — dangerously low oxygen levels that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Founded by Shavini Fernando, a pulmonary hypertension patient who experienced the life-threatening risks of undetected oxygen drops, OxiWear is committed to providing a life-saving solution through its continuous oxygen monitoring wearable device.

Pioneering Medical Innovation in Arlington

OxiWear’s wearable device is a game-changer in health technology. Unlike traditional pulse oximeters that offer intermittent readings, OxiWear ensures continuous oxygen tracking with real-time alerts, offering peace of mind to individuals at risk of hypoxia. The company’s recent FDA clearance as a prescription medical device marks a significant milestone, paving the way for widespread adoption and transforming patient care.

Why Arlington is the Ideal Launchpad for MedTech Innovation

Arlington Economic Development (AED) plays a crucial role in fostering innovation, providing businesses like OxiWear with unparalleled access to resources, talent and opportunities. Arlington’s thriving healthcare and technology ecosystem, bolstered by top-tier universities, research institutions and a vibrant entrepreneurial community, creates an environment where groundbreaking ideas become reality.

Proximity to Washington, D.C. offers a strategic advantage, enabling direct engagement with national healthcare organizations, policymakers and regulatory bodies. AED’s support through international business development, government funding resources and networking opportunities have been instrumental in OxiWear’s growth and success.

Expanding Horizons: What’s Next for OxiWear?

With FDA clearance secured, OxiWear is set to revolutionize the medical landscape through strategic partnerships with organizations like the COPD Foundation, expanding its reach to patients with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease across the U.S. Future plans include collaborations with major healthcare distributors, ensuring accessibility through hospital networks, home healthcare providers and online platforms.

Beyond the medical sector, OxiWear is exploring applications in fitness, aviation and high-altitude sports, offering continuous oxygen measurement to athletes, climbers and professionals in high-risk environments. As the company scales production and enhances its technology, Arlington remains the cornerstone of its journey.

Arlington Economic Development: Your Partner in Innovation

OxiWear’s story highlights how AED empowers businesses to innovate, grow, and thrive. If you’re looking for a dynamic environment to bring your groundbreaking ideas to life, Arlington is the place to be. Contact Arlington Economic Development today to discover how we can support your business journey.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: February 19, 2025

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of February 17, there are 106 detached homes, 28 townhouses and 137 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 19 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

920 Patrick Henry Drive

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: The internet is wrong, the DC market is not crashing

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This regularly scheduled sponsored 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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

Question: I have seen multiple posts online that the D.C. area market is getting flooded with inventory and is crashing, is that accurate?

Answer: I was planning to do a lovely post this week on 2025 design trends (maybe next week?), but social media exploded over the weekend with posts about the D.C. area market being flooded with homes for sale and crashing due to the DOGE/Trump government cuts. After about 20 different people texted me about it, I figured I’d use this week’s column to correct the misinformation hitting so many of your newsfeeds.

Short Answer: The D.C. area market is not currently showing signs of a crash or being flooded with unseasonably high numbers of homes for sale.

For a longer response, I’ll share and respond to a handful of the posts/stats that have gotten the most exposure on social media…

“Everything is being put on the market”

The post screenshot below kicked off the frenzy (11M views in 36 hours) of people-on-the-internet making false claims of a D.C. area market crash/inventory flood. One would think that somebody by the name of Darth Powell (64,000 followers) whose bio states they are a “housing market savant” would surely know what they’re talking about, right? Sadly, no.

Darth Powell post on X

What Darth Powell is suggesting is that the visual of so many listings in Coming Soon status suggests that everybody is suddenly putting their home up for sale.

For context, the reason a seller would enter their home into the MLS in Coming Soon status is because they get the benefits of massive marketing exposure (reaches all agents in the MLS and syndicates to all consumer-facing sites like Zillow) without accruing “days on market” before they are ready to “go Active” and start showing the home and hosting Open Houses (note: the MLS restricts and enforces a ban on showings while in Coming Soon status).

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Statutes of Liberty: How many immigration lawsuits are there now?

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This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Taryn Druge, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

As we predicted, the new Trump administration has launched a broad-spectrum attack on various aspects of our immigration system. As we further predicted, many, many lawsuits have been filed in response.

The purpose of this advertorial is to give our readers a broad sense of the landscape, both in terms of the Executive Orders and what the administration’s foes have done to challenge them.

The Court of Chancery Considers (Yet Another) Request for an Injunction

Executive Action: End Birthright Citizenship

We discussed the Trump administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship by executive order in our last explainer. It isn’t going well for the administration. As we predicted, lawsuits were filed — nine of them, in various federal district courts — and, so far, the Justice Department is getting its clock cleaned. In State of Washington, et al., v. Trump, et al., a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction against the executive order, which is currently on appeal at the Ninth Circuit. Don’t expect the injunction to be lifted.

Executive Action: Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion

The Trump administration, on January 20, 2025, issued an executive order stating that, (1) the United States is currently being invaded, within the meaning of Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution, and (2) that the President is therefore exercising his inherent Article II power to suspect the physical entry of all aliens involved in an invasion into the United States until further notice. On February 3, immigrant advocacy organizations sued and sought an injunction. That complaint is still pending. They’ll get their injunction, trust us.

Executive Action: ICE Enforcement in Houses of Worship

The Trump administration announced that, in a reversal of previous policy, ICE may now conduct immigration enforcement operations in locations previously considered sensitive — prominently including schools and churches.

We predict that this lawsuit will eventually fail. There is no Statutory or Constitutional right to be free from arrest or detention based on location

Executive Action: Expedited Removal Policy

The Trump administration has expanded the scope of expedited removal — which ordinarily only involves recent entrants to the United States caught near the U.S. border — to the entirety of the United States. The policy targets undocumented immigrants nationwide.

People apprehended by ICE who cannot prove that they are U.S. citizens, or that they have permission to be in the United States, or that they have been in the country continuously for at least two years, can be summarily deported. The ACLU and allied organizations have filed suit, contending that this new policy violates the Fifth Amendment, the Immigrant and Nationality Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

We predict that this suit will succeed on procedural grounds, because DHS published a Federal Register Notice purporting to create a regulation on the same day that the E.O. was announced — on January 21, 2025.

Executive Action: Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay

The Trump administration has announced that it will be ramping up operations at Guantanamo Bay, and plans to detain up to 30,000 migrants there. The administration has already began sending migrants there in small numbers.

The ACLU has sued, alleging that the Trump administration has now effectively deprived those detainees of the right to counsel, and is seeking an injunction guaranteeing, at a minimum, that lawyers will be able to contact their clients while in detention.

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin has replied, in a statement to NPR, that “[i]f the AMERICAN Civil Liberties Union cares more about highly dangerous criminal aliens including murderers & vicious gang members than they do about American citizens — they should change their name.” (Capitalization in original.)

We predict that this suit will succeed, and we predict that Tricia McLaughlin will be promoted.

These are just some of the Trump administration’s immigration orders! We’re working as quickly as we can to address them in print for our readers. As always, we are grateful for your questions and comments, and will do our best to respond.

Small Business Focus: Your experience matters, let’s build what’s next!

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Steps to Start a Business | BizLaunch

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Arlington is home to a wealth of talented professionals, and for those looking to take their expertise in a new direction, entrepreneurship offers an exciting opportunity.

At BizLaunch, we’ve helped countless federal employees turn their skills and experience into thriving businesses, guiding them toward success. While entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, if you’re considering launching your dream business, BizLaunch and SCORE have the tools and resources you need to succeed.

On February 7, we partnered with SCORE for a special webinar designed for the federal workforce, covering the essential steps to launching a business and building a strategy for success.

The first step for many entrepreneurs is to develop a business plan. In our previously recorded webinar, Dr. Ebony Grey, a certified SCORE mentor, outlines the necessary elements of a successful business plan and the mindset required to be an entrepreneur. While a solid business plan is essential, entrepreneurs often need support in other key areas as well.

That’s where SCORE comes in. SCORE offers free training through its Small Business Essentials Series, provides industry-specific mentorship opportunities, and offers free business plan templates to help you get started.

Beyond planning, understanding business regulations is crucial. BizLaunch Director Tara Palacios breaks down the Small Business Checklist in the webinar to ensure entrepreneurs comply with local, state and federal regulations. BizLaunch also offers unique programming and one-on-one counseling to support new business owners at every stage.

Take advantage of this free recorded webinar to gain valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey. From there, if you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a free one-on-one consultation with a BizLaunch expert today.

For more information about BizLaunch and to be notified about future opportunities, sign up for our newsletter by visiting www.bizlaunch.org.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: February 12, 2025

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of February 10, there are 102 detached homes, 27 townhouses and 139 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 17 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

6576 Williamsburg Boulevard

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: Elimination of government workforce & contracts effect on local real estate

By Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored 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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

Question: Are the current and future cuts to government jobs and contracts by Trump/Elon Musk/DOGE negatively effecting real estate values and demand?

Answer: With recent announcements of government workforce and contract cuts, led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, and the Trump administration, many are wondering how these changes impact the local D.C.-area real estate market. While uncertainty looms, making forecasting difficult, here’s what I’m seeing on the ground and what it could mean for buyers and sellers in 2025 and beyond.

I’m not going to rehash what’s happening in the federal workforce and contractor space because it’s 90% of the news cycle and you can find more detailed and current information across many news outlets, but personally, I’ve followed the excellent coverage of Arlington-based Axios.

Market Remains Strong…

I’ll cut to the chase — so far, in most sub-markets, my team and I have not seen many signals of demand dropping enough to have a measurably negative effect on real estate values. We have been involved in (on the buy and list side), and been privy to, numerous sales with competing offers, escalating prices, and stripped down/out contingencies that have all become the norm during the Q1/Q2 market. These examples have shown up across the Greater D.C. Area, in different property types (single-family detached, townhouse, and condo), and at various price levels (more on this later).

…Despite Less Market Demand & Intensity

During Q1 of each year, I look closely at the intensity of competition, not just the existence of competition. I define intensity by the percentage of properly marketed and priced homes that are getting multiple offers, the number of offers coming in (this is critical, especially for forecasting the Q2/Q3 market), and how much contract prices are escalating over prior year pricing. The structure of the real estate industry makes this difficult to measure accurately early in the year because it’s more anecdotal than scientific, but I get a feel for it by late-January/early-February and this year market intensity is down from this time last year (and the last five years). It’s hard to say how much of this can be attributed to persistently high interest rates vs the federal workforce cuts.

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