Around Town

Festivities are in order to celebrate a new spot for acai and smoothie bowls at the Greenbriar Town Center in Chantilly this weekend.

Playa Bowls is hosting a grand opening at 11 a.m. this Saturday (April 11) for its shop at 13059-A Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, replacing a vacancy left by Subway. The New Jersey-based franchise serves up a variety of acai bowls, smoothies and oatmeal, in addition to juice and cold brew coffee.


News

Motorists should plan for impacts as City of Fairfax officials launch a 10-week roadbed reconstruction project along Fairfax Blvd beginning Thursday, April 10.

Virginia Paving will repave all six lanes of the key east-west roadway from Draper Drive to Fairfax Circle as part of the $1.73 million project.


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

A handful of restaurants with Fairfax locations are still in the running for the D.C. region’s 44th annual RAMMYS Awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time ever, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) includes regional chains and hip, chef-driven spots as well as a longstanding local favorite.


Countywide
Wildflowers around a stormwater culvert in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Parole Denied for Woman Involved in Killing — “Convicted murderer Erika Sifrit has been refused parole in connection with the killing of a Fairfax, Virginia, couple in Ocean City, Maryland, in 2002, WTOP has learned … Sifrit appeared in her first parole hearing since she was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for her role in the 2002 murders of Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley.” [WTOP]

Route 28 Widening to Be Considered — Today (Tuesday), the Prince William Board of County Supervisors “will discuss whether to move forward with plans to widen Route 28 from Liberia Avenue, in Manassas, to the Fairfax County line. Last year, the board voted to cancel the Route 28 bypass project” that had been in the works since 2019, frustrating some Fairfax County leaders. [WTOP]

Va. News Coverage Declining — “The number of ‘news deserts’ in Virginia more than doubled between 2023 and 2025, per Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism’s ongoing State of Local News project … As of last year, 16 Virginia counties didn’t have a local news source. Another eight were at high risk of losing theirs.” [Axios Richmond]

AI Already Shaping Virginia Job Market — “Virginia is quickly becoming a national hotspot for AI adoption — and disruption, according to a Virginia Chamber Foundation report released last year, looking at the effect of the technology on statewide jobs … The Virginia report estimates 1.5 million jobs statewide could be affected.” [Axios DC]

State to Rejoin RGGI — “Virginia is poised to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative this summer, a move that could again add a monthly charge to electricity customers’ bills as utilities resume buying carbon credits.” The General Assembly passed legislation directing the Department of Environmental Quality and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova to finalize regulations for participating in the program by May 21. [Virginia Mercury]

Springfield Library Reopens After Emergency Closure — “We are pleased to announce that Richard Byrd Library will reopen with normal operating hours beginning Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked to replace the branch’s heating system,” which forced the library to temporarily close in December. [Fairfax County Public Library]

FCDOT Seeks Input on Proposed Tysons Street — The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is gauging interest in a public hearing on the planned Lincoln Street that would connect Old Meadow Road and Magarity Road in Tysons. Requests for a hearing must be submitted via written letter to FCDOT project manager Sonia Shahnaj by the end of this Friday (April 10). [Patch]

Glass-Blowing Studio Planned in Lorton — “Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center is in the process of creating a new public glassblowing studio called the Hot Shop. This new studio will transform Workhouse’s Building W-7A into a space with specialized glass-working equipment and facilities.” Other upcoming additions to the former prison campus include a pizzeria partnered with Bunnyman Brewing. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 53°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 14 mph, gusting up to 26 mph. Tonight will be clear, with temperatures dropping to about 33°F and a north wind at 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.


Event

Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.

Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.


Around Town

Good Monday evening, Fairfax County. 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 — Apr 6, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

It will be sunny with a high of 52°F and a northwest wind blowing at 10 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 28 mph. Tuesday night will be clear with temperatures dropping to around 32°F, and there could be areas of frost after midnight. Expect a north wind at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 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.


Countywide

A Virginia bill crafted in memory of Oakton High School students killed on Blake Lane in 2022 is on its way to becoming law.

Del. Holly Seibold (D-12), whose district includes part of Oakton, has been pushing for a bill (HB 994) to expand speed camera locations to “safety red zones” designated by the state. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly and is awaiting action from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).


Countywide

Fairfax County drivers can expect to see an increase in traffic enforcement this month.

Local law enforcement will revive their Road Shark initiative, which aims to reduce speeding and reckless driving, later in April in conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Fairfax County Police Department said.


News

Residents of the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston might not have access to air-conditioning this summer after the central cooling system that served the neighborhood shut down last year.

Abaris Real Estate Management, which manages the 152-unit complex, informed residents last Tuesday (March 31) that individual AC units are still prohibited for now because the property currently doesn’t have the electrical capacity to support them.


News

Fairfax County officials are contemplating restricting parking in parts of the Dranesville District north and south of the Town of Herndon.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman’s office and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold an online community meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. to offer more details on the proposed community parking district.