Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Legal Insider: Upcoming polygraph? Consider bringing legal counsel

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.

Polygraphs are a mysterious notion for individuals considering exploring careers that require high levels of clearance.

For those who have never taken a polygraph, most of the procedures and protocols surrounding them are unknown. And for those who have already participated in one, they likely understand the potential pitfalls that lie in the process.

What many individuals do not know is that most agencies requiring polygraphs have policies in place allowing legal counsel to attend. For instance, the Department of Defense’s policy provides that you “have a right to talk privately with a lawyer before, during, and after the polygraph examination.” Individuals are almost always required to complete a consent form prior to the polygraph examination.

Keep in mind that in most polygraphs, legal counsel is not necessary. However, in a minority of cases, legal counsel may be recommended for individuals that have previously had polygraph issues or who may end up disclosing information that could be adverse.

When is Polygraph Representation a Good Idea

It isn’t always necessary to have legal counsel during a polygraph examination. However, there are a number of situations where it may be a good idea. Such might include:

  1. An individual has had a difficult time with earlier polygraph exams and needs reassurance during the examination.
  2. If there are unique legal issues that could come up during a polygraph which might require immediate legal advice.
  3. An individual has engaged in conduct that could raise criminal liability concerns.

What Can Lawyers Do During a Polygraph?

In certain situations you may want to consider bringing legal counsel to the examination. While legal counsel cannot stop the examination or provide your answers for you, legal counsel can be present for you to speak with before, during breaks, and after the examination. In our experience, it is helpful to have experienced counsel there to discuss the information being disclosed and how to potentially mitigate any concerns when circumstances dictate.

The mere presence of legal counsel also may cause polygraphers to adhere to the normal bounds of polygraph practice. For most agencies, you will arrive at the testing location and would be able to meet with your attorney beforehand. During the examination, your attorney may sit either right outside the examination room, or in a separate room where a video of the ongoing exam would be viewable by the attorney.

Each agency has different polygraph procedures. When needed, at any point during the exam, you would be able to request to speak with your attorney privately to obtain guidance or counsel for your questions or concerns.

Contact Us

If you are an employee in need of security clearance or polygraph representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Building your dream home: New Construction Seminar

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Building a new home should be a rewarding and memorable experience. That’s why a custom-built home requires personalized service!

Here’s your chance to learn everything you need to know about new construction properties from successful agents on the top-selling real estate team in the D.C. metro area.

Bridget Mendes, one of Keri Shull Team’s most experienced Buyer Success Agents, is leading this virtual seminar.

You’ll learn:

  • Advantages of New Construction — We’ll take an in-depth look at how you can design the exact home you are dreaming of!
  • Buying a Builder-Owned Lot vs. Finding Your Own — Which solution is best when finding a lot? In the D.C. metro area, land can be rare, we’ll show you how to find it.
  • Choosing the Right Agents and Specialists — Don’t risk costly problems or losing your dream home! A good agent will help you close faster and pay less.

Join us on Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. for this FREE virtual seminar. Make your new construction dream home a reality with experts by your side!

Register for this event today!

Arts Focus: Earth Day Every Day Festival returns to Langston Blvd April 23

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

Looking for fun ways to engage the whole family in Earth Day?

A day-long street festival, Earth Day Every Day features live music, great food, kids art activities, a native plant sale, environmental education activities, and even a sustainable art market.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, in front of the Lee Heights Shops, 4500 Old Dominion Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22207.

Presented by the Langston Boulevard Alliance, this is a day for our community to come together to celebrate the beauty and promise of our local environment and the planet. Every year, communities worldwide uplift Earth Day to mark the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It reminds us all to do what we can, in ways small and significant, to restore, conserve and protect our environment. The festival offers a whole range of opportunities to engage!

Peruse the Sustainable Art Market, featuring a broad selection of eco-friendly finds.

The vendors include: Area 2 Farms — Arlington-based organic produce for home delivery; Bicycle Trash — handmade goods made from overlooked materials; Cosmic Crayon Company — personalized custom recycled crayons in every configuration from your kid’s name to faceted gems; Circuit Breaker Labs — wearable and decorative art created from circuit boards, capacitors and other electronic trash; Trace — zero waste store with clean products from spices to shaving cream; Debra Fabian Jewelry — made from ethically sourced gems and recycled semi-precious metals. Click here to peruse full list of vendors.

Relax and reflect in a colorful installation by Arlington artist Heloisa Escudero, inspiring you to create a colorful magnet as you take stock of everything that makes your life joyful as part of Count Your Joys, the latest installation of the Arlington Art Truck.

To provide the soundtrack for your day, Arlington Arts also helped to program the diverse array of noted performing artists (including several Washington Area Music Award winners):

Munit Mesfin Trio (Noon) — Ethiopian singer/songwriter and MC known for her collaborations with guitarist Jӧrg Pfeil.

Veronneau (1:15 p.m.) — Internationally acclaimed, 7 WAMMIE award winning multilingual jazz band fronted by vocalist Lynn Veronneau and guitarist Ken Avis.

The Honey Larks (2:30 p.m.) — female blues supergroup performing roots music with incredible vocal harmonies of Carly Harvey, Janny Langer and Holly Montgomery.

Karen Jonas (3:45 p.m.) — 3-time WAMMIE Award winner, Americana/Alt-Country songwriter.

Visit the Arlington Public Library Truck for a variety of Earth Day activities: write a postcard imagining the future of Langston Boulevard, pick up some Earth Day coloring sheets, and attend a storytime by one of their children’s librarians. You can sign up for a library card and check out some books when you visit!

With all that dancing and shopping, you’re sure to work up an appetite, so visit the food vendors: Arrowine & Cheese, Café Colline, Chipotle, Crisp & Juicy, Lebanese Taverna, Old Dominion Pizza and Starbucks Coffee! Kids activities abound, including a “Kids Improv” led by Encore Stage & Studio.

Or they can flex their creative muscles with a painting station for children to create environmentally-conscious artwork with the artists of the Arlington Artists Alliance (AAA). Or join Arlington Parks and Recreation to make some 3-D paper sculptures.

That’s just a sample of the fun activities taking place as part of Earth Day Every Day, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. For a complete schedule of vendors and activities, visit Earthdayonlangston.com.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com 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 April 3, there are 130 detached homes, 24 townhouses and 142 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 20 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

2118 N. Oakland 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.

Little Ambassadors’ Academy: celebrating individuality and learning through discovery

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Little Ambassadors’ Academy comprises three campuses spread out across the Arlington area. Overlee, being the newest campus, allows LAA to expand early childhood education to more families across Arlington.

At LAA we believe children learn best through discovery. Our mission is to shape the minds and futures of our students in a structured and secure environment that is dedicated to early childhood development. We strive to provide a safe, creative, and nurturing space to help children develop curious and compassionate lifelong learners. We celebrate individuality and embrace that to help our children reach their fullest potential.

The Little Ambassadors’ Academy Kindergarten program is taught by an experienced kindergarten teacher with backgrounds teaching in either private or public-school settings.

Our curriculum continues the promotion of hands-on learning and ensures an emphasis on math, science, emergent literacy, technology, Spanish language enrichment, social and emotional development, and healthy living (nutrition and physical activity), while following Virginia’s standards of Learning for Kindergarten and First grade.

LAA Kindergarteners will have a core curriculum time between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every day, 5 days a week.

Our students’ schedules will include large and small group instruction, one hour of recess (daily), specialties and field-trips. Our academic school year has limited closures (compared to neighboring school districts) and follows the LAA preschool academic calendar.

Summer camp will also be available to families who are interested and require a separate enrollment.

Ask Eli: Six tips for selling to a builder

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: I’m planning to sell my home to a builder to be torn down, do you have any advice?

TL;DR (1:37)

Answer: For many homeowners with older, smaller homes in expensive markets, selling to a builder is the easy and most profitable option when you’re ready to move. If you live in a home like this, you probably get hundreds of calls and letter from builders, investors, and real estate agents offering to buy your home as-is.

Here are six tips and ideas if you’re considering this option…

Don’t Overvalue Cash

The idea of somebody paying cash for your home sounds exciting and more reliable than somebody getting funds from a bank. “They pay cash” is one of the most common reasons I hear from homeowners explaining why they prefer selling to a builder.

The truth is that many builders don’t buy homes with a mountain of cash they have sitting around; they rely on strong banking relationships to finance their purchase with cash-like deals (the money is available quickly and easily).

The real value of cash is that a buyer can close quickly and does not require any bank approval, but a cash-like deal from a well-qualified buyer working with a great bank can often mirror this by removing any finance or appraisal contingency and closing as fast as the bank will allow (many can close in 2-3 weeks).

The contingency (or study period) structure and Earnest Money Deposit terms are more important than the funding source being a buyer’s private cash balance vs a trusted bank/lender. I would also argue that it’s more likely that an individual or builder cash-buyer will run into a cash crunch prior to closing than an established bank/lender.

Your Home May be Worth More to a Homeowner

It’s no secret how hard it is to find entry level homes these days. You may think that your current home with a small kitchen, old roof, and unfinished basement is only worth the land it sits on, but buyers are hurting for inexpensive homes, even if they need loads of improvements. Don’t assume that just because your home is small and dated that a builder is your only option.

Make sure you’re comparing builder offers to what you can get on the open market, taking into consideration other financial (e.g. differences in commission) and non-financial (e.g. timeline and showings) differences between the two routes. There may be little downside to testing the open market before committing to a builder, depending on your situation.

Your community will also appreciate your contribution to preserving the local tree canopy!

Builders Can Offer Attractive Rent-Backs

A rent-back means that you can live in your home after closing (aka after getting paid) for a specified period, usually for little or no cost, for months after a sale. For many sellers, this extra time is perfect for searching for your next home or apartment, with cash in-hand, or taking time to clear out decades of personal belongings.

A normal buyer can also offer a rent-back, and are often happy to, but if a home is being purchased using a mortgage for a primary residence, the buyer cannot offer a rent-back over two months. A builder, even if the funding comes from a bank, or cash buyer has no restriction on the length of rent-back. It’s well within reason to negotiate 3-4+ months of free or low-cost rent-back from a builder after closing.

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Neighborhood Spotlight: Local mom and pop shops

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Arlington is not just a place on a map — it’s a community. And the heart of this community lies in its small mom-and-pop shops. These small, family-owned businesses have a special place in the hearts of Arlingtonians, and they play a crucial role in shaping the local economy.

Sun and Moon Yoga Studio is a family-owned yoga studio that has been serving the community for over 20 years. The studio offers a variety of classes, including traditional yoga, Pilates, and meditation, with experienced instructors who prioritize inclusivity and connection among students. The studio also offers a comprehensive teacher training program for those interested in becoming certified yoga instructors.

Arrowine is more than just a wine and cheese shop — it’s a community hub for local wine and cheese lovers. The shop’s founder has made it his mission to bring the best wines and cheeses from around the world to his customers while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. The shop also hosts regular tastings and events, featuring guest speakers and winemakers, where customers can connect with others who share their passion for wine and cheese.

Lemoncello Boutique offers a wide selection of stylish and affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories for women. The boutique’s carefully curated selection and dedication to customer service, including personalized styling advice, sets it apart. It hosts regular events and trunk shows, and has become a beloved destination for fashion-conscious locals and visitors. Whether you’re looking for a special occasion dress or just want to browse the latest trends, Lemoncello is a must-visit destination for any fashion lover.

Are you a pie lover? Then you have to check out Livin The Pie Life! This charming bakery is a mecca for all things pie-related and has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. Livin The Pie Life is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for delicious homemade pies, quiches, and other baked goods made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

If you’re a resident of Arlington, chances are you’ve stumbled upon Ayers Hardware. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the neighborhood, this hardware store is a hidden gem that locals can’t get enough of. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just someone in need of a quick fix, Ayers Hardware has got you covered.

By shopping locally, you’re not only getting high-quality products and services, but you’re also supporting your neighbors and friends and helping to build a more vibrant and resilient community.

There is so much more to discover in Arlington! Connect with me to learn more!

Laura Biederman | 202-309-1350 | [email protected] | laurabiederman.com | www.McEnearney.com

McEnearney Associates — Arlington Office

Links & Recommendations:

For 40 years, McEnearney Associates has been a premiere residential, commercial and property management firm with 11 offices located in the Washington metro region. With service excellence, hyper-local expertise, powerful data insights, innovative technology and cutting-edge marketing, McEnearney Associates have helped their clients make informed decisions on their most valuable real estate investments. There is an important difference at McEnearney: It’s not about us, it’s about you. To learn more, visit us at www.McEnearney.com.

Car care like you always wanted: easy, transparent, convenient

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Stop wasting hours of time getting your car maintained, repaired, or detailed.

Discover the time-saving joy that is CarCare To Go and see why so many people are leaving reviews like the one below.

CarCare To Go brings modern convenience and simplicity to car repair. They combine the quality and trust of a full-service shop with a uniquely transparent process, plus free valet pick-up and delivery from your home or work.

Great experience — the valet service was professional, kept me posted on timing, and took excellent care of my car. The service center was transparent, high-tech, and informative (they provide videos and up-front estimates). I was able to work a full day, review my service, pay for it and receive my car, without ever leaving home. Highly recommend it!  — Julia M.

CarCare To Go is offering first-time clients an oil change for just $20.23. No catch. Synthetic or blend for any make or model car. Just enter coupon code FIRST20 when you book. And the valet and a light hand clean are completely free.

Of course, CarCare To Go does much more than oil changes and new tires. They are a full-service shop that does everything from brake pad replacements to the most complicated engine replacements. Plus, life-changing details that leave your car feeling brand new.

You’ll wonder why you ever took care of your car any other way.

Statutes of Liberty: Is it a crime to provide legal advice? The Supreme Court weighs in

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Laura Lorenzo, 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.

The First Amendment, despite what you may have read on the internet, is not an absolute defense against prosecution.

If you say, out loud, to your friend: “Let’s rob a bank!” and then take steps in that direction, the sentence “Let’s rob a bank!” can be held against you in a court of law.

Mr. Helaman Hansen did not know that fact, and he suffered the consequences. Mr. Hansen — a very bad guy, in our view — told more than four hundred victims that there was a (totally fictitious) adult adoption program, whereby, under (nonexistent) US immigration laws, they could obtain proper immigration status, and then (surprise!) conned them out of their money in order to enroll his victims in that program.

Mr. Hansen was duly convicted by a jury and sentenced to twenty years in prison. But, this being law, the story doesn’t end there. Hansen was convicted of fifteen counts of mail and wire fraud, but he was also convicted on two counts of encouraging or inducing an alien to come to, or reside in the United States, despite knowledge of illegality. Hansen appealed his conviction under the ‘encouraging or inducing’ statute, arguing that the statute, as written, violates the First Amendment by criminalizing protected speech.

Not all criminals are lawyers, and not all lawyers are criminals, but some people are both.

On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument, and Mr. Hansen’s case did surprisingly well. But, because this is law, let’s look first at the statute. It reads, in relevant part:

“(A) Any person who-  […] (iv) encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law;  […] shall be punished[.]”

As applied to Mr. Hansen, a fraudster of remarkable inventiveness and ambition, the law seems reasonable. But the Supreme Court took Mr. Hansen’s overbreadth concern seriously. Justice Kagan asked whether lawyers, doctors, and teachers who provide services at the border were “encouraging or inducing” migrants to enter, in violation of the statute.

Justice Sotomayor asked whether a grandchild who tells her grandmother to stay in America might be guilty under the statute. Justice Kavanaugh suggested that organizations — like Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services, for example — advise clients about the risk and benefits of remaining in the United States all the time, and surely — surely? — providing legal advice was not meant to be a prosecutable offense.

We don’t have a crystal ball, but we think that the statute is likely to be upheld. A narrow majority of the Court seemed to be satisfied that the government’s interest in discouraging criminal activity could  be achieved without chilling free speech in the legal, familial, or religious contexts in which prosecution has been rare.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this explanation of United States v. Hansen. Be safe: don’t provide immigration advice to your friends and neighbors. Refer it to us.

As always, we’re happy to answer questions and comments!

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com 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 March 27, there are 125 detached homes, 30 townhouses and 146 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 18 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

6581 Washington 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.

Biz Talk: Arlington businesses influence innovation

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This article was written by Arlington Economic Development.

In this era of digital tools, teleworking and Zoom meetings, there’s still nothing quite like good old fashioned face-to-face collaboration when it comes to the business community.

Sometimes, it’s good to just sit down and talk things out — whether it’s concerns about space, workforce or possible expansion plans. That’s exactly what the Arlington Economic Development Business Investment team encountered last year during Business Appreciation Month.

AED staff, County leaders and community ambassadors came together for a series of individual visits to more than 40 Arlington companies in a two-week period last May, allowing companies to meet with a variety of ambassadors and connect them with valuable resource partners as well as providing them with information on everything from workforce programs and financial incentives to community initiatives, AED services and much more.

And now, the Virginia Economic Development Association has recognized AED for those efforts as one of the top initiatives for business retention in the Commonwealth. Arlington Economic Development was awarded a Community Economic Development Award for Business Retention and Expansion for its Business Appreciation Month Outreach program, which directly led to the County’s ability to support several companies in their upcoming office expansions, which totaled nearly 60,000 SF of new office space and 350 new jobs.

In addition to the recognition from VEDA, these one-on-one collaborations also helped to develop some of this past year’s most exciting initiatives, including the Arlington TALENT Pilot Program, which is helping to address local tech workforce shortages, as well as some of the efforts put forth in the commercial market resiliency initiative, which has allowed for potential new uses in commercial corridors that can help make those corridors even more attractive to employees returning to the office.

It was also the catalyst behind the creation of last fall’s REV Awards, which highlighted fast-growing companies in the areas of revenue, employment and venture capital.

While the AED team is connecting with businesses throughout the year, this particular outreach was instrumental in helping Arlington’s business community find the resources and partners they need to reach their goals and also gave us valuable insight on the investments the department should be making to ensure our community remains one of the leaders for business.

Planning is already underway to honor Arlington’s business community again this May.

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