Events | ARLnow.com

Halloween Events in Arlington this Weekend

Published October 22, 2013 at 3:30PM

Halloween is just over a week away, but this weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the celebrations.

There are a number of events happening around Arlington for the holiday this weekend. Among them:

Doorways’ Howl-o-ween Dog Walk for the Homeless
Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Doorways, a domestic violence shelter for women and their children, is hosting a dog-walking fundraiser at Big Walnut Park (1915 N. Harrison Street). While many similar shelters don’t allow pets, Doorways provides a place for both victims of domestic abuse and their pets. Visitors are encouraged to dress themselves and their pets in Halloween costumes, and dogs can compete for prizes. Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for children under 16, with proceeds going to Doorways.

FALLoween at Market Common Clarendon
Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Market Common Clarendon, at 2700 Clarendon Blvd, is hosting its own pet-friendly parade Saturday morning. There will be trick-or-treating, a mini pumpkin and a petting zoo. A pet and human costume parade will start at 11:00 a.m. and a “Princess vs. Superhero fitness contest” will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All events are free.

Douglas Park Halloween Trail of Terror
Saturday, Oct. 26, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Douglas Park will host its second annual haunted trail this Saturday evening Starting at 1620 S. Quincy Street, visitors will walk through Douglas Park and walk through trails where they’ll encounter goblins, swamp monsters and other ghouls and ghosts. There will also be a children’s area with milder fun. To experience the trail, visitors should bring canned food for donation to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

Elliot in the Morning’s Halloween Bash
Friday, Oct. 25, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Friday night at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd), DC101’s Elliot in the Morning show will host a costume party with a $3,000 cash prize going to the winner. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m. and the cover charge is $15 before 10:00 p.m. No costumes with stilts or weapons will be permitted. Sixty party-goers will be selected by judges in the crowd to be finalists by 10:30 p.m., and crowd applause will determine the winner among those 60.

Not So Silent Cinema Presents Nosferatu
Saturday, Oct. 26, starting at 8:00 p.m.
At Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd) Saturday night, a klezmer quintet will play accompaniment to the 1922 silent movie classic “Nosferatu,” cinema’s first vampire flick. The movie will be shown at the Dome Theater. Tickets are $15.

HiBall Monster Bar Crawl
Friday, Oct. 25, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
HiBall events is hosting a bar crawl Friday evening from Courthouse to Ballston, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Participating bars include Spider Kelly’s, World of Beer, Wilson Tavern, Whitlow’s on Wilson and The Front Page. Tickets are $15 and participating revelers can participate in a costume contest via Facebook, with the winner getting $200 and gift cards from participating restaurants.

Photo courtesy of Doorways

Arlington Agenda (Oct. 21-27)

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2013 at 2:45PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Tuesday

Going to College: Answers for Aspiring College Students*
Wakefield High School (4901 S. Chesterfield Road)
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

A FREE college admission counseling event for students and parents – learn more about how to find the right college, what questions to ask, when to apply, and where to financial aid resources.

Thursday

Live Comedy: Marlon Wayans
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Comedian, actor, writer and director Marlon Wayans, of Scary Movie and White Chicks fame, performs live standup comedy.

Friday

Integration of Faith and Science
GMU Founders Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Three panelists trained in the biological sciences will share their perspectives on how science and faith serve to illuminate our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Saturday

Octoberfest Fall Bazaar*
Walker Chapel UMC (4102 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

One of Northern Virginia’s largest ‘yard sales,’ with thousands of gently used items, including clothing, household items, furniture, seasonal items, jewelry, art and more.

Energy Journey Game*
Gunston Middle School (2700 S. Lang Street)
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

A life-sized board game that challenges players on everyday actions that have an energy impact. Open to all ages.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event. A list of Halloween-related events will be published separately.

#Arlington Agenda

Fall Heritage Festival Returns this Saturday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 18, 2013 at 2:30PM | Updated October 18, 2013 at 2:49PM

Arlington’s Fall Heritage Festival will be returning tomorrow (Saturday) for another year of history activities.

From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Gulf Branch Nature Center (3608 N. Military Road), visitors are invited to participate in some old-fashioned games and crafts, including building a scarecrow.

The family-friendly event is “a celebration of our nation’s heritage,” according to the county website, and visitors will gather at the Walker Log Cabin at the nature center for the festivities.

The event is $5 at the door and parking will be along N. Military Road and 36th Road while the parking lot is closed for the event. Those who wish to build scarecrows should bring old clothing for the scarecrows to wear.

Photo by Maryva2

Spectrum Theatre to Host Kristallnacht Anniversary Concert

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 16, 2013 at 12:30PM

The National Chamber Ensemble will perform a medley of Jewish songs at Artisphere‘s Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street) next month to commemorate the anniversary of a massacre of Jews in Europe.

The NCE’s show, “Jewish Musical Treasures,” will be the first show of the orchestra’s season, and it falls on the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. On Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m., they will perform an assortment of music by several Jewish composers.

The NCE is the Spectrum Theatre’s resident ensemble and the show opens its seventh season. It will perform premieres of new pieces, including one based on the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” as well as compositions by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children.

A brief description of Kristallnacht, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:

On November 9–10, 1938, the Nazis staged violent pogroms—state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots—against the Jewish communities of Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. These events came to be known as Kristallnacht (commonly translated as “Night of Broken Glass”), a reference to the broken windows of synagogues, Jewish-owned stores, community centers, and homes plundered and destroyed that night. Instigated by the Nazi regime, rioters burned or destroyed 267 synagogues, vandalized or looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and killed at least 91 Jewish people. They also damaged many Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes as police and fire brigades stood aside.

“The National Chamber Ensemble concert ‘Jewish Musical Treasures’ will note events that should never be forgotten through our concert celebrating the joy of life and creative survival,” the NCE said in a press release.

Photos courtesy of Nick Khazal

Arlington Agenda (Oct. 15-20)

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2013 at 3:35PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Tuesday

BikeArlington’s Two Wheel Tuesdays*
Mobility Lab (1501 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Free tips on buying the right bike, and on bike maintenance and commuting. The event is organized by BikeArlington.

Defending the DREAM*
The Salsa Room (2619 Columbia Pike)
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

A reception benefiting the re-election campaign of Delegate Alfonso Lopez, leading advocate for the Virginia DREAM Act and immigrant rights in the Virginia General Assembly.

Thursday

You Need a Raise! Public Policy Forum*
NRECA Building (4301 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

A free event with author Hendrick Smith, featuring a “discussion of the causes of and policies that foster the rapidly growing gap between the wealthiest and the rest of us.”

Saturday

Designing a Sustainable, Maintainable Yard*
Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This program on home landscaping will give you the knowledge to evaluate your site, identify your needs, and choose plants and materials appropriate for local conditions. Registration is $20.

Rosslyn Halloween Movie Night
Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: 6:00 – 11:30 p.m.

A free outdoor, Halloween-themed double feature. The family-friendly film Hocus Pocus will start at 7:00 p.m., while the classic horror film The Shining starts at 9:00.

Sunday

National Capital Strollathon*
Quincy Park (1021 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The Strollathon is the International Rett Syndrome Foundation’s signature fundraiser, consisting of family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy.

Green Home Open House*
Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Avenue)
Time: 6:00 -9:00 p.m.

An open house is held for an Arlington Green Home Choice renovation in the historic Maywood neighborhood. Interested residents can ask questions about green buildings and the construction process.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Local Ultimate Frisbee Teams To Host Youth Clinic at W-L

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 11, 2013 at 4:30PM

The area’s two premier Ultimate Frisbee teams will host a youth clinic at Washington-Lee High School this Sunday.

Truck Stop, the most competitive men’s club team in the area, and Scandal — a women’s team that has reached the finals in several national competitions the last few years — will host the clinic to educate area youths about the sport.

The clinic runs from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and costs $5. Participants can register online or pay when they get to the high school. The three-hour clinic will consist of warm-ups, drills, and scrimmages. It’s open to kids from ages 8-20 and all skill levels.

Scandal and Truck Stop, which feature some Arlington residents on their rosters, are using the clinics to “give back to the local Frisbee community and fundraise” for the USA Ultimate National Championships, which are next weekend. Both teams have qualified for the 16-team tournament in Dallas, Texas.

Ultimate Frisbee, a sport that has grown rapidly in the past 10 years, combines major elements of soccer, football and basketball and has become a fixture on college campuses across the country.

Photo courtesy of Molly Roy

Monday is Chick-Fil-A ‘Daddy-Daughter Date Night’

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 10, 2013 at 9:45AM

Chick-fil-A will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” at its Arlington locations Monday, Oct. 14.

The fast-food restaurant — with locations at 2200 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, in the Ballston Common Mall and at 6108 Arlington Blvd just over the border in Falls Church — will host a sit-down meal for fathers bringing their daughters from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Customers must make reservations online before Sunday, Oct. 13 to participate. Chick-fil-A will offer tableside service, and will distribute tray liners that list “conversation starters” for the father and daughter, as well as a take-home booklet called “Continuing the Conversation,” according to a Chick-fil-A press release.

“We understand the importance of father-daughter relationships and want to encourage dads to take a break from busy schedules, enjoy their daughter’s company over a meal and have fun!” the press release said.

It’s unclear if, or how many, costumed cows will be in attendance. Earlier this year Chick-fil-A hosted a medieval-themed mother-son date night.

#fast food

Arlington to Premiere ‘Bike-umentary’ Thursday Night

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 9, 2013 at 4:30PM

A county-funded documentary chronicling Arlington’s transformation into a more bike-friendly community is premiering Thursday night at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike).

The 30-minute film, titled BikeSwell, followed county staff and members of the community for more than a year while the county was adding bicycle-related amenities like Capital Bikeshare and bike lanes in streets. Gripped Films, a film company founded by Arlington resident Jason Berry, produced BikeSwell on a $30,000 county budget.

“It’s a case study on some of the things that can be done, how it’s done, and how it’s going in Arlington,” said Chris Eatough, program manager for Bike Arlington, who was part of making the film. “We asked a lot of different people from a lot of different areas of life what they think of biking. Part of it is talking to people who drive and don’t bike.”

Included in the documentary will be a discussion of staff processes for creating bike lanes, and a look at work by biking advocates in meetings and boardrooms, Eatough said.

The premiere will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday night. Tickets were available to the public earlier this week but have since sold out. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion, moderated by Eatough, featuring Berry, Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee chairman Jakob Wolf-Barnett and others.

Eatough stressed that the documentary will not simply be pro-bicycle propaganda. However, in interviewing drivers, as well as representatives from AAA, the filmmakers found very little pushback, he said.

“Interestingly enough, the opposition was hard to find, even with drivers,” Eatough said. “We thought we’d be shooting fish in a barrel asking drivers stopped at intersections. There were a lot of comments that they just need their own space, they need their own area on the roads.”

The film will be available on YouTube Friday, Eatough said, and Arlington hopes to be able to send it to communities across the country to educate them about transitioning into a more bike-friendly area.

Fire Stations to Hold Open Houses on Saturday

By ARLnow.com

Published October 9, 2013 at 9:55AM

It’s Fire Prevention Week, and Arlington’s ten fire stations will be holding open houses this weekend to mark the occasion.

The fire station open houses will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. The events will give residents an opportunity to talk with firefighters, tour the stations, climb aboard fire trucks and learn about fire safety. There will also be activities for kids.

The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

“More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home,” says the Arlington County Fire Department website. “Come to the open house and learn how to prevent cooking fires from starting in the first place and other important fire safety tips.”

Photo by Mary Troyan

World War II Planes to Fly Over Arlington Friday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 8, 2013 at 3:30PM | Updated October 8, 2013 at 4:01PM

More than 30 airplanes built for World War II will conduct a large-formation flyover of the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery Friday afternoon.

Friday’s ceremony will celebrate the “North American Texan” plane’s 75th anniversary. Friday afternoon at approximately 12:30 p.m., the planes will reach Arlington by way of a flight path that follows the Potomac River, according to the North American Trainer Association, which is coordinating the event.

More than 15,000 Texans were built between 1938 and 1947, according to the NATA, and more than 400 of them are privately owned and still in flight. They were the most popular plane used in American fighter-pilot training in the 1940s and 1950s.

The formation is expected to be visible from much of Arlington and Alexandria. The forecast for Friday as of Tuesday afternoon is a 60 percent chance of showers.

Photo courtesy of NATA

Hospital Planning Emergency Exercise Saturday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 4, 2013 at 10:00AM | Updated October 4, 2013 at 10:32AM

The Virginia Hospital Center will host an emergency preparedness exercise this Saturday, including a simulated fire within the hospital walls.

Beginning Oct. 5 at 6:00 a.m. and continuing until noon, the emergency exercise will include all the aspects of the Arlington County Fire Department’s response to a real fire, without lights and sirens.

From an Arlington County press release:

A simulated hospital fire will test the Arlington County Fire Department’s emergency response while providing hands-on training to the Office of Emergency Management and Virginia Hospital Center staff. During the exercise, emergency personnel will respond as in a real emergency, but will not use their lights or sirens.

The exercise will be held inside the hospital and will not affect normal hospital services. Theexercise will include elements to add realism to the simulated emergency of a real fire:

A simulated fire and deployment of smoke in a secured and confined area of the hospital with the evacuation of patients will occur for training purposes

Participation by ACFD, OEM and Virginia Hospital Center personnel will test response times, collaboration and patient care during this simulation

More than 10 responding emergency vehicles will be used

Volunteer role players will simulate injuries sustained from the incident

The full-scale emergency preparedness exercise, which is the culmination of months of planning and coordination across these different disciplines, is part of Arlington County’sEmergency Preparedness Plan and will help ensure that ACFD, OEM and Virginia Hospital Center are prepared for real-life fire emergencies.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the exercise elements may be seen or heard on Saturday morning from areas surrounding the hospital – especially in the proximity of the Virginia Hospital Center campus. This is only an exercise.