Events

Arlington to Hold CIP Public Hearing Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Arlington will be holding a public hearing tonight to seek comments on the county’s FY 2013-2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The hearing is scheduled for 7:00 tonight (Tuesday) at the County Board Room on the third floor of 2100 Clarendon Boulevard. On-site speaker registration begins at 6:00 p.m. The hearing is being held in advance of the Board’s consideration of the CIP and the 2012 bond referenda at its July meeting.

The $2.4 billion proposed CIP includes “funding plans for the full range of County infrastructure needs, including parks, facilities, streets, transit, water and sewer infrastructure and technology.”

Among the bond referenda expected to be included on the Nov. 6 ballot, pending approval by the County Board next month:

Elliot Joins Celebrities Going “Over the Edge”

By Katie Pyzyk

Celebrities like DC 101 morning show DJ Elliot Segal, of “Elliot in the Morning” fame showed up at the Hilton Crystal City (2399 Jefferson Davis Highway) to dangle from the side of the building.

It’s all part of Special Olympics Virginia’s “Over the Edge” fundraiser. Today, local celebrities including ABC 7’s Steve Chenevey and Arlington Connection’s Deb Cobb joined Elliot in taking part in the event. They each did a test run from only one story up, then moved on to the big event — a 15 story rappel.

Tomorrow, Friday, the fundraiser is open to the public. Participants are asked to donate $1,000 for the chance to rappel down the side of the hotel. Many groups pooled together money and signed up co-workers for the daredevil stunt.

The event tomorrow runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sixty people are signed up to rappel down the hotel, but there are still spots available for people who want to sign up on site. Participants have one month to come up with the $1,000 donation.

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Heat Advisory Prompts Concert Cancellation

By Katie Pyzyk

Tonight’s free concert at Lubber Run Amphitheater will be cancelled due to the heat advisory, which has been extended until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Potomac Harmony Chorus, and all-female a capella group, was scheduled to perform.

The decision to cancel was made in consultation with the group, both for their health and safety, and for that of the audience.

As of now, Friday’s performance by The U.S. Army Blues is still on for 8:00 p.m.

Race Series for Dogs and Humans will Benefit Rescue Animals

By Katie Pyzyk

There are a lot of local races, but one is encouraging runners to celebrate the dog days of summer with a four-legged friend.

The Lost Dog 5K race series will feature low-key evening races on four Fridays later this summer — August 3, 10, 17 and 24. They begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bluemont Park and benefit the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. Each runner’s bib will have a tag good for one complimentary beverage at the post-race party at Stray Cat Cafe (5866 N. Washington Blvd).

Although dogs are encouraged to participate, it’s not necessary for humans to bring one. Each dog will get its own timing tag. There will be prizes for top dogs according to weight class, and for top humans according to age group.

Another unique feature is that runners who don’t have a pooch of their own can “Rent-A-Mutt” for $10, and help one of the Lost Dog rescues get a little exercise. There will be about 10 dogs per week available for rental on a first come, first served basis. Rental dogs will not be timed.

In order to participate, dogs must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be well-socialized and friendly with people and dogs of all sizes.
  • Must remain leashed and under the control of a human at all times.
  • Must be current on rabies vaccinations.

Race organizers reserve the right to remove any dog behaving aggressively towards people or dogs.

Due to course restrictions, registration is limited. Registration is $50 for humans or $65 for a human/canine team, and can be done online. There is also a video online answering questions about running with a dog during the summer.

Skaters to Perform in Ice Show at Kettler Iceplex

By Katie Pyzyk

If you want to chill out, the Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 North Glebe Road) in Ballston may have what you need at its Second Annual Ice Show.

This year, the show will feature the “History of Rock ‘n Roll.” Skaters of various ages and abilities will perform to rock songs by artists ranging from Elvis to U2.

The show will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m., and tomorrow, June 16, at 2:30 p.m. Attendees are reminded that the ice rink will be chilly, so it might be a good idea to bring a sweater.

Tickets can be purchased in person for $5. More information, including a video of last year’s show finale, is available online.

‘Dash for Dad’ Race to Close Streets in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Hundreds of runners will celebrate Father’s Day with a race in Pentagon City.

The Dash for Dad, organized by Pacers in partnership with ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer, consists of three separate events: a four mile run starting at 8:30 a.m., a one mile fun walk at 8:35 a.m., and a kids dash at 9:30 a.m. for those eight years and under.

Participants can register individually or as a daddy-daughter or father-son team. There will be prizes for the top-finishing father-daughter and father-son teams of various age groups.

At the one mile mark of the four mile race, participants can “tie one on for dad” — they can select and tie a necktie, then wear it for the remainder of the race. The top three fastest male and female tie tiers will receive prizes.

The event will take place on Sunday, June 17, and will start in front of Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street). After the race, there will be a post-race party at Pentagon Row.

Advance registration is $35 for the four miler, $12 for the one mile course, and $10 for the kids dash.

To accommodate the race, Arlington County police will be closing two stretches of road from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. S. Joyce Street will be closed between 15th Street S. and Army Navy Drive, and Army Navy Drive will be closed between S. Joyce Street and 25th Street S.

Photo by Swim Bike Run Photography

Columbia Pike Blues Fest Coming This Saturday

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:05 p.m.) The 17th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be held this weekend.

The Blues Fest will feature performances from local and nationally-known blues musicians. There will also be numerous food, drink and craft vendors; kid’s activities; a raffle; and booths set up by local community groups.

Thousands are expected to attend the event, which will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, on S. Walter Reed Drive near the intersection with Columbia Pike. Weather for the day is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high of 80 degrees.

Among the blues artists scheduled to perform are:

  • 1:00 p.m. — Karl Stoll & The Danger Zone, a “high-energy houserockin’ blues band featuring veterans of the DC circuit.”
  • 2:00 p.m. — Moondog Medicine Show, a “hard driving, funky blues band that hails from Western Maryland.”
  • 3:30 p.m. — Danny Blew and the Blues Crew, a band that plays a “stylish blend of traditional Mississippi Delta and Chicago blues.”
  • 5:00 p.m. — Chris Polk, who “describes his style as Texas, Memphis and Chicago blues style with a soul twist.”
  • 6:30 p.m. — Peter Karp and Sue Foley, an acclaimed blues duo that tours nationally.

The Blues Festival will close several streets from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., according to Arlington County Police. The closures include Walter Reed Drive between Columbia Pike and S. 9th Street, S. 9th Road from S. Garfield Street to Walter Reed Drive, and S. 9th Street from S. Highland Street to Walter Reed Drive.

Disclosure: The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, organizer of the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Artisphere to Host Teen-Produced Battle of the Bands

By ARLnow.com

Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd) will be hosting a “for teens, by teens” battle of the bands this weekend.

The show will features eight bands from high schools around the D.C. region, including two from Arlington: New Metro (Yorktown H.S.) and Challenger Deep (Washington-Lee H.S.). Each of the bands in the show writes and performs their own music.

The audience will decide who wins the Battle of the Bands showcase. The winner will receive 32 hours of professional recording time at 4Mile Studios in Arlington.

The show will be held at Artisphere’s Dome Theatre at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. Tickets are $5 and are available online.

The Battle of the Bands is being produced by four teen interns at Artisphere, including Yorktown students Burke Justice and Charlotte Raskovich.

“Artisphere’s Teens Work Experience is a month-long interactive internship for DMV area high school seniors,” Artisphere said in a press release. “The four participants in the program, mentored by Sasha Lord of Sasha Lord Presents, have learned through professional experiences and workshops various aspects of running a performing arts center with the main project being the curation and presentation of a Battle of the Bands.”

Gulf Branch Nature Center to Celebrate 46th Birthday

By ARLnow.com

Gulf Branch Nature Center will be celebrating its 46th birthday this weekend.

The nature center was saved from potential closure and demolition in 2009 when supporters rallied to have it removed from a list of county budget cuts. Now, the nonprofit Friends of the Gulf Branch Nature Center organization is throwing the wooded outpost another birthday party.

The free event is scheduled from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. The program includes:

  • Live music by the New Old Time String Band
  • Live animal encounters and nature fun for everyone
  • “Open forge” with the Blacksmiths’ Guild
  • Birthday cake

Photo via friendsofgbnc.org

Kal Penn Coming to Arlington, For Obama

By ARLnow.com

Actor Kal Penn will be making two appearances in Arlington on Monday night, June 11, as part of his work on President Obama’s re-election campaign.

Penn — famous for roles in movies like Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, and TV shows like House and How I Met Your Mother — will first drop by a young professionals event at Café Asia (1550 Wilson Blvd) in Rosslyn at 6:00 p.m. He’s expected to talk about why he supports President Obama and why Virginia is an especially important state in the re-election effort.

At 7:30 p.m., Penn will greet phone bank volunteers at the Obama campaign’s Arlington office (2408 Columbia Pike).

Following President Obama’s election, Penn left acting for two years to go to work in the White House Office of Public Engagement. He’s currently taking another break from acting in order to work as a co-chair — or surrogate — for the president’s re-election campaign.

Photo via the White House

Ballston Farmers Market Opening Delayed

By ARLnow.com

The opening of the revamped Ballston Farmers Market is not taking place today, as originally scheduled.

The farmers market will now hold its grand opening on Thursday, June 28, according to Ballston Business Improvement District spokesman Will Marlow. Local rockabilly band Jumpin’ Jupiter will provide live music for the grand opening.

Starting this year, the farmers market is being managed by FRESHFARM Markets, which also runs the Crystal City Farmers Market and numerous other markets in D.C. and Maryland. The market will from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays through October 25, at Welburn Square (between N. Taylor and Stuart Streets).

Marlow said the market may hold a “soft opening” on Thursday, June 21, but cautioned that it’s not 100 percent certain that the soft opening will actually take place.

Disclosure: Ballston BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

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