Events

Upton Hill to Host ‘World’s Largest Swimming Lesson’

By ARLnow.com

Next week the water park at Upton Hill Regional Park will host one portion of what’s being called the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.”

At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, children will gather at Upton Hill (6060 Wilson Blvd) to take part in a swimming lesson that will be held at the same time as lessons at 500 other pools and aquatic facilities around the world. The event is part of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) “Pool Safely” campaign, a national public education effort.

Rep. Jim Moran (D), CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and other local officials are expected to help kick off the world record attempt.

The event will attempt to break its own Guinness-certified record from last year. In 2011, more than 20,000 kids and adults on five different continents participated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. While the goal of the event is to set a new world record, the ultimate goal of the campaign is to reduce child drownings, near-drownings and entrapments in pools and spas.

From a press release:

This year the campaign’s focus is on populations most at risk of drowning: children younger than 5 years old (who represent nearly 75 percent of child drowning fatalities) and African-American and Hispanic children between the ages of 5 and 14, who, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drown at higher rates than white children. CPSC reports that annually there are 390 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15.

Photo via Ocean Dunes Waterpark

Pentagon Row Concerts Begin Thursday

By Katie Pyzyk

Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street) is getting ready to rock out. Tomorrow, June 7, kicks off the beginning of its summer concert series.

Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m., patrons in the plaza can take in the sounds from one of the bands performing at “Rock at the Row.”

Bands are scheduled for every Thursday evening through August 30. Although the series touts “rock,” there are also bands catering to those who prefer other sounds, like reggae, funk and zydeco.

Tomorrow, the Bon Jovi tribute band “Slippery When Wet” will play. Next week it’s Beach Bumz, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. The full schedule is below.

  • June 7 — Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi Tribute
  • June 14 — Beach Bumz, Jimmy Buffett Tribute
  • June 21 — Just Like Prom Night, 80’s Tribute
  • June 28 — MONSOON & STORM, Reggae
  • July 5 — The Crawdaddies, Roots Rock, Zydeco
  • July 12 — Old Man Brown, Southern Soul
  • July 19 — Higher Hands, Funk
  • July 26 — Donegal Xpress, Celtic Rock
  • August 2 — Bobby Lynch Band, Pop Variety
  • August 9 — Crowded Streets, Dave Matthews Tribute
  • August 16 — Unity, Reggae
  • August 23 — Matt Hutchison, Rock
  • August 30 — Gonzo’s Nose, Pop Rock

Ah Love Oil & Vinegar to Hold Anniversary Celebration

By Katie Pyzyk

To celebrate its one year anniversary in Shirlington, Ah Love Oil & Vinegar (4017B Campbell Avenue) is having a celebration this coming Saturday, June 9.

Owner Cary Kelly said the store’s short time in existence has gone well, and customer response has been overwhelming.

“The last year has been, in a word, unbelievable,” Kelly said.

She said there were skeptics who didn’t think the store would work out, both because of the slow economy and because the store was selling such unique, specific products. Kelly credits a couple of factors with the store’s success.

First, the location. Residents and workers in Shirlington have been welcoming and continue to patronize the store, she says. Secondly, Kelly thinks the product quality has won over doubters.

“I think what changes people from being skeptical to hopefully delighted is that they get to taste everything,” Kelly said. “You really taste a difference. Then people are like, ‘Okay I get it now.'”

Kelly got the idea for the store when she visited a similar business in North Carolina. Cooking, particularly Mediterranean foods, is her favorite hobby, so the idea of an oil and vinegar business seemed to make sense.

While unique at the time, the flavored oil trend is quickly spreading. Kelly said that when Ah Love opened a year ago, it was the only store of its kind in the area. Now, she can list five in the metro region.

During Saturday’s event, the shop will officially launch a new olive oil-based skin care line. Kelly said she has sensitive skin and couldn’t find olive oil skin products she liked, so she decided to have some made. The Ah Love All Over line will be made with California extra virgin olive oil.

“I think olive oil is one of nature’s greatest miracles,” said Kelly. “There’s nothing it doesn’t do for us as far as health, both inside and outside.”

Kelly said the business has been more successful than she could have anticipated, and the anniversary party is to thank customers for their support.

“My husband and I feel so grateful how we’ve been supported by this community,” Kelly said. “That’s the real reason for this party.”

The event on Saturday runs from noon to 9:30 p.m. All day, there will be tastings of food made with the oils and vinegars, and a cooking demonstration at 4:00 p.m. From noon until 4:00 p.m., there will also be a jewelry display. Customers will receive 15 percent off the store’s products, and there will be giveaways throughout the day.

Lunchtime Concerts Start Today in Rosslyn

By Katie Pyzyk

Starting today, Rosslyn is beefing up its summer entertainment lineup with free lunchtime concerts.

The concerts all begin this week and will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and and Thursdays from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Tuesday concerts, held at Freedom Park (17th Street over Lynn Street and Wilson Blvd), will run through July 31. Wednesday concerts are held at CentralSpace (Wilson Blvd and N. Moore Street), and will continue through August 29. There will be no concert on Wednesday, July 4. Thursday concerts take place at the Farmers Market (Wilson Blvd and N. Moore Street), and will have a longer season, running through October 25.

This week, Vaughn Nark & Panorama will play today, Harry Wilson will play tomorrow and Rick Franklin & Friends will play on Thursday. The full schedules of performers for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime concerts can be found online.

With decent weather predicted for this week, it may be the perfect time to take in the music. Last year, extreme heat forced cancellations for some of the concerts.

Air Force Cycling Classic to Roll into Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) Thousands of spectators will line the streets of Arlington this weekend, as bicyclists roll through for The Air Force Cycling Classic.

This Saturday, June 9, the event kicks off with the Clarendon Cup, near the Clarendon Metro. There will be a number of races throughout the day for men and women of various abilities. There will also be a children’s event. On Sunday, June 10, the action moves to Crystal Drive in Crystal City.

Registration can be found online, and the schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 9

  • 8:00 a.m. — Men’s Masters Amateur Race
  • 8:55 a.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race
  • 9:55 a.m. — Women’s Elite Race:
  • 11:35 a.m. — Kids’ Race
  • 12:00 p.m. — Men’s Pro Race

Sunday, June 10

  • 7:30 a.m. — Crystal Ride
  • 11:15 a.m. — Kids’ Race
  • 11:30 a.m. — Men’s Pro Race
  • 1:25 p.m. — Women’s Elite Race
  • 2:30 p.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race (Category 3 racing license)
  • 3:25 p.m. — Men’s Elite Amateur Race (Category 4 racing license)

A number of roads will be closed for the races, and the Arlington County Police will be helping to direct traffic. Parking may be restricted in the affected areas, so residents should look for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. The closures are below:

Saturday, June 9, from 4:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • Wilson Blvd from N. Fillmore Street to Washington Blvd
  • Clarendon Blvd from Washington Blvd to N. Fillmore Street
  • Washington Blvd from Wilson Blvd to N. Highland Street
  • Highland Street from Wilson Blvd to Washington Blvd
  • Garfield Street and Fillmore Street from Wilson Blvd to Washington Blvd
Sunday, June 10, from 5:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Joyce Street from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike
  • Columbia Pike from Oak Street to Pentagon South Parking (access to Pentagon, Eads and Fern Street)
  • South Gate Road, no access to Columbia Pike
  • Eastbound Washington Blvd at I-395
  • Westbound Washington Blvd from Memorial Bridge
  • Boundary Channel Drive
  • Crystal Drive from 23rd Street to Army Navy Drive- no vehicle traffic permitted northbound or southbound on Crystal Drive Access (will be granted to Clark Street from 12th Street)
  • 15th Street and Jefferson Davis Highway – no traffic permitted east of Jefferson Davis Highway. All traffic that comes east of Eads Street must use Route 1.
  • 18th and Clark Street – no vehicle traffic permitted eastbound towards Crystal Drive unless parking. All traffic will be detoured southbound on Bell Street.
  • 20th and Jefferson Davis Highway – no traffic permitted from Jefferson Davis Highway to 20th Street or to the access road that parallels Jefferson Davis Highway to the east.
  • 23rd and Jefferson Davis Highway – All traffic coming from or across Jefferson Davis Highway will be sent south on Clark Street. The normal lanes of traffic on 23rd Street coming from Crystal Drive will be used for the race route. Traffic coming from Crystal Drive on 23rd Street will be using the eastbound lanes.
  • Southbound Route 110 ramp to northbound I-395 will be closed until noon.
  • Southbound Route 110 from Rosslyn to S. 15th Street will be closed until noon.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

Viewing Events on Tuesday for Rare Solar Occurrence

By Katie Pyzyk

A rare solar event is taking place on Tuesday, June 5. The Transit of Venus will be visible throughout Arlington around the time of the evening rush hour tomorrow.

During the event, Venus passes between Earth and the sun, making the planet look like a dark dot on the sun. It’s one of the rarest predictable astronomical phenomena. The passing should last for about six hours, but will be visible at different times around the world. According to the Transit of Venus website, Arlington residents should be able to see the transit starting at 6:04 p.m.

Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium will hold a viewing at the top of the Kettler Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road, #800), starting at 5:45 p.m. Displays, telescopes and safety glasses for viewing the transit will be available at the free event.

The National Science Foundation is also sponsoring a free Transit of Venus event. A lecture by Dr. Larry Marschall, Professor of Physics at Gettysburg College, will take place from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the National Science Foundation (4201 Wilson Blvd) atrium. He will use pictures, movies and stories to describe the significance of the event. There will also be a telescope set up outside the north entrance to observe the transit, around 6:15 p.m.

If you want to watch the transit but can’t make it to one of the viewing events, be sure to take measures to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. The Transit of Venus website lists some safe ways to view the passing, and specifically says looking at the sun through common sunglasses is not safe enough. Slooh, an online space camera, will also provide a live feed of the event that is safe to watch, starting at 6:00 p.m.

This will likely be your only chance to see the Transit of Venus, because the next one doesn’t happen until December 2117. The last one occurred on June 8, 2004. The events take place in a paired pattern, with transits eight years apart, then more than 100 years apart.

Photo via Wikipedia

Crystal City Outdoor Movies Highlight Romance

By Katie Pyzyk

Love will be in the air for Crystal City’s outdoor movie nights, which start next week. This year’s series will feature romantic comedies.

Starting next Monday, June 4, the movies will be shown in the courtyard at 1850 S. Bell Street. They’ll run every Monday through August 27, starting at sundown.

Attendees are encouraged to make the event a date night by bringing a blanket and picnic gear. Short chairs are allowed, but courtesy for other visitors trying to see the movie is requested. Organizers are asking that moviegoers leave their pets at home.

As with Rosslyn’s free outdoor movies, these will be shown rain or shine, unless weather becomes too severe. Should there be a cancellation, information will be posted online, but organizers hope for a continuation of the good weather they’ve generally enjoyed during the event’s six year history.

“We’ve had great weather karma,” said Crystal City Business Improvement District President Angela Fox. “Even one year when we started getting a deluge, we were able to cover the equipment and show the movie after.”

The schedule is as follows:

  • Sex and the City — June 4
  • The Wedding Singer — June 11
  • Sweet Home Alabama — June 18
  • Hitch — June 25
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding — July 2
  • Sleepless in Seattle — July 9
  • Bridget Jones’s Diary — July 16
  • The Proposal — July 23
  • You’ve Got Mail — July 30
  • How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days —  August 6
  • Pretty Woman — August 13
  • Love Actually — August 20
  • When Harry Met Sally — August 27

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Photos: Artomatic Comes to Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

After a big opening weekend, Artomatic is back open today in Crystal City.

Billed as “the Washington area’s biggest free creative arts event,” Artomatic is the collective, unjuried work of more than 1,300 artists, spread across 10 floors of a former Department of Defense office building at 1851 S. Bell Street.

The sheer scale of Artomatic is mind-boggling: 5,000+ pieces of art (much of it for sale by the artists) in 380,000 square feet of office space. There are also more than 300 planned performances by more than 750 performers on 6 separate stages. Some 80,000 visitors are expected over the festival’s five week run, and they will have 3 cafes at which to buy food and drink. Artomatic is made possible by sponsors and an estimated 27,325 volunteer hours, much of which is put in by the artists themselves.

The most recent Artomatic was held in 2009 in the District. The event was last held in Crystal City in 2007.

“We are thrilled to welcome Artomatic back to Crystal City,” Crystal City BID President Angela Fox said in a statement. “We know that the artists and the audiences will have their biggest and best Artomatic experience ever.”

Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes said the event’s return to Crystal City is an important step in the continued rebranding of the neighborhood.

“People are going to discover this is a great place to be,” Hynes said.

Special exhibits and events this year include PostSecret post cards, the Washington Post’s Peeps diorama contest finalists, the Zombie Prom, Box Racing, body paint shows, and a “no-holds-barred Art in Fashion Show.”

Artomatic runs through Saturday, June 23. It’s open to the public from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. The festival is closed on Mondays and Tuesday.

A list of concerts, workshops, tastings, readings and other activities being held at Artomatic is available on the festival’s website.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

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Sunday Road Closures Planned for Taste of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

The 25th annual Taste of Arlington will be held in Ballston this coming Sunday, May 20, from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Taste of Arlington is the county’s largest food festival, attracting some 15,000 attendees every year. More than 35 local restaurants — including newcomers — Memphis Barbeque, Zoe’s Kitchen, World of Beer and Cava Mezze — are expected to participate in this year’s event.

Taste of Arlington is held on Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. Arlington County police will be closing some roads in the area to accommodate the event. The following streets are scheduled to be closed from 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.

  • Wilson Boulevard eastbound at Glebe Road
  • Wilson Boulevard westbound at N. Randolph Street
  • N. Stuart Street between N. 9th Street and Wilson Boulevard
  • N. 9th Street between N. Stafford Street and N. Stuart Street (open to Metrobus traffic only)

Disclosure: Ballston BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

Four Arlington Stops for Bike to Work Day Tomorrow

By ARLnow.com

Tomorrow, May 18, is Bike to Work Day in the D.C. area. Arlington will be participating with four different “pit stops” for bike commuters around the county.

Bike to Work Day was created in 1956 to encourage commuters to try riding their bike to work as a healthy alternative to sitting in traffic. In metro D.C., participation has ballooned from a few hundred riders to 11,000 last year.

Arlington County is hosting three pit stops tomorrow: Rosslyn (Rosslyn Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway), Ballston (FreshBikes Bike Shop, 3924 Wilson Blvd) and Crystal City (Crystal City Water Park, 1750 Crystal Drive).

The Rosslyn and Ballston stops will open at 6:30 a.m. and will feature DJ entertainment and roving unicyclists. The Crystal City stop will open at 7:00 a.m. All three stops will remain open through 9:00 a.m. and will offer free food, beverages, prizes and giveaways.

A fourth pit stop will be held tomorrow afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. along the W&OD Trail at Washington Blvd & Lee Highway. The stop is sponsored by the new Tri360 bike shop in East Falls Church.

Tomorrow’s weather is predicted to be mostly sunny with a high of 76 degrees.

5K Race Will Benefit Injured Turtles

By Katie Pyzyk

A race through Arlington this Saturday, May 19, not only gives competitors a chance to show off their speed, but also helps injured wildlife.

The 2nd Annual Turtle Trot 5K takes runners along the W&OD trail. Proceeds help with the rehabilitation of injured local turtles and wildlife, and with providing shelter until they can be released back into the wild. Some money also goes toward educational programs at Long Branch Nature Center.

Following the race, the whole family can enjoy educational booths, games and displays, some of which feature live animals. Onlookers can also cheer on the stars of the “real turtle race.”

The 5K starts close to the picnic pavilion in lower Bluemont Park, near Wilson Blvd and N. Manchester Street. Sign up can be done online through Friday, or on location starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. The race begins at 10:00 a.m.

The W&OD trail will not be closed during the race, so runners must share the trail. Others who plan to use the trail at that time are encouraged to be patient and be mindful of runners.

For more information, call 703-228-6535.

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