Events

Arlington Home Show and Expo Returns Saturday

By ARLnow.com

The annual Arlington Home Show and Expo will return to the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 S. 16th Street) on Saturday.

The show features dozens of home builders, contractors, vendors, architects, inspectors, Realtors, gardeners, lenders and nonprofits, as well as housing, zoning and inspection representatives from Arlington County.

There will also be a raffle to win an iPad 2, which sounds a lot easier than lining up outside the Apple Store at 5:00 a.m. on a weekday. See more information about the home show here.

Disclosure: The Arlington Home Show and Expo is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Eat and Drink Cheap for a Good Cause

By ARLnow.com

Even if it wasn’t for a good cause, and even if there wasn’t a DJ, a raffle and a fun crowd, the food and drink specials alone would be worth the trip to The Front Page in Ballston (4201 Wilson Blvd) tonight.

The restaurant will be hosting the second annual Team Kickin’ it for Krista’s DC Walk for Lupus Now fundraiser tonight from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

What is lupus? It’s an autoimmune disorder with a variety of chronic symptoms.

Who is Krista? She’s a young woman who lives in Arlington, who was diagnosed with lupus several years ago, and who’s passionate about her work with the Lupus Foundation of America.

Tonight’s happy hour will feature the following specials, all of which are available with the purchase of a $5 wristband:

  • $3 off appetizers
  • 1/2 price burgers
  • $4 shooter special
  • $2.75 rail drinks
  • $3 drafts
  • $3.25 glasses of house wine
  • $2 Miller Lite bottles

Raffle prizes include Washington Wizards tickets, gift cards to local restaurants and other schwag. Music will be provided by DJ Pat Premier.

Last year the happy hour raised $2,000 for Krista’s Walk for Lupus Now team, which raised $19,500 overall. Krista is hoping the happy hour will help her team reach $20,000 for the walk, which will take place in D.C. next weekend.

Photo courtesy Krista Blackburn

Taste of Arlington Adds Craft Beers to the Menu

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s largest food festival is adding a selection of craft beers to its menu.

Taste of Arlington features dozens of local restaurants and draws a crowd of thousands to the stretch of Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. In years past the beer selection at the event has been limited, but organizers say they’re now “trying to make the drink selection as diverse as the food selection.”

A craft beer distributor will be bringing ten different brews to the festival, including varieties of Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Newcastle, Ommegang, Saranac, Franziskaner, Breckenridge, Gordon Biersch, Shiner and Magic Hat. As before, wine will also be available.

Now in its 24th year, Taste of Arlington will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Admission is free but tickets are required to sample the food and drinks. Tickets are currently for sale online for $20. Tickets sold on the day of the event are $25.

See a list of participating restaurants, after the jump.

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Need a Job? McDonald’s Is Hiring

By ARLnow.com

Say what you want about McDonald’s — at least they’re hiring.

Mickey D’s is undertaking an ambitious company-wide initiative to hire up to 50,000 people nationwide, including 1,400 in the D.C. area — all in one day. To that end, they’re holding a “National Hiring Day” from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Among the four area restaurants that will be hosting job applicants are two Arlington locations: 1823 N. Moore Street in Rosslyn and 40 N. Glebe Road, just off Route 50.

A job with the golden arches may not have the caché of, say, a white collar job with the Rosslyn-based Corporate Executive Board, but you can’t deny this — it does provide a first-hand lesson in efficient operations management and effective consumer marketing. Plus, they still have shamrock shakes.

Church to Hold Mock Funeral for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

By ARLnow.com

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd) will be holding a mock New Orleans-style funeral on Sunday in celebration of the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.

“The anticipated 400 to 600 attendees will participate in a faux burial of a large scroll representing the DADT policy, accompanied by a genuine brass band and decorated umbrellas,” the church said in a press release. “Following the formalities, we will provide revelry with live music and hors d’oeuvres.”

Admission to the event is free. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online. The church says the service will honor those who have served in the military and those who worked to repeal the policy.

“UUCA has invited all who are in sympathy with its inclusive vision to honor former and current military service members and veterans, [the] Servicemembers’ Legal Defense Network, U.S. Congress members who voted for the repeal of DADT, and local elected officials,” the church said.

The “funeral” will take place at the church on Sunday, April 3 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith will preside over the ceremony. UUCA describes itself as “a liberal religious community of 900 members.”

DADT banned gays from serving openly in the military. It was repealed in December, although the policy has officially remained in place pending a review.

Arlington Young Dems Prep for Charity Date Auction

By ARLnow.com



The Arlington Young Democrats are preparing for their biggest night of the year, not counting election night.

The Young Dems will be holding their 10th annual charity date auction Wednesday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street). More than 100 people have RSVPed for the event, which will feature “over twenty of Arlington’s sexiest bachelors and bachelorettes,” as well as celebrity auctionees Rep. Jim Moran, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Rep. Tom Perriello and former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe.

AYD has released YouTube videos featuring two of its non-celebrity auctionees. Kat, above, is a personal trainer who says she can squat 175 pounds, enough to (probably) lift her date. Be forewarned, gents: you don’t want to pay for her meal with a Groupon. Chris, seen here, will take a lucky lady on a Potomac River sailboat ride with wine and cheese. He expects to fetch at least $10 to $15 at auction.

The auction will benefit the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new pair of men’s boxer shorts — in large, XL or XXL sizes — to donate at the door for a raffle ticket.

“Arlington Idol” Competition to be Held Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Public Schools will hold its third annual televised singing competition Thursday night.

Four high school students will vie for the title of “Arlington Idol.” The finalists — as voted by their classmates — are Mary Shields of H-B Woodlawn, Danyele Greenfield of Wakefield HS, Abir Haronni of Washington-Lee HS and Kate Mountain of Yorktown HS. They will be joined on stage by the U.S. Army Band “Downrange,” the pop/rock contingent of the military’s music corps, who have assisted with the competition since its inception.

Four runners-up from each county high school will perform as the band’s back-up singers this year. The runners-up are: Kyra Klontz of H-B Woodlawn, Tigist Worku of Wakefield HS, Mallory McKenzie of Washington-Lee HS and Rachel Gromberg of Yorktown HS.

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road). Admission is free and open to the public, but Arlington residents can also watch a live broadcast on Comcast channel 72 and vote for their favorite vocalists via text message.

The 2009 Arlington Idol winner was Sophia Delmar of Washington-Lee. See a video of the 2009 winner’s performance after the jump.

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Photos from Crystal City’s Photo Show

By ARLnow.com

FotoDC’s month-long FLASH photo exhibit will kick off in Crystal City tonight.

Located on the top two floors of an office building at 2450 Crystal Drive, the show features 250 photos from 55 local photographers, a library of 150 photography books and a wine bar run by the Washington Wine Academy.

Photographers and reporters got a sneak peak at the exhibit last night. Here some of our photos from the event.

DISCLOSURE: Crystal City BID, the sponsor of FLASH, is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

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As part of FLASH, ARLnow.com will be hosting a photo contest dubbed “Flickr Flash.”

The contest will challenge photographers to take photos during the first two Crystal City 5K Friday races in April and submit them to a Flickr group for recognition and prizes. Ten finalists will be chosen and will be voted on by ARLnow.com readers. The top three vote-getters will be announced at a FLASH event and will receive gift cards from local restaurants.

2011 St. Patrick’s Day & NCAA Tournament Guide

By ARLnow.com

If there was ever a day to skip out of work after lunch, this is it. Between the nice weather, the start of the NCAA basketball tournament and — of course — the fact that it’s St. Patrick’s Day, this is not a day that should be spent cooped up in an office filing TPS reports.

Here are a few places you can go to wear the green, watch the game or otherwise have a good time.

  • Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) — Tonight at 7:15 p.m. everybody’s favorite gun-wielding, God-fearing Irish brothers will kick some Mafia butt as the Drafthouse holds a special screening of the movie Boondock Saints.
  • Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland St.) — The Grill opened its doors at 11:00 a.m. for its St. Paddy’s Day celebration. Drink specials at the bar and March Madness on the TV. Energetic local band The Fuzz takes the stage at 9:00 p.m.
  • Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) — Doors opened at 10:00 this morning. The always-packed St. Paddy’s extravaganza at Four Courts includes Irish food specials, cash-only satellite bars, music on the main stage all day, and a heated tent behind the restaurant.
  • Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd) — Raucous Irish band O’Tasty performs, with warm-up act Hellfire and the Brimtones taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $12.
  • Kitty O’Shea’s (2403 Wilson Blvd) — No cover and March Madness on the TV. Open all day with an all-Irish food menu.
  • O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd) — Irish bands all day starting at noon. The Michael Patrick Band perfomrs from 4:45 to 8:45 p.m. and Willem Dickie performs from 9:30 p.m. to closing time.
  • P. Brennan’s Irish Pub (2910 Columbia Pike) — This is the first St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the cavernous, 11-month-old Irish pub. P. Brennan’s opened at 11:00 a.m. for an all-day and all-night event featuring Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish food and anything else Irish-related. $5 cover after 6:00 p.m.
  • Ragtime (1345 N. Courthouse Road) — Happy hour specials from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., green beer starting at 4:00 p.m., a traditional Irish menu and NCAA games on the TVs. Local funk/jam/rock band Aquatica becomes O’quatica for a performance from 9:00 p.m. to close.
  • Rhodeside Grill (1836 Wilson Blvd) — Irish specials and NCAA basketball all day. Plus: green beer.
  • RiRa Irish Pub (2915 Wilson Blvd) — Starting at noon, RiRa is holding a charity basketball shoot-out on the back patio. The hoops will benefit the charity PeacePlayers International, which helps to unite young people in divided areas of the world like Northern Ireland. Live music includes Kilmaine Saints starting at 3:00 p.m. and Dr. Fu at 9:00 p.m. Naturally, there will be a traditional Irish menu and NCAA games on the big screens.
  • Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph St.) — The newest Irish pub in town will host acoustic folk/pop/rock artist Taylor Carson at 7:00 p.m. There will also be authentic Irish food, plenty of Irish beer and whiskey and a special menu, all served by a straight-off-the-boat Irish staff.
  • Sine Irish Pub (1301 S. Joyce St.) — Green beer, no cover and an Irish buffet starting at 3:00 p.m.
  • Spider Kelly’s (3181 Wilson Blvd) — SK opened at 11:00 a.m. for St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness specials all day long. The popular nightspot also added Guinness to its taps for the occasion.
  • Tortoise and Hare (567 S. 23rd St.) — Tortoise and Hare is offering “plenty” of food and drink specials. The all-day celebration features a full Irish menu, green beer, car bombs, Guinness and Smithwick’s, etc. etc. etc. Plus March Madness on TV and hip hop cover band Flow in the Dark taking the stage around 9:30 p.m.
  • Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Blvd) — Irish menu until 11:00 p.m. Bagpipers providing music plus Celtic band Shannon Tide at 6:00 p.m. March Madness games and drink specials.

Name Chosen for New Artisphere Cafe

By ARLnow.com

The contest to name Artisphere’s cafe is over, the votes are in, and the winner has been revealed.

Borrowing the last four letters of Artisphere, HERE is the new name of the cultural center’s cafe. HERE will feature a “seasonal menu of comfort food with Latin flavors made from locally-sourced and fresh ingredients.”

In addition to being a restaurant, HERE will be a full bar, a nightclub and a catering service. It’s owned by Barroso, Inc., the same group that runs Guajillo on Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn and Casa Oaxaca in Northwest D.C.

The contest to name the cafe was organized by the Washington Post Express. More than 530 entries were submitted. HERE, which was submitted by Bonnie Imlay of Silver Spring, Md., beat out two other finalists in the final public voting: “Artesano” and “Tamién.”

To celebrate the new name, Artisphere and HERE will be holding two events at the end of the month.

First, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, Artisphere will be hosting a “neighborhood tasting and open house” with “samplings of the restaurant’s cuisine, live music by Brazilian jazz combo Origem and hourly drawings for lunches for two and tickets to Artisphere events.”

Then, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, HERE is holding a launch party with more food samplings, door prizes and music by Thunderball and DJ Rex Riddem. The free event is open to the first 300 people who register for it.

Soccer Fans to Kick Off MLS Season in Clarendon Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Local soccer fans will be gathering at Clarendon Grill (1101 North Highland Street) tonight to mark the start of the 2011 Major League Soccer season.

DC United goalie Bill Hamid is expected to stop by and greet fans at the event, which is being organized by the Arlington Athletic and Social League. There will be gift bags for the first 50 fans who arrive, plus raffles for DC United opening day tickets (the game will be held on March 19 at RFK Stadium) and other memorabilia.

In addition to the soccer festivities inside, organizers plan to set up pick-up games of cornhole outside on the patio.

The event will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is free. It will be immediately followed by the start of the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders MLS opening night game on ESPN2.

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