Events

Library to Hold eReader Clinic

By ARLnow.com

If you unwrapped one of those hot new tablet devices over the holidays, you’re probably looking for ways to make the most of it without breaking the bank by buying a virtual bookcase-full of eBooks.

Well, if you have a Nook, an iPad, a Sony Reader, or another compatible device, you can actually “borrow” eBooks for free from the Arlington Public Library.

For more information on how the system works, the library is holding an eReader clinic tomorrow night. Library technology gurus will be on hand at the Central Library auditorium starting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday to show how to use the library’s eBook system and to answer frequently-asked questions.

One important caveat: Amazon’s Kindle does not work with library eBook downloads.

Pentagon Row to Hold Ice Skating Gala

By ARLnow.com

Pentagon Row is planning a special skating event to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The event will feature a music performance by local band Fools & Horses, photo booth, stilt walker, magician, juggler, ice princess and refreshments.

Pentagon Row stores will be offering specials and conducting giveaways during the event.

The gala will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29 between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. The event itself is free, but ice skating is subject to the normal skating rates. Anyone who spends $50 or more at Pentagon Row during the event will be able to get a free loop scarf by showing their receipts at a booth near the Bally Total Fitness.

Tonight: “Night at the Planetarium 3”

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium will be hosting its third “Night at the Planetarium” fundraising event tonight.

The suggested $10 and $20 donations from attendees to will go toward upgrading the aging planetarium and saving it from possible closure.

Tonight’s event will feature three separate shows targeted at both older and younger audiences. Here’s a description from organizers:

4:30 pm – Children’s program – Legends of the Night Sky or The Zula Patrol

6:00 pm – Family program – Black Holes, The Other Side of Infinity

7:30 pm – Older Audiences – Oasis in Space

These digital shows will give viewers an example of the new programming available for the updated planetarium. All three programs will include an abbreviated “The Sky Tonight” by Planetarium Director Jonathan Harmon, as well as a Q&A about Saving the Planetarium by Friends of the Planetarium President Dr. Alice Monet.

Donations are requested: $10/person or $20/family per show. Kids 9 and younger are free.
Doors open 20 minutes before showtime. Or send an email ([email protected]) to reserve your seats and arrive 15 minutes before showtime to get your tickets. T-shirts and bumper stickers will be available.

Vigil Planned for Slain Arlington Man

By ARLnow.com

Friends of Carl Diener are planning a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the Lyon Village resident’s unsolved murder.

The vigil is being organized in conjunction with a drive by police to gather more tips in the case. Police are planning on distributing fliers Wednesday night in the area of 13th and Irving Streets in Clarendon, where Diener was found beaten and stabbed early in the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.

Diener, a 57-year-old retired government employee, was on his way to work at the Arlington Sport & Health Club at the time of his death. A $25,000 reward is offered for information that helps to solve the case.

“We are hoping that a candlelight vigil will remind the community of the events one year ago… and maybe someone will remember seeing or hearing something that will turn out to be helpful,” wrote Patti Diener Lough, Carl’s sister. “The more people there on Wednesday, the more attention this will get in the media, too. This can only help.”

Diener Lough says she expects several of Carl’s cousins and many of his friends to attend the vigil, which will start around 7:30.

Top 10 Arlington New Year’s Eve Events

By Michael Misfeldt

Haven’t made your New Year’s Eve plans yet?  Forget heading into the District and waiting two hours in the cold trying to find a cab to bring you back home. Here are ten (potentially) walkable events right here in Arlington.

1. Clarendon Ballroom

The annual New Year’s Eve Gala at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd) features a large dinner buffet, four drink tickets, a champagne toast, midnight balloon drop and more.

Entertainment comes from high-energy cover band Liquid A, with DJ Image spinning party music on the lower level all night.

Tickets started at $65 and will rise in $10 increments as the date gets closer. Held from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.

2. Arlington Cinema Drafthouse

If you like watching the ball drop in Time’s Square but you don’t actually want to go to NYC, this is the next best thing. Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) will be showing New Year’s celebrations in NYC and around the world live on the big screen. The 80’s themed party includes a DJ, entertainment and party favors. Admission is $14.

Food and drink must be purchased separately from the table-side wait staff. This event sold out last year.

3. Caribbean Breeze

If you want to ring in the New Year Caribbean style then the Caribbean Breeze (4100 Fairfax Dr) is the place to be. Bring in the New Year dancing to Latin beats, eating island food or just hanging out with some friends.

9PM to 3AM, $25 per person (party only) before Dec. 25th. $69 Dinner/Dance VIP Package before Dec. 25th. For more info call Padrino at 703-402-2608 or 703-812-7997.

4. Dance Factory

If you really like to dance then the Dance Factory (954 N. Monroe St) is the place to be. Join them for an elegant evening of ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing as they waltz into 2011. Singles and couples welcome, open to all. Door prizes, party favors, and much more.

$19 if paid by December 29th, $24 at the door. Held from 9:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Call 703-528-9770 for more info.

5. The Clarendon Grill

C-Grill (1101 N. Highland St.) is throwing a New Years Eve party featuring the ever-popular cover band Gonzo’s Nose and DJ 2 NUTZ, who will be spinning during band breaks. Tickets start at $45 and come three drink tickets, a champagne toast and party favors. For those who like the outdoors, the Grill’s patio will be open and heated. Event will be held from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.

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Santa Coming to Cherrydale Fire Station

By Michael Doyle

Santa Claus is coming to Arlington County’s historic Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Station on Sunday, Dec. 19, bringing with him gift bags for children and good cheer for all. Santa’s appearance between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. marks the 80th time he has arrived courtesy of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department, the oldest organization of its kind in Arlington County.

Santa’s appearance will be particularly meaningful this year, as the Arlington County Fire Department’s Engine Co. 3 is preparing to depart for new Lee Highway quarters in 2011. The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Station at 3900 Lee Highway will remain as a community resource; it is listed on both the state and national historic landmark registries.

The Cherrydale station’s holiday celebration has changed over the years, even as it has grown in popularity. Up until 1960, Santa brought refurbished toys to give away. Following several years of a gift exchange, the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department in 1964began buying gifts for distribution. Typically, several hundred children show up for the afternoon festivities.

Organized in 1898, the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department includes members who are cross-trained as both firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The volunteer department owns and operates Light and Air 103, which provides emergency lighting, salvage and other services. The volunteers also own a general services vehicle called Utility 103.

Details About Crystal City Wine Walk Revealed

By ARLnow.com

Last month we told you about a new event in Crystal City that will combine light exercise with moderate drinking. Now we get more details and a new date:

Lace up your sneakers and cleanse your palette; it’s time to start training for the Crystal City 1K Wine Walk. Presented by the Crystal City Business Improvement District in partnership with the Washington Wine Academy, the 1K Wine Walk promises “racers” the opportunity to taste and learn about between 30-40 wines as they make their way through the shops and interior walkways of Crystal City.

On Saturday, February 26th, tasters will have the option of four different hourly heats to choose from (2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM and 5 PM) before walking and sipping through a series of hydration stations staffed by Washington Wine Academy experts. In addition to great wines, tasters will also have the opportunity to take in photographs on display from finalists and youth category winners from FotoWeek DC before ending up at the “finish festival” in the former food court turned tasting lounge.

Holiday Music, Movies and More

By ARLnow.com

If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit, good news: there are holiday events aplenty around Arlington. There are so many events, in fact, that one is bound to bring a smile to the face of even the most ardent Grinch.

A few of the entries in our recently-updated Events Calendar:

  • Screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center (at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse)
  • Holiday Concert by the Potomac Harmony Chorus, Arlington’s award-winning women’s barbership chorus (at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater)
  • Holiday Mayhem at Signature Theater, featuring four nights of holiday merrymaking
  • Rasberry Brothers present “Home Alone” — Everybody’s favorite 90s Christmas movie, mocked Mystery Science Theater 3000-style by comedian Jerm Pollet (at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse)

Crystal City to Show Its Fashionable Side… In a Food Court?

By ARLnow.com

Crystal Couture is back for “five nights of fabulous fashion, fun and festivities” in Crystal City.

Now in its third year, the event will feature “runway shows, local DJs, open bar, free snacks, free makeovers from makeup artists and hair stylists – and more,” according to organizers.

In a big change, however, Couture will be changing locations — from a formerly vacant storefront, now occupied by Buffalo Wild Wings, to the abandoned food court at 1750 Crystal Drive.

Wait, an abandoned food court?

Actually, it’s all in keeping with Crystal City BID’s habit of transforming vacant spaces into venues for hip events. The Crystal City Shops food court will be “totally transformed into a rocking runway space with great lighting, a lounge and more than 20 fabulous fashion boutiques,” say organizers.

Crystal Couture will be held from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. every night from Feb. 1-5.

The kick-off event on Feb. 1 will feature a T-shirt design contest (applications are currently being accepted). The Feb. 4 event will be held in honor of National Wear Red Day and will be hosted by HOT 99.5 DJ Sarah Fraser

Winter Wonderland in Clarendon Tomorrow

By ARLnow.com

Expect parking to be at a premium in Clarendon Saturday afternoon as the Market Common shopping center holds its 10th annual Winter Wonderland event.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and there will be entertainment and activities for all ages.

Market Common Clarendon will present the 10th annual Winter Wonderland on Saturday, December 11, offering plenty of holiday fun for all ages. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck at 1:00 pm, and they’ll be staying for visits and free photos until 5:00 pm. All afternoon, attendees can enjoy free holiday activities and entertainment, including ice sculptures, strolling entertainment, “Jack Frost”, carolers, and more. MIX 107.3 FM will be broadcasting live from Market Common Clarendon with host, John Martin, for the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign, accepting donations of unwrapped toys and cash from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Arlington Mill Demolition Set for January

By ARLnow.com

Arlington is preparing to demolish the old Arlington Mill Community Center to make way for a brand new community center in 2013.

Due to some expected minor disruptions, Arlington County staff will be presenting information about the demolition plan at a public meeting next week. Update at 1/3 — The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greenbrier Baptist Church (5401 7th Road South).

In case you can’t make it, here’s an executive summary:

  • No explosives will be used in the demolition, which will begin in January
  • No road closures are expected
  • Traffic and transit on Columbia Pike will not be affected
  • Pedestrian access will be maintained on surrounding streets
  • The demolition will take 30 to 45 days, weather permitting
  • Debris from the site will be hauled from South Dinwiddie Street to Columbia Pike to South Four Mile Run Drive
  • Construction on the new Arlington Mill Center is expected to begin in the spring
  • Another informational meeting will be held regarding the construction plan
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