Events

Laura Bush Book Tour Comes to Pentagon City Today

By ARLnow.com

Former Lady Laura Bush signed copies of her new memoir, Spoken from the Heart, at the Pentagon Costco (1200 South Fern Street) this afternoon.

As light country music played, the first lady warmly greeted fans who had waited in a line that snaked down one of the store’s long aisles.

Most of the autograph-seekers were women. Many had young children in tow.

A few well-dressed men were also waiting in line. At least one spoke to Mrs. Bush with the kind of familiarity that made it clear he had worked with her husband in the former administration.

Mrs. Bush will speak at George Washington University’s Lisner Hall at 7:30 tonight.

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

By Ashley Houghton

Your mother deserves more than a phone call and a picture frame made of Popsicle sticks on Mother’s Day. A card and flowers are a nice start. But there are also some mom-friendly gifts and activities to consider this weekend.

For the crafty mother: The first day of the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market (in Welburn Square, between N. 9th and N. Stuart Streets) is on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Expect plenty of delightful, handmade gifts that will impress your mother much more than anything YOU could have put together at the last minute.

For the musical mother: The Opera Guild of Northern Virginia is holding a benefit concert for the children of Haiti from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the NRECA Building (4301 Wilson Blvd).  The music will range from arias to swing and there will also be an art sale — a great opportunity to show that your mother raised a charitable, thoughtful son or daughter.

For the hungry mother: The Sunday brunch at Eatbar (2761 Washington Blvd), featuring popular G-rated movies on the restaurant’s big screen, is a local family favorite. Instead of breakfast in bed (so clichéd), mom can be watching The Incredibles, eating some eggs Benedict, and drinking mimosas as you reminisce about your childhood.

For the green thumb mother: Don’t want to buy flowers? Crystal City is holding its very intensely-named “Floral Frenzy Bulb Blitz” on Friday. From 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., the fine folks at Crystal City BID will provide you with a trowel so you can dig up tulip bulbs from the area between the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Crystal Drive. Several thousand bulbs must be removed to make way for new landscaping. Why not take ’em home and plant them around mom’s house?

For the outdoorsy mother: Sunday is supposed to be sunny and gorgeous.  Take your mother out for a picnic or a walk at one of Arlington’s many parks. It’s not just a great opportunity to spend quality time with your mother, it’s also FREE.

For the really, really last-minute gift: Modern Companies, which owns a day spa and a number of local nail salons, is holding a contest for Mother’s Day. Anyone who follows Modern Companies on Twitter or Facebook over the next four days could win a $100 manicure/spa gift card.  The only downside is that you find out whether you win the gift card ON Mother’s Day.  (We suggest a backup gift, just to be on the safe side.)

Photo by Dr. Case.

It’s Ladies’ Night at Shirlington Village

By ARLnow.com

Shirlington Village is holding a “Ladies’ Night” tonight, with special discounts on food, wine and gifts. You must mention “ladies’ night” to take advantage of the deals, which are listed below.

  • The Curious Grape — 10% off featured wines
  • Illusions Hair and Nail Studio — Complementary makeup session from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Le Village Marche Vintage Home Decor and Gifts — 20% off whole purchase over $50
  • Periwinkle — 50% off Before and Again t-shirts and dresses
  • T.H.A.I. Restaurant — 10% off bill (excluding alcohol)
  • Verbena Parer & Gifts — 20% whole purchase over $50

Arlington Cinco de Mayo Guide

By ARLnow.com

Cinco de Mayo celebrates an 1862 battle in which Mexican troops beat back French forces who invaded to force the country to repay a debt.

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday with “limited significance nationwide.” Across the United States, however, the fifth of May is recognized as a time to celebrate Mexican heritage by some, and as a good excuse to drink lots of Coronas and margaritas by others.

Here are a few of the planned events and specials happening around Arlington on Wednesday. Let us know if we forgot anything.

Mexicali Blues (2933 Wilson Boulevard)

  • Cinco de Mayo party featuring free trinkets and t-shirts
  • $3.50 24-oz. Modela Especial cans
  • $3 16-oz. Tecate and Miller Lite cans
  • $3 Corona and Pacifico bottles
  • $6 margaritas

Cantina Mexicana (515 23rd Street South)

  • All day specials
  • Sangrias: $3 small, $8 large
  • All imported beer $2.50
  • $5 “super nachos”

Guapo’s Shirlington (4036 Campbell Avenue)

  • Mariachi bands  from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • All Mexican beers at an unannounced “special price”

Chevy’s Fresh Mex (1201 South Hayes Street and 4238 Wilson Boulevard)

  • “Party all day and all night.”
  • Mariachi band, time TBA
  • $5 margaritas

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To Do This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

It’s expected to a be a beautiful, warm weekend, with temperatures reaching as high as 90 degrees. In other words, it’s the perfect weekend to head to a park, enjoy an outdoor movie, or go on a bike ride. See our events calendar for even more fun things to do.

Tonight

Author talk with Novella Carpenter — The author of “Farm City” talks about her experience creating a fully operational farm on a vacant lot next to her Oakland, Calif. apartment. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street).

Friday

Crystal City 5K Friday — Run in Crystal City’s last 5K Friday of the season. The race kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at 2121 Crystal Drive, and will be followed by an post-race party in a nearby apartment complex.

“I Love the ’90s” Rosslyn Outdoor Film Fest — Rosslyn will kick of its ’90s-themed film festival with the 1995 favorite “Clueless.” Takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).

Fashion, Food and Music for the Cure — Join former Washington Redskin LaVar Arrington and his wife Trish for a fashion show at Caribbean Breeze restaurant (4100 North Fairfax Drive) benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Against Breast Cancer. There will be a musical performance by Jason Cerda followed by a runway show. Doors open to the public at 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

Tour des Bibliotheque — Join Arlington Public Library staff members for a bicycle tour of six of the county’s seven libraries. The tour will start at Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street). Meet on the Quincy Street side near the front doors at 9:30 a.m.

Shirlington Kentucky Derby Party — Help support Operation Homefront while sipping mint juleps and rooting on your favorite thoroughbred. The event, at The Bungalow (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive) will feature a Derby hat contest, Derby food and a classic derby drink showcase. Post time for the race is 6:24 p.m., but the party kicks off at 4:00.

Sunday

Potomac Overlook Park Heritage Festival — A springtime tradition with fun for all ages. The event features music, entertainment, food, community exhibits, games, a maypole dance, and more. It takes place between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 North Marcey Road).

Mamma Mia Flash Mob — A “flash mob” style dance performance from the musical Mamma Mia is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. at Ballston Common Mall (4238 North Wilson Blvd). The public is welcome to participate if they know the moves. Whether it’s truly a flash mob if it’s announced ahead of time is up for debate, but nonetheless organizers promise “a mob of synchronicity, choreography and fun.”

Afternoon Notes: Capital Improvement Plan, New High School

By ARLnow.com

Donnellan Proposes Capital Improvement Plan — Outgoing Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan has proposed a six-year, nearly $1 billion Capital Improvement Projects plan. The plan would fund county projects, including critical maintenance at parks and aging county facilities, but it does not include funding for the new Wakefield High School (below). More from the Arlington County website.

New Wakefield High Moving Forward — The county board approved a use permit for the proposed new Wakefield High School. While the move theoretically clears the way for construction to begin, the county is still trying to figure out how to fund the project. More from the Sun Gazette.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Fundraiser Tomorrow — Restaurant 3 (2950 Clarendon Boulevard) is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society tomorrow from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Attendance is free but the purchase of a $10 raffle ticket is suggested.

To Do This Weekend: Staying Inside Edition

By ARLnow.com

It looks to be a rainy weekend, but don’t let that get you down — there’s plenty to do inside.

Saturday:

  • It’s the closing night for the Arlington Players production of Mel Brooks’ “The Producers.” The show starts at 8:00 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (120 S. Old Glebe Road).
  • Jennifer Coolidge, a.k.a. Stifler’s mom from the American Pie movies, will be performing live stand-up comedy at the Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike), starting at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday:

  • Toscana Grill (2300 Clarendon Blvd) is holding a “Bring Your Dog to Brunch Day.” From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., dog owners can enjoy a vegetarian brunch while Fido chows down on treats from a local vegan dog food company.
  • Lord of the Rings fans can watch all three films on the big screen at the Arlington Drafthouse’s LOTR Movie Festival (2903 Columbia Pike). There will also be a Gollum impersonation contest and awards for the best costume. Taking place from noon to 10:00 p.m. — ten hours worth of middle-earthly fun for $8.

For those bold enough to wander outside, the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale will be taking place at the Arlington Central Library parking garage (1015 N. Quincy St.) and volunteers are needed to help a Girl Scout project at Glencarlyn Park (South Harrison St. and 4th St. S.).

See our events calendar for more details.

Big Changes to Central Library

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Central Library has started a significant overhaul intended to make the library “as efficient as possible.” Among the changes:

  • The entire collection of new books will be placed in the east lobby
  • Popular paperbacks will be shifted upstairs
  • More public seating
  • A redesigned first floor
  • An additional group study room
  • New art display areas

Check out the work in progress at this weekend’s 35th annual Friends of the Arlington Public Library Book Sale or during next weekend’s 3rd annual Tour des Bibliothéque (a bicycle tour of six Arlington libraries).

Earth Day Events

By ARLnow.com

There are a number of ways to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in Arlington tomorrow. Below are some that don’t require access to the Pentagon.

From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., a new rain garden and public plaza will be unveiled in Rosslyn. The temporary park was built on the site of a stalled skyscraper project at North Moore Street and Wilson Boulevard. Learn more about the project from the press release, after the jump.

Big Wheel Bikes in Lyon Village (3119 Lee Highway) is holding an unveiling for a new line of electric bikes from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be free food, drinks and live entertainment, and attendees will be able to test-ride the bikes on the nearby Custis Trail.

Disney’s new nature documentary “Oceans” will be playing tomorrow at the AMC Courthouse theater starting at 10:00 a.m.

Bus Boys and Poets in Shirlington (4251 Campbell Avenue), together with the Earth Day Network, is celebrating the occasion with an extended happy hour featuring earth-friendly cocktails. The “Green Hour” is taking place from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.

There are also a couple of Earth Day events this weekend. See our events calendar for more.

Pool photo by GlitrVamp

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Green Energy Innovation in our Backyard

By Alex

A new technology that generates electricity using bacteria will be unveiled at the Pentagon on Thursday. The Earth Day event will showcase a microbe-powered fuel cell developed by the the Office of Naval Research.

“Microbial fuel cell research is a great example of naval needs propelling advanced technology that also has potential benefit to the public,” said Chief of Naval Research, Rear Adm. Nevin Carr.

This new green energy innovation utilizes decaying marine organisms to generate power, offering a clean and robust alternative to environmentally-destructive batteries and other sources of electricity.

“Think of it as a battery that runs on mud,” ONR Program Manager Dr. Linda Chrisey said. “They are sustainable, environmentally-friendly and don’t involve hazardous reactants like a regular battery might because they use the natural carbon in the marine environment.”

The fuel cells can be used to power underwater autonomous vehicles such as surveillance equipment, oceanic monitoring probes and other devices. In addition, they promise a long, productive life span, unlike current battery technology.

“Essentially, they could go on for years without any kind of battery replacement,” Chrisey said.

The technology is currently in use at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) Pacific, where researchers are using fuel cell-powered equipment to monitor endangered sea turtles.

Afternoon Notes: Electric Bike Unveiling, Weekend Hotel Fire

By ARLnow.com

Electric Bicycles to Be Demo-ed — California-based firm Pedego will unveil its line of electric bicycles in Arlington on Thursday, in celebration of Earth Day. The demonstration is being held at the Big Wheel Bikes at 3119 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center. Pedego will let riders test-drive the bikes on the Custis Trail from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will also be free food, drinks and live entertainment.

Energy Use Discussed At Town Hall Meeting — Residents shared their thoughts on energy challenges at the Arlington Community Energy Town Hall Meeting on Saturday. A county task force is trying to find ways to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. More from the Sun Gazette.

Revolution Cycles Holds Hub Spin Event — Revolution Cycles’ new City Hub bike rental store in Crystal City held its inaugural “Hub Spin” group ride on Saturday. Check out the photos here.

Residents Invited to Comment on Development Plan — Arlington County is inviting the public to comment on plans for mixed-use development around the East Falls Church Metro. The first of two forums will be held on Thursday, April 29 at Tuckahoe Elementary School. More from the county’s website.

Crystal City Hotel Evacuated Due to Fire — The Hyatt Regency Crystal City was evacuated Saturday night due to a smoky fire inside a large trash compactor. Arlington, Alexandria and airport firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, we’re told. Photos below courtesy Doug Wendt.

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