(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) A regional nonprofit for people with disabilities is hosting an accessible Halloween event for families this weekend.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting its annual “Arctoberfest” this Saturday, October 26, with a range of activities including a haunted house, graveyard, a costume contest, and a DJ, designed for people with and without disabilities.

The event will run from 6-9 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus (5115 Little Falls Road.)

The indoor haunted house will be the event’s main attraction, with surprises hidden in the fog for the adventurous wanderer. The event’s organizers also wrote in a press release that people can tour an indoor graveyard to “raise your ‘spirits.'”

“New to Arctoberfest this year, the first hour of the event will be presented as ‘sensory-friendly’,” organizers also noted. “This will afford those for whom loud sounds, flashing lights, and other high-stimulus elements are a concern with the opportunity to participate.”

The Falls Church-based advocacy organization operates across Northern Virginia and has long pushed officials to address the high unemployment rates facing people with disabilities, among other issues.

Arctoberfest will also include a prize-filled costume contest, a photo booth, as well as snacks and a cash bar with alcoholic drinks for drinks with an “Arctoberfest Punch” for underage attendees.

Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased online.


Arlington is trying out a new “Pumpkin Walk” event this weekend for families interested in a spooky stroll.

The evening event will be held on Saturday, October 26, from 6-8 p.m., and will feature a walk lit by “spooky lighted pumpkins” from the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street) to Glencarlyn Park (301 S. Harrison Street.)

“The Walk replaces the annual Zombies Fun Run this year, but the zombies will return in 2020,” organizers noted in an event flyer.

The Department of Parks and Recreation told ARLnow that zombies are out this year due to the July flash floods that caused about $6 million in damage to county properties.

“In part they impacted Bon Air where we held the event, but it also took their toll on our capacity,” said department spokeswoman and former zombie volunteer Susan Kalish. “We have pretty much cleaned up after the storm, but still working on damaged bridges and amenities.”

She said the walking path will be illuminated by over 300 jack-o-lanterns.

In addition to the eerie excursion, there will also be several kid-friendly activities including games, face-painting, a bouncy house, and booths to make Halloween masks and paper lanterns.

Three food truck will be on site, with donuts from Mac’s Donuts, hot dogs from Top Dogg, and Mexican fare from El Encanto Latino.

“After the event ends at 8 p.m., there will be a free pumpkin giveaway! Costumes encouraged!” the county wrote on its webpage for the event.


A weekend-long market featuring exclusively women-owned local businesses is coming to Ballston Quarter this weekend.

The market will run on Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at the M2 level of Ballston Quarter (4238 Wilson Blvd).

“We are excited to welcome and support all these amazing women-owned local businesses this weekend and showcase Ballston Quarter’s own women-owned businesses such as Scout & Molly’s, Gossip Boutique, Steadfast Supply, Cookology and more,” said Cristian Becker, Marketing Director for Ballston Quarter.

For the event, Ballston Quarter has partnered with the Awesome Women Entrepreneurs, a community for local female business owners. Its Arlington chapter features more than 175 women entrepreneurs.

The Ballston Quarter website currently lists the following businesses as expected exhibitors.

“I am proud to be a part of the Arlington community as well as the amazing community of female entrepreneurs in the DMV area, so participating in events that strengthen these communities is close to my heart,” said Scout & Indiana owner Emily Steigler.

Photo via ballstonquarter.com


Arlington is hosting three events next week focused on flood mitigation and safety efforts.

The free events — which were planned in conjunction with the county’s new Flood Resilient Arlington program — come in the aftermath of July’s flash floods, which caused nearly $6 million in damage to county-owned property alone. Among the aims: to answer questions and provide tools for homes and businesses to minimize future flood damages.

“Recent localized flooding from intense short periods of rainfall now challenge parts of our stormwater system due to issues of capacity and limited overland relief,” the county wrote on its webpage dedicated to flooding information and the new resilience events. “Arlington is working toward flooding resilience through defining balance between private and public responsibility; scaling levels of flood protection and mitigation; and needs based investment.”

Two of the events are workshops for homeowners and business owners, addressing questions about who was eligible for flood insurance, what damages the policies cover and what kind of damage the county covers.

The first workshop will be held on Thursday, October 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) and the second will be on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at George Mason University (3351 Fairfax Drive).

“The goal of the workshops is for homeowners and business owners to learn how to reduce their risk of flooding by hearing from experts in design, hazard mitigation and insurance,” said Peter Golkin, spokesman for Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services.

A third workshop called “How to Navigate Disaster in Business” will be held for business owners responding to a range of crises, including flooding as well as active shooters or fires. That event is scheduled on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arlington Economic Development (1100 N. Glebe Road).

“There will be more to come following these initial sessions,” added Golkin.


(Updated at 1:10 p.m.) The “How’s My Driving” cycling safety app is planning an event in Arlington tomorrow to collect data on bike lane violations.

App co-creator Mark Sussman told ARLnow that a team of about 40 people are gearing up to hit streets in Crystal City, Ballston, and Rosslyn on Thursday to count the number of times vehicles block bike lanes. The volunteers will track the bike lane violations on S. Crystal Drive, Fairfax Drive, and N. Lynn Street by reporting blockages through the app, which will share the data through a live dashboard.

“Crystal Drive and Lynn Street are just consistently blocked,” said Sussman. “The problem is that we don’t understand the size and the scope of the problem.”

Video recently posted to Twitter shows multiple stopped vehicles blocking the Crystal Drive bike lane. An Arlington County Police tweet from this summer showed a similar violation on Crystal Drive leading to a traffic ticket.

Sussman and his partner and co-creator Daniel Schep, a software engineer, are hoping data collected by volunteers tomorrow during the morning and evening rush hours and lunchtime can help fix that.

Currently, only app users in the District can report violations through the app and see how many other violations the driver has racked up on that vehicle — courtesy of a bot that fetches the DMV data. But Susan and Schep have been eyeing expansion into Arlington for months as the app gained popularity and people began reporting violations across the Potomac, too.

The pair say they’re hoping Thursday acts as a demonstration of what kind of real-time data officials could have access to if they contract with “How’s My Driving” in the future.

Volunteers are also out collecting bike lane blockage data today in Pittsburgh. Previously, people helped with a data collection day in D.C. which yielded 700 violations, and another one for bus lane blockages that tracked 300 violations.

“When you get that amount of data, patterns really start to emerge. You can use that data in aggregate both for enforcement purpose and transportation planning,” said Sussman.

However the app creator emphasized that these data collection days are not designed for enforcement purposes, and act as more of a proof of concept.

“No one is getting citations. No one is reporting to authorities,” said Sussman. “The data is only reported in aggregate in a presentation to the county. It would never be used to call out for specific vehicles.” 

“The overall effort is not to shame or expose particular violators,” he added. 

Photo by Sal Ferro


Arlington County is holding is popular, biannual E-CARE recycling and disposal event this weekend.

The event — formally, the Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event — provides Arlington residents an opportunity to safely dispose of bulky and hazardous items, from bikes to batteries, paint to printers.

The event is being held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1425 N. Quincy Street, across from Washington-Liberty High School.

The following are among the accepted items that can be dropped off by residents (business and commercial waste is not accepted).

  • Automotive fluids
  • Batteries
  • Car care products
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
  • Corrosives (acids/caustics)
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Flammable solvents
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Fuels/petroleum products
  • Household cleaners
  • Lawn and garden chemicals
  • Mercury
  • Paint products (25-can limit)
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Poisons (pesticides)
  • Printer ink/toner cartridges
  • Propane gas cylinders (small hand-held or larger)
  • Swimming pool chemicals […]

Mercury
We’ll collect household devices containing mercury (thermostats, thermometers, sphygmomanometers, manometers, barometers, hygrometers and liquid mercury). CFLs will also be collected on site.

Bikes
Bikes for the World will be accepting serviceable and repairable bikes to be sent to countries where they are needed for basic transportation. A $10 donation per bike is requested to offset shipping charges. Portable sewing machines, baseball and soccer equipment, and bike parts and accessories are also collected and shipped overseas with the reconditioned bikes. For more information, call 703-740-7856.

Small Metal Items
Acceptable small metal items include pots, pans, tools, pipes, venetian blinds, small appliances and metal items fitting an 11-1/2-inch by 46-inch opening.

Small metal items can also be dropped off at the Inert Materials and Scrap Metal Drop-Off Facility. Call 703-228-5000 for an appointment.

Electronics
Computers, printers, keyboards, scanners, copiers, cellphones and televisions (no large wooden console TVs) will be collected. There is a fee only for televisions ($20) and computer monitors ($15) containing cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Cash, exact change please, or checks (made payable to Arlington County Treasurer) only. All other screen and monitor drop-offs are free.

The following are not accepted at the event.

  • Asbestos
  • Explosives and ammunition
  • Freon
  • Medical wastes
  • Prescription medications
  • Radioactive materials
  • Smoke detectors

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday, October 14

Columbus Day Boat Race 
Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 N. Marcey Road)
Time: 12-2 p.m. 

Create your very own sailboat with cardboard materials, then hike down to a stream for a friendly sailboat race. Appropriate for all children four years and older, with children under eight requiring adult supervision. $15.

Professional Emailing Etiquette
Columbia Pike Branch Library (816 S. Walter Reed Drive)
Time: 7-8 p.m. 

Learn how to properly compose emails to colleagues, supervisors, clients, and the public at this workshop, which will examine how to craft an email pitch, politely make commands, among other tips. RSVP for an event reminder. Free.

Tuesday, October 15

Arlington Community Foundation Spirit of Community Luncheon*
Renaissance Capital View Hotel (2800 S. Potomac Ave.)
Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual “Spirit of Community Luncheon” to honor the Spirit of Community Award recipient, Dr. Alfred Taylor, Jr. Honorary co-chairs Kristian and Chuck Todd will be present.

First Time Home Buyer Seminar*
Keri Shull Team (1600 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m. 

Learn about the possible mistakes that come with the first time you purchase a home at this seminar. Topics covered include how to avoid double-paying a rent and mortgage, and how to properly calculate a budget.

Wednesday, October 16

Wakefield HS Fall Chorus Concert
Wakefield High School Auditorium (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Enjoy this free concert performed by students in the Wakefield High School chorus. Songs to be performed include Bridge Over Troubled Water and Keep Holding On. There will be a cash-only concession stand and donations accepted for the chorus.

Candidate Forum
St. Agnes Parish Hall (1910 N. Randolph St.)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Join local Arlington government candidates Rip Sullivan, Audrey Clement, Katie Cristol, Christian Dorsey, Arron O’Dell, and Reid Goldstein at this public forum, hosted by local civic groups such as the Cherrydale Citizens Association.

Thursday, October 17

Virginia Tech Executive MBA Online Info Session*
Virginia Tech Research Center (900 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 12-1 p.m.

Find out more about Virginia Tech’s Ballston-based Executive MBA program at this information session with conversation around the program curriculum, tuition, financial aid, application information, and more. Free with RSVP.

Smithsonian Habitat Program
Little Falls Presbyterian Friendship Hall (6025 Little Falls Road)
Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Barbara Faust, director of the Smithsonian Gardens, will introduce the gardens’ first-ever exhibition “Habitat.” The exhibition uses a single theme to tie together all fourteen exhibits across the Smithsonian’s exterior and interior garden spaces. Free with a $5 optional lunch.

Book Talk: Author of ‘Barack and Joe’
One More Page Books (2200 N. Westmoreland Street)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Join One More Page in welcoming Steven Levingston, the non-fiction editor of the Washington Post, as he shares his vivid and inspiring account of the “bromance” between Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

MONA Preschool Fair
Williamsburg Middle School Cafeteria (3600 N. Harrison Street)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Come meet representatives from close to 50 local preschools all under one roof at the annual Mothers of Northern Arlington preschool fair. The event is free with free onsite babysitting, with advanced registration recommended.

Friday, October 18

Fridays at the Fountain 
Crystal City Water Park (1601 Crystal Drive)
Time: 5-9 p.m. 

Enjoy the fall weather at Crystal City’s seasonal pop-up beer garden at the Crystal City Water Park. A rotating list of vendors will provide food and non-alcoholic beverages, while live music will be performed from local bands and musicians.

Saturday, October 19

National Chamber Ensemble — Mozart Celebration*
Gunston Arts Center (2700 S. Lang Street) 
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Check out the National Chamber Ensemble’s opening act for the 2019-20 season with this performance of orchestral works from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “re-imagined” for a more intimate chamber ensemble. Pieces include Piano Concerto No. 23 and Symphony No. 4 in G Minor.

Copperwood Tavern’s ‘Shucktoberfest’
Village at Shirlington (2700 S. Quincy Street) 
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Beer and oyster lovers, rejoice! This Oktoberfest festival will feature over forty craft brews and four different oyster vendors. Tickets begin at $35 and come with a take-home souvenir mug. Family and dog-friendly.

Pumpkin Carving at Potomac Overlook Regional Park 
Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 N. Marcey Road)
Time: 12-2 p.m. 

For $12 per person, get into the Halloween spirit and carve or paint your own pumpkin at the Potomac Overlook nature center. The park will provide the tools necessary, and the event is open to everyone ages four and up.

Fall Family Celebration
Columbia Gardens Cemetery (3411 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 12-3 p.m. 

Celebrate the season and explore the grounds of the Columbia Gardens. Activities include beehive visits, pumpkin carving, and a talk with rose expert Pam Powers. Refreshments will be provided, and RSVP is recommended.

Sunday, October 20

Kinhaven 5K and Family Fest*
Bluemont Park, South Shelter (601 N. Manchester Street) 
Time: 9-11 a.m.

Join the tenth annual Kinhaven 5K and Family Fest to promote childhood health and fitness. Events include a 5K run, a 1K run, and a toddler dash. There will be a “fan zone” with a dance party, moonbounce, face painting, and refreshments.

*Denotes sponsored (featured) event


Following a successful debut last year, an oyster-focused Oktoberfest celebration is returning to Shirlington next week.

Shucktoberfest” will be hosted in and around Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Avenue) on Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m-5 p.m.

Co-sponsored by the Northern Neck’s Waverly Point Oyster Company, attendees can expect over forty craft beers and four oyster vendors. Local breweries expected to attend include Lost Boy Cider and Fair Winds Brewery.

“Last year we underestimated how serious the oyster enthusiasm was going to be, we couldn’t shuck them fast enough,” said a spokeswoman for the event. “So we’ve doubled the number of oysters we’re ordering to 20 to 25 thousand.”

A $35 ticket includes a 5 oz beer tasting mug and 10 tickets. One ticket is redeemable for either one beer sample or two oysters.

In addition to plenty of shellfish, at least twenty merchant and food tents expected as part of the festival.

The event is also dog-friendly and open to families, with a “massive kids zone” planned with face painting and a DJ. Outdoor games include corn hole and Connect Four.

Tickets are available for the event on its website.


The annual Army Ten-Miler race returns this weekend for the 35th year in a row, prompting several road closures.

Runners will hit the pavement to compete in this 10-mile race on Sunday, October 13, following a route that starts and ends at the Pentagon and takes runners into D.C. via the Key Bridge, and back to Virginia via the 14th Street Bridge.

The race course is set to avoid the Memorial Bridge again this year, after detouring from the under-construction bridge for the first time last year.

Participants will be released in waves, with athletes in the Wounded Warrior division kicking off the day at 7:50 a.m.

The Arlington County Police Department announced a long list of road closures in a press release earlier this week.

The department said it’s planning to coordinate closures the day of the race together with the Virginia State Police, U.S. Park Police, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.

The closures include:

  • Route 110, between Rosslyn and Crystal City, will be closed in both directions from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. Motorists may use the George Washington Memorial Parkway as an alternative.
    • There will be no access to southbound Route 110 from N. Marshall Drive
    • The public may access Arlington National Cemetery from N. Marshall Drive
  • I-66 westbound will be closed from Washington, D.C. to N. Scott Street from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m. Motorists may use the George Washington Memorial Parkway or Route 50 as an alternative route.
    • To access I-66 westbound, enter from N. Scott Street in Rosslyn.
  • I-66 eastbound, Exit 75 will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • North Lynn Street, from Gateway Park to the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • The exit for Route 29 North/Key Bridge from the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • The Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge will be closed in both directions, with no vehicular access from 4:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • I-395 HOV northbound from Crystal City to the 14th Street Bridge will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m.
  • Eads Street from Army Navy Drive into the Pentagon/ northbound I-395 HOV lanes will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m.
  • I-395 southbound HOV exit to S. Eads Street / Pentagon South Parking lot will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m.
  • Route 27 in both directions from George Washington Memorial Parkway to I-395 will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • Army Navy Drive from S. Eads Street to 12th Street S. from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • 12th Street S. from S. Eads Street to Long Bridge Drive from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m.
  • Long Bridge Drive will be closed from 12th Street S. to Boundary Channel Drive from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m.
  • Boundary Channel Drive will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m.

Race attendees are encouraged to use Metro to get to the race via the Pentagon or Pentagon City Metro stations.

Those traveling by ride hailing services like Lyft, Uber, or Via are asked to use the drop-off point for runners at Army Navy Drive and S. Hayes Street.

Photo via Flickr Pool/Rob Cannon


Halloween is still three weeks away, but it’s never too early to plan your costume — or one for your pet.

Local pet service company Puppy Luv has partnered with the Crystal City Business Improvement District for its first “Howl-O-Ween” pet costume party on Saturday, October 26.

Dubbed “National Landing’s First Pet Costume Party,” the event will be held on The Grounds in Pentagon City (1102 S. Eads Street).

Pet registration begins at 1 p.m., and the contest will run from 2-3 p.m. with prizes awarded to the best costumes. In addition, there will be food trucks, an agility course, and a live DJ.

The event builds off of Puppy Luv’s recent partnership with property owner JBG Smith, which is developing the new Amazon headquarters nearby. Puppy Luv offers offer exclusive services, lobby treats, and “pet of the month slideshows” in nine JGB Smith buildings in Arlington, with plans to expand into all of its county properties by the end of 2020, according to a Puppy Luv spokesperson.

Another Halloween-themed pet event is happening tomorrow — Thursday, Oct. 10 — in Arlington.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is hosting “Pups, Purrs, and Pumpkins” at its Shirlington offices (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive) from noon to 7 p.m. During that time, all animals six months or older have a “pick your own” adoption fee. Pumpkin treats will also be available, provided by Trader Joe’s.

Photos courtesy Puppy Luv


Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday, October 7

Planned Parenthood at Continental Beer Garden*
Continental Beer Garden (1901 Fort Myer Drive)
Time: 6-8 p.m. 

All proceeds from this open bar fundraising event will benefit local Planned Parenthood advocacy. Remarks will be held from Kelley Robinson, executive director for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and local politicians including Sen. Barbara Favola.

Housing Matters Forum 
Arlington County Bozman Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Arlington property owners and landlords are invited to this community meeting on “Fair Housing and Discriminations.” Topics to be discussed including fair housing rights and impediments, rental subsidy, county resources, and more.

Tuesday, October 8

School Information Session
The Sycamore School (4600 N. Fairfax Drive) 
Time: 8-9 a.m. 

Parents interested in The Sycamore School are invited to tour, speak with current staff, and meet the current Head of School. There will be a question and answer session, along with opportunities to chat with current students.

Teenage Kittens & How to Survive Them 
Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Dogma Dog Bakery, learn how to take care of a kitten as it gets into its teenage years. The AWLA’s Training and Cat Behavior Counselor will offer advice and take questions.

Thursday, October 10

Crystal City Crafts Market
The Grounds (1102 S. Eads Street) 
Time: 4-8 p.m. 

Throughout the month of October, every Thursday the Crystal City Crafts Market will turn the Grounds into a “neighborhood living room” featuring wares from over 20 local businesses, live music, a beer garden, and food trucks.

Mental Wellness: It’s All in the Family 
Virginia Hospital Center (1701 N. George Mason Drive) 
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Area experts will offer advice on how to help children and teens with anxiety through fostering supportive environments in the home. Topics include navigating co-parenting and managing anxiety in high-performance environments, among others.

Saturday, October 12

Book It For Books 5K/One Mile Run*
Bluemont Park (329 N. Manchester Street) 
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, this 5K and/or one-mile run will raise funds to provide books for children across the region. Pre-registration is now open, and awards will be given to overall male and female finishers.

Saint Ann Annual Fall Festival*
Saint Ann School (980 N. Frederick Street) 
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

This annual family-friendly festival features fall-themed rides, games, moon bounces, face-painting, and a cakewalk contest. In addition, there will be live music, a “wine walk” for adults, and a beer garden. Rain or shine, free event.

Arlingtones Barbershop a Cappella Show*
NRECA Building Auditorium (4301 Wilson Blvd) 
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m. 

Join the Arlingtones a cappella barbershop group for their annual fall show, featuring performances from the mid-Atlantic quartet “Forecast.” The Arlingtones quartet “The Blue Notes” will make their debut. $15 tickets include food and drink.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event.


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