Events

Armed Forces Cycling Classic Returning to Arlington

By Anna Merod
Photo by Rena Schild

Cyclists can now register for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, which is returning to Arlington in June.

The cycling event, which is taking place the weekend of June 9-10, is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. The event was previously known as the Air Force Association Cycling Classic.

The event is sponsored by Boeing, but companies can join as supporting sponsors or enter the race as part of the “corporate challenge,” raising money for nonprofits like the ALS Association, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and Our Military Kids.

There are three main competitions throughout the event. The first is the Clarendon Cup, a pro/am criterium race with 1 km course that begins and ends near the Clarendon Metro station. The event’s website says the race is “one of the most difficult criterium races in the USA” due to technical demands of the course.

On June 10 both the Crystal Cup and the Challenge Ride will occur.

The Crystal Cup will feature multiple races starting with the men’s pro race, then the kids races, followed by the women’s pro race and then the men’s amateur race. The 1.3 km course will run down Crystal Drive between 23rd St. S. and 18th St. S., and around S. Clark Street.

The Challenge Ride will take place between 7-10 a.m., allowing riders to take as many laps as they can within the three hour limit. The course is 6.5 miles long and wraps through Pentagon City, Crystal City and Rosslyn.

Each branch of the armed services will have its total laps tracked as a part of the Navy Federal Credit Union Armed Forces Cycling Challenge. The service with the most total laps and the most laps by its top six riders will be awarded on the stage during Sunday’s men’s pro race.

To participate, cyclists will need to indicate which service they are or have been in while registering and must bring a military ID the day of the race. The U.S. Air Force was the top lap accumulator in both 2015 and 2016.

Last year the UnitedHealthCare professional cycling team made a strong showing with a member winning first place in the men’s Clarendon Cup, and two other members winning second place in the men’s and women’s Crystal Cup.

Expect a number of road closures for each course going through the Clarendon, Rosslyn, Crystal City and Pentagon City areas.

File photo.

Transgender Educational Event Scheduled Tonight

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Arlington Mill Community CenterAn educational event focusing on the transgender community is scheduled for tonight (March 28) at the Arlington Mill Community Center.

Roxanne Edwards, vice president of the Transgender Education Association of Greater Washington (TEAGW), will be hosting the discussion starting at 7 p.m., according to Nicholas Englund, the Arlington Mill Senior Center director. The event is free and open to the public.

Topics of conversation will include transgender community concerns and how to be an LGBT ally, including vocabulary, etiquette, and additional resources. A question and answer session will be part of the discussion.

The event is part of the AGLA speaker series, according to an online event posting. AGLA — the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance — is a “nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people and straight allies.”

File photo

E-CARE Recycling Returns to Yorktown High School

By Anna Merod

Arlington’s twice yearly Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) is will return later this month.

The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 31, at Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Blvd). The event, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., allows county residents to dispose of hazardous household materials, bikes, shoes, small metal items, clothing and other items that can be recycled but not through normal pick up.

Residents planning on dropping off household hazardous materials must bring the items in the original containers or in properly labelled storage. Leaking containers must also be packed in a way to prevent spilling.

Nonhazardous trash and business waste will not be accepted. Residents need to bring identification to verify residency.

The following materials are 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)
  • Propane gas cylinders (small hand-held or larger)
  • Swimming pool chemicals

The following material are not accepted:

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

Photo by Peter Golkin

ARLnow Co-Hosting March Madness Viewing at Latitude Apartments

By ARLnow.com

Want to watch the Sweet 16 on the sweet rooftop terrace of the Latitude Apartments (3601 Fairfax Drive) in Virginia Square?

ARLnow is co-hosting a March Madness viewing party at Latitude next Thursday, March 22, from 6:30-9 p.m. Drinks and snacks will be provided and there will be four TVs so you won’t miss any of the action.

Come watch the games, mingle with ARLnow staffers and grab some ARLnow and Latitude swag.

The event is free but RSVPs are requested.

Comedians T.J. Miller, David Alan Grier Coming to Drafthouse

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Cinema Drafthouse’s marquee may be gone with the wind, at least temporarily, but that likely will not diminish the boldfaced comedy names coming to the theater over the next couple of weeks.

Next week, on Friday and Saturday (March 16-17), T.J. Miller will perform. The Silicon Valley and Deadpool star, who has been in the news recently for the wrong reasons, will bring his brand of “absurdist observational stand-up” to the Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike).

The following Friday and Saturday (March 23-24), actor and comedian David Alan Grier, of In Living Color fame, will perform.

Tickets for each range from $25-35.

The Drafthouse is in the midst of a weekly comedy lineup that includes comedian Josh Blue, slated to perform this weekend, and Carlos Mencia, who will perform March 29-31.

Taste of Arlington Brings Back Free General Admission

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Taste of Arlington is bringing back free general admission after charging for an entry wristband last year for the first time.

Gormandizing gaggles will still need to pay to eat or drink at the event, which is being held Sunday, May 20 from noon to 6 p.m.

Listed prices for tickets purchased before May 1 range from $6 for a single beer or wine ticket to $40 for a book of 10 “taste” tickets to $95 for a V.I.P. lounge pass. Tickets purchased after May 1 are more costly, and tickets purchased on the day of the event are even more so.

It’s rain or shine ticketing, so there are no refunds for bad weather.

Local brewery New District Brewing Company is listed as a vendor at a beer and wine garden. A live concert will be held at the beer garden, but no word yet on the performing artists.

Ballston’s SER and Pepita Cantina and Clarendon’s Don Tito and Oz are participating, as well as dozens of other Arlington restaurants and a few from outside of the county. The event web page notes that there will be over 50 food trucks and restaurants serving their specialties, though currently there are only 41 listed.

The festival will be held on Wilson Boulevard between N. Randolph and N. Lincoln streets, approximately along the stretch between the Ballston and Virginia Square Metro stations.

The dog-friendly “BarkPark” will cost $15 for entry, which includes a bandanna and a taste ticket as well as a place for your dog to hang out. A family area with games will be free.

Arlington Agenda: February 26-March 4

By Bridget Reed Morawski

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, Feb. 26

Introduction to Virginia529 Savings Plans for Higher Education
Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Learn about the benefits of the four higher education savings program offered by Virginia529 Plans and how to get started saving for college.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Young Professionals Happy Hour
Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Join James and Iris from Clarendon United Methodist Church (CUMC) at a Clarendon Grill happy hour to meet other young professionals and learn about the church.

 Wednesday, Feb. 28

Sustainable Landscaping: Building Soil Health
Westover Library (1644 N. McKinley Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of building soil health and its importance in creating a sustainable backyard landscape. Composting and soil erosion will be covered. Attendance is first come, first served.

 Friday, March 2

Creative Coffee: Fantastic Fairytales
Connection: Crystal City (2100 Crystal Drive)
Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

A casual weekly creative meet-up for artists to experiment and improve their work in a social setting. Bring your own materials to this adult-friendly gathering.

St. Agnes Soup Supper*
St. Agnes Catholic Church (1910 N. Randolph Street)
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

The church will offer meatless soups and a noodle dish, and more every Friday during the Lenten holiday. Guests are invited to stay for confession and the stations of the cross afterwards.

Sound Check: Music Bingo
Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe (3100 Clarendon Boulevard)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Test your music trivia knowledge in an evening of sound check bingo. Prizes every hour for participants and happy hour food and drink specials until 9 p.m.

Free Women’s Self-Defense Seminar
District Martial Arts (2300 N. Pershing Drive)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

A free women’s self defense class aught by former UFC fighter Kamal “The Prince of Persia” Shalarous and several high-level Brazilian jujutsu black belts.

Michael Ian Black: Live
Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Comedian Michael Ian Black, of Comedy Central’s “Another Period” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show” comes to Arlington Drafthouse for four performances over two nights.

Saturday, March 3

Thomas Pandolfi in Concert
Clarendon UMC (606 N. Irving Street)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.

Clarendon UMC presents pianist Thomas Pandolfi in a solo concert program. Reception to follow, admission is free but suggested pay-as-you-will.

 

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Open Door Monday Schedule for 2018

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:10 a.m.) Arlington County’s “Open Door Monday” events are continuing this year, offering residents the opportunity to chat with a County Board member about any topic in an informal setting.

First started in 2012, Open Door Mondays are held almost every Monday, except in August and December, from 7-9 p.m.

Here’s the monthly schedule:

  • 1st Monday: Langston-Brown Community Center (2121 N. Culpeper Street)
  • 2nd Monday: Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
  • 3rd Monday: Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
  • 4th Monday: Aurora Hills Library (735 18th Street S.)

The Arlington School Board also holds Open Office Hours events, with one scheduled tonight (Monday) from 6-8 p.m. with School Board member Monique O’Grady. The event is being held at the Arlington Education Center building (1426 N. Quincy Street), Room 105. No appointments are necessary.

Free ARLnow.com Frisbees Available at Pups & Pints Thursday

By Anna Merod

Latitude Apartments (3601 Fairfax Drive) is hosting an event for pets and their owners tomorrow (Thursday) and ARLnow is bringing some dog-friendly freebie frisbees.

The new Virginia Square apartment building is hosting “Pups & Pints” in its lobby, with snacks, drinks and a puppy photo booth.

ARLnow.com is co-hosting the free event, which will be held from 6-8 p.m.

The Latitude is a pet-friendly apartment community, offering studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Features include a dog spa and a rooftop deck with an expansive view.

Latitude Apartments is an ARLnow.com sponsor.

Fire Department to Hold CPR Training Event on Valentine’s Day

By Anna Merod

This Valentine’s Day, the Arlington County Fire Department will conduct a free mass CPR training event at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

The “Hands2Hearts” event is intended to save lives. If hands-only CPR can be performed immediately on a cardiac arrest victim, the victim is 2-3 times more likely to survive.

“You will gain confidence in providing life-saving techniques in just a couple of minutes,” said an Arlington County press release.

The training session will be held from 1-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14 on all four levels of the mall surrounding the center food court. The event is being conducted in partnership with the Virginia Hospital Center and supported by the American Heart Association.

“There will be opportunity to interact with Arlington County firefighters, paramedics, and Virginia Hospital Center’s healthcare team while they teach hands-only CPR,” noted the press release.

Date Set for Feel The Heritage Festival

By Bridget Reed Morawski

The annual Feel The Heritage Festival, a black history month tradition now in its 26th year, is scheduled for Saturday, February 24.

The county-sponsored festival, held at the Charles Drew Community Center in Nauck, will host its first-ever soul food cook-off, with prizes for category winners. That’s in addition to dozens of vendors, music and dance acts, and fun for the kids.

Emceed by former WPGC 95.5 FM radio host Dr. Justine Love, a range of dance and musical groups will perform throughout the day, including a Joy of Motion dance center youth hip-hop group, and Elijah Jamal Balbed’s Chuck Brown-inspired The Jogo Project. Motown, hip-hop, gospel, and traditional African performers will also take the stage.

Festival organizers are touting dozens of artisan vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and more. Local African-American citizen associations and organizations, such as the Black Heritage Museum, will bring historical artifacts and photos for display in a “hall of history.”

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company’s food truck will be parked outside of the community center, and the Nauck Youth Enterprise will sell hot dogs, half smokes, and more.

There will be plenty for kids to do, from creating a traditional African art inspired animal mask to face painting, balloon art, and oversize games of checkers and Connect Four. Colgate, the toothpaste company, will also be on-site from 2-6 p.m. to conduct free dental screenings and treatment referral for children up to 12 years old.

Photo via Arlington County

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