Events

Arlington Agenda: December 4-10

By Chris Teale

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

Conversations With Tyler: Ross Douthat *
GMU Founders Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

New York Times editorial columnist and leading conservative thinker Ross Douthat joins Tyler Cowen for a wide-ranging dialogue as part of the Mercatus Center’s Conversations with Tyler series at George Mason University’s Founders Hall.

Carols and Ale *
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Celebrate the holidays with good company, communal singing, and giving back. Attendees are invited to bring donations for Doorways for Women and Families: Paper towels, dish soap, disinfectant wipes, Target gift cards and/or monetary gifts.

Tuesday

Holiday Cheer on Tap
Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston (4610 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

Celebrate the holiday season with colleagues, friends and neighbors in Ballston alongside the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Ballston BID. Enjoy drinks and appetizers while networking with fellow local business leaders.

Fill the Cruiser
Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street)
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Officers from the Arlington County Police Department will collect new, unwrapped toys as part of Operation Santa to donate to needy children. Donations can also be made at police headquarters (1425 N. Courthouse Road) until December 15.

Thursday

Home Alone
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:45 p.m.

As part of the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse’s Christmas Movie Festival, view a screening of holiday classic Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin as a child that gets left at home by his parents. Another screening is on Monday, December 11.

Friday

Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
Sheraton Pentagon City (900 S. Orme Street)
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 93rd annual meeting will be a celebration of 2017 and the exciting future. The meeting details the Chamber’s key initiatives and plans for the coming year, with a keynote address from County Board chair Jay Fisette.

Miracle on 23rd Street
Linden Resources (750 23rd Street S.)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

The annual Arlington holiday tradition features The Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa arriving on an fire truck, a visit with Santa, face painting for children and holiday musical entertainment. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly.

Saturday

Wakefield High School Holiday Shop
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wakefield High School students, clubs, activities and teams will be selling fair trade and hand-made items to raise money for activities at the school. Current vendors include 10,000 Villages, Wakefield Boosters, Colette’s Popcorn and more.

Grump! Arts and Crafts Show
Crystal City Underground (1750 Crystal Drive)
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.

A chance to shop locally and have your photo taken with the Grumpy Yeti. More than 50 vendors will appear, chosen by jury every October. Items available include clothes, jewelry, greeting cards, cosmetics, art and accessories.

Sunday

Bubbles & Beyond *
Twisted Vines (2803 Columbia Pike)
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

A casual tasting event featuring a variety of sparkling wines and various bite-sized pairings of food. Stations will be setup throughout the restaurant with wine professionals taking you through the wine’s story and how best to pair for the season.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Crystal Couture Fashion Show Set for Early February

By Chris Teale
1/6

Crystal City’s annual fashion show will return in early February.

Crystal Couture is set for Friday, February 2 (5 p.m.) and Saturday, February 3 (2 p.m.) at 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway.

The event includes a pop-up clothes store as well as the fashion show. Organizers said around 50 local boutiques, retailers and designers will be showcased.

“This one-stop shopping experience lets guests browse discounted offerings on the rack AND on the runway as models showcase select offerings while enjoying sips from the bar and free five-minute make-up and hair makeovers,” organizers wrote.

And for those who wish to get on the catwalk, casting got underway for Crystal Couture late last month. Planning has also started, including producer Maggy “Fancy” Francois.

Pentagon Row’s Frost Fest Set for Saturday

By Chris Teale

Pentagon Row will host its fourth annual holiday celebration this Saturday (December 2).

Frost Fest begins at 5 p.m. at the ice rink at Army Navy Drive and S. Joyce Street. The event will include an on-ice firework display with Santa Claus, music from a DJ, live entertainment from local artists and ice sculptures.

Attendees can also sample foods from some nearby restaurants, pick up holiday shopping specials and win a $1,000 Pentagon Row shopping spree giveaway.

Pentagon Row’s 6,840-square-foot outdoor ice rink is now open, and will be open on all holidays. Admission costs $8 for those aged 12 and under); and $9 for those aged 13 and older. Skate rental costs $4.

The rink’s hours will be as follows:

  • Mondays to Thursdays: Noon to 10 p.m.
  • Fridays: Noon to 11 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sundays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Shirlington Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Thursday

By Chris Teale

The annual Christmas tree lighting at The Village at Shirlington (2700 S. Quincy Street) will take place on Thursday evening.

It begins at 6 p.m. with a Signature Theatre holiday production featuring the cast of The Holiday Follies, with the tree to be lit at 6:30 p.m.

That will be followed by pictures with Santa in Hardwood Artisans (2800 S. Randolph Street) and a performance by the Bishop O’Connell High School Choir at 7 p.m.

The evening will also feature horse and carriage rides, strolling entertainment and live music, as well as specials at local shops and restaurants including Cheesetique, Busboys & Poets and Le Village Marche.

Per the Arlington County Police Department, the following roads will be closed to accommodate the event:

  • Campbell Avenue, from the Harris Teeter driveway to S. Randolph Street (12:00-4:00 PM)
  • Campbell Avenue, from Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street (4:00-10:00 PM)
  • S. Randolph Street, from Arlington Mill Drive to the alley behind Charlie Chiang’s Restaurant, roughly the 3000 block (4:00-10:00 PM)

Vehicles will be allowed to exit the covered Harris Teeter parking structure onto Campbell Ave. until 4:00 PM, then must use the alternative entrance accessed from Arlington Mill Drive. Drivers are warned that traffic in the area may be congested throughout the event and alternative modes of transportation are recommended.

Street parking in the area will be restricted and drivers should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call the Emergency Communication Center at 703-558-2222.

All areas within the lines on the included map will be closed to vehicular traffic during the actual event (4:00-9:00 PM).

Arlington Premiere Event to Honor New County Businesses

By Chris Teale

A sold-out reception in Ballston tomorrow will celebrate the new businesses that have moved into Arlington County.

Arlington Economic Development is hosting Arlington Premiere at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29.

Attendees can “welcome new business owners and network with other key business and community leaders as we celebrate our growing business community,” a blurb on the event, which is sponsored by the Ballston Business Improvement District, says. Registration is no longer available as the event has reached capacity.

Also at the event, AED will reveal the winners of the Arlington’s First Four competition. The contest honors locally-based businesses that have shown revenue growth over a three-year period.

“The Arlington Premiere is a great way for you to meet our new businesses and strengthen your relationship with other county and community leaders,” AED director Victor Hoskins wrote in an email to the public.

Arlington Agenda: Nov. 27-Dec. 3

By Chris Teale

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.

Tuesday

Talking to Your Teens About the Tough Stuff *
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (2609 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Dr. Heather Tedesco, a McLean-based applied psychologist, discusses how to improve family life and to support the long-term development of happy, authentically successful children, teens and adults in times of stress.

Code Girls
One More Page Books (2200 N. Westmoreland Street)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Washington Post reporter Liza Mundy will share from her new book “CODE GIRLS: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II,” revealing the previously hidden history of the women who worked in secrecy.

Wednesday

The Future of Saving Energy *
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 8 a.m.

Join county staff and industry leaders for a community discussion on the impact that the Digital Revolution will have on energy in Arlington, featuring architect David Peabody, Anna Buglaeva of Aquicore and Adam Segel-Moss of AIRE.

Thursday

Frequent Travelers’ Happy Hour
Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille (567 23rd Street S.)
Time: 6-9 p.m.

Talk travel and help some children have a brighter holiday at this happy hour in aid of Toys for Tots. Bring an unwrapped toy, which should not contain any food nor resemble a weapon. Ask for travel advice and meet other travelers.

Friday

World AIDS Day Breakfast
Stambaugh Human Services Center (2100 Washington Blvd)
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.

An annual event organized by the Arlington Department of Human Services as a reminder that HIV/AIDS is still a problem in Arlington. The panel of speakers will address the concern, as well as more about the current opioid epidemic in Virginia.

Saturday

CWP Annual Holiday Bazaar *
Children’s Weekday Program (716 S. Glebe Road)
Time: 9 a.m. to noon

An event featuring seasonal treats, a silent auction, holiday gifts from crafters and local vendors, children’s activities and a visit with Santa. Money raised will support local nonprofit Children’s Weekday Program and its work.

Washington-Lee High School Holiday Bazaar
Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Over 70 local artisans will be selling handcrafted and other gift items including jewelry, ceramics, glassware, pet items, accessories and more. Shoppers can also sample multi-ethnic food and live entertainment from school groups.

BalletNova presents The Nutcracker
Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)
Time: 1-3 p.m.

An annual interpretation of The Nutcracker for the Northern Virginia community by BalletNova, choreographed by Nancie Woods and Caroline Frankil Warren. Performances are on November 30 and December 1, 2 and 3.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Drafthouse Announces Lineup for Christmas Movie Festival

By Chris Teale

The Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) is expanding its Christmas Movie Festival for the first time this year.

The festival usually takes place on one day, but instead will last for three weeks, starting on Friday, November 24 with showings of Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life. It wraps up on December 13 with Gremlins.

Paying for one $10 ticket will get attendees unlimited admission to all the scheduled festival movies across all three weeks, depending on space.

Dates for each movie screening are as follows:

Flickr pool photo by Bekah Richards

Arlington Agenda: November 20-26

By Chris Teale

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.

Thursday

Arlington Turkey Trot
Christ Church of Arlington (3020 N. Pershing Drive)
Time: 8 a.m.

Arlington’s 12th annual Thanksgiving race, raising money for local nonprofits AFAC, A-SPAN and more. The 5k race leads more than 4,000 runners through the Lyon Park neighborhood, and finishes in front of the Lyon Park Center.

Thanksgiving Dinner*
Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Ave)
Time: 5-10 p.m.

Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington will be open on Thanksgiving from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., offering a traditional turkey dinner with other Thanksgiving dishes until 10 p.m. The following day, gift cards at Copperwood will be buy one, get one free.

Friday

NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey*
Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 1 p.m.

Four NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey teams face off at Kettler over two days of competition on Friday and Saturday afternoons: Boston University, Minnesota State-Mankato, Northeastern University and University of Wisconsin.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation 5K & Family Fun Day Set For Saturday

By Chris Teale

A 5K race and festival in memory of an Arlington mom killed by a passing truck while placing her children in a minivan will be held for the third time on Saturday.

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K Race begins at 9 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus (5115 Little Falls Road). It will feature a 5K race, a kids’ fun run with Teddy, one of the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, and a “Family Fun Day Festival.”

The family festival will live feature music from local band Gutterball Kingpin, as well as moon bounces, a rock climbing wall, obstacle course, in-line jumper, human hungry hippo, food trucks, a beer garden, corn hole, face painting, balloon animals and more.

The event benefits the Arlington Pediatric Center and the Virginia Hospital Center Outpatient Obstetrics Clinic, with a focus on prenatal and postnatal health services for underprivileged mothers and babies.

Police will close several roads to accommodate the event. Per the Arlington County Police Department:

The 3rd Annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K Race will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2017.  The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures from approximately 8:30 AM until 11:00 AM to accommodate this event:

Main Closures:

  • Little Falls Road: N. George Mason Drive to Yorktown Blvd.
  • Yorktown Blvd.: N. George Mason Drive to Williamsburg Blvd.
  • Williamsburg Blvd.: Yorktown Blvd. to N. Emerson Street
  • 33rd Street: N. Emerson Street to N. George Mason Drive
  • George Mason Drive: N. 33rd Street to Yorktown Blvd.
  • Smaller closures exist within the race area

Bayou Bakery to Host Doughnut and Beignet Eating Contest

By Chris Teale
1/2

Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Courthouse will host a doughnut and beignet eating contest Sunday to coincide with the NFL game between the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints.

Nine participants will compete at halftime of the game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on November 19, in the “Beignet and Brown-Butter Doughnut Eating Contest.”

Bayou chef and New Orleans native David Guas will be putting on the competition alongside District Doughnut chef Christine Schaefer.

Competitors will be asked to take on 10 beignets — a pastry made from deep-fried choux pastry — and 10 doughnuts each, and the one to get through all 20 the quickest will win $150 cash.

Anyone wishing to compete should arrive by 12:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the contest is free. Bayou Bakery is located at 1515 N. Courthouse Road.

More from a press release, after the jump.

(more…)

Meeting Wednesday to Provide Update on Crystal City-DCA Pedestrian Link

By Chris Teale

The findings of a study on the feasibility of a pedestrian link between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport are set to be unveiled at a public meeting Wednesday.

The Crystal City Business Improvement District and civil engineering firm VHB will host a public meeting from 1-2:30 p.m. and again from 6:30-8 p.m. on November 15, on the 11th floor of 2011 Crystal Drive.

There, they will present the findings of a feasibility study on the project commissioned earlier this year, as well as several renderings of possible pedestrian links.

Those unable to attend can watch the presentation on Facebook Live, while the presentation slides will be uploaded to the project website after the meeting.

Crystal City BID CEO Angela Fox has said previously that a “new pedestrian connection will bring the airport even closer, from a 15-minute walk to a four-minute walk.”

Courtesy photo

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