Events | ARLnow.com

Ride-Hailing Startup Founder to Share Insights in Chamber’s Next Live Podcast

Published October 13, 2017 at 4:15PM | Updated October 13, 2017 at 5:53PM

The founder of a local ride-hailing startup will discuss how he got his business off the ground in the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s latest live podcast episode.

Alex Villanueva launched Sprynt in June, offering free rides in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. Within five days, the new app had been downloaded more than 700 times, and today Sprynt vehicles are a familiar sight in the corridor, going up and down Wilson and Clarendon Blvds all day long.

The event will take place on Tuesday, October 24 in front of an audience at 1776 in Crystal City. Villanueva will discuss his personal story and how he turned his business idea into a reality. Registration is $25.

ARLnow founder Scott Brodbeck will be the program’s moderator and will lead the discussion with Villanueva. Audience members will be able to ask questions during a Q&A segment that will not be recorded.

The event also features networking opportunities and food served from Ruth’s Chris Steak House. And for those unable to attend, the interview will later be published online via ARLnow’s podcast, 26 Square Miles.

The evening’s agenda is as follows:

5-5:30 p.m.: Registration and open networking
5:30-6:15 p.m.: Live recorded podcast
6:15-6:30 p.m.: Q&A (not recorded)
6:30-7 p.m.: Networking reception

ACFD to Mark Fire Prevention Week With Station Open Houses

By Chris Teale

Published October 12, 2017 at 4:45PM | Updated October 12, 2017 at 5:12PM

(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) The Arlington County Fire Department is celebrating Fire Prevention Week with its second department-wide open house this Saturday (October 14).

All 10 county fire stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and have activities and information on fire safety. Visitors can also climb the trucks, tour the stations and meet crews on duty.

For Fire Prevention Week, which began on Monday, ACFD had the slogan “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” to remind residents to plan a quick escape after their smoke alarm sounds. (Incidentally earlier this week a man nearly died in a house fire in Ashton Heights.)

ACFD had the following advice for homeowners to stay safe in a fire.

“Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.”
“Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home and practice using different ways out.”
“Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.”
“Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked on the outside and easy for the fire department to find.”
“Close doors behind you as you leave to slow the spread of smoke, heat and flames.”
“Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.”

Arlington Agenda: October 9-15

By Chris Teale

Published October 9, 2017 at 3:45PM

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

Community Cup Golf Classic *
Washington Golf & Country Club (307 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

An annual day of friendly golf competition to raise money for the Arlington Community Foundation. Proceeds from the event help support the foundation’s grants and scholarship programs as well as community initiatives.

Tenth at Ten Oktoberfest
Ten at Clarendon (3110 10th Street N.)
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Stop by the Living Room to enjoy free beer tastings, signature cocktails and catered hors d’oeuvres to celebrate Oktoberfest at one of Clarendon’s newest apartment buildings. The event is open to the public, but reservations are required.

Wednesday

County Board and School Board Candidate Forums *
Marymount University Phelan Hall (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

The Arlington Committee of 100 presents candidate forums between those vying for seats on the Arlington County Board and Arlington School Board. Audience members will be invited to submit questions for candidates.

Local History Talk: Life in Union Forts
Aurora Hills Branch Library (735 18th Street S.)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Learn more about the local history of Arlington County with historian Mark Benbow of the Arlington Historical Society. Benbow will discuss life at the Civil War forts that used to be located in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood.

Thursday

Washington’s Capital Brewmaster
Marymount University Reinsch Auditorium (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

A program on Christian Heurich, Washington D.C.’s most successful and oldest brewer. Dr. Mark Benbow draws on family papers and photos to chronicle Heurich’s life and the evolving beer industry before and after Prohibition.

Friday

Capital Weather Gang Speaker
Clarendon United Methodist Church (606 N. Irving Street)
Time: 12-1:40 p.m.

Jason Samenow of The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang will talk about weather, including if storms in the local area have gotten worse, how they predict weather and more as part of the church’s monthly Faith Food and Fellowship.

Saturday

Night in the Garden of Spain *
Gunston Arts Center (2700 S. Lang Street)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The National Chamber Ensemble’s opening night spotlights the musical culture of Spain. The program includes the music of Granados, Turina, Casals, de Falla and Albeniz. NCE will also premiere a new creation with Bowen McCauley Dance.

Arlington County’s Fall E-CARE
Yorktown High School (5201 28th Street N.)
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

An event where residents can safely dispose of hazardous household materials, recycle bikes, small metal items, shoes, clothing and more. Residents can also swap an old CFL lightbulb for a new LED bulb (one per household, while supplies last).

Oktoberfest Fundraiser for Disaster Response
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (3022 Woodlawn Ave.)
Time: 1-6 p.m.

Enjoy music, German food and entertainment, polka lessons, a chicken dance flash mob and a Schnitzelbank sing along among other activities at Holy Trinity’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Tickets cost $20 per adult or $45 per family.

Sunday

Kinhaven 5K *
Bluemont Park (325 N. Manchester Street)
Time: 9-10:15 a.m.

A flat out and back course with a 5K, Kids 1K and free Toddler Dash on offer for runners, walkers and strollers. The eighth annual race also will include music, a dance party, refreshments, free face painting and a free moon bounce.

Pints4Paws Beer Festival
Courthouse Plaza (2250 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 1-5 p.m.

A beer festival with unlimited craft beer tastings, food trucks and vendors offering animal-related goods and services, all to support the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. The event also includes a costume contest for dogs, with prizes.

Latino American Festival
Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)
Time: 2-6 p.m.

Celebrate Arlington’s rich diversity during Hispanic Heritage Month with this festival, which includes live music and dance, dozens of artisan and community vendors, authentic Latino food, free activities for kids and live arts programming.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Scott Disick to Host Pentagon City Restaurant Grand Opening

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 4, 2017 at 4:45PM | Updated October 4, 2017 at 5:15PM

(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) TV personality and entrepreneur Scott Disick will host the grand opening of the Sugar Factory American Brasserie at the Pentagon City mall next week.

The new 5,500 square foot restaurant and retail store is located in a newly-expanded portion of the mall, facing S. Hayes Street. It opened to its first customers in May but is now preparing for a grand opening celebration.

Disick, 34, rose to fame on the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians and is the father of three children with ex Kourtney Kardashian. His personal life remains a source of fascination in tabloids and celebrity magazines.

Sugar Factory sells celebrity-endorsed sweets and seats up to 200 people in its restaurant, which serves a wide variety of signature cocktails alongside mostly standard issue American fare.

The grand opening event will take place Thursday, Oct. 12 from 6-10 p.m. Dinner reservations are available by calling 703-258-3374 or online through OpenTable.

Courtesy photo

Aquatic Center Design Finalists to be Unveiled

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 3, 2017 at 2:15PM | Updated October 3, 2017 at 4:12PM

The county soon will let the public see its four design concept finalists for the new Long Bridge Park Aquatic and Fitness Center and park expansion.

The designs will be unveiled at an event on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 7-10 p.m. at 2011 Crystal Drive, on the 11th floor.

Visitors can watch presentations, ask questions and give feedback about the concepts. Refreshments will be served and free underground parking is available.

Anyone who can’t attend the unveiling event can give feedback online or at Courthouse Plaza (2100 Clarendon Blvd.) from Oct. 19-27.

Earlier this year, the county announced it would move forward with the $63+ million aquatic center and park expansion project after years of delays, which were largely caused by cost concerns. Phase one of the Long Bridge Park project was completed in 2011.

Disclosure: Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation is an ARLnow.com advertiser

Arlington Agenda: October 2-8

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 2, 2017 at 3:45PM

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

Arlington Home Buyer Class
Orange Line Living (1600 Wilson Blvd. #101)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

A comprehensive class highlighting what you need to know to buy a home. Learn terminology, what happens at each stage of the transaction, strategies for negotiating a purchase price and the types of loans available. Admission is free.

Tuesday

Pumpkin Patch
Arlington Forest United Methodist (4701 Arlington Blvd.)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

The church will bring pumpkins to its property for visitors to purchase during the month of October.

Thursday

Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit 2017*
George Mason University Founders’ Hall (3351 N. Fairfax Drive)
Time: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. on Oct. 6

The two-day summit to celebrate urban agriculture will keep with the theme “Reconnecting our Urban and Rural Communities.” Activities include conversations, workshops, tours, exhibits and good food.

Celebration of the Arts in Arlington
NRECA (4301 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

Citizens group “Embracing Arlington Arts” encourages attendees to don art-themed costumes during the celebration of arts. Festivities include food, drinks, music and special appearances, including Master of Ceremonies Remy Munasifi (the Arlington Rap Guy). All net proceeds will be donated to Arlington Independent Media.

The Invincible Czars Present Nosferatu
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Austin-based band The Invincible Czars bring a modern score to the 1922 silent film Nosferatu using a mix of acoustic and electric instruments. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the Halloween season.

Saturday

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

Food, rides, bounces, face painting and games for the kids. Cake walk, live entertainment and beer garden for the adults. Participate in raffles and silent auction for local restaurants, services, family fun and more. Admission is free.

3rd Annual Columbia Pike Fall Fest*
South Adams Street at Columbia Pike
Time: 2-7 p.m.

Enjoy tastes from Columbia Pike restaurants as well as wine and beer. Musical performances will entertain visitors of all ages, while kids and pets can enjoy special areas. $20 for adults (includes two full-size beers or wine), $10 for children, free for children 11 and under.

Sunday

Howl O’ Ween Walk to the Rescue*
Bluemont Park (601 N. Manchester Street)
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Raise money for animal welfare and rescue groups. Fun, games and prizes for the whole family, plus a pet costume contest.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Halloween Bar Crawl Returns to Clarendon

By Katie Pyzyk

Published September 29, 2017 at 2:00PM

The annual Clarendon Halloween Crawl is back for another year, sporting the familiar theme “The Rise of the Day Drinkers.”

The costumed event takes participants to numerous Clarendon bars from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday, November 4. Advance tickets are $15 and the price increases to $30 the day of the event.

Participants get “a souvenir haunted mug, access to Clarendon’s best bars, exclusive drink & food specials, free pictures of the event and a raffle entry to win great prizes,” according to the website.

Nearly a dozen Clarendon establishments will be stops on the crawl route, including Clarendon Grill, Hunan One, Whitlow’s and Pamplona.

Farewell Bash for Iota’s Final Day in Business

By Katie Pyzyk

Published September 29, 2017 at 1:00PM | Updated September 29, 2017 at 1:49PM

After more than 23 years of bringing live music to Arlington, Iota Club and Cafe in Clarendon will close for good this weekend. But not before a farewell bash on Saturday, jam-packed with music.

Starting at noon tomorrow, the venue will host more than a dozen performers. Tickets are listed at $10 and can be purchased at the door. Iota’s website lists the following line-up of performers:

JOSE MIGUEL CONTRERAS
(OF BY DIVINE RIGHT)
~LAST PERFORMER~
JUSTIN JONES

EL QUATRO

ALEX PAREZ

TWO TON TWIG

NO SECOND TROY

MIKE FERRIO
(OF TANDY)

LAUREN CALVE

JUMPIN JUPITER

THE COWARDS CHOIR

MARY BATTIATA AND LITTLE PINK

DELARCOS

GIST

METROSONGS

FUZZ QUEEN

MARGOT MACDONALD

A sign on the door at Iota shows that the venue will also be open on Sunday from noon until 8 p.m., for “beer/wine sales on/off premises and other stuff.”

Posters on the outside of the building list the performers Iota has hosted over the years.

Earlier this month, Iota owners Jane Negrey Inge and Stephen V. Negrey announced that they would close the venue when their lease expires on Sept. 30 rather than relocate during a planned revamp of the Market Common development.

Following a “Save Iota” campaign, Market Common owner Regency Centers promised that Iota would not be demolished during the refurbishment. However, Inge and Negrey decided to close rather than temporarily relocating the club during renovations and then paying higher rent upon returning to the old space in Clarendon.

Animal Welfare League to Host ‘Pints 4 Paws’ Beer Festival

By Chris Teale

Published September 27, 2017 at 2:30PM

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will host its second annual “Pints 4 Paws” beer festival next month.

The festival, from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 at Courthouse Plaza (2040 15th Street N.) will have unlimited craft beer tastings, food trucks and vendors offering animal-related goods and services.

Also included: a costume contest for dogs, with prizes including a stay at the Healthy Hound Playground, dog clothing from Winthrop Clothing Co. and tickets to an Ale & Asana yoga class with Beth Wolfe. Attendees can also play with some adoptable AWLA dogs.

Tickets cost $35 online and $40 on the door, with admission costing $10 for designated drivers and non-drinkers. Children under 12 are admitted for free. An option is also available for those who cannot attend to donate online. All proceeds from the event will benefit AWLA.

“What better way to celebrate the glory of autumn (cool temps, clear skies, hint of wood smoke in the air) AND support homeless animals?” organizers wrote.

Police to Host Three ‘National Coffee with a Cop Day’ Events Next Week

By Chris Teale

Published September 26, 2017 at 4:30PM

The Arlington County Police Department will participate in “National Coffee with a Cop Day” next week with an event in each of the county’s three police districts.

Officers will be on hand on Wednesday, October 4 to get to know community members, answer questions and listen to concerns.

“The Arlington County Police Department is committed to engaging with those we serve and effectively communicating to ensure the public’s trust,” organizers wrote. “Whether you live, work, or visit Arlington County, we hope you’ll join us to build strong community-based partnerships one cup of coffee at a time.”

The events will be held at the following locations:

Starbucks at Lee Heights (4526 Lee Highway): 9-11 a.m.
Starbucks at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street): 4-6 p.m.
Best Buns Bread Company at Shirlington Village (4010 Campbell Ave): 4-6 p.m.

Four Mile Run Valley to Host First Ever ‘Valley Fest’

By Chris Teale

Published September 26, 2017 at 10:30AM

A new street festival this fall will celebrate the Four Mile Run Valley’s businesses and artists.

“Valley Fest” is set for Sunday, November 5 from 12-5 p.m. on S. Oakland Street, and will include live music, local art on display and food trucks.

New District Brewing Company (2709 S. Oakland Street) is also offering two packages that include commemorative Valley Fest cups and beer tasting tickets.

Admission is free, and entrance to the festival is available from S. Oakland Street’s intersection with S. Four Mile Run Drive in the north, and from next to the Shirlington Dog Park in the south.