Events

Arlington Agenda: August 7-13

By Katherine Berko
Arlington Central Library

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

Mosquitoes and Ticks: Identification and Control
Westover Library (1644 N. McKinley Road, Suite 3)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

An information session on how you can shield yourself from mosquitoes and ticks. The presentation will teach people how to identify these bugs, about their life cycles and more. It will also recommend sustainable options for backyards.

Wednesday

Family Open House *
The Sycamore School (4600 N. Fairfax Drive 3rd Floor)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Parents and their children can attend this hands-on open house with three, 30-minute “pop up” classrooms for kids to get a sense of what learning is like at The Sycamore School. Parents may also observe the classes, or ask staff any questions.

Thursday

Late Night Recess
Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 9-11:30 p.m.

A late-night library event for adults of all ages, from 18 and up. The night’s activities will include games from your youth like Twister, Nerf Tag, Bubble Wrap and Forts as well as delicious snacks such as cookies, milk and smoothies.

Saturday

Columbia Pike Movie Nights – “The War of the Roses”
Penrose Square (2503 Columbia Pike)
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Enjoy a free 1980s movie, as part of CPRO’s 30 Years: Celebrating the Great Movie of 1987 (ish). “The War of the Roses” is rated R and about the deterioration of a wealthy couple’s marriage and the divorce battle that ensues.

Sunday

Free Outdoor Concert -Lovejoy Blues Machine
Mount Olivet Church (1500 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Enjoy a picnic while also listening to the fantastic voice of Karen Lovejoy and her band. The Lovejoy Blues Machine is described as jazz with blues and Latin undertones. It’s the perfect way to relax before starting another week.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

‘Late Night Recess’ Returns to Arlington Central Library

By Katherine Berko

The annual “Late Night Recess” event is hitting the Arlington Central Library once again. This summer, it is set for Thursday, August 10, from 9-11:30 p.m.

Locals aged 20 to 39 are encouraged to attend, where they can mingle and make new friends at the library at 1015 N. Quincy Street. However, unlike previous years, the event is not limited to this age group and all adults are welcome.

“Bring your friends and your inner child for an evening of fun and games at Central Library,” the event’s web page says. “Play clothes, including sneakers or athletic shoes, are highly recommended.”

This year’s activities are likely to be remembered by many from their childhood, and include Twister, Nerf Tag, slime, face painting, hula hoops and jump rope. There will also be cookies, milk and smoothies to keep everyone’s energy levels up.

The event will begin in the library’s auditorium, but will eventually include most public areas in the building. Guests will also be able to check out books and sign up for a library card if they bring identification and proof of address.

Groups Plan to Give Away 650 Free Meals Saturday

By Brooke Giles

National nonprofit For The Love Of Others and the local chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity are hosting a free lunch for those in need this Saturday at Gunston Middle School (2700 S. Lang Street).

The goal of the event is to give out 650 meals between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in an effort to help those who struggle with food insecurity. No reservations are required.

For The Love Of Others provides food drives across the country, and participates in other giving events to “empower, enrich and enhance the lives of people from all backgrounds through providing opportunities to enable them to live a purposeful life.”

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black intercollegiate fraternity in the country, partners with organizations that are in keeping with the fraternity’s motto of “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All” — promoting brotherhood while providing service in the community.

“The fraternity stands on the motto of manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind,” said David M. Preston, a local fraternity member who is helping with the event. “We wanted to partner with an organization that has the vision and the goal of service to the community that is when we partnered with For The Love Of Others.”

Kennan Garvey Memorial Bike Ride To Be Held This Saturday

By Brooke Giles

The fourth annual Kennan Garvey Memorial Ride will take place this Saturday, August 5, starting from local nonprofit Phoenix Bikes in Barcroft Park )4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive).

Arlington County Board member Libby Garvey helps lead the event, alongside Phoenix Bikes. The ride is in honor of Garvey’s late husband, Kennan, who died of a heart attack in 2008.

He was a supporter of Phoenix Bikes, a nonprofit that aims to educate the community about biking and help make it more affordable. Libby Garvey has served on the organization’s board of directors since 2009.

The race will raise money for the Kennan Garvey Memorial Fund, which will help Phoenix Bikes move to a more permanent site. The organization is set to transition to a new facility on the first floor of the Arlington Mill Community Center later this year.

The ride is open to all ages and experience levels with five different trail routes:

  • 15-mile course: out and back along W&OD Trail from Phoenix Bikes to Bikenetic (Falls Church)
  • 40-mile course: out and back along W&OD Trail from Phoenix Bikes to Green Lizard Cycling (Herndon)
  • 60-mile course:  out and back along W&OD Trail from Phoenix Bikes to Spokes, etc. (Leesburg)
  • 90-mile course: out and back along W&OD Trail from Phoenix Bikes to Bicycles & Coffee (Purcellville)
  • 100-mile course: out and back along W&OD Trail from Phoenix Bikes to Bicycles & Coffee (Purcellville), plus portions of Arlington Loop (Custis, Mount Vernon and Four Mile Run Trails)

“You can ride for as little or as far as you like on a great bike path that Kennan and I loved and rode often. Despite the heat now, it has been fairly cool for the ride for the past three years,” Garvey wrote in an email to constituents.

The entry fee is $25, with a minimum fundraising amount of $100. Each rider is encouraged to set a $500 fundraising goal, while children that are registered with Phoenix Bikes get a complimentary entry.

Pre-registered riders will receive a boxed lunch, and all riders and volunteers will receive a free shirt. All those who meet or exceed the $500 fundraising goal will receive a prize.

Courtesy photo

Arlington County Fair Set to Begin August 16

By Brooke Giles

The Arlington County Fair will kick off on Wednesday, August 16 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Road).

For the 41st year, the county will host a variety of events for the community, including live outdoor music, a parade, fairground rides and game, food, floral and craft competitions, pig races and more.

This year’s exhibit theme is “Let’s Play,” which organizers said celebrates the “child-like joy and fun that the Arlington County Fair brings out in all of us.”

The fair’s outdoor programming begins August 16, with indoor programming beginning on Friday, August 18. The event ends August 20, with outdoor activities concluding at 10 p.m. that day. More details about the indoor offerings will be available closer to the time.

The fair’s full opening hours are as follows:

The Kids’ Court, which has various activities including a moon bounce and face painting, will be open during the following hours:

  • Friday 2-6 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Competitive exhibits for participants to show off their abilities and compete for prizes include:

  • Honey, Beeswax and Food Preservation
  • Decorated Food Products and Baked Goods
  • Art Needlework
  • Crafts and Fine Arts
  • Photography
  • Herbs, Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables
  • Flowers, Arrangements and Potted Plants

Local organizations and business can sign up to participate in the fair’s parade, which is scheduled to start at the Career Center (816 S. Walter Reed Drive) on August 19 at 10 a.m. It will travel from the Career Center and end at the fairgrounds.

There is no on-site parking at the fair, and street parking is limited to residents with permits. There are several other transportation options, including shuttle buses from the Ballston and Pentagon City Metro stations, the Career Center and the I-66 parking garage at N. Quincy Street and 15th Street N.

The fair’s live outdoor music schedule is below, after the jump.

(more…)

Police To Participate in National Night Out Events Tonight

By Brooke Giles

The Arlington County Police Department will hold National Night Out activities in neighborhoods across the county this evening (August 1).

Police will take part in a number of activities with local residents, including block parties, cookouts, safety demonstrations, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more.

National Night Out aims to better relationships between the police and the communities they patrol. Many police departments around the country participate.

“We are committed to building strong partnerships with those we protect and serve and effectively communicating to ensure the public’s trust.” said spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

“Events such as National Night Out are important because they provide us with another opportunity to interact with our community, hear about any public safety concerns they have and continue to use effective problem-solving methods to reduce and prevent crime and improve the quality of life of Arlington’s residents, visitors and businesses.”

Events will be hosted at the following locations:

  • Arlington Forest (200 block of N. Galveston Street) at 7:30 p.m.
  • Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (First Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Vermont Street) from 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Barcroft Community House (800 S. Buchanan Street) from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Cathcart Springs townhomes (4600 4th Road N.) from 6:30-7 p.m.
  • Fairlington Villages (3000 block of S. Abingdon Street) from 5-7 p.m.
  • Park Glen Condo Association (800 block of S. Arlington Mill Road) from 7-8 p.m.
  • Nauck Town Square (24th Road S. between Shirlington Road and S. Kenmore Street) from 6-8:30 p.m.

Arlington Agenda: July 31-August 6

By Brooke Giles

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.

Wednesday

National Coloring Book Day
Westover Branch Library (1644 N. McKinley Road, Suite 3)
Time: 10 a.m.-8:45 p.m.

People of all ages are invited to take a moment to celebrate National Coloring Book Day, an event aimed at adults as well as children, by relaxing and coloring. Coloring pages, colored pencils and crayons will be supplied.

Sushi-Zen Fundraiser for OAR
Sushi-Zen (2457 N. Harrison Street)
Time: 5-9:30 p.m.

Sushi-Zen celebrates its 20th anniversary by partnering with 20 charities, including Offender Aid and Restoration. Twenty percent 0f dinner proceeds at Sushi-Zen will be donated to OAR, with supporters asked to show the event flyer to their server.

Thursday

Columbia Pike Movie Nights at Arlington Mill – “Big”
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization will host a free screening of “Big” as a part of the CPRO’s “30 Years: Celebrating the Great Movies of 1987 (ish)” series, which screens films from 80s once or twice weekly.

Friday

TED Talk Screenings at The Connection Library
Connection: Crystal City Library (2100 Crystal Drive)
Time: 3-4 p.m.

The Crystal City Connection Pop Up Library will host a TED Talk screening and conversation. Talks run for less than 20 minutes and cover subjects like health care, dating, race and the environment among others. The event is for ages 13 and up.

Saturday

Journey Through the Northwest Passage *
Cherrydale Library (2190 Military Road)
Time: 2-4 p.m.

Robin S. Kent opens a photography exhibit from his travels through the Arctic Ocean near the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The opening reception lasts from 2-4 p.m. and an artist talk is scheduled from 2:30-3 p.m.

Sunday

Sunday Funday at Key Bridge Terrace
Hyatt Centric Arlington Key Bridge Terrace (1325 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 12-5 p.m.

An outdoor event featuring 10 options of $4 Flying Dog draft beers, $5 personalized mimosas and brunch food. Each draft beer purchase includes a chance to win two tickets to the Flying Dog Brewery Summer Sessions Outdoor Concert Series.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Arlington 9/11 5K Race Returns for 16th Year

By Brooke Giles

Registration is open for the 16th annual Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K, a race organized by the county’s first responders.

The race this year is taking place on Saturday, September 9. Registration is $40 and is open to teams and individuals.

The 5K was founded by three Arlington police officers: retired Capt. Matt Smith, Detective Dan Borriello and Sgt. Sean Bryson. All of the officers worked as first responders at the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

After the attacks, the group was inspired by other police 5Ks that they had participated in and decided to start their own race.

“We started with mailing applications and sending letters to the police and fire chiefs,” said Bryson. “We really got a following.”

The race is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree hotel (300 Army Navy Drive) in Pentagon City. The race route follows Army Navy Drive, S. Joyce Street, Washington Blvd, looping around the Pentagon on Route 110 before returning to the DoubleTree, where there’s an after party featuring food and drink.

Proceeds from the race are donated to three organizations that support law enforcement: the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Project Enduring Pride and the National Police Suicide Foundation. The goal is to raise $1 million over the course of 20 races. So far, the 5K has raised $650,000 in its first 15.

“This is a moment to reflect and a moment to be together. That we never forgot what happened,” said Bryson.

Registration is open through race day. All registered runners will receive a long sleeve commemorative race shirt.

KidicalMass Leading Family Bike Ride to Ice Cream Shop This Weekend

By Kalina Newman

The local chapter of KidicalMass, a national organization centered around casual community bike rides for families, will take a trip to Carvel Ice Cream this Sunday (July 30).

The organization kicks off its third annual “Kidically Summer 3.0” series of bike rides with a journey to Carvel in Virginia Square. The ride begins at 4:45 p.m. at Hayes Park (1516 N. Lincoln Street), where kids and families can cool off in its sprayground prior to the ride.

From there, cyclists will ride through the Virginia Square, Ashton Heights and Lyon Park neighborhoods on a course just over three miles long. The ride will end with ice cream at the Carvel store in Virginia Square.

According to the event description, “The route is pretty short, and as flat as they come in Arlington.” There will be stop lights at all of the major intersections and the group will travel back together from Carvel.

KidicalMass describes their bike rides as slow, short and easy with each ride no longer than four miles and going at speeds of typically six miles per hour. The group has previously hosted similar events for Father’s Day, as well as a “Junior Park Ranger Ride” along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

The group typically hosts one bike ride a month and all events are posted on its website.

Image via KidicalMass

Arlington Agenda: July 24-30

By Kalina Newman

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.

Wednesday

Small Business Roundtable *
Arlington Chamber of Commerce (2009 14th Street N., Suite 100)
Time: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly roundtable offering advice to small business owners. This month’s topic is “Growth Thinking: Putting your Unmet Customer Needs at the Center of your Growth, Innovation and Digital Agendas.”

Friday

Found Footage Festival: Cherished Gems
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2309 Columbia Pike)
Time: 8 p.m.

Comedians Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher are at the Drafthouse to deliver a comedy show full of their all-time greatest VHS finds, with newly discovered footage and updates on the people in these videotaped obscurities.

Encore Stage’s The Music Man
Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)
Time: 7:30-10 p.m.

Enjoy Meredith Willson’s six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Shows run Friday, Saturday Sunday of this week and then Thursday through Sunday of next week. Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Saturday

Columbia Pike Movie Nights — Broadcast News
Penrose Square (2503 Columbia Pike)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

This free outdoor screening of the 1980s movie “Broadcast News” will start just after sunset. The movie is rated R. In case there is inclement weather, there will be a cancellation notice on Facebook or Twitter.

Crab Boil at New District Brewing Company
New District Brewing Company (2709 S. Oakland Street)
Time: 12:30-6:30 p.m.

This event has been postponed until August 5.

 

Toastmasters Expo *
Westover Library (1644 N. McKinley Road)
Time: 1-4 p.m.

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Learn how to speak in front of an audience and gain empowering skills at this expo hosted at Westover Library.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Arlington Agenda: July 17-23

By Kalina Newman
Pamplona in Clarendon on Jan. 4 2017

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

Secrets to Success Podcast *
1776 (2231 Crystal Drive, #1000)
Time: 4-6 p.m.

The Chamber of Commerce is launching its first-ever live podcast recording. The first guest of the series is Pinkie Dent Mayfield of Graham Holdings Company. There will also be networking and food for ticket holders.

Tuesday

Understanding and Supporting Older LBGTQA Community
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

The Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) will host a special presentation for seniors in order to discuss the unique challenges dealt by older members of the LGBT community.

Wednesday

Building a Better Digital World: Adults Learn to Code
Central Library Computer Lab (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 4-5 p.m.

This is the second session of a three session series designed to help adults learn how to code. Basic computer and internet skills are a prerequisite for the program.

Thursday

Columbia Movie Nights — The Princess Bride
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 South Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

This free outdoor screening of the 80s family movie “The Princess Bride” will start just after sunset. In case there is inclement weather, there will be a cancellation notice on Facebook or Twitter.

Friday

“Intern John” Peer Pressure Comedy
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Intern John is the co-host of HOT 99.5’s The Kane Show. Now he’s on the comedy stage full of fresh material. The show is for adults aged 21 and over. There will also be a second show on Saturday night.

Saturday

Crystal City Twilighter 5K *
Crystal City Courtyard Green (2121 Crystal Drive)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Run, race and compete with friends during this annual 5K race in downtown Crystal City at dusk. Proceeds from the event will go to Doorways for Women. Specials at local restaurants will be offered following the race.

Major League Quidditch
Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.)
Time: 12-3 p.m.

The Washington Admirals host a three-game series against the Boston Night Riders as part of the national Major League Quidditch regular season. The sport is mixed gender and full contact, and is played by over 500 teams in 26 countries.

Sunday

Sundresses and Sangria Day Party
Pamplona (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 2-7 p.m.

Pamplona is hosting its signature brunch day party. Come dressed in a fancy sundress and enjoy live entertainment on the patio, pitchers of sangria and specials on frozen sangria. All are welcome.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

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