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Make DC Bike Ride Your Favorite Spring Tradition

DC Bike Ride is the region’s only car-free, closed-road bike event and celebration of life on two wheels. We invite you to join the ride on Saturday, May 19 for a fun, recreational, family-friendly bicycle adventure.

Save $10 off standard registration when you use promo code ARLBIKE18 by April 1 at www.dcbikeride.com/arl.

Registration prices increase on Sunday, April 1. Kids ages 3 to 7 are always free and youth ages 8 to 17 are always half-price.

Watch our 2018 video to learn more about the event.

DC Bike Ride celebrates bicycling as a form of healthy living, fitness, transportation and fun. The event raises support for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s work on Vision Zero, a campaign to make streets safer for all roadway users. The event has committed more than $100,000 in support over three years to WABA for street safety neighborhood programs.

Participants will receive access to the closed-road course that starts in West Potomac Park overlooking the Potomac River and the Washington Monument. The 20-mile ride will feature on-course entertainment, music and rest stops, as well as a short-cut to the finish that offers a 7-mile course (in case you get tired).

The ride ends with a Finish Festival party with beats, eats and activities for all-ages at the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol. DC’s legendary go-go band Trouble Funk and DJ Little Bacon Bear will be performing at the festival. Participants also get a DCBR 2018 water bottle.

No bike? No problem! We partner with Bike and Roll DC to bring you easy bike rentals. Find us on social: @dcbikeride on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Make DC Bike Ride your favorite springtime activity and join the ride today.

Sprynt Returns to Arlington in April With Expanded Service Area

Spring weather will soon catch up to the start of the season, which means people will be up for visiting new restaurants, shops, music venues and other entertainment options that Arlington has to offer.

For business owners, Sprynt provides innovative ways to advertise and literally drives customers to your location.

The overwhelming majority of Sprynt’s rider base consists of tech — savvy millennials with enough discretionary income to splurge every now and then. More than 13,000 people along the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor have downloaded the app, which introduces them to new places through advertisements, deals, coupons and other offers they can’t resist.

Beginning in 2018, advertisers now have the ability to reach Sprynt’s rider base via mobile push notifications, an invaluable marketing tool that is rarely ignored by recipients, unlike emails, banner ads and direct mail.

Sprynt is also introducing new ways for riders to engage with businesses during each of its 5,000+ rides per month. The interactive in — vehicle iPad advertising platform may now be supplemented with takeaway brochures, free product sample distribution and giveaways such as branded water.

Businesses will continue to have the opportunity to wrap Sprynt’s attention — grabbing vehicles, effectively allowing advertisers to reach pedestrians and on — lookers in the downtown Arlington community.

The Company has several exciting changes in store for riders as well, including a highly-anticipated expansion “down the hill” into the booming Rosslyn neighborhood. Sprynt will return for the Spring season on April 2, at which time riders may once again fire up the Sprynt app and begin requesting their free, on — demand rides around downtown Arlington.

Businesses interested in advertising with Sprynt are encouraged to visit their website (www.SpryntNow.com), which contains its media kit and a full list of advertising opportunities to meet any budget. Find out which option works best for your business as Spring kicks into gear!

Rethink Energy: What You Can Know With Snow

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It may be spring, but snow cometh! What can you know with snow? Try this!

As snow falls, keep an eye on your roof and the roofs of surrounding homes. Even a little snow can tell a lot about the energy efficiency of a home.

As snow melts, you may be able to identify issues in your home. Fast-melting roof snow can be a symptom of inadequate insulation.

Not all areas of missing snow are indications of energy issues. Hone your eye by taking note of tree limbs over a home, high winds and areas where direct sun may create funky patterns on a roof.

Nevertheless, watching snow patterns on the roof is a quick way to take inventory of what might be happening in your home.

Arlington’s Home Energy Rebates are available through June 18. Time is limited to insulate your home for year-round comfort or upgrade to a more efficient water heater, heating or cooling system!

Completed projects and rebate applications must be submitted by June 18.

Stay warm, stay safe and keep an eye on your roof. It might be trying to tell you something.

Arlington Youth Have Access to State-of-the-Art Media Training in Clarendon

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Much has been written about youth and their media consumption. In Arlington, they have an opportunity to be something more than just consumers — they can become media creators and generate their own high quality content.

Arlington Independent Media (AIM) has offered media training to the community since 1982. In addition to adult and teen programs, AIM offers spring break and summer camps for children as young as eight.

AIM’s Media Production camps are for youth ages 8-13.  Working with expert instructors and media professionals, participants will develop story ideas, write scripts, shoot footage, record audio, act in and edit their own short productions.  In the process, they will be introduced to the basic concepts of media literacy and critical thinking.

All camp sessions run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and take place at AIM’s facility in Clarendon.

iPad Movie and Animation Camp

In this one week camp, students learn iPad movie making, stop motion animation and sound effect production while they create several short works.

Spring Break Session — March 26-30
Summer Session — August 6-10

Cost — $299.00

Summer Movie Camps

In this two-week camp, students learn to use professional equipment and work together to develop a story idea, and write, plan, shoot and edit a production that will premiere on the final day of camp.

Session 1 — June 25-July 6
Session 2 — July 9-July 20
Session 3 — July 23-August 3

Cost – $599.00

Radio Production Camp

Campers learn basic audio production, sound effect recording and on-air DJ-ing to create several live and pre-recorded radio programs for air on WERA 96.7FM including a scripted radio play with live Foley sound effects.

Summer Session — August 13-17

Cost — $299.00

For more information, visit www.ArlingtonMedia.org, or phone 703-524-2388.

Modern Condo Living in Del Ray to Be Unveiled at March Grand Opening

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Del Ray Place will unveil designs for its highly anticipated new condominium residences at a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, March 22, at nearby Junction Bakery & Bistro.

Grand opening attendees will have the first chances to view never-before-seen floorplans and to schedule a private appointment to purchase their residence at limited-time Grand Opening pricing. They will also enjoy food and drinks at one of Del Ray’s most popular restaurants

To RSVP and receive additional details, interested home shoppers can register as VIPs at DelRayVA.com. Junction Bakery & Bistro is located at 1508 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va. 

Rising up at 1800 Mount Vernon Ave., Del Ray Place will feature 49 modern one- and two-bedroom residences set along the neighborhood’s central thoroughfare. With subtle art deco accents, the building has been tastefully designed to reflect all the color and character of the surrounding community.

Built by Brookfield Residential — “The Mid-Atlantic’s Most Innovative Homebuilder” — each residence will feature a spacious, open floorplan, voice-enabled Smart Home automation and luxurious contemporary styling. Private balconies are available with select residences. Pricing starts from the mid $300’s.

When you live at Del Ray Place, you’ll step out and have access to all your treasured places and new favorites you’ve yet to discover. A seemingly endless variety of local businesses and community events are incredibly close. And you’ll be just 10 minutes from Old Town and 15 minutes from Washington, D.C.

After the Grand Opening, home shoppers can meet with a sales manager at the Del Ray Place Sales Gallery, located just down the street at 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Suite 206. For more information, visit DelRayVA.com.

Say Yes to Your Creativity: Four Reasons to Start Doing Improv

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Be spontaneous — do something fun for yourself today and jump into a class at Washington Improv Theater. Folks from all over the DMV take WIT’s improv classes for all sorts of reasons.

Washington Improv Theater is DC’s oldest and only nonprofit improv theater. Chances are you know at least one person who has taken (and loved!) our Foundations of Improv class.

Here are four reasons to get off the fence about taking a WIT class:

1. Meet new people (outside the bar scene) — WIT students come from all walks of life — but they all come to improv with open minds, daring to try something new. Abandon your iPhone and share face-to-face laughs with a dozen strangers who will quickly become friends.

One student told us “you make instant friends, and you push yourself in ways that you might not initially believe possible.”

2. Unlock your creative potential — Everyone has untapped creativity — unleash yours with one of our eight-week classes. A testimonial: “You get to exercise your imagination in a way that most adults don’t get to do on a regular basis.”

3. Find yourself – without having to scale Mt. Everest — From the way you communicate in your relationships to learning about the choices you make in life, improv spurs personal breakthroughs. Learn how you can change your life when you eradicate the word “no” from your day-to-day. 

4. Up your game at work — Show your boss you’re taking your skills to the next level. Improv gives you the confidence to speak up, the positivity to collaborate, and clarity to communicate — it’s the best and most versatile professional development ever!. (Side note: You can also bring us to your office for a WIT@Work training.)

Get off the fence — spring session starts March 26! A couple hours a week with WIT can change your whole perspective!

Free Home Buying Workshop to be Held in Rosslyn March 19 and 26

The first 3 to register and attend the class get a FREE Google Chromecast!

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living and learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase.

How do I factor condo fees into my new home budget?

Learn More About Home Buying Essentials at Arlington’s Free Home Buying Workshop

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process — there’s more to know than you’d think.

The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions.

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • AND the first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast!

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

  • When: Monday, March 19 and Monday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Where: Orange Line Living, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101, Arlington, VA 22209
  • Cost: Free
  • Parking: Validated Parking or Free Street Parking
  • Food: Wine and Cheese
  • Contact: [email protected] or call 571-969-7653

Space is limited so be sure to register at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

March 19: A Conversation with Martina Navratilova at Mercatus Center

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Martina Navratilova — record-setting tennis player, communist defector, author, and activist — will join Tyler Cowen at George Mason University’s Arlington campus for a wide-ranging dialogue as part of the Mercatus Center’s Conversations with Tyler series. The conversation is free of charge and open to the public.

Click here to register

Born in Prague, Martina Navratilova began playing tennis at 7 years old and won her first singles title in Orlando, Florida, 10 years later.

As her tennis career ramped up outside the borders of Czechoslovakia, officials in her native country began pressuring her to “behave,” warning her that she would not be granted travel visas if she continued fraternizing with tennis players from other countries or becoming too “Americanized.”

Navratilova, a teenager at the time, began to feel a threat to her tennis aspirations and took the most courageous action of her career.  At the age of 18, she defected to the United States, leaving behind her family and native country to pursue her dreams.

Navratilova’s sacrifice paid off. Despite backlash from being one of the first professional athletes to come out as gay, she won the Wimbledon women’s singles title a record nine times.

In all, Navratilova has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles (an all-time record) and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles; in total, she has won 59 Grand Slam titles.  She continues to play at all the Grand Slams where she takes part in the legends doubles.

A dedicated activist, Navratilova believes that speaking out about political and social issues is a way to give back to the country that gave her so much. While she has involved herself with many charities and causes, she has been especially outspoken about issues that hit closest to home: communism and gay rights.

Navratilova’s activism and depth of thinking make her a prime candidate for the Conversations with Tyler series, which featured basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2016.

In the series, George Mason economist Tyler Cowen talks to some of today’s most underrated thinkers about everything and anything. More recent guests include Malcolm Gladwell, Larry Summers, and Atul Gawande.

Click here to register for the conversation with Martina Navratilova

Ideas2Executables: Turning Inspiration into Reality

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When Ashlee Trempus was studying to be an American Sign Language interpreter, she found herself frustrated with the lack of access to deaf individuals with whom to practice.

She turned this frustration into inspiration and set out on a path to build a platform to address this problem. But not being a developer, she knew right away she would need a partner who could help turn her idea into reality.

Which is exactly what Arlington-based Ideas2Excecutables does. Walking Trempus through the software development process, Ben Simon used her vision and direction to help her realize her goal of creating a virtual language immersion program to connect those learning sign language with deaf “Ambassadors.” Now SignOn is an award-winning web-based application that is connecting the hearing and deaf communities.

“We have been helping entrepreneurs like Ashlee, as well as larger organizations, take their software ideas from the back of a napkin to reality for over 10 years,” says Simon who runs the company with his wife, Shira. “We’ve written software powering a wide variety of ideas, including designing custom features for a leading tech blog, medical imaging software and visitation software for correctional facilities. That one was really interesting.”

Clients come to the Simons with questions, lots of questions, which is how they like it, particularly with local clients. “We love sitting down with customers to work through their concept in real time,” he says. “Rather than go back and forth over email, we can be much more productive over a cup of tea and a bagel.”

“Being able to meet face-to-face increases the success of your project,” he said. “Regardless of what you want to build in the software development space, communication is king, and nothing beats in person meetings to get the specific nuances of your idea exactly right.”

If you’ve been pondering any of the following, send an email or give them a call today ([email protected] ; (703) 688-3084):

  • I have an idea for software, where should I start?
  • Should I use pre-built software or build custom?
  • How do I protect my idea and keep it from getting stolen?
  • I have an idea to help my business run smoother, is that something you can help with?
  • I’m considering outsourcing my project overseas?  What do I need to consider?

Ideas2Executables offers free consultations.

Play Spring Social Sports in Arlington with DC Fray

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. If you want to live your best life this spring, don’t miss your chance to sign up for social sports in Arlington with DC Fray.

DC Fray is on a mission to make fun possible and registration for spring social sports leagues in Arlington is open now through March 27. There are over 15 Arlington leagues to choose from, including kickball, dodgeball, basketball, skeeball, cornhole, yoga and more. Each league also partners with cool local Arlington bars for after-game happy hours!

You can sign up as an individual, small group or full team, so register with your friends, or come make new ones.

Need convincing to join a DC Fray league? Here are 5 (of the many) reasons: social sports are a must for anyone who lives in the D.C. area.

  1. It’s camaraderie over competition. Winning is fun, but DC Fray is all about making new friends and building relationships.
  2. Get more than just a sports league. Yeah, there are 18 leagues that bring you on-the-field action every week, but you’ll also get post-game happy hours, player parties and other perks for playing.
  3. You can stay active without hitting the gym. You can pay a lot of money each month to workout alone, or you can pay a lot less money to stay in shape by playing your favorite activity with friends.
  4. You’ll spend less time living for the weekend. Why wait until Friday to have fun? Weeknight leagues help break up your same old routine by giving you a fun night with friends to look forward during the work week.
  5. Teammates can turn into friends or lovers. Just ask the hundreds of people who still hang out with people from a dodgeball squad they played on 10 years ago or met their partner playing kickball on the National Mall.

DC Fray spring registration is open through Tuesday, March 27. Visit dcfray.com/leagues to find a league in your Arlington neighborhood. Join us and let’s play!

Arlington Developers to Address the State of the Arlington Market on March 8

What is the future of retail in Arlington?

The county has seen dozens of restaurants close their doors in recent years, but major redevelopments along the corridor could breathe new life into its struggling dining scene. Bisnow’s Future of Arlington County will explore the issue further.

Since Regency Centers acquired Market Common Clarendon in spring 2016, two of the restaurants in the development have closed. Regency Centers is working to re-lease the retail center as the REIT prepares to launch a $50M-plus redevelopment of the property. They are being very selective with restaurant operators, and limiting the second-level space to non-food users, such as fitness studio Barre3.

Beyond Market Common, at least 10 other Clarendon restaurants have closed since 2016. Restaurateur Scott Parker, who co-owns Clarendon’s Don Tito and The G.O.A.T, said he has been surprised to see the string of recent closings. But Parker said he still has a strong outlook on Clarendon’s future, given its nightlife atmosphere and popularity with millennials.

Ballston has also experienced a large string of restaurant closings over the last two years. However, Forest City is preparing to deliver its $330M overhaul of the Ballston Common Mall, rebranding it as Ballston Quarter.

The development will feature four experiential retail concepts, including a Punch Bowl Social, live-action entertainment venue 5 Wits and recreational culinary school Cookology. Forest City Senior Vice President Will Voegele believes bringing all of these concepts together will create a regional destination that will benefit the entire Ballston neighborhood.

“I truly believe in a couple years, Ballston is going to be maybe the hotspot of the Orange Line,” said Parker. “I do deeply believe it’s going to be [the] next big thing. I think they’re going to knock it out of the park and I think people are going to be blown away by how busy Ballston gets and the type of hub it becomes in the next couple years.”

Will these redevelopments save Arlington’s retail? Find out at Bisnow’s Future of Arlington County on March 8!

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