Washington Capitals

Pep Rally in Ballston for Playoff-Bound Caps

By ARLnow.com

The Capitals are again headed for the playoffs, and to celebrate the team is holding a pep rally at its practice facility in Ballston.

From 10:00 this morning until the end of the team’s practice session, fans are encouraged to come to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 North Glebe Road) to “Rock the Red” and show their support. Caps announcer Wes Johnson will be there to pump up the crowd, and 106.7 The Fan’s Mike Wise Show will be broadcasting live.

There will also be t-shirt giveaways and an appearance by Slapshot, the team’s avian mascot.

The Capitals will face off against the New York Rangers tomorrow at Verizon Center, the first game of the first round of the playoffs.

Remy Releases New Music Video: “I’m a Caps Fan”

By ARLnow.com



Arlington rapper Remy Munasifi is out with a new music video.

“I’m a Caps Fan” is Remy’s humorous take on Capitals fandom. Much of the video appears to have been filmed in the comedian’s Clarendon apartment which, coincidentally, is not too far from the Caps practice facility in Ballston.

The video was “produced exclusively for Comcast SportsNet.”

Weekend Event Roundup

By ARLnow.com

If you’re staying in town for Columbus Day weekend, consider yourself lucky. The forecast calls for perfect warm and sunny weather, and there’s plenty of events around town to keep one busy.

Tonight, we already told you about the Capitals Rock the Red Season Opening Party at The Front Page in Ballston.

Tomorrow, you already know about the Burst @ Artisphere event, presented by Pink Line Project and Brightest Young Things.

You may not know about the Arlington History Bike Tour, a “leisurely” 23-mile ride past some of the notable historic points in Arlington.

Two notable events taking place just outside Arlington on Saturday may be of interest. Rustico in Alexandria will be holding its annual Oktobeerfest from noon to 6:00 p.m. — which may of interest to Ballston residents who are waiting with bated breath for Rustico Ballston to open (as soon as Oct. 25, we’re told).

On Saturday night, the Friends of the David M. Brown Planetarium will be holding a benefit concert at the State Theater in Falls Church. Cobra Collective will headline the show.

Finally, on Sunday, Artisphere will hold its grand opening. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed by a free open house featuring music performances and art installations. An open house will also be held on Monday.

Happy Columbus Day!

Caps Kick Off New Season Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s hometown professional sports team is kicking off a new season tonight.

The Washington Capitals will take on the Thrashers in Atlanta starting at 7:30 p.m.

A number of local bars are showing the game, but The Front Page in Ballston (4201 Wilson Blvd) is going all out. They’re hosting a Rock the Red Season Opening Party starting at 5:00. The event will feature a raffle for a pair of tickets to Saturday’s home opener at the Verizon Center.

As always, hard core fans can catch Caps practices at Kettler Capitals Iceplex — “presumably the only NHL practice rink built on top of a parking structure” — during the season. See a list of practice times on the Capitals web site.

Celebrities, They Get Traffic Tickets Just Like Us

By ARLnow.com

Feeling down because you just got lit up by one of Arlington County’s finest for making an illegal right turn on red? Don’t worry, you’re in good company.

Even the rich, influential and famous get traffic tickets in Arlington County. And it seems there’s no limit to how small the infraction or how well-known the offender.

The good doctor Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams — yes, the guy who  Robin Williams portrayed in a movie — was stopped for going 44 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone last December. Dr. Adams, a north Arlington resident who travels the world dressed as a clown to bring joy to sick children, paid the fine a week later.

Washington Capitals players practice and often live in Arlington. Thus it’s not surprise that a few players have had their sweet rides stopped by Johnny Law.

Earlier this year Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom was stopped for “failure to obtain a county decal within 30 days.” Charges were eventually dropped.

Two years ago another Caps forward, Alexander Semin, was stopped for having no front license plate, an unlawful window tint, and a child restraint violation. Earlier this year, he was stopped again for having no front plate.

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Caps Donate Hockey Gear to Injured Vets

By ARLnow.com

Two dozen injured veterans took to the ice for a clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston yesterday, part of an event that also featured a donation of hockey equipment to the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program.

Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr and Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods were among the team representatives on hand. The donation was sponsored by the Caps, the NHL and Verizon Wireless.

Screen capture via Washington Capitals.

To Do This Weekend: Caps Fan Fest & Colombia National Day

By ARLnow.com

On a humid, 90 degree day, a trip to Ballston to celebrate a sport that’s played on ice could make for a nice diversion. If you agree with that statement, then Saturday’s Caps Fan Fest at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 North Glebe Road) may be for you.

The event will kick off at 8:00 a.m. with a free open skate, followed by a development camp scrimmage at 10:00. There will also be airbrush artists, face painters, moon bounce, obstacle course, street hockey and an equipment sale. Brooks Laich and “select draft picks” will be signing autographs after the scrimmage.

If hockey isn’t your thing, but eating and dancing is, you may want to check out the 22nd Colombia National Day Celebration.The event will feature Colombian folkloric dance and musical groups as well as a variety of Colombian food. Some of the performers will be flown in from Bogota and Miami for the occasion.

The celebration is taking place from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Gunston Arts Center Theater One (2700 S. Lang Street). Tickets cost $15 for anyone over the age of 12.

For more great events this weekend, check out our events calendar.