Events | ARLnow.com

Final Work Underway for Planetarium Re-Opening

Published September 11, 2012 at 11:00AM | Updated September 11, 2012 at 2:00PM

Events will take place throughout the weekend of September 28-30, beginning with a ribbon cutting on Friday (September 28) at 10:00 a.m. A “Family Day” begins at 12:30 p.m. that Saturday. Although people of all ages are welcome to attend, there will be many things aimed at children ages 3-12, including hands-on activities, art and games. Festivities will end with the Sunday Science Program at 1:00 p.m. on September 30, featuring a short talk and a activities like making ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Tours of the facility will be available both days.

Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium, the non-profit group founded more than two years ago to launch the fundraising campaign that saved the facility, is co-hosting the events with Arlington Public Schools.

Changes to Marine Corps Marathon Course in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published September 11, 2012 at 9:50AM | Updated September 11, 2012 at 10:27AM

The up-and-back loop along Crystal Drive has been eliminated for Miles 22-25. This year, as runners enter Crystal City from the 14th Street Bridge, they will continue along Army Navy Drive and turn onto 12th Street South. Then, the new route will take participants along Clark Street and 23rd Street before reaching Crystal Drive.

The changes were necessary due to construction on Crystal Drive.

Shirlington Oktoberfest to Return on Oct. 6

By ARLnow.com

Published September 10, 2012 at 4:30PM

The event, which takes over the entire Shirlington Village stretch of Campbell Avenue, will be held from noon to 7:00 p.m., rain or shine. Beer taps, however, will be switched off at 6:00 p.m.

The $25 cost of admission will get you 10 tickets for 4 oz samples of beer, along with a tasting glass. Additional tickets will be sold for $1 each with a 5 ticket minimum.

Organizers: 9-11 Memorial 5K Will Go On Rain or Shine

By ARLnow.com

Published September 8, 2012 at 3:12PM

Despite the threat of storms, organizers of the 9-11 Memorial 5K say the race will go on.

The race is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Saturday) outside the Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive). The course goes through parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City and the Pentagon reservation.

Clarendon Day Approaches, Expands Offerings

By Katie Pyzyk

Published September 6, 2012 at 10:10AM

Clarendon Day will run from 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on September 22, near the Clarendon Metro. Admission is free to attend the event, which will take place rain or shine.

The morning begins with the fourth annual 10K/5K/Kids Dash, which begins in front of Whitlow’s on Wilson (Kids Dash in front of Market Common) and takes runners on a course along the Orange Line corridor. Registration can be completed online.

Arlington Group Turns Presidential Politics into an ‘Absurd’ Opera

By ARLnow.com

Published August 30, 2012 at 1:59PM

“Photo-Op” is an hour-long opera that tells the story of a presidential candidate and his wife who “approach a political campaign with naiveté and ambition and come to realize that the campaign is a crucible from which they emerge fundamentally changed; their relationship is no longer a love match but a political alliance.”

The end result is a performance that’s about “the absurdity of modern presidential politics.” From a media release:

Amnesty International Speaker to Lead Guantanamo Discussion

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 29, 2012 at 11:15AM

The Amnesty International NOVA Cluster is hosting a discussion led by Lt. Col. Lorraine Barlett, titled “Guantanamo: An American Gulag.” Lt. Col. Barlett recently retired from the Army after 27 years of service with the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps., and served as counsel for a long-term prisoner incarcerated at Guantanamo.

Although closing Guantanamo was one of President Obama’s goals, the prison is still open and continues to fuel political disputes. Lt. Col. Barlett will speak on her views of the prison and its implications for U.S. and international law.

AFAC Plans Events for Hunger Action Month

By Katie Pyzyk

Published August 29, 2012 at 9:50AM

The main event is being called the “Hunger Challenge,” during which residents are asked to try feeding themselves on $4.03 per day. That’s the amount of assistance the average Arlington resident would receive from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Participants are asked to try the challenge all month, for a week or even just a day, in an effort to understand the difficulty some of their neighbors have with feeding themselves and their families.

“If you struggle to eat well on $28.21 per week, you’ll understand how glad AFAC clients are to be able to fill the gap in their food budget with the milk, eggs, produce, meat and other items distributed by AFAC,” said Charles Meng, AFAC’s Executive Director.

New Orleans Musicians to Perform at Bayou Bakery

By ARLnow.com

Published August 27, 2012 at 2:50PM

But if Katrina proved anything, it’s this: regardless of Isaac’s impact, New Orleans’ unique culture will remain as vibrant as ever. And part of that culture will be coming to Arlington next week.

Bayou Bakery in Courthouse (1515 N. Courthouse Road) will be hosting a “one night only” concert by a lineup of notable New Orleans jazz artists from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Ice Skating Stars Coming to Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published August 24, 2012 at 2:15PM

The event is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4:00 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road) in Ballston. Among those scheduled to perform are recognizable national skating champions like Brian Boitano, Ashley Wagner, Ryan Bradley, Kimmie Meissner, Mirai Nagasu, Michael Weiss, Steven Cousins, and Richard Dornbush.

The ice show (and a silent auction of skaters’ personal memorabilia at the event) benefits Weiss’ nonprofit, the Michael Weiss Foundation, which provides financial support for skaters with Olympic potential who need help paying for things like coaching, choreography, costumes, music editing and tutoring. The foundation is currently sponsoring 22 potential future skating stars.

Shirlington 5K to Benefit Army Quadruple Amputee

By ARLnow.com

Published August 23, 2012 at 1:00PM | Updated August 23, 2012 at 3:31PM

The 9/11 Heroes Run Shirlington, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, will feature a 5K race and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. The event is one of nearly three dozen 9/11 Heroes races around the country.

Registration for individuals is $35, while registration for a family of four is $80. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Travis Mills Fund. Sgt. Mills was the fourth quadruple amputee from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. A father and husband, Mills has been living at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he has been learning to walk on a new set of prosthetic legs.

Shirlington to Host ‘Wags n’ Whiskers’ This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published August 22, 2012 at 3:20PM

Wags n’ Whiskers, which is taking place at the Village at Shirlington on Campbell Avenue, is described as a “community-oriented event for animal enthusiasts and their four-legged friends.” The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“The afternoon animal extravaganza will feature pet adoptions from local shelters, pet contests, demonstrations, exhibitions, pet portrait photos, live music, and children’s activities including face painting, balloon animals and more,” according to a press release. “The merchants at Village at Shirlington will also host in-store specials, promotions and free giveaways.”