Christmas | ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2012 at 1:25PM | Updated November 30, 2012 at 10:38PM

Editor’s Note: This sponsored column is written by Nick Anderson, beermonger at Arrowine (4508 Lee Highway)

There is a subset of beer fans out there who really, really like Christmas Ales. Cinnamon and nutmeg abound in holiday-themed beers packaged with festive labels that often go out of their way to twist the season. The problem is that far too many Christmas Ales are too heavy with the yuletide spicy cheer. So which holiday beer do you pick for your celebration? Here are some of my favorites:

Events

Today’s Featured Events

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2012 at 6:00AM

Starting today, ARLnow.com will be highlighting select events from our event calendar. This is the first of what will eventually be daily “featured event” listings. Submit your event to the calendar here.

Symphony Orchestra of Arlington Family Holiday Concert — Saturday, Dec. 8 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. — The Symphony Orchestra of Arlington (SOA) will present its “Family Holiday Concert” at the beautiful Arlington Temple United Methodist Church. Tickets are now on sale — $15 for adults and $10 for age 12 and under. Purchases are available online at www.symphonyorchestraofarlington.com or at the box office by calling (804)-322-9328.

Events

Shirlington to Light Up Tonight Despite Dreary Weather

By ARLnow.com

Published November 27, 2012 at 3:10PM

Shirlington Village said the event will go on despite the inclement conditions via its Twitter account. The light-up ceremony is expected to feature live holiday music from The Lovejoy Group, photos with Santa, face painting, balloon twisting, strolling entertainment and horse and carriage rides (with a non-perishable donation to the Arlington Food Assistance Center).

There will also be specials and promotions at Shirlington Village merchants, including free coffee or apple cider at Busboys and Poets, and free kids meals (with an adult entrée) at Capitol City Brewing Company.

Around Town

Musical Holiday Light Display Benefits AWLA

By ARLnow.com

Published November 27, 2012 at 11:55AM

Tom and Jo Straub have prided themselves on their elaborate Christmas light display for years. Only recently have they started using it to raise money for a good cause.

The couple has transformed the front yard of their Leeway Overlee area house, located at 5612 24th Street N., into a “dancing” light show synchronized to 15 of their favorite Christmas songs.

Around Town

Optimist Club Christmas Tree Sale Begins Saturday

By ARLnow.com

Published November 21, 2012 at 3:55PM | Updated November 22, 2012 at 11:27AM

The annual Optimist Club of Arlington Christmas tree sale begins Saturday.

The trees arrived on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo bank lot near the corner of Lee Highway and Glebe Road. Volunteers offloaded the trees from tractor trailers, sending the unmistakable holiday smell of fresh Christmas trees wafting across the immediate area.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 13, 2012 at 9:05AM

Veterans Day Ceremony in Clarendon — Local VFW and American Legion posts jointly organized a Veterans Day ceremony at the Clarendon War Memorial on Sunday. At the annual remembrance ceremony a wreath was laid for Lance Cpl. Niall Coti-Sears, who was killed in Afghanistan this year. [MyFoxDC]

Reeves Farmhouse May Be Sold — The Arlington County Board is expected to decide whether to sell the historic Reeves farmhouse, at auction, for residential use. The county had been looking for ways to save the farmhouse for public use, but rejected a proposal to use it as a learning center, apparently due to the proposal not adequately providing for the high cost of needed repairs and renovations to the house. [WAMU]

Events

Guess Who’s Coming to Town in Two Weeks?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 26, 2012 at 11:25AM

Santa Claus (Photo courtesy of Macy's)

Simon Malls says photos with Santa will begin two weeks from today, on Friday, Nov. 9, at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (1100 S. Hayes Street).

The Jolly Old Elf will be available for photos at Pentagon City mall through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. He’ll also be present for a special holiday shopping night from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, and available for photos with pets (no exotic pets, please) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Nov. 25 through Dec. 2.

News

Christmas Tree Came With Unwelcome Visitor

By ARLnow.com

Published January 13, 2012 at 10:30AM

This week’s Arlington Animal Watch blotter includes a belated but somewhat amusing holiday-related item from December.

A Westover resident got more than she bargained for when her Christmas tree came with an unwelcome visitor. From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington:

Around Town

Video: Christmas Tree Collection in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published January 6, 2012 at 10:50AM

Arlington’s Christmas annual tree collection and recycling program has begun, and the county has created a short video (above) to help residents understand how the program works.

Around Town

Christmas Tree Collection Begins Jan. 3

By ARLnow.com

Published December 27, 2011 at 1:00PM

Christmas trees will be collected from Jan. 3-17 on normal trash collection days. All stands, lights and decorations should be removed, since the trees will be ground into mulch.

“Residents are reminded to place the tree on the curb no later than 6 am on your regular trash collection day,” the county said on its trash collection website. “Residents that do not have curbside recycling service, such as those living in townhouses, apartments, or condominiums, may also bring their Christmas trees to the Solid Waste Bureau during the Christmas tree collection season. Please call 703.228.6570 to schedule an appointment between 8 am – 3 pm, Monday through Friday.”

News

Morning Poll: Will You Be Making Returns This Week?

By ARLnow.com

Published December 27, 2011 at 10:00AM

Now that Christmas has come and gone, and all the presents have been unwrapped, another holiday tradition is upon us: the rush back to stores to return unwanted or ill-fitting gifts.

The week after Christmas is traditionally a busy one for retailers as they start to take returns (and as shoppers who received gift cards start to cash them in).

Around Town

Merry Christmas from ARLnow.com

By ARLnow.com

Published December 25, 2011 at 9:54AM

ARLnow.com wishes you and yours a very merry Christmas. Since it couldn’t be a white Christmas this year, we decided to remind everybody of what Arlington looks like under a foot or two of freshly-fallen snow. The photo above was taken on Feb. 6, 2010, during the famous “Snowmaggedon” snow storm.

ARLnow.com will return for regularly-scheduled news updates on Tuesday.