Located next to McCormick and Schmick’s, the new location is “officially open” after holding a “soft opening” on Tuesday, according to owner Jim Barker.
“It’s in the heart of Crystal City, in the heart of the retail district,” Barker said. “We expect that it will be a very good location for us and for Crystal City.”
Those who live in and around Crystal City questioned the noise and safety impacts of the planned Crystal City streetcar at a public forum last night (Wednesday), but many in attendance seemed generally pleased with the county’s presentation.
County officials gave a presentation explaining the current vision for the streetcar now that the planning process is underway. The six-stop transit system will connect with the Columbia Pike streetcar in Pentagon City to the north, and will go as far south as Four Mile Run, running primarily along Crystal Drive.
Free Burgers for Feds — Because the federal government shut down early this morning, Z-Burger is following through on its offer to serve free burgers for all federal and D.C. workers who have been furloughed. The local burger chain, which has a location at 3325 Wilson Blvd, near Clarendon, says customers must present a government ID to get the free burger.
Task Force Recommends More School Buses — An Arlington Public Schools task force has recommended that the school system’s bus service be expanded, at least for elementary school students. Elementary students should be supervised on their way to school, said the task force, which also said that buses are safer and produce less traffic than cars. [Sun Gazette]
The Crystal City area has the highest concentration of divorced men in Arlington, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The data comes from the bureau’s 2011 American Community Survey. The number of divorced men in each individual census tract was posted in an interactive map on Patch this afternoon.
This Saturday, Sept. 28, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Crystal City Business Improvement District will hold the Diamond Derby, a racing event in the parking garage at 2345 Crystal Drive.
There will be five races on the day, a kid’s race and a river ride that will bring cyclists from D.C. to the event, which are both free, and three competition races: the Open Challenge ($20), the Gran Prix ($20) and the team relay race ($70). All events require registration in advance. There will also be a place for the public to watch in the center of the action, an art gallery and lounge built right in the middle of the course.
Blue line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals (every 12 minutes during daytime hours, and every 15-20 minutes at other times) in two segments: between Largo Town Center and Pentagon City, and between Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road. Yellow Line trains will also operate at normal weekend intervals in two segments: between Mt. Vernon Sauare and Pentagon City, and between Huntington and Braddock Road.
Customers on the Blue and Yellow lines will need to take free shuttle buses between Pentagon City and Braddock Road while the two stations are closed. Express buses will operate non-stop between Braddock Road and Pentagon City. Customers should add up to 15 minutes of travel time. Local buses will operate between Braddock Road and Pentagon City, making intermediate stops at Reagan National Airport and Crystal City stations. Customers should add up to 20 minutes of travel time.
The event, called Zen Around the City, will be held at Mind Your Body Oasis yoga studio (1750 Crystal Drive) in Crystal City, on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. It will feature experts in cycling and yoga, a dinner and gift bags with $25 worth of memorabilia.
Zen Around the City is for women only, and includes an optional 30-minute yoga class before it starts. Once the yoga is over, attendees can expect “women-specific advice on getting around on a bike,” and a lesson on the health benefits of cycling.
Arlington County police are looking for two suspects who broke into Crystal City Sports Pub (529 23rd Street S.) and stole cash from an ATM.
On Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m., the Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K will run for the 11th year. The race starts and ends at the Double Tree Hotel in Pentagon City at 300 Army Navy Drive.
Since its first running in 2002, the 5K has raised more than $400,000 for charities affiliated with 9/11. This year, proceeds will go to Segs4Vets and Project Enduring Pride. Registration is $35 until Sept. 1, and $40 until race day. The race is limited to 4,000 participants.
Crystal Screen, the weekly showing set up by the Crystal City Business Improvement District at 1851 S. Bell Street, will wrap up tonight (Monday) with Jurassic Park. The 1993 classic is the culmination of this summer’s “Blockbusters” theme. The film will begin after sunset.
Crystal City has already announced next summer’s theme, Flight.
The Crystal City Business Improvement District teamed up with the Washington Wine Academy for the month-long wine and beer celebration, which kicks off with Wine in the Water Park on Friday, September 6. Wine in the Water Park runs every Friday in September from 6:00-10:00 p.m. at the Crystal City Water Park across from 1750 Crystal Drive. Visitors can take in live music while getting help with finding the perfect wine. Admission is free, and there is a $5 charge for beer and wine.
The celebration continues on Sunday, September 15 with Sip and Salsa, the Vintage Crystal signature event. Wines from Spain, Portugal and South America will take center stage, along with tapas from local restaurants. Attendees can participate in free salsa lessons and wine tasting classes. Sip and Salsa runs from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for food and wine or $10 for just food, and can be purchased online or at the event.
Heads Slaughter will partner with her former Olympic teammate, Kendrick Farris, to host the two-day event at her personal training studio, CH Fitness and Performance. The business is based out of the Crossfit South Arlington space at 607 S. Ball Street, just north of Crystal City.
The event sold out in two weeks back in June, according to spokeswoman Rebecca Grapsy, and will include 20 weightlifters each in two, four-hour sessions spread out over Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1. From a press release:
