Perhaps sensing that a mascot who talks to children while wearing a trench coat with nothing underneath is a bit suspect, the new McGruff now sports a shirt and tie, along with less frumpy-looking slacks and shoes.
In addition to a new look, McGruff has a new mission: to help prevent bullying. And who better to talk about bullying than someone who got punched in the face by a Metrobus driver?
Two days after reporting that Buffalo Wild Wings will be bringing some nightlife to Crystal City, we can report that D.C. pizza chain Pizza Autentica will be one of BW3’s new neighbors.
Pizza Autentica, run by prolific casual restaurateur Hakan Ilhan, has leased a space in the same building at 23rd Street and Crystal Drive as Buffalo Wild Wings. In downtown D.C., Pizza Autentica is primarily a lunchtime destination. There’s no word so far whether this new location will also serve a nighttime crowd.
They may have found just the right place.
Buffalo Wild Wings has just signed a lease for a currently-unoccupied retail space across from Jaleo at 23rd Street and Crystal Drive. The popular beer-wings-and-sports joint should attract quite a crowd.
On Saturday, the 13th annual Clarendon Cup will feature races by amateur and professional cyclists. The amateur races will take place between 8:oo and 10:00 a.m. The Women’s Elite Race follows, with the Men’s Pro Race taking place between noon and 2:15 p.m.
On Sunday the action moves to Crystal City. There will be a non-competitive Crystal Ride for cycling enthusiasts of all abilities, from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. The Men’s Pro Race will depart from the Air Force Memorial at 11:30 a.m. The Women’s Elite Race and a Amateur race will follow. A bike expo will be held in Crystal City throughout the festivities.
Star Trek, featuring the swashbuckling William Shatner and measured voice-of-reason Leonard Nimoy, was the first film shown as part of Crystal City’s Star Trek-themed, summer-long outdoor film festival.
Each installment of the Star Trek series plays Monday evenings at dusk in chronological order, which means next week will spotlight the 1982 classic Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan*.
Thousands of motorcyclists have flocked to the area for the annual Rolling Thunder “Ride For Freedom.” In addition to raising awareness to POW/MIA concerns, the bikers are also here to have some fun.
The epicenter for post-ride fun seems to be Crystal City’s Hyatt and Hilton hotels. Between blocking off part of the street to facilitate an impromptu Electric Slide line dance, chugging koozie-concealed beers and grabbing a bite to eat at the Chili’s outdoor patio, it’s like a big block party for those with Harleys and leather vests.
Crystal City dwellers may soon have another place to enjoy a bite and a beer outside. Hamburger Hamlet (1601 Crystal Drive), a long-time resident of the Crystal City Underground, is looking to expand its presence beyond its darkened front windows.
The restaurant, which brought in new management last year, has asked the county to allow it to knock down the trees and shrubs in front of the restaurant in order to build a small sidewalk patio with four or five tables. It’s also seeking permission to install new outdoor signage.
At some point this afternoon the sun broke free of the clouds and the temperature climbed from the lower 70s to near 80. In Crystal City, that was plenty of motivation for people to leave their offices and peruse the offerings at the Crystal City Freshfarm market.
Held every Tuesday (in season) from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Crystal Drive, the market features about 20 local farmers and producers who bring together seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, container plants and herbs, farm-raised eggs, all-natural meats, cheeses, artisan soaps, and more.
Glencarlyn Library Closed This Week — The Glencarlyn library will be closed tomorrow through Friday for repairs to the library’s 50 year old water pipes. The bookdrop will remain open.
Tax Holiday for Emergency Supplies — Starting tomorrow, Virginia is holding a tax holiday for emergency hurricane preparedness supplies. So stock up on batteries, bungie cords, bottled water and anything else you may need in the event of the near-perfect storm.
About 500 enlisted employees, DoD civilians and contract workers showed up at the Crystal Gateway Marriott to find alternatives to moving to out-of-state bases or commuting to traffic-clogged exurbs. The moves are mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closing Act, which will result in the closing of dozens of government offices and the loss of about 17,000 jobs in Arlington by next September.
The job fair attendees shared two common traits: they all like their current job and they all want to stay here.
Arlington will host three gathering points, or “pit stops,” for Bike to Work Day, which is an opportunity for regular bike commuters and curious car devotees to get together and ride into D.C. en masse. The pit stops include Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway), the Crystal City Water Park (1750 Crystal Drive) and Conte’s Bike Shop in Ballston (3924 Wilson Boulevard).
Participants are asked to register here.
After a short time the suspect left the building and headed south on Eads Street. No one was hurt.
When police arrived, however, they believed the man may have still been in the hotel. In a tense scene, officers surrounded the front of the building with shotguns and handguns drawn.
