Public Skate at IcePlex

I just returned from checking out the public skate session at the IcePlex in Ballston. My general impression - it is just so cool that this is in Arlington! (no pun intended on the "cool" ... ice ... get it ). It was crazy packed, holiday music was playing; it was just a great fun atmosphere.

Some details: I don't recommend these daytime public skate sessions during the holiday break. There were a kazillion kids there - which if you have kids, might be good; for me, not so good. Crowds are fun, but personally I prefer it to be more adult oriented. Kids can be fun to watch, but this was almost all kids. There are plenty of other options though including some adult only sessions - just check at the schedule at www.kettlercapitalsiceplex.com.

So, I highly recommend you checking it out. The facility is really nice and ice skating is really fun and it's just really exciting that we have this in Arlington. OK, I probably sound a little overboard here, but really it's fun.

See you on the ice!

CAPS practice?

Yesterday, after checking out the CAPS schedule online the day before, I headed over to the Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Ballston to check out their practice - free and open to the public.

Except when I got there, no one was on the ice. So, I asked the nice person at the desk and she said that practice had been cancelled that day. I suspect that had something to do with their massive collapse against the evil Penguins the night before - I don't know, just my speculation. So, I dropped my head and left.

So, that to say, two things:

1)CAPS practices are free and open to the public at Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Ballston. You can view the schedule online -times are usually around lunch so it makes a good lunch break.

2) Before heading over there, you might want call the facility first or check the website again.

All together now ... "C-A-P-S CAPS, CAPS, CAPS"

More Air Force Memorial

Ok, I know I'm probably overdosing on info about the Air Force Memorial, but I found this review at DCTraveler that I thought was pretty informative:

According to the Air Force Memorial
Foundation’s website, the three spires are intended to “invoke flight and
the flying spirit” and “represent the three core Air Force values of - integrity
first, service before self, and excellence”.
The $30 million memorial also includes a Runway to Glory, a glass “Missing Man” Contemplation Wall, which honors airmen and women who died in service to their country, as well as a bronze Air Force Honor Guard statute.

The original planned location for the memorial was about 200 meters from the Marines (Iwo Jima) Memorial, but was changed to its current location after much controversy and protests from the Marines about its proximity to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Celebrated architect James Ingo Freed, also the designer of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Ronald Reagan building in DC, designed the new memorial.

I promise, I'm going to go soon and check it out for my self - up close and personal -- and then more posts about the Air Force Memorial :-)

Two quick things

I have been so completely overwhelmed lately that I have not been getting out and doing any of the fun things going on in Arlington. My personal advice - being involved in your community and giving back is a good thing - being on two boards of directors (including treasurer of one), being volunteer coordinator of a local youth sports league, and picking up a few hours a week at a part-time job/hobby "just for fun" ... well, sometime I think you need to pick your priorities, give your all to those, and learn to say no. So, enough of my rant ...

One of my favorite monthly Arlington activities is tonight - cross-cultural cinema at Central Library. Tonight's showing is Born in to Brothels. If anyone makes it out, and would like to write a guest blog about it, I would love to have it.

And for those of you who don't already get it, the latest version of What's Up Arlington! (the e-newsletter, not the blog) is now available. In this issue - winter recreation classes, Light Up Rosslyn, Project Christmas Angel, Places to find Christmas gifts.

My early New Year's resolution - unbury myself from this mess of over commitment, and get out and enjoy more of all this great stuff going on.