Last Chance to Attend Diversity Dialogues

This Sunday, Oct 26th from 1:30 -4:30 pm at Drew Model School is your last chance to participate in the Diversity Dialogues. Did I mention Kojo Nnamdi, host of WAMU 88.5's The Kojo Nnamdi Show, will deliver opening remarks?!

I don't know what else to tell you... meet lots of interesting people, make your voice heard to County Board, School Board, and other local leaders; eat some free munchies; expand your knowledge of who lives in Arlington and what's on their mind. This is a good thing to participate in and this is your last chance!

Afterwards, take in the Village at Shirlington with some ice cream from Maggie Moo's or a beer at Cap City.

Ways to get there?
Take the W&OD trail to its end at Shirlington Rd.
Drive (but be prepared to get there early since a huge turnout is expected!)
I believe the closest bus comes from Pentagon City metro and is the Art 82 Route

A Happy Hour Debate

I have cut and pasted the Arlington relevant information from Washington Post City Guide's Going Out Gurus Blog. See entire post here.

Here is a guide to Debate watching events in Arlington

"Parties That Lean Right
Bailey's Pub and Grille (Crystal City)
Bailey's Pub and Grille seems to be the fault line of Arlington politics. The local branch of the Young Republicans will be gathered in the back room of the Crystal City sports bar, while the Democrats will be at its sister bar in Ballston. (More on that below.) An RSVP is requested to join the Republican event; admission is free and doors open at 7:30.

Parties That Lean Left
Bailey's Pub and Grille (Ballston)

The official gathering place for Arlington Democrats will play the debate on multiple TVs and feature games like buzzword bingo. Admission is free for members and $10 for everyone else, and that price includes one drink.

Busboys and Poets
All three locations of Busboys and Poets (14th Street, Shirlington and the new City Vista at 5th and K) are hosting watch parties with full sound. Ask about the special drinks created specifically for the occasion, like the "Obama" and the "Biden." U Street and Shirlington will have the debate on 10-foot projection screens, while City Vista will have it on all five TVs.

Nonpartisan Events
Cap City Brewing Company
All three Capitol City Brewing Company locations will be showing the debates, and it's no coincidence that the brewery just unveiled its new Election Ale, a light, crisp beer with a touch of hops. (On Nov. 5, Election Ale will be reformulated as InaugurAle with one additional ingredient: honey from the winning candidate's home state.) Expect the Cap City at Postal Square to be the most popular, as it's within spitting distance of the Capitol."

Let us know if you hear of any others!

Another Arlington Establishment Goes Smoke-Free

This time it's Shirlington's Capitol City Brewing, which the Sun Gazette reports is going smoke-free effective today:

Although some customers have complained about the new non-smoking rule - there is even no smoking in the outside patio seating - [Capitol City owner David] von Storch hopes to reach customers who may have stayed away from the restaurant because of the smoke.

“We'll get complaints from someone with kids or who is offended by the smoke,” he said. “There is no good non-smoking area.”

The article paints Cap City as going it alone on going smoke-free, which is odd. Just off the top of my head in Shirlington alone, Carlyle, Luna Grill, and Busboys & Poets are all smoke-free.

For more smoke-free options, check out Arlington County's complete list (PDF) of smoke-free restaurants and bars!