Sunday: "The World in 70 Acres" at Potomac Overlook

Here's a cool event coming up Sunday:

Potomac Overlook Regional Park will celebrate the winter solstice with a screening of “The World in 70 Acres,” a documentary about the park, on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

The video explores various aspects of the park - its human history, natural setting, programs and activities and also covers educational themes and topics such as energy and earth science. The video's script was written by the park's chief naturalist, Martin Ogle, and is narrated by Keith Tomlinson, manager at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The documentary was produced and edited, largely as a volunteer effort, by local videographer David Schneider.

The video is short enough (25 minutes) to be accessible and enjoyable for children 6 and older. Refreshments will be served. Also featured will be live music by Jody Marshall, whose hammered dulcimer music can be heard in the documentary.

For reservations and more information, call (703) 528-5406.

Take Back the Park and Raise That Glass

Arlington Community Role Models has two environmental events planned in the coming weeks!

First, there's Take Back the Park, an invasive plant removal planned for Saturday, March 22nd from 2-4pm at Potomac Overlook Regional Park with a happy hour to follow at King Street Blues in Courthouse. I say "planned" because it's already been postponed once due to bad weather. Stupid March, always coming in like a lion! But with any luck, it'll be going out like a lamb and we'll get a nice day for it. There are a few volunteer slots left, you can sign up at the CRM website!

Then on Tuesday, April 1st, CRM will host our Monthly Meetup at Pinzimini in Ballston (in the Westin at the corner of Glebe and Wilson). You can RSVP at the CRM website or at the Facebook event page!

One odd thing about the CRM Monthly Meetups -- girls are heavily outnumbering the guys. Right now, RSVPs at the Facebook event page for the April Meetup are running two-to-one female. Wouldn't you think the guys would tell their buddies and more men would start coming? Or is it the opposite -- guys aren't telling their buddies in hopes of keeping the ratio the same?

Next Week: ACE Organic Beer Tasting

I've been volunteering with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment for several years now, and my favorite event of the year is coming up next week! We're hosting our 2nd Annual Organic Beer Tasting on Thursday September 20th at 7pm at Potomac Overlook Regional Park.

You'll be able to sample around half a dozen varieties of Wolaver's, which has generously agreed to donate the beer for the tasting. You can find Wolaver's for sale in local Whole Foods and My Organic Markets. Organic beer is surprisingly hard to come by in Arlington bars, but you can get several varieties at Lost Dog Cafe. In addition, Sam Smith Organic Lager is available at Tallula's EatBar.

The Organic Beer Tasting will also feature a special guest host, Chris O'Brien, author of Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World. Chris also writes one of my favorite blogs, Beer Activist.

Tickets are $25 for ACE members, $30 for nonmembers. You can reserve your spot online here.

Saturday: Defending CRM's Trees

For Earth Day 2007, Community Role Models volunteers planted native trees in Arlington's Potomac Overlook Regional Park. But invasive plants grow much faster than saplings and for CRM's trees to have a good chance of survival, they need our help.

Join CRM volunteers as we remove invasive plants from a key ecological spot in Potomac Overlook from 10am-noon. Park in the lot, then walk to the nature center. Look for volunteers wearing CRM t-shirts.

Register now at the CRM website! Be sure to enter your phone number so we can give you a call in case we're rained out.

Once the cleanup is finished, we'll get brunch at Clarendon Grill, home of Arlington's best omelets as well as $2 bloody marys and mimosas.

Sunday: Open House at Potomac Overlook

It's looking like a beautiful spring weekend, and an event on Sunday will allow you to get to know one of Arlington's most beautiful places -- Potomac Overlook Regional Park. The park and adjacent areas host miles of hiking trails, a nature center, three tennis courts, and a basketball court.

Here are the details on the Open House:

SUNDAY, MAY 6th, 1PM: POTOMAC OVERLOOK REGIONAL PARK 22nd ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & HERITAGE FESTIVAL!

Join us for this wonderful springtime tradition full of fun activities and exhibits for all ages! This year marks the 22nd year of this event and will include a community potluck, music, magic, food, a maypole dance, and much more!

For the rest of Potomac Overlook Regional Park's events calendar, click here!