Good Vibes for Crystal City Redevelopment (Bacons Rebellion)
Tourism 
Save the Date! Next Arlington Concierge College Sessions Slated for June 27 and 28
It’s almost time for the summer sessions of the Arlington Concierge College! Over 40 Arlington and Washington hotel concierges and front-desk personnel attended the first-ever event on March 20, where they visited Arlington’s hip urban villages and had behind-the-scenes tours of the new Signature Theatre and Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Summer participants will be able to choose one of two free four-hour sessions, Scheduled for 4 – 8 p.m. on June 27 and 28. The theme for this quarter is Clarendon Shopping, Dining and Nightlife.
Bike the Sites Oasis Announces Summer Hours
Visitors and residents alike can enjoy leisurely rides along the Potomac and to D.C. and Virginia historic attractions on bikes from Bike the Sites Oasis. Located in Rosslyn at the corner of 19th St. and N. Moore, this whimsically designed bike rental kiosk is just a few blocks from the Custis/Mount Vernon Trail and minutes from major Washington and Arlington sites. Bike the Sites Oasis is open daily (except Wednesdays) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 24, then returning to weekend hours through Nov. 4.
Interstate to Acquire Atlanta Airport Hotel for $74M
Interstate Hotels & Resorts said Monday that it has signed an agreement to buy the 495-room Westin Atlanta Airport hotel for $74 million. The sellers are affiliates of New York-based private equity firm Blackstone Group. The deal, which works out to $149,500 per room, is the largest single asset acquisition for Arlington-based Interstate, and the company's sixth wholly owned property. This is the company's first acquisition of a Westin-brand hotel.
Twelfth Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival To Be Held June 17
On Sunday, June 17, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns for year number twelve. The free outdoor music festival takes place from 12 noon to 6 pm, rain or shine. Two blocks of Walter Reed Drive, just north of Columbia Pike, will be closed off for the fest. The annual event is presented by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) with the support of Arlington County Commuter Services’ PikeRide, Silverwood Associates, Inc., the Washington Forrest Foundation and other sponsors.
USA Summer 2007 Leisure Travel Volume Expected To Increase 1.4% In June, July and August
Renewed enthusiasm for travel among consumers and no major obstacles on the horizon mean the U.S. travel industry will enjoy a good summer travel season in 2007, with leisure travel increasing 1.4% over last summer, according to the latest forecast from the Travel Industry Association (TIA). Americans will take nearly 330 million person-trips in June, July and August 2007, a record high number. A person-trip is one person traveling 50+ miles, one-way, away from home. Business and convention travel will remain strong as well, increasing about 3 percent this summer.
D.C. Hotels on Guard with Gaylord in Town
When Gaylord Entertainment Co. first announced its plans in 2000 to build a massive convention complex at the National Harbor in Prince George's County, D.C. hospitality groups quietly worried the developer would steal convention business away from them. And now, as the convention center opening date of spring 2008 inches nearer, that worry has grown into full-blown fear.
$40M Hotel, Conference Project Set for Brookland
A $40 million hotel and conference center is coming to Brookland. Hospitality Partners of Bethesda has signed a long-term lease with the D.C. Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) for 5.4 acres at 300 Michigan Ave. NE, part of which is now used as a parking lot for the Washington Hospital Center.
Avis Adds Chauffeurs to Washington Rentals
You can rent an Avis car with a driver in Washington and eight other cities. Avis Rent A Car is offering a new service it calls "Avis Chauffeur Drive" in partnership with chauffeur provider WeDriveU, based in San Mateo, Calif. The service is available to Avis' loyalty program members and requires a 24-hour advanced reservation.
Retail Spotlight
What’s Happening in Arlington?
Check out Night Out and learn about the diverse mix of events and activities taking place all over Arlington – bookmark this page and keep up on the latest cooking classes, dance lessons, art exhibitions, and much more! If you’re an Arlington business and interested in having your event(s) featured on Night Out (at no cost!), please send an e-mail to jgeisner@arlingtonva.us.
New Cafe Pizzaiolo Restaurant Arrives in South Arlington
The Washington Post reports that South Arlington's 23rd Street just got a classy new resident, Cafe Pizzaiolo, with "clay- oven-baked pizza good enough to walk there for, even on the muggiest day."
Washington Times Reviews Tallulah, EatBar
The Washington Times reports that Tallula "serves inventive dishes in a classic style" and features "casual fare with a dash of fun."
Small Business News & BizLaunch Events
BizLaunch Events The following events are sponsored by BizLaunch, Arlington's Small Business Assistance Network. Events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information on BizLaunch program, visit the BizLaunch Web site.
Starting a Business
June 7, 2007, 6-8 p.m.
Arlington Public Library-Central, 1015 North Quincy St., Auditorium, Arlington.
Thinking about starting your own business? If you have a few ideas, but you’re not sure where to start, this seminar is designed especially for you. Learn how to get a business license, a certificate of occupancy, and state registration. Get access to free tools which can help you write a business plan, develop a marketing strategy and manage financing options. Plus, learn about the organizations that can help you map out your entrepreneurial plans for free. Register online or call (703) 228-0833 for more information.
Fundraising 101 for Nonprofits
June 13, 2007, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington.
Fee: Free for Arlington-based nonprofits or nonprofit organization that serve Arlington; $49 for Center for Nonprofit Advancement Members; $79 for all others.
Understand the place of fundraising in the financing of nonprofits. Fundraising is an important function in any nonprofit organization and building skills in this area will ensure success into the future. This class will look at where money comes from (individuals, corporations, foundations, combined funds and government) and how a variety of approaches to building these relationships can reap results: fund-raising planning, research of funding resources and building a diversified funding base.
Register online or call (202) 457-0540 for more information.
Basics of Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
July 19, 2007, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington
Fee: Free for Arlington-based nonprofits or nonprofit organization that serve Arlington; $49 for Center for Nonprofit Advancement Members; $79 for all others.
If planning is a way of looking toward the future and deciding what to do next, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to define where the organization is now, set a road map of where the organization should be going, and, most importantly, why the organization will go in that direction. If strategic planning is done correctly, the organization can face challenges with success. This session will discuss what should be included in a strategic plan, who should be involved in building the plan, how often strategic planning should be done, and what to do with the plan once it has be adopted.
Register online or call (202) 457-0540 for more information.
The Bootcamps are Back! Save the Dates!
BizLaunch Bootcamp (English)
Sponsored by BizLaunch, Northern Virginia Community College Arlington Campus
September 14 – 15, 2007
Northern Virginia Community College Arlington Campus, Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA
Cost: $80
Learn more or call (703) 228-0833 for more information.
BizLaunch Bootcamp (en Espanol)
Sponsored by Greater IBERO Chamber of Commerce, NVCC Arlington Campus and BizLaunch
October 19 – 20, 2007
Northern Virginia Community College Arlington Campus, Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA
Cost: $80
Learn more or call (703) 228-0833 for more information.
Local Area Events
Exploring Excellence in Sustainable Architecture and Design, June 14
Can “green” buildings be beautiful? On June 14th, 2007, the third installment of Arlington’s Architecture Speaker Series will explore this question. The program features Travis Price III and Susan C. Piedmont-Palladino, two well-known design professionals who will explore how sustainable architecture can contribute to design excellence in the civic realm, while creating energy efficient, resource efficient, and environmentally sensitive buildings where people live, work, and play. The event will take place on Thursday, June 14, 2007, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater, 1611 North Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209.
Save the Date! 31st Annual Ibero Chamber of Commerce Gala, June 14 at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Greater Washington Ibero Chamber of Commerce. This event will feature a keynote address by The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
