IOTA Memorial Day fundraiser flyer

More details on IOTA's fundraiser for tornado and flood victims starting soon on Monday May 31 at 3pm:

Tornado & Flood relief charity show at IOTA today



Photo by Neo Zero

This Memorial Day, IOTA is hosting a special charity fundraiser for victims of the recent floods and tornados in the midrest. A suggested $10 donation will go to Red Cross to help in the rebuilding. Over 20 musicians will be at the Clarendon venue starting at 3pm, including:

• The Weathervanes
• Taylor Carson
• Tom McBride
• Jelly Roll Mortals
• Redline Addiction
• Todd Daniel (of The Walkaways)
• Margot MacDonald
• Little Pink
• Bethany and the Guitar
• Victoria Vox
• Kid goat
• Meredith Bragg
• Lissy Rosemont
• Tom O'Connor
• Cigarbox Planetarium
• Wes Tucker and the Skillets
• Rene Moffatt
• Addieville
• Ace Elija
• The Blue Transfer Band
• Adrian Krygowski

National Capital Tour de Cure fundraiser at Bailey's June 2

Come down to Bailey's Pub and Grille in Ballston next week on Thursday, June 2 from 5-9pm, for a National Capital Tour de Cure fundraiser. The race on June 5 is in Reston Town Center and supports diabetes awareness and research.

VeloBreakway is hosting the happy hour and has a goal of rasing $1,500. A $5 donation gets you a bracelet that entitles you to $2 drafts!

Reading Connection Fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A on June 14

The Reading Connection is having another fundraiser, this time at my favorite fast food restaurant, Chick-Fil-A at Ballston mall food court. On Tuesday June 14th 5 - 8pm , Chik-Fil-A will donate 15% of proceeds to the nonprofit focusing on increasing literacy of children in need. Just print out the flyer to the right and write in "The Reading Connection" for the organization name.

Belly Dancing Flash Mob Clarendon

Last Friday at 7pm Saffron Dance held its first belly dance flash mob at the Clarendon metro. Video of the dancing is embedded below. Their organized dancing was far more elaborate than the belly dancing Clarendon usually has at Taste of Morocco down the street.

Taste of Arlington

Large crowds of people dodged rain drops today for the annual Taste of Arlington in Ballston. The event is always popular, with live music and plenty of food sampling, but seemed especially packed this year and less family friendly than before. The hot day was dominated with lots of twenty somethings brought out by the warm weather.
Pictures taken to the right are from eariler in the day when it was less crowded. Long lines formed for everything, from picking up the great What's The Deal DC groupon tickets to for any of the 40 restaurant tasting.

Check out Clarendon Culture and DCist's reviews for more pics and details. Looking forward to next year's Taste!

Taste of Arlington Sunday

The annual Taste of Arlington 2011 is returning this Sunday, May 22nd from noon to 5 p.m. Brought to us by the Ballston Partnership and the Clarendon Alliance, it will take place on Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. This is a lively street festival featuring over 40 restaurants, local talent, arts and crafts, live music and children’s activities.

Clarendon Condo Mixer

The residents of 1021 condinium have organzied the first inter-building happy hour Thursday May 19 at 6pm. Sobe, hidden behind the DIA building and next to the new Mad Rose, will host a party for condo residents of Clarendon (1021, Station Square, Phoenix) and Ballston (West View, East View, Liberty Center). Specials include $2.50 domestic beer and $5 personal pizzas.

Mad Rose deal from The Capitol Deal

So many deals in Clarendon lately, its hard to keep up. The latest is this one from The Capitol Deal for the new Mad Rose Tavern. You can either get $20 off dinner or $10 off lunch.

This deal comes at a great time for one of Clarendon's newest venues, as after a rough start they are having their official grand opening this Satruday.

Groupon for Pete's Apizza

Groupon is offering a deal for 50% food at Pete's Apizza today, good for either $5 for $10 of pizza or $10 for $20 off. Their 18" pies are large enough to last several leftover meals, and are good re-heated. That means the $10 for $20 coupon is the best deal since the 18" pizza is usually about a little over $20.

La Union

Since there was a line around the block at Whilow's and everything else was packed for Cinco de Mayo, I tried a difference place that was much quieter past Ballston. La Union is easily passed by on 5517 Wilson Blvd, and its probably better that way.

I had high hopes for this casual Mexican/Salvadoran restaurant and that it would be a great whole-in-the-wall without ambiance and good food. The pupusas and Don Pepe Platter show here were good, but nothing special.

We also ordered the Boca Roja Frita fried red snapper, which proved to be a mistake. While it is listed on their menu for $13.95, they will charge you $15.95 or higher. When we asked they manager about the price discrepancy, he wasn't apologetic said it was "market price". I really don't like it when restaurants think they can charge you a difference price than advertised, and then try to argue with you over $2. Sorry La Union, I wanted to like you, but I will not be back.

More Alabama fundraisers at Rock Bottom

I missed last night's Red Cross fundraiser at the Frontpage in Ballston, but tonight I get a second chance at Rock Bottom. As if you needed an excuse to go out on Cinco de Mayo, Rock Bottom is hosting the event to raise money for tornado victims. Friday night the fundraiser will be at the Mad Hatter in DC.

Most of the local rooftops are sure to be packed tonight due to the perfect spring weather. Whitlow's new roof deck already has a line streching around the block, and Mexicali Blues and Rio Grande are also packed.

Frontpage fundraiser for Alabama tornado victims

The Frontpage in Ballston is having a fundraiser for Alabama tornado victims on Wednesday May 4. Proceeds go to the Red Cross. They will have a Caps viewing party and giving away prices like Redskins tickets with parking. Follow them on Twitter for more information.

Pete's Apizza for dinner

Curing a craving for pizza around here is easy with all the choices, including Goody's, Bertucci's, Lost Dog, Pupetella, and many others. I chose Clarendon's latest pizza venue tonight, Pete's New Haven Style Apizza. The original mozzarella is shown here, and was so tasty I almsot ate too much of this large 18" pie.

For those that think this $20 pizza is too expensive, Pete's did the math and argued that their 18" pizzas are a much better value than their competitor's smaller selections.

Pete's has a happy hour special weekdays from 4 to 6pm with half price drafts. If you are in Clarendon during the day, I would recommend checking out their lunch special of 2 slices of pizza and a drink for $6.