It’s Columbus Day weekend and many people – especially government workers – will have a long weekend. It’s a perfect time to celebrate with a festival and the DMV has plenty to choose from – film festivals, arts festivals, food festivals, neighborhood festivals … even a coming out festival. Also, the Army Ten-Miler takes place on Sunday morning, so if you’re traveling from the District to Virginia or vice versa, expect some road closures.

On Metro, the Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals, except at Landover and New Carollton stations on Saturday. Red Line trains will operate every 22 minutes and every 12 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet. Orange Line trains between Landover and New Carollton will operate very 20-25 minutes from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Meto will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday for customers traveling to the Army 10-Miler and will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight on Monday, Columbus Day, but will operate on a weekend schedule running every 12 minutes. Parking at Metro lots and garages is free on Columbus Day. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day.

The drive-in returns to Union Market this month with Monsters University tonight. (Photo: Union Market)

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Union Market Fall Drive-In

Union Market brings back its drive-in series this fall. The series kicks off with an outdoor screening of the 2013 Disney hit, Monsters University followed by Rushmore on Oct. 17, Remember the Titans on Oct. 24 and a people’s choice Halloween edition on Oct. 31 with the film determined by audience vote on Facebook and Twitter between Edward Scissorhands, the Addams Family and Ghostbusters. This fall’s theme honors the idea of homecoming, featuring films that chronicle the highs and lows of the back-to-school season. The movies are shown in the parking lot and projected on the front wall. All 40 of the markets vendors will be open during the films with D.C. Rollergirls delivering snacks and drinks. Timber Pizza Co. will be on hand selling pizza. On Halloween, there will also be indoor trick-or-treating, costume contests and drink specials.

Oct. 10 starting at 8 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Admission is FREE for walk-ins or $10 per carload. Tickets are available here. Gates open at 6 p.m. and close at 7:45 p.m.

Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival

The AFI Silver is hosting a Spooky Movie festival through Oct. 16. (Photo: AFI Silver)

It’s time to gear up for All Hallows’ Eve by scaring the pants off yourself, and the AFI Silver Theater is here to help with this 10-day Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival. It opened Thursday with V/H/S Viral, the third entry in the found-footage franchise. Other films will have director Q&As and most movies, like horror-comedy Suburban Gothic will be preceded by shorts for that extra scare. This is also a chance to see how other countries do horror, as the festival includes films from Brazil, Singapore and our terrifying neighbor to the north, Canada. Friday’s screenings include Exists at 7:10 p.m. and Call Girl of Cthulhu at 9:45 p.m. Saturday’s films include A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night at 4:30 p.m., Suburban Gothic at 7:10 p.m. and The Babadook at 9:45 p.m. One Sunday, screening include The Bone Garden at 4:30 p.m., Teenage Ghost Punk at 7:10 p.m. and Afterimages at 9:30 p.m.

Through Oct. 18 at the AFI Silver theater, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Ticket prices vary, all-fest passes are $80.

Reel Independent Film Extravaganza

I Need My Monster is part of the Reel Independent Film Extravaganza at the West End Cinema. (Photo: Reel Independent Film Extravaganza)

The Reel Independent Film Extravaganza accepts films from around the world, but considers promoting D.C.-area films and filmmakers part of its core mission. At 7 p.m. on Sunday, the DMV Producer’s Association will show short films produced and directed by filmmakers hailing from the DMV ranging from comedy to experimental to through provoking drama.

Through Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. weeknights; noon, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday at West End Cinema, 2301 M St. NW. Tickets are $10.34 online. A weekend pass is $30 and a week long pass is $45.

National Coming Out Day

Pete Cahall (left with flag), principal of Wilson High School in Northwest D.C., came out during the schools Pride Day in June. (Photo: WINQ)

National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day to celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ and civil rights movement. The day was founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg, a psychologist from New Mexico, and Jean O’Leary, an openly gay political leader from Los Angeles. The date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

Oct. 11 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Washington Monument, 900 Ohio Drive SW. Admission is FREE! Wear a red shirt and enjoy the day.
 
 
 
 

Milling, Cider Making and Open Hearth Cooking

Pierce Mill on Tilden Street in Rock Creek Park will hold an open house Saturday. (Photo: John DeFerrari)

Take a journey back to the 19th century Pierce Mill as you watch the millstone turn corn into cornmeal, view old-fashioned open hearth cooking including fruit turnovers that are cooked in a skillet, and try your hand at the hand-cranked cider press making cider the old-fashioned way from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Other events at the visitor center all day include children’s games, a self-guided treasure hunt, water flow and gravity toys, corn husk doll making and guided tours of the mill.

Oct 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pierce Mill, corner of Tilden Street NW and Beach Drive. Admission is FREE!

Fall Festival

Celebrate fall in Fairfax with artists, food, a beer garden, music and amusement rides. (Photo: Patch)

The City of Fairfax’s 38th Fall Festival comes to Old Town with more than 400 juried fine artisans, vendors, food, a beer garden, amusement rides from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Suntrust Bank parking lot, 4020 University Dr., a lumberjack competition and musical entertainment on four stages. Headliners include Almost Journey & 2U Tribute band from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., SouthPaw from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and Bruce in the USA from 2:30-5 p.m. Free shuttle busses will from from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. from George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., and Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run.

Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m (raindate is Oct. 12) along George Mason Boulevard between City Hall and North Street and between Chain Bridge Road and East Street. Admission is FREE! There is a charge for the amusement rides.

Columbia Heights Day

Columbia Heights Day returns with food, vendors, a field day and an outdoor movie. (Photo: Columbia Heights Day/Facebook)

Columbia Heights Day is back for its eighth year. The neighborhood highlights the local businesses and artists, and it has activities to entertain all ages ranging from eating contests, local musicians, a dunk tank, face painter, moon bounce, family fun field day and an adult tricycle race. ET: The Extra Terrestrial will be shown free at 7 p.m. at Harriet Tubman Elementary School’s yard.

Oct. 11 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. along 11th Street NW fom Park Road to Kenyon Street and at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School yard. Admission is FREE!

Taste of D.C.

Diners enjoy their food on Pennsylvania Avenue last year at Taste of D.C. (Photo: Taste of D.C.)

Nosh on a little bit of everything Washington has to offer at the Taste of D.C., which takes up five downtown blocks. More than 40 restaurants and food trucks will be serving dishes at the event. As a bonus, on Saturday, you can watch hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut compete in a Ben’s Chili Bowl chili-eating contest. There will also be two stages with about 20 bands. Proceeds benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.

Oct. 11 and 12 from noon-7 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between Ninth and 14th Streets. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 5 online or at the gate.

An Autumn Spectacular: Guitars Not Guns benefit

Teen Mom will be among the bands performing at the Autumn Spectacular benefiting Guitars Not Guns. (Photo: D.C. Music Download)

Four local bands – Teen Mom, The Sea Life, Lowercase Letters and Typefighter — take the stage at the Howard Theater to raise money for Guitars Not Guns, a local non-profit that provides free guitar instruction and instruments to area children. Local comic Andrew Bucket will be the emcee the fundraiser sponsored by D.C. Music Download and Raise Your City. There will also be giveaways from &pizza, live screen printing and art.

Oct. 11 starting at 7 p.m. at the Howard Theater, 620 T St. NW. Tickets are $16 online or at the door.

30th Annual Army Ten-Miler

The Army Ten-Miler returns to Virginia and D.C. on Sunday. (Photo: Army Ten-Miler)

The Army Ten-Miler is back for its 30th year. The 35,000 runners can begin checking in at 5:20 a.m. with the Golden Knights Parachute Jump at 7:15 a.m. followed by the national anthem at 7:40 a.m., wounded warrior and wheelchair athletes start at 7:50 a.m. and the main race leaving at 8 a.m. From 8 a.m.-noon there are youth zone activities, music and vendors. The youth fun runs will be at 11:30 as will the awards ceremony. The race begins at the Pentagon, winds its way up to Arlington Cemetery, across to the Lincoln Memorial, up to the Watergate, down past the Kennedy Center, along Independence Avenue to the Air and Space museum, back to 14th Street SW then out Route 1 to Crystal city, back along Old Jefferson Davis Highway and ends at the Pentagon. You can see the race map here. There will be bands every two miles along the course.

Oct. 12 stepping off at 8 a.m. at the Pentagon. Registration if full. Admission is FREE!

The Courthouse Arts & Craft Beer Festival

The Courthouse Arts & Craft Beer Festival will go on Sunday, rain or shine. (Graphic: Clarendon Alliance)

The Courthouse Arts & Craft Beer Festival brings seven craft breweries, 12 food trucks and 40 performances to three stages. Brewers include Founders Brewing Co., Alewerks Brewing Co., Champion Brewing Co., Crooked Run Brewing, Wild Woof Brewing Co., Lost Rhino Brewing Co. and Port City Brewing Co. The festival goes on rain or shine under tents.

Oct. 12 from noon-7 p.m. at the Courthouse Metro lot near the courthouse in Arlington. Tickets are $35 in advance http://www.courthouse-festival.com/tickets/ online and includes admission, 12 tasting tickets and a 5.5 ounce commemorative tasting glass. General admission tickets are $10 at the door with drinks extra. Children 16 and under are FREE!

The high holiday of the American calender is upon us! The 4th of July lands on Friday, lining up a nice three-day weekend of party in the U.S. of A. There is plenty of fun to be had this Independence Day and here is a preview of some events to bust out your best red, white and blue.

D.C., the place to be for July 4th (Photo: Getty Images)

Bunsdependence Day

Big Buns in Arlington has been hosting a summer series of multi-course craft beer dinners. Last month, they featured Flying Dog Brewery and plated a mouthwatering menu of jumbo lump crab cakes, bison sliders and brats. For the second installment on July 3, Hardywood Park will take over tap duties, giving generous pours to compliment lobster rolls and steak and lamb sliders. Check it out!

1st Annual Freedom Fest

Tacoma Park’s Republic will host its 1st Annual Freedom Fest on July 4. The event will celebrate a recent change in Maryland law that allows any class 7 brewer in the state or microbrewery producing less than 22,500 barrels per year to sell beer to Republic without going through the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control. This means Republic will be serving up some tasty, craft beer — 25 different beers to be exact, as well as barbecue and free live music. Click here for details.

Old Ball Game

Catch the Nationals face off against the Cubs during an early 11:05 a.m. game July 4. While singing the Star Spangled Banner remember that it is the 200th anniversary of Francis Scott Key penning the national anthem. The Smithsonian has the flag that inspired the poem on display. Enjoy many great food at the ballpark like Ben’s Chili Bowl, G by Mike Isabella and Shake Shack.

After almost 20 years in Union Station, B. Smith’s restaurant announced Friday it will close. Located in ornate East Hall, the restaurant was originally the presidential suite and hosted the king and queen of England in 1939. No reason was given for the closing and no closing date was announced, although phone calls were unanswered Friday night.

B. Smith’s Union Station main dining room. (Photo: B. Smith’s Restaurants)

The restaurant’s founder, Barbara “B.” Smith, plans to open more casual bistros in D.C. and other cities that will still serve Smith’s signature Southern fare along with more healthy options. “We are looking forward to new and exciting things that we can’t wait to announce!” said Smith in a press release. The restaurant was once a place to see and be seen. But the company acknowledged that the D.C. location had not kept up with the District’s rapidly evolving restaurant scene.

“These new locations will feature the same delicious southern cuisine that the restaurants have served for over 25 years in a more contemporary, high energy ‘bistro’ setting,” the company said. “The restaurants will also feature more options for the health conscious consumer.”

Smith built her empire on her Southern-themed cuisine and is also a former model, author, actress and host of radio and TV shows. B. Smith’s will keep its restaurants on West 46th Street in New York and a summer restaurant in Sag Harbor, Long Island.

Union Station is undergoing many changes as well, including addition of several quick food options in West Hall in addition to the basement food court, remodeling of the main hall due to the 2011 earthquake, the revamping of Columbus Plaza in front, remodeling of the main hall due to the 2011 earthquake, creation of a new bus terminal and a new H&M that opened Friday in the former Border’s bookstore location.

Isabella opening Ballston restaurant next summer

Top Chef All-Stars runner-up Mike Isabella will open a new Greek restaurant in the 4,700-square foot space at 4000 Wilson Blvd. in Ballston. Kapnos Taverna will open in summer 2014 as a sister restaurant to Kapnos, Isabella’s Northern Greek-inspired restaurant, which opened on the 14th Street Corridor in early July.

Chef Mike Isabella’s Kapnos Greek restaurant on 14th St. NW. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

“Guests have been asking me to build a restaurant in Virginia or Maryland since we opened Graffiato in 2011. Kapnos has been wildly popular in its first few months, and we think this sister concept will be a great addition to the booming neighborhoods in Arlington,” Isabella said. “Next spring, our team will travel to Greece, and we plan to build the menu around reinterpretations of regional cuisine.”

The new restaurant will showcase dishes from the Cyclades, Peloponnese, Thessaloniki, Ionian Islands and Crete. While the Kapnos Taverna menu will include some dishes from Kapnos, there will be some noticeable differences including a weekday lunch, weekend brunch and a happy hour menu. Kapnos Taverna will have one rotating spit instead of two to roast whole chickens, lamb and pork shoulders.

The bar will include up to 10 cocktails on tap and the largest wine selection at any of Isabella’s restaurants. More than 200 bottles will be displayed in a two-story glass enclosed case built to stretch from the first floor to the mezzanine. The 185-seat restaurant will also feature a 40-seat seasonal outdoor patio.

Brothers George and Nick Pagonis – business partners and respective chef de cuisine and general manager at Kapnos – will help Isabella open and oversee Kapnos Taverna. Kapnos and Graffiato beverage director Taha Ismail will helm the bar program.

Ben’s Chili Bowl opening in Rosslyn

Ben’s Chili Bowl, which recently celebrated its 55th anniversary, has signed a lease to take over the original Ray’s Hell Burger location at 1725 Wilson Blvd. in Rosslyn.

The original Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW. (Photo: Ben’s Chili Bowl)

According to a post on the restaurant’s blog, the new location will open in early 2014. It will open before another planned location at 1001 H St. NE because the H Street building did not previously house a restaurant and will take more work to open late spring or early summer. The H Street location was previously George’s Place Men’s Wear.

“With all of the love and support that D.C. residents have shown us spanning the decades, we are very conscious and thankful for those customers that drive in from Maryland and those that cross the bridges from Virginia to come to Ben’s,” the post said. “In our efforts to bring the food and experience that you come to U St for closer to you, we have decided to cross the bridge ourselves and bring a Ben’s Chili Bowl to you in Rosslyn.”

Co-owner Nizam Ali told the Washington Business Journal that Ben’s was looking for a location in Clarendon, but it wasn’t panning out.

It’s good news for those in Rosslyn who are looking for some late-night food from the iconic eatery that has served President Obama and Bill Cosby. (Obama ate at Ray’s, too.) The Rosslyn location is in a plaza with Pho 75 and others, and has parking. Like the other Ben’s locations at FedEx Field and Nationals Park, it may not have the history of the U Street original, but it will definitely have the chili fries. But will people be willing to pay $5.50 for a half smoke without the ambience?

Sona Creamery and Wine Bar to open in Eastern Market

Conan and Genevieve O’Sullivan will open Sona Creamery and Wine Bar, the District’s only onsite creamery, at 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, in the former MotoFoto and Sprint storefronts this fall.

Sona Creamery and Wine Bar will open in Eastern Market where Sprint and MotoFoto stores were. (Photo: The Georgetowner)

The new cheese and wine shop will offer customers the opportunities to taste and learn about cheese and wine in a cafe and through classes. It will also ship cheese nationwide. The pair have been working five years to open a shop. They have been making cheese for seven years. Conan completed the dairy program at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. His wife has been a “master” baker and cook since age 11.

When it opens, passersby will be able to peer into the front windows and see cheeses being made, while other cheeses age in the creamery’s two aging caves. On the other side of the space will be the wine bar, which will offer cheese and wine flights and specialty grilled cheeses, along with mac-and-cheese dishes.

Sticky Rice owners plan Mexican restaurant

Tony Lucca and Phil Rodriguez, who own Sticky Rice and 1905, plan to open an unnamed Mexican restaurant at 108 Rhode Island Ave. NW in the Bloomingdale neighborhood. The sit-down restaurant will serve Mexican food and Latin cocktails.

Rodriguez reportedly lives a block from the new location. There aren’t many details yet, but the goal is to open by next summer.

TruOrleans shuttered by city for tax problems

The troubled TruOrleans restaurant at 400 H St. NE was closed down by the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue last Tuesday because it owes more than $101,000 in sales and use taxes, penalties and interest since it opened in July 2011, according to a tax lien field with the city’s Recorder of Deeds office on July 12.

The cajun restaurant’s website says: “Attention: TruOrleans is no longer open. The building will go under construction and open as a new restaurant.” However, it isn’t clear if the message is from the restaurant or building owner.

But the restaurant’s tax problems are just one of its many troubles. In mid-July, a brawl erupted between employees and patrons over whether a party was overcharged on a nearly $1,000 tab. After the guests refused to pay and tried to leave without paying, a fight began then spilled out onto 4th Street NE and into the alleyway. Kitchen employees attacked a man, allegedly beat him with a broom and punched him. At least five police cars responded, and three restaurant employees were arrested — two were charged with simple assault and one with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Earlier this year, TruOrleans faced eviction and a liquor license protest. Landlord Darryl Pounds filed a lawsuit seeking to evict the restaurant last spring because it owned $40,773 in rent, taxes, late fees and more from September 2011 to March 2013. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18, according to court records. When TruOrleans’ liquor license came up for renewal in the spring, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission voted unanimously to protest it based on resident’s complaints and hired a lawyer to represent it at a Sept. 18 hearing.

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration cited TruOrleans for 18 violations over the last two years, including 10 this year. The violations include multiple noise complaints, operating beyond approved hours and not having an Alcoholic Beverage Control manager on duty. A March ABRA hearing focused on the restaurant’s failure to provide parking services (a violation of its agreement with neighbors).

Owner James “Tru” Redding has his own problems. The local developer, who also owns the Langdon strip joint/steakhouse Stadium Club, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 18. His company has been sued more than 20 times in the past year for breaches of contract. And he faces extradition to Nevada on charges of fraud — a felony. A warrant was issued in Clark County Courts for Redding’s arrest in May 2011 after he allegedly wrote three bad checks at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino totaling more than $75,000. D.C. police arrested Redding in March and a preliminary hearing is scheduled in Las Vegas for Nov. 20.

Spring is here and its time to play ball! The Nationals are currently 17-15, and although they’ve faltered a bit in hitting their groove, Nationals Stadium can always be counted on to field a lineup of home run food options. Here is a guide to enjoying your next visit to Nationals Stadium and partaking in the great national pastime: eating!

The Bullpen, an open air festival space outside Nationals Statdium (Source: www.thebullpendc.com)

Pregame

Its not just the players who need to warm up for games; fans do too. While the professional athletes inside the stadium stretch and pop fly balls, sports fans flex their social muscles at the Bullpen, an open air festival space hemmed in by large, industrial chic shipping crates. Open two hours before game time through midnight, the Bullpen provides a great place for fans to congregate pre-opening pitch with games of corn hole, cool beverages and eats from D.C.’s finest food trucks. It also makes for a fun Plan B if the Nats aren’t playing so hot.

Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurant inside Nationals Stadium. (Photo by www.jdland.com)

7th inning snack

Inside Nats Stadium, fans can find a smorgasbord of traditional baseball fare as well as iconic D.C. food. Hard to find error with Hard Times Cafe (Sections 106, 115, 129), Ben’s Chili Bowl (Sections 109, 140, 301, 315) and Red Porch (Section 100).

Photo Credit: Rodney Bailey

Extra innings

Fluffy Thoughts Cakes has just opened a kiosk at Nats Stadium. A rotating list of four jumbo cupcakes will be available at the kiosk with three set flavors including: Fluffetty cake with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles, chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. For this Satruday’s game, Fluffy Thoughts will give away Gio Gonzalez autographs to fans who purchase a dozen cupcakes. But don’t feel too guilty about buying such an obscene amount of frosting, proceeds will benefit the Gio Gonzalez Foundation.

Old ball game

There is lots of good food to be found at Nats Stadium from now until September, so be sure when you’re root-rooting for the home team you make bring your “nattitude” and “nappitite” !