Comcast Outdoor Film Festival

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I Love the 80’s Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival

“I the 80s” Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival schedule:

Top Gun (1986) July 3 PG
The Karate Kid (1984) July 10 PG
Back to the Future (1985) July 17 PG
Short Circuit (1986) July 24 PG
E.T. (1982) July 31 PG
Pretty in Pink (1986) Aug. 7 PG-13
Beetlejuice (1988) Aug. 14 PG
Ghostbusters (1984) Aug. 21 PG
Meatballs (1979) Aug. 28 PG
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Sept. 4 PG-13

The movies will be shown rain or shine. In case of severe weather, including heavy rains and strong winds, movies will be relocated to the Dome Theatre, located at 1101 Wilson Boulevard.

The 2009 Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival rewinds to relive the 80s this spring and summer with 19 movies that celebrate the decade. The “I the 80s”. The Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival celebrates a variety of 80s cinema including adventure, romance, comedy, sci-fi and even fantasy. Highlights include The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, Dirty Dancing, E.T., Ghostbusters, The Goonies, and many more.
The festival returns to beautiful Gateway Park at Lee Highway near Key Bridge with an even larger screen every Friday night at dusk beginning May 1 and ending September 4. People are encouraged to bring blankets and low chairs to picnic in the park before the show. Show up early for the pre-show 80s-themed games and prizes. The movies play rain or shine.

Rosslyn’s Continental Restaurant and Synetic Theater return as sponsors offering great prizes during the pre-show fun.

The event is free and open to the public. The screening is just two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro and parking is available across the street from Gateway Park at the Atlantic Parking Garage for $3 at 1901 and 1911 N. Ft. Myer Drive after 6 pm. Enter the garage on N. Moore Street.

*Please note that Gateway Park is an Arlington County park and alcohol consumption is not permitted on the premises.

Creating The Perfect Tuscan Picnic w/ Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati

Saturday, July 18 1:30p to 3:00p
at Whole Foods Market, Fairfax, VA

The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm- Cooking School will be preparing the perfect Tuscan picnic and wine pairing, recipes provided. Guests will sample an authentic 4 course Tuscan Picnic and wine pairing with Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati. Maria will also be signing copies of her best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking. read more

Price: Free
Age Suitability: 21 and up

The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm- Cooking School will be preparing the perfect Tuscan picnic and wine pairing, recipes provided. Guests will sample an authentic 4 course Tuscan Picnic and wine pairing with Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati. Maria will also be signing copies of her best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking. Event is free and open to the public. For info call the store at 703.222.2058 or email events@marialiberati.com

Capital Hospice Polo Cup

Today Abby, Keith, Vickie, Greg, Nate and I went to the Capital Hospice Polo Cup. It was a bit grey outside but still quite warm. The weather was actually perfect for a day out watching polo. We parked our lawn chairs in the area of the field where the horses would get switched out. That turned out to be a great move as we got to talk to the guys frequently. We met John Walsh who was incrediblly gracious. He even took photos with Abby and I. Such a nice guy! Vickie and I both purchased cute sundresses from one of the vendors. I know…I know…leave it to me to go shopping no matter where I am! Free champagne on the green, divot stop, Aston Martins, free ice cream, and cute polo players (note the Ralph Lauren model Ignasio “Nacho” Figueras is quite good looking). How could one go wrong? Ashley Van Meter was also playing (pink helmet). Oh…I would have loved to have been in her shoes today! If you missed the event this year I highly suggest you make sure you are there next year. We had a great time!

My Book Club

Our very ecclectic group of ladies at our last book club meeting. From social workers, police officers, bankers, housewives, and teachers…we span a pretty diverse group of backgrounds. Not to mention the range of ages. It makes our group so special. I look forward to seeing these ladies every few months. It’s always a great time. I admit half the time only 3-4 people have actually read the book. It’s more of an excuse to get together and drink wine and catch up.

Reston Town Center Famers Market

Here are some photos of this past Thursday’s offerings at Reston Town Center. They have so much to offer: Freshly prepared meals to go; fresh baked breads; wine; salsa; fresh herbs; fruits; vegetables; home made soaps; homemade preserves; and more. You must check it out! Support our local growers!!!

Tammy Garcia’s Visit To Virginia

Tammy came to visit this past weekend. Her little sister Mary Anne got married the weekend before. Unfortunately Vickie and I just got to see her for dinner Wednesday night. I absolutely have to get out to San Antonio for a visit. I’ve owed her this trip for a while. As well as a trip to Atlanta to see Missy. Behind the eight ball. Guess I need to start making some weekend trip plans here soon!

Iron Bridge Wine Bar

Last night I joined my friends Abby and Liz for dinner. We headed down to the Iron Bridge Wine Bar in Warrenton, Virginia to take part in thier “Summertime Winemakers tasting Series”. All through the summer they will be hosting wine tastings every Thursday night featuring various Virginia wineries. The tastings run from 5 to 7:30 and are held in the cellar. Each tasting is presented by representatives from the vineyards. Each evening they’ll have wine themed quizes and will give away prizes. The tastings are free. After which you’ll have an opportunity to purchase the wines featured by the glass or bottle. As an added bonus let your server know you’ve participated in the wine tasting that evening and you’ll get an extra 10% off your dinner check – including drinks!

Last night was the first night in the Series. We met some of the fabulous people who run Naked Mountain Winery. The wine cellar is a cozy place to host a tasting. All three of us sat on the far end of the bar and enjoyed our tasting and catching up on the weeks events. I really liked the chardonnay. We purchased a bottle for dinner and then headed up to the rooftop terrace to be seated. Both Abby and I enjoyed a Vegetarian Gnocci and Liz got Fried Chicken with Lobster Mac n’ Cheese. Dinner was delicious. I had no room for desert but Abby opted for a blueberry crepe and Liz got a molten chocolate cake. Both looked devine. Seriously you just can’t go wrong with the menu here.

Check out the website for further information on the winemaker series. Most of the vineyards I’ve already explored. However Marterella, Sugarleaf, and Notaviva are new to me. So I may return to check those out.

Click Here To Be Directed to the Iron Bridge Wine Bar Website

Northern Virginia Brewfest

A Celebration of American Beer – June 27-28, 2009
Morven Park
41793 Tutt Lane
Leesburg, VA 20176
Click Here For Event Details

Oh how I love Leesburg! I have lots of family who call the ‘burg home. Be sure to stop by and visit some of the charming shops on the main street before heading to the Beer Fest. Check out Lou Lou if you’re a girlie girl you’ll love all the fabulous unique beauty products. Stop by Lightfoot for a nice lunch. One must be prepared for a day of drinking!

OMG – Bob & Cathy’s Yacht gets hit by a water spout!

My dear friends Bob & Cathy Clime recently moved their yacht charter business to the Bahamas (Click here for info on thier yacht La Sonata). The hope was they would be able to charter the yacht more frequently and avoid hurricanes. They were told that the area hadn’t been hit by any water spouts for at least 100 years. Well…unfortunately they were there to break the record. La Sonata was indeed hit by a water spout. It was right on top of her and holding her down completely on her side! There was minimal damage, but the bimini was ripped off at the zippers. It’s being stretched and zippers being redone. Wow!!! Thank god the damage was relatively minimal. It could have been so much worse!