Featuring our own Barleywines as well as the best barleywines brewed by our favorite breweries. Beers will rotate through the festival on draught and cask, while they last. Serving sizes are 4 oz. sample glasses. No admission cost, price per serving.

February 23rd 11AM-Midnight
February 24th 10AM-11PM

Beer List updated with 30 Barleywines already on hand! More information on sessions and tasting notes, when available, on our Mad Fox Barleywine Festival 2013 Session page.

Watch the Har-Bowl at Capitol City Brewing Company! On Super Bowl Sunday, join Capitol City Brewing Company as the world watches the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers for the National Football League’s Vince Lombardi Trophy. Both locations will host a festive Super Bowl Party that’s fit for any fan base or champion team.  Watch the AFC and NFC champions duke it out for the title on the multiple large flat screen TVs placed throughout the bar and restaurant areas. In addition, Capitol City’s Shirlington Village location in Arlington, VA will extend happy hour prices until the final snap is taken that includes $3.50 beer pints and $5 on select appetizers.

Food and drink specials begin at 4:00 p.m. and are available until the end of the game. If a customer dons a Ravens or 49ers jersey, they will receive a free order of six-piece wings along with the purchase of an entrée of $12 or more.
For more information on Capitol City Brewing Company please visit: www.capcitybrew.com.

This one-day shopping extravaganza features the very best brands of clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings and more up to 70 or 80 percent off retail prices. Take a sneak peek at some of the deals. Want to shop early? Four lucky shoppers will win early entry into the sale.

NEW THIS YEAR: 
Discounted Parking: Pay only $4 for the whole day at the Colonial Parking garage located at 1800 Diagonal Street (across from the King Street Metro). Opens at 7AM.  Important: To get the reduced parking rate, bring your parking ticket and get it validated at the front desk of the Warehouse Sale. 

Shuttle Bus: Park  or ride the Metro and take the free shuttle right from the King Street Metro station or the bottom of the hill to the front door of the sale. Starts at 8:30AM and drives this loop until 3PM. 

Giveaways: Make your waiting time productive and win gifts and gift certificates from area boutiques.

February 2, 2013 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
George Washington Masonic Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria,VA 22314

The Autism Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) will hold its third Arts for Autism gala and fashion show on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington, and it is well on its way to selling out.

Saturday, February 2, 2013, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Clarendon Ballroom
3185 Wilson Blvd.
 Arlington, VA 22201

This unique event enlists model-fundraisers from the local fashion community and educational institutions to post their pictures on the Arts for Autism website prior to the gala and promote it to friends and family seeking donations and support.  The model-fundraisers then get to walk the runway at the gala wearing fine apparel provided by local designers and retailers.  Those walking the runway include current and aspiring models, and high school students earning community service and classroom credit.  Students from McLean High School, Marymount University and Tysons Corner Center’s Classroom on the Mall program are among those who have helped plan the event.

Beyond the fact it's a good cause that furthers ASNV’s mission to support local families who have been touched by autism, the gala is also a fun and fashionable event held at a beautiful, first-class venue. The gala reception features an art show and a series of brief performances and remarks by people in autism community and local elected officials, followed by a New York-style fashion show with model fundraisers walking down the runway to the sounds of a dee-jay wearing the latest fashions provided by local retailers, designers and boutiques.

The gala is open to members of the local media who register in advance.  It is a high-profile event that offers great visuals and the opportunity to mingle with an affluent, fashion-conscious audience.  We promise a great evening with gourmet food and drink, and a friendly audience supporting a worthy cause. 

Autism is the nation’s fastest-growing intellectual disability, and autism prevalence rates have grown to 1 in every 88 children in the United States.  In Virginia, the number of autistic students in state schools increased 15 percent between 2010 and 2011, and has grown every year since the state began collecting this data.  The looming surge in the number of adults on the spectrum will create unprecedented demand to help this growing population, since there are currently few supports for autistic adults who have aged out of the school system.  ASNV serves families touched by autism in the Northern Virginia area by providing a full range of services and supports.

The DC area’s hottest fashion show and high-end bargain trunk sale returns to Crystal City this February! Next year’s event will be the biggest and best we’ve had so far. Crystal Couture already brings over 40 of the metropolitan area’s most stylish boutiques and designers all under one roof, and we’re expecting even more this year because of its new location. We have moved Couture to an office building which has more space to house a bigger runway and more boutiques. This one-stop shopping experience lets guests browse discounted offerings on the rack AND on the runway as models showcase offerings of the participating boutiques. Shoppers will also enjoy sips from the bar, free make-up and hair makeovers, chats with fashion consultants, music from DJ Neekola, and experience a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Crystal Couture 2013 will take place from February 5th to February 9th, 2013 in the 251 18th Street office building. Already excited for Crystal Couture? Tell us that you are coming.

Hosts

• 2/5 Tuesday: Philippa PB Hughes, Pinkline Project
• 2/6 Wednesday: Ashley Boalch, Miss DC 2011 & Grant Harris, Image Granted
• 2/7 Thursday: Karen Sommer Shalett, DC Magazine
• 2/8 Friday: Sarah Fraser & Kate Michael of K Street Magazine
• 2/9 Saturday: Guy Lambert & Sunni and the City of Sunni WPGC

guest post by Micah Moon

There has always been a great debate as to whether you should get your car serviced at the dealership where you bought it or take it to the mom and pop shop around the corner instead. The jury is still out on which is actually more reliable or cheaper. However, there are definite advantages and disadvantages to both.

Car dealership – There are car owners that only take their cars in for repairs and maintenance at the car dealership. While this approach has its benefits, there can be some pitfalls as well. 

Advantages:
1.       They are usually experts in your car’s make and model.
2.       They are often cheaper for small maintenance items like oil changes and tire rotations since they want to build your loyalty.
3.       Dealer warranties may apply to some repairs. 

Disadvantages:
1.       They are often more expensive for large repairs.
2.       Due to “shop supplies” and other big business overhead costs, states an article on PopularMechanics.com entitled, “Confessions of a Car Dealership Service Manager”, car dealerships often include miscellaneous fees that small shops wouldn’t.

Mom and pop shop – Other drivers swear that taking their vehicles to the mom and pop repair shop around the corner will save them money in the long run. In the NY Times, writer Alina Tugend reports that last year, over 70 percent of drivers “go to the independents for what is known as “aftermarket” care while the cars are still under warranty.” But just like the car dealer, there are benefits and pitfalls with this approach as well.

Advantages:
1.       They are usually cheaper for large repairs.
2.       They can often repair your car quicker due to lack of demand and popularity.
3.       They lack many overhead costs so you won’t see extra costs on your bill.

Disadvantages:
1.       They usually are not an expert in any one type of brand of car since they repair all different types.
2.       They typically don’t have the specialized training in specific makes and models like the dealership mechanics may be exposed to.

While most car owners can’t go wrong as long as they trust the person or company fixing their car, there are definite advantages and disadvantages to going both routes. Whichever you decide, be sure to shop around and get a few different quotes before settling on one or the other. This is also true for car insurance – always request a few auto quotes before deciding on which auto insurance company to give your business. Some companies even offer Roadside Assistance to accompany your policy as an additional advantage.

When Souny West was laid off from Corporate America 3 years ago, she decided to start her own business: W Salon. Realizing that her talents were more concentrated in business development, she recognized the talent of her sister, Sue, who is a fabulous hairstylist of 15+ years. Having always had an entrepreneurial spirit, it was inevitable that she would start a business of her own some day. Her sister’s talent was what she truly believed. Souny knew she could successfully brand her sister’s skills using her background in social media and marketing.  Together, they have created a recognizable salon brand in less than 3 years through their focus and determination to be unique in their industry.                

Describe yourself in three words:            
I am known to Dream Big, Motivate and Inspire Others.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?
I would have to say being asked to represent small business owners for the 2012 Presidential Candidate Campaign for Gov. Mitt Romney and also being recognized as The Small Business Owner by Springfield Chamber of Commerce for 2012.

What are your professional goals for the next six months?          
To seek additional location's for the W Salon...  

How does your company stay connected through social media?
Due to my background in Social Media and Marketing, it has become a part of our lifestyle and behavior to always keep a pulse of various industries through my hootsuite dashboard daily. We follow various fashion & beauty brands, trend-setting bloggers and also sites like Entrepreneur.com and Ted.com to continually grow and think outside the box.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?   
Would love to try owning a hotel one day...        

How do you maintain a work/life balance?          
I try to work a 9 - 4 schedule and keep my evenings and weekends open to being a mom and wife. Although at times it becomes challenging as I find myself working when I put the kids to bed, I try and stick to that schedule as much as possible.  

What websites do you visit every day?
Ted.com, Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, Refinery29.com

What is your favorite drink – and where can you find it in Northern Virginia?
Being allergic to alcohol limits me to some extent, so I'll share a drink I often find myself enjoying twice a week in the afternoon as a treat.  Sweet Passion Iced Tea Lemonade by Starbucks - An infusion of hibiscus and natural tropical flavors, mixed with lemonade and hand-shaken with ice. My favorite.

What are your favorite people/places/things in Northern Virginia?
I love visiting Old Town Alexandria with my family.  We love walking up and down king street with ice-cream, cupcakes and a warm cup of coffee in hand.              

What is your goal for retirement?  
I don't find myself pondering on the idea that one day I will quit and sit along the beach watching sunsets. Entrepreneurship is in my blood. I find fulfillment building a business and watching it grow. It may be a hard habit for me to break. Would love to leave a legacy enterprise behind for my children and family.           

Do you have any advice for women who would like to start their own company?
Create your brand and allow others to absorb your company brand. People don’t consume based on what you do; people consume based on WHY you do it. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner opened its doors to a new artisan this Valentine’s Day season: Cupid Concierge.

Specializing in the creation of unique romantic experiences, the Cupid Concierge promises to deliver a Valentine’s Day experience that stretches far beyond the traditional into the exceptional, ensuring each guest’s stay is a unique luxury experience.

The Cupid Concierge package begins with a Ritz-Carlton romance package, which includes chocolate covered strawberries, French Rose Sparkling Wine, breakfast for two, valet parking and a rose petal turndown. After receiving a reservation, the Cupid Concierge will connect with the guest to explore how to personalize the Valentine’s Day experience, with options that include specialty truffles, bubble baths, spa treatments, cooking classes and Dom Pérignon. 

The package options also include reservations at the hotel’s many dining events that run from Valentine’s Day to Saturday, February 16. The hotel’s traditional Valentine’s Dinner in Bistro ($125 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity) features many indulgent items, including Champagne Poached Oyster, Heart Shaped Lobster Ravioli, Seared Chilean Sea Bass and Rose Water Panna Cotta. On February 15 and 16, the Pastry Chefs will create an exquisite Chocolate Buffet for guests to enjoy over live music in Entyse Wine Bar & Lounge, and on Saturday, February 16, Executive Chef Matthew Morrison will invite couples into his kitchen for an intimate gourmet  cooking class.

Throughout the week, The Day Spa will feature a Valentine’s Enhancement Menu that includes a welcome cocktail and pastry treat with each treatment and will offer two specialty treatments: the Sweet Treat Valentines Facial, a rejuvenating experience to reveal youthful skin, and a luxurious Rose Petal Massage. The Day Spa will also host a girls-only night of Martinis and Manicures on February 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Interested couples can contact the Cupid Concierge at (703) 506-4300, option nine, to speak to the Cupid Concierge or visit the hotel’s Calendar of Events to learn more.

Join the Tigerlily Foundation on March 9, 2013, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, Convention Center, 900 10th Street Northwest  Washington, DC, for a girl's "night" out to remember! Don your jammies (pink, purple or red), bring your daughters, nieces, sisters and friends, and enjoy fun activities including glam sessions, nail painting, makeovers, Wii game playing, styling, dress up, dancing, pillow fighting, and more.  Tickets are $40 for little girls (8-18) and $55 (18+) and include food, drinks and fun treats (chocolate fountains, cupcakes +).  There are only three pre-requisites - wear bling, come in your cutest pjs and be prepared to have fun!