Below freezing temperatures this time of year might keep you from exercising outdoors but you can still get a good workout by swimming at one of Arlington’s three indoor swimming pools, located at the three public high schools. Washington-Liberty’s natatorium just opened in 2009 and features a 25 meter x 25 yard pool with a movable bulkhead, two 1m springboards, a separate instructional pool, a wet classroom and a spectator area. The other two pools are six lane 25 yard pools with a separate instructional tank. The pools open for community swim as early as 5:30 a.m. and stay open some days to 8:30 at Wakefield and Yorktown and 9:30 at Washington-Liberty. There are designated lap lanes, open swim areas, a tank pool for children and they offer swimming and aqua fitness classes. Daily passes are available or you can purchase multi-use passes or memberships. Free swim times for Arlington Seniors and Arlington Children and Youth are also available each week. Check the Arlington Public Schools Aquatics website for more information and links to community swim schedules, lane and tank availability, class descriptions, and fees.
The pools are located at:
- Wakefield High School 4901 S Chesterfield Rd, Arlington, VA 22206, 703-578-3063
- Washington-Liberty High School 1300 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-228-6262
- Yorktown High School 5201 N. 28th Street, Arlington, VA 22207, 703-536-9739
They are currently offering gift cards for memberships so if there is an avid swimmer on your gift list you might want to check it out.
#249 – Go See a Holiday Light Display
My mother-in-law used to put up thousands of lights at Christmas time and had figures on display including Santa on the roof, a nativity scene, carolers, and reindeer. She even made the news one year for one of the best light displays. Despite it being just a little bit tacky, it always brought big smiles as we turned the corner to her house and saw the lights and heard the music. We miss that now that she is gone.
In Arlington, we have lit up Rosslyn, lit up the Village in Shirlington and many residents are putting up their holiday displays. In my neighborhood, I always enjoy driving by the Capital Hospice on 16th Street to see the white lights on the trees, shrubs and gazebo. Around the corner on Abingdon Street (1610) is a private home with elaborate decorations.
Outside of Arlington but within a short drive, there are light displays at the National Zoo, the Mormon Temple, Bull Run and Watkins Park among others.
And Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights website has a photographic tour of individual homes in Northern Virginia with light displays.
Where are your favorite light displays?
#248 – Enjoy Listening to Holiday Music
My dad would have listened to Christmas carols all year long (and sung along) if we let him, but always made him wait till after Thanksgiving. If you can’t get enough of holiday music, here are a plenty of opportunities to get your fill this holiday season:
The Arlington Children’s Chorus is presenting a Festival of Song on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 4PM at Clarendon United Methodist Church.
Home for the Holidays -Music at the Spectrum Theatre at Artisphere on Sunday December 12th at 4 PM– National Chamber Ensemble
Holiday Mayhem – Signature Theatre’s annual holiday cabaret runs from December 20th-23rd.
Prelude, the Arlington Youth Orchestral Program, will be presenting a Holiday Chamber Music Concert at Lyon Park Community Center on December 19th at 4 pm (free)
The Potomac Harmony Chorus, Arlington’s women’s barbershop chorus will be holding a holiday concert at Thomas Jefferson Community Center December 19th at 3 pm.
The Columbia Pike Community Chorus will be performing at Trinity Episcopal Church on December 19th at 4 PM.
Music To Cheer the Soul with Chorus, Brass and Bells will be presented by the Metropolitan Chorus on December 18th at 8PM at the Thomas Jefferson Theatre.
#247 – Go See The Nutcracker
Synetic Family Theatre in Crystal City will be showing their version of this holiday classic using grand costume masks and puppetry from 12/11 to January 16th.
#244 – Come to the Winter Wonderland
Typically held the second Saturday in December, Clarendon Market Common hosts Winter Wonderland. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck and they’ll be staying for visits and free photos. All afternoon, attendees can enjoy free holiday activities and entertainment, including ice sculptures, strolling entertainment, “Jack Frost”, carolers, and more. Toys for Tots campaign will be accepting donations of unwrapped toys and cash. For event information, call 703-785-5634, or click on the Market Common link above.
#243 – Come to a Christmas Movie Festival
Arlington Cinema N’ Drafthouse hosts an annual Christmas Movie Festival on a Sunday in Mid-December. Pay one price to stay all day and see as many movies as you want. Past lineups shown below.
Noon – How The Grinch Stole Christmas
12:30 PM – A Charlie Brown Christmas
1:00 PM – Elf
2:30 PM – How The Grinch Stole Christmas
3:00 PM – A Christmas Story
4:30 PM – A Charlie Brown Christmas
5:15 PM – Fred Claus
7:20 PM – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
9:15 PM – Bad Santa
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