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Karen Gordon writes about dating in Ballston/Va Square every Wednesday. Whether you are single, taken, or anywhere in between, keep updated with where to go, what to do and how the dating scene is changing in the area.Domaso Trattoria Moderna - Palomar Hotel Arlington What: You have two days to try the Domaso chef’s aphrodisiac inspired four course menu for $49 per person: Saturday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb, 14. You can complement the courses with paired wine flights for an additional $20. Where: 1121 North 19th St. Arlington , VA 22209 Front Page- Arlington What: Dine at Front Page on Monday, Feb. 14 and you will receive an appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert for a total of $80 per couple. You may add two glasses of wine with each course for $40.00. Where: 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203 Grand Cru…
Today is Groundhog Day. While Punxsutawney Phil is determining whether or not winter is going to continue for the next six weeks, it might be a good time to pause and decide whether or not your current romantic relationship is going to last for another six weeks. Regardless of whether or not Phil saw his shadow, the springtime is coming and the blossoming flora could be the time for a fresh budding romance. Imagining your love life six weeks out is a difficult task for some people, so take it one week at a time. Start with thinking about your plans for the Super Bowl this weekend. Are you …
A winter storm watch has been issued for Arlington tonight. With up to five inches of snow expected to ruin your morning commute, why not plan to get snowed in make a day date for your snow day? Mark your calendar on Jan. 27 for a very special “snow daYte”. Start Thursday off with the snow day tradition of breakfast in bed. Something warm like an omelet and coffee is sure to warm your soul and impress your mate. You should get up early enough to watch the forecast and find out if you actually got the day off. After a luxurious morning of lounging, strap on your snow boots and walk to the …
Awards season has begun and, for those who missed it, the season started with a bang Sunday night. Ricky Gervais hosted the Golden Globe awards and made hilariously controversial remarks about a number of prominent members of the Hollywood community. Robert DeNiro made a bizarrely uncomfortable speech, Christian Bale was cut off by that pesky music and Jane Fonda gave her entire speech with the sheer part of her dress exposing more than it was designed to expose. In addition to comedy and errors, a wonderful thing about the Golden Globes is that one can assume many of the film nominees will …
Many people in the Ballston area have Monday, Jan. 17, off work. The government will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so both Saturday and Sunday are now available to spend time with someone special, without having to be preoccupied with a work day ahead of you. Rather than lie around on your long weekend, get out there and try something new! There is nothing more romantic than both experiencing something unique for the first time together. Doing something “new” together can be as simple as trying a different lunch. Split up briefly and send one of you to Bruegger’s Bagels, …
Commercials are often viewed as a reflection of what's happening with popular culture at the time that they air. Currently anybody switching on their televisions is seeing an increase in commercials about healthy eating and fitness because losing weight has always been the most common New Year's resolution. However, the latest industry to join this January inundation of advertising is the online dating industry. According to JupiterResearch, the online dating industry is predicted to hit $932 million in 2011. Now is the time for people to jump on these formerly taboo sites and browse for the …
It's the end of the year which means it is time for the dreaded tasking of making resolutions. Every December many people sit down and take a good, hard look at themselves. Many people make lists of things they want to change about themselves, their lives and their situations. Along with losing weight, a common resolution is something about a love life. 2011 could be the year for you to end a negative relationship, face your fear of entering the dating scene, or even find the love of your life. However, none of these things will happen simply because the number in the bottom right corner of …
Visiting your significant other's family for the holidays is extremely stressful for most people. Not only are you encountering the issue of getting along with family, but the holidays provide additional pressures, such as buying gifts for people whom you may not know very well. Just try to keep in mind that this time of year is about family. Therefore, if you were included in any of the festivities you are already sitting pretty in someone's mind. Buying gifts for another family can be a challenging chore. Your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents likely have more money than you do and will …
Many people consider next weekend to be a time for family, so this may be the last weekend to have a holiday-themed date with your sweetheart. Book your special guy or gal for the whole day on Saturday and/or Sunday so that you can get in some true quality time before the family duties call. Christmas and Hanukkah provide a widespread spirit of giving. Jump on board with the atmosphere of charity by volunteering. Saturday from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. the Pentagon Barnes & Noble is in urgent need of volunteers to help wrap gifts. Take the metro to Pentagon with your sweetie and share in the holiday …
So many people are wondering the same thing: "What on earth do I get my significant other for the holidays?" While it is impossible to give a large audience just one answer to that question, it is possible to answer this one: "Do I need to get the person I'm dating a gift?" Yes. Gifts do, of course, range in size and value. If you have been dating a person for two months, you really shouldn't be spending as much as your friend who has been in a relationship for two years. That said, unless you've only been on two dates, you should play it safe and buy a present of some sort. The lowest level …
Holiday shopping is a dreaded task for many people. Why not make it better this year by turning the daunting task in to a romantic date? Gift shopping with your significant other is a brilliant way to get to one another better. You are likely buying gifts for important people in your life such as family, friends, and roommates. As you search for these gifts, you will find yourself talking about the people who matter the most to you. You'll share your mom's favorite hobbies; you'll laugh about your dad's lack of fashion sense, and describe your battle with your sibling to give the world's …
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which, for many Americans, marks the beginning of what is called "The Holiday Season". Dating during the holiday season involves a few obstacles and several factors which must be thought out. From time with families, time apart, gift giving, and holiday parties, there are several aspects of this celebratory part of the year that will be different for those who have just entered a relationship. Thanksgiving isn't terribly complicated for people who have recently started dating. Luckily there are no expectations of being invited to one …
Four weeks in to the hibernation season, many people are ready to introduce their new "special friend" to their closest pals. The most important aspect of this special meet-and-greet is to be sure your love interest feels comfortable. The numbers game is the most essential part of your plan. You don't want to invite an overwhelming group of every one of your Facebook friends, but you also want to be aware that an intimate group of your very best friends can be equally intimidating. It's probably best to stick with a group of 6-10 people total to make sure there…
Typical to the Ballston-Virginia Square area, the cold has come quickly. The hibernation season no longer seems like a far off adventure, but rather an immediate urge. As you leave your home each morning, the biting wind smacks you in the face as if to say, "Call him/her for another date!" Rather than curse the limited options of the winter season of dating, it's best to embrace the change and include it as part of your plans. If you have taken the cold into account while planning an indoor date, you are bound to look like the ultimate hero: Nemesis to the evil Jack Frost. There are many …
Assuming that you followed the advice of last week's column, you should have made at least one new friend over the holiday weekend. To begin the process of hibernation season, you must now move on to the dreaded First Date. First dates should take place on a week night. Friday and Saturday nights not only lack a definitive end point, but often include too much alcohol to really get to know a person, (or rather so much that you learn too much about the person). Arranging a date during the week also allows you to decide whether or not the person is worth your precious weekend time. Start a …
Saturday night is the night of Tricks and Treats. It's also the beginning of Hibernation Season: The time of year when people tend to couple off. As the weather gets colder, many single Ballstontonians are looking for someone to keep them warm. After Snowmageddon (the massive amounts of snow dumped on the Ballston-Virginia Square Region) last winter, it's a fair guess that people will be in hyper-hibernate mode this year. Anybody single during last year's storm can attest to the palpable loneliness they felt by their third day snowed in without any human contact. The fear of this stranded …
Candy is flying off the shelves and if you haven't found a costume yet, your best bet is to hit up Bed, Bath & Beyond for a bed sheet and a pair of scissors. Luckily, the final step of the Halloween preparation just happens to be a great outdoor date activity: Making a Jack-O-Lantern. Carving a pumpkin is a backyard event. If your building does not have a yard or a courtyard, head to the courtyard in front of Cosi and Potbellys and plop yourselves directly in the center of the circle. Break out a couple of apple ciders and set up with carving tools, a scooping spoon, and a separate bowl to …
While the fall weather provides the perfect backdrop for the afternoon date, there is something to be said for the romance provided by moonlight…and alcohol. Grand Cru is the ideal venue to provide these aspects of a night of romance. A wine bar and restaurant located in the courtyard behind Vapiano, their intimate outdoor seating is set back enough from the road to keep you away from the hustle and bustle of the street. There is another outdoor patio for the adjacent Big Buns but, other than that, there are no other businesses to provide distractions from the soft noise of the courtyard's …
Athletic dates are a recipe for success during the outdoor dating season. It's not too hot, so you don't have to worry about your date dying of heat stroke; The athletic activity of choice will provide entertainment, taking the pressure off of you to keep conversation rolling; And, best of all, the release of endorphins is known to trigger the release of hormones causing you both to feel more than just a "Runner's High" while you play the day away. To get the date in to "the swing" of things, bring your rackets to the tennis courts at Quincy Park. You can reserve a court online at: https://…
The leaves are turning Redskin Maroon and Gold as the signature D.C. area humidity is finally dying down for the year. Any Arlington native can tell you: This weather never lasts. It is only a matter of weeks before we forget how much we complained about temperatures being in the triple digits, and move on to whining about needing mittens before Thanksgiving. While the several weeks that we call "autumn" fly by, it is simply shameful to spend time indoors. Therefore, the classic "Dinner and a Movie" date is just not an option. This is the season of outdoor dating. Outdoor Dating Series #1: …
