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Arlington Singles Connect Over Bocce

By WTOP Staff

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Editor’s Note: This post is written and sponsored by DC Bocce.

Have you heard about the resurgence in bocce ball, a revered Italian tradition? A new generation of players is taking on Italian-American clubs and grandfathers everywhere at their own game at an ever-increasing rate. It turns out that in addition to the game’s appeal as a relaxing backyard past-time, it also provides a framework for the perfect date. Just ask the young professionals of the area’s own DC Bocce League.

“Bocce is the perfect way to make new friends and meet that someone special,” says Sarah DeLucas, a co-founder of the DC Bocce League, the nation’s largest organized bocce organization. “Bocce provides a great medium for meeting new people. There is a natural flow of conversation deciding whose ball is closer to the pallina and the game can be picked up by people of all abilities. Plus it can be played in your best date outfit — no need for gym clothes.”

DeLucas’s league has operated in various locations across Arlington, DC, and Bethesda for ten years and boasts at least nine known couples who met playing and ended up tying the knot. If your interest is piqued by the idea of bocce games with other singles and young professionals, check out DC Bocce’s special brand of bocce this spring in Arlington on two brand new bocce courts at the restaurant La Tagliatella.

Located across from the Clarendon Metro, La Tagliatella built two turf bocce courts on the sidewalk patio of the restaurant last fall. La Tagliatella is the only bar in Arlington that has on-premise, permanent bocce courts and the DC Bocce League is excited to take full advantage of them on Tuesday and Thursday evenings this spring.

Worried that you’ve out-grown rec leagues and meeting your significant other over a game of flip-cup?

“La Tagliatella’s patio and restaurant seating offer players a spot to slip off for quiet conversation over a craft cocktail or a sophisticated wine,” said DeLucas.

Registration for DC Bocce’s spring season at La Taligiatella is currently open through Friday, March 21st. Sign up to play on Tuesdays or Thursdays starting next week. Teams play every week for 6 weeks. At the end of the season everyone participates in a single elimination tournament culminating in the crowning of a champion team.

Bonus: everyone makes the playoffs so you don’t have to be an expert to get started. The bar will offer exclusive discounts on food and drinks to bocce players, and unlike other bocce leagues you may have encountered, scoring off the courts is just as important as winning the game. To get in on the bocce action, use promo code ARLNOW20 to save $20 on your registration.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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