When: Saturday, 10/1, 9am – 2pm

Where: NRECA, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (1 Block from the Ballston Metro)

What:

• Discover practical advice for managing money, improving credit and avoiding eviction or foreclosure;
• Attend tenant and homebuyer workshops (English/Spanish);
• Meet with landlords, real estate and finance professionals, housing specialists and County staff;
• Access federal, state and local housing programs and resources; and
• Enter for a chance to win door prizes throughout the day.

Nominations are accepted from today (9/21) through October 21st. After nominations have been sorted, you can vote on your favorite from October 26th through November 16th, so remember to come back to vote.

Nominate an Arlington Business for the 2011 Awards

For a list of previous winners:

• 2010 ABBIE Award Winners
• 2009 ABBIE Award Winners

Highlights include:

• The Virginia Hospital Center Foundation’s Family Fun Day which showcases Arlington’s health services
• The Clarendon Day 10K/5K Run sponsored by Pacers Running Store
• The KIDZ ZONE featuring free and ticketed attractions for kids and teens
• Day-long entertainment for the young and young at heart at the Children’s Entertainment Stage
• Local and regional musical acts in a variety of styles perform on the Clarendon Day 2011 Music Stages
• Local and Regional Restaurants offer a variety to treats to satisfy any appetite 
• Artists and crafters from around the region displaying their unique designs
• Local business and nonprofit exhibitors reach thousands of customers and clients
• Wine and beer sales support Doorways for Women and Families 

Clarendon Day 2011

Yesterday marked the opening day for the 2011 Arlington County Fair! The Fair will go on through Sunday evening, giving you plenty of time to go this weekend. This year the fair includes entertainment such as Outdoor Movie Nights (Fri & Sat), Competitive Exhibits, Star Family Circus, Harlem Wizards, Racing Piglets and Pony Rides, and more. There’s plenty of parking nearby, or take one of the Shuttles.

Hours:

Thursday, August 11, 2011: Indoor Hours: 7pm-10pm, Outdoor: 5pm-10pm
Friday, August 12, 2011: Indoor Hours: 10am-9pm, Outdoor: 10am-10pm
Saturday, August 13, 2011: Indoor Hours: 10am-9pm, Outdoor: 10am-10pm
Sunday, August 14, 2011: Indoor Hours: 11am-5pm, Outdoor: 11am-10pm

Follow updates from the Fair on Facebook or Twitter

When: August 15 – 21, 2011

What: Prix Fixe Menus at many restaurants in DC, Montgomery County and Northern Virginia.
Lunch: $20.11
Dinner: $35.11*
*Prices do not include beverages, tax, gratuity and are per person

Who: For a complete list of participating restaurants and to make reservations, visit OpenTable.com

Aside from Restaurant Week, this is the Arlington Foodie event to look forward to each year! This Sunday, May 22nd, from Noon to 5pm, tons of people will fill the Ballston streets in search of good food, good drinks, and a good time. I had the pleasure of going last year and had a great time – so look for me there this year too

When: Sunday, May 22nd, Noon to 5pm

Where: Wilson Blvd, in front of the Ballston Mall

What: Food by Arlington Restaurants,  live Music, moonbounce for the kids, face painting, and so much more.

Other things to note:

Many people bring dogs, since the event is pet friendly, just remember to keep them on a leash!

You can purchase tickets in advance, or until 3pm the day of the event. Purchase tickets online for $20 (rather than $25 the day of).

Check out photos from the 2010 event here.

See you Sunday!

Block party permits may be issued the same day providing:

• The block party is more than 72 hours from date of application.
• All neighbors are notified of the party.  This permit will become null in void if any neighbor objects to the activity in question.
• Approved permits must be paid in full and picked up in our office.

Information Required:

• Name and address
• Daytime telephone number of the requestor
• What streets will be closed from intersection to intersection.
• Time and date (include rain date). If rain date is requested, also order barricades for new requested date
• How many barricades are needed?  ($5.00 per device per day )
• Are Parking Meters to be blocked? Provide meter numbers for each each meter to be blocked during street closure

Requirements:

• Minimum cost: $34.00 application fee plus applicable barricade fees (approximately $30.00)
• Block party perimeter is limited to one (1) block
• No alcohol or loud music in the street is permitted
• No setting up tables or grills in the street
• All residents on the block where the street will be closed must agree, even if they do not plan to participate in the block party
• No permit can be issued if it would conflict with any known event or business in the area
• We encourage pick up of the permit 72 hours in advance of the block party so barricades can be ordered from Water, Sewer, and Streets.  Please remember the County is closed on weekends, so placement of barricades or duration of permit approval does not include weekends.
  

Fee schedules are shown as effective in 2007. Most likely these fees have been changed since then, so be sure to contact Arlington County to find out the updated costs.

Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse

The big screen at the Drafthouse may not rival the big screen at Cowboys Stadium, but it’s still a pretty cool way to catch the game. Info: Free. 4:30 p.m. doors. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; 703-486-2345;

Crystal City Sports Pub

One of the best sports bars in the region does it right. Start with an appetizer buffet from 4 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a halftime dinner buffet. And, of course, full bars on three levels and scores of televisions. Info: $35, reservations required. 529 23rd St., Arlington; 703-521-8215

Hawk ‘n’ Dove

A Packers headquarters, this Capitol Hill watering hole will have all four of its bars opened by 4 p.m. Drink specials will include Leinenkugel beer out of Chippewa Falls, Wis. Info: 329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-543-3300

Mister Days

An all-you-can-eat buffet starting at 3 p.m., raffles, drink specials and the Redskins cheerleaders make this the place to be in Clarendon. Info: $25. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 703-527-1600

Pour House

Home of the D.C. Steeler Nation fan club. Three floors offer plenty of room, but get there early to snag a spot. Info: 319 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; 202-546-0779

Tortoise & Hare

The party starts at 12:30 at this Steelers bar with the Penguins and Capitals facing off. Enjoy food and drink specials, but get there early. Info: 567 23rd St., Arlington; 703-979-1872

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/2011/02/where-watch-big-game#ixzz1Czmlnz60

This year the event runs January 17 – 23, 2011

Lunch: $20.11 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Dinner: $35.11 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Beverages, gratuity and tax are not included.

You can find a full list of participating restaurants and make reservations (highly recommended) on OpenTable.com

Participating restaurants from Arlington include:

And a few in Falls Church:

What’s Exempt: During this period, purchases of certain Energy Star and WaterSense qualified products purchased for non-commercial use and costing $2,500 or less will be exempt from sales tax. The exempt Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and programmable thermostats that carry the Energy Star designation. The exempt WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, and toilets. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.

Other Information:

Complete information on the Energy Star and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday has been posted.

• Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions
• List of Exempt Products

Visit the Virginia Department of Taxation for more details.