Are you going to GAME NIGHT tonight?

Yes, it is our magnificent game night. Be prepared to rock the night away by playing your favorite board game or be adventurous and battle your neighbor on the Wii.

Remember this is BYOB. It starts at 7:30.

Whoops...I forgot to post about the Board Meeting.

It was last night. Perhaps someone can write in to say if anything of interest happened? Sorry that I forgot to remind people about the meeting.

Mardi Gras Parade

The Annual Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade

Tuesday, February 24 at 8 pm

The largest home-grown celebration in the Baltimore-Washington area featuring Floats, Beads, Music & Fun with participation from Clarendon businesses and Community groups, capturing the spirit of a small-town, family-friendly Louisiana celebration!

Sharing Back Yards

I saw this piece in Daily Candy the other day and thought I'd share. I know we can't vegetable garden in the Village but alas maybe someday we'll be able to!

Baby Got Back
Sharing Backyards Service

Very wary, not too merry about how that garden grows.
No silver bells, vegetable smells, nor room for flowering rows.

If you’re feeling quite contrary about the state (or lack) of your outdoor space, find a solution at Sharing Backyards. The collective site looks to pair people seeking and offering yard space for gardening.

Browse existing listings throughout the District or post your own stating your needs and wants. Then rake in the matches and commence growing veggies, fruits, herbs, and whatever else floats your sprout.

The company’s goal is to localize the food supply one garden at a time. Members also use the community to swap tips on organic gardening and working with local officials to cultivate public space.

Time to roll up those green sleeves.

Available online at sharingbackyards.com.

Don't FORGET Restaurant Week!

This is a great week for good deals on good food. Plus I heard that almost 20 restaurants in Arlington are participating as well. Go to this website to see the list of restaurants.

Here's this week's deal:

Lunch: $20.09 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Dinner: $35.09 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Beverages, gratuity and tax are not included.

Want to be a Board Member?

I hear that an AV Blast should be going out to all residents that are interested in being on the Board. Problem is...no blast has gone out and the deadline to put your hat in the ring is February 19th. Yes...3 days from now. I suggest calling the office if you are interested in the position.

News from CPRO Website about Giant

Not sure if you ever check out the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) website but there is news about our Giant Supermarket.

"Carbon Thompson reports that their Penrose Square project (on Columbia Pike at S. Adams St.) is now fully funded. The deal with Wachovia and RBS, which was wrapped up on February 12, means that the existing Giant grocery store and pharmacy will soon be given 45 days notice, and their closure will make way for demolition and excavation of the site. The 7-story development will include a large new Giant store, 30,000 sq. ft. of other retail, 299 apartments, more than 700 parking spaces, and a new public square. The project had been held up pending resolution of a financing package. This is a significant accomplishment in today’s difficult lending environment where fewer loans are being made, and terms are generally less attractive. Financing difficulties have delayed groundbreaking for the Arlington Mill Community Center redevelopment (on the Pike at S. Dinwiddie St.), and also explains why it has not yet been possible to close a deal to redevelop the Bob & Edith’s 2 site (on the Pike at S. Buchanan St.)."

Tax Assessments in Arlington

We got a question the other day in a separate post...does anyone have an answer for one of our neighbors?

"Has anyone ever been successful contesting the county tax assessment?"

Board Member Resignation?

That's what the Arlington Village grapevine is saying! Now with the opening on the Board...how will it be filled? Will the Board ask for volunteers or just fill the spot with one of their many minions? Hopefully they will choose the democratic approach.

Any volunteers? What's your campaign slogan?

The Arlington Village Website

It's back to its old ways. :( Sad to say but the website has again lapsed into the spiral of death. A lack of updating and care. It was so nice right before the Board elections how ofter the site was updated. Comments...suggestions???

The Crier - It's HERE.

Sounds like the Poltergeist movie huh? Yes it is here. Run home after work and read it cover to cover. I think it's great it talks about the employee health plan but nothing about the fact the L&N switchover was a catastrophe. Also nothing about the fact that some units aren't paying the right condo fees.

Oh and to add to that...my power went out again yesterday.

L&N Letter to Homeowners - Did You Receive?

Did everyone receive the letter from L&N regarding the transition from Armstrong? The letter states that if haven't received your coupon books to call 703-600-6000 or our Community Manager - Andy. Andy's number is 703-848-4324.

It also indicates that any late fees from January were waived by the board. Good thing! With all the confusion that certainly was the right decision.

February Crier...maybe the Groundhog ate it?

Where is it? Did anyone see one today in their mail box?

No Power?

As the resident from yesterday said on another blog post...what's up with Arlington Village losing power 2 nights in a row? Even a woman at the grocery store asked the clerk if their power went out! So it might not just be an AV thing...it could be an area outage. Hmmm....anyone heard anything?

Police Out and About for Superbowl Sunday

From the Arlington County Police Department:

The Arlington County Police Department is adding extra patrols to discourage drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday. Additional officers will patrol the streets, in commercial and residential neighborhoods, looking for motorists operating their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most popular and entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself - eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
• Always buckle up – it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Please act responsibly.