Elizabeth Bouchard, Author at All Around Arlington

Holiday Light Displays

December 1, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is go see light displays. Whether it be at the Mormon Temple, or the Sailboat Parade in Annapolis, or just driving around neighborhoods looking for festive houses, it always puts me in the holiday spirit. My mother-in-law was known for her extravagant displays filled with thousands of lights, musical moving figures, Santa on the roof and her own nativity scene. People would come from miles around to see her home and she was even on the news for having some of the best decorations in the DC area. Despite being just a little bit “tacky”, it made us smile every time we turned the corner and saw her house at the holidays. I will miss that now that she is gone. But there are many other choices in the area to see light displays. Click here for a list of some of the best displays.

Also this year, the Rosslyn Business Improvement District is starting off the holiday season with “Light Up Rosslyn” on Thursday, December 3rd at 1100 Wilson Blvd. The ceremony begins at 5:30 pm under the WJLA-TV/ABC-7 JumboTron. At 6:45 p.m. a giant light switch will be turned on to illuminate the Rosslyn rooftops for the holidays. The event includes musical performances and local establishments will be providing refreshments. Rosslyn now use energy-efficient LED bulbs to make the holiday event “green.” The Rosslyn skyline will be lit up through January 31, 2010.

Also on December 3rd, the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse will be lit. If you didn’t win lottery tickets to attend the event, you can view it live at www.thenationaltree.org at 5pm ET on December 3rd. In addition, public television stations will begin airing the 60-minute lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4th and continue throughout the holiday season. You can also visit the National Christmas Tree, Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas Pathway of Peace, the National Christmas Tree Railroad, Nativity Scene and Yule Log which will be on display over the next few weeks.

Westover Library Grand Opening Celebration October 31st

October 23, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

Westover Library will be holding a dedication ceremony on Friday, October 30th at 10 a.m. and a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 31st from 10 to 4, rain or shine.

There will be live music, daytime trick or treating at Westover business, shopping and dining specials throughout the day, a walking tour of Westover, face painting, a costume parade, and more.

For more details on the dedication ceremony, view the flyer. For more information on the opening celebration on October 31st, click here .

Washington-Lee High School Open House October 18th

October 17, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

Photo courtesy of Arlington Public Schools

The new Washington-Lee High School was dedicated on Friday, October 16th. To celebrate, they are holding an open house on Sunday, October 18th from 2-4 pm. The community is invited to come visit the school and take tours of the new sections including the aquatic center, the auditorium, and the gymnasium, which were just completed this Fall as well as the Commons, the cyber cafe, the cooking lab and other parts of the school which opened in January 2008. Washington-Lee is located at 1301 N. Stafford Street.

Market Statistics for September 2009

October 17, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

Market statistics for September can be found at this link.

Dogtober Days

October 9, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

Is your dog the best kisser? Or the best tail wagger? Or the most adorable? Find out at Dogtober Days where there will be contests in these and many other categories.

Lacey Woods Park in Arlington will once again host Dogtober Days on Saturday October 10th, 2009 from 1:00 – 3:30.

Looking for Things to Do in Arlington, Virginia?

September 25, 2009 by Elizabeth Bouchard

Some time ago I started a Facebook page with 365 Things To Do in Arlington where I put a new post each day of something to do in the area. After several months I realized I should also include that list on this site as a permanent resource. Although some of the items on Facebook were date specific many of these events happen on an annual basis so I have tried to make them more generic here. If you “Like” the Facebook page and turn on notifications for that page you will receive regular updates in your news feed of things to do in Arlington.

Please check with the websites to get the most accurate information though as dates change, restaurants and shops close and new ones take their place, and certain events may be discontinued. Feel free to offer suggestions – you can include local restaurants, night life, music venues, attractions, parks, hiking trails, shops, fairs and festivals, special events or any other ideas of what makes Arlington, Virginia such a great place to live, work and visit.

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