Looking for a way to give back this holiday season?
The county’s Volunteer Arlington program lists several holiday-related volunteer and donation opportunities that are open to interested members of the public.
Christmas
|
Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. Case in point: Shirlington’s 9th annual holiday tree-lighting is only two weeks away.
The ‘Light Up the Village‘ event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29. In addition to the tree lighting, which will take place at 6:30 p.m., there will also be live music, strolling entertainment, local merchant specials, photos with Santa (inside the UPS Store), horse and carriage rides (cost: a canned food donation to the Arlington Food Assistance Center), face painting, balloon twisting and more.
The Pentagon City mall has its Christmas tree up, and Santa will arrive next Saturday, November 12, to pose for pictures with customers.
Ballston Common Mall is waiting until after Thanksgiving to bring in Santa. He’ll arrive there on Black Friday, November 25. There will also be special hours on December 4 and December 11 for people to bring their pets for photos with Santa.
|
Crime didn’t completely take a holiday over the weekend, but it certainly was at lower-than-usual levels.
Here are the two Grinchiest moments in Arlington, with both occurring on Christmas Eve.
Trees will be picked up for recycling between Monday, Jan. 3 and Friday, Jan. 14. The county is asking residents to remove all ornaments, lights and stands, and to place the tree outside by 6:00 a.m. on their regular trash collection day. Do not place the tree in a plastic bag, say county officials.
Apartment, condo and townhouse dwellers who don’t have curbside garbage pickup can drop off the trees for recycling at the county’s Solid Waste Bureau (4300 South 29th Street) provided they show proof of Arlington residency.
Here’s wishing you and yours a Christmas filled with joy and togetherness.
See you back here Monday morning.
The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network is holding a Christmas Eve dinner for homeless individuals at the county’s Emergency Winter Shelter in Courthouse.
The non-profit issued the following press release about the event.
We just wanted to take a quick moment to thank everybody who will be working over the Christmas holiday.
From emergency personnel to military service members to media workers to retail and service employees, here’s to the dedicated men and women who will be protecting, informing and serving us while much of the community is opening presents and spending time with family.
Forget Black Friday. The next two or three days will likely be some of the busiest shopping days of the year, as procrastinators head to the malls to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts.
Where in Arlington, if anywhere, are you planning on going shopping before Dec. 25? You can select more than one answer.
Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) has just the thing for the Creole on your Christmas list. The new Courthouse eatery has a number of “bite-sized gifts and stocking stuffers” on sale through Dec. 24.
Among them:
Santa Visits Cherrydale — More than 300 children swarmed the Cherrydale Fire Station on Sunday afternoon, taking home free presents, stuffed stockings and fresh memories of Santa Claus. The children were beneficiaries of the 80th annual Christmas celebration sponsored by the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department. — Michael Doyle
End in Sight For HOT Lanes Suit? — After more than $1 million in legal costs, could the county’s lawsuit over HOT lanes on I-395 be nearing an end? Arlington “has had several positive negotiations that could lead to a settlement outside of court,” reports Ben Giles of the Washington Examiner, citing an interview with County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac.
Santa’s appearance will be particularly meaningful this year, as the Arlington County Fire Department’s Engine Co. 3 is preparing to depart for new Lee Highway quarters in 2011. The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Station at 3900 Lee Highway will remain as a community resource; it is listed on both the state and national historic landmark registries.
The Cherrydale station’s holiday celebration has changed over the years, even as it has grown in popularity. Up until 1960, Santa brought refurbished toys to give away. Following several years of a gift exchange, the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department in 1964began buying gifts for distribution. Typically, several hundred children show up for the afternoon festivities.