Arlington, TX

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to interview Maren Morris, a 17 year old singer/songwriter from Arlington. She told us a little bit about how she got started in the music business, who her influences were and what it’s like to be a young person with a music career. This girl has a promising career ahead of her! If you missed that interview, be sure to check it out here. You can also view a clip of Maren performing live.

Since we talked to her, Maren has been busy doing radio shows to promote her album, All That it Takes, which is currently number 10 on the Texas music charts. She’s also performing all over Texas and Oklahoma. This Saturday, December 15, she’ll be at the Granada Theater in Dallas with Marcia Ball. If you can’t catch her then, check out her MySpace page for her full calendar.

Even though she’s been busy with all of her promotions and performances, Maren took the time to offer a few copies of her CD for us to give away to our readers, so we’re going to have a real simple contest to start things off. All I need you to do is leave a comment on the blog. How easy is that? Just comment on any post between now and Friday, December 14 and you’ll be entered to win. Make sure you use a legitimate e-mail address (only I will be able to see it) because that’s how I will contact the winners.

Good Luck!

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday,  November 4. That means you will need to “fall back” one hour.

The change takes place a week later than in the past due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This act changed the dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. beginning in 2007. DST began on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, extending DST by several weeks.

This is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors. Instead of waiting for the batteries to die, go ahead and change them now. It’ll help keep your family safe and save you from listening to that dreaded beeping that only ever happens in the middle of the night.

Free smoke detectors, installation and replacement batteries are available for elderly and low income residents by calling the Arlington Fire Department at 817-459-5500.

Morton Elementary School is celebrating their 30th anniversary this school year. (How can that be? I went to that school the year they opened - 2nd grade. Surely that wasn’t 30 years ago! Alas, I guess it was.)

To celebrate, they are hosting a reception for former students, teachers and parents on October 25th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. I know several of the students and parents from my class have already been contacted and are planning to be there. I have it on good authority that some of the original teachers will be there as well.

It should be very interesting to see all of my former classmates, some of whom I probably haven’t seen since 6th grade. If you are a Morton alum, make plans to attend and celebrate our school!

Arlington, Arlington TX, Morton Elementary, 30th anniversary, reception

Remember American Gladiators? For some reason, NBC had decided to ressurect this show and they are holding audtions right here in Arlington.

If you remember the original, which ran from 1989 to 1996, it pitted weekend warriors against some pretty scary, very large ‘gladiators’ in competitions such as The Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and Eliminator. The updated version will keep the same concept but will offer updated versions of the classic events. A broadcast date for the series has not been announced, but it is expected to premiere mid-season in prime time.

Here are the details for the audtions: 

September 22
10am to 6pm
Arlington Courts
2500 E. Mayfield Road
http://www.arlington-courts.com/ 

• Please bring a non-returnable photo of yourself along with a completed application to the open call.
• Open Call Lines will begin forming 2 hours before the start time. Please do not line up prior to that.
• Time is limited and there is no guarantee that everyone will be seen-so please arrive early.

Gladiator hopefuls must come dressed in workout attire and wear appropriate footwear. A workout towel and water are suggested. Contestants will be tested on physical ability in areas such as strength, speed, balance and agility. All contestants must be at least 18 years of age and a legal US resident.

If you’re interested, check out NBC.com to download the application.

Arlington, Arlington TX, American Gladiators, NBC, Auditions, Casting Call

I just want to give a huge “Thank You” to all of you who have said a prayer for my nephew. He is hanging tough and his vitals are where they need to be. We pray that he continues to do well. My sister-in-law is now out of the hospital and doing so much better. She has had a chance to visit her baby boy, but we are hoping she won’t try to overdo it. She needs to heal and get strong. Please continue sending prayers for Andrew and his family.

Arlington, Arlington TX, Premature Baby, Prayer Request

…and ask everyone for a favor?

My sister-in-law gave birth to a baby boy this past Wednesday in an emergency c-section. They had to take the baby to save her life due to complications. He was born at only 24 weeks gestational age so he is just a little peanut, weighing in at only 1 lb., 6 ounces. He is in the NICU and hanging in but he has a long, hard road ahead of him. His mommy is still in the hospital in East Texas and he was flown to Dallas, so Phone Guy and I have been spending as much time as we can out there with him until his mommy and daddy can get out here to see him.

If you’re the praying type, please say a prayer for little Andrew and his family. He needs all the good-health vibes and prayers he can get.

Thanks and God Bless!

Arlington, Arlington Texas, Premature Baby, 24 Weeks Gestation, Prayer Request

It’s true. What’s the catch you ask? No catch. OK, you do have to comment to enter, but other than that there’s no catch. 451 Press is holding a network-wide contest during the month of August.

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site (including this one or my other blog, TV on DVD Buzz) during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly!

Arlington, Arlington TX, Blog, Contest, Comment, 451 Press

Tonight, there will be a town hall meeting for Arlington residents and businesses to discuss the proposed Storm Water Fee increase. Mayor Pro Tempore Ron Wright will host the meeting. Environmental Services Director Robert Byrd will make a presentation about the storm water ordinance.

The Storm Water Ordinance is scheduled for a final reading at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 24. The town hall meeting is being held to get community feedback about the proposed fee before the City Council takes action.

The meeting will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, July 23 at the Arlington Municipal Building located at 101 W. Abram St. in downtown Arlington.

Arlington, Arlington TX, City Council, Town Hall Meeting, Storm Water Fee, Increase, Ron Wright, Robert Byrd

If you do, you might want to enter the city’s Smart Yard contest. 

Smart Yard is an event designed to recognize Arlington residents who use environmentally friendly yard management and design to develop a “smart yard” using the design concepts from Texas SmartScape and similar sources.   Texas SmartScape encourages the use of native and adaptive plants and trees to design colorful, healthy landscapes that require less water, pesticides and fertilizers.  This is the fourth year for the contest.

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The eastbound entrance ramp on I-30 at Collins Street closes today.  It will remain closed for an estimated 2 years while construction is completed on 3 new bridges.  The Collins Street bridge will be replaced and 2 new bridges, at Baird Farm Rd. and Center St., will be erected.  All work should be completed before the opening of the Cowboys Stadium in 2009.

Arlington, Arlington TX, Collins Street Bridge, Collins, Baird Farm, Center, Bridges, Dallas Cowboys, Stadium

Add me as a friend!  I’ll keep you posted on what’s going on here.

 http://www.myspace.com/aboutarlingtontx

Arlington, Arlington TX, MySpace

Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on the American Idol Season 1 Final Results Show

American Idol is coming back to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Texas Stadium in Irving will be their 2nd stop on their 7 city search for the next big singing sensation. Here’s the complete schedule:

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Well, sort of.  CBS and Six Flags are holding an Amazing Race contest in the Arlington park on July 31.   Teams will consist of one person over 18 and one person under 18 (but over 54″ tall).   

Just like in the show, teams will be required to complete a series of tasks throughout the park (including rides and other activities) using Amazing Race “clues” to locate and complete each task.  Clues for the following task will be given to each team by a race official after the successful completion of each task. Once all tasks have been completed, teams must race to the final meeting point. The first team to reach the end of the race and to have successfully completed all six tasks will be declared the winner. (more…)

Welcome to the Arlington, TX blog. My name is Debbie and I’ll be keeping you informed of important happenings in and around Arlington. We’ll be discussing news, shopping, dining, events and of course some tourist attractions. I hope you’ll bookmark us and visit often.