Arlington, TX

It’s been a while since I’ve published a Calendar of Events but I’m going to try to get you one every Friday like I did in the past.

This weekend you can attend the Texas Fishing, Hunting and Outdoors show at the Arlington Convention Center,  enjoy the play Moonlight & Magnolias at Theatre Arlington, or catch one of your favorite bands at a local club. Here’s a list of what’s happening:

What: The FNG’s
When: Friday, Jan. 11 @ 9:30 pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: The Walton Stout Band
When: Friday, Jan. 11 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Texas Fishing, Hunting & Outdoors Show 
When: Friday, Jan. 11 - Sunday, Jan. 13 - Fri. & Sat. 10-8; Sun. 10-5
Where: Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, 817-459-5000

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What: Moonlight & Magnolias
When: Friday, Jan. 11 - Sunday, Jan.13,  Fri. & Sat. 8:00 pm; Sun. 2:00 pm
Where: Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., 817-275-7661

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What: SPCA Pet Adoptions
When: Saturday, Jan. 12, Noon - 4pm
Where: The Parks at Arlington, 3811 S. Cooper Street, 817-467-0200

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What: Brighton’s “Go Red for Women” Breakfast
When: Saturday, Jan. 12, 9-10am
Where: The Parks at Arlington, 3811 S. Cooper Street, 817-467-0200

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What: Johnnie High’s Country Revue
When: Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm
Where: Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center Street, 817-226-4400

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What: Just N Tyme
When: Saturday, Jan. 12 @ 9:30 pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Hearsay
When: Saturday, Jan. 12 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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The Arlington Police Department is trying to help you avoid the traffic as you begin your Christmas shopping this weekend. They have provided the map above to help aid you in finding an alternate route as you visit the shopping district.

They are asking drivers to be patient and have offered a map of alternate routes to both The Parks and the Arlington Highlands.

For The Parks, consider using alternate entrances. Instead of using the main Cooper Street entrance at Pleasant Ridge Road, go north to the entrance near the Barnes & Noble or the next to Jason’s Deli. Shoppers can also enter the mall in two places from Arbrook. Drivers can exit at the southeast corner of the mall by the FedEx Kinko’s, which exits onto the I-20 service road, avoiding Cooper Street, or onto Arbrook on the north side of the mall.

Visitors to the Highlands are encouraged to enter and exit from Center Street and Arbrook Boulevard. Barricades will be set up to prevent left turns out of the Highlands on Highlander Boulevard and there will be limited access to Matlock Road. Once inside the shopping center, drivers will be asked to travel in a clockwise direction. Signs will assist drivers with the direction of travel and police will be on hand to direct traffic.

Do your best to stay off of Matlock and Cooper (I know I always do). Alternate North/South routes include Bowen Road and Collins Street.

To avoid traffic, shop during the week. Avoid the peak times of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and shop early.

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Fashion designer and television personality Tim Gunn will be making an appearance at the Dillard’s in the Parks at Arlington Mall this Saturday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Gunn, a native of Washington, D.C., has appeared as a mentor and judge on Bravo’s show Project Runway since its first season in 2004. Project Runway is a reality competition show in which contestants compete to create the best clothes within the limitations of time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more are eliminated each week. Gunn is known to Project Runway viewers for catchphrases like “Make it work” and “Carry on.” He also has another series, Tim Gunn’s Guide To Style, which debuted this season on Bravo. It it, he gives advice to fashion-challenged individuals. If you’re not familiar with his Bravo shows, you may remember him from a couple of Ugly Betty episodes he appeared in, as himself, last season.

In addition to his television credits, Gunn served Chair of Fashion Design at Parsons, The New School for Design until earlier this year. He is currently the chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne and the author of the book Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style.

The event this Saturday at Dillard’s will feature a holiday fashion show, along with giveaways, music, refreshments and prizes! Shoppers who spend at least $100 on regular-priced merchandise will be professionally photographed with Tim Gunn and receive a personalized signed copy of his new book, Tim Gunn:A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style. If you’d like to be a part of Saturday’s festivities, call 817-465-0718 for more information or to R.S.V.P.

Julius Jones, starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys, will be making an appearance at the Parks Mall from 6 pm to 8pm on Monday, October 22. He will sign autographs and pose for photos. Fans can bring their own memorabilia to be signed, or may purchase the following that night:

• 8×10 photos
• Mini-helmet
• Replica full size helmet
• Authentic NFL helmet
• Authentic NFL football
• Three panel white football

Jones was the Cowboys’ first round draft pick in 2004. So far in his 37 career games and 35 career starts, he has rushed for 2,896 yards (78.3 yards-per-game), including 2,864 in the 35 starts (81.8 yards-per game). In those 35 career starts he has rushed for over 70 yards 23 times. His 2,896 yards through three seasons put him in eighth place on the club’s all-time rushing list.

My friend KC at Signature Collectables also tells me that 3 young fans from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be at the event to make their wish come true by meeting their football hero. How great of Julius to do this for these extra special fans. He must be quite a guy. Kudos to all who helped put this together!

If you’d like to meet Julius Jones, come on out. The Parks at Arlington Mall is located at 3811 South Cooper Street (Cooper and I-20) in Arlington. Jones’ appearance will take place on the Lower Level in Center Court. For information call The Parks at 817-467-0200 or email Signature Collectables.

We have lots of great music around town, as usual. It’s also the last weekend to catch Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre Arlington. After Dark in the Park is going on for the kids at River Legacy Park.  And the SPCA will be set up for pet adoptions in the lower level of the Parks Mall, next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. Have a great weekend everyone!

What: Holland K. Smith
When: Friday, Oct. 12 @ 9:30 pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Rat Ranch
When: Fri. - Sat., Oct. 12-13 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Arlington Master Chorale
When: Fri. - Sat., Oct. 12-13 @ 8:00 pm
Where: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2024 S Collins St, 817-277-6871

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What: Little Shop of Horrors (final weekend!)
When: Fri.-Sun., Oct. 12-14 @ 8 pm
Where: Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., 817-275-7661

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What: After Dark in the Park (ages 2 to 10)
When: Fri. - Sun., Oct. 12-14 (see website for times)
Where: River Legacy Park, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd at Cooper St, 817-861-2576

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What: Johnnie High’s Country Revue
When: Sat., Oct. 13 at 7:30 pm
Where: Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center Street, 817-226-4400

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What: Swan Song Tributes
When: Sat., Oct. 13 @ 9:30 pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: SPCA Pet Adoptions 
When: Saturday, Oct. 13, Noon to 4:00 pm
Where: The Parks at Arlington, 3811 S. Cooper Street, 817-467-0200

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And don’t forget all of the Haunted Houses and other Halloween fun. You can find a listing of all of the spooky fun by clicking here!

Demolition crews razed the Festival Marketplace today. The demolition will make way for a $66 million business park development. Phase I of the Pioneer 360 Business Park construction will include 1.3 million square feet of office and warehouse space which will cost around $55 million. Phase II will include a $10 million redevelopment of the Montgomery Ward site.

The mall was better known to us Arlington old-timers as the Forum 303. The Forum, built in 1970, featured an ice skating rink and anchor stores Dillard’s, Montgomery Ward and Wilson’s (which later became Service Merchandise). My family did plenty of shopping at the Forum when I was growing up and I had my photo taken with Santa there most every Christmas. I remember the soda fountain at Saturday’s where you could order up a “suicide” made with every soda they had, and even chocolate syrup. I shopped for my clothes at Stuart’s as a teen. During the early 80’s it became the premier hangout for junior high students with the Forum Fair arcade and the AMC movie theater.

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My pick for the weekend is the Mansfield Night on the Town in Town Park on Saturday. Me & My Monkey will perform and there will be food and drinks available. Should be a great family-friendly night (In case of inclement weather the festivities will be moved to the Mansfield Activities Center at 106 S. Wisteria).

What: Author Aziz Shihab
When: Friday, Sept. 7 @ 6-8 pm
Where: George W. Hawkes Library, 101 E. Abram St., (817) 459-6900

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What: Texas Ramblers 
When: Friday, Sept. 7 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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Shoes are something most of us take for granted. But for people in disadvantaged countries or victims of natural disasters, footwear is sometimes hard to come by.

To help out, the Parks at Arlington is getting invloved with Soles4Souls, an international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to disadvantaged people around the world. They began collecting shoes for victims of the Asian Tsunami in 2004 (more…)

The Mayor is at the Mall, The Wiggles are at Nokia, our good friends, Me & My Monkey are at Stumpy’s Blue’s Bar, and there are lots of other things happening. Enjoy your last weekend of summer. School starts Monday! 

What: Hearsay in concert
When: Friday, August 24 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Me & My Monkey
When: Friday, August 24 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners, Fri - Back to School Backpacks; Sat - MercyMe Pregame Concert
When: Fri.-Sun., August 24-26 @ 7:35pm
Where: The Ballpark, 1000 Ballpark Way, 972-RANGERS

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What: Astronaut (11am), Cosmic CSI (2pm)
When: Friday & Saturday, August 24 & 25
Where: UTA Planetarium, 700 Planetarium Place, 817-272-1183

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Yes, you read that right. This Saturday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mayor Cluck and other representatives from the city will be at the Parks Mall Center Court (below the food court) to visit with citizens and answer questions.

Arlington’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative (ASNI), Community Development and Planning, Community Services, Environmental Services, Fire, Library, Municipal Court, Office of Communication, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, and Water Utilities will have representatives participating. Also on hand will be the Remote Animal Adoption Unit. They will set up on the lower level outside of the skating rink to help promote responsible pet ownership in the city.

“Accessibility is an important part of our service commitment to the public,” said Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck. ”See you at the Mall!”

For more information about this event, call Neighborhood Coordinator RJ Blair at 817-459-6104 or e-mail rj.blair@arlingtontx.gov.

Source: www.arlingtontx.gov.

Most of us will be out doing our tax-free shopping this weekend, but there’s also a Bridal Show and some good music around town. Check it out:

What: SALES TAX HOLIDAY
When: Friday through Sunday, August 17-19
Where: Retailers in Texas; valid on clothing, shoes, diapers, backpacks

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What: Rat Ranch in concert
When: Friday & Saturday, August 17-18 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Little Legends Storytime
When: Friday, August 17 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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What: Ballpark After Dark Sleepover
When: Friday, August 17 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 17, 18, and 19 - the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. 

Most clothing and footwear priced under $100 will be exempt from sales tax, which saves shoppers approximately $8 on every $100 spent. New this year, backpacks under $100 for use by elementary and secondary students will also be exempt.  It’s a great time to get all the back-to-school clothes.  Diapers are also included so it’s a great time to stock up if you have an infant.

Here is a list of the items that are exempt: (more…)

That’s the name of Arlington’s new clean-air campaign that began yesterday.

You can find out how clean the air around you is by requesting a free ozone detector card from www.arlingtoncleanair.com.  Pull the tab on the  credit-card sized device, expose it to the outdoor air for 10 minutes or indoor air for 20 minutes and match the color that appears to the key to see how your air rates.

The Parks Mall has donated $95,000 worth of advertising space for the program on the upper level between Dick’s Sporting Goods and Aeropostale. National CineMedia has also donated 572 ads that will be shown before movies at The Parks’ AMC theater beginning on August 10.

Mayor Robert Cluck said the city is trying to reduce emissions by doing things such as swapping some fleet vehicles for hybrids and timing traffic signals to shorten the time vehicles idle but citizens need to do their part as well.

Arlington, Arlington TX, What is Your Clean Air IQ, Air Pollution, Parks Mall, National CineMedia, Robert Cluck

With Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in theaters and the release of the last book in the Harry Potter series just days away, Harry Potter mania is here! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hits the shelves on July 21 and many local bookstores, and even the Arlington Public Library, are having parties to celebrate.  Barnes & Noble, Borders and Waldenbooks will stay open late on Friday night, July 20 and begin selling the book at the stroke of midnight.  Here’s a list of some of the local events: (more…)