Tennis, Anyone?

Robin Soderling and Andy Roddick among others play at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic July 31-August 8th, 16th and Kennedy Street NW. www.leggmasontennisclassic.com

Coming Soon!

To Merriweather Post Pavilion: August 29th, Snoop Dogg and Lauryn Hill plus others; Barenaked Ladies, August 8th- 1 877 4FLY TIX, www.merriweathermusic.com

Bethesda/Chevy Chase Restaurant Week

July 26th to August 1st. But check websites to see if lower prices will be extended: jaleo.com, redwoodbethesda.com, persimmonrestaurant.com, tragara.com etc

With and without cannons!

Free concerts by the United States Army Band at Washington-Lee High School Arlington, 7:30, July 29th, August 5th and 12th. 1812 Overture with cannons at the Sylvan Theatre August 17 at 8 pm..www.usarmyband.com

Planning your next vacation?

Did you know that Baltimore hosts year round cruise ships? Carnival (cruisemaryland.com) for 7 day Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean; Celebrity for Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbbean; Royal Caribbean for Bermuda, New England and Canada, Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.

Foodie Alert

Check out washingtonian.com, dcpizzablog.com, dclst.com/food_and_drink or yelp.com/c/dc/restaurants to find out the latest!

Restaurant Week!

Restaurant week is finally approaching! Though about a month away, reservations for the area's hottest restaurants are already filling up fast. I went to make a reservation at a new hot spot in DC today to find it was already booked for restaurant week! For a listing of participating restaurants (or to make reservations) click on the following link:

http://washington.org/restaurantwk/

Don't forget Alexandria's own restaurant week as well! http://visitalexandriava.com/restaurants-nightlife/restaurants/alexandria-restaurant-week/

Let us know about any great new restaurant finds or restaurant week experiences!

Leaking Garden Hose?

Cut off the damaged end of the hose and take it with you to purchase the correct size hose repair kit at Lowe’s or Home Depot. At home, insert the replacement into the usable section of the hose and screw on the clamp

Need help with your yard or garden?

Master gardeners will diagnose problems at weekly plant clinics: Arlington Farmers’ Market from 8-11 Saturdays or Arlington Central Library from 6:30-9;30 A. M. www.ext.vt.edu

Summer Project

If you need a new roof , now is the time to do it. Materials used and their approximate life: Asphalt or composite shingles (15-20 years), Clay tiles (50-100 years), metal (100 years), synthetic – polymer products (too new to determine life), slate (50+), wood shakes (50 years). Or you can investigate green roofs with plant materials or solar panels.

Money for your cell phone

Recycle or go to Gazelle.com to find out how much they will pay you for your camera, cell phone, computer or similar (typically about $20-#150.

Save your run until it cools off!

Saturday, July 24th, 8 p.m. on a fast flat 5 K course through Crystal City. After party at 2121 Crystal Drive. Freshen up at Sport and Health with fee showers. Free underground parking every week end.

Free!

Hurry down to Whitlow’s on WWilson in Clarendon (Arlington) for a free beer mug celebrating the roll out of their new craft beer program. THURSDAY FROM 4-6.

Reliable Repairs

AngiesList.com, homestars.com, insiderpages.com, judysbook.com, servicemagic.com, local.yahoo.com, checkbook.org, homestars.com, judysbook.com,

Mortgage Rates

For several years now, we’ve been warned that mortgage rates would rise from the current historic lows. Take out a loan for $300,000 at 5% for $1610/month now. If house prices decline and you are able to purchase the same home for $15,00 less at a mortgage rate of 5.75%,your monthly payment will be $50 more and the interest you will pay will be $34,00 more.

Artscape in Baltimore

7/16-18, artscape.org. Many venues and all served by Baltimore’s light rail system. Take Marc or Amtrak and you won’t need to spend time hunting for a parking space. Also lots of food stands.

Food on the go!

Here are some new food trucks to try when you are in the District at lunchtime: The Fojol Brothers for Indian food. Find out where they’ll be at fojol.com. Also – for cupcakes, curbsidecupcakes. For pizza, find the truck location at dcslices.com. For something new, find a menu for Sauca at eatsauca.com. For yogurt, sweetgreen.com. You can follow these on twitter,too.

For Foodies

Check out the following websites for some great insites into DC area restaurants!

Chowhound.chow.com/boards/14, yelp.com/c/dc/restaurants, donrockwell.com, dcpizzablog.blogspot.com,dcist.com/food_and_drink, melissamccart.wordpress.com, amandamc.blogspot.com

Broadway comes to DC!

“Mary Poppins” at the Kennedy Center 7/1-8/22,kennedy center.org

”Mama Mia” at Wolf Trap 7/1-7/11; wolftrap.org

“Avenue Q” at the Lansburgh Theatre 7/15-8/15, shakespeartheatre.org

“Dreamgirls” at the Natrional Theatre, 7/28-8/8, telecharge.com

Save for your downpayment!

Below are several sites we recommend to help you save some $$$. The more you save, the more you will have for a downpayment on your dream home!

couponmountain.com,selectcouponprogram.com(groceries) efaucets.com,tirerack.comsmartrource.com,mambosprouts.com,(organic food),keycode.com, smartsource.com, tirerack.com,

Symphony & Fireworks!

Didn't get enough fireworks on July 4th? Head down to Old Town's Oronoco Bay Park this Sunday for a free performance from Alexandria Symphony Orchestra & some fireworks! Please see below (from The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra):



Bring your blankets and picnic lunches to Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday and make a day of it. Other performances will go on throughout the day and children's activities will be going on.

The symphony will be performing jazz and patriotic favorites starting at 8:30 p.m.

What: The City of Alexandria celebrates its 261st and the USA’s 234th birthday
When: on Saturday, July 10, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Where: at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton, and Madison Streets.
Admission is free.
Info: http://alexandriava.gov/news_display.aspx?id=34690