What's Up Arlington

Fresh AIRE Documentary Debuts

Arlington hosted a Green Living Gala in the County Board meeting room Monday night, featuring the debut of a documentary on the county's Fresh AIRE program. I was impressed that over a hundred people turned out on the Monday night after Thanksgiving when most people are usually still in holiday hangover mode.

If you're really looking to stay locked in on the Procrastination Flowchart today, you can watch the full documentary (about 30 minutes) on the Arlington Virginia Network website. However, if you have to pretend to actually do stuff today, you can watch this quick and timely tip to save money on your winter energy bills from Professor Robert Farr:

You can see more of Professor Farr's tips at the Arlington Virginia Network YouTube page!

Labels: Arlington Virginia Network, Fresh Aire, Professor Robert Farr

Meet Arlington's Version of Bill Nye, Science Guy

The Arlington Virginia Network (AVN) has posted a series of segments featuring Professor Robert Farr to the AVN YouTube page. Below is one of the best ones, featuring tips on how to cut your power bill. However, I must give you this warning -- I've had the Professor Farr jingle stuck in my head all day:

I've already installed power strips, helping cut my power bill 10%. And just recently, I went one step further environmentally, buying renewable energy.

The Professor Farr segments are all worth watching, partly for the environmental tips, but mostly for the campy humor. It's vaguely reminiscent of the Jim "The Hammer" Shapiro commercials that kept us entertained back in my college days in Syracuse.

Labels: Arlington Virginia Network, Fresh Aire, Miles, Professor Robert Farr

Arlington County Hits YouTube

Local and state governments are not exactly renown for being on the cutting edge of technology. If you want a Virginia drivers license, you still have to stand in line for 5 hours at the DMV.

But Arlington has done exceptionally well in making its older departments more tech-friendly, like the self-service kiosks at the Arlington Central Library.

Now Arlington County has made the great leap forward into the world of YouTube, offering dozens of clips on county agencies and programs. Here's one of the better ones, former County Board Chair Chris Zimmerman reviewing the board's Top Ten Accomplishments of 2006: