Alas, the Saints won't be marching in on Wilson Boulevard this Tuesday after all.  Thanks to multiple weather events over the last two weeks - a freak weather cycle as surprising as the Saints' march to Super Bowl victory, the 11th annual Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade has been cancelled.

Citing limited Arlington County resources to support this year’s event in the wake of recent snow storms and the 24-7 effort to clear streets and ensure public safety, the Clarendon Alliance agreed to call off this year’s parade – the first cancellation in its eleven-year history. C’est dommage, but this setback is only temporary and the parade will be back in all its glory in 2011.

Even though the parade won't be happening on February 16, there are beaucoup reasons to head to Clarendon on Fat Tuesday.  Restaurants and bars are offering Mardi Gras specials all night, and odds are there will still be plenty of beads and masks to go around.

If you'd rather lead your own Mardi Gras parade of Clarendon-Courthouse - on Mardi Gras or any night – grab your "Crewe" and try the Clarendon Walkabout. This easy Walkabout offers a short and long route, but given the accumulated snow and limited sidewalk access on residential streets, follow these winter walking tips and stick to the short route this week.

Rumor has it that the Clarendon Alliance may be planning a replacement event in the coming weeks to satisfy our collective need for celebration before winter ends – if anything materializes, the Pacer will tell all.

Arlington County was planning on conducting a winter Pedestrian and Bicyclist Count this Thursday, February 18th and Saturday, February 20th, but weather conditions have forced organizers to postpone the count until Thursday, March 11th and Saturday, March 13th.  Even with an extra month to find volunteers, we need your help!

All the recent snowfall and bounty of snow days for Arlington Public Schools students (10 and counting as of February 12) have provided plenty of opportunities for kids to connect with nature. Unfortunately, with a recent study finding that children today spend an average of 6 hours each day in front of the computer and TV but less than 4 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play, connecting with nature is the exception, not the rule!

In fact, research shows that children are smarter, more cooperative, happier and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for free and unstructured play in the outdoors, so connecting children to nature is more important than ever. To advance that goal here in Arlington, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, WALKArlington, BikeArlington, and other member organizations are proud to announce the formation of the new Arlington Children And Nature Network (CANN). 

To help us launch this new community campaign, please mark your calendar for the Arlington CANN kickoff event on Wednesday, February 24 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Campbell Elementary, 737 South Carlin Springs Road, Arlington. We're pleased to have Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette and Arlington School Board Chair Sally Baird as the first Arlington CANN supporters. Refreshments will be served. Children of all ages are welcome and nature activities and crafts will be available.

In the meantime, please consider becoming a CANN  supporter by signing on today -- no financial contribution requested/required!  Our goal is to gather 1000 supporters by Earth Day, and all you have to do is sign up!

Arlington CANN is an alliance of agencies, organizations, individuals and businesses dedicated to connecting Arlington children to nature 

1) by facilitating the use of outdoor spaces in Arlington by children of all ages;
2) by fostering increased opportunities and time for unstructured play;
3) by working to make more safe, secure, accessible and appealing places for outdoor play; and
4) by raising awareness in our community about the consequences of "nature deficit disorder."

We hope to connect with you on February 24.

February is African American History Month, and here’s a unique way to experience history on foot. On February 5, The Washington Post’s “3-Hour Weekend” column featured a four-mile hike in Sandy Spring, Maryland that takes walkers along the path of the Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad Experience Trail, described by reporter Amy Orndorff as “a condensed version of what runaway slaves would have experienced during their travels, [from] markers where abolitionists would have hidden food to brambles that offered a safe place to sleep to a spring where they might have stopped for a drink,” begins at Woodlawn Manor and ends at a 300-year-old Champion Ash Tree.

Hiking the Underground Railroad Experience Trail is sure to inspire appreciation for the ordeal faced by runaway slaves and the important role played by those who helped them along the way. Hiking the trail in the cold of winter is particularly authentic because many slaves fled north at Christmastime, when they were given time off. At the very least, hiking the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at this time of year will put a little perspective on our recent struggles with winter weather.

Underground Railroad Experience Trail maps are available at Woodlawn Manor in Sandy Spring. Note that the hike is NOT a loop – it’s two miles in and two miles out. Walkers should follow the path back to the Manor after reaching the Champion Ash. 

The next snow isn't supposed to come until Monday night, so get out while you can and try this historic hike over the holiday weekend!