* SIDE YARDS: Back for a second year is "Side Yards," an "evening of quirky amusement and wonder" showcasing top sideshow performers at the Yards Park on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 10 pm. Contortionists, magicians, juggling, escape artists and snake handling will all be showcased (sounds like a typical day in Congress!). There will also be burlesque acts, live music, and a beer garden. Tickets are free, but available in advance.

* DC BEER FESTIVAL: Also on Saturday, Nov. 7 is the DC Beer Festival at Nats Park. Admission is $40 and includes unlimited tastings (wheeeee!).

* PERCEPTION SURVEY: It's time for the Capitol Riverfront BID's annual Perception Survey, so take a few moments to tell them your feelings about the neighborhood, whether you are a resident, office worker, or visitor.

* OKAY, HOW ABOUT DECEMBER: Back in September I posted about reservations being accepted for the new Hampton Inn at 1st and N starting November 19. It's now December 9.

* THE NEW VIRGINIA AVE. PARK: ANC 6B commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg looks at the ideas that came out of last month's public meeting to come up with a post-tunnel-construction design for Virginia Avenue Park.

* THE OLD VIRGINIA AVE. (NOT) PARK: And speaking of Virginia Avenue between 9th and 10th streets, SE, this week's Lost Capitol Hill series on The Hill is Home looks at the owner of a lumber yard in that spot during the mid-1800s.

* INSTAGRAM: I'll just mention again that JDLand is now on Instagram, if that's your social media landscape of choice.

* MOBILE: I've been tweaking the mobile version of the JDLand home page to add some of the items that have only been on the desktop page--a random Look Back photo, the Highlighted Projects development map, and even the Latest Tweets box. Visit on your phone to see what I mean.

A few items on the calendar this week, in addition to the previously mentioned Halloween festivities on Oct. 24-25:

* ANC 6D: The monthly meeting of ANC 6D is Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 pm at 1100 4th St., SW.

* COFFEE WITH CHUCK: The next installment of CSX's update sessions on the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project is on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 8 am to 9 am at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 140 L St. SE. RSVP here.

* WARD 6 DEMOCRATS KICK-OFF: Ward 6 council member Charles Allen and the Ward 6 Democrats are hosting a reception at Agua 301 on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5:30 to 8 pm to meet District Democratic Party representatives and officials. RSVP required for attendance.

* INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL: In the mood to rip some plants out of the ground? Join the Earth Conservation Corps on Saturday Oct. 24 from 10 am to noon at the pump house at Diamond Teague Park (1520 1st St. SE) to clear unwelcome interloping plants from the wetlands along the Anacostia. Wear old, comfortable work clothes, and "be prepared to get dirty." RSVP to mhobson@ecc1.org. (I'd link to a web page with additional details, but alas, I can't find one.)

(Plus a reminder, as always, that the Twitter box on the JDLand home page is a good place to check and scroll through for up-to-the-minute tidbits.)

* SEPT. TUNNEL UPDATE: The slides from this morning's CSX "Coffee with Chuck" event have been posted, with photos showing the work being done along each block of the project (taken in locations that nosey neighborhood blogger cameras generally can't get to).

Slide 13 indicates the closure of the 300 block of Virginia Avenue is expected the week of Oct. 12, and that excavation for the tunnel in the 400 block should be getting underway right about now. Slides also show the temporary driveways and sidewalks in the 300 block of Virginia and at the Capper Seniors building east of 5th.

* DC VEGFEST: Saturday Oct. 3 is the scheduled DC VegFest from 11 am to 6 pm in the parking lots at the intersection of 1st and N SE (which, let's be honest, is a stretch to call a "Yards Park" location). There will be more than 130 vendors, cooking demos, free samples, a beer garden, a canine "barking lot" and activities for kids. It's a rain-or-shine event, but with the dicey forecast this weekend, a note on the web site does say that "severe weather conditions may result in a cancellation."

* MOPS GROUP: The Waterfront Church is organizing a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group for the neighborhood, with monthly meetings beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott at 140 L St. SE. The group's mission is to "connect moms all over the world to a community of women, in their own neighborhoods, who meet together to laugh, cry and embrace the journey of motherhood." Register here, noting that there is a $50 annual fee (or $25 if you don't require childcare at the meetings).

* ICE CREAM, FALL EDITION: In my quest to alert readers to important neighborhood news, I will pass along that Ice Cream Jubilee has announced its fall flavors: salty apple cinnamon, maple rye pecan, pumpkin honeycomb, and kiwi lemongrass. Also, eight-inch ice cream cakes are now available for custom orders, for $65.

* PARKTOBERFEST: The first hint of fall is in the air, so it's a great time to head to the Yards Park to drink beer and watch Dachshunds race. It's free to attend, and open to all (though unlike real Oktoberfests, you have to be 21 to buy and consume alcohol). If you think you have the fastest Dachshund in the land, sign up for the 4th annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Race The party runs from 1 pm to 5 pm.

* PUPS IN THE PARK: Perhaps some of those fast canines will race right over to Nats Park for the final Pups in the Park of the 2015 season. Game starts at 4:05 pm, and tickets for humans are $26 and $10 for pups (proceeds benefiting the Washington Humane Society) -- but there's no pricetag on crying in your beer as the season ends.

* BARRACKS ROW FALL FESTIVAL: Out of the jurisdiction slightly, but still worth noting that the 15th annual 8th Street party is on Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, with a slew of scheduled happenings (music, dance, illusions, and "donkey processions to center stage") in addition to the usual lineup of tents with offerings. And the Belga/Matchbox beer garden is returning again.

With a theme of "Neighbors No Longer Strangers," the Navy Yard Neighborhood Association is having a combination community picnic and fundraising flea market from noon to 5 pm at the Joy Evans Park, 555 L St., SE, just behind Van Ness Elementary.

Co-sponsored with the Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg Village Timebanks and Capitol Quarter Community Associations I and II, paper plates, utensils, beverages and much of the food will be provided, and while grilling won't be allowed (or dogs), attendees are welcome to bring along "food offerings" to share.

Flea market donations such as books, toys, games, and small appliances in good condition (but no clothes) will be accepted.

See the NYNA's Facebook page for more details about the picnic and the group.

(The first bad weather in weeks has prompted the organizers to postpone the picnic from its original Sept. 12 date.)

There will be a whole lot of swag for CaBi members, with your key fob getting you $1 off a regular cone at Ice Cream Jubilee, $1 off pints of Forbidden Planet at Bluejacket, 10% off all food orders, and 20% off drink orders at the bar at Osteria Morini, 10% off all food orders and Happy Hour pricing on drinks at Agua 301, and giveaways of Capital Bikeshare blankets and tote bags to early arriving members. (Founding members get special reserved VIP seating with their black fobs--like mine, still going!)

As for Breaking Away, it warms my heart to see this choice, because it is one of my all-time favorite movies, and is highly recommended to anyone who's never seen it. (The word "REFUND?!" is legendary in my family thanks to Paul Dooley.)

UPDATE: And I should have looked around a bit more before posting this, because it's a movie weekend at Yards Park, with Guardians of the Galaxy at 7 pm on Friday night (Sept. 18) and Romeo + Juliet on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 7 pm.

The trucks were all lined up on N Street as well, and clearly the word was out, because a woman rolled down the window on her tween-filled minivan to tell me that "TAYLOR IS HERE." I didn't see her, but I assume she arrived in better accommodations than one of these 18-wheelers.

For those not tracking this event minute-by-minute, there are two shows, on Monday and Tuesday nights (July 13 and 14). The gates open at 5 pm, and the show starts at 7 pm. Here's the Nats Park page listing all the items concert-goers should know in advance.

As for parking in the public lots near the ballpark, my assumption is that they are all operating as usual, though with some turnover issues given that it's a work day.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5:

Friday Night Concert Series - Scott's New Band, Yards Park, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Free.

Total 200 Bike Ride, Beginning/Ending at Canal Park. Register here, if you dare.

MONDAY, JUNE 8:

ANC 6D Monthly Meeting, 1100th 4th St., SW, 7 pm.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11:

54th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game, Nats Park, 7:05 pm. Tickets $10.

Thursday Night Outdoor Movies, "Selma," Canal Park, Sundown. Free.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12:

Truckeroo Food Truck Festival, Half Street Fairgrounds, 11 am - 11 pm. Free.

Friday Night Concert Series - DC Jazz Fest, Yards Park, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Free.

DC Jazz Fest at the Yards, 2 - 10 pm. Tickets $56.50.

CSX/Virginia Avenue Tunnel "Coffee with Chuck" Monthly Meeting, Courtyard by Marriott, 7:30 - 9 am. Free.

Thursday Night Outdoor Movies, "The Princess Bride," Canal Park, Sundown. Free.

Friday Night Fishing - catch and release fishing at Diamond Teague Park, 5 - 8 pm. Free.

Friday Night Concert Series - Texas Chainsaw Horns, Yards Park, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Free.

Oneness Yoga Festival, Yards Park, 11 am - 7 pm. Tickets $30, kids free.

Paddle Nights on the Anacostia, Ballpark Boathouse at Diamond Teague Park, 5 pm - 7:30 pm. Free, but registration required.

Thursday Night Outdoor Movies, "Rush Hour," Canal Park, Sundown. Free.

Friday Night Fishing - catch and release fishing at Diamond Teague Park, 5 - 8 pm. Free.

Friday Night Concert Series - Jah Works, Yards Park, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Free.

Waterfront Church Sunday Summer Funday, Courtyard by Marriott, 4 pm - 6 pm. Free.

There's also the lineup of Fitness in the Front offerings early in the morning or in the evening most days of the week, for those of you who partake in the mysterious activity known as "exercise."

* BIKE TO WORK DAY: The forecast looks swell for DC's annual Bike to Work Day, on Friday, May 15. Canal Park is one of the pit stops, from 7 to 9 am, at which there will be refreshments and food, plus you'll have a chance to win prizes if you have registered. (Looks like the free t-shirts are all already claimed, though.) Read about commuter convoys, ride buddies and more at the official web site.

* FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERTS: The Friday night Summer Concert Series at Yards Park kicks off this week, with the R&B stylings of Jimi Smooth. The concerts begin each week at 6:30 pm, and the Grassy Knoll fills up pretty quickly, so arrive early!

* OPERA IN THE OUTFIELD: Saturday is Cinderella Day at Nats Park, thanks to the the return of the annual Opera in the Outfield simulcast. Gates open at 5 pm, with a slew of pre-performance activities and entertainment, including a Royal Parade that will allow "kids of all ages" to arrive in costume and march around the lower concourse. The actual simulcast begins at 7 pm, and it's all Rain or Shine, and all free and open to the public. Note that sitting in the outfield now requires a wristband handed out on a first-come first-serve basis. More details here.

* GLUG GLUG GLUG: This most assuredly is not free, but Canal Park on Saturday will host "ABV," an afternoon of "outdoor imbibing" of the "finest craft beverages," put together by Greg Engert and friends. It will run from 3 to 8 pm, rain or shine, and tickets are $20 at the door or in special advance packages. The full list of beer, wine, and spirits to be available is here.

* FITNESS IN THE FRONT: Technically not a weekend event, but you may need to toss in a workout session or two after a big weekend--and just your luck, the lineup of outside summer fitness classes gets underway on Monday, May 19. Brought to you by VIDA Fitness and DC BFIT and located in Yards and Canal Parks, the classes range from Yoga to Zumba to "high energy" to Boot Camps to a once-a-month family fitness session. The schedule is here, and classes are free and open to the public.

* MARGARITA WARS: In case you didn't get your fill of drinking in a neighborhood park at ABV, City Paper's third annual Margarita Wars is slated for May 21 at 6:30 pm at the Yards Park. "You be the judge as the region's top mixologists compete for your vote in a winner take all battle for 'rita supremacy." Tickets are $25 and include unlimited margarita tastings. Also included: one of those extra-special tequila-fueled hangovers. (But you'll want to recover by May 30, when the Tour de Fat extravaganza returns to Yards Park.)