Bethesda, MD, Sept. 22, 2014 – EYA, a leading developer and builder of more than 4,000 Washington, D.C.-area homes in distinct urban-lifestyle neighborhoods, has received a Gold Award in the 2015 National Housing Quality (NHQ) Award® program. Modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the NHQ Award represents the housing industry’s highest recognition for achievements in total quality management. This award adds to the list of national recognition received by the local company, who has also won America’s Best Builder twice and the ULI Award of Excellence.

On Monday, September 22nd, Washington area drivers will take part in a worldwide movement to support sustainable transportation by pledging to go car free or car-lite. Car Free Day is an international event that takes place in 1,500 cities across 40 countries to celebrate alternative forms of transportation.

On Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th, Old Town’s acclaimed King Street will be transformed into a world-class outdoor art gallery. The 12th Annual King Street Art Festival will showcase over 200 artists from the U.S. and abroad featuring more than $15 million worth of handcrafted art and one-of-a-kind wares!

Photo courtesy of Flickr's Jimmy Baikovicius. If you are a jazz fan, mark your calendar for the highly anticipated Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 6th! The annual event will take place at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring from 3:30 PM – 10:30 PM.

Shop Tax-Free at stores in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Photos courtesy of Flickr's ehpien and takomabibelot. Sunday, August 10th kicks off Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week 2014! For the entire week (August 10th – August 16th) there will be tax exemptions on clothing and shoes under $100 per item (accessories do not apply). Click here for more information. Below is your guide to the shops in Silver Spring and Bethesda where you can save big.

Name: Milli Arakawa