Earl’s Sandwiches didn’t go far for its second location. It is right across from the Ballston Metro station in the spot that once housed brgr:shack, only a mile from Earl’s first site near Clarendon.The sandwiches at the Clarendon restaurant are the stuff of much praise from both gourmets and bargain-seekers, and diners at the new place will be treated to a menu not unlike the original.

Erick Baker is coming to Jammin’ Java next Wednesday with a pretty big seal of approval from his Knoxville home base. According to Knoxville’s Cityview magazine, he’s the best singer-songwriter

Some leave big decisions up to fate and hope the wisdom of the universe takes them in the right direction. Others make choices more deliberately, weighing pros and cons and taking full control with the ultimate decision. It was a little bit of both strategies that took George Mason High School graduate Danielle Hoetmer from small roles on a high school stage to spots on primetime television shows, including an appearance next Wednesday on the CBS crime drama “Criminal Minds.”

Thanksgiving has come and gone (deliciously, I might add). Every day that we sink deeper into December brings extra tree-shaped cookies, tins full of fudge, and multi-colored pots of Hershey’s Kisses. It’s officially time for that annual holiday gut check.