From the AP newswire, DC suspends its sales tax to provide financial relief for back-to-school shopping. They do this every year, and I always take advantage of it, even if it’s only to stock up on socks or jeans. The DC government’s info page with more details can be found here. Start shopping!

WASHINGTON (AP)—The District of Columbia has suspended its sales tax on back-to-school supplies and other items for nine days. The sales tax holiday began Saturday and continues through Aug. 10.

The holiday exempts specific items under $100 from the city’s 5.75 percent sales tax. The eligible items include school supplies, clothes, shoes and accessories.

City officials say the tax exemption applies to each eligible item—no matter how many items a customer buys on the same bill.

A second D.C. tax holiday is scheduled for November, beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving.

It consists of walking well-lit yet poorly-populated city sidewalks.

Call and ask if I’m okay, and of course I am, I’ve walked these streets alone and this is not the first time. There is murmer in the background and while it does not startle me, I am on the alert. I need to make time. I don’t have earbuds in, instead I listen to the sound of my city.