As autumn arrives we mark new beginnings at our neighborhood schools, and while some students may be lamenting the end of summer fun, in Southwest the fun is just getting started. If you’re looking for entertainment this month, you don’t need to go far — SW ArtsFest returns on Sept. 29 at several locations around the neighborhood (in conjunction with Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park; all events, including Opera in the Outfield, are free), followed by the (e)merge art festival the following weekend (October 4-7 at the Capitol Skyline Hotel). For the sports-minded the Nationals continue to dazzle and at Arena Stage One Night With Janis Joplin, which we profiled last month, opens, while Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins continues through Oct. 28. Southwest may be DC’s smallest quadrant, but we know how to have a good time!