fundraiser

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

District Taco Cart Returns — Just two days after it flipped over in the middle of a busy entrance ramp, the District Taco cart was patched up and serving crowds of customers at the Courthouse Farmers Market.

McAuliffe to Headline LGBT Fundraiser — Terry McAuliffe — who’s said to be considering another run for the Virginia governor’s mansion — is headlining a fundraiser for the Virginia Partisans, the Political Action Committee of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia. The fundraiser, which seeks to raise $40,000 for Democratic state Senate candidates, is being held at the house of County Board member Jay Fisette on July 14.

Endorsements in Delegate Race — There have been two significant endorsements in the Democratic primary battle for the 49th District House of Delegates seat. Alfonso Lopez has been endorsed by Jay Fisette, while Stephanie Clifford has been endorsed by retiring state Sen. Patsy Ticer. Fisette called Lopez “an effective advocate for Arlington and our values in Richmond.” Ticer was scheduled to make an appearance at a Clifford fundraiser Friday night.

DARPA Developing Killer Laser — Arlington’s own Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is developing a new, high-energy laser weapon that could someday be mounted on fighter jets, armored vehicles and patrol ships. [Military and Aerospace Electronics]

Mysterious Brown Flip Flop Spotted — A lone brown flip flop was spotted floating in a fountain near Circa restaurant in Clarendon Sunday morning. The intriguing sight was dubbed by Clarendon Culture as “the quintessence of Clarendon.” [Lockerz, Clarendon Culture]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Waterfall on I-395 — NBC4 captured video early Thursday morning of a burst pipe underneath the 34th Street Bridge. The rupture sent a torrent of water onto I-395 for more than an hour. The old pipe that created the “waterfall” was reportedly patched up by 2:30 a.m. Utility crews are planning to make permanent repairs. [NBC Washington]

Burger Cook-Off For a Good Cause — The newly-minted Harry’s Smokehouse in Pentagon City mall will be holding a fundraiser for D.C. Central Kitchen on Sunday. From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., “three teams of DCCK chefs-in-training will battle to create the city’s tastiest mini-burgers.” In addition to the burgers, attendees will be able to sample ribs, brisket and other BBQ items from Harry’s. [Eventbrite]

Woman Complains About Mosquito Spray — An Arlington woman has taken to her neighborhood email listserv to complain about a chemical spray used by one of her neighbors. Kate Pemberton says she and her young daughters walked through a cloud of “neurotoxin” while returning from school, thanks to an extermination company that was applying an anti-mosquito spray to a customer’s yard. Pemberton says she reported the incident to county officials, but was told that there was nothing they could do about it. The story was reported by Press Action, a left-leaning environmental news web site. [Press Action]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Wakefield Groundbreaking Today — At 9:30 this morning Arlington Public Schools officials will hold a groundbreaking for the new, $116 million Wakefield High School. Construction on the school is expected to begin next month and wrap up by fall 2013.

Planetarium Group Nears Fundraising Goal — The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium group has raised more than $350,000 to renovate the aging David M. Brown Planetarium, which supporters helped to save from being mothballed by the school system. The Friends were given the goal of raising $402,800 by June 30, but observers expect that the current haul — plus the haul from one final fundraiser — will be “close enough.” [Sun Gazette]

Crystal City Profiled — “Once considered an area to work but not play, Crystal City has blossomed into a hub of activity for residents and tourists. With roughly 11,000 residents, 5,600 hotel rooms and a number of tallish buildings, the community often has the feel of a bustling city,” says the D.C. Examiner. The paper’s profile of Crystal City credits part of its new-found bustle on the neighborhood’s burgeoning restaurant and bar scene. [Washington Examiner]

Poker Tournament for a Good Cause

By ARLnow.com

“Wild West” and “Caribbean Breeze” are two things that generally do not go together. Neither are “Habitat for Humanity” and “poker tournament.”

Nonetheless, a “Wild West” Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament and Networking Party to benefit Habitat for Humanity is being held tonight at Caribbean Breeze restaurant in Ballston (4100 N. Fairfax Drive).

Up to 40 players will ante up $100 to compete for a flat screen TV and a pair of gift certificates. Online registration for the tournament is still open.

In addition to poker, the event will also feature cigar rolling, whiskey tastings, special cocktails, raffles, a “special celebrity guest” and networking opportunities.

Non-poker players will be assessed a $20 cover charge, unless they “dress the part” (cowboy hat, huge belt buckle, cowboy boots, etc.), in which case the cover drops to $10. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Tuckahoe Elementary to Hold ‘Anime Movie Night’

By ARLnow.com

Two former students have helped to inspire Tuckahoe Elementary School to hold a big fundraiser for Japan.

The students, fifth-grader Keishu Watanabe and his sister, second-grader Saho (both seen in the video, below), moved from Arlington to Tokyo with their parents just weeks before the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Northern Japan earlier this year. With a personal connection to the disaster, “graduating” fifth-grade students and parents at Tuckahoe decided to raise money to help the victims.

Tomorrow, starting at 7:00 p.m., the school will host an “Anime Movie Night” featuring a screening of Ponyo, the Japanese adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The family-friend film has been dubbed into English, thanks to the voices of Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon and Betty White.

The screening is free and open to the public, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations, raffle proceeds and bake sale revenue will go to the ‘Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Fund.’ Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas and a yukata (robe), grab some glow necklaces and munch on arare (Japanese rice crackers).

Even though they’re halfway around the world, students at Keishu and Saho’s new school are so excited about the fundraiser that they banded together to make Tuckahoe a Senbazuru, a large hanging of 1,000 hand-made paper cranes. The gift — a symbol of peace and friendship — was sent to the school, where officials are now deciding on a prominent place to display it, according to Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia.

‘Rock the Lot’ Fundraiser for Ryan Diviney

By ARLnow.com

Tortoise & Hare (567 23rd Street S.) in Crystal City will be hosting a “Rock the Lot” fundraiser with the D.C. chapter of the West Virginia University Alumni Association this weekend.

A quarter of the proceeds will go to the medical care of Ryan Diviney, the WVU student from Ashburn who was badly beaten outside a convenience store in 2009 and left in a persistent vegetative state.

Another 70 percent of the money raised will benefit the American Cancer Society. The rest will be donated to Arlington’s police and firefighters.

Tickets to the event are $25 at the door or $20 online. The fundraiser, which is taking place from 2:00 p.m. until closing time on Saturday, will feature a cornhole tournament and the music of The New Relics, Modern Thieves, Flow in the Dark, Down Wilson and Rise & Fall.

Flickr pool photo by Chris Rief

Crystal City to Host WABA’s ‘Bike Fest’

By ARLnow.com

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association will be holding Bike Fest, a “summer fundraiser and celebration,” in Crystal City next month.

Bike fest will feature food, drinks, desserts, carnival-style games, a silent auction, a raffle, sideshow performances, live music and dancing, bicycle art, palm readings, a photo booth and a bike building contest. The musical acts will include D.C.-based progressive acoustic act Second String Band and DJ Jennder.

The event is being held from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 11 in the Crystal City Shops at 1750 (241 18th Street S.).

Tickets are $45 and are available online. Proceeds will benefit WABA’s bicycle advocacy, safety and education programs.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Iota to Hold Memorial Day Fundraiser — Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd) in Clarendon will be holding a Memorial Day fundraiser for tornado and flood victims. It will be open for breakfast and brunch starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, then the music and the burger/hot dog cookout will begin at 3:00 p.m. Among the 21+ acts scheduled to perform are Alexandria folk-rockers The WeatherVanes, Arlington acoustic rocker Taylor Carson and Arlington singer/songwriter/vocal powerhouse Margot MacDonald.

Civic Federation to Discuss Public Safety — At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 7, the Arlington County Civic Federation will hear presentations from and ask questions of Arlington’s police chief, director of emergency management and a senior fire department official. Also at the meeting, the Federation will hear presentations from ask questions of Arlington housing and planning officials, regarding affordable housing.

Farm Animals in South Arlington — The Arlington Career Center apparently houses chickens, goats and a pony behind its concrete walls. [Pike Wire]

Local Comedians Taking It Off for a Good Cause

By ARLnow.com

Just remember: it’s for a good cause.

Eleven local comedians — men and women — are going shirt and pant-less on stage tonight to help raise money for the Japanese Red Cross and its tsunami relief efforts.

The show, which organizers are calling “The 11th Street Underwear Showcase/Tsunami Relief Show,” is being held at Eleventh Street Lounge in Clarendon (1041 N. Highland Street) from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $5.

See the event’s Facebook page for more info.

AWLA To Hold 16th Annual Walk for the Animals

By ARLnow.com

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is gearing up for its 16th annual Walk for the Animals.

The dog-centric fundraiser will be held this Saturday, May 14th, at Bluemont Park (329 N. Manchester Street). The actual “walk” will start at 9:30 a.m. — participants will have a choice of a three-mile loop walk or a one mile stroll. There will also be entertainment, sponsor booths and demonstrations of doggie feats.

Organizers expect about 500 walkers and 300 dogs to participate this year. Last year’s event raised more than $100,000 for the AWLA and its work with homeless animals.

Registration for the walk is $25 online and includes a free t-shirt and bandana. On-site registration on the day of the event is $40. Organizers ask that participants keep their dogs on a flat leash and leave other pets at home.

Eat and Drink Cheap for a Good Cause

By ARLnow.com

Even if it wasn’t for a good cause, and even if there wasn’t a DJ, a raffle and a fun crowd, the food and drink specials alone would be worth the trip to The Front Page in Ballston (4201 Wilson Blvd) tonight.

The restaurant will be hosting the second annual Team Kickin’ it for Krista’s DC Walk for Lupus Now fundraiser tonight from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

What is lupus? It’s an autoimmune disorder with a variety of chronic symptoms.

Who is Krista? She’s a young woman who lives in Arlington, who was diagnosed with lupus several years ago, and who’s passionate about her work with the Lupus Foundation of America.

Tonight’s happy hour will feature the following specials, all of which are available with the purchase of a $5 wristband:

  • $3 off appetizers
  • 1/2 price burgers
  • $4 shooter special
  • $2.75 rail drinks
  • $3 drafts
  • $3.25 glasses of house wine
  • $2 Miller Lite bottles

Raffle prizes include Washington Wizards tickets, gift cards to local restaurants and other schwag. Music will be provided by DJ Pat Premier.

Last year the happy hour raised $2,000 for Krista’s Walk for Lupus Now team, which raised $19,500 overall. Krista is hoping the happy hour will help her team reach $20,000 for the walk, which will take place in D.C. next weekend.

Photo courtesy Krista Blackburn

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