nonprofit

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Hit-and-Run Bus Driver Facing Discipline — The Metrobus driver accused of rear-ending a car in Ballston and then driving off “will be disciplined,” a WMATA spokesperson tells TBD. Metro says the accident was “preventable” but is refusing to release the results of drug and alcohol tests performed on the driver after the accident.

Local Technology Firm Sold — Arlington-based ICx Technologies has agreed to be purchased by Oregon-based Flir Systems for $274 million. ICx manufactures high-tech sensors that can detect radiation, chemicals, explosives, and biological agents. Some of ICx’s largest clients include the U.S. military and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. More from the Oregonian.

Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Tonight — A happy hour fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia will be held tonight at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington (4251 South Campbell Avenue), the Shirlington Village Blog reports. From 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., five percent of the restaurant’s revenue will be donated to the organization’s Northern Virginia office.

Flickr pool photo by Amberture

To Do This Weekend: Cause for Paws

By ARLnow.com

We already told you about two great weekend events: the Crystal City Twilighter 5K and the Friends of the Library Summer Book Sale (which has been moved inside due to the heat).

Add Cause for Paws to the list. Taking place at The Bungalow in Shrlington (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive) from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, the event is being described as a “pet adoption charity auction.”

All proceeds will benefit the Arlington Animal Welfare League (see this post from Thursday for more about the kind of work being done by the League).

In addition to the auction, there will also be great specials, raffles and prizes.

H/T: Shirlington Village Blogspot.

Volunteer Opp: Become a Puppy Foster Parent

By ARLnow.com

Could you care for an special needs puppy or kitten for a few weeks, then have the heart to let it go? Even if he or she is as cute as Cooper? If so, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington needs your help.

They’re looking for “dedicated, energetic and patient foster parents to care for underage and underweight puppies and kittens, nursing mothers, and ill or injured animals.” From the listing on Volunteer Arlington:

Foster parents will care for shelter animals in their own homes on a temporary basis, typically between four and eight weeks. The foster program is flexible, and is open to all types of people, regardless of work schedule. The time commitment may range from a few days to a few weeks, from a few hours a day to round-the-clock care, depending upon the age and situation of each fosterling. The League will provide all supplies, necessary training, and veterinary care.

Prospective foster parents must be 18 or over. The only other requirement for the job is dedication and compassion.

If you’re interested, contact AWLA volunteer coordinator Lindsey Moon at 703-931-9241, ext. 245.

Help Afghan Villagers Without Leaving Northern Virginia

By ARLnow.com

Give to the World, an Arlington-based organization that helps the U.S. military conduct humanitarian relief efforts, is seeking volunteers to help box up supplies destined for Afghanistan.

Volunteers will meet at an area thrift shop to pack up clothes, shoes, blankets, stuffed animals and other donated items. The goods will then be sent to villagers in Afghanistan.

Adults and teens are welcome to volunteer for the effort, which will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on June 13, June 27 and July 25.

Those interested in helping out should go to the organization’s web site or call Shannon Stapleton at 703-532-4734.

Afternoon Notes: The Times Covers a Rare Arlington Find

By ARLnow.com

Vintage Race Car Found Under Tarp in Arlington — A rusty old race car that was “one of the best known and successfully campaigned” cars of its time has been found under a tarp in the yard of an Arlington home, the New York Times reports. The 1926 Vauxhall 30-98 once raced at the legendary Brooklands track in England. It’s expected to fetch up to $80,000 at auction in Connecticut.

Contribute to Relay for Life — The Arlington Relay for Life will be held on June 19th and 20th at Wakefield High School. There’s still time to contribute to the event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. More from We Love DC.

Farewell to Outgoing Airport Authority President — Local leaders bid farewell to outgoing Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority president and CEO James Bennett at a luncheon in Falls Church on Friday. Bennett is heading to Abu Dhabi to run three airports in the United Arab Emirates. More from the Sun Gazette.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Profiled — Marshals Service Director John Clark’s Crystal City office may have one of the best views in Arlington (it overlooks the Potomac and Reagan National Airport). Main Justice interviewed Clark about the agency’s plans for dealing with the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad in New York City and the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

Shirlington Power Couple Profiled — Politico profiles Amber and Sterling Marchand, a young political power couple who just bought a house in Shirlington. The thesis of the article seems to be: “See, Hill staffers? You don’t have to live in the District or near a Metro station to have fun.”

Deals for Deeds: Like Groupon With Charitable Giving Mixed In

By ARLnow.com

Group buying websites (Groupon, Living Social, etc.) are all the rage right now. For good reason: it’s a beautiful blend of economics and serendipity. Businesses get free promotion, drive sales and foot traffic, and pay no cash out of hand. The websites, in turn, pocket a healthy percentage of each sale as almost pure profit. And customers discover new businesses for cheap.

It’s such an attractive business segment that at least a dozen copy-cat sites have popped up in recent months. Some are blatant knock-offs. Others strive to find a niche.

For Arlington resident Harrison Miller, that niche is charitable giving.

Miller is launching his new website, Deals for Deeds, this coming Wednesday, April 28.

Not only will users be able to get half off or more from a variety of D.C.-area merchants, they’ll also be able to choose one of three charities to receive 5 percent of the sales price (but no, it’s not tax deductable).

Deals for Deeds will also act as a community bulletin board of sorts, publicizing dates for upcoming community events and such. A “shout-out for good causes,” as Miller puts it.

Miller and business partner Josh Hoffman have lined up deals with a number of local merchants. Among the Arlington-based businesses to be featured on the site are fitness instructor Body by Ginny, Rosslyn beauty salon Miracles in the City and Clarendon sunless tanning salon Fit To Be Tan.

At least initially, the charities that buyers may direct their donation to are the Washington Animal Rescue League, Food & Friends and Habitat for Humanity of Washington.

To celebrate its launch, Deals for Deeds is holding a party at ACKC (1529C 14th St. NW, in D.C.) on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and mingle with local business owners and representatives from the site’s non-profit beneficiaries.

(more…)

Afternoon Notes: Real Estate Resurgence, Bike Show Recap

By ARLnow.com

Home Sales Surge — Home sales in Arlington County were up 29 percent during the first three months of the year, the Sun Gazette reports. The average price of homes sold rose nearly four percent. Home sales were down more than five percent in Fairfax County.

Bike Show Recap –Last week’s third annual Phoenix Bikes bike show was a success. The event, held in Ballston, serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit bike shop. More than 250 people attended, according to the Commuter Page Blog. With the price of admission set between $20 and $25, the show would have raised at least $5,000, excluding proceeds from the silent auction.

To Do Tonight: Phoenix Bike Show

By ARLnow.com

Phoenix Bikes, a small not-for-profit bike shop located in Barcroft Park, is holding its third annual bike show tonight.

The event will feature an art show, a silent auction, a raffle for four bikes and various accessories donated by local shops, free food and drinks, and speeches by movers and shakers in the local bike world. Arlington County board chairman and cycling supporter Jay Fisette will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the show are $20 online (available until 2:00 p.m.) or $25 at the door, and include two raffle tickets. The proceeds will benefit Phoenix Bikes, which serves the community and youths in South Arlington.

The show is taking place between 7:00 and 9:00 tonight at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (4301 Wilson Blvd) in Ballston.

Geek Gluttony For A Good Cause

By Alex

Update on 4/2/10 — Paul and Storm say the event was a “huge success.” Storm successfully ate the entire 12-serving cake, and the duo raised more than $2,750 for the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

Want to see a geek have his cake and eat it, too?

A self-proclaimed “geek musician” who goes by the name of “Storm” will be attempting to eat an entire Carvel “Fudgie the Whale” cake, live on the internet, at 8:00 tonight.

The stunt was originally meant to mark Storm and bandmate Paul reaching 10,000 Twitter followers. Now it has been transformed into a fundraiser.

Paul and Storm are asking their fans for donations, all of which will go to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

The “Fudgiethon” is being held at online retailer Think Geek’s headquarters in Fairfax. Those who donate will also be enrolled in a chance to win a $100 Think Geek gift certificate.

It may be April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke! Wired has more details.

To Do This Weekend: Lots of Things

By ARLnow.com

There is flat-out a ton of things to do this weekend in Arlington. There’s plenty of live music, live theater and live comedy to experience this weekend. If that’s not enough, there’s also a charity shopping event and a charity bar sports competition, as well as a Wii tournament and a rockin’ party at an art exhibit.

For a full listing of things to do around town, see our events calendar.

Date Auction Brings in $8,000 For Young Dems

By ARLnow.com

Forget the recession, there’s apparently a bull market for eligible Democrats. The Arlington Young Democrats raised nearly $8,000 at their ninth annual date auction last night.

The event at Clarendon Grill featured dates of all flavors: two dozen men and women; straight, gay, and bisexual. Even “pairs looking for a double date” were auctioned off.

A few other auction items brought in big bucks. The top money-getter was a lunch with former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe, which went for $650.

Over 300 people attended the event, according to organizers. In addition to the 100 pounds of canned and non-perishable food collected at the door, half of the money raised, about $4,000, will go to the Arlington Food Assistance Center, which delivers groceries to those in need.

Photos courtesy Hadley Hunter Hawks.

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