Community Volunteer Network Monthly Meetup

Hope to see you out at Community Volunteer Network's September meetup which will be held this coming Tuesday at Yaku in Courthouse. Community Volunteer Network is an Arlington group of 20 and 30 somethings that volunteer on evenings and weekends. They've got lots of volunteer events coming up in September and will have sign up sheets and more information at the meetup.

Yaku was recently named one of the best new restaurants by Northern Virginia Magazine and it is located on the corner of Clarendon Blvd and N. Scott Street. The closest metro stop is Court House, on the orange line.

For more information about Yaku and to view their Happy Hour specials, please visit: http://www.latinconcepts.com/yaku

Make MLK Day A Day ON

UPDATE: Opportunities are filling up quick. As one person pointed out, almost all of the inside opportunities are full. If you are looking for an inside opportunity you may call your local nursing home, hospital, or animal shelter because they will remain open on the holiday and are always looking for volunteers on an ongoing basis. You can search for particular agencies here.


Since 1994, MLK Jr Day (which has been observed as a holiday since 1986) has been a National Day of Service. Over the last 15 years it has been slowly growing in participation and interest, but this year with it coinciding with the inauguration of the first black President it is going to be a big deal.

DC has got tons of celebrations as well as ways to volunteer on Monday. Arlington is not getting as much attention but still has plenty of opportunities:

SATURDAY

Arlington Mill Highway Cleanup

Sponsor: Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment | Location: Arlington, VA 22204 Help Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment pick up trash from neighborhood streets in honor of Martin Luther King Day of Service. Meet at Arlington Mill Community Center, 4975 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA. more

Stream Clean-Up: Spout and Pimmit Runs Confluence

Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 AM

Small parking lot above the junction of Glebe and Chain Bridge Roads next to Chain Bridge on the Arlington side (Arlington, VA)

Join us at 10:00 am, Saturday the 17th, to help clean up the area around the ends of Spout Run and Pimmit Run where they... View Event Details

SUNDAY

Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sponsor: Arlington Co. Parks, Recreation And Cultural Resources | Location: Arlington, VA 22204

Help us as we honor Dr. King at Arlington's 39th annual tribute to him and his legacy on Sunday, January 18th at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Theatre. Entertainment will include a gospel group, a liturgical dance troupe, a. . . more

Wakefield High School Field Cleanup

Sunday, January 18 at 12:00 PM

Wakefield High School (Arlington, VA)

Meet at Wakefield High School stadium field behind the tennis courts to help us pick up trash from along the fences and under the bleachers... View Event Details

Welcome Visitors To Arlington During The Inauguration

Sponsor: Arlington Convention & Visitors Service | Location: Arlington, VA 22202
Volunteers will have the opportunity to provide visitors with maps of Arlington and to assist them with shopping and dining questions. We will need at least 2 volunteers posted at each location listed below (total of 6 volunteers required). Dates. . . more

MONDAY
Remove Invasives from Arlington's Nature Center

Monday, January 19 at 1:00 PM

Long Branch Nature Center (Arlington, VA)

Here's your chance to help remove non-native, invasive plants from Arlington, Virginia's Long Branch Nature Center. This beautiful natural area and education center is only... View Event Details

Paint/decorate the foster care visitation room -FULL (STILL NEEDS DONATIONS)

Monday, January 19 at 10:00 AM

Arlington DHS (Arlington, VA)

I am a DHS foster care worker who would like to request volunteers to paint/decorate a small room in a local DHS building. This... View Event Details

Trail Litter Cleanup-Theodore Roosevelt Island

Monday, January 19 at 10:00 AM

Theodore Roosevelt Island (Arlington, VA)

Come help clean up a local hiking trail with views of the Potomac River and DC! Monday Jan 19, 10am-12pm The Potomac Heritage Trail starts at Theodore... View Event Details

Oath of All of US (Day of Service - January 19)

Monday, January 19 at 12:00 AM

Youth Venture (Arlington, VA)

People of all ages and from all walks of life, LED BY YOUTH, will gather to share their own personal versions of the Oath of... View Event Details

Arlington Academy Hope truck packing event

Monday, January 19 at 8:00 AM

Wanda residence (Arlington, VA)

Arlington Academy of Hope, a grassroots non-profit located in Arlington, VA is shipping a container of books and supplies to our school and clinics in... View Event Details

AFAC Food Drive (FULL FOR VOLUNTEERS - NEED DONATIONS)

Monday, January 19 at 9:00 AM

Arlington Food Assistance Center (Arlington, VA)

Food Drive in support of the Arlington Food Assistance Center whch provides groceries to Arlington residents in need. We need all the non-perishable food item you... View Event Details

Dyke Marsh Clean-Up
Monday, January 19 9am-noon
Dyke Marsh and Belle Haven Mearina
Join groups from Arlington in cleaning up this strech of GW Memorial Pkwy in Alexandria. This will be a large intergenerational event.

For more information on opportunities in their area check out this Volunteer Arlington Spotlight.

Please let me know if there are opportunities I missed!

Looking for some history of Martin Luther King, Jr including interesting video and photos? Visit the Arlington Library's site.

SOLD OUT - "Signature Scene" for Young Professionals

UPDATE:
Sorry to say this event is sold out. The show is running for several weeks and has tickets available but tomorrow's event is sold out. I'll let you know if I find out about any other opportunities for reduced prices tickets or special events.


In my humble opinion, Les Miserables is the best musical ever. So you better believe I'm headed to Signature Theatre tomorrow night for the "Signature Scene" event.

Signature's offering a package with 1/2 tickets for young professionals (under 40) and a special wine and cheese reception before the show. The package is $32.50, which is quite reasonable when you consider the costs of going out and the quality of the show.

The venue is in Shirlington which is packed with great options for dining beforehand or going out after.

Not available this Thursday? It appears that Signature Theatre hosts a Signature Scene event on the first Thursday of a run each time a new show opens. The next one is a satiric comedy, "The Little Dog Laughed" on February 12th.

CRM's Monthly Meetup Tonight

Come join CRM for the December meetup tonight at 7 pm at The Clarendon Grill, which recently went smoke free! Look for CRM-ers in green shirts and wear yours if you have one.

Lisa Acker Dorsey will be speaking about the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and she will be giving more details about a benefit that she will be holding on Thursday, December 4th.

Happy Hour specials go until 8 p.m. and include:
$1 off appetizers
$1.75 Budweiser/Bud Light, Coors Light & Miller Light bottles
$2.50 Yuengling
$3.50 Corono/Corona Light

We will also be highlighting the upcoming activities which still have sign ups open:

Committee of 100 Meeting - December 10th

Holiday Decorating at Cherrydale Health and Rehab - December 13th

OAR Project Xmas Angel Wrapping Party - December 18th

Holiday Elves at Ballston Mall - December 20th

Sign Up Online!

Happy Hours Are Always For A Good Cause

... but this one could have a big impact in the struggle to find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Come out this Thursday night to Front Page in Ballston to have a good time and support the cause. This fundraiser was organized by Lisa Dorsey, an active CRM member who is living with Crohn's Disease and training for a half marathon through the Team Challenge. To learn more about Team Challenge please go to Lisa's Blog.

How you can help you ask?
Attend the Happy Hour and do either or all of the following:

* Purchase a wrist band: $10 for the wrist band gets you 2 free raffle tickets and drink specials from 5pm to 9pm. All of the $10 will go straight to CCFA!

- $2 Miller Lite Bottles
- $3 Corona Bottles
- $3 SoCo and Lime Shots
- Half price bottles of wine
- Half price appetizers

* Purchase raffle tickets: $2 per ticket
I will be raffling off various prizes throughout the evening so the sooner you get there the greater your chances are of winning something. Some Prizes include:

- $100 GC to Sette Bello in Clarendon
- $ 75 GC to Harry's Tap Room in Arlington
- $50 GC to Hard Times Cafe
- $35 GC to Crystal City Sports Pub
- Several Free Manicures to Mystique Nails in Falls Church

All entry fee and ticket raffle proceeds go directly to CCFA.