Kicking Off Turkey Day with the Turkey Trot

What was my time in the 2008 Arlington Turkey Trot 5K? I ran the whole thing.

When you're as lousy a runner as I am, that's the only measuring stick that counts. And with temperatures in the mid-30s at starting time and the race almost entirely up and down gentle hills in Lyon Park and Ashton Heights, the Turkey Trot seemed more like the Gobble Hobble. But I finished.

The most amazing thing? You've never seen a happier group of people who are simultaneously sweaty and freezing. A cheer went up at the start and a big crowd hung out long after the finish. People came out to cheer us all along the parade route, with a puppy escaping its owners at one point and weaving through the runners like Barry Sanders in the open field. There was even a house on Fillmore Street handing out cups of beer to the runners, good for a laugh in the race's last mile.

I was up at 6am to help get runners registered with a group from CRM. Combined with the 4,000 calories worth of food I'll be consuming and 9 hours of football, Vegas has set the line of when I pass out on my couch at 8pm. Bet the under.

Thank You!

Just wanted to make a big shout out to all of the volunteers who came out in the rain on Saturday to clean up the yards at 5 houses for people with disabilities. You guys did a fabulous job despite less than ideal conditions.

For those of you who didn't participate, check out our upcoming volunteer events - we have at least 3 more coming up in 2008!

Monthly Meetup at Old Arlington Grill

Biggest Meetup of 2008 to get ready for the biggest Volunteer Project of 2008!

Arlington Community Role Models - new name soon to be announced - is hosting their monthly happy hour for community minded 20 and 30 somethings in the Arlington area tomorrow night at the Old Arlington Grill (connected to Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse).

The fun starts at 7 pm and with over 30 people already RSVP'd it should be a good time.

We will have a couple of guests - one from Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation as well as one from Community Residences.

We will also have sign ups for upcoming activities like Saturday's Community Residences Cleanup; the Turkey Trot 5K; Pictures with Santa and Elves; and the OAR Wrapping Party.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Planet Arlington

Another chance to get up and get out with CRM this Saturday as CRM takes on Planet Arlington, a large world music festival in Rosslyn!


While listening to Salsa, Jazz, and Irish American beats we will be helping with activities like building instruments from recycled materials and face painting.

Sign up to volunteer from 2:30 -7:30 pm or check out the event from 4-10 pm as an attendee!

Meetup Tonight in Shirlington

Tonight's going to be my first time attending a CRM meetup and I am stoked. The combination of checking out a brewery I have never been to, meeting new people, and finding out about things to do in Arlington is pretty stellar.

If you read the What's Up Arlington E-Newsletter you already know that tonight's meetup is at the Capitol City Brewing Company at 7 pm.

What you did not know, is that I am going to be there; which gives you one more reason to check it out.

If you are totally confused reading this and don't know what CRM is, check out the website or the Facebook page.