The Columbia Pike Community Chorus is now in rehearsals for their second concert, “The World Sings Hope,” a program of music celebrating the human spirit worldwide. All are welcome to join this community chorus; no vocal training is required and there is no cost to join. Walk-ins are welcome through March 14. Rehearsals are Mondays (except March 21) from 7–9 p.m. at Trinity Church, 2217 Columbia Pike. The Chorus is part of an effort to strengthen and create community in the Columbia Pike area, but residence in the local area is not a requirement. Call 703-920-7077 or e-mail musicmin@tecarl.org.
Planning is well underway for the Arlington Community Foundation’s 2005 Spring Gala, "Walk on the Wild Side." The event will be held on April 16, at the Old Terminal of Reagan National Airport.
After only three years, the Gala has already become an Arlington tradition. This black-tie event offers friends of the Foundation and Foundation donors an opportunity to dine, dance and have fun in style. The Foundation plans to once again transform the Old Terminal for the event, with this year’s nature and wildlife theme. The funds raised go to grants and scholarship programs that provide scholarships to Arlington students and grants to agencies that strengthen the community. Since the Foundation was created in 1991 it has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to Arlington students and nearly $4 million in grants to community organizations.
Sponsorship opportunities for the Spring Gala are available at sponsor, patron and contributor levels. For more information on how to get involved with the Arlington Community Foundation's Spring Gala event as a sponsor, guest or gift donor, contact the Foundation at 703-243-4785 or visit our website at www.arlcf.org.
The Arlington Community Foundation deadline for submission of grant proposals for the Arlington Education Fund is April 22, by 5 p.m. The goal of the Arlington Education Fund is to mobilize support in the community for creating programs that enhance educational opportunities in Arlington. Grant proposals may also be submitted for the Rabil-Armstrong Instructional Staff Development Fund, which was established to support professional development for teachers and administrators of Arlington Public Schools. For information about the Arlington Community Foundation’s Education Fund or to download the proposal forms, visit www.ARLCF.org.
The Arlington County Board has started up a number of new services and procedures for residents who want to find out about the Board’s meeting agenda. Residents can call the Board during meetings Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays 1-9 p.m. at 703-228-5715. The meetings can also be seen live on County Cable Channel AVN 71 or via www.arlingtonva.us.
Also, the possibility to send instant messages to County Board office staff to ask questions about agenda items has been started up. To do this, download a free instant message program from http://messager.yahoo.com. The screen name is ArlingtonBoardMeeting.
Residents can also download a speaker slip at home, print and fill it out and bring to the meeting to submit to the clerk. Visit www.arlingtonva.us.
Another possibility is to submit a comment online about specific agenda items. E-mail countyboard@arlingtonva.us or visit www.arlingtonva.us.
During meetings, an information desk is staffed in the Board Room 307 foyer to answer questions about the meeting.
Honor friends, relatives and spouse by giving a gift in their name to support one of the community funds. The Arlington Community Foundation will send gift recipients a special gift card notifying them of the gift and where the support has been directed. Call 703-243-4785. The gift form is on the foundation Web site, www.arlcf.org. Fill it out and fax it in to 703-243-4796 or mail it to the Arlington Community Foundation, 2525 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.
Individuals and organizations wishing to donate to tsunami relief efforts can visit the Arlington Community Foundation Web site at http://www.arlcf.org. The home page offers a link to a list of agencies identified by the Council on Foundations. Additionally, those wishing to donate through the foundation may do so; the foundation will process checks and forward money to the agencies identified by donors. This administrative handling is free of charge. To learn more about making supporting tsunami relief efforts through the foundation, call 703-243-4785.