Unique fund-raiser -- socially distant scavenger hunt, online auction

UPDATED, March 26: Arlington EATS, amid a $1.25 million capital campaign to build the organization’s first dedicated headquarters in its 29-year history, has raised more than $50,000 via Beats for EATS At Home -- the 2021 socially distant event featuring a townwide scavenger hunt and an online auction designed for the whole community.

The goups' March 26 emailed newsletter reported the amount. "Your support is what helps us continue to we deliver fresh produce and pantry staples to over 270 familes each week," it said.

UPDATED, March 30: Beats for EATS, a fund-raiser for Arlington EATS, was set to occur Saturday, March 28, at Town Hall, from 7 to 11 p.m., but that event was canceled in favor of an online auction only.

Held March 23 through to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 28, the event raised $70,325. Last year's event, the fourth annual, yielded more than $80,000.

"In a time of crisis, people come together and that is true of all of you," Andi Doane, executive director of the nonprofit, said in an email March 30. "I want to thank everyone who has given over the past few weeks of their time, money, those who bid on our Beats for EATS auction items, those who donated auction items, those who converted Beats tickets to donations, and the many businesses that sponsored Beats.

"All of this tremendous support has allowed us to coordinate and respond quickly to this Covid-19 crisis. Know that your dollars are going to feed our most vulnerable neighbors during this time."

The Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project is selling crafts and whole-bean coffee in the Kickstand Cafe parking lot on selected Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Proceeds from the sale of fair-trade Salvadoran crafts will go to fund scholarships and community development in Teosinte, El Salvador, sister city to Arlington, Mass.

Adults and high school students may sign up for shifts. No prior experience is needed.

UPDATED July 9: The Friends of the Robbins Town Gardens held a garden party on Friday, June 17, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and succeeded in covering expenses, introduced some new people to the garden and raised an additional $1,300 for the garden restoration endowment. 

An update on the group's website says: "The purpose of the party was to expose more people in the community to the Robbins Town Garden, to interest people in joining 'The Friends' organization and to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the garden. One lucky woman won the raffle prize – an ornamental tree planted in her yard!

"The weather was warm and breezy , the garden was beautiful and those of us who attended really enjoyed meeting and partying with old and new friends."

See photos from the event here >>

Robbins Town Hall Garden, at 700 Mass. Ave., is between Town Hall and the Robbins Library.

Watch ACMi's video of the 2022 Greek festival:

UPDATED June 18: The Arlington Greek Festival was held from Friday, June 10, at 11 a.m. through Sunday, June 12, at 6 p.m., at the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St.

See photos here >>

As always, there is no admission fee, and the venue is handicapped-accessible

Gyros, Souvlaki, Loukoumades . . . oh my!

Baked lamb, pastichio, moussaka

Many of your favorite Greek foods are set to return as well. Prepared with love and expertise by the parishioners of the church, they offer world-class cuisine using their tried-and-true set of recipes for the quality and flavor you have come to expect for over 30 years. 

From baked lamb, pastichio and moussaka to baklava, galaktoboureko and Greek coffee. A selection of Greek wines and beers will also be offered to pair with your meal.

From left: Alex DerStepanian (coxswain), Daniel Kim (stroke), Logan Freeman, Xander de Venecia, Rohan Gandhi, Dereck Leigh, Will Newberry, Charles Forney,  Matthias Warkentin (bow). / Photo by Hugh McCabe

Boys U-17 qualify for nationals

The Arlington-Belmont Crew Boys U-17 won a place last weekend at the U.S. Rowing Northeast Regionals competition in Lowell, as the team seeks support for its fund-raiser, which ends Friday, May 27.

"We are asking the Arlington and Belmont communities to support the Arlington-Belmont Crew Team and purchase tickets as part of our May Virtual Cash Calendar fund-raiser," said Doug Rosner, A-B Crew board president.

He said the funds are needed so that A-B Crew can continue to be accessible to all, especially when teens are in particular need of community, outdoor exercise, mental focus and opportunities to build confidence.

The fund-raiser helps keep athlete costs down, and gives us the resources to develop our team to its full potential, he said.

Kick-start your Memorial Day Weekend by heading over to Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington, where you'll find a Food Link benefit night.

For every order on Wednesday, May 25, that mentions "Food Link," the food-recovery nonprofit will receive a 20-percent donation. Catering orders placed within 14 days of May 25 are eligible for a 10-percent donation if you mention "Food Link."

Check out the menu here >> Thank you for supporting Food Link and eating local

Hullabaloo BBQ, local artisan barbecue created by Food Link board member and volunteer Ivan Basch, has raised more than $65,000 since 2015 for Food Link, an Arlington-based organization that rescues fresh food and contributes to environmental sustainability.

 Once a year, just in time for Memorial Day, Basch puts his state-champ-level and certified barbecue judge skills in service of Food Link. 

Anticipate detours, delays around Mass. Ave., bikepath

UPDATED May 12: Join the Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) and be a part of history: Register for the first AEF 5k Run/Walk, set for from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 15, to celebrate education in Arlington and raise funds for the Arlington Education Foundation.

Stephanie Peters

See all Regent events >> 

 'Stand Up for Ukraine'

What's funny about the invasion of Ukraine? Not much.But humor can raise funds for its beleaguered people.

Veteran comic Stephanie Peters, long a Cambridge resident, was the host for a tribe of comics with jokes for a serious purpose, "Stand Up For Ukraine," held Sunday, May 1, at the Regent Theatre.

Raising money for the World Food Program are these Boston headliners, who are volunteering:

Tony V, 

Will Noonan, 

Colleen Galvin,