Arlington, TX

If you’re looking for something to do to start off the new year, stop by Carter BloodCare’s Donor Center today and give blood.

The are holding a 12 hour donation event which started this morning at 7 am and will run through 7 pm tonight. They are always in need of blood.  

Anyone in good health, who is at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate whole blood every 56 days. Here are a few “blood facts” that you may or may not know:

• 4.5 million American lives are saved each year by blood transfusions
• 32,000 pints of donated blood are used each day in the United States
• Someone needs blood every three seconds
• One out of ten hospital patients needs blood
• Three lives are saved by one pint of donated blood
• An average red blood cell transfusion uses 3.4 pints
• Type AB is the universal recipient, O negative is the universal donor
• Blood centers often run short of types O and B blood
• Shortages of all blood types happen during the summer and winter holidays
• If all blood donors gave two to four times a year, it would help prevent blood shortages

The Arlington Donor Center is located at 1618 W. Randol Mill Road. Donors will receive a T-shirt and a goody bag for participating and will also be entered to win a portable GPS navigation system. So do something great and get a little reward. It’s a great way to make a new start to 2008!

Source

Thousands of motorcyclists will make their annual vist to the Arlington Convention Center this afternoon to deliver Christmas gifts to underprivileged children as part of the 22nd Annual Big Texas Toy Run.

Cyclists head for Arlington from downtown Fort Worth, Dallas and Grapevine bringing as many toys as they can carry. It’s a site to behold as you can see by this video from last year’s Toy Run:

Last year, more than $1 million in toys and $100,000 in cash were donated to the drive, which benefits needy children through Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County, Dallas MetroCare and other charities. 

This year they are expecting about 90,000 riders to participate in the toy drive. That’s about 25,000 more than last year. For more information, visit their website at www.thebigtexastoyrun.com.

Julius Jones, starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys, will be making an appearance at the Parks Mall from 6 pm to 8pm on Monday, October 22. He will sign autographs and pose for photos. Fans can bring their own memorabilia to be signed, or may purchase the following that night:

• 8×10 photos
• Mini-helmet
• Replica full size helmet
• Authentic NFL helmet
• Authentic NFL football
• Three panel white football

Jones was the Cowboys’ first round draft pick in 2004. So far in his 37 career games and 35 career starts, he has rushed for 2,896 yards (78.3 yards-per-game), including 2,864 in the 35 starts (81.8 yards-per game). In those 35 career starts he has rushed for over 70 yards 23 times. His 2,896 yards through three seasons put him in eighth place on the club’s all-time rushing list.

My friend KC at Signature Collectables also tells me that 3 young fans from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be at the event to make their wish come true by meeting their football hero. How great of Julius to do this for these extra special fans. He must be quite a guy. Kudos to all who helped put this together!

If you’d like to meet Julius Jones, come on out. The Parks at Arlington Mall is located at 3811 South Cooper Street (Cooper and I-20) in Arlington. Jones’ appearance will take place on the Lower Level in Center Court. For information call The Parks at 817-467-0200 or email Signature Collectables.

Looking for something spooky to do this Halloween season? Or maybe you’d like a family-friendly event? Look no further! Here is your list of all the Arlington Halloween haunts.

After Dark in the Park
Oct 12-14
Cost: $6
River Legacy Parks
A great alternative to the “spooky” that is the norm of the season, this family-friendly fall festival features professional storytelling, a starlight stroll through the woods, karaoke, pumpkin patch, a unique children’s craft and activities area, concessions and much more. Enjoy live raptor shows on Friday and Saturday evenings by the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Ages 2-10. For more information call 817-861-2576 or visit http://www.riverlegacy.org/. (more…)

Some of Arlington’s finest restaurants will gather together on Tuesday, October 2 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. for the annual Taste of Arlington celebration. This year marks their silver anniversary.

The event, which brings together nearly 75 restaurants at the Arlington Convention Center, raises money for the Arlington YMCA and Theatre Arlington. In addition to all the great food, organizers have planned a silent auction, a Big Board auction, music, sponsor displays, and a performance by Theatre Arlington’s youth touring group. Auction items include theater and other fine arts tickets, dinners, autographed collectibles, jewelry, art, event tickets, entertainment tickets, autographed books, gift baskets, spa treatments, and overnight stays. (more…)

Shoes are something most of us take for granted. But for people in disadvantaged countries or victims of natural disasters, footwear is sometimes hard to come by.

To help out, the Parks at Arlington is getting invloved with Soles4Souls, an international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to disadvantaged people around the world. They began collecting shoes for victims of the Asian Tsunami in 2004 (more…)

Ozarka is sponsoring a “Walk in the Park” to benefit the River Legacy Foundation. The Foundation works to preserve and enhance land along the Trinity River in north Arlington. Ozarka is making a $15,000 donation to start things off and walkers may create an online donation page after registering.

Registered walkers will receive a free ticket to the September 9 Rangers baseball game and have the option to participate in an on-field parade to celebrate participants.

The walk take place on September 9 from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. Participants will meet at the Spring Creek Pavilion, Parking Lot B at the Ballpark in Arlington. Participants must pre-register online. For more information, call 817-861-2576 or visit www.texasrangers.com/ozarka.

Arlington, Arlington TX, Texas Rangers, Ballpark in Arlington, Ozarka, Walk in the Park, River Legacy Foundation, Free Rangers Tickets

Over 100 of the finest restaurants in the Metroplex are participating in KRLD/1080 AM and Central Market’s Restaurant Week which will be observed through Sunday, August 19.In Arlington, participating restaurants include Cacharel, Piccolo Mondo and Olenjack’s Grille. Cacharel has joined several other North Texas restaurants by extending their Restaurant Week through September 2.

For $35, diners receive a three-course meal; $7 of that price will benefit the North Texas Food Bank or the Lena Pope Home. Reservations are required. Mention “Restaurant Week” when making the reservation.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.krld.com.

Arlington is home to some great charitable organizations and two of them have some back-to-school events going on this month.  I encourage you to support them in any way you can.

Arlington Charities is collecting donations for its annual Supply Train, which provides about 1,100 families with school supplies. They are accepting donations of supplies and/or money for the cause. School supplies are needed by August 17. Here is a list of what they are looking for: (more…)