Have a good weekend, Greater Washington! And check out what’s happening at our nonprofits …

Educational Theatre Company (McKinley Elementary, 1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA)

ETCs Main Stage Residency Program, with McKinley Elementary School, presents Robin Hood — an original musical production created and performed by children in grades 2-5 — on Friday & Saturday.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Malcolm X Avenue & 2nd Street SE)

Volunteers will work to restore the natural splendor of one of DC’s most neglected wooded areas on Saturday at 9:00 AM; gloves, bags, and lunch will be provided. RSVP right here.

Horizons Greater Washington (Politics and Prose, 5051 Connecticut Avenue NW)

Stop by and choose a book for you or your child, or select from one of the Wish List Books for the Horizons program, this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. At the register, remember to mention Horizons and Politics and Prose will donate 20% of the the proceeds.

We Are Family Senior Outreach Network (Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, deliver Thanksgiving baskets to over 250 low-income seniors in the North Capitol and Shaw neighborhoods with the We Are Family team. Sign up here!

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Many great, nonprofit places to go this weekend! Check it out …

FotoDC (Central Hub: 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)

The annual FotoWeek Festival begins this Friday and continues through the 18th; expect to see the very best in art, photography, and photojournalism! You can see the list of locations right here and sign up at the Volunteer Hub this way.

Educational Theatre Company (1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA)

Parents, students and volunteers come together for Community Build Day on Saturday at 9:30 AM to build sets, costumes and props in preparation for the upcoming production. Learn more here.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, plant trees along the Anacostia River; bring a friend and be prepared to have fun. You can RSVP right here.
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Busy weekend at CFP nonprofits! Check out what’s coming up …

Dance Place (3225 8th Street NE)

SpeakeasyDC presents “The Story Showdown: A Storytelling Game Show” this Friday at 8:00 PM and Saturday at 7:00 & 9:00 PM. Audience members have the opportunity to be contestants row and win coveted prizes! Tickets this way.

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U Street NW) – postponed

This one-day retreat for caregivers will explore stress management and self-care with yoga, nutrition and creativity, and the sharing of personal experience. Email darien@smithcenter.org for information about future dates.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Bladensburg Waterfront Park) – event full

Plant trees at the confluence of the Northeast and Northwest branches of the Anacostia River this Saturday at 10:00 AM; all tools and supplies needed will be provided, so just bring a friend and be prepared to have fun. Sign up here.

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What are your plans for the weekend? We have some great ideas at CFP nonprofits …

Anacostia Watershed Society (38th Street, Hyattsville, MD) – Event Full

Build and install bird houses at the native meadow along the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River on Friday at 10:00 AM. Complete information right this way!

Audubon Naturalist Society (Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD)

On Friday at 6:00 PM, join ANS members for the annual meeting, featuring Patterson Clark, author and illustrator of the “Urban Jungle” column in The Washington Post. RSVP details and program schedule right here.

District of Columbia Arts Center (2438 18th Street NW, Washington DC)

Plenty happening at DCAC this weekend! A second edition of The Happy Buddha Brings Peace and Laughter is onstage on Friday & Saturday at 10:00 PM and Theatre Du Jour’s Nightmerica returns Friday through Sunday at 7:30 PM. Schedule right here.

Volunteer Fairfax (Numerous locations)

The 18th annual VolunteerFest Day of Service is coming up this Saturday. You can choose a project (perhaps with a CFP nonprofit) and sign up right here. So many great options!

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U Street NW Washington, DC)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, join two culinary and nutrition experts and learn how to incorporate nourishing foods for healing and prevention of cancer; most of the workshop will be dedicated to hands-on cooking. Sign up here.

What’s coming up at CFP nonprofits? Glad you asked!

Anacostia Watershed Society (Lakewood Road, College Park, MD) — Cancelled

Join AWS, the Eyes of Paint Branch, and the DC Chapter of Surfrider for this annual cleanup on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Complete info right this way.

Our Daily Bread (field at 10515 School Street, Fairfax City, VA)

Take part in “Complete the Circle Event and FoodRaiser,” a meaningful and fun event to help needy families throughout the Fairfax County area, on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. You can register right here.

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U Street NW, Washington, DC ) –Postponed

This new series will begin with one hour of gentle yoga and create a safe, comfortable place for group members to share concerns and feelings, starting on Wednesday at 10:30 AM. Learn more this way.

Volunteer Fairfax (8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA)

On Thursday, this all-day conference, “Fairfax County Roundup: Whole Community Collaboration for Disaster,” will bring together the players that serve our community’s needs. Contact Matt Lyttle, Emergency Response Program Manager, at (703) 246-3553 with questions.

Have a good weekend, Greater Washington! And consider spending a day with a local nonprofit …

District of Columbia Arts Center (2438 18th Street NW, Washington, DC)

Over 40 area artists in two spaces create “Signals,” DCAC’s new exhibition; JW Mahoney (DC curator and artist) aims to prove that there long has been a distinct “school” of DC art. Opening reception is today at 7:00 PM.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Bladensburg, MD) — Event Full

On Friday at 10:00 AM, build and install bird houses at our native meadow along the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River; all tools and supplies needed will be provided. More information this way!

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States (600 Water Street SW, Washington, DC)

Tour the Potomac aboard the historic Sequoia Presidential Yacht. ANS Naturalists will highlight efforts to clean the river — and the work that still needs to be done. Event is filling fast; RSVP information is here.

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1662 U Street NW, Washington, DC)

Join in a therapeutic practice to align breath, movement, and awareness to restore balance and health at “Qigong: Going Within” on Monday at 8:00 AM. Learn more right here.

Also: the Acumen Solutions 4th Annual Race for a Cause is coming up this weekend. Race proceeds will be distributed to ten great nonprofits (eight of which are in the CFP network). Consider signing up today!

What’s coming up at your local nonprofts? Check out CFP Happenings and find out!

Downtown Cluster’s Geriatric Day Care Center (Washington Navy Yard, 1411 Parsons Avenue SE)

Best of luck for the 36th Anniversary Benefit Gala, “Growing Older, Getting Better,” on Friday at 6:00 PM! All proceeds will provide therapeutic and supportive services to frail older persons in Washington, DC.

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (Lubber Run Park, N. Columbus Street & 2nd Street N, Arlington, VA)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, volunteers should meet at the amphitheater (just below the parking lot) and will help collect seeds and acorns of native tree species to be sent to the state nursery. More info right this way.

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (Hallowood Retreat and Conference Center, 7300 Banner Road, Comus, MD)

Best wishes to those attending the October Residential Cancer Retreat this coming week (starting Monday), which provides an opportunity for transformative healing on the physical, mental, and emotional levels.

Also: coming up on Wednesday at 10:00 AM, Anacostia Watershed Society will be building and installing bird houses at our native meadow along the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River.

Have a great first weekend of fall 2012, Greater Washington!

District of Columbia Arts Center (2438 18th Street NW)

On Friday and Saturday, Matthew Vaky (a veteran of Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theatre) creates a hilarious and startling examination of US policy towards enemy combatants; call 202 462-7834 for reservations and learn more right here.

Anacostia Watershed Society (University of Maryland, UMD, College Park, MD & 38th Street, Hyattsville, MD ) — EVENTS FULL

Volunteers and staff will be installing a rain garden at Woods Hall at the University of Maryland this Saturday at 9:00 AM and removing trash and debris from the Northwest Branch at 10:00 AM. Keep up with future AWS events right here!

Washington Bach Consort (National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW)

At the start of their 35th season, WBC will explore music commissioned for state occasions, including Handel’s anthem for the coronation of George II in 1727, in “Kings and Commoners” on Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets right here!

And coming up next Tuesday, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts will provide a free “Sleep & Relaxation: Body and Breath” workshop, which will also serve as the Young Adult Cancer Survivors meet-up for this month. Learn more here.

By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

Swim, Drink, Fish — Clean Water!

This was the rallying cry at the Rally for Clean Water, held last Saturday, September 15, at the Georgetown Waterfront. The Rally celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a piece of landmark legislation passed in 1972 that protects and regulates standards for America’s waterways. The event was co-sponsored by CFP’s Potomac Riverkeeper, as well as Waterkeeper Alliance, Blue Legacy, Waterkeepers Chesapeake and Earthjustice. Hundreds of community members joined the celebration for the morning paddle, speaker series, and river clean up. We (Marie and Sherika) spent the morning at the Rally, both enjoying the beauty of the Potomac River during the paddle and volunteering during the speaking portion of the rally.

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Welcome to almost-fall, Greater Washington! And here is what’s coming up at your local nonprofits this weekend …

Accokeek Foundation (National Colonial Farm, 3400 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD)

On Saturday at noon, join in the monthly kitchen table conversation about the epicurean delights of colonial Marylanders; learn how our tastes and the food itself have changed over 300 years. More information right here!

Potomac Riverkeeper (Georgetown Waterfront Park, K st & Wisconsin Avenue NW)

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act at the Georgetown Waterfront Park on Saturday morning and afternoon; all are invited to participate in a morning paddle out on the Potomac, followed by a series of clean water advocate speakers. See the full schedule here.

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA)

Collect and tally trash for this annual event held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup and Clean Virginia Waterways Day on Saturday at 1:00 PM at Barcroft Park. Groups and families are welcome; call 703-228-6406 to register today.

District of Columbia Arts Center (2438 18th Street NW, Washington, DC)

This weekend and next, Matthew Vaky (veteran of Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theatre) creates a hilarious and startling examination of US policy towards enemy combatants; call 202 462-7834 for reservations and learn more right here.

Also: Very best wishes to THEARC on their AfterDark@THEARC gala this Saturday!

Looking ahead to next week, be sure to check out Successful Women Entrepreneurs in Washington at The Women’s Center on Monday at 6:00 PM and Financial Literacy New Volunteer Orientation is coming up on Tuesday at 7:00 PM at Our Daily Bread in Fairfax.