GoFundMe to save Clarendon bar staff

If you want to help out your favorite Clarendon venue but need to stay at home to help the fight against COVID-19, there are plenty of fundraisers and gift card options. Below are all the ones I know about in the immediate area.

There are still a number of restaurants offering carryout and sometimes delivery now.

ArlingtonCanDo is a huge list of direct links to purchase gift cards for local businesses

Ambar - gift cards towards employee fund, $130 value for $100 purchase. Their GoFundMe is ongoing for $20,000

Arlington Cinema Drafthouse has a GoFundMe for employees of $10,000

Casal's - gift cards, get $125 value for $100 gift card

Galaxy Hut - closed with gofundme for staff $26,000 goal

There is a separate gofundme for Galaxy Hut and Spacebar business for $10,000

The GOAT and Don Tito - purchase gift card and 50% value goes to employees

Liberty Tavern - gofundme with $30,000 goal

Lyon Hall - gofundme with $30,000 goal

Northside Social - gofundme with $100,000 goal for both of its locations

O'Sullivans - gofundme for staff with $5,000 goal

Pamplona - gofundme for staff with $15,000 goal

Quarterdeck - gofundme with $15,000 goal

Rhodeside Grill - gofundme for employees with $5,000 goal

South Block Smoothies is matching donations to its Fruit Relief Fund up to $5,000 to donate 9,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to local families

Screwtop Wine Bar has a virtual tips jar for its servers

Spider Kelly's - gofundme for 30 person staff with $20,000 goal

Whitlows - gofundme with $10,000 goal for its people

Union Stage and Jammin Java - surpassed its $20,000 goal for its employees!

Clap for healtcare heros at 8pm

Applaud out your balcony, windows or front yard at 8pm tonight, Monday March 30 to pay tribute to healthcare workers fighting to save lives against the COVID-19 spread. Arlington County is participating in the clap which coincides with National Doctor's Day.

Stay indoors to stop COVID-19 spreading

Clarendon completely failed at social distancing this past weekend sadly. Arlington bar goers did not take the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus threat seriously, despite multiple cases already verified in Arlington and the constant warning from the CDC that this pandemic will get much worse soon.

At the present rate, the United States is on track to have the same level of infections as Italy which has been completely overrun with the virus. Unfortunately many 20 and 30 year olds didn't care about preventing our medical services from collapsing and running out of ICU room, but instead prioritized getting a drink on a rainy weekend of March 13-14 as if it was an ordinary time.

Bars and nightclubs are prime ground for the virus to spread, as many young people are infected with COVID-19 and show no symptoms and insist on selfishly socializing in close groups in these critical times. DC government first closed all nightclubs over the weekend, and now have taken the steps to shutter all DC bars at well because of this threat. Arlington County unfortunately is unable to shut down the nightlife venues itself due to the Dillon Rule and have to wait for decisions form Richmond to enforce. The governor has banned all events of 100 or more people as of today, and many bars and restaurants are closing or offering only carryout service to lower the number of infections.

This could be the worst time to try to convince Clarendon venues to act for the greater good and close their doors, as the combination of warmer weather, St. Patrick's day and many outdoor and patio spaces opening last week equal a huge boom to local businesses. Sadly, some venues are still staying open and promoting socializing while other bars have voluntarily closed for this holiday. If you want to support local restaurants and business during a quarantine, please buy gift cards from your favorite bar to redeem later or order take out/delivery from them.

There are still a few innovative options to get live music during a health crisis. Arlington musicians Justin Trawick and Laura LeMunyan put on several Facebook Live concerts that were so successful they attracted the attention of Reuters to interview them. Jasmine Gillison had a live show with Ben Tufts on WERA 96.7 last week. Derek Evry has an Instagram live show at 8pm March 16. All performers have Venmo or Paypal accounts where you can tip them virtually.

The blog, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for Clarendon Nights is going quiet for a long time, as its inappropriate and dangerous to promote large events. I'll probably still retweet events and news about Clarendon. Please check out ArlNow for up to date local news and coverage during these stressful times.