Thursday, September 30, 2010

September 30th #FightBreastCancer


If you are on Facebook or Twitter, I hope that by now you've heard about the Susan G. Komen For the Cure #FightBreastCancer initiative.  Beginning September 30, at midnight (EST) to midnight October 1, they are kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by asking everyone to visit www.69-seconds.org and sign their petition.

Additionally, they've included several statistics that can be used to update your Facebook/Twitter status or blog.  On Facebook and Twitter make sure to include the hashtag #fightbreastcancer.  The goal is to promote awareness.  Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another, all it takes is a moment to make a further increase awareness about this dreadful disease.  Will you do your part?

Here's more information about the initiative...

Why 69 seconds?
Because that’s how often a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world. A statistic we’re trying to change. It’s also about how long it takes to #fightbreastcancer by choosing to drive change, share support or educate at www.69-seconds.org.

We hope to mobilize millions to take 69 seconds to #fightbreastcancer AND break the Guinness World Record for Most Widespread Social Network Message in 24 Hours.

How can you join the fight?

  1. Visit 69-seconds.org and take action!
  2. From the website, change your Facebook and/or Twitter status to one of the following:
* Every 69 seconds, a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world. #fightbreastcancer at http://69-seconds.org.
*
Today is not about raising funds. It’s about raising virtual voices around the world to take action in 69 seconds or less. Visit http://69-seconds.org, post #fightbreastcancer to Facebook and Twitter or blog about it before midnight and help turn the virtual world pink.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

October 2: March for Jobs & Justice

Just forwarding along information about the upcoming March for Jobs & Justice.


In this, the Centennial year of the National Urban League, we've asked Americans to take the I Am Empowered pledge to help close the gaps on education, employment, housing and health care. On October 2nd, one of the biggest progressive rallies in decades, focused on these goals, will happen in Washington DC.  Will you mark with us for jobs and justice?

The National Urban League is partnering with more than 150 progressive organizations and tens of thousands of people like you to mobilize the nation in the name of economic empowerment. We're joining human and civil rights groups, unions and trade associations, non-profits and religious groups, and many more.

The rally begins at 12:00PM at the Lincoln Memorial and ends at approximately 4:00PM.  Buses and carpools are being organized from every corner of the country for this incredible event. Will you join us?

RSVP:
http://iamempowered.com/10-2-10-%E2%80%93-march-for-jobs

The nation has just begun down the path of economic recovery, and without the support of committed partners like you, we could lose the progress we're beginning to make.  Join us in the fight to put Americans back to work and pull this country back together.

As the country recovers from economic collapse, the National Urban League has been at the forefront in finding solutions to the jobs crisis.  As then-President-Elect Obama prepared to take office, the League submitted an economic stimulus plan that included a temporary public service employment progam aimed at creating up to 200,000 jobs in urban areas. The League's 6-Point Plan for Job Creation calls for direct funding to states, municipalities and public employers. We've been called upon time and again to provide Congress with our unique perspective on the employment challenges facing America's urban communities.  The One Nation rally is a significant opportunity for us to make our voices heard.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Things to Do: The Science Behind the Cocktail

Stop by the International Spy Museum on Thursday, September 30th from 6:00 - 8:00PM for a FREE cocktail making class.  See below for more information from their website.

From beakers to blenders, you’re invited to explore the science and art behind the cocktail. Find out how specific gravity, surface area and pH levels play a role in creating the perfect cocktail.

The evening kicks off with an entertaining and informative presentation on the cocktail and finishes with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and hands-on demos. The Science Behind the Cocktail, brought to you by Canadian Mist and hosted by The International Spy Museum, is open to anyone 21 years of age or older.*

To register for this event please click here.

Restaurant Opening: Cuba Libre DC - October 1

When I first heard about Cuba Libre coming to DC, for some reason I was sooo excited. While, I've never been to their other locations in Philadelphia, Atlantic City or Orlando, I've heard countless rave reviews about their food and drinks.   Since, I'm a lover of all things Latin of course I had to book a reservation to be one of the first to try it out, review to come next week.

The DC location was initially scheduled to open during the middle of summer but due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening date kept getting pushed back.  I hoped they would be open in time for my 30th Birthday celebration, but it didn't happen. 

When I was initially trying to plan my birthday festivities, I contacted Emily Jarmuth, the Director of Sales & Local Marketing, who has provided me with follow-up over the last few months and I truly appreciate her keeping me in the loop.

I'm so happy to share that they will finally be opening up for "limited business" on Friday, October 1st.  As of today, reservations are completely booked Oct 1-3, but the other days are still open.  They are offering discounted prices off of the dinner menu for the first 2 weeks, 50% the first week and 25% the second.  See below for part of the press release.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Announces October 1st Opening with Introductory Prices at Dinner
Nuevo Cubano newcomer offers a welcoming discount for guests during opening. Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2010)― Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is excited to announce the preview opening of its new DC location in Penn Quarter will begin October 1st. It will open with a new menu specifically developed for Washington by Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot. Guests of the inspired "Nuevo Cubano" restaurant can also look forward to a 50% discount on their dinner from October 1st until October 7th. Then from October 8th-13th, guests can enjoy a 25% discount before the full price menu begins on October 14th. This special savings only applies to the cuisine (beverages will be offered at full price) during this preview period and is available at dinner service only, which is served daily from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Cuba Libre
801 A 9th Street (corner of H Street), NW 

Washington, D.C.
202.408.1600 http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

Things to Do: DC Goes Blue Week

Recently, I came across a post about DC Goes Blue Week.  Hopefully, I'll make it to an event or two to support this worthy cause.  Read more below.

Chris4Life and the Colon Cancer Alliance created DC Goes Blue Week to help bring greater awareness to colon cancer.  The week long awareness campaign celebrates survivors while stressing the importance of getting screened for colon cancer, which is treatable when caught through early screening. 

To help bring more awareness to the cause, a number of local restaurants and locations are holding special events this week, below is just a few of the specials taking place:

9/27 - Madam's Organ - Happy Hour from 5 PM to 8 PM
9/28 - Twins Jazz - Jazz Night at 7 PM
9/30 - Henry's Tap Room - Happy Hour from 5 PM to 9 PM


For the full list of events and more information about screenings, visit their official site.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Save-The-Date: NEA Hosts Opera Honors

As a member of Generation O, a program for young adults ages 18-35 who are interested in opera, from time to time I receive special offers to attend free Opera events.  It's FREE to join Generation O, for more information click here.

Join them on October 22 as the National Endowment for the Arts hosts the Opera Honors Awards Ceremony & Concert at the Kennedy Center.  Tickets are FREE and will include tribute performances by opera greats.  Read more below.

National Endowment for the Arts

NEA Opera Honors Awards Ceremony & Concert

Friday, October 22, 2010


Kennedy Center Opera House

6:15 PM — A conversation with the honorees
7:30 PM — Awards Ceremony & Concert


Reserve your FREE tickets online today!

Tickets are now available for the NEA Opera Honors Awards Ceremony & Concert. Don't miss your chance to honor opera legends Martina Arroyo, David DiChiera, Philip Glass and Eve Queler as they receive their NEA Opera Honors in a FREE awards ceremony and concert.

Artists performing in tribute to each honoree include Richard Croft, Leah Partridge, Marian Pop and Dolora Zajick, all performing with the Washington National Opera Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Philippe Auguin. Jazz musician and composer Paquito d'Rivera, and arts leaders Brett Batterson, Sarah Billinghurst, and Ira Siff will present the awards. Stunning testimonial video tributes round out the evening, featuring career retrospectives and interviews with some of opera's leading personalities.

Reserve your FREE seats today at
www.dc-opera.org, or call WNO Audience Services at 202.295.2400 or toll-free at 800.US.OPERA. Phones open at 10:00 AM. Limit four (4) tickets per person. Seating is reserved, and complimentary tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Shopping for a Cause: LIFT & Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus and LIFT have teamed up to spotlight LIFT’s important anti-poverty work in communities nationwide and preview fall fashion trends.  On Thursday, September 23, the two will co-host preview parties for Neiman Marcus’s “Current Event” across LIFT’s regions.

The events—in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC—will feature music and complementary drinks, as well as wine tasting, makeovers, and other perks (variable by city).  Guests will hear from LIFT’s leadership teams in each region and have the opportunity to visit with LIFT volunteers. LIFT would like to thank Neiman Marcus for being an outstanding partner in the fight to alleviate poverty for families nationwide. For full details and to RSVP, see the information below or visit
LIFT's website
.

The event is free of charge and open to everyone!


Boston

Neiman Marcus Copley Place
Thursday, September 23
6-8PM
Contemporary Sportswear, Level Two
Please RSVP to:
(617) 585-6008 or
rsvpboston@neimanmarcus.com


Chicago
Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue
Thursday, September 23
5-7PM
Contemporary, Third Floor
Please RSVP to:
(312) 694-4072 or
rsvpmichiganave@neimanmarcus.com


Philadelphia
Neiman Marcus The Plaza at King of Prussia
Thursday, September 23
6-9PM
Contemporary Sportswear, Level Two
Please RSVP to:
(610) 962-6208 or
kristin_lynch@neimanmarcus.com


Washington, DC
Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie
Thursday, September 23
6-8PM
Contemporary, Level Three
Please RSVP to:
rsvpwashington@neimanmarcus.com

    

Monday, September 13, 2010

Charitable: Seniya Fleming Cell Phone-A-Thon

A friend sent this to me.  If you live in the Washington, DC area and are able to attend please do so.  If not, the family will be accepting donations.  Please read the touching story below.

We are a charitable organization comprised of the friends and family of SeniyaFleming, the first child in the world to be documented with an extremely rare syndrome. We have come together to form the SeniyaFoundation, Inc. to raise funds for future diagnosis and treatment of medical illness as well as for her general care. We need your help to achieve this goal. Seniyawas born with only part of her Chromosome 1 gene, which is passed down from both parents.

Both of Seniya’s parents have all of their genes but due to this missing information in her DNA, Seniya has:

•holes in four of her heart valves
•fused arms (her arm and forearm bones are fused so that she has no elbows)
•no thumbs with an extra finger tip on her right hand
•a cleft palate such that her tongue rests in the back of her mouth, making it hard to breathe, chew, and drink. Due to these unexpected challenges, Seniyahas spent a lot of her life at John Hopkins Hospital.

At only two years old, Seniya has undergone:
•quadruple bypass heart surgery
•unsuccessful surgery to create a thumb from the extra finger on her right hand Seniyais now confronted with the beginning stages of facial deformities, which are likely to cause blindness. To correct these deformities and prevent blindness, doctors will have to operate in an area that contains her facial nerves. Therefore, the surgery could also lead to blindness and/or could also cause Seniyato lose her ability to smile.

Despite everything that Seniyahas endured in her first two years of life, she continues to laugh and give love to everyone. However, as she grows, her medical needs will increase. As you might imagine, Seniya’smedical condition requires much time and attention as well as many resources. Unfortunately, Seniya’sneeds has necessitated to full time on the spot care and attention that has resulted in her mother having to leave the workforce and her father to hold down several jobs in order to support their family of six.

The situation is further complicated by Social Security’s denial of the benefits to which she is entitled. At this time, we are seeking contributions to assist the family as they continue to try to provide for Seniya’sneeds without the benefit of public assistance.

This is why the SeniyaFoundation, Inc. would like to invite you and your friends to come out and participate in our Cell Phone-A-Thon by expecting and accepting our call on your cell phone that we will be making on:

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
6:00PM
New Community of GOD In Christ
12435C MattawomanDrive
Waldorf MD 20601

We will need volunteers to come out to the church and help make calls to the individuals in their contact list and request donations this support will help the family make this Cell Phone-A-Thon a success. If you are willing to volunteer and own a laptop please bring it with you to help with the processing of the donations.
 
If you cannot make it, you can also make donations online via Seniya'swebsite: www.helpingseniya.org

Thursday, September 9, 2010

CBC: Political Fusion Networking Social & Reception


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

6:00PM - 9:00PM

*NEW LOCATION*
Midtown Lofts 1219 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Cost: FREE

RSVP Required: http://www.politicalfusion.eventbrite.com/
Complimentary Desserts & Drink Specials

Invited Guests Include: Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Hill Harper and CBC Members

Partnering Organizations: National Black Graduate Student Association, Women. Politics. Media., Red Carpet DC, E.S.T. Unity, The Dale Consulting Group, Apathy Remedy, Exemplary Editing, The Actorvist Project, Acts of Faith in Love & Life, and Hell in a Handbag

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Things to Do: March of Dimes & Saks Kick-off Event


Join the March of Dimes - National Capital Area and Saks Fifth Avenue on Saturday, September 11 from 3:00PM - 6:00PM.  A $25 reservation fee is required, but includes a $25 Saks Gift Card along with a special 15% off coupon. 5% of sales made during the day will benefit the March of Dimes.

The event will include a champagne/cocktail reception (cocktails made by the Signature Chefs Cocktail Chair Gina Chersevani from PS 7’s) and Georgetown Cupcakes. Immediately following at 4PM, will be an exclusive World of Burberry Fashion Show with guest models to include the wives of Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, the owners of Georgetown Cupcake, Chef Rock Harper, the March of Dimes very own Annie Boutin-King and Jackie Ludden and more…

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by calling 703-269-1206 or email heather_shawmenis@s5a.com to reserve your spot.

Saks Fifth Avenue
Tysons Galleria
2051 International Drive


McLean, VA 22102
703-761-0700

Friday, September 3, 2010

Things to Do: Massage for the Cure 9/14

In case you haven't heard about this...

On September 14th, take the fight  personally with a $49 massage.*

$15 from every massage during our one-day event will go to the local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Take the Fight Personally


If you don’t know someone with breast cancer, consider yourself both lucky and rare. In America, one in eight women are ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer. This can be scary to think about, but not impossible to overcome. For the last six years, Massage Envy has held Massage for the Cure to benefit the local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. With the help of our dedicated therapists and caring clients, we’ve raised over $1.4 million for breast cancer research. And that’s just the beginning.

Due to the overwhelming response we’ve received, this year over 100 additional centers will be participating, totaling over 620 Massage Envy locations nationwide fighting for a cure. During our one-day event on September 14th, our goal is to raise $500,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. This may sound like a lofty mission, but with your help we can turn breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors.

How To Make An Impact

To be a part of Massage for the Cure, simply call your local Massage Envy starting August 14th and make an appointment for a $49, one-hour massage on September 14th. Massage Envy works directly with local Komen affiliates, so 100% of the funds raised during our one-day event will be used for education, screening and treatment programs in your local community.

Why Susan G. Komen for the Cure®?

When Massage Envy founder John Leonesio went searching for the right charitable partnership, he had two stipulations: The charity had to be passionate about their cause, and the cause had to be one that our clients truly cared about. When John came across Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, he knew he had found the perfect match. "Too many women have lived in fear of breast cancer for far too long", John stated. "It is my hope that our annual event will raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment so we may help those diagnosed with the disease increase their chances of survival."

The Massage Envy family is proud to partner with a charity that challenges us nationally while funding local breast cancer programs. Moreover, we are overwhelmed with the support we’ve received from our guests and members. Your dedication to the fight against breast cancer is as appreciated as it is inspiring.

Appointment are limited, schedule your appointment today by clicking here.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Save-The-Date: Junior League's Beauty, Baubles & Bubbles Event

I just learned of an upcoming event that sounds like it will be a great time.  The Junior League of Washington (JLW) has partnered with Neiman Marcus to host a beauty event and fundraiser.  Join the ladies of the JLW and friends for a night of beauty to benefit A Capital Collection!

Beauty, Baubles & Bubbles: A Neiman Marcus Beauty Event
Thursday, September 9, 2010
6:00PM - 8:00PM

Cost:
Tickets are $25 online in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase tickets click here.

Proceeds will go towards promoting literacy through community-based programs in the greater Washington metropolitan area. Bring your friends and coworkers for an evening of makeup consultations, special gifts, cocktails, appetizers and gelato tastings. Neiman Marcus will also give away a special piece of designer jewelry at the event! Beauty, Baubles & Bubbles is open to everyone.

Neiman Marcus @ Mazza Gallerie
5300 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015