My 15 mintues of fame

OK, if this is really my 15 minutes of fame, I demand a recount! But I'll take what I can get - I think this is the closest I ever will get to the Society Pages. Look for me in the pink top and gray skirt.

http://hollywoodonthepotomac.blogspot.com/2009/02/red-cross-oscar-night-2009.html

The Oscar Night Gala to benefit the Red Cross of the National Capital Area was a blast! Lots of posh folks decked out in their finest, and I met some really fun people. It's so nice to have a fun night AND support a great cause at the same time.

Appalachia

I was blown away by Diane Sawyer's hour-long special on the people of central Appalachia, which aired last night on ABC. So many of us are touched by stories of poverty from halfway around the world - what about the extreme poverty that Americans are dealing with right here, on our shores? Sawyer highlighted several children and families in the Kentucky hills who are battling homelessness, joblessness, drug addiction, and poor or non-existent healthcare. There was the young high school football star who chose to live in his truck, rather than dealing with the poverty and alcoholism in his own home. And the young mother who walked SIXTEEN MILES to and from school each day to earn her GED. And the young girl who desperately hopes that her drug addicted mother will kick the habit. I am definitely putting some of these organizations on my own philanthropic giving list.

15 minutes of fame...

I recently purchased a really great product to help me with my business planning - it's a new, creative approach to the traditional business plan, called the Right-Brain Business Plan. I sent a copy of my business plan - now in the form of a colorful mobile hanging next to my desk! - to the creative guru behind the Right-Brain Business Plan, Jennifer Lee of Artizen Coaching. She posted it in her newsletter - my 15 minutes of fame!

Swanky Oscar Night Soiree

If you're as big a movie fan as I am, you are always looking for something fun and festive to do on Oscar Night. Personally, I'm pulling for Slumdog Millionnaire to take the big prize (the soundtrack also is great!), and I also think Micky Rourke was amazing in The Wrestler...

Through Pamela's Punch (a blog written by a local gal about town), I just found out about a fun, swanky Oscar Night soiree taking place at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown. Oscar Night 2009 will benefit the Red Cross of the National Capitol Area. There will be a silent auction, a "swag bag," 17 big screen TVs to watch the Oscars, good food and drinks... and cheering for your favorite flicks! It's the only Academy sanctioned Oscar viewing event in the DC area.

Party goers are encouraged to dress to the nines! It's black tie, baby.

Anyone want to join me for this fun, philanthropic event?

Tranquil Space Foundation

I had such a great meeting yesterday with the board and steering committee of the Tranquil Space Foundation. What a smart, dedicated, and compassionate group of volunteers! I can't wait to get started on our next project - deciding which women and girl focused nonprofits will be the recipients of our next round of mini-grants. To learn more about the foundation, or contribute to the foundations' work, check out their web site.