Join me at Lunafest DC!

I just bought my ticket to Lunafest DC, taking place on April 23 from 7 -9 p.m. in DC's Dupont Circle. This event is being sponsored by the Tranquil Space Foundation, an organization that I'm so proud to be a part of. From the Tranquil Space Foundation's web site:

LUNAFEST was established in 2000 by Luna, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, to simultaneously promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues, and support worthy women’s nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. 100% of proceeds from the DC LunaFest will benefit Tranquil Space Foundatino and the Breast Cancer Fund.

We'll be showing short films by, for, and about women, while raising money for some great causes. Please join me at this fun event! Find event into and purchase tickets HERE.

I am an economic stimulus package

Recession? What recession? I've been spending money like a fiend lately. I don't know what's gotten into me, but... you can't take it with you, right?

If everyone chokes up and stops spending money, this economy is gonna go nowhere fast. Enough with the "recession chic." Maybe instead of packing our lunches, we all should be supporting our local sandwich shop once a week! Instead of eating frozen pizza, we all should be heading to the locally-owned restaurant down the street.

Instead of making due with a frayed, 3 year old dress for my upcoming vacation, I just bought a new dress from a local designer - the "little black dress" that I'll do doubt use for years. I'm doing my part!

Come on, people! Don't leave me out here all alone, wearing out my credit card!

Earmarks - not the coming of the apocalypse!

With the passage of the Federal omnibus spending bill today, there's been lots of talk about earmarks - almost all of which seem to be portrayed as wasteful pet projects that Members of Congress and Senators sneak in at the last minute to make themselves look good, pay off people who have supported their campaigns, etc.

I was thrilled today when I found out that one of my clients will be getting funding through an earmark. Their funding, in the $200,000 range, will provide much needed mental health counseling to senior citizens in the community who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (I don't want to provide too many details, out of respect for the client's privacy). This client is part of a consortium of nonprofits that also got funding for things like mental health counseling for homeless people, senior citizen housing, and programming for young adults with developmental disabilities.

I think that the earmark reforms that President Obama is suggesting are a great idea (click HERE to learn more), but I hope that people out there in cyberland realize that earmarks can provide incredible services to people in communities all across this country!