Absence of water?  How silly!  What about the oceans?  What about the rain - water literally falls from the sky!  We are surrounded by water, how could there be an absence?  This little thing we call Earth is made up of about 70% water.  Of that 70%, only about 2.5% of that water is drinkable (fresh).  Of that 2.5%, only 1% is accessible for human consumption - on this planet for all mankind.  Alexandra likened it to if all the water that was drinkable (i.e. lakes, rivers, glaciers, aquifers) was put into a gallon, only less than a teaspoon would represent the accessible part. 

For two years, Alexandra shared with us in her soft spoken, yet passionate and thoughtful manner, she lived in Central America to study the lives, dwelling habits, and survival rituals that coastal communities performed.  During her stay, she and her group were able to teach the people sustainable fishing practices while receiving a better understanding of what the bare essentials were to live in this beautiful, but terribly devastated part of the world.  They studied the nexus of community, the individual and water.  “Water will be the defining issue of this century,” she said.

Over a 1 BILLION people in this world do not access to clean drinking water.  For those of us who are used to the days of running through the sprinkler in the lawn that was left on for hours as kids, taking showers and baths whenever we want, flushing toilets without a second thought, running water when brushing our teeth, doing laundry and running the dishwater multiple times during the week or day, or just turning on the faucet, letting it run to get cold then filling up a glass - this statistic is unfathomable.  Every once in awhile, my apartment building needs to do a water test.  We get the unwanted notice “From 9am - 3pm, the water will be turned off on XX date.”  For someone who works from home, it is one of the worst days.  In fact, often out of sheer habit, I turn on the faucet for a drink, or flush the toilet.  I think - how can I do that pile of laundry that I want to do right now!  What about a shower after a workout (if and when I do workout)?  And folks, this is only SIX hours of ONE day that I would be without water. 

Alexandra said she and her group, the newly formed “Blue Campaign”, believe there will be more water refugees than conflict refugees if we continue down this spiral. 

There is hope however, and that is through the multimillion dollar water recycling plants that are taking sewage and turning it into water that is cleaner than the water out of your tap today or even in bottles.  This is happening in Southern California now, but other countries are looking into creating these types of plants.  Over 1 billion gallons of raw sewage gets dumped into the oceans a year.  That is not only hurtful to the waters, but is a true waste. 

Children in the Anacostia, DC area have started “Earth Conservation Corp”, where they are dedicated to cleaning up the terribly polluted and dangerous unhealthy Anacostia River.  This group serves an even larger purpose in that these kids are learning about responsibility, accountability, teamwork and community giving.  They are going on to higher education and further success. 

Alexandra also stated that these next 50 years will be the most critical.  There needs to be action from the government at the local, state and federal level. We need to communicate and learn from other countries who are already preserving their water resources.  But what can we, the average people do?

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth; don’t water the lawn during the day when most of the water evaporates anyway; take the car to the carwash, don’t use your own water at home; buy an eco-friendly toilet (Nationals Ballpark is full of them, make sure you flush UP when flushing!); do your laundry once a week or when you truly need to; wait until your dishwasher if completely full until running it.  These are just “little things” that EVERYONE can do on a daily basis. 

EarthEcho International was founded on the belief that “Everything you do, makes a difference - everything.”   Even if it is small, even if you think it won’t matter, it will, especially if everyone is doing it.

Please read more about Alexandra Cousteau and her mission on preserving water internationally and how you can get involved.  www.earthecho.org  For more information on the NPC, past and future speakers, please go to http://npc.press.org/.

(Pictured from top to bottom: Alexandra with her mum Jan to her left looking on; a passionate message; Alexandra with co-worker Philip Gibbs and Cara Santos Pianesi, Communications Officer, United Nations Development Program)

DC By Foot, which was founded in July, 2007 by recent college graduates and licensed tour guides, accomplishes a new twist on an old practice. DC By Foot offers FREE, completely tip based, twice-daily walking tours of the National Mall. It is the company’s mission to offer tours of the highest quality to visitors with literally any budget. DC By Foot guides are “part professors, part performers” that bring the history behind the monuments to life through trivia, humor and anecdotes.  

Beginning in May 2008, DC by Foot will identify a local charity to be the beneficiary of all revenue generated by the groups 6pm Sunday night tours. All Sunday night tours will now be coined “BenefacTOURS.”

“DC by Foot is excited to announce that it will now augment the public’s appreciation of history by transforming the fundamental nature of tourism,” says Ben Hindman, Director of Sales and Marketing for DC By Foot Tour Company in Washington, DC. “BenefacTOURS is a program that connects the vast Washington, DC tourism market with various charitable organizations in the local community.  We will bring together our generous guests with charities that greatly benefit from their support.”

DC by Foot offers daily, gratuity-based, historical walking tours of the monuments on the National Mall. For approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, guests are treated to walking tours from recent college graduates who can best be described as “part professors, part performers.” 

“This May we are excited to announce that the National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been chosen as our charity beneficiary,” Says Hindman. “We believe that by offering tourists the opportunity to give generously to a worthy cause, while learning about the important history of this great country, we can enhance the richness of the tourist experience in our nation’s capital.”

Who: DC by Foot and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
What:  BenefacTOURS revenue to benefit the National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in May    
When:  May 1 through 31, 2008
Where:  BenefacTOURS depart at Sundays 6pm.  All tours depart from the Northeast corner of 15th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW.

Please contact Jenna Mills: 202-378-4489, mills.r.jenna@gmail.com 
Or Ben Hindman: 571-431-7543, Benny@dcbyfoot.com 
www.dcbyfoot.com

Started in 1987, Windows Catering (which used to be Windows on the Potomac in the old Rosslyn USA Today building, but they were so loved by so many prestigious Washingtonians who wanted their talents outside the restaurant space, a partnership grew to a full- on catering company) brings this region just the right recipe of strong experience, respect within the foodie and critic community, long time relationships, a high-level clientele with intricate, precise needs, and an executive staff in and out of the kitchen who have a great reputation, amazing innovation, and presentation in all aspects of their business.

Our special meal was created (I am a veggie) by Executive Chef Pasquale Ingenito, with whom I got to meet, shake hands, and give a glowing review (he, like many of my chef friends in town, jokingly asked me if I was ready for the big steak yet.) 

Our meal consisted of a few courses, which was just right for a luncheon.  It was enough to fill, not enough to put us under the table:

Eggplant Tempura with Fresh Mozzarella

Mashed Potato Cigars with Gorgonzola Cheese

Portabella Mushroom Ravioli

Four Cheese Spring Salad

Pear Tart with Caramel Ice cream (by 2005 National Pastry Chef Laurent Lhuiller)

(Pictured from top to bottom: Portabella mushroom ravioli; does this pear tart make me look fat?; it’s all in the details … a lovely centerpiece, a gorgeous table setting with matching silk napkins)

As someone who travels the gala function and corporate dinner circuit, Windows has always been at the top of my list of event caterers.  They continue to be consistent and impress.  Thank you to Alina, Chefs Pasquale and Laurent for the wonderful accommodations, and hats off to Chef Proprietor Henry Dinardo and owner Carol Bloom.

For more information on this full service catering, party planning, events management company, please go to www.catering.com

Current has been in business for only one year and already has seen a great continuing growth in new and designer consignment inventory as well as a loyal following.  This event is a way to showcase the Arlington boutique’s progress, involve its partners and give back to young fashion designers and artists.

When - Thursday May 22nd    Where: Nena (Gua Rapo Upstairs) 2039 Wilson Blvd, Neighborhood Courthouse Arlington - Nena & Gua Rapo are properties of Latin Concepts

7:00pm - Complimentary Tapas & Cash Bar

8:00pm - Fashion Show

Live Music - Rising Pop Star “Mo”  and DJ Double O7

The fashion styling will be done by Anna Birdsall with Hair & Makeup by Jouvence Aveda of Reston.  Shoes are compliments of Shoe Fly of Clarendon and all Jewelry by Abigail de Casanova.

The MC is none other than yours truly.

We are asking for a suggested donation of $10 at the door.  This will go directly to the DC Fashionista Foundation, which is a scholarship fund for local emerging designers and artists.

There will be valet parking, but please feel free to take the Metro to Courthouse or cab it. 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact carmen@currentboutique.com or call 703.528.3079.  Media and press are welcome - we hope to see you there to support, have a fun time, and check out some very stylish looks.

More to come on Wednesday’s chock full activities with vineyard vines (R), but please do visit the web site and the 1225 Wisconsin Avenue store… and get your whale on.  www.vineyardvines.com

Nordstrom Designer Preview
Tuesday, June 17th
6:30 p.m. 
The National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC

This phenomenal evening will feature a preview of the Fall 2008 collections, and you will get a first look at the most inspired—and inspiring—designs of the season from renowned American and European designers.

Priority Seating Tickets (Limited Availability) - $200
Individual Tickets - $125

*100% of Ticket Sales go to benefit Knock Out Abuse Against Women

To purchase tickets please call Ellen at 202-725-5604

This organization gives at-risk, inner city kids a chance for a better life through education.  These children are smart, dedicated, hard working, inspired youth who apply for a scholarship from CPE (up to $4,500 yearly) in order to attend a private DC high school.  The scholarships are automatically annually renewed, as long as the student adheres to the program’s strict guidelines.  The success rate is astronomical.  CPE students who have stayed in the program graduate high school - 100% of them.  Eight-seven percent then do gone on to higher education, some of them gaining full scholarships to Ivy League institutions.  If they had not had the opportunity to attend these private high schools and develop strong academic and leadership skills, who knows where they would end up. 

The Board of Directors is extremely strong and they are looking to the community and corporate and private donors to continue to grow the organization and number of children they can postitively affect. 

For more information on Capital Partners for Education, please check out the web site www.cpfe.org.  There you will find fantastic, motivating success stories of what some of the past program graduates are doing.  Thank you to Khari Brown, CPE’s Executive Director, for the great work he and his staff do, the Board of Directors, Michel Richard for auctioning off his “Happy in the Kitchen” books as well as his TWO private dinner parties, and of course, the generous Bajaj family for opening up their stunning home and donating the entire event. 

(Pictured from top to bottom: L-R, Charlie Thomas, Ken Bajaj and Greg Baroni; Master of Ceremonies Steve Buckhantz; Auctioneer Audrey Cramer of Cushman & Wakefield with Chef Michel Richard; I never met a dessert from Michel Richard I didn’t love)

For more information on Alexandra’s mission, please go to www.earthecho.org.