Posts Tagged ‘DC’
Hello Friends and Happy Monday, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
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Last Saturday I attended my first Blogger’s Meetup which was held in Washington, DC and sponsored by the BLMGirls DMV Chapter. BLMGirls.com aka “Bloggers Like Me is an online community of women bloggers created by Leslie Young dedicated to the positive exchange of ideas, tips and advice about fashion, beauty, relationships, faith and everything in between. Through blogging, meetups and social networking we encourage each other and focus on REALationship building!”
The Experience was also simultaneously being held by the Chapters in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. When I initially registered for the event I didn’t realize it was during the Labor Day weekend and I almost changed my mind as I did not want to be stuck in Holiday traffic. Thankfully, the trip to DC was delayed only by a few minor back ups about a half an hour from the venue. At 2:30 pm, I arrived at the 201Bar, after finding a free-to-park lot across the street on Massachusetts Ave NE (I love FREE). Upon entering this modernly decorated tavern I was immediately greeted by our hostesses Whitney James and Karen Curtis.
Each table setting held a pink Welcome Folder that contained worksheets including a “Getting to Know You” form and on a separate table there were Swag Bags. I was the first to arrive but shortly afterwards more lovely ladies began to enter, including my Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sister who had traveled up from North Carolina.
As more ladies arrived it quickly became a festive atmosphere enhanced only by the mingling which intensified as we got down to the business of completing the “Getting to Know You” form. As we mixed and mingled the waitstaff began to bring out trays containing the most scrumptious Hors d’eouvres; an assortment of Egg Rolls, Mini Crab Cakes, Jerk Shrimp, Skewered Beef, and Flat Bread Pizza. We were also given 1 drink ticket for which I used mine for a glass of the house Red Wine – you know me!
The theme of the BLMGirls Experience was Building and Growing your Brand by building REALationships. Our guest speaker, Arsha Jones of BrandBuildSell provided a lively and very informational presentation on Branding Your Blog. Throughout the presentation she allowed ample time for sharing as well as questions and answers from the group. We took a short break to dine on Seasoned Chicken Wings, Rolls, Sliced Turkey and Mini Dessert Bars.
At the conclusion of Arsha’s presentation, Whitney’s husband, the designated photographer took a few group photos outside and The Experience ended just as it had started – Perfectly. Our “Swag Bag” contained a #BLMGirls TShirt and a sample of “Capital City Mumbo Sauce“, a product made and marketed by Arsha and her husband.
It definitely was a wonderful Experience and I’m glad to have met some amazing Bloggers Like Me and to finally see the faces behind the blogs. Driving home was smooth sailing and I look forward to the next BLMGirls DMV Experience.
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Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!
I live in DE not DC but am supporting my fellow DC bloggers for a cause that I think is important.
You know Goodwill, they’re the folks you donate all your old stuff to. They also have all those stores where you can find some great deals on someone else’s stuff. But, do you know why Goodwill accepts your donations? Do you know where the proceeds from those retail sales go? Simply put – they help people find jobs. Not just any people – people who live in our community, people whose kids go to our schools, people who are sitting next to you on Metro or bus.
Goodwill of Greater Washington’s primary mission is to provide job training and employment services to people with disadvantages and disabilities. Their goal is to give the populations they serve the tools they need to become self-sufficient.
People like Nadine, who had been living on the streets since she was 12 years old. She was shot three times and stabbed while literally fighting to survive, until she found Goodwill. Nadine is now fully employed and has her first apartment!
People like Patricia— she was unemployed, living on welfare and trying to raise three children. After graduating from a Goodwill training program, Goodwill decided to hire Patricia. She is doing great and was recently promoted!
And Vander’s story is amazing, he has a disability that prevented many businesses from considering him for jobs. After completing Project Search, Vander landed a full-time job with the Department of Education. In his spare time, he likes to advocate for people with disabilities.
These are real people who now have real jobs and real lives – thanks to the incredible work done by Goodwill of Greater Washington. They are now positive, contributing members to our community. All they needed was a helping hand – A helping hand given to them by Goodwill that was made possible by your donations.
In 2012, Goodwill directly affected the lives of more than 3,200 of our neighbors. These are people who have re-found the dignity that comes with being a contributing member of our society. Goodwill also diverted over 20 millions of trash from local landfills through their donation program. In addition to training people for jobs, placing them into jobs, providing consumers with access to quality, low cost goods, and acting as one our region’s largest recyclers, Goodwill is also a job developer. With each new store and donation center that Goodwill opens, 25-30 new jobs are created.
Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission is summed up by its tagline – “Transforming lives and communities”. Now you know how they do it. If you’d like to learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, find their nearest store or donation center, or get involved, please visit www.dcgoodwill.org or download their free mobile app from the iTunes app store.
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The Java House Café in Middletown recently hosted two books signings for local authors. The first one was on Saturday with Richelle N. Rodgers, author of Forever Growing A Journey of Trust. This autobiography gives you insight into her life which is filled with joy and sadness as well as near death experiences by both she and her husband, but her strong faith and trust in God has given her more than the world has taken.
Richelle is Philadelphia native presently residing in Elkton, Maryland with her husband of 38 years and is a grandmother of triplets. Her passion for empowering others to be the best they can be in their relationship with God is prevalent throughout the book. As a Franchise Consultant in both the Museum and Insurance industries as well as an Independent Contractor for CCI, she has had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States including trips to Bosnia and Italy. Richelle is currently a Lay Prayer Associate and an Eucharistic Minister and Lector at her church.
Richelle has dedicated her life in helping others and as a Vietnam Vet is currently working on a Women Veteran Leadership Awards Symposium to be held in DC this fall.
It took 3 years of prayer and the encouragement from family and friends for this book to become the first in what I believe will be a successful career of an Inspirational author.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” – Proverbs 3:5
Richelle and Small Business Owner Leon Brown
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What a way to start the weekend – Today I am the featured “Friday Fashionista” on DC Goodwill Fashonista’s blog and received an official Goodwill Fashionista Badge!!!
I started my blog to share my thrifting finds and am truly humbled to have been recognized. To see today’s posting and to follow DC’s blog go to http://www.fashionofgoodwill.org/blog/
HAVE A FANTASTICAL WEEKEND!!
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What a way to start the weekend – Today I am the featured “Friday Fashionista” on DC Goodwill Fashonista’s blog and received an official Goodwill Fashionista Badge!!!
I started my blog to share my thrifting finds and am truly humbled to have been recognized. To see today’s posting and to follow DC’s blog go to http://www.fashionofgoodwill.org/blog/
HAVE A FANTASTICAL WEEKEND!!
4 Comments
 "Getting To Know You Forms")
 "Getting to Know You")
 "Beautiful Bloggers at BLMGirls DMV Experience")
 "Listening and Learning")
 "Arsha had a captive audience")
 "Seasoned Wings, Turkey and Rolls")
 "With hostess Whitney and Soror Demetrice")
 "With Hostess Whitney and Soror Demetrice")
 "BLMGirls")
