Congratulations Jackie Moran

Junior Friends member Jackie Moran had a baby boy! Connor Lawrence was born November 17th. He was 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 19.5 inches. Proud family Trevor and Kate, along with Mom, are doing well!

Congratulations to Amy Wren on her new baby girl!

Congratulations to Junior Friend Amy Wren! She and her husband welcomed new baby girl Delaney Grace Wren into the world on November 22nd at 3:12 pm. Delaney weighed 9lbs 2oz & was 20.5 inches long. They are over the moon with love and joy!

Junior Friends - Day of Duty Shifts

Junior Friends Members, please do not forget to sign up for your DOD shift for the SCWW. We still have a good number of shifts that need to be filled.
Here's how you sign up:
1) Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot:http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/802345634513110014...
2) Enter your email address. VolunteerSpot will then send you a PERSONAL* signup invitation coded to your email so you can sign up.
Thank you!
Our success for The Campagna Center depends on you!

LEAP Mentoring Activities with Junior Friends

The LEAP kids from T.C. Williams High School have racked up over 250 hours of community service this year, participating in the Big Event, the Alexandria Walk for Breast Cancer, Sticker Shock – the Campaign to Stop Underage Alcohol Use, and the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Telethon. In December, they’ll be volunteering at the Scottish Christmas Walk, and the ALIVE Turkey Distribution.

They’ve also participated in College trips to GWU and Capitol College in Maryland, with more trips planned to VA Tech and JMU and possible trips to UVA, GMU, and others. And, they had their second annual Veteran’s Day Common Application Workshop and Movie Day!

Scotches & Ales, Christmas Tea or Interior Designs? Join your Junior Friends Dec 3-4

40th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

Click here to learn about all the events and to purchase tickets
http://www.scottishchristmaswalk.com/events.html


Ride an Antique Firetruck in the Parade: Don't forget to bid on the priceless prize of you and 8 family/friends riding in the Parade on the antique fire truck. Email your bid today The Campagna Center lmartin@campagnacenter.org

A Pre-Thanksgiving reminder: gather your friends and neighbors to attend these fun & fantastic events

Children's Tea: TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE Friday December 3rd from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Santa Claus will greet children at this special tea party. For a small fee, children can have their picture taken with Santa, so remember to wear your holiday best.
Location: George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria
Ticket Price: $30 for adults; $10 for children 11 and under

The Taste of Scotland Patron Pub - Celebrating Scotland as a Land of Food and Drink: features a complete top-shelf tasting menu including various rare Scotches direct from Scotland distilleries. Limited Scotch selections and Ale tasting will be available throughout the evening. Patrons will receive a special gift and event recognition. Only Taste of Scotland Patrons will be allowed admittance to the Patron Pub.
Location: George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria
Ticket Price: $150-individual, $250-couple

The Taste of Scotland: Celebrating Scotland as a Land of Food and Drink: Attended by nearly 500 guests, including the Lord Provost of Dundee, Scotland, this special event features a limited Scotch selection, Scottish Ale tasting, as well as beer, wine, and light fare. Event is for adults only.
Location: George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria
Special Junior Friends Ticket Price: $75

Holiday Designer Tour of Homes: Stroll through lovely properties dressed up for the holidays by acclaimed interior designers and local florists. Tour will be held rain or shine. Tickets are required for the home tour and are non-refundable. Sorry, no pets or children under the age of 12 are permitted on the tour.

This year's Tour features the following six exclusive properties in Old Town Alexandria:
808 Prince Street
905 Prince Street
415 Wolf Street
607 Cameron Street
430 S. Lee Street
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (288 S. Pitt Street)
Alexandria Academy (400 S. Washington Street)
The Campagna Center (418 S. Washington Street)
Advance Purchase: $30
Day-Of Purchase: $35 (may also be purchased at homes

Christmas Marketplace: Friday Dec 39a.m.-5p.m. Vendors sell unique, holiday gift wares in a boutique setting. Admission is free!
As of November 3rd, 2010, the following vendors will be participating:
· Aurora Bath & Jewels
· Beijo Bags
· Discovery Toys
· G's Glory Handbags
· Janet Egan Design
· Patricia Palermino Studios
· Queen Bee Designs
· Scottish Gourmet
· Southwestern Silver
· The Dressed Up Nut
· The Perfect Budha
· Villa de Alpacas Farm
· JaniceTable
· Celtic Landscapes in Pastel
· Monday's Child
· Thirty-One

For images from the 2009 Marketplace, click here.-->

Support our generous vendors and shop at a discount!

Monday’s Child has been a strong supporter of Junior Friends and the Children’s Tea at the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.
Please show your support of this great vendor AND shop at a discount! Get some holiday shopping done and receive a 20% discount!

Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 18th from 6-8pm and come out and support Monday's Child! http://www.mondayschildofalexandria.com/

Heather & Greens

Junior Friends - Don’t forget to pre-order your Heather & Greens! Visit the Scottish Christmas Walk website here at http://www.scottishchristmaswalk.com/ or you should have received a pre-order form in the mail that you can use as well. There are many beautiful holiday decorations to choose from! Place your order today!

Congratulations to Megan on her new baby boy!

Congratulations Megan Roberge! New Junior Friend Megan had a baby boy! She and hubby Connelly are pleased to announce the arrival of Cordrey Charles Roberge. Cordrey entered the world at 7:28 p.m. He tipped the scales at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 1/4 inches. Mom and Cordrey are both doing great! Dad is in a pretty darn good mood too!

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

Hello Junior Friends:
Get an early start on events for the 40th Anniversary Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. It's not too early to get your tickets for the Children's Tea and the Taste of Scotland both on Friday on Dec 3rd.

Junior Friends of The Campagna Center have the opportunity to purchase Taste of Scotland tickets at a special discounted rate of $75. The Taste of Scotland takes place on Friday December 3, 2010 from 8-11pm at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. These preferred prices are available for Junior Friends who are current with annual membership dues.

This year, please consider purchasing a ticket to the new and exclusive Patron Pub which offers some of the rarest scotches and Scottish fare, and features our guest of honor and Parade Grand Marshal Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Secretary Richard Lochhead. The Patron Pub opens at 7pm and tickets can be purchased for $150/individual and $250/couple. You may purchase your tickets on-line through The Campagna Center. As usual, no hard tickets will be issued for the Taste of Scotland, rather your name will be at a list upon check in at the event.

We also encourage you to act now and purchase your tickets to the Children's Tea before the event is open to the public to purchase on Nov 1st. The Children's Tea is held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial from 1-3pm Friday Dec 3rd. Adult tickets are $30 and each child is $10. This year an email ticket will be generated for the Children's Tea and will be sent to you prior to the event.

While you're buying your tickets for the weekend don't forget the Designer Tour of Homes from 11-4pm on Saturday Dec 4th. This year we are truly featuring the top homes in Old Town so don't miss the chance to see them inside and decorated for the holiday.

Please visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com or go to www.campagnacenter.org and click on events to get your tickets.

We look forward to seeing all of our Junior Friends at the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend events in this our 40th anniversary year! Thank you for your support of the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Junior Friend Kim Speed! Yesterday, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Collins Walker Speed, 7 lbs 13 oz, 21 inches
Mom and baby are doing well!
All of the Junior Friends welcome baby Collins to the world!

Attention Junior Friends - Tickets for the Cirque Pre-Show Reception Still Available!

Ladies, online sales for the Cirque pre-show reception at Belle Haven Country Club are still open. So anyone interested in still attending the reception can purchase entrance online. There may also be one ticket to the Cirque show available as well. You can access the online giving page through our website, or by going directly to the Cirque section: http://www.campagnacenter.org/en/204/default.aspx.

Note - Sept 7th is the cut-off date for purchasing pre-show reception tickets.

Junior Friends Membership Meeting & New Member Orientation

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 14th for our next membership meeting.


Members are welcome to attend the Social Half Hour from 7:00 - 7:30 pm. General Membership meeting begins at 7:30pm. New Member orientation begins at 6:30. Hope to see you there! http://www.campagnacenter.org/en/101/default.aspx

If a current member would like to recommend a new member or if you are interested in joining Junior Friends, please send an email to JFnewmembers@gmail.com. Thanks!

The Campagna Center is located at 418 S. Washington St. Alexandria,VA 22314

Friday, Sept 10 Cirque du Soleil OVO

Have fun for a great cause! The Campagna Center (TCC) has tickets for Cirque du Soleil for sale and all proceeds will benefit the programs of The Center - there will also be a pre-reception at Belle Haven Country Club with transportation provided to the show - tickets can be purchased on the website - www.campagnacenter.org

Congrats to Kristen Gullott!

Our best wishes go out to Junior Friend and Event Donations Chair Kristen Gullott. Kristen is happy to announce the birth of her son, Cullen Jacob, on April 20th. Cullen came in at 7lbs 5oz and was 19.5 inches at birth.

Congrats to Kristen, her husband Christian, and older sister, Keating!

Toast to Fashion is TONIGHT!

Don't forget to buy your tickets! Click here to buy them now.

See you tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Country Club!

Upcoming Event Reminders - Grab Your Calendar RIGHT NOW!

Please make note and plan to attend the following events!

First is a Happy Hour to meet some of our newest members on Thursday, April 29 at Indigo Landing beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Second, plan to attend the Kentucky Derby Party. You can purchase tickets online at www.campagnacenter.org or by phoning Justin at (703) 224-2344 for the Kentucky Derby Party on May 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the home of John and Bridget Weaver. Proceeds benefit The Campagna Center.

Third is the Toast to Fashion on May 6 at Belle Haven Country Club. Proceeds from this event benefits the programs of The Campagna Center. This event is from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

And last, but not least, please remember to sign up for a Day of Duty shift for the Toast to Fashion. We can really use some volunteers at the end of the evening. If you need the VolunteerSpot link, please send an e-mail to Laura at juniorfriendsnewsletter@gmail.com.

Service Day Press!

Check out the photo from the April 17 service day in the Alexandria Gazette!
http://files.connectionnewspapers.com/PDF/current/Alexandria.pdf

Toast to Fashion is Approaching!

Buy your tickets now for the Toast to Fashion!

May 6, 2010

Marketplace Vendors to include:

Bellacara
Bloomers
Fornash
Hysteria
J. Ryan Jewelry
J. McLaughlin
Lavender Moon
Magical Monograms
Mint Condition
Pink & Brown
Queen Bee Designs
Sherman Pickey
Shoe Hive
Smathers & Branson
Top It Off

Don't miss this exciting night of fashion, drinks, food and fun!

Service Day Success!

Thank you to everyone who gave their time, effort and donations to last Saturday's service day.

See the link below to read a short write-up about the day (scroll down to view the story):
http://gwslepthere.com/

Tiny Titans Baby Shower

Thank you to all the Junior Friends who signed up to donate to the Tiny Titans Baby Shower at last night's meeting. Over 40 people agreed to purchase gifts or donated money for us to do so on their behalf. Tiny Titans is the daycare program, sponsored by the Campagna Center, for infants and toddlers of current T.C. Williams students. The Jr. Friends are throwing the Tiny Titans mothers a Mother's Day Shower on May 12th (more details on the event to follow).

For those of you who were unable to make the meeting last night, there is still time to donate. The following items are still needed to be purchased the shower.
1) Girls Summer Outfits Size 3 Toddler,
2) Boys Summer Outfits Size 2 Toddler,
3) Boys Summer Outfits Size 3 Toddler,
4) Boys Summer Outfits Size 4 Toddler,
5) Baby or Toddler Board Books: Theme ABCs,
6) Baby or Toddler Board Books: Theme Animals,
7) Baby or Toddler Board Books: Theme Going to Bed,
8) Books for a Baby or Toddler: Theme Cars or Trucks,
10) Books for a boy age 2 to 4, > 11) Toy for a 3 year old girl
12) Toy for a 2 year old boy
13) Toy for a 5 year old boy

Coupons for baby stores (Target, Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, Carters, Gymboree, etc.) are also needed. Please email Tara via Facebook message or through juniorfriendsnewsletter@gmail.com if you would like to donate one of these items (or a provide a cash donation). Tara will provide instructions on where to deliver the gifts. Tax receipts from the Campagna Center will be available for all donations.

Thank you to everyone donating time and gifts to shower these moms on Mother's Day!

Blog Updates!

For everyone following this blog, please send any updates you would like to see to juniorfriendsnewsletter@gmail.com

Know of a Junior Friends member who is celebrating a birth, marriage or exciting life change? Please share your news with us! Have a fun social event open to the membership? Please let the blog help spread the news.

We are also looking for photos of all past Junior Friends events. If you have any photos, please contact Rebecca Chatterjee at the address above. We are building an online album to archive all Junior Friends events.

Thank you!

Lemonade Stand Tomorrow and Message About Service Day

Our April 17th Day of Service is quickly approaching. We have a number of volunteers who have registered via the Volunteer Spot site. If you have not done so already and plan to join us, please sign up for a shift at http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/3-6395045381.

This Sunday April 11th we will be selling lemonade and treats in front of the Campagna Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We will be raising money for the Service Day event. Any extra money will be donated to the Campagna Center.

If you have plant divisions to share with us or new plant donations, please contact Laura Niswander via Facebook Message.

We will need each volunteer to bring any of the following items they own:
-Shovels
-Rakes
-Hoes
-Digging Iron
-Small Hand Tools (Shovels, Trowels, Screwdrivers, etc)
-Pruners
-Brooms
-Scissors
-Measuring Tape
-Lopper
-Box Cutter (and extra blades)

Also, if any of you have a WHEELBARROW or LADDER you can bring to the event, please e-mail ambercolatosti@gmail.com to let us know!

Service Day on April 17 - Volunteers and Supplies Needed

Please don't forget to sign up, sign in and volunteer at www.volunteerspot.com for the April 17 day of service.

Saturday April 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at BOTH the following locations:
-Jefferson Houston Elementary School - 1501 Cameron Street
-Tiny Titans at the TC Williams Annex - 3300 King Street.

DONATIONS NEEDED! Please consider donating plants from your garden or new plants from a nursery. Also, if anyone has any extra exterior paint, please contact Emily Passmore at emily.passmore@gmail.com Bright colors are most needed for painting on exterior surfaces. We are also looking for painting supplies, such as brushes and rags.

Thank you for your support and effort to freshen and brighten these facilities that need our help!

Save the Date! The 11th Annual Toast to Fashion is Almost Here!

What: The 11th Annual Toast to Fashion
When: Thursday, May 6th 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Belle Haven Country Club 6023 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22307
Why: Get a peak and bring home some of the most fashionable spring trends from the best merchants and boutiques in the Washington area. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Campagna Center that help more than 1,500 children and their families in Alexandria arrive at school ready to learn be successful at each grade level.


Tickets: Tickets $45 in advance; $50 at the door
To purchase tickets visit http://www.campagnacenter.org/ and click on Events then 11th Annual Toast to Fashion

The 11th annual Toast to Fashion combines a Fashion Show, Marketplace, and Raffle with all proceeds supporting the programs of the Campagna Center. Get a peak at some of the most fashionable spring trends from the best merchants and boutiques in the Washington area. Pick up something for that special mom, grandmom, aunt, or woman in your life just in time for Mother’s Day! Plus during the fashion show purchase a special card, The Campagna Kids Card, for $50 that entitles you to preferred savings at select retailers and 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Campagna Center.

The Toast to Fashion, brought to you by the Junior Friends of the Campagna Center, benefits the programs of the Campagna Center and helps more than 1,500 children and their families in Alexandria arrive at school ready to learn be successful at each grade level.

Congratulations, Jen Peterson!

The Junior Friends congratulate board member Jen Peterson on the birth of her second daughter, Leah Claire, born today at 3:00 a.m. at their home in Alexandria, Virginia!

Both baby and Mom are doing well! Husband Eli and big sister, Caroline are thrilled to meet their new family member. Leah Claire weighed in at 8lb, 8oz and is 20" long.

All the best to Jen and her family!

Shop Campagna Kids Card Available Now!

Please remember to bring your checkbook to Tuesday's meeting - purchase your Shop Campagna Kids Card and be ready for your shopportunity in Old Town at the best boutiques and shops!

View more info on the card at:
http://www.shopcampagnakidscard.blogspot.com/

Sign up for VolunteerSpot.com

We have found a free online scheduling service that will make signing up for and managing Day of Duty a breeze! You should have received an e-mail from http://www.volunteerspot.com/ about signing up for the Service Day on April 17. If not, check your spam or make sure Laura Fortsch (fortsch@msn.com) has your most current e-mail address. Follow the directions for registering at http://www.volunteerspot.com/ and selecting a shift. Be sure to click the red "confirm" button. You will get a summary of your shift delivered by e-mail after signing up as well as a couple of days before to remind you.

CLICK HERE NOW and get started: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/3-6395045381

Also, because this is a free service, you may be asked to sign up for info from the sponsors after you sign up for a shift. Just click "Skip This" to opt out. Even if you aren't able to participate on April 17, please go ahead and register to use the VolunteerSpot.com service because we will be using it for Toast to Fashion. Everyone must participate in a spring Day of Duty to remain a JF in good standing.

Details about the Service Day
Saturday April 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jefferson Houston Elementary School - 1501 Cameron Street
Tiny Titans at the TC Williams Annex - 3300 King Street

You can volunteer for a two-hour shift or come for the entire time. We will be planting, painting and beautifying playground spaces. If you have plants from your garden that you can donate or have connections at garden centers or paint stores to get donated material, please contact Emily Passmore at emily.passmore@gmail.com. We need it!

Participation in the Day of Service counts as a spring Day of Duty shift. Please bring Friends and Family along to help. Children are welcome as long as they are old enough to help. At 1:00 p.m., we will gather at Hard Times in Old Town for lunch to celebrate our hard work on behalf of the programs of The Campagna Center.

Announcement from the Nominating Committee

The Junior Friends Nominating Committee has completed its work, and we thank everyone who expressed an interest in serving on the 2010-2011 Board. We had a phenomenal pool of candidates! Below is the list of the nominees.

Nominees for elected officer positions:
Laura Fortsch – Chair
Jane Spence – Vice Chair
Kristen Gullott – New Members
Kari Saathoff – Secretary
Anna Kucera – Treasurer

Nominees for appointed officer positions:
Christine Stanton – Hospitality
Tamara Mlynarczyk – Programs
Rebecca Chatterjee – Media Relations
Melissa Kelly – Newsletter/Blog
Allison Brooks – Social
Nicole Duncan – Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend
Katherine Murphy – Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend
Jeannine Ginivan – Toast to Fashion
Jen Peterson – Toast to Fashion
Karen Angeles – Event Donations
Kristen Jones – Event Donations

Adrienne Luscombe, current Chair, will continue to serve on the Board as Chair Ex-Officio.

We will hold a vote on the slate of elected officers at the General Membership meeting on April 13, and the term of office for each Board position will begin immediately following the Toast to Fashion. Congratulations to all of the nominees, and a special thanks to the members of the Nominating Committee for their recruitment efforts.

Anne Marie Chotvacs
Chair, Nominating Committee

Photos

Do you have any photos from past JF events? Please contact Rebecca Chatterjee at juniorfriendsnewsletter@gmail.com

Share your photos and they will appear here on the blog!

New Member Wine and Cheese Happy Hour

When: Monday, March 22, 7:00 p.m.
Home of Allison Priebe Brooks

Now that the snow is finally melting, it's time to catch up and have some fun! Please join the Board of the Junior Friends of the Campagna Center for a wine and cheese party. Both spring and fall new members are invited. We can't wait to see you!

Please contact Brandi Graham Pensonau, new member chair, at bgraham@nrahq.org for the Evite and address/directions.

Congratulations to Jill Johnson

Sending best wishes to Junior Friend Jill Johnson!

Wyatt O'Rourke Johnson, weighing in at 9lbs 6oz, was born at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16 at Alexandria Inova hospital. Baby, mom, dad, and big brother, Wes, are all doing well.

Congratulations to Anna Kucera!

Anna Kucera and husband, Craig are happy to announce the arrival of their twin children.

Grace Caroline (6 lbs 3 oz, 18 1/2 in. @ 9:27 a.m.) and Graham Alexander (5 lbs 8 oz, 18 1/2 in. @ 9:28 a.m.) were born on February 12. Mom and babies are all doing well!

Winter General Membership Minutes

Please review the minutes from the 2010 General Membership meeting:

Junior Friends
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Member orientation began at 6:30 p.m., social half hour was at 7:00 p.m., and the meeting was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Adrienne Fox Luscombe, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.

Adrienne Fox Luscombe welcomed the membership and introduced Karen Hughes, CEO of the The Campagna Center (TCC).

Karen Hughes thanked the membership for their hard work and dedication in making the 2009 Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend (SCWW) a success. She discussed the changes that were made to the weekend, including condensing it to two days. The one day marketplace worked well and the Taste to Scotland was wonderful. This coming year marks the 40th anniversary of the SCWW and planning has already commenced. Karen shared some updates regarding TCC. She thanked the Junior Friends for their generosity in donating and raising money through the boutique gift wrapping event for grocery gift cards for Head Start families.

Adrienne continued by thanking everyone for their commitment to making SCWW a success. Lots of positive feedback has been coming in to TCC regarding the weekend. Adrienne thanked all of the committee Co-Chairs for their hard work and leadership.
Laura Fortsch, Vice Chair, thanked everyone who gave so much to make every SCWW event a success. Laura is working to make sure every member is in good standing by paying their dues, participating on a committee, as well as completing a Day of Duty, each Fall and Spring. Junior Friends also have an option to work on a year-long standing committee. Standing Committees include Events Donations Committee (EDC), Media Relations and Hospitality. Please check before you leave tonight to see if you still owe dues. You can give a check to Laura, mail it to TCC or pay online at www.campagnacenter.org. Committee sign-ups for the spring will be available after the meeting and will be sent to the entire membership via email.

Anne Marie Chotvacs, Chair Ex-Officio, is looking to secure a slate of women to serve on the Junior Friends Board of Directors next year. The nomination form will be posted on the Junior Friends blog (www.juniorfriendsoftcc.blogspot.com). Anyone can nominate a member. All members, including new members, may serve on the Board as long as they are in good standing. New Members cannot serve as New Member Chair, as they must serve on the board prior to being slated for this position.

Brandi Pensoneau, New Member Chair, invited the New Members to stand. Brandi is also available to meet one on one with any interested new members for coffee, etc.

Natalie Johnston and Anne-Ashley Crocker, Toast to Fashion (TTF) Co-Chairs, announced that the event will be held on Thursday, May 6th at Belle Haven Country Club. This year the vendors in the fashion show will also be in the marketplace. The marketplace will be entirely fashion oriented. There are three Spring Committees members can participate on: Show Committee (formerly Models Committee), Marketplace and Logistics. Email Anne-Ashley at anne_ashley@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Katherine Murphy, Media Relations Chair, discussed the feature in the Washington Post on the SCWW. This year the committee will be focused on calendar listings and listservs for promoting the TTF. Adrienne shared that TCC received a Public Service Announcement which ran on Channel 9. View the video here.

Christine Stanton, EDC Co-Chair, encouraged members to join their committee so that the very successful Shop Campagna Kids Card can continue. Without committee members this lucrative fundraiser cannot happen in 2010. Cards will be available at the next Membership meeting for purchase. The EDC is in need of a committee to help run the Shop Campagna Kids Card for 2010. The cards cost $50.00 and provide the holder with two 10-day discounted shopping sprees at participating Alexandria boutiques. The EDC Co-Chairs need 3 people who can work with vendors in town to get them to participate again this year and 3 people who can sell cards. Adrienne shared that the Shop Campagna Kids Card reflects a shift in Junior Friends from hosting many events with a great deal of up front expenses to this fundraiser which last year raised $5,000 without public relations or much overhead.

Emily Passmore, Programs Chair, shared that 25 girls are participating in the LEEP Mentors program. These Latina girls qualify by excelling in math, science and technology at T.C. Williams High School. TCC is in need of Junior Friends to sign-up to be Mentors to these girls. Mentors will help them prepare for college through SAT prep, etc. TTC just received their second Rainmakers grant for this program due to its success. This is the first time Rainmakers has given two grants to any single program. The T.C. Williams Principal shared that there has been a 7% increase in the graduation rate within their Latina community due in part to this program. The Fall program consisted of Juniors and Seniors and the Spring will add Sophomores. Emily has sign-up forms available for those interested in applying to become a Mentor. Mentors meet with students roughly once a month to check-in and see how they are doing. You can correspond throughout the school year via email. Junior Friends do not need a math or science background to be a Mentor.

Emily also shared that the Essay Review Program reviewed 10 essays this Fall. Programs will be hosting another Essay Review in the Spring, likely on President’s Day. Those Junior Friends who do not have the time to be a Mentor may be interested in helping with the Essay Review.

Emily shared that the Service Day will tentatively take place April 17th. The locations will be Tiny Titans and Jefferson Houston Head Start Program. Tiny Titans needs planters in their new playground and Jefferson Houston is in need of painting on their blacktop and flower beds. If anyone has a landscaping background or knows of any contacts with a garden center for donations, please contact Emily or the EDC Co-Chairs, Christine Stanton and Kristen Gullot.

Allison Brooks, Social Chair, invited everyone to attend the Mardi Gras Party at 219 Restaurant on January 30th at 7:00 p.m. 219 has graciously extended the Restaurant Week promotion ($35.00 for 3 courses) for our seated dinner. After dinner at 9:00 p.m. there will be live entertainment from the Grammy nominated band, Lost Highway. Cover is $5.00. We will have private rooms for both events. There also is a cigar bar upstairs.
February 6th is the boutique district warehouse sale at the Masonic Temple. Sunday, February 28th is the annual Junior Friends rescheduled brunch at Belle Haven Country Club 12:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. More information will follow. March events will include a St. Patrick’s Day party and an ice skating day with our children. May events will include TTF and a co-ed Happy Hour TBD.

Nicole Duncan, SCWW Co-Chair, again thanked all of the committees and Co-Chairs for their hard work. They are already looking forward to 2010, the 40th Anniversary and working out any kinks that took place this year, so as to not repeat them. The Masonic Temple is a successful venue, however if anyone has any other ideas on other venues please let her know. TCC is also looking for a Grand Marshall for 2010. This person should be fun/glamorous with a local fit and preferably not be political.

Adrienne asked the membership, on behalf of Rebecca Chatterjee, to check out the blog (www.juniorfriendsofttc.blogspot.com) and send any updates or photos to her. Adrienne invited everyone to stay after to sign-up for committees, ask questions of the committee chairs and socialize. We are keeping the post-meeting social event at TCC so everyone can participate.

Adrienne picked the raffle winners – new member, Jeanie Barton, member, Jessica Richardson and Day of Duty raffle (for those who did two shifts or a late-night shift) Jeannine Ginivan.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

Mardi Gras Celebration on January 30th!

Join the Junior Friends for a fun and very festive night out in celebration of Mardi Gras, the new decade, and all the good times to come in 2010. We will have our own private dining room at Two Nineteen
www.219restaurant.com with a seated dinner from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. We can order off of the regular menu or Two Nineteen has graciously agreed to extend the Restaurant Week menu and pricing for us at $35 a person. The resturant week menu can be viewed at this link:
visitalexandriava.com/includes/media/docs/219.pdf

At 9PM the Basin Street Lounge will open upstairs for The Junior Friends. The band Lost Highway will be performing - they are AMAZING - a mix of Southern Rock / Country / Blues/ Swamp Rock - www.myspace.com/losthwyband. There is a $5 cover. We will also have our own private Junior Friends room upstairs at the Basin Street Lounge and with access to the band, bar, and cigar lounge.

We really encourage you to come - bring a date, your husband, a girlfriend, a prospective member - really anyone you want. ***Reservations to Evite or Facebook need to be firm - especially for the dinner. You may join us for both dinner and dancing, just dinner or just for the band at Basin Street lounge - however you MUST indicate what your plans are - #1 Dinner, #2 dinner and dancing, or #3 just the Basin Street Lounge.

Two Nineteen is lovely and this is going to be an amazing night. Prizes will be given for Best Dressed Couple and best themed Mardi Gras guest - so please wear your beads, baubles, and boas - come dressed to thrill and Let's Let the Good Times Roll!