Nonprofit Aggregator: Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.

Some Saturdays (the third to be precise), one may enjoy a presentation of the traditional Maryland dishes, or Foodways, dating from the 18th century. This month Matt, manager of the National Colonial Farm and historic interpretation, presented “The Fruits of Our Labor” featuring fig pudding made using figs growing right here on the farm.

Be sure to visit during next month’s presentation on Saturday, September 15 featuring force-meat balls and white gravy.

 

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at CollegeBound News.

College Bound’s annual Senior Retreat was held from August 24-25, 2012 at the Embassy Suites in Downtown, DC. This retreat is an opportunity for students to get a jumpstart on their college application process and learn more about application specifics for the schools they intend to apply to.

The retreat began with a welcome address from Kenneth Ward, Executive Director. He challenged students to absorb as much as they can from this retreat and to follow the timeline to ensure that their senior year is less stressful. There were 23 students in all who attended the retreat.

The first session was a writing workshop conducted by Loddi Joyner, a staff writer for the Crisis magazine. She began by giving students several short answer questions that they can later turn into college or scholarship application essays. She followed by having students discuss a few hot topics. This discussion gave the students a chance to articulate their positions and provide insight into larger social issues. She then gave students writing topics at random and students wrote a 5 paragraph essay based on that. These topics mirrored the essays that they will complete for their college and scholarship applications. One student, Kiara Grantham, was able to share her essay with the group that detailed what she would do if money was not an obstacle.

The College Bound staff presented to students about the senior year timeline that they should follow. This tool is used to ensure that students are taking the necessary steps each month so they can complete all their college applications and scholarships in a timely manner. We were able to get a better understanding of where each student was in the application process and help them get caught up.

Following lunch, Trayon Brady, a DC CAP representative, gave students a detailed breakdown of the application process for DC TAG and the role of the DC CAP office in their applications. He explained to students the particular schools that DC CAP awards money for, the difference between public and private institutions, and how much DC TAG awards for each. Students were eager to hear about his college experience and some of the lessons he passed on to them. Students were able to get a better understanding of tuition and the colleges they can attend with the help of DC TAG.

Afterwards, there was a presentation by Rosie Walker from Trinity University. She presented to students about various support services on campus. She spoke about Academic Support on campus, such as tutoring, and challenged students to take advantage of these while on campus. She touched on Mental Health services and their importance to students; she put into perspective that students usually have a hard time transitioning from high school and need to speak with someone to help them through the process. She explained what a first-generation college student is and the specific programs at each University that provide the necessary support that students may not receive from their families. She spoke about services for minority students on campus that can help with the adjustment and exposes students to other students that are similar to them.

The program coordinators, Toronto and Inatimi, presented about time management to students and creating their recommendation packets. Students were exposed to a sample resume and to include cover letters with their applications. Students were advised on different people that they may ask for recommendations from and to ask individuals who can write a favorable recommendation. They were given a brag sheet outline to complete and give to each individual that will write them a letter of recommendation.

On Saturday morning, Erin McKan opened with an admissions presentation where she went over the entire admissions process and proper etiquette when contacting schools. She explained how to contact the schools, and what the admissions counselors see when they read applications. She explained to students about the interview process and keeping a professional appearance and demeanor when dealing with anyone from a potential school.

College Bound Board Chair, Rita Kirshstein, presented to students about “Finding the right fit”. She first presented the economic disparities between college graduates and their counterparts with only a high school diploma. Students were then explained the difference between private and public universities and how various schools are categorized. She explained the diversity among schools, what area they are located in, the ethnic or religious makeup of their students. At the summation of her presentation, Rita and three of the other college advisors worked with small groups of students to give them individualized feedback on their stage in the application process and help them find realistic school choices. Students were able to narrow down the schools they will apply to and get specific next steps to follow for their application process.

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.

Our next reception and exhibit - hope to see you there!

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.

"Creating Community" Reception and Exhibit

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.

I can use salsa on almost everything, but in this case I made it for a taco bar for a bachelorette party I attended this past weekend. The beauty of a simple salsa is that you can vary all of the ingredients depending on preference and availability. For example, I used a few blemished heirlooms here, but one could certainly use cherry or plum tomatoes or any tomato for that matter, omit the hot peppers, add no garlic. Just an example, but I would say the essential parts are: tomato, citrus, a green leafy herb (cilantro or basil), a garlic and/or onion, some pepper (hot or not). How to determine your variation is up to you! Enjoy this on the back deck as you watch a beautiful late summer sunset.

Ingredients:

Two large, three medium, or one pint tomatoes
Three medium sweet peppers
Two hot peppers
One half medium onion
One clove garlic
Juice from half of a lemon (or lime)
About 5-8 basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Start with a large bowl. Dice the tomatoes to your desired bite size and add them to your bowl. Slice the sweet peppers into slightly smaller chunks. Cut the hot peppers open lengthwise and remove the seeds if you don’t like spice but keep them in of you do! Dice the onion finely and chop the garlic. Chop the basil pretty finely, although you can also slice the leaves thinly. Finally, add the lemon juice and stir it all up gently! Then refrigerate for a half hour or more. Best eaten with others!

This recipe was featured in this week’s edition of Field Notes–a publication distributed to the Ecosystem Farm CSA members.

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACT:

ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION AT PISCATAWAY PARK

ANJELA BARNES, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

OUTREACH@ACCOKEEK.ORG | 301-283-2113

                                                                                               

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION AT PISCATAWAY PARK AWARDED NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ‘TICKET TO RIDE’ GRANT TO BRING LOCAL STUDENTS INTO PARK

 $230,000 Grant Connects 30,000 Students with National Parks Across the Country

Washington, D.C. (August 28, 2012)  -  Responding to an overwhelming need for transportation and educational programming funding from parks and schools nationwide, the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, created the Ticket To Ride program.  With support from Disney, Ticket to Ride provides financial resources for transportation, in-park educational programming, and meals that make national park field trips possible for schools across the country.  This year, Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park was selected to receive a Ticket to Ride grant in order to bring 1,500 students to Piscataway Park.  Nationwide, over $230,000 in Ticket to Ride grants will make it possible for more than 30,000 students to experience their local national park this fall.

The Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park offers unique educational programs about Maryland’s history, modern sustainable agriculture, and natural resource stewardship. Entertaining tours and performances, customized experience based activities, and service learning opportunities help people connect to the land and to one another.

This land also serves as an outdoor classroom for educational programs, research, agricultural, and conservation projects. Each year, thousands of students and educators participate in programs developed to supplement social studies and environmental education in the classroom. With the Accokeek Foundation’s involvement in the Ticket to Ride program we will include pre-site and post-site component for students to complete prior to coming to the site and after they get back to school. These components will consist of an interactive learning guide with videos, trivia and vocabulary words that are in line with the theme tour chosen by the teacher.

“Providing the means for America’s youth to experience all that our national park system has to offer is imperative,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “The Ticket to Ride program makes it possible for us to engage the younger generation through the parks’ unique natural, cultural and historical classrooms, ultimately fostering an early love and appreciation for these important places.”

In addition to the Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park, the Fall 2012 Ticket to Ride grantees include:

Assateague Island National Seashore

Biscayne National Park

Boston National Historical Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Catoctin Mountain Park

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Congaree National Park

Crater Lake National Park

Craters of the Moon National Monument and National Preserve

Devils Postpile National Monument

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park

Fort Sumter National Monument

Homestead National Monument of America

Lava Beds National Monument

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Moores Creek National Battlefield

National Mall and Memorial Parks

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

North Cascades National Park

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

Point Reyes National Seashore

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

San Juan Island National Historical Park

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Stones River National Battlefield

Virgin Islands National Park

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

Yosemite National Park

For many students, the Ticket to Ride field trip will be their first visit to a national park.  Recognizing that once in the parks, a world of experiential learning opens up, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service are dedicated to providing this critical access to the parks. Through these field trips, young people discover their natural, cultural and historical heritage, participate in volunteer and service-learning activities, enjoy recreational opportunities and most importantly, begin a lifelong relationship with their national parks.

For more information about the Ticket to Ride program, our corporate partners and ways to support this and the other exceptional National Park Foundation programs, go to www.nationalparks.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites — all protected in America’s nearly 400 national parks.  Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks.  We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.  Join us in supporting your national parks — this is your land. www.nationalparks.org.

Join us – This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark
TWITTER http://twitter.com/goparks

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.

Art Enables is closed for our annual summer break, but you can still visit our website to browse our online gallery. Purchases will be mailed after September 3rd. Enjoy the rest of summer and ALOHA from Art Enables!

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.

We are in search of the scariest, deadliest, and the most haunting volunteers to help fill the cast of ghostly characters to perform in this October’s annual Twilight Tales event.

Returning for its third year, Twilight Tales invites visitors to tour the “haunted”  National Colonial Farm as night descends over the Potomac River. This is a really fun event for all involved–staff, visitors, and volunteers. Volunteers must be available for and commit to participate in both event dates on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. Actors are needed for both small and large acting parts, as well as behind the scenes/special effects. Rehearsals will be held prior to the event, and dates and times will be announced soon.

If you are interested in participating, or would like to learn more about how you can become involved in the programs of the National Colonial Farm, contact Tricia Hardin by email or call 301-283-2113.

Please respond by September 7 with an indication of what type of role you are most interested in–small, large, or behind the scenes/special effects.

 

 

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.

Final day for 50% off! Nab one of the last Harold Whitlow's we
have!!! Ward 5 friends can get an additional 10% off purchases by showing their drivers license- today until 4!!!

This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.

Art Enables will be closed for summer break next week (8/27-9/3). Artwork purchased by Friday will be shipped before the break, so shop now while the price is right. Thanks for supporting Art Enables and we will see you in September!