Breast In Show Raffle Winner

We would like to thank Steve Bellman, owner of Paul's Liquors for donating one special wine tasting evening for 20 people. The winner was Kate Horwitz of Annapolis MD. We were delighted to hear her scream with joy on the phone when we called to inform her that she had won.

Please visit our generous sponsor:
Paul's Liquors
Steve Bellman, Owner
5205 Wisconsin AVe., NW
Washington DC 20015

Breast In Show: First Original Musical about Breast Cancer

Everywhere I Go

Everywhere I go I meet people who confide that they or someone in their family have been touched by Breast Cancer. Last week I went to buy a previously owned ( loved ) car and during the negotiations the manager of the dealership asked me what I did professionally. I explained that I was the founder and executive producer of the first original musical about Breast Cancer called Breast In Show. He told me that his wife age 37 was a one year survivor. He told me about a substance that I had not heard of that helped the patient during chemo and afterwards from Israel called Lifewel. In the middle of this conversation he mentioned to the salesperson that he would accept my offer on the car and went on to discuss more about his wife and her journey with this disease. This kind of human interaction doesn't happen to me on other topics.

I am continually amazed at how everyone I meet has some connection with this disease. I look forward to the day when this disease is a thing of the past.

A Magical Evening

Two weeks ago the creative team, Kate, Lisa, Joan and I sat in a conference room on a weekday evening and read through the draft of the script for Breast In Show. It was magical to hear the characters and their stories come alive. Lisa has done a fabulous job of creating characters that we can identify with and care about their journey and experiences with this awful disease. I was filled with pride and gratitude that these talented women have generously given of their talents to make this show come to life.

I watched as Kate worked with Lisa to identify areas that can be more developed and I saw Joan processing opportunities for the melodies in her mind. It was one of the most exciting evenings in the past 18 months of this project as I got a glimpse of what will be in October.

More to come!

One month down!

2010 went so fast that I have decided this year to reflect at the end of each month on what I have accomplished so that I live in the moment of 2011.

During January, with the help of Laurie Mennell of Basic Organization:
- I organized my new office and shredded 65 pounds of unneeded paper
- I organized my yarn room and donated 8 contractor bags of yarn
- I organized my closet and donated 4 bags of clothes
The take away from this experience is to ask for help and give things to people who can use them.

I also knit a bridal shawl, interviewed another PR agency, wrote thank you notes, attended an important networking event, planned a trip to NZ to see my son Alex, joined an investment group, wrote a newsletter and read a book.

So I feel good about the first month of this year. In February I am looking forward to reading the first draft of Breast In Show and hearing some of the songs. I will continue to take Apple classes and start the Capital Speakers Class. So much to look forward to - it is going to be a great year!

The world is shrinking in a personal way....

My niece, Alexa, left 2 weeks ago for her semester abroad - to Egypt! And now the news each day affects our family in a personal way. Is she alright? How did we all feel when there was an internet blackout in Egypt? It seemed almost unbelievable that such a thing would happen in this day and age where the internet is the information highway 24/7. Will she be evacuated? What happens to her semester?

I have also learned from my friend Lillie Shockney of Johns Hopkins that Breast Cancer is the leading cause of death for women in the Middle East.

The point is that the landscape of the 21st century is global.

Ted Leonsis up close and personal

Last evening I had the opportunity to hear Ted Leonsis speak at the Sulgrave Club in Washington DC. He has written a book called "The Business of Happiness" which I bought and intend to read. One of the things that I learned is that Mr. Leonsis blogs EVERY DAY. This got me thinking and I am considering how many times a week I will blog this year.

I look forward to meeting with Mr. Leonsis in the near future to talk about "Breast In Show". Stay tuned for developments.