December 2008 Wdc Dg Hannah's News Bytes

December 2008

DC HANNAHS’           NEWS BYTES  WDC Delta Gamma

Letter from the President The holiday season is here! December is always such a busy month. Holiday parties, shopping, tons of yummy food, and time with family and friends. What more could I ask for? December is also a time when I reflect on how blessed I am. I have my health, a home, a job, good friends and a great family. This will be niece’s first Christmas. My mom has already picked out an adorable Christmas dress! December is filled with fun events to do with Delta Gamma, too. I hope

you’ll join us for our annual Holiday Tea on Saturday, December 6 at The Pheonix Park hotel. This time honored tradition is one of our chapter’s best events. I look forward to it every year. Graduating seniors from the Beta Epsilon of American University will be joining us for their Senior Installation, as well.

the Holiday Tea but would like to make a donation, you can go to our website and make a donation via PayPal (www.wdcdeltagamma.org/ events_fall.htm). I sincerely hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season surrounded by people that care about you. Happy Holidays!

Once again, we will be collecting monetary donations for the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s Christmas party. CLB will use our donations to purchase toys for the visually impaired. If you are unable to attend

ITB,

Inside this issue:

What not to miss this month

SIG Calendar

2

Foundation Update

2

Join us for WDC Delta Gamma’s annual and timehonored holiday tradition— the Holiday Tea!

Member of the Month

3

Well Aware

3

WDC DG Spring Calendar

4

Panhellenic Update

5

Collegian Update

5

This exciting afternoon tea gathering will incorporate various tea selections, mini -sandwiches, baked goods, and sweets. WDC DGs are encouraged to invite their mothers to join us for this special opportunity to network and share lively conversation. The tea will also serve as an opportunity to welcome graduating seniors

Tonya Richardson, Epsilon Chi President, WDC DG

from American University into the alumnae chapter.

Deadline to RSVP: Thursday, December 4.

When: Saturday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kerri Ann Hayes at holidaytea@ wdcdeltagamma.org.

Where: The Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 North Capitol Street, N.W. Near the Union Station metro stop (red line). Cost: $30 for members; $35 for non-members. You can conveniently pay online with Paypal at www.wdcdeltagamma.org.

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Special Interest Groups (SIG) Calendar Book Club Save the date for the Holiday DG Book Club. It will be at Kate Kristoph's apartment in Logan Circle/ Penn Quarter area (10th and M St. NW) on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. Book Club will be conducting a special book drive where we ask everyone to bring a new book for children between the ages of 3-18 to donate to Toys for Tots. It can be one of your all time favorites or something that you think a kid would like! We will also be foregoing pizza to have a potluck dinner. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Danielle at [email protected]. Dineout Mark your calendars for a Dineout brunch on Saturday, December 13.

Join us at The Tabard Inn (1739 N St NW) for a delicious brunch to your day started, whether you're fueling up for an afternoon of shopping or another round of holiday parties. For more information, to RSVP, or to be added to the Dineout list, please email [email protected]. DGs in DC and Wine Tasting Join DGs in DC and the Wine Tasting SIGS for a December Holiday Wine Tasting Happy Hour and Christmas Tree Viewing on Tuesday, December 16! We will meet at the Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th St NW) and then head over to view the National Christmas Tree. For more info or to RSVP, please contact Katie at [email protected] or Meredith at [email protected].

Sweetpeas Join DG moms and their sweetpeas for one of our most popular events, Tot Rock at Jammin' Java on Friday, December 5! The Banjo Man performs folk and bluegrass-inspired children's songs. Jammin' Java is located at 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA. See www.jammin-java.com for directions and other details. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kerri at [email protected]. Lunch Bunch Mark your calendars to join the ladies of the Lunch Bunch on Wednesday, January 14. The location is TBD. For more information, email Helen at [email protected].

Foundation Focus Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is having it's annual holiday party for children with visual impairments. For the third year, WDC DG has been asked to donate money towards presents that are fun and on wish lists of children with visual impairments. Donations will be collected at the Holiday Tea, or online at www.wdcdeltagamma.org. This is a great way to contribute to a Service for Sight project without leaving home! This holiday season, please remember DG Foundation while you use ingredients for all the delicious cooking and baking. We currently collect Campbells Labels for Education and Box Tops for Education to support Maryland School for the Blind.

Please mail any labels you have collected to Jen or give them to her at the next chapter event by January 20.

For a list of all eligible products, see http://www.boxtops4education. com/Downloads/Coordinator/Clip/ ParticipatingProductsFlyer2008. pdf and http://www.labelsforeduca tion.com/pdfeligible_products.pdf. Another idea is to put these lists on your fridge at work with an envelope and get the office involved! For more information, please contact Jen at [email protected].

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. - Pietro Arentino

December 2008

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Member of the Month: Amy Garrison! December's Member of the Month is Amy Garrison! Amy is one of WDC Delta Gammas' most active Foundation participants. Amy is a new member to the WDC chapter and has jumped in and gotten involved with a number of DG philanthropy projects. This past

month she was trained and started participating in Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's Readers and Friendly Visitors program. Additionally, she volunteered at the American Girl event to benefit Foundation Fighting Blindness and continues to collect and send in her Campbell's soup labels. It is clear that Amy continues

to "Do Good" as an alumna, helping multiple local Service for Sight related organizations. Many thanks to Amy for all her contributions to Delta Gamma Foundation!

WDC DG Gossip: • Kerri Cox welcomed Katherine Elizabeth Wales to her family on October 29! Congratulations, Kerri! • Eleanore Christiansen gave birth to Thomas Hale on November 10! Congratulations, Eleanore! • Ashly Mitchell has stepped out on her own as an Independent Marketing Consultant! Best of luck, Ashly!

Well Aware: Keeping Safe Keep yourself safe this holiday season by following the below tips:

• Use well-lit and populated routes – When walking alone, use paths that are more populated and contain ample lighting, even if this means taking a longer route.

• Do not travel alone after dark – We are all busy individuals and often must attend meetings and other functions at night. Take extra precaution and travel with a group.

• Trust your instincts – When you feel unsafe or sense something is odd about a situation, trust your gut reaction and respond accordingly.

• Take notice of loiters – If you notice individuals hanging around, be alert and call 911 if you feel threatened.

• Hide valuables – Do not leave jewelry, money, and other valuables in open view for others to see.

• Sensor personal information online Take special precautions regarding personal information such as your address and status updates that describe your location posted on Facebook, Myspace, and other websites. Stalkers and other criminals may use this information to identify your vulnerabilities, routines, and location.

• Monitor use of alcohol – When we consume alcohol, our response time and judgment is inhibited. Unfortunately, 95% of violent campus crimes are alcohol or drugrelated.

• Keep important phone numbers – Record the phone numbers of your resident assistant, house director, chapter president, campus safety office, health center, and others in your cell phone or near your land-line phone for easy access in case of an emergency.

When You Notice an Issue:

• Call 911 – If you notice another person at risk or are at risk yourself, immediately call 911. The local authorities are best equipped to respond to the situation.

• Enter the nearest public, wellpopulated building – If you feel threatened, enter a wellpopulated building, ask for assistance, and call 911 to report the incident.

• Yell Fire, Fire – Screaming fire, fire will alert others to the dangerous situation more quickly than yelling help. Taking note of unusual behavior and taking measures to protect yourself will help keep you safe. At the same time, do not agonize on safety issues inhibiting your ability to function. Instead simply act if you feel unsafe. Have a fun and safe holiday season!

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WDC Delta Gamma Spring Calendar 2009 January Kickoff—Fashion Tips & Trends with Betsy Fisher! Celebrate the New Year in Style with Betsy Fisher and WDC Delta Gamma alumnae. Join us for a special instore fashion session with local boutique owner and fashionista Betsy Fisher. Betsy will discuss how to put together a stylish and professional wardrobe. Take advantage of the January clearance sale and shop for new spring trends! (betsyfisher.com) Champagne and refreshments will be provided. • When: Saturday, January 10 from 10:30am – 12:30 pm. • Cost: Free to attend. • Location: Betsy Fisher, 1224 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. (Dupont Circle Metro Stop) • RSVP: Please RSVP to Danielle at [email protected] by Monday, January 5. February—Spa Day

Join WDC alumnae for a girls night out and indulge in mini spa services at PR at Partners salon. Choose from a selection of services for under $20 including a mini-facial, minimanicure, or blow-out/style. Or, if you are really in need of some R&R, sign up for the Deluxe Package which includes mini-manicure, mini-facial, and full haircut and style. You can also relax in the spa lounge with your DG sisters and enjoy champagne and snacks.

• When: Tuesday, February 24. Appointments available from 5:30 8:00 pm. • Cost: $10 for mini-manicure, $15 for mini-facial or blow-out, $50 for deluxe package. • Location: PR at Partners Metro Center, 1001 G Street NW, (Metro Center Metro Stop) • RSVP: Please RSVP to Danielle at [email protected] by Thursday, February 19. March—Founders Day

Join the Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter and collegians from American University for Founder's Day Brunch at Clyde's Gallery Place to celebrate one of the most honored of DG’s ritual traditions. This is an opportunity to honor the three founders and rededicate ourselves to the ideas of the Fraternity. • When: Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 am. • Cost: $30 for members, $35 for non -dues paying members. • Location: Clyde’s Gallery Place, 707 7th Street NW. (Gallery PlaceChinatown Metro Stop) • RSVP: Please RSVP to Genefer at [email protected] by Monday, March 16.

April—Bowling with DG hosted with DG Dineout SIG Join your WDC DG sisters at Lucky Strike Lanes for our annual and most

popular networking event. Lucky Strike Lanes is the premiere, upscale bowling alley and lounge near the Verizon Center in Gallery Place. Expect an evening full of bowling, cocktails, delicious food, and fun. • When: Wednesday, April 22 from 7 – 9 pm. • Cost: $15 per person, includes 2 hours of bowling and shoe rentals. • Location: Lucky Strike Lanes, 701 7th Street NW (Gallery PlaceChinatown Metro Stop) • RSVP: Please RSVP to Danielle at [email protected] or Tracey and April at [email protected] by Monday, April 20. May —WDC Delta Gamma's Spring Fling Mixer

Save-the-Date for Delta Gamma's spring social gathering and mixer! All Greek organizations are invited to attend. Mix and mingle with DC area Greeks while we "do good" and raise money for the Foundation! Event includes happy hour drink and food specials with proceeds benefiting Service for Sight. • When: Wednesday, May 20 from 7 – 10 pm. • Cost: TBA. • Location: TBD, Arlington, VA. • RSVP: Please contact Danielle at [email protected] or Jen at vpfoundation@ wdcdeltagamma.org for more information.

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Panhellenic Update Phantom Tea The DC Alumnae Panhellenic is continuing the tradition of hosting a Phantom Tea to raise funds for the Panhellenic scholarship fund. The beauty of this fundraiser is that you don’t have to leave your home to take part or even attend at a certain time. Just have a cup of tea on the Panhellenic Association. Last year was a marquee year for the Association, awarding three scholarships of $750, the highest amount yet, to help Greek women in the area pursue higher education. One of the recipients was our own Tiffany Waddell! Any amount is appreciated! Please contact Stephanie at [email protected], and she will send you the form for your contribution, which includes a lovely Lady Grey tea bag.

Panhellenic Holiday Cookie Exchange Join the Panhellenic Association on Wednesday, December 3 for the Panhellenic holiday party and cookie exchange. The group will be gathering at the Rock Bottom Brewery in Bethesda at 7 p.m. to exchange cookies and collect donations for local charities. We are asking for new or in good condition children’s books; scarves, mittens and hats for both women and children; and toiletries and over the counter medicine. The charities are the National Center for Children and Families, the Greentree Shelter in Bethesda and the Bethesda Cares’ mission. If you are interested in joining us or would like to donate items to charities please email Stephanie at [email protected]. They will also be arranging alternate locations for donations so if you can’t attend you can still donate.

Panhellenic 2009 Calendar If you have an interest in Panhellenic, we would love for you to join us at one of the upcoming meetings!

• January 13, 2009 – Gifts you can’t keep exchange, Grey Stone Grill, Rockville MD

• February 4 2009 – Book Club and Book Exchange, Book Club Book – An American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

• March 4, 2009 – TBD • April 1, 2009 – Scholarship Selection

• May 6, 2009 – Scholarship Reception, TBD

• June 3, 2009 – Officer Installation Dinner, TBD

Collegian Update Graduating seniors from the Beta Epsilon at American University will be joining us for Senior Installation at our annual Holiday Tea on Saturday, December 6. I hope you will introduce yourself to them! Also, Beta Epsilon’s final exams are December 8—15. Usually, we provide tasty treats to aid them during this crucial week. If you are interested in donating some items (such as granola bars, cookies, candy, fruit, etc.), please contact Christine Rocchio at [email protected] Christine will drop the items for the collegians.

The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love. - Margaret Atwood