Global Down Syndrome Fashion Show
• February 24, 2015

On Thursday July 19 at the Sewall-Belmont house & museum in DC, the highly anticipated Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosted the 2013 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala Kickoff Party. The exciting and fun evening included a fashion preview featuring the stylish urban bohemian look from the Wink collection. It was worn by the models with Down syndrome which were escorted by members of Congress and TV celebrities. Guests included Bob Guiney (from the Bachlor), Scott Grimes (from TV show ER), and several U.S Congressman including Scott Tipton , Cory Gardner, Congressman Mike Coffman, Ed Perlmutter , and Congressman Greg Walden.

With approximately 250 attendees from DC, family members with Down syndrome and interested parties, this grand Fashion show raises awareness to the chromosomal disorder that affects more than one in 700 babies. In effort to inform the audience, Director of Alzheimer disease research and the department of neurology the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Dr Huntington Potter presented a moving speech that raised the need to help. Abnormalities are caused by errors in the number or structure of chromosomes, and many children with a chromosomal abnormality have mental or physical birth defects. Some chromosomal abnormalities result in miscarriage or stillbirth and understanding what chromosomes make it easier to recognize the wide range of problems chromosomal abnormalities can cause.

Guest attendee Sara Brown said “I’m here in support of my family member Laila Brown and because I believe that there is a cure that someday will be found. Brown said that Laila is very active, she has been doing 2 years of special Olympics and various other events like this fashion show. Brown also said “She has such a strong spirit and I know that events like this will help further the research process to finding a cure for this syndrome” .

For further information or a chance to donate and help the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, contact PR Abby Perlmutter 303.468.6665 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GDSFoundation and their twitter page @GDSFoundation.
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C&O Canal Boat Soon to Be Destroyed and Become History
• August 10, 2012

The beloved C&O Canal boat, the Georgetown, is leaving us. The 19th-century style, mule-pulled, 90-foot cargo boat sits on blocks on the canal between 33rd and Thomas Jefferson Streets. Captivating visitors for a ride along the C&O Canal for decades, the boat has deteriorated and is deemed unsafe for passengers.

For years, the National Park Service had set up tours for visitors. Park rangers and volunteers would wear period clothing and describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. The Georgetown boat will be removed and destroyed, and some of its neighbors are not happy with the decision. Despite a signed petition delivered to the NPS, there have been no public protests — and a date for any farewell parties have not been reported yet.

John Noel, chief of division of partnerships, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, had been fighting to keep the boat around. “The National Park Service and I have looked at all our options, whether it was better to repair the boat or to somehow save it,” Noel said. “Due to the budget crisis, unfortunately we cannot repair it.”

Noel also said that because of how bad the boat is deteriorating, there would be no way to transport it anywhere without it being destroyed. “We would have liked to have transported to a museum in Williamsport, Md., for installation as an exhibit, but it wouldn’t make the trip,” he said. “We don’t exactly have a date set when it’ll be taken out, but we are expecting within the next month or so.”

Fortunately, NPS plans to launch a boat program where a smaller recreational battery-powered boat will make the Georgetown tours accessible to visitors. Still, Noel said, it is “not the same effect as with the current Georgetown cargo boat, but still very effective.”

According to Noel and the NPS website, fees will stay the same unless further notice. The current summer boat tour hours are Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Note: on 4th of July only 1-1/2 hour rides at 11am and 2pm will be offered. Prices range from $8 for adults (ages 15-61), $6 for seniors (ages 62 and over), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-14). Children, aged three and under, ride free.

For further information, please call 301-767-3714, or visit the NPS website [gallery ids="100864,127124" nav="thumbs"]