Founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States. Under Ms. Cunningham’s leadership, the Association sought to raise $200,000 in a national appeal to save Washington’s home. Five years later, the Association purchased Mount Vernon from Washington’s great-grandnephew and began to restore it. In 1860, the Association finally opened the estate to the public, and it has remained open as a monument to President Washington ever since.

Today, approximately one million people visit Mount Vernon each year. The mansion, now restored with many of its original furnishings, is open for tours. Guests are free to roam the gardens and grounds, where a variety of original buildings still stand. At the pioneer farm site, as well as at the working blacksmith shop, distillery, and gristmill, visitors to Mount Vernon can get a better sense of Washington’s life as a farmer by seeing important components of his estate operating much as they were when Washington died in 1799. On a hillside overlooking the Potomac, President Washington is buried with his wife Martha and several other family members.

“We appreciate very much that the Gingrich Foundation has set an example for others to follow,” said James C. Rees, president of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. “Because we don’t receive any government support, we depend upon the generosity of a wide range of patriotic Americans.”

“The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association has preserved one of America’s historical treasures for more than 150 years,” said Callista Gingrich, president of the Gingrich Foundation. “The Association’s work has helped generations of Americans better understand the Father of Our Country.”

The Mount Vernon Ladies Association cares for President Washington’s home and estate without the use of public funds.

The Gingrich Foundation is a domestic non-profit corporation founded by Callista and Newt Gingrich to support charitable purposes.

Support the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association today: http://www.mountvernon.org/shop/donation-mount-vernon .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

In days gone by, a clan was a community or tribe of families and trusted others living in close proximity, able to be self-sufficient and self-sustaining to the needs of the clan, as best they could. Today, our families and friends can live in the farthest reaches of the world. We are dependent on communications technology, lawyers, doctors, insurance policies and state laws designed to protect us. When medical emergencies happen, doctors, insurance companies, lawyers and family will need immediate information. Not being prepared for a family medical emergency can cause fear, guilt and severe mental anguish when we don’t have the information organized for ourselves or those we will be responsible for. By taking a few simple steps now, you will revive the clan connection in modern terms.

ClanGistics.com co-founders Terrie and Jon Hull created the product through their personal experiences with family medical emergencies.

Jon Hull explains: “With the ClanGistics Planning System(TM), users can have immediate access to a family member’s information to alert medical workers of important things like allergies, medications and doses, as well as insurance, legal and financial information. We have also included a family contact portion so users can call family members and business contacts to alert them and create a plan of action. For users who have aging parents living elsewhere in the country or abroad, this is an invaluable tool. Access to a parents’ emergency information in case of sickness or injury could be one of the most important things you have.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011, 1 in 13 adults, age 44-64 and 1 in 10 adults, age 65 and over, were treated in a hospital for an injury. Also, 64 percent of people unable to care for themselves live with a family member.

Jon Hull added, “Specifically, we want everyone to organize the vital personal information they need to have at their fingertips, and to offer additional resources for those who find themselves as a family member caregiver. Our motivation to this cause comes from our experience of being swept into the responsibility of becoming the caretakers for an elderly family member after a horrible car accident and the subsequent events which changed our lives forever.”

Each individual system can be edited anytime, printed for home files, and any future system upgrades will be added for free. There are no monthly fees and users will receive a free monthly e-newsletter and free annual e-reminder to make any updates needed. Multiple systems can be purchased at special value rates.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

In 1982, both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were in need of significant restoration when President Ronald Reagan asked Lee Iacocca, Chairman of the Chrysler Corporation, to lead a fundraising effort dedicated to their preservation.

For three decades, the Foundation has worked together with the National Park Service to restore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Renovations to the Statue of Liberty have included rebuilding its interior structural support as well as the installation of a Statue of Liberty Museum in the statue’s base. At Ellis Island, the Foundation created the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well as theaters, libraries, exhibits, and an oral history recording studio. The museum has helped educate more than 40 million visitors since it opened in 1990, and its American Family Immigration History Center allows online visitors to search archives of passenger records and ships’ manifests.

“You can’t know who you are unless you know where you came from,” said Stephen A. Briganti, Foundation President. “At ellisisland.org, we help you begin your journey of discovery into your past.”

“The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are at the heart of what it means to be an American,” said Callista Gingrich, President of the Gingrich Foundation. “The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation has been working for 30 years to save important pieces of our history for future generations.”

To date, the Foundation has raised over $600 million. Its support continues to come from the private sector and from the generosity of individual Americans.

The Gingrich Foundation is a domestic non-profit corporation founded by Callista and Newt Gingrich to support charitable purposes.

Support the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation today: https://www.ellisisland.org/membership/donation.asp .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

On January 16, twelve travelers are going to Vietnam and Cambodia for an Eco Volunteer trip. Days will be spent both seeing the sites, and donating supplies, teaching English, and staying and eating at facilities that are helping the many people in need. The final two days culminate in a village stay where guests put the finishing touches on a bridge that the group sponsored. This footbridge will allow children to get the education and nourishment from a local nonprofit school that has been inaccessible during monsoon season.

In addition to this project, Destination Earth will be providing a variety of local and international adventure tours into 2012 and beyond. This includes adventures into South America, and shorter Northern California adventure tours as well.

Company president Jud Yaski says, “It’s about time that there is an opportunity for individuals to both take an exciting trip and help the planet at the same time.”

As well as group tours, Destination Earth will be offering these adventures as both Team Building exercises for companies, and as corporate incentive travel, allowing companies to both provide a benefit to their staff and contribute to their social responsibility goals.

The company’s model is to offer intimate adventures with no more than 15 people per trip, allowing the groups to maneuver easily through the varied locals that their trips take them. All trips are designed to not only highlight the “must sees” of an area, but also take guests off the beaten path, to unique environments they would never encounter on their own.

About Destination Earth, Inc.:

The company is the brainchild of Veteran Event producer and world traveler, Jud Yaski. He has partnered with successful adventure travel founder Steve Juba, combining their combined quarter of a century in hospitality to create the ultimate travel experience: Destination Earth.

For more information on the next adventure, or to design a custom adventure with meaning, visit www.destination-earth.org or call 650-533-5487.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

“We released this new DVD and its all raw emotion! We knew this was going to get emotional; we screened this video to many different audiences over a few weeks before we launched it. There wasn’t a single person in the room whom wasn’t crying or impacted in some way,” stated JF Dubreuil, director of marketing and promotion at Narconon Trois-Rivieres.

The video, while composed with music from a local musician, gives the viewer an idea of how successful the Narconon program was for this handful of graduates.

“It doesn’t hold anything back; Narconon released this knowing it was going to impact people on a very emotional level, and that is exactly what it did,” JF went on to say.

The DVD has been shipped out nation-wide throughout Canada and the United States and will continue to be promoted to as many people, organizations, and groups as possible. The holiday season can be very tough for people addicted to drugs and alcohol, and Narconon is ensuring this DVD lands in the hands of people who need it the most.

“Its more then just a graduate testimonial, it truly gives the viewer a raw look at what the end result really is, real people, and real success,” stated Dubreuil. Over the holiday season, Narconon has promoted this new DVD hard, making efforts to reach as many audiences as possible. They continually promote living a drug free life and with the release of this new DVD, a viewer will see first hand it is possible. For more information you can visit http://www.narconon.ca .

Call 1-888-247-6966 and get your free copy.

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The contest was open to anyone who needed IVF treatment in order to conceive and required entrants to tell their story, detailing why they felt they should win the treatment. Almost 100 couples submitted entries, which were reviewed by a panel of clinical and administrative staff at Sher Fertility Institute. The panel selected 10 finalists, whose stories were then posted on the company’s Facebook Page and website, where visitors voted for their choice.

Sher Fertility Institute had originally planned to donate IVF treatment to just one couple, but decided to open the donation up to three couples instead.

“The stories that came in were absolutely heartbreaking,” said Dr. Nicole Browne of Sher Fertility Institute. “Every one of these couples was deserving of the donated treatment, so we couldn’t be happier for Victoria and Walter.”

The couple have been struggling to have a baby for more than 5 years and have undergone numerous unsuccessful treatments, including several rounds of In Vitro Fertilization, which typically costs $10,000-$15,000. They had tapped out all of their financial resources and were unable to proceed with any further treatment. “Two weeks ago we felt all hope was lost of ever meeting the child we have dreamed of for so long,” said Victoria. “Now, thanks to Sher Fertility Institute, along with family, friends and many people we have never even met, that dream is more alive than ever. This is truly a Christmas Miracle!”

Their story, along with those of the other finalists are posted on the Sher Fertility Institute website at http://www.haveababy.com/news-menu/269 .

During the last three decades, Dr. Sher and Sher Fertility Institute have donated hundreds of free fertility treatments to patients and couples from all over the country.

About Sher Fertility Institute:

Sher Fertility Institute is a national network of fertility clinics specializing in cutting-edge technology, personalized treatment and compassionate care. SIRM Founder Dr. Geoffrey Sher established the first private In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program in the United States. Dr. Sher and his colleagues have been influential in the development of dozens of important breakthroughs in the field of reproductive care.

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Green Earth Mall (GEM) has over 200 green shopping categories boasting over 15,000 eco-friendly items that are either all natural, organic or use green technologies that don’t damage the environment.

“The time has come to stop poisoning ourselves and the planet. And one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to become an environmentally conscious consumer,” said Doug Gordon, founder and CEO of Green Earth Mall LLC.

Gordon cited that the growing number of global consumers adopting green lifestyles has pushed many businesses to innovate in eco friendly ways, expanding the green marketplace to offer more socially responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly products.

“The fastest way to accelerate our new green economy is for the average consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage companies to become more green and sustainable,” he added.

“Help save the planet by using your power to buy green,” Gordon stressed, adding that, “there’s no better time to start doing it than now-in this season of giving and sharing.”

Green consumers are clearly looking for an easy way to shop green and now they can with more choices than they ever imagined possible.

More information: http://GreenEarthMall.com .

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Colonel William L. Hendricks, USMCR, founded Toys for Tots as a pilot program in 1947. The Marine Corps expanded his project just one year later into a national effort and called upon Marine Corps Reserve units to conduct Toys for Tots campaigns in their local communities.

Six decades later, Toys for Tots continues to thrive. Today, the program reaches all 50 states, and invites communities without a reserve unit to conduct approved Toys for Tots campaigns.

“We are very pleased the Gingrich Foundation has decided to name the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation as their Charity for the Month of December,” said retired Marine Major Bill Grein, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “With this additional exposure we will reach many civic-minded people who share our interest in helping fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of our nation’s neediest children; children who might otherwise be overlooked this year.”

“Toys for Tots is a wonderful American tradition,” said Callista Gingrich, President of the Gingrich Foundation. “Newt and I are honored to support an organization that helps raise the spirits and hopes of those in need at Christmas.”

To date, Toys for Tots has distributed more than 450 million toys to more than 200 million children — an extraordinary accomplishment.

The Gingrich Foundation is a domestic non-profit corporation founded by Callista and Newt Gingrich to support charitable purposes.

Support the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation today: http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/default.asp .

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The INDULGENCE New Year’s Eve Bash provides 5 unique areas of entertainment located throughout the EMP museum including four live stages featuring two live bands, two spinning DJs and a mixing DJ, a live radio broadcast, two exclusive VIP areas, a comedy lounge, and the two amazing museums: the EMP and the Science Fiction museum. Everything is included for one price.

Selected details from the INDULGENCE website (which can be found at www.SeattleBash.com):
- 3,000 swanky party guests
- 5 unique experiences
- 4 areas of live entertainment
- 3 fantastic performance stages
- 2 exclusive VIP areas
- 1 LIVE comedy theater

Sky Church Stage: Brand X High Energy Party Band brings the best party hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today;
You Spin Me Right Round The 80′s Stage: 80′s Invasion;
The MOViN 92.5 Party Stage, hosted by Justin, with DJ Mack Long spinning and broadcasting live;
Live Comedy Theater: renowned stand-up comedians;
140,000 sq ft of PURE PARTY SPACE;
Party the night away right underneath the iconic Space Needle;
Access to the amazing EMP Museum included (a $20 value);
Access to the Sci-Fi Museum included;
Full access to the amazing Avatar Movie Exhibit included in the price of admission;
Pre-party “Cocktail Hour” for singles.

The INDULGENCE signature of 5 unique entertainment experiences all in one venue for one price continues it’s tradition of being the largest New Year’s Eve Bash in the Northwest on December 31st, 2011 in the EMP Museum at 325 5th Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109.

WHAT: INDULGENCE New Year’s Eve Bash at the EMP
WHEN: December 31, 2011 Saturday Night, 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: EMP Experience Music Project under the Space Needle at 325 5th Ave N, Seattle WA 98109
PRICE: $59.00 and up, with two additional levels of VIP admission
AGE: 21+, must bring valid photo ID
MORE DETAILS AND TICKETS: www.SeattleBash.com .

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

This December 5th marks the 79th Anniversary of California’s most renowned cold case: The Wanderwell Murder.

A former seafarer, world class hiker and traveler who had been briefly jailed in the U.S. as a spy during the war, Wanderwell began his international expeditions in 1919 as an effort to promote world peace and the League of Nations. Founding an organization he called the Work Around the World Educational Club (WAWEC), Wanderwell lured young men and women with the promise of romantic adventure. One such conscripted youth, Aloha, captured the married Wanderwell’s attention and soon became the second Mrs. Wanderwell.

When not cavorting with stars such as Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, the Wanderwells toured Africa, India and war-swept Europe, gaining notoriety and even numbering a British Lord among their crew. Lord Edward Eugene Fernando Montagu, son of His Grace the Duke of Manchester, was aboard the Wanderwell’s yacht, The Carma, in the Long Beach harbor the night Walter Wanderwell was shot.

But Aloha was not on board. Heralded as the first woman to drive an automobile around the world, the beautiful widows’ whereabouts sparked a media frenzy amid rumors of espionage, fraud, and sex that rivals any contemporary scandal. With headline coverage in The NY Times, Detroit Times, LA Times, and the Long Beach Press Telegram, the 1932 murder of Walter Wanderwell remains one of the greatest unsolved murder cases of the 21th Century.

About AlohaWanderwell.com:

http://AlohaWanderwell.com is an online archive, dedicated to promoting the story of exploring pioneer, Aloha Wanderwell, and preserving the historic Wanderwell Expedition’s Nitrate Films, photographs, collectibles, and documents of all their Expeditions.

As the first woman to drive around the world and the first woman to fly Brazil’s Mato Grosso, Aloha Wanderwell captured the world’s attention with her beauty, her bravery, and her extraordinary kindness. Her film, “FLIGHT TO THE STONE AGE BOROROS,” was the earliest filmed record of the Bororo tribe and stands today as an important anthropological resource within the Smithsonian Institute’s Human Studies Archive.

Established in 2010, Aloha all so has to her list of films “Car and Camera around the World” taken during their travels.

AlohaWanderwell.com has partnered with CMG Worldwide, to provide information about and licensing opportunities for the Wanderwell Expeditions saga.

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.