At the National Symphony of Orchestra, there is a great opportunity to bring culture to your children.  With the range of NSO Family concerts, you can find enjoyment for the entire family.  For example, scheduling for 2010-11 includes the Teddy Bear Concert Tunes ‘n’ Tales; the Family Concert: Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales (preparing the whole family for Halloween); Teddy Bear Concert: Fancy That (teaching the younger members of your family how to decorate music in the form of ornamentation and variations); Ensemble Concert: Connections: MORE Science and Music (endangered species and their connection to a music class, for the slightly older child).  All this and more is scheduled for later this year and next year.

Connie Milstein is about to embark on a new building project, the Washington, D.C. branch of the New York University study-abroad program.  Ms. Milstein is directing $10 million to construct the 12-story, 75,000-square-foot center, which will join 11 other extensions of NYU which are located throughout the world.

The Washington, D.C. campus will offer a one semester study-abroad program in which students will be able to learn journalism, political science and American history just steps away from the White House, in one of the most powerful governmental cities  in the world.

Groundbreaking is due to commence in September, 2010 with the first students arriving at the campus for spring semester in 2012. Students will arrive to find a building with dormitories on the upper floors, suitable for 125 students. The rest of the building will house lecture halls and seminar rooms. Located within the walls of the new building will also be the offices of Government and Community Affairs and the Brademas Center for the Study of Congress.

Connie Milstein explains her special interest in this project:

“I used to think New York was the capital of the world, but being in D.C. will give these students a totally different view of the United States and its position in the world.  It’s an important place to teach students how the government works and the history of the U.S., not to mention opportunities for internships, which will allow them to understand the political system and get exposure to a much larger global network.”

New York University is the latest recipient of the largesse of Connie Milstein and her philanthropic activities.  Ms. Milstein is embarking on a $10 million project to expand the NYU campus to Washington D.C. by building an extension there.

The 12-story building will be the 12th additional campus for NYU which houses their extensive study-abroad program. The Washington campus will join the other satellite campuses which are located in internationally important cities such as London, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv. The Washington, D.C. program will be offering a one semester study-abroad program in journalism, political science and American history. Internships will also be offered in various government offices and non-governmental organizations.

The new building will be located on  northwest L Street, just a few blocks from the White House. Ground-breaking for the new structure is scheduled to commence in September, 2010.

For the best in dining pleasure, few restaurants compare to Plume, at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Award-winning chef Damon Gordon invites guests to enjoy his outstanding culinary creations, either by sitting in a cozy nook or a table by the lovely fireplace.

Chef Damon was trained in Michelin kitchens in the U.K. and under the watchful eye of Alain Ducasse in New York City.  Plume boasts a hand-painted mural of Monticello’s south vineyard on one wall, evoking the feel of Thomas Jefferson’s enjoyment of fine wines.  With Jefferson’s background in mind, Plume includes a wine cellar with over 1200 labels, spanning a dozen nationalities and going back as far as 1780.

While dining at Plume, you’ll also be able to enjoy the newly renovated look of the Jefferson Hotel, renovated by Ogden CAP Properties with Principal and Co-Founder Connie Milstein.