BLOSSOMS UPDATES

TREES AND MORE TREES

On Friday, National Arbor Day, Blossoms of Hope held a tree planting on the shores of Lake Kittamaqundi. The plan has been in the works since the group’s inception, says organizer Vicki Goodman, and the timing seemed perfect when the group received the gift of three “legacy” trees, grown from the original stock given to Washington by Tokyo in 1912. Along with the three Yoshino saplings, BOH planted 15 Kwanzan cherry trees, plus 10 native dogwoods and redbuds, says Goodman.

At the planting, Blossoms of Hope announced that the grove will be named for the late Maggie Brown, former president of the Columbia Association.

EAT FOR THE CAUSE

It’s not too late to partake in Pink Plates, the fundraising effort by local restaurants. This year, five restaurants* are participating in the challenge ­ – competing to outraise each other.  Steve Wecker, owner of Iron Bridge Wine Company, is determined to ensure that he isn’t edged out by Aida Bistro as he was last year (with Wecker’s staff paying penance by wearing “I’d rather be at Aida” t-shirts for a week). He’s organized a killer wine dinner on Sunday, May 5. The invitation entices “Come help us drink $10,000 worth of wine.” Indeed, the menu includes an array of donated wines, from Moet and Chandon to three liter bottles of Chateau Gruaud Larose Bordeaux. If the $300 tab seems steep, says Wecker, “think of it as writing a check directly to the Claudia Mayer Center. Plus you get an amazing meal.” Indeed, 100 percent of the ticket price is tax deductible and goes to the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center, the Blossoms of Hope beneficiary.

* Aida Bistro, Baldwin Station, the Elkridge Furnace Inn, Iron Bridge and Mango Grove.