Connie Milstein

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Blue Star Families is an association working to support military families throughout the United States. Connie Milstein serves as their president. The members of the organization include military parents, spouses, children and families of all outlets of service.

Last year, Blue Star Families started a program called Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces. Over 10,000 books have been distributed to military base libraries, DOD Schools and military impacted public schools. Children with parents serving in all branches of the military were supported by these book donations. The program was launched in partnership with the Kids in Distressed Situations organization.

This past summer, over 850 museums throughout the United States opened their doors to military personnel and their families, thanks to the initiative of Blue Star Families, with board member Connie Milstein, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Following the success of this operation, Blue Star Families launched an art contest for army children. Running from July 1^st through September 12^th, the contest was meant for children with a parent or sibling (including step parents/siblings) who served in active duty, either on reserves or in the National Guard. The contest enabled the children to express themselves and their feelings, give thanks to the supportive museums, and also win prizes.

The children painted, colored or sent photos of their experiences or thoughts during a visit to a Blue Star Museum. Every picture was sent with a short explanation and was required to depict the blue star in some way. The winning artists, who received savings bonds, were chosen by a panel of judges from Blue Star Families, and announced on October 8^th.

The Jefferson Hotel is extraordinarily proud of its reputation and of the feedback it has received since its renovations.  The hotel was recently reconstructed by Ogden CAP Properties, LLC, with Principal and Co-Founder Connie Milstein.  Since the renovation and reconstruction, here are a few of the positive comments they have received.

Travel + Leisure called them the “2010 World’s Best Awards: Top 10 Small City Hotels in US/Canada in their August 2010 edition.

The June 2010 edition of the Robb Report called them one of “The Best of the Best.”

Conde Nast Travel put them on the “Hot List” in May of 2010.

Elite Traveler said, in their January/February 2010 edition that they were one of “Washington, D.C.’s Best Suites.”

The recent groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of NYU’s new campus in Washington, D.C., attracted some impressive guests including  top donors, construction crew heads, DC campus planners, Chair of the Board of Trustees and the full university leadership team, who assembled to mark the start of the founding of  NYU’s newest study-away site, the Constance Milstein and Family Academic Center (NYUDC).  This is situated just blocks from the White House in the heart of the city.   One topic addressed by speakers was the global network university.  Said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Marty Lipton, “[NYUDC] fits in with this concept that John Sexton has brought to fruition,” said Lipton. “But we have a great deal more to go.”  Another insisted there should be “no barriers” within the school’s network and that the establishment of NYUDC would assist in destroying more of them.   This construction will definitely add to the prestige of the Washington campus.

As co-founder and principal of Ogden CAP Properties, LLC, Connie Milstein is involved in all properties at the company, ranging from residential to commercial.  One current property is the Dorchester Towers, located on 155 West 68th Street, NYC.  Quite an impressive building you will be greeted through a circular driveway which enters into a beautifully-landscaped garden mall that takes you to the entrance of the building.  You will then be greeted by a uniformed doorman and will be privy to a specially-trained concierge at the service of you and your guests.   This property really is the ultimate in luxury living with stunningly carpeted corridors, nine highly efficient, electronically-controlled elevators, a user-friendly delivery service, central mail chute, full laundry room on each floor, well-attended heated garage and more.  So check it out and see what it means to live in the lap of luxury.

In a lovely show of appreciation for American military families, Blue Star Families and the National Endowments for the Arts teamed together this summer.  They invited military families, including active duty service members and their immediate families, to come to 600 museums for free.  The free admission ran from Memorial Day (May 31, 2010) through Labor Day (September 6, 2010).

Certainly, many advocates of military service, like Connie Milstein, support these efforts to offer benefits to military families.

Mark your calendars for various events held by the National Symphony Orchestra.  On September 25th, there will be a classical concert – the season opening ball concert with Christoph Eschenbach as conductor, Renee Fleming as soprano, and Llang Llang on piano.  Five days later you can book for the classical concert of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the same conductor, Marisol Montlavo as soprano, Yvonne Naef, mezzo-soprano, Nikolai Schukoff, tenor, John Relyea, bass-baritone and Norman Scribner from the Choral Arts Society of Washington as artistic director.  Check the website for other interesting performances on a variety of dates through the Fall.  Connie Milstein serves on the board of advisors of the National Symphony Orchestra.

Ford’s Theatre, where Connie Milstein sits on the Board of Trustees, is not only a place where great theater can be enjoyed by appreciative audiences; it is also a place where  visitors can participate in innovative activities to learn about history.

One of these activities is the “History on Foot” walking tours,  where an actor in costume leads visitors  through downtown Washington D.C., bringing the extraordinary times of the Civil War era to life.

Currently there are two choices of tours available to participants: “Investigation:Detective McDevitt” which probes into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy, trying to separate fact from fiction concerning the historical events of April 14 and 15, 1865; and “A Free Black Woman:Elizabeth Keckly” which introduces the visitors to Elizabeth, close confidante to Lincoln’s wife. In this “street theater” presentation participants learn about the Lincoln family and the help Elizabeth gave to former slaves as they learn to live as free people in the newly free city of Washington.

It is also possible to request privately led walking tours for individuals or groups, depending on availability.

Among Connie Milstein’s many philanthropic activities is her participation in the functioning of Ford’s Theatre as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Ford’s Theatre, which, for many is “America’s most famous theater,” earned its place in history when one of America’s most beloved of Presidents, President Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated there in 1865.

Because of its historical importance Ford’s Theatre works in partnership with the National Park Service, overseeing close to one million visitors every year. Visitors to Ford’s Theatre learn about Abraham Lincoln, his tumultuous presidency, and his life in Washington D.C. in the mid-19th century. Ford’s Theatre is an excellent place to begin to understand Lincoln’s struggle to maintain a united country, the events leading up to his assassination and the motivating forces leading to his tragic death.

If you enjoy fine dining, then you won’t want to miss the latest from Plume at the Jefferson Hotel.  Newly renovated by Ogden CAP Properties with Principal and Co-Founder Connie Milstein, the Jefferson Hotel features an elegant and outstanding culinary selection with Plume.

From Tuesday, June 29^th, 2010 through Saturday August 21^st, 2010 they are hosting a series called “Summer Tastes from Chef Damon Gordon.”  This eight-week series includes special four-course menus for Plume, each showcasing one of the season’s most delicious ingredients.  You can join just for one evening, or for the full series for a delectable experience at the Jefferson Hotel!