National Cherry Blossom Festival President Diana Mayhew, Kris Rohr, Carmine's General Manager Kris Diemar, and Executive Chef Terry Natas.
PENN QUARTER -- Washingtonians can breathe easier moving forward, as the
National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated the launch of a new fundraising initiative to plant more than 1,000 cherry trees throughout the city in the coming years.

The cornerstone of the nonprofit�s new �
EmBark, Branch and Blossom� program, close to two hundred supporters turned-out in Penn Quarter last night to fete the new plan, during a by-invitation-only reception at
Carmine�s Washington D.C.

The legendary family style Italian restaurant provided twice the reason to celebrate in hosting the occasion, however, as the evening also served as its two-year anniversary in the District.

Since it first opened in 2010, the 20,000-squarefoot eatery has seen hundreds of celebrities and politicos alike stream through its doors, which no doubt contributed to its 2011
RAMMY Award wins for �Power Spot� and �Favorite Restaurant� of the year.

Always one of Washington�s favorite annual events, last year�s National Cherry Blossom Festival was particularly festive in marking the centennial celebration of Tokyo�s initial gift of trees.

EmBarking on another 100 years has therefore never seemed more right.