Institute for Education Honors, Serenades Justice Ginsburg
• October 23, 2014

The Supreme Court was the supreme setting Sept. 22, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was presented with the Institute for Education’s 2014 Cultural Diplomacy Award. Coach Kathy Kemper opened the program before Ginsburg was serenaded by mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and introduced by former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson. Ginsburg gave “a hearty welcome to my workplace,” before conducting a veritable history lesson as she discussed each of the chief justices whose portraits adorned the room. The IFE promotes international understanding and educates youth for global citizenship. [gallery ids="101883,136807,136804" nav="thumbs"]

Salvation Army Women Salute Dotsy Steele
• October 13, 2014

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Washington, D.C, President Deb Push welcomed more than 500 attendees to the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Tysons Corner Oct. 3 for its 65th Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show. Cynthia Steel Vance and Catherine Thompson co-chaired the fashion show committee. Fox 5’s Sue Palka and Tony Perkins emceed the program as Major Lewis Reckline presented the Berniece Edwards Auxiliary Leadership Award to Steele’s mother, Dotsy Steele. There were raves for the stunning fashions from Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, as selected by stylist and show producer Barbara McConaghy. Proceeds benefit the Turning Point Center and Camp Happyland.
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Washington Home Dedicates Memorial, Tribute Bricks
• September 30, 2014

The Washington Home & Community Hospices held a memorial and tribute bricks dedication to loved ones in the reflection garden on Sept. 14. Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave, founder of the Light of Healing Hope Foundation, who has generously donated thousands of volumes of her inspirational poetry prompted by the losses September 11, provided copies of her most recent compilation, “Healing Courage Messages of Love, Hope, and Strength,” available Oct. 1. “We are blessed when we share the stories of our loved ones and when we listen to others’ stories,” Rev. Robert Wellington said, as red chrysanthemums were placed on the memorial bricks.

Kitty Kelley Hosts Friends of Book Hill Park
• September 29, 2014

The Friends of Book Hill Park was founded in 2000 by the late Ed Thomson and Julia Diaz-Asper to supplement government funding in supporting the grounds behind the Georgetown Public Library. On Sept, 18, a sellout crowd was in attendance as acclaimed author Kitty Kelley hosted a benefit to ensure the preservation and maintenance of this now vibrant park with the completion of the new shade garden and trident fence. [gallery ids="101868,137602,137629,137626,137608,137613,137617,137622" nav="thumbs"]

Dancing with the Stars Launch
• September 26, 2014

On Sept. 10, D.C.’s Dancing Stars Gala hosted a pre-event launch party to kick off its first annual black-tie dancing challenge taking place on Oct. 25. Event chair Maria Coakley David, executive director Susannah Moss and presenting sponsor Fred Astaire Dance Studio D.C. welcomed over 200 guests to the Huxley. The gala will generate thousands of dollars to support local charities. Eleven local celebrities will compete to be crowned the first D.C.’s Dancing Star Champion. [gallery ids="101869,137601,137597" nav="thumbs"]

Kreeger Museum Wine in Garden
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Judy A. Greenberg, director of the Kreeger Museum, welcomed neighbors for a glass of wine and a stroll through the Sculpture Garden on Sept. 7 to view the museum’s newest works. They included sculpture by Emile Brzezinski, whose exhibit, “The Lure of the Forest,” will be on display Sept. 16 to Dec. 27. Guests gathered by the reflecting pool to learn about the museum’s capital campaign to develop five acres of land. They were warmly told “don’t make this your first and only visit. We want you to think of this as your museum.” The sculpture garden is open free to the public. [gallery ids="101867,137631" nav="thumbs"]

Highballs and Hard Hats at the Fairmont
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On Sept. 4, the Fairmont hotel toasted the near completion of a five-month project of exterior resurfacing. Guests in the hotel’s courtyard enjoyed signature lemon honey highballs, barbecue, a photo booth and raffles on free stays at Fairmont resort hotels. All proceeds from the event will go towards Team Fairmont participating in the Best Buddies Challenge. The walk, run and bike ride raises funds for Best Buddies International, a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Diplomats of Dance
• September 11, 2014

Avid supporters of dance flocked to the Sofitel Hotel for the Diplomats of Dance Society’s “inaugural soiree” in support of D.C.’s Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and its upcoming tour to Suriname with the U.S. State Department. Ambassador Subhas Mungra of Suriname was an honored guest. The Diplomats of Dance Society foresees an annual event around the dance company’s touring because “Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company brings a much needed cross-cultural perspective to the arts scene.” Burgess was recently named the first Smithsonian choreographer-in-residence at the National Portrait Gallery and will begin a residency at the Kreeger Museum, as well as a partnership with NASA, in 2015.

Schlafly Beer Dinner at Chef Geoff’s Reunites Hoyas
• September 3, 2014

Georgetown University alums Tom Schlafly — chairman of the board and co-founder of the Saint Louis Brewery, Missouri’s largest locally owned independent brewery, class of 1970 — and chef and restaurateur Geoff Tracy, class of 1995, hosted a Beeracle at Chef Geoff’s on Aug. 9. Fifty-five fortunate diners enjoyed a six-course repast, prepared by Chef Geoff’s executive chefs and highlighted by signature beers. Chef Santos Fuentes’s chipotle glazed pork belly and chef Oscar Bendeck’s pan seared trout were tied as guests voted for their favorite dishes.
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Washington Area Concierge Association: ‘Night in Nashville’
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This year’s theme was “A Night in Nashville” for the Washington Area Concierge Association Gala at the Hamilton Aug. 17, headlined by Northern Virginia’s Amy Wilcox, who is an upcoming Nashville rock star. As Tommy McFly introduced the proceedings, he wondered, “Who’s in charge of guiding tourists around town?” Leading concierges enjoyed a well deserved night off.
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