Last Kiss of Summer 8 Gala
• October 19, 2011

It is hard to believe that Last Kiss of Summer in support of Second Chance Employment Services recently held at The Four Seasons Hotel is the eighth such gala. ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Alison Starling was master of ceremonies at an evening of silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. SCES Board Chair Ronald S. Perlman, M.D., hailed SCES as a “one stop show” to empower women. Ludy Green founded the non-profit organization in 2002 to promote financial security for at-risk women and their children through free and professional comprehensive employment training and placement services. SCES has helped more than 3,000 women and placed more than 800 clients in meaningful long-term employment positions. Already serving clients nationwide from its D.C. base, SCES is opening sites in Palm Beach and Los Angeles. [gallery ids="100317,108081" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Village Launches
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Alan and Nancy Taylor Bubes opened their doors on a recent rainy evening to hail Georgetown Village. The soon to open non-profit membership organization will provide support and physical and social activities allowing participants to remain at home rather than relying on relatives or an assisted living facility. Founder and chair Sharon Lockwood enthusiastically introduced members of her board of directors and advisory board and reported that 152 members had pledged, and more than 90 offered to be volunteers. More good news is that an experienced executive director has been identified and is expected to be hired within the month. Guests departed with daffodil bulbs and treats from Georgetown Cupcake. [gallery ids="100318,108082,108088,108084" nav="thumbs"]

Friends of Rose Park Rally in Style
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Dr. James D’Orta, the current owner of the legendary N Street residence formerly home to Averell and Pamela Harriman, welcomed The Friends of Rose Park on Oct. 6 to raise funds to support the beloved Georgetown oasis. The host paid tribute to Georgetown doyenne Frida Burling, who served as the evening’s honorary host, a radiant 96 years old and going strong. Rose Park enhances Georgetown as it provides families and their pets with space to romp and thrive. [gallery ids="100328,108522,108543,108527,108539,108532,108536" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Business Association Monthly Reception
• September 22, 2011

On a perfect summer evening, a near record crowd attended the GBA’s monthly reception held at the House of Sweden on Aug. 17. House of Sweden General Manager Cecilia Browning welcomed guests. GBA Events Chair Sue Hamilton acknowledged the evening’s special guests Wendy, Bernie and Chris Furin, who lamentably shuttered their eponymous treasured M Street eatery last month. The Furins were presented with an engraved plaque commemorating their 27 wonderful years in business, a compilation of their many press clippings, topped off with a complimentary stay plus pampering at the Four Seasons. DC Councilman at-Large Vincent Orange wondered what their many fans would do without Furin’s pancakes. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by Ridgwells Caterers, beverages supplied by the Georgetown Business Improvement District and concluded the evening with signature cupcakes by Chris Furin, who will continue his stellar career as a cake designer. [gallery ids="100271,107039,107065,107061,107044,107057,107049,107053" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Women and Wine on the Road
• September 7, 2011

On Aug. 15, members of WW&W hopped aboard a motor coach in Ballston. The first stop was Doukénie Winery in Hillsboro, VA. In June of this year the Land Trust of Virginia honored winery owners George and Nicola Bazaco for their commitment to preserving “one of Northern Loudon Country’s most spectacular properties.” Maria Canora poured a variety of wines and family member Hope Bazaco brought homemade baklava and freshly picked figs. It was then on to Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville, one of the largest wineries East of the Mississippi, where the sampling continued. Several local residents joined up for luncheon at the Yellow Brick Bank in Shepherdstown, WV. Terry Swift spoke of his involvement with the arts and asked the group to his historic home. Jim Surkamp led an insider’s walking tour and WW&W co-founder Karen McMullen directed the bus driver around town before everyone contently headed home. [gallery ids="99226,103560,103556,103539,103552,103544,103548" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Area Concierge Association Gala
• August 25, 2011

The Washington Area Concierge Association themed its annual gala “Uncover Your Code” as guests converged at Barcode on Aug. 14. WACA has donated over $400,000 to charitable organizations. This year’s recipients are The John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship, Les Clefs d’Or and Les Clefs d’Or Foundation as well as the Katzen Center Research Center at GW University Hospital. The festive evening featured a fundraising raffle and silent auction. WACA President Luis Colmenares said “I can’t wait to celebrate the monumental achievements of our tourism industry….regardless of the political or economic climate around us.” [gallery ids="100273,107064,107095,107091,107069,107087,107083,107074,107079" nav="thumbs"]

Second Annual Green Fair at The Fairmont
• August 24, 2011

On Aug. 12, The Fairmont Washington held its Second Annual Green Fair in the sunlit Colonnade room. The hotel’s green partners, including the neighboring World Wildlife Fund, Capital Bikeshare, FRESHFARM Markets, Nusta Spa and Carbon – A Sustainable Chic Boutique, manned exhibits. Guests could meet the hotel’s resident beekeeper and sample Executive Chef Jason Dalling’s organic hors d’oeuvres. [gallery ids="100272,107054,107066,107059,107063" nav="thumbs"]

PAL at Pete’s
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People Animals Love invited supporters to join PAL volunteers at a Yappy Hour on Aug. 16 at Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza. Pete’s regular patrons are so accustomed to seeing family pets that they did not initially grasp that this was a fundraiser. Founded in l982, PAL is today the premier pet visit organization in the DC area with 300 certified volunteer teams. These two- and four-legged volunteers make thousands of visits annually, lifting spirits in nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospices, military hospitals and undeserved schools. [gallery ids="102540,120046,120028,120020,120033,120039" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Animal Rescue League’s Paws at the Park
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The League held an Aug. 10 Paws at the Park cocktail hour where canines and bipeds mingled on the patio of the Park Hyatt. The event followed the previous weekend’s hugely successful Adopt-A-Thon when 79 dogs and 34 cats were adopted under a “pay what you will for priceless pets” policy. Several adoptables were at the Park Hyatt which bills itself as the “city’s most sophisticated pet-friendly hotel.” Raul Catangui was proud to announce the launching of the new website BowWowMatch.com. Pro Feed supplied doggie goodie bags. [gallery ids="99237,103964,103995,103969,103991,103974,103987,103979,103983" nav="thumbs"]

Summer in the South of France Dinner at Rivers
• August 10, 2011

In anticipation of Washington Women and Wine’s triumphant return to France in 2012, on July 18 the group of bon vivants gathered for a “Summer in the South of France” dinner at Rivers at the Watergate. WWW founder Karen McMullen welcomed back Robin and Paul McKenzie-Smith who had led last year’s tour and came from Fort Lauderdale, eager to return to Florida’s sea breezes. Rivers Executive Chef Michael Smithson oversaw a splendid menu of cold watercress soup, mushroom vol au vent, filet mignon and chocolate hazelnut mousse paired with special wines. French Escapade 2’s March itinerary will include visits to Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Aix-en-Provence and end merrily on the Riviera. [gallery ids="100246,106679,106710,106684,106706,106689,106702,106694,106698" nav="thumbs"]