Keith Lipert Spring Sale
• May 12, 2011

On Apr. 26, Keith Lipert invited special pals to his eponymous boutique on M Street for a Spring Clearance Party. Guests imbibed champagne as they browsed for fabulous deals on treasures up to 50 percent off. [gallery ids="99664,106014,106018" nav="thumbs"]

Honoring Barbara Gordon
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Colombian Ambassador and Mrs. Gabriel Silva threw open the doors of their stunning Dupont Circle residence on Apr. 29 to join with Secretary General of the Organization of American States and Mrs. Jose Miguel Insulza and The Friends of the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) in a tribute to Barbara Gordon honoring her lifetime dedication to the arts and philanthropy. The evening included a chef’s tasting table prepared by Chef Michel Richard, a silent auction featuring Latin American artists living in our area, a piano recital by Edvinas Minkstimas and dancing to Latin music by DJ Panama. Ambassador Luigi Einaudi, expressing his belief that “politics are shaped by culture,” said “Barbara gets it.” Funds from the evening will support the work of the AMA. The honoree serves as First Chairman Emeritus of the museum. [gallery ids="99665,106019,106035,106031,106024,106028" nav="thumbs"]

Gtown Biz Assoc. Debuts ‘Out & About’ on the Dish
• May 4, 2011

The Georgetown Business Association celebrated its new media outlet — “Out & About” — a venture with the website, Georgetown Dish, in Cady’s Alley, April 20. Georgetown business leaders, politicians, residents, other media and influencers made the scene in the hypercool L2 nightclub, as Dish publisher Beth Solomon greeted the guests and said, “This is the first social media channel in D.C.” The purpose of the GBA’s “Out & About” is to post the profile, increase promotion and widen online presence of Georgetown businesses. GBA members can send out news, special offers and business advice from their unique town to the world wide web. [gallery ids="99667,106055,106039,106051,106047,106044" nav="thumbs"]

Spring Soirée on Book Hill
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Despite the rather chilly temperature, there was joy in the air on Book Hill behind the gloriously restored Georgetown Library late in the afternoon on May 1 as families gathered to support the Georgetown Library and Book Hill Park. Local merchants were generous in their donations including the special team at Bacchus. Highlights were the canapés supplied by the recently opened Book Hill Café with Chef/GM Matthew Mohler and Cordon Bleu pastry chef Deborah Stewart in attendance. These privately raised funds constantly enhance Georgetown’s unique quality of life. [gallery ids="102557,119959,119949,119955,119941" nav="thumbs"]

Puro Café
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Puro Cafe celebrated the opening of their patio with a wine tasting on Apr, 27. Owner Rashid Hassouni invited members of the Georgetown BID, the Citizens Association of Georgetown and Georgetown Business Association to join him. Despite warnings of severe weather, the skies remained calm as guests enjoyed great wines and hors d’oeuvres on the spacious patio. [gallery ids="102556,119977,119972,119957,119982,119965" nav="thumbs"]

D.C Arts Collaborates at French Embassy
• April 21, 2011

The D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative gathered in La Maison Française at the French Embassy, April 8, to honor the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation — and to show off its students and raise funds for programs which give public school students a chance to experience the D.C. arts scene. The lively crowd of arts and business leaders at “Taking Flight: The Transformative Power of Arts Education” applauded Calvin Cafritz who accepted the first-ever Annual Spirited Leadership Award. NBC4 news anchor Wendy Rieger, who will jet off to cover the royal wedding in London, remarked, “My mother was a teacher. God bless you. God love you.” Bob Levey, former Washington Post columnist, quipped: “Wendy said I have been here since the Johnson Administration, but it was the administration of Lyndon Baines Johnson.” [gallery ids="99651,105316,105314" nav="thumbs"]

Al Tiramisu Promotes Italian Cuisine
• April 20, 2011

The weather outside was frightful but inside Al Tiramisu restaurant on Apr. 16, it was only sunshine and Italian cuisine at its authentic best. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and the 15th anniversary of his Dupont Circle restaurant, chef/owner and enchanting host Luigi Diotaiuti launched the first in a series of cooking classes featuring 20 regions. Each class will feature insights into the history, culture, inhabitants, food and wine through a hands on cooking demonstration and three course repast with wine pairings. Saturday’s program focused on Sicily with baked sardines and a molded pasta dish highlighting eggplant followed by stuffed cuttlefish. The wines were the region’s stellar offerings. The next event will be May 21 showcasing Sardinia. The program will conclude with an anniversary feast in the fall. [gallery ids="99646,105279,105286,105283" nav="thumbs"]

N Street Village: Powerful Women and Women Becoming Powerful
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The N Street Village Gala, always a joyous and easy-going affair, celebrated the powerful women of the nation’s capital and the shelter’s women in recovery at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, April 6. Honored for turning their lives around were Camela Carney, Rene Petaway and Carol Toran. Founders’ awards were given to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and board member Carol Wheeler. Presenter and political pundit Mark Shields remarked: “If you want something done, ask a woman.” PBS’s Gwen Ifill was mistress of ceremonies. Melissa Maxfield was the gala chair was with Diana Enzi and Julianna Smoot as honorary chairs. [gallery ids="99653,105331,105324,105328" nav="thumbs"]

Wellness Community Celebration of Hope Gala
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Susie Dyer and Liza Marshall co-chaired the Fifth Annual Celebration of Hope Gala supporting The Wellness Community of Greater Washington, DC (TWC-DC). The event was held at The Fairfax Hotel on Apr. 7 and honored former Board Chair Barbara Bey, who received the Celebration of Hope Award. Specialties, Inc. was honored with the Partnership Award. TWC-DC offers people with cancer and their loved ones a free of charge professional program providing emotional support, education and hope. Board Chair Scott Ogden said “we help participants help themselves.” President & CEO Paula Rothenberg echoed that sentiment noting “the roller coaster of emotions.” [gallery ids="99647,105284,105290,105288" nav="thumbs"]

It’s My Birthday, Too — Yeah
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Approaching the Ides of March, it seemed so many friends and colleagues were celebrating their birthdays: Victoria Michael of VM Public Relations and Kate Michael, a former Miss D.C. and social media maven, of K Street Kate, Washington’s photographer Neshan Naltchayan, whose photos have appeared in this newspaper and other national media, such as the Washington Post, and Franco Nuschese, who runs the enduringly happening Cafe Milano, where K Street Kate drank champagne for her birthday on March 7. Sorry we missed yours. We trust it was a fun party, too. [gallery ids="102553,120000,119996" nav="thumbs"]