Honoring Barbara Gordon
• May 12, 2011

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"]

Embassy Chef Challenge 2011
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Now in its third year and growing exponentially, Cultural Tourism DC’s Embassy Chef Challenge was a hit at the Ronald Reagan Building on Apr. 12. Ann Scoffier chaired the friendly culinary competition. Proceeds support an awareness of the city’s myriad cultural offerings. Barbara Harrison of NBC4 emceed the program, remarking “boy does it smell good in here.” Mayor Vincent Gray, who did not eat heartily the night before, said “I invite everyone here to go to jail with me” and continued “it is time for justice to come to the District of Columbia. Enough is enough.” Lars Beese of the Royal Danish Embassy received the Judges Choice Award while Jose Luis Fernandez of the Embassy of Peru captured the People’s Choice Award for his outstanding ceviche. Throughout May, Passport DC, with over 60 embassies and 100 cultural institutions participating, will offer an unforgettable global journey throughout our city. [gallery ids="99648,105289,105315,105311,105307,105294,105303,105299" nav="thumbs"]

25 Years of Washington Leaders Make for a Good Time
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Leadership Greater Washington celebrated its 25th birthday at the Newseum, April 12, as members of different years reunited. The impressive group of newsmakers and influencers — connecting business leaders and going beyond regional borders — continues to advance and live by its mission of networking and collaboration through education and other programs that brings leaders together to solve problems. It serves more than 17 city and county governments in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. [gallery ids="99652,105330,105326,105319,105322" nav="thumbs"]