Safeway’s Big Social Debut
• October 27, 2010

The new Safeway store on Wisconsin Avenue had a gala debut May 5, as Georgetowners and others were treated to a champagne, food-filled (of course) party that got lots of positive buzz and publicity. Neighbors, politicos and Safeway execs mingled throughout D.C.’s largest grocery store, which is open 24 hours a day. “I was first in the store in the 1950s. I think it’s a great place,” said Washington Post Company CEO Don Graham, who grew up on nearby R Street. “This is the Social Safeway,” said Kate Michael of the Web site K Street Kate. “You may well see people shopping in the future in cocktails dresses.” Katherine Tallmadge, who writes a nutrition column for the Georgetowner, observed of the new store, “The nutritional options are amazing, the produce section is gorgeous and the selections of wines really surprise me. Mary Beth Albright summed up the evening: “It is the best time I have ever had in a grocery store!” – Robert Devaney and Elle Fergusson [gallery ids="99347,99348,99349,99350,99351,99352" nav="thumbs"]

Lani Hay’s Mixology/Book Party
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Lani Hay, president and CEO of Lanmark Technology, hosted a dinner party for Michelin three-star mixologist and author Brian Van Flandern on May 13 to celebrate his new book, “Vintage Cocktails.” A veteran bartender and now consultant, Van Flandern holds many awards and is known for using the best, purest and most historical ingredients to mix his drinks. He has worked at the Carlyle Hotel and at Thomas Keller’s Per Se restaurant in New York. On hand were the book’s publishers, Prosper and Martine Assouline, along with event sponsors, DC Magazine’s Karen Sommer Shalett and George Stone. Seen at the dinner tables were D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Barbara Lang, CNN’s Edie Em-ery, Karen Feld, Erwin Gomez and Sharon Yang. – Robert Devaney

Make-A-Wish
• October 26, 2010

WTOP’s Man About Town Bob Madigan emceed Tickled Pink VII, a mother/daughter afternoon tea and fashion show to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. at the Fairmont, Washington, DC on May 15. Fashions were presented by The Pink Palm as the grown up and little ladies twirled in vintage and current Lilly designs. Jessica Soklow thanked guests for “opening your hearts and your wallets.” The foundation fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in categories of wish to have, wish to go, wish to meet and wish to be. The most recent recipient, 15-year-old Daniela of Silver Spring aspiring to a modeling career, received VIP treatment for three magical days in New York capped by a photo shoot with flash bulbs popping. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99342,99343,99344,99345,99346" nav="thumbs"]

An Evening of Hope for Afghanistan
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Ambassador of France Pierre Vimont welcomed guests to his residence on May 14 for a Spring Soirée Nooristan Foundation benefit. Foundation President Marie Kux spoke of the reaffirmation of the American commitment to Afghanistan with more schools, more roads and more jobs. Ambassador Vimont cited the long tradition of a French presence in Afghanistan and paid tribute to projects consistent with the needs of the local population. Caroline Hudson Firestone was honored with the Humanitarian Award for creating “people to people linkages.” – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99326,99327,99328,99329,99330,99331" nav="thumbs"]

Monaco Celebrates
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This year’s celebration of the fifth anniversary of the reign of Prince Albert II of Monaco was particularly festive as Ambassador Gilles Noghes shared the delight of his compatriots at the announcement of the Prince’s engagement to Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa. Their union will give the principality its first crown princess since the death of Princess Grace in 1982. The July 13 reception at the Metropolitan Club was attended by members of Monaco’s consular corps, who came from posts throughout the United States and Canada. Guests enjoyed The Little Singers of Monaco, who sing each Sunday in the Cathedral and were making their ninth visit to America. They sang the national anthems of Monaco and the U.S., a Monagasque folk song and concluded with “America the Beautiful.”
— Mary Bird [gallery ids="99314,99315,99316,99317,99318,99319,99320" nav="thumbs"]

FotoWeek DC Launch Party
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Art enthusiasts and supporters gathered at the Corocoran Gallery of Art Thursday to view Corcoran’s newest exhibition, “Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration.” The event also gathered excitement for the upcoming photography festival, Fotoweek, which takes place November 6-13. The launch party celebrated FotoWeek’s new partnership with the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Corcoran College of Art + Design. For more information about FotoWeek, visit www.fotoweek.org. — Jillian Rogers [gallery ids="99309,99310,99311,99312,99313" nav="thumbs"]

Cookin’ Up Numbers
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Rebecca Klemm holds a PhD in statistics and has taught students, judges and juries via storytelling. The Georgetown resident is also an avid patron of the arts and works with the Helen Hayes Awards to determine annual theater award decisions. She has created Numbers Alive! to demystify numbers and math. The first result is “Cookin’Up Numbers,” which premiered at this year’s Capital Fringe Festival. The play follows cookie baker Becca, who is guided by the mathematical character Pi through Numberland. Together they discover the unique personalities of puppet numbers and learn how mathematics is the ultimate universal language. The aroma of chocolate chip cookies wafted through the auditorium and cookies awaited happy playgoers after the performances. For more on this learning tool, visit www.numbersalive.org. — Mary Bird
[gallery ids="102496,102497,102498,102499,102500" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Biz Group Offers Historic Fun at Halcyon House
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The Georgetown Business Association invited historical figures Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, and Benjamin Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy, who built what is now Halcyon House on Prospect Street in 1783, for its monthly get-together at the historic Georgetown mansion on July 21. Guests wandered through the house and walked the grounds, enjoying food from 42 Degrees Catering.
— Robert Devaney [gallery ids="99305,99306,99307,99308" nav="thumbs"]

WARL Brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill
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On July 18, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) took over the Cabinet Room at the Old Ebbitt Grill for a champagne brunch to raise funds for the league’s new Disaster Rescue Fund, which will be used exclusively to transport and care for large-scale dog and cat interventions. In cooperation with the Humane Society International, the League recently rescued dogs when the only shelter in Kuwait burned to the ground. WARL’s doors at its state-of-the art facility are never shut to local animals and CEO Gary Weitzman echoed the mission that “no adoptable dog will go without a home or be euthanized.” Chief Development Officer Rob Blizard mentioned upcoming programs, such as a late September reception to launch a $25,000 challenge grant from Friendship Animal Hospital. — Mary Bird [gallery ids="99300,99301,99302,99303,99304" nav="thumbs"]

John Legend at Dupont
• October 21, 2010

John Legend is an established presence in D.C. He is known for his support of President Obama and joined international artists at the Earth Day celebration on the National Mall in April. His first album “Get Lifted” went platinum and he has gone on to win six Grammy awards. His soon to be released album “Wake Up!” features social change-themed songs and earned him the cover of Capitol File. Niche Media CEO Jason Binn and Capitol File publisher Sarah Schaffer were on hand to welcome the recording artist, musician and actor to a reception in his honor on Aug. 18 in the Café Dupont of The Hotel Dupont. — Mary Bird [gallery ids="99283,99284,99285,99286,99287,99288,99289" nav="thumbs"]