Chamber Dance Project Celebrates at Bash in Bloom
• March 29, 2016

Ambassador of Colombia Juan Carlo Pinzón and his wife, Pilar Pinzón, hosted Bash in Bloom at their residence on March 12. The fresh flowers from Colombia enhanced a buffet by chef Spike Mendelsohn and desserts by Baked & Wired. Jacqui Michel chaired the evening, which included a performance by Chamber Dance Project dancers and musicians and by Brass Connection, guest band for the June 2016 season at the Lansburgh Theatre, which will feature world premieres by three choreographers. Founder and Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning moved the troupe from New York to Washington in 2014. [gallery ids="117764,117775,117770,117750,117757" nav="thumbs"]

Blue Jeans Ball Raises Funds for Capital Area Food Bank
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Supporters of the Capital Area Food Bank donned denim on March 13 to attend the 13th annual Blue Jeans Ball at the Marriott Marquis. Chefs Ruth Gresser, Sherry Yard and Jeff Buben led tastings from 40 area restaurants to raise funds to help the metropolitan area’s largest hunger-relief organization provide good, healthy food to the needy. Scott Thurman of WJLA–ABC 7 and News Channel 8 was the master of ceremonies. Live entertainment was by DJ John Jazz and Miss H.E.R. [gallery ids="117106,117094,117099,117087" nav="thumbs"]

Latino Student Fund’s 16th Annual Gala
• March 24, 2016

Under the honorary patronage of Ambassador of Panama Emanuel González-Revilla, the annual benefit gala of the Latino Student Fund was held at the Organization of American States on March 9, with Leon Harris of WJLA–ABC 7 as master of ceremonies. Marina Levinas Huberman and Teri Galvez co-chaired the evening, which showcased Latino culture and included student testimonials. The auction proceeds are earmarked to make a positive impact on the lives and education of Latino youth. Dick Jung and Ashley and Doug Kollme received awards for their assistance in sponsoring the advancement of Latino students. [gallery ids="117102,117115,117121,117111" nav="thumbs"]

Ike Behar’s ‘The Italian Event’
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In keeping with The Georgetowner̕s Italian theme, we were at Ike Behar’s men’s clothing store for “The Italian Eventˮ to celebrate the work of Quarona, Valsesia manufacturer and designer Loro Piana. Behar was showcasing Zenit, a limited collection of fine fabrics. Ike Behar is located at 2900 M Street in Georgetown.

Reception for ‘50 Great American Places’
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On March 16, hostess Esther Coopersmith presided over a reception celebrating the publication of “50 Great American Places: Essential Historic Sites Across the U.S.,” written by Georgetowner Brent Glass, director emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. [gallery ids="117080,117084" nav="thumbs"]

National Treasures: America’s Enduring Love for First Family Heirlooms
• March 18, 2016

Americans — we the people, in the year 2016 — are a people descended from a revolution against the British Crown that separated ourselves from a king and his empire. With great difficulty, those Americans created a democracy of co-joined states with a leader would not be a hereditary king, but a president.

The unintended consequence was that we instilled in ourselves an awe of a leader that, if not of the divine right of kings, is something almost equally intoxicating: an inherent respect and even idolatry — a keen, nostalgic, intense interest — for the office that is not a throne.

We are fascinated not only with the presidents and first families, but with all of the stuff of presidents — their letters, books, clothes, their children and their toys and school work, their hair, jewelry and shoes, their activities and hobbies, parties and balls, the women they loved, their advisers, even their dogs.

We love the artifacts left behind — the places they slept, the plays they saw and music they listened to, the notes they wrote to their boon companions. The physical remainders — found in presidential libraries, in museums, archives and private homes — are vivid reminders of the stories they surround. We collect mementos, keepsakes, coins, a photograph catching a glimpse in a parade.

It never really stops.

There’s 88-year-old Mary Gallagher, who wrote “My Life with Jackie Kennedy” in 1969, one of the first books to personalize a relationship with, arguably, one of the most charismatic first ladies in modern times. Jackie is coming to life in the city as we look to last week’s film production of “Jackie,” a 2017 film starring actress Natalie Portman.

Auction house Bonhams has timed its March 25th Decatur House showing of pieces from its presidential and related collections — including those of Gallagher, who was secretary to Sen. John F. Kennedy and later to Jackie Kennedy — to the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage.”

President Obama made news recently by stating his intention to keep the first family in Washington after his presidency ends so youngest daughter, Sasha, can finish high school. Our interest even extends to fictional first families, as a D.C. visit from Kevin Spacey, who plays president on the Netflix hit, “House of Cards,” made news, including an interview on “Meet the Press.”

Sadly, we also recall the life and times of first lady Nancy Reagan, who passed away Feb. 6.

We the people long to admire and respect — but we also want to know the intimate details, touch the cloth, see the Lincoln bedroom and the house where the father of the country slept — hear and read the words.

Filming in D.C.: Natalie Portman in Town as ‘Jackie’
• March 17, 2016

In case you missed Kevin Spacey at the National Portrait Gallery for his “House of Cards” portrait unveiling, or Ashley Judd at Gaston Hall or Halcyon House, or Leo DiCaprio at Cafe Milano or 1789 Restaurant, there was also a chance to catch a glimpse of actress Natalie Portman, filming in town for next year’s movie, “Jackie,” a couple of weekends ago. On March 6, Portman was in Silver Spring to introduce her film, “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” at the closing night of the 26th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival.

Sure, many actors have traveled to Washington, D.C. — not only to testify before the Senate or House on Capitol Hill or to put their influence behind a good cause — but also for doing their daytime job: working on a movie.

The production crew of “Jackie,” which stars Natalie Portman as first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, filmed on 14th, 15th and 17th streets NW near the White House. The movie’s story focuses on the days immediately after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It’s scheduled for a 2017 release, with Pablo Larrain directing (“No” and “The Club”) and Darren Aronofsky producing (“Black Swan,” “Noah” and “Pi”).

The 34-year-old actress, who earned an Academy Award for “Black Swan,” is the same age as the first lady was when JFK was killed in Dallas in November 1963. Last week, she was in Easton, Maryland, for the filming of scenes of the Kennedys’ Dallas airport arrival.

The film work for the story of the national tragedy was good news for D.C. film advocates like D.C. Council member Vincent Orange, who responded to an email inquiry: “I’m elated that the movie ‘Jackie’ is being filmed in D.C. This follows the filming of ‘Veep’ and ‘Bourne Identity 5’ in the nation’s capital. Moreover, D.C. residents and students from Richard Wright Public Charter School are participating in these productions. These productions utilize D.C.’s Film Incentive Rebate Program, which requires a minimum expenditure in the D.C. economy of $250,000. Our newly created Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, under the leadership of Angie Gates, is doing a great job. It is our hope that Mayor Bowser will increase the Film Incentive Rebate Fund in order to secure jobs, business opportunities and movie production expenditures in D.C.”

Mary Gallagher: Pen and Steno Pad for History and Everyday Life
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Everything in Mary Barelli Gallagher’s Alexandria home has a special story, and almost all of it involves the Kennedys.

Gallagher, 88, was personal secretary to Jacqueline Kennedy from 1957 to 1964, which includes the Kennedy presidency. Before that, she was Sen. John F. Kennedy’s secretary and worked briefly for Jackie’s mother.

Gallagher took care of many of the first lady’s affairs even before the White House, including reporting her expenses to her husband, a task she was issued thanks to a St. Patrick’s Day toothache.

The senator had been scheduled to march in a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston, but when Gallagher arrived at the Georgetown home to organize Mrs. Kennedy’s affairs, she found him at home with a puffy cheek and a toothache. He became interested in the expenses and requested that Gallagher keep him informed of his wife’s excessive spending, a job that would take up much of her extra time in the next years.

“Any time our paths would cross in the White House, I’d end up with homework because he’d ask me about her bills,” she said. “I like to say, ‘His toothache became my headache.’ ”

Gallagher recalled the time just before the 1961 inauguration when she was with Jackie, who said to JFK’s press secretary Pierre Salinger: “Oh, Pierre, Mary has to come to the White House.” Gallagher responded, “Are you talking about this Mary?” Jackie reassured her, “Mary, it’ll be just like Georgetown.” (She sometimes stayed in the White House living quarters.)

During all her time and work with the Kennedys, more than 50 years ago, Gallagher saved notes, photos and gifts, many of which will be part of a presidential exhibition by Bonhams at Decatur House on Lafayette Square March 25. The night before, she, and others who worked at the White House, will discuss their time there, as well as display their Kennedy-related items, their reminders of years spent with the president, first lady and family.

Through Gallagher, our relationship with Jackie also involved details like clothes, as she and Jackie were the same size, standing at five foot seven. Sometimes, Gallagher received hand-me-downs — and even pets.

Tom Kitten was young Caroline Kennedy’s cat, but Mrs. Kennedy entrusted him to Gallagher due to her husband’s allergies. Caroline often visited Tom Kitten and played with Gallagher’s sons, Chris and Greg, with their adventures documented in photos of the three sitting on the kitchen counter or standing around the piano while a Secret Service agent played. Jackie’s and the children’s visit to Gallagher’s Belle Haven home — where she has lived since 1954 — got a mention in the newspapers.

When Tom Kitten died, Gallagher’s husband Ray dug a grave for the cat in their backyard next to a memorial for Tippy, a golden retriever also given to them by Mrs. Kennedy. As her husband filled in the grave, Gallagher said to him, “I don’t think you’ve quite finished!” Tom Kitten’s tail was still sticking out.

Gallagher also has memories and items more indicative of the lifestyle she observed while working for Jacqueline Kennedy, including a leopard-fur pillbox hat and purse.

The fur came from a well-recognized Somali leopard coat that the first lady wore on her trip to India. Gallagher had arranged for Ted Kahn of Ben Kahn Furs to bring the piece to Mrs. Kennedy, and her wearing it led to high demand. In appreciation, Kahn later had the gifts made for Gallagher.

While the first lady’s leopard coat was popular, her most recognized outfit is the pink Chanel suit she wore in Dallas, famously blood spattered when her husband was shot. (The pillbox hat was lost.) Gallagher has another outfit worn that day — her own, a pink jumper with a white and pink striped blouse and a long tan coat.

She vividly recalls that fateful 1963 day, riding a few cars behind the president and seeing policemen running with guns drawn but not knowing what had happened. When her bus arrived at the Dallas Trade Mart, rumors were flying that the president had been shot. At the hospital, as the doctor emerged from the operating room, he quietly instructed Gallagher to support the first lady. “Dr. Burkley told me to go stand next to Jackie but not to change the expression on my face,” she said.

That Christmas, she received a chilling gift. It was an etching of the White House, inscribed, “For Mary, with greatest appreciation and affection,” signed by both the president and the first lady and dated Christmas 1963. The president had been assassinated in November.

Gallagher said she considers the first lady’s finest singular achievement to be “the brilliant renovation” of the White House, shown to the world during a national television interview and tour in February 1962.

Jacqueline Kennedy left Washington in 1964 and married Aristotle Onassis in 1968. As the American public questioned Kennedy’s motives, Gallagher felt an obligation to add her own story of everyday life with Jackie to the record and published the memoir, which she had originally written just for her sons.

Just as her mementos serve as relics of her time with the Kennedys, her 1969 book, “My Life with Jacqueline Kennedy,” offers a uniquely personal perspective on the first lady. At the time, the book was criticized for being too revealing and personal.
“She was a human being like we all are,” Gallagher said. “And she had a right to live her life as she felt like it.” [gallery ids="117231,117224,117242,117236" nav="thumbs"]

Bishop Walker: Hope in the Unseen
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More than 300 guests gathered at the Willard Hotel March 3 to benefit the Bishop Walker School for Boys, a tuition-free school for boys from low-income communities, east of the Anacostia River. The dinner featured remarks from Ron Suskind, author of “Hope in the Unseen,” and a surprise appearance by Cedric Jennings, the Ballou High School student featured in the book. [gallery ids="117174,117171" nav="thumbs"]

Ann Nitze Loves Vintage
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Philanthropist Ann Nitze arranged a jewelry pop-up at her 28th Street home by Susie Hoimes of San Francisco. The vintage jewelry on display owned the room and shone with the glamour of Chanel style along with other famous names beyond its costume ornamentation.