Kermit Roosevelt’s Allegiance Featured at PEN/Faulkner Founding Friends Luncheon
• April 11, 2016

Kermit Roosevelt, great-great grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, headlined a recent PEN/Faulkner Founding Friends Luncheon hosted by The Honorable Bart Gordon and his wife Leslie to present his novel Allegiance. The DC native, a lawyer and professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, has written a sophisticated legal thriller that plumbs the debate within the U.S. government surrounding imprisonment of thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II. He spoke of the “need to develop empathy” in the aftermath of attacks and times of fear.

Community Foundation Celebrates Philanthropy
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The Community Foundation, which is the largest funder of nonprofits in the Washington region, held its 2016 Celebration of Philanthropy at Arena Stage on March 14. The Foundation’s new President and CEO Bruce McNamer said “from the arts to education, the Horning family has lifted this community,” as he presented Lynne and Joe Horning with the Foundation’s Civic Spirit Award. The evening was highlighted by a variety of performances and artwork. [gallery ids="102400,122677,122682" nav="thumbs"]

A Kickoff for the Blue Hope Bash
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The Sixth Annual Blue Hope Bash will be the first since the recent merger of the Chris4LifeColon Cancer Foundation and the Colon Cancer Alliance. Marsha and Rafik Muawwad hosted a kickoff event on March 30. Joan McCarty and Lynn Ferriero spoke of sponsorship opportunities and auction items to meet the goal of raising $750,000 to knock out colon cancer. Colon cancer survivor Janet Waxman told of her successful battle through the support of her husband, good friends and positive attitude. The Bash will be held at the Fairmont Hotel on Oct. 20. [gallery ids="102401,122681,122676,122663,122669" nav="thumbs"]

Night of Vision: 30 Years with Beyond the See
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The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington held its annual gala at the Four Seasons Hotel March 19. Sally Ann Pilkerton was the event chair and Doug Kammerer, NBC4 chief meteorologist, the master of ceremonies. The black tie evening honored Andrew Adelson, M.D., with the Professional Service Award, Janet and Hal Morrison with the Community Service Award and Amy L. Bess & Sadina Montani of Vedder Price with the Appreciation Award. Founded in 1936, POB is the largest local prevention of blindness agency in the United States, screening 8,000 children and 5,000 adults for vision problems annually. [gallery ids="102399,122685,122721,122693,122700,122711,122715,122705" nav="thumbs"]

Denmark Hosts the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women
• April 8, 2016

On March 18, Ambassador of Denmark Lars Gert Lose and his wife Ulla Rønberg hosted a reception at their residence to celebrate the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women in conjunction with International Women’s History Month. Christine Warnke and John McCarthy co-chaired the host committee. Keynote addresses were delivered by Mrs. Lael Mohib, wife of the Afghan Ambassador and Founder of the Enabled Children Initiative, and Lyric Winik, author of “We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope,” among others.

Gala Guide 2016
• April 6, 2016

Upcoming Events and a Peek at Spring.

APRIL 9
Luke’s Wings 5th Annual Heroes Gala
Luke’s Wings is an organization dedicated to the support of service members who have been wounded in battle. The Gala will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, entertainment and a “Fashion Takes Flight” fashion show featuring men and women of the military. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact
lindsaygill@lukeswings.org

APRIL 13
6th Annual Great Ladies Luncheon & Fashion Show
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie will honor Trish and George Vrandenburg for their contributions to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease at a luncheon and fashion show featuring a special presentation of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2016 Collection. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact Jessica Cavanaugh at
jcavanaugh@alzdiscovery.org or 212-901-8011.

14th Annual For the Love of Sight
Visionary Awards Dinner
The Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold the “For the Love of Sight” and Northern Virginia Visionary Awards Dinner to raise funds to support research assisting people affected by retinal degenerative diseases. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact Dina Beamont at 202-407-8325.

APRIL 19
Innocents at Risk 10th Anniversary Gala
Under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic and Mrs. Caridad de Pérez and the Ambassador of the American States, the nonprofit will recognize Members of Congress who enabled the passage of the Justice for Victim of Trafficking Act and others who have supported the fight to end child trafficking. Organization of the American States. Please
call 202-625-7338.

APRIL 20
Georgetown House Tour Patrons’ Party
This year’s Patron’s Party will honor House Tour Chair Emerita Frida Burling. Proceeds benefit the ministry and outreach programs of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Parish, such as Jubilee Jobs, Georgetown Ministry Center, Hyde-Addision Elementary. Home of Bill Dean. Please visit georgetownhouse.tour.com.

APRIL 29
National Museum of Women in the Arts Spring Gala
The Spring Gala is the museum’s major fundraising event for patrons, members and friends. Proceeds support the exhibitions and programs dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. The evening highlights “She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World.” Please contact Gabrielle Kaufman at gkaufman@nmwa.org or call 202-266-2815.

The Bowie Ball
A benefit for the Washington Ballet, the Bowie Ball includes an evening of unique experiences inspired by two rock legends: David Bowie and Freddie Mercury of Queen. Reception, dinner, dance performances and after-dinner dance party at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Friday, April 29, 7 p.m. — 202-362-3606 or info@washingtonballet.org.

N Street Village Gala
• April 4, 2016

While governments dither about homelessness, N Street Village has been opening its doors to homeless women for 40 years, honoring and helping them with their struggles, providing hope and real hospitality for these women. N Street Village celebrated and honored them with its annual gala, as all the women there — supporters and honorees — sighed in the presence of super movie star Richard Gere. The gala raised over a million dollars for N Street Village. [gallery ids="117083,117079,117067,117073,117090" nav="thumbs"]

Future of Nicaragua Foundation: Medical Successes
• March 30, 2016

In 2002, Julia Sevilla — daughter of Nicaraguan ambassador to the U.S. for 36 years, Guillermo Sevilla Sacasa — founded the Future of Nicaragua Foundation to provide the best possible medical care throughout Nicaragua. Guests gathered at the Embassy of Nicaragua Jan. 29 to celebrate the success of programs that include the provision of surgical care for children with facial deformities, dental care and delivery of wheelchairs. Ambassador Francisco Campbell spoke of the foundation’s impact. Guests enjoyed an elegant buffet, music by violinist Cal Morris and the eloquent remarks of the Reverend Bishop Mario Dorsonville, who quoted Pope Francis: “The future is about solidarity.” [gallery ids="102239,129402,129390,129412,129384,129397,129407" nav="thumbs"]

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"]