Social Scene

Georgetowner • February 12, 2015

Supporters and friends of the SEED School of Washington, D.C. and the SEED Foundation gathered Jan. 21 at the home of Brooke and Gina Coburn to welcome new Head of School, Dr. Adrian Manuel, who brings 14 years of experience working in urban school communities. He was recognized for his exceptional leadership by education expert Rick Hess in the book, “Cage-Busting Leadership.”

Mary Bird •

Alma and John Pat were the hosts of the Jan. 29 literary luncheon co-chaired by Katherine Field Stephen and Willee Lewis. The author of “Paper Love: Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left Behind” spoke of how her discovery of a cache of letters written to her grandfather revealed a love affair torn asunder by Nazi-occupied Austria. On a lighter note, host John Paty told the overflow crowd, “We had to break out the Christmas china.”

Robert Devaney • February 5, 2015

At the George Town Club for a Georgetown Business Association networking reception Jan. 21, new GBA President Charles Camp welcomed guests and got right to the point: the group is here to “help businesses make money.” Another mission for GBA, Camp said, was the fact that “You’ve got to know who your neighbors are.

The new officers greeted members and new members in the Wisconsin Avenue club which has regained its popularity throughout town for meetings, whether business or social.

Camp said he seeks to get GBA more involved with a listserv and a renamed website, such as “GeorgetownBusiness.org.” He also wants the group to work more closely with the Citizens Association of Georgetown and the Georgetown Business Improvement District.

“We each have our own niche,” Camp said of the Georgetown groups. “We can work together.”

Georgetowner • January 29, 2015

Shahin Mafi and Christine Warnke hosted a dinner for 17 of Afghanistan’s future women leaders Jan. 10 . The women are enrolled at eight U.S. colleges and universities through the Initiative To Educate Afghan Women, a grass roots education and leadership program. Guests included Harriet Fulbright and other luminaries of the international education and advocacy communities. Also in attendance were senior level members of the Department of Defense who have served the cause of women’s education in Afghanistan. Since 2002, the Initiative To Educate Afghan Women has provided U.S. undergraduate education and leadership training to 97 Afghan women in support of a growing network of women helping girls and women in Afghanistan. Graduates of the program serve as leaders in the development of their homeland.
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Georgetowner •

The District Council’s Elizabeth Webster — staffer for at-large council member Vincent Orange, who is an advocate of small businesses in D.C. and film and TV production — was in Los Angeles Jan. 9 to 12 for the People’s Choice Awards and Golden Globes Awards Show and the many parties around town. Webster met up with the usual suspects as well as some newcomers. Webster and her friend Joyce Chow wore dresses by Sue Wong. “I was glad to see 93-year-old Betty White get ‘Favorite TV Icon” at the People’s Choice Awards,” Webster said. “It was also nice that Ben Affleck received the Humanitarian Award.” Webster was also “glad to see Kevin Spacey grab a Golden Globe for ‘House of Cards.’ ”
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Mary Bird •

The Washington Winter Show themed “Ports of Call” was held at the Katzen Arts Center at American University Jan. 8 to 11 to raise funds for three local charities serving the needs of at-risk children and families by sponsoring an annual show devoted to antiques and fine arts. The Sponsors, Benefactors and Designers Champagne Reception provided an advance look at the exhibits of 45 premier dealers from the United States and Europe. The Jan. 9 lecture and luncheon featured attorney and museum professional Amy Herman, who has trained medical and law enforcement officials to hone their observation, perception and communication skills by analyzing works of art. Historian and sailor Gary Jobson spoke Jan. 10 on the Oracle Team’s successful defense of the America’s Cup trophy. The 2015 Loan Exhibit, “Vessels of Victory,” displayed silver trophies awarded for victories in naval battles and in competitive sailing.
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Mary Bird •

Under heightened security, guests entered the Embassy of France Jan. 14 to attend the first Capricorn party, named after the late legendary Lolo Sarnoff’s annual birthday fete. Sarnoff was truly a renaissance figure who excelled as a Swiss-German artist, scientist and philanthropist. In 1988, at age 72, she founded greater Washington’s Arts for the Aging (AFTA) to engage older adults in health improvement and life enhancement through the arts. AFTA Director & CEO Janine Tursini remembered Sarnoff as “my friend and mentor.” Matt Hastings recalled Lolo’s wit when she remarked, “They tell me the music is country. Which country?”

Mary Bird •

Firmly entrenched in the diplomatic community, Hungarian-born Aniko Gaal Schott and her husband Nash welcomed guests to their embassy-elegant home Jan. 16 to bid farewell to Hungarian Ambassador Gyorgy Szapary, who will return to Budapest. They also chose the occasion to welcome visiting friend Csaba Kael, the CEO and artistic director of “MUPA,” Hungary’s Palace of the Arts, which is the largest performing arts center in Central Europe. Guests enjoyed elegant hors d’oeuvres and a caviar-laden buffet of temptations.

Peter Murray • January 20, 2015

Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper was in town Jan. 13 for a screening of his new film, “American Sniper,” which was directed by Clint Eastwood. The movie is based on the autobiography of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, one of the most lethal snipers in U.S. history, and details his tours in Iraq and his battle with posttraumatic stress disorder upon arriving home. A Marine Corps veteran whom Kyle had brought to a shooting range to help calm his PTSD killed Kyle in 2013.

Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle, attended the screening held in the Burke Theater at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) were also in attendance. Biden was “moved to tears during the final sequence,” at the screening according to the Daily Beast.

The movie has received largely positive reviews and was nominated Jan. 15 for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and a number of more minor Academy Awards. Cooper was nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Kyle. “American Sniper” was snubbed at the Golden Globes, with no nominations in any category.

A Georgetown University alum, Cooper was spotted dining at Café Milano on Prospect Street after the screening. The restaurant is somewhat of a haunt for Cooper, who was last seen there in 2010 with then-girlfriend Renée Zellweger. [gallery ids="101970,135654,135643,135656,135648" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • January 16, 2015

Friends of DryBar met model Molly Sims, whose new book, “The Everyday Supermodel, Molly Sims,” offers “beauty, fashion, wellness secrets made simple.” DryBar Bethesda was the place to be for advice and bubbly on Jan. 8.