Social Scene

Mary Bird • February 26, 2015

The Women’s Board of the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region logged 1,000 hours in planning this year’s always anticipated event which drew 1,200 attendees to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Feb. 9 to raise awareness of cardiovascular health issues, the number-one killer among women. Autria Godfrey of ABC7/WJLA-TV emceed and Barbara McConaghy Johnson produced the stunning fashion show of spring 2015 styles from Bloomingdale’s, Chevy Chase. In a special video greeting, news anchor Bret Baier hailed Richard Jonas, M.D., who has overseen their young son’s struggle with congenital heart disease.
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Riena Santa • February 24, 2015

On Thursday July 19 at the Sewall-Belmont house & museum in DC, the highly anticipated Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosted the 2013 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala Kickoff Party. The exciting and fun evening included a fashion preview featuring the stylish urban bohemian look from the Wink collection. It was worn by the models with Down syndrome which were escorted by members of Congress and TV celebrities. Guests included Bob Guiney (from the Bachlor), Scott Grimes (from TV show ER), and several U.S Congressman including Scott Tipton , Cory Gardner, Congressman Mike Coffman, Ed Perlmutter , and Congressman Greg Walden.

With approximately 250 attendees from DC, family members with Down syndrome and interested parties, this grand Fashion show raises awareness to the chromosomal disorder that affects more than one in 700 babies. In effort to inform the audience, Director of Alzheimer disease research and the department of neurology the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Dr Huntington Potter presented a moving speech that raised the need to help. Abnormalities are caused by errors in the number or structure of chromosomes, and many children with a chromosomal abnormality have mental or physical birth defects. Some chromosomal abnormalities result in miscarriage or stillbirth and understanding what chromosomes make it easier to recognize the wide range of problems chromosomal abnormalities can cause.

Guest attendee Sara Brown said “I’m here in support of my family member Laila Brown and because I believe that there is a cure that someday will be found. Brown said that Laila is very active, she has been doing 2 years of special Olympics and various other events like this fashion show. Brown also said “She has such a strong spirit and I know that events like this will help further the research process to finding a cure for this syndrome” .

For further information or a chance to donate and help the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, contact PR Abby Perlmutter 303.468.6665 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GDSFoundation and their twitter page @GDSFoundation.
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Robert Devaney • February 13, 2015

Georgetown Arts 2015, the sixth annual visual arts show, run by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, for those who live and work in the oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C., kicked off with an evening reception Feb. 12 at the House of Sweden. A lively and large crowd filled the room, checking out the art and saying hello to neighbors, some of whom are quite the artist.

Representing 37 artists, the show is the largest ever and runs daily through Sunday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Nobel Room.

“Every year is surprisingly different, and that is what is most interesting and exciting about this exhibit,” said Laura-Anne Tiscornia, chair of Georgetown Arts 2015. “The show attracts new artists as well as reoccurring artists and to see all the different pieces come together and play off one another is remarkable.”

The show’s curator is the Citizens Association’s communications manager Jennie Buehler, who has gallery experience. Some artists are young professionals while others are lifelong learners or teachers. A few of the artists exhibit nationally in other galleries. Attendees are in for a treat to see the vast artistic talent that Georgetown offers.

During Saturday and Sunday, there will be several Artist Talks. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Peggy Sparks, owner of Artist’s Proof, a gallery on Wiscosin Avenue, will discuss the art scene in Washington, D.C., and highlight the art work displayed.

Artist Guy Fairlamb, Dariush Vaziri and Sherry Kaskey will be talking Sunday at noon. In the afternoon, you will also be able to listen to Andrey Bogoslowsky, Jane Lepscky and Ross Ruot during the Artist Talks.
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Georgetowner • February 12, 2015

The Washington Business Journal hosted its annual popular “Book of Lists” party at the National Building Museum Jan. 29. This year, it celebrated the arts in Washington. Ballerinas from the Washington Ballet were in attendance and en pointe entertaining guests. [gallery ids="118261,118269,118274" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

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

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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Georgetowner •

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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