Social Scene

Mary Bird • January 6, 2014

On Dec. 4th, Jameson Freeman and Nichola Hays hosted friends, arts supporters and patrons for FABUM’s “A Birthday and a Honeymoon” event at The Arts Club of Washington. FABUM, a D.C. non-profit performing arts organization, celebrated the second year since its founding, as well as the success of its 2013 centerpiece show “Dream Wedding.” Actors read a scene from Freeman’s planned 2014 show tentatively titled “See You See,” a new website was launched and students from FABUM’s youth program performed live music throughout the evening.

Mary Bird •

Carole Margaret Randolph and Janie McNamara co-hosted an early evening reception at Ann Hand on Dec. 4. The designer’s signature Liberty Eagle has been worn by First Ladies and prominent women internationally. “Santa’s Shoppers” were eager to point friends to all manner of tempting holiday presents. Well known for her philanthropic work, the designer donated 15% of the evening’s sales to MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. MedStar NRH specializes in treating persons with physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, arthritis and other neurological conditions. [gallery ids="118537,118548,118554,118545" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Dec. 4 luncheon at Columbia Country Club had guests chuckling as special guest Roland Mesnier, Pastry Chef to five presidents, shared insider stories of life in the White House. There were memorable moments and near disasters as he enjoyed rare intimacy with world leaders, the first families and their pets. The event started as Women’s Auxiliary President Debra Push led Christmas carols to set the mood of “fund and fun raising.” Associate Area Commander Major Jacqulyn Reckline said “need knows no season” and spoke of the satisfaction of providing toys to children “looking for a little bit of hope, magic, joy.” Mr. Mesnier graciously autographed several of his books. [gallery ids="118562,118558,118552" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The holiday season kicked off on Dec. 3 as Santa and Rudolph descended the stairs at the Fairmont Hotel. Master of Ceremonies WTOPS’s “Man About Town” Bob Madigan made opening remarks and the Georgetown Visitation Madrigals entertained. The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard trooped the colors for the event that provided donated toys for the Marines’ Toys for Tots Program. It was a festive occasion as families were photographed with Santa and Rudolph, enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies and decorated cards by American Girl. [gallery ids="118568,118579,118586,118560,118573" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • December 23, 2013

A Christmastime celebration of students and singing, “An Evening With the Stars,” rang through the ballroom of the historic Willard Hotel Dec. 11. With great food and great decor, the get-together saluted those involved with Rising Stars — a non-profit founded in 2012 by Oliver T. Carr, Jr., and corporate partner Carr Workplaces — “that raises money to support organization which help at-risk children succeed in their education.” Rising Stars adds that it “truly believes by helping children rise up through education and creating a lifelong love of learning, we will help our nation continue to grow and succeed.” Other event sponsors included EagleBank and Colonial Parking.

Mary Bird • December 12, 2013

The Eighth Annual Georgetown Jingle will be held Dec. 15 at the Four Seasons Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. This family-friendly extravaganza, hosted by the Four Seasons and the design community, benefits pediatric oncology programs at Medstar Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A Dec. 5 preview reception introduced the 18 holiday-themed trees and vignettes, selected by 2013 design chairs Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey and Joe Ireland with their committee. Designer Alexa Hampton from Mark Hampton LLC, has decorated the mantel in the hotel lobby. Proceeds from the sale of Hampton’s stunning creation and the over-the-top trees will be donated to the the Lombardi Cancer Center. Designers include Barry Dixon, Zoe Feldman, Tricia Huntley, Andrew Law, Darlene Molnar and Andre Wells along with those from Boffi-Maxalto and the Corcoran College of Art and Design.

Georgetown Jingle runs in two acts. The first act, “Holiday Wonderland,” is a family afternoon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families can create crafts with “designer” elves, enjoy entertainment and holiday treats and be photographed with Santa. The second act, “Anything Can Happen!,” is an adult-themed cabaret evening, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., when guests can sip and sup, as they enjoy entertainment by Pamala Stanley.

To date, the Georgetown Jingle has raised more than $1.5 million for childhood cancer. The 2013 co-chairs are David Herchik, Richard Looman, Joe Bruno and Tim Ragan.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.georgetownjingle.com.
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Jeff Malet •

Shoppers and party-goers got into the holiday spirit with pop-up selections to benefit the Georgetown Senior Center Tony & Joe’s at Washington Harbour, Dec. 4. The Georgetowner Holiday Pop Shop is a seasonal event, sponsored by Georgetown Media Group, EagleBank, PamShops4You and Long & Foster. This year’s event popped with local vendors in a one-stop shopping and cocktail party event. Vendors included Ella- Rue, J. Ryan Jewelry, VirtuArte, Lynni’s Fabulous, Born in Brooklyn Skin Care, the Quilt Shop of McLean, Sheyla’s Boutique, FlexFlop, Nice Legs Wine, Stella & Dot, Style Etoile, Untucked, Evelyn Brooks Design, Ibhana and Iris Grundler Pottery.

Sponsors for the pop shop were EagleBank, PamShop4You, Long & Foster, Nice Legs Wine, Oyster Bay and Beam Global Spirits.
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Mary Bird • December 6, 2013

The 20th anniversary of the Gala, held at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC on Nov. 14, raised over $560,000 to benefit victims of domestic violence. Washington’s most stunning ladies donned Great Gatsby finery in keeping with this year’s theme. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), firmly committed to keeping women and families safe, was the keynote speaker. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer was live auctioneer with a surprise performance by Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Eric Benet, who garnered $31,000 to perform for a ladies luncheon. Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen founded KOA to raise awareness and provide protection for victims of domestic abuse. [gallery ids="101568,148576,148572,148568,148562,148591,148589,148558,148584,148580" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • November 21, 2013

On Nov. 13 at the historic Howard Theatre, Comcast held an exclusive screening of Universal Pictures’ “The Best Man Holiday.” The evening began with a discussion with writer, director, and producer Malcolm D. Lee and was hosted hosted by MSNBC’s Tamron Hall.

Event designer Andre Wells created a lovely atmosphere with fresh popped popcorn, childhood candy favorites and cocktails that made the viewing into one to be remember.

Robert Devaney • November 18, 2013

The 10th Annual Living in Pink Luncheon & Boutique was held Nov. 1 at the Fairmont Hotel and honored Rachel Brem, M.D., of the George Washington University School of Medicine and presented the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award to Carolyn R. “Bo” Aldigé, who founded the Prevent Cancer Foundation in 1985 in memory of her father, Edward P. Richardson, who died of cancer one year earlier.

Councilman Jack Evans presented the Soderberg-Evans Award, named in honor of his first wife Noel who died of cancer in 2003, to Aldigé. Evans noted that the award is crafted in the image of a Monarch butterfly, by which Noel asked her three children to remember her. In her acceptance speech, Aldigé echoed the butterfly theme, saying a butterfly landed on her father’s casket during his burial. There were few dry eyes in the room with that remark.

Guest speaker Pamela Peeke, M.D., chief medical correspondent for Discovery Health Television, spoke of the “Hero’s Journey,” as explained by mythologist Joseph Campbell, an archetype aptly tied to those afflicted by the scourge of cancer.

Emcee Greta Kreuz, news anchor for ABC 7/ WJLA-TV kept things moving with her witty asides.

Watching over it all was hostess Michele Conley, a two-time breast cancer survivor herself, and founder of Living in Pink, which is dedicated to aiding breast cancer research. Since its inception in 2004, Living in Pink contributions have helped fund a variety of local and national research endeavors to further the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.