Social Scene

Mary Bird • August 10, 2012

Patrons at Café Milano June 9 must have thought a fashion show was about to begin as an elegant crowd assembled to herald the YMCA goal of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Angie Goff, news anchor of NBC4, emceed the luncheon which included a special video presentation. Gwen Russell was acknowledged as “the glue of the YMCA” for her unstinting support. Luncheon co-chair Pat Skantze was unable to attend, but her co-chairs Marsha Muawwad, Carole Margaret Randolph, Marsha Smith were presented with bouquets for their dedication. [gallery ids="100853,126797,126791,126747,126785,126780,126756,126764,126772" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

One the 6th of june lunch was served for the Georgetown Senior Center, located at St. John’s Church on O Street, got a surprise musical guest: Tony Bernardo, lead singer of Juneau Sky, a band with a military-Wilco vibe. He is the younger brother of Jorge Bernardo, who works at the center on the programs and even drives the bus. Tony serenaded many of the ladies with his own and Beatles’ songs and his laid-back good looks. The seniors were also treated to lunch by the Georgetown office of Long and Foster Real Estate and Christie’s Extraordinary Properties, which was having its company-wide community service day. [gallery ids="100844,126509" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The Georgetown Inn threw a 50th birthday with old and young admirers, greeted by new owner Nayan Patel of Your DC Hotels. After writing about the hotel’s history in the previous Georgetowner, Mary Bird, wife of legendary manager and owner Collins Bird, was there with some of the veterans like Morgan Dodd who worked at the front desk in the mid-1970s. All could tell a few tales, whether about astronauts, Redskins, Andy Warhol, actors, Doc Dalinsky or Playboy photo shoots.

Mindful of its old world charms, Patel has plans to renovate the hotel with the help of his Your DC Hotels team, which includes director of operations Chetan Patel, general manager Kelly Curry, director of marketing Heidi Bitar and David McDermott. Also at the jazzy party, supplied with scallops, crab cakes, roast beef and other goodies from the Daily Grill, were Bob and Martha Vicas, Karen Feld (with Campari, of course), Richard Bernstein, Hiba Hakki, Vinoda Basnayake, Kate Michael, Natasha Barrett, Kris Van Cleave, Jummy Olabanji, Kunal Shah and Pamela Sorensen as well as Linda Greenan, Charles DeSantis, Mary Anne Mahin and Marjorie Boursiquot, all of Georgetown University, among others.
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Mary Bird •

The Four Seasons Hotel invited friends on May 29 to the first of an ongoing “Windows On A Journey” initiative. South African singer, songwriter and composer Jonathan Butler inaugurated the series. The multi Grammy Awards artist presented a musical journey through his compelling life story. The cabaret setting enhanced his program. He is the first black artist to play on a white radio station in South Africa and said, “My weapon was love.”
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Mary Bird •

DC’s premiere black-tie event with four-footers as featured elegantly attired guests filled the Washington Hilton June 2. Megan Hilty, the star of NBC’s musical drama “Smash,” attended with an adoptable dog escort. Anissa Grossman and Beth Viola co-chaired the 2012 Bark Ball committee. ABC7 News senior political reporter Scott Thurman emceed at the dinner program with a live auction followed by dancing. The evening raised record funds to support WHS critical programs and services that benefit thousands of homeless, lost and abused animals. [gallery ids="100849,126604,126596,126588,126619,126580,126624,126572,126629,126636,126610" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

While London was toasting Queen Elizabeth II at her Diamond Jubilee, Washington celebrated as well. On June 2, Princess Selene Obolensky welcomed friends and four generations of the honoree’s family to toast Countess Gertrude d’Amecourt, who at 102 years continues to exude her well-known charm. The elegant doyenne was serenaded at the piano by John Gardecki and surrounded by admirers. [gallery ids="102457,121011,121019,121024,121029" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Innocents at Risk’s founder Deborah Sigmund offered yet another wonderful idea for the sixth annual “Evening To Benefit Innocents at Risk” at Arena Stage June 8 as guests enjoyed receptions before and after the enchanting “Music Man.” Sigmund called the evening’s honoree Septime Webre, artistic director of the Washington Ballet, our very own “music man” with his outreach to the community through DanceDC programs and THEARC. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was honorary chair, and the emcee was Pamela Brown of ABC7/WJLA-TV and News Channel 8, who has championed the organization’s efforts to combat human trafficking. [gallery ids="100850,126649,126665,126641,126672,126633,126679,126625,126686,126657" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden — one of Georgetown’s and Washington’s greatest gems­­ ­— fended off the rain and hailed its great benefactor, Austin Kiplinger, at its 20th annual spring garden party on May 23. The major social event raised major money for the Tudor Place Foundation, which maintains the 31st Street property and offers numerous educational and historical programs to the public. Tudor Place was the home of Martha Washington’s granddaughter and six generations of her descendants, the Custis-Peter family. As the honoree and media executive Kiplinger, who received a painting of Tudor Place, summed up the event by smiling at the esteemed crowd and saying: “My cup runneth over.” [gallery ids="100826,125540,125513,125534,125528,125522" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Newly elected French President François Hollande was needed at the G-8 Summit at Camp David so Ambassador Delattre could not be present at his residence on May 18 to welcome supporters of Nooristan’s “Evening of Hope” on May 18. However, guests were fortunate to hear insider remarks by special guest Madame Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Marc Grossman, U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Nooristan Foundation President Marie Kux. Against daunting odds, the Nooristan Foundation is many teaching Afghan women to read and write, while instilling them with an entrepreneurial spirit to help take control of their household resources. [gallery ids="100827,125557,125529,125550,125537,125545" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Patrick McGettigan welcomed supporters of Trees for Georgetown to his house on N Street’s historic Cox Row, May 16. A committee of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, Trees for Georgetown is an all-volunteer group that has, since 1989, planted nearly 2,000 trees, contracted watering services and provided preventive maintenance for at-risk trees. Trees for Georgetown partners with the D.C. Urban Forestry Administration and Casey Trees in an innovative program to plant residential street trees. Each tree costs about $800 to purchase and plant, funded entirely through gifts and grants. The group is eager to enlist young members. [gallery ids="100828,125580,125575,125553,125568,125563" nav="thumbs"]