FotoWeek DC Kicks Off at the Corcoran
• November 28, 2011

FotoWeek DC kicked off with tasty food, drinks and dancing at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Friday, Nov 4, 2011. FotoWeek DC has earned an international reputation as a premier photography event, and the Corcoran will play host to a variety of FotoWeek activities. The festival (Nov 5-12) comprises hundreds of participating events across D.C. at galleries, museums, embassies, and art spaces as the city comes together in celebration of the power and range of the photographic medium. [gallery ids="100370,110472,110467,110462,110457,110452,110447,110442,110481,110437,110485,110432,110489,110427,110493,110477" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Ballet Sugar Plum Bazaar
• November 22, 2011

The Washington Ballet heralded the always treasured holiday presentation of The Nutcracker, now celebrating its 50th season begun under WB founder Mary Day, with a “Sip & Shop” holiday preview at the Ballet’s studios on Nov. 12 and 13. Ballet students enchanted shoppers as they sipped champagne while touring the holiday market featuring over 20 vendors of original jewelry, clothing, hand-crafted accessories and much more. The retailers donated 20% of their proceeds to the Ballet. [gallery ids="100385,111232,111248,111244,111237,111240" nav="thumbs"]

2011 Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts Benefit
• November 21, 2011

Tony Award winning performer Melba Moore conquered her audience at the
Jewish Community Center (DCJCC) in her Nov. 8 concert at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater. Event Chair David Bruce Smith termed Moore a “Renaissance woman” renowned for her four-octave range. When she took over Diane Keaton’s role in Hair, she became the first black actress to replace a white lead on Broadway. The evening’s repertoire included standards by Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington. In closing, Moore proposed to a toast “to health, wealth, to your happiness and to mine.”

Horton’s Kids Benefit at House of Sweden
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Nearly 200 guests filled the House of Sweden on Nov. 3 for the annual Horton’s Kid’s Benefit Gala. The event, “Cocktails and Crooners,” featured a Rat Pack theme with live big band music provided by Radio King Orchestra and a silent auction with many framed photos of the Rat Pack celebrities. Spike Mendelsohn, the Top Chef All Star and long-time supporter of Horton’s Kids, was on hand to mix, mingle and thank the guests including many of the city’s top lobbyists, for their participation. Brenda Chamberlain, Executive Director of Horton’s Kids, spoke of the non-profit’s work in providing tutoring, mentoring and other services to the underprivileged children living in Anacostia. Horton’s Kids was founded 20 years ago and is a 2011 winner of The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. [gallery ids="102429,121608,121618,121613" nav="thumbs"]

Get Steeped with Fairmont
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Fairmont hotels declared Nov. 12 as an “official” day to pay tribute to all things tea. “Get Steeped with Fairmont” was celebrated around the world with signature “Tea-quila” cocktails in Dallas and a multi-cultural tea celebration in Maui. Diana Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, chose to honor protocol expert Carole Margaret Randolph at a tea with friends. Carol, who teaches modern manners and protocol to children, teens and adults, often holds classes at The Fairmont. Diana said that Carole “gracefully turned little girls and boys into charming young ladies and gentlemen, teaching them how to become comfortable in any social situation while using perfect manners and silverware.” Executive Sous Chef Ian Bens and Executive Pastry Chef Aron Weber prepared delicious tea delicacies. Guests departed with a Fairmont bone china tea cup and saucer made in England. [gallery ids="100384,111222,111234,111227,111231" nav="thumbs"]

Knock Out Abuse
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A bevy of beauties were accompanied down the stairs to the Ritz-Carlton ballroom on Nov. 10 by elegantly attired gentlemen and then greeted by the very unattired splendor of denizens of “muscle beach” in keeping with the evening’s St. Tropez theme. Cheryl Mari and Jill Sorensen founded Knock Out Abuse (KOA) 18 years ago to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence in our area. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown was recognized for his commitment to the cause. Tireless advocate Jaci Wilson Reid served as the 2011 Chair. Andrea Roane of WUSA9 emceed the program which honored attorney and author Linda Fairstein, a leading legal expert on crimes against women and children, with the 2011 Legend Award. Lynne Zink ran the live auction which included escapes to Nantucket, South Africa, St. Thomas and Egypt. Performing artist Donna D’Cruz entertained as gentlemen arrived from Fight Night. KOA has raised upwards of $7 million towards ending the cycle of domestic violence.
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Don’t Do What We Did Book Signing
• November 17, 2011

Don’t Do What We Did is a Conversation About Online Dating With an Ex-Not-Quite Couple Who Met on the Internet. Michelle Y. Talbert and Ricardo Kingsbury, two seasoned online daters, interview one another and others to uncover the secrets to online dating success. In the book they discuss everything from profile pictures to sex and safety. They share their mistakes and the stories of people from around who have participated in online dating.

“A Time to Remember”
• November 7, 2011

It was a night to remember for those who live in fear of forgetting. On October 27th, just one block from the White House, the arts community and the medical community joined forces for Alzheimer’s Disease awareness. Dr. Dorree Lynn, celebrity psychologist and author of Sex for Grown Ups, headed the fundraising efforts at the art-enhanced event for USAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Hosted in Servcorp’s decadent Pennsylvania Avenue Executive Suites, local artists Emma O’Rourke, Zahira Truth, Akua Walker, Hannelore Thompson and Maria Santiago stood proudly beside artwork inspired by the evening’s theme, “A Time to Remember.”

Dr. Dorree spoke to guests about the intriguing and fulfilling connection she has with Alzheimer’s patients who cannot provide factual information about what they may have eaten for breakfast, but seem to display a deeper insight that may seem illogical. She shares, “It’s almost as if all the garbage fades away and only the essentials are left behind.”

Founders of USAgainstAlzheimer’s, George and Trish Vradenburg, shared the statistics and likelihood of either developing Alzheimer’s or knowing someone who has it. Also discussed: the latest Alzheimer’s research, the need for funding, the reality that a cure is closer that most imagine and the USAgainstAlzheimer’s challenge to cure Alzheimer’s by 2020.

Author and USAgainstAlzheimer’s Board of Directors member, Patrick Berry, also attended, signing and gifting guests with a copy of his latest book, “Escape from Enchantment.” Dr. Dorree’s book, “Sex for Grownups,” was given to the three lucky winners of the gift basket raffle, which also featured multiple bottles of wine and gift certificates to local DC restaurants.

The mission of USAgainstAlzheimer’s is to eradicate Alzheimer’s by 2020, rather than simply treat the symptoms. For more information about USAgainstAlzheimer’s or to learn how you can help stop Alzheimer’s by 2020, visit (www.USAgainstAlzheimers.org.)
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Volta Park Halloween Party
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The brightly-colored mouths stained with frosting, whirling children and chatting adults told the story. Volta Park on Volta and 33rd Streets was an sight of candy corn balloons, spider webs, cuddly creatures and coordinated ensembles.

Exxon Mobile in Georgetown hosted the Halloween Party on Oct. 31 at Volta Park. Pumpkin decorating, candy apples, coloring sheets and face painting were in abundance at four activity tables as well as a spread of juice boxes, monster cupcakes, cookies, more cupcakes and more sugar. Neighbors chatted and admired the menagerie of costumes.

New York Life’s Child Identification table was also set up in order to register tykes and create identification cards. [gallery ids="100366,110357,110388,110362,110384,110367,110380,110372,110376" nav="thumbs"]

Chamber’s Choice Awards, hosted by D.C. Chamber of Commerce, Delivers Big Surprises
• November 3, 2011

The annual Chamber’s Choice Awards gala was held October 22. More than 1,300 of the Washington region’s most prominent leaders and decision-makers gathered in the Marriott Wardman Park’s Grand Ballroom to “celebrate some of the Washington business community’s best and brightest, chosen for their exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and commitment to the community,” it says in a press release from D.C. Chamber of Commerce. [gallery ids="102427,121622" nav="thumbs"]