Social Scene

Robert Devaney • October 17, 2011

With smart, strong women in the Fairmont Washington Hotel ballroom, the fight against breast cancer was on during Living in Pink’s eighth annual luncheon and boutique, Sept. 23. ABC7/WJLA-TV anchorman Greta Kreuz introduced the awardees and speakers. Presentation of the Living in Pink Award was awarded posthumously to Thomas J. Sanzaro, M.D., and accepted by Mrs. Kathy Sanzaro with remarks by Colette Magnant, M.D. The Noel Soderberg-Evans Award was presented to Christine Teal, M.D., by Jack Evans, Ward 2 councilman. Guest speaker was Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H. Founded in 2004 by two-time breast cancer survivor and mother of four, Michele Conley, Living in Pink is set to help find a cure for breast cancer so that the next generation of women will not have to endure the emotional and physical pain of breast cancer surgery and treatment. [gallery ids="100322,108099,108097" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • October 13, 2011

The Meridian International Center, celebrating its 50th anniversary, did it up right Oct. 1 with its 42nd Meridian Ball that kept old and young dancing past 1 a.m. The evening began for us at a dinner
with the gracious Claudia Fritsche, Ambassador of Liechtenstein, on the Georgetown waterfront. Meridian House was decked out and packed with gala-goers from the foyer to the gardens and onto the party tent. Drinks flowed, desserts were top-drawer, and the music moved from ‘70s rock to the latest hip-hop. — Robert Devaney [gallery ids="99271,104380,104349,104376,104372,104354,104368,104359,104364" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • October 6, 2011

Bob Schieffer’s 20 years as anchor of CBS News’s “Face the Nation” — which premiered November 1954 — was applauded Sept. 21 at the St. Regis with politicians, journalists and other Washington types enjoying the warmth (or humidity), food and bipartisanship. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) was in the room along with former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Old and new media moved freely — from familiar Posties, ThomsonReuters editors to Media Bistro. [gallery ids="100321,108092,108095" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

The United States Navy Memorial’s Lone Sailor Award is given to Sea Service veterans who have excelled with distinction in their respective civilian careers while exemplifying the Navy core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.The 2011 award recipients will join an impressive list of men and women who have distinguished themselves by drawing upon their military experience to become successful in their subsequent careers and lives, while exemplifying the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

This year’s recipients of the Lone Sailor Award
Beau Bridges—Actor, Director, Producer, United States Coast Guard Veteran
Jeff Bridges—Actor, Producer, United States Coast Guard Veteran
Lloyd Bridges (in-memoriam)—Actor, Producer, United States Coast Guard Veteran
Brian Lamb—Founder and Chief Executive Officer, C-SPAN, United States Navy Veteran
Jerry Coleman—Famed Major League Baseball Second Baseman and Broadcast Announcer, United States Marine Corps WWII and Korean War Combat Veteran
Bob Feller (in-memoriam)—Famed Major League Baseball Pitcher, United States Navy WWII Combat Veteran
[gallery ids="100320,108098,108087,108094,108091" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

Christine Warnke invited media pals to the City Tavern Club to meet actress Charlotte Ross, best known for roles in NYPD Blue and currently Glee. The actress was in Washington to join The Humane Society of the United States in Congressional briefings. The intent is to seek an end to invasive research on chimpanzees and promote passage of the Great Ape Protection and Costs Savings Act of 2011, which has strong bipartisan support in today’s cost-cutting climate. The United States is the only developed country continuing to confine chimpanzees in laboratories where they are frequently not used in active research but spend long solitary lives. The goal is to save taxpayers approximately $30 million annually by releasing our closest relatives in the animal kingdom to humane sanctuaries. [gallery ids="100319,108085" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • September 22, 2011

On a perfect summer evening, a near record crowd attended the GBA’s monthly reception held at the House of Sweden on Aug. 17. House of Sweden General Manager Cecilia Browning welcomed guests. GBA Events Chair Sue Hamilton acknowledged the evening’s special guests Wendy, Bernie and Chris Furin, who lamentably shuttered their eponymous treasured M Street eatery last month. The Furins were presented with an engraved plaque commemorating their 27 wonderful years in business, a compilation of their many press clippings, topped off with a complimentary stay plus pampering at the Four Seasons. DC Councilman at-Large Vincent Orange wondered what their many fans would do without Furin’s pancakes. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by Ridgwells Caterers, beverages supplied by the Georgetown Business Improvement District and concluded the evening with signature cupcakes by Chris Furin, who will continue his stellar career as a cake designer. [gallery ids="100271,107039,107065,107061,107044,107057,107049,107053" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • September 7, 2011

On Aug. 15, members of WW&W hopped aboard a motor coach in Ballston. The first stop was Doukénie Winery in Hillsboro, VA. In June of this year the Land Trust of Virginia honored winery owners George and Nicola Bazaco for their commitment to preserving “one of Northern Loudon Country’s most spectacular properties.” Maria Canora poured a variety of wines and family member Hope Bazaco brought homemade baklava and freshly picked figs. It was then on to Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville, one of the largest wineries East of the Mississippi, where the sampling continued. Several local residents joined up for luncheon at the Yellow Brick Bank in Shepherdstown, WV. Terry Swift spoke of his involvement with the arts and asked the group to his historic home. Jim Surkamp led an insider’s walking tour and WW&W co-founder Karen McMullen directed the bus driver around town before everyone contently headed home. [gallery ids="99226,103560,103556,103539,103552,103544,103548" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • August 25, 2011

The Washington Area Concierge Association themed its annual gala “Uncover Your Code” as guests converged at Barcode on Aug. 14. WACA has donated over $400,000 to charitable organizations. This year’s recipients are The John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship, Les Clefs d’Or and Les Clefs d’Or Foundation as well as the Katzen Center Research Center at GW University Hospital. The festive evening featured a fundraising raffle and silent auction. WACA President Luis Colmenares said “I can’t wait to celebrate the monumental achievements of our tourism industry….regardless of the political or economic climate around us.” [gallery ids="100273,107064,107095,107091,107069,107087,107083,107074,107079" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • August 24, 2011

On Aug. 12, The Fairmont Washington held its Second Annual Green Fair in the sunlit Colonnade room. The hotel’s green partners, including the neighboring World Wildlife Fund, Capital Bikeshare, FRESHFARM Markets, Nusta Spa and Carbon – A Sustainable Chic Boutique, manned exhibits. Guests could meet the hotel’s resident beekeeper and sample Executive Chef Jason Dalling’s organic hors d’oeuvres. [gallery ids="100272,107054,107066,107059,107063" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

People Animals Love invited supporters to join PAL volunteers at a Yappy Hour on Aug. 16 at Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza. Pete’s regular patrons are so accustomed to seeing family pets that they did not initially grasp that this was a fundraiser. Founded in l982, PAL is today the premier pet visit organization in the DC area with 300 certified volunteer teams. These two- and four-legged volunteers make thousands of visits annually, lifting spirits in nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospices, military hospitals and undeserved schools. [gallery ids="102540,120046,120028,120020,120033,120039" nav="thumbs"]