Eye Wonder at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
• July 26, 2011

The Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) and Bank of America held an elegant buffet reception by Capitol Catering at the museum of Feb. 15 to inaugurate Eye Wonder. The photographs from the Bank of American Collection highlight works from 1865 to 2004 by women artists who have created compelling images that reflect their unique perspective. The 26 artists include Margaret Bourke-White, Rineke Dijkstra and Graciela Iturbide. A number of public programs are scheduled during the exhibit which runs through May 22. [gallery ids="99613,105064,105075,105071,105069" nav="thumbs"]

Peruvian Cuisine Honored at the OAS
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Lima has been declared the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America and that distinction was most evident at the Organization of American States on Mar. 23 as over 300 guests enjoyed a four-course dinner created by noted Peruvian chefs Coque and Felipe Ossio, who came here for the occasion. The menu included ceviche, shrimp chowder, lamb and multiple desserts. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza presented Peruvian Minister of Trade and Tourism Eduardo Ferreyros with the first Cultural Patrimony of the Americas award in honor of Peruvian gastronomy marking the Inter-American Year of Culture. To recapture the experience guests departed with the prize winning cookbook Peru Mucho Gusto. [gallery ids="99634,105214,105226,105219,105223" nav="thumbs"]

Prevention of Blindness Society Celebrates 75 Years at Night of Vision
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The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) celebrated 75 years of sight-saving services and community programs at its annual Night of Vision charity gala on Mar. 26 at the Four Seasons Hotel. POB is dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation. The Society also hailed the opening of its new Low Vision Learning Center in Alexandria. For decades, POB has partnered with numerous local organizations to bring eye health information to the community. Event Chair Gloria Boland received POB’s Appreciation Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Twelve of the 24 past recipients of the Professional Service Award attended the gala. [gallery ids="99635,105224,105245,105241,105229,105237,105233" nav="thumbs"]

G’TOWN House Tour Parties Honor Frida Burling
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The Georgetown Hour Tour kicked off at the Steiners’ home on Q Street, April 28, with a classy patrons’ party for Saturday’s main event. During the house tour, the Georgetowner, along with Eagle- Bank, 42 Degrees Catering, Boffi Georgetown, Canal Builders, hosted a daylong hospitality suite at Boffi on M Street, April 30. (Special thanks to DC Greenworks, Ultra Violet Flowers and Euro Motorcars, Inc., Bentley Bethesda.) Saturday climaxed with a presentation to the house tour’s patron saint: Frida Burling — who lets you know that she is 95, just a little older than the house tour itself — and reminded all: the tour benefited the Georgetown Ministry Center and other charities. [gallery ids="102513,120129,120121,120133" nav="thumbs"]

Foundation Fighting Blindness
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On Mar. 29, The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) held the 9th Annual “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner at the Mellon Auditorium. The evening honored Arkansas Senator John Boozman and Smith W. “Smitty” Davis of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell emceed the event which benefited the Foundation’s mission to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Created in 2003 by former Burson-Marsteller COO Worldwide Ken Rietz and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin Korologos, “For the Love of Sight” has raised nearly $3.5 million for blindness research, with a goal of $400,000 this year. [gallery ids="99636,105234,105238" nav="thumbs"]

Scavenger Hunt
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Rebecca Klemm purchased a Georgetown scavenger hunt for 30 happy hunters as an auction item at the 2009 Citizens Association of Georgetown Gala held at the Russian Embassy. The hunt was the brainchild of Colleen and John Girourard, Constance Chatfield-Taylor, Florence Auld, Jackie Pletcher and Charlie Eisen. On Nov. 19, Rebecca welcomed her guests to a “spirited” reception on P Street where they were divided into five teams and given instructions to unveil Georgetown’s hidden mysteries before reconvening at the Girourard’s home on 34th Street to enjoy a fabulous repast for their efforts. Clues took them on a merry chase that included The Georgetown Inn, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Cupcake, The Tombs, 1789, Georgetown Club and the infamous Exorcist stairs. After the points were tallied, Rebecca’s team led the pack. [gallery ids="99570,104841,104839" nav="thumbs"]

Aidah Collection
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3rd Anniversary runway show and benefit. [gallery ids="99726,99727,99728,99729,99730,99731,99732,99733" nav="thumbs"]

Capitol File Fetes Its 5th at the Corcoran
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Capitol File celebrated its fifth birthday at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Oct. 20, and saluted fashion guru Tim Gunn, who is on its current cover. Niche Media boss Jason Binn was on hand as well as Cap File’s new editor Kate Bennett.– Robert A, Devaney

NIAF Gala
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The annual NIAF Gala in Washington, DC is an opportunity to recognize and honor Italian Americans and Italians in business, science, sports, entertainment and philanthropy who have made enormous contributions to our society.
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Keith Lipert Gallery Showcases “The Gardens of Kabul”
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Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large in the Office of Global Women’s issues, was unable to attend the Oct. 28 reception and cultural exhibition celebrating the talents of Afghan women at the Keith Lipert Gallery on Oct. 28. She was superbly represented by Peggy McKean, Senior Exec. Asst. in Amb. Richard Holbrooke’s Office, who spoke eloquently of the efforts to recreate the traditional crafts of Afghanistan. Keith Lipert Gallery on M Street was the obvious venue as a bevy of his savvy shoppers enjoyed a collection of beautiful hand crafted scarves and jewelry from Afghanistan where Artizan Sarai works to support gender equality and fair trade. Kate Spade will be producing specialty items to further the cause of Afghan women. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="102544,102545,102546,102547,102548,102549" nav="thumbs"]