Social Scene

Georgetowner • September 6, 2015

Jim Symington was his usual captivating self, as he read from his new book, “Heard and Overheard,” at Politics & Prose Aug. 19. Introduced by bookstore co-founder Barbara Meade, Symington promised to write a longer dedication in the books that had not yet arrived. “I haven’t seen this many people since I was running for office many years ago,” he told the overflow crowd. “Heard and Overheard” is divided into three parts and draws upon a long, distinguished career of interacting with “politicians, statesmen and real people.” Symington served as aide to Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Chief of Protocol, four-term U.S. Representative from Missouri and more. In response to questions, Symington lamented the “lack of cross aisle fraternization” in the current Congress. [gallery ids="102304,127310,127305" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • September 1, 2015

 Thanks to Rum Day D.C. sponsors, guests enjoyed flights of aged rum and complimentary cocktails Aug. 13 atop the Observatory at the Graham Hotel on Thomas Jefferson Street NW at the kick-off for D.C.’s fourth annual Rum fest. With views of the town, the city as well as the Potomac and nearby Arlington, smokers received a complimentary, hand-rolled cigars, courtesy of co-hosts, Cortez Cigars, to pair with the bold rums, such as Atlantico, Chairman’s Reserve and Papa’s Pilar, along with Rum punch cocktails.

Other Rum Day D.C. events included the Rum Runner bus which took patrons to taste rum cocktails at some of the city’s hottest restaurants and the Rum-B-Que held at Blind Whino and featuring DCity Smokehouse.  [gallery ids="102296,127651,127629,127613,127646,127621,127636,127640" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

The 2015 Citi Open, held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9, enjoyed glorious weather and offered up enjoyable and memorable matches. It was the 47th edition for the men’s competitions and the fifth edition for the women’s competitions, with Kei Nishikori (Japan) and Sloane Stephens (U.S.A.), winning respectively. [gallery ids="102298,127590,127610,127598,127604,127616" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Magnises — a members-only platform that connects millennials with new people, products and opportunities — launched its concierge app service, Magnises Now, earlier this month. The brand’s founder Billy McFarland made a toast to the application’s launch at an Aug. 6 kick-off party atop the Embassy Row Hotel, a partner venue for Magnises members. The launch came shortly after the D.C. debut of the NYC-based community platform. The personal, text-based concierge app gives Magnises members access to personalized, real-time recommendations and reservations at the best restaurants and nightlife as well as invitations to private engagements and unique experiences around town.

Georgetowner •

Beauty experts in and around Washington, D.C., came to Georgetown Aug. 14 to place their bets on Elaine Espinola Keltz, Mrs. DC America 2015. They claim that she will win the upcoming Mrs. America 2016 pageant, to held Sept. 20-24 in Las Vegas. The “Toast with the Queen,” held at L2, was the official send-off party for Keltz and was hosted by Renee Allen, ABC-News Channel 8 “Women in Business” host, and Souny West, owner of Chic Capitol W Salon. 

Everyone lifted their glasses and toasted Keltz, wishing her the best of luck at Mrs. America — especially the major sponsors, Uzma Ansari, D.D.S., from Lowes Island Dentistry, George Purcell of Military Job Networks, and Ari Taherzadeh, CEO of AET Holdings Corp. A portion of the proceeds of the tonight’s event were given to the non-profit, Vetsports.
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Robert Devaney • August 17, 2015

Acknowledging the hot downtown D.C. real estate market, Washington Fine Properties opened an office on 14th Street, directly across from the popular Le Diplomate Restaurant, and threw a grand-opening party on — appropriately enough — July 14, Bastille Day. Delighted by the turnout, Dana Landry of Washington Fine Properties said, “We were pleased by the interest and warm welcome of our immediate neighbors.” Among those who stopped by were William Washington, general manager of Le Diplomate, with appetizers and pizzas for everyone to enjoy. [gallery ids="102158,132950,132929,132943,132938" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown recently held a Sip and Sample event to showcase South Asian wedding designs. The setting was the hotel’s wedding-perfect Colonnade Room. Elaborate South Asian nuptials typically spread over several days. Guests could be decorated with henna and view many different décor choices as they enjoyed specialty cocktails and sampled a wide range of themed hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Fairmont’s culinary team and three local caterers. [gallery ids="102154,132965" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Carol Joynt’s July 16 luncheon at the George Town Club was a sellout as Washingtonians were eager to hear author Wednesday Martin’s back-story on privileged Upper East Side mommies. A thoughtful speaker, she clarified that her background in anthropology had prompted the title, “Primates of Park Avenue,” about the wives of the very rich, who do not escape mockery and anxiety in their one-upmanship lifestyle. The economic dependency of uber-wealthy women is unprecedented in the world of primates. The material status symbols coveted in New York were compared to Washington’s fascination with political clout. Admission to the right nursery school was cited as a first step to “proximity to power.” [gallery ids="102155,132967,132963" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

There was another birthday party in Washington, but for a much younger swinger: the restaurant at the Georgetown waterfront, Malmaison, which turned two years old. The cafe, patisserie and event space opened its wide doors for birthday well-wishers July 23. The ever-charming Popal family, headed by Zubair and Shamim Popal, also owns Cafe Bonaparte on Wisconsin Avenue and Lapis in Adams Morgan.
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