Social Scene

Charlene Louis • April 13, 2015

On Saturday, March 14, the Washington, DC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. celebrated 75 years of empowering children, families and the community at a fundraising black-tie gala at the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd Street. The event raised money for the Town Hall Education Arts Recreational Campus (THEARC) and the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. Established in 1938 in Philadelphia, Jack & Jill of America, Inc. provides social, cultural, and educational opportunities for African-American youth between the ages of two and 19. [gallery ids="102029,134876,134870,134877,134874,134872" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Spanish Ambassador Ramón Gil-Casares, who expressed his admiration for Latino Student Fund’s “commitment to the Spanish community and to youth,” served as the honorary patron of the gala at the Organization of American States March 12. The organization is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives and education of Latino youth through Saturday classes, merit-based tuition stipends and other programs. Leon Harris of WJLA-ABC7 News emceed at the dinner, which was preceded by a reception and silent auction. [gallery ids="102030,134866,134869,134868" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The James Bond spy series was the theme of this year’s Night of Vision gala supporting Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington’s sight-saving programs at the Four Seasons March 21. The event included silent and live auctions, a dinner with award presentations and dancing to music by Retrospect. Night of Vision chair Sally Ann Pilkerton presented supporter Gloria Butland, cited as “POB’s fairy godmother,” with the Community Service Award. Gloria quipped, “Honey, if you don’t ask for it, you’re never going to get it.” Wendy Gasch, M.D., received the Professional Service Award.
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Georgetowner •

S&R Foundation opened the gardens at historic Evermay Estate on 28th Street March 29 for its annual Easter Egg Hunt. Neighborhood families – and especially the children – celebrated spring fun with crafts, face painting, a visit from some Easter friends – and of course, an expansive Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds for a chilly March afternoon of festive fun

Imagination Stage and S&R Foundation teamed up to offer a special musical and theatrical rendition of the Terry Bear Picnic. Treats were provided by Georgetown Cupcake and Whole Foods Market on WIsconsin Avenue.

Georgetowner • April 9, 2015

The seventh annual D.C. Capital Stars at the Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts April 1 brought in more than $1.1 million to support its services, including high school and college counseling college scholarships. Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States, was the presenting sponsor of the event. First prize winner was dancer Jiamond Watson, 17, a junior attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts: he won the $10,000 scholarship grand prize. Donald Graham, D.C.-CAP founder and former board chair, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Celebrity Judges headlined an “Idol”-style competition: audience members voted using handheld devices and the celebrity judges commented on each performance. Winners were determined 50 percent by judges’ input and 50 percent based on audience vote. Judges were: Tony-winning tapper Savion Glover, Broadway and film star Alyson Reed, musician and long-time Billy Joel bandmate Mark Rivera.

The winners — 10 finalists, singers, dancers, and musicians, ranging in ages 15 to 17 from D.C. public and public charter schools — performed and competed for college scholarships.

1st prize winner: dancer Jiamond Watson, 17, a junior attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts, won the $10,000 scholarship grand prize.

2nd prize winner: rapper-singer-ukulele player Carlos Hood, 18, senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, won a $6,000 scholarship.

3rd prize winner: pianist Jennifer Li, 17, senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, won a $4,000 scholarship.

The remaining runners-up each received $2,000 scholarships. (View audition videos and read essays written by the top 10 finalists at dccap.org/gala.)

The evening’s special honoree: Donald Graham, founder of D.C. Capital Stars and former board chair, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for “making tens of thousands of D.C. students’ college dreams come over the past 16 years.”

ABC7/WJLA News anchor Leon Harris was master of ceremonies.
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Georgetowner •

On March 24, the City Club of Washington and Christine Warnke hosted the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women celebrating International Women’s Month and honoring people and organizations that empower women through education and leadership training. Since 2002, the Initiative has partnered with U.S. colleges to provide undergraduate degrees and leadership training to 67 Afghan women who now hold leadership roles in the economic and social development of their homeland.
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Robert Devaney • April 4, 2015

The new showroom for Thos. Moser Handmade American Furniture was celebrated March 19, as guests and clients got to meet company founder Thomas Moser. The happy crowd, which included Maine’s congressional delegation, sang “Happy Birthday” to Moser, who just turned 80. Next to the C&O Canal, the store is only doors away from its earlier showroom at 33rd & M Streets. [gallery ids="118134,118127,118123" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • March 26, 2015

On March 16, the Community Foundation for the National Capital held “Here for Good,” a one-of-a-kind fundraising event at the Mead Center for American Theater. Today, the foundation is the largest funder of nonprofits in and around Washington, D.C. Performances included the Double Nickels Theatre Company and Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Academy. Proceeds benefit the Community Foundation’s Fund for Greater Washington, which supports community investment to make the region “a place where opportunity is available to all.” [gallery ids="118102,118119,118113,118108" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

To highlight the 2015 theme of International Women’s Day, “Make It Happen,” Gayela Bynum, who founded the nonprofit We Will Survive Cancer to support the families of cancer patients, invited author Ann Atkins to speak at a charity brunch at the Willard InterContinental March 8. The author of “Eleanor Roosevelt–Unleashed” and “Golda Meir–True Grit” traced similarities in the lives of the two leaders who evidenced early activism. With high energy, integrity and devoid of arrogance, both Roosevelt and Meir advanced international justice through their often controversial actions.
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