Diplomats Welcomed Back
• May 12, 2014

Former ambassadors of France, Germany and Italy were given a hearty welcome by many friends in DC as they were feted at the elegant home of Aniko Gaal and Nash Schott on Apr. 28. The ambassadors were in town to attend the meeting of the Trilateral Commission, the “Think Tank” that focuses on global issues facing Europe, North America and Asia. Ukraine, energy issues and cyberspace were on top of the official agenda but the conversation was a good bit lighter chez Schott. [gallery ids="101728,142358,142333,142338,142344,142349,142361,142355" nav="thumbs"]

Medstar National Rehabilitation Network Las Vegas Night
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Stunning “showgirls” welcomed guests to the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Apr. 20 as Medstar National Rehabilitation Network held its 3rd Annual Las Vegas Night benefit. The event, with Co-chairs Barbara Ayers, Janie McNamara and Mark E. Richards, MD, and Honorary Chair Carole M. Randolph, was emceed by Mike Walter. Gaming options included Roulette, Black Jack, Craps and Texas Hold’em, all to raise money for the hospital’s various patient disability programs, including those geared towards brain and spinal cord injuries and stroke. [gallery ids="100767,123339,123331,123297,123326,123305,123320,123313" nav="thumbs"]

MedStar National Rehabilitation Network Las Vegas NightMay 7, 2014
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Two stunning ?showgirls? greeted guests at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on May 2 for the 5th Annual Las Vegas Night to benefit MedStar National Rehabilitation Network?s programs. The evening gave guests the opportunity to try their luck at gaming tables featuring Roulette, Black Jack, Texas hold ?em Poker and more to benefit stroke/brain injury/spinal cord injury patients. MedStar NRH is consistently named as one of America?s best hospitals for rehabilitation.

White House Correspondents’ Weekend Takes Over D.C.
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The parties before and after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner dominated the D.C. social scene this past weekend and took over schedules and streets. Our “nerd prom” still had its urgency and energy, just with slightly lessened star intensity. Herewith, photos from the Google-Netflix party at the Institute of Peace and the Washington Post party at the Washington Hilton. [gallery ids="116719,116713,116701,116696,116689,116682,116676,116668,116661,116655,116648,116641,116725,116636,116628,116709" nav="thumbs"]

Trust for the National Mall Luncheon
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Over 1,000 people gathered under sunny skies on May 1 at the annual Trust for the National Mall Benefit Luncheon. Trust President Caroline Cunningham welcomed guests and introduced Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell by noting “she demonstrated that you can do well by doing good.” In a video presentation, Honorary Chair Laura Bush said “this is our common ground.” Trust Chairman Chip Akridge received a standing ovation and was presented with the History, Heroes and Hope Award. With over 25 million visitors a year, the National Mall has been “loved to death” and is sorely in need of repair. [gallery ids="101726,142415,142413,142408,142385,142391,142394,142399,142403" nav="thumbs"]

Newsbabes Bash Kickoff
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On Apr. 29, many faces and names familiar from TV and media gathered upstairs in the Apartments at City Center to imbibe and dine in support of the May 20 Newsbabes Bash to assist breast cancer patients and survivors. A highlight was a surprise $10,000 donation by generous benefactor Barry Glassman. [gallery ids="101727,142384,142363,142367,142372,142380,142376" nav="thumbs"]

In Series “Canzoni d’Amore”
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In celebration of the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi, the In Series patrons braved a spring torrent on Apr. 30 to gather at DACOR-Bacon House to celebrate music and also the next day birthday of Founding Director Carla H?bner. In Series Director Abel Lopez spoke of caring for the community and the arts and the In Series as a place where artists learn and thrive and engage with the community. The evening’s featured musical works included highlights from La Traviata and Rigoletto. [gallery ids="116583,116587,116593,116577" nav="thumbs"]

National Museum of Women in the Arts “Nine Thousand and Nine Hundred Nights”
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Annie Totah is a force to be reckoned with and, as the Gala Chair of the museum’s Spring Gala on Apr. 25, success was assured as the evening was graced by the generous patronage of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi. The Empress and Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova donated auction items and were duly acknowledged by the museum’s founder Wilhelmina Holladay. Gentlemen reluctantly coaxed to galas could only have been enchanted by belly dancers at a special event. [gallery ids="116638,116606,116613,116591,116598,116621,116627,116631" nav="thumbs"]

A Celebration of Caring
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The Washington Home & Community Hospices celebrated its 125th anniversary Italian style on Apr. 26 at “Celebrazione della Cura” held at the Embassy of Italy. Board Chair Sharon Casey welcomed guests and introduced CEO Tim Cox who said at 125 years “we look really good and are going strong.” Many diplomats and local leaders enjoyed Design Cuisine’s tastes of Italy. Instead of the now familiar auction format, the evening featured an Italian market with unique items from Neó Shop, Rome; DePandi, D& M Design and Paul’s Wine & Spirits among other temptations. The net proceeds of purchases will provide much need funds to assist the aging and terminally ill.

Visionaries for the ‘Love of Sight’
• May 9, 2014

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a nonprofit driving sight-saving research, honored Ryuji Ueno, M.D., co-founder of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Timothy Olsen, M.D., of Emory University, with the organization’s Visionary Award, in recognition of their longstanding commitment to helping patients with eye diseases. More than 225 guests attended the 12th Annual D.C. “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner April 1, at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, raising $320,000 to benefit research. [gallery ids="116798,116805,116813,116789,116818,116823,116829" nav="thumbs"]