Trees for Georgetown Spring Celebration
• September 12, 2013

The 2013 event, which is the primary source of funding for the trees that appear in local tree boxes each year, was hosted May 8 by Shelly and Bruce Ross-Larsen. A new initiative called GIFT, “Georgetown Initiative for Family Trees,” will allow Georgetowners to “tag” a tree with the name of an honoree to “root the people and businesses of the community to the trees that shade our streets.” Each tree will be tagged with a scannable QR code, providing information on the type of tree, the date it was planted, the tree’s honoree and a story about why the tree was selected in that person’s name. [gallery ids="101311,150229,150199,150224,150204,150221,150210,150216" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Women & Wine Kick-off Dinner
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Following two fun-laden wine tours to France, on May 13 tour operators Robin and Paula McKenzie-Smith of Best of Europe Tours & Cruises were at Ristorante I Ricchi to kick off the next adventure. Washington Women & Wine is planning “A Northern Italian Adventure – Off the Beaten Path” which next March will explore Milan, Venice, Lake Garda and the great wine country of northern Italy. In anticipation, Chef-Owner Christina Ricchi provided a delicious selection of the finest northern Italian and Tuscan cuisine and joined the group to speak about authentic Italian food. [gallery ids="101313,150494,150477,150490,150482,150487" nav="thumbs"]

Tickled Pink, X
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The ballroom of the Fairmont Washington, D.C. pulsated in in pastels on May 11 for the 10th Annual Mother/Daughter Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show Benefitting Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. Lizanne Jeveret of Pink Palm provided the Lilly Pulitzer fashions and recalled visiting the late designer who told her “style isn’t about what you wear; it’s about how you live.” Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Young Catherine Kochenash spoke of her visit to Disney World where she met with Belle. Bob Madigan of WTOP emceed the program as guests enjoyed tea treats including pink palm cookies. The sellout crowd departed with Lilly-laden goodie bags.

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Vital Voices 2013 Global Leadership Awards
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The theme echoing through the evening was Vital Voice’s Founder Hillary Rodman Clinton’s historic pronouncement in China that “women’s rights are human rights.” The awards were presented in the Kennedy Center Opera House on April 2. Clinton paid glowing tribute to Vital Voices co-founder and chair emeritus Melanne Verveer, the first Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Presenter Diane von Furstenberg said, “I have never met a woman who is not strong” as “Fear is not an option.” Honorees came from Cambodia, Brazil, Palestine and Somalia. Vice President Joe Biden spoke movingly of his championship for women’s rights and then presented the Solidarity Award to the Kant brothers who seek to combat human trafficking and sexual violence in their native India. [gallery ids="101234,145487,145457,145481,145463,145475,145469" nav="thumbs"]

Patti LaBelle at Duke Ellington School of the Arts
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As Georgetown’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts celebrates its 40th year, honing the talents of aspiring artists while preparing them for continuing academic success, the signature annual fundraising event was held on March 25 at the Kennedy Center, starring Patti Labelle. Previous artists included Ellington alumni Denyce Graves and Dave Chappelle as well as Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. Leon Harris of ABC7 News emceed the program and quipped, “Be thankful that I am not going to be singing.” Ellington students participated, as did pianist Jamar Jones, who will be producing LaBelle’s next CD. School co-founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz hailed Head of School and CEO Rory Pullens as “the best principal in the city.” It was a joyous occasion. [gallery ids="101235,145501,145477,145495,145484,145491" nav="thumbs"]

Carolyne Roehm’s ‘Flowers’ Book Signing Reception
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International trendsetter in fashion, elegance and taste making and devoted animal lover Carolyne Roehm and her companion, former Georgetown resident Simon Pinniger, were in Washington on April 3. The designer and author spoke at a luncheon at Congressional Country Club and at an evening reception in Kalorama. At both events, she graciously signed her latest of numerous books, “Flowers,” showcasing more than 300 photos that she has taken to capture to the beauty of her gardens at her Connecticut property Weatherstone. [gallery ids="119326,119362,119356,119335,119342,119368,119349" nav="thumbs"]

Capella Hotel Hosts Community for Iron Chef Competition
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On Monday, April 8, the Capella Hotel in Georgetown hosted a friendly Iron Chef-style competition between the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the Georgetown BID and the Georgetown Business Association. The surprise ingredient was red snapper. Georgetowner publisher Sonya Bernhardt joined Capella Georgetown general manager Alex Obertop and chef Jakob Esko in judging the teams’ creations. GBA came in third place, Georgetown BID came in second place, and CAG won the grand prize. [gallery ids="101236,145497" nav="thumbs"]

RAMMY Award Nominees
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The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced the finalists for the “Oscars of D.C. Restaurants” at a March 19 event at the Hamilton emceed by Kelly Collis and Tommy McFly of Fresh FM.” The annual restaurant awards will be bestowed at the gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on June 23. This year’s theme is “Restaurants in Bloom.” Incoming RAMW President Kathy Hollinger hailed the individuals who have made D.C. a “dining destination” and recognized Clyde’s of Georgetown with the Milestone Award for 50 years of continuous operation. The awards recognize excellence in 16 categories including Casual Dining and New Chef of the Year. The public votes on three categories including Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene. [gallery ids="101215,145018,145012,144989,145008,145003,144996" nav="thumbs"]

Pen/Faulkner Luncheon for Author James Conaway
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Barton and Leslie Gordon graciously hosted a May 23 luncheon at their Kalorama Residence as Pen/Faulkner celebrated James Conway’s Nose, a novel and insider’s view of life in Napa Valley. The author, who previously wrote a Washington Post wine column, shared that, as a Memphis native, he sampled Thunderbird. Ambassador of Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche said, “I am deeply grateful to be taken out of the diplomatic world and thrown for a few hours into the literary world.” The non-profit brings together American writers and readers in a wide variety of programs to promote a love of literature. [gallery ids="101324,151371,151367,151357,151362" nav="thumbs"]

Friends Celebrate Selene Obolensky’s Birthday
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Princess Selene Obolensky, American-born and titled by her marriage to the late Prince Alexis Obolensky of Russian nobility and Chief of the State Department’s Russian Translation Section, who helped draft arms-reduction treaties at a tense time in U.S.-Soviet relations, was celebrated by her many friends on May 28. She is the founder of the grand Russian New Year’s ball, which benefits “Children of Berezichi,” residing at the Boarding Schools for Special Children in Ulianova and Sosenskaya, Russian Federation. [gallery ids="119170,119153,119137,119145,119165,119159" nav="thumbs"]