St. Jude’s Gourmet Gala
• February 20, 2013

The 15th Annual St. Jude’s Gourmet Gala: “Mardi Gras for the Kids” took place Feb. 12 at the National Building Museum. The event raises funds for children suffering from catastrophic and life-threatening diseases. The gala featured chefs from local restaurants and live and silent auctions. The Gourmet Gala is organized by a committee that has helped raise more than $3 million for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and has helped support various programs including gene therapy, bone marrow transplants, immunology and AIDS vaccine research. [gallery ids="102584,119732,119702,119710,119717,119725,119736,119747,119742" nav="thumbs"]

Council on Women’s Leadership Tea
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The Council on Women’s Leadership, founded in 2010 at Meridian International Center, develops and raises awareness of opportunities to accelerate women’s leadership, empowerment and entrepreneurship worldwide. The council’s goal of fostering meaningful connections and collaborations could not have been better served than by Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Poptodorova, who hosted a tea at her residence on Feb. 7. A former Member of Parliament, the ambassador spoke proudly of her country’s entry into NATO and the European Union. She said, “I love reaching out to real Washington,” which explains her heartfelt remarks about U.S.-Bulgarian diplomacy as she discussed her nation’s march to democracy. [gallery ids="102585,119699,119685,119705,119694" nav="thumbs"]

Have-a-Heart Luncheon Honors Sitar Arts Center
• February 14, 2013

Sitar Arts Center received the Washington Club’s 2013 Community Service Award at a Feb. 5 luncheon. Club president Priscilla Baker welcomed guests, who viewed a video presentation entitled “Celebrating Kids Arts and Community.”
A student said, “With art, there are no mistakes.” Ambassador Joel Perez spoke of Sitar nourishing leadership. Student Lynn Tiwari played an accomplished piano solo. Reid Dunavant repre- sented Doyle New York which had supported the awards program. Sitar Arts Center provides a safe haven in Adams Morgan where each year more than 700 underserved children and youth explore and study the visual and performing arts in programs provided by local volunteer artists and arts organizations. [gallery ids="101156,141556,141550,141533,141545,141540" nav="thumbs"]

12th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair
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On Jan. 31, loyal supporters of the Washington Humane Society and their treasured, pawed com- panions joined hosts chef Todd and Ellen Kassoff Gray of Equinox Restaurant at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. WHS raised a record $100,000 to help D.C. animals. More than 900 humans and uncounted canines honored WHS humane law enforcement officers, animal care and control officers and humane educators. Seven deserving “Humane Heroes,” who have made a difference in the lives of animals in the District were recognized. The event included a VIP Chef’s Tasting Room as well as delicious desserts, generously donated by more than 60 restaurants and a popular doggie Bark Bar. [gallery ids="101157,141591,141547,141586,141554,141581,141561,141576,141568" nav="thumbs"]

George Town Club Getting Reinvented
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The venerable George Town Club, known for members involved in business, politics and diplomacy, invited hundreds of the younger set of Georgetown to jazz up its menus, decor and programs Feb. 1. “Come Celebrate The George Town Club . . . and see everything this gem has to offer,” read the invitation that drew in the 20-, 30- and 40-something crowd in hopes of getting a rejuvenating rush of fresher ideas and new members. The historic dinner club, founded in 1966, boasts a site at Wisconsin Avenue and Volta Place with links back to George Washington, Pierre L’Enfant and the founding of Washington, D.C. [gallery ids="101158,141616,141582,141612,141589,141607,141596,141602" nav="thumbs"]

Celebrating the Loews Madison
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Marshall Coyne brought a new level of luxury to the nation’s capital when the Madison Hotel opened in 1963. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed presidents, kings, prime ministers and celebrities. It has now been acquired by Loews Hotels & Resorts and at a late morning reception on Feb. 1 officially became the Loews Madison Hotel. Loews Hotels & Resorts president and CEO Paul Whetsell, joined by Loews Madison Hotel’s managing director Jim Horsman, welcomed guests and acknowledged banquet waiter George Caracamo, who was at the hotel when the doors opened. He and fellow staff members joined in toasting 50 years of the property “being a preeminent part of Washington, D.C.” [gallery ids="101159,141613,141608" nav="thumbs"]

Helen Hayes Nominations
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TheatreWashington announced the 29th Helen Hayes Awards nominees at the National Theatre’s Helen Hayes Gallery on Feb. 28. The awards celebrate 84 professional theatres which have made D.C. an internationally recognized cultural venue that attracts more than two million audience members annually. As no one could do better, board chair Victor Shargai exhorted theater lovers to “keep producing, take risks and go to a show.” The awards will reach their rightful recipients on Apr. 8 at the Warner Theatre. [gallery ids="101160,141655,141614,141650,141645,141620,141640,141628,141634" nav="thumbs"]

Honoring Embassy Social Secretaries
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There was no lull in conversation as Meridian International Center and THIS for Diplomats honored embassy social secretaries at White-Meyer House on Feb. 5 for their valuable role in promoting cultural diplomacy. MIC president and CEO Stuart Holliday thanked “the people who make Washington work.” THIS president Phyllis Kaplan said social secretaries have provided the best link in welcoming incoming diplomats. Meridan board chair James Blanchard reported the representation of 61 embassies at the early evening reception. Chief of Protocol Capricia Penavic Marshall acknowledged Diane Brown, representing Tiffany, as “fellow soldiers in the event battlefield.” White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard hailed “a gathering or peers and friends.” [gallery ids="101161,141675,141647,141671,141654,141665,141660" nav="thumbs"]

Teddy, Screech Show Off at Ice Rink and Nick’s
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The Nationals’ Young Benefactors Off- season on Ice fundraiser skated around Washington Harbour’s ice rink and Nick’s Riverside Grill Feb. 7, thanks for mascots Teddy Roosevelt and Screech. Amid the donors and influencers at Nick’s was Mike Rizzo, general manager of the Nationals, being thanked for last season and getting ready for spring training. The night raised funds for the Nationals Dream Foundation, which benefits the Neighborhood Initiative and two new non-profits: the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and the Washington Nationals Pediatric Diabetes Care Complex at Children’s National Medical Center. [gallery ids="102583,119737,119743" nav="thumbs"]

CAG Art Show Bursts at House of Sweden
• February 12, 2013

The fourth annual Georgetown art show opened at the House of Sweden with a festive Feb. 7 reception which once again packed the gallery with admirers and artists. The show, put on by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, ran through Feb. 10 and exhibited visual artists who live or work in Georgetown. Most works were on sale; a few were on loan from private collections. The show was designed by Jennie Buhler and chaired by Laura-Anne Tiscornia. [gallery ids="101155,141535,141512,141530,141519,141526" nav="thumbs"]