Untitled-9 1
4/8/14 11:29 AM
T ysons Galleria 703.748.7300 mulberry.com
o n 05 . 11
MONOGR A M it!
ASSO RTMEN T MAY VARY BY STOR E
c.wonder the fashion centre at pentagon city
tysons corner center
ground level, across from guest services
level 2 section 2a between macy’s + lord & taylor
clothing cwonder
accessories
.com
home decor
@cwonderstore
surprises
Bethesda residences from the several millions
Now scheduling Sales Center appointments
thelaurenresidences.com
301.363.7251
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated.
F ront Runners President Gerald Ford talks with reporters, including Helen Thomas (RIGHT), as White House Chief of Staff Dick Cheney (LEFT) looks on, in 1976.
Meet the (Centennial) Press HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, NOW CELEBRATING ITS 100TH YEAR? A PROMINENT DC JOURNALIST EXPLORES THE TOPIC. BY ED HENRY
8
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
F
ighting for more press access to the president is noble. Making sure that reporters wear pants is a nice bonus. Don’t recall the connection? Kevin Spacey made it at last year’s White House Correspondents’ dinner when I asked him to spoof his hit Netflix series House of Cards. Spacey’s character, the conniving Congressman Frank Underwood, hoards tickets to gain power. When one high-profile journalist demands a ticket for Kim Kardashian, he drawls that, in exchange, the scribe will have to “start wearing pants at the White House briefings.” “I refuse to wear pants until the president gives us more access!” snaps the journalist, Politico’s Mike Allen. Fortunately, there were no pantless selfies in this photo of President Gerald Ford briefing reporters—just both sides doing their jobs. “Jerry Ford may have been the last president who believed he had an institutional obligation to engage the press, and [he] actually enjoyed the verbal jousting,” says Ford biographer Tom DeFrank. This lesson is apropos for both President Obama and the press, as the White House Correspondents’ Association celebrates 100 years. The media used to be more interested in holding the powerful accountable than rubbing elbows with them. The WHCA dinner is a wonderful tradition for reporters to break bread with White House officials once a year. Let’s just not forget our watchdog role the rest of the year. As for Obama, his White House loves tools like Twitter to distribute info. He harnesses social media just as media organizations do to expand their audiences. The danger comes when these tools are used in place of independent reporters and photographers getting access to the president, as it has been eroding for years. It’s our job to push back, regardless of who is in power. I hope those future White House correspondents get better access—and wear pants. CF
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
008_CF_FOB_FR_LateSpring14.indd 8
4/3/14 2:10 PM
© D.YURMAN 2014
TYSONS GALLERIA 703 245 3515 DAVIDYURMAN.COM
F ront Runners
First recognized for patriotism by President and Mrs. Clinton, Ralph Lauren will be honored at the Smithsonian this June.
American Treasure DESIGNER RALPH LAUREN CONTINUES TO MAKE HIS MARK IN US HISTORY AND IS HONORED IN DC THIS FLAG DAY. BY ALEXANDRIA GEISLER
10
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH LAUREN
F
ew designers have played as integral a role in defining classic American sportswear as Ralph Lauren. From his eponymous label’s tailored blazers and streamlined trousers to the ever-popular preppy polo shirts, Lauren’s relaxed, albeit refined designs exemplify contemporary American style. Yet the designer’s contributions to his country go beyond his iconic lifestyle brand. In 1998, Lauren donated $13 million to the Save America’s Treasures campaign, which provides funding to preserve important symbols of America’s history. Thanks to Lauren, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History now includes the Star-Spangled Banner Gallery, where the original flag that inspired our national anthem lies. Lauren was honored at the gallery’s opening reception by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. This Flag Day on June 14, in conjunction with the museum’s 50th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the raising of the original star-spangled banner over Fort McHenry, Lauren will be honored at the Smithsonian with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his lifetime contributions to American entrepreneurship and patriotism. Established in 1965, the award recognizes persons who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of areas of interest to the Smithsonian. Lauren joins the likes of highly esteemed past recipients, including director Steven Spielberg, chef Julia Child, and journalist Walter Cronkite. CF
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
010_CF_FOB_FR_RALPH_LateSpr14.indd 10
4/3/14 2:12 PM
The Collection at Chevy Chase 301.986.8715 Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons Galleria 703.269.1286
GEORGETOWN 1237 WISCONSIN AVE. NW / TYSONS CORNER 7979 TYSONS CORNER CENTER / mONTGOmERY mall 7101 dEmOCRACY blVd.
Late Spring 2014
80 Couture Consignments Fashion maven Sara Mokhtari’s new retail venture caters to the high-style Georgetown set.
8 Front Runners 24 From the Editor-in-Chief 26 From the Publisher 28 Without Whom This Issue Would Not Have Been Possible… 31 Invited 40 The List
People 43 Gatekeeper to 1600 Ellie Schafer, director of the White House Visitors Office, may be the most powerful person in Washington that you’ve never heard of.
46 Standing Tall The Nationals’ newest pitcher, Doug Fister, looks to help his teammates reach the top of the baseball world this season.
48 Always Evermay
50 Cheers for the Year! City Year Washington DC Executive Director Jeff Franco and City Year Alumna Shajena Erazo discuss their commitment to inspiring “at risk” students.
14
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY GREENAWALT
Doctors Ryuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno have created a campus for young scholars at two of the city’s most storied addresses.
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
014-020_CF_FOB_TOC_LateSpring14.indd 14
4/7/14 12:12 PM
stretchable ceramic and diamond bracelets by roberto demeglio
1133 20th street nw washington dc 202.775.8544 www.igorman.com one hour complimentary parking at colonial parking
Late Spring 2014 Culture 54 Operatic Magic The Washington National Opera gives Mozart’s timeless The Magic Flute Eastern flair.
56 Fine China Last year’s launch of Art Basel Hong Kong put the Washington art community’s focus on the East. This year’s fair will dazzle DC and the world.
60 Peterson Prose DC-native Holly Peterson addresses image, marriage, and fidelity in her second novel.
Taste Noted chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley celebrates her first year at Ripple and reveals which sustainable delights she’ll dish up this spring.
66 Object of My Confection Marshmallows take a sweet spotlight as a local couple offers gourmet twists on a campfire favorite.
68 Culinary Commanders These talented female toques helm the kitchens at three of the District’s buzziest eateries.
70 Not Your Mother’s Margarita District cocktail programs are shaking up warm-weather classics with tequila and mezcal.
72 Charm City Goes Hollywood Veep producer Stephanie Laing and cast member Matt Walsh dish on their favorite spots to relax in Baltimore when filming the popular HBO series.
16
Style 76 Ten for Tory
63 Ripple Effect
The drink menu at Ripple complements chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley’s seasonal fare.
On the heels of her eponymous label’s 10th anniversary, womenswear designer Tory Burch is as busy as ever—in fashion and philanthropy.
78 In Full Bloom Kate Spade’s new downtown boutique presents bright floral prints, and Mark Cross introduces a line of leather goods for the modern man.
80 Couture Consignments Tari in Georgetown offers local fashionistas designer and vintage finds.
84 Generations of Gravitas Inspired by strong, confident women, designer Lisa Sun makes dresses that not only flatter—they pay it forward, too.
86 Collecting Craftsmanship Committed to giving back to Washington, charitable Amanda Polk takes time to talk about another passion—fine timepieces.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
63 Ripple Effect
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
014-020_CF_FOB_TOC_LateSpring14.indd 16
4/7/14 12:12 PM
SEA TO SKIN a daily transformation
Born from the healing powers of the sea, Crème de la Mer is infused with potent, cell-renewing Miracle Broth.™ Carefully crafted from nutrient-rich sea kelp, it immerses skin in moisture and energy. Radiance is restored, ne lines fade, skin looks softer, rmer, virtually ageless. Even the driest complexions are healed. LaMer.com
N E I M A N M A R C U S - S A K S F I F T H AV E N U E
Late Spring 2014
Features 90 The Indomitable Dr. Biden The second lady schools us on her passion for teaching, her commitment to military families, and how her love of family and friends keeps her grounded. By Elizabeth E. Thorp Photography by Melanie Dunea
This season’s strong, tailored silhouettes take DC’s power dressing to new heights. Photography by Robert Ascroft
104 Wonder Women Elite DC dames dish on opportunities, challenges, inspiration, and success in Washington. Photography by Steven Voss
18
90 The Indomitable Dr. Biden The second lady chats about the loves of her life.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IMELANIE DUNEA
96 Shape Shifters
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
014-020_CF_FOB_TOC_LateSpring14.indd 18
4/7/14 12:12 PM
Into my designs I convey my expertise, my passion, my name. Jorge Adeler
772 WALKER RD. GREAT FALLS, VA 22066 . WWW.ADELERJEWELERS.COM . 703.759.4076
Late Spring 2014 Haute Property 113 Fresh and French Tech executive Goldy Kamali channels Coco Chanel in Chevy Chase.
113 Fresh and French
A Chevy Chase home’s design elements, like this spiral staircase, reflect a Chanel sensibility.
Freely Speaking 120 Prom Night Which men pass muster to accompany Washington power women to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner?
116 Family Style Bethesda-based Urban Country celebrates its 23rd year offering luxe, Americanmade furnishings.
118 Dominant Domains
ON THE COVER: Jill Biden Photography by Melanie Dunea Styling by Pascale Lemaire Hair and makeup by Connie Tsang
20
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN
Georgetown reigns in the luxury home market.
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
014-020_CF_FOB_TOC_LateSpring14.indd 20
4/7/14 12:12 PM
GEORGETOWN
1307 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007 TYSONS GALLERIA
2001 International Dr. McLean, VA 22102 14TH STREET
1919 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20009
www.georgetownoptician.com
ELIZABETH E. THORP Editor-in-Chief Senior Managing Editor DANINE ALATI Art Director TIFFANI BARTON Photo Editor REBECCA SAHN Associate Editor AMY MOELLER Entertainment and Bookings Editor JULIET IZON Associate Fashion Editor ALEXANDRIA GEISLER Copy Editor NICOLE LANCTOT Research Editor JUDY DEYOUNG
SUZY JACOBS Publisher Associate Publisher MEREDITH MERRILL Account Executive FENDY MESY Marketing Manager LAURA MULLEN Business Development Coordinator MARISA RANDALL
NICHE MEDIA HOLDINGS, LLC Senior Vice President and Editorial Director MANDI NORWOOD Creative Director NICOLE A. WOLFSON NADBOY Executive Fashion Director SAMANTHA YANKS
ART AND PHOTO
Senior Art Director FRYDA LIDOR Associate Art Directors ANASTASIA TSIOUTAS CASALIGGI, ADRIANA GARCIA, JUAN PARRA, JESSICA SARRO Designers GIL FONTIMAYOR, SARAH LITZ Photo Director LISA ROSENTHAL BADER Photo Editors JODIE LOVE, SETH OLENICK, JENNIFER PAGAN Associate Photo Editor KATHERINE HAUSENBAUER-KOSTER Photo Producer KIMBERLY RIORDAN Senior Staff Photographer JEFFREY CRAWFORD Senior Digital Imaging Specialist JEFFREY SPITERY Digital Imaging Specialist JEREMY DEVERATURDA Digital Imaging Assistant HTET SAN
FASHION
Senior Fashion Editor LAUREN FINNEY Fashion Editor FAYE POWER Fashion Assistants CONNOR CHILDERS, LISA FERRANDINO
COPY AND RESEARCH
Copy and Research Manager WENDIE PECHARSKY Copy Editors DAVID FAIRHURST, DALENE ROVENSTINE, JULIA STEINER Research Editors LESLIE ALEXANDER, MURAT OZTASKIN, AVA WILLIAMS
EDITORIAL OPERATIONS
Director of Editorial Operations DEBORAH L. MARTIN Editorial Relations Manager MATTHEW STEWART Editorial Assistant CHRISTINA CLEMENTE Online Managing Editor CAITLIN ROHAN Online Editor APRIL WALLOGA Social Media and E-Newsletter Editor ANNA BEN YEHUDA Senior Managing Editors KEN RIVADENEIRA, JILL SIERACKI Managing Editors JENNIFER DEMERITT, KAREN ROSE, JOHN VILANOVA Shelter and Design Editor SUE HOSTETLER Timepiece Editor ROBERTA NAAS
ADVERTISING SALES
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing NORMAN M. MILLER Account Directors SUSAN ABRAMS, MICHELE ADDISON, TIFFANY CAREY, CLAIRE CARLIN, KATHLEEN FLEMING, KAREN LEVINE, NORMA MONTALVO, ELIZABETH MOORE, GRACE NAPOLITANO, JEFFREY NICHOLSON, DEBORAH O’BRIEN, SHANNON PASTUSZAK, VALERIE ROBLES Account Executives SUSANA ARAGON, JUDSON BARDWELL, MICHELLE CHALA, THOMAS CHILLEMI, MORGAN CLIFFORD, JANELLE DRISCOLL, ALICIA DRY, VINCE DUROCHER, DINA FRIEDMAN, SARAH HECKLER, VICTORIA HENRY, MARY RUEGG, LAUREN SHAPIRO, JIM SMITH, CAROLINE SNECKENBERG, KACIE TURPENEN, JACKIE VAN METER, JESSICA ZIVKOVITCH, GABRIELLA ZURROW National Sales Coordinator HOWARD COSTA Sales Support and Development EMMA BEHRINGER, ANA BLAGOJEVIC, EMILY BURDETT, CRISTINA CABIELLES, BRITTANY CORBETT, OLIVIA DAVIS, JAMIE HILDEBRANDT, DARA HIRSH, KELSEY MARRUJO, MICHELLE MASS, NICHOLE MAURER, RUE MCBRIDE, STEPHEN OSTROWSKI, ALEXANDRA WINTER
MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations LANA BERNSTEIN Vice President of Integrated Marketing EMILY MCLINTOCK Director of Integrated Marketing ROBIN KEARSE Integrated Marketing Manager JIMMY KONTOMANOLIS Director of Creative Services SCOTT ROBSON Promotions Art Designers CHRISTOPHER HARDGROVE, DANIELLE MORRIS Event Marketing Directors AMY FISCHER, HALEE HARCZYNSKI, MELINDA JAGGER, JOANNA TUCKER Event Marketing Managers ANTHONY ANGELICO, CHRISTIAMILDA CORREA, MONIKA KOWALCZYK, LAUREN OLSON, CRISTINA PARRA Event Marketing Coordinator ANI GAFKA Event Marketing Assistant SHANA KAUFMAN
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Vice President of Manufacturing MARIA BLONDEAUX Director of Positioning and Planning SALLY LYON Planning and Positioning Manager TARA MCCRILLIS Assistant Production Director PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Managers BARBARA SHALE, BLUE UYEDA Production Artist MARISSA MAHERAS Distribution Manager MATT HEMMERLING Fulfillment Manager DORIS HOLLIFIELD Traffic Supervisor ESTEE WRIGHT Traffic Coordinators JEANNE GLEESON, MALLORIE SOMMERS Circulation Research Specialist CHAD HARWOOD
FINANCE
Controller DANIELLE BIXLER Advertising Business Manager RICHARD YONG Financial Analyst AUDREY CADY Credit and Collections Manager CHRISTOPHER BEST Senior Credit and Collections Analyst MYRNA ROSADO Senior Billing Coordinator CHARLES CAGLE Senior Accountant LILY WU Junior Accountants CHRISTINA LESCAY, NEIL SHAH, NATASHA WARREN
ADMINISTRATION, DIGITAL, AND OPERATIONS
Director of Operations MICHAEL CAPACE Director of Human Resources STEPHANIE MITCHELL Executive Assistant ARLENE GONZALEZ Digital Media Developer MICHAEL KWAN Digital Media Specialist ANTHONY PEARSON Desktop Administrator ZACHARY CUMMO Infrastructure Administrator MOHAMMED HANNAN Facilities Coordinator JOUBERT GUILLAUME
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
J.P. ANDERSON (Michigan Avenue), SPENCER BECK (Los Angeles Confidential), ANDREA BENNETT (Vegas), KRISTIN DETTERLINE (Philadelphia Style), ERIN LENTZ (Aspen Peak), LISA PIERPONT (Boston Common), CATHERINE SABINO (Gotham), JARED SHAPIRO (Ocean Drive), SAMANTHA YANKS (Hamptons)
PUBLISHERS
JOHN M. COLABELLI (Philadelphia Style), LOUIS F. DELONE (Austin Way), ALEXANDRA HALPERIN (Aspen Peak), DEBRA HALPERT (Hamptons), GLEN KELLEY (Boston Common), COURTLAND LANTAFF (Ocean Drive), ALISON MILLER (Los Angeles Confidential), KATHERINE NICHOLLS (Gotham), DAN USLAN (Michigan Avenue), JOSEF VANN (Vegas)
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer JOHN P. KUSHNIR Chief Technology Officer JESSE TAYLOR President and Chief Operating Officer KATHERINE NICHOLLS Chairman and Director of Photography JEFF GALE Copyright 2014 by Niche Media Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. Capitol File magazine is published six times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Capitol File magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs, and drawings. To order a subscription, please call 866-891-3144. For customer service, please inquire at capitolfile@pubservice.com. To distribute Capitol File at your business, please e-mail magazinerequest@nichemedia.net. Capitol File magazine is published by Niche Media Holdings, LLC (Founder, Jason Binn), a company of The Greenspun Corporation. CAPITOL FILE : 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 925, Washington, DC 20004 T: 202-293-8025 F: 202-293-8022 NICHE MEDIA HOLDINGS: 100 Church Street, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10007 T: 646-835-5200 F: 212-780-0003 THE GREENSPUN CORPORATION: 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300, Henderson, NV 89074 T: 702-259-4023 F: 702-383-1089
22 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
CAP_Masthead.indd 28
4/2/14 6:08 PM
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sharing a laugh with Dr. Jill Biden outside her office in the Old Executive Office Building.
ABOVE: At our “power women” photo shoot at Fiola Mare with Betsy Fischer Martin, Ambassador Capricia Marshall, Valerie Jarrett, Gina Adams, and Katherine Bradley. LEFT: Lunching with Veep’s Matt Walsh and Stephanie Laing at Birroteca in Baltimore.
After an intolerably long winter, spring is finally here. Only in Washington can you go to your child’s soccer game and have both the president and the vice president of the United States on the sidelines, cheering on their daughters and granddaughters. You might also have several CEOs, senior administration officials, top lobbyists, and news anchors among the influentials on the sidelines. This edition of Capitol File is our Women of Influence issue. With a record 102 female members in the 113th Congress, three female Supreme Court justices, the first-ever woman director of the Secret Service, and the recent appointment of our country’s first female acting deputy secretary of defense, the ladies are knocking down Follow me on Twitter at the doors of Washington’s old-boys’ club. @poshbrood and on We’re honored to have such an iconic capitolfile-magazine.com Washington woman, Dr. Jill Biden, as the subject of our cover story. Biden is the first-ever second lady to hold a paying job while in office, teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College. We spoke to Biden about her tireless work advocating for military families, her love of teaching, and how she keeps family a priority on page 90. I’m still trying to figure out how she does it all. People tend to throw around the “power lunch” term, but if you take a peek at page 104, you’ll see that our “ladies who lunch” include extraordinary Washington women who are influencing public policy, diplomacy, philanthropy, business, and media at the highest levels. I want to thank Gina Adams, Katherine Bradley, Betsy Fischer Martin, Valerie Jarrett, and Ambassador Capricia Marshall for spending an informative, fascinating, and fun afternoon with us. Next up? The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner weekend. It’s a milestone this year as the association is celebrating its centennial. Happy birthday, WHCA—cheers to 100 more years of that unfettered access to the president!
ELIZABETH E . THORP
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE DUNEA (BIDEN); SCOTT HENRICHSEN (BROWN); STEVEN VOSS (POWER WOMEN); GREG POWERS (BIRROTECA).
At a Women in the World DC reception on March 5, with founder Tina Brown. I was honored to be an event cochair along with Anita Dunn, Julianna Margulies, Cheryl Mills, and Sophie L’Hélias Delattre, among others.
24 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
024_CF_FOB_EdLetter_LateSpring14.indd 24
4/4/14 9:34 AM
THE VISA® BLACK CARD MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL
SM
Black Card Members Enjoy: An Industry-Leading Rewards Program § Exclusive 24-Hour Concierge Service VIP Treatment at over 3,000 Properties § VIP Airport Lounge Access Members Only - Black Card Magazine § Luxury Gifts from the World’s Top Brands
APPLY NOW AT BLACKCARD.COM OR CALL 866-BLACK CARD. BLACKCARD is a registered trademark used under license. © 2007-2014 Black Card LLC. Patent Pending. Visa Black Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
With Laith Alnouri from the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Capitol File Associate Publisher Meredith Merrill and I with Park Hyatt’s Mark Guthrie.
ABOVE: With Jacquie Dalton and Alan Cook of Metropolitan Aviation at Blue Duck Tavern’s chef’s table. LEFT: Elizabeth Thorp and I at Tina Brown’s Women in the World reception.
“When women succeed, America succeeds.” So said Valerie Jarrett, quoting President Obama, at the Women in the World reception at the Fairmont Washington, DC. She is just one of the many powerful women I’ve met in my new role as publisher of Capitol File, and I can’t think of a more inspirational way to start my time here. That famous statement quoted by Jarrett is more than proven in the women we highlight in this issue, especially those in our feature, “Women on Top,” on page 104. Some of those we profiled are household names; others are women who are busy behind Follow me on Twitter at the scenes running companies and may @jsejacobs and on be unknown to you. I’m inspired by capitolfile-magazine.com women like Elizabeth Thorp, who has recently taken the helm as editor-in-chief here at Capitol File and who is putting her connections and journalistic experience together to create a truly smart, cultured, and engaging magazine. And Jacquie Dalton, the COO of Metropolitan Aviation, is another incredible woman who started out as a thoroughbred jockey and is now running one of the premier private jet charter companies just outside DC in Manassas, Virginia. All told, these women are Washington success stories. They make DC one of the most exciting cities in the US. And in a city that delights in who’s who, don’t forget about the women in your life who are informing and influencing your world— regardless of their title. I’ve been in publishing for my entire career, and I’ve always been fascinated by people, fashion, culture, and luxury. It is a dream to be able to combine my personal passions and my professional experience in one place. And to top that, I am kicking off my fabulous time with you on this inspirational issue.
SUZY JACOBS PUBLISH ER
26 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
026_CF_FOB_PubLetter_LateSpring14.indd 26
4/4/14 9:38 AM
Introducing New Tommy Bahama Compass
Available at Macy’s and macys.com, Tommy Bahama Stores and tommybahama.com
...WITHOUT WHOM THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE LATE SPRING 2014
Stephanie Green A Washington journalist whose credits include Bloomberg, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and The Washington Times, Green has lived and worked in Washington since 2001. She penned Hottest Ticket on page 54. Are you an opera aficionado? I don’t consider myself an expert, but I’ve seen a variety of productions here in DC. Opera isn’t just about the consumption of it, but also the experience. There’s a ritual and tradition—the way you dress and prepare for it mentally. I wish I saw younger people at the opera, but I think most major opera houses are making a concerted effort to attract the next generation, which is delightful to hear. What’s best about DC in the spring? The gardens! Photography is a passion of mine, and I find Washington to be a visual feast—even for an amateur photographer like me. The gardens at Hillwood and ambassadorial residences are exquisite this time of year.
Ed Henry The chief White House correspondent for Fox News Channel, Henry joined the network in 2011 from CNN. He began his career working as a Senate correspondent at Roll Call for Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jack Anderson. Henry wrote one of this issue’s Front Runners (page 8). When do you first recall having an interest politics? I knew I loved politics when
my dad got me interested in watching David Brinkley’s Sunday show; clearly I was the only geek at my junior high doing that. Then I ran for student council president—and lost—but I got the bug for politics and wouldn’t let it go. Finally, in high school my mom called me “the mayor” because every time there was a school function, I’d be walking around shaking hands, saying hi to everyone. I just love the back and forth. What’s the most difficult aspect of being a television journalist in DC? The toughest
thing about DC is staying on top of your game and not getting soft or being seduced by power. We need to press to cover both parties and all sides, asking tough questions to everyone in power. And if it makes public officials a little uncomfortable, good! That’s our job.
28
In his nearly 30-year career, Slowes has been a sports broadcaster for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and college basketball. The original voice of the Washington Nationals since 2005, he wrote Talent Patrol for this issue (page 46). Why do you love what you do? First, I love radio… being the eyes and ears of the listener and describing the events of a game as they unfold. Then, you hope to be able to describe historic moments, and I’ve been able to do that. I have loved the game since I was a boy; I never grow tired of it. What did you learn when interviewing Doug Fister? Right now he’s all business… determined to succeed with the Nats and help them win a championship.
Kelley McCormick McCormick considers herself a true Marylander— meaning she has her own crab cake recipe, loathes driving on Virginia roads, and yells “Os!” on cue when singing the “The Star Spangled Banner.” A Silver Spring resident, with her husband and three young sons, she wrote View from the Top (page 43). What impresses you about Ellie Schafer?
Ellie is one of those people who finds the joy in the every day. It’s absolutely impossible to be in a bad mood when you’re around her. What struck you about how Ellie approaches her job? In a town where most are so serious
about everything, it’s inspiring to find someone who has a seriously important job and still has a great time doing it. She’s never lost the wonder of it all. That’s why she’s so good at her job.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FOX NEWS CHANNEL (HENRY); WASHINGTON NATIONALS (SLOWES); STEPHANIE GREEN (GREEN)
Charlie Slowes
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
028_CF_FOB_Contribs_LateSpring14.indd 28
4/3/14 2:14 PM
Legendary Long-Stay Lodging in the Heart of DC
When a hotel isn’t the answer, stay AKA—distinctive furnished residences and penthouse suites with spacious living rooms, full kitchens and hotel amenities, perfect for stays of a week or longer. Amenities include an inviting open-flow lounge area with stunning bar, relaxed seating and views of the DC streetscape; brand new, state of the art Technogym fitness center; and a beautifully designed business center and conference room. Ask about AKA’s monthly rates—the smart way to travel for two weeks or longer. AKA WHITE HOUSE 1710 h street nw, washington dc dc arlington new york city philadelphia beverly hills london stayaka.com
866 974 0606
Invit ed
WASHINGTON’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS AND SMARTEST PARTIES
Sting performing at the Music Center at Strathmore.
School House Rock AWARD-WINNING ROCKER STING HEADLINES THE PERFORMANCE SERIES OF LEGENDS. BY LAURA MULLEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN NIELSEN
I
t’s not every day that high school students are able to share the stage with a legendary musician. But attendees of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts got the chance—and rocked the house. Sting, award-winning performer and activist, headlined the 7th Annual Performance Series of Legends benefit concert on March 12 at the Music Center at Strathmore. Joined by special guest Paul Simon, Sting performed renditions of his top hits with help from the talented kids of the Duke Ellington School. The concert series raised $1.2 million for the school to provide arts programming, education, and resources to students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Supporters of the evening’s event included Susan Rice, Gov. Martin O’Malley (MD), Connie Milstein, Congressman Jim Moran, and Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 31
31
4/4/14 1:23 PM
INVITED Kelly and Mark Knebel with Sintia Petrosian
Ben Becker and Michael LaRosa
Stefani Cissell and Kavita Verma Dechelle Harris, Christopher Patrick, and Kathleen Hale
Jessica Farewell and Jessica Green David and Haleh Niroo
9005 Preview
Tiffany Heard, Nate Mathis, Charles Robertson, and Dave Fiorito
Capitol File and The Fleisher Group invited more than 200 guests to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sasha Bruce Youthwork and to preview the expansive 9005 Durham Drive property by David Niroo on March 13. After a Champagne toast from MetropolitanJets.com, attendees enjoyed an evening with gourmet preparations by Design Cuisine, a luxury car display by Aston Martin, and sips from Trump Winery while they browsed the estate.
Lenny Gordon, Monica Boyd, and Rick Hoffman
Dr. Sandra Proctor with Luis and Monique McSween
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN/ IMIJINATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Fouad Talout, Marc Fleisher, and Therese Talout
Amy Campbell and Tracy Bernstein
32
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 32
Jim Beck, Dean Smith, and Christopher Addison
4/4/14 1:24 PM
Brett Leonhardt and Logan Kapinus
Alex Ovechkin
Karl Alzner Troy and Carmen Brouwer with the Brouwer Rangers
Lexi Solofra and Connor Carrick
Capitals’ Casino
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK MCDERMOTT/ WASHINGTON CAPITALS PHOTOGRAPHY
Fans, coaches, alumni, and team members of the Washington Capitals including Alex Ovechkin, Karl Alzner, and Troy Brouwer enjoyed an evening of table games and auctions at the 2014 Capitals Casino Night, presented by Salamander Resort & Spa, on March 12 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel. Guests bid on raffle and silent-auction items, including signed memorabilia to raise more than $300,000 for the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALFREDO FLORES
Nancy and Harald Cordes
Ahmed Hajj, Sogand Zamani, and Matt Voorhees
Patti and Robert Franklin Kay Kapoor, Tim Gillis, and Cheryl Campbell
Todd Villines, BJ Benn, and Reginald Robinson
Heart Ball
On February 22, more than 600 guests from across the Washington region celebrated the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Ball at the Mandarin Oriental. Physicians and healthcare community leaders joined together for an evening of dinner, dancing, live entertainment, and fundraising auctions to benefit the organization.
Scarlett Breeding and Helen Sullivan
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 33
33
4/4/14 1:25 PM
INVITED Lyndon Boozer
Gina Adams
Debra Lee, Rep. James Clyburn, and Erica Johnson Robin Smith and Bill Plante
On February 4, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its 15th Anniversary Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Southern Company, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The night began with a performance of a weeklong engagement at The Kennedy Center and was followed by dinner and dancing for more than 600 guests on the Roof Terrace.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES R. BRANTLEY
Alvin Ailey Opening Night
Jackie Deal with Erich and Daria Wallach and Bennett Rink
Noreen Fraser and Arianna Huffington Wilhelmina Holladay
Beth Hague and Kacey Pappas
Page Evans
AMWA 99th Annual Gala
34 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 34
The American Medical Womens’ Association celebrated its 99th Annual Gala on March 15 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The Saturday-night gala came amid the association’s annual meeting, which featured guest speakers Arianna Huffington and Anthony Fauci.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODNEYBAILEY.COM
Dr. Patricia Yarbury Allen, Dr. Eleni Tousimis, and Raphael Thiney
4/4/14 1:26 PM
Reid Dunavant and Patricia Simpich Lizzy Conroy, Rich Moroscak, and Mary Hoerni
Louis and Septime Webre
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOYLE COLLECTION
Doyle Collection’s Forster Flag
Marcia Inger Navratil, Dr. Don Carleton, and Dr. Kirby Baker
The Doyle Collection hosted an intimate reception at the HayAdams Hotel on March 20 to showcase The Forster Flag, a Revolutionary War flag displaying 13 white stripes to represent the original colonies. The flag will be auctioned at Doyle New York with an estimated worth of between $1 million and $3 million. The sale will benefit the Whitney Smith Flag Research Center Collection for American History at The University of Texas Austin.
Heather Roberts and Ashley Stanwick with Matt and Lindsay Coursen
Bruce Thorne and Cindy Brack
Josh Bernstein with Debbie and Carl Berkelhammer
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALFREDO FLORES PHOTOGRAPHY
Andrea Rinaldi and Lauren Hilario
Luke’s Wings Hero Gala
Fletcher Gill and Lindsay Kin
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 35
More than 200 guests supported Luke’s Wing at its annual Hero Gala on March 29 at the RitzCarlton Washington. The nonprofit organization is committed to providing wounded warriors and their families with flights and travel assistance when the military member needs it most. Presented by Lockheed Martin, the event showcased a car display by Criswell Maserati, a selection of pop-up shops during the cocktail reception, and a runway show featuring military models.
Heidi Merz and Brandon Rowe
Omar Stwodah and Shannon Bream
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM 35
4/4/14 1:46 PM
INVITED
Tina Brown, Humaira Bachal, and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Maha Hakki, Goldy Kamali, and Dannia Hakki
Hon. Jane Harman
Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Tina Brown hosted Women in the World, DC on March 5, at which attendees listened in on discussions with Valerie Jarrett, Madeleine Albright, and Catherine Russell. Held at the Fairmont Hotel, the program included topics such as the crisis in Ukraine, nutrition in the nation’s capital, and girls’ education in Pakistan.
Valerie Jarrett, Kim Azzarelli, Dionne Colvin-Lovely, and John Lisko
Cindy and Dan Waetjen with Beth Gorman
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT HENRICHSON
Women in the World
Mary Angelo with John and Terry Castellani
Leukemia Ball
Emily and Neil Kishter
Julie Donaldson, Sarah Simmons, Eileen Whelan, and Angie Goff Ryan Hamilton and Candace Duncan 36
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 36
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN/ IMIJINATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Eric Wood and Kim Sauer with Monique and James Howard
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society National Capital Area Chapter celebrated its annual Leukemia Ball on March 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with almost 2,000 guests in attendance. Presented by PhRMA and chaired by Candace Duncan and Dan Waetjen, the event raised $3 million for the organization and included performances by Huey Lewis and the News and comedian Ryan Hamilton.
4/4/14 1:25 PM
Springtime awakens
at Washington, D.C.’s Luxury Resort
Spring is here
– Experience the area’s equestrian events, numerous wineries, boutique shopping in historic Middleburg and the most luxurious new spa in America.
540.687.3600 | SalamanderResort.com
Less than an hour from Washington, D.C. and 35 minutes from Dulles Int’l Airport
INVITED Rob Dyer and Helena Anderson
Sara Mokhtari and Scott Thuman
Lauren Ellison and Carrie Sippel
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN/ IMIJINATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Amanda Polk, Don Patron, and Allison Priebe Brooks
Zeema and Kyle Kapacee
Pink Tie Party
The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off with its annual Pink Tie Party on March 20 at the Ronald Reagan Building. Sponsored by Capitol File, Tysons Galleria, and STK, the event’s VIP lounge experience treated guests to a spring fashion presentation and sips from Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere.
Tyler Gates and Heather Theunissen
Naseya Minor, Morgan Fykes, Tammy Preston, and Nicole Aquirre
BLO Launch
Tara Palmeri, Nick Massella, and Sophie Pyle
38
On March 21, designer and TV personality Whitney Port hosted the launch party of Blo Blow Dry Bar with owner Maha Sharma at the Dupont location. Guests experienced treatments and services from the Blo menu with treats from Frosting A Cupcakery and Veuve Clicquot Rosé.
Maha Sharma and Whitney Port
Kate Michael and Sondra Ortagus PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOY ASICO
Kerri Larkin, Heather Shaw Menis, and Grace Tumminelli
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
031-038_CF_FOB_Invited_LateSpr14.indd 38
4/4/14 1:40 PM
Alan R. Cook Founder & CEO
Get the plane truth. Private jet management and charter that gives you full transparency, honest pricing, and exceptional service with a company you can trust.
Worldwide Authority | Based in Metro DC
Call * DCA Approved
today!
T he List late spring 2014
Tanya Blosser
Emily Hines
Diana Mayhew
Jacquie Dalton
Kathleen Tayman
Emily Garber
Lindsay Kin
Tracy Dietz
Carmencita Whonder
Monique McSween
Susanna Monroney Quinn
Senator Susan Collins
Yendi Jackson
Valerie Donati
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Kate Hawken
Tiffany D’Aurizio
Caroline Adler
Alicia Broehl
Marielle Shortell
Izette Folger
Melanie Fonder Kaye
Aarti Gala
Julie Mason
Kelley McCormick
Jennifer Styles
Virginia Coyne
Emily Lenzner
Nicole Brooks
Lindsay Drewel
Lauren Ellison
Julia A. Pierson
Marilyn Terrell
Jean Newman Glock
Nicole Curry
Lupita Nyong’o
Hilary Phelps
Trina Sams-Manning
Shana Glickfield
Debbie Dingell
Judy Vongboupha
Jennifer Hing
Lindsay Drewel
Mary Jo Klein
Kiki McLean
Ambassador Catherine M. Russell
Julia Voorthuis
Lydia Miles Logan
Meredith Goldberg
Roz Moore
Phebe Novakovic
40 capitolfile-magazine.com
040_CF_FOB_TheList_LateSpring14.indd 40
4/3/14 2:15 PM
A S I N G L E C I T Y B L O C K . H I G H LY A D VA N C E D S T Y L E
On the Metro Red Line, Friendship Heights Station 5471-5481 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD • www.thecollectionatchevychase.com
Five STAR Dining in WAShingTon, D.C.
Recently named the only fve star restaurant in Washington, D.C. from Forbes, Plume at The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. serves as a discreet and elegant backdrop to the culinary artistry of our award-winning executive chef, Chris Jakubiec. Among our more than 1,300 wine labels are 50 vintages that Jefferson himself enjoyed in his time, as well as newer wines he might select were he alive today. Choose a cozy nook or a table by our inviting freplace as you savor classic dishes crafted using traditional techniques and seasonal restaurant menus that are inspired by the harvest from Thomas Jefferson’s kitchen gardens at Monticello.
Plume at The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. 1200 16th St. NW | 202.448.3277 www.plumedc.com | plume@jeffersondc.com
Superlatives PEOPLE, CULTURE, TASTE, TREASURES
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Gatekeeper to 1600 ELLIE SCHAFER, DIRECTOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE VISITORS OFFICE, MAY BE THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN WASHINGTON THAT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF. BY KELLEY MCCORMICK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN VOSS; MAKEUP BY KARI ELLEN WINICK
T
he White House is one of the few places in the world that serves as both the residence and executive office for a head of state. But the White House isn’t simply a home to first families or reception space for world leaders. It’s also a living museum that’s free and open to the public. Ellie Schafer, special assistant to the president and director of the White House Visitors Office, is tasked with fulfilling the president and first lady’s mission to make this White House the most accessible in history. She is the welcoming face for celebrities, dignitaries, and ordinary citizens. Schafer’s unique mix of skills—not to mention her megawatt smile and penchant for finding the best in everyone—makes her perfect for the job, which she has held since January 2009. Schafer previously ran her own small business, managing events for the likes of the Dalai Lama and a book tour for thenSenator Barack Obama. Originally from North Dakota, Schafer initially stepped foot in the White House on her first day on the job. When she saw that requests for tours were still being handled by fax, she knew it was time to modernize. After continued on page 44
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
043-044_CF_SP_View_LateSpring14.indd 43
43
4/3/14 4:00 PM
The president embraces Schafer during the annual Easter Egg Roll in 2011.
continued from page 43 consulting with congressional offices that receive the majority of requests for White House tours, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. The result: reduced wait times and a better overall guest experience. Inspired by a flight to San Francisco, Schafer created a guest boarding pass for every visitor. Tour approvals skyrocketed from 2 to 50 percent. “Revitalizing the system is a significant accomplishment for our team,” says Schafer. “The president asked us to leave this White House better than we found it, and I’m very proud that we have done that.” The White House Visitors Office also manages large events at the White House. During her tenure, Schafer has overseen more than 1,500 events with more than three million visitors. But of all of the events, the White House Easter Egg Roll is her favorite. Historically, families waited in line a few days in advance of the Easter Egg Roll in the hopes they would win tickets. Michelle Obama wanted families to know earlier if they could attend the event, so Schafer and her team developed a lottery system. They also changed the entrance to the Ellipse so that they could entertain guests who were waiting with musical performances, family-friendly water stations, and healthy snacks. They reengineered the entry system—bringing in 5,000 guests at a time, every two hours, in five different blocks. This not only increased the number of people who could attend, but also increased the amount of time guests could spend on the South Lawn, listening to A-list BELOW: Mrs. Obama and performers or enjoying hands-on fun such as hula hooping, jumping rope, Schafer in the first and, of course, rolling those White House Easter eggs. lady’s office; Schafer in the It’s currently the very busy spring season, and there’s no time for Oval Office with Schafer’s team of five staffers and more than 1,000 volunteers to rest. Four the president. days after hosting 35,000 guests at the Easter Egg Roll, the White House will invite 30,000 more guests to enjoy its spring garden tours. Schafer is one of only a handful of aides who has been with the president since the very beginning. She first met Obama when working on his book tour in 2006. “When I started working for him,” Schafer recalls, “there was no doubt in my mind that he was the best person for the job. I was willing to make every sacrifice to help make that happen, including 654 days on the road living out of a suitcase. It was the best experience of my life, and it’s been an incredible journey.” She continues, “The mystique of this place will never wear off. I still get chills just coming through the gate. Or showing someone around and saying, ‘This is George Washington’s sword.’ I’m like, Washington’s sword! How cool is that?” But there’s one day that stands out for Schafer. “There was a girl from the Makea-Wish Foundation whose one wish was to meet the president,” she recalls. “Afterward, as we were walking back to the car, the girl’s father looked at me and said, ‘I haven’t seen her smile this much in a long time. I think you added a few months to her life.’ Those are the moments that take your breath away and make you realize the enormity of your job.” CF
44
ELLIE KNOWS BEST The holder of the keys to the White House shares facts about the nation’s most famous address. *on booking a tour “You can book White House tours through your member of Congress as much as six months in advance of your desired date.”
*rooms with a view “Andrew Jackson planted a tree here in 1835, and it’s still living and visible from the Red Room and State Dining Room windows. The best view of the South Grounds is from the middle window in the Blue Room.”
*words of wisdom “The fireplace in the State Dining Room is inscribed with the White House Prayer from John Adams, which reads: ‘I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.’”
*aging with grace “Most of the furniture that you see from the tour route dates from sometime in the 1800s.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE SPUZA (PRESIDENT OBAMA); SAMANTHA APPLETON (MICHELLE OBAMA)
VIEW FROM THE TOP
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
043-044_CF_SP_View_LateSpring14.indd 44
4/4/14 1:02 PM
TALENT PATROL Leaving Detroit for DC, Doug Fister looks ahead to the new season as a National.
Detroit Tigers last December. The Merced, California, native began his career with Seattle, but was moved to the Tigers in July 2011. With Detroit, Fister was dominating with an 8–1 win-loss record in 11 starts and a microscopic 1.79 earned run average. He also won two of three postseason starts and won a total of 24 games over the next two seasons. With that success, another trade wasn’t DC newbie: “I remotely on his radar. “Being away from want to dive in the ballpark in the offseason, you’re not and see the thinking about, or hearing, trade rumors, Smithsonian and all of the history so it was quite the surprise,” Fister says. of Washington. “But I quickly had a lot of excitement come There’s a lot to over me. Knowing that Matt Williams was experience and now the manager and the staff we have, take in.” along with the teammates here [at the Baseball idols: Nationals], it became very exciting for me Fister’s favorite childhood players to look forward to the season. Nats fans are were Orioles going to see some great baseball this year.” hall-of-famer Cal Growing up watching the Giants and Ripken Jr. and A’s, and having played baseball since the Ken Griffey Jr. age of six, Fister knows he’s now living boyhood dreams. “I’m blessed,” he says. “I’ve had a wonderful time and amazing experiences, most recently in Detroit. But since that phone call came, and I changed to wearing the Nats’ red and blue, my loyalty is here now. I’m all in.” With his tall, lanky frame and over-the-top pitching delivery, Fister relies on his heavy, sinking fastball more than scouting reports—an old-school approach. “For me, I attack with my best stuff and go from there,” he says. “I pitch a lot on feeling and execution and stay with my strengths. I’ll be attacking hitters THE NATIONALS’ NEWEST PITCHER, DOUG FISTER, LOOKS TO and trying for contact to take advantage of our great HELP HIS TEAMMATES REACH THE TOP OF THE BASEBALL infield defense.” WORLD THIS SEASON. BY CHARLIE SLOWES As a visitor to Washington, Fister sensed its unique aura. With an interest in teaching when he’s done playing baseball, he looks forward to soaking it all in, and hen Washington Nationals pitchers take the field for their pre- it’s something he won’t take lightly. “I’m looking forward to wandering batting practice stretch, one man is easily visible above the [here in DC],” Fister said. “You see the White House, the Capitol, the rest—much like the Washington Monument, which looms over Pentagon, and you see this is a land of respect. There are things that have happened in those buildings that really have changed the way we’ve lived cars driving along the Southeast-Southwest Expressway. That man is the 6-foot-8 right-hander Doug Fister, acquired in a three-for- our lives and the freedoms we have here in the US. I really like to learn and one player trade from the American League Central division champion appreciate what people before us have done.” CF
Standing Tall
W
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS
INSIGHT
46 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
046_CF_SP_TP_LateSpring14.indd 46
4/3/14 2:17 PM
THE COUPLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
Drs. Sachiko Kuno and Ryuji Ueno repose at Evermay, one of two campuses in Georgetown for their S&R Foundation.
48
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
048-049_CF_SP_Couple_LateSpring14.indd 48
4/4/14 9:42 AM
At Home in Georgetown DOCTORS RYUJI UENO AND SACHIKO KUNO HAVE CREATED A CAMPUS FOR YOUNG SCHOLARS AT TWO OF THE CITY’S MOST STORIED ADDRESSES. BY KATE GIBBS
R
yuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno met in Kyoto late 2011, they executed a broader part of their in the 1980s while doing pharmaceutical vision in Georgetown when they acquired research. Dr. Kuno, 28 at the time, was Evermay, a federal manse on the east side that sits hired as Dr. Ueno’s researcher, and a few years amid a manicured 3.5-acre garden with commandlater they began dating. What’s blossomed since ing views of Rock Creek park, and Halcyon House to the west, a four-story pied-à-terre with a terraced then makes them pillars of the DC community. Both humble about their career paths, one gets garden originally owned in 1781 by First Secretary the feeling upon meeting the husband-and-wife of the U.S. Navy Benjamin Stoddert. The two hisduo of pharmaceutical titans—who own some toric homes in DC—which the doctors call an idea 600-plus patents between them—that they may capital with a wealth of international business, a have preferred to stay out of the limelight were sizeable arts community, and a landscape of global they not so passionate about a shared cause: The development and science—serve as a campus for S&R Foundation, which celebrates its annual international scholars on the vanguard of artistic, scientific, and social entrepreneurship. awards gala on May 31. The core of the foundation is its two annual But the nonprofit they founded “to support talented individuals with great potential and high prizes: one for a young artist (to be awarded May aspirations in the arts, sciences, and social entre- 31 at an inaugural event at Halcyon House) and another for a young scientist. preneurship, especially those Each year the nominees and who are furthering their cultural grand prize winners receive celebration” has been so well grants, some as substantial as received in Georgetown, that $33,000 a year for eight years. their anonymity is exchanged Since the acquisition of the two for innovation. estates, those prizes have come Ueno and Kuno immigrated —SACHIKO KUNO to include a home on campus. to Bethesda with the intention of taking their company, Sucampo, public in 1996. The choice to integrate students from the sciences The rapid growth of their business outlined respon- and the arts is deliberate and likely the direct result sibilities: Ueno, who trained as a medical doctor, of Ueno’s upbringing in a musical household. “We captained ongoing research as Kuno shepherded cannot know what a conversation in the kitchen the growth of their business, enrolling in an interna- might inspire,” he says, with a firm belief in the kintional business program at Georgetown. Their ship between fields. Together Ueno and Kuno underwrite the return collaborative vision, she explains, has always been bigger than the two of them, “From the beginning, of live music to The Washington Ballet. And in 2015, the Evermay Chamber will perform the score we asked, ‘How can we best serve the patient?’” That public service is at the heart of S&R for Swan Lake at The Kennedy Center, a milestone Foundation, which they founded in 2000 (they mar- for the public impact for the S&R Foundation. For tickets ($450) to the S&R Washington Awards ried two years later). They could have picked any dot on the map as the seat of their charitable enter- Gala at Halcyon House on Saturday, May 31, 7 PM, prise. But, Kuno says, “Washington, DC, is the best visit washingtonawards.org. For a schedule of the place for innovation.” 2014 Overtures Spring Concert Series at Evermay Two years ago, they set up shop in Bethesda. In Estate, visit sandr.org. CF
“Washington, DC, is the best place for innovation.”
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
048-049_CF_SP_Couple_LateSpring14.indd 49
49
4/4/14 4:28 PM
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY
Shajena Erazo in her classroom at Ballou High School.
Cheers for the Year! S
hajena Erazo arrived in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2009 to begin a school year that would change her life. Her service in City Year Washington DC inspired her to pursue a career in education that took her back to the community she supported as a City Year AmeriCorps member. Erazo’s skill and talent in the field made her a 2013 nominee for DC Teacher of the Year. Jeff Franco, vice president and executive director of City Year Washington DC has seen hundreds of young, idealistic corps volunteers since taking the helm in 2008, and he remembers his friend as “a standout corps member.” Nationally, these corps members are battling staggering statistics: an estimated 1 million students drop out of school each year; half of them come from just 12 percent of schools. The graduation rate in DC public schools is hovering around 58 percent, until you look eastward across the river to Wards 7 and 8, where Erazo worked as a corps volunteer and teaches today. In some
50
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
050-053_CF_SP_SofG_LateSpring14.indd 50
high-poverty communities, the graduation rate drops alarmingly to the low 40s. According to the District of Columbia Public Schools, 76 percent qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches, another indicator of low income that affects high truancy and low graduation rates. With a mission to target public schools that are most in distress, and armed with 17- to 24-year-olds who dedicate one year to mentoring and tutoring students between third and ninth grades fulltime to keep them on track to graduate, City Year Washington DC is making a difference. The organization’s signature red jackets, worn by all corps volunteers, are often described as life rafts for students who could easily flounder in the most challenged schools in DC and around the country. Jeff Franco: Kids’ chances of success are based on their zip code. That means that in DC’s most challenged neighborhoods, more kids are dropping out than continued on page 52
“It gives me hope that the young people who serve with us are the future of our country.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY GREENWALT
AS CITY YEAR WASHINGTON DC CELEBRATES ITS ANNUAL GALA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEFF FRANCO AND CITY YEAR ALUMNA SHAJENA ERAZO DISCUSS THEIR COMMITMENT TO INSPIRING AT-RISK STUDENTS TO BECOME ACADEMIC SUCCESS STORIES. BY MATTHEW STEWART
4/4/14 9:46 AM
BLISS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS. THAT’S CAYMANKIND. Spend Summer Only in Cayman and save on everything from dining to daytrips. By booking a minimum 5-night stay in the Cayman Islands, sun seekers can receive a 5th night free as well as a range of resort credits.* You’ll enjoy even more exclusive offers with your “Only in Cayman Savings Card.” Available now, this deal will disappear June 30, 2014, with travel through June 1 - September 1, 2014.
For more information, visit www.onlyincayman.com With United Airlines® offering non-stop service from Dulles to Grand Cayman, now’s the perfect time to pack for paradise!
ONLY IN CAYMAN O N L Y IN
C AY MA N
S CARDM SAVING .CO INCAYMAN
LY WWW.ON
WWW.ONLYINCAYMAN.COM
A WORLD AWAY. JUST ONE HOUR FROM MIAMI.
*Only valid at participating properties on new bookings made by June 30, 2014 for travel June 1 - September 1, 2014. Blackout dates may apply. See website for complete rules and restrictions.
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY
| DALI | PICASSO | MIRÓ | MATISSE | | SLONEM | MARS | WARHOL | HIRST | VERBICKY | continued from page 50 finishing school. That is a civil rights issue in my opinion, [and] City Year wants to address that through our corps members. Many schoolhouses are equipped to handle Jeff Franco during his visit to Shajena’s maybe 15 percent of those class at Ballou High School. who need extra support to get back on track. In many of the schools we are serving, 50 percent of the students in the class need that attention. It is heroic work that many of the teachers and principals are doing in DC public schools, [but] they need the support that City Year provides to be able to do what they need to do. City Year’s idealistic young people serve all day, every day, and make a commitment to the school and the community. The fact that they are “near peers” allows them to make connections with the students and become invested in their success. I saw you in the classroom last week bringing some of the ideas that are a part of the City Year culture to light. It made me so proud. Shajena Erazo: As a City Year corps member, my job was to work with students [who had] attendance and performance issues, which taught me to gravitate to those students. As an educator I am looking for those signs, and I am drawn to them in the way that I was at City Year. I take off my teacher hat for a moment and say to them, “Hey, what’s going on? What can I do to help you? I really want you to be successful and to fulfill your dreams.” A bit of that is my personality, but I’m not sure I would have gone into the classroom with that approach if it were not for my time at City Year. JF: After working at City Year, I don’t think I could go to an organization [without a] social justice mission. You look at the needs and balance them with the hope and the inspiration that our corps members are creating, not just for the kids, but for the larger community. It gives me hope that the young people who serve with us are the future of our country. From a funding perspective, those same assets make us attractive to individuals, corporations, and foundations. SE: I realized why I was at City Year on a day during my corps year. I was riding the Metro to Malcolm X [Elementary School], the school I served in, when I read a story about a local man who had been shot. [I learned] that the man was the uncle of one of the first graders. Later that day at recess, this kid was being volatile and pushing kids around. I called him over what: City Year and said, “It’s okay, buddy,” and put my Washington DC’s arms around him. He immediately Idealism in Action Gala started to sob on my red City Year jacket. when: May 12, 6:30 PM As I held him, I realized this is why I do where: Washington what I do, working in at-risk communiHilton ties with kids who need love. I was doing contact: cityyear.org/ exactly what I needed to be doing and in washington-dc the place I needed to be. CF
INSIGHT
2820 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20007 202.338.0625
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY GREENWALT. OPPOSITE: CHRIS M. BURCH (SKYLER’S GIFT); XMB PHOTOGRAPHY (DREAMSCAPE)
| LAGEMANN | QUINN | KOONS |
WWW.DTRMODERN.COM
050-053_CF_SP_SofG_LateSpring14.indd 52
4/4/14 6:18 PM
Charity Regist er OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE.
D I S C O V E R
THE BOND
THE BRAIN BALL
The cause: The Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national, and local level to advocate, research, and provide prevention and care initiatives on behalf of Alzheimer’s disease. Cochairs: Liz and Tom Donohue How to help: Gather with influential political, business, and social leaders at Brain Ball. Promote awareness and raise funds for research and support services May 2 at the National Building Museum. For tickets, visit alz.org or ncabranball@alz.org.
SKYLER’S GIFT 2ND ANNUAL BOWL-A-THON
The cause: Skyler’s Gift Foundation offers financial support to families that have lost newborn infants due to complications of premature birth. Funds raised are given to families for burial costs and also support ongoing research to prevent premature births. Founders and event chairs: Stephen and Tiffany Bowen How to help: Bowl with the Redskins at Lucky Strike in Washington on May 2. The event features bowling with NFL lane captains, billiards, an open bar, and food. There will also be a silent auction with various sports memorabilia and vacation packages. To buy tickets, visit skylersgift.org.
WPAS ANNUAL GALA & AUCTION The cause: The Washington Performing Arts Society is committed to the development of emerging and established artists. WPAS provides learning opportunities through arts education, youth involvement, and community partnership. Cochairs: Reginald Van Lee, Lloyd and Patricia Howell, Gary Mather and Christina Co Mather, and Rachel Tinsley Pearson How to help: Enjoy a performance and auction at WPAS’s Annual Gala & Auction May 10 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, along with great food and dancing to support performing arts in the metropolitan area. For additional information and tickets, visit wpas.org.
DREAMSCAPE
The cause: CityDance brings highly acclaimed dance companies to venues throughout the district. All proceeds benefit CityDance’s DREAM program, which provides free performances, in-school and after-school programs, and camps to students each year. Cochairs: Debbie Dockser, Alison Shulman, and Sissy Yates How to help: Be dazzled by an evening of dance on May 10 at the Lincoln Theatre. DREAMscape, coproduced by Rasta Thomas, will feature CityDance Conservatory and DREAM Community Program students, as well as a dance party with the artists. citydance.net
AT T H E C O R N E R O F D C ’ S MOST DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOODS The Bond, comfortable high-rise apartments for residents with sophisticated tastes. Walk to the Metro, DC’s finest restaurants, boutiques and entertainment. 83 just renovated Studios, 1BR and 2BR floor plans featuring: • Upscale European Kitchens and Bosch Washer & Dryer • Natural White Oak Floors • High Tech Nest Learning Thermostats • Video Intercom & community-wide high-speed WiFi • Full service Concierge All this with a lush community English garden courtyard and garden right in the midst of Dupont, Georgetown, West End and Golden Triangle.
202-808-9690 TO SCHEDULE A VISIT
THE BOND
1230 New Hampshire Ave. NW Washington, DC 20036 w w w. t h e b o n d d c . c o m
050-053_CF_SP_SofG_LateSpring14.indd 53
PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT & LEASING
4/4/14 6:19 PM
Culture
Jun Keneko’s set for The Magic Flute brings a modern, bold design influenced by Japanese art and culture.
HOTTEST TICKET
Operatic Magic WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA GIVES MOZART’S TIMELESS THE MAGIC FLUTE EASTERN FLAIR.
O
ne of the joys of opera is seeing centuries-old works refreshed and reinterpreted for young audiences and newcomers to the art form. This May, the Washington National Opera is rebooting Mozart’s classic The Magic Flute with an English libretto and a Japanese twist. The protagonist Tamino’s enchanted journey will take a detour through Asia, thanks to Japanese American artist Jun Kaneko, designer of the opera’s set and costumes. Known for his ceramics with bold, abstract images, Kaneko has in the past decade ventured into the musical world with designs for operas in San Francisco and Omaha, where he maintains a studio. Dragons in red and yellow, candy-hued kimonos, and polka dots in every color give the opera Kaneko panache— think Alice in Wonderland meets Madame Butterfly. “My goal is to extract a design that emerges from the essence of the music rather than to decorate its story,” says Kaneko of his process. “Integrating all of the synchronous connecting elements in an opera is the most difficult challenge in its design. My challenge is to find a way to shrink the distance between the music and the supporting elements, and to conceive visuals that fuse the music and design as one experience.” Another way Kaneko is bringing his “experience” to music lovers is at
the Opera Ball on June 7, set on the sprawling northwest lawn of Japanese Ambassador and Mrs. Kenichiro Sasae. Every year, an embassy is the host of the annual black-tie event. Guests are treated to small dinner parties at ambassadorial residences around town and then converge at the host residence, where the sitting ambassador has the perfect forum to promote the best of his country’s cultural offerings. In 2010, Russia pulled out all the stops with endless caviar, vodka, giant ice sculptures, and cakes in the style of Fabergé eggs. Images of Kaneko’s designs will emanate from the house’s facade, lighting up the summer night. Guests from diplomatic and political Washington (expect every ambassador, Supreme Court justice, and a few billionaires) will be in attendance to enjoy the best in Japanese cuisine and martial arts. The Japanese place a high value on hospitality. Kaneko’s whimsical creations are the perfect foil for parents seeking to expose their children to opera. The WNO’s “Opera in the Outfield” on May 3 is a free, high-definition simulcast of the production in Nationals Park. For tickets to The Magic Flute at The Kennedy Center, May 3–18, call 1-800-4441324 or visit kennedy.center.org. CF
Think Alice in Wonderland meets Madame Butterfly.
54
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COREY WEAVER FOR SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
BY STEPHANIE GREEN
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
054_CF_SC_HT_LateSpring14.indd 54
4/3/14 2:22 PM
ART FULL The Churchgoing Satanist (Earplugs) by Hernan Bas, 2012.
Caption will go here tk.
Fine China LAST YEAR’S LAUNCH OF ART BASEL HONG KONG PUT THE WASHINGTON ART COMMUNITY’S FOCUS ON THE EAST. THIS YEAR, THE FAIR ELEVATES THE STANDARD OF CREATIVE EXCELLENCE—DAZZLING DC AND THE WORLD. BY SUE HOSTETLER
“The highlight is being part of that experience of discovery when collectors come to know artists they have not yet seen.” —MAGNUS RENFREW
flavor. Hong Kong has long been regarded as the portal connecting the East and the West. It is a major financial hub and as such is designed to allow for more professional and efficient transactions.” This year’s show will continue the strong programming that is a hallmark of the two other Art Basel shows. The Discoveries sector, which is dedicated to solo and two-person exhibitions by emerging artists, is shaping up to be particularly exceptional. A $25,000 prize will be awarded to one of nearly 30 participants of this sector at the end of the week, a unique element of ABHK that is not seen at other fairs. Much preshow buzz has surrounded the funky Irish gallery Mother’s Tankstation and its presentation of the work of Sydneybased artist Noel McKenna, whose figurative pieces contemplate the human condition and make him one to watch in Discoveries. Also creating excitement is the Encounters sector—featuring large-scale sculptural and installation pieces—curated by Japan’s Yuko Hasegawa of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo. “Last year Yuko’s selection spurred a compelling discourse around contrasting generational and cultural approaches to artistic practices,” says Renfrew. “I have confidence that her program this year will again present ambitious works that act as conversation points throughout the exhibition halls.” And one of Miami’s most beloved events—the Film sector—will debut in Hong Kong this year, developed by Chinese multimedia artist and curator Li Zhenhua and hosted in partnership with the Hong Kong Arts Centre. continued on page 58
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND LEHMANN MAUPIN, NEW YORK AND HONG KONG (BASEL); COURTESY OF ART BASEL (AERIAL VIEW, RENFREW)
I
n just a few short years, Hong Kong has been transformed from a city that many considered a cultural desert to the fourth-largest global market for contemporary art, according to Artprice, an art market information source, with more than $130 million sold in 2013, partially due to record-setting auctions and the rise of billionaire art collectors in China. As recently as 2008, there were no major art fairs, but the visionaries behind the powerful Art Basel shows in Switzerland and Miami Beach helped push the cultural renaissance forward last year when they debuted Art Basel in Hong Kong. This second annual art fair in Asia—which opens May 15 and features a slate of 245 of the world’s most influential galleries from 39 countries—will help add even more international credibility and exposure to the Asian art market. “Every fair has its own mission and vision,” says show director Magnus Renfrew. “Art Basel in Hong Kong aspires to provide a fair for Asia of global stature and the highest quality while retaining its unique regional
FROM ABOVE LEFT: The fair will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, set against the city skyline and Victoria Harbour; show director Magnus Renfrew.
56
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
056-058_CF_SC_ArtFull_LateSpring14.indd 56
4/4/14 9:43 AM
Auctioneers & Appraisers of America’s Finest Estates & Collections Doyle New York's Specialists in our Washington, DC Office are currently evaluating jewelry, art and other fine property for 2014 auctions in New York. We are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. Reid Dunavant, Senior Vice President Doyle New York, Washington, DC / Mid-Atlantic Office 3256 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-342-6100, DoyleDC@DoyleNewYork.com We invite you to schedule a private appointment. THOMAS DOWNING, American, 1928-1985, Ring-One, Saranac, 89 x 89 inches. Sold for $68,500 Provenance: Purchased from Henri Gallery, Washington, DC, 1976
JEWELRY
•
DESIGN
Untitled-10 1
W AT C H E S
•
FINE ART
•
•
AUTOGRAPHS
BOOKS
•
FURNITURE •
•
D E C O R AT I O N S
PHOTOGRAPHS
•
PRINTS
• •
ASIAN WORKS OF ART COINS
•
S TA M P S
4/8/14 2:19 PM
ART FULL Chinese artist Zhen Chen created a unique installation for last year’s Art Basel Hong Kong.
58
experience of discovery when collectors come to know artists they have not yet seen… or when curators have an opportunity to join in dialogue with artists whose work they have long followed.” Art Basel in Hong Kong takes place May 15–18; visit artbasel.com/en/Hong-Kong. CF
EAST MEETS WEST Andrea Pollan, founder and director of Curator’s Office in DC, talks of the booming Chinese art scene and its resonance here at home. Is there a distinctly contemporary Asian aesthetic? For artists who engage in more specific attributes of their Asian culture (calligraphy or landscape traditions), I have heard that Western audiences are very receptive but that Asian contemporary markets are more interested in a Westernized aesthetic. A work that looks “too Asian” may be deemed too provincial and not global (read: sophisticated) enough by an Asian market. How would you compare the Asian art community with that of the US? A young curator from Hong Kong told me the artists there felt overshadowed by the art worlds of
Beijing and Shanghai. So Hong Kong’s artist community and market may resemble some of the lesserknown art markets in the US like Baltimore [and] Washington, DC. Has China’s increased interest in buying its own art spurred Western interest in art from the East? China’s interest in buying its own art is motivated by a political mandate and an ambition to reconstruct a cultural history. Of course, markets always follow other burgeoning markets that are perceived to be successful, but bubbles frequently follow. We are seeing that in certain [Asian] sectors.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ART BASEL
continued from page 56 Such collaborations with local institutions help Art Basel recognize, support, and promote the exploding contemporary art scene in Hong Kong. Not only is the government pouring billions of dollars into developing a cultural district in West Kowloon, but the new M+, an ambitious Herzog & de Meuron–designed museum slated for completion in 2017, further illustrates Hong Kong’s commitment to its future support of the visual arts. But maybe the most significant indicator is the number of respected western galleries, like Gagosian, White Cube, and Lehmann Maupin, which have opened Hong Kong outposts in the past few years. These dealers, along with influential homegrown stalwarts such as 10 Chancery Lane, Galerie Ora-Ora, and Pearl Lam, are instrumental in developing and nurturing the careers of artists and collections in the region. According to Renfrew, these relationships with the local galleriesand institutions (including Asia Art Archive, Para/Site, the Asia Society, and Spring Workshop) are imperative to Art Basel Hong Kong as they create a show “grounded in the city.” “We want to promote long-term arts infrastructure development and encourage associated programming across the city,” says Renfrew. “The growth of Hong Kong’s museum sector and contemporary arts education will truly impact the larger discourse in the city, and that is something that we aim—through long-term partnerships—to cultivate.” The fair’s impact and thematic reach are sure to be much broader than just the Asian region. One needs to look no further than the talks planned as part of the Conversations and Salon programs. A discussion titled the “Global Art World/Making Biennials” will feature luminaries Juliana Engberg, artistic director of the 2014 Biennale of Sydney and artistic director of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; Eungie Joo, curator of the 2015 Sharjah Biennial; and Jessica Morgan, artistic director of the 10th Gwangju Biennale and the Daskalopoulos curator of international art at Tate Modern—moderated by Hou Hanru, artistic director at Maxxi Museum in Rome. “This is a conversation that has real international relevancy, reflecting the transitional reality of today’s art world,” explains Renfrew. Programming such as this, coupled with a rapidly maturing Asian art market and the resurgence of Chinese art exhibitions across the US, will undoubtedly help draw record numbers of highly informed collectors to the fair this month. With so much anticipation building around the fair, what does Renfrew most look forward to? “The highlight is exposing new audiences to the depth of work from the broader Asian region and being part of that
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
056-058_CF_SC_ArtFull_LateSpring14.indd 58
4/4/14 9:44 AM
T SQUARE LOFT
Photography by Sheaulee Ng and Marcus Bennett
t s q u a re l of t .co m | eve nt s @ ts qua relof t .co m | 2 02 5 44 4474
DC’S HOTTEST NEW VENUE (2nd floor) & BEST UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE (1st floor) This historical charming row house is filled with all sorts of surprises. It started out as a small high-end consignment boutique, tripled in size and then expanded above into an amazing private event space. Shop or entertain and come experience this spectacular space.
Photography by Malek Naz Freidouni
TARI & T SQUARE LOFT 1525 wisconsin ave nw | washington dc
TA R I t aridc .com | info@ t ar idc .co m | 2 02 62 1 750 0
FIRST EDITION
Peterson Prose I
n some ways, writer Holly Peterson’s 1970s childhood was not markedly different than that of her peers: playing jacks on her father’s desk and escaping Washington for winter sledding with her siblings at a secluded cabin. What makes Peterson’s experience rather singular, however, was her provenance. Her
father, Peter George Peterson, was a one-time United States Secretary of Commerce under President Nixon. The desk on which she played jacks? It was from the White House. As for the cabin, you may recognize it by its more formal name: Camp David. “We’d stay in log cabins there while my father negotiated a lot of
important deals, like trade pacts with the Soviet Union,” Peterson shares. “I remember that time vividly.” In fact, most of Peterson’s formative years were an especially tumultuous period in the nation’s capital. “It was the hotheaded times of liberal Washington with a very conservative Republican administration,” Peterson says. “There was so much tension over where you stood politically and whose side you were on.” Even so, she remembers with fondness the sophisticated dinner parties that brought together elite members of the media with high-ranking government officials. “There was a lot more intermingling between the press and the administration,” Peterson recalls of her parents’ social life. “It was very chic, and the right thing to do was to invite members of different political parties to your house and mingle.” With such a cosmopolitan childhood, it is little wonder that Peterson became a journalist herself after graduating from Brown University. But following highprofile jobs at ABC News and Newsweek, the pull to write her own stories became too alluring to ignore. “[Writing] allows me to wake up at 4 AM and work, and still do everything on my schedule,” the mother of three teenagers reveals. Her first book, The Manny
(2007), chronicled the life of Manhattan’s one percent, and Peterson is quick to add that the premise is hardly fantasy. “I consider my novel writing to be accurate, journalistic social satire,” she says. “When you’re a journalist and you delve into fiction, I think it would be a betrayal of the craft of writing if you were to write something that you knew wouldn’t actually happen.” Similarly, her new novel, The Idea of Him, is drawn both from her own experiences as well as that of her milieu. “This book focuses on more of a meritocracy class,” Peterson says. “That’s a world I know from my father, who started in a Greek diner in Nebraska and made it all on his own.” The protagonist of Peterson’s new work is Allie Crawford, a public relations executive suffocating in a loveless marriage while trying to juggle a career and two small children. “There’s a lot that I wanted to say about women and relationships,” Peterson says. “Many of us fall for the idea of someone and not the reality. And what happens next is really the most interesting,” she adds with a grin. Peterson may have been gifted with a privileged childhood, but her success as both a journalist and author proves it is foremost her father’s tenacity that she has inherited. CF
“[Writing] allows me to wake up at 4 and work, and still do everything on my schedule.” Author and journalist Holly Peterson (FAR LEFT) explores the relationships of realistic, modern women in her new novel (LEFT).
60
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVAN SUNG (PETERSON)
DC-NATIVE HOLLY PETERSON ADDRESSES IMAGE, MARRIAGE, AND FIDELITY IN HER ANTICIPATED SECOND NOVEL. BY JULIET IZON
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
060_CF_SC_FirstEdition_LateSpring14.indd 60
4/3/14 2:24 PM
adver
MEHDI SOLTANIAN BENTLEY SALES SPECIALIST
Mehdi joined our organization last year after receiving a B.S. in accounting from George Mason University. Maybe not the career you would expect but if you know him it makes perfect sense. Mehdi is an automotive enthusiast and realizes that when you love what you do it really isn’t work. He is young, enthusiastic, and available all hours of the day and night to help our clients find just the right Bentley. Send him an email at Mehdi@ bentleytysons.com and don’t be surprised when you get a very quick response even on weekends. He is always on duty. As a recent college grad Mehdi has the IT skills to give us a wonderful internet presence and help us understand the technical tools that Bentley makes available to us to stay in regular touch with our customers. He is short on formal sales experience but long on passion and is a great addition to our Bentley team.
HIGH TOUCH, NOT HIGH TECH
OUR PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR MOST OF US IT’S NOT COMPUTERS THAT MAKE US HAPPY, IT’S PEOPLE. That’s why we say “High touch, not high tech” and it drives the way we run our business. We use technology when it enhances the experience but never to get between us and our customers. It starts when you call: during normal business hours you will always get a live voice, someone who will get you to the right person or ensure that if the right person is not available they get back to you. Our policy is to return every phone call before the end of the day. That’s just one example of high touch; there are many more. The business at Bentley Tysons is changing rapidly. We are adding new people and processes to insure that your experience with us meets your highest expectations. Although we are experiencing some growing pains, we are recruiting the best people in our industry to provide you with a hassle-free sales or service experience. This month we’ve highlighted the 3 most senior members of our Bentley team; all of whom are absolutely committed to doing their best for you.
PHIL WARREN BENTLEY CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN
With 38 years of experience, Phil is easily one of the most senior Bentley and (Crewe built) Rolls-Royce technicians in the world, and clearly one of the best. He has been recognized by Bentley as a Master technician and has won many awards including a trip to LeMans to drive the newest Bentley models. Phil believes in the product, personally owning a 1968 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and a 1969 Bentley T. As evidence of Phil’s expertise, he boasts customers from a dozen states that ship their cars to him for his personal attention when they have a need for even the smallest service. Phil says it best himself, “I have the best job in the world, I get to drive and work on the best cars ever made.” We do our best to insure that he also does it with great support.
JOSE PINEDA
BENTLEY SERVICE MANAGER
TYSONS tysons.bentleymotors.com | 703.712.8324 8550 Leesburg Pike,Vienna,VA 22182
Jose, or JP as we call him, has 12 years of Bentley experience and has achieved all the available Bentley certifications for his position. He and our Master Technician, Phil Warren, have been working together for most of his 12 years and they are a formidable team. Whether it is routine service or a difficult diagnostic challenge on an older Bentley or Rolls-Royce, Jose is totally committed to your complete satisfaction. We find him calm, organized, and easy to work with—you will too. When not serving our customers, Jose is devoting his time to the outdoors, cooking, his new wife and 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier. Jose is best described by his favorite quote from Martin Luther King: “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
imagine...
someday is today
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) would like to thank the 2014 Leukemia Ball sponsors and guests for their support in raising $3 million for LLS’s mission, and helping to fnd cures not someday, but today. TITANS OF BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY
MISSION SPONSOR
RAFFLE PRESENTING SPONSOR
JAMES L. EICHBERG LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
OFFICIAL AIRLINE SPONSOR
VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR
Presented to
Bobby Mitchell NFL Hall of Fame
FOUNDERS SPONSORS
Hargrove PRG
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Anybill Baker Tilly BB&T Bank Bert Smith & Co. BIO Capitol File CBRE - New England Celgene Corporation Centerplate ColorNet Comcast DC Rental Deloitte Deutsche Bank Ernst & Young LLP Events DC General Dynamics Information Technology Kaiser Permanente Lilly USA, LLC Miles & Stockbridge Northrop Grumman PricewaterhouseCoopers SAIC The Leigh Agency Wells Fargo Washington Business Journal 97.1 WASH-FM Washingtonian WTOP
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Akin, Gump, Strauss Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. Allmond & Company LLC BDO Bisnow Capital One Bank Carnival Cruise Comcast Spotlight Danaher Corporation Grant Thornton LLP MedImmune, LLC Microsoft
Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation Norton Rose Fulbright Onyx Pharmaceuticals Oracle SAP America, Inc. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP Smart City SRA International The Kerins Family The Ofterdinger Family Vinson & Elkins LLP WashingtonExec
GOLD SPONSORS
American Systems Anning Johnson & H&D Mechanical Ares Management & Adler Realty Services BAE Systems Booz Allen Hamilton Brown & Gould C.J. Coakley Co., Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CBRE Chiaramonte Construction Company Chiaramonte Construction Company Chiaramonte Construction Company Clark Construction Group, LLC Clune Construction Company Contemporary Electric Services, Inc Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. CrossCountry Consulting Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation CTIA - The Wireless Association CWCapital Dominion Mechanial Dynaelectric and WE Bowers EagleBank EEReed Construction EMC Emergent BioSolutions Inc. FarmerMac General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Gensler & Rand GetWellNetwork, Inc.
Giant Food GlaxoSmithKline Greenberg Gibbons HireStrategy HITT Contracting, Inc. Hogan Lovells LLP Host Hotels In Memory of Brendan Kelly Kearney & Company Koons Tysons Toyota KST Data, Inc. Lisa Marie Sylvia and Mark L. Heleen M&T Bank Mark & Carol Spisak MAXIMUS Foundation MedImmune, LLC Merck Michael & Son Services, Inc. MICROS Moore Van Allen Morgan Borszcz Consulting Morgan Lewis NetApp Norton Rose Fulbright Novartis Ober Kaler PCMA Peck Madigan Jones & Stewart, Inc. PEPCO Power Services, Inc. SAP NS2/Carahsoft Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Steven & Marti Friedman Studley SunTrust the Hill Group The Kelly Family The Lipman Family The Prince Henry Charitable Foundation and Dan Anglin The Sleep Family The Washington Redskins Thompson Coburn Tiber Creek Partners, LLC Tishman Speyer Wakins Meegan LLC Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
THIS ISSUE: THE XX FACTOR
At Ripple in Cleveland Park, Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley (LEFT) serves up elegant, seasonal dishes, such as the heirloom carrot salad with house-made ricotta (BELOW).
Ripple Effect PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
NOTED CHEF MARJORIE MEEK-BRADLEY CELEBRATES HER FIRST YEAR AT RIPPLE AND REVEALS WHICH SUSTAINABLE DELIGHTS SHE’LL DISH UP THIS SPRING. BY NEVIN MARTELL
M
arjorie Bradley-Meek has an impressive résumé. It begins with enviable stints at Thomas Keller’s revered New York City institution Per Se and Bouchon in Yountville, California, as its first female chef. Ultimately, the impeccably pedigreed up-and-comer moved to DC for a job with José Andrés at Zaytinya before Top Chef finalist Mike Isabella tapped her for Graffiato, where she worked her way up the ranks to command the kitchen. In the winter of 2013, she joined Ripple. “It feels like home,” says the 29-year-old executive chef. “I’m from Northern California, and it has that vibe to me.”
Earning this premier position makes Bradley-Meek one of a growing cadre of top-tier female toques in DC, alongside the likes of Alba Osteria’s Amy Brandwein and Ris Lacoste of Ris (see page 68). BradleyMeek doesn’t want her gender to play a role when it comes to judging her cooking, though. “I don’t want to be a ‘female chef,’” she says. “I just want to be a chef.” Since her artfully composed cuisine at Ripple relies primarily on local, seasonal ingredients—which can be available one minute and gone the continued on page 64
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
063-064_CF_ST_Opener_LateSpring14.indd 63
63
4/3/14 4:13 PM
TASTE
Crispy-skin black bass with fennel is on the menu for spring.
TAKE TWO The team behind Ripple has debuted the lofty, classy eatery Roofers Union in Adams Morgan.
SWEETS & SIPS Cap off a rendezvous at Ripple with these highly recommended dessert wines. Most people only consider port when they’re looking for a glass of vino to finish a meal. Ripple’s wine director Danny Fisher likes to be more innovative when pairing varietals with pastry chef Vanessa Ochotorena’s delightful desserts. Chocolate fudge brownie accompanied by dulce de leche ice cream—Best bottle: Toro Albala’s 1985 Don Pedro Ximénez Gran Reserva. The rich flavors of chocolate and coffee notes complement the plate, while dark-purple berry tones add a bright finish. Butterscotch pudding and spiced whipped cream—Best bottle: Château d’Arlay’s Macvin du Jura Blanc. This fortified wine smells super saccharine, but it’s actually quite dry, with toasty, nutty notes that pair well with the pudding. Graham cracker financier with torched meringue and lime curd—Best bottle: Château La Clotte-Cazalis’s 2008 Sauternes. Its honeyed sweetness is leavened by a more delicate minerality, which goes well with the financier’s citrus component.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY LOPEZ (ROOFERS UNION)
continued from page 63 next—Meek-Bradley changes the menu daily at the eco-conscious Cleveland Park wine bar. “You have to be flexible,” she says. “When I try to plan out meals in advance I get stressed out, but then I walk into the kitchen and it all makes sense.” As the weather shifts from wintry bluster to springtime warmth, her creations feature just-harvested vegetables and peak-season seafood. One dish showcases a quenelle of buttery house-made ricotta cheese and a kaleidoscopic array of carrots prepared four ways: roasted, blanched, shaved, and pickled. “I love that you can coax so many different flavors out of a sinThe bustling restaurant is gle vegetable,” she says. popular for its rotating menu and excellent wine list. A play on linguine and clams shines brightly as temperatures rise. The chef opts to use littleneck clams, which she daintily perches atop verdant arugula cavatelli dressed with a buttery sauce with dill, red chili pepper, and razor-thin slices of sautéed garlic. Yet another vernal masterpiece highlights just-caught branzino in a simple crudo accompanied by gingery carrot panna cotta and micro pearls of finger lime that burst on your tongue. “They have a caviarlike quality. It adds a little pop,” explains the chef. “This is the food that I want to eat when I go out,” she explains. Given her blue-ribbon background, you know—even before you take a bite— that it’s going to be something special. 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-7995; rippledc.com CF
Chef Marjorie Bradley-Meek’s fare takes a different tack at Roofers Union, which opened in February. A space that previously housed the popular neighborhood mainstay watering hole The Reef, the rusticated duplex boasts floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the energetic hustle of Adams Morgan and a generous roof deck. Here Meek-Bradley puts out comfort-food classics—with a twist. The po’boy sandwich comes packed with deepfried sweetbreads, there’s a selection of homemade sausages, and crispity-crunchity pigs ears enliven a frisée salad topped with a soft boiled egg that you split to create a rich dressing. 2446 18th St. NW, 202-232-7663; roofersuniondc.com
64 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
063-064_CF_ST_Opener_LateSpring14.indd 64
4/3/14 4:06 PM
CITY LIVING INNOVATIVE NEW CONDOMINIUM RESIDENCES AT CITYCENTERDC FROM $600,000 TO $3.5 MILLION Private tours now available by appointment to view new model residences and building amenities. RESIDENCESATCITYCENTERDCCF.COM | 202.232.2022
MODEL S NOW OP EN EXCLUSIVE SALES REPRESENTATION BY THE MAYHOOD COMPANY Prices and terms subject to change without notice. See Sales Manager for details.
CUI-SCENE
Objects of My Confection THE MODERN MAKINGS OF OLD-FASHIONED TREATS DELIVER SWEET SENTIMENT THIS MOTHER’S DAY. BY LOREN YANDOC
F
or many of us, the soft, simple impression of a marshmallow evokes childhood memories of evenings spent toasting those fluffy pillows of saccharine goodness over an open fire. And what says “thank you,” or “thinking of you,” or—as a matter of fact—“Happy Mother’s Day” like a gift guaranteed to deliver nostalgia in the form of delicious, tasty treats? In the summer of 2008, Ryan Eakes capitalized on the nostalgia of s’mores when he parlayed his love of the sweet marshmallow treat into a business named after his wife— Karen Mary Confectionery, which celebrates its fourth anniversary this month. Eakes first marketed his confections to a women’s flat track derby league, DC Rollergirls, where Karen Mary—a George Washington University graduate who was working as a government contractor—skated in her free time. Following a successful season of sales and increasing requests, Karen Mary Confectionery’s retail presence progressed beyond Roller Derby to appearances in local boutiques and an online shop. The Eakeses—Karen Mary leading the company and Ryan moonlighting as marshmallow maker, while maintaining a full-time position at a commercial construction headhunting firm—took a hiatus from the confectionary biz this winter to welcome a delivery of a personal nature: the birth of their first child. This spring, they’re back in action, hoping to eventually open their own standing boutique in DC. Meanwhile, the flavor catalogue continues to expand, including sampler packages that make for great gifting. This Mother’s Day, send mom on a decadent stroll back through time with classic vanilla or chocolate hazelnut—the best choice for a s’more lover. Or try toasted coconut, lemon, or beer flavors. The choice is yours, and the consequence is sweet. 202-588-1403; karenmaryco.com CF
Sweets Snacks
Check out these local spots for more tasty gifts this Mother’s Day.
Boxed Chocolates: A decades-old tradition, present a gift of assorted chocolates, salted caramels, truffles, pretzels, and more from Edward Marc ($6–195). The Pentagon, Department of Defense, Arlington, 703-685-1999; edwardmarc.com Classic Candies and Gourmet Popcorns: Create customized gift sets of sweets at Sugar & Ice ($25–65). 202-294-7728; sugar-and-ice.com Tea-side Treats: Grab some cupcakes, bars, biscuits, and homebaked goods at Baked and Wired ($2–4/each). 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, 703-663-8727; bakedandwired.com
66
Karen Mary’s signature caramel classics ($36/box of 12) are comprised of handmade vanilla marshmallows layered with caramel, coated in silky Belgian chocolate, and topped with a touch of sea salt.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TK; ILLUSTRATION BY TK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF CRAWFORD
Candy Apples: Summon the memories of state fairs and summer evenings with Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet chocolate caramel apple gift sets at ($55–60). 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-9700; neimanmarcus.com
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
066_CF_ST_Cuiscene_KarenMary_LateSpring14.indd 66
4/3/14 2:26 PM
PA r T y ThAnk yoU to our Party Sponsors, Supporters, Host Committee, & Attendees. Your continued support of the Festival helps us to present hundreds of free events and programs throughout the region.
supporters
Brooks Brothers BUBBLES Salons Premier Plantscapes Turkish Airlines pink tie part y Host CoMMit tee Co-Chairs: Montina Anderson Davis & Dwayne K. Davis, Anna Kimsey Edwards Members: Dolci & Sunny Bajaj James L. Campbell IV & J. Clarke Manley Mary Jo Coppoolse Matthew Coursen Christina & St. Elmo Crawford Janice & Matthew Cutts Chinyere & Edward Hubbard Assata Lee Camelia Mazard
Megan McCarthy Robert S. Poulin April & Roger Richmond Jasamyn Roberts LaJuanna Russell Rina Laxmi Shah Courtney Smith Tarek Stevens Jennifer Stewart Mickey Thompson Gina Toppin Nicole Venable Tom Weirich Robert K. William
CUI-SCENE
Culinary Commanders THESE TALENTED FEMALE TOQUES HELM THE KITCHENS AT THREE OF THE DISTRICT’S BUZZIEST EATERIES. BY NEVIN MARTELL
A
decade ago, it was rare to find many women in primo chef positions. Thanks to capitol region front runners like Nora Pouillon and Ann Cashion of Johnny’s Half Shell, the glass ceiling over the kitchen started to crack; now these women are helping to shatter it completely.
RIS For Ris Lacoste, mentorship is everything. Before she owned her beloved namesake restaurant, Ris (2275 L St. NW, 202-730-2500; risdc.com) and bustling grab-and-go stall at Union Market (1309 5th St. NE, 202-320-7802; risdc.com), she learned her craft from Julia Child and Anne Willan—founder of the celebrated cooking school École de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris—as well as culinary heavy hitter Bob Kinkhead, under whom she worked at Kinkhead’s in DC. Now it’s her turn to assist young chefs. “I try to find out what floats their boat, what puts a smile on their faces,” she says. When taking a break from teaching and cooking, her top treat is her summery scallop margarita, showcasing tender Nantucket bivalves marinated in lime juice. The playful appetizer arrives in a salt-rimmed glass layered with ancho-chili-infused oranges, sour cream, and a scoop of tequila ice. We’re sure Julia Child would approve.
Ris Lacoste
Roasted beet salad at Ris.
Margherita D.O.C. pizza from Alba Osteria. Roasted cauliflower with mint at Graffiato.
Sometimes ending up where you began is a good thing. Amy Brandwein’s first gig was working for James Beard Award winner Roberto Donna, who became her longtime culinary compadre. Now she’s leading the kitchen at his newly coronated Alba Osteria (425 I St. NW, 202-733-4454; albaosteriadc.com). “It’s full-circle, but with a new dimension,” says Brandwein. “It’s nice to find a project where the timing is right and a good fit for both of us.” The selection of charcuterie, small plates, pastas, and pizzas takes their inspiration from Italy’s Piedmont region. One of her personal favorites is the trofie alla finanziera, featuring corkscrews of chestnut pasta dressed with sweetbreads, chicken livers, and delicate pink cockscombs. “You don’t see it on menus in the United States,” says the chef, who does extensive research before she even starts experimenting with a new dish. “I like taking these earthy foods and making them more refined.” It’s back-to-the-roots cooking with a gourmand’s touch.
Amy Brandwein
THE MAJESTIC Before she was queen of the kitchen at The Majestic (911 King St., Alexandria, Va.; 703-837-9117, majesticcafe.com), chef Shannon Overmiller worked as a server and a bartender. “Developing an outgoing personality for the guests helped me learn how to communicate with my team,” she says. “Now I can get along with every type of person.” She specializes in American comfort classics done with a chef’s twist. Think home-style meatloaf, fried green tomatoes, and butter-poached lobster. Overmiller evolves her menu through the course of the year, adding seasonal accents. In the warmer months, hinged open mussels rest in a white wine broth redolent with fresh spring garlic, shallots, and just-picked parsley. Two toasty baguette slices stand ready on the side to sop up the last drops. “I want my food to really make your mouth sing,” she says. CF
68
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
068_CF_ST_Cuiscene_FemaleChefs_LateSpring14.indd 68
Mussels at The Majestic
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA PADGETT (SALAD); RAJ LAL (LACOSTE); LEN DEPAS (BRANDWEIN); EAT GOOD FOOD (OVERMILLER)
ALBA OSTERIA
Shannon Overmiller
4/3/14 2:28 PM
M. Shafk Gabr
Chairman and Managing Director ARTOC Group for Investment and Development
The Honorable Sean O’Keefe Former Chairman and Chief Executive Offcer Airbus Group, Inc.
with the
with the
MERIDIAN GLOBAL CITIZEN AWARD
MERIDIAN CORPORATE LEADER AWARD
CHEERS The Canella margarita at Bidwell features cinnamoninfused tequila.
Not Your Mother’s Margarita DISTRICT COCKTAIL PROGRAMS ARE SHAKING UP WARM-WEATHER CLASSICS USING TEQUILA AND MEZCAL. BY KAYLEIGH KULP
70
At Union Market’s Bidwell (1309 5th St. NE, 202 547-0172; unionmarket dc.com/market/artisans/bidwell), the Canella margarita includes cinnamoninfused blanco tequila, lime, triple sec, grapefruit, and agave for a spiced, refreshing cocktail suitable for all seasons. And the jalapeño-infused margarita is “so popular that when it leaves the list we still do it,” says co-owner Mick O’Sullivan. Conversely, for the heat-averse, the Doppelganger is a pleasantly bitter concoction of reposado tequila, sweet vermouth, and Cynar artichoke liqueur. All of this exciting exploration and innovation may have you wondering whether tequila and mezcal are the new bourbon and rye. We say, “Si.” CF
MELLOW GOLD As an alternative to the typical margarita, opt for Bidwell’s pleasingly bitter Doppelganger. 1 oz. sweet vermouth 1 oz. Cynar artichoke liqueur 1 oz. reposado tequila Grated orange zest Stir all ingredients together with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, top with orange zest, and serve.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY CLACK PHOTOGRAPHY
T
equila and mezcal aren’t just reserved for Cinco de Mayo celebrations and the beach. “Tequila is something we need to respect and really understand. It is very complex,” says Juan Coronado, beverage director for José Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup. That’s why Coronado and fellow area bar chefs are using these Mexican spirits in unexpected ways, like as substitutes for gin and whiskey in barrel-aged cocktails or as the surprising stars in fresh takes on bitter, boozy classics like the Negroni. Bartenders have also taken to infusing tequila and mezcal with herbs, spices, and fruits that tame their tang while still allowing natural flavors to shine, turning timid drinkers into agave appreciators. El Centro D.F. (1819 14th St. NW, 202-328-3131; richardsandoval.com/ elcentrodf) sells infused tequila flights that could include cherry, green tea, and cucumber, or guava and papaya, and “show the range of the products without being overpowering,” says beverage director Rob Day. Want something more rich? At press time, Day was experimenting with a four-week barrel-aged cocktail of sherry, chocolate bitters, and reposado tequila. “When you stick tequila in a barrel, it tends to mellow. It produces oak and hazelnut flavors,” he says. Coronado’s latest creations at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (401 7th St. NW, 202-628-1005; oyamel.com) include mezcal-based bitters macerated with epazote and hoja santa herbs, cocoa, hibiscus, coriander seeds, red clover, and chamomile flowers that make for a complex addition to any classic tipple.
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
070_CF_ST_Cheers_LateSpring14.indd 70
4/3/14 2:29 PM
The Fleisher Group w/Long &
FosTer reaL esTaTe, Inc.
EXTRAORDINARY COUNTRY VILLA Prestigious raPley Community This extraordinary sophisticated country villa was impeccably designed by acclaimed architect, Michael Marshall, and constructed by award-winning Natelli Builders. This sensational home combines the fnest top quality materials with expert workmanship and refects the pride of ownership. From the spectacular Great Room with two-story custom wood beamed ceiling to the gourmet chef’s Kitchen with two separate islands to the custom-milled English Library with complex ceiling design and palladian picture window to the embassy size formal Living and Dining Rooms with dramatic volume ceilings and distinct freplaces, no detail has been compromised in presenting this home of distinction. This very special home is beautifully sited on a half-acre lot featuring a large courtyard with designer pavers, multi-tiered fagstone terraces and breathtaking professional landscaping highlighted with specimen plantings and mature trees. Ideally located in the prestigious Rapley community within Avenel, this unique home presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its future owners.
thef leishergroup Marc Fleisher www.thefleishergroup.com 202.364.5200 x 2927 (O)  202.438.4880 (C)
ON THE TOWN
INSIGHT Where: Birroteca, 1520 Clipper Road, Baltimore, 443-708-1934; bmorebirroteca.com When: Monday through Friday 5–10 PM; Saturday 12–11 PM; Sunday 12–10 PM
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Matt Walsh and Stephanie Laing share a meal at Birroteca; octopus carpaccio is a favorite of Walsh’s; Birroteca is known for its wide variety of craft beers on tap.
Charm City Goes Hollywood P
roducer of the hit HBO series Veep, Stephanie Laing, and one of the show’s leading actors, Matt Walsh, joke easily with each other as they post up to the central bar at Birroteca, cocktails in hand. It’s early February. Call times and scouting excursions are the topic of conversation as filming of the third season of Veep wraps in just a few days. Veep takes a comedic crack at Washington politics with Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus leading the charge as the vice president of the United States. Media and political flubs of minor (and not so minor) proportions occur; hilarity emphatically ensues. Six months of the year, Laing—also a producer of HBO’s Eastbound & Down and Cinemax’s Banshee—and comedian extraordinaire Matt Walsh— portrayer of Veep’s surly communications director, Mike McLintock—make Baltimore their home. With the critically acclaimed show returning early this month, we talk over lunch about the importance of making light of poli-
72
tics, where they relax in town, and what to look forward to this season. What should viewers anticipate in the third season of Veep? Stephanie Laing: Well… [spoiler alert] We know that season two finished with the president saying he wasn’t going to be running again, so I think we are in for a lot of surprises. Matt Walsh: Season three is an exploration of Selina’s campaigning to become president and what that implies—how to keep your job, how not to get in trouble when raising money, how to establish your headquarters, and, all the while, maintaining the business of state. Is it important to show the funny side of politics? SL: Absolutely; it’s life. If you can’t laugh at it, it would be really depressing. MW: It’s stranger than fiction. That much money, that much ego all in one little city… There’s going to be some funny things happening. continued on page 74
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
VEEP PRODUCER STEPHANIE LAING AND CAST MEMBER MATT WALSH DISH ON THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS TO RELAX IN BALTIMORE WHEN FILMING THE POPULAR HBO SERIES. BY LAURA MULLEN
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
072-074_CF_ST_OTT_LateSpring14.indd 72
4/4/14 1:05 PM
OUR BALSAMIC IS
AGED 15 YEARS, BUT OUR MOZZARELLA
IS ALL OF 90 MINUTES OLD.
v “Fresh” is a word used a bit willy-nilly, in our opinion. What does it really mean? Here, it means mozzarella that is never more than 90 minutes old. Because we insist on making our own, in our own kitchen, all day long. We are, in all likelihood, starting a fresh batch this very minute. How soon can we expect you?
A May–December romance on a plate
601 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington DC · 202 737 6200 5310 Western Ave, Chevy Chase · 301 718 7812 1861 International Dr, McLean, VA 22102 · 703 448 3900 · thecapitalgrille.com
Your table is ready.
©2014 Omni Hotels & Resorts
Take a culinary history lesson at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort’s 1796 Room. Savor signature steaks and creative side dishes paired with world-class wines and save room for a freshly prepared, handcrafted dessert.
814-623-8100 • omnihotels.com/bedford
ON THE TOWN FROM TOP:
Laing and Walsh talk shop over cocktails at Birroteca; Birroteca’s burrata; the whimsical blackboard menu at the restaurant.
continued from page 72 What is important to portray about Washington politics? SL: Armando [Iannucci, the show’s creator] has always described this show as The West Wing, but down the street, to the left, behind the column. We’re not as flashy; we’re more the real DC. When we first started this series, we did a lot of research. We toured all of the Eisenhower offices and saw the clutter and stacks of chairs in the corner and none of the furniture ever matches in reality, so in our show, I think it’s more real. MW: We all have friends who work in DC, so we had a couple nights where we would go get drinks with them after hours. So we were like, “How does it work? What’s the real deal?” Like, the idea of “Pencil F--k” came from one of those nights—that’s when someone takes your speech and crosses out anything you care about. It’s the nature of when they are not doing their [jobs], which are creating laws of congressional interest—what do they do? So it was interesting just to find out where they live. Do the Republicans and Democrats get along? It’s just real day-to-day stuff—the soap opera elements, if you will. SL: We will meet people and they’ll say, —STEPHANIE LAING “Oh, I know a Mike. I know a Jonah. I know a Dan.” They associate our characters with people in real life. So it’s reversed itself now. MW: It’s true. It’s become a way to describe certain positions. The creator was obsessed with Lyndon Johnson for a while, so I think he probably loved the relationship of a power figure abusive to his or her staff—not that the show is based on him. And Julia is very smart, and she has probably seen certain people in politics. I would imagine it’s a blend of the front runners, like Hillary or Pelosi, but I can imagine she’s seen them all. How do you relax when you’re not filming? SL: I’m mostly at the Four Seasons Baltimore and at the coffee shop there. They told me that there are only six people who order the café con leche, and I’m one of one them. I didn’t realize there are five shots of espresso in it. MW: And I’m usually e-mailing Stephanie [asking] where my per diem is or how come rehearsal was canceled five minutes before I showed up and no one bothered to tell me. [Both laugh] I have so much more free time than you, Stephanie, that’s the truth. Actors have it easy. Stephanie has to answer everyone’s calls. [More laughing] SL: Yeah, I’m stuck on set until the call to wrap. So yesterday was 15 hours. MW: I just eat bonbons and go to the Charles Theatre, or I’ll play squash. [Laughs] I have been to the museums. I love the Baltimore Industry Museum. Have you been to the American Visionary Art Museum?
74
SL: I haven’t been. I’ve been wanting to go. MW: You really should. The tiny Civil War Museum is lovely. We’re enjoying Birroteca. What’s your favorite dish? MW: I always end up going with the boar pappardelle. Last time I was here, it was amazing. I had carpaccio made of octopus. SL: I order one of my favorites, the burrata. And to drink? MW: I’m such a tourist... I go [with Heavy Seas’] Loose Cannon local IPA, and I’ll have a Natty Boh once a season. SL: Anything whiskey, Scotch, bourbon. Straight—that’s me. Where else do you go on a night out? MW: When you meet with the producers, what’s your go-to? SL: Wit & Wisdom at the Four Seasons. We go to Cinghiale. We also go to the bar Bad Decisions in Fells Point. MW: Bad decisions happen there? I don’t like that our producers are going to a bar called Bad Decisions, Stephanie. [Laughs] CF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
“[Veep is like] The West Wing, but... we’re not as flashy; we’re more the real DC.”
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
072-074_CF_ST_OTT_LateSpring14.indd 74
4/3/14 4:01 PM
Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 100 America’s Best Wine Restaurants 2013 OpenTable: Top 100 Best Romantic Restaurants in the USA 2013 Condé Nast Johansens: Most Excellent Inn in North America Finalist 2014 TripAdvisor: 2013 Certificate of Excellence
Goodstone. The Good Life. A luxury country inn and five-star French restaurant only one hour from D.C., in the heart of wine and hunt country Escape from the everyday hustle and bustle! With personalized service for 18 guest rooms in six elegant guest houses, you’ll experience peace, privacy and the breathtaking natural beauty of our 265-acre country estate. 36205 SNAKE HILL ROAD, MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 • 540-687-3333 WWW.GOODSTONE.COM
Creative lighting ideas combined with distinctive decorative touches to make your event a unique and memorable experience.
Dedicated personnel create simple or custom designs perfectlysuited to your taste and budget from quiet elegance to energetic motion
Malibu • Newport Coast • Laguna Los Angeles • New York City • Palm Beach www.HesperaDesigns.com
reasures Tory Burch sports the latest designs from her pre-fall collection.
76 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
076-077_CF_SS_Tastemaker_LateSpring14.indd 76
4/3/14 2:42 PM
STYLE SETTER
Ten for Tory ON THE HEELS OF HER EPONYMOUS LABEL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND NEW GEORGETOWN STORE, TORY BURCH IS AS BUSY AS EVER—IN FASHION AND PHILANTHROPY. BY ALEXANDRIA GEISLER
A
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN (BOUTIQUE)
lot can happen in a year. Just ask fashion designer Tory Burch. In 2013 she unveiled “Women Rule”—a round-table series with Google and Politico dedicated to Capitol Hill’s female political leaders— debuted a fragrance and beauty line in partnership with Estée Lauder, and celebrated the opening of her namesake brand’s first-ever shop in Georgetown. On top of that, Tory Burch’s foundation and Bank of America recently launched the Elizabeth Street Capital initiative, a philanthropic endeavor that utilizes an investment of $10 million in low-cost capital from the bank to support women entrepreneurs by providing them access to capital along with mentoring and networking opportunities. When Burch was searching for the right location to unveil her new concept, Georgetown made sense. Joined by a number of women—including Debbie Dingell as well as Dr. Jill and Kathleen Biden—on the shop’s opening night, it seems the designer and her collection speak to Washington’s power set. “Women in DC are sophisticated, with a classic sense of style, but they lead very full lives, balancing work and family,” says Burch. “They need clothing that can work for all kinds of occasions, so accessories are a great way for a woman to complete her look.”
Now 10 years in business, the Tory Burch label includes handbags, shoes, jewelry, eyewear, and small leather goods, all of which can be found at the exclusive Georgetown shop. The homey, albeit luxurious, 2,642-square-foot Wisconsin Avenue boutique is bedecked with gilded chandeliers, velvet sofas, and grosgrain-trimmed pillows. Classic pieces such as colorful shoulder bags and metallic ballet flats lie next to the label’s rotating collections. This season’s latest line pays tribute to female photographer Gertrud Arndt and the modernist Bauhaus movement with geometric polka-dot slingbacks, structured top-handle totes, and a clever riff on Arndt’s own camera bag. “Arndt was one of the few female artists to come out of the Bauhaus movement,” says Burch. “We were inspired by her self-portraits and the era’s streamlined mood and bold graphics.” Echoing the movement’s stylish yet functional designs, the York tote is one of Burch’s favorite pieces, featuring concealed, interior compartments for modern media devices. “So many women carry around laptops, papers, and newspapers each day. This tote is an elegant solution,” she says. The perfect mix of pretty and preppy, Burch’s charm cuffs and pearl-and-grosgrain-ribbon necklaces are also not to be missed. 1211 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-337-1410; toryburch.com CF
FROM FAR LEFT: Accessories are the stars of the new Tory Burch store in Georgetown; Polka-dot slingback ($295).
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
076-077_CF_SS_Tastemaker_LateSpring14.indd 77
77
4/3/14 2:43 PM
STYLE SPOTLIGHT
Case Study Updating archival designs with contemporary details, Mark Cross introduces a line of leather goods for the modern man. Celebrated for his inimitable box trunk handbags, Mark Cross has been outfitting style icons such as Zelda Fitzgerald and Grace Kelly for decades. This spring, the classic luxury brand will secure its place in men’s closets, too. The launch of its first-ever men’s collection is inspired by the label’s most popular archival pieces—structured briefcases, duffle bags, messengers, and totes in classic shades of camel and black, as well as vibrant colors like cherry red, emerald, yellow, and cobalt. All bags feature special interior pockets for modern media devices. Soft styles, including a slim briefcase, are rendered in luxe Italian pebble calfskin, while trolley suitcases and other travel bags are cast in durable bridle leather. Bloomingdale’s, Tysons Calfskin briefcase, Corner, 703-556-4600; Mark Cross bloomingdales.com ($2,495).
Ombré bouquet statement necklace, Kate Spade ($298).
In Full Bloom AT KATE SPADE’S NEW DOWNTOWN BOUTIQUE, PALM LEAF PRINTS AND BRIGHT FLORALS REIGN SUPREME. THIS MAY, THE WOMENSWEAR label known for its exuberant hues and girlish prints will open its first downtown boutique at CityCenterDC. The expansive 1,968-square-foot shop will offer Kate Spade New York’s full ready-to-wear collection, as well as shoes, handbags, jewelry, eyewear, and accessories. For spring, bright tropical flowers bedeck girly peplum dresses, bucket hats, and pencil skirts, while sportier designs like cargo capri pants and Bermuda shirts come in cool combinations of olive, cream, brown, and a cheeky palm-leaf print. On the accessories side, a vinyl-record-inspired cross-body bag and a Cuban cigar box clutch showcase Kate Spade’s whimsical aesthetic, though a gold bamboo bangle, woven wicker drop earrings, and an ombré flower statement necklace are nothing short of sophisticated. 994 Palmer Alley NW; katespade.com CF
78
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
078_CF_SS_StyleSpotlight_LateSpring14.indd 78
4/3/14 2:46 PM
Re-Defining Real Estate.
MONICA BOYD Monica@MonicaBoyd.com 202.321.5055
COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE 3000 K Street, NW • Washington, DC 20007 • 202.321.5055 Exceptional Properties Listed in 3,100 Ofces in 50 Countries
Call | Click | Visit 703.584.2040 www.footankledc.com 2922 Telestar Court Falls Church, VA 22042
Steven K. Neufeld, MD
Matthew M. Buchanan, MD
Daniel J. Cuttica, DO
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (AOBOS)
SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW... to see if you’re a candidate for our revolutionary new bunion procedure that drastically reduces downtime while healing. Our dedicated, award winning team of board certifed orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons will have you back on your feet in no time.
Before
3 Months Post-Op
SECRET WASHINGTON Encounter bright spring colors at Tari Consignment.
Couture Consignments TARI CONSIGNMENT, TUCKED AWAY IN GEORGETOWN, OFFERS LOCAL FASHIONISTAS COVETED DESIGNER AND VINTAGE FINDS. BY MOLLY KNIGHT RASKIN
80
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY GREENWALT
I
t was love at first sight for Sara Mokhtari: From the moment she stepped into the bright, beautiful property for sale on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown in 2010, Mokhtari—a residential real estate developer, who recently moved from Capitol Hill to Georgetown herself—felt right at home. The only problem, she says, was that she had no plans to occupy the building. “I thought I’d buy it, develop and renovate it, then rent it out,” the 38-year-old recalls. “That’s the kind of work I had always done.” But love can throw the most well-designed plans astray, and before she knew it, Mokhtari was so charmed with the chic, airy space that she decided to stay put. “It was just amazing,” the Bethesda native says. “I couldn’t let go.” To make the building her own, however, she needed a retail idea—something to replace the outgoing tenant, a consignment store called We One You Two. “That’s when I realized that having a consignment store there was a great idea,” Mokhtari says. “So I decided to not only duplicate the concept, but to enhance it.” Or, as she succinctly puts it, she set out to create a “consignment store unlike no other.” After conducting six months of extensive renovations, Mokhtari opened the doors to Tari, an upscale secondhand store stocked with A-list labels, from Chanel to Tory Burch, all at affordable prices. She added a continued on page 82
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
080-082_CF_SS_Secret_LateSpring14.indd 80
4/3/14 2:48 PM
Coffee & Cocoa Filet
Classic ST EA KHOUS E. Unconventional approach. Enjoy the classic steakhouse in an unexpected way. Our USDA Prime dry-aged steaks, premium seafood and award-winning wines are met with culinary ingenuity and impeccable service for a truly unique experience.
It pays to indulge. Join our Person or Persons Extraordinaire Loyalty program for special dining privileges. Learn about the new partners and rewards at smithandwollensky.com/ppx.
1112 19TH STREET NW | 202.466.1100 Reser vations recommended at SMITHANDWOLLENSKY.COM
Š2014 Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc.
SECRET WASHINGTON Tari’s accessories selection includes statement heels and hard-to-find handbags.
“We don’t have a niche; we’re all things to all people.”
continued from page 80 men’s section, stocking it with designer suits and sport coats, and worked with local boutiques to mix in brand-new items from young Washington fashion designers. The unique merchandise comes mostly from consignors and from Mokhtari’s regular customers—women and men who like to freshen up their wardrobes by selling items after a season or two of wear. Set on the first floor of the whitewashed, three-story building, Tari turns the traditional experience of secondhand shopping on its head. Instead of pushing through crammed clothing racks, Tari’s customers browse the 2,800-square-foot space as they would any of the stylish urban boutiques that line Wisconsin Avenue. With a background in design, Mokhtari says she knows what looks good and takes great care to stock the store in an organized, chic way. She gives each item breathing room and prominently displays the most eye-catching must-haves she has in stock. And Mokhtari herself—or one of her fashion-savvy staff—is always on-site to personally style customers or help them choose stunning items for the season. Despite the fact that Mokhtari had no fashion or retail experience, she had what it took to put Tari on the map.
82
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
080-082_CF_SS_Secret_LateSpring14.indd 82
Sara Mokhtari’s airy, luxe store attracts shoppers for its aesthetic as much as for its vintage goods.
By the end of Tari’s first year in business, it was being hailed as the best vintage store in the city. The buzz still seems to take Mokhtari by surprise. “I was always into fashion,” she says. “But my closet is filled with all kinds of styles and colors, and I was never really interested in labels. I didn’t even know a lot of them!” What she did know, however, was how to build a team of employees with an eye for coveted labels of the moment. Customers can expect to find a little bit of everything—classics like Chanel blazers, YSL bags, and shoes by Christian Louboutin, mixed in with funkier items like jeans by James and True Religion and Tibi dresses. Mokhtari describes the Tari customer as a wide range of fashionistas—from lobbyists and politicos to tourists and students. “What’s great is that we don’t have a niche; we are all things to all people,” says Mokhtari, with contagious energy. “You can walk out of here with a black classic cashmere dress or a funky pair of jeans.” Mokhtari is quick to credit the secret to Tari’s success to the aesthetics of the store, which is organized and elegant with dark hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, offering a customer experience that’s relaxed and fun. Focusing on what she does best—construction, design, and renovation—Mokhtari set out to expand the space, gutting and renovating the top two floors, and putting an addition on the back of the building. The space, called T-Square, now serves as a venue for events, including fundraisers and fashion shows. Today, Mokhtari continues to work part time in real estate. But her real passion, she says, is the creative energy she puts into Tari, as she hopes to make Georgetown a hub for luxury consignment shopping. Until then, Mokhtari says her strategy is straightforward. “I’m happy if people come in and have a good experience,” she says. “And if they buy something, that’s even more exciting!” Tari, 1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-621-7500; taridc.com CF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY GREENWALT; ILLUSTRATION BY SARA FRANKLIN
—SARA MOKHTARI
4/3/14 2:49 PM
Brand New Condos
Rise to city living. Now selling from the $400s
1402 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 202.350.0237
Liveat460NYA.com
STYLE OF GENEROSITY Designer Lisa Sun (CENTER) collaborates with prominent DC women Mary Anne Hunstman, Mary Kaye Huntsman, and Ashley Taylor Bronczek on charitable works for her label Project Gravitas. BELOW: Rendered in a fresh red hue, the Amelia dress ($350) offers a timeless silhouette.
Generations of Gravitas INSPIRED BY STRONG, CONFIDENT WOMEN, DESIGNER LISA SUN MAKES DRESSES THAT NOT ONLY FLATTER— THEY PAY IT FORWARD, TOO. BY ALEXANDRIA GEISLER
A
s designer of womenswear label Project Gravitas, Lisa Sun doesn’t just create figure-flattering dresses. Each month, she challenges an accomplished, professional woman to take one of her designs and make 30 different looks using accessories. Ten percent of the proceeds from the sales of the dress benefits the featured woman’s charity of choice. “Our dresses are named for women who have thoughtfully, creatively, or fearlessly owned their moment in history. We felt strongly about paying it forward to causes that these women are genuinely passionate about,” says Sun. “There is style, substance, and giving back, all in one dress.” This May, Sun has tapped notable DC-based women, including Ashley Taylor Bronczek, who designed an exclusive WEAR Project bracelet that raised funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. And in an exclusive project to celebrate Capitol File’s ’s power women issue, Mary Anne Huntsman chose Sun’s new Diana dress for a cause; for every dress sold, the designer will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Washington Ballet. “I am so inspired by the women [here], because DC is one of the few places where the private and public sectors intersect and you see the true and unique power that women leaders have to meaningfully transform society,” Sun says. “DC —LISA SUN women have got gravitas!” After leaving her own 11-year career in Washington, Sun now splits her time between Arlington and New York, where all of her dresses are manufactured. Timeless staples such as sleek, black shift dresses and A-line party dresses comprise the majority of the label’s core collection, while on-trend designs, such as flared tulip skirts and body-con dresses with color blocking, are available as limited-edition styles. All of the designs feature interior shapewear fabric exclusive to the brand and are cut using several different models to ensure a flattering fit for a variety of body types. “Some women have called it ‘the power suit meets the LBD,’” Sun says. “I’ve been a size 22, a size 8, and now a size 12, and I had listened to friends and colleagues talk about what they wish their clothes could do for them. I was inspired to create a dress that truly flattered, fit, and enhanced every woman’s best features.” For spring, the core collection is rendered in soft pastels and pale neutrals, while the new limitededition Amelia (SHOWN)—available in burgundy for this spring/summer season—is a timeless favorite. Other pieces draw inspiration from the female style icons of the 1960s: with bright, Mondrianlike color panels, the body-hugging Edie dress (named after actress Edie Sedgwick) is among the highlights, as well as the label’s growing assortment of pencil skirts in punchy hues. projectgravitas.com CF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS (HUNTSMANS AND OTHERS)
“There is style, substance, and giving back, all in one dress.”
84 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
084_CF_SS_StyleofGen_LateSpring14.indd 84
4/4/14 9:40 AM
HOP ON OUR CAMPAIGN TRAIL
BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY 202.296.1880 | STKHOUSE.COM 1250 CONNECTICUT AVE., WASHINGTON, D.C.
STKWASHDC
THEONEGROUP
TIME KEEPER
A visit with craftsmen in Switzerland cemented philanthropist Amanda Polk’s obsession with fine watches.
Collecting Craftsmanship COMMITTED TO GIVING BACK, CHARITABLE WASHINGTONIAN AMANDA POLK TAKES TIME TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER PASSION—FINE TIMEPIECES. BY MATTHEW STEWART
P
86
“You realize that you are lucky to own something so extraordinary.” —AMANDA POLK reminds me to wear them. They are also tools meant to be used.” Holding a graduate certificate in philanthropy with a concentration on fundraising from New York University’s George Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, Polk has always been dedicated to raising her daughter, Cheyenne, with the understanding that giving back is important. “I would bring my daughter along when she was young, so that she could see the work being done and so that philanthropy would be an important part of her life,” says Polk. “Volunteering, giving back, and making Washington a better place are important values to instill in our children.” For more watch features and expanded coverage go to capitolfilemagazine.com/watches. CF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON CLAMAGE
rominent members of the Washington philanthropic community, Amanda Polk and her husband, Curtis, are also watch aficionados. When not serving on the boards of the Suburban Hospital/ Johns Hopkins Medicine—which is celebrating its Showcase event on May 8 to raise money for its neuroscience program—The Washington Humane Society, and KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) USA, Polk feeds her obsession for timepieces. Currently with 15 watches in her collection—including Ulysse Nardin, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Roger Dubuis, Rolex, and Raymond Weil—Polk didn’t start out with a deep love of the art of watch making. “I had always thought they were beautiful pieces of jewelry,” shares the Potomac resident. “I felt that it pulled together an outfit.” Her husband, an avid watch collector, began sharing his fervor for timepieces with Polk. “My husband has a large collection of beautiful watches, and he taught me what to pay attention to,” says Polk. It was on a trip to the center of the watch world that she took it to the next level. “In 2005 we went to Switzerland, where I got to see firsthand the effort and craftsmanship that goes into making fine watches [and the] care and precision that is involved in the complications,” she says. “I remember being dazzled by Franck Muller, whose skeletons, bridges, and limited editions are unbelievable. You realize that you are lucky to own something so extraordinary.” Despite the haute horology that surrounds her, Polk is also a fan of watches that have tenacity. “I love something that is very durable, like the Chanel J12,” Polk says. “I have one in black. Because it is ceramic, I can wear it to the gym and bang it around, and then I can wear it out to a lunch and know that it still looks great.” When it comes to her collection, it has never languished in jewelry boxes, where pieces can become forgotten. “I bring all of my watches out once a month and clean them,” says Polk. “It is nice because it
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
086_CF_SS_TimeKeeper_LateSpring14.indd 86
4/3/14 2:51 PM
Landscape Architects Design / Build
Washington DC | Boston | zenassociates.com | 800.834.6654
ttr SothebyS international realty Luxury Real Estate in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Visit ttrsir.com
FriendShip hoSpital For animalS Join Friendship Hospital for Animals for complimentary Client Education seminars on the 3rd Monday of every month. Seminars are aimed to provide valuable pet-related information to our clients and community. Seminars are free to the public and hosted at the Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library. For more information, please visit friendshiphospital.com or call 202.363.7300
Not to be missed events • happenings • promotions
Non-deposit investment products are not FDIC insured, are not deposits or other obligations of City National Bank, are not guaranteed by City National Bank and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.
independence by conVerGent™
StK
GeorGetown optician
For a free portfolio review, visit Independence.com or call 888.762.7600
Located in Dupont Circle, STK’s vibe-driven scene features a bustling bar, while banquettes and bistro seating ofer diners a menu with an extensive selection of steakhouse classics with a twist. STK breaks the mold of a conventional steakhouse with its sexy, social atmosphere and vibrant bar scene featuring DJs spinning.
Always distinctive, Teo Eyewear’s latest release shifs to bolder interpretations on classic shapes. Tese latest models, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, feature one-of-a-kind color combinations in handmade acetate, all crafed by artisans in Belgium.
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW | Washington, D.C. 20036 Call 202.296.1880 | stkhouse.com
Available at Georgetown Optician at all three locations: Georgetown, Tysons Galleria, and the brand new 14th Street location.
We’re experts on those who warm your heart. Their tails wag when they see you and they purr when you scratch them under the chin, but to the people they live with, they’re 100%
family. At Friendship, we understand that. We are doctors, technicians, and client care specialists to be sure. But we’re dog and cat lovers, too. We work to provide the most comprehensive primary, specialty and emergency care available anywhere...right around the corner.
Located just inside the DC line at 4105 Brandywine Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016
202.363.7300 www.friendshiphospital.com
Open 24/7 365 days
Thank you to our generous 2014 Heart Ball Sponsors presented by
S OCIETY CHAMPION The Bender Foundation, Inc. Aaron Daniels & Lisa Dezzutti ABS Architects Agilex American College of Cardiology Mercedes-Benz of Arlington/ Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria BDO Broadwater Capital CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CB Richard Ellis CGI
Children’s National Medical Center CTIA DCI Consulting Deloitte Denton’s EagleBank Ernst & Young Grant Thornton Howard University Hospital Immix Group KPMG
Krupin Partners Legacy Mars Symbioscience MedStar Health Te Meltzer Group MorganFranklin Pappas Group Pyramid Builders Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young
STYLING BY PASCALE LEMAIRE FOR THE ARTIST AGENCY; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CONNIE TSANG FOR THE ARTIST AGENCY
Second lady Dr. Jill Biden stands in the hallway outside her office at the Old Executive Office Building.
90
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 90
4/3/14 3:14 PM
I The
ndomitable Dr. Biden THE SECOND LADY SCHOOLS US ON HER PASSION FOR TEACHING, HER COMMITMENT TO MILITARY FAMILIES, AND HOW HER LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS KEEPS HER GROUNDED. BY ELIZABETH E. THORP PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE DUNEA
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 91
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
91
4/3/14 3:00 PM
At the US Naval Observatory in December 2011, Biden looks on as a father in Afghanistan reads a holiday story via United Through Reading.
N
aturally, one does quite a bit of research before interviewing the second lady of the United States. When Dr. Jill Biden graciously agreed to be on our cover, I talked with close family, friends, and associates of the Bidens, including Sonia “Sonny” Schorr Sloan, a lifelong family friend, who worked with the vice president on his bid for Newcastle County Council in Delaware almost 45 years ago. When I spoke with Sloan, the first thing she said to me was, “You’re interviewing Dr. Biden? You are in for such a treat. You will adore her.” I had never heard this about an interviewee—how I would just adore the subject, especially one with such gravitas. It struck me. I was indeed in for a treat. Our interview took place in Biden’s homey office in the Old Executive Office Building after her Capitol File photo shoot. She was engaging, very low-key, and friendly to the myriad of folks who were milling about. At 62 years of age, Biden is fit and as lovely as ever. During my call with Sloan, she reiterated that the Bidens have very strong ties to their friends and causes in Delaware and, “When you’re in their home, they’re no different than anyone else.” I certainly felt that in Dr. Biden’s office. You’re the first-ever second lady of the United States to have a paying job while holding this position. When we were elected I said to Joe, “You know I have to continue teaching.” He said, “Of course!” So four days after the inauguration, I was in the classroom. I used to teach at a community college in Delaware, and I’m now teaching at Northern Virginia Community College. When did you know you wanted to be an educator? I realized it when I was an undergrad at University of Delaware. I knew that a lot of kids could not read well. And reading is such a big part of my life… so I decided to become a reading specialist. First, I got my degree in English, then I got my master’s in English, and then my doctorate. All while you were raising a family. [Laughs] Yes, it took me a long time! I tell the students that I teach at the community college—who are working, going to school, raising kids—I tell them,
92
“I’ve done that. I’ve been in your spot. I understand.” I know how tough it is for them when they’re dealing with things outside of the classroom. Related to that, tell me about the women’s mentoring project at Northern Virginia Community College? When I started at NOVA one of the things I wanted to do was to help women who are returning to school. I started the Women’s Mentoring Project, now in its fifth year. We pair women who are over 30 with a faculty member, and we have 40 faculty members who volunteer and have two or three mentees. We do workshops and trainings, help them get scholarships, write essays. Do you have mentees? Last year, I helped a woman write an essay to George Mason University so she could transfer. She had been homeless, living in her car with her kids. She got into a shelter. Someone suggested NOVA. She was in our program, she got a scholarship, and now she’s at George Mason getting her degree in accounting. This is what community college is all about. How do you balance your public and private lives? Are you grading papers in the motorcade? [Laughs] I have papers with me at all times. I’m constantly grading. I’m just like every other American woman who is working and has to create a balance between her work world and home world. I’ve been a teacher for 33 years, so I tell my own kids, “Organization is the key,” and I try to live that. Biden’s colleague, Dr. George Gabriel, vice president of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success Initiatives at Northern Virginia Community College, believes Biden is exceeding her obligations as a teacher. He says, “This is not just her job; it’s her passion.” While discussing the Women Mentoring Project, Gabriel suggests that sometimes Biden forgets she’s the second lady. “A couple of years ago, Jill went on a trip to Brazil with the vice president. They got back in the middle of the night,” says Gabriel, “and she was at school in time for her 8 AM class. That’s just how she is. To us, she’s Jill.” Gabriel says her leadership and commitment inspires the entire faculty. “It is such a privilege to have a second lady as a part of the faculty,” he adds, “but what we really have is a wonderful teacher, leader, and person.” Tell us about the importance of community colleges. I could go on and on about this. After we were elected, one of the great things
OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY DAVID LIENEMANN (STORY); PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK THOMAS/OLD DOMINIAN UNIVERSITY (FRANCO); GRANT MILLER (BUSH INSTITUTE); CHIP SOMODEVILLA (OBAMA).
While visiting Lee Hall Elementary School in Newport News, Biden talks with fourth grader and military child Jaelin Franco.
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 92
4/3/14 3:01 PM
for me is that this administration focuses on community colleges. What they’re doing now is trying to show how affordable it is to get a community college education, then transfer to a four-year school. I hear you’re called “Dr. B.” They do call me Dr. B. Not all of my students know I’m second lady. It’s so funny. One of my students ran up to me at the end of the semester and said, “I saw you on TV!” Sometimes students will ask, “Are you related to the vice president?” I say, “Yes, he’s one of my relatives.” I try to keep my two roles separate, and my students respect that. How hard is it to get an A from Dr. B? I’d like to think I’m a tough teacher, but I hope my students say I’m fair. I do push them… I make them write, rewrite, and rewrite. Both you and the vice president still have very strong ties to Delaware. Can you tell me about the Biden Breast Health Initiative? It started in the early 1990s. Four of my friends had breast cancer at the same time, so I thought, I’m an educator, a teacher, I have to do something. I started a program for which we went into high schools in Delaware and taught young girls how to do breast self-exams and the importance of good health practices. We wanted to take that information home to moms and grandmoms, and create a dialogue. We held health fairs and taught preventative care. We focus on education and early detection. It’s so important for every woman to practice breast self-exams. Sloan, who is on the board of Biden Breast Health Initiative, says, “Jill has never changed; she is the same person she always was. She will show up at a meeting when we don’t even expect her. She does so quietly. She never says, ‘Here I am.’” She adds, “Jill and Joe are mutually proud of each other. When she [Dr. Biden] got her PhD, Joe’s speech was just so amazing and heartfelt. They are mutually supportive.” You and the vice president have been married for… Forever. Forever! Going on 37 years. It’s hard to believe. How are you able to focus on being a couple when you are both so incredibly busy? We really make time for one another. When he comes home at night, no matter what time, I light candles on the table; we spend time together. This morning, I had to get up early so I made toast and coffee, and we just sat and
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TK; ILLUSTRATION BY TK
Biden speaks at a veterans event at the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas this past February.
talked. Sometimes you just have to grab those moments. We make time for us, and we make time for our family. Every Sunday I make family dinner; we’ve done that for years and years. The kids really look forward to it. I’ve seen you and the vice president at some of my daughters’ soccer games on weekends. Do you both babysit the grandchildren? [Laughing] Oh sure, the kids always stay overnight! While we’re here, we have Hunter and Kathleen’s three kids. Last weekend I had the kids. Hallie [the Bidens’ daughter-in-law] wanted to go running, and she asked if she could bring the kids over in the morning. I said, “Sure, no problem.” And there they were, a quarter to seven on a Sunday morning!” Perhaps you were thinking more along the lines of 10 o’clock? I was, because it was a Sunday. [Laughs] The vice president asked you to marry him several times; he was determined. He was. Is it true that the tipping point for you was the boys? That you fell in love with those kids? I did. I did. They were just so beautiful, so wonderful. I did fall in love with the boys. It just fit. I had to be sure; that’s why I waited five times. Also, you were very young. Yes, I was 25, and it was a lot to take on. Really, it just worked. They wanted a mommy, and I wanted to love them. You’re a Blue Star Mom. I am. You and the first lady are very involved in a partnership supporting military families and have a new focus on caregivers. Can you tell us more about that? The caregiver part of it is so important. The president signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act in 2010, while these wars were winding down, and we saw many wounded warriors coming home. One story that always sticks in my mind was of two brothers from Michigan. One took off time from his job to help his brother who was seriously injured. The Caregivers act gave him the ability to leave his job, but then to come back to it. That made all the difference to the other brother. With Joe’s parents, they came to live in our home for seven months before his dad died. We took care of him; there’s no one like family to do those
First Lady Michelle Obama and Biden attend an event to announce a new report regarding military spouse employment.
Caption will go here tk xerit lore del utpatisit velisl
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 93
93
4/3/14 3:02 PM
“We’re trying to get Americans to support and honor military families. Commit to an act of kindness, no matter what it is.”
94
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 94
4/4/14 1:58 PM
personal things and give them love—then his mom, too. We took care of all four of our parents. It’s one of the great legacies, I think, that this administration will have. That they took care of people by the Caregivers act and also the Affordable Care Act. “As a military mom herself, Jill knows the unique mix of strength, pride, and concern that comes with being in a military family. That’s why she’s determined to make a real difference in the lives of troops, veterans, and their families through our Joining Forces initiative,” says First Lady Michelle Obama. “I am so blessed to work with her on Joining Forces, but even beyond that, to call her a friend. Jill is one of the most genuine, hardworking—and fun—people I know.” It’s widely known that you and the first lady have a warm relationship. Can you tell us a little bit about how you work together? From the very first meeting that Michelle and I had together, we just clicked. She said to me: “What issues do you think that you’re going to be interested in working on?” I said, “I would like to work with military families.” She said, “Oh, that’s what I want to work on, too.” So right away, we had this instant bond, and that was something we decided to work on together. How often do you see one another? We do a lot of things together. My grandchildren and her children are in school together. So a lot of times we’re sitting on the benches, watching basketball or other sports, or we meet for dinner at somebody’s house. It’s just a nice thing. It’s like when you have a friend that maybe you haven’t seen in a while, and when you see one another again, you start where you left off. I feel that way with her, and, I think, she feels that way with me. No matter what we’re working on or what groups we’re in front of, we’re always happy to see one another. It is just a nice, warm friendship. I have always been struck about how emotional it must be to send a child to a war zone. Probably more so for you, knowing the gritty truth of what was going on in Iraq. How did you cope? That was one of the toughest times of my life. It was a month before we were elected. In that same weekend, Beau left for deployment and my mother died. And I was campaigning. When I was at Beau’s deployment ceremony, the wife of the general sitting next to me just slipped a prayer in my hand. And I said that prayer [starts tearing up] every day. I don’t care if I was writing on my blackboard, or what I was doing. I’m telling you, it never leaves your mind that you have a son in a war zone. What else helped you get through it? People did such kind things. My church put Beau’s name in the bulletin to pray for him. Beau had a friend who went to Hallie’s house in a snowstorm and shoveled their driveway at 6 AM; never said a word, just walked away. Bringing it back to the first lady, we decided to work on military families. That’s what we’re trying to get Americans to do… to support and honor military families. Commit to an act of kindness, no matter what it is… I hope that we’ve made life better for members of the military. That was our goal. Thank you so much for your time. This has been amazing. I don’t know how you do everything you do. I know, but it’s so interesting! What could I give up? It’s so great for me; I get to do so many different and wonderful things… Thank you so much for this opportunity. I’m going to tell all my friends! For a full transcript of this interview and a behind-the-scenes video, visit capitolfilemagazine.com. CF
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
090-095_CF_FEAT_Cover_LateSpring14.indd 95
95
4/4/14 1:59 PM
HI HIGH IMPACT
This season’s strong, tailored silhouette takes DC’s power dressing to new heights.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT ASCROFT
96
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 96
4/3/14 2:31 PM
Dress ($3,045) and belt ($990), Lanvin. Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-0700; saks.com. 18k yellow gold and rock crystal Caged earrings, Verdura ($8,000). Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 202-966-9700; verdura.com. 18k yellow gold Celtic Dunes ring, H.Stern ($3,200). Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, SEE ABOVE. Pumps, Aquazzura ($595). Intermix, 3300 M St. NW, 202-298-8080; intermixonline.com
ON SHELBY:
Dress, Oscar de la Renta ($1,790). Saks Jandel, 5510 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-2251; oscardelarenta.com. 18k white gold Fulfillment round diamond earrings, Hearts on Fire (price on request). Chas Schwartz & Son Jewelers, Mazza Gallerie, 202-363-5432; heartsonfire.com. 18k white gold PerlĂŠe diamond motif ring, Van Cleef & Arpels ($15,250). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-1600; vancleefarpels.com. Pumps, Dolce & Gabbana ($598). Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, SEE ABOVE
ON ERIKA:
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 97
97
4/3/14 2:32 PM
98
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 98
4/3/14 2:33 PM
OPPOSITE PAGE:
Jacket ($1,600) and pants ($650), Gucci. The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-986-8902; gucci.com. Shirt, Valentino ($750). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-1600; neimanmarcus.com. Silver and alloy white earrings, Fope ($1,080). Boone & Sons, 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-785-4653; booneandsons.com. Slingbacks, Bottega Veneta ($830). Tysons Galleria, 703-442-3138; bottegaveneta.com. Porsche Design P’9982 smartphone by BlackBerry, Porsche Design ($1,990). Tysons Galleria, 703-942-5522; porschedesign.com ON ERIKA:
ON SHELBY: Jacket and trousers (price on request), Salvatore Ferragamo. Tysons Galleria, 703-7487620; ferragamo.com. Shirt, Brooks Brothers ($99). 1201 Connecticut Ave., 202-659-4650; brooksbrothers.com. 18k white gold Fleurette diamond earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels ($25,400). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-1600; vancleefarpels.com. Belt, Streets Ahead ($70). streetsaheadinc.com. Clutch, Gucci ($1,150). SEE ABOVE. Pumps, Christian Louboutin ($645). Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 202-966-9700; neimanmarcus.com THIS PAGE: Dress, Bottega Veneta ($2,650). Tysons Galleria, 703-442-3138; bottegaveneta.com. 18k rose gold bangle ($23,500) and 18k rose gold bracelet ($44,700), Pomellato. Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-0700; saks.com. Bag, Dolce & Gabbana ($2,895). Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, SEE ABOVE
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 99
99
4/3/14 2:34 PM
Vest, Donna Karan New York ($1,495). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-1600; neimanmarcus.com. 18k yellow gold Perlée diamond motif earrings (14,500) and 18k yellow gold Perlée diamond motif ring ($14,850), Van Cleef & Arpels. Neiman Marcus, SEE ABOVE; vancleefarpels.com. Bracelet, Vita Fede ($675). Hu’s Wear, 2906 M St. NW, 202-342-2020; husonline.com BEAUTÉ, ON ERIKA THROUGHOUT:
Vitalumière Aqua foundation in Beige 10 ($45), Les Beiges Healthy Glow sheer color in No. 30 ($58), Rouge Allure Luminous Intense lip color in Passion ($35), Soft Touch eye shadow in Lotus ($30), Automatic liquid liner ($34), Inimitable mascara in Noir ($30), sculpting eyebrow pencil in Brun Naturel ($29), Chanel. Neiman Marcus, Tysons Corner Center, 202-638-5055; chanel.com. Hair treatment, Moroccanoil ($43). moroccanoil.com. BEAUTÈ, ON SHELBY THROUGHOUT: Perfection Lumière foundation ($57), Les Beiges Healthy Glow sheer color in No. 60 ($58), Rouge Allure Luminous Intense lip color in Pirate ($35), Automatic liquid liner ($34), powder blush in Emotion ($43), Inimitable Intense mascara in Noir ($30), sculpting eyebrow pencil in Brun Cendre ($29), Chanel. Neiman Marcus, Tysons Corner Center, 202-638-5055; chanel.com. Luminous medium finish hairspray, Moroccanoil ($22). moroccanoil.com
100 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 100
4/4/14 1:13 PM
Jacket, Gucci ($4,500). The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-986-8902; gucci.com. Tank, Donna Karan New York ($595). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-1600; neimanmarcus.com. Trouser, Boss ($295). 1517 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-625-2677; hugoboss.com. Bag, Valextra ($3,990). Barneys New York, 3040 M St. NW, 202-350-5832; barneys.com
ON ERIKA:
ON SHELBY: Dress (worn as top), Donna Karan New York ($995). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, SEE ABOVE. Skirt, Stella McCartney ($2,185). Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, 703-761-0700; saks.com. 18k white gold Fleurette diamond earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels ($25,400). Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria, SEE ABOVE. Star Classique lady automatic watch, Montblanc ($5,400). Tysons Galleria, 703-734-5101; montblanc.com
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 101
101
4/3/14 2:35 PM
Pumps, Manolo Blahnik ($835). Nordstrom, Tysons Corner, 703-761-1121; nordstrom.com
102
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 102
4/3/14 2:36 PM
Jacket ($3,900) and pants ($1,250), Dior. Saks Fifth Avenue, Tysons Galleria, 703-7610700; saks.com. Shirt, Burberry London ($325). 1155 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-4633000; burberry.com. 18k white gold Fulfillment round diamond earrings, Hearts on Fire (price on request). Chas Schwartz & Son Jewelers, Mazza Gallerie, 202-363-5432; heartsonfire.com. iPad case, Smythson ($635). Barneys New York, 3040 M St. NW, 202-350-5832; smythson.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TK; ILLUSTRATION BY TK
Styling by Lauren Finney and Faye Power Set design by Sergio Esteves for utopianyc.com Makeup by Tracy Crystal of Next Artists using Chanel Assistant to Tracy Crystal: Shain Kish Hair by Julien Farel of Next Artists for Julien Farel Haircare Hair assistants: Mark Anthony and Amanda Troisi for Julien Farel Haircare Manicure by Myrdith LeonMcCormack using Dior Vernis at Factory Downtown Erika P. and Shelby C. at New York Model Management
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
096-103_CF_FEAT_Fashion_LateSpring14.indd 103
103
4/3/14 2:35 PM
Ambassador Capricia Marshall, Betsy Fischer Martin, Valerie Jarrett, Gina Adams, and Katherine Bradley thrive as top-tier professional women in DC.
WONDER 104
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 104
4/4/14 2:24 PM
ELITE DC DAMES DISH ON OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, INSPIRATION, AND SUCCESS IN WASHINGTON. BY ELIZABETH E. THORP PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN VOSS
WOMEN CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 105
105
4/4/14 2:24 PM
Ambassador-in-residence at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Marshall recently launched Global Engagement Strategies, which advises international public and domestic clients on ways to use cultural diplomacy as a business and foreign policy tool.
VALERIE B. JARRETT A senior advisor to President Barack Obama, Jarrett also oversees the offices of Public Engagement, Intergovernmental Affairs, and, with the director of the Domestic Policy Council, oversees the office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity. She chairs the White House Council on Women and Girls.
BETSY FISCHER MARTIN The senior executive producer and managing editor of NBC News Political Programming, Fischer Martin has been with NBC for 22 years, previously at the helm of the number-one rated Sunday morning public affairs program and the longest running television program in the world, Meet the Press, for more than a decade.
106
O
ur nation’s capital is chock-full of influential people. You can’t ride the Red line or run into Starbucks without rubbing elbows with a Washington VIP. From CEOs to administration officials, diplomats to philanthropic leaders, there is no shortage of powerful people in our region, and a good many of them are women. Capitol File gathered five of the most high-level and inspiring women in DC from diverse backgrounds for an intimate lunch discussion on how these women are impacting the District and beyond. Participants of our discussion included: Gina Adams, corporate vice president of government affairs at Federal Express; Katherine Bradley, president of CityBridge Foundation; Betsy Fischer Martin, senior executive producer and managing editor of NBC News Political Programming; Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama; and Capricia Marshall, ambassador and former chief of protocol at the State Department. The following are highlights from our discussion.
BEST DAYS IN DC Capricia, you’ve been in Washington for years. What’s been your best day? Capricia Marshall: The day I met President Mandela in the White House was amazing because I felt an aura around him. But on the day I was sworn in as chief of protocol, with my husband and my son standing next to me along with some special friends, my heart was just so filled. It was where I had always wanted to be. I’m first-generation Mexican American and Croatian American. Neither of my parents finished high school, let alone went on to college or graduate school. They never dreamed they would have a daughter in the White House who would be chief of protocol. But there were so many languages spoken in our house and in my neighborhood. I felt so comfortable among those people from far away places so this [appointment] was a wonderful joy. I am forever grateful for this opportunity… it was a fulfillment of a lifetime of dreams. Valerie Jarrett: Inauguration Days don’t count, so my next best day was when the Affordable Care Act passed. An enormous
amount of work went into crafting that piece of legislation and trying to figure out how we could get bipartisan support for it. Everyone was so exhausted. We’d been working for weeks, so I decided to go home and watch the vote on television. Susan Sher, who had been the first lady’s chief of staff, lived across the hall from me. We made popcorn, put on our pajamas, and we were sitting in front of the television when the phone rang. It was the president’s assistant, who said, “The president would like for everybody who worked on the legislation to come back and watch the vote together.” So Susan and I got dressed, went back to the White House, and watched the vote, and it was such a special moment. Betsy, you’ve been with NBC in different roles for 22 years. What was your best day in DC? Betsy Fischer Martin: For me—and for any journalist—it’s when there is a ton of news breaking. There is an exciting atmosphere. Even though it wasn’t in Washington, I would say Election Night 2000. Florida. Florida. Florida. [Laughs] It was memorable because I was with Tim [Russert] as we were getting the returns in. It was all-night reporting that we were doing on-air, as things were happening, until the crew came in the next morning to do the Today show. Gina, you were born and raised in DC. What’s been your best day here? Gina Adams: I grew up in southeast Washington, I went to DC public schools, and I lived in public housing. I’ve had thousands of fantastic days in Washington. I have to say that my best was when I walked into the White House to meet the president. The chairman [of FedEx] put me on an airline commission, and it was great meeting all of those important industry CEOs. But when I had to go to the White House and walk through those doors, I was calling my mother… [calling] everyone! Everybody was so proud and excited. To walk through those doors, then meet a president—Bill Clinton at the time—was pretty special, too. Katherine, you also have been here working with your husband, David Bradley, to build the Advisory Board Company. What was your best day? Katherine Bradley: You think of these pinnacle days, when you build the companies and they go public. Those are incredible times, but now I’ve been working in the nonprofit field on education reform for 15 years, and you don’t get those single-day best moments because the results take
MAKEUP BY KARI ELLEN WINICK
AMBASSADOR CAPRICIA PENAVIC MARSHALL
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 106
4/4/14 2:24 PM
The women sit down to lunch at Fiola Mare in Washington Harbor.
so long to come in. You can work for years and years, and a school finally makes it to a transformational level. One of those days, I was in Heathrow Airport when the DC Public School scores were released; I only had my phone to look at all the data sheets from the scores, but I had to know school by school. I was taking copious notes, looking like a total crazy person with my nose in my phone. The news was so good, and I was so happy. That day is one of those markers.
DARK DAYS What was your worst moment on the job in Washington? CM: One of my hardest days was at the end of the Clinton administration. The last day that I was in the White House, there was a lot of joy as President and Mrs. Clinton were running through the various rooms and dancing with the butlers. But then we had the seriousness of this ceremony, and it came time to say good-bye— good-bye to people I had spent 24–7 with, and just bidding them farewell was really difficult. The White House, as Valerie can attest to, is an extremely special place. The president’s house, the people’s house, is just a very unique and special place to work.
VJ: My worst day is easy: It was the day we went up to Newtown, Connecticut, after all those children were murdered. You couldn’t really take it in because it was just so unfathomable. I remember being in the Oval Office when the president heard how many children were killed, and he kept saying the number over and over, like, “Are you sure it’s that many children?” Two days later, we flew up to Connecticut, and because of weather we had to land and drive to the service. I got in the car with the president, and he was reading the speech that his team had prepared. He said, “This is not what I want to say.” So he got out a yellow piece of paper and for the next hour and 10 minutes he just wrote. He did not revise a word; he just wrote. I remember just trying to be very quiet because he only had an hour. How could you possibly know what to say to people who’ve just lost their children—and the families of teachers and administrators? He finished just as we pulled up. He gave it to a staffer and said, “Have this typed up as is; I don’t need to see it again.” For the next two hours we met with every family, the parents, the siblings, the grandparents, the faith leaders. The president was almost like a pastor
“The day I was sworn in as chief of protocol, with my husband and son standing next to me... my heart was just so filled.” —CAPRICIA MARSHALL because they collapsed in his arms. I think 24 of the 26 families were there. Then he gave one of the most perfect speeches he’s ever given. I was sitting next to a dad; he grabbed my hand and was just sobbing uncontrollably. As a parent, I can’t imagine anything worse than that. That was easily the worst day for me. BFM: For me and for so many people, [the worst day] was 9/11. I was in Columbia Hospital for Women on bed rest, getting ready to have my daughter, trying to work on my laptop, and saw everything happen live on the Today show. Then I was hitting the phones, scrambling, while being stuck in a hospital bed worrying
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 107
107
4/4/14 2:25 PM
GINA ADAMS As senior vice president for government affairs at FedEx Corporation, Adams is responsible for shaping the interests of all FedEx operating companies, including FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Services, in the political arenas. She serves on the boards of American University, Fight For Children, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, among other organizations.
about my own family. It was just a stressful time to be in Washington and so sad, and to know you’re getting ready to have a baby in that kind of atmosphere with all of this tragedy unfolding. I booked Dick Cheney from the hospital room. He gave that first interview after 9/11 with Meet the Press from Camp David on September 16, and then my daughter was born that afternoon. GA: Yes, for me the worst day as a Washingtonian was September 11. I had gone to Cuba with a member of Congress, and we’d gotten back Sunday night. I had a little boy who was almost 3, and I just got back from this bucket-list trip; I was excited. I was on my way to a Chamber of Commerce breakfast and my mother called and told me to turn on the television. I turned it on in time to see the second plane going, and I really didn’t know what to do. I thought, do I still go down to the meeting? Is it still going to go on? And then you hear these stories, these personal DC stories. KB: I agree. If you think of one truly horrific day here, it would have to be 9/11. I was the board chair at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and was in a meeting with the headmaster. His assistant came in and said, “I don’t know if this is anything, but a plane just flew into the World Trade Center.” We went out and turned on her television and looked at it, and the reports at first were [that it was a] small private plane, so we thought nothing of it. I went on to a parent coffee meeting and, with the television on, 50 moms watched the airplane go into the Pentagon. You knew at that moment that the city was changed forever.
GREATEST INFLUENCERS
KATHERINE BRADLEY Bradley serves as president of the CityBridge Foundation, which she cofounded with her husband, David Bradley, owner of Atlantic Media and publisher of The Atlantic and National Journal. She’s currently a board member for KIPP Foundation and STAND for Children, and chairs the Washington regional board for Teach for America.
108
VJ: Early in my career, a client of mine at the mayor’s office—who was in charge of finance while I did all the lawyering on the finance side—taught me how to ask for a promotion. I would’ve never done it without her. My view was that you work hard and people notice; the boss decides when it’s time for you to be promoted. I had been doing restructuring of complicated deals. She said, “The work that you’re doing is at the level of a deputy operation council… you should be the deputy.” I thought that was ridiculous. Then she [was on] me every week, telling me what I should say. Finally—just because I couldn’t see her one more time without doing it—I went into my boss’s office and said, “I’ve been here now two years, and I’ve been doing all this work. My supervisor comes to me for advice. I believe that I would be more effective with the clients if I were a deputy.” I will never forget how he looked at me and said, “Okay.” It’s not always
that easy, but the lesson is this: If you’re not advocating for yourself, you might sit around for a very long time waiting to be recognized. CM: I have a wonderful mentor [in Hillary Clinton], who has allowed me to hitch my wagon to hers from the moment I went on to Bill Clinton’s campaign. I will never forget when I was pregnant and hadn’t told anyone yet, and I was the social secretary at the White House. I went over to Hillary and said, “I need to talk with you.” She guessed that I was pregnant and said, “I have known this for several weeks, and I have been wondering when you we’re going to tell me. Let’s get the plan together because we’re in this together. I’m going make this work for you.” My Mexican mother was there from the moment Cole was born, and she said, “I need to go with you to the White House when you take this baby.” So Hillary made it really easy for her to just be there with me. She gave my mom a little room up on the third floor where the baby would take naps in Chelsea’s crib. It was just a very loving environment. She’s been not only a mentor, but also a nurturer for me, my son, and my family—a real supporter, and I just adore her for that. KB: The person that’s been a real mentor to me is Terry Golden, who was the longtime chair of the Federal City Council and a stalwart member of the Washington business and education community. He began years ago taking me along to meetings with him, saying, “I want you to meet the politicians who are making the decisions. I want you to be on the Federal City Council with me”—and there weren’t a lot of women on it then. Now he is chair of the KIPP DC board, so we interact all the time, and I’m very grateful he took me under his wing, especially after many years of feeling like I was alone. BFM: Mine is easy because it’s Tim Russert, who started at NBC at the same time as I did at Meet the Press. He took me under his wing and taught me so much about journalism, and inspired me to want to be in this field. He was constantly pushing me beyond my comfort zone—urging me to move up the ladder, to have more and more responsibility. As the Washington bureau chief and leader of Meet the Press, he was the boss of the bureau, so he made me the senior producer of the show when I was 27 and then executive producer when I was 31. Neither of those things was anything I thought I could do, and he was the one who pushed me. He was always the one who believed in being prepared; he never sat down at that moderator’s chair without being thoroughly prepared. His focus was an inspiration to me. GA: I’ve had a lot of people who have
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 108
4/4/14 2:25 PM
“[Michelle Obama has] a lot on her plate, but there isn’t a time in the 22 years that I’ve known her that, midconversation, she hasn’t said, ‘How are you?’”
FROM LEFT:
Valerie Jarrett; Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall and Katherine Bradley.
—VALERIE JARRETT
influenced me. I think about my French teacher at Ballou, who helped me to apply to college; she pushed me. When I had a junior fellowship at the US Naval Research Laboratory, there was this African American woman who was a scientist, and I had never seen an African American scientist before. She wanted me to enroll in the Toastmasters Club and compete against these college students, and I did—and won. Then my law school professor… I called her to ask what I should do about a job offer at FedEx, and she’s the one who advised me to negotiate my salary before I stepped in there. These are people whom I consider mentors and who still guide me through decision making.
MIND THE GAP At the State of the Union, President Obama referenced the gender pay gap that still exists—it’s about 77 cents to the dollar. Why aren’t we closing the gap with our male counterparts? How do we get there? VJ: It’s inconceivable to me that at this point in
the 21st century we still have that pay gap. The line in the president’s State of the Union that really was off the charts was when he said, “When women succeed, America succeeds.” Now two-thirds of all families are either headed by a woman as the breadwinner or they have two breadwinners, so the woman’s contribution to the family income is more important than ever. Half of college graduates are women, more than half of those who graduate from graduate schools are women, so there’s a great pipeline coming up in terms of education, but that doesn’t mean [these women] won’t hit a pay ceiling until the mind-set changes. BFM: Maria Shriver recently did a report for NBC on women and pay equity. I was at home watching it with my daughter. Maria highlighted a woman who had sued for not being paid [equal wages], and my daughter could not believe that that was going on. It was inconceivable to her, and I had to explain to her that, yes, this was the case, and, yes, that many women had to fight for rights. She had no sense of this.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE KB: I’ve adored being a mother. David and I both have attitudes that there’s no boundary between work and personal lives. We love our
jobs, and neither of us has a job that ends at 6 PM , so we try to include our sons [ages 24, 21,
and 18] as much as possible. Our work requires a fair amount of entertaining, so we’ve moved almost all of it to our house; we’ve done that for years. We’ve been there at our kitchen table at a dinner and the boys would come in with questions about their homework. VJ: I go to the White House gym every morning at 5:15 AM ; I’m a morning person. You have to know your body, what’s going to make you feel fulfilled. I try to eat healthy and laugh an awful lot. I’m surrounded by incredible family and friends. You’re not going to get a good friend unless you are a good friend. One of my best models is the first lady… Goodness knows, she’s got a lot on her plate, but there isn’t a time in the 22 years that I’ve known her that, in mid-conversation, she hasn’t said, “How are you?” Let’s face it, the first lady of the United States can get away with never asking how anyone else is. She’s a really good friend. I’ve read articles where she’s said the same thing about you, Valerie. VJ: We laugh. We laugh an awful lot… And what a treat to spend the afternoon with all of you. For a full transcript of this discussion and a behind-thescenes video, visit capitolfile-magazine.com. CF
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
104-109_CF_FEAT_PowerLunch_LateSpring14.indd 109
109
4/4/14 2:25 PM
Today’s video games are changing the way students learn Video games are providing future innovators with the critical STEM skills they need to succeed in today’s technology-driven workforce and bolster our country’s competitiveness. The Entertainment Software Association proudly uses games and game design to engage students on STEM subjects through programs including the National STEM Video Game Challenge and the ESA LOFT Innovation Fellowship. To learn more about these programs and how video games are enhancing education, go to www.theESA.com.
Haute Property NEWS, STARS AND TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE
French antique sconces and vintage furniture set the scene for Goldy Kamali’s romantic Chatsworth home.
Fresh and French TECH EXECUTIVE GOLDY KAMALI CHANNELS COCO CHANEL IN CHEVY CHASE.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN
A
s a tech queen, Goldy Kamali might be expected to live in the domestic equivalent of an iPad—sleek, ultramodern, and cutting edge. Instead, Kamali, founder and CEO of FedScoop, a leading government IT media company and events producer, resides in a stylishly romantic three-story Chatsworth manse. With its classic, regal furnishings, sophisticated color palette, and luxurious accents, the 4,200-square-foot, five-bedroom home gives full expression to Kamali’s alter ego, a Chanelobsessed fashionista. “I definitely have been influenced by Coco Chanel,” says 37-year-old Kamali. “I have such a love for Chanel design—and for Coco Chanel as a special woman in history.” Gifted with a work ethic that would have made her iconic heroine proud, Kamali frequently clocks in 20-hour days, taking meeting after meeting (as many as 32 in eight hours), overseeing FedScoop’s extensive and
BY JAMES SERVIN
up-to-the-minute website, and organizing government IT community events with industry leaders, such as Arianna Huffington, Ben Fried, CIO of Google, and Nigel Ballard, Intel director of federal marketing. Some of those receptions and dinners—usually flooded with white orchids—are hosted at her abode, a feat Kamali says she was unable to accomplish at her former address, a much-loved but too-small condo in Alexandria. “Being social is a very important part of my job,” Kamali says. “Having a home that lends itself to elegant entertaining was something that I was looking for. The challenge with homes in DC is that they’re often very narrow. I wanted a house that had space for lots of people.” A two-year online search ended when Kamali viewed a home in Northwest DC that had been well maintained (if not updated) since its 1970s construction by its previous owners, former Congressman Harold continued on page 114
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
113-114_CF_BOB_HP_Opener_LateSpring14.indd 113
113
4/4/14 1:16 PM
HAUTE PROPERTY Kamali’s airy, bright kitchen boasts a Carrera marble-top prep island.
continued from page 113 Ford Sr. and his wife. Among all the retro elements, like yellow floral wallpaper in the dining room, a classic centerpiece stood out—a spiral staircase similar to a mirrored version in Chanel’s atelier at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris. “When I saw that, I said, ‘Yes, it’s my Chanel staircase,’” Kamali recalls. “It was definitely a selling point.” Collaborating with developer-builder Brook Rose (877-325-7673; brook rose.com), whose clean-lined, classic homes she had been admiring during her search, Kamali requested a total gut job (save for the spiral staircase), offering in its place a “fresh, youthful, subtle glamour—not blingy glamour.” Rose added moldings to every room, conferring classic patina on the mid-century modern structure. Expanding the entrance between the second-floor living and dining areas and adding French doors to both rooms “made a huge difference in their grandeur,” Kamali says. The adjoining kitchen, streamlined and outfitted with a Carrera marble-top prep island, gives Kamali, an avid cook (her specialties include potato salad with fresh dill and chicken salad with slivered almonds), space to prepare dinners for as many as 20 guests. “Opening your home and life to people is a nice way to build deeper relationships with them,” says Kamali, who at least once a month invites groups like the March of Dimes and its Heroines in Technology program to party at her place. “I love being a host,” she says. “I pride myself in bringing the right people together and being a connector.” —GOLDY KAMALI As expected, the iconic French designer makes
“When I saw [the home] I said, ‘Yes, it’s my Chanel staircase.’”
her presence known from room to room: In the second-story library, a framed photograph of a container filled with flowers outside the Chanel boutique in Paris hangs above the sofa, while in the dining room a wrought-iron chandelier by Currey & Company (877-768-6428; curreycodealers.com) references Coco’s militaristic flair. On the third floor, next to the master bedroom, a room that once belonged to Congressman Harold Ford Jr., was converted into a walk-in closet with Chanel-inspired black and white wallpaper. Very little on the surface of Kamali’s home speaks to the occupation of its owner, but a closer look reveals that it’s turbocharged with technology. “I can’t work my TV without my iPad because there’s an app for it on the iPad. If it’s out of juice, I’m out of luck,” Kamali says. “Everything in this house is done with an app. For TV, it’s Harmony Link; for music, it’s a Sonos app. I control my thermostat with a Nest app, which I love.” In Kamali’s private world, traditional style is enhanced by technology—no conflict exists between the new guard and the classic. “Technology makes life easier, but I don’t think technology is pretty. That’s why you don’t see screens in my house,” says Kamali. “At the end of a day, I can feel Kung Fu Panda’d—karate-chopped—but once I’m home, it’s all about beauty and comfort.” For additional photos of this property, visit captiolfile-magazine.com. CF
SMART MOVE
The Georgetown home’s star attraction is a spiral staircase.
Soon more DC residents can add stylish offerings to their abodes. The Washington Design Center and its impressive cachet of furnishings, fixtures, lighting, and carpets moves to a new address this summer. Transitioning from Southwest DC to 14th Street NW, the Design Center was on schedule (at press time) for a rolling reopening this June at Franklin Court. Twentyone of the Center’s showrooms are on board, including Scalamandré, J. Lambeth & Co., Schumacher, Galleria Carpets & Rugs, Holly Hunt, and Stark Carpet. Visitors will find gold- and silver-leaf-finished Niermann Weeks lighting at J. Lambeth & Co., made-to-order Chinoiserie de Gournay wallpaper at MichaelCleary, Holly Hunt’s line of silk rugs, and handcrafted Simon Pearce vases and bowls at American Eye. “We’re thrilled to be the anchor of the design district in DC,” says Ann Lambeth, owner of J. Lambeth & Co. and a member of the Design Center’s steering committee. She notes that the Center’s new location will also offer the public greater access to events that had been restricted to the decorating trade, such as promotional visits from design-world celebrities. Franklin Court, 1099 14th St. NW, 202-646-6100; designcenterdc.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY BROWN
The DC Design Center gets a stylish new home.
114 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
113-114_CF_BOB_HP_Opener_LateSpring14.indd 114
4/4/14 1:16 PM
Flowers, Lighting, Rentals Inspired Event Decor 8300 Merrifield Ave #F | Fairfax, Va 22031 t. 703.645.0090 | f. 202.330.5239 nick@nicksflowers.com | www.nicksflowers.com
www.spilledmilkcatering.com info@spilledmilkcatering.com 202.525.6455
DESIGN MINDS
Rachelle Roth and her daughters Jillian and Sascha run the family store, Urban Country, which annually sells $4.1 million in merchandise.
Family Style BETHESDA-BASED URBAN COUNTRY CELEBRATES ITS 23RD YEAR OFFERING LUXE AMERICAN-MADE FURNISHINGS.
R
achelle Roth—who owns Urban Country with her two daughters, Jillian and Sascha—has a hard time articulating what their Bethesda store is all about. But the large, high-end interior design and home décor showroom does it for her. Urban Country is the kind of outlet that makes you wish you had a bigger home. Then you’d have
more space for the bow-front inlaid mahogany chest, the eye-catching cabinet with black and white bone inlays in a herringbone pattern, or any of the other dozens of pieces of finely crafted classic or contemporary, mostly American furniture. Eclectic at every turn, the 6,000-square-foot display area that cleverly mixes and matches individual pieces in what the Roths call “vignettes” reflects different lifestyles. Throughout the store, the dominant color palette is pastel and easy on the eye, and the emphasis is on reclaimed wood and eco-friendly materials. Rachelle says Urban Country’s clients are upscale and sophisticated, “but most people who come in need and appreciate guidance,” she says. “Right now everybody wants a cleaner, calmer look, nothing overstuffed or overdressed. It has to be user-friendly and have style.” Urban Country has many roles: It’s an important source for the designer community. Rachelle, a transplanted former New York fashion buyer, An array of decorative pillows punctuates the display area of Urban Country.
116
says it’s also a bridal registry and gift shop, and has customers who date from when she and her late husband, Jeffrey Roth, a retail corporate executive, opened the showroom in 1991. Eight years later, when brain cancer took Jeffrey’s life, Rachelle faced the decision of whether to keep the store. “But the real decision was that I didn’t have a choice,” she says, because it was what her husband would have wanted. Two of her three daughters joined her full-time in running the business and helping select the merchandise. Every year the Roths honor Jeffrey’s memory by taking part in the DC Race for Hope (this year slated for May 4), which benefits the Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure and the National Brain Tumor Society. Earlier this spring, the excitement at Urban Country was the arrival of the new Ralph Lauren home furnishing line, including a child’s billiard table in scraped pine now doubling as a coffee table. “In the beginning we were more country,” says Jillian Roth. “Then we moved and were much more urban. Now we’ve gone back to the middle, and it’s working better than ever.” 7117 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 301-654-0500; urbancountrydesigns.com CF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG POWERS
BY ROLAND FLAMINI
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
116_CF_BOB_HP_DesignMinds_LateSpring14.indd 116
4/3/14 2:26 PM
DREAM GALA 2014 Saturday, May 31 | 6:30 p.m. Take the Field! The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation proudly takes the feld alongside the Nationals Baseball Club each spring at Nationals Park and in the community. Celebrate and support the work of the team’s charitable arm with a glamorous evening at the new Marriott Marquis. Proceeds beneft the Dream Foundation, which is committed to improving the lives of children and families through education, health and recreation initiatives. For reservations and information, Call 202.640.7124 or email Gala2014@nationals.com Marriott Marquis Washington DC 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW | Washington, DC ◆ WAShiNGtoN NAtioNALS PLAyERS AND CoAChES ◆ SiLENt AND LivE AuCtioNS ◆ CoCktAiL RECEPtioN AND SEAtED DiNNER
ESTATEMENTS
Dominant Domains GEORGETOWN REIGNS IN THE LUXURY HOME MARKET.
BY SARAH POLUS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HOMEVISIT (3030 K ST. NW, 2446 BELMONT ROAD)
W
On the market right now: A 4,100-squarehen it comes to Washington, foot Georgetown penthouse (3030 K St. DC’s über-elite real estate, NW; Mark McFadden, listing agent; wfp.com) Georgetown still holds the offers 180-degree views of the Potomac throne, even though certain areas are River, which can be enjoyed from the slowly starting to make a name for themhome’s 1,000-square-foot selves in the world of luxury residences. 2446 Belmont terrace. The penthouse Budding neighborhoods like Logan Circle Road NW in costs a princely $4.9 miland Capitol Hill are experiencing sales Kalorama (LEFT); 2933-43 lion (at press time). increases in homes listed around the $1 milBenton Place in In Wesley Heights, lion price range, but for the real luxury Woodley Park (BELOW). a 1935 Georgian-style homes, the tried-and true areas—such as home (2510 Foxhall Georgetown, Kalorama, Massachusetts Road, NW; William F. X. Moody, Avenue Heights and Wesley Heights—conlisting agent; wfp.com) allows resitinue to dominate. “The big dents to enjoy distant countryside numbers haven’t changed,” says views from its level terrace, boxWashington Fine Properties’ Assowood courtyard, and in-ground ciate Broker Kimberly Casey swimming pool. The 9,700-square(WFP, 2624 P Street, NW, 202-361foot home was offered at $7.9 3228; wfp.com). million at press time. The biggest sale in DC for 2013 A historic 1920s-era Kalorama (and 2014 to date) was a Georgetown stone mansion, listed for $5.9 milQueen Anne – style mansion at lion at press time (2446 Belmont 3044 O St. NW for $8.6 million. Road NW; Mark McFadden, listing The 10,000-plus-square-foot resiagent; wfp.com) was completely rendence’s historic value comes from ovated in 2011 and boasts 8,200 its prominent past owners—the square feet, including features Auchincloss family—into which such as an oversize terrace, formal Jacqueline Bouvier Ken nedy’s gardens, and a gated courtyard mother, Janet Lee Bouvier, marlarge enough to accommodate ried. Casey and her partner, Daryl eight to 10 cars. Judy, represented the buyer, and In Woodley Park, a Mediterraneanthe home was never publicly listed. style villa built in 1927 (2933-43 Of DC’s top 10 most lucrative sales Benton Pl. NW; Michael Rankin, in late 2013, the majority were located listing agent; sothebysrealty.com) feain Georgetown. According to Casey, tures an impressive 10 bedrooms, other neighborhoods are seeing suca flagstone-surround pool, and cessful sales, but haven’t produced custom hardscaping that creates the high sales prices that Georgetown outdoor rooms for relaxing and consistently sees. Another top resientertaining. Finding personal space dential sale for the second half of is not going to be a problem at this 2013 was located at 2861 Woodland ABOVE AND MIDDLE LEFT: Two views of the 4,100-square-foot penthouse at 15,000-square-foot home listed for Drive in Massachusetts Avenue 3030 K Street NW in Georgetown, which has Potomac River views from $9.8 million at press time. CF Heights and sold for $7.95 million. its 1,000-square-foot terrace.
118 CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
118_CF_BOB_HP_Estatements_LateSpring14.indd 118
4/4/14 9:37 AM
The right fnancial advice may increase your percentage of sunshine and sandcastles. The difference between having money and having enough money can be the right advice. Our experience working with ultra-high net worth investors helps deliver to you the comprehensive fnancial planning you need to fnd your place in the sun. Whatever independence means to you, fnd it with us.
To schedule a meeting, visit Independence.com or call 888.762.7600
Non-deposit investment products are not FDIC insured, are not deposits or other obligations of City National Bank, are not guaranteed by City National Bank and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.
F reely Speaking! Prom Dates WHICH MEN PASS MUSTER TO ACCOMPANY WASHINGTON POWER WOMEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ ASSOCIATION DINNER? BY TRACY SEFL
F
ast-forward to the year 2017. Imagine that the country is electric following the election of the first woman as president of the United States. Girl power has taken on a whole new meaning. The new salutations and titles—Madam President, First Husband—now comfortably roll off people’s tongues. And from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill, kitten heels have become the It shoe in Washington. After all, women in power need to move fast. As the spring arrives, so does that year’s White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner. The 2017 annual star-studded scholarship dinner is poised to be like no other. To be sure, Madam President has been busy making her mark, across the country and at the table with many other female leaders around the world. That highest glass ceiling is a memory; now it’s time to get down to business. It’s also time to plan that party. Dinner invitations fly out the door; RSVPs stream back just as quickly. Excitement mounts. Sartorial standards are raised several standard deviations from the norm. It’s going to be the high-powered Sadie Hawkins dance like Washington has never seen. Who is worthy to accompany Washington’s powerful women to our vaunted event? May we suggest: Bruce Springsteen, as comfortable as
• • • •
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL O’LEARY
•
always in his role as Washington’s anthem singer. Idris Elba, with his British accent and smoldering on-screen presence. David Beckham, even fully clothed, has an appeal that keeps growing in proportion to his wife’s style empire. Jay Z, for all of his roles, and for continuing to be the inspiration for songs that make us all blush. Ben Affleck, shaking hands at every turn, looking confident and handsome while dodging questions about a run for Congress. Those men of Veep are here, acting like they own the place. The human rights crusaders arrive in a pack—Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt. And, always dapper, George Clooney glides into town with that smile; speculation about the pranks he may pull dominate the news cycles. The ballroom still won’t have cell service, but that’s for the best. The Twitter swooning would surely eclipse even Ellen’s Oscar selfie of 2014. These lovely, talented, and dedicated men— along with Washington’s proud fraternal order—make for outstanding guests. Now what will that evening hold? Who and what will be the focus of Madam President’s best jokes? Are there any quips left that she hasn’t told before? (Will George Clooney pull a prank on her?) This night, in the spring of 2017, is filled with promise. It’s quite possible that Washington will have never looked so good. CF
120
CAPITOLFILE-MAGAZINE.COM
120_CF_BOB_FreelySpeaking_LateSpring14.indd 120
4/7/14 3:21 PM