Washington Life Magazine - April 2006

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Embassy Row with the

Pastranas

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PAGE 72

THE Opera’ S

Accessory to

POWER

Golden Gala

Donald Rumsfield and Mercedes Bass

Wa s h i n g to n ’ s P r e m i e r L u x u r y L i f e s t y l e M ag a z i n e S i n c e 1 9 9 1

The WL Zeitgeist Kevin Chaffee, Chuck Conconi & Roxanne Roberts come out firing

Exclusive!

LAURA BUSH And APRIL 2006 • $3.50

Washington Life

Condoleezza Rice on women, education & Afghanistan Michael Douglas, The First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Kuwaiti embassy residence 2006 “Bridges of Hope” Benefit Dinner

The A-List 2006

WHO’S ON & WHO’S Not

The Gatekeepers Your guide to ultimate access in Washington

PLUS! Exclusive

Parties, Parties, Parties!

Washington Life

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exclusive interview with LAURA BUSH, and CONDOLEEZzA RICE

TH E A- LI ST

WHO’S ON AND WHO’S not

p owe r P l ay e r s

your guide to Washington’s gatekeepers

EM BASSY ROW

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at home WITH colombia’s ANDRÉS AND NOHRA PASTRANA

features Event Spotlight: UNICEF Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Hillary Rodham Clinton on Vital Voices . . . 71 WL ZEITGEIST Kevin Chaffee, Chuck Conconi and Roxanne Roberts dish on social power . . . . . . . . . . . 52 FASHION: Power Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Etiquette Franco Nuchese dishes on restaurant etiquette . . . . . . . 105 FINANCIAL ROUNDTABLE Neil Folger, Larry Fisher, Steve Thormahlen and Ed Mathias discuss market trends and investing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Columns

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Hollywood on the Potomac with Janet Donovan:WL at the Oscars . . . . . . . . . . 44 Q & A Café Sandy Ain on Divorce. . . . . . . . . . . 46 Around Town with Donna Shor . . . . . . . . . 94 OVER THE MOON with Vicki Moon . . . . . . . 126 MICHAEL STRANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

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Editor’s letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 FYIDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ten To Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 POLLYWOOD A-list lobbyists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 ART and auction Antiques with Renee Drake . . . 48 FASHION Bono’s Edun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Trend ReporT Dressing the part . . . . . . . . . . 82 WHAT’S HOT Time to drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 THE DISH Power dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

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§ snaps From top: Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah, Michael Douglas and Rima Al-Sabah; bag by Jimmy Choo; Placido Domingo, Lucky Roosevelt and Michael Sonnenreich; and Nohra Pastrana.

cov e r p hoto by J on a h Koc h

Departments

Real estate & Home Design INSIDE HOMES

President Harding’s former residence . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Real Estate News with Mary Mewborn . . . . . 116 Open House Dream properties ready for buyers . . . . 120 HISTORICAL LANDSCAPES with Donna Evers . . 124

WL Sponsored Events WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA GOLDEN GALA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 BEST FRIENDS FOUNDATION GALA Do You Remember When Rock was Young? . . . . . . . . 30

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“The World is Flat” Book Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Dinner Honoring the Saudi Arabian Ambassador . . . . . . 34 Arena Stage Benefit for Community Engagement . . . . . . 36 Nathalie de Wolf’s “007-Style” Birthday . . . . . . . . . 38 Farewell to the Aparicios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 “The Mommy Wars” Book Party . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 “Thank you for Smoking” Screening . . . . . . . . . . . 88 75th Anniversary of the Royal Ballet . . . . . . . . . . 90 “Bygone Days” book party at the Daschles. . . . . . . . . 91

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NARSAD “Mission Possible” Gala . . . . . . . . . . . 92

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§ snaps From top: Master bedroom of the Busch-Rose residence; Patti Smith and Steven Sebring; Chopard Mille Miglia Watch and matching steel and rubber cuff links; Jim Kimsey, Olivia Schoeller, Danealia and Norman Mineta; and Senator Barack Obama.

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Wa s h i n gto n ’s P r e m i e r e Luxu ry L i f e st y l e M aga z i n e S i n c e 1 9 9 1

Editor in Chief

SEVENTEEN Eighty-Niners

Nancy Reynolds Bagley Managing Editor

Michael Clements editorial Director

Katie Tarbox Copy Editor

Claudia Krieger Fashion Editor

Barbara McConaghy style editor

Alison Lukes Editorial Assistant

Clay Gaynor columnists

Deborah Gore Dean, Janet Donovan, Renee Drake, Carol Joynt, Mary Mewborn, Donna Shor and Michael Wharton

“...some of the best dishes I have ever tasted...” fodors.com “...one of the city’s hottest restaurants year-round...” gayot.com

Contributing Writers & Editors

H.E. Jaime Aparicio, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Donna Evers, Ann Geracimos, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Alison Lukes, Mary Mewborn, Gerri Miller,Vicki Moon, Franco Nuschese and Christina Wilkie Art Director

JC Suares

production Artist

Susan M. Dickey Graphic Artists

Elizabeth Demers and Barton Kelecava Contributing Photographers

Lucien Capehart, Roy Cox, Susan M. Dickey, Zaid Hamid, Russell Hirshon, Immanuel Jayachandran, Jonah Koch, Gary Landsman, Neshan Naltchayan, Deedy Ogden,Vickey Pombo, Kyle Samperton, Paul Simkin and Douglas Sonders Advertising Manager

Tara deNicolas

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Washingtonian “...chef Nathan Beauchamp ‘pleases demanding palates...’” zagat.com

Account Executives

Alexandra Misci Audrey Weppler Elizabeth Kelly PRODUCTION and Account ASSISTANT

Robyn Weinstein Marketing & Circulation Associate

Charlotte Grassi Events coordinator

Heather Guay Controller

Stephanie Matthews web technologies development

Ernesto Gluecksmann, Infamia, Inc. interns

Roxy Angha and Adenike Olanrewaju Publisher

Vicki Bagley

Chief Executive Officer

Soroush Richard Shehabi

Chairman, Executive Council

Gerry Byrne

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Washington Life magazine: Celebrating Washington’s Social Scene and Power Elite, publishes ten times a year. Issues are distributed in February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October, November and December and are hand-delivered on a rotating basis to over 150,000 homes throughout D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Additional copies are available at various upscale retailers, hotels, select newstands and Whole Foods stores in the area. For a complete listing, please-consult our website at www.washingtonlife.com. You can also subscribe online at www.washingtonlife.com or send a check for $35.99 (one year) to: Washington Life Magazine, 2301 Tracy Place, NW, Washington D.C., 20008 To post or view events on our interactive online social calendar, visit www.washingtonlife.com and click on “social calendar.” To contribute ideas or provide feedback Email us at info@washingtonlife. com with press releases, tips and editorial comments. Copyright ©2005 by Washington Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content or photos in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed in the United States. We will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Magazine format by Wayne DeSelle Design / www.deselle.com

Editor’s Letter

Opening the Gates of Power

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he A-List, Gatekeepers, Power, Charity, Afghanistan … Oscar winners. Not only running themes this issue, but also topics about which our cover subjects, Laura Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Michael Douglas are well-versed.When our friend Rima AlSabah told us about the benefit dinner she was hosting with the KuwaitAmerica Foundation for UNICEF, we jumped at the chance to cover it. But that wasn’t easy. Our photographer took only one shot of the three award winners before Mrs. Bush asked Michael Douglas if he would like to stand between her and the Secretary of State. Michael gracefully obliged (who says no to the First Lady?). I instantly thought, “Does protocol allow us to run that as our cover photo?” Luckily, the one picture we did take with Mrs. Bush in the middle saved us from that choice…

Choices ….And choices are something we have a lot of in Washington. Which school should our kids attend?

Federal in Georgetown or downtown PN Hoffman loft? Café Milano or CityZen? The Washington National Opera Golden Gala or the National Gallery of Art (or both)? All choices… and choices require the help of someone who is “connected.”

This issue, we delve into the subject of Washington’s facilitators and “gatekeepers,” both the obvious and not so obvious. (In advance, I’d like to apologize for leaving the city’s most useful gatekeepers off the list: parking attendants.You were on until two days before we went to press. I swear I was only in that spot for one hour!)

A List for April Gatekeepers and meter maids aside, true power lies in the hands of the A-List. In Washington, as in Los Angeles, we love our celebrities: the President, First Lady, Placido Domingo, the Frists, Vernon and Ann Jordan—the list goes on. To find out who’s in this year’s, see page 54. We also explore social power in the “WL Zeitgeist Roundtable” with Kevin Chaffee, Chuck Conconi and Roxanne Roberts. Speaking of “A-List,” Michael Douglas wasn’t the only Hollywood star in town recently—Alec Baldwin was advocating on the Hill two days before Jessica Simpson.

Read more about Hollywood on the Hill on page 42. And on our new back page feature, “This Town,” mystery columnist Michael Strange takes a funny shot at the parallels between L.A. and D.C.

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Power Look In “Accessory to Power” we show you how to fashionably make your mark… it’s all about the bag! Cars are power symbols, too. In this month’s “What’s Hot” we show how to match yours with the right timepiece.

If you can spend $200,000 for a matching Bentley Continental GT and Breitling Bentley watch set, turn to the “Financial Roundtable” to hear what top wealth management experts Edward J. Mathias, Steve Thormahlen, Lawrence P. Fisher and Neil Folger have to say about investing your $30 million…

Homeward Bound In our Embassy Row feature, we meet Colombian Ambassador Andrés Pastrana and his wife Nohra (a warm thanks to both for opening up their home to WL), and in “Over the Moon,” columnist Vicki Moon keeps us abreast of comings and goings in the Hunt Country and Middleburg.

Events, Balls and Galas This month WL was proud to serve as the exclusive magazine sponsor for the Best Friends benefit and the Washington National Opera’s 50th Anniversary Golden Gala, which was truly a glittering affair. And mark your calendar for these future WL-sponsored fetes: The Phillips Collection Gala on April 7th, the Corcoran Ball on April 21st, and the Vital Voices benefit on April 27th (with co-chairs Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Hillary Rodham Clinton and special guests Sally Field, Julia Ormond, Christiane Amanpour, Elizabeth Cheney, Diane von Furstenberg and Lisa Ling.) And you should plan now if you want to attend the Mosaic Gala on May 9th with special guest Queen Raina of Jordan; the Shakespeare Theater Will Awards on May 13th; the Charity Works 2006 100 Point Vintage Wine Event on May 19th; and the Washington Ballet’s “Beatles Ball” on June 1st.

So enjoy… and if you happen to be a gatekeeper, remember, it’s okay to leave the door open sometimes…

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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contributors

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Ambassador Jaime Aparicio

Jaime Aparicio Otero became ambassador of Bolivia to the United States on Feb. 26, 2003. Ambassador Aparicio and he previously served as executive secretary for the Summits of the Americas Secretariat at the Organization of American States (OAS).

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Roy Cox

A native of Baltimore M a r y l a n d , R oy C ox began his career as a fashion and advertising photographer. Having no formal training in the medium, Cox turned a weekend hobby of photographing friends and local scenes into a full-time passion.

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Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton was elected to the United States Senate by the people of New York in 2000 after years of public service on behalf of children and families. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Senator Clinton is married to former President William Jefferson Clinton.

They have one daughter, Chelsea.

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Renee Drake

Renee Harrison Drake has had a diverse career in the arts.

While living in Washington, D.C. she was a curator for the U.S. Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program.

She moved to New York City to work for Sotheby’s auction house and became the Managing Editor of Sotheby’s Preview magazine and Art at Auction.

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Janet Donovan

Janet Donovan is the founder and president of Creative Enterprises International, a Washington, D.C. publicity firm whose clients include celebrities, authors, politicians and publications.

She created and hosted The Beltway Broads radio show and writes the column Hollywood on the Potomac.

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Donna Evers

Donna Evers has more than 30 years experience in residential real estate in the Washington Metro marketplace. She is the broker and president of Evers & Co. Real Estate, the largest independent woman-

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owned and run residential brokerage in the area, ranking among the top companies for the highest sales volume per agent and the highest average home sale price per agent.

Donna researches and reports on Metro area history on her weekly radio show, “Real Estate Today.”

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson

In 1993, Kay Bailey Hutchinson was elected as the first woman to represent the state of Texas in the United States Senate. Seven years later, more than four million Texans re-elected her to a second term— at that time was the largest number of votes ever garnered in the state.

Senator Hutchinson hails from La Marque,Texas and graduated from the University of Texas and the University of Texas Law School.

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Carol Joynt

A former producer for Larry King, Charlie Rose and Chris Matthews, is the owner of the popular Georgetown restaurant, Nathans. After 9/11, Joynt began hosting monthly neighborhood power lunches called Q & A Cafe.

When not at Nathans, Joynt focuses her time on her priorities; raising her son, Spencer, their dog, Leo, and their bird, Ozzy, and writing her memoir, “Innocent Spouse.”

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Gary Landsman

Gary Landsman has been shooting images for over 20 years. His clients refer to Lanndsman as a photographer that warms with all of his subjects and clients while creating images that are captivating. Gary’s extensive experience includes shooting still life subjects from food to full scale interior architecture as well as corporate and advertising lifestyle.

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Alison Lukes

After four and a half years in New York and Paris and landing her dream job at Michael Kors,Alison Lukes, WL’s style editor, returned to Washington ready to dress some of the city’s power players. As a personal stylist she helps many of the city’s best dressed women find the appropriate and chic wardrobe.

She heads up her own company, Alison Lukes et Cie. www.alisonlukes.com

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contributors

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Ed Mathias

Managing Director of The Carlyle 11 Group, Ed Mathias is based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Mathias holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he presently serves as a Trustee.

Barbara McConaghy, fashion editor for Washington Life, is a nationally recognized stylist, show producer and editor. Her work has appeared in Elle and Detour magazines, and locally in the Washingtonian, Baltimore Magazine, DC Style, for Special Sections of the Washington Post and Fashion Editor for the now defunct Capital Style.

She has produced tours for YM and Seventeen magazines, and has dressed stars such as Lauren Hutton, Brandy and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Gerri Miller

Christina Wilkie

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Gerri Miller writes and reports 13 from Los Angeles about celebrities, entertainment, and lifestyle for Life & Style Weekly, Glamour, More, CosmoGirl, iVillage.com, Estylo, Satellite Direct, Southern California Senior Life and Muscle & Fitness.

Vicki Moon

Vicky Moon has chronicled the lives of the rich, the not-so-rich, the famous, and the not-so-famous for more than twenty years. She lives in Middleburg, Virginia, with her husband,Washington Post sportswriter Leonard Shapiro, and her son. She can be reached at www.VickyMoon.com.

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Franco Nuschese

Hospitality entrepreneur Franco Nuschese is president of Georgetown Entertainment group LLC, the management company for Café Milano, Sette Osteria, and Sette Bello in Arlington, Virginia. He is on the boards of the Washington National Opera and the Foundation of the Georgetown University Hospital.

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Corrections Feb 06, pg. 127: Juan Pablo Molyneaux designed the Estrin bedroom, not Bob Trown. Feb 06, pg.137: The loft photo is the PN Hoffman property, Metro; not their property, The Hudson. Photos on pg. 138 are from the Hudson. Feb 06, pg. 118: Correct event name is the “6th Annual Taste of the Stars Gala.” Correct names are Dave (Pollin); Paul (Dougherty); (John) Holland; (Sharon) Dougherty; (Cathy Merrill) Williams; Tim (Bitsberger); Cheryl (Crispen) Bitsberger; (Kirsten) Pollin. The Starlight Foundation was Peter Samuelson’s Foundation, not Steven Speilberg. Money from the gala supported work in the MidAtlantic. Feb 06, pg. 40: Director (James) Ivory. Feb 06, pg. 123: (Dani) Levinas.

Feb 06, pg. 149-151: The Intrepid Real Estate project on 1211 Connecticut was incorrectly listed as 1200 Connecticut Ave; Intrepid bought 2807 Connecticut Ave., not 1227 Connecticut Ave.;2501 Pennsylvania is located at the corner of 25th and Pennsylvania; the original architect of 2501 Pennsylvania was Nicholas Haller; The phone number for 2501 Pennsylvania Avenue is (202) 659-2501.

Mar 06, pg. 58: (Stewart) Copeland. Mar 06, pg. 37: photo of Billy Campbell is by Deedy Ogden.

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Michael Wharton Michael Wharton left the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health to become an editor at America Online CityGuide where he covers D.C. and Baltimore nightlife. The former editor-in-chief of UC Berkeley’s Daily Californian, he has successfully climbed Monday Morning Leap in Yosemite National Park. He can be heard Friday mornings at 9:10AM on WTOP radio.

Barbara McConaghy

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hobnobbed with greats from Peck (Gregory) to Picasso (Pablo). She has written widely, from the National Geographic to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune

Donna Shor

Donna Shor is an internationalist who has lived in five countries on three continents, climbed the Great Wall of China, tracked tigers in Bangladesh, raised twins in a Provencal mas and a Bordeaux wine chateau, and

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Christina Wilkie moved to Washington in July of 2001 after graduating from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a degree in philosophy. Currently working for the Aspen Institute, she is based out of the Institute’s Washington D.C. headquarters, and spends the majority of the summer in Aspen.

Christina was raised in Europe and the Northeast, and she is an avid musician and songwriter.

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(Not pictured)

Ann Geracimos Geracimos who reports on fashion, food, consumer trends in the wine and spirits trade, and home design, is the Washington Times Senior Features Reporter. She is well acquainted with the ins and outs of Washington’s social scene and thus provided the introduction to our A List 2006 this issue.

Mary Mewborn Mary Mewborn, Washington Life’s real estate news columnist for over five years, and freelance writer from Alexandria,VA. She covers the beat from Maryland, to the beltway, andVirginia.

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c a l e n d a r

Visit Washingtonlife.com’s online calendar to view hundreds of galas and events, or post your own event, which will then be considered for our print edition and our annual Balls and Galas Directory. individual; Contact/Ticket Buying Information : info@bryceharlow.org.

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The Phillips collection “Boating Party” Gala The

Phillips Collection celebrates the completion of a major renovation and the retur n of its sponsored masterworks collection at a black-tie gala that begins with cocktails at the museum followed by a dinner at the home of Mark Ein, formerly the residence of the late Katharine Graham; 6 p .m . co c kt a i l s , 8

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p.m. dinner; The Phillips Collection; $1,000 per person, co n t a c t Al i so n Si g n o r e l l i a t asignorelli@phillipscollection. org or (202) 387-2151 x315

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The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Dinner

The 94th Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates runs until April 9.

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Witness Witness,

an organization cofounded by Peter Gabriel, hosts a reception and video presentation highlighting its effor ts to document genocide and the abuse of women, indigenous populations, child laborers and environmental activists. 6 – 8 p.m.; Bus Boys and Poets; $100; contact Rebecca Lichtenfeld (7 18) 783-2000 ext . 319 or Rebecca@witness.org.

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Alzheimer’s Association

Gala Led for the third year by gala chairs George and Trish Vradenburg, the Alzheimer’s Association Gala will br ing together business, political and social leaders to raise the profile of Alzheimer’s and its devastating toll on America’s families. Proceeds benefit the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute and programs and services for those facing the daily challenges of this debilitating disease; reception 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m.; Sponsorships: $50,000; $25,000; $10,000; and $5,000 / Tickets: $500; contact AlzheimersAssn@ courtesyassoc.com.

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B ryc e Ha r low Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Dinner Senator

Dan Inouye will receive the prestigious Bryce Harlow Award and former government relations professional Jane Hoover the Business-Government Relations awa r d . T h e F o u n d a t i o n honors distinguished public officials each year who have worked to foster the businessgovernment relationship and whose dedication, integrity and professionalism exemplify the work and life of the late Bryce Harlow; 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner; Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill; Tickets : $5,000/table; $500

The Joint Center honors former President Bill Clinton with the Great Amer ican Award: Mr. Clinton will present the keynote address at this blacktie event; 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. dinner; Hilton Washington Hotel; $500/per person; contact (866) 558-2736.

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Sa v i n g I m p r ov i n g

and Lives

Gala Join the N Street Village for a night of dinner and unforgettable entertainment as it hosts the “Saving and Improving Lives” black-tie gala to help empower homeless and low-income women; 7 p .m . ; Rit z-Carlt on in Georget own ; $500 per person ; Contact

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Pa scal e-Emmanuell e Nouama at (202) 939-207 1.

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2006 NFL PLAYERS GRIDIRON GALA The

NFL Players Gr idiron Gala benefits Special Olympics D.C. and recognizes NFL players for contr ibutions to their communities; 5:00 p.m.; Washington Hilton; Tables of 10 are $5,000 each; Contact Amy Maestas at (202) 496-2893 or Amy.Maestas@nflplayers.com.

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The Cocoran Gallery of Art Ball

H o s t e d by t h e Wo m e n ’s Committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the 51st annual Corcoran Gallery Art Gala proceeds benefit the scholarship programs sponsored f o r t h e C o rc o r a n College of Art & Design. The evening features a formal dinner

WL

followed by dancing; 7:00 p.m. cockatils, 8:15 pm seated dinner; The Corcoran Gallery of Art; $400, contact (301) 951-3780.

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Folger Shakespeare Library Spring Gala Join

the Folger Shakespeare Library for their Spring Benefit Dinner and Gala as they celebrate the theatrical life of a prominent English playwright. Highlights include: special exhibition viewing, theatrical performance, and dinner; Folger Shakespeare Library; $500 per person ; Contact (202) 675-0321.

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V i ta l Vo i c e s Global Partnership Gala Senator

Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Senator Hillar y Rodham Clinton co-host the Vital Voices Global sponsored Par tner ship Gala, supporting outstanding women leader s around the world, promoting peace and progress through political activity and economic development; 6:30

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p.m., John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts; $250, contact (202) 772-1040.

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19th Annual River of Dreams Gala Auction Over 350 community

Cleo Gewirz, chair of the Corcoran Gallery of Art Ball

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and business leader s will come together to support the Community Family Life Services’ fight against homelessness. The evening includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner and live and silent auctions; black tie; 6-11 p.m.; Leo O’Donovan Hall, Georgetown University Campus; $175 Individual; $1,500 Table (10); contact (202) 347-0511 ext. 410.

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Madeleine K. Albright, Vital Voices 2006 Gala co-chairs Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson at Vital Voices Gala, 2005.

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White House Correspondents’

Dinner One of the Washington’s

most prominent events, The White House Correspondents’ Association 92nd annual dinner is held in celebration of the White House press corps and dealings with the administration on coverage-related issues.

Approximately 3,000 guests gather for an evening of jokes, speeches, awards and food with the President, First Lady, celebrities, politicians, and members of the White House Correspondents’ Association; Washington Hilton;

MAY

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Celebration of Civic Spirit Spring Gala Event The Community

Foundation for the National Capital Region celebrates the civic spirit of Alexine Clement Jackson at a reception/dinner event at the National Museum for Women in the Arts; business attire; 6:30 p.m.; Union Station; $250 individual ticket, sponsorship tickets ranging from $1,000 to $50,000; contact Starlet Hunter (202) 263-4763.

contact (202) 452-4836.

SAVE THE DATE Save the date for these WL sponsored events the Mosaic Foundation Gala • May 9th The Shakespeare Theater Will Awards • May 13th The Charity Works 100 Point Wine Event • May 19th The Washington Ballet’s “Beatles Ball” • June 1st

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f .y. i . d.c .

ooden Leg The Man with the W rle, 1920 oe Dreams, Heinrich H

Studies For Constructivist Sculptures, Theodore Roszak, 1936

Ritz-Carlton offering “Boating Party” package

Gift to draw raves

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n celebration of “The Renoir Returns: A Celebration of Masterworks at The Phillips Collection,” the Ritz-Carlton, D.C. will offer a “Boating Party Package” that includes deluxe accommodations for two; special access tickets to the exhibition; one copy of “Renoir: Luncheon of the Boating Party”; an American breakfast for two; and valet parking at the hotel. Rates begin at $370/room; for more information visit www. ritzcarlton.com/hotels/washington_dc or call (800) 241-3333.

ndrea Woodner’s gift of 74 works by master artists is one of the most important gifts of European drawings ever received by the National Gallery of Art. The drawings, which span five centuries, were collected by her father, the late Ian Woodner, who owned one of the foremost private collections of old master and modern drawings in the U. S. The exhibit runs from April 30th to Oct 1st.

Do Dada in Dada

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ake a statement by going to the National Gallery of Art’s Dada Exhibition in shoes inspired by the avant-garde art movement. Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati’s “Dada” is a dramatic platform with triangular heels sculpted into a steep ridge at the back priced at $495. Available in platino, anthracite and light bronze at Yves Saint Laurent boutiques. The National Gallery of Art is currently featuring over 400 Dada works including paintings, sculptures, photographs, collages, prints, and film and sound recordings through May 14th.

Crime-fiction hits home

Young riders hot to trot at the Gold Cup

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unior riders looking to become part of The Virginia Gold Cup Saturday May, 6, at Great Meadows in the Plains, VA. have until May 1st to sign up. The Junior Field Master Chase is a long-standing Virginia tradition that features a steeplechase race to the finish. For more information, call the Central Entry Office at (703) 777-2575 or contact Jim Lawrence, race day coordinator, at (540) 364-2420.

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eorgetown. Petworth.

Capitol Hill.

Edgewood. Do you call any of these neighborhoods home? If so, “D.C. Noir” may prove an interesting read.

Edited by Washingtonian George Pelecanos, the

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

collection features crime stories written by 16 contributors with strong district connections.

“D.C. Noir” explores every quadrant of the city and the collective memories of those who call the nation’s capital their home.

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Foil pickpockets in style

W

’ve all heard the warnings: pickpockets look for iPod toting commuters lost in their music. Thomas Pink’s new Commuter tie stylishly takes care of that conundrum by featuring a pocket on its reverse side which can hold an iPod Nano. It also has an extra fabric loop to keep those tell-tale white wires out of sight. $95; available in navy, red and pink.

Laser Botox® Sculptra® Restylane® Thermage® Sclerotherapy Chemical Peels Microdermabrasion

Carville and Russert in the XM studio

Saundra L. Seaman, MD Board Certified Dermatologist

Carville and Russert to host sports show

The Center for Dermatology®

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M Satellite Radio will launch a new sports-themed talk show hosted by Democratic political strategist, commentator and passionate sports fan James Carville. The outspoken “Ragin’ Cajun” will co-host the program with Luke Russert, his regular off-air sparring partner for all things sports and son of Carville’s frequent interrogator, NBC journalist Tim Russert. “This show will be another opportunity for me to engage in the back-and-forth debates on sports that, until now, Luke and I have limited to the stadium,” said Carville. “I talk about sports the same way I talk about politics, so it’s safe to assume that Luke will be wrong most of the time.”

8505 Arlington Blvd.

Suite 210 Fairfax, VA 703.846.0076

6420 Rockledge Dr. Suite 4300 Bethesda, MD 301.581.0072

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By MIchael wharton

Get Diva’d

Absorb the haunting Cape Verdean melodies of Cesaria Evoria at Lisner Auditorium. www. lisnerauditorium.com, (202) 397-7328.

April 1

Clown Around

Be amazed and mystified when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus comes to town. www. ringling.com, (202)397-7328.

April 5

Egg ‘Em On Roll with

String Along Go classical with the

Julliard String Quartet at the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress. www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert, (202) 707-5502. April 7

the kids for Easter games on the White House lawn.

You won’t need clearance to meet the Bunny. www. whitehouse.gov, (202) 208-1631.

April 17

Fade In Make like

Ice Ice Baby Skate on down to the

newly named Verizon Center to watch Champions on Ice. Don’t miss Michelle Kwan’s skating skills. www.verizoncenter.com, (202) 397-7328. April 15

Sundance right here in the District at the D.C. International Film Festival. See the best flicks first all over town. www.filmfestdc.org, (301) 581-5200.

April 19

Improvise This Laugh along with Colin

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Mochrie and Brad Sherwood of “What’s My Line” fame. They freestyle their funny. www.strathmore.org, (301) 581-5200. April 21

Horse Around Go back in time and

find hidden treasures at the Hunt Country Antique Fair. www.dfshows.com, (703) 779-2800. April 22

House Yourself

Act Up Celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday at the Folger Theatre. www.folger.edu.

(202) 544-7044. April 23

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See how the other (or same) half lives at the Georgetown House Tour. www.georgetownhousetour. com, (202) 338-1796 April 29

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P l a c i d o d o m i n g o , l u c k y r o o s e v e lt, M i c h a e l s o n n e n r e i c h , a n d t h e t r

WL sponsored

Wa s h i n g t o n N at i o n a l Opera Golden Gala March 19th • The Kennedy Center Photos by Kyle Samperton

Written by Jody Arlington

Japanese Amb. Ryozo Kato, Placido and Marta Domingo and Hanayo Kato

Justice Stephen and Joanna Breyer

Roy Huffington and Paul Wolfowitz

Opera extra and Alma Gildenhorn

Joe Robert

Sam and Susan Lehrman

Albert and Shirley Small

PH OTO BY PAU L SI M KIN

The glitterati turned out in force for the Washington National Opera’s 50th Anniversary Golden Gala, and guests knew they were in for a retrospective treat when characters from opera seasons past populated the Kennedy Center’s Grand Foyer.

Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, the event’s chairman was radiant as she kicked off the evening by announcing that the gala brought four million dollars into the WNO coffers. The 2,200 guests represented the diplomatic corps, politicians, cabinet officials, three supreme court justices and Washington National Opera trustees, including Jacqueline Mars, Betty Scripps Harvey and Mercedes Bass. The audience enjoyed rousing performances by Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego Florez, Carlos Alvarez, Elizabeth Futral, Paul Groves, Alan Held, Anja Kampe, John Matz and Samuel Ramey performing WNO “Greatest Hits” such as “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicci, a fabulous “madamina, il Catalogo e questo” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and “Ecco il Mondo”from Boito’s Mefistofele, all made possible by the orchestra, and Maestro Heinz Fricke’s conducting.

The guilty pleasure of the evening was the world premiere of Marvin Hamlisch and Sheldon Harnick’s Opera spoof “The Audition,” starring Placido Domigo, Kristin Chenoweth and Trevor Scheunemann (a Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Member) with cameos

by Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Antonin Scalia.

One only wishes we didn’t have to wait so many years for another celebration. Lucky, must you retire? One more for the 55th? For Washington? For opera lovers?

Wilma and Stuart Bernstein 24

Marcia Mayo

John Pohanka

Ross and Margot Perot

Michael Sonnenreich and Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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r u s t e e s o f t h e W NO l i g h t u p t h e r e d c a r p e t at t h e 5 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y g a l a

Jane and Calvin Cafritz

Lucky Roosevelt and Ambassador Jan Eliasson WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Placido Domingo, Nada Kirdar, Gay Gaines and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld 25

F r i e n d s f r o m a c r o s s t h e g l o b e j o i n t h e W NO ’ s f e s t i v i t i e s

WL sponsored

Linda Sonnenreich Hilda and Arturo Brillembourg Gilan Corn and Mary Mochary and Raeeka Yaghmai

Patrica Kluge and William Moses

Lindsay and Sam Ramey, Ondine de Rothschild and Ariane Dandois

Isabelle and Ricardo Ernst with Dani and Mirella Levinas

Sid and Mercedes Bass, John and Diana Negroponte

PH OTO BY PAU L SIM KIN

Italian Amb. Giovanni Castellaneta and Leila Castellaneta

Svetlana Ushakova, Mary Ourisman and Ann Hand 26

Jim Kimsey and Olivia Schoeller Jacqueline Badger Mars, Betty Scripps Harvey and Jeremy Harvey

Ann and Vernon Jordan WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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G o r g e o u s g o w n s g l i t t e r at T h e g o l d e n g a l a

WL sponsored

Jellie van Eenennaam and Dutch Amb. Boudewijn van Eenennaam

Alexandra and Fundacion Meijer-Werner

Kuwaiti Amb. Salem and Rima Al-Sabah

Katie and Larry Jaggers

Nini Ferguson and Carolyn Boutte

Paul and Anne Nitze and Amb. of Sweden Gunnar Lund

Heidi and Max Berry

Norwegian Amb. Knut Vollebaek and Cricket Pohanka

P HOTO BY PAU L S IM KIN

Luis and Luce Fortuno

Alicia Sams and Betty Sams 28

Shayne Dotty and Joanne Mason

Sen. Patrick Leahy, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Elizabeth Futral WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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o f t h e pa r t y

WL sponsored

Best Friends F o u n d at i o n ’ s “ D o Y o u Remember When Rock wa s Y o u n g ? ” G a l a March 4 • Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Photos by Jonah Koch

The Event: Best Friends Foundation’s alternative fete begged the question “Do You Remember When Rock was Young?” As Sister Sledge belted out their ‘70’s hit, “We Are Family,” it was obvious that almost 500 guests remembered at least when disco was young.

Chocolate malts were featured along with classic Chevy Cars for guests to pose in and a menu that included sliders (small burgers), root beer floats and onion rings. The event raised over $750,000 for programs to help atrisk adolescents. The Scene: Secretary of Transportation Norman Minetta wore a black leather jacket, Jim Kimsey sported a “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” shirt embellished with rhinestones, Mayor Anthony Williams came in a argyle sweater and jeans, and Barbara Harrison looked fit in hip-hugging jeans rocking to “Three Dog Night.”

The Guests: Best Friends Founder Elayne Bennett and her husband, former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett; news anchors Kathleen Matthews, Lark McCarthy, and Andrea Roane; Sen. George Allen, Rep. Roy Blunt, and John McLaughlin.

Elayne and Bill Bennett

Christina McLaughlin, Best Friends girl and Diane Williams

Foster Freiss and Gail Norton Bill and Sandy Brock

Jack Kemp, John McLaughlin and Jim Nicholson

Mayor Anthony Williams and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele

Frank Raines

Best Men Step Drill 30

Fred Malek and Barbara Harrison

Susan Hurley and Gwendolyn Russell

Susan Allen and Sen. George Allen WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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o f th e pa r t y

Dinner in Honor of H.R.H. P r i n c e T u r k i A l - Fa i s a l and H.R.H. Princess N o u f b i n t Fahad March 9 • The Roof Terrace Restaurant Photos by Kyle Samperton

The Event: Hosts A. Huda and Samia Farouki and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University honored newly appointed Saudi Ambassador Prince Turki Al-Faisal and his wife, Princess Nouf Bint Fahad at what must have seemed like a homecoming for the Prince who earned his Master’s degree from Georgetown.

The Scene: Many diplomants were present at the elegantly orchestrated and intimate dinner (with lots of candlelight) including Ambassadors from Afghanistan, Great Britian, Bahrain, Italy and Jordan, along with Queen Noor, tres chic in a rich orange tunic. The Guests: Joseph Gildenhorn, Sally Quinn, Lloyd Hand and Stuart, Wilma Bernstein and Deeda Blair.

Queen Noor and H.R.H. Prince Turki Al-Faisal

Leila Castellaneta and Vicki Campbell

British Amb. Sir David Manning and Thomas McLarty Samia Farouki

Oman Amb. Hunaina Al-Mughairy and Rim Hilal Abboud

Donna McLarty, Luma Kawar and Melanne Veveer

H.R.H. Prince Turki Al-Faisal and H.R.H. Princess Nouf bint Fahad

Lynda and Sen. Charles Robb 34

Joseph Gildenhorn

Gahl Burt and Ann Jordan WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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A r e n a S ta g e 1 4 t h Annual Benefit for Community E n g ag e m e n t • March 6th • Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Arena Stage Kreeger Theater Photos by Jonah Koch

The Event: Sen. Daniel Akaka and Shelia Johnson Newman were among an all-star cast of 40, putting on their acting shoes for The Pundit Whodunit: The Case of the Political Puzzle for Arena Stage. The players quickly rehearsed just a few short hours before curtain time, lines were forgotten and slip-ups were made, but it all came together at the end with a rousing musical number that had Eleanor Holmes Norton tapping her toes. The Scene: Guests dined at the Mandarin Oriental before honoring Mayor Anthony Williams and Sen. Daniel Inouye for helping make the Nation’s second largest performing arts community after New York City. The Guests: Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Rep. Jim Kolbe, George Stephanopolous and Nina Totenberg.

Lawrence Redmond, Gene Weingarten, Roxann Johnson, George Stephanopolous, Kojo Nnamdi and Alexandra Wentworth

Sen. Daniel Akaka, Roderic David, Tram Ngo and Sen. Jack Reed

Andy and Ellie Glass with Kath and Alan Novak

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandra Wentworth and Sheila Johnson Newman 36

Arena Stage actress E. Faye Butler sings “Woman”

William T. Newman, Jr., Kojo Nnamdi and Sheila Johnson Newman

Actress Deanna Harris sang “Whatever Tony Wants” to Mayor Anthony Williams after he was awarded the Arena Stage Special Recognition Award WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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o f t h e pa r t y

N at h a l i e d e W o l f ’ s “ 0 0 7S t y l e ” B i r t h d ay Pa r t y March 4th • The de Wolf Residence Photos by Vicki Pombo

The Event: Friends and family gathered to celebrate Nathalie de Wolf’s birthday in style– Bond attire was de rigueur. The retro theme was perfect for the birthday girl, whose Georgetown boutique, Designs by Nathalie de Wolf, features a collection of “modern vintage” dresses, jackets and accessories. The Scene: The de Wolf’s home resembled the set of a 007 movie–there was “Russian Roulette” and gambling, a tarot card reader, prizes for the best costume and plenty of martinis–shaken, not stirred, of course. It was quite a sight when the Bond-bedecked revelers serenaded de Wolf with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The Guests: Doda de Wolf, Maria Chiara, and Luca Ferrari and Simon Jacobsen.

Andrew Roud and Harry Fang

Rob Nottingham, Sasha Kilbane, Andrea Rogers and Chris Gottscho

Tisha Fang and Liz Roud

Nick Pearson and Veronica Pastor

Maria Chiara and Luca Ferrari

Rodney Hood, Nathalie de Wolf and Kip Guen

Steven Kupka, Scott Lurding and Steven Lambardo

Ruth Mitchell and Simon Jacobsen

Francis de Wolf and Tom Saidy

Bianca Reyes and Shirley Mazo

Betsy Rea and Doda de Wolf

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Kevin Chaffee

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o f t h e pa r t y

Fa r e w e l l t o t h e A pa r i c i o s March 1st • The Bolivian Ambassador’s Residence Photos by Zaid Hamid

Washingtonians from across the political, journalistic and social spectrums gathered to say goodbye (sort of–see the ambassador’s letter below) to beloved diplomatic couple Jaime Aparicio and his wife Pamela at the end of Jaime’s ambassadorial tenure. Guests included Peruvian Amb. Eduardo Ferrero and his wife Verónica Diaz de Ferrero, former Afghani Amb. Ishaq Sharyar and his wife Hafizah, Mexican Amb. Carlos de Icaza and his wife Luisa, Portuguese Amb. Pedro Catarino and his wife Cheryl, and Arturo Brillembourg and Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg, among many others.

Fa r e w e l l , b u t n o t g o o d b y e

By Ja i m e A pa r i c i o

Three years ago my wife Pamela and I moved to Embassy Row to represent Bolivia’s interests in the United States, and to raise the profile of an embassy that had for the previous twenty years fallen off the radar screen. Now, a new government has been elected in Bolivia, and even though I don’t believe that radical populism is going to be a long-term solution there, my hope is that the new political leaders will embrace the democratic process in the months to come. I believe in those who are seeking the truth; but I am afraid of those who find it, particularly in a region with a tradition of intolerance. Nevertheless, I am convinced that there are immense opportunities on the horizon and possibilities of exponential growth for those in the private sector who understand the new reality in the region. I plan to work on promoting business opportunities and investments throughout the Americas, providing high-level policy and strategic advice on how to maximize benefits and opportunities in the Latin American market economies while mitigating the risks. During my tenure as ambassador I was very fortunate to take bilateral relations to their best level ever. Meeting wonderful people and being a part of the splendor of the capital’s social and cultural life will remain in our hearts.

Jaime and Pamela Aparicio

Herve Houdre, Luisa DeIcaza, Solange Boyer and Magali Willard 40

Ina Ginsburg

Gina Ashby, Ann Satini and Veronica Ferrero WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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James Story and Kyle Rouse

Renee Robinson and Shaista Mahmood

Peruvian Amb. Eduardo Ferrero, Veronica Ferrero and Peggy McCracken

Luma Kuwar, Jordanian Amb. Karim Kuwar and Rep. Linda Sanchez

Former Afghani Amb. Ishaq Sharyar, Amb. Jaime Aparicio and Jose Miguel Vivanco Franco Nuschese and Ann Hand

Edi Gutierrez and Portuguese Amb. Pedro Catarino

Mexican Amb. Carlos de Icaza, Luisa de Icaza and Peruvian Amb. Eduardo Ferrero

Jacqueline King and Barbadian Amb. Michael King

Camilla Aparicio and Amb. Jaime Aparicio

Nina and Philip Pillsbury

Aniko Gaal Schott and Karon Cullen WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Pamela Aparicio and Debbie Sigmund

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p o l l y w o o d

Trading scripts for stumping: A hollywood tradition

By G e r r i M i lle r Left– Actor Alec Baldwin and Pierre Dulaine from “Mad Hot Ballroom” at the American’s for Arts Congressional Arts Breakfast in March. Below– Fran Drescher lobbies for gynecologic cancer awareness.

I

t’s a fact of our star-struck culture that celebrities wield considerable political clout, but this phenomenon pre-dates the activism of Bono, Angelina and the late Christopher Reeve. They’re only following in the footsteps of stars like Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Danny Kaye, who protested the House of Representative’s inquiry into Communist influences in the entertainment industry in 1947.

From Audrey Hepburn to Frank Zappa to newly minted lobbyist Jessica Simpson, celebs are bringing attention to their causes, often with tangible results.

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“If a celebrity is well informed, persuasive and personable, legislators listen,” says Erik Huey, an attorney with Venable LLP who helps stars navigate Capitol Hill. “The best lobbyists are ones who can go off script and deal with the various contingencies and are good debaters,” he says, ranking Tony Goldwyn, Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg, and Fran Drescher among the best. “If [Drescher] ever wants to give up acting she could become a lobbyist,” Huey says. “She’s very comfortable and natural with elected officials and very persuasive.”

Drescher, a uterine cancer survivor, lobbies on behalf of

gynecologic cancer awareness and funding. “Most women get diagnosed in the late stages and 80 percent of them die,” she says.

“These statistics get dusty on a shelf and nothing gets done about it. I got famous, I got cancer, and I lived to talk about it. So I’m going to be a whistle blower.”

Last year, she worked with Sen. Arlen Specter on the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act, which failed to pass. “People think I should run for elected office,” notes Drescher, who doesn’t rule it out but thinks she may be more effective as a high-profile advocate who can align herself with a variety of groups and organizations–she also works with the Creative Coalition

to lobby for arts education funding and has helped raise $10 million for the cause.

The Creative Coalition, under copresidents Joe Pantoliano and Tony Goldwyn, has also been instrumental in enacting tax incentive legislation to decrease the amount of “runaway” film production, returning it to states including New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida and Louisiana.

“We can’t lobby, we’re a nonprofit,” says Pantoliano. “But can we make a difference? Absolutely.”

What does it take to land a lobbying role? According to Creative Coalition executive director Robin Bronk, “The key to successful advocacy—whether celebrity or “civilian”—is having a vested and credible personal connection to the issue, being well-informed and understanding what you are asking a legislator to do,” she says. “Any successful advocate has to have an end-goal in mind.”

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all the world’s a stage…

Casting Notes for the A-list lobbiest

CELEBRITY

CAUSE

to get in to see a member of Congress, celebrities s h o u l d h a ve a compelling issue.

You can’t just waltz into any senator or congressman’s office by virtue of being famous– though it can help.

Parkinson’s Disease

Diagnosed in 1991, Fox publicly disclosed he had Parkinson’s in 1998 and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000

Research grants have increased tenfold since he testified before Congress in 1999.

Wynonna Judd

Youth AIDS

“Everywhere I go, I talk about YouthAIDS and I wear my Empowerment Tag, “See,” on Nashville Star. They’re available for $5 at youthaids-aldo. org. A single purchase can help educate and protect a young person. It’s a small gesture that will save a life. If we can’t support each other, what else do we stand for?”

Last year’s campaign resulted in raising more than $1 million to support YouthAIDS’ innovative and effective HIV/AIDS prevention programs in more than 60 countries and in saving well over 100,000 lives.

Globally, young women are disproportionately affected and there are now 14 million orphans due to AIDS

Bono

Poverty, AIDS and trade in Africa

Founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002

$5 billion allocated in 2002.

Angelina Jolie

The United Nations’ High Commission on Refugees; Global Action for Children

“Just being an actress doesn’t help me sleep well at night. When I do something for other people, then I feel my life has value.”

Uses star power, media coverage and adoptive motherhood to draw world attention to her charitable work.

Ted Danson

Oceana

Seventeen years of frequent trips to Washington have paid off. “I go up to the Hill and I talk to the press and donors about various ocean and Oceana issues. While we’ve been able to make some important changes for the oceans, we’ve got a lot more to get done.”

Convinced the federal government to protect over 400,000 square miles of ocean from bottom trawling and increase funding for federal fishery observers; got cruise giant Royal Caribbean to install advanced wastewater treatment devices on its entire fleet.

Alec Baldwin

Americans for the Arts

“There aren’t enough dollars coming in from the private sector to underwrite arts funding. Many major underwriters are retreating. That means the government is the only game in town for some programs. I would give the NEA a billion dollars if I could.”

Has lobbied for this cause since the late ‘80s. Currently campaigning against a House HHS-Labor subcommittee bill that would cut arts funding.

Jessica Simpson

Operation Smile

Traveled to Kenya to support the non-profit group’s work to provide reconstructive surgery for children with cleft palates and other deformities. “The purpose of life is to walk through it smiling. To give a child that opportunity has absolutely changed my life.”

Jury’s out on newbie activist Simpson, whose first Hill itinerary brought attention to her cause, mainly because she declined to meet with Bush.

•

Be infor med and passionate about the issue you’re defending. Whether it’s arts funding, children’s nutr ition, or afterschool programs, you have to believe what the advocacy group is saying. Reading from bullet points doesn’t cut it.As with anything, compelling personal stories are often most effective.

• It’s amazing how much

hand-holding people generally assume celebr ities need.

In my experience, celebr ities who want to come to the Hill are very smart and well-infor med.

They’re adults and don’t need to be told how to behave. They’re just like any other grassroots activists, except they get recognized wherever they go.

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HOLLYWOOD ENDING?

MICHAEL J. FOX

Celebrity liaison Nick Maduros of Quinn Gillespie & Associates weighs in on what it takes to land the role of Hill celebrity spokesperson.

• Like anyone trying

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H o l ly wood on th e p otomac

Covering Oscar Week was like being in a Fellini film … surreal By jan e t D onovan

I

n a city where egos grow faster than weeds and speed refers to Lamborghinis, L.A. is a company town where the end often justifies the means while serving up glitz, glamour and gossip. Hollywood is indeed its own planet.

an Janet Doaov

The hunt for A-list celebrities made The Hunt for Red October a pushover. Stars holed up in places closed to the public that included Sunset Boulevard’s Chateau Marmont (best known for its Jim Morrison & John Belushi connection) and The Beverly Hills Hotel, where black stretch limos looked like the onset of a tornado. But if you valet your car, you ended up waiting on line next to the likes of Dame Judi Dench, nominated for Best-Actress in Mrs. Henderson Presents. Such was the case at The Four Seasons where the diminutive and unassuming actress graciously chatted with admirers and where Washington’s perpetually interesting Ina Ginsburg was staying.

To see and be seen… that is the quest

Party going A-listers were whisked in and out of events like a magic show: Now you see them, now you don’t. Take the party at Sky Bar. While Best-Actor nominee Philip Seymour Hoffman mixed with Best-Supporting Actor nominee Matt Dillon, Washington regular Dennis Hopper and Tom Arnold talked shop.

The scene at The Reel Lounge in Aqua Restaurant was a dark and bottomless pit of revelers where you could have been chatting with Paris Hilton and not even know it. Washington lobbyist Eric Huey, who represents AFTRA, The Recording Artists Coalition and The Screen Actors Guild, handled meet-and-greet for upand-coming actors including Hill Harper, Regina King and Annabeth Gish.

For those who had been there/done that, the civility level was elevated as was the case at The

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Location, location, location

Top– Jack Valenti shares a moment with Ernst Borgnine at National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Oscar gala.

Bottom– NIAF Vice-ChairJoseph Cerrell and The Italian Ambassador’s wife Leila Castellaneta.

Lunch at The Grill on the Alley mirrored The Palm where name dropping is an art form. The Beverly Hills power spot bragged of hosting Senators Orin Hatch and Bill Frist. Even the maitre’d was the grandson of someone, in this case that of co-founder Rogers of definitive entertainment public relations firm Rogers & Cowan.

Over the “Hills” and into Soho House where stars collected nightly under the stars. An HOP spy spotted martially challenged Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie, dining with a handful of friends.They seemed quite comfortable together, so scratch the rumors for now. Others making their presence felt: Brits Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, Jennifer Aniston, Sean Penn, Felicity Huffman and Paris Hilton.

Meanwhile, the loudening pitch at The Abbey fell into a deadly silence as best picture was announced.

The AIDS benefit hosted by Jennifer LoveHewitt and Esquire Magazine was the wrong place to be if you galvanized for Crash, as was the case close by where Elton John hosted his own party.

Award show viewers in both venues were decidedly pulling for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain.

The Bling Factor

NIAF Gala where former MPAA President Jack Valenti escorted the late great Gregory Peck’s widow Veronique and introduced 89 year-old Ernest Borgnine, winner of the 1955 Oscar for best actor in Marty.

The Italian contingent began festivities with a week-long film fest presented by Los Angeles Italia in conjunction with USC and the support of former Washingtonian Alex Ago. The afterparty at Treseria found guests wedged between Italian Oscars 2006 Academy Award® nominees Cristina Comencini, Gabriella Pescucci, Dario Marianelli, The Italian Ambassador’s wife Leila Castellaneta, Jacqueline Bisset and Franco Nero (in his trademark paparazzidodging sun glasses.)

Normally reserved for ostentatious hip hop jewelry and appliques on cell phones and ipods, there were lots of “human blings” trolling the scene.

Lost In Translation? A human bling is one who plays hard, looks good and has the best of everything. An HOP friend had a bling in the form of actress Bai Ling which made him a Ling Bling accessory with all the ensuing accoutrements of A-list parties, red carpet strolls, eco-friendly transportation and front-row views of the $250,000 32-carat diamond cuff she was rumored to be wearing in her hair … not to mention her other $400,000 dollars of gifted bling. Green cars, swag, D.C. A-listers, party crashers and diamonds … To steal a line from Cindy Adams: “Only in LA Kids, only in LA.”

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Q & A c a f é a t N a t h an s

Breaking up is (not always) hard to do…

Divorce guru Sanford Ain talks about how to do the big split the right way Ranked among the top ten divorce law yers in the countr y, Sanford Ain shares information on how to divorce the right way

“A very small percentage of divorce cases in general end up in court, and an even smaller percentage of my firm’s cases end up in court. Court is incredibly inefficient, unbelievably expensive and the worst place for a family to be.” inefficient, unbelievably expensive and the worst place for a family to be.

T

hirty years and hundreds of cases, countless courtroom battles, clients with boldfaced names like S. Epatha Merkerson and Mike Tyson, not to mention several Washington moguls, have given Sanford Ain intimate exposure to one of the most bitter personal struggles people can face: divorce. But, is it possible to end a marriage as smoothly as it began?

Possibly, with the right lawyer. Town & Country named Ain one of the ten best divorce lawyers in America. His clients rave that the way he works is as “dignified and respectable” as possible. In a recent Q & A Café interview with Carol Joynt at Nathans, Ain shared secrets about the civilized way to seperate.

Carol Joynt: Who should get divorced?

Sanford Ain: People should get divorced if their relationship is so unsatisfying, so stifling, that the alternative is better, and they should take into account the effect on their spouse and their children.

CJ: How many cases end up in court?

SA: A very small percentage of divorce cases end up in court, and an even smaller percentage of my firm’s cases end up in court. Court is incredibly

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CJ: If it ends up in court, does that mean the lawyers have failed?

SA: The lawyers have failed. Sometimes it is both lawyers, letting their own egos get in the way, sometimes it’s the clients’ responsibility, and sometimes it is a combination of both.

CJ: Should people who are getting divorced always have a lawyer?

SA: They always should at least consult with a lawyer.

CJ: Do most people come to see you because of marital betrayal?

SA: That’s the minority of clients.

CJ: What’s the majority? Falling out of love?

SA: People grow apart, fall out of love, or develop the economic means to be able to comfortably separate. There was a cartoon in the New Yorker last week that said, “I’m still in love with you but I want to try marrying some other people.” [laughter].

CJ: Do you think that is just in the United States or is it global?

SA: I think it is global issue.

CJ: Does it have to be sex to be cheating?

SA: Legally, yes.

CJ: The Internet seems to play a larger and larger role in the idea of betrayal. Has it played a role in some of the

divorce cases you’ve handled?

SA: It’s becoming much more significant. It’s our way of communicating with each other, whereas before it was writing letters or meeting personally.

Now it is cell phones and the internet where we find people, talk to people, meet people, and exchange our thoughts. And the emails stay on the hard drive forever.

CJ: Have you gone and found some?

SA: It’s actually fairly routine for lawyers now to look through computers. There are companies that specialize in mirroring hard drives and seeing what’s on there.

CJ: If a married person is exchanging emails with somebody not their spouse, not sex in chat rooms but simply flirting online, is that cheating?

SA: It’s not cheating from a legal standpoint but they are asking for a helluva lot of trouble. [laughter from the audience].

CJ: You represent clients in Maryland and Virginia.

What are the differences between the jurisdictions?

SA: The most significant one is in Virginia. You stop accumulating marital property as of the day you separate, whereas in Washington and Maryland you continue to accumulate marital property right through the divorce trial. Other significant differences are that in Washington, D.C., the judges have complete power to do whatever they want with marital property, no matter how it is titled.

Maryland is the most restricted in terms of what they can do. Virginia is somewhere in the middle.

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CJ: Tell us about hiring private detectives. Do you use them a lot?

SA: On a scale of one to ten, if using them a lot is at the ten range, I’m probably in the two or three range.

CJ: What do you use them for?

SA: Getting someone into the psychological state where they will want to settle. And most of the judges don’t care. There was a judge in D.C. and I said,“What’s the effect of adultery on your cases?”

And he said,“It makes no difference to me.” I also happen to know that the judge was having an affair, and that’s one of the reasons it would make no difference to him.

CJ: Is there more infidelity by men than women?

SA: It’s still slightly more with men, but in the last twenty years we’ve seen many more women.

CJ: Have you seen more women take the first step in seeking divorce?

SA: Over the last 30 years, absolutely.

CJ: What’s a post-nup?

SA: Post-nuptial agreements are very much like a pre-nuptial agreement or a property settlement agreement. It’s done at a time when people are still living together and are probably uncertain where their marriage is headed and want to outline what happens if they don’t stay together.

CJ: What’s the most stressful situation you’ve had in a negotiation between two spouses?

SA: I was taking the deposition for a couple of days from a boxer who is pretty well known, and he lost his temper with me. I was nervous, and I said to him, “Sir, you don’t need to do that.” And I was very polite, and that sort of brought the steam

down. I have had clients walk out of settlement negotiations, I’ve had them stand up and curse and get upset and leave. I’ve said, “Okay, they’re gone, now let’s talk.”

CJ: Have you ever thrown a client out of your office?

SA: Yes. There were a couple of situations where people were dishonest.They had lied to me.

CJ: Is there a common thread that runs through divorce, something your clients all have in common?

SA: Probably a desire to get it behind them as quickly as they can.

CJ: How long does it take, typically?

SA: I just did one that I think is the quickest I’ve ever done. It took a week and a half.

CJ: That’s not normal.What’s the norm?

SA: Six months to a year.

CJ: What do you cost an hour?

SA: $650 CJ: And how many hours minimum are going to be involved in a divorce where one spouse wants it and the other doesn’t?

SA: The goal is to depress the level of conflict and to persuade the one who doesn’t want it that it’s going to happen eventually and it’s in everyone’s interest not to take an entire college education, or a vacation home, and give it to lawyers. And that generally wakes people up.

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CJ: Do other lawyers come to you for their divorces?

SA: A huge percentage of our firm’s practice is other lawyers.

CJ: Is it true that a person thinking about divorcing can go around and talk to every top divorce lawyer in town and thus prevent their spouse from going to those same lawyers?

SA: There’s actually a case where someone did that and one of the lawyers who was consulted said, “I’m going to represent the opposing spouse anyway,” and they went to court and the lawyer prevailed and was able to stay on the case. But, does what you describe happen? Yes, it happens every day.

CJ: What do you make of the Anna Nicole Smith case before the Supreme Court?

SA: One of the things that Anna Nicole Smith said is that she’s absolutely positive she’s going to win in the Supreme Court, and I brought a quote from her as to why she’s so confident: “I’m good at getting old men to do what I want.”

The Q&A Café at Nathans in Georgetown is open to everyone. For more information please visit www.nathansgeorgetown.com. Located at the corner of Wisconsin and M Street.

CJ: What are the grounds for divorce in Washington?

SA: Six months mutual involuntary separation or one year voluntary separation.

CJ: But don’t move out of the house?

“(Anna Nicole Smith) is absolutely going to win in the Supreme Court, a quote from her as to why she’s “I’m good at getting old men to do

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positive she’s and I brought so confident: what I want.”

Q&A Café moderator Carol Joynt inter views Sanford Ain

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Art and Auction

Turning Heads A High Art Beauty Pageant Captures the Attention of Collectors oF Impressionist and Modern Art

By R e n e e H a rr i s o n D r a k e

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ashingtonians who are collectors of Impressionist and Modern art will be closely watching upcoming evening sales at Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses next month when portraits by two of the most celebrated painters in the history of art, Picasso and Van Gogh, will be put on the block. Each house will give serious collectors a chance to acquire works for prices that could climb as high as $50 million.

The battle to achieve the highest sale price for Impressionist and Modern works in the May sales will begin at Christie’s on May 2 with Van Gogh’s portrait of Madame Marie Ginoux, proprietress of the Café de la Gare in Arles, France. Executed in 1890 by Van Gogh while he was institutionalized in the asylum of St. Paul de Mausole in SaintRemy-de-Provence, the work is an homage to his good friend Paul Gaugin. L’Arlesienne, Madame Ginoux comes from a series of five oils painted at

that time and was intended as a gift for Gaugin.

The two artists had previously collaborated on a number of works together of local residents, one of which was Madame Ginoux, and Van Gogh based this work on a sketch of the proprietress executed by Gaugin. Posed against a floral background and seated at a table with two books believed to be Charles Dickens Christmas Stories and Harriet Beacher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Madame Ginoux looks relaxed and slightly amused by the artist.

The style of the work is more in keeping with Gaugin’s style and is acknowledged as such by

Above: Dora Maar with Cat by Pablo Picasso. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s auction house.

Left: L’Arlesienne, Madame Ginoux by Vincent Van Gogh.

Photo courtesy of Christie’s auction house.

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Van Gogh in a letter to Gaugin in which he wrote, “I tried to be respectfully faithful to your drawing, while nevertheless taking the liberty of interpreting through the medium of color the sober character and the style of the drawing in question. It is a synthesis of the Arlésiennes, if you like; as syntheses of the Arlésiennes are rare, take this as a work belonging to you and me as a summary of our months of work together.”

When the masterwork takes center stage on Christie’s podium, experts there hope it will achieve a price exceeding $45 million.

The following evening, a rare work by Picasso, Dora Maar with Cat, painted in 1941, will be unveiled and shown to the public for the first time in 40 years. The subject of the painting, the beautiful surrealist photographer and painter Dora Maar, was Picasso’s mistress with whom he had a passionate yet turbulent relationship.

Maar’s spirited personality is reflected in her colorful clothing and knife-like fingernails that are draped over the chair in which she sits, erect and regal, with a black cat perched behind her right shoulder.

The work comes from an “undisclosed private collection” although art world insiders have openly speculated that it comes from the philanthropic Gidwitz family of Chicago.

Estimated to fetch around $50 million, Sotheby’s experts have high hopes that the work will eclipse Picasso’s Seated Woman in a Garden sold in their rooms in 1999 for $49.5 million.

In this high art beauty pageant, the odds of winning the highest price seem stacked in favor of the younger, fiery mistress whose more modern beauty is depicted in a swirl of color and pattern.

But don’t rule out the underdog yet. Madame Ginoux’s subtle smile may reveal that age before beauty will ultimately win the day.

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f a s h i o n

U2 can be stylish Rocker’s fair-trade fashion line, EDUN part of Georgetown Barneys’ debut collection

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2 frontman Bono has become a fixture in Washington advocating for Africa, but now the co-founder of DATA (debt, AIDS, trade, Africa) is getting his “aid not trade” message across with faded jeans, skinny blazers and t-shirts.

In 2005, Bono, his wife Ali Hewson and designer Rogan Gregory launched a fashion brand called Edun. But don’t worry, despite the rock star pedigree, Edun doesn’t offer over-thetop, bespangled rock star threads. Instead, the line features modern, understated casual wear with prices ranging from $50 to $300. Currently 30 percent organic and moving towards 100 percent, Edun is all about making ethical consumerism stylishly sexy, not preachy and bland.

Edun uses locally-run factories in Africa, South America and India that were selected because they represent a “gold standard”– high quality craftsmanship, humane working conditions and fair wages. Bono and Hewson want to have 100 percent of Edun’s production based in Africa within the next few seasons.

Why? “Africa has lost six percent of the world trade since the seventies,” Hewson explains, “If they could regain one percent of that, Africa would earn $70 billion a year. They currently receive only $22 billion a year in aid.”

As you’re rocking one of Edun’s white denim summer suits this spring, you might forget that the company’s ethics are woven right into the clothes. Not to fear, each pair of jeans reminds you of its origins, bearing this inscription: “We carry the story of the people who make our clothes around with us.”

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Instead of displaying Edun’s fall 2006 line in typical runway fashion during NYC’s Fashion Week, Bono, his wife Ali Hewson and designer Rogan Gregory hosted a gathering inspired by the salons of Gertrude Stein in an Upper East Side mansion. Clockwise– Designer Rogan Gregory, Ali Hewson and Bono | Moby | Lydia Hearst-Shaw and America’s Next Top Model Nicole Linkletter | Actor Peter Sarsgaard | REM singer Michael Stipe | Ali Hewson, Lou Reed and Bono.

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The newly opened Georgetown Barney’s Co-op carries chic earthy items for men and women, including Edun’s signature denim as well as t-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with art-nouveau style swirls.

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WL Zeitgeist

Who’s in & Who’s Out? Chaffee, Conconi and roberts come out firing about social power and social players

Washington Times’ social editor Kevin Chaffee “These big Hollywood stars that come here–people who have entourages and security armies and only fly in private jets–and this is the one place where they are in awe because they meet Clinton or Rumsfeld. It really impresses them.”

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ike the cycle of the seasons, job titles change, invitation lists follow suit, and Washington society turns over a new leaf. No one knows this better than the Washington Times’ social editor, Kevin Chaffee; The Washington Post’s “Reliable Source” columnist, Roxanne Roberts; and veteran gossip columnist turned public affairs counsellor Chuck Conconi. The trio has been covering the social landscape of Washington for a collective 40-plus years. At a recent Washington Life zeitgeist, they dished about the White House, Georgetown and Embassy Row with a focus on old and new players on the Washington scene.

On Social Power Roxanne Roberts: In the simplest terms, social power is the ability to draw people as you desire.

The primary and most important examples are the President and the First Lady. If they issue an invitation almost anybody would respond if they can.

Kevin Chaffee: It’s considered to be a command.

RR: The question is not only who has social power, but what they use social power for. Is it just 52

The Washington Post’s “Reliable Source” Roxanne Roberts

News veteran Chuck Conconi “There are a lot of journalists in this town, who when they walk into a room people really get excited. I walked through Marti’s one night and people came out of the woodwork to meet Tony Kornheiser.” because they enjoy socializing and enjoy giving parties? Or do they have a motive beyond that?

Are they trying to achieve a business objective, a financial objective, or an ego objective?

Chuck Conconi: A lot of it is social gratification, but in Washington in particular, people play it very well for political reasons, fund raising, etc. If you have social power of that kind, you become influential and your influence grows because you are perceived as someone who has power. Juleanna Glover Weiss is a good example of someone, who, because of the vacuum in this republican administration, has developed a social power of her own.

KC: Back in the old days it was different to a large extent. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, invited people because it amused her to see sworn enemies sit across from each other. Marjorie Merriweather Post had hundreds of millions of dollars and she entertained herself by letting others have a good time. Nowadays that’s very rare.

RR: Most people in Washington are very careful because they have to answer to someone else– either a boss or a constituent. The ability to do

“In some ways you are safer aligning yourself with an institution than a political entity because the political power shifts back and forth. You might be on an “A” list one year and five years later no one wants you to come to dinner.” things just because they may be fun or amusing is not the primary reason people entertain or use there influence here.

On Ambassadors CC: I don’t like talking about ambassadors and embassies because I find them generally boring and their parties not very good. Frankly, they forget to clean their lists and there are a lot of people on there who you don’t need to know or see anymore.

KC: Their invitation lists came from their social secretaries and the previous ambassador which go back 25 years.

CC: That’s right, and you usually go around saying ‘I thought they died years ago!’

On Money KC: There are plenty of multi-millionaires and billionaires who have no social power because they don’t use their money to have fun or further any cause. Other people maybe don’t have all that much money, yet are very prominent hosts and hostesses with clout.

CC: Power in Washington is money of course–

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money is power everywhere, but it’s also the political power. That’s what Washington is mostly about. It’s the lobbying power; it’s the people who have issues here who work through the big lobbying agencies.

RR: If you are a defense contractor and you want to get a government contract, being part of the Washington social scene may not help you. If you have enough money you can go directly into a congressional office and lobby there.

CC: Of course. But who would pay attention to Jim Kimsey if he hadn’t put $10 million into the Kennedy Center and got named to the board?

KC: Or Catherine Reynolds, who gave $100 million.

CC: The Opera, the Symphony.

KC: In a quieter way, but very high level, the Folger and the Phillips. The Ballet is emerging from its doldrums.

CC: The National Gallery of Art is the one party venue where you see the most incredible mix–from New York, Los Angeles, Europe, and Washington.

RR: In some ways you are safer aligning yourself with an institution than with a political entity because the political power shifts back and forth.You might be on an “A” list one year and five years later no one wants you to come to dinner.

The new Katharine Graham

On Journalists

KC: There are no new Katharine Grahams.

They are gone.

RR: Mrs. Graham was unique.

KC: Rima Al-Sabah does a fabulous job. Rima treats every event that she does, and she entertains frequently, as a personal extravaganza. She makes everyone feel like they are the center of the universe. She creates excitement and ends up getting a lot of people there with a combination of charm and persuasion, but it isn’t like the old days where you could simply send out an invitation and people would just show up.

RR: The fact is that you can turn down a dinner.

But I think that what is missing now is the sort of “salon” that Pamela Harriman used to host.

KC: Anyone who tries to do that, or much less tries to call it a salon, is going to be ridiculed. But Katharine Graham could invite any head of state– nobody else could do that. I think the hallmark of a major happening is when somebody flies in to Washington D.C. from farther than two hours away to come to a certain event. That says a lot.

RR: Lily Safra has enough money that if she has an event people will fly in for it.

KC: Catherine Reynolds entertains for her husband’s Road Map to Achievement thing.The new Saudi ambassador, Prince Turki al-Faisal may turn into a major social presence because his wife is not wearing a veil and hidden away somewhere. She’s in mixed company, which [Prince] Bandar’s wife was not. He’s known for being a great party guy, a great host. Maybe they will emerge as major social players.

CC: The journalists/political group is a different crowd. It’s best to go to their parties before and after, and avoid the dinner if you possibly can. In many ways those are purely working events.

KC: Like at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner–there are just too many younger reporters who are all getting drunk.

CC: It’s still an age where people would kill to go to that. And of course there is the Bloomberg party afterwards.

KC: Can we talk about the journalists on the social scene? That’s a real phenomenon because in the old days they were never invited. No one wanted them around.

CC: 40 to 50 years ago when journalists were really considered trash–most of them were uneducated drunks.

KC: Journalists are so socially accepted now because many of them have something going with the people they cover and they’re not going to report on them the hard way.

CC: The turning point on the social value of journalists was around the time of Woodward and Bernstein.They also made journalists acceptable and glamorous.There are a lot of journalists in this town, who when they walk into a room people really get excited. I walked through Martin’s in Georgetown one night and people came out of the woodwork to meet Tony Kornheiser.

RR: Tim Russert.

CC: It’s hard for me to believe it, but Chris Mathews.

KC: Chris Buckley, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Donaldson–the list goes on and on.

On Social Institutions

On The Hill

WL: What are the power social institutions?

RR: The Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress.

KC: These big Hollywood stars come here– people who have entourages and security

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armies and only fly in private jets–and this is the one place where they are in awe because they meet Bill Clinton or Donald Rumsfeld. It really impresses them.

RR: The idea that the Speaker of the House would walk into the room and people would basically freeze, doesn’t exist anymore because this particular Speaker chooses not to go out very much.

CC: It reflects the White House and [people in the Administration] who don’t want to look frivolous.

KC: And when they do go out there is no fashion to speak of because they do not want to look frivolous.

RR: I harken back to 1994 when Newt Gingrich basically felt that engaging with Washington was a form of dancing with the enemy.

CC: If you spent most of your time running against Washington, as so many of the political figures do, you don’t want to be seen back home as enjoying Washington.

On Established Washington vs. the New Kids RR: The Washington establishment completely ignored and looked down on a lot of the high-tech kids, the Northern Virginia crowd–they wouldn’t have anything to do with them until they got so rich that they couldn’t afford to ignore them anymore because they wanted their money.

KC: Old money is largely considered irrelevant now. Breeding and four generations of wealth used to count for something.

WL: The new money techies are giving to very different organizations. They’re involved with the mentoring programs and local grassroots organizations. For them that’s real power, and people like Jack Davies, Joe Roberts, Jim Kimsey and Raul Fernandez have made these less traditional causes and organizations very desirable.

KC: It’s tough because no matter how much money the newcomers have there are still people who are ahead on them on the ladder. Remember that story about Cornelia Guest who was asked why she wasn’t getting involved in more charities down in Palm Beach? she said, “I can’t. The good diseases are all taken.”

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Photograph by Fred J. Maroon. Mr. Maroon’s son, Marc, has recently launched an initiative to offer digital prints from his father’s Washington, D.C. collection, entitled “Poetic Washington,” to local charity events. For more information goto: fredmaroon.com, or email Marc directly at marcmaroon@aol.com.

2006

A-List

Heads Turn When They Enter the Room

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P

ower is as power does. It’s a flexible force in this town. No wonder we Washingtonians often take refuge in lists, a comfort zone of sorts in a world where reality is constantly shifting.

Lists turn up everywhere. The form suits a place that thrives on hierarchy - on knowing just who posesses a predetermined political status.

The government’s plum list of political jobs is the apotheosis of this. Keeping everyone happy: conferring a title, an objective who’s in and who’s out. And why not? It’s a small comfort in the face of daily life conditions that threaten to overwhelm one’s sense of identity.

There is comfort in rank because it makes it easier to navigate the terrain. It gives a lift to the spirit to know the Calvinist ideal of predestination is not entirely dominant.

What do we make of the fact that, often, the most powerful among us have the shortest titles, the least number of words in front of their names? Agreed, subdivisions are much less impressive. Assistant, associate, deputy: hardearned, to be sure, but how do they compare with President, Partner, Secretary? (The last title, by the way, might rightly come from a piece of furniture in which notations of rank were on file. This is just a wayward thought, but when you are next in the White House Lincoln bedroom spending the night, take a glance at a particular desk there, the so-called “cabinet.”)

In other words (casting our net in a very broad direction), there is no easy way to explain what a list means, especially since having a title doesn’t really explain someone’s influence. Having a title is meaningless without access to the next on the list… And that is where the hierarchical element really kicks in. Power is saying “I’m in the swim; I’m a part of the club.” But it is a club that has no physical dimension, no officers.

Why not, then, draw up an alphabetical mix of people connected in varied ways to the multidimensional life of a capital city in the 21st century— a group (some of whom wouldn’t recognize one another, whatever the occasion) that reflects the spirit of a town that is far less one-dimensional than any Washingtonian of a previous era could ever imagine..

Now in it’s 15th year, Washington Life and a confidential committee assembled the “2006 A List,” the people that make us turn our heads and take notice. ~ Ann Geracimos

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2006 A-List The President of the United States George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush The Vice President of the United States and Mrs. Richard B. Cheney (Lynne) The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal and Her Royal Highness Princess Nouf bint fahad Senator and Mrs. George Allen (Susan) His Excellency the Ambassador of Kuwait Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sheika Al-Sabah (Rima) Mr. and Mrs. James H. Billington (Marjorie) Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin C. Bradlee (Sally Quinn) Mr. and Mrs. David Bradley (Katherine) Justice and Mrs. Stephen G. Breyer (Joanna) Mr. and Mrs. William N. Cafritz (Buffy) Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Card, Jr. (Kathleene) Mr. and Mrs. Steven B. Case (Jean) His Excellency the Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Giovanni Castellaneta (Leila) Mrs. Robert H. Charles (Oatsie) The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Mr. and Mrs. Leo Daly (Grega) Representative and Mrs. John Dingell (Debbie) Mr. and Mrs. Placido Domingo (Marta) Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duvall (Luciana Pedraza) Mrs. Nancy McElroy Folger (Bitsey) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Friedman (Ann) Senator and Mrs. William H. Frist (Karyn) Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gibbs (Melissa) The Honorable and Mrs. Daniel Glickman (Rhoda) Attorney General and Mrs. Alberto R. Gonzalez (Rebecca Turner) Mr. and Mrs. Donald Graham (Mary) The Speaker of the House and Mrs. J. Dennis Hastert (Jean) Mr. James Hoagland and Ms. Jane Stanton Hitchcock The Honorable and Mrs. Clay Johnson, III (Ann) Mr. Robert Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Jordan (Ann) Senator and Mrs. Edward M. Kennedy (Vicky) Senator John F. Kerry and Mrs. Teresa Heinz Mr. James V. Kimsey Mrs. Polly Kraft Mr. and Mrs. James Lehrer (Kate) His Excellency the Ambassador of France

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Fra nk and Ba rba ra An n Ro bin son

Sen. Ted Stevens

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and Mrs. Jean-David Levitte (Marie-Cecile) The Honorable and Mrs. Frederic V. Malek (Marlene) His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Sir David G. Manning and Lady Manning (Catherine) Ms. Jacqueline Badger Mars Mr. John F. Mars Senator and Mrs. John McCain (Cindy) His Eminence Cardinal Theodore McCarrick The Director of National Intelligence and Mrs. John Negroponte (Diane) The honorable and Mrs. William T. Newman, Jr. (Shelia Johnson) Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hussein of Jordan Senator and Mrs. Barack Obama (Michelle) Mr. and Mrs. Mandell J. Ourisman (Mary) General Peter Pace, Chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, and Mrs. Pace (Lynne) His Excellency the ambassador of colombia and Mrs. Andres Pastrana (Nohra)

Se n. Ba ra ck Ob am a

Representative Nancy Pelosi and Mr. Paul Pelosi Mr. and Mrs. John Podesta (Mary) The Honorable and Mrs. Colin L. Powell (Alma) Mr. and Mrs. Earl A. Powell, III (Nancy) Mr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Reynolds (Catherine) Chief Justice and Mrs. John Glover Roberts, Jr. (Jane) The Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Mr. Joseph Robert, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Robinson (Barbara) Senator and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, IV (Sharon Percy) The Honorable Selwa S. “Lucky� Roosevelt Mr. and Mrs. Karl Rove (Darby) The Secretary of Defense and Mrs. Donald H. Rumsfeld (Joyce) Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Russert (Maureen Orth)

Be n Brad lee an d Sa lly

Qu inn

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Sant (Victoria) Justice and Mrs. Antonin Scalia (Maureen) Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Schwarzman (Christine) The Honorable and Mrs. R. Sargent Shriver, Jr. (Eunice Kennedy) The Honorable and Mrs. Lawrence Small (Sandra) Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Snyder (Tanya) The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Strauss (Helen) Senator and Mrs. Ted Stevens (Catherine) His Excellency the Ambassador of Russia and Mrs. Yuri Ushakov (Svetlana) The Honorable and mrs. Marc R. Warner (Lisa Collis) The Honorable Anthony A. Williams, Mayor of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Williams (Diane) The Honorable Paul Wolfowitz Mr. Bob Woodward and Ms. Elsa Walsh

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Tim Russert

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The Gatekeepers Key contacts to help you open doors in Washington

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t was a natural marriage that started from the birth of our “City on the Hill.”

Washington and Power. Jefferson wanted to create a democracy, but the capital was always set up to have a ruling class, a small group that runs the economy and therefore just about everything else.

Yes, power is in abundance in Washington: executive power, judicial power, and legislative power, and the bottom line is that everyone wants their share of it.

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But, who are the other gatekeepers, those who are entrusted with care, feeding and handling the long-term welfare of the decision makers? How much power do they really have? They are the maitre d’s, P.R. pros, and school admission officials and they have access, in a personal way, to the people everyone wants to know.

We all recognize Franco Nuschese at Café Milano, but he is not standing at the door doling out tables and telling you if it

will be two hours or two minutes. Laurent Menoud is the man you need to make your pal. Want a direct line to Mrs. Bush? Talk with stylist extraordinaire Nur i Yurt at Toka who coifs her hair almost every day.

Need an invite to the Bloomberg party after the White House Cor respondent’s Association Dinner? Have a dr ink with Judith Czelusniak, keeper of the list. If you want access to D.C.’s power, it’s all about knowing who to call on in the chain of

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Admissions Officers

Photograph by Fred J. Maroon. Mr. Maroon’s son, Marc, has recently launched an initiative to offer digital prints from his father’s Washington, D.C. collection, entitled “Poetic Washington,” to local charity events. For more information goto: fredmaroon.com, or email Marc directly at marcmaroon@aol.com.

If you have a child, these names should be as familiar to you as George Bush, because they hold the keys to their future—whether he or she will be a golden NCS alumna or a Maret Frog. At cocktail parties, people often act nonchalantly about the whole admissions game, but they are devastated when St. Alban’s doesn’t send the fat envelope. It’s a competitive world and being accepted into “the right school” is vitally important. Here are some of the admissions officers you might want to know.

Lower, Middle and Secondary Schools Beauvoir Lower School (pre-k - Grade 3)• Margaret Hartigan

British School of Washington Lower (Nursery - Year 2, Ages 3-5), middle (years 3 -7, Ages 6-10) and Upper School (Years 7-13, ages 11-17) • Anne-Marie Masraff Episcopal High School Boarding School (Grades 9-12) • Douglas Price Foxcroft • All Girls Boarding School (Grades 9-12) • Becky Gilmore Georgetown Day School Lower, Middle and Upper School (Pre-k - Grades 12) • Vince Rowe Georgetown Preparatory School • All Boys Secondary School (Grades 9-12) • Michael Horsey Georgetown Visitation • All Girls Secondary School (Grades 9-12) • Janet Donnelly Keller

Georgetown University ranks amo ng the top 25 universities accord US News & World Reports ing to

Holton Arms • All Girls School Lower (grades 3-6), Upper School (Grades 7-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12) • Sharron K. Rodgers Landon • All Boys Lower School (Grades 3-5) • Carole Kerns• Middle School (grades 6-8) • Russell L. Gagarin Upper School (grades 9-12) • George Mulligan Director of Admissions • Russell L. Gagarin The Madeira School • All Girls Boarding and Day School (Grades 9-12) • Ann Miller Maret lower school (grades K-4) • Elila Levinson Middle School(grades 5-8) • Morley Clearly upper school (Grades 9-12) • Zaw Lyn drector of Admissions • Annie Farquhar National Cathedral School • All Girls Lower School(Grades4-6) • Mary Hemphill Middle School (Grades 7-8) • Erica Hill Upper School (Grades 9-12) • Denise C. Buchanan, Director of Admissions The Potomac School Lower School (Grades k-3) • Anna Ellenbogen Middle School (Grades 4-8) • Ed Wokind Upper School (Grades 9-12) • Charlotte Nelsen Sidwell Friends Lower (Grades Pre-k-3), Middle (Grades 4-8) and Upper School (Grades9-12) • Joshua P. Wolman St. Albans • All Boys Lower School(grades 4-8)and Upper School (Grades 9-12) • Mason Lecky

command, and sometimes that’s not always at the top. You need to know the silent gatekeepers.

Power is everywhere even in some unexpected places. Here’s WL’s take on where you might find it.

Maret

St. Patrick’s Episcopal school lower School (Grades Nursery-8) • Jennifer Danish Stone Ridge • All Girls lower School (Grades K-4) and Middle School (Grades 4-8) • Sr. Karen Olson Upper School (grades 9-12) • Michelle McPherson Thomas Jefferson High school for Technology and Science Upper School (Grades 9-12) • Christel Payne Washington International School Lower and Upper School (pre-K - Grade 12) • Dorrie Fuchs

Universities

American University • Sharon Alston Georgetown University • Charles Deacon George Washington University • Dr. Katherine Napper Howard University • Linda Sanders-Hawkins

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Restaurants In his bestselling book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the phrase “the connectors.” Washington’s connectors can definitely include managers and maitre d’s at high-end restaurants. You don’t just give them your name and wait for a response about your wait time. These are the people that are in charge of entertaining Washington’s elite and they are connected. Sen. Hillary Clinton boasts that Café Milano is a personal favorite and recently celebrated a birthday dinner there. When the manager of The Palm, Tommy Jacomo, celebrated 30 years at the restaurant, a who’s who of D.C. showed up, including Tim Russert and several senators. If you want that table by the window or any table on a Saturday night, these are some of the people you should know.

Café Milano •Laurent Menoud Charlie Palmer Steak •Brian Voltaggio Citronelle •Jean Jacques Retourne Cityzen • Mark Politzer Clyde’s • Kyle Gaffney DC Coast • Jennifer Roe Indebleu • Jay Coldren

Gallery Place Clyde’s of Georgetown andadm inistration, is a favorite among the Che ney and nt side Pre e including Vic Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld

Kinkead’s • Mimi Schneider Le Paradou • Aykan Demiroglu Mate • Osmar Nunez Mie N Yu • Ashley Williams and Bezawait Mane Oya • Marcus Brady The Palm • Tommy Jacomo Rosa Mexicano • Nikki Lewis Seasons at the Four Seasons • Julie Saunders 1789 • William Watts Teatro goldoni • Ingrid Aielli Zola • Jennifer Burlew

Located on K street, DC Coast is a favorite among lobbyists.

Café Milano in Georgetown established itself as the spothas to see and be seen.

Private Clubs Every city has its clubs, a place to separate the ins from the outs. In Washington, these rank among the most exclusive and hardest to get into in the world.

Not even the title of Supreme Court justice could get Sandra Day O’Connor a membership to the very elite Alibi club which limits its membership to 50. It’s rumored that Congressional Country Club snubbed former President Clinton after his presidency ended because they wanted to maintain a conservative membership base. And it wasn’t so far back that the Chevy Chase Club started accepting Jewish members. All the local clubs have their pecking orders, waiting lists and their “rules and regulations.” If you’re thinking about joining anytime soon, these are the folks to know.

Alibi Club The Honorable Roger Kirk, Proctor

Chevy chase Club J. Edmund Willington, III, President

Congressional Country Club John F. O’Neil, Jr., President

Army Navy Club Gen. William Maloney, President

Columbia Country Club Martin R. West, III, President

Cosmos Club Joseph R. Gunn, President

City Tavern Club Jeff Kimbell, President

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Georgetown Club John Guttenburg, President of Board of Directors

Metropolitan Club Robin Martin, President Sulgrave Club Catherine Eshelman, President University Club Richard J. McBride, Jr., President

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City Tavern Club President, Jeff Kimbell

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Lobbyists Lobbyists have access to the most powerful people in town. They can get a meeting with Sen. Ted Stevens just before appropriations time, or a dinner with an undecided vote. While we like to think this is a country “by and of the people,” the reality is that lobbyists have an insiders’ view on who and what wins or loses here.

Gary Andres, Dutko Worldwide Thomas Boggs, Patton Boggs Gerald Cassidy, Cassidy & Associates Howard Cohen, HC Associates Inc. Linda Daschle, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz Dennis DeConcini, Parry, Romani, DeConcini & Symms Kenneth Duberstein, Duberstein Group Vic Fazio, Clark & Weinstock Harold Ford Sr., Harold Ford & Co. Ed Gillespie, Quinn Gillespie G.O. Lanny Griffith. Barbour, Griffith and Rogers Larry Harlow, Timmons & Co. Mark Isakowitz, Fierce, Isakowitz and Blalock Joel Jankowsky, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld Joel Johnson, Glover Park Group

Bob Livingston, The Livingston Group Bob Michel, Hogan & Hartson George Mitchell, Piper Rudnick Former Bruce Mehlman, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Mehlman Loren Monroe, Barbour Griffith & Rogers Jim Pitts, D.C. Navigators Anthony Podesta, PodestaMattoon Jack Quinn, Quinn Gillespie Thomas Quinn, Venable Steve Ricchetti, Ricchetti Inc. Aubrey Rothrock, Patton Boggs Tim Rupli, Rupli and Associates Vin Weber, Clark & Weinstock Juleanna Glover Weiss, Ashcroft Group Anne Wexler, Wexler and Walker Public Policy Associates

Linda Daschle

Thomas Boggs Ken Duberstein

Charities and organizations Washington’s many social institutions and charities provide access to the power players. Want to get to know Supreme Court justices?

They like to attend events at the National Gallery. Though rarely seen outside the Pentagon and White House, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz are fans of the Washington National Opera and recently attended its Golden Gala. Though many current Administration big-wigs are less social than their predecessors, they’ll gladly lend support if the cause is right. These charities are some of the best at bringing out the power.

Best Buddies Best Friends Foundation The Cathedral Choral Society Charity Works The Corcoran Gallery of Art Fight for Childen, Inc. folger Shakespeare Library Generation Engage The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Meridian International Center The National Gallery of art The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts National Museum of Women in the Arts The National Symphony The Phillips Collection The Shakespeare Theatre The Smithsonian Institution Starlight Foundation USO The Washington Ballet The Washington Nationals Foundation The Washington National Opera Vital Voices 62

Sharon Stone at People for the American Way

the Eva Longoria at an National Hisp ice Foundation for th Ar ts Noche de Gala

Kim Klein, Jen Haber and Cathy Merrill Williams and Starlight Starbright, Taste of the Stars

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press and pr If you’re sipping your cocktail at a restaurant opening and wondering who half the people are, more likely than not they are the public relations representatives and social reporters who have this town in their Blackberries. Their job is to know who’s in and who’s out and to help make the difference. Here are just some of the folks you should know.

Press

PR

Mary Ann Akers, Roll Call Amy Argetsinger, The Washington Post Kevin Chaffee, The Washington Times Jeff Dufour, The Hill Karen Feld, The Examiner Harry Jaffe, The Washingtonian Linda Kramer, People magazine Bob Madigan, WTOP John McCaslin, The Washington Times Roxanne Roberts, The Washington Post

Thea Bowers, Thea Bowers & Assoc.

Judith Czelusniak, Bloomberg Party PR Susan davis, Susan Davis International Janet Donovan, Creative Enterprises, Inc. Heather Freeman, Heather Freeman Media Leslie Hayes, Hayes and Associates Joan Hisaoka, Hisaoka Public Relations Mary Jo Klein Ann Walker Marchant, Walker Marchant Group Carolyn Peachey, Cambpell/Peachey Associates

Susan Watters, WWD Daily, W

Ellen Proxmire

Amy Argetsinger

Linda Roth, Linda Roth & Assoc.

Jan Staihar

Concierges These concierges keep their rolodexes fat and know all the best maitre’ d’s and travel agents in town. They can help find those last minute Wizards tickets, or book you for a blow-dry appointment at Salon George.

Four Seasons Javier Loureiro (202) 342-0444 The Jefferson Gabi Steiner (202) 347-2200 The Madison Tony Brown, BB Hallarez and Radmilla Jackovich (202) 862-3740

ThThe eRiRitztzCaCarltrlton on

Mandarin Oriental Samir Abdelgelil, Daniel Klibanoff, Clyde Eads, Lynn Hight and Ryad Kouidri (202) 554-8588 The Renaissance Mayflower The Four Seasons Ronny Monfort (202) 347-4430 Four Seasons Ritz Carlton, Downtown (Sports Club LA) Chiaki Adams, Michael High, Mardy Babineauand and Robert Bornschein (202) 835-0550 Ritz Carlton, Georgetown Charles Gilbert, Gary Chou, Emma Hutchinson, Mayumi Hu, Jeremy Bartel and Joshua Cummings (202) 638-2626 Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner Nick Carbonara, Rudi Gocer and Dwayne Coleman (703) 506-4300 St. Regis James Roberts (202) 638-2626 The Willard Mandarin Oriental Robert Watson (202) 628-9100

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WL

Exclusive

A-List for afghanistan

Kuwait-America Foundation 2006 Benefit Dinner March 8th • Embassy Residence of the State of Kuwait Photos by Jonah Koch, Vicky Pombo and Kyle Samperton

n a recent night filled with power, politics and posing, it was a surprise piano duet by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and composer Marvin Hamlisch that had the “Brides of Hope” night buzzing.

After the multi-talented Condi took over from Roberta Flack, the black-tie VIP guests must have been wondering, if there is anything this superwoman can’t do? Among them: Supreme Court Justices Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito (making his first black-tie appearance since his confirmation), White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove, and most of the Cabinet, including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.

Rice wasn’t the only women in the spotlight; The First Lady Laura Bush was on hand to receive a Humanitarian Award, on International Women’s Day and the 60th anniversary of the United

Karen Hofmeister, Roberta Fla

Nation Children’s Fund. The cocktail reception and seated banquet was hosted by Kuwait Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Rima at the Kuwaiti embassy residence. It raised $1.1 million to benefit UNICEF efforts to rehabilitate schools in Afghanistan and was underwritten

by Chevron, Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil and Shell International, and supported by a number of high-profile patrons including HSBC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, along with Neiman Marcus and Kiton, who provided gift bags.

The A-List tr ifecta was complete with actor/producer/U.N. Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas, who received the Private Citizen Award. Sticking with the theme of raising education standards for girls, (the now grey-bearded) Douglas spoke about his 3year-old daughter in his speech, saying, her “opportunities are boundless. Perhaps—as she will not be 35 years old until 2038—she will achieve a dream that no one here has yet

achieved. For maybe, just maybe, she will be one of the first female presidents.”

Not surprisingly, Rima Al-Sabah didn’t miss a beat or detail as she floated effortlessly amid the glitter and gravitas, joking one moment with master of ceremonies George Stephanopoulos, the next with Kirk and Ann Douglas, then talking shop with UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman.

But the spirit of the evening was best described on the opening page of the dinner’s golden tasseled program: “Last year, a girls’ school in Logar Province, south of Kabul, was set on fire by terrorists.The Moghul Khail School, consisting of two large tents, was set ablaze at midnight. The next day, every little girl, every student, showed up at the school. They sat next to the ashes of their burned out classroom under the blazing sun.There was little left except the metal frame, but the little girls insisted on continuing with their lessons.This is the spirit of the Afghan people.”

ck and John Hofmeister

George Stephanopo

Amb. John and Irene Da

nilovich

Peggy Hudson and Dan Nelson

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Carlos Gutierrez and

Faisal Al-Mutawa

ulos

Sec. of Homeland Security Michael and Mery l Cher toff and Justice Samuel Alito

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Rima Al-Sabah, Michael Douglas, First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Kuwaiti Amb. SheikhSalem Al-Sabah

Darby Rove and Anne Veneman

Kathy and Al Hubbard with Joan and Dave O’Reilly

Sec. of HUD Alphonso Jackson, HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Michael Douglas and Leo Daly WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Ziad and Teresa Ojakli

Justice Anthony Kennedy

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! T h e F i r s t L a dy, C o n d o l e e z z a Rice, Kuwaiti Ambassador Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah and Rima Al-Sabah After patiently posing for our cover photo, the conversation turned to what brought the award winners together.

Washington Life: Dr. Rice, what does the receiving the

Public Service Award mean to you?

Dr. Rice: I’m honored. I try to be a champion of women’s empowerment, and I’m especially honored to receive the award with Michael Douglas and the First Lady.

WL: (to the First Lady) Can you please tell us about your award tonight and the work you are doing in Afghanistan?

Mrs. Bush: I’m really thrilled about the award, but I’m especially happy about the benefits that will help UNICEF and the work they do with the children in Afghanistan. UNICEF is a particularly favorite part of the U.N. of mine and I know what a terrific job Ann Veneman is doing as its new director. So I’m excited–I think it’s a wonderful cause. It’s a beautiful evening as always here, Rima Al-Sabah always does a beautiful job.

WL: Why was the focus this year on Afghanistan?

Mrs. Bush: You might want to ask Rima that. Rima, why Afghanistan?

Rima Al-Sabah: My husband and I watched the movie “Osama” and it really touched us deeply. We wanted to do something for

Afghanistan, particularly education of girls in Afghanistan. Seventy percent of the population can’t read and write.

Ambassador Al-Sabah: We knew about what was happening in Afghanistan before, but what the movie

did was visually show us the misery, then when Rima and I were watching it our jaws dropped, and we said we have to do something for this.

Mrs. Bush: We saw the movie at the White House.

WL: What was the reaction, what was the feeling there?

Mrs. Bush:The same thing the Ambassador just said: shock, sadness. No surprise, we knew that was the situation, but when it’s dramatized it comes to life.

Dr. Rice: We [The First Lady and I] were just in Afghanistan, and you realize how spirited the Afghan people are, but how incredibly poor the country is. Ann [Veneman] has been our good friend for a long time, so it’s especially wonderful to be involved with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Kuwait-America Foundation.

Ambassador Al-Sabah: We did the same thing for women and children in Iraq last year.We want to create this tradition, hopefully annually and choose a benefit for a humanitarian cause. So, we need to think about next year.

WL: What’s the biggest thing you’re focused on with your humanitarian work?

Mrs. Bush: My interest is still girl’s education, education in general for boys and girls, but especially the idea that a lot of girls are in school in Afghanistan.

And one thing that President Karzai and his wife Dr. Karzai told us, when we were there last week, is that today six million children are in school in Afghanistan. Half that number are girls, but there is still a huge need for schools, especially in rural and remote villages–schools and teachers–and that’s what UNICEF will be sending a lot of their money to do, trying to build schools in rural villages.

Michael Douglas plays his part In a night where Washington’s A List took center stage, actor Michael Douglas comfortably put on his diplomatic mask and fit right in. In his acceptance speech, he explained how he was inspired by the evening.

Michael Douglas and Jack Valenti

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“In 1998, Secretary General Kofi Annan bestowed upon me the privilege of becoming a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Although my specific concerns as a U.N. Messenger have centered on nuclear proliferation and the control of small arms, I have long been aware of the importance of UNICEF. “The war (in Afghanistan) is over–but the humanitarian crisis is not. Generations of girls

have little or no schooling, while the boys’ education has been limited and inconsistent.The children have been traumatized by years of war, oppression and the daily struggles of living in a country struggling to get back on its feet. The rebuilding of Afghanistan’s schools is critical to this effort…the opportunity of schooling…is vital if these young people have a chance of transforming from traumatized children into emotionally stable and productive adults.

“It is also a great honor to be here with a gathering of such accomplished women to celebrate International Women’s Day. As I look around this room at the wise, intelligent, beautiful and extraordinary women I am truly in awe of the opportunities that await my 3-year-old daughter.

With role models such as our First Lady and Secretary Rice her opportunities are boundless.”

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o f t h e pa r t y

Kirk and Ann Douglas and Michael Douglas

Paula and Andrew Liveris

Grega Daly

Anita McBride

Becky and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

Marvin Hamlisch and Terre Blair

Seamus McMahon

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Sonya Medina

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event spotlight

Vital Voices Strong Women Empowering the World’s Women

By S enator K ay Bai ley H utch i son an d S enator H i ll ary Rodham Cli nton , Honor ary Co - Chai rs , Vital Voice s G lobal Partn ersh i p

W

omen’s equality—economic, political and social­—­­must be a central component of any effort to address the world’s pressing challenges. Simply put, no country can get ahead if half of its citizens are left behind.

Although we sit on different sides of the political aisle, we are on the same side when it comes to recognizing that investing in the progress of the world’s women is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing. As the honorary co-chairs of Vital Voices Global Partnership, along with Nancy Kassebaum Baker, we are pleased to lend our voices to those of women around the globe who are advancing economic opportunity and democracy, safeguarding human y Ka .

Sen Co-chair, on rights and creating a Bailey Hutchins better and safer world for all of us.

Vital Voices was founded by women who want to help empower women around the globe so they too can take their place “at the table” as effective leaders contributing to their societies. The women who founded this non-profit organization are Democrats and Republicans. Today the Board includes leaders from business, academia and civil society like Debbie Dingell, Susan Davis, Samia Farouki, Marlene Malek, Judith McHale, Donna McLarty, Vicki Sant, Mary Yerrick, Amb.Elizabeth Bagley and Chair, Melanne Verveer. Recognizing that this is not just a women’s cause, men like Amb. Craig Johnstone and Paul Charron also play a

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leadership role on the Board.

What Vital Voices does is so important.

It invests in emerging women leaders who are the engines of progress in their societies and builds the capabilities, connections and credibility the women need to unlock their potential to make a difference. Emerging women leaders around the world are deeply motivated to safeguard democracy where it is fragile, to build strong economies where there is great poverty and to fight for human rights, especially to end the global scourge of human trafficking—modernday slavery. However, many women lack leadership proficiency, access to networks of experts who can serve as mentors or the special skills they need to enable them to be more effective in their work. The leadership development training programs that Vital Voices conducts in Washington and in many parts of the world focus on three key areas that can have the greatest impact for sustainable social change: generating economic opportunities, expanding political participation and protecting human rights.

We will be joining the awardees, as will Sally Field, Julia Or mond, Chr istiane Amanpour, Elizabeth Cheney, Diane von Furstenberg and Lisa Ling.

As we honor these voices who have

Co-chair, Sen. Hillary Rodham Cli

nton

been so vital in lifting up their societies, we know that there are so many like them around the globe who are relying on us to help them to lift their voices. As Mu Sochua of Cambodia, a 2005 honoree, said, “There is a saying that a bird does not sing because it has a song, it sings because it has a voice.” Join in supporting the world’s “vital voices.”

On April 27, at a gala leadership awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center, Vital Voices will honor several extraordinary women who are changing the world: d A Finance Minister and energetic fighter against government corruption; d Civil society activists who won the right to vote for the women of their nation; d An advocate against human trafficking who pioneered legal reform in her country; d A courageous human rights champion whose actions on behalf of social justice have captured the world’s attention.

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f a s h i o n

accessory toPower White House Confidential O A Platform You Can Stand On Time Is Money O Natural Instincts O THE INTERNATIONAL GOLD STANDARD

Produced BY Barbara McConaghy P hotographe d b y RO Y CO X

I

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H air an d M ake - up b y A nita B ahram y

n the power capital of the world nothing can instant message success faster than wearing the right, or daring, accessory. As the tidal basin explodes in cherry blossoms, our stores blossom

with choice items to enhance classic dresses, suits, narrow shorts and straight-legged pant suits. WL ’s best bets are: the big clutch; chunky platforms; wedges; open-toed pumps; wide woven belts; gold and metallic touches; long necklaces; bangle bracelets; designer watches; and oversized sunglasses.

Ó

O Charles Nolan white 3/4 –sleeve trench coat[$398] SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Christian Roth white with black-framed sunglasses, BLINK;

Cole Haan white woven leather oversized tote [$325]NEIMAN MARCUS; white floral and butterfly print scarf, available at both GUCCI and NEIMAN MARCUS; Patek Philippe Aquanaut “Luce” with white composite dial and matching rubber strap, diamond set bezel, stainless steel case, [$10,950] Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers.

White House Confidential

O Left to Right – Dolce & Gabbana white belt with logo buckle [$425] NEIMAN MARCUS. | Ralph Lauren white handbag with gold accent and white embroidered jacket, both RALPH

LAUREN; Chanel white sunglasses [$325] NEIMAN MARCUS. | Lambertson Truex white patent hobo handbag [$1,095] NEIMAN MARCUS; Chanel white and navy platform slingbacks with silver tipped wedges [$785] SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.

O Manolo Blahnik white patent stiletto slingbacks with bronze ankle wrap clasp [$645] NEIMAN MARCUS; Gucci white leather tote handbag with silver grommet accents and logo scarf [$1,190] available at both GUCCI and NEIMAN MARCUS.

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A Platform to Stand On

“ The finishing touches for your Spring wardrobe … platform shoes, bigger than life handbags and big face-framing sunglasses.”

Melissa Ekblom, public relations manager, Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria

O Christian Louboutin red suede open-toed platform slingbacks [$640] NEIMAN MARCUS.

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Time Is Money O Top to Bottom – Cartier 18k yellow gold “Tankissime” features a diamond-set case and open

polished domed links to create a soft bracelet [$25,600.] | Breguet “Queen of Naples” watch in 18k yellow gold with diamond bezel, diamonds set on the inside of the case, mother of pearl dial featuring a miniature guilloche finished dial, power reserve, phases of the moon, exhibition case back, automatic self-winding movement [$26,700.] | Bedat & Co. Number 3 double pavé set diamond bezel, soft white roman numerals, and matte white alligator strap [$9,160.] | Lady’s Patek

Philippe 18k yellow gold diamond bezel with Complicated Annual Calendar watch featuring a mother of pearl dial with phases of the moon, on a matte finish cream alligator strap [$28,700.] | Chopard round “Happy Sport” with seven floating diamonds spinning under the crystal, five cabochon sapphires, and diamond pave set bezel hallmarked in steel and white gold [$12,650.]

All by LILJENQUIST & BECKSTEAD JEWELERS.

Natural Instincts

O Left to Right – Christian Dior woven leather and wood platform sandals [$495], available at both DIOR and SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; natural straw wrapped vases, CRATE&BARREL. | Jimmy Choo beige and metallic suede handbag [$1,700] and matching ankle strap stiletto thongs [$495], both JIMMY CHOO; assorted wooden bangles, NEW TO YOU. | Belts (Left to Right): Etro brown leather studded belt, NEIMAN MARCUS. Suzi Roher 2-inch woven leather belt, NEIMAN MARCUS. Salvatore Ferragamo natural leather belt with logo buckle, SALVATORE

FERRAGAMO. MOTIF 56 dark brown woven belt with silver medallion buckle [$1,700], NEIMAN MARCUS. Tory Burch bronze beaded mesh tank and MOTIF 56 brown leather belt with lining of gold studs, both SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Gucci signature rimmed sunglasses with gold studs, available at both GUCCI and NEIMAN MARCUS. | Prada burlap flats with flowered accent, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Salvatore Ferragamo natural crocheted handbag with wooden straps, available at both SALVATORE FERRAGAMO and SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.

O Ralph Lauren linen open weave tank [$165], chamois safari jacket [$265], brown beaded necklace, and concha belt, all RALPH LAUREN; Eric Javits large rimmed straw hat, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Mulberry brown snakeskin duffle bag with gold accent, NEIMAN MARCUS.

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The International Gold Standard

O Left to Right – Christian Dior gold braided gold leather and tortoise wedged sandals ; available at both DIOR and NEIMAN MARCUS. | Gold signet ring, PAMPILLONIA; Jimmy Choo gold metallic hobo handbag with rhinestone detail and gold O-ring handles, JIMMY CHOO. | Salvatore Ferragamo gold python belt, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO. | Phillip Lim white 3/4 -sleeve sheer chiffon shorts jumpsuit with gold rope belt, MULEH; Jimmy Choo gold mesh

handbag, JIMMY CHOO; gold link necklace with diamond clasp, link bracelets, and gold signet ring; all PAMPILLONIA. | (From Left to Right) Christian Roth gold aviator sunglasses, BLINK. Oliver Peoples Papillon gold sunglasses, BLINK. ic! berlin Agneta gold framed sunglasses, BLINK. Salvatore Ferragamo gold snake print ballet flats, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO. | Chanel gold and white mule wedges with gold studs and pearl accents, NEIMAN MARCUS.

O Gucci gold python satchel

handbag, available at both GUCCI and SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Christian Roth gold aviator sunglasses, BLINK.

Produced and styled by Barbara McConaghy; Fashion and editorial credit Elizabeth Moon. Photographed by Rox Cox, assisted by studio manager Mandy Strong and photo assistant Andy Robinson.

Coordinated by Roy Cox Photography, www.4-OPTIC. com, (410) 633-4540. Hair and make-up by Anita Bahramy and introducing model DocĂŠ Walton, T.H.E. Artist Agency.

Crate&Barrel for all vases and cherry blossom props.

It’s all about the bag.

trend report

dress for the scene

By A li s o n Lu k e s , S t y le E d i to r

A

s the weather warms up, your social calendar is probably filling up as fast as spring merchandise on the shelf of your favorite store. But the big question is: what’s the best look for all of those engagements? Alas, so many outfits… so little time. Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate through your closet… and social calendar.

RSVP: The Washington National Opera Gala

It’s opening night. Do you look the part? Ride out the drama with a strategically chosen gown. Favorites this season are by Monique Lhuillier, Lela Rose and as always, Carolina Herrera.

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RSVP: White House Reception

Don’t be afraid of wearing color, but do watch your décolleté when attending a reception at the White House. A dressy suit accessorized with a Hermes scarf and a pair of Manolo’s, the perfect Chanel suit and bag, or a dress by Oscar de la Renta will have you looking Presidentially appropriate.

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RSVP: Hearing on the Hill

Pinstripes and pearls! Play it smart and sophisticated in a tailored suit

by Theory, Ann Taylor or J. Crew.

Keep your bag and shoes professional with pearls polishing this look to perfection! The look sounds cliché… but in this situation, it may be better to blend than show your true colors.

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RSVP: Twilight Polo

Let your shoes dictate this outfit.

Don’t play victim to a sinking heel on the field…pair an Espadrille wedge or Jack Roger sandal with a fun and easy dress. Skip the white pants—as much as we love to wear them all summer, a muddy field spells spots.

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Carolina Herrera, Spring 2006, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

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Oscar de la Renta, Spring 2006, available at Neiman Marcus

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Lela Rose, Spring 2006

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RSVP: Drinks at the Ritz

On a date or having drinks with the girls? Pair spring’s hottest jeans with a top from Milly, Nanette Lepore, or Marc by Marc Jacobs. Must have shoes for the season are platforms by Christian Louboutin and floral printed peep toe pumps by Bettye Muller.

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Espadrilles from Nordstrom

TWELVE RESTAURANTS. UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES. 5

Chaiken black stretch linen totem jacket $238, nude gauze totem, $220, and white cotton culotte $238.

Available at select Nordstroms.

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CLYDE’S OF GEORGETOWN, RESTON, CHEVY CHASE, MARK CENTER, COLUMBIA, TYSONS CORNER, GALLERY PLACE; 1789 RESTAURANT; OLD EBBITT GRILL; THE TOMATO PALACE; THE TOMBS; TOWER OAKS LODGE TASTE. THE DIFFERENCE. 202.333.9180 clydes.com

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Year-round worsted wool suite from J. Crew, starting at $400

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If you think my watch is cool, Mercedes SLR McLaren 0 to 60: 3.8 Seconds Engine: Supercharged V8, 617 HP, 575 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: The body of the SLR McLaren is carbon fiber and features gullwing doors.

Buy it: www.washingtonareamb.com Price: Starting at $452,750 Tag Heuer’s SLR Chronograph for Mercedes Hot factor: This companion watch pays homage to the partnership between Mercedes McLaren and Tag Heuer; only SLR owners can acquire the watch.

Buy it: www.washingtonareamb.com Price: $12,500

Mercedes CLS55 0 to 60: 4.5 Seconds Engine: Supercharged V8, 469 HP, 516 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: The engine is hand-built: One person, one engine, no assembly line. Only 55 were ever made.

Buy it: www.washingtonareamb.com Price: Starting at $120,000 Mercedes’ IWC Schaffhausen AMG Watch Hot factor: A watch that matches your car: The instrument cluster on the CLS55 was designed and developed in cooperation with Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.

Buy it: www.washingtonareamb.com Price: $7,800

Porsche 2007 911 Turbo 0 to 60: 3.7 Seconds Engine: Twin-turbocharged, 3.6 liter boxer engine, 480 HP, 417 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: Driver can select the “sports button” adjacent to the gear lever to activate a short-time “overboost” at full throttle.

Buy it: Rockville Porsche and Audi; (301) 881-0900 Price: Starting at $122,900 Porsche’s Turbo 911 watch Hot factor: It’s water resistant, so no need to worry when you’re up to your ears in liquid assets.

Buy it: At select local Porsche dealerships, www.porsche.com Price: $645 (available May 15th)

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wait until you see my car…

Bentley Continental GT 0 to 60: 4.7 Seconds Engine: Twin Turbo 6-litre W12, 552 HP, 479 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: The GT has a top speed of 195 mph, making it the fastest Sedan in the world.

Buy it: Bentley Bethesda, www.bentleycertified.com/ Bethesda; (301) 718-7900 Price: Starting at $180,000 the 6.75 from Breitling for Bentley Motors Hot factor: The watch matches the Breitling clock installed in the dashboard, making sure you’ll always arrive on time and in style.

Buy it: Lilijenquist & Beckstead, www.landbjewelry.com; (703) 448-6731 Price: $7,450

Aston Martin DB9 0 to 60: 4.9 Seconds Engine: V-12, 450 HP, 420 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: This speedster is a made-to-order hand-built car.

Any combination of paint and leather trim color is possible.

Buy it: Aston Martin of Tyson’s Corner; (703) 442-8200 Price: Starting at $185,000 Aston Martin’s Limited Edition Jager-LeCoulture Watch Hot factor: Start, stop and reset the chronograph by pressing on the crystal watch face—no need for push buttons. Only 500 were ever made.

Buy it: Aston Martin of Tyson’s Corner, www.astonmartintysons.com; (703) 442-8200 Price: $14,950

Who needs a watch when everyone is watching you?

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 0 to 60: 3.7 Seconds Engine: V12, 620 HP, 480 lbs/ft of torque Hot factor: Features new generation F1 Gearbox, which changes gears in 40 milliseconds. Also offers the F1 Power Shift System with paddle shifters like in a Formula 1 car.

Buy it: Ferrari Maserati of Washington; (703) 478-3606 Price: Starting at $280,000

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Chopard Mille Miglia Watch and matching Steel and Rubber Cuff Links Hot factor: Impress your friends at the car club with this stylish F1-inspired watch and cuff links combo.

Buy the watch: Boone and Sons Jewelers, www.booneandsons.com; (301) 657-2144 Price: $5,000 Buy the cufflinks: Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelery, www.landbjewelry.com; (703) 749-1200 Price: $630

Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Model Hot factor: Maintain a luxury lifestyle while watching NASCAR. Buy it: Liljenquist & Beckstead, www.landbjewelry.com; (703) 448-6731 Price: $25,550

Tag Heuer’s Formula One Watch Hot factor: This watch is hotter than an F1 track in Monaco.

Buy it: Finks Jewelers, www.finks.com; (571) 434-6540 Price: $895

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C O R B Y  C O L L E C T I O N

Fuel-injected fashion

Collections from Drama Cynthia Steffe Darjoni Shin Choi Avenue Montaigne Carla Mancini Suzi Roher

Mazza Gallerie 5300 Wisconsin Avenue 202.686.5363

o f t h e pa r t y

B ra d l eys’ h ost “ T h e M o mm y Wa r s ” March 4th • Bradley Residence Photos by Kyle Samperton

The Event: Katherine and David Bradley and Liz and Jim Underhill hosted a book party to celebrate the release of Leslie Morgan Steiner’s new collection of essays, “Mommy Wars.” Steiner set out to resolve the “cat fight” between women who stay at home to raise kids and those who pursue careers while raising children with contributions from 26 writers, including Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley. The Scene: “Mommy Wars” contributors Page Evans, Beth Brophy and Reshma Yaqub listened as Steiner read selections from the book and then answered questions. The Guests: Giselle Theberge, Bobby Haft, Luma Kuwar, ABC News’ Rebecca Cooper, the Post’s Ann McDaniel and Walter Pincus, and former Sen. Bob Kasten and his wife Sarah.

Katherine Bradley, Leslie Morgan Steiner and Liz Underhill

Danielle Crittenden and David Frum

Keith and Jo-Ann Wallace Jenkins

Michele Dreyfuss and Dianne Rehm

Rebecca Cooper, Carrington Tarr and Page Evans

Josh Bernstein

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“ T h a n k Yo u f o r Smoking” Screening • March 6th • Motion Picture Association of America Headquarters Photos by Kyle Samperton

The Event: An MPAA screening “Thank You for Smoking,” an adaptation of Christopher Buckley’s 1994 novel of the same name. The satirical story, parts of which were filmed in Washington, follows fictional Big Tobacco lobbyist Nick Taylor (Aaron Eckhart) as he defends the rights of smokers and cigarette makers. The Scene: Following the screening David and Hope Bass hosted a toney dinner at the Metropolitan Club where Christopher Hitchens and Chris Matthews roasted and toasted Buckley for finally getting his novel to the big screen. The Guests: Kevin Chaffee, Roxanne Roberts, Bill and Janet Cohen, Christopher Hitchens, Jim Kimsey and Chris and Kathleen Matthews.

Stephanie O’Neil Lucy and Christopher Buckley

Bill and Janet Cohen Christopher Hitchens

David Bass, Gwen Holiday, Hope Bass and Stuart Holiday

Christina and John McLaughlin

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Buckley Carlson and Chris Larsin

Jim Kimsey

Chris Matthews and Christopher Buckley

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75th Anniversary of t h e R o ya l B a l l e t February 22nd • The Residence of Esther Coopersmith Photos by Russell Hisrhon

The Event: Esther Coopersmith hosted an intimate cocktail reception to tempt guests with a preview of The Royal Ballet before it performs at the Kennedy Center in June during its 75th anniversary season. The dinner for 60 guests also welcomed Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, chairman of The Royal Opera House, while she visited in Washington. The Scene: Coopersmith served her famous chili with all the trimmings. “This is the most fabulous chili, and the entire diplomatic scene knows it,” Tandy Dickerson said. The Guests: Jordanian Amb. Karim Kawar, Willee Lewis, Aniko Gaal Schott, and Donald Rappaport.

Stephen Schwebel, Lolo Sarnoff, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas and Susan Rappaport

Majida Mourad and Jim Kimsey

Aniko Gaal Schott, Carmen Petrow

itz and Tandy Dickerson Anthony Russell Roberts, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas and Jordanian Amb. Karim Kawar

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Marie Ridder and Prudie Squire

Danielle Parris and Thomas Canfield

Don Rappaport and Tony Miles

Louise Schwebel and Susan Rappaport

Robert Craft, Finnish Amb. Jukka Willee Lewis WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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“ B y g o n e D ay s ” P u b l i c at i o n Pa r t y March 17th • The Residence of Tom and Linda Daschle Photos byKyle Samperton

The Event: Tom and Linda Daschle and Nathan and Jill Daschle hosted a party to celebrate the publication of “Bygone Days,” a collection of John Penor’s photography from rural South Dakota in the 194o’s and 50’s. Penor had placed the photos in a box where they sat for 50 years before his grand nephew, photographer Steven Sebring, discovered them, retrieved the negatives and had them printed. The Scene: Guests at the intimate celebration were treated to a reading from poet and songwriter Patti Smith, who wrote the book’s foreword. Smith also entertained the crowd with an acoustic performance of several songs including one called “Living,” dedicated to the Daschle’s most recent grandchild called. The Guests: Nora Maccoby, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Former Lt. Governor of Virginia Don Beyer and his wife Megan, Julia Cohen and Tom and Elissa Davidson.

Nora Maccoby and Julia Cohen Patti Smith

Nathan Daschle and Jim Bell Jonathan Adelstein, Don Beyer and Megan Beyer

Image from “Bygone Days”

Jill Daschle

Susanna Monroney and Laurie Talcott Former Sen. Tom Daschle and Linda Daschle

Scott Russell and Mark Scott

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NARSAD M i ss i o n P o ss i b l e G a l a February 13th • Andrew Mellon Auditorium P h o t o s b y I m m a n u e l J aya c h a n d r a n

The Event: The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression’s (NARSAD) Mission Possible Gala. “I support NARSAD because they fund research on all brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s, in addition to destigmatizing brain disorders such as schizophrenia,” said event co-chair Wendy Adeler-Hall. Honored: during a program emceed by Frank Sesno, CNN’s Washington bureau chief, Sen. Gordon Smith was honored with the Paul Wellstone Award for his dedicated support of mental illness. The Scene: After a dinner of fish and steak, guests were able to swing dance the night away with a little help from The Radio King Orchestra. There was also a raffle with prizes from Adeler Jewelers and a silent auction. The Guests: Sheila Rabaut, Wendy Adeler-Hall, Steve Doochin and Jorge Adeler.

Jane Ross and Bill Harrison

Kelly Rafko, Greg Hall, Sole Garcia and event co-chair Wendy Adeler-Hall

Jesse, Sue and Robert Burnham

Kelly and Frank Sesno, Sheila Rabaut and Peggy Potts

Carol Lopez-Bethel and Viki Reath

Jeanne Sheridan and Peter Sheridan

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Tom Rabaut and Sheila Rabaut

Adeler Jewelers ownersJorge and Gachy Adeler

Gary Lawrence, Bonnie Hammerschlag, Alan Hammerschlag and Steve Doochin Guests Dancing WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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this month: THE HOUSES THAT ANTOINE BUILT • A ‘CORKING’ GOOD TIME

with donna shor

• AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

Around Town First Lady Laura Bush joined the National Woman’s Heart Day Health Fair at the MCI Center in February. The fair was organized by Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation, Inc. The group, which was founded by Mrs. Irene Pollin. 3,200 women attended and almost 1,000 decided to be screened for possible heart problems. Photo Credit: Kyle Samperton

former Se

Murkowski, Alaska Gov. Frank Sharp and reg NGYF President G hony Principi nt A rs ai ff A cretar y of Veteran’s

Tarheel Challenge Academy Ca Jennifer Beckelhimer and Christ dets Bailey with countr y artist Josh y R. Gracin

The National Guard Youth Foundation’s (NGYF) ChalleNGe Champions Dinner at the Reagan Building honored Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, Alaska First Lady Nancy Murkowski, Oklahoma First Lady Kim Henry and Chief of the National Guard Bureau Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum for their work in helping at-risk teens.

THE HOUSES THAT ANTOINE BUILT

Antoine Predock “took gold” recently when he was awarded the American Architectural Foundation’s prestigious Gold Medal, the “Oscar” for that profession—and you have never seen a happier chap. The video screens at the Accent on Architecture Gala pictured several of his most innovative buildings, as well as Antoine himself, white-haired, handsome and vigorous astride a motorcycle from his treasured collection of twenty-five.

Predock’s win was a popular one, judging by the enthusiasm of the 1,000 celebrants at the National Building Museum, including his dynamic wife, the sculptor Constance DeJong, his staffers and a crowd of clients from various cities.

Later, irrepressible Antoine passed out souvenir black knitted “gangsta” watch caps to everyone, advising

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“Don’t wear this to your neighborhood liquor store.” His medal ushers him into a pantheon that includes Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier and I.M. Pei. Predock is New Mexico-based architect famed for structures blending a strong historical sense with spiritual insight. He connects the land, the space and the client in harmony.

A ‘CORKING’ GOOD TIME

When wine buff Melanie Corcoran and her wine consultant bridegroom, Daniel Mahdavian, invited eighty guests to the St. Regis Hotel for a very special sevencourse Wedding Wine Dinner; the superlative dishes and bottlings produced a banquet that equaled or even surpassed those served by the proud Bordeaux “wine aristocracy” in their chateaux in the Medoc.

We won’t list the vintages or the sumptuous dishes; you would be too

Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, d First Lady Laura Bush an Mrs. Irene Pollin

jealous, but let’s just say these wines were worth every cent they cost, and worthy of the be-truffled dishes.

“The Corks” were jumping, but not just the ones being pulled from the bottles. Melanie is the granddaughter of the late political operative, Tommy “The Cork” Corcoran, and the whole Corcoran clan, out en masse at the dinner, seemed as buoyant as corks themselves, singing, laughing and having a rollicking good time.

Melanie designed and created the menus, and she and her mother, Carol Anderson, hand-painted grape vines on the tiny, goldwrapped souvenir dishes that held, appropriately, chocolate kisses to mark the turtledoves’ event.

MORE AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

This year was the biggest yet as eleven hundred women arrived at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

for the 58th annual luncheon of the American Heart Association’s Women’s Board. Rome-based designer Peter Langner offered wearable and beautiful garments on the runway, and one would expect no less as he apprenticed to such greats as Guy Laroche, Emanuel Ungaro, Mark Bohan at Dior and Norman Hartnell. A week earlier at Rizik’s, Renée Rizik Kalil and Maxine Tanous hosted a gathering to introduce Langner to members...

The Literacy Council‘s fundraiser, organized by executive director Liz Liptak, scored a triumph, thanks to its witty supporters. “Love Letters for Literacy” at La Maison Francaise began with tender tributes from the emcee, ABC Channel 7 anchor Kathleen Matthews to husband NBC host Chris Matthews. There was a touching moist-eyed speech from former Senator Birch Bayh

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A r o u n d Tow n A r o u n d Tow n A r o u n d Tow n A r o u n d Tow n A r o u n d Tow n

Ed and Terr y Orzechowski with Chris and KathleenMatthews

When a charity raises $1.5 million in one night, that’s news. Seven hundred people braved this winter’s biggest snowstorm for the annual Catholic Charities Foundation Benefit that raised funds for the poverty-stricken from Washington’s homeless to Katrina’s victims.

Chilean Amb. Andrés Bianchi presented the first-ever U.S. industry training session on Chilean food and wine at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, complete with tastings and culinary education for the food and beverage teams of Washington area Ritz-Carlton hotels.

Anne Clancy Left to right: Eric Billings, Scott Pastrick, Pat Clancy, MaryPastrick and Marianne Billings. Seated: Clark and Courtney Clark

when he and wife Kitty were given a special award for their fervent support. The readings by Maureen Corrigan, Gwen Ifill, Susan Shrive and Trish and George Vradenburg were exceptional. A moving moment was the student reading by Counciltutored LaTanya Gerald, when guests saw in action what the Literacy Council is all about.

PARTY-GO-ROUND

Hogan and Hartson’s Chris Warnke and Robert Wood Johnson were honored in New York at a party hosted by the beauteous designer Maria Snyder, at her Fifth Avenue apartment. Johnson, of the worldwide Johnson & Johnson healthcare company, is chairman and CEO of both the Johnson Co., and the New York Jets. He was honored for his philanthropic work and efforts against autoimmune diseases such as juvenile

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diabetes and lupus. Chris was given kudos for her work on women’s issues.

Guests included John Loeb Jr., Mort Zuckerman, producer Jonathan Farkas and his wife Somers and financial guru Asher Edelman. Up from Washington were Linda Roth and Fran Drescher, who has been visiting here lobbying for the fight against uterine cancer…

Carmen Petrowitz opened her distinctive early Victorian home in Georgetown to honor Count Heinrich Matthias Thurn, a descendant of the princely and castle-rich family of Thurn und Taxis. In fact, Matthias owns a castle, too. “Inherited,” he explained, “and I share it with a cousin.” (Back in 1490, it was his distant great, great, etc., etc., grandfather, Franz Thurn und Taxis who established a postal system that served the Habsburg’s empire and set the pattern for all of Europe for 300

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years.) Guests included Shelley and Bruce Ross-Larson, the couple who bought the home of the late Susan Mary Alsop; Gertrude d’Amecourt and daughter Nicole; Andre Willieme; Kevin Chaffee; Maya Bucow and Rosemary and Joseph Caponio…

Over on New Mexico Avenue Cathie and Dean Philpott’s party had so many fascinating little splinter conversations going that guests stayed on way past the polite go-home time.

In one corner, Francoise Ellis discussed the world scene and children’s health with Dr. Richard Jonas, the chief cardiovascular surgeon at the Children’s Medical Center, who has traveled the world over in his work (25 trips to China, alone!) Seen: architect Carmen Jonas; Richard and Susan Lloyd Graham; Ronald and Belle Duchin; from the American Cancer Society, Sonya Hird and her fiancée Chris

Clark; Moana and Eric Jackson; Ann and John Boyd; Tony Beargie; Lolo Sarnoff and Blake Ashburner.

After luncheon at the Colombian embassy Nohra Pastrana, the wife of the newly-appointed ambassador and a former first lady of her country, took her guests to the Museum of Natural History to see a very special exhibit of 2,000 year-old Colombian gold objects, exquisite in their workmanship and modern as today. The women, who had all seen beautiful things in museums around the world, were awe-struck at this rare exhibit (which closes, alas, on April 9, so hurry.)

Guest Marlene Malek had inside information, because two years ago the Pastranas had shown her, and husband Fred, around the goldworkers’ sites in Colombia’s mountains.

Send advance notice of an event you think Around Town should know about to donnashor@washingtonlife.com.

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At Home with THe Pastranas Ambassador of Colombia Andrés Pastrana and his wife Nohra Pastrana settle into diplomatic life as well as their historic home Photographed by Gary Landsman

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St y l e d by B a r b a r a M c C o n ag h y | T e x t by C h r i st i n a W i l k i e

ince October of 2005, the historic Thomas F. Gaff House on 20th Street N.W., has been the residence of an historic “first” couple in the Washington diplomatic corps: the former president and first lady of Colombia, now Ambassador and Mrs. Andrés Pastrana. The architects, Bruce Price and Jules Henri de Sibour, set out to create an American rendition of an early 17th century manor house, and the finished product marries grand Victorian proportions with an abundance of light and open spaces. Recently, the ambassador and his wife invited WL into their exceptional home, and spoke candidly about public service, life in Washington, and the future of the U.S.-Latin American relationship.

Nohra and Andrés Pastrana were both born into powerful Colombian families with long traditions of public service. The Ambassador’s father, Misael Pastrana, was president of Colombia from 1970-1974, and his son recalls that, “From the time I was a child, I loved to travel with him, because it was my way of getting to know the real people and the country.” By the age of twenty-six, Andrés had been elected to the city council of Bogota, marking the beginning of a career that would encompass sixteen years in elected office and five elections to four different positions, culminating in the presidency, which he held from 1998-2002.

Left– Andrés Pastrana, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, in his own formal wear, with his wife Nohra Pastrana, wearing Pierre Balmain coutture gown Paris. Right– Formal dinner for 18: Catering and table setting from Catering by Windows; Colombian roses arranged by JLB Floral.

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ohra’s childhood was characterized by her hands-on approach. “When I was about ten, I started a little escuela (school) on our farm,” she says, “and I would teach the farmers’ children whatever I had learned at school that day. I loved it, and that is probably when I really began caring about the social condition.”

Together, the Pastranas have devoted their lives to ending the cycle of narcotics, corruption, and civil strife that have ravaged Colombia since the 1950’s. In a country where public officials have lived in fear of assassination by the drug cartels, the Pastranas have not only survived, but have played a critical role in leading their country toward peace and prosperity.

Andrés and Nohra met in 1980, in Cartagena. “Nohra was good friends with my brother, the youngest one,” recalls Pastrana, “and I was a very good friend of the famous bullfighter Pablo Molinarez, so we all went to one of his bullfights…We had our first date in a bullfighting stadium.” The couple, who will celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary this month, have three children, Santiago, 23, a law student in Madrid; Laura, 21, a student at Babson College outside of Boston; and Valentina, 9, who attends the Sidwell Friends School in Washington.

On the morning of January 19, 1988, Andrés Pastrana, then the leading candidate for mayor of Bogota, was kidnapped at gunpoint by drug lords and held for eight days before being released. Later, he won the election by a landslide. When asked how he found the inner strength to continue to struggle against the cartels, Pastrana says, “If we don’t fight them they’re going to be the ones who run our country. This has been my commitment, after all the threats, after the kidnapping: it is to show Colombians and

Top Left– Nohra Pastrana, wearing Prada black pleated embroidered jacket, Oscar de la Renta graphic patterned A-line skirt, and Prada black woven slingbacks with jet beaded buckles, all SAKS FIFTH AVENUE. Bottom Right– Ceviche, created by Embassy chef Gladys Rodriguez is made with freshly shipped Colombian trout, coconut milk and cilantro.

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the rest of the world that we are committed in this war against the cartels.”

This extraordinary commitment takes on new meaning as the couple describes their daily life at the height of Andrés’ political career. “When I was mayor of Bogota I would receive four or five death threats every day, and during my presidential campaign I remember having to wear a bulletproof vest the entire time. And during my presidency, I believe we uncovered ninety-seven plots to kill me,” he says, at which point his wife reaches across the sofa to pat him on the hand. “Ninety-eight, dear,” she says gently.

He nods, adding, “We’re going to win this war. We, the honest people, will win it. That’s where you find the strength.”

The Pastranas approach their mission with appropriate seriousness, given Colombia’s status as the third largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid in the world. The bulk of this aid is used to fund a long-term anti-narcotics effort called Plan Colombia, and one of Pastrana’s most important tasks as ambassador will be to maintain bipartisan Congressional support. If anyone can negotiate a win-win deal, it is Andrés Pastrana. “We’re working side by side with the U.S., and we will find bipartisan support in Congress because we share the same goals.”

This is not the case in a large portion of Latin America, where diplomatic relations with the United States have been deteriorating steadily over the past four years, mainly as a result of the dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy after 9/11. The recent elections of populist leaders like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Evo Morales in Bolivia have exacerbated this rift, leading some scholars to go so far as to suggest that free market capitalism may have failed across much of the continent. Ambassador Pastrana openly disagrees with this assessment. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that although many countries in the region may not have grown as much as we wanted last thirty years, the specific reasons for this are unique to each country. Unfortunately, populism is winning in the region, which is why we need even more investment in the social welfare of the people–I think that’s going to be the

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long-term solution for South America.”

If the Ambassador’s prediction proves correct, his wife is already ahead of the game.

Investment in social welfare has long been one of Nohra Pastrana’s highest priorities, and to this day, millions of Colombian citizens continue to benefit from her humanitarian work. As first lady, she was an early proponent of the concept of corporate social responsibility, and in 2000 she orchestrated an unprecedented collaboration between Colombia’s largest companies and its federal and local governments to found a national Children’s Day, which continues to be celebrated every year on the last Saturday in April (This year it is on April 25).

Nohra Pastrana’s most rewarding accomplishments include founding a mobile system of “ludotecas” (toy libraries)–vans which travel the Colombian countryside

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sharing donated games and toys with rural children who might otherwise never encounter modern pastimes. “This program is very important to me,” she explains, “and it has spread to other countries, so it’s vital that I continue to work on it, and that I find a way in Washington to promote it and to share it with others.”

Señora Pastrana is also looking forward to expanding her philanthropic horizons.

“It’s crucial that we continue to find new programs for our country, for example, one that we call “Computadores para Educacion” (Computers for Education) that came from Canada has been a great success. It’s very important for me to find programs like that in the United States to take back to Colombia.” True to her word, during the past five months Nohra has become involved in a number of local

philanthropies, serving on the committees of the Phillips Collection and CARE Foundation galas while also maintaining the Colombian Embassy’s long-standing relationship with the Washington National Opera. Reflecting upon the positive aspects of public life, she says, “What I have really loved is to be able to work with people who need help,” adding, “Andrés and I complement each other in that we really do like to work for the same thing.”

Above– Valentina Pastrana, the Pastrana’s 9-year-old daughter, home from her ballet class at The Washington Ballet, plays on the banister of the residence.

Right– Nohra Pastrana, wearing Melinda Eng red strapless draped chiffon ballgown and matching stole, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; Colombian filigree gold dreamcatcher chandelier earrings made in the city of Mompox on the Pacific Coast and Mrs. Pastrana’s own gold and diamond cuffed bracelets.

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T

he Pastranas agree that their most important job has been raising their three children. As Nohra explains, “No matter how important your job, work is a fleeting thing in life, whereas your children are your eternal legacy.” The entry hall of the residence filled with beautiful candid family photographs clearly reflects their priorities.

“

By the age of twenty-six, Andres had been elected to the city council of Bogota, marking the beginning of a career that would encompass sixteen years in elected office and five elections to four different positions, culminating in the office of the President, which he held from 1998-2002.

”

After four years in Madrid, the Pastranas are enjoying becoming part of the Washington community. The Ambassador says, “Conversations here are always so interesting and, thanks to our former positions, when we go to restaurants now we often run into old friends, and that’s really nice.” If you’d like to run into them check out ex-pat favorites like Café Milano, Citronelle, and Maestro…

Top– Colombian silver craftsmanship found in the livingroom.

Middle– A seating area in the formal living room.

Bottom– Colombian woven baskets called “guerregues” come from the country’s Pacific coast.

Produced and styled by Barbara McConaghy; fashion and editorial assistant, Elizabeth Moon. Photography by Gary Landsman, assisted by Earl Gadberry. Hair by Ismail Tekin, Georges at The Four Seasons and T.H.E. Artist Agency. Make-up by Anita Bahramy, T.H.E. Artist Agency. Catering and table setting by Carl Price and Debbie Beard of Catering by Windows. Flowers by JLB Floral.

All fashion by Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase and coordinated

by Katie Jaggers, director of The Fifth Avenue Club. Special thanks to the entire staff at The Embassy of Colombia and Martha Jensen, social attaché; Ana Maria Currea, cultural attaché; Gladys Rodriguez, embassy chef; and Pedro Robles, residence manager.

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Unlocking Colombia’s scenic wealth

One of Ambassador Pastrana’s goals is to strengthen Colombia’s tourism industry, which has been growing steadily over the past ten years. Bogota, the nation’s capital, is a cosmopolitan city to rival any on the continent, filled with skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and beautifully dressed residents.Stay at the Hotel Morrison, in the city’s upscale Zona Rosa, and dine at La Fragata, one of the city’s best restaurants, situated atop the Bogota World Trade Center.

A short, inexpensive flight northeast of the capital lies the stunning Caribbean coast, where cobblestoned Spanish Colonial ports give way to white sand beaches. Fifty minutes by speedboat from the main coastal city of Cartagena lay the Islas Rosario, a tropical island atoll surrounded by virtually untouched coral reefs. The Hotel San Pedro de Majagua, on Isla Grande is a first rate ecoluxury resort, where guests enjoy individual bungalows, scuba diving, and day-trips to tiny paradise islands. Security precautions while in Colombia resemble those required of travelers in any Latin American country–travelers should practice common sense, and stay out of the deep jungle.

Getting there: The Colombian national airline, Avianca, offers numerous daily flights from Miami to all four of the country’s largest cities, and the cost is approximately $350 for a roundtrip ticket, which varies according to the city and the season. High season in Colombia is November to January, and it is recommended you use a travel agent to plan travel within the country.

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Cityzen features minimalist décor with bold features as a firewall and strong candlelight

The signature Parker House rolls Cityzen Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave., S.W., (202) 787-6006 After reading the many glowing reviews of Cityzen at the Mandarin Oriental it’s hard not to wonder whether D.C. really has food this meticulously crafted and quite frankly exciting as many proclaim star chef Eric Ziebold’s works to be. They are much closer to art than simply

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Cityzen’s salmon at

op mixed greens

a meal. There is no disappointment. An evening at Cityzen is euphoria for any gourmet and lobbyists, journalists, politicians and businessmen now recognize it to be one of the power spots for a dinner that is almost unparalleled in Washington.

Ziebold’s menu is an aggressive tour of modern American cuisine infused with five core elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The result yields a luscious lychee lime

sorbet blended with Ketel One vodka that is sweet enough to go down smoothly, but with enough zing to awaken your mouth. The cappuccino inspired chestnut soup has a bold surprising bite to with it’s intense smoky flavor, yet the creamy foam makes it silky and light.

Even though Ziebold changes his menu monthly, his meals are nothing short of perfection. He scours the planet for the finest ingredients. Cod comes from Japan, as he prefers it over the American variety because it’s firmer. He’s not afraid to try dozens of pieces of beef until he finds the texture, marbleization and flavor he desires. The ingredients are then treated as if they are divine objects.

Vegetables taste as if each potato or carrot has been individually cooked. As with any “hot” restaurant there are some signature items such as the bite-size parker house rolls that melt like the creamiest butter in your mouth. The cheese plate is seductive: 30 cheeses lined on a trolley by type of milk and age. Set in an alluring atmosphere of neutral colors with fierce red candlelight, Cityzen stands apart in Washington’s dining scene.

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E t i q u e t t e

Franco’s Rules

You landed the invite, now make sure you follow the unwritten code

I

realize that I am definitely not in the prose caliber of the wonderful and witty Miss Manners, who writes for a syndicated column about etiquette. But never let it be said that I can’t blunder around on my own in that field, especially when it comes to what people do, don’t do, or should do in restaurants. So, this is my second attempt to write about my own personal code of conduct for social survival. I plunge ahead with a prayer that nobody catches me using a salad fork to enjoy Café Milano’s tiramisu.

•

•

•

If you are at a seated dinner and assigned to a certain table, stay put. You insult the guests at your table if you leave to sit elsewhere.

In Washington, someone you have abandoned could, after the next election, become a member of the Cabinet, the Supreme Court or the First Lady’s social secretary (in which case you can probably forget going to the White House.)

•

If you are invited to a complimentary dinner at a restaurant, tip generously.

The waiters are working just as hard as if you were paying, and they will love you forever.

•

Flip your cellular phone to vibrate, tuck it someplace where it can give you a thrill, and enjoy your evening!

Excuse yourself from the table to return any calls.

•

What if an influential person at the next table keeps on answering his or her cellular in a loud voice? Send them an anonymous note stating that if they don’t cease, you won’t ever contribute to one of their charitable or political events again.

Retire to the restrooms to recapture that dazzling dental pizazz.

Café Milano does not supply toothpicks at the table–for good reason.

Franco Nuschese is the president of Georgetown Entertainment Group (Café Milano, Sette Osteria, Sette Bello).

“There is nothing more disconcerting than having your credit card (damaged or not) rejected. What to do? Leave your BMW keys? Order a slice of humble pie? Weep?

Yes to all three.”

When squeezing past a table, face the people who are sitting down, use eye contact and apologize. Don’t show your posterior.

• I don’t know why, but in American culture, it is acceptable for women to apply lip gloss or lip balm at the table—but it is poor etiquette to put on lipstick. So don’t.

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—Franco Nuschese

•

Blackball your Blackberry. Peeking at it too often sends an unmistakable signal that people miles away (or the ball scores) are more important than those across the table. Exception: medical doctors and assistants to President Bush.

If you have a trade or gift certificate and don’t want to display it at the table when the check comes around, give it, or at least show it, to the maître d’ or your waiter when you first arrive. Don’t wait until the bill comes—in case there are questions about possible limitations or restrictions on the certificate.

• There is nothing more disconcerting

than having your credit card (damaged or not) rejected. What to do? Leave your BMW keys? Order a slice of humble pie? Weep? Yes to all three. But really, if you don’t own a backup credit card, write a check and leave your business card, or, if you are a regular, ask the manager to run a private tab and promise to come back the next day with payment. This is a town the thrives on gossip, so be sure to always protect your financial reputation.

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F i n a n c i a l R o u n d ta b l e

INVEST YOUR $30 MillioN! TOP Private investment experts tell you HOW 1

1. Edward J. Mathias Managing director of The Carlyle Group. He is based in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Carlyle in January 1994, Mr. Mathias was a member of the management committee and board of directors of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. He was instrumental in the founding of The Carlyle Group and assisted in raising the firm’s initial capital. Mr. Mathias holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he presently serves as a trustee.

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2. Steve Thormahlen Director, president, and chief executive officer of Fiduciary Investment Management International, Inc., a portfolio manager and a member of the investment policy committee of Fiduciary Trust International, Inc. Prior to joining Fiduciary, Mr. Thormahlen was president of Thormahlen Investment Management, Inc., a private investment counseling firm he founded in 1989. Mr. Thormahlen began his investment career in 1977 with Riggs Bank Trust Department.

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3

3. Lawrence P. Fisher II Managing director and senior resident officer of Bessemer Trust, Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Bessemer Trust, Mr. Fisher was a senior vice president with U.S. Trust Company, which he joined in 1998. He serves of the boards of GMAC, Wolf Trap, Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and Junior Achievement.

4. Neil Folger Senior vice president at Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management, Inc. He formerly held the position of vice president in the Individual Investment Management Department of Fiduciary Trust Company International, associate in the investment banking department of Wertheim Schroder & Co., and associate in the corporate finance department of Bankers Trust Company. Mr Folger earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1984 and his Master in Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School in 1989.

“There has been an explosive growth in funds that are predominantly allocated to the four growing B.R.I.C economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China.”

– Steve thormahlen

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What if you always had paris?

“If a middle-aged professional came to you with three to five million dollars invested in financial assets, what would be an appropriate diversification?”

Ed Mathias: Let’s say you are Paris Hilton or a lottery winner and came into $25 or $30 million.

What would you do?

Steve Thormahlen: The first thing you have to do is determine your objectives for that sudden increase in wealth.

Lawrence Fisher: Establishing clear goals is essential. We start by planning for each client’s needs. Often that means securing multigenerational wealth, while using some of their funds for the good of society.

Neil Folger: Individuals have a wide range of differing objectives and risk tolerances.They could be very conservative or very aggressive. Either way, they must first figure out their objectives, with the investment plan flowing from there.

– ed mathias

Investing for long term

Mathias: What if you’re not in the Paris Hilton $30 million range? What are your minimums?

Mathias: What are the main financial concerns your clients have in today?

Thormahlen: We have minimums approaching $2 million.

Fisher Our minimum is $10 million, but our sweet spot is between $10 and $150 million. Our clients usually prefer not to maintain a family office but have sophisticated needs requiring onsite legacy planners and trust and estate attorneys.

In addition to investment management.

Thormahlen: I see more people on the investment side concerned about events that are totally out of their control.

Fisher: We often deal with the nuts and bolts of money and investing. Clients are looking for solutions to their particular situations.

How can I increase my income? How much should I have in stock? How much should I have in bonds? Am I going to have enough money to retire? Am I going to have enough money to send my children to college? These are the sorts of practical questions we work through with our clients.

Mathias: How much do each of you charge in asset management fees?

Thormahlen: Our fee schedule is based on the assets under management.We charge one percent on the first $5 million, .75 percent on the next $5 million and .50 percent on the balance.We never charge on a percentage of sales.

Fisher: We charge one percent or approximately a hundred basis points annually.

It can be a little bit higher or a little bit lower from there depending on the client.

Folger: Our fee schedule is one percent on the first $2 million of assets under management, three quarters of a percent on the next three million, and half a percent on the balance.

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Mathias: If a middle-aged professional came to you, what would you advise?

Thormahlen: You’re dealing with someone who probably has a long life expectancy, continuing to grow there assets is going to be important. In addition, they would probably like to pass along some of their assets to future generations. From our vantage point, all things being equal, we would suggest this individual

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be invested in a growth-oriented portfolio, with an equity mix anywhere from 75 to 85 percent. The balance could be allocated in fixed-income instruments, probably municipal funds. The real test will be how those equity assets are diversified and managed.

Folger: We’d want to have some balance in the portfolio between stocks and bonds with an equity position ranging from 50 to 80 percent, depending on the risk/return parameters. I think the more interesting element is how you would divide up the equity section. Typically, our firm has been a U.S. large cap investor. We are now looking at expanding into some of the other asset categories such as small-cap, mid-cap and developed inter national and emerging markets. Coming to grips with exactly the right mix of all those asset categories is a challenge that requires considerable input from the client.

International Investments Mathias: You can’t talk to investors without hearing about how China and India are the two dominant economies. How can the average person/ small investor participate there?

Thormahlen: Twenty years ago the U.S. dominated the world markets. Now the U.S. is at 45 percent and going down because of the growth in China and India and other countries.

If you ignore global investing you are ignoring about 60 percent of the available opportunities out there.

Fisher: You can use a manager who is either hedging that position or is taking care of that currency risk within the portfolio and returning U.S. dollars to you.

Thormahlen: There has been an explosive growth in funds that are predominantly allocated to the four growing B.R.I.C economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China.

It’s really phenomenal. Investing in regions of the world, whether it’s Eastern Europe, Asia, or the Latin American and South American markets is a real possibility. It’s amazing to see the explosion of growth out there.

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Real Estate Bubble?

Mathias: There’s a lot of talk about a real estate bubble. Do you have thoughts on the real estate market and what people should do with their homes?

Thormahlen: I have trouble when I see the reports in the national publications about the real estate bubble. There is no denying the real estate market in this area is going through some tough times, but I am one who is convinced that real estate is, more than anything else, a localized market. I would bet the Washington region is about as healthy as a market for real estate is going to get in this country.

Folger: On a practical basis, our clients live here locally and have experienced in their own homes and other real estate. So while we do offer real estate investment vehicles, we have not been focused on adding significant real estate to their investment portfolios because our clients often have substantial holdings in this area.

Opportunity and risk Mathias: If you look at the market today, where do you see opportunities? And where do you see areas that you’d want to avoid?

Thormahlen: People are living longer, healthier, more vibrant and active lives.

There are companies and industries that are making their products and services to cater to those types of individuals.Look at companies that produce hip joints and knee replacements. Companies in the medical technology fields or in the leisure fields are tremendously successful. Another theme we talked about earlier was global growth. The world is getting smaller, and there are now international companies that are servicing the world demand for cellular communications, food, shipping, etc.

Fisher: If you look at [different] sectors within the equity market over the past five years, small cap value has had an incredible run. If you look at the evaluation relative to

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technology markets, but allocation is the key to meeting expectations.

Folger: Financial services is another attractive area. The U.S. is becoming more and more of a service economy, and financial services are playing a large and innovative role. It’s interesting to note the market capitalization of the financial services sector is now the largest of all the major industry sectors in the S&P 500.

“The biggest challenge when you manage multiple and comprehensive affairs for some of the wealthiest families and individuals, is insuring productive future generations.”

Mathias: What type of return do you think the broad based market will provide on an annual basis as we look forward to 2011? And then let me throw in a kicker, who do you think will be elected president in 2008?

- Larry Fisher

where there is opportunitynow, large cap growth appears to be it.

Folger: We search for companies with a consistent growth rate in their earnings overtime. These companies typically have a certain competitive advantage and can be found in any industry. We try to stay away from companies that have lost their edge, even though their stock prices may have dropped.

For example, the U.S. auto sector is going through real difficulties right now. The airline sector is another area that is probably not appropriate for our clients.

Mathias: If each of you could select one industry as having favorable prospects for the next three to five years, what would it be?

Thormahlen: I would probably put a portion of my investments into the information/ technology field. Qualcomm is a growth play on China and Asia. They will introduce a new screen for cell phones that does not fade in direct sunlight and their CDMA technology is considered state of the art. Bio-tech companies like Amgen and Genentech are making huge strides bringing new therapies to market.

Fisher: There are also some great investments to be made in the healthcare, finance, and

Thormahlen: Looking towards 2011, I think that we all would anticipate this market will trade at the mean. Typically we see equity investments that are going to return eight to ten percent, and hopefully you’re in the right categories for growth and value that will garner this kind of return. On your other question, I believe four of the last five presidents had been governors previously. If that’s the case and the trend holds true, I think that a local individual, Mark Warner, would look interesting in the White House.

Folger: It’s very hard to provide any kind of credible five year forecast. I will say, however, that this year looks pretty good. We had fairly poor growth in the fourth quarter, but it looks like we’re going to have a much strong first quarter. Economists are looking at overall growth this year in the 3 to 4 percent range.

Another positive is that we’re looking at an end to the increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and, as interests rates start to level out or perhaps even start to go down, rates will provide less competition for stocks.

Over the next five years, given we don’t know what’s going to happen, I think the prudent thing to do for investors is to assume a relatively conservative equity return in the high single digits. On the presidential election, I’ll go with Mark Warner too.

Fisher: Mark War ner and Geroge Allen look strong for local reasons, but I like John McCain.

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I N S I D E

H O M E S

Second Term Around President Warren Harding’s former Kalorama residence restored with preservation and “high octane glamour” in mind Photographed Zaid Hamid

W

hen Brook Rose and Gregg Busch purchased their historic Georgian home in Kalorama in May 2004, plaster was mercilessly peeling from the ceiling and walls, and sections of the imposing crown molding that once seamlessly surrounded the formal spaces had disappeared. Despite the unfortunate disrepair, the home at 2314 Wyoming Avenue N.W. still exuded a stately importance its condition could not belie. Years of neglect could not overshadow the grand architecture, proportions and period detailing.

The 1916 home was first owned and occupied

by Warren G. Harding during his service in the U.S. Senate prior to being inaugurated president

in 1921. Of the three single family homes in Kalorama once occupied by a president, it is the only one that survives as a private residence.

As a residential real estate developer/designer in the district, Brook had very specific ideas when undertaking the renovation with Busch, a top local mortgage banker and his partner of five years. “Priority one was to retain the original character of the home,” Rose told WL. “In a historic remodeling, it is often easier and less expensive to ‘replace’ rather than to ‘repair’. I didn’t want to fall into that trap.This home was a historic treasure and I was willing to go the extra mile to preserve and restore original elements.”

When additional doors or casings were needed

Homeowners Greg Busch and Brook Rose

for the renovation, they were perfectly replicated by a wood and door craftsman; likewise, the missing segments of plaster molding were painstakingly duplicated by a local artisan.

One of the great benefits of this project, according to Rose, was that few changes had been made to the structure since its construction.

This was likely due to one person living there for over 76 years–prominent Washingtonian Dorothy Tirrell Clagett, a well-known diplomatic aide at the State Department following World War II and the granddaughter of a Massachusetts congressman. Mrs. Clagett spent almost all of her 90 years living and entertaining dignitaries regularly in the home she later shared with her husband, Page Bowie Claggett. Her turn of the century Steinway piano was restored by the new owners and sits in the living room—a reminder of the accomplished pianist and singer she

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reportedly was.

Upon entering the Rose-Busch home, the first thing to notice is the unique ante-room that leads to the foyer. It is from there that a trio of eightfoot double French doors open on to the foyer and living and dining rooms. “I always loved that architectural feature,” Busch said. “We believe it was incorporated to allow for air circulation throughout the entire first floor during the hot Washington summers. Opening all these doors really creates effective cross-ventilation.”

To maintain the architect’s original vision, the couple made a concerted effort to only change the floor plan when absolutely necessary. “We needed to allow for a master suite and larger bathrooms,” Rose said. “Let’s face it, lifestyles have changed since 1916 and we needed to update accordingly. Otherwise, we deferred to the architect’s plan which was so clever in a

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lot of ways.” One of the noteworthy elements that was saved are the extremely large landings on the second and third floors that highlight the grand staircase and produce an openness to the entire home.

When designing the interior and exterior details of the house, Rose opted for “historical reference mixed with high-octane glamour. I wanted it to feel like the President’s home it once was, but with a lot of style.” The kitchen and all six bathrooms feature intricate floor and wall tile patterns and custom marble work designed by Rose, who worked with Urban Archaeology and Waterworks to mimic original period details.

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Use of color was also important to the new owners. They didn’t want only neutrals and decided on a varied palette that included a cozy, yet dramatic chocolate in the dining room, a pale blue/green for the living room and subtle cream and grey wide painted stripes for the walls in the foyer and staircase.

In the Georgian style, they painted the baseboard in the common areas a “blueberry black” on the suggestion of their friend and renowned designer, Anthony P. Browne. “All in all, I think we achieved the timeless quality we were after,” Rose said of the finished product. “We’re really enjoying it–we only wish that these walls could talk!”

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R e

n e w s

7826 Swinks Mill Court sold for the list price of $3,850,000

THE DISTRICT • MARYLAND • VIRGINIA The District Nancy Lammerding Ruwe, former White House social secretary to President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford has sold her house at 2429 Kalorama Road, N.W. for $3.495 million in favor of living at the full-service luxury Colonnade condominiums at 2801 New Mexico Avenue, N.W. Located near Foxhall Square, The Colonnade boasts twenty-four-hour concierge service, valet parking, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a party room, a convenience store, a dry cleaners and a beauty salon. Widowed since 1990, Mrs. Ruwe was married to the Honorable Lester Nicholas Ruwe, a wealthy Grosse Pointe, Mich., sportsman who served as ambassador to the Republic of Iceland from 1985-1989.

He died of cancer at age 56. In preparation for her move, Mrs. Ruwe recently sold a gilt table service commissioned by the Ruwe family from the Morozov workshop in St. Petersburg, one of Russia’s finest silver and goldsmiths. The extraordinary service for twelve includes dinner plates, serving platters and bowls, champagne

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“When you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself.”

– Oprah Winfrey

B y M ary K . M ewb o rn

glasses, red and white wine goblets, demitasse cups and saucers, flatware and an impressive centerpiece bearing the Ruwe family crest. The items sold at Doyle’s for more than $900,000.

The grand Colonial-style residence at 2344 California Street, N.W. has sold for $4.5 million. The seven-bedroom home was built in 1922 and is situated on a 9,750 square- foot lot with a patio and walled garden.The distinguished

looking home with its perfectly proportioned public rooms had belonged to Tutt, Taylor and Rankin’s Michael Rankin and Mark A. Green.

Michael listed the property for $4.7 million and now resides in Robert McNamara’s old home at 2412 Tracy Place, N.W. for which he paid $3.5 million.

President Clinton’s deputy director of OMB, G. Edward De Seve has parted with 10 Kalorama Circle for $2.8 million. Deseve bought the beautifully renovated 1925 neoclassical Greek Revival-style brick home in 2003 for $2.1 million. At once stately and serene, its sunfilled rooms afford views of the National Cathedral through arched windows. The large living room has three sets of French doors leading to the private patio and side garden, and the breakfast room with its bay window overlooks the ground’s rear flowerbeds. Jim Bell with Washington Fine Properties listed the home which was purchased in trust.

Robert M. Rosenthal, CEO of Rosenthal Automotive and his wife Marion, patrons of

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This view from Watergate South came with a $2.7 million price tag.

2344 California Street, N.W. sold for $4.5 million

President Clinton’s deputy director of OMB, G. Edward De Seve has parted with 10 Kalorama Circle for $2.8 million. the National Gallery and the NSO, have sold their Watergate South residence at 700 New Hampshire Avenue, Unit #404/405. Long and Foster’s Nancy Itteilag listed their 3,749 squarefoot residence, for $2,700,000.The purchasers are Dennis Kass, chairman and CEO with Jennison Associates, LLC and Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and his wife Barclay who moved to the area from Rye, N.Y. Their new home features a marble foyer leading to a circular gallery, an oval dining room and a wrap-around balcony with views of the Kennedy Center, the Potomac River, Key Bridge, Roosevelt Island and the Georgetown waterfront.The master bedroom suite comes complete with luxuriously appointed “his” and “hers” dressing rooms and baths. A second bedroom has louvered walls with floor-toceiling plantation shutters and en suite bath.Their purchase also includes a third bedroom and four underground parking spaces that should come in handy when the couple’s two sons come to visit.

Carl J. “Rick” Rickertsen has reportedly received $3.12 million from the sale of his brick Federal-style Georgetown manse. Highlights include a private deck off the master bedroom, five additional bedrooms including an au pair/in-law suite, and library. Rickertsen is a former COO of Thayer Capital Partners and author of “Buyout, The Insider’s Guide to Buying Your Own Company.” He is presently a partner at the Georgetown based private equity firm Pine Creek Partners.

The Georgetown home of New York Times reporter Diana Jean Schemo and bio-security specialist Roger Breeze is on the market for

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$1,855,000. Known as the “Frey-Mockbee House,” the splendid P Street residence was built in 1876 and features exquisite architectural detail including Jeffersonian windows and a charming balcony with an intricately sculptured wrought iron rail. The three-bedroom East Village property also boasts an enchanting garden terrace and a solarium. Jeanne Livingston and Susan Stead Davis, both with Long and Foster, are the listing agents.

Maryland Pinehurst Investments Corp. has sold 8028 Herb Farm Drive in Bethesda to Edward Wallach an OB/GYN and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and his wife Courtenay. The Wallachs paid $1.62 million for their new Montgomery County home.

In Potomac, Dr. Tsal N. Wei, an anesthesiologist at Montgomery General hospital and his wife Ching, have sold their six-bedroom home at 9809 Hall Road to Dr. Giorgio Trinchieri and his wife Simonetta for $1.85 million.The Trinchieris moved to the U.S. from Dardilly, France, where Giorgio, a leading immunologist, was the director of the Schering-Plough Research Institute. Dr. Trinchieri is now with NIH at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Virginia In McLean, 7826 Swinks Mill Court sold for the list price of $3,850,000.This custom home was constructed in 2002 by Keswick Homes and designed by Lessard Architects and the owner,

commercial developer Robert Curtis of Farr, Curtis, Walton fame. The four-story home is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac and offers over 11,800 square-feet of living space. There are seven bedrooms, ten bathrooms, three separate outdoor decks/terraces and a five-car garage.

Special accoutrements include custom lighting schemes and marvelous millwork, mouldings, and inlaid hardwood flooring. The buyers are Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gaffney. Last October Mr. Graffney was appointed corporate vice president and president of ITT Industries Defense, located in McLean. In this position he is responsible for managing ITT’s $3 billion global defense operations. Nancy Itteilag, with Long and Foster’s Foxhall Office was the listing agent. The selling agent was Louise Spellman with Long and Foster’s Great Falls office.

John Fahey, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society and his wife Heidi have reportedly sold their five-bedroom, eight-bathroom Colonial in McLean’s Langley Forest neighborhood for $2.8 million. The house, which was originally listed for $3.2 million, has a swimming pool, hot tub and library.The Faheys now own 1513 30th Street, N.W., which they bought from Washington Fine Properties realtor Ted Gossett for $3,950,000. The home has been beautifully renovated with new baths and a remodeled kitchen and its back garden is adorned with a French limestone fountain.

Please Send Real Estate News Items to: Mary@washingtonlife.com

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Kentsdale Estates 10400 Willowbrooke Drive, Potomac, Maryland Country Colonial

Featuring six bedrooms and six and a half baths, this Colonial sits on two acres and boasts 10,000+ square feet of detailed finished living space. The two story marble foyer leads to a great room with high ceilings, a formal dining room, an office with custom built-ins and wet bar, five fireplaces and an eat-in kitchen with adjoining sun room. The master bedroom is located on the first floor with ensuite “his and her” bath areas and walk-in closets. The home’s rear exterior offers wrap around decks with full exposure of the richly landscaped grounds that provide total privacy.

A pool and pool house are located off the lower level allowing endless entertainment possibilities.

Asking: $2,349,000 Listing: Jan M. Evans ,(202) 274-2397, www.jevans@wcanmiller.com

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2424 18th Street NW Split Decision

Four sunny units ranging from 2,600 to 3,000 square feet with fourteen-foot ceilings and wide open spaces. Built from a warehouse-style building, each loft has its own private elevator entrance from the lobby. The residences offer quality architectural design and finished work including oversized windows and doors. Each unit includes limestone baths with oversized showers and separate whirlpool tubs with European fixtures. All kitchens are finished with top-of-the-line appliances and cabinets. Private roof top terraces offer breathtaking city views.

Asking: $1,800,000 to $2,400,000 Listing: Michael Rankin, (202) 271-3344 or Jonathan Taylor, (202) 276-3344 Tutt, Taylor & Rankin Sotheby’s International Realty.

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9204 Redwood Avenue, Bethesda, MD Secluded Elegance

Located in a private cul-de-sac on a one-acre lot in the heart of Burning Tree, this home features a grand marble foyer with a curved oak staircase. Arched twostory windows and 10-foot ceilings in both living and dining rooms flood this home with light. The raised paneled cherry wood library with cherry floor and custom built-ins add a formal element to this five bedroom, five and a half bath home. A recreation room with a built-in cherry wood bar and an exercise room and a spacious family room make this an ideal family home. French doors from the master bedroom, breakfast room and central foyer open on to flagstone decks that overlook the pool, spa and landscaped grounds.

3108 Woodland Drive, N.W.

Asking: $3,000,000 Listing: Jane Fairweather, (240) 223-4663 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Asking: $8,995,000 Listing: William F. X. Moody and Robert Hryniewicki, (202) 243-1620 Washington Fine Properties

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Gorgeous Georgian

This 1930 Georgian-style residence evokes an era in home building that combined beauty and craftsmanship. With scaled public rooms and classical detailing, the floor plan allows for both luxurious living and grand-scale entertaining.The main level offers a grand entry hall, living room, wood-paneled library, banquet-sized dining room and gourmet eatin kitchen with adjoining butler’s pantry. The second level boasts a master bedroom with large en suite bath and dressing room; a family room with custom built-ins and separate staircase to kitchen; two additional bedrooms; and two baths. The third level has three bedrooms, two baths and a large laundry closet. The landscaped grounds feature quaint terraces, a secluded pool garden and views of the National Cathedral.

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H i sto r i ca l L a n dsca p e s

A Golden Era The saga of the Walsh-McLean house is one the greatest rags-to-riches stories from Washington’s Gilded Age

By D o n n a E v e r s

T

Thomas and his wife Carrie built the grandest house they could imagine near Dupont Circle, then a mecca for the rich and powerful who came to town to lobby the government and make a social splash. Many years later, in her autobiography “Father Struck It Rich,” their daughter Evalyn Walsh McLean said the house expressed “the dreams my mother and father had when they were poor in Colorado.”

Costing $850,000, the Walsh house was the most expensive ever built in Washington at that time.

The four-story, 60-room Beaux Arts mansion, with a grand central staircase patterned after those seen in great ocean liners, had three floors of open promenades under a huge stained-glass skylight. It also featured one of the earliest in-home elevators to wisk guests up to the fourth floor theater and ballroom. To top it off, Thomas Walsh had a slab of gold imbedded in the arch over the main entrance of the house, to show where the money came from.

The Walshes became leaders of society. Their most famous parties included a ball honoring Miss Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, and a dinner for the King and Queen of Belgium.Their parties were always described with great relish in the newspapers.The Evening Star recounted a “gold theme” dinner party where the tables were set with rare yellow orchids and “service made from glittering gold nuggets.” Here’s an excerpt from the New York

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P h o t o C r e d i t : D e e d y Og d e n

homas Walsh emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1869 at the age of 19 with empty pockets and a drive to succeed. He went out west to seek his fortune, and he found it. He struck gold, of all places, in a silver mine in Colorado in the late 1880’s. At its peak, the mine was producing $5,000 worth of gold daily. In 1903, he sold it for $5 million, plus a percentage of its phenomenal annual output, and moved to Washington, D.C.

Clockwise: Evalyn Walsh McLean in fur, c. 1910. | The Walsh-McLean residence housed the Federal Writers Project during the New Deal, was used by the Red Cross during World War II, and became the Indonesian Embassy in 1951. The 60-room mansion was designed in the Beaux Arts style and completed in 1902. | The Walsh family, c. 1910 .

Times coverage of a Walsh New Year’s Ever party: “... the 325 guests downed 288 fifths of scotch, 480 quarts of champagne, 40 gallons of beer, 35 bottles of liqueurs and 48 quarts of assorted cocktails.”

The Walshes’ flamboyant, free-spirited daughter, Evalyn, married the wealthy Edward Beale McLean and the two of them managed to spend their combined fortunes of $100 million. Among their purchases was the famous 46-carat Hope Diamond, which they bought for $180,000.

Even though Evalyn didn’t believe in the gem’s legendary curse and wore it everywhere, the jewel seemed to cast a shadow over the lives of both the McLeans and the Walshes.

The litany of their tragedies seems never-ending.

The Walshes son died in an auto accident;Thomas Walsh was plagued with alcoholism and depression in his later life; Evalyn and her husband also lost their 9-year old son in a bizarre auto accident in front of their famous “Friendship” estate;

Edward McLean died of a heart attack in a mental institution; the family newspaper, the Washington Post went bankrupt; and Evalyns’ daughter died of an overdose of sleeping pills.

After Evalyn’s death, the Walsh-McLean house was sold to the Indonesian Embassy for $355,000—less than half of what it had cost to build fifty years earlier. When the embassy purchased the mansion, they looked through the house for stray gold nuggets, but found nothing.

As for the gold bar over the front door, it was speculated the McLeans had probably sold it during the Depression to pay bills.

Some people have claimed to see the restless spirit of Evalyn Walsh McLean still haunting the mansion, drifting up and down the massive staircase and through the many grand rooms of the fabulous house that was built by a man who was clever enough to look for gold in a silver mine.

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It’s time for Middleburg

to get jumping

By V i c k y M o o n

Vicky Moon

T

he splendid swath of Middleburg countryside will soon be green... tulips are popping up and the daffodils are dazzling. Those who traveled south for the horse shows and polo matches in Palm Beach and Wellington are returning. Alison Firestone was busy on the grand prix jumping circuit with her horse Secret Love. But alas, her love is no longer a secret. The daughter of Bert and Diana (Johnson & Johnson heiress) Firestone is set to wed horse show photographer Andrew Robitaille in a small private ceremony in Costa Rica in May.

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Jumping into the Spring of things

The steeplechase season is upon us… horses are in training, riders are getting fit and the ladies are pounding the pavement for new frocks for the races and gowns for the Hunt Ball. Where else could you find a swimming pool for horses?

“Swimming is an alternative to galloping on hard ground,” says 15-time Virginia point-topoint Trainer of the Year Don Yovanovich. “It freshens them up and gives the horses a mental diversion.” Don has 25 in training, including hurdle horse Molino Rosso for Merle Russell, daughter of the late Country Music Hall of

Fame signer Chet Atkins, and also serves as the director of racing for the Gold Cup races, a major stop on the circuit taking place the first Saturday in May. Twenty-five-year old Brad Johnson works as a freelance steeplechase rider for noted horsewoman Dot Smithwick at Sunny Bank Farm and sportsman Randy Rouse. In his spare time, Brad teaches yoga at Middleburg Fitness Center. “The added flexibility helps as an injury prophylactic in case of a fall or just through the wear and tear of excessive riding,” says the five-foot-five Brad, who stays racing fit at 132 pounds.

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Opposite page– The Middleburg Spring Races are set for Saturday April 22nd at Glenwood Park. This page– The Temple Gloathmay Cup comes with a prize of $75,000 and will be contested at the Middleburg Spring Races.

It’s likely spectators will see him ride at the 85th annual Middleburg Spring Races on Saturday, April 22. This year’s card includes: the $25,000 Paul R. Fout Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle Race, in honor of the late horseman who served the races as a director, chairman, president and general manager for the past 45 years. His son, Doug Fout, also a trainer, now steps in as president. The feature is the $75,000 Bank of America Temple Gwathmey Cup. Robin Keys keeps in shape at the fitness center and is constantly pursuing the perfect racing ensemble. Her husband, Gordie, raises cows and horses at Beaver Dam Farm. Robin says there are three elements to dressing for the races: “Hat, jacket and shoes. Once these are established, everything else falls into place.” She buys many of her elegant chapeaux at Tully Rector’s shop in Middleburg. “People love to see a lady in a beautiful hat. My mother Mary Kay Garwood and Rose Marie Bogley taught me this. Both wear a hat well.”

Cooking up a Vineyard

It seems like only yesterday…It was Super Bowl XXII week in San Diego, January 1988, and the Washington Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos, 42-10. Back in Washington, Suzanne Martin Cooke, briefly the third wife of late team owner Jack Kent Cooke, was holding her newborn baby girl all dressed up in Redskins regalia and posing for photos. Flash forward eighteen years…Jacqueline Kent Cooke, now blonde and beautiful, has come of age and is set to graduate from high school and head off to college this fall. Meanwhile, Jack Kent Cooke’s son, John Cooke, former team president of the Redskins, and his wife, Rita, have returned to the countryside.

They’re now living at Boxwood Farm, the 129-acre estate they purchased in November, 2001 from Washington-based auto

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mogul Bob Rosenthal and his wife Marion.

The Cookes are fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a vineyard, which Washington architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen has helped design using native fieldstone, seam metal roofs, and cupolas.

The Cookes have planted 14-acres with eight varieties of French grapes. Boxwood Winery only will produce red wine, blended in the French Bordeaux tradition. A limited quantity of the 2005 vintage will be available in 2007.

And the climate is ripe for buying

For anyone who’d like to be the Cookes’ new neighbors, Hickory Tree Farm, the 372-acre estate of the late Alice du Pont Mills right next door is on the market for $17.9 million. It includes the main house, Confederate Hall, seven barns, eight staff houses and a racehorse training track. Speaking of lovely estates, St. Bride’s Farm, designed in 1917 by Nathan C.Wyeth, who also worked on the “West Wing” and in the Oval Office at The White House, will be among the homes and gardens open for Historic Garden Week.This year’s chairman, Valerie Dove, who describes herself as “Little Miss Type A,” has every detail down to traffic patterns and the luncheon menu under control. All of this following recent major back surgery, she’s handled numerous minutiae long distance from the winter home at Candle Reef in St. Croix she shares with husband, Guy Dove.

Ah, but wait….all “bets” might be off if it rains for the races or the garden tour? “Have an awesome raincoat—mine is a bright orange Michael Kors—then you can wear whatever you want underneath,” says Robyn Yovanovich, who does the color commentary for the television broadcast at The Gold Cup. “The weather can always create a situation where you need a back-up plan,” Robin Keys adds. “I remember one year at the spring races, it rained off and on and this gal had on a beautiful pair of Chanel bi-color flats that were just trashed at the end of the day. So leave the best ones at home.”

| washingtonlife.com

JOCKEYING FOR ATTENTION Middleburg fashion designer Wendy Pepper, a finalist on the first season of Bravo’s “Project Runway” advises ladies attending the Hunt Ball to wear black:“Historically women had to tailor their gowns to avoid clashing with the evening scarlet coats worn by the men,” says Pepper, a single mom with a studio in the village.“I recommend soft fabrics for spring which include crepe de chine and chiffon with accents of lace and a silk flower detail to finish the look and celebrate the sophisticated, refined aspects of hunting.”

Historic Garden Week at St. Bride’s Farm

HUNT COUNTRY DATES � April 22- Middleburg Spring Race Meet, Glenwood Park. msra@crosslink.net, (540) 687-6546, www.middleburgspringraces.com � April 23 and 24- Historic Garden Week in the countryside. valthedoe@aol.com, (540) 687-8888, www.visitfauquier.com. � April 28- Middleburg Hunt Ball to celebrate the Hunt’s 100th anniversary; at the Middleburg Community CenterInvitation Only. � April 30- Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point, Glenwood Park. (540) 687-5446 or (540) 687-6069, www.middleburghunt.com. � May 6- Virginia Gold Cup. inga@vagoldcup.com , (800) 69-RACES, (540) 347-1215, www.vagoldcup.com

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LA and DC spring from the same DNA… I’ve seen both at their best and worst

By M i c h a e l S t r a n g e

I

’m a California transplant. Here 6 years. Blew in with the Bushies after my husband said part of the “I do” deal was me pulling up stakes in Santa Monica to “try” the nation’s capital. But, darlings, it’s not all hardship. I may have given up Agent Provocateur as outerwear, but recently at the Cafritzes (Buffy not Conrad) I sat next to CIA Director Porter Goss, who confided to me what his agents find provocative in Fallujah. Soon after, more stimulation came from all those moody writers at the Cafritzes (Conrad not Buffy) for the PEN/Faulkner 25th.

And do I need to mention the anticipation surrounding my favorite recently retired spy’s little “coming out” dinner later this month?

Trust me, these folks aren’t on the guest list at Paula Abdul’s. I’ll take international spies over Melrose Avenue agents any day.

My husband, a senior partner at O’Brien, O’Stein and Strange, has been my guide to the Byzantine, though fundamental, rites of the most important city on earth. “While it’s the capital of the free world,” he tutored, “it’s also the capital of stealth social climbing.” Supposedly in record speed we got the Green Book listing, me onto the right women’s committees (the Corcoran Ball was a score), expensively fast-tracked at the Chevy Chase Club (a first); he’s in at the Metropolitan Club and me at the Sulgrave; they love us at the Folger and the Kennedy Center; we are adored at local art galleries (the new ones for the Damien Hirst in the den, the old ones for the Bierstadt over the sofa). Next year I’ll let Frida Burling use our Georgetown Federal for the House Tour, and maybe I’ll give Sally Quinn a challenge with my own New Year’s party. I’ve got Robert Higdon, Bitsey Folger and Kevin Chaffee on speed dial, but will drop anything for lunch with Katharine Weymouth because she’s cool and my age. I’ve acquired Cave Dweller

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If I miss anything in L.A., other than warmth, it’s the tension of sex and romance. Here, men too often treat romance as an option, not essential; nothing to do with sex, they have their first-tier affairs with other men! In fact, it’s the gayest population of straight men I know, and the straightest community of gay men. Perhaps that’s why my married girlfriends are having passionate affairs with the old school flair that was once the exclusive sport of husbands.These welloff women take their boy toys to dark, intimate places, like Montmartre on the Hill, upstairs at Bistro Le Pic, or Indebleu. There are plenty of straight, young, unencumbered men available, too—trainers, artists, bartenders—and while they dress up nicely, they’re happy with dinner and a beer. Mistresses were never so affordable. Me? I’ve been good. However, for a little taste of Vernon Jordan or Patrick Fitzgerald, I might throw it all over.

Do I miss L.A.? Nah. I had a fix over Oscar weekend at Graydon Carter’s slimmed down Vanity Fair soiree (too slimmed down, if you ask me. What good is that party without the B-list riffraff?) I do miss the beach. I do miss the beach, honest botox, a haul of strappy sandals, parties that are about nothing and earnest debates about how Janet Jackson changed her industry rather than how Jack Abramoff changed his. Or didn’t.

But still, if we’re comparing ponies to ponies, or ICM to the CIA, I’d have to say I’m enjoying the ride better on Dumbarton Avenue … and I’m saving bundles on sun screen and lingerie.

“I may have given up Agent Provocateur as outerwear, but recently at the Cafritzes (Buffy not Conrad) I sat next to CIA Director Porter Goss, who confided to me what his agents find provocative in Fallujah.” cred, but I still have a pulse. My name is on the list at Smith Point, and know my way up and down Columbia Road after midnight. I’d tell you which Supreme Court justice cozied up at the Rusty Powells’ lively Mardi Gras party, but then my secret social spy gig would be kaput.

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