Winter warm up >>T r a v e l a t S e a , W o m e n i n P o l i t i c s & Va l e n t i n e ’ s D ay f a s h i o n
&
pa rt i pa es! rt Pa ie rt s! ie s!
exclusive: tommy mcfly & chrys kefalas on their engagement, morning radio and the campaign trail Books: Jay Newton-Small’s ‘Broad Influence’ | Inside Homes: The Ultimate Bachelor Pad My Washington: Redskins Quarterback Kirk Cousins
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FEBRUARY 2016 EDITOR'S LETTER
BOOK TALK Jay Newton-Small's "Broad Influence" ....................
FEATURES
TREND REPORT Metallic Moment ..................
Q&A WITH TOMMY MCFLY TRAVEL Windstar Cruise ................................. AND CHRYS KEFALAS ..............................
FYIDC
WASHINGTON SOCIAL DIARY AROUND TOWN
INSIDER'S GUIDE ..................................... INNOVATORS AND DISRUPTERS
When a Handbag Becomes Legend ............................
Danny Boice's Trustify .........................................
OVER THE MOON
PERFORMING ARTS The Black Lillies...............
Hounds, Houses and Wine ......................................
Washington Winter Show .....................................
Tuxedo Ball ........................................................
POLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC Kennedy Center Honors.........................................
Lombardi Gala ................................................... Lab School of Washington Gala ............................... Washington Ballet's Nutcracker Tea Party ....................
Choral Arts Holiday Concert and Gala ......................
EMBASSY ROW
SOME Gala .....................................................
Coming to America..............................................
Melanne Verveer Book Party ...................................
National Portrait Gallery Inaugural Gala ................
Smithsonian Inaugural Food Gala ............................
Save a Child's Heart Gala......................................
Saks Jandel's Holiday Brunch and Fashion Show ..........
Uncorked!...........................................................
Harvard Business School Dinner...............................
Joe Klein Book Party .............................................
Chefs for Equality.................................................
ICON 2015 Dinner ............................................
Parties, Parties, Parties! ..........................................
Lizt Alfonso Dance Company Performance .................
HOME LIFE
America Abroad Media Awards Dinner ......................
LIFESTYLES
INSIDE HOMES Pete Kalamoutsos .................
REAL ESTATE NEWS Fresh Beginnings............... OPEN HOUSE Convenient Comforts ...................
FASHION EDITORIAL Love is in the Air ..........
MY WASHINGTON Kirk Cousins .......................
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ON THE COVER Isabela Fernandez with T H E Artist Agency for the "Love is in the Air" fashion shoot (Photo by Tony Powell, see inside for full creew and shopping credits) TOP FROM LEFT Kirk Cousins (Photo courtesy Washington Redskins);"Love is in the Air" fashion editorial (Photo by Tony Powell, see inside for full crew nand shopping credits); Usher at the Kennedy Center Honors (Photo by Tony Powell). ABOVE: GUCCI metallic leather mule sandal ($595), www.gucci.com; Cynthia Anderson and Faith Thomas at the Tuxedo Ball (Photo by Tony Powell).
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WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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T H E I N S I D E R’S G U I D E TO P OW E R , P H I L A N T H R O PY, A N D SO C I E T Y S I N C E 1 9 9 1
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Nancy Reynolds Bagley EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Virginia Coyne SENIOR EDITOR
Kevin Chaffee MANAGING EDITOR
Laura Wainman ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Erica Moody COLUMNISTS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Janet Donovan, Roland Flamini, Patrick McCoy,Vicky Moon, Stacey Grazier Pfarr and Donna Shor ART DIRECTOR
Matt Rippetoe PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Tony Powell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ben Droz, Alfredo Flores,Vithaya Phongsavan, Kyle Samperton and Jay Snap
PUBLISHER & CEO
Soroush Richard Shehabi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
John H. Arundel ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Jeryl Parade ADVERTISING ASSISTANT
Rita Khawand BOOKKEEPER
Trina Hodges WEB TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT
Eddie Saleh,Triposs Mihail Iliev LEGAL
Mason Hammond Drake, Greenberg Traurig LLP INTERNS
Aubrey Almanza and Claire Handscombe FOUNDER
Vicki Bagley CREATIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS (*)
J.C. Suarès CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE BOARD
Gerry Byrne Washington Life magazine publishes ten times a year. Issues are distributed in February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, 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 $79.95 (one year) to: Washington Life Magazine, 2301 Tracy Place NW, Washington D.C., 20008. BPA audited. Email us at info@washingtonlife.com with press releases, tips, and editorial comments. Copyright ©2011 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. *deceased
EDITOR’S LETTER
WINTER WARM-UP
W
e are sending this issue to their lairs with pool tables, dark walls print as Washingtonians are and animal skin rugs. But when it digging themselves out of the came time for nightclub owner Pete Blizzard of 2016, a crippling storm Kalamoutsos to decorate his Adams that closed schools, rails, airports and Morgan penthouse loft, he went for a federal and local governments for clean, calmand modern palette. Thanks several days. If you are like us, you to a few housewarming gifts from are yearning for a little sunshine right DJ Tiëstoand help from mom when about now(and for your kids to be out choosing a backsplash tile for his open of the house!). We can’t send everyone kitchen plan, Kalamoutsos managed to on flights to the Caribbean, but we curate one of the city’s coolest bachelor can certainly aid and abet in some pads. daydreaming about making an escape. After a break from holiday season If luxury travel is your thing, hustle and bustle, we are back and ready how about plannning a cruise from to bring you the best in event coverage, Lisbon to Dublin on Windstar Cruises’ from swanky fashion shows at flagship vessel? Senior Editor Kevin Saks Jandel to the Kennedy Chaffee went aboard and did all the Center Honors, the Washington (difficult!) research for you. All you Winter Show, the Tuxedo Ball, the have to do is make the arrangements. National Portrait Gallery’s inaugural Or take a culinary trip to Cuba with restaurant Cuba gala and the Washington Ballet’s Libre, explore Washington with the St. Regis Hotels & Nutcracker tea party. Leave room Resorts’ scavenger hunt, and run for a cause with Cupid’s on your calendar this month for Assoc. Editor Erica Moody’s dachshund, Undie Run in this month’s FYIDC. the Alvin Ailey American Dance Rocky, sure looked cute in the snow! Would you rather curl up with a good book? This year Theater opening night, the St. Jude’s marks the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected Gourmet Gala, SOME Junior Gala to Congress and, with two female presidential candidates, 2016 is and Heroes Curing Childhood Cancer. shaping up to be quite a year. In her new book, “Broad Influence,” Stay tuned next month for our annual and much anticipated TIME magazine’s Jay Newton-Small explores how women are able Young & the Guest List featuring an incredible group of 40-andto affect change in the workplace once they reach critical mass. under movers and shakers we’re thrilled to showcase. Do you prefer to tune out by listening to the radio or watching political coverage on CNN? We’ve got you covered on both fronts with our exclusive interview with morning radio host Tommy McFly and fiance and Maryland Republican Senate candidate Chrys Kefalas. The duo sat down with us to share how they make their relationship work — and, incidentally, just what Kefalas thinks about Donald Trump! Nancy R. Bagley Already thinking about next year’s football season? Don’t Editor in Chief miss our interview with Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her Cousins, who shares his feelings about how this past season ended at nbagley@washingtonlife.com and what he’s looking forward to in the fall. If you are looking for Valentine’s Day wardrobe tips — a sweetie or a singles’ celebration notwithstanding — flip to our fashion spread, shot at the Ritz-Carlton, for a dose of sophisticated sexy. Most single gents, when left to their own devices, accessorize
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FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington
CUBA LIBRE TRIP
CULINARY CUBA
CUPID’S UNDIE RUN
PAJAMA PARTY
When Bobby Gill started the Cupid’s Undie Run in 2010 as a fun way to bring young people together to raise funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, he had no clue the idea would explode. The pantless winter run raised more than $3.5 million in 2015 and is continuing to expand, with events in 39 U.S. cities and Australia. Get in on the action — and in your tighty whities — for a good cause on Valentine’s Day weekend with 25,000 other runners by starting a team, joining one, or daring to run solo. Bonus: The one-mile charity run always ends with a memorable after-party celebration, this year’s at Asia DC and Eden Nightclub. Feb. 13, 12 p.m. Register to run or donate at www.cupidsundierun.com and follow the hashtag #IMWITHCUPID.
You’ve always wanted to explore Cuba, and now’s your chance! Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is offering a oneof-a-kind foodie adventure in Havana for an intimate group of 20 guests led by chef-partner Guillermo Pernot “to experience cultural and culinary treasures on the island.� The tour is open to the public and costs $3,899 per person for double occupancy accommodations or $4,199 for single occupancy. This includes roundtrip airfare via American Airlines from Miami; five-star accommodations in Havana; gratuities to service staff; all meals; each dayšs guided activities; U.S. Treasury Department License and Letter of Authorization from Cultural Contrast; medical insurance; an English-speaking Cuban tour guide; entrance fees for scheduled activities; and Cuban ground transportation, transfers and taxi fares to restaurants, paladares and other scheduled destinations. March 9-14. Email info@cubalibrerestaurant.com or visit culturalcontrast.org for more information.
ST. REGIS SCAVENGER HUNT
FAMILY FUN Guests at the St. Regis can now get the most out of their visit to Washington with a scavenger hunt designed by the hotel’s concierge team. As part of the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts’ Family Traditions program, the experience is fun and educational for all ages—rhymes, clues, prizes and bonus challenges take you to the city’s notable monuments, museums and addresses. Destinations include the Lincoln Memorial, the Hope Diamond, Julia Child’s kitchen and President Obama favorite Ben’s Chili Bowl. The scavenger hunt is available year-round and complimentary for guests. In advance of a guest’s stay, the experience can be arranged by contacting The St. Regis Washington, D.C., at (202) 638-2626, stregiswashingtondc.com.
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GRAHAM NASH IN CONCERT
ICONIC ROCKER
The original member of Crosby, Stills & Nash is bringing his folk rock sound to Wolf Trap for two performances. The tour promises tunes from Nash’s illustrious career, plus works from his upcoming album, “This Path Tonight.� Make no mistake, the Grammy Award winner can still bring down the house (or the barn). The Barns at Wolf Trap, Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, 8 p.m., $80-90, wolftrap.org/tickets.
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P H OTO C R E D I T: C U P I D ’S U N D I E R U N .CO M , P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F C U B A L I B R E , P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F ST. R E G I S H OT E L S & R E S O RT S , P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F WO L F T R A P
BY ERICA MOODY
FYIDC | INNOVATORS AND DISRUPTORS
PRIVATE EYES IN THE INTERNET AGE
Danny Boice’s Trustify revolutionizes and demystifies the private detective industry.
T
he Ashley Madison scandal was undoubtedly one of the most buzz-worthy stories of 2015. Over the summer, hackers exposed more than 37 million email addresses of potential users of the infidelity dating site. Only five months old at the time, the District-based on-demand private investigation firm Trustify (www.trustify.com) instantly became part of the story when it created an online tool for people to search whether their email address (or that of their significant other) was associated with the leak. The tool went viral with hundreds of people per second allegedly using it. It also garnered criticism that the company was taking advantage of the situation. Despite the backlash, Trustify, led by founder and serial entrepreneur Danny Boice, has thrived as a first of its kind service – an UBER of private investigators – helping find missing persons, do background checks, reunite old friends and track down birth parents. In the middle of upgrading to a larger workspace, Boice welcomed us into his office to discuss a worldwind year.
BY VIRGINIA COYNE
EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE THIS GOOD? I expected it to be this good but not this fast. Even going back to March when we f irst opened for business, we’ve had customers and revenue. We’ve grown 200 percent at least, month after month since then, so our growth curve already looks like the kind of hockey stick that people always dream about it. DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE TRUE EVEN WITHOUT THE ASHLEY MADISON AFFAIR? It was already looking [good] from the start. Ashley Madison obviously amplif ied ... attention on us and brought us into the national spotlight, which was good timing. I deliberately only launched in D.C. because I wanted to prove the model and get our ducks in a row. Then Ashley Madison happened and all of a sudden we were getting national press coverage. I feel that it kind of nudged us along. It’s good pressure. “I started this company to do good,” says Trustify founder Danny Boice. Wife Jen Mellon (left) is now a company VP who has helped form nonprofit partnerships with the likes of the National Council for Adoption and domestic violence awareness group Becky’s Fund.
IN 2015 YOU GOT MARRIED (TO TRUSTIFY VICE PRESIDENT JENNIFER MELLON); MERGED FAMILIES (YOU EACH HAD TWO CHILDREN); ADDED A NEW BABY TO THE MIX; FINALIZED THE SALE OF YOUR PREVIOUS COMPANY, SPEEK; STARTED TRUSTIFY; AND MADE NEWS BECAUSE OF THE ASHLEY MADISON SCANDAL. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? It’s the first time I’ve ever had non-positive press. I want to get my take on it out: At Trustify, we don’t take an ethical or moral position on the things that we investigate. We can’t. When you’re a private investigator, you can’t really choose sides and be biased. We’re experts at finding the truth and it’s the unfiltered objective truth. Ashley Madison ... was a website made for cheating, which is one of the most common customer types we have. YOU’VE GOTTEN SO MUCH BUSINESS THAT YOU’VE OUTGROWN YOUR ORIGINAL WORKSPACE AND MOVED INTO A BIGGER SPACE IN GEORGETOWN. DID YOU
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HOW DOES YOUR PRICING STRUCTURE COMPARE TO THAT OF PRIVATE DETECTIVES? We charge consumers $67 an hour with no retainer. You can pay for one hour, you can pay for 10, whatever you want, almost like a prepaid cell phone. We pay the PI $30. The average PI in the industry currently gets paid $21.99 and a lot of them have to work with detective agencies that take a large cut, so detective agencies are really our competition. They charge consumers large retainers too, $100 an hour or more.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR GROWTH? To make Trustify a household name and a brand that people can trust and rely on to cut through the BS and white noise that exists out there when you are really in your time of need and want answers. There are a lot of companies trying to take advantage of folks in that situation and we want to be the one that’s really good at not passing judgement and objectively finding the truth. There’s clearly a huge demand for that these days.
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Under the Gracious Patronage of The Ambassador of the Dominican Republic José Tomás Pérez and Mrs. Caridad de Pérez The Ambassador of the Organization of American States Pedro Verges The Gala Chairs
The Honorable John Delaney and Mrs April Delaney The Executive Chair Mrs. Annie Totah
Please Join us for the 10th Anniversary Gala of
Innocents at Risk Celebrating a decade of progress in the fight against child trafficking
April 19, 2016 The Organization of American States 200 17th Street N.W., Washington, DC 7 o’clock Cocktails 8 o’clock Dinner Our Gala will celebrate the progress we’ve made in the fight against child trafficking in the past ten years, with the help of Leaders in Congress, Government and the Embassies. Success of the Gala, with your support and sponsorship, will enable us to launch our Kids Stay Safe Campaign, which will spread awareness about child trafficking through schools across the United States. For more information on seats and table sponsorships, please call (202) 625-4338
www.innocentsatrisk.org
FYIDC | PERFECT PITCH
IN BLOOM BY STEVE HOUK
I
f there was ever a band blossoming into full bloom, it’s Knoxville’s own country/bluegrass/rock hybrid,The Black Lilies, who will be at The Hamilton on Feb. 26. Frontman and band founder Cruz Contreras and vocalist Trisha Gene Brady tells us what makes this uber-talented band tick. WASHINGTON LIFE: You guys play around 200 shows a year. Is the wear and tear under heavy pressure to succeed all worth it? CRUZ CONTRERAS It’s challenging enough traveling around and doing this, so [you may] wonder is it worth it? To me, making the human connection, and moving people make it so. But I’m the oldest member, and you know, we’re still traveling around in a van. If I want to keep it going, that’s going to have to change. TRISHA GENE BRADY Literally, we’re at our limit on how many people we can fit in the van [laughs]. But, we are working our butts off more than ever. Lately we’ve been pretty relentless, but I like doing that. You’ve got to strike when the iron’s hot. WL: Most of your bandmates are Tennessee natives. How did growing up there turn you on to music? CC I don’t think I’d be playing music today had I not moved to Tennessee as a little kid. Everybody makes music there. By the time I was 15 years old, I’d met a lot of the legends in country music, thanks to my brother who was a prodigy fiddle player. It was a great place to grow up. TGB I was born and raised in Knoxville and all my mom’s people sang; that was just something they did. I think that’s just a mountainfolk thing. It’s what you’re surrounded with. WL: It seems Knoxville is a Mecca for great musicians and you guys pull very productively from that. CC We had four lineups in about a two-
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The Black Lilies (Photo by Joseph Llanes)
month period. The recording band, the touring band and so on. In the end, it came down to us finding all Knoxville-based people we knew. It’s pretty rewarding to remain a Knoxville band. TGB If you play music in Knoxville, you pretty much know each other; we’re kind of family. It’s very special and different, not like the oversaturated, cutthroat scene you get in other places. We have this really amazing pool of musicians we can pull from. I think there’s something to it, something about finding people that are common folk, and we are all those kind of people. WL: What’s the most important thing that drives The Black Lilies and the consistent success you’ve had? CC To me, the most important ingredients are the songs, the songwriting. So, I approach it generally from a singer/songwriter perspective. It’s the most elusive part too; every day you’re like, “Can I do that again? Is there another song?” But I’ve always been
drawn to songs that have an emotional impact. And for me, the way to perfect that is to write lyrics that reach out to people. TGB Cruz is prophetic. He’s gifted with songs. And if I don’t believe in it, I’m not going to get up there and be able to sing it. You want to make a connection with somebody, and if you’re not all in on it, they’re going to know. I would not be doing what I’m doing if I didn’t believe in all of what we’re doing. WL: Things have been going great for this band since you started. Pretty much all peaks, no dips. CC I have no interest in a dip. I’m a lifelong musician, and to me it’s always like, if it’s not going up, I’ll do something else. But I’m pretty happy. TGB I feel like we’re on the precipice of something; I don’t even know what it could be. The Black Lilies will perform Friday February 26 at 8:30 p.m. at The Hamilton.
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POLLYWOOD The Nexus of Politicsďš? Hollywoodďš? Media and Diplomacy | Embassy Row, American Portrait Gallery Gala and more!
Laurence Fishburne and Gina Torres at the Kennedy Center Honors (Photo by Tony Powell)
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POLLYWOOD
HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS A new era at the Kennedy Center B Y J A N E T D O N O VA N
I
t’s so much fun. Like a wedding.You know who is being celebrated and there is no anxiety,” host of the 38th Kennedy Center Honors Stephen Colbert told us at the dinner that followed this year’s performance. “It’s my favorite awards ceremony in the United States.” “I’m walking on air,” actress and singer Rita Moreno said on how she felt after receiving a coveted Kennedy Center Honor for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Moreno is best known for her performance as Anita in “West Side Story” that earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. This year’s other honorees were singersongwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, conductor Seiji Ozawa and actress Cicely Tyson. Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein described the event this way: “Quite simply, our honorees represent the voices, soundtracks, and stories of our personal lives and memories.” We asked him how he thought the evening went: “I think everybody felt it was a very creative show,” he said. “I think the President and the first lady had a good time and when they have a good time usually everybody else has a good time. The energy was great and It’s hard to top Aretha Franklin singing “Natural Woman.”” President Obama agreed on “Natural Woman” when he presented King with her award at a reception earlier at the White House and deadpanned: “In the world of American music, Carole is royalty. By the time she was 30, she’d teamed up with Gerry Goffin to write hits like … “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” – I think I just became the first President ever to say that, although Aretha said it better.” Tyson is famous for a remark she once made about her life as a secretary when she stood up one day and announced to everyone in the room, “[I am] sure that God did not
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Secretary of State John Kerry, Rita Moreno, George Lucas, Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, Seiji Ozawa, Cicely Tyson, Carole King, Teresa Heinz Kerry and Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter.
Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis
Kerry Washington
put me on the face of this Earth to bang on a typewriter for the rest of my life!” She places a lot of faith in religion, God and spirituality. “That’s always been my foundation,” she said. “All the years during my career I made a very conscious choice that I wanted to press the issues that I felt disturbing with regard to race. I made the right choice and it paid off in this.”
Conductor Ozawa relayed an amusing anecdote regarding a previous experience.” Do you know pianist Rudolph Serkin?” he asked us. “When he got the honor, I was a surprise musician. I was sitting backstage and next to me was Audrey Hepburn.We talked and talked and then suddenly the master of ceremony got up and instead of saying Audrey Hepburn, he announced Katherine Hepburn by mistake.
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Catherine and Wayne Reynolds
Madeline Colbert and Stephen Colbert
Tyler Perry
Mellody Hobson and George Lucas
She cringed a bit but then stood up and the show went on.” Mellody Hobson, George Lucas’s wife, did her own tribute to her husband. We asked her about this possibly new trend. “It’s the first time they ever did it. They asked me and I said yes,” she explained. “The evening was just very well done,” she added, “very emotional. I thought the choir singing to Cicely was really, moving. Her reaction to it was very, very moving.” Here’s what other guests had to say:
BILL COHEN: “It was a terrific production, very innovative, imaginative and I thought they had a great spirit tonight at a time we need great spirit and I thought it was really classy for David Rubinstein to say what he did about how we’re all standing here on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before us, referring to [Kennedy Center Honors founder and former producer] George Stevens Jr.” JANET COHEN: “I am so glad I decided to come again because the earth moved under my feet. We know Carole King. She went with us on tour when Bill was secretary of defense to entertain the troops and they loved her.” PAUL PELOSI: “It was fantastic. People almost take it for granted how cool something like this is where you see the talent on stage that close.” GROVER NORQUIST: “It was better than an obituary for each one of them. I read obituaries because they are the best
Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy
biographies being written these days.”
Paul Pelosi and Leader Nancy Pelosi
Miranda Lambert
DONNA BRAZILE: “It was dynamic. Cicely Tyson, Rita Moreno. Just seeing the two of them together tonight represented a milestone in our long journey toward inclusion and diversity. I’m so awed.” JOHN DICKERSON: I thought it was really brisk. Each of the individual stories was inspiring in their own right.The narratives were so well told and it was sort of a story of achievement and that’s really cool.” LYNDA CARTER: “It was brilliant. I loved the sets with the ribbons and the colors of the Kennedy Center Honors. We are on the light side, not the dark side.We are the Jedis of light.” NORAH ODONNELL: “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after the Cicely Tyson tribute. And think about it:three of the nominees were women this year.” The special aired on CBS on December 29. The Eagles, who deferred participation this year due to the illness (and subsequent death) of guitarist and founder Glenn Frey will receive their award in 2016.
Miranda Lampert
Lynda Carter WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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POLLYWOOD | EMBASSY ROW
Coming to America Changes to the Visa Waiver Program, a record turnover for heads of mission plus Rita Moreno sings for her supper. BY ROLAND FLAMINI
WAVING GOODBYE TO THE VISA WAIVER?
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Pilar Lozano and Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzon at the opera’s opening night gala.
E.U. ambassadors.They warned U.S. lawmakers that the so-called amendments to the original bill amounted to “indiscriminate action against the 13 million European citizens who travel to the U.S. each year” and “could trigger legallymandated reciprocal measures.”The suggestion is that if the amendments could be amended then the perceived damage could be repaired. But what if they are not? Left hanging is more than a hint of E.U. retaliation. RECORD TURNOVER In 2015, 45 new fore-
heads of mission presented their diplomatic credentials – the highest number in memory for any one year (it was 35 in 2014 and 28 in 2013). The first was Iceland’s Geir H. Haarde in early January. A former prime minister, he has the distinction of being his country’s ambassador to six other countries including Brazil and Argentina – another record of sorts. Last in was the historic appointment of Jose Ramon Cabanas Rodriguez as Cuba’s envoy in September following the historic resumption of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic rela-
Rita Moreno and Spanish Amb. Ramón Gil-CasaresPowell)
tions. Among other newcomers: Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzon and his wife Pilar Lozano who quickly made their glorious Dupont Circle residence a center of causeoriented social activity ranging from Colombian coffee tastings to a black-tie dinner and the opera “Tosca” performed in their living room (as reported earlier in this column). As Pinzon recalled, they were off to a very early start. In his first week in Washington he was buttonholed and asked to host a dinner performance by Opera Camerata. “I said yes,” he reported recently. “Some time later I learned what I had agreed to.” I WANNA GET A MEDAL When the incomparable Rita Moreno was in Washington as one of the recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors she was wined and dined at a Spanish Embassy dinner where she literally sang for her supper – but not “I Wanna Live in America” her hit song in “West Side Story” that still captures the dreams of wouldbe immigrants everywhere.
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P H OTO C R E D I T S : L E F T: TO N Y P OW E L L . R I G H T: CO U RT E SY O F T H E E M B A S SY O F S PA I N
As 2015 neared its close, the 28 European Union ambassadors vigorously lobbied U.S. lawmakers and the Obama administration in an attempt to fend off tough curbs of the Visa Waiver Program arising from heightened security concerns. The controversy raised the prospect of a European backlash that could make foreign travel harder for Americans. Every year the VWP allows some 20 million visitors from 38 friendly countries – mostly European and Asian – to travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate, bringing in millions of tourist dollars. But in the wake of the November 13 Paris terrorist attacks and the San Bernardino shootings, the VWP, which has always had its critics, has come under scrutiny as what Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D.-Calif.) called the “soft underbelly” of homeland security; most of the terrorists in the Paris attacks were European passport holders who would presumably have had easy entry to the United States. In early December, fast track legislation passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and Congress amended the VWP to make all dual nationals of Iraqi or Syrian origin ineligible as well as recent travelers of any nationality to both Iraq and Syria. Under the new amendment all VWP applicants must now have a biometric, “fraud resistant” passport, which is not yet fully available across the European Union. There are also stepped up U.S. demands on sharing counter-terrorism information, plus Congress is considering deploying American officials at key European airports to pre-screen passengers before they board their U.S.-bound flight — which the Europeans say isn’t much different from having to apply for a visa. Following the vote, the E.U. ambassadors went public with the unprecedented step of publishing an op-ed article in The Hill newspaper written by European Union Amb. David O’Sullivan and signed at the end by all of the
Aretha Franklin performs TC National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet, honoree Carolina Herrera
THE AMERICAN PORTRAIT GALA Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
“LIVING NATIONAL TREASURES”: Cabinet secretaries, senators and Supreme Court justices mixed it up with film, fashion, music and sports stars at the National Portrait Gallery’s American Portrait Gala, a brand-new mega-event that is sure to compete with the Kennedy Center Honors for big benefactor dollars in the years ahead. The event honoring “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, baseball legend Hank Aaron, couturier Carolina Herrera, artist Maya Lin and Corporal Kyle Carpenter (the Medal of Honor’s youngest recipient), started with cocktails and dinner in the dazzlingly transformed Kogod Courtyard (long gold-covered tables, billowing white draperies, masses of scarlet roses) and ended with a surprise concert from Franklin, who sang “Amazing Grace” at the piano before belting out “Chain of Fools,” “Respect” and other platinum hits to a crowd that was soon dancing in the aisles.
Founding Gala Chairmen Catherine and Wayne Reynolds
Actor and Director Lee Daniels
Rep. John Lewis and Gala Co-Chair Steve Hamp admire a portrait of Hank Aaron
Honoree Hank Aaron and Billie Aaron
Bonnie McElveen Hunter, Barbara Harrison and Tweed McElveen Bogache
General Dynamics Chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic with honoree Corporal Kyle Carpenter WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Marcelle Leahy and Sen. Patrick Leahy
Honoree Maya Lin
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Andrea Roane and Michael Skehan Annette and Ted Lerner Peter and Ineke Kreeger
Barbara Goldberg Goldman, Annie Totah and Pennie Abramson Lita and Mark Keshishian
SAVE A CHILD’S HEART GALA Howard Theatre | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL MENDING HEARTS: Philanthropist Annie Totah received the National Woman of Valor Award and diplomat Thomas Pickering took home the International Leadership Award for their contributions to Save a Child’s Heart at the organization’s firstever Washington gala. The Israeli-based humanitarian group provides life-saving cardiac surgery for children in developing countries. Chaired by Barbara Goldman Goldberg and Pennie Abrahamson, the event raised $225,000. Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell charmed the 200-plus crowd at the historic theater.
Rep. Elijah Cummings
Faith Bobrow VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Mitch and Cindy Stark, Bud Hawk and Corey Hawk Sheryl Chapman
UNCORKED! National Museum of Women in the Arts PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Scott Greenberg
Julie Raffensperger, Rip Wilson and Sven Andreasson
Jackie Wynn
WINE FOR KIDS: Exciting new small-production wines were represented alongside well-known, 90+ point selections from the U.S. and other countries at Washington’s premier annual wine tasting event benefiting The Neediest Kids, a program of the National Center for Children and Families that provides emergency funds to students in need. Mistress of Ceremonies Julie Donaldson presided over the main event tasting, while WTOP’s “Vine Guy” Sco Greenberg provided a more exclusive opportuity at the VIP reception. Guests mingled with the area’s top children’s advocates while enjoying music, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of quality vintages. Generous sponsors included Julie and Paul Raffensperger; Susan and Robert Schaefer; Susan Nordeen; Julie and Chad Sweet and Sco and Patrice Brickman.
Moon and John Song VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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| F E B R U A R Y | washingtonlife.com
Willee Lewis
Ryan Evans and Rep. Seth Moulton
Franco Nuschese and Joe Klein
BOOK PARTY FOR JOE KLEIN’S ‘CHARLIE MIKE’
Steve Clemons
Franco Nuschese’s Residence | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL A LITERARY MISSION: Author Joe Klein first made it big with his Clintonera roman à clef “Primary Colors” and he might have another bestseller on his hands. His latest book, “Charlie Mike,” is receiving acclaim for the accuracy in which it portrays the plight of veterans returning to the U.S. after armed conflict. With “Charlie Mike,” a term that means “continue the mission,” Klein followed Iraq and Afghanistan vets Jake Wood and Eric Greitens, to detail the struggles they faced upon returning home. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Jonathan Martin and Betsy Fischer Martin
Julia Tivald, Kate Hoit, Matt Mabe and Janeen Wynn
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Patty Andringa and JC Hayward WL SPONSORED
ICON 15 BENEFIT
Elaine Koch, Susan Lowenthal and Maria Ferris
Diana Mayhew and Kris Rohr
Ritz-Carlton, Tyson’s Corner | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL TALENTED YOUTH: After months of competition at the regional and local level, concluding with the finals on the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, the five winners of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s talent search were honored at an annual fall fundraiser hosted by the organization’s Women’s Leadership Group. Influential women from across the region cheered on the kids at the dinner and performance showcase, including benefit chairman Terri Galvez, television personality JC Hayward and Miss D.C. 2015 Haely Jardas. On display were original works created by aspiring young artists and winners of the ICON Visual Arts Competition. The WLG has raised nearly $5 million since it was founded by Patty Perkins Andringa to provide financial support for at-risk youth.
Haely Jardas
Libby Goodell, Walter Adams, Stephanie Polis and Jim Arnold
Liz Sara and Bill Boczany
VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Alejandro Mayorkas
Cuban Amb. Jose Ramon Cabanas and Edilia Cabanas with Stuart Holliday, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Marcelle Leahy
Katherine Franz, Kelly Keiderling, Lizt Alfonso and Juan-Carlos Coello
LIZT ALFONSO DANCE PERFORMANCE Anya Landau French, Scott Parven and Tim Finton
Meridian International Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL HOT HAVANA NIGHT: The globally-renowned Cuban dance company, Lizt Alfonso, gave a private performance for members of Congress, senior diplomats and cultural leaders at the bequest of Cuban Amb. Jose Ramon Cabana, the first Cuban ambassador to the U.S. in more than 50 years. The evening, cohosted by Cuba Educational Travel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauser & Feld LLP and Meridian, was part of the group’s current U.S. tour (along with stops in Boston, New Jersey, New York and the Latin Grammy Awards in Vegas) and consisted of an abbreviated version of their “Cuba Vibra” performance followed by a cocktail reception. The group’s choreography blends classical ballet with Cuban and Spanish dances such as flamenco, conga, rumba, cha-cha, mambo and salsa.
Litz Alfonso dancers
Alana Tummino and Kevin McDonald
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Aaron Lobel, Noura Al Kaabi, Maajid Nawaz and Jim Jeffrey (Photo by Joy Asico) WL SPONSORED
Rep. Nick Rahall, Ray Mahmood, Jim Moran and Rep. Ed Royce
AMERICA ABROAD MEDIA AWARDS DINNER Andrew Mellon Auditorium | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL POWER OF FILM: America Abroad’s annual awards dinner recognized leaders whose work exemplifies the power of media to inform, educate and empower citizens about the critical social and public policy issues of our time; Turkish journalist/broadcaster Mithat Bereket and U.A.E. media executive Noura Al Kaabi were honored alongside the highly-praised films “Argo” and “Difret.” Guests enjoyed a surprise video message from “Argo” director Ben Affleck and a performance by Arabic orchestra Bassam Saba. SPOTTED: Key figures depicted in “Argo” including former CIA officer Tony Mendez, Pat Taylor (wife of the late Canadian Amb. Ken Taylor), Mark and Cora Lijek and Bob Anders along with “Difret” real-life subjects Meaza Ashenafi and Aberash Diriba.
Esin Erkan and Mithat Bereket
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Tripp Donnelly and Katherine Ann Livingston
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David and Rose Thorne with U.A.E. Amb. Yousef Al-Otaiba
VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Judy Woodruff, Gen. Michael Hayden and Dina Habib Powell
Martin Indyk and Gail Jacobs
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POWER COUPLE
Broadcaster Tommy McFly and G.O.P. Senate candidate Chrys Kefalas discuss their engagement, morning radio, the campaign trail and Donald Trump BY Virginia Coyne
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hey met at a group dinner with friends in July of 2013 (a date Chrys Kefalas says is forever etched in his mind), Tommy McFly proposed in May of 2015 (although he waited to announce it on the air until November so as to not interfere with Kefalas’ campaign announcement) and one can only hope they’ll have a thoroughly modern version of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (Kefalas comes from a Greek family in Baltimore and his grandmother makes stuffed grape leaves for his campaign events.) He’s the vice president of executive communications for the National Association of Manufacturers, although he’s taking a break to run for Barbara Mikulski’s U.S. Senate seat in Maryland. His platform includes bolstering manufacturing jobs, innovating education and ending the war on drugs. McFly, whose real last name is Pavlik, is the popular host of “The Tommy Show,” which airs weekday mornings on 94.7 FRESH FM. From the station’s new studios near Nationals Park, which are equipped with a television camera, McFly also reports on music and celebrities for WUSA9’s “Great Day Washington.” The busy duo sat for a rare interview together at the headquarters of the National Association of Manufacturers.>> Washington Life: How has the campaign
changed your lives and your relationship? tommy mcfly We’ve gotten way better at
using calendars. Our [Google] calendar is a multicolored, multi-layered, overlapping menagerie of ridiculousness. But I think we’re still the same couple that we were. That we are. It’s just amped everything up. There’s definitely new pressure and new excitements and all those things that go along with it. Chrys kefalas: It hasn’t changed much. We’ve been both incredibly busy from really the moment we met — July 13, 2013 — not that I have that date etched in my mind [laughter] but life has been fast-paced from the minute we met. And it has continued. mcfly: One of the things I love about him is that he runs at the same pace that I do. We’re very well-matched in that we both have a ton going on at all times but we’ll drop anything for either one at a moment’s notice. There’s also a great mutual respect that we have.
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What is it like as a gay Republican on the campaign trail? When you are together, what kind of reaction do you get? kefalas: The only people who ask about who I love are actually journalists. I don’t’ get that question. I talk about Tommy on the campaign trail just like anybody else does. Things he likes, foods he doesn’t, what he does for a living. It isn’t a function of the campaign really.
It’s not surprising to you, given that you are running as a Republican? kefalas: There’s a stereotype that exists about
Republicans and I think we’re defeating that stereotype every day. People are changing.You know, if you look at society, it wasn’t just Republicans who were opposed to marriage equality. Democrats for a long time held that position and I think society is evolving. It’s wonderful to see it’s happening so rapidly. And we’re obviously seeing that every day in Maryland and wherever we go. Things are moving in the right direction and it’s touching everybody. And as more people’s lives are affected they see that what Tommy and I have and what we aspire to is what everyone else wants for their families. Minds change. Hearts change. mcfly: It really hasn’t come up. We’ve been to every nook and cranny of Maryland and people want to talk about jobs, They don’t care about our relationship. They don’t really want to talk to him about if we go on a date night or not. It’s surprising. It’s refreshing. It’s fun. I think I went into it a little wide-eyed as well. Being like “this is going to be great.” And it’s been better than I could have expected.
on the air as you run for public office? kefalas: In fairness, I am a huge fan of his, but
I hear what happens on the show from friends. I’ll tune into 99.1 or WBAL in the morning in Baltimore, so I get my news in the morning from other sources, then find out from my friends what’s happening on The Tommy Show. How and why did you decide to run and what kind of discussion did you have with Tommy? kefalas: Actually, I will flip the story. I was at an NAM board meeting and I get a text from Tommy. … Basically he had sent a link to the Washington Post article informing me of [Sen. Barbara] Mikulski’s retirement and he said “basically there are no questions. Just run” in the text. And we started the exploration process there. He started this process and obviously together we’re going to finish it. mcfly: Just like ... he understands me and he doesn’t listen to the radio, I know what he is, what he stands for, who he is, his background, his path, I feel everything he has done in his career, his life, all the people he has touched and all the things that he has done, have led up to this moment.This campaign is a very special moment that is a once in a lifetime opportunity that really is the perfect storm of everything that has to happen for him to be a United States senator. And this is not just him running this time to get name ID to maybe run another time.This is the moment. Any kind of book you read talks about having that moment in time, that special sauce, that perfect time and this is that perfect time.
Let’s turn the conversation to Donald Trump... Have you ever had Chrys on your show?
kefalas: I would not vote for Donald Trump
mcfly: Chrys called in to my show once
if he was the nominee of the Republican party. That I guarantee you.
on my birthday, which surprised the heck out of me. And then he called in the day I announced my engagement on the air.. As the campaign heats up do you envision having Chrys or both candidates on the show? mcfly: We really can’t. People come to us for jokes and Taylor Swift. I’m going to let Chris Matthews cover the hardball stuff. I talk about Chrys in the topic of our relationship on the air because he’s my fiancé, but no one wants to hear me talk about politics. D.C.’s got enough politics. What’s it like to have your relationship discussed
| washingtonlife.com
You recently tweeted something along those lines that received a lot of buzz. Tell me about it. kefalas: Yeah, it was: if he wins the Republican nomination I’m going to change my slogan to “I’m with stupid.” That doesn’t mean I’d vote for Trump. It means that obviously he’d be the standard bearer of the party that I’m a part of. I stand by that. Do you have wedding plans in the works? mcfly: We haven’t started yet. Not until after
the election in November.
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LIFESTYLES
ON ISABELA: HALSTON HERITAGE dress ($395) and STUART WEITZMAN heels ($398), Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 22102, 703-556-4600; JIMMY CHOO purse ($1,295), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301-657-9000; ROBERTO COIN tri-gold diamond ring ($21,000) and MIKIMOTO golden south sea pearl, diamond and 18k yellow gold earrings ($20,000), Liljenquist & Beckstead, The Shops at Fairfax Square, 8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-749-1200, www.liljenquistbeckstead.com. TIFFANY AND CO “Tiffany T Bar” hinged cuff in 18k yellow gold ($15,000), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703893-7700; TINGE BOUTIQUE AT AMERICAN PLANT faceted onyx, rough cut druzy, freshwater pearls and gold vermeil, with an onyx pillar necklace ($225), 5258 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816, 301-6563311 www.americanplant.net. ON CASEY: TOM FORD tuxedo jacket ($3,520), TOM FORD pants ($954), SALVATORE FERRAGAMO shoes ($760) and BRACKISH bow tie ($195), Neiman Marcus, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-9700; ETON shirt ($265), Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 22102, 703-556-4600; IWC PORTUGIESER “Annual Calendar” watch ($31,000), Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Drive, Suite 1798M, McLean, VA 221012, 703-4486731; ALOR black leather/steel/18k yellow gold cufflinks ($250), Liljenquist & Beckstead, The Shops at Fairfax Square, 8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-7491200, www.liljenquistbeckstead.com.
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SHOW A LITTLE SKIN THIS VALENTINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY WITH THESE STUNNING SHOULDER-BARING DRESSES AND ACCESSORIZE WITH A DAPPER DUDE IN FORM-FITTING MENSWEAR PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL CREATIVE TONY POWELL< ASSISTED BY ERNESTO SANDOVAL AND STEPHEN KEN< WWW=TONY-POWELL=COM CREATIVE CONSULTANT LYNDA ERKILETIAN< AT T H E ARTIST AGENCY WARDROBE APUJE KALU< ASSISTED BY CHAZA BETENJANE< BOTH AT T H E ARTIST AGENCY MAKEUP AND HAIR LORI PRESSMAN< AT T H E ARTIST AGENCY MANICURE ANGELA TURNER< WWW ANGELATURNERMANICURIST COM MODELS ISABELA FERNANDEZ AND CASEY DOBYNS< BOTH AT T H E ARTIST AGENCY MANAGING EDITOR LAURA WAINMAN ASSOCIATE EDITOR ERICA MOODY EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS AUBREY ALMANZA AND CLAIRE HANDSCOMBE
PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE RITZ-CARLTON WASHINGTON D C
ND ST NW AND ON LOCATION IN GEORGETOWN
RUBIN SINGER dress ($4,890), Neiman Marcus, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202966-9700; MIKIMOTO golden south sea pearl, diamond and 18k yellow gold earrings ($20,000), Liljenquist & Beckstead, The Shops at Fairfax Square, 8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-749-1200, www.liljenquistbeckstead. com; JAEGER-LECOULTRE “Rendezvous” watch ($40,300), Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Drive, Suite 1798M, McLean, VA 221012, 703-448-6731; TIFFANY AND CO “Infinity” cuff in 18k white gold with diamonds ($4,900), “Tiffany T” square bracelet in 18k gold ($5,200) and “Tiffany T” square bracelet in 18k rose gold ($5,200), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-893-7700; TINGE BOUTIQUE AT AMERICAN GARDEN hammered brass scroll cuff ($35), 5258 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816, 301656-3311 www.americanplant.net.
ON ISABELA: MUSTARD SEED dress ($78) and VIA SPIGA pumps ($225), Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 22102, 703-5564600; TIFFANY & CO bow ring in 18k white gold with diamonds ($3,800), “Atlas” wide cuff in sterling silver ($2,000) and “Metro Bar”earrings in 18k white gold with diamonds ($6,350), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703893-7700. ON CASEY: DSQUARED2 shirt ($695), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-6114; HUGO BOSS pants ($225), Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 22102, 703-556-4600; GUCCI belt ($345) and TOM FORD shoes ($1,810), Neiman Marcus, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-9700.
ON ISABELA: LANVIN dress ($4,440) and LANVIN coat ($2,550), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301-657-9000. ON CASEY: TOM FORD cardigan ($1,590), HUGO BOSS shirt ($155), THEORY pants ($225) and TOM FORD bow tie ($250), Neiman Marcus, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-9700.
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI suit ($2,972.50) and ETON shirt ($235), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202966-6114; THE MEN’S STORE BLOOMINGDALE’S tie ($59), Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 22102, 703-556-4600; CHARVET pocket square ($105), Neiman Marcus, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-9669700; ; IWC PORTUGIESER “Annual Calendar” watch ($31,000), Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Drive, Suite 1798M, McLean, VA 221012, 703-448-6731; ALOR black leather/steel/18k yellow gold cufflinks ($250), Liljenquist & Beckstead, The Shops at Fairfax Square, 8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-749-1200, www.liljenquistbeckstead.com.
LIFESTYLES | BOOKS BOOK TALK
POWER IN NUMBERS In ‘Broad Influence,’ Jay Newton-Small explores how America is changing as women reach critical mass. BY ERICA MOODY
n her first book, veteran Washington journalist Jay Newton-Small takes us to Capitol Hill and beyond to look at how women are changing the way America works politically, socially and economically. “Broad Influence” (TIME Books, $27.95) is the result of NewtonSmall’s telling interviews with more than 200 women including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Valerie Jarrett, Janet Napolitano and Kirsten Gillibrand.
WL: You wrote a magazine article in 2013 called “Women Are the Only Adults Left in Washington” about how women in the Senate “set new standards for civility and bipartisanship” during the government shutdown. Was this article the inspiration for “Broad Influence”? JNS: Yes. I spent about six months
researching and getting a sense of the women in the Senate and how they worked together because it was the first time that there were 20 women. They had a huge impact on that session — they ended up
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WL: Why do you think this book is needed in 2016? JNS: Well, it’s quite a year for women!
You have two presidential candidates. It’s the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress four years before women got the right to vote. Also, whether it’s Jennifer Lawrence talking about pay equity or Patricia Arquette at the Oscars, you have an awareness of women’s issues now, and a sense of women coming into their own. Women are becoming leaders; they’re starting to change the way we’re doing things. We talk more about how
women are perceived and how women’s voices are heard. WL: Fewer women run for office than men. What needs to happen for this to change? JNS: There are about four times the
number of elected Democratic women than Republican women, whether at state and local offices or federal offices. That’s a challenge for Republican women because they’re not anywhere near the critical mass to be partners with Democratic women. In the House, you have at least 62 Democratic elected women and only about 22 Republican women. If you really want women to effectively work across the aisle, represent other women, and bring diversity to the table, you need to reach that critical mass on the Republican side. WL: What influence do you hope the book will have on women and the workplace? JNS: It was heartening to discover that
we don’t need parity in order to make a difference. We just need to get to critical mass. We’re so close in so many areas and the change is tangible when you get there. Even if it’s a journalist covering the White House or covering campaigns, there’s so many women now. When I started 13 years ago, there weren’t that many women, and there’s a real difference when you reach that tipping point. The workforce isn’t such a male-centered place anymore. There are chances for advancement, to be heard, to have inf luence, and to change the way things are done. I think that’s empowering. I wanted to write a story about the successes. I’m not trying to gloss over the challenges but it is great to look at where we are making a difference and how we can expand that. That is inspiring and I hope other women find it is as well.
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AU T H O R P H OTO BY ME L I S SA G O L D E N F O R T I M E
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producing 75 percent of the major legislation that passed. They came together to restart negotiations to reopen the government and none of the men would talk to each other. What interested me was the 20 percent women. I had a lot of letters that would say, it’s not just the Senate; when women reach critical mass they change how things are done. The idea of that interested me, so I began researching other areas where women were reaching critical mass. The book grew from there — the idea that at somewhere between 20 and 30 percent, whether it’s a legislative body or a corporate board or a Navy ship or an appellate court, women begin to change the culture of the place.
LIFESTYLES | TREND REPORT
LOEWE Pleated lamé and silk-blend dress ($3,250); loewe.com
GIANCARLO PETRIGLIA Mini p-bag printed Elaphe leather bag ($1,780); luisaviaroma.com
GUCCI Crackle leather bomber jacket ($3,500); gucci.com
CLOVER CANYON Striped metallic hemmed pants ($270); modaoperandi.com KAREN WALKER Poolside flowerpatch sunglasses ($250); barneys.com
1)8%00-' 131)28 TORY BURCH Metallic jacquard cut-out gown ($1,295); toryburch.com
A.L.C. Gates pleated metallic skirt ($359); intermixonline.com
Step into spring with statement-making metallics from top to toe. BY ERICA MOODY
PASKAL Off-the-shoulder metallic stripe jacquard top ($855); nordstrom.com CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Perspex Pandora clutch ($895); charlotteolympia.com GIANVITO ROSSI Cap-toe “Plexi” pumps ($745); neimanmarcus.com
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PROENZA SCHOULER Sleeveless foil printed cloque dress ($3,190); proenzaschouler.com
| F E B R U A R Y | washingtonlife.com
GUCCI Metallic leather wedge sandal ($995); gucci.com
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LIFESTYLES | CRUISE WATCH
SAILS UP!
Towering masts, wind-stretched sails and unusual ports-of-call make Wind Star an unforgettable cruising experience BY KEVIN CHAFFEE
I
was aboard a mid-sized cruise ship when I first saw Wind Star. All the passengers waiting to disembark at Santorini were in awe as one of the world’s largest fourmasted motorized sailing vessels entered the harbor with the stately grace and majesty of a royal yacht. I vowed that I would be on board this beautiful ship the next time I took to sea. A year later I was embarking from Lisbon for an eight-day sail to Dublin via seven small ports that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Windstar Cruises’ flagship, only 360 feet at waterline and displacing 5,307 gross tons, boasts generous space on its wide open teak decks and more than 21,000 square feet of glorious Dacron sail that propel the ship along with its engine. On occasion, when the ship makes way by wind power alone, the effect is truly enchanting. (Stabilizers and ballast systems also ensure smooth Wind Star sets sail progress over the seas.) Wind Star is comfortable and the service Campostela, a pilgrimage destination since the top-notch.You can take part in shore tours and ninth century), and the port of El Ferrol (close other activities, socialize with fellow passengers to the Roman walls of Lugo, a UNESCO — or just find a quiet corner and nod off with World Heritage site.) After a full day at sea, a good book. The best part is that you don’t Wind Star arrived at Brest, France, the site of a medieval castle (but not much else), then even have to think. Just tune out and enjoy. continued to the Isles of Scilly in the English Channel, an eco-tourism and bird-watching THE VOYAGE “The Best of Europe’s West Coast” is a perfect paradise because of an unusually temperate itinerary for seasoned cruise veterans eager to climate. Waterford, Ireland, the last port before explore more unusual ports of call. After touring disembarking at Dublin, was best for pubs and Lisbon, I began the eight-day voyage getting shopping for the eponymously named crystal, my sea legs on an overnight sail to Portugal’s although many passengers opted for day-long second largest city, Porto, a bastion of Baroque tours to Blarney Castle and other legendary alleyways and squares and the home of port Emerald Isle attractions. wine. Next, two stops in Spain: Vigo (where most passengers opted for an all-day excursion THE PASSENGERS to the famed cathedral town of Santiago de A good number of miles on the odometer,
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but still plenty of fuel in the tank. Predominately upscale Americans, most were well-heeled and 50-plus — higher than the usual Windstar average, no doubt because of the atypical ports and no beach scene. Several couples were traveling with teens or 20- to 30something offspring and their spouses. A few honeymooners and about 15 singles were also aboard. THE CABINS The compact but comfortable. 188square-foot staterooms, last renovated in 2012, have two portholes and an ocean view but no balconies. There were some signs of wear and tear (small carpet stains, etc.) but the bed’s high-quality mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets induced heavenly rest along with the gentle roll of a ship at sea each night. Closets, drawers and shelves are plentiful and ingeniously configured into every inch of space along the bulkheads; cumbersome suitcases can be safely stashed under the bed. The flat-screen TV is flush against the wall and must be viewed from the bed since there is no room for a comfortable chair in the cabin. Other amenities include a mini-bar, alarm clock and a DVD/CD player that also serves as an iPad dock with Bose speakers. The bathrooms feature plentiful storage to hold the l’Occitane bath products as well as a pullout mirror and magnifier. The shower with an adjustable showerhead and hand-held water spray was big enough for a 6-foot-2 man to maneuver in. Enough said. EAT & DRINK Dinner is served in the main AmphorA Restaurant on Deck 3, a warm and attractive room that features comfortable banquettes and many tables with views of the sea. The dress
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Bathrooms are compact but luxurious
Typical cabin
code is “casual elegance.” There is no need to choose between early or late seatings and orders can be made anytime between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Daily menus always include excellent daily special offerings of meat and fish (some sourced from local ports) as well as tasty vegetarian alternatives that included an inventive “Vegetable Wellington.” Much of the kitchen staff is Asian, so there were many delightful dishes, mostly Indian (lots of curries), to choose from. Dinner on deck with a sunset view (weather permitting) is also available by advance reservation at Candles, a poolside grill with a steak- or seafood-on-skewers menu.The very friendly and efficient waiters remember and deliver your drink preferences immediately. Breakfast and lunch are served on deck or inside the buffet-style Veranda Cafe, which featured a different-themed cuisine (Mexican, Italian, etc.) each day along with hamburgers, omlettes and other cooked-to-order items. You can select Eggs Benedict and other à la carte breakfast items in the adjacent but much quieter AmphorA restaurant. Very quick and efficient room service from the dining room menu can be ordered during restaurant hours and an abbreviated menu of sandwiches, salads and other items is available on a 24-hour basis. ENTERTAINMENT Minimal. There is no room on a sailing vessel’s deck plan for a proper theater, so the social hub is the Lounge on Deck 3, a large open space with comfortable chairs and settees surrounding an open space that also serves as a dance floor.This is the meeting place for tours, lectures and pre-dinner cocktails. There aren’t any professional singers and dancers onboard
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The AmphorA restaurant
but the crew filled in rather well one night with a few well-rehearsed and high spirited line dances that turned out to be surprisingly hilarious when a number of inebriated passengers decided to join in. I never saw more than five people playing the slot machines or sitting at the gaming tables (blackjack, stud poker) in the small adjacent casino. The library had a decent selection of books and DVDs for the pursuit of more solitary pleasure. ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES You can swim, water ski, sail, kayak and snorkel off the retractable stern-end marina when Wind Star is at anchor but such activities weren’t possible on my trip because of rough seas and cold water temperature. The small saltwater pool is officially open until midnight but passengers were spotted in the adjacent hot tub well into the wee hours, most with nightcaps in hand. There are superb sea views from the treadmills in the gym, which also has weight and step machines plus Pilates and yoga classes taught by a personable Russian trainer.The tiny Wind Spa, aft on Deck 3, includes a hair and nail salon plus a few treatment rooms for facials, massages, wraps and even teeth whitening. BOTTOM LINE Fares range from $2,799 to $3,499 per person, double occupancy, for most cabins (excursions and alcoholic beverages are not included). Two suites are priced at $4,499 and $5,999 per person. A gratuity of 15 percent on beverages and spa treatments is added to passenger accounts along with a $12 daily service charge. The next “Best of Europe’s West Coast” cruise is scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 7, 2016.
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Candles restaurant
Water sports marina
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WASHINGTON S O C I A L D I A R Y over the moonďš? around townďš? the washington winter showďš? tuxedo ball and more!
Julie Monticello and Emily Hellmuth at the Lab School Gala (Photo by Tony Powell)
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AROUND TOWN
When a Handbag Becomes a Legend Hermès’ Birkin Bag, the world’s most coveted fashion accessory, is also the hardest to find. BY DONNA SHOR
F
rance’s ultimate status symbol, coveted worldwide by fashionistas, is instantly recognized by savvy maitre d’s from Manhattan to Melbourne. It’s the Birkin, the magnificently constructed handbag from the leather craftsmen of Hermès. They’ve had time to get it right; the legendary Parisian luxury house began in 1837 as a harness maker for the horse-drawn carriages of aristocratic Paris. Birkins are as high as their style; $30,000 to $40,000 apiece is not unusual. Last year at auction, a fuchsia beauty trimmed with a sprinkling of diamonds was gavelled down for $204,000. The handbag is the namesake of Jane Birkin, a wraith-like English girl who crossed the Channel years ago and took France by storm. Her earliest songs — noted for explicit lyrics and equally explicit heavy breathing — shocked Europe and were often banned. She went on to become an admired singer/actress and a fixture on the Parisian scene. On a plane one day in 1981, Jane was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the head of Hermès. She mentioned that handbags lacked space for all the things a woman needs at hand. In 1984 the Birkin — closer to a piece of luggage than a mere purse — was launched. Women instantly loved its size and craftsmanship, especially the interesting leathers used, glorious colors and painstakingly achieved crisp lines. Photographers vied for shots of celebrities toting them; exactly the bags you would expect to find in the elegant Hermès showrooms —except they weren’t there. Controlled scarcity began, with a rumored two-year waiting list. Wouldbe customers couldn’t just saunter in and
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Victoria Beckham sports a Birkin bag at a sporting event. (Photo courtesy Flickr Creative Commons)
pick one up. This was puzzling; they were seldom on display in showrooms. How then did people who had Birkins get them? Michael Tonello cracked the code, explaining it all in his amusing book, “Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World’s Most Coveted Bag.” Tonello was a makeup artist on assignment in Spain when he fell under the spell of Barcelona, moving there on the promise of a job, which promptly fell through.What to do? Discovering Ebay, he heard that new Birkins could earn a markup of thousands from women anxious to avoid the waiting list. Rejected when he tried to buy one, he kept his eyes open.
On his next Hermès visit he casually bought some diverse articles, as if he were a regular customer. When a smiling salesperson approached, Tonello asked for a Birkin, “for my mother.” The elusive bag appeared. So began his mad life of constant dashes to Hermès stores dotting the globe, garnering “for my family” bags for his online clients. He especially appreciated one woman, whom he dubbed “Sarah,” for her humor — and her many lavish purchases for friends. (Personal note: Last year during a visit to Palm Beach, I was surprised when my luncheon hostess, Serena Weil, handed me a copy of Tonello’s book with an odd smile, saying “I’m in this. Michael calls me “Sarah.”) Weil had a secret but one day she slipped and mailed Tonello a payment with an attachment bearing her business letterhead. Calling her, he asked nonchalantly “And how is “Créateurs de Luxe?” Silence. Then she let out a whoop, and they both laughed. All the cards were on the table. Eventually, Tonello quit after years of crazy travel. He became a Huffington Post columnist and fashion guru. Amazingly, he had bought and sold 175 Birkins in one wild three-month period. On a more recent note, Jane Birkin asked Hermès to remove her name from the crocodile bags last year after PETA documented cruel industry practices in obtaining skins. After an investigation, the company declared that its crocodile suppliers were not, and would not, be involved; the actress dropped her request. Hermès continues, the Birkin endures — and so does Jane Birkin.
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Catherine Snowdon, Bitsey Folger and Richard Snowdon Lee and Helen Sessions
Patricia Montague and Frances Talley
WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW PREVIEW NIGHT
Martha and George Washington portrayed by Jane Pease and Dan McMahon
Katzen Arts Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL FINE ANTIQUES: Guests were invited to see the world “through the eyes of a child” at the Washington Winter Show’s annual fine arts and antiques show, beginning with the popular preview night party followed by a weekend of activities including lectures (this year, James Farmer was featured), a luncheon, appraisals and jazz night. Portraits of children, youth chairs and even a carved and painted Noah’s Ark circa 1870 showed that each dealer carefully considered the theme when choosing items to showcase. Since 2011, the show has generated over a quarter of a million dollars for local charities THEARC, St. John’s Community Services and The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
James Farmer, Marilouise Avery, Jonathan Willen and Betsy Jaeger
Nicole Backus, Lizzy Conroy and Hillary Chassin WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Sara Davis, Alison Reynolds and Anne Colclough
Johanna Howe, Kate Meek, JB Meek and Denise Prince
Lola Reinsch and Bill Detty Ed McAllister and Joe Carpenter
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OVER THE MOON
Hounds, Houses and Wine Hunt breakfast guests enjoy fine regional wines — Seventy acres of the Mellon estate are sold BY VICKY MOON
Hunt breakfast hosts David and Barbara Roux (Middleburg Photo)
D
uring fox chasing season in Middleburg, a tradition known as the hunt breakfast is frequently part of the agenda.While it’s referred to as a breakfast, it never takes place in the morning. Instead, it’s held after the day’s chase at the home of the family from where the hunt launches. Barbara and David Roux recently hosted the Piedmont Fox Hounds at their St. Brides Farm near Upperville.The breakfast was served in the dining room with a bar set up outside in the garden along with a coffee bar. An avid equestrian, Barbara Roux is a vice president of the Upperville Horse Show. David Roux is a long-time entrepreneur with extensive ties to Silicon Valley. Built in 1916, St. Bride’s was designed by distinguished architect Nathan Wyeth, who also did the West Wing of the White House, the D.C. Armory and the Key Bridge. The elegant two-and-a-half story Classical Revival brick residence boasts many remarkable details including the front entry pediment and the garland swag in the tympanum above. Cary D. Langhorne, a Navy doctor who later endowed a chair in architecture at the
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University of Virginia, was the original owner. Through the years, other notable residents included the late Washington attorney and sportsman Edward F. “Jack” Howrey and Kate and Nick Vanoff. Guests at the St. Bride’s hunt breakfast and parties throughout the area might often sip Virginia wine. And one winemaker has had a major influence in a number of local vineyards. That would be Sebastien Marquet, a native of Semur-en-Auxois in the Burgundy region of France, who came to this area in 2007 from his previous home in Sonoma, Calif. Winemaking was always his dream while growing up in his small village, which dates back to medieval times. He studied in France and then connected with one of the professors at the well-known wine program at the University of California-Davis. From there, Marquet went to work in Sonoma Valley at Ledson Winery and Vineyards and went on to Martinique in the Caribbean. After reading up on the history of wine in the U.S., he “realized Virginia was it.” Marquet and his wife, Isabelle Truchon (whom he met in Sonoma), now own
Burgundy Style, a vine-to-glass consulting business offering services from property and soil analysis, viticulture, winemaking, tasting room set up and cellar and label design. They even offer travel excursions to Burgundy. Oenophiles can savor their results in the form of Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Merlot at Lost Creek in Leesburg, Greenhill Vineyards in Middleburg, Seven Oaks Farm and Vineyard on top of a hill near Greenwood and soon at Bozzo Farmily Vineyard in Purcellville. As part of his work, Marquet also has Vitilis Lab, which analyzes the sulfites, acidity and alcohol of the juice and wine within 24 hours. “This is critical throughout the harvest and winemaking,” he said. Finally, we have word of yet another sale from the estate of Bunny and Paul Mellon. Cathy Bernache of Thomas and Talbot handled the $2.57 million transaction (just above the $2.5 million listing price). Washington Fine Properties president Tom Anderson listed the 68.7-acre parcel located on Crenshaw Road near Rectortown. The lovely six-bedroom stone and stucco dwelling was built in 1979. It has first- and second-floor master suites along with a greenhouse, boxwood garden and stone potting shed. Do we see Bunny Mellon’s influence here?
Virginia winemakers Sebastien Marquet and Isabelle Truchon (Courtsy photo)
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Leon Roberson and Tia Martin
Maci Peterson
Jennifer Bowser, Janet Baker, Carolyn Yancey, Carla Taylor Pla and Pat Taylor
TUXEDO BALL Omni Shoreham Hotel | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL THIRTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT: For three decades, the Tuxedo Ball has been honoring outstanding achievers with a weekend of awards and events. The gala has been featured on the Phil Donahue Show and more recently caught the attention of CNN, which profiled ball president Dr. Carlotta (Buffy) Miles in “Black in America Part 2- The Black Elite.” This year, 40 ball ambassadors and alums came back to celebrate and partake in the family dance. Entrepreneur Maci Peterson was recognized for her startup, On Second Thought, an app that works to prevent drunk driving, and Shireen Dodson, Ombudsman for the Dept. of State and author of “The Mother-Daughter Book Club” was also recognized.
Buffy and Tony Miles Tatia Williams and Dr. Lynne Lightfoote
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Carolyn and Richard Thornell
Bill, Max, Justin and Daphne Jarvis
Morgan Fykes and Angela Moss Dr. Wendell Miles and Ann Miles
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Perry Taylor and Vincent Napoleon 47
Ashely Spielman and Scott Martin
LOMBARDI GALA
Katie Coerdt, Claire Longcroft, Ian Caplan, Shannon Ellis and Jacqueline Lapeyre
DeMaurice Smith, Edward Healton, Louis Weiner, Devon Still and Paul Tagliabue
Washington Hilton | PHOTOS BY JAY SNAP A DAY WITHOUT CANCER: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center presented awards to local leaders who have made a difference in the fight against the disease. Devon Still, former defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, received the NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award, and the Washington Area Lexus dealers, longtime gala supporters, were presented with the Margaret L. Hodges Award. Still, whose four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma last year, said he has tried to raise awareness of cancer “because I want to make sure that fighters like Leah know they are not fighting alone.” The evening raised just under $1 million to support the center’s work and research.
Karen Rosenberg and Alexandra Senyi de Nagy-Unyom
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Karen Ben-Shlaush,Lee Krinzman and Erica Landskroener
Tony Walls and Page Faulk
Robert and Aimee Lehrman
Models walk the runway Alan and Ashley Dabbiere with Marc Lefkowitz
Justin Theroux
Robert Kang and Eun Yang
Quinn Bradlee, Jaclyn Mason and Sean Randall
LAB SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON GALA National Building Museum | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL OVERCOMING THE ODDS: In its 31st year, the Lab School of Washington’s annual dinner gala continued to show how the school is a leader in the field of learning differences education. Five honorees were singled out for mastering their own challenges and going on to achieve success in their careers and personal lives. Actor, writer and director Justin Theroux; singer-songwriter Sally Taylor (daughter of James Taylor and Carly Simon), entreprenuer Dean Bragonier, filmmaker Stephen Polk (who accepted the award on behalf of his father Lous “Bo” Polk, Jr.) and lab alumnus and multimedia producer Jack Feeley visited both Lab School campuses to share their inspiring stories and words of wisdom with students before the gala. “I decided a long time ago not to judge my dyslexia and ADHD, to stop treating these differences like they were something horrible,” Theroux said. “Instead, I developed talents outside academics like drawing and then acting, though I didn’t know how they would play out later in life … it took me a long time to realize that having these differences are a gift.”
Emma Anderson, Sally Taylor, Stephanie Pollin and Robin Schneider VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Ashley Taylor Bronczek and Birdy Bronczek
Dave, Jamie and Sophie Rose Dorris with Bret, Daniel, Amy and Paul Baier Ballerina Nicole Graniero
Ayden, London Rose, Peter and Andrea Rinaldi
Elisabeth Mellen, Septime Webre and Caroline Hold
NUTCRACKER TEA PARTY Willard Intercontinental Hotel | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES: The holiday season includes many family traditions, and one that quickly became a local favorite is the Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker Tea Party. Following a matinee performance of “The Nutcracker,” guests enjoy an elegant white glove tea service and dessert buffet at the historic Willard Intercontinental Hotel. A tried-and-true highlight for the wee ones is an opportunity to meet the dancers and pose for photographs with them.
Norma and Paige Ramsey with Ella and Molly Dowley Leonard Brown, Lee Brown and Diane Ray Brown
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Gouri Mirpuri, Amb. f Singapore Ashok Mirpuri and Debra Kraft
Robert Aiken and Loran Brueggen Aiken
Maestro Scott Tucker
Nina Totenberg and David Reines
CHORAL ARTS HOLIDAY CONCERT AND GALA Kennedy Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Georgi Petrov and Bulgarian Amb. Elena Poptodorova
NOT A SILENT NIGHT: Whether it is the harmonies sung by a choir or the melodious strains of instruments, music never fails to get us into the holiday spirit. The Choral Arts Society of Washington presented its 35th annual soirée under the direction of musical director Sco Tucker and the patronage of Singaporean Amb. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri and his wife Gouri Mirpuri. The concert program included selections ranging from performances by the SYC Ensemble Singers from Singapore to seasonal carols like “O Holy Night,” but the audience was most impressed when Tucker switched his baton for a trumpet for a special selection at the end of the concert. GALA NOTE: The dance floor was packed with ebullient guests, including NPR’s Nina Totenberg (resplendent in red), candy heiress Jacqueline Mars and gala chairwoman Loran Brueggen Aiken. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Jennifer Tham and Albert Yeo 49
Jennifer Smith and Mark Beesley
Steve Caldiera and Father John Adams
Suzanne Clark and Greg Lebedev
SO OTHERS MIGHT EAT DINNER GALA
Amy Gilliland and Phebe Novakovic
National Building Museum | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Nikki Glenn and Michael Johnson
Kendell Lucas, Anne Butler, Donna and Patrick Butler
HELPING THE HUNGRY: With more than $1 million raised for services to break the cycle of homelessness including meals, healthcare, job training and affordable housing, SOME’s annual dinner gala turned into one of the its most successful to date. WJLA’s Alison Starling emceed an evening that drew 800 guests including major supporters William and Joanne Conway, Tom Donahue and Lea and Wayne Berman. The 2015 Fr. Horace McKenna Humanitarian Award went to General Dynamics Chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic, who spoke of her company’s 20-year support of SOME and how she’s proud to wear the emblematic “green apron of service.” MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In 2015, SOME began construction on The Conway Center, scheduled to be completed in 2017, which will provide affordable housing for 200 families, training for 300 job seekers and medical services for more than 10,000 individuals. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Fran Ulmer, Marlene Malek, Susan Davis Lloyd and Ann Hand
Lucky Roosevelt and Dorothy McSweeny Donna McLarty, Melanne Verveer and Mack McLarty
‘FAST FORWARD’ BOOK PARTY Mack and Donna McLarty Residence | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL THE STRENGTH OF WOMEN: Washington A-listers showed up in droves to fete Melanne Verveer’s and Kim Azzarelli’s new book, “Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose.” Verveer, a former Hillary Clinton chief of staff and co-founder of Vital Voices, and Azzarelli, co-founder of Cornell Law School’s Avon Center for Women and Justice, were toasted at the home of former Bill Clinton chief of staff Mack McLarty and his wife Donna. In her forward, Hillary Clinton says “the stories in this book of people making a difference give me hope.”
Kim Azzarelli and Adrienne Arsht VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Catherine Reynolds and John Negroponte
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Paula Johnson and Daniel Boulud
SMITHSONIAN FOOD HISTORY GALA
David Ghoddousi
Alton Brown
National Museum of American History | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Philadelphia Cousins and Tanya Steel
Nancy Silverton and Jim Dodge
INNOVATION ON YOUR PLATE: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, home to Julia Child’s kitchen, hosted its inaugural Smithsonian Food History gala dinner to launch its first annual Food History Weekend. Renowned chef, cookbook author and culinary personality Jacques Pépin, Child’s longtime friend and collaborator, received the very first Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts’ Julia Child Award. More than 300 guests including chefs Ris Lacoste and Sara Moulton and emcee Alton Brown enjoyed a three-course meal prepared by Daniel Boulud with bourride and aioli (Provençal fish stew with garlic mayonnaise), one of Child’s favorites, as the main course. The annual weekend in October examines the rich history of innovation in the production, preparation and consumption of food. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Sara Moulton, Eric Spivey and John Gray
Kaitlin Haney, Gina Coburn, Jenifer Wood and Mae Haney Grennan
Amy Baier and Jean-Marie Fernandez
Crystal Wright and Daphne Jarvis
SAKS JANDEL HOLIDAY BRUNCH AND FASHION SHOW
Yun Shen Chong wearing XX
Mary Alice Haney, Elizabeth Kaufman and Heather Florance
Saks Jandel | PHOTOS BY JAY SNAP BUBBLES, FASHION AND CHARITY, OH MY!: The holiday season has many glamorous events, but Saks Jandell’s annual fashion show is the only one that never fails to rouse Washington’s most fashionable women on a Saturday morning. Each year, the store gathers the ladies who brunch for sipping, shopping and ogling selections by the year’s hottest designers. Event chairwomen Amy Baier, JeanMarie Fernandez and May Haney Grennan sat front and center for the runway presentations of the spring/summer 2016 collections of Bibhu Mohaptra and Kimora Lee Simmons, with a portion of proceeds being donated to Children’s National Medical Center.
Nikki Depandi, Paula Widerlite and Chelsea Widerlite VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Alison Newman, Kurt Newman and Susanna Quinn 51
Lynne Assal, Ethan Assal and Laura Denise Bisogniero
Portuguese Amb. Domingos Fezas Vital and JoAnn Mason
Stuart Bernstein and Robert Monahan
Antonio Alves and Amb Claudio Bisogniero
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL CLUB DINNER Villa Firenze | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ A NEW KIND OF D.C. SALON: The 82-year-old Harvard Business School Club of Washington has a new president, Antonio Alves, and he’s shaking things up with CEO round-table dinners that gather “thoughtful, iconoclastic doers” at elegant locations in Washington. The club’s third dinner in the series was hosted by Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero at his residence, Villa Firenze. Sponsors Maserati and Ermenegildo Zegna spiced things up by providing cars and clothing for guests to admire.
Jasmine Golubic and Margarette Kane
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Charles Joughin, Kris Perry, Sandy Stier and Hilary Rosen
Barnette Holston, Morgan Fykes and Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga
Jacob Simpson
Cars outside of Villa Firenze
Matt Lichvar, Rob Stuart and Nikki Stuart
WL SPONSORED
CHEFS FOR EQUALITY The Ritz-Carlton | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL FOODIE FUNDRAISER: The Washington area’s top chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists took a stand for LGBT rights at the fourth annual Human Rights Campaign Chefs for Equality dinner. Guests noshed on duck ramen from Zentan and elk tartare from Bourbon Steak (among other delicacies) while mingling with chefs who included Food Network star Sherry Yard, the Inn at Little Washington’s Patrick O’Connell, Volt’s Bryan Voltaggio, Del Campo’s Victor Albisu and Maketto’s Erik Bruner-Yang. Chef José Andrés offered a paella cooking class at his house for eight people, an auction item that sold for $11,000. The sold-out soirée, originally founded to raise money to support same-sex marriage legislation in Maryland, raised a record $300,000.
Edward Lee and Victor Albisu
Alesha Lohnes and Travis Crytzer VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES
Conservationists, Hollywood legends, documentary filmmakers and educators VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM!
INSTITUTE OF WORLD POLITICS SILVER ANNIVERSARY THE RITZ-CARLTON PENTAGON CITY (Photos Courtesy of Cherie Cullen) Former CIA Director James Woolsey was announced as IWP chancellor at the organization’s gala a^ended by diplomats, intelligence and military personnel, foreign policy experts and governmental authorities. The graduate institution in downtown Washington recently launched a campaign to raise $10,250,000 — of which $4.5 million has already been secured to expand the student body and curriculum.
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7. John Lenczowski, Michael Flynn and James Woolsey
ROCK CREEK PARK 125TH ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT
HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT’S GOING PLACES GALA
SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL (Photos by Jay Snap) Anyone who lives in Washington knows the beauty of Rock Creek Park, the nation’s oldest urban national park and, as Italian Ambassador and benefit honorary chairman Claudio Bisogniero termed it, “a splendid oasis of green in the middle of the nation’s capital, a welcome respite from the busyness and toil of everyday life.” More than 450 guests celebrated the park’s 125th anniversary by raising more than $220,000 to support the work of the Rock Creek Conservancy, the most the group has ever raised at a single event. 1. Audrey Peterman and Margo Reid 2. Timothy Albrecht and Paula Hantman 3. Lorraine Swerdloff, David Swerdloff and Ma hew Fleischer
WARNER THEATRE
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(Photos by Tony Powell) Higher Achievement celebrated 40 years of providing rigorous after-school and summer academic programs to youth from at-risk communities at its annual gala, chaired by Vornado’s Mitchell Schear. Current scholars and alumni spoke of their personal experiences and honored Rep. John Lewis for his longtime support. 8. Jose Luis Davila Gonzalez and Sumi Krishnan
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9. Steve Goldstein, Laurie Kramer and Mitchell Schear 10. Chris Hooten and Khadijah McCaskill
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INGRID BERGMAN STAMP COMMEMORATION GALA
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EMBASSY OF SWEDEN (Photos by Jay Snap) The theme “1940s Hollywood” had guests channeling the style of three-time Academy Award winning actress Ingrid Bergman (1915-82), best known for her roles in “Casablanca” and “Gaslight.” The Swedish-born star was honored by the U.S. Postal Service as the 19th stamp in the “Legends of Hollywood” stamp series and in two exhibits at the Embassy of Sweden that were on display for that night. Bergman’s daughter Pia Lindstrom was a special guest at the sold-out soirée, which included 1940s-era hits from Swedish big band Co^on Club.
‘HOW I GOT OVER’ RECEPTION NAVAL HERITAGE CENTER THEATER (Photos by Jay Snap)
4. Pia Lindstrom and John Carley
Sen. Barbara Boxer was a proud mother at the screening of her daughter Nicole Boxer’s film “How I Got Over” at the AFI Docs Documentary Film Festival. An official selection of the Women and Film Voices Film Festival, the film follows 15 formerly homeless and/or incarcerated women from N Street Village, a local community for addiction recovery
5. Madeleine and Swedish Amb. Björn Lyrvall
11. Schroeder Stribling, Joanna Calabrese and Daren Thomas
6. Leonor Fernandez, Andrew Samson and Jennifer Roberts
12. Pertrina Thomas, Rose Shaw and Lolita Mitchell 13. Liz Friedman and Nady Golestaneh
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HOME LIFE Real Estate News and Open House I Inside Homes and My Washington
&EGLIPSV 'LMG Nightclub guru Peter Kalamoutsos is redfining the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;bachelor padâ&#x20AC;? at his Adams Morgan penthouse loft. BY AUBREY ALMANZA PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY BROWN
HOME LIFE | INSIDE HOMES
ot many people can say they received housewarming gifts from some of the biggest names in the music industry. However, such is the norm for Washington nightclub owner Pete Kalamoutsos. Having a personal relationship with many performers, his loft not only features their gifts, but often the artists themselves. Whether it’s watching sports, playing poker or enjoying barbeque on the rooftop, Kalamoutsos has created the ultimate hosting space for guests who want a comfortable escape in a prime location. Finding the right property was a year-and-a-halflong journeyy with frustrating results. In fact, Kalamoutsos originally disliked the loft he now calls home. “It was all brown, there were cherry-red cabinets and a wall that killed the vibe of the room. I wasn’t feeling it,” he says. But his agent, Andy Pierce from Compass, called two days later and asked him to take a second look.“We can make it the way you want,” Pierce told him, “and negotiate to get the wall knocked down.” Kalamoutsos was soon convinced of the property’s potential, and in August 2014 he purchased a corner loft on the building’s penthouse floor. Over a period of three weeks, Kalamoutsos projectmanaged the loft’s renovations. Although he considers his interior taste to be “modern, clean and subtle,” bespoke might be a more suitable description, as he carefully considered and handpicked every item in the loft to suit his style. In addition to removing a wall to create a more open floor plan, Kalamoutsos installed grey hardwood floors, new carpeting in both bedrooms, new window treatments — and this was just the beginning. He swapped in white cabinets, changed all of the wall colors, added quartz countertops and a blacktiled backsplash to the kitchen. He also ordered a custom closet, Banksy artwork and stainless steel appliances. European designers such as Bonaldo, Driade and Philippe Starck were his go-tos. Lighting proved to be the biggest overhaul project
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OPENING PAGE: The “Caadre” mirror by Philippe Starck is one of the first things you see when you enter the loft and it adds a jaw-dropping effect in addition to making the loft look bigger. PREVIOUS PAGE (clockwise from top left): The “Squaring” bed by Bonaldo in the master bedroom plays with volume, modern geometric shapes and ulpholestery; Kalamoutsos asked his mother to help choose the backsplash tile in his kitchen; Pete Kalamoutsos, partner at Echostage, Soundcheck, Barcode and Ultrabar, in his 2,400-squarefoot two-bedroom, two-bathroom Adams Morgan penthouse loft; The guest bedroom has great natural light and the Parvez canvas art brings out the silvery grey of the wallpaper THIS PAGE (clockwise from top left): The Lacoon Island sofa by Jai Jalan is Kalamoutsos’ favorite furnishing — its soft, gray leather pairs perfectly with a Philippe Starck mirrored coffee table; The Nemo by Driade swivel chairs on the patio and the Bonaldo table in the dining room were housewarming gifts from D.J. Tiësto; Much of the artwork was found on Gilt.com including the Oliver Gal fashion football painting in the bedroom; Three different rugs make up the “X Collection” by Henzel in the living room and the owner’s favorite has a face with glasses that looks like Skrillex, one of his favorite musicians.
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for Kalamoutsos. “The [dining room] chandelier, Schon lighting in the hallway and recessed chandelier in the family room all match,” Kalamoutsos says. “I already had LED recess lighting in the ceiling, so I didn’t need light fixtures to light up my room, but rather something that was more aesthetically pleasing. I worked with Alexandria Lighting on all of the lighting from the master bedroom fan to the track lighting in the kitchen.” Even though every interior detail of the loft is exactly what Kalamutsos wanted, his favorite part of the property is his rooftop, equipped with patio furniture, a weather-proof flat screen TV and a grill for barbequing, which he does regularly.With a Southern-facing view of the National Mall, it’s the perfect place to host events throughout the year, as he did with over 100 people on the Fourth of July. Although Kalamoutsos is now the owner of successful local nightclubs Echostage, Soundcheck, Ultra Bar and Bar-Code, he began his career as a deejay and is a natural entertainer. Thus, when looking for a place to live, he factored in the needs of his guests and approached decorating his personal space as he would any business venue. “I wanted to have a patio, whether it be ground-level or rooftop,” Kalamoutsos says. “Having a place where I could entertain and have people over was my number one requirement. I work so much that I want to come home and enjoy it, not just have a place to sleep before I had to go out again.” When asked about hosting high-profile guests, Kalamoutsos shrugs and answers modestly, “A lot of artists come here because they’re good friends. These guys travel so much that they’d rather have a nice, home-cooked meal before the gig to talk and catch up, rather than going to a restaurant where people will want pictures,” Kalamoutsos says. Though few will have professional athletes and musicians to entertain regularly, Kalamoutsos offers valuable advice to all fellow hosts. His entertaining secrets? Wine and music. “I have Sonos in every room of the house,” Kalamoutsos says. “To me, it’s important to have cool background music even if I’m just getting dressed. It’s my life.”
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
Fresh Beginnings
Jack and Susanna Quinn buy in Berkley, lobbyist Daphna Peled moves to Georgetownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famed Cookeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Row and Capitals goalie Braden Holtby settles on a historic Old Town mansion BY STAC E Y G R A Z I E R P FA R R
Washington power-couple Jack and Susanna Quinn bought a breathtaking French Country villa at DUNMORE LANE NW in Berkley for $5,417,500 from Edward and Virginia Murphy. Mrs. Quinn is founder of Veluxe, an on-demand beauty and fitness app that brings hairstylists, makeup artists and personal trainers to your door. She is the daughter of former Washington Post reporter Michael Monroney and a granddaughter of A. S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mikeâ&#x20AC;? Monroney, an Oklahoma Democrat who served in the House of Representatives and then the Senate between 1939 and 1969. Mr. Quinn is former White House counsel to President Bill Clinton and founder of the Quinn, Gillespie & Associates strategic communications firm. The coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new six-bedroom abode was built in 2010 by Richard Zantzinger in the exclusive Phillips Park enclave and designed by award winning architect Ankie Barnes. The house sits on a beautiful lot that backs to park land and includes a swimming pool, patio and large terrace. TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jonathan Taylor was the listing agent. TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sarah Dahlgren Talcott represented the Quinns, who recently listed their Wesley Heights house at
CATHEDRAL AVENUE NW with Sarah Dahlgren Talcott for $3,295,000.
THE DISTRICT Q STREET NW, one of the 1860s
Victorian mansions on Georgetownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cookeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Row, fetched a cool $4.4 million when senior National Cable and Telecommunications Association lobbyist Daphna Peled purchased the historic five-bedroom residence of the late Michael Weissberg, a well known Washington attorney. The semi-detached 6,700-square-foot townhouse was built by Henry Cooke, the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first territorial governor. The house features 12- foot ceilings, a finished lower
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level including an au pair suite and a onecar detached garage. Maxwell Rabin of TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty was the listing agent; Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eileen McGrath represented the buyer. Retired United States Information Agency foreign service officer Philip Pillsbury, a scion of the Pillsbury baking products clan, and his wife Nina will soon be residents of PENTHOUSE IN THE SHOREHAM WEST which they purchased for $3,295,000 from William and Marilyn Lane. The 4,200-square-
foot apartment is the seamless combination of two units boasting stunning views of the Washington skyline. Dazzling embassy-sized rooms and a banquet sized dining room make this posh penthouse a perfect place to entertain. The Massachusetts Avenue Heights gem at
CALVERT STREET NW includes a large ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suite, a chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen and four parking places.Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary were the listing agents. Bobbie Brewster, also of Washington
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Fine Properties represented the Pillsburys. Journalist Desmond O. Butler and his wife Miriam Mahlo, a Human Rights Watch director, bought N STREET NW for $3.3 million from well-known technology entrepreneur Sanjeev Bansal. Mr. Butler is the son of famed photographer George Butler (credited with discovering Arnold Schwarzenegger and Victoria Mele (daughter of Washington and Newport, R.I. grande dame Marion â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oatsieâ&#x20AC;? Leiter Charles).The five-bedroom, 18th century Federal was once owned by Ben Bradlee, vice president of The Washington Post and former editor of the paper during the Watergate scandal. The West Village Georgetown townhouse includes an ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suite with two master baths and an attached sitting room, six fireplaces and a spacious brick patio. The listing agent for the transaction was Washington Fine Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nancy Taylor Bubes (who also sold the house to Bansal in 2012 when he bought it from Patricia Dunn). Michael Rankin of Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent.
VIRGINIA Washington Capitals hockey goaltender Braden Holtby and his wife Brandi purchased FRANKLIN STREET in Alexandria for $3.2 million from Calvert and Sally Simmons. The elegant, circa 1790 brick residence in the heart of Historic Old Town boasts five bedrooms and offers gracious formal rooms with fine moldings, a light-filled family living areas overlooking beautiful, landscaped grounds that include a brick patio, gazebo, fishpond, mature trees and plantings and a swimming pool. The property was listed by TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roy Melloni. McEnearney Associatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ann Duff represented the buyer. The former home of Alan van den Berg, a renovated Ballantrae Colonial at KINGSTON PLACE, sold for $3,295,000 to Raymond A. Jacobsen, a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery. McEnearney Associatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sue Goodhart represented both sides of the transaction. The 10,000-squarefoot house occupies a half acre lot and features a two-story wall of windows overlooking a lush salt water pool, stone patio with fireplace and putting green. An open stairwell leads to a great room with cherry bar, wine cellar, office, media room and guest quarters.
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QUEBEC STREET NW changed hands when Hudai Yavalar purchased the Spring Valley beauty from Peter Brickfield and M.A. Ruda Brickfield for $1,588,000. Mr. Brickfield is chairman and CEO of B-W Energy LLC, which supplies energy to commercial, educational and government properties. The five-bedroom 1942 brick Colonial has great curb appeal as well as grand scale and boasts spacious formal living and dining rooms, a large sun filled office, an eat-in kitchen with atrium ceilings and a rear garden patio with a heated swimming pool. William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe, and Christopher R. Leary of Washington Fine Properties represented both sides in the transaction.
MARYLAND Bruce Downey, a partner at NewSpring Capital, and his wife Deborah sold RAPLEY PRESERVE DRIVE, their 2000-built Craftsman in Avenel, for $1,750,000 to Joseph Strasnick, owner of The Sierra Group Inc, a Laurel, Md.-based commercial construction company. The custom-built Potomac mini-estate features five bedroom suites, a gourmet kitchen opening to a family room and a half-acre lot with a threecar garage. Washington Fine Properties William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe, and Christopher R. Leary were the listing agents while the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent was Mark Fitzpatrick of Re/Max
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
PROPERTY LINES
HECHINGER ESTATE HITS MARKET: The residence of the late home improvement magnate John Hechinger (1920-2004) is for sale for $3,750,000. Mr. Hechinger lived at CHAIN BRIDGE ROAD NW with his wife, June, who died last summer. Mr. Hechinger was the son of Sidney Hechinger, who founded the company in 1911. He became president after his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death in 1957 and the company went public in 1972, making it a multi-billion dollar chain selling hardware, plumbing and other building materials at more than 100 stores in the United States. Commissioned by the couple in 1951, the six-bedroom residence was designed by renowned architect Walter Gropius, a leading modernist pioneer and founder of the esteemed Bauhaus School. The house was more recently decorated by award-winning interior designer Thomas Pheasant, who created a classic-meets-modern aesthetic. The Kent Contemporary is sited on a 1.25-acre professionally landscaped lot and includes a swimming pool and tennis court. The property is listed by the Morrell-McCormick-Roth Team of Washington Fine Properties. LOGAN CIRCLE CONTEMPORARY: Former Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Democratic Club President Nuchhi Currier and her husband Bill Currier listed RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NW for $2,950,000 with Compass Real Estateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alex Venditti Group and Jeffrey Taylor. The six-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot townhouse was built in 1885 but boasts fully modern contemporary interiors including elevated walkways, soaring ceilings, a huge kitchen and two basement rental units.
modern influences by renowned developer Giorgio Furioso. The asking price for this one-of-a-kind residence is $4,875,000. Features include two kitchens, a great room, a True Wine Cellar, pool, three-car garage, two parking pads plus solar panels and other energy efficient amenities.
FAMILY GEM: For the first time in over 20 years, WYOMING AVENUE NW is on the market. George and Patricia Lesser are asking $3,295,000 for their 1922 Federal OBSERVATORY CIRCLE CHARMER: TTR townhouse in Kalorama. The property Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chena Bolton boast a certain quiet character for which its is the listing agent for EDMUNDS architect George N. Ray, who also designed STREET NW. The seven-bedroom house was the Riggs National Bank across from the U.S. meticulously renovated with both classic and Department of the Treasury, was known.
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TURNBERRY HEAD TURNER: Embrace life at the top in the completely redesigned two-bedroom Turnberry Tower penthouse in Arlington. UNIT
at NASH STREET is listed for $2,799,000 with Compassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jill Patel. The apartment features Miele appliances, polished porcelain floor tiles, tray ceilings and a custom designed dressing room. This full service building with a pool, concierge, valet parking and fitness center is the essence of luxury living. Large, airy rooms with oversized windows and 10.5-foot ceilings lend a brightness to the interior which also features plaster moldings, wrought iron railings on the cantilevered staircase and a gracious main level foyer that doubles as a library. The seven-bedroom property also includes a renovated chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen and stunning glass-enclosed, sundrenched dining areas with French doors leading to a private deck. Bobbie Brewster of Washington Fine Properties is the listing agent.
Send real estate news to Stacey Grazier Pfarr at editorial@washingtonlife.com.
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HOME LIFE | OPEN HOUSE
Convenient Comforts Settle into one of these ideally located dwellings.
MCLEAN FOUNDERS RIDGE LANE< MCLEAN< VA One rarely discovers a house with such exquisite details and craftsmanship as this property, built by architect Richard Foster in collaboration with The Galileo Group. The 11,000square-foot property includes five bedrooms, six full and two half bathrooms, eight fireplaces, a four-car garage, a Lewis Aquatech-designed pool and cobblestone courtyard. It is ideally located just minutes outside the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital.
ASKING PRICE: $7,345,000 LISTING AGENT: Roy Melloni, 703863-0077, TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty
MASS AVE HEIGHTS ND STREET NW
ASKING PRICE: $6,500,000
On the market for the first time in 30 years, this stunning Tudor features LISTING AGENT: unparalleled architectural elements and a spacious lot with a porte- Margot Wilson, 202cochere, expansive back terrace and pool, all backed by lush and tranquil 549-2100, Washingparkland. The property has been masterfully restored with impeccable ton Fine Properties attention to detail, including original flooring, ceilings with hand-hewn beams, leaded glass windows, Gothic arch doorways and multiple balconies. The public rooms and upstairs bedroom suites are grandly proportioned and there are six wood-burning fireplaces throughout the house.
RIVERBEND LANDING RIVER PARK LANE< GREAT GALLS< VA Built on a five acre-estate with 400-year-old trees, Riverwalk is approximately a 200-yard walk down a private road to the Potomac River.The house was inspired by Thomas Jefferson-style Palladian architecture. The current owners updated Riverwalk in 2015, adopting new technology and trends in luxury living, while maintaining its original charm.
ASKING PRICE: $2,989,000 LISTING AGENT: Brad Griffin, 202744-7722, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
KENT UNIVERSITY TERRACE NW This offering is a truly distinctive Washington masterpiece built by Denning Builders and GTM Architects. This superb five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath house offers over 5,600 square feet of living space. The property includes an elevator, a gourmet kitchen, custom millwork and high ceilings. It is ideally located just minutes from local shops and restaurants and is a short drive to Georgetown and downtown Washington.
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ASKING PRICE: $3,095,000 LISTING AGENT: Hans Wydler, 202-600-2727, Wydler Brothers Real Estate
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MY WASHINGTON Kirk Cousins, Quarterback,Washington Redskins B Y L A U R A WA I N M A N
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HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE “YOU LIKE THAT” CRAZE REALLY TAKING OFF? It’s fun for the fan base. I don’t think you have to look any further than the atmosphere at the kickoff in the playoff game with the [rally] towels and the fans. The noise, the energy and the electricity — you can’t beat that. It’d be neat if we could play football at a high enough level to keep that phrase around and to keep it as a rallying cry — make it something that people are proud to get behind.
HOW HAS YOUR LIFE IN WASHINGTON CHANGED SINCE YOU WENT FROM BACKUP TO STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR THE REDSKINS? I get a little bit more fan mail at the building now, a few more people stopping [my wife] Julie and me while we’re at dinner to say hello or to say “You Like That,” but the rest has stayed the same. The feeling inside the building — the day-to-day grind, the studying, the way I prepare in the off-season — it’s the same whether you’re a backup or a starter. You always feel that need and desire to push as far as you can and strive for greatness. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DIDN’T ACHIEVE THIS SEASON THAT YOU’D LIKE TO IMPROVE UPON NEXT YEAR? There’s certainly a bitter taste in my mouth about the way the season ended in the playoff loss. We feel like when we get that moment in front of our own home fans and they’re so excited, we’ve got to deliver. If we get the privilege to get back to that setting we want to make good on it. I’m already looking forward to our first home game next year and the chance to play in front of our fans again and giving them something to cheer for.
MY TOP SPOTS Julie and I love to go to 1. Georgetown and walk around. Sometimes in the summer when there are high school groups on tours, I’ll try to walk with a tour guide because I like to learn the facts that he gives about American history. Believe it or not, my wife and I do like to eat healthy. Our cheat food would be burgers at 2. Elevation Burger or 3. Shake Shack, but even when we eat burgers we like to eat it in a lettuce wrap. 4. Founding Farmers is pretty healthy. It’s all food from local farmers, so we think that’s cool. We like good atmosphere. 5. Sweetwater Tavern was a place I went to a lot my rookie year with rookie teammates and when Julie and I started dating. So, it’s kind of fun to keep going there as life goes on. Things change, but that restaurant stays the same. I find 6. Mount Vernon to be almost a get-away for me, a very relaxing place. I love studying George Washington and his life and that setting is a peaceful place for me. 7. The Lincoln Memorial, is probably my favorite on the National Mall. When you consider the weight of what he carried when he was president, it’s pretty astounding. There’s something inside you that just stirs and you feel a great sense of excitement for this country and it’s a thrill to be able to represent this city on a daily basis.
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CO U S I N S P H OTO CO U RT E SY WA S H I N GTO N R E DS K I N S ; G EO R G E TOW N P H OTO CO U RT E SY W I K I M E D I A / I N G F B R U N O ; S H A K E S H AC K P H OTO CO U RT E SY W I K I M E D I A / M 01 2 2 9; M O U N T V E R N O N P H OTO CO U RT E SY W I K I M E D I A / M A RT I N FA L B I SO N E R .
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THIS SEASON HAS BEEN A SEASON OF CHANGES FOR THE REDSKINS: NEW QUARTERBACK, NEW G.M. AND A NEW MANTRA OF BUILDING THROUGH THE DRAFT. HOW DID THE TEAM ADAPT? In this league you kind of expect change. You just keep going and do the best you can to want to be wanted. You stay in your lane, focus on your tasks and trust the people around you to do their job. Usually if you do that, good things happen. It’s not always fun because you have to see friends and teammates come and go, but it comes with the territory and you try to make the best of it.