Breaking Barriers and Redefining Washington
INAUGURATION PARTIES | RED CROSS BALL | YAYOI KUSAMA AT THE HIRSHHORN SHAW’S FOOD RENAISSANCE | RESTAURATEUR MIKE ISABELLA | Spring Break Escapes VINODA BASNAYAKE’S TOWNHOME WITH A VIEW
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22 '328)287 MARCH 2017
54 EDITOR'S LETTER
WASHINGTON SOCIAL DIARY HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC
FEATURES
Celebrities Descend on Washington ............................
THE YOUNG AND THE GUEST LIST .....
Chinese Lunar NewYear......................................... Dinner for Rudy Giuliani.......................................
FYIDC
OVER THE MOON
INSIDER'S GUIDE ........................................ SOCIAL CALENDAR ................................... ART SPOTLIGHT Yayoi Kusama ......................
INNOVATORS Layer3 TV's Eric Kuhn ...............
International Debutante Ball .................................... Choral Arts Society Gala ........................................ "Jackie" Premiere .................................................. Winternational ................................................... National Geographic "Sea of Hope" ..........................
POLLYWOOD
"David Rubenstein Show" Launch ...........................
INAUGURATION WEEK
Children in the Middle East Event.........................
Inaugural Parties Roundup......................................
Parties, Parties, Parties! ...........................................
EMBASSY ROW Diplomatic Hot Seats...........................................
HOME LIFE
Red Cross Ball ...................................................
INSIDE HOMES Hospitality Entrepreneur Vinoda Basnayake .................
LIFESTYLES FASHION EDITORIAL Retro Revival .............. TREND REPORT Green Scene ......................... THE DISH North End Shaw's Food Renaissance...... SPRING BREAK ESCAPES
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REAL ESTATE NEWS ................................... OPEN HOUSE ..............................................
MY WASHINGTON Chef Mike Isabella ..............
SPECIAL DUAL COVER ISSUE for the first time in 25 years
Cayman Islands and St. John ..................................
TOP FROM LEFT: COVER PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL (Cover 1: Sara Murray, Erin McPike, Hunter Schwarz, Noor Tagouri, Hallie Jackson and David Farenthold, Cover 2: Molly Brady, Bethany Kazaba, Lauren Culbertson, Bill Hamid and Will Compton); Donald and Melania Trump at official inaugural ball; YGL Photo of Erin Como, Aaron Gilchrist, Jummy Olabanji and Amelia Draper by Tony Powell; All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, 2016 Wood, mirror, plastic, black glass, LED Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo / Singapore and Victoria Miro, London. © Yayoi Kusama; Vintage Alhambra Earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels ($4,800), vancleefarpels.com. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN blouse ($1,895) WORKSHOP aria satin trouser ($380); SAINT LAURENT satin teddy bomber jacket ($2,790); MIU MIU leather-trimmed satin platform espadrilles ($745) Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000; CARTIER love ring ($10,900); CARTIER love bracelet ($43,000) Cartier, 5471 B Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-654-5858 (Photo by Nick Ghobashi).
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WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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EDITOR’S LETTER
REDEFINING WASHINGTON
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chefs. For those who fancy contemporary art, a large body of avant-garde Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s work will be on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture garden through mid-May. Get your iPhones ready, because the “Infinity Mirror” exhibit is very Instagramworthy. On the fashion front, we showcase trends of the past that are making a comeback. Think platform shoes, culottes and accordion-style pieces. Rocket Bar in Chinatown provided the vintage appeal we needed to make the vision come together. Pantone’s color of the year is “Greenery,” inspired by shades found in nature. That shade inspired this month’s trend report, with items perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. With spring break on the horizon, be sure to peruse our Reps. Elise Stefanik, Will Hurd handy guides to the Cayman and Ruben Kihuen on Capitol Hill Islands and St. John. The inauguration of our 45th president meant lots of party hopping to cover the festivities surrounding his swearing-in. Our robust package of images is supplemented by Janet Donovan’s “Hollywood on the Potomac” column, which captures many of the celebrities who made the trip. In addition to inaugural coverage you will find WL-sponsored events including the the Choral Arts Gala, Winternational and Palm Beach’s party of the year, the Red Cross Ball. Stay tuned next month for coverage of THEARC’s Whacky & Whimsical Tea, N Street Village’s Benefit and more.
Nancy R. Bagley Editor in Chief Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her at nbagley@washingtonlife.com
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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P H OTOS BY TO NY P OW E L L
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he greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area attracted more than its fair share of millennials during the period of recession and recovery, and while that edge has declined recently, the nation’s capital and its suburbs continue to offer what this vitally important population group requires to both move and remain here. The region outperforms most others when it comes to a diverse and highly educated population, ease of transportation without a car, parks and outdoor recreation, numerous art galleries and performing arts venues and an explosion in the restaurant scene that has gained national attention. Most important of all is the continuing availability of jobs in a multi-faceted workplace that extends well beyond federal and local government to include opportunities in law, education, technology, retail, healthcare, non-profit organizations, real estate and technology. This wide range of options is well represented by those selected to appear in this month’s Young & the Guest List feature. Our 12th annual compilation of movers and shakers under 40 is just as impressive as always with a wide range of notably successful individuals who are making a difference in their chosen fields. The list includes more than 50 journalists, a dozen members of Congress, 25 athletes, 20 chefs and restaurateurs, 30-plus entrepreneurs, seven White House staffers as well as doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, public relations professionals, writers and engineers. Many of the accompanying portraits by Tony Powell were taken at 3030 Chain Bridge, a stunning 8-bedroom newly built home by Banks Development on the market now for $22 million. We photographed members of Congress on Capitol Hill, where Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) whom we photographed in 2016, photobombed our picture of Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-New York) and Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nevada). For Inside Homes we took a tour of lobbyist and hospitality entrepreneur Vinoda Basnayake’s new five-story townhouse in Arlington. The renovated space is elegant, edgy and — as you might imagine — perfect for entertaining. Sometimes the best way to find out where the young people are is to follow the food. We dined in North End Shaw’s Haikan, Kyirisan and Hazel to get a taste of contemporary cuisines from three talented
FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington BY ERICA MOODY
D.C. ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FEST
MEANINGFUL MOVIES
Take out-of-town visitors to one of the District’s most celebrated annual occasions: the blooming of more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees gifted to the U.S. from Japan. Wear your best blush cocktail attire to the pink-tie party on March 16 and watch traditional Japanese performances at the opening ceremony celebration at Warner Theatre on March 25. For a complete list of events, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
TESLA OPENS AT CITYCENTER
STUNNING SHOWROOM
Luxurious CityCenter is adding a luxury vehicle emporium to the high-end retailers that make it one of the area’s top spots for upscale shopping. You can view the California-based manufacturer’s 100 percent electric vehicles in its new showroom, which has moved and been upgraded from its previous K Street location. Learn about the Model S, Model X, Energy Storage Products and Tesla’s Autopilot technology in what representatives call “an engaging and low-pressure sales environment.� Tesla, 909 H St., NW, Suite 601.
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TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AT THE PHILLIPS
PARISIAN SCENES The cabaret, cafĂŠ and concert scenes of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s iconic lithographs and posters will make you want to book the next flight to Paris. For the first time in the U.S., this special exhibition assembles a preeminent collection of the artist’s prints and posters. According to the museum, “Nearly 100 examples of incomparable quality and color celebrate daily life and the premier performers of the belle ĂŠpoque — Aristide Bruant, Marcelle Lender, ChaU-Kao, and others — cleverly caricatured through Toulouse-Lautrec’s perceptive skills of observation and transformation.â€? On view through April 30. 1600 21st St. NW, Phillipscollection.org.
JAY LENO LIVE at the kennedy center
AMUSING EVENING
“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno� became the ratings leader of late night within its first two years. For one night only, the comedy legend will perform live on the concert hall stage. The Kennedy Center Concert Hall; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $79; available at The Kennedy Center box office or 202.467.4600.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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C O U RT E SY O F C H E R R Y B LO S S O M F E ST I VA L , PA N DA F R O M T H E F I L M I N C H I N A� C O U R T E SY O F D I S N E Y N AT U R E , O P E N I N G I M AG E C O U R T E SY LA , HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTRECTHE BOX WITH THE GILDED MASK IMAGE COURTE SY OF THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
PINK-TIE PARTY
P H OTO “BORN OF TE S ( 1894)
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
The longest-running environmental film fest in the country celebrates 25 years with screenings of earthconscious films from around the world at various locations in and around the city. Highlights from this year’s fest include “Born in China,� a special advance screening presented at the National Museum of American History, and the nature documentary “Seasons,� winner of the Festival’s Polly Krakora Award for Artistry in Film, which will honor Oscar-winning filmmaker Jacques Perrin. March 14-26, dceff.org.
FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR
MARCH
5
AN EVENING IN CONVERSATION WITH YANNI
8
VITAL VOICES GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
This intimate performance will give audience members an opportunity to ask Greek composer Yiannis “Yanni� Chryssomallis questions in an informal setting with just him and his piano. Warner Theater; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $60.
Honoring those who are on the front lines of change, the Vital Voices Global Partnership supports brave women who have offered innovative solutions to world issues. The event brings change makers and world culture producers together to celebrate powerful women of our time. The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater; 8 p.m.; reservations via vitalvoices@dufourandco.com.
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J USTICE AT THE OPERA WITH JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Presented by the Washington National Opera, this intimate discussion with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello will feature Justice Ginsburg’s insights on legal issues that arise in famous scenes from opera. The Kennedy Center Opera House; 7:30 p.m.; tickets start at $69; available at The Kennedy Center box ofďŹ ce or 202-467-4600.
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N STREET VILLAGE BENEFIT Join co-chairmen Hillary and Tom Baltimore and Sandra and Tom McCoy in recognizing clients, supporters, and leaders who exemplify the spirit of N Street’s mission to support low income individuals in the Washington area. This year’s event will honor Ruth and Arne Sorenson. 0DUULRWW 0DUTXLV S P EXVLQHVV DWWLUH VSRQVRUVKLSV IURP FRQWDFW 6WXDUW $OOHQ DW VDOOHQ#QVWUHHW YLOODJH RUJ
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CHANCE FOR LIFE The Chance for Life event will include a 600-person poker tournament, hors d’oeuvres, wine tastings, and a performance artist. All proceeds raised are donated to directly fund cancer research through Children’s National Hospital Center and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. 0*0 1DWLRQDO +DUERU S P VSRQVRUVKLSV IURP DYDLODEOH DW FKDQFHIRUOLIH QHW
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CHILDRENâ€?S BALL The Children’s Hospital signature gala will include dinner, dancing and a live auction. Proceeds beneďŹ t the support of young patients and their families. RitzCarlton, Washington, D.C.; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie attire; $15,000; sponsorships from $5,000; contact Jen Fleming at jbeming2@childrensnational.org.
Chloe Shime, Logan Batties, Ellison Doomes and Nadia Foster at THEARC Wacky & Whimsical Tea 2016
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Ford’s Theatre Gala
TOAST TO OUR TROOPS
Hosted by the Code of Support Foundation, this evening of hors d’oeuvres, wine tastings and a silent auction will raise funds to support the Code of Support veteran’s initiatives. Association of the United Army Event Center, Arlington, Va.; 6 p.m.; cocktail attire; $125; sponsorships from $500; www.codeofsupport.org.
P H OTOS BY TO N Y P OW E L L
THEARC’S WACKY AND WHIMSICAL TEA Afternoon tea, games, entertainment and a silent auction in Whoville to beneďŹ t the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) 5LW] &DUOWRQ :DVKLQJ WRQ ' & S P DIWHUQRRQ WHD DWWLUH SHU FKLOG SHU DGXOW VSRQVRUVKLSV VWDUW DW FRQWDFW -DQHW 6WRQH MVWRQH#WKHDUF RUJ
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SAVE THE DATE :/ 6321625(' (9(176
APR TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL LUNCHEON
APR NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS GALA APR REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL DINNER APR INNOCENTS AT RISK GALA APR GREAT LADIES LUNCH & FASHION SHOW
| M A R C H | washingtonlife.com
Schroeder Stribling and Oprah Winfrey at N Street Village’s 2016 Benefit
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FYIDC | ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
INTO THE INFINITE
Avant-garde icon Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirrors” mesmerizes at the Hirshhorn. BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
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Yayoi Kusama with recent works in Tokyo, 2016 Pumpkin, 2016, at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Infinity Mirror Room—Phalli’s Field,1965, in Floor Show, Castellane Gallery, New York, 1965
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
P H OTO YAYO I CO U RT KU SA M
ayoi Kusama’s unapologetically bold work is back in the United States after nearly two decades. The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will show a collection of her work through mid-May using a timed pass system to handle the crowds of eager fans hoping to set eyes on this much-anticipated installation. In addition to explosively colorful paintings and sculptures, the exhibition includes a series of mirrored rooms where Kusama’s reflected art gives the breathtaking sensation of infinity. Visitors will spend 30 to 45 ethereal seconds in each of the six life-size cubes for what curator Mika Yoshitake describes as “cosmological.” In the rooms, she says, “You really feel like you’re floating.” Having grown up in rural Japan, Kusama seemed destined to live the traditional life her parents had envisioned, but in the late ’50s she rebelled and set out for NewYork to pursue an artistic career. It was there that her signature use of colored polka dots,“nets” and multi-reflective environments made her a pioneer on the art scene.Though critics didn’t give her work its proper due until much later, Kusama’s avant-garde style influenced Andy Warhol and other contemporary greats. Working off the premise of controlled chaos, she creates works about “selfobliteration,” a concept which defines the trade-off between ego and equality. These dueling ideas evolved into Kusama’s famous “Obliteration Room” (on view at the Hirshhorn) – a stark, white, furnished space that visitors are invited to decorate with colored polka dot stickers.Yoshitake says the idea is to “make things unrecognizable” in order to “see things anew.” Kusama obsessively employs pattern play to physically manifest the personal demons and hallucinations she has battled from a young age. In search of structure and mental respite, she returned to Japan decades ago and voluntarily checked herself into a mental institution outside Tokyo.To this day, she spends most of her hours creating at a nearby studio in Shinjuku. In her memoir, Kusama calls art her medicine. “I fight pain, anxiety and fear every day,” she writes, “and the only method I have found that relieves my illness is to keep creating art.” In conversations with Kusama,Yoshitake says she moves beyond the walls of her studio to speak in larger terms about love and peace, tropes repeatedly found in her work. Beyond and in spite of her mental health struggles, Kusama’s art conveys a deep optimism for the modern world.
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Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, 2009
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FYIDC | INNOVATORS AND DISRUPTORS
NEXT GENERATION CABLE Layer3 TV’s Eric Kuhn is betting we are not ready to cut the cord on cable television. BY VIRGINIA COYNE
ideo streaming services like Netf lix, can check Facebook and Hulu and Amazon Prime and Twitter while watching their devices like Apple TV and Chromecast, favorites shows. “Our picture have made it easier than ever for is incredible,” Kuhn says, consumers to “cut the cord” when it adding that the company is a comes to their cable subscriptions. In leader in 4K (or Ultra HD) fact, in 2015 alone, the industry lost content. Layer3 also touts itself more than a million subscribers. as green, and installers travel With so many people, especially in electric vehicles like Teslas younger consumers, abandon ing or the BMW i3. traditional cable, why would millennial But will it resonate with Eric Kuhn, who has spent his entire viewers poised to switch career working ahead of the technological away from pay-TV? Kuhn, curve, leave his job as Hollywood’s first29, a trailblazer whose career ever social media agent to help launch a highlights include putting cable company? Because “it’s really cool” Katie Couric and the National says Kuhn of Layer3 TV — the first new Basketball Association on cable entry in the pay-TV market in social media before becoming more than a decade. CNN’s f irst-ever audience And of all the places to launch, why interaction producer, calls would executives of Denver-based Layer3 “nex t generation Layer3 TV executive Eric Kuhn checks his phone at Dirty Habit in Penn Quarter. (Photo by Tony Powell) Layer3 forgo Los Angeles and New cable,” and is betting yes—his York to recruit their very first customers hipper, cooler company will here in the Washington metropolitan area when they went live last keep the next generation plugged in. (Packages begin at $79/month; summer? “We’re really a D.C. product,” says Kuhn, the company’s layer3tv.com) chief marketing and government affairs officer. He believes the cable company’s features are especially appealing to journalists, politicos and TV news junkies. “We’re the only cable company to do three C-SPAN channels in HD,” he enthuses. “And the picture quality is so good that the ticker on CNN is the smoothest running ticker I’ve ever seen!” Self-admitted “wonkiness” about the ticker and three C-SPAN channels aside, Kuhn says that Layer3, founded by tech industry Set-top boxes come in different colors veteran Jeff Binder and Dave Fellows, a former chief technology officer of now-rival Comcast, is trying to redefine the cable experience by INNOVATIVE THOUGHTS alleviating “pain points” of traditional cable that include frustration WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE with customer service and poor picture quality, and creating new TO OTHER ENTREPRENEURS? features centered around what the customer wants. Their answers to customers’ “wants” include a sleek set top “If you’re going to work at a tech company, think about box that looks like an Apple product and comes in a variety of how the customer consumes everything. Be the first to sign colors. The box records up to eight programs at a time and operates up for new products and download every app. Use them wirelessly, so there’s no need for multiple cords or multiple boxes and be on the ground.” around the house. It works seamlessly with web-based platforms like Netf lix and Amazon and even integrates social media so viewers
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POLLYWOOD The Nexus of Politicsďš? Hollywoodďš? Media and Diplomacy | Embassy Row, Inauguration coverage and more!
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the Red Cross Ball at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (Photo by Capehart Photography)
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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POLLYWOOD
INAUGURATION WEEK
Donald and Melania Trump walk in the Inaugural parade
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT
DONALD J TRUMP
THE TRUMP ERA
Donald and Melania Trump greet the audience at the official ball
Parties were in full swing during the week leading up to the inauguration of President Donald Trump and for the weekend after. An array of hosts took the opportunity to assemble for a variety of causes, some in celebration and others in dissent. Former Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mary Ourisman pulled out all the stops at her VIP Inaugural party, lavishly transforming Cafe Milano with acres of billowing red silk, towering f loral arrangements and intimate
seating areas in spaces tented off from the cold. “I wanted the old guard to welcome in the new guard,” she said of her bipartisan bash. “I think all my guests had just as much fun as I did.” At RightNOW’s breakfast for Kellyanne Conway, the presidential advisor was surprised with a cake for her 50th birthday, which just happened to fall on inauguration day. Others anchored events around bipartisan causes that included the Creative Coalition’s Inaugural Ball for the arts and PETA’s event in support of animal rights. WL EXCLUSIVE
Wayne and Lea Berman with Lynn and Dick Cheney
Thomas Barrack Jr., Rima Al-Sabah, Cio Selor and Kuwaiti Amb. Salem Al-Sabah
Roy Blunt, Judith Giuliani, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Fielding
INAUGURAL COCKTAIL BUFFET [KUWAITI AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE]
Justice Stephen Breyer
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Bo Derek and John Corbett
P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
Laura Cox Kaplan and Abby Blunt
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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WL EXCLUSIVE
Robert Higdon, David Deckelbaum, Nancy Brinker and Buffy Cafritz
Hilary Geary Ross and Wilbur Ross
Franco Nuschese and Rick Perry
AFTER GLOW INAUGURAL PARTY [HOSTED BY MARY OURISMAN AT CAFE MILANO]
Kristin Cecchi, Jack Quinn, Jamie Dorros and Susanna Quinn
P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
Mary Ourisman and Sen. Marco Rubio
Kosovo Amb. Vlora Citaku, Danish Amb. Lars Gert Lose, Ulla Rønberg and Barbara Harrison Nancy and Jim Rosebush with Judy Woodruff
Dan and Tanya Snyder
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| M A R C H | washingtonlife.com
Georgette Mosbacher, Susan Blumenthal and Barby Allbritton
Dave Dorros, John Cecchi, Bret Baier and Raul Fernandez
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POLLYWOOD
INAUGURATION WEEK
Harris Faulkner, Patricia Harrison, Anita McBride and Kathryn Barger Callista and Newt Gingrich
RIGHTNOW BREAKFAST FOR KELLYANNE CONWAY
Mary Hillyer Peelen, Elizabeth Peelen and Sarah Peelen
DENTON’S COCKTAIL RECEPTION [THE SOURCE] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
[FOUR SEASONS] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
GODDARD GUNSTER BREXIT RECEPTION [HAY ADAMS]
Kathleen Ham, Marie Sylla andChristine Kurth
Marlene Colucci and Kellyanne Conway
P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
Rep. Phil Bryant and Nigel Farage
Dan Mathews, Pamela Anderson, Anna Ware and Jack Ryan
Geoffrey Arend and Christina Hendricks
CREATIVE COALITION INAUGURAL BALL
PETA’S PARTY FOR ANIMALS
[HARMAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS]
P H O T O S B Y J OY A S I C O
[THE WILLARD]
P H OTO S BY A L F R E D O F LO R E S
Cheryl Hines
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Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat
Mary Matalin and Andress Blackwell
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
Ingrid Newkirk
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Kraig Naasz, David Culver and Steve Danon
Pat Six, Jim Martin and Rick Walden
WHISKEY BALL
BLACK TIE & BOOTS
[MXDC]
[GAYLORD NATIONAL]
P H O T O S B Y B E N D R OZ
Caitlin Hostetter and Erin Barley
Holly Kirkpatrick, Matt Walker, Jonathan Simons, Jeremy Kirkpatrick, Jennifer Fox and Ashley Coneff
P H OTO S BY L A R RY F R E N C H
Rep. Mark Meadows and Debbie Meadows
Kurt Newman and David Grimaldi
Nancy Gonzalez and Blair Lee
Carol Melton, Tammy Haddad and Juleanna Glover
TIME WARNER INAUGURAL BRUNCH Andy Shallal
[TIME WARNER] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
Ashley Judd
PEACE BALL [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE]
Fran Drescher
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
P H OTO S BY M I K E CO P P O L A / G E T T Y I M AG E S
| M A R C H | washingtonlife.com
Dorothy Kosinski, Maria Karp and Jay Pryor
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POLLYWOOD
INAUGURATION WEEK
Co-Chairs Christine Warnke and Former Rep. Jim Moran
Laine Siklos and Monica Pampell Rep. Hal Daub
FLY OVER STATES CELEBRATION [CAFE MILANO] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
FP Santangelo and Megan Haney
Ben, Cindy, and Alan Behar
SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL INAUGURAL GALA [ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
Adam Falkoff
Karla Espinoza and Tsi-Tsi-Ki Felix
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Mickey Ibarra
TRIBUTE TO MAYORS INAUGURAL UNITY DINNER [HYATT REGENCY, CAPITOL HILL] P H OTO S BY A L F R E D O F LO R E S
Michael Beckerman and Tekedra Mawakana
Adrian Fenty
Shannon Sorensen, Troy Stock and Aya Kiy
TECHNET INNOVATION LUNCH [JOE’S SEAFOOD, PRIME STEAK & STONE CRAB] P H OTO S BY TO N Y P OW E L L
STARS & STRIPES [AT&T] P H O T O S B Y ERIN SCHAFF
Chuck Blackburn and Rep. Marsha Blackburn
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Rep. Donald Beyer Jr. and William Stone
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
Rep. Steve Scalise
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POLLYWOOD | EMBASSY ROW
Diplomatic Hot Seats Number four for Mexico |“Informal” presentation of credentials | Smallest E.U. member heads presidency BY ROLAND FLAMINI
Geronimo Gutiérrez Férnandez
NOT MUSICAL CHAIRS: The recent nomination of Geronimo Gutiérrez Férnandez to
head Mexico’s embassy, currently the hottest diplomatic seat in Washington, sets a record. He will be the fourth Mexican envoy in four years, which happens to be the average length of one ambassador’s posting. Eduardo Medina Mora was in Washington for barely two, until March 2015. A chargé d’affaires then held the fort through September. The next envoy, Miguel Basáñez Ebergenyi, served only seven months. He was followed in May 2016 by Carlos Manuel Sada Solana, who departed in January 2017 before even completing his first year. Still, it’s not hard to see what the Mexicans were reaching for. Few people know the U.S.-Mexican border better than Gutiérrez Férnandez. He is currently director of the North American Development Bank – an offshoot of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in San Antonio, Texas – offering low-interest financing for projects aimed at improving environmental and living conditions among the border communities President Trump wants to wall up. CREDENTIALS A foreign ambassador’s tour
of duty in Washington begins with the timehonored ceremony of presenting his or her credentials – basically a letter confirming his
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The newly erected security barricade on Belmont Rd. NW (Photo by Catherine Trifiletti)
appointment — to the president at the White House. But that didn’t happen for 14 new chiefs of mission who arrived late last year because outgoing President Barack Obama was “short of time” and couldn’t receive them, as explained by a spokesperson for the Malaysian Embassy, whose incoming ambassador was one of those left in a kind of diplomatic limbo. Others included the ambassadors of India, Poland, Iraq and Georgia. Instead, Obama issued an executive order in effect authorizing the Department of State to hold what one official called an “informal” and highly unusual presentation of credentials at Foggy Bottom on Jan. 17.That way, the new ambassadors were able to fully assume their responsibilities. OBAMA BARRIERS Anyone planning to visit
the Kalorama residence of European Union Head of Mission David O’Sullivan – say, for the June 9 E.U. national day reception – had better be armed with a convincing ID. The corner house on Belmont Street NW is now inside a security barrier stretching across the quiet little road, and manned by uniformed Secret Service agents who vet every vehicle seeking admission. The barrier protects former President Obama and his family, whose walled and gated house is on the same street. The street
is also home to Tony Podesta and Maurice and Joan Tobin. To avoid complications, visiting diplomats and others could be encouraged to leave their cars on adjacent Massachusetts Avenue NW and approach the barrier on foot. Does O’Sullivan (to say nothing of the other denizens of this quietly affluent street) feel safer, or merely hemmed in? As expected, the E.U. is being diplomatic. “The Secret Service does a good job,” an embassy spokesman says. “We have been able to host receptions, dinners and luncheons without any disruptions due to the added security.” SIZE DOESN’T MATTER For the first time
since becoming a member in 2004, Malta, the smallest country in the E.U. holds the sixmonth rotating presidency of the European Council, essentially the E.U.’s main decision making body (along with its parliament).That is why the Mediterranean island, not much bigger than D.C., hosted the E.U. heads of government summit in February. In Washington, the presidency means more work for the two diplomats at Malta’s small embassy. Ambassador Pierre Clive Agius said he has organized an extended cultural and information program but will share the scores of additional E.U. meetings with the European body’s mission here.
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Hilary Geary Ross and Wilbur Ross President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump
Patrick Park and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
WL EXCLUSIVE
Annie Totah and Mark Lowham
INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS BALL Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach, Fla. | PHOTOS BY CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY DIAMOND CENTENNIAL Long considered the can’t-miss highlight of the Palm Beach social season, this year’s Red Cross Ball, dubbed “Vienna to Versailles,” was one for the books. Guests arrived to a poolside operatic performance by musicians in Baroque- themed attire and towering powdered wigs, then enjoyed fireworks and a sumptuous dinner served at tables with palm tree centerpieces in the lavishly appointed grand ballroom. Entering to “Hail to The Chief,” President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted ball chairwoman Janet Cafaro, commerce secretary-designate Wilbur Ross and seven ambassadors who flew down celebrate the ball’s 60th anniversary and 100 years of Red Cross service to South Florida. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the room looking more beautiful — perhaps at our wedding — right, Melania?” Trump said, adding that “We’re very proud of Mar-a-Lago and all the money we’ve raised in this room and in this wonderful house.”
Hungarian Amb. Réka Szemerkényi and John Browne
VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Swiss Amb. Martin Dahinden and Anita Dahinden with Lael Mohib and Afghan Amb. Hamdullah Mohib
Ball chairwoman Janet Cafaro WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill
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the WASHINGTON LIFE 2017
YOUNG & the
hallie jackson White House Correspondent, NBC News. Broke the story that Vice President Mike Pence was told about the Justice Department’s warning regarding former national security advisor Michael Flynn 15 days after President Trump was told.
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david fahrenthold Reporter, Washington Post Won a George Polk award for his in-depth and “dogged” coverage of the Trump campaign, including uncovering the Trump Foundation’s “deceptive and illegal charitable activities.” Broke the “Access Hollywood” tape story.
noor tagouri Reporter, Newsy First woman in a hijab to be featured in Playboy. (She was clothed). Her video series about women working in predominantly male fields debuts this month.
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GUEST LIST
sara murray White House Correspondent, CNN Was mocked and called names by then-candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally, but remained undeterred in her reporting.
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erin mcpike White House Correspondent, Independent Journal Review Veteran political reporter recently assigned to cover the Trump White House .
rising stars 40 and under
hunter schwarz Political Reporter, CNN Hired away from Independent Journal Review by CNN Politics executives just days before the inauguration. Co-authors the network’s COVER/ LINE newsletter.
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ournalists who covered the campaign and now the White House of President Donald Trump; members of Congress who have overcome odds and stereotypes to earn their seats; entrepreneurs helping launch businesses that could change the world; activists standing up for the rights of those without a stage; chefs and artists redefining the city’s cultural landscape and doctors working to find cures for life-threatening diseases— these are just a few of the roles that the more than 300 outstanding individuals aged 40 and under on our 2017 Young & the Guest List fulfill. We chose to highlight the 42 people pictured on the following pages because they have distinguished themselves in their fields. Some are breaking barriers, like Libyan-American journalist Noor Tagouri, a Muslim, who is boldy maintaining her cultural
identity by wearing a hijab while working on stories on subcultures in America for Newsy. Dr. Kathleen Kiernan Harnden of Inova Schar Cancer Institute is working to develop new treatments for breast cancer with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Entrepreneur Steve Salis, who co-founded &Pizza, is now setting his sights on revitalizing the city’s beloved Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. Ben Wikler, the Washington director of MoveOn.org, is helping “make the voices and values of MoveOn’s millions of members impossible to ignore in Washington, D.C.” Lauren Culbertson founded Millennial Bridge Consulting “to address the growing need to engage lawmakers, especially Republicans, on issues that are important to millennials, including technology, innovation and clean energy.” No matter the job or political inclination, each and every one is a power player who deserves to be noticed.
Portraits by tony powell hair and makeup:carola myers makeup artists p h oto g ra p h e d o n ca p i to l h i l l a n d at 3 0 3 0 c h a i n b r i d g e r oa d, n w wa s h i n g to n , D.C . ( l i s t i n g at t h e f l e i s h e r g r o u p.c o m ) Special thanks to the banks development company Jamal Abdi Policy Director, National Iranian American Council Justin Amash U.S. Congressman (R-Mich.) stephanos andreou Owner, Sakerum and Barcode ashley arias Account Executive, TAA Public Relations sarah asterbadi Model; Executive Assistant,Veluxe cameron austin Marketing Associate, Compass sara azani Blogger, Style MBA Carla Babb Pentagon Correspondent, Voice of America Moira Bagley Smith Communications Consultant Lucas Baiano Political filmmaker meredith balenske Vice President of Communications, Revolution LLC
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Vinoda Basnayake Chairman, D.C. Government Relations Practice, Nelson Mullins
timothy bouley, m.d. Global Health and Environment Specialist, The World Bank
Ashley Taylor Bronczek Board Member, Washington Ballet and Imagination Stage
Keo Chea Acting Assistant Director of Community Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
bradley beal Shooting Guard, Washington Wizards
hakim bounane Susan Gage Catering
Pamela Brown Justice Correspondent, CNN
aggie chin Executive Pastry Chef, Mirabelle
christopher Boutlier Interior Designer
eriK bruner-yang Chef and Owner, Maketto
Elbridge Colby Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security
sara beckstead Assistant Marketing Director, Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers austin belali Director,Youth Engagement Fund, Democracy Alliance dan berger Founder and CEO, Social Tables Carmen Berkley Director of Civil, Human and Women’s Rights, AFL-CIO rebecca berg Reporter, RealClearPolitics Bradley Beychok President, Media Matters for America meg biram Blogger, MegBiram.com danny boice Founder and CEO, Trustify
Pari Bradlee Fitness and Yoga Instructor Quinn Bradlee Founder and CEO, FriendsofQuinn.com molly brady Director of Jet Card Sales, Jet Linx Clara Brillembourg Partner, Foley Hoag LLP brooke Brogan Marketing Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue Fritz Brogan National Co-Chair, Maverick PAC Matthew Bronczek Principal, Dream Finders Homes
Evan Burfield Co-Founder, 1776 LaRhonda Burley Senior Director, Partnership Marketing, The Washington Redskins capri cafaro Political Commentator; Contributor, Washington Examiner; Executive in Residence, American University Zach Carter Senior Political Economy Reporter, The Huffington Post gregory Cendana Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO francesca chambers White House Correspondent, Daily Mail
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marybeth coleman Vice President of Customer Success, Cortex Building Intelligence erin como Traffic Anchor/Reporter, Fox5 Will compton Inside Linebacker, Washington Redskins melissa cook Director, Global Partnerships, EverFi Rachel Cothran Senior Content Strategist, HZDG kirk cousins Quarterback, Washington Redskins jordan cotton Co-Founder, Cotton & Reed Distillery
2017
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2016 walter l. cronkite, iv Capitol Hill Producer, CBS News lauren culbertson Founder, Millennial Bridge Consulting Carlos curbelo U.S. Congressman (R-Fla.) Heather Darazs Creative Services Manager, CBS Corporation ashley darby Owner, Oz Restaurant; Cast Member, “Real Housewives of Potomac� Michael Darner Executive Director, Congressional Progressive Caucus Jennifer DeSimone, m.d. Dermatologist, Inova Medical Group Anastasia Dellaccio Director of Public Affairs for Eastern U.S. and Canada, WeWork tara dijulio Senior Manager, Global Public Affairs, GE jessica ditto Deputy Director of Communications, The White House Matthew dornic Vice President of Communications, CNN Michael Dove Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Forum Theatre amelia draper Meteorologist, NBC4 devin dwyer Contributing Correspondent and Coordinating Producer, ABC News Kieren emery Rowing Champion and Coach Greg Engert Beer Director, Neighborhood Restaurant Group trever faden Founder, Atlas Lane Lacey Faeh Founder and Editor-in-Chief, A Lacey Perspective LLC
rep. elise stefanik (R- New York) Youngest woman ever elected to Congress
rep. ruben kihuen (D-Nevada) Mexican-born son of immigrants and first Latino to represent Nevada in the House of Representatives.
YGL david fahrenthold Reporter, The Washington Post Jennifer feldmanBrillembourg, m.d. Anesthesiologist Angie fetherston CEO, Drink Company j.p. fetherston Head Bartender, Columbia Room Meredith Fineman CEO, FinePoint
rep. stephanie murphy (D) Florida Vietnamese refugee rescued at sea by the U.S. Navy as an infant in 1979.
stephanie fischer Attorney;Vice President, Shelk Fischer Family Foundation ashley forrester Corporate Director, Communications and Marketing, EventsDC leah frelinghuysen Founder, Monarchy PR
morgan fykes Blogger Tulsi Gabbard U.S. Congresswoman (D-Hawaii) jocelyn gailliot Co-Founder,Tuckernuck ruben gallego U.S. Congressman (D-Ariz.) allen gannett Founder and CEO, TrackMaven Tyrone Gayle Press Secretary, Sen. Kamala Harris Jennifer Paquette Galloway President, Wolcott Hill Group LLC
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josh genderson President, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill Morgan Greenhouse genderson Founder and Managing Partner,Verdehouse Lisa Gilbert Director of Congress Watch, Public Citizen
Sean glass Chairman and CEO, Advantia Health
mike friedman Chef and Owner, The Red Hen and All Purpose
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Matthew Gardiner Associate Artistic Director, Signature Theatre
Mark Gillespie General Manager and Creative Director, YOA Orchestra of the Americas
brian friedman Founder, Friedman Capital
rep. scott taylor (R) Virginia Former Navy SEAL
Pierre GarÇon Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
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Shana Glenzer Chief Marketing Officer, MakeOffices Becca Glover Communications Director, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr autria godfrey Anchor and Reporter, ABC7 News Angie Goff Anchor/Reporter, NBC4 diego gonzalezzuniga Blogger, Diego Downtown; Marketing Manager, NoMa BID gio gonzalez Pitcher, Washington Nationals sarah gordon Founder, Gordy’s Pickle Jar marcin gortat Center, Washington Wizards Neil Grace Senior Communications Advisor, Federal Communications Commission Richard Graves Co-Founder, CleanChoice Energy Chloé gray-le coz Marketing Director, Northeast Region, W Hotels madeline grayson Co-Founder, Tuckernuck
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2017 scott greenberg Marketing Director, Nonprofit and Arts & Entertainment, Sage Communications Ryan Grim Washington Bureau Chief, The Huffington Post
“I want to inject Kramerbooks with some TLC. It needs a jolt of energy and we want to refresh the space thoughtfully. I really want to revive this idea of it being a cultural hub. ”
Jessica Grounds Founder and Principal Strategist, Solid Grounds Strategy Carlos Gutierrez, Jr. Presidential Leadership Scholar Erika Gutierrez Founder and President, epgPR Indivar Dutta-Gupta Director, Project on Deep Poverty and Senior Fellow at the Center on Poverty and Inequality, Georgetown University
— Steve Salis
Michael Haft Co-Founder, Compass Coffee Dannia Hakki Co-founder and Principal, MoKi Media maha Hakki Partner, MoKi Media Blake Hall Founder and CEO, ID.me Bill hamid Goalkeeper, D.C. United Kathleen kiernan harnden, m.d. Assistant Director, Inova Breast Medical Oncology Program Bryce Harper Outfielder,Washington Nationals eric heidenberger Managing Partner, Madhatter, Front Page, Shaw’s Tavern and, 801 Restaurant & Bar and Epic Yoga Emily Heil “Reliable Source” Columnist, The Washington Post
steve salis Entrepreneur and co-founder, &Pizza, Recently purchased Kramerbooks, which he is now working to revitalize.
kyle hendrick Founder, Arab Angel Fund Justin Herman Federal Social Media Lead, General Services Administration
eric heidenberger Businessman and restaurateur; model Managing partner of Madhatter, Front Page, Shaw’s Tavern and 801 Restaurant & Bar. Co-founder of Epic Yoga
Jaime Herrera Beutler U.S. Congresswoman (R-Wash.) HOPE HICKS Director of Strategic Communications, The White House
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YGL sondra hoffman Head Booker, THE Artist Agency
“When Trump won, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act was supposed to be inevitable. Then the grassroots rose up. Watching the wind shift on Capitol Hill has been thrilling.” - Ben Wikler
michael monroe Chief of Staff, North America’s Building Trades Union
shireen zaman Director, Security and Rights Collaborative, Proteus Fund
fitz holladay Director, Sofar Sounds DC Rachel Holt Regional General Manager for U.S. and Canada, Uber Inc. Braden Holtby Goalie, Washington Capitals
“Write down your goals. Confide in others. Seek help when needed. Listen more than you speak. You don’t have to know it all.”
Frances Holuba Founder, Chief Social Architects Roger Horowitz Co-Founder, Pleasant Pops Mary Anne Huntsman Concert Pianist rep. will hurd U.S. Congressman (R-Texas) elahe izadi Reporter, The Washington Post hallie jackson White House Correspondent, NBC News
“We are at a crossroads in our country’s history and this is not a time for anyone to sit on the sidelines.”
- Shizu Okusa
— Shireen Zaman
juven jacob Assistant to the President, The Kennedy Center ben wikler Washington Director, MoveOn.org
sekwon jang, m.d. Hematologist and Oncologist, Inova Medical Group Adora Andy Jenkins Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Information Technology Industry Council Brad Jenkins Managing Director and Executive Producer, Funny or Die Alexa Johnson Co-owner, Ella-Rue
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2017
“It’s an incredible feeling to get something you never expected, but always wanted.” - Jeremiah Langhorne on The Dabney receiving a Michelin star
J.p. fetherston Head bartender, Columbia Room Nationally recognized as one of the country’s best mixologists
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angie fetherston CEO, Drink Company Co-owner of Columbia Room, Mockingbird Hill, Eat the Rich and Southern Efficiency
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jeremiah langhorne Chef and owner, The Dabney His restaurant earned a coveted star in DC’s first Michelin Guide.
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YGL Brian Johnson Director of Federal Relations, API joshua johnson Host, WAMU’s 1A krista Johnson Co-owner, Ella-Rue maura judkis Reporter, The Washington Post Cassidy Karakorn Deputy Director for Consumer Marketing, Human Rights Campaign nicholas karnaze Founder, stubble & ‘stache bethany kazaba Co-Founder, Neighborhood Retail Group chrys kefalas Vice President of Executive Communications, National Association of Manufacturers Brianna Keilar Senior Political Correspondent, CNN
will compton Linebacker, Washington Redskins Was elected a captain in 2016. “Getting voted on by my teammates is one of the biggest honors I’ve ever received,” says Compton.
cara kelly Entertainment Editor, USA Today Joseph P. Kennedy III U.S. Congressman (D-Mass.) ryan kerrigan Linebacker,Washington Redskins Sim Khan Attorney and Founder, Brimble & Clark Custom Clothiers Suzanne Kianpour Capitol Hill and Foreign Affairs Producer, BBC News rep. ruben kihuen U.S. Congressman (R-Nevada)
bill hamid Goalkeeper, D.C.United, Sidelined at the start of the 2016 season with a knee injury, he ended the year with 68 saves and five shutouts.
Carolyn Amirpashaie King Director of Operations, Rep. Rob Whitman (R-Va.) Julie Kohler Managing Director, The Democracy Alliance AJay KORI Co-Founder, UrbanStems daniel kramer Managing Partner, Duke’s Grocery and Duke’s Counter Jackie Kucinich Washington Bureau Chief, The Daily Beast Judy Kurtz “In the Know”Columnist, The Hill
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2017 Jared kushner Senior Advisor to President brad lackey Senior Vice President, Tiedemann Wealth Management jeremiah langhorne Chef and Owner, The Dabney christyn lansing Co-Founder, The Bridge Newsletter Giuseppe Lanzone Co-Owner, Peruvian Brothers and Varsity Lightweight Rowing Coach, Georgetown University
“I get to work with startups and founders in cities across the U.S. and I find that there is nothing more exhilarating than a startup founder on a mission.” — Meredith Balenske
mario Lanzone Co-Owner, Peruvian Brothers michael larosa Producer, “Hardball,” MSNBC michael lastoria Founder, &pizza
Meredith Balenske Vice President of Communications, Revolution Manages strategic communications for the venture capital firm.
Becky Lee Executive Director, Becky’s Fund Svetlana Legetic Co-Founder, Brightest Young Things
anna mason Director of Investments, Rise of the Rest at Revolution Works with Steve Case to highlight and invest in entrepreneurs around the country.
Zach Leonsis Vice President and General Manager, Monumental Network, Monumental Sports and Entertainment daniel lippman Reporter and Co-Author of Politico Playbook, Politico
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YGL Kirsten Lodal Co-Founder and CEO, LIFT arienne thompson Director of Public Relations, MoKi Media kelly love Senior Assistant Press Secretary, The White House wesLEY lowery National Reporter, The Washington Post
“Reporting in the age of Donald Trump has provided an endless stream of new content that changes by the hour. It’s challenging to keep up with the pace at which this president breaks news.”
michael larosa Producer, “Hardball” with Chris Matthews on MSNBC
matt dornic Vice President of Communications, CNN
wesley lowery National Reporter, the Washington Post and New York Times best-selling author of “They Can’t Kill Us All.” Led the team of Washington Post journalists who won a Pulitzer Prize for their series on fatal police shootings across the nation.
— Michael LaRosa Derek Luyten Region Director of the Asia Division, International Republican Institute brooklyn mack Dancer, Washington Ballet Chase Maggiano Executive Director, The Washington Chorus Sarah Margon Washington Director, Human Rights Watch Anne Mahlum Founder and CEO, Solidcore Violetta Markelou Photographer and Makeup Artist campbell marshall Entrepreneur
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“I wake up at 3:00 a.m. every day and have to be in bed by 9:00 p.m. You don’t get snow days. You work 12 hours during big events like the inauguration, but it is very rewarding because you get a front row seat to history.” - Jummy Olabanji
erin como Morning Traffic Anchor and Feature Reporter, Fox 5 DC
aaron gilchrist Morning Anchor, NBC4 .
jummy olabanji Morning Anchor, ABC 7 ,
amelia draper Meteorologist, NBC4
YGL Anna mason Director of Investments, Revolution’s Rise the Rest Jaclyn Mason Realtor, Jack Realty
michael moroney Account Supervisor, FleishmanHillard
Brian mast U.S. Congressman, (R-Florida)
cori sue morris Principal, Citrus Media
JOHN McCarthy Democratic Strategist
seth moulton U.S. Congressman (D-Mass.)
Kevin McCarthy Entertainment Reporter, FOX 5
ashley murphy Dancer, Washington Ballet
amanda mcclements Owner, Salt & Sundry alex mccoy Chef and Owner, Alfie’s kathleen kiernan harnden, m.d. Assistant Director, Breast Medical Oncology Program, Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Her research focuses on developing new treatments for breast cancer and finding a cure for the disease.
Tommy McFly Morning Show Host, 94.7 Fresh FM, CBS Radio erin mcpike White House Correspondent, IJR Jennifer mellon Co-Founder and President, Trustify Spike Mendelsohn Chef and Restaurateur, Good Stuff Eatery and We the Pizza Heather Shaw menis Principal, Fifth and Main PR kerra michele huerta Blogger, Apartment Envy flavius mihaies Journalist and Consultant, The World Bank Alex Mills Actor, SyneticTheater Jennifer Mishory Executive Director, Young Invincibles sujata mitra Senior Director of Communications, News and Politics, The Huffington Post Navroop Mitter CEO, ArmorText
Danielle Moodie-Mills CEO, Politini Media michael monroe Chief of Staff, North America’s Building Trades Unions Jessica Moore Director of Government Relations,Walt Disney Company
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Rep. stephanie murphy U.S. Congresswoman (D-Florida) sara murray Correspondent, CNN Rafael NÁvar National Political Director, Communications Workers of America
“When you spend your days giving hope and strength to women facing breast cancer, it stays abundantly clear in my mind not to sweat the small stuff.”
— Dr. Kathleen Harnden Deejay Neekola DJ and Producer, Neekola Entertainmentt
hamdullah mohib Afghan Ambassador to the United States
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evan morgan Partner, Revolution Growth
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Stephanie Nguyen Co-Founder and Lead Product Designer, Landmark Paul Nitze Special Assistant to U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia Elizabeth North President, Curiosity Stream
2017
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2017 shizu okusa Co-Founder, JRINK Juicery Jummy Olabanji Anchor and Reporter, ABC7 News Steven Olikara Co-Founder and President, Millennial Action Project Maggie o’neill Artist; Owner, Swatchroom Laura O’Shaughnessy CEO, SocialCode t.j. oshie Right Winger, Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin Left Wing and Captain, The Washington Capitals anna palmer Co-Author, Politico Playbook Monica Pampell Founder, Pentafit; Personal Trainer Ali pardo Deputy Press Secretary, Republican National Committee charles paret Managing Director, Coloma River Capital john parkinson White House & Congressional Reporter/Producer, ABC News scott parkinson Executive Director, Republican Study Committee angela peoples Director, GetEQUAL
michael moroney Account Supervisor, FleishmanHillard
Josh Pitcock Chief of Staff, Office of the the Vice President sarah pollon Founder, Soupergirl Allison kaminsky Putala Principal, Kaminsky Putala Macon Phillips International Information Programs Coordinator, U.S. Department of State
francesca chambers White House Correspondent, Daily Mail
tod plotkin Founder, Green Buzz Agency Omar Popal Co-owner, Café Bonaparte, Malmaison and Lapis Michael Pope Virginia Reporter,WAMU 88.5 otto porter Small Forward, Washington Wizards Drew Porterfield Director and Curator, Long View Gallery
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YGL Lauren Pratapas Director of Communications, CNN
Raj shah Deputy Director of Communications, The White House
Andrew Rafferty Political Reporter, NBC News
PRINCE christian sahle selassie Great-grandson of Emperor Heile Selassie of Ethiopia Filmmaker
sultan shakir Executive Director, SMYAL
Manu Raju Senior Congressional Reporter, CNN
Ilya Shapiro Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies, CATO Institute
Ryan Reilly Justice Reporter, The Huffington Post
jeff sheely Co-Founder, UrbanStems Hallie Sherard Director of Business Development, KGD Architecture
anthony rendon Infielder, Washington Nationals Steve Ressler President and Founder, GovLoop september rinnier Co-Founder, Tuckernuck dan roberge Dancer, Washington Ballet Joseph E. Robert III Board of Directors, Fight for Children PRINCE rufael sahle selassie Great-grandson of Emperor Heile Selassie of Ethiopia Entrepreneur and Writer
ali rogin Producer and Reporter, ABC News Josh rogin Columnist, Washington Post morgann rose Principal Dancer, Washington Ballet ryan ross Program Director, Halcyon Incubator rob rubba Chef, Hazel cita sadeli Muralist Jayne Sandman Principal, BrandLinkDC
“There’s a lot of pressure at an early age for people to know exactly what they want to do. If I had to give any advice, I would say that you don’t need to be exactly where you want to be right now.” — Christian Selassie
Michael Sapienza CEO, Colon Cancer Alliance Nikki Schwab U.S. Political Reporter, Daily Mail
Muna Shikaki Correspondent, Al-Arabiya
hunter schwarz Politics Reporter, CNN
stuart siciliano Partner, Hamilton Place Strategies
Ryan Seelbach CEO, Seelbach Entertainment Group
hafsa siddiqi Senior Account Executive, MoKi Media
christian selassie Filmmaker
Aaron Silverman Chef and Owner, Rose’s Luxury
Rufael selassie Writer
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jake sherman Co-Author, Politico Playbook
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Alex skatell Founder and CEO, IJR Amos Snead Founder and Partner, Bryant Row LLC philip soriano Founder, Hugh & Crye
“It’s not easy sharing intimate details of your life with millions of people every week, but when I hear that one person connected to my story, it’s all worth it.” — Ashely Boalch Darby
peggy sparks Owner, Artist’s Proof Gallery Jason Spear Legislative Associate and Deputy Communications Director, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
fitz holladay Director, Sofar Sounds Manages an innovative musical program where members sign up to be invited to private concerts in undisclosed locationsacross the city.
Paige Speyer Owner, Wink DC Rep. elise stefanik U.S. Congresswoman (R-New York) Sam Stein Senior Politics Editor, and Senior White House Correspondent, The Huffington Post eli stokols National Politics Reporter, Politico david strauss Bartender and Program Director, The Sheppard ashlee strong Press Secretary, House Speaker Paul Ryan Harrison Suarez Co-Founder, Compass Coffee Jesse Suskin Manager, Government Relations and Public Policy, Google eric swalwell U.S. Representative (D-Calif.) martin swift Artist Alexandra tallulah Dawson Blogger, “In My Bowl”
ashley boalch darby Owner, Oz Restaurant and Bar, Also a castmember of Bravo’s ”Real Housewives of Potomac”
Karin Tanabe Novelist rep. Scott taylor U.S. Congressman (R-Virginia) Stephanie Taylor Co-Founder, Progressive Change Campaign Committee Steve Taylor Engineer, Invincia Inc. amanda terkel Senior Political Repoter and Politics Managing Editor, The Huffington Post
shizu okusa Co-Founder and CEO, JRINK Founded the popular juicery after working on Wall Street and feeling nutritionally deprived.
YGL vicky theodorou Founder, Heirloom Catering
bethany kazaba Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Neighborhood Retail Group
Shaunna Thomas Co-Founder, WeAreUltraViolet.org Shawna thomas Washington Bureau Chief,Vice News lindley thornburg RICHARDSON Public Relations Consultant, Heather Freeman Media & Public Relations Emily Tisch Sussman Director of Campaigns, Center for American Progress Ivanka trump Businesswoman Elliot Totah President, Oxbridge Development devin tucker Public Relations Manager, BrandLinkDC
“I truly enjoy helping my clients achieve their goals; opening successful businesses across a wide variety of industries is energizing and fuels my drive and work ethic.”
Molly brady Mens custom clothier and Director of Jet Card Membership, JetLinx
lauren culbertson Former Capital Hill staffer; Founder, Millennial Bridge Consulting
— Bethany Kazaba
CLAUDIA UCEDA Reporter/Producer, Univision desirée venn frederic Founder, Nomad Yard Collective
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2017
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2017 laura wainman Managing Editor, DC Refined reed walker Co-Founder, Cotton & Reed Distillery John Wall Point Guard,Washington Wizards katie walsh Deputy Chief of Staff, The White House lindsay walters Deputy Press Secretary, The White House Jake Ward President and CEO, Application Developers Alliance kate warren Photographer Pepper Watkins Manager, Accenture jayson werth Outfielder, Washington Nationals morgan west Founder, A Creative DC paul wharton Owner, Paul Wharton Model/Management; Lifestyle and Fashion Expert and TV Personality alexis williams Executive Director, Politico Live antonio Williams Senior Director of Government and External Affairs, Comcast Raffi Williams Deputy Press Secretary, Republican National Committee Tom Wilson Right Wing, Washington Capitals ben wikler Washington Director, MoveOn.org
kieren Emery Professional rower and Georgetown University women’s rowing coach Four-time gold medal winner at the World Rowing Championships
campbell marshall Entrepreneur and business development executive, Omnispace
shireen zaman Security and Rights Collaborative Director, Proteus Fund
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| march
2017
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lifestyles
Retro Revival ensembles that harken back to the timeless style of the ’70s.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Nick ghobashi | www.nickghobashi.com | @nick_ghobashi stylist/ creative direction: starA pezeshkian | t H E Artist agency | @staraglam STYLE ASSISTANTS: Holly Pan | @petiteflowerpresent and Liyah Dimbo MAKEUP: valentina gretsova for Be Clean Shop | www.becleanshop.com Eyelash Extensions: Julie Thi | Lash Moí | @lashmoi & FB: Lash Moi Salon hair: glynn jones | glynn jones salon | www.glynnjonessalon.com MODEL: jocelyn minich | T H E ARTIST AGENCY editorial direction: catherine trifiletti
shot at rocket bar 714 7th StREET NW
Artwork by kay christy | www.conceptgirl.com
CÉLINE short sleeves dress ($1,600); GIVENCHY bow cut chain wallet ($1,390) Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000; EDDIE BORGO safety chain cuff ($315); EDDIE BORGO cylinder stud earrings ($85) eddieborgo.com.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN off-the-shoulder top ($1,895); WORKSHOP bonnie pleated trouser ($440); PROSE & POETRY orly swing short ($275); MIU MIU leather laceup platform espadrille ballet flats ($675) Saks Fifth Ave., 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000;; STUDIO YFAB choker.
HUGO BOSS Diganira dress and Cipeila jacket; Hugo Boss CityCenterDC 1054 Palmer Alley NWWashington, D.C 20001 (202) 408-9845; STUART WEITZMAN nudist song patent heels ($398) Bloomingdales 5300 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, (240) 744-3700. TIFFANY & CO. Schlumberger multiplication earrings in 18k yellow gold with diamonds ($17,500) . Tiffany & Co, 5481 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (301) 657-8777.
STELLA MCCARTNEY Carissa shirt ($1,545); STELLA MCCARTNEY Julia embroidered harem pants ($1,060); MIU MIU Suede Espadrille Platform Sneakers ($595) Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000; LONGCHAMP Paris Premier tote bag ($1,950) Longchamp, 990 I St. NW, CityCenterDC, 202-842-0625; MARNI circular chain drop earrings; CARTIER Orchid de Cartier ring ($4,000) Cartier, 5471 B Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301- 654-5858.
N / NICHOLAS dress ($529), Saks Jandel, 5510 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, (301) 6522250; HALSTON HERITAGE clutch ($345) and SJP Sarah Jessica Parker pumps ($560), Bloomingdales, 5300 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; TIFFANY & CO. Enchant scroll earrings platinum withHOFFMAN diamonds patterned ($11,000), ON in EMMA: MARA Tiffany & Co., & Co., 5481 Wismonokini ($253) andTiffany KATE SPADE Cameron consin Ave,bag Chevy Chase, MD 20815, Street Blakely ($378) Bloomingdale’s (301) 657-8777; CARTIER ParisCorner NouTysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons velleMcLean, Vague Va., Delicate white gold and Center, 703-556-4600. diamond necklace ($16,300) and LOVE in white gold, pave diamonds ON bracelet ERIC: MORGENTHAL FREDERICS and hand-crafted ceranic ($43,700), Cartier, 5471B Hustler Japanese titanium Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase,CityMD sunglasses ($495), Morgenthal Fredrics, 20815, (301) CenterDC, 941 H654-5858 St. NW, 202-204-3393.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN peplumhem wool and silk-blend sweater ($945); CÉLINE pants ($1,450); SAINT LAURENT suede candy love platforms ($1,095); SAINT LAURENT monogram leather shoulder bag ($995) Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000; CARTIER Balloon Blanc de Cartier timepiece ($48,000) Cartier, 5471 B Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Md., 301-654-5858.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN ruffle knit top ($1,495); REISS dress ($375) Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-9000; EUGENIA KIM hat; LONGCHAMP Le Pliage Heritage bag ($895) Longchamp, 990 I St. NW, CityCenterDC, 202-842-0625; EDDIE BORGO chain link rings.
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2014
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LIFESTYLES | TREND REPORT
MAX MARA Whitney bag medium ($1,540); Max Mara, Tysons Galleria, 703.556.6962 ANN TAYLOR Green wide-leg floral pant ($119); Ann Taylor, 1140 Connecticut Ave., 202.659.0120
DIOR ‘Sculpts’ 53mm sunglasses ($595); Nordstrom,The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 703.415.1121
+VIIR 7GIRI
ECHO Palm silk scarf ($39); Nordstom,The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 703.415.1121
Get inspired by nature and St. Patrick’s Day. BY ERICA MOODY
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Two butterfly between the finger ring ($22,300); vancleefarpels.com
MANOLO BLAHNIK Green leather cactus detail mid-heel strappy sandals ($745); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
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SUZANNE DAI Rhinestone gumball drop earrings ($220); suzannedai.com
SOLACE LONDON Liv strapless maxi dress ($480); Intermix, 3300 M St. NW, 202.298.8080
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STELLA MCCARTNEY Lunette top ($865); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
| M A R C H | washingtonlife.com
LIFESTYLES | THE DISH
IN WITH THE NEW North End Shaw’s food renaissance
BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I | P H OTO S BY TO N Y B R OW N
Hazel’s Kampachi Crudo
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s residential high-rises have sprung up and pumped more young people in to the Shaw neighborhood, precious ground level square footage has gone up for grabs. Three seasoned chefs jumped at the opportunity to bring their unique culinary styles to the burgeoning neighborhood. >>
HAZEL s V STREET NW DON’T MISS: Kampachi Crudo // Grandma’s Zucchini Bread Happy, fun and free-spirited define Rob Rubba’s hip eatery where the concept centers around medium-sized shareable plates combining international cooking styles and ingredients. Rubba calls it “personal cuisine,” explaining that “it’s very much about what’s inspiring me at the moment. ... We’re not grounded to any one cuisine here.” BOTTOM LINE: Culinary creativity, check stuffiness at the door.
KYIRISAN s TH STREET NW DON’T MISS: Raw Sea Bass // Freebird Wings Expanding from his Virginia outposts,Tim Ma instinctively took a gamble on the Shaw space years ago when it was just a hole in the ground and the neighborhood had more grit. Ma merges his team’s French training with traditional Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients to drive multi-faceted dishes, none of which take themselves too seriously. BOTTOM LINE: “People should walk out of here full and happy,” Ma says, “at pretty much any cost.”
Kyirisan’s Raw Sea Bass
Kyirisan’s Freebird Wings
HAIKAN s V STREET NW DON’T MISS: Crab Rangoons // Shoyu Ramen Chef Katsuya Fukushima values tradition above all at his Sapporostyle ramen shop where “honest and authentic” preparation forgoes “modern interpretations.” Noodles made in Sapporo exclusively for the restaurant are accompanied by a flavorful “Chintan” stock and classic toppings of pork, scallions, bean sprouts, garlic, onions and nori. BOTTOM LINE: No-fuss ramen is good for the soul.
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Haikan’s Shoyu Ramen
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travel | spring break escapes
Stay Comfort Suites on Seven Mile Beach offers comfortable rooms, an onsite restaurant and easy access to the beach.
Cayman Islands Getaway
Pristine beaches, friendly stingrays and rum punch make this Caribbean destination the perfect place to escape reality. By virginia coyne
day trip Rent a car and drive to idyllic Rum Point on the North shore. Lay back in a hammock on the beach or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters.
GETTING THERE
American Airlines offers one-stop flights to Grand Cayman from both Dulles and BWI airports. Delta Airlines offers one-stop flights from Dulles and Reagan National.
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The Cayman Islands have long been a favorite vacation spot of the super-rich, thanks in no small part to their banking industry (hello, off-shore accounts), but the British Overseas Territory also makes for an affordable destination for the everyman. Stay in Grand Cayman, the largest and most cosmopolitan of the three islands, and fill your days with a mix of adventure and relaxation. accomodations: Book a room at the meticulously maintained Comfort Suites (from $322/night) on crescentshaped Seven Mile Beach in George Town, where the plush
pillows will make you think twice before jumping out of bed. General Manager Tom Mason is an industry legend known for greeting every guest by name as they come and go. activities: A must-do is a
tour of Stingray City, a shallow sandbar off the coast, and one of the few places in the world where the rays happily swim and interact with humans. Snorkel in the three-foot-deep water as they swim over your head, or feed them fresh squid from your hand.The Cayman Islands is also a mecca for scuba divers, who appreciate the deep drop-offs and
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old shipwrecks. Nature lovers won’t want to miss Cayman Turtle Farm, a conservation facility FOR endangered Green Sea turtles. food: After a morning in the
surf, walk north along the beach for a couple of miles, people watching as you pass a dozen other hotels, for lunch at Calico Jack’s beach bar. Later, watch the sunset and dine at DaFish Shack in George Town, where fresh caught snapper, breadfruit chips and lionfish tacos are must-tries. If you drive to Rum Point, be sure to stop at Tukka, a family-run restaurant on the beach with an Australian flair.
| march
2017
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ST I N G R AY P H OTO BY L AW S O N WO O D F O R C AY M A N I S L A N D S D E PA RT M E N T O F TO U RI S M . CO M F O RT S U I T E S P H OTO CO URT E SY C H O I C E H OT E LS . RU M P U N C H A ND R U M P O I N T P H OTOS BY VI R G I N I A COY N E
eat & drink Be sure to sample local staples like lionfish, conch fritters and starchy breadfruit. Wash it all down with Tortuga rum punch.
the romantic Sunset boat rides or intimate dinners at ZoZo’s Ristorante on the property’s sugar mill ruins ensure unencumbered quality time.
Nature’s Calling
St. John’s Caneel Bay celebrates 60 years of hosting guests who come as vacationers and leave as family, enriched by a deep appreciation of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty. by cath e r i n e tr i f i let tI
H E A D E R I M AG E CO U RT E SY O F C A N E E L B AY ; P H OTO S BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
the beach bum Afternoon snorkeling at the aptly-named Turtle Bay Beach or on-demand frozen cocktails and a float at Scott’s Beach make for a beachcomber’s paradise.
The explorer Yoga and pilates at the property’s fitness studio plus a full service dive center that offers guided eco tours and scuba excursions are the perfect ways to stay active.
GETTING THERE
United offers nonstop flights to St. Thomas, where Caneel Bay’s ferry service awaits visitors for the short boat ride to the property on St. John, accessible only by boat.
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| march
2017
art of relaxation: “Presence is beauty,” Suki calmly reminds her four yoga students after an early morning session overlooking the Caribbean Sea. One look at the turquoise ombré waters rustling under a breeze and her point is made. Being present is an ongoing battle in the frenetic chaos of a digital age that keeps people connected 24/7, so much so that there is even an app reminding its users to take a deep breath, look around and absorb the moment. Caneel Bay (from $599/ night) specializes in these moments, leaving its guests at the whim of nature’s bounty. It’s a place where worries give way to relaxation during a peaceful morning walk among dancing palms or a rumglazed view of the starry night sky. Guests are welcomed with a bottle of Cruzan Rum and a note from the property’s managing director with one simple request: “Please take a few moments to embrace the beauty surrounding you.” It is an easy task, made easier by Caneel’s seven pristine, private white sand beaches.
| washingtonlife.com
natural haven: In the late
’50s, environmentalist Laurance S. Rockefeller donated more than 5,000 acres of land on St. John to the National Park Service with the caveat that it stay free from development. His commitment to the preservation of this U.S.Virgin Island has ensured that 60 percent of the land remains protected. With the same dedication, Rockefeller opened Caneel Bay in 1956 as an ecological property that would highlight the beauty of the national park rather than distract from it.The result is a quiet, unspoiled, 170 acre preserve where nature is king. His original vision for Caneel has been tirelessly cared for by a dedicated team that maintains the grounds’ effortless appeal. Impossibly green manicured lawns teem with life, from flora varietals to wandering iguana, mongoose and deer. But there is no greater example of nature’s precedence than the donkey herd that roams free through the sprawling property. Donkeys were imported in the 18th century to assist Dutch sugar cane operations and remained long
after the colonizers left.The resort has since welcomed them as a part of the Caneel family. Land animals aside, the property’s true stars can be found under the sea.Turtles, rays and a dizzying array of colorful fish and coral make each underwater excursion more exciting than the last. Every guest at Caneel is offered snorkeling gear to keep during their stay. Unintimidating Luxury:
Accommodations are unassuming, not meant to compete with the natural beauty of the grounds. Furthering its retro appeal, none of the 166 rooms, currently undergoing renovations, have televisions or telephones. The cuisine at Caneel mirrors the simplistic nature of Rockefeller’s vision – fresh ingredients with a nod to tradition. There is a feeling on the property that Rockefeller’s spirit and zest for the natural world is still supremely present. As for the stresses of life, Caneel Bay gives you every reason to let them all go.
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WASHINGTON S O C I A L D I A R Y over the moonďš? around townďš? vip exotic car showďš? ‘jackie’ premiere and more!
Eric Motley and Monica Pampell at Choral Arts Gala (Photo by Tony Powell)
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HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC
INAUGURAL CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS Celebrities descend on Washington to support peace, art and equality.
Tim Daly on the Creative Coalition Gala red carpet
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Marla Maples, and “Duck Dynasty” duo Willie Robertson and wife Korie. On the other side of Washington, Fran Drescher, the lovable star of “The Nanny,” gathered alongside Danny Glover and Solange Knowles at the Busboys and Poets Peace Ball, where thousands filled the National Museum of African American History and Culture to give voice to “hope and resistance,” as its tagline noted. “I am not daunted by President 45,” Drescher told us. “I see an awakening out of complacency and active Democracy in action.” She suggested we bypass Capitol Hill in efforts to be heard: “Remember the power of the people is greater than the people in power.” The cancer survivor, activist and founder of Cancer Schmancer is a frequent guest in Washington to promote her cause and reflectively remind us that “cancer is nonpartisan and poor health is the great equalizer.” The bipartisan Creative Coalition Ball drew a hefty list of stars in support of the arts, including Christina Hendricks, Tim Allen, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Alia Shawkat, Alysia Reiner, Mae Whitman, Cheryl Hines,
D
onald Trump’s inauguration week drew hundreds of thousands of supporters and protesters to the nation’s capital. Being in the celebrity-hunting business, it was our job to sniff out the A-listers from the masses, which posed a “Where’s Waldo”like challenge. We found the majority of big names on the fringe of official inaugural events fighting for bipartisan causes like the arts, equal rights and peace. The irony, as it turned out, was that the biggest Hollywood celebrity at the official inaugural events may have been Donald J. Trump himself, now laying claim to a different kind of fame as the 45th president of the United States.Trump’s Hollywood cameos have stretched over 30 years from beauty pageants and professional wrestling specials to numerous television shows including “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Nanny” and, of course, his own show, “The Apprentice.” His credits no doubt outweighed those of certain celebs who came to support him, including Ricky Schroder of “NYPD Blue” fame — whom we found hanging out at the Artists & Athletes event at Fiola Mare along with the second Mrs. Trump,
Dean Norris and Geoffrey Arend. The event launched the coalition’s #RightToBearArts campaign to support the National Endowment for the Arts, which Trump has threatened to cut. “America needs the arts as much, or more than at any time in our history,” Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk said, calling the movement a bipartisan push to make arts funding an economic priority. “The government receives a 7:1 return on the investment it makes in the arts. If that were a company, we would all be investing in it.” Washington Life associate editor Catherine Trifiletti chatted with Creative Coalition president and “Madam Secretary” star Tim Daly, who passionately explained that the arts are not an “extraneous luxury item,” but a part of daily life. He listed singing in the car, picking out an outfit or reading a book as artistic gestures that often go unnoticed. “If people are mindful of [the arts], then they would be much more likely to talk about them with the respect that they deserve.” In light of the new administration’s threats, Daly said “We’re going to galvanize all our troops to fight and save the endowment because it is of vital importance to this country.” “Curb your Enthusiasm’s” Hines is hopeful that their mission will be successful. Fast forward to The Women’s March on Washington the morning after the inauguration, a mega-event that drew a half million supporters and high profilers who included Ashley Judd, America Ferrera, Scarlett Johansson, Madonna, Michael Moore, Katy Perry, Emma Watson, Olivia Wilde, Cher, Amy Schumer, Gloria Steinem, Alicia Keys … the list goes on. “Since the election, so many fear that their voices will go unheard,” Ferrera said. “As artists, women, and most importantly dedicated Americans, it is critical that we stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities.”
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P H OTO BY AL F R E D O F LO R E S
B Y J A N E T D O N O VA N
Ivanka Trump
Capricia Marshall, Peter Selfridge and Lee Satterfield
WL EXCLUSIVE
Annie Totah and Ann Stock
CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION EMBASSY OF CHINA | PHOTOS BY ALFREDO FLORES YEAR OF THE ROOSTER In a lively kick-off to the “The Year of the Rooster,” the Embassy of China and Meridian International Center put on quite a show, with Chinese acrobats and craft demonstrations at the sleek, I.M. Pei-designed embassy, which rarely opens to the public. Among the 500 guests were Ivanka Trump and her daughter Arabella Kushner, who was shown rooster paper cut-outs and art made from melted sugar, before enjoying a special performance of Chinese opera. “She told me she loves China,” Amb. Cui Tiankai told WL with a smile.
Chinese Amb. Cui Tiankai and Stuart Holliday
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Matt Pauls and Arielle Zina
Christina Gungoll Lepore, Heather Florance and Tracy Bernstein
Mack McLarty, Adrienne Arsht and Peruvian Amb. Carlos Pareja WL EXCLUSIVE
DINNER HONORING RUDY GIULIANI Residence of the Ambassador of Colombia PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Rudy Giuliani, Pilar Pinzón and Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzón
Gabriela Sigala and Luis Alberto Moreno
Rep. Peter King
DIPLOMATIC TIES Former New York City Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Giuliani, at the time a contender to be the next secretary of state, was honored by Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzón for “strong and vocal support of Colombia’s continued transformation and path to peace” at a seated dinner in the ballroom of his Dupont Circle residence. VIPs in attendance included members of Congress, diplomats and U.S. business leaders. SPOTTED: New York Rep. Peter King, CNN political commentator Ana Navarro, Google lobbyist Susan Molinari and Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno. 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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Susan Molinari and Eric Hatzimemos
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OVER THE MOON
Bowing, Riding and Casting Flies Hunt Country ladies make their mark at the International Debutante Ball, the Middleburg Spring Races and a noted fly-fishing event BY VICKY MOON
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irst, lovely news from Upperville April 22, at Glenwood Park. She and concerning the enchanting Helenrace chairwoman Lauren Woolcott, Anne Stearns Gable, daughter of president Doug Fout and others have James Stearns Gable and Lisa been working to increase purses for the Guillermin Gable. Miss Gable made her races, which includes the prestigious debut recently at the 62nd anniversary $50,000 Temple Gwathmey Stakes, a of the International Debutante Ball two-and-a-half-mile hurdle race. The in the Grand Ballroom of the iconic $30,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup will Pierre Hotel in Manhattan. The event go over timber at three¼and a quarter benefits The International Debutante miles. They’re also all looking way ahead Ball Foundation Charities, including to the races’ Centennial Celebration the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast on Saturday, April 18, 2020, which Guard and Airmen’s Club of New includes a $100,000 race and many York City. other happenings. Helen-Anne wore the strapless “We benefit from a mix of support couture gown “Amanda” by Pronovias, from individuals and businesses, local of Mikado silk with a sweetheart and national,” said Woolcott, who was neckline. She attends Southern in Florida for a few days with her Methodist University, served as a husband, Rene, watching some of their Virginia Senate page for former Lt. horses run at Gulfstream. Most of all, Gov. Bill Bolling and had internships she added, “a common thread among with U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander’s supporters is their appreciation of open office and Virginia State Sen. Jill countryside, [of] the country sport such Vogel’s campaign for lieutenant open space permits and of a day spent governor. outdoors, often with several generations At Episcopal High School in of a family together enjoying horses, Alexandria, Miss Gable was photo racing and a tailgate.” editor of the yearbook. She was on the And, in case anyone is looking for varsity track, cross-country and crew a parcel of nice country space for Helen-Anne Stearns Gable of Upperville recently made her debut teams and participated in a summer their own, real estate agent Sebastian at the 62nd International Debutante Ball at The Pierre hotel in New exchange program with the Collège Langenberg of Long & Foster-Christie’s York City. (Photo by Barry Morgenstein) Stanislas in Paris and attended the in Middleburg has several three-acre Concordia Language Village, Mori no Ike, include a fly-tying demonstration, round- lots for sale within one-and-a-half miles of to study Japanese. table discussion with experts and a fly- the village at Middleburg Downs. They are Next: Viviane Warren has been ever casting session. The sport, which is included $725,000 apiece. The homes will be built by so busy this winter with excursions to the in the impressive collection of the library and Loudoun County natives Scott Carpenter Hillsboro Club in Hillsboro Beach, Fla. and museum, has been described by the NSLM and Charlie Beach of Carpenter Beach a side trip wing-shooting in North Carolina. as “half sport, half theology.” Construction Inc. For more than 30 years, Warren also is in knee-deep as organizer of Warren, a dynamic and stylish they have specialized in custom homes to fit Hooked: Changing Tides, Enduring Bonds, sportswoman, does not stop with fishing. the Hunt Country lifestyle.Think picturesque a full-day fly-fishing seminar at the National She’s also on the board of the Middleburg stone chimneys and French doors opening to Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) on Spring Race Association, which is gearing up cool summer breezes while on the veranda March 18 in Middleburg. The event will for this year’s steeplechase event on Saturday, sipping something southern.
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| M A R C H | washingtonlife.com
Arthur Espinoza and Liz Sizer Scott Tucker, Julie Huang Tucker and Tad Czyzewski
Nick Smith, Anita Dahinden, Swiss Amb. Martin Dahinden
WL SPONSORED
CHORAL ARTS GALA Kennedy Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Patrick and Sheila Gross with Betsy and Barlow Burke
SWISS INSPIRATION The Choral Arts Society of Washington looked to Switzerland to draw inspiration for its themed annual holiday concert and gala. The 36th edition of the gathering, chaired by Leslie Sandoz, began with a 90-minute concert of holiday carols (including a few Swiss-inspired classics) in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall, then moved to the Roof Terrace where more than 500 patrons — 100 more than last year — perused the famed silent auction (109 items) and then sat to dinner in a Swiss Alps-themed space that drew inspiration from a sculpture at the residence of Swiss Amb. Martin Dahinden, this year’s honorary chairman. Under the direction of new Choral Arts Society Artistic Director Sco Tucker and Executive Director Tad Czyzewski, the gala raised $550,000.
Jennifer Bognet and Catherine Jones Irma Frank and Ralph Herndon
VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COMDIATE MODO
William Schuiling with Carol and Climis Lascaris Olwen Pongrace with Maeve and Bob Rigler
Leslie Sandoz, Ronit Ziswiler and Leigh and Rick Leverier
Rick and Molly Rolandi, Philip and Scarlett Bermingham and Andrew Rhymer
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Natalie Portman
Pablo Larrain and Juan Gabriel Valdés
Lubana Al Quntar Howard Fineman, Amy Nathan, Sharon Malone and Eric Holder
‘JACKIE’ PREMIERE Noah Oppenheim
Newseum | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
OSCAR CONTENDER Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman graced the Washington premiere of “Jackie,” a film that instantly earned rave reviews for the actress’s powerful portrayal of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Director Pablo Larraín and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim were also present for the reception, screening and the Q&A that followed. The biopic takes audiences into the days before and after JFK’s assassination, as told from his wife’s intensely personal point of view. Political, diplomatic and media heavyweights were spotted in the crowd at the event hosted by 21st Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, LD Entertainment and the Motion Picture Association of America.
Rep. Billy Long and Kelle Long VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Caroline Jhingory and Mele Melton
Ambassadors from 30 nations
WL SPONSORED
Embassy of Nepal Chef Chetnath Bhandari
WINTERNATIONAL Ronald Reagan Building | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL GLOBAL CELEBRATION Cultural traditions and examples of culinary excellence from a record 37 countries were on display at the fifth annual Winternational embassy showcase when Trade Center Management Associates hosted a midday celebration that recreated the atmosphere of a lively global marketplace. More than 3,000 guests enjoyed exhibits highlighting the culture, cuisine, arts, tourism and traditional dress of different nations. The embassies of Afghanistan, Botswana, Haiti, Cape Verde, Turkey, Nicaragua and Ukraine were among those participating.
Andrew Gelfuso, Jan Du Plain, John Drew and Allyson McKithen
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Willee Lewis and Debra Kraft Liberatore
Harris Wofford Robert Edwards and Tiymaje Edwards
Michael Trager, Mark Shriver, Kathleen Shriver and Mariella Trager
WL SPONSORED
‘SEA OF HOPE’ SCREENING National Geographic | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL BLUE HOPE National Geographic’s mission to inspire and awe people about the environment is embodied in its new documentary, “Sea of Hope,” which follows ocean explorer Sylvia Earle on her yearlong crusade to create federallyprotected blue parks. Accompanied by famed underwater photographer Brian Skerry, Max Kennedy and a group of teen “aquanauts” (some experiencing the ocean for the first time) explore endangered areas to show the ocean’s vulnerability and the need for increased conservation efforts. The visually enlightening film teaches and inspires action for the at-risk waters. The film ends with President Barack Obama snorkeling at Midway Atoll in Hawaii after he established the surrounding area as the largest protected environment on earth. After the short film and brief panel, guests wandered into the reception to get their “Blue Hope” books signed by Earle and enjoy a French fry station, pulled pork sliders, made-to-order fried rice bowls and festive blue Curaçao cocktails.
Robert Nixon, Sylvia Earle, Brian Skerry, Max Kennedy and Richard Pyle
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Sen. Amy Klobuchar, David Rubenstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Debbie Dingell and Sharon Percy Rockefeller WL EXCLUSIVE
Tony Podesta, Justin B. Smith, Tony Blinken and Kat Cusani-Visconti
‘THE DAVID RUBENSTEIN SHOW’ LAUNCH PARTY Justin B. Smith and Kat Cusani-Visconti Residence PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
RAREFIED AIR Billionaire financier David Rubenstein runs one of the world’s largest private equity and financial services firms and is among the nation’s most generous philanthropists. Who would have guessed his next achievement would be hosting his very own talkfest, “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations,” on Bloomberg Television? “I’m keeping my day job,” he reassured guests at a post-launch party in his honor before noting that since he has already interviewed the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Oprah Winfrey, he is now “looking for a few new people who are not worth a couple of billion dollars.”
Sally Quinn and Walter Isaacson
Lorraine and Chris Wallace VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Albanian Amb. Floreta Faber, Hungarian Amb. Réka Szemerkényi and Tarek Ben Youssef Shahin Mafi and Shahryar Mafi
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CHILDREN OF THE MIDDLE EAST BENEFIT
Lubana Al Quntar
Embassy of Hungary | PHOTOS BY TONY BROWN RELIEF FOR REFUGEES Hungarian Amb. Réka Szemerkényi welcomed more than 100 guests to her embassy for a dinner and silent auction benefiting the Middle East Children’s Institute and the Azra Foundation for Children of the World’s educational programs. “If we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of some of today’s most vulnerable children,” said Azra Foundation founder Shahin Mafi. “Their cry for help, which can be heard around the world, knows no borders.” The event, which featured Persian cuisine and performances by Syrian opera singer Lubana Al Quntar and Egyptian composer Ramy Adly, marked the beginning of what Szemerkényi hopes will become a series of benefits to help refugees around the world.
Isabel dos Santos and Mozambique Amb. Carlos dos Santos
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Portia Davidson and Hasssan Massal
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PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES
Antique Seekers, Fearless Filmmakers and Forward Thinkers VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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‘I AM JANE DOE’ PREMIERE ‘GENDER REVOLUTION’ PREMIERE
NAVY MEMORIAL HERITAGE CENTER (Photos by Daniel Schwartz)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY (Photo Tasos Katopodis/ Getty Images for National Geographic) To research her National Geographic Channel documentary “Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric,” the broadcast journalist traveled across the U.S. to meet with individuals defying social norms by being honest and open about their gender identities. “I’d never met someone who I knew was intersex, and so every person taught me a li[le something,” Couric said.
5. Nick Schmit and Jonathan Capehart 6. Cindy and John McCain
1. Courtney Monroe, Katie Couric, Gary Knell and Susan Goldberg
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The McCain Institute and Baker McKenzie co-hosted a screening of the new documentary “I am Jane Doe” produced, directed and wri[en by Mary Mazzio. The film addresses the ease in which children are sold and trafficked online. In a post-film panel discussion, Cindy McCain compared the easiness of the crimes to selling bags of rice. “I hope you learn a great deal tonight,” she said “and I hope you join this effort with us to stop [human trafficking].”
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WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW PREVIEW PARTY
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KATZEN ARTS CENTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (Photos by Tony Powell) The crowd at the year’s first major social event ran the gamut of Washington “cave dwellers” and top interior designers to young, up-and-coming collectors on the lookout for just the right piece to decorate a new home. They enjoyed Champagne and a delicious Susan Gage-catered buffet along with the special loan exhibit, “Coco Chanel: A New Portrait by Marion Pike, Paris 1967-1971.”
INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY SALON ESTHER COOPERSMITH RESIDENCE (Photo by Kevin Allen) Supporters of the Institute for Education joined 17 ambassadors to participate in a salon featuring Justice Stephen Breyer and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith while marking IFE’s 25th season. The gathering paid special a[ention to the role of tech in economy, civil rights, terrorism and commerce.
2. Bitsey Folger and Monica Sco 3. Mae Haney Grennan and Catherine Kaplan 4. Liz Brown and Susan Burke
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7. Megan Smith, Justice Stephen Breyer and Kathy Kemper
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Welcome Ury & Associates We are proud to announce that Ury & Associates has combined with Toka Salon & Day Spa’s Georgetown location. We believe that the joining of these two extraordinary salons with highly complementary industry strengths will position us to provide a broader set of services to our clients. Toka Welcomes Ury & Associates
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HOME LIFE Real Estate News and Open House I Inside Homes and My Washington
1MRMQEPMWX 1EOISZIV Lobbyist and hospitality entrepreneur Vinoda Basnayake entertains clients and friends in his edgy, art-filled Arlington townhouse. BY ERICA MOODY PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY BROWN
HOME LIFE | INSIDE HOMES
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ntering Vinoda Basnayake’s five-level Arlington townhouse is a bit like walking into one of his Dupont Circle nightclubs, the iconic bank robber-themed Heist or the modern-day Aspen chalet-themed Kabin. Open spaces and clean, minimalist furniture are punctuated with fun, edgy details like decorative gold skulls and faux fur throws. Large tinted mirrors and colorful works from famous graffiti artists line the walls; a state-of-the-art sound system blasts hip-hop hits; elegant fireplaces abound and a long marble bar invites you to taste a tumbler of Johnnie Walker Double y Black, Basnayake’s favorite. The similarities are no accident. When he decided over a year ago to purchase the property, the Washington-born lobbyist and hospitality entrepreneur enlisted the help of his friend Brien Watson of Brien Zachary Watson Design (who also designed Kabin and KARMA by Erwin Gomez Salon, in which Basnayake is an investor). They completely gutted the place, turning a traditional, “typical D.C.” building into a contemporary dwelling that reflects its owner’s aesthetic and lifestyle. Smaller rooms were combined to allow for open spaces with natural sunlight. Heavy dark wood floors were replaced with marble. “I wanted a property that felt unique and tied to the city, but not cookie cutter,” Basnayake, 35, explains. “Brien did a great job of making the place feel different, not like a stuffy Georgetown home.” “Washingtonians do not warm up to contemporary design, so we couldn’t scare them,” Watson says, “but this is pretty bold.” It’s bold, yet functional, designed with entertaining in mind. Basnayake is a natural host. It’s what drew him to hospitality in the first place, starting a nightlife agency when he was an undergraduate at Georgetown and then, after grad school at Penn, opening the District’s first rooftop club, the wildly successful Eden. Hosting events is also pertinent to
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PREVIOUS PAGE: (clockwise from top left) The entry level features smoked mirror walls reflecting Italian lighting pendants by Vibia. Polished gold and black aluminum bar stools serve an elongated custom-made marble bar with a waterfall edge that is ideal for large scale entertaining. The kitchen features an expansive 20-foot granite and marble work island and dining table; reflective gloss white lacquer floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide an abundance of hidden storage in plain sight; a black and white Sri Lankan batik print hangs on the lower level; the marble-floored living area showcases an original art piece by celebrated pop artist, Mr. Brainwash, “Untitled” — an artistic iteration of the Marine Corps War Memorial within view just outside the wall of Palladian windows. Basnayake’s adored cat, Vesper, stands guard under a self portrait by bestselling artist Justin Bua, the preeminent visual artist of the hip hop generation. THIS PAGE: (clockwise from top left) The entry level bar features 15foot ceilings, marble floors and a custom painting above the sofa by Justin Bua; a third floor bedroom offers a playful retreat for visiting guests; the upper level’s custom granite dining table provides seating for eight.
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OPENING PAGE: Vinoda Basnayake takes a daily look at the capital’s vistas from the rooftop of his five-story Arlington townhouse.
Basnayake’s day job as a government relations lawyer for Nelson Mullins. “I have two seemingly distinct careers, but there’s so much overlap and I love when that ends up happening,” he says. The f low of the house makes it ideal for hosting fundraisers. On the first floor is a fully stocked bar, complete with ice maker, wine cooler, top-shelf alcohol and enough space for a bartender or two to easily serve 100 people. After enjoying a cocktail on the first floor, guests can wander up to the second level where a show kitchen with a built-in 20foot island and dining table is the central feature. “Everyone always ends up in the kitchen,” Watson explains. “So we thought, why not make the whole room the kitchen? Instead of individual pieces of furniture, they wanted things to be more monolithic. The dining room table comfortably seats eight and is built into the island (with counters sourced from marble floors that are used in many places throughout the house). Guests can congregate there to admire the culinary skills of Basnayake’s good friend, noted chef Spike Mendelsohn, who’s been known to cook for his buddy’s weekly soirées. At the time of our interview, Basnayake had just hosted a fundraiser for Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial hopeful Justin Fairfax, and was making final touches on a Super Bowl party. A full kitchen being built on the basement level and a chic elevator (painted all black inside) ease the duties of catering staff. Furnishings and architecture are like a “quiet background,” Watson says, while Basnayake’s art collection is “the color, the exclamation point.” Among the contemporary artworks are Justin Bua and Mr. Brainwash originals, as well as a batik print from a Sri Lankan artist handed down from Basnayake’s parents. “I didn’t want to put up art just because it was expensive,” Basnayake says. “I wanted everything to speak to my vibe and personality. Every single piece is intentional.” Basnayake got in touch with Bua through a friend; he told the artist that he was a longtime fan and even had his famous “The DJ” poster hanging in his college dorm room. They connected over their mutual love of animals. Bua soon sent Basnayake an unexpected gift, an original painting of
his treasured cat Vesper gratis (it now hangs over Basnayake’s bed). “That was the energy I wanted in the house, the good vibes,” Basnayake says. Those good vibes led him to purchase an original version of “The DJ” that Bua had created with Los Angeles street artist Jules Muck. The Mr. Brainwash piece seemed destined for the house, depicting the Marine Corps War Memorial that Basnayake views daily from his rooftop overlooking the city. That view, he says, is why he purchased the place. “Even when it’s cold I go to the roof every day. I’m a D.C. guy. I love looking at D.C.”
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
Double ‘N’s Two historic homes in Georgetown’s East Village change hands as the National Cathedral Foundation parts with its provost’s longtime residence in Cleveland Park. BY STAC E Y G R A Z I E R P FA R R
Phil and Darlene Surprenant sold their historic Georgetown residence at N STREET NW for $2,635,000 with the help of Washington Fine Properties’ William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary. Mr. Surprenant is a PricewaterhouseCoopers executive; his wife lectures at American and George Washington universities. They bought the house in 2013 from Douglas and Jean Salter. The East Village Federal was built in 1835 and features original floors throughout, an arched entryway, five fireplaces and a chef’s kitchen.
THE DISTRICT John and Sara Thorne are the new owners of
WOODLEY ROAD NW in Cleveland Park, which they purchased from the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation for a cool $4.5 million. Mr.Thorne is a partner at Kellogg, Huber, Hansen,Todd, Evans & Figel. Steps from the soaring Washington National Cathedral, “Bratenahl House� was built in 1918 for George Carl Finch Bratenahl, who served as second dean of the Cathedral from 1915 to 1936. Other notable residents include Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Walter Lippmann and Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy. The Cathedral had used the grand Tudor residence to house provosts and deans since 1985. TTR Sotheby’s International
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Realty’s Michael Rankin represented the seller while Theresa Burt of Washington Fine Properties represented the buyer. Bloomberg Businessweek editor Megan Murphy sold
P STREET NW in Georgetown to an undisclosed buyer for $4.4 million. Murphy is a former Washington bureau chief for the Financial Times. The completely renovated five-bedroom Federal townhouse features a gourmet kitchen, a family room overlooking a lush garden, a roof deck and pool. Washington Fine Properties’ Nancy Taylor Bubes represented both the seller and the buyer. Robert Wallace sold his ivy-covered brick
John and Michelle Korsmo bought N STREET NW from for $2,525,000. Mr. Korsmo is an attorney while Mrs. Korsmo is CEO of the American Land Title Association. The 18th century East Village Victorian boasts three bedrooms plus a bright and fresh interior with high ceilings on all levels, a luxurious master suite, a gourmet kitchen and lower level au pair suite. Washington Fine Properties’ Nancy Taylor Bubes represented both sides of the transaction.
Federal at TH STREET NW for $2.6 million with the help of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty’s Jonathan Taylor, who listed the property, and TTR Sotheby’s Jim Bell, who represented the buyer. The detached three-story townhouse comes with a pool and a Hugh Newell Jacobsen-designed guesthouse. The main residence includes three bedrooms, three full baths and three fireplaces.
MARYLAND Mark and Adrienne Beck sold BURNING TREE ROAD, an eight-bedroom, 12,000square-foot fieldstone Colonial built in 2008, for $3.8 million. The house was former residence of Paul Katinas, owner of
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General Counsel for the NSA Glenn Gerstell and his wife Phyllis sold their charming clapboard and stone Colonial at LOUGHBORO ROAD NW for $1.25 million to Kurt Douglas Volker, a former U.S. permanent representative to NATO. The four- bedroom property was built in 1952 and sits on a beautiful lot with mature trees and landscaping. The Spring Valley beauty was listed by Washington Fine Properties’ Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary. Keller Williams’ Trevor Moore acted as the buyer’s agent.
one of District’s oldest restaurants, Annie’s Paramount Steak and Seafood House. It features dramatic embassy-sized rooms, two libraries on the main level, a top-notch master suite and a custom bar. Washington Fine Properties’ Kara Sheehan was the listing agent. John Stacey, also of Washington Fine Properties, represented the buyer.
VIRGINIA
GLEBE ROAD in Arlington changed hands when Nicole Jantzi, a partner at
McDermott Will & Emery, purchased the 1926 Colonial from David and Nancy Leach for $1,855,000. The classic Country Club Hills home boasts a surfeit of character and char m. The five-bedroom, 6,000square-foot brick residence features a slate roof and copper gutters and occupies a sprawling lawn with mature landscaping. Yeonas & Shafran Real Estate’s Dean Yeonas was the listing agent; McEnearney Associates’ Joan Caton Cromwell was the buyer’s agent.
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The stately brick five-bedroom house at KENMORE DRIVE NW in Foxhall fetched $2,725,000 when Craig and Carla Seebald bought it from Scott and Jennifer Frederick. Mr. Seebald is a partner at Vinson & Elkins. The dramatic 30-year-old house boasts jaw-dropping roof deck views of the downtown monuments and Rosslyn, as well as 7,600 square feet of posh city living. Huge windows, a four-car garage, an elevator and a billiard room are among the outstanding features of this unique residence. Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary of Washington Fine Properties were the listing agents; Lizzy Conroy of Keller Williams represented the buyers.
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
PROPERTY LINES OLD TOWN GEM: A charming Federal in Alexandria, QUEEN STREET, is on the market for $3.5 million with listing agents Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary of Washington Fine Properties. Noted journalist (and Pamela Harriman biographer) Christopher Ogden and Linda Fuselier are selling their historic four-bedroom brick residence. Built in 1842 by Alexandria Classical Academy founder Robert Brockett, the property was recently renovated from top to bottom by local designer David H. Mitchell, architect Thomas Manion and builder Harry Braswell. Its prime corner lot boasts a private brick garden with a serene fountain and a two-car carriage house with an additional guest suite.
WOODLEY PARK CLASSIC COLONIAL: Bohdan Shevchik and Lydia KucherShevchik listed their picture-perfect fourbedroom house at CATHEDRAL AVENUE NW (one of Woodley Park’s prettiest streets) for $2,179,000. Built in 1923, the property features a gracious main level with nine-foot ceilings and a family room addition that overlooks a beautiful rear facing garden with a sumptuous wading pool and perennial plantings. Washington Fine Properties’ Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe, and Christopher R. Leary are the listing agents.
GEORGETOWN GRANDE DAME: N STREET NW, most famous for being Jacqueline Kennedy’s landing place after her husband was assassinated, is now listed at $6.5 million – down from its original $10 million price tag. She purchased the circa 1794 house before relocating to New York City in 1964. Former residents of the six-bedroom brick Colonial include former KGB spy and publisher Michael Straight and his then-wife Nina Auchincloss Straight (coincidentally Jackie’s step-sister) and the late Yolande Betbeze Fox, a local socialite who was Miss America 1951. Several months ago rumors were flying that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were going to buy the property, but the couple ultimately rented in Kalorama. Washington Fine Properties’ Nancy Taylor Bubes is the listing agent. Send real estate news to Stacey Grazier Pfarr at editorial@washingtonlife.com.
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HOME LIFE | OPEN HOUSE
Open House Three gorgeous new listings in Georgetown and McLean
GEORGETOWN N ST$ NW
ASKING PRICE: $6,795,000
Brand new, high-end renovation offering 5,250 LISTING AGENT: square feet on three finished levels situated on Shahab Nasrin an 8,388-square-foot lot in a terrific East Village, 301-814-8093, Georgetown location. Seven bedrooms all with TTR Sotheby’s walk-in closets and seven-and-one-half baths, all International Realty accessible by elevator. Large back and side yards for outside entertaining. Gourmet kitchen with pantry, premium appliances and large wine cellar in lower level. Steps to Rose Park, Georgetown’s M Street. First time offered for sale since 1907.
MCLEAN
GILLIAMS ROAD
ASKING PRICE: $3,100,000
This newly renovated, elegant Colonial features intricate moldings in its formal rooms. The huge family room is a sanctuary of comfort while the sumptuous bedroom suites include a top-floor studio. The two-story sunroom and sundrenched kitchen showcase verdant vistas. Resort-style amenities include a pool, tennis court, bar and gym. Privately located with a fence and circular driveway with plenty of parking.
LISTING AGENT: Lillian Jorgenson, 703-407-0766, Long & Foster | Christie’s International Real Estate
GEORGETOWN PROSPECT ST$ NW Sunny three-bedroom, two-bathroom Victorian townhome in Georgetown’s West Village. Beautifully updated and cared for, this south-facing home has a separate dining room, galley kitchen and welcoming family room leading to an expansive garden. Conveniently located near Georgetown University and Wisconsin Avenue, it comes with a separately-deeded two-car garage and space for another car.
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ASKING PRICE: $2,290,000 LISTING AGENTS: The Alex Vendi[i Group, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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MY WASHINGTON MIKE ISABELLA | Chef and restaurateur BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
MY TOP SPOTS
The Mall is so special with the Capitol, the monuments and the activity of all the tourism ... It really takes you out of the city.
HANG OUT SPOT: I like to bounce around Penn Quarter and 14th Street. There are many great restaurants in both neighborhoods.
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DATE NIGHT SPOT: Marcel’s — my wife and I go once or twice a year for special occasions. The service is some of the best in the game. I really love the food and the whole experience.
AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK: Mandu is open late, has good drinks and great food...I love to grab a bite at the bar and hang out with Danny Lee, the co-owner.
NOW THAT YOU ARE OFFICIALLY THE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON’S RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR, CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU MADE THE TRANSITION FROM CHEF TO OWNER OF SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE EATERIES HERE? I’ve made the move from chef to restaurateur because I love to be challenged to do new, fun things and get creative in developing new concepts. As I grow as a restaurant owner, my team continues to grow, which is important to me as well. IS THERE A SECRET TO MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY AND HIGH STANDARDS ACROSS THE BOARD AS YOU CONTINUE TO GROW? Our goal is to get better every day by improving service and giving our guests the best experience possible. A big part of achieving that is to build and educate a strong team at each restaurant.
SPEAKING OF EXPANSION, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ANTICIPATED FOOD EMPORIUM, ISABELLA EATERY, COMING TO TYSON’S GALLERIA THIS FALL? It is the largest project I’ve taken on, and while that can be scary, it’s also really exciting. There are lots of moving parts – from full-service restaurants, fastcasual spots and bars to catering and retail – so it will be very dynamic and high-energy. YOU RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE GOURMET SYMPHONY WHERE YOU PREPARED DISHES IN TANDEM WITH MUSIC FROM THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE? Coming from the perspective of a culinary artist, working with a musical artist was a great challenge and a fun experience. It gave me a different appreciation for both food and music, and the relationship between the two. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE DONE IT ALL IN THE CULINARY ARENA, FROM TELEVISION TO COOKBOOKS TO WORKING WITH A SYMPHONY! WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T TRIED THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DABBLE IN? What we’re planning for Isabella Eatery – that’s the next new frontier for me. We’re taking all of the concepts we’ve built over the years and putting them into one space. It’s something that hasn’t been done before on this level. NAME ONE DISH FROM ANY OF YOUR RESTAURANTS THAT BEST EMBODIES WHO YOU ARE AS A CHEF. I would say the spit-roasted lamb we serve at Kapnos. It exemplifies old-world cooking with lots of flavor and elements that change with the seasons. As I evolve, the dish evolves. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE YOUR LAST MEAL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Hands-down, my grandmother’s Sunday gravy.
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MIKE ISABELLA PHOTO BY GREG POWERS. CAPITOL AND 14TH STREET CORRIDOR IMAGE VIA W I KI M E D I A CO M M O N S , SCA L LO P T E RR I NE P H OTO BY SCOT T S U C H M A N CO U RT E SY O F M A R C E L’S . M A ND U I N T E R I O R CO URT E SY O F M AN D U.
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ong before Washington gained national attention for its exploding food scene and was named Bon Appétit’s restaurant city of the year, there was Mike Isabella quietly perfecting his craft at José Andrés’ Zaytinya. The New Jersey native got his big break on season six of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” where he consistently wowed judges with dynamic dishes. Though he didn’t return home a winner, he landed runner up in “Top Chef All Stars” a few years later. Isabella’s good humor and quick wit also made him a fan favorite and helped build a loyal following for his first restaurant Graffiato. He then extended beyond his Italian roots to open Kapnos, a Greek-centric concept which has offshoots in Arlington and Bethesda. Now, with nine popular eateries to his name and a blossoming dining scene at his fingertips, the options for Isabella appear endless. >>