Misty Copeland
on the American Ballet Theatre’s return to Wolf Trap
Your Guide to the
Political Conventions
The best hotels, restaurants, attractions
and parties in Cleveland and Philadelphia
Luxury Travel:
South Carolina’s Palmetto Bluff
Society Weddings:
Ali Weinberg and Josh Rogin + SUSAN HEMME AND JAY NUSSBAUM
Inside Homes:
A Summer Getaway on the Eastern Shore
Fine Dining:
&
pa rt i pa es! rt Pa ie rt s! ie s!
French fusion at Convivial
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SUMMER 2016
EDITOR'S LETTER
FEATURES
LIFESTYLES
HOME LIFE
YOUR GUIDE TO THE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ..........................
FASHION EDITORIAL Yacht Couture ............. TREND REPORT Shades of Lemonade ............. JEWELRY REPORT
INSIDE HOMES Sean and Kellee Glass's Historic Queenstown Estate..................................
Somewhere Over the Rainbow.... ...........................
OPEN HOUSE Luxurious Listings.......................
TRAVEL PALMETTO BLUFF Southern Hospitality in South Carolina... ...............
MY WASHINGTON Tony Powell ......................
Republican and Democratic Convention Cheat Sheet...... GOP Convention Vice President Sara Armstrong ..........
Democratic Convention CEO Rev. Leah Daughtry ....... THE DISH Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Marttin on their "Masters in Politics" podcast ............... WHO'S NEXT Politico's Eli Stokols .......................
REAL ESTATE NEWS ....................................
BOOK TALK Summer Standouts.......................... PRIVATE AVIATION Jet Linx Offers the Gift of Time.............................
MISTY COPELAND INTERVIEW The American Ballet Theatre's principal dancer on her Wolf Trap debut ....................
NUPTIALS OF NOTE Susan Hemme & Jay Nussbaum and Ali Weinberg & Josh Rogin .........
FYIDC
WASHINGTON SOCIAL DIARY
INSIDER'S GUIDE Cirque du Soleil,
OVER THE MOON........................................
Summer Art and the Opening of the Watergate Hotel .....
The Preakness Stakes ............................................
THE DISH Convivial ......................................
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT Joan Hisaoka Make a Difference Gala .......................
POLLYWOOD EMBASSY ROW Brexit Fallout, No Trump
Best Buddies Prom................................................ Pierre Garcon's White Party ....................................
Convention for Ambassadors and Kabul's Other World ...
Harvard Business School's Dinner at Tiffany's ..............
HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC
Inova Lobster Extravaganza ....................................
CNN's New Original Series 'Declassified' ..................
Casino Royale Charity Night ..................................
The Atlantic Council Leadership Awards .................
Smithsonian Craft Show ........................................
Alliance Francaise Foundation Dinner ........................
Woodrow Wilson Garden Party ................................
March of Dimes Gourmet Gala ...............................
McLean Project for the Arts Benefit............................
'The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln' Book Party .......
Parties, Parties, Parties! ...........................................
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ON THE COVER Misty Copeland (Photo by Nicholas LaClair) TOP FROM LEFT: ON ETHAN: PAUL STUART Adagio sport shirt ($228), Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW., 202-754-8866; REISS Geronimo Slim Fit pants ($220), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; BREMONT WATCH Co. America’s Cup I Special Edition Chronometer ($4,695), Little Treasury Jewelers, 2506 New Market Ln., Gambrills, Md., 410-721-7100. ON KATIE: REISS Anise-Printed Maxi Dress ($425), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; TIFFANY & Co. Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf cuff ($12,500) TIFFANY & Co. Paloma’s Sugar Stacks ring in 18k white gold with diamonds ($5,600) Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777 (Photo by Tony Powell). Betsy Fischer Martin, Virginia Coyne and Tammy Haddad at Off the Record at the Hay-Adams Hotel (Photo by Tony Powell). Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump bobbleheads (Photo by Tony Powell). DOLCE & GABBANA lemon off the print shoulder top ($375) available at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase, Md. Palmetto Bluff landscape (Photo courtesy Palmetto Bluff).
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T H E I N S I D E R’S G U I D E TO P OW E R , P H I L A N T H R O PY, A N D SO C I E T Y S I N C E 1 9 9 1
EDITOR IN CHIEF
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Catherine Trifiletti COLUMNISTS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Janet Donovan, Roland Flamini, Patrick McCoy,Vicky Moon, Stacey Grazier Pfarr and Donna Shor ART DIRECTOR
Matt Rippetoe PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Tony Powell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Gerry Byrne Washington Life magazine publishes ten times a year. Issues are distributed in February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, November, and December and are hand-delivered on a rotating basis to over 150,000 homes throughout D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Additional copies are available at various upscale retailers, hotels, select newstands, and Whole Foods stores in the area. For a complete listing, please consult our website at www.washingtonlife.com. You can also subscribe online at www.washingtonlife.com or send a check for $79.95 (one year) to: Washington Life Magazine, 2301 Tracy Place NW, Washington D.C., 20008. BPA audited. Email us at info@washingtonlife.com with press releases, tips, and editorial comments. Copyright ©2011 by Washington Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content or photos in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed in the United States. We will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. *deceased
EDITOR’S LETTER
A
SUMMER IN THE CITY
hhh, Summer. The rain has finally stopped, people are populating rooftops and sidewalk cafes, Congress is preparing to recess until September and those with summer homes in Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Maine have already headed North. For those of you still around, there’s plenty to do and see (check out FYIDC for a sampling, including the National Building Museum’s new “Icebergs” installation). The calmer pace somehow makes it all the more enjoyable. At the top of our summer to-do list is going to watch ballerina Misty Copeland, whose stunning image by New York-based photographer Nicholas LaClair graces our cover, appear in “Romeo and Juliet” at Wolf Trap on July 15. Copeland made history last year when she was named the American Ballet Theatre’s first African-American female principal dancer. The company’s three-night run at Wolf Trap (Copeland will only perform once) marks ABT’s return to the outdoor venue after 31 years! Copeland granted just one interview to a local publication ahead of her performance, and we’re honored that it was to Washington Life. She spoke to Executive Editor Virginia Coyne about taking on the role of Juliet, her recent conversation with President Obama about race and body issues, her involvement with the Boy & Girls Clubs of America and her new dancewear line, Egal, debuting this month. Summer is also a great time to try to different restaurants. Assistant Editor Catherine Trifiletti took on the delicious task of sampling Convivial, one of Shaw’s hottest new eateries, and chatted with chef Cedric Maupillier about his French fusion dishes, including his inventive take on coq au vin. Looking for a easy travel destination this season that’s not across the ocean or even across the country? Associate Editor Erica Moody headed to Palmetto Bluff, S.C., a gorgeous resort between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, with plenty to keep you busy including a nature preserve, walking trails, a marina, charming cottages and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Boating enthusiasts should drive to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and charter the yacht Scarlet for a day, as we did to photograph his
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and her’s boating looks for our fashion feature. Or choose to fly far, far away using private aviation firm Jet Linx, which recently unveiled a luxe new lounge at Dulles International Airport. Need a good beach read? We’ve got you covered. Consider our summer reading roundup featuring offerings from local authors, including a selection of children’s books. Not everyone will get a break this summer. Many journalists, politicos and lobbyists will head to Cleveland and Philadelphia for the Republican and Democratic national conventions later this month. Whether you’re planning to attend, or watch them remotely, be sure to consult our handy guide to the gatherings. The feature also includes a conversation with veteran political journalists Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin about their Bloomberg podcast, “Masters in Politics” and a Q&A with Politico reporter Eli Stokols, who has been covering the Trump campaign. Of course, this issue also contains the party coverage we’re best known for, including the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala, Best Buddies Prom and the Atlantic Council’s annual leadership awards. Be sure not to miss the beautiful display of hats in photos from the Woodrow Wilson House’s Garden Party and the Stronach Group’s tent at The Preakness. Have a wonderful, relaxing summer! We’ll see you in September with our annual Balls and Galas issue, highlighting the season’s most anticipated social events.
Nancy R. Bagley Editor in Chief Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her at nbagley@washingtonlife.com
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FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington BY ERICA MOODY
THE WATERGATE HOTEL
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
GRAND REOPENING CURIOUS Take yourself back to a scandalous CONTORTIONISTS
time in history at the newly reopened Watergate Hotel, decorated with a nod to the 1960s era when it was originally built. After a $125 million renovation that took place over six years, the luxury hotel (boasting 336 guest rooms and suites) has been revamped with a restaurant, spa, swimming pool, whiskey bar and cigar lounge. No expense was spared in the upgrade; La Bottega bath amenities complement floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms, “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant was commissioned to design employee uniforms and most of the sleek furniture was custom-built to conform to the retro aesthetic. Visit thewatergatehotel.com for details.
Experience the magical universe of Cirque du Soleil at “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities.”Acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, rola bola performers, hand puppeteers and other “possible impossible” acts will amaze show-goers as they meet The Seeker, an inventor from the late-19th-century Industrial revolution. With more props than any Cirque du Soleil production in history (426, to be exact), and more than 100 handmade costumes, this joyful show should be a feast for the senses. Tickets start at $39, Lerner Town Square at Tysons, July 21-Sept 18.
HOLLYWOOD AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
POLAR PASSAGEWAYS
Following the blockbuster success of its “Maze” show in 2014 and “Beach” installation last year, the National Building Museum will present “Icebergs” as part of its annual Summer Block Party series. Explore more than 12,000 square feet of “bergy bits” that soar to 56 feet tall, piercing the museum’s third story balcony. Complete with a suspended “waterline,” the installation “invokes the surreal underwater world.” July 2-Sept. 5, tickets $5-$16, nbm.org.
CAPITAL FRINGE FEST
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
Innovative theater, music, art, dance and “unclassifiable” forms of live performance and visual art dazzle Washington once again at the 11th annual Capital Fringe Fest. Shows take place at different locations throughout the District, including Logan Fringe Arts Space, Atlas Performing Arts Center and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. July 7-31, capitalfringe.org. Single tickets are $17 and you can purchase bulk festival passes beginning at $60 for a four-show pass.
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CELEBRITY COVERS
See your favorite celebrities all in one place this summer at the National Portrait Gallery. The 32work collection includes all-original paintings, sculpture and works on paper created to grace the cover of “Time” magazine. View iconic portraits of Cecil B. DeMille, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, Howard Hughes, Bob Hope and others who shaped the entertainment industry. Runs through Sept. 11, 2016. Free, npg.si.edu/exhibition.
washington kastles
TENNIS IN THE CITY The six-time World Team Tennis Champions will play their 2016 season at the Charles E. Smith Center at George Washington University. Big tennis fans can go all out with the $6500 “VIP Dream Seats” package, which includes four seats to a sideline dinner table, a three-course meal, pre-match VIP hospitality with complimentary bar and hors d’oeuvres and VIP parking. Home games are August 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 and 13. washingtonkastles.com.
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CO URT E SY P H OTOS
ICEBERGS AT NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
FYIDC | THE DISH
REINVENTING TRADITIONAL FRENCH CUISINE WITH AMERICAN INGENUITY Cedric Maupillier’s Convivial bistro successfully balances a dual identity while living up to its hype. BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
I
hate trad itiona l ists,” Cedr ic Maupillier says. “I like to open my mind and think of better ways to do things.” These entrepreneurial words ring true for any diner who samples Maupillier’s handiwork at his six-month-old Convivial. At the French bistro in Shaw, don’t expect to find a classic coq au vin on the menu. Instead prepare your palate for the chef ’s ingenious American take on the dish – tender and crisp fried chicken topped with hearty vegetables and a red wine glaze that explodes with f lavor or “Umami,” as Cedric Maupillier (Photo by Tony Brown) Pickled Rockfish (Photo Courtesy of Convivial) Maupillier describes it. At the core of Maupillier’s Convivial menu is nostalgia for his taken on a culinary rollercoaster ride of bold f lavors. French hometown of Toulon, sandwiched between Marseille and “If you take people out of their comfort zone slightly, not fully, Saint-Tropez. Cafeteria meals that may seem off beat to an everyday and they leave satisfied then everyone has fun – the chef especially American, including beef tongue and liver, were the norm for the because he’s trying something a bit different.” French pupil growing up. The way Maupillier sees it, combining French and American The communal element of dining also stood out to young cuisine is the best of both cultures. Having earned U.S. citizenship Cedric. Every Sunday meant gathering around a big table for earlier this year, he too is a product of both places. a meal prepared by grand-mère. The memory, as he recounts it, “This is who I am,” he says of his new wave cuisine. “I’m free sounds quite convivial indeed! After a stint with the local baker to do what I want.” and eventually years of paying his dues at Michelin-starred French It doesn’t get any more American than that. restaurants, Maupillier was ready for America – a place that had always intrigued him. Whether it was his love of John Wayne and Westerns or his interest in America’s Olympic successes, he always WHAT TO ORDER: wanted to make a place in the U.S. When Maupillier planned the Convivial concept, it was Latkes: Small crispy potato medallions served nonetheless essential that he stay true to his French heritage. The under a bed of celery root topped with thin slices of dry cured lamb. balance he achieves is a delicate one. He masterfully prepares lamb tongue in a moussaka style that keeps diners grounded with a Pickled Rockfish: Citrus-spiked whitefish accompanied by familiar Mediterranean f lavor profile. For those who can’t decipher green papaya, avocado, passion fruit and radish. between a vadouvan or a picholine, he has created a food lexicon to accompany each menu. The amenity is a way to compromise with Coq au Vin: This buzzy dish hits the mark. less knowledgeable guests without dumbing down the menu. Maupillier doesn’t concern himself with conser vative 801 O St., NW, Washington, D.C. traditionalists who may turn their noses up on his playful 202-525-2870 www.convivialdc.com ($8 - $22) renderings of classic dishes. He is much more inspired by the younger generation of self-proclaimed foodies, who want to be
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POLLYWOOD The Nexus of Politics﹐ Hollywood﹐ Media and Diplomacy | Hollywood on the Potomac, March of Dimes Gourmet Gala and more!
Mary Anne Huntsman and Will Huntsman at the Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards. (Photo by Tony Powell)
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POLLYWOOD | EMBASSY ROW
Clashing Schedules Brexit fallout, no Trump convention for ambassadors and Kabul’s other world BY ROLAND FLAMINI
DIVIDING LINE: The constant murmur heard
all over Washington is the sound of administration officials practicing the phrase “besondere Beziehung” (or “besondere vehaltnis”), the German translation for “special relationship.” They are doing this on the principle that it’s not too early to look for a strong European ally to fill the vacuum left by the disastrous British decision to turn its back on Europe. British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch gamely told CNN it was “too early to analyze” the reasons and consequences of the “Leave” vote. But the reality is that a seismic crack has opened in the historical surface of the United Kingdom, with England on one side and Scotland, Ireland, and possibly even Wales on the other. However sentimental the attachment with Britain, what counts for America is an ally that can deliver. And in a fast-moving world the tests of that continued effectiveness won’t wait. The first was the NATO summit in Warsaw, the second is the ISIS summit later this month (see below). DRY NIGHT: National day receptions (21 each in July and August) tend to follow a predictable pattern, but not Poland’s recent Constitution Day. The event’s numerous guests were denied alcoholic drinks until after the ambassador had delivered the ritual address. Of course, some national day receptions don’t serve alcohol at all, but this was Poland. Rows of Polish vodka bottles were arranged temptingly at the two bars, but for the first two hours (7p.m. to 9 p.m.) the attendants would serve only orange juice and water—so it was a long, dry evening, and for some national day regulars listening to an ambassador’s national day speech while stone cold sober was a new and unnerving experience. CLASHING SCHEDULES: Meanwhile, this
year’s surreal presidential campaign got more so for 56 foreign ambassadors when the
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A view from inside the Freer and Sackler Gallery of Art’s Afghanistan show. (Courtesy photo)
Obama administration told them a summit of foreign and defense ministers of anti-ISIS coalition countries was scheduled in Washington on July 20-21. The coalition includes many European countries and several from other parts of the world. Ambassadors checked their schedules and saw that the dates coincided with the last two days (i.e. the climax) of the Republican convention in Cleveland. Since only ambassadors bent on committing career suicide would leave town when their respective bosses came to Washington, they pointed out the scheduling conflict to the State Department. An oversight surely. “After all, it was the State Department that invited us to the two party conventions in the first place,” said one European ambassador. But word came back from Foggy Bottom: no mistake. As of this writing, the dates stood. Given that the ambassador of Mexico and other Latin American envoys were also planning to stay away (boycott is such a negative term!) because of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump’s aggressive approach
to immigration, seats reserved for ambassadors at what is being called the Donald Trump show are likely to be quite empty. ANOTHER SIDE OF KABUL: Against the all too familiar background of the suicide bombs and Taliban shootouts, a different world struggles to exist in Kabul – a world of artisans using ancient crafts, of flourishing schools, and thriving clinics. “This Kabul” is currently on show, and well worth a visit, at the Freer Sackler Gallery. It’s an exhibition organized by the Turquoise Mountain, the British NGO that trains young Afghans in old traditional skills. The exquisite wooden screens and windows carved by hand are the centerpiece of a show that includes jewelry, carpets, and calligraphy. A potter works on site, turning out colorful vases and jars. Somehow, the two worlds co-exist, says the potter Matin Malikzada who takes in his stride the fact that the Taliban have captured him several times, but he always manages to escape.
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C. Boyden Gray and Adrienne Arsht Gen. David Patraeus, Jon Huntsman and Mary Kaye Hunstman
Mary Claire Murphy and Robert Gates
WL EXCLUSIVE
ATLANTIC COUNCIL DISTINGUISHED AWARDS CEREMONY Ritz Carlton | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Beatrice Mozzi and Vittorio Grigòlo
Chuck Hagel and U.A.E. Amb. Yousef Al-Otaiba
PREEMINENT ACCOLADES In its 20th year, the Atlantic Council offered recognition to leaders from business, art, international and military affairs at an event attended by more than 750 guests from 50 countries, including Obama administration officials, former heads of state, 40 ambassadors and countless business executives. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted the prestigious international award and, in his remarks about global unity, called for the U.S. to reject isolationism. “Contrary to the views of some politicians, continuing American global leadership is in our own economic, political, and security interest, not simply and only an altruistic act.” The dense political discourse was balanced with a beautiful musical performance by Italian tenor Vi orio Grigòlo, winner of the artistic leadership award. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Jane Cafritz, Amb. Gerard Araud, Willee Lewis and Tracy Bernstein
Susan Rappaport and Caroline Beresford WL EXCLUSIVE
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE WASHINGTON DINNER
Francesca Craig and Leonard Silverstein
Residence of the French Ambassador | PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL SIMMONS FRANCOPHILES UNITE Since 1949 (and since 1971 in Kalorama), the Alliance Francaise de Washington on Embassy Row has provided immersion classes in the French language to schoolchildren and adults alike. And since the year 2000, it’s held its annual fundraising dinner a block away, at the Residence of France’s Ambassador Gerard Araud. This year’s chairs Jane Cafritz, Willee Lewis and Tracy Bernstein helped raise over $105,000 for the Foundation, in a formal dinner also attended by patrons Nina and Philip Pillsbury, Susan and Michael Pillsbury, Susan Lehrman, Boyden Gray, Calvin Cafritz and other VIPs. Former Alliance Francaise student Kathryn Martel spoke on the education initiatives of the organization and how being connected with the Alliance completely turned her life around. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Danielle Canfield, Alexandra de Borchgrave, Annie Totah and Leo Sahakian
Thor Halvorson, Shannon Fairbanks Annie Seys Actress Fionaand Shaw
Kathryn Martel and Sarah Diligenti 15
POLLYWOOD
HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC
SPIES AMONG US CNN’s new original series, “Declassified,” sheds light on old covert operations. B Y J A N E T D O N O VA N
A
captivated audience listened as retired KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin recounted bugging a State Department conference room when he worked as a press officer at the Soviet Embassy many years ago. “I recall I was sitting on the bench right across from the State Department building - it was about 100 yards away - just checking if the bug worked. It worked very well. I heard everything. We tried to do it in the FBI building, but we failed.” Kalugin’s story is one of many featured on CNN’s new original series “DECLASSIFIED: Wolf Blitzer and Mike Rogers (Photo by Tony Powell) Untold Stories of American Spies.” Jeff Zucker, President of CNN senior C.I.A. officer Mark Kelton explained Worldwide, hosted a premiere of the show to that cover can never be maintained wholly give a Washington audience gathered at the throughout an agent’s career. “At some Newseum a taste of what’s in store for the point, your cover is lost by whatever means.” eight-part series that debuted June 19. Kelton went on to describe the value of Each episode is built around a newly- keeping a solid covert agent on the job, declassified mission told firsthand by the agents emphasizing that intelligence operations who lived it. The premiere told the story of are a craft that can’t be taught, but rather former C.I.A. case officer Marti Peterson learned with practice. “Experienced people who spent two years in Moscow at the U.S. are the premium, so Marti’s skills, when she Embassy posing as a clerk while leading a got to be mid-career and after that, were dangerous double life. She was arrested on absolutely essential. There were roles that she a railroad bridge in 1977, but because of could work in that were very effective, and diplomatic immunity, was sent home after a the cover was not that important.” She also brief detention. “A year later, it came out in got remarried and changed her name. That the Washington Post, and it was big news,” helped, too. Peterson recalled. “But It only lasted about In cases like Peterson’s, there is cause to five minutes, and I said, ‘That’s just Soviet wonder if she had any reservations or regrets propaganda,’ and nobody really cared. I went about the work she did. “I don’t think I ever on with my covert assignments.” questioned that what I was doing was the right Surprisingly, Peterson’s reassignment put thing, even though we were asking people to her back in the Soviet Union where she was be traitors to their country,” Peterson said. “As obviously known to the “enemy.” Retired trainees, I remember we had these kind of
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discussions, but there was a greater good here for the winning side. I think that’s what we all believed in.”We do however, suspect she is still troubled by certain memories – you’ll need to tune in to find out for yourself. Consider ing this ser ies exposes elements of the C.I.A.’s clandestine operations, it was former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and the series’ host Mike Rogers who shed light on how much covert mission information was shared with Congress. ”Quite a bit” he said, “I think it does depend on the chairman and the chairman’s interests.You would be surprised. We were very clued in.” Since the C.I.A. revealed a substantial amount of information, we asked Peterson to tell us something we didn’t know. In response, she detailed an affair she had with a State Department officer in Moscow and explained that the only other person who knew about it was “a KGB guard who stood on the corner there at the Embassy because he’d see me go out to the parking lot and get in my car and if somebody walked out with me I’d have to drive away. But then, I’d come back. It was a covert operation.” Only the KGB noticed... there’s that. Major General Kalugin reminded the audience that we live in a different world now, for better or worse. “When I was a student at Columbia University, I stood in line to visit the F.B.I. Headquarters. They never asked who I was. No one asked a single question,” he remembered. “That was the beauty of America.”
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Rep. Sanford Bishop and Vivian Bishop
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Sen. Cory Gardner
Isamari Castrodad and March of Dimes 2016 National Ambassador Ismael Torres-Castrodad
Dr. Laura Cassidy and Sen. Bill Cassidy
WL SPONSORED
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
MARCH OF DIMES GOURMET GALA National Building Museum | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL POLITICAL PALATES More accustomed to competing in the political realm, U.S. senators and representatives gathered at the National Building Museum to embrace rivalry of a different sort: culinary. The 34th annual March of Dimes cook-off competition was judged by five local celebrity chefs in a range of categories, drawing more than 650 guests and raising more than $1 million dollars for research, education and advocacy programs for mothers in danger of premature birth. SOUTHERN PRIDE: Those hailing from the South won big for their standout dishes. Among the politicians and their spouses who took home prizes were Sen. Roger F. Wicker and his wife Gayle Wicker, who won Best in Show for their “Ole Miss Tailgate Chess Squares.” The Best Presentation award was given to Sen. David Perdue and Bonnie Perdue’s peach cobbler; Sen. Jeff Sessions and Mary Blackshear Sessions took home the America Regional award for shrimp hush puppies and “Alabama Come Back Sauce.” “Southern Delight with an Indian Bite,” prepared by Rep. Sanford Bishop and Vivian Bishop, won the Health and Happiness award. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Samar Hussein-Langhorne, Max Blumenthal and Anya Parampil WL EXCLUSIVE
Sidney Blumenthal and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Renilde Loeckx and Whitney Stewart
‘THE POLITICAL LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN: A SELF MADE MAN’ BOOK PARTY John and Christina Ritch Residence | PHOTOS BY ERIN SCHAFF POLITICAL PROSE Close friends and fans gathered at the home of John and Christina Ritch to celebrate the release of Sidney Blumenthal’s new nonfiction prose about famed Abraham Lincoln– a book that offers a thoughtful perspective on the 16th president from his beginnings as an avid newspaper reader to his growth into a historical icon. Eager bibliophiles in attendance lined up to get Blumenthal’s autograph on their books, which has been well received by critics. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Christina and John Ritch
Linda Drumheller, Livia Drumheller Phillips and Nina Ritch 17
SPECIAL FEATURE
YOUR GUIDE TO THE
GUIDE TO THE CONVENTIONS
430-8-'%0 '32:)28-327 WHAT TO EXPECT | WHERE TO STAY EAT & HOB NOB | WHO TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER
@HillaryClinton
@realDonaldTrump
4097 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION VICE PRESIDENT SARA ARMSTRONG AND DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION CEO REV LEAH DAUGHTRY TAMMY HADDAD AND BETSY FISCHER MARTIN ON THEIR PODCAST “MASTERS IN POLITICS” POLITICO REPORTER ELI STOKOLS’ TAKE ON COVERING THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN PHOTO BY TONY POWELL 18
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
WHEN July 18 - July 21, 2016 WHERE Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio WEB convention.gop @GOPConvention #RNCinCLE
WHEN July 25 - July 28, 2016 WHERE Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. WEB demconvention.com @DemConvention #DemsinPhilly
WHO WON’T BE THERE Former Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43, former nominees Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain, Senators Lindsay Graham and Kelly Ayotte. WHO WILL BE THERE Members of the grassroots “Dump Trump” movement. They’ve reportedly opened a command center in Cleveland and are planning for a floor fight to dump the presumptive nominee.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE WONDERING Will Bernie Sanders endorse Hillary Clinton? And will his supporters coalesce around her? POTENTIAL STAR APPEARANCES (to help draw in younger voters): Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Demi Lovato, Beyonce and Lin Emanuel-Miranda, of Broadway’s “Hamilton” fame.
INSIDER’S GUIDE Pamela Stevens @pamrstevens >> Director of Media Affairs, GOP Convention
INSIDER’S GUIDE Matthew Butler @matthewsbutler >> Chief of Staff, Democratic National Convention
WHERE TO STAY Since April, I’ve been renting an apartment at Reserve Square. It has a workout room, a pool and maid service!
WHERE TO STAY If you can still get a room, the Logan, Sonesta and Warwick are great hotels. Or try the Ritz Carlton. The recently redone lobby is an old bank and it’s gorgeous.
WHERE TO EAT Johnny’s Downtown on West 6th is my favorite restaurant. It’s charming and has a piano bar. I always bring the visiting media there—CNN, CBS, ABC, etc.
WHERE TO PLAY TOURIST The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and John Carroll University, where Tim Russert went. Cleveland has a fantastic theater district, where I’ve seen the Fantasticks, Matilda and Steel Magnolias. The suburbs are lovely. I’d never been to a Dillard’s before. They have a great one here and I am now a devotee. BIGGEST PARTIES Rock the Night in CLE welcome party on Sunday night, the tribute to John Boehner, the Journey concert and the CQ Roll Call party at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. Also look for good ones from Twitter, Creative Coalition and Google.
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WHERE TO EAT There’s a lot of debate on the best cheesesteak in the city. My advice: ask a local for their favorite place in the neighborhood you are staying in and go there. Also: If you’re homesick for D.C. and Le Diplomate, Parc at Rittenhouse Square is almost an exact match. WHERE TO PLAY TOURIST The Barnes Foundation, Franklin Institute, National Constitution Center, Rocky Statue, Rocky Steps and Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest street in the United States. If you’re looking for something different, go see Eastern Penitentiary. BIGGEST PARTIES Definitely the media welcome party on Saturday and the delegate welcome party on Sunday before the convention. Look for good events from Google, Facebook, Twitter, Funny or Die, the One Campaign, Men for Choice and HeadCount. Concert-wise, Dawes and Grace Potter will be at Electric Factory on Monday, July 25 and the Unity Concert postgavel following Hillary Clinton’s acceptance speech should be a starstudded event.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
GUIDE TO THE CONVENTIONS
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SARA ARMSTRONG Vice President of the Republican National Convention WASHINGTON LIFE How long have you been on site in Cleveland and what is the best thing about being there to prepare for the convention? SARA ARMSTRONG I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of two conventions, but I must say Cleveland will always have a special place in my heart. Having moved here last July, the warmth and the excitement I’ve experienced from this community over the past year has been touching. I’ve really enjoyed the amount of collaboration we’ve had – from local vendors like florists and caterers to the people behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose Arena we’ll be transforming for the convention. We’ve also had great partnerships with the Cleveland Host Committee and Mayor Frank Jackson.
WL What do you believe will be the highlights of the convention? SA There are many special moments that occur during the 96 hours of the Convention – but I have to say my favorite is just before the balloons drop on the last night. The camaraderie and anticipation is palpable. After an exhilarating — and exhausting! — four days, we will all be together in this great big arena celebrating what we believe in. WL Is anything special planned? SA Absolutely. The new Freedom Plaza
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@SaraWArmstrong
marks the first time we’ll have an outdoor space right next door to the arena to invite guests to mingle, eat, shop and enjoy live music in a beautiful space between the Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field. From regional food to local performers, I know it will be a great time! WL Many prominent Republicans have announced they’ll skip the convention this year and businesses that have traditionally sponsored the gathering have pulled back. How will these actions affect the event? SA We are excited to have House and Senate leadership, hundreds of state and local leaders, as well as dignitaries and supporters from across the country at the Convention. In contrast to years past, this
convention has had more interest and excitement around it than I can remember. Our host committee has done an excellent job raising funds and is well ahead of where we were in 2012. WL How concerned are you about possible protests and chaos both on the convention floor and on the streets of Cleveland? Is the city prepared for potential unrest? SA We are a First Amendment party and of course believe in the freedom of speech. We are prepared and have worked closely with the city of Cleveland and additional local, state and federal partners who are coordinating and will be continuously refining security plans leading up to July.
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P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F R E P U BL I CAN N AT I O NA L CO N VE NT I O N
WL Will the party coalesce around Donald Trump at the convention? SA: Our party is gathering in Cleveland to officially nominate Donald Trump, which is an important moment for Republicans and one that the entire country will be watching. We are here to celebrate the principles we stand for and to unite as Republicans as we focus on taking back the White House.
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REV LEAH DAUGHTRY CEO of the Democratic National Convention WASHINGTON LIFE Hillary Clinton is your party’s presumptive nominee. What is it like, as a woman, to be leading the convention where the first female will accept the nomination for President of the United States? REV LEAH DAUGHTRY It’s hard to believe that just eight years ago in Denver, Colorado, our party nominated the first African-American president of the United States. It was a true privilege to serve as CEO for the historic 2008 convention, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to, once again, have a front row seat as history is made. On Election Night in 2008, after Barack Obama had been declared the next president of the United States, my oldest nephew texted me, saying, “now, Auntie Leah, I believe I can do anything.” It took the election of an African American as president for my brilliant, talented nephew to believe that all doors were open to him. This cycle, I think about all the little girls – and boys – who will have a larger idea of what’s possible for their lives as a result of the election of Hillary Clinton. P H OTO CO U RT E SY O F D E MO C RAT I C N AT I O N AL CO N V E N T I O N
WL What do you believe other highlights of the convention will be? Will there be any special guests? LD I have been involved in our party’s conventions for over two decades now, and each time has been unforgettable in its own unique way. From hearing actor Christopher Reeve speak at the 1996 Chicago convention, to witnessing a young State Sen. Obama find his political launching pad in Boston in 2004, you can always count on those magical moments to capture who we are as a people and inspire the whole party ahead of the general election. The choices for speaking roles at this year’s convention have not been finalized, but we anticipate a who’s who in the Dem-
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@LeahDaughtry
ocratic Party leadership to take center stage and address the nation.
Both Clinton and Sanders supporters are already playing an integral role in that process.
WL What role will Bernie Sanders and his supporters have at the convention? LD The Democratic National Convention Committee has a strong partnership with both the Clinton and Sanders campaigns.And while we are in the midst of ongoing conversations to determine the roles that each organization will play at the convention, our shared goals are very clear: work hand-in-hand with the candidates to make sure our party, the big-tent party, has a seamless nominating process for president and vice president. We also are actively working together to draft and ultimately adopt a party platform representative of Democrats from all walks of life, all religions, all races and all economic strata.
WL How concerned are you about possible protests and chaos in Philadelphia, especially in light of violence at the Nevada Democratic convention in May? LD Conventions play a special role in our electoral process – they are designed to be an uninterrupted opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to articulate their values and vision for the future of our nation. As someone who has been involved in our party’s conventions since 1992 and who considers herself an activist for justice and equality, I plan on making sure that safe spaces for fellow Democrats who wish to express their views and opinions are not in short supply in Philadelphia.
| S U M M E R | washingtonlife.com
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SPECIAL FEATURE
DINE AND DISH
MASTERS IN POLITICS @MastersPodcast
The players: Veteran political journalists Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin talk to Executive Editor Virginia Coyne about their Bloomberg podcast, “Masters in Politics” and the 2016 presidential campaign The setting: Off the Record at the Hay-Adams On the menu: Grilled Atlantic salmon with Swiss chard and ice waters all around, set on coasters featuring caricatures of the presidential candidates WL Are you hoping to get Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on the podcast? TH Oh, I think we’ll get them at some point. We’re talking to them. The other part of the election coverage is the candidates are looking around for other opportunities. You saw the President go on “Between Two Ferns” (comedian Zach Galifianakis’ online interview show). Politicians go wherever they can be effective and wherever they can get their message across, and I don’t think television shows are letting Donald Trump call in anymore.
WASHINGTON LIFE Why did you start podcasting? TAMMY HADDAD Three years ago, I was out in L.A. and everybody was talking about podcasts, so I came back an evangelist. Betsy and I said, ‘let’s do one’ and last summer, as the presidential campaign was heating up, we started “Trail Talk.”We’ve written questions for every single person we’re interviewing. For the first time we get to actually ask the questions. WL How did the partnership with Bloomberg come about? BETSY FISCHER MARTIN We had done probably about six episodes with candidates like Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush when they reached out to us because they’d heard the Ted Cruz interview and thought it was really good. We decided to come up with a new name so that we could do this beyond 2016. Bloomberg had a successful podcast on their business side called “Masters in Business,” so we thought we’ll call ours
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“Masters in Politics” to both keep the brand and not limit ourselves to the campaign trail. WL Do your guests call in or do you interview them in person? TH Sometimes they’re in person, like Gov. Hickenlooper of Colorado was recently, but usually they’re on the phone. Here’s the thing: I came to Washington to produce Larry King’s radio show, and what I love about radio is that people get so comfortable. They’re talking, they’re in the office or they’re at home and when you’re having a conversation and not an interview, things slip out that they don’t plan, like when we interviewed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and he was reminiscing about growing up and being bullied as a kid. It’s much more intimate. I don’t want to say dangerous, but it can get dangerous because people are just so comfortable and could say anything … and we’re ready with all our questions, ready to just get it out of them! [laughter]
WL Do you have any convention predictions? BFM The Republican Convention is not going to look like past conventions. It will be much more of a production. We are going to see Trump every single night. As for the Democratic Convention, it will be interesting to see what kind of role Bernie Sanders plays in the platform, what kind of speaking spot he gets and how that goes over. One thing Hillary Clinton has in her corner is that Sanders has been very clear he does not want to see Trump elected, so I think by that nature, he’s going to come together with her.
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@BFischerMartin and @HaddadMedia (Photo by Tony Powell)
WL Is there room for another news outlet or podcast like yours out there? TH Podcasts have become part of the conversation in politics this season. Not just ours, but David Axelrod’s and Politico’s Glenn Trush’s are also making news. So, while some people say, ‘oh there’s so much media out there,’ the truth is there isn’t because consumers are looking for more.There’s also lots of media criticism in this election, as you well know. I would actually argue the opposite— that media has never done a better job. Podcasts are one piece of it, but the reporting on candidates has been heavy and extensive.
| S U M M E R | washingtonlife.com
SPECIAL FEATURE | WHO’S NEXT
COVERING TRUMP Politico’s national politics reporter Eli Stokols on the challenges of the Trump beat BY ERICA MOODY
IT MUST BE AN INCREDIBLY EXCITING CAMPAIGN TO COVER. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES? There is never a dull moment. And it’s different because when the guy is on TV all the time, tweeting all the time, it’s a different campaign to cover. When I got here 14 months ago, everyone thought Jeb Bush would be the nominee. He had this huge network of donors and all these people you could talk to who the campaign was always reaching out to because they needed their financial support. With the Trump campaign, there are about four people who interact with Trump regularly. The campaign happens based on Donald Trump dictating a tweet and hitting send. It’s harder to mine the details from inside and to find things that break through when everybody is writing ‘Oh my God! Donald Trump did this today.’ There’s so much coverage that sometimes you have to do deeper reporting for anything to stick.
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hen Eli Stokols, 36, relocated to Washington from Denver last year to cover the 2016 Republican presidential campaign for Politico, he thought he’d be following Jeb Bush. But to his shock (and that of other political pundits), he soon found himself immersed in one of the most unexpected campaigns in recent history, that of brazen businessman Donald Trump. The Southern-California-born, Berkeley-educated former broadcast journalist reflects on his whirlwind beat. DID YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU’D BE COVERING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP? Um, no. I mean who would think that? [Laughs]. In Colorado, I covered the [2012] presidential race from a swing state perspective and had that vantage point. But, this is totally different. We’ve had to constantly be open to things that we never really thought were possible. When Trump announced and everyone in the newsroom would see him on TV, they would walk by and say, ‘Is that guy still talking?’ No one really took it seriously.This whole year has been a recalibration of all the things we thought we knew. It takes a little while to get your head around the fact that this is a real phenomenon. It’s not just a short-lived media fascination. SO, WHY DO YOU THINK HE CONNECTS TO THE ELECTORATE? People are just disgusted with politics in general. His skill set and his understanding of media have enabled him to really maximize the exposure and to drown out a lot of other people. But it’s the message that has connected with a core base of supporters, and it’s not just the Republican base.There are Democrats who aren’t enamored with either candidate and who look at Trump and say, ‘You know, I don’t really have a problem with him because he’s not a typical Washington establishment conservative.’ It’s counterintuitive that a billionaire from Manhattan would be the blue-collared champion of people in Iowa and Pennsylvania. But he has
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@EliStokols (Photo by Tony Powell)
been convincing, at least, in presenting himself as somebody who’s willing to take a sledgehammer to the old order in Washington. A lot of people may not like him insulting everybody, may find his comments offensive, but some find it not just entertaining but refreshing that he doesn’t care about political correctness. WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE FOR HIM TO WIN? It’s hard to say. Hillary Clinton is so unpopular also. Both of them are trying to make their campaign a referendum on the other person. And if he’s able to do that better than she is, by making a case against her judgment, by citing some more recent controversies, by making a credible case that she’s a threat to our national security, clearly some people would be receptive to it. It may be a heavy lift, but she’s been around for a long time and does not enjoy skyhigh approval numbers as it is.
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WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING AT THE CONVENTIONS? I think it will be totally different from the other conventions that I’ve covered, more of a show. There’s no doubt that it will be far more important to pay attention to the little details. In Tampa you didn’t really worry too much about some of the rules and the platform fights because at the end of the day you knew who was going to be the nominee. And you knew that people around the country weren’t really paying attention to any of that stuff. After this process, and especially if Trump continues to struggle to satisfy conservative Republicans that he can unite the party and carry a consistent message against Clinton, there are going to be efforts to undermine him. So, it will be incumbent upon everybody there who’s covering it to not just watch the spectacle on stage, but to follow all the things happening behind the scenes.
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lifestyles | performing arts
Burning Bright
Misty Copeland takes on the role of Juliet as the American Ballet Theatre returns to Wolf Trap for the first time in three decades. by Virginia Coyne
Misty Copeland as Juliet. (Photo by Rosalie O’Connor)
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n Shakespeare’s most well-known play, Romeo is smitten by Juliet while watching her dance, so taken by her poise and beauty that he declares, ”Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright.” One might argue the same about Misty Copeland, who in 2015 was appointed the American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT’s) first female African-American principal dancer. This month, she plays the lead in “Romeo and Juliet” at Wolf Trap on July 15, one of three nights the company will perform at the outdoor venue. Copeland granted only one interview to an area publication ahead of her performance and it was to Washington Life. She shared her thoughts on taking on the role of Juliet, the intense media attention she’s received in recent years, her new dancewear line and her involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Copeland gently evaded questions about her upcoming wedding to Olu Evans, a cousin of actor Taye Diggs, making it clear she prefers keeping her personal life out of the spotlight. >>
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washington life: Did you know it has been 31 years since the American Ballet Theatre last performed at Wolf Trap? Misty Copeland: Wow. I knew it had been a while but didn’t know the exact timing. When I was first introduced to ballet and hadn’t seen many live performances, one of the videos that was shown to me over and over again was of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland at Wolf Trap. I remember obsessing over the video and knowing what Wolf Trap was since I was 13. So I feel performing there is a part of ABT history, and for us to be able to come back after all this time and for me to do Juliet there is a dream come true. To do Juliet in an outdoor theater is so romantic. wl: What it is like to take on Juliet? Mc: It’s a role I never imagined myself dancing. Once I performed it [for the first time] last year, I understood that acting is a strength of mine which I had never truly
developed before, so it’s exciting to be able to grow even more. wl: Why did you never imagine yourself in this role? Mc: Once I became a professional dancer and was a soloist for as long as I was, those dreams of being a principal dancer went out the window.You don’t realistically imagine yourself ever getting the opportunity to do these roles. wl: Today you are a principal dancer with the ABT and there has been so much media frenzy surrounding you. You’ve appeared on magazine covers and on morning television, have your own Barbie doll and have been interviewed about race alongside President Obama. What has that been like? Mc: I feel like it’s become a part of my job and part of what I’ve wanted in terms of getting ballet out there to a broader audience. The fact is that I feel the sacrifices I have to make in my personal life are worth it to be able to get that
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out there to more people and be involved with grand opportunities to really speak about race and diversity and ballet. It’s really just become a part of my job and how I approach it. It doesn’t feel like something that’s come on really suddenly. It’s been a slow go over the past four years or so. I’m still extremely focused on my career and on my dancing because that’s the reason that I’m getting this attention, so that has to be number one for me. WL: Tell me about the recent Time magazine interview with you and President Obama. That must have been surreal. Mc: Yes. [laughs] It was extremely surreal. I feel like every opportunity I get to stand next to someone who represents such a big group of people in a powerful and positive way, you just have to step back and really try to be as present as possible in those moments. It’s been incredible just to have met him as many times as I have and then to have had an actual conversation with him about the issues of race and body image. I feel it’s a great thing for the black community to see people from these different arenas coming together and discussing something so important. wl: Why is it important to you to discuss race and body issues? Mc: It’s been a big part of my struggle in my craft and in my career – the lack of diversity in classical ballet, the lack of opportunities for different body types and the perception of what a ballerina should look like. I’ve kind of gone against all of those things, so it’s extremely important for me to represent the many people who feel they don’t have the opportunity or aren’t given a fair chance to be a part of this world. It’s important to see two African Americans represented at that level. I want African Americans and minorities to be accepting and owning of who they are and not feeling they have to be something else to be successful or to be perceived as beautiful. wl: You’re also very involved in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. How did your involvement begin and how does it continue today?
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Mc: It was the first organization that I was ever really part of as a child and my second home growing up, probably from the age of seven. That’s where I discovered ballet, through classes that they offered to find more diversity and to give minority children the opportunity to get real ballet training. It all started there for me so it makes sense coming full circle to still be able to be a part of the organization, give back to my community and to incorporate ballet into more Boys & Girls Clubs. That’s the whole reasoning for Project Plié, a diversity initiative by the American Ballet Theatre in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs to develop a program that’s structured off the way I found ballet. It’s wonderful to have watched this thing grow. We have partnerships
“Once I became a professional dancer and was a soloist for as long as I was, those hopes and dreams of being a principal dancer went out the window.” with local ballet companies all over America that are joining forces with us to reach out to communities that don’t have the means to be part of the classical ballet world or just aren’t educated in it. It’s pretty amazing to see the diversity in this program. wl: It’s unusual that you started dancing at the age of 13 when most ballerinas begin lessons at a very young age. How were you able to do that, and do you think starting later has made it easier in terms of wear and tear on your body? Mc: No. [laughs] Physically, I naturally had the flexibility and muscle tone to be able to start as late as I did. The reason you start training at such a young age is to mold and strenghten the muscles, to make it second nature and to really be able to get the body to form before
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you hit puberty. I didn’t hit puberty until I was 19, so my body was still very capable of being molded. In terms of wear and tear, it’s not when you’re young that you have to worry about it, but when you’re older and your body is not as loose and more prone to injury. The one benefit of starting late is that I didn’t burn out at a young age. A lot of young athletes spend their childhood training and when they get to be 13 want to have a normal life. For me, I was just getting started and was so eager. I trained just four years before coming to ABT. wl: Tell me about your dancewear line debuting this summer. Mc: It’s called Egal, which means equal in French. It’s taken a while to really understand how to develop a brand without having help from a larger brand. I really wanted to do this on my own because I felt strongly about my vision.The reason that I started it was that I couldn’t find leotards that had inner support for a large chest.That is really not something that is made for dancers. We come in all shapes and sizes yet dancewear is made for tiny, petite people who don’t have busts. I wanted to really make something that would work for every type of woman. In the future, we will do plus sizes as well, because the lack of plus sizes is really pathetic. wl: You have another big event coming up this summer. Aren’t you getting married? Mc: [laughs] Yes. I have so much happening right now that it’s been so far from my mind. But yes, it’s happening. wl: Can you give us any details? Mc: The thing is, I don’t even know what I’m wearing yet! wl: What do you do in your free time when you’re not dancing, designing clothing, making public appearances and volunteering? Mc: It’s hard because I really enjoy taking advantage of the opportunities that have been given to me. A lot of my free time is spent on these things. Of course, I find time to get away. I like to travel, relax and cook. And I love going to concerts, hearing music and trying to find moments to be normal and enjoy life.
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LIFESTYLES
ON ETHAN: PAUL STUART cotton piquepolo ($78), Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW, 202-754-8866; PAUL STUART seersucker trouser ($344), Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW., 202-754-8866; PAUL STUART washed blue blazer ($1,284) Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW., 202754-8866; BREMONT WATCH Co. America’s Cup I Special Edition Chronometer ($4,695), Little Treasury Jewelers, 2506 New Market Ln., Gambrills, Md., 410-721-7100. ON KATIE: ALICE & OLIVIA Sally embroidery long slip dress ($440), Saks Fifth Ave, 2051 International Dr., McLean, Va., 703-7610700; TIFFANY & CO. bull swivel bracelet ($17,000) TIFFANY & CO. Paloma Picasso hammered bead necklace in 18k gold ($2,400) Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777.
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PHOTOGRAPHY TONY POWELL ASSISTED BY STEPHEN KEN | WWW TONY-POWELL COM WARDROBE THEA WASHINGTON T H E ARTIST AGENCY MAKEUP AND HAIR LORI PRESSMAN T H E ARTIST AGENCY MODELS ETHAN THOMPSON & KATIE ANDERSEN T H E ARTIST AGENCY EDITORIAL DIRECTION CATHERINE TRIFILETTI EDITORIAL ASSISTANT MEGHAN MORIARTY PHOTOGRAPHED ABOARD THE SCARLET YACHT AT BALTIMORE’S INNER HARBOR WWW SCARLETBALTIMORE COM
SOVEREIGN CODE Fauna micro-floral short sleeve button down shirt ($79), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; BREMONT WATCH Co. Oracle Team USA I Chronometer ($5,495), Little Treasury Jewelers, 2506 New Market Ln., Gambrills, Md., 410-7217100; REISS Twill Trousers ($195), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; RAY BAN Clubmaster Aluminum- black polarized ($163) Sunglass Hut, 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean Va., 703-917-8980.
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.
ALICE & OLIVIA Jaelyn braid neck halter dress ($298), Saks Fifth Ave, 2051 International Dr., McLean, Va., 703-761-0700; TIFFANY & CO. Paloma Picasso olive leaf band ring ($1,550), Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777. ATELIERS DEMONACO 18k white gold Ronde de Monte-Carlo watch ($25,400) Little Treasury Jewelers, 2506 New Market Ln., Gambrills, Md., 410-721-7100.
ON ETHAN: ELEVENTY double-breasted cotton vest ($345), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; REISS Redmayne cotton short sleeve shirt ($135), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-46000; PAUL STUART paisley print pants ($467), Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW, 202754-8866; BREMONT WATCH Co. Regatta OTUSA Special Edition Chronograph- Titanium case ($6,895), Little Treasury Jewelers, 2506 New Market Ln., Gambrills, Md., 410-721-7100. ON KATIE: DKNY sleeveless matte jersey dress ($295), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-5564600; TIFFANY & CO. Tiffany diamond cluster necklace ($250,000) Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777; TIFFANY & CO. Schlumberger flame ear clips with diamonds ($5,800), Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777. TIFFANY & CO. setting ring set ($78,000), Tiffany & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-657-8777.
ON ETHAN: JACHS NY linen chambray shirt ($69), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; PAUL STUART solid soft brushed polyester swim trunks ($128), Paul Stuart, CityCenterDC, 906 I St NW, 202754-8866; BAILEY OF HOLLYWOOD Brooks Poet fedora ($137), Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600; BREMONT WATCH Co. Regatta OTUSA Special Edition ChronographTitaniumdress case ($6,895), N / NICHOLAS ($529), Little Saks Treasury Jewelers, New Market Ln., Jandel, 5510 2506 Wisconsin Avenue, Gambrills, 410-721-7100. ChevyMd., Chase, MD 20815, (301) 6522250; HALSTON HERITAGE clutch ON ($345) KATIE:and EVERYTHING BUT WATER SJP Sarah Jessica Parker Becca by Rebecca pom poms bathing pumps ($560),Virtue Bloomingdales, 5300 suit Western ($116), Everything Water, Ave, ChevyBut Chase, MDTysons 20815; Corner, 1961 Chain Rd.,scroll McLean Va., TIFFANY & CO.Bridge Enchant earrings 703-748-1987; LILITH silk Varmotte tunic platinum withHOFFMAN diamonds ($11,000), ON in EMMA: MARA patterned ($420) Lilith,&CityCenterDC, 975 5481 H Street, Tiffany & Co., Wismonokini ($253)Co., andTiffany KATE SPADE Cameron NW,consin 202-312-5621; TIFFANY & CO. Ave,bag Chevy Chase, MDPaloma 20815, Street Blakely ($378) Bloomingdale’s Picasso knot hinged bangle ($4,500) Tiffany (301) 657-8777; CARTIER ParisCorner NouTysons Corner Center, 8100 Tysons & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave.,white Chevy Chase, velle Vague Delicate gold and Center, McLean, Va., 703-556-4600. Md.,diamond 301-657-8777; TIFFANY & CO. necklace ($16,300) andTiffany LOVE Victoria mixed cluster drop pendant in in white gold, pave diamonds ON bracelet ERIC: MORGENTHAL FREDERICS platinum with diamonds ($20,000) Tiffany and ceranic ($43,700), Cartier, 5471B Hustler hand-crafted Japanese titanium & Co., 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD sunglasses ($495), Morgenthal Fredrics, CityMd.,20815, 301-657-8777. (301) 654-5858 CenterDC, 941 H St. NW, 202-204-3393.
LIFESTYLES | TREND REPORT
CH CAROLINA HERRERA Yellow silk blend dress ($910); CH Carolina Herrera, CityCenterDC, 202.408.1921
MCM Medium Milla leather top handle bag ($920); Bloomingdale’s, Chevy Chase, 240.744.3700
KAREN MILLEN Stud pocket t-shirt ($55); Karen Millen, 1259 Wisconsin Ave NW, 202.333.0280
SMITH OPTICS ‘Clayton’ 55mm aviator sunglasses ($89); Nordstrom, The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 703.415.1121
7LEHIW SJ 0IQSREHI
BUCKETFEET Jungle mosaic slipon sneaker ($59); Bucketfeet, 1924 8th St. NW, bucketfeet.com
Hues of yellow provide pops of color for your summer days in the sun. BY ERICA MOODY
REBECCA TAYLOR Patched leather jacket ($1,195); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
J CREW Chino shorts ($24.99); J. Crew, Chevy Chase Pavilion, 202.537.3380
DOLCE & GABBANA Lemon print off-theshoulder top ($375); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
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KATE SPADE Hello sunshine metro watch ($195); Kate Spade, CityCenterDC, 202.408.7598
ALEXIS Siane lace romper ($375); Intermix,The Shops at Georgetown Park, 202.298.8080
REBECCA TAYLOR Ella floral one-shoulder ruffled dress ($795); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
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JIMMY CHOO Truce leather anklewrap sandal ($695); Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 202.966.9700
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MARCO BICEGO Jaipur Citrine & 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring ($2,730); Liljenquist & Beckstead, Fairfax Square, 703.749.1200
LIFESTYLES | JEWELRY
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 37mm Buckle Leather Strap Watch ($995); Salvatore Ferragamo,CityCenterDC, 202.289.6610
OSCAR DE LA RENTA Long Beaded Tassel Clip-On Earrings ($395); Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie Chevy Chase, 202.966.9700
7SQI[LIVI 3ZIV XLI 6EMRFS[ Brighten up classic summer neutrals with boldly colored accessories from across the spectrum. BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
DE GRISOGONO Allegra Diamond, 18k White Gold & Leather Wrap Bracelet ($4,000); Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie Chevy Chase, 202.966.9700
CHOPARD Imperiale cocktail pendant ($3,840); Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 703.749.1200
TIFFANY & CO. Paloma’s sugar stack ring ($1,450); Tiffany & Co., Chevy Chase, 301.657.8777
IPPOLITA Rock Candy Fall Rainbow SemiPrecious Multi-Stone Bangle ($4,500); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000 ALEXIS BITTAR Gold Capped Spike Stud ($55); CityCenterDC, 202.842.2804
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
DAVID YURMAN Châtelaine Earrings ($395); Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, 301.657.9000
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LIFESTYLES | PALMETTO BLUFF
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY Experience Southern comfort at its finest in South Carolina’s eco-friendly destination for relaxation and adventure. BY
ERICA MOODY
The village of Palmetto Bluff is bound by three rivers and set amidst ancient maritime forests and marshes.
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baby alligator was the first thing I noticed when pulling through the gates of 20,000-acre nature preserve, Palmetto Bluff. Sunning on a rock in the carefully kept marshland that spans the property, he appeared to have not a care in the world. Completely relaxed. Something I was looking forward to being myself. “Are they monitored?” I asked my driver, who had come to collect me from Savannah airport, just 23 miles away, for my stay at the charming and luxurious Montage Palmetto Bluff, a five-star, world-renowned resort located on the May River in South Carolina. “They’re more scared of you than you are of them,” he said, a sentiment echoed by Jay Walea, director of the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. “We teach our property owners how to live with the alligators before they build their home,” Walea, a Lowcountry native who has worked on Palmetto Bluff conservation for more than 30 years, told me. “There’s a lot to be said about being able to walk out your door and right into nature.” Conservancy staff is also on hand to educate Montage guests on living harmoniously with the wildlife - in addition to the gators, you’ll likely spot dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, deer and egrets. This admirable approach to development is part of what makes this idyllic residential community and resort so authentic. Simply put, the land comes first. RELAX & RECHARGE The second thing I noticed was how quintessentially Southern the place felt. A winding oak tree-lined road takes you to the main building of Montage Palmetto Bluff, which looks more like a classic South-
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ern mansion than a hotel. I spotted caterers setting up for an outdoor wedding and a small chapel that I later learned was built on the premises specifically for destination weddings. White picket fences and colorful gardens accentuated cozy cottages, and tanned families in athletic gear rode bicycles on cycling paths along the river. The trees were both magnificent and abundant, draped in Spanish moss, a scene oozing with Southern romance and nostalgia. My worries melted away immediately. Big city life felt so distant from here. This is not to say that the amenities were provincial. The on-site Cottage Spa offers caviar facials that rival any in Washington, and you can request in-cottage spa services for full body scrubs, wraps and massages. I stayed in a Cottage Suite, one of 50 on the grounds, equipped with a fireplace; a luxurious bathroom with a large walk-in steam shower, standalone tub and bath salts; a flat-screen TV; a plush bed with Italian linens; and a private balcony with a view of the May River. My room also overlooked the quiet adults-only swimming pool (one of two impressive pools at the Bluff), ideal for those who prefer a quiet place to relax with a book and a cocktail. A nearby gym offers group yoga classes or oneon-one sessions. Golf carts and bicycles are available to guests to roam the land. I recommend taking a bicycle and exploring the trails sans cell phone to get the full experience of enjoying a magical place at a slower pace. As one resident explained, when you’re riding a bicycle you can’t be checking your smartphone. It allows people to decompress in a way they don’t often do. Another relaxing, oh-so-Southern activity is “porching,” an afternoon
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Porching is a popular activity for guests staying at Montage Palmetto Bluff.
tradition that simply involves sitting on lounge chairs at the inn’s large screened-in porch with lemonade, cocktails and camaraderie. Since people want different things from a getaway, I appreciated that Palmetto Bluff always offers guests the choice of relaxing in solitude or joining the friendly village community for activities.
P h otos Co u rt e sy o f Pa l m e t to Blu f f
A SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE There is no shortage of activities here, particularly of the outdoor variety. Ironically, long before its purchase by Crescent Communities in 2000, Palmetto Bluff was once owned by a paper company. When its owners first stepped onto the land in 1937, they saw its beauty and decided they couldn’t in good conscience chop down the trees. They developed a sporting camp on the property instead, a tradition that’s continued to this day. Christine Wrobel, Montage Palmetto Bluff ’s public relations and marketing manager, gave me a tour by golf cart, pointing out the options for outdoor fun available to community residents and resort guests. There’s a brand new shooting club featuring 13 clay stations (“like golf but with a shotgun” she explained) and hunting dogs to accompany you. Many guests take advantage of the extensive freshwater estuary to fish for bass or try their hand at fly fishing (lessons are available). Lawn sports like croquet and bocce ball are available, tennis is always popular, and you can paddle the river by kayak or saunter over to Longwood Stables where you’ll find a 173-acre equestrian facility. For the kids, there are playgrounds and even a three-story treehouse that will keep them entertained for hours. On the golf course I spotted another gator, lounging atop a lagoon near a giant oak. It’s an impressive feat how an 18-hole signature Jack Nicklaus golf course (and a certified Audubon course, at that) can remain as green as it does.Wrobel told me that Chris, the superintendent, sees to it that the course enhances the environment. All of the machinery runs on vegetable oil and bluebird boxes placed around the course encourage the avian population. FOOD, DRINK & BLUFFTON You can’t visit the South without eating great food and Palmetto Bluff knows it.With four restaurants on the property, an adorable village market and 24-hour room service, it’s safe to say you won’t go hungry. I loved the
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2016
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The River House at Montage Palmetto Bluff
comfortable ambience of Buffalo’s restaurant, where you can sit outside and people watch while munching fried green tomatoes and gourmet pimento cheese sandwiches. The Canoe Club, with views of the May River on one side and the Palmetto Bluff Water Trail on the other, is fantastic for a romantic evening. Its “coastal kitchen” menu celebrates local seafood and draws inspiration from Lowcountry ingredients and traditions. The crispy skin snapper with callaloo is phenomenal. When you leave to Canoe Club, head to the River House for fireside s’mores. The drinks are also delicious at the Bluff, and best enjoyed on a riverboat cruise. I joined other inn guests for “Mimosas on the May,” a dolphin-spotting, history lesson tour of Palmetto Bluff on The Grace, a recently renovated motor yacht. Capt. Ed Johnson shared insights into the region and encouraged me to check out Bluffton, the thriving artistic community across the river. For one-of-a-kind shopping, art galleries and cafes, Bluffton is easy to visit by boat or car. If you wish to leave Palmetto Bluff to explore any of the nearby towns, including Savannah and Hilton Head, Montage will hand you the keys to a complimentary Mercedes Benz. It doesn’t get more hospitable than that. Accommodations at Montage Palmetto Bluff begin at $275 per night. Palmetto Bluff homesites begin at $150,000 and homes from the upper $700,000s. Washington, D.C. is one of the three top markets for home purchases at Palmetto Bluff.
MUSIC TO YOUR MOUTH
November 17-20 Mark you calendars for Palmetto Bluff’s tenth annual “Music to Your Mouth,” a three-day celebration of Southern food, drinks, music and culture. Interact directly with acclaimed chefs including Mike Lata, Sean Brock and Kyle Jacovino and participate in “Culinary Salons” such as the Bourbon and Bacon Cruise along the May River and Hair of the Dog 5k that kicks off with a Bloody Mary. Visit musictoyourmouth.com to reserve your seat at the table.
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lifestyles | book roundup
summer standouts Pack your beach bag with these captivating reads. By Erica Moody
the gilded years By Karin Tanabe For her third (and arguably best) novel, Vassar alumna Karin Tanabe went back to her alma mater to research Anita Hemmings, the first African American student to attend the elite school. Decades before the college opened its doors to black students, the light-skinned Hemmings is able to pass for white, until her roommate catches on and threatens to expose her secret. This engrossing work of historical fiction follows a powerful woman who would risk everything for an education. (Washington Square Press, $16)
we could be beautiful By Swan Huntley We a l t hy N e w Yo r ke r Cather ine We s t has everything she could ever want, but still feels like there’s something missing. When she meets the equally upper-crust “man of her dreams” at a gala, things start looking up — until a “web of deception” challenges everything she thought she knew or wanted. Huntley’s debut novel is a haunting psychological thriller with smart, witty social commentary. (Doubleday, $25.95).
the opposite of woe: my life in beer and politics By John Hickenlooper, with Maximillian Potter Colorado G ov. Jo h n Hickenlooper’s new tell-all is both funny and refreshingly candid, characteristics uncommon in political memoir. Those interested in our political landscape, or just a good success story, will appreciate Hickenlooper’s journey from failed geologist and millionaire brew pub entrepreneur to surprisingly successful politician. (Penguin Press, $30)
the hopefuls By Jennifer Close We love novels set in Washington, and this one has characters you’re sure to find familiar. Young professionals in Ann Taylor suits brag about their security clearance levels at dinner parties and ignore those who don’t work in politics (in this case, narrator Beth, who has relocated from New York to support her husband’s career move and immediately despises her new city). This funny, spot-on novel about ambition, friendships and marriage in the nation’s capital is a must read from local author and George Washington University professor Jennifer Close. (Knopf, $26.95)
grace By Natashia Deón One of the summer’s most talked-about books, this intergenerational saga follows 15-year-old runaway slave Naomi in 1840s Alabama as she seeks freedom against unthinkable odds. Deftly alternating points of view between Naomi and the beloved mother she left behind, this moving and vivid debut has announced Deón as a powerful new literary voice. (Counterpoint Press, $25)
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walk with us: how the west wing changed ouR lives By Claire Handscombe “The West Wing” went off the air ten years ago, but like any great TV show, its legacy continues. “It’s inspired the career choices of countless political staffers, helped viewers think through
issues and impacted lives on a profound level, creatively, relationally, even spiritually,” says editor Claire Handscombe, an American University MFA graduate. Her anthology of essays and quotes tells some of those stories, from fans ranging in age from twenty to seventy. (CH Books, $7.49)
CHILDREN’S SELECTIONs
These new releases from local authors will keep your kids occupied (and educated!) all summer long.
Miss e By Brian Herberger Vienna middle school teacher Brian Herberger makes the topic of war accessible for young adults in his tale of 15-year-old Bets and life in 1967 California after her father deploys to Vietnam. (Bublish, Inc., $12.99) the president and me By Deborah Kalb A fifth-grade boy takes a class trip to Mount Vernon and ends up traveling back in time for 18th-century adventures with his new buddies, George and Martha Washington. (Schiffer, $11.60) follow the moon home By Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson A story featuring sea turtles on the South Carolina coast teaches kids about grassroots activism and how they can become involved in efforts to save the environment. (Chronicle Books, $16.99)
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lifestyles | jet linx aviation
Jet Linx Offers the Gift of Time
The Omaha-based private jet company touches down at Dulles International Airport. BY C at h e r i n e T r i f i l e t t i
Jamie Walker and Greg Kinsella (Photo by Tony Powell)
Falcon 900c
T
p h oto c o u rt e sy o f J e t L i n x av i at i o n
ime is money, and no one understands that better than business executives who are forced to juggle hectic schedules that pull them in multiple directions at once. We spoke to private aviation firm Jet Linx’s president and CEO, Jamie Walker, and Greg Kinsella, the company’s president of Washington operations, to discuss how they are able to provide customers with the most valuable asset of all: time. Jet Linx, which has been flying clients across the globe for 17 years, boasts 14 hangar locations throughout the U.S. and the nation’s third largest fleet. During the recession, when many rival companies were cutting back, Jet Linx’s competitive business model allowed it to thrive. Now, even in an improved economy, Kinsella and Walker continue to take pride in a steady and diligent growth strategy that focuses on finding success one city at a time. When thorough analysis showed that the nation’s capital was an underserved market, Jet Linx pounced, opening its Dulles International Airport terminal in early June. Walker chalks it up to opportunity and timing. “Washington is a step toward those much larger markets like New York and Los Angeles. We are definitely a national player, but we’ve chosen to stay local in all of our efforts from a public relations and brand perspective,” he says. Jet Linx offers clients two options. One is a Jet Card that provides users preset hourly rates and the guaranteed availability of a wide range of jets including those with transatlantic capabilities, all for a modest annual fee. For jet owners, the company also offers aircraft management. Both ensure the same quality of service and unquestionable convenience. Clients can arrive at the airport 15 minutes before their sched-
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uled departure and be 51,000 feet in the air shortly thereafter. Due to more advanced aviation technology, Jet Linx’s fleet is able to reach new heights, quite literally, flying above the weather to minimize turbulence and slash flight times. Walker calls his jets “time machines” because they allow travelers to be in several places at once. A private aircraft cabin, he notes, makes for an outstanding conference room and a great place to conduct business. Kinsella cites the National Business Aircraft Association’s “No Plane, No Gain” study, which showed that corporations using private aviation were more profitable than those that didn’t. Jet Linx differentiates itself in the “noisy” private aviation marketplace with personalized service and staff who have boots on the ground at all of its hangar locations. “We know our clients and they know us,” Kinsella says. “ They fly on the same airplanes with the same pilots and they know their service representatives.” Before flying, clients complete a profile detailing any special preferences they may have. Despite some unusual requests, the Jet Linx team is never judgmental – not even when someone flies their dog eight hours round trip to catch a grooming appointment! It is clear the slogan “Your Personal Jet Company” is not an empty set of words. Walker and Kinsella dismiss criticism that flying private is frivolous. They prefer to focus on the customers whose lives they are changing for the better. One new Jet Linx client is able to fly across the country for a board meeting in the morning (typically a three day trip) and turn right around to make his son’s soccer practice that afternoon. In that regard, they believe that time is priceless.
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LIFESTYLES | WEDDINGS
NUPTIALS OF NOTE Two stylish spring weddings celebrate love in Washington. BY ERICA MOODY
SUSAN HEMME AND JAY NUSSBAUM
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he bride and groom are partners in Topline Healthcare, a medical technology and services company. The groom is also CEO of Drone Aviation. They reside in Great Falls,Va.
the couple will take short “familymoon” trips within the U.S. and to the Caribbean this year, and next year will embark on an extensive honeymoon in Europe to include Venice, Barcelona and France.
THE STORY: Jay’s daughter-in-law Meridith
THE DRESS(ES): The bride wore three, all
(who later stood as Susan’s maid of honor) introduced the pair in 2014. Following a romantic year of courtship, Jay collaborated with Meridith and his son Drew to surprise Susan with a proposal at Italian restaurant Fiola Mare. Instead of serving the soup she had ordered, the waiter placed a special plate before Susan that was adorned with flowers, an engagement ring and sign that read, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Susan and Meridith burst into tears as she accepted Jay’s delicious proposal.
equally stunning. For the ceremony, a blush, Spanish tulle Monique Lhuillier gown; for the reception, a narrow off-white silk chiffon dress by Reem Acra; and for the exit, a rosegold, metallic, knee-length number by Tom Ford called “Liquid Gold.” Their friend, Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons general manager Adam Woitkowski, helped select the gowns.
THE WEDDING: The evening event was held at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. and brought together family from both sides to celebrate.The wedding party was composed of four sons, six grandchildren, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, five nieces and a nephew! For the honeymoon,
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hydrangea and roses. The bride wore or carried items of importance in keeping with tradition. “Something old” was a handkerchief her mother wore at her wedding 62 years ago; “something blue” (sapphire blue and white crystal wedding brooches clipped on each shoe); “something borrowed” included treasured rings and earrings from happily married relatives and friends in a silk satchel (pus a sixpence in her shoe). Music was provided by the Greg Denard Orchestra featuring world-renowned vocalist Greg Denard, who performed Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding reception in 2002. SPECIAL TOUCHES: Escort cards contained a
GROOM’S ENSEMBLE: Custom made-to-
measure Lux Tuxedo by Tom Ford and Tom Ford Gianni patent leather evening loafers perfect for dancing the nuptial night away! DETAILS: The couple drew inspiration from
the Cherry Blossoms when planning the wedding with Jodi Moraru of Evoke DC and her team. Each room was decorated with explosions of cherry blossom branches and complementing arrangements of white
personal note from the couple to each guest, not only thanking them for taking part in the celebration, but also saying something that was unique to them personally. NOTABLE GUESTS: Jeweler Tom Liljenquist and Erin Kilday, NFL commentator James Brown and his wife Dorothy, personal health chefs Jay Coelho and Jay Denman, Zilli Men’s Clothing Store owners Lisa and Mike Colen, and jewelers Dino and Farah Pampillonia.
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I M A H E S CO U RT E SY O F B R I A N A DA M S P H OTO G RA P H I C S
MARRIED APRIL 16, 2016
ALI WEINBERG AND JOSH ROGIN
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he is a digital journalist at ABC News, covering Capitol Hill, producing pieces for broadcast and reporting for ABCNews.com and ABC News Radio. He is a Washington Post columnist covering foreign affairs and a political analyst for CNN. The journalistic power couple live in the District with their cat, Sammy Davis Jr. THE STORY: They met in 2009 at a
P H OTOS CO U RT E SY O F D U H O N P H OTO G RAP H Y
Restaurant Nora dinner hosted by The Atlantic’s Steve Clemons. Rogin knew practically everyone there except Weinberg, and after Clemons introduced them, the two became friends. More than four years later, Rogin invited her to the elegant 2013 Meridian International Center Ball, and the rest is history. THE WEDDING: They went back to where it all started, choosing to marry at Meridian International Center after a lively rehearsal dinner at Restaurant Nora. For their honeymoon, given that Rogin taught English in Japan after college, and later covered The Pentagon for the Asahi Shimbun’s Washington Bureau, the couple explored Japan, Thailand and Cambodia.
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MARRIED APRIL 16, 2016
ATTIRE: She wore a Modern Silk sheath bridal
gown from the Martina Liana Collection, featuring a sweetheart neckline and French satin ribbon belt with diamanté embellishments, while the bridesmaids wore dresses by Alfred Sung. He wore a suit by Luca Spano. DETAILS: A. Dominick Events planned the
wedding, Phillipa Tarrant Floral Design did the exquisite flower arrangements and Occasions Caterers served the main meal. As a nod to Rogin’s love of Japan, a full sushi bar was set up in the Meridian garden. Guests were invited to autograph a scratchpad bottle of wine, and to pen their best tips for a successful marriage and leave them in a jar. For the elegant, candle-lit dinner, the couple chose a menu of chevre and potato mille-feuilles, followed by syrah short ribs or a pistachio-crusted halibut. Dessert was a three-deck white wedding cake with vanilla buttercream, chocolate fudge and chocolate truffle ganache, and was cut to Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” New York-based band Rhythm Collective provided the evening’s soundtrack, jauntily moving from ’50’s tunes like Frank Sinatra’s “Dancing Cheek to Cheek” (the first dance) to “The Wedding Waltz” from The
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Godfather,” before graduating to a high-energy dance set, keeping guests on their feet. SPECIAL TOUCHES: Officiant Seth Rogin,
Josh’s first cousin, led the Jewish ceremony of prayer, vows and seven blessings for the couple, followed by the traditional breaking of a glass by Josh. Afterwards, guests joined for a reception in the Meridian’s Linden Grove, where the bride’s father, Max Weinberg, paid heartfelt tribute to the couple. FAVORITE PART: The bride brought the house down when she sang Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” NOTABLE GUESTS: There’s no shortage of
musicians in the Weinberg clan. Ali’s brother Jay is the drummer for Slipknot and her father the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Springsteen himself attended, along with most of the E Street Band, including Steve Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren. Many Washington news personalities were present as well, including Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper, Chuck Todd, Luke Russert and Jonathan Karl, some of whom were eager to get selfies with the bride and “the Boss.”
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WASHINGTON S O C I A L D I A R Y over the moon﹐ charity spotlight﹐ best buddies prom﹐ mclean project for the arts benefit and more!
Rob Balazs, Whitney Austin Gray and Heather Louise Finch were among the be-hatted guests spotted at the 28th annual garden party at Woodrow Wilson House. (Photo by Tony Powell)
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OVER THE MOON
Titled Guests Emma, Duchess of Rutland, talks about her family castle at a garden party in Marshall and “Atoka Farm” goes on the market in Middleburg. BY VICKY MOON
“Atoka,” once the home of John Warner and Elizabeth Taylor, sold for $7.17 million. (Courtesy Photos)
I
t’s not unusual for royalty and other titled folk to visit Middleburg. After all, Prince Charles and Princess Diana made a helicopter ride out to Upperville from Washington in November 1985 as part of a whirlwind visit, which included a state dinner at the Reagan White House.They had lunch with Bunny and Paul Mellon and two-dozen others at “Oak Spring.” Recently Emma, Duchess of Rutland, paid a visit to the area to speak about and sign copies of her new book, “Capability Brown at Belvoir: Discovering a Lost Landscape.” Hosted by the Warrenton Garden Club, the afternoon tea and garden tour took place at “Poke,” the home of Trevor Potter and Dana Westring. Potter, a widely respected attorney and a former Federal Election Commission chairman who is one of the country’s leading advocates of campaign finance reform, was no doubt tending to business this busy election year and therefore not in attendance. Westring, an artist and devoted gardener, was a gracious host along with Margaret Douglas Wise, chairman of the club. Her Grace spoke about Capability Brown, the highly respected 18th-century British landscape architect, and his work on her family’s
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Emma , Duchess of Rutland, on horseback.
15,000-acre estate, “Belvoir,” in Leicestershire. Speaking of royalty - the Hollywood variety - the real estate buzz out here is the purchase of “Atoka Farm,” the 350-acre Middleburg estate where, in 1976, actress Elizabeth Taylor married John Warner, soon to be elected U.S. senator from Virginia. She exchanged vows with her sixth husband and later hosted his very popular Atoka Country Suppers. Guests included legions of his supporters, including George H. W. Bush when he was vice president. Warner and Taylor divorced in 1982. Warner had been previously married (in 1957) to Catherine Conover, the late Paul Mellon’s daughter by his first wife.When they divorced in 1973, Warner retained the historic farm, which then occupied 557 acres. Part of it was later sold to the late Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke. The circa 1816 property includes a 7,000square foot fieldstone manor house boasting old fireplaces with antique mantels and pegged oak floors, five bedrooms and five bathrooms plus two half-baths. The entrance hall has a terra cotta floor. The living room includes a black marble fireplace, custom cherry cabinetry and oak floors. There is a tennis court and heated
indoor pool in a renovated red barn where Warner once hung symbolic flags signifying his career from the rafters – secretary of the Navy, director of the American Revolution Bicentennial, U.S. senator. There are several paddocks, barns and other outbuildings. It was listed by John Coles of Thomas & Talbot and sold by Peter Pejacsevich of Middleburg Real Estate/Atoka Properties for $7.17 million. At one time, Atoka Farm was owned by Pejacsevich’s wife, Ali’s family.The purchaser of record for this parcel is Atoka Smith LLC. Mike Smith and his wife Wendy live just across the road at Poplar Grange. He is the president of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, which just completed a successful run. Finally, mark your calendars for The National Sporting Library & Museum’s 6th Annual Polo Classic fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Great Meadow in The Plains. Players named to date include the handsome Argentine Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras. A smashing player known as “the David Beckham of polo,” he’s also been the face for many of the Polo Black Ralph Lauren adverts. Visit: www.NationalSporting.org
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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Anthony Levine WL SPONSORED
Antonio Villaraigosa and Patricia Govea
THE PREAKNESS STAKES Pimlico Race Course PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANIEL SWARTZ
Destiny Clark, Frank Stronach and Olivia Culpo Garrick Frittelli, Nikki Walker, Emily Porfido and Michael Liebrock
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE Rain didn’t dissuade revelers at the 141st annual running of the Preakness Stakes, where the coziest spot to be was the Stronach Group Chalet. Pimlico owner Belinda Stronach didn’t skimp on decorating her tent to resemble an old-fashioned hunting lodge, with wooden beams, equestrian memorabilia, comfortable couches and chandeliers. Guests in racingchic attire sipped endless Black-Eyed Susans and rosé cocktails or warmed up with lattes from the coffee bar. VIPs including rapper 50 Cent, celebrity chef Bobby Flay and former Miss USA Olivia Culpo trekked to Baltimore for the occasion, sticking around long enough to see Exaggerator race to victory. BIG NEWS: To the delight of racing fans, the Stronach Group announced that the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup — the world’s richest Thoroughbred race — has been scheduled for Jan. 28, 2017 at Gulfstream Park, Fla. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Nini Nguyen, Kwami Onwachi and Andrea Pinkert
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The Winner’s Circle
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| CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
A Labor of Love: The Joan Hisaoka Make a Difference Gala How Bob Hisaoka honors his late sister Joan by assisting people living with cancer. B Y J A C K D AV I E S
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very once in a while you meet someone who is truly one of a kind. Bob Hisaoka is one of those people. When his sister Joan died on May 14, 2008, Bob decided that the best way to honor her memory would be to raise money to help others who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as their families and other loved ones. I vividly recall being asked by him to have lunch on June 18, 2008 at Café Milano. In the short time since his sister’s passing, Bob had conceived the idea of having a gala to honor her. It was ultimately named the Joan Hisaoka “Make a Difference” Gala. For Bob, it was truly a labor of love. At lunch, I could see Bob turn the intense focus that has caused him to be a very successful business person and direct it toward his passion to honor his sister’s memory. I made what I thought were a few helpful suggestions, but was frankly a bit skeptical that he could do it by the targeted October date. Boy, was I wrong. With only a very little bit of assistance, Bob not only pulled off the first gala, he crushed it. Raising over $700,000 the first year, which is nearly unheard of for a first time event with less than three months planning, he established the signature elements of the “Make a Difference Gala” that continue to this day - an extraordinary silent and live auction, gourmet food and wine, superb organization and “A List” attendees.Award winning chef Eric Ziebold is head chef for the gala. Over the years, the gala has become better and better, raising cumulatively over $8.5 million since the inaugural year and establishing itself as a highlight of the fall “gala season.” For the past nine years, this has been Bob’s year round passion. Holding breakfasts, lunches, dinners with prospective supporters, I can say from experience that resistance is futile. The authenticity of his commitment to this event, his persistence and attention to the smallest detail and the fact that so many have been touched by cancer is a powerful combination. The main beneficiary of this year’s gala is
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Joan Hisaoka (Courtesy Photo)
Bob Hisaoka and Jack Davies (Photo by Kyle Samperton)
Life With Cancer, located in Northern Virginia, which helps enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information and support. In addition, The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, D.C. receives a portion of the proceeds for its mission to provide creative and wellness resources for people living with cancer. These are two wonderful organizations that truly honor Joan’s memory. I hope you can join us this year for a memorable night at the the ninth annual Joan Hisaoka “Make a Difference” Gala on Sept. 17, 2016 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.You will see
first-hand what one man’s love for his sister has helped create and have a chance to give back to people and their families who are coping with cancer. Your attendance will help the event exceed $10 million raised since inception (and as Bob would be quick to point out– with less than 18 percent cost to revenue). Philanthropist and entrepreneur Jack Davies was founder and president of AOL International. He is currently a member of Venture Philanthropy Partners. Visit www.joanhisaokagala.org.
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John Oswald, Jim Lintott, May Liang and Mona Oswald
Eric Latcheran and Steven Woodson WL SPONSORED
BEST BUDDIES PROM
Miss Virginia Teen USA Gracyn Blackmore and Miss D.C. Teen USA Dylan Murphy
Carnegie Library | PHOTOS BY ERIN SCHAFF FOREVER FRIENDSHIPS Best Buddies’ annual benefit had all the makings of a memorable prom, and then some. Over 800 student and adult guests dressed in festive suits and dresses to celebrate the organization’s mission of inclusion for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. No prom is complete without good music, so DJ Neekola kept the hits rolling while the dance floor bursted with energy. Arjun Hemphill, a Best Buddies ambassador and jobs participant, described the special night as unforgettable: “So many young people came and we danced the evening away with Tommy McFly cheering us on … I was happy and tired when we left and am already looking forward to next year.”
Reggie and Nita Davis
Kristen Sadowski
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Dana Korsen, Carlyle Abbott and Ignacio Fernandez-Stearns
Aparna Moondra Brigid Marmion, Bethany Becker, Liz Jordan and Cristina Cardenal
Jeanette Gulla and Mark Testoni WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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TJ Spaulding
Madison Essig and Padua Player 45
Josh Sagman, Ryan Kerrigan and Jim Almond
Erin Ragan and Jaclyn Smith Rachel McCoy
Joe Theismann and Pierre Garçon Trent Murphy
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Kirk Cousins
PIERRE GARÇON’S ALL-WHITE PARTY Lucy Keener, Joanna Lohman and Estelle Johnson
Millenium Building Rooftop | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL WHITE HOT Washington Redskins ditched their typical burgundy and gold attire for new custom-made white suits, courtesy of teammate Pierre Garçon, host of the fourth annual all-white party benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The K Street rooftop buzzed with excitement as fans ogled their favorite players while waiting anxiously to get a selfie with handsome quarterback Kirk Cousins (liquid courage was provided by Tito’s Vodka and D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac). At evening’s end, the dance party moved to the nearby Shadow Room where toothsome tackle Trent Williams showed off his diamond grill and Garçon mingled with fellow teammates.
Timothy Hatton and Abby Daley
Cindy Jones, Barbara Harrison and JoAnn Mason
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Amit Shahani and Mary Catherine O’Neill Antonio Alves and Diane Ray Brown
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DINNER AT TIFFANY’S
Yun Shen Chong and Irina Bartell
Tiffany & Co. | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Robert and Mary Haft with Katherine and David Bradley
BETTER THAN BREAKFAST Models clad in Tiffany blue helped welcome members of the Harvard Business School Club of D.C. for an intimate dinner to honor Atlantic Media Chairman and owner David Bradley with a lifetime achievement award. The sumptuous dinner was hosted by Tiffany & Co. Regional Vice President Diane Ray Brown at the jewelry giant’s Tysons Corner location. Before Bradley accepted his accolades, close friend and Harvard Business School classmate Robert Ha spoke of his outstanding accomplishments in the media world and beyond.
Stephanie Fischer VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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Carolyn Peterson, Rep. Barbara Comstock and John Warner
Knox Singleton and Tracy Fitzsimmons
Michael Hines and Allison Solomon WL SPONSORED
INOVA LOBSTER EXTRAVAGANZA Milt and Carolyn Peterson Residence | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL FOR THE LOVE OF LOBSTER Lobster fans united with supporters of Inova’s Life with Cancer program to celebrate both at the residence of Milt and Carolyn Peterson, who provided more than 1,000 of the rich, buttery crustaceans for salivating guests. The record-breaking fundraiser, chaired by Lauren Peterson and Jean Ann Gililland, featured silent and live auctions of items that included trips to the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas and a Lexus Champions for Charity golf outing to Pebble Beach, Calif. NASCAR also provided a VIP experience for one lucky speedster in the crowd. Since 1998, the event has raised over $14 million for patient families. Following the tented feast, guests slowly shed their lobster bibs to hit the dance floor for a musical performance by Phoenix.
Alexander Lowham Ruzzo, Mark Lowham and Lauren Peterson
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Milt Peterson with Lea and Ted Pedas Milo Jevtich
Drew and Kristen Hensley with Gary and Tina Mather WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Sage Bolte with the Greider Family 47
Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon Brenda Cornwell Thomas WL EXCLUSIVE
Xiomi Frans-Cuber and Katie Rost
Parker Schaffel
CASINO ROYALE CHARITY NIGHT The University Club | PHOTOS BY ERIN SCHAFF GAMBLING FOR GOOD Potomac, Md., once known for horses and sweeping pastoral landscapes, is now on the map under a completely different guise. Bravo’s reality TV show, “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” gives an insider look at how “women of the one percent” live. Among the many lavish parties to be featured during its second season is “Casino Royale,” hosted by socialite cast member Katie Rost. Her co-stars participated by dressing in their snazziest garb and putting on their game faces at the craps and blackjack tables. The soirée benefited Imagination Stage’s art programs for children.
George Agbakoba, Vivien Agbakoba, Raymond Huger and Karen Huger
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Michael and Ashley Darby
Sue Beddow, Anne Menotti and Susan Vallon
Terrence Boyd uses performance, pattern and fiber art to explore the mind
Toni Ritzenberg and Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Director Johnnetta B. Cole WL EXCLUSIVE
Glasswork by Dale Chihuly
SMITHSONIAN CRAFT SHOW PREVIEW NIGHT National Building Museum | PHOTOS BY BEN DROZ FIRST CHOICE SHOPPING One-of-a-kind or limited edition works in 12 different media, ranging from furniture and ceramics to jewelry and wearable art, were on display for guests attending the Smithsonian Craft Show’s preview night and judging by brisk sales, patrons certainly took advantage of their early opportunity to snap up items created by 121 artists at the nation’s most prestigious juried show and sale of fine American crafts. ADDED ATTRACTION: An installation of 12 “exuberantly colored” works by world-famous glass artist Dale Chihuly, who was unable to attend, proved a major draw along with the top shelf bar and delicious buffet catered by Design Cuisine.
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden Director Melissa Chiu and Kate Haw
Marie Canny, Suzanne Willett and JoAnn Symons
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“Best Ladies’ Hat” winner Candy Gerstein and Bob Heggestad WL SPONSORED
WOODROW WILSON GARDEN PARTY
Linna Barnes and “Most Creative Use of Flowers” winner Timothy Thomas
Woodrow Wilson House | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL
Anna Fuhrman
Deborah and C. Braxton Moncure
Marvin Chadab
Morgan Fykes
Alan and AshleyDabbiere with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe
HAT-ITUDE: Picture hats, Panamas, fascinators and other exotic chapeaux graced the heads of nearly every guest attending Woodrow Wilson House’s annual garden party, an annual ritual that never loses its appeal for residents of Kalorama and beyond. Guests, some in period 1920s attire, sipped cocktails on the terrace as they awaited the results of the famous hat contest, with prizes awarded to the best men’s and women’s hats, the most original and the one boasting the best use of fresh flowers. SPECIAL GUEST: Cary Fuller, a great nephew of the last châtelaine, former first lady Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, with whom he played canasta as a child. “We were told to always let her win,” he recalled with a laugh. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
Duncan and Colleen Avis, Tim and Ann Keating WL SPONSORED
Hickory Hill
MCLEAN PROJECT FOR THE ARTS SPRING BENEFIT “Hickory Hill,” McLean, Va. | PHOTOS BY ERIN SCHAFF CELEBRATING THE ARTS After 22 straights days of rain, the skies broke warm and sunny for the 300 Virginia arts supporters who gathered at “Hickory Hill,” the historic McLean residence of Alan and Ashley Dabbiere, to raise $80,000 for the McLean Project for the Arts. VIP guests mingled poolside at the former Robert F. Kennedy estate with the honorees, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Dorothy McAuliffe. The nonprofit visual arts center, founded in 1962, continues to champion emerging and established artists from the mid-Atlantic region and provides a variety of arts education programs. The Dabbieres’ recent renovation has made “Hickory Hill” a prime spot for entertaining, both inside the 7,850-square foot neo-Georgian manor and on its 5.6-acre grounds.
Bobby and Jae Han
Lindsey Keatley and Sushma Shenoy VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM
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PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES
Cuba,Veterans and Bluegrass! VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM!
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MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE TO VETERANS IN CONGRESS
THE RITZ-CARLTON TYSON’S CORNER
THE CAPITAL HILL CLUB (Photos by Alfredo Flores)
(Photos by Erin Schaff)
Bipartisan members of Congress, senior military, embassy officials and media guests honored veterans at the fourth annual tribute emceed by Politico’s Daniel Lippman. Guests enjoyed a fine bourbon tasting by Beam Suntory and music from world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns. Retired USMC Capt. Jason Haag, with his dog Axel by his side, told a compelling story about the value of canine therapy, which he credits for saving his life.
FOX News’s James Rosen emceed the annual gala for The Children’s Inn at NIH, where personal stories of hope were told from those who experienced the Inn’s work firsthand. A\er dinner and keynote speeches by NIH director Francis Collins, Children’s Inn CEO Jennie Lucca and gala chairman Todd Pantezzi, the Capital Steps performed their political satire. Live and silent auctions included artwork from children living at the Inn.
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AN EVENING OF HOPE
7. Anthony Kearns, Rep. Peter King and Colonel James Tiernery 8. Paul Ashe and dancer Corey Landolt 9. Capt. Jason Haag with Axel
1. Todd Pantezzi and Tracy Talbot.
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2. Diane Baker, Jennie Luca and Francis S. Collins 3. Bhaval Shah and Ma hew Bell
PEN/FAULKNER CONVERSATION SCOTTISH RITE CENTER (Photo Courtesy of PEN/Faulkner)
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Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Geraldine Brooks engaged in conversation with Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn to discuss Brooks’ latest novel, “The Secret Chord.” The literary event was held by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation in collaboration with the Sco]ish Rite Masons. 4. Willee Lewis, Geraldine Brooks, Sally Quinn and Emma Snyder
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ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY BBQ VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & HIGH TIDE LOUNGE (Photos by Jay Snap)
4 More than 250 Virginians gathered to elevate local philanthropic giving at ACT for Alexandria’s third annual community celebration. CityFarm Band performed bluegrass music and refreshments were provided by local eateries, breweries and caterers that included Pork Barrel BBQ, Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Bi]ersweet Catering and Port City Brewing Company. 10. Kathy Seifert, Jody Manor, John Kreutzer and Val Hawkins 11. Shawn McLaughlin and Josie
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CUBA CULTURAL DIPLOMACY RECEPTION MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL CENTER (Photos by Erin Schaff) Government, arts and philanthropic leaders gathered at Meridian International Center to discuss the changing relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. Former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez opened the dialogue with a keynote address followed by panel discussions on topics such as promoting cultural tourism. The a\ernoon event was followed by a reception celebrating Cuban culture — with music, dancers and delicious cuisine. 5. Stuart Holliday and Carlos Gutierrez
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6. Gwen Holliday, Neil and Tara Parson, and Richard and Lucile Huber
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PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES
Astronauts, Rooftop Revellers and Young Musicians! VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM!
YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS GALA HUNGARIAN EMBASSY (Photos by Tony Powell) Hungarian Amb. Reka Szemerkenyi welcomed guests to her embassy, offering a taste of her country’s cuisine (including its justly famed foïe gras) while celebrating Young Concert Artists, the nonprofit classical music support organization founded in 1961 by Susan Wadsworth in New York City. The event commemorated YCA’s dedication to spotlighting and sponsoring young musical talents from across the world. 5. Aniko Gaal Scho , George Li, Mary Mochary and Susan Wadsworth
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6. Cynthia Howar and JoAnn Mason
U.S. RUSSIA SYMPOSIUM SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM (Photos by Alfredo Flores) Astronauts and ambassadors mingled at the fifth annual symposium organized by the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History to celebrate the partnership between Russia, the U.S. and the International Space Station. Russian Amb. Sergey Kislyak presented a bronze statue of the late Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to the National Air and Space Museum to honor the 55th anniversary of his first flight into space. 1. Tatyana Olson, Alex Van Oss. 2. Susan E. Carmel, Jared Johnson, Col. Cady Coleman
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WASHINGTON PROJECT FOR THE ARTS GALA H STREET NW (Photos by Ben Droz) The Washington Project for the Arts annual gala lived up to its hype as one of the year’s most spirited soirées. More than 650 guests, many wearing their most “fancifully irreverent” a]ire, crowded into a vacant building space temporary transformed into a two-story art showcase. Men in floral suits and women in colorful prints enjoyed DJ beats and an extensive buffet while viewing works by more than 116 local artists. 7. Steffen Jacobsen and Henry Thaggert 8. James Alefantis, Andres Tremols and Lisa Gold
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THE GRAHAM’S ANNIVERSARY PARTY THE OBSERVATORY (Photos by Tony Powell) Crowds flocked to the Graham’s 4th Anniversary rooftop party eager to get back in the swing of al fresco reveling. The event proved so popular that many were left cooling their heels downstairs in the lobby before getting to nod to make their way upward. For extrathirsty partygoers, the hotel’s basement bar, The Alex, was the next best thing. 3. Eli Gold, Sakshi Tewary and Sanaz Noorbakhsh 4. Hollis Pica and Donnell Kearney
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HOME LIFE Real Estate News and Open House I Inside Homes and My Washington
;IIOIRH 6IXVIEX Sean and Kellee Glass turn a historic Queenstown estate into a gathering place for family and friends. BY VIRGINIA COYNE PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY BROWN
HOME LIFE | INSIDE HOMES
ean and Kellee Glass were searching for a getaway house on the water within an hour and half drive of their Georgetown residence when they found Bowlingly Estate in the winter of 2014. The property— ten acres at the mouth of the Chester River in Queenstown, Md.—fit the bill. The stately main house had seven bedrooms, where they could put up family and friends, and the sprawling grounds were perfect for their two young boys to explore. Plus, the listing boasted a pool and pool house, dock, guest house and caretaker’s cottage. The estate’s historic significance was an added bonus. Bowlingly, built in 1733, is said to have been the local militia’s headquarters during the War of 1812. British ships landed there in August 1813 and pillaged the house, slashing paintings, tearing out staircases and stealing the silver. “Rumor has it there are still cannonballs in the walls,” Kellee says, “but we’ve never actually seen them.” For about 20 years beginning in 1895, according to documents in the Maryland state archives, the house was used as a hotel. Renamed the Ferry House Inn, it served passengers of the Baltimore-Queenstown Ferry who docked at the Bowlingly Wharf to await the train to Easton via a narrow-gauge railroad. An amusement park was also reportedly built on the property, although any signs of it remain undiscovered. “I need to get a metal detector,” Sean says with a laugh. During the inn years, the house was painted yellow, hiding the decorative brickwork, and a long porch and Victorian cornice were added, altering the roof line. Homeowners in the mid-1950s removed the yellow paint, porch and cornice, restoring the house to it’s original glory. Over the last 250 years, wings have been added to the structure, but the Glasses say they don’t plan to change a
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OPENING PAGE: Sean and Kellee Glass and sons Alex, 5, and Zachary, 3, with their dog Sawyer on the lawn of Bowlingly, a 10-acre historic property in Queenstown, Md. at the mouth of the Chester River. The couple has filed permits to allow the estate to be used for weddings, and expect the process to be finalized this fall. PREVIOUS PAGE (clockwise from top left): The coffee table in the formal living room is a repurposed antique Chinese ox cart purchased at the estate sale of an art collector in Key West; the treelined driveway leads to the front door of the main house, which was built in 1773; the painted panels on easels in the dining room depict Eastern Shore hunt scenes and were cut out of the wall during a renovation by previous owners; four Indonesian cane chairs, also acquired in Key West, line the back side of the living room. THIS PAGE (clockwise from top left); The painting above the living room fireplace is one of three in the house by British artist Sue Fitzgerald, whom the couple discovered while living in London; a double staircase and handpainted wallpaper greet guests in the foyer; a charming upstairs guest room is painted in mint green and features floral wallpaper with matching curtains and cushions on the window seat; the pool is a favorite family gathering place.
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thing right now. They purchased the house nearly fully furnished and have only added a few pieces of their own, including a coffee table made from an old Chinese ox cart and Indonesian cane chairs purchased at the estate sale of an art collector in Key West, Fla. where the couple has a winter home. Three colorful paintings by British artist Sue Fitzgerald, whom they discovered while living in London, are above the fireplaces in the dining room, living room and study. Kellee likes to sit in the spacious, sun-filled living room because “it’s so light and airy that you never have to turn the lights on,” but both agree that being outside, roasting marshmallows and watching the sunset with family and friends is their favorite thing to do. Sean, a tech entrepreneur and investor, also hosts an annual “Tech Day on the Bay” at the estate, an office barbecue of sorts for the metropolitan Washington tech community featuring bouncy houses, bocce ball and three-legged races. Although they come to Queenstown almost every weekend in the summer, the Glasses say they’d love to see the property used for weddings, and have filed for the necessary permits, a process they expect to be complete this fall. Friends Allen Gannett and Trever Faden were married at Bowlingly last year. “Being married on the water in a house that was built in the early 1700s was an incredible experience,” Gannett says. “The water made it feel comfortable and peaceful, while the house and grounds gave it a classical feeling that couldn’t easily be replicated.”
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
Charming Cleveland Park A historic 1890s cottage sells on 34th Street NW and Facebook’s lead counsel buys a stunning 2003 Arts and Crafts house in a classic Washington neighborhood. BY STAC E Y G R A Z I E R P FA R R
David Dupree, founder and senior partner of The Halifax Group, purchased LOUGHBORO ROAD NW in Spring Valley for $4,995,000 from former Georgia Rep. Bill Stuckey and his wife Ethelynn. The Stuckeys, of the nut and candy empire, lived in the regal house for almost 50 years after buying the property from John T. Connor, who served as secretary of commerce under President Lyndon B. Johnson. The magnificent six-bedroom manor house was built in the late 1920s and completed in 1930 for the orginal owner, Walter Myer, a prominent publisher. The property is reminiscent of an English country house, surrounded by mature gardens and private terraces on nearly one acre of grounds. The spacious sunlit public rooms have high ceilings and expansive windows overlooking the gardens. Margot Wilson of Washington Fine Properties was the listing agent. Washington Fine Properties’ Anne Weir and Heidi Hatfield represented the buyer.
The R. Hackney Wiegmann Trust purchased ORDWAY STREET NW for $4.7 million. The house is the former residence of New York Times columnist David Brooks and his wife Sarah. The five-bedroom property was built in 1911 and renovated in 2001. The house is at once grand and comfortable, featuring large, light-filled rooms and abundant windows plus exquisite decorative and architectural detailing. Nancy Taylor Bubes of Washington Fine Properties was the listing agent. Margot Wilson of Washington Fine Properties represented the buyer.
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THE DISTRICT Facebook general counsel Colin Stretch and his wife, attorney Alyse Graham, purchased ORDWAY STREET NW for $5,050,000 from Elizabeth Ulmer and Jon Graham. Graham is general counsel to Amgen, a global biotechnology company, while Ulmer is a consultant for a non-profit group. The fivebedroom Arts and Crafts residence was built in 2003 in Cleveland Park and features an open floor plan and a dramatic vaulted two-story great room at the center of the surrounding living spaces. French doors open to a serene garden and lovely pool complete with a two-story pool house plus a shared tennis court. Washington Fine Properties’ Heidi Hatfield listed the property while Anne Weir of Washington Fine Properties represented the buyer. Federal Judge Ellen Huvelle and her husband Jeffrey, a lawyer, sold TH STREET NW for $1,895,000 to Brodie Ruland and Lisa Kolb.
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Ruland is a senior executive at ASB Real Estate Investments and Kolb is a food writer and pastry chef.The charming three-bedroom Cleveland Park “cottage� was designed in the 1890s as a country retreat by Ella Bennett Sherman, wife of developer John Sherman. Margot Wilson of Washington Fine Properties represented the sellers and WFP’s Bobbie Brewster represented the buyers. The Andrew Adler Trust sold N STREET NW in Georgetown for $6.3 million with the help of listing agent Michael Ranking of TTR Sotheby’s. The trust purchased the historic 1850s Greek Revival residence from Nora Cameron in 2012 for $4.6 million. Cameron shared the house with her late husband, Juan Cameron, a former editor for both Fortune and Time magazines. Other past occupants include government attorney and diplomat Adrian S. Fisher and journalist John Pierson, whose work at The Wall Street Journal secured his spot on the Nixon political enemies list. Recently renovated from the top to bottom, the property features columned porches, a double drawing room with multiple fireplaces, a pool and landscaped gardens. Washington Fine Properties Jamie Peva was the undisclosed buyer’s agent.
ELLICOTT STREET NW sold for $3,275,000 when Erin Segal purchased the four-bedroom property from an undisclosed seller. The stately Forest Hills house boasts lovely architectural detailing and an expansive first floor including a stunning conservatory addition leading to a flagstone terrace, pool, firepit and lush gardens. The 1928-built brick beauty also includes a finished lower level with an au pair suite and catering kitchen. Anne Weir and Heidi Hatfield of Washington Fine Properties were the listing agents. TTR Sotheby’s Jennifer Knoll represented the buyer.
MARYLAND A five-bedroom brick Colonial at SANDALFOOT DRIVE in Avenel sold for $1,470,000 when Samuel Zenebe Alemayehu purchased the property from Nouchin Akmal and Monir Moghaddam. The 7,700-square foot, three-level Potomac house was built in 1997 and features a gourmet kitchen, impressive rear deck, lower level theater room and golf course vistas.The listing agents were William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam Rackliffe, and Christopher Leary of Washington Fine Properties. Remax’s Solomon Laieke represented the buyer. VIRGINIA PJ and TM Klassen sold FALLS RUN ROAD in McLean to Grace Run LLC for $4.2 million.The unique five-bedroom Barnes Vanze contemporary masterpiece was built in 1994 and sits on approximately 11 acres. It features a new custom kitchen, four-car garage, guest house, indoor tennis pavilion and five-stall horse barn with a riding ring. TTR Sotheby’s Penny Yerks listed the property and Homestead Realty’s Christopher Prestera acted as the buyer’s agent.
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Rick Bates sold CONGRESSIONAL COURT in Potomac for $5.2 million. Bates is the former president of Catalyst Health Solutions, a company that was acquired by SXC for $4.4 billion in 2012. He is currently the CEO of SingleCare. The Bradley Farms Colonial boasts 12-foot ceilings; sun-filled ,embassy-sized rooms; a chef’s kitchen with a separate catering wing; and an expansive master suite. The seven-bedroom house, which sits on a meticulously maintained two-acre lot overlooking the fifth fairway at Congressional Country Club, was custom-built in 2000. Recent additions include a cottage built in 2012 by Studio Z. The property also includes a half basketball court, indoor batting cage, pool and spa. The listing agents were TTR Sotheby’s Maura Shannon and Zelda Heller; the buyer’s agent was Susan Rosenblum of Buyer’s Edge Company Inc.
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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS
PROPERTY LINES WATERFRONT LIVING: Mike Jennings, owner of the former Kay Jennings Toyota, is selling his six-bedroom waterfront estate in Lorton for $4.7 million. The serene property at GUNSTON DRIVE rests on seven acres and features 190 feet of water-frontage on the Potomac with a private, natural sand beach, boat dock and deep water channel access. The residence offers a gated entry, eight-car garage and a long, winding driveway for added privacy. A professional grade kitchen features Viking appliances, limestone and granite countertops, dual chef’s stations, a breakfast bar and custom cherry cabinetry. The listing agent is Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Susan Gray Chambers. CUSTOM CAMOTOP: Steven and Deborah Epstein are selling IRON GATE ROAD for $3,850,000. Mr. Epstein is the founder of the Epstein Becker & Green law firm. This custom-built house on a two-acre lot in one of Potomac’s most sought-after communities features seven bedrooms and 8.5 baths. Designed for large-scale entertaining as well as intimate family gatherings, the unique property impresses with a high-end gourmet kitchen and adjacent breakfast nook, lower level media room, in-law suite and kitchenette with SubZero appliances. Outside, eye-catching manicured gardens surround the flagstone patio and a lighted swimming pool and spa. JACKIE’S GEORGETOWN HOUSE: The former residence of first lady Jackie Kennedy at N STREET NW is for sale for $9,750,000. The circa 1794 house was purchased after President Kennedy was assassinated. Former residents include Whitney heir, former KGB spy and New Republic publisher Michael Straight and his wife Nina Gore Auchincloss Steers Straight (coincidentally Jackie’s stepsister) and most recently the late Yolande Fox, a local socialite and Miss America 1951. The six-bedroom brick Federal was intended to be Mrs. Kennedy’s permanent home but the widow eventually relocated to New York City in 1964 with her children in an attempt to live a quieter and more anonymous life. Washington Fine Properties is listing the property. Send real estate news to Stacey Grazier Pfarr at editorial@washingtonlife.com.
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FOXHUNTER’S DREAM: “Bolinvar,� the historic Georgian manor estate at MOUNTVILLE ROAD in Middleburg is up for grabs for a cool $15,550,00. B&S Farms LLC is selling the magnificent 22-room main house, built in 1925, which sits on 100 acres of verdant pastures and features sweeping lawns and brilliant gardens (not to mention an additional 227 acres that are available if desired). One of the finest estates in Northern Virginia, it has been restored with superb craftsmanship and features flagstone terraces surround the heated pool, a stone courtyard stable, caretakers’ apartments, a riding ring and stocked ponds bordering Goose Creek. The listing agent is Mary Ann McGowan of Thomas & Talbot Real Estate.
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Open House
home life | open house
These stunning properties won’t be on the market for long!
POTOMAC
9300 RIVER ROAD, POTOMAC, MD 20854
Asking Price: $10,800,000
The unique custom designed Bradley Farms residence from highend Niro Builders combines craftsmanship, design and quality. Detailed millwork, elegant finishes and a gourmet kitchen are most impressive along with a luxurious master suite plus all the right rooms for entertaining and family living. The property also features lush landscaping and a pool.
FAIRFAX COUNTY
13768 BALMORAL GREENS AVE, CLIFTON, VA 20124
Listing Agent: Nancy Itteilag, 202-9057762, Washington Fine Properties
Asking Price: $7,495,000
Designer Barry Dixon integrated the world of nature and design in this Listing Agent: Jeff Wilson, 301-44212,000-square-foot residence in the Virginia woodlands. The owner, an 9533, TTR Sotheby’s original founder and technology wizard of AOL, worked with architect and International Realty builder Mark Kohler to create a house that would not disturb the forest but rather blend with it harmoniously. The interiors are natural and gracious, comprised of handmade materials, luxurious fabrics, custom designed furniture and antiques gathered from around the world. The 13-acre property encompasses the main residence, carriage house, pool house, four-stall stable and screen house.
LOGAN CIRCLE
1124 10Th STREET NW, PENTHOUSE, WASHINGTON, DC 20001 An exquisite, bright and expansive penthouse in a boutique building. This approximately 3,500-square-foot home occupies the entire top floor and offers a state-of-the-art kitchen, stunning master suite, a guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a media room/third bedroom. There are two balconies and a landscaped 2,000-square-foot terrace. A two-car detached garage is provided..
SPRING VALLEY
4965 ROCKWOOD PARKWAY NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20016 A custom-built all-brick home in the heart of Spring Valley with tremendous entertaining and living space.The entrance level provides a gracious foyer, family room, exercise room and bedroom. The main level offers formal living and dining rooms, a breakfast room, kitchen, potential owner’s suite and multiple access points for the garden, pool and upper garden. The top floor has four bedrooms and two baths.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| summer
2016
| washingtonlife.com
Asking Price: $2,850,000 Listing Agent: Monica Boyd, Martin Toews and Jeff Brier, 202-321-5055 / 202-471-5295, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Asking Price: $2,750,000 Listing Agent: John Pruski, Cathie Gill, Inc. Realtors, 202213-4744
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MY WASHINGTON Tony Powell, Photographer and Artist BY C AT H E R I N E T R I F I L E T T I
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YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED PRESIDENTS, TAKEN MANY SOCIETY PORTRAITS AND SHOT THOUSANDS OF GALAS. WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE JOB? There have been so many, but as a photographer, working with Pope Francis. He was a really, really big one because I was raised Catholic and he’s such an important spiritual leader. YOU’VE ALSO MANAGED TO SNAG SOME GREAT “SELFIES.” IS THAT A PART OF YOUR BRAND? It’s twofold. It’s really to show that I’m out there, kind of like a calling card in a way. If you need to get something done, this guy is doing it at this level.That’s one way to look at it. But there’s also a more heartfelt reason. I want my kids to see that their dad’s working hard for them, really loves them and is trying to make a great living for them. I want my kids to be proud of me.
ALCOHOL ADDICTION. HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT? After a lot of loss, the end of my marriage and having my kids taken away for a period of time, I realized I either needed to do something different or I may not be around long enough to figure this out. I prayed for the willingness and the willingness came, but the grace that I’ve been given is because of asking for help. GETTING CLEAN LED TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF PURITY IN YOUR LIFE, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR VEGAN LIFESTYLE? I had been living a very rough lifestyle previously– I used to smoke, drink and party really hard.Two years into sobriety, I had a sudden, almost supernatural reorganization. Not drinking wasn’t enough– I knew I had to expand my spiritual life, and the veganism and then Buddhism just kind of showed up. HOW HAS SOBRIETY AFFECTED YOUR WORK AND CREATIVITY? I had lots of ideas when I was drinking, but often, there was no execution. Having clarity of mind now has focused my thinking and afforded me the ability to bring my imagination into reality.
MY TOP SPOTS Spa World (1) (13830 Braddock Rd., Centreville, Va.) is an oasis away from the stress of everyday life. It’s a 15,000-square foot Korean spa that’s so invigorating. For every day on the go raw food, Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar (402 H St. NE) is a staple, but for a gourmet vegan meal Elizabeth’s Gone Raw (2) (1341 L St. NW) is the best in town. The Kennedy Center (3) (2700 F St. NW) has been a big part of my life since I was a child. I participated in my first performance ever with the Washington National Opera when I was nine years old. The National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard (4) (8th & F Streets NW) is one of my favorite places to shoot. The modern undulating glass canopy is a beautiful unification of old and new.
YOU’VE BEEN OPEN ABOUT YOUR STRUGGLE WITH
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PHOTO BY TONY POWELL ; (5) PHOTO BY TONY POWELL ; ( 3 ) P H OTO BY F OST E R W I L E Y; (6) CO U RT E SY P H OTO ; ( 1 ) CO U RT E SY P H OTO
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TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN PERFORMING ARTS AND HOW YOU TRANSITIONED INTO PHOTOGRAPHY. I was in school at Chevy Chase Elementary when an outreach program from Howard University came to teach us about performing arts. Afterward, they asked the kids to get up and dance to this music. Someone from the group noticed me out of 400 kids and asked me if I would be interested in auditioning for a production that had just left Broadway called “Raisin” and that’s how I started my career. I left school for the rest of fourth grade and literally toured every opera house in Germany, Switzerland and Paris. Down the road, I ended up at the Julliard School, got a degree in dance and continued my musical studies. After graduation, I went on to start my own ballet company where I wrote all the music and did all the choreography and photography. I’ve made more than 125 ballets and orchestral compositions – art has been my whole life. I saw how well my photography worked when I utilized it for my company and I noticed that it was something that I did very naturally. One day, some guy asked if I could cover his photography gig for the opening of the Ralph Lauren store in Georgetown.That was my first job for Washington Life Magazine!