Young Capital Benefactors Happy Hour

Wednesday evening’s "Young Capital Benefactors" Happy Hour Series which was held at Mate’, turned out a healthy crowd.  Thank you to everyone who attended and donated $10 or MORE (which many of you did so a great amount of money was raised) to the Capital Hospice.  Thank you also to Jessica Gibson, Mauricio Fraga Rosenfeld and the fantastic staff of Mate’ for hosting and extending the happy hour prices.  This again was the first in a series for young professionals’ involvement with Hospice.

(Pictured above: the scene, host committee and Chair Wendy Adeler Hall; below: YCB’s Heather Guay and Kim Luk - thanks for letting the Punch "steal" the photo Kate Michael!)

Please go to http://www.capitalhospice.org/support/events/gala.asp to learn more about the upcoming Gala on Saturday October 4th.  Tickets ($500) are on sale now as are tables and sponsorship slots.  If you are a young professional, you are eligible for a ticket at a major discount, only $150. 

The VIP reception for the Gala will be at the Argentinean Embassy on Wednesday September 24th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  Only Sponsors and Major Donors are invited, however, because we want the interest of the Young Capital Benefactors, you may purchase a ticket to this VIP event for only $25, but you must have purchased your Gala ticket already.

On another note, you can now purchase RAFFLE tickets for $100.  First prize is a necklace and ring set valued at $10,000 from Adeler Jewelers.  Second prize is a trip to see Conan O’Brien’s show live. Third prize is a wonderful gift certificate from Bloomie’s in Chevy Chase (thanks Heather Guay!). 

Please contact Carol Kennedy to buy your raffle ticket today:

Capital Hospice
6565 Arlington Blvd. - Suite 500
Falls Church, VA 22042
703.538.2065 Office

We look forward to the next YCB Happy Hour… details to follow, but again, thank you for your support of Capital Hospice.

More birthday wishes…

… go out to my fellow Leos: shutterbug Betsy Spruill, Kate Roberts, the gorgeous Brit who founded YouthAIDS (the Gala “The Power of Music” is Friday October 3rd and will honor Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof and Judy McGrath, Chair/CEO of MTV Networks), Miss Dimple Shah, the lovely Anne Lee and architect Christy Schlesinger.

Let’s Get Ready To Arm Wrestle!

Don’t forget this evening after you leave the Liaison Hotel for the Rooftop Rendezvous benefiting the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, you cab it to The Rookery (2519 Penn Ave, NW).  I have to say, the "Battle of the Biceps" (BOTB) looks to be pure entertainment and quite hilarious, yet is being taken extremely seriously by the organizers and contestants. 

Please take a few moments of your day to review the history of the BOTB and the bios of these brave folks (girls and guys) who are going to strut their strength before an audience.  Each hopes to make it through the brackets to the Championship and smell the sweet scent of victory (or is that sweat?).  The competition looks fierce for sure.  We hear some have been pumping some major iron in order to prepare and some have added pushups to their normal non-strength training routine.  You will no doubt have a few chuckles as you compare bios and photos. Should you be the "betting" kind, there are the "Experts’ Picks" to read as well. 

The doors open around 8:30pm with the Tournament starting around 9pm.  There is a $10 suggested donation at the door for Neediest Kids.  Thanks to everyone who has been working hard to make this a fun, well executed event, especially our dear friend Atila Omer.

Program Guide for tonight’s BOTB:

http://www.battleofthebiceps.com/BOTB_ProgramGuide_July31_FINAL.pdf

Late Night Shots and BuyYourFriendADrink Partner Together

This is hot off the website presses!  Congratulations to entrepreneur and founder of the social networking site, Late Night Shots, Reed Landry (and thank you for sending this to the Punch):

BuyYourFriendADrink partners with LateNightShots to launch the first-ever loyalty card for an online social network ….

New York City, NY (PRWeb) July 31, 2008 — BuyYourFriendADrink.com (BYFAD), the leading e-commerce solution that automates buying someone a drink for the beer, wine and spirits (BWS) industry and consumer-to-consumer gifts, is bringing its platform of bipartisan partying to the Washington, DC market. And, what better way to get a new party started in DC than through aligning with LateNightShots (LNS), the city’s premier online social network for the nightlife and bar scene.

BYFAD’s gifting technology and Drink Card offering will be seamlessly integrated with LateNightShots.com to launch the first-ever consumer loyalty card for an online social network. With over 20,000 LNS members, BYFAD and its BWS partners can build a mutually rewarding relationship with some of Washington’s leading partygoers.

BYFAD and LNS will kick off the DC launch by hosting a party on Saturday August 9th at The Space. BYFAD/LNS Drink Cards will be given to all LNS invitees and can be redeemed for drink specials. Washington represents BYFAD’s third major market media launch having already popularized the online gift service in New York and Boston, and currently expanding to major markets across the country. To help spread the word, BYFAD is offering a free drink gift for anyone creating an account and requesting a BYFAD Drink Card. You can get another free drink by sending someone your first drink gift.

Fashion Fights Poverty Charm & Lapel Pin

Thank you to Evelyn Brooks for sending this to the Punch and for generously donating her time and creativity to the mission of Fashion Fights Poverty.  Proceeds from sales of the charms and lapel pins will go to the charity.  I personally have a Sun charm which I wear on a necklace and love it (see below).

The Fashion Fights Poverty Charm and lapel pin, was the brain child of a generous and talented DC-based jewelry designer named Evelyn Brooks, who in 2007 received the "Outstanding Artist Achievement Award" by Empowered Women International.

She designed the lapel pin and charm and she found inspiration from her Peruvian heritage.  Evelyn hand crafted a distinctive charm/pendant made out of high-quality silver and adorned with a uniquely colored huayruro seed. The charm/pendant reflect Evelyn’s Moschik collection, which feature abstracts lines & geometric figures bringing style modern men & women.

The “Sun charm” is a circular design which represents the "God Sun". The Inca’s believed in the God Sun who stood for strength and wisdom, bringing light, protection and beauty to the world. The Incas were deeply religious people. They feared that evil would befall at any time.

This year Evelyn Brooks is bringing back the limited edition Tumi charm (see right). The limited edition “Tumi charm”, When the Splendor of the Moche, a Pre-Inca civilization, governed old Peru, 1,500 years ago, the Tumi represented the famous ceremonial Golden knife used for trepanation (opening of the skull) and ritual ceremonies. Today the Tumi is considered a Peruvian symbol for good luck. For the FFP charm Evelyn used the blade: rounded, half-moon shaped end of the tumi. A ceremonial knife called the Tumi, shaped similarly to a huayruro seed, also informs the design and gives a fight-to-the-finish spirit to the charm.

What is huayruro? The huayruro (why-ru-row) seed is native to Central and South American countries. It has many species and depending on the country can also have many different names: Tintoria (Brazil); Cairuro (Columbia); and Huayro (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador). The huayruro seed symbolizes good luck, protection against negative energy, happiness and fertility. It is also used in religious ceremonies in the Peruvian Andes region, aptly named Huayruro. Amazonians use the seed to handcraft jewelry and other art.

You can purchase your charm and lapel pin by contacting Evelyn Brooks at:

Email: info@ebrooksdesigns.com
Phone: 571 221 4150

Hooked Lounge Kick Off Party

Hooked on seafood and sushi but live in the ‘burbs (and I mean real suburbs … like Sterling, VA)?  Look no further than Hooked, which is located in the Great Falls Plaza (at Algonkian Pkwy & Lowes Island Blvd).  Only open for a year by former tech exec Doug Palley and Chef Richard Beckel, this well-patronized and well-reviewed seafood treasure is transforming itself to satisfy the night life cravings of those who live out west.

On Sunday night, they will kick off their "Lounge" by having a party from 8pm-2am with free food (sounds like a good time to try their dishes) and a DJ and certainly a few of their cocktails. 

Check out all that is Hooked on www.hookedlounge.com and make a reservation today.

Hooked is located in the Great Falls Plaza, Suite 176, Sterling, VA

Gold, Green & Gorgeous

While the Natural Body Spa & Shoppe (“NB”) in DC’s West End has been quite successful since the location’s opening in November, Monday night they really had something to celebrate. As you’ve read on The Punch, this boutique spa’s District location recently received its Gold LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – and NB certainly earned this title. Their commitment to natural, organic products, conservation of light and water, and creative use of recycled content is something to be admired.

And what better way to celebrate this accomplishment than with some organic libations and fare? Platters from Organic to Go, the first café and catering service in DC certified organic by the USDA, were served alongside organic beer and wine. You could enjoy these snacks while sampling some of the spa’s services on the house (like a hand treatment, make-up application, or upper body massage). Tranquil music was playing as guests wandered around, unwinding after a long Monday.

(Pictured from top down: L to R: Owner Bart Yablonsky, Jacki Barnett and Keith Weathersbee; a complimentary makeup application; that’s just ducky!)

As an added treat, everyone received a fabulous gift bag filled with coupons and fun samples, including peppermint lip balm, Vitamin Water, lotion, and chocolates. Once you’re in the system as a client, the perks keep on coming… you’ll learn about special promotions, seasonal services, and get a royal discount for your birthday.

They’ve earned the Gold for being Green and will make you feel Gorgeous. So get on it!

The Natural Body Spa & Shoppe is located at 1104 24th Street (between 24th & L Streets). Lean more about their services offered and call 202.775.2070 to make an appointment.

……………….Post and Pictures contributed by Guest Blogger April Black

Hudson’s Four Course Summer Menu

Can you say “yummmmm”?  Once again, the creative staff over at Hudson has a new reason for you to come in and try out their always satisfying menu.  For only $40 a person ($54 with three flights of wine!) you get a taste of what Chef Ryan Arnold has to offer. 

First Course

French Onion Soup - gruyere, emmenthal, sourdough crouton

Deviled Eggs - local farm raised

Crispy Calamari - dill aioli, roasted red pepper tomato sauce

Second Course

Hudson Salad - summer greens with champagne vinaigrette

Third Course

Wild Mushroom Risotto - seasonal mushrooms, smoked gouda, fines herbes, red wine reduction

Buttermilk Fried Chicken - mashed potatoes, pan gravy, buttermilk biscuit, clover honey

Natural Angus Filet Mignon - mashed potatoes, demi glace and seasonal vegetable

Barbeque Salmon Filet - pan seared, crispy skin, sautéed spinach

Fourth Course

Root Beer Float - vanilla bean ice cream, ibc root beer, whipped cream

Trio of Sorbet - housemade seasonal flavors

Three 3 ounce wines flights $14

adi rosé of syrah 2006, napa, California

tangent paragon vineyard sauvignon blanc 2006, edna valley, california

byron pinot noir 2006, santa maria valley, california

Bon Appetite! 

**Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**

Summer Solstice at Skye to Support Becky’s Fund

Becky Lee (from "Survivor: Cook’s Island") and the nice people at Becky’s Fund invite you and friends to attend the "Summer Solstice" event at Skye Lounge this Saturday August 2nd from 7pm-10pm.

For a mere $10 cover charge you will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drink specials.  Please dress in Cocktail Attire.

Becky’s Fund is a 501 (c) (3) founded by Becky Lee, who is an attorney and advocate for battered women’s rights.  Please learn more about Becky’s Fund at www.beckysfund.org.

**Skye Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**

Summer Sample Sale

Local designer Rochelle Behrens will be showing off her new collection Wednesday the 30th at 6pm at a sample sale.  Check out this line of smart women’s clothing at http://www.rochellebehrenscollection.com/ as a sneak preview.  By clicking on each photo on the website, you can move to the next picture. 

For your convenience, sizes 0-12 will be available and credit cards will be accepted. 

The sample sale will be located at 1602 Vermont Avenue (one block north of Logan Circle between 12th & 13th Streets, NW). 

Please RSVP directly rochelle@rochellebehrens.com and buy up!