Walk It Out

Post by Guest Blogger April Black

DC By Foot, which offers FREE “More Than Monuments” walking tours around the city, celebrated its first birthday with a party at Shadowroom last Friday. After the comedy show and margs out in Arlington, I joined the celebration on my way back to DC. The company’s founders, Brody Davis and Ben Hindman, were surrounded by their friends, families, and lots of other people who must love to walk (they clearly loved to dance!). A slideshow of pictures from some of DC By Foot’s best moments was playing, and like any good birthday party, there was an ample supply of cake.

If the fun Ben and Brody were having Friday night is any indication of how much energy they put into their tours, you’re guaranteed to experience a good time. While these guys are undoubtedly boisterous, they also know their history. Even if you’re a long time resident of the DC area, join one of their free tours to learn some little-known facts about our nation’s capital while you walk it out. Or next time you have visitors who want to see the monuments, let Ben and Brody do the talking for you! Tours meet at 15th & Constitution and run for 75 minutes at 2pm & 6pm everyday.

Since their tours don’t cost a penny to attend, Ben and Brody rely solely on tips. And as if that wasn’t enough to knock your socks off, all of the tips from their 6pm tour on Sundays – cleverly named BenefacTOURS – are donated to a local charity. So get out your walking shoes and help this duo leave a positive footprint on our community.

Things That Happen In Attics

Post by Guest Blogger April Black

I don’t know about you, but the events that transpired in my attic growing up were not very funny (and usually involved lots of dust and bad Halloween costumes). On the contrary, the improv comedy troupe 5-6-7-8 delivered quite a hilarious performance entitled “Things That Happen in Attics” at The Comedy Spot last weekend. Based on audience suggestions and dirty little secrets, this smart and spunky group delivered one hour of completely improvised comedy.

(Pictured: The troupe post-show)

From inappropriate work conversations to ‘NSYNC’s sweet dance moves, 5-6-7-8 was quick on their feet as they entertained a full house with ease. We were lucky enough to score front row seats before the theatre was overflowing with people looking for a laugh. Two goofy guys named Stewart Walsh and Chris Andersen opened for the troupe with a quirky little number called “Stewart & Chris: Fear of Love.” They even had a theme song.

While I would have been content watching 5-6-7-8 for at least another hour, the show sadly ended and off we went to Chevy’s for some margaritas. Laughing burns calories, so we certainly earned them.

If your funny bone is aching, come see 5-6-7-8 on Saturday, September 13th at the Bethesda Theatre (7719 Wisconsin Ave. – less than 2 blocks from the metro) for a one-night-only comedy show and art auction to benefit Luke’s Wings. Luke’s Wings is a local charity dedicated to the support of service members who have been wounded and provides families with the means to visit their loved ones at the Army Medical Center. 5-6-7-8 takes to the stage at 8pm followed by the art auction at 9:15pm. Oh, and don’t forget the open reception starting at 7pm. Purchase your tickets here now!

End of August Birthdays

Happy Birthday wishes go to the following friends:

Amer Ahmed, Charlie Muldoon, Marc Barnes, Alana Harrington, Thalia Attinger, Steve Krombolz, Sara Trab Nielsen, Chris Thompson, Nina Doherty, Dan Cohen, Lori Russo, Dan Bernoske, Elisa Martin and Jill Kincheloe. 

Enjoy your celebrations in good health!

YouthAIDS "The Power of Music!" 2008 Gala - October 3rd, 2008

Every year the YouthAIDS Gala produces an over the top, first-class, exclusive, A-List celebrity event.  They should, for a ticket price that starts at $2,500.  Kate Roberts, the Founder of YouthAIDS, and her team continuously raise their own bar and make an evening that is not only entertaining and enjoyable for their guests, but also one to never forget. 

This year shall be no different (and you thought they couldn’t top Bono presenting an award to Speaker Nancy Pelosi?).  YouthAIDS Global Ambassador, actor/activist/cause leader/natural beauty, Ashley Judd (pictured left from YouthAIDS website) will again Host the event at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner on Friday October 3rd. 

The globally focused non-profit will honor: Annie Lennox, Sir
Bob Geldof, and Judy McGrath and special guests Anna Kournikova and Miss Universe will also be in attendance.

Last year YouthAIDS raised over $1.5 million and this year they hope to surpass that number and introduce more people to the good work they do throughout the world:

YouthAIDS, an education and prevention program of PSI, uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.

Sponsorships are still available as of now, but have a deadline of September 12th to get in the printed program.  Please see below some of the folks who have signed on to support YouthAIDS (thank you to each).  We hope to see you at the Ritz on October 3rd. 

Presenting Sponsors
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
Salamander Hospitality, LLC
Viacom and MTV Networks

Gold Sponsors
Booz Allen Hamilton
Capitol File Magazine
Tibotec of Johnson & Johnson

Silver Sponsors
American Beauty/The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Bonnie & Kenneth Feld
Gingery Development Group
Kiehl’s Since 1851
James V. Kimsey
Ted & Lynn Leonsis
National Cable & Telecommunications Association
Joseph E. Robert, Jr.
Qorvis Communications, LLC
Vicki Sant
Verizon Wireless
Jim & Christine Weinberg

Bronze Sponsors
ALDO Shoes, Inc.
Recording Industry Association of America

Supporters
AT&T Services, Inc.
Bill Beyer
Kathy Bushkin Calvin
Entertainment Software Association
Sabreena Geddie
Dan Glickman / Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Gail & John Harmon
David Israelite
Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged
Frank & Dale Loy
Jacqueline Badger Mars
Bob Okun, NBC Universal
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D.
Sony BMG
Under Armour

15 days left … 15 VIP tickets left (and going fast!)

Folks, I am sure you are packing your Louis Vuitton’s and have one foot out the door for the beach, Nantucket, the Vineyard, the Hampton’s or whatever fair isle you plan to spend your weekend on, but first, let us make you aware that there are only 15 (that’s right … count’em FIFTEEN) VIP tickets left for the Smithsonian Young Benefactors Polo Cup on September 6th.  Actually, that was as of last evening, so now, there may be fewer available.

However, there are still tables of 10 in the VIP section that you can purchase with benefits (i.e.  you get a table to call home, preferred seating, in the program, tickets to the After Party at the Mandarin Oriental and so on). 

You know the drill by now: www.youngbenefactors.org …

(Pictured: Nacho Figueras, the Polo Black Model, wants YOU to watch him play on the National Mall)

An Angelic Approach

The countdown is continuing for my friend and past colleague, Kathy Moore’s, Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk to help in the fight against breast cancer.  Kathy and her team have a collective goal of $10,000 to reach.  They are walking (in the San Fran area) in honor of Kathy’s 31 year old cousin who is a breast cancer survivor, named Angela, hence team name: Angela’s Angels (above).

Please help Angela’s Angels reach their goal by giving online what you can.  These ladies are walking for three days.  They are giving up three days of their own lives to make a difference. They are training for the walk of their lives.  They know this is nothing compared to the breast cancer patients’ “fight of their lives”.

Proceeds go to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust‘s funding for important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

The Bay Area Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk is September 5-7.

Time is running out - please donate today - thank you so much for helping Angela’s Angels!

Kathy’s Personal Page:

http://08.the3day.org/goto/kathy.moore

Angela’s Angel’s Page:

http://08.the3day.org/goto/Angela-Angels

You can pick your party and you can pick your friends …

In the spirit of the election year (or YEARS, it has seemed) you can either zone out from the constant ramblings of the talking heads, pundits, late night shows, early morning interviews, newspaper predictions and so on, or you can have a little fun with it. 

The new Liaison Capitol Hill wants YOU to vote for your next POTUS by participating in a fun "Red Hot" or "True Blue" hotel stay package.  See below for details:

The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel, is helping guests get in on the excitement with its Pick Your Party package available now through Saturday, November 8th, the end of election week. The package, starting at $219, features a collection of playful candidate-specific components for the die-hard John McCain and Barack Obama supporters, and an opportunity to experience the nation’s capitol the way only Beltway-insiders normally can. Providing guests with everything needed to have a true Washingtonian experience, the package includes:

Accommodations for one night in the nation’s most political neighborhood
Choice of one of the following:
·                           A “red” dining and nightlife guide to John McCain supporter hot spots and a copy of the Washington Times
·                           A “blue” dining and nightlife guide to Barack Obama enthusiast hot spots and a copy of the Washington Post

A picnic basket filled with classic American culinary delights, along with directions to secret hideaway spots, where travelers can savor DC’s mild autumn weather, scenic foliage and maybe even witness a political ‘liaison’ in action

A “Not for Tourists” city guide for Washington, D.C.

Complimentary Internet access, so the latest poll figures are only a click away

In keeping with Affinia’s brand promise of total customized comfort, the hotel can also help guests score access to the highly popular Newseum, sans the ticket line; and for those bringing along a furry friend supporter, The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel offers a "Demodog" or "Republipooch" t-shirt from pet partner, Wagtime.   Both options are available for an additional cost.

The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel, at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW, opened on April 1, 2008. 

For more details on the hotel, please visit www.affinia.com/liaison or call 202-638-1616. To make reservations, call 1-866-AFFINIA or visit www.affinia.com.

Washington Humane Society Launches a New Program Working with Soldiers Recovering at Army Medical Center

Thanks to Tara de Nicolas for getting this to the Punch and congratulations to the Washington Humane Society!  I know this was a long time coming.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Washington, DC – The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is honored to announce the launch of its new program, “Dog Tags,” that works with wounded Soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  On September 9th at 3:00 p.m., WHS is inviting all members of the media to the WHS Behavior & Learning Center (7315 Georgia Avenue, NW) to an event honoring the first group of Soldiers to complete the program’s first tier animal training certification, as well as welcoming the new Soldiers starting in the program.

Injured Soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center come to WHS’s new Behavior and Learning Center located across the street twice a week to learn and study animal training and behavior.  The Soldiers in the program work with the homeless animals in the care of WHS; they teach the dogs behaviors that will help them succeed in their new homes, and the Soldiers gain skills which prepare them for future careers in animal training and behavior.

Continue Reading »

Game on!

Congratulations to Victoria Michael and Kate Michael (and there is no relation, in case you were wondering or thinking there was) for the tremendous turnout for their “Blondes versus Brunettes Fundraiser” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Area.  The entire patio of Hudson Restaurant & Lounge was filled with their friends and (literally) family, as well as those curious to know what “Blondes versus Brunettes”, or “BvB” as those in the know affectionately call the Annual Powderpuff Football Game/Fundraiser, really is.

(Pictured: Friends of Victoria and Kate on the patio at Hudson - some blonde, some brunette)

To support your player, the Blonde or Brunette Team, or the Alzheimer’s Association of the NCA, please go to: http://www.blondesvsbrunettes.com/ and donate today!  The ladies have a collective goal of $100,000 to reach. 

Be sure to come out for the big game on Saturday November 8th.  Oh, and by the way, Team Brunettes have dominated on the field for the past three years since BvB started. 

Young Capital Benefactors Happy Hour #2 - September 3rd

The Young Capital Benefactors of the Capital Hospice invite you to join them for the second in a series of Happy Hours leading up to the October 4th Gala, "Argentina and Its Passions".  The Happy Hour will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd from 7pm-10pm at The Rookery (2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW). 

The suggested donation of $10 (or more, don’t hold back now!) will get you Happy Hour prices of $3 Bud Lights, $6 rail drinks, and $7 house wine.

No RSVP is necessary.  Thank you for your support of Capital Hospice and the Young Capital Benefactors!

For more information on the Gala, or to buy tickets, tables, sponsor or donate auction items, please go to http://www.capitalhospice.org/support/events/gala.asp