Pamela's Punch satisfies your thirst for the latest juice on the coolest places, people and events in the Washington, DC community. Find out what's hot – and what's not – as told through the experiences of a few social butterflies.
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Where to Go, What to Do
A benefit for Street Soccer USA"using the power of sport to end homelessness"
May 20th, 2010 at the Organization of American States
7pm Cocktail Reception 8pm Awards Program and Dinner Reception Attire: Cocktail Tickets (Early Bird) $125 (after April 1) $150
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF His Excellency, Jose Miguel Insulza Secretary General, Organization of American States and His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Vassilis Kaskarelis
CHAIRED BY Maria Cuomo Cole, Ted Leonsis, and Jose Garcia
Distinguished Honorees: Fernando Murias, Chair & founder of Greater Washington Sports Alliance Sheila Johnson, co-Founder of BET, Salamander Hospitality, co-owner of Mystics Zachary Leonsis, Project Coordinator at Street Soccer USA
The 2009 WTT Champions Washington Kastles not only enjoyed a huge coup by nabbing Serena’s sister Venus (double trouble for our opponents) for this summer season, but they’ve been busy adding, trading and firming up the roster. The schedule is set so pull out your book to start marking down important dates.
2009 WTT Men’s MVP Leander Paes and doubles ace Rennae Stubbs return to the franchise while management made a trade with the Philly Freedoms so Bobby Reynolds could join the Kastles. Also, new to the team is Angela Haynes (2006 WTT Female MVP) from the Sacramento Capitals.
Now for the good stuff. The home opener is July 6th against Philadelphia, so don’t miss that, nor the next night with drama (gasp!): NY Buzz with our star Venus Williams vs. Martina Hingis.
It’s still Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Are you wearing your blue? Take 3 mere minutes of your life to watch this video from a young surivor and mother, Jen Puglise, a Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation Ambassador. If you are planning on attending the launch party at Hudson on March 23rd, you will have the honor of meeting this brave and humble woman in person.
march 16th 7pm-9pmparty for lena aburdene’s fashion for paws campaign at hudson restaurant, enjoy speciality cocktails, appetizers, and gabbing to your 2 legged friends about your 4 legged friends, $10 suggested donation, 2030 m street, nw, www.fashionforpaws.org
march 17th all day and night longst. paddy’s day (as if the 2 weekends of parades, festivals, and green beer drinking binges weren’t enough already)
march 18th 7pm-midnightart within photography: the red and black exhibit by donald syriani opening night at l2 lounge, hosted by l2 lounge & contemporaria, the dj/artist is the first to showcase his works in the cady’s alley space, rsvp to rsvp@l2lounge.com
march 18th 9pm-midnightshamrock the house at george, special shots can be purchased in advance for your lucky friend, $10 donation at the door to benefit once upon a prom, 3251 prospect street, nw, http://shamrockthehouse4ouap.eventbrite.com/ (invite pictured above)
march 18th 9pmevan bliss cd launch live concert at hard rock cafe dc, meet the man behind the sexy voice at his concert the night his cd drops, 999 e street, nw, www.evanbliss.com (pictured above at XM Satellite Radio)
march 19th 9pmdc francophonie festival 2nd annual discothèque electro-house music night at national postal museum, open bar, groovy techno tunes for 800, 2 massachusetts, ne, general admission $30, www.francophoniedc.org
march 20th 8pm 5th annual capitol movement project concert at historic lincoln theatre, watch dancers from all ages hit the stage in a variety of genre from hip hop to modern to jazz to ethnic, 1215 u street, nw, www.capitolmovement.org
If you are in the mood for a fresh latte, organic tea, or jolting espresso (not served by a barista in a kelly green apron), a wine soda, or even European soda to wash down your simple straightforward breakfast bite like white bread toast with dulce de leche and butter (ouch!), or leisurely lunch of quiche and a salad of peppery arugula, walnuts and figs, pears, and gorgonzola cheese, or even a flavorful flatbread topped with salmon and egg and spinach, or a filling delectable panini stuffed with chicken breast, basil and tomatoes…then you have no further to look than the heart of Georgetown on Wisconsin Avenue. Puro Cafe’, the latest “straightforward European cafe” concept to hit DC has been open for business for a bit but has already built a loyal following. I know this because I have a friend who eats there everyday for lunch.
The space is narrow and sparse with all white cushions in the low level seats, complemented by stainless steel and bare brick walls. The skinny onesie restroom may make you feel like you’d better not order too many of those white bread dulce de leches no matter how divine they are, but the feeling is casual, arty, light, airy and definitely affable. Pastries line the glass enclosed cases, chill music floats out of the speakers, and Georgetown passerby peek in to check out “what’s going on in there?”
Do more than glimpse in the window and venture into the newest where to go and what to eat and drink in the morning, noon, and night (8am-8pm) which offers a chic, laid back cafe, with tasty plates, delicious drinks, and one of the friendliest faces found on an establishment’s owner, Rashid Hassouni, then stride up to 1529 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.
This month,Discovery Channel celebrates 25 years of satisfying the curious, the interested, and those thirsty to know about every inch of this planet and universe. I remember when Discovery Channel first launched (barely), but one thing I do recall, is that my parents, who, as educators with multiple advanced degrees and who raised me from childhood to love devouring books versus burning my eyes out on television (unless it was on PBS, of course), were thrilled with the concept of the Discovery Channel by John Hendricks (who by the way, was in the early stages of this venture at the same time Jim Kimsey was starting a tiny thing called America Online-they used end up on the same flight to New York City together). Yes, I remember their approving nod of this new educational tool. That and my mother always responding when I told her I was “bored” at home: “An intelligent person is never bored, Pamela.” (to which I would smart back to her, “I’m not intelligent!”)
There was no better way of ringing its new year than by launching life, a brand new 11-part series which takes a fascinating closeup view of nature in a way you can’t even imagine. If you loved Planet Earth(which I did), then this life will blow your mind away. It took over 4 years (over 3,000 hours of filming), an extensive, talented, brave, patient crew, footage from every continent (on land, in the water, and in the air), and advanced state-of-the-art high definition filming techniques. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, who when she previewed some footage, actually contacted Discovery Channel to request to do the voice over, this series will have your mouth agape at the rare slow motion action, strange species, and hunting, surviving, and reproducing behavior. You may be on the edge of your seat, you may be biting your nails, you may even squirm with nature’s oddness and raw intensity. Oprah voice provides a soothing personal tone which is similar to a mother gently telling her child a bedtime story. As you recall in like fashion, actor Sigourney Weaverlent her melodious voice to Planet Earth.
Guests of the 25th Anniversary event with a screening of the first in the series“Challenges of Life” included ambassadors, dignitaries, business leaders, media and many small children. We were treated to a cocktail reception at the beautiful Mellon Auditorium, followed by a greeting from David Zaslav(President & CEO, Discovery Communications), Peter Liguori (COO, Discovery Communications), and Mr. W. Clark Bunting (President & GM Discovery Channel & President Science Channel). They kindly remarked on the path that Discovery has paved in providing millions upon millions worldwide with non-fiction information in the realms of nature, health, science, food, green living, technology, history, future, and more. Discovery Channel is even joining forces with the United Nations this year in theInternational Year of Biodiversityinitiative.
But the climax really occurred when the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Watters, took to the stage and with excellent precision, accompanied the screening with live music. It was just unbelievably powerful.
To show Discovery’s continued green efforts, those who handed back their name tags, were presented with a life tee shirt which I think I shall wear proudly in Miami this weekend, particularly the evening of the 21st, which marks the 1st night in the 11-part series.
Enjoy the trailer below. Thank you to the kind folks at Discovery Channel and Communications (Elizabeth Hillman and team and David Leavy) and to FingerPrintDC for the invitation. Congratulations on 25 years and looking forward to the next 25 …. I can’t even guess what shall be next…
Pictured above: David Leavy & Elizabeth Hillman; Ken Harvey, Bailey, Winston Lord; Barbara Martin & Jayne Sandman Dufour; David Zaslav
Discovery Channel 25th Anniversary & screening of "life"
Sunday, March 21st 8pm EST “Challenges of Life” premiers on the Discovery Channel:
March 27th-April 11th marks the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, but over 500 people came out before the rise of the blooms on Thursday evening decked out in pink ties (the men looked so handsome, yes, even in soft shades), pink attire, and Japanese inspired garb to Eat, Drink & Be Cherry! It was the 2nd annual Pink Tie Party where the city celebrates some if its top chefs from various chosen and vetted restaurants. The chefs and mixologists were challenged to create cherry inspired dishes and cocktails for the very thirsty and very hungry guests who paid $150 per ticket or $250 for a VIP ticket (which got you into a special reception with celebrity chef Charlie Palmer-the beloved and now much thinner Art Smith returned to help his buddy out). The event was held in the large downstairs ballroom at the W Hotel Washington, a space I had yet to experience post the re-design.
Pictured from top down clockwise: cherry macaroons (of which I had 4) from Adour; Chair Susan Norton & hubby; cherry mousse; plates from Charlie Palmer – who by the way, is pictured below sampling his chef’s creation; Shiseido lip service
The room was set up so that there was no piece of real estate left behind. From sponsorShiseido, ladies could get free samples and a lipstick refresher or if having hot lips wasn’t of interest, you could spend the better part your time browsing the massive Silent Auction. Even the room outside the Grand Ballroom was used for auction items, a bar area, a coffee station and bites. No one left the event hungry, albeit most were a bit tipsy and perhaps a bit aghast at the rather, hmmm, shall I say, “interesting” one man/woman dance and illusion performance byEbina Performing Artsat the end of the night.
It was 100% better than last year’s Pink Tie Party, which was a pleasure to be a part of, but as with all emerging event producers and host committees, the group listened to feedback and turned it up a notch to meet and exceed the interests of their guests by offering more savory food and much more diverse cocktails, as well as a larger Silent Auction.
Thanks to the Host Committee, the Sponsors, Susan Nortonwho chaired this year’s night, and to the nice lady at Shiseido who made my lips look dark, glossy and pretty even when the rest of me was on the exhaustion train.
