An Evening of Fine Italian Wine and Cheeses - November 15th

I have a dear friend who is (sooo lucky) spending some time over in Florence, Italy.  She is indulging in some of the best pizzas, cheeses, and wines and my goodness, am I envious.

You too can get a taste of what goods the Italians have to offer on Saturday, November 15th at Punch Special Highlighted Partner Famoso Restaurant & Lounge.   

Sample five different specialty wines and five rare cheeses while the restaurant’s wine experts navigate an exclusive tour of pairings from Italy’s finest producing regions. 

November 15, 2008
7pm
$75 ($65 for Fabulous List members)

Famoso Restaurant & Lounge (above M Cafe & Bar)
Collection at Chevy Chase
5471 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
202-986-8785

Where in the world is Kate Gibbs?

The mystery of "Where is Kate Gibbs?", the former Editor in Chief of Capitol File Magazine, has been solved.  We found out after jetting off, she has returned and found a post within the Post, Washington Post Express that is.

Congratulations to Kate, welcome back to DC, and we look forward to reading your many articles!   To read some of what this talented writer has already written for Express, click on this link.

How much is that puppy in the window?

is what Sasha and Malia Obama may be asking of their father, the newly elected POTUS.  After all, he did promise them in front of a televised audience of millions of people that he would get them a dog, win or not - and now they’ve earned it.

Lucky for one pup, it will most likely be a rescue dog.  Check today’s Post’s Reliable Source piece: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/

Punch Community Partner Washington Humane Society is already lobbying to have the First Family adopt from them, which would be wonderful for the organization and the community.  Wait … if that happens … would the new owners walk their dog in the Annual Fashion For Paws Show on March 28th, 2009?  Sigh, one could only hope!

Oscar Night DC 2009 Venue Announcement

On behalf of my Oscar Night DC co-Chair David Marra, the Host Team, and the Red Cross of the National Capital Area, we are proud to announce the venue for Oscar Night DC 2009: The Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Washington, DC.

This 3rd Annual Event is the ONLY Academy sanctioned event in the area.  We have full support of the Academy, so fortunately, we are privy to some very cool information and goodies for the event.  Plus, once again, we are blessed to have the gorgeous rising star Pamela Brown of WJLA (pictured left) as our Mistress of Ceremonies and DC Magazine once again as our Media Sponsor. 

We expect to have at least 400 guests in black tie, glammed and glitzed out on the two levels (VIP included), feeding live from the Oscars on the 17 plasma displays, tons of great food and drinks, and sooo much more.  This location is perfect as it plays into the “Washington, DC” part of our event (right downtown near Ford’s Theater, FBI Building, and White House) as well as the rock n roll / Hollywood feel. 

Oscar Night DC Host Team:

Co-Chair David Marra, Joe Carden, Anna Kimsey, Carl Becker, Ebong Eka, Jessica Gibson, Jim Spiro, Joanna Peters, Kate Michael, Lacey Kirstein, Victoria Michael, Ray Regan, Pamela Brown (MC), Moe Imjahiharn, Kristen Neubert, Andrea Rodgers, George Koutsoukos, Ryan Kaltenbaugh, Suzanne Jorgensen, Chris Jacobs, Claudia Camelia, and Dorinda White. 

Sponsorships are available NOW.  Please contact David Marra at david.marra@gmail.com or Liz Alicea at aliceal@redcrossnca.org.

There will be so much more to come on this event, but thank YOU for supporting your local chapter of the Red Cross.  www.redcrossnca.org

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people in our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies.

Just a few weekend reminders

Since the weather is not going to hold us back from getting out and about this weekend (umm, warm and sunny, you know, the typical fall weather) we might as well check out what’s going on.

Once you’ve recovered from tonight’s Knock Out Abuse Against Women’s Crystal (15 Year Anniversary) Gala at the Ritz or Fight Night at the Washington Hilton and the raucous After Party back at the Ritz (remember last year Lenny Kravitz gave us a surprise concert?) grab your coffee and head over to Georgetown Visitation for their awesome Esprit de Noel sample sale. 

Dress designer and Punch friend Kathlin Argiro is back in town and is offering buyers a fine discount, BUT if you come and mention the PUNCH, you will receive an ADDITIONAL 10% OFF of the already great prices.  Ahem, I may be first in line and looking rather haggard from tonight, so please, hold the laughter.

Preview Café: Friday, Nov. 7, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m

1524 Thirty-Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC …..

Supporting the health and well-being of children is our society’s duty, but KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) takes it up a notch by providing one-to-one recreational coaching to nearly 200 children and young adults with more profound and severe mental and physical disabilities in the area.  Friday night, they will hold their 6th Annual KEENFest with a dinner and silent auction.  Tickets range from $85 to sponsorship levels of $10,000.  Thank you to Punch friend Amanda Polk for referring us to this information.

When & Where: Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in North Bethesda, Maryland.
Tickets: $85 each
Co-Chairs: Estee Portnoy, Suzanne Mazer and Sheila Sankaran
Contact: Denise Brownlee at support@keengreaterdc.org or 301/775-7572 ….

Speaking of health and exercise, Saturday DAY is the Annual Blondes vs. Brunettes Powder Puff football game benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Area.  Come watch some of Washington’s young “darlings” get not so darling out on the football field.  These ladies take out their aggression on each other for a great cause.

The game will be held on Saturday, November 8 at Francis Field (25th & N Streets, NW). Kick-off is at 1:00PM. Tickets are available for purchase online and also include admission to post-game Victory Block Party.

Buy tickets online now at http://alz.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=282772 ….

Next up:

posts about Smithsonian Associates events, weekend reminders, a luncheon for Alchimie Forever, and details about OSCAR NIGHT DC benefiting the Red Cross of the National Capital Area.  The venue has been secured … it’s rockin’.

P.S. It’s Wednesday, the 5th of November. Did you get your 50% off your purchases at Adeler Jewelers today (only) yet?

Only 3 more Q&A Cafe’s for 2008

Congratulations to Barack Obama and Joe Biden for making it into the White House!  Apparently, the Redskins winning/losing legend holds true and the fluke in 2004 was really just a fluke (or was it?).  And congratulations to everyone who got out and voted yesterday.  Wow, what a turnout at the polls and at the Election Viewing Parties.  The energy in the air was palpable last night.

While Obama and Biden are getting ready to address the nation and to attack their first issues, we are setting up for another busy, busy rest of the week and weekend and year ….

Make sure you register for (one of my favorite things to do during lunch) the last three Nathan’s Q&A Cafe’s:

Wednesday, November 12th:  The soon to be re-opened Smithsonian Museum of American History, Director BRENT GLASS, will share with you all of the upgrades, modifications and additions (teaser: Star Spangled Banner?). 

Wednesday, November 19th: HUGH NEWELL JACOBSEN, who is an acclaimed award winning (114 for excellence in design, to be exact) American architect, will chat with Carol Joynt.

Thursday, December 11th:  Washington Post Fashion Editor and Pulitzer Prize winning ROBIN GIVHAN will end the year at Nathan’s with pizzazz and style.

For reservations, please call Jon Moss at 202.338.2000.

You heard it here first …

So, if you can’t make it to any of the numerous Election Viewing Parties all over town tonight, make sure you tune into Mix 107.3, as our Punch friend Tommy McFly will dedicate his show (from 7pm-midnight) to folks wanting to catch results on the airwaves.

The Nutcracker Season is upon us

Punch Community Partner The Washington Ballet (TWB) has released the dates for their own "DC style" version of the classic "The Nutcracker", which will be performed at the historic Warner Theatre from December 11th through the 28th, but you can also catch it at THEARC on December 5th and 6th (202.889.8150 for tickets).

(Pictured left: Maki Onuki & Zachary Hackstock by Tony Powell)

Artistic Director Septime Webre, who is celebrating his 10th anniversary with TWB, turned the traditional upside down five years ago when premiering this production.  Instead of your typical "Nutcracker Prince", there is George Washington and England’s King George III appears as the villainous Rat King.  The costumes are stunning and the set design, which is full of cherry blossoms, reflects Washington, DC.  This ballet is a lovely tribute to our nation’s capital and fun for the entire family.

Don’t miss out, for December is right around the corner!

Warner Theatre TICKETS NOW ON SALE: www.ticketmaster.com or 202.397.SEAT

This week’s birthday wishes go to …

… Julie Fields, Paul "PB" Barbieri, Lisa Clark, Berry Feiz, Julie Wood, John Gallagher, Sam Farnum, Lindsay Czarniak, Dr. Chris Rothstein, and Andrew Forbes. 

Sorry to anyone we missed - enjoy your celebrations!