Swimming in Quicksand

Swimming in Quicksand

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Honored by The Women's Center

 THE POSTER AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE WOMEN'S CENTER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 

Today was spent in McLean at the 25th Annual Leadership Congress of The Women's Center, where I was among several women who were honored and who talked to the audience of 800 on subjects that related to what inspires leadership. It was remarkable and I was proud to be included. The opportunity to reach out to other people, especially women, is always a pleasure. 

The other honorees were Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Anita Dunn, Tammy Duckworth, Elisabeth Leamy, Sally Quinn, Nora Poullion, Maureen Orth and Gwendoline Yeo. Before our talks we each were presented with a beautiful Waterford crystal bowl. Rather than delivering a straight on speech about the last 13 years since Howard died and the struggle that followed, I read a chapter from my memoir in progress, "Innocent Spouse." The chapter focuses on a particularly low point, six months after I inherited Nathans et al. My point? The inspiration to lead can come from true stories and, yes, it is possible to survive. As bad as it got, I'm still standing. 

After the reading I was queried more about those themes. 

Again, I'm honored and grateful. Sincere thanks to Sally Turner, Anne Gerrety, Michelle Graves, Cynthia de Lorenzi, Vicki Kirkbride, Kathy Viola and others with The Women's Center. Their motto is "Let's Talk." The mission is to "improve significantly the psychological, career, financial and legal well-being of women and families based on their ability to pay." For more about them please go here. 

The Real Housewives of New York/ Q&A Cafe Interview

All five segments of my Q&A Cafe interview with Real Housewives of New York cast member Simon van Kempen are now up on youtube (thanks to DC Cable for providing the DVD). The latest season of RHoNY has just started to air on Bravo, with the women as bad ass as ever, giving the van Kempen interview a new timeliness. Its hard to imagine the Washington cast, with gatecrashing excepted, could ever match the claws, fangs and venom of New York.

Dean & Deluca Friday Wine Tastings

 THE NEW WINE TASTING AREA AT DEAN & DELUCA 

Dean & Deluca has added a new wine specialist to the staff and a special wine tasting area. Now on Fridays the specialist, Emlie Woody, will host wine tasting events from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The fee is $25 and includes the tasting of several wines plus small plates of appetizer-style foods. If you buy a case of wine, I believe, the tasting fee will be removed from the price, or at least provide some kind of discount. 

Ask Emlie all your wine questions, at the tasting parties or via email at Emlie Woody. Her phone is 202.342.2500 ext. 227. The address, as you surely know, is 3276 M Street NW.