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New York Social Diary: The St. Coletta Gala

There was a gala for St. Coletta of Greater Washington on Saturday night, and I was among the guests, and wrote about it for today's New York Social Diary. 

Kevin Spacey, A Damned Fine Crooner

Kevin Spacey was in DC Saturday night to host a small private dinner at the Mandarin Oriental hotel on behalf of The Kevin Spacey Foundation. The 140 guests included the man whose job Spacey has in "House of Cards," majority whip Kevin McCarthy and minority whip Steny Hoyer. With the government shutdown looming, neither man stayed for the full evening, though Hoyer did seem, hmmm, shall we say friendly, with a woman I later learned is Ron Perelman's communications chief, Christine Taylor. One of my table mates described their hand holding more graphically. Yo, DC is fun in a crisis.

 

Yes, the "House of Cards" cast were at the party, among a mixed bag of famous-for-DC types. I'll have lots more on washingtonian.com on Monday, but for now enjoy this sampling of Spacey's very engaging performance, backed by the Capital Focus Jazz Band (made up of area school kids). If you saw him portray Bobby Darin in "Beyond the Sea," then you know he's worth watching.

Glee's Matthew Morrison Sings & Dances in DC on Saturday Night

Matthew Morrison, star of "Glee," was in town tonight as the main event at the Washington Performing Arts Society's spring gala. He put on a show that ended up as a dance party for 600+ guests at the Ritz Carlton West End. More about it on Monday at washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos of Matthew, starting with the VIP reception, then the show, and at a small private after-party where he sipped the Jameson's he first asked for on stage. btw, he's s sweetheart. Zero attitude, loves DC, and takes the time to talk to everyone and pose for pics.

Monday Evening at the Harman Gala (Yes, Monday) w/ William Shakespeare and F. Murray Abraham

THE VIEW FROM MY TABLE AT THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM THIS EVENING

Tonight was the annual gala of the Harman Center for the Arts, which includes a stage show and presentation of the "Will" Award. This year it went to Oscar-winning film and stage actor F. Murray Abraham. Monday galas aren't common in DC, but they also aren't unheard of. PEN/Faulkner also holds their gala on a Monday evening. Instead of cocktails they served wine, and so my date and I slipped over to Rosa Mexicano to Margaritas plus a bowl of quac. Delicious drinks and food and a moment to relax before back to work. Plus we were starving and new the program ahead would be 90 minutes long.

F. MURRAY ABRAHAM AND IRISH AMBASSADOR MICHAEL COLLINS

This was fun tonight. Very easy-going, the dinner especially. I talked to Murray Abraham twice and was impressed with the way he just zeroes in on you. NOTE TO WASHINGTON MEN: It's not bad to zero in on a woman! Michael Kahn is cool, too. 

I also danced to the Motown spun by the deejay, but hoped he would segue into Gangnam Style. Maybe Monday isn't the night for Gangnam Style. Being a Monday it was totally okay to dance by myself. My "date," Shane Harris, remained at the table, locked in conversation with two Mary's - Mary Collins and Mary Haft. He was fine with my twirling on the dance floor. Shane is becoming quite the social varsity player. Every hostess is town should be clamoring for him, because both the men and the women love having him at the table. That's the ticket here. He's charming, funny, erudite and, most of all, smart and informed. And a gentleman. And wicked.

Speaking of charming and handsome, these two are Kevin Allen and Jeff Martin, they are professional photographers who work with me often. Kevin shot the story Saturday night at the National Italian American Foundation Dinner, and Jeff did tonight and also last week's winery dinner at RdV Vineyards. They are young, and very talented, smart, and good sports about putting up with me on social stories. I'm always, "come here, get this, see that, oh, there's the shot, quick over here, look it's them..." Thirty years as a television producer can make you bossy. They catch things, too, that I didn't see. We collaborate well. We've got each other's backs. Sometimes I miss shooting parties myself, but having Jeff or Kevin there, or James Brantley or Ben Droz, frees me up to talk to the guests, which I think makes the story better. 

I wasn't the only solo dancer. It was that kind of night. People just took to the dance floor, grooved to the music, put Monday away. Heavy heavy Four Tops. We should get raves back in action here in DC, if they ever were here before. I remember them from San Francisco in the 70s. It was about dancing and music and endless but good. 

Dancing to Duchin at the Ball and Watching the Ballgame on TV

 A video to start with. It's Peter Duchin, leading his band at Meridian House for the Meridian House Ball. Earlier there was the White-Meyer dinner in an adjacent mansion. Quite lovelyl Elegant. The best touch, with the black tie and ball gowns, was the TV set up on a stand in the entry hall where we gathered to watch the Nats. Here's some random iPhone4S shots from the White-Meyer dinner and the ball.

CHRIS EDWARDS AND ASHLEY TAYLOR BRONCZEK

MATT BRONCZEK ON THE RIGHT, WITH A FRIEND

LYNDON BOOZER AND A FRIEND AT THE WHITE-MEYER DINNER

A PAUSE IN THE DINNER

THE WHITE-MEYER DINNER IN FULL SWING

SLIPPING AWAY FROM THE DINNER TO WATCH THE GAME

MARIA AND SHANE ON THE DANCE FLOOR, DOING IT GANGNAM STYLE

Hey, DC, Do This: Visit The Yards Park

THE YARDS PARK: ALONG THE ANACOSTIA

To visit The Yards Park has been on my "to do" list for quite some time. Yes, I go to Nats games, but when I do it's strictly to the stadium and then back home. The other day my colleague and friend, Denise Wills, talked up The Yards Park and the fun she and her husband had there with their daughter. It jumped to the top of my list and I'm glad. My friend Christopher DePaola and I visited on Sunday. Here are some of the photos. It's important to note that we went on a Sunday morning, with no baseball game happening at that hour, and thus finding a parking space was possible. I'd made an attempt once before, two full hours before a game, and it was pointless -- unless I wanted to pay $20 for a surface lot.

THIS IS A WADING POOL. AT ONE END IS A WATERFALL, THE OTHER END THE ANACOSTIA

Apart from having to find a parking space, it was an interesting exploration of another well developed part of the city. We were so enthused we then went and explored the H Street corridor, the DC "neighborhood of the future." What that means is most of the people who live and work there now will move to PG or Montgomery Counties and H Street will become "the new 14th Street." I have no political opinion about that, because I'm a big fan of what's been done to 14th Street, especially in the vicinity of Logan Circle.

CHILDREN LOVE THE WADING POOL

It's easy in Georgetown to feel park-satisfied, because The Georgetown Waterfront Park is exceptional. The Yards Park is, too. Hooray for DC and the National Park Service (and the others who were involved) for getting this done, though it took almost 30 years to see the Georgetown park to fuition. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Nationals Park stadium development was an impetus to get the Anacostia project done faster. The Yards Park runs to and from the stadium.

THE BOARDWALK THAT LEADS TO AND FROM NATS STADIUM, IN THE DISTANCE

Given that the park adjoins the actual Navy Yards there is a lot of nautical atmosphere. Old docks, now home to Ospreys, Seagulls and Herons; lots of handsome chain and rope. There is the Navy ship, the Barry (not named after the former Mayor), no longer in service except for tours and events, but which once plied the waters off Korea and Vietnam. There is a Swift boat (dedicated, no kidding, by John Kerry), and there's the Navy barracks (home to the Navy band).

THE BARRY, COMMISSIONED IN 1956, DECOMMISSIONED IN 1982. BUILT AT THE BATH IRON WORKS, MAINE.

SWIFT BOAT PCF-1, DEDICATED IN 1998 BY JOHN KERRY AND ELMO R. ZUMWALT, A RETIRED NAVY ADMIRAL.

NICE NAUTICAL TOUCHES ARE EVERYWHERE AT THE YARDS PARK

What I like best about The Yards Park are the walkable spaces, the greenery, the exposure to waterfront, and the history. There are some beautiful old buildings there that I hope get preserved and transformed into something useful. Near the Department of Transportation, along the so-called "transporation walk," a vast retail development is underway.

THE YARDS PARK IS WELL LANDSCAPED WITH LOTS OF GREEN AND CONVENIENT TEAK CHAISES AND BENCHES

A FEATURE ALONG THE "TRANSPORTATION WALK" OUTSIDE THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

With The Yards Park, and the eventual renovation of the Southwest waterfront, we're nearly at a time when it will be possible to walk, bike or run from Key Bridge to the Douglass Bridge. Bravo.

Hey, DC, Do This: Visit The Yards Park

THE YARDS PARK: ALONG THE ANACOSTIA

To visit The Yards Park has been on my "to do" list for quite some time. Yes, I go to Nats games, but when I do it's strictly to the stadium and then back home. The other day my colleague and friend, Denise Wills, talked up The Yards Park and the fun she and her husband had there with their daughter. It jumped to the top of my list and I'm glad. My friend Christopher DePaola and I visited on Sunday. Here are some of the photos. It's important to note that we went on a Sunday morning, with no baseball game happening at that hour, and thus finding a parking space was possible. I'd made an attempt once before, two full hours before a game, and it was pointless -- unless I wanted to pay $20 for a surface lot.

THIS IS A WADING POOL. AT ONE END IS A WATERFALL, THE OTHER END THE ANACOSTIA

Apart from having to find a parking space, it was an interesting exploration of another well developed part of the city. We were so enthused we then went and explored the H Street corridor, the DC "neighborhood of the future." What that means is most of the people who live and work there now will move to PG or Montgomery Counties and H Street will become "the new 14th Street." I have no political opinion about that, because I'm a big fan of what's been done to 14th Street, especially in the vicinity of Logan Circle.

CHILDREN LOVE THE WADING POOL

It's easy in Georgetown to feel park-satisfied, because The Georgetown Waterfront Park is exceptional. The Yards Park is, too. Hooray for DC and the National Park Service (and the others who were involved) for getting this done, though it took almost 30 years to see the Georgetown park to fuition. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Nationals Park stadium development was an impetus to get the Anacostia project done faster. The Yards Park runs to and from the stadium.

THE BOARDWALK THAT LEADS TO AND FROM NATS STADIUM, IN THE DISTANCE

Given that the park adjoins the actual Navy Yards there is a lot of nautical atmosphere. Old docks, now home to Ospreys, Seagulls and Herons; lots of handsome chain and rope. There is the Navy ship, the Barry (not named after the former Mayor), no longer in service except for tours and events, but which once plied the waters off Korea and Vietnam. There is a Swift boat (dedicated, no kidding, by John Kerry), and there's the Navy barracks (home to the Navy band).

THE BARRY, COMMISSIONED IN 1956, DECOMMISSIONED IN 1982. BUILT AT THE BATH IRON WORKS, MAINE.

SWIFT BOAT PCF-1, DEDICATED IN 1998 BY JOHN KERRY AND ELMO R. ZUMWALT, A RETIRED NAVY ADMIRAL.

NICE NAUTICAL TOUCHES ARE EVERYWHERE AT THE YARDS PARK

What I like best about The Yards Park are the walkable spaces, the greenery, the exposure to waterfront, and the history. There are some beautiful old buildings there that I hope get preserved and transformed into something useful. Near the Department of Transportation, along the so-called "transporation walk," a vast retail development is underway.

THE YARDS PARK IS WELL LANDSCAPED WITH LOTS GREEN AND PLACES TO SIT

A FEATURE ALONG THE "TRANSPORTATION WALK" OUTSIDE THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

With The Yards Park, and the eventual renovation of the Southwest waterfront, we're nearly at a time when it will be possible to talk, bike or run from Key Bridge to the Douglass Bridge. Bravo.

Bill (Gates) & Sharon (Stone) & Anderson (Cooper) & Nancy (Pelosi)

BILL GATES EMBRACES SHARON STONE AT SATURDAY NIGHT'S amfAR DINNER

For those of you who don't partake of this sort of thing, let me clue you in on a behind the scenes detail of so-called "events" in Washington: attending them as a labeled member of the "media" can often be humiliating and frustrating -- but, most of all, humiliating. The organizers treat people who write and shoot pictures for a living as an alien race who must be controlled and segregated, at all times, from the superior humans, which often, in addition to assorted A, B and C entertainment and business celebrities plus tax-payer paid public servants, include fellow members of the Washington media, who want to be celebrities. Oh, Lord. You know who they are. Reporters on one side of the rope are expected to interview and photograph reporters on the other side. It's a bizarre phenomenon of DC.

SHARON AND BILL AND ANDERSON BEFORE THE SCRUM

That's just the beginning of the whackness. I've been to events where even media spawn are presented as celebrities for the "scrum" to report upon -- and, sadly, they do. 

BILL GATES AND ANDERSON COOPER, AMIDST THE WINE AND CUPS AND THE OTHERS

So, what does that have to do with tonight's otherwise honorable dinner on behalf of AIDS, embodied  by amfAR? Not much, except it was celebrity studded (STUDDED!!!) and there were, at the outset, lots of rules for the branded and segregated media (really, the PR abuse has reached a level where slapping an "M" on reporters' clothing would accurately reflect the discrimination doled out). Nothing to do with the amfAR people exactly. The funny thing was they managed the evening in a loosey-goosey manner, and I was appreciative. For every rule they enforced they let another be forgotten. Here's a funny contrast: working photographers, with serious camera muscle, got pushed back by handlers protecting Bill Gates and Anderson Cooper, while those of us with our iPhones were able to move in close.

Exactly! 

NANCY PELOSI SHOWS UP FOR A PIC WITH COOP AND BILL

What knots my knickers? Getting kitted out on a Saturday night, schlepping to an "event," and then finding my seat is with other writers, who (btw) feel the same as I do. We may get along but we didn't come out on a Saturday night to sit at a round table and stare at each other. Dear Event Planner:  How, oh, how, do we write about your givers and believers and awesome staff and great accomplishments if we're seated on the sidelines at a table of people who have nothing to do with your cause? I've never, ever understood this logic and generally just get up and leave. I didn't tonight, because ... who knows why. Maybe because it was early. Maybe because that hot man item, Bill Gates, was in the room.

FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB

But seriously. Dear Event Planners, do you think this is anything but work for me? It's not. It's work. I enjoy the work, or I wouldn't be there, and especially when I'm given the privilege of experiencing the event, but If you want interesting and useful coverage you will seat me in the warm, moist center of your cause....because that is the story. This is not my social life. It's your social life, and the social life of your guests arrayed around the room, the paying customers, the folks who would like to talk about why they are there.  Mix me up with them. Unless, of course, you want me to write a story about The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Washington Life, Capitol File, Bloomberg, Agence France Presse, Associated Press....etc. In other words, my table mates. 

The good event planners and hosts understand, but the good are few.

JUST AFTER NANCY PELOSI EXITS THE BILL GATES AIR SPACE KATHLEEN SIBELIUS MOVES IN TO OCCUPY

Further, if you want good pictures, stop with those assinine backdrops. Stop fencing in the photogs. I can tell you, the public are weary of the tedious & endless same-same and boring photos shot before a "step and repeat." Be the first to kill it.  You would get such better shots of your paying principals if you invited the photogs, the good ones, to roam during the cocktail hour and the seating of dinner. People look better in candids. For one thing, they look alive.  The reading and viewing public are drawn to "real" moments. A backdrop photo is just about as original and fresh and unique as last night's lap dance. 

THEN, BILL AND COOP GET BACK TO WHATEVS

So, I hope you've enjoyned my guerilla pics from tonight, in which Bill Gates mostly seemed to want to talk to Anderson Cooper, but politely got up as needed to be honored, to be photographed, and to wrap his arm around Sharon Stone. He did not wrap his arm around Nancy Pelosi, who smartly moved in for a prime photo at a prime moment. I know this because I got up from my table on the outer border of the dinner and walked over to where the action was, the Gates-Cooper-Stone table, to observe the goings on with my own two eyes. That's what made the amfAR people cool. They didn't deck check me. 

WELL, YOU KNOW, HELLO BILL, WHASUP?

Funny observation: When Bill and Sharon got up to talk and moved elsewhere, and Anderson was left with no one on his immediate left or right, he had only William Cohen, and they did their best to hit it off in the same way as Coop and Gates and Gates and Stone. At least Sharon's jacket was still there on the chair between them, suggesting something ... but what?

DASHING MICHAEL ELLIOTT, ON THE LEFT, AND BARBARA BUSH, IN RED

Before the political speeches began -- meaning the speeches by politicians -- I drifted from the big dinner only a few steps to a much smaller party nearby. It was for ONE, another foundation, created by Bono and supported by Bill and Melinda Gates, and where my friend Michael Elliott is CEO and President.

I ran into Michael almost immediately. He's an O.G. We met long ago over dinner at the N Street home of Trish and Mark Malloch Brown, another O.G. Mike was with Time at the time, and we had that in common,  but now he's with Gates and Bono, two more O.G.'s. You choose. Also at the smaller ONE party was Barbara Bush, looking summery and comfortable in a tomato red dress. That small group were soon off to an AIDS concert at the Eisenhower Theater, joned by the folks from the larger Gates-Stone-Cooper dinner, which also included a bearded John Corbett.... and other celebs too numerous to get into right now. This will all be covered in full on washingtonian.com on Monday! You betcha.

Sunday Night Football at The Palm

ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, DERRICK DOCKERY AND JOSH WILSON AT THE PALM SUNDAY NIGHT

I miss my Sunday night football, but got a bit of a fix this evening at The Palm, where Redskin Rockey McIntosh and his wife, Allesia, hosted a fundraising dinner for their A GRAN Foundation, which helps disadvantaged children. Many of Rocky's teammates, and former teammates, showed up to be "celebrity" waiters. Also in the mix were "The Sports Junkies" from WFAN FM. It made for a lot of fun, not to mention a delicious lobster and steak dinner. Read the whole story on washingtonian.com: Redskins Players Talk Going Back to School and the Peyton Manning Question

WHEN REDSKINS EAT, THEY EAT. DARREL YOUNG, JOSH WILSON, CLINTON PORTIS

My dinner partners were Derrick and Emma Dockery. He's a former Redskin who just finished his first year with the Dallas Cowboys. Now a free agent, he hopes to return to the Cowboys. He loves playing with QB Tony Romo. Derrick and Emma met at the University of Texas.  I particularly enjoyed meeting Charles Mann, Sam Huff and Brian Mitchell. I'll explain why in my story. 

Sarah Jessica Parker at The White House in Glittery Vintage

SJP BUTTONS UP HER "OLD" OSCAR DE LA RENTA COAT IN THE EAST ROOM

The stars were out in broad daylight at the White House today. Al Pacino was among a group honored with medals for their contributions to the arts. Sarah Jessica Parker was in the audience. Also, John Lithgow, Chuck Close and others. The full story is at washingtonian.com. PRESIDENT OBAMA ON STAGE. DOWN IN FRONT, AL PACINO ON THE LEFT, MICHELLE OBAMA ON THE RIGHT.

A CLOSE UP OF MRS B AND MRS O

Georgetown Dinner Party (for a cause) vs NFL Play-Offs (for a title)

TABLE FOR 22

Dinner tonight at the Nixon's on N Street. Barton Seaver was the executive chef, with major support from Teddy Diggs of Home Port on Martha's Vineyard, for a private dinner on behalf of DC Central Kitchen and Martha's Table. A lot of needed funds were raised. But it did require master chefs to keep the table seated. Several of the guests kept slipping away to the adjacent den to watch the Giants-49ers game. The rest talked life, politics, family and about the dire ice storm warnings coming across cell phones. Read the full story here: Sunday Suppers for a Cause.

COOKS IN THE KITCHEN. KOJO NNAMDI IN THE FOREGROUND, WATCHING THE GAME

JUST BEFORE DINNER, CHEFS TEDDY DIGGS, KOJO NNAMDI AND BARTON SEAVER

THE TABLE BEFORE THE GUESTS SAT DOWN

STRIPED BASS WITH GRAINS

POPCORN COOKER LAMB

NOT AWESOMELY PHOTOGENIC BUT DELICIOUS DESSERT OF PEAR, ALMOND FRANGIPANE AND CHOCOLATE SORBET.

Out On The Town

A CLASSIC MANHATTAN AT JACK ROSE DINING SALOON

Out on the town last night with good neighbors Sam Harrington and Debbie Weil. We celebrated the end of a long work week at Jack Rose Dining Saloon. Much fun, good food and drink, interesting people. We were joined by owner Bill Thomas and resident whisky czar Harvey Fry.  (Do read Todd Kliman's Harvey Fry  profile) Nonetheless, home before midnight, using Debbie's Uber account (worked like a dream). Rest much welcomed. I have to work tonight and tomorrow night, so ... I'll be able to watch the Ravens-Patriots game, but only a half hour of Giants-49ers. Now, if the latter goes into overtime, I'll return home in time for that. I'd like both games to go into overtime, and I know who I hope wins. But, please, no comments; we all have our faves.

So grateful for my NFL app. I'll be sneaking looks under the table.

THE FIRST COURSE AT WASHINGTONIANS OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON

Earlier this week a lovely luncheon on behalf of Washingtonian's "Washingtonians of the Year." It was held at the Willard Hotel. My table mates included John Derrick, former head of Pepco, Doug Wheeler, Arthur Cotton Moore, Victor Shargai, Jaylee Mead, Terre Jones of Wolf Trap, Joy Zinoman of Studio Theater. In addition to the current honorees, the room was filled with past honorees. Everyone at my table - with one exception (me) - had been a past Washingtonian of the Year. Very cool. Wonderful stories of heroic and good works.

THE VIEW FROM TABLE 20; PUBLISHER CATHY WILLIAMS AT THE PODIUM

It was one of those rare occasions where one feels a great sense of community, and local living, completely apart from the federal government. 

 

Pretty Party For The Sackler

ASIAN CANAPES AT THE PILLSBURYS

Cocktails and buffet dinner this evening at the Georgetown home of Michael and Susan Pillsbury. It was on behalf of the Freer-Sackler Museum and its upcoming 25th anniversary. There will be a full story tomorrow on washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos I shot at the party:

LYCHEE MARTINIS FROM DESIGN CUISINE

THE BUFFET

THE PILLSBURYS ARE COLLECTORS OF RARE ASIAN ART AND ARTIFACTS

WILLEE LEWIS DIPS INTO A LYCHEE MARTINI

SUSHI TOWER IN THE KITCHEN

THE KITCHEN BAR

ORCHIDS AND CONVERSATION

SHE BLOCKED THE STAIRS! (HEH HEH HEH), BEAUTIFULLY

THE (GENTLE, LOVELY) ENTERTAINMENT

The Georgetown Jingle Announces Honorees

In the mailbox this evening, a press release. I quote it verbatim:

The sixth-annual Georgetown Jingle will spotlight thirteen young cancer patients receiving treatment through GeorgetownUniversity Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Programs. Each year the charitable holiday event, with the help of these Patient Ambassadors, brings awareness to childhood cancer; honors children and families coping with cancer; and raises funds for Georgetown’s programs. The 2011 Georgetown Jingle, sponsored by JDS Designs, Inc., Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., and The Washington Design Center, will be held at Four Seasons Hotel on Sunday, December 11.  

Since 2006, the Georgetown Jingle has raised $1.7 million for pediatric oncology programs at Georgetown University Hospital. The family-centered  event, co-chaired by Cynthia Bruno and Tamara Darvish, offers something for all ages and includes the CVS/pharmacy Children’s Workshop, DC Magazine Men’s Lounge, a silent auction, tastings by leading DC area chefs, and live entertainment, including a visit from Santa and his friends.

 The event also showcases themed holiday trees and vignettes created by the Washington area’s top designers. A team from Annapolis-based furniture and accessories manufacturer Niermann Weeks will design the majestic center tree, with the theme “Peaceable Kingdom.” Their tree and all the festive creations will be sold in advance for a fixed “Buy It Now” price or sold to the highest bidder during the event’s silent auction.

 Each participating designer partners with a young Patient Ambassador for theme and creative inspiration. The 2011 Georgetown Jingle participating designers and Patient Ambassadors are:

1.       Camille Beers (Camille Beers Design Studio) and Hannah P., Age 11

2.       Camille Saum, (Camille Saum Interior Design) and Avery P., Age 6                             

3.    Molly Kunselman & Caryn Cramer (Corcoran College of Art + Design) and Teresa H., Age 10

4.    Rosie Sauser (Cultivated Gardens, LLC) and Joseph P, Age 13                      

5.    Wendy Danziger (Danziger Design) and Jefferson Y., Age 9                                                   

6.    Gary Lovejoy (Gary Lovejoy Associates) and Adam R., Age 3                                    

7.    Gloria Blalock with Pottery Barn (Gloria Blalock Interiors) and Markel W., Age 10                    

8.    Dee Thornton (Houseworks Interiors) and Devan T., Age 5                                       

9.    Joe Ireland & Edith Gregson (J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture & Design) and Dylan V., Age 12

10.  Eleanor and Claire Niermann (Niermann Weeks) and Max R., Age 14; Ayden K. Age 4

11.  Patrick J. Baglino, Jr. (Patrick J. Baglino Jr. ASID Interior Design) and Anuj D. Age 2   

12.  Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey (SCW Interiors) and Kedar B., Age 6                                   

Despite their illnesses, the Georgetown patients are looking forward to the holidays. Avery P., who has partnered with Camille Saum, completed her Leukemia treatment in May 2011. Avery loves gingerbread houses and Christmas trees. Anuj D., paired with Patrick Baglino, recently completed his treatment for HemophagocyticLymphohistiocytosis or HLH. Anuj’s favorite thing about the holidays is “playing with his brother” and his holiday wish is for “candy and toys.”

Max R., who has partnered with Eleanor McKay and the Niermann Weeks team, is currently in remission from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Max loves the holiday song,” Frosty the Snowman,” but his favorite thing about the holidays: “no school.” Ayden K., also paired with McKay, started maintenance treatment in May 2011 for ALL. Ayden loves “Jingle Bells” and looks forward to Santa’s visit.

The Georgetown Jingle benefits the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Georgetown University Hospital. With Georgetown Jingle funds, the unit, in collaboration with Duke University and the National Institutes of Health, will be fully operational by the end of the year. The Georgetown Jingle will continue to support the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and, this year, will expand its support to include the development of a palliative care program, devoted to relieving pain and providing physical, psychological, and spiritual comfort to patients. The programs are directed by Dr. Aziza Shad, one of the region’s most respected oncologists.

The 2011 Georgetown Jingle will be held at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, on Sunday, December 11, from 4 to 8 pm. Tickets are $150 per person, $350 for families of four, $50 for kids 3-18, and free for children under 2. For more information about the event, visitwww.georgetownjingle.com.

NYSD Today: The Italians Live Like Guggenheims at DC's Villa Firenze

 DOIN' ALRIGHT: THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR'S WASHINGTON SPREAD

In the 21st century, with communications technology advancing at warp speed, leaders of nations can communicate with each other almost effortlessly. The role of ambassador, once so vital to these communications, has become more ceremonial, social and pro forma. But, at least for some ambassadors to Washington, it can be a very grand life. Just regard the photo above of Villa Firenze, the grace and favor home to Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant' Agata. Not bad digs at all for company housing. We're talking acres upon acres of beautiful lawn, a mansion with dozens of rooms, and a large pool, and gardens, and guest houses. Once upon a time it was home to the Guggenheims. 

Imagine attending a late spring lawn party there. Read on in my New York Social Diary column today here.