Social Scene

Halcyon Days with Obama

The Georgetowner

MAY 2008

Photo: David Hess, vice president, East and Southeast Asia field division, Conservation International; author George Pelecanos with his wife Emily; Donna Ayerst, program coordinator, Family Liaison Office, State Dept.; Rachel Elmendorf, executive manager and event coordinator. PHOTOS BY STIRLING ELMENDORF

On the eve of the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, which have all but earned presidential candidate Barack Obama the Democratic nomination -- creative as well as business types gathered at a fundraiser by “Artists and Writers for Obama” at Halcyon House on Prospect Street, overlooking the Potomac River. Among the speakers at the big back door of Halcyon House were Rep. Patrick Murphy, who represents Bucks County and parts of northeast Philadelphia, and who is the first and only Iraq War veteran in the U.S. Congress, and  D.C. crime writer and HBO’s “The Wire” co-producer George Pelecanos, who gave out and signed paperback copies of his novel, “Hard Revolution,” set during the 1968 D.C. riots, and is co-producing with Spielberg and Hanks, HBO’s “The Pacific,” a WWII miniseries about U.S. marines like “A Band of Brothers,” due out 2009. What a cool guy. . Word on the blogosphere is that the Obama campaign netted $70,000.

A Celebration of Spring on Book Hill

The Georgetowner

MAY 2008

Photo: Ed Solomon (ANC), Fred Hubig, Councilmember Jack Evans, Bill Starrels (ANC), Ron Lewis (ANC)

Since 2000, The Friends of Book Hill Park have transformed the park behind the Georgetown Library from a derelict, trash-filled space, which was a threat to public safety, to a well maintained and lovely haven for residents and visitors alike.  On Apr. 27, Friends and the Shops at Book Hill hosted a celebratory gathering at Addison/Ripley Fine Art.  Honored guests included Councilmember Jack Evans, representatives from the Executive Office of the Mayor, ANC members and new Second District Police Commander Mark Carter, who delighted the crowd by spontaneously leading a lively and profitable auction.  Proceeds from this heart-warming community effort attended by many immediate neighbors will go towards the restoration and maintenance of the park.  In the aftermath of last year’s library fire, the number one priority is to install an irrigation system.  All donations have been from private sources.  For additional information, please contact Felicia Stidham, 202 333-0270, Felicia@FeliciaStidham.com. - Mary Bird

CARE

The Georgetowner

MAY 2008

Photo: Dr. George and Rima Bitar Photos by Cynthia Carson, CARE

To launch the activities surrounding the 62nd anniversary of CARE, which will include a diplomatic reception hosted by this years International Chair for CARE, the British Ambassador, and Lady Sheinwald as well as an evening of embassy dinners, this years co-chairs Dr. George and Rima Bitar gave a rooftop sunset reception at the Hay Adams Hotel on May 4.  The evening was picture perfect as guests enjoyed an “insiders” view of the White House and Washington at its finest.  The Bitars feel a close connection to CARE as within days of their July 2006 wedding in their native Lebanon a crisis hit the country and CARE responded with essential emergency relief to assist their family left behind.  Dr. Bitar concluded his remarks with a favorite Churchill quote “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”- Mary Bird