Social Scene

Brasserie Les Halles Bastille Races

The Georgetowner

July 2008

Photo: Winner of the waiter’s race, Macs Smith of Les Halles restaurant with Les Halles owner Philippe Lajaunie. They are flanked on both sides by Lady Liberty and Marie Anntoinette

This year marked the 34th anniversary of Washington’s original Bastille Race for Waiters & Waitresses who come from across the area to speed-walk the course between 12th and 13th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Charlie Brotman again emceed the event with all proceeds benefiting Best Buddies, the nonprofit which Anthony Shriver founded to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.  The political scene was represented by Vincent Gray, Phil Mendelson and Jack Evans.  Sponsorship included Champagne Taittinger and Volvic Mineral Water. Race winner Macs Smith attributed his triumph to the fact that “I have long legs.” – Mary Bird; Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

Happy Birthday Jodi Schneider

The Georgetowner

July 2008

Photo: Jodi blows out her candels

Andy Klafter invited friends to Teatro Goldoni to salute his wife’s birthday on July 15.  Chef Enzo Fargione prepared calamari and other treats with Furin’s providing celebratory cupcakes.  Jodi’s parents, Keith Lipert Linda Roth, Silvestro Conte, Janet Donovan and Jim Quiggle were among those joining in as Andy toasted “happy birthday to my wife.” - Mary Bird - Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

Stars Come Out for Banneker Memorial

The Georgetowner

July 2008

Photo: Left: Sculptor Tina Allen and Karen Richardson, a descendant of Benjamin Banneker, with a model of the winning design.

The Creative Coalition and the Washington Interdependence Council hooked up at The Park on 14th on June 25 to support the proposed construction of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial at L’Enfant Plaza -- and to showcase “Honeydripper,” director John Sayles’s latest film about 1950s Alabama and the birth of rock’n roll, co-starring Danny Glover, Charles Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Keb Mo. Born a free black, mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker surveyed the boundaries of the District of Columbia in 1791 for Pierre L’Enfant and Andrew Ellicott. (Banneker’s image is one of three design proposals for the new D.C. quarter dollar.) At the fundraiser were artistic types, such as the sculptor of the winning Banneker design: Tina Allen of California, who said her art aims to “show the full spectrum of black America. I can’t just have hip-hop people representing my people,” Allen said.

Broadway Barks

The Georgetowner

July 2008

Photo: Author Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters came to Politics and Prose on June 27 to read her book “Broadway Barks” illustrated by Liz Murphy and containing the author’s CD with a lullaby to Kramer, its hero and her own beloved adoptee.  The tale embodies every starlet’s dream of fame and fortune, in Kramer’s case, a loving family, good food and belly rub amply fill the bill.  We discover Kramer, formerly “Douglas,” a lovely dog in Central Park waiting to be found.  He makes his way to Broadway and eventual happiness with a new family and name.  Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore conceived Broadway Barks as a program to promote the adoption of shelter animals.  It has evolved into an event that has fostered cooperation among shelters and rescue groups throughout New York.  With a sound basis, the organization is now able to focus on education, responsible pet ownership and the importance of pet identification. - Mary Bird

A Rollicking Good Read

The Georgetowner

July 2008

Photo: Georgetown jeweler Bobbie Medlin with author Cathy Alter

Cathy Alter returned to the site of her wedding, the Artists Inn Residence, home of the Gerace family near Dupont Circle, on July 16 to sign her book “Up For Renewal - What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex and Starting Over. ”  A self-avowed mess with a failed marriage at age 37, Cathy decided to spend 12 months following the advice doled out by glossy magazines.  The hilarious romp rids her of upper-arm jiggle, debt and results in love and marriage as she comes down the Inn’s staircase inscribed with lines from Homer’s “Odyssey.”  The party hosted by Page Evans, Barbara Martin and Carrington Tarr featured wines from First Vine Wine Imports + Sales as well as goodie bags with the book and gift certificates including ones from Harriet Kassman “The Grande Dame from page 291.” - Mary Bird