Celebrating the release of the new 2010 Cadillac SRX, local car aficionados strolled the red carpet at Jim Coleman Cadillac in Bethesda.

By John Arundel

Jessica Bacon, Robert Bacon

CARRIAGE OF CHOICE: Bethesda commuters must have done a double-take when they spied a red carpet, spotlights, step-and-repeat and paparazzo set up outside Jim Coleman Cadillac on Oct. 21. Cristina Maria Events transformed the showroom of the dealership into a luxurious showplace, with an after-work bash hosted by Washington Life magazine in honor of the newly released 2010 Cadillac SRX.

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A stubborn, aggressive nor’easter pelted Washingtonians with four days of non-stop rain, combined with skin-biting wind and chilly temperatures. But it didn’t stop Washington Life and Gold Cup aficionados from having a great time!

By John Arundel

Carissa Maguire, Lauren Pomponio, Keri Ann Meslar. Photos by Kyle Samperton.

If J. Barbour & Sons had set up shop Saturday at the The International Gold Cup races in The Plains, they might have set a world record for same-day sales of British-made sporting jackets. Barbour’s sturdy wax cotton jackets were much in evidence at the 70th running of the renowned race meeting, as were North Face Arctic Pullovers, Chillkats and insulated Windstopper jackets.

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Joyce Wang and Jennifer Zhou

Location: Ketchup and Aloft at National Harbor

WL HOSTED – Photos by Kyle Samperton

AHOY THERE: WL’s Sunday “staycation” at National Harbor celebrated the openings of the West Hollywood eatery Ketchup (made famous by its frequent cameos on The Hills) and Aloft, Starwood’s ultra-chic new hotel. SUNDAY FUNDAY: The day began with brunch, mimosas, and BloodyMarys at Ketchup. Afterwards, guests explored National Harbor’s many varied businesses and shops (using discount offers they received in generous goodie bags). The day wound down at Aloft’s wxyx bar with fusion cocktails and musical stylings by DJ Adrian Loving. A perfect chic way to spend a Sunday out of the city.

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Caron and Andrea Butler

Location: Capitol Plaza and Ibiza Nightclub

WL HOSTED - Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke, Luke Christopher, Fitsum Bellay, Anchyi Wei, and Carol Joynt/NYSD

THE EVENT: This year’s soirée got the accomplished listees down to the growing NoMa district, just north of Union Station. Capitol Plaza, the new-office-space-turned-spectacular-lounge was brimming with political stars from the White House, professional athletes, the arts crowd, journalists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and young social scenesters. THE SCENE: Event planner André Wells turned the salute to the under-40 set into a night to remember. The industrial space featuring a sweeping view of the city was transformed with towering floral arrangements from Janet Flowers, food tiers by Design Cuisine and Georgetown Cupcake, and sashaying models in outfits from CUSP. The 500 guests took a turn on the dance floor, then settled back in Roche Bobois’ sleek lounge areas. The midnight revelers then made their way to Ibiza Night Club to carouse ’till dawn. THE GUESTS: Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman, George Chopivsky and Clara Brillembourg, Chris Hayes, and Jason Van Buren.

John Podesta and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo by Tony Powell

Location: The Fairfax at Embassy Row and Jockey Club Lounge

WL HOSTED EVENT – Photos by Tony Powell, Kyle Samperton, and Joseph Allen

A musical celebration with speaker Nancy Pelosi, John Podesta and Warren Haynes

TRANSITION TOASTS: The week of inauguration festivities kicked off with a Washington Life hosted high-octane gathering of power players who were at the heart of the presidential transition and inauguration planning teams.

THE SCENE: Festivities were co-sponsored by The Atlantic, National Journal, Celebrity Service International, and the Washington Capitals. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Presidential Transition Team Co-Chair John Podesta made remarks before guitar virtuoso Warren Haynes wowed the crowd with two sets, including U2’s “One” in honor of Pelosi and Podesta.

ROLL CALL: Larry Summers, Don and Megan Beyer, Michael Strautmanis, Christine Varney, Michelle Jolin, Michael Warren, Chris Matthews, Marne Levine, Vince Panvini, Todd Thompson, and Sen. Mark Warner, amongst other members of Congress and ambassadors.

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Courtney Ford and Brandon Routh. Photo by Tony Powell.

Location: Kafé Leopold and L2, Cady’s Alley – Georgetown

WL HOSTED EVENT - Photos by Tony Powell and Ira Wexler

A-LIST INAUGURATION DINNER: Perennial Sports & Entertainment and the Impact Film Fund teamed-up with WL for its annual Pollywood dinner bringing celebrities and politicos together after the inauguraton of Barack Obama.

CO-HOSTS: Jessica Alba, Jeffrey Wright, Sarah Silverman, & Hill Harper. Others dining on artisanal cuisine and melding Hollywood and Washington power included Bethany Yarrow, John Pemberton, Jo Cooper, Arnie Wellman, Royal Roth, and Eli Pariser.

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Sheila Johnson and Bill Newman

Location: Salamander Farm, Middleburg, Va.

WL EXCLUSIVES – Photos by Tony Powell 

THE EVENT: Sheila Johnson and Bill Newman’s Hunt Country-style picnic “to celebrate the great work of Sibley Memorial Hospital.”  THE SCENE: Equinox chef Todd Gray fired up the grills to provide BBQ favorites for patrons of Sibley’s Nov. 1 Celebration of Hope & Progress Gala at the Four Seasons amid general enthusiasm about raising funds for the Sullivan Center for Breast Health and a new facility, expected to open in 2013, that will feature individual patient rooms and expanded emergency care facilities.  

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Jimmy Smits, Miss D.C. 2008 Kate Marie Grinold, and Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld

Location: Gazuza

WL HOSTED – Photos by Tony Powell

THE SCENE: Noche de Gala may have come to a close, but Reston Limo was waiting to transport guests, including actors Jimmy Smits, Efren Ramirez, and Aimee Garcia, to Gazuza, where the party kept going at a WL-hosted afterparty. Big names socialized with guests at the bar, and everyone enjoyed Bacardi mojitos in the posh lounge and spacious patio, where the scent of hookah smoke filled the late-summer air. THE GUESTS: Actor Diane Minshall, Becca Glover and Pepper Watkins, Jessica Rich, Kristen Cook,  and Jessica Gibson.

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Landmark E Street Cinema and ESPN Zone

Photos by Tony Powell

DC United’s Rob Cann and Clyde Simms

THE EVENT: The Washington premiere of Kicking It, a documentary film chronicling the lives of six soccer players as they prepare for the Homeless World Cup in Capetown, South Africa. THE SCENE: The film’s executive producers, including Ted Leonsis, Jack Davies, Raul Fernandez and Soroush Shehabi, welcomed sports, media and business players to the two sold-out screenings. The lively Q&A sessions and after-party included an opportunity to meet some of the homeless world cup players as well as DC United stars. THE GUESTS: Kandy Stroud, Juleanna Glover, and Wyatt and Tandy Dickerson.