During a Hay Adams Rooftop Luncheon Honoring John Grisham, the best-selling author talks to WL about his D.C. roots and how Kindle is changing the book industry

By Michael Clements

The Hay Adams has a long history of book salons. Throughout the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, notable authors, including Mark Twain and Edith Wharton, congregated at the home of John Hay and Henry Adams (now the site of The Hay-Adams) to discuss politics, art and literature. The Hay-Adams Select Author Series was launched to recapture that tradition. The latest author to participate is lawyer/best-selling scribe John Grisham. Grisham was in Washington recently to receive the Library of Congress’s first National Book Festival Award for Creative Achievement, presented at the National Book Festival on September 27, 2009. He latest book The Associate – a legal thriller – is now out and garnishing rave reviews.

On the new book, Janet Maslin of the The New York Times says, “GRISHAM HAS A FIELD DAY…The Associate grabs the reader quickly and becomes impossible to put down.”

Patrick Anderson of The Washington Post, states “Grisham makes it easy for us to keep flipping the pages…A DEVASTATING PORTRAIT OF THE BIG-TIME, BIG-BUCKS LEGAL WORLD.”

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Karin Tanabe explores Michelle Obama’s modern style and the fashionable women who came before her

Michelle Obama brings a refreshingly modern style to Washington. Loyal, as Pat Nixon was, to American designers, Mrs. Obama has helped lesser known names like Jason Wu, who designed her inauguration gown, and Chicago-based Maria Pinto, make headlines. When her daughters wore J. Crew coats, and she J.Crew gloves, during her husband’s swearing in ceremony, the company’s shares went up 10 percent the following day. At the inaugural balls, Mrs. Obama dressed with appropriate glamour, wearing 61-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond earrings by Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Loree Rodkin. The jewelry was on loan to the first lady and will be donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

While conjuring images of first lady elegance in the White House, fond memories recall the timeless grace of Jacqueline Kennedy and the Hollywood glamour of Nancy Reagan. Mrs. Kennedy exuded chic by wearing the fashions of domestic designers, like Oleg Cassini, and classic French couturiers like Chanel and Dior. Mrs. Reagan was loyal to American designer James Galanos, but also looked across the pond to Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino. Arriving on the heels of one of the most frugal first ladies ever, Rosalynn Carter (who even brought a sewing machine with her to Pennsylvania Avenue), Nancy Reagan dressed with unapologetic glamour. Her wardrobe for her husband’s second inauguration was estimated at $46,000.
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Location: Kuwait Embassy Residence

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos By Tony Powell

DARLING DAUGHTER: The 10th anniversary celebration of the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School would have passed unnoticed under most circumstances. Having Jenna Bush (a former third-grade teacher there) and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty as guests of honor guaranteed a hefty donor base plus a thank-you dinner hosted by Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and his wife, Rima, that attracted not only Ms. Bush’s mother, First Lady Laura Bush, but her new husband, Henry Hager, as well.

PROGRAM NOTES: A heartfelt tribute for the famously low-profile First Daughter by her slightly elder twin, Barbara Bush, and another for Mayor Fenty by D.C. Schools’ sizzlin’ Chancellor Michelle Rhee were followed by a performance by the Compassionates, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten’s band, with Dede McClure and Meryl Chertoff providing vocal accompaniment.

Joe Alsop’s controversial design irritated the neighbors but ensured a comfortable retreat for President John F. Kennedy and other high-placed friends. Senior Editor Kevin Chaffee reports that recent owners John and Irene Danilovich both appreciate and share its beauty, spaciousness, and light.

By Kevin Chaffee
Photography Len Depas

The cinderblock and brick pile at 2720 Dumbarton Street, N.W., can hardly be considered an “historic home,” although many historical figures have gathered there throughout the years. President John F. Kennedy considered it a “safe house” where he could mingle freely with friends, confident that his words (and perhaps even a few deeds) would never be leaked. Prime ministers, presidents, Congressional leaders, diplomats, journalists, and the crème de la crème of international society knew it well — and many still do. “If only the walls could talk!” as they say.

Now its most recent occupants are leaving. John Danilovich, a former ambassador to Brazil and Costa Rica who currently dispenses billions in global aid as head of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, will take leave of his post when the Bush Administration ends. He and his wife, Irene, daughter of the late Baron Charles Forte, the British hotel magnate, have recently sold their residence and will re-locate to rented quarters before their January return to London. While packing, they graciously grant Washington Life a first-and-last tour of one of the city’s most fascinating houses.
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WL’s highly anticipated list of those we consider are the future leaders of Washington.

Since its debut two years ago, the release of The Young & The Guest List annually creates quite a buzz. The issue sells out in three-days, we receive lengthy nomination letters and last year, several tried to crash our party. We become just as excited about this issue, because it seems this is the only time the spotlight is brightly shined on the under forty set whose formidable accomplishments including best-selling books, multi-million dollar companies, congressional seats and mayorships sometimes go without their deserved fanfare.

Each year, we sit down with a committee to compile a list of 150 members who significantly contribute to the vibrancy of city. More often their names are unknown: are sometimes overshadowed by their boss (these range from the President to financial heavyweight David Rubenstein), perhaps they rarely go out because their writing groundbreaking State policy on Africa or maybe they are helping to securing an election for their candidate. Make no doubt though, these are the future faces of Washington, who behind the scenes are an integral part of making this country work. Listees range from the president of the Corcoran 1869 Society to our very own Mayor and his wife, to award-winning filmmakers and authors. For the third time, we present The Young & The Guest List.

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There is a certain je ne sais quoi about a party and much like romantic chemistry it’s either there or it’s not. More often than not it’s the guests of a party, which add the flair that makes an event a success or “just another party.” Our 2nd annual The Young and the Guest List presents Washington members of society under 40, who, to cut to the chase, are the je ne sais quoi of the young social scene. The list represents a generation of social up and comers and firmly established personalities, who have proven themselves through their philanthropic and professional efforts, and style. Our social committee welcomes suggestions below

A
Miss Huma Abedin
Mr. James Alefantis
Mr. Michael Allen
Mr. Steve Andronico

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