Jonathan Silver, Melissa Moss

Location: Melissa Moss and Jonathan Silver Residence, Georgetown

WL EXCLUSIVE- Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Bountiful Fare: Investment advisor Melissa Moss and venture capitalist Jonathan Silver invited pals for margaritas, “poison apple” martinis, and other dual seasonal offerings that included Design Cuisine’s summery lobster rolls, burgers, fries and oh-so autumnal shepherd’s pies and butternut ravioli. Catch-Up Time: Guests from the political, media, and financial worlds reconnected over tales of vacations past and work projects to come. Among them: Reps. John Dingell and Henry Waxman, John Podesta, David and Katherine Bradley, and George and Liz Stevens.

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Becky Lee

Location: Nationals Stadium

WL SPONSORED- Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Homerun! Becky’s Fund and the Washington Nationals  partnered to raise awareness of domestic violence at an evening game where volunteers, sponsors, and VIP guests watched the action from the comfort of club-level boxes. The nationally-recognized nonprofit group, created by Washington’s own Becky Lee, has developed an impressive network of support for local victims and has established prevention-based educational programs with universities and communities nationwide to change the behavior and thinking behind issues that cause and perpetuate domestic violence.

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Jean-Marie Fernandez, Alexander Fernandez, Alina Fernandez

Location: Raul and Jean-Marie Fernandez Residence, Potomac, Md.

WL SPONSORED- Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Location: The Hilton Washington

WL SPONSORED: Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

PAWING AROUND: Leashes were must-have accessories at the Washington Humane Society’s formal canine affair, which included a VIP reception and silent auction to raise funds for the ever-growing animal rescue organization. Chaired by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the evening featured gourmet dog treats from Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique as well as human fare. SPOTTED: Marcus Rincon, Meg Claire, Jill Lewis, Max Rabin, Joanna McIntosh, Jerry Young, Emma Brown, and Jacob Fenston.

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Remember your event forever with photographs by these talented artists.

Group portrait from 2008 Balls and Galas by Clay Blackmore

Joseph Allen
Portrait, event and editorial photography
www.jallenimages.com
joseph@jallenimages (703) 980-8688

Clay Blackmore
Weddings, portrait and editorial photography
www.clayblackmore.com
(301)-670-3232

James R. Brantley
Weddings, portrait, events, and editorial photography
www.jamesrbrantleyphotography.com
jrbrantley@mac.com, (240)476-2285

Luke Christopher
Weddings, portrait, and event photography
www.lukechristopher.com
luke@lukechristopher.com, (202)494-2525

Betsy Spruill Clarke
Portrait, event and editorial photography
www.betsyphotography.com
foto.maven@gmail.com, (240)731-8485

Tim Coburn
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
www.timcoburnphoto.com
timcoburn@timcoburnphotos.com, (202)368-4557

Rory Cox
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
www.4-optic.com/
erin@4-optics.com, (410) 633-4540

Len Depas
Weddings, portrait and editorial photography
www.lendepasphoto.com
ldepas@aol.com, (202) 362-8111

Jonah Koch
Weddings, portrait, editorial and event photography
www.kochfoto.com
jonah@kochfoto.com, (202)674-2428

Gary Landsman
Corporate, advertising and editorial photography
www.garylandsman.com
gary@landsmanphoto.com, (301)-529-6155

David Michele
Wedding and portrait
www.davidmichele.com

Tony Powell
Event, editorial, and Fine Art photography
www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
tonypowells@gmail.com, 301-343-7805

Kyle Samperton
Event and editorial photography, portraits and weddings
irishfoal@aol.com, (301)928-1499

Douglas Sonders
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
http://www.sondersphotography.com/
douglas@sondersphotography.com, (703)618-4110

Hostess Mirella Levinas, book editor Hossein Amirsadeghi, and Fariba Jahanbani

Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Hostess Mirella Levinas, book editor Hossein Amirsadeghi, and Fariba Jahanbani at the launch of Different Sames: New Perspectives in Iranian Art.

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Hosts Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos

Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

Hosts Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos at the Clinque-sponsored cocktail party for Lee Woodruff’s Perfectly Imperfect – A Life in Progress.

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Desirée Rogers, Yoriko Fujisaki, and Lisa Dobbs

Location: Wayne and Lea Berman Residence

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

ALL IN THE FAMILY: A (mostly) ladies luncheon honoring Cathy Russell, a former administrative assistant to (then-Sen.) Joe Biden, who now works as Dr. Jill Biden’s chief of staff. NOTHING LIKE ‘AT HOME’: Guests appreciated the chance to chat at the leisurely and rather rare mid-week affair at the Berman residence, once owned by arts patron Paul Mellon. ONE OF OUR OWN: Mrs. Berman most wisely and thoughtfully added several wise advisors to the list – fellow former White House social secretaries Letitia Baldrige, Capricia Marshall, Gahl Hodges Burt, and Ann Stock, plus former chief of protocol Lucky Roosevelt.

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Location: Senate Square

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

STARRY NIGHT: The sprawling rooftop of Abdo Development’s Senate Square on I Street set the scene for a cozy summer evening’s party to benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation – MidAtlantic. Women wore summer frocks, guests sat poolside to watch the sunset, and everyone chipped in to help heal the spirits of seriously ill children through medical technology, entertainment, education, and family activities. IN ATTENDANCE: Abe and Charlotte Genderson, Dave Pollin, Al Troub, Estie and Ed Lipsit, Cathy Binder, Jaqueline Falk, Gary Carpentier, Claire Mellinger, John Sullivan, Annie and Mike Magruder, JT Scully, Liz Dougherty, Elizabeth Edmunds, and Jan King. 

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Carmen James Lane and Danielle Reyes

Location: Ronald Reagan Building

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

RING RING: Fight For Children’s annual School Night bash rocked the gym – or more specifically, the Ronald Reagan Building – with an all-star musical line-up that included Naturally 7, Sheila E and the E Family Project, and Wyclef Jean. The night celebrated excellence in District schools. HIGH MARKS: Emcee and board member Patti Austin showed her vocal talents by sitting in with Wyclef Jean on a few tunes while the city’s leading educators and school board members loosened up and got down on a Friday (not a school night). ROLL CALL: Mayor Adrian and Michelle Fenty, Tony Williams, Katherine Bradley, Keith Wade, and Joe Robert.

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Kristina Roberson and Cocoa

Location: The Hilton Washington

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

PAWING AROUND: Leashes were must-have accessories at the Washington Humane Society’s formal canine affair, which included a VIP reception and silent auction to raise funds for the ever-growing animal rescue organization. Chaired by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the evening featured gourmet dog treats from Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique as well as human fare. SPOTTED: WHS President Lisa LaFontaine, Marcus Rincon, Meg Claire, Jill Lewis, Max Rabin, Joanna Macintosh, Jerry Young, Emma Brown, and Jacob Fenston.

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Victoria Keich, Jerzy Wrobel, and Natalia Marakova

Location: DAR Constitution Hall and the Organization of American States

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke, Karin Cooper, and Russell Hirshon

“FROM MY LATIN SOUL”: Plácido Domingo & Company’s thrilling renditions of Latin music favorites, featuring a full orchestra, rising opera stars and talented flamenco, tango, and folkloric dancers, kept the audience firmly planted throughout four encores – or was it five? RHUMBA TIME!: At the post-midnight supper dance where 300  benefactors paid $1,000-and-up to cozy up to the cast, including soprano Virginia Tola,  chic and talented young conductor Alondra de la Parra and her handsome husband Carlos Zedillo Velasco (son of ex-Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo), Mexican Amb. Arturo Sarukhan and wife Veronica, co-chairwomen Lucky Roosevelt and Isabel Ernst,  Robert Duvall, Vicki Sant, and Jim Kimsey.

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Carey Lowell, Richard Gere and Sheila Johnson

Location: Ronald Reagan Building

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

ACTORS AND ACTIVISTS: For the first time CARE’s annual advocacy conference was teamed with its yearly gala to bring together donors, corporate partners, and civic leaders to discuss global poverty issues and celebrate CARE’s work. The first day’s workshop was capped off with a benefit honoring social activist and philanthropist Richard Gere. IN ATTENDANCE: CARE president and CEO Helene Gayle, Michael Franti, ‘I am Powerful’ award recipient Arnulfa Romero Cruz, Eduardo Martinez, and emcee Tracey Neale.

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Ashley Taylor and Coventry Burke

Location: Embassy of Italy

WL SPONSORED - Photos be Betsy Spruill Clarke

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS: A major anniversary honoring Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) for their Congressional refugee protection efforts and CNN founder Ted Turner, who was “interviewed” by the network’s ace foreign correspondent Christiane Amanpour about his savvy news sense and philanthropic impulses. MAGIC MOMENT: Turner recalling that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan “nearly fainted” at his revelation of a $1 billion gift to the U. N. Foundation. CELEB SCENE: Emcee Sam Waterston charmed the crowd despite a lengthy program, Richard Holbrooke spoke about Pakistan, and actor Matt Dillon ventured into foreign policy matters along with of Sen. Joe Lieberman, Wolf Blitzer, Kara Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Richard Ben-Veniste, poker star Annie Duke, and event chairmen Michael and Mariella Trager.

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Kevin Bacon and Sosie Bacon

Location: L2 Lounge

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke and Stirling Elmendorf

GETTING STARTED: Impact Arts + Film Fund teamed with Funny or Die and Washington Life to launch the WHCAD week-end at a celeb-packed “First Amendment” party where President Obama’s wunderkind speechwriter, Jon Favreau, was spotted cozying up to actress Rashida Jones, Kevin Bacon came and went, and a very blond Megan McCain tried to avoid photographers. GETTING NOTICED: The Funny or Die guys, who made the high-five famous again, couldn’t help noting that Washington is now teeming with “lookers.”

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Amy Donnelly, Amy Baier, and Darcy Jones

Location: The Andrew Mellon Auditorium

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

MIRACLE WORK: More than 500 donors to the Children’s National Medical Center gathered for a dinner of steak and skate, a live auction, and dancing to the cult-favorite Neil Diamond cover band, Super Diamond – all in support of this world-renowned Washington-based pediatric research hospital. LIVING PROOF: During dinner, ball co-chairman and FOX News White House correspondent Bret Baier shared the story of his son, who was born in 2007 with a potentially fatal heart defect, and has had two major surgeries at the hospital in the past two years. Baier then video-conferenced the healthy, energetic two year-old onto the stage, and Paul Baier waved to guests before asking his father about a toy train. Title sponsorship was provided for the ninth year in a row by Washington Area Lexus Dealers. IN THE CROWD: Some of the city’s most engaging young philanthropists (many of whom are parents of young children), including Elissa and Tom Davidson, Sarah and David Steinberg, Jen and Scott Frederick, and Liz and Dave Roberts.

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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.

Prince Fahad Al-Saud and Bayanne Surdashi

Location: Residence of the Ambassador of Yemen

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

THE EVENT: Yemeni Ambassador Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri hosted an intimate dinner for Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud and Prince Bandar Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud, who were visiting from Saudi Arabia. Over a meal of traditional Yemeni specialties, the two royal brothers discussed U.S. relations with the Middle East with such well-informed guests as Tom Friedman (New York Times), Bayanne Surdashi (Al-Hurra), and Jay Newton-Small (Time), who all regularly report on the region.

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Maura Reidy and Sharon Amorosi

Location: Sassanova, Georgetown

WL SPONSORED - Photos by Betsy Spruill

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Shoes and cupcakes set the scene for the Georgetown boutique’s fifth anniversary fête where customers and friends of owners Sassy Jacobs and Sarah Cannova shopped for trendy new merchandise while snacking on Georgetown Cupcakes’ finest and sipping Moët et Chandon champagne. THE SHOPPERS: Sophie Pyle, Katie Curtin, Michelle Maddox, Shannon Burkhart, Adam Stifel, and Lauren Yalich.