Washington Life Magazine: May 2005: FYIDC

FYIDC

Club Monaco Lending a Hand for Project Sunshine

Club Monaco, the international retail brand known for great modern style for both men and women, will be holding a shopping event on May 12 to benefit Project Sunshine, a non-profit group that provides numerous free services to children with cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.A 100 percent volunteer organization, Project Sunshine also has programs that help families cope with the illness of a child. The children that Project Sunshine reaches out to are normally in much pain, and can too easily lose their inner strength and drive to live, essential components to help them pull through long and arduous treatments.

For two decades, Club Monaco's distinctive design aesthetic and competitive prices brought the brand to the fashion forefront, capturing the attention of fashion editors and trendsetters around the world with updated classics and newer pieces that are the foundation of a modern wardrobe.Currently, Club Monaco operates 74 stores throughout North America and is wholly owned by Polo Ralph Lauren. Fifteen percent of the proceeds on May 12 will benefit the charity.

BMI Expands it's Washington Presence on Behalf of Music Writers and Publishers
by Consulting with PR talent, Janet Staihar

Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is expanding its Washington presence on behalf of music writers and publishers by consulting with local PR talent Janet Staihar. BMI represents more than 300,000 of today's most popular songwriters, composers and entertainers. BMI is a non-profit company that has been collecting license fees from music listeners, and, in return, pays those royalties to the talent they represent. Due to increasing illegal downloading and file sharing, BMI has heightened its efforts to maintain integrity in the music industry by enlisting Staihar. Staihar, a former wire service reporter on Capitol Hill, believes that if the power of copyright is undermined, creativity in the music industry will fade. BMI hopes that her involvement in the industry and other Washington events will help to raise awareness of BMI and its initiatives in the D.C. area, as well as maintaining the integrity of copyright.

America's Best Chef at CityZen

Food & Wine magazine has named Chef Eric Ziebold of The Mandarin Oriental's CityZen one of “America's Best New Chefs 2005.” Ziebold is one of ten chefs to receive the honor, and one of four D.C. chefs to ever receive the award. While his modern American cuisine is prepared with French techniques, items from the three-course prix fixe menu offer an updated American interpretation featuring the chef's creative twist. Ziebold opened CityZen in September 2004 with the desire to bring his culinary flair, vision and creativity to the nation's capital. After eight years at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry in Napa Valley, Ziebold returned to the city that gave him his culinary start. CityZen offers a number of different dining experiences. Guests can reserve a table in the 70-seat dining room with a view of the open kitchen, or sit at the bar to enjoy a signature cocktail or selections from the bar menu. Those who want “to see and be seen” can choose one of the tables in the lounge. The “Best New Chefs of America” will appear in the July 2005 issue of Food & Wine.

A New Hairstyle for a New Term

Recently, First Lady Laura Bush has begun sporting a newer version of her short layered haircut, prompting Washington Life to call and find out who cuts her hair. Our spies have spotted the First Daughters getting primped at Toka Salon, one of D.C.'s premier full service day spas with locations in Georgetown and Penn Quarter, and our suspicions were confirmed: Toka has indeed been styling the First Lady's hair since the Inauguration, contrary to other press reports. This comes as no surprise, because salon owner Nuri Yurt and his staff have been coifing politicians, power brokers, socialites and other celebrities for years. Toka also offers manicures and pedicures, facials, Microdermabrasion, body wraps and massage. For more information on the day spa, visit www.tokasalon.com. Photo by Stan Honda/Getty Images

Cady's Alley Offers More than Design

Cady's Alley has quickly become one of D.C.'s most prominent design districts, housing dozens of new shops in historic Federalist red-brick style buildings with modern lofted ceilings. Now, there is a quaint Austrian-style café with an outdoor patio. Opened by Cady's Alley developer Anthony Lanier, restaurant developer Paul Guzzardo and general manager Albrecht“Alfi” Clary, Leopold's Kafe Konditorei offers international light fare with an Austrian accent and a chic, stylized decor. Diners have raved about all of the items on the menu; however, you must try something from pastry chef Nancy Kershaner's amazing selections— the pastries are truly “to die for!” Breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties include soups, salads and small side dishes made with the freshest ingredients. The restaurant stays open until 1:30 a.m. and serves dinner until 10 p.m.