First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

2012 is the Year of the Dragon on the lunar calendar celebrated by many Asian nations. In Chinese astrology, the Year of the Dragon arrived on Monday, January 23 and brings with it optimism and hope for better times ahead. Thus, we leave 2011, the Year of the Rabbit, full of cheers and changes for many, and losses and hardships for others. Wherever your paths took you in 2011, I wish you and yours a wonderful New Year and the best for 2012.

Peace to you all,

Showbiz in the kitchen.........

Elisir Featured in Where Magazine

"Elisir (say ell-iss-eer), the sleek showcase of Enzo Fargione (see cover), where lunch is bistro-moderate, but dinner is luxe—à la carte or a spectacular array of courses."

Al-fal-fa is a noun.......

Alfalfa of The Little Rascals

According to Webster's dictionary, alfalfa is a noun: a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage AND fodder. 

We think the fodder part explains it all.

She drew a crowd.....no pun intended,,,

Drew Barrymore

Photo credit: Paul Morigi

It was fitting that Drew Barrymore chose Washington as her Red Carpet location of choice for the premiere of her new film Big Miracle:  It benefited TAPS, (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) which cares for the families of the fallen and is based in D.C.

Shaking things up on Friday night.......

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

It was a quick trip to Barcelona and Tokyo, even by UBER standards, if you went to CITIES on Friday night.  No passport necessary.

If you see four horsemen .....duck and cover...

Christina Sevilla

by contributor Wendy Gordon

Photo credit: Alfredo Flores

It’s the end of the world as we know it…” to coin a phrase.  Or is it?  Apparently not.  The Mayan calendar ended Dec. 21, 2012, marking the end of a 5,126-year era.  

News Flash:  we’re all still here.  Kind of funny, if you have a dark sense of humor.

Button up and pass on the sick days........

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Photos by Neshan Naltchayan

Thankfully it wasn’t ‘all work and no play’ when a bustling crowd gathered Thursday for the annual Washington Business Journal Book of Lists Celebration.

The Year of the Dragon....intense. Beware.

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

“The Year of the Dragon has always ushered in excitement and exhilaration,” said General Manager of  The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Amanda Hyndman.  “To have a contest to name the dragon brings those characteristics to the forefront, engages our guests, and allows us to celebrate our Oriental heritage in a fun and unique way.”  The celebration was spectacular!

The Fabulous Glover Sisters....

Becca Glover Watkins Rep. Darrell Issa Juleanna Glover and look a-like daughter

The Glover sisters hosted a surprise birthday party for Becca.  Was she surprised?  We think so.

No ay problemo.....

Jose Andres and Alice Waters

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Language barriers didn’t play a part in the conversation between Chef Jose Andres and Alice Waters (founder of the Chez Panisse Restaurant and Cafe, the Edible Schoolyard and champion of the Slow Food movement) at The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s recent unveiling of a photographic portrait of food pioneer Alice Waters.

Down the rabbit hole....

Winston Lord  Ashley Taylor  Septime Webre

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

It was a magical trip down the rabbit hole for supporters of the Washington Ballet on Saturday evening during the Jete Society Gala; this year themed as the Mad Hatter's Dance Party.

"Danson's Best"

Ted Danson Rhoda Glickman and then head of MPAA Dan Glickman

Ted Danson, no stranger to Washington or Congress, is an avid environmentalist. 

  

Shown above at The Washington Press Club Foundation’s Annual Congressional Dinner a few years back, he exhibited his usual good humor and commented on his environmental group.

"Actor Ted Danson was in the house and wants to make it perfectly clear that he actually does not claim rights to an environmental brew named after him called “Danson’s Best”.  He might follow up on the idea though and contribute profits to his environmental group Oceana." Hollywood on the Potomac - Washington Life Magazine

U.S. Conference of Mayors

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York

by contributor Neshan H. Naltchayan

Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage nationwide, launched Mayors for the Freedom to Marry at a press conference during the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Day of Infamy.......

Official Movie Poster

If there's such a thing as an academy award for art imitating life, The Ides of March wins hands down  -  catch it before it leaves town.

Local filmmaker opens "OKA" in D.C.

Photo credit: Olivia Bruynoghe / Roland Films

Local filmmaker and environmentalist Lavinia Currier opened her third feature film at the West End Cinema on January 20th.   A fascinating look into her life and a way to understand how she arrived at her latest undertaking "OKA!" can be gleaned from then Washington Post writer Lloyd Grove's piece of 1998 at her estate in Fauquier County, Va. 

"A spread worthy of an heiress" as he called it.

Isn't that......

Tommy McFly and Jennifer Nyzc-Conner

Photo credit: Dave Phillipich

Guests at Nikki Schwab's birthday party fueled up and then sauntered over to Public Bar where co-owners Edwin Villegas and Paul DeFilippes hosted a VIP Friends and Family launch party with local 90's cover band White Ford Bronco to kick off the venue's new Public Rocks series - local bands on Thursday every month.  And this was on a "school" night....

What's a girl from Pittsburgh doing in a place like this?

Happy Birthday Nikki Schwab.

Yeas and Nays columnist turned ......28. ...  er... that would make her middle aged for most bloggers.....get over it.

A one ton cupcake?

Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne

Who would ever make a one ton cupcake?   Well, you're looking at them.

On the Shoulders of Giants

We couldn't help but sympathize with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looking up at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar while being appointed global cultural ambassador .....  you can file that under serious neck strain.

How to lose ten pounds in one night........

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jete Society

If you're looking for a quick fix to your New Year's Resolutions (yes, we know that weight loss is on your perennial list), Winston Lord and Ashley Taylor have the solution.  And no, it's not a free trial to a local gym or a copy of Hollywood's Best Kept Secret Diets or even The Hollywood Cookie Diet (although we hear the lemon is good) ---- it's the 5th Annual Jete Society's Gala for DC's young social circuit.

Foodie and the Beast

David and Nycci Nellis

Photo credit: Neshan Naltchayan

Foodie and The Beast (i.e. Nycci and David Nellis) premiered their quarterly brunch at Carmines on Sunday, part of their series of live broadcasts.

Seems like yesterday..........

Miss America 2012

“Ladies and gentlemen, the 90th anniversary Miss America; your Miss America 2011 is… Miss Nebraska Teresa Scanlan!”  Above, she crowns this year's Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin. (see below for Teresa's video interview at Cafe Milano last year hosted by Tammy Haddad) and see who gets to try on the crown and who doesn't.

Be a Hustler...Be a Smuggler....

"Legendary smuggler Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) had abandoned his life of crime to settle into a life of comfortable domesticity with his wife and their two young sons. But after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones of X-Men: First Class, No Country for Old Men), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi of Avatar, Public Enemies), Chris is forced back into doing what he does better than anyone—running contraband—to settle Andy’s debt. 

They Stole the Show

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Photo credit: Alfredo Flores

"This seems more like a nightclub than hotel" remarked one guest who was bopping to the beats of the DJ and looking for a peek of the Thievery pair. "I've never seen the hotel so lively."
  

In the Land of Blood and Honey

Writer-Director Angelina Jolie

by Janet Donovan

Prior to the  premiere of her new film In the Land of Blood and Honey shown at The Holocaust Museum, Angelina Jolie toured the exhibit on genocide prevention.  It was a stark reminder that some things never change.

On the Red Carpet with Angelina Jolie.......a teaser..

by Janet Donovan

It's not often that people in D.C. don't complain about waiting in the cold for a celebrity to arrive for a premiere, but no one seemed to mind waiting for Angelina Jolie.

and the winner is.......well, almost like in real time.....

Jordan Wright Chef Enzo Fargione Angie Goff

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Photo credit: Neshan Naltchayan

Penn Quarter's new elegant eatery Elisir isn't just an Italian food wonder, but a great place to mix it up.....as in the wondery of mixology.  Thirty guests were more than happy to participate in Wednesday night's straw poll themed evening to see which cocktail (each paired with a candidate) would get top billing in campaign land. 

"Libation Without Representation"

Mixologist Stephen Oshana

by Janet Donovan

Media folks who didn't get the opp to lush it up in Iowa got a second chance on Wednesday night. 

What's your name? Albert. No really, what's your name? Albert.

Mia Wasikowska and Glenn Close in ALBERT NOBBS

Photo Credit: Patrick Redmond

Roadside Attractions will hold an advance screening for Albert Nobbs at The West End Cinema on Friday.

Tic Tock...Tic Tock......Bring it on 2012

Hudson hosts Meredith Fineman (center), Matt and Andrew Friedson, Morgan Greenhouse, Julie Polinger

by contributor Brendan Kownacki 

As one more year ticked by on the calendar, downtown hot spots Lincoln and Hudson took a look back to ring in 2012.  Both spots opted for a retro approach to celebrating; Lincoln hosting a ‘roaring 20s’ theme and Hudson decked out in Mad Men chic for party-goers.

Here's looking at you 2012!

January 1st, 2012

Just say NO! "Eight Ways to Get What You Want in the New Year."

by Janet Donovan

There are many ways to get what you want in 2012 if you just say no. That may sound ominous, but best-selling author and leading negotiating coach Jim Camp thinks otherwise and insists that “no” is the single most effective way to get people to listen to you.