Are you a winner or a loser?

Jackie Kucinich  Christopher Reiter  Jay Newton Small

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

A winner or loser in a G-Zero world that is. 

As Ian Bremmer, author of "Every Nation for Itself", puts it: "If you're swimming and there's a shark, you don't have to outrun the shark, you just have to out swim you're sister."   yikes.

Or to put it another way:  "If you're a camper with other campers, you're being chased by a bear, you don't have to outrun the bear, you have to outrun other campers." yikes.

Everything's Better When it's FRESH!

Adam Lambert

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

The house was rocking over the long weekend when the team from 94.7 Fresh FM overtook the Gaylord National Resort for the first annual FRESHtival.  The all day music fest was fun for the whole family and included performances from Scars on 45, Junior Doctor, Erin Willett, and Adam Lambert. 

We'll have what their having!

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fabergé celebrated the opening of its New York flagship with Champagne, caviar, fabulous jewels.........all part of the US launch and the opening of its first boutique in the country.

Do you meet the criteria?

Stephanie Greenfield, Jason Binn, Nicole Vecchiarelli, Kevin Ryan and Keith Pollack

Photo credit: Chantal Botana

and Janet Donovan  

While Katy Perry partied incognito in the Hamptons at The South Pointe Club over the weekend, Haley and Jason Binn were a visible presence at The Bridgehampton Surf & Tennis Club celebrating the start of summer and the up-coming launch of Du Jour Magazine with their team: Alan Katz, Cynthia Lewis, Gayle Sobel, Keith Pollock, and Nicole Vecchiarelli along with partners: Lisa and Jimmy Cohen and Kevin Ryan.  Bonfires and children included.

Fifty-One Books and Counting!

by columnist Donna Shor

Photo credit:  Courtesy of The Hay Adams

Kay Enokido of The Hay Adams Hotel hosted a fascinating lunch for her Author Series, this time featuring Joyce Carol Oates and the signing of her latest novel “Mudwoman.”

Oates, America’s and possibly the world’s most prolific author, started writing at age fourteen after her grandmother happened to give her a typewriter.

And the real stars shone....

Joe Mantegna greets an American hero

by contributor Maria Fda Giron R.
Photo credit:  PenFed Foundation

"I think people have forgotten the soldiers of America and it's very sad that this country has a short memory!" said actor Joe Mantegna at the PenFed Foundation's 8th gala: "Eight Annual Night of Heroes Gala: Honoring the Heroes at Home" at the Ritz-Carlton.

"California 37"

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

On May 23rd, Pat Monahan and the guys from Train stopped by The Hamilton in downtown DC for a private show with 94.7 Fresh FM, hosted by Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis. 

My... that's a lot of chairs....

Doreen Gentzler

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The University of District of Columbia celebrated it's 160^th Year of Scholarship and Achievement in the Nation’s Capital at the Mayflower Hotel.

Yes. THAT Train.

by contributor Wendy Gordon
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

Ladies and gentlemen:  We give you Train.  No, We aren’t raising funds for Amtrak.  No.  We aren’t talking WMATA.  We’re talking the San Francisco based GRAMMY winning band.  Yes.  THAT Train.

Do you have the right attitude to be the new Martini star?

Photo credit: GLOBAL LAUNCH OF MARTINI® Royale Casting with designer Christian Louboutin

"MARTINI, one of the most iconic brands in the world, launched a new campaign to find the next female MARTINI advertising star with Christian Louboutin as the international judge. 

Named after the MARTINI Royale drink, The MARTINI Royale Casting is a global search to find a woman who demonstrates the philosophy of MARTINI ‘LUCK IS AN ATTITUDE.’ 

They....We....Are serious...

Ashley Judd

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

“For some wonderful and improbable reason, I’ve been given extraordinary access to vulnerable people who shared with me their stories.  The girls and women have this remarkable desire to live, to improve their lives, to achieve their outcomes for themselves and certainly for their families.

Between rain and cocktails…

Amanda McClements, Winston Lord and Kate Bennett

by columnist Maria Fda Giron R.

Photo credit: Joy Asico

What would be the reason for Amanda McClements, DC’s resident food connoisseur at Metrocurean; Mark Drapeau of Microsoft; Svetlana Legetic, mastermind behind Brightest Young Things; Winston Lord of Venga and Rich Amons of The Real Housewives of DC to meet in one place on a rainy Wednesday night?

Mamie's Mile....

CNN's Dana Bash

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Mamie's Mile is a one-mile walk/run to benefit The National Down Syndrome Society which took place in the Spring Valley neighborhood this year. 

Your daily Cannes fix......

Sean Penn, Petra Nemcova, Paul Haggis

Photo credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images

“People say that a great actor is by nature egocentric and that a great director is focused on his art.  Sean Penn is both a great actor and director. 

What he does above and beyond that for the people and the land of Haiti, giving freely of himself, his abiding presence, his work – one could almost say the work of his own hands – his whole discreet, human, moral and altruistic involvement as a benefactor, commands our greatest respect.”   Gilles Jacob - critic, essayist, filmmaker and personality in the world of French cinema and first managing director of the Cannes Film Festival. 

You've gotta have heart.....

Larry King with Murray SawChuck

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Larry and Shawn King along with dinner Chairman Daniel M. Snyder, Owner of The Washington Redskins, and event emcees noted Washington DC news anchor Leon Harris and ABC 7's Alison Starling honored Wayne LaPierre and Dr. Robert Salem CMO Emeritus Covenant Heath System at the Annual Gala.

Lighthearted fun in Cannes....

Photo credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" stars Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo who join a traveling circus in an effort to get back home to New York.

"Bad Boy" gets his way, for good...

Giorgio Armani, Sean Penn, Petra Nemcova, Paul Haggis and Lyle Lovett

Photo credit:  Vittorio Zunino Celotto/WireImage for Electrolux 2012

Sean Penn is angry as hell and not going to take it anymore.  

He didn't have to at The Festival de Cannes which welcomed "Haiti: Carnival in Cannes," a benefit event presented by Giorgio Armani in support of Sean Penn’s J/P HRO, Paul Haggis’ Artists for Peace and Justice and Petra Nemcova’s Happy Heart’s Fund for their united and extraordinary work in Haiti.

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.....

Well actually  ......  if you take all the possible kinds of beer in the US, there would be closer to 13,000 bottles of beer on your wall according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association. 

What's for dinner?

Hmmm...too close for comfort?

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Well, the dinner menu would depend on what side of the fence you're on.  Just sayin'.

On the road again....

by contributors Brendan Kownacki

and Wendy Gordon

Kababji Grill, Dupont Circle's Lebanese treasure, is expanding their hold in the DC area............but it's not a new store front they are opening.  Instead, their newest venture is a food truck to spread their signature cuisine across the city. 

Olney goes Italian.....

Chef Enzo Fargione and Lisa Mushaw

Photo credits: Doug Terry and Judy Newton

The Olney Farmers and Artists Market opened for its sixth full season on Mothers Day

and will stay open Sundays through Nov. 4.

While there were lots of hits including Belgian waffles and Vietnamese specialties, Chef Enzo Fargione of ELISIR in D.C.'s Penn Quarter and Lisa Mushaw were a formidable duo.

OK, we get it!

Admiral General Aladeen spotted on a luxury yacht at Hotel Du Cap

Photo credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

So, it's the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival and who gets to go?   Calling all dictators.

A new look for DC Fashionistas?

Jakarta Fashion Week 2012 concludes its week long celebration of Indonesia’s finest creative talents.

Right up there with kissing Brando......

Ross Perot

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

When Larry King signed off on his 25 years as CNN's popular talks show host, it generated lists of his best interviews.  Kissing Marlon Brando on the lips was tops.  Amongst the other top ten, you could say that his interview debate with then running presidential candidates Al Gore and Ross Perot drew memorable chuckles.

Making a difference.....

Matt Dillon and Lauren Bush Lauren

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Last week, big names from Hollywood and the diplomatic community joined together to celebrate the 33rd Refugees International Anniversary Dinner in Washington DC.

Rihanna as you've never seen before......

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

As Petty Officer Second Class Cora Raikes in Battleship, out in theaters on Friday May 18th, Rihanna makes her motion-picture debut.

FEED 1000.....

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Forget those pricey designer bags, (Ralph Lauren not withstanding).  Lauren Bush Lauren has a better idea.  The fashion model and designer is also the founder of FEED  started in 2006 when she designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) School Feeding operations. 

It's all in the cards......

With all the hi-fives going on in the back room at CITIES, you'd think you were in Vegas.

Lots of alpha testosterone duked it out at the tables for The M.C. Dean Charitable Foundation supporting the work of disadvantaged communities, including United States Military Veterans.

It's a Small World After All....

Lauren and David Lauren with Sam Waterston

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

It was a night for all the do-gooders in the world to unite in celebration on the occasion of the 33rd Refugees International Anniversary Dinner.  Congressmen, diplomats, philanthropists and activists gathered at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to toast another year's hard work for Refugees International (RI) and to honor some stand-out supporters of the cause, including Lauren Bush Lauren.

Who shot J.R.?

Linda Evans (L)  Linda Gray (R)

Photo credit: courtesy of MOWAA

Dynasty star Linda Evans and Dallas star Linda Gray joined forces on Capitol Hill to support The Meals On Wheels Association of America, the oldest and largest national organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. Territories. 

Matt Cooper...move over!

Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall and Jacqueline  Emerson

There's a new comedy team in town in the form of Dee Dee Meyers and Capricia Marshall.  

Hello Barnabas...

Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins

Director Tim Burton brings the cult classic series "Dark Shadows" to the big screen in a film featuring an all-star cast, led by Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter.

An Affair to Remember.......

Frederick Kempe and Prince Harry

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Video photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

It was an affair fit for a King... er.... a Prince, when the Atlantic Council held its annual awards dinner at the Ritz-Carlton on Monday evening, honoring among others, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Beneath the Super Moon....

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

It wasn't the circus under the big top this weekend when a gargantuan white tent sprung up on the National Mall, instead it was friends and supporters of the L'Enfant Society gathering together for the fourth annual Ball on the Mall.

Au revoir Paree...

John Gizzi in Paris

There are several ways to say goodbye in French, but au revoir is the safest bet.

The eyes of history.....

The 91st Annual Awards Dinner In Honor of the President of the United States and the Winners of the Annual Still, Video, and New Media Contests was held at The Ritz-Carlton.

The secret service not in the picture.....

Read all about it here.

Prince Harry has been awarded the Atlantic Council’s 2012 Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership in recognition of his charitable and humanitarian work supporting servicemen and women.......and will be in town on Monday to receive the award at the Annual Dinner.  So, who's watching over Harry?

Celebrating Russert style...

Luke Russert

by contributor Courtney Cohen 
Photo credit: Boys & Girls Club

It was an incredible evening honoring The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington at the 27^th Annual Tim Russert Congressional Dinner.

Not just for couch potatoes....

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sibelius

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Photo credit: PALA+Challenge

Who knew that video games could lead to a more active lifestyle and weren't just for couch potatoes anymore? 

Avenue of Suite Dreams...

Ludmilla and Conrad Cafritz

by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Mark Silva for Avenue Suites

It’s tempting to just dream away in the comfortable suites of the new Avenue Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue’s West End, just at the edge of Georgetown.

Cherrio ......

Thomson Reuters-McLaughlin Brunch

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

If you are in this collage, you have probably had your Bloody Marys, but still in recovery.

That's all!

DO I HEAR A RIFF?

Former scribe Kiki Ryan catches up on the news

by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: James Brantley

The Hill newspaper, chronicler of all things Congressional, held its party in the run-up to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the handsome Turkish embassy on Sheridan Circle.

The "wonks" weigh in on the WHCD Weekend.....

WJLA's Rebecca Cooper

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Personalities from media and politics joined together on Sunday morning to wind down the festivities of the 2012 White House Correspondents' Dinner weekend. The annual brunch, hosted by long time broadcaster John McLaughlin and Thomson Reuters has become a tradition to cap off the weekend of partying and celebration.

Goodnight and Good Luck.....

Scene of The Vanity Fair After Party

Photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Wire Image

Whatever our differences, we love the French......they always know how to one up it. 

Google and Hollywood Reporter Date Night

Claire Shipman and Jay Carney

Photo credit: Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter

Google and The Hollywood Reporter hosted "An Evening Celebrating the White House Correspondents’ Weekend."

Last call......

Claire Danes

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

A last round up look at WHCA weekend.