Save the Date for the Ride to Thrive Pre-Party September 10th at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown

DC This Week hopes your returning from an adventurous and/or relaxing holiday outing. Now that your back, be sure to mark your calendar for the Ride to Thrive Pre-Party September 10th at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown.

I’m honored to serve on the host committee for the Fifth Annual Ride to Thrive Polo Classic Benefitting the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP). Be sure to buy your tickets online and I hope to see you all on the polo field with your smartest hat and chicest pastels.

The event will run from 8 to 11pm, with entry at $10 donation per person, or free with purchase of ticket to the Polo Match that evening (checks, cash and credit cards accepted.

Also ticket prices will increase online 9.11.09 to $125 a person BUT will be for sale at the normal price of $85 the night of the pre-party.

Additionally, when pre-party attendees pay at the door, there will be drink specials throughout the evening, and proof of entry will get them into the VIP after party at the new bar George, just up the street in Georgetown.

Tickets are $85 until 9.11.09 and available for online purchase at https://nvtrp.ejoinme.org/MyPages/RegistrationPage/tabid/69902/Default.aspx

Join Taste of the Nation DC for a Volunteer Happy Hour at PS 7’s on Wednesday

Love DC’s culinary scene? Can’t get enough of the District’s restaurants? Are you a foodie looking to do good for the community? Join Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Washington, DC committee chairs as they host an informative volunteer recruitment happy hour at PS 7’s on Wednesday, September 9^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Taste of the Nation DC is one of the city’s premiere culinary tasting events. Last year’s sold out event featured 50 of Washington’s top restaurants, chefs and mixologists, raising a staggering $150,000 that benefited local charities including Capital Area Food Bank, DC Hunger Solutions and Mary’s Center. And Taste of the Nation 2010 promises to be bigger and better than ever, scheduled for Monday, April 12^th at the National Building Museum.

Snack on complimentary hors d’oeuvres and sip on special select $4 wines and $3 beers, while learning more about Taste of the Nation and volunteering on the 2010 planning committee. Whether interested in assisting on a committee or finding out about volunteering at the actual event, join Taste of the Nation committee chairs to learn about what you can do to end childhood hunger in our area.

Taste of the Nation 2010 will feature Chef Chair R.J. Cooper of Vidalia, Mixologist Chair Derek Brown of Gibson, and Wine Chair Sommelier Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak.

PS 7’s is located at 777 I Street, NW; Washington, DC 20001. Please RSVP to DCTaste@gmail.com.

DC This Week is on Hold Until Next Wednesday

With house guests on the horizon until next Monday and a sleuth of plans to keep them entertained DC This Week needs a break. But Saturday I invite you all to the final Brightest Young Things Pool Party at Capitol Skyline Hotel. Details are HERE.

I'll be there around 11:30 a.m. holding down some seats and will depart around 5 p.m. (no stalkers please).

This weekend I have a great line-up for my Texas house guests from a tour of the White House to Marvin for dinner, Policy for dancing, BYT pool party, Co. Co. Sala for treats, the W patio to for some chill time, Belga cafe for brunch, Eastern Market for a bit of shopping and finishing off the week at the Coolout at the Beacon Hotel rooftop.

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone and welcome to Fall!

Friday night Closing Event for "My Space on 7th" exhibition and Wine Tasting courtesy of Washington Wine Academy

From 6 to 8 p.m. this Friday join Touchstone gallery for their closing reception of My Space on 7th. It’s a unique, non-juried opportunity for local artists to exhibit at Touchstone Gallery. In a short time, My Space on 7th has become a gallery tradition. Due to proposed renovations for the 406 7th St building, this might be the last My Space on 7th.

Touchstone Gallery has been an artist-owned gallery for more then 30 years. The gallery moved in 1996 to its current spacious location at 7th and D Street, N.W. , in downtown Washington . This 3000-plus square-foot location is based in the center of the art scene, and is a short walk from the recently renovated and reopened National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Gallery of Art.

More details HERE.

Save the Date for the Harlem Renaissance Festival Coming to the Lincoln Theatre

Hable Construction is Having an Online Sale

Check out one of my favorite stores online HERE.

Tonight Check out Local Wednesday @ Local 16 with DJ's Steve Starks and Chris Burns

Thursday Night Social Club @ the Mayflower Hotel

Greg's List DC always has the skinny on various events in the District and the site recently posted an update on what to expect at the Thursday Night Social Club at the Mayflower. The Thursday Night Social Club offers an abundant selection of delicious food and cocktails, live music, and great company, for a recession proof price of only $20 per person, all inclusive! See the full menu and desert selections here.

Enjoy a selection of Executive Chef Abdellah Aguenaou’s most delicious dishes, featuring DC Farmers' Market finds--the freshest local ingredients from the Dupont Circle and Mount Pleasant farmer’s markets.

Commonwealth Cup Ticket Winner Announced! Congrats from DC This Week

Last week I invited DC This Week readers to submit their responses to a few questions to enter for the chance to win two tickets to the Commonwealth Cup and Wine Festival at the Plains September 12-13, 2009. Congrats to Liz B. and I hope you have a great time at the event. And for those of you who sent in your answers, here are the answers to the questions............And for those of you who didn't win no worries, DC This Week readers receive $10 off their ticket purchase by entering DC913 at checkout making your advance ticket only $25 for both days.

1. How many years has The Commonwealth Cup been in existence? 24 (Duh, hence why its the 24th Annual)

2. What non-profit does The Commonwealth Cup support? The Wounded Warrior Project. Learn more about them HERE.

3. Polo originated in what country and in what century? Persia/Iran in the 6th Century B.C.

4. In what country was the first polo club established and in what year? In 1862 the first polo club, Calcutta Polo Club was established by two British soldiers, Captain Robert Stewart and Major General Joe Shearer.

5. Who organized the first polo match in the U.S. and in what city? James Gordon Bennett, Jr. organized the first polo match in the United States at Dickel's Riding Academy at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City.

DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative Featured in Just Cause Magazine

With an Art Buzz Remix on the way at Co. Co. Sala coming October 19th and our 10th Year Anniversary celebration just around the corner I was happy to learn today that Just Cause Magazine has a short snippet on the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative in their September issue. Check it out ONLINE HERE on page 84.

Save the date for our next Art Buzz Remix. Full details HERE. The sixth remix will raise much needed funds for the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative's Arts for Every Student Program and will include a video art installation care of DC's most talented digital gurus, a music soundscape and FREE giveaways for lucky guests from Co. Co. Sala, Policy Brand Clothing Co., Aidah Collection,Posh Princess Palace, VASTU, National Jean Company, City Shop Girl, artists Chris Bishop, Marielle Mariano and photogs Katharine Hauschka, and Cherie Lester

Wednesday Join Friends of the CIty for Fundraiser to Support Sasha Bruce House @ Jin

For more details and to RSVP click HERE.

The First Lady of Style

Check out Mrs. O's blog recap of First Lady Obama's Sophie Theallet shirtdress, first seen this spring, belted with her famous Alaia.

Massage for the Cure September 15th. Book your appointment now!

On Tuesday, September 15^th at all 13 Massage Envy clinics in the DC area, you can relax, get healthier, and help in the fight against breast cancer. As part of a national campaign, the clinics will be offering one-hour massages for $35 each (more than half-off the regular price of $85) during a one-day event called Massage for the Cure.

Ten dollars from each massage will be donated to the local Susan G. Komen affiliate. Nationwide, the event hopes to raise $500,000 for Susan G. Komen and funds raised will go to support breast cancer education, screening and treatment initiatives in the community.

This campaign isn’t just about relaxing and helping others in the process (though that’s a really nice perk!), hopefully it is also to educate those that take part about the importance of relaxation and balance to prevent disease.

Massage Envy is actively taking appointments now at www.massageenvy.com

DC Does Design

What a pleasure opening up my inbox this morning to find DC-based architect and designer Ernesto Santalla of Studio Stantalla featured on the cover of HOME & DESIGN. See the full article and amazing spread of his Washington, DC digs HERE. Cheers Ernesto!

HOME & DESIGN Magazine is the top resource for luxury consumers who want to tap into the design and architecture communities in the Baltimore-Washington region.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2009, HOME & DESIGN is filled with ideas and solutions for interior design, architecture, custom building, kitchen and bath design, landscape design, fine furniture, art and home-technology.


Photos by Geoffrey Hodgdon is a Maryland-based photographer.