Washington Spaces Closes its doors

Washington Post Co. subsidiary Greater Washington Publishing has announced it will stop publishing Washington Spaces magazine. The November/December issue, which is out now, will be its last. This is a shame because I just started to read the magazine and its online blog. Hopefully they will at least continue the blog!

Ringing in the New Year with BYT

More deets on Brightest Young Things New Year's Eve bash at the Skyline Hotel HERE. And the best part is no need for a designated driver because you can get a reduced rate hotel room for $89 HERE. Enter 2495 in the "Attendee Code" box, and click "Attendee Login". Select your dates and room type, and note your $89 rate.

On My Radar: Ranazul in Maple Lawn, Maryland

This past weekend I ventured out to Maple Lawn, which is about 15 miles north of 495 up Columbia Pike. I drive past Maple Lawn quite often and so Saturday night we took the drive and decided at the last minute to dine at Ranazul, co-owned by Linda Doolittle and Carlos Venegas.

This turned out to be one of the best meals I've had in the DC area in a while. We started off with the Tomato Basil Flatbread and moved on to the fresh Ceviche, breaded Shrimp and Calamari, and also had the Potatoes Gratin which were perfectly fluffy and cheesy like a cloud was floating on your plate.

At that point you would think we would have been satisfied and full, but I never miss the opportunity to have Creme Brulée, which is my favorite dessert. Ranazul had a special Whiskey and Honey Creme Brulée that knocked my socks off.

So I highly recommend Ranazul if you're ever out in the Maryland area. The food was incredibly fresh and they have an extensive wine list to choose from. I'll certainly venturing back for a night of wine and they have a pretty happening bar between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m. on the weekend, but being in the burbs, it had cleared out by the time we concluded our dinner.

Jet Setting to DC

Tuesday at 8 p.m. Jet Setter has specials on the Hotel Palomar in Dupont Circle HERE. With prices up to 50% off regular room rates now is the time to book your hotel for friends and family for the holidays (and keep them out of your house) or for a night on the town New Year's Eve. With zebra print robes, all-day Wii battles and wine tastings at 5:00, The Palomar is not a politics-as-usual property. And while you're at it book your dinner at the hotel's trendy restaurant, Urbana, to start the night off right.

Chef José Andrés and the Embassy of Colombia Welcome Catalina Velez for a Night of Innovative Colombian Fare at Café Atlantico this Wednesday

This Wednesday José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and Her Excellency Carolina Barco, Ambassador of Colombia are pleased to welcome Chef Catalina Velez of Luna Lounge and Kiva restaurants in Colombia for one special night Wednesday, December 9th. Café Atlantico will host a unique culinary evening marrying the styles of Café’s Head Chef Terri Cutrino and special guest Chef Velez, melding the flavors of the Caribbean and Cartagena.

Beginning at 7 p.m. with sips of Colombian coffee cocktails and cava at the bar, guests will be treated to a seated dinner featuring an innovative four-course menu with wine pairings provided by Beverage Manager and celebrated Sommelier Jill Zimorksi. Guests of this special evening will enjoy the culinary collaboration of these two talented women chefs featuring a four-course dinner with welcome snacks and petits fours.

Highlights will include dishes representing Colombia’s Atlantic coast and Colonial Cartagena. Velez’s “cocina de origen,” showcases dishes made from traditional products rooted in Columbia that few know, while Chef Cutrino offers her signature approach of creating Nuevo Latino-inspired fare composed of locally-raised, farm-fresh ingredients

7:00pm
$85 per person
405 8th Street, NW
For reservations and information, call 202.393.0812

24 Days of Dining at Six DC Restaurants

Come for 24 Days of Dining for a 3-course prix fixe dinner for $24 per person at participating restaurants until December 24th between 5 and 8 p.m.:

• J. Paul's (3218 M Street NW; 202.333.3450)
• Paolo's (1303 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202.333.7353)
• Old Glory BBQ (3139 M Street NW; 202.337.3406)
• Georgia Brown's (950 15th Street NW; 202.393.4499)
• Neyla (pictured above at 3206 N Street NW; 202.333.6353)
• Third Edition (1218 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202.333.3700)

Scene Bisnow Holiday Party @ Public this Tuesday

CLICK HERE to RSVP

"Annihilate the Weekend" with DJ Will Eastman

DJ Will Eastman has a spankin' new DJ mix out called ANNIHILATE THE WEEKEND. Download the mix HERE. Also stay tuned, because his new debut single, Feelin', comes out on iTunes, Amazon, etc. this Friday. It includes remixes by Tittsworth & Nakassis, Nadastrom and Dmerit and is currently available as an early exclusive download on Beatport HERE.

Someone's Getting the Boot at CityShopGirl

CityShopGirl has the skinny on Modern Vintage/Rosegold with a killer sale. You can score the perfect pair of boots from Modern Vintage online site and get 30% off any purchase (includes sale items) with promo code CityShopGirl. Valid through December 31.

Fashion Designer Nick Verreos Storms the Corcoran

On Wednesday, December 9 at 7 p.m., the Corcoran will welcome a very special guest speaker to our Auditorium stage – fashion designer Nick Verreos, best known for his time on the hit show Project Runway.

Join them for a fashion-filled night of fun, including a special wine and cheese reception post-lecture, sponsored in part by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (where Project Runway is now filmed). For more deets and tickets CLICK HERE .

Since making his television debut on Season 2 of the hit show Project Runway, designer and FIDM graduate and current instructor Nick Verreos has become one of the hottest designers in the country. The red carpet dresses he designs for his NIKOLAKI line have been worn by the Hollywood elite including Eva Longoria Parker, Haylie Duff, and Heidi Klum.

Fresh from appearing as a guest judge on this season of Project Runway, Verreos talks about the inspirations behind his designs and the next generation of fashion. Verreos will then take you to the front row of a west coast fashion show with a special viewing of FIDM’s Debut 2009, which celebrates the work of its top design students. A meet-and-greet reception will follow the lecture.

A Night with Louis Roederer Champagne @ Bacchus Wine Cellar

This past week I enjoyed two delightful Louis Roderer Champagnes at Bacchus Wine Cellar in Georgetown (1635 Wisconsin Ave NW).

Louis Roederer is a champagne producer based in Reims, France. The house was founded in 1776 and was inherited and renamed by Louis Roeder in 1833. One of the many selections at Bacchus we had the luxury of tasting included Louis Roederer Brut Premiere Champagne and Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 2002 (pictured below).

Bacchus Wine Cellar has reigned over Georgetown for nine years as the premier wine store selling the most unique and hard to find vintages from across the globe. Their wine experts will not only answer every question you have about selecting the perfect wine, but I was able to tell them exactly what types wine I usually enjoy (Tempranillo, Garnacha, Malbec, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Nero d' Avola) and they recommended a new grape, Montalcino, that I can't wait to touch my tongue.

Visit Bacchus this week or brave the snow so you can sneak back home and snuggle up to a bottle tonight.

Happiness is a Pair of Shorts this Holiday Season

A close family friend, Manuel Diotte, has spent more than 1,207 days spent in the hospital, gone through 48 surgeries and spent 24 months of chemotherapy and radiation facing life's toughest challenges, yet this holiday season he is embarking on journey to uplift children at hospitals that support cancer research.

When you buy Manue'ls book, Happiness is a Pair of Shorts, he will automatically buy a book too, and then give it away for free to a child or adult in the hospital and/or tithe to a foundation or charity that supports cancer research.

Below is a note from Manuel and I hope you will all support his cause and keep him in your prayers.


As many of you know, I was six when the doctor cut me open. Little did I know I would have surgery every year sometimes twice the same year until I was 38 years old. 3 ½ years of hospital stays, 2 years of chemotherapy and radiation and 48 operations later, I am still sharing courage and hope to others. However, now I am asking you to join me.

For years my “Gift of Hope” program has been the philanthropic arm of my business and now with a new site, and bigger goals for those broken, hurting, and suffering. I am asking my old and new friends to do two things for me.

First, visit my new website www.happinessisapairofshorts.com and support my vision. My goal is to flood the hospitals with books and gifts for Christmas. I have spent five Christmas in a hospital and the laughter and love that goes on during this time goes a long way. If you never been in a pediatric ward during the holidays, you know what I am talking about. You can’t tell those kids are sick, yet, they are and many seriously.

Second, please share this site with all your friends. With ezines, newsletters, facebook, twitter, and social media, you can really help make me make a BIG difference. I know that will take a little extra time. However, believe me. The difference you make will go a long way. Just read what 16 year old Victoria said, on the site. Please let all your friends know about the project.

I am truly blessed to have friends like you who care and support my work. Thank you for reading this, considering helping me and honoring my journey.

Eternally Grateful,

Manny

DC This Week is getting a new look! And invites you to Luxxery this Saturday to see it happen live!

Join me on Saturday in Waldorf, Maryland with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Ayman Hakki who is teaming up with #4 billboard jazz sensation Marcus Johnson and famed hair stylist David Palmer for the launch of his cosmetic medical boutique Luxxery.

And there's a surprise in store as David Palmer will give me a completely new look and has free reign to take over my hair style! Stop by Luxxery to see David in action at 5 p.m. as I await my new style in the chair and I'll be sharing the before and after pictures on DC This Week next week! And while you are there you can speak with Dr. Hakki personally.

On Saturday, December 5 from 5 to 8 pm, guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening of rejuvenation and anti-aging tips, private answers to questions about the latest cosmetic surgery trends and live urban jazz while enjoying passed hors d'oeuvres and wine from Tarara Winery.

Luxxery gift cards and skin-care products will be available for purchase at the event with a percentage of the proceeds donated to charity sponsor Zonta International. Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta members volunteer their time, talents and money to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women's education, leadership and youth development.

LUXXERY
3010 Crain Hwy., Suite 400
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 843-9769

Bras & Brunch this Sunday

On Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Sylene of Washington, the premiere location for lingerie and swimwear in the Washington area, will hold their monthly event -- Bras & Brunch, which will be equal parts fun and educational.

The event will feature Cyla Weiner, who will share tips on tips on shapewear and other solutions so that you can look your best this holiday season. If you having trouble finding the right undergarment for a particular item of clothing, bring it to Bras & Brunch with you. If you stump the Bra Lady and she can't find the right shapewear or bra to work with your item of clothing, you'll receive a $100 gift certificate.

Attendees who make a donation to this month's charity partner, Suited for Change, will be entered to win a special door prize, and 20% off any shapewear purchased at the event.

Never pass up a good dumpster dive, especially at 2 a.m.

About a year ago Ms. Goodyear and I were roaming the streets of Georgetown after a long night of debauchery. We took a back alley and crossed paths with massively large rolled up pieces of paper laying against a dumpster. Who can resist a late night dumpster dive and G-town always hails the best resident throwaways and leftovers right? Right.

That night I scored this print, obviously from a store’s window display, that had some phrase in some language I didn’t know scribbled across the bottom. I recently took the print, which is literally as tall as I am, to the frame store and after some haggling received his framing services for a HUGE discount. Big. I’ve been waiting for months for this piece to be finished and since the condo closing date keeps creeping farther and farther into January, I’m keeping my treasure in my office for the time being to keep me company.

The moral of the story…………never pass up a good dumpster dive and never pay full price at the frame store!

Need a classy holiday gift for him? Stop over at the George Cleverley Trunk Show at Everard's Clothing in Georgetown this Weekend

For more details click HERE.

Thursday Tunes: Sneaky Sound System. When are they coming back to the States?!

Peep them HERE.

Lauren K Previews her newest collection this Satruday at Mystique in Old Town

Just in time to for Holiday shopping, Elizabeth Mandros, owner of Mystique Jewelers in beautiful and historic, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, presents a fabulous series of designer jewelry trunk shows featuring top female jewelry designers. This Saturday stop by to preview the newest collection by Lauren K.

Mystique has been on the cutting edge of designer jewelry since its inception in 1991, when Elizabeth Mandros Miller opened MYSTIQUE, bringing unique fine jewelry to Old Town, Alexandria. Elizabeth has traveled around the world to hand select unique pieces for her store.

Mystique Jewelers in Old Town Alexandria
211 The Strand
Alexandria, VA 22314
RSVP required to (202) 232-0072

SimplySoles, Courage for Kids, and CommonWealth Gastro Pub Host Benefit for Dr. Bear's Closet at Children's Hospital this Saturday

On Saturday, December 5th from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m., SimplySoles.com will host a toy drive for Dr. Bear’s Closet at Children's Hospital. Fashionistas and the charitable-set will bring new toys, games, and books to fill Dr. Bear®'s Closet, which ensures that every patient has a gift for holidays, birthdays and most importantly, a little something to serve as a reward for their courage in fighting an illness. The closet provides items to thousands of patients who are treated in Children’s inpatient unit,Emergency Department and Regional Outpatient Centers, and the Health Centers.

In addition to making their donation and taking time to give back to those less fortunate, attendees will enjoy a 20% discount on all purchases, hors d'ouevres from CommonWealth Gastro Pub and sip champagne from Barefoot Bubbly, as they browse the best shoes of the season at Kassie Rempel's SimplySoles.com showroom. Courage for Kids is inviting their supporters to contribute to this worthy cause. This is the true spirit of the season.

The event is complimentary, however attendees should bring a new toy or make a donation to Courage for Kids.

SimplySoles
1438 Park Rd, NW
Washington, DC 20010

Saturday
12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Saks Fifth Avenue welcomes Elie Tahari December 9th with a special runway show

Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase and DC Magazine will welcome designer Elie Tahari and his wife Rory Tahari Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 6:30pm for a cocktail reception and runway show featuring the Elie Tahari Holiday and Spring 2010 collections.

After the show champagne and sweets will be served while guests shop the Elie Tahari holiday collection. Tickets are $175 a person HERE.

Guests will also receive a signed copy of Rory Tahari’s book Lists For Life: The Essential Guide To Getting Organized and Tackling Tough To-Dos, a collection of over 100 helpful lists to help you stay organized! All tickets and a percentage of Elie Tahari sales will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

For the fourth year, Saks Fifth Avenue is partnering with St. Jude in its Thanks and Giving^® campaign, an unprecedented coming together of celebrities, media, retail and corporate partners that asks consumers to “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.” The Thanks and Giving campaign was created in 2004 by St. Jude National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, children of hospital founder Danny Thomas. Funds raised by the campaign support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude to find cures for desperately ill children in communities everywhere. You can also donate online at www.stjude.org or call 1-800-4STJUDE.

Tickets are $175 a person HERE.

Coming Soon to Verizon Center: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

December 9th. Tickets start at $25 HERE.

Thursday Night Check out Bourgeois and Proletariat @ L'Enfant Moderne Art Gallery

Check out Art Is_____ Thursday Night @ The Phillips Collection

More deets HERE.

Proper Topper Dishes its Best Dressed List: DC

I was pleased to open up my inbox this a.m. and find a note from DC-based Proper Topper who just announced The First Annual Best Dressed List: DC recognizing exemplars of original, inspiring STYLE in our city!

I'm honored to be on the list with some of my friends and hippest bad asses in the District. Cheers to everyone who made this year's list and stay tuned for a fun follow-up series from Brightest Young Things, featuring profiles and up-close studies of the haute cool of BDL:DC List. BYT will also be joining Proper Topper & Farinelli’s to throw a BIG ol’ celebration of BDL:DC come early 2010. Do stay tuned – there’ll be some toasting and some styling and surely some great music!

The List.................

Eric Brewer
Betsy Lowther
Walker Lamond
Ali Wentworth
Phillipe Cousteau
Marlene Hu
Tyler Larish
Rey Banks
Holly Thomas
The Beatings: Carole Greenwood & Stewart Lupton
Philippa Hughes
U.S. Royalty: John Thornley, Paul Thornley, Jacob Michael & Luke Adams
Valli Ravindran
Jesse Elliott
Jade Floyd
Patricia Harr

This Thursday Venture to Bethesda to Fashion your Perfect Holiday

Art Show & 2010 Calendar to Benefit the Capital Area Food Bank Presented by the Zenith Community Arts Foundation this Thursday

The Zenith Community Arts Foundation (ZCAF)’s annual Food Glorious Food program to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank will be enhanced this year by a new partnership with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, where the art show, curated by Zenith Gallery, and the calendar launch celebration will be hosted in December.

The Food Glorious Food V show will open at Woolly Mammoth on Thursday, December 3 with a calendar launch celebration and silent auction, emceed by WUSA 9 news anchor Andrea Roane, and the art and calendars will remain on display and for sale through January 3.

This year’s theme, “Dramatic Dining,” reflects Food Glorious Food’s move from its former home at Zenith Gallery to a new setting in one of Washington’s most innovative theatres.

Thursday
6:00-10:00pm
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D Street NW
Washington, DC

The Corcoran College of Art + Design Presents a Cool Creative Christmas

Masters students from the Corcoran College of Art + Design have teamed up with the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC to present Cool Creative Christmas, an environmentally-focused holiday art installation staged at the Danish Ambassador Mr. Friis Arne Petersen’s Residence. The installation includes 750 glass jars with Solar LED lights, 900 floating flowers and 1000's of paper flowers and snowflakes. For more details CLICK HERE.

In addition, a sculpture of President Obama by artist Petter Gugger, made entirely from Chicago Tribune newspapers and on-loan from the President’s campaign headquarters in Chicago is in the mix.

The Embassy’s annual celebration takes a new green twist this year to highlight COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, hosted in Denmark December 7-18. In keeping with the mission of the conference, the Christmas installation this year is decidedly green. Solar LED lights, soy candles, recycled and seed-infused paper formed into thousands of intricate paper flowers, Cradle to Cradle approved fabrics, non-VOC paint and many more green efforts make up the installation. All recyclable items will be recycled and/or reused.

Organized by Catherine Armour, Corcoran College of Art + Design Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Corcoran students Breeze Giannasio, Brittany Watson, and Caryn Cramer, along with Danish design students Louise Havndrup and Tirsdag Kjoller, the team designed the concept by weekly Skype conference calls throughout the fall semester.

Wednesday Night Andy Zipf Presents"The Long Tail" LIVE @ Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse

Andy Zipf takes over the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse on Wednesday, Dec 2nd with Harry Evans (drums, perc), Kevin McIntire (bass) and Pete Lim (keys, bgvs, drums, perc) Brad Wolf (video projection) and other special guests.

Tickets are $10.00 HERE and the first 50 guests receive a free copy of the "The Long Tail"!.

Special VIP tickets are available at $50 and include special reserved VIP seating, a personally signed copy of "The Long Tail" CD, "The Long Tail" DVD, exclusive "The Long Tail" t-shirt, and a live YouTube video of a song of your choice!

This will be the first opportunity to get a physical copy of "The Long Tail" with amazing artwork by Brad Wolf of SOTA. You will also be able to hear news songs from the "Our Voice Is A Weapon" EP and Andy's upcoming Christmas EP.

On My Holiday Radar: DC-based Turtle's Webb

Looking for the perfect pair of cufflinks for your holiday gift giving? Check out Turtle's Webb at the Downtown Holiday Market in Chinatown which opens this week. More details on the market and vendors HERE.

Target To-Go hits the District for the Holidays

Starting December 11, Target is taking the hassle out of holiday shopping with Target To-Go, a limited-time-only walk-up holiday shopping event right in the District. Shoppers can dash up and dash off with the hottest mix of 50 holiday gifts at everyday low prices, wrapped and ready To-Go.

Target To-Go will be open to the public for three days only, from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, at M Street and Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown. Get the full skinny HERE.

Karaoke Interstages Fundraiser Party @ Local 16 this Wednesday

Please join us for a karaoke party this Wednesday night to raise funds for middle school girls in Southeast DC with Interstages. The event will take place upstairs at Local 16. Admission is $20.00 to be paid at the bar and includes snacks, drink specials and all the karaoke fun you can handle!

Interstages was founded in 2005 by Herb Scott and Noel Tieszen, former DC Public Schools teachers who saw a need for youth development programming for their middle school students. Few youth living East of the River have access to structured, age-appropriate afterschool activities. Opportunities for these youth to discover their potential and work toward future goals are often few and far between. Interstages strives to fill this opportunity gap.

Interstages launched a pilot afterschool program for girls in February 2006. Even with minimal funding, the pilot semester’s huge success helped Interstages to build a growing network of individual, business, foundation, and community partners. These supporters help sustain quality programming and capacity-building so more girls (and eventually, boys) can access the opportunities Interstages provides.

Wednesday December 2nd
Local 16
7 p.m. to midnight
1602 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Check out the Exploration of Album Cover art this Wednesday at Lounge of Three with SMIRNOFF on Tuesday