Runaway Spoon
Look Who Rode Back Into Town ... Firing Away
February 17, 2012In a presidential campaign year, a relatively new biography, “Shooting from The Lip: The Life of Senator Al Simpson,” has a certain sweet smell of truth that cannot be denied.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Vice President Cheney, Mrs. Cheney, Judith Terra
“I’ve pissed off so many people…I think I’ve pissed off everybody in America,” Simpson, 80, chuckled at his book-signing party at the Jefferson Hotel. If any of those were among Thursday night’s happy crowd, they must have gotten over it by now.
Not that he is done yet.
Pressed by The Georgetown Dish on whom he supports among those in the lineup of GOP presidential wanna-bees, the lanky Wyoming Republican finally said:
“Just the other day, I wrote a check for Mitt Romney.”
And how much was that for?
“One thousand dollars,” he acknowledged after a bit of added prodding.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Author Donald Hardy & wife Becky
Simpson is famous for his outspoken, often sarcastic, rat-a-tat one–liners poking the media, political sacred cows and other aspects of the human condition. True to the book’s title, Simpson has never been known to lip-lock, philosophically, with either side of the aisle.
The senator’s former chief of staff Donald Loren Hardy wrote the biography, with Simpson’s blessings. It took nearly six years in the writing. The source was the senator’s 19-volume personal diary.
“I am in the presence of royalty,” joked newsman Sam Donaldson, bear-hugging Simpson at the party.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Hobnobbing with Simpson were more of his longtime friends: former Vice President and Mrs. Richard Cheney, Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and Mrs. Thomas, Congressman John Dingell and Mrs. Dingell, political commentator Mark Shields, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, former Cabinet member Norman Mineta, former Senator Chuck Robb and Linda Robb, and dozens upon dozens more filling up three rooms.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Bob Woodward & Al Simpson
Vignettes abound in the book, such as that of Simpson’s grandfather, Bobby Simpson, shooting a bank clerk in 1905 for bouncing a check. It details about how, the book says, Simpson was nearly picked as George H.W. Bush’s running mate. As a juvenile, he was a hell raiser and ended up in jail or court a few times over.
Throughout his professional career, the media relished quoting one of the funniest guys around because the zingers – whether during his Senate days or his more recent appointments to national commissions – created snappy leads. Often he aired out political bed sheets that, if truth be told, needed it. At times, fellow politicians grimaced in pain since their fates were pinned to that wash.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole
As far as pissing people off, he referred to his remarks in connection with co-chairing President Obama’s bipartisan commission on reducing the deficit, when he compared Social Security to a “milk cow with 310 million tits” – a remark he later apologized for.
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Ring the Bell for Top Realtors' New Venture
February 9, 2012
The packed house on lavish Wyoming Street on a blustery Wednesday night was a rousing celebration for Jim Bell, Trent Heminger and David B. Pollin, who have formed a new venture called Beasley Real Estate, “a real estate firm with a global reach" based in Washington, D.C.
The Kalorama party, which attracted more than 100 well-wishers, was hosted by Juleanna Glover and Christopher Reiter, known for their events that bring people together for a reason.
The reason this time was the launch party.
Bell was formerly with Washington Fine Properties. Heminger was with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Pollin is a co-founder of The Buccini/Pollin Group.
Together, they expect -- as they have in the past – to represent properties in the upper brackets.
Bell told The Georgetown Dish that they have three properties already listed in Georgetown. (www.BeasleyRE.com) 202.957.2272.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Rob Rubin (left), Juleanna Glover, and Trent Heminger
And, one didn’t have to look far from the party to see that 2107 Wyoming Avenue NW, a gorgeous Beaux Arts style mansion, is one of Beasley’s for-sale properties.
Who is Beasley? The firm is named after Bell’s grandfather.
“Beasley Real Estate evolved out of years of reflection on creating a different kind of real estate for clients, one that focuses on a ‘client first, brand second’ model,” said Bell, managing partner of the new firm. “No other firm operates using this model.”
Heminger said, “We are confident that our firm and our approach will produce the best financial results for our buyers and sellers.”
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Ted Leonsis In Tune with Broadway Stars to Perform at Covenant House Concert
February 5, 2012Theodore “Ted” Leonsis, sports team owner, internet pioneer and filmmaker, has been named honoree for the 2012 Covenant House Washington gala and concert, “A Night of Broadway Stars,” to be held Wednesday June 20 at THEARC Theater in SE Washington, D.C.
Leonsis is founder, chairman, and majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics and Verizon Center.
He is founder and chairman of SnagFilms and vice chairman of Groupon. A Georgetown University graduate, Leonsis was a founder of AOL. He is actively involved in many philanthropic causes.
But can he sing?
(Photo by: Covenant House)
Neil Berg on piano; Natalie Toro singing
Well, he doesn’t have to, since others whose professions are onstage will be here to fulfill that role. The show is being hosted by composer and lyricist Neil Berg, whose credits include The Prince and the Pauper, Grumpy Old Men and 100 Years of Broadway.
Broadway stars will belt out show tunes from hits such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, DreamGirls, Evita, Funny Girl, Chicago, Wicked, Rent, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Honorary co-chairs for the concert are Mayor Vincent Gray and Linda Mercado Greene. Gray was the first executive director of Covenant House Washington for 10 years before he chaired the D.C. City Council and then went on to be elected mayor. The cause remains one of his favorite charitable projects.
Covenant House Washington protects hundreds of homeless, abused and trafficked youth each year. It has multiple locations throughout the District.
(Photo by: Covenant House)
Craig Shulman & Rita Harvey performing Phantom of the Opera
Covenant House is funded through 78% private philanthropic funds. It has 30 houses in 60 countries.
Individual tickets are $250, which includes one ticket to the show, a cocktail buffet reception, admittance to the After Party with the Broadway stars, and valet parking.
The theater is located at 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE (Anacostia).
www.covenanthousedc.org. Tel: 202.610.7897.
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