Plan Ahead: Capital City Ball

Since the financial meltdown, charities are painfully aware contributions will be reduced, but there is a bright spot. Younger groups are entering the charity party circuit. Their revels lack the pomp of the Old Guard, but offer fun for an affordable price.

Case in point: two nice guys, Dr. John Dunford and Bruce Fries, decided last year to benefit a deserving charity, and in 8 weeks pulled together a gala that drew 250. This year it looks as if it will be even bigger.

Details: Capital City Ball. Sat. Nov. 22. Washington Club on Dupont Circle, 8:30 p.m. Black tie.

Live entertainment from Bittersweet, a hot 11-pc. band, Vegas-style casino, silent auction, open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres. Queen Noor heads a list of notable sponsors. To benefit award-winning Polaris, a non-profit that fights the growing human trafficking of women and children. $100 before Nov. 1, $120 after. capitalcityball.org.

Quick Notes

Mayoral wife Michelle Fenty is looking radiant and VERY big around the middle; a little sister will join her twin boys. At the baby shower hosted by Rima Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti embassy was afloat with pink ballons. Even Rima’s signature red roses in the reflecting pool were baby pink, and the white chocolate baby shoe favors were tied with pink ribbons.

Most fun: sitting at the shower with those four smart girls, Mary Ourisman, Marlene Malek, Barbara Harrison and Aniko Gaal Schott. Designer Aniko’s planning the private suites at Verizon Center, and helping with the furnishing of the embassy of Monaco.

Virginia Hayes Williams, whose son Anthony was our recent mayor, has launched her Living Under God's Umbrella, the tale of her unusual life, at her 82nd birthday party hosted by art collector Judith Terra at White Oaks, Terra's historic Colorado Avenue home. Upcoming book signing on Nov. 21: ulcdc.org.

Wineman Daniel Mahdavian and wife Melinda Corcoran (granddaughter of legendary New Dealer and fixer "Tommy the Cork") hosted an interesting wine dinner at the Peacock Grand Café, whose placard proclaims it "K Street Election Headquarters," with extended happy hours and drink specials.

Bottles served were from the Starlight Vineyards of Arman Pahlavan, who presented a flight of four excellent Zinfandels from California's Alexander Valley, where that grape does very well. He also introduced his first bottlings of Sonoma-grown Viognier, which were well received.

Mahdavian is the president of the wine consultancy D M & Co. Consultants.

Capital Diary

Throughout this roller coaster presidential race, our brave Washington hostesses have soldiered on, some striving for guests who could gain them access to the social circle of the new administration, whichever party wins.

With the D.C. social season in full swing, invitations and Save the Date cards are multiplying in the mailbox. Hoping to "balance the table" at dinner parties, each hostess has updated her list of Available Bachelors.

ABs are trophies in this town, where women far outnumber the men and you need bench strength if your first choices are booked. Standards are somewhat less than exacting: prospective males must own a dinner jacket (tuxedo to the peasants).

A hostess, looking at her seated guests, wants to see matched sets: penguin, evening dress, penguin, evening dress, etc., though as a friend once remarked, "I invite my guests to dine, not mate."