If you're hungry, don't read this.

Chef Brian McBride

by contributor Donna Shor

Two genuine talents converged recently at the Park Hyatt Hotel’s Masters of Food and Wine event at the elegant Blue Duck Tavern: Jed Steele of Steele wines and Brian McBride, the Tavern’s executive chef.  Guests arrived from New York and as far as from California and Chicago for the intimate dinner, here's why.

McBride created imaginative dishes to pair with Steele wines which added up to five sumptuous courses. Brian takes traditional food apart, reconstructs it and accompanies it with an unexpected but satisfying element.

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Human Rights Campaign Dinner

Cyndi Lauper

by contributor Donna Shor
Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

President Obama strode to the podium at the Human Rights Campaign Gala at the Convention Center, saluted the crowd celebrating progress in human rights and the recent New York gay-rights decrees, then broke into a broad grin.

“I appreciate the chance to join you tonight.   I also took a trip out to California last week, where I held some productive bilateral talks with your leader, Lady Gaga.   She was wearing 16-inch heels.  She was eight feet tall.  It was a little intimidating.”  Full transcript here.

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"Runway Moms for a Cause"

hosted by Maureen Umeh

Emmy Award winning anchor/reporter of Fox 5 DC

Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

Video by Janet Donovan

DC Power Moms participated in the inaugural black-tie event at the Embassy of Nigeria to raise funds for orphans through the United for Kids Foundation (UKF) -  a 501c3 organization committed to fighting poverty and illiteracy through education and social welfare programs in Nigeria.  RMFAC is recognized by the Embassy of Nigeria as a prelude to the Nigerian Independence Day.  

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Sinfully decadent!

The Odyssey

by contributor Donna Shor

Champagne in hand was just the beginning of a double-header evening: A dining cruise aboard The Odyssey on the Potomac followed by Arena Stage’s OKLAHOMA.

The glass-enclosed modern ship, built low to clear the many bridges that bisect the water, proved a comfortable seat for dining, checking the scenery and the dance floor.

Dinner offered attractive entrees of Seafood Ravioli topped with bay shrimp and scallops; Roasted Vegetable Napoleon; Maple-Glazed Chipotle Chicken; marinated Argentine Salmon with mashed yucca cake and posole (well-sauced hominy).

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How to decode body language.

by contributor Megan Podeszwa

"I studied Tot Mom, Casey Anthony's body language during her recent court appearance for the Nancy Grace show. She demonstrated several comfort cues such as holding her own hand and bringing her hand up to her mouth which showed her high level of anxiety. She is also seen obsessively adjusting her drink on a napkin, adjusting the band on her ponytail and other behavior that reveals her desire to control what she can control." body language and communication expert, Patti Wood

So what was Patti Wood doing at Affinia’s The Liason Capitol Hill adjacent to Art and Soul? 

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