It was "everything coming up oceans" for "Treasures of the Sea," the 17thAnnual Lombardi Gala to benefit the Vincent Lombardi Cancer Center ofGeorgetown University Hospital.

A seductive mermaid and an ooglygoogly octopus welcomed guests to theballroom-turned-underwater wonderland at The Washington Hilton, thanks tothe light-play of waves projected on the ceiling, the colorful balloon fish flyingoverhead, and the dramatic sea shell-bedecked centerpieces that imitatedunderwater flora and fauna.

Most striking were the huge, multipetalled blooms, lit from their widecenters, that formed mock “sea anemones.” Tom Schaaf, there with Maria“Mickey” Nedelcovic, spotted it as South Africa’s official flower, a kingprotea, the giant variety he grew in Zimbabwe.

The décor evoked the ocean’s beauty, but the sea’s cruelty was foremost in themind of one guest, Mary Ourisman, whose son, a professional diver, was thenspending his third day in a decompression chamber. Mary, who startled us alla few years ago when she took up parachute jumping, has long braved the seasherself, but as a scuba diver.

Word of two medical “treasures from the sea” underscored the gala’s theme:researchers at Lombardi Center are studying the cancer control abilities ofboth bryostatin, a bacteria found in a moss-like sea organism clinging—barnacle-style —to the bottom of boats, and the potential of a synthetic formof squalamine, a previously unknown class of chemicals discovered in the liverof the dogfish shark by the university’s dean of research Dr. Michael Zasloff.

Gala founder Margaret Hodges has raised almost $13 million for theCenter’s important work through her tireless efforts, her ability to chooseeffective committee members and inspire dedicated volunteers.

Silent auction items included a $12,000 Miller Furs Blackglama mink,sports equipment and skybox parties, beauty treatments, and dinnersranging from laid-back Chinese restaurants to the celebrated Inn at LittleWashington. Cruises galore were up for bid with Margaret offering a week intropical paradise at her gorgeous home near Montego Bay, Jamaica. For $7,500,eight lucky people would be pampered by a staff of seven. Portrait paintersdonated their talents, a pair of Andrew Wyeth prints came from Anne Nitze,and a $28,000 ruby and diamond ring from Jan Shepard. Windows Cateringdonated a $6000 cocktail party for 100,and tickets to the Santa Fe Operawere given by Diana MacArthur. (One guest, Barbara Sloat, had just returnedfrom Santa Fe, having visited with ex-Washingtonian Donna Grosvenor, whonow makes her home there.)

Bidders and raffle buyers were either disappointed —like Debbie Casey whopined for the Treasure Chest that held $15,000 worth of diamonds, gold,gemstones, luxury goods, and cruise tickets —or overjoyed like Lori Johnsonto hear from volunteer Carol Corrigan that the French carved armchair wasnow hers to bring home with husband Scott to Chicago. They came here justfor the gala, as guests of the David Blisks.

Carol T. Crawford chaired the event, and Linda Haan and Nancy Chistolinico-chaired the auctions, which culminated with a $40,000 winning bidon the 2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sedan, courtesy of Manhattan Jaguar and(Bob) Rosenthal's Jaguar, and American Airlines, who flew the winner to theJaguar plant in England.

Nancy Chistolini, senior vice president for fashions at Hecht’s, was giventhe Margaret L.Hodges Leadership Award for her ceaseless support eversince she chaired the first Lombardi Gala seventeen years ago.

The 17th Annual Lombardi Gala, “Treasures from the Sea,” at the Washington Hilton andTowers honored former head coach of the Miami Dolphins Don Shula, Nancy Chistolini, seniorvice president for fashion at Hecht’s, and jockey Patricia (P.J.) Cooksey. Over $1 millionwas raised for cancer research. Counterclockwise from top: American Airlines Exec. Athar Khan with mermaid& octopus; John Neal, jockey Patti (P.J.) Cooksey, recipient, Lombardi Symbol of Courage& Don Shula, recipient, Lombardi Symbol of Caring; Hecht’s President & CEO FrankGuzzetta & Nancy Chistolini

The Lombardi Symbol of Caring Award went to Don Shula, former headcoach of the Miami Dolphins, now a businessman who has raised over $1 million forcancer research.

The Symbol of Courage Award honored Patricia (P.J.) Cooksey,one of the most successful female jockeys in racing history, whounderwent a mastectomy last year, and ten months later was back inthe saddle at Churchill Downs.

It was the best of parties for the worst of reasons: the soiree Fredand Gail Scott Hubig hosted in their handsome Victorian (1869)Georgetown mansion to say goodbye to Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson, theambassador of Iceland, and his wife Bryndis Schram, who are being posted toFinland and will be missed here.

Ambassador Hannibalsson, who has held every prestigious post in Iceland,has completed the first volume of his memoirs (with the surprising news thatthis urbane diplomat was once a fisherman on a deep-sea trawler).

A third of the guests were Icelandic, and the rest were mostly from the‘hood (Georgetown, in this case) and Kalorama. Entertainment included apiano fanfare by Atli Heimir Sveinsson, Iceland’s foremost composer, who isteaching this semester at Rhode Island’s Brown University, and a free form (veryfree form!) song about the departing pair, sung by the composer Joe Glazerof Chevy Chase. The greatest entertainment was the banter bet ween Gail andBryndis, who put on their own show.

Neither are exactly shrinking violets; both have been ballerinas, and both havehosted their own TV shows.

A reception and screening of the new film by Five Sisters Productions,“Manna from Heaven,” was held for members of Congress on October 9. The event wassponsored by the head of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Jack Valenti.The five sisters of Five Sisters Productions, an independent, feature film productioncompany, are Jennifer, Charity, Ursula, Gabrielle and Maria Burton. Clockwise: Jennifer, Gabrielle, Ursula, Maria, and Charity Burton. Photo by Gabrielle Burton

It was “Cabaret Night” at the National Museum of Women in the Arts FallBenefit, and what a night it was, with sensational song-stylist RosaLamoreaux and pianist Betty Bullock accompanying the chanteuse. Therewas even a “cigarette girl” passing out packs of candy cigarettes. Several guestsdressed the part, including Aniko Gaal Schott, who sported a tiny veiled blackhat—a bibi Parisienne as French supper club dwellers term them. Somewere even bolder, such as author Myra MacPherson, who came as aMontmartre apache. Until you’ve seen Myra in a man’s striped suit and a slouchhat, one of the candy cigarettes dangling from her lips, you ain’t seen nothin’.

The emcee was executive committee member Bill Dunlap, who is an artist,curator, and arts commentator for WETA, and whose artist wife, LindaBurgess, displayed her work in the gala’s Art Walk viewing. Some 50 selectedpaintings were shown, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the museum.The evening was admirably chaired by Carol A. Anderson and Ruth Noble(“Baba”) Groom, and standing ovations were the rule.

Guests dressed in black-tie and cabaret attire for “A Cabaret Evening with RosaLamoreax and Betty Bullock,” the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ fall benefitcelebrating its 15th anniversary, on October 17. The evening’s festivities included an ArtWalk auction and performances by classical soprano Rosa Lamoreaux and pianist BettyBullock. Above: NMWA’s women’s committee members Tara Bradshaw and Shigeko Bork. Below:Aniko Gaal Schott, Judy Esfandiary and Caroline Boutté. Photos by Martha Grove

Seen: Artist Elena Bonafonte-Vidotto, Mary Mochary, Annie Groer andMichael Mosettig, Lisa Pumphrey, Sally Smith, Giselle Theberge,Lorraine and Chris Wallace, Janet Donovan (who headed the EventCommittee), April Georgelas, Willee Lewis, Judy Esfandiary, Rolf andFrance Graage, Carol and Climis Lascaris, and of course WilhelminaHolladay, founder of the museum, with her husband Wallace Holladay.

The “Atlantic Monthly” and UPS co-hosted an evening to recognize the heroism,resilience, and dedication by the people and organizations that led the recoveryand cleanup at the World Trade Center. Remarks by acclaimed journalist WilliamLangewiesche (the only reporter with unrestricted access at the site for over 9 months),accompanied a special viewing of images of the recovery effort by renowned photographerJoel Meyerowitz on September 18 at The Library of Congress. Pictured from left to right: John Fox Sullivan, president and group publisher,Atlantic Media; Elizabeth Baker Keffer, publisher, The Atlantic Monthly; WilliamLangewiesche, national correspondent, The Atlantic Monthly; Ron Foster, vice president,UPS Public Programs.

Frances Humphrey Howard, (whose brother was Vice President Hubert Humphrey) loved to let herhair down and party, but she was equally comfortable leading a meeting with someof the world’s best-known citizens. Like her heroine Eleanor Roosevelt,whose junior assistant Franny once was, you never knew where she wouldturn up next. A light went out in our town with her recent passing, and atthe service celebrating her life, when so many speakers revealed different facets of hersplendid character, we felt her loss even more keenly. Over 700 filledthe church, then 400 adjourned to the Cosmos Club for a reception. Amongspeakers lauding her as an international humanitarian devoted to public servicewere Sen. Paul Sarbanes, Harland Cleveland, Warren Robbins (who,with help from Franny, founded the African Museum which is now part ofthe Smithsonian complex), former Rep. James W. Symington, Lynda JohnsonRobb, Niki Goulandris, Librarian of Congress James Billington, WiltonDillon, Dorothy Height, and Jeanne Kirkpatrick. There were familyremembrances, both moving and amusing, from her daughter Anne HowardTristani, her son William R. Howard, and her many grandchildren.

The memorial drew attendees from as far as Minnesota and Spain; down fromNew York was author Mary Higgins Clark. She said the encouragement shegot from Frances, when Mary found herself stranded with no money and fivechildren to raise, bolstered her conviction that she could write, and led her tobecome one of the world's best known and best-selling contemporary novelists.

Rear Admiral Philip Whitacre hosted a winner dinner at the Cosmos Clubthat mixed local Navy friends with Palm Beachers who flew up with himfor the investiture of Harvey Oyer at the Priory of the Venerable Order ofthe Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. (Shades of the Crusades!)

Wife Amy Oyer, Helen Cluett, and William and Jane Told came north,while Lachland and Martha Reed, and Kim and Frank Vennes arrivedfrom Milwaukee.

An honored guest was Under Secretary of the Navy Susan Livingstone, with herhusband Neil. Others included Virginia Mars, Herbert and Jeannine Fletcher,Vice Admiral Charles Moore and his wife Lydia, Garnett Stackelberg,Middleburg's Carey Beer, his lawyer wife Adrienne, and daughter, Adreanna,Rear Admiral Edward Walker, and Rear Admiral John Scudi with Sharon Stone-look-alike Pat Bradshaw.

One hundred guests gathered at the St. Regis Hotel on November 8 foran elegant black-tie dinner and dance party to celebrate the 10th anniversaryof Lynx, a D.C. investment consultant firm. Among the guests were Rep. NickRahall, John Sununu, Lucky Roosevelt, Helen Thomas, Egyptian AmbassadorNabil Fahmy, Lebanese Ambassador Farid Abboud and their spouses, and formercongressman and Al Gore campaign advisor Tony Coelho. Above: Maxine Tanons, Maryanne Joulwan and Claude Audi. Below from left: TonyCoelho; Rep. Nick Rahall; Lebanese Ambassador Farid Abboud, Peter Tanons& Gov. John Sununu. Photos by Jeffrey Snyder Photography

The Henley Park Hotel, Neiman Marcus, Estee Lauder, and The International Gemand Jewelry Show hosted a gathering of hobbits, elves, wizards, and other Middle-Earth characters at the Henley Park Hotel on Oct. 29 for a themed media dinner. Themenu, prepared by Executive Chef Richard Thompson was a journey through Middle-Earth, with each course symbolizing a leg, and a reading designating the path. Afterdinner, guests took part in a hunt for what else, a ring! Above: Henley Park staff are cast for a festive atmosphere. Below left: JeanRose Arasand models her new ring with husband Kirk. Below Right: Bonny Kojodand Walter Nicholls (Washington Post food critic). Photos by Neshan Naltchayan

When Nermin Fahmy and her husband Nabil, the Egyptian ambassador, arrived here in1999, they lived in rented quarters. Their Sheridan Circleembassy was not in good shape. Repairs would be extensive and expensive, andthey considered selling. Nermin called Allison Laland for advice and agentAllison, though she hated to pass up a major sale, swallowed hard and said,“Don’t even consider selling, repair it. Nothing you could buy would comeas low as the price of repairs, and you will find nothing in such acommanding location.”

Despite her duties as wife of a very busy ambassador, Mrs. Fahmy took matters in hand.While architects Belinda Reeder and Cy Nerkezar did their part, she brought in a crew ofEgyptian specialists to repair and gild the magnificent ceiling. Next she color-coordinatedwalls, furnishings and window treatments, and finally, after almost threeyears, the work was done. They threw open the doors for a reception thatdelighted us all in one of the handsomest embassy-residences in Washington.

Planned Parenthood held its annual awards luncheon, “Championsof Choice,” on October 25 at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Thefeatured guest was actress Julianne Moore, who has authored severalarticles on why she actively supports the cause of reproductive freedom.Other honorees included Dr.Daniel C. Maguire, Maria S. Gomez, R.N.,M.P.H., Jean Friendly, and Bonne Erbe, J.D., host of PBS’s “To The Contrary.” Above: Tracey Brown, Jatrice Martel Gaiter, president and CEO,Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, and Alma Brown, wifeof the late Ron Brown. Below left: Event chair Katie Snowdon and Eventco-chair Ann Walker Marchant, of The Walker Marchant Group. Below Right:Actress Julianne Moore. Photos by Bartholomew Franz

The Hospices of the National Capital Region’s 25th Anniversary celebration, “Salute to theSilver Screen: Reel to Reel, Heroes Among Us” was the organization’s most successfulfundraiser thus far, raising more than $1.6 million. From left: Douglas McCorkindale, chairman, president and CEO of Gannett,British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer & Lady Meyer, Mary Margaret Valenti &Jack Valenti, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, and Nancy McCorkindale. Photos by Michael K. Wilkinson

When Carmen Petrowitz cast the winning bid at the Folger ShakespeareTheatre Gala, for High Tea for 14 at Marbury House, the historicGeorgetown home of Tila Hancock, everyone benefited. Mrs. Hancockproved a hands-on donor, supervising the staff serving delicacies that beganwith a champagne welcome. Despite a fall that required 20 stitches in herforehead, she refused to cancel when Carmen offered the option.

Guests included Coco Blaffer, Mary Bird, Nicholas Coolidge, SuzanneCooke, Nancy Griscom, Lynn and Robert Nicholas, husband HaroldPetrowitz, and Darius von Lubicz.

Many at the tea went off to Manhattan for the Crystal Ball headed by PalmBeach social notable Mildred “Brownie” McLean, who planned an over-the-topfour-day event: a cocktail party Wednesday at the Park Lane, a Thursday reception atthe Mark Murphy Gallery on 72nd Street, the Ball Friday at the University Club, andfinishing with a Saturday night party at the Euro-chic Club, Au Bar.

Local chefs including Michele Richard of Citronelle, Robert Wiedmaierof Marcel’s, Park Hyatt’s Brian McBride and Amanda McCarthy ofthe Grand Hyatt Washington, displayed their culinary expertise forover 400 guests on October 2 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The event benefiting the HerbGordon Foundation for Gastrointestinal Cancers raised $500,000, and will go towards thepurchase of a linear accelerator for the Washington Cancer Institute.The Foundation, begun in 1999 in memory of auto dealer Herb Gordonwho died of pancreatic cancer, so far has raised almost $1 million. Above: Celebrity Chefs Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s, MichelRichard of Citronelle, and Brian McBride of the Park Hyatt. Below:Comcast SportsNet anchor Chick Hernandez, Gala Committee chairs Ilene & Tom Gordon. Photos by Bartholomew Franz

A preview reception for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden’s exhibition “Zero toInfinity: Arte Povera 1962-1972“ was held on October 23. The exhibition, the firsttrans-Atlantic show of arte povera (translated “poor art”) since 1985, was co-organizedby the Tate Modern, London and the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. The exhibit runsthrough January 20, 2003. Above left: Director Ned Rifkin, Trustee Jacqueline Leland, Anna Maria Salleo,and Italian Ambassador Ferdinando Salleo. Above right: Director, Istituto Italiano diCultura, Martin Stiglio, Ira Lowe, and Olga Hirshhorn. Below: Trustee RobertLehrman and fiancée Aimee Riever. Photos by Chris Smith, dHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Jayne Ikard once uttered a classic line on a day when she planned so many"drop by" visits that she was either too early or too late for the plannedmeals: "I'm overscheduled and underfed!" That's how this scribe felt whenshe had to miss Anna Maria Via's luncheon of top flight Washington doers.The honored guest was Maria Felice Mekouar, wife of the new ambassador ofMorocco. Others were European Union Representative Rita Burghart, Kuwait'sRima Al-Sabah, pathologist Dr. Brigitte Federspiel, wife of the ambassador of DenmarkUlrik Federspiel, Lolo Sarnoff, Christina van Daele, wife of the new Belgian ambassador,Lynda Webster, and Virginia Mars. No talk of bonnets and barbecues withthis bunch, but a spirited discussion of international politics.

Forty-five female guests, including Paraguayan ambassador Leila Rachid-Cowles, LilyBianchi, wife of the Chilean Ambassador, (who contributed specialreserve wine), and the wife of the Colombian ambassador in London, MarshaNelms, joined Colombian-born Melba Polanco at Café Milano to celebrate herHalloween birthday in spirited style. The event, organized by GeorgetownerAnna Utley, carried a witches theme. Left: Melba Polanco. Right: Lily Bianchi, wife of the Chilean Ambassador. Photos by E. David Luria

Fred and Gail Scott Hubig hosted a farewell party in their Georgetown mansion forIcelandic ambassador Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson and his wife Bryndis Scram who arereturning to Finland. Icelandic Ambassador Jon Baldvin Mannibalsson, Gail Scott Hubig,her husband Fred, and Bryndis Schram.