The Home Stretch

What an amazing month. It seemed as if Washington Life was out meeting with the city's best and brightest every night. Most of the cabinet was at the Meridian Ball; at the Noche de Gala we mingled with New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, film director John Singleton and actors Jimmy Smits, Michael Peña and Wilmer Valderrama; and of course, the Ambassadors Ball and Washington National Opera always bring out the A-list.
November cover subjects Adrian and Michelle Fenty are two of the latest additions to that A-list. As you can imagine, the man positioned to be the District's next mayor (as of print) and his wife are busy people these days. We had a great time planning our cover shoot. Certainly, this is less pressing than fixing the D.C. school system or wrangling with complicated legal issues as Michelle does as a lawyer, but, still, we imagine it was probably more enjoyable. We can't thank them enough for inviting us into their home ... and letting us join them for a friendly game of tag football.
Another power couple we visited this month are AOL vice chairman and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and his wife Lynn. The couple hosted an exclusive celebration marking 100 years of Georgetown basketball at their McLean home. We hope you enjoy our Q&A with former coach John Thompson, his son and current Hoya coach John Thompson III, Ted Leonsis and Georgetown President John DeGioia in our "WL Spotlight" this month. Don't worry Maryland, GW, Mason, AU and Howard fans, we didn't forget you! And to Maryland coach Gary Williams we say: "We love your coaching style!"

Perennial powerbroker, facilitator and bestselling author, Vernon Jordan appears in our pages this month as well. The Clintonian icon joined moderator Carol Joynt at the Q&A Café at Nathans recently to dish on mid-terms, growing up with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta and why he's worried about the world standing of America. A few blocks north on Prospect Street, WL continued our 15th Anniversary celebrations at a lively reception at Café Milano. It was great to see all our friends and partners! We thank you all for your support over the years.
Newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Barbados Mary Ourisman was one of those long-term WL supporters joining us for an interview by Roland Flamini as part of his feature on the State Department's ART in Embassies program. I wonder if Roy Lichtenstein ever envisioned his work would be used as part of U.S. foreign policy?
Impressionistic and modern art is the focus of Renee Harrison Drake's "Art and Auction" contribution this issue. Works in both genres were on the block at Sotheby's and Christie's in New York recently. Additionally, Deborah Dietsch headed to The Baltimore Antique Show, which attracted over 30 foreign dealers with offerings from Monet and O'Keefe. Moving onto the art of fashion, photographer Yvonne Taylor and stylist Lauretta J. McCoy provide a possessive spin on Peter Langer's new looks in our Fashion pages.

To plan your next trip to Hong Kong, turn to Managing Editor Michael Clements' review of the venerable Peninsula Hotel overlooking Victoria Harbor in "Hotel Watch." He also provides an insider's take on dim sum, junk boats and member clubs in his "10 to Do: Hong Kong." We have a fair share of luxurious real estate locally as well. Case in point: Corinne Bensahel's autumn "Inside Homes" photoshoot of the Middleburg mansion of businessman Jeffrey Steiner. For more on Middleburg turn to Vicky Moon's regular "Over the Moon" column in our Real Estate section.
October was busy on the event side. WL was again proud to serve as the official magazine sponsor of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts' Noche De Gala. Congratulations to the NHFA for 10 great years of raising awareness and money for emerging Hispanic artists. We also take you to CharityWork's Dream Ball, a fashionable Chanel event at Saks Fifth Ave in Chevy Chase, and many others. Keep your calendar open for the following WL-sponsored events in November: Fight Night and the Freer Sakler Gala (both Nov.2); Starlight-Starbright Taste Of The Stars Ball (Nov.17th); and the Thanks USA Gala (Nov.14th).