From dairy farming to local butcher shops, to wines (there’s a great piece on Lori Corcoran of Corcoran Vineyards found in The LC), if you have a bent for the better food world, this magazine is for you. There’s also a nice article on Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox and a feature on excellent Thanksgiving recipes.

Check out Flavor Magazine http://www.flavormags.com/

Each year, the event gets better, with the cacophony chatter of hundreds of women starting to quiet down faster during the speaking portion of the evening (during Robin Givens‘ address, you could have heard a pin drop).  There’s fewer embarrassing moments such as pseudo male strippers prancing around shirtless on stage, or Kathleen Turner slurring, cursing, and forgetting her what she was intending to say.

The vibrant and beautiful Gina Ferguson Adams, who holds the position of Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at FedEx Corporation, received a standing ovation and a surprise designer handbag delivered by non other than a FedEx delivery man in the middle of her thank you speech for being the Event Chair. This year’s Committee Chair was Ann Walker Marchant of the Walker Marchant Group, who, during her talk, spoke straight from the heart with no notes, which is pretty rare to see.  We are usually prone to watching speakers read directly from a teleprompter (and badly) or from sheets of paper.

Of course, this night isn’t all about the party, party, party, and AFTER party, all though, for some women it’s mostly about the AFTER party (like Cinderella, I booked out of there at midnight because I know what ensues).  This is about raising lots of money for the prevention of domestic violence and the education on this topic.  It’s about talking about an issue that no one really wants to hear about, is embarrassed to discuss, is in denial that’s it’s occurring. It’s a beautiful thing that because of organizations like KOA and Becky’s Fund we are able to say we have come a long way, baby from the days of the 60’s and the era of Mad Men when spousal abuse was a hush hush thing.

I do think it’s ironic that while Fight Night which is happening simultaneously across town at the Washington Hilton, is rousing up the men with their cigars, Scotch, boxing, the Redskin cheerleaders, and the scantily clad “hostesses”, we at Knock Out are cheering each other on in the fight against domestic abuse.  We are feeling empowered, proud, strong and confident.  Then the doors open for the After Party and the boys will be boys come trotting in the Ritz doors, down the stairs, in hopes of finding a few fun women to get down and dirty with on the dance floor.  Ahh. Tradition.

For more information on Knock Out Abuse and what you can do to help, please go to www.knockoutabuse.org

Here’s a great re-cap from Washingtonian.com with photos:

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/14062.html

And I’d like to say thank you to Cindy Jones, who once again graciously, hosted me at her table this year.

Most of the folks who made it out Saturday evening represented the technology, government contracting, and northern Virginia business leader community, which is a bit different than our normal “DC” mid-week gala crowd.  But don’t think for a second this group was sedate.  No, sireee. I don’t think I’ve seen more people smashed onto a dance floor grinding, swinging, twirling, and jumping (and other moves I’d never previously laid eyes on) to the band, who, by the way, started out in the groovy 60’s then headed straight for MJ (a tribute to the King of Pop’s “This is It” perhaps?), Lionel Richie, and even … Black Eyed Peas. Wow.

It was a special evening that was still rocking when I left (yes, Washington Times Stephanie Green was in the front row and not ready to stop).  Congratulations to Co-Chairs Nancy and Brian Clark and Sherry and Tim Meyers, and a huge thank you to the sponsors, host committee, and auction donors. Punch Partner Adeler Jewelers participated in the live auction with a design by Jorge Adeler.   The item was a natural Citrine gemstone showcased in a bold 14kt yellow gold bezel with a 14kt yellow gold chain and matching earrings.  I believe the set went for $8,500 (lucky lady…or rather lucky guy who bought it for her).

It was a surprise to see IJ Hudson as the Master of Ceremonies.  Haven’t seen him for quite awhile … perhaps we’ll be catching more glimpses of the former NBC4 reporter.

To check out some photos from the night please click here: PASSION FOR CARING PHOTOS

On another note, I taped my very first commercial spot for television yesterday.  What an experience that was.  Believe me, doing a commercial is not as easy as it looks, but it was definitely fun. Thank you to Punch Partner Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles for having me on and to Punch Partner Adeler Jewelers for lending the gorgeous gold adornments. We’ll be posting the video up as soon it’s available. If you live in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County, Loudoun County (the LC!), or Prince William County and have Comcast, you’ll get to see it. All you have to remember is: Sign, then drive event!

More to come…

I had the opportunity to have an extended conversation with Lee Seth Siegel the Director of the Washington DC office, to learn more about this modern way to sell one’s fine jewelry. He astounded me when he shared that virtually anyone and everyone has pieces that they can sell to CIRCA.  He shared with me that they even purchase Tiffany silver. “It doesn’t have to be an old estate piece,” Lee said.  He also told me that gold is certainly extremely hot right now.

During my visit to the comfortable location nestled in the heart of Bethesda, I learned about the CIRCA Process. It’s very simple and straightforward. First, you contact them and set up an appointment. Then you bring in your pieces that you are seriously considering selling.  Your experienced consultant will sit down with you and in an honest, open, frank manner, assess the history, value and price of each. Their approach is to look at each item as intently as the previous and the next. Well known for assessing and buying fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, CIRCA is open to purchasing other famous designers (think Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, etc.). Once you and your consultant have reached an agreement, it’s time to sell.  You can have a check written out to you right there on the spot.  There’s no minimum.  Lee said, “I’ve written checks for $30 and checks for $500,000.”  No fees nor commission charges apply.

Easy.

One thing that gave me pause for thought is that we all know how much money (or not) we have in the stock market, our IRA’s, 401K’s, with our money managers, in the bank, and in our wallets, but do we know how much money is in our jewelry?  Think about it. It’s basically found money. I see the wheels turning in your heads already.  I know I started in on a pile of pieces that I know I will not wear again.

Take some time this weekend to dig through your jewelry boxes, drawers, closets (you know who you are!) and asses what you really need and what you can live without. Don’t be afraid to bring in questionable items.  You never know what could be a found treasure. That’s why your CIRCA consultant is there.

Please call Lee Seth Siegel at 240.482.1581 or email him at lsiegel@circajewels.com and please, tell him the Punch sent you.

The mega-stars of one of my favorite channels, Food Network, Mario Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse came to the White House to be a part of an historic culinary competition called Super Chef Battle.  Airing on Sunday, January 3rd at 8pm ET, this special 2-hour Iron Chef America episode (I can’t wait to hear what the guy in the beginning calls out as he lifts the lid) will feature the FLOTUS Michelle Obama with the star chefs and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford. The challenge is… create a meal for America using The White House Kitchen Garden’s produce as their secret ingredients. Um, that’s a mouthful. Literally.

Don’t think because she’s on her home turf that Comerford can sit back and relax. This is AMERICA remember? Competition, excelling, and capitalism rule.  Flay and Comerford pair up and go head to head against Batali and Lagasse. Judged by chef and best-selling cookbook author Nigella Lawson, Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin, and actress, author and designer Jane Seymour, these chefs hope to not create too much heat in the kitchen.

Who will come out as top dog in the most important house in the US of A?

You will have to watch and see…

Installed in the spring of 2009 under the Obama Administration, The White House Kitchen Garden measures approximately 1100 square feet and is located on the west side of the South Lawn. The four-season herb, fruit and vegetable garden features 75 varieties of seeds planted in slightly raised beds using succession planting methods. Cultivated by White House staff and volunteers, produce from the garden and honey from the adjacent beehives are available to the White House Chefs for preparing meals for the First Family and for official functions, and all extra food is donated to Miriam’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen near the White House.

From Barcelona, to Cape Town, LA, to NYC, to Seoul, to Lisbon, Madrid, Miami, Moscow and Paris and more, many more… you can find out about every sexy, chic city in the world (pretty much) as a tourist and not feel like one because they’ve done the work for you.

It’s nice to see Washington, DC has been added to the list of Wallpaper* City Guides’ “most intoxicating cities”…

http://www.phaidon.com/travel/

Got a nice feel good/do good Thanksgiving story you want to share with us? Please send to pamela@pamelaspunch.com. Thanks for all you do for the community during the holidays and everyday.

Don’t feel badly. I surveyed several of the about 50 or so guests at last night’s Heurich House Tour and Dinner and the majority of them had not realized that the building they passed by on numerous occasions was the Heurich House.  Many of them were event planners and folks in the charity world who found the space to be perfect for a special function.

The Heurich House is filled with history, uniqueness, and beauty.  For the story behind the city’s first fireproof home which was built in 1892-1894 by brewmaster, real estate magnate, philanthropist and thrice married Christian Heurich, who lived to be 102 by the way, please go to: http://www.heurichhouse.org/history.htm

As we all learned last evening during the tour and dinner, the house is a darling setting for a wedding, rehearsal dinner, private reception, fundraising event, even corporate or holiday party.  For more information on touring or booking an event, please go to http://www.heurichhouse.org/event_rentals.htm

Thank you to J. Matthew Lowe, Heurich House docent turned Foundation Board Member, Design Cuisine, Scott Nelson (the Executive Director who resides within the home – sorry, no ghost stories!) and the Foundation Board Members for having us.

HEURICH HOUSE

When: Friday November 6th from 8:30am-9pm and Saturday November 7th from 9:30am-4pm

Where: Georgetown Visitation 1524 35th Street, NW (at Volta Place) in Georgetown – in the Lalor House

INVITE HERE