Who knew journalists swing?
Power GOP couple Juleanna Glover-Weiss and hubby, Jeffrey, up and coming party givers who know how to beckon the influential crowds, tossed a CD release party Saturday night at their Kalorama home for reformed Voice of America host-turned-jazz-musician Eric Felten, who just cut “Eric Felten Meets the Dek-tette.” Eric lives in D.C., but he enjoys visiting his hometown of Phoenix, where he plays duets with his grandfather, Lester Felten, 94, a veteran of East Coast bands from the swing era who still plays a mean trombone. Juleanna greeted guests at the front door with perfectly blended cocktails she mixed herself “to make sure that it’s done right.” The diskeratti included ABC correspondent Jessica Yellin; Nazy Nazhand of the forthcoming style magazine “Capitol File”; NRA executive Mildred Hallow and husband Ralph Hallow, who is national correspondent for the Washington Times, where Felten once worked.
Hamlisch keeps on composing
We hear that the very versatile NSO pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch is taking on another Woody Allen project. After the two worked together in the past on the music for the films, “Take the Money and Run” and “Bananas,” Hamlisch has purchased the rights for Allen’s 1994 big-screen comedy “Bullets over Broadway.” He and Allen are currently working on a musical version of the comedy for Broadway. That’s a far cry from “A Chorus Line.”
For blossom’s sake
Kay Enokido, owner’s representative at The Hay-Adams, their new dynamo marketing director Douglas Camp, and executive chef Peter Schaffrath hosted an elegant Japanese dinner for sake lovers in the regal hotel’s restaurant Friday night to toast and re-toast the Cherry Blossom Festival. Grabbing a sizable mallet, Strobe Talbott, head of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, helped smash open a wooden barrel of the traditional Japanese rice wine to kick off the night’s celebration. Japanese connoisseurs described the intricate qualities of each drink. … but the true pleasure was in the sipping. Washington-area photographer and author Jake McGuire furnished a gorgeous photograph of cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin as a memento for each guest. One table of Italians, Austrians, and those Americans of Eastern European and even USA Republican heritage, clinked cups to the Italian version of “to your health!” What else would you expect in a truly international city!
Palm Springs revivals
Former senator-turned-consultant Bob Packwood, R-Ore., and his wife have been renting a home in Palm Springs, Calif., and were house-hunting in the area during the weekend. But he wasn’t the only one out in the California Mojave desert with a DC connection. Barbara Dixon, who was Jack Valenti’s right hand at the MPAA for many years, was visiting the Packwoods from Los Angeles, where she’s now VP of the Museum of TV and Radio. Former Rep. Tom Railsback, R-Ill., and his wife, Joye, are still trying to hit that hole in one in nearby Rancho Mirage. Jim Ryan, who represents Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in D.C., was checking out the competition at the nearby Indian casinos. Producer Ed Yoe of Artist Services and Richard Lee Brawley have just moved into a new home in the old Palm Springs neighborhood, which is “back” and has a West Hollywood feel.
It just gets hotter …
Dr. Bill Narva, who was the U.S. Capitol physician for many years, is retired and living on Merv Griffin’s estate with his wife, hotelier extraordinare Rose Narva, who ran a tight ship at several Washington hotels including the Jefferson and former Sheraton Carlton (now the St. Regis) before moving to Palm Springs to renovate Merv Griffin’s Givenchy. That was Gene Autry’s property and hotel before Merv bought it. Now Parker Meridien has purchased the prime property and fixed it up to the tune of $23 million. Rose, who has recovered from a fall and hip injury, hasn’t checked out The Parker, this new hot spot, yet. That’s where “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” co-stars, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, were spotted canoodling recently among the lavender and orange blossoms. Although management gave the two employees who leaked that story to Us Weekly Donald Trump’s line from “The Apprentice,” other employees proudly showed off the rolled-up magazine clip which they hid between towels. Robert Downey Jr. stayed at the posh resort last week.
Regan looks left – or west?
Fox talker Judith Regan is moving her Harper Collins celebrity book imprint, ReganBooks, from the Big Apple to Hollywood. The publisher, who was linked romantically with flawed Homeland Security nominee Bernard Kerik, published his book. Her list also includes books by Gen. Tommy Franks, Michael Moore and Amber Frey. By moving west, we hear she hopes to expand her brand in TV and film.
Cystic Fibrosis gala is a hit
The 20th annual PhRMA Volkswagen Tennis Gala benefitting Cystic Fibrosis promises to be a hit Saturday evening at the McLean Racquet & Health Club. OMB Director Josh Bolten; Jim Connaughton, chairman of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality; Commerce department chief of staff, Claire Buchan; former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., and Reps. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., and Brian Baird, D-Wash, are among those who will hit the ball for a very worthwhile cause with senior tennis professionals – Gardnar Mulloy, Bunny Smith, Fred McNair, Marty Riessen, Sherwood Stewart, Tony Vincent and Virginia Wade.