The Washington National Opera marked its 50th anniversary and a full decade under Plácido Domingo’s leadershipwith a full weekend of dinners hosted by ambassadors, culminating in a gala. The Golden Gala, a concert featuring world-class artists and an elegant black-tie dinner, was chaired by former Chief of Protocol, Opera Vice President the Honorable Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt.

The concert featured Plácido Domingo and a roster of the most acclaimed stars of the opera world, among them Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego Flórez, Elizabeth Futral, Samuel Ramey, Anja Kampe, Paul Groves, Alan Held, and Carlos Álvarez. Crowning the on-stage festivities was the world premiere of a musical theater “opera spuffo” by composer Marvin Hamlisch, starring Broadway diva Kristin Chenoweth and Plácido Domingo. Many cabinet and government officials including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Mrs. Gonzales, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Mrs. Gutierrez attended, as well as Supreme Court Justices, ambassadors and guests from Paris, London, New York and elsewhere.

Following the concert, guests dined atop The Kennedy Center, which was transformed into a glamorous setting of golden décor, complete with 2,000 yellow roses, given by the Ambassador of Colombia Andrés Pastrana and Mrs. Pastrana. Mrs. Roosevelt’s golden touch was everywhere, from the table linens to the gold-leaf chocolate coins perched on each dessert.

During cocktails and dinner, Sid and Mercedes Bass, Kip Forbes, Betty Scripps Harvey, Ariane Dandois, Ondine de Rothschild, Alexandra Kauka, Patricia Kluge, William Moses, Huda and Samia Farouki, Alberto and Anabelle Mariaca,Sirdar Aly Aziz, Frayda and George Lindemann, Guillermo and Bertita Martínez, James and Marie Nugent-Head Marlas, and Nemir and Nada Kirdar mixed with Washington luminaries Jim Kimsey, Jacqueline Badger Mars, Opera President Michael Sonnenreich and his wife Linda, Mandy and Mary Ourisman, Mary Mochary, Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg, Marcia Mayo, Bob and Jamie Craft, and Albert and Shirley Small. The event raised over $4 million for the company.

More than 100 clients, friends and executives filled the Pavillion at the Colony Hotel last night to see part time Palm Beach resident Muriel "Mickie" Siebert, and hear about her "Personal Finance Program: Taking Control of Your Financial Future.”

This program was developed by the Muriel F. Siebert Foundation for the New York City department of education, and was introduced during the 2005 school year. While there is a pilot program going on at present in Palm Beach County, there are plans to expand into 30 more schools next year.

Down in Palm Beach in Mar-a-Lago’s beautiful ballroom, they held the 3rd Annual Sunshine From Darkness Dinner Dance Gala benefiting NARSAD, the Mental Health Research Association – the world’s leading donor-supported organization dedicated to finding the causes, improved treatments and cures for mental illnesses.

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was honored for his frank and open reporting on depression and mental illness. Cooper was introduced by Mike Wallace. In his speech, Mr. Cooper talked about his brother’s suicide and how 17 years later he is still trying to understand why his brother Carter made the decision to end his life. Everyone in the room was touched by his words and when he was finished he was given a standing ovation.

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