Diverse Dreams
Immigrants continue to flock to the United States in search of the American dream. On Monday, Georgetown University’s Film and Media Studies Program and the IMPACT Arts and Film Fund team up to present a screening of A Better Life, a film that explores one family’s search for a better outlook in the United States and a realization that family is an important part of the American Dream.
The private screening starts at 7 p.m. at the AMC Georgetown, 3111 K St., NW. After the movie there will be a Q&A session with producer Jami Gertz. You must RSVP to attend the event to RSVP@impactartsandfilmfund.org.
Ante Up for Cancer
Are you all in? If you love poker, the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 7th Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Capitol Hill Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament is the event for you. On Tuesday, the tournament will feature 10-14 tables with 10 players at each. A member of Congress or a poker pro is expected to host each table in the round-robin tournament. We’d expect honorary co-chairs Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., to be on hand. The final 10 players will play in the championship game for a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 and a seat in the 2011 World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas.
Professional poker player Phil Gordon will serve as the master of ceremonies for the tournament and will hold a poker clinic for sponsors during the event’s reception hour. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Prevent Cancer’s local programs, including the Prevent Cancer/GW Mammography Van and Project Early Awareness, in addition to helping support community programs across the nation.
The event starts at 6:15 p.m. at Union Station’s East Hall with the poker clinic with Gordon and other poker champions and continues with the tournament at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $45 for spectators and $500 for players. For more information, visit http://preventcancer.org/donate2c.aspx?id=162 or contact linda.chastain@preventcancer.org.
Run, Senator, Run!
On Wednesday, dozens of members of Congress will lace up their running shoes for the annual ACLI Capital Challenge. The three-mile road race pits 125 teams representing each of the branches of government and the media against each other. The race begins at 8 a.m. at East Potomac Park.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., is slated to compete for the 30th straight year—he’s never missed a race. Joining Lugar will be Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.; Kay Hagan, D-N.C.; Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and reigning Senate title holder John Thune, R-S.D.
Last year’s fastest member of Congress, Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., will attempt to defend his title. He’ll be challenged by Reps. Mike Pence, R-Ind.; Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.; Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.; Todd Platts, R-Pa.; Charles Dent, R-Pa.; Jose Serrano, D-N.Y.; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Mark Critz, D-Pa.; Russ Carnahan, D-Mo.; Rob Wittman, R-Va.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; Dan Lipinski, D-Ill.; John Sullivan, R-Okla.; Dave Reichert, R-Wash.; Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio; Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind.; Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.; and Sandra Adams, R-Fla.
The event is designed to bring attention to the fitness of Washington’s busiest leaders and to answer the question of which branch of the government is the fittest. Proceeds from the race go to Special Olympics, D.C. Entries for the race are closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go and watch. For more information, visit www.capitalchallenge.com.
McDonald’s Goes Mexican
Thursday is Cinco de Mayo and nothing screams Mexican pride more than McDonald’s, right? Maybe not, but on Thursday McDonald’s hosts a Cinco de Mayo Legislative Reception at the Capitol Visitor Center Atrium. The invitation-only event gives the McDonald’s company leadership and restaurant owner-operators from each state a chance to mingle with lawmakers and talk about the policy issues important to the company.
The reception runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. and is hosted by honorary co-chairs Reps. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., and Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas. If you’ve been invited, be sure to RSVP to (202) 469-8020.
Ball on the Mall
If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up, Saturday’s Ball on the Mall is the event for you. The annual event—hosted by the Trust for the National Mall’s L’Enfant Society—is held in a tent on the National Mall and proceeds go toward the Trust for the National Mall’s efforts to preserve the space.
The black tie event starts at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception and dinner and continues with the main event, the Ball on the Mall at 8 p.m. The ball will feature live music and dancing, a dessert buffet, and signature cocktails.
Tickets start at $150 for the main event starting at 8 p.m. Tickets for the VIP reception and dinner run $325. L’Enfant Society members are eligible for discounted tickets. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalmall.org/events/ball-on-the-mall.
Want your Hot Ticket listed? Contact mbloom@nationaljournal.com.
This article appears in the May 2, 2011, edition of National Journal Daily.
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