OUT & ABOUT

Aldrin, Over the Moon on His Birthday

Contrary to popular belief, last week was not entirely about George W. Bush -- at least according to the fans of one American hero. It was Buzz Aldrin's week, and the president's second inauguration was merely the icing on the astronaut's cake.

Spike Karalekas, Lois Aldrin and Van Hipp serenade birthday boy Buzz. (Rebecca D'Angelo - For The Washington Post)

"Every four years, depending on how the wind blows, I'm very happy to be here," said the right-leaning Aldrin, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Inauguration Day at an intimate gathering at the Four Seasons. It was just one stop on the party train that Aldrin and wife Lois rode all week long: Tuesday he accepted an honor at Florida's "W Awards"; Wednesday he was schmoozing at Buffy Cafritz's A-list soiree. "I'm going to try to set a record tonight," said the second man to walk on the moon. "We're going to the Convention Center after this, then the Library of Congress, maybe Air and Space for the Ohio party." We should all be so lively at 75.

The birthday bash, hosted by Aldrin pals Van Hipp and Spike Karalekas, was the starting line of Thursday's party marathon. "Hell, I wouldn't miss this!" boomed Sen. Edward Kennedy as he greeted Aldrin. "He's a Republican like most of the people in this room," Kennedy said later with a forgiving smile. "But he's a legend." Other well-wishers included Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, former ambassador to Spain George Argyros and wife Julia, and Ana Botella de Aznar, wife of Spain's former prime minister.

Justice O'Connor shares a thought with Sen. Kennedy. (Rebecca D'Angelo - For The Washington Post)

"We're not going to any of the balls -- been there, done that," said Cafritz, there with husband Bill. "But we figured 75 is really special." As the time came for town cars to whisk the merrymakers away, the 50 or so guests still sipping cocktails sang "Happy Birthday" to Aldrin. Then, it was off to the races.

"We'll be up all night," said Lois Aldrin. "I'm Superman's wife."

In Georgetown, Blowin' in the Snow

Maureen Harrison and Carlotta Hester at the Govinda Gallery opening. (Rebecca D'Angelo - For The Washington Post)

Rock-and-roll lives in Georgetown -- and two pairs of black leather pants plus several men with long hair at Govinda Gallery Friday night proved it. Nearly 100 music fans trudged though the slush for the opening of photographer Ken Regan's exhibition on Bob Dylan's legendary Rolling Thunder tour of 1975. "I've been a huge Dylan fan since 1963," said Allen Korn, who saw Dylan perform during the tour. "Ken's an amazing photographer."

Regan, a former photojournalist, was awakened in the wee hours of the morning in late '75 by Dylan, who asked him to shoot the tour. "I think he liked me because I wasn't intrusive. I wasn't in his face," said Regan. He snapped once-in-a-lifetime moments such as the first time that Bruce Springsteen met his idol.

No sign of Dylan Friday night, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. Said Korn: "This is the hippest gallery in Georgetown."

Remembering the True Party Girl

From left, Lynda Webster, Janet Donovan, Tandy Dickerson and Aniko Gaal Schott pay tribute to their dear friend. (Rebecca D'Angelo - For The Washington Post)

It never was a real party until Garnett Stackelberg got there. For decades the baroness, who died almost two weeks ago at the age of 95, chronicled the comings and goings of Washington and Palm Beach's smart set -- gathering thousands of admirers along the way.

"She taught me the greatest lesson," Lynda Webster said Friday at a gathering in Stackelberg's honor. "You don't have to have a big house. You don't have to have expensive wine. You don't have to have fancy clothes. You just have to love people."

Webster joined Stackelberg's son Sandy and "honorary" daughters Janet Donovan, Tandy Dickerson and Aniko Gaal Schott at Gawler's funeral home in Friendship Heights for one last party for Stackelberg. The stories flowed freely; she would have loved it -- and written about it.

With Laura Thomas