An evening with Charlie Wilson and Rep. Moran

Due to heart surgery last fall, former Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-Texas), of the famed movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” delayed a town hall meeting with Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) — until now.

Moran hosts “an evening with Charlie Wilson” on Sept. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Schlesinger Center at Southern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Va.

“Charlie had a heart transplant in November — slowed him down a bit,” said Moran spokesman Austin Durrer, explaining why his boss’s town hall with Wilson, 75, didn’t happen closer to the film’s debut last December.

Moran’s town hall concerns U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East. The event is undergoing vetting by the Franking Commission and is subject to change.

Wilson’s wild, partying lifestyle while in Congress is fair game. “It’s an open town hall. People can ask any questions they have,” Durrer said. “He has definitely led a colorful life, but on the policy front he has done things that have had a positive impact for Afghanistan and other countries in the region.”

Wilson and Moran served together for two years on the Appropriations Committee. “It’s fair to say they’re friends,” Durrer said. “He had a big birthday party about two months ago. Jim and his wife were invited.”

Filipino House aide meets president, lays groundwork for return to motherland

We all can pretty easily determine who the congressional representative is for our American hometowns, but figuring out who might’ve represented us in our respective lands of ancestry might prove more difficult. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee staffer Jian Zapata recently got that chance.

Zapata, 23, was the main aide who coordinated Filipino President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s recent visit to the Hill, accommodating Arroyo and her large delegation at a reception and ushering them to the House visitors’ gallery. Zapata, who was born in the Philippines and stayed there until she was 15 months old, spoke with Arroyo — a thrill unto itself — but she also met the legislator who represents Cavite, her home province.

Zapata’s family, currently residing in Virginia Beach, Va., was “ very, very excited” about her encounter.

“My dad is up to date on Filipino politics,” she says in describing his request for a detailed account of whom she met.

The thrill for Zapata may not be temporary. She says she can understand and speak “a little bit” of the Filipino language of Tagalog, and she mentioned to many of the Filipino delegation members that she hopes to return to the Philippines next year for the first time since she left as a baby.

“One of their press people was like, ‘Oh, give us a call when you come back; we’ll meet you at the airport,’ ” she says. “They’re very, very hospitable.”

50 Most Beautiful: Unplugged

The following is a nomination for the 50 Most Beautiful People of Capitol Hill, due out soon. Names are removed to protect the innocent.

I’d like to nominate __________ from the ________ for this year’s top 50 list.

She’s a head-turner for obvious reasons, but there’s more to her than that, which I’ll try to convey in a brief description.

She’s always been there with an encouraging word for her friends, always been herself, and is one of the most genuine people I know — that’s what makes her so darn attractive.

When I first noticed her at The Lounge of all places there was something that just took my breath away. It could have been her drinking a glass of white wine at the bar (which I’d never seen at the Lounge before) or the fact she was the one always drawing a crowd around her. I think it was a combination of both.

Anyways, I know she’d be a great addition for your list this year if you get the opportunity to meet her.

Announcements

Walberg aide and fiance agree to ‘no kissing’ rule before wedding

As the bride and groom shared their first-ever kiss, bagpipe music fittingly broke out on the sanctuary balcony of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church last Friday night.

Lindsay Ingels, 24, executive assistant to Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), was marrying Josh Wallick, 29, a program analyst for ANSER, a defense contractor for the Air Force.

The bride and groom agreed early on that there would be no kissing (or anything else, for that matter) before marriage. Both felt early on that they would one day be husband and wife. So much so that Wallick phoned Ingels’s father the day after she agreed to go out with him to ask his permission to date her.

“Sexual purity,” Ingels said, when asked why they agreed to wait for marriage. “It meant a lot more to know that we saved that for our wedding day.”

Initially it was not her idea to wait. Wallick took the lead and said nothing would happen unless they were married — not even a kiss.

How did the couple survive it? “We had to not spend as much time together sometimes,” she said. “It’s just more trust in God’s sovereignty.”

The couple honeymooned in Baltimore for the weekend, but will be taking a two-and-a-half-week trip to Bali in August.

As for how the kiss went, Ingels remarked, “I’m not at all disappointed. I’m thoroughly enjoying married life and all its benefits.”

The entire Walberg staff attended the wedding, including Walberg’s wife, Sue. The congressman had a previous engagement to attend.

Capital Club bash on verge of selling out

The Capital Club’s signature 16th annual event, Sinatra Soiree, held Thursday evening at the National Building Museum, expects to sell out. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Look for brightly colored attire — pink preppy pants and such.

“Though Sinatra is always the best summer party in D.C., this campaign season got us thinking about change and hope,” said Capital Club President John Goodwin. “We changed the venue from the Galleria at Lafayette to the National Building Museum and hope to hell that Red Bull and vodka comes out of Lilly Pulitzer clothes.”

To check ticket availability, visit www.capital-club.com .