“PART OF WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA emphasized during the course of his campaign was how important it is for ordinary citizens to feel as though they have a role in the future direction of our country, and the only way they will have that is if they are engaged in the process,” says Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s senior adviser. In less than four months in office, the president has done just that, Jarrett told Capitol File at our photo shoot at the Corcoran. Desirée Rogers, White House social secretary, who also graces our cover, says there were 26 events in the first five weeks of the Obama administration. The standing Wednesday night event could be anything: a Gershwin concert in conjunction with the Library of Congress and PBS, a governors’ dinner with Earth, Wind & Fire, or a reception for military spouses. Engaged they are, and our community is taking note.

So how does one juggle the long days of trying to resolve pressing national issues with other duties of the White House? A great support system, which both Jarrett and Rogers have: They turn to each other, other staffers who came with them from Chicago, and a welcoming Washington, DC, community. Among those here willing to lend a hand are our mothers with a mission— eight successful women who balance work life with home and family. In “The Greatest Gift,” these moms discuss what matters most to them and how they couldn’t have gotten to where they are without their families. We also report on some of the young White House correspondents, all 40 or under, who came from the campaign trails to the job of a lifetime. They candidly tell us what it’s like to follow POTUS in “Beat 1600.”

We’ve followed Septime Webre during his 10 years as the artistic director for the Washington Ballet and now share, courtesy of Design Army and photographer Cade Martin, a stunning pictorial of some of his creative masterpieces, including some you’ll see this summer. “A Decade of Brilliance” will take your breath away.

Mayor Adrian Fenty takes a breather from training as a triathlete and his work with Achieve, a youth triathlon camp, to tell us how he got to where he is (his father was also a triathlete) and how he wants to keep Washington, DC, one of the fittest cities in the nation. On that note, we also talked to experts at Equinox at Tysons Corner in Vienna, Virginia, about how to get started on a path to lifelong fitness. Look for future columns from celebrity trainer Mark Jenkins, who has helped shape the bodies of Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, and Diddy.

We’re following the movers and shakers in town, including Elliott Bisnow, founder of the Summit Series, who recently gathered a high-profile group of young entrepreneurs at the White House to discuss their experiences and offer insight. Among the group was our very own founder and CEO, Jason Binn. Our leader returned to Washington to help us celebrate President Obama’s first White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner as well as our fourth annual Afterparty, with guests including Wanda Sykes, the dinner’s emcee.

Thanks to Capitol File’s super support system in Washington, DC, and New York City! We’re geared up for a fun and fast-paced summer in our ever-changing city. See you soon!

SHERRY MOELLER EDITOR IN CHIEF