Gray Announces Candidacy
• June 18, 2013

Vincent Gray has entered the building. And what an entrance it was.

After months of tentative, cryptic headlines, whispers across the blogosphere and hopeful speculation among the city’s disillusioned voters, the uncertainty surrounding the District’s 2010 mayoral race has reached its final denouement: Vincent Gray will indeed run against Adrian Fenty in the Democratic primary on Sept. 14, which, given the District’s stalwart record as a blue constituency, is likely to be the only race anyone pays attention to.

Gray made his “announcement,” of sorts, when he stopped by the Reeves Municipal Center March 30 to submit the candidacy forms for his campaign. Word had leaked out hours beforehand, and what normally would have been a dull administrative task morphed into an impromptu rally for the city council’s sitting chairman. With an electrified crowd milling inside, Gray slipped onto the scene conspicuously, irresistibly late, allowing time for a small mob of journalists, well-wishers, old supporters and disgruntled Fentyites to gather, cordoned off by police, and teased by Gray staffers clad in trench coats and armed with coy answers to questions about the upcoming campaign.

The affable but often stiff Gray, known as a catalyzing force on the council, has long criticized the Fenty administration, particularly on its education policy. The enmity reached a head last fall when Gray and other councilmembers skewered public schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, a Fenty appointee, at a hearing designed to scrutinize her laying off of 450 teachers after hiring nearly double that number the preceding summer. At the hearing, a visibly upset Gray catalogued the incident as an attempt by the executive branch to supersede the council in order to push through what was deemed underhanded educational reform. At that time, speculation about his run for mayor was already circulating among commentators. Afterward, it seemed all but a given.

Which made the chairman’s silence about his intentions throughout the winter all the more confusing. When he did step forward, though, no one seemed to mind the months of indecision. Gray, strolling up in a pressed suit and boyish grin, was met with a storm of cheers and shutter clicks, handshakes and kisses. As he weaved his way upstairs to submit his campaign papers, he stopped several times to exchange words with supportive voters, waved to catcallers on a balcony above and spoke noncommittally to the swarm of microphones pressed before him. It was democracy at work again.

Outside, he had only a few words to say, but still took time to pose with a line of supporters holding placards sporting the slogans “One City” and “Vince” — a sign the stodgy council chairman was, perhaps, giving his image a hip makeover. Gray said he was “absolutely delighted” to enter the race.

“I am a native Washingtonian. I am a graduate of the public schools. I absolutely love this city … and we will talk about ways we can do better throughout this campaign,” he said.

With that, he was gone, but a gaggle of constituents stayed behind, chattering excitedly, looking a little stunned at the tumult. Most were there because of grievances against the current administration.

One union worker with the Building Trades Council said Gray was “more reasonable” and “friendly to labor.” A Ward 8 resident was more blunt: “The current mayor is only helping out those who are fortunate. Right now we need to help out everyone.”

Traversing through the crowd, the Fenty bashing continued. It was clear Gray, if he couldn’t yet raise the money, could at least yoke a few extra votes. Karen Perry, who chairs Tenleytown’s ANC 3F, said the city needs “more than a photo-op mayor.” Tom Smith, chairman of Ward 3’s Democratic committee, agreed.

“This election is critically important to the future of the city,” he said. “This city needs new leadership.”

The Cherry Trees of Washington
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While traveling in Japan in the 1880s, writer and socialite Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore was impressed with how the magnificent flowering cherry trees were regarded as sacred in Japanese society. Much taken with their beauty, she started her one-woman campaign with the Japanese government to send some of these trees to Washington, D.C., to be planted along the Potomac River. It took 30 years and many mishaps, some of which reached the level of breaches in diplomacy, before her dream was realized.
After Eliza got things started, negotiations between Japan and the U.S. ensued and kept faltering, until First Lady Helen Taft heard about it. Mrs. Taft had lived in Japan when her husband was president of the Philippine Commission, and she responded immediately to Eliza Scidmore’s letter suggesting that cherry trees would beautify the riverfront. Helen Taft was the same person who once described Washington as “a mosquito-infested swamp and a rendezvous for tramps and criminals,” so she was anxious to do what she could to improve the looks of the capital city.

Ninety trees were immediately planted, but these were found to be the wrong variety and they were dug up and taken away. Then, in 1909, a shipment of 2000 trees arrived as a gift from the government of Japan. However, when the Department of Agriculture inspected the trees, they found them to be disease-infested and the president himself ordered the whole shipment to be burned. An exchange of letters followed, with the Japanese ambassador apologizing for the terrible mistake.

Next, a wealthy Japanese doctor stepped forward and offered to personally pay for cherry trees to be sent to Washington in the name of the city of Tokyo. The second shipment of trees came from Japan, and this time they were specially grafted to be disease-free. The 3,020 trees were planted along the banks of the Tidal Basin, and they became an instant success. Fifty years later, when Lady Bird Johnson began establishing mini-parks and flower gardens around the city, the Japanese government gave President and Mrs. Johnson another gift of 3,800 trees, which were planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

The trees have had their ups and downs. In 1938, during construction of the Jefferson Memorial, workers started to clear some of the trees for the construction site, and an angry group of women protested by chaining themselves to the trees to stop them from being destroyed. The government intervened and promised to replace any trees that had to come down. These trees are high maintenance, too. Some only last about 50 years, so the government is constantly replanting to make up for the ones that die. Then, the giant snowstorms of this past February wreaked havoc by breaking limbs and demolishing whole trees. But, the clean up went quickly and all is well again as we once more celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival, a hometown favorite and huge tourist attraction.
Back in 1912, when those historic 3,020 trees were planted by the new Japanese ambassador’s wife, Viscountess Chinda, and Helen Taft, the ambassador had proclaimed on his way from Japan to Washington that, “Almost all the world is at peace today, and will be at peace for thousands of tomorrows. War has had its day.”

However, his prediction proved to be quite the opposite and, during World War II, our government took to calling the flowering trees “Oriental” instead of Japanese. But beauty makes a strong statement, and the cherry trees, or Sakura, as they are called in Japan, represent both rebirth and the fragile nature of existence — welcomed symbolism and a humbling reminder in our nation’s capital.

Head to the Tidal Basin and National Mall for the National Cherry Blossom Festival through April 11. Visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information.
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Summer Sales Along Wisconsin Avenue
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Mid-summer sales are taking over Wisconsin Avenue. Check out these local stores for some great deals on this summer’s must-haves.

Adidas, 1251 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 30% off select sweat suits and shoes

Nine West, 1227 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 60% off select merchandise; Leggy shoe $69 this weekend only.

Jack Spade, 1250 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Semi-annual sale; additional 25% off already reduced merchandise, sale on a sale.

Max Studio, 1242 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 60% off on spring and summer merchandise.

Zara, 1238 Wisconsin Ave., NW – All summer and winter 2011 merchandise on sale.

Madewell, 1237 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Additional 50% off all markdowns; 50% off all white bottoms.

Ann Taylor Loft, 1239 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 30% off select merchandise with an additional 20% off; $5 tank tops, $6 tees, 50% off limited items on floor, and $15 sunglasses.

United Colors of Benetton, 1200 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 50% off men’s apparel, up to 30% off children’s apparel

Abercrombie & Fitch, 1208 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 30% off clearance merchandise

Vineyard Vines, 1225 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 50% off; additional 30% off on sale price, big whale of a sale.

2B Bebe, 1211 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Highlighted items are an additional 40% off; shirts are buy 1 and get 1 50% off; $10 flip-flops; $10-$25 promotions.

Comfort One Shoes, 1329 Wisconsin Ave., NW – End-of-season clearance with up to 50% off; the sale lasts until Labor Day Weekend

Gap, 1258 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 40% markdowns until Sunday; 30% off kid’s uniforms

Streets of Georgetown, 1254 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 40% off Hickey Freeman merchandise; 30% off Bobby Jones apparel.
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Starbucks Offers Free Unlimited Wi-Fi
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As of today, all company-owned Starbucks Coffee stores will offer free Wi-Fi to anyone with a laptop, tablet, mobile phone or other device capable of accessing the Internet.

Starbucks has offered Wi-Fi in the past but access was limited to two hours a day per customer and only available to customers who were members of the My Starbucks Reward program, according to the Starbucks newsroom.

The new Wi-Fi system offers free Wi-Fi to anyone, no Starbucks card required. Customers can also access the Wi-Fi with one click of the mouse as no username or password is needed.

This new system is part of the store’s way of increasing their ongoing commitment to enhancing customer experience, according to the Starbucks newsroom.

Many Georgetown residents were unaware of the free Starbucks Wi-Fi.

Barnes & Noble customer Claudia Ceja said she uses the free Wi-Fi at the bookstore about once a month. A journalist from Mexico, Ceja has lived in Georgetown about 10 months and uses the Wi-Fi to keep up with events back home.

“Sometimes I review the news from my country or from here, but the most important is work. I need to have access,” Ceja said.

Ceja sometimes goes to Whole Foods for the Wi-Fi as well, but she likes Barnes & Noble because of the environment, she said.

“When you need to stop for a moment, you can relax,” she said.

Nick Orozco, another Barnes & Nobles customer, said he has previously gone to George Washington University for free Wi-Fi since he is able to log-in there from his iPod Touch.

“As there are so many Starbucks in D.C., I will definitely be using it,” Orozco said.

For those who do not prefer Starbucks, there are other options in Georgetown for free Wi-Fi as well.
Lindsey Grumeach, a Puro Café employee, said many of her customers have said they don’t like Starbucks coffee. Other customers are Georgetown students that come to study. Some spend “three, four or five hours, just working,” she said.

Baked & Wired also offers free Wi-Fi to its customers.

“People come in and use it all the time,” Barrett, a Baked & Wired employee, said. “A lot of people do research for work or homework. A lot of people stay awhile. As long it’s not busy we don’t mind if people stay.”

Garrett’s Restaurant and Railroad Tavern offers free Wi-Fi. Tracy, a Garrett’s employee, said having it is an advantage for the restaurant.

“We have a bunch of people who do work and play around on it. It’s good for business,” she said.

Besides Starbucks several establishments in the Georgetown area offer free Wi-Fi to customers. Here are a few places that were given good reviews on Urban Spoon.

Baked & Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson St., 202-333-2500) – Offers fresh baked goods such as biscotti, cake, muffins, quiche and scones as well as handcrafted drinks such as espresso. Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 6:59 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri. 6:59 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Barnes & Noble (3040 M St., 202-965-9880) – Offers an array of books, music, movies and magazines. Has an in-house Starbucks store. Store hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Crepe Amour (3291 M St., 202-625-6625) – The store serves made-to-order crepes, which are handcrafted right in front of you. The creperie and espresso bar uses organic flour and natural ingredients and offers both sweet and savory crepes. Store hours: Sun.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Farmers & Fishers (3000 K St., 202-298-0003) – The restaurant by the Georgetown Waterfront serves high-quality products from sustainable agriculture from family farmers and farmers of the sea. Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Garrett’s Restaurant and Railroad Tavern (3003 M St., 202-333-1033) – The restaurant is celebrating over 30 years of business with serving good food and drinks at an affordable price. Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., Sat. noon to 2:30 a.m. and Sun. 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Puro Café (1529 Wisconsin Ave., 202-787-1937) – The establishment has great service and simple, modern furnishings. It offers paninis and flatbreads as well as other favorites. Store hours: Open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saxby’s Coffee (3500 O St., 202-338-3777) – The coffee shop has offered free Wi-Fi to customers for three and a half years. Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Starbucks (Locations: 3122 M St., 202-625-6706; 3050 K St., 202-298-6180; 1810 Wisconsin Ave., 202-337-5604) – Now offering free Wi-Fi to all customers. Store hours: Varies between locations.

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Robberies In Georgetown
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-There have been a series of robberies in the Georgetown neighborhood since last Saturday, September 25.

An armed robbery took place at the BB&T Bank of Georgetown on Wisconsin Ave at 2 p.m. today, September 30. Details are scares at the moment, but it is reported by DC Police that four black men in masks were fronting the operation, driving what may have been a Dodge Magnum with tinted windows. They were last seen on West O St.

And just last Saturday evening, two Georgetown residents were attacked at separate times. The first was assaulted on his way home from Barnes & Noble. Walking up 31st St between O and P Sts. and paying attention to his iPhone, he was violently shoved from behind by two men. The assailants, described as black men between the ages of 18-22, were clearly after the man’s phone, which they snatched off the ground before fleeing the scene. The victim immediately retreated to a nearby friend’s house on P St, where he continued on to George Washington University Medical Center to be treated for severe lacerations on his head.

Shortly afterwards, a women walking near R and 29th Sts. was similarly attacked while on her iPhone, which the assailants yet again stole. She also received treatment at George Washington Medical Center.

There is not yet word on whether these assailants from the weekend have been caught, or whether there is any connection between the events of Saturday evening and today. However, Georgetown residents should make sure to be aware of their surroundings at all times. If you witness anything in the neighborhood, please call the police. Do not take action.

Weekend Roundup: Columbus Day Weekend
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-Artisphere Opening

Sunday, 10 a.m. The Artisphere will be located where the old Newseum used to be in Rosslyn. It will have three art galleries, two theaters and a 4,000-square-foot ballroom. A 4,000-share-foot Terrace Gallery will have room for exhibitions, seating with drinks and snacks, as well as an overlook into the ballroom.

Gray Ghost Vineyards 16th Anniversary

October 8 – 11 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Join Gray Ghost Vineyards as it celebrates its sixteenth anniversary. The event includes wine tasting, winery and vineyard tours, a Civil War camp, the firing of a replica Civil War cannon, silent barrel aution, live jaxx music and local vendors. Admission also includes a logo glass. Participants are invited to bring a picnic or purchase lunch there, which will go to benefit the Culpeper Food Closet. Call to reserve lunch. Location: Gray Ghost Vineyards, 14706 Lee Highway, Amissville, VA

Gray Ghost, a family owned and operated winery, is placing Virginia on the international wine map by producing internationally acclaimed wines from immaculate vineyards. All grapes are hand-picked and wine is aged in premium oak barrels. Full-bodied reds are unfiltered and lighter-styled wines are fermented at lower temperatures to enhance fruit character. This emphasis on quality resulted in Gray Ghost being named “Best of the East” by Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine four consecutive years!

A visit to Gray Ghost offers a knowledgeable staff, southern hospitality, beautiful picnic grounds and spacious indoor facilities. Ask about Gray Ghost’s famous winery events, entertaining tours and the most popular volunteer harvest program in the state!

After Hours at The Kreeger Museum with the Alliance Francasie

Saturday, at 6 p.m.
Guests are invited to sip champagneat our first After Hours event in partnership with Alliançe Française. Enjoy the surroundings of this architectural masterpiece while listening to DJ Hervé of Planète Chic Productions, take a gallery tour through our outstanding collection and enjoy an exclusive screening of two French films.
Includes open bar and transportation to and from the Kreeger, leaving from Alliançe Française, 2142 Wyoming Avenue, NW, at 5:45 and 6:15 pm.

Powers of Ten: A Journey in Song from Quark to Cosmos

Join composer David Haines and more than two hundred singers from the DC area on an amazing voyage through the magnitudes from the human scale right down to string theory via fingers, amoebae, atoms and quarks – then back up the magnitudes via landscape, Sun, black holes and galaxies. The twenty-odd songs of Powers of Ten are bursting with musical flavors: a touch of classical, jazz, pop, and rap. The lyrics are fact-packed, often hilarious – and even tug at the heartstrings. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the University of Maryland, College Park campus. Tickets are free, but must be reserved by calling 301.405.ARTS [2787]. For more information visit http://www.usasciencefestival.org/powersoften

Second Annual Georgetown Photo Competition
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The Georgetowner’s annual photo competition has returned, bringing some of the year’s best images of the neighborhood from over the past year. The photographer who took this year’s winning picture is none other than Jeff Kouri.

Kouri, last year’s winner, consistently offers a wealth of unforgettable, signature images of Georgetown and the surrounding area, turning our very living memories into photographs. His winning photo, taken on the Potomac with a breathtaking view of the Georgetown University boathouse, offers a glimpse of the Key Bridge that most of us don’t often get the opportunity to experience.

Kouri captures the life, history and beauty of Georgetown like few photographers have. From the main drag of M Street to the back alleyways and Canal Towpath, Kouri has his fingers on the pulse of this city.

Please join us for a reception to launch the Georgetowner’s first issue of the year and to announce the winner of the Georgetowner’s 2011 Photo Competition at Farmers and Fishers on January 25, 2011 from 6-8PM
RSVP:photography@georgetowner.com (space is limited)

Farmers & Fishers
3000 K Street NW (fountain level)
Washington DC 20007
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Nov 4 OGB Meeting regarding Tudor Place
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Speakers: EB Eve Barsoum, architectural historian, staff assistant to the Board
SV Stephen Vanze, AIA architect, Chair, Old Georgetown Board
AL Anne Lewis, FAIA, architect, Old Georgetown Board
DC David Cox, FAIA, architect, Old Georgetown Board

SV: So we’re ready for the first project.

EB: The first case of the day is OG 10-54 at 1644 31st Street. This is the master
preservation plan for Tudor place. It’s a concept application. The Board heard the case
last month and testimony from the neighborhood and then went out to a site visit
yesterday morning to look at the property and we are here today to discuss findings.

SV: So as everyone remembers, we had a pretty full presentation at the last meeting and
I think we all remember everything that was said and we had a nice tour of all the
grounds yesterday. At the last meeting the neighbors presented some alternative ideas so
I would ask the applicant to just not represent anything. If there anything that’s
changed….Nothing has changed? …Then fine. Are there… the ANC isn’t here… the
ANC said in their letter…?

EB: That was last month that they made a comment. – one second… They had 6 points
but in essence they applauded Tudor Place for working with the neighbors and
encouraged them to continue to do so.

SV: Okay I would just like to remind everybody that I’ll ask for other public comments
that this is slightly unusual in that Tudor Place is here with a master plan so they are not
actually seeking approval of anything because we are only here to approve designs for
individual permit applications, so individual permit applications will happen at the time
when these different projects are applied for to be completed. So are there public
comments that are different from the comments that we heard last month? And we are
also in receipt of a letter that the Neighbors of Tudor Place sent on October 21st. No one
has anything to say? Okay. I like it so far. Tim Dennee (from Historic Preservation
Office) isn’t here? Did Tim have any…did he send in anything at all?

EB: No and he did not have any comments last month; he actually wasn’t here during
that part of the case, I mean that part of the day.

SV: So then are there staff comments?

EB: Yes, this a really complex and complicated project, with a big parcel and staff has
been on two tours of the property, two site visits, and has looked at all the information
both from applicant as well as from the neighbors and has some concerns about a variety
of aspects of the project. In general, staff believes that the additions and the new
construction pieces should be moved to… or existing… at the north end of the property
because it is outside of the easement and the gardens, the grounds, there are not as
significant as the those associated with Tudor Place proper. So any footprint work should
be ideally looked at that area as much as possible. In regards… so that….has
implications, regarding the Gatehouse it seems… the footprint of it seems perhaps a little
a big and maybe some of that program could be relocated. In Georgetown traditionally
the gatehouses tend to be running along the sidewalk without a setback, so that is
something that also may want to be considered. In terms of the garage along the 31st
street property…the 32nd Street, its seems that one should consider seriously the
alterations to the 1913 part and one wonders if there could be more alteration.… less on
that part… and more associated with the 1968 addition that was constructed to the north.
The greenhouse area that is being proposed connected to the tool house would require, it
would seem some removal of canopy and the Board and staff have been pushing for some
time to try to retain as much of the canopy in Georgetown as possible. It seems to be
somewhat of a losing battle these days with everyone wanting to pave over their
backyards but perhaps there could be an area that would be less impact on the canopy.
And the garage on the north property, I should have mentioned, I have been made aware
that that building was built in 1929. That information was not known last month and that
is within the period of significance but in terms of the larger context of recognizing that
there going to be some change on this property it seems that that is a reasonable place to
put the stuff if there is going to be new construction. So that’s some of my thoughts.

SV: Okay, thank you. Anne…if we could organize ourselves to take general comments
and then specific comments about the four different projects it would be great.

AL: Okay. First, it has been a real pleasure to get to know this project. The tour has
been fantastic and the documentation was a really fun and interesting read. I thank you
for that. That is outside of our conversation but we really do appreciate it. Second, my
overwhelming reaction to the project that it is just like my grandmother whose history
exceeded her ability to store it. You can feel the pressure of the program requirements
everywhere in the solution and I think one of the first comments would be …and I know
that I appreciate the amount of work and the talent that has gone into all sides of this
equation, the neighbors and Tudor Place, but we bring to it a fresh and perhaps naïve
approach, but some of these comments I think bear reiteration. The first question
programmatically is “what is essential to the intent of the program?” in other words “Is it
essential to have the original documents on site?” Many institutions are going to
computerized documents with the original documents stored elsewhere. Second would
be the value of the Pierce Arrow and the particular location that the Pierce Arrow is in. It
is in what seems to be a prime interpretive space and is that really the best use of the
space. Third, what is the intent of the education program and is it proper in the location
where it is or should it not be more closely associated with the house. And if there were
records stored elsewhere should the education program occupy the garage rather than the
education center. These are questions that…the palms…you know…is there another way
to accommodate the palms other than the greenhouse. These are programmatic questions
that I just throw out to you as first impressions of programmatic questions that have
physical reality. The second broad comment I have is what approach do we want to the
house. What is important from the architectural – garden access and spirit of the project
to preserve? And what’s happened apparently over time is that the initial access, if I am
right, Mary, it originally came all the way from R Street, axially into the building more or
less. When we toured you feel the power of that access dramatically. It is probably one
of the most beautiful images of the house. So the question is are we doing the right thing
perpetuating a secondary access that was created out of expediency or should we not be
reverting to more historic and certainly more visibly dramatic approach which would be
from the north, suggesting that maybe the gatehouse doesn’t want to be in that location at
all but that the public entry to the house is somehow coming from the north. So those are
the generic comments I have which when you boil them down to the specific
buildings…and it is way to premature to get into the architecture, I think we are talking
about mass and footprint here. The gatehouse is really what I’d call an extreme
gatehouse relative to other Georgetown gatehouses. It’s too large for its location I think
the location on the north is the proper location because despite Armistead Peter 3rd’s
desire to put it on the south there doesn’t seem to be any functional or even axial reason
to have it there and in the meantime mature trees have grown up in that area so the logical
place is to put in on the north so I would agree with that decision. But I think the project
is too large and doesn’t, should not be, was not intended in Armistead Peter’s view to
accommodate all the functions that are in it now and maybe it’s not even necessary to
have those functions if they can be moved elsewhere.

Moving to the greenhouse…the greenhouse is I think one of the most…it will more
dramatically change the appearance of the property than you would assume from the
footprint on the drawings because what is happening there is that that low brush area is
actually the buffer screen for the entire service area…. your impression is, walking along
32nd Street that buffer that northern or western edge of the service road provides is
actually a very important screen not only for the neighborhood but for the integrity of the
lawn. And the amount of construction that is involved there to build that greenhouse and
then the necessary function of the greenhouse to let light in is going to radically alter the
amount brush vegetation and low vegetation in that area and I have strong reservations
about putting anything more than possibly a small extension to the existing building there
that would not remove any of that low brush. And parenthetically and way down on the
list of importance but it has been mentioned by neighbors, low brush is actually the most
important wildlife habitat we have in the city. It is the low brush that is getting eradicate
by deer and by overuse of our parks and so if wildlife is a consideration, which I gather it
was in his will, I would add that to the list of reasons that the greenhouse should not be
there. The greenhouse would be very appropriately located at the end of the garage
however. It is already open it is graded so that it functions as service level. It would be a
low-scale glass structure and there is no canopy interrupting it.

Moving to the carriage house itself, I echo Eve’s thoughts. The way it stands now you
have a fairly pristine historic building and then a, what is it, a ’68 addition to it on the
north. And the ‘68 addition is not very successful architecturally, I think. It doesn’t, it’s
competing with the carriage house in some awkward ways and proportionally it is not a
very harmonious structure and I am wondering whether you couldn’t take some of those
programmatic elements and move them to the east side of the 1968 addition rather than
putting them on the end of the carriage house.

So finally moving to the education center. Looking at the north axis of the education
center now as the more public access and the prime access to the house, and I am not
saying there couldn’t be a gatehouse just a secondary gatehouse, but it seems to me that
the education center and its relation to the administration building can be dealt with in a
lot of ways that gain you more space there, underground being an obvious one. But also I
don’t think that the education center needs to be one story. In fact I think a two story
element… it should not be built two stories at the back of the neighbors that front on 32nd
Street but it doesn’t seem to me that it couldn’t have two story elements that protrude into
what’s now the parking area making it a tripartite building or some other form that gives
you more space on the second floor and below ground. And I’ll leave it at that
because…

SV: Let me ask you would you…. if the general thought here is that more stuff is being
pushed to the north, would you have problems with adding to the back of the existing
house… That was something that the neighbors…

AL: In the abstract, no. I really have not really looked at the back of the house. In
principal, no.

SV: Okay …David

DC: Fine I think all of those comments are pretty much the way I’m feeling about the
master planning of the site as well, both Eve and Anne I think have expressed it pretty
well. All of the separate pieces have impacted those particular parts of the site at the
perimeter and my first concern was how it might be possible to look at another scheme
that did not have quite so much separation from all the separate pieces and maybe created
a denser part of the site. And having heard all of the comments about…the two particular
areas seem to be the garage area and the administration site as the prime candidates for
trying to get as much of this program into those two and I think thoughts that have been
expressed about how both of those sites could handle some additional new construction
seem to me to make a lot of sense. I think that the whole thing for me starts with walking
the site again and having that same really warm feeling of the history of the place
approaching it from the north on the axis that was originally there and how exciting that
could be for the average visitor rather than to come in laterally from the side and up that
steep driveway where you’re really not,… your thoughts aren’t focused on the house they
are really I think more focused on the steepness of the climb and the cobblestone drive.
There’s something really very peaceful about walking through the gardens to get to the
destination of the house as a visitor that I found very appealing and I think the asset here
is that Tudor Place owns that north property and uses that historic Victorian house as the
administration building. For that to be the arrival point in some manner rather than the
driveway and messing around with a large gatehouse that becomes a visitor’s center
seems like a much better thing to explore at this early stage…to see how the
administration building could be extended into that backyard parking space both below
ground and above so that it combines the visitor’s center and most of the elements of the
education building. How you do that of course with the parking component as well
means that you‘ve still got to maintain a lot of exposed surface space. But just in terms
of the general approach to the site and how you would experience the site in a measured
sequential way I think this is a very strong asset to have for Tudor Place. The gatehouse
itself is clearly the most visible prominent addition in this plan and you know whether it
is to the south or to the north, I am frankly less concerned about. I can certainly
understand the reasoning for putting it to the north of the entrance. The advantage there is
that it can be sunken down into the higher grade so that not as much of it is exposed on
the north side. But I absolutely agree that it could be a much smaller structure and a
structure that doesn’t signal so much a point of entry as it does just an adjunct to the gate
that’s there right now. The main garage building I am in sympathy with all that has been
said by the neighbors about extending the scale and size laterally to the south with
another big addition and I would strongly encourage looking at some of the ideas that the
neighbors proposed of an underground structure in the parking… the driveway that would
mean creating a new mechanical space down there as well and then having an above
ground piece added to it to form a sort of L to the ‘68 garage. So I think building on the
north side, as Anne suggested, to the east of the ‘68 addition makes a lot of sense. And
then I further agree about the thoughts of getting the greenhouse as the addition to the
south end of the garage, a much smaller structure, pretty much replacing the hoop
greenhouse that is there right now with something somewhat larger. So I think we are all
kind of feeling much the same.

SV: Yes, I agree with everything that has been said. I think I won’t repeat everything that
has been said because I agree with every word. I would only like to emphasize that when
I took the tour of the grounds yesterday, when we walked up to the north site and then
came to the main house from there it just seemed…it was so strongly the right way to
come to the house that you felt like this is the way people should come to this site
through, from the north site using the administration building for a lot of the functions of
what was going to be put into the new gatehouse. I just think that is the first step and that
reorganizes almost everything. I would agree that the gatehouse as proposed is too big. It
should really just be a guard house and tight up to the street. And I am.. would certainly
entertain the new education center being able to be made larger and perhaps
undergrounds additions there. And I would also be willing to entertain alterations to the
northern, the house on the northern property so that you can accommodate ADA
requirements and additions to the back to accommodate some of the program. The
carriage house/garage I think is as big as it should be. I can see adding to the north and
east side of it. And I also agree that the greenhouse, the proposed greenhouse should be
put down at the southern end of the carriage house. So I think we are all pretty much
saying the same thing. …And I think we are done. Thank you.

Georgetown: Every Detail of Holiday Retail
•

When it comes to a body of style, nothing beats Georgetown’s retail district. From clothing and apparel, to jewelry, exercise and biking accessories, fine art, fine food, antiques and even furniture, Georgetown has perhaps the most stylish and eclectic selections in the city. We’re known around the area as a sort of outdoor mall, with all the major labels and a unique community of independent, custom retail shops. In fact, we are one of the only concentrated areas where you can find top national brands and Mom & Pop shops living side by side. And with our historic colonial aesthetic and an endless selection of great restaurants to choose from, there’s no better place in the District to while away your holiday shopping hours.

Just this year, we’ve seen a great number of new additions to our retail community. To name a few: New York-based All Saints; Lost Boys men’s clothing; Rag & Bone, which uses local D.C. tastemakers as spokesmen for their chic line of fashion; Brooks Brothers; Michael Kors; Calvin Klein; CB2; and Hugh & Crye.

And it is our community of independent, custom retail shops that have been drawing true shoppers for decades. From The Phoenix clothing, which opened its doors in 1955, to Joseph Abboud’s brand new local offering Streets of Georgetown, we have a history of variety, class, quirk, taste and style that is unique to our quaint and bustling streets.

Here are some “must-not-skips” on our list of local shopping destinations. From the one-of-a-kind experience and classic, custom-fitted suits at Everard’s Clothing, to the edgy, modern apparel of All Saints, you don’t want to miss these choice offerings. So, pick up a tasty hot beverage at Baked & Wired or Dean &Deluca’s, and let the holiday gift hunting begin!

Everard’s Clothing
Louis Everard thinks you’re great. I guarantee it. I can also guarantee that if you are from the Georgetown area — or even if you’ve spent some time here — he knows someone in your circle. And he’s probably fitted them a fantastic suit. Everard’s clothing has been a Georgetown institution since it opened its doors 20 years ago, and Louis, the brains and heart behind the operation, is the reason why.

A fourth-generation tailor, Louis has spent his life refining the art of the custom fit. “I was sewing when I was six,” he laughs. And his history with the Georgetown neighborhood dates back almost as far.

“In 1965, I got a job with Frank Rich at Rich’s shoes on Wisconsin and P. That’s how long I’ve been around these parts.” From his stories of managing a store for Rich — who Louis calls a visionary — and onward into the present, Louis spins a wildly entertaining web of stories and people recounting his years here. From his reverence and appreciation for longtime friend and client Ginger Latham, to recalling the “rickety old steps of the Willard” before its extensive renovations in the 80s, his history with the community is intimate and warm, and he brings that into his shop.

“We love the community here,” he exclaims. “That’s the whole point!”

Not that you need to know any of this coming into Everard’s Clothing. What sets his shop apart is the unparalleled service and attention to detail that is paid to each customer and each suit. Everard’s is unique in the community, one of the only independent shops that custom tailor for both men and women. Their aesthetic is also unique. “We’re not what I would call trendy,” says Louis, “but we’re classic with a twist.”

This mix of class, quirk and style has come to define Everard’s — you won’t find a better or more extensive selection of bowties and pocket squares in the city. The only thing better is the tailoring service.

“I pride myself on making sure the tailor is doing exactly what the client needs,” says Louis. “And with my knowledge and experience, I’m able to take our tailors to the next level. Our job is strictly quality control — we’re trying to be 100-percent perfect, and the key is to constantly improve. Every day, my tailors and I, we put our fingers on the pulse of our customer’s needs. And that’s the difference of a small business. We are it.”

Making an appointment at Everard’s, you are greeted with wine and snacks, and the first-class treatment continues to the very end.

“My motto is to do anything the customer wishes,” Louis says. “In terms of providing the goods in a timely basis and treating them the way they deserve to be treated. We’ll deliver the suit to our customer’s door if they like, no charge. We’re very old fashioned. Our clients are the ones who drive our business, and we try to give that back.”

Most of the men’s shirts and accessories in the store are Italian, from Aster shirts to Italo Ferretti ties. They carry Carrot and Gibbs, Albert Thurston of London, and Chrysalis of London.

If you like to dress well, let Louis dress you. You’ll never look better.

1802 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. EverardsClothing.com

Keith Lipert Gallery
Keith Lipert Gallery was founded in 1994 to provide the District with unique, international modern designs, from decorative arts, to fashion jewelry and evening accessories. And founder Keith Lipert has since made it his mission to bring a sense of sophistication and individuality to an age of fashion that seems to be dominated by mass production and sub-par quality. “While the pieces that I sell have always existed,” Keith says, “often they go unknown and unrecognized, whether hidden around the coves of Lake Como or down tiny Parisian alleyways.”

Keith travels constantly to these magical places where artistry is alive and healthy to bring their charm back to his store in Georgetown. Sixteen years later, the shelves that line Keith’s store are a testament to all his hard work in finding the most unique and exquisite modern fashion and decorative arts.

But what makes Keith Lipert such a fabulous shopping destination is not just the unique items from design centers such as Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Venice, Buenos Aires or New York City. It is also the atmosphere and experience that Keith has created within the store. Every customer is treated with care and respect. Talk to them about your tastes, about what you are looking for, and they will surely help you find the perfect item. “It is about the friendships we have made,” Keith says, “the conversations we have held, the bonds we have forged, and the community we have come a part of. We have learned and gained as much from our customers as we hope we left with them while interacting in the store.”

Great design can be found at all prices, and Keith Lipert presents an eclectic array of design that is affordable and accessible. From Murano glass cufflinks and hand-woven silk scarves, to handmade Columbian salad bowls and candles from southern Italy, Keith Lipert has everything you could think of and more for a perfectly surprising, wonderfully original holiday offering.

2922 M Street, N.W. KeithLipert.com

Hugh & Crye
Philip Soriano and Pranav Vora, the co-owners of Hugh & Crye, have their fingers on the pulse of men’s apparel. Most men’s shirts aren’t made to fit the men wearing them — and Hugh & Crye is out to change this trend. And since they opened their Georgetown showroom last June, the customers have been liking the difference. We spoke with Phil about the mission of Hugh & Crye, the new showroom and the nature of men’s apparel.

Q: What is the raison d’être of Hugh & Crye?

A: We saw a problem with finding well-fitted shirts in the mass markets and mass label brands. They weren’t addressing the problems of fit. It tends to be much more linear, like blowing up a balloon. They take a small, blow it up, and it’s a medium. Blow it up again, and it’s a large. It doesn’t address the fit for leaner or athletically built guys. We found a market for finding these better-cut shirts ready made off the rack.

We focused on the shape of the torso rather than the sleeves and neck. If we see a guy’s size and shape, we can fit him, and a lot of times we can fit him right off the rack.

The Washington Post put us in best of Georgetown this the spring. We’re seeing a lot of success just having a showroom in Georgetown. It’s put us on the map in a lot of ways — Georgetown has a good name to go along with it, and having a showroom here is just ideal.

Q: What makes you stand out from other stores in the area?

A: There’s the mass labels like Brooks Brothers and Rag and Bone, but as far as local shops, we’re the one. You can stop by and meet the guys behind the brands. It’s a mix use space of brand and product. Especially with the more nerdy guys of D.C. like me, we like to see what’s behind the brand. Buying local brands seems to be a growing movement, which it’s pretty intriguing. Also, we’re primarily online — 95 percent of sales are online. Guys from all over the country buy from us.

Q: Are you doing anything special for the holidays?

A: We’re discounting shirts as much as 35 percent off, so a $80 price point for a cheaper shirt is a pretty attractive offer.

Q: Do you have any hottest selling items, or things people should keep an eye out for when they come into your shop?

A: We’ve got a new line of sports shirts that have been popular. They’re just a little bit more casual. Around Thanksgiving, a lot of guys picked them up on Black Friday sale. We come out with new shirts every two months. Dec. 20 is our next shipment, so it’s something to look out for. You might not want to wait for so late in the game to do your holiday shopping, but if you do, we’re your place. We don’t really do things seasonally, but we’re constantly bringing out new stuff.

3212 O Street, N.W. HughAndCrye.com

Streets of Georgetown
Renowned fashion designer Joseph Abboud opened his latest store in our neighborhood over the fall. Offering some of the finest men’s apparel available, you don’t want to miss them. We talked with store manager Jack Eggleston about the creative fire behind Streets of Georgetown.

Q: Where did Streets of Georgetown come from?

A: Joseph Abboud is the chief creative officer for our parent company, HMX Group, and it is his mission to open meaningful stores in communities around the country. We have a Beverly Hills location, we are converting a Chicago location, and the company’s looking at a SoHo and Boston location as well. With its history of high-end retail and great style, Georgetown was a perfect fit.

Q: What makes Streets of Georgetown so unique?

A: The catch is we are an American company that sells American products, and we’re all about luxury. From cashmere sweaters to made-to-measure services and custom tailoring, there just aren’t a whole lot of men’s stores like ourselves. In this neighborhood, we have Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren and Everard’s. But outside of those stores, there aren’t a whole lot of options for men looking for sportswear, outerwear and tailored clothing, and we aim to fill that gap.

Q: Are there any must-see items on your shelves right now?

A: Oh, definitely. The raw cashmere pieces are beautiful — it’s cashmere in its natural state, not treated or died in anyway. We have three different sports jackets, two sweaters and a sweater vest in raw cashmere.

1254 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. HMXGroup.com

Contemporaria
Deborah Kalkstein, with her dark hair and eyes, looks just as sleek as her modern, designer furniture, architecture and home décor store, Contemporaria in Georgetown. As the days left to finish your holiday shopping tick away, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy taking in all that the D.C. retail has to offer. At Contemporaria, Kalkstein and her staff will be holding open houses where shoppers can peruse the store’s beautiful pieces with a champagne toast. “People come to browse our new collection and enjoy a bit of the holiday cheer,” Kalkstein says, a scene which sounds even more appealing when described in her lilting Peruvian accent.

Q: What are your three favorite gift-able items that you have in the store right now?

A: Right now we are doing, which I love, we have these Missoni throws that are very cozy and plush. You can give it to anybody from older to younger to men or women to use on your bed or couch or anything like that. They come beautifully boxed and they’re a gorgeous gift. Then we have, since we are a design-oriented store, we have the miniatures by Vitra that are all the little miniatures of all their museum-quality pieces. They’re really beautiful to have around because they remind you of design and they remind you of a beautiful thing every day. And the third, I love this new lamp we have by Floss. It has the technology of a LED light, and it’s so cool to put on your desk or a night table or anywhere.

Q: Is there anything that you’d like to say to holiday shoppers who come to Georgetown?

A: Support Georgetown! It’s a beautiful part of town. We are here for a cause because we love it here, and we all want to be here to stay. We all need the support of Georgetowners and the support they can bring to bring people from out of town, and I mean out of town like Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Arlington, to come by Georgetown and support business here. There’s this misconception that coming to Georgetown there’s only expensive things, but it’s not. You can find everything from all lines of work. It’s one of the only places in town that you can walk around and feel a very European mood and enjoy it and share it.

3303 Cadys Alley, NW contemporaria.com

Three Sisters
If shopping from home is more your speed this holiday season, Three Sisters provides the perfect alternative. You can purchase their cute styles online and have them shipped to your home or, if you’d like to have the store come to you, Three Sisters also does special events and trunk shows. Shop online at ShopThreeSisters.com.

Q: How would you describe Three Sisters style?

A: Meet the sisters – they really are three sisters. These sisters have created a signature fashion company that offers casually elegant style for today’s busy woman, classics with an edge. The hallmark of the collection is a line of limited edition coats and jackets constructed in exquisite fabrics.

Q: Is Three Sisters doing anything special for the holidays?

A: We have been doing special events and trunk shows around the country and now are spending time filling Santa’s orders and enjoying time with family and friends.

Q: What are your top three favorite giftable items that you have in stock for the holidays?

A: Wonderful shawls from $58 – $168, our most popular item – horn necklaces – and the black Emily Coat for all your events and more.

Online at ShopThreeSisters.com
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Window Competition 2011
•

Meet the Judges

Nancy Miyahira – Nancy is the Marketing director for the Georgetown BID. During her years there, she has headed major Georgetown branding efforts like the new-and-improved Fashion’s Night Out, Twelve Days of Georgetown Merriment and the implementation of Georgetown’s national branding program. Nancy is an expert at drawing shoppers in! www.GeorgetownDC.com.

John Asadoorian – Based in Georgetown, John is the owner of Asadoorian Retail Solutions. He has over 20 years of experience working with current and new developments to bring new retail shops to commercial and residential neighborhoods (like Georgetown). When it comes to retail, John knows what works. www.asaretail.com.

Kelly Sullivan – Kelly is a former graphic designer for the Washington Post and National Geographic, and now does Marketing and Design for The Georgetowner. When it comes to dynamic design with regard to use of negative space and focal points, this lady is at the top of her game.    

Megan Dunn – Megan is a recent Georgetown graduate, avid shopper, and newest addition to The Georgetowner family. With high aspirations and holding great promise in the event-planning industry, Megan is a fantastic asset and has become an important member of our team.  

Sonya Bernhardt – Publisher of The Georgetowner, Sonya has seen over two decades of Georgetown Holidays and, as she says, “it never gets old.” [gallery ids="100429,114217,114235,114227" nav="thumbs"]