Kerry Washington Greets Fans at Sprinkles Cupcakes
• November 29, 2011

The small shop on M Street was filled with fans, cameras and anticipation Saturday, Oct. 29, as actress Kerry Washington paid a visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes to speak with her fans and to raise money for the non-profit organization Americans for the Arts.

“We’re selling the Red Velvet cupcakes, hence the red dress!” said Kerry Washington with a big smile. Fans were standing in line to buy a Red Velvet cupcake and get the little brown bag autographed by Washington. She paused to be photographed and speak with each person who showed up at Sprinkles Cupcakes, and spoke passionately about Americans for the Arts.

“I believe in equal access to the arts,” said Washington. “Art is important to understand history, so that we don’t repeat mistakes made by people before us.” Washington explained that Sprinkles Cupcakes entrepreneur Candice Nelson approached her and offered to help her with any event, and Washington chose to mingle with people at Sprinkles Cupcakes. “I am very is supportive of women entrepreneurs,” said Washington, referring to Nelson.

“Kerry Washington is a member of our Artist Committee,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of AFTA. “The committee consists of 100 artists who come to events, testify before Congress and advocate for us,” he said, adding that Washington is one of their greatest contributors. Other prominent artists such as John Legend, Meryl Streep and Yoko Ono are also members of this committee, according to AmericansForTheArts.Org

Lynch has been working for the organization for 26 years. “We have many events and conferences, but we have never done anything like this before,” said Lynch. “Kerry Washington came to us with this idea.”

Catherine Brandt, spokesperson for AFTA, praises Sprinkles Cupcakes and Kerry Washington for their work with the event. “Washington and Sprinkles Cupcakes have organized this, and Sprinkles Cupcakes has been wonderful, agreeing to sell Red Velvet cupcakes to profit Americans for the Arts for a week,” said Brandt.

Tara Anderson was one of those who came out to Sprinkles Cupcakes despite Saturday’s snow and wind. “Americans for the Arts is awesome, and Kerry does a lot of good charity work!” said Anderson, who came both to meet Washington and to report for her PR firm, Fire Public Relations Group. Michelle Dhansinghani and Monica Arroyo also escaped the weather outside and enjoyed the charity event at Sprinkles Cupcakes. “It is cupcakes and beautiful women,” said Dhansinghani and laughed.

After more than an hour, the shop was still crowded. Washington, Lynch and Brandt were happy about the event and the turnout on Saturday. Washington showed her appreciation more than once, saying “Thank you all for coming out, and for the support!”
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Photos from The Montpelier Hunt Races
• November 28, 2011

With James Madison’s historic home Montpelier as a backdrop, the annual Montpelier Hunt Races took off Saturday, Nov. 5 with all the pomp and circumstance to be expected of an event that dates back to 1934. The event presented seven races over its natural tracks, including a hurdle race featuring live brush jumps, the only course of its kind in Virginia. Attendees were treated to another unique aspect of Montpelier’s course: the proximity of its viewing areas to the race track. Unlike other horse races where guests have to watch the spectacle through binoculars to get a good view, guests at Montpelier can sit trackside, practically in the middle of the action. [gallery ids="100373,110777,110789,110782,110786" nav="thumbs"]

Pizza Paradiso Turns 20 Something
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In celebration of its “20 Something Anniversary,” all Pizza Paradiso locations – including the one here in Georgetown – will host a week full of discounts and deals for its patrons, all of which are centered around the number 20. From $20 take-out to 20 cent toppings, Paradiso is getting creative with their birthday bash.

Drop in Monday for take-out and get one large and one small pizza for $20.

On Tuesday, Pizza Paradiso is giving away 20th Anniversary Beer Glasses with a purchase of a beer.

For $20 on Wednesday, you can get All You Can Eat Pizza & Beer with a two-drink maximum.

On Thursday, $20 gets you a small special pizza paired with an Anniversary Beer.

Your first beer purchase on Friday will only cost you 20 cents.

On Saturday, your first three toppings on any pizza will also cost you only 20 cents. Dine in only.

Sunday is “20 Free Pizzas” Family/Kids Day. From 1 to 4 p.m., kids can make their own pizzas with Chef Ruth Gresser. The first 20 pizzas sold will be free. This offer is only available at Pizza Paradiso’s Old Town location.

Weekend Roundup November 17, 2011
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Alliance Francaise Celebration of Beaujolais

November 18th, 2011 at 6:00 to 9:00PM | $ 40.00 members, $ 50.00 admission VIP: $120 | Tel: 202-234-7911 | Event Website

Kick off the beginning of the French wine harvest with a formal celebration at The Washington Club hosted by Alliance Francaise. This event will offer the greatest variety of entertainment, in a building that was used as a temporary White House during the Coolidge administration. During this evening, guests will enjoy the beautiful building, a live jazz band, fashion show, silent auction, DJ and dinner buffet from a local Franco-inspired restaurant. An open bar will be set with their traditional red and white beverages.

Address

The Washington Club

15 Dupont Circle

Washington DC

The Washington Harbour Food Drive

November 17-22nd, 2011 All Day | Tel: 202-944-4230 |

The Washington Harbour is now collecting non-perishable food items for donation to the Food Drive for SOME (So Others Might Eat). From now until November 22, donation boxes will be located in the East and West office lobbies at 3000 and 3050 K Street NW, Washington, DC at The Washington Harbour. The lobbies are open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The collection will be donated to help stock the food pantry at SOME, which provides meals to those in need in the Washington, D.C. area. Suggested food items include: nutrition bars; cereal; pasta & sauce; rice; beans; macaroni; canned meat/soup/vegetables; peanut butter/jelly; evaporated milk; instant potatoes; instant oatmeal; ground coffee.

Address

Washington Harbour Condominium

3030 K St NW

Washington DC 20007

“Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic”

November 19th, 2011 at 8:00 PM | Event Website

The illusionists from TV’s “Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic” come to Strathmore for two nights for a live magic show. Saturday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m. Masters of Illusion Live!, which NBC Radio declares is the “best non-stop family entertainment anywhere!” features a cadre of talented showstoppers –Mark Kalin, Jinger Leigh, Farrell Dillon, Darren Romeo, Kevin James and Aaron Radatz.

Address

Music Center at Strathmore

5301 Tuckerman Lane

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Sculpture Garden Ice Rink Opening

November 19th, 2011 at 10:00 AM | $8.00 for adults and $7.00 for children, students, and seniors | ngaicerink@guestservices.com | Tel: (202) 216-9397 | Event Website

The National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is scheduled to open this Saturday at 10 a.m. despite warm-ish weather. Check it out for a chance to enjoy this winter activity while wearing only a light jacket. Call 202-216-9397 for more information and for conditions.

Address

7th St NW & Constitution Avenue

Washington D.C.

15th Annual Holiday Brunches with Santa

November 27th, 2011 at 10:00 AM | $39.95 for adults and $20.00 for children ages 4-11 | lisa@lindarothpr.com | Tel: 202- 416-8555 | Event Website

Santa Claus is flying into town early again this season, parking his reindeer and sled atop the world-famous Kennedy Center, as Roof Terrace Restaurant prepares for its 15th Annual Holiday Brunches with Santa. Families and friends are invited to gather amidst live jazz music and incomparable skyline views, while visiting with Old St. Nick to share their holiday wish lists.

When: Sunday, November 27; Saturday, December 10; Sunday, December 11; Saturday, December 17; Sunday, December 18.

Address

Roof Terrace Restaurant

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

2700 F Street

Washington, DC

Weekend Roundup November 10, 2011
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Authors on Deck: Uncommon Valor By Dwight Zimmerman BY DWIGHT ZIMMERMAN and John Gresham: A SPECIAL VETERAN’S DAY EVENT

November 11th, 2011 at 12:00 PM | Free and open to the public | mweber@navymemorial.org | Tel: 202-737-2300 | Event Website

In honor of Veteran’s Day and as part of the U.S. Navy Memorial’s “Authors on Deck” book lecture series, authors Dwight Zimmerman and John Gresham will present Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and The Six Warriors Who Earned it in Afghanistan and Iraq. Uncommon Valor identifies six young warriors, the dramatic details of their life-or-death situations and why they responded to those situations as they did. The book also explores the history of the Medal of Honor.

Address

United States Navy Memorial

Navy Heritage Center

701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

New Prints by Jake Muirhead Opening Reception

November 11th, 2011 at 05:00 PM | Free | info@oldprintgallery.com | Tel: (202) 965-1818 | Event Website

Jake Muirhead’s solo show New Prints by Jake Muirhead will open at The Old Print Gallery on November 11, 2011 with a nighttime reception, from 5-8pm. Muihead will at teh gallery to discuss his art. The show presents over 20 etchings and aquatints, featuring still lifes and figurative work. Muirhead’s prints exude a rare intensity and liveliness, which can be attributed to his working and reworking of his intaglio plates.

Address

The Old Print Gallery

1220 31st Street NW

Washington, DC 20007

National Philharmonic Performance Celebrates Women Pioneers in Law and Music

November 12th, 2011 at 08:00 PM | $32-$79 Kids under 17 are free | deborah@nationalphilharmonic.org | Tel: (301) 581-5100 | Event Website

Thee National Philharmonic, under Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski, presents Women Pioneers, dedicated to women pioneers in law and music. The program is centered around Amy Beach’s Grand Mass in E-flat Major.

The Honorable Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, is hosting this event. All proceeds will go toward the Maryland Women’s Bar Association Foundation’s (MWBAF) scholarships and the Finding Justice Project, which makes record of the history of women lawyers in Maryland.

Address

National Philharmonic

The Music Center at Strathmore

5301 Tuckerman Lane

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Homage to Modern Classics

November 13th, 2011 at 04:00 PM | $15-$65 | choralarts@choralarts.org | Tel: 202.785.9727 | Event Website

The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents its season opener, “Homage to Modern Classics.” The first concert in the final season of retiring Founder Norman Scribner, the performance features celebrated works from some of the greatest composers of the 20th Century: Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and excerpts from Sergei Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky.

Address

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

2700 F Street, NW

Washington DC

The Annual Georgetowner Holiday Benefit and Bazaar

November 17th, 2011 at 06:00 PM | $75.00 | rsvp@georgetowner.com | Tel: (202) 338-4833 | Event Website

Join us to kick off the holiday season with an evening of shopping and merriment as we honor and give back to three shining stars of our community: the Citizen’s Association of Georgetown, Hope for the Warriors and Hyde-Addison Elementary School. EagleBank and Georgetown Media Group present the 2nd Annual Georgetowner Holiday Benefit and Bazaar to at the historic George Town Club Nov. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Come browse for holiday gifts for your friends, family and for yourself at our unique vendors’ booths, featuring local Georgetown businesses. Highlights for attendees this year include Holiday Portraits by Philip Birmingham, an array of cocktails by Beam Global Spirits, a marvelous menu compliments of The George Town Club and a fabulous gift bag.

Address

The Georgetown Club

1530 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Washington DC 20007

Albrecht Muth to Represent Himself in Murder Case
• November 23, 2011

Albrecht Muth, the man who was charged last August with the murder of his wife, Viola Drath, a Georgetown resident, announced in last Friday’s hearing that he will represent himself in the trail, according to a release issued by the Drath family.

He continued to assert that his involvement with the Iraqi army lead to his wife’s murder. He is currently being held without bail.

According to the Georgetown Patch, at the end of the hearing, Muth asked Judge Russell F. Canan to note that if he dies in jail, his body should be released to the military and that he would begin an “unlimited fast” Sunday night.

Another status conference is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2012 and the trial is scheduled to begin almost a year from now on Oct. 1, 2012.

The complete statement issued by the Drath family read: “We learned in court today that Albrecht Gero Muth will be representing himself, which he has every right to do. We are grateful for the continued
hard work of the Metropolitan Police Department. We hope that justice is
served.”

To read past coverage of the case, click here

Don’t Do What We Did Book Signing
• November 17, 2011

Don’t Do What We Did is a Conversation About Online Dating With an Ex-Not-Quite Couple Who Met on the Internet. Michelle Y. Talbert and Ricardo Kingsbury, two seasoned online daters, interview one another and others to uncover the secrets to online dating success. In the book they discuss everything from profile pictures to sex and safety. They share their mistakes and the stories of people from around who have participated in online dating.

Our Educational System: Trick or Treat?
• November 16, 2011

Answer my history question and get a treat. Or miss it and get a treat. But learn a little along the way.

As Executive Director of a historic foundation, I was handing out treats in front of a 200-year-old building at a Halloween Fun Fest.

Hundreds of kids dressed like ghosts and Spider-mans and princesses stood in line a block long, holding out their pumpkins or bags saying, “Trick or Treat.” Like Santa Claus, I love talking to kids, so I’d ask, “How old are you?”

If younger than five or six, I’d say, “You’re right!” and give them a handful of treats.

But, at age eight or nine, the “trick” questions became more difficult. Mostly, I asked, “Who was the first President of the United States?” Behind me in the window of our shop was a life sized cut out of President Washington. And there I was, dressed like George Washington.

With my long blue coat, tan pants tucked into knee high black boots, a gold buttoned vest, a jabot – that white lace collar I’ll never wear again – and especially my snow white wig, I was the spitting image of our first president. Well, eight inches shorter and no wooden teeth. But close enough. It was Halloween.

When a child said, “I don’t know,” I’d say, “Oh, come on. Who do I look like?” or, “Who is that guy in the window?”

Some shrugged their shoulders, said “I don’t know,” and began to walk away. I chased them down and gave them some candy anyway.

Some kids said, “Lincoln?”

Lincoln? He was tall, slender, and had dark hair and a beard. I’m short with light grey hair and barely need to shave my blond whiskers daily.

Or “Ben Franklin?” OK, my coat looked a little like Ben’s. But I’m not bald.

Some turned to their parents with an expression begging, “Help me out.” Most parents whispered, “Washington,” but a few shocked me, “Don’t ask me. I don’t know.”

Occasionally when a child was excitedly right, I’d ask, “Who was the second President?” A few guessed “Lincoln?” but not one said “John Adams.”

The funniest answer was a nine-year old boy who proudly announced, “Garfield. I’m studying the Presidents.”

“Garfield was the first?” I asked. He corrected himself, “Oh, Washington.”

My daughter, dressed truly prehistorically as a dinosaur, was helping and estimated that 40% of the kids missed. She’s prone to exaggeration, but not much.
Occasionally, I asked, “Do you read every day?”
Some said they did, but too many said, “No,” looking at me with an expression that said, “Can I still have some candy?” They got their handful.

The answer that shook me out of my boots was a child who said, “I don’t need to. I’m home schooled.” That stumped me – surely that’s not indicative of home schooling – so I gave him a handful of candy and scooted him along.

I don’t know what’s wrong with our educational system, but something is. I wasn’t out to do a social experiment. Maybe the kids were just too excited to think. I expected everyone to indignantly blurt out “George Washington” without hesitating.

The canvas is larger than this Trick or Treat episode. It touches the core of what we are as a nation.

The country is agonizing over the loss of and the lack of jobs. One of the drumbeats out of Washington is that the “market” is the only engine of job growth. Markets are competitive. The US must have a smart economy to grow, and employers want smart employees. Twenty-five years ago, when I worked for a large consulting firm, we couldn’t find enough business students to fill our positions, so we decided to hire the smartest graduates from any field with the idea that we could train smart people to be good consultants.

Our national debate about immigration policy is missing the point. Immigrants are banging on the doors of our universities and most innovative companies. They want to live here and pay taxes, but we make it difficult for them to come here and difficult for companies to hire them. We invite foreign students to study here, provide them with our most valuable resource, and usher them out of the country. We, a country built on the work ethic of immigrants, limit legal immigration of the best and the smartest from other countries, people who start companies and create jobs. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have begged Congress for more immigrant permits. Congress said, “No,” so Microsoft and Apple built facilities in Asia.

We blame illegal immigrants for our national woes. Somehow, they seem to find work here while American can’t. Or won’t.

The cost of college educations is rising faster than inflation. Federal, state, and local governments are reducing spending on education. Performance is declining. The US education system, once the best in the world, is now far from it.

Something isn’t working.

Maybe knowing the first president or reading every day isn’t that important.

Call me old fashioned. I think it is.

Trick or Treat? These tricks are really bad.

In God We Trust…ROLL TIDE!
•

In a political pissing contest with President Obama, who recently mistakenly referred to “E Pluribus Unum” as the slogan for America (changed to “In God We Trust” in 1956), the Republican-led House of Representatives voted 396-9 to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the nation’s motto.

This waste of time and resources to prove a point, combined with recent and ongoing misbehavior throughout the government, has led me to justify a hopeless goal full of hopeful desires for America. If the national motto is up for debate, then I propose changing it to the rally chant from the University of Alabama: ROLL TIDE!

If you want to learn about the true Christian values we claim this country was built upon, then you have to go to a place where time passes slower and change in culture lags 10 to 20 years behind the rest of society. Travel deep enough into the farmland and you will find dial up Internet and, believe it or not, original Christian values: treat others as you want to be treated and let the Lord work.

When you look at the message behind the ROLL TIDE chant you get a better understanding of what it used to mean to be an American. Fight for what is right, never give up, never surrender, take pride in yourself, take pride in those who stand among you, and give the respect you expect from others…ROLL TIDE!

At least once in your life, spend a day at a BAMA game. In the parking lot you will find diehard fans in high-end and low-end motor home game-mobiles. You will see hairspray loving women holding those plastic-but-looks-like-porcelain plates sitting in a camouflaged folding chair in front of a red tent with a plastic chandelier hanging from the apex. Inevitably she’ll be yelling at her underage daughter, “Hay! Why are you drankin’ out of that Styrofoam cup? Put it in plastic and stop actin’ like you ain’t got no class!”

Extreme analogy, yes. But the fact of the matter is that ROLL TIDE isn’t about the win or the loss, or even the game of football itself. ROLL TIDE is about recognizing that we are all members of the same community, and that we ultimately all want the best for one another. ROLL TIDE means pushing yourself to exceed what you’re capable of because it is possible and not settling for anything less simply because you can get away with it.

I am not a fan of football, or Alabama for that matter, but I have spent enough time in the southern farmland and river swamps to know how to survive off of the land, and enough time in the city to know that there are differences in cultures and communities throughout the world.

I will own my bias. I was raised in the south and brought up with “core southern values.” But I have also traveled the country enough to know that the same rules that apply in Alabama do not apply in New York. Some laws in Nebraska are pointless in Florida. There are times when we are fifty states and there are times when we are one country, but that does not mean that we have to be a huge collective of societies and communities that all believe and support the same ideas and theologies. That itself would be a little anti-American!

Being isolated as a country has further hindered our ability to develop into a better civilization. Geographically speaking, America is like Europe, except instead of independent countries, America is composed of interlaced states. However, while European countries like Germany, Italy, France and England competed to be better than one another, our American states began as equals. We Americans never had to compete against one another to improve our cultural philosophies or further technology and standards of living.

I am not suggesting that the United States should dissolve its union or start trying to be like Europe. Instead, I am proposing that we Americans start living up to our own potential. I propose we pledge to live our own teachings, to hold ourselves accountable for our actions equal to that of our neighbors. We should strive to take pride in all that we do, speak with conviction and stand up for what is right for all people regardless of their station in life.

We are at a cultural crossroads where the differences between what Christians claim the Bible says is right and wrong and what modern society claims is acceptable or unjustifiable intersect. It is unfortunate that neither side seems willing to work towards an agreement that would allow both sides to live harmoniously together, but more so that neither side seems to remember that we are all on the same team to begin with.

Our fights as Americans, between the left and right, Christians and Gays, blacks and whites and Hispanics….these fights we have with one another are pointless. We are all AMERICANS! We are on the same team. And we need to be capable and willing to stand toe-to-toe and shoulder-to-shoulder with one another as countrymen in whatever fight or battle we find ourselves in order to make our country—our collective—a better place for all Americans. ROLL TIDE!

Bring Back Our Bus Route
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On Nov. 9, the ANC2E Commissioners released a joint motion to reinstate two Circulator bus stops in Georgetown: the M St., NW stop between Wisconsin Ave. and 31st St., and the P St. stop on Wisconsin Ave., both northbound and southbound. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has recently cut these stops to save time on its Circulator routes. To those of us in Georgetown, cutting a thirty-second bus stop does not amount to much time saved, and of greater concern is the tremendous benefits these stop afford local businesses and community members. The stop helps to draw shoppers to the area and encourages the use of public transportation in Georgetowners.

The P St. bus stop was a popular one for business along Wisconsin. As locals know and visitors quickly discover, the walk up and down Wisconsin can be a deterring one. Meanwhile, the P St. intersection is an oasis of small and local businesses, including The Phoenix clothing, The Lantern Bryn Mawr Bookstore, Marvelous Market, Thomas Sweet, Café Bonaparte and Wedding Creations & Anthony’s Tuxedo. A petition was signed at the beginning of the month by 30 small and local business owners around the area to reinstate the bus stops, as a noted decline in business has been noticed since their removals. It also poses an inconvenience to nearby residents that use public transportation, who have lost convenient access to the Circulator.

According to Ed Solomon, owner of Anthony’s Tuxedo’s, local residents have voiced their concerns to business owners in the area, and a few even spoke out in support of reinstating the bus stops at the Nov. 1 ANC meeting two weeks ago.

The M St. stop between Wisconsin Ave. and 31st St. is simply too much of a focal point to cut. It is the nucleus of Georgetown’s M Street territory and retail district, and its removal is confusing pedestrian traffic that much more by overcrowding the streets at the stops nearest by.

What DDOT and city officials really ought to focus on is evaluating alternate methods to expedite traffic in this area of town. We live in one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the country, and it houses the city’s most vibrant retail district. On an average day, it takes easily over 30 minutes to navigate the stretch of road between K St. and M St. Buses are a part of this congestion, but in an urban environment they are all but mundane inevitabilities, and decreasing the number of stops on a route by one cannot possibly have any significant impact on the efficiency of the bus route or the easing of surrounding traffic. Whether bus lanes at certain times of day should be in discussion, or alternate HOV restrictions applied to promote the use of public transportation, we are not here to say. What we are here to say is that the current solution is not the answer.

We greatly appreciate DDOT’s efforts in Georgetown, specifically their opening access to the harbor and movie theater on K St., and we hope they will reinstate these stops. At a previous ANC2E meeting this year, DDOT representatives said they would seriously consider input from the community since they changed the bus routes. If they want to address community concerns, now is their chance.