Caitlin Franz • May 11, 2015

Very few people can say they started their own business on their lunch break, but Christina Conrad of Boobypack did just that.

She said the idea came to her over one weekend hanging out with some girlfriends in a tiny New York City apartment.

“For the rest of the night ‘Boobypack- the fannypack for your rack’ is all I could think about,” Conrad said. “The next day I went into my day job at Time Inc. and during my lunch break started googling how to file for an LLC.”

The innovative product was inspired by her friends mentioning that they lost or damaged their phones at an outdoor music festival in Miami. Conrad wanted to create an alternative for ladies who wanted to go out without a purse—particularly for outdoor events.

But Boobypack’s mission does not end with the bra bag.

After starring on the popular ABC show Shark Tank, Conrad says she started to think about the bigger picture. “Our biggest take away from Shark Tank was that there are a lot of other markets out there interested in our rack packs,” Conrad said.

The company is currently working on a less revealing Boobypack for impact athletic activities, as well as a comfier version for travel.

“We’ve even had moms tell us it’s perfect for cruise ships, so that they never lose their room keys!” she said.

An unexpected use for the product is that it can store insulin pumps for diabetics, who have written to the company and posted pictures showing their special take on the Boobypack.

The company wants to work on improving its designs for all sorts of women while continuing to sell and distribute the original Boobypack products online.

“We’re a company made up of women, making a product specifically for women,” she said. “So female empowerment comes naturally to us. It’s in our DNA.”

Boobypack is super involved in the social media sphere, using hashtags like #believeinyourSHELFIE and #Girlboss frequently on Instagram.

“Being a Boobypack Angel means you’re a confident, active woman with a sense of humor,” Conrad said. “A #girlboss who believes in her #shelfie if you will.”

Caitlin Franz •

Former D.C. Council member Jim Graham is taking on a new career. He is now special events director at the House, a strip club on Georgia Avenue NW. A supporter of adult entertainment during his time on the Council, Graham proposed legislation to make it easier for strip clubs to open.

The club’s gay-night series debuted Sunday, April 19, with a show called “Rock Hard Sunday.” Cover for the debut was $15, a third of which was donated to Whitman-Walker Health, which provides primary-care services to the LGBT community. The Washington Blade reported that the male dancers were going to make good use of Graham’s signature accessory, the bow tie.

“They are going to put them on and at some point they will dispose of the bow ties in the audience,” Graham was quoted as saying. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Graham is also in charge of the Thursday night series, which features nude male dancing for women.

“I wanted something that was fun, and quite honestly, I want to make a buck or two,” he said in an interview with NBC Washington about his new job. (Once upon a time, Graham attempted to get his current employer’s liquor license revoked.) In addition, Graham is working as a consultant for Clean and Sober, a nonprofit that aims to help those recovering from substance abuse.

Caitlin Franz •

Melvin Gresham was promoted to commander of the Second District on April 6. He formerly served as a captain in also in the Second District under Commander Michael Reese.

Gresham has previously served in the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Patrol Districts, as well as the Narcotics Branch and the Special Operations Divisions.

He joined the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in October 1984. Commander Gresham is originally from Prince George County, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland’s University College, where he majored in Criminal Justice.

“I am an advocate of community policing and believe that the police should know the citizens in the community that they serve,” Gresham said. “It is the only way for the police to become part of the fabric of the community.”

The Second District neighborhoods include Chevy Chase, Cleveland Park, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Palisades and Spring Valley. Several embassies are also locating in this region.

While total violent crime has decreased in the last year, Commander Gresham faces increased levels of other crime, including burglary and theft as he begins his new role.

“I believe that the Georgetown area will continue to be a very vibrant community,” he said.  “The police have to work with the community in problem solving and working together to make the community safer. I have always believed that the citizens are the eyes and ears of law enforcement.”

Caitlin Franz • May 7, 2015

D.C. experienced a record-breaking year in tourism for the fifth year in a row, the city’s tourism agency, Destination D.C., announced May 5. Domestic visitation to the District was up 5.7 percent in 2013, to 18.34 million visitors, according to McLean-based D.K. Shifflet.

All visitors to D.C. contributed a total of $6.8 billion to the local economy, a year-over-year increase of 1.9 percent, per IHS Global, Inc., The city’s retail sector saw 2.5-percent growth. There was a 4-percent increase in spending on food and beverage and a 2-percent increase in entertainment spending.

It is believed that these increases in tourism and spending were the result of several Destination D.C.-sponsored campaigns, like D.C. Cool. Campaigns of a similar nature are in the works for the coming year.

Caitlin Franz •

New legislation that went into effect May 3 gives bakeries the opportunity to apply for a license allowing them to sell baked goods with up to 5-percent alcohol content. Infused pastries and sweets with alcohol content of between .5 and 5 percent can only be sold to individuals 21 years old or older.

The law is also changing the way distilleries and festival organizers provide alcoholic beverages to their customers.

Distilleries are now eligible for licenses that would allow them to curate drinks made with their own products and sell them onsite.

Festival organizers are now able to get a temporary liquor license lasting up to 15 days. This appears to be a significant improvement from the current model, which requires organizers to obtain a one-day permit for each day of a festival.

Caitlin Franz •

On April 29, DC Ferguson led a rally for Freddie Gray, the unarmed black man who died after his spine was severed while in police custody in Baltimore.

The march began on the corner of H and 7th Streets NW around 7 p.m. Protestors gathered around the Friendship Archway and the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro entrance, where they listened to Bridzette Lane speak. Lane is the mother of Rafael Briscoe, an 18-year-old who was shot and killed by Metropolitan Police Department officers in April 2011.

The group, which grew to about 500 people, continued on to the John A. Wilson District Building, chanting “No justice. No peace. No more racist police.”

Other mantras were “Black lives matter. All lives matter” and “All night, all day, I will fight for Freddie Gray.” The march caused several street closures throughout the city. D.C. police were along the marchers’ route, ending at the White House, from start to finish. The peaceful protest was allowed to go on without interruption.

Protests took place all around the country on Wednesday night to show solidarity with Baltimore, including New York City, Boston, Houston, Albuquerque and Indianapolis. Several demonstrators in New York City were arrested.

Thirty-four D.C. police officers were deployed to Baltimore to provide assistance during the protests and rioting that began on April 27 after Gray’s funeral. D.C. protestors demanded the recall of these officers.

A city-wide curfew has been lifted in Baltimore and the National Guard is developing a plan to withdraw from the city as of May 1.

Caitlin Franz •

Anne Albert finds stability in the community at the Georgetown Senior Center, housed on Mondays and Fridays in St. John’s Church.

“My father was Navy growing up and my husband was much older, and he passed away,” she said. “So I didn’t have many friends.”

Albert found herself bored after retiring. She expressed this to a friend, who referred her to the Georgetown Senior Center. She has now been a member for 20 years.

“I can’t believe I’ve been retired this long,” she said. “I can’t believe I lived this long. All I wanted to do was be 21.”

Albert makes time to use her creative talents to give back to the community. She crochets blankets for an organization called Christ’s Child that provides assistance to unwed mothers. She makes hats and scarves for inner-city kids.

“I also make two martinis a night,” she said with a laugh.

Her fiercely fun personality and unapologetic nature make Albert the life of the party at the group’s twice-weekly meetings. “I still can’t remember everyone’s name,” she said. “I’ll ask the question and not listen to the answer. But I’ve done that since I was a kid.”

Her clear blue eyes light up when she laughs or smiles, mostly at herself, revealing a charming humility. Albert’s positive attitude was only dimmed when she learned of the recent dip in senior center membership.

“I enjoy the companionship of other people,” she said.

The Georgetown Senior Center offers a variety of activities, including exercise classes, visits by comedians, performances and social events. Volunteers prepare and deliver food to the church for members’ lunches.

When asked what her favorite part of the organization was, she answered with one word: “Everything.”

The GBA networking reception on May 20 at Lululemon will benefit the Georgetown Senior Center.

Caitlin Franz • May 6, 2015

D.C. Ferguson led a rally on April 29 evening for Freddie Gray, the unarmed black man who died after his spine was severed while he was in police custody in Baltimore.

Last night’s march in Chinatown began on the corner of H and 7th Streets NW around 7 p.m. Protestors gathered around the Friendship Archway and the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro entrance, where they listened to Bridzette Lane speak. Lane is the mother of Rafael Briscoe, an 18-year-old who was shot and killed by the Metropolitan Police Department in April 2011.

The group, which grew to include around 500 people, continued on to the Wilson Building, D.C.’s equivalent of city hall, chanting “No justice. No peace. No more racist police.”

Demonstrators had multiple mantras: “Black lives matter. All lives matter” and “All night, all day, I will fight for Freddie Gray.”
D.C. Ferguson led the group toward the final location on the path, the White House.

The march caused several street closures throughout the city. D.C. police were along the marchers’ route the whole time. The peaceful protest was allowed to go on without interruptions and with no arrests.

Protests took place all around the country on Wednesday night to show solidarity with Baltimore, including New York City, Boston, Houston, Albuquerque and Indianapolis. Several demonstrators in New York City have reportedly been arrested.
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Caitlin Franz •

The Around the World Embassy Tour is a free event, taking place this Saturday, May 2.

Attendees will be able to travel vicariously around the globe, experiencing the food and culture of a variety of countries, thanks to sponsors like Passport D.C.

Art, dance, fashion, music, innovations and manufactured goods from the participating embassies will be showcased.

Last year, more than 50 embassies participated, allowing guests to pet alpacas, play with robots, learn native dances and more.

The embassies that are participating include African Union, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, League of Arab States, Libya, Malaysia, Mexican Cultural Institute, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ukraine and Venezuela.

To get more information about the embassy tours, visit www.culturaltourismdc.

Caitlin Franz • April 28, 2015

It’s easy to get bogged down in over-zealous green marketing campaigns when trying to find high-quality food that is also produced in an environmentally responsible way. Check out the following compilation of local restaurants with local, fresh and eco-friendly menus.

Big Bear Café
Big Bear Café features seasonal produce and dishes, homemade sausages and house-cured fish and bacon. The iconic Bloomingdale spot, a hipster haven, is now open for dinner. The newly expanded patio is the perfect place to enjoy the warming weather. 1700 First St. NW ? 202-643-9222 ? bigbearcafe-dc.com.

Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets is a widely popular restaurant with a cozy atmosphere for all ages. Whether for brunch with friends or a romantic date, the menu is well stocked with sustainable food and locally cultivated organic ingredients. Browse the bookstore’s environmental selection while you wait to be seated or after your meal. 2021 V. St. NW ? 202-387-7638 ? busboysandpoets.com

Café du Parc
This authentic French bistro provides a casual dining atmosphere, complimented by its one-of-a-kind menu, enhanced with locally grown produce. The restaurant has three-star certified status from the Green Restaurant Association.1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW ? 202-942-7000 ? cafeduparc.com

Commissary
Another three-star certified Green Restaurant, Commissary offers a place to sit down for a meal at any time of day, plus a bar and a coffeehouse. The P Street venue serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, along with snacks, desserts and smoothies. There’s a cozy lounge area, an outdoor café and free Wi-Fi. This local dining spot obtains its ingredients from the Eatwell Natural Farm in Maryland. 1443 P St. NW ? 202-299-0018 ? commissarydc.com

Table
Boasting menus that change daily depending on the seasonal ingredients on hand, it’s no wonder that hours are spent handwriting each of Table’s menus – in pencil. Tucked away on N Street in Shaw, Table gained the honor of being one of the first restaurants in the United States to be REAL (Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership) Verified by the United States Healthful Food Council. 903 N St. NW ? 202-588-5200 ? tabledc.com

The Pig
As its name would imply, the Pig has a pork-centric menu. The restaurant features locally sourced food, which changes based on the availability of the freshest ingredients. The vegetables used in its dishes are grown on its farm in nearby La Plata, Maryland. In addition, the Pig uses only humanely raised animals and works to create minimal waste. 1320 14th St. NW ? 202-290-2821 ? thepigdc.com

Restaurant Nora
Nora was the first restaurant in America to be certified organic. The venue uses solely organic ingredients and prides itself on farm-to-fork dining. Restaurant Nora utilizes sustainable cooking methods and offers a seasonal dinner menu. 2132 Florida Ave. NW ? 202-462-5143 ? noras.com

1789 Restaurant
An institution in Georgetown, 1789 also happens to be a great place to sample cuisine made with local and organic ingredients. The restaurant’s website features a list of local farms where it obtains its fresh ingredients. Make sure you make a reservation if you plan to dine at 1789. A jacket is required for men. 1226 36th St. NW ? 202-965-1789 ? 1789restaurant.com