Hayley Markovich • April 11, 2016

When Mayor Vincent Gray spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the finish of the O and P Streets Rehabilitation Project Sept. 18, he recalled that streetcars last ran along the renovated historic tracks 50 years ago.

Today, the District is going back to the future: Residents, workers and visitors to Washington will travel in the coming years on new D.C. streetcars.

The re-introduction of streetcars were announced by the District Department of Transportation in 2009 and will serve all eight wards of the city. The H Street/Benning Road Line will be the first to open and carry passengers in summer 2013.

This line is a two-mile line that will operate on lines in existing travel lanes from the intersection of 1st Street, NE, and H Street, NE, to the intersection of Benning Road, NE, and Oklahoma Avenue, NE. It will connect Union Station to the H Street business district and the Benning Road business district and residential area. Streetcars will travel east and west and will have a total of eight stops at Union Station: 5th Street, NE and H Street; 8th Street, NE, and H Street; 13th Street, NE, and H Street; 15th Street, NE, and Benning Road; 19th Street, NE, and Benning Road; Oklahoma Avenue, NE, and Benning Road.

The Anacostia Initial Line Segment is scheduled for completion in summer of 2013. It is a three-quarter-mile streetcar line that will run from 2750 South Capitol Street to the Anacostia Metro. It will connect the Naval Annex to Barry Farm and then to the Anacostia Metro Station.
Additional segments are being planned.

The streetcars will bring many benefits to D.C., include another travel choice for residents and commuters, connecting neighborhoods and commercial corridors and encouraging economic development.

During the first half of the 20th century, the District had a bustling streetcar network that stopped providing service on Jan. 28, 1962, in favor of busses. With the completion of the first line and continued construction Washington, D.C., will join a growing number of cities that have reinstituted streetcars including Portland, Seattle and Tampa.
For more information, visit www.dcstreetcar.com.
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Hayley Markovich • January 17, 2014

Thanksgiving is truly a time to appreciate everything and everyone that helped to make the quickly ending year of 2012 memorable. If you are hosting the holiday this year, there is still time to create a captivating table-scape. Bring the bold red, orange, and gold of fallen leaves indoors as the inspiration for your table. These colors, considered fall staples, will be a sure-fire way to make a beautiful table that your guests will be raving about until next year. [gallery ids="101054,136895,136889,136882,136906,136876,136911,136869,136916,136923,136900" nav="thumbs"]

Hayley Markovich •

The District of Columbia will resume its Breath Alcohol Testing Program on Friday, Sept. 28., after it was paused two years ago. Under the new program, a trained Metropolitan Police Department operator will administer tests to measure breath alcohol content when processing an arrest for impaired driving offenses.

“Ensuring we are doing everything possible to protect public safety is a priority for this administration,” Mayor Vincent Gray said Sept. 26 in a joint statement with the Metropolitan Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Gray added that a $150,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration helped to bring back the program.

The MPD suspended the breath alcohol program in 2010 because incorrectly calibrated machines were found to be giving false readings. D.C. police then worked with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to develop new software for Intoximeter Instruments. During the 20-month development process there was continued reliance on urine tests and vigorous prosecution for impaired driving. Standard field sobriety tests will still be conducted at the scene and urine-testing equipment will remain available at all patrol districts.

The District began to get tougher on drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs with the Comprehensive Impaired Driving Act of 2012. Under the new act, maximum incarceration periods and fines will increase. Among these increases are that first time offenders could be jailed up to 180 days and fined up to $1,000. Convicted first-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration of .20 percent or higher, or repeat DUI offenders, have a mandatory minimum 10-day jail time.

Offenders with a minor child in the vehicle face a minimum five-day jail sentence for each child in a required child-restraint seat and 10 days if they are not. Blood alcohol limits for commercial vehicle operators, including those for hire are set at .04 percent. These drivers will be subject to a five-day mandatory minimum jail term in addition to any other penalty for which they qualify.

“It is an important tool in our joint efforts to combat impaired driving and maintain public safety in the District,” said D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan. “With the new statute and the new, state-of-the-art equipment, we are now well positioned to combat impaired driving.”

Hayley Markovich • August 15, 2013

As the autumn and winter months arrive, so do the pictur- esque reds, oranges, and yellows of fall, and the snowy winter wonderland.

With the arrival of colder weather, skin loses the moisture and glow it had during the warmer weather. This can lead to dry, itchy skin, especially on hands, because they are constantly exposed to the winter elements.
To combat winter skin as colder weather sets in, individual beauty routines must be altered to keep skin and yourself looking and feeling great all winter long.

When purchasing a hand cream to use during the winter months look for specific ingredients. Shea butter ensures that the lotion can help skin retain moisture. Also purchase items with natural oils like avocado, sunflower or coconut oil. These mois- turize and heal skin naturally.

Maximize the benefits of the lotion when you apply it by doing regular self-hand massages. Follow these simple steps:

1. Start by clasping your fingers and rubbing the heels of your palms together in a circular motion.

2. Keeping hands clasped, take one thumb and massage the area just below your other thumb in circular motions, moving outward to the center of the palm. Repeat with the other hand.

3. Release your fingers and use your thumbs and index fingers to knead your palms, wrists and the webbing between your fingers.

4. With one hand, gently pull each finger of the other hand.

5. Finish by using your thumb and index finger to pinch the webbing between your other thumb and index finger.

Protect your skin and treat yourself with these products sure to combat winter skin.

La Mer Soft Crème: This crème is one of the crèmes that branched off the original La Mer Crème de la Mer. The formula penetrates skin deeply to replenish moisture and strengthen the skin. (Blue Mercury available in 30ml or 60ml- $150)

Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle: This lotion nurtures and moisturizes while the scent of grapefruit creates a sense of opti- mism and contentment. The formula does not contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan. (Sephora – $29.50)

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream: This hand cream is enriched with twenty percent sheabutter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil. This mixture of ingredientsleave hands soft and smooth. (L’Occitane5.2 floz- $28)

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve: This formula of botanical oils and natural wax derived from olive oil, offers all–day moisture, conditioning and protec- tion. It creates a protective barrier against moisture loss and protects against and repairs the appearance of severe dry- ness caused by winter’s harsh elements. (Kiehl’s 2.5 oz- $15 or 5.0 oz- $22)

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra Hydrating Body Butter: Josie Maran uses her signature ingredient, Argan Oil, in this velvety body butter. This body but- ter works to revitalize skin and restore softness while improving skin’s texture. It is available in Sweet Citrus or Vanilla Apricot. (Sephora – $35) [gallery ids="101041,136311,136306,136296,136301" nav="thumbs"]

Hayley Markovich • November 15, 2012

During all of the trick-or-treating and revelry in Georgetown on this quickly approaching Halloween, parking will be restricted on some of the roadways in the neighborhood from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31, until 6 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 1.

Those streets affected are K Street, NW, from 30th Street to Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Water Street, NW from 33rd Street to the Capital Crescent Trail, 1000, 1100,1200, 1300 Blocks of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, M Street NW, from 25th Street to Key Bridge, 1100 block of 26th Street, NW, and Thomas Jefferson Street – 1000 block (from the canal, north to M Street).

Residents, visitors and employees of businesses in these areas will have access to these streets. Additional streets may be closed or opened as well. To gain access to these streets, citizens must present proof of work or residence to gain access to these streets. The restrictions will be in effect on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m., until Thursday, Nov. 1, 4 a.m. The streets affected by these closures
are:

• 1000 block of Grace Street, NW

• 1000 block of Thomas Jefferson Street, NW

• 1000 through 1500 blocks of 29th Street, NW

• 1000 through 1500 blocks of 30th Street, NW

• 1200 through 1300 blocks of Potomac Street, NW

• 1200 through 1500 blocks of 27th Street, NW

• 1200 through 1500 blocks of 28th Street, NW

• 1200 through 1600 blocks of 33rd Street, NW

• 1200 through 1700 blocks of 34th Street, NW

• 1500 32nd Street, NW

• 1200 through 1700 blocks of 35th Street, NW

• 2600 through 3100 blocks of Dumbarton Street, NW

• 2600 through 3100 blocks of P Street, NW

• 2600 through 3600 blocks of O Street, NW

• 2700 through 3600 blocks of N Street, NW

• 2700 block of Poplar Lane, NW

• 2700 through 2900 blocks of Olive Street, NW

• 3100 block of Blues Alley, NW

• 3100 block of Oak Alley, NW

• 3100 block of South Street, NW

• 3200 through 3400 Q Street, NW

• 3200 block of Cecil Place, NW

• 3200 through 3600 blocks of Prospect Street, NW

• 3300 through 3400 blocks of Dent Place, NW

• 3300 block of Cady’s Alley, NW

• 900 block 30th Street, NW

Motorists are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when traveling in these areas. In addition, those who will be in the area on Halloween are encouraged to use public transportation.
Georgetown will be holding many events on and around Halloween to celebrate. Thunder Burger and Bar will be holding a Halloween Costume Contest. You can come at any time; costume judging begins at 10 p.m. Titles up for grabs are best male and best female costumes. Winners receive a $50 gift certificate to Thunder Burger and Bar.

The Annual Boo Cruise will be taking place on Saturday, October 27. Guests 21 and over can come aboard and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar all night long. Halloween costumes are encouraged and the best costume will win 4 free tickets on the Spirit of Washington during the costume contest by the end of the night! Boarding will begin at 9:00 pm, and the cruise will last from 9:30 p.m. to 12:05 a.m.

On Oct. 28, the Georgetown Theatre Company will be communicating with the spirits and reading poems and short stories by Edgar Allan Poe including “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee.” After the show there will be a “Horrors d’oeuvre Reception” with the cast.

In Cady’s Alley on Oct. 27, starting at 9 p.m., L2 Lounge will host an Angels & Demons party. Doors are open until 11 p.m.

Bandolero will be hosting its Wake the Dead Party at 10 p.m. on Nov. 2. It will feature a DJ on the first floor and a popular-vote costume contest from 10 p.m. until midnight. Prizes include gifts of lunch or dinner at Bandolero.

Paul Bakery has taken a different spin on Jack-o-Lantern making. It will carve bread rather than pumpkins. You are invited to join the fun at the Georgetown bakery and café. Cost is $15 per person; this includes a large pumpkin-shaped loaf of bread, a stencil to carve a design and a drink and treat. To reserve a spot, email paulb03@paul-usa.com. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to noon; 1078 Wisconsin Ave., NW.

Hayley Markovich • November 12, 2012

The Norman Parish Gallery is featuring famed micro-sculptor Willard Wigan’s “The Half Century Collection.” On Friday Nov. 9, there is a special reception, 6 to 8 p.m., with Wigan in attendance.
Wigan is known for his pieces that sit within the eye of a needle or on a pinhead. His work is so tiny that it cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope.

Owners of Willard Wigan’s work include Prince Charles, Elton John, Sir Philip Green, Lord Bath, Mike Tyson and Simon Cowell. One of his most recent pieces, The Coronation Crown was requested by Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to her celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.

Wigan’s micro-sculptures are shown in the main gallery. You can view his work for a $5 fee; children are free. The collection is being shown until early January 2013.

The Norman Parish Gallery located in Canal Square at 1054 31st St., NW, represents primarily, but not exclusively, visual artists of significance from Africa and the African Diaspora. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.
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Hayley Markovich • October 11, 2012

Dinaw Mengestu writer, novelist, teacher and Georgetown University graduate was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant,” the university announced Oct. 2. The grant of $500,000 comes with no strings attached.

“The MacArthur Fellowship is not only a recognition of their impressive past accomplishments but also, more importantly, an investment in their potential for the future. We believe in their creative instincts and hope the freedom the Fellowship provides will enable them to pursue unfettered their insights and ideas for the benefit of the world,” said MacArthur head Robert Gallucci of the awardees.

Mengestu, an Ethiopian native who immigrated to the United States at the age of two, received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College in 2000. He received a master’s degree in fine arts from Columbia University in 2005. He serves as Lannan Chair of Poetics of Georgetown University Lannan Center for Poetics and Social Practice. He began teaching the course, “The Writer’s Perspective,” this fall. “Having the honor of coming back as the chair, more than anything, confirms the value of the program,” Mengestu said. “It was during my time as a Lannan fellow that I most profoundly felt that I had found a community of students who didn’t all necessarily want to be writers, but who were just as serious and engaged with literature as I was.”

His first two novels “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears,” published in 2007, and “How to Read the Air,” published in 2010, are about the Ethiopian immigrant experience. His next novel “All Our Names” is being finished. His journalism and fiction have also appeared publications including Harper’s, Granta, Rolling Stone, the New Yorker and the Wall Street Journal.

Twenty-two others — including a pediatric neurosurgeon, a marine ecologist, an arts entrepreneur and a journalist — were awarded $500,000 grants in this year’s class.