Building The Dream
• September 6, 2011

In 2007, supporters of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King Kr. National Memorial rang the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell to mark the beginning of construction. After raising over $114 million and rallying the support of celebrities, large-scale corporations, and enthusiastic citizens, the Memorial Foundation has recently announced that the memorial is complete.

Built in honor of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the memorial is a symbol of Dr. King’s lifelong pursuit of lasting peace and his dedication to social reform through non-violent means. As visitors enter the memorial, they walk through a boulder, representative of Dr. King’s struggle. Visitors read Dr. King’s own words, “out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,” as they pass the boulder and arrive in an open space filled with trees and flowers, symbolic of Dr. King’s dream and ultimate success. There stands a 30-foot sculpture of the man himself.

The memorial, which includes a 450-foot Inscription Wall filled with 14 memorable quotes by Dr. King, captures the four fundamental principles of Dr. King’s message—justice, democracy, hope and love. The water from the Tidal Basin, adjacent to the memorial, represents justice, while the blooming cherry blossoms are a symbol of eternal hope. The memorial commemorates Dr. King’s passion for equality and global peace, which inspired thousands of people in the mid 1900s and continues to do so today. The memorial stands as a constant reminder to D.C. residents and visitors alike of Dr King’s strong-willed spirit, relentless courage, optimistic worldview, and lasting contributions to our society.

The Memorial Foundation recently announced that opening day will be August 28th, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. An official dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., with a pre-dedication concert starting at 10 a.m. and a post-dedication concert at 2 p.m. Tickets for the event were distributed through an online lottery months ago, but standing areas are open to the public and do not require a ticket.

With opening day only a few weeks away, supporters from all over the area are excited to take part in the historic inauguration of the District’s first memorial celebrating Dr. King, a true American hero.

The Green Phoenix
• August 25, 2011

Home to Congress, Washington D.C. is the center of social movements that sweep our nation. Innovative and inspiring ideas are brought before our nation’s leaders, are debated and refined, and often transformed into legislation. Recently, the hype has been about “going green” and making changes at home and at work to lower one’s carbon footprint. It’s now fashionable to wear “organic” clothing and to find a blue recycling bin to put aluminum cans instead of throwing them away.
In 2009, the House passed a historic climate change bill that requires 20% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. The bill also increases electricity prices by $175 a year per household by 2020. Yet, even with congressional pressure to improve energy efficiency, why aren’t more local businesses following the trend of “going green?” The high cost of installing renewable energy systems and the significant time commitment required to explore greener resources are just two challenges that business owners face when making the switch to a greener business model.
One local businessman, John Hays, has managed to overcome such setbacks and convert his Georgetown store, The Phoenix, into an environmentally friendly business. For years, Hays has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability through recycling, selling renewable bags, and buying products with “fair trade” certification.
About a year ago, Hays wanted to make his commitment to the environment even stronger and signed up to install 30 solar panels on the roof of The Phoenix. Hays recognizes the significant cost of installing solar panels and how many might find the numbers daunting, but has managed to take advantage of numerous local and federal incentives that make the transition more affordable. “One-third of the cost of the panels is funded by the DC government,” Hays explains, “and I will also receive a 30% tax cut from the federal government.” In addition, Hays can exchange some of the energy produced by the solar panels in the form of solar Renewable Energy Credits (sRECSs) for cash from local electricity distributors such as PEPCO. With financial help from the D.C. government, the federal government, and sRECs, Hays saw little stopping him from converting to solar energy.
The solar panels are expected to generate over 7,000 kilowatts of power each year, which will amount to 60% of The Phoenix’s total power usage. After five years, the total energy produced by the panels will make up for their cost.
Hays hopes that other local businesses will follow in his footsteps and install solar panels or make other changes to promote the environment. “All the economic incentives in place make using renewable energy possible,” Hays says. “With rising energy prices, companies might be paying more for power if they don’t make the switch.” An investment in solar energy today might even be profitable in the long-term.
Next week, the installation process will be complete and the solar panels will be up and running, generating energy for The Phoenix while simultaneously helping Georgetown become a greener neighborhood. Who will be next?
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Restaurant Week In Georgetown
• August 24, 2011

Washington D.C.’s Restaurant Week provides a rare opportunity for residents and visitors to taste food from a diverse group of DC’s finest restaurants at affordable prices. Between August 15 and 21, over 200 local restaurants will serve 3-course lunches for $20.11 and 3-course dinners for $35.11. The cuisines offered this year include French, Italian, Mexican, Pan-Asia, Mediterranean and many more.

Participating Restaurants located in Georgetown

American:

1789 Restaurant features classic American dishes and was voted one of “America’s Top Tables” by readers of Gourmet magazine. Diners sit in one of six elegant dining rooms filled with historical prints and American antiques. Offers dinner only.

Chef Geoff’s, described by the lead chef as a “neighborhood restaurant,” is known for its Contemporary American dining, which includes dishes such as “Slow Roasted Beef Brisket” and “Big Shrimp and Very Gouda Grits.” Choose from indoor, outdoor or bar seating.

Juniper at the Fairmont Washington DC is a Contemporary American restaurant that uses sustainable ingredients to create traditional American dishes with a modern twist. Enjoy a range of classic comfort foods presented in creative and artistic ways.

Thunder Burger & Bar, recognized for its juicy signature burgers, is an edgy and energetic restaurant, perfect for intimate dates or large family gatherings.

Bourbon Steak, a Contemporary American restaurant located in the Four Seasons Hotel, serves award-winning butter-poached meat and elegant seafood dishes. Offers lunch only.

French:

Bistro Francais is a cozy spot that features authentic French dishes in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Open until three am or later, Bistro Francais is the perfect place to go for a late-night snack. The restaurant offers an extensive French and American wine collection.

Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, a charming restaurant located in Upper Georgetown, offers French seafood and poultry dishes. The dim-lit wine bar is a favorite for intimate dates.

Cafe Bonaparte, praised as the “quintessential European café,” is an intimate French café with indoor and outdoor seating that serves award-winning fruit and Nutella crepes and French coffees.

La Chaumiere resembles a French inn, with tables surrounding a central fireplace and bottles of French wine resting on wooden beams around the restaurant. Diners enjoy award-winning French food in a comfortable, relaxed environment where all feel welcomed.

International:

Mie N Yu is a lively and exotic restaurant where dining areas are decorated to complement the diverse range of international foods. Diners can enjoy their meal in a vibrant Moroccan Bazaar or a traditional Turkish Tent. At Mie N Yu one not only eats unique and delicious foods, but also experiences the culture of another part of the world. Offers dinner only.

Italian:

Café Milano, known to attract a number of diplomats, lawmakers, and entertainers alike, offers first-class Italian food in a sophisticated and elegant dining room. Offers lunch only.

Il Canale features authentic food from Southern Italy, including gourmet thin-crust pizza, baked in ovens imported from Naples. Il Canale is rumored to be one of the top spots in D.C. where Italians prefer to get Italian food.

Paolo’s Ristorante combines classical Italian cuisine with modern Californian flavors to create their well-known pizzas and pastas. Diners can watch as the chefs prepare their meal in the open kitchen. Offers dinner only.

Ristorante Piccolo is a romantic Italian restaurant, which is often the site of intimate dates and marriage proposals. The numerous fireplaces, handcrafted art and textiles contribute to its warm and cozy atmosphere.

Mediterranean:

Neyla features a diverse variety of food from countries across the Mediterranean, including Egypt, Greece, Lebanon and Turkey. Neyla serves exotic and flavorful mezza, which is ideal for sharing, and charcoal-grilled kebabs.

Seafood:

Sea Catch, located right along the C&O Canal, is known for its fresh seafood and friendly ambiance. The Deck overlooking the canal is a great place to catch the summer breeze while cooling down with some fresh clams or mussels from the raw bar.

Sequoia, with its sprawling, three-tier outdoor terrace overlooking the Potomac River, is a first-class American restaurant, specializing in seafood. Enjoy views of the Kennedy Center and Watergate Hotel while dining here.

Spanish:

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge offers an extensive variety of Spanish tapas, paellas and Sangria. Diners can taste the well-known garlic shrimp tapas, while drinking Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. Alcoves provide the perfect place to create an intimate setting, while the long dining room tables are ideal for larger groups.

To Learn of other restuarants visit restaurantweekmetrodc.org