Marie Loiseau • October 31, 2013

Chef duo and married couple John and Karen Urie Shields is looking to open a new restaurant, and they have their eyes locked on a Georgetown location. The two left their former, acclaimed Town House in Chilhowie, Va., over a year ago in order to pursue a Washington, D.C., spot. After a lengthy search, the couple has taken a strong interest in 1050 Potomac St., NW, and plans to sign the lease within the week.

The new undertaking, which has not yet been named, will be a Town House follow-up. It will, therefore, feature a menu heavy in vegetable and marine options.

Before taking on the Town House, John and Karen Shields were well renowned in Chicago for their work at Charlie Trotter’s as sous-chef and head pastry chef, respectively. John Shields later worked as sous-chef at Alinea in Chicago and was listed on Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs in 2010.”

The two were brought on to assist with a revamping of Town House in 2008 by its co-owners Kyra and Tom Bishop. The Shields turned the Town House around, leaving it a booming hot spot in Chilhowie, which is west of Roanoke.

But now they’re set on Washington, DC. “I’ve always loved D.C.,” John Shields has said. “It’s got a great vibe.”

The space they’re eying consists of an outdoor patio as well as carriage house, allowing more space for restaurant guests.

Assuming the couple does sign the lease, a grand opening would, realistically, still lie nine months to a year down the road.

Marie Loiseau • October 24, 2013

Michele Conley speaks lovingly of her “phenomenal” friends, a couple who have adopted four young, in-need children. She gushes at their selflessness, their generosity. Conley’s admiration is cut short, however, because she’s made plans to prepare them dinner.

This thoughtful gesture is typical of Conley, a maternal angel and two-time breast cancer survivor that fills her days with giving and sharing. She is Washington, D.C.’s very own Wonder Woman, having perfected a trying balance as a daughter, mother, friend to many, exercise enthusiast and owner of a State Farm Insurance agency. In the past year, for instance, Conley has moved her youngest son into his freshman college dorm, roamed around France with her mother and completed numerous 10-mile and half marathon running races. She’s done all this, while maintaining her position as founder and leader of Living in Pink.

Conley founded Living in Pink in 2003, after seeing her mother battle breast cancer, and then personally fighting and overcoming the disease twice. Her independent, nonprofit organization supports research to further the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
“We celebrate women that are living, surviving and thriving,” says Conley. This year’s big celebratory event will be the 10th Annual Living in Pink Luncheon & Boutique, scheduled for Nov. 1 at the Fairmont Washington Hotel.

Greta Kreuz, reporter and anchorwoman of ABC7/WJLA-TV, will be the introductory speaker, as she has been for almost every annual luncheon thus far. “She’s fabulous,” says Conley. “We asked her initially, and she’s volunteered to speak every year since.”

The luncheon will also feature the annual presentation of The Living in Pink Award and the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award. The Living in Pink Award recipient is generally, but not always, a physician who has done something special for women and breast cancer. This year’s recipient is Rachel Brem, M.D., Director of the Breast Imaging and Intervention Center at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health.

The Noel Soderberg-Evans Award, presented by the Jack Evans family, is given to someone carrying on Noel’s legacy as, what Conley calls, “such a wonderful person, fighting and staying positive for her loved ones.” The recipient of this award will not be announced until the luncheon’s award presentation.

Living in Pink’s Luncheon & Boutique continues to be a success, year after year. Conley passes on the praise to the 12 Living in Pink committee members. “There’s no way this could happen without them.”

She’s looking very forward to this year’s event and is immensely proud of the organization’s accomplishments. “The committee is amazing,” she says. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to keep almost all of the same committee members and keep this going year after year,” she continues. “The power of people working together: that’s what has made this what it is.”

Marie Loiseau • October 21, 2013

Washington, D.C., is home to some impressively hefty eating competitions. Two special gorging events will be a part of Taste of D.C., a weekend celebrating food and beverage, that will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 9th and 14th Streets on Oct. 12 and 13 from noon to 7 p.m. Taste of D.C. will feature more than 70 restaurants and more than 100 beers and wines. Its two eating competitions will be Ben’s Chili Bowl Chili Eating Championship and BGR The Burger Joint’s 9 lb Burger Eating Contest.

Ben’s Chili Bowl’s event will take place on Sat. Oct. 12 on the Taste of D.C. Main Stage at 9th and Pennsylvania Avenue. There will be two sessions of competition: one for military folks at 2:30 p.m., and another for professional eaters at 3 p.m. Last year’s professional winner, Tim “Eater-X” Janus woofed down two gallons of chili in just six minutes. He’ll be back to face off his foes and try to beat the World Record he tied last year.

BGR The Burger Joint worked through September, holding a Facebook contest to determine the three teams that will compete in its 9lb Burger Eating Contest on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. The three teams call themselves: DMV Eaters, Be the Bruce, and #Eatitude. Each team has four members, and will race to devour the burger that, with its bun and condiments, has a total weight of about fifteen pounds.

If that sounds appetizing, stop by BGR The Burger Joint and order your own. Nine-pounders are available any day of any week. Plus, if you eat it in less than an hour without getting up, it’s free.

Hamilton’s Bar & Grill is home of “The Fat Boy Challenge”: eat two double-decker, two half-pound patties with condiments (aka “Big Daddies”) and a pound of tater tots covered in chili and cheese. Finish all that in less than an hour? Get a free shirt.

Sprig & Sprout’s Glover Park restaurant will also be holding its very own Pho Challenge in the upcoming future. Participants will buy a $35 bowl of Pho, overflowing with two pounds of noodles, two pounds of meat, three quarters of broth, one-fourth pound of cilantro onion mix, and a half of a pound of bean sprouts. If the customer finishes the dish in less than sixty minutes, without taking a potty break or throwing up, it’s free. Victory will also be awarded with the hanging of a photo and plaque in the customer’s honor.

The contest will kick off when owner Jennifer Hoang gets a bowl big enough for all that soup. Guy Mason Pottery is expected to complete the bowl in the next two to three weeks. Sprig & Sprout will also be hosting an egg roll-eating competition in December, in honor of their one-year anniversary. More information on this will be available later.

So if you’re feeling hungry, head out to any of these places and take a whack at the challenge. Let the gorging begin.

Marie Loiseau • October 10, 2013

The District of Columbia is standing up to the federal government. While the feds continue toying with a potential Oct. 1 government shutdown, Mayor Vincent Gray has stated that the city won’t be taking part in any government hiatus.

“I have determined that everything the District government does – protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors – is essential,” said Mayor Gray Sept. 25.

In the past, a federal government shutdown would also mean a shutdown for D.C. government, as the District is not a state and is thus directly vulnerable to Congress’s decisions. The District’s organizations deemed crucial – such as public schools and police and fire departments– would have remained open, but the libraries, recreation centers and trash services would stop operations.

In accordance with Gray’s statement, however, it seems that the D.C. government’s estimated 30,000 employees will keep on working without Congress’s consent.

“It is ridiculous that a city of 632,000 people — a city where we have balanced our budget for 18 consecutive years and have a rainy-day fund of well over a billion dollars — cannot spend its residents’ own local tax dollars to provide them the services they’ve paid for without Congressional approval,” Gray continued.

“Congress can’t even get its own fiscal house in order; they should be taking lessons from us rather than imposing needless suffering on us. I will not allow the safety and well-being of District residents to be compromised by Congress’s dysfunction.”

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton sided with Gray, sharing her views in a statement published Sept. 25: “No member of Congress, myself included, should ever tell the District of Columbia what to do or how to spend its locally raised funds,” said Norton. “The District government is not a federal agency and should not be treated as such for any purpose, especially federal appropriations.”

District Council chairman Phil Mendelson and at-large councilmember David Grosso are both working to release D.C. from the Federal government’s jurisdiction. Mendelson is to bring forth his own bill on Oct. 1, which will further support the continuation of work within the city. Grosso suggests D.C. should expand upon this rebellion and begin ignoring a piece of the Home Rule Charter requiring 30 days of congressional review for D.C. legislation.

Not everyone is in harmony with Gray’s voicing for change. Former D.C. U.S. Attorney Joe DiGenova is among the opponents. DiGenova points out that Gray’s decision defies the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal employees from participating in spending greater than available funds, unless authorized by law. “If the city thinks that by violating this law it hopes to make its case for self-rule, this is idiocy of immense proportions,” DiGenova said.

D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan has warned that Gray’s decision could result in fines and jail time for D.C. government employees. “I would point out they have taken oath to uphold the law, and if you engage in civil disobedience you have to take the consequences and the victims of the consequences could as well be the District,” Nathan said.

It is uncertain if D.C. residents can expect continued access to recreational centers, libraries and trash collection if the federal government shuts down Monday. However, D.C. may be freed from similar federal government bullying come January 2014. At that time, the proposed D.C. budget autonomy will take effect, leaving D.C. liberated from “Congress’s dysfunction.”
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Marie Loiseau •

As days get darker, homes get more colorful. Hints of teal and yellow will give a refreshing feel to any room during the dark fall months. Combine the colors with earthy tones of grey and brown to create an effortless chic atmosphere. [gallery ids="101490,151773,151770,151766,151762,151759,151755,151748,151752,151778,151780" nav="thumbs"]

Marie Loiseau • October 7, 2013

Tonight will mark the Georgetown Business Improvement District’s final Community Engagement Meeting, regarding its 15-year strategic plan, Georgetown 2028. At tonight’s gathering, the BID will review the elements of a Georgetown 2028 draft it has put together over the past few months.

Georgetown 2028 is a collection and eventual implementation of community ideas with the goal of improving the appeal of Georgetown. The people of Georgetown are voicing questions or concerns about what they want to revamp or restore. Ideas mentioned in Georgetown 2028’s June 2013 community forum included walking path expansion and greater public transit accessibility. There was even talk of bringing a metro stop to Georgetown University’s main campus.

Since its launch in January 2013, Georgetown 2028 has been collecting more input and support. Its task force includes the Georgetown BID as well as Georgetown residents, merchants, community leaders, restaurateurs, office tenants, architects and more. These groups recognize that, in order for Georgetown to remain competitive as a thriving commercial district, certain changes need to take place.

More specifically, people have been contributing suggestions in the fields of transportation, physical space, the economy and the environment. The BID hopes that changes in these areas will resurrect Georgetown’s former glory as a primary shopping and dining sector.

The Georgetown community is invited to attend the forum hosted by Foley & Lardner LLP (3000 K St., NW Suite 600, Washington Harbour) tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. RSVP: georgetown2028@georgetowndc.com

Marie Loiseau • September 23, 2013

As a neighborhood known for its beautiful houses and vibrant business district, Georgetowners like things just so. There is one piece of streetscape that puts frowns on the faces of passers-by. There, a sign reads, “The National Jewel Center,” which sits, aged and forlorn, on the empty 1351 Wisconsin Ave., NW, space.

This address did not always look so homely, and some pieces of its history are still visible in the old signage hanging out front. It became home to the bustling Dumbarton Theater in 1913. It was alight and glorious, a playhouse equipped with seating for 460. The Dumbarton Theater became the Georgetown Theater and began showing movies in 1947. The theater – infamous for showing the Penthouse-produced film, “Caligula,” for months on end — was sold in 1986 to be used for retail.

The National Jewel Center took its turn after the fall of the Georgetown Theater. After 20 years, it closed, leaving the space for sale by the Heon family with no takers yet. It has sat this way for the past two years, as the iconic Georgetown Theater sign collects rust with each passing season. Georgetown is ready for a change.

And, finally, change may be on the way. The dusty space may, after two long years of sitting and collecting sympathy, have an amazing transformation in its near future.

According to the Washingtonian, Politics and Prose Bookstore may be coming to Georgetown. The popular and successful independent bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Ave., N.W., wants to expand and may take over the currently dingy Wisconsin Avenue space.

Politics and Prose, with its workshops, speakers and coffee shop element, would add some real verve to Georgetown. Unfortunately, this business expansion has not yet been officially confirmed. As P&P owners Bradley Graham and Lisa Muscatine are currently out of town, no statement could be received on the matter. Employees at the Connecticut Avenue location have made it clear that only the owners are able to comment on this supposed business plan. So, until the bosses are back in town, Georgetowners can only cross their fingers and dare to dream. Look for a follow-up in next week’s newsletter.

Marie Loiseau •

Mayor Vincent Gray vetoed today the proposed Large Retailer Accountability Act of 2013. The bill would have held large retailers, such as Walmart, to increase employees’ wages to a minimum $12.50 per hour. It was met with much opposition from Walmart — which threatened to pull out from three of its planned Washington locations if Gray signed the bill — and others.

“I am vetoing this legislation precisely because I believe in providing a living wage to as many District residents as possible – and this bill is not a true living-wage measure,” Gray said. “While the intentions of its supporters were good, this bill is simply a woefully inadequate and flawed vehicle for achieving the goal we all share.”

Gray noted that the jobs may not even go to D.C. residents. While so people may be upset with the veto, the mayor also called for a reasonable increase in the District’s minimum wage for all workers.

The mayor’s letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, explaining his decision, listed six major points:

= “The bill in not a true living-wage bill …

= The bill is a job-killer …

= The bill would affect far more retailers than many supporters think …

= The bill doesn’t guarantee good-paying jobs for District residents …

= The bill does nothing to help underserved parts of the District …

= The bill will deal a huge blow to economic development …”

If the 13-member D.C. Council can gather nine votes, it can override Gray’s veto. It voted 8-5 for the bill on July 10.

Respect D.C., “a coalition of grassroots-based organizations, pastors, workers, and community members concerned about the quality of life in the nation’s capital,” issued a statement in response to the mayor’s veto of the bill with comments from some of its members, including this one from Kimberly Mitchell, a Macy’s employee and lifelong Ward 7 resident: “I am incredibly upset, disappointed, and angry that Mayor Gray has decided to stand with Walmart and other large corporations instead of with the residents of this city. Mayor Gray has made it clear who he stands with and it’s not with me, my neighbors or the residents of D.C. We are now counting on the City Council to do the right thing, stand up with D.C. residents, and override this veto. Mayor Gray had the opportunity to stand up for the residents of this city, but instead he allowed large, out of town companies, like Walmart, to threaten him and ultimately dictate the policies of our city. By vetoing this bill he has further eroded the ability of D.C. residents and workers to earn enough money to take care of themselves and their families while remaining in the city.”

“This is a major victory for the residents of the District of Columbia and the business community,” said Barbara B. Lang, president and CEO of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. “Mayor Gray should be commended for vetoing this irresponsible bill that undermines the work we’re doing to increase employment opportunities for District residents. … We’re now in a position to be the economic hub for our region and end the retail leakage that has plagued our city for too long.”

After the veto was announced and assuming it is not overridden, a Walmart spokesman informed local media that the company would “move forward” on its stores in D.C., including one at Skyland Town Center in the mayor’s neighborhood.

Marie Loiseau • September 12, 2013

The apartments and houses of Georgetown are classic, luxurious and stylish. To optimize your space in smaller or more narrow rooms while still staying true to chic Georgetown style, try these sleek modern storage items or modular furniture options. Organization at it’s finest – and classiest.

Tillary Modular Seating
West Elm (WestElm.com)
$149 – $2196
Modular furniture is an easy way to save space in a narrow Georgetown apartment. The pieces of this Tillary seating can be rearranged to fit any space, whether they are together or separate. Try placing both pieces together in a corner or one piece on each wall for a conversation-conducive arrangement. The weighted back supports can also be moved or removed to create an impromptu guest bed for visitors.

Peekaboo Clear Nesting Tables
CB2 (CB2.com)
$199
These clear nesting tables are perfect for use when table space is sparse while entertaining. Position the tables around the room during parties laden with appetizers and drinks and then simply stack them away in the corner to save space.

Julius Grass Storage Ottoman
CB2 (CB2.com)
$499
Need extra storage space for winter sweaters or bulky blankets? The Julius Grass Storage Ottoman can be placed at the end of your bed or under a window as a bench seat (just add pillows). It looks stylish while adding space. Casters on the bottom also allow for an easy move.

6-Piece Cubist Modular Wall Shelf Set
CB2 (CB2.com)
$199
A beautiful sculptural industrial wall shelf set displays six different dimensions that can be used to store books, photos, or any other interesting room decor. Group together or separately, or even display as free stands on tabletops or a desk for extra storage space.

Savannah Under-bed Baskets
Pottery Barn (PotteryBarn.com)
$24 – $44
The ultimate organizational tool: baskets. Use these rustic Savannah Under-bed Baskets for additional storage space that is out of the way and unseen. You can even substitute these baskets for a dresser and store your clothes under the bed for easy access. Replacing a dresser or bureau with these country-chic baskets will free up additional space in a room as well; the perfect solution when attempting to style a small space.

Destination Boxes-New York and Paris (Set of Four)
ZGallerie (ZGallerie.com)
$119.80
A stylish addition to any room, use these Destination storage boxes for important paper work on desks or stack on book shelves or wall units. They could even be used on the coffee table as the perfect place to store the remote controls.

Design-Your-Own-Wine-Racks
The Container Store (ContainerStore.com)
$29.99 – 99.99
Have an expanding wine collection but no wine cellar to store your favorite vino? Not a problem with this natural, unfinished wood wine rack. The modular design assembles either vertically or horizontally with little to no hassle. The best part: additional sections can be added easily when your collection grows. [gallery ids="100262,106989,106998,106984,107002,106979,107006,106974,107010,106969,106994" nav="thumbs"]