Nico Dodd • May 30, 2012

I will remember my graduation day as one of the happiest of my life. Receiving my diploma onstage in front of classmates, family and faculty was one of my proudest moments ever. Saturday, May 19, was a beautiful day that will not be topped anytime soon. There was, though, one group absent from Healy Lawn that played an important role during my four years on the Hilltop. Besides faculty and fellow students, my neighbors in Georgetown had a big part in molding my undergraduate experience, for better or for worse.

One thing guides do not tell aspiring students during Georgetown University’s campus tour is that most neighbors are not fans of the university or its students. During my first few weeks as a freshman, I would be disheartened as a party was stopped by the university’s Department of Public Safety or the Metropolitan Police Department. By my senior year, it felt like almost any gathering inevitably ended in flashlights and firm words from a staffer of the Student Neighborhood Assistance Program, better known as S.N.A.P. Students cannot even be sure if they’re not on camera, thanks to Stephen R. Brown’s DrunkenGeorgetownStudents.com, Burleith’s version of TMZ.

Besides dipping their fingers in students’ private activities, neighbors have also effected the university’s relationship with its own students. Georgetown’s 10-year campus plan has been a point of contention since my sophomore year. I have sat in on numerous advisory neighborhood commission meetings and one D.C. Zoning Commission hearing to listen to horror stories about my classmates from exasperated neighbors.

This firm resistance to the university’s growth has affected student life as administrators scramble to appeal to the neighbors, while protecting their own interests. This was clearest in the university’s scaling back of this year’s Georgetown Day celebration on April 27, three days before what could have been the Zoning Commission’s final hearing on the 2010-2020 Campus Plan. Held at the end of the spring semester, Georgetown Day was legendary and fun, even if in the words of Georgetown’s associate vice president for student affairs, Jeanne Lord — for being a “celebration by the campus community,” rather than a “celebration of the campus community.” Inflatables and a beer garden were cut from the day’s programs, and this year’s celebration was a shadow of what it used to be.
There has been a lot of squabbling over four years, but I will say that my personal interactions with my Georgetown neighbors have been nothing but gracious and courteous. Whether in Volta Park or at an ANC meeting, Georgetown residents were always interested in who I was and what I was doing as a student at the nearby university. Georgetown is a beautiful neighborhood, and I am grateful to have been able to share it with neighbors who care deeply about it.

It is a shame that students and Georgetown residents can rarely reach common ground. Georgetown is a lot of things, and — whether the neighbors like it not — it is also a college town. Although many residents fear that unbridled growth by the university will lower the quality of life in the surrounding area, they could work more directly with students to ensure that it is maintained.

Nico Dodd, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Georgetown College, was an editorial intern at the Georgetowner in the summer of 2011.

Nico Dodd • May 3, 2012

Tour Like A Local
Are you tired of looking at the same sandstone buildings during your vacation? Bored by innumerable, serious looking statues? This is the nation’s capital, but not everybody works on the hill, or talks about polls or the next election nonstop. We like to do other things, too. Like free concerts? Local dives? Skee ball? If you’re in Washington this summer, look beyond the federal district. Abe will still be here for your next visit.

Fort Reno Summer Concert Series
Mondays during the summer, Fort Reno puts on a series of free concerts featuring local rock groups. All the concerts begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. The atmosphere is very casual. Concertgoers sit on the grass or dance along. Babies are welcome, alcohol, however, is not.
Visit FortReno.com for this summer’s schedule.

Millenium Stage
The National Opera may be great for some, but it’s not for everybody. The Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center puts on free concerts every day at 6 p.m. This is a great way to experience KenCen without tying on a tie. Performers come from around the world, so check out the Kennedy Center’s website for the full schedule.
Price: FREE – every day at 6 p.m.

Jazz in the Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden hosts weekly jazz concerts every Friday during the summer. A wide range of jazz styles is featured, so there is something new every week. Performances start at 5 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Visit NGA.gov to find this summer’s schedule.
Fridays 5-8:30 p.m.

H Street Country Club
Tour the monuments in a way you never expected. H Street Country Club is the only bar in Washington with an indoor miniature golf course, billiards, shuffleboard, and skee ball. It’s whimsical astro-turf décor will be sure amuse any tourist in a city that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously.

Ben’s Chili Bowl
Can we write a tourism guide without including this D.C. landmark? I don’t think so. Ben’s is the only place in the world you can find the original chili half smoke. Since 1958, the Ali family has served their signature chili dogs to everyone from President Obama to Nicolas Sarkozy. Ben’s is the perfect launch pad to a night out on U Street.

Granville Moore’s
Granville Moore’s is a Gastropub with big Belgian Flavor in the Heart of the H St. Corridor, named after the doctor who used the building as his practice. It is best known for its selection of mussels, frites, and vast beer selection. As impressive as the food is the pub’s cozy, cavernous atmosphere. Great for anybody looking to skip another burger place!
1238 H St. NE
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

Jumbo Slice Pizza
Walk down 18th Street in Adams Morgan, and you will likely find a place advertising the “Original” Jumbo Slice. Pick any of them, and prepare yourself. Generally speaking, a jumbo slice will take up 2 paper plates. Brooklyn we’re not, but the novelty of being able to purchase a month’s worth of pizza at once is pretty enticing if you ask me.

Live Like a Tourist
Living in Washington affords one unlimited time to take advantage of the major sites in the city. “Wow, everything is the national this, and the national that,” one friend told me while driving on Pennsylvania Avenue. If you live here, you’ve probably visited all the major monuments on the mall, and maybe a few of the galleries. It can be easy to take so many great resources for granted, though. Cruise through the National Mall on Duck Boat or Segway, or get up close and personal with hundreds of butterflies and other insects at the National Museum of American History. See the Marine Corps Band on the steps of the Capitol Building. See where money’s made! Best of all, most of these things are free. Don’t be the jaded local – if you don’t take time to tour your own city, you’re missing out.

DC Ducks
You’ve seen them on the street. You’ve seen them in the water. Now hurry up and ride one! Originally developed for the military, Duck boats are able to carry passengers around the National Mall and the Potomac River.

Segs in the City
Seeing all the sites in Washington can be hell on your feet. Segs in the City offers many different tours to choose from, like monument tours after dark, and Embassy Row. These tours are a real blast, and are great ways to test ride a Segway scooter.
$31.50 adult, $22.50 child

United States Marine Band
See “The President’s Own” live in Washington! Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. If you’re into pomp and circumstance, this is right up your alley. The band gives free concerts on Wednesday on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol, and Thursday at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

The Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Castle predates the Civil War to 1855. One of the original landmarks of the National Mall, the castle served as the original Smithsonian museum. Today, it holds the permanent exhibit, America’s Treasure Chest, as well as the final resting place of James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution.

Butterfly Pavilion at the Museum of Natural History
Have kids who love bugs? The Butterfly Pavilion at the Museum of Natural History has dozens of foreign species of butterflies on live display and demonstrates the evolutionary relationship shared by butterflies and plants. The exhibit closes on September 4, so don’t miss this unique opportunity.
Admission, $6, FREE on Tuesdays

The Textile Museum
The Textile Museum has probably one of the most unique collections of any museum in Washington. Through September 11, the museum’s main exhibit, “Green: The Color And The Cause,” charts the history of the hue’s use, as well as its modern association with environmentalism. People swear by the museum’s gift shop, which carries garments and jewelry as interesting as anything else in the museum.

Hirshhorn Museum
The Smithsonian’s museum for contemporary art. The Museum is featuring four exhibitions this summer. Friday, July 15 and July 22, the gallery is hosting free talks about its exhibit “Fragments in Time and Space.” The Hirshhorn also has its own sculpture garden. Most importantly, The Hirshhorn is the building on the National Mall that most resembles a doughnut.

Newseum
Right on Pennsylvania Avenue, the museum of news has an amazing collection of photography and artifacts covering world events. A visit to the museum is always enlightening. After your visit, you can stop next door at Wolfgang Puck’s The Source for a very classy, very gourmet meal.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Ever seen a million dollars? The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the place to go to see where the Benjamins come from. Learn all about the new 100 dollar bill, and the process by which greenbacks are made.

Nico Dodd •

In Georgetown, business always tends to be a balancing act. When your neighborhood is a college town, a high-end retail district, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Washington, and home to a vibrant nightlife scene, it can be difficult to move around without stepping on anyone’s figurative foot.

On July 13, the Georgetown Business Association and the Georgetown Business Improvement District hosted Georgetown Business Forum on D.C. Nightlife and Hospitality. The Forum included community and business leaders from all sides of the Georgetown Nightlife industry from business owners and District government, to neighbors and Georgetown University. In addition to being very informative about how all these parties interact in this area, the forum highlighted the many different parties and voices that have a stake in the nighttime hospitality industry in Georgetown.

After the panelists introduced themselves, Georgetown business leader Janine Schoonover led a discussion that highlighted the current state of business and relations between community leaders. Concerns about regulation, competition with new developing neighborhoods, fake IDs, and the future of Georgetown were leading topics of discussion.

To set the tone, Anthony Lanier, president of EastBanc said “All I know is that my grandmother told me never get involved with a business that takes place in the dark.”

Skip Coburn, Executive Director of the D.C. Nightlife Association believes that collaboration is essential to retain the balance between those who live in Georgetown and those who come to Georgetown. “We all have to pitch in to make this successful,” he said.

In a statement made on July 23, Coburn wrote, “There are certain neighborhoods in the city in which the pendulum has perhaps swung way too far toward having too many ABC [Alcoholic Beverage Control Board] establishments at too much expense to the residents, with resulting traffic, parking, noise, and other problems. There is an economic development aspect as well. Do more ABC establishments attract customers and business to a neighborhood? Or, do newer, more-creative, imaginative, higher-quality ABC establishments attract business patrons to a neighborhood?”

In the past decade, other neighborhoods in Washington have developed their own nightlife scenes; U Street, H Street, Gallery Place, and Logan Circle attract a quickly growing group of young professionals living in the city. Reliable standbys can retain a clientele, but it can be hard to compete when new neighborhoods with exciting new restaurants to be explored.

Paul Cohn, President of Capital Restaurant Concepts which includes Neyla, Paolo’s in Georgetown and Georgia Brown’s, thinks that Georgetown needs to loosen up or risk losing business to other neighborhoods. Cohn discussed how the voluntary agreements restrict restaurants, and that it can be easy to break the law without trying. He also said that it is too difficult to physically get people in to Georgetown, and its lack of Metro is a handicap. He also does not want Georgetown to be a tourist trap.

The regulation of licensed bars and restaurants was a large point of discussion. Leading off, Fred Moosally, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Association, stated that his main concern is controlling underage drinking and fake and fraudulent ID usage. ABRA also stays on top of businesses so that establishments licensed as restaurants meet the requirements of one. Captain Gresham of the Metropolitan Police Department in Ward 2 echoed Moosally’s concerns, stating that proper education about spotting fakes is essential as fake IDs become more sophisticated. This February, approximately 20 fake IDs were seized at Third Edition.

Business leaders like Britt Swann, owner of Rhino, Modern, Serendipity 3 and Sign of the Whale, brought up concerns that the regulation of fake and fraudulent IDs is too harsh on businesses, and not hard enough on those using them. Swann stated that the costs of dealing with a fake ID charge can reach up to $6,000. “We have to be responsible for other people’s behavior,” he said.

“Restaurants are made to pay a heavy price for something happening on their turf that is not condoned, approved, endorsed or in any way desired by the business,” wrote Greg Casten, operations director for the family-owned Tony & Joe’s, Nick’s Riverside Grille and Cabana’s, in a statement on July 22. It is most important that a spirit of accountability should be taken with the individual. “This would be wonderful to begin seeing – the perception now is the restaurateur gets punished and treated like it was his intention to serve the minor, like he has criminal intent in mind when serving such.”

Cohn believed that Georgetown is doing well as it is now. “We’ve matured,” he said. “We used to be edgy.”

According to Jennifer Altemus, president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, there were approximately 102 restaurant liquor licenses in Georgetown when ABC put its liquor license moratorium in place in June 1988. For example, Wendy Furin, co-owner of Furin’s Bakery on M St., says that there was concern of so many bars and restaurants being close to the Washington International School, which then occupied the Philips School at 2735 Olive St. The moratorium was “a much needed step to halt the rapid deterioration,” wrote Altemus.

Last June, ABC ruled to continue the liquor license moratorium for five more years, but added seven liquor licenses to raise the total number to 68. According to ABRA’s ruling, ANC2E stressed the importance to preserve the moratorium in order to “preserve peace, order, and quiet in the neighborhood.”

A variety of different businesses applied and received these new licenses. Existing businesses, like Tackle Box and Puro Café, are now able to serve alcohol in their current establishments. The owners of Café Bonaparte will be opening Lapis. Other new licensees include Spin DC and Paul’s Bakery, a café on Wisconsin Avenue that is currently under renovation.

Perhaps the most interesting on the list was Hu’s Wear, a designer clothing store on M and 29th Streets. Eric Eden, co-owner of the shop, says that when they heard about the additional liquor licenses, they sprung at the opportunity to apply for one, which, at the current rate, was nearly once in a blue moon. Eden says that they will be opening a restaurant and bar next door within a year in the location where Bartleby’s Books stood until a few weeks ago.

Other voices from the community understand that doing business in Georgetown is tough, but that such care is needed to protect the neighborhood. “We can be successful while being mature,” said Linda Greenan, associate vice president of external affairs at Georgetown University.

ANC2E SMD 05 Commissioner Bill Starrels says that Georgetown has evolved greatly over the years, and that the community is strong.

Nico Dodd •

When Furin’s closed on July 31, Georgetown lost a landmark eatery. After 27 years, the family owned caterer and deli decided to close due to rising food prices and the economy. Over the years, Furin’s has gained the reputation of having some of the best baked goods in Washington. Chris Furin, son of Owners Bernie and Wendy Furin, is continuing to sell his signature-style cakes under his new business, Cakes by Chris Furin.

When Furin began working at the family business at the age of 13, the cakes were always more traditional, shaped like circles or rectangles. Over the years, shows like “Ace of Cakes” and “Cake Boss” inspired customers to ask for more exciting shapes.

“For example, one woman called and asked for a cake that looked like their dog. I’ve even made cakes that look like beer cans. If people have a favorite wine, I can make a cake that looks like the bottle. People’s requests get more outrageous by the week.”

Furin’s new business is based out of his home, which he has set up as a commercial kitchen in his house. He even has the bakery chef at Furin’s helping part time.

“You can get a cupcake on every block in Georgetown, or you can get a cake at Safeway, says Furin. “My cakes create memories.”

Furin says that closing the restaurant has been difficult, and will miss the neighborhood gathering place. “I’ve seen billionaires walk in the door and I’ve seen homeless people too.” [gallery ids="102539,120036" nav="thumbs"]

Nico Dodd •

As a high tech hydroponic agribusiness, it may not surprise you that the idea behind Endless Summer Harvest came from, of all places, Epcot in Disneyworld. According to farm owner Mary Ellen Taylor, an Epcot pavilion called “The Land” featured a hydroponic garden that inspired her to start her own business. Taylor even consulted with Dr. Merle Jensen, the brain behind “The Land,” with the design of their facilities.

Today, Endless Harvest Summer Harvest’s 12,000-square-foot facility produces as much Lettuce as a 12-acre farm. In addition to how efficiently the farm uses space, hydroponic farming is highly sustainable as well. Since the lettuce is grown in water, all the water is recycled.

Another advantage of hydroponic farming is the ability to grow fresh produce year-round. During 2010’s Snowmageddon, Endless Summer Harvest was still able to operate. Pretty amazing if you take into account that even the federal government closed for a few days.

The farm’s 25 varieties of organic lettuce can be found at five farmers markets in the Washington metropolitan area as well as on the plates in many restaurants. You can find where their lettuce is distributed nearest to you at ESHarvest.com

Catoctin Creek Distillery
As one of the few craft distilleries in the country, Catoctin Creek Distillery creates high-quality, organic spirits for the region. The Purcellville, Va. distillery was founded 2009 by Scott and Becky Harris.

Catoctin Creek, named after the Indian name for their area of the Chesapeake region, produces a number of organic and kosher products that are made with only the finest grains and products.

Although Catoctin Creek is most famous for their whisky and ryes, the distillery’s Watershed Gin won the gold medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago, a tasting institute that provides unbiased of reviews wine and spirits.

Catoctin Creek’s organic certification means that all spirits are made with organic grain, which in turn creates a cleaner spirit. As for sustainability, the mash remaining after the distilling process is recycled into cattle feed, so there is nothing that goes to waste.

Local produce from the Loudoun County region is also incorporated into Catoctin Creek’s products. For example, Pearousia, their Pear Brandy, is made with Loudoun County Pears.

Catoctin County products are widely distributed in Washington, D.C. Visit them online at CatoctinCreekDistilling.com to find where you can knock one back.

Stoneybrook Organic Farm
Stoneybrook Farm originally began as an effort to protect 35 acres of farmland from development in 2006. They were subsequently certified organic in 2008, and opened their on-location farmer’s market in 2010.

Stoneybrook is unique for it’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. For a fee, people can support the farm and subscribe to fresh vegetables for a year. People in the program, which now has numbers around 100, form a close bond with the farm and participate in many activities and work days.

The farm’s market is open Sunday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Saturdays. In addition to carrying items from their own farm, the market carries local and organic meat, local organic dairy products including raw cheeses, free-range eggs, pies, and sandwiches. They even have wireless Internet. Pretty good for a farmers market, if you ask us.

Stoneybrook Farm is located at 37091 Charlestown Pike, Hillsboro, Va. You can learn more about the farm and where to find their produce at StoneybrookFarm.org

Notaviva Vineyards
If you like wine and if you like music, Notaviva Vineyards should be your next stop in Virginia. The Purcellville winery makes a number of different varieties of wine from Loudoun County grapes, but perhaps its biggest attractions are the musical performances that are often held there.

Saturday, Sept. 10, Notaviva will be holding its second annual World Music Festival, playing host to musicians, artisans and food vendors on its vineyard grounds. This event benefits Loudoun Interfaith Relief, the largest food bank in Loudoun County.

Notaviva Vineyards is located at 13274 Sagle Rd., Purcellville, Va.

Fabbioli Cellars
Fabbioli Vineyards prides itself on being a tightly knit family business. As a young family fresh to the area, the Fabbiolis decided to buy patch of land in Leesburg and start a vineyard in 2001. Ten years later, the business has stayed in the family, although the family has grown over the years, said vineyard owner Doug Fabbioli.

Fabbioli has over 30 years of experience in the wine business and attributes his success to “having quality, always.” Fabbioli says good wine comes from “close monitoring and lots of attention” and “thinking on your feet.”

If you are interested in fruit wines, Fabbioli Vineyards definitely has some good choices. Fabbioli likens their varieties to “biting into a fruit,” and recommends their Aperitif Pear Wine.

For those interested in learning more about the wine business, Fabbioli also offers courses for those interested in entering the wine industry. Fabbioli says, “I want [people] to make a really good wine.”

Fabbioli’s Facebook page is frequently updated with photos chronicling life around the vineyard, so check them out there. [gallery ids="100264,107004,107011,107008" nav="thumbs"]

Nico Dodd • August 8, 2011

MRP Realty, the company that purchased Washington Harbour last year, is planning a $30 million renovation that includes updated offices, new restaurant space and a rebuilt outdoor plaza featuring an outdoor ice-skating rink.

At 11,000 square feet, the proposed ice rink would be the largest in the city, according to MRP’s Robert J. Murphy. During the warmer months, the rink would be replaced by a 7,000 square foot fountain.

The plans are still being looked at by neighbors and community leaders, but once the plans are ok-ed, work could begin early next year, with completion in the spring of 2012. Work to renovate Washington Habour’s office space has already begun.

After April’s flood, Washington Harbour could sure use a boost like this. Several of the bars and restaurants located there are still waiting to reopen.

Nico Dodd •

According to the Washington Post, this July was the hottest month in Washington on record. The average temperature was 84.5 degrees, more than one degree hotter than the previous hottest month, July of 2010. The hottest day of all was July 29 at 104 degrees, the hottest temperature in 13 years. The hottest ever was 106 degrees, on July 20, 1930. Over the whole month, the temperature reached 90 degrees 25 times.

The month also had eight record days for warm low temperatures, including seven when the temperature failed to fall below 80 degrees, four of which came consecutively (from July 21 to 24). On July 23 and 24 the District tied for its warmest all-time low temperature of 84 degrees.

August is not showing any signs of relief, as today’s high was 98 degrees.

Nico Dodd • August 4, 2011

Friday night, now-former NBC 4 sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak celebrated her farewell party with co-workers and friends at sports bar Public in Tenleytown. Local media, celebrities and close friends wined, dined and made a toast to one of D.C.’s favorite media personalities who will be joining ESPN in Connecticut.

Czarniak, 33, has worked in Washington for 6 years since moving from Florida in 2005.

During her time in Washington, Czarniak covered all the region’s professional teams. As co-host of The George Michael Sports Machine and host of Lunch with Lindsay, she became a fixture of sports broadcasting in D.C.

Nico Dodd • July 28, 2011

Construction for new streetcars has been under way for two years along H Street but it won’t be until late 2013 that they will be they will be working, according to ABC 7 news.

The streetcar line was scheduled to be finished in 2012. Since the area is far from a Metro station, the streetcar line is an important component of the neighborhood’s development.

Road improvements, including streetcar tracks, are in place. But city officials concede it will take more time than expected to buy and install other parts of the system, like additional cars, overhead wires and build power stations necessary to run streetcars down H Street.

According to DCist, the construction of these is scheduled to begin in the beginning of next year.

Over the past few years, many new restaurants, bars, and night clubs have opened along the H Street corridor. The long-term goal is a network of eight streetcar lines criss-crossing the District, covering 37 miles of track. The overall cost from local, federal and private sources is estimated around $1.5 billion. [gallery ids="100220,100221" nav="thumbs"]