Book of Condolences open for signing at Norwegian Embassy
• July 27, 2011

This Friday, the world was shaken by an attack on government offices in Oslo, Norway, and on a youth summer camp at Utoya. A gunman opened fire on at the camp in Utoya, killing 68, and a car bomb in Oslo killed 8.

In Washington, a mass of flowers and candles has collected beneath the statue of Crown Princess Martha in front of the Norwegian Embassy.

For those wishing to express their support, a book of condolences will be open for signing at the Norwegian Embassy, located at 2720 34th Street N.W., on Tuesday July 26 between 1 and 3 p.m. and Wednesday July 27 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Orange urges Zoning Commission to Reject Campus Plan
• July 26, 2011

This Monday, in a letter to the D.C. Zoning Commission, Orange agreed with the Office of Planning and ANC 2E the Georgetown University’s 2010-2020 campus plan would have severe impacts on the neighboring communities.

Orange also wrote that the 40% growth in the University’s enrollment during the past 10 years has severely impacted the neighborhood, and that the proposed campus plan would be contrary to zoning rules. In addition, Orange supported the position taken by ANC 2E that advised the University to house all students on campus.

According to ABC 7 news, Georgetown University students occupy 30% of the properties in Burleith. You can see that report here.

The next ANC 2E meeting is at Georgetown Visitation School next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
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Serendipity 3 to open before Memorial Day
•

After seemingly perpetual delays and endless speculation, it can officially (hopefully) be said: Serendipity 3 will finally be opening its doors next week, according to a press release from the New York City eatery. Its location, on the corner of M St. and Wisconsin Ave., has had its windows boarded up since Nathan’s closed in July 2009.

In addition to Serendipity 3’s patently whimsical décor, the restaurant will feature an 8-foot+ Abe Lincoln statue and a clock from the historic Galt & Bros Jewelers.

The menu, which includes the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and Foot-Long Hot Dog, will also offer dishes exclusive to the District, such as the President’s Lobster Pasta, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Pan Seared Virginia Striped Bass and the Red Velvet Sundae.

Temperatures are predicted to go back into the 80s next week. We can hardly wait to see one of these sundaes in action.

Game Over for National Pinball Museum
•

In a far corner of the Shops at Georgetown Park, past Victoria’s Secret and Clyde’s, visitors will find a large display of mannequins and antique pinball machines, unmistakably the National Pinball Museum. The museum, however, will soon be closing.

Last Thursday, museum founder David Silverman received a letter from Vornado Realty, Georgetown Park’s new owners, according to WTOP.

“In that letter it basically says we’re taking your lease … and we’re throwing you out in 60 days,” Silverman says.

Silverman signed a lease that allows mall owners to void it at any time, “I’m like in a state of panic, because it took me six months to build this place, $300,000 to do it. I don’t have a penny.”

The space, which features nine-foot pinball flippers and a custom dinosaur mural, is over 17,000 square feet and contains hundreds of pinball machines, according to a Washington Post article about the museum.

A source to the Northwest Current predicted this style of business from Vornado.

“The source also predicted that the ‘very aggressive company culture’ at Vornado Realty Trust would alienate retailers and Georgetowners and that the company would terminate leases soon in anticipation of pushing a redevelopment plan quickly through Georgetown’s multi-layered design-review process.”

Rehoboth Dining
• July 13, 2011

For years, Rehoboth Beach has been a signature summer getaway for Washingtonians. From the beaches, to the boardwalk, to Funland, Rehoboth Beach offers tons of options for families visiting “The Nation’s Summer Capital.” More and more, Rehoboth is becoming known for its vast selection of restaurants. And we’re not just talking pizza or fried seafood.

The two-block stretch of Wilmington Avenue, adjacent to the beach, has exploded with new restaurants during the past year. Jenny Barger, of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc. attributes the growth to a recovering economy. New restaurants, like Cypress and Tuscan Café, are in newly renovated spaces and are causing a stir in the neighborhood.

Bob Yesbek is a certified expert on restaurants in Rehoboth. On his website, RehobothFoodie.com, he reviews nearly every restaurant in the area. He gave us the scoop on what not miss on an eating pilgrimage to Rehoboth.

Back Porch Café has been a mainstay in the area for nearly 40 years. Located in a turn of the century house at 59 Rehoboth Avenue, this eatery includes a bar and not one, but two outdoor decks on its back porch in addition to its dining room. Their menu leans towards French cuisine, and features a wide selection of local seafood as well as lamb, veal and guinea hen. Prix-Fixe menus are offered on Thursdays, and Sunday brunch is also popular.

“The brunch is really popular, has been for years,” says Marilyn Spitz, co-owner of the restaurant.

The most popular item on their brunch menu is the Eggs Benedict. “How somebody can just so consistently poach so many eggs, and have each of them come out so perfectly is amazing,” says Yesbek.

The restaurant has a number of different rooms, which creates a charming, cozy atmosphere. In recent years, The Back Porch Café has lent its walls to local artists’ work and its relaxed ambiance has kept families coming back for generations.

The Back Porch Café is very good for families or groups celebrating a special occasion. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, your next destination is only a few blocks away at the Blue Moon.

Located at 35 Rehoboth Avenue, Blue Moon is a Rehoboth Beach landmark. It’s known for its late night entertainment and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner until 1 a.m. The menu includes a long list of steak and chops, as well as short ribs and rockfish. The atmosphere is a little more raucous, a bit louder overall, but the food is divine.

At night, the Blue Moon is a great launch pad for a night out. The restaurant’s dance floor gets hopping nightly, and there’s live entertainment six nights a week.

If you’ve come to Rehoboth for a romantic retreat, Eden may be the place for you.

Eden is highly recommended by Yesbek. “They tend to be a little bit more daring with their dishes than Blue Moon will tend to be. At Eden, you’ll get a little more unusual preparation, and a lot of people like it. The chefs there will take a few more risks in coming up with unusual combinations.” For the sophisticated palette, Eden offers a selection of artisanal cheeses and flatbreads.

Eden’s subdued atmosphere lends itself to more formal gatherings. Where the Back Porch can air on casual, and Blue Moon on the in-your-face, Eden is very quiet and romantic. If you are planning a romantic evening, Eden is definitely your best bet.

Henlopen City Oyster House opened last June in a beautiful location at 50 Wilmington Avenue. With floor to ceiling windows and a clean, chic interior, “The Oyster House” is a favorite among locals.

“Love the Henlopen City Oyster House,” says Amanda Ryan, Rehoboth realtor and native Delawarean. “Food is delicious, the staff is very friendly, and the owners did a great job with the ambiance. It is always packed so obviously they are doing something right.”
Co-owner Joe Baker says that the restaurant is popular for its beer nights. No surprise, given that they have nine beers on draught, and over 50 more on their menu. The restaurant also features eight different types of oysters.

According to Baker, the restaurant emphasizes using local oysters and food. “Our chef is a local farmer, so we use a lot of local farms. We like to keep the menu as fresh as we can.”

Obviously, there are many options to choose from, but not everybody can eat out every single night. For those entertaining or cooking at home in Rehoboth, Nourish Specialty Foods Market, Cafe & Catering offers gourmet foods and a great selection of artisanal cheese. Founders Deberah Sutter and Lois Pellegrino work to promote healthy eating and organic, local, sustainable agriculture. Their goal is to use organic or chemical-free local produce, meats and dairy products from small independent farms where possible.

There are so many restaurants in such a small area. People come from all around the Mid-Atlantic. Chefs must be distinctive to stand apart. Ryan puts it like this, “Restaurants see people from many of the hottest metro areas, Philly, DC, Baltimore, and we’re seeing more and more from New York and New Jersey. You never know who you could be cooking for!”

Events for Foodies in Rehoboth
June 26
Dining Out For Life At The Beach
Participating restaurants will donate 33 percent of your bill to AIDS Delaware.

October 2
Ninth Annual Celebrity Chefs Beach Brunch
Top area chefs gather for a foodie festival at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach, DE. Proceeds Benefit Meals on Wheels.

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DC Police Probe Assaults on Taxi Riders
• June 17, 2011

If you’re planning on going out this weekend, please think twice about which taxicab you might get into.

DC Police are investigating two sexual assaults during the past month that may be related incidents.

On Wednesday, May 11, late at night, the first victim was picked up in Dupont Circle and assaulted near the 300 block of 18th Street NE. On May 22, a second woman was picked up near Georgetown and assaulted near the 3700 block of Quebec Street NW, according to WTOP.

The suspect is described as a Middle Eastern male with either olive or light brown skin, about 30-40 years old, with a thin build, thick or curly hair, and wearing dark clothing.

The suspect’s car is described as a dark-colored taxicab with a dark interior.

To stay safe this weekend, share a cab with a friend, as each victim was picked up alone. Also, look for your cab driver’s license on the right visor of the front seat, and make sure the photo on the license is of your driver, and not someone else.

If you have any information about the incidents, please call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746). Anonymous information may be submitted to DC Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s Text Tip Line by text messaging 50411.

Truckeroo brings DC food trucks together on June 3rd
• May 20, 2011

Anyone working in downtown Washington knows about the growing population of food trucks offering a wide variety of gourmet dining choices.

This summer, Georgetown Events will be hosting Truckeroo, a monthly festival where 20-25 food trucks will gather at the corner of Half St. and M St. NW in Das Bullpen, across the street from Navy Yard Metro and one block from Nationals Park. The Nationals will be in Phoenix playing the Diamondbacks.

Featured food trucks will include Big Cheese, which sells grilled cheese, Red Hook Lobster Pound, which has lobster roles, and Floridano, famous for their ice pops. Das Bullpen will also offer their European beer selection.

This summer’s first Truckeroo will be Friday, June 3rd from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. There will also be live music at the event. The Nationals will be in Phoenix playing the Diamondbacks.

Truckeroo was the idea Bo Blair, owner of The Bullpen and Das Bullpen beer gardens, and in conjunction with the DC Food Truck Association, Capitol Riverfront BID, Washington City Paper, and Food Truck Fiesta.

To look at the full list of trucks, visit Truckeroo’s homepage.