Robert Devaney • January 20, 2015

“I grew up in a small town,” said developer Richard Levy, one of those recently interviewed for the oral history project of the Citizen Association of Georgetown. He meant both Georgetown and Washington, D.C., he said. It was a sentiment echoed by those at the table and by many in the audience.

The facts may be the same, but the feelings are more vivid. That is why Georgetowners of all stripes crowded the grand room of the City Tavern Jan. 13 for another live presentation of the CAG project, coordinated by committee chair Cathy Farrell.

Five prominent residents, at one time or another, were there to tell their story about growing up, living or working in Washington, D.C.’s oldest and most famous neighborhood: Anne Emmet, Philip Levy, Richard Levy, Elizabeth Stevens and Gary Tischler. Emmet, an artist, was ready with some insight into old social traditions. Sons of real estate pioneer Sam Levy, Philip and Richard Levy recalled growing up on M Street above the family store. Stevens, with her husband George Stevens, Jr., founding producer of the Kennedy Center Honors, raised three children on Avon Lane. Tischler has been a writer and editor at the Georgetowner over four decades.

With a nod to the old and new, Stevens began the talk, saying that it is “so lovely to live here,” recalling the elegant specialty shops, such as one run by Dorcus Hardin, along with Neam’s Market and the French Market. She also recalled Menehan’s Hardware Store on M Street. She noted that with Jackie Kennedy the town had gotten real style. Nevertheless, she said that Georgetown “hasn’t changed that much.”

Richard Levy, who learned more Georgetown history while researching for his West Heating Plant condo project, reminded the crowd that the town once had 12 gas stations and at least two car dealerships and that the parking lot behind the Old Stone House was a used car lot. He also pointed out that Georgetown has had a vibrant group of Jewish merchants. Living in a house once occupied by John F. Kennedy, he cited the Kennedy era as Georgetown’s second re-birth. (The brothers also mentioned the Biograph Theater and Key Theater, ran by their other brother David, now deceased. The CVS on M is where the Biograph was; the Key, Restoration Hardware.)

Owner of Bridge Street Books on Pennsylvania Avenue, Philip Levy recalled watching football on TV at his father’s store and the cops walking the beat. For him, this “small town” was full of country western music (the Shamrock was on M Street) and was the bluegrass capital of the world (after Nashville). He listed the Bayou, the Cellar Door and Shadows, where Ri Ra is now. He noted the importance of Blues Alley.

Emmet began by mentioning that her mother bought the family’s P Street house in 1950 for $50,000. As her mother become bedridden, Emmet’s neighbors pitched in. To sighs from some in the audience, she mentioned Dorothy Stead’s dress shop. She remembers when Volta Park was a “junk heap” and she was not allowed to go there. She and her girlfriends got to meet the King of Jordan. Then, at a different time, they went with the boys to Wisconsin and M, carrying paint cans and brushes. They held the wet brushes against the turning cars — and never got caught (The audience howled). She said the town has changed a lot. Emmet did stress one of Georgetown’s enduring qualities: “Friends, neighbors, we all took care of each other.”

Tischler, known as the longest-serving and most prolific writer for the Georgetowner, said he began writing in 1980 for the newspaper, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary. He wrote immediately about Sen. Ted Kennedy and then about burlesque dancer Blaze Starr (not in the same story or breath, we assure you). He has written about 2,000 articles about the town and its people and called the place “steadfast” and “classy.” He gave a quick list of notables for him — “George Stevens, Ed Shorey, Don Shannon, Virginia Allen, Chris Murray” — and worried about not naming others. Tischler gave a tip of his hat to author Kitty Kelley, who, he said, “is famous but never acts like it.” Indicating his love of the arts, he also said, “The best view of Georgetown is from the Kennedy Center, and the best view of the Kennedy Center is from Georgetown” — and that he hoped to keep writing 2,000 more stories.

If you want to interview and be interviewed for the oral history project, contact the Citizens Association of Georgetown — CAGtown.org — CAGmail@CAGtown.org — 202-337-7313. [gallery ids="135659,135661" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • January 16, 2015

With love and appreciation, Georgetown leaders gathered on P Street Aug. 16 to thank Timothy Downs for his safety efforts during the reconstruction of O and P Streets on the west side of town as well as years of service to Washington, D.C., and its oldest neighborhood.

Downs, who is battling cancer, is too sick to venture outside his P Street home to meet neighbors, construction workers, business persons, administrators at Georgetown University, members of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, local politicians and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., who wanted to thank him. So, just before noon, they stood in front his house and saluted Downs for his community work.

Perhaps a touch taken aback but happy to see everyone, the humble Downs said, “What did I do?”

Led by the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E and the citizens’ group, where Downs’s wife Barbara served as president a little over 10 years ago, the well-wishers offered a certificate of thanks, which was read by Mayor Vincent Gray:

“As the historic restoration of Georgetown’s O and P Streets nears completion, we recognize and honor Tim Downs for his constructive leadership and engagement in this and many other community projects in Georgetown. With his customary cheerful vigilance and generous spirt, Tim guided the community toward a restoration project for O and P Streets that met the community’s concerns for safe navigation on the streets and sidewalks while at the same time meeting the highest standard of historic preservation. The Georgetown community and the many visitors who come here to enjoy the community will benefit from Tim’s involvement in this restoration project for years to come.”

Gray then remarked one of his executive powers included the ordering of proclamations: “I proclaim today, Aug. 16, 2012, Timothy Downs Day in the District of Columbia.”

It was a scene, both sweet and bittersweet, with a thankful crowd that showed anew what makes Georgetown so special. [gallery ids="100942,130234,130205,130231,130226,130213,130221" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Woman Sexually Assaulted on Capital Crescent Trail, July 25

A female jogger was sexually assaulted along the Capital Crescent Trail July 25 around 9:15 p.m. U.S. Park Police responded (including EMTs and a helicopter) to the crime and are still investigating. According to Park Police, “The victim in this case was jogging on the trail and the suspect approached the victim from behind, and then placed the victim in a choke hold. The victim lost consciousness and awoke with her pants down and the suspect fondling her. The victim screamed and the suspect then fled on foot toward Fletcher’s Boat House.” The attack took place on the trail close to the 9.5 mile marker — “north of Three Sisters [Islands] in the area of Water Street, NW,” police reported.

Park Police described the suspect as a black male with medium complexion, 5 feet 8 inches to 11 inches in height, “approximately 180 to 200 pounds; muscular/fit build; dreadlocks, three to four inches long; light scruffy beard; wearing a white shirt, possibly a tank top or cut off sleeves, and wearing long jersey type black shorts; no weapons used.”

The police seek the public’s assistance: “If you come in contact with any individuals that match the above descriptions, please take the appropriate action, document the contact thoroughly, and notify Detective Glenn Luppino, 202-610-8750; reference case #12-36735. U.S. Park Police Tip Line: 202-610-8737.”

Assault at 31st and the Canal, July 7
The United States Park Police, Criminal Investigation Branch, reported another sexual assault near the canal. This time, it was in town near businesses and homes. This is from the USPP: “Investigating a sexual assault that occurred Saturday, July 7 at approximately 1 a.m. in the Georgetown waterfront area. The victim was approached by the suspect in the area of M Street and 31st Street, NW. The suspect offered to assist the victim in locating her friends. The suspect led the victim onto the C&O Canal towpath just off of 31st Street and pushed the victim down into the bushes and sexually assaulted the victim. The victim was able to get away from the suspect. The suspect was last seen near the C&O Canal at 31st Street, NW.”

The park police described the suspect as follows: white male, with a heavy Australian accent; late 20s, approximately 5 feet-nine inches; slightly overweight; short dark hair, scruffy beard; wearing a polo shirt with white and blue horizontal stripes; wearing shorts, unknown color.

Again, the park police seek the public’s assistance: “If you come in contact with an individual matching the above description or image, please contact the U.S. Park Police Communications Section at 202-610-7505, or the U.S. Park Police Tip Line 202-610-8737, reference case #12-33695. “ [gallery ids="100930,129767" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Police are seeking a man possibly named Jason about a June 30 sexual assault in the West End, according to NBC 4 News. The Metropolitan Police Department considers him “a person of interest” and released a photo.

According to the MPD, a woman was sexually assaulted on the 2400 block of M Street, NW, June 30 at around 10:30 p.m. The potential suspect is described as a 41-year-old black male, bald, with medium complexion, 5’9” and about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a brown T-shirt with the words “Fight Club,” tan shorts and sandals. He may go by the name of Jason.

Police have not said if this person of interest witnessed or was involved in the attack. If you have any information, call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Your information will be kept anonymous.

Robert Devaney •

At its monthly meeting on July 2, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E considered issues on how to contend with the GSA’s sale of the West Heating Plant on 29th Street, outdoor seating at Paul Bakery and John Simon’s two- story addition to his 35th Street home.

Re-developer of the Old Georgetown Post Office at 1215 31st St., NW, EastBanc, Inc., plans to build most of the new added office and retail space below ground as well as an addition in the back of the original building. The post office’s second floor has not been used for years. The U.S. Postal System will continue its operation in the front of the first floor as usual. Commissioners approved EastBanc’s request for a variance; the Board of Zoning Adjustment will review the re-designs July 23.

“The Office of Planning, historic folks and the neighbor next door have all had different ideas about this project,” said EastBanc Executive Mary Mottershead at the meeting.

The commission heard discussion on how to convince GSA to put conditions on the sale of the closed heating plant land on 29th Street. It agreed with the Citizens Association of Georgetown and the Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park that part of the property be set aside for parkland.

Paul Bakery got its approval for limited outdoor seating on Wisconsin Avenue, although it has already been serving diners on outdoor tables.

Mount Zion Methodist Church got ANC support for a special exception to continue its 35-children program for those 5 and younger.

John Simon got approval to improve the back of his 35th Street house with a two-story addition but no roof deck was to be added.

— ANC 2E will next meet Sept. 4 at Visitation Prep on 35th Street.

Robert Devaney •

After protests about a District Council measure to control prices for rides by the new car service, Uber, council member Mary Cheh dropped an amendment to a taxi bill that would have raised the minimum fare for an Uber trip at roughly five times the drop rate of a D.C. cab — or about $15. Cheh will bring up the issue again with a separate bill in the fall.

Uber operates an online system with registered members who can use a smartphone app to contact a Uber sedan and get their ride. D.C. cab advocates say the start-up firm, which is going global, has an unfair advantage in D.C. with fewer traditional taxi cab restrictions.

The proposed measure would have set Uber’s minimum price for a ride at about $15 — which is the base fare for the car service, as it stands today.

Robert Devaney •

The Georgetown Business Improvement District seeks a new executive director. Less than three weeks after its annual meeting, the Georgetown BID announced the resignation of James Bracco, its executive director since 2009.

“Jim Bracco has decided to leave the BID after an exemplary three-and-a-half years of service,” reported Georgetown BID’s board president Crystal Sullivan in a July 3rd e-mail to its members. “On behalf of the BID’s board of directors, we would like to thank Jim for his great efforts in making Georgetown a clean, safe and enticing community for our businesses to thrive and visitors to enjoy. He has been a steady presence in not only the Georgetown community but in representing our neighborhood amongst city agencies and initiatives. We greatly appreciate his time and level of service to Georgetown, and he will be missed.”

Bracco indicated to The Georgetowner that he was reconnecting with “former Trammell Crow Company colleagues on a future venture” but could not elaborate at this time.

At the June 13th meeting at the House of Sweden, Bracco gave an update on projects and said he was especially proud of the clean-up crews, whose work he admired each morning when driving to work. Among other projects, he also showed images of the holiday plantings to come as well as a sketch of the holiday ornament to be dramatically suspended over the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, much like the lighted decoration that hangs each Christmastime at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan.

At its big meeting in 2011, the BID launched its new website and with its re-branding effort revealed the neighborhood’s new retail motto: “Come out and play.”

The next big BID event is Georgetown’s Fashion Night Out, Sept. 6. Its tagline: “Liberty and fashion for all.”

Robert Devaney •

The beloved C&O Canal boat, the Georgetown, is leaving us. The 19th Century style, mule-pulled, 90-foot cargo boat sits on blocks in the canal between 33rd and Thomas Jefferson Streets. Captivating visitors for a ride along the C&O Canal for decades, the boat has deteriorated and deemed unsafe for passengers.

At Thomas Jefferson Street and the canal there is a June 27 party planned to celebrate the long-serving boat — with a hope the gathering might generate a fund-raising effort to save the boat. (It’s a slim one.)

For years, the National Park Service had set up tours in which visitors, park rangers and volunteers would wear period clothing and describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. Despite a signed petition delivered to the NPS, the Georgetown boat will be removed and destroyed

And some of its neighbors are not happy with the decision.

John Noel, chief of division of partnerships of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, had been fighting to keep the boat and tour above board. “The National Park Service and I have looked at all our options, whether it was better to repair the boat or to somehow save it,” Noel said. “Due to the budget crisis, unfortunately we cannot repair it.”

NPS plans to launch a smaller recreational battery-powered boat for canal tours in July.

Robert Devaney •

The 2014 Leukemia Ball presented by PhRMA—one of Washington, D.C.’s largest non-political, black-ties—raised nearly $3 million for the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. At least 2,000 attendees danced the night away to the music of Huey Lewis and the News and enjoyed a comedic performance by Ryan Hamilton at the Washington Convention Center March 22. [gallery ids="116953,116946,116958" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The District Council’s Elizabeth Webster — staffer for at-large council member Vincent Orange,
who is an advocate of small businesses in D.C. and film and TV production — was in Los Angeles
Jan. 12 for the Golden Globes and the many parties around town that included the W Magazine party
at Chateau Marmount, the “12 Years a Slave” party at the Mondrian, the BAFTA party at the Four
Seasons and post-award parties at the Beverly Hilton. Webster’s and Joyce Chow’s dresses were by
Sue Wong; their friend and actor Vincent De Paul wore a tuxedo, designed by Judah Estreicher at
D.C. area’s JBD Clothiers. [gallery ids="101601,147154,147148,147145,147141,147137,147117,147133,147127,147123,147152" nav="thumbs"]