Robert Devaney • November 24, 2014

The Library of Congress presented Billy Joel with the 2014 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a tribute concert at DAR Constitution Hall Nov. 19, after a luncheon on Capitol Hill the day before with the nation’s lawmakers. At the concert, one heard America — and a uniquely Washington crowd — singing his songs, now etched into national memory.

The 65-year-old Joel was seen as a unifying force for Congress with Democrats and Republicans — some of whom were in the audience — singing his praises for a 50-year musical career. Indeed, one observer noted that House minority leader Nancy Pelosi ditched President Barack Obama for the rock-and-roll icon. The White House held a meeting on Obama’s new immigration directive the same night as the Gershwin Prize concert, which Pelosi chose to attend.

After all, it’s not every day that a group of musical talents gathers on stage to sing Billy Joel songs and then have the man himself and his band take control and rock the house with some classics — just three blocks from the White House.

“Billy Joel is a true example of this vision for the library’s Gershwin Prize.” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, who added that Joel is “a storyteller of the highest order.” The award, created by Congress, is named for the songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin.

At the beginning of the show, Billington sat with Joel and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor — also from New York like the awardee. Later, she presented Joel with the Gershwin Prize and said, “Billy Joel has inspired new generations of performers, musicians and singer-songwriters,” she said. “Tonight we recognize Long Island’s favorite son, even if he is a Mets fan.” Also at the award presentation were Billington, House majority leader Kevin McCarthy, Pelosi, Rep. Gregg Harper and Rep. Candice Miller.

“Kind of verklempt,” began Joel as he held the prize in his hand and said that Gershwin was his hero. This year has brought, he said, “a bounty of blessings. I want to ensure everyone I don’t have a terminal illness.”

Performers sang one piece each from the singer-songwriter’s songbook: Boyz II Men, LeAnn Rimes, Gavin DeGraw, Josh Groban, Natalie Maines, John Mellencamp and Tony Bennett, who got the biggest applause of the night before the honoree stepped on stage.

Kevin Spacey offered opening remarks: “I think even a man like Frank Underwood would be pretty excited about a night like tonight.” The actor — who can sing, too — was referring to his character at the Netflix show, “House of Cards.”

Dancers from “Movin’ Out,” choreographed by Twyla Tharp, got the party going with their high energy moves from the Broadway musical that is based on Joel’s music.

It was when Joel and his band owned the stage and the hall with “Movin’ Out,” “Vienna,” “Miami 2017” and “You May Be Right” that it all came together to see who was in charge here and also see Washingtonians singing and bopping to the music.

At the very end, all the performers came on stage as Spacey played the harmonica and sung “Piano Man” with Joel. It was a perfect mix of music and moments for Joel and the kind of evening that only the nation’s capital can give to the American people.

PBS will broadcast the Gershwin Prize Tribute Concert for Billy Joel on Jan. 2.
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Robert Devaney • November 21, 2014

Real newsmen and newswomen and fairly sincere politicians, including Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., filled the first floor of the Newseum Nov. 17 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the CBS News political interview show, “Face the Nation,” first broadcast Nov. 7, 1954, exactly one month after the first issue of The Georgetowner Newspaper. “I am the luckiest guy in the world,” said Bob Schieffer, moderator since 1991. He said he always wanted to be a TV reporter — even before TV was invented. Among the senators, representatives, journalists and other Schieffer admirers was CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves, who was offered a personal tour of the Newseum by its vice chairman Shelby Coffey. [gallery ids="118454,118433,118443,118447" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • November 20, 2014

Three robberies on early Saturday morning, Nov. 8, were reported in or close to Georgetown as well as another on Oct. 31 up Wisconsin Avenue, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The area is not known for many crimes involving guns or knives.

All four crimes occurred in MPD’s Second District, which includes Georgetown, Dupont Circle and almost all of Northwest Washington. Two of the crimes happened within three or four blocks of Second District headquarters at 3320 Idaho Ave., NW.

A robbery occurred at 33rd and P Streets, NW, on 1:40 a.m., Nov. 8. Police are looking for two black males, both with thin build and dark complexion, and at 5 foot 7 to 5 foot 8.

A armed robbery happened 2:26 a.m., Nov. 8, in the 3000 block of Idaho Avenue, NW. MPD is looking for two black males, 5 foot 10 to six foot, slim build, dark clothing. One was armed with a silver gun.

Also, on Nov. 8, just 2 a.m., at Rhode Island and Connecticut Avenues, NW., there was an assault with a deadly weapon — a knife. The suspect was arrested.

An armed robbery was committed Oct. 31, just after midnight, in the 3700 block of Macomb Street, NW, which intersects with Wisconsin Avenue.

Robert Devaney • November 19, 2014

As the Georgetown Gala makes the scene this Friday at the Italian Embassy, it joins other big-time soirees around the city at the height of Washington, D.C.’s social calendar.

The gala’s theme, “Fly Me to the Moon” evokes an optimistic 1960s feeling with Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack, “Mad Men” and man’s first landing on the moon. Expect to see some Franks and Sammys walking around, some Don Drapers and Jane Harrises, too — maybe even Buzz Aldrin, or one Georgetowner, who is, in fact, a retired space shuttle commander.

Started in 2003 as the 125th anniversary celebration of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the party has become the hot ticket in town, attracting about 400 partygoers to the association’s biggest annual fundraiser.

Georgetown’s advocate for residents and homeowners descends from D.C.’s first civic group, the Georgetown Citizens Association, formed in 1878, which merged in 1963 with the Progressive Citizens Association of Georgetown to form CAG. Past victories include the passage of the Old Georgetown Act in 1950 and saving the Old Stone House.

Today, the group works with neighbors, businesses, Georgetown University, the Metropolitan Police Department and other groups. The association sees “Georgetown as a residential community, a historic treasure, an educational center and a vital component of the District of Columbia’s retail and tourism economy. The association seeks to maintain a unique mix of missions for the community . . .”

Together, the list of what CAG does is impressive: tree plantings, concerts in the parks, an oral history project, a public safety program, historic preservation, town-gown relations, monthly meetings and an online bulletin board and efforts on trash and rodents. It is all the more impressive that much of the work is done by volunteers from the community – and with an annual operating budget of $545,000.

This year, the annual black-tie blowout will honor former mayoral candidate and Ward 2 Councilmember (since 1991) Jack Evans and his wife Michele Seiver Evans and their six children, who live on P Street (a modern-day Brady Bunch). Chair of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, Jack Evans is closely involved with decisions on D.C. taxes and budgets. He was in the forefront in pushing for approval of the Verizon Center and Nationals Park. Michele is very active in CAG, its Trees for Georgetown as well as Volta Park and the Georgetown House Tour – and, now, Dog Tag Bakery (more on this later).

“CAG, for me as a newcomer, was such an inviting place,” said Michele Evans. “When I married Jack, I’d forgotten which side was east or west. Georgetown is a village: everybody takes care of everybody.”

She echoed her husband’s refrain: “This is the golden age of Georgetown.” (How many years has Jack said this?)

“The minute I got involved with CAG, they invited me on committees,” Evans said. “It was my pleasure to help.” Mentioning bicycling or jumping on the Circulator bus, she said that she liked that the town is so walkable.

As for CAG’s annual gala, it is a great time for “neighbors to catch up with neighbors,” Michele said.

The high-energy event — with lots of hellos, hugs and dancing — gathers residents, organizations, businesses and local politicos to celebrate Georgetown and CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community. The list of attendees and sponsors reads like a who’s who of the town. The food will be provided, appropriately enough, by Cafe Milano, the Italian restaurant on Prospect Street that is a center of its own social scene in Washington.

Honorary chairs are Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and his wife Laura Denise, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, former Sen. Joseph Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, and John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University, and Kitty Kelley, who provides another gala tie-in. She wrote “His Way: An Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra.” The famous crooner, bon vivant and businessman was not pleased. Kelley was sued by Sinatra even before she began to write the book. The lawsuit was dismissed. Three hundred signed copies of her Sinatra book will be given away at Friday’s big party.

It was gala co-chairs Jennifer Altemus, Colleen Girouard and Robin Jones who came up with the evening theme of “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Written in 1954 as “In Other Words,” the song was recorded by many artists and was made forever famous by Sinatra, who sang “Fly Me to the Moon” as a tribute to America’s Apollo astronauts. The singer would have astronauts in his Las Vegas audience as they took a break from training at nearby Nellis Air Force Base. The song itself became the first music heard on the moon, played by Aldrin — second man on the moon — who told song arranger Quincy Jones about it later.

With such music as a background, the gala’s entertainment, Danny Meyers and his DC Love band, will step up. For the after party, disc jockeys Trophy Brothers will keep it moving.

Gala co-chair Jones said, “Colleen and I have been a great team chairing the gala for the past two years — and with Jennifer this year. We just want to create a memorable experience for party guests that keeps them coming back. This year is our best effort yet.” She added, “Being involved with CAG is like having your finger on the pulse of Georgetown.”

After moving back to town, co-chair Girouard joined the association six years ago and found that “it was very best way to meet my neighbors.”

Altemus, the group’s president from 2009 to 2013, said, “I am impressed with all that CAG is able to do with its mostly volunteer staffing. It really adds to the feeling that we live in a small town with all of the big city conveniences and benefits.”

CAG President Pamla Moore sees a safe neighborhood and historic preservation among top concerns and said, “If it wasn’t for community members who actively give their time and talents, Georgetown would not be the wonderful place it is.” Betsy Cooley, the group’s executive director for the last 10 years, said she has a great job, “because all I have to do is keep up with the volunteers.”

Those involved with the group stay with it, such as past presidents Victoria Rixey, Barbara Downs, Ray Kukulski and Denise Cummingham, who began the annual gala, as well as Don Shannon and Kathleen Graff. Other names from years gone by include Ev Shorey, Louis Alexander Traxel, Grosvenor Chapman, Charles Poor, Olcott Deming, Peter Belin, Juan Cameron and Eva Hinton.

The live auction at the gala will be called by Griff Jenkins of Fox News. Items include a Washington Nationals game package, a party for 25 persons at Evermay, a five-night stay in a Sicilian villa, a three-night stay at the Vail Four Seasons, a three-night getaway to the Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga., and a weekend at the Georgetown Four Seasons with spa treatments, dinner and rooftop cocktails at the Capella. Silent auction items include dinners at Kafé Leopold, Unum and Peacock Café, plus glassware by A Mano, a wine package and more.

So, raise a glass at the Georgetown Gala Oct. 24 to our kind of town. There are few strangers in the night here. And while CAG wants to “Fly [Us] to the Moon,” we will always come home to Georgetown.
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Robert Devaney •

Ina Ginsburg, who fled Nazi Europe to emigrate to the United States and went on to become one of the tastemakers of Washington society, died Nov. 9 at her Washington, D.C., home at the age of 98.

The stylish and social Ginsburg intersected with the careers of artist Andy Warhol, who drew her in several silk-screen portraits, and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also hailed from her native Austria — and with many of the movers and shakers in Georgetown and Washington during the second half of the 20th century.

Ginsburg hosted parties at her Georgetown home which she shared with her second husband, David Ginsburg, a Washington insider, whom he met after the end of World War II in Europe when he was with the U.S. Army. Later, she worked as the Washington editor for Warhol’s Interview Magazine in the 1980s, when it branded Washington as “Hollywood on the Potomac.”

A supporter of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ginsburg was also a founding member of the Washington National Opera and trustee of the American Film Institute. She also brought art into the Federal Reserve’s headquarters and helped to begin the Fed’s fine arts board.

Interviewed herself and written about by other publications, Ginsburg was often in the pages of The Georgetowner as well. She was last seen on its website in an Oct. 8 story about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg being presented with the Institute for Education’s 2014 Cultural Diplomacy Award.

“Ina was an integral part of Washington at its very best,” said photographer Didi Cutler. “Intelligent, glamorous, sophisticated , artistic and creative, she was a passionate supporter of the arts. A warm and gracious hostess, she entertained in great style. I felt privileged to be among her many friends.”

Kevin Chaffee, senior editor at Washington Life, said: “Ina was one of the most sophisticated and fashionable women in Washington for well over a half-century and also one of the wittiest and most intelligent. After I read her stories in Andy Warhol’s Interview back in the Reagan years, she would tell me all the stuff she didn’t dare put in! Later, she was a great source for my own pieces. She was a major character — the last of the best in so many ways.”

Born Ida Spira in Vienna on Oct. 10, 1916, Ginsburg is survived by her three children — Jonathan Ginsburg of Fairfax, Va., Susan Ginsburg of Alexandria, Va., and Mark Ginsburg of Berlin — and by two grandchildren.

Robert Devaney •

The 1980s in Washington, D.C., is the focus of WETA’s latest documentary on local history of the nation’s capital. The one-hour WETA production premieres 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, at on WETA TV 26; it will repeat at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, and 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26.

The Reagan Inauguration. The hostages released. Reagan shot. The Air Florida and Metro crashes of Jan. 13, 1982. John Riggins and the Redskins. Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas. Len Bias overdoses.

“Washington in the ’80s” offers up the images and stories of President Ronald Reagan and Mayor Marion Barry as well as that of the Washington Redskins, Super Bowl champions in 1982 and 1987, and the Georgetown University Hoyas, winners of the NCAA basketball championship in 1984. Go-go and punk music made their splash in D.C., although not throughout all of the city. The local theater scene expanded downtown. And, yes, the use of cocaine was more than mentioned.

It is a fast-paced, broad-brush feature on the social, political and cultural changes of the 1980s that could have totaled at least two hours. The rehabilitation of the Old Post Office and Union Station are talked, but there could have more details on downtown D.C. and Georgetown. WETA has also produced documentaries on Washington in the 1960s and in the 1970s.

For the piece, WETA interviews included Barry and former councilmember and mayoral candidate Carol Schwartz, television journalists Maureen Bunyan and Tom Sherwood, radio journalist Kojo Nnamdi, political commentator Pat Buchanan, entertainment reporter Arch Campbell, former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, musician Kato Hammond, former D.C. police chief Isaac Fulwood and architect Arthur Cotton Moore.

The documentary talks up the good side of Barry with his summer jobs programs along with efforts to increase minority participation in government and business as well as his encouragement of business development — the construction of Washington Harbour in Georgetown is cited. Besides the drug scrounge, the advent of the AIDS epidemic is underscored with a more open and accepted gay community in D.C.

Opening to sounds of “Funky Town” and headlining the optimism and energy of Reagan and Barry, “Washington in the ’80s” ends the decade on a sour note as it highlights the crack cocaine crisis in D.C., which became known as “the murder capital of America” and whose mayor had to deny publicly that he snorted cocaine.
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Robert Devaney •

Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” screened his new movie, “Rosewater,” at the Newseum on Nov. 9 and at Georgetown University on Nov. 10. Written and directed by Stewart, the film is based on “Then They Came for Me,” Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari’s book about his 118-day incarceration by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. Bahari joined Stewart on his trip to Washington, with the duo discussing the film at both preview screenings. Released nationwide on Nov. 14, “Rosewater” is currently playing at the AMC Loews Georgetown and at Landmark Theatres’ E Street Cinema.

Robert Devaney •

IN: Cady’s Alley Pop-up Bazaar

Pop-up shops will take over an 8,000-square-foot space at 3300 Cady’s Alley NW, from Nov. 22 to Jan. 4. This year brings local online brands, including Pico Vela, Elaine B Jewelry, Ikkon and Stylecable. At a Dec. 4 launch party, shoppers can meet the people behind the pop-ups. Visit cadysalley.com.

IN: Giant in Cathedral Heights

The Giant store opened at 3336 Wisconsin Ave. NW, in Cathedral Heights. The store is part of the Cathedral Commons mixed-use development. Giant’s location in the City Market at O Street set a high bar. Georgetowners hope the company brings the same quality food and design to Cathedral Heights, especially with the anticipated closing of the MacArthur Boulevard Safeway.

IN: Spa at Luigi Parasmo Salon

Luigi Parasmo Salon at 1510 Wisconsin Ave. NW is expanding to include a spa on the second floor. The 2000-square-foot spa will offer body, skin and nail treatments by eight specialists. There will also be three pedicure stations and two manicure bars, with iPad docks to keep patrons entertained.

IN: Chaia Signs Lease for Grace Street Shop

Known around D.C. farmers markets, Chaia (“farm to taco”) has signed the lease to open its first brick-and-mortar place at 3207 Grace St. NW in the former G. Morris Steinbraker building. Founders and co-principals Bettina Stern and Suzanne Simon cook with fresh local ingredients to serve up seasonal vegetarian tacos. They anticipate opening some time between February and March.

IN: Washington Design Center

The new Washington Design Center at 1099 14th St. NW at Franklin Court Building Nov. 12. The center boasts three floors of showrooms and the collections of noted designers.

IN: Moleskine

Italian notebook maker Moleskine is moving into 3029 M St. NW – the space Scotch & Soda vacated a few months ago – in the lead-up to the holiday season. The store will open as a pop-up shop until January, when it will close to begin a permanent build-out. Moleskine products including planners, diaries, sketchbooks and bags. This will be the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location in Washington, D.C.

OUT: GeorgeTownPool

GeorgeTownPool is out as quickly as it came in. The preppy men’s and women’s clothing store, which originated in Nantucket, was supposed to pop up at 1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW on Nov. 15. But a sewage problem underneath the space has effectively cancelled the pop-up. Corroded and defective pipes caused smells and excrement to seep into the store space. The landowner’s inability to quickly resolve the situation led the store to renege on opening. Georgetown may have to wait.

OUT: CityZen at Mandarin Oriental to Close Dec. 6
Chef Eric Ziebold’s CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental on Maryland Avenue, SW, will close Dec. 8, according to DCist, a local news blog.

Robert Devaney • November 12, 2014

The OSS Society’s Gen. William Donovan Awards Dinner was held Oct. 25 at the Ritz-Carlton and gave its highest salute to Leon Panetta, President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff, President Barack Obama’s director of the Central Intelligence Agency — and most recently, Secretary of Defense. Panetta was signing copies of his political memoirs, “Worthy Fights,” published last month. The spies and military prom is an annual honoring of Gen. William Donovan, leader of the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, and OSS veterans. The OSS was the precursor to the CIA. The dinner is full of toasts, speeches, awards and bold-face names. Sometimes, it holds an eye-raising surprise, such as the year Gen. Petraeus was at the dinner and his erstwhile mistress Paula Broadwell was in the ballroom, too. This year, a student film spoof about Donovan and the OSS displeased Gen. John Singlaub so much that it moved OSS Society President Charles Pinck to issue an apology. Otherwise, the night was alight with tales of men and women, past and present, that made guests proud to be an American. [gallery ids="101913,136248,136251" nav="thumbs"]