Obama Speaks on Climate Change at Georgetown
• July 4, 2013

President Barack Obama outlined his administration’s comprehensive action plan to deal with climate change in a landmark speech at Georgetown University June 25. Obama addressed a small crowd and media from the steps of the Old North Building where George Washington and other presidents as recently as Bill Clinton have spoken.

Obama thanked supporters, government leaders and “the Hoyas in the house” and launched into a vigorous defense of his view on global warming — outside in the humid heat of a Washington, D.C., summer afternoon. He outlined specifics on the Keystone pipeline question and sought to curb carbon pollution from power plants.

Georgetown University Promises New Dorm By Fall 2015
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Georgetown University representatives presented concept plans to the ANC July 1, describing a new 251-bed dormitory to be ready for occupancy by August 2015. The Northeast Triangle Residence Hall will be tucked between Reiss Science Building, Henle Village and the western walls of Visitation Prep. Along a main campus walkway, the seven-floor triangular building will be near the Leavey Center.

Fillmore School Funds Restored
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The Fillmore Center for the Arts has had its full funding restored, saving jobs from being cut and preserving the chance for District students to deeply engage in the arts for another year. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the restoration of funding last week given the “recent, positive changes [to the] budget outlook for Fiscal Year 2014.” Parents were alarmed at the possibility of budget cuts, and there was even an online petition started from the Friends of Fillmore to urge Henderson to change her mind about funding.

Robbery on C&O Canal, Assault on Wisconsin Ave.
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Around 5:15 p.m., June 26, a woman near Thomas Jefferson Street and C&O Canal had her cell phone taken from her. According to a report from the Metropolitan Police Department: “She was approached by three male subjects. One male proceeded to snatch the iPhone. All subjects then fled on foot, last seen heading east along the towpath. The suspect that obtained the phone is described as a black male, 16 to 18 years old, wearing a bright blue T-shirt with blue jeans.”

Both the MPD and U.S. Park Police responded after a 911 call. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Park Police Investigative Section, 202-610-7505, or the Metropolitan Police Department, 202-727-9099.

Also, MPD reports an assault by four suspects, June 30, around 3 a.m., 1200 block of Wisconsin Avenue. “During the assault property was removed from his pocket. The lookout was only described as four black males.” If anyone has information, call 202-727-9099.

Woman Raped Near Waterfront Park, June 18
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The Park Police arrested an adult male for an alleged sex abuse, reported on June 18 at 9 p.m. in the 1000 block of Wisconsin Ave., NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District listserv, and first reported by Georgetown Patch.
“The reported offense occurred in an area under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. United States Park Police arrested an adult male regarding this reported offense. … Due to the sensitive nature of this offense, no information will be divulged regarding the identity, age or any relationship between the arrested suspect and the victim,” according to MPD.

Kintaro to Get Temporary Liquor License
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Kintaro, the Japanense restaurant that opened in May at 1039 33rd St., NW., in the former L. Chocolatier space, received approval during the July 1 advisory neighborhood commission meeting to request a “Stipulated License while license is pending.” Run by Tetsuro Takanashi and Ken Yamamoto, Kintaro will meet with D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration to get the final O.K.

Media-Marketers BrandLink Moves to M Street
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BrandLinkDC, owned and operated by Barbara Martin and Jayne Sandman, has moved its offices to 3109 M St., NW., less than one block from Georgetown’s busiest intersection. Experts in media management, events and marketing activations, Martin and Sandman deal with D.C. events along with reporters and photographers. They made a big splash in a December 2010 New York Times article, which tagged them as “the architects of the new Washington.” Washington Business Journal selected them as “Women Who Mean Business” awardees in 2012 as part of its annual award feature. They’re on the second floor. Welcome to Georgetown, ladies.

Ezrailson’s Reddz Trading Opens on Wisconsin Ave.
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A little bit of now-gone hot Georgetown businesses, Commander Salamander and Up Against the Wall, are back on the street. Reddz Trading, a resale clothing shop, opened at 1413 Wisconsin Ave, NW, last week, in the old antique rug shop next to CVS. Also with a Bethesda store, the business is owned by Wendy “Red” Ezrailson, who with her husband and others ran those other trendy clothing days for several decades. “Reddz is a modern approach to recycled designer clothing and accessories,” the company promises. “Save money, make money or trade for something fresh. Upscale resale is like consignment, but Reddz pays cash for your clothes.”

Max’s Ice Cream to Stay Through Oct. 31
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Max’s Best Ice Cream gets to stay at 2416 Wisconsin Ave., NW, through Oct. 31, in a deal with the business owner Max Kehani and landlords Gail and Barbara Bassin. The popular shop in Glover Park for two decades had its lease extended past the June 30 deadline after the neighborhood protested the upcoming move. Lawyers for both parties stated: “Max’s Best Ice Cream will continue in business at 2416 Wisconsin Avenue through October 31, 2013. Max and Gail and Barbara Bassin, the owners of the property, have agreed that this represents a fair and reasonable outcome for all involved. It gives Max and the community the benefit of having Max’s Best Ice Cream in Glover Park for the entire 2013 summer and part of the fall. We are grateful to John Snedden and Rocklands Barbeque without whose active support this arrangement could not have been achieved.”
By Nov. 1, however, the business will have to move, and the space will be taken over by next-door Rocklands Barbecue.

Volta Park to Get $450,000 Rehab
• June 25, 2013

The District government is paying $400,000 for the cost of the upgrades for Volta Park on 34th Street, while the community fundraiser will take care of the remaining $50,000. Throughout the construction process, the tot lot will be closed and later rebuilt.

Mayor Vincent Gray, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation Director Jesús Aguirre and Department of General Services Director Brian Hanlon announced in October that the District government would be undertaking the largest playground renovation project in its history. “Improving every resident’s quality of life is one of the main goals of my One City Action Plan, and every child in the District should have a safe and inviting place to play,” said Mayor Gray. “Renovating these playgrounds is an investment in the well-being of our children that will pay dividends for years to come.”

As part of his Playground Improvement Project, Gray tasked the parks department with identifying the playgrounds across the city most in need of renovations. Initially, this project was to be a multi-year endeavor as the District worked to improve all of the playgrounds in the city’s inventory. However, Gray pushed this initiative to the front of the line and worked with his budget team to identify additional end-of-year capital funds to both add additional playgrounds to the project and accelerate the pace of renovations. As a result, a total of 32 playgrounds will now be renovated in Fiscal Year 2013.