Auto Alert: No Parking on O and P Streets, Aug. 8 and 9
• September 9, 2013

From 35th Street west to Wisconsin Avenue on O Street and P streets, there will be no parking on Thursday, Aug. 8, and Friday, Aug. 9, for a special street cleaning — one of the last pieces of work for the O and P Street Project by the D.C. Department of Transportation. So, yes, please read the signs: do not park your car there during those days. Again, this parking ban only affects the west side of Georgetown.

Advisory neighborhood commissioner Jeff Jones issued this alert on Georgetown Forum:

The Department of Public Works will be posting no parking signs on the entire length of the 3200, 3300 and 3400 blocks of O and P streets in Georgetown for manual sweeping of the cobblestone streets on August 8th and August 9th. DPW has informed me they will issue citations and tow cars if they do not comply with the no parking signs. I have requested that DPW close only O Street blocks on Aug. 8 and to close only P Street blocks on Aug. 9, and to start on the 3200 blocks first. Please refer to the no parking signs for the exact time they will be in effect on your street. This is not a regularly scheduled cleaning, and is for the final cleaning of the O and P street cobblestone dust.

If anyone has more questions about the temporary parking ban, contact Jeff Jones by email.

National Nightout Marks 30th Anniversary, Aug. 6
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It has been almost 30 years since National Night Out — the neighborhood and police get-together that fosters cooperation and teaches safety awareness, how police departments work and how to fight crime — made its national debut.

D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department encourages the public to join neighbors and friends tomorrow, Aug. 6, for the 30th anniversary of National Night Out, America’s Night Out Against Crime. Meet the men and women of the public safety agencies that work hard to make our neighborhoods safe and the residents and businesses that work with them to make a difference.

National Night Out events will be held nationwide and citywide. Georgetown’s event will be at MPD’s Second District Police Station at 3320 Idaho Ave., NW, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 6.

As MPD advises: Come out on Tuesday, August 6 for VIN etching, meet with Commander Reese and officers of the Second District, sign up for neighborhood watch, home burglary checks, and more. Visit community partners to learn about domestic violence prevention, safety tips, child safety seats inspections, child fingerprinting, drug prevention and emergency safety. Plus appearances by the K-9 and Horse Mounted units. Food, games and prizes. (Also; Bring your unused prescription drugs to dispose in DEA’s drop box.) For more information, contact Officer Rhonda Hardy, rhonda.hardy@dc.gov, 202-270-2286.

According to the National Night Out campaign, this special August evening “involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from 9,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.”

Washington Post to Be Sold to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
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The late Monday afternoon bombshell hit Washingtonians like a vengeful Washington Star.

The Washington Post, an icon of print journalism and of the nation’s capital, is to be sold to one of the internet’s first and biggest digital innovators.

The following is the surprise news from the Washington Post’s website:

“The Washington Post Co. has agreed to sell its flagship newspaper to Amazon.com founder and chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos, ending the Graham family’s stewardship of one of America’s leading news organizations after four generations.

“Bezos, whose entrepreneurship has made him one of the world’s richest men, will pay $250 million in cash for The Post and affiliated publications to the Washington Post Co., which owns the newspaper and other businesses.

“Seattle-based Amazon will have no role in the purchase; Bezos himself will buy the news organization and become its sole owner when the sale is completed, probably within 60 days. The Post Co. will change to a new, still-undecided name and continue as a publicly traded company without The Post thereafter.”

In an interview with his own newspaper, the Washington Post Co.’s chief executive Donald Graham told the paper Aug. 5: “Every member of my family started out with the same emotion—shock—in even thinking about [selling The Post]. But when the idea of a transaction with Jeff Bezos came up, it altered my feelings.”

“The Post could have survived under the company’s ownership and been profitable for the foreseeable future,” Graham told the Post. “But we wanted to do more than survive. I’m not saying this guarantees success but it gives us a much greater chance of success.”

The soon-to-be owner Bezos sent a letter to Post employees. It follows in its entirety, as reported at WashingtonPost.com on Aug. 5.

To the employees of The Washington Post: You’ll have heard the news, and many of you will greet it with a degree of apprehension. When a single family owns a company for many decades, and when that family acts for all those decades in good faith, in a principled manner, in good times and in rough times, as stewards of important values – when that family has done such a good job – it is only natural to worry about change.

So, let me start with something critical. The values of The Post do not need changing. The paper’s duty will remain to its readers and not to the private interests of its owners. We will continue to follow the truth wherever it leads, and we’ll work hard not to make mistakes. When we do, we will own up to them quickly and completely.
I won’t be leading The Washington Post day-to-day. I am happily living in “the other Washington” where I have a day job that I love. Besides that, The Post already has an excellent leadership team that knows much more about the news business than I do, and I’m extremely grateful to them for agreeing to stay on.

There will of course be change at The Post over the coming years. That’s essential and would have happened with or without new ownership. The Internet is transforming almost every element of the news business: shortening news cycles, eroding long-reliable revenue sources, and enabling new kinds of competition, some of which bear little or no news-gathering costs. There is no map, and charting a path ahead will not be easy. We will need to invent, which means we will need to experiment. Our touchstone will be readers, understanding what they care about – government, local leaders, restaurant openings, scout troops, businesses, charities, governors, sports – and working backwards from there. I’m excited and optimistic about the opportunity for invention.

Journalism plays a critical role in a free society, and The Washington Post — as the hometown paper of the capital city of the United States — is especially important. I would highlight two kinds of courage the Grahams have shown as owners that I hope to channel. The first is the courage to say wait, be sure, slow down, get another source. Real people and their reputations, livelihoods and families are at stake. The second is the courage to say follow the story, no matter the cost. While I hope no one ever threatens to put one of my body parts through a wringer, if they do, thanks to Mrs. Graham’s example, I’ll be ready.

I want to say one last thing that’s really not about the paper or this change in ownership. I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Don very well over the last ten plus years. I do not know a finer man. Sincerely, Jeff Bezos

Likewise, a letter to readers of the Washington Post was sent by Post publisher and CEO Katharine Weymouth, who announced the sale:

This is a day that my family and I never expected to come. The Washington Post Company is selling the newspaper it has owned and nurtured for eight decades.
In addition to The Washington Post, the company is selling Greater Washington Publishing, the Gazette newspapers, Express, El Tiempo Latino and Robinson Terminal. . . .
The board of our parent corporation, including my uncle and company chairman Don Graham, made this decision with a heavy heart but with an absolute conviction that Mr. Bezos’ ownership represents a unique and extraordinary opportunity for The Washington Post and for you, our readers.

In Mr. Bezos we have found an owner who will continue the tradition that the Graham family started with the purchase of The Washington Post by Eugene Meyer in 1933. Since then, and most especially over the past four decades, The Washington Post has earned a worldwide reputation for tough, penetrating, insightful, and indispensable journalism. With the investment by Mr. Bezos, that tradition will continue.

Mr. Bezos is widely known, of course, as the founder and CEO of Amazon.com. He is a proven entrepreneur who, like the Graham family and this company, takes the long-term view in his investments. While he expects The Post to remain profitable, his focus is on the essential role that our journalism has on dialogue and the flow of information in our society.

Mr. Bezos knows as well as anyone the opportunities that come with revolutionary technology when we understand how to make the most of it. Under his ownership and with his management savvy, we will be able to accelerate the pace and quality of innovation.

Mr. Bezos has asked that I remain as Publisher and CEO of The Post. I am honored to continue in that role. Our mission does not change. Nor do the values that have been at the core of The Post’s enduring strength over many decades. Mr. Bezos shares the principles that have guided the Graham family’s proud stewardship of this great news organization. . . .

String of Burglaries Hits Houses and Garages
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A rash of burglaries hit Georgetown last week between Aug. 2 and Aug. 5, most of which involved garages with unlocked doors on the west side of town. It seems some residents have forgotten that individuals creep around, looking for easy opportunities to steal, and have gotten lax about locking up.

Announcing that it has “increased uniformed police patrols in the residential area of Georgetown,” the Metropolitan Police Department listed the crimes online. They include:

= second-degree burglary (armed or otherwise), 3000 – 3099 block of N Street, residence/home, two (2) bicycles stolen, no signs of forced entry;

= second-degree burglary (armed or otherwise), 3400 – 3499 block of Prospect Street, parking lot/garage, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked garage (not attached to the residence) and stole a bicycle and electronic equipment from a parked vehicle (unlocked doors) in the garage;

= second-degree burglary (armed or otherwise), 3300 – 3399 block of Dent Place, NW, single-family dwelling, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked garage and stole a bicycle. (The suspects also rummaged through a parked vehicle in the garage. Nothing was reported stolen from the parked vehicle);

= second-degree burglary (armed or otherwise), 3300 – 3399 block of Dent Place, NW, single-family dwelling, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked garage and then rummaged through a parked vehicle stealing coin currency from the vehicle.

There was also a burglary reported at the Georgetown University dormitory on the 3600 block of O Street. Again, the police wrote down, “No signs of forced entry.”

Not all places were easy hits. An N Street resident on the 3400 block, whose garage shares an alley with garages from the 3400 block of Prospect Street, wrote on a town message board: “Last night, our garage was broken into. Although the cars were rifled through, limited property was removed. We have notified the police but wanted to let the neighborhood know and, in particular, residents of the south side of the 3400 block on N street, since the only way the thieves would have been able to enter the garage as they did (i.e, from the garden) would have been to go through other backyards on that block and jump the fences.”

One Prospect Street home-owner summed up the crime on his property: “We have a garage on the same alley (house on Prospect between 34th and 35th) and we had a garage break-in as well and did lose items both from within cars and a high-end racing bicycle. [Next door’s] garage was rifled through as well. It appears a bike was left behind in the alley and that my racing bike was used as an ‘upgrade’ for the thief. Due to the value of items stolen, a crime unit responded to take fingerprints but found no good, clean, untouched locations to take from. We have a tendency to not lock the door accessing the garage from the yard, because, well, the only way into the yard is to be hopping fences from a neighbor yard, but that appears to be what occurred here. Adding insult to injury, the bikes are typically locked within the garage but not that night, and we have the garage wired for video surveillance to trigger on motion, but it was not enabled. Lesson learned.”

If the reader cares to review crime prevention tips he most likely learned long ago, the following is timely and timeless advice from D.C. police.

Burglary Prevention

Have you ever been locked out of your home? Were you able to get in anyway? No w think about it…if you could break into your own home, it’s just as easy for someone else to break in, too. One out of 10 homes will be burglarized this year, and many intruders will spend no more than 60 seconds trying to break into a home. The best prediction of a future burglary is a past burglary. Therefore, it is important to take preventative measures now. Strong locks—and good neighbors who look out for one another—can be effective deterrents to burglars. Here are a few tips that can help you keep you—and your property—safe and secure.

Check Your Locks

• Make sure every external door has a strong, well-installed dead bolt lock. Key-in-the-knob locks alone are not enough.

• Sliding glass doors offer easy access if they are not properly secured. You can secure them by putting a broomstick or dowel in the inside track to jam the door or by installing commercially available locks. To prevent the door being lifted off of the track, drill a hole through the sliding door frame and the fixed frame. Then insert a pin in the hole.

• Lock double-hung windows with key locks or “pin” your windows by drilling a small hole at a 45 degree angle between the inner and outer frames, then insert a nail that can be removed. You should secure basement windows with grilles or grates (but make sure that they can be opened from the inside in case of fire).

• Never hide keys around the outside of your home. Instead, give an extra key to a neighbor you trust.

• When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.

Check Your Doors

While we all like to feel that once we close and lock our doors, we’re safe and secure, the truth of the matter is that a lock on a flimsy door is about as effective as locking your car door but leaving the window down with your wallet on the front seat.

• All outside doors should be metal or solid wood.

• Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so that you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and don’t keep out intruders.

• If your doors don’t fit tightly in their frames, install weather stripping around them.
Check the Outside

Take a look at your home from the outside, and keep in mind the following tips to help make your home as safe as it can be:

• Burglars hate bright lights. Install outside lights and keep them on at night. Motion-detector lights can be particularly effective.

• Keep your yard clean. Prune shrubbery so it doesn’t hide windows or doors. Cut back tree limbs that a burglar could use to climb to an upper-level window.

• If you travel, create the illusion that you are at home by getting timers that will turn lights (and perhaps a television or radio) on and off in different parts of your home throughout the day and evening hours. Lights burning 24 hours a day signal an empty house.

• Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. And make sure you don’t let your mail and/or newspapers pile up. Call the post office and newspaper to stop delivery or have a neighbor pick them up.

• Make a list of your valuables, such as VCRs, stereos, computers, and jewelry. Take pictures of the items, list their serial numbers and description. This will help police if your home is burglarized.

• Ask your District police station for a free home security survey.

• When getting work done on your vehicle, leave only the vehicle key for the service personnel. The same goes for car park attendants and valets.

• If you are having work done on your vehicle, give the service station your business address – not your home address.
Burglars Can Do More Than Just Steal

While most burglars prefer to strike when no one is home, intruders can commit other crimes such as rape, robbery, and assault if they are surprised by someone entering the home, or if they pick a home that is occupied.

• If something looks questionable – a slit screen, a broken window or an open door – don’t go in. Call the police from a neighbor’s house, a cell phone, or a public phone.

• At night, if you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can, then call the police. If you can’t leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are asleep.

• One other important note – never leave a message on your answering machine that indicates that you may not be at home, or that you live alone. Instead, say “We’re not available right now.”

Frye Store to Open in Historic Building in September
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Frye, the oldest continuously operating footwear company in the United States, will open its third United States location in Washington, D.C., in a few weeks in a building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Georgetown store, at 1066 Wisconsin Ave., NW, will occupy the former space of Papa-Razzi Restaurant. Frye’s 2,700-square-foot store will be located in the historic Vigilant Firehouse, the oldest extant firehouse in D.C., which first housed Engine 5, now located on Dent Place.

The Georgetown store will open early September, a company spokesperson said. It will join Frye’s Boston and New York City stores. The Frye Company — known for boots, shoes, handbags and accessories — also plans to open a store in Chicago this fall.

Founded in Massachusetts in 1863, Frye is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a collection of footwear of its most iconic styles. With its boots, worn by soldiers, sailors, singers and actors, the company has fans that have ranged from Sarah Jessica Parker to General George Patton to John Lennon. A pair of Frye boots is even on exhibit on the Smithsonian.

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Busy ANC Meeting: Ellington, Halcyon, Heating Plant
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Tonight, 6:30 p.m., the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will meet at Georgetown Visitation Prep on 35th Street.

Top items to be discussed include the renovation of Ellington High School (and its temporary closing), an ABC agreement for the new El Centro restaurant (the former Third Edition), visitor parking passes, S&R Foundation use of Halcyon House and an update on the reconstruction of the West Heating Plant next to the C&O Canal and the Four Seasons Hotel.

The following is the agenda for tonight’s meeting, as released by ANC2E:

We will be meeting this month at the Georgetown Visitation School, 35th and Volta Place, Heritage Room, first building on left by gatehouse, 2nd floor

Approval of the Agenda

Approval of September 3, 2013, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

Approval of July 1, 2013, Meeting Minutes

Public Safety and Police Report

Financial Report

Transportation Report

DPW Report

Community Comment

Update on the West Heating Plant

Duke Ellington School renovation/addition

Georgetown Community Partnership Cookout – September 14

New Business

DDOT proposed regulations for visitor parking

1900 37th Street, NW, DDOT Tracking No. 84460, Glover Park Citizens Association application to occupy public space for the purpose of paving sidewalks and install benches

DDOT/UFA Female Ginko Removal Policy

ABC

El Centro (formerly Third Edition), 1216 Wisconsin Avenue, ABRA -__, proposed Settlement Agreement

Zoning

Halcyon Georgetown LLC, 3400 – 3410 Prospect Street, NW, BZA No. 18604, Application for a special exception to establish a non-profit, Hearing September 10, 2013

Back Alley LLC and Ellsworth T. Simpson Trust, 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, BZA Appeal No. 18610, Appeal for a variance from the nonresidential floor area ratio restrictions to subdivide and use all of the existing buildings on the property for nonresidential uses, Hearing September 17, 2013

3128 P Street, NW, BZA No. 18645, Application for special exception relief to construct an addition to the building which will extend the currently nonconforming lot occupancy, Hearing September 24, 2013

Old Georgetown Board

PRIVATE PROJECTS:

1. SMD 07, 1644 31st Street, NW, OG 13-295 (HPA 13-517) Tudor Place, Alterations to west entrance, fence and sliding gate, Concept

2. SMD 07, 2823 Q Street, NW, OG 13-282 (HPA 13-501) Residence, Replace wood garden gate with steel gate, Permit

3. SMD 02, 1632 32nd Street, NW, OG 13-315 (HPA 13-538) Residence, Alterations to rear, Concept For review by Historic Preservation Review Board

4. SMD 02, 1516 33rd Street, NW, OG 13-269 (HPA 13-488) Residence, Re-grading of rear yard, retaining walls, terrace, Permit For review by Historic Preservation Review Board

5. SMD 02, 1634 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-304 (HPA 13-526) Commercial, Signs and awning for “Sleepy’s,” Permit

6. SMD 03, 3400 O Street, NW, OG 13-297 (HPA 13-519) Residence, Replace / repair box gutter, Permit

7. SMD 03, 3132 P Street, NW, OG 13-302 (HPA 13-524) Residence, Brick wall, gates and re-grading of side yards, Permit / Concept

8. SMD 03, 1305 and 1313 Potomac Street, NW, OG 13-265 (HPA 13-477) Residence, Fence screens off alley – existing, Permit

9. SMD 03, 3338 Volta Place, NW, OG 13-293 (HPA 13-515) Residence, Extension of front wing, Concept

10. SMD 03, 1328-1330 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-288 (HPA 13-510) Commercial, One-story rear addition with basement, Permit/concept For review by Historic Preservation Review Board

11. SMD 03, 1332-1336 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-289 (HPA 13-511) Commercial, One-story rear addition with basement, Permit/concept For review by Historic Preservation Review Board

12. SMD 05, 1025-27 31st Street, NW, OG 13-317 (HPA 13-540) Commercial, Alterations to rear, outdoor seating terrace, Concept

13. SMD 05, 3211 M Street, NW, OG 13-226 (HPA 13-382) Commercial, Sign for “Billy Reid” – existing, blade sign, light fixtures, Permit

14. SMD 05, 3213 M Street, NW, OG 13-301 (HPA 13-523) Commercial, Alterations to storefront, awnings, signs for “Pandora,” Concept

15. SMD 05, 3206 Grace Street, NW, OG 13-318 (HPA 13-541) Commercial, Roof top addition, alterations, replacement windows, awnings, blade sign, flagpole, Concept

16. SMD 05, 3255 Grace Street, NW, OG 13-291 (HPA 13-513) Commercial, Sign for “The Power House,” Permit

17. SMD 05, 1200 Potomac Street, NW, OG 13-285 (HPA 13-505) Residence, Stockade fence and timber retaining wall – existing, Permit

18. SMD 05, 3302 Prospect Street, NW, OG 13-272 (HPA 13-491) Residence, Demolition of brick garden wall (completed), metal gate and repaving of rear yard, Permit

19. SMD 05, 3104 M Street, NW, OG 13-306 (HPA 13-528) Commercial, Rear addition, Concept

20. SMD 06, 3009 M Street, NW, OG 13-305 (HPA 13-527) Mixed use, Rear addition, Concept

21. SMD 06, 1306 27th Street, NW, OG 13-268 (HPA 13-487) Residence, Replacement windows and doors, Permit

22. SMD 06, 3030 P Street, NW, OG 13-256 (HPA 13-446) Residence, Partial demolition of rear ell, 1-story rear addition plus basement, Concept

23. SMD 06, 3062 Q Street, NW, OG 13-284 (HPA 13-504) Residence, Alterations to openings on rear façade, Concept For review by Historic Preservation Review Board

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E: The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming September 4, 2013, agenda of the Old Georgetown Board, have not been added to the ANC meeting agenda for OGB-related design review and we do not propose to adopt a resolution on them at this time. If there are concerns about any of these projects, please contact the ANC office by Friday, August 30, 2013.

1. SMD 01, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, O.G. 13-309 (HPA 13-531) Institution (MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – Pasquerilla Center), Communications antennas on penthouse for Verizon, Concept

2. SMD 02, 1511 33rd Street, NW OG 13-152 (HPA 13-251) Residence, Replacement windows at rear – existing, replacement front windows, Permit

3. SMD 02, 1566 33rd Street, NW, OG 13-308 (HPA 13-530) Residence, Replace vinyl windows, Permit

4. SMD 02, 1638 33rd Street, NW, OG 13-173 (HPA 13-296) Residence, Replacement windows and alterations to rear, Permit

5. SMD 02, 1622 34th Street, NW, OG 13-292 (HPA 13-514) Residence, One-story rear addition to replace one-story covered porch, Permit

6. SMD 02, 1661 35th Street, NW, OG 13-150 (HPA 13-249) Residence, Three-story rear addition, in-fill areaway, one-story side addition, alterations, Concept – revised design

7. SMD 02, 3247 Q Street, NW, OG 13-278 (HPA 13-497) Office, Replacement windows, Permit – revised design

8. SMD 02, 3247 R Street, NW, OG 13-286 (HPA 13-506) Pool House, Raze existing structure at rear, new building at rear, Permit – revision to permit

9. SMD 02, 1611 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-190 (HPA 13-332) Commercial, Replace rooftop antennas with stealth canisters for Sprint, Permit

10. SMD 02, 1621 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-298 (HPA 13-520) Commercial, Replacement windows at rear, Permit

11. SMD 03, 1417 31st Street, NW, OG 13-232 (HPA 13-411) Residence, Replacement windows, Permit

12. SMD 03, 3301 N Street, NW, OG 13-290 (HPA 13-512) Residence, Additions and alterations, Permit

13. SMD 03, 3210 O Street, NW, OG 13-283 (HPA 13-503) Commercial, Blade sign for “Bloomers”, window graphics – existing, Permit

14. SMD 03, 3210 O Street, NW, OG 13-263 (HPA 13-458) Commercial, Blade sign for “Bloomers”, window graphics – existing, Permit

15. SMD 03, 3615 O Street, NW, OG 13-312 (HPA 13-535) Residence, Replacement fence at rear, Permit

16. SMD 03, 3129 P Street, NW, OG 13-287 (HPA 13-507) Residence, Alterations to garage opening in front of house, Concept

17. SMD 03, 1365 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-203 (HPA 13-359) Bank, Light fixtures for ATM at BB&T Bank, Permit

18. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 13-307 (HPA 13-529) Georgetown University – Athletic Training Facility, New construction, Concept –design development

19. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, O.G. 13-310 (HPA 13-532) Georgetown University – Leavey Center, Communications antennas and equipment penthouse for Verizon, Concept

20. SMD 05, 2934 M Street, NW, OG 13-279 (HPA 12-498) Commercial, Awning and sign for “Pier 2934 Cajun Seafood,” Permit – revised design

21. SMD 05, 3125 M Street, NW, OG 13-300 (HPA 13-522) Commercial, Signs, light fixtures, replacement door, screen for rooftop equipment, Permit

22. SMD 05, 3222 M Street, NW, OG 13-294 (HPA 13-516) Commercial, Alterations to east and south elevations, sign for “Pinstripes,” Permit

23. SMD 05, 3222 M Street, NW, OG 13-296 (HPA 13-518) Georgetown Park, Alterations to storefront in-fill, Permit – additional information

24. SMD 05, 3320 M Street, NW, OG 13-299 (HPA 13-521) Commercial, Banner for “Maxalto” at third floor facing alley, Permit

25. SMD 05, 3508 Prospect Street, NW, OG 13-274 (HPA 13-493) Residence, Replacement slate, membrane and copper roofs, Permit

26. SMD 05, 1251 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-280 (HPA 13-499) Commercial, Sign for “Reebok,” Permit

27. SMD 05, 1211 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-270 (HPA 13-489) Commercial, Storefront alterations, sign for “Tory Burch,” Permit

28. SMD 05, 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 13-199 (HPA 13-355) Commercial Sign for “El Centro D.F.” Permit

29. SMD 06, 1354 27th Street, NW, OG 13-192 (HPA 13-344) Residence, Rear addition at fourth floor, Concept – revised design

30. SMD 06, 1354 27th Street, NW, OG 13-273 (HPA 13-492) Residence, Rear addition at fourth floor, Permit

31. SMD 06, 1600-1602 28th Street, NW, OG 13-277 (HPA 13-496) Residence, Alterations to planter curb – in progress, Permit

32. SMD 06, 1215 31st Street, NW, OG 13-271 (HPA 13-490) Georgetown Post Office, Rear addition at basement level, Permit

33. SMD 06, 1215 31st Street, NW, OG 13-267 (HPA N/A) Georgetown Post Office, Excavation, sheeting and shoring, underpinning, Permit

34. SMD 06, 3001-3007 M Street, NW, OG 13-276 (HPA 13-495) Mixed-use: retail / residential, Exterior exhaust duct, Permit

35. SMD 06, 2725 N Street, NW, OG 13-319 (HPA 13-545) Residence, Alterations to dormer at rear (change original gable dormer to wider shed dormer), Concept

36. SMD 06, 2912 N Street, NW, OG 13-313 (HPA 13-536) Residence, Rooftop mechanical equipment – existing, screening, Permit

37. SMD 06, 3040 O Street, NW, OG 13-183 (HPA 13-306) Residence, Enclose rear porch and alterations – existing, Permit – revised design

38. SMD 06, 3044 O Street, NW, OG 13-275 (HPA 13-494) Residence, Alterations, addition, shutters, replacement windows, swimming pool, construction entrance on stone wall, Permit

39. SMD 06, 2803 Dumbarton Street, NW, OG 13-314 (HPA 13-537) Residence, Two- story rear addition, Permit

40. SMD 06, 2718 Poplar Street, NW, OG 13-167 (HPA 13-290) Residence, Replace windows – existing, Permit

41. SMD 07, 1699 31st Street, NW, OG 13-311 (HPA 13-534) Residence, Relocate driveway, relocate curb-cuts on public space, Permit/concept

42. SMD 07, 3053 Q Street, NW, OG 13-316 (HPA 13-539) Residence, Rear addition at fourth floor, alterations, Permit

43. SMD 07, 3001 R Street, NW, OG 13-269 (HPA 13-488) Cemetery, Chapel Roofing Permit

44. SMD 07, 3245 S Street, NW, OG 13-281 (HPA 13-500) Institution, Handicapped access ramp at Guest House, Permit

45. SMD 07, 2516 East Place, NW, OG 13-303 (HPA 13-525) Residence, Alterations to rear, Permit

46. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 13-249 (HPA 13-439) Georgetown University, New construction – residence hall, Concept – additional information on site selection

{posted August 26, 2013, 5 p.m.}

ANC Report: Burglaries, Parking, El Centro, Ellington, Halcyon, Heating Plant
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The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E met at Georgetown Visitation Prep Sept. 3. Highlights from the monthly meeting follow.

= The police report kicked off the meeting, as Lt. John Hedgecock of the Metropolitan Police Department noted that burglaries were increasing around town, especially those involving unlocked or locked garages. In the last three months, there were 25 burglaries in Georgetown. Last year, during the same months, there were 18 burglaries. Hedgecock also commented on the Aug. 30 incident on the Potomac River in the dock at Washington Harbour, where an MPD harbor boat pulled a “Miami Vice” move and swarmed two boats with water, causing one to sink. He said he was not part of that division to the slightly amused audience.

= There was discussion about the upcoming renovation of Ellington High School, the expansion of its theater and a new underground garage. A few neighbors expressed concern about increased traffic.

= The West Heating Plant reconstruction plans will face scrutiny by the Old Georgetown Board in November. The plans, worked out by new owners, the Levy Group, Four Seasons and the Georgetown Group which bought the property from the federal government, feature added green space around a radically changed historic structure. More to come on this big project.

= A new settlement agreement (formerly known as a “voluntary agreement”) was reached by the ANC and the new El Centro restaurant at 1218 Wisconsin Ave., NW., on matters of hours and crowds at the restaurant. The building, leased by the business headed by Richard Sandoval Restaurants, was once the site of the legendary Third Edition. There is another El Centro on 14th Street; the Sandoval company runs 30 restaurant nationally and internationally. Another signatory to the agreement is the Citizens Association of Georgetown, which praised the reputation of the applicant.

= The ANC expressed disappointment at the way the District Department of Transportation suddenly initiated a visitor parking pass system for households across the city. DDOT had been meeting with community groups about parking concerns. Most said the new plan would lead to less parking being available for residents, as the new parking pass is a placard placed on the dashboard of the car and valid for one year that can be used by anyone a resident gives it to. There are a few days left to comment on this new plan. Send comments to publicspace.policy@DC.gov.

= Halcyon House at 3400 Prospect St., NW, owned by Halcyon Georgetown LLC and to be used primarily for programs run by the S&R Foundation, has applied for “a special exception to establish a non-profit” (BZA No. 18604; application for hearing, Sept.10.). The parties met at least two time with Prospect Street neighbors and reduced the amount of planned events, which are mainly for small groups. The ANC approved the application unanimously.

= Georgetown Community Day is set for Oct. 12. The cookout event on the campus of Georgetown University will highlight university programs and classes open (and free) to neighborhood residents as well as opportunities for students to participate in neighborhood activities.

The Original Clyde’s Celebrates Its 50th Birthday
• September 4, 2013

The front bar at Clyde’s of Georgetown, at 3236 M St., NW, was full and busy, the back rooms and the omelet room and the atrium were bustling and young waiters and waitresses scurried about carrying coffee and plates with Clyde’s omelettes and eggs Benedict — free to any customer who walked in before 10 a.m. The scene could have been a 1980s Georgetown Saturday morning rising out of and recovering from a Friday night. It was something better. It was a Monday morning — Aug. 12, 2013 — and Clyde’s was celebrating its 50th anniversary. That’s right: 50 years, and 14 restaurants and counting.

“It’s a Washington legend now, and we’re delighted to be a part of the history and success of D.C.,” said Tom Meyer, president of Clyde’s Restaurant Group. An ebullient Mayor Vincent Gray arrived and made it official, along with the District Council, proclaiming August 12 “Clyde’s of Georgetown Day.”

Later that day, an evening reception and party brought Clyde’s employees, past and present, together to celebrate, dance and cut the 50th birthday cake.
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Drybar Closed for Not Having Permits
• August 29, 2013

Drybar should have the skills to untangle this mess of its own making with the D.C. government.

It seems the popular blow dry establishment, at 1825 Wisconsin Ave., NW, near Safeway, never quite applied for the correct business permits, when it opened almost a year ago. So, on Aug. 16, the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, shut it down.

“There was a technical glitch or error in the business license filing with the D.C. government. Drybar is working diligently with it to correct the error. Meanwhile, we are routing appointments to our Bethesda shop,” a company spokesperson told the Georgetowner.

“They came in to get their certificate of occupancy last week and are working to obtain the necessary salon business license,” emailed DCRA’s Helder Gil to Georgetown Patch, which first reported the closing.

“We truly and sincerely apologize and are working as quickly as possible to untangle this mess!” wrote Drybar founder and owner to her clients. “We will let you know as soon as it is resolved.”

Redskins Legend John Riggins Headlines ProFish Benefit at Tony & Joe’s
• August 15, 2013

If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.

That was the theme of ProFish’s Annual Invasive Species Benefit Dinner at Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place at Washington Harbour Jan. 28. Top on the list: the snakehead, an invasive species native to China and Korea that found its way into the Chesapeake Bay and is one ugly, fierce-looking fish. ProFish, a seafood provider, figures to make the snakehead more marketable, thus leading to its decline in the bay.

Washington Redskins legendary running back John Riggins was the benefit headliner. The NFL Hall of Famer has a show on the Sportsman Channel, “Riggo on the Range,” where he hunts for the prey which he later shows how to cook in his kitchen.
Dining with Riggo was a who’s who of chefs, fishery operators, watermen, outdoorsmen, community leaders and those who wanted to have a unique five-course dinner and donate their $125 meal ticket money to the Oyster Recovery Partnership, a Maryland non-profit that is bringing more oysters back to the Chesapeake Bay, and D.C.’s Miriam’s Kitchen, committed to ending chronic homelessness.

Besides the surprising tasty snakehead — think grouper, a firm, white fish — was mackerel, rockfish and pork. Hors d’oeuvre included oysters, crab cakes, yellow perch and “local invasive blue catfish.”

The guys in the kitchen included Scott Drewno from the Source, Chad Wells of the Rockfish, Phillipe Reininger from J&G Steakhouse, Dennis Marron of Poste Moderne Brasserie — and, of course, David Stein, executive chef at Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place.

ProFish’s director of sustainable efforts John Rorapaugh issued this mission statement on the evening’s menu: “This issue of the flip side to the sustainable coin. Snakeheads need to be eradicated. Not controlled, not managed, eradicated!” While auctioning off two of his cooking aprons from his show, Riggins — who has a very good auctioneer’s pace — said snakeheads “need a makeover.” Perhaps even a name change, he said. The benefit raised at least $15,000.

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