Attempted Sexual Assault Near Rose Park
• April 25, 2013

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Matthew Gabramadhin, 23, of Springfield, Va., April 15, and charged him in connection with kidnapping and assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse and said he grabbed a woman and “forced her to an area nearby and attempted to sexually assault her.” The incident was in the 2600 block of O Street, NW. A month ago, a man was seen exposing himself in the same area.

Georgetown Honors ‘Boston Strong’
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The terrorist Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 were a horrific shock to those on the scene and across America. Our prayers are with the dead, maimed and injured. The racers will return.

For two Georgetowners, the marathon and its after-effects were personal and shocking, of course.

Marsha Ralls, a business leader and owner of the Ralls Collection, ran the race until its last miles just as the bombs went off.
“I was at Mile 22 and saw all the runner looking at their phones,” Ralls said. “That was unusual, to say the least. At Mile 23, they told us they would stop the race at Mile 24. I did not yet know there had been a bombing.”

“My first reaction to all this is anger and shock,” Ralls said. “I will go back in honor of those killed.”

For runners tired, but happy to be close to the finish, “it was emotional,” she said. “No one could reach me at first. I didn’t know anyone’s number. Next time, I will have my boys’ numbers on me. My friends were going to the finish line to meet me.”
It was doubly emotional for Ralls, as she was running “for my mother and a little boy who died.”

The Boston Marathon is a race for elite runners. Ralls was stopped at Mile 24 with her time at 4:04. She is pictured at the top of Heartbreak Hill, about four miles from the finish line. Ralls plans to return for a third time to the marathon: “I am with you, Boston, and will be back next year.”

For Ryan Samuel, co-owner of Booeymonger’s on Prospect Street, the race was over in just over three hours. He had run with a friend, keeping his pace. The two were back in their hotel by the time of the bombing. Samuel, too, was angry and shocked but had no doubt the marathon would continue next year.

Third Edition to Become El Centro
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Well, you have heard about the change and now it sounds official: replacing the longtime Third Edition, the Mexican restaurant El Centro will open its second D.C. location at 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the former home of Third Edition, according to DC Eater. El Centro plans to open in June.

Nike Women’s Half Marathon, April 28; Expo to Close Thomas Jefferson Street, April 27
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The inaugural Nike Women Half Marathon, a race to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will take place in Washington, D.C. April 28. More than 45,000 persons will visit Georgetown, April 25 through 27, as runners will bring along their friends and families to visit the Nike Women Half Marathon D.C. Expotique, hosted at Washington Harbour, and 3050 K St., NW. The Nike Women Race Series has helped to generate more than $128 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and provides a premium event experience that annually celebrates the strength, determination, and accomplishments of women worldwide. The check-in process and Expotique will close Thomas Jefferson Street, from M Street down past the C&O Canal.

Bergerie Decorating to Become a Yoga Studio?
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Bergerie Decorating Co., longtime furniture upholsterer and repairer, appears set to change into a yoga place. It is on the ANC’s April 29 meeting’s agenda: “3343 Prospect Street, NW, BZA Application No. 18555, Application for special exception to change a nonconforming use of “upholstering furniture” to a “yoga studio, apparel/accessories/home goods/furnishings” use.”

J. Crew Makes Its Bigger Move
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J. Crew closed April 18 to move a few doors down to its larger reconstructed retail space. It plans to reopen April 24 and is still part of the Shops at Georgetown Park. It entrance is just across from Dean & Deluca. The other tenant remaining open in the old mall is Washington Sports Club on the second floor; it never closed.

Dr. Martens to M Street
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Dr. Martens, the boot and shoe store, plans to open a store at 3108 M St., NW, replacing P&C Art, an art gallery in Georgetown for almost 40 years. Expect a sale at P&C Art until its June departure.

Biz Group Meets at Smith Point
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Who let this crowd through the door? The Georgetown Business Association met April 17 for its monthly networking reception at Smith Point, one of Georgetown’s celebrated prepster, 30-something hot spots which made headlines when first daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush made the scene in 2005. Owner Bo Blair — whose other ventures include Surfside, Jetties and Fairgrounds and the Bullpen — was the host.

D.C.’s ‘Potholepalooza’ Begins
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It’s really not about music or about grass, although the word sounds that way. Potholepalooza is the District’s month-long spring campaign to repair damaged roadways across the city.

The funny name of the program notwithstanding, D.C. officials have set lots of connections for citizens. Residents and commuters are encouraged to call, go online, tweet, or e-mail to submit requests for pothole repairs.

Residents and commuters can notify DDOT about pothole in a variety of ways:

1. Call the Mayor’s Call Center at 311;

2. Use the On-line Service Request Center at 311.dc.gov

3. Tweet to twitter.com/DDOTDC

4. Email to Potholepalooza@dc.gov

5. Use the District’s new DC311 smartphone application

6. Post a comment on the Potholpalooza Facebook page

The first-ever Potholepalooza was held in 2009, and since then District Department of Transportation crews have filled almost 21,011 potholes during the annual campaign. Through May 22, DDOT, the agency responsible for the repair of potholes for the District, will work to repair identified potholes within 48 hours of the request (normal response time is within 72 hours).

Residents can also track the repairs at www.gis.ddot.dc.gov/potholeapp.

Dahlgren Chapel Vandalized
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Dahlgren Chapel, a place of worship at the center of Georgetown University’s main campus and campus ministry, was vandalized April 14. Chairs were tossed and broken as was a crucifix, according to university spokespersons. The organ was also damaged. The university said it would increase security at the historic chapel, built in 1893, which was been the site for many Georgetown alum weddings.

Georgetown University President John DeGioia issued a statement on the vandalism: “The preliminary investigation indicates that there was no desecration of the Blessed Sacrament or any religious symbols. The primary damage was to furniture and other fixtures. . . . I must underscore that acts of vandalism, especially of sacred places, have no place in our campus community. As a Catholic and Jesuit university, we are committed to fostering a community that is welcoming to people of all religions, races and ethnicities and that values understanding, inclusion and respect. While we do not know the motivation of the person or persons who committed these acts, nor whether or not they are members of the university community, they are of great concern.”

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry, told the student-run Georgetown Voice that “the crucifix was damaged in a minor way, though it did not constitute ‘desecration,’ which is property damage with intent to religiously offend.”
Nevertheless, the damage was enough to force the sudden relocation of the 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday Masses. The 5 p.m. Mass was celebrated at Dahlgren.

University spokesperson Rachel Pugh told the Georgetowner: “Georgetown University’s Department of Public Safety is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating this crime. Security has been increased. Currently, no other details are available to be released as this is an ongoing active investigation.”

The university urges anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact DPS at 202-687-4343.