Can You Smell It? Water System Gets Spring Cleaning
• May 17, 2012

Here is a news alert from D.C. Water:

From March 26 through May 7, the disinfectant in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine. 

The annual switch in water disinfection is part of a routine program to clean and maintain water distribution systems in the District of Columbia, Arlington County and Falls Church. During the temporary switch to chlorine, local water authorities will also conduct system-wide flushing to enhance water quality. This program is standard practice for many U.S. water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year.   

Individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult with a health care provider on the use of tap water.   

During this time, individuals may notice a change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating cold tap water for a few hours to reduce taste and odor. Water filters are also effective in reducing chlorine taste and odor. For more information,  contact www.DCWater.com.

Space Shuttle Discovery Retires to Air & Space Museum
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The Space Shuttle Discovery was officially received by the Smithsonian Institution April 19 and placed on permanent display, replacing the shuttle Enterprise at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, next to Dulles Airport. The two crafts met nose-to-nose at a sunlit ceremony that celebrated the space program’s achievements with calls for greater education and for most space exploration.

With music by the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and Marine Corps Color Guard, the “Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. Participants included 14 of Discovery’s 31 living commanders. Speakers included NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, National Air and Space Museum Director J.R. “Jack” Dailey, former astronaut and Senator John Glenn and chair of the Smithsonian board of regents France Córdova.

Discovery moves into the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, and the Enterprise will move to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on the Hudson River in New York City. [gallery ids="100751,122274,122266,122245,122260,122254" nav="thumbs"]

John Edwards: Far From Georgetown Today
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For John Edwards, former senator from North Carolina and John Kerry’s vice presidential candidate, and for Georgetown, eight years ago was a heady time. That summer’s campaign saw not one but two Georgetowners running for national office against President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

The 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Kerry, who still lives on the 3300 block of O Street with his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry, had found a running mate exactly one block north on P Street.

Here’s how a September 2004 article in the Los Angeles Times put it:

“For the first time in American history, both members of the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket live in Georgetown — Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in the 3300 block of O Street in a $4.7-million home owned in the 19th century by the minister to the Russian czar; North Carolina Sen. John Edwards in the 3300 block of P Street in a $3.8-mansion with a 20th century pedigree for the society entertaining that characterized the Kennedy era.

‘This promises to be 1960 all over again,’ cooed the Georgetowner, a must-read throwaway for area residents, in an editorial after presidential hopeful Kerry named Edwards as his running mate. ‘And if the dynamic duo should happen to win, well, if you were waiting for real-estate prices to come down in Georgetown, forgeddaboutit.’ ”

Well, the president got re-elected, and Edwards began preparations for his 2008 campaign to seek the presidency a second time. A star in his party, he seemed blessed with people skills, good looks, an easy-going speaking style and a common touch. He sold his P Street house — bought in 2002 for $3.8 million — in December 2006 for $5.2 million and left Georgetown and D.C.

That stately P Street home has its tales to tell: a 19th-century home to a relative of Francis Scott Key, John J. Key of Kentucky, it is best known for its parties and events by Polly Fritchey, a major arts patroness and influencer along with her friends Katharine Graham, Lorraine Cooper, Pamela Harriman, Evangeline Bruce, Polly Kraft and Susan Mary Alsop. Fritchey died ten years ago.

That was then, and today John Edwards is on trial in Greensboro, N.C., for alleged illegal campaign contributions. Almost one million dollars were supposedly used to cover up his affair and support his mistress and illegitimate child, while his wife suffered (and later died) from cancer.

The state capital’s Raleigh News & Observer views the story of its former senator from North Carolina and trial lawyer known for his malpractice cases as a modern-day Greek tragedy:

“John Edwards, the former Democratic U.S. senator and presidential candidate whose descent from the heights of politics was faster and deeper than his quick ascent, is at the center of a criminal trial that will follow a story of sex, political conniving, vast wealth and personal betrayals.”

Edwards is being castigated for lying, philandering and worse; he is also being prosecuted under campaign-finance laws that some argue do not require a clear quid-pro-quo connection.

“It was hard to find the right buyer,” W. Ted Gossett, the Edwards’ real estate agent, told the Washington Post at the time of the P Street house sale in 2006. And it is hard to find that once promising candidate for those who supported Edwards betrayed by the false one today.

Edwards waved to well-wishers as he walked down the steps of his P Street home on a sunny, July day. While he and we did not know it, he was at his zenith as a man in the public eye. The summer of 2004 in Georgetown seems so long ago and far away.

D.C. Schools Celebrate the Henderson Effect
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It has been a noteworthy week for D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. She outlined a comprehensive plan for public schools, received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Georgetown University, and had six of her schools chosen to receive $4.5 million dollars over three years from Target to improve literacy.

With Mayor Vincent Gray, Henderson announced on April 18 a five-year, five-point plan to make public schools better or, as they put it, “to rebuild the District’s traditional public schools into a high-quality, vibrant system that earns the confidence of the entire community.” It is “an effort to dramatically increase student achievement, graduation rates, enrollment and student satisfaction.”

“This plan will move us into the District’s next phase of school reform, building on our recent successes and capitalizing on the dramatic population and economic growth our city has seen in recent years,” Gray said. The initiatives are part of D.C. Public Schools’ Five-Year Strategic Plan. Called “A Capital Commitment,” the plan helps guide spending and programmatic decisions through 2017.

“These commitments support our goals for the next five years and the promises we have made to the District of Columbia, to our families and our students, and to all our stakeholders to provide the students of this city with a world-class education,” Henderson said. “Behind each of these goals are real, specific financial commitments that will help us build on the momentum we have seen over the past five years and move forward aggressively toward dramatic improvements.”

Over the next five years, D.C. Public Schools has committed to the following five goals:

— Increase District-wide math and reading proficiency to 70 percent, while doubling the number of students who score at advanced levels of proficiency;

— Improve the proficiency rates for our 40 lowest-performing schools by 40 percentage points;

— Increase our high school graduation rate from 52 percent to 75 percent;

— Ensure that 90 percent of DCPS students like the school they attend; and

— Increase overall DCPS enrollment.

At Georgetown University on April 23, Henderson, who graduated from its School of Foreign Service in 1992, was in Gaston Hall to get her Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in front of some teachers from her elementary school as well as family and friends and those from DCPS, Georgetown, Teach For America and the New Teacher Project.

“I stand on this stage today only because of the people sitting here in this room,” she said. “Each and every one of you has directly or indirectly made an indelible impression on my life.”

“The piece of the world that Kaya has chosen to affect is fundamental to the strength, progress, prosperity of our city, country and our interconnected global society,” said John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University. “It’s nearly impossible to speak with Kaya about education without understanding that her work is motivated by a deep sense of personal purpose and a clear, poignant set of values.”

Last November, Forbes magazine named Henderson one of the “World’s 7 Most Powerful Educators.” [gallery ids="100755,122613" nav="thumbs"]

Preppy Pink Party Benefits Komen Race for the Cure
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Running and walking enthusiasts, supporters of breast health and breast cancer research and generally fun individuals gathered at Hudson Restaurant on M Street May 2 to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and register for the June 2 event if they had not yet. At and around the National Mall, the 5K race will raise funds for breast health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs and involve more than 40,000 participants from across the country, including more than 3,000 breast cancer survivors.

The Preppy Pink Party, sponsored by Miss A aka Andrea Rodgers, offered prizes from Neiman Marcus, Washington Nationals, SimplySoles, Coup de Foudre, Sylene and Sushiko along free food and refreshments and a performance by the Joke’s Wild.

www.GlobalRacefortheCure.org](http://globalrace.info-komen.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HQ_GR_Homepage)

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Ins & Outs 5.16.12
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MIKE ISABELLA’S BANDOLERO SET TO OPEN MAY 24
It is official: Bandolero, the long-anticipated restaurant at 3241 M Street, where Hook once stood, will open May 24, proclaims its website. And it adds, “Bandolero is a modern Mexican restaurant in the heart of Georgetown. Chef Mike Isabella is the chef/partner behind the taco-centric, margarita-laden menu. Bandolero is owned by Pure Hospitality LLC, including veteran restauranteur, Jonathan Umbel. The two-story, 5,000-square-foot, high-energy space reflects a Day of the Dead motif, and plenty of bar space to imbibe. The menu showcases classic Mexican dishes with untraditional flavor profiles, including dips served with housemade chicharones and masa crisps, tacos, taquitos, enchiladas, empanadas, albondigas and carbons.”

LIGNE ROSET RE-OPENS IN GLOVER PARK
Just up Wisconsin Avenue, the contemporary furniture store Ligne Roset has re-opened in a shiny, hip locale, close to Whole Foods and Vice President Joe Biden’s back gate. The French company held a May 3 grand opening reception, which was headlined by its own executive vice president, Antoine Roset, of Roset USA Corp. at the new retail showroom at 2201 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., along with new business partners in designers David Zein and Olivier Valette. DZein Studio is along the same ground-level space as well. The exclusive, freestanding Ligne Roset showroom features items from the company’s extensive catalog. One thing is for sure: architect Christy Schlesinger wants that red sofa.

‘MAD MAN’ DINNER PARTY AT PEACOCK CAFE
Peacock Café and Fashiontographer will hold a one-night-only dinner event, May 23, featuring entrées from the “Mad Men” era to benefit the Shoot for Change Scholarship at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre. The theme for the event is 1950s, 1960s or “Mad Men” inspired. For $60, Peacock Café and chef Maziar Farivar will offer a three-course menu, inspired by the “Mad Men” era, that includes Oysters Rockefeller, classic Beef Wellington and homemade cannoli. Fashiontographer’s executive editor, Walter Grio, will be taking photos of guests for the online fashion editorial, “District of Fashion.” Photos will be featured on fashiontographer.com. The after party will be at L2.

JP’S NIGHT CLUB RETURNS TO STRIP
According to Hyperlocal Glover Park: The new owners of JP’s Night Club (2412 Wisconsin Ave.) intend to return nude dancing to the club’s long-vacant former home. Paul Kadlick, a representative of the ownership group, discussed the group’s plans at the May meeting of ANC 3B. JP’s operated as a strip club from 1986 through January 2008, when a fire destroyed its original building. In the intervening years, the building has been replaced and the business sold. A group of neighbors and the ANC opposed the dormant club’s liquor license renewal last year. Though the license was renewed, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board did impose new limits on the club in the process, forbidding it from offering live entertainment before 5 p.m. [gallery ids="100795,124379" nav="thumbs"]

Commencement Speakers at G.U. and G.W.U.; HHS’s Sebelius Invite Protested
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During Georgetown University’s May 17-20 commencement ceremonies, business leaders, scientists and human right activists will speak, including LivingSocial CEO and co-founder Tim O’Shaughnessy and creator of “The Wire” and “Treme,” David Simon.

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, will take part at a Public Policy Institute awards ceremony, not a graduation event. Nevertheless, her presence has sparked protests from the Cardinal Newman Society and other conservative Catholics because of the Obama Administration’s stance on abortion and other healthcare issues concerning religious institutions. The Archdiocese of Washington also criticized the university’s decision to include Sebelius, “whose actions as a public official present the most direct challenge to religious liberty.”

Georgetown University President John DeGioia issued a statement, defending the university’s decision: “In different contexts over the past three months, including a March 14 ‘Statement on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate,’ the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed strong opposition to the position put forward by the Obama Administration. Some have interpreted the invitation of Secretary Sebelius as a challenge to the USCCB. It was not. The invitation to Secretary Sebelius occurred prior to the Jan. 20 announcement by the Obama Administration of the modified healthcare regulations. The secretary’s presence on our campus should not be viewed as an endorsement of her views. As a Catholic and Jesuit university, Georgetown disassociates itself from any positions that are in conflict with traditional church teachings.”

Over at George Washington University, there are no such concerns. “NBC Nightly News” anchor, members of Congress and the District’s deputy mayor of education will be among the speakers addressing graduates at George Washington University Commencement ceremonies May 18-20.
Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” and host of “Rock Center,” will deliver the keynote address to nearly 25,000 George Washington University graduates and guests and will receive an honorary doctorate degree, Sunday, May 20, on the National Mall. International businessman and philanthropic leader Carlos Slim and internationally renowned artist Clarice Smith also will receive honorary degrees from the university.

Garden Tour: Just the Ticket to See Neighbors, Friends and Get Inspired
• May 10, 2012

The 84th Georgetown Garden Tour, held Saturday May 5, showed off eight gardens along with side and back yards of varying scale, cresting at the Allbrittons’ Bowie-Sevier House on Q Street. All eight home gardens were on the east side of town, as some observers noted, due to the O and P Streets reconstruction on the west side.

Anna Fuhrman’s P Street back garden, with its clever use of a small space, surprised and delighted visitors, while the mansion on Q Street is large enough to impress as well as include a garden entrance on P Street. Three homes adjacent to each other on 28th Street contain details to show off their own personalities: Boyden Gray’s old-school Georgetown feel; the Wests’ almost exclusive, energetic use of white flowers and plants; a Hugh Jacobsen addition to the Hodges house that leads to a soothing and cozy patio and garden. The Pillsburys’ sculptures from Bali complete a contemplative green space on O Street.

At Christ Church, the Georgetown Garden Club greeted those on the tour, sold items for gardeners, young and old, and had people lined up for its afternoon tea. As sponsor of the tour, the non-profit Georgetown Garden Club stated: “All proceeds from the tour are returned to Georgetown, to its parks, recreation facilities and green spaces and beautiful trees. We dedicate our efforts to a vibrant, clean environment that can be enjoyed by all who stroll the streets of our village.”

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Meeting at UDC Tonight on Wisconsin Avenue Work in Glover Park
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In response to concerns about the construction work in Glover Park along Wisconsin Avenue, Ward 3 council member Mary Cheh and Terry Bellamy, director of D.C.’s Department of Transportation, will meet with residents in Window’s Lounge at the University of the District of Columbia from 7 to 8:30 p.m., 4200 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

Among other upper northwest D.C. items to be discussed, DDOT will address the Glover Park construction on Wisconsin Avenue. The projects widens sidewalks, includes a median and turn lanes and a reduction in traffic lanes.

Residents and Georgetown’s advisory neighborhood commission contend that there is additional traffic on side streets because of Wisconsin Avenue back-ups and want a traffic study on the problem.

DDOT disagree and wrote: “The original Glover Park Transportation Study did basic modeling of future traffic conditions with the recommended improvements and did not identify any critical problems. For this reason we do not believe it necessary to halt the construction project for further study. As DDOT began construction on the Wisconsin Avenue Streetscape project, we have done some spot traffic and speed counts at Tunlaw and 37th Street. This will provide another data point in addition to the baseline data used in the planning study, and we will continue to monitor conditions both during and after construction.”

To improve information about schedules and other questions, DDOT created a website for the job: WisconsinAvenueProject.com.

Fancy Food Show Wows, Wins Over D.C.
• May 3, 2012

The 57th Summer Fancy Food Show occupied the exhibit halls of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, from July 10 to 12, as buyers and other attendees walked the aisles “to spot hot trends, find new ideas and source the latest products for stores and restaurants for the year to come” — and to sample foods, which included the latest trends and flavors in chocolate, artisanal meats and cheeses, confections, snacks, beverages, salsas, spices and natural and organic products.

With 180,000 products from 2,400 exhibitors representing 80 countries and regions, the show was overwhelming. Not open to the general public, it is run by the the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), which says “the $70 billion U.S. specialty food industry is on the rebound after a period of holding back.” Indeed, the show is the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages in North America — and there was no holding back at the convention center. There were some familiar brands to causal attendees, but many exhibitors displayed unique, high-quality foods.

“We are so pleased to bring our show to Washington, D.C., as unprecedented interest in artisanal food and innovative products creates wonderful opportunities for buyers and suppliers,” said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT. The Summer Fancy Food Show moved to Washington, D.C., this year from its long-time home at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York due to ongoing construction. It will be held again in D.C. in 2012.

One local attendee, advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels, was enthusiastic not only about the show but about its economic benefits for D.C. “This is a great benefit for hotels, restaurants and tourism nearby and around the District.”

A panel of trendspotters, coordinated by the NASFT, cited these trends: “Booze-Infused Foods,” such as Chili Lime Tequila Tortilla Brittle from Anette’s Chocolates or wine-infused ice cream from Mercer’s Dairy; “Give it a Try Kits,” like Grow Your Own Mushroom Garden from Back to the Roots; “Popped Food” like Black Truffle & White Cheddar Popcorn from 479 Degrees Popcorn; “Japanese-Inspired Eats,” such as Yuzu Gummy Pandas from Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier; “Cherries” like Bada Bing Cherries from Tillen Farms. Other trends identified at the Summer Fancy Food Show include coconut in food and beverages, salts from around the globe and innovative dairy products such as goat milk yogurt.

Winners of the 39th sofi Awards for the outstanding specialty foods and beverages of the year — ranging from cheese, chocolate and crackers to meat, past and snack foods — were announced at the show hosted by celebrity chef Cat Cora. (A sofi Award is considered the highest honor in the $70-billion specialty food industry. “sofi” stands for specialty outstanding food innovation.)

The big international food pavilions included Italy, Spain, Morocco, India, South Africa, Mexico, Chile and Jamaica; food aisles for states included Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Vermont and New York.

At the end of the show, food was donated to D.C. Central Kitchen, which had teams ready to gather the samples.
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