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Georgetowner • April 18, 2016

The 2016 Georgetown House Tour and Tea, on Saturday, April 23, will showcase 10 homes. View them all here.

Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 ($5 more at the door) and include the house tour magazine and tea at St. John’s Episcopal Church, tour headquarters, between 2 and 5 p.m. St. John’s is located at 3240 O St. NW.

St. John’s members Jill and Scott Altman are co-chairing the event, which dates to 1931. Scott Altman, who flew F-14s in the film “Top Gun,” spent more than 50 days in space and commanded the final two Hubble servicing missions.

The 2016 patrons’ party will take place Wednesday, April 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the residence of Bill Dean, 2819 P St. NW. Sponsorship levels are $200, $500, $1,000 and $2,500, with the proceeds benefiting the St. John’s ministries to homeless adults and children, the unemployed, senior citizens and young children in D.C. schools.

For details, visit georgetownhousetour.com.

Juliana Zovak •

As of today, April 11, D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has opened the liquor license application process for restaurants in Georgetown. Businesses can start the application process online by visiting abra.dc.gov/node/676542.

Since Georgetown’s 27-year-old liquor license moratorium expired April 9, there is no longer a limit on the number of restaurant licenses that can be issued in the neighborhood.
The board tweeted out the link to the application this morning.

Interested candidates must first complete the application with the necessary documentation, then submit it for approval. The process could take several months from start to finish.

While Georgetown’s moratorium has ended, tavern and nightclub licenses in the neighborhood are still limited by a separate law.

There remain four moratorium zones in the District. Adams Morgan has restrictions that severely limit the number of licenses for taverns and restrict them entirely for nightclubs within the moratorium zone (restaurants and hotels are exempt). The East Dupont moratorium zone specifies two licenses for taverns and no licenses for nightclubs. In the West Dupont zone, no nightclubs can be issued licenses. Set to expire May 3, the Glover Park moratorium zone has several limits on new retailer’s licenses.

Percy Metcalfe •

Vice President Joe Biden delivered a speech March 24 at Georgetown University Law School on the nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.  Biden was introduced to a full room by Georgetown Law Professor Victoria Nourse, who has served as a senior advisor to the vice president.

Biden called Garland “eminently qualified” and a voice of “moderation.” He urged Republican members of the Senate to  hold a hearing on the nominee’s potential promotion to the bench.


The vice president took the opportunity to refute claims that he had schemed to block a George H. W. Bush nominee to a potential opening on the bench in 1992.

Republicans have referred to then-Sen. Biden’s speech as the “Biden rule,” when he appeared to be arguing that the Senate did not have to act on a Court nomination during a presidential election year.

“There is no Biden rule,” said Biden, formerly a chairman of the Senate the Judiciary Committee. “It doesn’t exist. There is only one rule I ever followed in the Judiciary Committee. That was the Constitution’s clear rule of advice and consent.”

He said that Senate Republicans were “quoting selectively” from his own remarks on the issue to legitimize their intransigence over Garland’s nomination.


“The longer this high court vacancy remains unfilled, the more serious a problem we will face — a problem compounded by turbulence, confusion and uncertainty about our safety and security, our liberty and privacy, the future of our children and grandchildren,” Biden said. “In times like these, we need more than ever a fully functioning court.”


Biden called on Senate Republicans to prevent the dysfunction on Capitol Hill from spreading to another branch of the government. 

Gary Tischler •

“May you live in interesting times,” goes the ancient Chinese curse, which may not be Chinese at all.

Chinese or not, that the saying is a curse feels right. The times are certainly interesting, and it’s not a pleasant experience. Over the last month or two, we have seen events that are certainly impactful, perhaps epochal.

We’ve seen the death of a long-standing, often controversial Supreme Court justice.

We’ve seen a sitting president make a historic — and controversial — trip to Cuba.

We’ve seen yet another devastating terrorist attack in Europe.

You’d think that events like this would dominate the news for days on end, and to some extent, they have — but perhaps not in the way you might prefer.

In one way or another, all of these events have become grist for the political mills of our times. We are living, after all, in a presidential campaign year.

More specifically, we’re living in the age of Donald Trump, and the degradation of our election process, which has hyper-elevated and showcased the divisions in our country.

Consider, for instance, the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Upon the news of his death, at warp speed, Republican stalwarts from the Senate majority leader to the GOP presidential candidates at that time flatly stated that they would not consider a nomination to the empty slot on the court by President Barack Obama, even though it is his constitutional duty to do just that.

This obdurate stance comes in spite of the fact that almost every national poll shows that a majority of the American people want a candidate nominated and voted on. The president has actually nominated a candidate who appears to be a moderate, non-ideological and highly qualified, who was approved by the Senate for his current position.

It’s likely that this will be a major and volatile campaign issue through the remainder of the election year (unless, of course, there are leaked nude pictures of John Kasich).

President Obama was blasted for his trip to Cuba, which was almost a given. His tango dance in Argentina also came in for criticism.

Last week, in Brussels, Islamic State terrorists killed 35 people in attacks at the airport and at a train station. Several of the dead were Americans. Donald Trump had said that he had predicted this catastrophe and blamed Belgium for intelligence failures. This was followed by an attack in Pakistan on a Christian enclave during Easter, killing more than 60 people.

It was a horrible reminder of the times we live in.

In Campaign 2016, however, the news was about the candidates’ wives, or rather, how they were being treated by the campaigns. A pro-Cruz PAC had published semi-nude pictures from a GQ photo shoot some years ago of Trump’s wife Melania. This appeared to incense Trump to the point where he threatened to “spill the beans” about Cruz’s wife Gretchen, releasing an unflattering photo of her alongside one of Melania. Then the National Enquirer printed a story claiming that Cruz had conducted several extramarital affairs. Cruz called the claims “garbage” and said Trump was behind it. Trump denied that.

While Bernie Sanders is still carrying on an all-in, all-out battle against Hillary Clinton almost unnoticed, this is what Campaign 2016 has become on the GOP side. We have found the cellar door in the basement. It should be noted that the media is aiding and abetting this process even while complaining about it on the air.

Amazingly, it appears that no one saw Trump coming, now that he’s within reach of the Republican nomination. And, as yet, no one has figured out a way to keep him from marching on. It’s likely that the only candidate who can undo Trump is Trump. (God knows, he’s tried.)

There is a hiatus now before the next big primary in Wisconsin next Tuesday. Maybe, instead of stoking incipient scandals that aren’t scandals, we ought to look around us. This week, in Washington, we’ve been blessed with the gift of cherry blossoms. Let’s take a deep breath. Let’s imagine a day without a tweet from Donald Trump or a scolding from Ted Cruz or a hug from John Kasich.

Maybe then the curse will be lifted.

Gary Tischler • April 11, 2016

In the aftermath of the Jeffrey Thompson guilty plea and plea bargain Monday—in which he alleged that Mayor Vincent Gray knew about and participated in the 2010 shadow campaign with which Thompson raised more than $600,000, the time-running-out campaign has changed rapidly, but without any visible rush to judgement with only under three weeks to go before the Democratic primary April 1.

The mayor denied, denied, calling Thompson allegation lies, lies and falsehoods while his manager consistently refers to a smear campaign.

After being interview on the day of the testimony, Gray, who said he was shocked by the allegations, went on the attack in a State of the District address. A mostly friendly Ward 7 crowd was asked this question by him: “Who do you believe? . . . A greedy man attempting to save himself? Or me, a public servant who has dedicated his entire career to giving back to your communities?”

Nobody has attempted to answer that question directly, except a Washington Post columnist who flatly said he is convinced that Gray lied. Gray has his defenders, while his rivals are scrambling to take advantages of the inherent advantage in recent events.

Tommy Wells, the lone candidate who has made a point of not accepting corporate donations (and therefore, of course, lags in available funds) picked up two endorsements, Gray lost one. Wells picked up the endorsements of GreaterGreater Washington and the DC Police Union, Fraternal Order of Police & Metropolitan Police Department Labor Committee. The Current newspapers, which had endorsed Gray in their previous issue, touted his good job on managing the city but then withdrew their endorsement in light of the Thompson news.

Meanwhile, At-large Councilman David Catania, who had already said that he would run for mayor if the mayor should happen to win the primary, made it official earlier than expected. In announcing his candidacy, he said, “This whole drama that we’ve had, this Jeff Thompson-Vince Gray drama, the time has come for this to end.” Catania, who is an independent, is not a part of the primary election but the winner of the Democratic Primary will face him in the general election in November.

The “This is the Week that Was” of the campaign leaves the outcome muddled, especially in the potential fate of the mayor. The U.S. attorney Ron Machen has not specified any other dates for any future indictments, which could, presumably include the mayor.

Robert Devaney •

Georgetown’s fashion-forward retail takeover continues, whether you like it or not.

The clothing and accessories mega-store Forever 21 will come to M Street along the sidewalk-front retail space owned by Georgetown Park in the 20,000-square-foot space once occupied by H&M, which moved a few doors down the street to larger digs, according to the Washington Business Journal. The New York Times described Forever 21 as “Faster Fashion, Cheaper Chic.”

Founded in Los Angeles in 1984 by Do Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook Chang as Fashion 21, Forever 21 says it is “celebrated by many style conscious and trend-savvy shoppers … and has quickly become the source for the most current fashions at the greatest value.” Its flagship store is in Pasadena, Calif. The company boasts more than 480 locations.

D.C.’s first Forever 21 is in the old Woodie’s building in downtown on F Street. The Georgetown store will be Forever 21’s second D.C. location.

The reconstructed retail space, known as Georgetown Park, which once was an interior shopping mall, was described by Business Journal as “quickly becoming a destination for bargain shoppers” and “the epicenter of bargains in tony Georgetown.” It also cited H&M, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods and the soon-to-open DSW.

Robert Devaney •

Already part of the Georgetown scene, Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank got a little more involved a few weeks ago by purchasing 3150 M St., NW.

The trophy retail space at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street which once housed Nathans Restaurant was purchased, according to the Washington Business Journal, by “War Horse LLC, a real estate development firm started by Scott Plank, a former Under Armour executive and brother of founder Kevin Plank.”

The purchase of the property was first reported by The Georgetowner Feb. 27: “One of the most recognized properties at Georgetown’s most famous intersection was sold Feb. 21 for $12.25 million by the Heon family to 3150 M Street, LLC.”

Interestingly, the Heon and Plank families are acquainted. Some members of the Heon family live in Kensington, Md., where Kevin Plank’s mother Jayne served as mayor. Both families have a Georgetown connection. The Heons in Maryland were the ones contacted by the Planks, and they helped set up the deal, according to one Heon family member.

The identity of the new owner was learned last week. “Scott Plank’s firm plans to lease the building to the Baltimore-based performance athletic clothing company to open a signature Under Armour Brand House retail shop,” the Business Journal previously reported. “Under Armour spokeswoman Diane Pelkey said the company has not signed a lease at the Georgetown location.” Pelkey later told the Washington Post: “Kevin’s personal real estate entity did buy it, but has not yet made plans for the use of the building.”

The future of Serendipity 3 restaurant, which occupies the 6,662 square-foot building at 3150 M St., NW, is unclear. The Washington location of the famed New York-based ice cream and hamburger joint has one year left on its lease.

The Heon family – which sold the former Georgetown Theater property to Georgetown architect Robert Bell for redevelopment in October 2013 – had owned the corner property for 100 years. During the middle of the 20th century, the family lived in the upper floors of 3150 M St., NW. For the present generation, this was where parents and grandparents lived.

For the Planks, a home on 35th Street near O Street is often cited. It was where Kevin Plank started Under Armour in his grandmother’s basement. It is even mentioned in a TV commercial for a computer company. Also, it was Kevin Plank who purchased the Ambassador David Bruce House at 34th and O Streets from Deborah Winsor, widow of Bank of Georgetown cofounder Curtin Winsor, in July 2013 for $7.85 million. Plank attended Georgetown Prep and St. John’s College High School and graduated from the University of Maryland.

Robert Devaney •

It is back to the drawing board, once again, for developer EastBanc and its proposed condos at the Key Bridge Exxon property on Canal Road, known as Georgetown Hillside. A March 6 decision by the Old Georgetown Board asked the developed to redraw its conceptual plans.

With its 1055 Water condo project well on its way to completion, the developer returned to its condo plans for the gas station property, next to the “Exorcist” steps and the Car Barn. In April 2011, EastBanc’s plans called for a 35-unit building to raise to the height of Prospect Street properties above. At the time, EastBanc head Anthony Lanier later sidelined the project.

Designs for the M Street-Canal Road condos were also re-introduced at the March 3 meeting of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E as well as the March 6 OGB meeting. Both community groups panned the condo plans for the condos, describing them as out of step with the architectural context of the neighborhood. Plans are also criticized by the neighbors who live up the hillside on the 3600 block of Prospect Street, NW.

According to EastBanc, plans call for 26 to 28 units, “averaging 2,500 square feet in size,” each with two parking spaces.

Gary Tischler •

That noise you’ve been hearing outside and coming from your television, iPad and phone screens—that’s not a Derecho. That’s Uncle Earl coming clean, and that’s the sound of D.C.’s 2014 Democratic primary exploding.

Uncle Earl would be D.C. businessman Jeffrey Thompson testifying in a D.C. federal court about the 2010 “shadow campaign” that he financed an effort that allegedly funneled more than $600,000 into then candidate for Mayor Vincent Gray’s campaign. Thompson alleged that Gray knew about the shadow campaign and that he had come to him for help, and that he, Thompson, agreed to help, but that he wanted the effort kept secret and wanted to be referred to in any references as “Uncle Earl.”

Since late last week, Thompson, the figure central to alleged off-the-books contributions (the shadow campaign) to Gray, but to the campaigns of District Council members, federal candidates for office and others, had been rumored to be in negotiation with federal attorneys for a plea bargain.

Today, that bargain was revealed: Thompson was charged with subverting campaign finance laws and plead guilty to one count each of conspiring to break federal and local campaign finance laws over six years, through illegal contributions and off-the-books spending of more than $2 million, according to the Washington Post.

Gray has said all along during the course of the investigation, in which several Gray campaign aides were indicted, charged or pled guilty, that he had not done anything — although he did apologize for his campaign’s activities. Thompson essentially alleged that Gray did indeed know and about the contributions to the shadow campaign and asked for them. Gray has not been charged with any crime. He has denied any wrongdoing in the 2010 campaign.

Gray called the allegations “lies” and in an interview with WRC’s Tom Sherwood said that “these are lies and falsehoods.”

Assistant U.S Attorney Michael Atkinson said, “Gray agreed to keep Mr. Thompson’s support secret.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Thompson could face at least six months in prison. The agreement was approved by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

The guilty plea by Thompson and the allegations and information coming out will have a firestorm impact on the Democratic mayoral primary campaign with only a little more than two weeks left in the campaign. Gray has been leading in the polls, which were accompanied by serious trust issues expressed by voters about the 2010 campaign and Gray. The primary election day is April 1.

Robert Devaney •

Bank of Georgetown, founded in 2005, celebrated the life of its co-founder, Curtin Winsor III, who died in December 2012, as well as a new corporate headquarters at 1115 30th St., NW, March 5, at its 11th branch — the Winsor Branch. Friends and colleagues gathered to observe the ribbon cutting and wish the bank continued success, as its co-founder Mike Fitzgerald, chairman, president, and CEO, toasted his business partner, Curt Winsor, remembering the early days of the bank. Bank of Georgetown has 112 employees and assets in excess of $925 million — and offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. [gallery ids="101660,145037,145041,145045,145051,145060,145054,145058" nav="thumbs"]