Latest News

Gary Tischler • April 18, 2016

If you look at the many pictures of the Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke, who died at the age of 69 this week, you’ll see two or three things that take her out of the classic Hollywood milieu of female stars.

First of all, there was nothing typical about Duke’s rise to prominence at a very early age, or even about her struggles thereafter, both of which she wrote about cleanly and honestly in her autobiography “Call Me Anna” in 1987. She was by any measure abused and/or abandoned by her parents, and by her agents who changed her name and robbed her of much of earnings. She also suffered from bipolarism, a clinical condition which she fought all of her life.

The record of her life photographically isn’t so much a collection of snapshots, or celebrity paparazzi records, or glamour stills that mark the resume and files of most female actresses. It’s a progression — of her profession, but also of her life. She started out in commercials and soaps on television, but then snagged a remarkable stage role on Broadway, opposite Anne Bancroft, playing the child Helen Keller in William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker,” a play which ran for almost two years.

That success was repeated in the black-and-white film version directed by Arthur Penn. Her performance won Duke an Academy Award for best supporting actress, with Bancroft winning the Best Actress Award. At 16, Duke was the youngest actress to ever win an Oscar at the time. (Tatum O’Neal, who had a far different sort of career path, would later win the Oscar for “Paper Moon” at the age of ten, acting with her father Ryan.)

When she received her award, from George Chakiris of “West Side Story,” Duke looked every bit the little teenaged lady in a grown-up gown, with tears flowing, clutching the Oscar. She simply said, “Thank you,” beating O’Neal (who said “I just want to thank my director, Peter Bogdanovich, and my father”) for brevity.

This was followed by a different sort of stardom in the TV sitcom “The Patty Duke Show,” in which she played identical twin cousins — one a classical music lover and little adult, the other a rock-and-roller — from 1963 through 1966. The show, which still has its followers and people who can sing the entire theme song, was one of those wholesome and somewhat silly antidotes to the different sort of youth culture that was raging outside the television tube in the 1960s.

Duke followed that with an over-the-top but effective appearance in “Valley of the Dolls,” in which she played a pill-popping, boozing vaudeville star on the way down.

Turned out there was quite a connection to both efforts in terms of Duke’s personal life. That ability to play two radically different personalities in the sitcom was a reflection of her real-life bipolar issues, which in turn played out in often out-of-control behavior during several marriages.

She returned to television often, including playing the Anne Bancroft role in a TV movie of “The Miracle Worker” and a number of highly praised roles in what might be called social-problem television movies. All along, she grew professionally, playing whistle-blowers, mothers, professionals and abused spouses with a kind of dignity and crisp intelligence that did not scream “Hollywood star.”

If you watched her then, you saw somebody different: the talent that was on such grand display in “The Miracle Worker” and, in lesser ways, in “The Patty Duke Show” remained, but with the addition of a kind of maturity.

That’s what you notice about the photographs of her, too. She looked different every time out, although it’s fair to say the inner talent shined through. The progression — with all the personal troubles, the four marriages, the addictions, the medical and mental issues — was nonetheless apparent. She wasn’t vying for awards, stardom, an extension of youth, none of the things that make maturity such a difficult thing for Hollywood stars. In all those television movies, her name remained the same, but her persona fleshed out into someone authentic — a rare thing in Hollywood, where everything is after all make-believe, a suspension of all belief.

In those films, she aged, just like everyone else. And her work matured, to a kind of plainspoken articulation of the dramatic situation in which she was involved. Personally, too, there was a maturation, a surmounting of chaos. And once she started talking about her bipolar disorder, she found a cause, too, as a mental health advocate, founding a mental health foundation that bears her name.

She married her fourth husband, drill sergeant Michael Pearce, in 1986. They were still husband and wife at the time of her death at the age of 69.

In the pictures, Duke gradually, sometimes painfully, always with interest, became something you rarely see among the stars:

A grown-up at the center of a life fully lived.

Juliana Zovak •

The World Peeps Eating Championship is the headliner event for National Harbor’s Peeps Day on April 2, celebrating the opening of the first Peeps and Company retail store in 2009 at the harbor.

The contest, which begins at 1 p.m., features professional competitive eaters, including #1 ranked Matt Stonie, who recently posted a video on Youtube in which he ate 200 Peeps in just over 14 minutes. Juliet Lee, who lives in Germantown, Md., is ranked eighth in the world and will also compete.

The winner of the five-minute contest will receive a trophy and a $1,750 prize with smaller amounts being awarded to the runners-up.

At noon, there will be an amateur eating contest with the winner of the 2-minute challenge getting the chance to contend with the competitive eaters in the championship.

The event will also include a DJ, activities for kids and a movie showing.

Georgetowner •

**Warby Barker**

APRIL 1ST, 2016 AT 04:00 PM | FREE | TEL: 202-618-5605

The designer eyewear shop hosts an April Fools party for dogs, where they can “sit” for their portraits, chow down and make new best friends.

Address
3225 M St. NW

**Rethinking Modernism Today**

APRIL 1ST, 2016 AT 01:00 PM | FREE | AMERICANARTPROGRAMS@SI.EDU | TEL: (202) 633-8490 | [EVENT WEBSITE](http://americanart.si.edu/calendar/event.cfm?trumbaEmbed=eventid%3D118057401%26view%3Devent%26-childview%3D%26returnUrl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Famericanart.si.edu%252Fcalendar%252Fevent.cfm)

Hear prominent art historians and museum curators Barbara Haskell, Valerie Fletcher, and Randall Griffey discuss major American artists featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Crosscurrents exhibition, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, and David Smith, and explore their immersion in modernism, including the influence of their European counterparts.

Address
800 G Street NW

**By Catch By Hand**

APRIL 1ST, 2016 AT 06:00 PM | FREE | TEL: 202-333-4868

P Street Gallerie shows three collaborative works by vegan painter Dana Ellyn and sustainable couture fashion designer Lucy Tammam, along with examples of their individual creations. Work will also be on view on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address
3235 P St. NW

**Sneaker Mania DMV**

APRIL 2ND, 2016 AT 12:00 PM | $20

More than 50 vendors will be buying, selling and trading thousands of pairs of exclusive shoes.

Address
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.

**Ethan Parker Band at Gypsy Sally’s**

APRIL 2ND, 2016 AT 08:00 PM | FREE | TEL: 202-333-7700

The rhythm and folk band from Tampa performs to support its recently released “From the Mountains to the Sea” album and Project Primavera, a nonprofit that works with orphans and at-risk youth.

Address
3401 K St. NW

**Canadian Brass**

APRIL 3RD, 2016 AT 05:00 PM | TICKETS: $40. EACH | SAM@STJOHNSGEORGETOWN.ORG | TEL: 202-338-1796 | [EVENT WEBSITE](http://www.stjohnsgeorgetown.org/concertseries/)

Beyond their virtuosic musicality and technical superiority, “the world’s most famous brass group” possesses the creativity, unbeatable humor and genuine love of performing that has become the hallmark of the Canadian Brass. In an entertaining and diverse program, experience firsthand why this quintet deserves its impressive international reputation as the brightest ambassadors of the brass repertoire for the past four decades.

Address
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3240 O St. NW.

**Malmaison Wedding Experience**

APRIL 3RD, 2016 AT 06:00 PM | $50 FOR ONE, $90 FOR TWO | TEL: 202-817-3340

This wedding showcase is an evening of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, champagne cocktails, flash fashion, hair and makeup touch ups, flowers and photography.

Address
Malmaison, 3401 Water St. NW.

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"]

Robert Devaney •

Because of the snow storm, the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission (2E) has moved its monthly meeting to Tuesday; it usually meets on Monday. Top attention-getters for the meeting are the proposed designs for the renovation of Duke Ellington School for the Arts on 35th Street and the proposed condominiums at 36th Street and M Street (Canal Road), next to the Exorcist Steps and the Car Barn. The condos by EastBanc will occupy the property where the Key Bridge Exxon now stands; the gas station will be closed.

Here is Tuesday evening’s agenda, as provided by ANC 2E:

We will be meeting this month at the Georgetown Visitation School, 35th and Volta Place, Little Odeon Room, first building on left by gatehouse, 3rd floor. Councilmember Jack Evans has kindly accepted our invitation to join us at this meeting and speak with the community — and will join us during a break in the regular meeting agenda.

Approval of the Agenda

•Approval of March 3, 2014, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

•Approval of February 3, 2014, Meeting Minutes

•Public Safety and Police Report

•Financial Report

•Transportation Report

•DPW Report

Community Comment

New Business

•DC Water Green Infrastructure Project Plan – Georgetown Waterfront implications

•Marine Corps Marathon – October 2014

•American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure – September 27, 2014

•West Side Club Volta Park Picnics – Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day

DDOT Public Space

•3206 N Street, NW, Neyla Mediterranean Grill, DDOT Tracking No. 10126007, Application to occupy public space for the purpose of Valet Staging Area

ABC License renewal:

•1063 31st Street, NW, Il Canale, ABRA License No. ABRA-83707, Requesting to expand to 1065 31st Street, NW/1st and 2nd floors/ Sidewalk Café increase to 30 seats/Summer Garden to 150 seats/Increase Seating Occupancy Load to 442 (Petition March 17, Hearing March 31, 2014)

The following establishment is not anticipated to be reviewed by ANC 2E for license renewal. Please contact ANC 2E by Friday, February 28, if you have an issue.

•1025 31st Street, NW, Zenobia Lounge, (Petition March 17, Hearing March 31, 2014)

Zoning

2803 Dumbarton Street, NW, BZA Application No. 18739, Application for special exception for a two story rear addition to a one-family row dwelling not meeting the court requirements (Hearing April 15, 2014)

CFA/HPRB
SMD 01, 1680 35th Street, NW, Duke Ellington School of the Arts remodeling – DGS design revisions to earlier proposal

Old Georgetown Board

MAJOR PROJECTS: SMD 05, 3601-3607 M Street, NW, OG 14-113 (HPA 14-220) Residential, New
building, Concept

PRIVATE PROJECTS: 1. SMD 06, 1337 27th Street, NW, OG 14-108 (HPA 14-213) Residence,
Alterations to brick wall, Concept

2. SMD 06, 1339 27th Street, NW, OG 14-107 (HPA 14-212) Residence, Alterations to brick wall, Concept

3. SMD 06, 1341 27th Street, NW, OG 14-105 (HPA 14-210) Residence, Alterations to brick wall, Concept

4. SMD 06, 1343 27th Street, NW, OG 14-106 (HPA 14-211) Residence, Alterations to brick wall, Concept

5. SMD 02, 1675 35th Street, NW, OG 14-114 (HPA 14-223) Residence, Pergola, Permit

6. SMD 03, 3238 P Street, NW, OG 14-103 (HPA 14-206) Residence, Three- story rear addition, Concept

7. SMD 03, 1357 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 14-14-084 (HPA 14-158) Commercial, Three-story rear addition, Revised Concept

8. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 14-110 (HPA 14-216) Georgetown University – Shaw Field, Accessory building, press box, alterations, Concept

9. SMD 05, 3034 M Street, NW, OG 14-097 (HPA 14-193) Commercial, Kate Spade, Awnings and sign for “Kate Spade – New York,” Permit

10. SMD 05, 3314 M Street, NW, OG 14-111 (HPA 14-217) Commercial, Alterations to Cady’s Alley: green screens, lighting, bumps, Permit

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E:

The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming March 6, 2014, 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, Feb. 28.

1. SMD 02, 1660 34th Street, NW, OG 14-062 (HPA 14-104) Residence, Rear additions, reconstruction of front façade, Concept – revised design

2. SMD 02, 3306 R Street, NW, OG 14-077 (HPA 14-123) Residence, Addition at roof level, Concept

3. SMD 02, 3210 Scott Place, NW, OG 14-109 (HPA 14-215) Residence, Retaining wall at rear, Permit

4. SMD 03, 1511 33rd Street, NW, OG 14-036 (HPA 14-058) Residence, Replacement windows at rear – existing, Permit

5. SMD 03, 3240 P Street, NW, OG 14-053 (HPA 14-077) Commercial, 2-story rear addition plus basement, Concept – revised design

6. SMD 03, 3107 Dumbarton Street, NW, OG 14-058 (HPA 14-100) Residence, 2-story rear addition to replace 2-story porch, Concept

7. SMD 03, 3261 Prospect Street, NW, OG 14-101 (HPA 14-204) Commercial, Alterations, blade sign for “Lady Camellia,” Permit

8.
SMD 03, 1351 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 14-007 (HPA 14-011) Commercial, Demolition, roof top addition, alterations to garage and new loggia, Concept – revised design

9. SMD 05, 1115 30th Street, NW, OG 14-112 (HPA 14-219) Commercial, Replacement windows, Permit

10. SMD 05, 3334 Cady’s Alley, NW, OG 14-098 (HPA 14-194) Commercial, Lighting and signs for “Donghia,” Permit

11. SMD 05, 1241 Potomac Street, NW, OG 14-95 (HPA 14-179) Residence, Rear fence replacement, Permit

12. SMD 06, 2725 N Street, NW, OG 14-094 (HPA 14-172) Residence, Alterations to dormer at rear, Permit

13. SMD 06, 2531 P Street, NW, OG 14-031 (HPA 14-036) Commercial, Awnings – existing, Permit

14. SMD 06, 2531 P Street, NW, OG 14-033 (HPA 14-046) Commercial, Signs for “TTR / Sotheby’s International Realty,” Permit

15. SMD 06, 3030 P Street, NW, OG 14-117 (HPA 14-227) Residence, Partial demolition, 2-story rear addition, alterations, Permit

16. SMD 06, 3036 P Street, NW, OG 14-096 (HPA 14-192) Residence, Replacement windows at rear, Permit

17. SMD 07, 1644 31st Street, NW, OG 14-115 (HPA 14-225) Tudor Place, Alterations to west entrance, fence and sliding gate, Permit

18. SMD 07, 1644 31st Street, NW, OG 14-104 (HPA 14-207) Tudor Place, Repairs to slate roof on Administration Building, Permit

19. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 14-055 (HPA 14-080) Georgetown University, New construction – residence hall, Revised concept

Sent out 4 p.m., Feb. 27: GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E — 3265 S St., NW — 202-724-7098 — anc2e@dc.gov — www.anc2e.com.