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Gary Tischler • April 11, 2016

Carol Burnett, a legendary, triple-threat (television-movies-stage) performer, has been named the recipient of the 2013 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

It’s about time. Burnett brings the award back to a lifetime achievement award status with — at the age of 80 — a rich, if probably not yet finished, career to her credit. Her 11-year-television show, named after her, full of skits with idiosyncratic sidekicks, regulars and notable guests making appearances, was named one of the 100 best television shows ever.

The prize gives Burnett the distinction of being one of the few artists of any sort to win both a Kennedy Center Honor and a Mark Twain Prize, and the only woman to do so.

There have been, in fact, five women awarded the Mark Twain Prize, three in the last four years, counting Burnett. Ellen DeGeneres, the sparkling sitcom star, standup comedian and star of her own talk show won last year. Two years ago Tina Fey, the popular Saturday Night Live regular, star of her own sitcom and a number of films, was awarded the prize at the tender age of 40, with the kind of resume that could pass for a footnote on Burnett’s career. Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin have also won the prize.

If you look at Burnett’s life, times and professional career—let’s not forget her appearances on “All My Children,” a daytime soap opera of which she was a super fan and in which she made several appearances as Verla Grubbs, the long-lost daughter of Langley Wallingford—she strung together acts of magic and creation.

Sure, she was a comedienne—and a sometime hoofer, a Broadway star, a television super-star and finally a much beloved legend—but perhaps the best compliment you can throw her is that she was a fine, remarkable actress, because all those klutzy characters, those loud, insecure seekers of attention, those skits and sketches and send-ups of famous and infamous people, were about acting. As somebody wise once said, it’s easy to do tragedy, but comedy is hard.

Burnett is one of those true believers—in herself—who came out on top by sheer force of perseverance. She grew up in tough circumstances, raised in Texas and then California by a grandmother. She studied journalism, but when the acting bug bit her, well, she’s still got the teeth marks. Look at the record: “The Carol Burnett Show” lasted 11 years, had an average of 30 million viewers in pre-cable days. She or her show received 25 Emmy Awards, 12 People’s Choice Awards, eight Golden Globes, the Horatio Alger Award, the Peabody Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is a member of the Television Hall of Fame and has an entire square named after her in Los Angeles.

And she has friends, slews of them, in a business not noted for its kindness. But Carol Burnett is just that—and she’s always preternaturally funny.

Did we forget—she’s written three books and a play, which she co-wrote with her late daughter Carrie, who passed away from cancer four months before it was scheduled to open in Chicago? “Hollywood Arms,” directed by Hal Rince, opened on Broadway in 2012.

Playing in clubs and staging her own musical revue, she struggled in New York until she ended up singing a song she made famous, the satirical “I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles” on television. A star turn in the comedic musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” came next and was followed later by an Emmy-Award winning special, “Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall,” which was performed with her good friend and star Julie Andrews. Burnett’s own show debuted in 1967.

You could find regulars like Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, who had nothing in common except talent that was, like that of the star of the show, unique, original and one-of-a-kind. Over the years, stars Lucille Ball, Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minelli, Rock Hudson, Jimmy Stewart, Gloria Swanson, Betty White, Cher, Dick Van Dyke and, yes, Ronald Reagan appeared on her show.

The constant was Burnett. She was always funny, often endearing, seemingly made of three left feet, but always human. When you saw her on stage, in your living room, at a lecture hall, in a movie, you always saw a piece of yourself and the voice was instantly recognizable, whether you were a man, woman or child, old, young or confused. She knew how to play the full scale of what performers can do and that’s what made her a great comedienne as well as a great actress.

She lent her quirky and believably humorous qualities to films: “The Four Seasons,” the remarkably powerful “Friendly Fire” on television and numerous other projects. We spotted her once playing a black widow serial killer on “Law and Order: SVU,” where she managed to be both scary and touching.

Mark Twain would indeed be pleased.

Robert Devaney •

The Senator Charles H. Percy Plaza was officially opened May 23 at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and K Street. Percy Plaza forms the gateway to Georgetown Waterfront Park, which the longtime Republican senator from Illinois and Georgetown resident helped make a reality by his leadership and commitment in the park’s development.

Bob vom Eigen, president of Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park, welcomed park supporters and volunteers as children played in the water fountain next to them. Along with the Percy family, vom Eigen thanked those who worked to complete the park, such as Grace Bateman and Jonda McFarlane. Councilman Jack Evans thanked the District Government for the additional millions of dollars for the park and all those who worked to get the park completed.

Percy loved the water and loved to swim each day, said daughter WETA president and CEO Sharon Percy Rockefeller. “He would be humbled but very proud” of the plaza named after him, she said of her father. With that, the Percy family and friends walked towards K Street and pulled the cord to unveil a new D.C. street sign: “Senator Charles H. Percy Plaza.”
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Robert Devaney •

Billy Reid, the men’s and women’s clothing store with Southern roots, opens May 10 at 3211 M St., NW., near the intersection of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

“We are very excited to be opening and to be in Georgetown,” said store director Camie Crawford, who hails Potomac, Md.

“We’ve been looking forward to opening a shop in Georgetown for several years,” fashion designer Billy Reid told Women’s Wear Daily. “3211 M Street NW is a beautiful building and has allowed us to advance our store model as we continue to evolve in design concept. The city has such a great energy and a style that mixes traditional with modern so well.”

A grand-opening party for the new store is planned for the end of May. Reid himself is expected to attend.

While strong in men’s fashion, the multi-level store include a women’s collection, “The Made in the USA Heirloom” brand as well as made-to-measure services.

The store also sells antiques. Most stores are in Alabama and Texas. The D.C. Billy Reid will be its 10th location and the second store north of the Potomac River; it has a New York store. Billy Reid takes over the space of the shuttered Uno Pizzeria’s Chicago Grill.
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Robert Devaney •

Was anti-Catholicism behind vandalism at a Catholic university?

Dahlgren Chapel, a place of worship at the center of Georgetown University’s main campus and campus ministry, was vandalized early Sunday morning. 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.”

“The preliminary investigation indicates … that there was no evidence of desecration, and desecration means property damage with the intent of making religious offense,” said O’Brien, according to the Voice. “In the investigation we have now … any property damage was not intended to make religious offense. It’s property damage.”

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.

According to Georgetown’s other student newspaper, the Hoya, “Fr. Howard Gray, S.J., was hesitant to speculate on the motives behind the vandalism, adding that inaccurate rumors that the chalices were stolen had been circulating.” Gray told the Hoya: “We’re just putting pieces together. We probably won’t know until someone with authority takes some kind of inventory and tells us what they’re missing. It bothers me that they broke the crucifix. You wonder that if it’s somebody making another statement that’s anti-religious or something. I don’t know that.”

The Hoya added in its April 14 news report: “In May 2012, the upperclassmen of the women’s club volleyball team admitted to littering the steps of the chapel with condom wrappers and cups of alcohol.”

Georgetown University student Sam Dulik, questioned by the Voice about the incident, “also mentioned some windows possibly being broken, as well,” according to the newspaper, which added: “Dulik also mentioned that there was a previous incident of vandalism this semester that went unreported in campus media. Apparently, a student group was found using the interior of the building inappropriately, but, at the time, no further details were offered on the incident. A Jan. 22 Department of Public Safety crime log entry indicates that chapel wine was reported missing from Dahlgren chapel, but there’s no indication that the two cases are related.”

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. [gallery ids="101244,146434" nav="thumbs"]

Gwendolyn Shearman •

Relief for drivers and pedestrians alike is coming to the intersection of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Those who cross the intersection daily, both in their vehicle and on foot, know all about the congestion, headaches and danger that it can cause, but there may be a possible solution in sight.

The Georgetown Business Improvement District has teamed up the District Department of Transportation to test the use of traffic control officers at the intersection to respond to recurring concerns regarding pedestrian safety as well as commuter and bus delays.

Also named Joseph Pozell Square, the intersection is the most famous one in Georgetown and one of the busiest in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Reserve Officer Joseph Pozell was struck by a sport-utility vehicle, while working May 14, 2005, at the corner. Pozell was well known in Georgetown for his civic work and as superintendent of the historic Oak Hill Cemetery on R Street, NW. The volunteer traffic officer died from his injuries three days later on May 17.

“We are hoping that intersection management will improve conditions for everyone, including bus riders on the two D.C. Circulator Routes and five Metrobus routes that traverse this spot,” said BID transportation director Jonathan Kass.

Five traffic control officers tested out the idea on April 5 and quickly eased and increased the flow of traffic and eliminated pedestrian congestion at M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

DDOT officers will be controlling traffic during the evening rush hour for the week of April 8-12, and also during the busy afternoon hours of April 13.

Upon completion of the trial run, the BID will collaborate with DDOT to determine whether permanent deployment of traffic management officers should be put into place at the intersection.

Residents, business owners and visitors to the area are encouraged to comment on the impact traffic officers have on conditions to info@georgetowndc.com.

Gary Tischler •

Love her or hate her—and there were plenty of people to be found on either—if not both—side of the spectrum—it was impossible to deny that Margaret Thatcher was a formidable presence, an original very much in in the vein of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle.

Both men believed in the glory of their nations, the uniqueness that came out greatness. Thatcher, who served three terms as Great Britain’s prime minister, rising to power in a somewhat unlikely fashion, was a great leader herself and believed in her own greatness. You might add President Ronald Reagan to that list—you didn’t have to agree with Reagan to know that his presidency had consequence. Thatcher’s 11-year-rule had consequence also. News of her death at the age of 87 from a stroke came today.

She came to office at 10 Downing Street in 1979, 20 months before Reagan came to the presidency. In each other, they found allies, friends and large-sized personalities. Nancy Reagan called the two “soul mates,” which did not prevent Thatcher from going her own way by going to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands crisis, a war Reagan had sent Secretary of State Alexander Haig to prevent. No such thing: Thatcher had an almost messianic belief in herself, and more often than not she was proved right.

She was a grocer’s daughter but rose to power among Great Britain’s Tory or conservative party and then marched literally into office over the dying body of the Laborites, under whom Great Britain had stagnated into an almost second-rate country.

Although educated in Oxford, Thatcher presented herself as a solidly middle class woman in style and manner, disguised as a great leader, who had little truck with feminism, even though she became the first (and so far ever) female Prime Minister of Great Britain. She fought what she saw as a socialist state tooth and nail, and every bit as stubbornly as Argentina’s junta. She took on labor unions, privatized state institutions and cut programs for the poor.

She called Reagan “Ronny,” and during the turbulent 1980s they were a matched set on the world stage. Astutely, she saw the coming of Mikhail Gorbachev as a potential for rapprochement, seeing him a Soviet leader more amenable and hungry for changes, although perhaps not as much change that resulted from his policies.

The Irish Republican Army tried to assassinate her, but she survived the attempt. She did not survive what may have been her own overconfidence. After winning a third term, she instituted a flat tax that affected not only those who could pay it, but those, like the unemployed, who could not. The backlash was huge—thousands went into the streets and demonstrated against her and the tax. The riots and the tax did her in—ousted as party leader by the Tories, a shocking turn of events that stunned her, England and the world.

In her later years, she wrote her memoirs. She had been suffering from dementia. She attended Ronald Reagan’s state funeral in Washington in 2004 as did Mikhail Gorbachev. Thatcher sat behind the Reagan family. Gorbachev sat alone. Meryl Streep won an Oscar for playing Thatcher in the film, “The Iron Lady” two years ago.

A book of condolences for Margaret Thatcher will be opened at the British Embassy, 3100 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 9 and 10.

Nico Dodd •

Georgetown residents and others who use Rose Park in Georgetown have been invited to participate in a charette discussing the playground’s renovation.

As first reported by Georgetown Patch, the first meeting about the renovation will be 7 p.m., this Thursday at the Rose Park Recreation Center, 2600 O St. NW. The design charette wil be May 4 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Fellowship of Jerusalem Baptist Church, 2600 P St., NW.

Rose Park has not been devoid of improvements. Last October, Rose Park inaugurated a new brick walkway, fence and benches, along with new trees and bushes, all of which were community donations.

Robert Devaney •

When you get a free beer from the Mayor of Washington, D.C., you know it is a good night.
Georgetown landmark, Martin’s Tavern, celebrated its 80th anniversary April 3 with a standing-room-only party that seemed to attract half of the town, including Mayor Vincent Gray.

Gray presented Billy Martin, fourth Martin in line of the tavern’s owners, with a proclamation that named the day “Martin’s Tavern Day” in the District.

Martin said he was proud of his family’s long-standing Georgetown business and knew some were looking down from heaven in approval. After the speeches, as if Martin needed to encourage anyone, the crowd continued the party. And the mayor was invited to be a Martin’s Tavern guest bartender.

Every president since Harry Truman has dined at Martin’s, except Barack Obama, who has a few more years to come and belly up to the bar.

The following is a history of the Martin family, according to the tavern’s website:

In the late 1890s, William S. Martin traveled from Galway, Ireland, to America. Forty years later, he and his son, William G. Martin, opened Martin’s Tavern on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street, NW.

It was 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression and the beginning of the repeal of Prohibition. William G. Martin, a recent graduate of Georgetown University, was beginning a prodigious career in professional baseball, football and basketball. Successful in business and sports, he earned a seat as a Hall-of-Famer.

In 1949, William G. Martin’s son, William A. Martin, joined the tavern after serving in the Navy during World War II. William A. Martin attended Georgetown University Medical School and excelled as a Golden-Gloves boxer and Pro-Am golfer. His stories of “The Dugout,” recalling countless meetings with Speaker Sam Rayburn, Senator Lyndon Johnson and other monumental Capitol Hill leaders, were passed on to his son, current owner Billy Martin.
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Didi Cutler •

The S&R Foundation and its co-founder Sachiko Kuno hosted a magical few hours March 30 on the beautiful grounds of Evermay Estate in Georgetown — for a perfect launch of Evermay’s First Annual Easter Weekend Egg Hunt. Activities included an egg hunt, an egg decorating contest and a piano concert by Japanese pianist Kentarou Isuko. In the garden, an artist tied up balloons into various animal shapes for the children. The day which finally felt like spring enhanced the enjoyment of the search for eggs with children dashing all over the sprawling gardens as they spotted the hidden eggs. There was also great anticipation as to which child would win the egg decorating contest.

Headquartered at Evermay on 28th Street, the S&R Foundation — which gives support to talented individuals with high aspirations and great potential in the sciences and in the arts — also hosts musical programs there and at other venues, such as the Kennedy Center. [gallery ids="101223,145184,145179,145141,145173,145167,145147,145154,145161" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

A Washington Business Journal blog, Biz Beat, got people buzzing today about a Georgetown institution: Blues Alley, founded in 1965. It is such an landmark that the alley it is located along is named Blues Alley, NW.

The report headlined Blue Alley’s being the “subject of tax break bill,” according to the Journal. It also set off concern that the jazz club might be moving from its 1073 Wisconsin Ave., NW, location.

The Georgetowner contacted Blues Alley executive director Harry Schnipper April 1 about the Journal item. “He is making a mountain out of a mole hill,” Schnipper said. As for the “tax break bill,” Schnipper said that he “talked to Jack Evans several year ago,” but that’s about it. Schnipper also said that he had not read the Journal story.

“There’s so much that could happen with Georgetown’s Blues Alley — perhaps an expansion, perhaps a relocation, perhaps a new venue,” wrote Michael Neibauer in the Journal. “I spoke on Monday with club owner Harry Schnipper about his plans, and here’s what I learned, in a nutshell: Schnipper has spoken with Hines Interests LP about going to CityCenterDC, with PN Hoffman & Associates, Inc., about moving to the southwest Waterfront and with Hyattsville and Alexandria officials. He is on the shortlist to operate the D.C.-owned Lincoln Theatre. . . . But Schnipper offered no additional details. I can’t say whether the discussions keyed on a relocation of Blues Alley or an expansion.”

“Right now,” Schnipper told the Journal, “I’m focused on the Lincoln Theatre.”

According to the Journal, “Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans introduced a bill in January to provide ‘historic music cultural institutions’ with a 10-year property tax abatement, along with deed recordation and transfer tax abatements, for newly leased or purchased property in the District. The legislation would apply only to corporations that have operated a commercial venue for a minimum of 45 years and hosted a minimum of 100 live musical performances in each of the last five years.”

“It’s geared toward trying to help, to keep them [Blues Alley] in Georgetown, to keep them in that location,” Evans told the Journal. “Blues Alley is a landmark.”

There was one more thing that Schnipper did mention to the Georgetowner, when it questioned him about the Journal report: “We don’t own that building.”