Latest News

Linnea Kristiansson • April 23, 2015

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 11, the U.S. Capitol building was on temporary lockdown after a man killed himself outside the western facade of the building. The suicide came as Washington hosted the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, with tourists flooding the city to visit the Tidal Basin and the National Mall, not far from the Capitol.

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine identified Leo P. Thornton, a 22-year-old from Illinois, as the man who committed suicide by gunshot Saturday. A bomb squad was called to investigate a roller suitcase and a backpack near the victim but nothing threatening was retrieved, according to officials.

Dine added that, at this time, there seems to be no connection to terrorism. Thornton had a sign with him about ”social justice” but didn’t carry any other weapons aside from a gun. The lockdown downtown was lifted just before 4 p.m. the same afternoon, but the West Terrace area of the Capitol will remain closed until further notice.

Caitlin Franz •

This Thursday, April 16 marks the 153rd anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C. Over 3,000 enslaved persons were freed in the District eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation called for the end of slavery in 1862.

A series of events will be held to commemorate D.C. Emancipation Day, beginning with a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16.

Freedom Plaza will serve as the end of the parade route and the venue for a concert at 5 p.m. that will feature performances from Doug E. Fresh, Maysa, Eric Benet, Raheem DeVaighn and more.

A program discussing black life in the District in the 19th century will take place at the National Archives at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The discussion is presented by the Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture, The National Archives and the D.C. Office of Public Records.

A candlelight vigil at the African American Civil War Memorial & Museum on Vermont Avenue and U Street NW will begin at 6 p.m. It will feature a reading of the names of the 3,100 enslaved individuals freed by the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, as well as a screening of Marvin Jones’s film on Dunbar High School.

The night ends with fireworks at 8:30 p.m. and a screening of Selma at 9:15 p.m., both at Freedom Plaza.

Robert Devaney •

On the occasion of Hillary Clinton’s official announcement to run for president, here is a look back to October 1991 outside Healy Building at Georgetown University, after newly announced candidate Gov. Bill Clinton gave his “New Covenant” speech at Gaston Hall. On the steps of Healy, the future 42nd president is seen in the center with G.U. president Leo O’Donovan, S.J., and Hillary Clinton.

The photo was assigned by editor and publisher David Roffman, who said, “Go see this guy, Bill Clinton, who is giving a speech at Gaston Hall, even though he’ll never make it.” Roffman was certain that Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., would get the 1992 Democratic Party nomination.

Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have visited and continue to visit Georgetown University for speeches and seminars. Hillary Clinton is an honorary co-chair of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, headquartered at Georgetown.

The Clintons own a home on Whitehaven Street NW, just east of Georgetown.

On Sunday, Hillary Clinton announced that she is a candidate for president.

Then, the former first lady, senator and Secretary of State left her home in Chappaqua, N.Y., and began a road trip to Iowa, where she is expected to arrive Tuesday.

Robert Devaney •

“The public interest is our client,” said Attorney General for the District of Columbia Karl Racine to members of the Georgetown Business Association during its monthly networking reception at Das Ethiopian Restaurant April 15.

Racine met with business leaders to explain his view of a disagreement he has with Mayor Muriel Bowser. According to Racine, the mayor’s fiscal 2016 budget “contains provisions that would gut the Attorney General’s independent ability to review the city’s legislation, regulations and real-estate deals for legal soundness . . .” Racine is D.C.’s first publicly elected attorney general. His supporters handed out a petition that asked those in attendance to use and send to Councilman Jack Evans.

According to the GBA, “Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Ward 2 Community Liaison, John Fanning, was also in attendance to articulate the mayor’s continued support of GBA’s initiative in providing resources and support to the Georgetown small business community. GBA President, Charles Camp, is thrilled to have the support of the Attorney General and Mayor Bowser as the association continues to lobby for additional resources to support Georgetown’s small business community.”

Also stopping by to meet GBA members and guests was Steven Shulman of Cultural Tourism D.C., who spoke of Passport D.C., which makes the 31 days of May into “a month-long journey around the world highlighting D.C.’s thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied international culture.” It includes programming by 70 embassies and more than 40 of D.C.’s best cultural institutions.
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Caitlin Franz •

The annual Spring Art Walk presented by Georgetown galleries on Book Hill will take place on April 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Nine galleries will participate in an evening stroll and showcase a special exhibition of fine art.

The nine featured venues and their respective exhibits are Addison/Ripley Fine Art with Malthusian Paintings, 25 Years and Counting, All We Art with Forms of the Journey, Artist’s Proof Gallery with Les Printemps, Cross Mackenzie Gallery with Blast Off, Views of Man and Flight, Maurine Littleton Gallery with Botanical Wanderings, Neptune Fine Art with Modern & Contemporary Master Works on Paper, Robert Brown Gallery with Thirty Years of Discoveries: Paintings, Calligraphy and Ceramics, Susan Calloway Fine Arts with Layered Memories: The In-Between, and the Washington Print Makers Gallery with Jack Boul: Monotypes.

Enjoy refreshments as you add to your collection or begin cultivating one.

For more information visit georgetowngalleries.com or call (202) 333-0353.

Georgetowner • April 14, 2015

Naturally Occurring Patterns

March 27th, 2015 at 06:00 PM | FREE | media@allweartstudio.com | Tel: (202) 375-9713 | Event Website

The idea of biomorphism is explored by three artists, from different origins, working in various media, and a special selection of Pre-Columbian jewelry. Featuring the work of Donna Cameron, Mariana Copello, Mark Parascandola and a special selection of Pre-Columbian Goldwork from Luma Gold.

Address

1666 33rd St NW

Bye Bye Birdie at Georgetown Visitation

March 27th, 2015 at 07:30 PM | $10-15 | janetriley@comcast.net | Event Website

Georgetown Visitation Theater’s Masqueraders will present “Bye Bye Birdie,” a comedic and fun-filled musical that satirizes 1950s American society, March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m. Inspired by the Elvis Presley phenomenon, the musical focuses on aspiring rock star Conrad Birdie.

Address

Visitation is located at 1524 35th Street, NW

Spring Sing!

March 28th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | Free | julia.strusienski@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | Event Website

Join the Georgetown Neighborhood Library for a concert featuring student vocal groups from American University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University. It will be an a cappella extravaganza!

Address

Georgetown Neighborhood Library; 3260 R St. NW

Silent NO MORE

March 28th, 2015 at 07:30 PM | $25 | lsalay@cvic.com | Tel: 202-232-6627 | Event Website

Silent NO MORE, a theatrical performance by No Limits Theatre Group, a Culver City, Calif.-based nonprofit national theater program for children with hearing loss who are learning to speak and listen. The performance, featuring deaf performers, is a platform to encourage dialogue about the deaf community and strengthen the support system for all children with any degree of hearing loss.

Address

John F. Kennedy Center; 2700 F St. NW

Rueda de la Calle DC

March 28th, 2015 at 04:00 PM | FREE | Event Website

Rueda de la Calle DC – Saturday, March 28th in front of The White House.

International Rueda De Casino Multi Flash Mob 2015 will be held on Saturday, March 28th 2015 at 4:00pm local time in the city centers of major cities all over Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia, all over the world. http://flashmob.dileque.si/

Address

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Yappy Hour

March 28th, 2015 at 03:00 PM | 0 | Event Website

Following the Pet Adoption Day, join ZAIKA for a “Yappy Hour” from 3 – 5 PM for both humans and pets to enjoy! ZAIKA will be serving food and beverage from their happy hour menu, donating 10% of their proceeds to Homeward Trails.

Address

Market Common Clarendon; 2700 Clarendon Blvd; Arlington VA 22201

7th Annual DC-CAPITAL STARS: A Tribute to Rock ‘n’ Roll

April 1st, 2015 at 07:00 PM | $35-$45 show only; $500 show and gala reception. | adrienne.laborwit@dccap.org | Tel: 202-783-7938 | Event Website

An evening of inspiration, the 7th Annual DC-CAPITAL STARS: A Tribute to Rock ‘n’ Roll will roll out the red carpet to showcase the outstanding artistic abilities of college-bound students from DC public and public charter schools. Attracting over 1,000 guests and A-list celebrity judges, show will culminate with scholarships awarded to the top performers. A celebratory reception with live music and dancing follows the performance. Proceeds benefit the DC College Access Program.

Address

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Eisenhower Theater; 2700 F Street, NW

Robert Devaney •

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will hold its April meeting, 6:30 p.m., March 30, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place, NW, Heritage Room, main building, second floor. The following is tonight’s meeting agenda, as provided by ANC 2E.

Approval of the Agenda

• Approval of March 30, 2015, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

• Approval of March 2, 2015, Meeting Minutes
• Public Safety and Police Report
• Financial Report
• Transportation Report-DDOT public meeting re parking April 1
• DPW Report
• ANC 2E commissioners’ areas of particular interest — Ward 2 EdNetwork

Community Comment

• Office of the Attorney General – update — Robert White
• Georgetown BID: French Market

New Business

• Four Seasons — Sprint Four the Cure
• Concerts in the Park May 17, June 21 and July 12
• Lawyers Have Heart 10 K & 5K

ABC

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E:
The following applications for alcoholic beverage license renewals, which will be reviewed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, have not been added to the ANC 2E March 30 agenda and we do not propose to adopt a resolution on them at this time. If there are concerns about any of these applications for renewal, please contact the ANC 2E office by Friday, March 27, 2015.

• Towne Wine & Liquor, 1326 Wisconsin Ave., NW, ABRA-093813 – Class A renewal – April 20 petition date

• Potomac Wine & Spirits, 3100 M St., NW, ABRA-001926 – Class A renewal – April 27 petition date?

Zoning

• 3220 Prospect St., NW

Old Georgetown Board

PUBLIC AND MAJOR PROJECTS

1. West Heating Plant, 1051 29th St., NW — Nomination by the D.C. Preservation League for registration of the building on the National Register of Historic Places (for the Historic Preservation Review Board)

PRIVATE PROJECTS

1. SMD 02 OG 15-151 (HPA 15-273)
1724 34th Street, NW
Residence
Partial demolition, two-story rear addition – In progress
Permit

2. SMD 03 OG 15-114 (HPA 15-207)
3210 O Street, NW
Commercial
Signs and blade sign – Vaporfi
Permit

3. SMD 03 OG 15-149 (HPA 15-271)
3127 Dumbarton Street, NW
Residence
Roof deck and replacement stairs – Existing without permit
Permit

4. SMD 03 OG 15-120 (HPA 15-223)
3255-3259 Prospect Street, NW
Mixed use
New construction
Concept – revised

5. SMD 03 OG 15-153 (HPA 15-275)
1513 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Mixed-use
Rooftop and rear additions
Concept – design development (for review by Historic Preservation Review Board)

6. SMD 05 OG 15-132 (HPA 15-236)
3347 M Street, NW
Commercial
Internally-illuminated signs – Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
Permit

7. SMD 05 OG 15-110 (HPA 15-211)
1061 31st Street, NW
Commercial
Awning and signs – Canal Inn – Existing without permit
Permit

8. SMD 05 OG 15-145 (HPA 15-267)
1065 31st Street, NW
Commercial
Light fixtures – Existing, Awnings and signs – Pizzeria Napolitana
Permit

9. SMD 05 OG 15-152 (HPA 15-274)
1042 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Alterations, rooftop HVAC, signs and back-lit sign – SoulCycle
Permit

10. SMD 06 OG 15-108 (HPA 15-200)
3044 N Street, NW
Residence
Railings and planters at roof terrace above garage – Existing without permit
Permit

11. SMD 06 OG 15-135 (HPA 15-240)
1212 28th Street, NW
Residence
Three-story rear addition
Concept

12. SMD 07 OG 15-017 (HPA 15-030)
2523 Q Street, NW
Residence
Alterations
Permit

13. SMD 07 OG 15-122 (HPA 15-225)
1624 29th Street, NW
Residence
Rear yard excavation, new garage with roof terrace
Concept

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E:
The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming April 2, 2015, 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, March 27, 2015.

1. SMD 03 OG 15-121 (HPA 15-224)
3301 N Street, NW
Residence
Rear addition, alterations
Concept

2. SMD 03 OG 15-146 (HPA 15-268)
1526 and 1528 32nd Street, NW
Residence
Replacement fences
Permit

3. SMD 03 OG 15-137 (HPA 15-242)
1505 35th Street, NW
Residence
Rooftop solar panels
Permit

4. SMD 02 OG 15-139 (HPA 15-250)
1576 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Signs — Georgetown Shell – Existing; pole mounted sign
Permit

5. SMD 03 OG 15-095 (HPA 15-183)
3252 O Street, NW
Residence
Two-story rear addition
Concept

6. SMD 03 OG 15-154 (HPA 15-276)
3107 Dumbarton Street, NW
Residence
Raise roof, rear addition, replacement windows, front door and window alterations, remove balustrade, site paving, elastomeric coating – Existing
Concept

7. SMD 03 OG 15-143 (HPA 15-265)
3129 Dumbarton Street, NW
Residence
Replacement windows and doors at rear
Permit

8. SMD 03 OG 15-158 (HPA 15-280)
1332 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Awning, signs – Beard Papa’s
Permit

9. SMD 05 OG 15-141 (HPA 15-263)
3122 M Street, NW
Commercial
Replacement windows
Permit

10. SMD 05 OG 15-140 (HPA 15-262)
3128 M Street, NW
Commercial
Alterations, signs – Francesca’s
Permit

11. SMD 05 OG 15-092 (HPA 15-180)
3150 M Street, NW
Commercial
Alterations
Concept – revised

12. SMD 05 OG 15-136 (HPA 15-241)
3277-3289 M Street, NW
Residential
Alterations
Permit

13. SMD 05 OG 15-142 (HPA 15-264)
3336 M Street, NW
Commercial
Banner on alley – Rent The Runway
Permit – revised

14. SMD 05 OG 15-148 (HPA 15-270)
3600 M Street, NW
Mixed-use
Alterations to louvers
Permit

15. SMD 05 OG 15-134 (HPA 15-239)
3323 Cady’s Alley, NW
Commercial
Signs, banner – Circa Lighting
Permit

16. SMD 05 OG 15-047 (HPA 15-075)
3330 Cady’s Alley, NW
Commercial
Alterations
Concept – revised

17. SMD 05 OG 15-147 (HPA 15-269)
3246 Prospect Street, NW
Commercial
Partial demolition, 3-story rear addition, replacement windows
Permit

18. SMD 05 OG 14-346 (HPA 14-679)
1065 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
Residence
Additions and alterations
Concept – revised

19. SMD 05 OG 15-112 (HPA 15-215)
1225 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Replacement front windows, repointing
Permit

20. SMD 06 OG 15-144 (HPA 15-266)
1324 27th Street, NW
Residence
Alterations to front and rear yards
Concept

21. SMD 06 OG 15-052 (HPA 15-080)
1132 29th Street, NW
Commercial
Rear addition, site alterations
Concept – revised

22. SMD 06 OG 12-150 (HPA 12-272)
1231-1235 31st Street, NW
Front windows, rear additions, alterations, roof terrace
Permit

23. SMD 06 OG 15-127 (HPA 15-230)
2715 M Street, NW
Commercial
Alterations
Concept – revised

24. SMD 06 OG 15-130 (HPA 15-234)
3021 P Street, NW
Residence
Window alterations
Concept

25. SMD 06 OG 15-138 (HPA 15-245)
2725 Poplar Street, NW
Residence
Replacement fence
Permit

26. SMD 07 OG 15-063 (HPA 15-103)
1502 27th Street, NW
Residence
Front porch, site alterations
Concept

27. SMD 07 OG 15-156 (HPA 15-278)
1633 31st Street, NW
Residence
Two-story rear addition
Permit

28. SMD 07 OG 15-113 (HPA 15-208)
2500 Q Street, NW
Gateway Georgetown Condominiums
Replace rooftop antennas – T-Mobile
Permit

Government of the District of Columbia: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E

3265 S St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

202-724-7098

anc2e@dc.gov

www.anc2e.com

Georgetowner •

“My aspiration is to turn on its head the traditional notions of portraiture as commemorating the dead, to that of living people recognizing and identifying with the lives of the people they meet through amazing art.”
— Kim Sajet, Director, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear from and interact with National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet in the elegant and intimate setting of the George Town Club. Join club members and the people behind the new developments in the visual and performing arts in D.C. at Georgetown Media Group’s next Cultural Leadership Breakfast: Thursday, April 9, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

$15 for George Town Club members

$20 for non-members

To RSVP email richard@georgetowner.com or call 202-338-4833

Robert Devaney •

The Citizens Association of Georgetown met March 25 at Malmaison Restaurant at 34th and Water streets for “Talking Traffic, Transportation & Bridges” with the hopes of answering such questions as: “Can traffic congestion ever be reduced in Georgetown? Is there a solution to the nightmarish rush-hour backups on 34th Street? How will repairs on the Pennsylvania Avenue and Key bridges affect us? What happened to the crosstown bus service? And the perennial question: will Georgetown ever get a Metro stop?” CAG’s Christopher Mathews who chairs its transportation committee introduced a trio of experts on the subject.

Allison Davis WMATA, regional planning manager, office of planning, began with Metro rail service and its benefits: 54 percent of all jobs are half a mile from a station; job growth is four times in neighborhoods with a station.

Davis also noted how expensive rail gets and how long it takes. She spoke of the ambitions in the 1960s for a monorail to run from Georgetown to the newly opened Dulles Airport. Rail, she said, “takes a lot of time.” By 1985, planners got serious about a Metrorail link to the airport. So, she said, it took 29 years for the first rides to begin on the Silver Line that will connect Dulles to downtown.

“It is about matching modes and needs,” said Davis, who noted the flexibility of bus service.

As for Georgetown, a Metro subway station is in its future, as in the year 2040. “We’re looking at 2040 or beyond,” she said. Long-term commitments are needed from Virginia, Maryland, the District and the federal government, she said. She gave a piece of advice on transit choices: “Don’t focus so far in the future.”

Colleen Hawkinson of the District’s Department of Transportation said that it is important to recognize that DDOT not only oversees roads, streets, curbs and trees but also runs the Circulator buses, Capital Bike Share and the streetcar project on H Street.

Hawkinson said DDOT looks at the “big five,” as it sees them: “pedestrians, bicycles, transit, vehicles and freight.” The streetcar has “no fatal flaw” in its system, according to a critical report, she added. Those in vehicles will feel the impact of upcoming projects on Rock Creek Parkway and Canal Road as well as the rehabilitation of Key Bridge.

She took note of the meeting on parking DDOT will hold Wednesday, April 1, at St. John’s Church on O Street. It starts at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall.

Will Handsfield, transportation director at the Georgetown Business Improvement District, listed the increasing use of ride services, such as Uber and Lyft. He said that on-demand travel costs can be 30 to 60 percent cheaper than standard fare and that entrepreneurs were jumping into the transportation sector. Some bus lines were privately run by owners like Leap Line in San Francisco. New companies like Flex Spot are trying to monetize shared parking of homeowners’ driveways. He also said the Bridj, a pop-up bus service, was coming to Washington.

Some of the techie and innovative ideas Handsfield mentioned may take the heat off some transit systems or streets in the years to come but not this day. During the question-and-answer session, residents took their chance to voice frustration about backed-up traffic and potholes in Georgetown, a perennial issue, to be sure — almost as old as the question of what to tie up one’s carriage.

One 34th Street resident, Ann Satterthwaite, with her neighbor complained about traffic on 34th Street that is snarled from M Street north to Q Street and sometimes farther. Traffic used to back up later in the week, Satterthwaite said. Now, it is four days at least. A neighbor said his house vibrates with the increased traffic: “I wake up every morning at 5:30 to 7 with the house shaking.” DDOT’s Hawkinson said she would look into traffic signal changes made on M Street by her department a few months ago to see if it is causing delays up 34th Street. Satterthwaite said one solution would be to divert traffic off 34th Street during rush hour.