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Georgetowner • April 13, 2015

No single group of Americans is as revered in American hearts and minds – minds, especially – as the Founding Fathers, that group of giants from South and North who brought about a revolution.

No single man is more revered in American hearts and minds – hearts, especially, but also imaginations and passions – than Abraham Lincoln, the man from the Midwest, self-taught in almost everything he knew.

This city may bear Washington’s name, but it is not Washington’s city. This is Lincoln’s city.

Emancipation was born and given voice here by Father Abraham. Everyone comes to see Washington’s monument – that challenge to the sky itself, as straight as a soldier’s back on parade – but it’s rare to see weeping in its presence or a sudden, thoughtful stillness.

Everyone is drawn to that stone siren-song of a Lincoln Memorial on the Mall. They gather to sing, to bring on the Easter sun, to commemorate, commiserate and commune before Daniel Chester French’s stunning statue, that seems capable of tears and laughter, of aging and of humbled body and soul.

Everyone comes and came to the man in the big chair, even Richard Nixon. Lincoln finished the unfinished business – unfathomably furious and ferocious – that the Founding Fathers, large as they were, would not wrestle with.

Lincoln led the country at its deepest dark hour, he danced with the bear of what slavery had wrought: an all-consuming war, whose most notable and last victim he became.

This is Lincoln’s city. We are coming up on the 150th anniversary of his assassination by a man Lincoln had seen perform Shakespeare at the National Theatre. Ford’s Theatre – where he was felled by a still-resounding shot from that actor’s derringer – remains a theater, but it is at the same time and at all times a shrine. This is the place and the city where he died, early the next morning, in a boarding house across 10th Street.

This is Lincoln’s city. Out in Petworth, at the site of the Soldiers’ Home, is Lincoln’s Cottage, where he spent time away from the fetid heat, arriving on an a gray horse, at times in the company of his much spoiled and loved son Tad. For a few years, his son Willie was buried in Georgetown at Oak Hill Cemetery.

This is Lincoln’s city. Our great national free-verse poet Walt Whitman, who nursed wounded soldiers pouring in from battles and lived near the cottage, saw him daily. Whitman said, he “looks. . .as the commonest man. … I see very plainly Abraham Lincoln’s dark brown face, with the deep-cut lines, the eyes, always to me with a deep latent sadness in the expression.”

The “commonest of men” was the noblest American of them all. This is his city, our captain, the emancipator, our better angel.

Commemorating Lincoln’s Assassination
A list of events and exhibits to experience history and to experience the nation’s capital, as we commemorate the loss of one of our greatest leaders, Lincoln.

A list of events and exhibits to experience history and to experience the nation’s capital, as we commemorate the loss of one of our greatest leaders, Lincoln.

April 9
Cottage Conversation with Don Doyle and Sidney Blumenthal
Historian Don Doyle discusses his book, “The Cause of All Nations: An International History of the American Civil War,” with journalist Sidney Blumenthal, former aide to Bill Clinton. Tickets are $10 for the lecture and $10 for the reception. For details, visit lincolncottage.org/cc-doyle-2015/. President Lincoln’s Cottage, Upshur Street at Rock Creek Church Rd. NW.

April 14-15
The Lincoln Tribute
This continuous event will mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination. Ford’s Theatre will be open overnight, presenting Ranger talks, the one-act play “One Destiny” and panel discussions about the life, assassination and legacy of our 16th president. On the street outside, all day and all night, living historians will provide first-person accounts about the end of the Civil War, the experience of being inside the theater at the moment of the assassination, medical reports from the Petersen House and the impact of Lincoln’s life and death. The morning of April 15, Ford’s will mark Abraham Lincoln’s death at 7:22 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony. Church bells will toll across the city, as in 1865. Tickets are required for entry to the Ford’s Theatre campus. 10th Street NE between E and F Streets. Call 202-347-4833.

April 14-15
Ford’s Theatre Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Author and Ford’s Theatre Society board member Brian Anderson leads a behind-the-scenes tour of Ford’s Theatre based on his book, “Images of America: Ford’s Theatre.” 514 10th St. NW. Call 202-347-4833.

April 15
Midnight Tour with James Swanson
For the history buffs and night owls, James Swanson, author of “Manhunt,” leads a midnight tour of Ford’s Theatre. 514 10th St. NW. Call 202-347-4833.

April 17
Fortune’s Fool: Life of John Wilkes Booth
In Fortune’s Fool, historian Terry Alford provides a comprehensive look at the life of the figure whose life has been overshadowed by his final, infamous act. A book signing will follow the program, which begins at noon. National Archives. 700 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.

April 18-19
On the Trail of the Assassin
This event, featuring historical demonstrations, Civil War reenactments, walking tours, performances and more, will run Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dr. Samuel Mudd House Museum. Event admission is $5 per car. House tour admission is $8 for adults and $2 for ages 6-16. 3725 Dr. Mudd Rd., Waldorf, Maryland. Call 800-766-3386.

Through May 25
Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination
This exhibition at the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership displays a collection of artifacts that were in Ford’s Theatre or carried by Lincoln on the night of his assassination, including the contents of Lincoln’s pockets, his top hat and the gun used. 514 10th St. NW. Call 202-347-4833.

Through May 31
Assassinations in the Capital Tour
This 90-minute tour covers two miles, starting at the Crime Museum and ending at Lafayette Square with a stop by Ford’s Theatre. Participants will learn about assassinations, attempted assassinations and other crime history in the nation’s capital. 575 7th St. NW.

Through Jan. 10
‘President Lincoln Is Dead’: The New York Herald Reports
For the first time since 1865, this Newseum exhibition brings together all seven New York Herald special editions from April 15 of that year, beginning with the 2 a.m. edition, containing the earliest Associated Press report that Lincoln had been shot. 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Call 202-292-6100. [gallery ids="102042,134724" nav="thumbs"]

Peter Murray •

This weekend, the Georgetown Business Improvement District will widen sidewalks — between 29th and 31st Streets — on M Street by a whopping eight feet to accommodate increased foot traffic caused by tourism around the National Cherry Blossom Festival and parade. In addition, the Circulator bus will offer free northbound trips up Wisconsin Avenue NW from 30th and K streets, thanks to BID. Lastly, area drivers can receive discounted parking in Georgetown lots Saturday and Sunday if they buy online.

The sidewalk widening will be the first of its sort this year, though BID has widened walkways in Georgetown on three other occasions, the latest of which occurred when Georgetown University and George Washington University had overlapping parents’ weekends last fall. The business organization plans to extend sidewalks for coinciding Georgetown and GW graduations in May and for the Georgetown French Market later this month.

The widening is a key part of the Georgetown 2028 15-year action plan, which aims improve the business district by modernizing aspects of the historic neighborhood and upgrading how Washingtonians access it.

Robert Devaney •

Mayor Bowser gave her State of the District Address March 31. She voiced a commitment to improved education in the District, from early childhood education to adult education opportunities and job-training programs. Bowser’s address surprised many when she promised that the much-maligned Streetcar will soon run on H Street and Benning Road. But surprise turned to mild shock when she added the project would eventually span from Georgetown to east of the Anacostia River.

“We all know that the streetcar has been long on promises but short on results,” Bowser said. “That changes now. I promise you that we will get the Street Car along H Street and Benning Road line up and running. Then, we will extend the line to downtown Ward 7 so that Councilmember Alexander’s constituents along Benning Road can ride to Union Station and eventually all the way to Georgetown.”

Georgetowner • April 9, 2015

Gio Gonzalez, starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was seen shopping along M Street April 7 with friends and his dog, Stitch, a French bulldog, who really does look like the Disney character Stitch, just a lot calmer. Gonzalez, too, was taking it easy before he starts against the Philadelphia Phillies April 10 at Citizens Bank Park. The lefty, who hails from Florida, is part of the Nationals’ highly touted pitching rotation which includes Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. Fun non-baseball fact: Gonzalez loves comic books and is a snazzy dresser.

Robert Devaney •

The Georgetown House Tour, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, April 25, will open the doors to eight houses in town. One of the highlights of the 84-year-old tour is the 1797 mansion built by John Thomson Mason, nephew of George Mason, and called Quality Hill. Reportedly, Thomas Jefferson stopped there for lunch. It sits at the corner of 35th and Prospect Streets. One of its recent owners was Sen. Clairborne Pell (D-R.I.).

Other houses on the tour include one of on N Street: the oldest portions of this residence were originally built in the 1890s. The property was subsequently acquired by Stanley Woodward, a friend of FDR, and was expanded to include a new three-story structure at the front of the property. The current living room was designed as a recreation of the music room of Number 20, St. James Square in London, a room designed by Robert Adam in 1772 and its plaster ceiling took 18 months to complete by hand.
Another house — on 31st Street — was termed “the only remaining example of a late Victorian cottage” by the National Building Survey. It was built between 1878 and 1880 by Albert B. Jackson. According to tour officials, it is a “fine example of a cottage-style detached residence with elaborate wood decoration. The current owner undertook an extensive restoration to restore more of the original Victorian character and charm.”

Also on the tour is a 34th Street house that sits with its historic Italianate/Victorian façade intact: “This home was completely renovated in 2014 by its current owners, partners in a Georgetown architecture firm, to include a a skylit contemporary stairway with glass railings, modern kitchen and a 45-foot-long living and dining space,” according to tour guides.

Tickets for the tour are $50 (advance) and $55 on the day of the tour. The tour’s Patrons’ Party will be held April 22 at the home of Deborah Winsor on Dumbarton Street NW. Visit www.georgetownhousetour.com for more information.

Robert Devaney •

The Jackson Art Center at 3050 R St. NW has successfully negotiated with the District government an extension of its lease until 2018 of a 1890 building, which closed as a D.C. public school in 1970. The artist collective began renting the building during the 1980s and now pays a monthly rent of $12,850, according to D.C. General Services Department. The current lease was set to expire in June of next year. The artists would like to get a longer lease with the city for the property, which recently had new windows installed. The space allows for 45 artist studios.

Caitlin Franz • March 31, 2015

A Latino man was attacked and robbed near 34th Street and Volta Place around 8 p.m., Sunday, March 22, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The alleged suspects punched the victim, leaving a gash on the left side of the victim’s face. Additionally, his DSW Shoe store and T.J. Maxx shopping bags containing clothing and shoes were stolen. However, the bags were recovered near the scene of the incident.

The suspects are three black males, ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old, police said. The men were wearing dark clothing and seen fleeing southbound on 34th Street.

The age and name of the robbery victim have not been released.

This incident is similar to a robbery that occurred March 15, during which three men punched a victim and stole his iPhone and wallet near 42nd Street NW.

Residents of the neighborhood around Volta Park are requesting increased police presence and use of security cameras.

Gary Tischler • March 30, 2015

There’s an old saying that goes something like “by his deeds shall you know him” with regard to summing up a person’s life.

A. James Clark, the chairman and founder of Clark Enterprises, which became Clark Construction, died last week. For him, it was more like we knew him by his cityscape.

Clark, who died at 87, was probably the key player and builder in Washington’s construction boom, leaving a large finger print and foot print on the region.

There was a time—and to some degree it still exists—that the Clark Construction Group with its familiar logo seemed to have planted its cranes like flags on many of the most significant, life-and-landscape altering in the city and the region. Look around you today and you can say, “there was somebody who changed his surroundings, who made a difference.” The company was involved in hundreds of high-impact construction projects: the Verizon Center (which proved to be the engine for downtown revival), FedEx Field and Nationals Park, Washington Harbour, the new Arena Stage in Southwest (another harbinger of change in Southwest Washington).

Let’s not forget that the company built 28 Metro Stations, and it’s still making waves in the region with the Silver Line extension, as well as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History.

Clark wasn’t exactly a recluse, but he shied away from publicity and from being a visible public figure, preferring to try to snare major construction projects for his company out of the public eye.

When all is said and done, Clark was a builder who became a billionaire and who believed in giving back, making significant philanthropic contributions to Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and the Samaritan Inns. Bearing his name is the University of Maryland School of Engineering, and the James Clark Engineering Scholars Program at George Washington University.

The company, according to the Washington Business Journal, contributed $16 million to charity groups in 2013 alone.

The Clark Construction Group came out of the George Hyman Construction Company where Clark was hired in 1950. He became general manager in the 1960s and bought the company in 1969.

Washington National Cathedral, which Clark did not build, will host a memorial service for Clark April 8, at 10 a.m.. The service will be open to the public.

Sallie Lewis • March 26, 2015

Each spring, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Japanese gift to the United States of more than 3,000 cherry trees. People from around the world come to Washington to see the unforgettable blooms. Interestingly, visitors leave with not only a memory of these flowering trees, but also with a budding appreciation for Japanese culture.

Paul MacLardy is the owner of Arise Bazaar in Clinton, Maryland, one of the largest Japanese textile emporiums in the nation. Arise also has a large selection of Japanese ceramics and antiques, but MacLardy’s textiles are what set him apart. With upwards of 8,000 pieces – traditional Japanese kimonos, fireman’s coats, obis, workers jackets and Happi coats – he is a leading collector of Japanese textiles.

On Saturday, April 11, he will be displaying a portion of his collection at Sakura Matsuri.

Sakura Matsuri (which means Cherry Blossom Festival) is Washington’s annual Japanese street festival, the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. Vendors and performers from all over the world fill nearly a mile of downtown D.C., sharing their love for Japanese custom and history.

Arise Bazaar will have a large, three-booth set-up with about 800 kimonos and textiles, along with Japanese ceramics, furniture and small gifts – all of which are for sale. There will also be three people present to do tying demonstrations and help attendees dress in a traditional kimono ensemble. The team takes pride in educating people about the many variations and details that go into these dressing ceremonies. With the large range of kimonos available, MacLardy has something for everyone, and his price points are accessible as well. Most kimonos cost between $40 and $100, but he also has a number of vintage kimonos, some of which are 19th-century collector’s pieces that can cost up to $5,000.

For MacLardy, the buying and selling of Japanese textiles is a passion that goes beyond business; it’s a mission to preserve a legacy.

In 2001, MacLardy published his book, “Kimono: Vanishing Tradition.” In it, he acknowledges that the art of making kimonos by hand has been slowly disappearing. The master kimono makers were reaching the end of their lives without passing on their skills. Young people who might take up the craft were uninterested. Furthermore, over the 20 years that MacLardy had been visiting Japan, he noticed that people weren’t wearing kimonos nearly as often.

“Ironically, since we’ve written that book, that’s all changed,” he said. “When we started the company, people weren’t wearing kimono traditionally. Most people were buying long kimono or fabric to hang on a wall. Now, more and more people are buying kimonos to wear.” His forthcoming, second book, “Kimono: Symbols and Motifs,” will highlight this change in attitude.

The older generations have long understood the sophistication of Japanese textiles, but they are increasingly fascinating to younger people. MacLardy travels across the nation attending Japanese festivals and anime conventions, where he’s found a resurgence of interest in traditional Japanese textiles among young people. He’s also found that they are being reinvented in a modern way through experimental, untraditional styling. The kimono’s influence was evident in the 2015 fashion shows by designers such as Tracy Reese, Thakoon, Duro Olowu and Tibi, suggesting a heightened worldwide appreciation for these age-old garments.

For Paul and his team at Arise Bazaar, preserving the ceremonial dress of Japan is more important than ever in a changing 21st-century landscape. Stop by the Arise Bazaar booths at Sakura Matsuri on April 11 to take home a symbol of Japanese culture. The event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will close the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Arise Bazaar is open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment — 7169 Old Alexandria Ferry Road., Clinton, Md. — 301-806-0337.