Latest News

Georgetowner • September 15, 2014

Turbokick Kickboxing at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library

September 11th, 2014 at 07:00 PM | Free | Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | Event Website](http://dclibrary.org/georgetown)

Want to kick-start your fall with a great workout? Join Stanli Montgomery, a professional fitness instructor, as she teaches Turbokick, a high-energy cardio kickboxing class, at the library in this one time class. We will take the first 30 people that register for this fitness class, but we will also have a waitlist. To register please email Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov at least 48 hours prior to the class.
Address

3260 R Street NW Washington, DC 20007

Brighter Futures Breakfast

September 12th, 2014 at 08:00 AM | kdugan@DoorwaysVA.org | Tel: 703-504-9289 | [Event Website](http://www.doorwaysva.org/)

Doorways has been serving the Arlington community for over 36 years, and creates pathways out of domestic violence and homelessness, leading to safe and stable lives. The Breakfast will highlight Doorways’ empowering programs and services that have helped thousands of men, women and children build safer, more independent and fulfilling lives. During this one-hour event, a continental breakfast will be provided, followed by clients sharing their incredible journeys out of crisis.

Address

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

Galleries on Book Hill – Fall Art Walk

September 12th, 2014 at 06:00 PM | Free | neptunebrowngalleries@gmail.com | Tel: 2023380353 | [Event Website](http://georgetowngalleries.com/)

The Georgetown Galleries on Book Hill invite you to our FALL ART WALK: Friday, September 12 from 6 – 8 pm. Nine galleries will host an evening stroll and launch their fine art exhibitions in the most beautiful part of Washington, DC. Add to your collection and please join us for a night of art, fun, and refreshments.

Address

1662 33rd St. NW

Opening Reception: The Light that She Loves, Literary Paintings and Drawings by Maud Taber-Thomas

September 12th, 2014 at 06:00 PM | FREE | gallery@callowayart.com | Tel: 202-965-4601 | [Event Website](http://www.callowayart.com/)

Maud Taber-Thomas creates luminous drawings and paintings that embody a loving conversation between several different art forms. Her paintings tell the stories that she discovers in Victorian and Medieval literature, capture the vibrant light and color of far-off places and distant time periods, and weave together symbols in compositions reminiscent of polyphonic music.

Address

Susan Calloway Fine Arts; 1643 Wisconsin Ave NW

Taste Of Georgetown

September 13th, 2014 at 12:00 PM | Tel: 202-298-9222 | Event Website](http://www.tasteofgeorgetown.com/)

The annual Taste of Georgetown, celebrates its 21st year on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 12 noon-5pm with creative tastes from more than 35 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, as well as an expansive Craft Beer and Wine Pavilion and live entertainment. For the first time in the event’s history, the Taste will move from Wisconsin Avenue to K Street.

The Taste of Georgetown has become the premier food and wine festival of D.C. and benefits Georgetown Ministry Center’s.

Address

K Street NW adjacent Georgetown Waterfront Park between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street.

12th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival.

September 13th, 2014 at 10:00 AM | free | info@artfestival.com | Tel: 561-746-6615 | [Event Website](http://www.artfestival.com/)

Art lovers and collectors converge on King Street in beautiful Alexandria to meet local and national artists from 30 different states who will showcase their works including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. A unique blend of contemporary, original works at affordable prices. Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm & Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. www.ArtFestival.com – 561-746-6615. All ages welcome. Free.

Address

480 King St.; Alexandria, VA 22314

Family Day

September 13th, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Free | LincolnsCottage@savingplaces.org | Tel: 202-829-0436 | Event Website](http://lincolncottage.org/familyday2014/)

Celebrate Family Day at President Lincoln’s Cottage and enjoy the Soldiers’ Home grounds as the Lincoln family once did. Family members of all ages will enjoy the live entertainment and activities inspired by the Lincoln family and their life at the Soldiers’ Home. Activities include: pony rides, petting zoo, Civil War military encampment, US Army Brass Quintet, DIY top hats, picnicking grounds, Civil War-era games.

Address

140 Rock Creek Church Road, NW

Civil War Georgetown Tours

September 13th, 2014 at 10:30 AM | 8.00-15.00 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: 202-965-0400 | [Event Website](http://www.tudorplace.org/event/house-walking-tours-tudor-place-and-the-civil-war-home-front/2014-09-13/)

Civil War meant uncertain times for Tudor Place and surrounding Georgetown. Learn in a unique house tour how owner Britannia Kennon saved her family home by boarding Union officers. After breaking for lunch on your own, return for an expert guided tour of historic Georgetown. See in person relics of the war’s turmoil including a Union hospital, grave sites of Confederate spies, and a mansion at the heart of the tragic slave escape ship, The Pearl.

Address

1644 31st street NW

Star-Spangled Spectacular: the 200th Anniversary of our National Anthem Celebration

September 13th, 2014 at 06:00 PM

Observe the bicentennial of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the spot that endured the British bombardment, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write what became our National Anthem. This evening program commemorates that historic event through patriotic music by the United States Marine Band “The President’s Own,” the Morgan State University Choir and others.

Address

Fort McHenry; 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230

Contemplation & communion, 5pm Sundays, Grace Church

September 14th, 2014 at 05:00 PM | Free | assistant@gracedc.org | Tel: 202-333-7100 | [Event Website](http://www.gracedc.org/)

Grace Episcopal Church (www.gracedc.org) invites you to join them on Sundays at 5pm for a meditative service, an hour of contemplation and communion. Serene, historic Grace Church is located at 1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown. Come join us! Refreshments afterwards.

Address

1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

Burl-eoke! Loves the Troops!

September 14th, 2014 at 06:30 PM | $10-$15 | 1viciousbunny@gmail.com | Tel: 4433158289 | [Event Website](https://www.facebook.com/events/557849404318965/)

The audience decides who wins in this game show that teams up karaoke singers and burlesque performers to compete for prizes!
We have finally made the move down I95 and we’re celebrating by honoring our nations service members!
Join Bunny Vicious and Lunchbox Lauren for the Capitol premier of the most fun burlesque show in the world!

Address

The Bier Baron Tavern; 1523 22nd St NW

RiRa Georgetown Charity Golf Tournament

September 17th, 2014 at 12:00 PM | [Event Website]http://rira.5.golfreg.com/ng/index.cfm/a62673/regPages/pages/?p=38880

Next Wednesday the 17th, RiRa Georgetown will host its first Charity Golf Tournament. All proceeds will be donated to the Salute Military Golf Association.

You can enter a team or enter as a single and join a team on the day. Event starts at 12pm.

Address

Westfield Golf Club; 13940 Balmoral Greens Ave, Clifton, VA 20124

Support a Cause on The Rooftop at The Embassy Row

September 17th, 2014 at 05:00 PM

The Rooftop at The Embassy Row Hotel is excited announce the launch of our “Support a Cause” series. $1 from every draft beer and glass of wine ordered will be donated to the chosen non-profit. The first event in the series, organized by Travel Channel’s Kathleen Rellihan will support The Runaway Bridesmaids Race to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Enjoy drinks for a great cause, raffled goodies, and a beautiful view of the DC skyline.

Address

The Rooftop at The Embassy Row Hotel; 2015 Massachusetts Ave NW

Robert Devaney •

Tari D.C. Boutique-Couture Consignment, opened by owner Sara Mokhtari in November 2010 at 1525 Wisconsin Ave., NW, will close at the end of Sunday, Aug. 31.

“We regret to inform you that Tari will be closing its doors,” Mokhtari wrote to her clients. “The building is under new ownership, and they plan to occupy the space for a different use. Due to the limited notice we received, we have not secured a new place as of yet. We have been diligently looking for a smaller space in Georgetown as well as other areas in the city . . .”

“After four years of tears and sweat yet still lots of laughs, I’m taking a little break,” Mokhtari further wrote to her friends on Facebook. “I’ve sold my building and will keep you posted on my future plans. Please stop by Tari.”

Having renovated and redesigned the property, Mokhtari said that she received an offer she couldn’t refuse. She did not reveal who the new owner is — or if it is a retail business.

Meanwhile, the owner of the sophisticated shop and ultracool space is putting most of everything up for a blowout sale at Tari: dresses, gowns, accessories, jewelry — and, for the guys, suits and shirts. Some fixtures are up for grabs, too.

The event space above the main shop — which is part of the sale — will honor already scheduled events, Mokhtari said.

Georgetowner •

Salamander Resort & Spa Celebrates its First Year Anniversary with a Birthday Bash Weekend

AUGUST 29TH, 2014 AT 06:30 PM | $30 | TEL: 800.651.0721 | EVENT WEBSITE

Salamander Resort & Spa is celebrating its first anniversary with a fun-filled Birthday Bash over Labor Day Weekend featuring numerous activities, contests and packages. – the resort will host a Birthday Bubbles celebration from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Filled with bottomless sparkling wine, birthday sweets and live entertainment, the event will take place on the Grand Terrace and Lawn. Admission is $30 per person.

Address

500 North Pendleton Street; Middleburg, VA 20117

Fabulous 1940s Party

AUGUST 30TH, 2014 AT 07:30 AM | $95 | ALESSANDRA@BENDUREPR.COM | TEL: 703-777-3174 EXT. 113 | EVENT WEBSITE

Held in conjunction with the Epicurience Virginia Wine and Food Festival.Tickets include an evening of music and dancing, two drink tickets, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Address

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens; 20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln.; Leesburg, VA 20175

5th Annual Bake Bethesda a Pie Contest

AUGUST 31ST, 2014 AT 09:00 AM | $5 REGISTRATION FEE PER PIE | DEBRA@CENTRALFARMMARKETS.COM | TEL: 3017756402 | EVENT WEBSITE

Join us at the 5th annual “Bake Bethesda a Pie” contest, a fundraiser for Manna Food Center at Bethesda Central Farm Market on Sunday, August 31, 2014! There are 3 categories for entrants: kids (7-17), adults, and local culinary students. The contest is open to amateur bakers only. There is a $5 registration fee per pie and proceeds raised at the event will support Manna’s programs. Registration is open through August 27, 2014. – register below!

Address

Bethesda Central Farm Market; 7600 Arlington Rd.; Bethesda, MD 20814

Yoga at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library

SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2014 AT 12:30 PM | FREE | ERIKA.RYDBERG@DC.GOV | TEL: 202-727-0232 | EVENT WEBSITE

Take an Om Break at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library. Join the Georgetown Neighborhood Library for a variety of yoga classes taught by teachers from Yoga Activist. The Georgetown Neighborhood Library is registering RSVPs for all September classes.
To RSVP for any or all classes send Erika Rydberg an email with the class(es) you’re interested in registering for. The first 30 RSVPs will be registered and the remaining RSVPs will be placed on a waiting list. Please RSVP to Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov

Address

3260 R Street NW

HOW Interactive Design Conference

SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2014 AT 07:00 AM | HOWINTERACTIVECONFERENCE@FWMEDIA.COM | TEL: (800) 436-8700 | EVENT WEBSITE

Meet the interactive designers behind blockbuster web design projects for Google, Etsy, Fitbit and more. They’ll demystify complex concepts, share design processes you can apply to your own work, and clue you in to the web design trends and tools you need to know about. All with the trademark designer-friendly content, networking and inspiration you expect from the team that created HOW Design Live.

Address

GRAND HYATT WASHINGTON;1000 H ST NW

Georgetowner •

Gipsy Kings with special guest Ole’ Noys

September 4th, 2014 at 08:00 PM | $35.00 – $100.00 | philipc@wolftrap.org | Tel: 703.255.1900 ext. 1729 | Event Website

Get ready to rumba to the explosive guitar rhythms of flamenco’s reigning royal family!

Address

1551 Trap Road Vienna Virginia, 22182

Adopt Force One

September 5th, 2014 at 11:00 AM | Free | JRoberts@ITCDC.com | Tel: (202) 312-1552 | Event Website

Downtown visitors are invited to spend part of their afternoon visiting the Washington Humane Society’s mobile adoption van. Cats and dogs greet passersby in search of a play date. And for those who want to give an animal a permanent home, the van is equipped with wi-fi and a printer for a speedy adoption application process.

Address

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Woodrow Wilson Plaza; 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

YPFP’s Affairs of State Gala

September 6th, 2014 at 08:00 PM | $45-$75 | development@ypfp.org | Event Website

YPFP’s annual Affairs of State Gala is DC’s premier event for young professionals working in international relations and foreign affairs. We’ll be celebrating ten years of YPFP’s history with a two-hour open bar, whiskey tastings, music, and more!

Note: ticket prices will go up August 31, so get your tickets early!

Address

National Press Club, 529 14th St NW

Eating Local: Feeding the Urban Estate — Monthly Garden & House Tours

September 6th, 2014 at 10:30 AM | 8.00-15.00 | press@tudorplace.org | Tel: 202-965-0400 | Event Website

For almost 200 years, onsite food production was a central part of life at Tudor Place. From the Smokehouse to the gardens, the estate helped sustain its owners and servants. This garden tour highlights the essential functions of the garden. The food and agriculture theme extends into the mansion, where garden tools, cookbooks, and domestic utensils complement an afternoon tour.
Choose a tour of Garden,House, or both with a leisurely cafe lunch between
Garden Tour: 10:30| House Tour: 12:30

Address

1644 31st Street NW

Kelley Proxmire Sample Sale

September 6th, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Varies on item | Event Website

3,000-Square-Foot Warehouse Filled with Designer Furnishings & Accessories from Hickory Chair, Lee Jofa, Schumacher and many more

OPEN HOUSE SALE

Saturday, September 6, 2014

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Address

DNS Warehouse; 4229b Howard Avenue; Kensington, MD 20895; (behind Hollis & Knight)

Plank & Rose

September 6th, 2014 at 08:30 AM | Free | shelby@brandlinkdc.com | Event Website

Pike & Rose invites the community to a morning of rest and relaxation at Plank & Rose, an outdoor yoga event on Grand Park Avenue. The free class will overlook the Pike & Rose development and will be taught by an instructor Sport & Health, the future health club facility of the new community. The first 100 attendees will receive a complimentary Pike & Rose yoga mat. All attendees can enter to win a one month and three month gym memberships courtesy of Sport & Health.

Address

Pike & Rose – 11580 Old Georgetown Rd, North Bethesda, Maryland

Donna Clark – Mindscapes

September 7th, 2014 at 05:00 PM | Free | art@liveanartfullife.com | Tel: 540-253-9797 | Event Website

A unique solo exhibit by acclaimed regional artist Donna Clark. “I paint in series – images that are not place specific. I consider them personal dreamlike mindscapes of imagined locations in my natural world.” The public is invited to an opening reception on Sunday, September 7, 5:00 – 7:00PM. In addition, Clark will demonstrate her distinctive painting technique on September 14 at 2:00PM. This is a great opportunity to watch her paint and ask questions of this very talented artist.

Address

Live An Artful Life Gallery; 6474 Main Street; The Plains, VA 20198

Yoga at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library

September 7th, 2014 at 01:30 PM | Free | Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | Event Website](http://dclibrary.org/georgetown)

Take an Om Break at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library. Join the Georgetown Neighborhood Library for a variety of yoga classes taught by teachers from Yoga Activist. The Georgetown Neighborhood Library is registering RSVPs for all September classes.
To RSVP for any or all classes send Erika Rydberg an email with the class(es) you’re interested in registering for. The first 30 RSVPs will be registered and the remaining RSVPs will be placed on a waiting list. Please RSVP to Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov

Address

3260 R Street NW

Wedding Salon

September 8th, 2014 at 04:00 PM | $75.00 | jesse@weddingsalon.com | Tel: 212.631.7777 | [Event Website](http://www.weddingsalon.com/)

Don’t miss out on the bridal event of the season! Join the Wedding Salon on September 8th at the Loews Madison Hotel in Washington DC to discover the best resources for your wedding. Indulge in cake tastings by Charm City Cakes, cocktails, beauty makeovers, honeymoon giveaways and fabulous goody bags featuring Essie.

Address

Loews Madison Hotel; 1177 15th Street, NW

FedScoop Hosts Top Government and Academia Leaders in Tech Town Hall

September 9th, 2014 at 07:30 AM | Event Website](http://fedscoop.com/)

from 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Join FedScoop for its Tech Town Hall, held at the Newseum. Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Russell Shilling, Tom Kalil and Teresa Carlson.

Tickets for the high profile conference are complimentary before September 5th by using registration code: FSTECHTOWN

After September 5th, Tickets for industry members will be $195 and free for government attendees with valid government email addresses.

Address

The Newseum; 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Gary Tischler •

It’s hard to believe that Joan Rivers will never say another word, funny, obscene, outrageous, funny and funnier or otherwise.

It’s true. Her daughter Melissa, with whom she had a show on television, called “Fashion Police,” made the announcement Sept. 4 that the comedienne had “died peacefully surrounded by family at Mt. Sinai hospital.” Rivers had gone into cardiac arrest during what was described as a routine medical procedure a week ago and had been on life support before being moved to a private room yesterday.

You suspect that, if given the opportunity, she might not have gone so gently or quietly into that good night, given her reputation for irreverence and given the fact that she had always something to say about something and everything, not all of it music to the ear.

There really wasn’t anybody like Joan Rivers, who looked, well, fabulous into 81 years, some of that bouffant blonde glamorous look due to plastic surgery, a fact which gave her plenty of material to make fun of. That was one of the things about Rivers—she wanted to do nothing but make people laugh, an ambition which she succeeded at most of the time, leaving behind the echo of loud laughter, louder outrage and wounded egos. She could laugh at herself. She didn’t care, and she didn’t mind.

At some point in her life and lives, she was a stand-up comedian—one of the first of her sex—an actress, a director (of a very funny movie called “Rabbit Test,” starring Billy Crystal in 1978), a fashion judge, a frequent guest on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” (until she wasn’t), a television star, a reality show star (with her daughter) with whom she often fought, a tough-love mother and daughter act. She was a writer, repeatedly telling the story of her life and laughs, in periodic between-the-covers-of-a-book updates. The titles tell the story: “Enter Talking,” “Still Talking,” “I Hate Everybody, Especially Me” and “Diary of a Mad Diva” among many. She was just about always unapologetic, if she happened to offend someone, which was fairly often.

She was also very, very funny, one-of-a-kind funny. Way back when she was in a play called “Driftwood,” in which she played a lesbian with a crush on Barbra Streisand—a pre-“Funny Girl” and “People” Streisand. She and her daughter practically invented the red carpet fashion critique act, in which she skewered bad dresses and the people who wore them, as in “I am wearing Ralph Lauren.”

She was once the subject of one of those infamous roasts, conducted by celebrities, other comics, film actors and the like—Dean Martin has a collection of them. The occasion, as was the case with others, was obscene, merciless and funny. When Rivers showed up to roast others, it very likely caused panic attacks in the hearts of the subjects.

Rivers lives on YouTube, of course, as do so many—there is a very funny sequence with a Johnny Carson appearance, a task she had being doing 21 years at the time, and she brought a dress and hair and a necklace which she’s worn on the first such appearance. “What happened to my hair?” Carson asked. The two had a falling out over the fact that Rivers had neglected to warn Carson about the fact that she was going to be doing a late-night talk show opposite Carson.

There is a fairly recent video of Rivers essentially staring and yelling down a heckler at an appearance in Wisconsin in which she used her credo as a kind of bold comedy statement. She’d made an off-color joke about Helen Keller. A guy in the crowd yelled, “That’s not funny.” “Yes, it is,” Rivers shot back. “I had a deaf mother, you stupid ass. … I learned that you have to laugh at everything so you can get over it . You stupid SOB.”

Rivers was inspired by Lenny Bruce. No shrinking violet either, Bruce, too, was like nobody else, and he suffered for it along with his addictions. Rivers got over things and thrived well into an age when you’re not supposed to be thriving, not supposed to be sharp-witted, stomp up and down and just raise hell. What Betty White has done remains a mystery.

You can just imagine what’s happening upstairs, where they have the first gated community. “Maybe we should lock the gate,” someone says. “I’m coming in,” the brash one might say.

“Get over it.” Still, down here, it’s a lot quieter.

Robert Devaney •

“I feel I am at my real-life Hogwarts,” said Heather Sewell of Halcyon House. She is one of seven inaugural fellows of the Halcyon Incubator, a 14-month fellowship and social entrepreneurship program, administered by the S&R Foundation.

The Halcyon fellows were publicly acknowledged at a Sept. 4 presentation at historic Halcyon House on Prospect Street, where they will live for the next four months with 10 additional months of collaboration, support and consulting with program staffers.

“The Halcyon Incubator is a place to work . . . and learn . . .,” said Kate Goodall, chief operating officer of S&R Foundation, which takes no equity from the fellows’ projects. Goodall said the no-strings-attached fellowships benefit from “the unique properties of Washington, D.C.”

The program, according to the foundation, “provides fellows with rent-free housing and office space, food and living stipends, mentorship, complimentary strategic, legal and PR resources,” as it “nurtures problem-solvers addressing 21st-century social challenges by transforming raw talent and audacious ideas into scalable ventures.”

Citing the story of calm nesting days for the Halcyon bird, as pictured in the program’s logo, S&R Foundation CEO and co-founder Sachiko Kuno said, “Halcyon is such an aptly named house for an incubator.” At the presentation in Halcyon’s ballroom, she introduced her husband Ryuji Ueno to the crowd — “my media-shy co-founder.”

Kuno and Ueno — who hail from Japan and made their fortune in the pharmaceutical business — made a big splash in Georgetown, when they purchased the Evermay Estate ($22 million) on the east side in July 2011 and then Halcyon House ($11 million) on the west side in March 2012. Both historic properties are used by S&R Foundation. (Halcyon House underwent a $3-million renovation.)

The foundation was founded in 2000 and includes the Overtures Concert Series, the Evermay Chamber and science programs and awards.

Introduced by Incubator program manager Ryan Ross, each fellow had his or her story to tell and vision to persuade — and each made quite an impression. They are seven chosen out of 200 applicants. (Next year’s class application deadline is Sept. 18.)

Olivier Kamanda of Ideal Impact wants the news to go further; his website shows how or where one can help to volunteer or contribute. Ari Raz of Purejoy wants to produce fresh baby food for all. Diana Sierra of BeGirl wants to help women around the world have sanitary pads they can use, as they work or go to school, during menstruation. Ben Reich and Dan Gallagher of Datasembly run a data aggregate that helps small businesses sift through it all, avoiding the “data-rich and info-poor” conundrum. Founder of the Daily Prophet, a online newspaper inspired by the Harry Potter book series, Heather Sewell of NewsEase wants reading news and other stories to be more educational. Matt Fischer of Control A+ has constructed a monitor that predicts asthma attacks.

Can these fellows change the world? It might just help that they started to make it all work at Halcyon House — and in Georgetown, more innovative than most suspect.

Robert Devaney • September 10, 2014

A woman riding a moped died Aug. 15 after being hit by a truck on the 4900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, in the District, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The accident occurred in front of Engine Company 31 around 8:30 Friday morning at Fessenden Street NW. D.C. Fire & EMS spokesman Tim Wilson told WTOP, “A witness came in and alerted the members that were inside. Immediately, the rest of the members of the fire house … ran out and assessed the situation and provided some medical care to the patient.”

The moped driver — 36-year-old Nadia Sophie Seiler of Wheaton, Md. — was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.
An MPD spokeswoman said that the truck driver stayed on the scene and that the incident was under investigation.

Robert Devaney •

Another Georgetown classic is about to vanish.

Mr. Smith’s — “the friendliest saloon in town” at 3104 M St., NW, since 1965 — will close within weeks, probably by Sept. 1, its general manager Juan Andino told several media outlets.

Andino told ABC 7 News and others that the Boston-based landlord is raising the rent to levels his business cannot afford. He also said that he hoped to relocate the restaurant elsewhere in Georgetown, just as those who ran the closed Neyla, due to a lost lease, have indicated.

Said local advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels: “Mr. Smith’s, a fixture on M Street since 1965, was one of Georgetown’s enduring establishments. It added a nice flavor to the scene, and its piano bar will be missed.”

Mr. Smith’s with its piano bar and sing-alongs amid vintage furnishings is known to many Washingtonians as a spot where they had some of their first dates. As the restaurant wrote on its website: “One customer summed up Mr. Smith’s quite nicely a few years ago when he said, ‘…with its faded Victorian elegance, Mr. Smith’s is the place to go for good food and great fun!’ ”

Gary Tischler •

These days, if you want to talk about immigration, or naturalization, or American citizenship, people are likely to get angry.

Immigration, long a feverish political issue, discussed in terms of amnesty or no amnesty, has become a flashpoint topic that divides the country politically. Several presidents and legislatures have failed to come together on solutions. Recently, a huge influx of illegal immigrants coming from Central American countries has added fuel to the flames of the debate.

All this bellicosity, anger, and paralysis has obscured something essential about the United States. Everybody still wants to come here, live here, work here, and in astounding numbers, wants to become a citizen. Immigration and naturalization occurs every day and every year, in simple, and quite emotional, occasions all over the country. It’s an ongoing process that appears to be little noticed in all the media and political tumult.

In 2012, by May, some 500,000 people from all parts of the world had become citizens through the process of naturalization. Some 600,000 have done so so far this year. Every year, there are special occasions for large naturalization events, celebrating the long standing virtues of the United States¬—that this is a place where—not always, but most of the time—the door has been open for people from elsewhere in the world.
On Aug. 1, 25 children from countries all over the world received citizenship certificates by dint of the fact that their parents had already become citizens. The event was held in the North Garden at Dumbarton House (its director Karen Daly is shown below at a podium) on Q Street with the help of staff from the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services, and was hosted in conjunction with the D.C. region’s Star-Spangled Summer War of 1812 Commemorative programming.

This was not a political event, but rather a celebration of proud children and proud parents who had become citizens of the U.S. They came from El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Togo and Vietnam.

Naturalization events, in which immigrants pledge allegiance to the United States, after passing tests on American history and government, civics and English, were held in large numbers all over the country on the Fourth of July. On September 17, which is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, similar events will be held at military bases, national parks, presidential libraries and historic sites, including Faneuil Hall in Boston; Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park; National Monument in Grand Junction, Colo.; the Harry Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo.; the National Archives in Washington, D.C.; the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas; Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, and others.
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Robert Devaney •

Love locks, which have been showing up on the railing of Key Bridge that links Georgetown and Arlington, will be cut off the structure Thursday by the District Department of Transportation, the agency says.

While Washington, D.C., may not want to look like it is anti-romantic, the padlocks are seen as damaging to the bridge over the long term.

“We are all about love—a nice bridge is love, a working bridge is love—but we are going to have to take them down,” DDOT spokesperson Reggie Sanders told WJLA. “It is an aesthetic problem as well.”

While love locks have been around for a long time, love locks on bridges gained major popularity in Europe within the past 10 years. Locks are put on railings or fences with a special inscription for the two lovers. Locks have also been cluttering up the Brooklyn Bridge. In June, the love-famed Pont des Arts footbridge in Paris near the Louvre lost part of its fencing which collapsed under the weight of so many locks.

Sanders further argued to WTOP: “Locks are being removed because we don’t want to establish a precedence where our structures could become polluted with these types of campaigns. Also, it could jeopardize the functionality of the railings.”