Latest News

Georgetowner • August 19, 2013

7th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival – D.C.

AUGUST 16TH, 2013 AT 06:00 PM | $10-$12 | INFO@NYADIFF.ORG | TEL: (212) 864-1760 | EVENT WEBSITE

The African Diaspora International Film Festival comes to DC! The African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) presents an eclectic mix of urban, classic, independent and foreign films that depict the richness and diversity of the life experience of people of African descent and Indigenous people all over the world.

Friday, August 16, 2013?

Opening Night

?6 p.m. African Independence – Q&A??

Saturday, August 17, 2013?

1 p.m. Otomo?

3:30 p.m. Maestro Issa?

5:30 p.m. The Pirogue?

7:30 p.m. Nishan??

Sunday, August 18, 2013?

1 p.m. The Pirogue?

3 p.m. Return to Gorée?

5:30 p.m. Closing Night?

Tango McBeth

Get full film descriptions and ticket info at: http://nyadiff.org/adiff-washington-dc-2013/

Address

Goethe Institute?; 812 Seventh Street, NW?

Summer concert series hosted by Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

AUGUST 16TH, 2013 AT 07:00 PM | FREE | KDROUIN@SUSANDAVIS.COM | EVENT WEBSITE

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation continues its outdoor summer concert series tradition with a performance by the Quantico Marine Corps Band. It will perform spirited and patriotic music, celebrating our nation and the history of the Marine Corps. Outdoor concessions will be available. The museum will remain open until the start of the concert. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside the museum.

Address

National Museum of the Marine Corps?; 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway ?Triangle, VA 22172

Summer Jazz Soiree with the International Club of DC

AUGUST 16TH, 2013 AT 07:00 PM | $20 | EDUCATION@DUMBARTONHOUSE.ORG | TEL: 202-337-2288 | EVENT WEBSITE

Discover one of Georgetown’s historic homes during an evening of jazz, dancing, food and meeting new people from 7-10 p.m. Stroll the gardens and museum, then enjoy a night of dancing to a live jazz ensemble.?? Pie Sisters – Georgetown will be selling a selection of individual sweet and savory pies – menu coming soon. Wine and champagne will be available for purchase from Tradewinds. Water and other drinks will also be on sale. Cash only.

Address

Dumbarton House; ?2715 Q Street NW?

Capital City Showcase

August 17th, 2013 at 10 p.m. | $10/$15 at the door | Tel: 202-431-4704 | [Event Website](

The Capital City Showcase is the variety show that brings you some of the best comedians, musicians, and performing artists in the DMV. Hosted by Christian Hunt, it has featured some of the DC area’s finest stand-up comedians, improv comics, rock bands, jazz bands, acoustic guitarists, and hip-hop artists.

Featured:

rock band [The Grey Area](www.mtv.com/artists/the-grey-area)

comedian [Katherine Jessup](www.twitter.com/titlehere)

comedian [Matty Litwack](www.mattylitwack.com)

comedian [Ol Mike B](www.twitter.com/olmikeb757)

musician [Matt Tarka](www.matttarkamusic.com)

comedian [Gabe Zucker](www.twitter.com/GabeZucker)

Address

D.C. Arts Center; 2438 18th St. NW

End-of-Summer Ice Cream Sunday

AUGUST 18TH, 2013 AT 01:00 PM | $8 | EDUCATION@DUMBARTONHOUSE.ORG | TEL: 202-337-2288 | [EVENT WEBSITE](http://augusticecreamsunday.eventbrite.com/)

Guests will make their own ice cream, and sample an ice cream flavors popular during the federal period. End your visit with a tour of Dumbarton House to learn about the history of early Georgetown and the Federal City.

Ice cream making will be available from 1-2 p.m. A guided tour of the home will commence at 2:15 p.m. or you may take a self-guided tour at any time. Historic lawn games will be also be available throughout the day for children and the young at heart.

Address

Dumbarton House?; 2715 Q Street NW?

Beasley Real Estate Presents ‘Sixteen Candles’

AUGUST 18TH, 2013 AT 07:30 PM

Join Beasley Real Estate on Sunday night for a free community movie night!? Now in its second year, the Best of Summer series is a great opportunity for new and old neighbors to get together and enjoy a great night under the stars.? A two-story screen, free popcorn and other goodies, too.

Address

Logan Circle; ?St. Luke’s; 1514 15th St NW (Corner of 15th & P)?

Lisa Gillespie •

D.C. government is considering building a new soccer stadium for D.C. United, and on July 25, business leaders and government officials proposed to build a 20,000-seat soccer stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest, D.C. Council members are weighing the project, which might bring new jobs and development to an underutilized section of the city.

At-large councilwoman Anita Bonds said in a release that she wants to hear from residents on the cost and feasibility of the plan and on the impact that the development for waterways and environment, its effect on the construction of the upcoming Frederick Douglass Bridge replacement, the transfer of the Reeves Center as well as ramifications on the Southwest and Southeast neighborhoods. Since the first Major League Soccer season in 1996, United has played its home games at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, a half-century-old football stadium with deteriorating infrastructure and outdated amenities. Meanwhile, United have seen its rival clubs build soccer-specific venues of their own as the league has grown. The new stadium would potentially open in 2016. [gallery ids="101422,154879" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 15, 2013

The Giving Tree Band at Hill Country Barbecue

March 29, 8:30 p.m. | Free | info@hillcountrywdc.com | Tel: (202) 556-2050 | Event Website

Visit Hill Country Barbecue Market in downtown D.C. to hear the Giving Tree Band. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the show begins at 9:30 p.m.. The event is open to all ages and is free to the public.

Address

410 Seventh St., NW

Fifth Annual Eggstravaganza

March 30, 10 a.m. | Member Children: $7 Nonmember Children: $10 Adult Chaperones: $5 | Tel: 202-298-6007 | Event Website

Join the Easter Bunny, as children of all ages enjoy an egg hunt (at 10:30 a.m.) and thrilling Egg Roll Contest (at 10:45 a.m.) down the grand south lawn. Other activities include decorating festive eggs and playing games from the past. Bring your camera. Self-guided tours of Tudor Place’s five-and-a-half acres of glorious gardens are also available. Bring your own basket, spoon, and one hard-boiled egg per child.

Address

Tudor Place, 1644 31st St., NW

41st Annual Messiah Sing-Along

March 31, 7:30 p.m. | FREE! | jrlewisoffice@aol.com | Tel: 703-524-2224 | Event Website

Join Clarendon United Methodist Church on Easter evening for a sing-along of Handel’s Messiah. Conducted by J. Reilly Lewis and features a full orchestra and soloists. This is a free event.

Address

606 North Irving St., Arlington, Va.

Tuesday Night Movies at the Library

April 2, 6 p.m. | FREE | Tel: 202-727-0232 | Event Website

Celebrate France with the library’s April Film Series, Bon Cinéma. The first selection is “Amélie” (R, 2001), which stars Audrey Tautou as a hopeless romantic who sets out on the adventure of her life. Enjoy the free screening on 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 2.

Address

Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R St., NW.

Parables, Poetry and Czardas

April 3, 7 p.m. | FREE | michele.giacalone@esteri.it | Tel: (202) 518-0998, ext.27 | Event Website

An eclectic mix of works that, as the title of the program suggests, will include the telling of stories through music, the conjuring up of poetic images through sound and the call to dance through infectious rhythms. Music by P. Maurice, C. Chaminade, L.A. Smith, V. Persichetti and P. Iturralde.

Address

Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven St., NW.

Dumbarton House’s Gala Auction- Metamo’rphosis I

April 4, 6 p.m. | 100.00 | Tel: (202) 337-2288 | Event Website

The Ladies of the Dumbarton House Board and International Club of D.C. cordially invite you for an evening of music, food and cocktails with live and silent auctions featuring the one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces currently on exhibition in the museum.

Business/cocktail attire suggested

Proceeds from the auctions will go toward Dumbarton House’s preservation efforts.

Address

Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St., NW.

Robert Devaney • August 12, 2013

Cost-cutting. News-gathering jobs lost. It’s not just for old-school newspapers. It is about to hit AOL’s hyperlocal digital news network, Patch.

Last week, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong caused a bit of a stir in the business world of journalism, whether digital or print, citizen or professional, when he said that about 500 jobs would be cut and that local Patch news sites which were not profitable would be closed or merged with other local websites, according to media reports. That means about one-third of the approximately 900 Patch sites across the U.S. would be affected. Specific job cuts by AOL have not yet been announced.

AOL stated at the beginning of 2013 that it expected its Patch network to be profitable by the end of the year.

For Georgetown and surrounding neighborhoods, some good news: Georgetown Patch — which launched Sept. 8, 2010 — appears safe from any chopping block, although this has not been confirmed. It is the only Patch site in the District of Columbia. Edited by Shaun Courtney, GeorgetownPatch.com is a lively and up-to-the-minute mix of breaking news, news you can, calendar events and community commentary.

Armstrong also caused another stir Aug. 9 when during a conference call to Patch employees he abruptly fired Patch creative director Abel Lenz for taking a photo of him as he was speaking, according to the media blog, JimRomenesko.com.

A former Google employee, Armstrong co-founded the hyperlocal Patch in 2007. He sold it to AOL for $7 million in 2009, when he became head of AOL.

Reporting on the belt-tightening announcement, the New York Post wrote, in part: “In some towns, Patch sites have become quite popular as go-to destinations for political, youth-sports and local news. In others, the small staff and infrequent updates rendered the sites seldom-visited cyber ghost-towns. … By some estimates, AOL has spent more than $300 million on Patch since 2009, and it has yet to turn a profit.”

There are 45 Patch sites in Maryland and 30 in Virginia. The Georgetowner tried to contact Georgetown Patch for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

Georgetowner •

Terence Blanchard at Blues Alley Jazz

August 9th, 2013 at 08:00 PM | 40 | Event Website

Listen to Terence Blanchard, a Grammy winning trumpeter, play at the Blues Alley. Born in New Orleans, Blanchard is well known as a performer and musical composer for films, including several by Spike Lee. For Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues Blanchard was musical arranger and a trumpet coach for actor Denzel Washington. Despite his interest and participation in film, television and theater, though, Blanchard regards himself first and foremost as a jazz musician.

Address

Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Fathering of the Butterflies

August 10th, 2013 at 10:00 AM | Free | marcia@bendurepr.com | Tel: 703-777-3174 | Event Website

On Saturday, August 10 from 10 a.m. – noon, join Oatlands for the “Gathering of the Butterflies.” A family friendly celebration of the monarch butterfly, complete with a parade of winged children. All types of butterflies and fairies are invited to participate in the parade. The rain date is August 17th.

Address

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

Family Programs at Lockhouse 25

August 10th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | curtis@canaltrust.org | Tel: 301-714-2233 | Event Website

Join C&O Canal staff and volunteers select weekends this summer as Lockhouse 25 (Edwards Ferry) is opened to the public for family exploration and activities. As part of the new C&O Canal Civic Engagement program, families will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on programs that will allow them to explore and learn about life on the C&O Canal in the 19th century and its unique place in the story of the struggle for freedom and equality in our nation. Activities will be for all ages!

Address

15400 Edwards Ferry Rd, Poolesville MD (continue to the end of Edwards Ferry Rd)

Go Go Symphony Concert

August 11th, 2013 at 05:00 PM | Free | erin.passmore.mos@gmail.com

Go Go Symphony is a classical orchestra playing party music over Washington, D.C.’s historic go go beat sound. The project is brainchild of local classical musician Liza Figueroa Kravinsky. Also performing will be Arlington’s Khalil Minor a jazz/hip hop guitarist, and Hans Daniels an eclectic and dubstep DJ from Atlanta.

The performance is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Church at Clarendon, 1210 North Highland Street, Arlington.

Address

Church at Clarendon, 1210 North Highland Street, Arlington.

Breakfast 50 Years in the Making

August 12th, 2013 at 08:00 AM | Tel: 202-333-9180 | Event Website

Clyde’s of Georgetown is marking its 50th birthday with a gratis breakfast in its Omelette Room. Then come back later for ’60s and ’70s menu items like London broil and a Brandy Alexander.

Address

Clyde’s of Georgetown; 3236 M St NW

Branch Out Happy Hours

August 13th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | Event Website](http://caseytrees.org/)

Enjoy the summer weather the best way- with a nice view and a cold drink in hand. All are welcome.
Hosted by Casey Trees.

Address

Satellite Room; 2047 9th Street NW

Georgetowner • August 5, 2013

Seventh Annual Middleburg Summer Sidewalk Sale

August 2nd, 2013 at 10:00 AM | Tel: 540-687-5152

Middleburg, the quaint historic town nestled in Virginia horse country, is cleaning out its closets and storage areas and moving onto the sidewalks, August 2-4, for the 7th annual Summer Sidewalk Sale. The sale, sponsored by the Middleburg branch of Union First Market Bank, will be held on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday as posted by shops. A raffle will also be held. Look for balloons outside participating shops and restaurants!

Address

The Town of Middleburg; 12 North Madison Street; Middleburg, VA 20117

Washington Project for the Arts Presents Hothouse Happy Hour: The Art of the Superhero

August 2nd, 2013 at 06:00 PM | free entry, cash bar | info@wpadc.org | Tel: 202.234.7103 | Event Website

The Art of the Super Hero –

Revisited, a group exhibition organized by Lenny Campello exploring our cultural fascination with masked men
and caped crusaders. The artists included in the exhibition approach their topic with a mix of levity and seriousness,using the figure of the superhero to explore issues of identity, immigration, and the struggles of daily life.

Address

The Capitol Skyline Hotel Lounge; 10 I (Eye) Street SW

Studio Theatre Annual Garage Sale

August 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 AM | studio@studiotheatre.org | Tel: 202-232-7267 | Event Website

The Studio Theatre is hosting its Annual Garage Sale which will include props, furniture and costumes from the 2012-2013 season as well as many other special items from the collection.

Address

Studio Theatre; 1501 14th Street NW

Mazza Jazz

August 3rd, 2013 at 04:00 PM | Free | kate@myerspr.com | Tel: 202-966-6114 | Event Website

Enjoy a pleasant Saturday afternoon vibe at Mazza Gallerie with a Mazza Jazz performance on the first Saturday of every month this summer. On his saxophone, recording artist Rob Maletick leads ensembles of his own style of jazz. He’ll be on the mezzanine between Pampillonia Jewelers and Ann Taylor from 4 pm until 6 pm on May 4, June 1, July 6, and August 3. For further information, please call 202.966.6114 or visit mazzagallerie.com.

Address

5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015

Beasley Real Estate Presents “The Princess Bride”

August 4th, 2013 at 07:30 PM

Join Beasley Real Estate on Sunday night for a free community movie night!
Now in its second year, the “Best of Summer” series is a great opportunity for new and old neighbors to get together and enjoy a great night under the stars.

A two-story screen, free popcorn and other goodies, too!

Address

Corner of Bethesda Avenue & Woodmont Avenue; Bethesda, MD 20814

Jane Austen Film Festival – Pride & Prejudice (2005)

August 7th, 2013 at 07:00 PM | Free | education@dumbartonhouse.org | Tel: 202-337-2288 | Event Website

You are cordially invited to join us on the lawn of the North Garden at Georgetown’s Dumbarton House for Pride & Prejudice (2005), the third and final film in our Jane Austen Film Festival.

Admission is free, thanks to the generous support of our corporate sponsor, Long & Foster’s Georgetown Office, a Christie’s Affiliate.

Address

Dumbarton House; 2715 Q Street NW

Robert Devaney •

Georgetown University’s mascot bulldog will not return for the fall semester, the school announced July 31. The unexpected news surprised students and campus observers and was the talk of the town during these dog days of summer.

After 15 months, mascot-in-training Jack, Jr., is out as the live bulldog to represent Hoya mania at sports and other events. It appears that the young J.J. could not put up with large crowds and loud noises. J.J. was to succeed Jack the Bulldog, who still lives on the main campus and who underwent surgery for a torn ACL. Jack retired in March.

Students were upset about the sudden nature of J.J.’s departure and not being consulted on the decision.

“I did not see this coming,” Neve Schadler, head of the Jack Crew, told the student newspaper, the Hoya. “If a student were to have been consulted, it would have been me. If it’s specifically about J.J., I’m not sure why this is happening.” Schadler has cared for J.J. since the dog showed up on campus in April 2012 as a gift from Janice and Marcus Hochstetler, whose children attend the university.

J.J. lived with the older bulldog Jack and Rev. Christopher Steck, S.J., in New South dormitory. Steck did not comment to the campus media on J.J.’s departure.

With J.J. gone and Jack retired, the university will have no live bulldog as its mascot when school starts within a month. Nevertheless, already some Georgetown residents are happy to assist with any substitutions.

One such neighbor is Thomas Gerber, who has owned bulldogs and previously subbed his dog for the mascot a few years ago. Gerber said his bulldog Reuben is up to the task and happy to help with any events. “Reuben is a calm, people dog,” he said.

Here is Georgetown University’s statement on the matter from spokesperson Rachel Pugh:

In April of 2012, our community welcomed Jack, Jr. (J.J.) to Georgetown as mascot-in-training. We housed the young puppy while consulting with trainers and experts to ensure that he was adjusting to life on campus.

Since that time, J.J.’s caretaker and walkers have worked to orient him to campus and train him for mascot duties. We also worked with professional trainers to help J.J. learn about life on a busy college campus. Recognizing that the lifestyle of a mascot is exciting and hectic, involving many people, thousands of screaming fans, and regular appearances at events both on and off-campus, we wanted to ensure that our puppy would be happy with this unique lifestyle.

After 15 months of monitoring and training, in consultation with these experts and the breeder, we determined that returning to a home environment is what is best for J.J.

We cannot express enough our gratitude to the Hochstetler family for their gift to our community. We are also grateful to Rev. Christopher Steck, S.J., and the Jack Crew for providing care and training for J.J. and Jack the Bulldog (Jack, Sr.). We look forward to working with them and members of our community as we make plans for our next live mascot.

While Jack, Sr.’s official mascot duties ended last year, he will continue to live on campus. The tradition of a bulldog mascot at Georgetown is a cherished one, and it will continue.

Eve Barnett • August 1, 2013

Georgetown’s Volta Park officially opened its new playground July 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and visit by Mayor Vincent Gray, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, other local politicians, Parks & Recreation employees and friends of the park. After less than two months of construction, kids are already meeting playmates and enjoying play dates.

“I think it’s really great…and a good investment,” Laura Pesty said, as she pushed her 15-month-old baby on the new, four-seat swing set.

The renovated playground, located on Q Street between 33rd and 34th Street within the park, also features a jungle gym, rope structure, sand pit, plastic climber with an attached slide and see saw. A new PebbleFlex surface covers the ground, protecting children from scraped knees and other injuries.

“I love the surface because it looks very safe for my active grandson,” said Jane Holloway during an afternoon visit. Pesty agreed, “The ground is very soft, and I appreciate that.”

The playground also has benches and picnic tables for parents, grandparents and babysitters to sit and watch their children.

Part of the Play D.C. initiative, the Volta playground is a product of a partnership between the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of General Services and the Georgetown community. Play D.C. describes itself as a project that “will improve and renovate an unprecedented number of play spaces during the 2013 fiscal year…[and] prioritize maintenance and capital improvements.”

The community-based nonprofit Friends of Volta Park Georgetown raised and contributed about $40,000 to buy most of the equipment, and the city covered construction costs. The DPR paid for the park’s “demolition and prep, equipment installation and delivery, the purchase of the new swing set, safety surface, benches and refurbished sandbox,” according to a DPR press release.
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Eve Barnett • July 29, 2013

The Department of Health closed yet another Georgetown eatery last week: Bandolero.

The Mexican restaurant, located at 3241M St., NW, had eight critical and two noncritical health code violations. The DOH citations included, among others, “cold food items…held at improper temperatures” and “lots of flies in the kitchen.”

Its summary suspension only lasted for one day, and the restaurant reopened on July 17 after passing another inspection.

Russ Ptacek, the WUSA News reporter who covered the closing first, tweeted that an “unidentified worker” attributed the inspection to an enduring “landlord dispute.” Jonathan Umbel, part-time owner of Bandolero restaurant and Tacklebox restaurant, has been involved in a civil litigation lawsuit with the building owner since 2011. Tacklebox was also inspected and closed earlier this month by the Department of Health. The landlord is trying to evict both eateries.

Amos Gelb •

Much has been penned of the recent passing of the reporter Helen Thomas. As unfortunate — or even outright brutish — as were the ill-spoken comments that brought the curtain on her active career, she is worthy of a moment of appreciation.

As one who teaches and has taught in various journalistic capacities, today most of my journalism students are women. I am delighted to say that for the most part, while they wonder — rightly — why there are not more women in the most senior news executive ranks. None of them ever questions whether they have a right to be there or they are not competing evenly with the men in the class.

And yet it is not even two generations ago that the likes of Helen Thomas and the lesser known but no lesser Fran Lewine literally kicked down the doors of Washington journalism, even as the men on the other side tried to hold them closed.

There have been at least two generations of Washington women journalists since who have all pushed that door further and further open and become powers in their own right. Since Thomas, Washington, D.C. has had its share of women bureau chiefs as well as TV news anchors and newspaper and magazine publishers. Is it an even playing field? Likely not. But it is undoubtedly a more even playing field than the one Thomas forced her way onto.

So, as I look out over my students, I think of Helen Thomas: a woman whom they never met and most have never heard of.

As a working journalist in D.C., Thomas had little direct influence on me or on what I did. But she changed the world for all of us.

It was a different age. A different journalism. But none what is playing out today in the media would have been possible if Thomas had not gotten herself into that front row of the White House press briefing room.

She was human, and the changing of the media landscape did not treat her well. And hers will be a name, regretfully, that will likely not be remembered by future generations of D.C. journalists, but it should be. Because we all stand on the foundations that Helen built. One question, one story, one refusal to give in at a time. Here’s to greatness.

Thank you, Helen.