Jack’s Boathouse Eviction Put on Hold; Future Uncertain

January 11, 2013

Like a Christmas miracle, the National Park Service has put on hold the termination of its lease with Jack’s Boathouse, the popular canoe and kayak renting facility on the Potomac River in the shadow of Key Bridge.

“In the last 24 hours, I have received hundreds of emails from citizens concerned with the future of Jack’s Boathouse,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis in a statement on Christmas Eve, according to the Washington Post. The Park Service director added that he had “directed the staff at the park and the Regional Office to withhold further action on the lease termination until I have conducted a thorough review and determined the best course of action.”

A Dec. 18 letter from the National Park Service to Paul Simkin, owner of Jack’s Canoes & Kayaks, LLC, informed him that his business had until the end of January to vacate the property.

The news that Jack’s Boathouse would be closed — first reported by the Georgetowner — launched a barrage of comments on various news websites as well as on Jack’s Boathouse Facebook page and a petition page for Jack’s on Change.org

Owner Paul Simkin found the comments “heartening” and responded in kind: “We are beyond overjoyed. While there is much work still to be done to ensure a future at the boathouse, we are hoping beyond hope that we will be able to be there for our customers and that our great staff will be able to hold on to their jobs. We can’t even begin to thank everyone for their support. We don’t know where this is going to go yet, but we do know that we couldn’t be this far without your love. This is an extraordinarily Merry Christmas for the entire Jack’s family, and we hope to see you on the water this summer.”

Despite the good will toward Jack’s and the pause by the Park Service on its decision to end its lease with Jack’s, Simkin remains uncertain about the boathouse’s future. “At a Dec. 26 meeting with the Park Service, I was trying to find a win-win situation,” he said. “Let’s just say it was frustrating and less than helpful.”

Reminded by Park Service officials that they were only interested in following the law, Simkin was also told, he said, that “the National Park Service director will decide when the director decides.”

The NPS says that it wants a boathouse at the 3500 K Street location but has not said what that will be. After the completion of Georgetown Waterfront Park, the Park Service turned its attention to the shoreline near Key Bridge and west along the shoreline of the Potomac River. It has held meetings for a study to examine “the feasibility of implementing a non- motorized boathouse zone.”

According to the NPS, “the project area includes the waterfront land from immediately upstream of the Georgetown Waterfront Park at 34th Street, to approximately 1,200 feet upstream of Key Bridge, including federal properties north of Water Street / K Street. The purpose of this study is to identify speci?c ways NPS can enhance access to the river for user groups and complement the riverside experiences provided by the Georgetown Waterfront Park, part of Rock Creek Park, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.”

The fear for some — including Simkin — is that Jack’s Boathouse will not be part of the Park Service’s vision for an enhanced Georgetown shoreline.

Despite remaining unsure of his business’s situation, Simkin praised Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, whose 2010 wedding reception was at the boathouse. “He has been a guardian angel to us,” Simkin said. “He has made all the difference in the world, reaching out to the mayor and the Park Service and calling during Christmas. The whole staff is incredibly touched by his commitment to Jack’s.”

Simkin said that he has grown Jack’s seasonal customer base from 4,000 four years ago to 72,000 in 2012. The boathouse was opened in 1945 by Jack Baxter, a former D.C. police officer. It now employs 27 persons, mostly college students.

ANC Sides With Residents, Opposes Bowling Alley If Noise Agreement Not Made


Agreeing with residents who live in the Georgetown Park condominiums, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E voted at its Jan. 2 monthly meeting to oppose the construction of a bowling alley in the former Shops at Georgetown Park if an enforceable agreement on noise is not made.

The request by new tenant, Pinstripes, a Illinois-based Italian bistro with bowling and bocce as well as banquet space, caught flak from condo residents, who fear more noise from the proposed bowling alley. Residents also voiced their frustration with living above an ongoing construction zone. One condo dweller, a veteran from Operation Enduring Freedom, told the crowd that living there was “hell” and that it was “worse than sleeping in Afghanistan.”

A representative from Vornado Realty, owner of the huge retail space at 3222 M Street, NW, was on hand to talk about Pinstripes and other new tenants — including T.J. Maxx and Home Goods. Pinstripes’s founder and CEO Dale Schwartz was also at the meeting to address the ANC about the quality and upscale nature of his food operation and talk to the crowd in the hall outside the meeting.

It came down to ANC chair Ron Lewis to offer a resolution that would oppose the bowling alley before the Board of Zoning Adjustment at its Jan. 15 meeting — if the condominium association and Pinstripes do not strike an agreement on vibration and noise control with an “enforceable mechanism for securing that assurance.” The ANC also opposed an outdoor patio, also proposed by Pinstripes.

Repairs to Close Lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge


Beginning Jan. 3, the District Department of Transportation is scheduled to conduct repairs and bridge preservation activities on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge over Rock Creek Parkway, according to a DDOT traffic advisory. The off-peak lane closures on the bridge which leads to the western end of Pennsylvania Avenue in Georgetown should last only about six weeks.

The work will be conducted daily, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., DDOT said, and the project is expected to be completed on or before Feb. 15. “The work will require closing one lane of westbound traffic over the bridge during off-peak hours. The lane closures are temporary and will not be installed until the completion of the morning rush hour and will be removed before the start of the evening rush hour.”

Messages boards are in place to alert the traveling public to these closures, DDOT added. Motorists in this corridor can expect some delays but DDOT does not anticipate the lane closures will significantly impact the flow of traffic.

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel Unveiled

January 3, 2013

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel on 14th & K Street, NW, unveiled its latest renovations Dec. 12 with a Roaring ’20s party in honor of the era when the hotel was built. Guests enjoyed prohibition-era cocktails while listening to a jazz band trio in the newly refurbished lobby. New executive chef Juan Natal prepared exquisite hors d’oeuvres. Mae West and W.C. Fields impersonators mingled with guests to put them in the spirit of the 1920s. Interstate Hotels & Resorts CEO Jim Abrahamson was joined by Linda Roth Conte (left) and Kate Michael aka K Street Kate (right).

Anna Banana Brings Fine Art to Children


This winter, a new arts center will be opening in Georgetown, Anna Banana Arts and Crafts, founded by arts teacher Anne Freeman, who has taught art privately for three years.

Freeman brings 20 years of experience in the field as an educator and art dealer. She has also taught at the Art Resource Program at Chevy Chase Bethesda Community Children’s Center and at the Art Resource Unit at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Nursery School.

In those courses, students will learn about artists like Matisse, Picasso, Calder and Koons as well as how to work with different techniques and materials, such as pastels, paints, watercolors and paper pulp.

The one-room studio is filled with natural light. Courses are offered for children ages 2 to 8-years-old. The studio’s first winter session begins on Jan. 7 and will meet weekly for ten weeks.

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts is located at 3270 S St., NW. For more information and rates, visit www.annabananaartsandcrafts.com.

Weekend Round Up December 20, 2012


The 13th Hour

December 21 at 7:30 p.m.| $15.00 | Rnewman@ellingtonarts.org | Tel: 202.337.4825 | Event Website

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts senior class of 2013 presents – “The 13th Hour” — an exhilarating variety/fashion show featuring musical performers, poets, dancers and runway models. The show is a modern mix of New York Fashion week; Broadway and American Idol fused into one fantasical evening.

Address

Duke Ellington Theatre, 3500 R St., NW

THE SEAN FLEMING BAND

December 21 at 9 p.m. | CRISTINAH@MAPPLLC.COM | Tel: 202.2441882 | Event Website

Come eat, drink, dance and indulge yourselves to the fun and upbeat tunes of the very popular Sean Fleming Band playing at the lengendary Dancing Crab Restaruant.

Book your table now as space is limited.

Address

4615 Wisconsin Ave., NW

Christmas in Fairfax

December 22nd, 2012 at 07:00 PM | Free | Event Website

In what has become one of the area’s most popular concerts, the City of Fairfax Band once again joins forces with the Fairfax Choral Society on a Musicological Journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Bring the kids and enjoy John Lyon’s humorous rendering of ” ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and be sure to arrive early to visit with Santa.

Address

3501 Rebel Run; Fairfax, Va. 22030

Carols by Candlelight

December 23rd, 2012 at 06:00 PM | Free | tickets@cathedral.org | Tel: (202) 537-2228 | Event Website

Sunday, December 23, 6 pm

Monday, December 24, 6 pm

Favorite carols, beautiful Christmas music and lit candles help to tell again the ancient story of the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Address

3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Festival Holy Eucharist

December 24th, 2012 at 10:00 PM | Free | tickets@cathedral.org | Tel: 2025372228 | Event Website

Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, 10 pm

Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 11 am

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington, will preach at the services on Christmas Eve and the Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the cathedral, will preach Christmas morning at 11 am.

Address

3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Last-Minute New Year’s Eve Events


Cafe Milano (1246 Wisconsin Ave NW) invites you to spend New Year’s Eve celebrating 50 years of James Bond! Featuring DJs, dancing and entertaining surprises. Cafe Milano is also offering a special holiday a la carte menu 5:30pm until 7:00pm and then a five-course prix fixe menu 8:30pm through the New Year. For reservation call 202.965.8990 x127.

Nick’s Riverside Grill and Tony & Joe’s (3000 K Street NW) are celebrating the triumphal return of their annual New Year’s Eve on the Potomac party! Nick’s and Tony & Joe’s boasts one of the premier locations in DC at the Washington Harbour on the Potomac, offering scenic views and the new skating rink winter wonderfland. Ring in the New Year with live entertainment from The Josh Burgess Band and local DJs, and enjoy a delicious buffet and open bar – all inclusive! Must be 21 to enter. Party starts at 9pm. Click here for tickets.

Ristorante Piccolo (1068 31st Street NW) invites you to a Venetian romantic, candlelit alternative to New Year’s Eve Bashes. There are bustling big parties everywhere celebrating New Year’s Eve, but if you want a romantic, candlelit alternative to New Year’s Eve, let Ristorante Piccolo transport you to one of the most romantic cities of the world. In addition to three roaring fireplaces and candlelit rooms, a strolling musician will be adding to the romance, and will leave you with a memorable New Year’s Eve! Click here for pricing, details and to make your reservation.

Martin’s Tavern (1264 Wisconsin Ave NW) will be featuring their regular dinner service until 11pm. Starting at 10pm, join them for their New Year’s festivities, including a champagne toast at midnight, hats, horns and noise makers. Dance to great music and enjoy a special limited menu after 11pm. $10 cover.

Bandolero (3124 M Street NW) invites you to dust off your cowboy boots and join the Bandolero team in ringing in the New Year at their Mexican Cowboy Countdown. Feast on hors d’ouevres and food stations featuring some of Isabella’s modern Mexican specialties including tuna taquitos and scuklin pig tacos. Drinks will be flowing all night long, and we’re pretty sure that after a couple of signature margaritas you’ll have no trouble finding your way to the dance floor. Tickets are $150 and include tax and gratuity. Click here for tickets and details.

L2 Lounge (3315 Cady’s Alley NW) is hosting “A Night at the Moulin Rouge” on New Year’s Eve to bid farewell to 2012 starting at 10pm. And breakfast starting at 12:30am. No entry fee for L2 Members; $50 per person for non-members. Table reservations available for L2 Members. For reservations and tickets RSVP, email NYE@L2lounge.com. 202.965.2001

Sequoia at Washington Harbour ( 3000 K St., NW) – come ring in the New Year at the Waterfront! Enjoy a five-course dinner menu, unlimited open bar, midnight champagne toast, live music by the Radio King Orchestra. Seating is from 6 – 11pm. Ticket packages starting at $65. 202.944.4200

Peacock Cafe (3251 Prospect Street NW) – Peacock Café will be serving two set dinners with a prix-fixed, four-course dinner menu on New Year’s Eve. The first dinner set will begin serving dinner at 5 p.m. at $50 per guest. The second dinner set will begin at 8 p.m. and is priced at $65 per guest. Both dinner sets will offer special pricing on champagne. For reservations, please call 202-625-2740. For more information, visit Peacockcafe.com

Bangkok Joe’s (3000 K Street NW) invites you to enjoy Executive Chef/Owner Aulie Bunyarataphan’s four-course prix fixe dinner menu. This New Year’s Eve special menu includes steamed lobster dumplings, grilled rack of lamb with Thai basil sauce, peppermint mocha mousse cake, and more. New Year’s Eve dinner will be served from 5-10:30pm. $55 per person. Reserve your table today at 202.333.4422, info@bangkokjoes.com.

Morton’s The Steakhouse (3251 Prospect Street NW) will be open New Year’s Eve from 5pm to midnight, offering their full a la carte menu. And on New Year’s Day, the bar opens at 5pm and the dining room will open at 5:30pm.

Filomena Ristorante (1063 Wisconsin Ave NW) will be offering their regular menu, plus some great chef specials. 10pm seating gets party favors, and baked Alaska and champagne for the midnight celebration.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown (3100 South Street) is starting the New Year on a delicious note. Relax with friends and family over a leisurley a la carte brunch, Tuesday, January 1, 10:30am to 3pm.

Farmers Fishers Bakers (3000 K Street) – make your first meal of 2013 a good one — join Farmers Fishers Bakers for New Year’s Day brunch. Enjoy farm-fresh offerings ike breakfast tacos, cinnamon rolls, sushi, French toat, jambalaya, and more. Sip on boozy brunch cocktails like mimosas and cocktail bowls, or try the Bottomless Bloody Mary bar for a customizable brunch libation. Brunch will be served on Tuesday, January 1 from 10am – 2:30pm. Check out the full brunch menu and make a reservation online at FarmersFishersBakers.com. 202.298.8783

Sprinkles Cupcakes (3015 M Street) is featuring their Peace and 2013 box to ring in the New Year! And buy one get on free, limit one per person on January 2.

Lives We Miss and Have Missed


Unlike the death being impersonated by both Frederich March and Brad Pitt in the movies “Death Takes a Holiday” and “Meet Joe Black,” death does not go on vacation, wondering why folks fear him.

His work is continuous and non-stop. In the results, we hear music, loss, grief and full lives. And in those stopped abruptly, shockingly, we hear and think of thousands of words, and note achievements and those left behind and the legacies of lives lived. Searching through the paper snowdrifts of the names of the dead in the historical record for 2012 (newspapers, Wikipedia, video vaults) is an endless task best not taken. It makes you yearn for the sound of voices you’ve never heard, faces you’ve never seen, stories not yet told except in some small spot on earth.

On one such search, we found Paddy Pecker Dunne, died in his 80th year Dec. 19, in Killimer, County Clare in Ireland, where he lived with his wife and four children. Before you smile at the noticeable whimsy in the name, you might also notice that he was generally acknowledged to be one of the finest banjo players in all of Ireland and was adept with the fiddle, the melodeon and guitar, not to mention the owner of a voice that stirred anger and broke hearts, it is said. Dunne played everywhere. He was often singing in the streets for causes and melodies, otherwise known as buskering, a term we heard once from a woman who’s now a noted jazz singer. He appeared with the Dubliners and was in a movie with Richard Harris called “Trojan Eddie.” He once met Woody Guthrie.

In the Belfast Telegraph obituary, a gentleman by the name of Kieran Hanrahan, artistic director of the Tradfestival, said that “The Pecker mastered the art and craft of many an instrument, the mandolin, the fiddle and the banjo… He was distinctively known for his most precious of gifts, his voice, and what that voice could deliver. It was the envy off some of the world’s renowned rock, pop, folk and traditional singers.”

Dunne lives on on the Internet—there are dozens of videos of him playing, singing—at home, surrounded by family, on the fiddle in a room where a couple is dancing, surrounded by a wall full of old photos and instruments, or on the street, his face prophet like, white beard of winter, sweeping voice, singing “Whiskey in the Jar.”

I didn’t know Mr. Dunne, but my running across him makes me miss him, illustrating the true fact that grief and loss and remaining memories are worldwide conditions, both universal and strangely particular.

December was a cruel month for many, and we all lost persons we did know. In our neighborhood in Adams Morgan, for instance, we lost Jacques Morgan, the one-of-a-kind, book-smitten, opinionated, sometimes querulous owner of the Idle Time Book Shop, which he ran with his wife Val Morgan. Morgan, according to friends, was the kind of proprietor who did not suffer fools or sports fans gladly, even and especially when encountered among the used books and periodicals and knick-knacks of the store, which is an Adams Morgan treasure.

Morgan, 62, died of colon cancer. The book store, as far as it is known, remains. It is the kind of store which reflects Morgan’s eclectic tastes, abundant in books hard to find, but even more surprising to discover—that includes Three Stooges fan magazines found in New Zealand. In a current atmosphere where bookstores (and real books) are on a perpetually alarmist endangered species list, it is also a kind of safes house for book lovers and mavens. “Maven” is, of course, not a word you would have called Morgan to his face.

We also lost Larry L. King—not to be confused with the former CNN talk show host—who was most famous for writing the book for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” an enduring Broadway musical constantly revived, trailed fecklessly by the movie version, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

“Whorehouse,” a word which really shouldn’t appear too often in a man’s obituary, but King probably wouldn’t have minded. It came from an article about a real such place in Texas, where patrons included politicians but was run out of business by local moralizers. It was probably King’s most rewarding work, but not his best—books about his good friend, the writer Willie Morris, were much better, as were plays like “The Night Hank Williams Died” and “The Golden Shadows Old West Museum.”

We met King, a thin, talkative, friendly guy with a beard, on the occasion of a production of “Golden Shadows” locally. He was naturally garrulous, a story-teller with a run of wistfulness in him, and tall tales about his drinking days, which by that time had ceased. I remember that I liked him a lot, instantly—I have no idea why Texans cast such an easy shadow but are, according to legend, hard to live with but also fun around a jukebox and a pool table.

King’s death came after Signature Theater once again took out the formidably likeable and appealing “Whorehouse” to much success. I remember seeing “Whorehouse” (there it goes again) in its road show re-incarnation, starring Ann Margaret at the National Theater. We ran into him at a cast party, surrounded by young cast members. He raised a glass—presumably non-alcoholic. I remember his warm voice now, telling stories.

Charles Durning, considered by many to be our best character actor on stage and in film passed away, too at the age of 89—he happened to be in the movie version of “Whorehouse.” Being a “character actor” is a role in which you are not the star, but you can feel free to steal the movie or the stage from the nominal star. It was a kind of theft Durning, portly, funny, who could turn a waddle into a menacing move on a dime, committed often. I saw Durning at Zenith—comporting on the stage with Julie Harris in “The Gin Game,” two great stars of the stage dancing around each other in the mine-layered territory of old age.

Here are more noteable passings.

Chuck Brown died in the spring, and his death completed a truth not always noticed throughout our whole city: that this man’s music, jaunty, driving, endlessly delirious and rhythmic was a Washington, D.C., treasure that could be shared by all of its citizen, and his passing was a real loss. Old-school D.C. politicians, such as Marion Barry and Mayor Vincent Gray, felt the loss keenly at his funeral. I remember when I saw—felt him—for the first time at an outdoor, free concert at Strathmore, go-go and funk on the stately lawns of greater Bethesda, the then 70-year-old playing like a truck driver high on the road.

Outer space got fuller with the permanent arrival of Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut, and Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first human on the moon.

I miss Gore Vidal for the simple fact that he won’t write another book. I love his essays, his historical novels, “Burr,” “Lincoln” and “Washington, D.C.”—and his unrepentant, pugilist paganism and not always justified sense of superiority.

Speaking of books—all hail to the prophet of a future he anticipated and did not like when it came—Ray Bradbury of “Fahrenheit” fame also penned “The Martian Chronicles” and brawling tales of brawling Irishmen and small town wonders. He wrote the screenplay for John Huston’s “Moby Dick” and titled a book “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” A giant.

We lost Arlen Specter, the sometimes quixotic, often confrontational, but always, in his own way, true to the stature of his standing, which was being the senator from Pennsylvania, until the rise of the Tea Party—and then, Sen. Daniel Inouye, a true larger-than-life ennobler of his home state, Hawai’i, and his institution, the United States Senate.

Speaking of quixotic, another senator, George McGovern, best known for his devastating, muddled presidential loss to Richard Nixon, proved a prophet in many ways—about opening the Democratic party, about Watergate. Asked at a press conference on presidential politics about what it was like to get over losing a presidential race, McGovern replied, “I’ll let you know when it happens.”

The stars we lost and the curious spectacle of celebrity deaths all came together in the passing of flamingly incandescent—once—Whitney Houston who died under questionable conditions in a hotel room on the eve of the Grammy Awards, making the awards seem weird, and the loss even more difficult, she singing her note-holding anthem “I will Always Love You” seemingly everywhere on television on the net, in our memories.

Other pop music losses: Ravi Shankar—who, with the help of Beatle George Harrison, brought the sitar within sight and sound of the world; Donna Summer, the unchallenged queen of disco; “Daydream Believer” and Monkee star Davy Jones; rock-and-roll pied piper Dick Clark and his African-American counterpart on “Soul Train,” Don Cornelius.

We also mourn writer Paul Fussell and his histories of modern war; critic Robert Hughes, who entangled and finagled us into an appreciation of the big themes in art; Mike Wallace, who really was “60 Minutes.”

Last but certainly not least—and always—those we lost Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn.:

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Rachel Davino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6

Dawn Hochsprung, 47

Dylan Hockley, 6

Madeleine F. Hsu, 6

Catherine V. Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski ,7

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Aveille Richman, 6

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Mary Sherlach, 56

Victoria Soto, 27

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison N. Wyatt, 6

Jack’s Boathouse Lease Canceled


Like a Grinch before Christmas, the National Park Service has canceled its lease with Jack’s Boathouse, the popular canoe and kayak renting facility on the Potomac River next to Key Bridge.

According to a letter received by Paul Simkin, owner of Jack’s Canoes & Kayaks, LLC, from the National Park Service, his business has until the end of next month to vacate the property. Jack’s has been a boat rental location in the same spot on the river since 1945.

The letter, sent Dec. 18 and signed by NPS regional director Stephen Whitesell, stipulates: “This letter serves as notice to Jack’s . . . to terminate its occupancy of the leased premises. Please vacate the property on and before 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2013, and remove all personal property from the premises. . . .”

The letter also reads: “As you are aware, the property upon which Jack’s Canoes & Kayaks, LLC, conducts business became a part of Rock Creek Park when the District of Columbia transferred jurisdiction over certain property along the Georgetown Waterfront to the National Park Service. This 1984 transfer included the October 1, 1973, month-to-month lease (as amended in 1982) for the property popularly known as Jack’s Boat House, located at 3500 K Street, N.W. . . . and said lease was assigned to the National Park Foundation.”

The Georgetowner contacted the NPS to ask why the boathouse lease was canceled, but its public affairs office has not yet responded to the newspaper.

As the latest owner of Jack’s Boat House, Paul Simkin commented on the NPS decision to cancel his business’s lease.

“The Jack’s Boathouse family is heartbroken that after 70 years on the same location, we are told in a form letter that we must be out by 30 days,” Simkin said. “Hearing this at Christmastime will be a huge blow to our 27 employees at Jack’s Boathouse who are losing their jobs which makes this even harder.”

“Last summer was the best summer we ever had in D.C. at the boathouse with our business booming and our customers happy,” he said. “We were brought into the National Park Service offices and assured a minimum of a three-year contract — and then to be told this now is just devastating.”

Simkin said that he has grown Jack’s seasonal customer base from 4,000 four years ago to 72,000 in 2012.

The Georgetowner will have an update to this news story next week — along with a review of possible boathouse projects on the Potomac and the proposal to move Jack’s Boathouse upstream.

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District Council Approves Sunday Liquor Sales, Greater Say for Neighbors

December 21, 2012

Soon, after attending Sunday mass at Holy Trinity in the new year, you will likely be able to stop at nearby Dixie Liquor and buy that special cognac. The District Council has approved Sunday sales at D.C. liquor stores among other changes to the alcohol beverage control bill.

The move to open on Sunday is resisted by some stores because they are small business run by families. Sunday is the only day they can take off, as Steve Feldman of Potomac Wine & Spirits told the Washington Examiner: “Basically, none of us want to work on Sunday. By Sunday, people have already done most of their partying for the weekend. . . . How much scotch and vodka are you going to buy on Sunday when you already have a hangover from Saturday night?”

“If they are going to let us open, we will open,” said Sean Clark of Dixie Liquor at 35th and M Streets.
“If I don’t open on Sunday, I might lose a customer who comes in during weekdays.”

While advisory neighborhood commissions have priority in governmental or legal comment, D.C. residents may organize into a group of at least five to protest any liquor license application. An increase in the number of ABC inspectors is proposed as well as new training programs for bartenders and waiters. The council also approved the use of growlers — half-gallon containers used to carry beer home from a brewery or bar.

Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham led on the alcohol bill changes especially the compromise on Sunday sales instead of extending bar hours to 4 a.m, all in a bid to increase sales tax revenue for the District. Nearby Arlington and Montgomery counties already have sold liquor on Sundays for a few years now.