NPR’s Friday Night Spin Party
• June 18, 2012

On the eve of this year’s White House Correspondents Association Dinner, NPR “Friday Night Spin” was star studded in preparations for the dinner. With Solange Knowles spinning and party goers celebrating, it was night that many went home praising.

The evening’s festivities are made possible through donations by NPR Trustees John Herrmann, Jr. and John McGinn, as well as in-kind donations. In-kind donors include: Gibson Guitar Showroom, Georgetown Cupcake, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Smart Water, Robert Foley Vinyards and Beam Global. [gallery ids="100760,123170,123165,123143,123160,123149,123156" nav="thumbs"]

150th Anniversary of D.C. Emancipation
•

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of the District of Columbia, months before the more famous Emancipation Proclamation. The local law granted 3,100 slaves within D.C. their freedom.

D.C. Emancipation Day is on Monday, April 16, a public holiday, and the District is celebrating today, this weekend and Monday with events, ranging from stops at several memorials, shows at the Lincoln Theater and a fireworks display at Freedom Plaza.

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION AT THE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM & CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL, THURSDAY, APRIL 12

• HOST: THE HONORABLE FRANK SMITH

• 4:00 PM TO 6:30 PM

THE DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE, THURSDAY, APRIL 12

• WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND

• HOWARD UNIVERSITY CHOIR

• BRIAN LENAIR

• 6:15 PM TO 7:00 PM LOBBY RECEPTION

• 7:00 PM TO 10 PM PROGRAM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY JAZZ & COMEDY CONCERT AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE, FRIDAY, APRIL 13

• WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND

• BRIAN LENAIR

• DICK GREGORY

• 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AT THE LINCOLN EMANCIPATION STATUTE ON CAPITOL HILL, SATURDAY, APRIL 14

• HOST: FREE DC

• 7:30 AM TO 8:30 AM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AT THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS ESTATE, SATURDAY, APRIL 14

• Hosts: Rev Willie Wilson, Historian C.R. Gibbs, Peter Haynes

• 3:00 PM TO 5:00 PM

BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (BET) PRESENTS THE DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GREAT DEBATE AT THE LINCOLN THEATER

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM.

• REV. AL SHARPTON

• MICHAEL ERIC DYSON

• TBD

• TBD

• T. J. HOLMES, MODERATOR

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY CHURCH SERVICES, SUNDAY, APRIL 15

• REQUEST ALL CHURCHES TO HOST 150TH ANNIVERSARY DC EMANCIPATION DAY RELIGIOUS SERVICES WITH THEIR CONGREGATIONS

• INVITE ALL CONGREGATIONS TO DC EMANCIPATION DAY PARADE, ACTIVITIES & CONCERT

• DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GOSPEL BRUNCH

AT THE HAMILTON RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 14 & F STREETS, NW

• 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSAY ACTIVITIES AT THE LINCOLN COTTAGE SOLDIERS HOME, SUNDAY, APRIL 15

• Host: Paul Pascal

• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Monday, April 16

DC EMANCIPATION DAY

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PRAYER BREAKFAST, MONDAY, APRIL 16

• Willard Hotel: 8:00 AM

• Invited Guest: Rev Al Sharpton

• Invited Guest: Dick Gregory

• Invited Guest: Rev. Joel Osteen

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE, MONDAY, APRIL 16, 11 AM

• PARADE ROUTE- 3RD & PA AVE NW TO 13 ½ PA AVE NW

• GRAND MARSHALLS:

3100 MARSHALLS OF THE VILLAGE INCLUDING NATIONAL & LOCAL LEADERS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY E STREET NW FESTIVAL (BETWEEN 13TH ST NW & 14TH ST NW), MONDAY, APRIL 16

• 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM, ACTIVITIES & CONCERT, MONDAY, APRIL 16, AT FREEDOM PLAZA.

• 2:00 PM TO 8:30 PM

• Concert

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS EXHIBITION, MONDAY, APRIL 16

• 8:45 PM TO 9:15 PM

• Location: 13th Street NW & PA AVE NW

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Emancipation of the District of Columbia
Georgetown University, 9 to 11:00 a.m., Copley Formal Lounge. RSVP 202-687-5677 or cbm29@georgetown.edu.

D.C. to Mark Centennial of Titanic Disaster
•

In a city of monuments, one of Washington’s lesser known memorials will be in the spotlight this weekend, April 14-15. The Titanic Memorial at the foot of P Street, S.W., is along the Washington Channel and will be the centerpiece of Saturday’s Southwest Heritage commemoration, “Titanic 100,” beginning 7 p.m.

The story of the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic hitting an iceberg and sinking on her 1912 maiden voyage has been told many times — most recently with a new National Geographic exhibit, TV shows and an re-issuing of the 1997 film, “Titanic,” in 3-D.

The sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was unveiled in 1931 and originally perched at the foot of New Hampshire Avenue where the Kennedy Center now stands. Whitney’s design was chosen by the Fine Arts Commission in 1914 . The image of a man with arms outstretched in self-sacrifice supposedly inspired the scene at the bow in the movie, “Titanic,” when the main characters faced forward and balanced themselves in the ocean breeze. Also, Whitney’s sculpture is said by some to resemble her brother Alfred Vanderbilt, who died in the sinking of the Lusitania during World War One in 1915. Whitney’s other sculptures in D.C. are the Aztec Fountain for the Pan-American Building at the Organization of American State and the Founder’s Memorial at the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitution Hall. Besides being from two of the wealthiest American families as well as an artist and arts patron, the remarkable Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney is best remembered for her founding of the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City.

The Christ-like sculpture, originally named the Woman’s Titanic Memorial, and re-erected on P Street, S.W., in 1968 honors the men of all ages and backgrounds, who gave their lives to save women and children. The etching on its plinth or base (designed by the architect of the Lincoln Memorial Henry Bacon) reads on the front:

TO THE BRAVE MEN
WHO PERISHED
IN THE WRECK
OF THE TITANIC
APRIL 15 1912
THEY GAVE THEIR
LIVES THAT WOMEN
AND CHILDREN
MIGHT BE SAVED

ERECTED BY THE
WOMEN OF AMERICA

The words on the back of the base read:

FOR THE YOUNG AND THE OLD
THE RICH AND THE POOR
THE IGNORANT AND THE LEARNED
ALL
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES NOBLY
TO SAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The Saturday commemoration includes a performance of “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” the last song played on the Titanic, at 9 p.m. The Men’s Titanic Society will hold its annual salute to those who died just after midnight, at 12:30 a.m., April 15, in front of the sculpture. For more information, visit SWDCheritage.org.

News BuzzJune 13, 2012
• June 13, 2012

**The Peace of 2012: Georgetown?s Town-Gown Relationship Is Reset**

After months of contentious discussions, private and public meetings and news coverage on Georgetown University?s 2010-2020 campus plan, the town-gown relationship of the oldest neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with the oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in America has been reset and has become collegial.

The war is over. Peace has been declared. Discussions continue: a special meeting is set for June 14.

?This is an extraordinary event in the life of our community, and it?s very promising. We have found a way — the community and the university, together — that offers a new cooperative spirit and real results on issues that have divided us for years.?

So said Ron Lewis, chairman of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E, at a sunlit media announcement at the intersection of 36th and P Streets, N.W., just outside the university?s main campus June 6.

Assembled at the peace-treaty-like setting were Mayor Vincent Gray, Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans, Georgetown University President John DeGioia, the Office of Planning?s Jennifer Steingasser, peacemaker Don Edwards and other advisory neighborhood commissioners and university officials as well as Georgetown, Burleith and Foxhall neighborhood leaders.

Praise rang all around between the players in this conflict resolution. Said Gray: ?What they have done is developed a prototype and set a precedent for how these issues are to be dealt with in the future.? Evans called the mayor ?a miracle worker.? DeGioia called the agreement ?exciting? and noted that it ?reset the relationship? between the neighborhood and the university. ?Without the mayor,? DeGioia continued, ?this moment would not be possible.?

Lewis ended the announcement, saying that details would be issued the next day.

And here they are, according to ANC2E, issued June 7:

**Key elements of the revised plan** ?

? A new collegial partnership of senior GU leadership and community representatives ? the Georgetown Community Partnership ? to work toward making the Campus Plan a success and to work together on planning for the future

? A Campus Plan for a seven-year term, beginning January 1, 2011, and ending December 31, 2017

? 450 more undergraduates housed on campus at the Leavey Center and other on campus locations by Fall 2015, including 65 moved from the ?Magis Row? townhouses on 36th Street NW and housed on campus by Fall 2013 so that the ?Magis Row? townhouses can transition to faculty and staff housing or daytime administrative offices

? Undergraduate enrollment to remain at a maximum of 6,675 and total enrollment at the main campus over the Campus Plan period to be a maximum of 14,106 students; and a new, more accurate method for measuring enrollment semester-by-semester

? New emphasis on a living and learning campus that centralizes student social life on campus

? Clear standards for appropriate off-campus behavior and a results-based system for maintaining the peaceful, quiet atmosphere of our residential neighborhoods

? Significantly improved measures for relieving parking and traffic congestion from GU traffic

? A new commitment to explore providing university-sponsored graduate student housing outside the Georgetown, Burleith and Foxhall communities.

? Acknowledgement of long-term goals of the community and GU (attached) for the future, including a new satellite campus of up to 100 acres located elsewhere; at least 90 percent of undergraduates living on campus by Fall 2025 (an additional 244 beds); cooperating in developing and implementing a 20 year campus plan following on the success of the 2011-2017 plan; and the mutual goal of ?a collegial and harmonious relationship between the University and the community to address future plans and common issues in an effective, creative and lasting way? Further details of the proposed Campus Plan are available on the ANC 2E website, anc2e.com.

ANC 2E will hold a special public meeting to consider the proposed revised GU Campus Plan on Thursday, June 14, 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown Visitation Prep, 35th Street NW at Volta Place, N.W.

**Citizens Re-elect Officers,
Present Awards at Annual
Meeting**

The Citizens Association of Georgetown
re-elected its officer and directors May 30 at
Dumbarton House, as Mayor Vincent Gray and
Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans assisted with
its awards ceremony. The annual CAG awards
were presented to Nancy Taylor Bubes, Karen
Daly, Ron Lewis and Ruth Werner.

Gray talked about the campus plan agreement
with Georgetown University which was
made public a week after CAG?s meeting and
also touted the District government dedication
to customer service. Evans, one of whose
staffers received an award, said, ?Citizen participation,
exemplified by the award recipients,
remains a major force in making Georgetown
the unique place it is.?

Awardees approached the podium in following
order:

Ron Lewis, chair of Advisory Neighborhood
Commission 2E, received the Captain
Peter Belin Award for Distinguished Service.
Lewis ?patiently orchestrated the G.U.-community
relations discussions? and ?has been
instrumental in securing city services.?

Karen Daly, executive director of Dumbarton
House, received the Bill Cochran Award
for Exceptional Efforts to Protect and Enhance
Parkland and Architectural Resources. Daly
?has significantly increased the public programming
at Dumbarton House? and ?seen
museum attendance surge by 75 percent? over
two years.

Ruth Werner, community liasion between
the District Council and the Office of Jack
Evans and Georgetown, received the Charles
Atherton Award for Exceptional Service by
a Public-Sector Professional. Werner ?works
tirelessly to improve, preserve and protect
historic Georgetown? and ?was central in identifying
additional funding for . . . Georgetown
Waterfront Park.?

Nancy Taylor Bubes, a top real estate agent
at Washington Fine Properties, received the
Martin-Davidson Award for an Outstanding
Business. Bubes ?actively supports numerous
organizations. [Volta Park, Rose Park, Georgetown
Village] . . . Her ability to connect businesses
and newcomers is unparalleled.?

The CAG slate remains: Jennifer Altemus,
president; Luca Pivato, vice president; Topher
Mathews, secretary; Bob Laycock, treasurer —
with directors, Diane Colasanto, Hazel Denton,
Bob vom Eigen and Pamla Moore.

Weekend Roundup June 7, 2012
• June 11, 2012

Puerto Rico…¡fuá!

June 7th, 2012 at 08:00 PM | $20-$38 | info@galatheatre.org | Tel: (202) 234-7174 | Event Website

A hilarious and satirical take on the island’s most notorious times in history and the development of today’s “Boricua.” Ferrari, an established and frequently produced playwright in Puerto Rico and co-founder of the distinguished Nuevo Teatro Group, spins tales of the Taíno natives, the many invaders from the Conquistadores to the USA, and the ups and downs of contemporary life in the enchanted island. In Spanish with English surtitles.

Address

GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St., NW

Join us on the Patio!

June 8th, 2012 at 06:30 PM | mguerrin@ldry.com | Tel: 202-342-1430 | Event Website

Let’s celebrate a summer evening on Morton’s patio in Georgetown! Enjoy complimentary filet mignon sandwiches, specially priced beverages and good company!

6:30pm – 7:30pm

Beer $5.50

Wine $7.50

Cocktails $8

Address

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Washington D.C. (Georgetown), 3251 Prospect St. NW

Brightest Young Things & Capital Pride Present: Wild Life

June 8th, 2012 at 09:00 PM | $20 Pre-sale, $25 day-of | Event Website

Join Brightest Young Things in celebrating the WildLife for this year’s Official Capital Pride party at the newly restored historic Howard Theatre! The first LGBTA event at Howard will feature international superstar Amanda Lepore, queer legend JD Samson (Le Tigre/MEN), Big/Bright, Natty Boom, DJ MAJR, Summer Camp, AutoRock, Heidi Glüm, Pu$$y Noir, and more. Follow @BYGays on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

Address

The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street, NW

Lawyers Have Heart 10K & Fun Run

June 9th, 2012 at 07:30 AM | $40 until May 30; $45 May 31-June 9; $10 for 12 & under | lawyershaveheartdc@heart.org | Tel: 301.928.8570 | Event Website

Race along the Potomac River and through Georgetown to raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association. Presented by Baker Tilly, this annual tradition is open to everyone and brings together top law firms and their vendors, elite athletes, runners, and walkers of all experience levels. The run begins in two waves at 7:30 am., and the 3K Fun Walk begins immediately following. Post-race party on the plaza with refreshments, music, giveaways and prizes. Registration required.

Address

The Washington Harbour, 3050 K Street, NW

Pointless Theatre Company: The Solar System Show

June 9th, 2012 at 09:30 AM | Free | information@nationaltheatre.org | Tel: (202) 783-3372 | Event Website

Kids take a fun-filled trip through our solar system with self-acclaimed scientist, Dr. Canterbury Osmand and his robot assistant Sparko as they visit planets, make scientific observations and try to find the planet that best suits their adopted “pet rock.”

Address

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Potomac River Festival

June 9th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Free | info@colonialbeach.org | Tel: 804-224-8145 | Event Website

Small town fun just 60 miles south along the banks of the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia the weekend of June 8th – 10th, 2012. Join the festivities of the 61st annual Potomac River Festival and experience parades, crafts, carnival rides and Fireworks. When not enjoying the festivities, don’t miss out on our sandy beaches, historical attractions, galleries, wineries, and waterfront dining and entertainment.

Address

This weekend festival; is located throughout the Town of Colonial Beach. Center of Activities are in town on Washington Street, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Civil War Georgetown: House and Walking Tours

June 9th, 2012 at 10:30 AM | $8-15 | mkatz@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Experience life in Georgetown during this American ordeal. On the house tour, learn how masters and enslaved workers managed on the estate during wartime. Hear family stories and see where Union officers boarded in their midst. After a lunch break, join or rejoin the group for an early afternoon walking tour of Georgetown burial sites, a Union hospital, officers’ residences, and a neighborhood that housed enslaved and free African Americans.

Address

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31 Street NW

DC Capital Pride Parade

June 9th, 2012 at 04:30 PM | Event Website

The annual Capital Pride parade steps off on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 4:30 pm. It will travel through Dupont Circle and 17th Street and end in the Logan Circle neighborhood of northwest Washington, DC.

We’ll have some great entertainment on the 15th & P Streets stage next to Tortilla Coast. They are:

DJ Steve Henderson – 2:30 pm

MC/Host Lena Lett – 3:15 pm

Joe Zangie – 3:30 pm

Fahrahri – 3:45 pm

Billy Winn – 4:00 pm

Sophia May – 4:15 pm

Entertainment for the stage is provided by ElectricFM.com.

Address

It will travel through Dupont Circle and 17th Street and end in the Logan Circle neighborhood of northwest Washington, DC.

Cocktails and Confections

June 12th, 2012 at 07:30 PM | $125 | ebyram@strength.org | Tel: 202-478-6527 | Event Website

Fresh off being named the James Beard Foundation’s 2012 Rising Star Chef of the Year, Christina Tosi will be joined by Baltimore’s Chris Ford, recently named Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Pastry Chef, and five of their peers at the first ever Cocktails and Confections DC.

Enjoy sweet delights and cocktail concoctions with stunning views of the U.S. Capitol and National Mall.

All proceeds support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign to end childhood hunger in America.

Address

101 Constitution Ave NW Rooftop, Washington, DC

DMV to Return to Georgetown Park
• June 8, 2012

The Georgetown office of D.C.’s Department of Motor Vehicles, formerly located in the lower level of the Shops at Georgetown Park, that closed May 19 will return to the M Street shopping mall, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans announced at the May 30 annual awards and election meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

At the time of the DMV’s closure, it was not certain that an office would return to Georgetown. Evans said that there would be a new DMV office in the mall in less than a year, when renovations are completed, in agreement with the Georgetown Park landlord. Mayor Vincent Gray, who also addressed the meeting, called the future return of the DMV to the neighborhood as showing how the District government provides “customer service” to its citizens.

On June 4, the DMV will open a temporary service center at 301 C Street, N.W., where its Office of Adjudication Services is also located; hours of operations are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. For other locations and questions, visit DMV.DC.gov.

ANC Meets Tonight at 6:30 p.m.
•

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E monthly public meeting will be held this evening, 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown Visitation Prep, 35th Street and Volta Place, Heritage Room, first building on left by gatehouse, second floor. All are invited to attend.

The agenda is as followed:

Administrative

Approval of April 30, 2012, Meeting Minutes

Public Safety and Police Report

Financial Report

Transportation Report

DPW Report

Community Comment

Update for Hyde-Addison Elementary School development

New Business

Georgetown Presbyterian Church Picnic at Volta Park, September 23, 2012

• DDOT procedures for issuing permits for block parties

• Georgetown University Campus Plan update

Zoning

1215 31st Street, NW, BZA Application No. 18382, Georgetown Post Office, Application for use variance to permit the renovation and expansion of an existing conforming structure devoted to non-conforming use and area variances from minimum percentage of lot occupancy, rear yard, and side yard requirements

ABC

3236 Prospect Street, NW, ABRA-087240, t/a M Café, Voluntary Agreement

Weekend Roundup May 31, 2012
• June 4, 2012

Saturday Morning at the National

June 2nd, 2012 at 09:30 AM | Free | information@nationaltheatre.org | Tel: (202) 783-3372 | Event Website

Michael Rosman: Amazing Feats of Comedy. Picture a jaw-dropping juggler tossing a dozen cigar boxes, a bowling ball, a chain-saw, or a bunch of bananas while balancing atop a unicycle. Add audience participation, magic and non-stop chaotic klutziness. Michael is a whirlwind of mystery and madness: outrageous, zany, off-beat and totally irresistible. Performances 9:30 and 11 a.m.

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Electric Car Rally at Woodrow Wilson House

June 2nd, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Free | Tel: (202) 387-4062 | Event Website

Woodrow Wilson House, in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington, DC, will host an electric car rally on Sat, June 2 from 10 AM to 4 PM in honor of Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend. The event will include a parade of electric vehicles down Massachusetts Avenue to Dupont Circle at 11 AM followed by a display of historic and modern electric cars in Wilson House’s driveway and garage. Visitors will also enjoy free access to the museum and the exhibition.

Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street NW

Taste of Georgetown

June 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM | $5(One Tasting Ticket ) | dyoung@georgetowndc.com | Tel: (202) 298-9222 | Event Website

The 19th Annual Taste of Georgetown will showcase the spectacular cuisine of thirty of Washington, D.C.’s finest restaurants, highlighting Georgetown’s culinary personalities and feature nearly sixty delectable dishes to sample, as well as wine pairings and the jazz talents of Blues Alley.

Intersection of Wisconsin Ave and M ST NW, heart of Georgetown

Glover Park Day

June 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 AM | Free | clmeyer202@yahoo.com | Tel: 202-550-7878 | Event Website

Glover Park Day, now in its 23rd year, is an annual outdoor festival that celebrates the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. It is co-sponsored by the Glover Park Citizens Association and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Glover Park Day 2012 will feature the best of Glover Park: good friends, great food from local restaurants, live music, crafters, a flea market, community organizations, local businesses, kids’ activities and much more.

Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert Street NW

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Presents Heart Throbs

June 2nd, 2012 at 08:00 PM | $25 – $55 | MarketingDirector@gmcw.org | Tel: 202-293-1548 | Event Website

Find yourself star struck by 175 singers and dancers in HEART THROBS, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington tribute to men in music, boy bands and teen idols. Featuring songs including “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake, “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5, along with songs from Boyz II Men, N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Elvis, The Beatles and many more, HEART THROBS presents a high energy montage of men in music that will appeal to a range of ages and musical tastes.

Lisner Auditorium, 730 21St Street NW, Washington, DC.

Steel Drum Sundays

June 3rd, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free | info@thewashingtonharbour.com | Tel: 202-295-5007 | Event Website

Relax outdoors and enjoy live steel drum music at the waterfront, performed by Roger Greenidge from noon until 3 pm on Sundays, June 3 until October 16, at The Washington Harbour.

The Washington Harbour, 3050 K Street, NW

ANC 2E Public Meeting

June 4th, 2012 at 06:30 PM | Free | anc2e@dc.gov | Tel: (202) 724-7098 | Event Website

ANC2E’s Agenda for this meeting: ANC2E and the Georgetown University Campus Plan; ANC 2E redistricting material.

Georgetown Visitation, 35th and Volta Streets, Heritage Room, first building on left by gatehouse, 2nd floor

EuroAsia 2012 Film Festival

June 4th, 2012 at 07:00 PM | Free with reservation | Tel: (202) 234-7911 | Event Website

Short film festival comparing how Asian, European and U.S. cultures approach multiculturalism and diversity in their respective regions. Each evening features screening and panel discussion. June 4-8.

Leselier Theater, 3251 Prospect St., NW, Upper Courtyard

Federal Investigation of Gray Throttles Up
•

Just when you thought it was safe to go to Las Vegas, up comes news—from local television and local newspaper reports—that Thomas W. Gore, a key aide and confidante of Mayor Vincent Gray had pleaded guilty to three D.C. election law misdemeanors and a federal charge of obstruction of justice, all charges relating to the ongoing federal investigation into the mayor’s election campaign and campaign contributions.

A second charge come down May 23: Howard Brooks, a former Gray campaign consultant, was hit with a single count of making a false statement to the FBI. Brooks will likely plead guilty. (Gore’s attorney had told media reporters that more charges would be coming.)

More important perhaps than the news of Gore’s admission of guilt to the charges is the fact that Gore—he was a critical role-player as treasurer in Gray’s election to the Ward 7 council seat and his election to become city council chairman as well as being assistant treasurer of the successful 2012 mayoral campaign—appeared to have been talking to federal prosecutors about his role in the campaign. Most damaging—in the light of the Solaiman Brown’s contentions that he had been paid by the Gray campaign to keep his minor candidate campaign against Fenty alive—was Gore admitting that he had helped facilitate keeping Brown’s campaign alive through payments, by an unnamed intermediary, via money orders to Brown’s campaign.

Brown, considered by many as something of a loose cannon, gained some credibility with the events in federal court this week. The mayor has repeatedly said he was innocent of any wrongdoing in the campaign. Other than that, Gray has generally been silent on the matter which has engulfed many of his closest friends and political associates in the aftermath of election victory including long-time friend Lorraine Green—who ran the campaign and was named chief of staff until resigning.

The investigation remains ongoing. If the Gore revelations are not the other shoe dropping, they’re a sure sign of the laces being untied. Gore also admitted shredding a ledger that kept track of money and money orders after the Brown charges broke in the local media in early 2011.

Brown at the time charged that he was paid to keep his campaign—focused mainly on attacking incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty, and even urging people to vote for Gray at candidate forums if they wouldn’t vote for him-and was promised a job in the government, which he did initially get before being fire. After he was fired, Brown went to the media, specifically the Washington Post.
[gallery ids="100818,125077" nav="thumbs"]

D.C.’s Unique GI Film Festival Brings Our Warriors Close to Us
•

The GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation’s only military film festival, begins Tuesday, May 15, and runs through Sunday, May 20. The festival of “Reel Stories, Real Heroes” commemorates, depicts and celebrates those of our citizenry who go to war in defense of our nation and of us. One big attraction will the May 17 advance screening of the action movie, “Battleship.”

Tonight, the festival opens at the Newseum with a dinner honoring H. Ross Perot. Most movies will be shown at the Navy Heritage Center at the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue; other sites include the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center and the Canadian Embassy. On May 15, Actor Joe Mantegna will be given the GI Spirit Award by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.). International Warrior Night will headlined by television personality Pat Sajak at the Canadian Embassy on Wednesday, May 16. On Saturday, May 19, there is a “Salute to Military Spouses Night” with the “Army Wives” cast.

The sixth annual GIFF film line-up offers 42 film screenings, movies that represent every branch of the military and span five wars. Over the course of the six-day event, the festival will offer 23 narrative films and 19 documentaries covering every genre conceivable – from action and adventure to drama and romance. With at least a dozen world-premiere screenings, GIFF offers plenty of opportunities to discover emerging directors, producers and actors.

Films include “The Red Rose of Normandy,” “From Philadelphia to Fallujah,” “Memorial Day,” the graphic novel, “Bridges,” “The Red Machine,” “Least Among Saints” and “If I Should Fall.”

The full program, including times and locations, is available on the festival’s website, GIFilmFestival.com/2012films.

“More than 200 films were submitted to GIFF this year. We were overwhelmed by the raw talent and emotion expressed in every film,” said Brandon Millett, co-founder and president of the GI Film Festival. “Our mission is to educate the public about the successes and sacrifices of the American military and there has never been a better festival line-up to more perfectly exemplify that mission.”

GIFF will also preview Peter Berg’s “Battleship” from Universal Pictures on Thursday, May 17. The screening will take place during the festival’s Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night, where wounded warriors from the D.C. metro area will serve as the festival’s guests of honor.

“One of the best parts of the festival is every day is so different. Whether our guests are honoring the contributions of wounded warriors or walking the red carpet with famous actors, there’s a unique experience every night,” said GIFF co-founder and director Laura Law-Millett. Ticket prices range from $12 for a single film to $250 for a week-long VIP pass.

According to the GI Film Festival, it is “the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film” and is “a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war.” [gallery ids="100793,124378,124368,124374" nav="thumbs"]