Latest News

Juliana Zovak • April 18, 2016

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on the corner of 34th and M Streets NW has closed. The location had only been open for less than a year and a half, since December of 2015. It now sits vacant with its tables still arranged and the Capriotti’s logo on the wall.

Other Capriotti’s shops can still be found in D.C., at 18th and M Streets NW, and in Rosslyn. The chain originated in Delaware in 1976 and first came to the District in 2013. It is said to be a favorite of Vice President Joe Biden, formerly a senator from Delaware.

Capriotti’s has become well known for its signature sandwiches, including the Bobbie (said to be named for an aunt of the original owner), a Thanksgiving-inspired sub made with roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayonnaise.

Gary Tischler •

Another Tuesday, another chasm, another cliff, another turning point, another do-or-die, another shape shift.

The interminable 2016 presidential race, which actually began and also turned completely upside-down way back in 2015 — when Donald Trump announced he was running for sure and for certain and seriously — hits another landmark Tuesday.

This is no longer Super Tuesday, which was quite some time ago and was not, as it turned out, quite so super. This is the Tuesday “that could reshape the GOP race,” according to one headline, a headline that was probably used before Super Tuesday, and the SEC Tuesday, and the Southern Tuesday and last Tuesday. Come to think of it, this could still be the Tuesday that could reshape the Democratic race (although maybe not).

This is all about Wisconsin, where both the Republicans and the Democrats are holding primaries.

The Republican field — once a fat and noisy field of 17 or so — has now been whittled down to three: a suddenly stumbling and reeling Donald Trump, the front runner nationally but trailing in the Wisconsin polls; a confident-looking but still unappealing Ted Cruz; and Ohio governor John Kasich.

On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders is like the uninvited ex-husband at the wedding; he just won’t go away until they pass out the cake and he has a head of steam, enough so that the polls show him winning in Wisconsin over Hillary Clinton.

You can look at this in several ways, and God knows we all do. Trump, in ways that always seem shocking and astounding, has managed to have a very bad time of it lately, but in entirely Trumpish ways.

Can Trump trump this? The question is asked after every gaffe and misstep and foot-in-mouth comment week after week. The answer is always yes. This is usually followed by a sentence that begins with “Maybe this time…” (not to be confused with the song from “Cabaret”). Maybe this time Trump has said too much, gone too far, insulted too many and offered up one too many lies, exaggerations, falsehoods and unbelievable claims that are passed off as facts.

This time, his campaign manager — noted for letting Trump be Trump — was charged with assault after an incident with a female reporter. Trump, even after videos clearly showed that there was physical contact, stood by his man. Trump also claimed that women who had abortions ought to be punished, then quickly retreated like a man trying to pick up and put back together an egg he dropped on the sidewalk. In various interviews, he said he might use nukes, or wanted Korea (South, not North) and Japan to have nukes; claimed we were paying too much for NATO; and sundry other questionable long-term visions of foreign policy. If you enlarge the timeline, he and Cruz fought over each other’s wives.

It’s clearly not a banner time for Trump. Cruz has a lead in Wisconsin and it’s said that, if he wins, the race might be irrevocably changed, that no one would come to the convention with the necessary delegates and that there would be a brokered convention. Maybe this time…

Cruz has benefitted from all this of course, and the so-called Republican establishment appears to be rationalizing itself into possibly backing a man the entire Republican side of the Senate, not to mention the other side, dislikes. He may not be — as Trump repeatedly calls him — Lying Ted, but he has yet to reach likable, trustworthy status either. Lindsay Graham, who’s reduced to backing Cruz, said the choice between the two is like choosing to die by gunshot or poison, or something like that.

It may be that some people are noticing that neither emperor-aspirant has clothes, but then that observation has been there for anybody who wants to look. It’s not a pretty sight, to be sure. You can also bet that the Trump followers who have packed his rallies (he has promised to reduce their number) will stick with him, because in truth, there is no one else that speaks, if not for them, at least to them. Which means that Trump will have to remain Trump no matter how many position papers he reads on a teleprompter, written by statesmen from the Bush (that would be Senior) days.

And, lest we forget, there’s John Kasich. And that’s just the problem: We have forgotten John Kasich. By any rational thinking, the establishment types ought to be flocking to him. He’s a classic conservative in most ways, he’s pragmatic, he knows his stuff, he’s got experience that even a wayward Democrat or two could vote for.

But even though Cruz has Governor Scott Walker’s endorsement, Wisconsin appears ideal for Kasich. Except you can’t even smell the tiniest smoke of a brushfire for Kasich. Somebody give that man a match or they’ll be lighting a candle for his campaign.

Meanwhile, something odd is happening to the Clinton campaign. She’s moved on to New York without bothering too hard to try to win in Wisconsin. Hillary has more super-delegates than God, but even at this late date Bernie (some people think, especially Bernie himself) has a shot. At the very least, he’s become a major painful pebble in Hillary’s presidential shoes.

So what will happen tomorrow, on, let’s call it, Wisconsin Tuesday.

Maybe this time…

Georgetowner •

Trafficking Cultural Materials: Appropriation of Mankind’s Property

APRIL 7TH, 2016 AT 06:30 PM | FREE | INFO@WASHINGTON.GOETHE.ORG | TEL: 202-588-8230

Alexander Nagel, a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, will moderate a panel including: Iris Gerlach, an archaeologist with a focus on Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology and Assyriology; Tess Davis, executive director of the Antiquities Coalition; and Douglas Boin, an internationally recognized authority on the archaeology, religion, and history of the Roman world.

New York University in Washington, DC 1307 L St. NW.

The Sadies

APRIL 7TH, 2016 AT 09:30 PM | $12 | INFO@HILLCOUNTRYWDC.COM | TEL: 202-556-2050 | EVENT WEBSITE

Acclaimed Canadian rock/country/western group The Sadies return to Hill Country DC on April 7th. Sadies are as tight and as capable as anyone walking into a recording studio these days. Their style is all but flawless, fusing prairie soul with a high lonesome sweetness and a subtle but expressive sense of aural adventure that turns their interpretations into something truly special. Formed in 1994, the band has released 16 studio albums.

410 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

Caravan Beirut

APRIL 8TH, 2016 AT 06:00 PM | ISOBEL@TAAPR.COM | TEL: 202-625-8370

A handpicked selection of Lebanese designers will showcase their talent and collections hosted by digital retail platform Bucolik and Mariana Wehbe Public Relations, in partnership with the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. Featuring fashion, accessories, jewelry, homeware and photography, Caravan Beirut is inviting guests on a curated tour of Beirut, right in Georgetown Park. Opening night April 8, 6 to 9 p.m. Pop-up shop hours, April 9-11: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closing night April 12: 6 to 8 p.m.

3222 M St. NW.

Paint Ball!

APRIL 8TH, 2016 AT 07:00 PM | FREE | NPGTEENS@SI.EDU | TEL: 202-633-8300 | EVENT WEBSITE

The teen-only dance spectacular will have free food, a DJ, arts and crafts, dancing, a photo booth and more. This dance event is aimed towards teens in grades nine through 12. Attendees must bring a student ID to get in.

National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW.

Family Afternoon: Newspaper Fort Challenge

APRIL 9TH, 2016 AT 12:00 PM | FREE | EFILAR@NBM.ORG | TEL: 202-272-2448 | EVENT WEBSITE

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Museum is hosting a newspaper fort challenge in the Great Hall! Bring your family and collaboratively construct an awe-inspiring fort made entirely of newspapers and tape. Learn about the triangle, the strongest shape out there, and create tetrahedral caverns small enough for one, or big enough for your clan.

National Building Museum, 401 K St. NW.

Simply Cecily Spring 2016 Collection Trunk Show

APRIL 9TH, 2016 AT 12:00 PM | $0.00 | INFO@SIMPLYCECILY.COM | TEL: 202.887.6638 | EVENT WEBSITE

Designer Cecily Habimana honors the spirit and legacy of Somalian model and actress Iman, first African American supermodel Donyale Luna, international, multi-lingual singer and actress Eartha Kit and the illustrious actress Dorothy Dandridge. Simply Cecily will again fuse her signature style of “traditionally African with a modern American twist” that includes high-waisted skirts and shorts, form-fitting dresses and tops as well as a line of tees that celebrates who we are.

1231 Good Hope Road SE.

Tour: National Museum of African American History and Culture Construction Area

APRIL 9TH, 2016 AT 12:30 PM | $35 | TEL: 202-347-9403 | EVENT WEBSITE

The District Architecture Center is offering this tour of the Smithsonian’s newest museum, opening in September, as part of Architecture Week.

1500 Constitution Ave. NW.

Artist and Entomologist: Panel with Jennifer Angus and Seán Brady

APRIL 10TH, 2016 AT 02:00 PM | FREE | AMERICANARTPROGRAMS@SI.EDU | TEL: (202) 633-8490 | EVENT WEBSITE

Hear artist Jennifer Angus discuss her Renwick installation In the Midnight Garden with Seán Brady, chair of the Entomology Department at the National Museum of Natural History. The two discuss the brilliantly colored insects in Angus’s display and the importance of insects to the natural world.

1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

“Shakespeare and Purcell” Concert

APRIL 10TH, 2016 AT 02:00 PM | $25 TO $40 | TEL: 202-544-7077 | EVENT WEBSITE

The Folger Consort performs songs, choruses and instrumental music of Henry Purcell’s celebrated “The Fairy Queen” along with other memorable settings of Shakespeare by Purcell.

Folger Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE.

Conservatory Project: The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

APRIL 10TH, 2016 AT 06:00 PM | FREE | TEL: 800-444-1434 | EVENT WEBSITE

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center presents students from the Peabody Institute, who will perform a varied repertoire including Brahms and Waxman. The ensemble features the Trio Mesama — composed of clarinet, piano and cello — as well as baroque violin, baroque flute, harpsichord, violin, viola and mezzo-soprano.

Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW.

Georgetowner •

The 2016 Georgetown House Tour and Tea, on Saturday, April 23, will showcase 10 homes. View them all here.

Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 ($5 more at the door) and include the house tour magazine and tea at St. John’s Episcopal Church, tour headquarters, between 2 and 5 p.m. St. John’s is located at 3240 O St. NW.

St. John’s members Jill and Scott Altman are co-chairing the event, which dates to 1931. Scott Altman, who flew F-14s in the film “Top Gun,” spent more than 50 days in space and commanded the final two Hubble servicing missions.

The 2016 patrons’ party will take place Wednesday, April 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the residence of Bill Dean, 2819 P St. NW. Sponsorship levels are $200, $500, $1,000 and $2,500, with the proceeds benefiting the St. John’s ministries to homeless adults and children, the unemployed, senior citizens and young children in D.C. schools.

For details, visit georgetownhousetour.com.

Gary Tischler • April 11, 2016

In the aftermath of the Jeffrey Thompson guilty plea and plea bargain Monday—in which he alleged that Mayor Vincent Gray knew about and participated in the 2010 shadow campaign with which Thompson raised more than $600,000, the time-running-out campaign has changed rapidly, but without any visible rush to judgement with only under three weeks to go before the Democratic primary April 1.

The mayor denied, denied, calling Thompson allegation lies, lies and falsehoods while his manager consistently refers to a smear campaign.

After being interview on the day of the testimony, Gray, who said he was shocked by the allegations, went on the attack in a State of the District address. A mostly friendly Ward 7 crowd was asked this question by him: “Who do you believe? . . . A greedy man attempting to save himself? Or me, a public servant who has dedicated his entire career to giving back to your communities?”

Nobody has attempted to answer that question directly, except a Washington Post columnist who flatly said he is convinced that Gray lied. Gray has his defenders, while his rivals are scrambling to take advantages of the inherent advantage in recent events.

Tommy Wells, the lone candidate who has made a point of not accepting corporate donations (and therefore, of course, lags in available funds) picked up two endorsements, Gray lost one. Wells picked up the endorsements of GreaterGreater Washington and the DC Police Union, Fraternal Order of Police & Metropolitan Police Department Labor Committee. The Current newspapers, which had endorsed Gray in their previous issue, touted his good job on managing the city but then withdrew their endorsement in light of the Thompson news.

Meanwhile, At-large Councilman David Catania, who had already said that he would run for mayor if the mayor should happen to win the primary, made it official earlier than expected. In announcing his candidacy, he said, “This whole drama that we’ve had, this Jeff Thompson-Vince Gray drama, the time has come for this to end.” Catania, who is an independent, is not a part of the primary election but the winner of the Democratic Primary will face him in the general election in November.

The “This is the Week that Was” of the campaign leaves the outcome muddled, especially in the potential fate of the mayor. The U.S. attorney Ron Machen has not specified any other dates for any future indictments, which could, presumably include the mayor.

Robert Devaney •

Georgetown’s fashion-forward retail takeover continues, whether you like it or not.

The clothing and accessories mega-store Forever 21 will come to M Street along the sidewalk-front retail space owned by Georgetown Park in the 20,000-square-foot space once occupied by H&M, which moved a few doors down the street to larger digs, according to the Washington Business Journal. The New York Times described Forever 21 as “Faster Fashion, Cheaper Chic.”

Founded in Los Angeles in 1984 by Do Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook Chang as Fashion 21, Forever 21 says it is “celebrated by many style conscious and trend-savvy shoppers … and has quickly become the source for the most current fashions at the greatest value.” Its flagship store is in Pasadena, Calif. The company boasts more than 480 locations.

D.C.’s first Forever 21 is in the old Woodie’s building in downtown on F Street. The Georgetown store will be Forever 21’s second D.C. location.

The reconstructed retail space, known as Georgetown Park, which once was an interior shopping mall, was described by Business Journal as “quickly becoming a destination for bargain shoppers” and “the epicenter of bargains in tony Georgetown.” It also cited H&M, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods and the soon-to-open DSW.

Robert Devaney •

Already part of the Georgetown scene, Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank got a little more involved a few weeks ago by purchasing 3150 M St., NW.

The trophy retail space at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street which once housed Nathans Restaurant was purchased, according to the Washington Business Journal, by “War Horse LLC, a real estate development firm started by Scott Plank, a former Under Armour executive and brother of founder Kevin Plank.”

The purchase of the property was first reported by The Georgetowner Feb. 27: “One of the most recognized properties at Georgetown’s most famous intersection was sold Feb. 21 for $12.25 million by the Heon family to 3150 M Street, LLC.”

Interestingly, the Heon and Plank families are acquainted. Some members of the Heon family live in Kensington, Md., where Kevin Plank’s mother Jayne served as mayor. Both families have a Georgetown connection. The Heons in Maryland were the ones contacted by the Planks, and they helped set up the deal, according to one Heon family member.

The identity of the new owner was learned last week. “Scott Plank’s firm plans to lease the building to the Baltimore-based performance athletic clothing company to open a signature Under Armour Brand House retail shop,” the Business Journal previously reported. “Under Armour spokeswoman Diane Pelkey said the company has not signed a lease at the Georgetown location.” Pelkey later told the Washington Post: “Kevin’s personal real estate entity did buy it, but has not yet made plans for the use of the building.”

The future of Serendipity 3 restaurant, which occupies the 6,662 square-foot building at 3150 M St., NW, is unclear. The Washington location of the famed New York-based ice cream and hamburger joint has one year left on its lease.

The Heon family – which sold the former Georgetown Theater property to Georgetown architect Robert Bell for redevelopment in October 2013 – had owned the corner property for 100 years. During the middle of the 20th century, the family lived in the upper floors of 3150 M St., NW. For the present generation, this was where parents and grandparents lived.

For the Planks, a home on 35th Street near O Street is often cited. It was where Kevin Plank started Under Armour in his grandmother’s basement. It is even mentioned in a TV commercial for a computer company. Also, it was Kevin Plank who purchased the Ambassador David Bruce House at 34th and O Streets from Deborah Winsor, widow of Bank of Georgetown cofounder Curtin Winsor, in July 2013 for $7.85 million. Plank attended Georgetown Prep and St. John’s College High School and graduated from the University of Maryland.

Robert Devaney •

It is back to the drawing board, once again, for developer EastBanc and its proposed condos at the Key Bridge Exxon property on Canal Road, known as Georgetown Hillside. A March 6 decision by the Old Georgetown Board asked the developed to redraw its conceptual plans.

With its 1055 Water condo project well on its way to completion, the developer returned to its condo plans for the gas station property, next to the “Exorcist” steps and the Car Barn. In April 2011, EastBanc’s plans called for a 35-unit building to raise to the height of Prospect Street properties above. At the time, EastBanc head Anthony Lanier later sidelined the project.

Designs for the M Street-Canal Road condos were also re-introduced at the March 3 meeting of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E as well as the March 6 OGB meeting. Both community groups panned the condo plans for the condos, describing them as out of step with the architectural context of the neighborhood. Plans are also criticized by the neighbors who live up the hillside on the 3600 block of Prospect Street, NW.

According to EastBanc, plans call for 26 to 28 units, “averaging 2,500 square feet in size,” each with two parking spaces.

Gary Tischler •

That noise you’ve been hearing outside and coming from your television, iPad and phone screens—that’s not a Derecho. That’s Uncle Earl coming clean, and that’s the sound of D.C.’s 2014 Democratic primary exploding.

Uncle Earl would be D.C. businessman Jeffrey Thompson testifying in a D.C. federal court about the 2010 “shadow campaign” that he financed an effort that allegedly funneled more than $600,000 into then candidate for Mayor Vincent Gray’s campaign. Thompson alleged that Gray knew about the shadow campaign and that he had come to him for help, and that he, Thompson, agreed to help, but that he wanted the effort kept secret and wanted to be referred to in any references as “Uncle Earl.”

Since late last week, Thompson, the figure central to alleged off-the-books contributions (the shadow campaign) to Gray, but to the campaigns of District Council members, federal candidates for office and others, had been rumored to be in negotiation with federal attorneys for a plea bargain.

Today, that bargain was revealed: Thompson was charged with subverting campaign finance laws and plead guilty to one count each of conspiring to break federal and local campaign finance laws over six years, through illegal contributions and off-the-books spending of more than $2 million, according to the Washington Post.

Gray has said all along during the course of the investigation, in which several Gray campaign aides were indicted, charged or pled guilty, that he had not done anything — although he did apologize for his campaign’s activities. Thompson essentially alleged that Gray did indeed know and about the contributions to the shadow campaign and asked for them. Gray has not been charged with any crime. He has denied any wrongdoing in the 2010 campaign.

Gray called the allegations “lies” and in an interview with WRC’s Tom Sherwood said that “these are lies and falsehoods.”

Assistant U.S Attorney Michael Atkinson said, “Gray agreed to keep Mr. Thompson’s support secret.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Thompson could face at least six months in prison. The agreement was approved by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

The guilty plea by Thompson and the allegations and information coming out will have a firestorm impact on the Democratic mayoral primary campaign with only a little more than two weeks left in the campaign. Gray has been leading in the polls, which were accompanied by serious trust issues expressed by voters about the 2010 campaign and Gray. The primary election day is April 1.

Robert Devaney •

Bank of Georgetown, founded in 2005, celebrated the life of its co-founder, Curtin Winsor III, who died in December 2012, as well as a new corporate headquarters at 1115 30th St., NW, March 5, at its 11th branch — the Winsor Branch. Friends and colleagues gathered to observe the ribbon cutting and wish the bank continued success, as its co-founder Mike Fitzgerald, chairman, president, and CEO, toasted his business partner, Curt Winsor, remembering the early days of the bank. Bank of Georgetown has 112 employees and assets in excess of $925 million — and offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. [gallery ids="101660,145037,145041,145045,145051,145060,145054,145058" nav="thumbs"]