Latest News

Georgetowner • July 27, 2015

Timeless elegance and dramatic design come together harmoniously in this unique “custom villa,” tucked away in Falls Church, Virginia. 3208 Valley Lane boasts more than 7,000 breathtaking square feet of historic and elegant architectural design, seated upon a beautifully landscaped half-acre lot. The 6-bedroom and 5.5-bath property includes a main house, as well as a separate legal rental unit. One enters the home through a bronze and glass front door leading to an enchanting oversized foyer. Water cascades down the fountain in the center of a hall adorned with travertine and marble treads and baseboards, truly a spectacular sight. Fine details seem to mark every room of the house. There are six fireplaces throughout, all with carved mantels. Each room in the house, including bedrooms; have well designed custom built-ins. The gourmet kitchen features heated slate floors and top-of-the-line appliances and sunny windows stretching the length of the room. There are private views from every axis of the home, proving that the exterior is just as beautiful as the interior. Extensive stone work, exposed aggregate and slate patios all wrap around the home set upon a beautifully landscaped half-acre lot. For more information, please contact JD Callander at 703-606-7901 or at www.newNOVAhome.com.”

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Georgetowner •

After pleading guilty to videotaping 52 women taking a ritual bath at Kesher Israel synagogue and being sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison, Barry Freundel will head back to the D.C. Superior Court July 31 in a bid for a lesser sentence.

The rabbi’s attorney, Jeffrey Harris, has argued in a motion to the court that Freundel should have been sentenced for one act of video voyeurism rather than for each women he videotaped. His current sentence is 45 days in prison for each of the 52 women he videotaped. Harris made the same argument about the sentence during the rabbi’s May 15 sentencing hearing, but Senior Judge Geoffrey M. Alprin and prosecutors did not accept it. Alprin will preside over the July 31 hearing, and prosecutors have notified Freundel’s victims about the recent legal developments. The Washington Post reports that “In several filings with the court, Harris and prosecutors have sparred over the legality of the sentence,” calling the new argument “unusual.”

To further his motion, Harris said that Freundel is in isolation at D.C. Jail for 23 hours a day due to threats made by other inmates. Sentencing guidelines on voyeurism cases require that Freundel serve at least 85 percent of his term.

Freundel was arrested in early October and charged with videotaping six nude women as they prepared to purify themselves in a ritual bath known as a mikvah. Ultimately, the rabbi plead guilty to charges of videotaping 52 women. But prosecutors say they found evidence of Freundel recording almost 100 other women. They are unable to bring charges on those allegations because the alleged crimes fall outside the three-year statute of limitation for voyeurism.

Read more about the initial charges here, and Freundel’s sentencing here.

Kelly Byrnes •

Police have arrested a suspect in the July 4th stabbing death of a 24-year-old D.C. man in the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station.

An arrest warrant was issued for Jasper Spires for first-degree murder while armed, following the stabbing, which occurred around 12:50 p.m. Saturday as a Red Line subway train was pulling into the NoMa-Gallaudet station in Northeast D.C.

The victim, identified as Kevin Joseph Sutherland, had no signs of life at the scene, according to fire and emergency service personnel.

A 2013 graduate of American University, Sutherland was served as a secretary in student government and was a former Congressional intern for Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.).  

“[I] am absolutely heartbroken by the tragic loss of intern, staffer and wonderful friend, Kevin Sutherland. I’ve known few as selfless and decent,” Himes tweeted July 5.

Sutherland was employed at New Blue Interactive at the time of his death. The company expressed its sympathies over his passing in a statement made on its Facebook page: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time.”

Authorities believe the attack was random, though it comes just a day after Spires, 18, was released from policy custody for a June 2 robbery. According to Superior Court records, the incident had been amended from a felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she is unsure why the initial charge against Spires had changed. “We are going to look into that investigation and see what happened. It seemed like a solid case. Obviously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be looking at it as well,” Lanier told the Washington Post. 

Georgetowner • July 22, 2015

After decades of being labeled a local legend, a Martin’s Tavern booth is now confirmed to be the official spot where future President John F. Kennedy popped the question to Jaqueline Bouvier.

Ambassador Marion H. Smoak revealed that he was enjoying a cocktail in the restaurant the night of the proposal. “After the senator proposed, and she accepted, the news ran through the restaurant. That night we didn’t know his future and what it would bring. In hindsight, it was great fun to witness a part of history,” Smoak said.

For years, Martin’s was said to be the place of the proposal, though only from reports of the staff working at the time. Smoak’s account put skeptics to rest in time to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the proposal June 24.

Georgetowner • July 16, 2015

American Affinities: Pop Art from John Stango

June 26th, 2015 at 11:00 AM | Free | morgan@aproof.net | Tel: 202-803-2782 | Event Website

Artist’s Proof is proud to announce the unveiling of their upcoming exhibition, “American Affinities: Contemporary Pop Art from John Stango,” which features a compilation of works from artist John Stango starting Friday, June 26th to Sunday, July 19th. Stango builds upon traditional Pop Art imagery while incorporating influential contemporary brands and uniquely American icons to create bold, colorful, and dynamic pieces that resonate with twenty-first century pop culture energy.

Address

Artist’s Proof; 1533 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Guided Garden Tour: Historic & Growing

June 26th, 2015 at 11:00 AM | Free-$10 | press@tudorplace.org | Tel: 2029650400 | Event Website

This lively walk traces the history and horticulture of centuries-old trees, heirloom plants and flowers, and abundant English boxwood across the 5½-acre landscape. Learn how Tudor Place’s design reflects its Federal-period origins and how land use changed over time. Identify species cultivated here over two centuries, and see how four owners and six generations cared for and embellished their land as Georgetown and the Federal city developed.

Address

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden; 1644 31st Street NW

Book Hill Dog Parade

June 27th, 2015 at 8:00 AM | free | Tel: 202-944-2753

At the annual Dog Parade and Show, in Georgetown’s Book Hill Park, dogs will meet Uncle Sam, strut in the parade, and compete for prizes (best costume, best couple, best trick and others). The event is open to the public. Rain date: June 28.

Address

Book Hill Park is located behind the Georgetown Library at the corner of Reservoir Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

Garden Party

June 27th, 2015 at 11:00 AM | free | art@liveanartfullife.com | Tel: 540-253-9797 | Event Website

Live An Artful Life® Gallery will host a floral celebration of art with their show “Garden Party”. The show will feature artwork depicting a garden theme from a group of talented artists residing in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The public is invited to vote for their favorite painting for the People’s Choice Award. An opening party is planned for the evening of June 27th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Show runs June 27 through July12, 2015.

Address

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

Mosaic Live

June 27th, 2015 at 05:00 PM | FREE | mmcgarry@edens.com | Event Website

Join us the last weekend of June for a special FREE concert weekend presented in partnership with Jammin’ Java!

Saturday Night:

From 5-9 p.m., will feature food and drink from Mosaic partners, including DGS and Sisters Thai and concerts by

-Brain Stew, A Tribute to Green Day (6pm-6:45pm)

-Good Time Boys, A Tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers(7pm-8pm)

Sunday Morning:

From 11am – 2pm, will feature local family favorites

-Rocknoceros (11:30am-12:20pm)

-Rainbow Rock (12:40pm-1:30pm)

Address

Mosaic District; 2910 District Avenue; Fairfax, Virginia 22031

El Centro D.F. Brings Back Its Popular Guacamole Festival

June 29th, 2015 at 11:00 AM | $12.55 to $14.75 | Tel: (202) 328-3131 | Event Website

Richard Sandoval’s vibrant Taqueria and Tequileria, El Centro D.F., is pleased to debut its popular Guacamole Festival, which will run June 29th through September 30th, 2015. The Festival will feature different flavors that highlight various regional experiences of preparing guacamole. Dating back to Aztec times, the traditional Mexican dip was comprised of avocado, onion, chilies, fresh tomato, and salt.

Address

1819 14th Street, NW

Tudor Tots: Summer Fun in the Sun

June 30th, 2015 at 10:00 AM | $5 per child. Free for adults | Tel: 2029650400115

Tudor Place has enchanted young children for almost two centuries. Experience it yourself on family-friendly Tuesday mornings, joining others to read, sing, and play in the picturesque gardens. Each week introduces a new theme, from “adventurous animals” to “growing gardens” and more. Children enjoy interactive read-alouds, songs, and themed movements related to the week’s topic, sharing a shady green and tranquil setting with the grown-ups who care for them.

Address

1644 31st Street NW

Peter Murray •

The Metropolitan Police Department has discovered 3 dead bodies in Washington waterways this week, and has attributed the discovery of those bodies to heavy recent rain.

The first body was found in the rear of the Swedish Embassy at the 2900 block of K Street NW. Officers appeared on the scene to investigate a “body floating in the water” and “discovered a deceased male,” according to an email from the department. Police say the body was in the water for an “undetermined amount of time” and that they do not know the cause, or the location, of the man’s death. The department has scheduled an autopsy to find out more about the man’s death Officials also said that the deceased man “carried identification” indicating North Carolina residency.

On Wednesday, police retrieved two bodies from the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River, respectively. U.S. Park Police called MPD to the scene when they discovered a partially submerged, “unconscious and unresponsive” adult male in the Tidal Basin around 6:30 a.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Meanwhile, MPD is continuing their investigation of the death as a homicide and asking anyone with information about the body to call the department at (202) 727-9099.

Lastly, MPD’s Homicide Branch is investigating unidentified remains that were found in the Potomac River near the Kennedy Center around noon Wednesday. The police said in a statement that MPD’s K-9 Unit was the first on the scene and that Office of the Chief Medical Examiner transported the body to their facilities for further investigation.

Georgetowner •

The National Mall is vibrant with American politics, history, and spirit. Now, it’s bursting with Peruvian pride as part of the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

The event, which kicked off Wednesday, celebrates traditional Peruvian culture with a lineup as diverse as the country itself. Throughout the eight-day festival, visitors of all backgrounds can immerse themselves in every aspect of Peru’s lively culture.

The festival will serve up traditional Peruvian eats from pork stew and potatoes in cream sauce, to more exotic fare like stingray jerky and Andean rodent, prepared by both native cooks and D.C. chefs in live demonstrations.

For those seeking fun and festive entertainment, a number of dance troupes and musical performers will showcase their roots through song and dance, representing an array of regions. Notable dances scheduled during the festival are the Masquerade, which celebrates la Mamacha Carmen, the patron saint of Paucartambo, and the country’s national dance, the Spanish-and-African-infused Marinera.

Hand-crafted Peruvian artwork and objects will also be displayed, including carved gourds, reed rafts, textiles, masks, jewelry, painted wood crafts, ceramics, and woven goods. The various crafts represent 4 distinct regions of Peru.

The festival is held now through June 28, as well as July 1-5, between Third and Fourth streets on the National Mall. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday, with evening concerts taking place at 7 p.m. June 25, 26 and 27, as well as July 2 and 3.

Robert Devaney •

“Small business is the heart of America,” said Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans at the Georgetown Business Association’s Leadership Luncheon June 24 at Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place at Washington Harbour.

Businesses, small or otherwise, and their leaders and influencers were on full display at the longtime popular spot on the Potomac. The full list of honorees in room, along with the attendees, made for what was truly a business power lunch.

The event’s biggest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to P. Wesley “Wes” Foster, Jr., co-founder of Long & Foster Real Estate. Business Person of the Year was Charles Lawrence of the Secor Group and the Joe Pozell Public Safety Award was given to Metropolitan Police officers Christian DeRuvo and William Peterson. The Art Schultz Communitarian Award went to Leslie Buehler of Tudor Place, while Baked and Wired was named the Business of the Year. New Business of the Year, on the other hand, was awarded to Dog Tag Bakery. The Georgetown Preservation Award went to architect Robert Bell, who is reconstructing the old Georgetown Theater.

Evans also spoke on the D.C. budget and honed in on the $3 million earmarked for repairs to the C&O Canal and a new canal barge — a neighborhood treasure as well as major tourist attraction. The councilman also recalled when Washington, D.C., and its oldest neighborhood were hurting in the 1990s in contrast to today, which he referred to as a “golden age of Georgetown” while also noting the vibrancy of the 14th Street corridor downtown.

Pam Moore, the former president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, introduced Leslie Buehler, outgoing executive director of Tudor Place, one of the most historic homes in the city with ties to the family of George Washington. Moore noted how residents and businesses “all work together . . . it is a golden age, as Jack says.” Buehler thanked the businesses “for embracing Tudor Place.”

Terry Bell of Salon Ilo introduced architect Robert Bell (no relation), who took on the task of improving “the ugliest building in Georgetown for the last 40 years.” The architect and now owner of the old theater said that the iconic “Georgetown” sign would soon return to be illuminated and hang over Wisconsin Avenue and look “fabulous for the next 100 years.”

At-large Council member Vincent Orange introduced the man of the hour, Wes Foster, who smiled when Orange read out part of Long & Foster’s annual report and said, “These are great numbers.”

Before anything else, Foster thanked the police — and then his wife Betty — before speaking of his 12,000 agents. Known for getting to the point and keep it real, Foster told the crowd, “Thanks for sticking around.” [gallery ids="102124,133745,133743,133748" nav="thumbs"]

Kelly Byrnes •

The former Georgetown home of famed chef Julia Child is now listed for sale at $1.1 million.

The 1,364-square-foot property, located at 2706 Olive St. NW, housed Child and her husband Paul in 1948 prior to their residence in France, where she studied French cuisine. In 1956, after years renting the property to tenants while abroad, the Child’s returned to the home, where the late chef conducted cooking lessons from its kitchen.

The house, built around 1870, boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an aged yellow exterior, and is being sold as is. It’s unknown whether the kitchen has been modernized or still intact from Child’s cooking days nearly 60 years ago.

Though considered a fixer-upper, the house’s history is a major selling point. Before Child’s presence, the builder behind the three-story Colonial, Edgar Murphy, and his family occupied the home for over 40 years until his death in 1913. An African American carpenter, Murphy and his family rented out a separate unit within the space to black tenants to earn extra income, at a time when Georgetown was a neighborhood rooted in African American culture.

Between the history of Murphy’s ties to the house and Child’s culinary reputation which grew there, the dwelling has molded into a local symbol of prosperity, a charm that potential buyers can’t put a price on.