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Initiative 82: The Tipped Wage Controversy Continues
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New Leaders for Citizens Assoc., Georgetown BID
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Business Ins & Outs: Google, Brasero Atlántico, Two Nine, Huckberry
Charleston Slayings Stop Time, Blot Out the News, But Bring Us Together
June 25, 2015
•In our daily lives, news cycles never end—something (awful, strange, crazy, violent, awesome) happens and the news goes viral one night, dominates the next day, is analyzed and commented on ad infinitum and slithers away, replaced by the next story, the next piece of oddness, the next disaster, the next next.
Hello Bruce, Good grief, it’s Caitlin, goodbye to both, hello Donald—you know I’m really rich-Trump, (was that Jeb Bush announcing his presidential run?), hello Miss Dolezal, we hardly knew you, but it’s hardly a black or white issue, and you say it is, goodbye Rachel—did you see that no-hitter at Nationals Park?
But sometimes, a story—an event, really—stops everything and a kind of murmuring, shocked stillness ensues in its wake, starting slowly, gaining force, and then, as hours and days pass, and the aftermath itself becomes the event, all the other things—we’ve seen fire and we’ve seen rain—seem to melt away, leaving us at a watershed in time.
That’s what happened last Wednesday, when the news trickled out slowly, out of Charleston, South Carolina, that there had been a shooting at a historically black church that evening, and it evolved to a full blown, shock and ghost-inducing headline: “Nine Dead in Shooting at Black Church in Charleston, S.C.” A similar headline greeting morning coffee drinkers in Charleston itself, its two papers carrying the news, which was unfortunately and horribly and ironically, partially hidden by a sticky ad for a gun shop and shooting range.
The alleged shooter turned out to be a 21-year-old, white high school drop-out named Dylann Roof of Eastover, South Carolina, who was apprehended by local police on Thursday, at least partly due to being identified by relatives. The victims were parishioners at members of a bible study group at Emmanuel AME Church, the South’s oldest African American Church.
Roof, as it turned out, held strong white supremacist views and apparently wrote a manifesto about his beliefs which warned against the country being taken over by blacks and minorities, including Hispanics and Jewish people.
The very deed brought up ghosts that had always haunted this country, where slavery was considered its original sin. They were ghost from slavery days, Jim Crow days, routine lynching in segregation days and nights, the shocking violence done during the high water marks of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s including a bombing that killed little girls in an Alabama church. It made false the claims that racist times were a thing of the past with the coming of America’s first black president, a notion that had already begun to re-take hold in the wake of a series of fatal police shootings of black men and demonstrations in the wake of incidents that ran from Missouri to New York City to Baltimore, which was struck by anger and fiery demonstrations and looting.
Yet, the shootings—which have been detailed elsewhere and dramatically on television, blotted out the sun and the sum of all other things, including a enormously influential papal encyclical on the environment and income disparity—stopped time itself for a time and left everyone—black and white, everyone with the remarkable effect of seeking solace with each other, not apart, but together.
What else to do in times like that, with the losses so familiar for the victims and their relatives looked and behaved like the kinds of people whose lives we could aspire to, no matter what our skin color?
They embodied decency, generosity of spirit, forgiving natures, they were all about love and family and so it seemed that in South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag—at least, for now—is still allowed to fly freely at the State Capitol, whites, ordinary people and the governor and the senator, and all, flocked to the same church to console each other and be the people which belied the alleged killer’s bigoted and racist claims and embodied the exact opposite.
We think now of that moment in time that this nothing-much person could be welcomed by this group of people, old and young, pastor and retired folks, parents and grandparents and all, look at them for an hour, listen to what they had to say, and commence to shoot because he says he had to.
He could not in the course of an hour, see them at all, for kind hearts, for civil words, for lives they had and lived.
Not at all. He could not image them, let alone see them.
He just commenced to shoot and kill, as if he were just the most important soul under the sun.
He is not.
The nine people whose lives were taken became a loss for everyone who streamed to the church, became a loss for all of us, a huge loss which may yet transform our lives and sense of who we are together and apart.
From ‘Dracula,’ ‘Frankenstein’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Lord of the Rings’: Film Legend Christopher Lee Held Sway
June 24, 2015
•Christopher Lee, who passed away in London June 7 at the age of 93 of heart and respiratory problems — will always be known for playing Dracula— but, oh, there was so much more.
His was a life in full—and sometimes, he surprised us after a period of absence by his re-appearance, better and bigger than ever. In this way, he was something like the movie, “Dracula.” He would always come back in yet another film, another sequel, another apparition for that matter.
Lee, who began life as a member of an aristocratic English military family, wanted to fly but an eye problem prevented it. He worked for British intelligence for a time. And then, he decided to become an actor. After stage stints and a small part in the Laurence Olivier’s black-and-white version of “Hamlet,” he emerged from the British horror movie works, Hammer Films, to play not only Dracula time and time again but also the creature in the Frankenstein epics which Hammer also made.
The Hammer style in the 1950s and 1960s was color—blood red, dripping from teeth, necks and Victorian low-cut bodices. They hardly resembled the Universal black-and-white films of Bela Lugosi’s time. But Lee, with a tony aristocratic and recognizable voice, added class to these films, along with Peter Cushing, who played Dr. Frankenstein and Dracula’s nemesis in many films.
Lee’s Dracula was singular—not quite like the stilted living ghost of Lugosi, not as sexy as Frank Langella and not as weird as Gary Oldman. Lee was lean, scary and totally hypnotic and authoritative.
Those were qualities he brought to his later, resurrection-mode films as the deeply compromised evil wizard Saruman in “The Lord of the Rings” films and another villain, Count Dooku in the prequel “Star Wars” movies.
He appeared in 250 films—including as a villain and nemesis for Roger Moore’s James Bond in “The Man With the Golden Arm.”
But wait, there’s more: Lee was by all accounts a swell singer, singing “Name Your Poison” in a film called “The Return of Captain Invincible,” and he merged operas with heavy metal in recordings he made on which he also sang. He appeared in “Sweeney Todd” and “Corpse Bride” from director Tim Burton, king of the intellectually weird in cinema.
He played Sherlock Holmes and Rasputin the mad monk.
He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1978 and played a character called Doctor Death.
He was knighted by Prince Charles. So, that’s Sir Dracula to you.
He was married for 54 years to the Danish painter and former model Birgit Gitte Kroncke.
The world learned of his death today. I would — out of respect — check that, just to be sure.
Woman Hit, Killed by Truck on Calvert Street
•
A woman was hit by a delivery truck turning on Calvert Street at 37th Street and near Wisconsin Avenue around 6 p.m. on June 11. The female pedestrian died that evening. The intersection, where the incident occurred, is along Glover Park’s busy commercial district.
Officials from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the fatal accident that involved a Giant Food Peapod truck and closed the 3700 block of Calvert Street NW and 2800 block of 37th Street NW for their investigation for a time. The driver remained on the scene.
The victim has not been identified. The MPD has also not yet responded to Georgetowner inquiries concerning the cause of the crash as well as if any charges against the driver have been brought.
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Bowser, Evans Cheer Progress of D.C., Salute Georgetown Citizens
June 22, 2015
•The annual meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown presided over for the last time by President Pamla Moore at Sea Catch Restaurant this week was many things for many people—a way to catch up with old acquaintances, the passing of leadership batons, and appearances by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, both feeling chipper after the District Council approved an $13 billion spending plan without too much blood on the floor, after weeks of sometimes heated arguments and disagreements.
It was an evening to honor Georgetowners who contributed to maintaining the health, the practical get-things-done spirit and the citizen values of Georgetown.
Evans showed up to for several reasons himself. He gave a reprise of the budget—which includes lots of money for affordable housing , little in the way of tax raising , help for transit and schools. “And,” he said, “I’m happy to report that there will be money—three million—to repair and renovate and get up and running again the C&O Canal in Georgetown, so that we’ll have the boat again in operation.”
That drew cheers from a large gathering, as it should, since the canal boat and the canal itself are physical and traditional manifestations of Georgetown, not to mention a tourist attraction.
Mayor Bowser was also pleased with the passing of the budget, and lauded Evans for “as you know being my best friend on the council. We went up to New York to present our financial status, and we came back with our bond rating being upped. And I’ve put a lot of pressure on Jack by tasking him to be the council’s representative on the Metro board.”
“I think after six months in office I can say we can be proud in making progress,” Bowser said. “We have great people doing important jobs. In education, we’re trying to find the proper balance between our public schools and charter schools. We have the best police chief in the country, as far as I’m concerned. We’re getting the basics done and going beyond that toward our goal of becoming not only the best national city but a world-class city.”
Evans was awarded the Charles Atherton Award “for Exceptional Service by a Dedicated Public-Sector Professional Public-Sector Professional for Outstanding Work Preserving and Protecting Historic Georgetown.”
Barbara Downs who seems to have quietly served on an impressive number of organizational boards in Georgetown for years, including several CAG boards (she is a former CAG president) and committees, the Friends of the Waterfront Park, the Jackson Art Center, and as a volunteer for numerous village projects. She has done this with grace and class, in a style and manner that befits the definition of Georgetown citizenship. Downs was awarded the Peter Belin Award for Distinguished Service to the Georgetown Community, presented to her by Harry Belin, Peter Belin’s grandson.
The William A. Cochran Community Service Award (named after the late architect, CAG president and preservation leader) was given to Dr. Sachiko Kuno, President and CEO of the S&R Foundation, which has in short order become a prominent intellectual, cultural and educational presence in Georgetown with the purchase of two iconic Georgetown properties, Halcyon House and Evermay.
The Martin-Davidson Award for an Outstanding Business Serving the Community and Enhancing the Historic Character of Georgetown was given to the law firm of Foley and Lardner LLP.
Special Appreciation Awards were given to Lauralyn Beattie Lee, who was Associate Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at Georgetown University for the past 13 years; Diane Colasanto who was on the CAG Board of Directors for seven years and effectively co-chaired CAG’s public safety program, and Cory Peterson, who is Director of Neighborhood Life at Georgetown University.
The meeting was also an occasion for the passing of leadership batons, with the membership unanimously voting to elect a new leadership slate consisting of Bob vom Eigen, President, Jennifer Altemus, Vice President, Barbara Downs, Secretary, Bob Laycock, Treasurer, and directors Karen Cruse, Hazel Denton, Hannah Isles and John Rentzepis.
“My favorite kind of election,” Evans quipped, “where there’s only one candidate.”
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Weekend Round Up May 28, 2015
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Umbrian Food and Wine Tasting
May 28th, 2015 at 07:00 PM | 55.00 | orsuzy@viaumbria.com | Tel: 202.333.3904 | Event Website
The owners of Italian specialty shop invites you to a special wine tasting on Thursday, May 28, at the home of Sue Cimbricz. The evening will feature the wines of Giampaolo Tabarrini, as presented by Bill Menard from Via Umbria, as well as featured guest chef Simone Priori Pesci.
Prepare yourself for a night of exceptional wine and delicious Umbrian bites at this memorable and intimate evening. To RSVP and for tickets, click the event website link.
Address
Bethesda, Md.
The Army Historical Foundation Inaugural Classic
May 29th, 2015 at 08:00 AM | Event Website
Join us for a morning of golf to support Army history and the National Museum of the U.S. Army. The 18-hole scramble will be played on the Fort Belvoir Golf Course, providing views of the future site of the National Museum of the United States Army. The tournament course will be designed from a combination of holes from both the Gunston and Woodlawn courses to challenge even the experienced golfer. All levels of experience are welcome.
Address
Fort Belvoir Golf Club; 8450 Beulah St, Building 2920; Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
Workhouse Arts Center Carnival and Art Party
May 29th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | $5-$15 | info@workhousearts.org | Tel: 703-584-2900 | Event Website
Three day carnival at the Workhouse. Rides, games, music, vendors, food and fun will be on the baseball field on the south side of the Workhouse campus. Celebrate our military with us later in the evening on Saturday and Sunday as we host a special outdoor film screening and on Sunday afternoon for the kickoff of our special “Stars on Sunday” performance series! Parking is $5, but free with a military ID. Admission is free; rides and activities will require additional fees or tickets.
Address
9518 Workhouse Way; Lorton, VA 22079
Awesome Con 2015
May 29th, 2015 at 12:00 PM | $79.32 | Tel: 240-346-0399 | Event Website
Awesome Con embraces all aspects of geekdom and pop culture, with special guests from TV, film, comic books, and the literary world, with a wide assortment of comic books, collectibles, toys, games, anime, original art, cosplay, and more. Special events include discussion panels, costume contests, trivia contests, gaming tournaments, and tons of activities for kids.
Price includes: 3-day Geekend pass. Single day tickets also available.
Address
Washington Convention Center; 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Two Gallery Demos and New Works in May
May 29th, 2015 at 06:00 PM | Event Website
Principle Gallery will feature two demos next month and an exhibition of new works by local artists Teresa Oaxaca and Robert Liberace. D. E. Hunt Burke of Burke & Herbert Bank will model for one of the demo nights. The talent these two artists display is incredible and we’re pleased to exhibit their newest works the month of May.
Address
Principle Gallery; 208 King Street; Alexandria, VA 22314
Twilight Jumpers
May 29th, 2015 at 06:00 PM | General admission is $30 per car. | Tel: 540-253-5000.
This event, on selected Friday nights through Sept. 19, features two jumping competitions, a giant tug-of-war for kids, wine tasting and dancing.
Address
Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, Virginia.
Georgetown BID/Heart of Georgetown
May 30th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | $25.00 | Event Website
A delightful walking tour of Georgetown — with history and cupcakes
The tour will begin at Dumbarton House and make stops at Baked & Wired, Sprinkles, and Georgetown Cupcake to pick up our pre-ordered cupcakes, meaning you get to skip the long lines!
Ticket includes one cupcake from each shop. Spring flavors are in full swing! Perhaps this month you’ll try Lavender Earl Grey, Strawberry, or Key Lime (Flavors subject to change).
Address
27th & Q Streets NW
Great Falls, Va., ArtFest on the Green 2015
May 30th, 2015 at 09:00 AM | FREE | GreatFallsStudios@gmail.com | Event Website
Celebrate.Great Falls Studios Spring Art Show & Sale under the big tent and a few little tents.Plein air competition and quick draw. Prizes and reception, Sponsored by Arts of Great Falls. Grand finale “Blues Explosion” to close the weekend and start the season of Concerts on the Green by Celebrate Great Falls.. Remember – an unforgettable weekend in our artful village.
Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.
For complete schedule and updates visit www.greatfallsart.org
Address
The Village Green in Great Falls at the intersection of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066
Drink The District’s Rock the Core Cider Fest
May 30th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | $39-$50 | ilovebeer@drinkthedistrict.com | Tel: 2026183663 | Event Website
A celebration of cider, Rock the Core transports the orchard to your mug with over 30 ciders and 20 beers offered on site. Sip on a McIntosh, swig a sweet Golden Russet and discover untapped apple flavors while savoring local eats and live music. During two sessions, participants will be able to sample ciders and beers, while enjoying the area’s finest food trucks, lawn games and musical entertainment.
Saturday, May 30th
Session 1: 1:00 -4:00pm
Session 2: 6:00-9:00pm
Address
The Block; 500 New York Avenue NW
Upperville Horse Show
June 1st, 2015 at 10:00 AM | Tel: 540-687-5740 (or 540-592-3858 during the show only).
The oldest horse show in the United States, Upperville extends a full seven days and involves more than two thousand horse and rider combinations. Call to make special arrangements, reserved parking or box seats.
Address
8600 John S. Mosby Hwy., Upperville, Virginia.
Spotlight on Design: Ehrlich Architects: The Evolution of Multicultural Modernism
June 2nd, 2015 at 06:30 PM | $12 Museum | $12 Student | $20 Non-member. | Tel: 202-272-2448 | Event Website
The work of Ehrlich Architects is guided by “multicultural modernism,” a humanistic approach that melds classic California modernist styles with multicultural and vernacular design elements. Founding partner Steven Ehrlich, FAIA, discusses the firm’s architectural evolution in light of its recent receipt of the 2015 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Firm Award. Following the talk, he signs copies of the firm’s latest book. 1.5 LU HSW (AIA)
Address
National Building Museum; 401 F Street NW
The Seven Show Fashion Event
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:30 PM | $0 | bethb.eller@gmail.com | Tel: 334-322-2010 | Event Website
Clear your calendar – It’s going down! The Seven Show kicks off on June 3rd, and you’re invited to take part in the festivities. The event will showcase fashion and styling inspired by the seven deadly sins. Merchandise and talent will emanate from local DC area fashion designers, small businesses, and art institute fashion students. The fashion show will further cultivate and promote the arts in the local DC metro area. RSVP at thesevenshow.splashthat.com.
Address
Artisphere; 1101 Wilson Boulevard; Arlington, VA 22209
Harbour Nights at The Washington Harbour
June 3rd, 2015 at 06:30 PM | Free | info@thewashingtonharbour.com | Tel: 2022955007 | Event Website
Come and relax on the plaza, enjoy the outdoor restaurants, and hear local bands performing live each Wednesday on the Georgetown waterfront at the Washington Harbour, June 3-September 30. Band schedule is subject to change and weather dependent. For confirmation and updates, check the Event Calendar at TheWashingtonHarbour.com, and TheWashHarbour on Facebook and Twitter.
Address
3050 K Street NW
ANC 2E June 1: Traffic Jams, DDOT Discussion
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Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will hold its monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., June 1, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place, NW, Heritage Room, main building, second floor. This following is tonight’s meeting agenda, as provided by ANC 2E.
Approval of the Agenda
• Approval of June 1, 2015, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda
Administrative
• Approval of March 30 and May 4, 2015, Meeting Minutes
• Public Safety and Police Report
• Financial Report — 2nd Quarter Financial Report approval
• Transportation Report
• Discussion with the District Department of Transportation about rush hour congestion and other transportation issues
Community Comment
New Business
ABC
• Events DC Nation’s Triathlon Sept. 13, 2015
• GBID Temporary weekend sidewalk widening on 3200 block of M St.
• West Heating Plant procedures for dealing with environmental information
• After Peacock Room ABRA-095964, 2622 P ST NW
–amendment to extend hours to 11 p.m.
Old Georgetown Board
?
?Public Projects
??
1. Government of the District of Columbia Department of General Services
3219 O Street, NW Hyde -Addison Elementary School Alterations to fence and gates
Concept ?
Private Projects ?
?1. SMD 03 OG 15-214
1405 34th Street, NW
Residence Alterations, window replacement, cameras
Concept
?
?2. SMD 03 OG 15-219
3317 P Street, NW
Residence Basement addition
Concept
?
?3. SMD 05 OG 15-199
1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial Sign and blade sign – Onward Reserve Permit
?
4. SMD 06 OG 15-207
1250 28th Street, NW
Residence
Porch replacement, new front stoop
Concept
?
?5. SMD 07 OG 15-208
2703 P Street, NW
Residence
Replacement stairs, site work
Permit
No Review At This Time by ANC 2E: The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming June 4, 2015, agenda of the Old Georgetown Board, have not been added to the ANC meeting agenda for OGB-related design review and we do not propose to adopt a resolution on them at this time. If there are concerns about any of these projects, please contact the ANC office by Friday, May 29, 2015.
?1. SMD 02 OG 15-220
1661 35th Street, NW
Residence
Three-story rear addition, in-fill areaway, one-story side addition, alterations
Permit
???
?2. SMD 02 OG 15-201
1623 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Alterations to storefront
Permit ?
?
3. SMD 02 OG 15-212
1740 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Front and rear alterations
Concept
??4. SMD 03 OG 15-204
1537 33rd Street, NW
Residence
Brick wall repair
Permit
?
5. SMD 03 OG 15-210
1318 34th Street, NW
Residence
Garden wall
Permit
?6. SMD 03 OG 15-197
3206 N Street, NW
Commercial
Addition, alterations, stair, signs
Permit
?
7. SMD 03 OG 15-121
3301 N Street, NW
Residence
Rear addition, alterations
Concept — revised
?
?8. SMD 03 OG 15-180
3112 O Street, NW
Christ Church Rectory
Demolition, rear addition
Concept – revised
?
?9. SMD 03 OG 15-206
3211 O Street, NW
Commercial
Sign — Crumbs & Whiskers Cafe
Permit
?10. SMD 03 OG 15-218
3252 O Street, NW
Residence
Two-story rear addition
Permit
?
?
?11. SMD 03 OG 15-188
3300 O Street, NW
1316 33rd Street, NW, 1318 33rd Street, NW
Residence
Demolition, addition, alterations
?Concept – revised ?
?12. SMD 03 OG 15-213
3129 Dumbarton Street, NW
Residence
Replacement windows, site work
?Concept ?
?
13. SMD 03 OG 15-198
3410 Prospect Street, NW
Residence
Alterations to rear, terraces
Permit ?
?14. SMD 03 OG 15-153
1513 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Mixed-use Rooftop and rear additions, trellis
Concept – Design development
?15. SMD 05 OG 15-217
3225 M Street, NW
Commercial Alterations, lighting, sign — Warby Parker
Permit ? ?
?16. SMD 05 OG 15-216
3000 M Street, NW
Mixed-use Partial demolition, addition, alterations
Permit
?
17. SMD 05 OG 15-179
3286 M Street, NW
Commercial
Signs, alterations to parking lot
Concept – revised
?
18. SMD 05 OG 15-184
3295 M Street, NW
Commercial
Alterations, signs — Club Monaco Permit
?19. SMD 05 OG 15-215
3210 Grace Street, NW
Mixed-use
Fenestration alterations, new chimneys
Concept
?
20. SMD 06 OG 15-135
1212 28th Street, NW
Mixed-use
Two-story plus basement rear addition
Concept — revised
?21. SMD 06 OG 15-168
1324 30th Street, NW
Residence
Rooftop solar panels
Permit
?
22. SMD 06 OG 15-162
2708 P Street, NW
Residence
Replacement doors and windows at rear
Permit
?
?23. SMD 07 OG 15-196
1617 29th Street, NW
Residence
Brick paving, aluminum fences, pool
Concept
?
?24. SMD 07 OG 15-101
1609 31st Street, NW
Residence
Demolition, new residence, site work
Concept – revised
Government of the District of Columbia: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E
3265 S St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
202-724-7098
anc2e@dc.gov
www.anc2e.com
Residents to Leave Water Street Condos for Repairs
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Residents of a high-end, 72-unit building on the Georgetown waterfront will be moving out temporarily for repairs to a structure just over ten years old.
With a lawsuit settled between owners of units in the condominium building at 3303 Water St. NW and its builder and seller EastBanc and its CEO Anthony Lanier, construction work is set to begin this month.
The Washington Business Journal reported May 29: “Details of the mass exodus from 3303 Water St. NW are scarce. We’re told that residents will be leaving as soon as the second week in June and were offered the opportunity to relocate to a D.C. Ritz-Carlton at a cost of $12,000 for a month.”
The Journal continued: “In 2011, the 3303 Water Street Condominium Association sued EastBanc, its president Anthony Lanier, and EastBanc’s contractors, alleging the design, construction and installation of drywall, bathtubs, and ventilation shafts ‘fail to meet the requirements of the applicable building code and industry standard, and creates substantial risk to the health and safety of unit owners and residents, as well as risk of and actual damage to property.’ ”
“It is one of the most beautiful condos in Washington, D.C.,” Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Partner S. Scott Morrison, attorney for the condo association, told the Journal. “The interior finishes are first rate. The views out over either Georgetown or the river are spectacular. The problem in this building stems from poor management of the construction process by Lanier and a refusal to take appropriate steps to remedy those deficiencies. The association was left with absolutely no choice but to sue Lanier and the defendants.”
Morrison told the newspaper the issues were discovered after a sprinkler head burst, damaging six units. Contractors discovered “serious deficiencies” during the ensuing repairs, which required drywall removal. The lawsuit alleged: Gypsum wall board is discontinuous and/or omitted in concealed areas. Steel wall studs were severed and/or cut out for piping “in a manner that is not in compliance with applicable fire and building codes.” Bathtubs were improperly supported and installed, and a retention flange was omitted, allowing “water to enter the wall assembly.”
The condominiums were built by EastBanc in 2004. The lawsuit, which includes money for the construction job and moving costs, was settled in November 2014.
One source familiar with the address said that residents would be moving in stages, not all at once.
One of 3303 Water Street’s units is on the market for $9 million.
Who Is Taking Home a Rammy This Year?
•
The 33rd Rammys are going down this Sunday to honor the best of the metro area’s restaurant industry. Of the 21 categories up for grub — er, uh, grab — four of them will be selected by the voting public. The rest will be selected by a panel of judges from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, the presenter of the awards.
As one might expect, there are a number of contenders from Georgetown, including: Seasons at the Four Seasons — for Upscale Casual Brunch; Bourbon Steak — for both Cocktail Program of the Year and Service Program of the Year; Pizza Paradiso — Beer Program of the Year; LaGina Lewis, of Farmers Fishers Bakers — for Employee of the Year; Agnes Chin, of the Grill Room at the Capella Hotel — for Pastry Chef of the Year; and Fiola Mare — for New Restaurant of the Year.
Rather than attempt to poll the public in advance, and because I’m a big fan of brunch anyway, “upscale” or “everyday casual,” I thought I’d give you my own choices for the categories the public gets to pick. Drum roll, please …
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Evening Star Café
While it requires a trip across the river to visit this Alexandria neighborhood gem, the friendly service staff and cozy, small-town-diner ambiance make it worth the trip. Evening Star’s two separate bars stocked with craft beers make it an excellent spot to meet friends and enjoy a brew.
Upscale Casual Brunch: Seasons at the Four Seasons
When a waffle just won’t cut it, or I’m feeling a little “upscale” for brunch, Seasons at the Four Seasons delivers the best Ropa Vieja Shredded Flank Steak Chachapas (translation: Venezuelan Corn Pancakes) this side of the Potomac. And let’s be fair, the “upscale” category belongs to Georgetown …
Everyday Casual Brunch: Liberty Tavern
Liberty Tavern is a favorite of mine for many reasons — excellent food and great service, with a tavern ambiance. Try meeting some friends for brunch and order the house-smoked salmon or the thick-sliced French toast with banana and pecan maple syrup, then stick around awhile for a fresh-fruit Bellini or a manmosa or two … or three … You’ll come back.
Favorite Fast Bites: Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza
It’s a short trip up Wisconsin Avenue to Friendship Heights, and Pete’s is my favorite spot for a fast and delicious bite of New Haven Style Apizza. It’s served cafeteria-style: order at the register, wait to be served on a tray, then select a seat. In addition to New England-style pizza, Pete’s offers antipasti, pastas and brews.
‘Got Him’: Police Arrest Prime Suspect in Woodley Park Murders, Along with 5 Others
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Late Thursday night, U.S. marshals and officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Daron Dylon Wint, 34, the prime suspect in the May 14 murders of Savvas Savopoulus, his wife, Amy Savopoulos, their son Philip, and a housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa, at the Savopoulus home in Woodley Park.
A massive manhunt ended on the 1100 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE. “A police helicopter joined the pursuit from above, and officers eventually got between the two vehicles in northeast Washington. Wint surrendered without a fight and showed little emotion as he, three other men and two women were taken into custody,” according to the Associated Press. One of those arrested was Wint’s brother. The scene on Rhode Island Avenue involved about 25 vehicles.
“Just got him,” announced MPD Chief Cathy Lanier around 11:30 p.m., May 21, of the person accused of multiple slayings, which Mayor Muriel Bowser, called “an act of evil.”
After tracking Wint to New York and back to D.C., the fugitive task force detected him near a Howard Johnson hotel in College Park, Md., and followed a sedan and box truck into the District. Police also found at least $10,000 in one of the vehicles and did not rule out other possible suspects.
According to the New York Post, Wint took a taxicab from Brooklyn to D.C. to escape police: “He’d been staying in his gal pal’s Canarsie apartment since Sunday — but wasn’t concerned about getting caught until he was named as a suspect Wednesday night, a law enforcement source said. Wint was ‘shocked’ by the warrant for his arrest, the source added. He called his parents in Maryland, then hopped in a livery cab, forking over hundreds of dollars to get back to D.C., the source said.”
Wint is set to be arraigned Friday afternoon on a charge of first-degree murder while armed.
After the dramatic arrest of the suspect, accused of a heinous crime which attracted local, national and international attention, the Savopoulos family offered a statement: “While it does not abate our pain, we hope that it begins to restore a sense of calm and security to our neighborhood and to our city. We are blessed to live in a community comprised of close circles of friends who have supported us and grieve with us. Our family, and Vera’s family, have suffered unimaginable loss, and we ask for the time and space to grieve privately.”
Because of DNA left on a crust of pizza at the crime scene and a criminal record, Wint matched the forensic evidence, and the pursuit began.
“He is wanted pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Murder One while Armed,” MPD announced May 20. “He is described as a black male, approximately 5’7” in height, weighing approximately 155 pounds.”
“For residents of the District who are rightfully scared and want answers as to why and how this family may have been involved, we want to give you as many answers as we can,” said Lanier at a midday press conference May 21.”What we can tell you right now is that we do believe there is a connection between the suspect in this case through the business. So right now it does not appear that this was a random crime.”
Wint is reported to have worked as a welder for American Iron Works in Hyattsville, Md., where Savvas Savopoulus was the CEO. Wint went through Marine Corps boot camp in 2000 but left after five weeks. He is also an ex-convict.
On May 21, CNN reported: “On Thursday, U.S. Marshals and NYPD detectives questioned a woman believed to be Wint’s girlfriend, according to two law enforcement sources involved in the investigation. The sources said the girlfriend, who lives in Brooklyn, told authorities that she spoke to Wint and that he was planning to turn himself in.”
The May 14 murder of Savvas Savopoulus, 46, and his wife, Amy Savopoulos, 47, as well as their 10-year-old son, Philip, who attended St. Alban’s School, and a housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa, 57, has shocked friends of the family, which lived blocks away from Washington National Cathedral and the home of Vice President Joe Biden. After the attacks, the Savopoulus house — valued at $4.5 million — in the 3200 block of Woodland Drive NW was set on fire. The suspect or suspects fled the scene with $40,000 in cash, obtained from Savopoulus.
Savvas Savopoulos and his wife Amy were known around town and were involved with school and other social benefits. The couple’s two teenage daughters were at boarding school at the time of the murder and are safe.
A June 1 funeral service is planned for Savvas, Amy and Philip Savopoulos at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Massachusetts Avenue. The remains of Veralicia Figueroa will be sent to her native El Salvador after a funeral here.