Latest News

Georgetowner • March 11, 2015

[UPDATE] On Wednesday, Feb. 25, just before 10:40 a.m. smoke poured out of the Steve Madden building at 3109 M St. NW in Georgetown. The building also houses BrandLink D.C., the Wink boutique and the Ury salon and spa.

An official from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department on the scene said that the fire was spreading within the walls. It is believed that the insulation burned due to some sort of electrical issue. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“Everyone was able to make it out,” the official said. “No one is injured at this time.”

Firefighters had the fire put out by 11:20 a.m. and began reopening M Street, but a portion remained closed to traffic.

BrandLink D.C. posted on its Facebook page that, even though it experienced smoke damage, ”We are happy to report that everyone is safe and sound.” The event and marketing firm will be working from a temporary office space throughout this week.

The Urban Outfitters building, next to the Steve Madden building, is also closed because of damages because of the fire.

[February 25, 2014] Smoke poured out of the Steve Madden building at 3109 M St. NW in Georgetown just before 10:40 a.m. Feb. 25.

An official on the scene said that the fire burned within the walls. It is believed that the insulation burned due to some sort of electrical issue.

“Everyone was able to make it out,” the official said. “No one is injured at this time.”

There are serious traffic delays at the scene.
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Georgetowner •

Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.)

February 26th, 2015 at 07:30 PM | Free | julia.strusienski@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | (Event Website](http://www.meetup.com/Twentythirtysomething-Book-Club-T-T-B-C/)

Are you a local reader at least 21 years old? Looking for a more casual book club experience? Then join us for Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.), a new book group for younger adults.

For our February meeting, we will be reading Robin Sloan’s 2012 novel, “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.”

For more information, check out our MeetUp page or email erika.rydberg@dc.gov or julia.strusienski@dc.gov.

Address

breadsoda; 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW

2015 DC Design House Bare Bones Tour

February 28th, 2015 at 12:00 PM | $5 or free with purchase of $30 DC Design House ticket for April 12-May 10 | dcdesignhouse@theloftatai.com | Tel: 301-807-0910 | [Event Website](http://www.dcdesignhouse.com/)

Take a tour of the 2015 DC Design House before the designers work their magic. See the 27 empty rooms in this new McLean, VA home built by Artisan Builders and then come back from April 11 to May 10 to see the beautiful designs. It’s the 8th Annual event with 100% of proceeds benefitting Children’s National Health System.

12 noon until 3 p.m.

Address

956 Mackall Farm Lane; McLean, VA 22101

Paintings, Calligraphy and Ceramics by Stephen Addiss

February 28th, 2015 at 12:00 PM | [Event Website](http://robertbrowngallery.com/)

Robert Brown Gallery hosts an opening reception for an exhibition of work by painter, poet, ceramicist, musician and Japanese art historian Stephen Addiss. A professor for thirty-six years, Addiss retired in 2013 from a position at the University of Richmond. He began studying calligraphy and ink painting in 1969 with Asian scholars, later studying in Japan and Taiwan.

Address

1662 33rd St. NW.

Aaron Burr Lecture at Georgetown Library

February 28th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | jerry.mccoy@dc.gov

Jamie Stiehm, a columnist for Creators Syndicate and a contributor to usnews.com, will give a free 1 p.m. lecture: “The Intriguing Aaron Burr: Vice President and So Much More.” The third vice president of the United States, Burr served under Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1805.

Address

Georgetown Neighborhood Library, Peabody Room (third floor), 3260 R St. NW.

Russian “Ballades, Fantasies, and Satires”

February 27th, 2015 at 12:00 AM | $50 | [Event Website](http://thercas.com/)

Soprano Natalia Kraevsky and bass Grigory Soloviov will sing songs in Russian accompanied by pianist Vera Danchenko-Stern, founder and artistic director of the Russian Chamber Art Society, at this third concert of RCAS’s 2014-2015 season. Danchenko-Stern’s Peabody Conservatory colleague, pianist Alexander Shtarkman, will also perform. Tickets, include a wine and dessert reception. For tickets, visit their website.

Address

Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Court NW.

701 Restaurant Hosts Four-Course Wine Dinner with Crosby Roamann Winery

February 27th, 2015 at 07:00 PM | $90 | Tel: (202) 393-0701 | [Event Website](http://701restaurant.com/)

701 Restaurant invites guests to come celebrate one of Napa Valley’s finest wineries, Crosby Roamann, on February 27th at 7 p.m. The experience is priced at $90 per person (not including tax and gratuity) and guests will enjoy Executive Chef Benjamin Lambert’s four-course feast while winemaker Sean McBride will orchestrate pairings.

Address

701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Cantate Chamber Singers presents the St. John Passion of J.S. Bach

March 1st, 2015 at 04:00 PM | $35 ($45 for premium seats in first few rows), age 18 & under FREE, students with ID $15. | exec@cantate.org | Tel: 301-986-1799 | [Event Website](http://cantate.org/)

Cantate (Gisèle Becker, Music Director) presents Bach’s masterpiece in the rarely performed fourth version of 1749, with period instruments. Featuring Joseph Dietrich singing the role of the Evangelist, Kevin Frey singing the role of Jesus, soprano Mary Ellen Callahan, mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead, baritone Steven Combs, and tenor David Wolff.

Address

Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church; 6601 Bradley Blvd; Bethesda, MD 20817

Time for Three

March 1st, 2015 at 05:00 PM | $25. – $30. | sam@stjohnsgeorgetown.org | Tel: 202-338-1796 | [Event Website](http://www.stjohnsgeorgetown.org/)

The groundbreaking, category-shattering string trio transcends traditional classification, with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own. Performing music from Bach to Brahms, arrangements of The Beatles, Katy Perry, Kanye West
and Justin Timberlake.

Free parking at the Hyde Addison School parking lot directly across from the church.

Address

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown; 3240 O St. NW

Linnea Kristiansson •

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink on the Georgetown waterfront will close for the season this Sunday, March 1.

The rink is the largest outdoor ice skating venue in the region. Open annually from mid-November until March, the ice rink at 3050 K Street NW transforms from a picturesque fountain in warmer months and is open for recreational skating every day, including holidays.

With a couple of days left in February, take the opportunity to enjoy a healthy activity right on the Potomac, with a warm beverages rink-side.

Go, before the season ends! See you on the ice.

Opening hours:

Monday-Tuesday 12:00-7:00pm
Wednesday-Thursday 12:00-9:00pm
Friday 12:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-7:00pm

Prices:

Adults: $10.00
Children/Seniors/Military: $9.00
Skate Rental: $5.00
Season Pass: $195.00
10 Admission Pass: $85.00
Socks/Gloves: $4.00

Helmets and penguin skate aids are available, free of use, first come first serve.

Weekly events:

College Night Skate: Each Thursday, Receive $2 off Admission with a Valid College ID
Cartoon Skate: Every Saturday morning from 10:00am — 12:00pm
Rock N Skate: Every Saturday night from 8:00 – 10:00pm

For more information on ice skating, signing up for lessons, and general questions call (202)706-7666.

Robert Devaney •

In plain sight of construction workers, passers-by and 7-Eleven customers, two men, one of whom was armed, approached a parked Mercedes SUV, demanded keys from the female driver, who left her car, on the 2600 block of P Street NW at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 25, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The men drove away from the scene. The carjacked vehicle was later stopped in the 900 block of Ingraham Street NW in Brightwood Park, north of Petworth, after a crash on the same day. One suspect was arrested. Police say another person is sought in connection to the crime.

Before the carjacking in front of the 7-Eleven, according to NBC4 News, the same suspects, one of whom showed a gun, attempted a carjacking on the 3100 block of P Street NW. The 7-Eleven on P Street was robbed twice in January.

If you have any information on these crimes, call MPD at 202-727-9099.

Robert Devaney •

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will hold its March meeting, 6:30 p.m., March 2, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place NW, in the Heritage Room on the second floor of the main building. The following is tonight’s meeting agenda, as provided by ANC 2E.

Approval of the Agenda

-Approval of March 2, 2015, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda Administrative

-Approval of January 2, 2015 and February 2, 2015 Meeting Minutes

-Public Safety and Police Report

-Financial Report

-Transportation Report

-DPW Report

Community Comment

New Business

-3324 Dent Place, NW – historic significance of the property and a possible archeological survey

-Jackson Art Center building, 3050 R Street, NW – future use of the building
-Proposed decrease in bus service by WMATA on the D-1 and D-2 routes

ABC Matters

-Bulldog Tavern, 3700 O Street, NW (on the GU Campus), ABRA-096001,
application for a substantial change to its license to allow live music performance, trivia, karaoke, poetry readings, comedy and vocal performances Sunday through Saturday 8 pm – 12:30 am.

Zoning Matters

1. Crumbs & Whiskers,3211 O St., NW, BZA No. 18954- exception to comply with animal boarding requirements for a cat adoption facility and café

2. 3220 Prospect Street, NW, BZA No.18977- variance relief from loading requirements

Old Georgetown Board

PUBLIC AND MAJOR PROJECTS

1. SMD 03, 3255-3259 Prospect Street, NW, OG 15-120 (HPA 15-223), Mixed use (currently Domino’s Pizza), New construction, Concept

PRIVATE PROJECTS

1. SMD 02, 1544 33rd Street, NW, OG 15-057 (HPA 15-085), Residence, One-story rear addition, Concept
(For review by the Historic Preservation Review Board)

2. SMD 03, 3252 O Street, NW, OG 15-095 (HPA 15-183), Residence, Two-story rear addition, Concept

3. SMD 03, 3301 N Street, NW, OG 15-121 (HPA 15-224), Residence, Second story and underground additions, alterations, Concept

4. SMD 03, 1513 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 14-321 (HPA 14-602), Commercial, Rooftop and 3-story rear addition, Concept – revised

5. SMD 05, 1061 31st Street, NW, OG 15-110 (HPA 15-211), Commercial, Awning and signs Canal Inn – Existing, Permit

6. SMD 05, 3205 K Street, NW, OG 15-109 (HPA 15-209), Commercial, Projecting sign Mr. Smith’s, Permit

7. SMD 05, 3251 Prospect Street, NW, OG 15-080 (HPA 15-124), Mixed-use: commercial/residential, New doors, relocation of HVAC equipment to roof, Permit

8. SMD 05, 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 15-020 (HPA 15-033), Commercial, Alterations to rear fence for incinerator, Permit

9. SMD 05,1225 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 15-112 (HPA 15-215), Commercial, Replacement front windows, repointing rear and sides, Permit

10. SMD 06, 1236 28th Street, NW, OG 15-111 (HPA 15-212), Residence, Alterations to rear, replacement windows, deck, Concept

11. SMD 06, 3044 N Street, NW, OG 15-108 (HPA 15-200), Residence, Railings / planters at roof terrace above garage – Existing.

12. SMD 07, 1624 29th Street, NW, OG 15-122 (HPA 15-225, Residence, New open garage with roof terrace, Concept

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E: The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming March 5, 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, February 27, 2015.

1. SMD 02, 3244 Q Street, NW, OG 15-029 (HPA 15-042), Residence, Replacement windows, Permit

2. SMD 02, 1700 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 15-115 (HPA 15-216), Institution (Dumbarton Oaks), Exterior lighting, Permit

3. SMD 03, 3206 N Street, NW, OG 15-012 (HPA 15-025), Commercial, Addition, alterations, replacement curtain wall, stairs, signs, Concept – revised

4. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 15-126 (HPA 15-229), Georgetown University, Site work for new bus turnaround, Permit

5. SMD 05, 1312 31st Street, NW, OG 15-131 (HPA 15-235), Residence, Replacement security window grilles, Permit

6. SMD 05, 3000 M Street, NW, OG 15-117 (HPA 15-220), Mixed-use, Partial demolition, addition, alterations, Concept – design development

7. SMD 05, 3330 Cady’s Alley, NW, OG 15-047 (HPA 15-075), Commercial, Alterations to masonry openings, Concept – revised

8. SMD 05, 3207 Grace Street, NW, OG 15-123 (HPA 15-226), Commercial, Alterations, light fixtures, sign – Chaia Farm to Taco, Permit

9. SMD 05, 3614 Prospect Street, NW, OG 15-100 (HPA 15-188), Residence, Partial demolition, 2-story rear/ rooftop addition, alterations to front, replacement windows, Permit

10. SMD 05, 3614 Prospect Street, NW, OG 15-129 (HPA 15-232), Residence, Alterations to 32.rear terrace, decks, Concept

11. SMD 05, 1132 29th Street, NW, OG 15-052 (HPA 15-080), Commercial, Rear additions, Concept

12. SMD 06, 1319 30th Street, NW, OG 15-091 (HPA 15-179), Residence, Alterations, Permit

13. SMD 06, 1319 30th Street, NW, OG 15-119 (HPA 15-222), Residence, Replacement fence,
Permit

14. SMD 06, 2701 Dumbarton Street, NW, OG 15-118 (HPA 15-221), Residence, Rear addition, dormer, alterations, Permit

15. SMD 06, 1215 31st Street, NW, OG 15-074 (HPA 15-118), Georgetown Post Office, Alterations to entrance ramp and sign – EastBanc Technologies, Permit – revised

16. SMD 06, 2715 M Street, NW, OG 15-127 (HPA 15-230), Commercial, Alterations – options
Concept

17. SMD 07, 1502 27th Street, NW, OG 15-063 (HPA 15-103), Residence, front porch, alterations, wall and fence, Concept

18. SMD 07, 1633 31st Street, NW, OG 15-094 (HPA 15-182), Residence, Two-story rear addition, Concept

19. SMD 07, 1650 Avon Place, NW, OG 15-116 (HPA 15-218), Residential, Alterations, replacement windows and door, rooftop HVAC , Concept

20. SMD 07, 2500 Q Street, NW, OG 15-113 (HPA 15-208), Gateway Georgetown condominiums, Rooftop antennas and equipment for T-Mobile, Permit

21. SMD 08, 1229 37th Street, NW, OG 15-125 (HPA 15-228), Residence, Replacement wood siding, Permit

22. SMD 08,1239 37th Street, NW, OG 15-124 (HPA 15-227), Residence, Alterations, HVAC equipment, Permit

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

Caitlin Franz •

The former West End Public Library has been completely demolished to make way for a new EastBanc project. Piles of rubble and large construction equipment cover the lot. Yet it’s clear that progress is being made on the library and condominium combination development.

Architect Enrique Norten, of Ten Arquitectos, is the designer of the new 21,000-square-foot library, which will span two levels. Eight stories of residential housing will be built above it.

The new library will hold designated spaces for children, teens and adults. It will also have one large meeting area, two conference rooms and multiple study rooms. There are additional plans for a cafe and underground parking.

Throughout the construction process, library services will be provided at 2522 Virginia Ave. NW. The temporary location features separate spaces for children, teens and adults, 20 computers and a meeting room for up to 40 people. The West End Public Library will lease this space at the Watergate complex for at least three years.

Robert Devaney • March 8, 2015

The scene: Gaston Hall in the Healy Building at Georgetown University; a Nov. 12 lecture hosted by the Georgetown McDonough Global Social Enterprise Initiative in partnership with Bank of America. On stage: Georgetown University President John DeGioia; Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan; McDonough Business School dean David Thomas; student Ammu Menon.

Also on stage — and the main attraction — was a global activist, talking about social enterprise and advocacy, as if he were a rock star. Oh, wait, he is a rock star. He is Bono.

The program handed out at Gaston Hall proclaimed it thus: while it showed time, place and sponsors, but front and center appears one simple word, “Bono.”

The lead singer for the Irish rock band U2 was also in D.C. to meet Vice President Joe Biden and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim. Bono’s fight against AIDS and extreme poverty is legend. While his well-executed Gaston Hall speech informed and entertained, it went beyond its goals to charm, convince and claim students, professors and politicians.

Musician and activist Bono began by waving back to the student crowd, giving a shout-out to DeGioia’s son, J.T., who is learning the chords of “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.”

“At this lectern or podium, I am oddly comfortable,” Bono smiled. “Welcome to Pop Culture 101. … What am I doing in Healy Hall? I could be on my third pint at the Tombs.”

Becoming sympatico with the audience, Bono congratulated the crowd for re-electing President Barack Obama and was glad that all were now free from “the tyranny of negative ads.” He added, “I’d like to hear an attack ad on malaria.”

Acting as if a Hoya, Bono dumped on Syracuse and Duke universities and their mascots, “a fruit” and “the devil.” To wit, he concluded, “God is a Catholic.”

Bono pronounced AIDS the huge disease but said the “biggest is extreme poverty.” He called this fight a transformative element for the college-aged generation.

For this activist, the 21st century really began in 2011 with the protests of the Arab Spring along with the advent of mobile phones and other digital devices, saying the pyramid of power has flipped. “There are millions of levers of power,” said the rocker, who added that today is analogous to the rise of punk rock in the late 1970s taking on progressive rock. Bono then joked that the audience had never heard anyone link the Arab Spring with the punk band, the Clash.

Cuts in the budget can hurt, he cautioned: “Don’t let an economic recession become a moral recession.”

Bono focused on sub-Saharan Africa, talking about the success of Rwanda in reducing AIDS, thanks to American support. He talked about the dark side of expansion, as al Qaeda controls part of Mali, citing the three extremes of our times: poverty, climate and ideology.

As “an evidence-based activist,” Bono said the heart was not the most important aspect of action; it is justice. “You want data. I got data.” He mentioned the Asian Tigers — even the Celtic Tiger — but added the African Lion. “Aid is just a stopgap,” he said. “We need Africa to become an economic power.”

Bono said he could just imagine the headline: “Rock Star Preaches Capitalism.”

Asking the students for a drum roll, Bono paused to reveal a force of change: “Enter the nerd . . . it’s the era of the Afro nerd.” And another huge obstacle in the developing world? Corruption. But again with digital mobile activists—and websites like IPaidaBribe.com—it is becoming harder to do so without someone knowing.

Bono turned to the work on foreign aid by political and business leaders, thanking those sitting in front of him, such as House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., and former Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, the younger Barbara Bush (because of President George W. Bush’s substantial aid to Africa) among others, such as Irish Ambassador Michael Collins and singer Andrea Coor.

Still, in a politico mood, Bono jumped into a quite good imitation of Bill Clinton to the roars of laugher from the audience. “He’s more a rock star that I am,” Bono said.

As for the Jesuit tradition, he offered founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola, warrior and priest, as the exemplar for “the conversion of the heart” and service to others.

“That’s what I’m hoping happens here at Georgetown with you,” Bono said. “Because when you truly accept that those children in some far off place in the global village have the same value as you in God’s eyes or even in just your eyes, then your life is forever changed. You see something that you can’t un-see.”

It looks like Georgetown Business School picked a perfect keynote speaker to pump up its Global Social Enterprise Initiative, which “aims to prepare current and future leaders to make responsible management decisions that yield both economic and social value.”

Now, that is wide awake in America.

Linnea Kristiansson • March 5, 2015

“This is a clear violation of the District of Columbia Whistleblower Protection Act,” said Metropolitan Police Department officer Hilton Burton, as he initiated a lawsuit against MPD Chief Cathy Lanier and the District in August 2012.

But two weeks ago, on Feb. 11, after less than a day of deliberations, a D.C. Superior Court jury rejected Burton’s whistleblower lawsuit.

Burton was demoted two ranks and transferred from his position in the Special Operations Division after he provided a police escort to actor Charlie Sheen nearly four years ago. Lanier and the department received numerous complaints about the escort, and Lanier testified in June 2011 before the D.C. Council that the officers involved in the escort acted outside of department regulations.

On April 19, 2011, Sheen traveled from Dulles International Airport to D.C. He received a police escort in order to make an appearance at an event at Constitution Hall. Sheen was so impressed by his escort that he tweeted with a photo attached: “In a car with Police escort in front and rear! Driving like someone’s about to deliver a baby!”

After the details of the Sheen escort were revealed, MPD released a statement informing the public that the incident was under investigation. The statement also said that it wasn’t departmental practice to utilize emergency equipment for non-emergency situations.

In the lawsuit, Burton claimed that MPD did not have a “clear policy in place to safeguard the health and safety to the public as it relates to non-dignitary escorts.” At the time of the Sheen incident, Lanier told the Washington Post that the department did not give escorts to celebrities.

“There are limited circumstances where we do police escorts,” Lanier said in April 2011. She explained that those circumstances are based on the need for security and that protocols are followed.

The two-week civil trial drew dozens of spectators. Lanier and other officers took the witness stand and testified about whether prior to the Sheen escort D.C. police had a long-standing policy of escorting celebrities. Lanier said that Burton’s demotion was performance-related and had nothing to do with Burton’s statement to the Council, but he believes it was retaliation for questioning the veracity of the chief.

“The police and the citizens of the District are hurt by this decision,” Burton said. “They are basically telling everyone that Lanier can do and say whatever she wants and get away with it.”

Lanier said in a statement released after the verdict that she appreciated ”the jury’s commitment to finding the truth.” “Although it was difficult to listen to attacks on my credibility, the truth came out in the end,” she said.

Robert Devaney •

Legendary Washington newsman Arnaud de Borchgrave, former editor-in-chief of the Washington Times and top foreign correspondent for Newsweek for 30 years, died Feb. 15 at the age of 88 of cancer.

Known around town and the world for his access to international leaders as well as for a stylish, high-profile manner, de Borchgrave was one of the last of the great, on-the-scene, hands-on journalists who were actually where he said he was. He personified and lived the life of the foreign correspondent at Newsweek magazine and later put his charismatic and journalistic stamp on a young Washington Times.

He was born in Belgium on Oct. 26, 1926. During World War II, his father, Count Baudouin de Borchgrave d’Altena, was director of military intelligence for the exiled Belgium government. His mother, Audrey Townshend, was the daughter of a British general. De Borchgrave escaped the Nazi invasion of southern France only to return with Canadian forces at Juno Beach during D-Day in 1944.

In 1949, de Borchgrave worked for the United Press news agency and succeeded Walter Cronkite — later the managing editor and lead anchor for CBS News — as its Belgium bureau chief. By 1951, de Borchgrave was head of the Paris bureau for Newsweek in Paris and later hired his successor, Ben Bradlee, who would go to become executive editor of the Washington Post.

The list of places and persons de Borchgrave reported on is a long one and included leaders of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Syria and wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Known for his foreign reporting, de Borchgrave was also known for the advantage of his sartorial style, his expense accounts and his seemingly perpetual tan.

A few quotes by de Borchgrave in a Newsweek feature in 2012 tell the tale:

— “I saw this in Morocco once. I had a Chesterfield coat with a black velvet collar. Looked like a diplomat. Nasser was coming in his yacht to Casablanca and getting together with all these Arab heads of state, and the media was dressed, as you know, how the media dresses. I was dressed like an ambassador. And I managed to get in with the ambassadors. I did that over and over again.”

— “Reporting always came first. For example, Newsweek had me on the lecture tour after each major scoop. They would bring me back to talk to the advertisers. But I remember once having a deal with Juan Carlos of Spain. I said, ‘Newsweek is about to put me on a big lecture tour of the states. What if something happens to Franco and you become king?’ So we organized a little code. The message that he would send me was, ‘Charlie is on his way to Rome and wants to see you.’ That meant Franco is sick and dying. I was in Seattle when I got it. I canceled the rest of the tour. The Newsweek business team was furious. They’d invested a lot of money. But I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to get the biggest scoop—the first interview with the new king of Spain.’ Which I did.”

— “I lived extremely well. I traveled a lot. In those days we always traveled first-class. Was never questioned. We stayed in five-star hotels. Never questioned. If we had to stay in one place for several days or weeks, we could get a suite. Never questioned. I never had an expense account questioned in the whole 30 years I worked at Newsweek.”

In 1985, de Borchgrave, who had never worked at a newspaper, became the editor-in-chief of the then three-year-old Washington Times and quickly put it on the map, going up against the city’s biggest paper, the Washington Post, which at the time owned Newsweek.

Owned by the Unification Church and its founder, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Washington Times was a conservative voice in the nation’s capital during the Reagan years. Nevertheless, de Borchgrave denied that Moon or the church directly influenced editorial policy at the newspaper. De Borchgrave left the Times in 1991.

“Arnaud was an extraordinary man,” Wesley Pruden, told the Washington Times, where Pruden succeeded de Borchgrave as editor-in-chief until his retirement in 2008. “He came to us when we were struggling against considerable hostility to establish a second newspaper in Washington, and overnight he gave the Times identity, purpose and credibility. His friends teased Arnaud that he was ‘a legend in his own mind,’ but we were all in awe of his enormous self-confidence and his intrepid and relentless pursuit of the story. He leaves us a true legend in his own times.”

Indeed, the headline of a specially printed fake edition of the Washington Times in 1996 did read, “A legend in his own mind,” accompanied by a front page photo of de Borchgrave wearing military fatigues. It is for a 70th birthday party for de Borchgrave at the Washington Times headquarters on New York Avenue. The party was attended by Bradlee, who knew de Borchgrave from his Newsweek years — it is the only time that Bradlee is known to have come to the Times offices.

In 1998, De Borchgrave went on to work for United Press International and stayed on as a columnist until his death. He was also director of the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

De Borchgrave’s survivors include his wife of 45 years, Alexandra Villard De Borchgrave; a daughter by his second wife (Eileen Ritschel), Trisha de Borchgrave; a sister; a two granddaughters. A son by his first wife (Dorothy Solon), Arnaud de Borchgrave, Jr., died in 2011.