Rhino Bar Auctioning Off Its Contents
• February 26, 2015

While some in the neighborhood knew Rhino Bar would be closing, this week’s news still made major media buzz. The legendary Rhino Bar and Pumphouse, popular with Georgetown University students, will close Feb. 28.

Known for its sports bar verve, Rhino at 3295 M St. NW is a big fan zone for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Eagles as well as for college basketball, especially the Hoyas. It is full of sports memorabilia.

For those who want a piece of the place, there is an online auction by Rasmus Auctions that lists just about everything that isn’t nailed down. Lighted advertising signage, flat-screen televisions, bar tables, stools and other restaurant fixtures are on the list, but it is the memorabilia that is worth noting.

First, there is the presiding rhino head at the center of the bar as well as signs from previous bars that existed at the property: Winston’s and the Shamrock. There are signed sports jerseys in frames that include Patrick Ewing, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan, Joe Namath, Magic Johnson, Joe Theisman, Larry Bird and many more along with autographed magazines covers of sports figures.

The bidding continues until Feb. 27 with inspection at Rhino Bar, noon to 4 p.m., Feb. 26, and removal, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 2. Check out Rasmus.com/auction/250679/bar-and-restaurant-online-auction-washington-dc/

FBI Director at G.U.: Don’t Let Police Off the Hook
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“I’m not willing to let law enforcement off the hook,” FBI Director James B. Comey said in a Feb. 12 speech about policing and race Thursday at Georgetown University’s Gaston Hall. The speech marked the first time an FBI director has spoken on the topic and comes on the heals of nationwide unrest spurred by the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and others who were killed at the hands of police officers.

In addition to race, Comey touched on technology, community policing and trust as areas that police needed to improve upon, but he also argued that most police officers are “good people” who are “overwhelmingly doing the right thing and making the right choices.” He also highlighted his “affection” for law enforcement.

On the increased militarization of police forces, Comey argued, “It’s not the stuff [the equipment]. It’s about the training and the discipline and how we use it.” He asked rhetorically, “Do we use that stuff to confront people who are protesting in a crowd? Do we use a sniper rifle to see closer in a crowd?”

In a strong condemnation of how police report law-enforcement-involved deaths, Comey said it was “ridiculous” that such deaths are harder to find information on than “how many people went to the emergency room with fly symptoms last week.” He said it is impossible to “understand or address these issues” without more data and details on how police shooting incidents occur. Comey critiqued the current system of voluntary reporting in such incidents and said, “Without complete or accurate data, we are left with ideological thunderbolts.”

Speaking on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Comey harked back to the nation’s history of slavery and law enforcement’s “complicity” in that history, calling it “our inheritance as law enforcement.” He said the “mental shortcut” of assuming “everyone lies and everyone is guilty” is “easy but… false,” yet “irresistible.” He went on to say that if law enforcement can’t change their “latent biases” they can at least change their “behavior in response to those instinctive reactions.”

Comey implied that fixing the ways police use technology and react to minorities will help law enforcement regain the trust of the American people. He called the current lack of trust in minority communities “corrosive” to the “entire justice system.”

However, Comey also took swings at law enforcement’s critics, saying that broader societal problems lead poor kids to “inherit a life of crime” and that body cameras will not solve “a host of problems” in the criminal justice system.

Comey closed out his remarks on a conciliatory note, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in saying, “We must learn to live as brothers or we will perish together as fools,” adding, “Relationships are hard. Relationships require work. So let’s begin that work. It is time to start seeing each other as who we really are.”

Rhino Bar to Close Feb. 28
• February 25, 2015

The legendary Rhino Bar and Pumphouse, popular with Georgetown University students, will close Feb. 28.

Business owner and restaurateur Britt Swan told The Georgetowner the he was willing to go with a new lease that doubled the rent but the owner of the building at 3295 M St. NW declined. “Georgetown has changed,” Swan said. “It’s all about high-end retail.”

There will be a big reunion party and last hurrah for all old timers and past and present staff Sunday, Feb. 22, at Rhino Bar, which opened in 1998.

An insider told The Georgetowner: “From 1953 until this Feb. 28, there has been a long-term lease in place that moved from bar owner to bar owner. As I understand it, this is the first time that the lease will expire after all of these years. Many of us will gather at Rhino on its last Sunday night.”

Known for its collegiate atmosphere and sports bar verve — along with nicely priced drinks and good food — the bar was a big fan zone of the Boston Red Sox, often displaying the team’s name in building-wide signage. The place also attracted a clientele of “bros and basics,” according to one Yelp comment.

The bartender with the longest tenure in Georgetown is Rhino’s own Jeff Stiles, who just celebrated 23 years Feb. 8. Stiles worked at Sports Fans before moving to Rhino Bar. The property previously housed the equally legendary Winston’s and, before that, the Shamrock.

Georgetowner Cultural Leadership Breakfast Featuring Ari Roth
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Ari Roth, artistic director of Mosaic Theater Company of DC, a new company based at H Street’s Atlas Performing Arts Center, will be the speaker at Georgetown Media Group’s Cultural Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the George Town Club, 1530 Wisconsin Ave.

Mosaic’s work “seeks to contribute to a broader civic conversation in our city and within our intra and interfaith communities.” Roth spent 18 years as artistic director of Theater J at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, a position he left in December. The event runs from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Admission is $20 ($15 for George Town Club members).

To RSVP, email richard@georgetowner.com.

Future speakers in the series, sponsored by Long & Foster, are Martin Wollesen (March 12), Kim Sajet (April 9) and Steven Knapp (May 7).

Latest Issue of The Georgetowner
• February 24, 2015
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Media Critic David Carr, 1956-2015
•

Most of us who practice – or practiced – what remains of the still enduring, alluring profession of journalism deal in stories and reports and tales.

At whatever level we work – magazine, big city newspaper, blog, television, small-town paper – we come to the job armed with training, experience, curiosity, compassion and empathy, as well as acquired expertise. The things, people, places and events we write about on a daily basis are part of our life. But they do not occupy the same space held by people we love, parents, wives, husbands, friends, children, pets and other passionate regularities. In short, we don’t bring our personal lives and history to the profession.

We can write about politicians, but, other than voting, we are not in the political stream. We write about criminal acts, but, as a rule, are not criminals. We walk with soldiers at times, even in a war zone, but are not soldiers. We opine about theater, but are not actors. We write about drugs and addiction, but are not drug addicts ourselves.

Except of course, when we are, for whatever reasons.

David Carr, the highly respected New York Time media columnist, former Washington City Paper editor and red-carpet commentator, died Feb. 12 after collapsing in his office at the Times. He was only 58, thin, with a raspy voice and totally in love with the job. The causes included lung cancer, which spoke to a worn-out immune system.

Carr had all of the aforementioned professional requirements for a journalist in spades, especially when it came to a stylish, tough, layered, intelligent and often moving – as well as funny – writing style. He had a boundless curiosity and strongly held views. He also (and it’s easy to assume that it informed his writing) had a nightmarish fall to the bottom of life’s pit, that time when you fall into the cold basement only to discover that there is a door in the room to a deeper cellar.

He was raised in Minnesota, worked at an alt paper in the Twin Cities and along the way became addicted to, among other things, crack cocaine. He fathered two children by a girlfriend who was also his dealer. He apparently came close to dying. But, instead, he went into rehab and was successful, married, had other children.

And he wrote a memoir in 2008 about his addiction called “The Night of the Gun,” approaching the job like an investigative reporter in his own life, questioning everything in search of his own true story. That might have been harder than going cold turkey.

He brought his gifts to the job, both the necessary tools and a champion way with words. He worked at the City Paper in the 1990s, encouraging and nurturing a talented group of writers: Amanda Ripley, Michael Schaffer, Jake Tapper, Eddie Dean and Eric Wemple. Google will take you to Wemple’s enthralling and affectionate tribute.

In 2002, Carr joined the New York Times, at first reporting on entertainment celebrities, which included several gigs on the edge of Oscar’s red carpet. But he gained stature, fame and respect when he took on the Media Equation column for the Times, and in many ways – speaking to groups, teaching classes, going on television and hosting panel discussions – became the face of the most honored newspaper in the land. He played a memorable role as himself in the 2011 documentary “Page One: Inside the New York Times.”

Recently, in all of the journalese that came out of the s—storm over Brian Williams, it was Cole who nailed it, smartly, kindly, without malice, in a summary that managed to say everything that needed to be said about Williams and anchors in general: “We want our anchors to be both good at reading the news and also pretending to be in the middle of it. . . . We want our anchors to be everywhere, to be impossibly famous, globe trotting, hilarious, down-to-earth and, above all, trustworthy. It’s a job description that no one can match.”

He also wrote a thoughtful, spot-on, serious essay on the reasons why “Selma” seemed to be lacking in support come Oscar-time, a piece that made me want to disown every silly word I wrote about the aftermath of Oscar.

It could not have been fun to be his friend or loved one during his trial by fire, but you can also more than admire the life he led after his recovery – all of it, in fact – and think that it would have been the highest sort of fun to work with him.

He had the grace of understanding his own life. To quote from the conclusion of his book, as did his last employer, the New York Times: “I now inhabit a life I don’t deserve, but we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn’t end any time soon.”

It ended way too soon for Carr.

Driver Accused of Stabbing 2 at Washington Harbour
• February 23, 2015

A fight between two potential riders and their limo driver escalated into a stabbing around 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the entrance to the Washington Harbour retail-condo complex on K Street. Two young persons were allegedly stabbed by a for-hire limo driver.

According to the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service, the incident occurred in the 3000 block of K Street, NW. The Secret Service police were nearby — as part of its regular patrols to protect embassies — and made the arrest, while the Metropolitan Police arrived to assist.

The two attacked with a knife were taken to the hospital. According to WJLA, the driver for the car service who was arrested is Yohannes Deresse. He is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

One self-described eyewitness told the Georgetowner that the young men were beating up the driver who subsequently pulled out a knife. “They were hitting him hard,” he said. “Then, blood everywhere.” The crime, seen by passers-by at the riverside complex which attracts sightseers and restaurant-goers, occurred within the Washington Harbour traffic circle at K and Thomas Jefferson Street and was over in less than five minutes.

Police have not said what provoked the attacks.

UPDATE, 5:38 p.m.: the Secret Service called the Georgetowner to clarify whom and what it protects, besides the president and those in the Executive Branch. It is not assigned to protect those in the U.S. Congress. (The original Georgetowner story mentioned that House minority leader Nancy Pelosi lives near the scene of the Sept. 8 incident. U.S. Capitol Police would be assigned to protect her.)
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CAG Arts Show Opens Feb. 12
•

The Georgetown Arts Show, hosted by Citizens Association of Georgetown, kicks off at the House of Sweden Thursday, Feb 12., during an evening reception, 6 to 9 p.m., and runs through Feb. 15.

The Georgetown Arts chair Laura-Anne Tiscornia has two of the largest pieces of art work — 40-by-40 inches — at the exhibit. Besides paintings, the show has both glass and mixed-media pieces. This year, the exhibit has one sculpture.

”Every year is surprisingly different and that is what is most interesting and exciting about this exhibit,” Tiscornia said. ”The show attracts new artists as well as reoccurring artists and to see all the different pieces come together and play off one another is remarkable.”

The arts show include art from a unique collection of artists. Some artists are young professionals while others are lifelong learners or teachers. A few of the artists exhibit nationally in other galleries. Attendees are in for a treat to see the vast artistic talent that Georgetown offers.

During Saturday and Sunday, there will be several Artist Talks. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Peggy Sparks, owner of Artist’s Proof, a gallery on Wiscosin Avenue, will discuss the art scene in Washington, D.C., and highlight the art work displayed.

Artist Guy Fairlamb, Dariush Vaziri and Sherry Kaskey will be talking Sunday at noon. In the afternoon, you will also be able to listen to Andrey Bogoslowsky, Jane Lepscky and Ross Ruot during the Artist Talks.

All Things Media: It’s Not About Brian
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The great irony is that Wiliamsgate, Williamsgazi or whatever it is going to be called soon by some internet wag, is no longer about Brian Williams, the anchor of the NBC Nightly News broadcast.

Obviously, it is all about the NBC News anchor monster (although, by all accounts and molded public persona, a very nice fellow). But it is as much about where NBC News is heading.

By now, it is common lore about how Williams gradually embellished his Iraq war experience until he told his Nightly News audience recently that his helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. And, as we all know too well now, it was not.

He admitted he “conflated” events — the copter ahead of him was hit. Someone else might have written the original script, but these were Williams’s own experiences and presumably if someone wrote on the script — “Hi, I’m Tom Brokaw.” He would not read that.

In its shock and horror, NBC has launched an investigation led by the head of its investigative unit. Questions have been raised about Williams’s reporting during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and other places. But really that is a sideshow. The investigation will find that BW conflated actual events with his personal experience. Like he said.

Williams has already taken himself off the air “for a few days.” Whether NBC will formally suspend him, fire him or just say, “Oops. Never mind. We still love you, Brian,” will play out very publicly.

But what this is as much about now is Brian’s boss: NBC News President Deborah Turness. She was brought in from ITV News in the U.K. a year ago to enliven the peacock’s floundering news division and has wielded her presidency like a chainsaw in a slasher movie. “Meet the Press” was gutted, the “Today” show is limping at best, and now Williams. The cause of each were not of her doing, but they are on her watch. Looks more like the Burning of Washington than the Beatles’ Invasion.

Will Brian Williams survive? It will be hard to keep him on with media watchers baying for blood, but they might. NBC can ill afford to lose the one thing that is keeping it at number one. And the network has no Jimmy Fallon in the news wings.

If he does leave permanently it will be the end of era of network anchors dominating American journalism: think Cronkite, Rather, Jennings and Brokaw. Williams is the last of the news anchors with that kind of global recognition. Several classes of journalism college students were asked recently, and Williams was the only anchor they could name. The names of Scott Pelley of CBS News and David Muir of ABC News drew blank looks. And those were journalism students.

But this type of network news scandal is rarely just about the facts. CNN’s Tailwind scandal was as much about the Atlanta homeguard wanting to knock off then CNN top dog, Rick Kaplan who personified the hated New York media elite and then-president Tom Johnson wanting to get rid of the head of Investigative Unit Pamela Hill (both forced out). Rathergate (when CBS News accused President George W. Bush in 2004 of shirking his National Guard duty year before) was as much about the fact that the CBS News body-politic had had enough of anchor Dan and president Andrew Heyward (both went). The people love Williams, but plenty would be happy to see Turness on the next plane back the U.K.

So, It is not just Williams’s job on the line, it is the entire direction of NBC News.

Welcome to Turnessgazi.

Weekend Round Up February 12, 2015
•

Georgetown Arts 2015

February 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. | latiscornia@gmail.com | Tel: 202-368-5878 | Event Website

Georgetown Arts 2015, the sixth annual art show of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, will showcase artwork by local Georgetown residents and artists who have studios in Georgetown. The show also will feature “art talks” on Sat., Feb. 14 and Sun., Feb. 15 at 2 pm, when chosen artists will discuss their art pieces. Most works will be for sale, with the proceeds going to support CAG, which aims to preserve the historic character and quality of life of Georgetown.

Address

House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Crimes of Passion at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment

February 13, 2015 at 6 p.m | $80 | guestservices@crimemuseum.org | Tel: 202-393-1099 | Event Website

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment hosts “Crimes of Passion” on Valentine’s Day with handcuffed tours (you can take the cuffs home after). Also included are hands-on forensic demonstrations and opportunities to learn about crimes of passion like catfishing, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and political scandals. You can also get temporary prison tattoos with your date and find out what they mean, take personality tests to figure out if you or your significant other could be serial killers, and more. Tickets are available for times every half-hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Address

575 7th Street NW

Chocolate and Wine Pairing at Greenhill Winery

February 13, 2015 at 6 p.m. | Event Website

Friday to Sunday of Valentine’s weekend, Middleburg’s Greenhill Winery and Vineyard hosts an event pairing Greenhill wines with handcrafted chocolates from Choquette, a family owned Guittard chocolate store in Bethesda. Reservations are required for the Club House and for groups of 10 or more in the Tasting Room.

Address

23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg. Va.

“Chicago” at the National Theatre

February 13, 2015 at 8 p.m. | $58-$108 | Event Website

The musical “Chicago” has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy. Check out this tale of fame and murder in the jazz age. The show is Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Address

1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington D.C.

SpeakeasyDC’s Sucker for Love

February 14, 2015 at 9 p.m. | $25 | Event Website

SpeakeasyDC is putting on its 7th annual Valentine’s Day show at the 9:30 Club. Sucker for Love will feature stories about all kinds of love. You might laugh. You might cry. You will definitely be moved. The 6:30 p.m. show is sold out. Get your tickets for the 9:00 p.m. show before they sell out. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Address

9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW, Washington, DC

Cupid’s Undie Run

February 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. | Event Website

Cupid’s Undie Run is designed to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Participants run a 1.75-mile lap in front of the U.S. Capitol Building. This is the event’s fifth year in Washington D.C. Make sure to register to participate in your red/pink/heart-covered underwear.

Address

East Capitol Street Northeast & First St SE, Washington, D.C. 20004

A Via Umbria Valentine’s Dinner

February 15, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. | $125 | Tel: 202.333.3904 | Event Website

Why just celebrate love (and wine) on one day? Join Via Umbria for an extended Valentine’s Day weekend where the celebration continues on Sunday. Birthday boy Bill Menard turns 55, so you know it will be a party!

Join acclaimed Umbrian winemaker Roberto Di Filippo for an intimate and delicious dinner featuring the biodynamic wines of Di Filippo and Plani Arche at your private table.

With presentations throughout the evening, Roberto will draw you in with stories about his life in Umbria, the role of food and wine in his culture and, of course, a deeper understanding of his wines and how they pair with different foods. It’s part dinner, part theater, and all wine.

Come February 15 for a very special four-course dinner curated by Roberto Di Filippo. Reservations are required. Call Via Umbria to make your reservation or for further information.

Address

Via Umbria, 1525 Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown.

Save the Date: Georgetown Media Group Presents Cultural Leadership Breakfast Series: February 19

Join the Washington community and the Georgetown Media Group for an informative morning focused on cultural leadership in our region. Ari Roth, former artistic director of Theater J, shares his plans for the intercultural company he will soon launch at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

From 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., enjoy a light breakfast, informal remarks and a Q&A with the leaders of Washington’s top cultural organizations.

$15 George Town Club Members; $20 non-Members
RSVP to Richard@Georgetowner.com or 202-333-4833

Address
The George Town Club; 1530 Wisconsin Ave. NW