Latest News

Paulina Phelps • April 11, 2014

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced April 3 that the weeklong search for missing eight-year-old Relisha Rudd in Kenilworth Park in Northeast Washington, D.C., has ended.

“We came here expecting the worst, a grave site,” Lanier said. “We’re relieved that we did not find that . . . We’re always hopeful. Children are found years after they disappear.”

While the search was unsuccessful in finding Rudd or evidence of what might have happened to her, it did result in the discovery of the body of Rudd’s suspected abductor, Kahlil Malik Tatum. The search of the 700-acre park has been exceptionally thorough with police looking through trash bins, digging large holes and using flashlights to look into storm drains.

The search for Rudd has been described as a recovery operation, but many people disagree. For instance, although the search in Kenilworth Park has come to a close, different conclusions have been posited by other organizations investigating the case. The most recent speculation was by a National Missing Persons Organization called the Black and Missing Foundation. This organization believes Rudd’s disappearance is the result of a human trafficking network. WUSA 9 News reported that co-founder of the organization Derrica Wilson said, “I’m pulling at everything in me and there’s nothing in my gut that tells me we’re in a recovery operation. I feel that we’re searching for a live person.”

Wilson co-founded the Black and Missing Foundation with her sister Natalie Wilson to raise awareness and efforts in locating missing persons of color, a segment of the population far overlooked. For instance, according to the foundation in the last year more than 200,000 persons of color were reported missing. Compared to other cases, Relisha’s serves as an exception as it has gotten a great deal of media coverage, which many people believe is because she is so young.

“This case has really rocked me to the core,” Derrica Wilson told WUSA-9 News. “I personally feel that this little girl was sold. I think her mother sold her to Tatum and I think Tatum has sold her in this worldwide industry of trafficking.”

Wilson says that she believes the investigation needs to expand far beyond D.C. and incorporate more than just police. “She could be anywhere and we need to help find her,” Natalie Wilson said. “We would like the public to get involved. Again, somebody knows something.”

Georgetowner •

Holocaust Survivor to Present Memoir

March 27th, 2014 at 10:00 AM

Holocaust survivor and author Margot Friedlander will visit the German School Washington, D.C., to read from the new English translation of her memoir,”Try to Make Your Life,” the 2009 winner of Germany’s Einhard Prize for an outstanding autobiographical work. The reading will be followed by a discussion with students.

Address

German School Washington D.C.; 8617 Chateau Dr.; Potomac, MD 20854

Future Is Here Festival

March 27th, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Event Website

A fun weekend full of events open to the public feature Actor George Takei, NASA’s Mars Rover Engineer Adam Steltzner, Cosmologist Brian Greene and other visionaries and experts. Also featuring advance screening of X-MEN: Days of Future Past.

Address

See website for more information on location.

Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.) with the Georgetown Neighborhood Library

March 27th, 2014 at 07:30 PM | Free | Erika.Rydberg@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | Event Website

Are you a local D.C. reader between the ages of 21 and 35? Looking for a more casual book club experience? Then, join the Georgetown Neighborhood Library for Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.), a new book group for younger adults.
In our first selection, “The Love Song of Jonny Valentine,” author Teddy Wayne (McSweeney’s, The New Yorker) tackles fame and the music industry with the story of Jonny Valentine, a preteen pop superstar already in the midst of his first professional transition.

Address

Gypsy Sally’s Vinyl Lounge; 3401 K St. NW

Open Reception: Interactions: Rodgers Naylor

March 28th, 2014 at 06:00 PM | FREE | gallery@callowayart.com | Tel: 202-965-4601 | Event Website

Interactions, by Rodgers Naylor, on view from March 28 through April 26. In these recent works, Naylor explores the capacity of paintings to express or imply a human story, while keeping his strong focus on the abstract arrangement of light and dark shapes in a composition.

Address

Susan Calloway Fine Arts, 1643 Wisconsin Ave., NW

Taste of the Nation DC

March 31st, 2014 at 07:00 PM | $120-$225 | areddy@strength.org | Tel: 202-734-3536 | Event Website

Tickets are now on sale for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Washington, DC. This year’s event will be held March 31, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m, at the National Building Museum. The highly anticipated annual tasting event, which supports Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign to end childhood hunger in America, will feature the District’s top chefs, sommeliers and mixologists united for a cause: making sure all children in this nation have the healthy food they need, every day.

Address

National Building Museum; 401 F Street NW

2014 “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner

April 1st, 2014 at 06:00 PM | $1000.00 | Dinabeau@aol.com | Tel: (202) 530-4672

The Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold the 12th Annual “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 1, 2016 at the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd and M Streets in downtown Washington, DC. There will be a 6:00 pm reception and 7:00 pm dinner and awards program.

Address

Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC

Craig Gildner Trio at Twins Tuesdays Jazz Appreciation Month

April 1st, 2014 at 08:00 PM | $10 | Event Website

The Craig Gildner Trio brings the unique and full sound of a big band with the combination of stride piano filling out the bass (reminiscent of the styles of Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller), chordal and harmony lines as in a big band, a reed player who knows how to swing with fire and compassion, and a drummer with extensive knowledge of Gene Krupa’s style and a vintage calfskin drum set.

Address

Twins Jazz Club; 1344 U St. NW

Georgetowner •

Fashion For Paws Online Fundraiser, “I will match your contribution! ”

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Event Website

Today begins a 2-day Challenge: Robin Waugh will match donations (up to $5,000) made over the course of the next two days. Fashion for Paws is a nationally acclaimed, one-of-a-kind luxury brand event to benefit the Washington Humane Society. Please help us make a difference in our community by sponsoring Robin Waugh in the Fashion for Paws® 8th Annual Runway Show. Please visit http://support.washhumane.org/goto/RobinWaugh, then click on either of the bright pink buttons to make a contribution.

Address

All over DC.

7th Annual Penn Quarter on the Block: Cocktail Party and Auction Benefiting StreetWise Partners

April 3rd, 2014 at 06:00 PM | $30 in advance; $40 at the door | savannah@streetwisepartners.org | Tel: 646-705-0028 | Event Website

StreetWise Partners is partnering with Weschler’s Auction House to host an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and silent and live auctions. 100 percent of the proceeds raised will support our signature Career Ventures program– a unique 3-month program that delivers high-impact 2:1 mentoring and professional development services to motivated low-income individuals in the DC area.

Address

Weschler’s Auction House; 909 E Street NW

JT3 Art Short Film Happy Hour

April 4th, 2014 at 06:00 PM | $20-$35 | dtrigg614@gmail.com | Tel: 6098656451 | Event Website

Enjoy short films created by JT3 Art grant recipients, 1 complimentary glass of wine, and appetizers! We will also screen the top 6-second films submitted by young filmmakers ages 16-24 and guests will vote on their favorite. This event benefits the JT3 Art grant program, which provides unrestricted grants to aspiring filmmakers ages 18-34.

Address

City Club of Washington; 555 13th Street, NW

The Pimps of Joytime

April 4th, 2014 at 09:00 PM | $15 | info@gypsysallys.com | Tel: (202) 333 – 7700 | Event Website

Pimps of Joytime’s infectious “Janxta Funk” connects audiences with the funky side of Brooklyn live on the dance floor. Critics from NPR to BBC Radio have come to love their eclectic musicality, and the group is currently on tour with a brand new single and new album to be released later this year.

Address

3401 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

26th Annual Potomac River Clean-Up

April 5th, 2014 at 09:00 AM | volunteers@accokeek.org

This is a great volunteering opportunity for families, service-learning students, as well as Boy/Girl Scout and corporate groups. Trash bags and gloves will be provided; please wear sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for slippery and wet conditions. All volunteers should check in at the Visitor Center before being directed to a cleanup spot on-site.

Address

3400 Bryan Point; Accokeek, Maryland 20607

GNP’s “Scandal Tours”

April 5th, 2014 at 01:00 PM | $30 | Event Website

Gross National Product, the comedy group that created the “Scandal Tour” is celebrating its 26th year and pushes the satirical pedal to the metal with the latest Scandals, including but not limited to: Ready for Hillary, Secret Service counter assault team “blackout” incident in Amsterstam, Gov. Bob McDonald, Chris Christie and continues with the Obama, IRS, AP, and a special appearance of some “Putinmania” as we Crim-ea a river, as we roll out a new stop at the Russian Embassy.

Address

Old Post Office Pavillon; 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Contemplative Yoga in Nature

April 6th, 2014 at 09:30 AM | Suggested $20 cash donation (40% of the proceeds goes to Oatlands) | dtsumuki@aol.com | Tel: Aimee Eddington at 703-777-3174 | Event Website

Experience the restorative power of classic yoga in nature’s exquisite beauty!

Contemplative Yoga will focus on the essence of Yoga: the complete practice of the Eight-Fold Path in order that we may be more fully awake and engaged in our everyday lives.

Bring yoga mat, water, walking shoes and any props that are helpful to you.

Offered every first Sunday of the month at 9:30am

This specially designed, all accessible Contemplative Yoga practice will take place in the beautiful circa 1810 greenhouse at Oatlands in the winter months. In warm weather, the class is held in the breathtaking garden, or the historic Carriage House in case of rain.

Address

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane; Leesburg, VA 20175

Choral EvenSong

April 6th, 2014 at 05:00 PM | Free | Tel: 202-333-6677

Christ Church of Georgetown continues its Choral Evensong series with the music of Philip Radcliffe, Healey Willan, and Christoph Willibald von Gluck. Sung by the professional Choir of Christ Church, this series is free and open to the public as a gift to the community.

Address

31st and O Streets, N.W

Constellation Dinner

April 7th, 2014 at 07:00 PM | $ 175.00 | thegrillroom.dc@capellahotels.com | Tel: 202-617-2424 | Event Website](http://www.thegrillroomdc.com/)

The Constellation Dinner offers the opportunity to learn about the amazing world of astronomy as part of a continuing change of exclusive experiences & perks curated specially for Capella’s guests & Washington, D.C. locals. The evening includes a 3-course dinner & wine pairing in The Grill Room’s private dining room, complimentary use of superb telescope and equipment further enhancing the viewing experience, dessert, and hot beverages on the rooftop.

Address

The Grill Room at Capella Washington DC; 1050 31st Street NW

Gary Tischler •

It was billed by WUSA-9 as the last mayoral debate, as in “D.C. Debate: Now or Never.” If only.

The so-called last debate featured the top four candidates in the D.C. Democratic mayoral primary—the election is April 1—circled around moderator veteran TV journalist Bruce Johnson: Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans, incumbent and under-fire Mayor Vincent Gray, Ward 6 council member Tommy Wells and Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser, who is the current front-runner in at least two different and very recent polls.

Johnson sat facing them, tossing out questions a little like a lion tamer tossing out meat to the lions, because at times, the “debate” sometimes resembled a circus where four different acts were running at the same time. There were several times, in fact, when Wells kept challenging Evan’s claims to experience by repeating, “What did you run, Jack?” over and over again, even as Johnson tried to ask another question, and Gray was talking at the same time.

With everyone speaking full-throated at times, a great debate never materialized, although the sometimes prickly nature of the hour-long event, followed on Twitter live, certainly didn’t lack for drama or interest, if not coherence.

Johnson, to his credit, tried to draw the candidates into a meaningful discussion on race, prompted by Ward 8 council member Marion Barry’s remarks when he endorsed Mayor Gray.

That’s one question almost all of the candidates tried to throw back like it was a hand grenade with the pin out, all of the them noting in various ways they had tried to deal with income inequality, affordable or low income housing.

Evans noted that he had done well in his various elections in the mostly black, but now gentrifying Shaw neighborhood of Ward 2, which he represents. In point of fact, when Evans ran for mayor for the first time, he carried exactly one precinct, and it wasn’t in Georgetown but in Shaw.

Gray had to spend a lot of time dealing with questions about the plea bargain deal made by businessman Jeffrey Thompson, in which he alleged that the mayor knew about the “shadow campaign” run for the Gray campaign by Thompson. “I did not do anything wrong,” he insisted. “I’ve answered this question 428 times or so,” he said. “It’s the same answer.” Chided by Wells for not talking about problems with the city in his state-of-the-District address, Gray said, “Were you there, Tommy?”

Johnson tried to ask Gray’s rivals if they believed his assertions. “I believe Ron Machen (referring to the U.S. Attorney for D.C., who is leading the investigation of the 2010 campaign),” Bowser said. “The facts so far have been put out there. “

Evans said that he believes that we still have a system where you’re innocent until proven otherwise. “But we shouldn’t be just focusing on what’s happening with the mayor. We need to focus on who’s best qualified to be mayor.” Both Bowser and Wells, at various points in their campaign, have called for the mayor to resign.

Gray challenged the notion that he cannot take credit for the city’s prosperity. “Mayor Fenty dipped into our savings and left us without much of anything,” he said. “We were in a precarious situation because of that. We built it back up to a point where we have a big surplus, that’s what happened. “

Gray also reiterated that he would not resign if he should be indicted.

The debate came after several polls, all of which showed Bowser gaining on, then overtaking ,Gray for the first time in a Washington Post poll — 30 to 27 percent — although Gray insisted that this was “a statistical dead heat.” “It shows that voters want a fresh start and our message is getting through,” Bowser said. Wells surged into third place, with Evans dropping into single digits.

Bowser, by keeping her head down and remaining calm, showed a quality that she’s built on throughout the campaign. She stays on message, appears strong and deflects criticism, without going into great particulars and specifics on particular promises or policies. She did say, not for the first time, however that she has not made up her mind about keeping on D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, who took over the schools after the ever-controversial Fenty appointee Michelle Rhee left. She remains both confident and elusive.

Gray spent some time on the defensive, but it was a strong defensive mode, which basically touted his experience, his innocence of any wrongdoing and his accomplishments as mayor.

Wells again touted his strong stance on ethics and repeated again that he would not take corporate donations.

Evans repeatedly insisted that, even at this late date, the debate should be not just about fresh starts or the mayor’s and the city’s problems, but about the shape of the future, and who is best qualified to lead.

Johnson sometimes contributed to the free-flow, chaotic, four-persons-talking-at-the-same-time atmosphere by interrupting the debaters so that he could inject another question. On television, the questions tend to be of the yes-or-no variety, or questions that elicit some drama. Thus, we have the “Do you believe the mayor?” question, which, without saying so, gives opponents a chance to call the mayor a liar. To their credit, nobody said words to that effect. There’s also the ever-present “Who would you think could be mayor, if you don’t win?” questions. “We think we will win on Tuesday,” Bowser said, “but I do believe that Mr. Wells and Mr. Shallal share some similar concerns and views.” She was referring to Andy Shallal, the Iraqi-born owner of the area’s string of Busboys and Poets restaurants, who is also running.

The mayor, while saying he would prevail, indicated that Evans was the only other person in the race who was experienced enough to be mayor. Given legal problems surrounding the mayor, this may not be a coveted endorsement and has its problems, like the Barry endorsement of Gray.

Commenting on Barry’s comments in his endorsement, Gray said, “First of all, Marion has his own views. I have always been a person who wanted to bring people together.” Bowser said the city was more divided under Gray.

So, who won? There was a WUSA call-in opportunity for viewers, the results of which showed that 42 percent of those who called said Wells was the winner in the debate, followed by Evans with 36 percent. Gray finished third at 14 percent, and Bowser was fourth with 8 percent. This was, by the way, the opposite order of things in the most recent polls. Nearly 4,000 people called in or texted. Is it fair to ask if those people will show up to vote? It means something to Wells, whose campaign immediately posted the results.

Gary Tischler •

If there were two constants over the last several months in the District of Columbia that people complained about, they were, no question, the prolonged and seemingly endless bouts of cold, snow and rain that amounted to unusually bad weather and the prolonged political campaigns and bouts of candidate forums that led up to the April 1 Democratic primary.

Well, folks, look outside—the sun is shining and the Washington Nationals’ opening day is Friday, Bao Bao has gone outside and the cherry blossoms may soon follow. Check your newspapers. The campaign is over, and Muriel Bowser is the Democratic Party nominee to run for mayor in November.

In short, happy days are here again. Or are they?

It’s a long seven months until November, but already the Washington Post and political observers in general are speculating about the outcome of the general election in which Bowser will take on Independent David Catania, a veteran District council member with a high profile. The Post, whose endorsement of Bowser gave added momentum to her campaign, is speculating whether Bowser can be as good a mayor as she was a candidate.

Bowser, who was in her seventh year as council member from Ward 4, was a very good candidate, improving at almost every forum and public opportunity which she encountered. The Post endorsement was critical, because it was followed by numerous, mostly favorable articles and columns on the editorial page and the Metro and other sections. But it was also true that Bowser at every turn presented well, whether at rallies, Metro stops or in forums, televised or public all over the city. If she was thin on policy specifics, she proved to be impressive in the kind of show-and-tell forums that stacks up candidates against each other for comparison in a public forums, she was strong in the way she handled herself—although occasionally thin-skinned, when criticized—and made a favorable impression.

If Mayor Vincent Gray — who waited until just about the last possible moment to declare publicly that he would run for re-election — was obviously hurt by the late-in-the-campaign campaign stunner of businessman Jeffrey Thompson’s plea bargain with the District Attorney Ron Machen’s office. Thompson alleges that the mayor knew about the shadow campaign he ran in the course of the 2010 mayoral campaign. It proved certainly to be a boon for Bowser, if not for everyone else in the campaign.

Bowser’s campaign, it must be said, never stumbled and consistently surged moved ahead, first separating itself from her nearest rivals behind her—Ward 6 councilman Tommy Wells, Ward 2 councilman Jack Evans, at-large councilman Vincent Orange and Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal, all of whom hovered together far behind her as the campaign hits its final days. Wells, in the end, finished third with 13 percent, and Evans suffered a precipitous drop in the same lat days into single digits, where he was joined by Orange and Shallal.

Bowser’s campaign never stopped surging, catching up with Gray, who had had the lead for most of the campaign, and then passing him in the polls. Predictions were being bandied about that Gray could still win, if he benefitting from low turnout and the vote in mostly African American wards like Wards 7 and 8.

The sun came put on election day, normally a sign of a high turnout, but that was not to be. Voter turnout was low — and very low at 22 percent. Gray did not surge in his stronghold, nor did he really benefit from having the endorsement of Marion Barry. Bowser breezed in impressively with 44 percent of the vote, leaving Gray in the dust at 32.3. Wells finished with 12.6 percent; Evans, 5.0 percent; Shallal, 3.3 percent; Orange; 1.9 percent. Gray took wards 5, 7 and 8, but it wasn’t enough. Bowser won every other ward, including Ward 2 and Ward 6, supposed strongholds of Evans and Wells.

In fact, Bowser followed former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s pattern to victory: she won in the predominantly white wards, plus picking up her own Ward 4, plus Ward 6.

One reporter already called her presumptive mayor, which seems a little presumptuous. In any case, it means that Gray will remain mayor to fill out his term unless he gets indicted and there is a trial or more revelations come out that may make him rethink his position. Bowser is already preparing for her campaign to be elected. People are still wondering about her lack of experience, or just wondering, but also duly impressed by her campaign.

Change as a rule was not in the air in the election, although there were exceptions, especially in Ward 1, where the youthful Brianne Nadeau, who hounded 15-year-council veteran Jim Graham on past ethics problems, prevailed by some 1,700 votes. She, like Bowser, will face a challenge from a formidable Independent foe, Brian Weaver.

In other races, Charles Allen, Tommy Wells’s former chief of staff, prevailed over Darrel Thompson for the Ward 6 seat left open when Wells ran for mayor. At-large incumbent Anita Bonds managed to hang on to her at large seat, fending off challenges by Nate Bennett-Fleming and John Settles. District Council Chairman Phil Mendelson won re-election, as did Kenyan McDuffie in Ward 5 and Mary Cheh in Ward 3.

Tomorrow: Atlanta at Nationals, play ball.
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Paulina Phelps •

Now in its second week, the case of missing eight-year-old girl Relisha Rudd is proving more perplexing, as more details surface. She was last seen on March 1, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

During a March 27 press conference near Kenilworth Park, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said, “We cannot ignore the possibility that he may have killed her.” Lanier was referring to janitor Kahlil Malik Tatum, who worked at the shelter, where Rudd and her mother lived.

Last week, D.C. Police issued a regional alert for Rudd, believed by police to be with Tatum. Later that day, police issued an alert about the missing 1976 GMC white truck, which they had been looking for in search of Rudd in Hyattsville, Md.

Relisha Rudd’s mother – Shamika Young — currently resides at a homeless shelter at the former D.C. General Hospital. A month ago, police reported, Young had allowed her daughter to be cared for by Tatum.

In its eighth day, the search has revealed interesting information about Rudd’s difficult past, making the case more convoluted. Records at the Daniel A. Payne Elementary School show Rudd has missed up to 30 days of school before going missing. Despite these attention-grabbing records, the city agency didn’t take action before Rudd had gone missing. School officials said they were confused about her absences from the excuses given by her relatives, who said Relisha was safely in the care of “Dr. Tatum.” Echoing this reassurance, Relisha’s mother Shamika Young, said Relisha was in a “safe place.”

The Washington Post reported that leading up to Rudd going missing there have been many miscalculations made by the city and institutions, such as the school and the shelter. For instance, city records reveal instances of physical abuse, lack of food, and unsanitary living conditions were present in the home of Relisha and her siblings. The D.C. Child and Family Service Agency has been involved with the family for years, however records do not show children being removed from various residences.

Another miscalculation was made on the part of the shelter, which failed to notice or report Tatum’s fireable offenses, such as offering gifts to children and spending time alone with Relisha. Both of these actions violate several shelter rules. “This is an unusual case,” said D.C. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Beatriz Otero, according to the Washington Post. “The parent didn’t file the missing child report. There were various workers within DHS and the school system that became concerned. It was their call that alerted us.”

Look for updates on this article as more information about the investigation is disclosed.
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Gary Tischler •

Mickey Rooney has died. The first movie that Rooney, who was 93, ever appeared, he didn’t make a sound, didn’t say a word. That must have made him itch. The cause — or date — of his death was not immediately available, as it should be.

Not many actors of that era are left—the guys and gals who started out in vaudeville, their stage moms dragging them into the spotlight, their natural gifts finding the warmth of that light comforting and comfortable. Donald O’Connor, who will be always remembered for his “Be a Clown” in the movie, “Singing in the Rain,” recalled being put on stage by his mom when he was a toddler. That’s entertainment.

They would have started out in silent movies, the tail end of it, and that’s what Rooney, who still had some film and movies in the can, did, beginning a career that would last until: THE END.

For two years, the smallish—5-foot, 3-inches—Hollywood star, for that’s exactly what he was— was the top box office attraction in the world.

Not too shabby when you think there were people like Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Cary Grant and Errol Flynn around at the top of their game. That was the time, when Rooney was making Andy Hardy movies, those series of movies which idealized small town America in a way that only MGM seemed to manage to do back then.

Rooney was a raffish kid, up to mischief if not no good, and he got fatherly advise from a judge played by Lionel Barrymore—the imposing leader of the Barrymore clan—and then Lewis Stone, who made a career of playing steady members of officialdom no matter what century—a bishop in Robin Hood’s time, a general during Pax Britannia and so on. He was also smitten by Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin, both budding teenaged stars at MGM, which, they said “had more stars than there are in heaven.”

He could sing—sort of—he could tap and dance, play the drums, clown around and be serious on the screen, even a little scary like the time he played a gangster in “The Last Mile,” which refers to that long walk to the electric chair experienced by many movie gangsters, including James Cagney. Spencer Tracy, in one of his priest guises, saved him from a life of petty crime in “Boys Town.”

For my money, one of the more interesting performances Rooney gave came as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a black-and-white extravaganza from the 1930s, directed by Max Reinhardt, a legendary German stage director. Rooney’s Puck blazed around the screen like a derelict bee on drugs, eyes blazing, making his way through the Shakespearean lines almost like a latter-day rapper.

Rooney was a big star when the studios were big, and he took to stardom like water, although he did not take to adulthood as well. There were lots of child stars and grown-up stars around then, watched over by parents and agents and the studio bosses. By all accounts, Rooney needed lots of watching. He loved the track, and he loved the ladies. Quite a few loved him, at least for a while. His first (of eight) wives was quite a fetching catch by the name of Ava Gardner—the marriage lasted about a year. Others lasted longer or not.

Rooney continued to work—sometimes in memorable fashion as in roles in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “The Bridges at Toko Ri” and a Playhouse 90 version of “Requiem for a Heavyweight.” Laurence Olivier—who ought to know—called him “the greatest actor of them all.” He had terrific energy. He could take a long and winding sentence and turn it into a punch line. He starred on Broadway in a musical revue called “Sugar Babies,” took to the road with his last wife in a show of reminiscences and even took a shot at “The Wizard of Oz,” the shadow of which his dear friend Judy Garland never quite escaped.

He cast quite a shadow, a big life fully lived, with few apologies.

Maybe now, somewhere over the rainbow, there’s this loud voice yelling: “I know. Let’s put on a show.”

For heaven’s sake.

Robert Devaney •

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration announced that it “will begin accepting applications for four ABC licenses available in Georgetown beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. Available licenses include:

• One tavern license — available only to an existing restaurant located in the Georgetown Historic District. Application may be made for either a tavern or nightclub license in the historic district.

• Three new restaurant licenses (either C/R or D/R) in Georgetown.”

A Georgetown neighborhood moratorium on restaurant licenses caps the number at 68. There are 65 operating ones, leaving three “underperforming” or “left on the shelf,” as indicated by advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels, who heads the Alcohol Beverage Committee.

Starrels said these were licenses “not performing” and said he was “absolutely appreciative of what ABRA is doing here. It showed due process.” Some licenses can sit for years before put back in circulation, so to speak.

“We have some serious restaurant people looking at Georgetown,” Starrels said. “We cannot have licenses sitting on the shelf.”

A tavern license allows an establishment to have a smaller percentage of food to alcohol sales.

In order to apply for the tavern license, applicants should:

1. Complete a License Class Change application.

2. Submit the application and all required materials in person to ABRA beginning at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 10. The office is located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009.

In order to apply for a new restaurant license, applicants should:

1. Complete an ABC License application.

2. Submit a Tax Registration Certificate with the application. Obtain a Tax Registration form by filing for a DC business tax number at the Office of Tax and Revenue.

3. Provide a Clean Hands Certificate with the application. The Clean Hands Certification form (to be filled out when you obtain your certificate) is included with the ABC License application, and confirms that you do not owe more than $100 in outstanding debts to the District.

4. Submit the application and all required materials in person to ABRA beginning at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 10. The office is located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009.

Completed applications for the licenses will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the consideration of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Members of the public who have questions can call ABRA at 202-442-4423.

Paulina Phelps •

Lucky Strike, the restaurant with bowling and billiards, has awarded 62 U.S. Olympians complimentary bowling to thank them for their efforts at the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Athletes who medaled are receiving four years of complimentary bowling while athletes who placed are given one year of free bowling.

Three Olympians were honored April 3 and took time out of their busy schedules to accept Lucky Strike’s award in bowling the ceremonial first bowl, taking photos and answering questions. These athletes included silver medalist in speed skating Jordan Malone, ski jumper Nick Fairall, and luger Tucker West. The evening before all three athletes shot “Best of the U.S. Awards,” an awards show which airs on April 7 on ESPN, at the Warner Theatre. Out of the three, West is the only one up for an award.

The three young athletes are a “rare combination of mellow and easy going,” said Douglas Eldridge a partner at DLE, an agency which has represented many Olympic athletes.

Eldridge reflected the agencies hope to accomplish their client’s goals and objectives saying in commenting on the promising future of his youngest Olympic client Tucker West. “Tucker will be one of the faces of 2018,” Eldridge said.

West, whose father built a luge track in the family’s backyard, expressed his preparation and the surreal experience of making it to the Olympics. “Sochi was a great time. It was something I dreamed about since I was a little kid,” West said. Olympic ski jumper Nick Fairall who placed 35th in the event, the best placement for the U.S., described his favorite part of the sport: “The feeling of flying through the air.”
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Georgetowner •

We live near it, skim its surface, appreciate its natural beauty — and taste it every day. It is the powerful Potomac River. It is our lifeline. It is our future.

The river and its water, which we drink, are in the news of late with discussions about D.C. Water’s plans for sewerage overflow at Georgetown Waterfront Park and other work in the District, improvements to the Washington Aqueduct and the issue of fracking far upstream of the Potomac watershed.

With April as Earth month and Earth Day April 22, this spring looks to the Potomac, even as we get ready to go boating on it. One of its greatest defenders is Stephanie Flack, who spoke recently at meetings with the Citizens Association of Georgetown and at Christ Church. “75 percent of people not on well water are not aware of where their water comes from,” she says. “They have no clue where their water comes from …yet one of the top concerns people have is the quality of their drinking water.” Flack is the Potomac River Project Director for the Nature Conservancy’s Maryland-D.C. Chapter. She speaks with the assurance of a scientist and the passion of a mother as she explains some complex natural actions in a simpler way. With the Nature Conservancy behind her, Flack gets to work close to her home in her backyard, as she says, “the Potomac.”

The Nature Conservancy was founded in 1951 and now has more than one million members. It works in all 50 states and more than 35 nations, it reports, and has “protected 119 million acres of land and thousands of miles of rivers worldwide — and we operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.” Its headquarters is in Arlington, and its CEO Mark Tercek lives in Georgetown.

Also at the March 18 CAG meeting were Thomas Jacobus, general manager of the Washington Aqueduct, and Peggy Fleming, who, with Sean Furmage, directed and wrote the 2012 documentary “Potomac: The River Runs Through Us,” which runs 30 minutes. It was shown to a packed room at the Long & Foster Georgetown office and is highly recommended viewing.

As for the Washington Aqueduct, it was built in 1863 under the direction of Gen. Montgomery Meigs, became fully operational in 1864 and is celebrating its 150th anniversary. While we can celebrate that built infrastructure, Flack says, “We need to think about the natural infrastructure — the forests, the wetlands — that contribute to our water supply…and quality of our water as natural filters.” We can appreciate such engineering feats, she says, but we also “have to think out to the next 150 years and what’s going to happen to the watershed that provides our water…and restoring the area as well.” “It’s a balancing,” she says of maintaining D.C. Water’s structures and pipes. “You can’t make up for nature.

“The 14,000-square-mile watershed of the Potomac River is the primary source of drinking water for more than four million people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region,” Flack says. “This is the water that Members of Congress use to brew their coffee, and President Obama uses to wash his hands.”

Flack grew up in Florida. Her father was a developer. She smiles at the irony. Flack earned science degrees from Princeton and Yale and was inspired by her professor, Alison Jolly, who died in February. One of her studies was about the Catskills and New York City drinking water. She worked for the World Bank in West Africa and saw how people directly depend on their environment. “Some people think that world history can be told through the history of the environment,” she says.

“What’s happening in the Potomac watershed is a long-term issue,” Flack says. “We have a lot of population growth and a lot of land-use change and development. My mission is to try to help people understand that and to help motivate people to make long-term perspective investments in protecting and restoring the places where our water comes from.” She is keen to note that the single largest cultivated land crop in the Chesapeake watershed is turf grass. “Pesticide and fertilizer on lawns ends up in the water and has an effect,” she says. For our fight to protect the environment, Flack was worked 18 years at the Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit which says it “is rooted in good science — aided by our hundreds of staff scientists. We pursue non-confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation challenges.” Its CEO Mark Tercek wrote “Nature’s Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature.” The former Goldman Sachs executive argues that the commercial benefits of environmental protection go beyond paying for themselves.

As far as talks with local groups go, Flack says, “I think there is an appetite for this. There is a need to engage people and have these discussions about local issues…. Who doesn’t care about their water? I would really like to make this a front-of-mind issue for people because it is so tied up with our quality of life and ability to live.”

GREEN FACT VS MYTHS

By Nicole Cusick

Leaving something plugged in even when it is off can increase your energy bill.

FACT: According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, up to 5 percent of your energy bill could be standby power. That is about $4 billion per year of consumer spending.

Replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs makes a difference.

FACT: According to Energy Star, energy-efficient light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. Even better, an energy-efficient bulb can save $40 to $135 over its lifetime.

Never leave lights on when leaving a room.

MYTH: With the CFL bulbs, it actually takes more energy to turn them off and on again when leaving the room for only a few minutes. The Department of Energy recommends leaving them on if you’ll be back in the room in less than 15 minutes.

Natural cleansers aren’t strong enough to clean thoroughly.

MYTH: There are many natural products you can use to clean your home efficiently, such as vinegar, while still avoiding harmful chemicals.
Houseplants have health benefits.

FACT: Houseplants can purify your air, reduce stress and put more moisture in the air, making you and your home healthier.

Washing your clothes in cold water won’t clean them properly

MYTH: It is true that detergent is not meant to be used in cold water, but many companies have come out with a cold detergent, making cold washes an option.
Organic food is always healthier.

MYTH: A Stanford University study concluded that there is little evidence that organic food is significantly better for you. Still, it may lower your exposure to pesticides.
Insulating your home can save energy and money.

FACT: Making sure no air is escaping your home is one of the best ways to save
energy, according to Energy Star. Holes can lead to heat leaking out in the winter, which keeps the heater running longer. The same happens with an air conditioner
in the summer.

Hybrid cars save you money.

MYTH: In most cases, it will take up to 10 years for the extra money spent on the green capabilities of the car to accrue to the buyer, as reported by the New
York Times.

“Food miles” contribute to a much larger carbon footprint in food production.

MYTH: A recent study published by Environmental Science & Technology states that 83 percent of a food’s footprint actually comes from the production of the food itself.
Coffee grounds can be used in the garden.

FACT: Coffee grounds are full of nutrients for acidic plants, making it a nice mulch. They can also be saved from the garbage dump by throwing them in the compost bin.

April Earth Day Events

Earth Day is April 22, but there are ways to celebrate all month long in D.C. This event listing will give you the how, what, when and where to give props to the planet. Think global, act local!

April 18 D.C. Sustainability and Social Enterprise Summit

The University of the District of Columbia will host this year’s summit, with keynote speakers Mayor Vincent Gray and Seth Goldman, founder and CEO of Honest Tea. The day will also include breakout sessions on topics such as sustainability in cities and innovation through social enterprise. For details, visit http://www.dcsocent.org. UDC, 4340 Connecticut Ave., NW.

April 22 Earth Day at the National Zoo

At this free event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can meet the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Green Team experts, participate in “green” crafts and learn simple daily actions to achieve a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Also, State Farm will host a special area for children to make their own plant pots with recycled newspapers. For details, visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW.

“The Greening of Architecture” with Professor Phillip Tabb

Professor Tabb of Texas A&M University will speak about community architecture, with an emphasis on climatic, energy and sustainable architectural design, and sign copies of his book, “The Greening of Architecture.” The event begins at 6 p.m. Architecture Week runs from April 21 to May 1, and there are several other “green” events scheduled. For details, visit http://aiadc.com/calendar/event. District Architecture Center, 421 7th St., NW.

April 23 4th Annual 6K Walk for Water

At 11:45 a.m., a senior State Department official will make brief remarks and cut the ceremonial ribbon at the 21st Street entrance of the Truman Building. Walkers will head from the State Department to Georgetown via the Rock Creek Parkway trail system. The House of Sweden is hosting the halfway point water break, where walkers will hear from experts from the World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy about our drinking water source, the Potomac, and water issues in other parts of the world. Rain or shine. For more information, email EarthDay@state.gov. U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St., NW.

U.S. Department of Commerce Earth Day Event

At this event, D.C. Water will be providing giveaways and literature about conservation and sustainability efforts. The mobile Water Conservation team will also be speaking and answering questions in the main lobby of the Hoover Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1401 Constitution Ave., NW.

April 25 Celebrate Earth Day Festival
The United States Botanic Garden is celebrating the 44th anniversary of Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with cooking demonstrations of seasonal produce and exhibits on how you can make the earth a better place. Several experts will be on hand to answer your “green” questions. The “Orchids in Symphony” exhibition will be on view. For details, visit http://www.usbg.gov/events.

April 25-27 National Sustainable Design Expo
Hundreds of students, scientists, nonprofits and others share their innovations that benefit the environment. Students will be competing and professionals will be showcasing recent advancements in the field. For details, visit http://www.epa.gov/p3/nsde. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl., NW. [gallery ids="116893,116863,116869,116856,116886,116876,116880" nav="thumbs"]