Latest News

Ina Bjorbekk • November 7, 2013

Enjoy that ”extra” hour of sleep. Early on Sunday morning — Nov. 3 — it’s time to turn the clock back to standard time as daylight saving time ends. DST was first suggested in the U.S. by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, but it wasn’t until 1918 that a plan establishing standard time zones and summer time was formally enacted. The act didn’t prove very popular and had to be repealed only a year later. However, people continued to turn their clocks based on their local laws until 1966, when Congress established the beginning and the end of DST throughout the country. Until 2006, DST ended a few days before Halloween, but to prevent traffic accidents involving trick-or-treaters it was changed to the first Sunday in November. Change-over time set for 2 a.m.

Robert Devaney • October 31, 2013

The Georgetown Business Association met at the offices of the Braude Law Group in Eton Court for its monthly reception Oct. 16. You know where it is: close to everything, the complex is behind the storefronts at M and Potomac Streets. Food and beverages were abundant, and networking goals met as advice and business cards were exchanged freely. The next GBA reception is at El Centro, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 20. [gallery ids="101504,151391,151398,151395,151385" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

New plays, are nothing new on the Washington theater scene, but what is just a little new is that this year, there’s an abundance of new plays from which theatergoers can choose. And what’s more, in some very companies, they’re the jump starters for their season.

That’s to be expected from, say, Woolly Mammoth, whose whole history and existence, and reason for being for decades now has been centered around new work. Many theaters encourage new plays, promote them and provide a home and possible production site for new playwrights. That’s been the case for Arena Stage, whose first two productions are plays that are either made from scratch or have never been seen in Washington.

We had occasion to chat with three playwrights, whose work were part of the early Washington Theater Scene.

Charles Randolph-Wright’s new play “Love in Afghanistan” is currently running at Arena Stage in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle through Nov. 17. Eric Coble’s two-character play “The Velocity of Autumn”, starring Estelle Parsons, is finishing its run in the Kreeger at Arena Stage Oct. 20. And Lisa D’Amour’s remarkable (and remarkably staged by Director John Vreeke) play about the dying of suburbia finished a successful run at Woolly Mammoth October 6

Charles Randolph-Wright and “Love in Afghanistan”

Charles Randolph Wright is hardly a new playwright, or a new presence in Washington, or a new guy at Arena Stage. This is the man who is directing “Motown: The Musical,” the smash hit musical, on Broadway, who has helmed a number of productions at Arena Stage, including, notably, “Sophisticated Ladies” at the Lincoln Theater, a production of “Guys and Dolls” at Arena, and “Senor Discretion Himself,” the last musical written by Frank Loesser before his death in 1969. Recently, he directed Arena’s production of Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Ruined.” At ACT in San Francisco, he directed a musical version of Athol Fugard’s “Blood Knot” with music by Tracy Chapman. As a playwright, he wrote the acclaimed “Blue,” which was produced at Arena Stage, and starred Phylicia Rashad.

Not only that, but just for another interesting credit, he was an original cast member of “Dream Girls” on Broadway. Yet, even for the wide-ranging Randolph-Wright, “Love in Afghanistan” is a departure, something brand new.

For him, it’s almost an exclamation point to the projects he’s worked on at Arena: “Molly Smith has always encouraged me, provided an arena for exploration, for searching in her own desire to focus on American plays. But even so, this play is different, for me, because it was about a collision of cultures, and I had never been to Afghanistan, so in many ways, I had to imagine the setting.”

“Basically, Molly said I want to do your next play, which is huge. There have been no limits on what I can try or do, as director, and now as resident playwright.”

Randolph-Wright said the play was sparked by as story he had read about Afghanistan, the family practice of bacha posh in which girls are forced to dress and be like boys in order for them to work. “You have to wonder what that does to a girl, to people,” he said. “That’s where it started for me, and I talked to a lot of people from Afghanistan who had been there, and in a way the country came to me, in a kind of total inspiration.

The result is “Love in Afghanistan,” a play in which a young America hip hop star encounters a young interpreter named Roya on a visit to Afghanistan. Melis Aker plays Roya and Khris Davis plays Duke. “It’s a kind of Romeo and Juliet, sure, but it’s also about a clash of cultures and the effects of the American presence in that country and the impact of what happens when we leave.”

Eric Coble and “The Velocity of Autumn”

Coble has written—and is writing—a lot, although “The Velocity of Autumn” marks his Arena debut. He has been in numerous festivals, and produced a volume of work that’s interesting for its variety, diversity. He writes plays for young people including an adaptation of the popular novel “The Giver,” a standard in many middle school curriculums.

“I’ve had a pretty unusual background,” Coble said. Somehow, this native of Scotland who was raised on the Navajo and Ute reservations in New Mexico and Colorado, ended up in Cleveland, where he’s happily ensconced as a part of the Playwrights Unit of the Cleveland Play House. “The Velocity of Autumn” was originally scheduled to open on Broadway, but instead opened the Arena season, starring Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella in remarkable performances.

Coble is obviously one of those people who pays attention to his surroundings. “I was walking past a neighbor’s house , it was a woman named Lottie, she was living alone and it was obvious she was having a hard time taking care of herself . . . and that’s where it started.”

The result was “Autumn” and the tale of a widow who is trying to avoid living in a retirement or assisted living home by staying in her house and who has barricaded herself inside in rooms filled with Molotov cocktails. A wayward son tries to talk her out of it, as they re-unite after years of not seeing each other.

With Parsons and Spinella, this material has been turned into a witty, funny, moving and powerful play about how we live, age, and prepare for the dying of the light in America.

Lisa D’Amour and “Detroit”

“Detroit”—a Pulitzer Prize finalist—had a remarkable run and a remarkable production at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Sept. 9 to Oct. 6. It was a play that dealt with a lot of issues, the least of which was probably the city of Detroit proper. It focused, rather on the decaying fringes of suburbia and two sets of couples living under one extreme or another—emotional and economical—in an America full of stressful squeezes and disconnections.

The play itself had two productions before coming to Woolly—at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago with a cast that included Laurie Metcalf and off-Broadway last year with a cast that included David Schwimmer and Amy Ryan. The Washington production had riveting performances by Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey, Danny Gavigan, Tim Getman and Emily K. Towley

“It’s not about Detroit, the city per se,” said Lisa D’Amour, who with her brother Chris, hails from New Orleans. “It’s about a state of mind. It’s about anxiety, fears, isolation, disconnection, and that’s what’s happened in the suburbs. Although it’s funny, when I wrote it that was kind of a malaise among many groups of Americans, and now, Detroit was actually nearing bankruptcy so it’s in the news all over again.”

D’Amour is part of PearlDamourm an Obie-award winning team—with Katie Pearl—that does collaborative theater in traditional and non-traditional venues that creates installation theatre as in “How to Build as Forest,” an eight-hour effort in which a forest is assembled, disassembled and put together again.

“Detroit” is a play about what happens when strangers—neighbors but strangers—reach out to each other, with an explosive results. But D’Amour believes that’s exactly what people need to do: talk to strangers. “We need to reach out to and connect with strangers more,” she said. “We’re all too comfortable in our little groups of families, peers, people we socialize with, but we don’t talk to strangers.”

Georgetowner •

Opening Reception: Found Meditations

October 25th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | FREE | gallery@callowayart.com | Tel: 202-965-4601 | Event Website

Please join us for the opening of Found Meditations, on view October 25 through November 16, featuring the recent abstract canvas and paper works by K Silve. Built out of structures of colors interacting with one another, Silve’s work, which may at first appear to be spontaneous combustion of color and aggressive brushwork, is rather a contemplative method of building a new language about an experience; how we respond to and interact with nature.

Address

Susan Calloway Fine Arts; 1643 Wisconsin Ave NW

Shaw Halloween Bar Crawl

October 26th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | advance tickets $20 | [Event Website](http://shawmainstreetsbarcrawl.eventbrite.com/

Join Shaw Main Streets for our 2nd annual Halloween Bar Crawl benefiting the work of Shaw Main Streets in our community.

[Get your tickets today:](http://shawmainstreetsbarcrawl.eventbrite.com/)

$20 online early bird special/$25 day of at the first venue (Duffy’s)

Participants will get food and drink specials at a number of favorite Shaw spots, including: The Brixton, Shaw’s Tavern, Duffy’s, Nellie’s, Bistro Bohem, American Ice Company and Etete.

There will be prizes and giveaways throughout the afternoon, you don’t want to miss this!

Costumes welcomed.

Schedule

12-1pm-Duffy’s

1-2pm- American Ice Company

2-3pm- The Brixton

3-4pm- Shaw’s Tavern

Bistro Bohem

4-5pm- Etete

5-6pm- Nellie’s

Address

Crawl begins at:

Duffy’s; 2106 Vermont Ave NW,

Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show

October 26th, 2013 at 10:00 AM | 5.00 | austrpr@si.edu | Tel: 888-832-9554 | [Event Website](http://www.craft2wear.smithsonian.org/)

Representing the finest of American wearable-craft artists, all 50 exhibitors have been juried into previous Smithsonian Craft Shows. The exhibitors will offer items for women and men in all price ranges, from one-of-a kind jewelry and custom shoes to many items under $100.

Address

National Building Museum; 401 F Street NW

Washington Concert Opera’s Verdi Birthday Brunch

October 27th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | $60-200 | [Event Website]((http://concertopera.org/index.php/current_season/about_opera/verdis_brunch_october_27_at_11am))

Washington Concert Opera presents a brunch in celebration of the 200th anniversary of renowned Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s birth. This event will take place in an elegant manor setting and features Italian food and drink, a small silent auction and a live performance of some of Verdi’s most beloved arias under the direction of Maestro Antony Walker. Tickets range from $60-$200 and can be purchased at: www.concertopera.org

Address

Josephine Butler Parks Center

Thomas Circle Singers – I’ll Sing, I’ll Be

October 27th, 2013 at 05:00 PM | $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with a $5 discount for students and seniors. | info@thomascirclesingers.org | [Event Website](http://thomascirclesingers.org/)

On October 27, 2013, the Thomas Circle Singers will perform its first concert of the 2013-14 season, I’ll Sing, I’ll Be. TCS will explore the varied ways in which music speaks to us and allows us to express our thoughts and emotions. Featured works include Ola Gjeilo’s Luminous Night of the Soul and Across the Vast, Eternal Sky, Blake Henson’s August Moonrise, Robert Convery’s To the One of Fictive Music, and other selections from composers Morten Lauridsen, Gerald Finzi, and Frank Ticheli.

Address

First United Church of Christ, 945 G Street, NW

(Metro Center, parking available)

America Abroad Media Washington Awards Dinner

October 28th, 2013 at 06:00 AM | $350 | jcrain@skdknick.com | Tel: 202-464-6608 | [Event Website](http://www.americaabroadmedia.org/awardsdinner)

Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday will moderate the event honoring three outstanding leaders in television and film whose work exemplifies the power of media to inform, educate and empower citizens. The honorees are Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow, India’s acclaimed actor/director and one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013 Aamir Khan, and 2013 Nobel Prize nominee the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.

Address

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium; 1301 Constitution, NW

Marie Loiseau •

The 38th annual Marine Corps Marathon is scheduled for Sunday morning, Oct. 27. Runners will be covering 26.2 miles, with Georgetown on the route. This race is the third largest marathon in the United States and the eighth largest in the world. With so many participants filling the streets, some roads will be closed to vehicular traffic.

ROAD CLOSURES:

The following streets along the race route will be closed beginning at 6:50 a.m. and are expected to reopen by 1:30 p.m.:

• Francis Scott Key Bridge

• Canal Road, NW – from M St., NW to Reservoir Road, NW

• Reservoir Road, NW –from MacArthur Boulevard, NW to Canal Road, NW

• MacArthur Boulevard, NW –from Foxhall Road, NW to Reservoir Road, NW

• Foxhall Road, NW – from Canal Road, NW to MacArthur Boulevard, NW

• M St., NW – from Canal Road, NW to Wisconsin Ave., NW

• Wisconsin Ave., NW – from M St., NW to K St., NW

• K St., NW – from Wisconsin Ave., NW to Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy

• Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy, NW – from K St., NW to Independence Ave. SW

• Memorial Bridge

• West Potomac Park

• East Potomac Park (access to Golf Course and Tennis Courts available)

• Maine Ave., SW – from East Basin Drive, SW to Independence Ave., SW

• Independence Ave., SW – from Maine Ave., SW to Ohio Drive, SW

• Ohio Drive, SW –between independence Ave., SW and Lincoln Circle, SW

• Lincoln Circle, SW – from Ohio Drive, SW to Henry Bacon Drive, NW

• Constitution Ave., NW – from Bacon Drive, NW to 15th St., NW

• 23rd St. NW –from Lincoln Circle, NW to Constitution Ave., NW

• 15th St. – from Constitution Ave., NW to Independence Ave., SW

• 17th St. – from Constitution Ave., NW to Independence Ave., SW

• Madison Drive, NW – from 15th St., NW to 3rd St., NW 3rd St., NW – from Pennsylvania Ave., NW to Independence, SW

• Pennsylvania Ave., NW – from 3rd St., NW to East Capitol Circle, NW

• 1st St. – Pennsylvania Ave., NW to Maryland Ave., SW

• Maryland Ave., SW – from South Capitol Circle, SW to 3rd St., SW

• Jefferson Drive, SW – from 3rd St., SW to 15th St., SW

• 14th St., SW – from Jefferson Drive, SW to Northbound HOV lanes

• HOV lanes – from 14th St., SW to HOV ramp at South Eads St., NW
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the Georgetowner • October 21, 2013

The Oneida Indian Nation held a “Change the Mascot” symposium at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton Oct. 7. The discussion was held in a packed Fahrenheit restaurant. At the same time, the same hotel is also hosting the NFL’s fall league meeting of owners and officials, which begins tomorrow.

Speakers included Ray Halbritter, the National Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation, D.C.’s Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn.

“Washington’s team name is a painful epithet that was used against my people when we were held at gunpoint and thrown off our lands,” Halbritter said. “When marketed by a professional sports team, it is a word that tells Native American children they are to be denigrated.”

Halbritter also cited President Barack Obama’s comments over the weekend that appeared to support changing the name of the Washington Redskins. “It elevated the visibility” of the Oneida Nation’s cause, Halbritter said.

In a fiery speech, Del. Norton said, “Dan Snyder tried four times to trademark the name (Redskins) and failed. The name should go down in the dust bowl of history.” Norton went on to say that under previous ownership the “team was forced to integrate itself” and did so “only because they were playing on Federal land.” She added, “Snyder should not wait to be compelled to do the right thing.”

Rep. McCollum said that when “Washington comes to play in Minnesota on Nov. 7,” the team will be “met with a large presence and our name change mascot.”

Those on the panel also included psychologist Michael Friedman, David Borgstrom, president of the Cooperstown, N.Y., school board, and two students from Cooperstown, who led the effort to change the school’s mascot from “Redskins” to “Hawkeyes.”

Some NFL officials were invited to the discussion, but none attended.

Robert Devaney •

Here are two chances for Georgetowners and other concerned citizens to comment on a significant town development as well as hear from the project and design team for the West Heating Plant on 29th Street, south of the C&O Canal and the Fours Seasons Hotel. Plans call for a partial demolition and conversion of the plant into 80 condominiums.

The old government-owned plant was sold to a development group, now known as Georgetown 29K LLC, made up of Georgetown’s Levy Group, the New York-based Georgetown Company and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The group won the government auction in March and formally purchased the building and property in June for $19.5 million.

At 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, Ignacio Bunster, landscape architect of Georgetown Waterfront Park, will lead a public meeting, showing his plans for the new park at the West Heating Plant that will link the Waterfront Park with Rock Creek and the C&O Canal. It will be a chance for members of the community to both hear and comment on his plans. It will also be a time to meet key members of the development and design teams. This meeting will be held at Washington Harbour in Foley and Lardner’s conference center, 3030 K St. NW, 6th floor. If you would like to attend, it is strongly suggested that you pre-register at events@levygroup.com or by calling 202-337-2058, as space is limited.

On Tuesday Oct. 22, there will be another public meeting, where David Adjaye, building architect, and Ignacio Bunster, landscape architect, will provide a full presentation of the proposed development scheme for the West Heating Plant property. Adjaye — known for his two notable D.C. public libraries as well as for his plans for the African-American Museum currently under construction on the Mall — will be revealing his concept behind the proposed design as well as provide a history of the site. The presentation will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seasons level, 5 p.m. Again, as space is limited, it is strongly suggested that those who wish to attend pre-register at events@levygroup.com or by calling 202-337-2058.

Georgetowner •

Responding to the partial government shutdown, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Georgetown University have partnered to bring The Wall That Heals, VVMF’s half-scale replica of The Wall to Washington, D.C.

Since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, the National Mall and many of its monuments and memorials have been closed to foot traffic. The walkways leading to and around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) have been closed with barricades and continue to be off-limits to pedestrians. As an unfortunate result, groups of visitors, including veterans groups traveling great distances to see The Wall, have experienced limited access, or have even been denied entry.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, The Wall That Heals will be on display and open to the public on the lawn of Healy Hall on the main campus of Georgetown University. Shuttle busses will be available to transport visitors from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site on the National Mall to the campus. The Wall That Heals display will remain on campus through Columbus Day weekend. There is no charge to visit the display, and transportation to and from the National Mall will be provided at no cost.

“We all agree that people should have unlimited access to the memorials on the National Mall. Until that access is restored by Congress, we will continue doing all we can to make sure visitors can experience The Wall,” says VVMF’s President and Founder Jan Scruggs. “People from across the world come to see these sites, and we are so grateful to Georgetown University for its help in giving visitors a place to go.”

Georgetowner •

SAVE THE DATE

Shop Smart! With Heart! Care For Kids Cards

October 18th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | annehpolk@verizon.net | Tel: 202-368-7165 | Event Website

Long and Foster, offical banner sponsor, events you to help support Children’s NAtional Medical Center. With the purchase of your Care for Kids Card, You can Shop and Save 20 percent, Friday, Oct 18 to Sunday, Oct 27. The Care for Kids Card program is one of Washington’s most popular fall shopping events, bringing merchants, restaurants and YOU together for the benefit of Children’s National Medical Center.

The card entitles you to 20-percent discounts at participating merchants

Shop and Eat! From October 18th – 27th, 2013, use your card at participating merchants and restaurants and save 20 percent.

Address

List of participating merchants

AJC ACCESS DC 13th Annual Young Diplomats Reception

October 10th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | $20-$50 | bogdanowa.fellow@ajc.org | Tel: 202.785.5489 | Event Website

ACCESS DC’s flagship event provides the unique opportunity for young Jewish professionals to interact with members of the diplomatic community. The panel’s topic is: “The Turbulence of Transnationalism: Today’s Challenges of Global Migration” and will feature Manuel Orozco, Senior Associate at Inter-American Dialogue, Anne C. Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration at U.S. Department of State and Michael Werz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.

Address

1777 F Street NW

FAD Georgetown 2013

October 11th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | events@georgetowndc.com | Event Website

Celebrate Fashion, Art and Design with a brand new neighborhood-wide event, FAD Georgetown, from October 10-12, 2013. Spanning over three days and nights, FAD fuses all components of Georgetown’s art, fashion and design communities for a variety of events, including progressive style parties, interactive public art projects, street style, gallery walks, design showroom activities, red carpets and more.

Thu, October 10th 2013 – Sat, October 12th 2013

Address

All over Georgetown

Civil War Georgetown Tour

October 12th, 2013 at 10:30 AM | $8-$15 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Join us for an inside tour of the historic house, which was operated as a boarding house for Union officers and their families.
Then you can join docents for a walking tour of Civil War Georgetown. Visit the final resting place of three renowned Civil War spies, a Union hospital, the residences of Union military leaders, and a site associated with the Pearl escape.

Address

1644 31st St NW Washington, DC 20007

Russian Fall Bazaar at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington DC

October 12th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | Event Website

Everyone who is interested in Russian food, music and culture come and join this annual Russian bazaar on October 12th & 13th. Two days rain or shine, you can enjoy Russia’s homemade cuisine, live music presented by many groups and bands, wide assortment of unique handicrafts, free tours of the St. Nicholas Cathedral and lots of activities for children.

Address

3500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,

Roses Three Ways with Tobie Whitman

October 12th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | 0 | info@heinercontemporary.com | Tel: 202-338-0072 | Event Website

In conjunction with Georgetown’s Fashion Art & Design weekend (FAD), Heiner Contemporary will host a flower arranging demonstration with Tobie Whitman of Allan Woods Flowers. The rose is one of the most celebrated and gifted flowers in the world. Please join us at the gallery on Saturday, October 12th, at 11 AM to learn several design techniques to bring novelty to this classic bloom.

Rachel Farbiarz: Take Me With You will remain on view through November 9th.

Address

1675 Wisconsin Ave NW

Hockey Games To Benefit Washington Navy Yard Survivors Fund

October 12th, 2013 at 07:00 PM | 50 | smcfarland@navyleague.org | Tel: (703) 528-1775 | Event Website](http://www.navyleague.org/hockey/)

The NHL’s Washington Capitals, DC Fire, DC Metropolitan Police and the Navy League of the United States have joined forces to offer a night filled with hockey and fun at the Verizon Center that will benefit the Washington Navy Yard Survivors Fund, established by the Navy League in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 16.
See the Caps take on the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. and then see the DC Fire and DC Metropolitan Police take to the ice in a charity game.

Address

Verizon Center, 601 F St NW

The Washington DCJCC Literary Festival, The Great Children’s Read: Bringing Books to Life

October 13th, 2013 at 10:00 AM | $12, Discounted $10 per family | litfest@washingtondcjcc.org | Tel: 2027773251 | [Event Website](http://washingtondcjcc.org/center-for-arts/literary/jewish-literary-festival/)

Celebrate books with crafts, folktales, a sing-along and story-time with Pamela Mayer, author of the 2013 Sugarman Family Children’s Book Award-winning Don’t Sneeze at the Wedding. We’ll also have a book fair with a wide selection of Jewish and other children’s books and a special guest: Elmo! We are collecting new or gently used books to donate to Reading Partners, an organization that helps children become lifelong readers.

Address

DCJCC, 1529 16th Street, NW

Chris Collat Album Release Party: The Road Home

October 14th, 2013 at 07:30 PM | 10 advance / $15 at the door | chris.collat@gmail.com | [Event Website](https://jamminjava.com/events/chris-collat)

Chris Collat is thrilled to announce the release party for his new album, The Road Home, Oct. 14 at 7pm at Jammin Java. This is an all-ages show. Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.

Chris’ new album, The Road Home is available Oct 14, or Pre-order NOW on iTunes

Chris Collat – Put the words, “Red Hot” before you pronounce his last name and you will get it right every time. He is a soulful singer, guitarist, and songwriter who has been writing music since picking up the guitar at the early age of five. His gentle nature and soft spoken demeanor are a striking contrast to the performer who often leaves his audience surprised at the power and soul he conveys on stage.

Address

Jammin Java; 227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180

Georgetowner •

Officials, alumni and friends of Georgetown University gathered Oct. 9 to celebrate the creation of the McCourt School of Public Policy, endowed through a gift of $100 million — the largest gift in the university’s history — from alumnus Frank H. McCourt, Jr.

Emceeing the dinner, PBS News anchor Judy Woodruff greeted the large group in a tent on Copley Lawn next to Healy Circle. She said that “the shutdown could not shut down” the party for the McCourt School — the event had to be moved from the Library of Congress because of the partial government shutdown. Several noted the irony that a new school for public policy was founded during a government shutdown.

Among the notables at the dinner were Cardinal Theodore McCarrack, who blessed the crowd and “especially members of Congress.” Speaking of the new school, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said, “Let us pray some members of Congress will come here and study.”

Georgetown alumnus Rep. Charles Dingell, D-Mich., spoke of the “low charade” in the House of Representatives, where evidently “the values of Georgetown are needed.” He is the longest-serving member of the House.

“Dad would love it,” McCourt said of the new school, “founded in his loving memory,” as he saluted university officials for their collaboration.

According to the university, “the McCourt School of Public Policy will leverage Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C., its relationships with global leaders and its legacy of public service to launch a new approach to public policy. The McCourt School will contribute policy-based, data-driven research and solutions to the urgent policy issues of our time.”

“A new school for the common good is born,” continued McCourt, who pointed out the inscription front and center in Healy Hall’s Gaston Hall: “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Inque Hominum Salutem.” Its meaning — “For the greater glory of God and the salvation of humanity” — is a key principle of the school, McCourt said.

Likewise, university president John DeGioia thanked the McCourt family for its gift, saying, “We begin in gratitude,” and also repeated the Jesuits’ motto of “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.”

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., closed the celebration dinner with an old Irish blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you./May the road rise to meet you./May the wind be always at your back./May the sun shine warm upon your face./The rains fall soft upon your fields./And until we meet again,/May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

And with that, McCourt invited his Class of ’75 friends to an after party at the Tombs.