News & Politics

Marie Loiseau • November 25, 2013

Secretary of State John Kerry, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush gathered at Georgetown University Nov. 15 for “Advancing Afghan Women: Promoting Peace and Progress in Afghanistan.” They joined forces to speak to an overflowing Gaston Hall about the importance in continuing to support and assist the advancement of Afghan women.

The event kicked off with greetings from Georgetown University President John DeGioia, who showed a movie featuring real Afghan women sharing their success stories. The audience heard about girls having greater access to school than ever before and Afghan women becoming more prominent in the business world.

The video was followed by remarks by Clinton who, in addition to being a former first lady and former Secretary of State, is the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council honorary co-chair and a supporter of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security.

Clinton spoke of the need for a society to engage all of its members. “Men and women are like two wings on the same bird,” she said. This became a reoccurring image throughout the program.

John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State and supporter of the cause, took the stage after Clinton. He spoke of the many different levels of success that have been achieved in Afghanistan since 2001, and the terrible regression that would take place if efforts came to a halt. “What has been achieved is nothing less than remarkable,” he said. “It would have been more than a tragedy if the world ever allowed this progress to be threatened or, worse yet, to be abandoned.”

The crowd then heard from Anita Haidary, a young Afghan woman and co-founder of Young Women for Change. She spoke of growing up in Afghanistan, being an exchange student in California, her strides for change upon returning to her homeland, and the importance of advocating for Afghan women.

A conversation between Bush and Clinton then took place, moderated by Melanne Verveer, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues. Bush and Clinton both voiced worries about the future of Afghanistan. “I fear that once our troops leave,” said Bush, “the eyes of Americans will move away.” Bush and Clinton say they’re going to continue to spread the word and make sure that, when American troops leave Afghanistan in 2014, the Afghan women will not be abandoned.

The speakers, Kerry especially, made it clear that each person in Gaston Hall could make a difference in the futures of Afghan women. Assistance and advocacy are not limited to prominent political figures, and everyone can help to ensure Afghan women have access to education and other life-improving opportunities. “Our responsibility is clear,” said Kerry. “We need to make sure that they succeed… And making that happen is going to take every single one of us.”

The event was put together by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, the George W. Bush Institute and the Alliance to Support the Afghan People.
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Georgetowner •

The Georgetown Holiday Pop Shop

December 4th, 2013 at 06:30 PM | $40 online and 50 at the door | corrie@georgetowner.com | Tel: 202 338 4833 | Event Website

The Georgetown Holiday Pop Shop is a seasonal event sponsored by Georgetown Media Group, EagleBank, PamShops4You and Long & Foster. This unique evening features top local vendors in a one-stop shopping and cocktail party event. Get into the holiday spirit while you shop, drink and eat, all while benefiting the Georgetown Senior Center. This year’s event is popping up in Tony & Joe’s at Georgetown’s Washington Harbour from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Address

Tony and Joes; 3000 K St NW,

Alley Cat Studio Presents: Pat Goslee, Sally Kauffman, Lynn Putney

November 23rd, 2013 at 03:00 PM | free | alleycat.studio.gallery@gmail.com | Tel: 2023650219

Alley Cat Studio is pleased to present an exhibition of current paintings by Pat Goslee, Sally Kauffman and Lynn Putney. The exhibition explores the line, gesture and painterly compositions of three Washington DC painters.

Address

Alley Cat Studio, 29 Kings Court #6 SE, Washington, DC 20003

Grammy Winning Afro Bop Alliance at Blues Alley

November 25th, 2013 at 08:00 PM | $18 (student discount for 10pm show) | joeandafrobopalliance@gmail.com | Tel: (202) 337-4141 | Event Website

The exhilarating Afro Bop Alliance thrills audiences with their infectious polyrhythmic grooves, harmonic colorings, and improvisational flights. They won a Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Recording for their 2008 album, Caribbean Jazz Project, which was also nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album at the Grammy Awards. They’ve received critical acclaim worldwide & will take the stage at Blues Alley on Monday, November 25th. Shows 8pm & 10pm.

Tickets can be found on the bluesalley.com website!

Address

Blues Alley; 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Tudor Tots Thanksgiving at Tudor Place!

November 23rd, 2013 at 10:30 AM | Member child: $5; Nonmember child: $8 | Event Website

Celebrate turkey day at Tudor Place. Tiny tots will enjoy an interactive story and then scour the historic mansion in search of history games and toys. After the hunt, children will make a special holiday craft to take home and enjoy period dancing to get the whole family moving.

Member child: $5

Nonmember child: $8

Adults: Free

Address

Tudor Place; 1644 31st Street, NW

Sequoia Restaurant: Thanksgiving Feast

November 28th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | $49.95 for adults; $19.95 for kids; $20 for the Unlimited Bar Package. | Tel: 202.944.4200 | Event Website

Join the Sequoia family for a Thanksgiving feast on the water that is sure to delight you and your family. With all natural poultry and stuffing galore, and selections a-plenty, this year Sequoia is offering a buffet fit for a king and a Thanksgiving you and your family are sure to remember. Seating for the Thanksgiving feast is from 12 to 7:45 p.m. $49.95 for adults; $19.95 for kids; $20 for the Unlimited Bar Package. Call 202.944.4200 to make a reservation.

Address

Sequoia Restaurant; 3000 K St NW

Christmas at Mount Vernon

November 29th, 2013 at 09:00 AM | $17 for adults and $8 for youth 6-11. | info@mountvernon.org | Tel: 7037802000 | Event Website

Holiday visitors will enjoy themed decorations, chocolate-making demonstrations, 18th-century dancing, plus a rare opportunity to tour the third floor of the Mansion. In 1787, George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon for the enjoyment of his guests. Visitors can meet Aladdin the camel on the grounds.

This event takes place from November 29, 2013 – January 6, 2014 from 9am – 4pm.

Address

George Washington’s Mount Vernon; 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway; Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Robert Devaney •

With shopping occurring before Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and just in time for Christmas, property owner EastBanc and Jamestown organized a pop-up Cady’s Alley bazaar that features five e-commerce firms, which were happy to set up shop in the 8,000-square-foot, split-level emporium, located at 3330 Cady’s Alley, NW, between the Bulthaup and M2L showrooms within Georgetown’s design district. A Nov. 14 launch party introduced the clothing and home accessories brands: Tuckernuck (classic, preppy styles), Chubbies (radical shorts with American pride), Zestt (fresh home pieces and artwork), Read Wall (U.S.-modern, traditional menswear) and Victoria Road (handcrafted goods from around the world). The pop-up stores in Cady’s Alley will be open through Jan. 5. [gallery ids="101550,149573,149567,149579,149586,149587" nav="thumbs"]

Ina Bjorbekk •

Tory Burch has finally come to Georgetown, and just in time for the holidays. The store opened its doors at 1211 Wisconsin Ave., NW, on Thursday, Nov. 21, in Bebe’s old space. As guests arrived they were greeted with Champagne and specially made cookies to enjoy, while shopping around the store. The golden interior, built to emulate an exclusive walk-in closet, is devoted to accessories and carries everything from classic Tory Burch bags and shoes, to her very first-ever fragrance launched earlier this fall. Burch, an American designer known for pretty and preppy fashion, started her label in 2004 and has since expanded to more than 100 stores worldwide. This is her first store to open in D.C.

Robert Devaney • November 21, 2013

For the first time in 20 years, there is one tavern liquor license now available in Georgetown, which remains under a neighborhood liquor license moratorium.

Because the defunct Saloun, formerly at 3239 M Street, did not renew its tavern license, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board cancelled its license Oct. 30.

So, who has applied for this one-of-a-kind, tavern-nightclub license?

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration told the Georgetowner Nov. 18 that it “has received two applications for the tavern license in Georgetown. Gypsy Sally’s Acoustic Tavern LLC, trading as Gypsy Sally’s at 3401 Water St., NW, applied to transfer its restaurant license to become a tavern in Georgetown. The second is from Restaurant Enterprises, Inc., trading as Smith Point at 1338 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. They also submitted an application to transfer their alcoholic beverage license from a restaurant to a tavern in the area. Applications are being reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.”

 
Last week, ABRA announced: ” … Restrictions  have  temporarily  been  lifted  on  alcoholic beverage  licenses  for  taverns  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District.  The  change  occurred  after  the  number  of  licensed   taverns  within  the  historic  area  fell  below  a  legislative  cap  of  six. … Taverns  located  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District  are  permitted  to  transfer  alcoholic  beverage  licenses  to   new  owners  and  new  locations  within  the  area.  An  existing  restaurant  in  the  historic  district  will  also  be  able  to  apply  to   become  a  tavern  or  nightclub  in  the  neighborhood.  Applications  to  make  any  of  the  changes  would  need  to  be  filed  with   the  Alcoholic  Beverage  Regulation  Administration for  consideration  by  the  Alcoholic  Beverage  Control  Board.”

“The  Alcoholic  Beverage  Control  Act  and  Rules  Reform  Amendment  Act  of  1994  freezes  the  transfer  or   sale  of  tavern  and  nightclub  licenses  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District  when  there  are  six  or  more  taverns  and/or  nightclubs  licensed  in  the  area,” according to ABRA.

There are no nightclubs licensed in Georgetown. Once a sixth tavern license is issued, ABRA noted, “the  ability  to  transfer  tavern  licenses will  end  once  the  legislative  cap  of  six  taverns  and/or  nightclubs  is  reached  in  the   Georgetown  Historic  District.”

There are five neighborhood moratoriums in effect in D.C.: Adams Morgan, East Duport Circle, Georgetown, Glover Park and West Dupont Circle.

the Georgetowner •

Canal Road, NW, between Arizona Avenue and Foxhall Road will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov.19, Wednesday, Nov. 20, and Thursday, Nov. 21, reports the District Department of Transportation.

The closures will be required to allow the National Park Service, the Department of Public Works and DDOT to perform routine maintenance work along the curbs and shoulders of Canal Road. Temporary signs and traffic control measures will be in place to alert and guide the traveling public.

Detour signage will be in place to direct motorists that are leaving the District to use Foxhall Road to MacArthur Boulevard and then Arizona Avenue, and motorists that are entering the District to use Arizona Avenue to MacArthur Boulevard and then Foxhall Road.

Georgetowner •

As the count down begins to the holiday season, we want know of your up coming holiday spicals, events, and happenings. Email info@georgetowner.com so that we can include you in our Holiday round up!

Here are a few Holiday happenings to save the date for!

The Georgetowner’s Holiday Pop Shop: December 4, 2013

The Georgetown Holiday Pop Shop is a seasonal event sponsored by Georgetown Media Group, Eagle Bank, PamShops4You and Long & Foster. This unique evening features top local vendors in a one-stop shopping and cocktail party event. Get into the holiday spirit while you shop, drink and eat, all while benefiting the Georgetown Senior Center. This year’s event is popping up in Tony & Joe’s at Georgetown’s Washington Harbour from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

EastBanc & Jamestown to Host Holiday Pop-up Bazaar in Cady’s Alley: November 15, 2013

Georgetown’s Design District to Host Open Marketplace With Premier Retailers: Tuckernuck, Chubbies, Zestt, Read Wall and Victoria Road All Nicely Wrapped Up in One Showroom. To help make spirits bright this festive time of year, EastBanc and Jamestown are embracing seasonal celebrations by hosting an open marketplace holiday bazaar in Cady’s Alley. Beginning Friday, November 15 and running through Sunday, January 5, the pop-up Cady’s Alley Bazaar will feature a collection of popular fashion and home décor brands including Tuckernuck, Chubbies, Zestt, Read Wall and Victoria Road.

The Old Print Gallery: 2013 Winter Contemporary Show: November 15, 2013

The Old Print Gallery’s (1220 31st Street, NW) 2013 Winter Contemporary Show will open on Friday, November 15th with a celebratory nighttime reception from 5 to 8 p.m. 11 different artists, who use printmaking as their primary medium for artistic expression, were selected for the show. The works chosen resonate with skill and intention, and reflect the current eclecticism of contemporary printmaking. Highlights include new prints by Jake Muirhead and Heather McMordie. The show will remain on view until February 15th, 2014.

Tudor Tots Thanksgiving at Tudor Place: November 23, 2013

Celebrate turkey day at Tudor Place! Tiny tots (Ages 4-6) will enjoy an interactive story and then scour the historic mansion in search of history games and toys. After the hunt, children will make a special holiday craft to take home and enjoy period dancing to get the whole family moving.
Member child: $5; Nonmember child: $8

Sequoia Restaurant: Thanksgiving Feast: November 28

On Friday, November 28, join the Sequoia (3000 K Street, NW) family for a Thanksgiving feast on the water that is sure to delight you and your family. With all natural poultry and stuffing galore, and selections a-plenty, this year Sequoia is offering a buffet fit for a king and a Thanksgiving you and your family are sure to remember. Seating for the Thanksgiving feast is from 12 to 7:45 p.m. $49.95 for adults; $19.95 for kids; $20 for the Unlimited Bar Package. Call 202.944.4200 to make a reservation.

Embassy of Sweden and House of Sweden: Swedish Christmas Bazaar: December 7, 2013

Hosted by SWEA Washington, DC (Swedish Women’s Educational Association) and supported by the Embassy of Sweden and House of Sweden (2900 K Street, NW), shop Swedish crystal, textiles, artwork, food and much more on sale at this year’s Swedish Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 7, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Plus, savor home baked goods and traditional Swedish delicacies from the Swedish café or bring them home for the holidays. There will also be a children’s activity room with Swedish crafts to enjoy and bring home, and a Lucia procession performing traditional Swedish Holiday songs at 5 p.m. All are welcome! For more information, please contact Suzanne Edam at sweapr@gmail.com or call 202.546.7266.

Tudor Place: Holiday Wreath Workshop: December 7, 2013

Create your own holiday wreath from a variety of plant materials direct from the Tudor Place garden! Cedar boughs, magnolia leaves, berry-laden holly, pinecones and boxwood offer opportunities for distinctive wreaths. All wreaths are medium-sized and all materials provided. Members: $38 (per wreateh); Non-members: $48 (per wreath)

Robert Devaney •

At 11,800 square feet, the Washington Harbour Ice Rink is D.C.’s largest outdoor ice skating venue and is also larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center rink. The Washington Harbour Ice Rink officially re-opens for the public skating season Nov. 11 after a transformation from its interchangeable use as a picturesque fountain. It made its inaugural season at the Georgetown waterfront last year. The Washington Harbour Ice Rink will be open until March for recreational skating every day, including all holidays.

Regular Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday: noon to 9 p.m.
Friday: noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prices:
Adults: $10
Children/Seniors/Military: $8
Skate Rental: $5
For more details, visit
www.thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
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Robert Devaney •

The long, slow death of 3324 Dent
Place, NW, is over.

This morning, a bulldozer moved onto
the property, owned by Deyi Awadallah of
Falls Church, Va., to finish off the 19thcentury
wooden frame house.

In Georgetown, where such a move is
extremely rare, the neighbors on Dent Place
are no doubt pleased, as the structure was seen
as a site for vermin and an eyesore. Even, the
Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood
Commission approved a raze permit in October
2012.

Last year, the ANC chair Ron Lewis said
that such an approval to raze a structure was
no something to be taken lightly. Today, when
Lewis learned of the razing, he said, the owner
and others had tried to save it but “we could not
even save the material.”

A spokesperson for the D.C. Department
of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs – which
has oversight of such a demolition – told the
Georgetowner Nov. 12 that due process had
been followed and that the razing had been on
the schedule.

After being declared vacant, the dilapidated
house was struck by a falling tree in August 2011
during Hurricane Irene, crushing its second floor.
According to many, including the ANC’s Lewis,
that was its “deathblow.”

One of the property’s highlights is that it
was owned by Yarrow Mamout, a freed slave in
Georgetown. Mamout died in 1823 before the
current house was built. A beloved portrait
of Mamout hangs in the Peabody Room of
the Georgetown Public Library, not far from
Dent Place.