Part II: Is This How the First Term Ends, Mr. President?

November 28, 2012

So, now what do we do for fun?

It’s been almost a month since the election that gave President Barack Obama another four years and snuffed out Rep. Allen West, R-Fla.

To be fair, neither Mitt Romney nor Rep. West went out without a fight. Unfortunately, the fights occurred AFTER the election. West got a recount and to the wonderment of him and his, he still lost. While Romney’s support- ers clung to the early call on Ohio longer than necessary, their candidate did manage to con- cede, tweaking his victory speech a little. The rest is not much history—Romney reminded those of us who had not voted for him why we didn’t as he blamed the takers, unnamed but sinister forces in the Republican Party and other sundry people and things not named Mitt Romney for his defeat. The Republicans then commenced to throw Romney under the bus into a manhole marked political oblivion.

So, what’s making the president’s iPhone ring these day?

President Obama: “Hello?”

“Mr. President, this is John.”

“John . . . John, John, John. Oh, hello, senator. What can I do for you?”

“No, Mr. President. Congratulations, by the way, on winning the election. It’s John Boehner, the Speaker of the House.”

“I knew it was you. I’m just pulling your leg. Have you given any thought to raising taxes on the rich as I mentioned?”

It’s been almost a month since the of us wants to go over the cliff. Everybody election that gave President Barack hates that phrase. It’s like being thrown under the bus. It’s going to hurt everybody. Except the rich, of course, who can afford it. I realize that. That’s why we’re going to fiddle with the tax code, and, assuming everybody doesn’t find new ways not to pay taxes, why it will literally save billions. Honest. Of course, if they do find new ways it will be more like hundreds.”

“Fiddle all you want. We need tax reform, I agree. But we need to get the people that make the most to pay a little more. It’s good for the country. And, if we can come together on entitlements, why this could be the start of something good and lasting. Why, if we can fix this thing together, Mitch . . . I mean John . . . why this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. I’d be Bogey and you’d be Claude Rains in ‘Casablanca.’ ”

“Why can’t I be Bogey?”

“Because Bogey doesn’t cry . . . ever.” “Oh, well Mr. President, about that Susan Rice thing. I . . .”

“Can’t talk now. I’m going out to find me some middle class folks who are struggling and maybe have a beer with them. See you John.

Ring.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Mr. President, this is John.” “What, again. Come on, Mr. Speaker, I told you that I . . .”

“It’s Senator John McCain, sir.”

“Oh. Well, what can I do for you?”

“I don’t know about that Susan Rice. We are very disturbed after talking to her. I don’t think I can vote for her. I just don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?”

“What happened in Benghazi, Libya. Who she is . . . the store hours for Walmart.”

“Well, if you don’t know, who does? By the way, that was sweet, the way you guys are starting to stand up to good old Grover. I mean no disrespect, but it’s about time. Who is that guy, anyway? Didn’t he used to write for the Georgetowner? Is there a bus in his future?”

“But . . . Mr. President.”

“Catch you later, John. Loved you in “Argo.”

Ring.

“Hello.”

“Grover Norquist here. What have you What have you done to these people? Lindsay, McCain, Corker– they don’t want to keep the no-tax pledge?”

“Is your name John?

Click.

Ring.

“Mr. President. My name is Gary. I write for a living. I think that qualifies me as a strug- gling member of the middle class. Wanna buy me a beer?”

“John? Is this John?’

Click.

Say ‘Bienvenido’ to Massimo Dutti


Georgetown’s fast fashion appeal continues to expand . . . locally and globally. Massimo Dutti opened at 1220 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, its second U.S. location after New York. The company is headquartered in Spain.
Next to the Third Edition and described by Thrillist as a “European J. Crew,” Massimo Duti offers well-priced, updated fashions for men and women. Considered especially fetching: a classic, yet modern, dress and a nice assortment of jackets, leather or not.

Wrote the New York Times on Nov. 27 of the newly opened store on Fifth Avenue: “New to the States, Massimo Dutti has the same parent company as Zara, which means a large-scale invasion may be imminent. It is the old-school Banana Republic to Zara’s Gap, more refined and more expensive and, in this case, more desir- able. . . . This might be the least expensive way in the city for a man to dress up. Prices are rea- sonable for clothes that are worthy simulations of expensive Italian and British styles.”

Community Calendar


Fri., Nov. 30 — Wreath-Making Workshop; 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.; create your own wreath using materials from the Tudor Place gardens; materials and instruction provided; mem- bers (per wreath), $38; non-members, $48. Tudor Place, 1644 31st St., NW; register at www.tudorplace.org.

Sat., Dec. 1 — Along the Potomac: Winter on the Water at Washington Harbour — and Swedish Christmas Bazaar at the House of Sweden; see details above.

Sun., Dec. 2 — American Boychoir: Family Christmas Concert; enjoy the holiday season with one of the country’s premiere boys’ choir performances, 5 p.m. Single tickets, $30 each; $15 for students/seniors. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3204 O St., NW; call 338-1796 or pur- chase tickets at the door.

Mon., Dec. 3 — Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E) Public Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Heritage Room, Georgetown Visitation Prep; agenda available at www.anc2e.com; call 202-724-7098 for more information.

Wed., Dec. 5 — Kitty Kelley discusses her new book, “Capturing Camelot, Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of the Kennedys,” 6 to 8 p.m.; $100 donation to attend benefits the D.C. Public Library Foundation, includes a signed copy of the book; Georgetown Library 3260 R St., NW.

Thur., Dec. 6 — Tudor Nights: Deck the Halls, 6 to 8 p.m.; members, free; non-members, $15 (21+). Enjoy spiced ginger punch and a historic holiday celebration at Tudor Place; www.TudorPlace.org.

Sat., Dec. 8 — Toys for Tots Drive, Rhino Bar, 1 to 4 p.m. Make a donation and have your holiday gifts wrapped by Rhino elves; take your photo with Santa. For more info, visit www.RhinoBarDC.com.

Wed., Dec. 12 — Georgetown Business Association Annual Meeting and Holiday Soiree, Dumbarton House, 6:30 to 10 p.m.; free. Celebrate Georgetown businesses with an eve- ning of awards, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres and seasonal cocktails. Cocktail attire; rsvp: hello@otimwilliams.com

New Ice Rink Celebrates Saturday With ‘Winter on the Water’ And Swedish Christmas Bazaar


Washington Harbour will present “Winter on the Water,” a celebration of Washington, D.C.’s newest and largest outdoor ice skating rink, on Saturday, Dec. 1, 4 to 7 p.m. The Washington Harbour Ice Rink will be inaugurated with a fete of continuous strolling entertainers, ice skat- ing performances, choral singers, a St. Lucia procession, and creative lighting effects, along with special food and beverages served outdoors by Washington Harbour restaurants, including the new Farmers Fishers Bakers. Special guests include radio personality Tommy McFly who will emcee the event from 5 to 7 p.m., and will take the coveted opportunity to drive the ice resurfacing machine on the rink.

Winter on the Water complements the Swedish Christmas Bazaar being held at the neighboring House of Sweden from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 2900 K Street, NW, on Dec. 1.

Winter on the Water – Special Performance Schedule
4 to 7 p.m.: Continuous entertainers and creative lighting effects; special food and bever- ages served outdoors
4:00 p.m.: Montana Ignacio – Ice skating performance
4:30 p.m.: Georgetown Phantoms – 30 minute a cappella performance
5:00 p.m.: The Gardens Figure Skating Club – Ice skating performance
5:15 p.m.: St. Lucia Procession from the House of Sweden
5:30 p.m.: Swedish Choir Performance
6:00 p.m.: Mini-Supremes Bowie ISI Synchronized Skating Team – Ice skating per- formance

M Street Water Main Work at Key Bridge Nears Finish


For some residents of 35th, M and Prospect Streets, the news that D.C. Water’s Large Valve Replacement Project on M Street should be com- pleted by Dec. 15 is most welcome, especially the pounding sounds at 2 a.m. about two weeks ago. Ditto for drivers along M Street moving over the street plates.

“We are planning to install the valve on Dec. 7,” Mohammad Huq, D.C. Water project man- ager, Department of Engineering and Technical Services, told the Georgetowner. “It is expected that the work will be completed by Dec. 15.”

The water main work is part of a “Capital Improvement Program to improve the water system infrastructure. These efforts will improve water quality and system reliability, increase water pressure in some areas, and maintain ade- quate flows throughout the system,” says D.C. Water, also known as the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority. The work was scheduled to be completed during the summer but took longer because of added joint seal work so that the street would not be dug up again so soon

29th Street Canal Bridge Completed


You can now drive on 29th Street between K and M Streets. D.C. Department of Transportation’s Three Bridges Project — begun in August 2009 ¬– has been completed.

The bridge over the C&O Canal along 29th Street was the third and last bridge replaced during the more-than-three-year job, which also replaced bridges over the canal at 30th and Thomas Jefferson Streets.

According to D.C.DOT’s Three Bridges’ website, “Monitoring of the canal walls and adjacent buildings is required for the duration of the project. Minor wall maintenance is included in the work as is roadway reconstruction work to tie into and transition the existing roadways and sidewalks into the new proposed bridges. Each bridge crossing includes extensive utility relocation and upgrade work involving water, electric, phone, and gas lines that will be coordinated with the respective utility companies.”

Rose Park “Rec Hunt for Winter”

November 27, 2012

Rose Park “Rec Hunt for Winter”

Old-School Fighters: Royal, Basilio, From Football and Boxing

November 26, 2012

In a country obsessed by sports—especially football—there’s been a lot of changes.

No one runs the wishbone formation much any more—at any level of football. There is no more Southwest Conference in college football. They ran it the other day for a play in a University of Texas game, honoring Darrell Royal, the legendary coach of Texas University of Texas at Austin, who invented the wishbone and succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 88 Nov. 7.

In boxing—well, well, what can you say about boxing that’s worth saying? Russians hold the heavyweight title. There’s no Friday night fights on television, and mixed martial arts seems to be gaining ground on boxing’s fan base.

And Carmen Basilio, the lean, wiry keeps-on-ticking former welterweight and middleweight champion, who fought two memorable battles with Sugar Ray Robinson, is gone, dead at 85.

Hard to say what if anything Royal said about this year’s annual slugfest between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners—Bob Stoops’s Sooner Boomer swamped Texas 63-21. It’s fair to say that sort of thing wouldn’t have happened in Royal’s time—gritty running and tough defense were the hallmarks of Royal football. “You’ll never lose if the other guy doesn’t score” was one of the numerous and famous sayings attributed to Royal.

During his tenure—1957 through 1976—Royal rolled up ten Cotton Bowl Championships and three national titles, as well as holding a 12-7-1 edge over the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. Football games under Royal tended to have a slugfest atmosphere about them—his favorite players were probably fullbacks and linebackers, who tended to meet head-on on the field.

He came late to integrating his teams, not having African-American players until 1969, a fact that he later regretted.

Still, Royal’s Longhorns rivaled the Dallas Cowboys in popularity and fan base—college football in places like Oklahoma and Texas tended to be bigger and sometimes more important than life itself—from Pop Warner to the pros. See “Friday Night Lights” for a references point, or read anything by Dan Jenkins (father of Sally) to get the feel of it.

Royal loved to play golf and coin phrases. His aversion to the pass—which he shared with Woody Hayes of Ohio State University—prompted him to say, “There are three things that can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad.” He also described a runner as running faster “than gossip through a small town.”

Years ago—in the idyllic age of the 1950s—not only was high school and college football huge, but so was boxing at almost every level of the sport, but especially among the heavies where Rocky Marciano retired unbeaten in spite of Archie Moore. Among the welterweights and middleweights Sugar Ray Robinson ruled.

Until he ran into Carmen Basilio, a tough Italian fighter—and “fighter” is the word—out of Canastota, N.Y. Basilio and Robinson fought two brutal fights—there’s a picture of Basilio after winning the first fight on a decision and he looks as if a pickup truck had fallen on his face. The second fight was won by Robinson, a swirling almost elegant fighter with a knockout punch known for his graceful sparring—there was only one Sugar Ray, in spite of Sugar Ray Leoanard.

Back in the 1950s, I used to watch something called “Friday Night Fights” on network television with my stepfather, a Serbian immigrant who worked in a steel factory. We listened to the familiar Gillette commercial bells, as Gene Fullmer, Basilio, Bobo Olsen, Tony Demarco and others would knock each other silly. The welters and middleweights were filled with normal-sized boxers, wiry and tough, like Jake LaMotta (of “Raging Bull” fame), who could take punishment and dish it out.

That was Basilio to the core—he pummeled DeMarco into submission twice in welter title fights, then lost to Fullmer. Basilio didn’t just win his fights—he survived them.

Thirty thousand people saw Basilio beat Robinson at Yankee Stadium. His dad, an onion farmer in upstate New York was a “fight nut.” His son became one, beginning with boxing in the Marine Corps. He eventually retiring, teaching physical education at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. A high school dropout, he received a diploma from Canastota High school in 2009 in recognition of his achievements. He was among the first inductees in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
[gallery ids="101053,136860" nav="thumbs"]

President Obama Speaks on Veterans Day at Arlington Cemetery (photos)


Fresh off of his election victory on Nov. 6, President Barack Obama opened his Veterans Day address at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11 with these words. “Each year, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause –- as a nation, and as a people –- to pay tribute to you. To thank you. To honor you, the heroes, over the generations, who have served this country of ours with distinction.”

View our photos of this solemn event by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101052,136779,136786,136793,136800,136806,136814,136822,136830,136838,136772,136766,136759,136871,136865,136859,136720,136852,136727,136734,136742,136752,136845" nav="thumbs"]

Every Little Cupcake Helps: Sprinkles Red Velvet Fundraiser for Sandy Relief Today


Today provides a good excuse — and a good cause — to go to Sprinkles Cupcakes, the Beverly Hills’s bake shop that started the national cupcake craze. On Nov. 12, Sprinkles Cupcakes Georgetown at 3015 M St., NW, will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from its red velvet cupcakes (which will be adorned with red crosses) to the Red Cross’s Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. Similar promotions raised $25,000 in March 2011 for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund and $20,000 in January 2010 for the Haiti Relief Fund.