Tip to Police Led to Arrests on the Street
• October 3, 2012

An anonymous telephone tip to the Metropolitan Police Department led to four arrests on Sept. 17, said Lt. John Hedgecock in his police report to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC2E) Oct. 1 meeting. First reported as a car-jacking, the police chase resulted in a car crash at Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street, NW with four suspects fleeing but soon captured. The call alerted MPD to a slow-moving car near the 3900 block of W Street, NW. When police drove near the car in question it drove off erratically with the resulting crash down Wisconsin Avenue. In the suspects’ car, there was evidence of property from a burglary. Hedgecock reminded all that it was the tip that made the difference. The police would not have known. He added: “If you see something, say something.”

Hedgecock also reported a 37-percent decrease in violent crime in the area over the same period (Jan. 1 to Sept. 30) from last year. During that same 2012 time frame, only three robberies involved firearms, he said.

Jackson Arts Center Seeks Allies
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With its 15-year lease expiring soon, the artists at the Jackson Art Center may have to settle down for a three-year lease extension with the District government, which owns the former school at 3050 R St., N.W. Why? There is talk that the property may be sold to private developers. Art center president Simma Liebman asked for the community’s help, and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission asked D.C. government to extend the center’s lease for “not less than five years.” Liebman noted that the non-profit has almost a $1 million in escrow from its rent money that could upgrade the building’s windows, making the historic structure look less run-down. The property is on the same block as the old Hurt Home which the D.C. government sold to developers.

Natitude! D.C. = Division Champions … and Beyond
•

Who says you can’t win for losing? The Washington Nationals managed to do just that last night when they lost a game—2-0 to the deservedly maligned defending National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies—then were handed the National League East title when news came—quickly, thank God—that the Pittsburgh Pirates had beaten the Atlanta Braves.

Nationals Park rocked. Champagne ensued. The mighty Nationals had won the NL Eastern Division title, and we could all let out a sigh of relief because this thing had been stringing out just a little too long.

Now, the Nationals and their forefathers, other Washington baseball teams, not only are in the playoffs and post-season play of any kind for the first time since 1933—now, there was an economy in the dumpster—but are division champs. They can now think seriously about winning the World Series, something that no Washington team has done since the mighty Walter Johnson had pitched the Senators to a title in, let’s see . . . 1924.

National fans are, of course, of a recent vintage—when the Nats first came to Washington they had been something called the Montreal Expos. The new Nats were as bad as they might have been but not as bad as they could have been, given the fact that first-year-manager, the venerable, tough Frank Robinson managed them to a .500 record at RFK Stadium.

Times have changed. There is a new stadium which everyone pretty much loves and which bodes well for the future in terms of redevelopment, new businesses and restaurants and further buzz generating from the Washington-is-a-major-league-city quarters. The Lerner family, owners of the Nationals, have turned out to be a class act, as is general manager Mike Rizzo and the redoubtable manager Davey Johnson who is in the fine tradition of grizzled but not frazzled major league managers and ex-player. In other words, it’s fair to assume, just by looking at him, that he might have hung out with Casey Stengel and Yogi Berra.

It should be noted here as we’re popping the champagne that kudos should also go here to former Mayor Anthony Williams and also to Councilman Jack Evans, both of whom lobbied energetically and continually for a team in Washington.

Now, thanks to a vastly improved farm system, we have a stellar pitching staff. We had the big buzz of the debut of Stephen Strasburg, and the contratemps over the early ending of Strasburg’s season (they were right). We have Bryce Harper, a teenager who plays baseball like a jalopy driver at Indianapolis, that is to say, full-tilt boogie, recklessly, with great bravado and speed. The steady guys—Desmond, Morse, Zimmerman, Espinosa and LaRoche—produced runs and homers in bunches, but it was Harper who gave the Nats a huge spark when he was called up.

As for 2012, we knew the Nats might be good and improved this year, but who figured the best? Who thought of the World Series? We’re thinking it now. Imagine the 2012 World Series: Washington Nationals versus Baltimore Orioles into the seventh game. Does anybody have a guy named Muddy on their team? Go, Nats, and congrats.

The Jack Evans Report: The Unglamorous Bond
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In this column, I typically try to focus on the types of issues that make the news and are important to a lot of residents in Ward 2 and across the city – taxes, education, ethics, public safety, and economic development. This week, I thought I would pull back the veil and show some of the inner workings of our government that are less glamorous but are nonetheless very important, and tell you why they may be more closely related to the newsworthy issues than you might think.

As chair of the Committee on Finance & Revenue, I have jurisdiction over legislative matters such as general obligation bond acts, revenue anticipation notes, industrial revenue bonds, and financing programs such as “TIFs,” or tax increment financing. I understand those topics may sound a little bit like what you would read when you have trouble sleeping rather than something to be passionate about, but they provide the critical nuts and bolts which enables the government to function smoothly.
Next week, for example, my committee will hold a hearing on the “General Obligation Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes for Fiscal Years 2013-2018 Authorization Act of 2012.” This is the legislation allowing our capital projects planned for 2013 to 2018 to go forward. Specifically, the bill would authorize the District to issue general obligation bonds or bond anticipation notes of up to $3.75 billion. The proceeds will fund items such as school facilities, recreation facilities and government offices included in our Capital Improvements Plan.

As I discussed during the confirmation process for our Chief Financial Officer, our bond rating really comes into play here in determining the amount of interest we have to pay in exchange for renovated libraries, schools and parks. Since financing and other costs have to be included in our budget and financial plan, and represent around $1 billion per year, small changes in our bond rating can cost (or save!) us millions of dollars per year. This has a dramatic impact on the funds we can spend on education, public safety, economic development, and health and human services.

Finally, I have to put in a quick plug for our Washington Nationals. I was so happy to see the Nationals clinch a spot in the playoffs last week! Having successful professional sports teams is such a morale boost to the city (not to mention a big driver of tax revenue!). The Mayor announced that the John A. Wilson Building, the District’s city hall, will be lighted red at night for the duration of our playoff run to honor the Nationals’ first postseason appearance.

As always, please reach out to my office if you have any legislative ideas or government service issues I can help with. And don’t forget to catch some Nats games!

Tearing Down House OK’d
•

Here’s something you rarely hear in this historic town: “Tear down that house.”
Georgetown’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC2E) at its Oct. 1 meeting approved a raze permit for 3324 Dent Place, N.W. — and neighbors not only agreed but applauded the decision.
The blighted property has been a neighborhood eyesore as well as a safety and health problem for years, added neighbors who spoke of holes in the ruined house and rats, racoons and drug addicts coming and going. During Hurricane Irene in August 2011, a tree fell on the roof of the house, dealing it a “death blow,” said commissioner Ron Lewis, who called the case “extraordinary.” The present owner of the property is Deyi Awadallah of Falls Church, Va., who asked for the permit but has not submitted design plans for a new house on the property. The raze must be approved by the Old Georgetown Board.

Barry at Joynt’s Q&A Cafe
•

After serenading the late crowd at Tony & Joe’s 25th birthday on Sept. 13, Marion Barry, former mayor and now Ward 8 councilmember, returned to Georgetown Sept. 27 and met with Carol Joynt at her ongoing Q&A Cafe at the Ritz Carlton on South Street. Interviewer Joynt brought up many of Barry’s well-known foibles, citing “The bitch set me up.” D.C.’s “Mayor for Life” took it all in and responded: “I’m probably the most successful politician in Washington, D.C.” Barry will be writing an autobiography, he said. The Q&A Cafe interview segment with Marion Barry will air Oct. 5, 8 p.m., on Channel 16 (DCN).

Georgetown BID Taps EastBanc Exec As Its New CEO
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The Georgetown Business Improvement District is getting a new boss, the group announced last week. Joe Sternlieb, the new BID chief executive officer begins his job in mid-October. The BID’s previous executive director, James Bracco, departed in July.

Sternlieb, who holds a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has years of experience in D.C., including as vice president of acquisitions at EastBanc, Inc., and as deputy director of the Downtown D.C. BID for 10 years.

“I have a passion for the District and for helping the city reach all of its potential,” said Sternlieb in a BID press release. “So, leading the Georgetown BID is one of the greatest positions that a city planner like me aspires to hold. Georgetown is one of the greatest mixed-use neighborhoods in the nation. Still, it faces the challenges of access and mobility; competition from revitalizing city neighborhoods; addressing 21st century environmental issues; and the need to realize its full potential as an employment center, retail destination and waterfront community. This is an exciting time for Georgetown and the District and I am really looking forward to getting started.”

“The Georgetown BID is moving in an exciting direction to help ensure the continued success of the neighborhood as a vibrant local community and international destination,” said Crystal Sullivan, president of the Georgetown BID’s board of directors. “Joe is widely regarded for his talent, energy and ability to move things forward and we are pleased to welcome him to the Georgetown BID. We are looking forward to the leadership and vision he will bring to the Georgetown business community.”

“Prior to his leadership role at Downtown D.C.,” according to the Georgetown BID, “Joe was staff director of the D.C. Council Committee on Economic Development where he shepherded the BID enabling legislation through the City Council. He currently serves on the Board of several civic organizations, including the D.C. Building Industry Association, D.C. Surface Transit, Inc., and D.C. Vote.”

Established in 1999 by its property owners and merchants, the non-profit Georgetown BID has more than 1,000 members. Its full-time CEO reports directly to the BID’s board of directors. There are nine business improvement districts in Washington, D.C.; there are more than 1,000 in the U.S.

Georgetown BID Taps EastBanc Exec As Its New CEOOctober 3, 2012
•

The Georgetown Business Improvement is getting a new boss. Joe Sternlieb, the new BID chief executive officer begins his job in mid-October. The BID?s previous executive director, James Bracco, departed in July.

Sternlieb, who holds a master?s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has years of experience in D.C., including as vice president of acquisitions at EastBanc, Inc., and as deputy director of the Downtown D.C. BID for 10 years.

?I have a passion for the District and for helping the city reach all of its potential,? said Sternlieb in a BID press release. ?So, leading the Georgetown BID is one of the greatest positions that a city planner like me aspires to hold. Georgetown is one of the greatest mixed-use neighborhoods in the nation. . . . This is an exciting time for Georgetown and the District, and I am really looking forward to getting started.?

?Prior to his leadership role at Downtown D.C.,? according to the Georgetown BID, ?Joe was staff director of the D.C. Council Committee on Economic Development where he shepherded the BID enabling legislation through the City Council. He currently serves on the Board of several civic organizations, including the D.C. Building Industry Association, D.C. Surface Transit, Inc., and D.C. Vote.?

Established in 1999 by its property owners and merchants, the Georgetown BID has more than 1,000 members. Its full-time CEO reports directly to the BID?s board of directors.

I’m Confused
• October 2, 2012

The old man was sitting at the kitchen table, holding a hanky over his weeping eyes.

“What’s the matter, Pa?”

“I’m confused.”

In the movie Moonstruck, family and neighbors were pouring into the kitchen. The mother had just demanded her husband terminate his affair, and he meekly agreed. One brother had just proposed to his reluctant brother’s long-suffering fiancé. And now the grandfather was crying.
Mitt Romney has a similar effect. I’m confused.

I can’t figure out where I fit into his view of America. Am I in the 99%, the 50%, the 47% or 100%?
Being in the 1% in the top 1% of income and wealth would be nice, but I’m not.
Even being in the top 13% and paying tax at Mr. Romney’s income tax rate would help. My rate is much higher because I work for a living and don’t have overseas investments.

Mr. Romney recently criticized 47%-ers for being 0%-ers and paying no federal income tax. He says they won’t vote for him anyway. Since I pay income tax, he must be counting on my vote.
On the other hand, some say he has been 0%-er on some of his tax returns. If he is a 0%-er, can he vote for himself in good conscience? It takes real political courage to call half the country a bunch of moochers who feel “entitled” when you belong to that club. If he were a 35%-er, paying the top tax rate, surely he’d proudly tell us, but we’ll never know because his lips are sealed.

Learning that I’m not a 50%-er was a surprise. I thought I was doing pretty well. I got a good education, have graduate degrees, repaid my student loans, live pretty comfortably, don’t live paycheck to paycheck, own my home, and have some savings and retirement. Then, Mr. Romney said the average middle-income family earned $250,000. OK, I’m below average.

Even worse, this 50% thing makes me feel horribly guilty. Is my company a sweat shop? We don’t pay any of our employees enough to be a 50%-er, or even half of a 50%-er if someone else in their home earns enough to lift the household up to that $250,000 average. It’s a wonder all of my employees haven’t quit and taken an average job somewhere else.

If 47%-ers pay no tax and 50%-ers earn $250,000, that means only 3% earn between the point where the 0% bracket ends and $250,000. Paul Ryan is good at charts and graphs. You can bet that’s a good one.

To clear it all up, Mr. Romney now says his campaign is “about the 100% of Americans.”

Are non-Americans now 0%-ers?

I’m so confused.

Get me a hanky.

Weekend Roundup September 27, 2012
• October 1, 2012

Kenneth Cole Pentagon City – Rock the Vote Event

September 27th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | Free

6-8pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012 Kenneth Cole Pentagon City will be hosting an in-store charity event in support of Rock the Vote. 20% of the total sales from the evening will be donated to AWEARNESS, the Kenneth Cole Foundation in support of Rock the Vote. Rock the Vote’s street team will be present registering customers to vote. Customers can enjoy bubbly and bites while they shop and will be offered a free gift with purchase.

Address

Kenneth Cole

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202

2012 Nyumbani Benefit and Auction

September 28th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | $165-$325 | kerrymckenney@me.com | Tel: (202) 257-2335

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Founding of the Nyumbani Children’s Home, Kenya. Theme: Nyumbani: From Vision to Reality — Twenty Years and Growing. Attire: Business.
Address

Ritz Carlton Hotel – 1150 22nd Street, NW

2012 Green Festival

September 29th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Event Website

We’re kicking off our fall festival season September 29-30, returning to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Along with classic program favorites – Green Business, Fair Trade, Community Action and more – Green Festival introduces brand new, hands-on stages, including: DIY, Good Food, Live Art Demonstration and Eco-Fashion Showcase.

Address

Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest

DC Walk for the Animals

September 29th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | $20/adults $15/12 years and younger $0/3 years old | events@washhumane.org | Tel: 202-683-1822 | Event Website

The DC Walk for the Animals will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 10am – 2pm at Marie Reed Elementary School in Washington, DC. It is a fundraising walk that will also feature booths, activities, music, contests and adoptable animals.

Address

2200 Champlain St. NW

Auction of Vintage Fashion, Couture and Jewelry

September 29th, 2012 at 11:00 AM | no admission | questions@sloansandkenyon.com | Tel: 301-634-2330 | Event Website

Over 600 lots of vintage and contemporary fashion, couture and accessories by
designers including Chanel, Hermès, Pucci, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne
Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent and many others; signed vintage costume jewelry and moderately priced gold and gemstone jewelry

Exhibition

Wednesday, September 26th: 12 – 5 pm

Thursday, September 27th: 10 am- 7 pm

Friday, September 28th: 10 am – 5 pm

Address

Sloans & Kenyon Auctioneers and Appraisers, 7034 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase MD 20815

Washington National Cathedral Presents Haydn’s Creation

September 29th, 2012 at 05:00 PM | $25.00 | webcomments@cathedral.org | Tel: (202) 537-2228 | Event Website

Marking the 105 years since the laying of its Foundation Stone, the Cathedral begins its new music season with Franz Joseph Haydn’s stunning Creation, featuring Gillian Keith, soprano; Rufus Müller, tenor; Christòpher Nomura, bass; the Cathedral Choir and classical-period orchestra under the direction of Canon Michael McCarthy.

Address

3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Pack the Pantries

September 29th, 2012 at 09:00 AM | Free | jeffgasser@gmail.com | Tel: 989-293-9836 | Event Website

Help us feed feed a family in need in Washington D.C.

Partnering churches and congregations from downtown Washington D.C. will collect food items to fill 1,000 boxes (13x12x9) to feed the hungry in the greater Washington D.C. area. On September 29, volunteers will pack the food into the boxes to deliver to the National Capital Area Food Bank. Let us know if you would like to come help or donate food.

Remember… September is Hunger Action Month! All are welcome!

Address

Latter-day Saint 16th Street Chapel, 4901 16th Street NW

Second Annual “Fore” the Kids Golf Tournament

October 1st, 2012 at 07:30 AM | Call for details | jim@pennslyvaniaavenuegroup.com | Tel: 703-973-3830

You are invited to join us at Hidden Creek Country Club for our second annual Golf Tournament. This great event to come out and meet fellow Golf enthusiasts all while supporting a good cause!

Address

Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Rd., Reston, VA 20190