Metrorail Begins Rush Plus, Make Changes to SmarTrip Cards
• August 10, 2012

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority began its enhanced rush hour service, “Rush Plus,” June 18. The new arrangement — with six additional trains per hour (three in each direction) on the Orange Line during rush hours – sets out to ease “Orange Crush,” when peak trains on the Orange Line between Courthouse and Rosslyn carry more passengers per car than anywhere else on the system, Metro says. “For 33,500 Blue and Yellow Line customers in Virginia, Rush Plus will result in an increase in the share of Yellow Line trains, meaning more direct and faster access to downtown via the Yellow Line bridge.”

Metro explains: “Rush Plus is an expansion of rush hour service that will result in additional trains between Mt. Vernon Square and Greenbelt, and between Vienna and Court House, as well as new transfer-free travel opportunities between stations on several lines. Rush Plus is designed to ease crowding, improve the commuting experience for Metrorail riders on the Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines, and prepare for the future Silver Line.”

As part of Rush Plus, “21 Metrorail stations will see an increase in train service,” Metro says. “During each rush-hour period, 18 new Orange Line trains — three per hour in each direction — will operate between Vienna and Largo Town Center. Every third existing Blue Line train (three trains per hour in each direction) will now operate between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt via the Yellow Line bridge. These trains will be identified as Yellow Line trains. As a result, customers at Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street and stations from L’Enfant Plaza to Greenbelt will have new transfer-free trip options between certain stations.”

Metro is also making some changes to its SmarTrip cards. These changes include vending locations for SmarTrip Cards in all stations, the option to automatically reload the card and a raise in price for those riders who use the paper fare card. Some changes will be in place by July 1. Another round of changes will be implemented by September and even more changes are planned for 2013 and 2014.

Currently, bus riders using the SmarTrip card save 20 cents per ride and 50 cents of rail transfers. Beginning July 1, Metrorail will start charging $1 more per trip for those who use paper fare cards.

Georgetown ANC Formally Approves Revised Campus Plan
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At 7:38 p.m. on June 14, during a special meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E voted unanimously to approve Georgetown University’s 2010-2020 campus plan, as revised by neighborhood groups and university leaders in the last few months. Thus ended at least two years of sharp debate between the two, ushering in a new era in town-gown relations. It was one of the shortest ANC meeting ever.

The most significant outcome, amid a pulling back of students from living in the neighborhood into dormitories on the main campus, is the Georgetown Community Partnership. It will be a standing group of residents and university officials along with student representation to discuss progress and problems as they happen.

“We are all Georgetown here,” commissioner Jeff Jones said. “We have to trust each other.”

Those sitting at the long table on either side of the commissioners included Jennifer Altemus of the Citizens Association of Georgetown and Chris Clements of the Burleith Citizens Association and the university’s vice president for public affairs Erik Smulson and vice president for student affairs Todd Olson.

Again, participants from the neighborhood and the university said they had been skeptical at first but realized it was a good agreement for all with real compromises made. There were a few questions on details, but nothing to hold up the agreement. When one resident, who lives on Reservoir Road, said that his house had been egged by students, the university’s Olson said he would look into that.

Students have expressed displeasure at the phrase — living off-campus is a privilege, not a right. Commissioner Jake Sticka, a Georgetown student, said: “This doesn’t fundamentally alter what it means to be a Georgetown undergraduate. . . At the end of the day, it’s a positive step.”

ANC 2E will send its report to the D.C. Zoning Commission; ANC 3D will meet soon on the campus plan. The Zoning Commission will issue its decision next month.

For details on the plan, visit: Georgetowner.com and read our News Buzz

Summer Solstice Marks the Start of Summer
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Summer has officially begun. With the mark of the summer solstice yesterday, the longest day of the year, residents of Washington, D.C., can expect blazing hot temperatures for today, June 21. Expect the morning and afternoon commute to be anything but comfortable, with temperatures in the high 90 degrees and an expected heat index around 105. You’ll want to pack a hat, sunglasses and extra water for any time spent outside.

The summer solstice, which occurs when the sun is at the highest point north of the equator, takes place every June 21 most years and is the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. With 2012 being a leap year, this year’s summer solstice arrived one day earlier than usual. For the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is currently in effect. With the start of the summer solstice at 7:09 p.m. yesterday evening, days will start to get shorter and shorter until the start of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice in December.

A heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service throughout the D.C. area and is expected to remain issued until 10 p.m. this evening. Fortunately, due to these uncomfortable conditions, Metro has allowed water bottles aboard all buses and trains for yesterday and today only. “The exception to Metro’s ‘no drinking’ policy applies to water only — on buses, in stations and aboard trains — and will remain in effect through system closing on Thursday night,” Metro says. This new accommodating exception by Metro will definitely contribute to making life a bit easier for those who have to commute today.

With the heat wave making its way to the East Coast today, it’s necessary to prepare yourself in order to prevent dehydration and exhaustion. Make sure to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and put on the sunscreen.

Beltway of Giving
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Advocacy months exist for hundreds of causes — from yoga to bicycling to ovarian cancer. These months create a time when the world can come together to foster awareness about each cause and utilize those treasured Twitter hashtags that public relations professionals like to dream up. March is home to Arts Education Month and National Nutrition Month, and the Georgetowner is highlighting two D.C.-based organizations working to increase arts access in the city and end childhood hunger.

In an acclaimed food-centric city with the likes of Jose Andres, Michel Richard and Kyle Baley, Washingtonian’s have access to some of the most noted restaurants in the United States. Yet on a daily basis one in ten households across the U.S. are food-insecure, accounting for more than 16 million children. Within the District, that number escalates with nearly one in four kids at risk of hunger. D.C.-based non-profit, Share Our Strength, has worked to provide long-term food solutions for families and children across the U.S. for nearly 30 years. To date, the organization has raised more than $350 million in funds which have trickled into the organization through signature events – from the Great American Bake Sale and Taste of the Nation, both taking place this April.

Debbie Shore, co-founder of Share Our Strength, sat down with the Georgetowner to chat about the upcoming Taste of the Nation festivities and talk about philanthropy. One might be surprised, but Shore doesn’t fancy herself a philanthropist but more like a “connector” in the Gladwellian sense of the word. She maintains joining influentials to your cause entices others to rally and builds brand awareness. The community of chefs within the District are united, and she credits stand-out chefs like R.J. Cooper of Rogue 24, Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve and Jeff Tunks of Passion Food Hospitality as a few of the chefs with the passion to end childhood hunger. So far, more than 700 chefs nationwide have joined Share Our Strength in its efforts.

“Our core belief holds true: chefs care about feeding people,” Shore said. “However, we are not going to end childhood hunger alone. We need the community support, private sector investments, government and boots on the ground.”
 
Uniting a community is exactly the approach the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative has taken for nearly 13 years. As an arts advocacy organization with a budget of less than one million dollars per year, each dollar counts and partnerships are crucial to providing free arts experiences for the District’s public school students. This April, the collaborative will host its 2nd Annual Arts Benefit to garner much needed funds for programs and bus transportation. While part of Share Our Strength’s strategy is recruiting chefs, the D.C. Collaborative has recruited nearly 80 arts-related performance venues, including the internationally recognized Kennedy Center and Shakespeare Theatre to its roster.

“More and more influential voices and performance venues are calling on arts education to take center stage in school improvement efforts within the city,” said Louise Kennelly, executive director of the D.C. Collaborative. “While our budget is small, we serve more than 30,000 DC public school students and teachers. We’ve learned to pool our resources with our member institutions who sell us tickets at a reduced rate and often waive ticket prices to ensure public school students from D.C. are able to come through the door and see a performance”.

Both organizations – one with a multi-million dollar budget and nationally recognized events and another with a fraction of the funds and fundraising dollars generated through small events – have managed to unite communities in an effort to serve children and promote their causes.

Interested in joining in and learning more about which cause you can support in the coming months? Visit www.Fundraisers.com/causes to learn more.

If you have a notable charity or event that you believe should be featured in the Beltway of Giving, we want to hear from you: DCthisweek@gmail.com.

Jade Floyd is a managing associate at a D.C.-based international public relations firm and has served on the board of directors for the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative for nearly five years. She is a frequent volunteer and host of fundraising events across the District, supporting arts, animal welfare and education programs.

Giving Radar: Upcoming Awareness Months You Can Support

March
National Kidney Month
National Nutrition Month
Arts Education Month

April
National Autism Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month

May
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month

Parade and Fireworks Mark Independence Day in Nation’s Capital (photos)
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The Nation’s Capital marked Independence Day with a “patriotic, flag-waving, red-white-and-blue celebration of America’s birthday with a lineup of marching bands, military units and patriotic floats”.
The day was capped with the traditional fireworks display above the Washington Monument. View our photos of these events by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100890,127814,127822,127830,127838,127846,127854,127862,127871,127879,127886,127895,127903,127911,127920,127928,127936,127945,127806,127800,127793,127982,127672,127975,127680,127967,127689,127961,127700,127708,127717,127729,127739,127747,127754,127764,127773,127784,127953" nav="thumbs"]

Next ‘America’s Most Wanted’ on Mirzayan Killing, Potomac River Rapist Case
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The next episode of “America’s Most Wanted,” with host John Walsh, focuses on Georgetown. The show, which will premiere June 29, at 9 p.m. on Lifetime, focuses on the search for a man accused of murdering Christine Mirzayan and is wanted in connection with nine sexual assaults. Police have dubbed him the “Potomac River Rapist.”

The Christine Mirzayan case has appeared on “America’s Most Wanted” before, but a newly discovered link between this murder and nine other rapes have led to this cold case to be re-assessed. “We are revisiting the Christine Mirzayan case to give it, and the other nine rapes, the national attention they deserve. It is important to Mr. Walsh,” said Roger Chiang of “America’s Most Wanted.”

Recently re-examined DNA links two crimes: the murder of Christine Mirzayan and the sexual assault of another victim. Intern and graduate student Christine Mirzayan was murdered in the summer of 1998. She was walking home from a dinner gathering when she was dragged into the woods, sexually assaulted and murdered. The crime took place at Canal Road near the entrance to Georgetown University. The other sexual assault case happened in 1996, less than two miles from the Mirzayan murder. The victim was walking along a row of homes and woods in the Palisades neighborhood in the 4900 block of MacArthur Blvd., when she was dragged into the woods and sexually assaulted. This case has also been linked to several other sexual assault cases that happened between 1991 and 1996.

Chiang wanted to spotlight Amanda Haines, Detective Tony Brigidini and Detective Todd Williams, the cold case team that helped to discover the DNA link between the cases. “If it wasn’t for their hard work … we would have basically nothing,” Chiang said. “I want to give kudos to this great cold case unit.”

Because of what Haines, Brigidini and Williams have done, he said, a DNA link has been discovered and there is a new composite sketch of the man who committed these crimes. Chiang hopes these latest developments can take the case to the next level — including finding a match and prosecution. Police believe the perpetrator has ties to the D.C. area. With the new evidence, the renewed profile and national attention these cases are getting, there is hope that the “Potomac River Rapist” can be brought to justice.

Tune into “America’s Most Wanted” Friday, June 29, 9 p.m. on Lifetime.

The Washington Kastles Charity Tennis Classic
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The Washington Kastles Charity Tennis Classic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf in southwest Washington. The Charity Tennis Classic is a team tennis match featuring players from the local political community, the media, the diplomatic community, sports personalities and Washington Kastles players. While it is common to see political sporting events in Washington with Republicans pitted against Democrats, the Charity Tennis Classic mixes. Republicans, Democrats, administration, Congress, media, diplomats and pro players will all have to work together.

There will be two teams of 12 players — the Stars and the Stripes — vying for the Kastles Trophy. The match will be decided by a series of seven doubles match tiebreakers up to 10 points. The team that wins the most matches will capture the championship and the trophy.

The names of the charity competitors have not been released.

“There will be some noteworthy people,” said Mark Ein, founder and owner of the Kastles. The Kastles held a smaller version of this event two years ago, but this is the first time they are doing it as a stand-alone event, Ein said. There is not a specific fundraising goal, but Ein already believes the event will be successful. They have already raised about $20,000 before even selling tickets to the event itself.

All ticket proceeds will go to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Share our Strength and the D.C. Public Education Fund. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors aids anyone grieving the death of someone who died while serving in the military. Share Our Strength is an organization focused on ending childhood hunger in America. The D.C. Public Education Fund brings together school system leadership and the philanthropic community to improve student achievement.

The Kastles are a professional tennis team that is part of World TeamTennis, co-founded by Billie Jean King. Many of the players are coming off wins at Wimbledon and four of the six players are representing their country in the Olympics in London. Once the Kastles season ends, Venus and Serena Williams will represent the USA, Anastasia Rodionova will represent Australia and Leander Paes will represent India. The Kastles kick off their fifth season, June 9, on the road. Their first home match is June 12.

“The world’s best players get together for a few weeks and play other franchises,” Ein said. The season is three weeks long, with seven home and seven away games. The team has played a three-week season every summer since 2008. There are 14 in the regular season games, a conference final and the championship. In 2011, the Kastles won all 16 of their matches and the championships, becoming the first team in World TeamTennis history to have a perfect season. The Kastles formerly played at CityCenter DC and moved to their current home at Kastles Stadium at the Wharf in southwest DC. It is an intimate stadium with less than 3,000 seats, Ein said.

Washington Monument May Remain Closed Through 2014
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The damage to the Washington Monument caused by the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the D.C. area in August 2011 is still not fully repaired. The monument has been closed to the public since the earthquake. Initially, it was thought that the repairs would be completed by 2013. Damage is more severe than originally thought, said the National Park Service which oversees the monument which honors founding father and the first U.S. president, George Washington. The repairs may take until 2014 to be complete. “The Washington Monument will remain closed to the public during repairs,” the NPS added.

During the earthquake the monument was cracked and pieces of the structure were loosened, especially near the top. The loose chunks of marble and granite were removed after the earthquake to prevent the material from falling. The removed pieces were saved and engineers will the pieces back into the monument. Some loose chunks of the material was taken out after the earthquake to prevent it from falling. The removed pieces were saved and engineers will put the pieces back into the monument. No stones need to be replaced, but about 50 patches will be added, according to the NPS.

This project is estimated to cost $15 million. The scaffolding will help brace stone slabs that are currently resting on cracked supports near the top of the monument. It will also allow for the temporary removal of part of the plaza surrounding the plaza. Scaffolding will be located in both the interior and exterior of the monument to make the repairs easier. The plaza pieces that are removed will be saved and put back into place after the repairs are complete. Other renovations will also be in place. Metal brackets will be added to help better fasten some slabs near the top of the monument to make them more secure in case of another earthquake. Repairs are scheduled to begin this fall.

Most Washingtonians will agree that the Washington Monument is a must-see while in D.C. Although the monument’s closure has been a disappointment to many tourists, visits along the National Mall have not declined.

Construction of the 555-foot obelisk was completed in 1884. At that time, the monument claimed the title of world’s tallest structure until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was erected.

Novel Non-Stops Take Flight: Whether Flying to Iceland, Mexico or Dubai, There Are More Choices
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Washington jet-setters now have a full slate of exciting new options for non-stop travel out of the D.C. area. Several international carriers have chosen 2012 as their year to get acquainted with Washingtonians, while some of the old standbys are adding new destinations–international and domestic–to their schedules.

If you fly out of Dulles Airport, there might be a fjord in your future. That’s because Icelandair is back in the Washington region after a four-year absence. This time, instead of flying out of Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), it’s flying out of Dulles. During the summer, Icelandair has six flights a week to Reykjavik. This is an airline known for offering long-weekend deals, as the flight is less than six hours. Keep an eye on its website, particularly during non-peak travel months.

There is good news for United MileagePlus members, who can rack up plenty of points on the airline’s three international routes introduced this spring. United Airlines now flies a daily non-stop to Dublin, Ireland, to Manchester, England, and to Doha, Qatar.

If you have a hankering for seven-star hotels and a yen to see the tallest building in the world, enjoy a far-flung exotic adventure via Emirates. The highly rated Middle Eastern carrier inaugurates its daily non-stop service from Dulles to Dubai on Sept. 12. Flying Emirates, you don’t have to wait until you touch down to enjoy the good life. Business and first-class passengers have access to free onboard lounges, while those in the front of the plane can also enjoy refreshment, thanks to state-of-the-art shower spas. And this just in: if you book business class before July 5, you can save $1,000.

If you feel like a shorter hop, Porter Airlines may be just the ticket. This top-rated Canadian carrier started flying between Dulles and Toronto City Airport in April. There are now four flights each way each day. Passengers receive such perks as access to premium passenger lounges, along with free wine, beer and snacks on board.

South of the border, AeroMexico launched a daily non-stop from Dulles to Mexico City in May. If you want to get a bit of that Latin flavor without leaving U.S. territory, opt for JetBlue’s new non-stop service from Reagan National (DCA) to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning Aug. 23. DCA to San Juan? What gives, you say? Besides upgrading the air traffic control system, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 grants slots for eight new non-stops between DCA and destinations beyond the airport’s normal 1,250-mile perimeter. In particular, that’s a sweetheart deal for Washingtonians looking to travel to California. There are several new non-stops to the West Coast, including a daily American flight to Los Angeles and a daily United flight to San Francisco. US Airways starts flying non-stop to San Diego in July, and Virgin America wings its way to San Francisco International (SFO) on Aug. 14.

Meantime, if you want to wander up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Condor Airlines is scheduled to begin twice-weekly, non-stop service between BWI and Frankfurt, Germany, in July. Condor tends to offer seats at lower fares than Lufthansa. For BWI, this is a needed addition to international offerings, as the airport’s only other European non-stop is British Airways to London. ?

Laura Powell, the Georgetowner’s new travel columnist, has been on the beat for 20 years. After covering travel for CNN, she has gone on to report for a wide variety of print, online and on-air outlets. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, National Geographic Traveler and USA Today. She often appears on WUSA and on NewsChannel 8 as a guest travel expert. More of Laura’s travel punditry can be found at www.dailysuitcase.com.

New Downtown Campus for Georgetown University
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In step with its agreement with the neighborhood to lessen main campus expansion, Georgetown University announced July 19 that its School of Continuing Studies “will relocate to the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Georgetown signed a lease agreement with Brookfield Office Properties for a new space to house SCS at 650 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., at the intersection of 7th Street near the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood. Located just eight blocks from the university’s Law Center campus, the move expands the university’s ‘Georgetown Downtown’ presence. It reflects Georgetown’s commitment to aligning itself with the growth and development goals of the city.”

The announcement came just days after the D.C. Zoning Commission approved the university’s campus plan, thus ending years of tense, sometimes hostile, debate over town-gown issues.

The university says, “1,100 students will take classes and study at the new campus. . . . There will be four levels of leased space that cover 91,000 square feet, allowing for future program growth. The school welcomes conversations with local community leaders about new ways to engage and collaborate at the new campus.”

Across from Mount Vernon Square, the continuing education school is one block from the Washington Convention Center at 7th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, and near Chinatown’s restaurants and shops and three blocks from the Verizon Center, home to the Georgetown men’s basketball team. Currently, the school holds its classes at the university’s main campus at 37th and O Streets, NW, as well as in Arlington, Va.

“This expansion of Georgetown Downtown is a defining moment for the university,” said John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University. “Just as the construction of our Law Center did 30 years ago, this new home provides us with an opportunity to extend the impact of the university into new parts of the city and to broaden the reach of our work.”

According to the university, the school “offers graduate degrees in human resources management, journalism, liberal studies, public relations and corporate communications, real estate, sports industry management and technology management, as well as over 25 professional certificates, summer school and special programs. It also includes the university’s only part-time bachelor’s program. The school intends to launch several new master’s programs in the coming years. In fall 2013, for example, it will launch two of those programs – urban and regional planning as well as emergency and disaster management.” [gallery ids="100910,128497" nav="thumbs"]