Capitol & Union Station Tree Lightings (photos)
• December 13, 2012

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place on the West Front Lawn on Tuesday December 4. In 1964, House Speaker John W. McCormack suggested to J. George Stewart, Architect of the Capitol, that a Christmas tree be placed on the Capitol Grounds. The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided the trees since 1970. This year’s tree is a 73-foot Engelmann Spruce from the White River National Forest, near Meeker, Colorado. The tree was decorated with thousands of ornaments handcrafted by the people of Colorado. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11:00 PM each evening through December 26. The tree arrived and was erected on the Capitolg grounds on November 26 after completing a 5500 mile journey. The lead truck was piloted by former United States senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Ryan Shuster, a senior at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs, pushed the button to light the tree.

The Norwegian Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Union Station was also held on Tuesday, December 4th. True to tradition, the Royal Norwegian Embassy gave a Christmas tree to the people of Washington, D.C. as a symbol of friendship between the United States and Norway. It also expresses Norway’s gratitude for assistance received from the United States during and after World War II. The Children’s Chorus of Washington performed. Due to damage to the building from the August 2011 earthquake, Union Station is currently under construction and seasonal decorations are limited. The Norwegian Christmas tree could not be erected inside the station this year, so the lighting ceremony was held outside the West Hall, on the porch facing 1st Street by the west exit of the Union Station Metro station.

View our photos by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="137621,137538,137532,137526,137519,137512,137506,137499,137492,137486,137546,137554,137614,137607,137600,137594,137587,137580,137574,137567,137560,137478,137472,137464,137380,137372,137366,137628,137360,137633,137353,137638,137643,137388,137395,137458,137450,137444,137438,137430,137424,137416,137410,137402,101084" nav="thumbs"]

Beijing, Shanghai in 7 Days
• December 12, 2012

“Want to go to China?” asked a media colleague. On his airline points, no less, so that he would rack up miles for premier status. Barely able to say, “Ni Hao,” with passport in hand, I applied for a visa on the Chinese Visa Office on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park.

Regarding my business buddy — whom I’ve known since our days at Georgetown University and worked with at conventions — I foresaw not only a dizzying week of movement and sightseeing, but a busman’s holiday. “We’re going to the warehouse,” he quipped.

Aloft from Dulles Airport, the pilot informed us that the 14-hour, non-stop flight, fewer than 7,000 miles, would take us over Greenland, the Arctic Ocean and Russia to Beijing. Snow-capped mountains north of the capital, as the plane flew south from Siberia, was the first glimpse of China. “On your left, you may see parts of the Great Wall,” the pilot said in her wake-call.
After customs check-in, officers simply waved us past luggage detectors. Amid info boards and ads, we noticed a display of items, such as weapons and drugs, not permitted to bring into the country that included a can of Spam.

“Welcome to Beijing,” said the friendly couple, walking near the City Wall Marriott. The street was filled with food stores, some slightly familiar, others quite local. First dinner in Beijing? Why, Peking Duck, of course. It was curious that there are no fourth or 13th floors at this Marriott but smoking allowed in some rooms. Bells at the old city wall were heard at certain hourly intervals.
A first day in China demanded a walk through Tiananmen Square. During the off-season, we seemed a bit out-of-place: two big, white guys from the West. A few persons took photos with us. Another at the hotel asked if we were in town for the Communist Party Congress. Not so, but my fellow traveler recalled his visit to Beijing 30 years ago as full of bicycles not cars, and much more haze.

At the square is Mao Zedong’s tomb, the People’s Palace and the National Museum. After the obligatory photo in front of the Tiananmen Gate with Mao’s large picture was a foray into the Forbidden City, a stunning micro-cosmos of beauty in the center of Beijing. This you can barely absorb in one day but surely see the Hall of Supreme Harmony, its biggest structure, and the Palace of Heavenly Peace. Yes, there is a moat.

The biggest must-see is the Great Wall of China, a day trip, with sections of the wall just 40 miles north of Beijing. We bypassed the touristy wall at Badaling with its Starbucks and ascended to the Mutianyu section, riding in a cable car; Bill Clinton used number 26, a sign assured. The views and epiphany-of-place reward the trek, if you can get past the souvenir hawkers. Standing atop the wall is one huge check on anyone’s bucket list. Here is one of those worldly sites where the reality exceeds the dream.
After the jade and enamelware (cloisonne) outlets, we stopped at the Olympic Park for the 2008 games and finished the day at Dr. Tea, sampling and buying a bit of all the tea in China. Vladimir Putin took some tea here. Before meeting our train at the new Beijing South Station the next morning, we shopped on a wholesale street few visitors frequent.

The train ride from Beijing to Shanghai — about 820 miles in five hours — was a real eye-opener, revealing a huge amount of cranes erected in the cities en route. This nation of contrasts is in a rush to maintain its economic growth.

Coming into Shanghai, we felt a little lost at the station before catching a cab to the Hyatt on the Bund. Nearing the Embankment, we stared at the buildings and then skyscrapers of Pudong across the Huangpu River. The colors and brilliance were potently, artfully electric and excited the mind’s eye.

The view from my 27th floor hotel room offered the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower and cityscape, and the Vue bar and restaurant atop the Hyatt is a perch not to be missed with its hot tubs — and all of Shanghai before you.

A place in motion, Shanghai is truly a city of the world and the future. At the Shanghai Circus, with its acrobatic acts, the ringmaster spun a porcelain vase on his head. I was eager to walk along the Bund and see the Customs House and old Signal Tower, as seen on “The Amazing Race.”

Next to modern facades are shops and eateries for city folk along with major Art Deco architecture from the 1930s; lunch at the Hotel Metropol. Nanjing Road stores are also lighted at night and have all that is offered on Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive as much as Xin Tian Di looked like it could be in Scottsdale or Santa Monica. Near the Sightseeing Pedestrian Tunnel, the Super Brand Mall looked like home with its “Merry Christmas” signs.

“Buy, buy, Shanghai,” they say. This city is a shopper’s paradise. A fine scarf, perfect necklace or leatherware — perhaps a Hello Kitty pencil case or an Angry Birds slingshot — at No. 1 Department Store? “What are you looking for?” said an unwanted street shopping guide. “I can find it for you.” How about a Mao ashtray or watch at the Dongtai Road antique market? Ready to take another taxi?

There is so much to this cool, cosmopolitan city of 23 million: from the past, the French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, Jesuit Village or more. In the future-is-now category, the MagLev (magnetic levitation) train zips 19 miles to the airport at a maximum of 431 kilometers per hour (268 mph) at just over seven minutes. Had to try that.

Saying bye-bye to China, we flew to Los Angeles — 6,500 miles in less than 13 hours. After those shiny, big stations and airports, LAX seemed a little tired. “It’s not the MagLev,” intoned my fellow globetrotter. To combat jet lag, we spent a day in Los Angeles. Back in Washington, it had been a complete circumnavigation of the earth in one trip.

See more photos from Robert Devaney’s trip to China at www.Georgetowner.com. [gallery ids="101100,138038,138044,138050,138057,138063,138070,138076,138083,138031,138025,138019,138111,138105,137994,138100,138096,138000,138006,138013,138090" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Begins and Brightens Its Season’s Greetings
• December 11, 2012

The oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C., now sports the newest and largest ice skating rink in the region at Washington Harbour down by the Potomac River. Along with its festive store fronts and nicely lighted homes, the intersection at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street is also sporting an illuminated ornament and bows above the traffic.

The rink is the latest addition to Georgetown, which has traditionally decked itself stylishly for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice and New Year’s Eve. Whether business receptions, parties or persons meeting at a restaurant after shopping, Georgetown has been the place to meet for decades. This year, the venues have only apped up their seasonal cheer and flair.

The ice skating rink at Washington Harbour held its own inauguration of sorts Dec. 1 with strolling entertainers, ice skating performances, choral singers, a St. Lucia procession and lighting effects, along with special food and beverages served outdoors by Washington Harbour restaurants. At 11,800 square feet, the Washington Harbour ice rink is D.C.’s largest outdoor ice skating venue, larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center rink. It is managed by the complex’s owner, MRP Realty. The rink will be open through February for recreational skating every day, including all holidays. For more information, visit TheWashingtonHarbour.com/skating.

The House of Sweden added to Saturday’s with female singers performing a St. Lucia procession from the embassy to the steps and dockside in front of the ice rink. Among the weekend’s Yuletide cheer was a wreath-making workshop at Tudor Place. Santa Claus came to Volta Park on the morning of Dec. 2, and St. John’s Church held its American Boychoir: Family Christmas Concert.

And there are, of course, many parties and family get-togethers to come. [gallery ids="101080,137335,137308,137329,137324,137320,137314" nav="thumbs"]

Metro Extends Hours for Redskins-Giants Game
•

The Washington Redskins will meet the Super Bowl champions New York Giants at FedEx Field in a few hours. The Redskins, who have not won a Monday night since September 2007, first played the Giants in October 1932. Theirs is the oldest rivalry in the NFC East Division. The hometown fans are up for the game, however, and will get more time to get home with extended Metrorail times.

Here’s a media alert from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority:

Metrorail will stay open an additional hour on Monday, Dec. 3, to accommodate the crowds expected to attend the Washington Redskins Monday Night Football game at FedEx Field.

Fans leaving FedEx Field for Morgan Boulevard station will find the last Blue Line train headed toward Franconia-Springfield at 12:25 a.m., and the last Blue Line train to Largo Town Center at 1:33 a.m.

Customers will be able to make connections to other lines as follows:

= Orange Line – transfer at Stadium-Armory

= Green or Yellow line – transfer at L’Enfant Plaza

= Red Line – transfer at Metro Center

Entrances at all other Metro stations will close at their normal times, but customers will be able to exit at all stations during the additional hour of service.

The extended Metrorail service is funded by an agreement with the Washington Redskins.

Deck the Halls, Forget the Malls Window Competition
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Georgetown. It’s More Than Window Shopping. It’s Home.

THE GEORGETOWNER:

The Georgetown Media Group continues its annual tradition of picking the best holiday window display in town. Its expert panel — architects, artists, business persons, editors, photographers and
writers — will determine the winner and publish a cover image of the winner’s window in the December 12th Georgetowner. Have your window grab the frontpage this year.

So, who has the best seasonal window display for their store this Christmastime? Judges will soon hit the streets of Georgetown. Email info@Georgetowner.com if you think a certain shop’s window deserves a good look.

THE GEORGETOWN BID:
Windows are being reviewed “Project Runway” style – up to four materials of the store’s choice can be used to create a unique holiday window. Windows are required to be decorated Dec. 1 through 25. Photos of the windows will be posted on the Georgetown BID’s official Georgetown Facebook page from Dec. 3, and Facebook fans will be asked to select their favorite windows through Dec. 16. The window with the greatest amount of Facebook fan ‘Likes’ will win.

The Georgetowner’s Holiday Benefit & Bazaar 2012
•

Join us for a Golden Opportunity to give with an evening of shopping and holiday cheer as we honor and support a Gold Star in the Community:

The Georgetown Senior Center

Shop for unique gifts from select vendors.Warm your senses with seasonal cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Gather in the joy of giving this holiday season.

HISTORIC GEORGE TOWN CLUB
1530 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW

Tickets can now only be purchased at the door for $65

“HEART OF GOLD” HOST COMMITTEE

Lolly Amons | Joe Clarke | Michele Conley | Michele Evans | Jade Floyd | Jeanne Jennings

KristaJohnson | Cami Mazard | Victoria Michael |Nancy Miyahira | Bob Pincus | Lesley Steiner

“GOLDMINE” BAZAAR SHOPS

Ella Rue | Queen Bee Jewelry | Sentsy | Ibhana | Georgetown Tobacco | Traci Lynn Jewelry

Kamisol Accessories | J McLaughlin | Georgetown Paperie | Homayoun Yershalmi | Stella & Dot |Chloe and Isabel

Cocktail Attire or “Golden Best”

Cocktails provided by Beam Global Spirits

Georgetown Ministries Coat Drive Location

[gallery ids="101002,133435,133443,133451,133459,133466,133474,133481,133489,133498,133427,133418,133409,133534,133369,133527,133377,133520,133385,133513,133394,133402,133505" nav="thumbs"]

Making It All Click
• December 10, 2012

With dizzying energy, Jack’s Boathouse owner Paul Simkin teaches students to move with the latest technology as the director of Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts, located in Georgetown. In his own way, he instructs them to stay current and focused on the big picture.

Because of the many media outlets in the nation’s capital and the digital media explosion, the center was established to meet the needs of 21st-century creatives. The center offers professional studies certificates in 3D animation, audio production, digital filmmaking, graphic and web design, digital photography and web development. The approximately 300 students enrolled in the programs are registered as full-time students or take classes at night as part-time students. The other programs include locations in Atlanta, Ga. and Waltham, Mass., west of Boston University’s main campus.

In addition to his work as a photography professional and educator, Simkin also manages and owns Jack’s Boathouse next to Key Bridge. Simkin, who bought the boathouse in 2006, rents out approximately 70,000 boats per year, he says. An avid kayaker, the Chicago native says the idea to buy the boathouse came to him while taking a conference call in the middle of the Potomac River.

As with anything in Georgetown, there is a historical context. Boston University’s CDIA D.C. campus is located in the Foundry building on Thomas Jefferson Street, in the space formerly occupied by the Foundry Cinema, which closed in 2002. The original Foundry building dates back to 1856.

The center’s spaces consist of administrative offices, computer labs and photo studios. Simkin’s office is on the ground level next to the C&O Canal, but the first thing you might notice is the skeleton that he uses as a coat rack. Equipment is everywhere. He has not yet fully moved in. One characteristic about Simkin is that he seems like he’s ready for anything.

“I can go anywhere in the world and shoot anything with that,” says Simkin, as he points to a pile of photography equipment.

Even though students pick one major on which to focus, multidisciplinary study is the name of the game.

“If you can show that you can put a site together, that you can put the illustration for your intention, whatever it is, you’re worth a million dollars to [people],” said Simkin. “It puts you light-years above all the other people of a similar ilk. That’s what we’re dedicated to.”

For Simkin, it is important to balance the practical and creative aspects.

“That creates a problem,” says Simkin, “because we aren’t teaching people to fix air conditioners and transmis- sions. We’re teaching art. So, on the one hand, we’re train- ing people to make money, but on the other hand we have to nurture a vision in someone.”

Instruction — and Structure

While at the center on Friday, Paul was approached by one of his students, Nouf Mallouh. She was working what the center calls her “Practicum.” Practicum is a student’s final project that requires them to provide work for non- profit, socially responsible organizations, which otherwise would not be able to afford such highly skilled digital work.

Mallouh is from Saudi Arabia. She’s studied both graphic design and photography at the center. For her practicum, she is working with the Literacy Lab, a non-profit organization that teaches reading to low-income students in Washington, D.C. She has a series of about 50 photos from a recent shoot
and wanted Simkin’s opinion.

As Mallouh goes through the photos, Simkin gives both positive and constructive criticism.

“Nice shot,” he says. “That’s a beautiful shot. Thank you. You’re very good at capturing faces. Take a compli- ment when you get it. She’s mugging for the camera. Next, please.”

Simkin gives Mallouh a lot of tips about where to crop photos but compliments her ability to capture faces and hands. After about 20 minutes, we leave the computer lab. Moments like those are what make the job for Simkin, who became director of the center in September. “One condition I made when I accepted the job was that I get to do stuff like that,” Simkin says.

As the center’s director, Simkin might not be expected to be as available to his students as he is and that he would leave that sort of work to professors.

“When they kick my ass like that, it makes me a better photographer,” Simkin says. “She had a very good sense of feeling, of kids. I freeze up around kids. I can’t just get in and be tight and be part of a scene. She has a natural incli- nation for that. So, I get to see a point of view that I would otherwise miss.”

“I really couldn’t imagine a better mentor,” says Erin Schaff, assistant director at CDIA’s D.C. campus, and who views Simkin as a great resource for photography students.

Schaff, who is from Red Hook in upstate N.Y., graduated from Kenyon College in May 2011 with a
B.A. in political science and came to Washington to pursue a career on Capitol Hill. After working in the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and other jobs, Schaff began working part-time at Jack’s Boat- house in June and fell in love with the river.

“I had a full-time job, and I quit to work for him full-time,” says Schaff of Simkin. “It was kind of a big leap for me, because everything was kind of stable. Everything was going very well in the direction I thought I wanted to be going. So, it was a big leap, but it has totally been worth it.”

As someone who runs two large operations, it is no surprise Simkin needs someone to help keep him organized. Schaff provides that structure.

Never Getting Old

Boston University began opening its three CDIA campuses as film photography was being replaced by digital as the de facto medium for professional photographers.

“When we started five to six years ago, it was the end of film,” Simkin says. “It was the end of the dark room. These folks had the vision to make great photographs but at the same time to realize the end was there — and that it was not a defeat. It was a great opportunity to make great art.”

The school was founded on the principle that technology is constantly changing. This means that the center’s curriculum is continually changing. The center’s classes resume in January.

“Two years in digital stuff is huge,” Simkin says. “So, if we just stuck to the same one [process], we’d be in big trouble.”

This dedication to technology has been a constant for Simkin. When he was 24 years old, he was work- ing as a photo editor at the Associated Press. Then, he made a decision about photography.

“I’m editing photos, when I see these dark room guys. These are guys in white jackets who would print photos,” Simkin says. “I ask one of these guys, who were about as old as I am now, ‘How much back- ground is there to being a dark room guy?’ It turns out that the guys were photographers earlier, and they had shot on 4 by 5, the kind of stuff you’d shoot Marilyn Monroe with in the ’50s and the ’60s. Those pictures were great. The quality was great. So, when the 35 millimeter [film] came out, they didn’t want to shoot 35 millimeter, because it was so small and the pictures were grainy. They held on to their 4-by-5 view of things, and then the world passed them by. And they were printing my pictures.”

“I made the decision I was never going to get old as it related to the image.”

Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts will be partnering with the Georgetowner for its
fourth annual photography contest. Email submissions to photography@georgetowner.com by Jan. 8. Winners will be honored at a Jan. 17 reception. For more information, visit www.Georgetowner.com.
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Weekend Round Up December 6, 2012
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Holiday Wreath Workshop

December 7th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | $38.00 | Event Website

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 are provided.

Address

Tudor Place, 1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC

St. John’s Episcopal Church: 58th Annual Greens Sale & Christmas Baazar

December 8th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Free Admission | Tel: 202.338.1796

Join St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown for the 58th Annual Greens Sale and Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 8th from 10 to 3 p.m. Get everything you need to prepare your home for Christmas this year. Sale items include homemade wreaths, sprays, Christmas decorations, delicious baked goods, homemade eggnog, vintage collectibles and a hearty lunch. Shop while your kids make crafts at the Kid’s Corner and sing along to your favorite Christmas carols with St. John’s live pianist.

Address

3240 O Street, NW Washington DC

Dumbarton Oaks Park Weeding Day

December 8th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | aaldrich@dopark.org.

Make a Visible Difference in the Park! Help remove vines strangling the mature trees in the Park and the invasive shrubs in the meadow borders. Dumbarton Oaks Park supplies gloves, tools and training to participants 16 and up. Clean up begins at 10 AM to RSVP and find more information, please email aaldrich@dopark.org.
Address

Dumbarton Oaks Park, 3060 R St NW, Washington, DC

Santa Stumble at Rhino

December 8th, 2012 at 05:00 PM | Donation | janine@jswgroupusa.com | Tel: (202)333-3150 | Event Website

Join hundreds of Santas, elves, and Ms. Clauses for this fun & festive party benefitting The Naval Marine Corps Relief Society.

Address

Rhino Bar & Pumphouse, 3295 M Street, NW

Craft Fair, Hanukkah Celebration and Stuart Eizenstat

December 9th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | judaica@templemicah.org | Tel: (202)342-9175 | Event Website

Lots going on at Temple Micah at 2829 Wisconsin Ave., NW, on Sunday, Dec. 9. Stuart Eizenstat, diplomat and former White House aide, talks about nothing less than “The Future of the Jews (in the U.S., Israel and worldwide), 10 a.m.to 11:30 am. Meanwhile, the Fourth Annual Hanukkah Craft and Gift Fair runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Address

Children’s Chanukah Party, At Kesher Israel, 2801 N Street, NW.

Adult Gingerbread Class

December 11th, 2012 at 06:30 PM | $85 | diana.bulger@fairmont.com | Tel: 202-457-5019

Adults will enjoy making and decorating their own gingerbread train under the direction of the Fairmont’s pastry Chef. The will enjoy holiday libations and hors d’oeuvres. We will deliver to their DC office the next day.

Address

The Fairmont, 2401 M Street, NW

Bowen McCauley Dance Holiday Concert

December 11th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | FREE | dance@bmdc.org | Tel: 800-444-1324 | [Event Website](

Come see the BMD dancers perform on the Millennium Stage. Rounding out the program are guest performances by Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, BMD’s Dance for PD participants, and a holiday musical finale culminating in an audience sing-and-dance-along. Concert: FREE

Join us at Rivers at the Watergate restaurant for a celebration immediately following the performance.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bmdc.org/upcoming
Address

2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566

Georgetown: Shop Local, Buy Local.
•

Shop close to home, and enjoy the historic neighborhood. There are more than 450 places where you can shop or eat, according to the Georgetown Business Improvement District, which has brightened up at the center of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street with an illuminated ornament with ribbons floating above the traffic. The silver Christmas trees shine at the eastern and western edges of our town. The street lamps are decks with evergreens and lights. It is a great place to shop, and stop for lunch or dinner after shopping. Some business owners have already notices an increase in gift buying this year, compared to 2011.

“Deck the Halls. Forget the Malls” is this season’s slogan by the Georgetown BID, which offers free rides for shoppers on Saturdays. “Getting around Georgetown is easy and fun this holiday season. Hop into a pedicab and cruise to your favorite Georgetown shops. Complimentary pedicab rides will be available every Saturday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 15, noon to 5 p.m.”

Take time to take it all in. We live in a special place. Walk through your town and your city, and see the world refreshed by the joys and wishes of this season. And shop in Georgetown, D.C.

Georgetowner Holiday Benefit & Bazaar
• December 7, 2012

Tickets are $50. To purchase, go to our homepage and click on the benefit invitation on the righthand side of the page.

Hope to see you there!

The vendors include:

Union of Angels by Cindy Bapst
The Dandelion Patch
Ultra Violet Flowers
J. MchLaughlin
Haute Papier
Everard’s Fine Clothing
Ann Hand
Uesa Goods Vintage Clothing
and more…