News & Politics

Robert Devaney • August 10, 2012

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.

Robert Devaney •

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"]

Robert Devaney •

On June 21, neighbors at 29th and Dumbarton Streets closed the street and met for a sit-down alfresco dinner to celebrate the continuation of Scheele’s Market, their longtime grocery store. They said farewell to former Scheele’s shopkeepers, Shin and Kye Lee, and welcomed the new business owner, Doug Juk Kim, and thanked the owner of the building, Jordan O’Neill.

Malcolm “Mike” Peabody and his group rescued Scheele’s Market at 29th and Dumbarton by making an agreement with O’Neill to pay $70,000 for improvements and other covenant details. The neighborhood group, Friends of Scheele’s, has worked to keep the store, which has served the town for 118 years. With funds raised by the party, the goal has just about been met. And with music by Wayne Wilentz at the keyboard and Sidney Lawrence on vocals, diners enjoyed food from Stachowski Market and Deli, Georgetown Haagen-Dazs and, of course, Scheele’s. To make a donation, e-mail Mike Peabody at mpeabody@ptmanagement.com.

Georgetowner •

“We wanted to offer a healthy alternative,” said Steve Toglia, manager at Avocado Café, on Wisconsin Avenue. An avocado lover’s dream, the Avocado Café offers Georgetown residents and visitors a variety of food options with — naturally — avocado as the main ingredient.

Included on the menu is a wide selection of wraps, salads, and sandwiches. All sandwiches are double-deckers and are large-portion meals, guaranteed fresh. “We go to the market twice a week for fresh produce,” Toglia said. “We make falafel and hummus from scratch.”

In addition to these items, the Avocado Café offers a selection of smoothies — including an avocado smoothie — a not-so-common treat around here. Why avocado? “I love avocados myself,” Toglia said. “It seemed like a unique ingredient.”

With so many options to choose from, Toglia recommends the spicy buffalo chicken, triple- decker club sandwich along with the homemade iced tea. However, the most popular item on the menu is the Booyah Wrap. It consists of grilled chicken, grilled veggies, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce and — of course — avocado. For those who are not avocado fans, no worries: everything is available without an avocado ingredient upon request.

The Avocado Café, which opened its doors two years ago, is unique in two ways: It’s one of a kind, and it’s a true rags-to-riches story. Owner Sam Elissawy is originally from Egypt. He immigrated to Boston, where he mopped floors and washed dishes at a local restaurant. “He saved his money to move to D.C. and started his own business,” Toglia said.

With its late hours, and discounted prices for Georgetown University students, it’s no wonder that the Avocado Café is such a local favorite. “We mostly have regulars and online orders. We’re open until 4 a.m., and we deliver,” Toglia said, “We have the freshest ingredients and largest portions for the best price.”

Feeling hungry? Visit the Avocado Café, next to Wisey’s, at 1438 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Want delivery? Call 202-337-5115, or visit avocadocafedc.com to order. [gallery ids="102462,120873,120878" nav="thumbs"]

Alexis Williams •

Impending Fourth of July celebrations did not stop members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from detonating fireworks and explosives June 26 on the National Mall. As part of its annual fireworks safety demonstration, the commission reenacted seven dangerous scenarios based on information staffers collected in 2011 of injuries sustained by fireworks. The demonstration also featured guest speakers from introduced the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

From bottle rocket blunders and sparkler slip-ups to homemade firework flops, the CPSC displayed the consequences even the slightest misuse could cause. As onlookers watched and heard the snaps, crackles, and pops of products such as m-1000s, quick match professional fuses, and aerial shells, test mannequins lost limbs and watermelons were obliterated. The finale of the demonstration featured a replication of a homemade firework that killed a 51-year-old man last year. Once detonated, the tiny living room display was instantly blown to pieces within seconds.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said that 9,600 persons were treated in U.S. hospitals last year for fireworks-related injuries and four deaths occurred. Some of these injuries included severe burns and loss of fingers. As for the deaths, which were caused by illegal devices, the victims suffered from head and face trauma when the device exploded. In one instance, a victim was decapitated. Moreover, according to the CPSC, 65 percent of all fireworks injuries in 2011 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding Independence Day. In regards to illegal fireworks, Tenenbaum urged the public to heed the CPSC’s warnings. “Don’t make them, don’t purchase them, and don’t go near them,” she said.

She went on to introduce the PHMSA Administrator, Cynthia Quarterman, who provided guidelines on fireworks transportation safety. Quarterman said PHMSA is responsible for approving the safety of fireworks used for both the annual Independence Day and the Cherry Blossom celebrations held on the National Mall. Quarterman added that although PHMSA, CPSC, and ATF are separate entities, they are bound by one, common goal. “We want to assure that everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July,” she said. An overlooked aspect of fireworks safety, she mentioned, was the transportation of fireworks. As a result, Quarterman provided five tips to prevent firework transportation fatalities. First, never attempt to light fireworks in a car. Second, never smoke while lighting fireworks. Third, when transporting fireworks, place them in the trunk. Fourth, always transport fireworks in a spark-proof container such as a cardboard box. Finally, when driving a vehicle that does not have a trunk, keep fireworks out of the sunlight.

Following Quarterman, the Assistant Director of Enforcement Programs and Services for ATF, Arthur Herbert, explained how to spot the differences between legal and illegal fireworks and explosives. While legal fireworks are typically brightly colored, illegal fireworks, some commonly known as m-80s, m-1000s or cherry bombs, are either wrapped in plain, brown or silver tubes and are unlabeled. “Know the difference before you buy,” Herbert said. “Both are extremely dangerous even if they aren’t misused.” His personal safety tips were two-fold: leave firework detonations to the professionals and, more importantly, abide by the law. Federal permits are required to detonate and distribute fireworks. With Independence Day quickly approaching, be sure to check out the CPSC’s fireworks statistics to help keep you and your family safe this holiday. [gallery ids="100868,127176,127169" nav="thumbs"]

Riena Santa •

The beloved C&O Canal boat, the Georgetown, is leaving us. The 19th-century style, mule-pulled, 90-foot cargo boat sits on blocks on the canal between 33rd and Thomas Jefferson Streets. Captivating visitors for a ride along the C&O Canal for decades, the boat has deteriorated and is deemed unsafe for passengers.

For years, the National Park Service had set up tours for visitors. Park rangers and volunteers would wear period clothing and describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. The Georgetown boat will be removed and destroyed, and some of its neighbors are not happy with the decision. Despite a signed petition delivered to the NPS, there have been no public protests — and a date for any farewell parties have not been reported yet.

John Noel, chief of division of partnerships, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, had been fighting to keep the boat around. “The National Park Service and I have looked at all our options, whether it was better to repair the boat or to somehow save it,” Noel said. “Due to the budget crisis, unfortunately we cannot repair it.”

Noel also said that because of how bad the boat is deteriorating, there would be no way to transport it anywhere without it being destroyed. “We would have liked to have transported to a museum in Williamsport, Md., for installation as an exhibit, but it wouldn’t make the trip,” he said. “We don’t exactly have a date set when it’ll be taken out, but we are expecting within the next month or so.”

Fortunately, NPS plans to launch a boat program where a smaller recreational battery-powered boat will make the Georgetown tours accessible to visitors. Still, Noel said, it is “not the same effect as with the current Georgetown cargo boat, but still very effective.”

According to Noel and the NPS website, fees will stay the same unless further notice. The current summer boat tour hours are Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Note: on 4th of July only 1-1/2 hour rides at 11am and 2pm will be offered. Prices range from $8 for adults (ages 15-61), $6 for seniors (ages 62 and over), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-14). Children, aged three and under, ride free.

For further information, please call 301-767-3714, or visit the NPS website [gallery ids="100864,127124" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

DMV to Return to
Georgetown Park

The Georgetown office of D.C.’s Department of Motor Vehicles, formerly located in
the lower level of the Shops at Georgetown
Park, that closed May 19 will return to the M
Street shopping mall, Ward 2 Councilmember
Jack Evans announced at the May 30 annual
awards and election meeting of the Citizens
Association of Georgetown.

At the time of the DMV’s closure, it was
not certain that an office would return to
Georgetown. Evans said that there would be
a new DMV office in the mall in less than
a year, when renovations are completed, in
agreement with the Georgetown Park landlord.
Mayor Vincent Gray, who also addressed the
Citizens meeting, called the future return of
the DMV to the neighborhood as showing how
the District government provides “customer
service” to its citizens.

On June 4, the DMV will open a temporary
service center at 301 C Street, N.W.,
where its Office of Adjudication Services is
also located; hours of operations are Monday
through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. For other
locations and questions, visit DMV.DC.gov

Historic Pie Company Is
Reborn in D.C.

“It is an honor and with great pride that
we announce that the Connecticut-Copperthite
Pie Baking Company will make its historical
return to Washington, D.C., at the Taste
of Georgetown,” stated Mike Copperthite,
descendant of a family business started in the
1880s, the Connecticut-Copperthite Pie Co.,
which cornered the market on pies. The company
baked pies on 32nd Street, recounted the
enthusiastic Copperthite, who plans to set up
shop in town again. “In anticipation of a fall
opening of retail store to be called Shut Your
Pie Hole — ZipYourPieHole.com.”

Tasters agreed that the Copperthite pies
were filled with flavor — and that the company
was full of history. More to come. Welcome
back.

Charles Luck Stone Center
Opens on 34th Street at C&O
Canal

Richmond-based specialty stone center,
Charles Luck has opening its first D.C. location
at Cady’s Alley. Built in the late 1800s as
a stable, the two-story building – overlooking
the C&O Canal – has just more than 700
square feet of showroom space downstairs. (It
once belonged to brewmaster Gary Heurich.)

“We have a prime location,” said Anderson
McNeill, president of Charles Luck Stone
Centers, who is enthusiastic about the neighborhood.
An opening party at the store on
June 13 said hello to Georgetown. “The stone
center is a source of inspiration and features
distinctive products for style-minded homeowners,
a destination for those whose passion
for beautiful stone.”

Selling stone architectural elements, such
as countertops, interior and exterior walls,
pathways, furniture and accessories, Charles
Luck takes its place in Georgetown’s design
area. “We’re also excited to join the ranks with
other style-minded neighbors, including Ann
Sacks, Baker Furniture, Boffi, Janus et Cie,
Design within Reach, Poggenpohl and Waterworks,
to name a few,” Anderson said.

Thos. Moser Shuts M Street
Store, Plans Another in Area

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers closed its
D.C. showroom on M Street June 9. It is
expected that Intermix clothing will set up
shop at the empty space soon.

“We have enjoyed our present location at
3300 M Street for nearly ten years, and we are
very grateful for all the customers who have
supported us during this time. However, as
our lease nears its expiration, we have made
the difficult decision to close,” wrote Thomas
Moser, founder and president of Thos. Moser
Cabinetmakers. “Please know we remain committed
to the Washington, D.C., and suburban
Virginia and Maryland markets and hope to
find a suitable new location. In the interim,
our shop remains vibrant and rest assured that
current and future orders and scheduled deliveries
will not be impacted by this change. We
will continue to actively support our customers
through our Customer Care Center in Freeport,
Maine.”

HomeMade Pizza Co.
Closes Wisconsin Ave. Spot

After a February 2011 debut, the Home-
Made Pizza Co. store at 1826 Wisconsin Ave.,
N.W., near Safeway has closed. Other D.C.
store locations remain: Chevy Chase, Spring
Valley and Logan Circle.

Betsey Johnson Store
Closes

The fabulousness that lived at the store
run by Jenny Zinn and her co-workers is over.
After weeks of farewell parties and discounts,
the town’s flashy, pink and fun Betsey Johnson
store on M Street near the Old Stone House
closed June 9. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson’s
chain of stores went bankrupt April 26.
“Johnson won’t be losing her job — but as
many as 350 store workers will,” reported the
New York Daily News. Women’s Wear Daily
reported the designer will retain control of the
Betsey Johnson clothing label.

Whitney Saupan •

The Capitol Hill Hotel, formerly Capitol
Hill Suites, located at 201 C Street, SE,
has recently renovated its look from a residential
style to a more contemporary one.

Slava Lutikova, director of sales and marketing
at the hotel, explained the renovations.

“We were purchased by Hersha Hospitality
last April.,” she said. “They made a decision that
the hotel needs a little bit of repositioning and
with that came renovation of all public spaces.”
But, she is quick to add, “It wasn’t because we
needed renovation, it’s because we really wanted
to create a whole new atmosphere for our guests.”

The 3.5-million-dollar renovation includes
three new meeting areas with built-in AV equipment
and teleconferencing/videoconferencing
accessibility, a rare commodity in hotels. The
newly updated front lobby and breakfast area encompass
guests in an atmosphere of relaxation.
There is also a new public lounge, connected to
the lobby, which adds an additional 650 square
feet of space for guests. The lounge (pictured
above) is complete with its own “congressional
library,” an area where guests can read one of
many books from the library or enjoy the morning
paper. It can also be rented out for business
meetings and social events.

The new look, which local artists helped create,
includes modern pieces and new twists on
classic pieces of history. The Cherry Blossominspired
carpet and wallpaper combined with
the different art pieces inspired by the nation’s
historic past come together beautifully to create a
contemporary style that remains connected to the
rich history of the nation.

“All of the elements of the design tell a story
of the history of the hotel and of the neighborhood,
while transitioning us to a more contemporary
look. We are changing our name because
we are changing the look of the hotel so much, so
drastically. Our new name reflects our new identity
better,” Lutikova said.

The Capitol Hill Hotel is now renovating
each guest room to match the contemporary style
throughout the rest of the hotel. This final phase
is expected to be complete in early 2013.

These renovations don’t mean a change in
clientele or service. “Our guests can still expect
the same quality service as before. Just because
we are a little bit different or have a new style
doesn’t mean we are moving away from any type
of customer. We position ourselves as a very inclusive
hotel as far as our audience goes. Businessmen
and families alike can enjoy our services,”
Lutikova says. ? [gallery ids="100856,126809" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

There are hundreds of congressional hearing in Washington each year. Administration officials and others sit before House or Senate inquisitors answering each as fully and dutifully as they can. These hearings usually occur on Capitol Hill and make for some drama or political theater.

On June 19, a congressional hearing was in Washington but held in Georgetown. Not only was it in Georgetown, but it was in a place which evoked the opposite of what most think about when considering Georgetown real estate: an empty, broken-down heating plant, now for sale by the federal government.

The hearing in the West Heating Plant on 29th Street was a bit of political theater, staged by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) , chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee. Its title was “Sitting on Our Assets: The Georgetown Heating Plant.” Reviews have been generally favorable.

The representatives — including Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) — set up tables and chairs within the massive plant and grilled one witness: Flavio Peres, the deputy assistant commissioner for Real Property Utilization and Disposal at the General Services Administration.

Their questions hit on why it has taken so long to put up that for-sale sign for this highly valuable property, just south of the C&O Canal and the Four Seasons Hotel. (The sign went up the day before the hearing.) The 1940s-era structure once generated energy for federal buildings and then stood as a back-up. It has been totally shut down since 2000 and has cost the government $3.5 million in maintenance fees.

Denhan and Mica want other unused federal property to get on a faster track to be sold by the GSA, as urged by the Obama Administration. They aptly used their site-of-the-day to make that point to GSA and to the public. They have held hearings off Capitol Hill before and threaten to hold more around the country, if necessary.

Peres took his hits from Mica, who said of his testimony, “We don’t know if it [the plant] was turned on. We don’t know if it has an operating license. We had other places to store what was stored here. . . . It just doesn’t seem like anyone is minding the store or taking care of the assets. This is a pretty valuable piece of property.”

Denham asked, “How is GSA going to ensure that this time we are going to get the highest value on this property that is the biggest piece of acreage in downtown Georgetown?” Peres said that the market was strong and developers and planners knew of the impending sale. He said that the on-line sales auction for the heating plant property would likely be in late September.

As for the GSA, it holds 142 properties, compared to other agencies that hold 14,000. And, yes, a GSA official spoke to Georgetown’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission about the impending sale last year. There are plans, set by financiers and architects and ready to roll, as evidenced by the Levy Group’s designs. Neighborhood groups want to make sure that some land within the mixed-use site can be used for public parkland, connecting Rock Creek to the riverfront. The huge building itself must be gutted and restructured for condos and the like.

After the hearing, Mica, Denham, congressional aides and media went to the plant’s rooftop with its commanding views of Georgetown, Cathedral Heights, West End, Rosslyn and the Potomac River. Dramatic? Yes, political theater plays well in this town.
[gallery ids="100867,127182,127172,127166,127146,127161,127155" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

It’s official in our neighborhood: Summer has begun and Volta Park Day is when it starts. June 10 at 92 degrees was the hottest day since August 10. The day provided family fun, especially for the little ones: soda, hamburgers, hot dogs, cupcakes, snow cones, balloon slide, water dunk, sprinklers, band and flea market — not to mention the tennis match and softball game for the older kids. The Volta Park pool opens its full summer schedule on June 19: Tuesday through Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m., public; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.; closed Monday.

The day is put on by the Friends of Volta Park, founded by John Richardson in 1995, a homegrown non-profit which works with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation to maintain and improve Volta Park’s grounds and gardens. The effort has many local benefactors — Clyde’s Restaurant Group, Georgetown University, Nancy Taylor Bubes of Washington Fine Properties, Michael Rankin of TTR Sotheby’s, Long and Foster, Exxon of Georgetown, Colonial Parking and John Richardson Company — as well as even more neighborhood contributors. [gallery ids="100839,126166,126125,126160,126156,126152,126133,126140,126145" nav="thumbs"]