Happy Thanksgiving from The Georgetowner

November 28, 2011

During the holidays, it’s easy to get swept away by the minutia and the stress of the season: entertaining the in-laws; spending 24 hours preparing dinner; waiting in Black Friday lines to buy your kids expensive gadgets they’ll immediately break, or worse, that they won’t even like. For us working at The Georgetowner, we get caught up publishing stories about Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year and the myriad festivities that go with it. This Thanksgiving, in the midst of non-stop schedules and working lunch breaks, we would like to take a pause to celebrate the spirit of the season. We are thankful for our families. Both for each individual one and for The Georgetowner’s greater family, which is the community we live and work in. We are thankful for the small businesses that keep this community alive and thriving, for its citizens who make up its heart and soul, for the students who bring energy and vitality and for all those people who devote their time to keeping Georgetown a unique, vibrant and safe corner of D.C. You have our sincerest gratitude.

Protesters Occupy Georgetown

November 23, 2011

Chants of “Whose streets? Our Streets!” and “We are the 99 percent!” reverberated off buildings and bricks along M Street this afternoon as Occupy D.C. protesters made their way to and across the Key Bridge. The crowd was greeted by multiple cop cars, motorcycles and mounted police as well as officers on foot. The police presence was there mainly for crowd control as the protesters were, except for the noise, peaceful as they made their way across the bridge at 4 p.m.

People who didn’t bring their own signs and T-shirts were handed them, petitions for job creation were passed around and people came out of stores and homes to watch while camera crews recorded the event from the streets and from rooftops. The number of media personnel at the march equaled, in some places, the number of protesters.

To follow the movement of the Occupy DC protests, go to Occupydc.org. [gallery ids="100390,111377,111382,111387,111522,111503,111484,111465,111446,111372,111367,111362,111342,111598,111579,111560,111347,111541,111352,111357,111397" nav="thumbs"]

‘Re-Viewing Documentary: The Photographic Life of Louise Rosskam’


When we think of depression-era- and- beyond documentary photography, people probably don’t think of Louise Rosskam, except maybe in context of her better known husband Ed with whom she worked.

You might think, instead of Dorothea Lange perhaps, or Walker Evans and his collaboration with James Agee on “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.”

The Rosskams worked for institutions and corporations like the Farm Security Administration, the Office of War Information, the U.S. Treasury Department, the Standard Oil Company, the Office of Information for Puerto Rico or the New Jersey Department of Education, a client list that might not pique interest or generate excitement.

Yet, “Re-Viewing Documentary: The Photographic Life of Louise Rosskam,” part of a group of eclectic exhibitions currently at American University’s Katzen Arts Center, places Louise Rosskam among her better-known peers and contemporaries, all of whom displayed a photographic eye which mixed technical and professional acumen with empathy, a willingness to see and search for meaning in the image before shooting it.

Rosskam’s subjects in this exhibition of 150 photographs are characteristic of the depression-era imagery that has survived, but also go beyond. She and her husband photographed the lives of migrant workers of the kind which today excite controversy and unkind, resentful hearts. Back in the 1920s and 30s they were part of a landscape which included thousands upon thousands of workers—migrant and otherwise—sweating to barely keep food on the table. They traveled all over the country, to New Jersey and to Vermont and to California photographing the people.

There is also a lengthy, generous sampling of their study of life in Puerto Rico during the Depression and after, a land not much looked at in those times and often misunderstood, a U.S. “possession,” not a state. These were times of political stirring, but they were also hard times of poverty and suffering for the poor.

Documentary photography was the province of books, the journalism of photographic essays or case studies, a role that would soon be taken over by television imagery which cares little for emotional power and lot more for talk and melodrama. But in Rosskam’s photos, you can learn more than lifetime’s intake of travel posters—you get the soul of Puerto Rico with her photographs of sugar refineries, a portrait of the family of demonstrators killed in Ponce, framed by a wall full of bullet holes.

More startling, sad and refreshing are her photographs of a Southwest Washington neighborhood in the early 1940s and 1950s which lost its tone and character with the onset of urban renewal projects. Included in this section are haunting color images of Shulman’s Market, a red-brick corner deli with big, red Coca Cola signs, adults and children hanging by the store door, or sitting on stoops in the apartments in the neighborhood.

The powerful accompanying book by Laura Katzman and Beverly W. Brannan is a richly detailed volume that opens up further details on the remarkable careers and lives of the Rosskams, and of Louise in particular, who cared little about personal credit but a lot about the subjects they both photographed.

If you want to know what Louise Rosskam brought to the photographic, documentary table, nothing explains it better than Louise Rosskam herself: “When I got a camera in my hands, I know that I wanted to take a nicely balanced picture, with a theme….but I wanted to get people to understand what that woman holding that child, without enough to eat, felt; and therefore I waited before I took the picture—till the ultimate of her emotions seemed to show, and then quickly got a picture…I wanted to feel that, and get other people to feel it.”

You can see from her photographs at the Katzen exhibition that she got it right.

(“Re-Viewing Documentary: The Photographic Life of Louise Rosskam” is at the Katzen Arts Center through Dec. 14.)

Albrecht Muth to Represent Himself in Murder Case


Albrecht Muth, the man who was charged last August with the murder of his wife, Viola Drath, a Georgetown resident, announced in last Friday’s hearing that he will represent himself in the trail, according to a release issued by the Drath family.

He continued to assert that his involvement with the Iraqi army lead to his wife’s murder. He is currently being held without bail.

According to the Georgetown Patch, at the end of the hearing, Muth asked Judge Russell F. Canan to note that if he dies in jail, his body should be released to the military and that he would begin an “unlimited fast” Sunday night.

Another status conference is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2012 and the trial is scheduled to begin almost a year from now on Oct. 1, 2012.

The complete statement issued by the Drath family read: “We learned in court today that Albrecht Gero Muth will be representing himself, which he has every right to do. We are grateful for the continued
hard work of the Metropolitan Police Department. We hope that justice is
served.”

To read past coverage of the case, click here

Thousands Walk on the National Mall to Help the Homeless


More than ten thousand participated in the 24th and final Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall in Washington, DC. on Nov. 19, 2011. The Help the Homeless program, comprised of education, volunteerism, community walks and the Walkathon on the National Mall, is the nation’s largest effort to increase awareness around preventing and ending homelessness. The Washington area has more than 12,000 homeless – more than 40 percent of which are families, 25 percent are children. The walk is designed to raise awareness and funds for Washington, DC area organizations that are working to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that help homeless people return to independent living. Beneficiaries of the walk will be the 97 organizations that are focused on the needs of the homeless community. Fannie Mae President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Williams, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-DC) and DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) were on hand to kick off the 5K event. Fannie Mae plans to promote neighborhood marches in cities including Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia, saying that decentralizing it will more efficiently raise money.

Click on the icons below to view our photos of the event. [gallery ids="100393,112635,112507,112626,112517,112527,112537,112547,112557,112567,112577,112587,112597,112607,112497,112644,112427,112698,112437,112689,112447,112680,112457,112671,112467,112662,112477,112653,112487,112617" nav="thumbs"]

Sculpture Garden Ice Rink Opening Weekend


Come take part in one of our great holiday traditions. The Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden is now open. Admission will cost $8 for adults and $7 for those over 50, under 12 or in possession of a school ID. (Skates can still be rented for $3.) The rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays; on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, the rink will close at 5 p.m. Both private and group lessons by experienced instructors are available by appointment. The rink, at 7th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, is in its 13th season and will remain open until March 11 (as long as it stays cold enough).

View our photos from the opening weekend (Nov. 19-20) by clicking on the icons below. [gallery ids="100394,112697,112815,112707,112806,112717,112727,112737,112747,112757,112767,112777,112787,112824,112687,112627,112878,112637,112869,112647,112860,112657,112851,112667,112842,112677,112833,112797" nav="thumbs"]

Happy Thanksgiving from The Georgetowner! November 23, 2011


Happy Thanksgiving to all of our online readers! Thank you for helping us to be a greener, more interactive, and more effective news source.

In celebration of the season we have some last-minute turkey tips for you. The most convenient places in Georgetown to pick up your dinner?s centerpiece are: Dean & Deluca, for a gourmet choice; Whole Foods, with several organic selections; and Safeway, which brings you a bargain bird.

**Dean & Deluca** offers up its Heritage Turkey from the Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, where breeds that are free-range, vegetarian and antibiotic free are raised. The turkeys are sold frozen at $11 per pound and range from eight to 25 pounds.

**Whole Foods** carries several varieties of turkeys, including organic ($3.99 per pound), kosher ($3.49 per pound), free range ($2.49 per pound), Heirloom ($3.49 per pound) and brined ($2.79 per pound). Size varies.

For store members, **Safeway** is selling eight to 25 pound turkeys at 58 cents per pound with an additional $25 purchase. Go to [WeeklySpecials.Safeway.com](http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Weekly-Specials?cmpid=kw_corp_swy_sav_wsp_1101) for more information and for more savings.

And don?t forget to read our latest [Across the Cutting Board](https://georgetowner.com/articles/2011/nov/16/across-cutting-board/) column with Chef Ris Lacoste for inspiration on what to do with all the leftovers!

Herman Cain’s Arrested Development

November 21, 2011

I’m a 70-year-old white feminist liberal who would never vote for Herman Cain but I cannot silently watch him fall victim to the arrested development of the American public via the defamation of his character by the American news media.

Let’s get a few things straight: I do not endorse Herman Cain. I will not vote for Herman Cain. The thought that Americans would elect Herman Cain as the next U.S. President makes me glad to be 70 and not 17. And my opinion is strictly based on his policies and has nothing to do with the scandal he’s immersed in at the moment.

I am a product of the 60’s, just like a lot of hardcore GOP voters out there. The exception is that I remember what it was like back then. Herman Cain is being attacked for sexual harassment and lying to the public about it, and the media is portraying this as if it is something that Americans should be shocked about. But the only surprise I have towards the scandal is the notion that people over the age of 50—MY GENERATION—should be or would be shocked by the whole ordeal.

Really? Has the Internet made us so accustomed to instant information that we can no longer remember what happened just a few short years ago? At the same time Cain was trying to eat at the chef’s table Clinton was hiding cigars with Monica Lewinsky. While investigating Clinton’s affair, lead Republican of the investigation, Newt Gingrich, was himself having an affair with a staffer over 20 years younger than he was.

I’m not condoning Mr. Cain’s acts. But I’m not shocked by them either. In fact, I’m not even that shocked that most of America is making such a big fuss about it, because the truth is that America could care less! The news and media are the ones responsible for the scandal part of the scandal. Granted, Cain has yet to own up to it—he’s barely acknowledging it. But this is a perfect example of a tool that the politicians have been using for years: PERCEPTION IS REALITY.

When 40 different newscasters and commentators repeat the same information over and over throughout the day, throughout the week, using the same words, that information become implanted in our minds whether we realize it or not. It’s called “perception setting.” Have you ever noticed how certain phrases seem to pop up in every news report when a story drops? These information gateways are experts at crafting, delivering, and reiterating a message and making sure that you get that message and log it in your mind to serve as reference for when you have to develop an opinion or an attitude about the subject at a later date.

So I don’t think Herman Cain is being rightly treated in this matter. We live in a country where men of power use sex and, sometimes, women use sex for power. This behavior is older than mythology itself! In other countries, France for example, this kind of behavior wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow. But in America’s prudent and prurient society we have to once again use this as an opportunity to hold Mr. Cain, a presidential nominee, to a standard that we like to pretend we ourselves live by. Will we ever grow up and start to be honest?

Dr. Dorree Lynn, PhD, is a practicing psychologist and life coach with more than 40 years of experience. She is the founder of the website FiftyAndFurthermore.com, and is AARP’s Media “Sexpert” wit her own segment, “On the Couch” on AARP TV. Dr. Dorree’s latest book is Sex for Grownups: Dr. Dorree Reveals the Truths, Lies, and Must-Tries for Great Sex After 50. Facebook.com/DrDorreeLynn. Twitter.com/DrDorree

Occupy DC Protestors March to the Key Bridge (photos by Jeff Malet)

November 18, 2011

Trace all the steps from McPherson Square and downtown Washington, through Georgetown to the Key Bridge as hundreds of protestors from the Occupy D.C. movement marched to encourage Congress to boost employment by reinvesting in major infrastructure projects. Police presence was heavy but the demonstration proved peaceful and there were no major problems, other than some minor traffic tie-ups during the November 17 march. The D.C. protestors which included nurses and union workers, were among the thousands who demonstrated nation wide to mark the two-month anniversary of the Occupy movement. View photos of the entire march by clicking on the photo icons below. (Photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="112217,111937,111947,111957,111967,111977,111987,111997,112007,111927,111917,111837,111847,111857,111867,111877,111887,111897,111907,112017,112027,112137,112147,112157,112167,112177,112187,112197,112207,112127,112117,112037,112047,112057,112067,112077,112087,112097,112107,111437,111827,111457,111637,111477,111647,111497,111657,111517,111667,111627,112226,112298,112289,112280,112271,112262,112253,112244,112235,111537,111677,111747,111757,111767,111777,111787,111797,111807,111817,111737,111727,111557,111687,111577,111697,111597,111707,111617,111717,100391" nav="thumbs"]

Our Educational System: Trick or Treat?

November 16, 2011

Answer my history question and get a treat. Or miss it and get a treat. But learn a little along the way.

As Executive Director of a historic foundation, I was handing out treats in front of a 200-year-old building at a Halloween Fun Fest.

Hundreds of kids dressed like ghosts and Spider-mans and princesses stood in line a block long, holding out their pumpkins or bags saying, “Trick or Treat.” Like Santa Claus, I love talking to kids, so I’d ask, “How old are you?”

If younger than five or six, I’d say, “You’re right!” and give them a handful of treats.

But, at age eight or nine, the “trick” questions became more difficult. Mostly, I asked, “Who was the first President of the United States?” Behind me in the window of our shop was a life sized cut out of President Washington. And there I was, dressed like George Washington.

With my long blue coat, tan pants tucked into knee high black boots, a gold buttoned vest, a jabot – that white lace collar I’ll never wear again – and especially my snow white wig, I was the spitting image of our first president. Well, eight inches shorter and no wooden teeth. But close enough. It was Halloween.

When a child said, “I don’t know,” I’d say, “Oh, come on. Who do I look like?” or, “Who is that guy in the window?”

Some shrugged their shoulders, said “I don’t know,” and began to walk away. I chased them down and gave them some candy anyway.

Some kids said, “Lincoln?”

Lincoln? He was tall, slender, and had dark hair and a beard. I’m short with light grey hair and barely need to shave my blond whiskers daily.

Or “Ben Franklin?” OK, my coat looked a little like Ben’s. But I’m not bald.

Some turned to their parents with an expression begging, “Help me out.” Most parents whispered, “Washington,” but a few shocked me, “Don’t ask me. I don’t know.”

Occasionally when a child was excitedly right, I’d ask, “Who was the second President?” A few guessed “Lincoln?” but not one said “John Adams.”

The funniest answer was a nine-year old boy who proudly announced, “Garfield. I’m studying the Presidents.”

“Garfield was the first?” I asked. He corrected himself, “Oh, Washington.”

My daughter, dressed truly prehistorically as a dinosaur, was helping and estimated that 40% of the kids missed. She’s prone to exaggeration, but not much.
Occasionally, I asked, “Do you read every day?”
Some said they did, but too many said, “No,” looking at me with an expression that said, “Can I still have some candy?” They got their handful.

The answer that shook me out of my boots was a child who said, “I don’t need to. I’m home schooled.” That stumped me – surely that’s not indicative of home schooling – so I gave him a handful of candy and scooted him along.

I don’t know what’s wrong with our educational system, but something is. I wasn’t out to do a social experiment. Maybe the kids were just too excited to think. I expected everyone to indignantly blurt out “George Washington” without hesitating.

The canvas is larger than this Trick or Treat episode. It touches the core of what we are as a nation.

The country is agonizing over the loss of and the lack of jobs. One of the drumbeats out of Washington is that the “market” is the only engine of job growth. Markets are competitive. The US must have a smart economy to grow, and employers want smart employees. Twenty-five years ago, when I worked for a large consulting firm, we couldn’t find enough business students to fill our positions, so we decided to hire the smartest graduates from any field with the idea that we could train smart people to be good consultants.

Our national debate about immigration policy is missing the point. Immigrants are banging on the doors of our universities and most innovative companies. They want to live here and pay taxes, but we make it difficult for them to come here and difficult for companies to hire them. We invite foreign students to study here, provide them with our most valuable resource, and usher them out of the country. We, a country built on the work ethic of immigrants, limit legal immigration of the best and the smartest from other countries, people who start companies and create jobs. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have begged Congress for more immigrant permits. Congress said, “No,” so Microsoft and Apple built facilities in Asia.

We blame illegal immigrants for our national woes. Somehow, they seem to find work here while American can’t. Or won’t.

The cost of college educations is rising faster than inflation. Federal, state, and local governments are reducing spending on education. Performance is declining. The US education system, once the best in the world, is now far from it.

Something isn’t working.

Maybe knowing the first president or reading every day isn’t that important.

Call me old fashioned. I think it is.

Trick or Treat? These tricks are really bad.