Scheele’s Market Saved by Neighbors; Farewell Party for the Lees
• June 8, 2012

Malcolm “Mike” Peabody and his neighbors successfully rescued Scheele’s Market at 29th and Dumbarton through an agreement with property owner Jordan 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 served the town for 118 years, operating for another 15 years and with a new shopkeeper, Dougjuk Kim.

Meanwhile, a retirement party for Shin and Kye Lee will take place on June 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., along 29th Street between Dumbarton and O Streets. The neighborhood will also welcome Kim as well as O’Neill, who lives in the second-floor apartment. The neighborhood still needs more money to complete the purchase of the covenant by June 30. Sponsors have already stepped up; more are needed, however. Come join the celebratation honoring a great neighborhood tradition. For more information or to make a donation, contact Mike Peabody at mpeabody@ptmanagement.com.

Make a Splash: Volta Park Pool Is Open
•

The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation has opened its pools for Memorial Day weekend, including Georgetown’s only public pool at Volta Park (1555 34th St., NW) — 202-645-5669.

For the weekend of June 2, outdoor pools will be open on weekends only (Fridays and Saturdays), from noon until 6 p.m., until June 17 when District Public Schools are dismissed for the summer months. After June 17, all outdoor pools will operate on a summer schedule —open six days a week and closed one day per week for cleaning and maintenance.

DPR Director Jesús Aguirre said: “While we want everyone to have a great time in the District’s pools, I would like to remind everyone that safety is key. We encourage everyone to learn how to swim and to follow all pool rules.”

Pool Schedule—General Public Swim: Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Lap Swim—Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Closed on Monday.

For more information regarding DPR aquatic facilities, please visit DPR.DC.GOV or contact DPR’s Aquatic Office at 202-671-1289 during regular business hours. For pools updates, schedule changes and the most up-to-date summer information, be sure to follow DPR on Twitter@DCDPR.

Georgetown Village Plans June 21 Reception
•

Georgetown Village has received a $10,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank. It was the nonprofit’s first major corporate grant, founder Sharon Lockwood said. On June 21, a private reception for Georgetown Village will be held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Nigra, 3038 N Street, NW, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Georgetown Village is a nonprofit membership organization providing services and programs in the Georgetown area so older residents can live better and longer in their homes; among its services are transportation of appointments, grocery shopping, computer and cell phone help, gardening and household help.

For more information, visit www.georgetown-village.org, call 202-999-8988 or email lynn@georgetownvillage.org.

DMV at Georgetown Park Closes
•

The neighborhood’s uber-convenient office of D.C.’s Department of Motor Vehicles, located in the lower level of the Shops at Georgetown Park, closed May 19 because of the mall’s construction. (The DMV had sought a lease in Northwest D.C., but, so far, there has been no announcement on any new permanent office.) On June 4, the DMV will open a temporary service center at 301 C Street, NW For locations and hours of operations, visit DMV.DC.gov. For our part, we would like to give a special shout-out to Mrs. Rivers, who worked there and retired in November: Thank you for your optimism, assistance and advice!

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 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.

ANC Meets Tonight at 6:30 p.m.
•

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E monthly public meeting will be held this evening, 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown Visitation Prep, 35th Street and Volta Place, Heritage Room, first building on left by gatehouse, second floor. All are invited to attend.

The agenda is as followed:

Administrative

Approval of April 30, 2012, Meeting Minutes

Public Safety and Police Report

Financial Report

Transportation Report

DPW Report

Community Comment

Update for Hyde-Addison Elementary School development

New Business

Georgetown Presbyterian Church Picnic at Volta Park, September 23, 2012

• DDOT procedures for issuing permits for block parties

• Georgetown University Campus Plan update

Zoning

1215 31st Street, NW, BZA Application No. 18382, Georgetown Post Office, Application for use variance to permit the renovation and expansion of an existing conforming structure devoted to non-conforming use and area variances from minimum percentage of lot occupancy, rear yard, and side yard requirements

ABC

3236 Prospect Street, NW, ABRA-087240, t/a M Café, Voluntary Agreement

Weekend Roundup May 31, 2012
• June 4, 2012

Saturday Morning at the National

June 2nd, 2012 at 09:30 AM | Free | information@nationaltheatre.org | Tel: (202) 783-3372 | Event Website

Michael Rosman: Amazing Feats of Comedy. Picture a jaw-dropping juggler tossing a dozen cigar boxes, a bowling ball, a chain-saw, or a bunch of bananas while balancing atop a unicycle. Add audience participation, magic and non-stop chaotic klutziness. Michael is a whirlwind of mystery and madness: outrageous, zany, off-beat and totally irresistible. Performances 9:30 and 11 a.m.

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Electric Car Rally at Woodrow Wilson House

June 2nd, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Free | Tel: (202) 387-4062 | Event Website

Woodrow Wilson House, in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington, DC, will host an electric car rally on Sat, June 2 from 10 AM to 4 PM in honor of Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend. The event will include a parade of electric vehicles down Massachusetts Avenue to Dupont Circle at 11 AM followed by a display of historic and modern electric cars in Wilson House’s driveway and garage. Visitors will also enjoy free access to the museum and the exhibition.

Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street NW

Taste of Georgetown

June 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM | $5(One Tasting Ticket ) | dyoung@georgetowndc.com | Tel: (202) 298-9222 | Event Website

The 19th Annual Taste of Georgetown will showcase the spectacular cuisine of thirty of Washington, D.C.’s finest restaurants, highlighting Georgetown’s culinary personalities and feature nearly sixty delectable dishes to sample, as well as wine pairings and the jazz talents of Blues Alley.

Intersection of Wisconsin Ave and M ST NW, heart of Georgetown

Glover Park Day

June 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 AM | Free | clmeyer202@yahoo.com | Tel: 202-550-7878 | Event Website

Glover Park Day, now in its 23rd year, is an annual outdoor festival that celebrates the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. It is co-sponsored by the Glover Park Citizens Association and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Glover Park Day 2012 will feature the best of Glover Park: good friends, great food from local restaurants, live music, crafters, a flea market, community organizations, local businesses, kids’ activities and much more.

Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert Street NW

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Presents Heart Throbs

June 2nd, 2012 at 08:00 PM | $25 – $55 | MarketingDirector@gmcw.org | Tel: 202-293-1548 | Event Website

Find yourself star struck by 175 singers and dancers in HEART THROBS, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington tribute to men in music, boy bands and teen idols. Featuring songs including “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake, “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5, along with songs from Boyz II Men, N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Elvis, The Beatles and many more, HEART THROBS presents a high energy montage of men in music that will appeal to a range of ages and musical tastes.

Lisner Auditorium, 730 21St Street NW, Washington, DC.

Steel Drum Sundays

June 3rd, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free | info@thewashingtonharbour.com | Tel: 202-295-5007 | Event Website

Relax outdoors and enjoy live steel drum music at the waterfront, performed by Roger Greenidge from noon until 3 pm on Sundays, June 3 until October 16, at The Washington Harbour.

The Washington Harbour, 3050 K Street, NW

ANC 2E Public Meeting

June 4th, 2012 at 06:30 PM | Free | anc2e@dc.gov | Tel: (202) 724-7098 | Event Website

ANC2E’s Agenda for this meeting: ANC2E and the Georgetown University Campus Plan; ANC 2E redistricting material.

Georgetown Visitation, 35th and Volta Streets, Heritage Room, first building on left by gatehouse, 2nd floor

EuroAsia 2012 Film Festival

June 4th, 2012 at 07:00 PM | Free with reservation | Tel: (202) 234-7911 | Event Website

Short film festival comparing how Asian, European and U.S. cultures approach multiculturalism and diversity in their respective regions. Each evening features screening and panel discussion. June 4-8.

Leselier Theater, 3251 Prospect St., NW, Upper Courtyard

Rolling Thunder Celebrates its 25th Year (photos)
•

For the 25th year, the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally thundered through Washington calling attention to veterans and those missing in action, on Sunday May 28. View our photos from the National Mall by clicking on the icons below. [gallery ids="100831,125650,125659,125667,125677,125685,125695,125705,125713,125641,125633,125748,125742,125735,125597,125729,125605,125614,125623,125722" nav="thumbs"]

Federal Investigation of Gray Throttles Up
•

Just when you thought it was safe to go to Las Vegas, up comes news—from local television and local newspaper reports—that Thomas W. Gore, a key aide and confidante of Mayor Vincent Gray had pleaded guilty to three D.C. election law misdemeanors and a federal charge of obstruction of justice, all charges relating to the ongoing federal investigation into the mayor’s election campaign and campaign contributions.

A second charge come down May 23: Howard Brooks, a former Gray campaign consultant, was hit with a single count of making a false statement to the FBI. Brooks will likely plead guilty. (Gore’s attorney had told media reporters that more charges would be coming.)

More important perhaps than the news of Gore’s admission of guilt to the charges is the fact that Gore—he was a critical role-player as treasurer in Gray’s election to the Ward 7 council seat and his election to become city council chairman as well as being assistant treasurer of the successful 2012 mayoral campaign—appeared to have been talking to federal prosecutors about his role in the campaign. Most damaging—in the light of the Solaiman Brown’s contentions that he had been paid by the Gray campaign to keep his minor candidate campaign against Fenty alive—was Gore admitting that he had helped facilitate keeping Brown’s campaign alive through payments, by an unnamed intermediary, via money orders to Brown’s campaign.

Brown, considered by many as something of a loose cannon, gained some credibility with the events in federal court this week. The mayor has repeatedly said he was innocent of any wrongdoing in the campaign. Other than that, Gray has generally been silent on the matter which has engulfed many of his closest friends and political associates in the aftermath of election victory including long-time friend Lorraine Green—who ran the campaign and was named chief of staff until resigning.

The investigation remains ongoing. If the Gore revelations are not the other shoe dropping, they’re a sure sign of the laces being untied. Gore also admitted shredding a ledger that kept track of money and money orders after the Brown charges broke in the local media in early 2011.

Brown at the time charged that he was paid to keep his campaign—focused mainly on attacking incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty, and even urging people to vote for Gray at candidate forums if they wouldn’t vote for him-and was promised a job in the government, which he did initially get before being fire. After he was fired, Brown went to the media, specifically the Washington Post.
[gallery ids="100818,125077" nav="thumbs"]

D.C.’s Unique GI Film Festival Brings Our Warriors Close to Us
•

The GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation’s only military film festival, begins Tuesday, May 15, and runs through Sunday, May 20. The festival of “Reel Stories, Real Heroes” commemorates, depicts and celebrates those of our citizenry who go to war in defense of our nation and of us. One big attraction will the May 17 advance screening of the action movie, “Battleship.”

Tonight, the festival opens at the Newseum with a dinner honoring H. Ross Perot. Most movies will be shown at the Navy Heritage Center at the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue; other sites include the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center and the Canadian Embassy. On May 15, Actor Joe Mantegna will be given the GI Spirit Award by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.). International Warrior Night will headlined by television personality Pat Sajak at the Canadian Embassy on Wednesday, May 16. On Saturday, May 19, there is a “Salute to Military Spouses Night” with the “Army Wives” cast.

The sixth annual GIFF film line-up offers 42 film screenings, movies that represent every branch of the military and span five wars. Over the course of the six-day event, the festival will offer 23 narrative films and 19 documentaries covering every genre conceivable – from action and adventure to drama and romance. With at least a dozen world-premiere screenings, GIFF offers plenty of opportunities to discover emerging directors, producers and actors.

Films include “The Red Rose of Normandy,” “From Philadelphia to Fallujah,” “Memorial Day,” the graphic novel, “Bridges,” “The Red Machine,” “Least Among Saints” and “If I Should Fall.”

The full program, including times and locations, is available on the festival’s website, GIFilmFestival.com/2012films.

“More than 200 films were submitted to GIFF this year. We were overwhelmed by the raw talent and emotion expressed in every film,” said Brandon Millett, co-founder and president of the GI Film Festival. “Our mission is to educate the public about the successes and sacrifices of the American military and there has never been a better festival line-up to more perfectly exemplify that mission.”

GIFF will also preview Peter Berg’s “Battleship” from Universal Pictures on Thursday, May 17. The screening will take place during the festival’s Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night, where wounded warriors from the D.C. metro area will serve as the festival’s guests of honor.

“One of the best parts of the festival is every day is so different. Whether our guests are honoring the contributions of wounded warriors or walking the red carpet with famous actors, there’s a unique experience every night,” said GIFF co-founder and director Laura Law-Millett. Ticket prices range from $12 for a single film to $250 for a week-long VIP pass.

According to the GI Film Festival, it is “the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film” and is “a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war.” [gallery ids="100793,124378,124368,124374" nav="thumbs"]