One Lounge Celebrates 2 Years in Business With Donations to Children’s Hospital
• January 13, 2012

On Dec. 15, co-owners Niko Papademetriou and Seth McClelland of Dupont Circle hotspot One Lounge (www.oneloungedc.com) celebrated two years in business by raising around $3,000 and collecting more than 150 holiday gifts for the Washington Children’s Hospital with an elaborate anniversary fete for high-profile business owners and D.C. celebs.

ABC 7 sweethearts Pamela Brown and Britt McHenry spearheaded the gift gathering efforts with support from co-newsies Alison Starling, Cynne Simpson, Natasha Barrett and Jummy Olabanji. Other Washington heavyweights such as Comcast SportsNet’s Ivan Carter, NBC 4’s Eun Yang, Doug Kammerer and Dan Hellie, FOX 5’s Dave Feldman, WPGC’s Sunni in the City, BET’s Angel Elliot, Glow Productions’ Pete Kalamoutsos, KStreetKate’s Kate Michael, Rogue 24 owner and chef RJ Cooper, RNDC VP of sales John Linette, Washington Wholesale director of sales Chang Park, Luxxery Medical Spa’s Dr. Ayman Hakki, Capital File editor-in-chief Kate Bennett, famous jeweler Alberto Parada and The Sports Junkies Eric Bickel (EB) sipped Moet Chandon and Svedka cocktails and jammed to DJs and live jazz from The Pete Muldoon Band. [gallery ids="100451,114971,114937,114963,114955,114947" nav="thumbs"]

Ringing Out 2011, Ringing In 2012: New Year’s Eve in D.C.
•

Throughout the city, there are many places to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Check out the list below for places in Georgetown and all over the city. There is still time to make plans.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown (3100 South Street, NW) is offering two dinner options in the Fahrenheit Ballroom. For the 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30pm seatings, guests can choose from a three-course menu for $75 per person. After 8 p.m., a four-course menu for $125 per person is offered.

Cafe Milano (3251 Prospect Street, NW) is offering an a la carte menu until 9 p.m. and then a prix fixe menu, along with two DJs and a band. The prix fixe menu is $125 per person and includes one glass of sparkling Italian wine but excludes all other beverages, tax and gratuity.

Bistro Francais (3124 M Street, NW) invites you to ring in the New Year with with chef Gerard Cabrol and a special 3-course prix-fixe menu ($59), a complimentary glass of champagne and noisemakers before midnight. www.bistrofrancaisdc.com

Puro Lounge (3276 M Street, NW) hosts a New Year’s Eve party starting at 7p.m., including great music with Guy Robert Jean, DJ music after 10:30 p.m., favors, raffle and many more surprises.

Sequoia (3000 K Street, NW) is offering a special five-course New Year’s menu, live entertainment (Radio King Orchestra), and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, visit www.arkrestaurants.com/sequoia_dc.html

L2 Lounge (3315 Cady’s Alley, NW) is hosting New Year’s Eve Havana Party. Live telecasts of New Year’s Eve celebrations happening across the globe will be projected throughout the lounge. Havana beats to be performed by a live bongo drum musician playing in synch with L2’s in-house DJ. Breakfast will be available from 1 to 3:30 a.m. No entry fee for L2 Members plus five of their guests present upon check-in; $50 per person for non-members. Table reservations being held in reserve for L2 Members; non-members may send their requests to be put on the waiting list to memberservices@l2lounge.com.

Kafe Leopold (3315 Cady’s Alley, NW) offers an unforgettable New Year’s Eve dining experience featuring a decadent Austrian-inspired menu and NYE specials, prepared by the chef, while listening to live jazz music performed by Amy Bormet. Guests will be provided a complimentary party favors and noise makers to ring in 2012. Call 202.965.6005 to make reservations.

Mate Lounge ( 3101 K Street, NW) knows how to throw a party. Enjoy two hours of sushi and Latin fusion cuisine, a midnight champagne toast, party favors and fabulous live DJ set to set the tone for a fabulous year. To party with friends, book a VIP table for six people, and enjoy a bottle of Absolut vodka as well as a bottle of champagne to toast 2012. Sushi and Latin fusion cuisine buffet and party favors also provided. For table reservations (parties 7 or more), contact farees@latinconcepts.com or 202.361.1666. Pre-sale tickets, $35; regular, $45; table service for six persons, $350.

Sea Catch Restaurant (1054 31st Street, NW) is offering a “New Years Symphony” menu, featuring five courses for $60. For an additional $25, guests can add a wine tasting including four wines.

Bourbon Steak (2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) is offering guests executive chef Adam Sobel’s special six-course tasting menu priced at $175 per person — with an additional $95 including wine pairings. The menu will be filed with luxe dishes such as Osetra caviar sandwich with toasted blini and fried quail egg, Chinese roast squab with foie gras steamed bun and plum sauce and Grilled bison tenderloin with black truffle gnocchi and toasted hazelnut. Dessert will see sweets, such as pineapple in all forms from confit to soup to sorbet, and the rich Bourbon Steak brownie with bourbon cordial and chocolate creameaux. The restaurant will offer two seatings for New Year’s Eve. The first seating will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will offer a three-course menu for $90 per person. The second seating will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. — www.bourbonsteakdc.com

Peacock Cafe (3251 Prospect Street, NW) There are some reservations available for our festive annual NYE prix fixe dinner. First seating is from 6 to 7:30 pm, three courses and a glass of bubbly for $50 (not incl. tax & tip). A la carte options also available at the first seating, and all night long for bar patrons. Second seating brings late night excitement and takes place from 8 to 10 p.m.; four courses include a glass of bubbly plus party favors and festivities at midnight for $65 (not incl. tax and tip). All night, Moet & Chandon will have a special price of $64.88 ($20.12 off list price). Please call 202-625-2740 to make your reservations; credit card confirmation required.

Citronelle (3000 M Street, NW) will be offering two dinner seatings for the evening, with the first seating at 5:30 p.m., and the second starting at 8:30 p.m. This year will feature a special New Year’s Eve package on Dec. 31, including an overnight stay at The Latham Hotel, parking, and a continental breakfast.

For more locations in Georgetown, visit Georgetown BID

Outside of Georgetown, There Are Many Other NYE Parties to Attend

Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW): Make the Headliners Ball an even bigger story, and add dinner at The Source by Wolfgang Puck and lodging at Hotel Monaco. There’s no better place to count down to 2012 than D.C.’s top museum and party venue. The Headliners Ball features the best in food, drink and entertainment for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration. One-of-a-kind cocktails and food from Wolfgang Puck, entertainment from the area’s hottest party band, Round Midnight, Dance jams with DJ Scientific Beats and access to Newseum exhibits.

Countdown to midnight and 2012 on the 40-foot by 22-foot high-definition video screen.

The Headliners Ball at the Newseum offers a choice of three packages — $195 per person; $180 for Newseum members; includes an open bar (8 p.m. to 2 a.m.), light snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, please call 202/292-6100.

Eden Lounge: For those looking to party down in class, I Street hotspot Eden Lounge (1716 I Street, NW) is hosting the End of The World 2012 New Year’s Eve Party in our nation’s capital this year. Located in the heart of Washington, Eden is D.C.’s own oasis under the stars. The hotspot has attracted A-list celebrities, such as David Arquette, T.I., Nas, Alex Ovechkin, LMFAO, Jay Sean and Wale among others. For party-goers who want to flash some real cash, Eden is offering a slew of baller packages. The Ultimate End of The World Package for $5,000 includes VIP Admission for 40 Guests and a private VIP section. To bring in the New Year with cheers, guests will receive 24 bottles of Moet and Chandon Imperial Rose Champagne and 10 bottles of premium liquor. For those with a more reasonable budget, the venue is offering VIP Packages of both $1,000 and $750, including VIP admission for 10 or eight guests. All New Year’s Eve packages with bottle minimums also include complimentary bottles of champagne. Individual tickets are also available for purchase for $30. To reserve a table or for more information, visit www.EdenDC.com or call 202-491-2165.

Josephine: Celebrate New Year’s 2012 in style at the newly enhanced Josephine Lounge at 1008 Vermont Avenue, NW. Josephine wowed the D.C. party scene in October with its chic brand new modern decor and redesign expanding the venue’s usable dance and mingling space. The hotspot has hosted celebrities such as Sean Penn, Will.i.am, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Spike Lee. D.C. party people are invited to dance the night away to music by DJ N’dys from Miami’s famous Set nightclub. The DJ recently remixed the song “Missing You” by the Black Eyed Peas. VIP Packages start at $1,000 for 10 guests and bottle and champagne numbers depend on package deals. Individual tickets can be purchased for $40 and $75 for couples. To reserve table packages, visit www.josephinedc.com or call 202-347-8601.

Public: Join high-energy Dupont Circle favorite Public Bar (1214 18th Street, NW) for an evening of vibing and imbibing this New Year’s Eve. Public will be offering tables for up to 10 guests starting at $800, including champagne and bottle service. Individual tickets can be purchased for $80. Happy Hour prices will be offered, 8 to 10 p.m., and an open bar will be available to all guests from 10p.m. to 1 a.m. An appetizer buffet will be served from 10 p.m. to midnight for hungry Public partygoers. To reserve table packages or purchase tickets, visit www.PublicBarDC.com or call 202-223-2200.

Lost Society: U Street boutique steakhouse Lost Society (2001 14th Street NW) will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve feast to ring in the new year. With a unique and sophisticated ambiance, the lounge has already attracted celebrities such as Sean Penn and Tara Reid. DJ’s Gavin Holland and Chris Burns will be spinning on the decks starting at 9 p.m., with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Table reservations start at $250 and tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 with three guaranteed top shelf cocktails. For more information, visit www.lostsociety-dc.com or call 202-618-8868.

Harry Thomas Resigns: A Somber, Dubious Distinction for D.C. Council
•

All last year, it seemed, different parts of the District of Columbia government were hanging under a cloud of suspicion, as Mayor Vincent Gray, Chairman Kwame Brown and Ward Five council member Harry Thomas, Jr., await the outcome of federal investigations.

The city, in short, was waiting for one of the three shoes to drop.

This week, one of them did, and it fell on Thomas, who resigned Thursday night after rumors and reports had swirled all week on local television news, websites and newspapers that he had reached an agreement or deal with the U.S. District Attorney’s Office that he would resign and that he would probably be facing jail time.

On Friday, Jan. 6, Thomas stood up in U.S. District Judge and pleaded guilty to two federal felonies, admitting that he had embezzled $350,00 in government money meant to go to a youth athletic program and that he had falsified federal income tax reports.

According to a report in the Washington Post, he answered U.S. Judge John D. Bates with “Guilty as charged, your honor.”

The resignation was historic. Thomas, who occupied the Ward 5 seat once held by his father as well as current at-large council member Vincent Orange, became the first sitting member of the D.C. Council since the beginning of home rule to resign his office under a cloud. That’s a dubious distinction for a once promising political career.

Suspicions about the fraud, theft or embezzlings have been long-standing, first raised by a Republican opponent after his 2010 re-election campaign, although vigorously denied by Thomas. The money was apparently funneled through a non-profit called Team Thomas, created by Thomas as a source of funds for youth athletics, funds which Thomas allegedly used for luxury cars and vacations among other things.

Recently, indicating the seriousness of the federal investigation, teams of FBI and IRS agents launched a raid on the Thomas residence, seizing a number of items and an SUV. Thomas had also agreed to pay back the some $300,000, although he did not admit he had done anything wrong.

Things came to a head this week with reports from television reporters citing individuals close to Thomas that he would be resigning.

The result leaves Ward 5 without a council representative at least until May, when a special election could be held. In addition, there are also early races for the Democratic and Republican nominations for several council seats.

Several council members had already called for Thomas’s resignation, as did Mayor Vincent Gray recently. Chairman Brown was not among them.

“I think it’s time to move on and heal and and work as hard as we can to gain the trust of Washingtonians,” Brown said in a television interview. He also indicated he felt “confident” about the outcome of the investigation into his 2008 campaign practices.

Thomas’s resignation comes amid newly created ethics reform legislation which the council is now attempting to give a final approval.

There is no small irony that the ethics package, praised by many, but criticized by others for not going far enough, is on its way to becoming a fact of life in the District, with key members of the government still under investigation.

Let’s Cheer! Hundreds compete at the Live! DC Cheer and Dance Competion (photos)
•

What competitive activity combines precision dance, calisthenics, gymnastics, aesthetics, strength, teamwork, structural engineering, rhythm and pure fun? Hundreds of competitors from Virginia to Pennsylvania gathered on January 7-8, 2012 for the 5th annual Live! DC regional cheerleading and dance competition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the District. Participating teams competed in 5 class levels in a number of categories. The event was sponsored by The JAM brands (Louisville KY) which provides products and services for the cheerleading and dance industry. Successful teams will compete in the US Finals in Virginia Beach on May 5-6. It will be loud.

Capture some of the spirit by viewing our photos of the event by clicking on the icons below.

View additional photos by clicking here.
[gallery ids="115383,115225,115215,115205,115195,115185,115175,115165,115155,115145,115135,115253,115263,115273,115373,115363,115353,115343,115333,115323,115313,115303,115293,115283,115125,115115,115410,115419,114977,115428,115437,114967,115452,115461,114957,115470,114987,115401,114997,115105,115095,115085,115075,115065,115055,115045,115017,115007,115392,100452" nav="thumbs"]

The Lives We Loved: the List Goes On
• January 12, 2012

Just the other day, Washington Times editor, editorial writer, former child actor, Newt Gingrich aide, and literate, witty, sharp-tongued and erudite conservative panelist on the McLaughlin Group as well as husband and father Tony Blankley died of stomach cancer at the age of 63.

Around here, if you were interested in politics and liked hearing intelligent people talk even if you disagreed with them, Blankley’s passing is a loss. He had smarts and style, and passed on mean talk for its own sake, qualities rare in politics and it’s an election year at that.

Life—or rather death—goes on in the new year of 2012. People we know, have heard of, miss or not, people of achievement, and just plain old celebrities pass on and we will too in some year or another. How you view the losses depend almost entirely on who you are, what your interests are, and how old you are. Every year, artists, movie stars, athletes, heads or near-heads of government, people in power, CEOs and inventors die, alongside saints and monsters. We memorialize, remember, celebrate, and grieve for a minute or for years on end. It all depends. The passing of Mikey Welch, a bassist for the rock group Weezer, meant nothing to me, but the death of the lead singer of the Coasters, a 1950s African American rock group who churned out hits like “Yakety Yak” and “Get a Job,” did. So did the passing of Jerry Leiber who co-wrote “Hound Dog,” a signature hit for Elvis.

We all know Steve Jobs, the founder, and found again of Apple, passed on much too soon, and was mourned perhaps beyond reason, but his marketing, if not entirely invention of our daily technology of iPads and iPhones and operating systems changed the world.

I already miss Christopher Hitchens, and not just because it leaves Bill Maher all alone to claim the title of prominent, if not-so-smart, atheist.

The art world lost a lot, including right here in our own back yard—Helen Frankenthaler, for a time an honored and distinguished member of the colorist school of painters whose on genius in the drip world is a permanent contribution to a generation of artist passed away. So did the evocative, eccentric, and quite unforgettable as artist and personality Manon Cleary as well as Rockne Krebs, innovative pioneer in laser, sculptor and technology artist. Nationally, there was Lucian Freund, in-your-face portrait painter and Cy Twombly, enigmatic to the end.

Landscape architect Wolfgang Oehme died of cancer less than a month ago. With James van Sweden, the German-American founded Washington-based Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, which advanced its innovative landscaping they called “the New American Garden,” evocative of American grasslands and prairies. The team’s projects included the National World War II Memorial, Freedom Plaza and Francis Scott Key Park.

Here with a list:

Charles Percy—U.S. Senator from Illinois, Georgetown Waterfront Park booster and pioneer, and honored citizen of the village.

Sargent Shriver—Peace Corps leader and founder, one of the best of the Kennedy generation of leaders and fathers.

Elizabeth Taylor—The woman who defined what it was to be a movie star through great films and bad, numerous husbands, scandals, illness and steadfast support for helping the cause of fighting AIDS. And, oh yes, she was stunning, a Cleopatra, a cat on a hot tin roof, and making Montgomery Clift swoon in “A Place in the Sun”.

Duke Snider—The Brooklyn Dodgers’ classy heart, one of the Boys of Summer

Al Davis—Before Dan Snyder, there was Al Davis, the difference being that Davis won Super bowls and knew football.

Harry Morgan—Colonel Potter to the core and the definition of character actor.

Willie “Big Eyes” Smith —The blues

Jack Lelanne—The man that almost lived and looked good forever.

Kim Jong-il, Osama bin Laden—Still dead.

Ferlin Husky—A Country singer who still lives on those Time-Life record promotions, singing “On The Wings of a Great White Dove”.

Sidney Harman—Entrepreneur, optimist, Sidney Harman Hall and philanthropist.

Vaclav Havel—The words in his plays—were mightier than the sword and helped create the Czech Republic of which he became president, an odd turn to say the least.

Sidney Lumet—Prolific, gritty and genius-level movie director, he gave us ‘Network,’ ‘Dog Day Afternoon,’ ‘Twelve Angry Men’ and others.

Frank Kameny—Our own, enduring pioneer of gay rights.

Nick Ashford—Soulful, wonderful land charismatic writers of soulful songs with his wife .

Bill Clements—Texas governor before the ones we know.

Anette Charles—You might ask, “Who?” And I’ll tell you this: Cha Cha Di Grigorio, dancing with John Travolta in ‘Grease.’

Russ Barbour—The last of “The Four Freshmen.”

Linda Christian, Elaine Stewart, Susannah York, Mary Murphy, Diane Cilento—Memorable in their youth in the movies. Ditto for Farley Granger.

Clarence Clemons—The E Street Band’s saxophone and sound, and the boss says so, too.

James Arness—He was Marshall Dillon to Chester on ‘Gunsmoke’ and the first ‘The Thing,’ too.

Peter Falk—Colombo.

Betty Ford—First Lady as down to earth and classy.

Bill Keane—The Family Circus

Geraldine Ferraro—The first female vice presidential candidate.

Reynolds Price—“A Long and Happy Life” for an enduring Southern novelist and writer.

Joe Frazier—Foil for Ali, but one of the greatest heavyweights ever, nonetheless. Just ask Ali.

Jack Evans ReportJanuary 11, 2012
• January 11, 2012

In my last newsletter, I took some time to reflect on our accomplishments from the past year. This week, I want to discuss a few of my New Year?s Resolutions. As Chairman of the Council?s Committee on Finance & Revenue, my central goals for the year relate to the District?s finances.

First, it is important to me to lower the top personal income tax rate in the District to our prior rate of 8.5 percent. As a government, we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to attracting and retaining new residents and small businesses. We can raise money in the short term by perpetually increasing taxes and fees, as my colleagues prefer to do. But when we create disincentives for new businesses to locate here, we do more harm than good down the road.

Second, it is important to me to reduce the expenditures of the District government. I am the first member to champion programs that actually work, such as the Housing Production Trust Fund. Unfortunately, many of our District dollars are not spent so wisely, and we have to make strategic cuts in order to balance our budget going forward.

Third, after we make those cuts, I want to make sure that the savings we achieve are put into the District?s savings account rather than doled right back out in earmarks and other new, wasteful spending. Despite all the complaints I heard from my colleagues about all the supposed budget cuts we made last year, the simple fact is that we passed the largest budget in the District?s history. In addition to saving for a rainy day, our reserve account also supports our bond rating, which is critical for allowing the government to borrow for needed capital improvements to schools and other important projects at affordable rates.

Fourth, I want to move forward quickly with the mayor to constitute the Tax Revision Commission and the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission. The Tax Revision Commission will give a thoughtful look at the District?s tax structure. Unfortunately, the only time tax policy typically comes up in the legislative setting is when a member is looking for a way to raise money for a pet project he or she wants funded. The goal of the Tax Revision Commission will be to make more principled recommendations based on sound tax policy rather than pragmatic spending priorities.

The Real Property Tax Appeals Commission, in contrast, focuses more on the mechanics of collecting taxes. A substantial portion of the District?s revenue comes from real property tax collections, and there have been a number of complaints with regard to inconsistency in the administrative appeals process. The Real Property Tax Appeals Commission was established with the goal of professionalizing the appeals process and ensuring greater fairness and transparency.

In closing, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are making progress on your resolutions for 2012. The holidays always seem to go by a little too quickly, but I am excited about the year ahead and all we will accomplish together.

Georgetown Christmas: Dave’s Yuletide Poem 2011
• December 31, 2011

Let’s order the fine Christmas wine

For the Obamas while they Georgetown dine

Maybe at Citronelle, or at the 1789

The first family loves G’town, it’s a treat

We often see them at Thomas Sweet.

It’s time to pour some Christmas cheer

For Georgetowner readers, far and near.

Put spicy glogg beneath the tree

For Georgetown sage Richard McCooey.

And, garcon, Champagne brut, merci

For restaurateurs Billy Martin and Franco Nuschese.

Some festive punch on Christmas days

For John, Sharon and Samantha Hays

Sue Hamilton, Janine Schoonover, Rokas Beresniovas,

Beth Webster, Sophie Montagne and Katherine Kallinas.

And let the Yuletide trumpets play

Allegro cheers for Vincent Gray

And don’t forget to paint the town

with Jack Evans, Vincent Orange and Kwame Brown.

Deck the lamps on our throughfare

For those who really care,

Mary Meyer, Jorge Bernardo, Mary Ann Brennan,

Wendy Erlanger, Stacy Kerr and Linda Greenan.

And serve some toddy, hot and mellow,

To Ginger Laytham and her fellow.

Send Christmas cookies, and don’t be late,

To Grace Bateman, Robert vom Eigen and Ann Satterthwaite.

The Georgetown waterfront is no longer a dream,

It is now our village’s creme de la creme.

Hark the herald angels sing joyous

For GU prez John DiGioias

Thanks for all you do for our Town

Even though there are some who frown

on the Campus Plan, and all it may portend

At this time of year let’s all be of good cheer

Pour us another tall, cold, Christmas beer.

Fill a cornucopia up,

For Chichie and her pup.

Think some thoughts reflective

For bloggers Topher and Carol Joynt’s perspective.

Some holiday eggnog topped with cumin

For John Dreyfuss at the house Halcyon

And to the new owners Ryuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno

Welcome to Georgetown, you know,

That house is Benjamin Stoddert’s old digs,

For you some Christmas dates and figs.

Sound three lusty New Year’s cheers

For BID’s Jim Bracco and Crystal Sullivan,

The time for redoing Wisc. Ave. is here

with the help of Herb Miller and John Assadoorian.

You can start by fixing the Georgetown Theatre’s neon

And bringing back a moviehouse a la Heon.

And one last Christmas wish is pending:

A hope that all Georgetowners spending

A crime-free Yule beneath their trees

Acknowledge a debt to Commander Reese,

Deputy Chief Patrick Burke and all the rest

At our Second District station, you’re the best.

And, hallelujah, say a prayer

For dedicated firemen everywhere

It’s time to end this doggerel

With Georgetowner’s wish for a fond Noel

And hopes that those whose names don’t rhyme

Will still be here next Christmastime

While all our New Year’s wishes unfold

Keep reading us for stories untold.

Merry Christmas,
David Roffman

Can We Agree to the Campus Plan? With These Conditions …
•

Georgetown University’s 2010-20 campus plan is now in the hands of the D.C. Zoning Commission. After all the points and counterpoints, we find ourselves not quite in agreement with anyone. We have previously stated on this page in July: “We agree that an overwhelming majority — and most definitely freshmen and sophomores — should be required to live on campus and be guaranteed on-campus housing. But 100 percent of all undergraduates? Sorry, no.”

With that said, we are in agreement with the Citizens Association of Georgetown that increased trash pick-up and improved shuttle, as cited by the university, is a less than spectacular response to the neighbors’ anger with student’s behavior after hours along their streets.

Here is but a bit from CAG of what some Georgetown residents report.

Michelle Galler: “I am writing as a resident of 36th Street, and a victim of multiple vandalism incidents involving drunk Georgetown University students. Once again, last night, at precisely 2:38 am, a band of drunken, loud students removed the plants from the planters in front of my home and maliciously threw them around the premises. They have done the same with my plantings in the past, as well as urinating on the front lawn and screaming and throwing loud street parties well into the night. . . . We are helplessly being surrounded by callous, entitled students who are not being sufficiently penalized for their bad behavior.”

Walter Parrs went further: “I have lost hope that GU will implement any enforcement plan that will address the extensive problems that Burleith and West Georgetown face. How can any university – or anyone for that matter – control literally hundreds of steaming-drunk college students spread over two neighborhoods? I understand why GU cannot propose an enforcement plan: There is none that will work.”

The university mailed brochures to Georgetown residents a month ago outlining their new efforts. The brochure displayed a headline which read: “We value you as neighbors.”

You think? Sounds kind of condescending.

We know the university is an invaluable plus to this neighborhood, Washington, D.C., and the nation. No doubt about that: one of the greatest schools in America. Its campus plan mostly gained approval from the Washington Post, which wrote in October: “Imagine a city telling its largest private employer — one that pays millions in taxes and salaries, strives to hire local residents and voluntarily does community service — that it can’t grow anymore, that it might have to cut back. That seems far-fetched in light of today’s scary economy, but it’s essentially what D.C. officials are telling Georgetown University by insisting it either house all its students or cut back enrollment. The District seems distressingly disinterested in promoting a knowledge-based economy.” Again, we find it hard to disagree with that.

Here’s the catch: students who live on campus walk back along Prospect, N and other streets from events, parties and bars. That will not change. Homeowners will hear their drunken cries at 2 a.m. It is the city, the partly youthful nature of Georgetown is a good thing. For students who live in off-campus houses and get repeatedly cited by neighbors and the likes of CAG, expulsion must be in play. (We haven’t even touched upon traffic, a new playing field or boathouse, among the many other proposals.)

University administrators must totally upgrade and update their mindset — promoting campus events, offering courses, crafting programs to its closest neighbors (not just those across the city or the globe), who are their “trustees” to the world just as the students are the university’s “representatives” to the neighborhood. We are here; we are not leaving, either. Ten-year plan? We think the university should be in close, continual conversation with local leaders and neighbors. No more closed doors: politics is local, after all. Time for the administrators to open their schools and minds to the neighborhood with an active wooing of — and union with — groups and citizens to the point that Georgetowners say, “We value you as a neighbor.”

Georgetown Senior Center Celebrates Christmas
• December 30, 2011

The reorganized Georgetown Senior Center held Christmas lunch Dec. 19 at St. John’s Episcopal Church on O Street. Founded in 1982 by the late and beloved Virginia Allen, the non-profit regularly gathers its members at the parish hall for lunch Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Volunteers help with the food and fellowship — local restaurants often pitch in, and Mary Meyer and Karen Cruise are still helping in the kitchen. For the seniors, there are programs after lunch as well as day trips to movies or Washington sights. For more information, call 202-316-2632 or visit www.GeorgetownSeniorCenter.org. [gallery ids="100447,114837,114882,114847,114874,114857,114866" nav="thumbs"]

Santa Claus Comes to Town . . . and Other Christmas Trimmings
•

For sheer size and sense of fun, the big winner in Georgetown’s Christmas decorations has to go to Jack Davies of Prospect Street. His 20-feet-tall, inflated Santa Claus waves, “Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas” from the back of his house with its grand vista of the Potomac River to all entering D.C. from Virginia. While many Georgetown homes are trimmed from evergreens, red ribbons and small lights, Davies’s Santa makes for a happy surprise.

The Santa on his rooftop, overlooking Canal Road and M Street, can be seen by Key Bridge commuters stuck in traffic. And it is up there, Davies says, to make people smile. Davies, founder of AOL International, is a philanthropist and businessman who is part owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics.

Drivers and pedestrians enjoy the sight, illuminated at night, as does Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans who says he loves it, too.

Davies first began positioning a Santa a few years ago on a back balcony and discovered how easily the wind can bring it down. This year, with the advice of friend Michael Murphy, an environmental engineer, Davies erected his winning St. Nick the week after Thanksgiving. “The best $700 I ever spent,” he says — and quite a Christmas present from one of our neighbors.
[gallery ids="100448,114925,114907,114934,114897,114943,114952,114887,114961,114970,114877,114979,114988,114867,114917" nav="thumbs"]