National Zoo Lights Up
• December 19, 2011

When you live in Washington, you’re never more than a few minutes away from some entertaining surprises.

We live in Adams Morgan and one evening, getting a little exercise on a trek along Connecticut Avenue in Woodley Park, we decided to head up to the National Zoo by way of the front gate.

We stumbled upon the zoo’s popular holiday ZooLights extravaganza, a delightful evening and night time event that rolls up as a classic Christmas occasion, combining a spectacular visual feast with sparkling electric light sculptures—lions and tigers and pandas, ohmygod – music and caroling, a train minus tracks, an artificial skating rink and opportunities to embrace the season’s spirit of giving.

Except for the train rides and the rink, everything is free and the occasion becomes an opportunity to visit the zoo in an entirely new way, in a very different nighttime setting, like wandering through a perpetual light show—see the flying, leaping leopards, electronic birds flying overhead

The big outdoors animals won’t be out, but their electronic, lit-up versions are everywhere. Indoor venues, on the other hand, are open, so there’s a chance to visit animals of night at the Small Mammal House, the Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, the Think Tank and the Kid’s Farm.

The event resumes after a brief hiatus to run again nightly, Dec. 16 through Jan. 1, except Dec. 24, 25 and 31, from 5 to 9 p.m.

ZooLights may be the best, most enjoyable, family-friendly event going in Washington during the holidays. There’s an electricity in the air beyond the lights themselves – it’s a magical time for children and adults alike, and the combination of children running and playing, staring up at the sky and all around them alongside siblings and parents creates a playful energy and warmth that’s contagious.

Music provided by local school groups, including jazz bands and choral groups, add to the spirit of the night.

It’s also a great night for charity and giving. This year, the Friends of the National Zoo are partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to donate gently worn winter outer wear, including hats, scarves, gloves and coats. Guests can make donations during the zoo’s regular hours as well as during ZooLights. Additionally, all proceeds from concessions and parking sales will benefit numerous Zoo conservation efforts.

A Wisconsin Avenue Re-birth under a Re-lit Georgetown Theater Sign?
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Residents and business persons met Nov. 29 at the old Georgetown Theater, now emptied of its jewelry stands, to discuss the commercial potential of Wisconsin Avenue in the center of the village. The brainstorming session, sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, was headlined by Councilman Jack Evans, real estate developer Herb Miller and retail broker John Asadoorian, a board member of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, with CAG secretary Topher Mathews of the Georgetown Metropolitan as moderator.

The former theater still sports its rusty old sign, now famous, but also stands as a reminder of the loss of a once lively mix of nearby retail businesses at Wisconsin Avenue and O Street. Along with it vanished the Georgetown Pharmacy, Little Caledonia, Au Pied du Cochon and Neam’s Market, which was frequented and beloved by residents for decades.

“I would love to see that sign re-lit,” said Angie Heon Nys, one of the Heon family owners of the Georgetown Theater property at 1351 Wisconsin Ave., which has been for sale for more than two years. Others thought the idea of re-lighting the sign – not a new idea – could be a catalyst for this commercial stretch of the avenue. “I remember when Wisconsin Avenue was more important than M Street,” said George Heon.
While chains get the attention, Mathews offered a break-down of Georgetown retail businesses, showing that more than 70 percent are independents. Of all retail, roughly 25 percent are restaurants and 25 percent are clothing stores.

Asadoorian cautioned that statistics can mislead, saying that “chains are the bricks, and independents the mortar” of local retail. He said the market was the main decider of which businesses would choose to set up shop and added that Georgetown might be getting the reputation as “a hard place to do business.”

“Instead of sticks,” Asadoorian said, “we need carrots.”

Evans reminded those in attendance that he has lived in D.C. since 1978 and in Georgetown since 1993: “I think it is the best community in the U.S. and the world.” He also recalled all the work done to improve the town’s infrastructure. With the increasing interest and leadership on fixing the avenue, Evans said that a plan ought to be agreed upon and not left to chance.

Miller said that there needs to be a vision for Wisconsin Avenue “from Safeway to the waterfront.” And with $11 million left over from the Tax Incremental Financing that was paid for by Ward 2 for Penn Quarter’s and Gallery Place’s redevelopment, Miller suggested that the money might be moved for use anywhere in Ward 2 – specifically, Georgetown – to assist new retail tenants. (Such loans downtown helped the Spy Museum, which has promptly re-paid its loan, Evans said.)

Ideas bounced around during the meeting in the broken-down theater with a standing-room-only crowd. There is a lot of work and collaboration to do, all agreed. One sign of the future was the provider of refreshments for the group: the newly opened Paul Bakery, located near the intersection of Wisconsin and M. Paul is an international chain eatery of French breads, pastries and food that fits in perfectly with Georgetown’s present and past.
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Weekend Roundup December 1, 2011
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Winter Wonderland Sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown

DECEMBER 2nd, 2011 AT 7:00PM | TEL: 202-337-7313| EVENT WEBSITE

The Georgetown Gala will take place on Friday, December 2nd at the Embassy of the Russian Federation from 7 until 11pm. Ambassador and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak are honorary chairs for the black tie evening which brings together over 400 residents, businesses, organizations and government leaders to highlight CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community. Gala Co-Chairs Nancy Taylor Bubes, Michele Evans and Patrice Miller are planning a Winter Wonderland which will include Russian vodka & caviar, an elegant dinner, a live auction, and dancing. Georgetowners John Richardson and Franco Nuschese will be the honored.

to purchase tickets please visit www.cagtown.org or at CAG offices located at 1365 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Address

The Embassy of The Russian Federation

2650 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington DC 20007

The Nutcracker, the Washington Ballet

DECEMBER 1-24th, 2011 AT 07:00 PM | UPPER BALCONY SEATING: $90. ORCHESTRA SEATING: $31 – $90. MID-BALCONY SEATING: $56 – $90. | TEL: TICKETMASTER, 202-397-7328 | EVENT WEBSITE

The Washington Ballet performs a very special version of The Nutcracker for the 50th time this year. With PytorIlych Tchaikovsky’s music and choreography, this performance takes you back to Georgetown in 1882, stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George III as the villainous Rat King and introduces you to Anacostia Indians, frontiersmen, and many other all-American delights.

December 1-24, 2011?11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 7 p.m.

Address

The Warner Theatre?

513 13th Street?

Washington, DC 20004

Christmas in Middleburg, Virginia

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:30 AM | ORGANIZER@CHRISTMASINMIDDLEBURG.ORG | TEL: 540-687-8888 | EVENT WEBSITE

A quaint town in Virginia celebrates the holiday with a day-long festival featuring Breakfast with Santa at 8:30am, followed by the Middleburg Hunt Review parade at 11:00am, and the Christmas Parade down Washington Street at 2:00pm. Kids activities all day.

Address

Middleburg, Virginia

Swedish Christmas Bazaar

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 11:00 AM | FREE | PERNILLAE.JONSSON@GMAIL.COM | TEL: 571 338 5240 | EVENT WEBSITE

SWEA Washington DC (Swedish Women’s Educational Association) supported by the Embassy of Sweden; holds its annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 am to 5 pm, December 3, at House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW (Georgetown waterfront). Foggy Bottom is the closest metro station. Find Swedish artwork, crafts, crystal, textiles, books and traditional foods for sale. Visit the Swedish Café. There is also a raffle. Santa Lucia Procession is singing Swedish Christmas carols. Activities room for children.

Address

2900 K Street NW?

Washington, DC 20007

Flamenco Men

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:00 PM | $18-$30 | INFO@GALATHEATRE.ORG | TEL: (202) 234-7174 | EVENT WEBSITE

Edwin Aparicio, who appears regularly at national and international dance festivals, has created a stunning new work featuring male dancers only.

Address

GALA Hispanic Theatre

?3333 14th St., NW?Washington, DC 20010

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents “Russian Rhapsody”

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | TICKETS: $7 ADULT, $5 SENIOR/STUDENT, FREE FOR AGES 5 AND UNDER | EVENTS@AYPO.ORG | TEL: 703-642-8051 | EVENT WEBSITE

American Youth Concert Orchestra – J.D. Anderson, Conductor
?
American Youth Symphonic Orchestra? – Carl J. Bianchi, Conductor

Program:
?Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles?
Bach arr. Calliet: Fugue in G Minor?
Alfred Reed: Greensleeves – A Symphonic Setting
?Del Borgo: Hatikvah
?Hershey Kay: Pat-A-Pan?
Delibes arr. Isaac: March and Procession of Bacchus
?Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla
?Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kiji Suite?
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien

Address

Vienna Presbyterian Church,

124 Park Street N.E., Vienna, VA 22180

Messiah Sing!

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 04:00 PM | $15, STUDENTS UNDER 18 FREE | MUSICINMCLEAN@GMAIL.COM | TEL: (703) 560-0670 | EVENT WEBSITE

Join us for a wonderful holiday tradition: A sing-a-long performance of one of Handel’s most moving and memorable works, the ‘Messiah’. This beautiful work celebrates the promise of redemption and peace for all mankind. Choir, soloists and orchestra will be under the direction of Cheryl Branham. Bring along a $10 deposit (refunded at the end of the performance) to receive a scorebook with your admission and sing along. Or, simply come and enjoy the music at this family friendly event!

Address

Saint Luke Catholic Church

?7001 Georgetown Pike?McLean, VA 22101

Mayor Joins Hilltop’s Yuletide Get-Together for Neighbors
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Georgetown University held its annual “Holiday Open House” Dec. 7 in historic Riggs Library at the south tower of landmark Healy Hall. Each Christmas season, neighbors, business and community leaders and university officials gather for conversation, food, drink and music. And, despite heavy rain, it looked like everyone showed up, including the Mayor of Washington, D.C., who had visions of streetcars, a GU-GWU basketball game and town-gown peace in his head.

Georgetown’s president John DeGioia and his wife Theresa welcomed everyone — from little girls with their moms to Mayor Vincent Gray — during the popular party put on by the university’s Office of External Relations and Office of Student Affairs. Young students from the Holy Trinity School Choir and Georgetown students from the Gospel Choir entertained the well-wishers.

DeGioia introduced Mayor Gray to the crowd in the grand, multi-storied room which one guest described as something out of “Harry Potter.” Gray thanked DeGioia, commended associate vice president Linda Greenan and Brenda Atkinson-Willoughby of Georgetown’s external relations office and mentioned Georgetown’s hot town-gown issue, the 10-year campus plan now under consideration by the District’s zoning commission. “Can you imagine working on one every year?” asked Gray. As for working on disagreements about it, he added: “I would not say it’s delightful. You will get to a conclusion.”

Gray envisions the District becoming a leader in high technology, he said, as well as using the collective minds of the universities in D.C. As if needing to clarify, he said: “I have no intention in taxing universities.”After touting new light rail routes in the city, Gray said, “We ought to bring streetcars back to Georgetown. We already have the tracks.” One more item on Gray’s wish list: a basketball game between Georgetown University and his alma mater George Washington University (the college teams do not play each other).

Among the guests: Councilman-at-Large Vincent Orange, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Deputy Chief Patrick Burke and Second District Commander Michael Reese; advisory neighborhood commissioners Ron Lewis, Ed Solomon and Bill Starrels, the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s Barbara Downs and Ray Kukulski; the Georgetown Business Association’s Rokas Beresniovas, Sue Hamiton, Janine Schoonover and Beth Webster.
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Wreaths Across America Honors Deceased Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery (photos)
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Wreaths Across America volunteers laid over 90,000 wreaths on Saturday, December 10, 2011 to honor veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Founded in 1992 by wreath-maker Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, the event helps communities recognize and remember the sacrifices of those who have served in America’s armed forces. Organizers said 15,000 people joined the effort at Arlington.
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Weekend Roundup December 08, 2011
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Woodley House Movie Benefit

DECEMBER 8TH, 2011 AT 05:30 AM | $50-$300+ | DANIELLE@LANDSDALEASSOC.COM | TEL: 202.467.6500 | EVENT WEBSITE

An advance screening of Warner Bros Pictures’ New Year’s Eve. All proceeds go to DC-based nonprofit Woodley House, which helps people with mental illness reclaim their lives and reach their goals and aspirations. The Honorable Jane Harman will be honored.

Address

5:30 pm reception at Spices, 3333 Connecticut Avenue, NW

7:30 pm screening at Uptown, 3426 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Duke Ellington School of the Arts Holiday Gift Bazaar & Art Show

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 10:00 AM | FREE – OPEN TO PUBLIC | SHADE4DESA@GMAIL.COM | TEL: 202.282.0123 | EVENT WEBSITE

Shop ’til you drop at the 2011 Holiday Gift Bazaar & Art Show at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, 10am – 7pm. The Bazaar will feature: Fine Art & Artist; Gold & Silver Jewelry; Holiday Cards; Unique Home Décor; Authors & Calendars; Natural Bath & Beauty Products; Silent Auction; Food Vendors; Performances by duke Ellington School of the Arts departments, and much, much more!
ADMISSION IS FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!?Vendor space is available email shade4desa@gmail.com for details.

Address

Duke Ellington School of the Arts?

3500 R Street, NW?Washington, DC 20007

Aidah Collection Holiday Trunk Sale Series – Part 1

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 01:00 PM | $25 – $200 | FASHION@AIDAH.COM | EVENT WEBSITE

A celebration & sale of unique handmade clothing & gifts by Aidah Collection.
Complimentary cocktails, Goodie Bags and Raffle Prizes. 10% donated to charity
RSVP at Facebook.com/AidahCollection

Address

CARBON Boutique?

2643 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20008?(Across the street from Woodley Park Metro)

National Philharmonic Chorale to Perform Handel’s Messiah

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 08:00 PM | $32-$79 KIDS UNDER 17 ARE FREE | TEL: (301) 581-5100 | EVENT WEBSITE

The National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson will conduct the National Philharmonic in Handel’s Messiah on Dec 10 at 8 pm and Dec 11 at 3 pm.
The concert will feature the National Philharmonic’s nearly 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, as well as soloists.

Address

National Philharmonic?The Music Center at Strathmore?

5301 Tuckerman Lane?North Bethesda, MD 20852

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents “Winter Magic”

DECEMBER 11TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | $7 ADULT, $5 SENIOR/STUDENT, FREE FOR AGES 5 AND UNDER | EVENTS@AYPO.ORG | TEL: 703-642-8051 | EVENT WEBSITE

American Youth String Ensemble?Cheri Collins, Conductor
Program:?Beethoven arr. Robert Longfield: Allegretto (from Symphony No. 7)?Vivaldi: Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 3, No. 11?Tchaikovsky arr. Jamin Hoffman: Scenes from Swan Lake?Holst: Jig from St. Paul’s Suite

Address

Langley High School

6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101

HOLIDAY IN VENICE: Cantate Chamber Singers

DECEMBER 11TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | $30, STUDENTS $15 | EXEC@CANTATE.ORG | TEL: 301-986-1799 | EVENT WEBSITE

This holiday season tour the dazzling musical history of Venice with Cantate Chamber Singers. The program includes stunning seasonal works by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and more. With the festive sounds of the Continuum Brass Quintet.Cantate’s director, Gisèle Becker, has been called a “music master” by Washingtonian, and the group is known for its Baroque style, innovative programming, and sharing great choral music with D.C.-area audiences in the most intimate concert settings.

Address

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

?3rd and A Streets, S.E.?Washington, D.C.

D.C. Ranks 22 in FBI’s Most Dangerous Cities List
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Washington, D.C. was ranked 22 among the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S., according to 2010 data released by the FBI, an improvement since 2009 when it ranked 16.

In first place was St. Louis, Mo., while Camden, N.J. was second and Detroit, Mich. was third.

D.C.’s ranking demonstrates a significant improvement since 2009, and reaches a slightly better figure than in 2008, when it was placed at 21.

Top 25 Most Dangerous Cities

1. St. Louis, Mo.
2. Camden, N.J.
3. Detroit, Mich.
4. Flint, Mich.
5. Oakland, Calif.
6. Richmond, Calif.
7. Cleveland, Ohio
8. Compton, Calif.
9. Gary, Ind.
10. Birmingham, Ala.
11. Baltimore, Md.
12. Memphis, Tenn.
13. New Orleans, La.
14. Jackson, Miss.
15. Little Rock, Ariz.
16. Baton Rouge, La.
17. Buffalo, N.Y.
18. New Haven, Conn.
19. Hartford, Conn.
20. Dayton, Ohio
21. Kansas City, Mo.
22. Washington, D.C.
23. Newark, N.J.
24. Cincinnati, Ohio
25. Atlanta, Ga.

Click here to view a PDF of the complete 2010 rankings, or click here to view 2009’s rankings.

Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony (photos)
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The 47th Capitol Christmas tree was lit up in a ceremony on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. The 63 foot Sierra white fir from California’s Stanislaus National Forest was decorated with more than 10,000 LED lights and some 2,000 handmade ornaments from the State of California.
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Harry Morgan, Age 96, Wonderful Actor, Wonderful Life.
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I know that Frank Capra’s eternal Hollywood classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is about a guy named George Bailey as impersonated by Jimmy Stewart, but this week, after reading about the passing of actor Harry Morgan at the age of 96, I couldn’t help but wonder if it shouldn’t have been about him.

Even Morgan understood what kind of life he had led as a working actor, not of the Jimmy Stewart star standing, but of the every-day-working-kind, who periodically sparkled a little larger than life, especially late in his life

That’s when Morgan, a thin-faced jack-of-all-roles who appeared in over 100 films and numerous television series, got a gift that merely made him a forever memory. From 1975 to 1983, he played the part of Colonel Sherman Potter, the last commander of the irreverent Korean War combat medical unit in the long-running series “MASH, joining Alan Alda and Mike Ferrell and other stalwarts of the hugely popular sitcom .

Potter, as MASH commanders went, was endearing, a life-time military officer who knew he was out of his element among the crassly irreverent surgeons and noncoms of this unit, operating in a war nobody understood except that they always had work patching up and trying to save the many wounded and not always succeeding.

Morgan’s Potter was old-school, he rode a horse, he had empathy and humor and took his values, but not himself, seriously. Potter, as played by Morgan, was always funny, but he had a gift, he managed to maintain his dignity and grace in the middle of a chaotic, violent, messy environment.

As an actor, he could play just about anybody, and probably had, going back to the 1943 western classic “The Ox Bow Incident.” Much much later, he would be remembered as the stoic sheriff in a changing Colorado town visited by a dying gunfighter played by John Wayne in “The Shootist”, Wayne’s last film. Jimmy Stewart was also in and a young ‘un named Ron Howard. Morgan was also Jack Webb’s sidekick in a color revival of the popular cop procedural “Dragnet.”

According to one story, when they finished with the last episode of MASH, which became the most watched episode on television ever, Morgan cried. He said that the show made him “a better person.”

In the Archive of American Television, referenced in a Dawn.com story on Morgan, he’s quoted as saying “I’d like to be remembered for being a fairly pleasant person and for having gotten along for the most part with a lot of the people I’ve worked with

“And for having a wonderful life and for having enjoyed practically every minute of it. I think I’m one of the luckiest people in the world.”

Exeunt Colonel Potter, age 96, wonderful actor, wonderful life.

Joseph E. Robert Jr. 1952-2011
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Joseph E. Robert Jr., one of D.C.’s most well-known financiers and creator of “Fight Night,” died yesterday of glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, which he battled for three years. He was 59.
The man who started his life with a troubled childhood, getting kicked out of Mount St. Mary’s University and working odd jobs, finally made his name in his asset management company, J.E. Robert Cos. Inc., since renamed JER Partners.

Robert led a lifestyle befitting his income, yet he also never lost his charitable spirit, giving away millions of dollars. Fight Night, an annual event that benefits underprivileged District children, is one of Washington’s favorite and most rowdy charity events.

Look for an appreciation essay and other stories about Joe Robert in the Dec. 14th issue of The Georgetowner.