News & Politics

Gary Tischler • March 1, 2012

Serendipity isn’t always what it’s cut out to be.

But the death of Whitney Elizabeth Houston at the age of 48, her body found in a bathtub the afternoon before the Grammy Awards Show, in the same hotel where a gala honoring mega-legendary record producer Clive Davis, who discovered and promoted the singer from her teens onward, was a trainload of serendipity that couldn’t help but put a ghost in the machine of the always slickly fueled awards show.

Houston’s death sent a shock wave through the proceedings, through the land of music videos, and the gathering of pop, rock, hip hop, rap, country music stars and anybody (and is there anybody that hasn’t) who ever heard the first thrilling surge of “I Will Always Love You.”. The song and the images of Houston at her youthful, stunning, energetic peak were everywhere by Sunday and Sunday news time. Houston with a pedigree and a gift that fast-tracked her to super-stardom in the music world hadn’t had a major hit or album in years, but she got one almost instantly when news of her passing burst out like baleful thunder, as a compilation album streaked to the top of the lists like a rocket. Such is the death of music stars: the same happened to Elvis, John Lennon and Michael Jackson.

In the news — in spite of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s admonition to celebrate the life of Houston, to concentrate on the joy her music and charisma brought to people — it was a split and inevitable decision, a rise-and-fall story of extreme proportions.

Here was this gifted young girl — a teen who led her church choir in New Jersey—with a mother who was a famous gospel singer, a godmother who was the queen of soul and a cousin that was in some ways the perfect interpreter of pop music as written by Burt Bacharach. That trio would be Cissy Houston, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, and they would provide the musical influences that were the essence of her singing. Producer Clive Davis, after hearing her sing backup with Chaka Khan and other singers, guided her career and signed her to a contract.

She was almost perfection: thin and slender, she was on the cover of Seventeen magazine, she spawned hits with a voice that could break chandeliers and she hit incredible notes that lasted longer than Michael Jordan’s hang-time. She had the best combination of all — an effusive, charismatic personality, a voice nobody could top nor has anyone since, an astonishing beauty made for the age of music videos. In the 1980s and 1990s, she was arguably the biggest female star in the pop music firmament, rolling out a string of hits like “How Will I Know,” “The Greatest Love of All,” “Saving All My Love For You” and the infectious “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” where Houston, with a rich, birds-nest Afro, danced with everybody that saw the video.

Then came “The Bodyguard,” a classy trashy, perfect formula movie that critics disdained and predicted a quick departure. Let’s see: There was Houston, no actress but able to do a world-famous diva star, there was Kevin Costner with a brand new rough-butch haircut and only the biggest male movie star in the world at the time, there was a pop crossover soundtrack that sold millions maybe billions, there was crossover romance and there was “I Will Always Love You,” which Houston managed to sing twice. What’s not to like?

That was followed by a part in “Waiting to Exhale,” a serious black-chick flick and a big hit, cementing her bonafides as superstar, Hollywood-style.

And if the story had stopped there, it would be perfect.

But it didn’t.

Because Houston met and married Bobby Brown, a volatile R&B singer with a record — and it wasn’t hit singles but a rap sheet. They loved and battled, and pretty soon you could read all about Houston every time you stepped into a supermarket checkout line about fights with Brown, alleged abuse and drug abuse of all kinds. When given a litany of drugs on national television of drugs she abused, there were many, many, a shocking admission by a major public entertainment figure of her stature.

Nothing was ever the same. There were more fights with Brown, separation and a divorce, and Houston got custody of their only child. There were shoddy live concerts and cancellations. It seemed as if her life had become one big train wreck, in spite of the emotional support of friends and family. There were comeback attempts, but her voice and her great, natural beauty had taken a beating.

The sadness is that it’s a familiar story, sans details and particulars — those great soaring rises to fame and wealth, and the long fall down. The music industry especially is full of such stories. The surprise was not that her sudden death Saturday was a shock, but that the shock was not a shock of surprise.

The cause of her death was not announced officially by the Los Angeles County coroner’s officer, awaiting results of an autopsy, but rumors of drug use and instances of recent erratic behavior once again were the talk of the blogosphere.

Watching the Grammy Awards show was to see an example of a world of which for a long time she was the queen, but it’s a kingdom that has rashly changed since her reign. It was full of fireworks, huge production numbers by the like of Ms. Perry, and Rhianna, mismatched to Cold Play, and voices that couldn’t match Houston’s on a good day. It was full of old-timers, the Beach Boys saddled up, and sometimes saddled with old band-mate and genius Brian Wilson who sat like a tree at the piano, Paul McCartney needing a hundred violins or so to bring off his number, mixed with another controversial Brown named Chris, and the impeccably wispy and dull Taylor Swift, whose pouty “Mean.” which she sang forever, seemed to be the best that country music had to over this year.

When an oh-so-brief clip of Houston singing you know what or “the Star-Spangled Banner” appeared, you knew there was no one there who could match or let alone top her. Her gifts were so apparent, her voice such a gift, that they needed little embellishment. It should be said that Jennifer Hudson, no slouch in the big voice department, honored her well with her rendition of Houston’s greatest hit in a respectful, tear-producing tribute to Houston at the end of the program.

The rest, unfortunately, will not be silence, but endless blogging, rumors and tweeting. Once again, Houston will rule the checkout line.

We would all be better off to turn aside from the roar and gossip of the fame machine. Better yet, find somebody to dance with. And that song will always be there, in your head and heart, when all the Enquirers and Access Hollywood reporters run out of breath.

Georgetowner •

Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 17th

Did you know that this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week? Take a moment this week to do something nice for others…

Take a look at how some of Georgetown’s businesses will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness on February 17th:?

Sprinkles Cupcakes: 1 free mini cupcake per customer?

The Dog Shop: free dog treats and 10% off sales donated to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue?

Vineyard Vines: free shipping and gift wrap?LUSH: complimentary facials/hand treatments?

Alchimie Forever: a customer will be randomly selected from Facebook for one gift certificate?

Bangkok Joes: show your Facebook post to receive a free spring roll

Where: Georgetown Businesses

CAG Georgetown ARTS Show 2012

February 16th-20th, 11am-5pm

The talent of Georgetown resident artists will be on view at the 3rd Annual Georgetown Arts Show.

Address

House of Sweden

2900 K St, NW

Admission: Free

Contact: 202.337.7313

Out of Sight

February 18th, 2012 at 10:30 AM | $5

Life and Works of Enslaved and Domestic Servants at Tudor Place — Come tour and explore the changing nature and routines of domestic service from 1816- modern times.

Address

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden

1644 31st Street, NW

Washington | DC | 20007

National Eating Disorders Association’s 2nd Annual Washington D.C. NEDA Walk

February 19th, 2012 at 11:00 AM | $20 | Event Website

National Eating Disorders Awareness week’s 2nd annual Washington DC NEDA 5k Walk

Address

The National Mall across from the Smithsonian Castle

St. Jude Gourmet Gala

February 21st, 2012 at 05:30 PM | $350 | daniela.romero@stjude.org | Tel: (703) 351-5171 | Event Website

The Heisley Family Foundation will be hosting the 14th annual St. Jude Gourmet Gala featuring a cocktail reception and silent auction from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM followed by a program and restaurant tasting 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM. Business attire requested.

Address

National Building Museum

401 F Street NW

Washington, DC

Marit Fosso •

Albrecht Muth, a 47-year-old Georgetown resident, was charged in the murder of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Drath. He is now being hospitalized.

According to the Associated Press, his doctors are calling him delusional. Muth claims that he sees Archangel Gabriel who gives him instructions on what to do.

While in jail, he had been starving himself, but has begun eating again. He says he does want to continue with his 40-day fast soon, however.

“He thinks that he is chosen like Moses and Jesus, that he will be protected in his 40-day fast,” said Maria Amato, lawyer for the D.C. Department of Corrections.

On Tuesday, Muth was ruled temporarily incompetent for trial by Washington, D.C. Superior Court Judge, Russel F. Canan and was moved to St. Elizabeths psychiatric hospital in Washington, D.C. where he will receive a full mental evaluation, according to the Huffington Post. After the doctors at St. Elizabeth Hospital have evaluated Muth, the D.C. Superior Court judge will revisit his ruling.

Michelle Kingston •

The Dutch outfit Suitsupply, known for its quality suits at reasonable prices, will be opening its doors at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue at the Four Seasons. The only other US location is in New York.

Move over Einstein’s Bagels, Noodles and Company is taking over Einstein’s Bagels old location by the Safeway building at 1855 Wisconsin Avenue. Dine in or take out a wide array of menu options, all containing noodles of course.

Campari as told to Karen Feld •

My mom loves both dogs and dog art -– there’s little better than that combination for us. So, she took me to the Barkfest annual charity brunch at Bonhams Auction House on posh Madison Avenue in Manhattan Feb. 12. It was fun for a Georgetown pup to sniff out the buffet brunch which included dog treats on the tables with the bagels and mini muffins. The event benefited a worthwhile cause: the American Kennel Club’s Humane Fund, a charity which promotes responsible pet ownership.

While the 130 humans, many of them collectors or breeders, checked out the prized dog art collection, I met a canine celebrity, London, the reigning AKC/Eukanuba national champion, whose show name is Grand Champion Jaset’s Satisfaction, as in the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” He’s a black standard poodle and competed at this year’s dog show at Madison Square Garden. He is much larger than I am and among the 50 dogs at the brunch. He strutted around me and was primping and posing on the eve of his Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show appearance. We also met Clare, a four-month old Havanese, closer to my size, with owner Joan Ambrose, who had her father, P.J., the number one of the breed.

Richard Vulliet, a veterinarian and professor at University of California at Davis, attended the brunch without Magnum, his Canaan, the reigning national champion. “He’s in ‘doggie jail’ because he’s showing tomorrow,” Vulliet explained. He described his dog as “a coyote crossed with a Holstein cow.” The Israeli government uses the breed as bomb sniffers. Vulliet shared with us the exciting potential of his extensive research in California using stem cell technology to extend dogs’ lives. That deserves a big “woof.”

Bonhams annual “Dogs in Show & Field: The Fine Art Sale” of dog-related objects and art coincides with Westminster week. “The AKC has the largest and best collection of dog art in the world,” said Alan Fausel, director of fine art at Bonhams NY.

And, yes, you might have heard about this year’s winner of the 136th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: Malachy, the Pekingese, is more my size but with a lot more fur. [gallery ids="100495,118041" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

While you may have missed former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strolling around 36th and Prospect Streets near his alma mater Georgetown University, after dining at 1789 Restaurant Feb. 17, you can tune into public television tonight for the start of a two-part documentary on Clinton, just in time for Presidents’ Day.

Public Broadcasting Service’s “American Experience” takes on the Clinton years in a four-hour, two-part treatment, which airs 9 p.m., tonight and tomorrow (locally, WETA and WHUT).

Clinton began his presidential run in autumn 1991, giving his “New Covenant” speeches at Georgetown University’s Gaston Hall. At the time, Georgetowner editor and publisher David Roffman gave an assignment to one of his editors to cover the address by the Arkansas governor who was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Roffman had thought it a minor local event as he believed Clinton did not have a chance to beat Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.).

Michelle Kingston • February 23, 2012

The Georgetowner’s very own society columnist, Mary Bird, was featured in The Washingtonian this week with her two 13-year-old Burmese cats, Sam and Slutie. The article, “Love Your Pets: Crazy For Cats,” written by Gwendolyn Purdom, headlined six D.C. area cat lovers.

More than a lover, Bird is a supporter, too. Involved in various animal societies, she spends a lot of her time making sure animals are being taken care of as well as she treats her own.

Bird’s cats have taken over her apartment. “Their stuff is all over this place,” she said in regards to their toy baskets and framed photos.

These two are actually the second set of Burmese cats that Bird has spoiled. The original Sam and Slutie passed away years ago and her late husband, Collins Bird — who ran the Georgetown Inn — insisted they purchase Sam 2 and Slutie 2. “We’re not changing their names,” she said he told her.

Today, Bird resides in her apartment near Washington National Cathedral with the felines who do not step outside often. “Their paws have never touched pavement,” she told Purdom. “They have their annual visit to the vet, which is very traumatic.” Aside from this, the 2 of them stay indoors and continue to be loved by their overly kind and caring owner, our Mary Bird. [gallery ids="100513,118819" nav="thumbs"]

David Post • February 22, 2012

Remember that entertainer who puts a sponge ball under one of three cups? You watch closely as he moves them around. He stops, picks up the cup with the ball under it, and you’re proud for not having been tricked.

He does it again, but this time his hands and the cups are a blur. When he stops, you have no idea where the ball is. Someone guesses, points to a cup, and misses. The cup magician raises another cup, and there’s the ball. The crowd claps, and some leave money in his hat.

The cup magician, a small business job creator, has a tax question. How much tax should he pay on the money in his hat? Is it earned income with a possible 35-percent rate? Or can an imaginative tax guru figure a way to characterize this process as investment income, perhaps as a dividend from the capital investment in the cups and sponge ball, resulting in the lower 15-percent rate?

Suppose that instead of using a sponge ball, the magician put stock certificates under the cup and moved them around. That’s good tax planning. Moving money and investments around is clearly an investment activity. Hence, he would be entitled to the lower 15-percent rate.

The logic behind lower capital gain rates is that patient capital creates jobs, and the investor incurs the risk of loss. The investor also has the advantage of when to sell and, therefore, when to pay the tax, or to not sell and owe no tax. Employees don’t enjoy that luxury of determining when they pay their tax.

The tax rate on dividends is also 15 percent because they are generated by the capital investment. Because dividends are paid to shareholders from corporate earnings that have been taxed, Republicans want to eliminate all taxes on dividends.

Lower tax rates on investment income are among the largest loopholes in the tax code and have been the centerpiece of Republican economic policy for years. So, the big question is whether lower taxes on investment income spur economic activity and create jobs.

Here is a 30-year tax history in a nutshell:

-Ronald Reagan reduced rates on earned income, increased rates on capital gains,
increased deficits, and generated 11 million jobs.

-Bill Clinton increased rates, reduced deficits, and generated 22 million jobs.

-George W. Bush reduced tax rates, doubled the national debt, and created no jobs.

That’s right: PRESIDENT REAGAN RAISED RATES ON CAPITAL GAINS. During his second term, Reagan reduced tax rates on earned income and increased (yes – INCREASED!) rates on investment income from 20 to 28 percent.

President George W. Bush lowered taxes on investment income to 15 percent, the lowest in US history. That tax cut created no jobs (arguably lost jobs), reduced revenues and doubled the national debt. Would someone – anyone – explain why more tax cuts will work now?

On a personal level, I bought some Apple stock for $325 per share. It’s now worth $425. I also earned dividends from Microsoft. The tax rate on my Apple and Microsoft investment income is half the rate on my salary income. Did that income generate twice as many jobs as my salary income?

The Republican presidential candidates think so.

On a large scale, Mitt Romney paid $6 million tax on $41 million income over the past two years. Lower taxes on his investment income saved him $7 million. Did those tax savings – some of it parked off shore and some in Switzerland (until he ran for president) – create tons of jobs?

The Republican presidential candidates think so.

History has proven otherwise, but bidding taxes down attracts votes.
Until rates get to zero – which happens to be Ron Paul’s proposal – what’s a tax savvy cup magicians to do? Replace those sponge balls under their cups with stock certificates. That will cut their taxes in half. And maybe put more cup magicians to work

Georgetowner •

Georgetown’s newest addition of contemporary women’s clothing, duo (with a little “D”), will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, February 11. A sibling venture—as Georgetown is becoming known for, with the Cupcake Sisters and the Pie Sisters, among other family-owned and operated businesses in the area—duo is the work of sisters Kyle and Elizabeth Barber, who promise to bring affordable, contemporary fashion to the neighborhood.

The newest boutique in town features upscale, designer apparel and one-of-a-kind hand-crafted accessories, catering to the trendy fashion sense of the District and offering a mix of established and up-and-coming designers, including Greylin, Ali Ro, Amanda Uprichard, Addison Story and more.

“We also have Cynthia Steffe’s new line Cluny, that’s just been released through Neeman Marcus,” says Elizabeth. “That’s one of our favorites.”

“Addison Story isn’t around as much either, but I love it,” adds Kyle. “It’s kind of whimsical, with flowy tops and mixes of silk and fun patterns. Stuff that be worn to work, but also out to happy hour.”

Duo is looking to be a wonderful addition to Georgetown’s retail district, appealing to young professionals, who want to wear designer clothes without having to pay typical designer prices. The store’s price points are generally between $150 and $250, but there are plenty of items around $50.

The shop will also carry Kyle’s custom designed, handmade jewelry. “I started making jewelry years ago for family and friends, and people loved it,” Kyle says. “And I was tired of looking around and seeing people wearing the same stuff, that was also way more expensive than I thought it was worth. My jewelry definitely has a bohemian edge—it’s a combination of designs and materials. I love to find vintage earrings and incorporate them into more modern materials. To me—and everyone else has been very excited about it, too—it’s affordable and totally unique. You’ll never see anyone else wearing it.”

One line of Kyle’s jewelry will be putting a portion of all proceeds toward charity.

Kyle and Elizabeth have been working toward duo for a while now. Kyle has her Masters in education and has always been rather crafty. The store is something the sisters have always wanted to do. “And now seemed like a good time to join our interests together,” says Elizabeth.

Join duo on Saturday for champagne, mimosas and hor d’oeuvres all day, from 10am to 7pm, and welcome them to the neighborhood. Duo is located at 1624 Wisconsin Ave., just next door to Urban Chic.

For more information visit duoDC.com