ELEW Rocks Halcyon House for Sasha Bruce
• December 22, 2011

Rock/jazz pianist ELEW (Eric Lewis) held court with his mighty piano in the studio hall of Halcyon House Dec. 13 to benefit Sasha Bruce Youthwork, which provides shelter and counseling to runaway, abused and neglected children and their families. The D.C. non-profit – which began in Georgetown’s Christ Church – was enlarged by donations from Evangeline Bruce, wife of Ambassador David Bruce, following the death of their daughter Sasha who had helped troubled youths as a volunteer.

Jasmine Williams, a Sasha Bruce success story, saved from her abusive stepfather, told the crowd in John Dreyfuss’s studio that she was preparing to go to college. ELEW said he felt at home at the Sasha Bruce house. Even Mayor Vincent Gray showed up to praise the group and its founder, Deborah Shore: “We share the same values.”

Then, it was time for the main event. The expressive, high-energy ELEW pounded the ivories and plucked the cords with such tunes as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Fireflies,” “Paint It Black” and more, along with his own “Thanksgiving” – and some Christmas riffs, too. (ELEW’s new album debuts soon.)
[gallery ids="100439,114387,114402,114395" nav="thumbs"]

The Hamilton by Clyde’s: Unique in Space, Time and Sound
•

The Hamilton, Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s new 37,000-square-foot restaurant at 14th and F Streets, is making the scene in no small way. It is as big in space and in time as the ambition of the first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, whose federal department is but a block away with the White House nearby.

The same goes for the food and the music. Under the care of executive Brian Stickel, the menu is an expansive mix: steaks, seafood, salads, munchies, muffulettas and burgers, too. (Too much to name right now.) It changes for the time of day, there is a breakfast, brunch and lunch menu and more. There is an Eggs Hamilton on the late night menu. It will be the first Clyde’s joint (the original opened 1963 in Georgetown) ever to serve sushi. Oh, did we add that, as in 24/7, the Hamilton which opens Sunday, Dec. 18, never closes?

In keeping with the restaurant designers of Clyde’s, the artwork is custom, the woodwork perfection and the look and details contemporary but classic. Check out the Lady Liberty hanging lamps.
The Hamilton is in the old Borders space, where before that was the flagship of Garfinkel’s department store. It is the 15th Clyde’s restaurant; Old Ebbitt Grill, owned by the group, is one block away on 15th Street.

A lot of patrons can show up: first floor restaurant areas, 400 seats; upstair Loft private dining room, 80 seated/100 standing; live music seating, 260 seats, 100 bar stools. Downstairs, the sound-proofed, high-tech music space has its own menu for “quiet food,” such as sliders, pizza or sushi. It will display pictures of the likes of Dylan, Hendrix and Elvis. Musical acts are just getting scheduled.

At presstime, The Hamilton Burger was “to be determined.” Singer Mavis Staples will headline the grand opening celebration on Jan. 19. And, that’s right, no duels allowed.
[gallery ids="100441,114438,114430,114422,114407,114414" nav="thumbs"]

Christmas Heartbreak: 2 Deaths Near Key Bridge Dec. 16
•

A man discovered on the towpath beneath Key Bridge after 5 p.m. and a United States Park Police officer responding to the emergency both died Dec. 16.

U.S. Park Police Sgt. Michael Boehm suffered a seizure 5:30 p.m. on the scene while first responding to the man on the towpath and working with D.C. Fire & EMS personnel. Boehm died of a cardiac arrest, according to Kevin Kornreich of the D.C. Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency. He was pronounced dead at Georgetown University Hospital. The 45-year-old Boehm had been with the Park Police for 19 years and was an Army veteran.

Two joggers running on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal’s towpath halted when coming upon the so-called jumper. Prospect Street resident Andy Kline and his female running companion were stunned at the sight and the pool of blood, he said. The woman, who requested anonymity, said she called 9-1-1 at 5:05 p.m.

With Key Bridge at least 35 feet above, the man on towpath was attended by D.C. Fire & EMS personnel and later pronounced dead at Georgetown University Hospital. He has not been identified by police who have also not confirmed whether he jumped or fell from the bridge.

U.S. Park Police were on the scene at 34th and the C&O Canal, next to Francis Scott Key Park, as it is part of the National Park System. Along with the D.C. Fire Department, the Metropolitan Police Department were also on the scene. With the call, “Officer Down,” there were many Park Police cruisers on the streets and a helicopter flying overhead.

The emergency snarled Friday night rush hour traffic. Police stopped M Street traffic for a time, closed Key Bridge at M Street and in Arlington for at least 20 minutes and re-routed eastbound Canal Road traffic to Virginia. Police also blocked the intersections of 34th and 35th Streets at Prospect Street for about 30 minutes. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., fire trucks, ambulances and police cars began to drive off, and roads were opened to regular traffic.

Boehm is the only line-of-duty death this year for the U.S. Park Police, one of the nation’s oldest law enforcement agencies. He is survived by his wife Corrina and son Christopher. As of yet, a memorial service has not been announced.
[gallery ids="100445,114707,114724,114716" nav="thumbs"]

G’town Business Group in Festive Mood with Mayor, Councilmen and Awardees
•

The Georgetown Business Association held its annual meeting and awards presentations for the holiday season Dec. 14 at Dumbarton House on Q Street. The mood was festive in tune with the Christmas season as Mayor Vincent Gray and councilmen Jack Evans and Vincent Orange addressed GBA members and friends. Noting that he had been in Georgetown a lot lately, Gray seemed in high spirits as he teased advisory neighborhood commissioner Ed Solomon (“Ed, I am here because of you.”) and Ward 2’s long-serving councilman Jack Evans (“How do you get to that stage without an opponent?). Gray also said he and the council were working to get the Washington Redskins back in D.C. and complimented the Citizens Association of Georgetown for their recent gala and the Right On Band.

The incoming GBA president Rokas Beresniovas proclaimed the state of the association strong and said that lobbying for local interests would a top goal, and GBA secretary Janine Schoonover introduced the presenters and awardees. The Art Schultz Communitarian Award was presented to Karen Daly on behalf of Dumbarton House by last year’s awardee John Dreyfuss of Halcyon House. The Joe Pozell Public Safety Award was given to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District Commander Michael Reese and officer Roberto Corchado as well as to Chip Dent for his work on high-tech videocams. The Business of the Year Award went to Serendipity 3 – presented to co-owner/restaurateur Britt Swan by last year’s awardee Judith Beermann of the Georgetown Dish. Lawyer Joel Bennett certified the election of new board members. Outgoing GBA president Joe Giannino was also thanked with an award but could not attend. Yes, Santa Claus did stop by.
[gallery ids="114428,114367,114419,114410,114401,114377,114393,114386" nav="thumbs"]

Weekend Roundup December 15, 2011
•

The Georgetowner’s Annual Photo Competition

BECOME The Georgetowner’s next photography contest WINNER!

Submit up to five photographs taken anywhere in Georgetown. The coolest, most incredible, eye-catching, blow-us-away photograph will WIN THE FRONT COVER of our publication.

Deadline for photograph submissions is: January 4th, 2012

Please send submissions to photography@georgetowner.com

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington: Red & Greene holiday show featuring Ellen Greene

December 16th, 2011 at 08:00 AM | $50 – $25 prices subject to change | tgrant@gmcw.org | Tel: 202-293-1548 | Event Website

DC’s perennial favorite holiday show is back with a very special guest, Broadway and television star, Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors, Pushing Daisies). Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there’s no place like homo for the holidays. Bold production numbers and glittering holiday songs from a Chorus of more than 250 men will make your days merry and bright.

Address

Lisner Auditorium at the George Washington University,

730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC.

The Dog Shop: Pet Photos with Santa

December 17th, 2011 at 011:00 AM-3:00PM | Tel: 202-337-DOGS |

On Saturday, December 17th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., take your pet for a photo with Santa at The Dog Shop (1625 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). Benefiting Washington Humane Society, your pet photo with Santa is the perfect addition to the family holiday photo album and a great gift for loved ones abroad. 202.337.DOGS

Address

1625 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Washington DC. 20007

National Philharmonic Singers Holiday Concert

December 17th, 2011 at 08:00 PM | free | h@nationalphilharmonic.org | Tel: 301-493-9283

The National Philharmonic Singers and Washington Symphonic Brass Quartet will present a free holiday concert, featuring music from the great cathedrals of Europe along with new arrangements of holiday favorites.

Address

Christ Episcopal Church

107 South Washington Street Rockville, MD

Community Open House and Toy Drive

December 18th, 2011 at 01:00 AM | jordace16@aol.com | Tel: 202-944-8400 | Event Website

Long & Foster, Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International, would like to thank the Georgetown Community for your support.

We’re opening our doors to you on Sunday, December 18th from 1-3pm.
Stop by for holiday treats and warm drinks and drop-off a toy or book for Toys for Tots.

Address

1680 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20007

Christmas Music: Holiday Treasures from Russia

December 19th, 2011 at 07:00 PM | $15-$65 | choralarts@choralarts.org | Tel: 202.785.9727 | Event Website

The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents its long-time holiday crowd-pleasing Christmas Music concert Monday, Dec. 19, and Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. “Holiday Treasures from Russia” features a magical mix of Russian carols, popular sing-alongs, and Christmas standards that are sure to warm up the holiday season. The concert also features special guest artists from the Russian Federation.

Address

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

2700 F Street, NW.

Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony (photos)
• December 19, 2011

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.
View our photos by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100425,114027,114124,114037,114115,114047,114106,114057,114067,114077,114087,114133,114017,113967,114178,113977,114169,113987,114160,113997,114151,114007,114142,114097" nav="thumbs"]

Mayor Joins Hilltop’s Yuletide Get-Together for Neighbors
•

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.
[gallery ids="100423,113607,113628,113622,113616" nav="thumbs"]

Weekend Roundup December 08, 2011
•

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
•

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.

Harry Morgan, Age 96, Wonderful Actor, Wonderful Life.
•

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.