Expansion of DC Circulator Suspended
• April 20, 2016

Expansion of the popular DC Circulator, including a proposed extension of the Rosslyn–Georgetown line to the U Street corridor (which Georgetown business have pushed for), has been suspended following two embarrassing audits of the bus system, formerly thought to be in good shape.

Safety, maintenance and financial problems were first discovered in August 2015 by an independent consulting firm commissioned by the D.C. Department of Transportation. Their audits revealed an average 2.9 critical defects, deemed “unacceptable by any standard,” and 22 overall defects per bus in a sample of 44 of the Circulator’s 67 buses. A second audit in January 2016 showed improvement, 0.5 critical and nine overall defects per bus, but that audit sampled only 22 buses and noted that “15-20 buses are consistently down on any given day for repairs.”

DDOT owns the buses, but pays $750,000 to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to manage them. WMATA outsources operations of the system to First Transit, which has a two-year $41.6 million contract.

Body Found in C&O Canal Identified
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A body found floating in the C&O Canal near 31st Street Tuesday morning, April 12, has been identified, according to D.C. police.
Osbaldo Lemus Bernal, 51, of Arlington, Virginia, was found in the canal around 7:30 a.m. by construction workers, who took a photo from the canal towpath near the Sea Catch Restaurant of the backpack floating above the man’s body. The Metropolitan Police Department indicated that the death might not be suspicious, although homicide units were on the scene the morning the body was discovered. Parts of 31st Street and South Street were blocked off for a time.

According to informed sources, the body had been in the water for more than a day. The deceased worked at a business less than one block away.

Tensions Rise at G.U. With Visit by Planned Parenthood Head
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Administrators at Georgetown University, a Catholic institution, have repeatedly refused to prohibit the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, from speaking on campus. The speech is set to take place April 20.

The Georgetown University Right to Life group condemned the invitation, extended by the Lecture Fund, a nonpartisan student-run organization, as contrary to the school’s Catholic values. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the country.

As a reaction to Richards’s much publicized visit, another student-run organization, Georgetown Right to Life, has invited a speaker from the opposing side. Abby Johnson, an anti-abortion activist, is scheduled to speak from the pulpit in the university’s Dahlgren Chapel the same day. Johnson is a former Planned Parenthood clinic director, who won “Employee of the Year” in 2008 from the organization. She abandoned her pro-choice views after reportedly observing an ultrasound of an abortion in 2009, during which she witnessed what she interpreted as the fetus squirming in reaction to the procedure.

Michael Khan, president of Georgetown Right to Life, has denounced the university “for allowing Cecile Richards to speak unchallenged.” He said he hopes that Johnson will illuminate “Planned Parenthood’s careless disregard for human life,” with her “life-affirming message.”

In addition to Johnson’s talk, Georgetown Right to Life will be hosting “Flag Day” on April 20. Members of the group plan to plant 3,600 miniature flags on Copley Lawn to represent the number of fetuses terminated daily in the United States.

Hyas for Choice [sic, see below], Georgetown’s unofficial and unrecognized pro-choice group, has admitted its disappointment at the protest and invitation of Johnson. Hyas for Choice President Sophia Kleyman stated that the “dialogue in opposition to Planned Parenthood is not only factually incorrect but also damaging and triggering to people who have sought their services.”

The university refuses to recognize the group due to its un-Catholic mission.

The word, “Hoyas,” is a register trademark of the university and as such cannot be used by the group.

Georgetown University President John DeGioia has trod a moderate path in reaction to the recent tension on campus over the issue of abortion. He has simultaneously affirmed Georgetown’s commitment to “academic freedom and freedom of speech” and to the importance of the dignity of life. On April 12, the university hosted a panel event, entitled “Resisting the ‘Throwaway Culture’: Protecting Human Life and Dignity.”

Task Force Urges Deferment of DC Water Projects
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Concern from Georgetown businesses, residents and neighborhood civic associations over DC Water’s extensive proposed projects across the neighborhood may bring to bear Section 106, the law giving the Commission of Fine Arts’ Old Georgetown Board final approval of all construction in the historic district.

In effect, this would pit one federal agency against another, the Environmental Protection Agency, which is instigating DC Water’s green infrastructure projects.

In order to fulfill a major consent order from the EPA, DC Water has proposed a number of projects across the District to address its aged combined-sewer system (built before there were requirements to separate storm water runoff from sewage) and reduce the overflow of raw sewage into the Potomac River, the Anacostia River and Rock Creek during
heavy rainfalls.

For Georgetown, a massive tunnel from the waterfront to a water processing plant in Anacostia was originally proposed. After objections to the proposal by Georgetown civic groups, the major consent order was changed and a less disruptive tunnel was announced, along with significant green infrastructure projects to lessen the runoff.

These green infrastructure projects include installing pervious pavement in alleys, building storage reservoirs underneath parking lanes, installing pervious pavers at intersections and diverting storm water from the sewer system into rain barrels installed on private and public buildings for temporary water storage.

At a Feb. 29 meeting, a task force of Advisory Neighborhood Commission members and representatives from the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the Georgetown Business Improvement District and the Georgetown Business Association met with DC Water officials to provide comments and recommendations on its proposals, according to an article by Walter Groszyk in CAG’s Georgetown Citizens newsletter.

Also discussed was the applicability of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which the CFA maintains applies to any proposed green infrastructure in Georgetown. The section requires federal agencies to assess the effects of federal actions on historic properties.

Because the projects proposed for Georgetown, a National Historic Landmark historic district, would be so disruptive its historic character, including extensive excavation of Georgetown’s public ways and, potentially, archaeological surveys and investigations prior to excavation, the task force recommended that DC Water’s projects be moved north of Georgetown or deferred altogether.

Georgetown Senior Center Thanksgiving: ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’
• April 11, 2016

“What would you think, if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears, and I’ll sing you a song, and I’ll try not to sing out of key.”

On a dreary afternoon, the parish hall at St. John’s Church on O Street was alight and alive Nov. 27, and nobody walked out. With festive singing — whether Christmas carols or the Beatles — the Georgetown Senior Center celebrated its annual Thanksgiving luncheon, provided by 1789 Restaurant — and a little help from some other friends, of course, like Carlos Winder and his guitar.

The center’s director, Wendy Erlanger, wished the guests and singers a happy Thanksgiving. Jorge Bernardo, driver and advisor for the center, said he was thankful for Virginia Allen, who founded the center in 1982. “We miss her,” he said, adding that the non-profit was doing well and that as it is “centered around love, anything is possible.” There was a moment of silence for Robert Austin, brother of board member Janice Rahimi; he died Monday. And there were candle-lit birthday cupcakes for Connie Arrozabala on her 88th birthday. And, yes, there was still more singing.

The fine turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, cranberries and salad, along with apple pie and pecan pie for dessert, was donated by 1789 Restaurant. There was an added sweetness: cupcakes, donated by Sprinkles Cupcakes.

The Georgetown Senior Center is grateful to be the beneficiary of the Georgetowner Holiday Pop Shop to be held, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Tony & Joe’s at Washington Harbour. Other patrons of the pop shop include EagleBank and PamShops4You. For details, visit www.HolidayPopShop.com, or call 202-338-4833. [gallery ids="149324,149329,149332,149318" nav="thumbs"]

Big Changes Ahead for Georgetown Below M Street
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If three recent community and business meetings are any indication, look to see the Potomac waterfront, C&O Canal, K Street and Wisconsin Avenue and side streets south of retail-dominated M Street undergo some serious upgrades in the years ahead.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown hosted a panel at the Potomac Boat Club Sept. 26. Moderated by Bob vow Eigen, CAG vice president and president of Georgetown Waterfront Park, the others at the table were Scott Fleming of Georgetown University, Tara Morrison of the National Park Service and Erik Meyers of the Potomac Boat Club as well as vice president of the Conservation Fund.

The four spoke to a standing-room-only crowd in boat club’s main hall as the sun set over the Potomac. After many decades, the time appears to be finally at hand that a new boat club will be built on the shores of Georgetown. There are at least three variations as the NPS has issued its 2013 Non-motorized Boathouse Zone Feasibility Study. Meanwhile, the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority may need to built run-off tunnels, disturbing the shoreline and delaying any new construction.

The Georgetown Business Improvement District held a brainstorming session for its Georgetown 2028 initiative Oct. 3 at Washington Harbour. Topics included enhancements along the C&O Canal, a Georgetown Metrorail station, transportation choices, restaurant and retail, K Street and the waterfront and collaboration among community groups. The ambitious ideas ranged from widening the towpath of the canal to building a pedestrian bridge to Roosevelt Island as well as a gondola to transport people from Georgetown to Arlington. Visit GeorgetownDC.com and click on the tab, “Georgetown 2028,” for details.

The group reconstructing the West Heating Plant and designing Four Seasons condominiums on 29th Street held a community get-together Oct. 8 to go over plans for the exterior of the formerly government-owned property. It was sold in June for $19.5 million to a development group, now known as Georgetown 29K LLC, made up of Georgetown’s Levy Group, the New York-based Georgetown Company and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. South of the C&O Canal and the Fours Seasons Hotel, the plant — which was completed in 1948 and generated heat for federal buildings — will be partially demolished and converted into space for about 80 condominiums.

Ignacio Bunster, landscape architect of Georgetown Waterfront Park, showed plans for a new park space around the West Heating Plant that will link the Waterfront Park with Rock Creek and the C&O Canal. The property at the canal will offer a new pedestrian bridge. Along Rock Creek, bikers and joggers will be able to loop around to Georgetown Waterfront Park. An elevated park will be built over the old storage yard.

Another meeting, set for Oct. 22, will focus on the changes for the huge building. The group, headed by Richard Levy, will call for more than half of the structure to be demolished. [gallery ids="101500,151446,151448" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Meyer Honored by Georgetown Senior Center
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The Georgetown Senior Center, founded by Virginia Luce Allen in 1982, honored one of its longest-serving volunteers, Mary Meyer. Working closely with Allen for years at St. John’s Church on O Street, Meyer has logged in just about 30 years. The seniors — who meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday for pre-lunch exercise, a lunch with a musical or educational program afterwards and sometimes a field trip to a restaurant or Nationals Park — enjoyed a special Meyer’s menu on Sept. 9: mixed salad, Atlantic salmon and champagne with homemade chocolate cake that rivaled anyone’s cupcakes. Meyer says she might take it easy a little more, but that’s doubtful.

“Dedicated volunteers have always been the heart and soul of the Georgetown Senior Center,” says David Roffman, retired editor and publisher of the Georgetowner. “For three decades, Mary Meyers has quietly manned the kitchen staff of volunteers for the center. Her gracious smile, sparkle in her eyes and upbeat personality are precious gifts, and the seniors love her dearly.”
(If you would like to volunteer, call Mary Meyer at 202-965-3952, or Cathy Applin at 703-276-1129. St. John’s Church very graciously donates the use of Blake Hall and the kitchen to the center, which is a 501-C-3 non-profit, and has been coming to St. John’s for 30 years.) [gallery ids="101449,153626" nav="thumbs"]

West End Library Plans Move to Watergate
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With redevelopment by EastBanc set for 24th and L Streets, NW, the West End Public Library plans a move to temporary quarters at the Watergate complex in the meantime.

“The D.C. Department of General Services has signed a lease for 5,000 square feet of retail space at the Watergate complex’s 2600 Virginia Ave., NW, which used to be home to the Saks Jandel boutique,” according to the Washington Business Journal. The relocation will likely last more three years. The D.C. Public Library plans to open the Watergate branch in late autumn.

Jane Austen Is Very Becoming at Dumbarton House
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June 12 marked the beginning of the second annual Jane Austen Film Festival at Georgetown’s historic Dumbarton House.

The Jane Austen film series is sponsored by Long & Foster, exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. Thanks to its support, admission to any of the film showings at the film festival is absolutely free.

Jane Austen and Dumbarton House are a perfectly historical fit. While Dumbarton is circa 1800s American history, it greatly suits the style of Jane Austen, circa 1800s England.

Each film on the summer is held on the lawn of the North Garden at Dumbarton House. The film starts at sunset and is accompanied by concessions from local restaurants. At the opening night showing of “Becoming Jane,” guests of Dumbarton House sipped white wine and champagne from Tradewinds Specialty Imports and dined on crêpes from Café Bonaparte and lobster-shrimp rolls from Luke’s Lobster on laid out blankets.

“Mansfield Park” will be shown on the lawn for the second night of the film series on Wednesday, July 10. Returning for the second year of the film series will be one of Jane Austen’s most well-known stories, “Pride & Prejudice” on August 7.

Surprise: Former House Speaker Celebrates 70th at Cafe Milano
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Former Speaker of the House and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, along with his wife Callista, was given a surprise birthday party at Cafe Milano June 16 by 250 of his closest friends, according to the Washington Post. Gingrich turned 70 at June 17.

Here is part of what the Washington Post’s Reliable Source reported about the party: “Inside, the walls were decorated with pictures of Gingrich through the years. A bagpipe player was on hand to honor his Scottish ancestry and the lavish buffet dinner included an open bar and a birthday cake in the shape of the U.S. Capitol. The guest list was personal: Gingrich’s daughters, grandchildren and sisters, Rep. Joe Barton and former House colleagues (Bob Livingston, Vin Weber, Bob Walker, Bob McEwen and Dan Lungren), and lots of staffers from his years as speaker and his presidential campaign.

“The party was off-the record, but we’re told there were several live toasts and three videos: A serious tribute to his life, a comic riff with an Obama impersonator asking, “How old is Newt?” and a celebrity video with Piers Morgan, Donald Trump, Fred Thompson, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry and other VIPs toasting and roasted the birthday boy …”

Thanking the crowd for the surprise party, Gingich said, according to the Post, “If only our government could keep a secret as well as you all did.”