Now, Das Coffee We Love
• July 2, 2014

Das Ethiopian Restaurant at 28th and M Streets held its Ethiopian coffee ceremony June 21 on the outside patio of the restaurant. Invited dinner guests sampled the Das Ethiopian Exclusive roasted Sidamo coffee, which was introduced to the group and is available for sale. Guests delighted in the unique coffee ceremony. After all, coffee originated in Ethiopia.

Gala Guide
• June 30, 2014

Second Chance Employment
Services Last Kiss of Summer Gala
Thursday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. – Midnight

Join special guest of honor Katie Hinda, activist and author, at the Four Seasons for cocktails, dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions to benefit Second Chance Employment Services. Second Chance Employment Services provides free employment placement services and training to battered and abused women in the Washington metropolitan area.

Black Tie optional
Ticket price: Individual tickets beginning at $400 For more information contact 703-356-3099 or visit scesnet.org

“It was from my frustration with the lack of employment services for battered women that I decided to found Second Chance Employment Services in 2002. I witnessed too many women coming out of domestic violence shelters return to their abusers because they couldn’t find a job that would support themselves and their children.
Despite the daunting facts about abuse victims and their inability to find and maintain good jobs, Second Chance Employment Services has spent the past nine years overcoming the obstacles these women face. To date, we have secured over 700 career-track jobs with health benefits for victims of domestic violence.
— Ludy Green

Wolf Trap Ball: Canada
– Keep Exploring
Friday, September 24, 7pm

Join honorary host, Ambassador of Canada Gary Doer, in celebrating the culture and grandeur
of Canada. Dance on the stage of Wolf Trap’s Filene Center to close this year’s summer season. Proceeds from the Ball benefit Wolf Trap Foundation’s renowned arts and education programs.

For more information about Wolf Trap Special Events, please call (703) 255-4030, or email events@wolftrap.org.

Living in Pink
Friday, October 8, 10:30 – 2:30pm

Support Breast Cancer research and enjoy an afternoon of boutique shopping and a luncheon at the Fairmont Washington Hotel. This year’s honorees include Marilyn C. Jerome, M.D. and Jennifer Griffin, FOX News Correspondent.

Hosted by Living in Pink founder and two-time breast cancer survivor, Michele Conley, with emcee Greta Kreuz, Anchorwoman of ABC 7/WJLA. Ticket price: $135 per person

“Most people who are diagnosed with cancer don’t look at it as a gift, but in my case I did. I was probably the least likely to ever have a health issue and at 35 had breast cancer. The journey was one that was an amazing learning experience. I often feel that the purpose of my diagnosis was so that I could help others who were diagnosed as well. That is how Living in Pink was born. I wanted to help find a cure so that the next generation of women would not have to endure the treatments and issues that we currently face during the battle with breast cancer.” — Michele Conley

Meridian Ball
50th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, October 1, 9:30 p.m., Preceded by dinner at an ambassador’s residence or Meridian’s White-Meyer House.

Join Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama, 50th Anniversary Celebration Chairs Mrs. A. Huda Farouki and Mrs. Frederic V. Malek, and White-Meyer Chairs Amanda Smith Hood and Elizabeth Miller at Meridian House for a special evening of dessert, dancing and cocktails.
Black tie.
$650 per ticket for dinner at Ambassador’s residence and Ball
$400 per ticket at White-Meyer dinner and Ball
For ticket information visit www.meridian.org/ball/tickets

Harman Center for the Arts Gala
Sunday, October 3, 6pm

Spend an evening with His Excellency the British Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald at the annual
gala inspired by Shakespeare’s Italy. The Shakespeare Theatre Company will host the evening’s
festivities, beginning at Sidney Harman Hall for cocktails and followed by the Gala performance. The evening will culminate at the National Building Museum with dinner and dancing in a Venetian setting. The Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala benefits the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic programs including the Free for All — two-and-a-half weeks of free Shakespeare presented by the Company.

Black Tie
Ticket price: Individual tickets and tables to the Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala range from $750 to $50,000.
For more ticket information contact Joanne Coutts, Associate Director of Special Events, at 202.547.3230 ext. 2330.

The DC Jazz Festival Annual
Benefit Dinner
Tuesday, October 5, 7:30 p.m.

This year’s DC Jazz Festival Annual Benefit Dinner is hosted by the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, H. E. Giulio terzi di Sant’Agata and Ms. Antonella Cinque, along with Michael Sonnenreich, Chairman of DC Jazz Festival. There will be a special performance by Grammy and Tony-award winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater. This year’s 2010 DCJF John Conyers Jr. Advocacy award goes to Thomas Hale Boggs Jr., chairman of Patton Boggs LLP.

Cocktail Attire
For more information call 202-457-7628

“We are proud to honor Mr. Thomas Boggs with the John Conyers Jr. Jazz Advocacy Award for the role that he has played in supporting arts, especially Jazz in DC.”
—Michael Sonnenreich, Chairman of the DC Jazz Festival

Georgetown Gala
To Russia with Love
Sponsored by Citizen’s Association
of Georgetown
Friday, October 15, 7 p.m.
Embassy of the Russian Federation

Hosted by the Ambassador and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak, enjoy an evening of cocktails, a dinner buffet, a live auction and dancing to the music of the Right On Band.

Black Tie
For more information call 202-337-7317

I got involved in CAG this year to give back to the neighborhood I love so much – Georgetown. I feel like this community gives me everyday and historical communities that don’t exist on their own. We need trees planted, architecture preserved, safe streets and a healthy balance between commercial and residential.
— Nancy Taylor Bubes

National Italian American Foundation 35th Anniversary Awards Gala
Saturday, October 23, 7 p.m.
Dinner and Awards

Join Giuliana DePandi Rancic, anchor/managing editor of E! News and emcee for this year’s NIAF Anniversary Gala at The Washington Hilton. Rancic will be joined by sports greats Yogi Berra, Daryle Lamonica, and Mike Piazza, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Hon. Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hon. Samuel A. Alito Jr., culinary notable Lidia Bastianich and Bill Rancic of the Style Network show “Giuliana & Bill.”

Proceeds benefit NIAF educational programs.
Black Tie
Tickets begin at $400 per person
For tickets contact Jerry Jones at 202-387-0600 or jerry@niaf.org

“With great excitement and anticipation, NIAF will celebrate its rich Italian heritage and the contributions of Italian Americans during the 35th Anniversary Gala Weekend, on October 22-23 in our nation’s capital. The star-studded weekend will be packed with conferences,
speakers, receptions and parties, all culminating with NIAF’s black tie 35th Anniversary
Gala Dinner. Visit www.niaf.org for the latest updates!”
— Robert E. Carlucci, NIAF Gala Dinner Chair and member of NIAF’s Board of Directors

Arena Stage Opening Gala
Monday, October 25, Red carpet and tours beginning
at 6:30 p.m. Special performance starring
Brian Stokes Mitchell at 7:30 p.m. with dinner to follow.

Join Honorary Chairs President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as co-chairs Adrian and Michelle Fenty, for an inaugural black tie gala to celebrate the grand opening of the Mead Center for American Theater. This special evening will include cocktails throughout the Mead Center, an exclusive one-night-only performance featuring Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and dinner in the evening glow of the spectacular glass-encased Mead Center.

Black Tie
Tickets and table prices range from $1,500 – $50,000, For more information, contact April Irwin at amirwin@arenastage.org or 202-600-4022.

“The opening of Arena Stage at the Mead Center
for American Theater will mark a new milestone
in the national theater world. Encasing the historic Fichandler and Kreeger Theaters and adding the new, stunning Kogod Cradle within this magnificent modern building creates
not only a new Washington landmark but establishes Arena Stage as the premier theater dedicated to American work.”
—Beth Newburger Schwartz and Michele Berman, Co-Chairs of the Executive Committee for Arena Stage’s Opening Gala Celebration

Knock-Out Abuse
Thursday, November 11
6:30pm Silent auction and reception
8:00pm Dinner

Join co-founders Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen, along with Dinner Chair Sarah Guinan Nixon, at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC for the biggest girls night out of the season. Celebrate the 17th anniversary of this event with an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment. Knock-Out Abuse has raised more than $6.5 million to aid women and children whose lives have been shattered by abuse, poverty, and homelessness.

Cocktail Attire
Tickets are $500 and are available by calling Ellen Blankenstein at 202.725.5604, email at ellen@knockoutabuse.org or by visiting www.knockoutabuse.org.

The Lab School of Washington’s 26th Annual Outstanding Learning Disabled Achievers Awards Gala
Wednesday, November 17
6 p.m.

Celebrate the Lab School’s 26th Anniversary Gala at The National Building Museum, Co-Chaired by Hilary Rosen and Elizabeth Birch and Emceed by CNN’s Candy Crowley, as they honor outstanding achievers with learning disabilities. The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards at 7:30, with dancing to follow.

Black Tie
Ticket price: $250 per ticket
For more information visit: www.LabSchool.org/content/gala

Capitol City Ball
Saturday, November 20
8pm-1am

Since 2007, the Capitol City Ball has brought people together for a night of fun including an open bar, heavy hors d’ oeuvres, assorted desserts, a live auction and a band to benefit charities devoted to ending human trafficking. This year’s ball will benefit Courtney’s House, FairFund, and the Polaris Project.

Black Tie
Ticket Price: Tickets begin at $125
For more information visit www.CapitalCityBall.
org/index.htm

The Lombardi Gala
Saturday, November 6
6pm

Celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Lombardi Gala and the 40th anniversary of the Lombardi Center at the Washington Hilton. This year’s theme is “Color the Cure” to recognize all the people who have helped in the fight against cancer. The Honorable John F. Potter, M.D., founding director of the Lombardi Center, will be honored this year for his ongoing dedication. The 2010 awardees for the Margaret L. Hodges Leadership Award are Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Carol T. Crawford.

Black Tie
Ticket price: $400
For more information contact Elena Jeannotte, 202-687-3866

Starrels, Groszyk, Steingasser, BID, Starks Honored by CAG
• June 27, 2014

Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmember Jack Evans spoke at the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s annual awards and elections meeting at Dumbarton House May 29. CAG’s annual round of awards had an especially excellent mix of individuals, noted CAG president Pamla Moore.

The prestigious Belin Award was presented to Bill Starrels for his expert and dedicated work in preserving the historic character of Georgetown.

Walter Groszyk was honored with the William A. Cochran Award for “exceptional efforts to protect and enhance the community’s parkland and architectural resources.”

The Charles Atherton Award was given to Jennifer Steingasser, deputy director of the Historic Preservation Office, for “exceptional service by a dedicated public-sector professional for outstanding work preserving and protecting historic Georgetown.”

The Martin-Davidson Award for business persons was presented to Georgetown Business Improvement CEO Joe Sternlieb and BID staff.

A special appreciation award was given to Parking Officer Steven Starks for dedicated and distinguished Service to the Georgetown community. Starks got the biggest applause of the evening.

CAG officers and directors were re-elected by acclamation: Pamla Moore, president; Bob vom Eigen, vice president; Barbara Downs, secretary; John Richardson, treasurer; and directors Karen Cruse, Hazel Denton, Hannah Isles and Luca Pivato. Treasurer Bob Laycock reported on the annual budget, which adds up to about $600,000.
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ANC, OGB on N Street, ‘Exorcist’ Steps Condos, Latham Apartments
• June 19, 2014

The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the Old Georgetown Board have chimed in over the last two weeks on construction/reconstruction projects that include the old Latham Hotel, set to become apartments or “micro-units”; the old Alexander Memorial Church property at 2709-17 N St., NW, where a conversion and an additional house on the lot are planned; and the new EastBanc condominiums on the site of the Key Bridge Exxon on M Street, next to the “Exorcist” steps and the Car Barn.

ANC 2E opposed an additional house at the N Street church property and increasing the number of units in the old church, though it welcomed the property’s use as residences, adding life to an empty middle-of-the-block. The OGB saw no problem with the church containing three condo units, while the parish hall would become a single-family home. It did not necessarily oppose the addition of another house, but wanted it to be smaller to fit with the historical openness of the lot.

As for the Latham property, the OGB again called for scaling back – specifically, of large windows, a new tower and signage – of the project at 3000 M St., NW. The retail corner in front of the 150-unit building will be demolished, with a new one built to fit in with the commercial space and sidewalk.

Both projects also will come under the purview of the zoning board, which may call for other changes.

At 3601-3607 M St., NW, EastBanc’s Hillside condos, next to the “Exorcist” steps, appear to be reaching the final-refinement stage with the OGB, which did not like the blocky, monolithic design and preferred more pleasing breaks in the design. The concerns of neighbors on Prospect Street, above the gas station site, about the stability of the hill where their homes sit and better coverage of the condo’s rooftop equipment, were heard by EastBanc.

BID Report: Optimistic Assessment of Georgetown?s EconomyJune 18, 2014
• June 18, 2014

The Georgetown Business Improvement District released the second edition of the State of Georgetown Report 2014 at its annual membership meeting June 10 at Pinstripes.

As a part of the Georgetown 2028 plan, which was released last year, this year?s Georgetown BID report examined statistics about core features of the Georgetown economy, including demographics, transportation, office activity, retail market and tourism in town.

?Businesses in our [BID] district are thriving,? said Josh Hermias, the Georgetown BID Economic Development Director. ?As D.C.?s densest retail market place, our local businesses are currently supporting 13,000 jobs.? According to the Georgetown BID, there were 11,000 jobs in the BID area in 2010. There has been an 18-percent increase in jobs from 2010 to 2013.

The report said that about 26 percent of jobs within the BID area fall under the professional, scientific and technical services sector. Other sectors that had a net gain in jobs created include: real estate (which had a net gain of 15 percent), accommodation and food services (a net gain of 11 percent), retail trade (a net gain of 34 percent).

The retail market in Georgetown is booming. Last year, Georgetown gained 18 new retail stores, including Billy Reid, Frye, Goorin Bros, Hat Shop and Steven Alan. According to the report, there are more than 450 shops, restaurants and salons all within a quarter square mile of the historic district. ? further evidence that Georgetown contains the city?s densest retail area.

The tourism sector is also on the rise. With six hotels in Georgetown, the total revenue that hotels have made in 2013 grew seven percent from 2012, generating 64 million dollars in total revenue.

The report also highlights the transportation system in town and how it is shifting to meet the needs of young workers (ages 20 to 24) who have become the dominant demographic in the district. Apart from the BID?s effort for a Georgetown Metro station, the 2028 plan will consist of plans to make Georgetown a bicycle-friendly destination as Capital Bikeshare trips are on a constant rise.

*To learn more and receive a printed copy or copies of the State of Georgetown 2014, email info@georgetowndc.com.*

Correction
• June 4, 2014

The Corcoran College of Art and Design’s Georgetown campus, housed at the old Fillmore School at 1801 35th St., NW, will be for sale with the transfer of the Corcoran School and its real estate to George Washington University, as previously reported. The Georgetowner erred in a later reference in a May 21 news story about the old school property, writing “Hardy School property.” Also on 35th Street, the very active Hardy School, part of the D.C. Public School System, was nothing to do with the old Fillmore School.

Glover Park Waitress Says She Was Sexually AssaultedJune 4, 2014
•

A woman was attacked early Saturday morning, May 24, in the 2400 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. She appears to have been uninjured. The crime took place across from Guy Mason Park.

ABC7 News reported: ?In the Glover Park neighborhood, residents aren?t used to hearing about this kind of crime. ? According to police, the incident took place at about 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. A 19-year-old waitress had just gotten off work, and she was walking in the 2400 block of Wisconsin Avenue when a man grabbed her in an alley and tried to force her to perform a sex act. Luckily, she was able to break free and run for help. ? Even at that time of morning, neighbors say there is usually foot traffic here, usually made up of patrons of the bars and restaurants.?

NBC News 4 added this to the story: ?Sources tell News4 the suspect was a customer at the establishment where the woman worked earlier in the evening. The customer was ?pushy? toward the woman while she was working, but she had ignored his advances at the time, sources say. The victim told police the suspect pulled her into an alley just before closing time and tried to get her to perform a sexual act, but she was able to run away and call 911.?

MPD detectives were seen Memorial Day, May 26, along Wisconsin Avenue checking for leads and surveillance records of the incident. MPD has not issued a suspect description and termed the incident ?first-degree sex abuse with force.?

Tudor Place to Get Preservation Award
•

The Tudor Place Foundation has been honored with the 2014 Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden. The award, established in 1999, is presented jointly by Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

“It is an honor to see the often quiet work of many years recognized with this highly coveted award,” said Leslie Buhler, executive director of Tudor Place. “Heritage Preservation and the AIC are internationally renowned for their work to preserve our country’s cultural resources.”

The Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections will be presented during a ceremony at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden on Wednesday, June 18.

Renwick Chapel Rededicated
• May 16, 2014

After major renovations, the historic Renwick Chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery on R Street was rededicated May 4. Family, friends and supporters of the cemetery observed a prayful moment with clergy to give thanks for the “Gothic Gem” of architect James Renwick, Jr., who also designed the original Smithsonian building (the “Castle”) and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The Renwick Chapel on the grounds of the cemetery got a new roof, refurbished lights and ceiling and restored decorations and glass. [gallery ids="101736,142013,142011" nav="thumbs"]

Jeh Johnson Confirmed by Senate as Secretary of Homeland Security
• May 13, 2014

Georgetown resident Jeh Johnson was confirmed by the Senate Dec. 16 as the fourth Secretary of Homeland Security. Johnson and his wife, Susan DiMarco, a dentist, live on O Street with their children.

President Barack Obama said, in part, of the confirmation: “I am pleased the Senate has confirmed Jeh Johnson as our next Secretary of Homeland Security with broad bipartisan support. … Jeh will play a leading role in our efforts to protect the homeland against terrorist attacks, adapt to changing threats, stay prepared for natural disasters, strengthen our border security, and make our immigration system fairer — while upholding the values, civil liberties and laws that make America great.” (Yes, Johnson certainly sounds like a Georgetowner to us.)

Diane Colasanto, co-chair of the public safety committee of the Citizens Association of Georgetown met Jeh Johnson at the Rose Park Gala. He will succeed Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.