The Allure of the Georgetown Garden Tour
• May 12, 2014

The 86th Annual Georgetown Garden Tour will open nine gardens to lovers of horticulture and design this Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unique gardens, big and small, will be revealed, whether at the Pyne house with its antique Japanese rooster at the center or at the Bradlee house with its sloping greenery.

Tickets are available for $35 at www.GeorgetownGardenTour.com or at Christ Church at 31st and O streets Saturday along with a garden boutique and an afternoon tea at Keith Hall.

The following are descriptions of the gardens, as provided by the Georgetown Garden Club, an affiliate of the Garden Club of America.

GARDENS EAST OF WISCONSIN AVENUE

= A just about perfect small Georgetown garden behind a house built in 1810. This felicitous and appealing garden has a beautiful, unusual fence, boxwoods, a redbud in the corner, and a long path that carries the eye back to a totally charming pergola complete with a dragonfly.

= This stylish and original south garden is like a tapestry on the ground; shallow watercourses bisect richly planted parterres, a trompe l’oeil mirror reflects wonderful touches: espaliers, olive trees in pots, banks of camellias. (By DCA Landscapes, Inc.)

= A James van Sweden creation with its signature grasses and big fishpond, this garden has been revitalized in shades of lime green and white with red as a feature color. Plantings include Japanese “Bloodgood” maple, hydrangea ‘Limelight’ and a spiral boxwood with white roses. A path of metamorphic stepping stones edged with flagstone leads to a charming carriage house in back. (By Amy Chaffman Landscape Designs)

= A linear ornamental pool — a runnel — of river rock accents this deep, slender garden perfectly complemented by rows of river birches. A brick path bordered by shrubs circumnavigates and reinforces this unusual and effective treatment.

= This grand and stately garden, recently rejuvenated, has not been open to the public in years. Upon entering the garden one finds another world: a charming latticed cupola/library full of garden books, a big swimming pool, levels and terraces, a playhouse, a small octagonal ornamental pool, a greenhouse, named varieties of boxwood, and a knockout vegetable garden planted like a parterre. (Designed by Adrian Higgins, garden writer for the Washington Post)

= This handsome historic house, constructed in 1794 and once owned by Robert Todd Lincoln, features a bold sweep of lawn in back, edged with shrubs and perennials that leads down to the pool and below that to the tennis court. All this is watched over by a long, covered, south-facing porch. It’s a grand combination of style, comfort and history.

= This fine 1810 house has a deep south garden of many levels and great presence. Full of history, there are pre-Civil War boxwoods, an old mounting block and hitching post (evoking a former carriage house) a row of male ginkgos, hydrangeas, lilacs, peonies, a large Japanese maple and delicate urns on pedestals.

GARDENS WEST OF WISCONSIN AVENUE

= A trompe l’oeil mirror reflects a large pool edged by bamboo. Nearby, the very successful use of mondo grass creates a fairy tale atmosphere in this totally beguiling garden, complete with a little playhouse in a woodsy, fern-filled setting, with mossy rocks and an iron bench. Where are Hansel and Gretel?

= This knockout modern garden creates visual treats using the very latest technologies. Five geothermal wells linked by tubes tap into a Georgetown aquifer. Special effects: a stunning pool cover and a stainless steel natural gas-powered fire pit, filled with tempered crushed glass.

Accused Killer Muth Hospitalized
• April 30, 2014

Here’s the Post account on Feb. 1: “ . . . Muth, the eccentric German charged in the 2011 beating death of his elderly Georgetown wife, has been hospitalized as a result of a hunger strike, sources familiar with the case said Friday. Speaking on condition of anonymity because Muth’s case is pending in D.C. Superior Court, the sources said Muth was removed from the D.C. jail and has been in critical condition at a local hospital as a result of his hunger fast. It is unknown whether his trial, scheduled to begin March 25, will proceed. Muth, 48, is charged with first-degree murder in the August 2011 death of his wife of 22 years, Viola Herms Drath, then 91. Authorities said Muth beat and strangled his wife in their Georgetown home.”

Georgetown Love Notes
• March 13, 2014

Flowers and love songs, shared passions and passion for each other. Like loves like and sometimes the opposite. A hero or heroine, thinking, saying, “I would die for you, and definitely cry for you.” The love that endures into time’s long years. Being there when it counts. Remembering a rose or a favorite song. Being the one person who makes the other person laugh and being the other person who laughs even when it’s not funny. Being there when you need no one but the other. Thinking that the future is boundless because the someone that has your back is standing right in front of you…or lying beside you.
These are a few of things that come to mind as Valentine Day’s approaches. And these are a few of our favorite people: couples who exemplify all that and more.

Amy & Martin Gammon
Martin Gammon, vice president, Bonhams Auctioneers, Washington, D.C.
Amy Maniatis, National Geographic Society executive vice president and CMO

How they met: They met at a dinner party in 1990 at Berkeley on Gammon’s first day in California, after he drove across the U.S. from New York. Both majored in philosophy at Berkeley.

Their first date was at the famed “beatnik” Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach, San Francisco.

Their favorite date night is to walk one block to the small bar at 1789, where bartender Bob Jordan (as seen on cover) the gives free advice. Great spot for a romantic dinner.

The wedding: They married in 1995 in Carmel, Calif., at Mission Ranch, which is owned by Clint Eastwood, who was Mayor of Carmel in the 1990s. Eastwood happened to be at the bar during their wedding and greeted the bride and her maid of honor.

On many Valentine’s Days, the couple and their two daughter are at their place in Baja California — and go see the whales in the Pacific.
(Both daughters — Lucy and Chloe — attend Holy Trinity School.)

How to keep the spark: “Bunsen burner, ha-ha. Just be each other’s best friend,” says Martin. And “Spontaneity,” added Amy.

Future plans or happening now: The British Virgin Islands

Bob and Gwen Jordan
Bob,1789 bartender (Also on cover as ‘favorite date night location’)
Where they met: At a bar in Arlington (Capitol City Brewery); he was a bartender there.
How to keep that spark: We laugh all the time.
Coming from a military family, Bob grew up in Arlington.
The Jordans live in Vienna, Va. Their special date-night place is a sentimental favorite, Artie’s in Fairfax.

Michele and Jack Evans
Michele Evans, interior designer
Jack Evans, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 2

How they met: Friends in Georgetown thought we would be a great couple so they managed to get us in the same place at the same time and with his schedule it wasn’t easy!

When they ‘knew’: Well, you know that it’s love you share, but marriage is a huge commitment so we took almost four years to make that large leap of faith.

The wedding: We got married in September of 2010 and every year we learn more about what makes a marriage work and how to compromise on the small stuff and you learn that most of it is the small stuff.
Biggest surprise you learned after you got married: It takes unconditional love and the dog sleeps wherever she wants!
Future plans or happening now: What’s happening right now is that it’s JACK EVANS for MAYOR and it’s a full time, full press and don’t forget to VOTE mode!

How to keep the spark alive: We try and keep the spark a flame!

Favorite date night plans in Georgetown: We both love the movies so we get our night started on K Street with a flick and popcorn followed up with a fun dinner or drinks. Sometimes it can be as simple as burgers down at Tony and Joe’s with the added entertainment of people watching. We both like Martins and try and keep it simple in Georgetown. Jack loves a cold Budweiser and sometimes it’s just date night on our bedroom deck looking at the stars and drinking frozen margaritas with my secret ingredient.

Happy Valentine’s day
Michele and Jack

Art and Margaret Heimbold
Margaret, Long and Foster Realtor
Art, founder and chairman of Summerville Senior Services

How they met: We were introduced by mutual friends.

When they ‘knew’: About a year after we met.

Married for: 30 years

Biggest surprise after you got married: We were married in Princeton, New Jersey and my husband moved the next month to Washington, DC.

Future plans or happening now: To enjoy each other’s company in our lovely house in Georgetown. Being parents to six children and grandparents to 11 grandchildren.

How to keep the spark alive: We take great fun in planning trips to museums, art galleries, historic sites, out of town places within a car drive and returning to our favorite vacation spots. We both write and are very creative. And importantly, each of us has served on boards and volunteered for many organizations in the city.

Favorite date night plans in Georgetown: There are so many fun things to do in Georgetown, it would be difficult to pick just one. But mostly we stay in Georgetown, act like we are vacationing and enjoy the opportunity that the community presents.

Nancy and Alan Bubes
Nancy Taylor Bubes, Washington Fine Properties Realtor
Alan Bubes, former president and CEO of Linens of the Week

How they met: Alan’s mother called me on a listing for a house.

When they ‘knew’: About three weeks before we eloped- Lake Tahoe…this was after five years.

Married for: 24 years

Biggest surprise you learned after you got married: That we were going to be a two toothpaste family.

Future plans or happening now: We are going to Amsterdam and Brussels for Valentine’s Day this week

How to keep the spark alive: I try to not bitch too much in the kitchen.

Favorite date night plans in Georgetown: Dinner, movies and a walk home…and Thomas Sweets.

Robin and Jeff Jones
Robin, CAG gala co-chair
Jeff, Georgetown advisory neighborhood commissioner

How they met: We were introduced by mutual friends. Surprisingly, we had many friends in common and attended many of the same events yet had never met.

When they ‘knew’: We knew fairly soon and were married in about 1 1/2 years.

Married for: 17 years

Biggest surprise you learned after you got married: Hmmmm… Can’t think of anything in the big category

Plans for the future together or happening now: Keep having fun and taking lots of vacations! This year we are taking our family to Kauai. Happening now- answering this questionnaire on a Caribbean island with friends from Georgetown.

Elizabeth and Paul Centenari
Elizabeth, owner of THE Artist Agency
Paul, CEO Atlas Container

How they met: My famous expression: The North, met the South, in the West and live in the East. I grew up in Kentucky, Paul in Boston, we met in Colorado and live in D.C. My girlfriend and I were having dinner at a restaurant and Paul and his brother approached us. Paul talked to my girlfriend and I talked to his brother. Basically I shook Paul’s hand and said hello and goodnight. I called my mom when I left the restaurant and said I’ve just said hello and goodnight to the man that I will marry.

When they ‘knew’: I knew the first night we met. Paul knew the day we got married

The Wedding: Together for 28 years, married for 25. We walked down the aisle to “Ain’t too proud to Beg” by The Temptations at our wedding and we both have it saved in our cars as the first song on our playlist!

Biggest surprise you learned you got married: Paul wanted children right away (our wedding night!) I wanted to wait several years. Our first daughter was born 4 years later

Plans for the future together or happening now: We will keep dedicating our time to our careers, our family and our charity, Hope for Children. We plan on spending more time in Africa helping the children at HFC.

How to keep the spark alive: We make time to chat, either at the beginning or the end of every day. Some of our best talks are over coffee on a Sat/Sun morning. The spark stays alive as long as we keep talking and laughing. Date nights help too!

Favorite date night plans in Georgetown: A quick bite at our favorite spot, Peacock Cafe and a movie on K Street. If Thomas Sweet is still open after the show, we hit that on the way home
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Ins & Outs August 8, 2012
• February 27, 2014

Laytham Hotel, Citronelle, La Madeleine . . . Closed for Good?
News that the Laytham Hotel — along with Michel Richard’s Citronelle and the chain La Madeleine — was closed for at least six months due to “extensive flooding” and structural damage has been the talk of the town. How extensive will the repairs be for the hotel and its adjacent restaurants? Will it be ready for the 2013 inauguration? The hotel operator and owner have not been very communicative with the public, as the hotel has been for sale on-and-off over the last few years. (Indeed, Citronelle was rumored to be closing or moving about four years ago.) It is a sad situation for the restaurant and hotel workers, although some have gotten jobs in other places already.

Indeed, a Changing of the Guards
The other bad news: the closing of the Guards, at 2915 M Street since 1966. Supposedly temporarily . . . as restaurant owner Hossein Shirvani, who also once owned the famed Childe Harold restaurant in Dupont Circle, continued to discuss a new lease agreement with the property owner.

Then, the Washington Post’s Tim Carman reported: “It’s official. The Guards is closed. Yes, it’s true, says longtime owner Hossein Shirvani, that he and the landlord are deep in lease talks over the future of the Guards. They’re both, he says, looking for someone to take over the space. In other words, the Guards, the historic Georgetown restaurant that once was the playground of celebrities and politicians alike, is officially closed.”

“It’s just my decision not to sign a new lease. We need to pass on the torch. You know what I mean? We need to get new blood in there,” Shirvani told the Post.

7-Eleven Closed for Expansion Until Late September
The closing of the 7-Eleven at 2617 P St., NW, is temporary, as it must close for its remodeling and expansion into the space once occupied by P Street Frames. The convenience store will remain closed until late September, according to GeorgetownPatch.com, increasing in size by 2,500-3,000 square feet.

Dutch Clothiers Setting Up M Street Shops
Suitsupply at the Four Seasons Hotel at 2828 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., is almost ready to open by the looks of the M and 29th Street corner — and by the end of August. The Amsterdam-headquartered men’s clothing company combines nicely priced suits (affordable and custom) with high-end service, such as in-store tailors. The company appears as “qualified and equipped” as the Dutch Olympic team it outfitted for London Games. www.SuitSupply.com

Scotch & Soda Amsterdam Couture is set to move into the former location of Betsey Johnson’s store at 3029 M St., N.W. While sold in other stores around the city, the Scotch & Soda in Georgetown will be its third official U.S. store after New York and Miami. The Amsterdam-based brand mixes and matches an ungraded American look — 202-338-4090; scotch-soda.com

M&T Banks Opens Branch on Wisconsin Avenue
M&T Bank opened a new, full-service branch at 1420 Wisconsin Ave., NW, in the space once occupied by famed hipster clothing store, Commander Salamander.

“Our new Georgetown branch is an example our investment in and commitment to the greater Washington area,” said Steve Heine, M&T Bank’s greater Washington market manager. “This is a convenient location that will help us to serve existing customers and attract new customers with our high level of service and M&T’s wide range of banking products.”

M&T Bank Corporation is one of the 20 largest U.S. bank holding companies with more than 750 branch offices in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Delaware. Founded in 1856 in Buffalo, N.Y., M&T was originally called Manufacturers and Traders Bank. Investor Warren Buffett owns large amounts of the bank’s stocks.

M&T’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. The branch’s phone number is 202-333-6163.

Luke’s Lobster to Open Aug. 23
Luke’s Lobster, which specializes in authentic Maine seafood rolls, is set to open a Georgetown location at 1211 Potomac Street, NW, Aug. 23. It is the same building which houses the ill-fated Philly Pizza & Co. and the Crave.

The young company which has eateries in Penn Quarter and Bethesda, along with its five Manhattan spots, was founded by Luke Holden, who is a Georgetown University business school alumnus. His family owns a lobster-processing company in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Holden opened his first spot in Greenwich Village in 2009.

As for the new Potomac Street spot, Luke’s vice president Ben Conniff said, “Aug. 23 is around when we think we will be fully decorated, staffed and ready to go. We hope to get a few days under our belt and introduce ourselves to the neighbors before the students return to campus. We can’t wait to open in the neighborhood.”

Luke’s is planning a grand opening party around the Aug. 23 date, Conniff said. “For customers, we’ll be giving away some Luke’s Lobster Georgetown swag to our first hundred or two customers.”

“Luke’s Georgetown years were as formative as his lobster-boat summers,” a company press release announces. “Dishing fresh, sustainable Maine lobster to his old neighborhood and fellow Hoyas has been Luke’s dream since he served his first sandwich. In particular, he has been pining for the building where he burned his mouth so many times on melted cheese and tomato sauce before the pizza joint closed in 2010. He couldn’t have found a better location. The whitewashed clapboard house at 1211 looks as though it was transplanted directly from a Maine lobster dock. Luke’s first two-story location will have room to satisfy neighbors and students alike amid lobster gear from his old boat. And the neighborhood’s love of good food, from cheesesteak to cupcake, makes it the ideal community to share the world’s greatest lobster, in the form of D.C.’s favorite lobster roll.”

The menu is already outside the door of the new eatery: Lobster roll, $15; crab roll, $12; shrimp roll, $8. For $20, there’s Taste of Maine, a sample of the three rolls in one meal; double that amount for $38 with Noah’s Ark. There is a blueberry ice cream sandwich — and, of course, chowder.

Sweetgreen Coming to Glover Park?
“We’re hearing that 2200 Wisconsin Ave.—home to BodySmith Training Gym—may soon welcome local fro-yo-and-salad chain Sweetgreen,” reports the Hyperlocal Glover Park news blog. “According to one source, the plan is for BodySmith to retain gym space in the building’s basement via a separate entrance, while Sweetgreen inhabits the glass-fronted retail space above.”
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Bank of Georgetown Branch Named for Co-founder Curtin Winsor
•

Bank of Georgetown announced last week the relocation of its corporate headquarters and the opening of an adjoining branch at 1115 30th St., NW, just south of M Street. The bank’s 11th location in the Washington metropolitan area will be named “The Winsor Branch” in honor of its co-founder and late chairman, Curtin Winsor III, who died in December 2012.

“Curt poured his heart and soul into the creation and success of Bank of Georgetown,” said Mike Fitzgerald, chairman, president, and CEO of Bank of Georgetown. “We miss him greatly but know he would be proud of the path on which we are progressing. We hope to honor his legacy with our newest branch and through our unwavering commitment to the bank’s mission of providing highly personalized relationship banking service to local businesses and residents.”

After 10 years and multiple expansions at its original location on 31st Street, nearly 50 employees moved into the 17,400 square-foot facility, which features multiple conference rooms, a boardroom and more space for day-to-day lending and deposit operations. Bank executives felt strongly that leaving their original headquarters did not require moving out of Georgetown.

“It is important for us to invest in the resources necessary to support our consistent growth in assets and customers. This move reflects our commitment to building a premier Washington D.C.-based community bank,” Fitzgerald said. “We are excited about our new home and look forward to serving a larger portion of the Georgetown community, while continuing to listen and cater to the needs of businesses throughout the District, Maryland and Virginia.”

The full-service adjoining branch is the bank’s second in the neighborhood. Its first facility opened in 2005 at the corner of Wisconsin and K Street.

Amina Rubinacci Boutique to Open March 1
• February 13, 2014

The Amina Rubinacci Boutique plans to open March 1, at 2822 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. The luxury designer label was founded in 1967.

“Over the past several years, I have developed a deep admiration for one refined brand in particular: Amina Rubinacci of Napoli. I could not be more thrilled to bring Amina’s sophisticated styling to the women of Washington. … We are proud to open with a stunning Spring/Summer 2014 Collection,” wrote owner Merribel Ayres.

Wisconsin Avenue Traffic: 2 Lanes Return to Glover Park; 35th at Wisconsin to Go Two-Way
•

As expected and previously reported, it’s back to the way it was for the traffic lanes on Wisconsin Avenue between Calvert Street and 34th Street. The District Department of Transportation plans to complete the changes in late March.

The dedicated left-turn lanes will be erased. Two lanes in each direction will return to the avenue, as existed before the DDOT re-do two years ago.

The DDOT attempted to slow down traffic along the Glover Park corridor of Wisconsin Avenue, but the changes led to major traffic slowdowns in the area. The community complaints were heard, and the change back was approved. There will still be some traffic calming signs at Garfield Street.

Part of the changes that continue for Wisconsin Avenue is the plan for a traffic light at 35th Street and Wisconsin — as well as traffic going both ways on that one block of 35th. As it has been for years, 35th at Wisconsin is open in southbound traffic. One cannot drive north from 35th Street onto Wisconsin Avenue.

That configuration will change. It will be a two-phase job with the traffic light being set up first — which will allow time for construction. There will also be time for community comment. Crosswalks will be changed or moved. One of the two lights at Whitehaven and Wisconsin will be eliminated.

Tom Russo, Owner of Chadwick’s, Dies
• January 31, 2014

Georgetown business owner Tom Russo died Jan. 24 at the age of 60 from cancer.

Thomas Joseph Russo lived in McLean, Va., and died surrounded by his family. A Georgetown University graduate, he was the owner of Chadwick’s Restaurant in Georgetown, at K Street and Wisconsin Avenue, as well as the owner of Chadwick’s in Alexandria. Most recently, Russo was named the 2013 Georgetown Businessman of the Year by the Georgetown Business Association.

According to the notice sent by the Russo family, he is survived by his beloved wife of more than 37 years, Stephanie, children Katie Burkert (Jason), Dan Russo, Annie Pavia (CJ), and Joe Russo, and grandson, Levi Thomas Burkert. He is also survived by brothers Jack and Rudy, sisters Marilyn and Janice, his wife’s parents Howie and Rita Meyer, and a large, loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ann Russo, of Norristown, Pa., where he was born. He attended Georgetown University where he met his wife Stephanie and graduated with a B.S. in Accounting in 1975.

In McLean and Annandale, Russo coached youth baseball and basketball. He and his wife Stephanie were very active as parents at St. John’s Academy in McLean and were honored for their work. Russo also worked with the Bartenders’ Ball Foundation and helped to raise money for several charities.

The visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, at National Funeral Home in Falls Church, Va. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean. (Following the mass and burial, there will be a reception and celebration of Tom Russo’s life at Chadwick’s in Georgetown.)

Donations may be made in Russo’s name to the V Foundation for Cancer Research www.jimmyv.org or to Life With Cancer www.lifewithcancer.org.
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Evermay Draws Big Crowd for CAG
• January 29, 2014

The year’s first monthly meeting for the
Citizens Association of Georgetown at Evermay
Jan. 15 drew one of its biggest crowds, as the
S&R Foundation’s Kate Goodall spoke to the
crowd about the foundation’s goals as social
incubator and its Illuminate seminars at Halcyon
House. Its Overtures Series of musical performances
begins March 11. Artist-in-residence
Ryo Yanagitani serenaded the audience with
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” written in
1801, the same year that Evermay was built.

Honoring Those Who Serve: Thanks, MPD
•

Nancy Taylor Bubes, Georgetowner and
real agent rockstar at Washington Fine
Properties, organized a festive thankyou
with Marc and Nancy Duber at
their newly redone N Street home for
the officers of the Metropolitan Police
Department Jan. 16. A great mix of
neighbors and police officers enjoyed
the party so much they round up singing
“Amazing Grace” at the end of the
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