Evans Out, Another Vincent in Chairman Race
• June 18, 2013

 

-Reports have it that Jack Evans, surprisingly, is not running for the city council chair left open when current Chairman Vince Gray decided to run for mayor.

Another Vincent — Vince Orange, the former Ward 7 Councilman who ran unsuccessfully for mayor four years ago — is now entering the race to challenge popular At-large Councilman Kwame Brown. Sean Metcalf, who used to be Evan’s chief of staff, is working on Orange’s behalf.

Meanwhile, in Ward 1, incumbent Jim Graham has acquired two challengers for his seat: Jeff Smith and veteran ANC Commissioner Bryan Weaver.

Democratic incumbent Phil Mendelson and Clark Ray, who seem to have been running longer than anyone else, are locked in a battle for an at-large council seat.

In other local political news, Vincent Gray, who so far has been relatively low key in his run against Fenty, has received the endorsement of the Metropolitan Washington Council of AFL-CIO.

Weekend: Cultural Tourism DC
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-Cultural Tourism D.C. is holding a two-day celebration of the history and heritage of Washington this weekend, May 22 and 23, with over 100 free guided walking and 11 biking tours in all eight wards of the city.

A tour highlight includes “Rowdies, Madams and Painted Women: An Adults-Only Tour,” which involves a tour of the area around 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, once considered the city’s most notorious red light district between the years spanning the Civil War and World War I. Also on the docket are a bike tour of D.C. Solar Houses in Ward 3, an exploration of the emerging Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood and a costumed character guide tour of the Civil War in Washington City.

Cultural Tourism has been running free walking tours for 10 years now and introduced the biking tours last year. For more information, go to www.culturaltourismdc.org.

New Bike Lanes Offer More Protection
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-A modified bike lane plan on Pennsylvania Avenue will offer more protection for cyclists by keeping motorists out of the bike lanes.

In the new plan, the District Department of Transportation has returned traffic lanes to motorists and moved the cycling lanes to the median, according to the Washington Post. This will offer better protection for the cyclists and should help to ease traffic congestion, DDOT said.

However, the revised plan will still use new signals from the original plan, in order to protect bikers and pedestrians from traffic turning left, according to the Washington Post.

Such signals are necessary as the two bike lanes are located in the center of the avenue surrounded by three lanes of vehicle traffic on either side, the Post said. Traffic light cycles are being altered so cyclists will have an exclusive green light in order to turn left.

DDOT said the cycling lanes should open to bikers in about a week.

The lanes will continue to expand in D.C. and will soon include L, I and Ninth Streets. Fifteenth Street will also be expanded.

To view the revised cycling lanes visit the DDOT’s website.

A Window to the Holiday Spirit
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Georgetown’s Annual Holiday Window Competition has been assembled again, and with the help of architect Christian Zapatka, The Georgetowner judged the holiday spirit of our festive local participants. Our winner this year was J. McLaughlin, where preppy seemingly went wild for the holidays, with their fun designs intended for Glitterati! See our other top picks in the below photos!

Q&A with Lauren Colyer, of J. McLaughlin

Who does your windows?

These Christmas windows were done by Bil Bond, who works in the design department. He designed the angel in the white dress and the backdrop, and then Chris, the assistant manager, and myself put together the outfits and all that stuff.

Was there a particular theme you were going for?

They had made the holiday angel, and then we did the outfits around it using what’s new in the store, doing our best to make it fun and jazzy to catch your attention. We always display our newest items in the window, which are currently a little dressier because it’s the holidays.

We do lots of fun colors and Kevin McLaughlin, who does the product development for the stores, put a trendy twist to the clothing this year.

What’s the history of J McLaughlin?

It’s owned by two brothers Kevin and Jay. Kevin does the designing. They started in NYC over 34 years ago. Their first store was on New York Ave., and they’ve slowly expanded up and down the East Coast.

Do you have a favorite item currently in the store?

I love the long ball gown skirt, which is in the window right now. Come see it!
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Georgetown Boathouse Plans Still Stalled
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Money can’t buy everything, particularly the approval of the National Park Service to build new boathouse in the C&O Canal National Historic Park in Georgetown. The University has already spent around $1,000,000 on lobbying efforts in an attempt to sway NPS.

Georgetown Current’s Carol Buckley reports that some “new information” had led NPS to expand its Environmental Impact Study, causing many to think the chance of a new boathouse is becoming increasingly slim.

Summer Sales Along Wisconsin Avenue
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Mid-summer sales are taking over Wisconsin Avenue. Check out these local stores for some great deals on this summer’s must-haves.

Adidas, 1251 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 30% off select sweat suits and shoes

Nine West, 1227 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 60% off select merchandise; Leggy shoe $69 this weekend only.

Jack Spade, 1250 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Semi-annual sale; additional 25% off already reduced merchandise, sale on a sale.

Max Studio, 1242 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 60% off on spring and summer merchandise.

Zara, 1238 Wisconsin Ave., NW – All summer and winter 2011 merchandise on sale.

Madewell, 1237 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Additional 50% off all markdowns; 50% off all white bottoms.

Ann Taylor Loft, 1239 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 30% off select merchandise with an additional 20% off; $5 tank tops, $6 tees, 50% off limited items on floor, and $15 sunglasses.

United Colors of Benetton, 1200 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 50% off men’s apparel, up to 30% off children’s apparel

Abercrombie & Fitch, 1208 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 30% off clearance merchandise

Vineyard Vines, 1225 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Up to 50% off; additional 30% off on sale price, big whale of a sale.

2B Bebe, 1211 Wisconsin Ave., NW – Highlighted items are an additional 40% off; shirts are buy 1 and get 1 50% off; $10 flip-flops; $10-$25 promotions.

Comfort One Shoes, 1329 Wisconsin Ave., NW – End-of-season clearance with up to 50% off; the sale lasts until Labor Day Weekend

Gap, 1258 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 40% markdowns until Sunday; 30% off kid’s uniforms

Streets of Georgetown, 1254 Wisconsin Ave., NW – 40% off Hickey Freeman merchandise; 30% off Bobby Jones apparel.
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Spotted in Georgetown: Conan O’Brien!!!
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Two of our interns spotted Conan O’Brien on the streets of Georgetown this morning! The comedian performed at DAR Constitution Hall last night. If you see him or anyone else we love, send us your pics.

Lacoste Gives Back
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Lacoste is holding a company-wide polo shirt exchange from now until June 21st. Anyone who donates a gently used polo to the store will receive 20% off any full price item. In addition, for every shirt collected, $10 will be donated to Doctors Without Borders by USA Network and its hit show Royal Pains.

“The show definitely fits our demographic, so it’s [the exchange] really cool,” said Lacoste sales supervisor John Zittraver.

Lacoste is also holding a raffle in which contestants have the chance to win a week in the Hamptons and a $1,000 shopping spree at the store, sponsored by USA and Royal Pains.

The Body Shop Closes Doors in Georgetown
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A shop located in Georgetown will close its doors Saturday after a ten-year presence in the area.

Fans of The Body Shop, 3207 M. St., are encouraged to stock up on products before the store’s closing at the end of the week, Sofia Owen, a part time manager, said.

Owen said the closing is not a surprise considering the economy and the closures of other shops in Georgetown.

“It’s just the way things have been,” Owen said.

The location of the store was not bringing in enough business even in a shopping destination area, Owen said. It is a sad situation, as the store is known for its ethical business, as many of the products are community traded, she said.

“It’s a shame,” Owen said. “Many people will be sad.”

Most of the store’s customers have been shocked over the news of the store’s closing, and the store has been attempting to call other customers to inform them of the change, Owen said. The store did not receive a “good warning,” only being told officially that the shop would be closing Saturday, she said.

“It’s a short time frame,” Owen said. “Many of our customers won’t even know until after we close.”

Customers of The Body Shop can still find the products at other chain locations at Union Station and Pentagon City.

World Cup Fever Strikes Georgetown
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With the kick off to the World Cup fast approaching, bars in DC and around the Georgetown area are preparing for massive crowds and crazed soccer fans.

The World Cup will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in the opening match between South Africa and Mexico followed by France against Uruguay at 2:30 p.m.

The time difference between the Eastern Standard time zone and South Africa have placed game kick offs at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the District. Due to the early morning start, DC has given bars permission to open early for the duration of the World Cup, with the ability to serve alcohol at 8 a.m., according to the DCist.

However, if you’re unable to catch a game live, several bars will be airing them after work hours, according to the DCist.

The first United States match will be against England at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be shown in many bars and restaurants in the city, but it will also be shown on two outdoor screens in Dupont Circle.

Several bars and restaurants in Georgetown will be offering FIFA World Cup drink specials. Here are a few to get you started, but visit OnTap for more ideas.

Garrett’s Restaurant and Railroad Tavern (3003 M. St.) has a unique round-the-world special. During different countries games, the bar will offer various drink specials. As part of U.S. games, the bar will have $3 Bud and Bud Light drafts. Germany’s matches offer $4 Jager shots, $5 Tanqueray and tonics accompany England’s games and Italy comes with $5 Peroni, For more information, visit the bar’s Web site.

McFadden’s (2401 Pennsylvania Ave.) will serve a large list of specials beginning every morning at 10 a.m. and earlier during the final rounds. Highlights are $3 Bud Light drafts and $5 burgers and wing plates. The bar will also hold a World Cup pre-party on Thursday with $3 from 9 p.m. until close. Visit their Web site for more information.

Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown (3104 M St.) will not open early for matches but will record and play games all day long. They will also offer Budweiser bottles for $2.95. Check out their Web site!

Old Glory (3139 M St.) is considering opening early, around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., and will have happy hour all day, World Cup bottles, $3 domestic beers and specials on other drinks. They will be showing the matches on HD flat screen TVs.

Uno Pizzeria Chicago Bar & Grill (3211 M St.) said they should be showing the matches and will open early at 8 a.m. Certain drinks and drafts will be half-off. Happy hour will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to midnight.