Social Scene

Georgetowner • May 3, 2012

Arlington Food Assistance Center’s 2012 Benefit Reception focused on raising support for their Annual Fund while celebrating the successful conclusion of AFAC’s Permanent Home Campaign. The goal for this year’s gala was $135,000, and the funds raised at this event will allow AFAC to continue meeting the growing demand for food assistance in Arlington. Photos by Aaro Keipi, (http://www.aarograph.com)[www.aarography.com] [gallery ids="100608,100609,100610,100611,100612" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • April 19, 2012

House 1
1688 31st Street, N.W.

This dignified, three-story Victorian, built around 1800, was the home of Sen. Robert Taft (R-Ohio) from 1941 until his death in 1953. Taft is best known as co-sponsor of the federal Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.
The house’s most prominent features are its high ceilings and many tall windows.  In the early 1960’s, the owners added a spacious living room.  Double sets of doors lead from the living room to a walled garden and pool. Off the large entrance hall are a striking library with a wet bar and a fireplace, a kitchen, an elegant powder room, a dining room and finally the living room.

House 2
3007 Q Street, N.W.

This large post-Civil War, semi-detached residence is one of eight “villas” built beginning in 1868 by Henry J. Cooke for his 12 children.  Cooke was the first territorial governor of the District of Columbia and brother of Jay Cooke, a financier and close friend of President Ulysses S. Grant. The exuberant design by Starkweather & Plowman combined aspects of the Italianate villa with elements of Second Empire style. Built on what was then the edge of Georgetown, these houses were shunned at first by the public as being rather too ornate and grandiose for their time during the post-Civil War era.

In 1932, the family of L.P. Shippen purchased the house, and it became the venue for her celebrated dance academy. The current owners have recently undertaken a painstaking two-year renovation, retaining original architectural details, such as the seemingly free-floating spiral staircase.

House 3
1352 28th Street, N.W.

Built around 1810 and first recorded in 1818 (when it was owned by William Lipscomb, a post office clerk, and assessed at $2,000), this red-brick house was originally a two-story building in the Federal style with two dormer windows facing the street. The house has changed hands many times over 200 years.  Its modern aspect, though, is attributable to changes made for a client in 1968 by the renowned architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen.

Jacobsen removed much of the non-original construction and built a new living room and library with several bedrooms upstairs, leaving the dining room and the stair hall as the only “old” rooms. A glass façade was installed leading from the living room onto the small garden forecourt, which was walled in. This façade affords abundant light to the living room as well as a garden view.  

House 4
3106 P Street, N.W.

This substantial residence was built in 1877.  In 1938, it was acquired by Marcella Comès Winslow, a painter, with her husband, Col. William Randolph Winslow.  Marcella wrote “Brushes with the Literary, Letters of a Washington Artist 1943-1959,” a book in which she described life in Georgetown and the literary figures with whom she socialized. Among other positions, Winslow served as Portraitist to the Poetry Chair of the Library of Congress.

Her Georgetown home was an informal literary salon for such authors as Katherine Anne Porter, Robert Penn Warren and Eudora Welty. Porter was a boarder at the home. Winslow knew many famous authors, including T. S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Ezra Pound and Dylan Thomas, many of whom sat for her portraits. Today’s owners transformed the house by adding the eat-in kitchen in the back and connecting the garden to the house through a series of repeating arch designs that bridge the space seamlessly from interior to exterior.  

House 5
3104 P  Street, N.W.

This is one of four townhouses built in 1877 as a unit now comprising 3100-3106 P Street. Together, they form a fine example of the post-Civil War Victorian housing that drew many middle-class families to Georgetown.  Originally, each house had a completely separate garden, but recently two of the houses were joined by gates allowing free access for neighbors to visit.

The original floor plan was modified in 1998. A ground-floor guest bathroom was added, and the kitchen was enlarged to accommodate a dining space.  Steps link the new kitchen to the garden designed by Clarke Associates of London.  The sculpted wisteria was created by Husband and Clark, another English firm. Back inside, an unpretentious, European-infused aesthetic prevails.  

House 6
3141 P  Street, N.W.

This home is a Second Empire-style brick row house constructed around 1876 as one of a subdivision of three houses (3141-3145 P Street), owned by Joseph L. Simms. Adjacent to the property, east and north, is the historic Bowie-Sevier estate.

Its most recent renovation occurred in 2011 to accommodate all eight members of a blended family in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.  The current owners merged three separate rooms on the first floor into an open floor-plan, renovated the lower level to feature a new family room for teenagers and added a seventh bedroom. The kitchen is particularly remarkable and has a nautical feel.  

House 7
1416 34th Street, N.W.

This Italianate-style house, known as the Wetzel-Graves home, was built in 1876 by John Wetzel, a butter merchant, and sold in 1907 to Charles Graves, who ran his coal business from the home until the 1940s and whose family owned it after his death until the 1960s.  It is a perfect example of Georgetown’s middle-Victorian period architecture.  

Working with local architect Dale Overmyer, the current owners have renovated the house extensively, while taking care to preserve its historic properties.

House 8
1413 35th Street, N.W.

Built in the 1830s as a Federal frame house, this semi-detached house was converted in the 1940s by decorator Margaret Weller into a flat-front English Regency-style house.  An English basement entry was carved out of the front yard to replace the original stoop entry.

In 2005, architect Christian Zapatka renovated the house. Preserving the 1940s street façade, he gutted the interior and reconfigured the garden façade. The new side-oriented staircase leads up to the “piano nobile” (the main floor).  The living room across the back of the house leads directly to a limestone terrace through three sets of tall French doors.  Beyond the terrace is a stepped garden in the Italian style. Towering overhead is a 250-year-old Osage orange tree, one of the largest in the area.

House 9
1505 35th Street, N.W.

This attractive, spacious townhouse with five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths is relatively new by Georgetown standards, having been built in 1964 on land (possibly the site of a former stable) that was subdivided from the next door property, a brick mansion that dates from 1852.

Working with Chryssa Wolfe of Hanlon Design Build, the owners have put a bright, airy California stamp on the interior of the house. They painted the plain red-brick exterior a soft almond-bisque color, while keeping the shutters grey.  The former solarium became a cozy family room. [gallery ids="100739,121551,121546,121513,121540,121521,121534,121529" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Hope Connections for Cancer Support marked its fifth anniversary at its Celebration of Hope Gala at the World Bank.  Founding board member Bob Fleshner was presented with the Celebration of Hope Award and Louis Weiner, M.D., director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, received the Partnership Award. Hope Connections for Cancer Support opened in 2007 in Bethesda as the Wellness Community–Greater Washington, D.C.  It has since had more than 25,000 visits from cancer patients and caregivers who have participated in free support groups, educational workshops, mind/body classes and community programs.  [gallery ids="100741,121554" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

As Ambassador and Mrs. Sarukhan hosted supporters of Noche de Pasión 2012 at a special evening for the Washington Ballet’s final program of the season at their residence on Apr. 3, the ambassador cautioned, “Practice your Spanish.” The event co-chaired by Pilar Frank-O’Leary and Isabel de la Cruz Ernst on May 11 will benefit the Hispanic artists and community engagement programs of the Washington Ballet. The ambassador said that giving back to the community was a “no brainer.” [gallery ids="102444,121348,121341,121366,121355,121359" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Mickey’s Backstage at Rivers at the Watergate and theatreWashington celebrated the 28th Helen Hayes Award nominees Apr. 9. Immersed in theatre, theatreWashington board chairman Victor Shargai said his relocation to Washington was “partly to get away from theatre.” Little did he imagine the vibrancy that makes our stages second only to Broadway. The awards will be presented Apr. 23. [gallery ids="100742,121612,121557,121604,121597,121591,121565,121575,121583" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • April 18, 2012

Joan Bradley Wages, president and CEO of the National Women?s History Museum, which hopes to locate on the National Mall, celebrated women?s history at the home of D.C. Commission on Arts & Humanities chair Judith Terra, on Apr. 3.? Guests included several ambassadors, reporter Eleanor Clift and Pamela Gordon-Banks, first woman premier of Bermuda and Judith?s daughter-in-law.? Guest speaker Jane Harman, president, CEO and executive director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, promised, ?We will get the museum built . . . just can?t promise when!?

Jade Floyd • April 17, 2012

The District is home to the nation?s highest percentage of urban green space. In fact, major parks like Rock Creek Park, the C & O Canal National Historical Park and the National Mall account for nearly 20 percent of the land in the city. Hundreds of Washingtonians will join together to beautify these spaces on global Earth Day on April 22nd. In the last Beltway of Giving, I highlighted a number of upcoming awareness months that give citizens a reason to unite for a cause ? but why limit these good efforts to just one day or one month? Throughout the year you can take the time to reduce our carbon footprint ? from installing a green roof to recycling wine bottles and corks. The Beltway of Giving is not just about donating your money to a worthy cause, but also your time and becoming a well-educated citizen that can be a steward for a cause.

Inside the classroom has proven to be the perfect setting to cultivate those stewards. The D.C.-based National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is working to increase environmental education within our nation?s schools through programs like Classroom Earth (www.classroomearth.org), an online resource designed to help high school teachers include environmental content in their daily lesson plans, and Environmental Education Week taking place April 15 ? 21st. Through these efforts, NEEF has created a network of teachers working to not only increase learning for their students, but also encourage more youth to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In fact, this year?s National Environmental Education Week?s 2012 theme is Greening STEM: The Environment as Inspiration for 21st Century Learning.

Part of NEEF?s environmental education outreach in the district includes a ***Be Water Wise*** partnership with 13 D.C. public schools that was launched in 2011. ***Be Water Wise*** engages partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to raise awareness of local water challenges and improve water conservation and stormwater management in school buildings and grounds. Diane Wood, President of NEEF, says the program has been a resounding success. ?We want children to be more aware of how they are connected to the environment in the classroom and take those practices home,? said Wood. ?Teachers are being rewarded for engaging their kids in the environment. If you offer something educational and fun to young people it hooks them and they want to learn more.?

Jami Dunham, Head of School at Paul Public Charter School in northwest D.C. agrees. ?Currently schools are emphasizing environmental education in the curriculum of life science classes, through after-school clubs and activities, and by developing community service projects that promote going green,? said Dunham. ?At Paul, we have had a GreenSchools! Club for several years, students have planted trees on campus, built garden beds during a community service day and we have hosted an all-school assembly to inform students about their carbon footprint.?

Dunham encourages parents to focus on increasing their children?s awareness by using their everyday routines to explore environmental education issues.? She recommends taking children to local farmers markets to discuss organic fruits and vegetables and create opportunities for their entire family to volunteer at community gardens.? Consider taking the family for an environmental outing at a D.C.-area park this Earth Day or volunteer your time at one of the many local recycling and clean-up events.

**How You Can Get Involved on Earth Day in D.C.**

On Saturday, April 21st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. join the Anacostia Watershed Society and other local organizations as they work to cleanup the Anacostia River and its tributaries in honor of Earth Day. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers helped remove more than 42 tons of trash from the river. More details at [potomacriverkeeper.org](http://www.potomacriverkeeper.org/event/2012-earth-day-cleanup-celebration)

On Saturday, April 21st from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. join the Student Conservation Association for an Earth Day clean-up at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Volunteers will plant 40 trees and remove invasive plant species at the Gardens, as well as assist with trash removal along the Anacostia watershed. Learn more at [members.thesca.org](http://members.thesca.org/site/Calendar?id=105601&view=Detail)

On Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. celebrate Earth Day on the National Mall: Mobilize the Earth. Visitors will hear top musical talent and view renewable energy demonstrations and interactive exhibits . Learn more at [earthday.org](http://www.earthday.org/mall)

***Jade Floyd is a managing associate at a D.C.-based international public relations firm and has served on the board of directors for the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative for nearly five years. She is a frequent volunteer and host of fundraising events across the District, supporting arts, animal welfare and education programs.***

Robert Devaney • April 16, 2012

Georgetown House Tour 2012 leaders and volunteers as well as those opening their homes to the public for the April 28 event, one of the oldest of its kind in the nation, met March 15 at tour co-chair Frank Babb Randolph’s 34th Street house. The Patrons’ Party will be held April 25 at house tour champion Frida Burling’s 29th Street home. Those whose homes are on the tour: Cherry and Peter Baumbusch; Kristin and John Cecchi; Pat Dixon; Michele and Jack Evans; Hugh Newell Jacobsen; Kristin and Greg Muhlner; Dale and Melissa Overmyer; Alice Hill and Peter Starr; Christian Zapatka.

Robert Devaney • April 13, 2012

The Library of Congress hosted “the Department of the Navy’s Commemoration Honoring the Bicentennial of the War of 1812” March 13 at its Thomas Jefferson Building. With Jay DeLoach, director of Naval History and Heritage Command, as master of ceremonies, Librarian of Congress James Billington welcomed the crowd and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Billington noted the library’s link to the war and the Burning of Washington in 1814 with its first replacement volumes from Thomas Jefferson. Mabus said that the War of 1812 is “overlooked and least remembered” of America’s war but has “an outsized impact” on its history. As the 75th Secretary of the Navy, Mabus recalled that the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert — who built and lived in Halcyon House on Prospect Street in Georgetown — had no ships to begin with. The war “confirmed our independence,” Mabus said, and was “fought over the idea of the freedom of the seas . . . not just for ourselves but for all.” Navy events for the War of 1812 begin in New Orleans in April and continue on the East Coast through the year. For details, visit www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org. [gallery ids="100638,100639" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • April 12, 2012

The Georgetown University Medical Center held its first annual event to support new cures and treatments for neurological diseases on May 13 at the Kennedy Center. Proceeds will support a Young Investigators Fund. Guests enjoyed a cocktail buffet reception followed by the NSO Pops performance highlighting Jon Secada and Tito Puente, Jr. with Marvin Hamlisch at the podium. Francine and Mel Levinson co-chaired the event. Mark and Jeanne Shriver were honorary co-chairs and Mark spoke movingly of his famed parents’ later years. He recalled his father’s words “I’m doing the best I can with what God’s given me.” Dr. Howard J. Federoff spoke of “the silver tsunami of aging and neurological disease.” At the concert, conductor Hamlisch quipped “just conducting this brings out the passion in me.” Major supporters returned to the roof terrace for a post-performance reception with the stars. [gallery ids="99713,99714,99715,99716,99717,99718,99719,99720" nav="thumbs"]