DC’s Jobless Rate for December 2010 at 9.7%
• June 18, 2013

The DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in DC for December was down 0.1 percent from the revised November rate of 9.8%, while the number of jobs decreased by 1,400 in December. The December seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate was 9.4%, down from 0.4 percent from the revised rate in November 2010.

At 276,100, jobs are up 22,100 (3.1 percent) from that time last year. Over the year, the Federal Government, along with Professional and Business Services in the private sector, registered the most job gains, while Trade, Transportation and Utilities, in the private sector, registered a small job loss over the year.

The District’s labor force increased by 800 in December, the number of employed residents increased by 1,100, and a decrease in the number of unemployed residents by 300. At 332,300, the labor force was down 600 from December 2009, with 6,700 more residents employed and 7,300 less residents unemployed.
The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

The January 2011 unemployment rate and survey of jobs data for the District will be released on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available at DOES.DC.gov.

Rag & Bone to Debut in Georgetown
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Georgetown is adding another chic fashion landmark to its retail streetscape. EastBanc, a DC-based commercial and residential real estate and investment firm, announced that Rag & Bone will come to the neighborhood in early summer. It will move into what is currently the location of MAC, at 3067 M Street, with the build-out expected to take a couple months.

Guided by a strong British tailoring influence, Rag & Bone produces classic yet modern sportswear for men and women known for being understated and wearable.

“Rag & Bone is contemporary and meets the needs of our urban environment,” says Anthony Lanier, president of EastBanc. “Rag & Bone has a great reputation in New York and will do extremely well with Washingtonians and visitors alike to Georgetown.”

EastBanc has leased numerous retail vacancies in Georgetown over the last six months, including Brooks Brothers, City Sports, Madewell and CB2.

Fake IDs Snagged at the Third Edition
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The Metropolitan Police Department confiscated more than 20 fake IDs from patrons at the Third Edition, Feb. 12, the Washington Examiner first reported. Police took the IDs from persons who presented them after they had entered the restaurant. Police identified 14 underaged drinkers – mostly Georgetown University students.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Bill Starrels told the campus newspaper, The Hoya, that those identified had used false identification, but he was unsure whether or not any arrests were made. Starrels is ANC 2E’s representative to the the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). Georgetown’s department of public safety reported the names of the students charged with underage drinking and use of a false ID to the university, it said.

“Thirds is an easy target for many college students, not just from Georgetown,” Starrels told The Hoya. “Georgetown students weren’t the only ones in the establishment at the time, but most of them were.” A few students charged also told The Hoya of being approached by plain-clothes police who asked to see their IDs and threatened with arrest if not cooperative.

Local news blog DCist.com reported that at least one patron admitted to having gotten the fake identification card from the China-based website, IdChief.com – which printed holograms and magnetic strips on the cards.

While it is not its first time, the Third Edition may face a short-term liquor license suspension that cuts into its weekend hours, Starrels told The Hoya. “Obviously, students were wrong to be going in there to drink, but there is a responsibility by the establishment to do what it takes to keep a young person out of there,” he said. “It’s been suggested multiple times by the ANC that they ask for two IDs automatically.”

Who Gets to Run Jelleff Recreation Center?
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The D.C. Office of the Attorney General issued a “corrective action” that cancels the remaining four years of a contract with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to run Jelleff Recreation Center at 3265 S Street. The Friends of Jelleff had protested the previous decision. The city bought the land two years ago from the cash-strapped Boys & Girls Club.

The Jan. 31 ANC 2E meeting was a dust-up of who gets to use that field. Director of Parks and Recreation, Jesús Aguirre, was at the meeting to talk about the deal of use by Maret School on Cathedral Avenue. The school’s head Marjo Talbott defended the 10-year deal and Maret’s exclusive times of use as the school has invested about $2.5 million in improvements to the property. Maret had been in discussions with the Boys & Girls Club before the city purchased the land for the community. Among the others who use the field regularly are the nearby British School and Stoddert Soccer.

Some participants and community members at the meeting said they felt blindsided by the exclusive deal that seemed “to lack transparency” with the public. The ANC agreed on a resolution that sought to have the Department of Parks and Recreation and Maret School void the existing contract: “These agreements . . . were entered into behind closed doors, without meaningful attempts by DPR [Department of Parks and Recreation] to solicit community input or engage in a more competitive process.”
A little confused? Who’s on first? Stay tuned, kids.

First Lady and the Agassis Film PSA at Yates Field House
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First lady Michelle Obama and tennis super-couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf filmed a public service ad for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at Yates Field House on Feb. 17. Obama’s press secretary Katie Lelyveld – a Georgetown grad – confirmed the venue and sponsor to the campus press. Obama and her daughters are known to play tennis at Yates, the university’s main recreation and fitness center. The collaboration fits with the first lady’s program for fitness and fighting childhood obesity, “Let’s Move!” While in town, Agassi and Graf were also seen at the Fours Seasons, the Washington Post reported.

G.U. Opens Foreign Service School Building in Qatar
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Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar – established in 2005 – celebrated the official opening of its new building in Education City on Feb. 13, the university reports. “The memorable affair marked an important milestone in the history of the university’s valued partnership with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

“At the beginning of the 21st century, Georgetown ventured out of its traditional confines, left its comfort zone at the hilltop in Washington, D.C., and began a partnership with Qatar Foundation,” said Mehran Kamrava, interim dean of the School of Foreign Service in Qatar. “Our strong and vibrant partnership with Qatar Foundation, and our new spectacular home, would not have been possible without the vision and patronage of Her Higness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.”

University president John DeGioia presented Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, with a sculpture of a lyre, a traditional musical instrument invented in ancient Mesopotamia. In a nice connection with the neighborhood back home, the sculpture chosen as a gift was designed by artist John Dreyfuss of Halcyon House on Prospect Street. “It represents the unification of cultures through music, beauty and art,” the university explains. “The instrument is also found inscribed in the university’s seal.”

Breena Clarke Recounts Black Georgetown, Feb. 23
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The Citizens Association of Georgetown salutes Black History month with author Breena Clarke speaking at First Baptist Church, Georgetown at 2624 Dumbarton St., NW, on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Come tour the church, meet Breena Clarke and learn about the influences that shaped her work – “Stand the Storm” and “River, Cross My Heart” – much of which focuses on Georgetown and Washington, D.C.

Closing Party at Poppy, Feb. 24
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“When one door closes,” owner Heidi Hess says, “another one opens.” Poppy, the small jewelry boutique at 3235 P St., NW (three doors west of P St. and Wisconsin Ave.) is having a farewell party, Feb. 24, 5 to 10 p.m., as it closes its store at the end of the month and moves its business exclusively online – www.PoppyMetals.com. “Come next Thursday and meet some of DC’s most talented jewelry artists that Poppy has had the pleasure of representing,” Hess says. “Also, meet your new neighbor, Robert Ludlow of Fleurir Chocolates. Robert is quite an energetic, fun spirit, and I know he is perfect for our sunlight-filled space on P Street.”

Ground Zero Mosque Imam to Speak at Georgetown, March 1
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The Georgetown University Lecture Fund will be hosting Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the former spokesman of the controversial Park51 mosque, according to the Georgetown Voice. The Park51 mosque, commonly referred to as the Ground Zero mosque, became a controversy this past summer because of its proximity to the location of the World Trade Center, whose two main towers imploded on Sept. 11, 2001, because of terrorist attacks, killing more than 2,000 persons in New York City.

As reported by the Hoya, Rauf will be part of a panel at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center on March 1: “Religion in American Politics and Society: A Model for Other Countries?”

The panel is largely geared toward graduate students and faculty members. The Voice also reported that the Lecture Fund has scheduled Rauf for a lecture at 6 p.m. that evening in Lohrfink Auditorium geared toward undergraduate students. Rauf will be speaking about the separation between religion and politics in both the United States and in the Muslim world. A moderated question and answer period will follow the speech.

Washington City Paper “Best of DC 2011”: Vote Georgetown!
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It’s that time of year again to vote for your Georgetown favorites in the Washington City Paper’s “Best of DC” Readers Poll 2011! In 2010, Georgetown was bestowed the honor of “Best Neighborhood for Shopping,” and Georgetown businesses won in 13 categories and had nine runners-up.
Nominate and vote for your favorite Georgetown businesses beginning February 16. Voting ends March 15!