GT 12.28.11 1

Page 1

Serving Burleith, Foxhall, Georgetown, Georgetown Reservoir & Glover Park

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Vol. XXI, No. 21

The Georgetown Current

Appeals Court OKs Giant project

SAx APPEAL

■ Development: Company

aiming to start work in spring By CHRIS KAIN Current Staff Writer

The D.C. Court of Appeals last week upheld a Zoning Commission decision that approved extensive redevelopment of the Giant supermarket site at Wisconsin Avenue and Newark Street.

The 25-page ruling tossed aside critics’ contentions, including that the commission had erred in declaring Giant’s mixed-use “Cathedral Commons” project to be generally consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The court also said the commission adequately enforced the Macomb-Wisconsin Neighborhood Commercial Overlay District’s height and density restrictions. In addition, the three-judge panel

rejected two alleged procedural errors, saying that the commission’s decision provided an adequate rationale both for accepting Giant’s truck-loading plan and for opting not to refer elements of the case to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. “We’re very happy to be able to lift this cloud and move the project forward after many, many years,” said Phil Feola, zoning attorney for Giant Food. See Giant/Page 16

Friends help keep Scheele’s mart in place By DEIRDRE BANNON Current Staff Writer

Bill Petros/The Current

Local jazz artist Ski Johnson spent a recent morning playing his saxophone at the Katzen Cancer Research Center at GWU.

Scheele’s Market, a treasured neighborhood institution in Georgetown, has a new lease on life thanks to an agreement reached earlier this month between the new owner of the building and a community group dedicated to saving the store. Jordan O’Neill, who bought the property at the corner of 29th and Dumbarton streets in February, agreed to maintain the first-floor retail space as a corner market for the next 15 years. Current tenants and longtime store operators Shin and Kye Lee agreed to a five-year lease with an option to renew for an additional five years. And Friends of Scheele’s, a community group that formed to help maintain the rare neighborhood shop, helped coordinate the deal. “Scheele’s Market is a neighborhood treasure,” O’Neill said of the shop, which provides fresh produce See Market/Page 16

Photo courtesy of Friends of Scheele’s

Resident Malcolm Peabody, right, helped lead the effort to help keep Kye Lee operating the Scheele’s space, now owned by Jordan O’Neill, left.

City leaders take cues from past snowstorms

Five years later: Washington has adapted to smoking ban

By BRADY HOLT

■ Looking back: D.C. one of while the group that pushed for the

where they should congregate —

Current Staff Writer

A series of recent changes have improved the District’s ability to cope with large snowfalls, agency heads testified before a D.C. Council committee last week. Since the “Snowmageddon” storms of February 2010, the Public Works and Transportation departments have established contracts for reserve snow-removal vehicles in cases where the District’s fleet is overwhelmed, officials said. And since the gridlock that resulted from a January 2011 ice storm, the city has launched a new winterweather website, improved communication among agencies and employees, and installed backup power supplies for stoplights at about 100 major intersections.

NEWS ■ Agencies gather input on trail project in Rock Creek Park. Page 5. ■ Congolese Embassy begins work to restore green space. Page 3.

493 municipalities with law By KATIE PEARCE Bill Petros/Current File Photo

The city public works director said that thanks to improvements, the District would be better prepared to handle another “Snowmaggedon.”

The District is also piloting efforts to get residents to park in designated lots rather than on the street to aid snow removal, and will study other methods of making side streets fully accessible to plows. “It sounds like we’re in pretty good shape,” said See Snow/Page 7

SPOR TS ■ Former Sidwell baller returns to D.C. to play for Wizards. Page 12. ■ Gonzaga basketball squad remains unbeaten. Page 11.

Current Staff Writer

It’s hard now to remember the days when cigarette smoke was a common feature of D.C.’s restaurants and bars — and the drama that surrounded the smoking ban also seems part of the distant past. As the ban’s five-year anniversary approaches, D.C. entrepreneurs are now dealing with other issues related to smokers — such as

PASSAGES Palisades teen raises money to build playground for his childhood home: a Russian orphanage. Page 15. ■

ban, Smokefree DC, has moved on to new areas of reform. D.C.’s “smokefree workplace law” went into effect at bars and restaurants on Jan. 1, 2007, after prolonged and contentious debate. As longtime community business advocate Mark Lee recalls, “it was the single biggest issue that affected the owners and operators of [local] establishments.” The restaurant and bar industry successfully warded off the ban for years before it kicked in, and the D.C. See Ban/Page 27

INDEX Calendar/18 Classifieds/26 District Digest/4 Exhibits/20 In Your Neighborhood/9 Opinion/8 Passages/13

Police Report/6 Real Estate/15 School Dispatches/17 Service Directory/22 Sports/11 Theater/20 Week Ahead/4

2 Wednesday, december 28, 2011

The currenT

S

PUBLICATION RUN DATE

sale

THe aFTeR CHRIsTMas

AD SIZE MERCH

PREPRESS DUE ROUND 1

saVe UP TO 75% Total savings off regular, original and already-reduced prices on a great selection all over the store.

y

y l e v i t i s o p o

z ama

d

issa

bl e

! s l ea

ing

ly

unm

29

RE

ROUND 3

and CleaRanCe*

abs

W

ROUND 2

*

el lut

1

going on now! BLOOMINGDALES.COM

now–January 2, open a Bloomingdale’s account and take an extra 15% off almost any purchase you make that day.† S ale ends Januar y 2, 2 012. * C er t ain designer and brand exclusions apply; see sales associate for det ails. E xcludes Women’s Designer and New V iew Designer C ollections and Women’s leased depar tment s. reg. /orig. prices reflect of fering prices. s avings may not be based on actual sales. intermediate markdowns may have been t aken. S avings of f regular, original and already-reduced prices. S ome items may be included in sales already in progress or in future sales. No adjustment s to prior purchases. Quantities may be limited; not all st yles in all stores; color s var y by store. Prices, savings and selection may dif fer on bloomingdales.com. Not valid at Bloomingdale’s T he Outlet S tores. †15% of f new account discount of fer ends Januar y 2, 2 012, subject to credit approval. E xclusions and limit ations apply; see Insider pamphlet at a register or ask a sales associate for complete det ails. Ma ximum savings on furniture is $ 25 0.0 0; mat tresses is $10 0.0 0.

please Visit Bloomingdales.com or call stores for hours. Chevy Chase, 5300 western avenue, Maryland, 240-744-3700 • wh Ite F lInt Mall, kens Ington , 301-984-4600 tysons C orner C enter, MClean, 703-556-4600

Assoc Ivette Sophi

AD/De April K

Copyw Penny

FI

Proofr Peter

ROP D Robin Miche

Assoc Ivette April K

Assoc Meliss Penny

O

ALL BE

DMM xxxxx Busine xxxxx Buyer xxxxx Asst. B xxxxx

The Current

g

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

3

Congolese Embassy works Candidates shut out in Va. in luck for D.C. to restore 16th Street yard By BRADY HOLT Current Staff Writer

By BRADY HOLT Current Staff Writer

The Republic of Congo is working to restore the front yard of its Dupont Circle embassy to green space after it paved over the cityowned land in September. The D.C. Department of Transportation, which controls the rights of way that line city streets, wrote to the Congolese Embassy Nov. 17 ordering it to restore the yard at 16th and Riggs streets within 30 days. And although the embassy missed that deadline, Transportation Department spokesperson John Lisle said it’s clear Congo plans to abide by the order. “When a property owner shows it is working to comply, as is shown by its meeting with DDOT and the State Department to discuss these issues and its actions to tear up the paving, the Department may suspend strict enforcement since our ultimate goal

Bill Petros/The Current

The embassy has torn up the front yard it paved in September.

is compliance,� Lisle wrote in an email. The Republic of Congo bought the historic Toutorsky Mansion in March to serve as its embassy, at See Embassy/Page 16

Although several presidential primary contenders have been unable to get onto the Virginia ballot, D.C.’s Republicans will likely be able to vote April 3 for Newt Gingrich, John Hunstman and other candidates who didn’t meet that state’s requirements. Virginia made national news for its tough procedures — 10,000 valid signatures on a petition, including at least 400 from each of 11 congressional districts — when just two candidates met the criteria. But according to officials with the D.C. Republican Committee and the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, it’s easier in the District. Republican presidential primary candidates must collect signatures of 1 percent of registered Republicans in the city — this year, 296 signatures — with no geographic restrictions. They must also pay a $5,000 filing fee with the state GOP committee. Alternatively, they can pay the committee a $10,000 filing fee and bypass the signature requirement altogether. An additional requirement is more challenging, though, said Paul Craney, the Republican committee’s executive director. Each qualifying candidate must get the names of 16 delegates and 16 alternate

delegates, and each of those 32 must file financial disclosure forms and other paperwork with the elections board. “You have to do a lot of work to get on the D.C. ballot,� Craney said. “The well-organized campaigns are going to get it done. The less-organized campaigns, they’re going to struggle.� Candidates have until Jan. 4 to file either their signatures or their higher filing fee, along with their 32 names. None has completed the process yet, but Gingrich, Huntsman, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney have already filed their lists of delegates and alternates, according to elections board spokesperson Alysoun McLaughlin. At least two delegates were once Republican candidates for the D.C. Council, Carney said: at-large candidate Patrick Mara, who is running as a delegate for Romney, and Ward 5 candidate Timothy Day, who would be an alternate delegate for Gringrich. According to McLaughlin, the D.C. Council first authorized the policy in which candidates can get on the ballot without signed petitions in 2008. Fred Thompson was the only major Republican candidate who couldn’t meet the requirement at that time, Craney said. “There are a lot of hoops to jump though,� he said. “It’s doable, but you need an organized campaign.�

Renovated Takoma school reopens after fire h<9 <: + h<9 2Æj9K

By ELIZABETH WIENER Current Staff Writer

“Like Phoenix rising from the ashes,� as one city official put it, a vastly improved Takoma Education Campus reopened last Thursday — one year to the day after a devastating fire forced closure of the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school at the beginning of its winter break. The sprawling school at 7010 Piney Branch Road, admittedly dark and dingy before the three-alarm fire, has been not only repaired but also totally redone. Outmoded open classrooms have been replaced by bright and reconfigured spaces, along with a new auditorium and

stage, gym with showers, dance studio, art room, science and computer labs, and greenhouse. At a ceremony in the airy new cafeteria, principal Rikki Taylor said she divides time into “BF — before the fire,� when she presided over dark halls and open classrooms that were once considered innovative but are now thought to disrupt learning. “Now we’re in the land of AF — after the fire, and the school is gorgeous, no amenity spared. To the Takoma community, welcome home,� Taylor told a crowd of parents, kids, school and city officials. One statistic tells the story. The school suffered an estimated $2 million in damages from the Dec. 22,

Bill Petros/The Current

Mayor Gray and other officials spoke at Thursday’s event.

2010, fire. But the city, through a hasty reprogramming of funds, poured $25.5 million into not only See School/Page 25

Mayor Gray floats ideas for budget autonomy Current Staff Report After a year that brought repeated threats of a federal government shutdown — which would have meant an accompanying paralysis of city services — Mayor Vincent Gray said there may be room for compromise in the District’s quest for local budget autonomy. Congress could treat the District’s budget the way it treats other city laws, Gray suggested in a recent wide-ranging interview. Under such a compromise, Congress would not have to formally approve the city’s budget, but would be allowed 30 days to either reject or amend it. This arrangement would eliminate the threat of a local shutdown every time the federal govern- Gray ment seems poised to close. Another advantage of this setup, Gray said, is that it would allow the District to start its fiscal year on July 1. This would streamline the “really unwieldy� system that D.C. Public Schools now has to follow, he said: Since a school year covers two fiscal years, D.C. schools currently have to operate under two separate budgets. Gray said the city is currently researching how to reduce its enormous overhead expenses, and that the results should be reflected in the next budget cycle.

As one example of new efficiency measures being implemented this year, he pointed to the D.C. Department of General Services, which is now handling all city construction contracts. A new tax revision commission will be appointed in January, Gray said. The mayor is responsible for appointing five members to the group, while D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown will appoint the other five. Gray said he would like former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams to chair the commission, but Gray said he’s not overly optimistic about that prospect. A key question the commission will be grappling with is whether the city could raise more revenue by lowering tax rates for high-income earners, given that doing so might encourage more residents to remain in the District — or even entice Maryland or Virginia residents to move into the city. When Maryland raised its tax rates for high-income earners a few years ago, its number of affluent residents dropped precipitously, Gray said. He acknowledged that the decline could be attributed to incomes dropping in the recession. But, he noted, the change could also be due to citizens moving their legal residences out of state. Many wealthy retirees move their legal residences to Florida, which has no personal income tax, or to See Gray/Page 7

KMF<9QK Yl <AKLJA;L ;GEEGFK

h " ÊÇ 1 ĂŠ 9 ( = É Y$ 2É& MMcO 3ĂŠ#+& É"+ $ % 3ÇÇ$ 1 ĂŠ Ăˆ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ 1 É% É$ 4É$ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ ĂŠ ( É$$ $ ( + É Ă‰Ăˆ$ + Ăˆ ( A+) ½ 1ÉÇ $ 4É ½ 3ÇÇ$ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ + K j É Y$ ĂŠ ( + &+ É"+ h ĂŠĂˆĂ‰& É +ĂŠJ 8 +$É$ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ 1 ++Ăˆ& 8É &$ É ÂŁM ( ĂŠ ĂŠ K h ĂŠĂˆĂ‰& h É $ B dÆ(ĂŠ 6 D ĂŠ%$Y É$$ - ÉÊ

$ ĂŠ B f É* Ăˆ 2

% 1 % : $$ Ăˆ B % ĂŠ ; & h É% c +$ + $ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ + K @ $ & É% Ăˆ Ă‰Ăˆ$ Ă‰ĂŠĂˆ Ăˆ $$ $ + ĂŠĂˆ + &+ É 1 ĂŠ $ $ " Ăˆ + MM É c LTNb 2 ĂŠĂŠ $ $ " Ăˆ + P c ^ gÉ :É % ÊÇ -"É É K -ĂŠ - ÉÊ DÉ" ĂŠ -ĂŠ - ÉÊ B É$$ K LbLcPSRcD-:h ZSLRR[ Ăˆ $ + +ĂŠ$Ăˆ + c ÆÊjÉ$ ÊÇ +ĂŠ B c LLbb : ĂŠĂŠ$& "ÉÊ É -" 9 j j-h459fDÆ9 2B LbbNR @É ++%d2 $ B+ +ĂŠ$ D( I2 $ B+ +ĂŠ$

4

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Current

District Digest Congress requests Spring Valley funding

The federal budget that Congress approved this month includes a supplemental report requesting that the U.S. Defense Department pay for health studies of Spring Valley, according to D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. In a news release sent last Thursday, Norton said the budget’s language makes it likely that a study of the community — which is already under way — will receive federal funding. The Army abandoned munitions and chemical weapons in the then-vacant neighborhood in the late 1910s and is now cleaning them up. Norton had previously said that requests for this language had gotten bipartisan support in committee and were likely to pass.

Capital City school to move to Rabaut

The growing Capital City Public Charter School recently won permission to move into a vacant school property in Manor Park by the 2012-2013 school year. On Dec. 19, the D.C. Public Charter School Board granted Capital City approval to operate in the former Rabaut Junior High School property at 100 Peabody St. NW. According to a news release, a $24 million renovation — funded with help from Bank of America, Building Hope and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education — will prepare the 1964 building to serve about 900 Capital City students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The charter board’s

approval allows an enrollment increase to up to 1,000 students. Capital City currently operates out of two campuses in Columbia Heights.

District sees growth since 2010 Census

The District population grew by 16,273 residents, or 2.7 percent, in the period since the 2010 Census, according to estimates released last week. Between April 2010 and July 2011, the District saw a higher estimated population growth than any state, according to a news release from Mayor Vincent Gray’s office, and nearly half the percentage of total growth of the preceding decade. “The latest Census numbers support something I’ve said for a long time: The District is a wonderful place to call home,� Gray says in the release.

Walgreens drugstore opens in Van Ness

Walgreens opened its third District location Friday, at Connecticut Avenue and Veazey Terrace in Van Ness, according to a news release from the drugstore. The newly constructed store features a “health and daily living format,� with two employees dedicated to helping customers with their health needs, as well as fresh food selections, the release states. Mayor Vincent Gray attended the store’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its participation in the District’s “One City, One Hire� program; with the Van Ness location, Walgreens created 35 new jobs,

according to the release. The company hopes to open another five drugstores in D.C. by 2017.

City seeks contractor to combat cheating

The District hopes to hire a contractor to help detect cheating in standardized tests, according to a news release from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. “Testing impropriety is an issue this agency takes very seriously,� superintendent Hosanna Mahaley says in the release. “Any violation of security undermines trust and faith in our entire educational system by casting doubt on the positive growth we have begun to see citywide.� The release does not specify what measures the office hopes the contractor will take, but states that the selected firm will “investigate and assess individual classrooms� in order to ensure the validity of D.C. Comprehensive Assessment System results.

Bowser bill would license tire dealers

Ward 4 D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser has introduced legislation to require licensing for new and used tire dealers, a measure that she said would cut down on the piles of tires on car lots that can be aesthetic and environmental blights. Bowser said her own ward has 14 businesses licensed to do auto repairs, which generally includes selling new and used tires. But a recent survey found five nonlicensed tire dealers, along with “unsightly piles of tires� that Bowser said can become breeding

Come Join Us...

ha Let ve ’s lun ch !

grounds for mosquitoes. Her bill would require specific license provisions for tire dealers, including a cap on the number of tires sold and requirements that the tires be stored indoors. Requiring a license — as well as the threat of license revocation — is the best way to keep businesses in line, Bowser said.

Former Ward 5 ANC chair to repay funds

The former chair of a Ward 5 advisory neighborhood commission has agreed to repay nearly $29,000 he allegedly took from his commission’s bank account, according to a news release from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. William Shelton, who represented single-member district 5B01 in the Brentwood section of Northeast for a decade, resigned over the summer. According to the news release, he will owe the city an initial payment of $5,000 and at least $200 per month until the balance of the “misappropriated� money is paid off. According to WUSA, which broke the story in June, Shelton allegedly withdrew the money from ATMs between August 2010 and March 2011 and used part of it to make car payments on a Lexus.

Church reopens after a major renovation

First Congregational United Church of Christ reopened Saturday for Christmas Eve services after an extensive reconstruction effort, according to a news release from the Downtown Cluster of Congregations. The church has been housed in a series of buildings at 10th and G streets NW since the 1860s, the release states, and has most recently

The Current

Delivered weekly to homes and businesses in Northwest Washington Publisher & Editor Davis Kennedy Managing Editor Chris Kain Assistant Managing Editor Beth Cope Advertising Director Gary Socha Account Executive Shani Madden Account Executive Richa Marwah Account Executive George Steinbraker Account Executive Mary Kay Williams Advertising Standards

Great times. Good friends. People who care. Distinctive retirement living. 1SJWBUF 4VJUFT t 'JOF %JOJOH t 4PDJBM $VMUVSBM "DUJWJUJFT $IBVÄŒFVSFE 4FEBO t "TTJTUFE -JWJOH 4FSWJDFT t /P &OUSBODF 'FF

Advertising published in The Current Newspapers is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services as offered are accurately described and are available to customers at the advertised price. Advertising that does not conform to these standards, or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any Current Newspapers reader encounters non-compliance with these standards, we ask that you inform us. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without permission from the publisher. Subscription by mail — $52 per year

Telephone: 202-244-7223 E-mail Address

newsdesk@currentnewspapers.com Street Address

$POOFDUJDVU "WF / 8 8BTIJOHUPO %$ t XXX DIFWZDIBTFIPVTF DPN

Call us at: 202-686-5504

ASSISTED LIVING FOR INDEPENDENT PEOPLE

5185 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Suite 102 Mailing Address

Post Office Box 40400 Washington, D.C. 20016-0400

The weeks ahead Thursday, Jan. 5

The National Capital Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting, which will include an informational presentation on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the commission’s offices, Suite 500, 401 9th St. NW.

Monday, Jan. 9

The D.C. Council Committee on Finance and Revenue will hold a public hearing on the Age-in-Place and Equitable Senior Citizens Real Property Act. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

The National Capital Planning Commission, the Trust for the National Mall, the City Parks Alliance and the National Archives will hold a panel discussion on “(r)Evolutionary Parks: The Future of Public Space.� The forum will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the McGowan Theater at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is free; to RSVP, visit ncpc.gov/rsvp. replaced an outmoded, undersized 50-year-old building there. The new church has more natural light, better handicap accessibility and more distinctive architecture, the release states. Weekly services are scheduled to resume there Jan. 8.

Planned street trees shown in online map

The District is working to plant 3,540 trees in public space through May, and the agency is listing the locations and details online, according a D.C. Department of Transportation news release. The online map, available at tinyurl.com/treemapddot, shows a dot at the location of each planned tree. Clicking on the dot provides its exact address and the species of tree planned. According to the news release, most locations were identified by residents who called 311 to request a tree before June 15 — the city’s annual procedure. Additionally, the Casey Trees group announced last month that it would be planting 52 trees in Georgetown — 32 by the end of November and 20 more in March. The plantings are being undertaken in partnership with Trees for Georgetown and the Transportation Department’s Urban Forestry Administration.

Corrections

As a matter of policy, The Current corrects all errors of substance. To report an error, please call the managing editor at 202244-7223.

The Current

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

5

Park Service plans multimillion-dollar trail upgrade in Rock Creek Park By KATIE PEARCE Current Staff Writer

The agencies planning improvements to Rock Creek Park’s bike and pedestrian trail heard mostly encouragement at a meeting this month, aside from some concerns about changes to Georgetown’s Rose Park. The trail project is now in a public review phase, after the National Park Service, the

Federal Highway Administration and the D.C. Department of Transportation released an environmental assessment in early December. The project aims to rehabilitate a 3.7-mile segment of the asphalt trail between Broad Branch Road and P Street NW, including a “social trail� around Peirce Mill, as well as areas around the National Zoo. Under the agencies’ “preferred alternative,� which would cost approximately $7.45 million, the

multi-use trail would be resurfaced and widened, up to a maximum of 10 feet depending on location. The project also encompasses the Piney Branch Parkway trail from Beach Drive to Arkansas Avenue, most of which is now unpaved, along with a trail within Rose Park. Most of the attendees of a Dec. 14 meeting praised the project’s goal to improve connectivity and access to the well-used park trail.

Jean Osburn, chair of the facilities committee for the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council, said the widening of the trail has been “a long time comingâ€? for the cycling community, which will be “delighted to ‌ ride safely and enjoy nature with everyone elseâ€? in the park. “The general widening and resurfacing of the trail is really important,â€? agreed one regular bike rider, particularly for the hectic eveSee Trail/Page 27

ANC reaches license accord with Jake’s Grille

By BRADY HOLT Current Staff Writer

A Connecticut Avenue restaurant will likely be able to begin serving alcohol out front and in its basement early next year, after the Forest Hills/ Van Ness advisory neighborhood commission stopped protesting its liquor license last week. Jake’s American Grille, 50165018 Connecticut Ave., faced months of permit delays at the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, according to

owner Gaynor Jablonski. And when Jablonski tried to get his liquor license before the regulatory agency had formally established the basement’s occupant capacity, the neighborhood commission fought the effort. Unlike in many liquor license protests, there were few substantive disagreements about the terms of the voluntary agreement created between Jake’s and the neighborhood commission. Nor have neighbors complained of problems. But neighborhood commission-

ers repeatedly expressed concerns that if they supported plans that lacked sufficient detail, they could miss their chance to oppose something that they wouldn’t like. “I have a problem with approving things that we don’t know what we’re getting,� commissioner Karen Perry said at the body’s Aug. 15 meeting, when the commission unanimously voted to protest the liquor license. The main floor of Jake’s opened in February, but Jablonski said it took eight months for the regulatory See License/Page 16

14th Street project clears preservation hurdle By ELIZABETH WIENER Current Staff Writer

The latest mixed-use project on 14th Street has cleared the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board, with debate — as usual — focusing on height. But “The Irwin� offers an especially stark contrast on that point: It would tower four stories over neighboring historic buildings on its own block, although it’s no taller than many new buildings on the rapidly developing corridor. Named after developer Irwin

Edlavitch, the retail and residential complex to be built at 1328 14th St. has gone through repeated design revisions, both in materials and height. The architect lopped off a floor at the behest of neighbors and the city preservation office, and changed the skin from red brick to masonry, metal and glass. The latest iteration, presented to the review board Dec. 15, was inspired by the historic auto showrooms found farther north on 14th Street. Architect Sarah Alexander “switched from an apartment build-

ing model to an auto showroom model,� said staff reviewer Steve Callcott, pointing out the large expanse of glass on upper floors, broken up by metal panels. The ground floor would have projecting storefront windows, along with an entrance to the residences above. “We looked at the auto showrooms, which we all love — the concentration of glass, the masonry facade, clarity of design,� said Alexander, predicting that the end result will be “a building with quiet See Irwin/Page 7

( ) # * $ # ! " # $ % & " '

“One Of The Largest Carwashes in America�

ZZZ Ă DJVKLSFDUZDVK FRP

LZem >Zml <Zkl

',675,&7 /,1( >mdd K]jn]! ,,+* ;gff][la[ml 9n]& FO +)+&,/,&-2/) >mdd K]jn] Kg^l ;dgl` 1257+ %(7+(6'$ *)(( ;`YheYf 9n]& F]pl lg LYj_]l! ,)*&+,)&*+,) >mdd K]jn] Kg^l ;dgl` =pl]jagj =phj]kk 0 :Yq K]d^%K]jn]

)( 9DD =PHJ=KK <=L9ADK

Fgl nYda\ oal` gl`]j g^^]j gj hjagj hmj[`Yk]& =phaj]k )%))%)*

# + $ , "$ - & . * " /

* " * & ) 0 - 1 - 1 , "$ . " * & ) 0 2 3

+&(( G>>

Afka\] NY[mme )(( Kg^l ;dgl` Oah] <Yk` Yf\ ;gfkgd] Mf\]j OYk` O`]]d :ja_`l Hgdq K]YdYfl Laj] K`af] @Yf\ <jq ;d]Yf Oaf\gok

>MDD K=JN= MDLAE9L= O9K@

?gg\ Yl Ydd ^mdd k]jna[] dg[Ylagfk& Fgl nYda\ af [geZafYlagf oal` gl`]j g^^]jk gj [gmhgfk& Gf] [gmhgf h]j o]]c& G^^]j ]phaj]k )%))%)*

# $# % & '( # ) * + , *

* - "

!

"

6

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

n

g

The Current

d f

Police Report This is a listing of reports taken from Dec. 18 through 25 by the Metropolitan Police Department in local police service areas.

psa PSA 201

201

■ chevy chase

Theft from auto ($250 plus) ■ 5800 block, Broad Branch Road; street; 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 3700 block, Ingomar Street; residence; 10 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 5100 block, Chevy Chase Parkway; alley; 10:30 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 3200 block, Worthington St.; street; 10:30 p.m. Dec. 21

psa 202

■ Friendship Heights PSA 202

Tenleytown / AU Park

Theft (below $250) ■ 5300 block, Wisconsin Ave.; store; 10:17 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 5300 block, Wisconsin Ave.; store; 1:20 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 4300 block, Windom Place; residence; 3 p.m. Dec. 22. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 4800 block, 46th St.; street; 9 p.m. Dec. 22

psa PSA 203

203

■ forest hills / van ness

Burglary ■ 2500 block, Upton St.; residence; 9:59 p.m. Dec. 23. Theft (below $250) ■ Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street; sidewalk; 1 am. Dec. 18. Theft (shoplifting) ■ 4300 block, Connecticut Ave.; drugstore; 7:45 a.m. Dec. 20. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 3500 block, Brandywine St.; street; 9 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 3600 block, Brandywine St.; street; 9 p.m. Dec. 22.

psa 204

■ Massachusetts avenue

heights / cleveland park woodley park / Glover PSA 204 park / cathedral heights

Robbery (carjacking) ■ 4200 block, Massachusetts Ave.; street; 8:55 a.m. Dec. 20. Assault with a dangerous weapon ■ 2400 block, Wisconsin Ave.; restaurant; 1 a.m. Dec. 24. Burglary ■ 2100 block, 37th St.; residence; 10:43 p.m. Dec. 23. ■ 2000 block, 37th St.; residence; 1 a.m. Dec. 23. Theft (below $250) ■ 3200 block, Klingle Road; residence; 7:12 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 2700 block, 36th Place; residence; 6 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 2600 block, Wisconsin Ave.; street; noon Dec. 23. ■ 2700 block, Wisconsin Ave.; unspecified premises; 11 p.m. Dec. 2. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 3200 block, Woodley Road; street; 5 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 2700 block, Woodley Place;

parking lot; 9 p.m. Dec. 20.

psa 205

■ palisades / spring valley PSA 205

Wesley Heights/ Foxhall

Burglary ■ 4400 block, Massachusetts Ave.; university; 12:15 a.m. Dec. 19. Theft (below $250) ■ 4800 block, MacArthur Blvd.; drugstore; 4:22 p.m. Dec. 19.

psa PSA 206 206

■ georgetown / burleith

Burglary ■ 2900 block, Q St.; residence; 11:15 p.m. Dec. 19. Theft ($250 plus) ■ 37th and O streets; unspecified premises; 2:40 p.m. Dec. 24. ■ 1200 block, Wisconsin Ave.; store; 2:50 p.m. Dec. 24. Theft (below $250) ■ 37th and O streets; university; 2:45 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 3000 block, M St.; store; 3:10 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 3100 block, M St.; store; 6:10 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 37th and O streets; university; 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1300 block, Wisconsin Ave.; store; 2:10 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1000 block, 31st St.; restaurant; 3 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 3000 block, M St.; store; 4:44 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 3200 block, M St.; store; noon Dec. 23. ■ 3200 block, M St.; store; 2:15 p.m. Dec. 24. ■ 3800 block, Reservoir Road; medical facility; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Theft (shoplifting) ■ 1200 block, Wisconsin Ave.; store; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 1300 block, 20th St.; parking lot; 4 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 2700 block, N St.; street; 9:40 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 3200 block, M St.; street; 2 p.m. Dec. 23.

psa PSA 207

207

■ foggy bottom / west end

Burglary ■ 900 block, 26th St.; residence; 8 a.m. Dec. 19. Theft (below $250) ■ 800 block, 21st St.; university; 11 a.m. Dec. 19. ■ 900 block, 23rd St.; medical facility; 5 p.m. Dec. 22. Theft from auto ($250 plus) ■ 2500 block, K St.; street; 11:59 p.m. Dec. 21. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 2100 block, I St.; street; 8:30 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 800 block, 21st St.; university; 7:40 p.m. Dec. 22.

psa 208

■ sheridan-kalorama PSA 208

dupont circle

Robbery (assault) ■ 1600 block, P St.; bus stop; 7:18 p.m. Dec. 20. Robbery (force and violence)

■ 1200 block, Connecticut Ave.; sidewalk; 2 a.m. Dec. 18. ■ 1900 block, Pennsylvania Ave.; restaurant; 10:50 a.m. Dec. 19. Robbery (stealth) ■ 1600 block, Connecticut Ave.; restaurant; 2:40 p.m. Dec. 23. Assault with dangerous weapon (gun) ■ 1100 block, 17th St.; street; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Stolen auto ■ 1800 block, Massachusetts Ave.; street; 6 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 1500 block, K St.; street; 11 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1200 block, 21st St.; street; 8:30 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1400 block, 17th St.; street; 10:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Theft ($250 plus) ■ 1100 block, 17th St.; office building; 5 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1100 block, Connecticut Ave.; hotel; 2 a.m. Dec. 23. Theft (below $250) ■ 1700 block, Connecticut Ave.; restaurant; 4:15 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 1000 block, Connecticut Ave.; store; 4:25 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1100 block, 19th St.; store; 5:31 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1900 block, S St.; residence; 3:50 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1600 block, L St.; restaurant; 1 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 900 block, 19th St.; restaurant; 4 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1100 block, 17th St; tavern/ nightclub; 2:30 a.m. Dec. 23. ■ 1200 block, Connecticut Ave.; store; 6 p.m. Dec. 23. ■ 2100 block, P St.; hotel; 12:01 a.m. Dec. 24. ■ 2100 block, N St.; residence; 11:30 a.m. Dec. 24. ■ 1200 block, 22nd St.; convenience store; 2:34 p.m. Dec. 24. Theft from auto ($250 plus) ■ 2200 block, N St; street; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1100 block, New Hampshire Ave.; parking lot; 6 p.m. Dec. 23. ■ 1600 block, Swann St.; street; 9:17 a.m. Dec. 24. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 1500 block, U St.; street; 2:30 a.m. Dec. 18. ■ 17th and O streets; street; 10 a.m. Dec. 18. ■ 1200 block, 19th St.; street; 10:30 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 18th and N streets; street; 11 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 22nd and N streets; street; 2 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 2200 block, Bancroft Place; street; 1:45 a.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1100 block, 18th St.; street; 4:15 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1400 block, 21st St.; street; 7 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ Decatur Place and Florida Avenue; street; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1700 block, Q St.; street; 7 p.m.; Dec. 21. ■ 22nd and M streets; street; 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1400 block, 21st St.; street; 8 a.m. Dec. 22. ■ 2000 block, R St.; street; 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1500 block, S St.; alley; 1:10

p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 2000 block, Q St. l street; 3 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1500 block, Swann St.; alley; 3:30 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1600 block, Riggs Place; alley; 10 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1700 block, Q St.; parking lot; 4 p.m. Dec. 23. ■ 2100 block, N St.; street; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

psa PSA 303

303

■ adams morgan

Stolen auto ■ 1800 block, Belmont Road; street; 1:30 a.m. Dec. 18. ■ 1600 block, Harvard St.; street; 8 a.m. Dec. 19. Theft (below $250) ■ 2200 block, 18th St.; street; 3:30 a.m. Dec. 19. ■ 2400 block, 18th St.; restaurant; 5 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 1700 block, Columbia Road; sidewalk; 4:15 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1900 block, Kalorama Road; tavern/nightclub; 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 1800 block, Wyoming Ave.; alley; 10:30 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ Biltmore Street and Cliffbourne Place; street; 8 p.m. Dec. 19. ■ 1700 block, Lanier Place; street; 9 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 2400 bock, 16th St.; street; 10 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1800 block, Calvert St.; residence; 9:30 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 2300 block, Champlain St.; parking lot; 3 a.m. Dec. 24.

psa PSA 307

307

■ logan circle

Assault with dangerous weapon ■ 1400 block, 12th St.; residence; 1:30 a.m. Dec. 24. Theft ($250 plus) ■ 1300 block, Corcoran St.; street; 7:50 p.m. Dec. 22. Theft (below $250) ■ 1200 block, Massachusetts Ave.; street; 10 p.m. Dec. 18. ■ 1700 block, 14th St.; store; 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19. ■ 1400 block, P St.; restaurant; 8:40 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1100 block, 14th St.; restaurant; 5:28 p.m. Dec. 24. ■ 1100 block, Vermont Ave.; convenience store; 1:30 a.m. Dec. 21. Theft from auto (below $250) ■ 900 block, M St.; parking lot; 2:45 a.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1200 block, O St.; alley; 7:30 a.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1500 block, 15th St.; alley; 6 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1100 block, 13th St.; street; 6 p.m. Dec. 20. ■ 1500 block, 14th St.; alley; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21. ■ 1400 block, R St.; residence; 2 p.m. Dec. 22. ■ 1400 block, P St; parking lot; 9 a.m. Dec. 23. ■ 1100 block, 9th St.; street; 11 p.m. Dec. 23. ■ 1300 block, R St.; street; 10:30 a.m. Dec. 25. ■ 1400 block, S St.; street; 5 p.m. Dec. 25.

The Current

SNOW

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

7

IRWIN

From Page 1

From Page 5

Mary Cheh, who chairs the council’s Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation. “I think that’s a fair assessment: that we’re ready.� Cheh opened the Dec. 19 “public oversight roundtable,� which did not invite public testimony, on a somewhat tough note: “The District’s response to moderate to heavy snow in recent years has been an area of some concern.� But as she spent about 90 minutes grilling Public Works Department director William Howland and Transportation Department director Terry Bellamy on how the city would respond in various scenarios, Cheh seemed pleased with the responses. “If we had Snowmageddon again, would we be able to handle it?� Cheh asked at one point. “Yes,� replied Howland. “And I thought we did remarkably well [in 2010] given the amount of snow that we had, but I think we would probably cut down the amount of time in half.� In the dual February 2010 storms, which dumped some 40 inches of heavy snow, few city vehicles were powerful enough to plow effectively, according to Howland. Furthermore, he said, mechanical failures of aging trucks meant that the city couldn’t effectively plow snow as it fell, which caused it to build up. The contracts the city has established give the District access to reserve snowplows for continuous clearing and construction equipment when heavy lifting is needed, he said. Although this program was established soon after “Snowmagaddon,� the 11 inches of snow that fell in total last winter wasn’t enough to require the reserves. “I’m hoping that we get 11 inches of snow like we did last year so we don’t have to worry about it,� said Howland. Officials also hope new measures can help alleviate problems that befell commuters in January’s unexpectedly messy storm that stranded thousands of motorists across the region during the afternoon rush hour. Laptops in some city vehicles will let employees better track conditions citywide while observing particular areas firsthand, and residents will also be able to track plows’ progress at the District’s new snow.dc.gov website. Howland also pledged to issue

Bill Petros/Current File Photo

Officials say the 2010 snowstorm inspired improvements. earlier recommendations on what time motorists should be off the roads, giving residents and commuters more time to plan ahead and helping keep the streets empty for plows. The agency will also coordinate better with the federal government on its timing for releasing employees, he said. The Public Works Department also anticipates fewer outages and roadways blocked by fallen trees this winter than during the January 2011 storm because of Pepco’s treetrimming efforts around its power lines, Howland said. The agency is also experimenting with ways to clear curb lanes on side streets. The District can ticket and impound cars left on snow emergency routes, but officials are working with private parking lots to secure off-street spaces for residents to move other cars while residential streets are plowed. A new pilot this year includes deals with the DC USA shopping center in Columbia Heights and RFK Stadium in Ward 6, Howland said. In response to requests from Cheh and Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser, he said the agency would also experiment with asking residents to move their cars around the corner while their block is addressed, as the agency already does with leaf pickup. Officials also issued reminders that D.C. law requires residents and business owners to clear their own sidewalks within eight daylight hours of a snowfall. Legislation from Cheh would make noncompliance punishable by a $25 citation for residents and $250 for businesses; the council is set to discuss it Jan. 4. Howland also reminded residents that the Department of Public Works generally can’t plow alleys, and asked residents near street corners to help clear a path from the sidewalk to the street.

elegance.� Alexander also pointed out that The Irwin will replace a dingy auto repair shop and its parking lot, which is surrounded by a chain-link fence. But Jim Kane, who lives on adjacent Rhode Island Avenue and previously served on the preservation board, represented a group of neighbors unhappy with both the height and design. “Who wouldn’t want to replace a ratinfested garage?� he asked. “But nowhere else on 14th Street does a new infill building tower 45 feet over neighboring historic buildings.� Kane also argued that the auto showroom motif is inappropriate. “Since this block and the block across the street have no auto showrooms, this is simply an attempt to cloak a very large building. Copying historic styles will not conceal the bulk.� Kane and his neighbors said another story should be lopped off, with the new top floor set back and rooftop structures redesigned to be less visible. But Callcott, in his staff report, said the board could consider the entire 14th Street historic district to determine if the new design is compatible. Instead of focusing on a six-story building in a block of two- and three-story buildings, he said, “look at the larger context,� where taller buildings — often new construction approved by the board — “co-exist� with smaller historic storefronts. The board had mixed reactions. “Mr. Kane knows

GRAY

From Page 3 Pennsylvania, where the rate is just 2 percent and income from Social Security and retirement accounts is not taxed. Another idea the D.C. tax commission could consider, Gray said, is whether exempting retirement income from taxation or lowering the tax rate for residents over 65 or over 70 would end up bringing the city more net revenue. The mayor also discussed government ethics and the public’s eroding trust in city leaders. Asked why he hasn’t spoken out forcefully against alleged corruption by Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas, Gray said he had talked personally with Thomas about the matter and also pushed authorities to begin their investigation. “To me, that is a huge statement that I want to ensure integrity,� Gray

Bill Petros/The Current

“The Irwin� will replace an auto repair shop and its fenced parking lot on 14th Street.

well, we have wrestled with the question of taller modern buildings in historic districts,� said member Tersh Boasberg. “Since this is new construction, the rule is: not incompatible, consistent with the historic district, not the [specific] block.� “I think it’s too high, and could lose a floor. The penthouse has to disappear,� member Robert Sonderman said. Member Elinor Bacon disagreed: “To ask a developer to lop off one floor is a huge economic impact.� The board’s resolution approved the project in concept, but asked the architect to consider a “significant setback� for the sixth floor, and to rethink “the very complicated roofline� that results from having several large mechanical structures on the roof.

said. “I think that speaks volumes.� Thomas recently agreed to pay back $300,000 in funds that he allegedly redirected from city youth programs toward his personal expenses. He did not admit wrongdoing; the U.S. Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal investigation. The mayor said he has not pub-

â??I didn’t want to inject myself into the situation in that way.â?ž — Mayor Vincent Gray licly called for Thomas’ resignation because “I didn’t want to inject myself into the situation in that way. I wanted the people responsible to do it.â€? Gray suggested that the D.C. Council could take certain steps to increase its transparency. Lawyers on the council should make public

their firms’ clients who do business with the city, he said, and council members who earn outside income should disclose exactly what they do to make that money. He said he does not have a problem with political contributors “bundling� their contributions. “Some people have a strong feeling about a particular candidate,� he said. Gray urged residents looking at his own ethical track record to give him a “fair evaluation.� He said “the answer is unequivocally ‘no’� to the question of whether he steered contracts to his campaign contributors. Gray said he spends only his personal money when he takes trips that include both personal and official elements. For example, he said he paid “out of my pocket� to visit Tampa, Fla. — although part of the goal of that trip was to look at training facilities for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and determine whether the Redskins could construct similar facilities in D.C.

tSlipcovers & Reupholstery Window Treatments

# " ! # " ! # # " #

- Tell a Friend -

timeless livability

SPORTSPHOTOS From Previous CURRENT NEWSPAPERS Photos are available from www.mattpetros.zenfolio.com

Start Today We pick-up & Deliver

301-545-0848 www.urbancastlesolutions.com

& ! '! ! % !% " $ ! !" ! ! " ! " $ ! # % ! % " ! # ! % " ! # $ " $ ! $ !$ ! !" ! ! " !

8

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

g

The Georgetown

Current

Davis Kennedy/Publisher & Editor Chris Kain/Managing Editor

Taxing with care

In recent years, budget pressures have led D.C. officials to consider a variety of tax increases, many of which present vexing policy issues. The D.C. Council has rebuffed Mayor Vincent Gray’s proposed hike for residents earning more than $200,000. But a number of legislators support the idea, leading to repeated, divisive debates. So far, the arguments of Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans have carried the day. He has noted that it would not take much to encourage the District’s wealthiest residents to leave the city or discourage affluent would-be taxpayers from choosing the District. In many cases, it is not even a question of residents actually moving. Those who have second homes elsewhere — such as Florida, where there is no personal income tax — can avoid D.C. tax liability by ensuring that they spend a majority of the year outside the District. Factors such as this help explain the many unintended consequences of tax policy. As numerous researchers have found, when a jurisdiction raises taxes on the wealthy, revenues end up dropping. The same pattern can apply when raising sales taxes — particularly when buyers can easily travel elsewhere to make their purchases. Practically speaking, the bottom line in setting tax policy ought to be maximizing revenue — without imposing inequitable or unfair burdens on residents or businesses. Next month, the mayor plans to appoint five members to the tax revision commission, which last convened in the late 1990s. D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown will appoint the other five members. A report is expected nine months later. Among the panel’s statutory responsibilities are encouraging business growth and job creation; providing for fairness in apportionment of taxes; and modernizing and simplifying the tax code. Achieving any one of these is a tall order, but we hope that the commission’s findings will also help ensure that future debates hinge on data and solid research, rather than heated rhetoric and conventional wisdom of unsubstantiated value.

An important first step

The D.C. Council’s ethics reform package is drawing a lot of attention for what it won’t do. Regrettably, it won’t eliminate fundraising loopholes such as “bundled” contributions that in practice allow some donors to exceed donation limits. It also will not adequately restrict uses of council members’ constituent services funds. Yet lost in the criticism are the many positive aspects of the legislation. The new Board of Ethics and Government Accountability, for instance, will have broad responsibilities that will enable it to act as “sheriff” to root out and punish future misdeeds. It will also be able to recommended changes to the code of conduct for D.C. officials. In addition, the council took steps to allow members to expel a colleague who “significantly violates the public trust.” If an ethics violation occurs, the new board would investigate and then an ad hoc council committee would review the findings. A vote of 11 of 13 council members would mean expulsion. Right now, even the most egregious misbehavior doesn’t force a council member out of office unless he or she is sent to jail for a felony. That has to change if the council is to restore public confidence. Many of the remaining issues deal with fundraising. We are glad that Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser has pledged that her Government Operations Committee will take a broad look at campaign finance laws in 2012. The discussion ought to include tighter reporting requirements — weekly immediately before an election, and monthly in the year prior — to provide real accountability. Council members should commit now to adopting comprehensive campaign finance reform by the end of 2012 — and constituents must not tolerate inaction on the many loopholes that still exist. While much remains to be done, the council merits praise for the major steps it has taken.

The Current

Dang, another year zapped …

S

torms, earthquakes and all sorts of political grief occurred in 2011; can 2012 even compete? We’re confident it can, but maybe not with another earthquake, please. The new year is looking to feature some interesting events of a positive nature. The spring will bring the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of flowering cherry trees to the city. There will be more than a month of celebrations, fireworks and exhibits. But the little ol’ cherry blossoms that bring so much pleasure as usual will be in bloom for only about a week, so plan accordingly. It’s also the 100th anniversary year of the sinking of the Titanic. At midnight on April 14, you should get yourself down to the Southwest waterfront for a small, unique and moving ceremony at the base of the little-known Titanic Memorial. And yes, we said midnight. That’s when the Titanic sank. The modest memorial honors those who gave up their lives to get women and children into the too few lifeboats available. The yearly ceremony features a group of men who ring a ship’s bell and offer a series of stirring toasts “to those brave men.” It lasts only a few minutes, so don’t be late. We did a quick check. Other institutions celebrating centennials in 2012 include Boston’s Fenway Park, the Better Business Bureau and the Girl Scouts of America. There will be many Girl Scout celebrations around the country. But the organization is planning a huge June 8 celebration on the National Mall. It expects a crowd of 250,000 people. ■ Politics, continued. The hangover of 2011 is continuing into 2012. Mayor Vincent Gray did the traditional round of year-end interviews, and he knew what to expect. Every reporter was asking what he thought about the year that was marred by hiring embarrassments and the ongoing federal probe into his 2010 campaign. Gray dutifully answered that he called for the investigation and yes, he is cooperating in any way he is asked. He again denied wrongdoing and said he hopes U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen does a thorough job but gets it done soon so Gray can move on. Gray has several administrative achievements he can point to — budget reform, a good youth summer jobs program, and the permanent appointment of Kaya Henderson as chancellor after the turbulent Michelle Rhee years. But the investigation lies like a wet blanket over his future and the city’s. And if one federal investigation weren’t enough,

we have two others, involving D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown and Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas Jr. All three probes hold the possibility of blowing up our election calendar in 2012 if they end as badly as some expect. ■ Politics and polling. As the week was ending, there was more bad news for the mayor and council chairman. The respected Claris poll showed that city voters aren’t happy with either leader. Gray’s approval rating in the poll was only 34 percent positive, while 53 percent disapproved of him. The finding was actually a slight improvement for the mayor, who had fallen to 31 percent approval in March when the hiring scandal was still fresh. But as bad as the numbers are for Gray, they’re worse for Chairman Brown. Only 23 percent of the voters polled said they approve of the chairman, who has been mired in his federal probe and public embarrassment over ordering not one but two “fully loaded” SUVs when he first took office. And that 23 percent may be one of the lowest approval ratings in city history. Another 57 percent of the respondents disapproved of Brown. Some political observers believe Brown, as chairman, may be in an irreversible slide, but Brown told NBC4 he would redouble his efforts to communicate better with citizens and focus on his job as chairman. Brown did help lead a rewriting of the city’s ethics code and helped get the budget through the council, but it’s not clear if that dulls the bad stuff. The Claris polling showed that only 30 percent of the citizens approve of the 13-member council itself. Last spring, before the scandals and public spats too numerous to name, the council enjoyed a healthy 54 percent approval rate. A drop of 24 percentage points is extraordinary and ought to be some type of — to use a cliché — wakeup call. ■ A final word. We will modestly point out that Washingtonian Magazine named us one of its eight “Washingtonian of the Year” honorees in its January issue that came out late last week. The brief article in the magazine noted our longtime affection for local Washington. And the article rightly points out our work with the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU 88.5 and this weekly column. Our thanks go to everyone who works with us. As we say in the article and elsewhere every chance we get, our local city is only as good as the people active in it. Tom Sherwood, a Southwest resident, is a political reporter for News 4.

TOM SHERWOOD’s

Notebook

Letters to the Editor ANC needs to clarify its advisory function

The Current’s Dec. 14 article “ANC creates panel to look at cleanup proposal” raises some legitimate concerns about the role of the advisory neighborhood commission in the cleanup of a Spring Valley property. The article notes, “But commissioners are still disagreeing over what their role should be in the cleanup.” As a former chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D, I was urged to venture down this path by a current commissioner, but it became clear the commission is not the appropriate venue for consideration of issues related to Spring Valley’s status as a “for-

merly used defense site.” This role belongs to the Restoration Advisory Board. The commission has no technical adviser and lacks the necessary expertise to inform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on steps it should take relative to the cleanup of 4825 Glenbrook Road. While the Spring Valley cleanup of World War I munitions has become the “raison d’être” for one member of the commission, The Current highlights the current contentious atmosphere among commission members stemming from this obsession. Most commission members possess only basic knowledge of the overall Spring Valley project and are therefore unable to comprehend the technical elements of the resolution. The “advisory” role afforded local commissions by the Home Rule Charter does not

extend to such matters. Alma Gates Member, Restoration Advisory Board

Group’s litter pickup plan is appreciated

My neighbors and I just received the best holiday gift! The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District is expanding its cleaning services to include one block into residential areas during the weekends. This hopefully will take care of the many items that clutter the area during the weekends: greasy pizza paper plates with tinfoil, beer/water/sports-drink cans and bottles, red plastic cups, et cetera. As a resident of Mintwood Place since 1976, I give a hearty thank you for this new service. Marie P. Staihar Adams Morgan

The Current

In Your Neighborhood ANC 2E ANC 2E Georgetown ■ Georgetown / cloisters Cloisters burleith / hillandale

The commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 1524 35th St. NW. Agenda items include: ■ discussion of transportation issues, including an update on the O and P streets reconstruction. ■ election of officers and discussion of areas of interest in 2012. ■ community comment. ■ update on the West Heating Plant, 29th and K streets. ■ designation of Friends of Volta Park as the park’s official community representative. ■ update on the Georgetown University campus plan. ■ discussion of traffic at Safeway, 1855 Wisconsin Ave. ■ consideration of Old Georgetown Board matters: 2516 East Place, residence, alterations to rear, retractable awning, shutters, permit; 1738 Wisconsin Ave., residence, two-story rear addition, concept — revised design; 1609 35th St., residence, alterations to rear, removal of twostory porch, concept; 1408-1412 36th St., residences, door surround, transom, window casing, permit; 3254 O St., residence, partial demolition, reconstruction of garage with enlarged footprint, concept — revised design; 3254 O St., residence, alterations to rear of main house, remove chimney, concept; 3240 P St., commercial, alterations to glass roof at rear yard, permit/ concept; 1432 Wisconsin Ave., retail, sign for “DC Jewelry Center,” rolling grille, permit/concept — revised design; 1510 Wisconsin Ave., commercial, alterations to storefront, sign scheme for “Luigi Parasmo Salon,” permit; 2810-2812 Pennsylvania Ave., Four Seasons Hotel/Eno Wine Bar, rear addition with basement, window replacements, signs and awnings, concept — revised design; 2624 Dumbarton St., First Baptist Church, Georgetown, handicapped access ramp, concept; 3010 Dumbarton St., residence, replacement windows, alterations, gas light fixtures, rooftop HVAC, permit. For details, call 202-724-7098 or visit anc2e.com. ANC 3B ANCPark 3B Glover

■ Glover Park/Cathedral heights

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Stoddert Elementary School and Recreation Center, 4001 Calvert St. NW. For details, call 202-338-2969, contact info@anc3b.org or visit anc3b.org. ANC 3C ANC 3C Cleveland Park ■ cleveland park / woodley Park Woodley Park massachusetts avenue heights Massachusetts Avenue Heights Cathedral Heights At the commission’s Dec. 13

Citizens Association of Georgetown

2011 was a banner year for our association. We had an amazing turnout for our second community art show, “CAG ART 2011.” Author Breena Clark packed First Baptist Church, Georgetown, and captivated us with stories of Georgetown from the mid-19th century. The Boffi showroom was the perfect backdrop for us to uncover the secrets of Georgetown chefs. We had one last bash at Halcyon House — the Concerts in the Parks kickoff, which raised funds for what turned out to be our best concert season yet. The parks look amazing, thanks in part to our spring and fall cleanups. I had the honor of honoring some of the incredible people who have made Georgetown a better place to live and visit. We had fascinating programs at the House of Sweden and Thos. Moser. Our gala was a spectacular winter wonderland at the Russian Embassy — I even got to dance with the mayor! But it wasn’t all fun and games. We worked diligently to represent resident interests at the numerous Zoning Commission hearings on the Georgetown University campus plan. Our historic preservation and zoning committee is tackling many projects, including protecting Georgetown’s historic character during the zoning code rewrite. Crime is down in the residential area, even in these troubled times, through our public safety committee’s efforts. The Alcoholic Beverage Control committee continues its work, including participation in Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham’s task force on city alcohol issues. Dead trees are gone and new ones have been planted thanks to Trees for Georgetown. And the Friends of the Georgetown Library had a huge book sale that included items from Katharine Graham’s collection and raised funds for the Georgetown Neighborhood Library. None of this could have happened without the incredible volunteers who make up the association. I salute each and every one of you. Happy new year! — Jennifer Altemus meeting: ■ Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe explained that because of new, larger fire trucks, historic fire stations such as the Cleveland Park firehouse need wider doors. The new trucks, he said, include features mandated by the federal government. The commission had previously opposed widening the doors of the firehouse. Commissioner Nancy MacWood said the commission’s previous resolution was “looked at solely from the historical preservation perspective.” Commissioner Leila Afzal pointed out that the commission did not have the information from the fire department when it passed its resolution opposing the widening. ■ after a long discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board grant an interior liquor license to Café Sorriso, to be located at 2311 Calvert St. But commissioners said the license should not include the proposed outdoor portion of the restaurant, which is not yet open. Previously, the commission voted 2-5-2 to reject a resolution proposed by commissioner Lee Brian Reba that would have urged the board to defer consideration of the license for a month. The Woodley Park Community Association had felt it had insufficient time to consider the matter. Sorriso’s lawyer was criticized for not informing the neighborhood and the commission of the plans at an earlier time. Commission chair Anne-Marie Bairstow said a delay would be unfair to a small business of the type the residents very much want to

attract. “When you hurt a business owner, it’s a lot of money.” Commissioner Leila Afzal pointed out the commission would have a “second bite” at the question when the license for the outdoor portion of the cafe is considered. The Italian restaurant is expected to open in mid-January. ■ commissioners voted 5-1-1 to endorse Bernstein Property Management’s plans for new paving treatments, tree boxes and signage in public space in front of Cathedral Mansions at 3000 Connecticut Ave. The resolution expressed concern about the application to install a clock tower, which has been approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, for fear it would be “an unnecessary intrusion into already crowded public space” in an area where “without frequent maintenance, a glass clock tower will become unsightly.” ■ commissioners voted unanimously to allow expenditures of $2,500 to improve the body’s website. The commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the 2nd District Police Headquarters, 3320 Idaho Ave. NW. Its regular meeting date falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For details, call 202-657-5725 or visit anc3c.org. ANC 3D ANCValley 3D Spring ■ spring valley/wesley heights Wesley Heights palisades/kent/foxhall

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the new medical building at Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5215 Loughboro Road NW. For details, call 202-363-4130 or visit anc3d.org.

g

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

9

10 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Current

n

Athletics in Northwest Washington

ch

g

December 28, 2011 ■ Page 11

Eagles crash boards, crush Mustangs By BRIAN KAPUR Current Staff Writer

Matt Petros/The Current

Sophomore forward Jordan Adur-Ra’oof threw down a thunderous dunk to spark a second-half run last Wednesday. The Eagles made big plays all evening during their rout of McNamara.

The night before Gonzaga opened its Washington Catholic Athletic Conference slate, Eagles head coach Steve Turner made rebounding a high priority. Turner knew Gonzaga had a size advantage going into last week’s game against McNamara and wanted to make sure his team took advantage. “The whole week, coach has been telling us about how they don’t have the size that we have, … [that] they couldn’t physically match up with us based on the height,” said senior forward Will Rassman. On game night, the diligence paid off. The Eagles grabbed a season-high 33 rebounds and steamrolled Bishop McNamara 68-46. The blowout pushed the Eagles to a perfect 6-0 record and, more importantly, a WCAC win. The Eagles showed versatility and a stockpile of weapons while dismantling the Mustangs. The always-steady duo of Nate Britt and Kris Jenkins scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. But the differ-

ence last Wednesday was a pair of role players — Rassman and junior guard Tavon Blackmon — stepping into the spotlight. “Obviously, most defenses focus on stopping Kris and Nate,” said Rassman. “It gives Tavon and

myself an opportunity to fly under the radar. When everyone is looking at Kris and Nate, we can get some easy buckets.” Early in the game, with the Mustangs keying on Britt and Jenkins, the Eagles got a boost from Blackmon. The junior scored six of the team’s first 10 points and the Eagles built an early 10-4 lead. Gonzaga used the run to develop a 16-11 lead by the end of the first

quarter. “He’s a new starter this year, and each game he has been progressing and getting better,” Britt said of Blackmon. “He was a little more aggressive, and it benefited us a lot.” In the second quarter, Jenkins took over the game and the Eagles methodically stretched their lead to 26-18 by halftime. Jenkins used his size to dominate the glass and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds and 10 points by the end of the first half. The junior forward finished with 13 rebounds. “Kris rebounded the heck out of it,” said Turner. “As a team, we stressed it and we had to box out — our guards and our bigs. I’m always yelling, ‘Five rebounders!’” Jenkins didn’t cool down after halftime, showing his range as he hit a 3-pointer to push the Eagles’ lead to 38-26 and set up a series of explosive plays. One possession later, Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof threw down a thunderous slam-dunk. And moments after that, Britt stole the ball from a Mustang and raced down the court to score an easy See Gonzaga/Page 12

St. John’s throttles Bishop Ireton to grab first conference win of season

By BRIAN KAPUR Current Staff Writer

The Cadets boys basketball team doesn’t have a star player; instead, they rely on a tenacious defense and a true team effort. “We have good balance,” said Cadets head coach Paul DeStefano. “If you look at our score sheet, everyone scores and everyone contributes. We don’t have any 20-, 25-[pointscoring] guys. We have guys getting 10, 12 or 8 [points].” On Friday night, that approach was more than enough at Bishop Ireton’s Godley Gymnasium, where St. John’s drubbed the Cardinals 66-46. St. John’s came into the contest, its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference game this season, on a three-game losing skid and needing to avoid an early season hole in the league standings. And the players rose to the challenge: Three finished with doubledigit point totals, and the team evened its WCAC record to 1-1. The Cadets started the game out scarlethot, bolting to a quick 16-8 lead on the shoulders of forward Sean Beins. The senior estab-

lished himself as a force in the paint by both scoring and rebounding early and often. He finished with a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds. “I thought we came out of the block really good,” said DeStefano. “We’ve had a tough December schedule, so this was a good way to go into Christmas. We had a couple tough losses. It’s been a tough road, but they bounced back really good.” St. John’s built its lead steadily, taking a 30-20 score into the locker room at halftime. After halftime, the Cadets defense swarmed and suffocated the Cardinals, while fueling their own offense. The team put together a 19-9 run through the third quarter and pulled away from the Cardinals for good. “Our defense creates offense,” said DeStefano. “We wanted to come out and play good pressure defense on the perimeter. We got some steals, got out in transitions and got some buckets and made some shots.” Sophomore guard Tre Campbell and sophomore forward Darian Anderson came alive during the second-half run and finished the game with 10 and 11 points, respectively. “We just played together and played hard,”

Matt Petros/Current file photo

Tre Campbell scored 10 points Friday as the Cadets took down the Cardinals. said Cambell. Next, the Cadets will travel to the Governor’s Challenge tournament at

Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, Md. They open the tournament against Red Lion Christian at 8 tonight.

12 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

n

ch

g

The Current

Northwest Sports

Š}y{€ ‘‡�Š †} €z‡Š‹

Myrna Sislen

Owner Middle C Music 4530 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 202-244-7326 I have been the owner of Middle C Music for six years and during that time, my only print advertising has been in the Northwest Current. I credit my advertising in the Current with my continued success at Middle C Music. The Northwest Current is, in my opinion, the best link with our community. When I have an event in the store, be it a concert, a master class, the Middle C Music Summer Rock Band Camp, or a Guitar Hero Tournament, the Northwest Current is the only newspaper I choose for advertising. When I have student recitals in the store, the events calendar is always the place people look for information, dates and times. In a time when fewer people read print newspapers, I have found that advertising in the Northwest Current remains a great value for my advertising budget.

Build your business with

THE CURRENT NEWSPAPERS N G FOGGY B

DUPONT

Call 202-244-7223 for advertising information. An advertising representative will be happy to visit with you.

Sidwell star returns to Washington Wizards By BRIAN KAPUR Current Staff Writer

When newly signed Washington Wizards guard Roger Mason Jr. was a mere seventh-grader at Sidwell Friends School, he was a quiet kid who let his basketball talent do the talking. He rarely missed as he worked on his jump shot in one corner of the Quakers’ gym, where his skills caught the eye of then-girls player JanĂŠe Hayes. “Once I saw him play, I saw that he was something that we weren’t accustomed to seeing at Sidwell,â€? said Hayes, who is now an assistant coach for the Sidwell girls team. “I saw that he was something special.â€? So Hayes talked Mason into pulling a prank on some of the high school kids. He would pretend to be a terrible player and she would swindle other students into a game of one-on-one with the future NBA star. “She would always have kids come up to me and play against me and I would cross them up,â€? said Mason. “I was a little young kid, but I had game.â€? Mason embarrassed the competition with Harlem Globetrotter-like trickery, crossovers and fake-outs. While Mason torched the unwitting competition, Hayes was in stitches — uncontrollably laughing and cackling. “Once they checked the ball, Roger made people fall, turn around and just an array of tricks,â€? said Hayes. “We ran that joke on people for a good week.â€? But the prank didn’t last long before Sidwell’s student body learned of Mason’s immense talent. Mason played on the Quakers varsity team as a freshman before transferring to Good Counsel to finish out his high school career. Now, 16 years later, he’s picking on guys his own size and bigger in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls drafted the former Quaker in 2002, and he has gone on to play for several teams — the Toronto Raptors, the Wizards, the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks — during his career. Mason left the Wizards in free agency in 2008 for a chance to play for the title-contending Spurs. But his home team was always in his heart.

Brian Kapur/The Current

Former Sidwell Quaker and now-NBA veteran Roger Mason Jr. rejoined the Wizards on Dec. 19. “It’s awesome to play in front of family and friends,� Mason said of his homecoming. “I’m an older player and I played for a championship-caliber team. I’ve grown and I can bring a lot of leadership here.� Mason said he wanted a chance to come back to his hometown and help the Wizards with their rebuilding process. “It’s a dream come true. I grew up watching the Washington Bullets,� he said, referring to the Wizards’ former name. “To know what kind of impact you have on young kids — because I know I looked up to the Bullets when I was in grade school. Just to know you can have a positive influence is a great thing, and it’s a blessing to be home.� Mason returns to D.C. as a veteran presence with a deadly outside shot. The Wizards plan to use him in their rotation and hope he can bolster their offensive attack and help mentor some of the younger players. “[Mason brings] maturity and leadership ability,� said Wizards

GONZAGA From Page 11

layup to bloat the lead to 41-28. “We just started attacking the basket and stopped settling for jump shots,� said Jenkins. In the final quarter, the Mustangs were forced to scramble their defense and pressure Gonzaga’s guards into turnovers. The Eagles took advantage and threw the ball into the low block to Rassman. The senior made McNamara pay by punishing the Mustangs in the low post and scoring eight of his 14 points in the

head coach Flip Saunders. “I think he’s very much a loyal D.C. product — he really believes in the area. I don’t think ever he wanted to leave when he left.� In practice, Mason is already dazzling with his outside shooting. “He has knocked down a lot of open shots — something we really struggled with last year,� Saunders said. One of the things Mason is looking forward to the most — outside of playing for the Wizards — is returning to Sidwell and taking a look at the Quakers’ new gym. “A good friend of mine is Eric Singletary,� head coach of Sidwell’s boys team, Mason said. “I’ve got to get over to the campus and see the new gym. I’m calling out Sidwell now. I want to come up to the campus and get a tour.� Mason and the Wizards will be in action tonight when they travel to play the Atlanta Hawks. Washington’s next home game is New Year’s Day, when the Wizards welcome the Boston Celtics to the Verizon Center.

fourth quarter. “This is a team. It takes all five guys that are on the floor,� said Turner. “We have multiple pieces and when somebody doesn’t have it going, the next guy ... steps it up. “I feel that it’s a sign that we have a very good team, and if our team keeps doing that, we’ll have a chance to be in the thick of things when it’s all said and done,� he said. The Eagles will be competing in the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic in Charleston, S.C., this week before returning to the Washington area and continuing their WCAC schedule at Carroll.

The People and Places of Northwest Washington

December 28, 2011 ■ Page 13

Palisades teen gives back to childhood orphanage

By BETH COPE Current Staff Writer

Palisades resident Josh Kennedy-Noce’s memories of the four and a half years he spent in a Russian orphanage are sparse — just foggy snapshots of the beginning of his life. “I remember walking up the steps with a guy with jeans — jeans and a jean jacket,” he says. He doesn’t know who the man was, but wonders if it might have been his birth father. The picture in Josh’s mind stops mid-torso, showing no head. He also remembers his bed, where he would wait each morning until he was allowed to get up. “It’s like a light brown. It’s lighter than this,” he says, pointing to a chair. And he recalls, somewhat, the orphanage director: “I remember saying ’bye and stuff and she’s holding me.” Though the memories are murky, Josh’s years at the Kirov Baby Home Orphanage made an impact: He’s not haunted by the experience, but he certainly thinks about it. So when the Wilson High School sophomore was casting about for community service projects to fill a school requirement, what came to mind were the orphans. Starting last year, Josh began a project to provide yolka — holiday gifts — to the 125 kids in his childhood home. He set a goal of $2,500, but raised $4,700, which covered not only gifts, but also creation of an indoor play area. This year, he’s aiming for at least

$15,000, which will pay for both a holiday celebration and a new outdoor playground. “It’s just a super-duper sparse building,” said mother Kristy Kennedy. And the existing playground? “Nothing works. The swings are rusted. It’s just awful.” Kennedy and her partner, Ginger Noce, first encountered the dilapidated Kirov Baby Home Orphanage 12 years ago, when they spent a full day traveling around the world to meet 4-yearold Josh and 13-month-old Zach (they adopted both at once, adding a sister, Madison, a few years later). They say it’s not a bad place, just lacking in resources. “The Kirov Baby Home Orphanage is extremely poor. There are about 125 children living there from infants to four years old,” Josh wrote in his Yolka Project solicitation fliers. “The staff loves the kids very much but due to limited funding, the children have very little.”

Above: Bill Petros/The Current; other photos courtesy of the Kennedy-Noce family

Josh Kennedy-Noce — left, bottom left and foreground above — organized a fundraiser for the Russian orphanage, bottom right, where he spent much of his first five years. Ginger Noce, third from left above, and Kristy Kennedy adopted him 12 years ago, along with Zach and, later, Madison. Josh had ended up at Kirov after both of his parents were injured in a factory accident. Unable to care for him, they took him to the orphanage — intending to leave him for just months. “They put me in the Kirov Baby Home Orphanage so I could be clothed and fed,” he wrote in his flier. “For three and a half years, they visited me with the intention of bringing me back home. Eventually, they realized that I would have a chance for a better life if I was adopted.” Meanwhile, Kristy and Ginger were looking for a baby and a 3-year-old. Why so specific? They wanted to adopt two kids and figured having one older child would make things easier. They chortle now at their naiveté: “We thought that because we had three dogs and

two cats, we’d be fine,” said Kristy. But they were fine. The family is now happily ensconced in a kidfilled community just off MacArthur Boulevard. Josh is a sophomore at Wilson, where he’s obsessed with sports, Zach is a sixth-grader at the Lab School of Washington, and Madison is in fourth grade at Key Elementary. “They fight like brothers and sister,” said mom Kristy, who runs her own consulting business. Mom Ginger works for the Corporate Executive Board, where her coworkers have donated more than $6,000 to Josh — which the company will match. Both parents have been involved with Josh’s project. Ginger tallied up contributions as of Friday and found that he had collected $14,700 and counting. Some of that came from her colleagues, some from community members and some from other adoptive families, whom Josh found through the Frank Foundation adoption agency. “They provided me with about 600 labels of families that adopted kids from Kirov,” said Josh. “I edited my letter that I gave out” and sent a copy to each family. He got not only donations but also responses from fellow adoptees who wanted to help. Several have emailed or connected with him through Facebook. “I’m 14 and was raised in the same orphanage as you were for

the first year of my life,” wrote Kate. “My parents were too young to raise me as they were both in highschool and eventually turned me over to the services. Now I’m living in Raleigh, NC with a great family. I don’t know much about where I came from but I would love to help anyway I can. (:” “Dear Josh,” wrote another adoptee. “I am Irina Isabella Ray. I too was adopted from the Kirov region, from Kotelnich orphanage. Adopted at the age of 4 1/2, by Penny Sue Ray. I am now 13 years old. I want to join your fundraiser because I want to give others in the orphanage a chance. Please send me more information. Thank You.” Ginger said the outpouring of support has been amazing. “It’s been wonderful to see the number of kids that have responded,” she said. “What’s been amazing to me is to see the number of kids their age who want to do more.” Ginger expects her son to raise more than $20,000 before he’s done; he’s already wired over the funds for the orphanage’s Jan. 7 holiday celebration. And she and Kristy say this effort is just the beginning. “I really do” think he’ll continue the fundraising, said Kristy. She said she recently asked him what the project had taught him, and he said, “‘I’ve really learned how much of a difference one person can make.’” For more information — including online donation options — visit joshsyolkaproject.org.

14 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Current

GEORGETOWN $999,000

16TH ST HEIGHTS

$399,000

STATELY COLONIAL English bsmnt with front & rear entrances. Sep DR w/pocket doors & coffered ceilings, MBR w/dressing room & built-ins, patio & gar. Nr Coffee Houses, shops, restaurant, RC Park. www.TheChampionCollection.com. Denise Champion 202-215-9242 Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

BETHESDA

EXCLUSIVE AVENEL Open plan, great for entertaining. Three fin lvls, 5BR, 4.5BA. Granite Island KIT, Pantry w/Laundry, Lrg Deck off Fam Rm, Den/Library/Office. LL Rec Rm and Au Pair Ste w/FBA. 2-car Garage. ¼ Acre cul-de-sac. Cheryl Kurss 301-346-6615 Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

GAITHERSBURG FT. DUPONT PARK

$227,000

ATTRACTIVE DETACHED brick 4BR/2BA w/FP in LR, 2 porches and so much more. Call for details! Norris Dodson 202-486-7723 Friendship Heights Office 202-364-5200

$1,100,000

$345,000

BEAUTIFULLY renovated colonial featuring 3 finished lvls, brand new Pergo flrs, designer granite, FR of kit, screened in porch with set down deck, LL feature in-law suite w/BA. So much more! Sintia Petrosian 301-395-8817 Friendship Hts 301-652-2777

GEORGETOWN

$355,000

SERENE 2BR, 1BA with the longest balcony in the building! Move-in condition, HWFs, recently updated KIT & BA, W/D, & more. Parking prepaid for two years. Lux Bldg: pet friendly (20 lbs), 24 hr front desk, roof deck, pool, gym, etc. Close to Whole Foods, Social Safeway. David Branch 202-575-5020 Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

GEORGETOWN

$1,645,000

BRIGHT END UNIT townhouse with 3BR, 4.5BA, built in 1990. Fully fin on 4 levels. Large, open LR/DR with S light. Chef's KIT. Mste & terrace w/views of VA. FR opens to garden. 3 frpls. Sauna. Elevator. Garage. 3242 Reservoir Rd NW. Scott Polk 202-256-5460 Tamora Ilasat 202-460-0699 Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

BRAND NEW PRICE for this Gtown Classic corner TH brimming with charm. Liv/Din room combo with frplc and recessed lighting. Mste with loads of closets, sep dressing room, eat-in KIT w/French doors to fenced Rear patio. Bsmnt in-law ste w/sep entry. In the heart of Gtown nr Shops, fine dining, Rock Creek Pk. Allen Goldberg Foxhall Office 202-363-1800

WOODLEY PARK

ADAMS MORGAN $315,000 BEAUX ARTS BEAUTY. Pass through the most beautiful lobby in Washington when you come home to The Wyoming. Corner 1BR w/high ceilings, wood floors, good closet space, xtra stor. Pet OK, 24hr desk, great bldg roof deck. Nr Metro; 42 bus at the door. Call for info. Joe Kelley 202-238-2874 Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300 BRIGHTWOOD $205,000 TOTAL CONVENIENCE! Huge Unit, Lots of Sunlight, gorgeous HWFs and conveniently located to Public Transp, Dtwn Silver Spring & Metro, all this and Gar PKG! Fee incl all utils, except phone and cable. www.DCMDHomeFinder.com. Walt Johnson 240-351-4663 Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

Whole Foods, restaurants and shops. Kent Madsen Foxhall Office 202-363-1800

GEORGETOWN 1680 Wisconsin Ave. NW 202.944.8400

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS 5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW 202.364.5200

FOXHALL 3201 New Mexico Ave. NW 202.363.1800

CHEVY CHASE 20 Chevy Chase Circle NW 202.363.9700

CAPITOL HILL $770,000 3BR, 1.5BA on one of the Hill’s prettiest tree-lined streets, just 3 blocks to E Market metro. Renovated throughout, granite and stainless KIT. Charming private patio. 510 10th St SE. Deborah Charlton 202-415-2117 Georgetown Office 202-944-8400 CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS $327,500 MUST SEE! This charming 1BR co-op unit at the legendary Westchester offers 9ft ceilings, parquet floors and an entry foyer. Renov KIT w/granite & stainless applcs. Marble BA w/soaker tub. 2 closets with built-in Elfa organizers. Stan Watters 202-674-4081 Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

$2,000 / MO

TOP FLOOR condo for rent. Lovely sunny & spacious 1BR, 1BA. Large foyer, living/dining room, galley kitchen with table space & window. Backs to the park, very private & quiet. 2737 Devonshire Place, NW. Mary Bresnahan 202-841-4343 Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

CLEVELAND PARK $435,000 BROADMOOR Co-op. Beautiful & bright 1BR + den. Just bring your suitcase. Updated KIT w/ New SS appls. Large rooms, HWFs, Formal DR, Freshly painted, Good views & Many period details. CHEVY CH / FRIENDSHIP $789,000 Indoor PKG Avail/rent. 1/2 blk to Metro CUSTOM DESIGNED 2 bedroom or 1 & shops. 3601 Connecticut Ave NW. bedroom/den with two full baths. The John Mammano 571-331-8557 owner upgraded everything from the Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300 kitchen cabinetry to the luxurious marbles and granites in the baths. Right out of CONN AVE / Architectural Digest, this in-town condo- VAN NESS $305,000 minium is in move in condition! Two DON’T MISS THIS ONE Spacious 1BR garage spaces. Owner will consider selling with eastern park exposure. Parquet flrs, furnished as well. 2 WICs, built-in shelves, xtra stor and Nancy Itteilag PKG. Fitness center, swimming pools and Foxhall Office 202-363-1800 24-hour front desk. Close to METRO and Shops. Cats welcome. CLEVELAND PARK $409,000 Gloria Fromberg 202-895-7347 BROADMOOR Co-op, Top Flr. Beautiful Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700 lge 1BR w/ lots of light & park views. Updtd KIT w/new ss appls & gran EMBASSY ROW $6,300,000 Counters. Sep Dining. HWFs, Freshly EXQUISITE 1926 mediterranean villa situPainted & Custom Bookcases. Full Serv ated next to the vice president’s residence Bldg. Garage PKG to rent. Walk to Metro and one of the largest remaining private & shops. 3601 Connecticut Ave NW. parcels on Massachusetts Avenue. John Mammano 571-331-8557 Wonderful period details, two kitchens, Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300 expansion includes home/office plus two-

WOODLEY PARK 2300 Calvert St. 202.483.6300

PETWORTH $155,000 WOW GREAT VALUE! Sun filled corner 2BR unit, over 1100 SF w/22 windows & views from all sides. New tiled BA, KIT w/New Appls & floor, Sep DR. Lots of closets & extra Storage. NOW DOG FRIENDLY (20 LBS) WALK TO METRO. www.TheChampionCollection.com Denise Champion 202-215-9242 Chevy Chase Office 202-986-1001 PETWORTH $249,900 - $259,900 ALMOST SOLD OUT! FHA APPROVED! Light filled, fantastic condos in THE FLATS AT TAYLOR STREET. Choose from 1BR w/den or 2BR/2BA. Quality & affordability, finished with stylish and superior materials: gran, ss, HW & bamboo, CAC & W/D in each unit. Walk to Metro! www.804taylorstreet.com. 804 Taylor St NW. Christy Zachary 202-494-2248 Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300 PETWORTH $285,000 BIG 2BR w/9’ ceilings & great light, oak HWDs, recessed lights, gourmet kit w/stone island. Phil Di Ruggiero 202-725-2250 Friendship Heights 202-364-5200

GLOVER PARK $275,000 RENOV 1BR, 1BA at Georgetown North condo. Perfect SW corner position w/ light, privacy & views. Beautiful KIT, W/D in unit, low fee, pet OK & deeded PKG space just 9 steps FOREST HILLS $1,495,000 from door! www.GloverParkDC.com. SPACIOUS, 3630 SF, open detd contemp 3821 Davis Pl. NW #4. 202-441-7008 in priv enclave of 6 homes high above RC Chris Jones 202-944-8400 Pk. Sunken LR w/cathedral ceil, FP, renov Georgetown Office KIT w/ high end appls, concrete counters, $389,000 wd fls & walls of glass w/fab park views, NORTH BETHESDA 3BR, 3BA, study (easily converts to 4th STUNNING 4BR 2 full BA corner condo BR), loft/den, tons of closets, 2-car gar, flooded With light in sought-after large brick terr w/S exposure, 2 blks Clev Grosvenor Park. Balcony, hardwood Pk Metro. www.2609KlingleRdNW.com. floors, updated kitchen & lots Of winRichard Coss 202-365-0643 dows and light. Rarely do you find this Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300 much Space for such a value! Easy access to Grosvenor Metro. FOREST HILLS $1,500,000 Nancy Itteilag 202-363-1800 STATELY, BRICK Georgian on 16,000 SF Foxhall Office lot faces Rock Creek Pk. 5000 SF of bright, open space. 6BR, 4.5BA, 4 FPs. OBSERVATORY CIRCLE $239,000 Marble foyer, grand piano-sized LR, THE OBSERVATORY of Georgetown! between Glover Park library, great rm w/cath ceiling, larg T/S Located KIT w/brkfst bar & island, sep DR, rec and Georgetown, this charming rm, flagstone terrace, 2 car gar. By Appt. studio apartment has a washer/ Denise Warner 202-487-5162 dryer in the unit and garage Georgetown Office 202-944-8400 parking. Nearby is a Safeway and car garage and apartment above. Add’l parking for 10 cars. 3400 Mass Ave. NW Terri Robinson 202-607-7737 Denise Warner 202-487-5162 Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

U ST CORRIDOR $364,900 SUPER WOW! Literally sun-drenched, rare top flr unit. Virtuallly new & totally hip open flr plan. Daryl Laster/ Lance Horsley 202-294-9055 Friendship Heights 202-364-5200 WATERFRT/TIBER ISLAND $509,000 RARELY AVAILABLE Tiber Island townhouse has good bones and wonderful mid-century vibe. 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths. Assigned parking. Grow herbs or orchids In the mini-greenhouse window. The Marina, shopping, Metro and Arena Stage are all within three blocks. Low fee includes cable TV. Sold “as is”. Deborah Rhoda Foxhall Office 202-363-1800 WESLEY HEIGHTS $575,000 CHIC & SOPHISTICATED 1,653 sq ft Home is Sun-Filled and offers both East and West Exposures / Spectacular Sunrise and Sunset Views & a View/The National Cathedral! So much more! Connie Parker 202-302-3900 Friendship Heights 301-652-2777

A Look at the Market in Northwest Washington

December 28, 2011 â– Page 15

LeDroit Park row house offers authentic historic charm

P

residing over a block of LeDroit Park row houses, a 1906 brick Victorian seems to visitors to be the grande dame

ON THE MARKET carol buckley

of the lot, thanks to meticulous upkeep and smart updates. Typically, a well-maintained property of this vintage will have original wood floors, perhaps a lead-crystal light fixture or two, or even original tile in its vestibule. But this property sports all that and much, much more, including loads of paneling and the home’s original gilded silk wall covering in the bay-front living room — all in pristine condition. The ample wood here has — remarkably — never been painted, so visitors are immediately enveloped in its deep, rich tones. Details pop, including small dentils along the dining room’s plate rail, and beading that outlines box paneling near the stair, which supports an original wrought-iron railing. The high-ceilinged living room is warmed by a working gas fireplace. The stately mantel gets a jolt of color from a blue-tile surround

that echoes that of the vestibule. Pairs of French doors topped by fixed transoms lead from the living room to the center hall and from that spot to the dining room. The plate rail here tops rich paneling, yielding a moody space that seems perfect for holiday dinners. Kitchen renovations in old row homes typically sacrifice period charm for modern convenience. But this space manages to marry the two, with granite counters and new appliances and cabinetry blending with an exposed brick wall and hardwood floors. There’s room for a table here as well — always a cozy touch. Even a powder room has wood wainscoting in this home, and its location off the kitchen is a convenient one. Also near the kitchen, a screened porch looks out on a

Photos courtesy of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

This three-bedroom LeDroit Park row house is priced at $712,000. brick patio. Upstairs, a master bedroom is sizable and sunny, thanks to the large bay of windows in the space. Two other bedrooms wait on this level, as does a large, updated hall bath with a spa tub. Hardwood flooring, cabinetry and moldings are smart inclusions in a renovation that works in the historic property. A lower level is accessed from a stair off the kitchen but also features an exit to the front of the

home. Tiled in a classic black-andwhite palette, this floor, which includes a kitchen, could be an inlaw suite or a casual living space. Heated floors take the chill off winter mornings, and a full bath is a graphic wake-up in its high-contrast black-and-white. There’s a laundry room on this floor with new appliances, but hook-ups wait upstairs in case the

bottom level is converted to a rental apartment. This three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home at 127 U St. NW is offered for $712,000. Open houses will be held Jan. 7 and 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. For details, contact Realtor Jonathan Rutherford of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at jonathan@ jonathanrutherford.com or 202714-1181.

Jaquet Listings are Staged to Sell

Susan Jaquet

! " "

202-365-8118 (DIRECT) 202-686-0029 (HOME OFFICE)

& # %

susanjaquet@aol.com

301-229-4000

16 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

g

The Current

Northwest Real Estate LICENSE From Page 5

agency to complete various steps to incorporate basement seating into the building’s certificate of occupancy. Before Jake’s took over the space, the basement and main floor were independent operations. At the Dec. 19 meeting, with the outdoor patio seating already constructed and the certificate of occupancy newly approved, commissioners had few reservations about Jake’s expanding. In the voluntary agreement, Jablonski promised not

EMBASSY From Page 3

which point it received city approval to renovate the building and to add a flagpole in the front-yard public space. Embassy officials originally sought to pave the yard as a driveway, but they withdrew that request amid community objections. When the embassy later removed landscaping and a tree from the fenced front yard without a permit, neighbors complained to not only the embassy but also District and federal officials, asking for the green space to be restored. The Nov. 17 Transportation Department letter states that the agency must approve the embassy’s new plan for replacement landscaping, which Lisle said may or may not mimic the previous conditions. The U.S. State Department also wrote to the embassy, urging compliance with local regulations. Embassy officials have not responded to requests for comment, but Lisle said Transportation Department officials and Ambassador Sergei Mombouli have discussed the landscape plan over the last few weeks. “Our public space staff has worked with the State Department to address this issue and we are pleased

to rent out the basement for promoted events, and to continue keeping the restaurant open no later than midnight on weeknights and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The outdoor seating must close at midnight daily. But Jake’s is facing a further delay before it can secure its liquor license for the outdoor seating and basement, Jablonski said. Because the neighborhood commission’s Dec. 19 meeting fell just before the holidays, he won’t be able to secure Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approval of the voluntary agreement until at least Jan. 11. the ambassador and the embassy are taking steps to comply and remove the pavement,� Lisle wrote. The Transportation Department letter also notes that the embassy installed its flagpole in a different location within the public space than the District had originally approved, but that the agency will not require that it be moved. Dupont Circle advisory neighborhood commissioner Jack Jacobson, who lives within sight of the embassy, wrote in an email that he was “delighted and relieved� that the front yard was being restored. “The trees, bushes and landscaping had been a beautiful addition to the neighborhood’s green space, and I’m hopeful it will be again with time,� he wrote. Jacobson had previously worried it would be difficult for the District to take enforcement action against a foreign government. In zoning hearings early this year, State Department officials said any perceived intransigence from the District could jeopardize the American embassy in Brazzaville, Congo. “I was dubious that the Congo would move to rectify this situation,� Jacobson wrote, “but the pressure from neighborhood groups and the intervention of the State Department appears to have been effective.�

! " #

$ ' ! & ' (

! !" #$ % & ' (

MARKET From Page 1

and pantry staples and still offers charge accounts to customers. “I’m very happy to be able to work out an arrangement where we can keep Mr. and Mrs. Lee in the neighborhood. They are a beloved part of the community, and are well-respected, hard working, and do everything they can to make sure the store runs efficiently.� In order to keep the Lees as tenants, O’Neill agreed to lease the space at a price they could afford, and Friends of Scheele’s, a neighborhood group that organized to help save the market, will subsidize the remainder of the rent, bridging the gap between the lease terms and the market value of the space. The group will also raise money to help pay the property tax, a cost that is often passed on to tenants of commercial space. “The value of Scheele’s is tremendous because it is a touchstone in the community,� said Malcolm “Mike� Peabody, the president of Friends of Scheele’s. “Neighbors meet each other at the store, we pass along information, we become friends — the market has made a community out of a bunch of city blocks that otherwise wouldn’t occur.� Peabody said neighborhood residents have come to rely on Scheele’s Market, which has been in operation for more than a century, for things like last-minute ingredients for evening meals and as a place to chat over morning coffee. When the Scheele family decided to sell the building in 2008, it was unclear whether a new owner would allow the Lees, who have operated the store for the last 20 years, to maintain the market. Other options

GIANT From Page 1

Anne-Marie Bairstow, chair of the Cleveland Park advisory neighborhood commission, said she is hopeful that the decision will help bring to a close the divisive debate over the project. “It’s taken a lot of people’s time and energy,â€? she said. “I’m hopeful that we’ll move forward and that they will begin construction soon. ‌ I’m optimistic that once it’s done, most people will be happy with the result.â€? In the wake of the decision, Giant reiterated its intention to start construction in the spring, with the opening of the new supermarket tentatively set for late 2013. The company applied in August for building permits for the south parcel, where a new 56,000-squarefoot supermarket and other shops will replace the 1950s-era store and vacant retail space now on the site. “It’s usually a four- to five- to sixmonth process,â€? Feola said of the permitting effort. “I would guess that they’re pretty close.â€? In all, the approved plan calls for 128,000 square feet of retail, more than 500 parking spaces, 137 apartment units and eight town houses. The battle over Giant’s plans has lasted the better part of a decade. The company pursued several options for redevelopment over that time, but many neighborhood activists objected for various reasons — declaring that one “suburban-styleâ€? design would have created dead space along Wisconsin Avenue, while decrying other iterations as too dense for a neighborhood-oriented shopping area.

included bringing in a different retail establishment or possibly converting the place into a single-family home. Peabody and other neighbors decided to take an active role in trying to maintain the market. “In effect, what we were saying to each other is that this market is so important to our community life that we are ready to subsidize the store so that the store owners can get by,� said Peabody, who worked with Marilyn Melkonian to spearhead the effort to save the store. “It’s worth it to do this.� Friends of Scheele’s is continuing to seek support from the community as the group raises money to help keep the store going. Georgetown, which was once home to a number of corner markets, has seen one after another close in recent years, as competition from large supermarkets proved too much for small grocers. Griffin’s market at 27th and P streets closed this year, and while Sara’s Market on Q Street is still open, it added a dry cleaning service to help maintain the store. “It’s important to have a store a few steps from home that gives you the ability to run out for milk or pick up a few ingredients to put together a meal — that’s the way of life people want in a city, to not have to get in their car and drive to a supermarket,� said Georgetown advisory neighborhood commissioner Tom Birch, whose singlemember district includes the shop. “The Lees have become part of the community; we have taken them into our hearts as they have with us,� he added. “Scheele’s Market is the pulse of community where all intersect with each other, and I’m glad they were able to come up with a plan that works for everybody.�

Yet for many in the neighborhood, the desire for a modern supermarket eclipsed other concerns, as well as any need for relief from a restrictive “neighborhood commercial overlay� established in 1989. The most recent design — which includes a five-story residential building with ground-floor retail on the parcel north of Newark Street, as well as mixed-use development with a grocery store to the south — enjoyed backing from smart-growth advocates, and it ultimately gained conditional support from the local advisory neighborhood commission. But Giant’s request to remove the overlay limitations — as part of a planned-unit development and map amendment — spawned objections from three groups that filed the court appeal, including the WisconsinNewark Neighborhood Coalition. The appeal said the Zoning Commission’s decision clashed with land-use principles for the neighborhood and that the body made procedural errors. In its decision, the court said the Zoning Commission has broad statutory authority that empowered it to remove property from the commercial overlay without action by the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Further, the judges said, the regulations for zoning overlay districts did not preclude the commission from approving the project as a plannedunit development, which is designed to provide flexibility for proposals of particular merit in return for community benefits. In terms of adherence to the Comprehensive Plan, the court rejected the idea that the proposed apartment building was inconsistent with the plan’s provisions because it was not “low-density� or “commer-

cial.� The judges noted that residential uses are allowed in commercial districts, and they wrote that the designation as “low-density commercial� in the 2006 future land-use map does not require “that each block strictly correspond with the general description.� The decision also describes the commission’s reliance on provisions that made the project “appropriate for denser redevelopment as a pedestrian-oriented commercial node along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor.� The court cited findings that the project will further “many of the objectives� of the MacombWisconsin overlay, such as promoting neighborhood-serving retail uses, removal of curb cuts along Wisconsin Avenue, and limitations on banks and restaurants. On a final question, the ruling cites “substantial evidence in the record� as justifying the commission’s acceptance of Giant’s truckloading operation on Idaho Avenue. The neighbors who filed the appeal had argued that Idaho is too narrow to handle two-way truck traffic, partly on the basis of one report by the D.C. Department of Transportation that cited “undue conflicts� arising from truck traffic on streets of similar width. The court said other testimony and evidence presented by Transportation Department representatives and Giant’s consultants provided a solid basis for the commission’s decision. The ruling also notes that the commission specifically rejected the opinion of an expert hired by neighbors. The Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case in April.

The Current

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

17

Spotlight on Schools Blessed Sacrament School

Imagine that your family had to live off of $2 per week. Imagine that you didn’t have the toys and good things to eat that you do now. You would need help. Heifer International can give that help. Every year, Blessed Sacrament School does the “Labors of Love” project. Every student does chores around the house for $2. That money is collected at the end of the week, and with the money each grade raises, that grade picks livestock to purchase for needy villages in the developing world. For example, the fifth grade this year bought a cow, a goat and a trio of rabbits. When the livestock produces offspring, the family promises to give an animal to another family in that community. This is called “passing on the gift.” By “passing on the gift,” an entire community can be lifted out of poverty. This year, our school teamed up with Holy Redeemer School, and we raised a total of almost $10,000! We bought three cows, three pigs, three sheep, three goats, six trios of rabbits, 13 flocks of chicks, 13 flocks of ducks, nine flocks of geese and six hives of bees. That means we can help a lot of families. — Emily Orem, fifth-grader

British School of Washington

At the British School of Washington, students in Year 11 (10th grade) prepare for their International General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations, which will occur in June. The course begins in Year 10 and ends with the exams at the end of Year 11. The results from these exams are very important; a good set (C grade or above) qualify in the United Kingdom as a standard high school diploma would in the United States. In order to prepare for these exams, all students in Year 11 sit for mock exams in December to get a sense of how the real exams will work, and this past week was the one. Everyone was sure that this was to be a difficult week, draining us of all energy. And certainly it has been no picnic. But at the same time, the experience was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was studying till late, pushing myself to remember and even crying the night before my history exam, dreading the coming morning. But along the way, we realised that these scores are nothing to get worked up over; indeed, we were told later that the scores would not necessarily predict our grades for the real exams in June. The process is to just let the students see where they stand in each subject, letting them know which areas they need to focus on and how the real exams work: the setup, layout, timing and rules.
 — Noelle Cremer, Year 11 Belfast (10th-grader)

Hyde-Addison Elementary

In social studies, second-graders

School DISPATCHES

have been learning about the three branches of government. For one part, we are looking at different pictures that show the different stages a bill goes through to become a law. We talk about them and cut them out and put them in the right order on our social studies paper. Mrs. Boyd’s class wrote a letter to D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. She represents us in Congress. The letter asked her to make it a law for all people to wear helmets when riding bikes and scooters and using pogo sticks. We tried to catch her attention by telling her about people who have gotten hurt. “Even though I was wearing a helmet, I got a concussion when I fell off my skateboard,” Eddie said. Eddie was lucky because he had a helmet on. He could have gotten really hurt if he wasn’t wearing one. A lot of kids don’t wear helmets, and they can get hurt real badly. We hope to meet with her to talk about this. We hope our law will pass. — Sage Saada-Saar and Eddie Reno, second-graders

Murch Elementary

On Dec. 9, the second- and fifthgrade students participated in a project for homeless children to receive holiday presents. For about 15 days, students brought in things such as warm winter clothing, small toys, and personal items like shampoo and toothbrushes. Everything had to fit in a shoebox. Students and teachers also brought in shoeboxes and wrapping paper. On Friday, the second- and fifthgraders were paired up to work together and make the presents. First, the students covered the top and the bottom of a shoebox with wrapping paper. Then, we filled the shoeboxes with items; the items were set up along an assembly line. After the boxes were full, the students wrote cards to the children receiving the gifts, added ribbon and placed the gifts into a large bag, separated by girl/boy and age. More than 100 boxes were made and sent to the groups So Others Might Eat and Community of Hope. “It felt good to know that I could help other kids who don’t have what we have,” said fifthgrader Sally Philpott. All students enjoyed the project and were inspired to help homeless families again in the future. — Annie Hedgepeth, second-grader, and Jacques Nissen and Leela Yadav, fifth-graders

St. Ann’s Academy

Happy holidays! St. Ann’s Academy is preparing for Christmas break. We had our Christmas concert last week and Breakfast with Santa. Monday, the middle school students went ice skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture

Garden downtown. It was such a blast! Back at school, our classes are having fun-filled holiday parties with many delicious treats and goodies. Our class also made Christmas cards for the homeless during one of our indoor recess days and holiday door-knockers for nursing home residents. From our classroom and the whole school body at St. Ann’s Academy, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! — Amalia Grobbel and Molly Quinn, sixth-graders

Shepherd Elementary

We are in the middle of the basketball season at Shepherd Elementary. Our boys team members are Lyndon Downing, Jamal Dean, Quinton Anderson, Jarad Nolen, Colin Powell, Jaden Iniss, Christian Watkins, Devon Dunn, Jordan Johnson and Alex Leonard. Our team already played against Key Elementary and Whittier Education Campus. I am excited that we won against Lowell 45 to 14! Wow — our team is good! I would like to wish all my fellow Mustangs and their families a happy and safe holiday! See you in January 2012! — Sophia-Rose Herisse, fourth-grader

Washington Latin Public Charter School

Last year at Washington Latin Public Charter School, we had study hall every day. But this year, our seventh- and eighth-grade teachers decided to give us some choice, so the school added electives instead. An elective is something that we can choose as individuals to take part in. Our electives this year include knitting club, team sports, creative writing, history’s greatest battles, advanced recorder, Latin lab, math lab, printmaking and study hall. Electives are valuable because they allow us to pursue our unique passions. In creative writing class, we are writing ghost stories. We have developed characters, settings and conflicts, in between characters and within characters. Two people are writing scripts about a school love triangle. Another student is writing a story about an agent in child protective services. Two students are collaborating on a tragedy about drunk driving and three boys who are murdered as a result. Another student has written a science fiction story that is more than 20 pages long. Each quarter, we have the chance to choose a new elective, or we can re-enroll in the one from the previous quarter. Electives are useful, but it would be even better if they were in the morning first period, rather than the current spot right before lunch. We can’t think of a better way to start the day than a class you have chosen to take part in. — Elijah Lee, eighth-grader

%WTKQWU!

Please join us for an Open House: Kindergarten–8

Jan. 5, 2012 at 9 a.m.

Established 1927 Coed, 226 students 6:1 Student/Teacher Ratio

The application deadline for 2012–13 is January 13, 2012.

Caring environment

4400 36th Street NW Washington, DC 20008

Challenging concept-based curriculum Committed faculty

SheridanSchool.org 202.362.7900

Connected community

/ŵĂŐŝŶĞ ŚŽǁ ŐŽŽĚ ƐĐŚŽŽů ĐĂŶ ďĞ͘​͘​͘ tĞ ĂƌĞ Ă ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ͕ ƵƌďĂŶ͕ ĐŽͲĞĚ ĐŽůůĞŐĞͲƉƌĞƉ ƐĐŚŽŽů ĨŽƌ ŐƌĂĚĞƐ ϲͲϭϮ͘ tĞ ŽīĞƌ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐŝŶŐ ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐƐ͕ Ă ǁŽƌůĚ ĐůĂƐƐ ĂƌƚƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĂŶĚ ĐŚĂŵƉŝŽŶƐŚŝƉ ƐƉŽƌƚƐ ŝŶ Ă ǀŝďƌĂŶƚ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͘ ŽŵĞ ƐĞĞ ĨŽƌ LJŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ǁŚLJ ƵƌŬĞ ŬŝĚƐ ůŽŽŬ ƐŽ ŚĂƉƉLJ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚĞLJ͛ƌĞ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐŽ ŚĂƌĚ͊

KW E ,Kh^ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϳ͕ ϭͲϯ͗ϯϬ Ɖ͘ŵ͘ ϰϭϬϭ ŽŶŶĞĐƟĐƵƚ ǀĞ͘ Et tĂƐŚŝŶŐƚŽŶ͕ ϮϬϬϬϴ ĂĚŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐΛĞďƵƌŬĞ͘ŽƌŐ ϮϬϮͲϯϲϮͲϴϴϴϮ

ǁǁǁ͘ĞďƵƌŬĞ͘ŽƌŐ

Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital inspiring children, enriching families, building community

You are invited to our

Open House:

Wednesday, January 4 at 9:30am Contact Sindy Udell, Director of Admission, to reserve a space or for a personal tour.

Kay and Robert Schattner Center 6045 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011

202-291-JPDS (5737), ext. 103 email: jpds.admission@jpds.org www.jpds.org

&

18 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Wednesday december 28 Children’s programs ■“Winter Gaming Day� will feature instruction from Jackie Geschickter and Pat Sowers in traditional games such as whist, marbles, skittles, Shut the Box and dice. 10 a.m. to noon. $10 per child; $5 for adults. Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW. 202337-2288. ■Children ages 5 and older will tour a historic mansion to see how the holidays were celebrated in Washington in years past, and then they will design and build their own edible gingerbread houses. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $12 per child; free for adult chaperones. Reservations required. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st St. NW. 202-965-0400, ext. 108. The program will repeat Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Classes ■Housing Counseling Services, a local nonprofit, will present a foreclosure-prevention clinic to help homeowners in danger of losing their homes. 6 p.m. Free. Suite 100, 2410 17th St. NW. 202-667-7712. ■A weekly workshop will offer instruction in “Sahaja Yoga Meditation.� 7 p.m. Free. West End Neighborhood Library, 1101 24th St. NW. 202-724-8707. Concert ■The Greater Mount Calvary Recording Choir will perform. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. Discussion ■The National Gallery of Art will present “Picture This: Old Master Paintings for People With Visual Impairments.� 1 p.m. Free. West Building Rotunda, National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. Meditation ■The Divine Science Church will offer a weekly hour of silent meditation. Noon. Free. 2025 35th St. NW. 202-333-7630. Films ■The National Gallery of Art will present Shelly Dunn Fremont and Vincent Fremont’s 2000 film “Pie in the Sky: The Brigid Berlin

Events Entertainment Story,� at 12:30 p.m.; and Christina Clausen’s 2008 film “The Universe of Keith Haring,� at 2:30 p.m. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202737-4215. Performance ■The Dance Institute of Washington’s annual Kwanzaa celebration will feature dance, poetry and song. 7 p.m. $15. Auditorium, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 3101 16th St. NW. danceinstitute.org. The performance will repeat Thursday at 7 p.m. Reading ■Regie Cabico (shown) and Danielle Evennou will host the monthly “Sparkle� openmic poetry event, a reading series exploring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender themes. 9 p.m. $4. Cullen Room, Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St. NW. 202-3326433. Special events ■“Camp Kwanzaa,� a family-friendly celebration of the seven days of Kwanzaa, will feature performances, hands-on activities and crafts. 10:30 a.m. Free; reservations required. Panorama Room, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1600 Morris Road SE. 202-633-4844. ■“ZooLights� will feature environmentally friendly light displays, a model train, live entertainment and presentations on how visitors can adopt energy-saving practices at home. 5 to 9 p.m. Free. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-633-4470. The event will repeat Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. Sporting events ■The 2011 Military Bowl will pit the U.S. Air Force Academy against the University of Toledo. 4:30 p.m. $25 to $90. RFK Memorial Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. SE. 202-397-7328. ■The Washington Capitals will play the New York Rangers. 7:30 p.m. $101 to $209. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-3977328. Thursday, Dec. 29

Thursday december 29 ASIAN GOURMET SUSHI BAR

LUNCH SPECIAL

$10 Bento Boxes Happy Hour AT THE BAR

Mon-Fri 4 - 6pm ‡ %DPEX 6LJQDWXUH &RFNWDLOV ‡ 3UHPLXP 5DLO &RFNWDLOV ‡ RII ZLQH E\ WKH JODVV KRW VDNH VHOHFW EHHU HOURS: Sun–Thurs 11am-10pm Fri–Sat 11am-10:30pm

5101 MacArthur Blvd., NW

202.364.3088

Ask us about our CATERING FREE DELIVERY for orders over $20.00

The Current

Children’s program ■A park ranger will lead children ages 3 and older on a scavenger hunt in search of natural treasures. 3 p.m. Free. Montrose

Park, R Street between 30th and 31st streets NW. 202-895-6070. Concert â– The band 40 Thieves will perform Irish rock music. 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Garden Court, U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. Discussion â– A gallery talk will focus on “Duncan Phillips and Edgar Degas,â€? about the purchase of five of Degas’ works by the founder of the Phillips Collection. 6 and 7 p.m. $12; $10 for seniors and students; free for ages 18 and younger. Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. 202-387-2151. Films â– The National Gallery of Art will present Martina KudlĂĄcek’s 2006 film “Notes on Marie Menken.â€? 12:30 p.m. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. â– The Phillips Collection will present Vincente Minnelli’s 1951 film “An American in Paris,â€? starring Gene Kelly, Nina Foch and Leslie Caron. 6 p.m. $12; $10 for seniors and students; free for ages 18 and younger. Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. 202-387-2151. Performance â– The Topaz Hotel Bar’s weekly stand-up show will feature local comics. 8 to 10 p.m. Free. 1733 N St. NW. 202-393-3000. Special events â– The Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble will present “A Kwanzaa Celebration,â€? featuring a historical overview of the holiday season, audience participation and a concert. 10:30 a.m. Free; reservations required. Panorama Room, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1600 Morris Road SE. 202-633-4844. â– Shelly’s Back Room will present a sampling of J Lohr wines with paired dishes. 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. $50. 1331 F St. NW. 202-737-3003. Sporting event â– The WWE RAW Holiday Tour will feature John Cena (shown), CM Punk and The Miz. 7 p.m. $20 to $75. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-7328. Tour â– A park ranger will lead a tour of the Old Stone House, a building that has stood for nearly 250 years. 10 a.m. Free. Old Stone House, 3051

Thursday, December 29 ■Performance: “Holiday Vaudeville� will feature Cajun cellist Sean Grissom (shown), the Alexandria Kleztet and entertainer Mallory Lewis with the classic children’s puppet Lamb Chop. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. The performance will repeat Friday at 6 p.m. M St. NW. 202-426-6851. Friday, Dec.december 30 Friday 30 Film ■The National Gallery of Art will present James Rasin’s 2010 film “Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar.� 12:30 p.m. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. Special event ■A Kwanzaa arts workshop will focus on designing and producing a special gift. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Free; reservations required. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. 202-633-4844. Sporting event ■The Washington Capitals will play the Buffalo Sabres. 7 p.m. $80 to $167. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-7328. Saturday, Dec. 31

Saturday december 31

Children’s program ■Children ages 5 and older will listen to a story about writer, poet and art collector Gertrude Stein and create a special piece of art. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW. 202-6331000. Concerts ■A New Year’s Eve concert will feature Bgaf Mk ^gj @Yhhq @gmj =n]jq Egf\Yq % >ja\Yq >jge , % /he Dggc >gj Gmj Kmf\Yq :jmf[` :]_affaf_ BYfmYjq )kl

;`][c gml l`] j]nYeh]\ j]klYmjYfl ^]Ylmjaf_ f]o `]Y\ ;`]^ Jmkk]dd :jYalk[`$ Yf\ f]o ?]f]jYd EYfY_]j$ 9\Ye K`Yhajg& ;`]^ Jmkk]dd k [makaf] khglda_`lk l`] ^j]k`f]kk g^ ;Yda^gjfaY af_j]\a]flk$ oal` ?dgZYd AfÛm]f[]k& O] oadd fgo g^^]j kh][lY[mdYj oaf]k lgh k`]d^ khajalk ^gmf\ Y[jgkk l`] ogjd\& 9k o]dd Yk 9jlakYf$ <ge]kla[$ Yf\ Aehgjl]\ Z]]j& LZem I^ii^k .*+. FZ\:kmank ;eo] GP PZlabg`mhg% =< +))*/ +)+&.)/&/01.

Rosa Lamoreaux, J. Reilly Lewis, John Hurd, Diane Heath and Ann Colgrove Smith performing music spanning the centuries from Bach to Gershwin. 6 p.m. $20; $5 for students. St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW. 202-363-4119. ■“A Celtic New Yearâ€? will feature guitarist Zan McLeod (shown), accordionist Peter Brice, fiddler Rosie Shipley and the New Century Dancers. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. â– Guest conductor Murry Sidlin, members of the National Symphony Orchestra and guitarist Pepe Romero (shown) will present “New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center,â€? featuring works by Rossini, Enesco, DeFalla, Bernstein, Copland, Tchaikovsky and others. 8:30 p.m. $50 to $95. Concert Hall, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. Films â– The National Gallery of Art will present Andy Warhol’s 16 mm film “Velvet Underground and Nico.â€? Noon. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. ■“Le CinĂŠma Fantastiqueâ€? will feature Jean Cocteau’s 1950 film “OrphĂŠe,â€? at 2 p.m.; and Jacques Demy’s 1970 film “Donkey Skin,â€? at 4 p.m. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202737-4215. Special events â– The lil omm Yoga Studio will host a “Rock-N-Flowâ€? family yoga class. 5 to 6 p.m. $40 per family. 4708 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-248-6304. â– The French American Cultural Foundation will sponsor a New Year’s Eve Gala with international cuisine, music, dancing, mock casino gambling and champagne. 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $117 to $225. Wardman Park Marriott, 2660 Woodley Road NW. instantseats.com. â– The lil omm Yoga Studio will host a “Rock-N-Flowâ€? event for adults. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $40. 4708 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202248-6304. ■“From Woolly With Love: A New Year’s Eve Benefitâ€? will feature a performance of The Second City’s “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Diesâ€? followed by a reception featuring desserts from JosĂŠ AndrĂŠs Catering, an open bar and a champagne toast. 10 p.m. $140 to $160. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. â– Washington Improv Theater will present “Best New Year’s Ever,â€? featuring a rant against 2011, sketch comedy, improvisation and a champagne toast. 10 p.m. $25 in advance; $35 at the door. Source, 1835 14th St. NW. 202-204-7770. Sunday, Jan.january 1 Sunday 1 Concerts â– Organist Stefano Bertuletti from Bergamo, Italy, will perform. 5:15 p.m. $10 donation suggested. Washington National Cathedral, See Events/Page 19

&

Continued From Page 18 Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. 202-537-6200. ■ Roots rock quartet The Grandsons will perform. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. Sporting event ■ The Washington Wizards will play the Boston Celtics. 6 p.m. $10 to $605. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-7328. Tour ■ The Phillips Collection will present a tour of the exhibition “Degas’s Dancers at the Barre: Point and Counterpoint.” Noon. $12; $10 for seniors and students; free for ages 18 and younger. Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. 202-387-2151. The tour will repeat Jan. 8 at noon. Monday, Jan. 2

Monday january 2 Concert ■ The Heavenly States will perform rock music. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. Discussion ■ National Gallery of Art lecturer Wilford W. Scott will discuss “Peasants Celebrating Twelfth Night” by David Teniers the Younger. Noon. Free. West Building Rotunda, National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. The talk will repeat Tuesday at noon. Film ■ The Shakespeare Theatre Company will host an encore “NT Live” high-definition broadcast of John Hodge’s “Collaborators,” about an imaginary encounter between Joseph Stalin and the playwright Mikhail Bulgakov. 7:30 p.m. $20. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. Tuesday, Jan. 3

Tuesday january 3 Children’s program ■ The National Building Museum’s “Building Zone” will host an interactive read of Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s “Snowflake Bentley” (for ages 3 through 5). 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. $3. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. Class ■ Yoga Activist will present a weekly yoga class geared toward beginners. 7 p.m. Free. Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-282-3080. Discussions and lectures ■ The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University will present a panel discussion about members’ volunteer activities at groups such as Project Reboot, the Library of Congress and the National Museum of American History. 10 to 11:50 a.m. Free. Temple Baptist Church, 3860 Nebraska Ave. NW. 202-895-4860. ■ Janet Langhart Cohen and William Cohen, authors of the book “Love in Black and White,” will discuss “Growing Up in and With America.” 11:30 a.m. $30. Woman’s National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW. 202-232-7363. ■ The Bread & Roses Labor Series will present a talk by Joseph A. McCartin, author of “Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike That

The Current

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Events Entertainment Changed America.” 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Cullen Room, Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St. NW. 202-332-6433. Films ■ The Georgetown Neighborhood Library will present the 1959 film “North by Northwest,” starring Cary Grant. 6 p.m. Free. Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R St. NW. 202-727-0232. ■ “Homage to Christoph Schlingensief” will feature a showing of the director’s 1986 film “Egomania — Island Without Hope.” 6:30 p.m. $7. Goethe-Institut, 812 7th St. NW. 202-289-1200, ext. 160. Meeting ■ Recovery International will host a group discussion for people suffering from stress, anxiety, panic, depression, sleep problems, anger, fear and other mental, nervous or emotional problems. 7 p.m. Free. Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-2680. The group meets every Tuesday. Sporting event ■ The Washington Capitals will play the Calgary Flames. 7 p.m. $46 to $138. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-7328. Wednesday, Jan. 4

Wednesday january 4 Classes ■ The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will host a “Darkroom Portraits” class led by teaching artist Bruce McKaig. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free; reservations required. 202-547-6839. ■ Housing Counseling Services, a local nonprofit, will present a foreclosure-prevention clinic to help homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Noon. Free. Suite 100, 2410 17th St. NW. 202-667-7712. The event will repeat Jan. 11 and 18 at noon and Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. Concerts ■ Robert McCormick, director of music at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street, will present “Noels Old & New: Works by Daquin, Dupré, and an Improvisation by the Artist.” 12:10 p.m. Free. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, 16th and H streets NW. 202-347-8766. ■ Vocalist Sofia Rei, a native of Buenos Aires, will perform. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. ■ Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Beethoven and Dvorák. 7 p.m. Free. Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. 202387-7638. Discussions and lectures ■ The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University will present a talk by MetroStage artistic director Carolyn Griffin and actress Natascia Diaz about the Alexandria-based nonprofit theater company. 10 to 11:50 a.m. Free. Temple Baptist Church, 3860 Nebraska Ave. NW. 202-8954860. ■ The Shepherd Park Book Club will discuss “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. 1:30 p.m. Free. Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library, 7420 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-5416100. ■ College students will discuss their experiences in a panel discussion for area teens. 5 p.m. Free. Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW. 202-2431188.

Tuesday, january 3 ■ Concert: Venezuelan vocalist, guitarist and composer Juancho Herrera will perform with his quartet. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ Ori Z. Soltes, resident scholar in theology and fine arts at Georgetown University, will lead a discussion of “The Moor’s Last Sigh” by Salmon Rushdie as part of a series on heroic adventure in Western literature. 6:30 p.m. Free. West End Neighborhood Library, 1101 24th St. NW. 202-724-8707. Film ■ “The Met: Live in HD” will feature the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Handel’s “Rodelinda.” 6:30 p.m. $18. AMC Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW. fathomevents.com. Performance ■ Poet Holly Bass will host “Wednesday Night Open Mic Poetry.” 9 p.m. $4. Cullen Room, Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St. NW. 202-332-6433. Jan. 5 Thursday, Thursday january 5 Antiques show ■ The Washington Winter Show — featuring antiques, fine arts, and a “Treasures of the First Families” exhibition — will open with a champagne reception for sponsors and benefactors, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and for gala patrons and young collectors, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. $125 to $500. Katzen Arts Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. washingtonwintershow.com. Concert ■ The Stooges Brass Band will perform a blend of traditional New Orleans brass and contemporary urban beats. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202467-4600. Discussions and lectures ■ The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University will present a talk by former NBC News correspondent and White House press secretary Ron Nessen on his memoir “Making the News, Taking the News: From NBC to the Ford White House.” 10 to 11:50 a.m. Free. Temple Baptist Church, 3860 Nebraska Ave. NW. 202-895-4860. ■ Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow will discuss his book “Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President.” 11:30 a.m. $30. Woman’s National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW. 202-232-7363.

■ National Gallery of Art lecturers James Meyer and Sally Shelburne will discuss “Art Talk: In the Tower: Mel Bochner.” Noon. Free. East Building Auditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. ■ The Mystery Book Club will discuss Australian author Peter Temple’s “The Broken Shore.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Barnes & Noble, 555 12th St. NW. 202-347-0176. ■ Journalist, author, playwright and teacher Roger Rosenblatt will discuss his book “Kayak Morning: Reflections on Love, Grief, and Small Boats.” 7 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919. Special event ■ “Phillips After 5” will feature French musical performances and refreshments, multilevel French language lessons, early motion pictures depicting women performers, and a talk on “Pas de Deux: Degas’s Representations of Elegance and Strength.” 5 to 8:30 p.m. Cost varies by activity; registration suggested. Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. phillipscollection.org/ phillipsafter5.

19

twist on traditional Italian folk music. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. ■ The Folger Consort, female vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 and instrumentalists Shira Kammen and Debra Nagy will present “Heavenly Revelations: Hildegard von Bingen and Medieval France.” 8 p.m. $30 to $40. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. 202-544-7077. The concert will repeat Saturday at 8 p.m. Discussions and lectures ■ The Washington Winter Show will feature a lecture by Nancy Clarke, former chief florist of the White House. 10:30 a.m. $125. Katzen Arts Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. washingtonwintershow.com. ■ Thomas Frank will discuss his book “Pity the Billionaire: The Hard-Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right.” 7 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919. Sporting event ■ The Washington Wizards will play the New York Knicks. 7 p.m. $10 to $780. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-3977328.

Jan.january 6 Friday, Friday 6 Antiques show ■ The Washington Winter Show will feature antiques, fine arts, and an exhibition on “Treasures of the First Families.” 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. $20. Katzen Arts Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. washingtonwintershow.com. The show will continue Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concerts ■ The Friday Morning Music Club will present a concert of works by J.S. Bach, Janácek, Schnittke and Poulenc. Noon. Free. Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th St. NW. 202-333-2075. ■ The seven-piece band Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino will perform an updated

The Current welcomes submissions for the Events & Entertainment calendar, although space constraints limit the number of items we can include. Items must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the event, and they should include a brief summary of the event and its date, time, location with complete address, and cost to attend (indicate “free” if there is no charge). Also, please list a telephone number for publication and a phone number for an editor to reach a contact person. Entries may be sent to calendar@currentnewspapers.com or The Current, P.O. Box 40400, Washington, D.C. 20016-0400.

The best location in Washington real estate.

The Current Newspapers Northwest, Georgetown, Dupont, Foggy Bottom

20 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

&

The Current

Events Entertainment

Library of Congress exhibits show comic art, Earth images

T

he Library of Congress opened two On exhibit exhibits this year that draw on its permanent collection. “Earth as Art” features 40 award-winning Both are open Monday through Saturday Landsat satellite images of Earth taken from from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 202-707-8000. high altitude. It will continue through May 31 ■ “Blood and Ink: Front Pages From the in the exhibition hall outside the Geography Civil War,” showcasing more than 30 historic and Map Reading Room on the basement newspaper front pages that span the American level of the James Madison Civil War, opened recentBuilding. ly at the Newseum, “Timely and Timeless: where it will continue New Comic Art through 2012. Acquisitions” presents politLocated at 555 ical and social satire, comicPennsylvania Ave. NW, strip and comic-book drawthe museum is open daily ings, New Yorker magazine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. illustrations and graphic narAdmission is $21.95 for The exhibit “Colors of Life” will ratives acquired by the adults; $17.95 for run at the Woman’s National library during the past seniors, students and mildecade. It will continue Democratic Club through Feb. 28. itary personnel; $12.95 through March 10 in the for ages 7 through 18; Graphic Arts Galleries on the ground floor of and free for ages 6 and younger. the Thomas Jefferson Building. 888-NEWSEUM. The James Madison Building is located at ■ “Seat of War: A Panoramic View of Civil 101 Independence Ave. SE, and the Thomas War Washington Through Historic Prints,” Jefferson Building is located at 10 1st St. SE. illuminating President Abraham Lincoln’s

Civil War Washington, opened recently in the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center adjacent to President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldier’s Home. The exhibit will continue through Jan. 15. Located at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Rock Creek Church Road and Upshur Street NW, the center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 202-829-0436, ext. 31231. ■ The Woman’s National Democratic Club recently opened two exhibits. “Digital Migrations,” on view through Jan. 11, highlights artists and photographers who are reinterpreting modern and postmodern art digitally. “Colors of Life,” on view through Feb. 28, showcases the photographic works of the Exposure Group African American Photographers Association, whose members include portrait artists, photojournalists, and documentary and fine-art photographers. Located at 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW, the club is open Monday through Friday See Exhibits/Page 21

Glynis Sweeny’s 1991 drawing of Paul Simon is part of the “Timely and Timeless” exhibit at the Library of Congress.

Kennedy Center to present ‘La Cage aux Folles’ *30+)6 '327368

,)%:)20= 6):)0%8-327 ,MPHIKEVH ZSR &MRKIR

1IHMIZEP *VERGI at Washington National Cathedral 1EWWEGLYWIXXW ;MWGSRWMR %ZIW 2;

*IEXYVMRK XLI WSEVMRK QIPSHMIW ERH IGWXEXMG TSIXV] SJ ,MPHIKEVH ERH WSTLMWXMGEXIH QYWMG SJ XL GIRXYV] *VIRGL GSQTSWIVW

FRI, JAN 6 SAT, JAN 7 at 8pm

Pre-concert discussion on Fri at 6:30pm

[MXL E[EVH [MRRMRK ZSGEP IRWIQFPI

%232=1397 ±%RSR]QSYW QE] FI XLI FIWX MRXIVTVIXIVW SJ ,MPHIKEVH WMRGI XLI WK FHQWXU\ µ ²$PD]RQ FRP ±7XIPPEV IEVP] QYWMG ZSGEP UYEVXIX² ¯8LI 2I[ =SVO 8MQIW

202.544.7077 www.folger.edu/consort

T

he hit musical “La Cage aux Folles” comes to the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater Jan. 17 through Feb. 12.

On STAGE

Georges is the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges’ son brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the The Tony Award-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles” will visit the feather boas fly. Performance times are generally Kennedy Center Jan. 17 through Feb. 12. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday previews through Jan. 11. The H and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. and Sunday. Tickets cost $40 to $50. The church is located at 900 Street Playhouse is located at 1365 Tickets cost $65 to $130. 202-467Massachusetts Ave. NW. 240-582H St. NE. 703-683-2824; 4600; kennedy-center.org. 0050; stageguild.org. scenatheater.org. ■ Washington Stage Guild will ■ Scena Theatre will present Irish ■ The Mariinsky Ballet will prespresent the world premiere of the playwright Brian Friel’s translation ent “Les Saison Russes” Jan. 17 epic Civil War romance “Amelia” through 22 in the Kennedy Center’s Jan. 5 through 29 in the Undercroft of “Hedda Gabler” Jan. 7 through 29 at the H Street Playhouse. Opera House. Theatre of Mount Vernon Place In this classic Boasting an artistic legacy that United by Henrik Ibsen, spans more than 200 years, the St. Methodist the title character Petersburg company will present Church. returns from a three works by Michel Fokine: The compalong honeymoon “Chopiniana,” “Scheherazade” and ny’s 25th anniconsumed by “The Firebird.” versary is also anxiety and Performance times are 7:30 p.m. the 150th of the regret. Bored by Tuesday through Saturday and 1:30 Civil War, and her academic p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets this premiere “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” husband, Hedda cost $29 to $150. 202-467-4600; celebrates the will open Jan. 17 at the Gabler fears a kennedy-center.org. former while life of tedious ■ The Shakespeare Theatre acknowledging Lansburgh Theatre. convention. Company will present “The Two the latter. Gentlemen of Verona” Jan. 17 Playwright Alex Webb was inspired Aided by her predatory cohort, she through March 4 at the Lansburgh by the true story of a woman whose manipulates the fates of those around her with devastating and Theatre. determination to find her wounded tragic consequences. Director PJ Paparelli puts a new husband led her to the horror of the Performance times generally are twist on Shakespeare’s earliest Andersonville prison camp. romantic comedy. Valentine and Performance times are 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Proteus are lifelong friends unexThursday; 8 p.m. Friday and See Theater/Page 21 Tickets cost $16 to $40, with $10 Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Saturday

THEATER

solo show “Bust� Dec. 31. “Bust� is a mostly autobiographical play based on Weedman’s From Page 20 experiences working as a volunteer pectedly thrust into the rivalries and advocate in a Southern California prison for women. complications of adolescence. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. When both fall in love with the Wednesday through Friday and Duke of Milan’s daughter, Silvia, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $35 the cunning Proteus betrays his to $60. Studio Theatre is located at friend. Will the banished Valentine 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300; find his home in the woods, among studiotheatre.org. the outlaws? And what of Julia, ■Washington Improv Theater Proteus’ first love, who comes to court disguised as a boy? What hap- will close “Seasonal Disorder� Dec. 31 at Source. pens when a group of youths is left Performance times are generally without parents to guide them 8 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday and through life’s journey? Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 11 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 8 Saturday. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Source p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 2 is located at 1835 14th St. NW. p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and washingtonimprovtheater.com. noon Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tickets ■Arena Stage will close Amy cost $37 to $90. The Lansburgh is located at 450 7th St. NW. 202-547- Freed’s “You, Nero� Jan. 1 on the Fichandler Stage. 1122; shakespearetheatre.org. As Rome collapses beneath ■City Artistic Partnerships will Nero’s outrageous narcissism, a forgotten playwright tries to restore order through the art of theater in this farce. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday through The Shakespeare Theatre Company has extended Saturday; and 2 “Much Ado About Nothing� through Jan. 7. p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $55 to $85. Arena close an extended run of David Stage is located at 1101 6th St. SW. Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries� Dec. 31 at The Shop at Fort Fringe. 202-488-3300; arenastage.org. ■Arena Stage and the Oregon Based on the outlandish but true Shakespeare Festival will close accounts of Sedaris’ experience as Bill Cain’s “Equivocation� Jan. 1 in an elf in Santaland at Macy’s, the the Kreeger Theater. play riffs on the author’s truly odd Set in 1605 London, this highencounters with his fellow man, stakes political thriller reveals the woman and child during the height complexities of the truth and the of the holiday crunch. consequences of compromise. Performance times are 8 p.m. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $20. The Wednesday and Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 2 Shop at Fort Fringe is located at p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets 607 New York Ave. NW. 202-213cost $40 to $85. Arena Stage is 2474; cityartisticpartnerships.org. located at 1101 6th St. SW. 202■Ford’s Theatre will close “A 488-3300; arenastage.org. Christmas Carol� Dec. 31. ■Studio Theatre will present Edward Gero returns to play Donald Margulies’ “Time Stands Scrooge in Michael Wilson’s adapStill� Jan. 4 through Feb. 12. tation of the classic tale by Charles This drama from Pulitzer Prize Dickens. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. winner Margulies follows a globetrotting photojournalist who returns Wednesday through Friday and 2 home injured from the battlefields p.m. Thursday through Saturday. of Iraq. Tickets cost $20 to $85. Ford’s Performance times are 8 p.m. Theatre is located at 511 10th St. Tuesday through Saturday, 7 p.m. NW. 800-982-2787; fords.org. Sunday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and ■The Keegan Theatre will close Sunday. Tickets cost $35 to $60. the world premiere of Matthew Studio Theatre is located at 1501 Keenan’s “An Irish Carol� Dec. 31 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300; in the Church Street Theater. studiotheatre.org. Set in a modern Dublin pub, ■Theater J will present Renee “An Irish Carol� is an homage to Calarco’s “The Religion Thing� the Dickens classic. Jan. 4 through 29 at the Washington Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets DC Jewish Community Center. Performance times generally are cost $30 to $35. The Church Street 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Theater is located at 1742 Church Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 St. NW. 703-892-0202; p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $35 to keegantheatre.com. $60. The Washington DC Jewish ■Studio Theatre will close an extended run of Lauren Weedman’s Community Center, is located at

The Current 1529 16th St. NW. 202-777-3214; theaterj.org. ■The In Series will present “Barber & Barberillo� Jan. 7 through 22 at Source. A double bill of Samuel Barber and Giancarlo Menotti’s “A Hand of Bridge� and Francisco Asenjo Barbieri’s “The Little Barber of Lavapies,� the show melds the American operatic piece into a Spanish zarzuela. Performance times vary. Tickets cost $40 for adults, $36 for seniors and $20 for students and youth. Source is located at 1835 14th St. NW. 202-204-7763; inseries.org. ■“Jersey Boys� is back at the National Theatre through Jan. 7. Performance times are generally 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $41.50 to $276.50. National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-628-6161; nationaltheatre.org. ■The Shakespeare Theatre Company has extended “Much Ado About Nothing� through Jan. 7 at Sidney Harman Hall. Performance times are generally 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $20 to $100. Sidney Harman Hall is located at 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org. ■The Kennedy Center’s production of Mo Willems’ “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical� is in the Family Theater through Jan. 8. Performance times vary. Tickets cost $20. 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org. ■Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is presenting Chicago comedy troupe The Second City in a new work, “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies,� through Jan. 8. Performance times are generally 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices start at $30. Woolly Mammoth is located at 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net. ■Faction of Fools Theatre Company will present an adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet� Jan. 12 through Feb. 4 at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint. Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for students and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. Flashpoint is located at 916 G St. NW. 800-838-3006; factionoffools. org. ■The Kennedy Center is presenting “Ann: An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards,� starring Holland Taylor, through Jan. 15 in the Eisenhower Theater. Performance times vary. Ticket prices start at $54. 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org. ■“Billy Elliot the Musical� is at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House through Jan. 15. Performance times vary. Ticket prices start at $25. 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

21

EXHIBITS From Page 20

from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday until 9 p.m. 202-232-7363. ■“Wedding Belles: Bridal Fashions From the Marjorie Merriweather Post Family, 1874-1958,� featuring wedding dresses and attire from Hillwood Estate founder Marjorie Merriweather Post and her family, has been extended at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens through Jan. 15 due to popular demand. Located at 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, $5 for ages 6 to 18 and free for ages 5 and younger. 202-686-5807. ■“Ted Kaczynski: The Unabomber,� highlighting items secured in a June 2011 government auction of Kaczynski’s personal belongings, opened this year at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, where it will remain on view indefinitely. Located at 575 7th St. NW, the museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and military and law enforcement personnel; $14.95 for ages 5 through 11; and free for ages 4 and younger. 202-621-5550. ■“Creativity in Our Community,� the debut exhibit for the ART Options community-based artsinfused program for people with

This 1946 gown is on exhibit at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens as part of “Wedding Belles,� which has been extended through Jan. 15. disabilities, opened last month in the Events Room of the Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC, where it will continue through the month of January. Located at 1330 Maryland Ave. SW, the Events Room is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless a private event is scheduled there. 202554-8588.

E V I T A E R C IMAGES Y PH A R G O T O PH

OS BILL20PYeaErsTExR perience Over alism in Photo Journ

95 8 4 5 6 9 2 20 PT!FSPMT DPN

T DPN t CQFUS XXX CJMMQFUSP 20007 NW Wash. DC t. S n o lt u F 8 0 36

Portraits Conferences Events Publicity

22 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011

THE CURRENT

THE CURRENT

Service Directory

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

☎ 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850 FLOORING

THE CURRENT NEWSPAPERS

Cabinet Work

Service Directory Department 5185 MacArthur Blvd. N.W., Suite 102, Washington, D.C. 20016 The Current Service Directory is a unique way for local businesses to reach Northwest Washington customers effectively. No matter how small or large your business, if you are in business to provide service, The Current Service Directory will work for you.

HANDYMAN

Categories listed in this issue Air Conditioning Cabinet Work Carpet Cleaning Chimney Services Cleaning Services Electrical Services Floor Services Handyman Hauling

Home Improvement Home Services Iron Work Kitchens & Baths Landscaping Lawn Care Locksmith

Painting

Masonry

Windows & Doors

Pest Control Plumbing Roofing Tree Services

Carpentry

Windows

AD ACCEPTANCE POLICY The Current Newspapers reserves the right to reject any advertising or advertising copy at any time for any reason. In any event, the advertiser assumes liability for the content of all advertising copy printed and agrees to hold the Current Newspapers harmless from all claims arising from printed material made against any Current Newspaper. The Current Newspapers shall not be liable for any damages or loss that might occur from errors or omissions in any advertisement in excess of the amount charged for the advertisement. In the event of non-publication of any ad or copy, no liability shall exist on the part of the Current Newspaper except that no charge shall be made for the a For information about the licensing of any particular business in Washington, D.C., please call the District Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs at (202) 442-4311. The department's website is www.dcra.dc.gov.

HOME IMPROVEMENT CABINET WORK

Electrical Services

Thomas Designs and Construction, Inc. Quality Renovations and Improvements • Interior Renovations • Kitchens / Baths • Porches / Sunrooms • Finished Basements

• Additions • Decks • Garages • In-Law Suites 703-752-1614

Licenses in DC, MD and VA.

www.thomas-designs.com

Handyman

CLEANING SERVICES

Something” It’s “AlwaysHandyman Services To Do List X

FLOORING

Chevy Chase Floor Waxing Service

Polishing, buffing, waxing, cleaning, fine wood floors. •• Licensed Bonded Using old fashioned paste wax method. • Insured All work done by hand family owned and operated 301-656-9274

Champion Home Improvements,LLC 9VVM 9LWHPYZ HUK 0UZ[HSSH[PVUZ .\[[LYZ )HZLTLU[ >H[LYWYVVÄUN >PUKV^Z -LUJLZ 7H[PVZ +LJRZ (^UPUNZ :JYLLULK 7VYJOLZ :PKPUN 7V^LY^HZOPUN

$200

off with this ad

301-277-7200 ^^^ JOHTWPVU^PUKV^ZPUJ JVT ;Y\Z[LK MVY V]LY `LHYZ +PZJV\U[Z MVY 4PSP[HY` HUK :LUPVYZ -YLL ,Z[PTH[LZ 9LMLYLUJLZ 4LTILY ))) -\SS` 3PJLUZLK )VUKLK 0UZ\YLK

THE CURRENT

X No Job Too Small X Very Reliable

X Carpentry X Drywall Repairs Caulking X Light Electrical & Plumbing X Deck Repairs X Storm Doors X Ceiling Fans X General Repairs X Some Assembly Required 703-217 6697 / 703 217 9116 Licensed Chris Stancil Insured

Always Something Inc.

Build It Better Kitchens Carpentry Plumbing Counter-tops General Repairs

Bathrooms Shower Doors Electrical Ceramic Tile Windows/ Doors

www.iBuildItBetter.com Impeccable References, Serving DC/MD over 20 years

Licensed D.C. – M.D.

MORE HOME IMPROVEMENT ADS ON THE NEXT PAGE

301-779-8837

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

THE CURRENT

THE CURRENT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011 23

Service Directory

Handyman

☎ 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

HOME IMPROVEMENT

LANDSCAPING

APPALOOSA CONTRACTORS Drainage Problems • Timber • Walls • Flagstone • Walkways • • Patios • Fencing Landscape Design & Installation • Tree Service

— With The Boss Always On The Job —

R D PAU L E Y @ M AC . C O M

Call 301-947-6811 or 301-908-1807 For FREE Estimate

202 297 1204

30 years Experience — Licensed & Insured — MD Tree Expert #385

licensed bonded insured residential remodeling specialist

BKB ree Landscaping Handyman Service

Home Improvement

Foley Homes THE KEY TO YOUR REMODELING NEEDS

F

Quality Work,Very Cheap Prices Safe removal of LARGE DANGEROUS TREES Landscaping, Mulching, Seeding/ Sodding, Power Washing, Light/Heavy Hauling, Painting, Concrete, Brick Work.

General Contractor • Handyman Services Design/Build • New Construction • Remodeling

Oak Wood for sale, we deliver. Excellent References

Licensed • Bonded • Insured (CELL) 202-281-6767 • (OFFICE) 703-248-0808 foley.homes@comcast.net Hauling

202-684-1785

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

Marathon General Contractors

Complete Yard Maintenance

• Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • Additions, Decks, Patios • Painting and Wall Covering Lic/Bonded/Ins • Finished Basements • Carpentry & Tiles 301-814-8855 / 301-260-7549

Call JosĂŠ Carbajal 301-417-0753 301-370-7008

IRON WORK SUBURBAN WELDING COMPANYŽ WELDING & ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK • Repair & replacement of DC-style iron work • Repairs of cast iron staircases and fences • Hand Railings: Step Rails, Porch Rails, Custom Hand Railing • WIndow Security Bars & Door Security Gates • Tree Box Fences • Property Fences & Sidewalk Gates • WELDING REPAIRS • Certified Welding

Winter Special on all Ironwork and Railings www.suburbanweldingcompany.com

703-765-9344

ARCHITECT

EXPERT DESIGN for Additions & Remodeling Specializing in the unique requirements of older D.C. Homes Licensed and Insured An Architect that listens

CALL JIM GERRETY, AIA

More than 20 Years Experience with Small and Large Projects Expert Space Planning Design (3)-Dimensional Drawings

301-528-4990

www.jamesgerretyaia.com

You'll Be Glad You Did!

KITCHENS & BATHS

ANGEL S TREES AND TRASH REMOVAL BRUSH • BRANCHES • YARD DEBRIS ALL FURNITURE • APPLIANCES BASEMENT/GARAGE CLEANING

WWW.ANGELTREESLANDSCAPING-HAULING.COM

'HVLJQHU 4XDOLW\ 5HPRGHOLQJ ² &RQWUDFWRU 3ULFH 6HH 2XU &RPSOHWH %DWKURRP 6KRZURRP DW &RQQHFWLFXW $YH 1 : :DVKLQJWRQ ' & %$7+ ‡ ZZZ %DWK([SUHVV FRP

MASONRY

%DWK([SUHVV LV D 'LYLVLRQ RI 7KH .LWFKHQ *XLOG ZKHUH ZHŇ‹YH EHHQ GHVLJQLQJ DQG EXLOGLQJ EHDXWLIXO EDWKURRPV DQG NLWFKHQV VLQFH

H: 703-582-3709 • Cell: 703-863-1086 240-603-6182

LANDSCAPING

Snow Removal Hotline Say You Saw it in

THE CURRENT

Commercial & Residential – 202.997.7072 ˜ Year-round Lawncare Maintenance ˜ Stone, Brickwork & Concrete Projects

Call 202.362.3383 for a FREE estimate www.tenleyscapes.com

THE CURRENT

P. MULLINS CONCRETE All Types of Concrete Driveways • Sidewalks • Floors / Slabs Wheelchair Ramps • Retaining Walls Step Repair/ New Steps • Brickpointing

Paul Mullins 202-270-8973 F re e E s t i m a t e s • F u l l y I n s u re d

24 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011

THE CURRENT

THE CURRENT

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Service Directory MASONRY

Plumbing

Dial A Plumber, LLC® Just Say: I Need A Plumber

☎ 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

®

• Insurance Repair & Replacement • Licensed Gas Filter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References • Drain Services • Licensed & Bonded

DC’s Plumber’s License #707

202-251-1479 Roofing

• Stone/Brick Flagstone Retaining Walls Repointing • Concrete Driveways Sidewalks Exposed Aggregate • Leaky Basements Sump Pumps Water proofing

PLUMBING

CALL PETER

202-468-8600 Also: Bobcat Work • Hot Tubs/Pools • Excavation Demo/ Hauling • Residential/Commercial

$200 off Custom Patio Design & Installation

DC’s #1 resource for repair and restoration

No job too small

CUSTOMMASONRY

s i n c e 1 9 8 5 FLAGSTONE/BRICK/CONCRETE/PATIOS/RETAINING SIDEWALKS/DRIVEWAYS/ WATERPROOFING

703-827-5000

WALLS

L i c . • B o n d e d • I n s u re d

Stone and Brick, New and Repair, Walks, Walls, Patios, Fireplaces, housefronts, hauling and bobcat work. Historic Restoration Specialist RJ, Cooley 301-540-3127

Tree Services

Licensed & Insured

Free Estimates

ROOFING We Take Pride in Our Quality Work!

Family ROOFING

PAINTING

Over 50 years Experience • Featured on HGTV

202-276-5004

LQWHULRU H[WHULRU FXVWRP SDLQWLQJ FDUSHQWU\ SRZHU ZDVKLQJ VWDLQLQJ VHDOLQJ GU\ZDOO SODVWHU UHSDLU GHVLJQ FRQVXOWLQJ %5$1&+(6 75(( (;3(576 ,QVHFW 'LVHDVH 'LDJQRVLV 7UHDWPHQW 7UHH 6KUXE )HUWLOL]DWLRQ 7UHH 5HPRYDO ‡ 3UXQLQJ ‡ 3ODQWLQJ ‡ 5RRW 3UXQLQJ &RQVXOWLQJ ‡ 7UHH 3URWHFWLRQ 3ODQV

www.FamilyRoofingLLC.com • Serving DC & Surrounding Areas • Member NRCA

FreeEstimates

4 4 Emergency Service 4 Competitive Low Costs

Experts in: 4 4 4 4 4 4

Slate and Flat Roofs Gutters Roof Coatings Shingles and Copper Member BBB Lic. Bonded Insured

7: 5RRÀQJ *XWWHUV

$OO W\SHV RI URRÀQJ ‡ 1HZ LQVWDOODWLRQ DQG UHSDLUV ‡ *XWWHU &OHDQLQJ DQG 5HSODFHPHQW ‡ $OO \RXU SDLQWLQJ QHHGV ‡ 1R MRE WRR VPDOO ‡ 'HDO GLUHFWO\ ZLWK RZQHU ‡ /LFHQVHG DQG ,QVXUHG

ZZZ ZLOOLDPVSURIHVVLRQDOSDLQWLQJ FRP

Free Estimates

XXX #SBODIFT5SFF&YQFSUT DPN /LFHQVHG ,QVXUHG

10%off July and August

INTERIOR • EXTERIOR DC LIC. # 2811• MD LIC. # 86954

FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

301-933-1247 BRIGGS PAINTING & GUTTERING, INC.

Advertising in

THE

CURRENT gets results! Call now

BUS IN IN SIN ESS CE 1

973

Owner supervised / exterior washing • Wallpaper • Interior • Power removal Plaster Drywall Carpentry • • • •

301-509-4659 licensed • bonded • insured

John A. Maroulis Painting Company 301-649-1097

• Interior & Exterior • Plastering • Drywall QUALITY isn’t our goal, it’s our STANDARD!

10% OFF WITH THIS AD! Serving Your Neighborhood Since 1979 LIC.# 23799 / Bonded / Insured

to get your business promoted:

202-244-7223

THE CURRENT

More Roofing ads on the next page

The Current

Service Directory ROOFING • Flat • Rubber • Slate • Metal • Tiles & Shingles • Vinyl and Aluminum Siding • Skylights • Gutters & Downspouts • Chimneys • Waterproofing

202.637.8808

Seamless Gutters Experts

New Roofs, Maintenance & Repairs

We Do it All!! Our Guarantees

• Our work comes with warranties covering workmanship and material. • Straight Forward pricing - No surprises. • 24-hour emergency response. • 100% satisfaction - We do not stop until you are happy!

500 off

$

exp. 11/30/10

250 off

$

exp. 11/30/10

HALLIDAY

2 202.637.8808

2 202.637.8808

ROOFING

ROOFING

250 off

$

exp. 11/30/10

HALLIDAY

RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS

SERVING UPPER N.W.

202-337-0351

Residential Specialists

Windows • Gutters • Power Washing DC • MD • VA

ANY NEW SKYLIGHT

HALLIDAY

ANY ROOF REPAIR

WINDOW WASHERS, ETC... In the heart of the Palisades since 1993

Licensed, bonded & Insured, D.C.

F R E E E ST IM AT E S

Fully Bonded & Insured

100 off

exp. 11/30/10

HALLIDAY

ROOFING

ROOFING

2 202.637.8808

2 202.637.8808

C.K. McConkey & Sons, Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Renew Restoration, Inc. Historic Window & Door Restoration ✴✴

301-855-1913 ✴ ✴

Energy Efficient Windows Replication, Weather-Stripping Glass, Painting, Storm Windows See Our historic resume at: www.renewrestoration.com

“Stopping Leaks-Our Specialty” Flat Roofs • Roof Coating • SLate Repairs Shingle Repairs • Insurance Work • Gutters & Downspots Skylights • Chimney Repairs • Metal Roofing FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 50 YEARS

301-277-5667 • 202-363-5577 ckmcconkey@verizon.net

Advertising in

THE CURRENT gets results! Call now to get your business promoted: WINDOWS

202-244-7223

Ace Window Cleaning Lic. Bonded. Insured. Working Owners 25 years experience Assured Quality Many Local References All work done by hand. Screen and Glass Repair Specializing in Sash Cords

301-656-9274

THE CURRENT 202-244-7223

IWCA

Member, International Window Cleaning Association • In the heart of the Palisades since 1993

FULL GUTTER INSTALLATION

$

25

SCHOOL From Page 3

Celebrating 15 years

ROOFING

Stopping Leaks is our Specialty!

ANY NEW ROOF

☎ 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850 WINDOWS & DOORS

THE BEST VALUE FOR NEW ROOFS AND ROOF REPAIR IN DC

HALLIDAY

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

g

repairing the damage, but also recreating a “Catalyst Arts Integration” school, where visual arts, dance and theater are woven into the academic curriculum. “We could have just fixed the damage. But it sends a message when we make an investment like this for our children,” said Ward 4 D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser, who pushed for the extra funding. With the school ready for students to return Jan. 3, officials praised the speed of the makeover, which city administrator Allen Lew, the former school modernization czar, said would normally take at least 18 months. Four weeks into her job as interim school chancellor, Kaya Henderson got a call about the stillsmoldering fire. School officials scrambled to find and prepare a temporary site — the former Meyer Elementary School in Columbia Heights, closed in 2008. It was large enough to accommodate the Takoma kids, but had no heat, no running water, no kitchen equipment, desks or telephones. “People mobilized here over the Christmas holidays,” Henderson said — city workers and contractors to prepare the Meyer school, teachers and “a small army of parents” to pack up needed books and equipment. The children did not miss a single day of class, she said. Then, city officials could have shrugged and said “‘this is an unanticipated emergency. Let them stay at Meyer,’” Henderson said. Instead, they cobbled together the money and workers for a complete redo. A brief tour showed the result. The once-open early childhood wing now has two bright classrooms, both with glass doors opening onto a tot lot. The light-filled art room opens onto a greenhouse. “A gym that was once ‘eh’ is now lovely,” Henderson said. The auditorium now features a stage “second to none” in city schools, said Mayor Vincent Gray. The redo raises a question: Will the beautiful new facility persuade parents in Takoma to enroll more children in their in-boundary school? The current enrollment at Takoma Education Campus is just over 300, officials said, with many students coming from elsewhere in the city. Residents say many Takoma children attend either private school or out-of-boundary schools west of Rock Creek Park. “I challenge you to fill it up. Bring your children to Takoma,” said Henderson at the reopening. “If you’re committed to Washington, D.C., bring your kids here.” The chancellor also offered another challenge: There’s a “gorgeous new library, with shelves half full,” she said, calling for donations of “new and gently used books” to fill it. Principal Taylor will hold two open houses for prospective parents, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2.

26 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011

THE CURRENT

THE CURRENT

Classified Ads

Announcements EARLY CLASSIFIED DEADLINE The Current Newspapers will have an early deadline for the issue of January 4, 2012. The deadline for classified ads will be Friday, December 30 at 5 p.m. You can e-mail your ads to: classified@currentnewspapers.com

or place them online at www.currentnewspapers.com

anytime before the deadline. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. The Current Newspapers

Antiq. & Collectibles

CHAIR CANING Seat Weaving – All types

Cane * Rush * Danish * Wicker Repairs * Reglue References

email: chairsandseats@aol.com

STEVE YOUNG • 202-966-8810

The Wood Doctors

Carpet Cleaning Residential and Commercial 301-865-1500 * Carpet cleaning * Tile/ grout cleaning and sealing * Small and large flood clean up * OWNER ON EVERY JOB * Serving the area for over 25 years CURTIS FIBER CLEANING, INC.

Child Care Available EXPER NANNY/HOUSE-KEEPER Available: 18 plus years exper. Excel with children. Excel current refs. US Citizen. Own car. 240-350-6631

Child Care Wanted HIRING PT nanny/housekeeper to care for two fun little girls and home in Chevy Ch, DC, 1:00-6:15 Tues-Fri. Must be legal, non-smoker, clean drivsupply car. ing record. We 202-413-5836.

Cleaning Services Benny’s Cleaning Co., Inc. Residential & Commercial Weekly/Bi-Weekly - One Time Experienced cleaners, Own trans. Excellent work, Reasonable Prices Good References • Lic. & Insured 703-585-2632 • 703-237-2779 I CLEAN houses in NW DC. Honest, reliable, hardworking. Please call 202-689-4429 & leave a message.

THE CURRENT

☎ 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850 E-mail: Classified@Currentnewspapers.com

Cleaning Services

Firewood

Instruction

Personal Services

MGL CLEANING SERVICE

Available for Residential deliveries or Commercial Firewood Pick up at Also Available 4521 Kenilworth Call Ave. 202.554.4100 Bladensburg, MD

Cooking Classes

Cheryl’s Organizing Concepts

Experienced • Same Team Everytime Licensed Bonded, Insured Good References, Free Estimates Our customers recommend us

Mario & Estella: 202-491-6767-703-798-4143

FIREWOOD

Computers

(301) 642-4526 Computer problems solved, control pop-ups & spam, upgrades, tune-up, DSL / Cable modem, network, wireless, virus recovery etc. Friendly service, home or business. Best rates.

Call Michael for estimate: 202-486-3145 www.computeroo.net New Computer? iPod? Digital Camera? NW DC resident with adult training background will teach you to use the Internet, e-mail, Windows, Microsoft Word, numerous other programs, or other electronic devices. Help with purchase and setup available. Mac experience. Call Brett Geranen at (202) 486-6189. ComputerTutorDC@gmail.com

Nationally Certified Expert Can make your Windows PC run noticeably faster and more reliably. Additionally, hardware and software upgrades available at no markup. Fixed $125 fee. Your satisfaction guaranteed. Scott at 202-296-0405.

Handy Hank Services SERVICES: • Carpentry • Painting Int/Ext • Gutters/Downspouts • Drywall/Plaster Repairs • Light Rehab – Tile Installation • Flooring – Wood/Tile

Established 1990 Excellent Local References

Call Today 202-675-6317 • Small custom carpentry projects • Furniture repair & Refinishing •Trimwork, painting • Miscellaneous household repairs Experienced woodworker Good references, reasonable rates Philippe Mougne: 202-686-6196 phmougne@yahoo.com

Hauling/Trash Removal

Bulk Trash Low VPery ric Pick Up es • Sofas as low as $15.00 • Appliances as low as $25.00 • Yards, basement & attic clean-up • Monthly contracts available

Mike’s Hauling Service

Junk Removal Commercial and Residential Serving NW DC Since 1987

Domestic Available HOUSECLEANING & IRONING and laundry. Low prices, all materials, own transportation, excel. references. 202-702-8594. HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Our wonderful housekeeper is available – she’s reliable, meticulous, honest and responsible, a lawful resident. If interested, please contact Anie at 240-755-5891. For references call 202-257-2425.

+RPH 6PDOO %XVLQHVV 2UJDQL]LQJ 3DSHUZRUN 0DQDJHPHQW +HOS ZLWK KRPH RUJDQL]LQJ SDSHUZRUN PDQDJHPHQW

Glover Park/ Burleith

([SHULHQFHG 5HIHUHQFHV 0HPEHU 1$32 %RQHGHG ,QVXUHG $OO ZRUN FRQILGHQWLDO

Simple, delicious, everyday vegetarian cooking. Eat dinner first, then learn how to make it!

10%off1stappointmentwhenyoumentionthisad! ZZZ FKHU\OVRUJDQL]LQJ FRP _

Pets

Handyman

202-635-7860

Proper cleaning-touch up of scratches, nicks, scuff marks, and restoration of fine furniture. Free Estimates Commercial/ Residential 202-250-6060

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

240-876-8763

Contact Juliette @ healthylivinginc@earthlink.net www.healthylivinginc.org PATIENT PIANO TEACHER Happy to help you have fun beginning or advancing your playing. I enjoy making music with both children and adults. Off-street parking at my NW teaching studio. (202) 234-1837

Cat Care Services Providing loving, attentive care for your cat(s) while you are away by doing more than just cleaning the box & filling the bowl. • Over 15 years experience. • Am/pm & weekend visits • Short term & long term. Will also take care of other small indoor pets, water plants & bring in mail. References available upon request. Great rates! Located in The Palisades. catcaresvcs@yahoo.com call 703-868-3038

Start Eating for Well-Being! • Private Health Coaching • Weight Loss • Healthy Cooking Classes Nancy@NutritionMattersNow.com www.NutritionMattersNow.com 202-330-3047

Dog Boarding Susan Mcconnell’s Loving Pet Care. • Mid-day Walks • Home visits • Personal Attention

202-966-3061

Moving/Hauling Bookstore Movers: Washington City Paper's “Best DC Movers of 2010 2011� offering Professional, Honest and Reliable Residential Moving Services to the DC Metro Area. Free quote: bookstoremovers.com

CONTINENTAL MOVERS Free 10 boxes Local-Long Distance • Great Ref’s

301-984-5908 • 202 438-1489 www.continentalmovers.net

GREAT SCOTT MOVING INCORPORATED

/RFDO /RQJ 'LVWDQFH ‡ 3LDQRV

Housing for Rent (Apts)

Highly rated in Better Business Bureau, Consumer Check Book, Yelp and Angie’s List so call us for a Great Move at a Great Price.

‡ ZZZ JUHDWVFRWWPRYLQJ FRP

AU / Cathedral Area Idaho Terrace Apts – 3040 Idaho Ave, NW

Studio: $1050-$1250 All utilities included. Sec. Dep. $250 Controlled entry system. Metro bus at front door. Reserved parking. Office Hours: M-F, 9-5

202-363-6600

Need Assistance With Small Moving Jobs? Call‌Your Man With The Van You Have It‌ We Will Move It! Call for Dependable, Efficient Service. 202-215-1237 “Not a Business, but a life processâ€? Tax Deductible – Useable Furniture Donations Removed

URGENT: FOSTER/PERM home needed ASAP for sweet “Sophie.� Gogeous young black kitty living in tiny room and is lonely. Pix. 202-244-0556

THE CURRENT

Vista Management Co.

Pets Instruction

CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE! 202.244.7223

GUITAR LESSONS Enjoy your guitar. Play a song or begin improvising right away. Experienced teacher with parking at NW DC studio, near Metro. 202-234-1837

[202] 277-2566 PO Box 25058 Washington, DC 20027 jule@julespetsitting.com www.julespetsitting.com

J ULE’S Petsitting Services, Inc.

• Mid Day Dog Walks • Kitty Visits • In-Home Overnight Pet Sitting and other Pet Care Services • Insured and Bonded

Setting the Standard for Excellence in Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Since 1991

CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE! 202.244.7223

Say You Saw it in

THE CURRENT

The Current

Classified Ads Pets

Professional Services

Mid Day Dog Walking Cat Visits/Medication

Professional Assistant Can help w/ business, financial, legal paperwork, medical insur. form reimbursement, Quicken, QB, organizing. Catholic U Grad. Native of Chevy Chase. Reliable & Confidential. Julie Furth, J.D. 202-557-0529 www.jfurth.com julie@jfurth.com

Washingtonian Magazine Best Pet Care

Senior Care

“A” Rating Angies List and Checkbook Magazine

We provide Home Health services which include attendant care & escort, companion services, personal care, homemaker/chore services, HHA/CNA Meals etc. 202-459-1910 www.nationcareinc.com

Nation Care, Inc. Home Health Services

In your neighborhood since 1996 202-547-WALK (9255)

Upholstery

www.zoolatry.com

General office/clerical assistance Flexible hours. Ideally suited for the busy executive working from home. Able to assist with filing, organizing documents, Accounts Payable, organization. etc. Reasonable Rates • Palisades Area Please call Ann at 202.352.1235.

ning rush hour when many runners and cyclists share the path. As is, the resident said, “it’s very difficult to avoid collisions and obstacles.” David Abrams, representing the Friends of Rose Park group, indicated some concern about the plans for the Georgetown park. Aside from a required “no action” alternative, the agencies have proposed resurfacing and widening the trail that runs through Rose Park from P to M streets. One option would make the trail 6 feet wide; the other would make it 8 feet wide. The project would also pave a dirt path that connects the trail to an M Street sidewalk. Abrams said his group will be submitting “extensive written comments” about both of the action alternatives.

From Page 1

Windows

Ace Window Cleaning Working owners assure quality, window cleaning, many local references. All work done by hand. 25 Years Experience

301-656-9274 Lic., Bonded, Ins.

THE CURRENT

Classified Line Ad Placement Form

THE CURRENT NEWSPAPERS PERSONAL CLASSIFIED LINE ADVERTISING RATES $12.50 for the first three lines (33 characters per line-must incl. punctuation and spaces between the words), $2 ea. additional line. First 2 words bold and/or CAPS free. Each additional word bold and/or CAPS is 50 cents each. All classified ads are payable in advance and may be charged on your VISA or Mastercard. Deadline for classified ads is 4 pm. Monday prior to publication. To place a classified ad, call 202-244-7223 or fax your ad copy to 202-363-9850, and a representative will call you with a price quote.

Name:

From Page 5

“The authors of the [environmental assessment] do not address an issue of critical importance,” Abrams said, referring to the trail’s proximity to several children’s play areas. He called that a “glaring omission” since the agencies have already received a variety of comments on that matter. Some people have noted that improvements to the path would encourage more cyclists, which could increase the risk of collision with children. In the past, Abrams said, the National Park Service has pledged that the path would remain in its current location and at its current width (between 5 and 6 feet, according to the assessment document). Abrams also addressed concerns about impacts to a “venerable oak tree” in the park, as well as the assessment’s failure to address persistent flooding problems on the trail. This month the Washington Area

BAN

Professional Services

CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE! 202.244.7223

TRAIL

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Daytime Phone: AD ACCEPTANCE POLICY

The Current Newspapers reserves the right to reject any advertising or advertising copy at any time for any reason. In any event, the advertiser assumes liability for the content of all advertising copy printed and agrees to hold The Current Newspapers harmless from all claims arising from printed material made against any Current Newspaper. The Current Newspapers shall not be liable for any damages or loss that might occur from errors or omissions in any advertisement in excess of the amount charged for the advertisement. In the event of non-publication of any ad or copy, no liability shall exist on the part of The Current Newspaper except that no charge shall be made for the ad.

Council held “an infamous hearing” on the topic that stretched until 3 or 4 a.m., he said. The debates continued well into the first year or two of the ban — as some business owners praised the clean air while others, true to predictions, reported decreased revenues. But by now, most agree, the law has become an accepted norm. The District is among 493 municipalities in the nation that prohibit smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars, according to information from the American Nonsmokers Rights’ Foundation. Like D.C., Maryland requires 100 percent smokefree environments for restaurants, bars and nonhospitality workplaces; in Virginia, several counties and cities abide by ordinances for smoking restrictions. “Almost immediately, people adapted to” the ban in D.C., and most consider it a “resounding success,” said Angela Bradbery, co-founder and president of Smokefree DC. Bradbery pointed out that the restaurant industry “is booming in D.C.,” even amid the recession. And for those establishments that have floundered recently, it would be impossible to attribute their challenges to the smoking ban, she said. “There are so many variables … it would be hard to isolate that particular one.” Efforts to reach the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington this week were unsuccessful. From Lee’s perspective, “five years out … [the smoking ban] has become merely one obstacle to a successful operation.” Though restaurant and bar owners have stopped being vocal about the ban, there have been lingering and sometimes indirect ramifications, Lee said. The ban may be one of a number of factors contributing to a “continuous decline of the number of establishments” in the gay nightlife scene, Lee said. Studies have shown that gay and lesbian patrons are statistically more likely to be smokers. And outdoor smoking has brought its own set of conflicts, including those between restaurateurs and residential neighbors. “The venues that have weathered it best,” Lee said, “are those that have convenient or easy access to smoking areas” like rooftop decks or outdoor patios. But sometimes even those don’t work out. Local restaurateur Jeff Black, who owns five Washingtonarea establishments, learned that lesson while opening his latest this year, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace at 1612 14th St. NW. Black’s original plans called for a small screened smoking porch at the back of the restaurant, “so people had a place to go” without having to put down their drinks or venture outside. He called the concept “a new idea” for D.C. and said

27

Bicyclist Association also posted some comments about the assessment on its website. Though generally enthusiastic about plans for the trails, the association expressed disappointment about the inability to keep a bike path around the Zoo open at nightime, along with the absence of a proposal to connect the trail to Adams Morgan and Mount Pleasant via Harvard Street. The environmental assessment is available online at parkplanning. nps.gov/rockcreektrailrehab and in hard copy in a variety of locations such as local branch libraries and the downtown Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Residents can go to the above website to submit written comments through Jan. 13, or mail them to Austina Casey, D.C. Department of Transportation; Infrastructure Project Management Administration; Attn: Rock Creek Trail EA; 55 M Street SE, Suite 500; Washington, D.C. 20003.

he came up with it after experiencing problems at his Black’s Bar & Kitchen in Bethesda. That venue is smoke-free indoors, but “customers complained about breathing in second-hand smoke outside the restaurant” as they passed through smokers at the entrance. But 14th Street neighbors bucked against the idea, worried about late-night noise in the alley, and Black ultimately dropped it, turning the space into an office instead. Smokers at Pearl Dive have to use the sidewalk out front, he said. Black said he understands the negativity toward smoking but also believes in tolerance. “I don’t like smoking, I don’t like my cooks to smoke,” he said, “But on the other side, I realize that it’s a free country. … It seems like as a society we’re getting less tolerant of people with behavior that’s not identical to our own.” For bar owner Babak Movahedi, the nonsmokers won out when he crafted his business model. Halo, the former venue at 1435 P St. that Movahedi co-owned, was ahead of the curve with the smoking ban — implementing a no-smoking policy back in 2004. The venue continued with the prohibition when it went under Movahedi’s sole leadership in 2007 and eventually became Mova Lounge. Movahedi wrote in an email that there were initially “concerns that some of our customers would feel a little disgruntled and that sales would suffer, but the opposite happened in fact.” Both smokers and nonsmokers, he said, seemed “happy to be in a place where they could enjoy a great drink … without going home smelling like an ashtray.” Mova, which is moving to a new spot at 2204 14th St. NW and will open there on Jan. 13, will apply a nosmoking policy to its outdoor deck space. “There’s no reason why we would smog it up with second hand smoke,” Movahedi wrote. Bradbery with SmokeFree DC said that with the smoking ban in D.C. now a routine part of life, her advocacy group has taken on other goals. The organization pushed to include additional language in the law that allows businesses to post “no smoking” signs outside their entrances, she said. There’s no way to enforce those measures, but “most smokers are pretty considerate … about [not] bothering people,” she said. SmokeFree DC was also vocal last summer when two D.C. Council members proposed an exemption to the smoking ban, allowing hotels to host one-day cigarsmoking events. The group helped tighten a loophole in that law that would have made more than 75 hotels eligible for the exemption, Bradbery said. And these days, the group is focused more and more on “people who are dealing with secondhand smoke in their apartments or homes,” she said. Smokefree DC regularly helps explain residents’ options for using condo bylaws and apartment management rules to handle the issue, she said.

28 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Current

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.