Volume 7, Number 19
All the News you can use!
Holiday
Performance
Preview
Across The
Cutting Board with Ris Food & Wine
Fight
Night Social Scene
November 17 - december 1 2010
The Dinner Table Revolution In Country
Ari Post
Parish Gallery
at the
Art Wrap
THE
DOWNTOWNER
“All The News You Can Use”
ABOUT THE COVER:
Vol. 7, No. 19 Publisher Sonya Bernhardt Managing Editor Ari Post Feature Editors Gary Tischler Publisher’s Assistant Siobhan Catanzaro Contributors Katherine Tallmadge Jack Evans Bill Starrels Jordan Wright Kathy Corrigall John Blee Margaret Loewith Donna Evers
Serving Washington, DC Since 2003
Veena Trehan Jody Kurash Linda Roth Conte Mary Bird Stacey Murphy Robert Devaney Renee Garfinkel Dave Nyczepir Rebekah Richards
Photographers Yvonne Taylor Tom Wolff Neshan Naltchayan Jeff Malet Malek Naz Freidouni Robert Devaney Advertising Director Charlie Louis Advertising Adra Williams Elle Fergusson
Contents
Photo from the Washington Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker,” courtesy of the Washington Ballet
4 — DC Scenes 5 — Up and Coming
DESIDERATA Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love,
6-7 — Downtown Observer
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
8 — Editorial/Opinion 10 —All Things Media Reading Tea Leaves At TBD 12 -13 — Real Estate Mortgage DT Featured Property 14 — Art Wrap Ari Post at the Parish Gallery 15-16 — Performance Preview 17-19 — Cover Story The Dinner Table Revolution 22-23 — Food & Wine Across the Cutting Board with Ris Cocktail of the Week 24 — Holiday Gift Guide 25 — Body & Soul Murphy’s Love
—Max Ehrmann
Warm wishes to you and your family this holiday season from The Downtowner.
Graphic Design Alyssa Loope Jen Merino
27— Haute & Cool 28-29 — Social Scene Lombardi Gala Fight Night National Rehabilitational Hospital Gala Washington Ballet Fashionistas 30 — The Player Cheryl Masri & Jill Sorensen
Counsel Juan Chardiet, Attorney Former Editor & Publisher David Roffman & Amy Stewart
Published by Georgetown Media Group, Inc. 1054 Potomac St., N.W. Washington, DC 20007 Phone: (202) 338-4833 Fax: (202) 338-3292 editorial@georgetowner.com www.downtowner.org The Downtowner is published every other Wednesday. The opinions of our writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect the editorial and corporate opinions of The Downtowner newspaper. The Downtowner accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. The Downtowner reserves the right to edit, re-write, or refuse material and is not responsible for errors or omissions. Copyright, 2009.
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C
s Photos by Jeff Malet
ene
Vice President Joe Biden delivered the Veterans Day Address. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces and is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony begins at precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheatre with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. November 11, 2010 in Arlington VA.
Defensive back David Quintero of the Georgetown Hoyas returns and intercepted pass against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. The Lehigh football team shook off a sluggish start to clinch its first NCAA playoff appearance since 2004 as the Mountain Hawks won the outright Patriot League championship with a 24-7 win over the Georgetown Hoyas at Multi-Sport Field. Georgetown led 7-6 at halftime.
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House Republican Leader John Boehner broke into tears as he delivered his victory speech following major Republican gains in Congressional Elections. The Ohio Republican is expected to become the new Speaker of the House replacing Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Boehner declared that the American people sent a message to President Obama at the ballot box. He made his speech shortly before midnight at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington DC on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.
1. Veterans groups present a memorial wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. John Wall of the Washington Wizards starts a fast break against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards were defeated 107-102 by the visiting Cavs at the Verizon Center in Washington DC on November 6, 2010.
4 November 17, 2010 GMG, Inc. 1
2. Procession of colors. Inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries.
3. Pictured here Navy Seabee vet ‘Bear’ Holland. 4. Army Staff Sgt. John Wedge salutes the veterans.
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DT
OBSERVER
Compiled by David Nyczetir and Robert Devaney
SAVE OUR SAFETY NET TAKES ON HOMELESS BILL
TINA FEY LIVE AT KENNEDY CENTER MARK TWAIN AWARD
With unemployment on the rise, an increasing number of homeless persons have migrated to the District seeking aid. However, citing a budget crunch, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells has proposed a bill that will deny shelter to homeless residents from other jurisdictions. The bill will put an end to D.C.’s open-door policy, which makes it illegal to deny anyone access to a shelter once the temperature drops below freezing. Instead, those who can demonstrate proof of a legal D.C. address within the past two years or a record of receiving public assistance will receive preferential treatment. Needless to say, groups such as Save Our Safety Net are rightfully outraged. While officials have argued that those denied access would receive help in returning where they came from, the bill’s opponents hold that, as a symbolic home to all Americans, the District should not be refusing anyone. Furthermore, they point out that many homeless have no way of producing proof of residence, particularly those who bounce between D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. If the bill passes, many homeless will find themselves left out in the cold, regardless of their physical condition. Save Our Safety Net has pointed out that there’s more wrong with the bill than just the residency requirement. The bill jeopardizes family health and safety by removing the limit on the number of families that can be housed in a single room. Also, the cost per client agencies serve will be increased. No doubt D.C. would be setting itself up for more than a few lawsuits.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts became a “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” annex, Nov. 9, as Tina Fey was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Many of Fey’s comedic friends were there to celebrate her award, the 13th Mark Twain Prize and the third for a woman — and, of course, her friendship and career (thus far), whether from Second City Comedy, SNL, or other comedy connections. The wisecracking love fest included lots of TV clips and featured a dozen of Fey’s favorites on stage: Fred Armisen, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler, and Betty White. Steve Martin, a Mark Twain awardee, opened the show: “Every year, Washington, D.C., becomes a comedy Mecca. And we know how funny Mecca is.” Via video, Fey’s “30 Rock” co-star Alec Baldwin appeared as Mark Twain himself, talking to the future and befuddled that a women would receive a humor award. Amy Poehler, looking up to the balcony level where Fey sat with husband Jeff Richmond and her parents, said: You got that “Evita theme working.” Lorne Michaels, another Twain awardee, praised the group of “talented performers with low ratings.” Betty White confessed: “I’m the only one here who actually dated Mark Twain. And I can tell you they didn’t call him Samuel Longhorne Clemens for nothing.”
Tina Fey Live at Kennedy Center Mark Twain Award, photos by Robert Devaney
6 November 17, 2010 GMG, Inc. 1
Accepting her award, the night’s honored guest took to the stage of the Kennedy Center saying that it would soon be known as “The Tea Party Bowling Alley and Rifle Range.” Fey joked that she thought the award was for “Austrian humor” and that, in the future, people will say of her jokes: “Wow, that is racist.” She thanked Lorne Michaels, who hired her on SNL. Acknowledging her famed Sarah Palin impressions, Fey recalled the 2004 Life magazine cover of her and Sen. John McCain, foretelling the look of the 2008 McCain-Palin campaign. Later, Fey and her cohorts were seen hanging out at the Four Seasons.
FALL FRINGE Capital Fringe Festival’s fall programming is in its second year, and this November, The Shop at Fort Fringe is reprising 10 of its summer hits. Among the more popular shows still running are “Romeo & Juliet: Choose Your Own Ending” (Nov. 10-21), Ridgefield Middle School Talent Night (Nov. 12-21), “This is Your Brain on Rock and Roll” (Nov. 17-21), and “Do Not Kill Me, Killer Robots” (Nov. 17-21). “Romeo & Juliet” is unique in that the audience aids in determining the course of the play. This summer, the show received the Fringe Awards for Best Overall Show and Best Comedy. Another comedy, “Do Not Kill Me, Killer Robots,” began replaying this week. The show features a solo performance by Ben Egerman in a sea of cardboard props. In it, the last living man attempts to survive amongst an unseen enemy. Also restarting this week is “This is Your
Brain on Rock and Roll.” Ed Hamell received Fringe’s Director’s Award in 2009, and now the excitable singer-songwriter has put together a new comedic routine to entertain audiences. If you missed any of these performances this summer, you’ve been given a second chance. Be sure to dress warmly when attending, because The Shop is an outdoor venue.
November 18, 19, and 21, Fathom Gallery is showcasing its first mobile photography exhibit. Hosted by Fathom Creative, the show will feature the work of 10 local mobile photographers. Additionally, there will be several giveaways and plenty of refreshments provided by Church Key DC over the course of the weekend. Thursday evening, doors will open at 6 p.m. with the official opening ceremony at 7 p.m. Free beer will be offered through the night, and there will be free souvenirs for all in attendance. On Friday, a slideshow and live feed will take place downstairs while the gallery exhibit will be upstairs. The exhibit will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. that night and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets will cost $5 on opening night, $3 Friday, and $2 Sunday. Proceeds will offset the cost of the space and produce and frame the photographs. Invitations can be purchased on instantdc.com. DC-area mobile photographers are encouraged to contact Instant DC through the website if they wish to have their work included in the next show.
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