The Georgetowner's February 22,2012 by The Georgetowner

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GEORGETOWNER VOLUME 58, NUMBER 11

FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 6, 2012

CURTAINS UP ON MICKEY BERRA

2012 PERFORMANCE PREVIEW FOOD & WINE: OSCAR BROWNIES, CAPITAL OYSTERS A NEW BOATHOUSE ON THE HORIZON?

FAREWELL TO ANTIQUES OF GEORGETOWN

Wakefield, DC

$1,395,000

Lagniappes galore! Gracious entertaining rooms, cozy private spaces and custom cabinets! 5/6 bedrooms plus in-law suite. Walk to shopping, schools and two Metro stations. W.C & A.N. Miller Bethesda Office 301.229.4000.

Georgetown, DC

$1,895,000

Unique Victorian in Georgetown’s west village. 4 finished levels, 5 BR, 4.5 baths, landscaped garden. Grand double LR, family/ dining room, high-end kitchen, master bedroom suite, in-law suite ,ask agent about parking. Jennifer Wellde 301.602.1596/ 202.944.8400 (O).

$1,645,000

Bright end-unit townhouse with 3BR/4.5BA. Fully finished, 4 levels include large and open living and dining rooms, chef’s kitchen, 3 fireplaces, sauna, third-floor master suite, terrace views of VA & 2-car parking. Scott Polk 202.256.5460/ 202.944.8400 (O).

Georgetown, DC

$2,195,000

The very best of one level living in a fabulous full service building on the prominent water front of Georgetown. 2BR, 2.5 BA plus den complimented by an 850 sq. ft. terrace garden. MIller Spring Valley Office 202.362.1300.

Woodley/Cathedral, DC

$3,300,000

Washington, DC

$1,100,000

Palisades, DC

$2,350,000

Fairfax, VA

$1,649,000

2007 custom-built 7BR, 7FP, 6,000 SF beaux arts town mansion located in Woodley/Cathedral area. Upgrades include separate entrance lower level au pair suite with separate full kitchen & laundry , four level elevator, two car climate garage. Miller Spring Valley Office 202.362.1300.

We invite you to tour all of our luxury listings at

www.ExtraordinaryProperties.com Chevy Chase, MD

$1,325,000

Rarely available townhouse in original section of Hillandale. Two car garage & elevator. Three bedrooms up & lower level den or fourth bedroom. Two fireplaces, hardwood floors, high ceilings and patio. Nancy Itteilag 202.905.7762/ 202.363.1800 (O).

Photo Credit Here

Georgetown, DC

Foggy Bottom, DC

$875,000

1900 sq. ft. Penthouse. 2BR, 2BA with sweeping open views & great layout. Updated gourmet kitchen, huge LR & DRs, MBR suite with bath & ample closets spacious private balcony, & garage parking space in top notch building with pool. Roby Thompson 202.255.2986/ 202.483.6300.

A stunning Wardman conversion, this contemporary penthouse with 1,950 square feet on two levels features two BR, two BA, a sunroom/office, & a loft den that leads to a private roof terrace with sweeping city views. Mary Jane Molik 202.669.4689/202.966.1400 (O).

$1,129,000

Outstanding 2BR, 2.5BA condo at the Somerset House w/over 2000sf of living space! Marble foyer with 2 closets. Generous LR, separate dining room, MBR with private bath. Huge walk-in closet & fantastic views. Friendship Hieghts Office 202.364.5200/ 301.652.2777.

Brand new construction! Four finished levels, 3 stone fireplaces, 2 family rooms. Broad staircases to all levels. Elegant living room. Dream kitchen. Master suite with stunning walk-in closet/ dressing room. Au pair suite on lower level. Leah Harris 202.421.8003/202.363.9700 (O).

$999,000

Fabulous price for this Georgetown classic townhouse. Two BR, two FB and a full in-law ste. with separate entrance. Charming fenced rear patio. All this as well as all the amenities of Georgetown! Allen Goldberg 202.352.7653/ 202.362.1800 (O).

Bethesda, MD

$1,200,000

Lovely 7-year old 5BR/ 3.5 + NA Colonial in sought after Wyngate neighborhood. This spacious home features everything buyers seek in new construction: Open Kit, FR w/Fp, formal LR, Dr large master suite, 4BR,3BA up, detached garage and finished lower level. Ferris/Levin 202.438.1524/202.364.1300 (O).

Arlington, VA

$1,200,000

Chain Bridge Forest outstanding colonial with center-hall plan elegant plantation shutter, large dining room, family/great room, screen porch, deck, patio, 4 bedrooms up, rec room & hobby room. 2-Car garage, cul-de-sac. Arlington Office 703.522.0500

Gorgeous Manor home with over 8800 finished sqft sits on almost 2 acres. Includes a stunning chef’s kitchen; octagonal great room; two master suites; a 7 car garage and energy efficient geothermal heating. Deck & screened Gazebo. Lilian Jorgenson 703.407.0766/703.790.1990 (O).

All Properties Offered Internationally Follow us on:

www.ExtraordinaryProperties.com

2 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

Wakefield, DC

$1,395,000

Georgetown, DC

$1,895,000

$1,645,000

Georgetown, DC

$2,195,000

Woodley/Cathedral, DC

$3,300,000

Washington, DC

$1,100,000

Palisades, DC

$2,350,000

Fairfax, VA

$1,649,000

We invite you to tour all of our luxury listings at

www.ExtraordinaryProperties.com Chevy Chase, MD

$1,325,000

Photo Credit Here

Georgetown, DC

Foggy Bottom, DC

$875,000

$1,129,000

$999,000

Bethesda, MD

$1,200,000

Arlington, VA

$1,200,000

All Properties Offered Internationally Follow us on:

www.ExtraordinaryProperties.com

2 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

SINCE 1954

VOL. 58, NO. 11

CONTENTS

ABOUT THE COVER: MICKEY BERRA PHOTO BY PHILIP BERMINGHAM WWW.PHILIPBERMINGHAM.COM

Up & Coming

Web Exclusive

6-7

GT Observer

8-9

Editorial/Opinion

Business: Ins/Outs

Mortgage/ Feature Property

12-13

Education

14- 15 In

Country

16-18 Cover:

Performance Preview

Art Map: Book Hill

20-21

Food & Wine

22-23

Dining Guide

Classifieds/ Service Directory

Body & Soul: Murphy’s Love: Advice on Intimacy and Relationships

Charities & Benefits

Haute & Cool

28-30

Social Scene

DC Scene

23 Cocktail of the Week PAGE 21

PAGE 10

MEET THE PRESS THIS WEEK ADRA WILLIAMS

www.georgetowner.com 202-338-4833

Marketing director Adra Williams has been with the Georgetowner since 2005. She remains enthusiastic about the newspaper, its website and the neighborhood where she works. Yet, for Williams, all of D.C. is in her sights as she promotes her town, newspaper and its businesses. “Events are my passion,” she says, looking forward to not only attending but producing some of the Georgetowner’s finest. The upcoming “Chefs Go Fresh and Seefood” are part of her mission to promote and engage Washington’s businesses locally and in surrounding areas. For partnership opportunities or more information on “Chefs Go Fresh and Seefood,” email her at Adra@Georgetowner.com. On left: Adra Williams with one of her favorite restauranteurs, Zubair Popal, of Cafe Bonaparte and Napoleon Bistro -- and soon-to-come Malmaison on Water Street.

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 3

Calendar

UP & COMING FEBRUARY 24

Chamber Music Concert Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra plays Mozart’s Horn Quintet K407 and Symphony No.40, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission by donation, $20 is suggested. At Dumbarton House, 2715 Q Street, NW, Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.ancowashington.org or call 202-337-2288. Dream Works Cancer Foundation Love Award Gala Celebrating unsung heroes in a night of live jazz, spoken word, silent auction and fine dining. The Gala starts at 7:30 p.m. in The Community Activity Center at Andrea’s Air Force Base. Please visit www.dreamworkscancerfoundation.org/tickets to purchase your tickets by donation.

FEBRUARY 25

The Dish on Fish at the Amazonia Exhibit Learn about the amazing diversity of fish in the Amazon River Basin, with special keeper talks and animal demos. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Amazonia Exhibit at The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington D.C.

Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band Traditional New Orleans Dixieland Music played by the the Dixieland Direct Quartet. The Dixieland Direct Quartet comprises Henning Hoehne, Bob Boguslaw, Mike Flaherty and Dallas Smith. They’ve toured together for almost two decades, both in the United States and abroad. The concert starts at 8 p.m. in The Theatre at 291 Gay Street, Washington, VA 22747. Tickets are $25. For more information, email theatreva@aol.com or call 540-675-1253.

FEBRUARY 27

Washington Women and Wine’s February Blast at Bibiana Join the Washington Women and Wine foundation for an evening of lots of fun and networking at Bibiana restaurant. Enjoy good food, wine and the company of NBC 4 News Anchor Angie Goff. Bibiana, 1000 New York Avenue, Washington D.C. Cost is $115 for members and $125 for non-members. Visit www.washingtonwomenandwine.com for more information.

FEBRUARY 29

Fashiontographer Launch Party Be a model for a day at this event by wearing amazing clothes, walking the runways and getting your own lookbook! All ticket sales go to support the Shoot for Change at the American Ballet Theatre. Fashiontographer is an online magazine and a source of fashion runway photos and news based in

Washington D.C. The event starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $20. L2 Lounge, 3315 Cady’s Alley, NW. For more information, visit www.fashiontographer.eventbrite.com.

MARCH 2

Tilar Mazzeo & Stacy Schiff

MARCH 1

Author On Deck- 1812: The Navy’s War Historian and award-winning author George C. Daughan will present his latest work, 1812: The Navy’s War. This will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. The event is free and open to the public. It starts at 12 p.m. at the United States Navy Memorial. Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. For more information, please call 202-737-2300. Bowen McCauley Dance: Le Sacre du Printemps & More Bowen McCauley Dance presents a program of special performances, featuring the world premiere of Lucy Bowen McCauley’s Le Sacre du Printemps. This premiere is sure to have you on the edge of your seat for what the Washington Post calls “the most perilous” performance of the spring! Other highlights include Eric Hampton’s Beethoven Bits, Lucy’s ReSuitened performed by NSO cellist Yvonne Caruthers; and Ozone, inspired by Rita Dove’s poem. The performance starts at 7.30 p.m., tickets are $36. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington D.C. Please visit www.kennedy-center.org/events or call 800444-1324.

Reception with authors Tilar Mazzeo and Stacy Schiff. Mazzeo is a New York Time’ best-selling author of books on wine, travel, French culture, and the history of luxury, including The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World’s Most Famous Perfume. Schiff is the author of Vera, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and most recently, Cleopatra: A Life, named one of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2010. Book signing follows the reception. Starts at 7.30pm, tickets are $15. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. Please call 202-675-0342 for more information.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE

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No Dodos: Bush and Obama Stopped a Depression Opera Star, But No Diva, Elizabeth Futral

Jack Evans: Protecting the things we value For 20 years Jack Evans has led the fight to cut wasteful spending and make District government more efficient. Jack Evans knows every dollar we waste means fewer resources for our kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; classrooms, less help for struggling families, and a bigger tax burden for everyone.

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In these tough times we need Jack Evans eliminating waste, holding down taxes, and protecting the things that make DC a great city.

Vote April 3, 2012.

See Page 27 for more Paid for by Evans 2012, James Kane, Treasurer, PO Box 4146, Washington, DC 20044. A copy of our report is on file with the Director of Campaign Finance.

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 5

GT OBSERVER

News Buzz BY RO B E RT DE VANEY

Zoning Board Decides Not to Decide . . . Yet The D.C. Zoning Commission has postponed its decision on Georgetown University’s 2010-2020 Campus Plan until May. The commission seeks more information on the University’s proposals to lessen the impact of its students living off campus, such as its SNAP program, M Street shuttle, expanded trash pickup services and student parking. This second delay will likely require more input from Georgetown residents and the University. “Well, it turns out the final Feb. 9 Zoning Commission hearing on the G.U. Campus Plan, wasn’t [final],” said Jennifer Altemus, president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. “This is getting old.” During the hearing, commissioner Peter May said, “We’re not talking about approving a plan with the intention of avoiding objectionable conditions . . . I think that there is substantial evidence that these objectionable conditions may exist now.” May added that he found the Office of Planning’s proposal that all undergraduate students be housed in universityowned housing. “extreme.” “I would rather the University find some way to address these issues in a more proactive way. I don’t know what it is, I just know that it has not happened yet,” he said.

May’s puzzlement echoes the doubts felt by many residents and university supporters alike, but other university projects continue as before.

ments. - Establish a programmatic approach to allowing access to the river for a variety of uses, not just non-motorized boat uses. The project will consider:

Park Service Sets March 3 Meeting on Boathouse Study Another Georgetown issue is on the line to generate two sharply divided camps: Should we build another boathouse on the Potomac River? and how should we do it? The National Park Service has scheduled a March 3 meeting to discuss its ongoing “Feasibility Study for a Non-Motorized Boathouse Zone along the Georgetown Waterfront.” The four-hour workshop seeks to gather public input and will likely begin Saturday morning, but a specific time and place has not yet been determined. The announcement was sent by Tammy Stidham of the Park Service’s National Capital Region (Tammy_Stidham@nps.gov, 202 619 7474). Here is where the Park Service stands on any new boathouse on the Potomac in Georgetown: The boathouse zone was designated in the 1987 master plan for the Georgetown Waterfront Park, and now that the park has been completed below 34th Street the NPS is taking a step back to look holistically at potential uses and facilities for the zone. The study will be used to inform future decision-making processes. The study is being conducted to identify feasible ways to enhance visitor access to the

Great times.

- The waterfront land immediately upstream of the Georgetown Waterfront Park at 34th Street, to about 1,200 feet upstream of the Key Bridge, including federal properties north of Water Street/K Street. - Existing facilities (Potomac Boat Club, Washington Canoe Club and Jack’s Boathouse), stakeholders and the immediate environs around the zone. - Inclusion of new facilities within the zone. - Cyclists, joggers, walkers and other users in and near the zone. - Relationship with the Capital Crescent Trail.

At Key Bridge and Jack’s Boathouse on the Potomac. Photo courtesy NPS and Louis Berger Group.

Potomac River with non-motorized boats, while finding a balance among different uses of the space. To do so, this study will: - Identify the range and quantity of uses and users that should be accommodated in the zone, consistent with physical site limitations and deemed necessary and appropriate uses for the site. - Lay the groundwork for future decisionmaking for development and improvements and guide future planning and compliance require-

Good friends.

Call us for a tour 202-338-6111

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6 February 6, 2012 GMG, INC.

A body of a female was found Saturday morning, Feb. 18, in the waters where the C&O Canal, Rock Creek and the Potomac River meet alongside the House of Sweden—where walkers, runners and rowers were out and about— near Thompson Boathouse. The D.C. Fire & EMS Dept. had first responded to a call the night before of a person in the canal but found no one. The Metropolitan Police Dept. is investigating. As of now, no identity or cause of death has been released, nor how the woman ended up in the canal.

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GT OBSERVER Store Owner Arrested for Selling Alcohol to Minors The owner of Town Square Market on 4418 MacArthur Boulevard, Richard Dan Ki Kim, was arrested Feb. 18, briefly held by Metropolitan Police and charged with selling alcohol to a minor. According to 9 News Now, “A 17 year-old high school student was also arrested, cuffed and detained for buying the alcohol. Minutes before, police had observed a carload of three young men park outside the store and watch one of them go to the counter, buy the alcohol and leave. When he came outside, police asked him for identification, which he had, although it belonged to someone else. All three young men are students at a high school in Arlington.” Reporter Andrea McCarren, who had been investigating underage drinking for 9 News Now, including alleged sale of alcohol to minors in the store at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Foxhall Road, briefly left on-air reporting after her children were harassed by classmates and McCarren herself derided on Facebook. Montgomery County Police have also been watching Town Square Market, according to 9 News Now. “In recent weeks, officers have issued 38 citations to minors who bought alcohol at Town Square and crossed into Montgomery County.” The store may face the loss of its liquor license.

R.I.P.: Matthew Donahue: 1936 2012 (Prospect Street) Georgetown commercial real estate owner and executive Matthew Donahue died Jan. 19. The outgoing Donahue was known for his generous and sometimes quarrelsome nature. As easily as he might open his home on the 3600

block of Prospect Street to friends and family, he would hang a banner over his backyard fence that overlooks the Exxon gas station on Canal Road that read “Remember the Valdez.” From his retail space on Wisconsin Avenue, he once held production work of a Disney movie with a poster that read “Disney Family Values?” to protest its film about priests. Donahue was born and grew up in Georgetown close to his last residence and had been a student at Holy Trinity Elementary School and Georgetown University. He was the brother of Claire Farquhar, Mollie Dodd, both of the District, William Donahue of Bethesda and the late Michael Donahue. He is survived by 10 nieces and nephews, as well as 15 greatnieces and nephews. (Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Living Wages care of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.) To read an interview about Donahue’s life, visit www. CAGtown.org/OralHistory.

Richard Myrick: 1920 - 2012 (32nd Street) Richard Myrick died Feb. 2 in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he was born in 1920. A graduate of the Thacher School and Princeton’s class of 1943, Myrick went on to earn his Ph.D. in social psychology at Claremont. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII and then moved to Georgetown where he lived for 50 years and worked at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. After retirement, Myrick spent his summers in Deer Isle, Maine, painting, gardening and supporting the Deer Isle Artist Association, and his winters in his Georgetown studio painting Maine landscapes. Myrick had a way with art, literature and gardening and was always interested in helping others. He was married for a time to Susan Mordecai of Madera, Calif., and is survived by his sister Julie Myrick Allen and three nephews, Pete, Scott and Ted Allen.

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Community Calendar FEB. 27

The Georgetown University Campus Plan and ANC2E redistricting material will be discussed at Georgetown Visitation School, 35th and Volta Place, Heritage Room at 6:30 p.m.

offer drinks, appetizers and a DJ while you keep your eyes and ears open for clues as to who robbed the bank…the suspect might be you. 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at TD Bank, 1611 Wisconsin Avenue N.W. $125 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. CAGtown.org/YouMayBeASuspect.

FEB. 29

MAR. 10

ANC2E Meeting

Lecture: Blue Collar Intellectuals: When the Enlightened and the Everyman Elevated America Author, Daniel J. Flynn, will lecture on why and how popular culture divorced itself from the life of the mind at 6 p.m. in the ICC Auditorium at Georgetown University.

MAR. 3

CAG’s Evening of Mystery and Suspense: Who Robbed the Bank? The Citizens Association of Georgetown’s annual “Concerts in the Parks” fundraiser will

2nd Women’s Health Symposium The George Washington University Hospital Women’s Board, Inc. is hosting a free day of health education including interactive workshops on cancer survivorship, cardiovascular health and fitness nutrition as well as health screenings for cholesterol, HIV and BMI assessment. Informative materials and exhibitors on skin care, wellness and disease management will be available. Giveaways, raffles and complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. The George Washington University’s Marvin Center, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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EDITORIAL / OPINION

D.C. Is Looking Good. So, Why Aren’t We Feeling It?

hings are looking up in the District of Columbia. At least you might think so, if you heard Mayor Vincent Gray’s State of the District address. It painted a picture of a city practically booming with a rise in population, new businesses, a balanced budget, an improving school situation, a lowered homicide rate. The address almost sounded — we stress “almost” — like candidate Gray of 2010 as opposed to the mayor we saw last year, beset by scandal, having to fire friends, beset by one Brown or another, but mostly by Sulaimon Brown, who sparked what is still an ongoing and unresolved Federal investigation into Gray’s campaign. Also, Mayor Gray recently held a One City Town Hall Meeting which turned out to be more

or less successful and optimistic. But the shifting demographics of the city—Washington is no longer a majority black city—has not resulted in bringing this city diverse residents and wards closer together. Then, there’s the District Council where chairman Kwame Brown also awaits results of an investigation into his own campaign and who called for kinder words as increasingly testy council members are battling each other in public and behind closed doors. Brown also steered an ethics reform bill through the council although many political observers have been skeptical that it will improve matters on the council where many of its members — remember ex-Ward 5 City Councilman Harry Thomas, Jr? — have been roiled in controvers. You might be up next, Jim Graham. The coun-

cil — already being criticized for its ethics problems — then proceeded to tackle gambling, the lottery and online gambling and fumbled the whole process to the point where everything was quietly dropped. And that was a good thing. Did we forget to mention that elections are coming up? There’s a primary election on April 3, formerly held in September. It will feature elections for several council seat, including the at-large seat which Vincent Orange won in a special election last year and is being contested again by Sekou Biddle. May 5 will see a special election for the Ward 5 seat vacated by Thomas. For a city in which the Democratic Primary usually is a harbinger of the winner in the general election, the primary has so far stirred little interest. Maybe it’s the weather which — like the city itself — doesn’t know what season it is.

Betting on Luck? Obama and the GOP Nominee May Need to Pray BY DAV ID POS T

ometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you pray. Either way, if it works, you’re a star, and if not, you’re a flop. Good luck is often a major contributor to success. At the same time, bad luck can be unforgiving. In the mid-1980s, the fax machine virtually eliminated Western Union’s primary business, telegrams. Amazon is alive today because it got lucky. Dotcoms were riding high in January 2000. Amazon raised $2 billion in February 2000. In March 2000, the dotcom bubble burst, and years passed before dotcom companies could raise money on Wall Street. Without that $2 billion, Amazon would be a distant memory, and Borders might still be thriving. Remember e-Toys? It was doing to toys what Amazon did

motivated by tax rates or government regulations. They were motivated by their dreams. Presidents Reagan and Clinton were popular, but they were also lucky. Both were standing in the path of the Apples and Microsofts, the economic tsunami that created 35 million new jobs. Luck and prayer are driving this year’s presidential election. If the economy continues to tick upward, the Republicans lose their best case. If the economy ticks down, Obama is toast. Regrettably, neither party can do much, because ultimately the economy is connected at the hip to home-building and its recovery is years away. Home building is the largest piece of the construction industry and carries other industries with it, such as lumber, concrete, glass,

sures that neither the banks nor the courts can handle them. Even so, more than 35 percent of sales for the past few years have been foreclosures. On top of that, banks have a huge “shadow” inventory of bad loans and foreclosures not on the market. For years, that number stood at 500,000 homes. Today, different estimates place this “shadow” inventory between 2 and 4 million with some estimates as high as 10 million. Dumping that many more on the market would push values down more. At the same time, many banks are underwater just like the houses they are hold. For example, Bank of America has a market value of $85 billion, but its equity – that is, what its shareholders have invested – is $225 billion. When a bank sells a foreclosed house for less

“If the economy continues to tick upward, the Republicans lose their best case. If the economy ticks down, Obama is toast. Regrettably, neither party can do much, because ultimately the economy is connected at the hip to home-building and its recovery is years away.” to books and growing like a weed, had gone to Wall Street twice and needed money a third time, but after March 2000. Wall Street closed its wallet, and e-Toys died. Similarly, presidents get lucky. Jimmy Carter had his problems, but he was also unlucky. Both Apple and Microsoft were founded in the 1970s by teenagers. Only after he left office did those two companies change the economic landscape, creating tens of thousands of jobs directly and millions of jobs indirectly through supporting industries. From 1980 until 2000, taxes went up and down, recessions came and went, regulations came and went, different parties controlled the White House and the Congress, but the economy grew as never before. Fortunately, as teenagers and twenty somethings, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates weren’t 8 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

furniture, insulation, appliances, plumbing and electrical supplies, landscaping, roads, utilities, and the punch list goes on. For decades, the U.S. homeownership rate was 64 percent. Because of easy money and virtually no lending standards, homeownership climbed to 69 percent by 2005. Since then, it has declined to almost 66 percent. (Each percentage point equals approximately 1 million homes.) This overbuilding has caused a long-term economic hangover. From 1990 until 2005, the country had approximately 2.2 million vacant homes in inventory for sale. By 2008, the vacant inventory had climbed to 3.8 million vacant homes and is now about 3.2 million homes. Bad loans and excess inventory caused huge declines in home values and so many foreclo-

than its loan, its equity goes down just as when you sell your house for less than you paid for it. Banks are required by law to have minimum amounts of equity. If they don’t have enough equity, the government takes over (derisively called a “bailout”) to protect your money. With values falling, banks are afraid to make more loans. Here’s the skinny: The national housing stock has at least 5 million additional houses. Banks are scared to loan. Buying and fixing up is cheaper than building new. Housing and construction cannot recover until this excess inventory is absorbed and banks recover. Economists estimate that normalcy will return between 2018 and 2023. What can a presidential candidate really do this year? Pray. This time, luck isn’t going to work.

PUBLISHER

Sonya Bernhardt FEATURE EDITORS

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Adra Williams

IN COUNTRY & ADVERTISING

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ADVERTISING

Renee Antosh Kelly Sullivan WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jen Merino

GRAPHIC DESIGN

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aaro Keipi Jeff Malet Neshan Naltchayan Yvonne Taylor CONTRIBUTORS

Mary Bird Linda Roth Conte Jack Evans Donna Evers Amos Gelb Lisa Gillespie Jody Kurash David Post Alison Schafer Bill Starells

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The Georgetowner is published every other Wednesday. The opinions of our writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect the editorial and corporate opinions of The Georgetowner newspaper. The Georgetowner accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. The Georgetowner reserves the right to edit, re-write, or refuse material and is not responsible for errors or omissions. Copyright, 2012.

EDITORIAL / OPINION

R2P: The New Obama Doctrine? BY J OHN F E NZ E L

“M

ore and more, we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war whose violence and suffering can engulf an entire region. I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds. . . . Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later. That’s why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace.” -- President Barack Obama This statement from President Obama could easily be applied to the emerging civil war in Syria, but they were actually spoken at the outset of his administration, on the occasion of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance. In his speech, he spoke eloquently about “just war,” and “the choice between armed intervention and complicity in oppression.” Both of these messages implicitly embrace an internationalist philosophy that’s widely become known as “Responsibility to Protect,” or “R2P.” A little over a decade ago, the phrase “responsibility to protect” was introduced by an international commission in an effort to recast the doctrines of “right to intervene” and “obligation to intervene,” while still preserving the intent to act decisively in humanitarian crises. R2P

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Soros and actress Mia Farrow — all of the necessary marketing ingredients for a presidential doctrine, ready-made. R2P has strong advocates within the Obama administration, including Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, and Samantha Power, the National Security Council’s senior director, widely consid-

Even a cursory review of President Obama’s speech justifying our Libya intervention last year shows a close alignment — even synchronization — with these criteria. While circumventing Congress is nothing new for presidents, what is noteworthy in the case of Libya is Obama’s apparent effort to elevate R2P as a universal principle that not only trumps traditional perceptions of national sovereignty but also transcends the constitutional tenets that give Congress the sole authority to declare war. Whether the president will declare his official sponsorship of R2P remains to be seen, but the language of his recent speeches and the actions of his administration make it clear that R2P is indeed a cornerstone of his foreign policy. A telling indicator will be whether he is willing to give R2P even more prominence by intervening militarily in Syria without UN Security Council approval. While some may hail a unilateral

“According to R2P, every state has a responsibility to protect its population from mass atrocities. If they can’t do it themselves, the international community is obligated to assist them — even if they don’t want the help.” quickly assumed the status of a “norm” (rather than a law) for the United Nations in preventing mass atrocities of the kind witnessed in Rwanda and Bosnia. A year ago, in his speech justifying the U.S. intervention in Libya, Obama announced that Libya’s assault against its civilian population created a “responsibility” for the international community, stating that “when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act.” Most recently, the U.S. dispatched a special operations force to Uganda to act against one of Africa’s most brutal guerrilla groups. The precedents in word and deed clearly convey an active endorsement of R2P. However, the true test may lie ahead in our response to Syria’s ongoing repression. R2P has evolved with a set of defining “pillars,” “thresholds” and “obligations.” Entire non-governmental organizations have since been built around R2P. It even has its own Twitter hash-tag with a host of followers, to include billionaire George

ered one of the principal architects of the Libya intervention. In short, R2P shatters the premise that sovereignty, in the strict Westphalian sense is inviolable, arguing instead that it is a responsibility. According to R2P, every state has a responsibility to protect its population from mass atrocities. If they can’t do it themselves, the international community is obligated to assist them — even if they don’t want the help. Once peaceful measures like economic sanctions have failed, the international community has the responsibility to intervene militarily — but only as a last resort and only if the UN Security Council authorizes it. In a narrative reminiscent of St. Augustine’s letter to Boniface outlining what would ultimately become the foundation for Just War theory, R2P advocates that all military interventions must fulfill six broad criteria: • Just Cause • Right Intention • Final Resort

NATO campaign against Syria as further strengthening R2P, the irony is that it could actually weaken it. Just as inconsistency or failure to act in humanitarian crises can diminish an R2P-based policy, any perception of “R2P-as-Subterfuge” for Western national self-interests (crushing the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah axis, for instance), could have devastating affects for the broad R2P construct, long term. In the coming months, Obama’s action or inaction on Syria will largely determine whether R2P is to remain a UN norm or if it will ultimately emerge as the “Obama Doctrine.” It’s a topic being discussed by administration strategists — and the whispers outside the White House gates have already begun. Yet, a more fundamental, if not practical, question for those West Wing discussions will be whether an R2P policy is sustainable in a time when defense budgets are dramatically declining.

A Balanced Budget for D.C. Now, But What About Fiscal 2013? BY JACK EVANS

his week the D.C. Council met at its annual retreat to review legislative priorities, receive briefings from various officials and make plans for the coming year. We also recently received the audit of the fiscal 2011 budget – known as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (“CAFR”), an event of particular interest to me as Chair of the Council’s Committee on Finance and Revenue. First, the good news from the fiscal 2011 CAFR: the District sustained its 15th annual balanced budget and unqualified “clean” audit. In short, our finances today are a far cry from the desperate straits we faced in the mid-1990s. The audit also confirmed we have no “material weaknesses” (we had two in fiscal 2008) and reduced our “significant deficiencies” from five to two. I am glad we have made meaningful progress on our internal control systems. Every year, the District spends millions of dollars on various audit functions – not only the CAFR, but also the operations of the D.C. Auditor and the Office of the Inspector General. A few years ago, we decided to pool all this information more systematically and bring in under-performing agencies to submit remediation plans to correct the deficiencies. This new approach has begun to pay off. We finished fiscal 2011 with a surplus of nearly $240 million, which now resides in our savings accounts. While I am glad that our financial position remains so strong, this surplus has caused a lot of anger among the hundreds of thousands of District residents who were asked to pay a number of new taxes and fees in last year’s budget, which I voted against. Before we rush to spend this money on an ever-expanding government, I think we need to take a hard look at making more sustainable spending choices. We have already received briefings on the status of the current fiscal 2012 budget by Mayor Gray and are expecting the upcoming fiscal 2013 budget submission from the mayor in late March. While we have a windfall now, indications are that the mayor will seek to spend all of this money and more to address potential gaps in the budget if he does not begin to spend within his budget. Every year, seemingly, we face “spending pressures” in the middle of the fiscal year. As it is February, the mayor has the opportunity to review these problems and take corrective action so that we end fiscal 2012 with a balanced budget. A more difficult challenge will be the work of the mayor and the council to balance the fiscal 2013 budget. Unfortunately, the government has built in cost increases every year, so that we pass the biggest budget in our history each year in spite of the difficult economic climate. No other state goes through recessions without making tough spending choices as a result. Clearly, this spring we will have some very serious challenges facing us and many tough decisions to make. I hope that with your help we can convince the mayor and my colleagues to find efficiencies within existing agency budgets by making tough choices rather than simply increasing taxes every year. Before the budget is released, we first go through the performance oversight process. Over the past two weeks, I have sent a number of questions to the agencies under my purview to collect data on agency structure and recent spending. After I review what has worked and what has not, I will be in a better position to make recommendations on adjustments to the agency budgets for next year. Thanks for your support during this process, and please feel free to contact my office as well as to my colleagues to share your views.

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A farewell party for Antiques of Georgetown is planned for March at the store, after it officially closes Feb. 29. “I’ve been very happy here,” said William Donahue, whose first antiques shop was four doors east on O Street. “I have loved being my own boss.” As reported in the Jan. 25 Georgetowner, Donahue—who has operated an antique shop in Georgetown since 1967—is retiring. An economics major, Donohue worked for Riggs Bank downtown until the antiques world became a business for him. “My wife Mary and I had three kids when I started,” Donahue said. “We lived in Foxhall Village.” Now, they have places in Bethesda and Georgetown, and wife Mary prefers to spend more time in Florida. “One of my best clients was Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger,” said Donahue, who also recalled when First Lady Nancy Reagan visited his shop and was given two pieces of art she had admired—by the artist. The most interesting piece he sold? A desk with nine secret compartments. His most sentimental item? A chandelier from his family’s R Street home, still in the shop. The Donahue family—the father was a physician—grew up on 35th Street. The children were born in Georgetown University Hospital; that same building is now Loyola dormitory. A brother, Matt, who lived on Prospect Street, died Jan. 19.

Billy Donahue of Antiques of Georgetown

Donahue remembers delivering newspapers in town when many black families lived on 32nd Street and elsewhere. Grown-up memories include Sunday brunches at Doc Dalinsky’s pharmacy with trays of food from the Georgetown Inn’s Collins Bird. One of those Sunday regulars, Ben Bradlee, might add: It has been a good life— antiquing and other adventures—for Donahue. The store is having a half-price sale; check www.Georgetowner.com for details on the March send-off.

Say Hello to a 2nd Tu-O-Tu

On Feb. 20, owner Mino Sarano opened a second eatery, Cafe Tu-O-Tu Express, at 3421 M Street, N.W., right next to the Pie Sisters. The Regency Row spot on the west side of town complements his first Tu-O-Tu near the Fours Season Hotel. Manager Bora Akcakanat welcomes his new neighbors with wraps, salads and an allday breakfast that includes a “Key Bridge” egg sandwich. So, that’s area code 202 . . . 337 4455.

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MORTGAGE

Let’s Have Some Refinance Relief for FHA Mortgage Loan Holders BY BILL STA RRE L S

n April 18, 2011 the mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) were increased on all Federal Housing Administration mortgages. The old monthly premium was .55 percent. The new premium is 1.1 percent, or double the older ratio. This change means an increase in premiums for those looking for purchase money loans, plus existing FHA mortgage holders interested in refinancing. The increase affects FHA-to-FHA refinances. If the president is serious about encouraging refinances of government-backed FHA mortgages, then the rules need to be relaxed on refinances. The rule now means that individuals who have an FHA mortgage that pre-dates the MIP increase are subject to the much higher MIP if they want to refinance. The 100-percent increase negates most of the savings on refinances. From 2006 to 2010, there were approximately 3,200,000 FHA mortgage loans taken out (excluding reverse mortgages). All these mortgage holders would be subject to the higher MIP if they refinanced today. On a 300,000 mortgage, the older monthly mortgage insurance premium on a 95-percent FHA loan would increase by $140 a month. Unless the customer is coming down from a

very high mortgage interest rate, the higher MIP would all but wipe out the savings of the lower rate. The government should grandfather the older MIP formula for customers who have been paying on time with their older FHA loans. The rules need to be modified for these folks. The rational for the premium increase was to bolster the reserves used for FHA mortgages that result in default. The default rate for FHA mortgages has been in the eight- to nine-percent range for the last few years. The percentages of defaults have lessened some because of the higher quality of originations, due to vigorous underwriting standards. This rule fix should be a priority for the president and Congress when they tackle economic issues this year. It is a simple fix that would help tens of millions of homeowners who hold government-sponsored FHA mortgages. If 40 percent of the mortgage holders from 2006 to 2010 refinanced and the average savings was $250 a month, this would amount to a “stimulus” to the tune of just under $500,000.00 with little cost to the government. Bill Starrels lives in Georgetown and is a mortgage loan officer specializing in refinances and purchase mortgages. He can be reached at 703-625-7355 or bill.starrels@gmail.com.

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hen I woke up on the first morning of the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 9, I didn’t know what to expect. I got ready, remembered to pack my student ID, put on my blue sweater, and ran out the door. When walking into the site of the convention, the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, I quickly realized I had grabbed the wrong colored clothing item. Everyone was wearing red. It was like this throughout the entire weekend. I spotted red skirts, dresses, ties, fingernails, and shoes. Each day, supporters sported buttons of their favorite conservative leaders. They held signs for who they believe should win the 2012 election. They passed out pamphlets and brochures, asked people to sign petitions and promised to give away free sunglasses and chapsticks if anyone stopped to talk to them for just a brief moment about their far-right political views. Bloggers, reporters and conservatives flooded the hotel lobby. Booths upon booths displayed water bottles, stickers and pens in support of the right to bear arms, pro-life campaigns and the end of Obamacare. I walked in to the hotel each day ready to be approached by ideas and views which I wasn’t

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sure if I was for or against. Do I agree with how Republicans want to help our economy? Do I like the way they want to deal with Social Security and Medicare in the future? I walked into the hotel feeling bombarded by the strong conservative beliefs of others. There were men in fat-suit costumes that represented big government, there were men dressed in Colonial garb, ranting about our Founding Fathers. There were also the political leaders themselves demanding that the right side was the best side. Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain called liberals stupid people in his speech. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

(R-Ky.) said, “Conservatives are more fun because we’re always right.” Former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said, “Obama’s miscalculations are changing history.” Former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, called birth control pill litigation a direct violation of our first amendment. Rick Santorum, a Republican presidential candidate, predicted that Obama’s health care plan “will crush economic freedom.” At times, these ideas and thoughts from our leaders were so harsh, negative and opinionated that I never once stopped tweeting, constantly hashtagging CPAC. I never once stopped snapping photos, capturing smiles, glares, standing ovations and OccupyDC protesters outside. I never once stopped recording the speeches of guest speakers. I never once stopped thinking about what the Democrats would say in response to these Republicans. I never once stopped trying to figure out where I stood. Each day that I walked out of the conference and out of the hotel feeling more and more educated about our country’s political divide, I questioned which side of the line I belonged -- and if it would ever be okay just to stand right in the middle. ★

EDUCATION

Tudor Place, Georgetown’s Washington Family Connection BY ALISON SCHAFER

t is the nooks and crannies. The sleuthing, the surprise at the bottom of a box, learning about the hands that touched the bowl, dusted the lamp, paid the bill. The ghosts at Tudor Place have plenty of stories to tell. Like every beloved old house, Tudor Place still retains the imprint of its people, the family who built it and lived in it for six generations. At Tudor Place, the past is not only present, it vibrates. In the bottom of an old box, Tudor Place staff found, under layers of old papers, a big piece of wallpaper. The piece is, according to Tudor Place’s executive director Leslie Buhler, probably one of the largest samples of late 18th-century wallpaper in existence. It is finds like this that make an old house come alive — the tastes and foibles of the very real people who once inhabited it. “Because the house is so intimate,” Buhler says, “people really connect with it.” But even in a town where only the very latest polling data is news, people still care about what came before the rattle of the Metro bus and the latest scandal. Leslie Buhler looks out her window at the Tudor Place gardens below. “We did a paint analysis of the front door, and it turns out it was verdigris. The house itself was

Leslie L. Buhler

a golden color. I think about riding on a horse down here from R Street . . . it would’ve really made a wow!” It still makes a wow. Think of seeing it

Above: Removal of the 1870s tin roof exposes early 18th c. Temple Portico roof Left: Stoddert School children performing on South Lawn.

through the eyes of a first grader who’s never before left her neighborhood. The house’s size, the tall old trees, the history; the place is fantastic. One of Tudor Place’s most successful programs brings about 3,000 school kids a year from all over Washington to visit. They can try on colonial costumes and learn about the past. Some classes do performances and recitals out on its South Lawn at Q and 31st Streets. Education is one of Tudor Place’s most important tasks, Buhler says. To bring people in, the old house offers everything from Girl Scout programs to birthday parties to lectures and crafts classes for adults. Once people come inside the front gate, the sense of another era is inescapable. And, as Buhler says, “because we’re in the nation’s capital, many people here and who visit are interested in history.” Preservation, of the house and its grounds, of the objects and artifacts, is Tudor Place’s other major goal. There are more than 15,000 objects in Tudor Place’s collection, and all of them tell a story. Two years ago, Tudor Place threw a party to welcome home an old friend: a chest-on-chest that George Washington kept in his bedroom. In 1816, it moved to Tudor Place, and, after some wanderings, in 2010 it came home again. After repair work, it now lives

in the upstairs hallway. Preserving those old vases, spoons and books, and their histories, is expensive. Even the old trees need expert attention. Tudor Place spends between $25,000 and $30,000 each year maintaining its trees. Even the ground underneath those trees is worthy of preservation. Tudor Place’s old outbuildings lie underground, waiting to be uncovered. The remains of a smokehouse are on the grounds, and the remnants of a dairy are just north of the property. Intriguingly enough,

Tudor Place’s archeologists have found no trace of a freestanding kitchen building. “The hardest challenge is grabbing peoples’ attention and helping them understand why Tudor Place is important, and why they should help fund it,” Buhler says. Tudor Place’s annual budget is more than one million dollars. Buhler says it ought to be about $1.5 million annually to run smoothly and provide enough for upkeep and conservation. But, like almost all art institutions these days, Tudor Place scrambles for every dollar. The staff must also convince potential donors and even potential visitors that it is a worthy place for attention even if George Washington didn’t sleep there. He didn’t — the house was built in 1816 by Martha Washington’s granddaughter and her husband. But the lives they and their children led, the people they knew, the things they ate, are of great interest even if no president ever darkened the sheets. Tudor Place | 1644 31st St., N.W. | 202-9650400 | TudorPlace.org ★

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 13

IN COUNTRY

A Locavore’s Cheese Tasting Weekends BY ARI POST

rginia and Maryland cheesemakers are a tight-knit bunch. They are largely artisanal, small-batch producers that got started with the most basic, homegrown means. Many are self-taught hobbyists that went pro. Others followed their passion for dairy together with a passion for the local landscape. These cheeses are diverse, unique and delicious, running the gamut, from cow milk to sheep and goat milk cheeses. There has been enormous headway within the community since the local industry got off the ground in the 1990s. According to Adam Smith, manager of Cowgirl Creamery cheese market in Penn Quarter, there is a hugely impressive array of cheesemakers within a stone’s throw of the District. “I love introducing people to cheeses from around the area,” says Smith, who spent years in the California cheese industry before relocating to oversee Cowgirl’s flagship East Coast shop. “It isn’t just because it’s local, but because of the quality of the product. The diversity and quality of cheeses in the region allows people to find what they want.” Smith, who promotes local cheeses through his shop, is not alone in his opinion. Cheeses from the area have been taking home national and international awards. They are now on par with France, Vermont, Spain and Switzerland as world-class artisans and producers. For those who are interested, there are opportunities to get

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to know their local, cheese-producing community. Everona Dairy and Caromont Farm are two regional dairy farms that bring visitors into the process of cheesemaking. Don’t be fooled: These are working dairy farms, not tourist attractions — but the cheesemakers here offer us a chance to see into their process and get a better understanding of what is being accomplished just beyond the Washington area. With locations in the historic Virginia countryside, surrounded by vineyards and bedand-breakfast inns, it’s well worth carving out a cheesy weekend in your travel schedule. To find out about more dairy farms within the region, like Firefly Farms in Accident, Md., visit www.Georgetowner.com/Living

Everona Dairy “There would be no cheese in Virginia if it weren’t for Pat Elliott,” says Gail Hobbs, owner of Caromont Farm. “She’s a pioneer.” Pat Elliott is the owner of Everona Dairy in Rapidan, Va. — just an hour south of Washington by way of Charlottesville — one of the country’s most acclaimed producers of sheep’s milk cheese. Elliott’s frank, casual disposition belies her achievement in the industry. You probably won’t hear her waxing poetic about divine dairy inspiration or the rejuvenating aroma of a windswept countryside. She’s more likely you to tell you that you just stepped in sheep manure and

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A cheese plate of regional Virginia and Maryland cheeses is a perfect starter for parties or intimate evenings.

show you the most effective way to clean your sneakers. A doctor and family practitioner by day, Elliott got her start in the cheese industry rather unusually. “I bought a border collie in the early ‘90s,” she says, “and eventually had to get something for her to do. So, I got sheep for her to wrangle! And then I decided the sheep needed to pull their weight. So, I started to milk them and realized we could make cheese.” By 1996, Everona Dairy was up and running. Easy. Many of us consider cows to be the dairyand cheese-producing animal — and in America that’s largely true. But Elliot points out that sheep’s milk is the predominant milk for cheeses throughout the Mediterranean, Italy, Britain, France, Belgium and Denmark. “It’s a good

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trivia fact,” she says. “There is actually more sheep’s milk being made in the world than cow’s milk.” Everona’s signature cheese is the Piedmont, which won the Farmhouse category for sheep’s milk cheese at the American Cheese Society’s annual competition in 2005. “It’s unique to its category,” says Smith over at Cowgirl Creamery. “We’re constantly selling out of it. It has an insane amount of depth — when people taste it, they’re awed by it.” Its Shenandoah (the cheeses all have place names), created in 2008 by Elliott and cheesemaker Carolyn Wentz, is the only Swiss-style sheep’s milk cheese in the world. In 2009, it received a Bronze award in the United States Cheese Contest and placed tenth in the world at the 2010 World Cheese Championship. Open Wednesday through Sunday in the afternoon hours, Elliott invites guests to come see how Everona Dairy works. Visitors are taken through the cheesemaking process, shown where the milk is made and the cheeses are ripened, and invited to a tasting afterward. Guests should call ahead if they plan to visit. “There’s almost always someone here,” Elliott says. “But we want to be ready to host.” With Charlottesville just down the road, as well as the Caromont Farm cheese folks, make it a wine and cheese weekend. www.EveronaDairy.com

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110 East Washington Street | Middleburg, Virginia 20117 (540) 687-5588

IN COUNTRY

Caromont Farm Continuing past Everona Dairy and passing south of Charlottesville, you will find Caromont Farm in Esmont, Va. Owner Gail Hobbs started out producing and distributing her fresh goat’s milk cheese through her community, but soon expanded and began experimenting with aging her product. “People tend to think of goat’s milk cheese as only fresh cheese around here,” says Hobbs. “But in Spain and France, goat’s milk cheeses are frequently and successfully well aged.” Caromont’s raw, aged goat cheese is unique in its category, with wonderful flavors and textures. “It’s a very well crafted cheese,” says Smith at Cowgirl Creamery. “And there are not a lot of people making and aging mid-sized wheels of raw goat cheese for several months. It’s pretty cool.” Another mission for Hobbs is to bring out the distinct flavor of the local land — or terroir — into the cheese. “That’s why we work so much with raw milk,” she says. “More terroir is expressed in the final product with less water and electricity used. We’re so new that it’s really uncharted territory. But I was encouraged by what our area has to offer: big farms, lots of grass, and it’s not industrial. It’s just very new for this area. But we’ve come quite far.” Caromont recently decided to utilize the great resources of cow’s milk in the surrounding area and has since started sourcing milk and making cow’s milk cheese as well.

And while the cow’s milk cheese is very good, their goat cheese is ethereal. The Esmontian, Caromont’s premier raw goat’s milk cheese, is a dense cheese with a runny interior that tastes faintly acidic and slightly sour, with a delicate, sweet overtone. The Alberene Ash is a small, aged pyramid of cheese with a thin layer of ash through its center and dusted on its outside, which is aged in a wild blue mold-filled cave for three weeks. When the pyramid is perfectly covered in wild blue, they’re ready. This one is as pretty as it is tasty. Caromont doesn’t have the open door policy for visitors the way some larger dairy farms do. However, if you call them, they’re usually happy to take cheese enthusiasts around the farm. “We don’t really have an area for visitors,” says Hobbs. “But we try to accommodate people who are interested in seeing what we do. By appointment only, we say. If you’re interested, give us a call. We want to encourage people to see what we’re about.” “A lot of these places are very small,” says Hobbs about her fellow cheesemakers and their facilities. “And it can be a very sensitive area — hair nets, boot covers. It’s not like going to a petting zoo or a chocolate factory. That’s why our goal is to have something in town where people could learn about cheese and experience it there. It’s in the works.” www.CaromontFarm.com

keswick, virginia 202.390.2323 www.castlehillcider.com events@castlehillcider.com

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Ask about our “February is for Lovers at Goodstone” Package. 36205 SNAKE HILL ROAD, MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 Please call 540.687.3333 to reserve your guest room or place at our table.

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COVER STORY

Up Close and Behind the Scenes with the Kennedy Center’s Mickey Berra Starting as a stage hand in its founding year, Berra has become the Kennedy Center’s hands-on stage master, and the man who keeps the show running — literally. B Y GARY T IS C H LE R

ow in its 41st year, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents itself in a rush of contradictions operating in the same time and space. It’s a national center for the arts that feels at once elevated and eclectic, performance art for the high brow and the populist center, tuxedos and blue jeans. At once expensive and expansively free, it is a cultural shrine for all, and a place where education is as important as edification of the cultural palate. It’s where you find Mickey Berra, the Kennedy Center’s vice president for production, who is in charge of everything that gets put on the center’s numerous stages and venues. When “Cosi Fan Tutte” kicks off the Washington National Opera’s spring season Feb. 25, he will be the one that makes sure the acoustics work and the costumes are in place. When the performance troupes from Eastern Europe come in for the “Music of Budapest, Prague & Vienna” festival on that very same day, Berra will make sure they all have what they need when it starts. Berra, on the operations level and in his own way, keeps the place running

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smoothly. As much as anybody, he is the face of the Kennedy Center, having been present since its foundation in 1971. From stagehand at the Opera House to his current standing, Berra is a walking, talking collective memory of the Kennedy Center. If cops bleed blue, Berra bleeds the deep red of the Kennedy Center’s carpets. Get him going, and he doesn’t stop. “There’s no performing arts hall like it anywhere in the world, not in terms of everything we do here,” he says. He rattles off the names of all the venues: the Opera House, the Eisenhower, the Concert Hall, the Theater Lab, the relatively new Children’s Theater, the Millennium Stage spaces, the Concert Hall, the Terrace Theater and the Jazz Club. “It’s like a big city,” he says. “And the venues, they’re the neighborhoods.” He came to Washington in the 1960s with his brother Tommy — who would eventually run operations at the Ford’s Theatre before retiring — from a family that worked in carnivals. Berra, 66, has two grown children and has been married for 35 years to the love of his life, Marcy. “I hit the lotto jackpot, there, let me tell you”, he says. He has

met many of the people who have passed through the Kennedy Center over the years: the actors, the dancers, the musicians the opera singers, the international figures, the writers and directors. “Sometimes you look at all this, and it’s still hard to imagine where I am,” he says. We’re all sitting around backstage talking, pointing at the haunting, mementofilled walls at the Opera House, where Berra rose from regular stagehand to head stagehand, where I played ping-pong with stagehands and spoke with Berra years ago when “Les Miserables” first came to town. Although Berra is in charge of all of the stages now, you can tell that the years spent at the Opera House remain dear to his heart. He loves the dancers, the Barishnikovs, the ballerinas, the Russians. “I know we like football and all that stuff, and we love our ballplayers. But for my money, there are no better athletes than ballet dancers. And Barishnikov I think was the best. When the Russians — the Bolshoi, the Kirov, all of them — when they came, sometimes we’d have them over to the house and ply them with pizza. They loved

pizza.” Names roll out: Princess Margaret, Paul McCartney, Carol Channing, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Cate Blanchett. But when Berra talks about big stars and artists, he never gives the appearance of dropping names to impress you. He’s sharing the richness of his life, still amazed after 40 years here. He often gives backstage tours to groups, he says. It’s all just part of his resume and life. There probably isn’t a person working in Washington who’s more experienced in terms of actual dealings with the performance arts and the artists and designers who occupy its world. Mickey — he says no one calls him Michael — talks about looking forward to “Memphis,” the musical about Elvis, Johnny Cash and a ground-breaking recording at Sun Studios, and prepping for the upcoming music festival. Berra is a pro. As a big part of the Kennedy Center’s heart and soul, he is thus the heart and soul of what we experience here as our cultural heritage. But Berra isn’t the type of guy to put on airs. He’d rather put on a show or tell you a story. “I’m older,” he says. “But this . . . this never gets old.” ★

COVER STORY

Best Theater Bets Coming Soon In addition to current offerings, as well as the O’Neill Festival with all of its main attractions and special events, the spring leading up to summer offers a treasure trove of new and old plays throughout the region. Here’s a look at some of the more alluring, interesting, and entertaining, bets coming soon to a theater near you: “Brother Russia” — How about a rock musical about Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, the mad monk and evil influence on the Czar of all the Russias who helped fuel the Russian Revolution? Signature Theater artistic director Eric Schaeffer, never one to shy from a challenge, takes a show being put on by a rag-tag Russian troupe putting on rocking versions of classic works by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But this time they’re featuring their star, impresario and inspiration, Rasputin, the mad monk. With music by Dana Rowe and lyrics by John Dempsey — the creators of popular Signature hits “The Fix” and “The Witches of Eastwick” Schaeffer is directing another world premiere. John Lescault will star as the infamous rocking monk. March 6 through April 15 at Signature’s MAX Theatre.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” — I know, I know, sounds sappy, but we say it isn’t so. Who doesn’t like Charlie Brown and Peanuts and Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang? Opens this week and runs through March 18 at Olney Theatre Center.

The Cast of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Photo by Scott Suchman.

“1776” — A must-see, not only for all those

Arthur Rowan (King Arthur) and Brittany Woodrow (The Lady of the Lake) in Spamalot. Photo by Scott Suchman.

conservative folks in the country who claim first-name friendship and knowledge of our founding fathers but for those of us who don’t. All factions are bound to be surprised to find that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams and others were: human, very. This musical, a classic often done but always fresh, centers around the meeting of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress, as they decided whether to leave the British Empire, while Jefferson, missing his wife badly, writes the DOI. Great, adult, political and musical fun, this production is directed by Peter Flynn with an assist from Jennifer Nelson. March 9 through May 19 at Ford’s Theater.

“Crown of Shadows, the Wake of Odysseus” — a world premiere by Jason Gray Platt, fits nicely into the literary bent evident lately at the Round House Theater in Bethesda where Blake Robinson will be directing this play, a modern version of what happens to the family Ulysses left behind while on his long journey home from Troy. April 11-May 6 at Round House Theater.

“New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656” — Despite the long title, this is a compelling piece of theater. Ask anyone who saw it at Theater J in 2010. The play, by the versatile and eclectic playwright-director David Ives (“Venus in Fur”), is directed by Jerry Skidmore

Lansburgh Theatre, March 16 through 25. Then, from April 4 through May 6, Twist teams up with cabaret star Joey Arias to tell the story of a drag queen in the Garden of Eden at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre -- “Arias With a Twist.” Oh, and just for fun, Twist will perform in a 1,000-gallon water tank. March 29-31 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Kogod Theatre. and stars Alexander Strain as Spinoza, the ardent 16th-century proponent of rationalism and brilliant absolute philosopher who is facing excommunication from his Jewish community. The production is accompanied by discussion, a companion play-in-progress called “Spinoza’s Solitude.” It also features Michael Tolaydo repeating his Helen Hayes-nominated performance as Spinoza’s mentor. February 29-April 1 at Theater J.

“Petrushka” and Basil Twist — World famous, stylish, edgy and outrageous puppeteer Basil Twist is having quite a time for himself in Washington. Twist, regarded by the Creative Capital Foundation as one of the most “ambitious and imaginative” puppeteers in the world, is re-imagining “Petrushka,” the Ballet Russe production about a clown, a Moor and a ballerina at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s

“Spamalot” — The nutty knights of Camelot return to Washington in their slightly altered (via Monty Python) forms in Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” the 2005 Best Musical of 2005. March 13-18 at the Warner Theatre.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”— Judith Viorst’s much beloved children’s and family book becomes a highlight of Adventure Theater’s 60th anniversary season, directed by Gail Humphries with music by Shelly Markham and starring Broadway’s Sandy Bainum. March 2-April 9 at Adventure Theater.

“Sucker Punch” — This one could provide a knockout hit for Studio Theater. It’s a new play by Roy Williams, deemed one of Britain’s finest playwrights by the Guardian newspaper, and it’s a first production for one of Williams’s plays in the United States, directed by Leah C. Gardiner with fight choreography by Peter Pucci. This U.S. premiere is about two black brothers trying to box their way to world fame in the Margaret Thatcher era. February 29-April 8 at Studio Theater.

The Tamings of the Shrews — There are not one but two “Taming of the Shrews” on tap, one in which Katarina gets to yell, and one in which she does not. The stars from Georgia will perform its wordless version at the Lansburgh Theatre March 29-April 22, and the Folger Theatre concludes its season with the more traditional — words by William Shakespeare — version, May 1-June 10. GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 17

COVER STORY

The Enduring Influence of Eugene O’Neill

Rob Jansen in Ah, Eugene O’Neill!, or The Birth, Death and (Impractical) Rebirth of American Theater. Photo by Chelsie Lloyd.

BY GARY T IS CHL ER

“H

e was America’s greatest playwright. He was the writer who influenced everyone who came after. He plumbed the deepest mysteries we encounter in life. He wrote about the darkest moments in our lives.” Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith was talking about none other than Eugene O’Neill, who, with probably not too much argument from anyone, was and perhaps remains our finest master of theater and literature, exploding with a rich and troubled career of the kind of scope and ambition this country had not seen before. O’Neill is the subject of a two-month, far-ranging in venues and events homage and festival, an homage and celebration of O’Neill’s work and lasting influence through performance, discussion, readings -- and sometimes events not entirely easy to categorize. “It’s also a great opportunity to initiate collaborative projects with other theaters or with our universities. Sometimes, that’s become an increasingly effective creative force in the city and become a characteristic part of this city’s culture,” Smith said. The festival is spearheaded by three full-length productions, two at Arena Stage and the third at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. In addition, there will be 20 readings, workshops, radio plays, lectures, panels, presentations and art exhibits throughout the Mead Center, and a number of diverse partnering groups, organizations and institutions, among them the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, the Capital Yacht Club, Georgetown University, George Washington University, the New York Neo-Futurists, the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Taffety Punk and the University of Maryland. “At Arena, we’ve had similar festivals for Arthur Miller several years ago and for Edward Albee last year,” Smith said. “I would think it’s about time we honored O’Neill in a similar way.” It is easy enough to see O’Neill who was born in the last part of the 19th century as a kind of progenitor in the middle of the 20th century and father of modern American Theater, and it is not too crazy to compare him to non-American geniuses like Shakespeare, Shaw, Ibsen and Chekhov. The three plays being performed offer ready-made examples of the O’Neill oeuvre: there is “Long Day’s

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Journey Into Night” at Arena’s Kreeger Theater, the long, classic and hypnotizing family epic, loosely based on the travails of his own family; there is “Strange Interlude,” one of the less seen works because of both its epic and poetic nature, and “Ah, Wilderness!,” the 1930s play about small-town American life, and often seen as O’Neill light, as in light-hearted, fueled by an unusual amount of optimism, a play which makes the similar “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder look downright bleak. Smith, who has directed productions of such O’Neill plays as “A Moon for the Misbegotten” and a brilliant “Anna Christie” at Arena, sees “Ah, Wilderness!” which in the distant future from its opening morphed into a musical starring Jackie Gleason and called “Take Me Along,” as evidence of O’Neill’s Irish humor, although some of the great, ambitious and/or autobiographical plays like “Long Day’s” and “The Iceman Cometh” are scarcely laugh-filled. While Arena is the major force and organizer behind the festival, Smith herself did not direct any of the three plays. “O’Neill looked at the darkest part of himself and his family and America,” Smith said. “He influenced everyone that was a serious playwright, from Williams to Miller and so on.” The festival runs from March 9 to April 8, while “Ah Wilderness!” is probably the official kickoff event in full flower, opening March 9 and running through April 9. The play is a kind of coming-of-age story at its heart, portraying the Connecticut Miller family during plans for a Fourth of July celebration, and features a group of Washington’s outstanding actors, including Nancy Robinette, Rick Foucheux and the teenaged June Schreiner who made such a splash in Arena’s Oklahoma. Long-time Arena favorite Kyle Donnelly will direct. “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” directed by Robin Phillips will run at the Kreeger Theater, March 30 through May 6, as the Tyrone Family battles each other and the travails of money and ambition. Shakespeare Theater Company Artist Director Michael Kahn tackles one of O’Neill’s most difficult plays in his production of “Strange Interlude” which spans two decades. It was hugely controversial in its time (a1920 debut) and then became a smash hit, a hugely dramatic modern American tragedy. (March 27 through April 29)

WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA’S SPRING SEASON

ABOVE: A drawing of the set of ‘Nabucco,’ which opens on Saturday, April 28. LEFT: Production photo of Cosí fan tutte, which opens on Saturday, February 25. BELOW: Angela Gheorghiu, who performs in concert on Saturday, March 3. Photo by Cosmin Gogu

Cosi Fan Tutte — Mozart’s dense, stylish, comic opera called by one critic a “mix of comedy and psychological pain.” Directed by English giant theater-opera man Jonathan Miller, starring Elizabeth Futral, Renata Pokupic, Joel Prieto, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, William Shimell and Christine Brandes. February 25-March 15.

Nabucco — Verdi’s rarely done opera about an epic royal family battle for power in the ancient world with the Babylonian king, Nabucco (aka Nebuchadnezzar, he who defeated and enslaved the Jews), in the foreground. Lavishly directed by Thaddeus Strassberg, with WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin conducting and Franco Vassallo and Csilla Boross debuting for the WNO in the starring roles. April 28-May 21.

Werther — Considered to be Massinet’s finest work about the young poet Werther (of Goethe fame) who falls in love with the beautiful Charlotte in a doomed love affair. Italian tenor Francesco Mell stars as Werther with mezzo-soprano Sonia Ganassias as Charlotte. Chris Alexander directs, and Emmanuel Villaume conducts. May 12-27.

Angela Gheorghiu in Concert — The famed Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu performs in concert March 7 at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House with a program of selections from operas by Mozart, Massenet, Puccini and others. Part of this season’s Placido Domingo Celebrity Series.

Diva Light: An Evening with Deborah Voigt — The noted Wagner singer takes a break from “Sturm und Drang” and performs songs from the Great American Songbook with Teddy Tahu Rhodes (who is also in “Cosi,” accompanied by the WNO Orchestra, conducted by Ted Sperling. Also part of the Domingo series, March 17.

ART MAP

Georgetown Gallery Walk: Book Hill Makes for Artful Wanderings BY ARI POST

The Georgetown galleries on Book Hill are one of the few remaining true gallery clusters in the city. Meandering along the 1600 block of Wisconsin Avenue and nearby 33rd Street, we are surrounded by art, free to walk into galleries that call to us from their vibrant window displays. This group of galleries offers us a great variety of works to explore, from renowned glasswork to classic landscapes and the contemporary and avant-garde. Here’s a look at what’s happening on Book Hill. For more information on the Georgetown Galleries on Book Hill, visit www.GeorgetownGalleries.com

1. Addison/Ripley Fine Art

Washington artist Isabel Manalo is a painter who has taught at American University’s art department for ten years, as well as shown locally, nationally and internationally throughout her career. “Bits of Elsewhere” is Manalo’s third 2 exhibition with Addison Ripley, and the new work follows her ongoing pursuit of capturing memory and the tenuous, ethereal uncertainty of human nature. Her mixed media works mix paints and photographs with unprecedented subtlety and grace — it’s hard not to be moved by their pulsing, expansive nature. March 10 through April 14.

5. Heiner Contemporary

Through March 3, the collages, sketchbooks, prints and installations of Austin Thomas turn Heiner Contemporary into a center of social and artistic discourse. Thomas’s centerpiece for the exhibit, an interactive desk and workspace, engages visitors to talk, read, draw, think and listen. The show will close with an artist discussion on March 3 at 4 p.m. On March 10, Heiner Contemporary will open its next exhibition, titled: “Avery Lawrence Is Moving a Tree and Arranging Suitcases.” Details are still trickling in, but if the title alone doesn’t get your attention, what will?

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1670 Wisconsin Ave., NW. | www.AddisonRipleyFineArt.com

2. Galerie Blue Square

Two series of works by Russian-born artist Yevgeniy Fiks will open with a public reception on March 3, from 4 – 7 p.m., and continue through April 14. Fiks explores historical, communist threads in his conceptual works and projects, presenting the cultural, post-Soviet practice of “making the absurd seem normal, at the same time the West is seduced and implicated in it.” His latest series, “Magnitogorsk Guide to the National Gallery of Art,” will be on view, and a “performance” tour at the National Gallery of Art on March 24 accompanies the exhibit. 1662 33rd St., NW. | www.GalerieBlueSquare.com

3. Neptune Fine Art

Gallery Director Chris Neptune, recently moved into D.C. from New York, specializes in modern and contemporary art. With an extensive collection of artists ranging from contemporary masters such as Mel Bochner (now on view in the Tower of the National Gallery) and Alex Katz, to the timeless works of the Cubists and Impressionists, Neptune Fine Art has work to suit anyone’s palette. Opening April 21, “On Paper: Picasso & Matisse” offers a look into the drawings and prints of these renowned artists, who had a history of healthy competition with each other. 1662 33rd St., NW. | www.NeptuneFineArt.com

1675 Wisconsin Ave., NW. | www.HeinerContemporary.com

6. Maurine Littleton Gallery

4. Robert Brown Gallery

Formerly on R St. near Dupont Circle, gallerist Robert Brown specializes in 20th century and contemporary works, as well as rare Chinese advertising posters from the early 1900s and Chinese antiques. Currently on display are works by prominent D.C.-based artist Linn Meyers, who has been commissioned in the recent past by the Phillips Collection, as well as William Kentridge (South Africa) and Oleg Kudryashov (Russia), two of the most significant living printmakers who were exhibited together at the Kreeger Museum in 2009. This is an exhibit for contemporary and historically minded viewers, and one you don’t want to miss. 1662 33rd St., NW. | www.RobertBrownGallery.com

Renowned Seattle-based glass artist Ginny Ruffner will open an exhibit of her work on Feb. 29, in conjunction with a screening of an award-winning documentary of the artist’s life and work at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery on the same day. The film will be screened at noon, followed by a gallery event at 2 p.m., where the artist will be in attendance. Ruffner’s works are constantly evolving “visual thought experiments,” and her glass sculptures and drawings turn life’s daily props and occurrences into remarkable visual experiences. 1667 Wisconsin Ave., NW. | www.LitteltonGallery.com

7. Susan Calloway Fine Arts

Local interior designer Andrew Law will employ his craft and eye for refined, classic and approachable design to “create a room” in Susan Calloway Fine Arts’ already gorgeous and comfortable gallery, pulling from contemporary artworks, antique paintings and prints from the gallery’s private collection. The collaboration, “At the Crossroads: Art + (Interior) Design,” pursues a common and important objective of enhancing design and lifestyle with art and offering a platform for beauty in our daily lives. March 2 through 17. 1643 Wisconsin Ave., NW. www.CallowayArt.com

INDICATES LOCATION OF GALLERY

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 19

FOOD & WINE ★

The Power of the Press

The Latest Dish

num, a contemporary American restaurant, just opened in Georgetown where Mendocino Grille used to be. The chef and owner is Phillip Blane, who was a sous chef at Equinox in D.C. His restaurant partner is his wife, Laura Schiller, better known as chief of staff for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Unum is derived from the Latin “E pluribus unum” (Out of many, one), which Blane says reflects his cooking. Sound familiar? It’s the phrase that appears on the Great Seal of the United States on your dollar bills. The 12-stool bar remains in the front of the restaurant, but has a new addition – a reading nook filled with some of the couple’s favorite reads. Wonder if you can take one, and replace one, as you can do when you travel. Top Chef contestant Emily Sprissler, formerly of Vidalia, and her husband, have signed a contract to lease the Town Hall restaurant location in Glover Park at 2218 Wisconsin Ave., NW. She plans to call the place Mayfair & Pine and hopes to open by April. Sometimes, you can come home again. Arlington native, Scot Harlan, plans to open The Green Pig, an American/French bistro in the old American Flatbread space on Fillmore Street in Clarendon. He’s aiming for simple and plans to offer “redneck charcuterie.” He previously worked in New York City at Daniele, Bouley and Danube, as well as in Virginia at the Inn at Little Washington, Inox and 2941. His sous chef is Will Sullivan who most recently worked at Low Country in NYC. QUICK HITS: Stubs Kitchen and Wine signed a lease to open in the long-vacant corner at 1401 T St, NW (next to Policy restaurant). A casual eatery by the name SnitchEye Wine Bar plans to open at 3rd St. and Florida Ave, N.W., by late spring or early summer . . . Cava Grill at Tysons Corner is targeting a March opening . . . A new sandwich and salad place named Carvy Cafe plans to open in the old Spice Indian Bistro space on 19th Street, N.W. ... District Taco (known as a food truck) plans to open a brickand-mortar store at 1309 F Street, N.W., by spring . . . Southern Hospitality replaced Adams Mill Bar and Grill located at 1813 Adams Mill Rd, N.W., in Adams Morgan. Everything is southern – from the décor to the food to the cocktails to the beers. Sushi Para opened in the former Taco Bell/KFC space at 4221 Connecticut Ave, N.W. Rosa Mexicano just opened its third area location at 5225 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. in D.C.’s Friendship Heights, seating 165 with patio seating when weather permits. Expect to see some new menu items. Ashok Bajaj empire continues to expand, with the opening of Rasika West End at the corner of 22nd St. and New Hampshire Ave, N.W., in the luxury condo building, 22 West. It follows in the footsteps of the original Rasika in Penn Quarter. The restaurant plans to serve upscale American cuisine with some heavy Italian influence. Chef Vikram Sunderam will oversee both kitchens. A March opening is planned. CHEF & GM UPDATE: Janis McLean is the new executive chef at Le Zinc (across from 2Amys) on Macomb St, N.W. Previously, she was the executive chef at 15 ria at the Doubletree Hotel at Scott Circle. Tonic restaurant in Foggy Bottom (where the sign says Quigley’s Pharmacy) has a new executive chef, Michael Degginger, who most recently was at Jake’s American Grille in Tenleytown. Corey Randolph will take over as general manager of The Melting Pot in Reston in March, and Kristy Martin will take over as GM of The Melting Pot in Arlington’s Ballston district. 901 Restaurant & Bar executive chef Thomas Hall, previously of Ten Penh, is using Asian flavors again to create a new menu and concept for 901 in Penn Quarter. Expect small plates with big flavors. Former Clyde’s Restaurant Group corporate chef John Guattery, is now part of the management team at Matchbox Management, which owns and operates matchbox (Penn Quarter, Barracks Row, Rockville and soon Logan Circle), Ted’s Bulletin (Barracks Row and soon Logan Circle) and DC3 (Barracks Row). This local restaurant group is primed for dynamic growth in 2012 . What better local restaurant group experience for dynamic growth than Clyde’s? OPENINGS UPDATE: Mike Isabella’s small plates Mexican restaurant, Bandolaro, plans to be open by March in Georgetown where Hook used to be. Brio Tuscan Grille in Rockville targeted Feb. 29 as its opening date. ★

BY LIS A GIL L ES P IE

ot an elite member of the press in Washington? Have no fear, you can still dine like one. A little known gem of the National Press Club, where journalists congregate for press events and happy hour, is The Fourth Estate Restaurant located on the 13th floor of the Press Building at 529 14th St., N.W. The 102-seat fine-dining space was once only open to members of the press but has since opened to the public and participates in D.C.’s Restaurant Week. The fare is stylish American food served by executive chef Susan Delbert, who uses locally grown produce and meats for a menu that elevates taste above trendiness. Specialties include a creamy crab bisque, navy bean soup, sesame tuna with a light cream sauce, seared scallops with risotto and veal chops. While the venue is historic, the food is rooted in here and now. Delbert works with organic and small farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, giving her access to the freshest, most flavorful produce, cheeses and meats. Another added perk? Delbert always makes her rounds during your dinner, something most D.C. eateries lack. They have regular special nights,

which include “Lobster Night,” “Bourbon Night,” “American Craft Beer Week” and wine dinners. The Winners’ Room, the private dining room, seats up to 36 that features a sun-filled room named after the winners of the prestigious Fourth Estate Award. One of those special dinners will take place on Valentine’s Day, “A Mid-Week Love Fest,” which includes two glasses of Champagne with every reservation. Other items on the price fixe menu -- $30 for National Press Club members, $35 for nonmembers --include butter-fried oysters and radish crostini with anchovy butter and mixed winter greens, grape leaves with bulgur and mint, zucchini fritters and crispy chickpeas and feta on Greek salad and tangerine ice cream with a splash of champagne. The Fourth Estate Restaurant is open on Saturday for brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call 202662-7638 to inquire about days and times available for private events and make reservations. ★

Susan Delbert, executive chef of The Fourth Estate Restaurant on the 13th floor of the Natinoal Press Club

Choco-Oscar Buzz – With Brownies BY WALT ER NICHOL L S

Leight Lambert, owner and creator of Naughty Bits

several years, Leigh and I worked together at the Washington Post food section.) No “bit player” of a brownie, it’s topped with chocolate-covered Pop Rocks and dusted with edible gold. “It’s like eating chocolate champagne,” Lambert says. Worthy of the Tinseltown attention, Starlet will join her other six flavors, which will be given to the celebrities. “I love to play with intriguing flavors,” Lambert says. “I never do anything simply as a gimmick. It has to really taste good.” And they do. All the flavors -- from the traditional to the more exotic -- are an inch-thick, generously cut and have a chewy crumb, so hard to find in brownies. Available at J. Chocolatier, 1039 33rd St., NW, 202-3334111, and Society Fair (Cathal Armstrong’s new food emporium), 277 South Washington St., Alexandria, 703-683-3247. For mail order, visit www. NaughtyBitsBrownies.com.

he ultimate dessert for your Oscar Night party, the same high-voltage chocolate square that the top names in Hollywood will be nibbling, is available in Georgetown. Silver Spring-based Naughty Bits Brownies was chosen for inclusion in the “Everybody Wins at the Oscars” nominee gift bag. This coveted swag of goodies is given to nominees who don’t win in Naughty Bits Brownies the top five categories. To celebrate, Leigh Lambert, owner and creator of Naughty Bits, created a limited edition Oscar flavor—The Starlet. (For

20 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

Georgetown resident Walter Nicholls is food critic for Arlington magazine and a frequent contributor to Flavor magazine.

BY LINDA RO TH CO NTE

FOOD & WINE

Our Once and Future Oyster Capital BY AR I P OS T W IT H RI S LA C O S T E

ating an oyster is like putting the history of mankind on your tongue. Within its fluted shell, a single bivalve holds chronicles of gastronomy, culture, mythology, religion, evolution, royalty, geography and love. That and a bit of seawater. “The Delmarva region is the keeper of North America’s oyster history,” says chef and restaurateur Ris Lacoste. At the turn of the 20th century, she reminds us, there were more than 150 oyster bars in the District, and the Chesapeake Bay was the largest oyster-producing area in North America. However, due to massive overfishing, over-industrialization and disease, Washington area oyster culture was nearly lost. Thankfully, due to population restoration efforts, the bay is once again home to around 180 million native oysters. With the help of devoted oyster farmers, the history, abundance and flavor of Chesapeake oysters are once again filtering back into our culinary consciousness. The oysters that are now being farmed here typically come from fresher water and tend to have less salinity than those from other regions. They are milder in complexity than their more northern cousins but wonderfully plump and meaty – perfect as they are, as well as in recipes that call for cooked oysters. “The trick with an oyster’s flavor profile is where it lives in the water,” says Jed Foxx, sous chef and resident oyster authority at RIS. “If it lives in the ocean, it’s going to be salty. If it lives in a nutrient-rich environment, it’s going to grow fat quicker. There are almost infinite factors.” Bay oysters are delicious on the half-shell, Jed says, “But their milder, delicate flavors — sometimes woody, with hints of cucumber and sweetness — are great for cooking. You wouldn’t want to dump a cup of ocean water in your seafood stew. You just want that sweet oyster flavor.” There are great places around the city to pick up live oysters to shuck in the comfort of your home kitchen. Wagshal’s has oys-

Jed’s Fried Oysters Fresh oysters, shucked, removed from shells, left in its liquid Masa flour Semolina flour, or cornmeal Cayenne pepper, white pepper, or other spices Salt* (see below) Oil (canola, vegetable or peanut) Lemon wedges, for serving

ters in stock every day and can special order oysters from around the region. River Falls Seafood in Potomac, Md., and Cannons Fish Market in Georgetown are also good bets. At BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant in Georgetown, you can take oysters home or eat them at the bar. ”To cook with oysters, you need to be respectful of their natural flavors and be sure not to overcook them,” Ris says. “If you’re using them in seafood stew, don’t add them until the last couple of minutes. Let them retain their texture and flavors.” Jed’s fried oysters are just the ticket. The corn-based masa flour is lighter and has brighter flavors than bread flours, matching texturally as well as palatably with something as delicate as an oyster. Use them to make a New Orleans-style po’ boy sandwich, oyster salad, or just stick ‘em with toothpicks and dip them in tartar sauce. You can’t go wrong. ★ For drink pairing tips, Ris and Jed’s favorite local oyster bars, and a tartar sauce recipe to serve your oysters with, see the expanded article at www.Georgetowner.com/Food-and-Wine.

Season the masa flour with cayenne, white pepper, salt* and other spices to taste. Arrange two platters, filling one with the seasoned masa and the other with the semolina. Remove oysters from liquid, lightly toss in the masa and then the semolina. If the oyster is smaller and less plump, delicately clump it into a loose ball with your hand to give it extra bulk so as not to overcook. In a skillet or frying pan, heat a quarter inch of oil on medium high. When the oil is very hot, fry the oysters for about ten seconds or less on each side, depending on the size, using tongs to flip. Don’t put more oysters in the pan than you can reasonably deal with at one time. The process is fast and you need to stay in control to prevent overcooking. When cooked, transfer to a paper towel on a plate and let rest for a minute. The insides of the oysters should still be raw and gooey, not cooked all the way through. Serve immediately. *SALT: Before adding salt to your seasoned masa flour, eat an oyster raw and consider its natural salinity. If the oyster is naturally salty enough, you don’t need to add more.

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 21

Your Dining Guide to Washington DC’s Finest

1789 RESTAURANT 1226 36th St, NW With the ambiance of an elegant country inn, 1789 features classically based American cuisine – the finest regional game, fish and produce available. Open seven nights a week. Jackets suggested. Complimentary valet parking. www.1789restaurant.com

BANGKOK JOE’S

BISTRO FRANCAIS

3000 K St NW (One block from Georgetown Lowe’s theatres) Georgetown introduces Washington’s first “Dumpling Bar” featuring more than 12 varieties. Come and enjoy the new exotic Thai cuisine inspired by French cooking techniques. Bangkok Joe’s is upscale, colorful and refined. Absolutely the perfect place for lunch or dinner or just a private gathering.

3124-28 M St NW A friendly French Bistro in the heart of historic Georgetown since 1975. Executive chef and owner Gerard Cabrol came to Washington, D.C. 32 years ago, bringing with him home recipes from southwestern France. Our specialties include our famous Poulet Bistro (tarragon rotisserie chicken); Minute steak Maitre d’Hotel (steak and pomme frit¬es); Steak Tartare, freshly pre¬pared seafood, veal, lamb and duck dishes; and the best Eggs Benedict in town. In addition to varying daily specials. www.bistrofrancaisdc.com

www.bangkokjoes.com

(202) 965-1789

CHADWICKS

(202) 333-4422

BISTROT LEPIC & WINE BAR 1736 Wisconsin Ave., NW Come and see for yourself why Bistrot Lepic, with its classical, regional and contemporary cuisine, has been voted best bistro in D.C. by the Zagat Guide. And now with its Wine bar, you can enjoy “appeteasers”, full bar service, complimentary wine tasting every Tuesday and a new Private Room. The regular menu is always available. Open everyday. Lunch & dinner. Reservations suggested. www.bistrotlepic.com

(202) 338-3830

(202) 333-0111

CLYDE’S OF GEORGETOWN

CAFE BONAPARTE 1522 Wisconsin Ave Captivating customers since 2003 Café Bonaparte has been dubbed the “quintessential” European café featuring award winning crepes & arguably the “best” coffee in D.C! Other can’t miss attributes are; the famous weekend brunch every Sat and Sun until 3pm, our late night weekend hours serving sweet & savory crepes until 1 am Fri-Sat evenings & the alluring sounds of the Syssi & Marc jazz duo every other Wed. at 7:30. We look forward to calling you a “regular” soon! www.cafebonaparte.com (202) 333-8830

3205 K St, NW (est.1967) A Georgetown tradition for over 40 years, this friendly neighborhood restaurant/ saloon features fresh seafood, burgers, award-winning ribs, & specialty salads & sandwiches. Daily lunch & dinner specials. Late night dining (until midnight Sun.-Thu., 1A.M. Fri-Sat) Champagne brunch served Sat. & Sun. until 4P.M. Open Mon-Thu 11:30A.M.-2A.M. Fri-Sat 11:30A.M.-3A.M.Sun 11A.M.-2A.M.Kids’ Menu Available. Overlooking the new Georgetown Waterfront Park ChadwicksRestaurants.com

CIRCLE BISTRO

CITRONELLE

One Washington Circle, NW Washington, DC 22037 Circle Bistro presents artful favorites that reflect our adventurous and sophisticated kitchen.

(The Latham Hotel) 3000 M St, NW Internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Michel Richard creates magic with fresh and innovative American-French Cuisine, an exceptional wine list and stylish ambiance.

(202) 333-2565

(202) 293-5390

(202) 625-2150

(202) 333-9180

DEGREES BISTRO

DON LOBOS MEXICAN GRILL

FILOMENA RISTORANTE

GOOD GUYS

MAI THAI

2311 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

2811 M Street NW Serving Washington since 1992, Don Lobos offers authentic Mexican cuisine. We use only the finest and freshest ingredients when making our traditional menu items. Famous for our Mole, and adored for our tamales. We also offer a wide range of tequila and the best margarita in Georgetown. Now serving Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10-2.

1063 Wisconsin Ave., NW Filomena is a Georgetown landmark that has endured the test of time for almost a quarter of a century. Our old-world cooking styles & recipes brought to America by the early Italian immigrants, alongside the culinary cutting edge creations of Italy’s foods of today, executed by our award winning Italian Chef. Try our spectacular Lunch buffet on Fri. & Saturdays or our Sunday Brunch, Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner. www.filomena.com

3251 Prospect St. NW Authentic Thai food in the heart of Georgetown. The warm atmosphere, attentive service, and variety of wines and cocktails in this contemporary establishment only add to the rich culture and authentic cuisine inspired by Thailand. With an array of authentic dishes, from Lahb Gai (spicy chicken salad) and Pad Thai, to contemporary dishes like Panang soft shell crab and papaya salad, the dynamic menu and spectacular drinks will have you coming back time and time again. HAPPY HOUR 3:30 - 6PM www.maithai.com

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. 3100 South Street, NW, Degrees Bistro features a traditional French bistro menu with an innovative cocktail and wine list. The restaurant design complements the industrial chic style of The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, and welcomes diners to unwind in the simple, modern comfort of a neighborhood eatery while enjoying a savory lunch or dinner at the hip bar or in one of the stylish banquettes. www.ritzcarlton.com/ georgetown (202) 912-4110

22 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

Featuring Happy Hour weekdays from 5pm-7pm, live music every Saturday from 8pm12midnight, and an a la carte Sunday Brunch from 11:30am-2:30pm. Open dailyfor breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Open for Dinner. Valet parking.

3236 M St, NW This animated tavern, in the heart of Georgetown, popularized saloon food and practically invented Sunday brunch. Clyde’s is the People’s Choice for bacon cheeseburgers, steaks, fresh seafood, grilled chicken salads, fresh pastas and desserts. www.clydes.com

www.citronelledc.com

DAILY GRILL 1310 Wisconsin Ave., NW Reminiscent of the classic American Grills, Daily Grill is best known for its large portions of fresh seasonal fare including Steaks & Chops, Cobb Salad, Meatloaf and Warm Berry Cobbler. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.Visit our other locations at 18th & M Sts NW and Tysons Corner. www.dailygrill.com

www.circlebistro.com

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Sun 10am- 10pm (202) 333-0137

(202) 338-8800

Fine Dining & Exotic Entertainment in Glover Park since 1966. Monday-Thursday 11am-2am Friday-Saturday 11am-3am Sunday 4pm-2am The kitchen is always open!

A GENTLEMAN’S CLUB ONLY 21 AND OVER, PLEASE www.goodguysclub.com (202) 333-8128

(202) 337-4900

(202) 337-1010

FOOD & WINE

Cocktail of the Week PEACOCK CAFE

SEA CATCH

3251 Prospect St. NW Established in 1991, Peacock Cafe is a tradition in Georgetown life. The tremendous popularity of The Peacock Happy Day Brunch in Washington DC is legendary. The breakfast and brunch selections offer wonderful variety and there is a new selection of fresh, spectacular desserts everyday. The Peacock Café in Georgetown, DC - a fabulous menu for the entire family. Monday - Thursday: 11:30am - 10:30pm Friday: 11:30am - 12:00am Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00am Sunday: 9:00am - 10:30pm

1054 31st St, NW Lovers of seafood can always find something to tempt the palette at the Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar. Sea Catch offers fresh seafood “simply prepared” in a relaxed atmosphere. Overlooking the historic C&O Canal, we offer seasonal fireside and outdoor dining. Private party space available for 15 - 300 Complimentary parking Lunch Mon. -Sat. 11:30am -3pm Dinner Mon.-Sat. 5:30pm -10pm Closed on Sunday Happy Hour Specials at the Bar Mon. - Fri. 5 -7pm www.seacatchrestaurant.com (202) 337-8855

(202) 625-2740

SEQUOIA 3000 K St NW, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20007 Eclectic American cuisine, Coupled with enchanting views of the Potomac River make Sequoia a one of a kind dining experience. Offering a dynamic atmosphere featuring a mesquite wood fire grill, sensational drinks, and renowned River Bar. No matter the occasion, Sequoia will provide an unforgettable dining experience. www.arkrestaurants.com /sequoia_dc.html

SHANGHAI LOUNGE 1734 Wisconsin Ave. Shanghai Lounge’s is offering Lily’s family style traditional Chinese dining along with some very unique cocktails and a wide variety of beers and wines. It captures the flavors of Asia and we have created an exotic atmosphere, a place where you can unwind, have an exquisite meal, enjoy a drink and to share the experience. Tuesday -Thursday 11am - 11pm Saturdays 11:30am - 11pm Sundays 12 Noon - 9:30pm Monday Closed Happy Hour: T-F 3:30pm - 7pm

www.shanghailoungedc.com (202) 944-4200

THE OCEANAIRE 1201 F St, NW Ranked one of the most popular seafood restaurants in , DC, “this cosmopolitan”send-up of a vintage supper club that’s styled after a ‘40’s-era ocean liner is appointed with cherry wood and red leather booths, infused with a “clubby, old money” atmosphere. The menu showcases “intelligently” prepared fish dishes that “recall an earlier time of elegant” dining. What’s more, “nothing” is snobbish here. Lunch: Mon-Fri- 11:30am-5pm Dinner: Mon-Thur 5-10pm. Fri & Sat 5-11pm. Sun-5-9pm. www.theoceanaire.com

(202) 338-1588

To advertise, call 202-338-4833 or email advertising@ georgetowner. com

BY M ISS D IXIE

ocktails, like food and fashion, are seasonal. While a properly made margarita, with fresh lime and quality tequila, is delightful and refreshing on a hot summer day, downing one while watching the snow fall doesn’t have quite the same effect. Unfortunately for tequila lovers, many of the popular agave elixirs are warmweather fare. While it’s true that a glass of complex, aged tequila can be a cultivated sipper on a frigid winter’s eve, a cocktail like the tequila sunrise, screams for a balmy beachside chair rather than a cozy seat by the fireplace. Dan Searing, a partner in Columbia Heights cocktail bar Room 11, has broken tequila out of its summer rut with his Conquistador Punch. I had the pleasure of sampling Searing’s chilly concoction at the Museum of the American Cocktail’s December holiday party. The recipe is also included in his book “The Punch Bowl – 75 Recipes Spanning Four Centuries of Wanton Revelry.” Searing’s original creation of lime, orange, tequila and sherry, plays up the fresh citrus fruits of winter. The stars of this cocktail are clementines, the cute little oranges that start popping up in Conquistador Punch produce aisles in mid-December. Often referred to as “Christmas oranges,” these petit fruits pack a burst of concentrated orange flavor. During the colder months, punches forged from traditional brown spirits, such as brandy, whiskey and rum, are popular refreshers. These wood-aged spirits, impart a spicy warming element to drinks.

The key to the drink’s robust flavor is Searing’s homemade clementine syrup. Conquistador punch takes advantage of reposado tequila, a spirit that has been aged up to a month in oak barrels, along with sherry, a Spanish wine that is fortified with brandy to give this beverage a refined spicy profile. Searing describes his creation as having “ spice and sweetness, but a citrusy tartness as well.” The key to the drink’s robust flavor is Searing’s homemade-made clementine syrup. While most cocktails add a portion of plain simple syrup as a sweetener, Searing takes it up a notch by making his syrup from Demerara sugar, which has a darker, richer flavor, and then soaking it overnight in the grated zest from two clementines. This custom syrup imparts a full-bodied, powerful orange smack. The name Conquistador Punch comes from the multicultural ingredients. Tequila is from Mexico, and sherry is from Spain. Searing says the punch was born out of a blend of the elements from two cultures. “As we all know, the Spanish came and tried to conquer the native people of Mexico, and it didn’t quite work,” he said. “Mexican culture is derived from the blending of Spanish and native influence. It’s obviously a unique culture as a result.” And Searing has obviously created a special libation from these influences.

Dan Searing’s “Conquistador Punch” 1 750-ml bottle of Corzo Reposado Tequila 1 375-ml bottle of Pedro Ximénez Sherry 1 ½ cups lime juice (about 12 limes) 1 ½ cups clementine juice (about 12 clementines) 1 cup clementine zest syrup (*) 1 ice block 2 clementines, peeled, cut into small, coin shapes Combine all liquid ingredients in a large pitcher, adding the clementine syrup last and to taste. Chill thoroughly. When ready to serve, place the ice block in a punch bowl and pour the punch over it.

(*) Clementine Zest Syrup: Zest from two clementines 1-cup cold simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sugar – heat until dissolved, chill) Use a microplane grater to remove the zest from the two clementines. Add the zest to the cold simple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for up to 24 hours. Strain out the zest. Refrigerate any unused syrup. Ingredients to make Conquistador Punch may be purchased at Dixie Liquor located at 3429 M Street, NW, in Georgetown. Readers may sample this drink or purchase Searing’s book at Room 11 3234 11th Street, NW, in Columbia Heights.

(202) 347-2277 GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 23

CLASSIFIEDS / SERVICE DIRECTORY FOR RENT

JOB OPPORTUNITIES DRIVERS/ DOCK WORKERS

GARAGE FOR RENT

YRC is hiring Drivers and Dock Workers!Drivers:Excellent Wages, Benefits, Pension! Home nightly! Safe Equipment! FT/PT.DC location. CDL-A w/Combo and Hazmat, 1yr T/T exp, 21yoa req. EOE-M/F/D/V. Dock Workers. $12-$14/hr. 4hr shifts. 18 yoa, read/write English. Able to lift 65 lbs. req.

Located on 36th ST NW (between T and S st)

APPLY: www.yrcw.com/careers

INTERN NEEDED A marketing intern needed with emphasis on advertising and events. Primary responsibilities include participating in campaign management, communicating with advertisers and vendors, coordinating with sales and advertising department, receiving phone calls, participating in brand management, and assisting the marketing manager with daily administrative work. Email resume to marketing@georgetowner.com

(cars only) $175.00 a month 202- 337 5871

FOR RENT: Charming 2nd story apartment with private entrance. Best location Georgetown, 2BR (one small), 1 BA, washer/dryer, sunny living-dining area including built-in bar, small office space, balcony. Kitchenette and entry on first floor, $2,700 monthly. Refs. required. Call 202-337-7359.

FOR RENT Georgetown, 1 bedroom apartment, utilities included, spectactular views, no pets for more info call Brian 301770-1048.

LUCAS CUSTOM TAILOR

DRIVERS: Quest Transport is Growing! Now hiring experienced Tanker Drivers Great Pay! Great Benefits!

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Best rates. Excellent referances and insurance.

CUBAN SILKSCREEN MOVIE POSTER SALE!

Call for free estimate. 703-869-5629

100+ stunning silk-screens, plus scarce propaganda posters. Fabulous graphics, unusual gifts. $49-$129 For private showing: 202-725-0406, CubanPosterGallery@msn.com Open houses: 10-6 Saturday March 10, April 28, June 2 3319 “O” Street NW

DC MOULDINGS. Interior trim. Crown, casings, pilasters, Built ins, bookshelves, and fireplace mantels. 202-269-3517

MUSIC PATIENT PIANO TEACHER

FOR RENT

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

FOR RENT Charming and exceedingly spacious colonial single family house in popular Berkley. With 3 levels of living space, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a full lower level suite with its own entrance, covered 2 car garage, and an inviting backyard, this home has it all. Its proximity to Georgetown, Georgetown Hospital and University and walkable to so much. Housing vouchers accepted. Call Ana Belmiro 202.664.6100

PET CARE PET CARE Georgetown-based overnight petcare available Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s! www.holidaypetsitter.com

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24 February 22, 2012 GMG, INC.

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BODY & SOUL

Murphy’s Love: Advice on Intimacy and Relationships Her Status Update Makes His Blood Boil and How to Navigate Your Friends’ New Marriage BY STA CY NOTA RAS M U R P H Y

DEAR STACY: My ex-girlfriend and I broke up three months ago (her idea). She wasn’t happy. She wanted to go out more and wanted me to be more social than I really am (I’m an introvert, plain and simple). I started dating someone new, and it’s been pretty casual between us (she travels a lot for work) and I’m happy. At least I thought I was until my Ex updated her Facebook profile to show that she is “in a relationship” with a new guy. I thought I was over her and had moved on with my life, but seeing this update makes me so angry I can’t see straight. We’ve had some contact since the breakup (occasional texting, I ran into her at a party) and she has said nothing about the new guy. Then, suddenly she’s in a committed relationship out of the blue, and my friends are all asking me what I think about it. When I think about it, I’m not jealous, really. I’m just angry at her for making a public announcement like this without telling me first. I never changed my Facebook status to show I was dating someone new, because it’s not serious. I’m just so angry that she would tell me like this. -Blood boiling in Arlington DEAR BLOOD BOILING: I’m so sorry that you are feeling humiliated. No one likes that feeling. And I’m impressed that you can already name it amid all the boiling blood and such. Your anger (Justified? I’m not sure...) makes sense as it functions as a surface emotion, giving your mind the “permission” it needs to experience the humiliation. That’s what anger is: a surface experience giving us clues to a deeper, more difficult emotion. Your humiliation may be part of what’s driving the anger, but I would also imagine there was a little bit of denial operating under there as well. You got into another, very “casual” relationship soon after the breakup of a long-term coupling. This hints that you may not have really worked through the pain that comes when any relationship ends – regardless of who chose to exit first, there is always sadness and mourning when a partnership ends. As you said, you “moved on” quite quickly into a casual dating situation with someone who is not overly available. This also suggests that you were working to find a quick fix to numb the pain of the breakup. So, here you are, several months later, with a still-burning wound lacking any intentional medical treatment (stick with this metaphor, I’m getting somewhere, I promise). Her status update was a new blow to that still-tender gash – super painful and undoing any of the minor remediation provided by

-Middlegrounded in Northwest

New Girl’s presence. You need to clean this wound: e.g., pay attention to all the feelings of the breakup (which included basically being rejected for who you are and how you like to spend your time – not exactly easy to swallow). Process this grief with a friend, mentor or counselor, and finally set yourself to healing from this. Oh, and stop reading her Facebook updates. That’s masochistic behavior, and you need to start treating yourself better. DEAR STACY: I’m feeling caught in the middle of an argument between friends, and I need some advice. My friends, let’s call them Ross and Rachel, recently got married. We are all 24 years old, friends from college and former group housemates. They are now off living on their own and not adjusting to marital life too well. Both are complaining about the other to me – fights ranging from who should clean their apartment to how much money they should be saving. Rachel is miserable at her job, all her friends know it, and wants to quit, but Ross is not supportive. I’m really on her side about this, but he keeps talking about it. I feel like I’m being dishonest even listening to his rants about her selfishness. The short question is what advice to give about Rachel’s job since I really think she should quit. The larger question is how do I deal with my friends and their dramas now that they are a married unit?

DEAR MIDDLEGROUNDED: You’re describing a very common, tricky situation as we transition from the Roommate Phase of life into True Adulthood. I completely understand your sympathy for their conflict, but I want to let you off the hook: this is not your problem. It’s a subtle shift, to be sure, but their move from housemates to lifemates necessitates another round of cord cutting. Ross and Rachel chose to leave the group house nest and start a new life together, meaning they cannot rely on the old process of going down the hall to complain about the odd housemate out. They are in their partnership together and need to sort through these issues on their own. The good news is that you really don’t have to be the one to lay down the law about this new life phase – they will make this realization on their own with time. What you can do is use the so-called “smaller question” about Rachel’s job troubles as an exercise in boundary-setting. You are beginning a new phase in your relationship with them as well, one where you will not want to become the tiebreaker voter – believe me, taking on that role a few times will guarantee that when Couple realizes they are in a two-person marriage, you probably won’t even have a place as a confidant anymore. You aren’t less of a friend just because you don’t process their every move the way you used to – rather, you are evolving along with them. This is about growing up, and it’s not pain-free. Protect your investment: tell both that you love them and admire their commitment so much that you don’t want to get involved. It’s the best long-term solution here. ★

Stacy Notaras Murphy is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. Her website is www.stacymurphyLPC.com and you can follow her on twitter @StacyMurphyLPC. This column is meant for entertainment only, and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacy@georgetowner.com.

Implant

SARAH GORMAN, INC. REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON, D.C.

202.333.1650

GMG, INC. February 22, 2012 25

CHARITIES & BENEFITS

The Beltway of Giving BY JADE FLOYD

ashingtonians have a benevolent spirit. When we give, it’s in a big way. Gala and charity events at $1,000 per person do not turn donors away. That spirit brings out their pocket books for round-trip, first-class tickets to Paris, week-long excursions to Cape Cod and Georgetown Cupcake parties for their children and 20 of their closest friends. You might think the charity circuit in this town is all about the allure that comes with the ball gown or the whispers of which politico or celebrity will be seated at your table. And to some degree, you might be right. But it doesn’t take $1,000 to give or make an impact for a deserving charity. Donors, both big and small, accounted for more than $346 billion in charitable donations last year, according to Atlas Giving, a company which forecasts giving trends each month across the United States. Atlas found that individual donors within the U.S. accounted for 75 percent of giving in 2011, followed by foundations at 13 percent, bequests at 7 percent and corporations at 5 percent. The company predicts that philanthropic giving is expected to grow by nearly four percent in 2012, to $360 billion.

The nation’s capital is filled with charitable organizations of all sizes that are worthy of our attention and dollars. That is what this new column, “The Beltway of Giving,” is all about: highlighting worthy causes and their signature fundraising events that bring in the dollars to keep programming at full capacity. We will report on such deserving non-profits as the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, which provides more than 30,000 D.C. public school students and their teachers with free arts experiences and transportation each day to shows at the Washington Ballet, Shakespeare Theatre, Kennedy Center and more, as well as fundraising powerhouses like Share Our Strength, which is working to eradicate hunger by 2015 across the nation. SOS has raised almost $350 million over 20 years to fund food and nutritional grant programs in local communities. These are just two examples of the D.C.-based charitable groups making meaningful contributions within the Beltway and beyond. I had the opportunity to sit down with Louise Kennelly, executive director of the D.C. Collaborative, and Debbie Shore, co-founder of Share Our Strength,

EagleBank welcomes two industry veterans to our expanding family of banking professionals. • Tony Marquez • Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Lending Officer

• Ginny Heine • Executive Vice President and Chief C&I Lending Officer

GeorGetown • 1044 wisconsin Ave., nw mArylAnd • wAshinGton, dc • virGiniA www.eAGlebAnkcorp.com • 202-481-7025

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both of whom will be profiled along with their organizations in our next column. The D.C. Collaborative and Share Our Strength will host two top fundraising events this spring. Taste of the Nation 2012 is Share Our Strength’s largest revenue-generating event of the year: 85 chefs and mixologists from the some of D.C.’s most notable restaurants, including Volt, Rogue 24, Citronelle and Graffiato, will join local foodies at the National Building Museum on April 2. (Tickets are $95 $150. www.Taste.Strength.org). The D.C. Collaborative will host its Second Annual Patriotic Arts Celebration at Lincoln Restaurant, April 25. Guests will enjoy Lincoln’s signature bites, performances from D.C. public schools students and soundscapes from DJ Jahsonic (Tickets, are $25. www.DCahec.com). Jade Floyd is a managing associate at a D.C.-based international public relations firm and has served on the board of directors for the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative for nearly five years. She is a frequent volunteer and host of fundraising events across the District, supporting arts, animal welfare and education programs.

GIVING RADAR:

Upcoming Events You Can Support February 29 Film Screening of Dark Girls, benefiting the Paul Public Charter School hosted by the Duke Media Foundation, Black Benefactors, Black Philanthropic Alliance and Jackson and Associates Group. Tickets, $25 to $50. www.TheConversationWomenOfColor.EventBrite.com

March 3 Washington Project for the Arts 2012 Art Auction Gala and dinner with chef Barton Seaver, including live and silent art auction with works by Billy Colbert, Ken Aston, Sondra Arkin and Joan Belmar. Tickets, $300. www.auction.wpadc.org

March 13 Everybody Wins!, D.C.’s largest children’s literacy and mentoring program, 17th Annual Celebration Gala, with David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, as keynote speaker. Tickets, $150. www.EverybodyWinsDC.org If you have a notable charity or event that you believe should be featured, we want to hear from you! Email: DCthisweek@ gmail.com

HAUTE & COOL

Fashion Week Berlin/New York

FALL 2012 COLLECTIONS: MERCEDES- BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN IN FRONT OF THE BRANDENBURG GATE JANUARY 17-22; MERCEDES- BENZ FASHION WEEK NEW YORK AT LINCOLN CENTER’S DAMROSCH PARK FEBRUARY 9-16 PHOTOS BY WALTER GRIO

Designer Rena Lange (Berlin)

Designer Carolina Herrera (New York)

Designer EP_Anoui (Berlin)

Designer Blacky Dress (Berlin)

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SOCIAL SCENE

3rd Georgetown Arts Show Gets its Close-up

Have a Heart Luncheon Honors Georgetown Ministry Center

BY RO B E RT DE VANEY The third annual Citizens Association of Georgetown art show debuted with a Feb. 16 reception at the House of Sweden at 2900 K Street, N.W. “Georgetown ARTS 2012,” sponsored by CAG and the House of Sweden, along with other patrons, displayed a mix of visual arts treats by residents and those working in nearby studios, exhibiting varying talents of young and old, from watercolors and oil paintings to photographs and sculptures. Lively art-loving Georgetowners filled the space as they greeted friends and viewed the works of Michele Banks, Jack Bell, Leslie Bryne, Betsy Cooley, Guy Fairlamb, Karen Feld, Robin Hill, Cynthia Howar, Joan Konkel, Stephany Knight, Jane Lepscky, Dale Loy, Edward “Bear” Miller, Natalia Mokina, Elba Molina, Shaun Murphy, Lisa Neher, Emma O’Rouke, Isabella Page, Wendy Plotkin-Mates, Berit Robertson, Camilla Rudolph, Ross Ruot, Suzy Strack, Laura-Anne Tiscornia, Izzy Page’s photographs (seen in the background) were admired by Dariush Vaziri and Mary Wagner. The exhibit closed Feb. 20.

BY MARY BIRD The Washington Club’s sixth annual “Have a Heart” Luncheon honored the Georgetown Ministry Center Feb. 14 for outstanding and compassionate service to homeless individuals in our community. A video presentation by Nelson A. Cuellar showcased the fundamental services and opportunities for social interaction that the GMC provides in a clubhouse setting adjacent to Grace Church. Keynote speaker Dr. Roland J. Koshes spoke of treatment of mental illness in the homeless and indigent. Event chair Arden Batch presented an award to GMC executive director Gunther Stern, who in turn gave her a crystal heart.

Chris Murray, founder of Govinda Gallery.

Cindy Howar, next to her watercolor, “Market at Saint Saturnin les Apt.”

Show curator and artist Michele Banks, in front of her works, “The Outside” and “Circulation,” with Jennifer Altemus, president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

GMC executive director Gunther Stern and event chair Arden Batch

P Street Pictures on O Celebrates Its Relocation with a Proclamation BY MARY BIRD

After many years on the east side of town, it was a true celebration on Feb. 9, as Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans attended the grand reopening of P Street Pictures on O. Loyal customers delighted in the new space. Evans, calling himself “a big patron,” read a unanimously passed ceremonial resolution honoring “a Georgetown institution” by declaring Feb. 9 “P Street Pictures day in the District of Columbia.” He queried where the proclamation might be framed as Judy Schlosser basked in the company of her husband Larry Enten and their son Michael, who had come down from Brooklyn for the occasion.

Judy Schlosser, son Michael Enten and Wendy Bogart , Photo by Mary Bird

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Jack Evans and owner Judy Schlosser Photo by Robert Devaney

SOCIAL SCENE

An Affair of the Heart BY MARY BIRD The Women’s Board of the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region held its 64th Annual “An Affair of the Heart” luncheon, chaired by Christie Swanson, Feb. 13 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The “fashion meets philanthropy” event benefits heart research and education and is the oldest continuously held fundraiser of any nationally recognized nonprofit group. Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase presented spring 2012 fashions. Cindy Jones donated stunning floral centerpieces in honor of her late mother Ruth Atchison.

Author Valerie Wilson

Vivian Chen and Chuck Lewis

Maslenitsa at the Russian Embassy BY MARY BIR D

Maslenitsa, Orthodox Mardi Gras, was celebrated on Feb. 17 as The Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak welcomed guests with bliny and other traditional Russian fare. Vladimir Tolstoy was Honorary Chair of the evening, which benefits the mission to help the neediest of the Russian Orthodox Cathedrals of Saint Nicholas and St. John the Baptist. The evening, with entertainment by the Samovar Russian Folk Ensemble and dancing to Four Season Dance Group, included a silent auction, raffle and support for preserving ethnic ties and national traditions.

Eugenia Chavchavadze, Donna Shor

Mrs. Sergey Kislyak, Xenia

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SOCIAL SCENE

Wacky, Whimsical Tea for THEARC BY M ARY BIRD

It was a Willy Wonka world as families enjoyed child-oriented festivities and high tea at the Four Seasons Hotel Feb. 12 to honor the success of THEARC, Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus, which provides cultural, educational, health and social services to underserved children and families in Southeast Washington. Eleven nonprofit organizations participated, including the Levine School of Music, the Corcoran Gallery and the Washington Ballet. Eun Yang of NBC-4 Washington was honorary chair and Bank of Georgetown was the lead sponsor. Judy Esfandiary, tea co-chair Renee Esfandiary Crupi and Alexis Crupi

Evonne and Olivia Connolly

Ludy, Joe and Megan Green

Clara Register and Kay Kendall

Upcoming Galas MARCH 8 Embassy Chef Challenge

Join Cultural Tourism DC for the 4th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge: D.C.’s premier international culinary competition. The Embassy Chef Challenge, held each spring, spotlights the District’s international community in one unforgettable evening – satisfying far more than appetites. The Embassy Chef Challenge is Cultural Tourism D.C.’s annual fundraising benefit, featuring international tastings, awards, entertainment and a silent auction. Cultural Tourism D.C. is an independent nonprofit organization that invites Washingtonarea residents and visitors to experience and celebrate D.C.’s authentic culture and heritage. Its coalition of more than 230 cultural, heritage, and neighborhood organizations represent

the many treasures unique to Washington, including its embassies. At The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. For more information, visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org.

MARCH 14 The Latino Student Fund 12th Annual Gala Color Caribe will take place March 14 at the Organization of the American States under the honorary patronage of Muni Figueres, Costa Rica’s ambassador to the U.S. The gala is an evening of celebration, music, cocktails and food from around the Latin world. Proceeds provide opportunities for a strong academic foundation for PreK-12 students of Hispanic

Honorary chair Eun Yang and THEARC Development Director Janet Stone

and Latino descent to promote higher education and professional leadership. For more information, call Maria Fernanda Borja, LSF executive director, at 202-244-3438, or visit www.LatinoStudentFund.org.

MARCH 22 Celebration of Hope Gala Reception, seated dinner, awards program, silent and live auction. The event will honor a special individual and an organization that strongly support and further the mission of helping people affected by cancer. Hope Connections for Cancer Support is dedicated to helping people with cancer and their loved ones deal with the emotional and physical impact of cancer through professionally facilitated programs of emotional support, education, wellness and hope. At The World Bank. For additional information, visit www.HopeConnectionsForCancer.org.

MARCH 24 Eye on Low Vision Join the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) on March 24 for an elegant evening at the Four Seasons Hotel that supports many of POB’s sightsaving programs. This year’s theme is “Eye on Low Vision” and will focus on POB’s programs and services that help all individuals save or improve their sight, regardless of age or socioeconomic background. The event begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing provided by Bob Jenets Upfront. For more information, visit www.YourEyes.org. Tony Powell Corcoran Ball

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APRIL 14 Fashion for Paws 6th Annual Runway Show Fashion for Paws is a high-caliber program supporting DC’s top animal charity, the Washington Humane Society. The Runway Show celebrates cutting-edge high fashion and luxury lifestyle brand events. The heart and soul of the event are the fundraising models who agree to raise a minimum of $5,000 in the weeks leading up to the event and participate in a friendly fundraising competition. The top male and female fundraiser will be awarded “Model Washingtonian of the Year” on the runway April 14. At the National Building Museum. For more information, email RSVP@WashHumane.org.

APRIL 20 57th Annual Corcoran Ball The Women’s Committee of the Corcoran invites you to be a part of the 57th annual Corcoran Ball — recognized as Washington’s signature event of the spring social season. The Corcoran welcomes more than 1,000 guests for a sensational evening of dinner, dancing, and socializing amid lavish decor. Ball proceeds provide scholarships for the college, underwrite the Corcoran’s award-winning community outreach and education programs throughout the metropolitan area and support the continuance of the Corcoran’s long tradition of bringing outstanding artists and their collections to the gallery. For more information, visit www.Corcoran.org/Ball.

DC SCENE

CPAC 2012 Thousands of conservative activists from around the country gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington DC from

Feb. 9 - 11, 2012 for the three-day Conservative Political Action Committee, also known as CPAC 2012. Most of the major Republican candidates and conservative leaders were on hand with one unifying mission: defeating President Obama in November.

Rick Santorum

Tea Party Activist

A write-in alternative

Mitt Romney

Bristol and Sarah Palin

Avid supporter

Newt Gingrich

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