The Georgetowner: January 12, 2022 Issue

SINCE 1954

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 4

The Sky’s the Limit Pushing Our Boundaries YE AR I N RE VI E W: 2 0 21 TAF T H O U SE F I N DS S TE WARDS CARLOT TA H E S TE R’ S ‘R AP TU RE ’ K I T T Y KE LLE Y O N JO H N LE W I S

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IN THIS ISSUE

ABOUT THE COVER Thrill seeker jumps off Whistler Bungee Bridge. Photo courtesy Whistler Bungee, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

NEWS · 6 - 8

PUBLISHER Sonya Bernhardt

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert Devaney

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT Peggy Sands

MANAGING EDITOR Christopher Jones

FEATURE EDITOR Ari Post

Town Topics

FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR Lauretta McCoy

BUSINESS · 9

GRAPHIC DESIGN Troy Riemer

In’s and Out’s

PHOTOGRAPHERS Philip Bermingham Jeff Malet

EDITORIAL & OPINION · 10 Jan. 6: World Is Still Watching

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT & ADVERTISING Kate Oczypok

NEWS ANALYSIS · 10 Top Town Topics of 2021

1050 30th Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: (202) 338-4833 Fax: (202) 338-4834 www.georgetowner.com

COVER · 12 - 13 Whistling in the Wind A Weekend Devoted to Pushing One’s Boundaries Learning to Fly (Indoors)

FOOD & WINE · 13 Latest Dish

DC SCENE · 14 2021: A Look Back

REAL ESTATE · 15 The Taft Mansion Finds Its Proper Stewards

CLASSIFIEDS · 16 Service Directory

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ARTS · 17 Carlotta Hester’s “Rapture” Arts Watch

BOOK CLUB · 18 Kitty Kelley Book Club

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“The Newspaper Whose Influence Far Exceeds Its Size” — Pierre Cardin The Georgetowner is published in print monthly with an online newsletter supplement posted twice per week — On Mondays we highlight news and on Thursdays goings on about town. 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, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for errors or omissions. Copyright 2022.

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Mimsy Lindner • Chris Putala • Ann Randolph • Lisa Rossi • Christopher Sheeron • Paige & Tim Shirk • Robert Alan Stowers

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CONTRIBUTORS Mary Bird Susan Bodiker Allyson Burkhardt Evan Caplan Didi Cutler Donna Evers Michelle Galler Amos Gelb Wally Greeves Christopher Jones Kitty Kelley Rebekah Kelley Jody Kurash Shelia Moses Kate Oczypok Linda Roth Alison Schafer Mary Ann Treger

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George W. Bush attempted it again, but simultaneously increased spending on the war (rather than financing it with a temporary war tax, historically the norm).

Next year, Republicans will control all three branches of government. So perhaps we can finally test this 37-year-old theory by low-

John E. Girouard, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CFS, author of “Take Back Your Money” and “The Ten Truths of Wealth Creation,” is a registered principal of Cambridge Investment Research and an Investment Advisor Representative of Capital Investment Advisors in Bethesda, Maryland.

Visit Georgetowner.com and subscribeandtosubscribe our twice weekly online online Visit Georgetowner.com to our twice weekly Georgetowner Newsletter — please place—your email in address the boxinshown Georgetowner Newsletter please placeaddress your email the box shown thewebsite front page the website to in receive in your inbox. on the front page ofonthe toofreceive news yournews inbox.

DAVE CHAPPELLE VS. DUKE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY SUED ELLINGTON SCHOOL FOR THE FOR ‘PRICE ARTS FIXING’ B Y P E G G Y SAN B Y DKS AT E O C Z Y P O K

that he donated to his alma Healy Building atHolding 37th &the O Emmy Streets NW. Courtesy mater, comedian Dave Chappelle speaks to G.U.

students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in September 2017. Photo by Robert Devaney.

MAPPING GEORGETOWN: MEET THE REAL MCCOY OF THE PEABODY ROOMTO FASHION SANTA COMES

B Y M A R I LY N B U T L E R TOWN TO THANK LOMBARDI CANCER CENTER SUPPORTERS Jerry McCoy of Georgetown’s Peabody Room with

SINCE 1954

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 3

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DECEMBER 8, 2021 - JANUARY 11, 2022

With Some Puck

Our Holidays Light Up B I D CR I T I CI SM OVE R S I D E WALKS GE ORGE TOWN E RS O F TH E YE AR ‘GE ORGE TOWN COO KS’ BOO K VI SUAL AR T S: JASPE R JO H N S NYC K I T T Y KE LLE Y: GR ANT & T WAI N

portrait B Y R O B ERT D1822 EVAN EY of Yarrow Mamout.

Donald and Nicole Dunn with Fashion Santa. Photo

by Tony Powell.

BEST FACE FORWARD: OR, HOW TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT THE KNIFE

BY SUSAN BODIKER

2022: WHAT’S OUT, WHAT’S IN?

ready forER my close-up B Y T H E G EORGetting GETOWN STAFFrequired pain blocks and needles. Lots and lots of needles. This miseen-place is at OVME. Photo by Susan Bodiker.

Taylor Swift’s re-issues always seem to be in. Photo courtesy IMDb.

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GEORGETOWN BID CRITICIZED FOR SIDEWALK EXPANSIONS, HIGH STAFF COSTS

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Too many sidewalk extensions have brought criticism to the Georgetown BID. Georgetown photo.

WHY IS D.C. LOSING SO MANY RESIDENTS?

B Y C H R I S TOPH ER JON ES

The recent decline of D.C.’s population is more severe than anywhere in the nation. Why? Photo by Anna Lowe for Pexels.com.

Melanie Hayes Vice President

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TOWN TOPICS

ANC 2E chair and vice chair, Rick Murphy and Lisa Palmer.

Kesher Israel at 28th & N. Georgetowner photo.

ANC 2E January Report

BY STE VE HOLTON

SECOND DISTRICT PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE MPD Captain Steve Andelman of the second district joined the virtual meeting (held Jan. 6) to give an update on crime in the Georgetown area since his last appearance in early December. Andelman said both property and auto theft are significantly down due to officers actively patrolling and the community heeding law official’s advice on not leaving cars idling and unlocked.

Last week, The Georgetowner reported on a trio of fires started within 30 minutes and a half-mile radius in Georgetown. Andelman reported that a homeless woman responsible for all three fires has been arrested and charged with arson. He also announced the infamous tire slasher who has terrorized parts of Georgetown is in custody. Most of the slashing activity occurred in December in the 1600 block of 31st Street NW and in the 3000 block of N Street NW. A homeless man with behavioral issues was arrested for simple assault and although detectives

can’t technically link him to those crimes, MPD believes he’s the same person. Further investigation of video surveillance footage will be undertaken before any charges are made.

Commissioner Lisa Palmer noted to Andelman a large homeless encampment on park property located on K Street NW off Rock Creek. She said large fires are started there and whether they’re controlled is hard to discern. Andelman remarked it’s a safety issue regardless and residents should contact 911.

ANC 2E QUICK HITS Election of ANC 2E Officers: The commission motioned to elect the same slate of officers for another year which will consist of Rick Murphy (2E03) as Chair, Lisa Palmer (2E05) as Vice Chair, Jenny Mitchell (2E02) as Secretary, and Elizabeth Miller (2E07) as Treasurer.

Concerns Regarding DC Reopen Act: Motion passed to communicate concerns of the “Reopen Washington DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment Act

of 2021” to the city council as not having a reasonable timeframe for residential safeguards. If enacted, an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration license holder can expand their exterior footprint leaving open the possibility of encroaching too close into residential areas.

ANC Supports Improving Safety at Synagogue: The commission voted unanimously in favor of reiterating support for security bollards around the Kesher Israel Congregation of Georgetown, located at 2801 N Street NW, to the DDOT.

DC Water Project Creates South Street Dead End: Commissioner Palmer informed the commission and virtual attendees that South Street NW will become a dead end for two months or through the duration of DC Water’s Sewer Separation Project. Although residents will still have access to their homes and schools can operate their normal pick-up route, all parking will be removed.

DPR Updates: Jelleff Recreation Center Project - a letter has been sent by the commission to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to see where the project stands. The Ellington Fields project is moving along but the public input period is not yet closed. Concepts have been proposed but a design has not been drafted. The Volta Park

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Project has $700,000 allotted for drainage and to refurbish the field. Construction is expected to start this summer and conclude next fall.

Commission Protests Tavern License: Representatives of the tavern Church, located at 3295 M Street NW, asked to transfer their Class C license to a property located at 3222 M Street NW in order for food sales to meet the occupancy level. The commission motioned to protest the license until a settlement agreement between the two parties is signed but look forward to having one in place and supporting the establishment.

Spirits and Spice Protest: This new establishment, located at 3237 M Street NW, is tentatively set to open in July. The business carries a unique concept in producing its own spirits as well as oils, vinegars, and spices. The commission motioned to protest the license until a settlement agreement is made but is in strong support of the establishment moving to the neighborhood.

Update on Georgetown Cooks: Commissioner Miller reported that the “Georgetown Cooks” fundraising project was a huge success. In two weeks, 500 copies of the cookbooks were sold and all proceeds were donated to the Lombardi Cancer Center.

Streetscape Improvements Supported: The commission motioned unanimously in support of a Public Space application for streetscape improvements on 3220 Prospect Street NW. The improvements will be made toward a fivestory multi-family building. Additional trees and bike racks will be added and sidewalk repair performed. A curb cut will be made and aligned with the lower garage ramp. These improvements also have the approval of the Old Georgetown Board.

Commission Supports BZA Application for Self-Storage Units: A motion was passed to support a self-storage establishment’s Board of Zoning (BZA) application for a waiver to construct a below-grade, selfstorage establishment beneath a commercial use building at 3222 M Street NW.

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Georgetown BID Revitalizing Commercial District

BY JOE S T ERNL IEB , G E O R G E TO W N B I D C E O & P R ESID EN T We’ve all learned our lesson from the past two Januarys: Expect the unexpected for the year ahead. Still, there’s a lot the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) can eagerly count on in 2022, as our commercial district continues to steadily recover and reengage with the community.

More than 35 new businesses have opened since the pandemic began; most recently Yo! Yoga fitness studio, jeweler Gorjana, fashion retailers Everlane and Aerie, sweettreat destinations Bakeshop and Petite Soeur, and Avocado Green Mattress. More highly anticipated openings are expected in the coming months – including a tavern in Book Hill called The Fountain Inn, and several reinvigorated spaces along Wisconsin Avenue – and there is a renewed optimism about Georgetown’s future among retailers and restaurateurs who are ready to bring new, exciting concepts here.

Much of this confidence stems from our encouraging visitor data. In October, the commercial district not only saw monthly visits rebound to 2019 counts for the first time since the pandemic began, but surpassed them. Our recovery has outpaced that of our competitor markets.

Although we don’t control the real estate market, our work in economic development research and analysis, and tenant retention and attraction has never been more important to the recovery and success of Georgetown’s incredible commercial district.

Our economic development team is now leading that charge. Former DC Office of Planning’s Faith Broderick is the Georgetown BID’s new Economic Development Director, and former Washington Business Journal Publisher Peter Abrahams was hired as our Economic Development & Partnerships Consultant. Buoyed by a strong team and

promising commercial district news, the Georgetown BID will continue our recovery efforts in 2022.

Chief among them is a renewed focus on the revitalization of the C&O Canal, led by Georgetown Heritage, and the long-awaited, official debut of our new C&O Canal boat this spring – part of our effort to bolster the neighborhood’s visitor economy. Residents, visitors, and school children will soon be invited to come aboard and tour the Canal for the first time in a decade.

Speaking of all things al fresco, we’re continuing to make the most of our streateries on the Georgetown Decks. Outdoor dining saved countless neighborhood restaurants during the pandemic, and will be equally important this year. Thank you for continuing to support our restaurants, and shop locally.

The Georgetown BID is also eager to welcome back more of our outdoor signature events this year. The Georgetown French Market will return to its traditional spring roots during the last weekend in April, and Georgetown GLOW will be returning for the holiday season in November. We look forward to reengaging the community with these - and many more - free events.

We are pursuing other initiatives with our community partners, including revising the restrictions on tavern licenses to improve the neighborhood’s appeal to new businesses, and transportation planning for safer and more efficient streets and sidewalks, improved access – including via the Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola, and electric vehicle charging.

We’re looking forward to brighter days ahead, and an even stronger Georgetown.

Visit georgetowndc.com to sign up for our weekly BIDness newsletter and get the scoop on restaurant and retail openings, events and promotions.

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TOWN TOPICS

BY KAT E OCZ Y P OK

CRUMBS AND WHISKERS TO PRESIDENT BIDEN: HOW ABOUT A KITTEN? With the news of President Biden’s new German Shepherd puppy Commander at the White House, Georgetown cat café Crumbs and Whiskers has recommended the Bidens adopt a homeless cat for the White House.

Crumbs and Whiskers has many cats available like nine-month-old Mr. Sweetie or two tabby cats named Mario and Walter. A spokesperson for the café said there was talk of Commander hoping for a buddy of the feline variety to keep him company.

AREA RADIO HOST DENNIS OWENS DIES Late news getting back to the area— Dennis Owens, who was the voice of local classical music radio for decades, passed away in September at a hospice in Naples, Florida. Owens was 87 years old and died of degenerative heart disease. The broadcaster was on WGMS for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2005. The Washington Post reported that Owens told their columnist Bob Levey in 2002, “Classical music is like sex, you never know how long it’s going to last, and it’s embarrassing if you clap at the wrong time.”

SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS CLOSE TEMPORARILY DUE TO OMICRON The National Zoo and Smithsonian museums are operating on a reduced schedule through Monday January 17. Many

Smithsonian museums will be open for five days-a-week or less. The National Air and Space Museum is closed through the 17th, as will the Anacostia Community Museum. The Air and Space Museum was already planning on being closed for six months beginning at the end of March due to renovations.

Other noteworthy closures include the Natural History Museum, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, the American History Museum, closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

METROBUS DEALING WITH COVID RELATED STAFFING SHORTAGES Like many businesses, schools and other venues, Metrobus reduced bus service starting Monday. Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule (but some routes will have additional trips). MetroAccess is planning on reducing shared rides and increasing accessibility rides and Metrorail will be operating normally.

D.C. REQUIRES VACCINE TO ENTER RESTAURANTS, GYMS, MORE In case you missed it, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday that beginning this month, individuals ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of a coronavirus vaccination to enter businesses in D.C., including restaurants, gyms and other indoor venues. The effort is due to District officials trying to get the city out from under a huge new wave of infections, due to the ultracontagious omicron variant.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR JANUARY 20

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS Next meeting 9 a.m. at: 401 F St. NW, Suite 312

Jan. 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Film Screening: Seven Songs for Malcolm X, Wed. Feb. 9, 6:00 -7:45 p.m.

THROUGH FEB. 27

FEBRUARY 3

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Next meeting 9 a.m. at: 401 F St. NW, Suite 312. Filing deadline Jan. 13.

Harmony – 15 Interpretations exhibit. For more info: https://www. washingtonprintmakers.com/exhibitslist/harmony

OLD GEORGETOWN BOARD

JAN. 18, 24, FEB. 9

GEORGETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY Virtual Art and Vision with Nick Cruz Velleman, Tues. Jan. 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Virtual Gentle Yoga, Mon.

8 JANUARY 12, 2022

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JAN 12, 19 & 26

SHOP MADE IN DC: WINE AND WATERCOLORS 5 – 7 p.m. at 1353 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Historic D.C. Firehouse 4 in Shaw contains an Airbnb penthouse unit. Courtesy Airbnb.

New District Rules May Curtail Airbnbs

BY PEGGY SAN D S The multitude of home owners and renters who have been renting out their dwellings to high-paying weekend and short-term visitors as so-called “Airbnbs,” will face far stricter regulations in 2022. The impact of the new rules passed by the D.C. Council in 2018 but just released as final rules by the District Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Agency, will certainly curtail the operation of many if not a majority of the Airbnbs that have sprung up in the District over the past ten years.

The new rules require that in order to rent out a property for less than 30 days, it needs to be the primary residence lived in and owned by the individual renting it out. In addition, for a shortterm rental to be legal, the owner must continue to live in the rental property — the host remains present throughout the guests’ stay. Under these conditions, there’s no limit to the number of days rooms on the property can be rented out.

The rules make a distinction for “vacation” rentals that are the vast majority of Airbnb bookings. They do not require the host to be present and can be run by professional managers. But they cannot be rented out for more than 90 days a year. Experts who have followed the evolution of Airbnbs in the District believe that most of the Airbnb hosts in D.C. will be unable to meet these requirements.

Over the past ten years, it is the rare residential neighborhood where a property owner and not

rarely, lessees of single-owner homes, secondhomes and even rooms, don’t occasionally and sometimes often rent a portion or all of the property out to temporary visitors. During college homecoming and graduation times, Georgetown areas’ residential parking places are increasingly full of SUVs with out-oftown license plates; quiet empty neighborhood houses suddenly are full of young sometimes noisy and partying youths.

During pre-pandemic times, the travel landscape saw a boom in short-term and temporary rentals. Middle- and lower-income owners and even student renters, would move to a friend’s house for a weekend or a month to make hundreds of dollars renting their abode to strangers for a short time. With heated earnings on Airbnbs in 2017 and 2018, it was clear that Airbnbs had become an important source of income for some home owners and renters in D.C. But increasingly the District saw developers convert entire condo and apartment buildings into temporary rental investments, complete with specialty cleaning crews, decorators and public relations teams in an increasingly competitive market. “In 2018, around 6,300 D.C. hosts welcomed a total of 517,500 guests via Airbnb,” the DCRA reported, “The average Airbnb host in the District of Columbia earns approximately $10,000 per year, totaling almost $100 million.”

BUSINESS

GLOVER PARK WHOLE FOODS TO OPEN IN 2022

While Whole Foods lovers will have to wait a little longer for their Glover Park store to reopen, excitement is building that it will be one of the first to use Just Walk Out technology for check out. “We are excited to announce that Whole Foods Market will open two stores featuring Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology as an option for customers.

The stores, one in Washington, D.C.’s Glover Park neighborhood and one in Sherman Oaks, California, are expected to open next year,” said Jamie Forrest of Whole Foods Market in a statement. The Whole Foods Market at 2323 Wisconsin Ave. NW will reopen next year with a 21,500 square- foot sales floor, according to the company.

BUCK MASON AND PRESSED Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is set to open in March on M Street. Courtesy Bitty & Beau’s.

INS & OUTS OF 2021

BY RO B E RT DEVA NEY

FOR 2021 — IN — 35

✅ Bakeshop on Grace ✅ English Rose Garden ✅ Yo Yoga ✅ Avocado Green Mattress ✅ Georgetown Pizza & Grill (Replaces Kitchen No. 1) ✅ Masala Street Indian Eatery ✅ Ally Banks on Book Hill ✅ Everlane ✅ Petite Soeur’s Perfect Bonbons ✅ Fat Munchiez, Upgraded Snacks ✅ Gorjana ✅ Sarah Flint ✅ Noosh, 280 Eatery ✅ All About Burger ✅ L. Priori Jewelry ✅ FP Movement ✅ Fitzgerald’s ✅ Aerie ✅ Gong Cha Bubble ✅ Faherty ✅ Crumbs & Whiskers ✅ Green Almond Pantry ✅ Mini Me Boutique ✅ Donahue Lounge ✅ Brow Bar ✅ European Market ✅ Spicez ✅ Duly Noted ✅ Foxtrot ✅ Roll by Goodyear ✅ Freshbee’s ✅ New Owner for Sara’s Market ✅ Amigo Mio ✅ Ray-Ban ✅ Mason’s Lobster Rolls

OUT — 13

❎ The Gap ❎ La Jolie Bleue ❎ Budd & Co. ❎ DCG-District Chicken & Gyro ❎ 7-Eleven (Wisconsin Avenue and O Street NW) ❎ Charcoal Town ❎ M&T Bank (1420 Wisconsin Ave. NW) ❎ AllSaints ❎ Lou Lou ❎ Kiehl’s ❎ Café Tu-O-Tu ❎ Bredice Bros. Shoe Repair, Hardware Store

The straightforward menswear store, Buck Mason, founded in 2013 by Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen Ford in Los Angeles, will set up a store at 3128 M St. NW. Also coming is Pressed which says it began in 2010 as a 25 square-foot “juice closet” in Los Angeles and included a food truck in Malibu. Pressed offers its signature cold-pressed juices along with plant-based foods. It will open in the former Papyrus card store location at 1300 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

BITTY & BEAU’S COFFEE

There’s a new coffee shop coming to the former Calvin Klein store at 3207 M St. NW in March. But North Carolina-based Bitty & Beau’s is not just a coffee shop. It primarily employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and declares: “Brewing up more than just delicious drinks, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop. Our shops provide a one-of-akind experience that is changing the way people see people with disabilities.”

AFGHAN RESTAURANT ON M

Taking over the former space of Don Lobo’s Mexican Grill which closed May 31, 2020, after 16 years, Afghania will be another restaurant by Omar Masroor at 2811 M St. NW. His Bistro Aracosia on MacArthur Boulevard gets high marks for serving the likes of sabzi turnovers, lamb chops and beef tenderloin, qabuli palou and veal ryehaan.

The new restaurant is situated between Taj of India Cuisine and La Chaumiere.

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STARR ITALIAN RESTAURANT ON M Stephen Starr, the restaurateur behind the popular French restaurant Le Diplomate on 14th Street will be opening an Italian eatery and market in the former Dean & DeLuca space on 3276 M St. NW. Starr operates Starr Restaurants, a multi-concept and independent restaurant group that includes more than 30 eateries. Starr shared the news at the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission’s June 1 online meeting. He’s working on getting California-based star chef and baker Nancy Silverton of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, both in Los Angeles.

The group has designs for a “mega Italian concept” with lots of pastas and pizzas and a hearth in the middle for baking — “not super expensive,” he said. The market portion will be a 1,000-square-foot Italian market with gelato and espresso, breads, baked goods, fresh veggies and more.

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EDITORIAL

NEWS ANALYSIS

Top Town Topics of 2021

BY PEGGY SAN D S Send Your Feedback, Questions or Concerns, Tips and Suggestions to editorial@georgetowner.com or call 202-338-4833.

Jan. 6: World Is Still Watching On this day, one year past, the sovereign people of the world’s oldest constitutional republic pause to reflect on the horrific events of January 6, 2021, the single most traumatic day in our Congress’s history and in the history of our nation’s elections for the office of the American presidency.

Many rightly choose to recall and hold in their memories the singularly appalling and deadly details of the riotous invasion of the U.S. Capitol as the United States Senate convened to certify the Electoral College votes duly cast in the 2020 presidential election.

Five persons died because of actions on this day. Also, 140 police officers (including 73 U.S. Capitol Police and 65 from the Metropolitan Police Department) were injured and many in the U.S. Capitol building that day – from members of congress who donned gas masks, to witnesses of desecration and vandalism in the hallowed Rotunda and on the House and Senate floors, to staffers and support workers who barricaded themselves behind file cabinets in offices – continue to suffer trauma.

We must pause to consider, in the wake of events one year ago, our place in the world of nations. Much of the world now doubts whether the American experiment in constitutional and democratic governance within a federal system will survive.

Our nation’s closest partners around the world, our NATO allies, voting peoples in friendly nations, and those beyond our borders who aspire to a democratic way of life have watched wearily and with mounting concern as our nation — proud to have elected its first Black president just a few short years ago — turned to another American president of more authoritarian persuasions who so brazenly employed from the outset the “firehose of falsehoods” technique of domestic misinformation favored by Russia’s President Putin.

By keeping the barrage of lies and contradictions flowing, the seeds of confusion among the populace are sowed and people’s will to resist exhausted. “How can so many Americans accept the Big Lie that President Biden stole the presidential election?” our friends ask. When the Washington Post documents President Trump’s lying to the American people more than 30,000 times during his administration, why does this not dampen support for the man?

Evidence of former President Trump’s use of the “firehose of falsehoods” technique on this day last year abounds. At 4:17 p.m. when — after watching televised scenes of over three hours of violent rioting and mayhem 10 JANUARY 12, 2022

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in the U.S. Capitol building and not lifting a finger to call off the violence despite multiple pleas from his own children and desperate, besieged members of Congress — this American commander-in-chief broadcast a video message to the world saying in the same breath that he supported law enforcement while telling the rioters “We love you, you’re very special, you’ve seen what happens, you’ve seen the way others are treated… I know how you feel, but go home…”

How can so many Americans accept the Big Lie that President Biden stole the presidential election?

How can any American “love” people who storm Congress on election certification day?

The very thought is repulsive, but the people are exhausted. Of course, the president also expressed nary a concern that his supporters threatened to hang the vice president whom he had publicly ridiculed for the cowardice of not rejecting election results after the rioting had begun.

For our international rivals and enemies – Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and various non-state actors – the events of January 6 have provided an enormous propaganda boon.

“Look at the United States,” they intone.

“Unable to prevent violent right-wing, Q-Anon supporting, neo-Nazi, pro-Confederacy extremists from storming the U.S. Capitol.”

As American intelligence services have amply demonstrated, these foreign adversaries have mounted major disinformation and disruption campaigns within our borders to fuel American political divisions, interfere in our electoral processes and sow the seeds of political violence and domestic terrorism.

Revisionist attempts to distort and erase our memories of what occurred in our nation’s capital on this day last year are easily fueled and manipulated by these actors who are alltoo-ready to fuel the “firehose of falsehoods.”

Given the shadowy worlds of online and financial support for Trump and his increasing cult-like control of national and state politicians, we can be sure the siege of our republic and his quest to return to power has only just begun.

Georgetown in 2021 was abuzz with news and events even though so many of the normal activities of business, shopping, dining out, schools, the university, night life, non-profit and town events were almost completely shut-down due to changing reactions to the pandemic. Three major topic areas absorbed much of the news focus: sidewalks and streets underlaid by the perennial issue of parking; the re-energizing of our parks for vital social, shopping and sports activities; and changes in education delivery from pre-k through college. Here’s the run-down.

SIDEWALKS AND STREATERIES:

Georgetown’s growing attraction the past two years to a rapidly growing population of empty-nest seniors (who sold-the-bigsuburban-house and moved-to-Georgetown) and young professional couples with young children (who didn’t want long commutes to the suburbs), often was attributed in pre-pandemic times to our town’s walkability. As Covid restrictions imposed on indoor gatherings continued into 2021, walking, dining, shopping, socializing and even conducting outdoor classes in everything from yoga to reading turned the public’s attention to innovations and improvements to our sidewalks and streets.

The Georgetowner covered many stories about our sidewalks: from protests against paving-over historic brick sidewalks to finishing at last a top-grade bike and strolling path in Rose Park from Pennsylvania Avenue to P Street.

But the most visible yearlong issue – the culmination of decades of town hall discussions – was the expansion of commercial sidewalks along most of Georgetown’s M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, from the waterfront to S Street. Pandemic regulations and a flush of funds lent an urgency to the idea of not only giving pedestrians more space to socially distance as they shopped and walked, but to expanding the dining spaces of many Georgetown eateries. The Georgetown BID managed the project, designing curbside extension platforms that could be models for much of the country.

The downside for the BID’s “sidewalk widening” project however, was the loss of more than 100 parking spaces that were also vital to Georgetown’s businesses. By December, a review found that while most Georgetowners liked and wanted the dining streateries and revitalized night life of Georgetown, most also demanded that dozens of parking places be put back in place.

RE-ENERGIZED PARKS

The year 2021 also saw Georgetown’s main parks -- Volta, Montrose, Rose and the waterfront -- became vital centers for social interactions, exercise and recreation and even shopping for Georgetowners of every age and

stage -- as well as their many pet dogs. Each park’s “Friends” organized markets in their parks, sports, games and even reading for children. Rose Park managed to get numerous city agencies and a private electrical company to supply outlets for lights and other needs.

Montrose finally saw the reconstruction of their historic tennis courts and gazebo. Popular paddleball courts were added.

The year ended with stunning finalizations to years of planning for renovations to two significant neighborhood recreation centers: Jelleff and Ellington Fields. In the final year budget process for the D.C. Council, giant increases in these two projects’ budgets were announced: $30 million for Jelleff and $3.5 million for Ellington. The Jelleff project will now probably include a substantial addition to the recreation center for senior and other community groups and the repositions and renovation of the public swimming pool. Ellington will include renovated field houses for community meetings and club team use, as well as a refurbished stadium and perhaps a dog park. Numerous town meetings involving hundreds of residents were conducted virtually over the year to move toward these agreements. Volta Park will receive $700,000 to renovate its popular baseball field.

GEORGETOWN SCHOOLS

Many stories in 2021 were also devoted to the at times agonizing uncertainties involving attendance at Georgetown’s many private and public schools due to changing restrictions and precautions imposed by the city and the teachers’ unions because of the vagaries of coronavirus infection spread. Caution and fears kept all children and college students masked not only inside the classrooms when they were able to attend school, but also outside on the playground. By the end of 2021, not one child under age 19 had died with or of Covid-19 in the District.

The Universities in and around Georgetown opened many of their classes to cautious in-person learning as well as some activities in the fall only to close and fall back to remote classes and exams in November and December due to the Omicron variant. New D.C. educational leaders were elected (Ward 2 State Board of Education Representative), hired (new Superintendent of Education) and chosen (Washington Teachers’ Union).

DEMOGRAPHICS AND POLITICS

The new year may be even more tumultuous as the 2022 elections not only involve Congress but include a mayoral election in the District.

The new decennial census count prompted a slight increase of the area of Ward 2, as the boundaries of advisory neighborhood commission district may also be altered in 2022.

Stay tuned...

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JANUARY 12, 2022

11

Pushing Our Boundaries

Troy Riemer (piloting from stern) as his group rafts down the New River Gorge, WVA.

Whistling in the Wind

Weekend Results in Humility

BY R OBE RT DEVA NEY

BY C H R ISTOPH ER JON ES

Up in the air about pushing boundaries?

In more ways than one, says publisher Sonya Bernhardt, willing to try anything once.

“I don’t mind getting out of my comfort zone,” she says. “I’m kind of a daring person, I think.”

She has the proof, having broken a few bones over the years, biking, running or just tripping.

For someone who ran the Army 10-Miler 12 years ago and walked the Camino de Santiago four months ago, adventure is always on her to-do list.

There was bungee jumping in British Columbia in 2015. “I’m scared of heights,” Bernhardt remarks. “I didn’t want to do it, but I wanted to overcome my fear.” She saw people before her jumping and how it was all under control, held her breath and — with her husband’s pushing — took the plunge. “Jumping off the bridge was exhilarating. It happened so

Sonya bungee jumping in British Columbia.

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fast, but the thrill of it stays in your skin.”

During Christmas week, she tried motored paragliding — or paramotoring — over Amelia Island in Florida. “It was pretty scary getting on a thing so little with such a small motor, but the pilot was a real pro,” she says. “The experience is closest to being a bird. We flew over our house, over land and then over the Atlantic. I saw schools of hammerheads and stingrays and then dolphins.” From that vantage place, she adds, “You’re in awe of the planet Earth — it’s a busy place.”

Ever curious, this adventure traveler loves nature and getting close to it. “I guess I’m a living-on-the-edge kind of girl,” Bernhardt says. “After all, I do own a newspaper. Now, that’s daring, these days. Being an entrepreneur, being a business owner is daring. That’s pushing boundaries, too, every day.”

Our graphic designer, Troy Riemer of Red Clay Creative, recalled a weekend he spent in West Virginia with friends a few years ago devoted to pushing one’s boundaries. While his whitewater rafting and cliff rappelling experiences in the New River Gorge those two days were quite harrowing, they also taught him some valuable life lessons.

“I actually don’t like rock climbing,” Riemer told us. “But, I kind of like pushing the boundaries of my own fears. I’m afraid of heights.” But, when some guys he had never met, “who were just drinking some beers” near a cliff precipice, asked Riemer and a friend if they’d like to try rappelling down a 200-foot cliff wall, he thought it was worth confronting his acrophobia. So, they went for it.

“It was pretty scary,” Riemer recalled.

Hanging off the cliff face and looking over the valley, his rappelling partner asked “isn’t this so beautiful?” But, Riemer said, “It is, but I just want to get down to the ground.” With a laugh, Riemer remembered descending so rapidly he burned his hands on the climbing ropes.

Later, Riemer and his friends went whitewater rafting in rapids that were “classified-plus,” meaning straight-up dangerous. Riemer was sitting in the back of the raft when his group was [intentionally] shooting a 14-foot waterfall as rapidly as possible so they could maneuver their raft up a rock after the drop. Unfortunately for Riemer, he was bounced into the water upon impact. Because it’s all such a blur in his memory, he can’t recall anything from going overboard beyond being relieved to be hoisted back into the raft. Once back on the vessel, he

remembers thinking, “This has been the scariest weekend of my life.”

Despite the harrowing experiences, however, Riemer found himself gaining humility from these boundary-pushing experiences. “I mean, I was pretty grateful that a lot of worse things didn’t happen. You know, you hear a lot of horror stories…, but I was like, ‘okay, I made it out and I was thankful.’ You know, sometimes you feel like you have this shield around you and you kind of feel invincible to some degree really. But those moments were very humbling… I would say that it’s worth pushing those boundaries at least one in your life. Afterwards, you can say ‘at least I tried it.’ ” Undaunted, Riemer is pursuing his pilot’s license. At higher altitudes, he said, the heights don’t feel as “tangible,” but when the wind currents rock the small plane, “that’s the scary part.”

Rappelling down the 200-foot cliff face at New River Gorge. Photo by Troy Riemer.

FOOD & WINE

COVER STORY

Learning to Fly (Indoors)

BY C HR IS TOP HER J O N E S When New Year’s rolls around, it’s easy to fall back on all the perennial life-affirming resolutions: to communicate better, exercise more, improve our sleep, eat a healthier diet, learn Sanskrit – you know the deal. Often, we have difficulty following through on our solemn avowals. By year’s end we simply sip our Champagne and gamely give it another go.

When the staff of The Georgetowner decided to explore the concept of “pushing one’s boundaries”, I decided to put my vertigoinducing, knee-wobbling fear of heights to the test and try my hand at skydiving.

Indoors, that is. To see how scary the experience might be – and for the sake of journalism – I gave indoor skydiving (aka “bodyflight”) a shot.

About a half-hour’s drive from Georgetown, the iFLY indoor skydiving complex in Gaithersburg looks imposing and industrial from the outside as it looms above Interstate 270 – the multi-story building suggestive of a hangar at Cape Canaveral houses a 67-foot tall, 14-foot diameter vertical wind tunnel to lift participants aloft – but on the inside the iFLY program is quite welcoming for newcomers who want to experience “free-fall” in a safe environment.

Inviting anyone from “ages 3 to 103,” iFLY helps the adventurous to “defy gravity and experience bodyflight… taught by highly trained, certified coaches.” Plopping down $84 for iFLY’s most affordable weekend individual ticket. I proceeded upstairs to watch the maneuvers of the bodyflyers and instructors up close. Fortunately, I sat right next to a woman who appeared by the looks of her fancy flight suit to be a highly experienced skydiver. Turns out, she was. With over 40 years of skydiving experience Darlene Kellner of Pennsylvania has been jumping out of planes with her skydiving students for many years. Kellner enjoys having access to iFLY’s facilities to practice her skills.

Curiously, though the author has a “vertigoinducing” fear of heights, he’s comfortable exploring underwater depths.

“It’s so realistically similar to actually freefalling that all the world’s champion skydivers use [iFLY’s wind tunnel] to train,” she said.

Reassuringly, Keller confided that she’s not without her own fears when she’s skydiving, but she still relishes the opportunity. “I’m afraid I still have a fear of heights and I’ve been skydiving for almost 40 years,” Keller said.

“Unfortunately, [indoor skydiving] will not get rid of your fear of heights, but it does make you feel like you’re flying like Peter Pan so it is quite the adventure, you know?”

Soon, it was time for me to join my group and pick up my equipment. I was issued a sky-blue flight suit (with instructor handles attached), helmet, goggles (especially important to cover my glasses), hair cover (for not much hair) and ear plugs. I was then instructed to put my watch, phone and pocket contents into a complimentary locker.

When I asked my flight instructor, Ethan Hinds, how he liked his job taking newbies on this tempestuous journey, he expressed delight.

“It’s probably been the most fun adventure and experience I’ve ever had,” he said.

Robert Reid, another iFly flight instructor, also expressed joy in his work. So, is this a good sport for people who want to push their own boundaries? “One hundred percent!,” Reid said.

“I know a lot of people aren’t thrill-seekers,” but the sport is so safe, he reassured. “I can’t even imagine doing a better sport than this… This is one of the most liberating experiences you’ll feel in your life. It’s flying. And, before I did this, I couldn’t imagine, I couldn’t fathom, the experience of actually getting in the tunnel and actually flying until I did it.”

VISIT GEORGETOWNER.COM FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.

A young bodyflyer and her instructor rise easily aloft on the upward winds.

Victor Albisu of Taco Bamba

LATEST DISH MARK PERRY’S NEW RESTAURANTS CONTINUE TO OPEN IN THE METRO REGION

BY L IN D A R OTH Victor Albisu’s Taco Bamba is ready to take it on the road and across the country. What started in 2013 with a carryout restaurant in Falls Church, now has six locations in the Metro region, with a seventh slated to open in Alexandria, as well as an experienced investment partner, Investors Management Corp (IMC), that has invested in another restaurant operation, Golden Corral.

Renowned Laotian chef, Seng Luangrath, plans to open Padaek, at 2901 S. Glebe Road in Arlington Ridge shopping center in South Arlington, where Delia’s Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza used to be. The original Padaek opened in Falls Church in 2017, after Seng converted her Bangkok Golden restaurant into the purely Laotian, Padaek. She also owns Thip Khao in Columbia Heights, which earned a Michelin guide Bib Gourmand designation.

Fight Club will move on down the block and reopen where Hank’s Oyster Bar used to be on Capitol Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE. It had been operating as a pop-up in the Beuchert’s Saloon space – both owned and operated by Andrew Markert.

Food Fight chef, Bart Hutchins, and beverage director, Mackenzie Conway, are also partners. The renowned comfort food sandwich menu will expand into large plate comfort food dishes like fried chicken, brisket and ribs, as well as desserts, and punches – the beverage kind. A Q2 2022 opening is targeted. But in Q1 2020, Andrew plans to open a fine dining restaurant, Newland, where Montmartre used to be.

Peter Chang plans to open a new Szechuan restaurant in Columbia,

Maryland’s Merriweather District in Q4 2022, joining Busboys and Poets, Clove & Cardamom and Baltimore’s The Charmery. Two other new restaurants slated to open in Merriweather District: Toastique, gourmet toast and juice bar, and Po Boy Jim, serving Caribbean fare with Cajun influences. It is owned by Miskiri Hospitality Group, which also owns Creole on 14th in Columbia Heights. A Q1 2022 opening is planned.

Yuan and Carey Tang of Michelinstarred Rooster & Owl are slated to hatch their newest creation, Ellie Bird, at Founders Row in West Falls Church in Q4 2022. The 70-seat restaurant will include some of the go-to comfort food that Yuan and Carey pivoted to, during the pandemic – as well as a kids’ menu. It’s named for their best creation – their daughter, who was born during the pandemic.

On January 5, Kevin Tien and Caleb Jang will open their “Omicron pivot edition” (a takeout version a la Hot Lola’s in Ballston Quarter) of Magpie and the Tiger, where Himitsu was in Petworth. The 22-seat dining room will open for seated service on Jan. 12 serving KoreanAmerican cuisine.

Captain White Seafood City, a landmark at the Southwest waterfront, will move closer inland and reopen in Oxon Hill, Maryland where Pizza Italia and Franks Sports Bar used to be at 6308 Livingston Rd. Linda Roth is Founder and CEO of Linda Roth Associates (LRA), a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the foodservice and hospitality industries.

Follow her at: @LindaRothPR #LindaRothPR or www.lindarothpr.com GMG, INC.

JANUARY 12, 2022

13

DC SCENE

2021: A LOOK BACK...

PHOTOS BY JEFF MALET

2021 saw a partial resumption of activities in the District suggesting better times ahead. It was also a year of political turmoil.

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Resembling gladiators, a strong contingent of police stood guard in full riot gear at a “Justice for J6” rally. (Sept. 18) Over 687,000 white flags on the National Mall symbolize the lives lost to Covid-19 in the U.S. (Sept. 26) Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole’s casket is carried up the U.S. Capitol East Steps where it will lie in state. (Dec. 9) Tennis great Rafael Nadal made his initial appearance at the Citi Open. (Aug. 5) President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris were speakers at the MLK Memorial 10th Anniversary celebration. (Oct. 21)

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SEE MORE PHOTOS BY JEFF MALET ON GEORGETOWNER.COM

REAL ESTATE

The Taft Mansion Finds Its Proper Stewards

BY C AS S A NDRA P E ND I N O Almost two years ago, The Georgetowner published a short history of the neighborhood’s most expensive crumbling property, the Taft Mansion at 1688 31st NW which was once owned by Senator Robert Taft, son of President William Howard Taft. Once famed for its luxurious owners and even more luxurious parties, the property had become the antithesis of its former self: dark, deserted, and decrepit.

After years of lying vacant, causing issues for the area, this remarkable house has finally found its saviors in longtime Georgetown residents Azali Kassum and Ian Myers, who are planning on restoring the property to its former glory.

Although the Taft Mansion was in dire need of help for some time, Kassum and Myers did not have an easy time acquiring the property.

The endeavor to purchase the house lasted most of 2020, the two working hard to close the deal with the developers who previously owned it. The battle they endured in order to finally obtain the property is a real testament to the dedication and passion this couple feels for the house. Kassum and Myers view the

Taft Mansion as their “forever home” and are not only excited to restore the property to enjoy it with their three children, but are thrilled with the opportunity to impart their own design prowess on the space and bring the house back to life and into the modern day.

The couple is working with Ankie Barnes of BarnesVanze Architects, known for their commitment to classic design and experience with old homes, and Kassum will be heading up the interior work herself with her company Azali Kassum Design. With the complicated planning for the project well underway, the couple is expected to begin the permitting process by the mid-year, hopefully in time to break ground sometime in 2022. If all goes smoothly, the family will be joyously moving into their dream home by late 2023.

In terms of construction, the focus for the building itself will be the restoration and preservation of the structure as it stands today; an enhancement of the current exterior rather than a redesign. The interior of the property will be changed most significantly,

The former Taft home at 1688 31st NW. Georgetowner photo. in order to accommodate modern living and entertaining. Most of the interior walls of the house are structural, however, so it is difficult to reconfigure the space.

The intention of the new design is to create openings where they can encourage a more free-flowing and “gracious” space, while protecting the original layout of the rooms -- modern character draped elegantly over the historic backbone of the distinguished home. Additionally, some features will be placed back into their historic context, such

as the original fireplace, moved to the house’s addition during the 70s, being returned to its authentic location. Decisions like this preserve the charm and spirit of a home, allowing it to be recognizable, while bringing it forward into the present. Loving an old house for what it is, not making it something it isn’t.

To see this house come alive once more with a family not only dedicated to the house, but the community is a truly lovely thing. Azali Kassum and Ian Myers are the stewards the Taft Mansion deserves.

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circa 1740 w/addition in 1820 | 6 BR, 5 fireplaces | 85 acres, 4 barns | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 allweather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing | Guest house | Farm office /3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/ apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond $6,000,000 (also available w/113.59 acres, $7,000,000

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Gorgeous 71 acre parcel in a wonderful location between Middleburg and The Plains | Rolling land with stone walls and 2 ponds | Enchanting property | Property is in conservation easement and may not be divided further

3 recorded parcels in Markham, VA. | Frontage on Goose Creek, land rises to great views, mountain meadows on upper portion | Access over Railroad and creek | Excellent hunting land, surrounded by large tracts | 162.86 acres

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LOVE PERFORMING ARTS? The Georgetowner is seeking an experienced reviewer of the performing arts — theater, music, dance, opera and more.

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ARTS

Carlotta Hester’s “Rapture” Canvases Evoke Jazz Improv

BY M AD DIE RENNY S O N Walking past Addison/Ripley Fine Art at 1670 Wisconsin Avenue, bright splashes of watercolor on canvas might catch your eye. In her latest show “Rapture,” painter Carlotta Hester’s expressionist evocations of improvisational freedom light up the gallery.

“Rapture – that is what I felt when I was making the work,” Hester tells The Georgetowner. After another tough year of navigating these unprecedented times, Hester found solace in the connection between brush and canvas. While painting the colorful collection, she felt like a jazz musician, improvising her next stroke as she went along, and getting in the zone with the colors and the movement of the work. She used this time to create as a space for meditation to escape what was going on outside of the studio.

Artswatch

BY KAT E OCZ Y P OK Featured Q&A: Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, who will be conducting the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) this month.

GEORGETOWN MEDIA GROUP: TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMS YOU ARE CONDUCTING IN D.C. THIS MONTH. GIANANDREA NOSEDA: The programs in January 2022 are dedicated to Beethoven and two great 20th-century American composers, George Walker and William Grant Still.

The idea is to explore the development of symphonic form since it was Beethoven who reshaped the symphony in a way that affected

Hester has already gotten a joyful response to her work. Members of the community, other artists, and students have come into the gallery and commented on how uplifting and bright the paintings make them feel. This is how Hester felt as she was painting them as well.

In addition to her career as an artist, Hester is also an art teacher at Maret, known for its exceptional visual arts program. This profession holds a special place in her heart as she was first inspired to pursue her passion for art by her own high school art teacher, Stephanie Jones. Hester now has the opportunity to pass on that inspiration to the next generation of young artists.

Hester loves all art media and enjoys exploring different types of projects, especially through teaching her students. There was

everyone from Schubert to Brahms and Mahler to Shostakovich. D.C. native George Walker—the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music—and William Grant Still—the first Black composer to have a symphony performed by a leading orchestra— also felt Beethoven’s profound influence so it will be fascinating for audiences to hear how Beethoven, Walker, and Grant Still inform and enlighten one another.

GMG: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH THE NSO? GN: At the top of the list is the quality of the NSO’s playing regardless of the repertoire we are presenting. Actually, it’s not just the

Carlotta Hester creating pieces for “Rapture.”

Photo by Max Hirshfeld courtesy Addison/Ripley. a period during the pandemic where she was teaching virtually which posed some challenges given that the students did not have access to all their usual materials or the studio space. However, they were still able to practice their still-life portraits by having models pose on the screen. “I love art because I love making art,” Hester says, and is living

out her passion of being able to create her own work while also helping others unveil their talent and explore their love for art.

quality but the technical skill of the NSO whether we are approaching Bach and Handel (the Messiah last month was stupendous) or music written today, such as a work by Carlos Simon, the Kennedy Center’s new Composerin-Residence. The chameleon-like spirit of the orchestra and its ability to adapt is my proudest musical accomplishment with this great orchestra.

through every virtual means at my disposal even if I couldn’t be there physically.

GMG: WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO DO SOMETHING INVOLVING MUSIC AS A CAREER? GN: It has to be when I was teenager around the age of 16 or 17. I started piano lessons when I was five-and-a-half years old and during my teens I began exploring composition, musicology, and conducting. It was really at that point that I knew music would be the principal part of my life.

GMG: HOW DIFFICULT HAS IT BEEN FOR THE NSO DURING THE PANDEMIC? WHAT HAS GOTTEN YOU THROUGH?

National Symphony Orchestra Music Director Gianandrea Noseda. Courtesy NSO.

GN: Of course, it was difficult not to see each other from March 2020 – March 2021.

During that period, my biggest duty and responsibility was to motivate the NSO and keep the momentum going on what we had already accomplished together since 2017.

The artists of the NSO did a fantastic job reinventing themselves with many digital initiatives including NSO @ Home. My role was to communicate regularly with them and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel which we are hopefully nearing. Ultimately, I needed them to know I was part of the family

In partnership with the Govinda Gallery, Addison/Ripley will be showing Rapture through January 22.

GMG: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS WITH THE NSO? GN: In the future, I want to make our relationship even stronger and make the NSO a transformative part of Washington, D.C., America, and globally through touring, recording, residencies, digital initiatives, and many other projects. I want the National Symphony Orchestra to be a truly national orchestra.

In other news…

RUBELL ARTS MUSEUM COMING ALONG

Art collectors Don and Mera Rubell are working on opening a second location of their “Rubell Museum” (the first being in Miami). The Rubells are hoping to open their second location sometime this year in the closed Randall Junior High School in SW DC. Additional details will be forthcoming.

LOCAL ARTISTS “TAKE TO THE STREETS”

Tenleytown resident Sid Edelmann decided to try woodworking in his retirement from the World Bank. As of July 2021, he created Little Gallery, a place reminiscent of the Little Free Libraries all over the city. The wooden structure serves as a mini art gallery for local artists of any age to display their creations. Since the summer, Little Gallery has featured 21 artists.

The exhibit is located at 4400 Fessenden St. NW, along with a Little Free Library and a library of sticks for your canine companions.

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KITTY KELLEY BOOK CLUB

‘John Lewis: The Last Interview and Other Conversations’ THE LATE CONGRESSMAN’S STAR CONTINUES TO SHINE REVIEW ED BY KIT T Y K E LLE Y

A

hero is someone who can be admired without apology: no excuses, no explanations. A rara avis such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Desmond Tutu, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., plus two pandemic saviors from the 1950s, Drs. Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who each discovered polio vaccines but forfeited all financial profit from their discoveries for the benefit of mankind. On July 17, 2020, the pantheon of heroes expanded when 80-year-old Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) went to the angels.

As a youngster in Troy, Alabama, Lewis went to the public library with his nine siblings to get a library card but was told the place was “for whites only and not for coloreds.” That rejection lit a candle in the little boy, who became a non-violent disciple of Dr. King and trained to be a community organizer.

At the age of 23, he began marching for civil rights when he walked over the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery and was beaten by Alabama’s “finest” on “Bloody Sunday.” Lewis fell to the ground and curled up in the “prayer for protection” position he’d been taught. He let his five-foot-seven body go limp as troopers walloped him with billy clubs.

Lewis then staggered up, dripping with blood, and managed to make a speech denouncing the commander-in-chief of the United States: “I don’t know how President Johnson can send troops to Vietnam, I don’t see how he can send troops to the Congo, I don’t see how he can send troops to Africa, and can’t send troops to Selma.”

The president was listening. Five months later, in 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act to remove all race-based restrictions at the ballot box. The law remained in effect until 2013, when the Supreme Court ruled that Congress must update the act for it to continue to be applicable.

Republicans refused. Democrats objected as certain states passed laws creating barriers to voting particularly aimed at disenfranchising minorities. In recent months, Republicans have blocked every attempt to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would make the required fixes. The battle continues today, dividing the country along bitter partisan lines.

During his lifetime of principled protest, Lewis was thrown in jail over 40 times, but he never stopped marching or “getting into good trouble,” as he called it, until his death in the summer of Black Lives Matter. In 1998, he wrote “Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement,” which is required reading in many high schools and colleges. Years later, in an effort to reach young people, “the ones to continue the struggle,” Lewis wrote a trilogy

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of black-and-white comic books to illustrate the Civil Rights Movement.

Now, the principles that ignited his lifetime of protests for civil rights, voting rights, gun control, healthcare reform, and immigration rights can be found in this slim John Lewis: The Last Interview and Other Conversations.

It’s a small book about a big man who speaks plain words as he presents a primer on peaceful protest: “We believed that our struggle was not a struggle that lasts for a day or a few weeks or a few months or a semester. It was a struggle of a lifetime…You have to pace yourself for the long, hard…struggle. And you have to come to the point of accepting nonviolence as a way of life, as a way of living…The struggle is not between Blacks and whites…but a struggle between what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil, between the forces of justice and the forces of injustice.”

John Lewis never gave up hope for “the beloved community,” a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love for all. His hope, like that of Emily Dickinson, was a “thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.”

Georgetown resident Kitty Kelley has written several number-one New York Times best-sellers, including “The Family: The Real Story Behind the Bush Dynasty.” kittykelleywriter.com

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To learn more, visit MedStarGeorgetown.org/PTC or call 240-273-4336.

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