GCITIZENSeorgetown

V OLUME XXI / ISSUE 9 / DECEMBER 2007 WWW. CAGTOWN. ORG

CAG Hosts December Open House Next CAG Meeting ou are cordially invited to a programs and projects will be avail- Monday, December 10 Yspecial holiday open house able. As always, questions on what’s on Monday, December 10, happening in Georgetown and the Holiday Open House at CAG from 6 to 8 pm at the CAG office. issues CAG is working on are en- Come visit our cheerful, centrally- couraged. Come see where so many 1365 , NW, located “headquarters” (above of our activities take place and talk #200 BB+T bank) overlooking the corner with our staff, volunteers and board Reception 6 – 8 pm of Wisconsin and O Street, to see members—former and current. how CAG has grown to accommo- Mark your calendars to spend a date numerous volunteer activities, jolly and jovial evening at “CAG bustling staff, frequent meetings and central” 1635 Wisconsin Avenue, more. CAG Board members and NW, Suite #200. The entrance is via volunteers will be on hand to show the exterior staircase on O Street you around our expanded space, and will be well marked with a and share festive fare and beverages merry wreath. to kick-off the season. Come see where it all happens. We’ll toast the holidays, chat, and We look forward to welcoming you learn more about what’s on your to our “home” at the holidays! mind. Details about CAG’s many

CAG Begins Public Safety Fundraising for 2008 An engaged, vigilant community is vital to preventing crime AG took a big leap forward contributions to again underwrite politan Police Department and elect- Cin 2007 by expanding the the program. ed officials for police resources in public safety program. Early Georgetown. in the year, the CAG Board commit- Why the program needs your What started early in 2007 as ted funds for pilot projects with the support in 2008: pilot programs have been made per- hope that financial support from the The 12 member Public Safety Com- manent, and are now enhanced, community would be sufficient to mittee meets each month to improve using state-of-the-art technology. continue throughout the year. Hap- the effectiveness of each part of the pily, the response to the larger pro- program. As a result we have: Now we have a CAG Guard gram was terrific. Residents (and • increased CAG Guard surveillance Supervisor and Patrol Cars: some businesses) donated at higher in clearly marked patrol cars with Have you seen the white Securitas levels than ever before. flashing lights. cars with the yellow flashing lights Now CAG is launching fundrais- • more police on our streets. patrolling our streets? We added a ing for 2008 to continue the • over 50 block captains forming supervisor and put all our guards in improved and enhanced Public Safe- safety communications network for patrol cars. That has increased the ty Program. Residents will receive their block. letters in early December asking for • stronger advocacy with the Metro- Continued on page 9 1 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / DECEMBER 2007

President’s letter

s we near the end of the year, CAG committees (see page 8). The Mayor’s office has also notified the Aare taking stock of their accomplishments and Clean City Coordinator of the efforts and that office is setting new goals for 2008. I think it’s been a now on board. Meetings with restaurant owners and terrific year, with each and every committee raising the the Departments of Health and Public Works have been bar and expectations. very encouraging and positive results are beginning to happen. Thank you to the beautification committee: UPDATES Georgine Anton, Lee Child, Patrick Clawson, Tony The public safety committee, led by Luca Pivato and DeWitt, Danielle Dooley, Tim Downs, Betsy Emes, Richard Hinds, has made enormous strides. The institu- Sandy Haffler, Bob Hanrott, Mary Frances Monroe, tion of the MPD Reimbursable Detail and the reinvigo- Betsy Rackley, Ann & Milton Thompson for helping to ration of the Guard and Block Captain programs have make all this happen. made a difference in the safety and quality of life in Cookie Cruse continues to spearhead the Alcohol Georgetown. We should all take off our hats to the hard- Beverage Control committee…doing the work of an working committee members: Roberto Coquis; Diane entire group. She meticulously works with establish- Colasanto; Helen Darling; Hazel Denton; Barbara ments with liquor licenses to ensure they are within the Downs; Seth Kirshenberg; Bob Hanrott; Steve Kurzman; confines of the law and that surrounding residences are Ron Lewis; Kathy O’Hearn; and Ed Solomon. not intruded upon. She has just led a major effort in a The historic preservation committee, led by Barbara joint full-scale protest hearing by CAG and the ANC Zartman, has taken on a very complex and exceedingly opposing Morton’s application for additional seating. important task. That committee is working closely with The ABC Board is expected to issue a decision within the District Office of Planning to protect the integrity of 90 days. the Georgetown Historic District with land use protec- Our membership is thriving, and we’re lucky to have tions to mitigate the creeping loss of open space and the a dynamic new chair of the membership committee; steady density growth. We’ve been assured by planning Diane Colasanto, experienced in public opinion officials that they recognize the unique character of research, has held focus groups with non-members to Georgetown and that our group will be working closely see what they would like from CAG. She is also analyz- with them during a total rewrite of the District’s ing our demographic information to determine how we regulations. We are very grateful for the diligent work can better reach and serve our community. of Louise Brodnitz, Victoria Rixey, Seth Kirshenberg, The Trees for Georgetown committee, chaired by Richard Hinds and Leslie Kamrad. Betsy Emes, has planned the spring planting and has When the beautification committee started a couple stepped up efforts in tree maintenance with a watering of years ago, we were just trying to tidy up the town. program and an injection program for endangered Q Well, chair Brenda Moorman has launched activities far Street Dutch elms. The group is also shifting their annu- beyond our expectations. Due in great part to this com- al fundraising event to the spring to coincide with the mittee’s efforts, the District government has begun a planting season and the need for timely funding. Thanks Community Hygiene Pilot program to eradicate the ter- to Bob Laycock, Frank Randolph, Steve Cooley, Patrick rible rodent problem in the blocks bordered by Potomac Clawson, Sara Hope Franks, Bill and Jackie Weldon, Street, Wisconsin Avenue, N Street and Prospect Street Jackie Martin, Kinsey Marable, Felicia Stidham and I had the pleasure of Mary Carter for doing a lot of heavy lifting. commending ANC And a huge recognition goes to the newsletter com- Executive Director mittee led by editor Tara Scopelliti who’s backed up by Bonnie Hardy (left) Betsy Cooley and Cookie Cruse. That team plus regular upon her retirement contributors Edie Schaffer, VV Harrison, Anne Emmet from eight years of and Walter Groszyk keeps this award-winning commu- superb service to the nications vehicle fresh and informative. Commission and the And believe it or not, there’s a lot more work going community. Bonnie on. But space dictates that’s going to have to wait until was the friendly, another time. I want to express my gratitude to each knowledgeable, ever- board, committee member and volunteer for their dedi- gracious, go-to person for help and advice on any range of problems—from pot- cation and for donating their greatest gift, their time. holes and missing street lights to building permits and recy- May this be a joyous holiday season for all. cling schedules.We’re going to miss you, Bonnie! —Denise R. Cunningham 2 D ECEMBER 2007 / GEORGETOWN C ITIZENS

aspects of georgetown Edith Shafer

WHAT HE SAW The amazing gift of Fred Maroon

t’s not what he saw but how he International Center of Photography (Maroon Photograph has recently Isaw it, and what he did with and the Library of Congress. And sold the one millionth notecard!) what he saw. He was a world the magazine work, and all the One photograph shows the Harrier class photographer of astonishing accolades. Did he get up at dawn to jet, a British plane that looks like a versatility and range. Those of us take these amazing photographs? manta ray piloted by Darth Vader, who knew him as a fellow George- Rather it seems like he just knew taking off vertically in front of the towner hardly knew the scope of his instinctively where to be, and when, Capitol. The futuristic plane is stark art. His interests and vision carried and how to compose and shoot and menacing in front of a soft him from a snowy Wisconsin photographs without a lot of fuss. focus Capitol . Another aston- Avenue (the classic photograph we He knew about light, and as an ishing photograph shows our monu- all know) to fashion in Afghanistan architect he knew about the compo- ments against a red sky caused by to the downfall of to sition of objects and of spaces. dust in the atmosphere from a vol- English Country Houses, and back Fred Maroon’s son, Marc, also a canic eruption in the Philippines. to the commanding photographs of professional photographer, is seeing Another catches a monumental fire- Washington. that his father’s work continues to works display behind monuments. The Nixon Years, White House get the attention it deserves. Marc The web site: fredmaroon.com, is to Watergate was photojournalism has created eighteen matted photo- worth a visit. of a high order, direct and immedi- graphs, some 9 x 12 and some 12 x What a life Fred Maroon had. ate, those once so familiar faces, 18, as well as small stylish note What a legacy! looking so young and even vulnera- cards that are available at Barnes & ble as scandal broke around them. Noble and Morgan’s Pharmacy. — Edith Schafer The fashion photographs are stun- ning: in Afghanistan, shooting from Shop for a Present and Remember Katryna below, he positioned a model in a The Georgetown Garden Club is selling tote bags and aprons, which feature a highly patterned robe against an beautiful watercolor rendering of tulips by the late Katryna Carothers.To pur- even more patterned mosque in an chase, call Lee Child (625-1175) or email at [email protected] aprons are $20 intricate arrangement of blues and and the bags are $12. It is a nice way to remember our beloved friend Katryna at grays. (Move over, Richard Avedon). this time of year. Proceeds from the sale of the aprons and bags will go to the From Mongolia, Leningrad, Japan, Georgetown Garden Club for their neighborhood projects. —Anne Emmet

Egypt and the Colorado River he showed us splendor. And food. Ah, yes food. In Cooking with the Sea- Sally Blumenthal and John Parsons Retiring sons, the presentations of master Two people who have been deeply involved with the new Georgetown Water- chef Jean-Louis Palladin, in gor- front Park, John Parsons and Deputy Associate Regional Director Sally Blumen- geous unconventional settings, fairly thal, are retiring from the at the end of the year. Since 1991, jump off the page. Photographs to Sally has played a major role in developing the new Waterfront Park; her commit- swoon over. And after the photo- ment to the new park spans a 16-year period. Sally will continue to reside in graphs were taken, they got to eat Georgetown, and says she is “planning on attending the official opening of the the food! new park next Spring!” And the books! There were John Parsons, who has overall responsibility for the Federal parks and memori- twelve in all: The U.S. Capitol, The als in the National Region, has labored even longer to create this new Supreme Court, The Egypt Story, park. Keepers of the Sea, These United Peter May will assume John’s duties as the Associate Regional Director for Lands, Resources and Planning for the National Park Service, and replace Sally as States, Maroon on Georgetown, to liaison with the community partners for the park. Peter will also be responsible name a few. Maroon photographs for moving the Wisconsin Avenue to 31st Street section of the park into construc- are in the permanent collection at tion. the Museum of Modern Art, the — Walter Groszyk Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 3 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / DECEMBER 2007

“Notes for Books” HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Sat. Dec. 1 Holiday Market on n October benefit for the the unique Peabody Room with its Bookhill with festive foods, bever- AGeorgetown Library drew wealth of documents on George- ages, shopping, and unveiling of almost 200 Georgetowners, town’s early buildings and residents. shops’ holiday windows;11 am – 6 pm; as well as senior representatives The gifted and skilled musicians Wisconsin between Q & R Streets. from the embassies of France, Ger- of HanZone Productions gave a Sun. Dec. 2 Annual Boat Parade of many, Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, concert, at no cost, for this good Lights and Georgetown Tree Light- Sweden, Malaysia, and the Euro- cause, and Father Albert Scariato ing with Santa and hot cocoa; 4 – 6 pean Union. In the aftermath of the provided the hospitality of St. John’s pm; Washington Harbour, 30th & K April fire, our Library requires Church. Organizers Steve Meeter, Streets; free admission. major financial resources to restore Frida Burling, and Colleen Fri. Dec. 7 Wreath Making; 10 am the beloved Childrens’ Room and Markham quickly went to work –11:30 am & 2 pm – 3:30 pm; (also on with Anna Velazco of the DC Public Sat. Dec. 8 from 10 am –11:30 am); Library Foundation and DC Chief , 1644 31st Street; mem- Librarian Ginnie Cooper. Local bers $28 per wreath; nonmembers friends like Leah Spencer of Fete $35 per wreath; all materials provided; Accompli Catering generously advance registration required; call donated wine and sumptuous food, 965-0400. and many other freebies. The splen- Fri. Dec. 7 : did evening reception with fabulous Friday Music Series Annual Holiday music was held in the elegant Blake Concert; 1:15 pm; McNeir Auditorium Hall. at GU, 37th & O Streets; free admis- The fundraiser was a success and sion; call 687-6933. the checks are still rolling in…to the Fri. Dec. 7 : Your tune of almost $40,000 — with no Home for the Holidays featuring fes- expenses! We are so grateful to all tively decorated period rooms,“T’was who participated, and pleased to the night before Christmas” tour & hear that we have set a prime exam- Charming children—in their best holiday craft-making for children; 7- 9 ple for community support. clothes and on best behaviour — pm; 2715 Q Street; $10 per adult, 1 collected donations from the audience: child free per adult, $5 per additional — Frida Burling with photos by (left to right) Zach Martin, Maggie Hill, child; reservations required, call 337- Bea Markham. Leslie Kamrad 2288 ext. 450. Sat. Dec. 8 Dumbarton United NEWSBYTES Methodist Church Celtic Christmas The new Setchi Ecoboutique at 1614 Wisconsin offers organic clothing and Concert: Barnes & Hampton Consort; gifts that are made from “vintage or remnant materials” or produced locally 4 and 8 pm (also on 12/9 at 4pm; or which “support crafts people at a living wage”…The DC Public Library’s 12/13 at 7pm; 12/14 at 8pm; 12/15 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is seeking artifacts from the 1950s 4 and 8 pm); 3133 Dumbarton Street; through the 60s for new permanent exhibit entitled “King in Washington,” call 965-2000 or visit www.dumbar- which will open in January 2009 in observance of the 80th birthday of Dr. tonconcerts.org for tickets. Martin Luther King, Jr.; call 727-1213…Check out the expanded Baked & Sat. Dec. 8 Tudor Place Holiday Wired Bakery (1052 Thomas Jefferson Street): savor tasty baked goods with Open House; 4 – 7 pm; 1644 31st coffee or tea in the lounge, which has wireless, now open seven days a week Street; $10/adult, $5/child; free to …Computer problems? Visit Computer Plus, Inc. at 1621 Wisconsin Avenue members; advance registration call (tel. 625-2500) on Bookhill for repairs (offering pick up and delivery or even 965-0400. in-house service), accessories and new computers…The DC Department of Sat. Dec. 15 Gingerbread House Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has issued a reminder about per- Children’s Workshop; 10:30 – Noon mitted work hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm; (also on Wed. Dec. 19 from 4 – 5:30 work outside these hours requires an after-hours permit…Watch for a new pm and Fri. Dec. 28 from 10:30 – movie, “State of Play” starring Brad Pitt, to be filmed locally in early Febru- Noon); Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street; ary/March…Holiday shopping? Remember to use your CAG Merchant Dis- $12 members (per child); $15 non- count card at participating businesses around Georgetown (see members (per child); adult chaper- www.cagtown.org for list.) ones free; advance registration required; call 965-0400. 4 D ECEMBER 2007 / GEORGETOWN C ITIZENS

Painted Bricks brown stone accents will never grace the house again. The brick, long treasured for its dignified, nearly ’m not sure when it happened. are powdering and water seeping maintenance-free good looks must IAfter five years of walking the through the wall, might painting now be painted on a regular basis. streets of Georgetown, I woke solve the problem? Good painters The paint got to this point in only a up to a sad fact: most of the crisp will tell you, paint doesn’t stick to decade or two, while the brick last- face brick, delicate mortar joints, problems for very long. And once ed for a century without paint. and bold stone watercourses, have painted, the clues to the problem’s I’m surprised that there is no rule been covered in paint. source are concealed. When the against painting face brick. DCMR My kids are fine with it – they’ve source of the damage (rising damp, Title 10A requires a permit for “any tired of me pointing out the sub- clogged drains, mismatched mortar, alteration or repair that does not tleties of brick: smooth face brick whatever) is finally fixed in a paint- involve replacement in kind of an versus rougher side and rear brick, ed wall, now the whole wall needs architectural feature.” Hand-crafted, common bond versus flemish bond, repainting! Again! face brick was the most elegant sometimes with lovely clinker brick Okay, but doesn’t it look pretty building material of its day. Its headers, raked versus beaded joints, good with a fresh coat of paint? warm colors and buttery-smooth- skillful versus ham-fisted repointing. Won’t the house keep its spiffy ness were intended to be shown off. Once it’s all covered in paint, all painted good looks into the future? It’s probably the most character- that subtlety is hidden. Sadly, this is the worst consequence defining architectural feature of But as they run ahead I try to of painting face brick. For successive Georgetown. A request to permit memorize the beauty of the old re-paints, it will take some time to painting raw brick would almost craftsmanship, the subtle shadings pop off the loose bits with a ham- certainly be denied. But I guess, like of the Flemish bond, the color har- mer to get to a sound surface. Sand- so many things in DC, one can’t mony of old brick and dark mortar, ing, which works so well for wood, watch everything! And paint can’t the elegant pairing of dark green doesn’t work on the bumpy surface be “torn down” – once there, it’s leaves and warm russet brick. I of brick, and paint-removing chemi- there for good, and all the penalties know it will be gone soon. cals or power-washing fare do not in the world won’t change that. The look of our village is chang- work any better. In fact, efforts to Maybe my kids are right – it’s ing. Folks want to choose a color remove the paint (chemical sprays, just a bunch of bricks! Still, I’m tak- for their house, to make it more or sand-blasting) can remove the ing pictures to show them when charming or more modern…to put hard, fired face of the brick leaving they’re older. And I can’t wait ‘til their imprint on it. Bright, sunny the softer interior exposed to the paint someone put on our house colors and moss-greens and greys destructive weathering. The smooth before we got here begins to peel off are popular. Besides, they think that face bricks that graced the façade and go away! paint will protect the brick and save soon begin to have a blurred, them repair costs. More and more, uneven look from chipped-off paint, —Louise Brodnitz realtors are suggesting that home- or worse, are pockmarked from owners paint the raw brick to give paint removal chemicals. That first Ms. Brodnitz, a preservation archi- the house more ‘curb-appeal’. coat of paint can never be success- tect and urban planner, is a member What’s so bad about that? How fully removed from the porous brick of CAG’s Historic Preservation can just a coat of paint on brick and mortar; the warm red brick and Committee. harm the character of our historic district? It makes it look so new and fresh! But as I look at one unpainted gaslit brick row along at twilight, I imagine if one of those owners decided to paint. Even just one painted facade would sacrifice the breathtaking streetscape that people come to experience. Collec- tors struggle to conserve the patina of venerable antique furniture for the same reason. Maybe there are good reasons to paint old brick? If the mortar joints

5 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / DECEMBER 2007

Wendy Rieger Urges Georgetowners to “Go Green”

enise Cunningham opened Thousand Villages (Alexandria, Vir- Dthe November CAG meeting ginia and Bethesda, ), and by commending George- Pangea ( in towners on an amazing “clean-up Foggy Bottom) carry fair-trade prod- the neighborhood effort” on ucts. The town of Clarksville, Mary- November 10th. She also acknowl- land offers an array of green shop- edged Harry Belin, our gracious ping opportunities: an organic host at , who helped make supermarket; glassworks and cloth- the Gala such a great success. ing stores; a Great Sage vegetarian Reporting on Trees for George- restaurant; and even wine-tasting! town, Chair Betsy Emes announced Great farmers markets, in addi- the 2007-2008 planting schedule: tion to Whole Foods grocery stores, The Conservation Corps will begin Featured speaker Wendy Rieger on left enable citizens to “eat local.” The preparation of tree boxes now, with with Victoria Rixey. Cowgirl Creamery shop at 919 F tree planting to follow in late Febru- Street, NW offers artisanal cheeses. ary/early March. She urged residents adjustments we can make in our Ms. Rieger supports “community to remove their own plantings from own consumption. She touched on supported agriculture” whereby one these boxes, as all plantings will be the pollution and safety hazards of consumes locally-grown produce. discarded by the workers as they coal mining, the problem of radioac- Websites she recommends include: prep the boxes. She also noted the tive waste disposal, and our www.coopamerica.org (the “mission importance of obeying the “no unhealthy dependency on oil and is to harness economic power…to parking” signs in the work areas. petroleum. create a socially just and environ- Ron Austin, Clean City Coordi- “The greenest energy is the ener- mentally sustainable society”). nator from the Executive Office of gy you do not consume,” according Ritchie Mundell from Commmunity the Mayor, addressed the audience. to Ms. Rieger. She advocates the use Forklift had samples of recycled He works with civic groups to clean of energy-saving CFL lightbulbs and building materials on display and up DC, monitors related calls to higher level insulation, even solar explained that the products are sold 727-1000, and administers the paneling. Home improvement proj- in their warehouse stores. Their “adopt a block” initiative, as well as ects provide the perfect opportunity website is www.communityforklift. the “volunteers rate the city” (in to go green; specialized stores offer com, according to which building terms of cleanliness) program. such items as organic cabinetry and material “donors can avoid dump- Denise alerted the audience that recycled flooring, which have no ing fees, and earn tax deductions. the DC Transportation Study public chemicals, and hence no smell. Rain Part of the inventory comes from meeting has been changed from barrels can collect rainwater for deconstruction, in which a building November 28 to December 13, at 6 other uses, and lawns need not be is carefully taken apart by skilled pm at St. John’s Church Parish Hall. fertilized. Car emissions are a major laborers instead of demolished. This Guest speaker for the evening concern; Wendy spoke about hybrid creates jobs, and can cost less than was news anchor Wendy Rieger, a technology, clean diesel (coming traditional dumping.” three-time Emmy Award winner soon from VW) and lighter weight “Cradle to cradle” refers to use it since joining NBC in 1988. Her vehicles, such as the Honda Civic. popular “Going Green” series is Landfills are full of plastic transmitted to NBC stations across water/soda bottles. She suggests the country. Wendy’s inspiration refilling water bottles with tap started with a friend who, suffering water. from “multiple chemical sensitivity,” With the holiday gift-giving sea- was actually allergic to her own son approaching, Ms. Rieger recom- house. In the course of research for mends purchasing fair-trade items, a story on the affliction, she was which are produced in an environ- swept up in the “green movement” mentally strong manner, imported in 2005. from developing countries, and sold “Green is universal,” Wendy told for a fair price. The process is CAG and she spoke about the threat described as “people, planet, then of global warming, the importance profits.” Several area stores, such as of renewable energy sources, and Hoopla (Adams Morgan), Ten 6 D ECEMBER 2007 / GEORGETOWN C ITIZENS and recycle it. Wendy has noticed Georgetown Fall Communty Clean-up that everyone wants a piece of the action, and “there’s green to be he morning of the November ple fanned out to tackle O and made from green.” But, where can 10th Georgetown Fall Com- Prospect Streets, and the heavily one start? It can be with something T munity Clean-up was chilly traveled 33rd, 34th and 35th as simple as changing a light bulb or and overcast, but by 9:00 residents Streets. As the enormous garbage using organic chemical-free lotions. and Georgetown students were bags filled, resident Tony DeWitt A man in the audience pointed warming up with bagels from the and Ray Danieli (GU Assistant out the spiritual aspect of inspiring Georgetown Bagelry and coffee Director of Off Campus Housing) others, becoming healthier, and con- from Starbucks, preparing to clean picked up and transported the bags tributing to the next generation by up the streets of West Georgetown. to Volta Park to be collected by a being green. Brenda Moorman Beth and John Winn delivered the DC Department of Public Works added that the green revolution breakfast eats. Freddie Skelsey, a crew. starts with individuals, to whom the clean-up regular with his own tools, Volunteers were treated to fabu- government responds; it is very accompanied his father Bill. lous hamburgers and hotdogs grilled important what each person does. At meet and greet time, volun- to perfection by the Georgetown Wendy asked the audience to visit teers heard brief presentations from Grilling Society. Georgetown Univer- www.nbc4.com for green-related Ron Austin, the new Clean City sity supplied great grilling food, as website addresses. Questions from Coordinator, and Gerard Brown of well as drinks, apples and cookies. the audience covered the perceived the DC Health Department. Both It was a fun day of seeing friends disparate interests between NBC4 city officials thanked volunteers for and helping make our community a and it’s owner, General Electric, and their work and elaborated on the beautiful, clean place to live and how to send Wendy story ideas District government’s contributions work. (email: [email protected]). As a to community clean up. —Brenda Moorman staff of one, she tells CAG she is After breakfast, about forty peo- CAG Beautification Committee “drowning” in ideas, as green is now so mainstream. Her stories range from covering the plight of the polar bears, puffins, and parrots, to investigating cancer clusters. Lee Child presented Ms. Rieger with the Georgetown Garden Club tulip bag, and Denise presented her with a CAG cap.

—Tara Scopelliti Secretary Clean-up crew by the mountain of trash collected.

7 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / DECEMBER 2007

Georgetown Library Bookmobile RATS AND GARBAGE IN ver since fire devastated the the education their children were GEORGETOWN EGeorgetown library last receiving. Like many other start-up Spring, there has been no lit- charters, funding from grants, indi- ats and garbage are not erary activity on R Street…but wait. viduals, foundations and community words that the public nor- What’s that large van doing in the leaders allow the school to provide R mally associate with Jelleff Boys and Girls Club parking a rigorous curriculum that meets the Georgetown, but more and more lot? It’s a bookmobile! As it turns needs and the potential of every stu- Georgetown residents are making out, a bookmobile with no books. dent it serves. He said that although the connection. Complaints have The reason for this curious situa- the Jelleff facilities are cramped and increased about rat infestations and tion, I was told, was that the van inadequate, the students have great- unacceptable trash and garbage with all the books broke down and ly enjoyed using the playing field, accumulations. is now being fixed. Why the books and recently won a soccer champi- A Georgetown Community could not be transferred from one onship. Hygiene Pilot Program has been vehicle to another remains a mys- As the bookmobile was a disap- established to help solve the prob- tery. In any event you can put in an pointment, City Collegiate School is lem. The program is concentrated in order and expect to receive your a pleasant surprise, and one that the area from Prospect to N Street book within a couple of days. There proves once again that good things and Wisconsin Avenue to Potomac are also four computers available in are still happening in Georgetown. Street. Participants include DC the bookmobile along with a smat- Department of Health and Depart- tering of tapes and DVD’s. When I — VV Harrison ment of Public Works and represen- asked who used them, the answer tatives of CAG, the ANC, the BID, was students from the charter Georgetown University, Council school. What charter school? Well, Evans’ office, business and restau- unbeknownst to me, and probably rant owners and residents. The pro- to many of you, City Collegiate gram’s plan is based on aggressive School has been housed in the Jelleff surveillance, rodent control, out- clubhouse for over two years. reach and enforcement of regula- I spoke with Fred Evans, the tions. interim principal, who told me that The initial inspection of the area the school is comprised of 86 sev- in September revealed live and dead enth and eighth grade students who rats, with many infractions of exist- come from each of the eight wards, ing trash regulations. It is clear that and is one of approximately 50 proper disposal of trash by business- charter schools in the District. Mr. es and residents is a fundamental Evans said City Collegiate was born key to solving the problem. For resi- out of parental dissatisfaction with dents, trash should be put out in closed cans (not plastic bags) no ear- lier than 6:30 pm the night before trash pickup on Tuesdays and Fri- days. Empty cans must be removed from the street by 8 pm on trash days. Serving the freshest seafood, pastas, shellfish, If you know of areas were rats prime steaks, chops and more! exist, report them to Gerald Brown, Dept. of Health Program Manager Martin’s has had the honor of serving at 535-2636 or email every president from [email protected]. or call 727- Harry Truman to George W.Bush Brunch, Lunch and Dinner 1000. Dine in the Truman booth, the Kennedy booth Served Every Day the LBJ booth or the Nixon booth — Brenda Moorman Chair, CAG Beautification Reservations Suggested Committee 8 D ECEMBER 2007 / GEORGETOWN C ITIZENS

Public Safety tives from the Public Safety Com- reports sent directly to you. Addi- Continued from page 1 mittee met for months with 2D tionally you can sign-up via the Guard presence, ensuring that the Commander Andy Solberg giving CAG website for the Alert DC sys- guards are being well deployed and the compelling reasons for more tem which delivers emergency alerts are working at maximum effective- foot patrols in Georgetown. The to your email, cell phone, and/or ness. It adds a highly mobile rapid specific statistical analysis of crime other PDA devices. response capacity to the program. in Georgetown, provided by CAG’s And, for a segment of each hour, Luca Pivato, was pivotal in eliciting The price of Increased Security guards park their cars and patrol on a positive response from Comman- This exciting expansion of our Pub- foot. In addition, the Guards are der Solberg & Chief Lanier. lic Safety Program has cost more now in touch with DC police offi- CAG has re-activated the Block than ever before. Dozens of volun- cers via our dedicated GPS “Walkie- Captain program in order to pro- teers have spent hours organizing Talkie” phones. It all adds up to a vide central contact points for infor- and improving our programs. But to more effective guard program. mation on public safety, block by continue the expanded police and CAG Guards continue to Provide block. Over 50 block captains have guard coverage, we need to raise Personalized Service: Residents who been recruited throughout the entire very substantial revenues for 2008. donate to the Public Safety Program Georgetown area. They have met We are asking each resident of can request personalized services for orientation with the Public Safe- Georgetown to give as generously as from the Guards: they will escort ty Committee, MPD officers and the possible. And we can continue to residents (and/or their guests) CAG Supervising Guard Officer. keep the streets of our beloved between home and car or to neigh- Now they are contacting their neighborhood safer. Added incen- borhood engagements. They will immediate neighbors to improve the tive! As of 2007 donations to the also check house or parked security on their blocks – via meet- Public Safety and Guard program cars and remove newspapers from ings and/or email. Our goal in 2008 are completely tax deductible. So, in your doorstep when you are away. is to ensure that every block in the giving you receive — not just a help- Every donor receives detailed pro- area has an assigned Block Captain. ful financial deduction, but a safer gram information including a CAG For a complete list of Block Cap- environment for your loved ones, Public Safety window sticker, and tains see www.cagtown.org. and with that, more peace of mind. the Guards’ cell phone numbers and YOUR OWN CRIME MAP! duty hours, so you can contact them CAG has developed an information- directly at any time. rich, user-friendly map that shows MPD Special Police Patrols: you the location, date and time of Working with Georgetown Universi- every crime & safety incident in ty, we fund two additional DC Georgetown. Take a look on our police officers who patrol our streets website at www.cagtown.org. (Click on weekend nights. These additional on Public Safety, then PSA 206 officers patrol by car, increasing Crime Mapping Tool.) their visible presence and interaction YOUR OWN CRIME STATS! with residents. The police officers The CAG website also links you to are now in touch with our CAG a site to register for detailed daily, Guards via dedicated GPS “Walkie- weekly or monthly email crime Talkie” phones. This effort signifi- cantly increases the MPD police presence in Georgetown during high-crime periods. Working with the Metropolitan Police Department leadership: Addi- tional police officers on foot patrol A Georgetown Neighbor and A Favorite were added to Georgetown streets of Washingtonians Since 1955 this summer. The work of CAG’s • Featuring Clothing by EILEEN FISHER Public Safety Committee, supported • Fine Jewelry in Gold, Sterling, and Semi-Precious Stone by the new Mayor and Chief of • Folk Art, Home Decor and Fine Art Police, resulted in this increase in From Mexico the number of police officers 1514 Wisconsin Avenue NW assigned to Georgetown. Along with 202-338-4404 members of the ANC, representa- www.thephoenixdc.com 9 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / DECEMBER 2007

Citizens Association of Georgetown Compliments of 1365 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 200 JEAN SMITH Washington, DC 20007 Associate Broker 202 337-7313 Fax: 202 333-1088 E-mail: [email protected] Re/Max Allegiance Website: www.cagtown.org Georgetown Office Board of Directors (202) 255-8167 Denise Cunningham President Rob Housman First Vice President Jennifer Altemus Second Vice President H.A. GILL & SON Brenda Moorman Third Vice President REALTORS Tara Scopelliti Secretary Serving the Georgetown Area Robert Laycock in the sale and rental of fine Treasurer properties since 1888 Diane Colasanto Karen Cruse Hazel Denton 1722 Wisconsin Avenue NW Barbara Downs (202) 338-5000 Rob Housman Seth Kirshenberg Luca Pivato Victoria G. K. Rixey Barbara Zartman Legal Advisor Mark McFadden www.MarkMcFadden.com Richard deC. Hinds Serving Washington, DC MD VA Executive Director #1 Georgetown Agent for Betsy Cooley Coldwell Banker 703-216-1333 Standing Committees Airports and Utility Operations Gerry Brown Alcoholic Beverage Control Karen Cruse & John Hopkins Beautification Brenda Moorman Guard Richard deC. Hinds Historic Preservation, Zoning & Planning Barbara Zartman Public Safety Rob Housman & Luca Pivato Trees for Georgetown Betsy Emes Newsletter Tara Scopelliti, Editor Betsy Cooley Karen Cruse

10 D ECEMBER 2007 / GEORGETOWN C ITIZENS

11 Citizens Association of Georgetown 1365 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200 Washington DC 20007. 202 337-7313 Fax: 202 333-1088 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cagtown.org

December Community Events and Calendar

1 Sun. Dec. 2 Jackson Art Center Winter Open Studios; Noon – 5 pm; 3048 ⁄2 Street; visit www.jacksonartcen- ter.com. Tues. Dec. 4 Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2E Public Meeting; 6:30 pm; Heritage Room, Georgetown Visitation, 35th & Volta Streets; (agenda available at www.anc2E.com); call 338-7427 for more information. Thurs. Dec. 6 Nathans Community Lunch featuring author & former CIA officer, Valerie Plame Wilson; noon; call 338-2000 for reservations. Sat. Dec. 8 Partnership for Problem Solving (PPS) Meeting Sponsored by the Metropolitan Police Department to discuss community issues at 10:30 am; MPD 2nd District, 3320 Idaho Avenue, NW. Mon. Dec. 10 Citizens Association of Georgetown Meeting Open House; CAG Office, 1635 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor; Reception from 6 to 8 pm. Tues. Dec. 11 (ALL) Alliance for Local Living Meeting to discuss community issues with Georgetown residents and students at GU; 6:30pm; GU Leavey Center; call GU for details at 687-4056. Wed. Dec. 12 “Byzantine Science” Lecture at ’ Music Room; 5:30 pm; 31st & R Streets; free of charge; call 339-6410. Thurs. Dec. 13 DDOT Transportation Study Public Meeting; 6 pm; St. John’s Church Parish Hall, Potomac & O Streets. Tues. Dec. 18 Chamber Music Concert starring Friday Morning Music Club; Noon – 1:00 pm; Dumbarton House, 2715 Q Street; free of charge; reservations recommended, call 337-2288, ext. 450.