NEWS · 5

BY CHRISTOPHER JONES

When does it make sense to split a major city agency in two? In the case of the dissolution of the District’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) into two separate agencies – the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) – the D.C. Council and the mayor ardently disagree. But Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto who voted for the split remains cautiously optimistic.

Following watchdog complaints over DCRA’s lax inspections, dangerous building code violations, collapsed buildings, long waits for permits, blighted apartments, and the agency’s seeming inability to rein in abusive landlord practices or collect fines from offenders, the D.C. Council voted unanimously – over a veto by Mayor Bowser in 2020 – to abolish DCRA and create two new clearly-delineated agencies in its stead.

The move marked the largest reorganization of the District’s government in a decade and took effect at the stroke of midnight, Oct. 1, 2022.

Established in 1983, DCRA’s charter was perhaps overly broad, as it oversaw city business licenses, construction permits, housing inspection reports and building code violations. In a 2020 memo explaining her veto, Mayor Bowser (D) said the D.C. Council was overlooking “significant progress over the past several years in improving processes and operations” at DCRA.

According to the DOB’s new website (dob. dc.gov), the department’s mission is to “protect the safety of residents, businesses, and visitors and advance the development of the built environment through permitting, inspections, and code enforcement.” On Oct. 1, the new DLCP was also established. Its mission is to “protect the economic interests of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by licensing and regulating businesses and investigating and enforcing the Consumer Protection Procedures Act (dlcp.dc.gov).

BY ELLIE A u KAMP (2ND GRADE) AND ELEANOR ASSEY (3RD GRADE)

In the following interview, second-grader Ellie interviews third-grader Eleanor about preparing for the Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker performance this year.

One of my BFFs -- who is also my nextdoor neighbor (aren’t we lucky) --- is in the Nutcracker, so I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask her!

What character are you playing? This year, I am a Snow Angel. Last year, I was a Bumblebee.

Do you identify with your role? I LOVE winter and LOVE snow, so I definitely identify with my role.

costume? Just ONE LITTLE Hint? I want the costume to be a SURPRISE! I did get a sneak peak at it last year!

you get to keep it? We do NOT get to keep the costumes, and it doesn’t itch too, too much.

and where did you rehearse? I started two months ago. I go to the Washington Ballet location near the National Cathedral every Saturday and Sunday for an entire HOUR! (Note from the reporter: “Ballet” – like the word “white” – has a silent letter.)

of people as last year? No – all the ballerinas are now a different height than last year, so their roles need to change.

time do you arrive? Mainly I perform at the Warner, but we also go a few times to the ARC, which I haven’t ever been to. I have to get to shows early. Backstage, I get ready with ALL the dancers. The Frontier Girls help the Snow Angels. I met the Snow Queen already! Soon I will do a full rehearsal!

The first performance I am VERY nervous as hundreds of people are watching, and I don’t want to mess up my dance. It feels a little… creepy! But the more I am on stage, the more confident I get.

NO! Every dancer has practiced SO MUCH, so talking is rude.

Does the audience get any snacks? Yes, because the show is long, you can buy snacks like M&Ms.

it be? Ballerina/Snow Angel: For shows that are in the evening, I would like them to give us snacks, like Starbursts.

Reporter: I hope the ballet brings back Cotton Candy! Otherwise, I hope they have Skittles.

Tickets to the Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker can be found at: https://www. livenation.com/artist/K8vZ917oEFf/thewashington-ballet-s-nutcracker-events

BY ROBERT DEVANEY

BLUES ALLEY REOPENS AFTER FIRE

Georgetown’s legendary jazz club Blues Alley reopened Nov. 1, one week after a roof fire stopped the music and shuttered the building. Damage to the 18th-century structure at the rear of 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW was less than first feared (slight water damage on the first floor). At the time, Blues Alley owner Harry Schnipper wrote on social media: “Blues Alley will not be defeated. Blues Alley survived the pandemic, and Blues Alley will survive this set back.” Mayor Muriel Bowser visited the historic jazz club the day after the fire to assess the damage and lend her support. A fire broke out on the second floor of the Blues Alley music club around sunset Oct. 25. D.C. Fire & EMS quickly responded to the incident in the alley between Wisconsin Avenue and 31st Street NW. WTOP reported: “D.C. fire officials say the fire at Blues Alley Tuesday night caused $50,000 in damage, and that the cause hasn’t yet been determined.

Firefighters found the fire between the ceiling and the roof.… Fire and EMS said about 50 firefighters were on the scene.”

Known as “the house that Dizzy built,” Blues Alley has played host to the greatest names in the history of jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Mingus, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, Eva Cassidy and Chick Corea. The music supper club was founded in 1965 and is renowned for its speakeasy feel, cozy 125-capacity and candlelit intimacy.

The Apple Store at 1229 Wisconsin Ave. NW has temporarily closed for renovations. In October 2021, Apple submitted plans to construct a basement addition to the existing one-story building through a Board of Zoning Adjustment application. Renovations will provide additional office space, a break room, locker room and bike storage. This work will reduce underground employee parking spots. In the front of the building, plans call for in-kind replacement of the doors and glass panels only. The goal of the storefront glazing replacement is to remediate damage sustained during 2021 vandalism and improve security and thermal performance. The new glass panels will not have low-e coatings, consistent with the existing system. Construction work is expected to take about a month.

The Berliner, the German beer hall at 3401 Water St. NW, closed Oct. 23. Co-owner Zubair Popal also runs bistro Lutèce, at 1522 Wisconsin Ave. NW and Lapis on Columbia Road. The news was not unexpected. Plans call for the construction of hotel CitizenM at the property. The popular spot opened in 2018, after first operating as Malmaison.

Diptyque, the luxury French fragrance brand — full name, St Germain Diptyque, founded in the 1960s — opened at 3273 M St. NW. It is best known for its highpriced candles but also offers eau de parfum, eau de toilette and perfume oil diffusers. There are also bath and body products. New items include the Holiday Collection, Advent Calendar and seasonal candle, Citrouille, with notes of pumpkin, spice and chestnut.

There was a soft opening on Nov. 1 for the pop-up store at 1259 Wisconsin Ave. NW that includes Definition Studio (jewelry), Tulusa (napkins and other textiles) and Charix (shoes). Its grand opening celebration will be on Nov. 10. The store will be open through Dec. 31.

Little Words Project, the playful bracelet shop at 1246 Wisconsin Ave. NW, opened last month. The business “aims to inspire and encourage people to be kind to themselves and to pay that kindness forward, one bracelet at a time.… I hope your Little Words bring you all the positivity and love that you bring to us.”