The Downtower (May 2015)

All the News you can use

Volume 12 Number 3

MAY 2015

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True Tales of online Dating Outdoor Music Guide Life of a Body man

Michael, 2 7

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Food & Wine

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Town Topics 8 Ending Human Trafficking 9 Real Estate Round Up 10 Editorial/Opinion 12 History of D.C. Trolley 14 Business News

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I fly for adventure. I fly for my reasons. I fly Sentient Jet. 866.283.9116 sentient.com

Real Es tate

In Country 30 32

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Cuddle Parties Aren’t For Everyone

U Street Funk Parade 36 James MacGregor Profile

Body & soul 34

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True Tales of Online Daters 22 The Best of the Worst

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Life of a Body Man

Murphy’s Love High-Intensity Workouts Crispus Attucks Park

Social Sc ene 36

Featu re 23

Maryland’s Eastern Shore Calendar

Feature

Cover S t ory

WHCD and after-parties, Hermès Opening at CityCenter and more.

Ar t s 24

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Back Alley BBQ 29 D.C.’s Beer Gardens

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Outdoor Music Guide 26 ‘Murder Ballad’ at Studio 27 Elaine de Kooning’s Portraits Volume 12 Number 3

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mAY 2015

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On the cover

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Our cover for this month’s issue replicates the format of Tinder on an iPhone with model Michael Ryann of THE Agency posing as a shirtless suitor. Angie Myers took the photo of Ryann and Esther Abramowicz designed the image.

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

Copyright 2015.

UP & Coming May 7 An Evening with David Brooks

New York Times columnist David Brooks, author of the new book “The Road to Character,” will lead a presentation exploring true fulfillment in a society that emphasizes professional achievement. This free event includes a book signing. For details, visit nationalpres.org/conferences.

4101 Nebraska Ave. NW.

Opera on Tap DC Metro

Opera on Tap General Managing Diva Anne Hiatt and Board Prez Diva Krista Wozniak lead this toast to the District’s hosting of Opera America’s Opera Conference 2015.

There will be Prosecco on draft and happy hour specials. For details, visit operaontap. org/dcmetro. Vendetta, 1212 H St. NE.

Calendar

May 9 D.C. Craft Beer & Cider Festival

The D.C. Craft Beer Festival is a tasting event with a focus on winter harvest selections from about 75 breweries, featuring breweries from Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. There will be about 150 selections, along with food pairings from District restaurants. Tickets include two and a half hours of unlimited beer tasting, a complimentary souvenir tasting glass and access to seminars. Session one takes place from 2 to 4:30 p.m., and session two takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on May 9. Go to handcraftedtasting.com/ dccraftbeerfest/ for details and tickets.

In celebration of the Sumo May Season tournament, Daikaya will be showing the matches in the upstairs izakaya and featuring sumo-themed offerings from May 10 through May 24 during dinner service. Guests can eat like a true rikishi (wrestler) with Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima’s mini chankonabe, a smaller version of the traditional Japanese hot pot. For details, visit daikaya.com. 705 6th St. NW.

May 15 Matt Stuart’s “Look Both Ways” Gallery Opening Reception

Matt Stuart, a U.K. street photographer, uses photography to reflect his fascination with how people live their lives and how strange and unusual life can be. RSVP for the event at (202) 787-5900. The reception will be held at Leica Store, 977 F St. NW from 7 to 9 p.m.

Bike to Work Day

Calling all bike enthusiasts! Bike to Work Day (BTWD) will take place on Friday, May 15 with meet-ups occurring across the greater D.C. area from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Join nearly 17,000 area commuters to enjoy refreshments, snacks and bicycle-themed giveaways. Learn more at biketoworkmetrodc.org.

JOIN US

GEORGETOWN MEDIA GROUP PRESENTS

CULTURAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST SERIES A light breakfast, informal remarks, and a Q&A with the leaders of Washington’s top cultural organizations.

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

The George Town Club 1530 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.

UP NEXT

Thursday, April 9

KIM SAJET

Director National Portrait Gallery

$15 for George Town Club members $20 for non-members Sponsored By

remembers those lost to ovarian cancer and increases awareness about the disease. To register, donate, sponsor or volunteer, visit nocc.kintera.org/northernva. 4201 Fairfax Corner, Fairfax, Va.

May 10 Daikaya Celebrates Sumo May Season, Wrestling up Some Japanese Tradition

May 27 NoMa Summer Screen

David Brooks. Photo by Getty Images.

May 16 Taste of Bloomingdale

The 12th annual Taste of Bloomingdale, Yard Sale, and the Crispus Attucks Park Community Day happens May 16 from 9 to 3 p.m. as a fundraiser for Crispus Attucks Park.

Enjoy live music, food and drink from local restaurants, area non-profits and business, and Bloomingdale’s largest yard sale. Get more information at crispusattucksparkdc. org.

May 17 5K Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer

The Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer is the largest fundraiser and awareness event for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Organized by local NOCC Chapters, this event celebrates survivors,

At the NoMa Summer Screen, attendees will enjoy a variety of outdoor movies throughout the summer. The NoMa BID hosts the event series, which feature live DJs, special guests, barbeque, and surprises that will precede each film screening. The theme for 2015 is “Dance, Dance, Dance”. Movies will be played every Wednesday night from May 27 to Aug. 19 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. This year the event takes place at Storey Park Lot, at First and L streets NE. Parking is limited.

Visit nomabid.com for more information.

May 29 Purity Ring at the 9:30 Club

Purity Ring exploded onto the scene in 2012 with “Shrines,” an impressive debut that layered Megan James’s sweet voice and eccentric vocals with Corin Roddick’s pulsing productions, merging pop, trap, hip-hop, house and synth genres in the process. They’re playing at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. N.W.) on May 29. The show will be a spectacle of lights and beats as the band plays heavier new material from their sophomore album, “another eternity.” Doors open at 6 p.m. for the early show and 10 p.m. for the late show.

Georgetown Garden T

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S AT U R DAY M AY 9 , 2 0 1 5 10 AM TO 5 PM T I C K E T S $35 ($30 before April 30)

COMING UP

www.georgetowngardenclubdc.com

Thursday, May 7

STEVEN KNAPP

President The George Washington University

Please RSVP by prior Monday to Richard@Georgetowner.com or call 202–338–4833

Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour at Christ Church 31st and O Streets, NW Washington, DC We are publishing a beautiful new book, Gardens of Georgetown, by Edie Schafer, photos by Jenny Gorman. It is for sale on the website for $45.

The book and a tour ticket can be purchased for $70.

W W W. G E O R G E T O W N G A R D E N C L U B D C . C O M GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

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town Topics

NEWS

By Marc Pitarresi AND CAITLIN FRANZ

Crime Spike in Columbia Heights and Shaw

The interior of a new 7000 series Metro car.

Metro Funding Cuts

Funding cuts may be coming to Metro.

(Collective groan.)

An appropriations bill released on April 28 by a House committee would decrease annual federal contributions in half—from $150 million to $75 million. This money is being used for capital improvements, including the purchase of new Metro cars.

Members of the area’s Congressional delegation are highly critical of the plan, issuing this statement: “Providing anything less than the federal commitment of $150 million would jeopardize rider safety and the successful partnership with Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to fund the purchase of new rail cars and vital safety improvements throughout the system. The proposed reduction would only exacerbate the operations and safety issues that our delegation has been working with Metro to resolve.”

This bill also requires to Metro to demonstrate that safety improvements are being made before they would receive this funding. Ironically, a certain amount of funding is required in order to make these safety improvements. As the 7000-series new cars have improved the safety credentials of the Metro.

The funds are distributed under a Congressional agreement to provide WMATA with $1.5 billion over the course of 10 years. If the plan passes as proposed, it will be the first time in seven years that the government has contributed less than $150 million.

spaces on streets where the speed limit is 25 mph or less. Organizations and companies that are eligible include business improvement districts, non-profits and ground-floor or fronting property owners.

These tiny parks began appearing around the city as part of PARK Day last September. The self-proclaimed goal of the event was to “call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat.”

Columbia Heights and Shaw have both seen a sharp spike in crime recently with several shootings, assaults, theft and other assorted activity.

Over roughly the last month, April 1 to May 1, crime has seen a serious spike in Shaw, with a number of shootings near the City Market at O development.

According to spotcrime.com, three robberies, six burglaries, 45 thefts and 47 crimes of another type occurred in Shaw within this period.

In Columbia Heights, a string of drive-by shootings have left residents worried and one young man, Gregory McBryde, 21, dead.

Keep an eye out for further crime updates on downtownerdc.com, on the Prince of Petworth blog (PoPville.com) and by following @MPD tweets.

Caution tape ropes off a crime scene in Washington, D.C.

Free Lending Library Opens at Union Station

Let’s face it, bus travel is not pleasant. But the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation is trying to take some of the sting out by opening a free lending library in the waiting area of the bus terminal. This is the only library we know of that is located in a parking garage.

Parklet Approved on 14th Street

The District Department of Transportation plans to work with neighborhoods to create small parks in areas that would otherwise house parking spots.

Slipstream, a Logan Circle coffee shop at 1333 14th St. NW, is interested in joining this initiative. ANC 2F Community Development Committee has given support for a “parklet” to be placed in front of the coffee shop.

“Parklets” are miniature parks the size of a parking spot in the parking lane of streets around the city.

“Parklets” can only be located in metered

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The next time you get mad at a tourist standing on the left side of an escalator, consider this: national parks in the D.C. area hosted nearly 38 million visitors in 2014, contributing $1.4 billion to the local economy. D.C. proper saw $685 million (up from $610 million in 2013) in visitor spending (8th in the U.S.), while Virginia had $929 (4th).

Council Passes Emergency Medical Marijuana Legislation

In the latest wave of normalization of marijuana in the District, the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation to allow medical marijuana cultivators to grow more pot. “The Medical Marijuana Supply Shortage Emergency Amendment,” introduced by Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large), would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to grow 1,000 plants (up from 500). D.C. dispensaries are experiencing shortages after relaxing several medical marijuana laws.

Marijuana Activists Spark Up on the Mall on 4/20

Metro and Bus Fare Evaders Beware

WMATA police are cracking down on people who try to sneak onto Metro buses by using undercover officers to remove fare evaders.

Some try to use student IDs to avoid bus fare.

This can lead to an arrest for impersonating another individual.

Sneaking onto a bus in a large crowd or looking for pity from the bus operator may also lead to your removal from the bus.

Metro is monitoring the number of people boarding buses. Any discrepancies in the amount of fare being paid versus the number of those boarding the bus will lead to further investigation and potential arrest.

National Parks Boost District Economy

A view of the Great Hall at Union Station, which will now offer a free lending library to travelers.

On 4/20, D.C. marijuana activists smoked pot on the National Mall. The smoke-out joined with a vigil protesting D.C.’s lack of autonomy, giving it a little extra traction. Smoking in public in the District is still illegal, and it is illegal to even possess pot on federal property, but protestors waited until they were on federal land to light up. Interestingly, those smoking on the mall were not arrested by U.S. Park Police.

A Cool Summer?

The mystics over at Capital Weather Gang believe Summer 2015 will be relatively cool, like 2014 and 2013. The Gang cites El Niño, the Pacific Ocean weather phenomenon, as a factor. No word on whether a crystal ball or tea leaves are involved in the prediction but a cooler summer would absolutely be welcome.

town Topics

Protesters rally in solidarity with Baltimore demonstrations around the death of Freddie Gray in Chinatown on April 29. Photo by Erin Schaff.

D.C. Rallies for Freddie Gray

On April 29, DC Ferguson led a rally for Freddie Gray, the unarmed black man who died after his spine was severed while in police custody in Baltimore.

The march began on the corner of H and 7th Streets NW around 7 p.m. Protestors gathered around the Friendship Archway and the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro entrance, where they listened to Bridzette Lane speak. Lane is the mother of Rafael Briscoe, an 18-year-old who was shot and killed by Metropolitan Police Department officers in April 2011.

The group, which grew to about 500 people, continued on to the John A. Wilson District Building, chanting “No justice. No peace. No more racist police.”

Other mantras were “Black lives matter. All lives matter” and “All night, all day, I will fight for Freddie Gray.” The march caused several street closures throughout the city. D.C. police were along the marchers’ route, ending at the

Demonstrators hold signs in protesting the death of Freddie Gray. Photo by Erin Schaff.

White House, from start to finish. The peaceful protest was allowed to go on without interruption.

Protests took place all around the country on Wednesday night to show solidarity with Baltimore, including New York City, Boston, Houston, Albuquerque and Indianapolis. Several demonstrators in New York City were arrested.

Thirty-four D.C. police officers were deployed to Baltimore to provide assistance during the protests and rioting that began on April 27 after Gray’s funeral. D.C. protestors demanded the recall of these officers.

A citwide curfew has been lifted in Baltimore and the National Guard is developing a plan to withdraw from the city as of May 1.

Rash of Car Break-ins Leads to Arrest

A local man, Jahmar Thaxter, was arrested April 22 in connection with 19 car break-ins that took place across the District in areas from Tenleytown to Georgetown. According to court documents, Thatxer is also under investigation for the killing of a 76-year-old Korean grocery store owner last summer.

Thaxter, 23, was arrested after his GPS ankle monitor placed him at scene of thefts that occurred from late February through March, according to his arrest warrant.

He is believed to have been near the location of 10 other car break-ins (included in the total 19) at the times they occurred. As many as seven cars a day were entered in order to steal items such as laptop computers, purses and jewelry.

According to court documents, MPD detectives have sought DNA samples from Thaxter that may tie him to the homicide of James Oh, who owned Gold Corner Market in 16th Street Heights. Oh and his wife were assaulted during a robbery of their store in July 2014. He suffered multiple skull fractures, which led to his death four days later.

The arrest warrant does not explain why Thaxter was wearing a GPS monitor or what prompted police to track his movements. However, he was released from jail, following his arraignment on the conditions that he wear a GPS monitor and check in with a probation officer.

Hillary Clinton Finishes April Fundraisers in D.C.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited the home of Elizabeth Frawley Bagley on 29th Street in Georgetown for an afternoon fund-raising luncheon April 30.

Previously in New York City for three receptions, Clinton visited the homes of Milly and Arne Glimcher, of Lisa Perry and of Doug Teitelbaum, according to the New York Times.

Bagley, a former ambassador, and her late husband Smith Bagley have supported both Bill and Hillary Clinton and their national campaigns. The Bagleys are known to have given more $1 million to the Clinton Foundation, the Times reported.

Clinton also paid a visit to Frank White Jr., who was a member of Barack Obama’s 2008 national finance committee.

The ticket price for the Clinton fundraising receptions is $2,700. The money raised is to be used for the Democratic primary campaign.

by the end of summer. The garage was also under construction at the time.

Friday morning proved startling for those at the Watergate. “The building shook a little bit and we saw a sinkhole growing in the courtyard,” said Tom Wall of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is headquartered on the 10th and 11th floors of the Watergate office building at 2600 Virginia Ave., NW. A tree and plants fell down into the hole, as water sprayed up from broken pipes, he said.

A main part of the collapse was at the underground pathway to the garage and between

Watergate Parking Garage Collapses

A three-story collapse occurred around 10 a.m. Friday at the Watergate complex parking garage, prompting evacuation of the buildings by shaken office workers and residents and a massive D.C. Fire Department response, shutting down Virginia Avenue from 25th Street to Rock Creek Parkway.

Two persons were slightly hurt. Mayor Muriel Bowser held a 4 p.m. press briefing outside the Watergate after visiting the site of the accident and said that rescue dogs indicated no human activity at the three levels affected by the collapse but that a cadaver dog made “a possible hit.” Later, on Sunday, it was determined that no fatalities occurred.

The cause of the collapse remains undetermined at this time. Some retail spaces remain closed, but residents and office workers have returned. According to the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulator Affairs, as the District government will hire an engineering to investigate the case of the accident, as Grunley Construction and Miller & Long D.C., Inc., stabilize the garage.

Office workers and residents are used to noise and construction activity, as the Watergate Hotel is under reconstruction and was due to be completed

Heather Podesta and Hillary Clinton speak at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. Photo by Rachel Berger.

the office building and Watergate East. “Thank God it happened at 10 a.m.,” Wall said, “and not around lunchtime,” when the area would be more traveled by office workers and visitors. “With rubble spilling out,” the area “looked like footage from a war zone,” he said.

“Rescue crews are using dogs to search the rubble of the garage,” NBC News reported. “Special Ops and a local collapse team are searching the garage in the 2600 block of Virginia Avenue NW for any other possible victims. The D.C. Fire & EMS Department’s only search dog has been deployed to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the earthquake there. Montgomery County Fire & Rescue sent their dogs to aid at the Watergate.”

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Weekend Agenda

Leading into every weekend, The Downtowner curates a list of the best events, parties, shows, festivals, openings, and more for you to take the most advantage of your weekend. Check downtownerdc.com and @thedowntownr on Twitter Thursday and Friday every week for our picks.

Textile Museum For millennia, textiles and clothing have functioned in the world as products and symbols of social status, industry, currency, religion and even – in some notable 20th-century cases – human rights. The Textile Museum’s new exhibit, “Unraveling Identity,” demonstrates that impact of clothing and fashion with pieces that span two millennia and five different continents

Weight Loss Myths With so many people saying so many things about weight loss, it can be very hard to separate fact from fiction. We’ve got the scoop on five common myths about losing weight just in time for summer.

Cover Story Continued

Our cover story on online dating isn’t the end.

Submit your own stories to peter@downtownerdc.com to have your voice on online dating, or a particularly bad date, heard.

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Helping to End Human Trafficking: Two Women, Two Organizations

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Because many people don’t know what actions they can take – some aren’t even familiar with the term human trafficking – Innocents at Risk has partnered with the Department of State and Homeland Security to make the public aware of this issue. “In every single aspect, we need people to create awareness,” Sigmund said.

Deborah Sigmund Founder, Innocents at Risk Deborah Sigmund is the founder and director of Innocents at Risk, a nonprofit organization established to help stop the trafficking of women and children. Its mission is to educate citizens about the issue of global and local human trafficking. “We are dedicated to protecting children from all forms of abuse, and work to end child exploitation and child trafficking everywhere,” Sigmund says.

Officially launched in 2005, Innocents at Risk has been working since then to raise awareness about child trafficking in America.

The organization regularly presents at seminars nationwide. Sigmund believes that people need to know that children are being targeted, kidnapped and abused.

In addition to their seminars, Innocents at Risk launched a Flight Attendant Initiative program in 2008. “Through this program, many lives have been saved,” Sigmund said.

Dr. Ludy Green Founder, Second Chance Employment Services Dr. Ludy Green is an expert on U.S. domestic violence and human trafficking issues, as well as an internationally acclaimed speaker.

Green founded Second Chance Employment Services (SCES) to help women at risk find stable employment and assist them in achieving financial independence.

SCES was founded in February 2001.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization educates, trains and places women in meaningful long-term careers, providing them with the financial independence and confidence they need to take care of themselves and their children.

Green has created an alternative approach to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and other forms of extreme oppression. In her book ”Ending Domestic Violence Captivity: A Guide to Economic Freedom,” the link between financial independence and freedom is drawn. A tool to help victims of domestic abuse, the book details Green’s volunteer experience at My Sister’s Place, which led her to a better understanding of the importance of economic independence.

Her next goal is to have the book included in university curricula.

SCES’s placement program specializes in helping clients from shelters, faith-based organizations and other nonprofits. The organization works with companies that are interested in offering priority placement to SCES’s clients, such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Macy’s, SunTrust Bank and IBM. SCES also provides comprehensive employment services throughout the community.

By L in n ea Kr istian sso n pril 16 was the 153rd anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C. More than 3,000 enslaved persons were freed in the District on that date in 1862, eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation called for the end of slavery on Jan. 1, 1863. To mark the anniversary, a fundraising event dedicated to preventing child trafficking was held in Georgetown at M29 Lifestyle.

Human trafficking – the trade in human beings, mostly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others – is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today. It may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy.

Every day, young women and children are being bought and sold, used and tortured. In Washington, D.C., alone, trafficking innocent children is a $100,000 business. Two individuals, and the organizations they founded to help prevent human trafficking, are described below.

“Through this program, many lives have been saved” -Deborah Sigmund

town Topics

Real Estate Round Up

By C ai t l in F ra nz

Developers to Convert SelfStorage to Mixed-Use near Mt. Vernon Square

The Capital Self-Storage at 301 N St. NW may soon become a residential and retail mixeduse building. Eleven stories will be added to the property, according to plans by Foulger-Pratt Development and Torti Gallas Urban.

Development plans include a 110-foot addition to the warehouse. In total, the project would feature 19,000 square feet of retail space, 205 residences and 110 parking spots.

According to documents filed with the Historic Preservation Office, an application to have the building recognized as landmark will be filed soon. The Historic Preservation Review Board is scheduled to consider the project in late May.

H Street Project to Offer Big Transit Benefits to Residents

Douglas Development plans to update its 28-

The ANC 6C has offered support for the development.

WeWork Moves to H Street

WeWork may be moving to a new space at the 432-unit Apollo project at 600 H Street NE. The organization has D.C. locations in Chinatown, Shaw and Dupont Circle.

Insight Property Group is building the Apollo H Street, which will have 432 residential units, over 440 parking spaces, bicycle parking and 74,000 square feet of retail space, including a Whole Foods Market. Apollo H Street is scheduled to open in 2017.

68% of District Homes Are Affordable for Millennials

68 percent of homes in and around the District are affordable to the average millennial, according to a study by Zillow published April 31.

That figure is nearly identical to the national percentage. (Seventy percent of homes across the country are affordable to millenials.) The Zillow study used data from the D.C. metro

A rendering of the Douglas Development mixed-use project on H Street NE. Photo courtesy of Urban Turf.

unit mixed-use property at 501 H St. NE with a transit plan to compensate for minimal parking at the development.

The developers have suggested providing new residents a $100 SmarTrip card, a oneyear Bikeshare membership and a car-share membership to alleviate the problems caused by a lack of parking in the development.

A monitor in the lobby will show residents realtime information on nearby bus and transit lines and Capitol Bikeshare availability. An on-site staff member will be available to answer questions and provide additional information about channels of public transportation.

Douglas is partnering with public transportation services so that the company can gain access to four compact parking spaces and one handicap space on the street in front of the development. One of the compact spaces will be reserved for car-share vehicles. The other three will be available only to residents, not to shoppers at the retail spaces in the mixed-use development.

The Zoning Commission will review the development plans in the next few weeks.

area, not just the District proper, which may have skewed the data, improving the odds of affordability.

Zillow determined the percentage of affordable housing, using the median income of millenials aged 23-34 and the assumption that they could only spend 30 percent or less of their annual income on a mortgage payment.

Affordability in the District has increased over the last year. In the third quarter of 2013, affordability was at its lowest level (55%) in Zillow’s five-year study.

2M Apartments on H Street Sweeten the Deal with a Dog

The 2M Apartments in NoMa offers residents access to a furry friend. Her name is Emmy and she’s an English Bulldog who greets prospective renters, plays with residents and takes naps in a miniature version of the apartment house and goes home every night with the leasing manager.

The goal of the community pet is to provide the newly constructed 2M Apartments with a competitive edge. The 12-story modern building was developed as a joint venture between WC Smith and the Warrenton Group on a site at M and North Capitol streets NE, which is two blocks from the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station.

2M incorporates a range of sustainable features to meet LEED Gold standards, including a planted roof, a rainwater harvesting system, a rooftop solar array, Energy Star appliances and electric car charging stations.

The building is one of the few to be completed as part of the District’s New Communities Initiative.

30 percent of the development’s 314 apartments, ranging from studios to threebedroom units, are considered to be affordable.

34 of these 93 units have been leased by residents earning 60 percent of the area median income, and 59 are being rented by residents earning 30 percent of the median income. The building is approximately 82 percent leased after being open for less than a year.

Both the affordable and market-rate units are designed with the same open floor plans, fixtures and finishes, including granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling windows. All tenants can take advantage of the rooftop pool with Capitol views, café, indoor basketball court, outdoor grills, theater and game rooms, outdoor lounge area, business center and other amenities.

CoStar Acquires Apartment Finder

ApartmentFinder.com has about 13,400 properties on its website. CoStar anticipates that this acquisition will yield some $20 million in synergies with Apartments.com, CoStar and its other digital connections.

The deal comes a little more than a month after CoStar revealed a redesigned Apartments. com and new marketing campaign featuring actor Jeff Goldblum. The site led web traffic among apartment sites in March with nearly 7 million unique visitors, according to ComScore. com. ApartmentFinder.com came in fourth with a little more than 2.1 million.

Residential Shake Up Downtown

The real estate game is changing downtown with local power players moving in to shake things up.

Long & Foster Real Estate, well known for its status as the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, has made some changes.

The family-owned company hired Marcus Jaffe to lead the Washington, D.C. region this past fall. “Now that I’m becoming part of the Long & Foster family, I’m thrilled to build on the brokerage’s well known reputation for excellence,” Jaffe said in a press release.

Other companies are taking advantage of the lucrative real estate environment in the District proper instead of focusing on far away suburbs.

Washington Fine Properties is expanding with the opening of an office spring 2015, which is the former Bang & Olufsen retail space at 1604 14th St. NW. McWilliams Ballard is based out of the District but has have proven itself in the real estate market by expanding to 12 states and emerging as one of the largest new home sales and marketing firms on the East Coast. The company’s downtown office has open at 1402 14th St. NW. Sotheby’s also joined the real estate party on 14th Street with an office at 1506 14th St. NW. They feature listings in neighborhoods like Shaw, Logan’s Circle and Kalorama.

The newest addition to the 14th Street strip will be McEnearney Associates Realtors, a Virginia-based company that is planning to open shop at the long-vacant Pulp space at 14th

CoStar Group Inc., the D.C.-based company responsible for Apartments.com, plans to acquire that site’s competitor, Apartment Finder, in a $170 million deal with Network Communications Inc.

A rooftop view at the 2M Apartment building. Photo courtesy of 2M Apartments.

A view of the Pulp building on 14th Street NW, which will soon home McEnearney Associates Realtors.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

9

EDITORIAL

It is, for now, quiet in Baltimore.

T

he curfew imposed on the city last Tuesday in the wake of demonstrations, looting and fires was lifted by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on Sunday.

The chaos that erupted in Baltimore centered mostly in West Baltimore near Mondawmin Mall, a troubled and economically depressed area, after the funeral of Freddie Gray. Gray, a 25-year-old African American man, died under mysterious and questionable circumstances while in custody after sustaining injuries during the course of his arrest and processing.

Tuesday was a shocking night for everyone who lived it or watched it on television: smashed windows, theft, flames, rock throwing, police in full riot gear (and, later, a kabuki baseball team and an internet-heroine mom). The mayor requested the presence of the Maryland National Guard from Republican Governor Larry Hogan and imposed a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. citywide curfew.

Daily, the demonstrations persisted. On Friday, to the surprise and jubilation of many, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby filed numerous charges against the six officers who had participated in the arrest and transport of Gray. This calmed the waters and, at least for a time, appeared to bring disparate parts of the city together.

Here in Washington, we watched the events with alarm, and not a small degree of complacency. Forgetting our own history, many of us felt and feel that, while what happened in Baltimore was a tragedy, it is likely to happen here. We had not been affected directly by the outrage and incidents that exploded in Ferguson, Missouri, and that continue to reverberate after every policeinvolved shooting (too many, before and since).

The fact of the matter is that it could happen here, in spite of a popular chief of police, whose career and relations with the black community are as un-Ferguson-like as can be. We are only a misinterpreted incidence of eye contact, a split-second decision, a shot in the night away from what the great African American novelist and essayist James Baldwin called “The Fire Next Time” more than 50 years ago.

The troubles in Baltimore amount to a cautionary tale, for Baltimore and for the rest of the country. The arrests and pending trials are full of political and racial booby traps that could lead in an instant to disappointment and rage, or great divides that might never be closed. They are also an opportunity for healing.

Could it happen in Washington?

You bet.

Don’t Pay for Tinder Plus

T

inder is a primarily a game. That’s it. Yes, it’s a game that can lead to meeting new people, maybe going on some dates, and if you’re lucky, getting some sex out of it. But rarely does a Tinder fling turn into a real, long-term relationship.

Yet there are people looking for exactly that on the app. For those people, Tinder can be hard. We’ve all swiped to see someone with perfect profile; great photos that paint a picture of beautiful, interesting, adjusted person, and words that maybe prove it. We’ve all thought, “This could be the guy (or girl) of my dreams.”

Maybe you start up conversation and it goes well. Maybe you send a message and never get a response. Maybe the conversation is awkward and drawn out. It’s rare though that a

Tinder match turns into a date or meet-up, and if it does, the first one can be pretty awkward, as you and your date talk about mutual interests or friends before devolving into conversation about how cute each other’s photos are.

Tinder has a couple of drawbacks in looking for a relationship. The app is distracting.

Everyone on it receives a constant barrage of faces and people, any of whom could be “the one.” How could you or your perfect match commit to each other, or anyone else, when the app refills with fresh faces every day?

Catfishing of any sort on Tinder is too easy.

Someone can put off actually meeting up forever, giving a match hope that a date will happen but never acquiescing. They could be impersonating someone who looks nothing like them. A

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FEATURES EDITORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Caitlin Franz Gary Tischler Ari Post

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Please send all submissions of opinions for consideration to: Peter@downtownerdc.com

Robert Devaney MANAGING EDITOR

Peter Murray

10

May 6, 2015, GMG, INC.

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA

Charlene Louis

Around 500 protesters marched down Pennsylvania Ave. NW towards the Wilson Building in solidarity with Freddie Gray and protestors in Baltimore on April 29th. Photo by Erin Schaff.

Tinder match’s friend could be swiping and messaging for them just for funsies. They could be swiping just for funsies while they’re taking a crap. There’s absolutely no way to know.

So Tinder has gone ahead and given people seeking relationships hope with their new premium app. It’s false hope, yes, but hope nonetheless. Tinder Plus’ features include the ability to undo a left swipe, swipe your heart out (the regular app now limits swipes per day) and swipe in any city around the world, all for a price of $14.99 per month…. actually, wait a second, it’s going to be a little more if you’re over 28, the age where you’re more likely to be looking to finding “the one” to settle down with.

Which brings us back to our initial point that Tinder is a game. (Case in point, when ADVERTISING

Evelyn Keyes Kelly Sullivan Richard Selden

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Esther Abramowicz Angie Myers Erin Schaff

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Philip Bermingham Neshan Naltchayan CONTRIBUTORS

Mary Bird Pamela Burns Linda Roth Conte Jack Evans

you match with someone, the app gives you an option to “Keep Playing.”) Why would someone looking for a relationship pay (monthly!) to play that game?

The new app can hardly be considered an upgrade. The most enticing feature is the ability to undo a swipe but is anyone really so naïve to think that a corrected wrong swipe is going to lead to a happy long-term relationship? The worldwide swiping feature seems like it will just give narcissists the ability to have people in other cities tell them they’re hot not to mention that it will provide even more opportunities to catfish seeking attention.

So don’t go sign up for Tinder Plus, just don’t.

Donna Evers John Fenzel Amos Gelb Lisa Gillespie Wally Greeves Jody Kurash Stacy Notaras Murphy David Post Alison Schafer

Richard Selden Shari Sheffield Bill Starrels Sallie Lewis

Editorial/ opinon

Ted Cruz: A True Hypocrite Hometown Candidate: Martin O’Malley iversity has always been a big part of Act has been the kindling that has fueled his rise

By M ar k Pl otkin

D

what makes America great. Whether it be music, food, style, politics or which Kardashian deserves to be jettisoned into the sun, America is a great big country with room for any number of opinions and beliefs. As such, we at the Downtowner will (almost) never fault someone for their beliefs, so long as they are legitimately held and civilly expressed. But man, do we hate hypocrites, and they don’t come bigger than Ted Cruz, the Republican senator from Texas.

Let’s start with the broad strokes. Cruz preaches about liberty and the evils of big government so often it’s basically an involuntary function. Cruz has called himself “a passionate fighter for limited government,” touting self-reliance, states’ rights and all the usual boiler-plate talking points a “real” conservative should. We have no problem with that; it’s an enticing platform. Funny though, that Cruz would introduce a resolution of disapproval to try and block two D.C. laws on reproductive health and gay rights. Given that approximately 1,200 miles separate the District and Texas’s eastern border, one is forced to conclude Cruz’s belief in self-governance is limited to his “native” Texas.

Speaking of gay rights, Cruz reportedly said last month, “If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much.” Additionally, he made comments stating that legal decisions about gay marriage should be made at the state level.

This attitude is very different from his usual antigay stance, as he recently criticized those who opposed the anti-gay legislation in Indiana, which would have allowed businesses to refuse service to same-sex individuals based on the owners’ religious beliefs. He continues to be adamant that he personally opposes gay marriage, which he once called a “real danger for country.”

Anyone who follows the news knows Ted Cruz is not a fan of the Affordable Care Act. Yet, just 24 hours after announcing his presidential candidacy, when he again vowed to “repeal every word,” Cruz told CNN’s Dana Bash he had signed up for Obamacare after his wife left Goldman Sachs to work on his campaign. It seems fairly likely that Cruz signed up simply to document the various ills of the system (destroy from within, very 007), but if I were leading a joint Irony & Hypocrisy 101 seminar, this would be day one stuff.

Still, Cruz’s opposition to the Affordable Care

Senator Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate. Photo by Erin Schaff.

as a grassroots conservative icon, a real man of the people. Only that’s not who Cruz really is.

He plays up a Texan accent, despite being born in Alberta, Canada, and being of Cuban descent.

His immigrant father worked washing dishes to put himself through the University of Texas, only to see his son somehow become even more insufferable than the average law student and refuse to study with anyone who did not attend Harvard, Yale, or Princeton for undergrad. Even Judge Smails from “Caddyshack” would find that elitist.

There’s nothing sadder than a man forgetting (or blatantly misrepresenting) where he came from.

Cruz undoubtedly chafed at having to announce his candidacy at the decidedly non-Ivy League Liberty University in exchange for his conservative bona fides, but such are the demands of faking one’s way to the top.

Now, Cruz is not alone. We’re all hypocrites in our own way. After all, who hasn’t tried to distance himself from the past, or done something that they had previously decried or become an unbearable knob at college? But everyday hypocrisy doesn’t get people killed. Cruz’s support of the death penalty will. In 2010, Cruz represented John Thompson, an innocent man who spent 14 months on death row after prosecutors hid blood tests and other evidence that would have exonerated him.

As Thompson’s attorney, Cruz argued “that institutional failures in the justice system had nearly led to his client’s execution.” So, Cruz is a man who knows that innocent people face the death penalty (and will continue to do so, given the “institutional failures” in place), and famously believes the government can do no right but categorically supports the death penalty. Without the lens of partisan politics, the fact that these three things can simultaneously be true is baffling.

The 2016 election is a long way off, and no one can say for sure what the future holds for Cruz (except political seer Nate Silver, maybe).

This time next year, Cruz could be gearing up for showdown for the White House, or his narcissistic hypocrisy could make him the latest addition to the GOP scrap heap, supported only by an extremely vocal minority that is incapable of getting him elected. The only sure thing is that we at The Downtowner will not be buying any snake oil from the sneering junior senator from Texas.

If you are a Democrat and you are not quite convinced – not truly "Ready for Hillary" – then Martin O'Malley wants you to sign on with him. One could make the case that he is the hometown candidate. He was born in Washington, D.C. He went to Gonzaga College High School on North Capitol Street, then to Catholic University.

His family moved to Silver Spring and O'Malley went to law school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, where he stayed and got elected to the city council. After seven years on the council, he was elected mayor of Baltimore in 1999. He was only 36 years old. In 2002, Esquire magazine put him on its “Best & Brightest” cover and named him "Best Young Mayor in the Country."

After two terms as mayor, O’Malley beat incumbent Republican Bob Ehrlich for governor and got reelected in 2010. After finishing his term, he is now going for the ultimate prize: the White House.

A keen student of politics, O'Malley is trying to pull a Carter ’76. The similarities are stunning. Jimmy Carter, after finishing his service as governor of Georgia, all but moved to Iowa and New Hampshire in 1975. He campaigned full-time for president. This was his only job and it paid off. Carter came from nowhere and beat an exceptional field of candidates, including someone I worked for, Morris Udall, a representative from Arizona.

O'Malley, who endorsed and campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2008, is positioning himself as the only clear alternative to Clinton, a younger version with a progressive mantle.

He's not afraid to take on the dynasty element, saying recently that the presidency is not some "crown" to be passed down, as if the U.S. were a monarchy. This comment is of course a swipe at Jeb Bush as well.

O'Malley's strategy is to make sure Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts does not get into the race. He wants the economic populist brand to himself. At the same time, he wants to be perceived not as left or loony as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont or as stolid as former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb. O'Malley’s desire, above all, is for Democratic Party activists to view him as electable in the November 2016 general election.

The present crisis in Baltimore will highlight O'Malley's tenure as mayor and his policy of "zero-tolerance." This might cause him some unforeseen difficulty.

But the 52-year-old politician is a charmer.

He enjoys being Martin O'Malley. It won't hurt when he picks up his guitar and starts strumming one of his Celtic favorites. He is just hoping that you will like the tune he's playing and sing along.

Political analyst Mark Plotkin is a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a contributor to TheHill.com.

Political analyst Mark Plotkin is a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a contributor to TheHill.com.

A D.C. Sports Renaissance

By Jac k Evan s

Doesn’t it seem like it was only a few years ago that sports teams in the District were more a source of embarrassment than of civic pride? Those days seem like a distant memory right about now.

The Wizards and the Capitals aren’t just in the playoffs; it looks as if both may extend their run beyond the second round. With the first playoff-series sweep in franchise history, the Wizards breezed by Toronto and appear to have the advantage over top-seeded Atlanta. The Caps are keeping it more interesting with a seven-game win against the Islanders, and what looks to be a back-and-forth series with the Rangers.

Even the Nationals, who got off to a startlingly rocky start, have turned things around after taking three out of four games in New York against the Mets this weekend. It’s been ten years since baseball returned to the District, and every day it seems like an even greater benefit than any of us imagined at the time.

And potentially besting all three of their more publicized neighbors, D.C. United is tied for first place and off to the best start in franchise history (5-1-2). With the opening of a new stadium in a few years’ time, the team will have an excellent facility in which to continue to set milestones.

Beyond just offering laurels, I want to follow up on a previous column dealing with a college basketball series for some of our local teams: a D.C. Big 6 Tournament. Our neighborhood team,

the Georgetown University Hoyas, announced a few weeks ago that they will play the University of Maryland Terrapins in a home-and-home series beginning in the 2016-17 season.

This is great news to be sure, reconnecting the region’s two top men’s college basketball teams for the first time in seven years (and the first time on either’s home court since 1993). But there’s a longer drought that continues. On December 16, 1981, Georgetown beat George Washington 61-48 at the Capital Centre in Landover, behind star senior “Sleepy” Floyd and freshman Patrick Ewing. Since that game, the two neighbors have stayed silent.

Two weeks ago, I introduced a “Sense of the Council” resolution calling for a D.C. Big 6 Tournament. Even before a regional tournament, I think it’s finally time for a “Downtown Game” between the Georgetown Hoyas and the George Washington Colonials. It’s been 35 years since the teams played each other in the District, on December 13, 1980, at McDonough Arena. These two schools, which I’m proud to note are both in Ward 2, would provide their communities and the entire District with a long-overdue reunion.

Let’s hope the good sports vibe happening now extends to a “Downtown Game”; our continuously dominant local World TeamTennis team, the Washington Kastles (who will welcome back Serena Williams this season as they look to win a fifth straight WTT Championship); and to the Washington Redskins.

Go Wizards! Go Caps! Go Nats! Go United!

And, most of all, Go D.C.!

Jack Evans is the Ward 2 Councilmember, representing Georgetown since 1991.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

11

HISTORY

Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley!

By Do nna E v e rs

Top: Washingtonians inspect new streetcars at the Department of Transportation’s DC Streetcar Showcase in February 2013. Courtesy of DDOT. Left: Trollies drive around Thomas Circle and on 14th Street in 1943. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

R

alph Blane, co-composer with Hugh Martin of “The Trolley Song” – made famous by the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis” – said he was inspired to write the award-winning song after he saw a photo of a trolley car in a 1900 newspaper, captioned, “Clang, clang, clang went the trolley.”

The concept that trolley cars, or streetcars, are nostalgic reminders of a romantic past must be what caught the imagination of at least three recent mayors of Washington, D.C., and that of many of the city’s inhabitants. But before we commit to the current proposed trolley

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May 6, 2015, GMG, INC.

lines, maybe we should take a look at the District’s checkered history with this mode of transportation.

The first form of public transportation in many U.S. cities, including Washington, was horse-drawn trolley cars that had steel tires and ran on rails flush with the pavement. These were popular from the 1860s through the 1890s, when they were replaced with electric trolley cars – a lot cleaner and easier to keep than horses. And, unlike the horse-drawn streetcars, they could climb steep hills, leading to the ever-expanding boundaries of the city and up

the AP reported to be “the biggest traffic jam in history,” with people abandoning their cars in the middle of downtown streets next to empty streetcars and trudging the rest of the way to work in the stifling summer heat.

After strikes erupted again in 1955, Congress decided to step in and take the company away from the greedy investors. It was sold to O. Roy Chalk, a New York entrepreneur who had to promise to close down the streetcar system and change it to 100-percent bus service, which he did. The last streetcar line went out of service in 1962. Schoolchildren were given the treat of riding on the last trolley, after which it was shrouded with black crepe and a mourning wreath.

We can only hope that if trolley service ever actually returns to the District, there won’t be a repetition of this history. Meanwhile, we can get in the mood to embrace the concept by singing “The Trolley Song” with Judy Garland, or the song in which Tony Bennett made the little cable cars of San Francisco so unforgettable.

Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenues to the new suburb of Chevy Chase.

When Congress approved the switch to electric streetcars, it prohibited overhead wiring and insisted that the electric cables be buried in the roads next to the tracks. This caused the system to suffer from the expansion and contraction caused by the summer heat and the winter cold. Historian Robert C. Post noted that the “demands of routine maintenance were relentless.” Nevertheless, streetcars were the main mode of public transportation for Washingtonians for many years.

The streetcars’ demise came about when a perfect storm of problems finally became insurmountable. By 1933, the consolidation of many streetcar companies resulted in the Capital Transit Company, which, in the beginning, had Donna Evers is the owner and broker of ample funds to deal with the constant repair Evers & Co Real Estate Inc., the largest womanproblems, even though the increase in familyowned and woman-run real estate firm in the owned automobiles continued to chip away metropolitan area, and the proprietor of Twin at streetcar ridership. As the number of riders Oaks Tavern Winery in Bluemont, Virginia. decreased, the company was sold to a group Reach her at devers@eversco.com. of investors. Paying much less than the company’s value, these investors commenced to reward themselves with large dividends, depleting company reserves.

At the same time, the unions decided that their streetcar workers had gotten cheated out of their share of the riches. In 1951, they went on strike, creating what Commuters ride the D.C. trolley to Catholic University and Brookland up New York Avenue NW in the early twentieth century.

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GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

13

Business

Business Clips

By Marc Pitarresi and Peter Murray

Croissants from the BlueBird Bakery at the Prequel pop-uppery in Chinatown.

Spy Museum to Move to L’Enfant Plaza

The International Spy Museum has announced plans to relocate to L’Enfant Plaza in the next two years. The museum plans to be a 100,000-square-foot, six-story building at 900 L’Enfant Plaza. The museum’s price tag could reach as high as $100 million. The Commission of Fine Arts would need to approve the plan.

SoulCycle Moving In

SoulCycle is set to open three new locations in Washington, D.C. The new studios will be located on 14th street, in Mount Vernon Square and on lower Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown.

In Georgetown, a Soul Cycle will take over a former hookah lounge this summer.

The 14th Street location is expected to open

fall 2015 at 1935 14th St. NW, in the space currently occupied by DTLR, the Downtown Locker Room shoe and apparel store. DTLR will close May 29, according to an employee there.

In Mount Vernon Square, SoulCycle will open a 62-bike studio over the summer in the new building being built at the old NPR site at 601 Massachusetts Ave. NW.

Union Kitchen to Open Grocery Store Near Union Station

Food incubator Union Kitchen is opening a grocery store at 538 3rd St. NE near Union Station. Union Kitchen’s Grocery at 3 rd and F Streets NE will serve deli prepared foods inside a functioning grocery store. The indoor seating will serve 10. Additional outdoor seating will be available for 20.

A rotisserie chicken and sides from the Chickery, a Toronto-based chain that is opening a location near Dupont Circle.

Pizza Paradiso Goes FastCasual with Veloce

Veloce, a fast-casual concept by Pizza Paradiso, opened its doors on May 4 at 1828 L St. NW in downtown Washington, D.C. near bustling Farragut Square. Veloce will take advantage of the technology used by expanding D.C. chain &pizza to serve up pies more quickly than their sit down restaurant.

Beau Thai to Open New Concept in Former Space

A new Thai restaurant at 1700 New Jersey Avenue, NW, brought to you by the minds behind Beau Thai, will highlight the international influences on Thai cooking.

BKK Cookshop (BKK is the airport code for Bangkok) will open some time in May. New signage is prepared for Union Kitchen’s new grocery concept. Courtesy of @UnionKitchen on Instagram.

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

The Pub and the People Opens in Bloomingdale

The Pub and The People opened on May 1 at 1648 North Capitol St. NW, a space that has been unoccupied for a decade. The concept serves a wide range of food and drink, specializing in whiskey and banh mi sandwiches, of all things.

Toronto Chicken Joint Coming In Hot to D.C.

The Chickery, a fast-casual restaurant chain based in Toronto whose menu features only chicken dishes and side items, signed a lease to open at 1300 Connecticut Ave. The space, just south of Dupont Circle, previously housed Black and Orange Burger.

Chick-fil-A Comes to CoHi

Southerners rejoice! Chick-fil-A has nearly finished renovating their new space in the DCUSA mall in Columbia Heights at 3100 14th

business

ages to their customers.

Distilleries are now eligible for licenses that would allow them to curate drinks made with their own products and sell them onsite.

Festival organizers are now able to get a temporary liquor license lasting up to 15 days.

This appears to be a significant improvement from the current model, which requires organizers to obtain a one-day permit for each day of a festival.

Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Jeff Malet.

D.C. Tourism

D.C. experienced a record-breaking year in tourism for the fifth year in a row, the city’s tourism agency, Destination D.C., announced May 5. Domestic visitation to the District was up 5.7 percent in 2013, to 18.34 million visitors, according to McLean-based D.K. Shifflet.

All visitors to D.C. contributed a total of $6.8 billion to the local economy, a year-overyear increase of 1.9 percent, per IHS Global,

Inc., The city’s retail sector saw 2.5-percent growth. There was a 4-percent increase in spending on food and beverage and a 2-percent increase in entertainment spending.

It is believed that these increases in tourism and spending were the result of several Destination D.C.-sponsored campaigns, like D.C. Cool.

Campaigns of a similar nature are in the works for the coming year.

New Alcohol Regulations

New legislation that went into effect May 3 gives bakeries the opportunity to apply for a license allowing them to sell baked goods with up to 5-percent alcohol content. Infused pastries and sweets with alcohol content of between .5 and 5 percent can only be sold to individuals 21 years old or older.

The law is also changing the way distilleries and festival organizers provide alcoholic bever-

The District has approved the selling of liquor-laced baked goods such as bourbon cupcakes and rum-filled cheese cakes.

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GMG, INC. April 22, 2015

15

Real ESTATe

Provided by Washington Fine Properties

APRIL 2015 sales

Address

Subdivision

Bedrooms Full Baths Half Baths Days on The Market

List Price

Close Price

2116 DUNMORE LN NW

PHILLIPS PARK

7

5

1

259

$3,595,000

$3,590,000

1721 P ST NW

DUPONT

9

8

1

22

$2,995,000

$2,850,000

2007 48TH ST NW

BERKLEY

5

4

1

14

$2,485,000

$2,575,000

5520 HAWTHORNE PL NW

KENT

6

5

1

343

$2,295,000

$2,222,500

5040 LOWELL ST NW

KENT

5

4

1

9

$1,995,000

$2,000,000

3721 UPTON ST NW

CLEVELAND PARK

5

4

2

260

$2,075,000

$1,910,000

1155 23RD ST NW #NP-2C

CENTRAL

3

3

0

0

$1,900,000

$1,900,000

4721 RODMAN ST NW

SPRING VALLEY

6

5

1

9

$1,895,000

$1,897,500

2526 L ST NW

FOGGY BOTTOM

5

1

3

95

$1,875,000

$1,815,000

2150 L ST NW

WEST END

4

3

1

328

$1,699,000

$1,660,000

1601 5TH ST NW #A

SHAW

4

4

1

0

$1,580,000

$1,580,000

1414 COLUMBIA ST NW

LOGAN / SHAW

4

2

1

6

$1,350,000

$1,500,000

3543 QUEBEC ST NW

CLEVELAND PARK

3

3

1

5

$1,495,000

$1,495,000

1609 SUTER LN NW

GEORGETOWN

4

2

1

7

$1,495,000

$1,495,000

1536 44TH ST NW

FOXHALL

5

3

1

19

$1,529,000

$1,475,000

4658 UPTON ST NW

SPRING VALLEY

4

3

0

138

$1,495,000

$1,450,000

4712 RESERVOIR RD NW

BERKLEY

5

3

1

32

$1,495,000

$1,450,000

3905 ALBEMARLE ST NW

CHEVY CHASE

4

4

1

22

$1,550,000

$1,430,000

4005 MANSION DR NW

BURLEITH

3

4

1

4

$1,449,000

$1,430,000

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Real Estate

Le Décor: Outdoor Living

1

As the days grow longer – summer is just around the corner – we tend to spend more time by the grill, in the garden and on the balcony. Why not enhance your outdoor lifestyle with these stylish summer items?

1. Protect your flowers and give them an artistic touch with this Planetarium Terrarium from Anthropologie, in five sizes. Starting at $58.

2. Entertain family and friends with a game of Cornhole from Amazon. From $199 to $249.

3. Catch some rays while resting on this Strathwood Basics Chaise Lounge Chair from Amazon. Starting at $145.

4. With this Bradford Square Slate Fire Pit from the Home Depot, you’ll feel like you’re camping in your own backyard. Starting at $169.

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5. Hide from the sun with a Colorful Patio Umbrella from One Kings Lane. Starting at $299.

6. Even summer nights can be chilly. But with a Retractable Patio Heater from the Home Depot, you’ll enjoy every summer night, regardless of the temperature. $299.

3

7. These bronze-finish Malta Lanterns from Pottery Barn will light up your lounge as well as the garden. From $27 to $199.

Featured Property 4

521 FLORIDA AVE NW, #2 This two-level condominium in Shaw near LeDroit Park is just a few steps from Shaw’s Tavern, Bistro Bohem, the Howard Theatre and Shaw’s bustling commercial strip and Metro station. The unit features hardwood floors, high ceilings, an upgraded kitchen, stainless steel appliances and a washer and drier. Two large master bedrooms boast “tons of closet space” and en suite bathrooms. Get into the neighborhood while it’s still affordable.

Offered at $549,500 Long & Foster Heather Ludwig Mobile: 703-795-7428 Office: 703-790-1990

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real EState

The Auction Block

By Ari Pos t

Freeman’s

Monumental Napoleon III Bronze Twin-Handled Urn Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000 Auction Date: May 19 Mounted on a rouge griotte marble pedestal, this urn is offered as part of Freeman’s upcoming sale of English & Continental Furniture and Decorative Arts. The sale will feature rare works of 18th-century porcelain by Chelsea and Worcester, speaking to a period of production that was guided by a fascination with natural forms, driven by advances both in botany and in taste.

Bonham’s

“...Emerging into an opening that appeared to have been formed partly by the ravages of the wind, and partly by those of fire,” 1925 Oil on canvas N. C. Wyeth (American, 1882-1945) Estimate: $400,000 – $600,000 Auction Date: May 20 NC Wyeth was one of the great American illustrators—his Treasure Island illustrations are widely considered to be among the greatest of all time. During his lifetime, Wyeth created over 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books, which is the work for which he is best known.

The present painting is an illustration from The Deerslayer.

Bringing Down the Hammer Final selling prices for last month’s featured Auction Block items.

Sotheby’s

San Ildefonso Polychrome Lidded Jar, New Mexico Tony Da (1940-2008) Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000 Auction Date: May 21 Sotheby’s sale of American Indian Art is distinguished by the Charles and Sharon Aberle Collection, which features early and exceptionally fine Navajo blankets. The sale also includes diverse works of Native art from the Great Lakes to the Northwest Coast, comprising basketry, pottery, carvings and jewelry.

Freeman’s

Special Minguren I Coffee Table George Nakashima (1905-1990) Auction Date: April 22 Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000 Final Selling Price: $55,000

Christie’s

Napoleon III Japanese Imari Porcelain Torchères Auction Date: April 16 Estimate: $120,000 – $180,000 Final Selling Price: $149,000

Sotheby’s Doyle New York

Russian Silver Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Coffee Pot Workmaster Fedor Ruckert, Moscow, c. 18961908 Estimate: $40,000 – $50,000 Auction Date: June 3 Enameled silver is one of Russia’s greatest artistic legacies. The acknowledged master of this work was Fedor Ruckert (1840-1917), a silversmith of German origin working in Moscow in the final years of Romanov rule. This exquisite piece is part of Doyle New York’s auction of 19th- and 20th-century fine and decorative arts, reflecting the opulence of the Belle Époque.

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Christie’s

“Benefits Supervisor Resting” Lucian Freud (1922-2011) Estimate: $30 million – $50 million Auction Date: May 13 As part of Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Evening Sale, this landmark painting by Lucian Freud will go on sale alongside equally monumental works by Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Franz Kline, Hans Hoffman, Jeff Koons, David Smith, Roy Lichtenstein, Wayne Thiebaud, Francis Bacon and others.

“Silent Seasons – Summer No. II” Will Barnet (1911-2012) Auction Date: April 23 Estimate: $60,000 – $90,000 Final Selling Price: $118,750

Doyle New York Frida Kahlo Archive Auction Date: April 15 Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000 Final Selling Price: $137,000

COVER

uto rs

By Pet er Mur ray and Con trib

Almost everyone online dates. People have busy lives and new dating apps have made it easier than ever to connect with potential mates, or hookups, online. For people new to a city or trying to meet romantic interests outside of their social circle, online dating is an obvious solution to expanding the dating pool.

Using the internet to get dates is increasingly socially acceptable, not to mention casual with the advent of Tinder, the online dating equivalent of “Hot or Not” that operates as more of a game than a way to meet a new boyfriend or girlfriend.

(Gay men experienced the dating app revolution a few years before with Grindr and other geosocial apps that provide pictures, limited profiles and the distance between two users.)

No longer did someone interested in online dating have to pay for it, fill out a (in some cases extended) questionnaire and spend time on his or her personal computer sorting through potential matches and introductory messages. All they needed with Tinder and the apps spawned after it (Hinge, JSwipe, etc.) was a phone, a Facebook profile and an eye for who they were looking for, or not looking for.

for online dating, I When I decided to sign up my skin would be of or didn’t realize that the col potential suitors. From such a focus for so many messages starting off day one, I received many e. At first, I found it ton complimenting my skin versations continued. appealing. . .until the con have preferences I am not in denial; people teristics (color rac cha and are attracted to certain e, it was the cas my in t, Bu being one of them). that caused so many one bit of information my profile. There is a (non-blacks) to flock to why these men are of beauty in the curiosity wing me. But in the attracted to me without kno s, my blackness was world of swipes and like ity of the messages jor a major focus. The ma ite men, fetishized wh m fro I received, mostly ized me solely on my my appearance and sexual race.

Some just use Tinder for fun, swiping constantly but not sending messages to any of their matches. Others use the app purely for hooking up.

Still others go to Tinder and that family of apps to look for a long-term relationship.

That’s not to say that established dating sites like Match, eHarmony and OKCupid have gone by the wayside. Their membership – possibly turned off by the ostensibly shallow nature of Tinder or using Tinder in concert with those sites – is up and also using those sites’ apps to find dates.

What has become clearer and clearer is that

people use different online dating apps for different things, and often get very different results from their experiences.

Below, young Washingtonians tell their true stories about those varying experiences in the online dating world. Whether about one date in particular or their experiences as a whole, these stories reflect the diversity of what people get out of online dating.

Because the writers of these stories all wish to remain anonymous, they are identified by the themes in their stories. Note: There is explicit content in this piece. Reader discretion is advised.

s that is willing to some Nubian sex goddes there s (It’ .” ass e nic lly y. But am I reading rea tas a “I bet you have fill some forbidden fan ful average.) iring my mahogany but no bigger than your too far into the men adm you e (Ar e.” tud atti nk you and continue “I love black women’s tone? Should I just say tha s and ger fin my p sna noticing my skin lly ica asking if I stereotyp the conversation? Maybe me noticing their ?) as talk e I sam en roll my neck wh tone for them is the .” lips t sof lly rea e “You look like you hav striking blue eyes. one or two people e.) tru is one this ay, (Ok That said, I have met wn to be sho lly ica stat is ract with. But with ck” inte bla to “Dating while who have been lovely ge rria ma est low e the of likes/connects vs. tough for women. We hav my current stats (number us. ut abo ma stig a is re e) this number should rate and, in most cases, the number of visits to my pag dating ine onl ing join of r too difficult getting n fea a I have always had higher. It has just bee be t Bu .” me like l one wil d conversations. After sites in the sense that “no past the sexually charge not is this t tha d rne lea e OkC-ing, I began to in the past few months, I’v Tinder-ing, Hinge-ing and for everyone? Now, is the case. wonder if online dating likeability, my ut abo d females and I know rrie ck wo bla ger I am no lon I don’t represent all my ng liki n ma of e success and love. But but more about the typ plenty who have found ut abo est hon re mo are call it quits. profile. Online, men for me, it may be time to case, it was my In . for g kin loo what they are

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I came out of the closet two years ago and didn’t know any fellow gays. So I started using Tinder as a way to meet them. The primary goal was to meet a romantic interest, but I was also looking to make gay friends (since I had zero).

I’m pretty picky on the app, swiping left far more than right, getting turned off by selfies, pictures with sedated tigers, torso shots and photos of more than one person, especially if all of the other people in the photo were women.

(I’ve got enough gal pals as is, thank you very much.)

When I got a conversation going with an intriguing guy, I’d push to meet up sooner rather than later because I’m not confident in my text game and get anxious about digital communication, reading way too much into things when people don’t use proper punctuation or give replies like “k.” (I think everyone can agree that “k” is the shittiest response to a text a person can give.)

Some guys would chat but, when the time came to meet up and go on a date, they’d flake a few times and I got the message that they were just on Tinder for fun, or for an ego boost. I didn’t get too upset because who hasn’t gone on Tinder just for fun or an ego boost?

When a match and I were equally eager to go on a date together, I’d choose the place because I like to think I know this city (and how to use Yelp) pretty well. My first dates are always for drinks, because first dates are awkward and alcohol makes them less so. Also, if I went to coffee with someone, the caffeine would make me jabber my jaw even more than I do regularly, which is a lot.

My first few dates went pretty well. I would too many people opened conversations asking go in for a kiss at the end regardless of how the if I was a power bottom or if I would be their date went, just to see if there was any sexual personal otter. (The answer to both questions chemistry that needed furthering. I made a was no, but I didn’t bother responding.) few friends, had a few hookups and met some When I went back to Tinder after Grindr, people I’ll probably never see again. however, hooking up became my focus. If But there’s the hitch with gay D.C. Sure, I went on a date and it went fine but I didn’t D.C. has one of the highest proportions of gay feel “sparks fly” (to quote one of Taylor Swift’s men of any U.S. city and is incredibly gaybest songs), I would still try to take my date friendly, but my compulsive and perpetual home and get naked with him. And usually it swiping before bed, at work, on the bus, on worked. The only hitch was that after that had the toilet (like you haven’t), while watching happened on a first or second date, I would TV, hanging out with friends and any time I never hear from the guy again, to get the chance was free would always lead not only to having to see if we were actually compatible. They just no one left to swipe, but also to constantly disappeared and I wouldn’t try that hard to find recognizing people from Tinder at gay bars, at them. There were other fish in the sea, or rather straight bars, at restaurants, on 14th street, in men on the Tinder. my neighborhood, on the metro and on my bus.

I’ve had relationships here and there that They usually didn’t notice and/or recognize have come out of Tinder matches, but they me. Sometimes they would clearly see me and usually last only a few months and generally pretend not to for reasons unknown. I did, peter out on their own without a solid break however, turn a Tinder conversation into a bus up conversation – because ostensibly we’ve conversation into a short romantic engagement. both known it was just a Tinder relationship.

I was proud of myself for breaking down It’s not like we’ve shared friends or gotten into the online dating barrier and talking to one anything more serious than sex and a few dates. of my matches IRL even though our Tinder I’m pretty disheartened reflecting on some conversation had died long before with no date. of my online dating experiences. Others have After a little while, I decided to try out been okay but still haven’t led to my first real Grindr and see what all of the fuss was about. I boyfriend. I’m optimistic, though, and will figured out pretty early on that Grindr is sort of keep trudging through the anxious game of like Uber but for getting/giving blowjobs and messaging people, the awkward first dates, the rimjobs. The sex acts felt too detached from unrewarding sex and the empty feeling after, anything romantic, though, and I was receiving because online dating gives me access to way far too many unsolicited dick pics and shots more gay men than I will ever meet in person. of asses and anuses to continue. Not to say a Hopefully, someone good turns up soon. solicited dick pic would be unwelcome. Also, far

fun so I decided to see what abruptly leave someone my for e ton the lly set My first experience rea would be next. began swaying like I haven’t been involved at a bar in D.C. and met g. d thin ive ny arr I fun . a is nce ing erie dat the night wore on and she exp As rall Online ove e cut I’m t and tha no, she suddenly shot up was lovely, fun but from everything vie Wonder behind a pia date for the evening. She Ste my with it in a few years, bar nt nge poi stra this a at be can llow sibility announced to the en and sha lly changed. It and with a Victorian sen enough (I was heartbrok hearing, not much has rea I , nt, yed are poi s pla rule We this h. the At . wit at om wh nks e hro dri sur irely had to go to the bat to talk and have some she e) t tim tha in place where you aren’t ent this it at low wh commitment to fol shouldn’t talk to and it some fried food. almost wavered on my trivia, drank a lot and spl who exactly you should or . Basically, il she became girl unt tty ll pre we t lly tha want to have a part in any rea to n’t ng did talk goi o ly s als Everything wa through, but I would take to possib and . ts, ool pec sch h res e, more babysit. hig le of ltip day the first ere she was hurt. Less dat ted, possibly in mu wh rica n lub atio ll situ we online dating was a lot like ly ing nal dat ount of time where I aged and emotio ual process, online ed me that she was dam After an excruciating am orm If you reflect on the act inf k), r, r the nge Fur stra t. a oin g tender (he wished me luc tionship standp You are meetin settled up with the bar unavailable from a rela is a strange place to be. ted her ion pla “of not tem ) the con rds , er wo TV r und e (he virtue” tched som interaction collected our things, wa she was “protecting the in person from an online re to ic acts are not out of the this point and stood the .” I immediately began list to und ma up aro ani e ns /or tim isio and this e dec ] anc ted life dac my [re that rom oss ck ns, acr Bla m atio al fro situ ion hroom entrance interactions and lothario of a fict staring at the women’s bat imagine that some evil question. I love awkward nt of her vagina, tion uta oney sizing up the gia rep Clo e the . org irst Ge lied d-f sul the room like Knight had so I dove in hea ed. tI to erg tha nt em an wa me ally n’t t fin did sn’ I she e doe t ,” aus tha rm bec ut, I initially chose Match wave in “The Perfect Sto when she continued: “B le type that Sonic the Hedgehog (motioning on an invisib stionnaire about what off que e you ] pag ted 80dac an [re ll, “emerged” in the sense n’t out We wo fill his e) y um gth vol len ce a voi er erge” through barriers or ’t (increasing e-Harmony. Aft does a spin attack to “em [redacted]) or that you can of person I am from we to and ved up mo d ly nce ].” upt ted bou abr dac she girlfriend mies. Nonetheless, r [redacted] in my [re ene you ot ve rob sho relationship where my t. er; fee pap my swept me off of t. With one there to finish a term Well, of course, she had soldiered towards the exi another state, I wasn’t I couldn’t to hang out but new an, and tlem gen fun a e of eon ch som Maybe I’m too mu I was there to find wrestle. with and possibly adult

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

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ter Did the wai breath stink?

I y id m D s ? oe st D fa creepy? king too at al th w I Is m A er ? tt tongue rvous pi oad “looks ally say cow Of all the ne sist some br re in s? t d ok an lo e e lf th sh ha the one mos review great my be tell her how e curiosities, the phone to app, swipe on th of l l , al ft ro le of nt ul , , sf co ft ad es he cc e le back patter in my is about as su red. . Then, swip nice!” I take exactly with Tinder s. Our on left unutte new matches left! Help! ip ti te e sh ta es of li ip on qu ci ti l sw ng fa la ia ri g you know to re te it uc on at nt cr s My am ea sm ip m s sh I er on t! r ad ti re elp!) Lef antic” rela Justin Biebe The lesbian left, right. (Y r, as the “rom in status rivals that of g. which , p for in ur ap go ho is of her Tinde at y ga th is pp -a th . to ff ha where Unmatch I had done d after said on-again/o t stay true re , ng n’ er ve 14 ki ca ur ov a co al I O as e st ng . . w M e hu ez ay Gom Of all th dancing at l the topics at bitch cr • I wake up al th of , t of ir , in gh fa and Señorita m s ni d ra is be te at I m text an d Instag another la e! But, to like this: iping left th , both via Facebook an turned into the life of m es something conversation the so used to sw certainly been my go d that this d t y of in ll an ge s m ca d n ur y pi an do ho m ty d an r in ou lay in be it crossed ’ve most wishful ab relationship d t ld h is ha , ou it sl ft w here on w ig ce le ra p , ho on C ft ap w r d on, neve sbian. Somew ted to ipe left, le fire right drafting a rs le w re r S pe a su . de • I downloa a re si be tu on ly fu C al y t star t actu ian wife. g, bright, ga ess of the nigh girl might no beautiful lesb hope of a bi st. lls catch e shear succ ! te po th to ft p e e le on m ap m ti rd ti e ho ec ha th . in k nn , ” al it was er just that w nd you, missed-co left, left, left course, be true. And said hangov ionallyone new arou miles.) too good to curious, of recover from see unintent I d em • to se an 0 • “There’s no ly 10 d on to de a, e! in li en-m not one to hink to Tropica epo. Hid search radius Though op te men. I am chQueen at matched-cre ichmond!” T da ut R un B s to w of me. (I expand d no ed ns an y nd in ll ia y inte ually, perhap meone r shades yy lesb -thankfu she ultimatel • “Oh heyy (Sigh.) Event ing to date so all the aviato right-swiped t n. go st ea I s, ve id gr ri ie e lf am en -d am , m st se ev ll te ca e ow the he d? Where ingly be n, someh photos ar g, we be on in he ow ur T ss hm kn yo ro ic -c R of l myself, “How ne t to li al e g, ge left, drunken s (PSA: If Should I mov again, left, n while drivin after some mirror selfie ho Richmond? t, ehh right mirror or take tive, gh a ac ri tr in e at e ip os s (the girl w w an s! th S ft h ? friends. horror storie rthest of le particularly atched wit s ly fa m is Arlington ou e I on ch er th t! h , ks un m it T po ic la F w nu E ck ch s), ja n.) We EFT, L bathtub pics of Despite the some friend erself” in a e too many left, LEFT, L the t t girl. (Swoo “h , on os ep , er m ts st ad of at or ju y o w ly h m sh ot e al r ug o ph ci th carg ng he from sent me a • I scroll thro seemingly so on. I’m givi ed hats and protruding ho told on a hike. ss conversati e tanks, fitt d she’s giving ly big toe le cl ar an rt gs us te, the girl w lf gn fo do m da se r ef r in he ei ng to nd th ui in co to ig g se clad tr r in in ld ou ne s, y. ho ud eo ou on da d t som one st ying next ysteri er while girl who crie charming, m need to mee s to meet the cup size, the te drinking be st an y da s, ju pl m t ce s on “I ea up an es t m es gl k, se gu su in e an ng d is ) I th y daddy Tea (lesbi e she coul ry exchangi ght back. W m s m ri le ie to it al r in ad G (Delete app. de t L g s, ai in du or tr T ng e Por painti t who ces of at Phase 1 We wander th of various be a therapis untless instan s co e on e organically m si th or d , es se k, ls d pr ol or po ke ro tr our im has ex ro, at w of us li one, the hete etc.), Tinder whispering on the Met es neither ay s, markets).” m ec nd d I om pi d ie re ro le fr an bo in y op , f om m ly pe st fr el g al re ys ed et – incest amon • I find m anywhere, re feigning inte ly touching as we shuffl otherwise m ,I my parents, ar may not have istry. Before rrleft, left, love. For that I ne rr of d , em , le ft an od ch er op le to , nn pe ow rs sy ft di ea to kn de le , h un to ft e uc le at a s m m e od ip co so w fo e S is rw trying re was the app. have not othe to room. The a West African restaurant re-download E Street ft. that die at . le at t s ul rd nd gh on kf ti ha la ni an e sa t, e th w er th gh am end long, right, ri ve conv you do onounce and lm. matches, ha en’s latest fi ks “What do e couldn’t pr • I get 10 ll as w A e k dy sh al e oo w as W on al ock hing at h as soon I going to be the several-bl hand?

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

FEATURE

THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF BEING A BODY MAN

President Obama’s former body man Reggie Love jokes around with Katie Johnson and Obama outside the Oval Office. Photo by Pete Souza.

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ow that I find myself on the other side of the “revolving door” and no longer on Capitol Hill, I have the opportunity to speak candidly about my experience as a body man to a member of congress.

The Good

Access to a member of congress, worth thousands of dollars in DC, comes in abundance for a body man. You spend more time with the member than any other person in the office. You do not inform them how to vote on important policies or strategize with them about delicate political decisions but you are there when those conversations happen and around after for their candid comments. By listening to these conversations, you get an unparalleled education about how DC really works.

You also form a strong network with your counterparts in other offices. The body man caucus wields more power than people perceive. If you want gossip, I would advise seeking them out. For that reason you become the TMZ of Congress. Why did Aaron Shock really quit? What is the deal with Anthony Weiner? What member of leadership has a tendency to over drink at parties? Any body man worth his weight knows these answers.

To me though, the best perk was meeting celebrities. Real ones, not DC ones like Chuck Schumer or John McCain. Only a body man has access to some of the most exclusive events in DC.

The Bad/Ugly

The hours are brutal. The member’s schedule effectively becomes your schedule. If there are votes throughout the night because the parties can’t come to an agreement, it’s you there with the boss at the Capitol at 4 am. When DC shuts down because of snow, you’re shoveling your car out at 6:30am and driving the boss to the office. When your boss’s plane arrives in DC at kickoff on the Super bowl, you’re there waiting at the airport listening to the game on the radio. Planning a dinner date? Forget it. Planning a trip in advance? Absolutely not. When I left my job in Congress I had more vacation days than I knew what to do with.

Parking enforcement, airport security, and traffic cameras are not your friends. On more than one occasion I was verbally abused by a meter maid. During the middle of the day in a busy part of town, without provocation and alone in my car, I was screamed at by a parking enforcement attendant because “As someone with congressional plates, I was supposed to be setting an example for everyone else.” I should have responded, “As someone wearing a badge, so should you.” I was even parked legally!

There was also an encounter with Virginia Police at Reagan Airport when I was pulled over for speeding, which in this particular instance, I really wasn’t. Although worried about my current situation, my boss asked me if it was ok to exit the car and head to

the terminal. Not wanting to delay my boss’s schedule, I assured him I could handle it from here. As soon as he left the car the police officer sprinted towards him, hand on his gun, and yelled for my boss to return the vehicle. Obeying orders, my boss returned to the car and presented his congressional ID to the cop. With a mouth full of chew, the officer spit out “I don’t care who you are, this will go a lot faster if you just sit in the car and wait.”

The judge, when handing down a hefty fine a few months later, also made his contempt of Congress abundantly clear.

Like most jobs, being a body man had its pros and cons but I relate the experience to what is often said about pledging a fraternity, “It’s the most fun you never want to have again.”

Body woman Huma Abedin assists presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on the 2008 campaign trail.

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MUSIC

Outdoor Music Guide

By Peter M u r r ay an d L in n ea Kristiansso n

Merriweather. Be on the look out for soulful covers at the concert, as Smith is prone to performing hits by the likes of Whitney Houston and the Arctic Monkeys. Tickets cost $45 to $98 and are available at merriweathermusic.com.

July 22 Nicki Minaj with Meek Mill and Rae Sremmurd

Rap queen Nicki Minaj tours this summer with fiancé and fellow rapper Meek Mill in addition to rising hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd, made famous by bombastic tracks like “No Flex Zone” and the Minaj-fronted “Throw Some Mo.” Tickets are on sale for between $50 and $750 at thejiffylubelive.com.

September 13 Kelly Clarkson

Perennial pop-rock hit maker Kelly Clarkson plays at Wolf Trap in September with support from a cappella super group Penatonix and Eric Hutchinson of “Rock & Roll” fame. Fans should expect a good mix of new and old with an emphasis on power anthems like “Since U Been Gone” and “Stronger.” Visit wolftrap. org to purchase tickets ($45 to $125).

Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons. Courtesy of Getty Images.

Summer is coming, and with it an abundance of opportunities to see live music outside. A huge range of musicians, from popstars of the past to psychedelic bands with cult followings to the biggest name in rap to oddballs stuck on pop satire to rising indie stars, will play at outdoor venues in and around D.C. in the next few months. We’ve scoured through the schedules and selected the standouts below. Now go do yourself a favor and get tickets before they sell out.

May 30 The 8th Annual Roots Picnic

Prolific hip-hop band and Jimmy Fallon show regulars the Roots hold their 8th Roots Picnic music festival at the Philadelphia Festival Pier. This year’s lineup includes major stars the Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, DJ Mustard, up-and-comers like Hudson Mohawke, Raury and more. Tickets can be purchased at rootspicnic.com for $92.

May 30 & 31 Sweetlife Festival

All-organic salad empire Sweetgreen is putting on its biggest Sweetlife festival yet: the show goes on for two days instead of one; Calvin Harris and Kendrick Lamar are headlining; Charli XCX will be there; Phantogram and Bleachers are playing; Billy Idol and the Pixies will be there for the older folk; Jose Andres and Erik-Bruner Yang are cookin’; and soda has been banned. Tickets range from

$97.50 to $225 and are available at sweetlifefestival.com and merriweathermusic.com.

June 9 Florence + The Machine

Fierce English singer-songwriter Florence Welch brings her band to Merriweather touring in support of her forthcoming album, “How Big How Blue How Beautiful,” out June 2. Expect to sing-a-long to Florence classics like “Shake It Out” and “Dog Days Are Over” and hear cuts from the new album.

Tickets cost $45 to $65, depending on where you’re going to sit, at merriweathermusic.com.

June 10 Mumford and Sons

Mumford and Sons come to Merriweather hot on the heels of the release of their third album “Wilder Mind.” The band ditched their signature acoustic sound and picked up stadium rock on the new record. Concertgoers should

look forward to a show that reflects that.

Tickets are available for $45 to $75 at merriweathermusic.com.

June 11 Lana Del Rey with Grimes

Queen of melodramatic pop music Lana Del Rey plays at the massive pavilion Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, in June. Indie gothelectronic star Grimes is set to open for Del Rey, who is touring behind her latest album “Ultraviolence.” Tickets range from $50 to $180 and can be found at thejiffylubelive.com.

June 20 Hozier

Hozier has risen to astronomical heights since he last played in front of a meh crowd at Merriweather during Sweetlife last year; “Take Me To Church” hit number one on the Billboard charts, he performed at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and he has sold out countless shows around the world. This time, he’ll probably sell the venue out on his own star power. Visit merriweathermusic.com for tickets, which range from $40 on the lawn to $55 in the pavilion and on the floor.

September 18 Alabama Shakes with Drive

By Truckers

The Alabama Shakes bring their signature blend of bluesy rock and Southern soul to Merriweather in September. The band just released a weird and wonderful sophomore album “Sound & Color,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts at the end of April. Lawn tickets cost $40 while pavilion and floor are going for $55. Go to merriweathermusic.com for more information

September 26 & 27 The Landmark Music Festival for the National Mall

D.C. proper is finally getting its own big music festival with the Landmark Music Festival for the National Mall to be held September at West Potomac Park off the mall near the Washington Monument. The starstudded lineup includes Drake, the Strokes, alt-J, CHVRCHES, Chromeo, Band of Horses, Daughter, Wale and many more acts. General admission tickets are on sale now for $150 but prices will climb as the event gets closer. VIP tickets are going for as much as $2,350 and include free food and drink, access to artists and more. Visit landmark.frontgatetickets. com for more information.

June 27 Wiz Khalifa and Fall Out Boy

Stoner rapper Wiz Khalifa and emo pop-rockers Fall Out Boy bring their Boys of Summer to the area this June. Also on the bill for the Merriweather show are rapper Hoodie Allen and producer DJ Drama. Tickets are available for $45 to $75 at merriweathermusic.com.

July 24 Sam Smith Florence + the Machine performs. Courtesy of Getty Images.

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

Sam Smith continues touring behind his hugely successful, Grammy-winning debut “In the Lonely Hour” with a show in July at

Sweetlife Festival headliner Kendrick Lamar performs in 2013. Courtesy of Merlijn Hoek.

Take Metrobus and Metrorail to the...

DC JAZZFESTIVAL JUNE 10 –16, 2015 Events DC Presents:

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friday

The Soul Rebels

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DC JAZZFESTATTHE HAMILTONLIVE Co-presented by The Washington Post

600 14th Street, NW

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John Scofield Überjam Band feat. Andy Hess, Avi Bortnick 7:30 PM & Tony Mason doors oPen

wednesday

6:30 PM

5:00 PM

Cubano Groove

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thursday

7:30 PM

Paquito D’Rivera w/Edmar Castañeda

doors oPen

6:30 PM

Sharón Clark

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saturday

3:00 PM

Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

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The Bad Plus Joshua Redman and Underwater Ghost feat.

8:30 PM Allison Miller doors oPen

friday

7:00 PM

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saturday

gates oPen

2:00 PM

Esperanza Spalding Presents: Emily’s D+Evolution

Jack DeJohnette Trio

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& Matthew Garrison

6:30 & 9:30 PM

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Stanton Moore Trio & Charlie Hunter Trio 7:30 PM feat. Bobby Previte doors oPen 6:30 PM & Curtis Fowlkes

sunday

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Marshall Keys

15–16 8:00 PM

Snarky Puppy

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6:30 PM

For tickets, artists, and complete schedule visit DCJAZZFEST.ORG Renaissance Hotels, official hotel of the DC Jazz Festival. Rates start at $159. Check out our website for travel offers.

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The DC Jazz Festival®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit service organization, is sponsored in part with major grants from the Government of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, Mayor; and, in part, by major grants the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. ©2015 DC Jazz Festival. All rights reserved.

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25

Performance

Studio’s ‘Murder Ballad’: Lost Love in Your Face

H

By G ary T is chl er

ey, guys and gals, looking for something new, something to do, maybe hang out in a bar you’ve never been to before?

Check out “Murder Ballad” at Studio Theatre’s Stage 4, described as an “immersive rock musical experience.” The show has been extended through May 16.

So-called immersive experiences aren’t exactly new, though they’re among the ideas percolating as theaters look for ways to bring in new audiences. This one is a kind of rock opera or rock melodrama, mostly sung to music played by a stage-bound, sort-of, looks-likefeels-like rock band.

It is surely immersive and thick with

ambiance. The audience gets to sit at tables, ordering drinks and munching on popcorn, and all sorts of faded scribblings, graffiti and posters reel you in. There’s a bright green pool table at the center where the characters in the play often come together – or circle each other in a contemporary take on love gone bad, love recovered, love gone bad again (with an unfortunate outcome for somebody).

I liked being there, truly. The urban audience, including couples – young and younger and old and older, too – recalls the bad old days when 14th Street was a mess and not the thoroughfare teeming with trendy restaurants that it is today. Being at this show is a great opportunity for people-watching, and the characters often stomp off angrily and reappear elsewhere – from behind the bars or off to the side or through the entrance.

Summing up quickly, “Murder Ballad,” set in New York, has as its center the fortunes and misfortunes of a slightly lost, appealing young girl named Sara, who strikes tough poses to avoid being hurt. She hooks up with a charismatic bartender and someday bar owner named Tom, a guy who’s always been catnip for the girls, especially woundedsparrow types like Sara.

Christine Dwyer (Sara) and Tommar Wilson (Michael).

Photo by Igor Dmitry.

Anastacia McCleskey (Narrator), Christine Dwyer (Sara), Tommar Wilson (Michael), and Cole Burden (Tom). Photo by Vithaya Phongsavan.

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Christine Dwyer (Sara) and Cole Burden (Tom). Photo by Igor Dmitry.

They meet and they hook up, passionately, until Tom – sensing that the word “love” might come out of his mouth by accident any day now – dumps her.

Horribly wounded, Sara is at sea, feeling hopeless, until along comes the appealing, caring Michael, a guy who really cares and has a real job to boot. They meet, they love, they marry and they have a child. Soon, however, a restless Sara starts to pine for and remember Tom. “He made me weep,” she sings, as if that were a good thing. Predictably, Sara and Tom meet, they hook up again and she feels horribly guilty. Michael feels betrayed. Tom suddenly thinks Sara is the one that got away, the love of his life, and sings, ominously, “You Belong to Me.” The story is told almost entirely through music – driving, often soaring songs like

“Answer,” “You Belong to Me,” “I’ll Be There,” “Built For Longing,” “Sara” and others. The story’s driven by a kind of narrator, played by the big-voiced Anastacia McCleskey, who is always there.

But, truth be told, it’s Christine Dwyer who carries the show, musically and dramatically, as Sara. It’s Sara’s story after all, and Dwyer, slight of build, often guilt-driven, makes her presence felt. She can belt a ballad and carry a musical load, but it’s more than that. She’s one of these young female performers who’s got chops and charisma, a deceptive and ultimately beguiling kind of charisma that touches heart and soul.

Tommar Wilson, who’s the nice guy, Michael, does gentle and angry equally well.

Conceived by and with book and lyrics by Julia Jordan and music by Juliana Nash, the show, directed with verve by Studio Theatre’s artistic director David Muse, is appealing enough. You even care about the people, and the ambiance alone is worth the price of the ticket.

Some of us remember how, in the 1960s, shows almost demanded that you take part.

On occasion, there was bodily contact with the cast, for instance in “Hair,” when cast members clambered over seats and ran through the aisles.

Studio in the past has used its new spaces the same way. There was a terrific show a number of years ago about Jack Kerouac and the Beats that played out in a bar.

I’d like to have seen not just immersion but a little more direct contact between cast and audience. I don’t mean physical contact, but playing to the audience. If you’re this close to the action, things ought to be a little more personal or reactive. Opportunities sweep by, untaken. But there is room for surprises. My lips are now sealed.

VISUAL

“Elaine de Kooning: Portraits”

By Ari Post

Elaine de Kooning, "Aladar Marberger #3″ (1986). Collection of Donna Lynne Marberger & Dr. Jon L. Marberger.

I

n the decade following World War II, a 40-year-old Dutch immigrant named Willem de Kooning dominated New York City's art scene. With a few fellow painters, he guided the evolution of Abstract Expressionism and defined an era of American art that would change the postwar world.

At this height of power and influence, de Kooning was – for fellow artists if not for the press, who favored in personality the cowboy brass of Jackson Pollock and the fierce erudition of Mark Rothko – a vortex, whose talent, sensibilities and ideas pulled almost any aspiring painter into its overwhelming influence.

This was when he married Elaine, an aspiring young painter who would become his first wife and, ultimately (despite periods of long separation), his lasting life partner.

While Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989) would have been the first to concede the great

influence her husband had on her artistic development, she took her long and illustrious career down a road that almost no other painter successfully traveled, merging Abstract Expressionist aesthetics with portraiture.

Elaine de Kooning managed to navigate and manipulate the roiling tides of Abstract Expressionism, whose muddy, streaked and pock-marked canvases defied taming, to achieve nuanced faces and expressions, delicate gestures, postures and anatomy, without surrendering the style’s spontaneous energy and unpredictability.

At the National Portrait Gallery through January 2016, “Elaine de Kooning: Portraits,” takes us on a retrospective journey through de Kooning's evolution as a portrait artist, covering the 1940s through the 1980s. A beautiful and refreshing exhibition, it shows that de Kooning is far too bright a talent to linger any longer in the shadow of her husband's legacy.

The paintings from the 1950s, amidst the pull of her husband's influence, have a sort of whirlpool effect: all lines and shapes are pulled as if by a black hole toward the center of the canvas – this epicenter sometimes being a pair of crossed hands, sometimes even just the button of a jacket.

Faces are often less defined, sometimes smudged out entirely. On the whole, these effects, while attractive (in fact, among my favorite in the exhibit), almost suggest that de Kooning was still struggling to reconcile an unwieldy abstract approach to fit the representational constraints of portraiture.

Her 1952 portrait of her husband is a good example of this, his entire face reduced to an aquiline nose and a tuft of hair on a muddy pink ring of paint – though it still manages to reveal the man clearly in caricature if you know what he looked like.

The second gallery devotes a great deal of space to de Kooning's series of portraits of President John F Kennedy.

While significant, these were ultimately library commissions and they feel a bit like that.

The most interesting thing de Kooning achieves in these paintings is subconscious.

She captures JFK, but the airy, almost hazy atmosphere surrounding him makes them portrayals of what it feels like to be in his presence: awe, reverence, reservation, timidity, even attraction.

In the galleries that cover the remainder of her life, we find hints of Matisse, Velázquez and Picasso, John Singer Sergeant, even Roman frescos and religious altarpieces, all intermingling in a subtle but profound painterly sophistication.

Her portrait of Aladar Marberger, from 1986, attributes the sitter with the ferocity and certitude of Pope Innocent X, but in an airy, Bonnard-like garden landscape.

Marberger sits in a wicker chair on a pink cushion, purple socks covering his feet. Trellised vines and palm plants surround him, and the background dissolves into a pink and green tangle of thin branches and narrow tree trunks. This lovely and provocative interplay between severity and lightness of tone could easily collapse in on itself and fail utterly. But de Kooning turns it into something worth treasuring.

Elaine de Kooning, "John F. Kennedy #21," 1963. Collection of Michael and Susan Luyckx.

Elaine de Kooning, "John F. Kennedy watercolor Amarillo" 1963. Collection of Michael and Susan Luyckx.

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27

Food & wine

BBQ Done Right in Spring Valley

T

By Pet er MurraY

he Fuchs family’s 90-year-old Wagshal’s empire has a new crown jewel: Pitmasters Back Alley BBQ. The new venture, housed in an alley alongside Wagshal’s sprawling base in the Spring Valley Shopping Center, is unassuming but noticeable; the reclaimed wood entrance – in shades of amber, maroon and mahogany – stands out from the white walls and loading docks, announcing to passersby that something good is afoot.

And it really is. The literal hole-in-the-wall, 900 square feet with a rustic, pig-centric aesthetic throughout, serves up amazing barbecue, possibly the best in the District.

The quality is no surprise given that Bill Fuchs and his son Brian have been supplying renowned barbecue pitmasters with prime cuts of meat for competitions for years. In ramping up their own barbecue restaurant, they even got a few pitmaster pals to contribute recipes and cooking techniques – the equivalent of state secrets in the barbecue world. (The Washington Post reported that the Fuchses make the cooks at Pitmasters sign nondisclosure agreements.)

Additionally, their experience with Wagshal’s Market and Wagshal’s Deli has lent the Fuchs a unique perspective on meat. Brian takes great pride in the product quality, emphasizing that his team is intimately involved in the process, from farmCAP_DC to table (fear before slaughter can Ad_Quarter Page.pdf 1 6/13/14 completely “change the taste of the meat,” he says). In the case of the “Kobe” of pork, their

Top: Menu Right: Brisket

Ibérico de Bellota Costilla ribs, that involvement requires international travel, to Spain.

The care put into the meat shows, or, rather, comes through on the palate. The St. Louis ribs don’t fall off the bones – Fuchs says they really shouldn’t – until you take a bite. They feel like 3:43 PM butter in between the teeth, but with a scrumptious and savory flavor. The half-smoke, which

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blows others in D.C. out of the water, is crispy on the outside and tender, with umami flavor, on the inside. The garnishments (chili, fries, cheese and onions) are the cherry on top of a near-perfect package.

Most barbecue joints serve up more pulled pork than you can wag your tail at. At Pitmasters, Fuchs opts for chopped pork, saying that competitors’ pulled pork is often overcooked. The resulting Carolina chopped pork shoulder is succulent and robust, excellent-tasting on its own, without any barbecue sauce. (There isn’t anything on the menu that needs sauce, despite how good the Pitmasters sauce tastes.) Flavor also carries the day for Pitmasters’ smoky, marbled brisket, which practically melts in your mouth as you chew.

As for sides, let’s start with the power players: the burnt ends. The beef and pork burnt ends are delectable little blackened bites rolled in sauce.

They crunch before giving way to soft, delicious, slowcooked meat.

Chef Trini’s “Mother in Law” salsa-cum-slaw – made with pickled veggies, Caribbean flavor (thanks to green mango) and a spicy kick – impresses right off the bat. One would be hard-pressed to find a similar taste elsewhere in the District, let alone the world. The staple sides, like The take-out counter at Pitmasters.

the collard greens and baked beans, distinguish themselves with meat – bacon, that is. The rest of the sides, including the mac ‘n’ cheese and loaded fries (nachos on steroids: covered with cheese, burnt ends and pickled jalapenos), are sure to be crowd-pleasers in all their gluttonous glory.

This review may tempt you to tear up to Pitmasters to get in on all of this hot-meat action. But hold back: the restaurant only offers barbecue to order. You have to call it in, and you can’t eat it there.

Fuchs savors conversation about how his team prepares orders so that they are fresh for customers. Despite the trend of extending smoke times up to 24 hours, the meats are smoked for just a few hours, which Fuchs says is all they need. The restaurant even provides reheating instructions, because, Fuchs says, “you don’t want to microwave ribs.”

Photos courtesy of Pitmasters.

Food & wine

Biergartens Take the District by al ex a nde r s c h u lt e

A night view of Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw. Courtesy of Dacha.

D.C. is a touch over 4,200 miles from Munich. Luckily for us, we have a few options in the District to experience one of the Bavarians’ greatest traditions – beer gardens – without traveling all that way.

The traditional Biergarten took shape in the 19th century because of Bavarian brewing regulations, enforcing a strict brew period of September through April. These regulations arose because of a desire for cooler fermentation weather, as well as the need for cooler weather to reduce fire risk during the brewing process. However, the German’s quickly found that their fondness for beer persisted into the summer months.

To tame these urges, Munich’s brewers stepped up production, built cellars for beer storage and refrigeration, and planted chestnut and linden trees for shaded seating during the hotter times of year. The now classic beer garden tables and benches we know and love were soon placed under the trees for patrons to relax and enjoy food they brought from home.

Though you can’t bring your own wursts to many of D.C.’s gardens, they are unquestionably a must stop with your friends and family this spring and summer. With that in mind, check out one or try them all to experience our city’s take on the Biergarten.

Dacha Beer Garden

As classic as it gets, and indeed a spot to bring your own grub, check out Shaw’s Dacha after work during the week, or over the weekend in order to catch some much needed rays With nearly 20 drafts, wine, cider, and a new food menu, Dacha has upped its game to become one of the premiers in town. Dacha opens weekdays at 4 p.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m. on school nights (including Sunday). The garden is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and opens at noon both weekend days. 1600 7th St. NW.

Garden District

Formerly Standard, Garden District has more of a backyard barbecue flair than that of a traditional beer garden. The outdoor space in a prime location on 14th Street has some of the most popular bar seats in D.C. on summer nights so get there as early as you can. (The bar opens at 5 p.m. on weeknights and noon on weekends and is open late every day of the week.) And make sure you are ready to grub on their famous pig’s head and freshly cooked $1 doughnuts. 1801 14th St. NW.

Biergarten Haus

This charming spot on H Street will introduce you to your new favorite beer of the summer - the Gaffel Kölsch. With a crisp and slightly bitter finish, the liters may start to flow a little too quickly. An easy place to get a merry buzz, Biergarten Haus is a fun spot to frequent with a big group and meet new friends. The German-themed food ain’t bad either. The space is enormous, with indoor and outdoor bars, a sizeable patio and an extensive roof deck, so don’t worry too much about showing up early. The H street establishment opens at 4 p.m and closes at midnight on weekday. On weekends, Biergarten Haus is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. 1355 H St. NE.

Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garten

With 16 German beer taps, Sauf Haus is a great spot to build on your German beer knowledge.

A 2,000-square-foot rooftop beer garden in the heart of Dupont, Sauf Haus is a tempting place to have a few beers and get your night started after a long workday. If you’re trying to avoid the Dupont bar scene this spring and summer, don’t worry; Sauf Haus stays open all year long. As for hours, Sauf Haus opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, and closes late every night of the week. 1216 18th St. NW.

Wunder Garten

Buzz is steadily building about this NoMa watering hole, which should open its doors any time now. The huge space just off the NoMa Metro Station will serve German and local beers but no hard liquor. Popular food

trucks are expected to cater to the food needs of Wunder Garten patrons on weekend. Even REI is involved; the outdoor outfitter is set to provide classes and workshops on topics such as camping and bike repairs. 150 M St. NW

Bardo Brewpub

With a post-apocalyptic pizzazz, Trinidad’s Bardo is D.C.’s biggest beer garden, with more than 15,000 square feet of space. Bring your pooch, bike and friends and make sure to stretch out before a few hours of cornhole. Their craft beer selection is so on point that you’ll wonder why you have never ventured to this secret D.C. spot before. Bardo is open Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. until late, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. on. Make sure to say hi to the owner’s dog, Bardawg (@bardawgdc). 1200 Bladensburg Rd. NE.

Cafe Berlin

More of a sit down restaurant than a beer garden, Cafe Berlin is a must visit if you are looking for a little rib-sticking German cuisine in your life.

Located on Capitol Hill near Union Station, you’ll want to be sure to grab a seat outside on their quaint terrace for a pilsner and a bretzel.

Cafe Berlin serves up lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends with varying hours depending on the meal. 322 Massachusetts Ave. NE.

Beer garden patrons gather around the benches at Bardo on Bladensburg Road NE.

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View from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at sunset. Photo courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

W

ith Washington, D.C., in my rear-view, I drove east, watching as the terrain became sparser, yet more vibrant. Wide fields of gold were scattered with grain mills and dandelions.

In the distance, a small plane flew low over the countryside.

Talbot County is located on the Delmarva Peninsula, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, facing more than 600 miles of tidal shoreline.

Cassandra Vanhooser, Talbot County’s director of tourism, is a woman who understands both the historical impact and the present-day

attraction of the Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary.

“The word ‘Chesapeake’ resonates around the world,” she said. Agriculture is an important component of the county’s identity, evidenced by the many farm fields, yet what struck me most were the countless boats outside people’s homes and businesses – symbols of pride and purpose that bind the communities of Talbot County together.

Since the late 17th century, the region has been inextricably linked to the water that surrounds it. That sentiment hasn’t changed, according to Vanhooser. “The maritime history is still alive and well,” she said.

At just under two hours from D.C., Talbot County’s culture exhibits a more relaxed, nostalgic filter than its bustling, politically charged counterpart. People craving the quiet allure of small, historic settings love traveling here, as do boatmen, artists and cyclists.

I stopped in Easton first.

Established in 1710, the town remains the county seat, in addition to being a center for arts and culture. I went straight to the Academy Art Museum, where the exhibition “From Rubens to the Grand Tour,” on view through July 5, focuses on two paintings by 16th-century master Peter Paul Rubens. In addition, colorful portraits by California artist Ray Turner brighten the Museum’s Lederer Gallery.

Talbot County’s titillating natural backdrop is celebrated in festivals and events throughout the year. This summer, from July 11 to 19, the town will host the 11th annual Plein Air Festival. Named for the French term for ‘open air,’ the festival is the largest outdoor painting competition in the nation. In 2015, 58 of the world’s premier plein-air painters will compete A view of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum from the waters of the for over $25,000. Another event bay. Photo courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is the Chesapeake Chamber Music

In Country Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, when it will take place from June 7 to 21.

From Easton, I traveled south to the quaint town of Oxford. Since colonial times, Oxford residents have wrapped their yards with signature white picket fences of varying designs. These fences are blanketed in rose bushes, lavender hydrangeas and other flora.

My visit wasn’t complete until I sampled homemade ice cream from Scottish Highland Creamery. The owner, Victor Barlow, and his wife, A plein-air painter works along the Chesapeake bay.

Susan, use local ingredients, fresh Photo by Mark Sandlin. milk and cream, along with Italian flavorings. In Oxford, I felt as if I’d jumped into a chalk drawing, a including a party on May 23. la Mary Poppins.

Before driving back to D.C., I had lunch at I crossed the Tred Avon River on the the town’s famous Crab Claw restaurant, overOxford-Bellevue Ferry, America’s oldest prilooking St. Michaels Harbor. Also celebrating vately owned ferry (1683), and drove to St. its 50th anniversary this year, the restaurant will Michaels. The town is home to a cluster of have food and drinks specials, music, trivia and lovely shops and restaurants, in addition to giveaways on May 22. the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The Still farther south is Tilghman Island, accesmuseum, which sits on 18 waterfront acres, has sible via the Knapps Narrows Drawbridge, the 12 exhibit buildings, a working boat barn, the nation’s oldest operating drawbridge. Tilghman 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse and the world’s Island is home to a working watermen’s comlargest collection of traditional Bay boats. It’s munity, with sport fishing, charter cruises and a place designed to share the heritage of the lighthouse tours available to visitors. region, from oystering to waterfowling and Whether you have a whole weekend or just boatbuilding. This year marks the institution’s a day, Talbot County is a premier escape, one 50th anniversary; from May 22 to 24, the comthat recalibrated my mind and relaxed my soul. munity will commemorate the history of the It can do the same for you.

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Custom Built stone/stucco three-story home on 100.5 acres with 4 bedrooms plus large master in-law suite with separate parking and entrance. Slate roof,game room,custom theatre, workout room, study, office, dog room,custom kitchen, 4 stone fireplaces, approximately 8,000 SF. Extensive horse facilities include 18 stall barn,2 stall barn, 14 paddocks, large ring and much more. $6,500,000

The extraordinary Birchwood Estate boasts 180 acres with the most beautiful private arboretum in Virginia!

The English Country manor is a masterpiece of the finest quality & design, elegant & charming with incredible mountain views, brilliant gardens & a simply "magical setting". Exquisite stone, slate roofing, fieldstone terraces, a luxurious pool & spa, wine cellar; plus 6 separate parcels! $5,975,000

c.1823, with a stunning tree lined entrance, offers one of the grand manor homes in the famed horse country of Upperville. Recently renovated, the home offers wonderful indoor and outdoor living areas. Porches, gardens, barns, paddocks, riding arena, pond, pool and magnificent views from the Bull Run to Blue Ridge Mountains. $4,200,000

Surrounded by impressive properties protected by Conservation Easements, the historic 62 acre estate has been recently restored. Some of the manor home’s special features include gracious sized rooms, a chef ’s kitchen and 4 en-suite bedrooms. A converted barn with terrace is ideal for a studio or large gatherings. Spectacular views of the Bull Run to $2,925,000 the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Please see over 100 of our fine estates and exclusive country properties on the world wide web by visiting www.

9 e. washington st

Moreland

M

Middleburg~Old “Coach Stop”building plus a 2nd open parcel behind totaling .21 acres in the heart of town. Together the property spans from Main St. to Federal St. In 2 parcels, but being offered as 1. Building was fully renovated. Approx. 2,000 sq. ft.. Covered loading dock and parking in rear. 2nd parcel is open and fronts Federal St. Zoned C-2 Town Commercial with many possible uses. Subject to current lease. $2,250,000

An outstanding, well built 2 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath cottage on over 50 tranquil acres in Markham, perfectly located minutes from Rt.66. This lovely home takes advantage of nature and privacy with views of Cobbler, Buck and Rattlesnake Mountains from the expansive rear porch with the rustling of Thumb Run Creek nearby. One level living with Stucco, Standing Seam Metal Roof and many exceptional details throughout ~ A must see! $1,200,000

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Us

iult

C

165 +/- acres on Little Cobbler with amazing views of Big Cobbler and the Blue Ridge Mountains! Pond, Open Land, Pool, Hot Tub, 4 Lvls, 4 BR, 4 BA Brick Home w/2 Bay Garage/Guest quarters to the left of main residence, Machine Shed, Screened Porch, Wet Bar, Large Stone Courtyard and Terrace, Full House Generator, 3 Fireplaces, Approx.6,500 sq.ft. Property is in Land Use and includes 2 parcels. $2,350,000

Middleburg

12147 Moss hollow

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m om

THOMAS -TALBOT.com

Charming fully renovated property located in the Heart of the Historic District. Modern open floor plan with vintage styling throughout. New Kitchen, Bathrooms and gorgeous refinished hardwood floors. Dble French Doors access a spacious outdoor living space with Covered Porch and custom stonework. Superb location on a double parcel affording high visibility for retail/office use or as a unique turnkey residence. Enjoy all the amenities of village living. $875,000

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdraw without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

THOMAS AND TALBOT REAL ESTATE LAND AND ESTATE AGENTS SINCE 1967 A STAUNCH ADVOCATE OF LAND EASEMENTS

Telephone (540) 687-6500

P. O. Box 500 s No.2 South Madison Street Middleburg sVirginia 20117

GMG, INC. May 6 22, 2015

31

In Country

By L in n ea Kr istiansso n

May 9 Twilight Polo Opening Night Gala

Gates will open 6:30 p.m. and the first polo match will begin at 7 p.m. After the featured match, there will be dancing in the pavilion to a DJ. Greenhill Winery will be on site with a selection of wines throughout the evening. Twilight Polo continues through Sept. 19. For details, call 540-2535000. Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd, The Plains, Virginia.

May 16 St. Michaels Running Festival

HOME FARM STORE • TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS & GRAZIERS Ayrshire Farm Hunter’s Head Tavern

Home Farm Store

8 miles

H UNTER’ S H EAD T AVERN • V ICTUALS & L IBATIONS

9048 John Mosby Hwy., Upperville,Virginia 20184 (540)592-9020 www.HuntersHeadTavern.com Open Daily

Slow Food... FAST! For Busy Families

All your favorite Hunter’s Head meals now at Home Farm Store, ready to heat-and-serve!

OAKFIELD

STONEWOOD

Upperville, Virginia • $4,795,000

Stone manor house in spectacular setting • 86.81 acres • Highly protected area in prime Piedmont Hunt • Gourmet kitchen • Wonderful detail throughout • 5 BR • 5 BA • 3 half BA • 3 fireplaces, classic pine paneled library • Tenant house • Stable • Riding ring • Heated saltwater pool • Pergola • Full house generator.

Paul MacMahon

(703) 609-1905

PALMER’S MILL

circa 1860 Virginia Farm house of stucco, stone & frame construction • House updated & enlarged in 2004 • 3 to 4 bedrooms • 2 1/2 baths • hardwood floors • 3 fireplaces • exposed beams & gourmet kitchen • 10 acres • fenced & cross fenced • 2 stall barn with tack & hay storage • spring house & smoke house • Protected with mountain views • Piedmont Hunt Territory.

May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

Charming stucco, log and frame home • 10 acres • 3-4 bedrooms • 3 1/2 baths • 2 fireplaces (one in the kitchen with antique brick floor) • Beautiful reclaimed pine flooring • Bright and sunny family room opens to bluestone terrace • Master bedroom opens to private balcony • 2 car garage • 4 stall barn with tack room with 2 paddocks • 2 recorded lots.

Paul MacMahon

(703) 609-1905

Middleburg, Virginia • $785,000

Classic Virginia colonial • Circa 1926 • Stone and frame construction • 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths • Hardwood floors • High ceilings • Screened side porch on .65 acre in town • 2-car garage with apartment • Beautiful gardens and rear terrace.

Paul MacMahon

(703) 609-1905

(703) 609-1905 (540) 454-1930

info@sheridanmacmahon.com

32

Middleburg, Virginia • $930,000

WASHINGTON STREET

Bluemont, Virginia • $875,000

Paul MacMahon Helen MacMahon

In Country Calendar

1 E. Washington St., Middleburg,Virginia 20117 (540)687-8882 www.HomeFarmStore.com Open Daily

www.sheridanmacmahon.com

(540) 687-5588

The St. Michaels Running Festival, now in its 4th year, is one of the premier destination races in the Mid-Atlantic. Runners will be treated to water views, a quick mile past charming main street shops for the 10K and half-marathon and an after-party in downtown St. Michaels, Maryland.

There is also a 1K Kids Fun Run for ages 12 and younger. All children will receive a race bib and food and drinks at the finish line. Registration fees are $25. The run benefits the St. Michaels Community Center and SMYLE. For details, visit stmichaelsrunningfestival.com.

May 29 Twilight Jumpers at Great Meadow

for up-and-coming young riders and local talent, has jumping heights up to 3’ 6”. The second is for professionals, with heights at 4’ 2” and a $5,000 prize. The event also includes a wine tasting, a giant tug of war for kids and dancing. General admission is $30 per carload. For details, call 540-253-5000.

Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, Virginia.

June 1-7 162nd Upperville Horse Show

Steeped in tradition, the Upperville Horse Show is the oldest horse show in the United States. Extending a full seven days, it involves more than 2,000 horse-and-rider combinations from young children on ponies to top Olympic and World Cup riders and horses. For special arrangements, entertainment, reserved parking and box seats, call 540-687-5740 (in advance) or 540-592-3858 (during the show). 8600 John S. Mosby Hwy., Upperville, Virginia.

June 6 26th Annual Strawberry Festival in St. Michaels

The festival features Eastern Shore strawberries and homemade strawberry baked goods, as well as a variety of food, music and crafts.

For details, call 410-745-5980. 304 South Talbot St., St. Michaels, Maryland.

Two competitions will be held on select Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. The first,

DOG WOOD

The Plains, Virginia • $890,000

Private 10 acres between Middleburg and The Plains • 4 bedroom home • open floor plan • large front porch with views to the west • Traditional materials such as stucco exterior and metal roof • wood floors • fireplaces • built in book shelves • Beautiful plantings and fenced yard • Great location and easy maintenance.

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

CLIFFSIDE

Round Hill, Virginia • $498,000

7 acres and a bright unique home • overlooking Butcher’s Branch of Beaverdam Creek • Large deck off kitchen and family room • great for entertaining and grilling • 2/3 bedrooms and large basement • Nice value and well priced home in a great setting • Large windows bring the outdoors in • cute playhouse or potting shed.

Helen MacMahon

(540) 454-1930

THE CORNER GARDEN

Middleburg, Virginia • $650,000

Classic old Middleburg fixture • Zoned C-2 • Lovely large front porch and old stone walls - nice visibility one block south of the main street • Extensive plantings, room for expansion and full of charm • Approximately 2,300 sf building on .11 acre lot • Front portion dates from 1870’s.

Helen MacMahon

(540) 454-1930

FEDERAL HILL

Middleburg, Virginia • $350,000

Historic Civil War battle site • 2.01 acres • Improved by partially finished gate house which could be a home office or guest house • Potentially another building site on property • One large room with fireplace, corner cabinets, metal roof.

Paul MacMahon

110 East Washington Street, Middleburg, Virginia 20117

(703) 609-1905

culture

Cuddle Parties Are Not for Everyone

By C ai t l in F ra nz

So I went to a cuddle party…..

I hopped in an Uber and prayed for the best, but definitely expected the worst. I was surprised--and not in a good way--that my drop off location was someone’s home and not a hotel, convention center or any other venue that may house a professional conference.

A not posted encouraged participants to come inside. People paid $30 to come to this event. Literature regarding poly-amory was spread casually along one side of the kitchen counter.

The ground floor was dark. I added my shoes to the heaping pile just before the staircase and ventured upward.

Mattresses, pillows and sheets covered the floor of an upstairs bedroom. Three instructors (two dark haired women and a Patrick Dempsey look-a-like) had a mattress to themselves at the front of the room under a tasteful strand of white Christmas lights.

I sunk to my knees in the doorway on the only patch of carpet not covered by mismatched bedding, avoiding eye contact with various men and women who were patting the narrow spaces beside them and inviting me to come closer.

I couldn’t avoid the masses, i.e. 20 other people, for long. The instructors noticed my hesitation and very publicly encouraged me to move to the center of the room—directly in front of them.

We were all encouraged to find our “voice” and our “truth” while we shared touch that night. Cuddle parties are meant to be “a safe place for laughter and for tears.”

After learning more about poly amory, we did some chi gung to loosen up. I was carrying a lot of tension. It’s essentially one part yoga and

one part martial arts meditation.

Then it was time for the cuddling to begin.

I sank down on to the very edge of what had to be the most deeply unsanitary bedding set I’ve ever touched. I quickly formed a ball and wrapped my arms around my legs, pulling my knees close to my chest.

Feigning deafness and staring at one spot on the wall in front of me, I shook my head every time someone made an offer to touch me or have me touch them. Some were muscular and attractive males (my preferred demographic), while others approached me as a couple, inviting me to cuddle with them.

All around me there was massaging of shoulders, caressing of arms and stroking of hair. Some attendees were venturing under clothes of their cuddle partners.

I left the party an hour early, feeling dirty and damaged. Is there something wrong with me? Am I frigid for not being open to holding hands with a stranger? How can it be so easy for them?

The majority vocalized the pleasure that came to them from just being able to hold someone’s hand. Others moaned and sighed during back rubs. Their comfort-level and the generally innocent nature of the touches repulsed me in this setting.

Decidedly, I am a lover of personal space. I need to know you for you get close to me, and I need to know you much better for you to touch me. To those who can get friendly very fast, keep doing you.

More power to you, but you won’t find me crouched on a mattress in a stranger’s home any time soon. Cuddle parties are not for everyone.

Funk Takes Over...For a Day

by C aitl in Fr an z The second annual Funk Parade marched its way down U Street from the Howard Theatre in Shaw to the Lincoln Theatre on May 2. Thousands came out to the parade, featuring local bands, dance performers and much more. Festivities carried on through the day with concerts and a street fair. Check out the best of the Funk Parade via Flickr.

Counter-clockwise: photo by Victoria Pickering; photo by Caroline Angelo; photo by Angela N.; photo by Angela N.; photo by Bryan Smith.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

33

Body & soul

OUR NEW DC LOCATION IS NOW OPEN!

Murphy’s Love: Advice on Intimacy and Relationships

GAINING WEIGHT? FEELING RUN-DOWN? LOW SEX DRIVE?

By Stac y n otar as M u r ph y

What many assume is “normal aging” could be a hormonal imbalance.

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Dear Stacy, I have been married a little over two years, and have lived in D.C. since college. My husband is new to the area and doesn’t have many friends. He’s an introvert, but a great guy and an avid sports fan. He just doesn’t have anyone to go to games with unless someone is visiting us. I, on the other hand, like being social and have a lot of friends. We aren’t starting a family for a few more years, and I want to take advantage of the time because I know making new friends stops when you have kids. My husband and I keep arguing about how much I want to go out. I wish he would have his own things to do, but he just winds up staying home by himself and being passive-aggressive when I get back. What can I do to make this better?

– To party or not to party?

Dear Party: We can talk about your views on making friends through parenthood another day, but, trust me, it happens. Today your concern is that Husband needs some friends. I know you think that making new connections would be the solution, but that’s not what I read in your situation. I am more concerned

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

4/2/15 4:05 PM

Stacy Notaras Murphy (www.stacymurphyLPC. com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacymurphyLPC@gmail.com.

High-Intensity Fitness – A Good Idea Taken Too Far

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about how he takes this out on you.

Staying at home by yourself is a fine choice for a true introvert. If he gets energy that way and actually enjoys himself, huzzah.

But it sounds like he is not having a good time, and instead reacts to you (just “being you”) with hostility, veiled and not-so-veiled. Readers of this column know that’s a massive red flag. If he resents you and doesn’t name that so you two can work it out (e.g., have a standing date night, ritualize how you reconnect after an evening apart, set a goal to go out with like-minded couples at least once a month, etc.), then his unresolved feelings are creating a problem in your partnership. That could have a long shelf-life, and I don’t wish that on either of you. Time for an honest conversation.

T

he shift toward more intense exercise began as a great idea for most people. It led people to realize that walking on a treadmill while watching TV won’t help with weight loss, strength, bone density or even cardiovascular fitness.

Strength training and interval training deliver far superior results, and massively improve your quality of life, but only if done responsibly. Unfortunately, the most popular forms of intense exercise have taken a great idea too far, turning it into something that can be dangerous.

To help you get the great results without the risk, here are five dos and don’ts for intense exercise: Don’t make exercise a competition. Exercise is something you do to enhance your life and your sports, but it’s not the end goal. Vying to see who can do the most exercise leads to sloppy form and extreme exhaustion, which then lead to injuries and

health problems.

Do challenge yourself. Your body will only change – become more toned, expend more energy (lose weight), add muscle, add bone density – if it’s progressively overloaded.

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

Don’t train to failure.

Pushing until you can’t move is taking the above idea too far. End your set of exercises knowing that you could have done one or two more repetitions. This is challenge that you can recover from. You only get better in between workouts (while recovering).

Do remember the three Ps. At my studio, we have three Ps: no pain, puking or passing out. Exercise should challenge you, but never hurt, make you nauseous or make you feel dizzy or faint.

Don’t do plyometrics for cardio. A recent trend in DVDs and fitness classes is to take very stressful jumping exercises and do them as a 30-to-60-minute class. To put this in perspective, Olympic athletes limit their plyometric work to fewer than 100 reps per week (or 20 minutes including rest), because exceeding these limits puts you at high risk for stress fractures and tendon ruptures.

A best-selling author and fitness expert with 16 years of experience, Josef Brandenburg owns The Body You Want club in Georgetown. Information about his 14-Day Personal Training Experience may be found at TheBodyYouWant.com.

FEATURE

Hidden Gem: Crispus Attucks Park

BY AL EXAN D ER SC H U LTE l PH OTOS BY PETER M U R R AY

A

s the weather continues to heat up, social schedules undoubtedly will follow suit. With that in mind, make some time for yourself to explore one of D.C.’s most beautiful hidden gems: Crispus Attucks Park in Bloomingdale.

To get to the park, which is situated between First and North Capitol Streets and U and V streets NW, you will need to briefly pop into one of Bloomingdale’s charming alleys to access Crispus Attucks. Once within, you will find a unique space that stretches the length of a city block, and the width of a half-dozen rowhouses.

A perfect place to enjoy a book, tuck into a picnic, or toss a frisbee with a pal, Crispus Attucks will become a must-stop each time you are in this part of town. Stroll the length of the orderly plot and check out the manicured flowers and sitting areas the Crispus Attucks Development Corporation works hard to maintain for the neighborhood. Also, make sure to check out the “Memory Garden,” in honor of the residents who worked to turn the area into the beautiful park it is today. You will notice the park sits right behind many of the neighbors’ back yards, so make sure to be respectful with regard to noise and ruckus.

Now a true neighborhood oasis, the land has had an unruly history. At first, from 1910 to 1976, the property belonged to the Chesapeake

& Potomac Telephone Company, and was used as a switching station and cable yard. During this time, the plot sat abandoned for nearly 20 years until 1978 when the neighborhood campaigned to use the land for a community center. After successfully obtaining the land, the center operated until the 1990s, when the D.C. government began implementing farreaching budget cuts. The property once again fell into disrepair until 1995, when the homeless population was raided and the Embassy of Australia selected the area for its annual “Clean Up the World” project, sending 50 embassy employees to work alongside neighbors to make the area a safe place once again.

If you are looking for a reason or an excuse to go, mark your calendars for Bloomingdale Community Day on May 16. The festivities will feature food, a yard sale, a live band, activities for kids and most importantly, the Taste of Bloomingdale. There you will find food and drink from your favorite Bloomingdale restaurants including Big Bear Cafe, Boundary Stone, The Red Hen and more.

The park is named in honor of Crispus Attucks, a former slave and the first person to lose his life in the Boston Massacre. To learn more and check out the complete history of Crispus Attucks Park, visit their website at crispusattucksparkdc.org.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

35

Media

D.C.’s New Business Man: WBJ’s James MacGregor

B

By Amos Gelb

ack in the early 1800s, a French writer toured the embryonic United States, just a few decades after independence. It fell to this foreigner, Alexis de Tocqueville, to define the foundations of our country in his ever-fresh travelogue, “Democracy in America.”

As James MacGregor appeared over the rise of the steps at the Georgetown Four Seasons, seemingly scripted for J. J. Abrams’ latest saga, I wondered whether I was looking at a modernday Tocqueville, a new foreigner in a crisp blue suit come to tell the tale of the emerging Washington, D.C. Once-challenged neighborhoods like Shaw, NoMa and even Petworth (although more slowly) are at the forefront of what seems like the overnight birth of a new city, filled with entrepreneurs and young adults – not just passing through as they scratch the itch to dabble in politics, but planting roots and building careers.

It is a town where start-ups like 1776 and WeWork expand, it seems, as quickly as developers can throw up new buildings, and where whole neighborhoods along the Anacostia and the Southwest Waterfront are not so much gentrifying as metamorphosing.

And here to make sense of it all is James MacGregor, the 40ish father of two who hails from Toronto and comes via stints in America’s heartland (Louisville) and, for the last dozen years, in the start-up meccas of San Jose and San Francisco.

He’s come east to tell a great tale. One of growth and resurgence.

“Get 100 miles outside D.C. and everyone will tell you that D.C. is only about political gridlock and politics. But actually it is not.

That might be the federal government, but the business community is engaged in getting stuff done.”

Not a bad party line for someone who has been in D.C. for about six months. But his D.C. boosterism is just getting started. He dismisses comparisons between the Silicon start-up land he just left. “Everybody seems to want to be the next Silicon Valley. There is a lot of stuff there that makes Silicon Valley what it is. It is a thing to strive towards, but, if that is the end goal, that is not going to work.”

Instead, what MacGregor sees is a story that is just starting to unfold, built on a number of industries. And he is here to make sure it gets told, because MacGregor is the new publisher of the Washington Business Journal.

He inherited the job from Alex Orfinger, the long time WBJ publisher who moved down the hall to take on broader duties for the WBJ parent company (owner of 40 print titles and a bunch more online, nationwide).

And MacGregor thinks there is a better story to tell in D.C. than on the other coast.

“It’s actually hard to cover the tech giants like Facebook or Google. So to really cover them you cover others things, like real estate deals.”

And that, he believes, is the heart of any business story, the people and the deals, mostly in real estate. And if it is about people and deals, MacGregor thinks D.C. offers a far richer story than the West Coast. MacGregor’s journalistic mantra: follow those two and you have a road map for what is happening. He has spent much of the first six months just getting to know both.

“When you eat out as much as I have to, you have to police what you eat,” MacGregor offers as he orders three eggs and grilled tomatoes, hold the toast.

The WBJ currently has a staff of 43, with about half devoted to editorial coverage for a paper that has circulation of 16,000 and 2 million hits, with a quarter of those unique visitors to the website in March. As publications go, that is rather modest, but you won’t hear MacGregor singing print’s swan song.

“Digital actually made us do print better, to make it more engaging for the reader.

It does not have to be a race to a bottom.

In fact we have spent a lot in redesign and improved the quality of the paper. We made investments across all platforms.”

Rather than the traditional competition, what worries MacGregor is the competition he can’t see, the challenges coming around the corner, that individual blogger whose posts about tech or health or one of the other emerging business hubs in town suddenly catch fire, build a following and take WBJ’s audience away.

The real challenge, MacGregor says, is that the barriers to entry are now so low that serious competition can emerge overnight out of nowhere. Partly in preparation for that, MacGregor believes the WBJ needs to leverage its unique position.

Currently, he sees a false separation between Maryland, Virginia and the District. MacGregor describes the Journal’s duty as being to foster a sense that “a rising tide will lift all regional boats.”

To that end, he believes the Journal needs to lead the conversation about what is important to local businesses. Thus, a third leg of the Journal strategy: holding breakfast sessions and other events across the region, focusing on growth, real estate and development and the challenges in each jurisdiction.

“If we do it right, we are going to get to the

“Digital actually made us do print better, to make it more engaging for the reader.”

36

May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

end of the year and there will be four things across all of these jurisdictions that are really important to business. And we can know what they are and perhaps how to tackle them.”

Add to those breakfasts, the panel discussions, which he hopes are not only events for those who attend but will generate news and stories that the Journal can then repackage (along with revenue). WBJ is averaging about 30 events a year.

So MacGregor’s WBJ is not going to be a passive chronicler. He intends to make it a force to enhance, encourage and facilitate development and business growth. It is almost planting the seeds of the stories the Journal will get to reap later.

He smiles as he recalls exactly that role, how he heard from people who wanted to start companies and used the Journal’s Power 100 list to call people up, get advice, then exploit those connections to establish thriving businesses of their own.

MacGregor is still in the honeymoon phase with his n e w

city. But he says that the final decision to come to Washington was not really his.

After hearing about the job, he and his wife came to check out D.C. They arrived for one of those glorious fall weeks, a Destination DC-kind of trip, he recounts. They toured around as the leaves were changing, looked at some neighborhoods and tasted D.C.’s growing wealth of great restaurants, getting around on Capital Bikeshare bikes.

MacGregor had been to D.C. sporadically.

He knew the great story brewing here and the strength of the publication Orfinger had built.

At their final dinner, when Orfinger asked what they thought, it was MacGregor’s wife who answered for both of them: “Sign us up. We are in!”

And so MacGregor blazed the family’s trail to D.C., with his wife and two young children joining him at the end of the school year.

Now he will have two families to watch grow: his own and that of his newly adopted home.

Washington Business Journal's new publisher James MacGregor. Photo by Eric Schaff.

Social Scene

White House Correspondents’ Weekend

By r ob e rt deva ney While most of us knew (or even were on) the reception list, we were reminded that the weekend was indeed about freedom of the press and White House correspondents. Speakers made a point to ask the audience not to forget imprisoned (and killed) journalists. While Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer advised party-goers, “Don’t peak too early,” President Barack Obama told those at the big dinner to keep martyred journalist James Foley and others in their thoughts. Yes, reporting the news can be hazardous to one’s health, perhaps more evident this year. Nevertheless, there is a time for some fun, and this was that weekend.

Kelly Rutherford at the Creative Coalition Benefit Dinner at STK. Erin Schaff.

Rob Thomas, Alanna Masterson and Andrew Dost at the Creative Coalition Benefit Dinner at STK. Erin Schaff.

Cecily Strong, The British Ambassador to the United States Sir Peter Westmacott and Lady Westmacott attend Capitol File’s WHCD Weekend Welcome Reception with Cecily Strong at The British Embassy on April 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Capitol File Magazine).

Michelle Trachtenberg at the Creative Coalition Benefit Dinner at STK. Erin Schaff.

Constance Zimmer. Erin Schaff.

Stars of The Walking Dead Norman Reedus and Lauren Cohen joining host Cecily Strong.

Cecily Strong Photo Credit - Getty Images for Capitol File Magazine.

Constance Zimmer and Michael Kelly of “House of Cards” at the Garden Brunch on R Street. Erin Schaff.

David Decker, Associate Pulisher Roll Call, and Cecily Strong, host of this Keegan Michael Key of “Key & Peele” year’s White House Correspondents at the MSNBC party. Erin Schaff.

Dinner. Erin Schaff.

Abby Huntsman, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Cycle” at the MSNBC party. Erin Schaff.

Al Sharpton and Aisha McShaw arriving at the MSNBC after-party. Erin Schaff.

Bailee Madison

Gina Rodriguez at the Garden Brunch on R Street. Erin Schaff

Nasim Pedrad, Andrea Mitchell and Cecily Strong at the MSNBC party. Erin Schaff.

Gloria Story Dittus at her home with retiring correspondent Ann Compton for “A Salute to Rev. Rick Curry, S.J., Steve and Jean Case and “American Chris Jansing_& Tara Lipinski.

Sniper” widow Taya Kyle at the Garden Brunch on R Street. Erin Schaff.

Women in Journalism.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

37

Social Scene

Popular Patrons’ Party

GALA GUIDE MAY 13 Georgetown Village Gala

Guests at this event – benefitting Georgetown Village, neighbors helping neighbors to age at home comfortably, securely and engaged in their community – will sip cocktails at sunset at Washington Harbour. Call Lynn Golub-Rofrano at 202-999-8988.

MAY 13 Washington Concert Opera

WCO’s fundraising gala, “Out of This World,” will offer a musical presentation of science, magic and fantasy in opera. Tickets are $350 and $500. Carnegie Institution for Science.

Email info@concertopera.org.

MAY 14 Voices Against Violence

D.C. Volunteer Lawyers Project -- Annual Fundraiser -- at the Ambassador of Japan’s Residence, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with honored guest, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

Pho to s by David

May 15 Birds of a Feather Gala Celebrate “Peacock Room REMIX: Darren Waterston’s Filthy Lucre,” a reimagination of James McNeill Whistler’s Peacock Room, and support American art; reception, dinner at the Mellon Auditorium and after party, Flock Together, and dancing with a special performance by Betty, the band that composed and recorded the soundscape for Filthy Lucre.

For details, contact FSevents@si.edu.

Front: Belinda Winslow, Barbara Wolf, Debbie Winsor and Frida Burling; Megan Paleologos, Amy Porter Stroh, Amy Gross and Colman Riddell.

Slo ane The ever-popular Patrons’ Party for the Georgetown House Tour was held April 22 at the home of Debbie Winsor in anticipation of the 84th Georgetown House Tour April 25. The happy, lively crowd packed the house and backyard, as tour co-chairs Colman Riddell and Barbara Wolf greeted everyone -- or tried to -- and introduced St. John’s Church rector, Rev. Gini Gerbasi, and Lawrence Taylor of Jubilee Jobs.

Princess Michael of Kent Feted Royally

Photos by Michelle Belliveaux

On April 24, Aniko Gaal Schott and Nash Schott hosted their friend of long standing, Princess Michael of Kent, at their home on the occasion of her visit to Washington to launch the first two volumes of her Anjou trilogy. The princess lectures on historical topics and regaled the guests with the story of Yolande of Aragon, a powerful and complex woman of her time. Several days later, Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Réka Szemerkényi bestowed the Order of Merit of Hungary, Officer’s Cross, on Aniko for her outstanding achievements in promoting Hungarian-American relations. A tearful Aniko rejoined, “I carry Hungary in my heart.”

Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kiliç and A Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kiliç and Turkish Ambassador Amelia StrongerthanDV An melia StrongerthanDV An StrongerthanDV An

Krista and Alexis Johnson of Ella Rue flank designer Fabiola Martens.

Voto Latino

Photos by erin Scahff On Friday, April 24, People and Time magazines held their annual reception at the St. Regis Hotel. Voto Latino’s sixth annual “Our Voices: Celebrating Diversity in Media” was again at the Hay Adams Hotel.

Gina Rodriguez and Maria Teresa Kumar.

Gilan Corn, Aniko Gaal Schott, Sydney Johnson, Didi Cutler, Alexandra de Borchgrave, Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Réka Szemerkényi.

Princess Michael of Kent, hostess Aniko Gaal Schott.

O’Connell’s ‘Magnificent Obsession’

Two bastions of luxurious living came together on April 20 as chef Patrick O’Connell launched his book, “The Inn at Little Washington: A Magnificent Obsession” at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. Joyce Conwy Evans, the British “fairy godmother” and interior designer of the inn, was the guest of honor. One guest quipped that Evans had only two clients: O’Connell and the queen.

O’Connell said, “Too much is just right,” as he thanked Ellen MacNeille Charles, Hillwood board president emerita, and Hillwood President Nancy Appleby.

Morgan Dodd and Patrick O’Connell.

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May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

Ellen MacNeille Charles, Hillwood board president emerita, and Hillwood President Nancy Appleby.

Grinding Speed Wins Gold Cup Again

Photos By Carolyn Landes Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s marked Saturday, May 2, at the 90th anniversary of the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed was crowned the victorious horse in the $90,000 Cup, observed by festively donned crowds, clad in their steeplechase best. Jockey Mark Beecher rode Grinding Speed at a strategically measured pace, jumping well and gaining an advantage over the final two fences, clearing a full length across the finish line to secure the horse’s second Gold Cup victory in three years.

Mike Retzbach, Jennifer Tyler and Brenda Heinig.

Jockey Mark Beecher and Grinding Speed owner Michael Wharton.

Social Scene

Party for ‘Gardens of Georgetown’

Georgetown Garden Tour supporters and lovers of gardens in general gathered at the home of Jerome and June Libin on P Street April 30 to congratulate author Edith Schafer and photographer Jenny Gorman for “Gardens of Georgetown: Exploring Urban Treasures.”

Pat Figge, Patrick Delaney and Carmen Balthrop-Delaney.

Allison Schafer and her mother, Edie Schafer, author of “Gardens of Georgetown.”

Bob Colacello Dishes on Andy Warhol

By m ary bir d Pen/Faulkner Founding Friends’ luncheon hosted by Tony Podesta on Apr. 22 featured the Factory insider Bob Colacello, who spoke on the rerelease of his book Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up. The current work includes a new introduction reflecting the magnitude of the artist’s acclaim since its 1990 publication. A very young Colacello became the editor of Warhol’s Interview magazine where he stayed for 13 years. He said he at first felt “like Lana Turner getting the call from MGM.” He spoke of the late Ina Ginsburg’s bringing a certain gravitas to the publication through her vast Washington connections.

Buffy Cafritz Diane Flamini and Hungarian Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi.

Emma Snyder, Jane Swensen and Willee Lewis.

Hermes Over the Top at Opening

June Libin, Louise Williams and Bill Moody.

Lee Murphy, Matt Cheney, Daryl Judy and Dana Landry, all of Washington Fine Properties.

By D om in iqu e Ston e The Hermes grand opening party was held April 29 at CityCenterDC, which is being dubbed the “Rodeo Drive of D.C.” It was a night of elegance, as Hermes went over the top to celebrate its new store -- from the exquisite layout and delicate flow of the single-floor store to the D.C. elite in attendance.

Cocktails and mingling opened the event at 5:45 p.m. at the new location, 944 Palmer Alley NW. Shortly after some snaps and bubbles, guests were transported to the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

Florian Craen, the executive vice president of sales and distribution for Hermes, addressed the crowd on Hermes’s message and welcomed them to the culinary extravagance on which they were about to embark. The four-course menu was themed and catered by Olivier Chang. The atmosphere was transformed into a sequence of elements, including, in order, water, fire, land, and air. Hermes joins other top luxury brands at CityCenterDC.

Blue Jeans Ball Lassoes $1M Gift

Photo by Neshan H. Naltchayan At the Blue Jeans Ball on April 26, Bill Conway, co-founder, co-CEO and managing director of the Carlyle Group, announced a $1-million donation to the Capital Area Food Bank before crowd of 900 at the CAFB’s 12th annual restaurant-tasting gala that raised more than $441,000 in addition to Conway’s gift.

Anne-Lise Clement and Florian Craen of Hermes.

Nick Schmit, Jonathan Capehart and Jeremy Bernard.

Bill Conway of Carlyle Group and CAFB’s Nancy Roman.

Levine Music Gala

Cathy French, Frank Peterson and Dianne Peterson.

Susan Joseph, Martha Simons and David Gregory.

By mary bird On Wednesday, April 29, more than 375 supporters of Levine Music—D.C.’s distinguished center for music education—gathered for the 2015 Gala at National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Auditorium. The evening featured Levine Alumnus and Broadway Conductor and Music Director Zak Sandler, and soprano and Levine Alumna Alyson Cambridge. The crowd included notable music patrons, board members, Levine leadership, acclaimed musicians and sponsors. Gala underwriters included the Kiplinger Foundation and Walmart Stores, Inc. and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.

Cindy Kim and Mark McFadden.

Marissa Mitrovich, Hunter Biden, Kathleen Biden, Brian Wolff and Jill Daschle.

Diane Ray Brown, Cindy Kim, Sally Ein and Mal Chung.

Jill Daschle, Jeremy Bernard, Timothy Lowery and Robert Chavez.

GMG, INC. May 6, 2015

39

S e l l i ng Picture of Perfection

Town of Chevy Chase. Impressive new home w/grand floorplan & extraordinary craftsmanship. Enjoy 5 BR, 4.5 BA, kit w/breakfast area, two FRs, deck, exercise room, & more. Walk to Metro & downtown Bethesda. $2,365,000

Eric Murtagh Karen Kuchins

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t h e a r e a ’ s f i n e st p r o p e rt i e s

Perfect Harmony

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Patricia Lore Ted Beverley

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Harmonious setting

Forest Hills. American Classic architecture. Spacious and gracious 1929 home has 5 BR, 3.5 BA plus a huge unfinished attic. This exquisite property features lovely wooded views & is sited on a sought-after cul-de-sac near Rock Creek Park.$1,495,000

grandeur era

Chevy Chase. Completely renovated 1912 home w/ 5+ BR, 4.5 BA, chef’s kitchen on 4 finished levels. Luxury & convenience of a new home. Craftsmanship of a bygone era. Exquisite period details. Rear garage. 3 blocks to Metro. $1,995,000

Mary Lynn White

PriVate & serene

Chevy Chase. Idyllic hilltop home on premier 3/4 acre lot w/eastern exposure, tree canopy & winding stream. Enjoy expansive living & entertaining space - inside and out. 6 BR, 5.5 BA, chef’s Kit. Top of the line. $1,375,000

Nancy Wilson 202.364.1700(o) 202.966.5286(h)

Laura McCaffrey Martine Burkel

gracious liVing near tHe Park

Warm & Welcoming

cHeVy cHase cHarmer

Laura McCaffrey Martine Burkel

Andrea Saturno-Sanjana

Rollingwood. Beautiful home w/4 levels includes LR w/ fp, formal DR, eat-in Kit, 5 BR, 3 1/2 BA, Office, FR, finished LL & deck. Attached 2 car Garage. Adjacent to Rock Creek Park. $1,250,000

301.641.4456 240.899.0384

insPiring VieWs

Wesley Heights. Gracious 2-level condo has open floorplan w/ 2 BR, 2 BA, updated kit, 24 hour concierge, pool, storage & underground parking. Magnificent view of National Cathedral & beyond. $649,000

Martine Burkel Laura McCaffrey

Kalorama. Wonderful, open space! Large kitchen overlooks DR & LR w/fp. French doors lead to great DEN w/ half bath. Unique lower level - sunny atrium connects 2 MBRs w/ en suite bath. Ideal location - Metro, bus lines, dining, shopping & nightlife! $539,500

Bonnie Roberts-Burke

BLUEMONT

DUPONT

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202.464.8400 May 6, 2015 GMG, INC.

202.696.0701

BrigHt oPen sPaces

CHEVY CHASE 202.364.1700

40

240.899.0384 301.641.4456

Wakefield. Spacious & bright Colonial has expansive architect’s addition w/contemporary aesthetic; gourmet kitchen with Wolf appliances, marble counters & cork floor; FR; 4 BR; 4 1/2 BA; patio & terraced garden. Near Metro, Whole Foods and Fort Reno Park. $1,079,000

540.554.8600 301.656.1800

202.487.7653

202.309.1100

301.641.4456 240.899.0384

Chevy Chase, DC. Open floor plan w/ spacious entertaining areas, formal DR, kit w/ breakfast bar, allseason sunroom, 3BR, 3 BA, au-pair/in-law suite w/ walkout, & garage. Near Rock Creek, farmer’s market, rec centers, shops & restaurants. $785,000

Leslie Suárez

202.246.6402

arcHitectural gem

Fabled “Best Addresses” Altamont. South facing mezz, 10’ ceilings, fp, marble counters, updated ceramic bath, unique oval bedroom. 3 sets of orig glass French Doors.

24 hr desk. Fab roof terrace $429,000

Sammy Dweck

202.716.0400

luxury edition

Expansive, five year-old home w/ grand proportions & high-end, designer features on four finished levels includes top-of-the-line kitchen, owner’s suite & media room. Close to downtown Bethesda & Metro. $1,915,000

Eric Murtagh Karen Kuchins

301.652.8971 301.275.2255

Victorian elegance

Dupont Circle. Thoughtfully remodeled and restored 3BR, 2.5BA row house on a lovely tree-lined street. Sophisticated kitchen and baths, bedroom fireplaces,upstairs laundry.

Roof deck off the top floor suite. One parking space. A walker’s paradise. $ 1,285,000

Bren Lizzio

202.669.4999

all tHe Best

Observatory Circle. Prestigious “Best Address” Westchester w/ expansive LR, formal DR, renovated Kit, 2BR, 2BA & windows on 3 sides. High ceilings, recessed lighting, walk-in closets, media center & office. $699,900

Martha Williams Rachel Burns

202.271.8138 202.384.5140

comPletely cHic

Adams Morgan. Exquisite finishes throughout this very open & bright 1BR, 1BA condo, beautifully renovated in 2009 w/great respect for this historic building.

Convenient to Metro, Dupont Circle, bus routes, dining, shopping & nightlife. $408,500

Bonnie Roberts-Burke

202.487.7653

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