At Inspīr Embassy Row, we believe that intellectual curiosity has no age limit. As part of our commitment to fostering an engaging and thought-provoking community, we’re proud to introduce The Exchange: Expert Views, Timely Topics — a monthly speaker series that brings leading voices to the heart of our community.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
The Cognitive Architecture of Aging: Mapping the Path to Brain Resilience
July 17th | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Sustainability Blueprint: Next-Gen Climate Strategy September 18th | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Modern Presidency: Power in Evolution October 16th | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Advancements in Robotics: A Transformative Approach to Human-Machine Interface and Medical Innovation
November 20th | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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OPINION: THIS PANDEMIC HOLDOVER IS RUINING HISTORIC GEORGETOWN BY ELIZABETH MILLER AND STEFANIE SCOTT
An example of a messy, uninviting streatery. Courtesy Georgetown Coalition for Public Spaces.
OPINION: CM PINTO LOOKS BACK AND AHEAD BY BROOKE PINTO
Timothy Lowery of CityCenter DC, Ward 2 Council Member Brooke Pinto and Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Courtesy Brooke Pinto.
FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE BRINGS LIVE MUSIC TO THE STREETS OF GEORGETOWN BY ANNABEL TAYLOR
Delta Blues artist Creekview Blues outside of L.A. Burdick on Wisconsin Avenue. Photo by Annabel Taylor.
THE GEORGETOWNER’S FRESH AND FLAVORFUL SUMMER RECIPES BY THE GEORGETOWNER
Gazpacho, quick, low-calorie, refreshing.
AT THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART: ‘BLACK EARTH RISING’ BY RICHARD SELDEN
Works by Yinka Shonibare and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith in “Black Earth Rising” at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Photo by Richard Selden.
ANC 2E: Budget, Curfews, Flex Posts, Zoning
BY PEGGY SANDS
The July 30 Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting was — as it often is — a treasury of information, much of it a deep-dive into original sources. Along with a sharing of inside information by At-Large Council member Christina Henderson, and a long update from the Office of Comprehensive Planning about the “almost ready to begin” preparations for D.C.’s comprehensive plan, there were updates on Hyde-Addison Safe Streets and proposed zoning language changes. Also discussed: changes to west side traffic patterns during summer utility construction at Georgetown University and the sudden defunding in the 2026 District budget of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (see separate story).
BUDGET CUTS
Many of the concerns brought up by Henderson centered on the 2026 District budget, as well as the current budget that Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Council were forced to reshape
when it became clear that Congress was not going to restore the funds it “accidentally” omitted. The struggle is over which programs to cut, or even eliminate, though Bowser promised that no D.C. government employees will lose their jobs.
“The discussions are very lively,” Henderson reported, “especially over city-provided health services and insurance.” Most at risk are the various health alliances for adults and funds for HIV. “Although the HIV funds are a victim of success in a way,” Henderson said. “Cases have fallen below 200, and that is good. But the trouble with good results is that the fullsupport money that is still needed is reduced.”
CURFEWS AND TRUANCY
Henderson talked about the high levels of school truancy and the youth curfews being set up at various public places, such as the Wharf. The curfews, starting as early as 5 p.m. (even 3 p.m. is being considered), are focused on large groups of unruly youth. “These are groups without adults,”
Henderson emphasized. “But the city public safety and law enforcement agencies can only do so much.” In the end, she said, to solve both the truancy and youth group behavior problems, we need to get to the parents and families first — before city agencies become involved, especially with truancy. “It should be made clear to parents that their kids need to be in school every day,” Henderson said. “It starts as early as middle school. We’ve been kind of willy-nilly about that.”
MPD: CALL THE COPS
The lack of transparency and good information was brought up several times at the meeting. Even Lt. Danielle Vitatoe of the Metropolitan Police Department scolded Georgetowners about it, in relation to a person lighting fires near the First Baptist Church, next to Rose Park. “We can’t investigate crime if we don’t know about it,” Vitatoe said. Please call 911, she stressed, “if you have experienced a crime. And keep any evidence you have.” The main crime in Georgetown
At-Large Council member Christine Henderson.
continues to be theft from autos. “It’s mainly because of out-of-towners and visitors who aren’t aware they must hide or clear objects from their cars and lock their vehicles.”
D.C. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The need for more clarity and transparency was also the focus of Chair Gwen Lohse comments and questions regarding the D.C.
giving the SRTS team additional funding and direction.) The DDOT official showed how flex posts need to be placed along O Street near the school, also removing some residential parking. Commissioner Daniel Chao asked about the possibility of using planters instead of flex posts in certain spots. A notice of intent is forthcoming.
Comprehensive Plan, directed at Office of Planning staff members. They said they are about ready to start the process of developing the plan. There will be surveys and town hall meetings and a chance for everyone to tell them what they want before the plan — which will determine building size, density, usage and image for the next 25 years — is developed.
HYDE-ADDISON SAFE STREETS, FLEX POSTS
A District Department of Transportation official spoke of changes to signage and the addition of flex posts at certain intersections as part of the Safe Routes to School program. (In 2022, the Council passed the Safe Streets for Students Amendment Act to improve transportation safety infrastructure around schools,
ZONING CHANGES
A link for the “Update on Potential Proposed Zoning Language Changes with TBD Timing” was posted online with the ANC’s July agenda. It includes new regulations regarding rear additions to houses. Commissioners were adamant that it be known that Georgetown is different when it comes to affordable housing, due to its historic district designation and oversight by the Old Georgetown Board. Concern was expressed about allowing nonprofits to provide large buildings for affordable housing. Email 2e@ anc.dc.gov with ideas or comments.
Editor’s note: See page 8 for an article with ANC comments on the proposed Georgetown University boathouse. ANC 2E will not meet in August. Its next meeting is Sept. 2.
GU to Build Potomac River Boathouse
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
With a century and a half of rowing tradition, GU — which once had a boathouse near the new site — has been seeking a way to get back on the banks of the Potomac. The new boathouse, at 3500 Water St. NW, would be funded through gifts to the university.
“This collaborative effort, which has been underway for decades, will create a special space for the Georgetown rowing community and will usher in a new era for public access to the Georgetown waterfront,” said Robert Groves, interim president.
The university further explained: “Under the terms of the agreement, Georgetown will donate a parcel of land on the Potomac River to the National Park Service to be added to the boundary of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This parcel includes an easement along the Capital Crescent Trail, which would be extinguished when the land is donated. This will allow for uninterrupted use of the trail by the public.”
In turn, the Park Service will transfer administrative jurisdiction of two parcels at the base of Key Bridge to D.C. for boathouse development. The District will then transfer the site to the west of the bridge to GU for its boathouse.
Big news last month: Georgetown University announced “an agreement with the National Park Service and the District of Columbia that will provide Georgetown with land along the Potomac River where the university intends to build a boathouse.”
According to the university, “the boathouse, which will be located at the base of the Key Bridge, will serve as a hub for the men’s and women’s rowing teams. Georgetown will also provide rowing programming for the DC community, and the boathouse docks will be open to the public year-round for canoeing, paddle boarding and kayaking.”
In the deal, Key Bridge Boathouse — once known as Jack’s Boathouse — would move upriver, just west of the Aqueduct Bridge ruins. At its July meeting, the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission stated that it is “excited and supports” the project, calling the proposed building “beautiful.” Concerns include the dock for public access, staff parking, traffic management, bike parking and greenery. A GU official told the commission that she estimates the boathouse groundbreaking would take place in January of 2028.
Last week, the Old Georgetown Board was said to be supportive of the plans. “They had a couple small suggestions and requests and asked for the school to come back one more time, but expects to give the concept the green light at that point,” reported ANC 2E’s Topher Mathews.
Along the Potomac River, the Georgetown University Boathouse will be next to Key Bridge, near the Potomac Boat Club. Rendering by Muse Kirwan Architects. Courtesy Georgetown University.
The evening offers one of the most influential gatherings of the canal community and includes music by the canal featuring Seneca Creek Bluegrass Band, seated dinner, silent auction, and a guided hike to Olmsted Island.
News Bytes
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
BIOGRAPHER AND REVIEWER
KITTY KELLEY’S NEW BAG
More than 100 writers crowded into Kitty Kelley’s Dumbarton Street backyard for food and drinks before the Biographers International Organization’s June 5 annual meeting. The hostess with the mostest and renowned biographer had brought two groups together: BIO and Washington Independent Review of Books. Georgetowner Cathy Alter, author of “Crush,” and WIROB President Jenny Yacovissi presented guests with book bags designed by Alter, bearing Kelley’s image and the motto: “Read and Write Fearlessly.” Kelley called the party swag “a new bag from an old bag” (her words, not ours). The Kitty Kelley Book Club has been a regular feature in The Georgetowner for almost a decade.
DC WATER TO BEGIN CANAL ROAD SLOPE STABILIZATION
DC Water reports that it “will begin slope stabilization work along Canal Road Northwest starting around mid-August ... before construction at the site for part of the Potomac River Tunnel. This essential infrastructure work will require the closure of one lane and the sidewalk on Canal Road between Foxhall Road and the entrance to Georgetown University.”
The work, expected to take about six months, must be done with extreme care. DC Water will be constructing a drop shaft at the top of the slope, which has a history of instability.
After drilling approximately 725 steel rods into the slope, then covering it with steel mesh to hold everything in place, the area will be replanted with grass and the road and sidewalk restored to their prior condition.
Connecting to DC Water’s existing system, the $819 million, 5.5-mile-long Potomac River Tunnel includes seven shafts, including the site near Georgetown University. Construction began in 2024 and is scheduled for completion by 2030.
SINKHOLES SHUT P STREET RAMP IN ROCK CREEK PARK
The National Park Service closed the P Street ramp near 23rd Street NW to northbound Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway due to two sinkholes. The ramp will remain closed until repairs are complete. The sinkholes are located on the west side of the ramp — one on the roadway and one in the adjacent grassy area.
“Our priority is keeping people safe while we work quickly and carefully to better understand the situation and begin repairs,” said Liam Cutri-French, a civil engineer with the Park Service’s National Capital Region. “Out of an abundance of caution, the ramp will remain closed until we know it’s safe to reopen.”
RESIDENTS LOSE MARIJUANA SMOKE SUIT AGAINST GU
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against Georgetown University filed by a couple who claimed that secondhand marijuana smoke from an off-campus student neighbor affected their health and home, reported the Washington Business Journal.
The couple “may be correct that legal conduct such as smoking marijuana in an adjoining property can be the basis of a nuisance claim, but they did not bring their nuisance claim against the person causing the smoke to migrate into their home,” Appeals Court Judge Maurice Ross wrote in the June 12 decision.
“Lauren and John Paul Szymkowicz sued the university in August 2022 in D.C. Superior Court, claiming Georgetown breached its contractual obligations to mitigate student impact on the surrounding neighborhood,” WBJ reported. The couple had sought $1.25 million in damages.
Author Kitty Kelley shows off her new bag at her Dumbarton Street home. Photo by Robert Devaney.
Slope stabilization on Canal Road. Courtesy DC Water.
Budget Tweaks and Woes
The time has come to get this budget done. The Council of the District of Columbia got that started on July 14 — after some tweaks — with a first vote on D.C.’s 2026 Budget, approved unanimously.
In late May, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser was a little late in presenting her $21.8-billion fiscal year 2026 budget, which stresses business growth investment and the city’s sports and entertainment economy. (Money pulled by the House from the 2025 budget never made it back.) Also, an additional loss of $1 billion in city revenue is foreseen over the next five years.
mayor should not be overspending, and the CFO should not be allowing the overspending.”
The Council approved funding for a Commanders stadium at the RFK site. (It will consider details in a separate bill.) A proposed compromise on Initiative 82, concerning the tipped minimum wage, was defeated; the controversial, sometime heated, issue will have to be revisited. As for Initiative 83, ranked choice voting was funded but not the open primary part.
Still, amid the cuts for some programs, a Georgetown favorite got a reprieve: there’s now $600,000 for use by the Boys & Girls
“If you know you have fewer revenues, then you have to make some tough decisions.”
“If you know you have fewer revenues, then you have to make some tough decisions,” said Bowser. “Our path to deal with that is to grow the economy, to create more economic activity.” Critics say the mayor’s growth agenda is “an inequality agenda,” considering the cuts to programs in her proposed budget.
Council Chair Phil Mendelson criticized Bowser’s budget for being excessive. “It is spending above what was appropriated,” he said. “It is in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, and we should not have to fund that. The
Club at Jelleff Recreation Center. Other items like $250,000 for rebates or vouchers so that District residents can buy electric bicycles seemed silly. We could go on …
For now, the Council is set to take its second and final vote on July 28. Expect more tweaks.
D.C.’s faltering revenues will remain a problem, along with the occasional interference by those in Congress and the White House. Still, let’s ask the question: Does the structure and size of D.C. government add to our budget woes? We’ll check that out next time.
DOGE: Confusion, Not Cost-Efficiency
Washington, D.C., is no stranger to the changes that accompany a new presidential administration. Yet the Trump administration’s creation and implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has brought confusion, not cost-efficiency, to the federal government’s operations, particularly here in the National Capital Region. Though intended to identify and cut excess government spending, DOGE’s actions have resulted in more than 216,000 federal workers losing their jobs over the past six months. Apart from the impact on the provision of services, the rampant confusion caused by DOGE has meant that many people who work in and around the District face a derailing of their livelihoods and an uncertain future.
Even some whose jobs were labeled “essential” received a letter of termination. Increasingly, federal employees live under the constant fear that DOGE will shutter their agency, as seen in the fight over the
Department of Education. Last Friday, the State Department sent layoff notifications to 1,300 employees, some of whom had worked at State for decades.
In some cases, DOGE’s cuts have imperiled and perhaps cost American lives. The recent deadly flooding in Texas raised concerns about the firings of National Weather Service personnel. While we can only speculate if DOGE’s NWS cuts were partly responsible for that tragedy, the staff reductions could potentially affect us all. Last week, the NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for areas of D.C.; should those types of alerts be eliminated, lives will be endangered nationwide.
While making the government more efficient is a priority we share, DOGE has so far failed to do so, instead reducing effectiveness, damaging careers and increasing risks to health and safety. In The Georgetowner’s opinion, six months of DOGE have proven to be six months too many.
My First 100 Days as CAG President: Listening, Learning and Leading Forward
BY AMY A. TITUS
Over the past 100 days, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in a “listening tour” — meeting with Georgetown residents, community groups and government leaders to hear firsthand what matters most in Georgetown.
I’ve met with city and federal leaders who impact Georgetown’s daily life, including: Mayor Muriel Bowser and her team, the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, Council member Brooke Pinto, ANC 2E commissioners, Department of Transportation Director Sharon Kershbaum, Department of Buildings Director Brian Hanlon, MPD Chief Pamela Smith and Second District Cmdr. Tatjana Savoy and the District Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Planning, Office of Zoning and Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, as well as the Old Georgetown Board and the National Park Service.
We are fortunate to have an engaged and collaborative network of organizations working alongside us, including: The Georgetowner, Georgetown University, the Georgetown Business Improvement District, the Georgetown Business Association, the Georgetown Coalition for Public Spaces, Georgetown Heritage, Georgetown Main Street, the Georgetown Ministry Center, Georgetown Village and the Rose Park and Volta Park Friends groups.
Most important — from meetings in the street to coffee chats to community gatherings — I have been listening to your thoughts, hopes and concerns. These conversations have been insightful, filled with passion for our neighborhood and grounded in a shared commitment to preserving and enhancing the Georgetown we all love.
From all these conversations, four priorities clearly emerged:
1. STREATERIES AND EXPANDED SIDEWALKS
A legacy of the pandemic, streateries continue to spark debate. Many residents have voiced concerns about their effects on public safety, congestion and the historic character of our streets. CAG is advocating vigorously with city officials to ensure Georgetown’s unique needs are understood and respected. This will be a critical focus in the coming months.
2. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Rodents, trash, personal safety and theft remain top-of-mind for many. We’re
partnering with the BID to address trash and sanitation and maintain close collaboration with MPD on crime prevention. Our Block Captain Program, led by dedicated block captains, is also being reinvigorated to ensure every block has a watchful eye and a strong sense of community security.
3. HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND COMMUNITY VISIONING
Residents want to preserve our unique, irreplaceable historic character, and this is one of the reasons residents choose to make Georgetown their home. Residents expressed their support for educational workshops on renovating historic homes in a National Landmark District, voicing concerns on projects that have a significant impact on our historic integrity. Looking ahead, we’re helping to lead planning for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, in partnership with Georgetown Heritage — an exciting opportunity to celebrate our past and shape our future together.
4. CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Georgetown is more than a neighborhood — it’s a village. You’ve told us how important it is to connect with your neighbors and feel part of a shared community. This year alone, CAG has brought together over 1,000 residents through events such as our Concert in the Park, Black History Month program, Take Over the Bar Series and more. And we’re just getting started — new ideas are in the works to help you engage and connect.
To everyone who has shared their time, stories and ideas with me — thank you. Your input is shaping our direction, and I am deeply grateful to all our dedicated volunteers, engaged members and generous donors who keep CAG going strong.
As a nonprofit, we depend on your support. If you’d like to help us continue this important work, please consider sponsoring or inviting friends to our Annual Fundraiser Cocktail Party on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sequoia on the Georgetown waterfront. Together, we can preserve the best of Georgetown and build an even stronger, more connected community.
Amy A. Titus is president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown
36-Hour Georgetown Getaway — Without the Go!
BY GRACE ELIZABETH CADY
There’s nothing like summer in the city — especially summer in Georgetown. On any given weekend, Washington’s prime hub for shopping and dining often finds itself overflowing with people walking up and down M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
With so much to see and do, deciding how to spend a Georgetown staycation can seem overwhelming. But as a local, I am lucky enough to know some of the best spots in town.
I begin my warm summer day with a walk along the Dumbarton Oaks Park trail . After entering at Lover’s Lane, I put on my headphones, enjoying the serenity. The park, never busy, is usually frequented
by walkers, bikers and dog owners. There is enough activity to make a lone stroller feel safe, but it is the perfect destination for some peace and quiet. The fresh air, running river and billowing trees make for a beautiful start to my morning.
After my walk, I’m ready for a coffee, so I head down to Tatte Bakery & Café on Wisconsin Avenue. I order an iced matcha latte with a dash of honey to go. If it were lunchtime, I would have also gotten the tomato soup and house roll. Tatte was the first café I ever went to in Washington. After my initial move, my dad and I stopped in for a coffee and some tartines. It has been a favorite of mine ever since. Other spots I love for coffee, matcha and pastries in Georgetown: Baked & Wired, Maman and Boulangerie Christophe. After my coffee, I continue my journey.
One of the best parts about Georgetown is the scenery. Other parts of Washington have the monuments, but Georgetown has a kind of natural beauty that comes with the greenery, cobblestone streets and colorful townhomes. I take my time walking around the neighborhood and admiring it all. I fell
in love with Georgetown the first time I ever visited for this very reason, and I never stop being awestruck by how lovely it is.
Next, I go shopping. My must-stop stores are Glossier, H&M and Brandy Melville Along Wisconsin Avenue, I make sure to stop into the Lantern Bookshop, Shop Made in DC and a current pop-up store that’s the “smallest shop” in D.C.
Ready for an early dinner, I walk back up to La Bonne Vache — my very favorite restaurant in Georgetown, and maybe all of Washington. Heads up: If you are going on a weekend, expect a line out the door. But just know that it goes by quickly and is
absolutely worth it. The atmosphere is cozy, like a European hole-in-the-wall with classic charm. There is exposed brick, lovely art and a lot of natural light.
My favorite order at La Bonne Vache — “the good cow” in English — is the Goujon de Morue, a crispy cod sandwich. I order it with fries, a drink and an after-dinner espresso. Though if you are a burger lover, this is definitely the place for you, I just happen to favor fish. The service is as excellent as the ambience and the food; you cannot go wrong.
After dinner, I head to the Poppy Georgetown for a nightcap and good conversation. The Poppy is a boutique-style guest house with personal charm and wonderful service. I meet Nico Vroom, the GM, who pours me a delicious glass of chardonnay. Then we head to the garden. In the front part of the building, there is a small courtyard with a stunning painted mural of a red poppy, bistro-style tables for guests to sit at and have breakfast, charming key holders that remain up for decoration only and string lights to set the mood.
After he shares stories of the wedding parties, friends and families that have stayed
at the Poppy, we proceed to the back of the guest house, which looks like something out of an old Disney film. It is shaded by trees and features fire pits, flowers and even lighting fixtures that were hung as part of a proposal that took place there not long ago. I promise him that I will be back for a coffee or a cocktail hour soon — and I will.
If you can’t make it to the Poppy, other nightcap spots I suggest are the Fountain Inn, L’Annexe and Donahue. Or, if your end-of-the-day treat begs to be more on the sweet side, might I say there’s nowhere better than Thomas Sweet , the ice cream
and chocolate shop on the corner of P Street?
The next morning, I stop into my favorite Washington bagel spot, Call Your Mother, and order a cinnamon raisin bagel, a coffee with housemade honey syrup and a Martinelli’s apple juice. And really, there is no happier ending.
Grace Elizabeth Cady is a graduate student at Georgetown University.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
Thursday, July 17
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts will hold its monthly meeting at 9 a.m. at 401 F St. NW, Suite 312. Visit cfa.gov.
MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN
Saturday, July 19, to Sunday, July 27
The tournament takes place at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, 5220 16th St. NW. July 19 and 20 is the qualifying weekend, followed by the main draw from July 21 to 27. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation. Visit mubadalacitidcopen.com.
BROOKE PINTO AT ROSE PARK MARKET
Wednesday, July 23
Council member Brooke Pinto invites Ward 2 residents to join her at the Rose Park Farmers Market, 2453 P St. NW, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for community office hours and to celebrate local farmers and vendors. Visit brookepintodc.com.
CHILDREN’S STORY AND SONG TIME IN THE PARK
Thursday, July 24
Friends of the Georgetown Waterfront Park will host a free story and song time event for preschoolers and their parents and caregivers on the park’s lawn, near the entrance at Wisconsin and Water Streets, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Visit georgetownwaterfrontpark.org.
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Monday, July 28
A District Council hearing and the second vote on the Budget Support Act will take place at noon at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 500. Visit lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings.
DANCING ON THE WATERFRONT
Tuesday, July 29
Residents of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in this weekly summer series from 6 to 9 p.m. at Georgetown Waterfront Park. Each session includes a dance class and a DJ. On July 29, the theme is country line dancing and two-step. Admission is free. Visit georgetowndc.com.
CARPE LIBRUM POP-UP BOOK SALE Sunday, Aug. 3
Books and CDs priced under $6 will be offered for sale in the Chase Bank parking lot at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and P Street NW from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale benefits Turning the Page DC. Visit georgetownmainstreet.com.
JAPANESE SUMI AND ORIGAMI CLASS
Thursday, Aug. 7
Origami instructor Naoko Kamioka will lead a class for beginners in traditional Japanese black ink (sumi) marbling and paper-folding (origami) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Washington Printmakers Gallery, 1675 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Admission is $55.20 on Eventbrite.
ART HISTORY AT TUDOR PLACE Saturday, Aug. 9
At this Summer Saturday program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, participants will learn about the art collection assembled by the Peter family through story time, scavenger hunts and short talks. Admission is $5 (free for members). Visit tudorplace.org.
PUBLIC SEMINAR: JAMES MADISON Sep. 18 - 20, 2025 James Madison’s Montpelier
Join a three-day immersive seminar hosted by the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution. Led by Dr. Lynn Uzzell, participants will explore Madison’s legacy through classroom sessions, private house tours, and guided walks on the Montpelier grounds. Onsite lodging and meals included. Cost: $1,100
Photos by Grace Cady.
INS & OUTS
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
ACE WINDOW CLEANING, CO.
Residential specialists inside and outside. Family owned and operated for over 30 years. We also offer glass, screen, and sash cord repair service • Ask about our no damage, low pressure Powerwashing.
(301) 656-WASH
Chevy Chase, MD
CHEVY CHASE FLOOR WAXING SERVICE
Polishing, buffing, and waxing to preserve and protect your wood floors. Family owned and operated for 30 years. Licensed Bonded Insured.
(301) 656-9274
Chevy Chase, MD
IN: ATELIERS JACOB
Canadian cabinetry manufacturer Ateliers Jacob opened its U.S. flagship showroom at 3330 Cady’s Alley NW in Georgetown’s Design District on July 7.
The company tells us: “Ateliers Jacob’s 3,300-square-foot showroom provides highend custom kitchen cabinetry and millwork design. The showroom features immersive vignettes encompassing kitchen, living, dining and other spaces affording guests an intimate design and shopping experience. The collection offers a wide range of materials and finishes ranging from natural wood species and high-end laminates to a variety of door styles manufactured in Canada, inspired by both Canadian roots and European styles. Furthermore, Ateliers Jacob is also the exclusive provider of Limuro Murphy beds.”
IN: YALA ICE CREAM SUNDAY
Hoping for July 4, Chrys Kefalas now plans to open the nation’s first authentic Greek ice cream shop at 3143 N St. NW this Sunday, July 20. Yala Greek Ice Cream will be in the space formerly occupied by an EagleBank branch.
“Yala Greek Ice Cream is inspired by generations of Greek tradition, perfected in Greece, and now making its U.S. debut right here in Georgetown. This moment is our way of honoring the city we love — and the people who make it extraordinary,” says Kefalas. “Come share a scoop, a smile and a little bit of Papou’s spirit.”
IN: GEORGETOWN AUTO SPA
Georgetown Auto Spa opened on July 14 at 1218 31st St. NW (via Congress Alley). The appointment-only vehicle care facility “offers meticulous interior and exterior detailing services, performed by skilled professionals using traditional handwashing techniques,” business president Samer Kuraishi tells The Georgetowner.
IN: AMORINO GELATO AT 34TH & M
Amorino Gelato al Naturale is set to open in the space formerly occupied by the Georgetown Running Co. — and, before that, Poseurs bar and Old Mac’s — at 1200 34th St. NW. Founded in Paris in 2002 by childhood friends Cristiano Sereni and Paolo Benassi, the company sells rose-shaped artisanal gelato and sorbet (36 flavors), as well as gelato-filled macarons, waffles, crepes, milkshakes and affogato, plus coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
COMING: HÄSTENS BEDS
Hästens plans to open at 1510 Wisconsin Ave. NW, formerly home to Alkova Yoga & Coworking, which closed in December after two years. Established in 1852 in Sweden, Hästens Sängar AB sells super-high-end mattresses. The company name means “the horse’s beds.” The official bed supplier to the Swedish Royal Court also boasts celebrity customers such as Drake, who purchased the $400,000 “Grand Vividus,” and Kim Kardashian, whose bed clocked in at $40,000.
COMING: DUTCH DARLINGS
Dutch Darlings Stroopwafels & Sweets is coming to 1003 Wisconsin Ave. NW, close to Georgetown Waterfront Park. Follow @dutchdarlings for the latest news and opening details.
VIRGINIA FAMILY VACATION RETREAT
5 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom furnished Vintage Farmhouse, recently renovated, 65 miles from Key Bridge. $3,800/month
Perfect weekend retreat from the city.Beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wood-burning fireplace.
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Amorino Gelato.
Ateliers Jacob room. Photo by Nile Dev.
Ateliers Jacob room. Photo by Nile Dev.
Ateliers Jacob room. Photo by Nile Dev.
Ateliers Jacob room. Photo by Nile Dev.
COMING: MONOS TRAVEL LUGGAGE
Set to open at 3124 M St. NW, previously Atmos sneakers, is a Monos Travel Luggage shop.
The Vancouver-based company explains: “We value simplicity, and we believe that a welldesigned, premium suitcase doesn’t need to be loud and flashy — it simply speaks for itself. In today’s throwaway society of passing trends and mass consumption, we design our pieces to be timeless classics, with an understated aesthetic that stands the test of time.”
OUT: EL CENTRO D.F.
El Centro D.F. at 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW closed June 29. The Mexican restaurant by Richard Sandoval Hospitality made its debut 12 years ago in the old Third Edition spot. Sandoval’s El Centro on 14th Street NW opened in 2011 and closed in 2020.
“Ten Five Hospitality, behind concepts including Mother Wolf, Bar Lis and The Chap, has leased the roughly 6,500-squarefoot space occupied by El Centro,” according to the Washington Business Journal. “Ten Five plans to bring a new concept to the storefront, which famously served as the exterior of the bar featured in 1985 film, ‘St. Elmo’s Fire.’”
The Journal added: “Dan Daley, Ten Five’s managing partner, bartended at Third Edition, which was replaced by El Centro, while attending Georgetown University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in international relations and affairs. He jumped at the chance to lease the space when he learned it was going to become available.”
Los Angeles-based Ten Five plans to open its new Georgetown spot in March of 2026.
HAPPY 10TH: LILI THE FIRST
Ifat Pridan, owner of LiLi The First — “Inspiring Fashion for Inspiring Women” — at 1419 Wisconsin Ave. NW, celebrated a decade of style, creativity and community on June 7. Congratulations!
BLUES ALLEY AT 60
BY RICHARD SELDEN
“In this world of overrated pleasures, of underrated treasures, I’m glad there is you.”
So go the lyrics to “I’m Glad There Is You,” recorded in 1941 by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra. Sung by Bob Eberly, the ballad was later covered by, among others: Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman,
$1.5 million four years ago.
The storied U Street cellar where Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington performed reopened as Bohemian Caverns in 2000, only to close in 2016. Its neighbor, Twins Jazz, bowed out during the 2020 pandemic shutdown, as did Alice’s Jazz & Cultural
Carmen McRae, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan and — on her 2009 release, “The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me” — Jane Monheit, one of the Great American Songbook’s most gifted advocates.
On July 26 and 27, Monheit will close out an “All Diva Week” at Georgetown supper club Blues Alley. Her sister divas: Clara Campbell, 2025 winner of the Ella Fitzgerald International Jazz Vocal Competition (July 21); Heidi Martin, marking the release of an album of her own jazz compositions (July 22); Alison Crockett, a two-time Wammie (Washington Area Music Association Award) winner (July 23); and legendary Broadway, film and television performer — and R&B songstress — Melba Moore (July 24 and 25).
The “All Diva Week” celebrates the 60th anniversary of Blues Alley, “The House That Dizzy Built,” “the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club.” (Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, which opened in 1934, calls itself the “world’s oldest jazz club,” but its continuity is disputed and its menu basic. No offense.)
“I’ve seen a lot of clubs go,” says Harry Schnipper, owner since 1997, who bought the carriage house Blues Alley occupies for around
The most recent echo of Georgetown’s livemusic glory days (M Street “was like Bourbon Street,” recalls Schnipper), Gypsy Sally’s, shuttered early in 2020 after a bit more than six years on Water Street.
Longevity alone is good; longevity plus quality far better. The First Lady of Song and the Chairman of the Board didn’t sing at Blues Alley, but all seven of the others cited above — Baker, Bennett, Hartman, McRae, Tormé, Vaughan and Monheit — did. Toss out the name of a jazz notable active post-1965. Chances are, he or she played the Alley. When Dizzy Gillespie says, “Now this is a jazz club,” the word gets around.
Schnipper, who “first walked through the doors” in his teens, is Blues Alley’s fourth owner, after founder Tommy Gwaltney, a Dixieland clarinetist and vibraphonist who maintained a house band; retired Air Force Col. Bill Cannon; and, in charge for a quarter-century, John Bunyan. Schnipper was originally brought in — “halfway through a 40-year career in commercial real estate” — to develop a nonprofit adjunct, the Blues Alley Jazz Society.
Three of the 30-year-old Blues Alley Jazz Society’s accomplishments: launching a youth orchestra in 1985, a jazz camp in 1999 and the Ella Fitzgerald Competition in 2017, the singer’s centennial. The camp, formerly at Carter Barron Amphitheater, now meets at St. Augustine’s Church in Southwest D.C. (2025 dates: July 28 to Aug. 8).
Overseeing this for-profit/nonprofit pairing, Schnipper finds himself at “the nexus of education and performance programming.” When stars come for gigs, he conducts oral history interviews. Currently, he is in discussions with Rutgers about transferring Blues Alley’s archives to the university’s Institute of Jazz Studies.
Though not a musician, “I have big ears when it comes to music,” says Schnipper. He thinks of himself “as a curator rather than a programmer.” The crowd for Moore is likely to be entirely different from the crowd for Monheit, for instance.
Beyond choosing among types of acts (divas, pianists, other instrumentalists, trios, big bands, etc.), there is a geographical angle. Schnipper: “I’m in the data-mining business.” Thanks to its location near prestige hotels, Blues Alley patrons come from around the U.S. and from dozens of countries.
Working with embassies, Schnipper has showcased performers from several nations and regions, notably Latin America and the Caribbean. He recently traveled to Cuba to explore a partnership with the Havana Jazz Festival (a natural for a club that honors Gillespie’s legacy).
Global awareness of the Blues Alley brand grew during the pandemic restrictions, when, in November of 2020, Schnipper “pivoted to my membership at the National Press Club,” commandeering its studios to stream Mondaynight concerts.
Since reopening in September of 2021, despite the setback of a roof fire the following fall, Blues Alley has fully returned to life, presenting two sets nightly. Ticket prices range from $25 on Emerging Artist Mondays to $50 (Melba Moore), with most shows priced at $35, always with $7 fees and a $15 food-and-beverage minimum. Though increasingly known worldwide, after 60 years the intimate venue behind 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW remains an underrated treasure. Blues Alley, Georgetown is glad there is you.
Society in Brookland.
Harry Schnipper, owner of Blues Alley.
Photo by Bill Starrels.
Harry Schnipper, owner of Blues Alley.
Photo by Bill Starrels.
GOING COASTAL Classics &Hidden Gems
Take a ride with our writers to East Coast favorites. Whether you’ve been many times or never, consider these summery places. Bring your enthusiasm and curiosity — and sunscreen.
REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE
If you enjoy sun, sand and fun, there is no better place to be than Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Rehoboth has something for everyone: a beautiful white sandy beach, a onemile boardwalk and food for all tastes — from salt-water taffy, cotton candy, Grotto’s pizza and Thrasher’s french fries to restaurants to excite the palate of any real foodie. Generations of Washingtonians have agreed.
I have been going to Rehoboth Beach for more than 40 years. It has changed over time but still maintains the small-town charm it had back then. Contrary to places like Ocean City, Maryland, the town commission has limited the height of most buildings to four stories. If you are going for more than a day, you should look at hotels, but also home rentals. While all are more expensive than they were, everyone will tell you spending time in Rehoboth is worth whatever it costs. If you are a day tripper, you might also feel the pinch, with
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
Located a mere three and half hours from Georgetown, Virginia Beach is always a popular summer destination. Other than being located fairly close to D.C., people are drawn to go by the miles of coastline, the Virginia Beach Aquarium and the boardwalk.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, or Virginia Beach Aquarium, is a collaboration between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. It has over 800,000 gallons of exhibit space and over 300 species.
The boardwalk at Virginia Beach stretches three miles, holding restaurants, hotels and other attractions. The boardwalk is also where you will find Virginia Beach’s famous King Neptune Statue, standing 34 feet tall.
Despite how touristy it is, Virginia Beach has a fair amount of wildlife. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area designed to protect and provide habitat for migratory birds.
Virginia Beach is also home to quite a large military presence, contributing to Virginia Beach’s large population and booming economy.
— Caroline Moore
parking meters costing $4 an hour (if you can find one). Rehoboth does sell parking permits, both day permits and for longer stays.
Those who have been to Rehoboth will miss the iconic Dolles salt-water taffy sign on the boardwalk. It was removed a couple of years ago with the idea a new hotel will be built on that corner of Rehoboth Avenue and the boardwalk. It has now found a home at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, and you will notice it as you drive into town. But what hasn’t changed is the fun you and your family can have on the boardwalk — from eating junk food to your heart’s content, spending time at Funland or playing a round of miniature golf. Nothing beats seeing kids or adults (I call them older kids) having a good time at the beach.
In many ways, Rehoboth has become a year-round community and a retirement community. The pandemic accelerated that momentum. The big plus is that has enabled many restaurants and shops to stay open all year. There are some great new restaurants
OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA
Not just the title of a popular Netflix series, the Outer Banks is also a stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina that begins at the Virginia border and runs south for 120 miles down to Ocracoke Island. Roughly five million people visit the Outer Banks, often referred to as OBX, each year. The island group is renowned for its beautiful beaches, five different species of sea turtles, towering lighthouses, outdoor activities like fishing and swimming and even the Wright Brothers National Memorial — an ode to the site of the first controlled, sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft, on Dec. 17, 1903.
— Grace Elizabeth Cady
like Drift, which got a rave review in the Washington Post. For other high-end, superb meals, try the Blue Moon or the Back Porch. Then try the Henlopen Oyster House, La Fable, Eden or a host of others. For more relaxed dining, try the Pines, Summer House or Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, again among so many others.
Rehoboth has three main commercial streets: Rehoboth Avenue, Baltimore Avenue and Wilmington Avenue. Baltimore and Wilmington are each only two blocks long. Rehoboth Avenue runs from the beach to the edge of town. You can, and should, walk them all. It won’t take long, and you will find a myriad of other places to eat and shop.
Rehoboth is known as a LGBTQ-friendly town, and it definitely is. There is the famous Poodle Beach at the very southern tip of the boardwalk. It is known as the gay beach, but, of course, everyone is welcome. Rehoboth also has an LGBTQ community center, CAMP (Create A More Positive) Rehoboth, on
CRYSTAL COAST, NORTH CAROLINA
The Crystal Coast of North Carolina, also known as the Southern Outer Banks, spans 85 miles of beaches, barrier islands and historic towns, from the Cape Lookout National Seashore westward to Emerald Isle, where the water is known to be crystal clear. Every town features a host of enticing activities, including a horse safari on Shackleford Banks, an exhibition of Blackbeard’s artifacts at the Maritime Museum in Beaufort and a caviar tasting at Marshallberg Farm. The Crystal Coast is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Come for the beach and stay for the food, wine and natural beauty.
— Annabel Taylor
Baltimore Avenue.
For those who didn’t bring that summer reading with them, just stop into Browseabout on Rehoboth Avenue. It’s one of the best independent bookstores I have ever been in — and also a favorite of former first lady Jill Biden. The last time I saw former President Joe Biden, an honored resident of Rehoboth Beach, he was standing in front of the bookstore greeting people.
Just around the corner from the bookstore, in the mews between Rehoboth Avenue and Baltimore Avenue, is my favorite coffee shop, the Coffee Mill. There is also the Mill Creamery, with ice cream made locally. Then, for some culture, Rehoboth has Clear Space Theatre. They have some great productions this summer, including “Hairspray” and “Rent.”
So whatever fun you are looking for — relaxing or partying — you can find it in Rehoboth Beach. Try it once and you will be going back again and again.
— Peter Rosenstein
AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA
Amelia Island is a charming beach town and the last barrier island on northeast Florida’s Atlantic coast. This summery destination sports not only 13 miles of accessible beaches and pristine coastal waters, but a rich history under eight different flags first inhabited by the Timucuan Indians and then settled by the French Huguenots in 1562. Today there’s a charming Victorian town filled with boutiques, restaurants and many live music venues, several nature preserves featuring abundant wildlife and the true trappings of southern hospitality with live oaks to canopy the streets. This variety offers a myriad of activities outside of simply lounging on the beach, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, golfing and simply walking around downtown. Amelia Island is a versatile vacation spot, one fit for any type of trip, whether that be a family holiday, a romantic couples getaway or a fun furlough with friends.
— Caroline Woodward
DONNA EVERS’S LABORS OF LOVE
BY GRACE ELIZABETH CADY
Donna Evers believes that our hearts take the lead in life. Our heads are always a bit behind. That’s why doing work you truly love makes all the difference.
“If you’re lucky enough to have that happen, that’s sort of the secret to success and, I think, a lifetime of being pretty happy about everything,” she says. And for Evers, real estate is a labor of love.
A University of Michigan graduate, Evers lived in California for 11 years before landing in Washington, D.C., with her husband and three children. She spent 10 years working as a real estate agent and, in 1985, founded her own agency, Evers & Co., in Chevy Chase.
Her two favorite aspects of real estate? People and houses. “I love working with people,” she says. “I love trying to find what it is they want.”
Following a run of more than 30 years, she sold Evers & Co. to Long & Foster in 2017.
While managing the ups and downs of a demanding and competitive business, Evers
explored other areas. She has renovated nearly 30 homes, including two apartments in Paris, one of which she still owns.
“Some of these houses were real challenges,” Evers says.
But her Paris apartment is all about fun. It is located on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter with a Metro stop nearby, an open market on the corner and at least three patisseries — “an essential part of life in Paris” — within an easy walk.
“One of them is clever enough to have some sort of a fan inside, where they blow the fragrance of the kitchen into the street. You cannot walk by. You must turn right and walk in,” she says.
“I think France is pretty advanced as far as dealing with real estate and being successful at it. A lot of Americans have second homes there, especially Paris and the south of France.”
“I think the best thing about Paris is that it’s a style center,” Evers comments, clarifying that this does not just apply to clothes, but also
to design, architecture and homes. She has taken inspiration from Paris back to the States, weaving it into her work.
As if balancing real estate and fixing up houses wasn’t enough, Evers opened a winery called Twin Oaks in Bluemont, Virginia.
During the early 1900s, the property was a historic inn. “It was great fun, and I made wine for 20 years,” she says.
This past January, she sold Twin Oaks to a couple that kept the name. You can still visit the winery: “Woman Owned and Operated. Award-Winning with a Commitment to Sustainability.”
Evers now works for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, returning to her roots as a real estate agent, which she describes as “sort of the heart of the business.” She explains: “I think it’s where the action is, and where the real estate business really gets defined.”
In her free time, Evers loves to read, calling it an “escape” and “very relaxing.” And, of course, she always gets caught up in houses, decor or gardens. Evers is perpetually intrigued by how to make houses more “of what each one was meant to be.”
In addition to working with homes, Evers finds great joy in her family, of which she is very proud. Although it is growing to be quite large, some years they can even all manage to get together at Christmastime.
Donna Evers at Le Relais du Louvre in Paris.
Georgetown: American by Design
BY DONNA LEANOS
A celebration of bold American style rooted in history, elegance and everyday artistry. This design-forward vision draws inspiration from the storied streets of Georgetown, where founding fathers once gathered and where heritage now meets modern-day creativity.
Georgetown’s legacy pulses through every detail: timeless architecture, cobblestone charm and the enduring spirit of innovation. It evokes the symbolism of Madeleine Albright’s legendary pins and the quiet strength of Ann Hand’s eagle-andpearl brooch, worn with both patriotism and poise. The narrative continues through the presence of the Thos. Moser Eastward Bench, a relic of civic dignity that anchors the space with historical weight and graceful design.
Art and memory intertwine in the brushwork of local artist James Westwater, whose paintings echo the layered past and present of Washington’s visual language. From his canvases to the stately geometry of Georgetown’s buildings, the artistry feels both intimate and monumental.
And no homage to Americana would be complete without flavor from the sweet perfection of a Georgetown Cupcake. It’s a sensory nod to the past and a toast to what’s next.
Design isn’t just about what we see — it’s about what we remember, what we celebrate, and what we pass on. This is a love letter to American charm, told in bold lines, personal touches and the unmistakable rhythm of Georgetown.
The Latest Dish: Sizzling Spicy Summer Sips
BY LINDA ROTH
Dan Ziegler has opened the pop-up Chacho Outpost , featuring his South Americaninspired, jalapeño-infused aguardiente, on the second level of Le Mont Royal at 1815 Adams Mill Road NW in Adams Morgan. It officially launched with a DJ on July 12. Chacho is a modern twist on the spirit aguardiente, which translates as “burning water.” Smallplate appetizers, tacos and arepas prepared by chef Maria Olimpia are available to pair with a rotating menu of specialty and classic cocktails. Ziegler’s four-year-old distillery and tasting room is based in Northwest D.C.
Ch-Ch-Changes: On July 14, Ben’s Chili Bowl temporarily closed its original location at 1213 U St. NW to make essential repairs and upgrades, with an expected reopening in November. During this four-month period, starting July 17, there will be a pop-up location at 1208 U St. NW. Ben’s has other locations at 1001 H St. NE and at Reagan National Airport, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Nats Park. Ben’s Next Door is at 1211 U St. NW.
Betul and Ismail Uslu plan to open Agora, a Mediterranean restaurant, in the Hyatt
Regency Bethesda at One Bethesda Metro Center, where Daily Grill used to be. An opening in the second quarter of 2026 is targeted. The new restaurant, with a large outdoor patio, will be the third Agora; other locations are in Dupont Circle and Tysons.
Quick Hits: Five Guys is once again open at 3263 Columbia Pike in Arlington, where it was born 39 years ago when the location was the Westmont Shopping Center. Five Guys now has over 1800 locations worldwide ... Joe Ragonese, Tom Tsiplakos and Stefanos Vouvoudakis of Balos Restaurant Group are slated to open Sorella, an upscale Italian restaurant, at 1800 M St. NW, where Vapiano used to be. An opening in the second quarter of 2026 is targeted ... In the fourth quarter of 2025, Michael Mina plans to open Lunara, serving Italian cuisine, at 4 Ridge Square NW at City Ridge, near D.C.’s Glover Archbold Park El Mercat Bar de Tapas is slated to open at 1301 S. Joyce St. in Arlington’s National Landing in the early third quarter, complete with a jamónero cart ... Los Angeles-based Ten Five Hospitality will open a new concept where El Centro D.F. was in Georgetown at
1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Ten Five also plans to open Desert 5 Spot at 400 Morse St. NE in the Union Market District, where Palette 22 was … Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro opened at 709 H St. NE, where Po Boy Jim used to be.
Linda Roth is the founder and CEO of Linda Roth Associates, a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the food service and hospitality industries. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR, #LindaRothPR or lindarothpr.com.
A Culinary Voice
Recognized: Linda Roth’s RAMMY Win
BY: GEORGETOWNER STAFF
Linda Roth has never run a restaurant kitchen, but she’s helped shape the identity of countless dining rooms across the city. A trusted publicist, strategist, and storyteller, Roth has spent decades elevating Washington’s food scene — often from behind the scenes. This year, the spotlight was finally on her.
At a cocktail reception hosted by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington at the Hamilton Hotel, Roth received the 2025 Honorary RAMMY Award — a recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. For years, she’s been the quiet force guiding some of the most prominent names in dining. On this night, she was the story.
As she stepped to the microphone, Roth
greeted a room filled with familiar faces — chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals she’s supported, championed, and helped launch into public view. “There are some legendary restaurateurs here,” she said, before referencing the many major names she’s worked with: Arnie Morton, who brought her on to help open Morton’s outside of Chicago; Roger Berkowitz of Legal Sea Foods; Rich Melman’s Lettuce Entertain You; and Al Copeland, founder of Popeyes.
Though best known for her public relations expertise, Roth has also played the role of chronicler, writing RAMW’s first restaurant
gossip column and contributing to Food Service Monthly, the James Beard Foundation’s “DC Dateline,” and now The Georgetowner. “Phyllis Richman was the one who suggested I write,” Roth said, nodding to the former Washington Post food critic who helped shape culinary journalism in the region.
What distinguishes Roth is not just her ability to promote a brand — it’s the way she connects people, elevates talent, and understands the full scope of the industry. “The restaurant world is built on more than chefs and owners,” she said. “It includes contractors, bookkeepers, distributors, valet attendants — entire ecosystems that deserve recognition.”
Her remarks also acknowledged those who paved the way, particularly trailblazing women in the field. She cited Ris Lacoste, Nora Pouillon, and Ann Yonkers as personal heroes who reshaped the landscape of food, sustainability, and leadership in Washington.
Roth also credited her team at LRA PR, the agency she founded, and her longtime partner and company president, Anthony Hesselius. “One of the best parts of the last 18 years has been working alongside someone whose passion for this industry runs just as deep,” she said. What made this award particularly meaningful, she noted, was that it wasn’t decided by the public — but by her peers. “We’re usually the people in the background,” Roth said. “To be seen, acknowledged, and appreciated by this community — it means everything.”
Also honored at the event:
Virginia Ali and the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation received the 2025 John G. Laytham Exceptional Leadership and Impact Award. Ruth Gresser, chef and co-owner of Pizzeria Paradiso, was recognized with the 2025 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.
Dan Ziegler at Chacho.
Courtesy Linda Roth Associates.
Rammy honoree Linda Roth and her husband Jonathan Kahan. Courtesy Linda Roth.
Cocktail of the Month: The Medio y Medio
BY JODY KURASH
I feel exhausted from the sweltering sun, which is baking my shoulders. The intense heat is amplified by my black T-shirt. Sweat drips down my back and temples as I walk along a riverfront promenade with no shade. The humidity is stifling, the temperatures are in the mid-90s and I’m in desperate need of refreshment.
This may sound like a typical summer dog day in Washington, D.C. It was midJanuary in Uruguay, however, where the seasons are reversed. I’m in Colonia del Sacramento on the Río (river) de la Plata, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the country’s oldest towns.
Suddenly, like a mirage in the desert, a handsome young waiter reaches out and offers me a sparkling tipple in a Champagne flute — on the house — inviting me to sit under one of the umbrellas at a patio café across the street. Am I being rescued by an angel?
I plop down in a shady seat and eagerly take a sip. It’s delightful … refreshing … a little sweet and a little tart. The flavor is familiar but I can’t put my finger on it. The first notes taste like an effervescent, fruity Prosecco, yet the finish
is much more complex and refined — similar to a sauvignon blanc. Whatever this miracle concoction may be, I feel my body temperature drop a degree with every swallow.
When my heavenly server returns, I promptly order another and inquire about the delectable cocktail. It turns out that my instincts were correct.
This drink, very popular in Uruguay, is called the Medio y Medio, which means half and half. It’s simple to prepare: equal parts of dry white wine and sweet sparkling wine are combined in a glass and served. So simple, yet refined at the same time.
It originated in the capital, Montevideo, at the historic Mercado del Puerto, the Old Port Market. Once a train station, the intricate wrought-iron building houses a number of restaurants, mostly steakhouses serving parrilla (Uruguayan beef barbecue) and other local specialties. On the weekends, it’s a lively and colorful place where the city’s artists, craftspeople and street musicians hang out. A restaurant there called Roldós claims to have invented the Medio y Medio blend, becoming well known for its production.
The cocktail — enjoyed year-round, especially during the holidays — is prized for its bubbly, refreshing quality. It’s often served as an aperitif or alongside desserts like crepes with dulce de leche (a rich caramel sauce) and alfajores, a Latino take on macarons: two delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies held together by a sweet, creamy filling.
There are variations that combine red or rosé wine with bubbly, but the original far outweighs the others in popularity. Premixed versions are available in wine shops and supermarkets.
With the June heat wave in the Eastern U.S. bringing back memories of my South American summer, I decided to replicate my Uruguayan cooler.
For the sparkling portion I went with Italian Prosecco, my preferred version of “Champagne” for mixing. I chose La Marca, a versatile, aromatic bubbly with hints of green apple and fresh lemon and a minerally finish.
For the white wine, I’m a devout fan of New Zealand sauvignon blancs for their tart crisp flavor and intense grapefruit and tropical fruit nuances. My favorites include Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay and Cloudy Bay. Another lovely option is Domaine du Tariquet; this French sauvignon blanc has a summery essence with a grassy palate and a fresh, crunchy fruit tang, alongside subtle notes of green tea.
While the view from my back porch is not nearly as romantic as a quaint colonial South American seaside village, my stateside adaption of a Medio y Medio did not let me down. I savored the happy memories of my January summer. And with such a simple preparation, complemented by a sophisticated and multilayered flavor, I’m looking forward to sharing this delight with my U.S. friends.
Excuse me now, while I have another.
Cocktail of the Month columnist Jody Kurash poses with her own Medio y Medio.
‘LITTLE BEASTS’ AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY
BY SHEILA WICKOUSKI
Delightful and insightful, “Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World,” at the National Gallery of Art through Nov. 2, is a convergence of art and science. The exhibition, a collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, displays prints, drawings and paintings alongside natural history specimens and taxidermy, showing how artists and naturalists in 16thand 17th-century Holland viewed bugs, butterflies, birds and other “beestjes” (little beasts).
the private collection of Emperor Rudolf II of Austria. Seldom on view due to their sensitivity to light, the pages will be turned three times during the exhibition’s run.
“Terra (earth)” features porcupines, lizards, a guinea pig and a caterpillar. “Aier (air)” depicts a cormorant, herons, bats and owls. “Aqua (water)” holds a flying swallow, a sperm whale squad and crabs. “Ignis (fire)” includes dragonflies, beetles and moths.
Theirs was an era of scientific technology, trade and colonial expansion — all leading to the study of previously unknown or overlooked species in great detail.
The opening gallery, Joris Hoefnagel and Early Natural History 1500-1600, features one of the NGA’s treasures: Hoefnagel’s “Four Elements.” This series of 270 watercolors, bound into four books, was originally in
A watercolor that was once removed from the set and is now in a private collection, Hoefnagel’s “Turkey and Turkey Hen with a Finch between a Pumpkin and a Bush of Red Berries” of c. 1575/1590s, is on display for closer inspection.
The surrounding gallery walls are filled with animal illustrations paired with specimens. Jacopo Ligozzi’s “A Woodchuck or Marmot with a Branch of Plums” of 1605 is accompanied by “Marmota manox” from an NMNH collection.
The second gallery, Animal Prints 15801650, does the same with engravings and etchings. The litany of animals includes a
Eurasian hoopoe (a crested bird), an elephant beetle, a musk beetle, a hummingbird hawkmoth and a mantis shrimp. An etching by Teodoro Filippo di Liagno, “Skeleton of a Goose,” from the series “Animal Skeletons” of 1620-21, is an example of the scientific illustration of the time.
The final gallery, Jan van Kessel’s Ecosystem 1650-1670, is a celebration of van Kessel’s paintings. Here are prints, books and a sampling of the creatures, such as seashells, insects, a parrot, a peacock, a porcupine and a macaque, that inspired him. NMNH scientists have identified every insect in his microscopic works, such as “Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary” of 1653, to create a custom tableau. An interactive kiosk recreates the decorative art cabinets in which van Kessel’s postcard-sized works were usually displayed. Here also appears a rare subject in the exhibition: the image of man himself. Jan van Kessel’s “Noah’s Family Assembling Animals before the Ark” of c. 1660 includes
humans in the midst of a wide array of exotic animals. This amazing variety of imported creatures includes birds from the New World, such as turkeys, parrots and the rare purple gallinule, along with African ostriches and porcupines — the latter’s incredibly long quills raised in defense — amid lions and leopards. In the center, a dapple-gray horse poses, part of the showcase of royal pets. The biblical story thus expanded is a fitting summary to the exhibition.
As a side note, Jan van Kessel the Elder was the grandson of Jan Brueghel the Elder, who had earlier (in 1613) painted
“The Entry of the Animals into Noah’s Ark,” now in the Getty collection. And yes — the turkey in van Kessel’s painting was indeed a living animal, one of many exotics that roamed the royal gardens.
A 43-minute video created for the exhibition by Dario Robleto, “Until We Are Forged: Hymns for the Elements,” is both a meditation and a demonstration. Through site-specific
Still from Dario Robleto’s 43-minute video “Until We Are Forged: Hymns for the Elements,” 2023-25. Courtesy NGA.
Still from Dario Robleto’s 43-minute video “Until We Are Forged: Hymns for the Elements,” 2023-25. Courtesy NGA.
filming, historical footage, animations and an original score, the piece links the work of Hoefnagel and van Kessel to the efforts of modern-day NGA conservators and image scientists to preserve these works for future generations. The video starts on the hour in the exhibition’s final gallery.
Additional works by Robleto are in Gallery 50 along with 17th-century Dutch paintings. “Dario Robleto: Small Crafts on Sisyphean Seas” features objects of wonder which he created by combining sparkling synthetic materials and natural objects like seashells and butterfly wings into forms that suggest plants and animals. Robleto was inspired by the Golden Record, the gold-plated phonograph disk sent aboard the Voyager spacecrafts in 1977, imagining this sculpture as his own gift to extraterrestrials.
Finally, on view through Oct. 31 in the East Building’s Library Atrium, as a complement to the “Little Beasts” exhibition in the West Building, is “In the Library: Animal Illustration in Europe, 1550-1750,” a display of 40 rare books, scientific drawings, illustrated fables and drawing manuals from the 16th to 18th centuries.
KRALL ENCHANTS FILENE CENTER CROWD
BY TOM TURCO
The musical stylings of singer and pianist Diana Krall flowed through the vibrant amphitheater like the accompanying summer breeze — cool and inviting — enchanting the Fourth of July Eve crowd at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center in Vienna, Virginia.
The audience was rapt as the chanteuse led
OLNEY THEATRE CENTER PRESENTS THE SYNETIC THEATER PRODUCTION
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
her agile rhythm section through an American Songbook program that included tunes by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Burt Bacharach, Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson, as well as fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell and others. Krall’s smooth and sultry vocals were complemented by her deft touch on the
Steinway piano, as bassist Sebastian Steinberg and drummer Matt Chamberlain expertly wove a melodious tapestry that was both moving and compelling.
The trio was on point throughout the more than 90-minute set, shifting seamlessly from selection to selection. A partial listing: “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “In the Wee Small Hours,” “Simple Twist of Fate,” “All or Nothing at All,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “S’Wonderful,” “The Look of Love,” “The Girl in the Other Room,” “A Case of You,” “In My Room” and “Route 66.” It was a sublime and swinging tour de force.
Krall told the audience at the outset how much she loved playing at the national park for the performing arts. With a performance that dazzled at a venue renowned as one where the “stars come out to play,” she made it a night to remember. Words and music danced cheek-to-cheek under a half moon in the hands of a master.
Summer performances at the Filene Center continue through Sept. 20, with Steve Winwood as the final show. The complete schedule and tickets are available at wolftrap.org.
‘Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television’
REVIEWED BY KITTY KELLEY
He loved Lucy — and the small screen. He was Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III from Santiago de Cuba, but you might remember him as Ricky Ricardo on “I Love Lucy,” telling his madcap wife week after week that she’d have “some ‘splainin’ to do.”
In fact, if not for Desi Arnaz, you might never have heard of Lucille Ball. Before meeting him, she’d tried everything to become a star. She dyed her hair blonde to model for Hattie Carnegie. She changed her name to Diane Belmont to kick in a chorus line (but was fired by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.). She became a Chesterfield girl, selling cigarettes in nightclubs.
In Hollywood, Ball dyed her hair red, but never made it beyond B-movies until 1950, when she met a Latino bongo drummer named Arnaz. He was eight years younger, but the attraction was immediate. They eloped months later. The only problem: She believed in monogamy. He didn’t.
A creative genius, Arnaz founded Desilu Productions and transformed the entertainment industry, according to Todd S. Purdum’s new biography, “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television.” From 1951 to 1957, Arnaz directed,
produced and appeared in 181 episodes of “I Love Lucy,” the most popular television series in America at the time.
By developing a multiple-camera setup that used adjacent sets in front of the show’s live audience, Arnaz pioneered the standard for all situation comedies. His innovative use of 35mm film enabled every TV station in the country to broadcast high-quality images of the show, previously impossible because stations relied on kinescope.
In addition to “I Love Lucy,” Arnaz produced “The Ann Sothern Show” and “Those Whiting Girls” and was involved in several other series, including “The Untouchables,” which launched Robert Stack’s career.
The most touching segment of Purdum’s book is Stack’s appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986, when he walked onstage carrying a sheet of paper. He looked up to where the honorees were seated and read a message to Ball that Arnaz had written for the event five days before he died:
“I Love Lucy had just one mission, to make people laugh,” the speech began. “Lucy gave it a rare quality. She can perform the wildest,
James Madison: Almost Everything You Wanted to Know
September 18-20, 2025
For the first time the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at Montpelier is offering a seminar to the public. Three days with Constitutional Scholar Dr. Lynn Uzzell, exclusive guided experiences in the House and on the trails, onsite accommodations, and meals provided.
even the messiest physical comedy without losing her feminine appeal. The New York Times asked me to divide the credit for the show’s success between the writers, the directors and the cast. I told them to give Lucy 90% of the credit and divide the other 10% among the rest of us. Lucy was the show ... P.S. ‘I Love Lucy’ was never just a title.”
The comedienne, by then married to Gary Morton, covered her face as she began to cry.
So much self-destruction is seeded into the life story of Arnaz that it’s painful to read of his downward plunge. He was arrested more than once on charges of public drunkenness and became as well known in whorehouses as he was in police stations. Purdum writes that Arnaz was unrepentant about his carousing — “a sign of the depth of the self-destructive behavior he not only couldn’t control but remained unable to acknowledge, even after it had destroyed his marriage.”
A devout Roman Catholic and staunch Republican who supported Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan and befriended right-wing Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Arnaz placed copious bets alongside his friend J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI director, at the Del Mar Racetrack in California. That friendship did not spare him Hoover’s outrage over the ratings success of “The Untouchables,” which celebrated the exploits of Eliot Ness. Hoover aides contacted Arnaz several times to express “the Director’s displeasure over the show and its perversion of FBI history.”
Hoover wasn’t the only one rankled by “The Untouchables.” Frank Sinatra, then a Desilu tenant, was also enraged and decided to seek revenge for his mafia pal Sam Giancana. I recount the following scene in “His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra,” when Arnaz is driving to his Indian Wells Country Club, where Sinatra is waiting for him to arrive:
“Hi ya, dago,” yelled Desi when he saw the singer. Sinatra told him what his Italian friends thought about the show that made Italians gangsters. “What do you want me to do — make them all Jews?” Then, Arnaz, very drunk, said in his thick Cuban accent, “I remember you when you couldn’t get a yob … So why don’t you just forget all this bullshit … Stop getting your nose in where it doesn’t belong, you and your
so-called friends.” Sinatra backed down.
A Cuban refugee (“I was no immigrant”), Arnaz, who never wanted to leave his homeland, was forced to flee to Miami, where he attended high school with Al Capone Jr., the only child of the Chicago mobster. As a teenager, Arnaz lived in a garage with rats and earned money cleaning canary cages. Eventually, he would achieve the American Dream of riches and success, but it would be short-lived. Having smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died at the age of 69.
Working alone, Ball’s career sputtered as Arnaz’s collapsed. “The simple truth is that neither Lucy nor Desi ever achieved anything alone that approached the artistic achievement they enjoyed together,” concludes Purdum. “Their collaboration was lightning in a bottle, a once-in-a-lifetime combination that could never be recaptured but has been preserved forever, thanks to Desi’s insistence on putting ‘I Love Lucy’ on high-quality film.”
The preservation of those films has enabled millions of people around the world to enjoy reruns of Lucy and Ricky and Fred and Ethel, with no ‘splainin’ needed.
is the author of seven number-one New
biographies, including “Nancy
“Jackie Oh!” and “Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star.” She is on the board of the Independent and is a recipient of the PEN Oakland/Gary Webb Anti-Censorship Award. In 2023, she was honored with the Biographers International Organization’s BIO Award, which is given annually to a writer who has made major contributions to the advancement of the art and craft of biography.
Kitty Kelley
York Times Best Seller
Reagan,”
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