The Georgetown Metropolitan

2022 has arrived and Georgetown remains safely guarded from Decepticons as our own transformers, Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, remain on sentry along Prospect St.

But they protect us illicitly; according to the pointy-heads at the Commission of Fine Arts, the robots were supposed to be removed by now. Specifically, back in May the homeowner was granted a six month permit to keep them up. The six months were supposed to start counting from the date of the application. It’s unclear to GM what exact day that was, but it’s certainly more than six months ago at this point.

So if you have dawdled, it’s probably time to rush and get your selfie in.

But until then: Oh say does those gear-spangled transformers yet wave, o’r the land of the Free and the home of the Brave.

Happy New Year Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• GU starting off virtually this semester.
• A driver on Prospect St. struck a child, who had to be taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
• La Jolie Bleu sadly closed.
• The Gap is closing too, leaving a huge, well, gap in the street.
• Also, Socks got adopted!!

GM is going to wish you all Happy Holidays and sign off for the year. See you in 2022!

Triskaidekaphobia refers to the irrational fear of the number 13. There are multiple theories as to why the number 13 came to be regarded as so unlucky, but luckily for us GM is a Colgate University grad. And the number 13 is considered lucky by Colgate since the school was founded by 13 men with 13 dollars and 13 prayers. And that’s all good news for today since today is the 13 anniversary of the beginning of the Georgetown Metropolitan. (And it’s the 13th, to boot!)

GM started this website way back when because he found himself researching the history of Georgetown and the current events affecting it and felt he had to share. Since that first post, GM has published 8,000 articles. GM never thought this little project he started in the winter of 2008 would get old enough to get pimples and braces. But here we are.

So join GM in shedding your triskaidekaphobia and ring in another year!

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A history of the GU272 movement.
• Sweetgreen going public.

This week on Georgetown Time Machine, GM travels just across Key Bridge a turns back towards the District to be welcomed back home.

The photo, from DDOT’s archives, shows the welcome sign as it appeared in the 1960s. (The sign is technically in Virginia, as the District’s border doesn’t start until the southern shoreline of the Potomac).

The sign was stately and simple with a classy design. Sadly it did not last. GM’s not sure when the greeting was stripped from the structure, but by the George W. Bush presidency it was a clean tableau. GM remembers that to be the case because early on in that controversial president’s term it became host to vulgar messages criticizing or supporting him swapping places as they got whitewashed over.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Reminder: Georgetown Cookie Tour this weekend.
• Eva Cassidy’s “Live at Blues Alley” re-released.

As GM mentioned back in October, he and his family are fostering an absolutely handsome young pup named Socks (formal name Socrates). After a few adoption applications fell through, he’s still with GM. And as much as GM and fam will miss him when he’s gone, he still needs to find his forever home. Will it be with you?

Socks is now about eight months old. He is an absolutely adorable hound mix. He’s about 40lbs now and still growing. And he’s all legs. (GM thinks there’s a bit Great Dane in him). He’s got puppy energy and loves to romp around Volta Park with dogs of all shapes and sizes. GM’s never seen him show anything but pure enthusiasm towards other dogs or to humans. But he also loves a nice long snooze around the house. He’s an absolute goofball.

If you’re interested in Socks and his incredible ears, click this link and submit an application! GM will be so sad to let him go, but thrilled that he’s found his forever home.