The Georgetown Metropolitan

Cady’s Alley

Last night the ANC met for its October session. GM has to admit that he’s been so busy recently that he’s actually missed the last couple meetings. So the fact that he could only stay for the first hour or so for this meeting was actually an improvement. Luckily that’s when most of the interesting stuff happens.

Cashell Alley

The highlight of the meeting was easily the section devoted to the proposed naming of an alley. The alley is seen above on July 4th several years ago. GM’s house is right behind the bouncy castle. The lovely family who rented out the castle for the day lives to the left of the castle, the Kenneys. They have a pretty incredibly gifted twelve-year-old daughter named Raya.

Recently, it occurred to Raya that the alley that is shared by the houses on her block (3200 block of Volta) and some of the houses on 33rd (like GM’s) had no name. She decided to give it one. Rather than choose a silly name (or her own) she dove into the archives at the Peabody Room and with the help of Jerry McCoy came up with the name of the block’s original owner and developer: Hazel Cashell. (That’s Mr. Hazel Cashell, actually).

Raya decided on Cashell as the better choice. At this point she started reaching out to the neighbors for approval and advice. GM was aware that the DC Office of Planning actually really wants people to name the nameless alleys (a recommendation that is contained in this great study on alleys and alley dwellings in DC). Raya reached out to the Office of Planning and Jack Evans’ office.

Both were very encouraging of her efforts. In fact, as described by a representative of the Office of Planning’s Historic Preservation Office last night, the choice of a historic owner’s name is exactly what they’d prefer. Her office endorsed the request. With GM’s prompting, the Citizens Association of Georgetown also endorsed the request. And after a unanimous vote, last night the ANC did as well.

It will take actual legislation to officially christen the alley, but all signs point to that not being a problem.

So congrats Raya!

Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge

Unfortunately soon after discussing that cheerful topic, the commission had to shift to a much less pleasant topic: the partial closing of the Pennsylvania Ave. bridge over Rock Creek.

The historic bridge needs major repairs. In order to provide those repairs, DDOT will be closing the western lanes for 6-8 months. The traffic will be rerouted up 26th to M St. In other words, all traffic approaching Georgetown from Pennsylvania Ave. will be detoured up 26th to M. Eastern traffic will remain as normal.

Continue reading →

Photo by Nguyen Nguyen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown now has an all-humus pop-up restaurant. So there’s that.
• Why did African-Americans leave Georgetown?

Cady’s Alley

In honor of the Nats’ playoff run, GM is running a baseball-themed Old Georgetown in Color this week. The subject, according to the Library of Congress:

Learns finer points from old master. Washington, D.C., April 6. Coaching at Georgetown University, Joe Judge, whose finesse at first base for the Washington Senators was the sensation of the American League for many years, is teaching the finer points of first basing to Harry Bassin, star of the college nine. Bassin’s fielding and heavy hitting aided Georgetown materially in going undefeated last year. He is slated for a big league trial following his graduation this year, 4/6/38

Continue reading →

Photo by Brandon Nedwek.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• If Georgetown had a metro station, it’d be one of the most popular in the system.
• Sorry Hoyas, Go ‘Gate!

Potomac River

Photo by Adplayers.

A new children’s theater is coming to Georgetown. GM has learned that the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts-which has been in Georgetown over thirty years-is planning to start the new theater program next year. The school will also begin offering acting classes for children.

They are offering the community a sneak preview of the theater on Saturday November 8th at 11 am and 1:30 pm. The conservatory is in the basement of the Lutheran church on Volta Pl. just west of Wisconsin. Continue reading →

Photo by Brendan Ross.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Reminder: Oktoberfest in Cady’s Alley this weekend.
• If you have musical tastes the exact opposite of GM, you might like this concert at Gypsy Sally’s.

Georgetown Waterfront Park