Swimming in Quicksand

George Huguely: The Fatal Combination of Youth and Alcohol

Regardless of where you stand on the verdict in the Yeardley Love murder trial, there's another important factor that involves the young victim and the young man convicted of her murder, George Huguely. That factor is alcohol. College age and under age drinking in the U.S., according to police and experts, is out of control. Please read my report on washingtonian.com: George Huguely: The Fatal Combination of Youth and Alcohol. 

After you read my piece, please also read this incredible analysis by Trevor Tierney, an NCAA lacrosse professional and the son of the long-time Princeton coach. He boldly and candidly discusses his own struggle with alcohol abuse and says, yes, there is too much alcohol abuse among lacrosse players in general. He writes, "Many people in lacrosse are tip-toeing around this topic, like it is some deep, dark family secret, and that's because it is. It's an extremely sensitive topic that is sad and quite challenging to talk about. But we need to be open and discuss it, to discover any healing from a tragedy like this." Again, read the full essay at Trevor Tierney on the Huguely-Love Case. 

Donald Rappaport

 SUSAN AND DONALD RAPPAPORT IN THEIR GEORGETOWN GARDEN

Donald Rappaport's funeral is today. It's a private family affair. There will be a public memorial service in October. He died Friday at his home after an illness. A long-time Georgetowner, good friend to many, bon vivant, and husband of Susan, father of three, grandfather to five. Susan and Donald were familiar faces in Washington, Paris and on Martha's Vineyard. Not a bad life, dividing one's time between those three locations. He was 84-years-old.

The Rappaports entertained a lot and their dinner parties -- all their parties, for that matter -- could be counted on to be relaxed and gracious. Susan looked out for the food while Donald made certain the wines were superb. Here's one I included in my New York Social Diary column: Spring Supper at the Rappaports

Don's official obituary from The Washington Post:

Born November 21, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Percy and Regina (Youle) Rappaport. He grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. Mr. Rappaport served three years as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer of the US Department of Education, appointed by President Clinton in 1997. Was an active board member of DC's Meridian Public Charter School and a founding member of FOCUS. Also was treasurer of the Committee for the Republic, a salon of intellectual thought and ideas.

A partner in the accounting firm Price Waterhouse & Co, from 1963 to his retirement in 1988. He joined the firm in 1949, and worked most of his career in Philadelphia, transferring to Washington in 1983, to head the firm's division serving mid-sized and growth businesses. In 1983, he received a Mayor's citation for the work he did to improve the business climate in Philadelphia. Mr. Rappaport also was chairman of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in the 1970s.

Before that, he was appointed by Philadelphia schools chief (and later Mayor) Richardson Dilworth as assistant superintendent for Finance. Dilworth commented that he liked the combination of a "liberal accountant" for the job.

Mr. Rappaport was an avid sailor and runner. At 80, he was the oldest participant in the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-miler in Washington. He was a man of utmost integrity, had a zest for life, was an avid reader, traveler, intellectual.

He leaves scores of true friends in Washington, Philadelphia and Martha's Vineyard, where he summered for more than 30 years. A longtime Democrat, Mr. Rappaport worked on many local, state and national political campaigns. In the 1980s, he was budget director for the presidential campaign of Michael Dukakis. He also was a member of the Democratic National Committee's small business council. He also served on a number of civic and cultural boards, lending his financial expertise to a variety of causes.

He graduated from Yale University in 1947, attending on the Navy's V-12 program. He completed two graduate degrees at University of Pennsylvania, an MA in economics in 1948 and an MBA from the Wharton School in 1949. Mr. Rappaport served his country during the Korean War as a Lt. (Jg) line officer aboard the Destroyer Henderson in Korean waters from 1950-1952. 

The family suggests memorial donations to the Meridian Public Charter School, 1328 Florida Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009.

 

Cafe Milano: Pre-Birthday Birthday Party

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: THE CAFE MILANO NAKED MARTINI

Sunday afternoon. Work done. Push back from the desk. Friends arrive. Off we go to Cafe Milano for a birthday luncheon...for Patrick Lawley-Wakelin and for me. A whole lot of fun. Multiple Milano "naked martinis" plus ham n' eggs. At an adjacent table, Francesca Craig, out with a couple of her young men friends. She joined us after they departed.  Lunch lasted three hours. Maybe more. Martinis, bubbly, Limoncello, espresso...

PATRICK WITH HIS BELLINI

 SALLY IS SERVED CHILLED TOMATO SOUP

 A SMOKED SALMON OMELETTE

 FRANCESCA CRAIG WITH HER YOUNG FRIEND

Georgetown is challenged with few good places to eat, and Cafe Milano too often gets a bad rap as a complicated place to visit (known and you're treated well, unknown and the opposite), but with so few choices in the village, Milano is a civilized repast. Just push through. Speak to Laurent Menoud, the manager. He's reasonable. Heck, even I get attitude there and I'm a fairly regular customer. Just push through. It beats a chain any day,the food is good, and sitting on the terrace is a unique Georgetown pleasure. Laurent's an ace. He'll take care of you.  My only complaint, and it's really only this one, is the wines by the glass list. It could be better.

 PASTA AT CAFE MILANO

CAFE MILANO KOBE CARPACCIO WITH CELERY HEARTS

I'm a big believer in celebrating birthdays, and so especially happy that I was able to have this interlude today with Patrick and Sally Hosta. My birthday is tomorrow. Patrick's is next Friday. The day you were born matters. That's when you landed on the planet. Don't be timid. It's all about you. Seize the day. 

 EYEING HIS TREAT; CAFE MILANO IS POOCH-FRIENDLY

NYSD Today: Summer Pursuits

My regular Monday  New York column has a little something for everyone, beginning with the American flags distributed throughout Georgetown this past weekend. Interesting where one ended up. Also Washington Kastles tennis begins today down at the team's new stadium on the Maine Avenue waterfront, where a week ago I boarded Jeff Pfeifle's yacht Sea Loafers for a lovely cocktail gathering, a prelude to surgery for Jeff's friend, Adam Mahr. Reluctant to give up the watery theme, I also attended a fascinating gala for explorers and exploration hosted by, (who else?), National Geographic Society, and featuring a humble James Cameron. Read it all here on New York Social Diary.

Swimming in Quicksand

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