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Images of Summer, Chestertown, MD

I visited with a friend in Chestertown, Maryland. His home overlooks the water but also has a beautiful garden out back. Being there expressed the idea of a summer idyll in the best possible way  (including some late-night partying, too, but not photographed!)

Bruce Allen's Q&A Cafe Interview Postponed Until November 18. Here's Why

Within only a few minutes of NFL Commisssioner Roger Goodell's awkward TV press conference yesterday I received a phone call from Tony Wyllie of the Washington Redskins, saying that Bruce Allen could not appear at The Q&A Cafe, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 23. "He has to go to New York for a meeting," he said. "He could do breakfast, but not lunch." I asked whether the trip had to do with the NFL mess in general and he replied, "Yes, you could say that." I expressed my disappointment and asked for a new date. We settled on Tuesday, November 18. 

I look at this way. In mid November the season will be at its peak. The Redskins will still be making news - one way or another -- and there may also be a new NFL commissioner. Maybe it will be Bruce Allen. We'll see. But please join us. If you have a reservation for this Tuesday, the George Town Club will move it to November 18.

Until then, please come to our next show: an interview with Rev. Stuart Kenworthy, the long-time rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Georgetown. He preaches to power, as his congregation often includes some of the most powerful people in government. He has an interesting back story, too. He's twice served in Iraq. He and his wife, Fran, raised their three children here in DC. His nephews have, or had, a rock band: Third Eye Blind. 

The Kenworthy Q&A is on October 3, only two days before his last sermon. A couple of weeks later, in advance of the midterms, we welcome political and economic strategist Gregory Valliere on October 17, to discuss the economy, politics and what it means the new House and Senate mean to our financial well-being. Dan Rather, soon to be portrayed by Robert Redford in a new film, appears November 7.  There are more still to be announced. Reserve a seat for all of them. 202-333-9330

This October is The Q&A Cafe's 13th anniversay. 

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I Know You're Out There Somewhere

Cynthia Riggs and Howard Attebery. Photo by Jonathan Wiggs for the Boston Globe

There was a wonderful love story in the Boston Globe this weekend. No need for me to go into deep detail, just read it. I will say this, I know the woman in the story, Capt. Cynthia Riggs of Martha's Vineyard, because for a little while in the 1980s she dated my late father, Richard H. Ross. We all met when Charlie Rose hired Cynthia to captain his boat, the Curiosity, for a trip up the Potomac River. Cynthia lived on her own boat at the Gangplank marina, where Charlie kept his boat. One thing lead to another and she met my father. Howard and I would double date with them and we even visited her at her family home on the Vineyard.

We lost touch over the years, but reading this story made me beam. It also made me hum that wonderful and encouraing Moody Blues classic, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere." It's one of my hymns, especially when I lose faith in finding him again. That song, and Chris Botti's haunting "How Love Should be," chance encounters, and this story help bolster optimism. 

MPD Chief Cathy Lanier is The Q&A Cafe Guest TODAY - Join Us

As events have played out in Ferguson, MO, people in other communities have asked, "Could it happen here?" Could it happen right here in Washington DC or the immediate suburbs?  The discussion is at the point where police departments are re-evaluating how they train and staff their officers and some officials are questioning the use by police of military-grade equipment in confronting protestors.

Ferguson, police body cams,  traffic photo enforcement, the anniversary of 9/11, the inevitable new mayor, the challenges facing the force, and her own future, are just some of the topics we'll explore with Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier when she joins us for an interview TODAY, September 12.

Please join us for what is surely to be a timely and topical program. We tape at The George Town Club - 1530 Wisconsin Ave at the corner of Volta. The phone number for reservations is 202.333.9330. The fee for the interview and lunch is $35. We begin seating at noon and start the interview at 12:30.

We have lots of other interesting programs booked through the fall. I hope you can make it to all of them. Next up is 'Skins president Bruce Allen  - Tuesday, February 23 - at a time when ire toward the NFL itself has overshadowed the Washington team name controversy. What a time to be a major league team president. We'll discuss it all. 

In The Dumpster Debate, A New Voice of Support

I was pleased to see The Georgetowner newspaper this week take a strong stand in the dumpster debate. It's not online, alas, but they basically said the ANC needs to review the rules and take some kind of action to protect residents from what is bascially contractor abuse. The city has to take some blame, too, because it costs virtually nothing for a contractor to get a dumpster permit, as well as permits to occupy residential parking. 

There's no question its a fraught subject. There's deep frustration among residents who are directly impacted. I live in the vicinity of two big renovations -- the Cafritz house at 31st and O and the Levy house at 31st near P. Both have dumpsters and both have huge fleets of workers whose trucks and vans and cars take up anywhere from 6 to 12 residential parking spaces on any given day, including weekends (when they often go un-used by workers but still not available for residents to use).

I now also know first hand the frustration of the contractors and builders. One of the contractors involved with the Cafritz house stopped me on the street the other morning while I was walking the dog. He thought my position was unfair. I listened to him. His argument is that the houses need to be renovated and the projects involve a lot of workers and they need to park near the job. "What are they supposed to do?" I suggested maybe they be brought to the site by bus, with one supply truck on hand. As for the dumpsters, he said they are essential. I countered that one noted contractor, John Richardson, has managed to do many Georgetown renovations without ever using dumpsters. Also, they are banned in old-town Alexandria. Use dumptrucks instead. He said that was not a solution and would make the job harder for his crew, and attract rats and other problems.

This man felt the residents were being unduly judgmental toward the renovations, the home owners and the contractors. But I pointed out, "Just yesterday there were 11 parking spaces occupied by workers serving these two houses and in the space of a block and a half. This frustrates the people who live near these houses." I mentioned, too, that when the residents talk to the contractors they feel their objections are dismissed out of hand. He found that difficult to believe. They have a job to do. He said the Cafritz renovation was now using more street spaces because the swimming pool is being built and it's not possible for all the service vehicles to park in the back yard, as they were doing before.

Yes, I know, these are the problems of the one percent, but still. As the Georgetowner points out, a dumpster permit is about $120. That's a cheap price for months of parking on crowded residential streets. If one of the neighbors parked in those empty "no parking" zones on a Saturday or Sunday they would get a ticket. 

The extreme view expressed by some neighbors is, "why are these people moving to Georgetown? Why don't they move to Potomac?" Well, because Georgetown is a great place to live, a charming alternative to Potomac.  Only, Georgetown doesn't have the space for the kinds of renovations typical to Potomac.

One other issue that is creating some unhappiness is the vacuuming out of the portable potties. On the mornings when that happens, and its usually at breakfast time, the stench of human waste pervades the area of 31st, O and P Streets. I don't live next door or across the street from one of these projects, but I hear about it from the folks who do. 

And now I've heard about it from one of the contractors, as well. Here's hoping that when they meet in September, the ANC makes it possible for the debate to have a full and robust forum and some kind of resolution. 

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Dan Rather Joins The Q&A Cafe's Fall Line-Up

That legendary Texan, Dan Rather, will bring his considerable personality to The Q&A Cafe on Friday, November 7. This will happen in the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections and he'll help us reflect on the results and what they mean for the lameduck years of the Obama presidency and the 2016 elections.

Another topic to explore is the recent news that Robert Redford will portray Dan in a film about Rathergate, a film in which Cate Blanchett will co-star. Dan is a busy journalist and broadcaster. Check out the Dan Rather website to learn more. 

Oh, and Texas. I do want to talk about Texas.

Rather joins a Q&A Cafe fall line-up that already includes MPD Chief Cathy Lanier (Friday Sept 12) the Rev. Stuart Kenworthy (Friday, Oct 3) who is retiring the pulpit at Christ Episcopal Church, political and economic analyst Gregory Valliere (the midterms and our money on Friday Oct 17) ... and others still to be announced. While I know Dan will be a hugely popular draw, all Q&A Cafe shows are interesting, even fun, and the audience members enjoy the camaraderie. 

We tape at The George Town Club. The fee is $35, all inclusive of lunch and soft beverages. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 202-333-9330. Seating begins at noon, the program begins at 12:30 and we wrap by 1:15.

Note: The seating is limited and these programs sell-out fast.

Georgetown Theater May Finally Get Some Glory

In a block of eyesores it is one of the worst. I'm referring to the Georgetown Theater, which sat neglected for years on Wisconsin Avenue just above Dumbarton. The previous owners did nothing to maintain the place and at a precious cost to Georgetown. In particular, the symbolic sign, which in its prime was a standard of photographs of the village.

Here's a  report that I found this morning on Topher Mathews The Georgetown Metropolitan. It should give us all hope. 

I remember when the theater operated as an actual theater. That's where I saw the movie "Carrie" with my friend Carey Peck. I remember it because, obviously, Carrie with Carey. The owners riled the community, though, when they kept the x-rated film "Caligula" on the screen for months and months and months. Its camp factor -- it was written by Gore Vidal -- was lost on neighbors, who did not want "porno" in Georgetown.

If the theater is re-opened, however (hoping) I would suggest "Caligula" as the opening night film. 

Upcoming Q&A Cafe: MPD Chief Cathy Lanier, Rev. Stuart Kenworthy & More

The new season of The Q&A Cafe, and our 13th year, launches on Friday, September 12, with Metrpolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier. Soon after, on Friday, October 3rd, we'll welcome a man who preaches to power each Sunday, the Rev. Stuart Kenworthy, of Georgetown's Christ Episcopal Church. He's retiring his pulpit and his last sermon is Sunday, October 5th. Both Lanier and Kenworthy have fascinating stories to tell. Another must-see comes in the next month, when on Friday October 17 we turn to politics and the mid-term elections with political and economic strategist Gregory Valliere. 

There will be additional shows announced soon. 

The Q&A Cafe now tapes at The George Town Club at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Volta Street. Seating begins at noon, the program starts at 12:30 and ends by 1:15. The fee is $35, all inclusive of lunch, tax and tip. For reservations please call 202-333-9330. The program airs on Friday evenings at 8 o'clock on DCN/Channel 16.