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April Ryan, White House Correspondent, at The Q&A Cafe TODAY at 11 am

TODAY: White House correspondent April Ryan is our guest at The Q&A Cafe, for a late morning "coffee klatch" interview at 11 am at The George Town Club. April, who covers the WH beat for the American Urban Radio Networks, is also the author of "At Mama's Knee" and "The Presidency in Black and White." I'm so looking forward to this interview because I've had the pleasure of working with April during the 2016 presidential campaign, when I booked her often on MSNBC.  She has since joined CNN. Since the Trump Administration began she has become a familiar face at the daily White House press briefings. 

Read more bout April in this story about her in The New York Times, and in The Washington Post.

Again, this will not be a typical luncheon Q&A, but late morning, because April has to get to the White House in time for the daily briefing. We will seat the audience at 10:30, begin the interview at 11 am. For reservations, please call the GTC at 202-333-9330, or email Joe Pikovsky. The location is 1530 Wisconsin Ave, at the corner of Volta. There is street parking and a lot across the street. 

Coming in June: Sally Bedell Smith, making an encore appearance, with her just released biography of Prince Charles. 

Washington Gas and Gas Leaks in Georgetown -- FYI

Passed on to me by good neighbor David Abrams about an apparent pattern of Washington Gas issues in the East Village of Georgetown. I'm familiar with some of these issues, and the ongoing cutting into the streets, even in front of my house. It is worthy of concern, because the utilities typically resist being forthcoming. Posting for all who may be interested.

Dear Georgetown Neighbor,

Out of a growing sense of frustration and concern over the Washington Gas Light Co. and gas-related issues in our neighborhood, I’ve launched both a blog and Facebook page about Georgetown gas leaks and repairs that you can also access at Georgetown Leaks & Repairs,  and a Facebook page, too. The sites include links to resources and news stories about natural gas leaks in Washington, DC, how to recognize gas leaks, and what to do if you smell gas.

Disturbing Pattern. There seems to a perpetual cycle of reported gas leaks, so-called repairs, and new reports of gas leaks where I live on the 2800 block of O Street. One neighbor said that the cycle has been going on for the 40 years she has lived on our street. Others have complained about the questionable way gas meters were installed at their houses, how sidewalks have been torn up for months because of uncompleted repairs, and about the smell of gas which has never been permanently addressed.

Too Many Horror Stories. Unfortunately, there are too many horror stories in the Washington area and across the country about what can happen if gas leaks go undetected or are ignored. One example is the 2010 gas line explosion in San Bruno, California, a suburb of San Francisco. The explosion created a 50-foot fireball, destroyed dozens of homes, and killed eight people.

Call to Action. In the hope that our public officials, the media, and others in our community will take an active and serious interest in the gas-related issues facing our neighborhood, I’m asking that you share with me any issues or concerns you’ve had with the gas company that I will package and present to the authorities. If you do not wish to post your comments on the blogs, please send a confidential message to me at the email address below.

Sincerely,

Edward Segal
2807 O Street, NW
[email protected]
415-218-8600