President's Letter - March 2010
 CAG President,
Jennifer Altemus
It was a winter for the record books, one our children
will be recalling in their Oral History memoirs
eighty years down the road. I love the snow. There is
a quiet and peace that comes with the clean white blanket.
I walk almost everywhere I need to go. I swap stories
of snow conquests with locals in Georgetown restaurants
and shops. I appreciate how everyone is brought
together in the “us versus nature” struggle. The days off
from work turned many of us into school kids again.
The blizzard forced us to do nothing for a little while.
It’s not often I get that chance.
I know that a lot of people put a tremendous amount
of work into keeping the city running during these “gifts
from nature” and I applaud them. I am eternally grateful
for all that they did. It is through their efforts that I am
able to maintain my childlike snow euphoria. I commend
all the neighbors who did such an admirable job shoveling
their walks and helping out those in need. Anyone
who tried to navigate the sidewalks knows how crucial it
is to clear a wide path. It is your civic responsibility and
it is the law.
A sure sign that spring in on the horizon is the annual
Concerts in the Parks Kickoff Party. The snow didn’t
daunt this year’s committee, which planned a stellar
extravaganza at hot spot George in Georgetown Court.
Co-chairs Elizabeth Miller and Renee Esfandiary Crupi
and their committee did a kid-centric event this year. The
juxtaposition of the trendy nightclub and the little kids’
crafts tables was priceless. Guests sauntered down the
red carpet to have their picture snapped in front of our
Wall of Glory (Concerts corporate sponsors). Snowflake
jewels were on your right and beers and juice boxes were
on the left. The DJ spun the hokey pokey while a disco
ball rotated overhead. Super Mario battled it out on one
big screen while the Caps took on Tampa Bay on another.
And the young families of Georgetown had an
absolute blast. It was amazing to see how many precious
children live in our community. With this as its launch,
the 2010 Concerts season is sure to be the best yet —
just one more reason to be wishing summer a speedy
return. Thank you to the committee, George, our sponsors,
and our raffle prize donor, stylist Madeline Wade.
It was a terrific kickoff!
While my car was buried for a couple of weeks I came
to depend on so many local businesses in Georgetown.
In talking with the store owners it is evident that they
are feeling the negative effects of the economic downturn.
We are already seeing too many Going Out of
Business signs in the neighborhood. We cannot afford
any more without losing the character of the community.
It is so important for all of us to make a conscious effort
to shop local. Instead of running to the mall or going
online, pop down the street and get what you need and
browse for some things that technically you might not
need. If each of us were to spend at least $50 a week in
a locally owned business it would be a big step toward
keeping their doors open. And imagine all of the unique
treasures you can discover someplace other than Target.
Take advantage of CAG’s Merchant Discount Program,
which offers our members discounts at many
neighborhood shops. You can get a discount on food,
wine, jewelry, furniture, personal training, and even a
wedding dress. Now is the time for all of us to show
how much our local retailers mean to us.
Georgetown University is still working on its draft
2010 Campus Plan. A major aspect of the plan is the
impact the university has on the neighborhood. It is
important for neighbors to report and document student
noise and trash violations each and every time they
occur. For a noise violations, call 911 to help correct the
situation, then report it at gtown411@ymail.com. For
trash problems, call 311, then report them to gtown411@ymail.com. Your complaints will remain
anonymous. Many thanks to Mary Kay Ricks and Mt. Zion
Methodist Church for a terrific program last Monday
(February 22). I look forward to seeing you at the CAG
meeting at Dumbarton House on Monday March 15!
-Jennifer Altemus
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