Saying Goodbye to a Banner Year and Welcoming 2011

In the past couple of weeks I have heard from Mayor-Elect Vince Gray, Councilman Jack Evans, and the Georgetown business community leaders, that DC and Georgetown in particular, are in great shape going into 2011.  I wholeheartedly agree. 

2010 was a banner year. Snowmageddon couldn't stop us. We strapped on our snow shoes and soldiered through. Safeway reopened with spectacular fanfare. And the city unveiled the renovated Georgetown Library which is over the top incredible. New stores are opening almost every week. Houses are being bought and sold. The community seems energized.

Last year CAG's monthly membership meetings showcased amazing venues in our village. We saluted our Oral History Project's inaugural interviewees at the City Tavern Club. Mary Kay Ricks packed Mt Zion Church and captivated us with stories of the Underground Railroad running through Georgetown. The stroller set got their groove on at George at the Concerts in the Parks kickoff party that raised funds for what turned out to be our best concert season yet. The historic Dumbarton House was the ideal site for Claudia Powell to speak about classic architecture and design. The Mayor joined us at the Four Seasons to honor some of the incredible people who have made Georgetown a better place to live and visit. Our Fall Gala was a spectacular evening at the Russian Embassy. And Wisconsin Ave. became a pedestrian plaza for Merriment in Georgetown-the perfect start to the holiday season.

We also had success behind the scenes. Our Historic Preservation & Zoning Committee has been reenergized and is tackling many projects including protecting Georgetown's historic character during the zoning law re-write. Crime is down in the residential district, even in these troubled times, through our Public Safety Committee's efforts. 

The ABC Committee has worked tirelessly to ensure that the seven new liquor licenses added this year have no adverse impact on nearby residents. Dead trees are gone and new ones have been planted thanks to Trees for Georgetown. Our GU Relations Committee just produced an informative newsletter devoted to the GU Campus Plan.  And they have been diligently preparing our case to present to the Zoning Commission.

I hope you will join us as we move into 2011.   www.cagtown.org

Happy New Year!

Jennifer Altemus

Citizens Association of Georgetown President