A La Mode
Peeling the Lettuce Leaves: The Power of the Georgetown Community
January 24, 2012He stands over the kitchen surface, the sheen of the table’s reflective metal mirroring the browned lettuce he grips in his hand. He adjusts his black cap slightly, his hands grazing the stitching of the words “D.C. Central Kitchen.” And so he begins on his day’s work, peeling the browned lettuce leaves one by one, revealing the greens of the healthy stalks hidden below.
Charities across Washington are too peeling their leaves, pulling back the layers of help in a giving of a part of themselves to build a network of support, a cover of care and a trace of hope.
“A great non- profit tries to reveal the power of community to solve the problem,” said Robert Egger, founder and president of D.C. Central Kitchen, the nation’s first community kitchen. “Everyone comes [to the D.C. Central Kitchen] with different motivations and the kitchen here is a giant canvas in which we can all paint our portrait. This is the power of community.”
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
The kitchen: home to the magic of D.C. Central Kitchen.
D.C. Central Kitchen prepares 4,500 to 5,000 meals daily using donated food from restaurants; the meals are delivered to those in need throughout the D.C. metro area. The kitchen additionally recruits roughly 25 “students” into a 14- week life- skills program, gearing students with a strong knowledge of kitchen etiquette with hopes of aiding graduates land a career in the culinary industry. In it’s 23 years of service, D.C. Central Kitchen has helped over 800 men and women land full time employment.
The care for giving continues with charities across the Washington area.
Once Upon a Prom, started in Fall 2006, collects dresses to distribute among girls who cannot afford to purchase one. The charity hosts a dress and accessory giveaway each April, giving girls the opportunity to step into the prom shoes of a night that had once seemed far from reach.
(Photo by: Once Upon a Prom)
High school girls searching through donated dresses to find their perfect prom look!
“If I can change one person’s life—whether giving them the confidence or making them feel special for a day—it makes it all worth it for me,” said Ashley Taylor, co- founder and President of Once Upon a Prom. “I really can’t tell you how great it feels when I get an email from a girl saying ‘this would have never happened without your help. Thank you so much for making me feel like a princess’.”
BabyLove D.C., the “brain child” of Ali Wentworth, strives to aid those who are unable to afford items for their babies. “There are so many people in need and so many people with so much that it is such a simple, simple thing to get [baby supplies] from people with them to the people without,” said Annie Lou Berman, Georgetown mom and organizer for BabyLove D.C. BabyLove D.C. hosts monthly drives and giveaways for baby supplies across the Washington area.
(Photo by: BabyLove D.C.)
BabyLove D.C. hosts monthly donation drives.
The willingness of Washington’s residents—for the able to arm those to become capable—has fueled these D.C. charities to continue their work, each step to better the community.
“It’s really great to see the community outreach—always getting emails to ask ‘how can I volunteer?’” Taylor said.
Within the D.C. area, the Georgetown community has been strongly receptive, with donations and support from Georgetown businesses, including Sprinkles, The Magic Wardrobe, Ella Rue and Urban Chic, in addition to the overwhelming support from residents and community members, including Tudor Place and the Grace Episcopal Church.
It’s this community outreach that started the Georgetown Ministry Center, a center that works to combat the struggles of Georgetown’s homeless by providing a welcoming center for those without a place to call home. Throughout its almost 25 years of service, GMC helps roughly 40 to 70 individuals a day, noting the success of its program lies in the hands of the Georgetown community.
“Georgetown chose to do this,” GMC Director Gunther Stern said. “Georgetown is very receptive, very supportive… Georgetown was choosing to do something about the homeless that were here.”
Georgetown businesses are also stepping up, pulling together their own resources to give back to the community. Georgetown’s Water Street Gym hosted a month- long coat drive, collecting unwanted jackets to donate to the GMC. Recoup, a Georgetown- based online marketplace, allows users to purchase items at discounted prices while donating part of their payment to a cared cause, including the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the Dumbarton House and the GMC.
And so with the support of the community and the passion of those to give, Washington charities are pulling their lettuce leaves, revealing the power of a helping hand in arming those in need with the ability to find their own greens hidden below.
“It just takes one person to make the difference,” Taylor said. “I think you really have to believe in yourself and know that if you have an idea—and it may be a crazy idea—but if you believe in it, then you’ve got to trust your instinct.”
“If it helps one person, great,” she said. “If it helps a 100 people, a 1000 people, even better.”
How you can get involved:
D.C. Central Kitchen
Volunteers can choose between a 9 am- 12 pm shift or 5 pm- 8 pm shift.
Looking to donate food? Email cparham@dccentralkitchen.org to find out how you can help! With it’s refrigerated vehicles, drivers who are certified food handlers and their own containers, D.C. Central Kitchen will come to you at a time most convenient for you to pick the food up. In return, D.C. Central Kitchen will provide a receipt for the food given and a window sticker so customers know your restaurant donates its leftover food.
Once Upon a Prom
Individuals can either drop off or mail their dress donations to Ella Rue (3231 P St. NW). All dresses must be dry-cleaned and dropped off on hangers.
Once Upon a Prom is presently looking for a space to host its April 2012 dress drive. Contact onceuponaprom@gmail.com if you have ideas, inquiries or comments.
BabyLove D.C.
Drives are hosted once a month. Check the website for upcoming BabyLove D.C. drives. Contact info@babylovedc.org to find out how you can help volunteer; volunteer options range from donating supplies and hosting a mini- drive to repairing clothing and preparing gift baskets.
Water Street Gym Coat Drive
Looking to donate your coat? Pass it along to someone in need by donating your unwanted coat to Water Street Gym (3255 K Street NW). Interested in organizing your own drive? Email trish@waterstreetgym.com for more information.
Georgetown Ministry Center
Interested in leading programming, collecting sandwiches, cooking a meal or staying in the center overnight? Click here to discover how you can get involved.
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Do you CaBi yet?
January 9, 2012In a generation consumed by eco- friendly and economically savvy initiatives, America’s capital has gone back to the basics with the implementation of Capital Bikeshare, the nation’s largest public bike-sharing program.
What started with 120 bikes in September 2010, Capital Bikeshare has grown successfully. Today, the program offers over 1,100 bikes in 108 stations: three of which are located within the Georgetown area.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
Georgetown's C & O Canal and Wisconsin Avenue Capital Bikeshare station.
With the increased availability and accessibility of an alternative—and often easier—mode of transportation, Georgetown residents are hitting the streets. But the concern over bike riders' safety along Georgetown’s traffic infested roads remains.
“The main strip is so congested with car traffic,” said El, a Capital Bikeshare user at the Georgetown Wisconsin and Canal Street dock. “It makes biking more difficult here [in Georgetown] than other parts of town,” she added, slipping her sturdy, fire- truck red CaBi bike into its dock. A green light flashes on her bike’s dock, a signal that the bike has been securely returned.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
Plug in your five digit code to unlock the bike. Wait for the green light to flash once you return the bike.
The historic nature of Georgetown poses as a difficulty in finding available public space for riders to cycle, in addition to Capital Bikeshare to implement bikeshare locations. “We’ve worked with the community to try to identify the best places for [bikeshare locations],” said John Lisle, the spokesperson for the District Department of Transportation. “The feedback has been great. We’re not getting complaints and the system has been adopted well by [Georgetown] residents and students.”
Cycletracks, bike lanes on the side of roads, are a work in progress in the Georgetown area. District Department of Transportation intends to create M and L Street cycletracks for 2012. The cycletracks will “get more bicycles out and cars will get more used to seeing the bikes,” said Georgetown bike rider, Scott Osberg. "D.C. residents," he added, just don’t know how to drive alongside bikers.
For bikers looking for an escape from the city traffic, however, the Georgetown area has much to offer. The Capital Crescent Trail, a hard-paved, 11 mile path, allows riders to coast through the sights of Georgetown into the heart of Silver Spring, Md. The 184 mile Chesapeake and Ohio Towpath features a flat, clay stone path that follows the Potomac from Georgetown to Cumberland, Md. The lengthy bike route treats riders with views of the Great Falls, River Aqueduct and Paw Paw Tunnel.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
Bike riding by the Georgetown waterfront provides for a relaxing ride among the splendor the Georgetown area.
And so with spring temperatures (so far) during winter months, slip on the biking gear, grab the credit card (the Bikeshare machines are credit card only!), strap on a helmet and set out to a Capital Bikeshare location near you.
Your relaxing ride awaits.
Georgetown Capital Bikeshare Locations:
C & O Canal and Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Georgetown Harbor/30th Street, NW 37th
O Street, NW/Georgetown University
First time CaBi renter? The process is simple and stress- free!
Riders looking to rent a bike for a 24- hour period or 3- day stretch can process the rental directly at a Capital Bikeshare station. Both options come with a standard flat fee (24 hrs- $7, 3- day: $15). The first 30 minutes are free. A cost is added for additional time of use. Refer to the station panel or click here for more information.
Once you have swiped your card at the station, the screen will reveal a five digit unlocking number. Use the code to unlock a bike at any one of the available docks.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
Simply swipe your card into the Capital Bikeshare machine to rent one of these bikes!
Return your bike to any station. Spotcycle, a bikeshare smartphone application, provides a convenient way to find a nearby station, in addition to checking the availability of the docks. If you find that your intended station is full, the Capital Bikeshare machine allows a time credit option, providing the bike user 15 additional minutes—free of charge—to ride to a nearby station.
Looking for a month or annual membership? Browse the Capital Bikeshare website and follow the links to join.
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Emma's Holiday Fashion Picks for Men
December 18, 2011Scratch the tie off the gift list. Your lucky man is in for a treat this holiday season!
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
The rain jacket- like fabric of Jack Spade's Waverly jacket allows for multiple uses in a variety of settings.
The olive green Waverly jacket features a raincoat like material—a suitable addition that protects the wearer from rain and snow while maintaining the casual yet sleek look ($311.50 at Jack Spade). Layer over polos, zip up or let hang loose: the quality jacket works with all!
Design and affordability make these cuff links ($8 at Jack Spade) the perfect stocking stuffer. Show off school pride or holiday flavor with the range of solid and doubled colors on offer.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
The variety of colors combinations allow for a color display of school pride or holiday fever!
Add a sophisticated touch to bottom wear with the Wiley Saddle Quick Release belt ($175 at Everard’s Clothing). No longer does he need to struggle. With the Quick Release belt, unique to the store, the buckle (true to its name), releases with utmost speed. The sheen of the belt’s warm saddle leather plays off well against the gold plating.
(Photo by: Emma Beck)
The quick release buckle makes the belt a one-of- a kind piece.
Switch out the week’s suit and dress pants for the weekend’s laid-back wardrobe. Brooks Brothers’s polos and long- sleeved shirts allow for a splash of color to his winter wardrobe. Go for the washed out, casual prep look with the navy, red and white striped cotton polo ($89.50 at Brooks Brothers). Throw on over a button down long- sleeve shirt and roll the sleeves—a relaxed yet put together look. Take a look at the Cambridge Rugby shirt ($89 at in Jack Wills).
(Photo by: Jack Wills)
A classic, prep look for his weekend, winter wear.
The pastel stripes look smart with khakis, denims or cords. Pop the color and let the shirt hang loose over his pants—you’ve got one trendy man at your beck and call.
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