Merriment in Georgetown Makes Very Merry

Georgetown jumped into the holiday spirit with gusto Sunday as Merriment in Georgetown turned blocks near M Street and Wisconsin Ave. into a festive, if freezing, carnival. The third-annual event, presented by the Georgetown BID Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG) and the Georgetown Business Association, featured entertainment by the Holy Trinity School Choir, the Gay Men's Chorus, and the Georgetown Phantoms, a cappella group from Georgetown University, with emcee Holly Morris of Fox 5. CAG leaders including Jennifer Altemus, Betsy Cooley, Betsy Emes, Leslie Kamrad and Cookie Cruse along with Friends of Rose Park President David Dunning braved the chill to welcome residents and visitors alike. Also on hand was Donovan Carmichael of CAG's Securitas protective detail. The security force -- a service available to CAG members -- has been on high alert since a spate of thefts and robberies in the last several weeks.

"The thieves are targeting small, valuable things," Carmichael said, noting the high number of iPhone thefts. Last week, an N Street resident was knocked to the ground on her way home with two new laptop computers from the Apple Store on Wisconsin Ave. "We have stepped up our patrols in the vicinity," said Carmichael.

CAG president Jennifer Altemus noted the vulnerability of new items from the Apple Store. "They're wrapped up and ready to go," she said. CAG's security detail provides on-call help to members, and extra vigilance when members notify the detail of a planned vacation or travel. More information is available from CAG.

Meanwhile, Passport Mini Cooper General Manager David Hellmuth, with his nephew Cameron Hellmuth and interactive marketing manager Justin Hallock braved the cold, sporting a mini-fleet of Mini convertibles, one of which was dubbed "Santa's Sleigh."

"These are very popular cars in Georgetown," said Hellmuth. "We like to support the community by being out here."

Even BID officials, literally, got into the act. Marketing chief Nancy Miyahira held up signs with mystery lyrics to popular Christmas songs in a singing contest hosted by Fox5's Holly Morris. Later, the Holy Trinity School Choir took the stage and filled the air with the sounds of children at Christmas.