COLUMNS

Army rats infiltrate DOD; no official comment

  • The Washington Examiner
  • |
  • April 08, 2005

by Karen Feld

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When it comes to rat holes, the Pentagon has more firsthand knowledge than most are aware. Buzz has it that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and company are under siege from a different kind of insurgent. It seems the Pentagon – the building itself – has something of a rat problem. While we don’t have official extermination numbers, it’s safe to say that Rummy himself has yet to concoct tactics persuasive enough to rid the area of invaders. Whether or not Homeland Security, Terminix or former exterminator Tom DeLay will get the call is still being bandied about.

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At least he knows where to send the Democratic Party pix

Insiders say Soroush Shehabi has the inside track to be the new Democratic National Committee political director. Shehabi, who is married to Washington Life Editor-in-Chief Nancy Bagley, was senior political advisor to Gen. Wesley Clark during his Democratic Party primary contests and a trial attorney at the Justice Department.

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From left, Pres. Bush, Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch will speak at the American Society of Newspaper Editors next week.

Newspaper editors: What liberals?

The American Society of Newspaper Editors has put together a powerful roster of conservative speakers for its annual meeting at the JW Marriott next week – President Bush, Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch. So much for rumored liberal media bias.

Play hard ball, but soft music

Turns out baseball and rock music don’t mix. Some fans at the Nationals’ home exhibition game at RFK Stadium are buzzing that the music was intrusive. “It was jarring,” said one. “This is not football.” Yeah, but it’s not supposed to be cricket, either. Let the fans make the cheerin’ noise!

Apparently, the Illini were fighting elsewhere

The University of Illinois Alumni Club of Greater Washington, D.C., might want to rethink whom they cheer for next season. While they got together at local bars to follow their Alma Mater’s “Fighting Illini” basketball team reach the NCAA Finals, only to fall agonizingly short to the University of North Carolina, coach Bruce Weber’s brother, Dave, led his high school team to the Class AA Illinois state title. The Glenbrook North Spartans won with an unusual all-Jewish starting five, a feat atypical in today’s sports world and basketball in particular, where only one Jew resides in the Basketball Hall of Fame and white men are usually considered to, well, not be big jumpers.

Upscale, down the Alley: Georgetown goes Euro

While traveling in Spain, D.C. developer Tony Lanier of EastBanc Inc. ran into a childhood chum with whom he had grown up in Austria. Albrecht “Alfi” Clary, who hadn’t seen Lanier in many years, was working at a hotel where Lanier stayed. As a result of that chance meeting and Lanier’s vision, the two along with a third partner, restaurant developer Paul Guzzardo, opened Leopold’s Kafe & Konditorei (that’s “pastry shop” in German, mein Freund) in Georgetown’s Cady’s Alley adjacent to the C&O Canal. “Washington is like a village in Europe,” says Clary. The indoor/outdoor caf?© with its ultra-chic decor and splashes of homeland security orange is as close as Washington gets to a European feel. Whether with your morning java or late-night date, you won’t be able to resist New York pastry chef Nancy Kershner’s freshly baked treats.

Cady’s Alley anticipates more business

Well-wishers already checking out this fashionable hotspot during opening week: antique dealer Deborah Gore Dean, who’s opening a new shop in Cady’s Alley next month; restaurateur Cyril Brenac; Caf?© Milano’s executive chef Domenico Cornacchia, and Lanier’s daughter’s rabbit, Madonna.

Darlene Mathis, author of “Women of Color, The Multicultural Guide to Fashion and Beauty,” has opened Collectibles Gallery, the only small business in Cady’s Alley. “Tony said he wanted me here,” said Mathis, who is currently designing the Universal Cinema Theatre in Naples, Italy. This talented gal has the D.C. exclusive on McKenzie Childs. Don’t be surprised to see summer block parties in this hot design area.

Antiquing at the piers

Perhaps Oscar winner Hillary Swank and her husband, Chad Lowe, who spend many hours antiquing in New York City, should check out Georgetown’s new design shops. We spotted them recently at the New York Pier Show looking intently at furniture. When they found what they wanted, Swank, now with new boxing muscles, personally carried a table out to her car.

Laura looks lovely

Laura Evans, Fox 5 news anchor and reporter, told Buzz at the Washington Life Style & Substance awards earlier this week that she’s 4 1/2 months pregnant. She wears it well. We wish her well.

Regarding a rite of spring

The first sign of springtime: retired publisher Bill Regardie lunching at the Palm this week wearing shorts and sandals. Oh, what handsome legs you have!

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