Deep pockets wanted. It doesn’t sound like the D.C. real estate market has peaked yet, certainly not when it comes to upper-bracket properties. Mark Ein said he turned down a $13.5 million offer at the end of 2005 for his R Street property in Georgetown, which he purchased from Katherine Graham‘s estate for $8 million. “I know I can get a lot more, and I’m still deciding whether to move in,” Ein said. He’s also looking for another residence in downtown New York. And Myrna Ruben Haft, the widow of the late Herb Haft, has listed her 18,000-square-foot manse on 30th Street NW off Embassy Row for $20 million. Haft married his longtime companion just weeks before he died in 2004.Cezanne show evokes reactions
Overheard at the National Gallery opening of “Cezanne in Provence” on Wednesday evening: “Come, my sweet,” Martin Ginsburg urged his wife, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court justice, as she lingered in front of the final work in the extensive show, critiquing it as simply “wonderful.” â€- Guests included French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte and his wife, Marie-Cecile; Paul Cezanne’s great-granddaughter, Aline Cezanne; and his great-grandson, Philippe Cezanne.
Divine favor for local newspaper
Universal Studios has selected the “flag and front page design” of the Alexandria Times to appear in the upcoming film “Evan Almighty,” starring Morgan Freeman and Steve Carrell. In the movie, set for tentative release at Christmastime, Evan the newscaster (from the 2004 blockbuster “Bruce Almighty”) has decided to run for Congress. He prays to God to help him succeed, and his prayers are answered. Little does Evan know that once he reaches Washington, God has much bigger plans for him. Isn’t that always the way?
Prop designers will alter the front page of the Alexandria Times to include fictitious headlines read on-screen by the actors. John Arundel, the paper’s publisher, saw the script for approval earlier this week. “With 21,000 newspapers in the United States, we are obviously thrilled to have been chosen,” said Arundel, who relaunched the free weekly in September.
Creating a scene in Georgetown
There was temporary havoc on Tuesday evening in Georgetown when the prime minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, went to Sen. John Kerry‘s O Street home for dinner. Kerry invited 10 of his Senate colleagues as well. A helicopter scouted overhead in Georgetown around 6 p.m., and by 6:25 p.m., still in the midst of a busy rush hour, streets were blocked by police as the motorcade moved north on 34th Street (a one-way street south) and turned east on O Street. 34th Street was blocked at M, Prospect, N and O as limos, SUVs and Metro police cars and motorcycles sped past. All clear at 7 p.m. And the junior senator from Massachusetts is not even president!
Cooper Cafritz knows her limits
Peggy Cooper Cafritz has self-imposed term limits on her job as president of the D.C. School Board. “This job is not for life,” said Cooper Cafritz. “We need renewable energy.” She’s completing her second term.
D.C. pitches in NYC
The Washington Convention and Tourism Corp. and other travel PR pros spent $40,000 this week to sell our city to New York media. The D.C. hospitality industry entertained royally in the Big Apple. They’ll see if it pays off when articles surface in general interest publications, and hotel occupancy rates rise.
‘Bridge & Tunnel’ fans celebrate at the U.N.
While United Nations Ambassador John Bolton was speaking at a very timely big donor AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) dinner at the Marriott Marquis in New York last night, the party for the year’s first Broadway opening, “Bridge & Tunnel,” was held at the U.N.’s Delegate’s Dining Room. Sarah Jones, who wrote and stars in the show – which was originally produced off-Broadway by Meryl Streep – is marvelous. Since Streep is Sarah’s biggest fan and “cheerleader,” as Sarah says, she co-hosted the opening-night post-performance bash at this very unusual place for a Broadway party. The locale fit the theme of the show: all the divergent nationalities that comprise the melting pot called New York City (the ultra-talented Sarah plays 14 different characters). Spotted congratulating Jones at the post-performance bash, along with Streep and her daughters, were: Kim Cattrall, Bebe Neuwirth, Jesse L. Martin, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Liza Minnelli, John O’Hurley, Annabella Sciorra, Anthony Rapp, Natalie Portman and Dan Abrams.