Washington City Paper: Contents for Feb. 13

Miss Manor
In the dispute over a planned mayoral mansion, everyone was talking—Foxhall residents, Park Service officials, D.C. councilmembers. Everyone, that is, except for the woman who was paying for it.

Cover Story

Three years ago, Betty Brown Casey acquired a Foxhall property that was impressive even by Foxhall standards. Across the street from the German Embassy compound and bounded on two sides by federal parkland, the rolling plot had a majestic past. Here, cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post had entertained Washington’s elite. Piebald deer, rare creatures with mottled white coats, gamboled around knolls, down swales, and in wooded brush.

Casey bought the secluded 16.5-acre spread from a Qatari royal for about $16.5 million in order to build an official residence for the D.C. mayor and his successors in office.

The leader of the nation’s capital, she thought, deserved better digs than, say, the apartment Mayor Anthony A. Williams rented in Foggy Bottom. Nowhere did the District have spaces quite regal enough for the mayor’s ceremonial functions. Reception halls for dignitaries from around the globe. A room for state dinners. A grand terrace for summer soirees. The grounds of the estate were nearly as expansive as those at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.—but with better views.

She intended to call the new house she would build there the Casey Mansion, a name that would memorialize her late husband, Eugene Casey, a native Washingtonian. Everything else would monumentalize her own cultivated taste.

A fan of early Americana, the Maryland philanthropist favored a simple, classic look for the mansion. She started decorating.... Continued

Issue of Feb. 13 - 19, 2004

News and Features

Miss Manor
In the dispute over a planned mayoral mansion, everyone was talking—Foxhall residents, Park Service officials, D.C. councilmembers. Everyone, that is, except for the woman who was paying for it.
Cover Story By David Morton
Uplifting Messages
Is the skyline ready for inspiration?
The City By Mike DeBonis
Pop-O-Meter
The City By Tom Scocca
The Promised Land
What does the mayor offer in the State of the District?
The City By Tom Scocca
Heavy Metal Cookery
From the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority’s “What’s On Tap” newsletter
The City By Annys Shin
Living Large
Nimby Tribunal By Josh Levin
I, MAC
The Mail By Hilary WelchWally SzyndlerBetty-Carol Sellen, Cassandra Hetherington and Rob Waldeck
The Story Behind the Story
The Mail By Michael Hudgins

Columns

Sound Pets
Cheap Seats By Dave McKenna
Terms of Engagement
Dept. of Media By Erik Wemple
Bark and Bite
City Desk By Mike DeBonis
Widow Maker
City Desk By Sarah Godfrey
Taking the Initiative
Loose Lips By Elissa Silverman

Eats

Kitchen Confident
Young & Hungry By Todd Kliman

Movies

Band of Insiders
Film Review By Mark Jenkins
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Film Review By Josh Levin
Neapolitan Heart
Film Review By Tricia Olszewski

Music

The Quiet Revolution
Music Review By Brent Burton
Living Stereo
Music Review By Shannon Zimmerman
Cellar Door
Music Review By Andrew Beaujon
Talkie Walkie
Music Review By Chris Hagan
Steig Aus
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Brent Burton
It’s a Happening World
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Leonard Roberge
“Creepin’ In”
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Sean Daly
Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Mike Kanin
The Donkey Years: 1961–1965
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Christopher Porter
Ed Sullivan Presents the Beatles Trailer
A few of the things we’re listening to this week, in no particular order
Music Review By Jason Cherkis

Theater

Force Majeure
Theater Review By Trey Graham
Moon Over Maryland
Theater Review By Bob Mondello

Arts and Events

Bear Tracks
JS Adams has always taken a cerebral approach to his music. But for his new CD inspired by Sept. 11, he’s exploring emotion—and a new audience.
Arts By Chris Hagan
Hearts of Gold
Books By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow
Gonna Have a Good Time
Artifacts By Mike DeBonis
Capital Growth
Artifacts By Louis Jacobson