Robert Devaney

The day after Valentine's Day was as good a day as any for the Georgetown Business Association to hold its monthly get-together, calling it a "heart-to-heart networking reception."

The hotel teemed with conservatives, many of them young people avidly waving banners, signs and placards, in every nook, coffeeshop, bar, room and speaking room. This was the 2012 gathering of the GOP which just by the look and sound of it was turning into the GOCP—the Grand Old Conservative Party.

In an especially full and varied meeting Jan, 30, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E tackled a packed line-up

And now a few words from Frida Burling: Good news for our Georgetown! The 2012 House Tour is getting under way for the 81st year.

The rodent-meteorologist event was held at Dupont Circle, Feb. 2. Potomac Phil's message was made about an hour after the famous Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania saw his own shadow and foresaw six more weeks of winter.

The Georgetown “Social” Safeway at 1855 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., presented a Community Wellness and Safety Fair Jan. 28.

The noon Jan. 30 deadline came and went, as United State Park Police again warned protestors at McPherson Square at 15th and K Streets that camping with overnight sleep would no longer be allowed. Some have already complied; many appeared ready for a fight and stay in the park overnight.

After two years of renovation, the National Gallery of Art will reopen its galleries devoted to impressionism and post-impressionism to the public on Saturday, Jan. 28. Housed in the west building of the gallery, the installation displays some of the greatest paintings by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin on view anywhere.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown put its Oral History Project on display, Jan. 18, at the City Tavern Club. Part of CAG's effort to document the "living history" of Georgetown, seven residents with their lively recollections made the town's past come alive in the listeners' minds.

A new year brings new schedules, new meetings and new officers at the Georgetown Business Association, which will meet Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at The Georgetown Club.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown will meet Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m., at the City Tavern Club to honor well-known Georgetowners who have been interviewed for CAG's Oral History Project.

Director P.J. Paparelli often refers to the title of his new gig at the Shakespeare Theatre Company as “the two gents.” That would be “The Two Gentleman of Verona,” one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, and to Paparelli’s way of thinking, his most youthful. One way or another, you can expect that youth will be served in his production of the play.

In September 1981, the Shops at Georgetown Park opened to much fanfare: 100 stores (including 128 condominiums), such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Garfinckel's, Ann Taylor, Scan Furniture, Conran's, Davisons of Bermuda, Mark Cross and Godiva Chocolatier. With such memories, any longtime local walking through the 30-year-old place in 2012 is saddened by its fall.

The Georgetown/Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC2E) met Jan. 4 at Georgetown Visitation Prep.

Tim Sheckler of the General Services ...