Editors Notes

It was gratifying and exhilarating to see what was happening on the Mall last Saturday. There was ample and strong evidence that the slow dying of books and book readers was as premature as always, with what appeared to be thousands visiting the tents, listening to readings, getting books signed, shopping for books and getting hugged by humans in stuffed animal suits at the National Book Festival, co-founded by First Lady Laura Bush (who, with daughter Jenna, had a book for sale).... [more]

The downtowner

October 2008

calendar...

(Photo) “The Very Hungry CANerpiller” helped break through the fight against hunger at DC Architecture Week’s 10th Annual CANstruction awards ceremony at The Shops at 2000 Penn. The competition challenges teams of local architects to create giant, whimsical structures out of donated canned goods, like BBGM Architects & Interiors, Inc.’s CANerpiller, to benefit the Capitol Area Food Bank. Designer Teri Graham (center), joins her daughter Cecilia and team members David Delcher (left) and Toriano Davis (right) at the CANstruction birthday party on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to celebrate their creation’s “Honorable Mention” and the nearly 200 tons of food donated since the competition began 10 years ago....  [more]

the downtowner

October 2008

Bye Bye WaMu ...

The latest and greatest casualty of the banking and financial crisis is Washington Mutual Bank, also known as WaMu.   Washington Mutual, founded in 1985, was the nation’s largest savings and loan and was the sixth largest bank in the country.

WaMu was my employer for six years, until the company closed its Washington metropolitan area mortgage operations in December 2007. At one point over ten percent of Washington area mortgage holders held a mortgage serviced by Washington Mutual... [more]

By Bill Starrels

October 2008