SYMHM: Heritage License Suspended, AIDS Day, Constituent Service Funds

From Michelle Lancaster. Follow her and tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster or email her at [email protected].

Heritage India Loses Liquor License

This news surprises no one, as the weekend’s violent melee at the “world-class restaurant” has continued to be the most discussed item in Dupont Circle. Washington Examiner reports that the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) suspended Heritage India’s license, citing Heritage India’s inability to control the violence. Among items of concern was the restaurant’s deviation from their own security plan, lack of working surveillance cameras and failure to use metal detectors on the boisterous crowd assembled for an event billed as ‘Black Out’ Thanksgiving. No word on the restaurant’s plan to appeal or accept the suspension or their future operating plans.

World AIDS Day Observances

Thursday marked World AIDS Day, and DC participated in the event in a number of important ways. The Wilson Building shown red to highlight the impact of AIDS in DC, a mobile van was outside offering testing for much of the day and a candlelight vigil was held in Dupont Circle. DCist has a full recap of other events, including two hearings on AIDS legislation and for non-city sponsored events, our story is here.

Constituent Service Funds: Too Legit to Quit?

A few members came under scrutiny a while ago after reporters saw some documentation on how constituent service fund dollars were being spent (see: Jack Evans, The Washington Post). But things got quiet after a defense of the expenditures from Evans. Expect the issue to be back on at least the local news radar, after the Washington City Paper published an angry missive from Alan Suderman. There is a pretty long list of items purchased with those funds in his piece, and while it’s not damning, it’s none too pleasant to see in ink either.