MARCH 2013 EAST of the RIVER MAGAZINE
EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 | CAPITALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 08.............Go See Do
10.............East of the River Calendar 16.............The Bulletin Board 20.............District Beat • by Martin Austermuhle 22.............The Numbers • by Ed Lazere 24............. E on DC • by E. Ethelbert Miller 26.............Union Town • by Charnice A. Milton 28............. Dispatches from the Village of Anacostia • by Phil Hutinet 30............. Second Acts in DC Lives • by Stephen Lilienthal
EAST WASHINGTON LIFE
32............. Exhibit on 1980s DC includes East of the River People and Places • by John Muller 34.............NativSol Kitchen • by Candace Y.A. Montaguet
KIDS & FAMILY
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36.............Kids and Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner 42.............School Notes • by Melissa Ashabranner
HOMES & GARDENS
43.............Changing Hands • compiled by Don Denton 44.............The Classified 46.............The Nose • by Anonymous
30 ON THE COVER: Chuck Brown, 1986. Photo by Dean Rutz for the Washington Times. Collection of Roger Gastman. Story on page 32. Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s, now on view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art through April 7, is the first exhibition to explore the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene. Ephemera, photos, flyers, posters, records, newspaper clippings, stage clothes, instruments, video loops, and much more, all made largely between 1980 and 1992, will fill the Corcoran’s Atrium and Rotunda, bringing the era to life. The exhibition includes sections on graffiti writers (notably the work of COOL “DISCO” DAN), the D.C. punk, hardcore, and Go-Go scenes, concert posters made by the Baltimore-based Globe printing press, and visual culture from the drug wars. For more, visit www.corcoran.org.
Hill Rag • Mid City DC • East Of The River • Fagon Community Guides Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com
Publisher: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2013 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
Look for Next Issue of East of the River on April 13
Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com School Notes Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Kids & Family Notebook Editor: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com
BEAUTY, Health& Fitness Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Mariessa Terrell • mterrell@sbclawgroup.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com
Arts, Dining & Entertainment Art: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Dining: Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Hit the City: Joylyn Hopkins • joylyn@joylynhopkins.com Literature: Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Movies: Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Music: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.com Retail Therapy: Scott Fazzini • scott.fazzini@gmail.com Theater: Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com Travel: Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com The Wine Guys: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com
KIDS & FAMILY Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com
Calendar & Bulletin Board Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com
COMMENTARY Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com
General Assignment Martin Austermuhle • martin.austermuhle@gmail.com Maggy Baccinelli • mbaccinelli@gmail.com Dana Bell • dana@hillrag.com Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ralph Brabham • ralphbrabham@yahoo.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Gwyn Jones • gwynjones@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Charnice Milton • charnicem@hotmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Alice Ollstein • alice.ollstein@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Linda Samuel • indabsamuel@yahoo.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com Jazzy Wright • wright.jazzy@gmail.com Jennifer Zatkowski • jenn@hillrag.com
Society & Events Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com Homes & Gardens Rindy O’Brien • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com
Production/Graphic/web Design Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Designer: Kyungmin Lee • lee@hillrag.com Web Master: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Jennifer Zatkowski, 202.543.8300 X20 • Jenn@hillrag.com Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • carolina@hillrag.com Distribution Distribution Manager: Andrew Lightman Distributors: MediaPoint, LLC Distribution Information: distribution@hillrag.com Deadlines & CONTACTS Advertising: sales@hillrag.com Display Ads: 15th of each month Classified Ads: 10th of each month Editorial: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com Bulletin Board & Calendar: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com
We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.
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GO.SEE.DO. WorldPlay: Traditional Music of the World at Hill Center
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital announces the new series WorldPlay: Traditional Music of the World at Hill Center. Curated by Parker Jayne and Thea Austen, WorldPlay offers a unique collection of artists performing a wide variety of music and discussion about the culture and heritage of music that rarely appears on Capitol Hill. Each concert will feature a half hour, moderated discussion about the history of the culture, heritage, music and performers. Tickets are $15. All concerts are on Sundays, 3:30-6 p.m. Here’s the line-up: Trio Sefardi: Sepharic Music, March 24; Gerdan: Eastern European Music, April 14; Karpouzi Trio: Greek Music, May 19, Children’s Choir of Tblisi: Music from the Republic of Georgia, July 21; Dr. Nadar Majd and the Chakavak Ensemble: Persian Music, September 22; Andrea Hoag, Loretta Kelley and Charlie Pilzer: Scandanavian Music, October 20. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-549-4172. hillcenterdc.org
trio Sefardi, the first worldPlay concert in march. Photo: Courtesy of the Hill Center
Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting
last year’s attendees enjoying the buffet table. Photo: Courtesy of Pleasant P. mann, Courtesy Shaw main Streets.
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On March 27, 7-9 p.m., come join Shaw Main Streets for an evening celebrating the revitalization of central Shaw’s 7th Street and 9th Street commercial corridors. The Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting will be held on the 7th floor of the Progression Place office building, 1805 7th Street, NW. The event is free of charge, and no reservations are required. Highlights will include the announcement of the winners of the Best New Shaw Business of 2012 poll, a presentation on the major achievements of the past year and upcoming projects and events, the election of board members, and a closing reception featuring food and beverage from neighborhood businesses. And, of course, the view of the neighborhood and city from this perch above it all. For more information, call 202-265-SHAW or email ShawMainStreetsInc@gmail.com.visit dcboee.org.
At-Large Candidate Forum
There will be a series of At-large candidate forums in March and April. Candidates will debate on Wednesday, march 27 at Eastern high School, 6:30-9 p.m. It will be moderated by Sam Ford, WJLA-TV News reporter. Candidates for the At-Large Council Seat are Anita Bonds, Michael A. Brown, Matthew Frumin, Patrick Mara, Perry Redd, John F. Settles, II, Elissa Silverman and Paul Zukerberg. Monday, April 1, is the last day to register to vote in this special election. For more information about the April 23 special election, call l 202-727-2525 or visit dcboee.org.
Searching for the Seventies
“Hitchhiker with his dog, ‘Tripper,’ on U.S. 66. U.S. 66 crosses the Colorado River at Topock.” Charles O’Rear, Yuma County, Arizona, May 1972. Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives
Bad fashion, odd fads, and disco dance music sum up the 1970s for many Americans. But the1970s were much more than leisure suits, streaking, and disco. During the seventies, profound changes took root in American politics, society, environment, and economy. “Searching for the Seventies” takes a new look at the 1970s using remarkable color photographs taken for the Federal photography project called DOCUMERICA (1971-1977). Created by the Environmental Protection Agency, DOCUMERICA was born out of the decade’s environmental awakening, producing striking photographs of many of that era’s environmental problems and achievements, but also captured the era’s trends, fashions, and cultural shifts. On Friday, March 8, the National Archives unveils the photographic exhibition, “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project.” Located in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives Building, “Searching for the Seventies” is free and open to the public, and runs through September 8, 2013. archives.gov
Folger Consort Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Dublin: Celtic and Art Music
Folger Consort, the early music ensemble in residence at Folger Shakespeare Library, presents five performances of Dublin: Celtic and Art Music in the Folger’s Elizabethan-style theater, March 15-17. The program samples the rich array of music from Ireland, Scotland and England, and includes pieces for bagpipe, harp, and fiddle. The concert is the fourth production in Folger Consort’s 2012/13 season of City Ayre: Music of City, Court, and Countryside. Folger Consort artistic co-directors Robert Eisenstein (viol) and Christopher Kendall (theorbo) will be joined by the celebrated Irish harpist Siobhán Armstrong, soprano Molly Quinn, in addition to guest instrumentalist David Douglass (violin) and frequent consort collaborator Tom Zajac (multi-instrumentalist). $37. Folger Elizabethan Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street, SE. 202-544-7077. folger.edu
Folger Consort’s artistic directors (and founders), Robert Eisenstein and Christopher Kendall. Photo: Courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 9
Sculpture NOW 2013
Through Apr 12, Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5:00 PM. Presented by Washington Sculptors Group at Honfleur Gallery, Juror, Florcy Morisset. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202365-8392. honfleurgallery. com
CALENDAR SAINT PATRICK’S CELEBRATIONS
National ShamrockFest ‘13. Mar 16, 1:00-9:00 PM at RFK Stadium grounds. Event features nine musical stages, tented party areas, beer stations, bar-game areas and athletic competitions, craft, food and beverage markets and strolling entertainers and much more. RFK Stadium. shamrockfest.com DC St Patricks Day Parade. Mar 17, noon, Constitution Ave. between Seventh St. and 17th St. NW. The colorful three-hour procession of floats, marching bands, and drill teams will also feature antique bicycles, cars, fire trucks, and Irish wolfhounds. Grandstand seats are $15. 202-670-0317. dcstpatsparade.com St Patrick’s Day Celebration with FullSet at National Geographic. Mar. 17, 7:00 PM. Washington-area fans of Celtic music know Nat Geo Live is the place to hear great new traditional groups before they become legends. Check out Ireland’s next hot band on the horizon-FullSetrecently named “New Group of the Year” for 2012 by the Live Ireland Music Awards. The band will be touring hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed debut release, Notes at Liberty. $25. nationalgeographic.com Dubliner. Mar 17, 10:00 AM-3:00 AM. Three bands on two stages and giveaways. Full menus served with $10 cover. 4 “F” St. NW. 202-7373773. dublinerdc.com Kelly’s Irish Times. Mar 17, 10:30 AM-3:00 AM. Live Irish music all day. 14 F St. NW. 202-543-5433. kellysirishtimesdc.com Molly Malone’s. Mar 17, 8:00 AM-3:00 AM. Live Irish music in the evening. Discounted Irish whiskey and beer. Drink and food specials. 713 Eighth St. SE. 202-547-1222. mollymalonescapitolhillsaloon.com 18th Amendment Bar & Restaurant. Mar 17, 11:00 AM-3:00 AM. Live music and bagpipes. Drink specials, giveaways and prizes throughout the day. 613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-543-3622. 18thdc.com Star and Shamrock. Mar 17, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. Food and drink specials. Live music. 1341 H St. NE. 202-388-3833. starandshamrock.com
EASTER The Great Vigil of Easter at National Cathedral. Mar 30, 8:00 PM. This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death…and rose victorious from the grave. Tonight we hear the ancient stories of God’s redeeming work, moving from darkness to light, from solemn chant to joyful song, as we celebrate the glorious Resurrection. Intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin aves. NW. 202-537-6200. nationalcathedral.org Solemn Easter Vigil Mass at National Shrine. Mar 30, 8:00 PM. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com
Focal (2011) by Jan Acton. Photo: Jan Acton
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Festival Holy Eucharist at National Cathedral. Easter Sunday, Mar 31, 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM (free tickets required). 4:00 PM, Evensong on Easter Day. 5:15 PM, Organ Recital. Intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin aves. NW. 202-537-6200. nationalcathedral.org
Easter Sunday Mass at National Shrine. Easter Sunday, Mar 31, 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, Noon, 4:30 PM. Spanish Mass at 2:30 PM. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial. Mar 31, 6:30 AM. A Washington tradition for 34 years-on Easter Sunday morning over 6000 people will gather at the Lincoln Memorial for one of the nation’s largest Sunrise Services, hosted by Capital Church of Vienna, Virginia, Pastor Amos Dodge. As the sun begins to rise over the Capitol dome, the mall will ring with sounds of celebration as Pastor Dodge leads those in attendance, in the hope-filled proclamation and celebration of Easter’s message. St Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Easter Vigil, Apr. 7, 7:00 PM. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8. Masses at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-582-5021. parishes.org/stfrancisxavierdc Inner Light Ministries. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8. Service at 10:45 AM. 1912 Q St. SE. 202-332-7750. Church of the Incarnation. Easter Sunday, Apr. 9. Mass, 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Holy Saturday Vigil Mass, 7:00 PM. 880 Eastern Ave. NE. 202396-0942. josephite.com Allen Chapel AME Church. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8. Services, 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. 2498 Alabama Ave. SE. acamec.org Union Temple. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8, Services at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM. 1225 W St. SE. 202-678-8822. uniontemple.com St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8, Masses at 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. 1244 V St. SE. 202678-3709. stachurch.org Campbell AME Church. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8. Services, 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. 2562 MLK Ave. SE. 202-889-3006. netministries.org Good Friday and Easter at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. Friday, Apr. 6, 6:30 PM. Easter Sunday, Apr. 8, 10:45 AM. 3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-581-1500. pabc-dc.org
SPECIAL EVENTS Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival. Through Mar 10. The unique all-arts INTERSECTIONS festival returns for its fourth season bringing together more than 100 performing groups EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 11
over twelve days. The festival presents intersections of music, theatre, dance, film and spoken word that offer new ways to see ourselves and to celebrate our community and our world. All five Atlas performance spaces will be alive with world premieres and innovative collaborations among artists of all ages, races, cultures and art forms. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org National Cherry Blossom Festival. Mar 20-Apr 14. Kite Festival, Mar 30; waterfront fireworks, Apr 6; parade and Japanese street festival, Apr 13. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival. Apr 6, 2:00-9:00 PM (rain or shine). A fun-for-all-ages event with 3 stages featuring live music, and family-friendly water-related activities designed to entertain and educate, plus cherry-inspired food and beverages. As a culmination of the festivities, watch the National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show light up the night sky on the Washington Channel at 8:30 PM. 600800 Water St. SW. 877-442-5666. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org Volunteer at the Cherry Blossom Festival. By volunteering for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, its events largely free and open to the public, you support an important event in and for our community. You’ll also have the opportunity to make new friends and have fun. Join us in welcoming the many visitors and residents to the Festival! Go to ww.nationalcherryblossomf estival.org/get-involved.
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Rhythm Café-The Life and Mastery of Carmen McRae. Mar 10, 2:00-4:00 PM. Join up-and-coming vocalist Mikaela Carlton of the Howard University Vocal Music Department as she presents an afternoon of informative entertainment dedicated to jazz pioneer Carmen McRae. The presentation will chronicle her life and achievements. Her music will be presented by the Carmen McRae Tribute Band. Space is limited; RSVP to 202633-4866. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Corcoran Community Gallery at THEARC-One Night Silent Art Auction. Mar 12, 6:00 PM. In a photojournalistic presentation entitled “Second to None,” Clary Estes, shares the emotionally charged moments captured during her yearlong examination of Stanton Elementary School. Proceeds benefit the DC Scholars Education program at the school. Free. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org Our Nation’s River: A System on the Edge (video). Mar 14, 11:00 AM.Our Nation’s River: A System on the Edge is about the Potomac River and the many health and environmental issues that face the population of the Washington, DC, area and beyond. The film was produced by Alexandra Cousteau, a National Geographic “Emerging Explorer,” filmmaker, and globally recognized advocate on water issues. Following the video, education specialist Linda Maxwell, Anacostia Community Museum, leads a discussion. For reservations, call 202633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Beatboxer Shodekeh Performs. March 13, 7 p.m. Dominic “Shodekeh” Talifero is a professional beatboxer and vocal percussionist currently working in the Baltimore area. He has applied his beatboxing to everything from ballet classes and Lithuanian folk singing to experimental improvisation and collaborations with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Channeling musical instruments and soundscapes, he vocalizes dynamic emulations of the world around him: drum sets, turntables, ocean
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waves, and sleigh bells. For his Corcoran appearance, Shodekeh will collaborate with students from the Corcoran College of Art + Design and dancer/choreographer Krysia Bock. For more information, visit http://getinvolved.corcoran.org/shodekeh STR8-N-UP Productions Inc Presents-The Dance. Mar 16, 7:00 PM. This play follows two women and the men in their lives through their experiences with the HIV virus and their opposite outcomes. The story illustrates the fact that seniors, once thought unlikely to be as vulnerable as other groups, are very vulnerable with rates of new cases alarmingly high. Free HIV testing will be provided at the site. $20. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org Photography Expedition: The Anacostia River and Environment, Part 1. Mar 16, 10:00 AM-2:30 PM. Bring your camera and travel along the Anacostia River with master photographer Bruce McNeil and capture the architecture wonders of bridges, a pumping station, the Aquatic Resources Education Center, and a panoramic view of the city. Participation fee is $20. Send check payable to Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20020; Attn: Education Department. The bus will leave the museum at 10:00 AM. Water Songs with Kwelismith. Mar 17, 2:00-4:00 PM. Inspired by the Reclaiming the Edge exhibition, Kwelismith sings Water Songs. In addition to being a source of sustenance and trade for the whole community, individuals and cultures form personal relationships with rivers. From a repertoire of spirituals, folk songs, popular songs, and jazz standards, Kweli sings that the river has been a symbol of everything from baptisms, betrayals, and love relationships to freedom, identity, and even death. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Verbal Gymnastics Workshop. Mar 19, 10:30-11:30 AM. Poet and playwright John Johnson will host an interactive workshop that incorporates poetry and storytelling. This workshop allows individuals the opportunity to use observation of their community and personal experience to create a unique and original piece that will unlock the poet and wordsmith in everyone. John Johnson will also share some of his poetry and tips that will highlight the creative spirit of the spoken word. This program is also geared to promote awareness and civic engagement in the communities surrounding the Anacostia River. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Sculpture NOW 2013 Gallery Talk. Mar 21, 6:30-8:00 PM. Exhibition open through Apr 12, Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5:00 PM. Presented by Washington Sculptors Group at Honfleur Gallery, Juror, Florcy Morisset. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. washingtonsculptors.org Fort Dupont Community Gardens Class. Mar 23, 10:00 AM. If you are Interested in obtaining a garden plot for the upcoming season, you must attend one of the mandatory 2-hour Garden Orientation Course at the Fort Dupont Activity Center. After the class you can register for a plot for the 2013 garden seasons. nps.gov/fodu Washington Women in Jazz. Mar 24, 2:00-4:00 PM. ACM again hosts a Washington Women in Jazz program. Pianist Amy K. Bormet and Jessica BoykinsSettles will present and perform material by one of the jazz greats, vocalist and songwriter Betty Carter. Space is limited. For more information, call 202-6334866. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Water Bottle Art with Jay Coleman. Mar 27, 10:30 AMnoon. Many forms of plastic bottles find their way into our rivers and pollute our waters. Join artist Jay Coleman
and help save the environment by bringing in water bottles and create a work of art. Markers, paint, colored papers, and other art materials will be supplied. For reservations, call 202.633.4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu The Other Side of Pain-A Gospel Drama Stageplay. Mar 39, 3:00 PM. The Other Side of Pain features the vocal talents of Greater Morning Star Bishop’s Choir. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org Arts Workshop with Tamara Thomas. Apr 3, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Participate in this exciting workshop as you design and create your own takeaway. Artist Tamara Thomas will assist you in developing your very own special creation. All materials will be provided. Reservations are required for this traveling workshop. Call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Da’Originalz Featuring “Beat Ya Feet”. Apr 7, 10:30 AM-noon. This “Beat Ya Feet” dance form workshop continues by popular demand. Learn how to create your own movements. This is a three session workshop providing demonstration and group practice supervision by Da’Originalz. If self-expression through movement is your preference, “Beat Ya Feet” is for you. RSVP 202-633-4844 as group size is limited. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Master Builders: A Documentary Featuring African American Architects in the Nations’ Capital. Apr 7, 2:004:00 PM. This documentary showcases African American architects and their contributions to architecture, Washington, DC, and the nation. From Calvin T. S. Brent and Lewis W. Giles Sr. to the present, architects are profiled and discussed. Panelists include: Michelle A. Jones, executive producer; Wil Stroman, producer; Patsy Fletcher, independent historian, NoMa; Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA, former dean of Howard University School of Architecture; and moderator Bernard Suber, president, NoMaDC. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Tour the Frederick Douglass House. Tours are at 9:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Ranger led tours are the only way to see the inside of the Frederick Douglass house. Tours are ticketed, and there are a limited number of tickets available for each tour. Tour tickets are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. Visitors are strongly encouraged to make a reservation to guarantee their place on the tour. Tours last approximately 30 minutes. 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5960. nps.gov/frdo Ranger tours of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Every Saturday through Sept 7, 10:00 AM-noon. Join a Ranger for tours of the Civil War De-
The SBRC Presents its “DC Bar Pro Bono Clinic”
In Partnership w/ The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
March 13, 2013 • 5:00 pm-7:30 pm, Room E-4302
The SBRC Presents its “Smart Money for Small Business 8 Week Workshop”
If you are an existing or an aspiring small business owner, come and meet one-on-one with attorneys at this brief advice clinic. You can get information on business formation, contracts, leases, taxes or any other questions you may have related to small business legal issues.
Week 1: Financial Management – March 21, 2013 Week 2: Credit Reporting – March 28, 2013 Week 3: Banking Service – April 4, 2013 Week 4: Insurance – April 11, 2013 Week 5: Organization Types – April 18, 2013 Week 6: Tax Planning and Reporting – April 25, 2013 Week 7: Recordkeeping – May 2, 2013 Week 8: Time Management – May 16, 2013
The SBRC Presents its “DC Farmers’ Market Seminar” March 6 & 30, 2013 • 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Room E-200 If you are a Farmers’ Market Vendor, or are interested in learning about the District of Columbia‘s current rules and regulations, then it is imperative that you attend this free training. We will provide training for ALL Farmers’ Market vendors who sell food of any kind (baked goods, eggs, meat, fruits and vegetables), or use a scale for vending in the District of Columbia. The purpose of this training is to educate current and new Farmers’ Market vendors of the regulatory inspection processes and of any new document requirements that will begin to take place at the farmers’ markets.
Note: Each session will be held in room E-4302; from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
To register for the SBRC workshops go to: https:bizdc.ecenterdirect.com For assistance with registering for the SBRC workshops call: 202-442-4538
DCRA Will Be Closed Thursday, April 11, 2013 for Offsite Staff Training DCRA offices will reopen at 8:30 am on Friday, April 12, 2013. Available services: Online applications for preparing building permit applications, for getting supplemental and postcard permits, and for scheduling permit-related inspections will be available. To schedule your permit inspection - call 442-9557 and follow the prompts (more information is available on DCRA’s website).
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street, SW Washington, DC 20024
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CALENDAR fenses of Washington. They will lead visitors to some of the remaining Civil War forts in the Nation’s Capital. Visitors are asked to contact Ranger Kenya Finely at 202-426-7723 for more information on the specific program themes. Fort Dupont Park. nps.gov/fodu Reclaiming the Edge: Urban Waterways and Civic Engagement. Through Sept 15. Based on research by the Anacostia Community Museum on the history, public use, and attitudes toward the Anacostia River and its watershed and on review of urban waterway developments in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Louisville, London, and Shanghai, Reclaiming the Edge explores various issues regarding human interaction with natural resources in an urban setting. It looks at densely populated watersheds and at rivers as barriers to racial and ethnic integration. The exhibition also examines civic attempts to recover, clean up, re-imagine, or engineer urban rivers for community access and use. 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu Tour Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Open daily, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is about 700 acres and is part of Anacostia Park. The park includes the gardens, Kenilworth Marsh, ball fields and recreational facilities. It is the only National Park Service site devoted to the propagation and display of aquatic plants. Stop by the visitors center and ask if a ranger is free to show you around. You can also borrow a guidebook and binoculars if you leave a driver’s license. Free.1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. www.nps.gov/kepa A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail. Discover, or see with new eyes, this traditionally African American enclave in Far Northeast when you follow “A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail.” Fifteen poster-sized street signs combine storytelling with historic photographs and maps to transport you back to the days before Deanwood was Deanwood. To pick up the trail go to Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. and Division Ave. NE. Walk one block south to Foote Street, at the edge of Marvin Gaye Park. The 90-minute, self-guided tour will bring you along Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, up 49th St. and along Sheriff Rd. back to Minnesota Ave. and the Metro station. Walk the trail at your own pace and take time to enjoy this small town in the city. Don’t forget to pick up a free trail guide from businesses along the way. 202661-7581. culturaltourismdc.org
What’s Blooming at the US Arboretum in March? Early bulbs, winter-hazel, wintersweet, sweet-box, cornelian-cherries, Japanese-andromeda, winter jasmine, pussy willows, Daffodils, woodland wildflowers, flowering cherries. Free. There are two entrances: one at 3501 New York Ave. NE, and 24th and R sts. NE, off of Bladensburg Rd. 202-245-4521. usna.usda.gov
SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Washington Wizards Basketball. Mar 9, 13, 15, 16, 25, 31 and Apr 2 and 6. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-SEAT. nba.com/wizards Georgetown 10 Miler. Mar 9, 9:30 AM. Starts at the Georgetown, Capital Cresent Trail. 240472-9201. dcrunningclub.com Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. Mar 10, 12, 17, 26 and Apr 4. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. capitals.nhl.com Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Through mid-Mar (depending on the weather). Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM. View magnificent works of sculpture while skating in the open air and enjoying music from the state-of-the-art sound system. $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, students with ID and seniors 50 and over. Skate rental is $3. Seventh St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202-289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/skating Canal Park Ice Rink. Through mid-Mar (depending on the weather). Monday-Friday, noon-9:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Adult fee is $8; children, seniors (55+) and military fees are $7. Skate rental i $3. On Tuesdays, two can skate for the price of one from 4:00-6:00 PM. The park is at Second and M sts. SE, one block from the Navy Yard Metro (New Jersey Avenue exit). canalparkdc.org. Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon-1:50 PM; Saturdays, 11:15 AM12:15 PM. Dress for warmth and safety. A helmet or knit hat is strongly recommended (loaner helmets are available). $5. $4 for kids and seniors. $3 for skate rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org
SunTrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon. Mar 16. This is the inaugural SunTrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon & CareFirst Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon. Celebrate the history and culture of our nation’s capital as you run alongside the Potomac River, the National Mall, and some of our country’s most majestic monuments. runrocknroll.competitor.com
Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 AM, Zumba. The Washington Ballet @ THEARC offers three adult classes this year. Classes are $12 each or you may purchase a $100 class card for 12 classes. Classes are only $5 for Ward 8 residents. The class card for Ward 8 residents is $50. (Valid ID required.) THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org
Spring 5K. Mar 16, 8:00 AM. Starts at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr SW (East Potomac Park). 703-486-1466. racepacket.com
Free Exercise Classes at Kenilworth Elementary School. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6:00-7:00 PM. Bring your own mat, water and towel. 1300 44th St. NE. For more information, email peppypromotions@gmail. com or call 301-395-1013
Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Mar 20, noon (third Wednesday of each month). This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-505-3567. dcroadrunners.org The Hills Are Alive 5K & 10K. Mar 23, 8:00 AM, Fort Dupont Park. This is the toughest 5K & 10K in Washington DC. The course is made up of hills, trails, and more hills. All Proceeds To Help Fund The DC Running Clubs Six Month Childhood Obesity Program. $30-$40. 240472-9201. dcrunningclub.com Spring Training Game -Nats vs Yankees. Mar 29, 2:05 PM, at Nationals Park. (Home Opener, Apr 1, vs. Marlins.) washington.nationals.mlb. com National’s Ballpark Tours. Wednesday-Sunday (non-game days), 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. On day of night-time home games, tours at 10:30 AM. Take the Nationals Park Ballpark Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at Nationals Park. Over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes you will visit the PNC Diamond Club, the Lexus Presidents Club, the Stars & Stripes Club, luxury suites, the Shirley Povich Media Center, Nationals dugout and Nationals clubhouse. Throw a pitch in the Nationals bullpen. $12-$15. All proceeds from Nationals Park Tours will be donated to the Nationals Dream Foundation. washington.nationals.mlb.com
Free Yoga Classes at Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Every Thursday, 7:00-8:00 PM. Yoga is a great way to relax, unwind and get grounded. Even if you’ve never done yoga before--this class is for you. Open to people of all abilities, ages and body types. All you need to bring is yourself, comfortable clothing and an open mind. Judgment free zone: having a great time is encouraged! Register in person at Anacostia Neighborhood Library or call 202-715-7707. 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. dclibrary.org/anacostia Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. Open daily; Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Four indoor courts. Six outdoor courts. Summer hourly fees at $6 to $10 for adults. Kids 17 and under play for free. 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202645-6242. dpr.dc.gov
DC Rollergirls. Mar 30, 4:00 PM. (Doors open at 3:00 p.m.) Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for children 6-11, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available in advance at ticketmaster.com or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military ID can purchase tickets for $10 at the door. Bouts are at DC Armory. dcrollergirls.com
Free public tennis courts in Wards 7 and 8. Fort Davis Community Center, 1400 41st St. SE; Hillcrest Recreation Center, 3100 Denver St. SE; Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center, 4300 Anacostia Ave. NE; Randle Highlands Tennis Courts, 31st St. and Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE; Bald Eagle Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr Ave. and Joliet St. SW; Congress Heights Recreation Center, Alabama Ave. and Randle Pl.SE; Fort Stanton Community Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a firstcome, first-served basis for one-hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. dpr.dc.gov
Adult Dance Classes. Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 PM, Pilates; Wednesdays, 7:00-8:15 PM, Jazz;
Deanwood (indoor) Pool. Mon-Fri 6:30 AM8:00 PM; Sat-Sun, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Free for
Easter Monday-Celebrating the African American Tradition.
Apr 1 (rain or shine), 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Since 1891, Easter Monday at the National Zoo has been a historic tradition in the African American community. The National Zoo proudly commemorates this family tradition that has grown to include all families in the metro area. This special event features family activities, a traditional Easter egg hunt, animal demonstrations, live entertainment, field and relay-style games with an animal theme and visits from the Easter Panda. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. nationalzoo.si.edu Photo: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian National Zoo
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DC residents. 1350 49th St. NE. 202-6713078. dpr.dc.gov Ferebee Hope (indoor) Pool. Open weekdays, 10:00-6:00 PM. Closed weekends. Free for DC residents. 3999 Eighth St. SE. 202-645-3916. dpr.dc.gov Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon. Oct 6. Registration open. 703-587-4321. wilsonbridgehalf.com Marine Corps Marathon Registration. Register online beginning Mar 27 at marinemarathon.com. Marathon is Sunday, Oct. 27.
CIVIC LIFE Big Chair Breakfast Bunch. Saturday, Mar 9, 10:00 AM-noon. Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill (upstairs). All are welcome to attend and discuss what’s happening East of the River. 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. 202525-4287. WMATA Performance Oversight Hearing. Mar 15, 1:00 PM in room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. For anybody who wishes to testify, contact Rob Hawkins, Legislative Director of the Office of Councilmember Bowser at 202-724-8052 or at rhawkins@ dccouncil.us. Grosso Near You (informal) Meeting. Third Thursday, 8:00-9:30 AM, Big Chair Coffee and Grill, 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The meetings will provide the opportunity for constituents to bring ideas and issues directly to Councilmember Grosso as part of an effort to make the DC Council more accessible. Smart Money for Small Business 8 Week Workshop. All workshops are from 1-2 p.m. in room E-4302, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 1100 4th St. SW. Classes scheduled are Mar 21, Financial Management; Mar 28, Credit Reporting; Apr 4, Banking Service; Apr 11, Insurance; Apr 18, Organization Types; Apr 25,Tax Planning and Reporting; May 2, Recordkeeping; and May 16, Time Management. To register, go to bizdc.ecenterdirect.com. For help with registering, call 202-442-4538. Congresswoman Norton’s SE District Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2041 MLK Ave. SE, #238. 202-678-8900. norton.house.gov Councilmember Alexander’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202581-1560. Councilmember Barry’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM5:00 PM. 2100 MLK Ave, SE, #307. 202698-2185. Anacostia Coordinating Council Meeting. Last Tuesday, noon-2:00 PM. Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort St. SE. For further details, contact Philip Pannell, 202-889-4900.
Capitol View Civic Association Meeting. Third Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memorial United Methodist, 25 53rd St. NE. capitolviewcivicassoc.org Historical Anacostia Block Association. Second Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM. UPOAnacostia Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. For further details, contact Charles Wilson, 202-834-0600. Anacostia High School School Improvement Team Meeting. Fourth Tuesday. 6:00 PM. Anacostia High School, 16th and R sts. SE. Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE. Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE. Eastland Gardens Civic Association Meeting. Third Tuesday. 6:30-8:30 PM. Kenilworth Elementary School (auditorium), 1300 44th St. NE. Greg Rhett jrhett3009@ aol.com or 202-388-1532. Fairlawn Citizens Association. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. ANC 7A. Second Tuesday, 7:30 PM. BenningStoddard Rec. Center, 100 Stoddard Pl. SE. 202-727-1000. 7A@anc.dc.gov. anc7a.org ANC 7B. Third Thursday, 7:00 PM. Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE). 202-5843400. anc7b@pressroom.com. anc7b.us ANC 7C. Second Thursday, 7:00 PM. Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. 202-3985100. anc7c@verizon.net ANC 7D. Second Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Sixth District Police Station, 100 42nd St. NE. 202-398-5258. 7D06@anc.dc.gov ANC 7E. Second Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 PM. Jones Memorial Church, 4625 G St. SE. 202582-6360. 7E@anc.dc.gov ANC 8A. First Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Anacostia UPO Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-889-6600. anc8adc.org
WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking Cradles • InStride Slingshots are Back
ANC 8B. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Seventh District Police Station Community Center, Alabama and McGee Sts. SE. 202-610-1818. anc8b.org ANC 8C. First Wednesday (June meeting is on the nineth because of the holiday), 6:30 PM. 2907 MLK Jr Ave. SE. 202-388-2244. ANC 8D. Fourth Thursday, 7:00 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202 561-0774 ANC 8E. First Monday, 7:00 PM. 3400 Wheeler Rd. SE, Eagle Academy 202-5616616. 8e02@anc.dc.gov u
Marlow Heights Shopping Center 4123 Branch Ave Marlow Heights, MD
301-702 1401
Free Gift With Ad EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 15
BULLETIN BOARD Grammy-Award Winning Jazz Musician Performs Live at THEARC Theater - Mar 22. Photo: Courtesy of THEARC
Live Performance by Bassist Ben Williams and the Sound Effect Jazz Band at THEARC
On Mar 22, 7:30 p.m., hear bassist, Benjamin Williams-a DC native. Mr. Williams also performs on electric bass and piano. Various genres of music inspire his style including classical, gospel, hip-hop, jazz and R&B. A graduate of Michigan State University, where he majored in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz, Ben has won several competitions including the prestigious Thelonious Monk Insitute of 2010 Jazz Competition. He is also a two-time winner of the Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Competition at the East Coast Jazz Festival; a two-time winner of the DC Public School Piano Competition; and a 2002 recipient of the Duke Ellington Society Annual Scholarship Award. Ben also took first place in the 2005 International Society of Bassists Competition in the category of jazz. He has also opened for artists such as John Legend, Kirk Franklin and Eric Roberson. $10. THEARC Theater, Double Time Jazz is a musical performance series, presented by THEARC Theater, bringing world-class jazz musicians east of the Anacostia River throughout the year.
2013 Diabetes Alert Day
American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Please join them for an informative program and a cooking demonstration. To register, call 202-698-6373 or email karen. quash@dc.gov. Mar 27, 2-4 p.m., at the Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis
Faith and Environmentalism Community Forum
This forum explores the role of various faiths in the environmental movement in the DC metropolitan area. What obligations do the traditions of the various faiths place on their adherents? What steps have the 16 H EaSTOFThErIVErDcNEWS.cOM
diverse faith communities taken in fulfilling these obligations? What role has interfaith collaboration played in the process? How has such collaboration strengthened communities? Tuesday, Mar 12, 7:00 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu
Sculpture Now 2013 at Honfleur Gallery
Washington Sculptors Group is opening of Sculpture Now 2013 at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, on Mar 1. The show brings together works by members of the Washington Sculptors Group selected by Philadelphia-based curator Florcy Morisset. The exhibition runs through Apr 12. Morisset will give a curator talk Thursday, Mar 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Honfleur Gallery.This exhibition coincides with Home by
Benjamin Rasmussen at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, temporarily located in the upstairs exhibition space at Honfleur Gallery. honfleurgallery.com
East River Family Strengthening Collaborative Financial Literacy Classes
ERFSC has free financial literacy classes for Ward 7 residents at their office located at 3917 Minnesota Ave. NE. Contact Kellie Broussard at kbroussard@erfsc.org or 202-3977300 for more information and to register. erfsc.org
Environmental Film Festival at the Anacostia Community Museum
On Mar 15, 6:30 p.m. there will be a screening of “Rebels With A
Cause.” (USA,72 min) Spotlighting the rebels, a group of citizens from many walks of life, who fought to preserve open space, protect agriculture and wildlife, establish public parks next to a densely populated urban center yearning for access to nature, the film not only documents that open space was preserved, but that their efforts pioneered a conservation ethos that today is more the norm than the exception in Marin County, California. On Mar 22, 6:30 p.m., there will be a screening of “Rock the Boat.” Rock the Boat is a fun, high-energy and ultimately moving documentary that follows the 2008 unlikely tale of a group’s 51-mile boating expedition down the notorious Los Angeles River. The waterway was channelized by the Army Corps of Engineers to
prevent flooding in Los Angeles. In an absurd act of civil disobedience, the group--led by local satirical writer George Wolfe--boated down the fenced-in waterway, hoping to have the EPA declare it navigable, so that it could gain protection under the Clean Water Act. All Environmental Film Festival at the Anacostia Community Museum screenings are free. No registration is required. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia. si.edu
Celebrate Women’s History Month with ACC and AARP Chapter #4870
March is Women’s History Month and the Anacostia Coordinating Council and the Anacostia/ Bellevue/Congress Heights AARP Chapter #4870 will celebrate it with a theatre party at MetroStage in Old Town Alexandria for the performance of the musical Ladies Swing the Blues, a fable of storytelling and the music of the jazz divas Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughn. It will be a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Mar 16. A bus will leave from Shannon Pl. and Howard Rd. SE (across from the Anacostia Metro station), at 2 p.m. and return at 6 p.m. The special group rate of $50 per ticket includes bus transportation, the performance and a reception with the cast invited. Please make your reservations as soon as possible by calling 202-889-4900. For more information about the musical, visit metrostage.org/ladies
Free Lecture Series at THEARC for African American Professionals
“Creatively Making a World of Difference: African American Innovators and Entrepreneurs” is a live exhibit that celebrates the spirit of renowned and lesser-known contemporary and historical African Americans through exhibits, lectures, and discussions from Mar 1-31. Meet and talk with exemplary entrepreneurs and innovators from
Wards 7 and 8 during the week, with one-hour lectures and discussion sessions every Saturday (except Mar 16) from 11 a.m.-noon; 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. Attend all Saturday lectures on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in March and receive a certification of completion. A special Highlights Exhibit and Reception for Innovators and Entrepreneurs will take place on Saturday, Mar 16, 2-5 p.m. Network with area professionals while enjoying music by Harpist, Victoria Payton-Webber. All are invited to attend. Keynote speakers include: Exhibit Curator, Patricia Sluby; Milliner, Crystal Little; Chemist, Dr. Tiffani Bailey Lash; Chemist, Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy; Nutritionist, Tambra Stevenson; Architect, Randall S. Marshall and Entrepreneur, Kathy Wilson. For more information, call 781-708-2764, email jwhitman@mbiedc.org or visit thearcdc.org. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE.
Volunteers Needed for Anacostia River Wetland Site Preparation
This spring, the Anacostia Watershed Spcoety will be restoring a wetland along the Anacostia River! The first step in the process is the completion of some basic prepatory work. This work will involve debris cleanup and non-native plant removal. They need your help on Tuesday, Mar 19 and Wednesday, Mar 20, 9 a.m. to noon, both days. They will be meeting in the parking lot of the driving range of the Langston Golf Course. This event will likely involve digging, lifting, bending, and walking for fair distances. It is not suitable for young children or those with health issues. Registration is required at anacostiaws.org.
Allen Chapel AME and The NHP Foundation Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for Brand New Senior Living Facility in Ward 8
On Sunday Mar 10, at 2:00 pm, there will be a grand opening of The Roundtree Residences at 2515
Darrin D. Davis, Principal Broker/Owner
ANACOSTIA RIVER REALTY Sell. Buy. Rent. Property Management. Register for our real estate workshops! 2412 Minnesota Ave. SE, Suite 101 Washington, DC 20020
202-678-REAL(7325) info@AnacostiaRiverRealty.com
www.AnacostiaRiverRealty.com EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 17
BULLETIN BOARD
Anacostia Arts Center Opening Spring 2013
ARCH Development Corporation announces the Anacostia Arts Center, coming spring 2013 to Historic Anacostia. Designed to be a community arts nucleus, the Anacostia Arts Center will bring approximately 10,000 square feet of creative commercial space to Good Hope Rd. SE. Conveniently located at the south end of the 11th Street Bridge between Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE and 13th St. SE, the Anacostia Arts Center will bring independent creative projects together under one roof. The center will occupy the street level of 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE, formally the ARCH Training Center. The property is divided up into spaces connected by a main hall, with common lounge areas in the front and rear of the building. Currently under construction, the space will include: a built-out black box theater, the American Poetry Museum Reading Room, the short-term creative rental facility Blank Space SE, a coffee shop & juice bar, three gallery rental spaces, and two boutique/wellness center rental spaces. Now accepting proposals and lease applications: the black box theater, all gallery and boutique/wellness center spaces, coffee shop & juice bar. archdevelopment.org
Rendering of the Anacostia Arts Center now under construction. Photo: Courtesy of ARCH Development Corp
Alabama Ave. SE. The Roundtree Residences is a new 91-unit affordable senior living facility named after the acclaimed civil rights activist Rev. Dovey Johnson Roundtree. Rev. Roundtree rose to prominence as a lawyer in winning the end to segregation and Jim Crow on interstate buses. In that same year she became one of the first women to be ordained to the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The building has 80 one-bedroom units and 11 two-bedroom units, and is only available to seniors making 60% or less of DC’s area median income with 20 units set aside for seniors making 50% of the area median income. The project has an abundance of amenities including an exercise room, computer lab, library, coffee bar and a contemporarily designed two story lobby.
Movies with a Mission DC-The Will To Survive: The Story of The Gullah/Geechee Nation The documentary tells the living history of the Gullah/Geechee people, Americans who trace their lineage back to the original Africans that were captured and brought to the barrier islands along the south east coast. As industry drove settlers inland, the Gullah/Geechee people have remained in isolation for more than 200 years. The result is an American culture with many elements of African life still intact. Over the years the island’s population has diminished to about 70 people. Free. RSVP Required. Mar 10, 3-5 p.m., THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. sankofaspirit.com
Shepherd Parkway Cleanup
On Saturday, Mar 23, 10 a.m.1 p.m., join the Congress Heights Community Association to help clean up one of the most unique wooded areas in the District! Meet at 4th and Mellon Sts. SE. If you have questions, contact Congress Heights Community Association member Nathan Harrington at nbharrington@yahoo.com or 301758-5892 or Anacostia Watershed 18 H EaSTOFThErIVErDcNEWS.cOM
Society’s Maddie Koenig at mkoenig@anacostiaws.org or 301-6996204 ext. 109. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and study shoes. There are lots of hills-if you think they will be an issue please reconsider. For more information about the effort, visit: shepherdparkway.blogspot.com.
DDOT and Metro Roll Out Pilot Program With Giant Stores
The District Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Metro and Giant Stores, will give District students the ability to purchase or renew their 10-trip Metrobus pass at any Giant Food store in Washington, D.C. under a new pilot program. The pilot program is designed to give students additional options for purchasing a 10-trip bus pass in areas closer to their neighborhood or school. The pilot will run through July 1, 2013. The Giant Stores participating in the pilot are located at 1050 Brentwood Rd. NE; 1345 Park Rd. NW; 4303 Connecticut Ave. NW; and 1535 Alabama Ave. SE.
DC Tenants’ Rights Center “Know Your Rights” Workshops
Saturdays in March, 10-11 a.m.,come to DC Tenants’ Rights Center workshops at 406 5th St. NW on the following topics: March 9, How to Sue a Landlord in Small Claims Court; March 16, The Housing Rights of a Person with a Disability; and March 23, The Right to Sanitary, Safe, Well-Maintained Housing. These workshops are educational in nature. No legal advice will be provided. All are welcome. Cost per workshop is $15 per person, cash or check. Space is limited. Call to register 202-681-6871. DCTenants.com
Residential Street Sweeping has Begun
The 2013 residential street sweeping season began Mar 1. Signs are posted that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced
so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively. Parking enforcement of residential sweeping violations will begin Monday, Mar 11, to give motorists a few days to get used to the parking restrictions. Beginning Mar 11, parked cars also may be towed to allow the sweepers access to the curbside. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours while sweeping is underway.
DC Streetcar Unveils New Website
As road construction along the H Street/Benning Road corridor progresses, construction of a different type has been going on behind the scenes at dcstreetcar.com. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has unveiled a redesigned website for the DC Streetcar program. In addition to a new design, the site features up-to-date information on current lines, future Lines and construction impacts. Visit dcstreetcar.com to peruse the new site and for more information on the DC Streetcar program.
Unity Health Care Wins National Technology Award
Unity Health Care, a safety net provider in the DC area will receive the HIMSS Davies Award for Health Information Technology at the upcoming HIMSS conference in New Orleans. Unity, a federally qualified health center has implemented Electronic Health Records and over a two-year period, this implementation resulted in $12.2 million in additional revenue, increased efficiency and provider productivity (which increased by 21%). That income rise far outweighed the $5.5 million that Unity invested in the EHR. It also included approximately $2.66 million in government EHR incentives. UnityHealthCare.org u
National Park Service Proposes Cleanup Plan for the Kenilworth Park Landfill Site in Washington, D.C. n March 5, 2013, the National Park Service (NPS) will issue the
The formal comment period begins on March 5, 2013 and ends on
Proposed Plan for Cleanup of the Kenilworth Park Landfill Site located in Washington, D.C. NPS will hold a public meeting to
May 6, 2013. NPS will choose the final cleanup plan after the comment period ends, and may select any one of the options after taking public com-
discuss the Proposed Plan.
ments into account. See instructions below for further information on how to submit comments.
Public Meeting April 11, 2013 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Educare of Washington, D.C. 640 Anacostia Ave., NE Washington, D.C. 20019
Copies of key Site documents, including the RI/FS Reports and Proposed Plan, are available on the internet at:
www.nps.gov/nace/parkmgmt/kpls.htm Copies of these documents also may be found in the Kenilworth Park Landfill Site Administrative Record File, which will be supplemented on March 5, 2013.
NPS conducted environmental investigations and evaluated risks posed to human health and the environment by contaminants at the Site, and developed a range of cleanup options in the Remedial Investigations and
The Administrative Record File is available at:
Feasibility Study. These studies were performed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. The Proposed Plan identifies a preferred alternative for cleaning up contaminated soils at the Site and also includes a summary of the other cleanup alternatives evaluated along with the rationale for selection
1900 Anacostia Drive, SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
National Capital Parks-East
(202) 692-6033 National Park Service 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 220 Boulder, CO 80302
of the Preferred Alternative. The Site has been divided into two operable units (OUs): OU1 comprises surface and subsurface soils, including the waste material disposed of within the landfill; OU2 is the shallow groundwater underlying OU1. The Proposed Plan presents the Preferred Alternative for OU1. OU2 is being evaluated separately.
(303) 415-9030 Hours: Mon-Fri • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Except federal holidays
For further information or to submit written comments, please contact: NPS evaluated the following options for addressing the contaminated surface and subsurface soils at the Site: Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3a Alternative 3b Alternative 4
No Action Minor Regrading and Institutional Controls 12-Inch Soil Cap 24-Inch Low Permeability Soil Cap Removal of All Accessible Waste Material and Existing Cover Soils with Off-Site Disposal
The proposed preferred alternative for OU1 is Alternative 3b, which calls for placing 24 inches of clean, low-permeability soil over the existing ground surface after low areas are regraded and filled. The top six inches of the cap would be topsoil to facilitate revegetation, and perimeter methane monitoring would be performed before, during, and after soil cap placement. Although this is the Preferred Alternative at the present time, NPS welcomes the public’s comments on all of the alternatives listed above.
Emily Ferguson National Capital Parks – East 1900 Anacostia Drive, S.E. Washington, DC, 20020 (202) 692-6033 Email: kenilworthpark_ou1@nps.gov – OR – Shawn Mulligan National Park Service 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 220 Boulder, CO 80302 (303) 415-9014
www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 19
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
The April 23 Special Election Primer
I
f you’re feeling a little electoral fatigue, we hate to break it to you: there’s another election coming on April 23. On that day, DC residents from across the city will choose the new At-Large councilmember to fill the seat once held by DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson, now occupied on an interim basis by Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At Large). Seven candidates are all in: Bonds, Ward 1 State Board of Education Representative Patrick Mara, Initiative 70 activist Elissa Silverman, former At-Large Councilmember Michael Brown, Ward 3 ANC Commissioner Matthew Frumin, defense attorney Paul Zukerberg, and social activist Perry Redd. The context of the election is both quite similar and quite different than in the past. Ethics remains an issue on the forefront of many voters’ minds— Councilmember Jim Graham (DWard 1) was recently reprimanded for his controversial role in a Metro land deal—while lawmakers begin to tackle education challenges ranging from school closures to chronic truancy. And while the city recently posted a $417 million surplus and continues to grow (55 cranes dot the city’s sky, officials like to boast), the squeeze on neediest residents is acute, with affordable housing remaining in short supply and a persistent homeless population (including 600 children) at DC General. Still, this is a special election, so the dynamics are different than in most races. Turnout is likely to be anemic at best—in the 2011 At-Large special election it barely exceeded 10 percent—and candidates have less time to raise money and campaign.
20 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
by Martin Austermuhle
How will it shape up? Here’s a quick review of the top candidates.
Mara polled strongly in the neighborhoods surrounding Eastern Market.
Patrick Mara
Elissa Silverman
For the current Ward 1 representative to the DC State Board of Education, this could well be it. While he failed in two prior bids for the DC Council—in 2008 and 2011—he’s now among the best-positioned. Mara can draw on a database of supporters gathered in previous efforts. And, while many would say that that’s the case despite his party affiliation—he’s a Republican, a rare breed in these parts—others say it’s because of it that he might well win. Republicans haven’t held a seat on the council since 2008, and they’ve suffered a steady string of defeats since. Special elections are low-turnout affairs, and with a targeted and spirited effort Mara will be able to attract enough local Republicans to his cause. Additionally, being anything but a Democrat isn’t a bad thing in scandal-ridden DC; Mara’s message of political diversity could play well to the many new voters who are opting to remain independent. Finally, Mara is of even rarer breed than just any Republican—he’s an urban Republican. Socially progressive, fiscally prudent, heavily involved in education, and a proven vote-getter, Mara can appeal to many crowds. Still, will his usual calls for lower taxes resonate in a city suffering from a severe affordable housing crunch and enduring surpluses? And will his strongest bases of support—wards 1, 2 and 3—remain as solid with other competitors vying for them? More importantly, can he repeat his last success in the city’s largest ward, Ward 6? There,
The former Washington Post reporter and policy wonk at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute has transitioned smoothly into her role as an At-Large candidate: she has a well-known political sponsor (former Ward 3 Councilmember Kathy Patterson), a snappy campaign slogan (“Integrity, Accountability and Investment”) and wonkyyet-approachable answers to many of the city’s most intractable problems. Silverman has translated her work on Initiative 70—which would have banned corporate contributions to local campaigns—into a pitch for why she’d be best-placed to address the council’s lack of ethics, while hammering home the need for more affordable housing and better-spent workforce development dollars. Silverman also has access to the network of activists that very nearly placed Initiative 70 on the ballot. This rolodex no doubt gives her an edge in volunteers. Silverman’s natural base seems to be among the city’s young progressive set, but even there she’ll have to temper any enthusiasm for their causes with appeals to the Ward 3 voters that Patterson will insist she attract. At a recent forum, for example, she said she was opposed to a DC plan to scrap parking minimums at new developments. That might sound like music to the ears of some Ward 3 residents, but it’ll be nails-on-a-chalkboard for those in denser parts of town. Will Silverman’s progressive appeal attract the same demographic that turned out strongly for David Grosso in Wards 4, 5 and 6? Can
Silverman secure the endorsement of the Washington Post Editorial Board, who have given Mara the nod in the past?
Michael Brown
The former councilmember wants his old job back after having been handed a humbling defeat by Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) last November. It’s not impossible to see it happen: Brown is affable and approachable, has citywide name recognition and can tout many of the progressive causes he championed—affordable housing, jobs— while on the council. Given that prominence of issues of affordable housing and unemployment in recent months, Brown is in a perfect position to capitalize. Still, his biggest obstacle seems to be his own inability to muster an aggressive campaign. With little raised as of the end of January—a mere $9,500 from 10 donors—and talking points premised on what he once did instead of what he plans to do, Brown runs the risk of sounding like he merely expects to get the job back.
Matthew Frumin
Despite being a novice in citywide campaigns, Frumin isn’t a total political newbie. A Ward 3 ANC commissioner and former congressional candidate, Frumin led all his competitors in fundraising at the end of January, taking in over $80,000 from over 200 contributors. Frumin’s work on Wilson High School’s modernization gives him education credentials. His mediation of sensitive development matters in his ward allows him to claim that he
can handle those that are difficult and divisive. He’s also got a heck of a campaign slogan for the moment DC finds itself in: “Let’s Grow Together.” Frumin is challenged by low visibility, though with the money he has, he could well spread it far and wide by Election Day.
Anita Bonds
The current Interim Councilmember has been a behind-thescenes operative in DC politics since the era of Marion Barry. She knows the ins-and-outs of the city’s political machinery—the DC Democratic State Committee, which she leads, is backing her—and can call upon many people for favors. But in these uncertain times, Bonds close ties with the Democratic establishment can do more to sink her candidacy than help her to victory. The DC Democratic State Committee hasn’t elected new members in over four years (and that might be the least of the issues it has faced). And, for as much as Bonds professes to favor stronger ethics laws, the fact remains that for years she was on the payroll of Fort Myer Construction, one of the biggest DC contractors.
The Remainder of the Pack
Redd and Zukerberg are worthy candidates in some respects, but they simply haven’t raised enough money to be viable. Money isn’t everything, but rare is the candidate that wins with none of it. To their credit, both have brought diverse perspective to candidate debates: Redd speaks passionately about helping returning citizens reintegrate into society, while Zukerberg insists that the possession of small amounts of marijuana should be decriminalized.
The Horse Race
How is each candidate going to approach the race? For Mara, Silverman and Frumin, Grosso’s successful campaign in unseating Brown is instructive. Focus your efforts on Wards 2, 3, 4 and 6. All of these wards are rich in voters and have shown an inclination to dump the incumbents. Ward 6, in particular, powered Grosso ahead. For Brown and Bonds, much like Mayor Vincent Gray, Wards 5,
7, and 8 hold the key: Brown drew most of his votes in the race against Grosso from these eastern localities. These neighborhoods provided the votes for Fenty’s defeat. Here, Bonds can rely on her institutional contacts to help push her candidacy. Yet, the lack of a strong, single African-American candidate may reduce their influence and turnout. The battle therefore is likely to be won elsewhere. Given the lineup, though, this election won’t break down the same way that the 2011 At-Large special did. Mara won’t be able to corner the market on Ward 3; both Frumin and Silverman have significant claims to some of those voters. Additionally, Wards 1 and 6 will remain in play: Mara is proven votegetter in both, but Silverman calls Ward 6 home and can appeal to younger voters packing into Ward 1. Brown and Bonds will fight for votes in wards 5, 7 and 8, but the biggest question is whether Brown will be able to seek amends among the Ward 4 voters that can be so decisive in most local races. Money, of course, will play its usual role. Frumin took in an exception haul, while Silverman did well with $35,000 raised. Mara seemed a little limp at $20,000 collected, but a few high-profile fundraisers in February might reverse that trend. (He said he plans to raise $100,000.) Neither Brown nor Bonds seems particularly aggressive about raising money, which could make them non-factors come Election Day. Still, given the nature of the race, Mara will be tough to beat if he can get his party faithful to the polls. Yet he is far from having a lock on the election. An aggressive Silverman is bent on contesting every vote in Wards 3 and 6, threatening Mara’s support at The Post, and organizing a GOTV effort using the bones of Initiative 70. Frumin will also erode Mara support in northwest precincts. In the absence of polling data, the race is much too early to call. Martin Austermuhle is Editorin-Chief of DCist.com and a freelance writer. He lives in Columbia Heights. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 21
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D
C’s Chief Financial Officer confirmed last week that the city’s revenue collections are increasing due to a growing population and expanding economy. The upward changes to the city’s revenue forecast will allow the Mayor and Council to support a supplemental budget for 2013, and will give the Mayor opportunities to make new investments when he submits a budget for 2014 in March. The bad news is that the new CFO forecast projects weak revenue growth for this year and next, especially compared with recent trends. While DC’s tax collections grew an average of 8.4 percent per year in 2011 and 2012, the new forecast suggests revenues will grow only 1.4 percent per year in 2013 and 2014. The main culprit: federal budget cuts from sequestration (or whatever may ultimately replace it) that will affect employment in the DC region and sap the main driver of
our local economy. The key figure reported last week is that projected revenues for 2013 are now $190 million higher than the last forecast for 2013. That sounds like – and is – a substantial increase. But it also is a bit misleading because the last forecast was made a year ago, and the city’s economy has grown a lot since then. A clearer picture of the state of DC’s finances comes from looking at actual revenue collections in the last two years and projections for this year and next. By that, the District’s finances are not looking strong at all. DC’s tax collections soared in 2011 and 2012, rising $315 million in one year and $572 million in the second. But last week’s forecast projects that revenues will rise just $92 million in 2013 followed by another $80 million in 2014. The CFO’s forecast seems to assume the impact of federal budget cuts will be swift and severe, largely as a result of furloughs of federal government employees and cuts in federal contracting starting in March. Consider this: DC’s sales tax collections in the first four months of fiscal year 2013 are running 18 percent higher than the same period last year, and income tax collections are 22 percent higher, a reflection of a growing population and rising incomes. Yet the new revenue projection suggests that both sales
tax and income tax collections will be lower for the last eight months of the year than in the same period in 2012. In other words, the federal cuts will almost immediately slam the brakes on our fast-moving economy. There are some other signs of softening in DC’s economy, too. While the number of working DC residents is growing, the number of jobs in the city (held by residents and non-residents) is not. And the amount of office space in use in the city fell slightly last year. Both of those seem to reflect early signs of a shrinking federal government. The CFO’s revenue projection finds that DC’s economy and finances are strong but very vulnerable. Even with federal budget cuts, tax collections are growing and creating some opportunities for new initiatives. But economic and revenue growth will be hampered greatly by federal budget cuts. DC, like the rest of the region and nation, will be in much better shape if the President and Congress work to create a more thoughtful plan to address the federal budget. u
www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 23
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Baseball Season Begins Again
N
by E. Ethelbert Miller
ext month the season of baseball begins again. DC will be a city with great expectations. Can we shake off those weary blues from the last game The Nationals played? Do you recall how loud the silence was in the ball park? Cardinals dancing on our field like vultures plucking out our hearts. Now we are about to march back into April. It’s a year in which no names will be voted into the hall of fame. Our nation went from junk bonds to Barry Bonds. What’s next? It’s so important that our young baseball team have another great year. Our city needs to win. I want the best for Strasburg and Harper. I’m glad LaRoche didn’t leave. Spring is a time of hope: Easter and eggs. Show me a robin sticking out its chest and chirping and I know the smell of hotdogs and beer will soon be in the air and the sun will make me sweat before the seventh inning stretch. Do I have any fears? Yes, a few – well, make that many since RGIII went down. What is the future going to look like? One minor change that might soon hit baseball is the replacement of the dugout phone with cellphones. This seems like such a small matter, but consider how much drama there is when a manager or pitching coach turns to use that phone hanging on the wall. One call and you know the guy standing on the mound might be yanked after facing one or two more batters. I need to see a manager making that call. Texting someone in the bullpen is like refusing to go out to the opera.
24 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
It’s the small changes to the game of baseball that mirror what is taking place in our society. Tradition is sometimes upheld by a belt around one’s pants, a tie to an interview, polished shoes, and letting an elder go to the front of the line. Too often these small things slip away like a gas-line leak making you shake your dizzy head in circles. I’ll always be a fan of baseball because of how the game is played. It’s where individuals make errors, guys get picked off first after a date with a single and people steal without going to jail. This is what I have to look forward to in April. Don’t remind me about the IRS when I want to count the first RBIs. I’m waiting for the winning streak to hit double figures, a few walk-off homeruns and maybe an early no-hitter. This is DC, a city where dreams are honored on the mall, and a place where history never sleeps. I wish it was always spring here – endless cherry blossoms and water flowing in Rock Creek Park, the sound of many languages laughing and dancing in duets. This is the city by the Potomac, blessed by both north and south, blessed to have a baseball team first in its division. Now I need the movie sequel with the happy ending. I want to say good-bye to March and kiss April hello. Oh, and don’t tell me about the rain that might fall next month. I don’t want to confuse it with tears. Baseball will be back soon, and what makes a curveball break is nothing but splendor, perfection and happiness. u
COME HEAR THE AT-LARGE CANDIDATES DEBATE! The Spec i a l El e c ti o n i s Co m i n g o n A pril 23,2013.
Tuesday, March 19th, 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20th, 1 to 3 p.m.
Ward Memorial AME Church 241 42nd Street, NE
Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
Moderators: Tracee Wilkins, Bureau Chief for NBC & Sam Ford, WJLA-TV News Reporter
Moderator: Stuart Rosenthal, Publisher, The Beacon Newspaper
Sponsors: Central Northeast Civic Association, East of the River Newspaper
Sponsors: Anacostia/Bellevue/Congress Heights AAARP Chapter #4870, Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center, Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC), East of the River Newspaper
Wednesday, March 27th, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Senior High School 1700 East Capitol Street, NE (Stadium-Armory Metro Station)
Monday, April 8th, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Ballou Senior High School 3401 4th Street, SE (at Trenton Street)
Moderator: Sam Ford, WJLA-TV News Reporter
Moderator: Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer
A Straw Poll will be Conducted After The Forum.
Sponsors: Ballou SHS PTSA, Congress Heights Community Association, Anacostia Coordinating Council, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, East of the River Newspaper
Sponsors: DC Federation of Civic Associations, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A, Anacostia Coordinating Council, Councilmember Tommy Wells, The Hill Rag Newspaper
For further information contact Philip Pannell, ACC Executive Director, 202-889-4900, acc01@aol. com. For information about the Central Northeast Civic Association debate, contact Janis D. Hazel, Communications Committee, Central NorthEast Civic Association (CNECA) at 202-630-5099
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Uniontown Rises Again
With a newly signed lease, Uniontown Bar and Grill will reopen under new ownership by Charnice A. Milton
Located at 2200 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Uniontown Bar and Grill stood shuttered after the owner was evisted in August 2012. Photo by Charnice A. Milton
S
ince August 2012, Uniontown Bar and Grill has stood shuttered on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. Once considered an example of Anacostia’s economic renewal, Uniontown was a popular hangout for community members and visitors until unpaid rent and legal troubles forced it to close. The closing was a major setback for a community in transition, but news of potential bidders gave community members hope. Now that Gabriel Tripodo has signed Uniontown’s lease and has begun the process of obtaining a liquor license, Anacostia residents could soon return to their neighborhood-friendly restaurant.
The Beginning and the End
Opening in February 2011, the name of the restaurant was inspired by the former name of the Anacostia community, which was Uniontown. The Washington Post called it a labor of love for then-owner Natasha Dasher. “I guess when I think about it, I want this place to be a hub in the community,” she said. “You can 26 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
already see that people are moving here, coming here and want to be here, and what we’d like to do is be a service for them.” Many praised the service and the Cajun-inspired menu, seeing Uniontown as proof of Anacostia’s economic resurgence. However, in April 2012, it was revealed that Uniontown owed $18,000 in back rent. After failing to adhere to a payment plan and appear for an appointed court date, the city issued an eviction notice in July. Meanwhile, Dasher was implicated in a drug trafficking scheme; she later pled guilty on two federal charges. By August, Uniontown was closed. “I applaud Natasha Dasher for taking a risk,” said Charles Wilson, president and co-founder of the Anacostia Historic Block Association (AHBA). “It showed that it was possible to open a thriving sit-down restaurant in Anacostia.”
The Search for a New Tenant
A month later, landlord Stan Voudrie announced during an AHBA meeting that he was consid-
ering five potential tenants. Although he did not say who they were, Voudrie dispelled rumors that Busboys and Poets was one of them. During January’s AHBA meeting, Voudrie announced that someone had signed Uniontown’s lease, but did not reveal the identity. On February 11, a tweet named Gabriel Tripodo, former owner of Port City Java and current owner of Union Liquors, as the new tenant; later, Voudrie and representatives from ARCH Development Corporation confirmed the news.
What to Expect
According to their February 6 submission to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), Tripodo and his start-up, Gebtri, Inc., plan to open “a new grill with tavern-style menu,” similar to that of its former tenant. The new restaurant will still offer periodic live entertainment as well as a television for major events. However, Tripado plans to utilize both floors in the establishment, giving customers more space to congregate. “The establishment will have a positive effect on the community,” the submission read. “Once open, it will offer residents another option for eating and gathering, which the community lacks.” Since the lease is contingent on Gebtri receiving the liquor license, the new restaurant will not open until the application is approved.
Neighborhood Partnerships
“Uniontown has always felt like it was a neighborhood-owned restaurant,” Wilson said. With this in mind, Tripodo has enlisted Michael Sterling, who owns and manages
neighboring restaurant Big Chair Cafe Bar and Grill, as a silent partner. “I talk to him every day,” Sterling says of Tripodo. “In fact, he often comes to visit and that’s how we come up with ideas.” Even with the possibility of a new restaurant opening nearby, Sterling insists that he does not see competition, but partnership: “When Uniontown was still open, we wanted them to succeed.” As a fairly new business owner in Anacostia (he reopened Big Chair last year), Sterling says that he is learning from someone with more experience. Also, it gives both business owners a chance to discuss matters with present and future customers and implement suggestions at both locations. “For me, to start a business, I feel blessed,” Sterling said. “The big picture isn’t about making money; it’s about improving the community.”
Something to Look Forward to
With Uniontown’s possible return, community members and leaders alike expressed their excitement. “I think it’s wonderful and it goes to show that Anacostia is a viable, sought after place to do business,” Phil Hutinet, the chief operating officer of ARCH said in a statement. “Uniontown was always packed for lunch, happy hour and dinner and it would be wonderful to see that energy again.” Wilson says that he cannot wait to meet with Tripodo at a future HABA meeting. “I’m excited to hear more about the details,” he said, noting that it was only a matter of time before someone signed Uniontown’s lease. Sterling hopes that the new restaurant will help some still negative perceptions about Anacostia: “Just come and give us a chance to prove that we’re doing things right.” u
EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 27
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Dispatches from the Village of Anacostia By Phil Hutinet
Anacostia Arts Center Opening in Spring 2013
ARCH Development Corporation (ADC) announces that the Anacostia Arts Center will open in spring 2013 in Historic Anacostia. Serving both as a community gathering place and a regional cultural facility, the Center will add approximately 10,000 square feet of creative commercial space to Good Hope Road SE. Conveniently located at the south end of the 11th Street Bridge between Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue SE and 13th Street SE, it will bring independent creative projects together under one roof. The Anacostia Arts Center will occupy the street level of 1231 Good Hope Road SE, formerly the ARCH Training Center. The property is divided into spaces connected by a main hall, with common lounge areas in the front and rear of the building. Currently under construction, the space will include the following: • A dance and theater rehearsal space that can serve as a small performance venue • the American Poetry Museum Reading Room • a short-term creative rental facility called Blank Space SE • a coffee shop and juice bar • three new galleries • two new boutiques • a small wellness center for yoga, meditation, and related activities Duane Gautier, CEO of ADC, explains his vision for the center: “This project will assist in transforming the Anacostia neighborhood into a place people recognize as an arts destination.” Anacostia Arts Center will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the creative economy to open brick-and-mortar retail operations 28 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Renderings of the Anacostia Arts Center. Photo: Courtesy of ARCH
in the Anacostia Historic District and join the list of existing arts resources, which include Honfleur Gallery (opened in 2007) and Vivid Solutions DC Archival Print Lab (2009), followed by the accompanying fine art photography and digital art exhibition space, The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. The first large-scale community arts festival, known as LUMEN8Anacostia (which began in 2012), is scheduled for June 22, 2013. Festival activities will include Anacostia Arts Center programming. In addition, with the opening of the Anacostia Playhouse (formerly the H Street Playhouse), slated for May 2013, the Anacostia Arts Center will gain a new 150-seat blackbox theater providing much needed performance rehearsal space just two blocks away. ANC Commissioner 8A06 Kendall Graham calls it a “natural addition to an already flourishing art culture” in Anacostia, and predicts that it will be a destination for residents and nonresidents. “The establishment of the Anacostia Arts Center, along with the opening of the Anacostia Playhouse and second annual LUMEN8Anacostia festival, will only add to the momentum of Anacostia’s renaissance.” ADC’s Director of Business Development, Nikki Peele, pointed out that the location of the Anacostia Arts Center directly above The
HIVE 2.0 will be mutually beneficial to both projects. She said, “The HIVE 2.0 is about providing an environment for innovators, visionaries, and entrepreneurs to collaborate and thrive. Having the Anacostia Arts Center in the same building as The HIVE 2.0 is a huge asset in making our space more attractive, more dynamic, and more cutting-edge for the entrepreneurs that call our small business incubators home.”
Uniontown Bar & Grill Update
It is official: Uniontown Bar & Grill has a new owner. Gabriel Tripodo, a former Java Port City coffee shop employee, has signed a lease on the property located at 2200 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue SE and has applied for the relevant permitting. At the time of this writing the owner intends to turn the space into a sports bar serving drinks and bar fare. He has also expressed an interest in expanding the bar into the second floor, which was used as an office by the previous tenant. This expansion would almost double the space. The Uniontown Bar & Grill name will remain, the sign will hang out front, and the menus will bear the iconic name. Patrons can expect to see service begin this spring in the street-level portion of the space; no timeline has been given for the upstairs expansion.
Anacostia Business Improvement District
Historic Anacostia has a newly formed Business Improvement District, or BID. Local business owners and residents make up its board. The BID’s first billings will be going out next month along with the business property taxes. These billings will allow the organization to perform essential functions like those of other DC BIDs such as trash collecting, funding festivals, improving streetscapes, and other activities that will benefit the Good Hope Road SE - Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue SE business corridor. The BID hopes to begin programming this spring after the billings are levied.
At-Large Council Member David Grosso Visits Big Chair Bar & Grill
On the morning of February 21 At-Large Council Member David Grosso and Chief-of-Staff Aaron Pritchard joined residents and business leaders for breakfast at Big Chair Bar & Grill. A group of roughly a dozen residents, mostly from Ward 8, discussed topics that affected their particular neighborhoods or businesses. The first topic centered on healthcare, in particular patient outreach. A doctor from the Greater Southeast Hospital pointed out
that while healthcare facilities exist in Wards 7 & 8, many residents do not take advantage of these programs and use the emergency room as their primary source for healthcare. The next topic was raised by a resident who described a recent uptick of crime near her home and identified the need for a greater police presence in her neighborhood. The topic of economic development and business opportunity came up near the end of the meeting. The group discussed what impact the redevelopment of Saint Elizabeth’s would have on the surrounding areas and how East of the River businesses could take advantage of the growth. Councilmember Grosso took note of the residents’ concerns. He proposed an ambulant system that could target neighborhoods where people tend to use emergency rooms for their primary care. In response to crime, Grosso mentioned that the Metropolitan Police Department has begun hiring new cadets and that a portion of the city’s budget would go to replenishing the police force, which has seen a loss of personnel as a result of recent retirements. Despite the cold, breezy weather, the councilmember then toured Anacostia, including the site of the future Anacostia Playhouse, the future Anacostia Arts Center, and other local establishments like Grubb’s pharmacy, which recently expanded into the area from Capitol Hill.
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Phil Hutinet is the Chief Operating Officer at ARCH Development Corporation (ADC). ADC is a 20-year-old 501[c][3] notfor-profit community-based organization founded on the belief that arts and the creative economy can be employed as part of a comprehensive, synergistic approach to community revitalization in the Anacostia community of Washington, DC. Visit them online at archdevelopment.org. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 29
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Second Acts in DC Lives DCers Who Return from Prison ... And Remain Out By Stephen Lilienthal
W
hen Donald Zimmerman went to a federal prison in 2004, he had already started changing his life. He had begun avoiding people he knew from DC, most of whom had been adversaries. Now, in the fifth year of his return, Zimmerman is living a very different life than before prison. Leonard Sipes, senior public affairs officer for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), which oversees parole and probation for DC Superior Court, asserted during a 2011 “DC Public Safety” radio interview: “I’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people ... who have been incarcerated for serious crimes ... who are now responsible parts of the community. But the average person doesn’t see that.” Sipes’ guest, Eddie B. Ellis, a former inmate of federal prisons who addresses reentry issues through speaking, a guidebook, and CDs, agreed.
Two Thousand Annually
Every year more than two thousand people return to DC from federal prisons. Statistics, Sipes said, show half will return to prison within three years. Yet, half manage to stay out, many never returning. Their success stories receive little attention in favor of stories about the high recidivism rate. Sipes and Cedric Hendricks, CSOSA’s associate director oversee30 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
ing legislative and public affairs, urge that more public attention be devoted to understanding how and why people avoid returning to prison. Reentering the community is difficult, particularly for DCers who end up in federal prisons often far away from their families. Hendricks says that about 30 percent of people returning to DC from prison are “housing challenged” owing to non-existing or fractured family relationships. Those who return to their families may soon leave because of resentment over their past behavior or problems such as finding work. Many employers will refuse to hire people with a criminal record, even years after they’ve been released. Curtis Watkins, director of the National Homecomers Academy, which helps DC “returning citizens” through mentoring and community involvement, claimed that the supervisory system for ex-prisoners is bureaucratic, sometimes imposing stringent reporting requirements that may require missing work. While admitting that housing and employment are important to a successful reentry, Watkins said what matters most is the inner desire to change and to ac-
Andre Marr, president and CEO of A&E Heating and Air Conditioning LLC, discusses upcoming projects with assistant Thomesena Kenion-Foster.
cept help from those willing to extend it. Fortunate to have worked in good jobs before being sentenced to a Virginia prison 36 years ago for robbery, Watkins returned to DC and found work, but was “on the fence” due to continuing use of alcohol and drugs. Wise counsel from the executive of the trade association that employed him helped Watkins steady his life.
“Homecomer” Donald Zimmerman
Zimmerman said his parents were involved with drugs, but he
benefitted from a close relationship with his grandmother. “I knew my rights and wrongs.” Because he had a son, Zimmerman said he had started changing before his four years at FCI Morgantown. He sought the friendship and counsel of older prisoners whom he respected. Returning to DC in 2008, Zimmerman was fortunate to have a home and was able to work in a trucking company and as a cook. He now works as an electrician. But there were trials too. Even though Zimmerman found work after pris-
on, CSOSA imposed onerous reporting requirements. A misunderstanding over an old warrant led to him spending over 40 days in the Prince George’s County jail. Zimmerman credited the assistance he was receiving from Watkins and his parole officer with helping him through the ordeal. Faith is a cornerstone of Zimmerman’s current life. He acknowledged it requires a willingness to accept authority – an acceptance often lacking in those who return from prison. Zimmerman worships at the Temple of Praise Church at 700 Southern Ave. SE. He volunteers with the National Homecomers Academy, advising young people to avoid his mistakes. Volunteering proved helpful in stabilizing his life between jobs. Married for a year, Zimmerman and his wife are raising three children.
Entrepreneur Andre Marr and Returning Citizen Thomesena Kenion-Foster
Andre Marr, president and CEO of A&E Heating and Air Conditioning LLC on Capitol Hill knows first-hand the importance of second chances. He’s been given one and he provides them. Caught up in the drug trade, Marr had been in and out of the criminal justice system for over 20 years, finally changing his life in 1996. “I was sick and tired of the way I was living,” he explained. Obtaining effective drug treatment, revitalizing his religious faith, and learning about heating and air conditioning (HVAC), helped to solidify the changes. After working for an HVAC company, he established A&E in 2000. Marr has hired employees under CSOSA supervision. “For the most part, they’ve done both parties [A&E and CSOSA] well.” Besides punctuality, consistent attendance, and good personal hygiene, Marr seeks the “right attitude.” Some prior knowledge of HVAC also helps. Because it’s challenging to find work in this zero-tolerance era, Marr knows it’s “downright impossible” to
reenter society successfully without the support of “friends, family, and community.” He has formed a fledgling nonprofit called Product of the Product, to teach HVAC to at-risk kids and people returning from prison. The organization’s name, Marr explained in a 2010 “DC Public Safety” interview, reflects his belief that you should not ask younger people “to do something that you’re not doing yourself.” One of Marr’s hires is Thomesena Kenion-Foster, a project assistant at A&E. Kenion-Foster’s life seemed to be a constant cycle of drug use and lawbreaking, prison, reentry attempts, and returns to prison. Released in April 2011, she now has several factors working in her favor. Her CSOSA Community Service Officer is helpful, and Marr is an understanding employer willing to have her comply with CSOSA requirements for meetings and drug tests. “The difference is that in other jobs my past seemed like it was sitting on my shoulder,” said KenionFoster. Employers, looking at her background, offered her limited options. “I did not have the opportunity to explore my talents,” she declared. One telling example of the changed work environment occurred when Kenion-Foster was sent to jail in Virginia for an old charge, owing to a miscommunication between DC and Virginia. Eventually the problem was resolved, but she was fortunate to have an employer “who understands the processes” of the criminal justice system, because “most people who miss their jobs for ten days would be fired.” Now, Kenion-Foster is studying for an associate’s degree in construction management. She stated determinedly, “I’d like to become a project manager.” Stephen Lilienthal is a freelance writer who lives in Washington, DC. More information about hiring people who have returned from prison can be found at “Hiring People on Supervision” on the CSOSA website, www. csosa.gov/partnerships/hiring-supervised.aspx. u
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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 31
EAST WASHINGTON LIFE
“Cool Disco” Dan at Good Hope Road SE, drawn in 2008. Photo by Teri Memolo. Collection of Roger Gastman.
Exhibit on 1980s DC includes East of the River People and Places
W
ithin the four walls of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, just steps from the White House, a new exhibit, “Pump Me Up,” created by polymath Roger Gastman, brings the epoch of Washington in the 1980s and early 1990s to life. A full and unapologetic multimedia display tells a whirlwind story of the city when visceral rawness and perilous glory were seemingly around every corner. The exhibit is a chronologically arranged collection of artifacts – album covers, newspapers, posters, graffiti, anti-drug videos produced by the District government, and even a conserved crime scene – that tells a survival narrative in which the people and places east of the river are well represented. It ranges from the local and national rise of go-go pioneers Junkyard Band out of Barry Farm Dwellings, to all-day community rallies held in Anacostia Park in the name of Malcolm X against apartheid policies in South Africa, to the home turf of graffiti apparition “Cool Disco” Dan, to the infestation of PCP and crack cocaine, reaching its zenith with the FBI’s arrest of the Mayor on drug charges. 32 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
By John Muller
The spirit of this era can still be felt, seen, and heard today on the streets and in the communities of east and south Washington. Former four-term Mayor Marion Barry continues to rely on his loyal power base as he represents Ward 8 on the City Council. Hidden in back alleys and on vacant buildings, the last marks of the once omnipresent “Cool Disco” Dan” remain, and go-go from the still active Rare Essence retains currency equally with adolescents and grandparents, bringing generations of Washingtonians together.
Junk Yard Band
Not old enough to gain entry to adult clubs, a group of students from Birney Elementary School’s parade band, calling themselves the Junk Yard Band in reference to the television show “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” improvised the go-go sound on found instruments – buckets, hubcaps, and crates – and took their music to the corner of Wisconsin and M streets in Georgetown. There they leveraged fame earned in Barry Farm to introduce an improvised and funkified homegrown go-go sound to members of the city’s ruling class.
Local news stations caught on to the fervor and broadcast their street performances live, producing instantaneous fame. By the mid-1980s the group had signed with Def Jam Records and become a headline act alongside established artists Chuck Brown, Rare Essence, and Trouble Funk. A black-and-white photograph shows eight members of the band leaning on the back of a van with a license plate reading “JUNK.” (The exhibit also includes a framed license plate from go-go promoter Maxx Kidd that reads “GO-GO.”) This image of Junk Yard provides a fleeting glimpse into a group that emerged from one of Southeast’s most notorious neighborhoods to inspire and influence citywide youth to form their own bands.
Globe Posters
Preserved in the Corcoran’s upstairs rotunda are more than two dozen of the fluorescent “Globe” posters that plastered 1980s Washington. Much more than eye-catching announcements for upcoming concerts, they are ephemera of the post-Civil Rights generation, providing insights into the dynamics
14th Annual Malcolm X Day Celebration in Anacostia Park. “Globe” poster, 1980s. Collection of Roger Gastman
of Washington’s unique place in the national discussion on black political and cultural life. Underneath posters featuring acts such as Experience Unlimited (E.U.) and Little Benny and the Masters are the names of the founder and publisher of the “Washington Informer,” Dr. Calvin Rolark,
Go-Go promoter Max Kidd’s license plate. Collection of Roger Gastman
former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina Rolark, and presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, who addressed audiences with refrains of being non-violent, drug free, and organized economically within their own community. These posters from Gastman’s personal collection, by themselves, would be worth the price of travel and admission to the institution on 17th Street NW. But there is more.
“Cool Disco” Dan
In the hybrid subculture contact zone of 1980s Washington the fusion of inner-city street crews alongside suburban graffiti crews took form in the admixture and parallel evolutions of punk rock and go-go music. The symbolic bridge between these two divergent communities was the legendary “Cool Disco” Dan, who serves as the exhibit’s thematic compass and is also the focus of a new documentary film. Southeast is whence the “urban phantom” came. Appropriately, the anchor image for the exhibit’s promotion is a 2008 “Cool Disco” Dan tag at the corner of 14th and Good Hope Road SE in the heart of Historic Anacostia. Taken at night, it shows a solitary man in a baseball cap looking up at the fresh tag proclaiming “BACK AGAIN,” as a police cruiser streaks past.
Thousands of impressions of “Cool Disco” Dan, once ubiquitous throughout the city from Tenleytown to Congress Heights, have been buffed over during the past decade as the city has been revitalized. His mark has all but faded from sight, existing only in memory. Inspired by go-go graffiti writers like RE-RANDY, Dan made East of the River his original canvas. It is fitting that one of his last marks survives in an alley off Talbert Street SE leading downhill toward the Anacostia Metro station, on the rear of a building in the 2400 block of Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue. For those who look back at the city during the Reagan years and remember Mr. T starring in the 1983 motion picture “D.C. Cab,” go-go shows at the Panorama Room on Morris Road SE, and their first job working for Marion Barry’s summer youth employment program, this trip down memory lane will be familiar, personal, and authentic. “Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s” runs at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW, through April 7. For more information on the schedule of supporting events visit corcoran.org/exhibitions/pump-medc-subculture-1980s or call 202639-1700. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 33
EAST WASHINGTON LIFE
NativSol Kitchen
Tambra Raye teaches how to use African Heritage Foods to reclaim your health
I
f someone gave you a jar of sorghum, would you know what it is by sight? Would you know how to prepare it? Do you know where jollof rice comes from and how to prepare it? One Ward 8 resident does, and she is on a mission to make sure you know it too. As her first African Heritage Cooking class gets underway for the season, Tambra Raye Stevenson is prepared not only to tell her students what sorghum is but its origins and how to prepare it for a meal. A nutrition educator and food justice advocate, Raye has found a way to tap into her African heritage to teach about the healing power of food.
Lose to Win
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Raye always had a love for food and played restaurant with her sister. “I had a menu which included Mom’s leftovers. I even had a special of the day,” she explains with a chuckle. But when family members began passing on from preventable diseases, her curiosity was piqued. In college she sought understanding about the relationship between food and the body. “I started doing nutrition research and thought about how great it would be to provide training for people of color on this topic. Food is a visual example of how to heal,” she declares. “It’s a great tool
By Candace Y.A. Montaguet to connect people on many levels. It engages all of your senses. It is a great way to empower people to heal and restore their health.” A colleague suggested that she look into studying nutrition. Raye received her bachelor’s of science degree from Oklahoma State University and then pursued a master’s degree in health communication from Tufts University School of Medicine. She had obstacles along the way. Motherhood and a busy lifestyle took their toll, and she gained weight. She nearly lost her first-born child. Her father, who taught her many things about food, passed away in 2007. Through it all Raye fought back and pursued entry into the dietetic internship program at Virginia Tech University, where she is preparing to become a registered dietician. She began a culinary ministry at her church, Saint Teresa Avila Parish on V Street, in Southeast. She has also lost 110 pounds and has found balance with her career and raising two children. “I am a walking testament,” she declares proudly.
NativSol Kitchen
Raye started New American Traditions Including Values that are Sustainable and/Or Local (NativSol) to bridge the gap between having nutri-
Tambra Raye discusses the origins of African heritage grains.
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Charlene Howard, NativSol student, examines legumes.
tious African heritage ingredients and healing the body. Her goal was to make NativSol Kitchen “the premiere cooking school on a mission to empower African Americans to reclaim their health by restoring their African traditional foods and heritage into their daily life. NativSol has the passion and talent to equip the community to cook, shop and eat their way back to health with live and virtual classes.” NativSol offers two programs, “African Heritage Cooking” and “Food for the Soul,” an eight-week faith-based nutrition program. Charlene Howard, a returning student to the program, says NativSol provided her and her
family with good training. “It has changed my eating and my family. We change how we shop and how we store things. We know what to buy and where to get it. We still eat meat but when I cook it, I learn how to add something new.” Cooking demos are critical to the transformation of health. Dr. Autumn SaxtonRoss, former wellness coordinator and community health administrator for the DC Department of Health, says programs such as NativSol have a great impact on the community. “A lot of the work the city has been concentrating on around nutrition, health, and obesity has been happening at an environmental and policy level – working to increase access, e.g. the FEED DC Act, the Healthy Corners Program, and the Healthy Schools Act.” She continues: “But, you cannot just improve access alone. You have to also improve utilization. That is why classes like this are important. They teach people how to use the produce they have increased access to.” She also praises the classes for being community-based “in every way. It is held at a church which is historically the foundation for change in the Black community and using the culture of the community as a way to engage them.” Raye wants to get the community more involved with demanding better quality products in their stores. “We advocate redefining what our journey is going to be,” she states. “We can reclaim a new dream.” For more information about NativSol, email Tambra at hello@tambraraye.com. Candace Y.A. Montague is a freelance health writer in Washington, DC. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 35
KIDS & FAMILY
Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner
Understanding Healthy Foods and Green Gardening in Schools Community Forum
This forum focuses on the impact green gardening can have on local communities though education in local schools and children’s programs. It will explore such issues as children’s health, students’ engagement with what they eat, and their understanding of the origins of their food. The discussion will also highlight the issue of equal access to healthy food and economic injustice. What is truly at stake in the movement to get children outdoors and into the garden? Moderator is Cindy Brown, representative of the White House’s Vegetable Garden/Let’s Move program. The panelists include Anita Adalja, Common Good City Farm; Sarah Bernardi, programs director, DC Greens; Sam Ullery, school garden specialist at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education; and Sarah Kozicki, outreach committee chair, District of Columbia Environmental Education Consortium. Tuesday, Apr 9, 7:00 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu
Lego Mania at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library
Like LEGOs? On Mar 11, 10:15 a.m., join them and build, build, build! Be creative and use your imagination to build in the Children’s Room at LEGO Fun-Fest, for ages 2-5. More days of LEGO fun will be announced in 2013. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning
Free Jazz Master Class with Ben Williams at THEARC
On Friday, Mar 22, 10:30-11:30 a.m. middle
36 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Courtesy of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company Visits THEARC
THEARC welcomed over 170 students from AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School’s Douglas Knoll and Parklands campuses to a Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company master class in celebration of Black History Month. The renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company has performed for 23 million people around the world and is widely recognized for its celebration of the unique African-American cultural experience and preservation of the American modern dance heritage. Three Alvin Ailey dancers-Hope Boykin, Michael McBride, and Belen Pereyra-took time off from their tour stop at the Kennedy Center to perform four pieces choreographed to various style of music, from Dizzy Gillespie’s jazz to gospel songs like “Wade in the Water.” The dancers then invited AppleTree’s three-and four-year-olds on stage to learn a routine of their own. Shannon Anderson, principal of AppleTree’s southeast campuses, was thrilled by the opportunity to take AppleTree students on such an enriching field trip. “I’m pleased we are able to broaden our students’ scope of dance and culture so early in life,” she said. “We were honored to be invited to see the Alvin Ailey dancers at THEARC and look forward to future collaboration.” and high school students (and teachers and families) can attend A MASTER CLASS: Conversations in Jazz with DC’s Own Bassist Ben Williams at THEARC. A moderated Q & A session will follow. No ticket required, but registration is necessary. THEARC Theatre, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org Bassist, Benjamin Williams-a DC native-also
performs on electric bass and piano. Various genres of music inspire his style including classical, gospel, hip-hop, jazz and R&B. A graduate of Michigan State University, where he majored in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz, Ben has won several competitions including the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of 2010 Jazz Competition. He is also a two-time winner of the Fish
Middleton Jazz Scholarship Competition at the East Coast Jazz Festival; a two-time winner of the DC Public School Piano Competition; and a 2002 recipient of the Duke Ellington Society Annual Scholarship Award. Ben also took first place in the 2005 International Society of Bassists Competition in the category of jazz. He has also opened for artists such as John Legend, Kirk Franklin and Eric Roberson.
East River Family Strengthening Collaborative Parenting Classes
ERFSC has free parenting classes for Ward 7 residents at their office located at 3917 Minnesota Ave. NE. Contact Kellie Broussard at kbroussard@erfsc.org or 202-3977300 for more information and to register. erfsc.org
DDOT and Metro Roll Out Pilot Program With Giant
The District Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Metro and Giant Stores, will give District students the ability to purchase or renew their 10-trip Metrobus pass at any Giant Food store in Washington, D.C. under a new pilot program announced today. The pilot program is designed to give students additional options for purchasing a 10-trip bus pass in areas closer to their neighborhood or school. The pilot will run from March 4 through July 1, 2013. The Giant Stores participating in the pilot are located at 1050 Brentwood Rd. NE; 1345 Park Rd. NW; 4303 Connecticut Ave. NW; and 1535 Alabama Ave. SE. Students must present their DC One Card and have at least one remaining bus trip on an existing pass in order to purchase a new 10-trip bus pass. Students without an active pass on their DC One Card will not be able to purchase a new pass at the Giant
Do you want your child to... Receive a COLLEGE PREP education? Learn from CARING teachers? Enjoy HIGH-TECH classrooms in a SAFE environment? Select from Technology, Art, Music, Journalism and other ELECTIVES? Participate in ATHLETICS and AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS? Attend the same school as their SIBLINGS?
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www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 37
store. DDOT, WMATA and Giant Food will evaluate the program before making a decision on whether to continue or suspend the program following the pilot period. For more information about the pilot, please visit ddot.dc.gov/schooltransitsubsidy or contact DDOT’s Transit Subsidy Program at 202-673-1740.
if you have questions regarding this event, including ticket troubleshooting and details at younglove. sb@gmail.com. THEARC Theatre, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, 202889-5901. thearcdc.org
Story Time at the Anacostia Public Library
On Mar 14, 1:30 p.m., in partnership with the 21st annual Environmental Film Festival, the Francis A. Gregory Library will showing several short films for school-aged children, ages 5 and over, their educators and parents. The following films will be shown: A Sea Turtle Story; Hello, I’m a Nutria; Bunty’s Tree; Song of the Spindle; Hanging Around; The Windmill Farmer; and A Drop’s Life. Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis
Anacostia Community Museum and the Anacostia Neighborhood Library are collaborators on this “Story Time” series. Parents join them for a wonderful Saturday morning. Following the reading of a book by a celebrity, each child will create an art take-away. Upcoming Story Times are on Saturday, Mar 23 and Apr 6, 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. For more information, contact 202-633-4844 or 202-715-7707.
Urban Love Ball - Mommy, Daddy, and Me Dance at THEARC
On Sunday, Mar 31, 3-7 p.m., come join the ISPA (Innovative School of Performing Arts) for a great family dance with entertainment, great music and fun for all ages. Please contact Selina Brown
Environmental Film Festival at Francis A. Gregory Library
Chess Challenge in DC
The 2nd Annual Chess Challenge in DC Citywide Elementary and Middle School Chess Tournament is on Mar 16, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson High School. This is an unrated four round tournament with a blitz playoff. Registration is free and all participants receive a t-shirt, wristband, lunch, prizes and raffle tickets. To register
Cherry Blossom Family Days at the National Building Museum
The National Building Museum decked out for the Cherry Blossom Family Days. Photo: Courtesy of the National Cherry Blosson Festival
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An annual opening of Washington’s cherry blossom season, this two day annual family festival for “kids of all ages” features hands-on activities, interactive art demonstrations, and exciting indoor and outdoor performances that celebrate spring and explore Japanese arts and design. Free. Saturday, Mar 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday Mar 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
go to chesschallengeindc.org. For more information call 202-579-5551.
Coats for Kids Warms Hearts @THEARC
Coats for Kids, an organization which provides new outerwear to at-risk children in the Greater Washington DC Metro area, in partnership with Lord & Taylor gave over 50 coats to THEARC last month. With the temperatures dipping below 20 degrees in Washington, D.C. this winter, THEARC is very thankful for the efforts of Coats for Kids and Lord & Taylor.
Registration for DPR Summer Camp Has Begun
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announces its summer camp registration, dates and information for the 2013 Summer Camp season. During the rolling registration period, a specific group of camp sites will open for online registration each day at 10 a.m. Once the online registration is open for a particular camp, the registration will remain open until all the camp spaces are filled. Registration can be completed online or in person at the DPR summer camps office located at Columbia Heights Recreation Center, 1480 Girard St. NW 4th floor. Space fills on a firstcome, first-serve basis and enrollment is subject to availability. More information can be found at summercamps.dc.gov or by contacting the Summer Camps office at 202-671-0372. The Summer Camps office is open Monday-Tuesday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and WednesdayFriday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The First Hebrew Language Immersion Public Charter School in DC
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www.SelaPCS.org 202-670-SELA (7352) Application Deadline: March 15, 2013 Lottery Date: March 22, 2013 (if applications for a particular grade level exceed available space)
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Kites of Asia Family Day at Air and Space
The first aviation-related objects collected by the Smithsonian were two Chinese kites, donated in 1876. Celebrate this unique start to the National Air EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 39
and Space Museum’s collection by visiting on the Kites of Asia family day. Experience the artistry and beauty of Asian kites, see indoor kite flying, and make your own kite! Free. Saturday, Mar 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. National Air and Space Museum, Independence Ave at 6th St. SW. 202-633-2214. airandspace.si.edu
District’s Rate of PublicSchool Enrollment Goes Up For Fourth Consecutive Year
Student enrollment in the District of Columbia’s public schools increased 5 percent for the 2012-2013 school year, according to final audited data released today by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The final results indicate an overall increase from 76,753 last year to 80,230 students enrolled statewide this year, and represent both DC Public Schools and D.C. Public Charter Schools.
“invention at play’ Website for Kids and Parents
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Want to Play? Want to Invent? What’s the Difference? When asked what inspired them to become inventors, many adults tell stories about playing as children. Among their most frequently cited childhood play experiences are: mechanical tinkering, fiddling with construction toys, reflecting about nature, and drawing or engaging in visual modeling. There is something about the skills fostered by play that inventors value and keep using as part of their working lives. The playful approaches cited by creative adults form an interesting parallel to the four kinds of children’s play that child-development experts identify as more or less universal: exploration/tinkering; make believe/visual thinking; social play/collaboration; and puzzle play/problem solving. inventionatplay.org u
OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, March 12th, 5:00 to 6:30 pm Tuesday, March 26th, 5:00 to 6:30 pm ABOUT US: •
Founded in the fall of 1999
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Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
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Pre-school – 5th Grade
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Positive school culture
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Open to all DC Residents
Open Enrollment for Preschool – 5th Grade February 1st-March 15th (All DC residents) 5300 Blaine Street, NE Washington, DC 20019 202-398-6811
Please visit us at www.artstechacademy.org
EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 41
KIDS & FAMILY
School Notes Compiled by Melissa Ashabranner
Anne Beers Elementary News A Rewards School with Award Winning Teachers
Good things are happening in ward 7, specifically at Anne Beers Elementary School, DC’s only NASA Explorer school. Recently crowned a Rewards School, Beers is home to two recent awardwinning teachers. Valyncia Hawkins, a fifth grade teacher, and former Beers student, was recognized in January with an Excellence In Teaching Award. Even more remarkable is that out of the top 20 schools in the city, not only did Beers rank as number one, but our third grade teacher Jacqueline Simms was selected to receive the Milken Educator Award in February. If you want the definition of commitment towards teaching, you need look no further than fifth grade teacher Valyncia Hawkins. Mrs. Hawkins hails from a family of teachers and is now entering her 18th year as a teacher. In the classroom, Mrs. Hawkins encourages her students to be responsible for their own learning; she shows them that having a strong foundation in reading and math can lead to the mastery of all of their other subjects. In January Mrs. Hawkins was one of seven DCPS educators selected for the Excellence in Teaching Award. As described on the DCPS website, “The Excellence in Teaching Award winners are recognized at the annual Standing Ovation for DC Teachers, hosted by DC Public Education Fund <http://dceducationfund.org/> and held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Winners are nominated by DCPS educators, students, parents, and community members, and then selected by a central office
panel. Eligible teachers must earn a rating of Highly Effective under IMPACT.” The next award winning teacher at Beers is third grade teacher Mrs. Jacqueline Simms. Mrs. Simms, another DCPS graduate, is the recipient of the Milken Educator Award. According to the Milken website, “Unlike most teacher awards, this program has no formal nomination or application process. Every participating state’s department of education appoints an independent blue ribbon committee to recommend candidates according to strict criteria <http://www.mff.org/mea/mea. taf ?page=criteria> , with final selections made by the Milken Family Foundation.” If you ask Mrs. Simms what it was that she always wanted to do, she will tell you that it was “teach.” A childhood spent playing school with her sisters has turned into an awarding dream changing the lives of Beers’ students. Both Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Simms received cash prizes to go along with their award recognition, but what they give to the students at Beers, and the assurance that they give to parents who select Beers, is much more valuable. Our children spend one third of their days with these teachers, and we feel honored and proud to know that our teachers are continuously being awarded and recognized for their performance. You can find out more about the Excellence in Teaching Award at www.DCPS.dc.gov, and the Milken Educator Award at www.mff.org - Carlos Herndon. Anne Beers Elementary School, 3600 Alabama Ave. S.E. ptabeers@yahoo.com
Anne Beers Elementary teacher Valyncia Hawkins, recognized with an Excellence in Teaching Award, and some of her students.
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Third grade teacher at Anne Beers Elementary Jacqueline Simms was selected to receive the Milken Educator Award in February.
Neval Thomas School students celebrate Black History Month with the Tuskegee Airmen at the Air and Space Museum.
Neval Thomas School News Celebrating Black History Month with the Tuskegee Airmenw
In celebration of Black History month, the students of Neval Thomas ventured to the Air and Space museum to meet the prestigious and honorable, Tuskegee Airmen. Upon arrival, the students had the unique opportunity to met Layon Gray, director and writer of the play, Black Angels Over Tuskegee, a play illustrating the trials, tribulations, and adventures experienced by six Tuskegee Airmen. The director was accompanied by several cast members who performed multiple excerpts from the play. Afterwards, the students participated in a question and answer series, with the actors, director, and two very special guests--Tuskegee Airmen, both whom gave an unvarnished and genuine depiction of their experience in the force. Toward the end of the program, the students personally met all of the guests and received complimentary autographs. Additionally, the kids tapped into their imaginations- designing paper planes, building rocket ships and creating their very own badges and medals of honor. It was an especially awesome experience not only for the students, but also for the group of excited parents in attendance. The students of Neval Thomas are looking forward to learning more about the Tuskegee Airmen, as they work with the Kennedy Center to develop their very own opera. The students will be truly engrossed in the process of designing a production… manipulating lighting, constructing props, performing various roles, and more! Please stay tuned for an update on our up-and-coming artists! Interested in learning more about the great things happening at Neval Thomas School. Stop by and see us or contact Tina Thompson at tina.thompson@dc.gov or Amber Tydings at atydings@savechildren.org. u
CHANGING HANDS
1250 Taylor St. NW Washington, DC 20011 p. 202 545-0515 f. 202 545-0517 www.bridgespcs.org
Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
Serving Pre-K3, Pre-K4, Kindergarten and 1st grade for the 2013-2014 school year
A new grade will be added each year through 5th grade. INFORMATION / OPEN HOUSE SESSIONS ON THURSDAYS:
March 14 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am April 11 & 25 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am You must register to attend, limit of 20 people per session. Call (202) 545-0515 to register.
Application deadline March 15th, 2013. Lottery March 22nd, 2013 Apply for admissions at www.bridgespcs.org or by coming to the school. We are building on our strong foundation as an early childhood program. Come be a founding member of the elementary school!
Program Features: Before Care starting at 7:30 am and after care until 6:00 pm. Small classroom size and well trained staff. Individual planning for each student. Hands-on and project-based curriculum. Bridges Public Charter School is free and open to all DC residents. Tuition paid by non-residents.
Neighborhood
Price BR
FEE SIMPLE ANACOSTIA 1433 22ND ST SE $80,000 1351 RIDGE PL SE $96,500 1215 MORRIS RD SE $100,000 1325 W ST SE $120,000 ATLAS DISTRICT 1208 WYLIE ST NE #1/2 $345,000
CONGRESS HEIGHTS 329 RALEIGH ST SE 1004 BARNABY TER SE 607 GALVESTON ST SE 4615 6TH ST SE 342 RALEIGH ST SE
$80,000 $110,000 $130,000 $169,900 $175,000
DEANWOOD 4933 SHERIFF RD NE $70,000 542 48TH PL NE $76,780 215 56TH ST NE $95,000 5253 BANKS PL NE $169,500 5110 HAYES ST NE $189,000 314 EASTERN AVE NE $199,700 5404 JAMES PL NE $209,990 4003 BLAINE ST NE $229,000 4802 SHERIFF RD NE $239,900 4922 FITCH PL NE $243,000 4007 AMES ST NE $245,000 914 46TH ST NE $245,000 5606 CLAY PL NE $247,000 4616 HUNT PL NE $247,000 5112 BROOKS ST NE $290,000 5908 EADS ST NE $290,000 1011 50TH PL NE $310,000 1209 50TH PL NE $315,000 DUPONT CIRCLE 1626 S ST NW $1,395,000 1620 RIGGS PL NW $1,315,000 1632 RIGGS PL NW $1,500,000
FORT DUPONT PARK 3317 CROFFUT PL SE 4143 ALABAMA AVE SE
$81,500 $105,000
2 2 3 3 2
4322 CHAPLIN ST SE 821 HILLTOP TER SE 3208 DUBOIS PL SE 4382 DUBOIS PL SE 4615 HILLSIDE RD SE 4275 HILDRETH ST SE 4625 HANNA PL SE
$131,000 $135,000 $145,000 $205,000 $224,000 $229,900 $279,500
3 3 3 4 4
HILL CREST
1 3 4 4 2 2 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 5 3 4 4
MARSHALL HEIGHTS
6 7 4
3350 HIGHWOOD DR SE 2215 32ND ST SE 2402 BRANCH AVE SE 1424 34TH ST SE 3135 WESTOVER DR SE 5509 CENTRAL AVE SE 4706 BASS PL SE 5200 DRAKE PL SE
$310,000 $318,000 $338,000 $360,000 $440,000 $140,000 $169,900 $235,000
RANDLE HEIGHTS 1915 SAVANNAH PL SE 3038 STANTON RD SE 3017 23RD ST SE 3540 21ST ST SE 1751 TOBIAS DR SE
$83,000 $100,000 $140,000 $188,000 $214,990
3 2 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 5 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 3
CONDO CONGRESS HEIGHTS 100 DANBURY ST SW #100
$90,000
DEANWOOD 944 EASTERN AVE NE #P-19
$53,000
MARSHALL HEIGHTS 29 46TH ST SE #29-9 u
$45,000
3 2 2
2 3
EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 43
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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2013 H 45
THE NOSE
by Anonymous
P
oor James Graham could not go quietly into that good night. Rather, the public was treated to weeks of extensive hand-ringing, obfuscations, last minute legal maneuvers and angry denials whose convoluted reasoning would have done Richard Nixon proud. In the end, the man behind the signature bow tie buckled under the inevitable judgment of his esteemed and much maligned colleagues and quietly suffered a reprimand. In the twilight moments of Graham’s desperate rearguard action, the only colleague to come to his aid was Marion “Mayor for Life” Barry. Barry’s primary interest in Affair Le Graham, lay not in the plight of his embattled colleague, but rather in the relitigation of his own censure of years past. Having watched the whole dismal proceeding, Dear Readers, The Nose was left wondering. Recent investigations by an esteemed fellow scribbler at the Washington City Rag reveal a mysterious nexus between Jeffrey Thompson’s largess, the bank accounts of one of the city’s most influential lobbyists and serendipitous political contributions. These monies have managed to find their way into the
campaign funds of many whose derrières still grace the dais. Was Graham thrown under the wheels of the ethics bus by colleagues a-feared of the impact of the looming Machen locomotive? Did the specter of Jeffery Thompson turning state’s evidence provide an essential motivation? Will Graham be the last or the first in a succession of councilmembers to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? Given the penchant of members for mixing constituent service fund raising with unlicensed nonprofits, The Nose would wager on the former rather than the latter. So, in the spirit of the Artful Dodger, here is a tune to fit to unwind the most difficult knotted tie:
Consider yourself reprimanded Consider yourself a party to infamy We’ve taken against you so strong It’s clear we’re no longer going along Consider yourself well spanked Consider yourself a victim of your own mendacity There isn’t a pointed cap to wear You’re snared! Go sit in the corner there If it should chance to be We should see Some harder days Empty larder days Then grouse! Always a-chance we’ll meet A developer To foot the bill Then the contributions are on the house! Consider yourself no saint We don’t want to have no fuss, For after some consideration, we can state Consider yourself Not one of us! After all the strum und drang, Dear Readers, Graham regained The Nose’s respect by standing up and taking the blow on the chin. On some not too distant day, he may yet have the pleasure of witnessing one of those colleagues ducked walked off in handcuffs. Have a comment for The Nose, email thenose@hillrag.com. H
46 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
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Address
River Terrace Rec Center & Elemantary School CVS - East River Park Safeway – NE 6th District Police Dept - Main Ward Memorial AME Kennilworth Elementary School Unity East of the River Health Center First Baptist Church of Deanwood Deanwood Public Library Hughes Memorial United Methodist Capitol Gateway Senior Apts Marvin Gaye Rec Center Watts Branch Recreation Center Langston Community Library Anacostia Neighborhood Library Benning Branch Library Marshall Heights CDC Kelly Miller Recreation Center Tabernacle baptist Church Randall Memorial Baptist Church East Capital Church of christ Seat Pleasant CARE Pharmacy 7-Eleven Riverside Center Mayfair Mansions Citibank: East River Park Chartered Health Center NE Vending Machines – Deanwood Metro The Minnicks Market Lederer Gardens Suburban Market Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Dave Brown Liquors Dave Brown Liquor A & S Grocery St Rose Pentecostal Church Malcolm X Rec Center St More Catholic Church Fort Davis Recreation Center Ferebee Hope Recreation Center Emanuel Baptist Church IHOP Restauarant Giant Food Store SunTrust Bank Parklands-Turner Community Library Manor Village Apartments Leasing Office Garfield Elementary
MIDCITY
FA G O N C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E
420 34th St , NE 320 40th St , NE 322 40th St , NE 100 42nd St , NE 240 42nd St NE 1300 44th ST NE 123 45th ST NE 1008 45th St NE 1350 49th ST NE 25 53rd St NE 201 58th St , NE 6201 Banks Pl NE 6201 Banks St , NE 2600 Benning Rd , NE 3935 Benning Rd NE 3935 Benning Rd NE 3939 Benning Rd , NE 4900 Brooks St , NE 719 Division Ave NE 4417 Douglas St NE 5026 E Capitol St NE 350 Eastern Ave , NE 950 Eastern AVE NE 5200 Foote St , NE 3744 ½ Hayes St NE 3917 Minnesota Ave , NE 3924 Minnesota Ave , NE 4720 Minnesota Ave , NE 4401 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE 4600 Sherriff Rd NE 4601 Sheriff Road NE 4721 Sheriff Road Northeast 4721 Sherriff Rd NE 4748 Sheriff Rd NE 4816 Sherriff Rd NE 3200 13th st SE 4275 4th St SE 1400 41st St , SE 3999 8th St , SE 2409 Ainger Place SE 1523 Alabama Ave, SE 1535 Alabama Ave , SE 1571 Alabama Ave , SE 1547 Alabama Ave , SE 1717 Alabama Ave , SE 2435 Alabama Ave
7th District Station 2455 Alabama Ave , SE 6th District Police Dept - Satellite Station 2839 Alabama Ave , SE Service Cleaners 2841 Alabama Ave , SE Safeway – SE 2845 Alabama Ave SE Pizza Hut 2859 Alabama Ave , SE America’s Best Wings 2863 Alabama Ave , SE M&T Bank 2865 Alabama Ave , SE Washington Senior Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave , SE St Timothys Episcopal Church 3601 Alabama Ave SE Francis A Gregory Neighborhood Library 3660 Alabama Ave , SE National Capital Parks--EAST 1900 Anacostia Dr , SE Kid smiles 4837 Benning Road SE Pimento Grill 4405 Bowen Rd SE East Washington Heights Baptist Church 2220 Branch Ave ,SE St Johns Baptist Church 5228 Call Place SE Capitol View Branch Library 5001 Central Ave , SE Marie Winston Elementary School 3100 Denver St , SE Subway 4525 East Capitol St Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 3800 Ely Pl , SE Anacostia Museum for African Amer History 1901 Fort Pl SE - Back Door Smithsonian Anacostia Marcia Burris 1901 Fort Place SE - Back Door DC Center for Therapeutic Recreation 3030 G ST SE ARCH 1227 Good Hope Rd , SE Anacostia Pizzeria 1243 Good Hope Rd , SE SunTrust Bank 1340 Good Hope Rd , SE Unity Health Care Inc 1638 Good Hope Rd , SE Bread for the City 1640 Good Hope Rd , SE Marbury Plaza Tenants Assoc 2300 Good Hope Rd , SE Dollar Plus Supermarket 1453 Howard Rd , SE Ascensions Psychological and Community Services 1526 Howard Rd SE Dupont Park SDA Church 3985 Massachusettes Ave SE Orr Elementary School 2200 Minnesota Ave SE Hart Recreation Center 601 Mississippi Ave , SE Southeast Tennis and Learning Center 701 Mississippi Ave , SE The ARC 1901 Mississippi Ave , SE Neighborhood Pharmacy 1932 Martin Luther King Jr , SE PNC Bank 2000 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Bank of America 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE C Aidan Salon 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Big Chair Coffee 2122 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Animal Clinic of Anacostia 2210 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Max Robinson Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic 2301 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE The United Black Fund 2500 Martin Luther King Ave SE The Pizza Place 2910 Martin Luther King Ave SE Metropol Educational Services, 3rd Floor 3029 Marin Luther King Jr Ave , SE National Children’s Center - Southeast Campus 3400 Martin Luther King Jr , SE Assumption Catholic Church 3401 Martin Luther King Ave SE Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Congress Heights Health Center 3720 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE CVS - Skyland 2646 Naylor Rd , SE Harris Teeter 1350 Pennsylvania Ave SE Thai Orchid Kitchen 2314 Pennsylvania Ave SE St Francis Xavier Church 2800 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Pennsylvania Ave Baptist Church CVS – Penn Branch Congress Heights Recreation Center Johnson Memorial Baptist Church Ridge Recreation Center Savoy Recreation Center PNC Bank Rite Aid Greater Southeast Community Hospital Benning Park Community Center Benning Stoddert Recreation Center Union Temple Baptist Church Senior Living at Wayne Place Washington Highlands Neighborhood Library Bald Eagle At Fort Greble Covenant Baptist Church Faith Presbyterian Church Henson Ridge Town Homes Office The Wilson Building CCN office Eastern Market YMCA Capitol View CW Harris Elementary School DC Child & Family Services Agency
3000 Pennsylvania Ave SE 3240 Pennsylvania Ave , SE 100 Randle Pl , SE 800 Ridge Rd SE 800 Ridge Rd , SE 2440 Shannon Pl SE 4100 South Capitol St , SE 4635 South Capitol St , SE 1310 Southern Ave , SE 5100 Southern Ave SE 100 Stoddert Pl , SE 1225 W ST SE 114 Wayne Place SE 115 Atlantic St , SW 100 Joliet St SW 3845 South Capitol St 4161 South Capitol St SW 1804 Stanton Terrace, SE 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW 224 7th ST SE 225 7th St SE 2118 Ridgecrest Court SE 301 53rd Street, SE 200 I Street SE
For more distribution locations, contact 202.543.8300 x.19 EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | March 2013 H 47