OCTOBER 2021
E AST OF THE R IVER M AGAZINE O CTOBER 2021 NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER 6
D N A s t Ar ing Din
Edition
Fall 04
What’s on Washington by Kathleen Donner
14
East of the River Reopens This Fall!: Artist Studios, Galleries Museums and Theaters Reopen With In-Person Events by Phil Hutinet
18 19
Why Statehood? An Essay by Noah McBride Why Statehood? A Poem by Nevaeh Andrew-Boggs
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 20
26
34
Expanding Bike Lanes: Understanding the Role of The Public in DDOT’s Public Engagement by Liz O’Gorek The ABC’s of Redistricting: Ward Borders To Be Redrawn
Meet Your Neighbor: Donna Henry, Ward 7 Resident, Restaurateur and Author by Anthony D. Diallo
36
Darren Be Scheming: Ward 7 Needs A Dog Park by Darren Thompson
37
Changing Hands by Don Denton
KIDS & FAMILY 38
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
28
EAST WASHINGTON LIFE
Notebook by Kathleen Donner
IN EVERY ISSUE 46 47
The Crossword The Classifieds
Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner
ON THE COVER: Girls on the Run 5K
See Kids & Family Notebook. Photo Courtesy Girls on the Run
Capital Community News, Inc. Publisher of: Capital Community News, Inc. PO Box 15477, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com www.hillrag.com
MIDCITY
F A G O N
GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL
FAGON
EDUCATION
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2021 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
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.
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
03
Fall
D N A s t r A
g n i Din l issue
specia
WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N
DEAD MAN’S RUN AT CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY
MOSAIC’S BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA AT THE ATLAS
Dead Man’s Run returns to Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE, on Friday, Oct. 29, 6 to 8 p.m. Dead Man’s Run is a bare bones race for dead serious runners who want to stay one step ahead of the ultimate Repo Man. The race starts with a toll of the funeral bell, continues throughout the cemetery and onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music. Costumes encouraged; prizes awarded. $35. No kids’ run this year. Register at congressionalcemetery.org. Photo: Courtesy of Historic Congressional Cemetery
Caitlyn and her father John watch birds in their suburban Maryland backyard. Over the course of a decade, climate change slowly shifts the world; birds disappear and John and Caitlyn struggle to say the things they need to say. Mosaic’s Birds of North America by Anna Ouyang Moench is on stage at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, Oct. 27 to Nov. 21. mosaictheater.org.
THE MADNESS OF POE AT CRYSTAL CITY’S SYNETIC THEATER
The Madness of Poe is a terrifying trilogy of tales from Edgar Allan Poe woven into one 90-minute heart-pounding thriller. Featuring a re-imagining of their 2007 hit adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher plus two more gothic tales from the inventor of American horror, it is classic Synetic in every way. The Madness of Poe runs from Oct. 11 to 31 at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell St., Crystal City. $25 to $60. Masks and full vaccination (or recent negative test) required. Parking is free after 4 p.m. and weekends. The theater is adjacent to Crystal City Metro Station on the yellow and blue lines. synetictheater.org.
“CRITICAL DISTANCE” AT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
04
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Through June 2022, the Natural History Museum hosts a free, augmented-reality experience emphasizing the intrinsic connection between people, orcas and the ocean. Critical Distance immerses visitors in a holographic orca pod and allows them to witness this endangered species’ daily obstacles. Visitors will see firsthand how the orcas, including six-year-old Kiki, must overcome marine noise pollution and vessel disturbances to effectively hunt for food—and, ultimately, survive. To complement the experience, museum educators have created hands-on activities that help visitors learn more about orcas’ family structure, conservation and biology. The Natural History Museum is currently open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. naturalhistory.si.edu.
E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
05
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
BOHEME IN THE HEIGHTS BY IN SERIES
The long-awaited animated Spanish-language Afro-LatinX reimagining of Puccini’s classic opera comes to the big screen, with live music performed by the original cast. This film, created by young animators and set in Washington, DC’s Columbia Heights neighborhood through the winter and spring of 2020, tells of the exuberant creative power of youth, the transcendence of love, and the heartbreak of first loss. IN Series’ BOHEME in the Heights is at GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m. (It is also at the Patterson Theater in Baltimore on Friday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.) inseries.org. Baritone Alex Alburqueque as Marcelo on a background by Emma Ayala
CAPITAL CITY GO-GO AT ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS ARENA
The Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate, have announced their six priority home dates for the 2021-22 season, with the home opener slated for Nov. 6 at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE. These early dates are also highlighted by regular season Fan Appreciation Day and a mid-season STEM & Basketball Education Day. Capital City has introduced a Go-Go season pass for the 202122 season, which includes a ticket to each home game, allowing fans to enjoy the entire season for one low price. 202-864-4350 or email ticketsales@capitalcitygogo.com.
ALMA W. THOMAS: EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AT THE PHILLIPS
DRAFT OF “I HAVE A DREAM” SPEECH ON EXHIBITION
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s original draft of the I Have a Dream speech from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom gallery. “This artifact is one of several drafts of the speech written by King and his advisors hours before the march began,” said Kevin Strait, curator at the museum. “The speech was slotted to be a four-minute closing to the march; however, it became a powerful 16-minute rallying cry for the entire civil rights movement.” The National Museum of African American History and Culture, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. Timed passes required. nmaahc.si.edu. 06
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful provides a fresh perspective on the artist’s dynamic long life (1891-1978) and multifaceted career that was defined by constant creativity. This major retrospective at the Phillips traces her journey from semi-rural Georgia to Washington, DC, to becoming the first Black woman given a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art at age 81. This exhibition demonstrates how Thomas’s wide-reaching artistic practices extended far beyond her studio, shaping every facet of her life—from community service, to teaching, to gardening. Everything Is Beautiful is at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Oct. 20 to Jan. 23. Open daily, except Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Timed tickets at $16 for adults; $12, seniors; free for 18 and under. phillipsscollection.org. Alma Thomas, Pansies in Washington, 1979, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 48 in., National Gallery of Art, Corcoran Collection (gift of Vincent Melzac)
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
07
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
NSO POPS: MARVEL STUDIOS’ BLACK PANTHER IN CONCERT
In 2018, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther quickly became a global sensation and cultural phenomenon, showing a new dimension of what superhero films could be. Now, you can relive the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger as the National Symphony Orchestra performs Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score live to film for the very first time on Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., and Oct. 15 and 16, at 8 p.m., at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. $39 to $99. kennedy-center.org.
THE WALL/EL MURO: WHAT IS A BORDER WALL?
The Wall/El Muro: What Is a Border Wall? exhibition at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, examines the border wall from the perspective of architecture and design. It is a prime example of the potential of the built world to affect peoples’ lives, as we now see thousands of migrants crossing the border in the midst of changing federal policies. The exhibition, which opens Nov. 6, addresses the ways in which the architecture and landscape of security surround us and challenge us as we imagine America. The border is a place, but it also looms large as a symbol of both America’s vulnerability and state power. Open Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 for adults; $7, youth. nbm.org. Baja California border wall with names of those who died on the journey. Photo: Sarah A. Leavitt
CAPITAL CITY SYMPHONY RETURNS TO THE ATLAS
On Sunday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m., the Capital City Symphony opens their season, Who Are We, DC?, with Carlos Simon’s Elegy, A Cry from the Grave “dedicated to those who have been murdered wrongfully by an oppressive power,” followed by his piece This Land, lifting hope and unity. The world premiere of Adirondack Autumn, by one of their own members, Daniel Lu, follows, featuring flutist David Lonkevich. Other pieces include Hector Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, Prelude, and William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 2. The Atlas Performing Arts Center is at 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.
U.S. OYSTER FESTIVAL AT ST. MARY’S COUNTY
The 55th annual U.S. Oyster Festival at St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds is on Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cook-offs are on Saturday and shucking contests are on Sunday. The festival features good food; live music; and Professor Horn-Punch & Judy shows both days. Octoberfest music, Middle Eastern dancing and acrobatic dancers are on Saturday. Gary Rue and the Dance Hall Ghosts play 3 to 5 p.m. during all shucking contests. $10 admission; free for 12 and under. St. Mary’s County Fairground is about 50 miles from DC. usoysterfest.com. 08
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
The U.S. Oyster Festival amateur shucking competition. Photo: E. Stone Photography
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
09
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
MATTHEW WHITAKER QUARTET AT THE LINCOLN
A blind from birth former child prodigy, profiled on 60 Minutes and The Today Show, 20-year-old jazz pianist-organist Matthew Whitaker has wowed audiences from LA’s Playboy Jazz Festival—where he inspired spontaneous dancing and a standing ovation—to the Apollo Theatre and a (pre-COVID) 2020 Washington Performing Arts performance. On Friday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., he brings his irresistible virtuosity back to the Lincoln Theatre with a special guest appearance by DC’s Children of the Gospel Choir. Tickets, $25 to $50, are available only at thelincolndc.com. Photo: rr jones
CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP
On Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. (doors at 1:30 p.m.), Artistic Advisor Wu Han joins Arnaud Sussmann, Paul Neubauer, and David Finckel in an afternoon of works that showcase the friendship and musical influences between composers. Featured works include Dvorak’s Sonatina in G Major for violin and piano, Suk’s Quartet for Piano and Strings in A minor Op.1, and Brahms Quartet for Piano and Strings in G-minor, Op 25. $50. Wolf Trap is at 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA. wolftrap.org.
REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON OF JAN KARSKI AT SHAKESPEARE
In a tour-de-force solo performance, Academy Award nominee David Strathairn portrays World War II hero and Holocaust witness Jan Karski, a messenger of truth who risked his life to carry his harrowing report from war-torn Poland to the Oval Office only to be disbelieved. Standing tall in the halls of power, Strathiirn captures the remarkable life of the selfdescribed insignificant, little man whose forgotten story of moral courage can still shake the conscience of the world. On stage at Shakespeare Theatre’s Michael R. Klein Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW, from Oct. 6 to 17. Vaccinations required. shakespearetheatre.org.
David Strathairn as Jan Karski in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski. Wu Han
CELIA AND FIDEL AT ARENA
Can one woman change the mind of a man and the fate of a nation? Fidel Castro’s most trusted confidant and political partner, Celia Sánchez, is never far from his side as he grapples with how to move his country forward. It’s 1980 and a failing economy has led 10,000 Cuban citizens to seek asylum at the Peruvian Embassy in Cuba. Castro must decide what kind of a leader he wants to be: merciful or mighty. Imbued with magical realism, Arena Stage’s Celia and Fidel imagines a conversation between Cuba’s most influential female revolutionary and its most notorious political leader in a contest between morality and power. On stage at Arena, 1101 Sixth St. SW, from Oct. 8 to Nov. 21. arenastage.org. Heather Velazquez (Consuelo) and Andhy Mendez (Fidel Castro) in Celia and Fidel running Oct. 8 to Nov. 21 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo: Margot Schulman.
10
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
11
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE FARM AT MOUNT VERNON
On Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. You can explore the farm; meet General Washington; learn about Washington’s fisheries and how fish were salt packed; see spinning wheels; hear about 18th century textiles and how they were dyed; and watch cooking demonstrations in the Slave Cabin yard. This event is included with admission. Adult admission is $28; kids six through eleven, $15; five and under, free. mountvernon.org. Come join for a fall celebration featuring 18th-century farming demonstrations.
LET ‘IM MOVE YOU AT DANCE PLACE
TWO FACES COMEDY AT PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE “I leave it to my audience: If I had two faces, would I be wearing this one?” - Abraham Lincoln, 1858 – Back by popular demand and drawing inspiration from Abraham Lincoln’s legendary humor and self-deprecation, President Lincoln’s Cottage and The DC Improv are again partnering to present Two Faces Comedy, the first comedy series to transform Lincoln’s living room into a comedy den—now outdoors in the front yard. Each show is meant to be inspired by some aspect, silly or serious, of Lincoln’s legacy or the history of the cottage. Upcoming Two Faces Comedy is on Tuesday, Oct. 19 and a forthcoming date in November. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. $10 admission. Beer and wine available for $5/drink at each show. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. lincolncottage.org. Front door of the Lincoln Cottage where the outdoor comedy show takes place.
12
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
Let ‘im Move You is a series of works choreographed by jumatatu m. poe and Jermone Donte Beacham that stem from their multi-year research into J-Sette performance. Initial research for the series absorbed the artists’ curiosity about the performance of joy and the conundrum of Black joy. This Is a Formation is the latest performance work in the series, bringing together a group of seven Black dancers for a multimedia work to be alternately performed in black-box/whitebox spaces, and on sidewalks and in alleyways in predominantly or historically Black neighborhoods. The new project confronts meanings, real and imaginary, of black queered bodies in public assembly. Let ‘im Move You is on stage at Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE, Oct. 28 to 30. All tickets are pay-what-you-can, with price points at $0, $10, $25, $40, $65, and $100. danceplace.org.
Larkin Poe appears on the Main Stage Freedom Hall on Sunday, 7:15 p.m. Photo: Courtesy of the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival
LANCASTER ROOTS AND BLUES FESTIVAL
Lancaster Roots and Blues, an annual festival of music and art held in downtown Lancaster, PA, returns this year on Oct. 15, 16 and 17. The event is held indoors at multiple venues all located within three blocks of each other. Attendees receive a wristband at check-in and can move about freely from stage to stage. Style wise, Blues is a big part of the music but they also book a variety of genres including jazz, Americana, roots music, funk, soul, rock and roll including rockabilly, zydeco and world music. The genre of music is less important than having artists who play from the heart and possess a high standard of musical excellence. A good description of the music at Lancaster Roots and Blues is, it is timeless. One day general admission is $64; two days, $120; three days, $170. lancasterrootsandblues.com.
Photo: Maria Baranova
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
13
A&D Fall
East of the River Reopens This Fall! Artist Studios, Galleries Museums and Theaters Reopen With In-Person Events by Phil Hutinet
Live performance at THEARC. Photo: THEARC
Anacostia Arts Center
Ward 8’s Anacostia Arts Center showcases local talent including musicians, performers and visual artists. The center boasts an 80-seat black-box theater, two restaurants (E Life and The Fresh Food Factory), a visual arts gallery with rotating exhibitions and several independent businesses. The businesses include Nubian Hueman, a lounge and clothing boutique; Vintage and Charmed, which specializes in vintage clothing; and Mahogany Books, one of a handful of independent bookstores operating in DC. In addition, Chirokei LLC offers affordable physical therapy. The center is now open during regular business hours from Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and stays open later during special events. One such event planned for this fall is a wellness open house, which will feature producers of local lines as well as workshops and talks by 14
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
subject experts. This fall, the black-box theater will feature open mic and musical performances by local artists. Stay tuned for the holidays, when the center plans to hold seasonally themed events. Anacostia Arts Center is located at 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. anacostiaartscenter.com
Anacostia Gallery and Boutique
Buzy Bee is back! Juanita Britton’s Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique has a new Ward 8 location in Congress Heights. The eclectic business centers on African and African diasporic themes. Britton offers a wide array of products from paintings and sculptures to skincare products, jewelry and even home goods. She also consigns the works and products of local artists and makers. Sales
at Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique help support the community and the local economy. Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique’s new location is 119 Raleigh St. SE. Contact the gallery at 202-550-7060 or visit the website for a schedule of in-person events. anacostiaartgallery.com
Anacostia Playhouse and Theater Alliance
The Anacostia Playhouse and its resident theater company, Theater Alliance, are planning in-person performances this fall. Anacostia Playhouse is located at 2020 Shannon Place SE; phone 202-290-2328. anacostiaplayhouse.com Theater Alliance is at 202-241-2539 and info@theateralliance.com. theateralliance.com
Craig Kraft Studios
Renowned for colossal neon-light sculptures, Craig Kraft creates award-winning works right in the heart of historic Anacostia. Located in a converted rowhouse, Kraft and his team fashion the works in a large studio space accessed from the street. Just recently, Craig Kraft Studios completed a large public art commission which will be installed at the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Fort Washington, Maryland. A studio visit provides a chance to experience an artist’s workshop environment, to see the tools and materials used to create neon and aluminum sculptures and to catch a glimpse into the artistic process. While public visits are welcomed, the studio requests scheduling an appointment ahead of time. Craig Kraft Studios is located at 1239 Good Hope Rd. SE (between Honfleur Gallery and the Anacostia Arts Center); phone 202-588-9655. Studio hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment. Studio@Craigkraftstudio.com. www.craigkraftstudio.com
Honfleur Gallery
Honfleur Gallery will host a series of exhibitions this fall including one featuring local veteran artists. The gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE (two doors from the Anacostia Arts Center); phone 202-631-6291; arts@archdc.org. Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. www.honfleurgallery.com
Nicholson Project
The Ward 7 venue will offer in-person activities centered on fine arts and urban farming. Nicholson Project consists of a converted residential home serving as part art gallery and part artist residence. Outside, vegetables and herbs grow in a professionally maintained community garden. This fall, the project welcomes live-in resident artist Hoesy Corona, a self-identified “queer artist of Mexican descent.” During his residency, Corona and Smithsonian curator Adriel Luis will create a body of multimedia work that examines how immigrants adapt and flourish despite the challenges found in a new environment. In ad-
Washington DC Electronic Recycling Events All events are 10am - 2pm Nov. 6, 2021
Dec. 11, 2021
Ward 5: WoodRidge Library 1801 Hamlin St. NE
Ward 2: Georgetown Library 3260 R St NW
Nov. 20, 2021
Dec. 18, 2021
Ward 4: Takoma Park Library 416 Cedar St NW
Ward 1: Mt. Pleasant Library 3160 16th St NW
Dec. 4, 2021 Ward 3: Cleveland Park Library 3310 Connecticut Ave NW
Find more events at:
Craig Kraft working in his studio. Photo: Craig Kraft Studios
For more information visit: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1239526 E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
15
ANIMAL CLINIC OF ANACOSTIA Candace A. Ashley, DVM
WE TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY!
Serving the East of the River community for over 40 years! 2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE
202.889.8900 I doctorashleydvm.com
16
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Outside the Anacostia Arts Center. Photo: ARCH Development
dition to the fine-art programming, which will include workshops and exhibitions, the project plans a series of activities centered on community farming and food preparation. Nicholson Project is located at 2310 Nicholson St. SE; info@thenicholsonproject.org. www.thenicholsonproject.org
Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
Pandemic restrictions by DC government did not deter the Anacostia Community Museum from moving forward with its exhibition schedule. The organization pioneered the creation of large-scale, weatherproof outdoor exhibition installations. The first, “Men of Change,” was installed at the Deanwood Recreation center this winter and allowed the community to connect with an exhibition while observing social distancing. Building on its curatorial success, the museum created a second outdoor in-
stallation for the current exhibition, “Food for the People: Eating and Activism in Greater Washington,” on the grounds of the museum. The exhibition examines food production and consumption while probing the inequities the system produces. With the Smithsonian Institution writ-large reopening to the public, the Anacostia Community Museum’s public programs resume as well. The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum is located at 1901 Fort Place SE; phone 202-633-4820. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Dec. 25. anacostia.si.edu
THEARC’s Theater
Looking beyond fall and the holiday season, THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus) will resume its in-person theater program in January 2022 and will feature the following programs: • “Young, Gifted, and Black.” THEARC Theater’s team partners with Ward 7 artist/ad-
New Private Session & Membership Special! Hot Yoga Hot Pilates Barre and HIIT Yoga Sculpt Pilates/Yoga Fusion Hot Vinyasa Flow
•
•
vocates Pour Girls in a podcast centering on community youth in candid conversation about reimagining creative spaces. The program will feature in-person popup events on THEARC campus by Pour Girls. “Living History Featuring Animatron Frederick Douglass.” THEARC Theater will showcase resident animatronic historical figure Frederick Douglass. THEARC Black Box is home to the only Frederick Douglass animatron, which recites speeches and answers questions about his life and times with specially curated messages for the Congress Heights and Anacostia communities. “DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival 2020.” Center for Black Excellence & Culture will highlight both local artists and nationally recognized talent.
Visual Art
Through Nov. 26, the ArtReach GW gallery at THEARC will host a solo exhibition, “I Know You See Me,” by native Washingtonian Simone Agoussoye. Presenting work created while in isolation during the pandemic, Agoussoye gives voice to those who are often rendered socially mute. The artist explains that the exhibition is about “seeing and living life as a Black woman, which sometimes is difficult to understand and hard to explain. Through my paintings, I am exposing the identities of Black women of all ages and all backgrounds and exploring how the media often depicts them, while also providing a new perspective by shining a light on their beauty and strength.” THEARC is located at 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE; phone 202-889-5901. The center is adhering to strict pandemic protocols, so advance notice is advised for public visits. Theater: bbardc.org/thearc-theater Visual Arts: bbardc.org/arts-culture Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, DC’s alternative art source. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. ◆
6-Month Unlimited + 6 Private Sessions
Annual Membership + 6 Private Sessions
$1386
$1796
• Receive six private one-on-one sessions for less than half the price! • Sessions can be done with or without a mask and customized to fit your wellness needs.
Activate your membership and help keep our studio in our community! Buy at: www.hotyogacapitolhill.com 410 H St. NE • 202-547-1208 • hotyogacapitolhill@gmail.com
WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Savings in store and online
simplywide.com Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots • Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking • Cradles • Easy Street
10 off
$ KOHOUTEK TOASTMASTERS ONLINE! Improve your communication and leadership skills, while we enjoy some much-needed social connection.
Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Monday’s of the month (holidays tbd) • 7-8:00 PM http://611.toastmastersclubs.org For more info contact: Harold Blackford vppr-611@toastmastersclubs.org
All Sales
Limited Time simplywide.com
Lots & Lots
All Day Comfort
Wide Width Shoes
4279 Branch Avenue Marlow Heights, MD 20748
301-702 1401
E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
17
A&D Fall
Why Statehood? An Essay
S
by Noah McBride
ince the founding of the District of Columbia in 1790, the rights of the residents within the District have changed over time. The twenty-third amendment in 1961, which granted votes in the electoral college, set off a chain reaction in the latter half of the 20th century for DC statehood. It wouldn’t be until 1980 when J. Edward Guinan put statehood on the ballot as an initiative that DC statehood would become a popular topic for running officials in DC. Since then, the debate over statehood has spread around the country, but often in the absence of the voices of Washingtonians, specifically those East of the River. DC statehood is important to the residents because it would truly allow our voices to be heard and for DC residents to have full autonomy over what happens in the city they live in. Currently within the District, Congress, under the District Clause of the Constitution, can exercise its authority over DC local affairs.
Student winners of statehood poetry and essay contests
18
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
This includes reviewing, modifying, imposing, and overturning legislation within the city. Congress also has authority over the District’s budget which is funded by the taxation of DC residents. Ironically, it goes directly against the notion of “Taxation without representation” as DC residents have no say in congressional votes. While other states have access to implement and review legislation without Congressional interference, the District of Columbia is left vulnerable to the political whims of biased Congressmen. When in crisis, the District is unable to fully satisfy the needs of the people who live there due to Congress blocking important legislation. Recently this has included access to needle-exchange programs, affordable abortions, and affordable health care. The largest impediment to furthering the interests of DC residents has been the Republican Party within Congress. Historically, DC has been a Democrat territory. What’s most concerning about this is that DC overperforms compared to some other states and yet the residents are regarded as secondclass citizens by Congress. In 2020 alone, DC grossed a GDP of $132.53 billion, more than seventeen other states, some of which have twice the population. Recently when distributing COVID relief to states, DC, while having the same or higher population as other states, was denied $755 million in emergency funds. DC statehood would allow the District’s government to have complete authority over its budget and increase revenue through in-state fees. The possibilities of having autonomy over our money would allow us to pour back into our communities, especially in those East of the River. The ability to pass legislation without Congressional interference would benefit DC residents for the better, statehood would give us the opportunity to move forward much quicker and strive towards sustainability and equity. Another reason to push for DC statehood is to fix the racial inequality that exists with DC not being a state. DC has been a historically Black city, even with growing gentrification, Black people still hold a majority of the population within DC. While our current government already overrepresents White Americans, giving DC statehood would help fill the gaps of voter representation. Hundreds of thousands of Black citizens in DC pay billions in taxes and are left without a say in the highest form of government to represent their needs and interests. It’s the same Congress that we don’t have representation in that blocks legislature that would be passed to help disadvantaged Black residents. Black residents of DC East of the River are exposed to food deserts, crime, and over-policing. Con-
sistently, Congress blocks legislation that would help Black DC residents who live East of the River when it comes to easy access to healthcare, housing, and education. The lack of representation due to DC not being a state shows a larger picture of the disenfranchisement of Black Americans. If DC became a state it would become the first plurality-Black state in the country and would show that Congress is not only there to represent the needs of White America. DC statehood would not only give full representation within our government, but it would work to reverse the systemic inequalities that exist within our government. The largest argument against DC statehood is that it’s not what the founding fathers intended for DC to be and that it goes against the Constitution. (It’s important to highlight that the founding fathers also did not intend for millions of enslaved Africans to be set free.) While the point is a fair one, it can easily be circled around. The proposal that accommodates that argument is to carve out the federal area of DC as its own self-governing independent territory and leave the rest of the District as a new state. Under a new name, possibly the “State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth,” it would not be in contradiction to what the Constitution states as it would be separate from what the capital is. In conclusion, to effectively carry out a true democracy, the voice and representation of all citizens are crucial. DC statehood, in the wake of a bipartisan vote, will not only greatly benefit DC residents but it would also ensure that our Congress is carrying out its duty to represent all voices, especially the voices of a predominantly Black territory. While several points can be made against DC statehood, ultimately they fall short of providing any alternatives or concrete reasoning as to why DC shouldn’t be a state. The only thing stopping DC from becoming a state is the continued refusal of Republican representatives to accept the needs of 700,000 United States Citizens. DC statehood is the only path to pave true equity and inclusion within our government.
Why Statehood? A Poem
by Nevaeh Andrew-Boggs
Why Statehood ? Statehood is important to me, Nevaeh Anthony-Boggs DC Is a City and Growing up that’s all I thought it could be, Being a city we don’t have a voice, We are left being disappointed and don’t have a choice, Why Statehood? Let me show you We pay more federal taxes then other states do, If we become a state, things will change, More funding, More Programs, Less Violence, Less Pain, It’s time for the government to right this wrong, It’s best that I educate you through this Poem, The Cares Act $755 million that our city was denied, “Because You aren’t a state” They Implied. We don’t have the same voting rights as other states do, We don’t have a voting member of Congress, Which is a mistake too. I hope that I can open your eyes to Statehood, District of Columbia, The place that’s misunderstood. Nevaeh Andrew-Boggs is the first-place winner of ACC’s East of the River Youth Voices for Statehood. She is a Ward 7 residentand recent graduate of Dunbar High School. ◆
Noah McBride is a high school student and Ward 7 resident. This essay won the Anacostia Coordinating Council’s DC Statehood Essay Contest. It has been lightly edited for space. ◆ E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
19
neighborhood news
Expanding Bike Lanes Understanding the Role of The Public in DDOT’s Public Engagement
by Liz O’Gorek
T
he District is installing a citywide, interconnected bicycle network. To meet District-mandated environmental goals, The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) must shift 75 percent of intra-city trips to transportation modes other than single-occupant cars by 2032. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) Vision Zero Plan, begun in 2015, commits DDOT to creating traffic conditions that reduce fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2025. These mandates guide all DDOT decision making. Bike lanes, according to DDOT, not only get cars off the road, but also have a calming effect on traffic, thus meeting both environmental and safety goals. The agency has constructed 94 miles of bike lanes since 2001 of which, as of 2020, 16.6 miles are “protected” from cars using bollards and other elements of road infrastructure. It plans to construct another 20 miles of protected bike lanes (PBLs) over the next three years. Many residents are frustrated with DDOT’s push to expand the District’s bike network of protected bike lanes. They say their views are not being heard.
20
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
“This is an issue of competence and public engagement,” said Allan Ebert, Executive Director of the Ninth Street Association. “DDOT has tunnel vision. It only sees bike lanes, not the impact of the design on the residents, businesses, and community in general,” he said. “The transparency of this process is just so awful,” said 18-year Hill resident Christine Mullens at a recent public meeting on bike lanes proposed for the 1300 block of North Carolina Ave. NE. “This is being shoved down our throats.” DDOT is driven by environmental mandates to improve bike lanes over the next decade. Yet residents have high expectations for significant community input. What is the agency process for creating protected bike lanes? How can the public engage? How does the agency incorporate resident feedback?
The Network Expands
Expanding the city’s network of protected bike lanes is required according to the DDOT Engineering and
Design Manual. “The Project Manager should include bicycle and pedestrian facility options on new construction and reconstruction projects,” the guide states. So, whenever a District street is torn up, the DDOT engineers must determine if it is a good location for bike lanes. In making that determination, DDOT planners are primarily guided by MoveDC, a centralized map for the “big picture” of bike planning in DC, said Acting DDOT Director Everett Lott. It is the District’s long-range transportation plan, encompassing not only bike lanes but all
modes of transit, including walking, vehicle and rail. If a street is indicated as suitable on the MoveDC plan, planners are more likely to pursue bike infrastructure there. The type of bike lane chosen, protected or not, is also not random. DDOT engineers and planners consult a variety of metrics to assess what kind are installed on a street including the daily volume of cars and the road’s classification according to standards set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Association of City Officials (NACTO). So, when the agency solicits public feedback, it is principally looking for local insight on design. The question is not usually “if ” but “how” bike lanes should be installed. “We use our best judgement to determine what streets should have the different types of facilities,” Lott said, “and it requires a pretty strong reason not to install them.” There is one explicit legal requirement governing public engagement. The Administrative Procedure Amendment Act of 2000 requires that, 30 days before beginning a project, DDOT must issue a written Notice of Intent (NOI) to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to both Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) and councilmembers impacted. The agency is required to make the NOI “accessible for the purpose of notification and solicitation of comments on the intent to implement modifications within the District,” the statute states. The law also mandates that the agency conduct an on-site investigation at the impacted location to determine whether any traffic and parking related revisions are “deemed necessary.” The DDOT manual requires the agency develop a Public Involvement Plan (PIP) for every project. However, there are no specific guidelines for public engagement. On a large project, such as a corridor redesign, the agency typically presents 30, 60 and a 90 percent designs to the public for comment before initiating construction. However, the agency does not publish its PIPs. So, it is difficult to evaluate the plans other than by examining the agency’s behavior in specific instances. This article examines four such in-
The Congressional Chorus returns to the stage with a
Halloween extravaganza!
es a unique blend of song The 50-minute choral performance includ e Halloween hits like vintag ing cover and dance, set to a live band, Ghostbusters. In addition, and er, Thrill , Warp Time , Mash ter Mons from the underworld and guests will encounter mysterious voices ing Woman”). hear the lament of La Llorona (“The Weep
pm and 9:00 pm Friday, October 29, 2021 - 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm 7:30 1 Saturday, October 30, 202 At the Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW
*Buy Tickets at
lchorus.org www.congressiona ionalchorus.org tickets@congress the door 202.629.3140, or at E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
is limited to *Show seating et holders for the first 100 tick r showtimes. each of the fou d 100% vaccinate *The Chorus is g. The audience and mask-wearin n of of vaccinatio must show pro t. or a negative tes
O CTOBER 2021
21
neighborhood news
Part of the problem is that plans change with that feedback, said Browne. “The process is iterative, which is part of the point, but sometimes it is hard for people to know what design we’re on or what stage of the process.” Stakeholders can come and go over time, missing the chance to opine on aspects of the project that are important to them, he added. While the iterative nature of the process can present challenges, another issue is DDOT’s reliance on ANCs to funnel public input.
Who Speaks For The Neighborhood?
Delancy Gustin poses with her bike on 15th Street SE, where standard painted bike lanes are installed. E.O’Gorek/CCN
stances: Ninth Street NW, North Carolina Avenue SE, P Street SW Alabama Avenue SE and 17th Street NW.
The Long Saga of Ninth Street
The first meeting for the Eastern Downtown PBL Project was held in 2015. In an effort to enhance north-south cycle connectivity, DDOT examined multiple corridors on which to construct new protected bike lanes. In 2017, the agency selected Ninth Street NW as its preferred route. Public engagement, begun in 2018, stalled for three years without official explanation. A bill introduced by Ward 1 Councilmember Brienne Nadeau (D), intended to move the project forward, led to debate about race and gentrification. Prominent African American churches had resisted the plan for years, arguing that congregant parking was necessary for their continued survival. But in May 2021, the mayor funded the project in her FY22 budget. DDOT held a public meeting on July, 29, 2021. Business owners on the 1900 block of Ninth Street NW, known as “Little Ethiopia,” feared DDOT’s plan would reduce parking, exacerbate rush hour congestion, create loading safety hazards and fail to comply with ADA protections. They united in protest. Not enough thought has been put into the project, stated Executive Director of the Ninth Street Association Allan Ebert. “The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) continues its efforts to move forward, fast and furious, without community engagement.” Colin Browne, Director Of Communications at Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) disagrees. “That project in particular has had just extensive, extensive public input over the course of dozens of hours of meetings,” he said. Plans are still in the initial stages; a 60 percent design was seen by the public in July and DDOT is looking at the integration of streeteries. 22
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
risk losing the opportunity to influence the project at all. Second, some commissioners said they had to take into account not only “the loudest voices in the room,” but also the wider community and the District. ANC 6A Chair Amber Gove (6A04), who directly represents the block in question, interpreted her obligation as both to represent her constituents, but also to consider the effect of decisions on the wider District. That means that the voice of residents on the street wasn’t prioritized by the ANC the way some residents felt it should have been. “I think anger rises when people feel powerless,” Gustin said. Commissioners are also frustrated with both the acrimony and the pressure. While pleased that ANC decisions are afforded great weight by DDOT, Gove says the agency does heavily depend on the commission in its public engagement efforts. She believes there is no issue with the commission funneling DDOT outreach on smaller tasks such as speed bumps but said the agency would be better served to also manage engagement on large projects directly. “Yes, we are the default community engagement process,” Grove said. “The irony of that is we’ve, what? Got $1.25-ish per person, per year in our annual budget?” The C Street NE project has a $16 million budget. Acting Director Lott said DDOT project managers read all public comments they receive. But they don’t use them to determine outcomes because they cannot be sure they represent the community. “It is important to rely on elected officials in these matters. ANCs have a duty to weigh lots of competing interests,” he said. However, even when a commission opposes DDOT’s proffered designs, the agency may simply ignore the feedback.
Currently, DDOT is installing a protected cycle track on the 1400 through 1600 blocks of North Carolina Ave NE as part of the C Street Project, whose initial designs date to at least 2010. The project is designed to link the RFK Campus to Lincoln Park and improve overall safety for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. In 2021, prompted by the planned completion of the C Street project, the agency decided to initiate design conversations for the 1300 block of North Carolina Avenue NE, omitted from the finalized C St Project design, into the tail end of this new network. At recent meetings of ANC 6A’s Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee, the agency presented a choice of seven possible alternatives. Either the street would lose parking, or it would lose a lane of traffic. Delancey Gustin, a resident of the 1300 block, developed her own alternative designs in consultation with neighbors concerned about the rerouting of traffic and possible loss of curbside parking. A petition posted by a group of neighbors calling themselves ‘Neighbors 4 NC Ave’ (www.neighbors4ncave.com) had more than 300 signatures by late September, and Gustin hoped ANC 6A would rally behind these ideas and advocate them to DDOT. At the committee’s Sept. 21, Gustin presented her proposals to the T&P Committee. However, she was disappointed, she said. Gustin pointed to two issues. First, the ANC committee said their comment had to be limited to the options presented by DDOT; Alan Ebert, Executive Director of the 9th Street Business Association, speaks at an Aug. 11 event to reject them was to
intended to draw attention to issues with a proposal for bike lanes. Photo: Courtesy Pleasant Mann
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
23
neighborhood news
public meetings and extensive consultation with the impacted Ward 8 commissions, DDOT installed the protected bike lanes on southbound Alabama Avenue SE in spring of 2019. The lanes generated a huge community outcry centered largely on the removal of 12 curbside parking spots and complaints of lack of public engagement. “We need bike lanes like a hole in the head,” said one resident. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White (D) bolstered this opposition. “How do bike lanes make streets safer?” White asked in a social media post. The removal of parking spots was insensitive to the needs of senior residents, he contended. Commissioner Amber Gover (6A04) poses with her dog, Opal, at the busy After a series of public meetings during intersection of Constitution and North Carolina Avenues with 14th Street NE. the summer of 2020 involving the councilE.O’Gorek/CCN member and the director of DDOT, the agency removed one of the protected bike lanes on The Weight of the ANC Alabama Avenue SE. In September, 2019, DDOT issued a NOI to install a twoWhy didn’t that message come through before inblock protected bike lane to close a gap along the Anastallation? A different approach than weeknight meetcostia Trail between Second and Fourth Streets SW. The ings could have been a better tool to get community feedroute had been served by road markings, or sharrows. back, WABA’s Browne said. ANC 6D objected. At their October meeting, com“Not every public input mechanism works the same missioners complained that the project’s removal of 26 across the region,” Browne said, adding that both DDOT parking spots would threaten residents of neighboring afand WABA need to do more outreach to ensure Ward 7 fordable housing. Citing the lack of local transit options, and 8 residents are meaningfully involved in the transporthey argued that these residents are dependent on vehitation planning process overall. cles for access to jobs with hours outside of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shifts. “Installing a new bike lane must not be a zero-sum Neighborhood Consensus Shattered game,” said Vice Chair Andy Litsky (6D01). After the But even when DDOT does extensive public engageANC unanimously voted to oppose DDOT’s P Street ment, some people still aren’t happy. The 17th Street plan, Litsky hoped the vote would lead to a real converNW bike lanes opened late this summer to tremendous sation that would create a bike solution that served all. controversy. DDOT rejected these arguments, pointing out that The project started in 2017 when Dupont Circle the lanes have appeared on plans since 2005, including in ANC 2B requested that DDOT study options to implethe 2014 MoveDC plan. A bike lane network, the agency ment bike lanes on the 17th Street corridor between Florargued, is only as safe as its weakest block. Encountering ida and Constitution. The commission wanted to relieve such conditions, people either get off the road onto the congestion on existing 15th Street protected bike lanes. sidewalk or do not ride. DDOT completed the P Street After four years of traffic analysis, DDOT fashioned lanes in 2020. a design for bike lanes. The agency held at least six pubYet, positioning bike lanes does enter the larger world lic meetings with ANC 2B and area citizen’s association of District politics. At least in one instance, the agency to look at designs—but not to debate whether bike lanes dismantled its bike lanes in the face of determined powere going on 17th Street NW. litical opposition. Some neighbors consider the fact that they didn’t get to opine on whether lanes should be installed to be the very problem. “Our concern about DDOT is, they’re proRemoval of Bike Lanes ceeding without community engagement and they don’t As a Vision Zero initiative, DDOT studied methods to care. This is here, and it’s going to go in, the Mayor has make a four-mile stretch of Alabama between Martin Lua mandate,” President of Dupont East Civic Association ther King, Jr. and Southern Avenues SE safer for pedesNick Delle Donne said of the agency’s engagement. trians, cyclists and drivers. In 2018, the project took on The two protected bike lanes on 17 Street NW elimnew urgency after three people lost their lives. After three inate a vehicular travel lane. There are now one lane of 24
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
traffic and one painted bike lane in each direction. Parking remains on both sides of the street. Public reception has been decidedly mixed. The bike lanes “play Russian Roulette with the vitality of the community,” said Donne. Delivery trucks parked on sidewalks and on intersections create chaos, he pointed out. This is dangerous for pedestrians and snarls traffic, he said. Richard Wetzell lives on 17th Street NW. Not only does that description not match his experience on the street, he said, it also places cyclists and other road users unnecessarily in opposition. “The assumption that the interests of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers are in conflict should be questioned,” said Wetzell, a pedestrian, resident, cyclist and driver in his 60s. “It’s not a zero-sum game. If scooter riders can now use the new bikes lanes, then they’re off the sidewalks and that’s better for pedestrians,” he pointed out. Often, the complexity of road planning can erode public engagement. Planning for 17th Street NW, for example, took over three years.
Putting the Public in Engagement
As the examples above demonstrate, there is little consistency to DDOT’s public engagement process relating to the installation of protected bike lanes, other than the issuance of an NOI thirty days prior to construction. The agency’s internal mandates and nonpublic PIPS make it difficult to evaluate their engagement efforts. Moreover, the agency’s overreliance on advisory neighborhood commissions to funnel neighborhood feedback can leave it blind to the concerns of those living on impacted blocks. However, in many ways, focusing on the public engagement process alone betrays a larger fallacy in understanding on the public’s role. DDOT only grants residents a very limited voice. The agency consults them for feedback on choosing among its internally generated designs. Alternative plans offered by residents are not given consideration. Criticism is treated as merely advisory. Driven by the mayor’s mandate, DDOT’s installation of protected bike lanes is not an “if ” but a “when.” “There will be a lot of change coming for many neighborhoods. Not every street will get bike lanes, but a lot of them will,” said DDOT Bicycle Specialist Will Handsfield. DDOT planners say protected bike lanes must happen to successfully confront societal issues like traffic safety and global warming. The agency is obligated to find the right balance between the goals the city is achieving and the issues on the ground. That will impact neighborhoods, whether residents like it or not. The extension of the District’s bike network will have a huge impact on residents, businesses and traffic congestion. Given the outcry the provision of protected lanes has generated, their installation could be a messy affair. u
SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! Re
bat
10% OFF
LIST PRICE ON ANY EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS *Exp.10/31/2021
DC
es
SE
Ava U ilab l
e
$25 OFF Any Service Call *Exp.10/31/2021
18 Month, 0% Interest Financing
FAST SERVICE FAST INSTALLATION
Serving Washington DC Since 2001 • Residential & Light Commercial • Roof Top Package Units • Highly Experienced Technicians • Low Prices • Free Estimates On Replacements • Convenient Financing • Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Specializing in:
Equipment: Change outs & Complete Ductwork Systems + High Velocity Systems WE SERVICE & INSTALL ALL MAKES & MODELS
202-333-1310
www.polarbearairconditioning.com All Credit Cards Accepted
E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
25
neighborhood news
The ABC’s of Redistricting Ward Borders To Be Redrawn by Elizabeth O’Gorek
D
C Council is gearing up for the start of the often-contentious redistricting process, undertaken by every state (and DC) every ten years. Normally, redistricting begins in April, but a five-month pandemic-related delay in the release of 2020 Census data means the process officially kicked off in September. The US Census Bureau reported that the population for the District of Columbia was 689,545 persons in 2020. The Council has to make sure each of the eight wards will have a roughly equal population, about 86,193 residents, with a permitted deviation of plus or minus 5 percent. That works out to between 81,883 and 90,503 people in each ward. Only three of the eight wards currently have populations outside those limits. Wards 7 and 8, with populations of 76,255 and 78,513 respectively, are slightly below the permitted range. On the other hand, Ward 6 has a population of 108,202. That means the ward lines must be redrawn to place at least 17,699 Ward 6 residents in another ward, without pushing any other ward’s population over 90,503.
The Rules
According to legislation governing the process, in addition to being of relatively equal population,
26
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
the wards must be “compact and contiguous [touching]” and should conform as much as possible to the boundaries of the US Census tracts. The boundaries must also be in place at least 180 days before the next general election, in November 2022, with ward boundaries to be finalized by the June 2022 primary election. To conform with the law –and avoid court challenges --the redistricting plan also needs to be above any challenge that it “has the purpose and effect of diluting the voting strength of minority citizens.” There is some debate about whether keeping certain Ward 7 and 8 neighborhoods together is the best way to balance equity with this consideration. During the redistricting process that followed the 2010 census, Ward 7 was further extended across the Anacostia River, claiming The DC Jail and Reservation 13. At the time, some also argued for Ward 8 to also reach across the river to include portions of Navy Yard, a neighborhood of about 32,000 people, or Southwest, currently home to 14,000, with another 1,000 in Buzzard Point.
The Process [Map: Population change from 2010 to 2020 US Census by ward. Courtesy: DC Office of Planning (OP)]
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has appointed a Redistricting Subcommittee to direct the Council’s work. It consists of three at-large members: Elissa Silverman,
ANC-8B Monthly Public Meetings
3rd Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm
who will chair the subcommittee, Anita Bonds, and Christina Henderson. Silverman has created a one-stop website with all the facts and links to the census data and a new online mapping tool (dcredistricting.esriemcs.com) that allows members of the public to draw their own ward and ANC boundaries using the new Census data. “Redistricting ensures that residents have an equal voice in our elected government, and this mapping tool now gives the public even more of a say in the process of shifting our ward boundaries to reflect the change in our population,” said committee Chair Elissa Silverman. “My goal is for this to be the most transparent, accessible redistricting process the District of Columbia has ever seen.” Using data from the 2020 Census, the subcommittee will make recommendations to the full Council on redrawing ward and Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) boundaries to ensure balanced ward populations and representation in the legislature. • Late September through late October 2021: Subcommittee will hold eight hearings on ward redistricting, one specific to each ward The committee will also conduct extensive public hearings, some of which will be held in the most impacted wards. The first of these was held on Sept. 29.
The Final Decision
The Council will consider a wide range of factors when drafting the new ward and ANC lines. It will look at population levels, age, race, voter turnout, income, education, geographic continuity, and many other data points. Here is the timeline: • Mid-November: Subcommittee mark-up of the ward redistricting bill (technically a subcommittee of the Committee of the Whole) • Dec. 7: First vote by the full Coun-
cil on the ward redistricting bill • Dec. 21: Second vote on the ward redistricting bill • December: Ward Task Forces that provide recommendations on ANC redistricting start meeting • February 2022: Ward Task Forces report out recommendations • May 2022: Subcommittee mark-up of the ANC redistricting bill • June 2022: Council votes on the ANC redistricting bill The Council’s final decision, as Chairman Phil Mendelson noted during the 2011 process, will be contentious. There were large protests in Ward 6 just before the first vote in 2011. The public can participate in the process in multiple ways. First, residents can try to meet redistricting challenges themselves by using a new mapping tool (dcredistricting.esriemcs.com) that allows members of the public to draw their own ward and ANC boundaries using the new Census data, and to submit these maps to the Council subcommittee for consideration. Residents can also express their views to the Redistricting Subcommittee. The committee will hold hearings on redistricting in each ward from Sept. 29 through late October. Residents can testify before the subcommittee or submit testimony via email or voicemail. Finally, since each Councilmember will vote on the new ward boundaries, residents can also contact their representative. Learn more about redistricting by visiting https://www.elissasilverman.com/ redistricting#FAQ. Find your ward and see detailed ward maps at https://planning.dc.gov/ whatsmyward. You can email Councilmember Silverman at esilverman@dccouncil.us, or the redistricting subcommittee at redistricting@dccouncil.us. u
ZOOM Virtual Login: Meeting ID: 516 894 8849 Passcode: OxBqv8
By Phone: 1-301-715-8592 Passcode: 714931
ALL ARE WELCOME
Did you schedule your annual mammogram yet? Breast Care for Washington offers mammograms, diagnostic procedures, and referrals to treatment, regardless of ability to pay. Call us at 202-465-7164 to schedule an appointment We are located at:
4 Atlantic Street SW, Washington DC
www.BreastCareDC.org We are accessible via the following bus lines: A2,A4, A8, A9, A42, P17,P18, W9, W13, and M8. The nearest metro station is the Congress Heights Station (Green line)
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
27
neighborhood news
By Kathleen Donner
Mid-Day Movies at Capitol View Library
On Thursdays at 1 p.m., unwind with friends for an afternoon movie. Partwicipants vote each week for the next movie. Capitol View Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. www. dclibrary.org/capitolview
Take Time Thursdays
On Thursday, Oct. 21, 2:30 to 3:00 p.m., get a quick introduction to investing. Looking for other streams of income? Investor Christopher White shares more of his journey into investing in this second installment of his lectures. Read more and register at www.anacostia. si.edu. The first session is available at www.youtube. com/watch?v=zk-n5o1Ys-8.
Chase Bank Opens at Skyland
Chase Bank has opened at Skyland Town Center. The branch is part of JPMorgan Chase’s continued $30 billion effort to help advance racial equity in communities across the US. The new branch offers customers and nonprofit organizations access to free wi-fi and community space. www.jpmorganchase.com/impact/path-forward
Apply for Rent or Utilities Assistance
Cast (l to r): Kevin Thorne, Lolita Marie, Jared
“N” at the Keegan
Graham. Photo: Mike Kozemchak
in American play that featured an African American actor Eugene O’Neill’s “The Emperor Jones” was the first a“revel as hailed was 1921 yal of Emperor Brutus Jones in the lead role on Broadway. Charles S. Gilpin’s portra by But . world r theate the of toast the ss, made the two men tory.” The opening, O’Neill’s first commercial succe rey. Adrienne Pender’s “N” explores the challenging histor to lost was Gilpin and legend a 1926, O’Neill was theican Amer of word that lifted one of them to the heights lationship between the men and how it hinged on a 20. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW, Oct. 23 to Nov. the at stage ater and destroyed the other. “N” is on $50. www.keegantheatre.com
28
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Through STAY DC, renters and housing providers can apply for funding to cover past and future rental payments in addition to utilities like water, gas and electricity. For more information and to apply, visit www. stay.dc.gov or call 1-833-478-2932. You can also visit www.stay.dc.gov/events to find in-person STAY DC workshops near you.
Karaoke at Busboys and Poets
The first Saturday of every month, 8 to 10 p.m., the Marion Barry Room becomes a stage. Pick from over 40,000 songs, sign the list, grab the mic and make magic happen. Every month, one person will be vot-
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.
DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) first-time home buyer program.
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Qualified District homeowners can receive up to
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is offered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial assistance to those affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualified borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001 • 202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
29
neighborhood news
ber-23-volunteer-event. www.kenaqgardens.org/calendar
Clean Up Shepherd Parkway
Ward 8 Woods volunteers hold their signature community clean-ups every second Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. Gloves, bags and water are provided. Wear work clothes and boots. Documentation of community service hours is provided upon request. Read more at www.ward8woods.org/shepherdparkway.
Volunteer at Fort Stanton Park
Choose from apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan and a sea salt chocolate chess pie. Photo: Abigail Seiler
Food & Friends’ Pie Sale
Now in its 15th year, Slice of Life has become a District tradition. Pie sellers and Pie teams come together to raise money to ensure neighbors facing serious illnesses can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal complete with two delicious pies. Each is baked fresh by gourmet bakery Whisked and picked up on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at conveniently located sites. Choose from apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan and a sea salt chocolate chess pie. There is no easier way to give back during the holidays. www.sliceoflifedc.org ed best of the night and will compete for a grand prize in December. Busboys and Poets is at 2004 Martin Luther Kings, Jr., Ave. SE. www.busboysandpoets.com
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Through Oct. 15, compete in DC’s First Annual Evil Laugh Contest. Submit a 10-second video of yourself doing your most wicked, spine-tingling evil laugh. Trophies will be awarded in categories such as Best Vocals, Art Direction and Dramatic Performance. For inspiration, check out Evil Laughs on Film at www.dclibrary. org/node/68802. For more Evil Laugh Contest details, visit www.dclibrary.org/evillaughcontest.
New Health Options Coming East of the River
On Sept. 30, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Thomas LeBlanc, president of George Washington University, Dr. Barbara Bass, CEO of the GW Medical Faculty As30
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
sociates and dean of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Kimberly Russo, chief executive officer of the George Washington University Hospital, to announce a historic partnership to bring high quality medical care to Wards 7 and 8 residents. Physicians of the GW Medical Faculty Associates and the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences will provide comprehensive healthcare service for adults at the new acute care hospital at St. Elizabeths and two urgent facilities to open in Wards 7 and 8. To learn more, visit www.newhospitals.dc.gov.
Volunteer at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
On Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, volunteer at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, for invasive plant removal, litter collection, flowerbed weeding and trail maintenance. Some activities involve working in shallow ponds. Registration required. For more information, visit www.kenaqgardens.org/event/octo-
Fort Stanton Park was created in 1926 to preserve the hilltops where the Union army constructed Fort Stanton and Battery Rickets to defend the nation’s capital during the Civil War. The park’s more than 150 acres of forest include dramatic hills and ravines, stream valleys and stands of towering poplar trees. Sadly, years of littering and dumping have polluted the landscape. Invasive plants such as kudzu, bittersweet, Asian wisteria and Japanese knotweed have destroyed whole areas of forest and threaten others. Volunteer on Saturday, Nov. 6, and/or Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wear boots, durable pants and clothes you won’t mind getting dirty. Documentation of community service hours provided upon request. For questions, contact Nathan at 202-520-2742 or nathan@ward8woods.org. For more information, visit www.ward8woods.org.
Soul Strolls
On Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23 (rain or shine), trespass into the past and discover the secrets of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls explores the stories of individuals buried there through guided tours and costumed interpreters. The hour-long tour departs every 15 minutes between 6 and 10 p.m. Adult tickets are $35; children 12 and under, $15; beer, wine and cider for purchase. Comfortable shoes are encouraged, as are flashlights. Tours will not stay on the paths, so be prepared for uneven terrain. Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. www.congressionalcemetery.org
Donate A/C Units
Considering getting rid of an old air-conditioner? Donate it to Community Forklift. Every year, the organization provides dozens of free air-conditioners to households with limited incomes. Window or in-room
New Children’s Book from East of the River Author
air-conditioning units under 10 years of age, including all their pieces, are accepted at 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, Maryland. Open daily, noon to 5 p.m. www.communityforklift.org
Ticket Amnesty Extended
The District has extended its ticket amnesty deadline until Dec. 31, 2021. The program. provides the opportunity to pay, without the doubling penalty, outstanding tickets for parking, photo enforcement and minor moving violations. Pay the orig-
Simone Joins The Soccer Team by Karen Lyon
S
imone is lolling on the steps of the Frederick Douglass house, her favorite after-school hangout, when she announces to her best friend that she’s thinking about trying out for the soccer team. “So…do it,” says Shiloh. But then she reminds her that playing team sports can be a big commitment and could affect her grades. When Simone tells her dad of her plan, he assures her that he’ll be supportive of whatever she decides, but her classmate DeAndre is dismissive. “Nah,” he says, “you wouldn’t be any good at it.” What’s a girl to do? In “Simone Joins the Soccer Team,” a little girl is forced to make her own decision and grows up a little bit in the process. The book is the latest offering from Dr. Kelsi Bracmort, who hopes that her character of Simone “will inspire other children to be proud of who they are, to go out and explore, and to follow their dreams.’
Bracmort’s previous title was “Simone Visits the Museum.” Both books are for grades 2-4 and are available in Spanish. They are also beautifully illustrated by New York artist Takeia Marie, who winningly captures not only the characters and their moods but also the distinctive flavors of DC neighborhoods. Dr. Kelsi Bracmort is a native Washingtonian who holds advanced degrees in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. For more information, visit www.simoneshines.com ◆
A little girl learns a lesson about making her own decisions in Kelsi Bracmort’s “Simone Joins the Soccer Team.” Author photo by Leanila Baptitste Photography
Deanwood Library Celebrates Indigenous People Day
Deanwood Library associate Dawn Fox is again creating her “World of Wonder” for library visitors through Nov. 5. This year, Deanwood Library celebrates Indigenous People Day by sharing a small sample of what life may have been like years ago. Deanwood Library is at 1350 49th St. NE. www.dclibrary.org/org E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
31
neighborhood news
inal ticket amount with penalties waived. DC Department of Public Works (DPW) tow and storage fees, if any, will not be waived. Residents and non-residents facing financial hardship should contact the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s Central Collection Unit (OCFO CCU) for hardship options. www.ticketamnesty.dc.gov
2020 Visitor Parking Passes Extended
2020 annual visitor parking passes will remain valid through the end of 2021. Residents can also order visitor parking permits through ParkDC, the District’s new online portal. www. ParkDC.com
District Entertainment Network Launched
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) has launched a streaming network, District of Columbia Entertainment Network (DCE). The 24hour on-demand service delivers free lifestyle, music, live event, sports, arts, variety show, talk show and educational and entertainment programming via ROKU, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Viewers can also watch on iPhone and Android mobile devices by downloading the DCE Network and at www.dcenetwork.com. Expansion is planned to Samsung, LG and Android TV platforms. www.dcenetwork.com
Nightmare in the Navy Yard
Enjoy a pop-up Halloween event at the Navy Yard on Oct. 30, 8 p.m., in front of DC Water’s new headquarters, 1385 Canal St. SE. Hosted by Scorpio Entertainment, it takes place under a huge tent with the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge as a backdrop. The event features DJ Tezrah, an open bar, food trucks, special-effect lighting, animated decor and a complimentary hotel stay and brunch to the winners of the best costume. www.nightmareinnavyyard.com
DC Water Expands Assistance
DC Water urges customers behind on their bills to call 202354-3600 or email www.customer.service@dcwater.com for help. The agency offers a full suite of financial assistance plans. Late fees on past-due balances resumed Sept. 1.
Redistrict the District
With the 2020 census results in, the DC Council has begun the process of redistricting ‒ the redrawing of ward boundaries to rebalance the populations. The DC Office of Planning has released an online tool to help residents participate by creating their own maps to submit to the council’s Redistricting Subcommittee. To access the tool, visit www. planning.dc.gov/page/district-columbia-2021-ward-redistricting. For more information, visit www.planning.dc.gov/ publication/2020-census-information-and-data.
DC’s COVID-19 Hotline
DC residents homebound due to COVID-19 can request support from the District for food and other essential items. Call 1-888-349-8323 or visit www. coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp.
Christmas at the Dew Drop Inn
Members of the cast of the Anacostia Playhouse’s rollicking hit, “A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn,” will perform “Christmas at the Dew Drop Inn” from Dec. 11 to Jan. 9 at the Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. Tickets are now on sale through Nov. 1. www.anacostiaplayhouse.org 32
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Email bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆
E ast
of the
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
33
east washington life
Meet Your Neighbor: Donna Henry Ward 7 Resident, Restaurateur and Author
C
by Anthony D. Diallo
ombining business acumen and a love of the culinary arts with a practical mindset, Donna Henry cultivates her goals and marinates her dreams – one recipe at a time.
Coming to Ward 7
Henry is a native of Jamaica. While she grew up in New York’s Westchester County, her relatives lived on the south coast of Jamaica, in the parish of St. Elizabeth. It was a place where the children frolicked in a huge backyard. Under sapphire blue skies, the men played endless games of dominoes while the women cooked over an open fire. As a child there, Henry learned how to create a tasty, hearty and healthy soup by incorporating ingredients like thyme and scotch bonnet pepper. Henry arrived in the District 20 years ago, intent on completing a graduate degree. Attending American University, she earned a master’s in public communication and fell in love with Ward 7. “I chose to live in Ward 7 because it offered the feeling of suburban living in an urban environment,” she says. “There are spacious single-family homes with lawns and decks only steps away from Congress and minutes away from downtown. It seemed like the best of both worlds.” A resident of the Penn Branch/Fort Dupont communi-
ty since 2008, Henry declares, “I love living in Ward 7. The greenery reminds me of Jamaica.”
Founding Soup Up
When Henry looked for a brick-and-mortar location to serve her signature soups, eight years ago, she found no viable spots near her beloved Ward 7. Initially, she set up in a stall in Union Market. Later, she found a location in Ward 4. Today, Henry runs Soup Up (www.soupup.us) at 709 Kennedy St. NW, in the Brightwood neighborhood. She uses organic local produce, fresh herbs and spices to create healthy soups, salads, spring rolls and wraps. Creamy white bean with roasted chicken soup, a go-go gumbo and a greenmachine vegan soup are among the specialties. “I enjoy creating and making things from scratch. I enjoy the journey to defy any and everything that stands in the way of becoming better than you were yesterday,” says Henry. One of her most ardent customers is Andi Dodwell Wright, a Ward 7 neighbor. The two met walking their dogs. “Her soups are so delicious,” explains Wright. “They are to die for! I love the fact that they are never prepared with any additives, preservatives, dairy or even any oil. I had to make sure that my husband and [adult] son were aware of this fine cuisine,” she adds.
Donna Henry. Photo: Kirth Bobb
“Breakfast in Bed,” a squash and carrot soup. Photo: Kaylie Nguyen
34
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
Mural featuring Donna Henry at 709 Kennedy Street NW. Mural by Rose Jaffe and Kate Deciccio
Now Available ONLINE @
in the Whole Foods Section The best corn you’ve ever had 100% ALL NATURAL!
NO added sugar, additives, coloring or preservatives
Available at I N T H E F R OZ E N V E G G I E S S E C T I O N
More info andrecipes recipes at: at: larrysweetcorn.com larrysweetcorn.com More info and
G E T YO U R B E A N S DELIVERED
“My Go-Go,” a children’s book by Donna Henry.
Food Author
Wanting to reach a wider audience, Henry turned to the written word. She has authored a series of children’s books. During a pre-pandemic dinner out with a friend, she realized that most District residents were ill informed about the District’s history. She says she encountered one resident who thought Michelle Obama was the mayor. To change this would require starting with the young. She calls her series of children’s books “My D.C.” They are designed to engage, excite, educate and empower students. The DC Public Schools have chosen her book, “My Go-Go,” to be a supplementary reading aid for thirdand fourth-graders studying social studies. Henry just completed a second installment, “A Tale of Two Straws.”
Next Steps
Today, while working her day job as a public affairs specialist for the DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), Henry is hoping to purchase a log cabin in the country, not too far from her beloved District. This dynamo continues her writing and cooking as well, with the goal of opening a second soup bar in Ward 7. “I have about 100 customers who make regular trips from Southeast to patronize my soups,” says Henry. “I am perfection in progress, and where I am in the process is perfect,” she says, reciting her mantra. ◆
660 Pennsylvania Ave SE 1718 14th St. NW Union Market www.peregrineespresso.com
Order With Joe’s Coffee App
JOE.COFFEE
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, DC
Up to $25,000 Reward
HOMICIDE VICTIM
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
VICTIM’S NAME
Charnice Milton LOCATION
2700 block of Good Hope Road, SE DATE/TIME
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
9:40 PM
CONTACT
Detective Chanel Howard (202) 437-0451 Detective Robert Cephas (202) 497-4734 Homicide Branch (202) 645-9600
(cell)
On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at approximately 9:40 pm, Ms. Charnice Milton was shot and killed in the 2700 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The Metropolitan Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in gathering information regarding this homicide.
(cell)
H O W TO H E L P O U R I N V E S T I G AT I O N
(main)
This case is being investigated by the Department’s Homicide Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the detective(s) listed above or the Command Information Center (CIC) at (202) 727-9099. Anonymous information may also be forwarded to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. COMMAND CENTER 202 727-9099 E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
TEXT TIPS O CTOBER 2021
35
east washington life
Ward 7 Needs A Dog Park!
Darren Be Scheming
by Darren Thompson
D
id you know that Ward 7 is the single most difficult ward in DC to own a pet? It is the only Ward that with no veterinarian, pet food shop, or dog park. Some of my longtime readers know that I have been leading the effort to get a DPR Dog Park in our ward since 2017, establishing the East River Dog Park Group and submitting our dog park petition in 2018, which was approved in 2019…which will maybe, one day, if anyone in city leadership actually cares about equity and equal access to amenities, be built. Who knows? But what has been made very clear to me is that the schemes need to go on hold until this project is complete. “Darren, if it’s approved to be built, then what is the problem? Keep scheming!” The problem is accountability. The Dog Park Group asked for an update on the dog park for almost 60 days with no response. Then the Washington Post and WAMU decided to write articles about the fact that there are 16 dog parks in DC and none of them are east of the Anacostia. (For reference, when our application was submitted, there were 13 DPR Dog Parks in DC with two more listed on the website, since that time three dog parks have been constructed, only one of which was listed on the DPR website.) When WAMU reached out about the status of the Texas Avenue Dog Park, they were told it would be constructed by the end of 2021, now we are hearing that it could be constructed by the end of summer 2022, moving dates indicate a lack of accountability. As someone with over six years of accountability experience, we call this a missed deadline, and when government misses a deadline there is supposed to be someone who holds them accountable. I am not sure who is supposed to hold DPR accountable, but in the absence of a clear authority figure, I will focus my efforts and time on annoying this to completion. “But Darren, a dog park? You can’t do anything better with your time?” I can see how someone could think that. See, my dog, Barrow, only walks 2-3 miles in the summer. Now that the fall is here, I have 5-7 mile walks to look forward
36
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
to, every day. I will get about five hours back each Wednesday now that we have concluded our summer outdoor movie night (shout out to the Marshall Heights Civic Association and the Fletcher Johnson Task Force for the collab on that). Realistically, most of that free time is going to go to my role as a new Washington DC Platoon Leader for The Mission Continues. All things that I do for my community, I do out of love, but I know I can get help advocating for most of those things. People love knowing there is an outdoor movie every Wednesday for the kids and community. People will help you paint and garden and beautify a school. There is a very small group that will take the time to adDogs playing at Kingman Park Dog Park. vocate for a dog park. And I completely understand. We all have to advocate for the things that we out to WIT to inquire about improv workshops in Ward think will make our community better. I realize that the 7. The quickest way to get these schemes back in your city won’t prioritize getting this project completed and life is to write the Councilmembers and ask that they if someone isn’t focused, they will continue to find more get personally involved with the completion of the Texand more reasons to delay getting this done. We have to as Avenue Dog Park. For now, this is, hopefully, a brief fight for all the things that come to other, more affluent goodbye. Unless DC bureaucracy completely drains all communities in DC without much effort. of my energy on this one project, I will be back shortly “OK Darren, but, how can I get my schemes?” and ready to make some positive change in our commuI will continue to be out here in these streets. You nity. Until next year, schemers. Stay scheming my friends. can always follow me on Instagram @c.darren.thompsondc or you can check out what the dog park group is Darren Thompson is a lifelong border hopper of Ward 7 and PG up to @east_river_dpg. Check out missioncontinues.org County, MD. His highest academic achievement to date is winning and come to one of the Ward 7 service projects and you the Kimball Elementary School 1993 Spelling Bee and he has been can always message me to collaborate on a future projchasing that high ever since. You can watch his comedic pursuits ect. Veterans love to give back #GoNavy. Definitely keep with The Cookout Collective Presents: “Enigma” and Washington tabs on Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) and Improv Theater’s “Hold Up, Book Club.” u Washington Improv Theater (WIT). As I am able, that is where I will likely perform, and it can’t hurt to reach
Changing Hands 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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
PRICE BR
4219 Hildreth St SE 1179 46th Pl SE
$310,000 $280,000
2 3
HILL EAST
5 5 3 4 3 4 4
KINGMAN PARK
FEE SIMPLE
HILL CREST 3726 Southern Ave SE $975,000 ANACOSTIA 2514 West St SE 1932 Naylor Rd SE 1446 V St SE 2330 Payne Ter SE
$520,000 $485,000 $395,000 $302,500
3 3 3 4
CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3981 1st St SW 3003 7th St SE 1204 Trenton Pl SE 3519 M.L.K. Jr Ave SE 1103 Congress St SE 731 Atlantic St SE 1224 Barnaby Ter SE 99 Danbury St SW 4303 12th St SE 1306 Barnaby Ter SE 39 Danbury St SW 630 Southern Ave SE 227 Atlantic St SE 202 Trenton Pl SE
$615,000 $580,000 $487,000 $480,000 $475,000 $445,000 $430,000 $425,000 $425,000 $415,000 $405,000 $385,000 $240,000 $240,000
5 4 4 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 2 2 2 4
3355 Frankford St SE 2401 32nd St SE 3025 N St SE 2937 Fort Baker Dr SE 2908 O St SE 3708 Suitland Rd SE
$900,000 $875,000 $800,000 $750,000 $490,000 $410,000
1354 D St NE 1703 Bay St SE 2006 E St NE 524 24th St NE
$1,175,000 $875,000 $651,000 $560,000
MARSHALL HEIGHTS 3 3 2 2
LILY PONDS 3606 Grant Pl NE 409 36th St NE 327 34th St NE
$530,000 $450,000 $440,000
3 2 3
$649,000 $560,000 $560,000 $472,000 $445,000 $420,000 $409,000 $400,000 $375,000 $265,000 $600,000 $460,000 $460,000 $430,000 $372,000 $365,000 $350,000 $340,000
4 3 3 2
RANDLE HEIGHTS
1715 24th Pl SE $570,000 4 1805 Tobias Dr SE $505,000 4 3204 Buena Vista Ter SE $470,000 4 1423 Tobias Dr SE $465,000 3 1812 Valley Ter SE $460,000 3 1818 Bruce Pl SE $450,000 5 2416 Skyland Pl SE $449,999 3 3400 21st St SE $430,000 3 2205 Hartford St SE $399,999 2 2319 Savannah St SE $365,000 3 3461 24th St SE $285,100 2
ANACOSTIA 2610 Sheridan Rd SE #3
$399,000
3
CONGRESS HEIGHTS 4729 SW 1st St SW #203
5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2
$109,900
2
DEANWOOD 4633-1/2 Minnesota Ave NE 601 58th St NE #4
$325,000 $175,000
3 2
FAIRFAX VILLAGE 2012 Fort Davis St SE #201
$147,000
1
FORT DUPONT PARK 4477 B St SE #102 4477 B St SE #302 2516 Burns St SE #304
FORT DUPONT PARK 1227 45th Place SE 4351 G St SE 648 Chaplin St SE 717 46th St SE 5039 Benning Rd SE 4209 H St SE 3319 D St SE 4326 SE F St SE
$555,000 $532,500 $465,000 $450,000
CONDO
DEANWOOD 5341 Hayes St NE 4209 Grant St NE 801 46th St NE 5206 Clay St NE 4431 Hunt Pl NE 545 49th Pl NE 188 35th St NE 112 48th Pl NE 821 49th St NE 4912 Minnesota Ave NE
4923 A St SE 5117 F St SE 5015 Queens Stroll Pl SE 4630 B St SE
$269,900 $249,000 $172,000
2 2 2
HILL CREST 5 3 2 4 3 2 3 3
1800 28th Pl SE #303 3822 V St SE #202 2103 Suitland Ter SE #201
$230,000 $179,000 $175,000
2 1 2
MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4442 B St SE #3
$329,999
2
RANDLE HEIGHTS
E ast
of the
1713 28th Pl SE #B u
$355,000
R iver M agazine
O ctober 2021
3
37
kids & family
by Kathleen Donner
“My Lord, What a Night” Student Matinees
After performing in Princeton, New Jersey, acclaimed contralto Marian Anderson is denied lodging at the Nassau Inn because she is Black. Physicist Albert Einstein invites her to stay at his home, and the two form a profound friendship based on their love for music and their commitment to human rights. Based on true events, My Lord, What a Night takes us into Einstein’s home and imagines the conversations and circumstances that led to Anderson’s historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Don’t miss this remarkable new play about courage, justice and our shared humanity. Teachers can bring their students to a free matinee performance on Oct. 14 and 21 at 11 a.m. at Ford’s Theatre. Ford’s provides free group tickets and transportation to DC public schools and other qualifying schools. There is a limit of 40 tickets per teacher. Read more at fords.org/for-teachers/programs/student-matinees.
Bean & Widge Go to the Park!
Bean & Widge learn all about their favorite park as they collect pieces of their ripped-up homework. Along the way, they meet furry friends and learn how they can make a difference in the fight against climate change. Theater company Faction of Fools (they take comedy seriously) was commissioned to create this short puppet film to educate kiddos on climate change. They promise it’s fun for the whole family. Find it on youtube.com/factionoffools.
Fort Dupont Public Ice Skating in October
Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE, has reopened for public skating. October hours are Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $5; kids, $4. Skate rental is $3. fdia.org.
Jake Blount: Performance for Young Audiences at the KC
Washington, DC-native Jake Blount fell in love with the banjo a decade ago after stumbling upon a performance in an Ethiopian restaurant on DC’s U Street. The banjoist, fiddler, singer, and scholar is a specialist in the folk traditions of Black and indigenous Americans—and a recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize. Blount blends his charismatic and limber voice with blues, bluegrass, and spirituals for an awe-inspiring musical experience. Jake Blount is on stage at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 17, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. and most enjoyed by ages seven and older. Tickets are $20. kennedy-center.org.
NSO Family Concert: Sleepover at the Museum at the KC
The Museum of Natural History is Mason’s favorite place to visit and he can’t wait to celebrate his birthday with a sleepover there, but first he has to scout for the best place to spend the night. On Sun. Oct. 31, at 2 and 4 p.m., join Mason and his friends for a musical and scientific scavenger hunt through the many exhibits in this concert with music from and based on the book of the same name by Karen LeFrank. The 2 p.m. concert is a sensory-friendly performance designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to all families, including those with children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Sleepover at the Museum is most enjoyed by ages five, up. Tickets are $18 to $20. kennedy-center.org. 38
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
Girls on the Run 5K
The Girls on the Run 5K is on Sunday, Nov. 21 at Anacostia Park. It is a 3.1-mile loop around the park. Registration will stay open until Monday, Nov. 15 at midnight for Community Buddy Runner registration and until Sunday, Nov. 20 at noon for families and community runners. But if you register before Oct. 17, you will receive early bird pricing. At Girls on the Run, they inspire all girls to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. Read more at gotrdc.org.
Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon
Tickets are on sale now for Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2 to 6 p.m., rain or shine, where kids can celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities such as Punch & Judy Shows, chocolate making, live music, and pictures at a straw-bale selfie station. $25 for adults; $15 for kids. Face masks are recommended indoors for all persons, vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch
Enjoy a safe family outing at Temple Hall Farm, 15855 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg, VA, picking pumpkins. You can take a wagon ride over to the pumpkin patch to pick your perfect pumpkin and see draft horses, cows, goats, llamas, sheep, pigs, chickens and other farm animals. Entry fee is $10 which includes a pumpkin. Open daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At door tickets only—credit preferred. novaparks.com/events/temple-hall-fall-festival.
Air & Scare at Udvar-Hazy
On Saturday, Oct. 30, noon to 5:30 p.m., explore the spooky side of air and space at Air & Scare, their annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Arrive in costume to get into the Halloween spirit and enjoy safe indoor trick-or-treating. Be aware of highvolume attendance and allow for additional time for parking and security screening. Free; parking is $15. airandspace.si.edu.
National Book Festival Children’s and Teens Authors Online
The 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival, Sept. 17 to 26, included an extraordinary lineup of authors for children and teens— all now featured in videos on demand at loc.gov/ bookfest. The theme of this year’s festival, “Open a Book, Open the World,” was a starting point for many conversations with authors, often discussing how their own books open up new worlds for their readers.
100 Gallatin St. NE Washington, DC 20011
Pre-K 3 through 5th grade Building a strong foundation for learning
COME LEARN WITH US!
PRE-K 3 – 5TH GRADE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR We will be open for in-person learning five days a week.
ADDITIONAL SLOTS FOR PRE-K 3 & PRE-K 4 AND STUDENTS WITH HIGH-LEVEL SPECIAL NEEDS PRE-K 3 TO 5TH GRADE
Apply for admissions at:
www.myschooldc.org or call (202) 888-6336 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUING BASIS
To reach the school please email info@bridgespcs.org or call (202) 545-0515. w w w. br i d g e sp c s . org I 2 0 2 . 5 4 5 . 0 5 1 5 Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
EARLY CARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Ages 6 weeks to 12 Years Old Monday - Friday | 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
OUR PROGRAM OFFERS
Developmentally Appropriate Programs Toilet Training Certified Educators Education Field Trips LOCATIONS: Income-Based Tuition MINNESOTA Summer Camp 4021 Minnesota Ave., NE
202.397.1170 ANTIOCH 1105 50th St., NE 202.397.8754 GOOD HOPE ROAD 2503 Good Hope Rd., SE 202.582.0323
www.commresh.com E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
39
kids & family
Photo: Courtesy of Healthy Kids Running Series
Healthy Kids Running Series at Anacostia Park
Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week running program in the spring and fall for kids pre-k through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50- and 75-yard dashes, the quarter mile, the half mile and the one mile run. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the Series the boys and girls who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants receive a medal on Week 5. This fall’s series is Oct. 2 to Nov. 7. $40. Races are at Anacostia Park, Playing Field #1, Anacostia Dr. and Good Hope Rd. SE. Read more and register at healthykidsrunningseries.org/race-locations/anacostia-kenilworth-dc/.
Some of the children’s authors and their featured books are: Derrick Barnes, I Am Every Good Thing; Kacen Callender, King and the Dragonflies; Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall, The Beatryce Prophecy; Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas, Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman; Nikki Grimes, Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance; Dan Gutman, Houdini and Me; Brayden Harrington, and Brayden Speaks Up: How One Boy Inspired the Nation. Some of the teens authors and their featured books are: Traci Chee, We Are Not Free; Jay Coles, Things We Couldn’t Say; Sharon G. Flake, The Life I’m In; Tahereh Mafi, An Emotion of Great Delight; Trung Le Nguyen, The Magic Fish; Jason Reynolds, 40
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks; and Katie Zhao, How We Fall Apart.
Children’s National Hospital Partners with UHS
Mayor Bowser, Universal Health Services (UHS) and Children’s National Hospital have announced a Letter of Intent for Children’s National pediatricians, nurses, physician assistants, and other medical staff to operate and provide professional services at the new hospital at St. Elizabeths East, which is scheduled to open in late 2024. Specifically, Children’s National staff will operate the pediatric emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit. This agreement is another step in establish-
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
ing a robust system of health care in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River and will ensure that children and mothers can receive the highest quality of care without leaving their communities. newhospitals.dc.gov. The new $375 million full-service community hospital will support 136 beds, with the ability to expand, will provide a complete range of inpatient services to all District residents, and include maternal health and newborn delivery services, normal and neonatal intensive care, a verified trauma center, an ambulatory office building for outpatient and community health services, and a 500-space parking garage. The facility is expected to open in late 2024. In addition to the new hospital, UHS will open two urgent care facilities, one in Ward 7 and one in Ward 8.
Find a Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch or Hayride
Find pumpkin patches, pick-your-own pumpkin farms, hayrides and corn mazes in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia at pumpkinpatchesandmore.org. The site claims to have the world’s best pumpkin pie and pie crust recipes as well. It also has home canning, preserving, drying and freezing directions. Yes, we’re sending you to a website. Most pumpkin patches and corn mazes open by midSeptember; some earlier. In winter, you’ll find cut-your-own Christmas tree farms at pickyourownchristmastree.org.
La llamada de Sylvia Méndez (Separate is Never Equal)
A world-premiere commission, this family-friendly bilingual play explores the life of Sylvia Méndez, who at eight years old became instrumental in the 1946 Mendez v. Westminster decision, a landmark case focused on the desegregation of Mexican and Latinx students in California. Sylvia Méndez has been a champion for civil rights ever since. $12 for adults; $10 for kids. On stage at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24. galatheatre.org.
Children’s Environmental Health Day
Each year on the second Thursday of October (Oct. 14), the children’s environmental health community commemorates Children’s Environmental Health Day (CEH Day). This day anchors the overall Children’s Environmental Health Movement and is a rallying point for education, and for individuals and organizations to take action on behalf of children’s environmental health. Organizations, communities, and families can organize their own CEH Day activities or join existing ones. Read more at cehday.org.
Black & Latino Student Fund School Fair
The Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair is on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl. NW. Tick-
Imagination Stage 2021-2022 In-Person Season
Imagination Stage welcomes audiences back to in-person performances in December, while continuing to offer digital programming. First up is Corduroy, Dec. 11 to Jan. 23, for ages three and older. We all need a friend, and Lisa is instantly drawn to the perfectly imperfect teddy bear on display at the department store. If only she can convince her stressed-out mother to buy Corduroy for her! Meanwhile, Corduroy is determined to find his missing button and become worthy of going to a real home. The rest of the season Balloonacy, Jan. 15 to Feb. 20; P.Nokio, Feb. 23 to April 10; Mother Goose, March 11 to April 10; and Mr. Popper’s Penguins, June 22 to Aug. 7. Prior to the start of in-person performances, an immersive, interactive online show S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis (formerly Spy Academy) returns for an encore run from Nov. 13 to 28. 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, imaginationstage.org.
ets are free. The Fair is one of the largest school fairs of its kind in the region, providing a networking opportunity for thousands of families to meet with representatives from more than 60 independent schools. Parents and prospective students get first-hand knowledge about each school’s programs, community, admission requirements and financial aid process. In addition, the fair features interactive seminars focused on the admissions process, the financial aid process and personal/family financial management. Read more and register at blackstudentfund.org. u
DC Prep campuses now accepting applications for the 21-22 school year in ward 5, 7 & 8. We’re the highest performing public charter schools serving PK3 – 8th grade.
Call 202-780-5126 for more information or visit:
dcprep.org
E AST
OF THE
R IVER M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 2021
41
www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com
XWORD
“Time Pieces” by Myles Mellor Across: 1. Inc. tax rate, e.g. 4. Ham and egg dish 10. Opera villain, usually 15. Canned soup additive 18. Evergreen 19. Abase 20. Big name in printers 21. Not well 22. Ranking officers 25. Cow noise 26. Popular baby name 27. Many times 28. White wine aperitif 29. Staff note 30. Model T contemporary 31. Dr. for women 32. Like some old buckets 35. Watering hole 38. See through section 39. Muslim religious leader (Var.) 40. When the creative juices run wild 50. Altoids cover it up 51. Deprive by deceit 52. Present time 54. Wick holder 55. Like some flights to LAX, abbr. 57. Met 60. Annoying insect 61. “The Joy of Cooking” author Rombauer 63. Uncovered knowledge 65. Time for victory celebrations 69. Mediterranean section 73. First class 74. Sprite perhaps 78. Inland sea 79. Former Pistons coach Chuck 81. Define 84. Buzz’s moonmate 85. Nitrogen and oxygen 86. Green 88. Top sports performer for a period
94. A lot 95. High marks 96. Ink cartridge color 99. Its capital is Innsbruck 101. Hated war, for short 104. Unmatched 107. Cattail, e.g. 108. Tantalite for one 109. Bean source 110. Sundial number 111. HS course 112. Mike D’Antoni, e.g. 119. ___ pinch 120. Egyptian desert 121. Exotic biblical dancer 122. Energy unit 123. Prime meridian std. 124. Vast chasm 125. Compositions 126. Word with biscuit or dog
Down: 1. Annoy 2. Chocolate source 3. Ref’s ruling 4. In a strange way 5. Honeydew, e.g. 6. Exude 7. Civil war general 8. __ de-toilette 9. AC/DC album 10. Dahomey, once 11. On __ (equipotent) 12. Taxpayer ID 13. Lush 14. Switch settings 15. Old copy machine 16. Replay feature 17. Goes with doom 18. Alexander, for one 23. Needle 24. Manage, with “out” 29. Handyman 32. Galoots 33. Black cuckoo
Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 34. Cognizance 35. Smear 36. Crimson Tide locale 37. Trading place 38. Hawaiian dish 39. Nap, in British slang 40. Common street name 41. Cantina cooker 42. Loony Tune’s composer, __ Franklin 43. JFK guess 44. Jacques, e.g. 45. Cough medicine amt. 46. Military rank, abbr. 47. Enter all at once 48. All-inclusive prefix 49. Turkey is a part of it 50. Harley 53. Royal wish 55. Currency arm of the U.N.
56. Referring to birth 57. Yo ho ho and a bottle of ___ 58. Payroll processing company 59. Health org. 61. High dudgeon 62. Traveling music crew member 64. Parisian way 65. Takes in 66. Till bill 67. Land of the brave and free 68. Orbison or Rogers 69. Actor Holm 70. City near Provo 71. Arrest 72. Rude 74. A language 75. Fail to mention 76. Potluck choice 77. A.B.A. member 80. Opposite of dep.
FALL in love with a new game or puzzle! • Educational, board and party games • LEGO and other building toys • Chess & other strategy games • Jigsaw puzzles • Brainteasers • Marble mazes • Corporate gifts; and much, much more! Tuesday, Thursday & Friday – 11am to 10pm. Wednesday – 11am to 8pm. Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 7pm.
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE (Steps from Eastern Market Metro)
42
EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM
202-544-1059 • labyrinthdc.com
81. Much sued dedendant 82. Street shader 83. London facility 85. Cries of regret 86. Bibliographical abbr. 87. Half a dance 89. Quill 90. Global positioning meas. 91. G.P.’s grp. 92. Boat gear 93. ___ Schwarz 96. Chris Noth’s role in “Sex and the City” 97. Forever, seemingly 98. Reach, to threaten 99. Number of mousquetaires 100. Assent 101. “I’m innocent!” 102. Muscle pains 103. Actress West 104. Daisy variety 105. First name among Motown legends 106. Extreme 108. Andes’ tubers 109. Corp. money managers 112. Code crackers, abbr. 113. Food catcher 114. “__ Which Way But Loose” 1978 film 115. Austin time 116. “Fat chance!” 117. Hearty cheer 118. QB’s gains
AIR & HEATING
HAIR SALON P D EL E H NT A W
Look Fabulous
To place a classified in East of the River, please call Carolina at Capital Community News, Inc. 202.543.3503 or email Carolina@hillrag.com
UNISEX HAIR SALON
Men’s Haircut - $15 Locs/Twist Specials - $50 Weaves Sewn - $100
PAINTING
1ST TIME CUSTOMER ONLY
Nail Technician on Site MANICURES • PEDICURES • FULL SET
CLEANING SERVICES 202.581.1700 | 2203 Minsesotta Ave. SE / lookfabulousunisexhairsalon
MASONRY
GEORGE HALLIDAY
MASONRY CONCRETE & BRICKPOINTING • Restoration Cleaning on Historical Brick & Stone
PLUMBING
Just Say I Need A Plumber®
• Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement
• Basements & Waterproofing
ELECTRICIAN
• Experts in New & Traditional Masonry
Chimney Repointing, Lining & Repairs! NO Job Too Small! We Do it All!!
202.637.8808 Licensed, Bonded & Insured
G G ROOFING
Dial A Plumber, LLC®
AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”
Flat Roof Specialists Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate •
Licensed Bonded Insured
•
Kenny
202-251-1479 DC P
L U M M E R
’
S
L
I C E N S E
#707
WE STOP LEAKS! • Tiles • Chimneys • Gutters • Waterproofing • Roof Certifications
We Do Everything!
LIC. BONDED. INS
10% OFF WITH THIS AD
202.425.1614 Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners
FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST
BOYD CONSTRUCTION INC.
•
WWW.GANDGHOMEIMPROVEMENTS.NET
ROOFING
• Roof Repairs • Roof Coatings • Rubber • Metal • Slate
Chimney Repairs Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs •
75 years in service
BBB
Member
202-223-ROOF (7663)