East of the River Magazine – October 2025

Fall ARts

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

21st Annual Flamenco Festival at GALA

From Nov. 6 to 22, enjoy Gala ’s expanded Flamenco Festival featuring US and international artists. On Nov. 8, 2 p.m., enjoy AULA DE FLAMENCO and learn more about the importance of this art in Spanish culture. This 90-minute free conference is facilitated by Seville-born Dr. José Miguel Hernández Jaramillo, Ph.D. in Advanced Flamenco Studies and Ethnomusicology, and includes an initial discussion followed by a Flamenco demonstration. Also on the schedule are: Nov. 6 to 9, CRÓNICA DE UN SUCESO, created, choreographed & performed by Creada; Nov. 14 to 16, ENREDO FLAMENCO APARICIO DANCE CO.; Nov. 21 to 22, LAS MUJERES QUE HABITAN EN Mí. Tickets for each show are $25 to $50. A festival pass is $120. GALA Theatre is at 333 14th St. NW. galatheatre.org.

Women Artists of the DMV: A Survey Exhibition at the Katzen

Through Dec. 7, the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, serves as the central venue for this groundbreaking survey exhibition taking place across sixteen locations throughout the Greater Washington, DC region. The show brings together leading and emerging voices across all genres of the fine arts. With more than 60 works of art on display at the Katzen and more than 400 artists included in all 16 locations, this unprecedented initiative is now “the largest curated survey of contemporary living women artists in the nation and the first survey of female visual artists working across the DMV,” according to curator Lenny Campello. The Katzen is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. american.edu/cas/museum.

Sharon Moody, Falling Away, 2024. Oil on panel, 18 x 24 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work at SAAM

Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work offers fresh insight into the art of Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma Moses” (1860-1961). She used creativity, hope, and togetherness as tools for shaping a life she likened to “a good day’s work.” Blending nature and memory, her paintings tell unique yet familiar stories of America. Widely popular with the public but dismissed by critics, Moses remains a polarizing figure. The exhibition reintroduces her to new generations and explores her legacy today. On view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets NW, Oct. 24 to July 12, 2026. americanart.si.edu.

Chiarina Chamber Players’ Appalachian Spring

Copland’s Appalachian Spring for 13 instruments—premiered at the Library of Congress in 1944—projected hope and unity during a difficult era. It shares a Shaker tune with John Williams’s Air, written for President Obama’s first inauguration. On Sunday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s, 301 A St. SE, hear Mendelssohn’s string octet and the inventive music of Mary Howe, a key figure in mid-century DC. General admission $33.85; ages 18 and under, free. chiarina. org/concerts/Appalachian-spring.

“The American Story” at the National Archives

Beginning October 2025, the National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, reopens after a major redesign of two permanent exhibit spaces. “The American Story” highlights records that capture defining moments in U.S. history. Using AI, the exhibit offers visitors a personalized way to explore the records of the American people. Artifacts on view include a rare 1823 Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, and George Washington’s annotated Constitution. archives.gov.

Legendary pianist Herbie Hancock shaped modern jazz with the Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s, then redefined it with his groundbreaking solo career. His 1970s fusion of electric jazz, funk, and rock on Headhunters continues to influence artists worldwide. A Kennedy Center Honoree and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Hancock received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He now serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He performs at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. Tickets $28–$138. strathmore.org.

Solas Nula’s “Lie Low” at the Atlas

After a home invasion, Faye hasn’t slept in twenty days. She’s fine, though! She really is! Living off Rice Krispies and adrenaline, she enlists her brother Naoise in an increasingly absurd attempt at exposure therapy. But Naoise has a hidden secret that’s about to surface. Lie Low is a dark comedy about trauma, the lies we tell ourselves, and the outrageous ways our brains work. Or don’t. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Nov. 6 to 23. General admission tickets are $61.25 to $66.25. The schedule includes many PWYC opportunities. This critically acclaimed, award-winning show makes its North American premiere with Solas Nua: New Irish Arts. atlasarts.org.

“ho ho ho ha ha ha ha” at Woolly Mammoth

This holiday season, Julia Masli returns to Woolly with a festive edition of her hit, award-winning show “ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,” now titled “ho ho ho ha ha ha ha.” Fresh off a global tour, Masli invites audiences to bring their holiday problems to the stage for a hilarious and surprising solution. A completely different show every night at Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW, from Nov. 13 to Dec. 21. While no two shows are the same, the show is friendly for all ages. Tickets start at $49. woollymammoth.net.

Little Simz at The Fillmore Silver Spring

Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British rapper and actress. She rose to prominence with the independent release of her first three albums: A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015); Stillness in Wonderland (2016); and Grey Area (2019), the last of which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and won the awards for Best Album at both the Ivor Novello Awards and the NME Awards. Little Simz is at The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, on Monday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49. fillmoresilverspring.com.

Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People at Theater J

Amy Herzog’s acclaimed adaptation brings Ib- sen’s drama into sharp focus for today, weigh- ing the price of speaking truth to power. The play follows a small-town doctor who uncov- ers a catastrophe threatening his community. When he sounds the alarm, local leaders—in- cluding his own brother—move to silence and destroy him. The story explores integrity, pub- lic health versus profit, and the cost of defying the status quo. An Enemy of the People runs at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, Oct. 29–Nov. 23. edcjcc.org/theater-j.

Gay Men’s Chorus Fall Cabaret “Bawdy”

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC returns Sunday, Oct. 11, with shows at 2 (ASL), 5, and 8 p.m. at Keegan Theatre. This playful cabaret brims with risqué tales, cheeky songs about dates gone wrong, and a generous dose of bawdy humor. From double entendres to naughty confessionals, soloists keep the fun rolling with numbers like “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Bring on the Men,” and “In Excess.” Recommended 16+. Tickets $23–$48. gmcw.org/bawdy.

Comedy at Miracle Theatre: Elizabeth Booker Houston, Rola Z and Mahmoud Jaber

The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today at the NPG

From Oct. 13 to Aug. 30, 2026, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and G streets NW, presents “The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today,” featuring 35 portraits (by 36 artists) from the museum’s seventh triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Established in 2006, the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition invites artists (ages 18 and over) living and working in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to submit one portrait created in the past three years for consideration by a panel of experts. The juried selection draws from more than 3,300 entries, and includes artist contributions from 14 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. npg.si.edu.

Elizabeth Booker Houston is the headliner for this show. She hails from Memphis, Tennessee and now calls the DC metro area home. Houston performs stand-up comedy in Washington, DC, where she integrates legal insight into political satire. Rola Z is a comedian and show producer who has created shows including Funny Arabs Show and Traumedy by Rola Z. Mahmoud Jaber is a Lebanese-American comedian based in DC, recently seen opening for Nemr Abou Nassar at the Lincoln Theatre and Sammy Obeid on tour. Elizabeth Booker Houston, Rola Z and Mahmoud Jaber are at The Miracle Theater, 535 Eighth St. SE, on Friday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). General admission tickets are $37.70. themiracletheatrre.com.

“The Wild Duck” at Shakespeare

The eccentric son of a wealthy businessman wreaks havoc when he embarks on a crusade to unveil the false foundations of his friend’s life. Ignorant of the adults’ machinations, a young girl tries to shield a fragile creature from the hurts of the world. Artistic Director Simon Godwin directs Henrik Ibsen‘s unflinching tale about truth’s tragic toll in a timeless story “that explains why Ibsen is the greatest dramatist after Shakespeare” (The Guardian). “The Wild Duck” is at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theater, 450 Seventh St. NW, from Oct. 18 to Nov. 16. shakespearetheatre.org.

Fremont Ave. at Arena Stage

This raw, electric world premiere moves across decades with the force of memory and the rhythm of Spades. From young love and big dreams to buried resentment and unmet expectations, three generations of Black men face off at the card table and come face-toface with each other. At the center of it all is the family’s formidable matriarch: beloved, feared, and never forgotten. What begins as a game becomes a reckoning with masculinity, identity, and the weight of silence passed down. From Oct. 8 to Nov. 23, Fremont Ave. at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, lays every card on the table and dares you to do the same. Tickets start at $49. arenastage.org.

Undas: Arts Society of DC Concert for the Filipino Day of the Dead

On Sunday, Nov. 2, 5 p.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G St. NW, experience Undas, the Filipino version of the “day of the dead” in a very real way. The tradition of Undas includes going to the cemetery and bringing food to celebrate life. The experience begins with a “pre-concert” reception with Filipino food and altars for concert-goers to bring pictures of loved ones who have passed. Afterwards, experience music with the Choral Arts Chamber Ensemble that presents the feelings of love, loss, grief, acceptance, and celebration of life. General admission is $75. choralarts.org.

Jon Baptiste Plays America at The Anthem

Jon Batiste is a five-time Grammy Award-winning and Academy Awardwinning singer, songwriter, and composer. He released his eighth studio album, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), last November. Marking the first installment in his new solo piano series, the project showcases Batiste’s interpolations of some of Beethoven’s most iconic works, reimagined through an expansive lens. From 2015 until 2022, Batiste served as the bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS. Jon Batiste’s The Big Money Tour with Andra Day and Diana Silvers is at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) Tickets start at $73. theanthemdc.com.

“Strategic Love Play” at Signature

From “Succession” writer Miriam Battye comes a razor sharp, not-quiteromantic comedy about the absurdity of modern dating in the seemingly endless quest to find “the one.” After matching online, a man and a woman meet for a date. Although they start off on the (very) wrong foot, they slowly begin to let down their guard in the hope that this time they’ve found something real. Bold, bitingly funny and achingly poignant, this play explores love, loneliness, and lying to (and about) ourselves in the age of swiping. “Strategic Love Play” is at Signature Theater, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, through Nov. 9. Tickets start at $47. sigtheatre.org.

The Three Tenors of Broadway at Howard University

On Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m., The Three Tenors of Broadway--Justin Guarini, Cheyenne Jackson, and James Monroe Iglehart--take the stage together for the very first time. These three Broadway, TV, and film singers bring their larger-than-life voices to a night filled with unforgettable music at the Cramton Auditorium, 2455 Sixth St. NW, at Howard University. Join Justin Guarini (American Idol, Wicked), Cheyenne Jackson (Glee, 30 Rock), James Monroe Igleheart (Tony Award Winner, Aladdin) and the American Pops Orchestra for an unforgettable concert. The Three Tenors at Cramton Auditorium promises an electrifying, one-night-only concert that will leave you smiling, swaying, and cheering for more. $35 to $75. theamericanpops.org/ tenors-of-broadway.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11th 11 AM - 5 PM

NEW EXHIBIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MASJID MUHAMMAD’S THE FORMER TEMPLE # 4

LOCATION:

MASJID MUHAMMAD COMMUNITY CENTER 3935 MINNESOTA AVE NE

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

New Jubilee Center Opens in Ward 7

Little Lights Cuts Ribbon on A Space to Shine

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

So many individuals don’t have the space to shine,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner John Adams (7B01) as he helped cut the ribbon on Little Lights’ new Jubilee Center (2600 Minnesota Avenue SE) on Sept. 27. “But when you do, and when people pour love into you, you also have hope.”

That’s what the Jubilee Center is, Adams told the crowd: a place for the community to build hope together. “What we have here is an opportunity to work collectively,” Adams said.

Little Lights, which provides holistic support for underserved families in DC, is finalizing a $4 million renovation of the former Emmanuel Church of God in Christ building, now the Jubilee Center. The new “space to shine” will serve as a hub for their after-school and college and career programs, allowing the nonprofit to double the number of students and families that they serve.

The 6,000 square space in Ward 7 expands outreach and impact in an area of the city where 38 percent of children live in poverty. It is the sixth site for Little Lights.

The building includes multiple computer labs, perfect for student homework sessions and adult job searches. A large multipurpose room allows the nonprofit to hold events, conferences and performances. Downstairs is a commercial kitchen and dining area. A social-emotional wellness room is right next to a recreation room fitted out with air hockey and a DC-inspired mural.

It’s the largest expansion in Little Lights History, said board chair Derek Sykes, and will provide

stability for the organization in addition to expanding the ability to help. In a time when needed assistance is being taken rather than given, Sykes added, the center will serve as a beacon of life, a safe space and a place for families and young people to “experience opportunity, dignity and hope.”

A Spiritual Organization

Park founded Little Lights 30 years ago after a spiritual conversion that he said helped him find compassion for himself af-

ter a dark time as a young adult. “I wanted to share that with others,” he said. So he started Little Lights in the back of his parents’ small business, falling in love with the kids he met and with his wife, Mary, who came as a volunteer with the organization in 1998.

“So many amazing people have come through, so many amazing students,” Park said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Sept. 27. “But there’s still a lot of need in our city.”

Little Lights academic support includes one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, safe play space and college to career services. 200 students receive wrap around support from the age of 4 to adulthood. And it works. In 2024, 87 percent of students improved reading and 94 percent improved math scores. Meanwhile, the nonprofit helped more than 250 adults with job training and critical resources, also providing anti-racism training to help the wider community learn and re ect. The urban ministry also serves more than 13,000 meals annually.

“The idea that we can provide more programs to low-income families in this community, we are very excited,” said Mary Park after the ribbon was cut. “So even if it is a lot of hard work, it is all worth it.”

Changing Lives

Mural artist Ricky Altizer was a college student when he attended anti-racism training with Little Lights in 2019. He began volunteering, joining Little Lights in 2022

as a graphic designer and mentoring students. Later, he moved to New York City. “There’s one organization I want to stay in touch with,” he remembers thinking.

Ted and Laura Kim serve on the board of Little Lights and live in Southeast DC. They are also major donors to the Jubilee Center. “We see it as loving our neighbor, investing in the community and connecting with our community in a lot of di erent ways. Little Lights really does change lives,” Laura Kim said. The two have been involved with Little Lights since they rst volunteered 25 years ago.

You Can Help

There is still plenty of opportunity to help. Little Lights expects to welcome their rst families to the Jubilee Center in mid-November, after nal work and inspections are complete. They hope to serve up to 500 students out of the new center and are fundraising to cover the cost of programing for the next 18 months.

Little Lights welcomes donations to fund new sta positions and purchase equipment, volunteers to help run programming and community partners to connect with families in the neighborhood.

If you make a donation between now and October 18, your gift will be matched and impact doubled! Make a donation toward the Space to Shine campaign by visiting littlelights.org/shine/#donate. To get involved or to get more information about this project, head to www.littlelights.org/shine. ◆

Bottle Bill Faces Challenges

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

AOct. 1 before DC Council on the Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act of 2025, or the Bottle Bill. The legislation would establish a recycling and refund program for bottles and cans in the District. Opponents say the bill is one more challenge for business. Proponents say it’s needed to clean up the city’s streets and rivers and protect residents’ health.

cled, is a lie.”

The Plan

The bill would place a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers, refunded when returned. Ten states have similar programs, where studies show waste is reduced and recycling triples.

The Problem

About 617 million cans and bottles are sold in DC annually. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1-D) said bottles are 60 percent of the four million tons of solid waste pulled from the District’s rivers annually, harming sh, wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay. Experts say micro chemicals in plastic are polluting the river and entering the food chain.

Trash is so severe that the Anacostia is one of only three US waterways with a federal mandate to reduce it. The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) says the Bottle Bill is the most direct way to do that, since plastic bottles are the most common trash found. “This one piece of legislation could cut the count of trash going into the river by a half or more,” said AWS’s Chris Williams. AWS is part of 3RC for DC – the Return, Refund and Recycle Coalition for DC, which is advocating for the bill.

“The industry will cynically manipulate our concern for racial justice and obscure the reality that working class Black Washingtonians who bear the brunt of unchecked plastic pollution would bene t most from this bottle bill,” said Nathan Harrington, founder of fellow coalition member Ward 8 Woods.

While some cite curbside recycling as a solution, contamination means only about 25 percent of bottles are recycled. “The promise that was made to my generation years ago,” Nadeau said, “that if we duti-

Beverage distributors would pay fees based on their share of containers sold. Larger distributors would pay four cents per container to cover handling costs, which Nadeau’s o ce says should “more than cover costs.” Hotels, restaurants and businesses selling beverages for on-site consumption are exempt, as are retailers under 2,000 square feet.

“Bottle bills put the onus of addressing the problem on the beverage companies causing it, rather than taxpayers or the government,” said Nadeau’s o ce. “The vast majority of the cost will be covered by large national soda and beer companies.”

Opposition

A similar proposal was rejected by voters in 1987 after a $2 million campaign by the beverage industry. This time, the Alliance for an A ordable DC—supported by the American Beverage Association and the Food Industry Association—organized opposition via text messages linking to form letters residents can send to councilmembers. Mayor Muriel Bowser has come out against the bill. “I don’t support it. It’s bad for business,” she said Sept. 20.

Nadeau said despite lobbyist claims, bottle bills have never been shown to raise beverage prices. But Wegmans manager Alicia Aponte said each retailer will decide how to handle the deposit. “It’s up to that business to decide where it ends.”

Some small businesses cite costs and logistical

challenges. Nadeau notes that small distributors are exempt from the handling fee. Right Proper Brewery owner Thor Cheston said he would need to sell $67,000 worth of beer to pay $2,000 into the program. “We make three cents on every dollar,” he said. “There’s no room for error.”

Small shops fear losing customers to larger stores that can accept returns. “Why are my customers going to pack up their six packs of beer or bottles of wine, bring them to Safeway,” asked Charles Waldman, owner of 1,600 square foot bottle shop Cordial Spirits, “and not buy their beverage alcohol at those locations?”

Business

Advocates counter that the bill will create jobs and revenue. Distributors’ fees could fund staff to manage redemptions, and local entrepreneurs could open bottle return facilities. “Collecting bottles and cans could become a revenue stream for low-income individuals or even schools and churches,” Nadeau said.

Some business owners worry about having to accept dirty containers, but the bill allows retailers to refuse bottles that are soiled, broken or not sold in DC. Nadeau points to “reversevending” machines that scan and verify bottles before issuing cash or store credit.

Opponents have cited alleged fraud in other states, but “there is no credible evidence” of that, testified Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director of Just Zero, a national nonprofit promoting zero waste policies. Each container’s UPC code can verify its origin, she said.

Next Steps

The bill is still in committee, so there is plenty of time for revisions. Allen said the Council needs to address operational concerns but added that he was convinced the city needs to take action. Brenda Richardson, Coordinator of the Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative, urged stronger equity measures. “In a city where pollution and other environmental hazards disproportionately affect the health and wellbeing of disfavored communities living east of the river, there is still more work to be done,” she said.

She suggested offering incentives for corner stores to serve as redemption sites, since grocery stores are scarce in some neighborhoods.

At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. said that environmental concerns make council action urgent. “What the argument can’t be is, do nothing,” White said. u

Haile’s Market Expands DC

Central Kitchen’s

Healthy Corners

Puts

Fresh Produce on Every Block

by Matthew McClure

The first thing you notice as you step into Yonas Haile’s corner store are shelves and fridges of fresh fruits and veggies stacked from floor to ceiling. Where you’d normally see sodas, candy or chips, he’s swept away the junk food to make space for healthy, nutritional alternatives to prepackaged, preservative-laden sugary snacks. Haile’s family-run outlet is the first full-scale Healthy Corners program produce department in Ward 8 and judging by the crowds of local shoppers stopping by to load baskets with corn, cabbages, peaches, apples and greens, it’s going to be very popular.

Last month, Haile’s Stanton Supermarket at 1453 Howard Rd SE opened their newly expanded and revamped Healthy Corners program produce displays to the public at a ribbon cutting that drew scores of neighbors and stakeholders in DC’s food justice landscape. “Since 2012 we’ve been working hard to serve our neighbors and our store has grown with the community. This new section is about more than just shelves of fruits and vegetables. It’s about access, affordability and healthier choices for families.” said Haile. Healthy Corners is a program of DC Central Kitchen, which over 36 years has radically transformed food access across the city through chef training, school food programs and fundamentally changing the way we think about food, where it comes from and how it can serve local communities.

Healthy Corners is DC Central Kitchen’s solution to the dire lack of accessible and affordable fresh produce in some parts of our city. The program has been running since 2011, funded in part by the Morningstar Foundation and the Longer Tables Fund. The program partners with DC’s corner store owners to put locally grown produce in neighborhoods where it’s needed the most. There are now more than 54 participating Healthy Corners stores across DC, with fresh stock supplied every few days through a network of local farmers and growers, many of whom you can learn about through innovative signage in-store. Owners like Haile get to decide how much stock to order and how often, so there isn’t any wastage from spoiled produce. An added benefit? Fresh produce close to home means that senior citizens and those with limited mobility don’t have to travel far to access nutritional food.

Mike Curtin, DC Central Kitchen’s CEO, recalled at the ribbon cutting that launching Healthy Corners

14 years ago wasn’t easy. “We saw a massive, systemic inequality in access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables in our city. Healthy Corners was our effort to solve that problem.” Curtin and his team were aware of the pervasive myth that communities in DC’s historically underserved wards wouldn’t be interested in fresh fruit and veggies. “Whoever said that was right, because there were no fresh fruits and vegetables to buy! One of the hurdles we were facing was getting store owners, the lifeblood of these communities, to understand that this is a smart economic investment. Yonas saw the value of creating community in his store and offering these alternatives.”

At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson was also in attendance. Henderson chairs DC’s Committee on Health, which partially funds the Healthy Corners program. “With all this uncertainty, programs like this become so much more valuable to community members. It’s beautiful to see business owners leaning in and recognizing this is good for their business model.” Henderson and the Committee recently managed to ensure a recurring annual allocation of $750 000 towards the Healthy Corners program to ensure its continuity.

If you receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance) or WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) benefits, you’re able to use your EBT card and pay for your produce using your benefits at participating Healthy Corners stores. If you buy one piece of produce at 50cents or more, the store will match your purchase with a $5 coupon redeemable for any fresh or frozen fruit or veg. As the Federal government increasingly cuts back on food assistance while also

making it more difficult to track key indicators of hunger, DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners program is playing a part in ensuring our neighborhood’s health at a time when it’s never been more needed.

Download the DC Central Kitchen Healthy Corners app to find a Healthy Corners store nearest to you, check the inventory of each store and whether you can use EBT to pay for your purchases. www.dccentralkitchen.org u

The Well at Oxon Run

Growing, Giving, Learning and Healing

by Matthew McClure

It’s late summer at The Well at Oxon Run in Ward 8’s Congress Heights neighborhood and the signs of a good growing season are abundant. Eggplant and green beans hang heavily on nearby bushes, bees and butter ies crowd beds of marigolds and the air is redolent with the scent of growing things.

Charles Rominiyi, the manager of The Well at Oxon Run (a program of DC Greens) is giving a special guided tour of this one acre, 20,000 square foot community farm, environmental activity and education resource on the north side of Oxon Run Park. He’s standing in the shadow of Mimi the Memory Tree, a towering American Sycamore that’s the farm’s o cial totem. “We opened for our rst growing season in June 2022.” Rominiyi says, shading his eyes in the late morning sunshine. “Mimi’s a part of The Well. They thought about taking her down, but we said ‘Hey, let’s leave her.’ She’s been here a long time. She’s symbolic.”

Rominiyi says he’s always been drawn to the outdoors. “I was a green thumb kid growing up. My grandfather had a farm back in Nigeria.” He spent ten years running environmental literacy and school garden programs which is why when the position at The Well at Oxon Run opened in 2023, he jumped on it. “It felt like living my childhood dream, teaching people to reconnect with nature.” Behind him, a timber pavilion constructed by Earth Bound Building using eco-friendly materials and heritage techniques epitomizes the spirit of this little patch of urban farmland, a place where people can gather to practice wellness, bene t from shared agricultural knowledge and enjoy healthy, sustainably grown food.

There’s a staggering 15-year di erence in life expectan-

cy between Ward 8 and DC’s neighborhoods west of the Anacostia River. The Well at Oxon Run aims to bridge this divide by teaching that food is medicine and nature is therapy. In the half acre dedicated to growing, there’s space for kids, teens and adults to dig their hands into the dirt and reestablish that vital, human connection to soil that modern, pro t-driven structures of food growing and distribution have severed. The idea, Rominiyi explains, is to “use the outdoors to make yourself well.” He says that while The Well at Oxon Run primarily targets the surrounding community, people come from all over Wards 7 and 8 to take advantage of the regularly scheduled classes, tutorials, workshops and community harvest days on Wednesdays and Fridays where they’re able to take home up to two pounds of fresh fruit and veggies. Rominiyi points out the Share-a-Seed Library, an outdoor classroom for DC Greens eld trips, cute kid-sized planting beds and an aviary lled with mature g trees, their branches weighed down by fruit. If you’re wanting to turn a bed, dig a compost pile or germinate a seed, Tuesdays and Thursdays are volunteer days where you can work with The Well at Oxon Run team under Farm Manager Kenneth Bridgers. A dazzling seasonal array of food is grown using time-honored, ecofriendly practices like limited tilling, crop rotation and cover cropping to ensure that the soil is kept organic. The last Saturday of each month is Market Saturday, when the farm buzzes with classes, activities and educational resources.

The Well at Oxon Run is a space where health is practiced holistically, Rominiyi says. “We try touch on all components of wellbeing. The mental and physical aspects. We bring in professionals that touch on those topics.” The farm has many partners in the food equity and justice space, such as Casey Trees, City Blossoms, Friends of Oxon Run and Capital Area Food Bank. The farm’s Resource Fair in spring brings all these partners together to share their knowledge with the community. The Well at Oxon Run also aligns with BIPOC-owned

small businesses to run workshops in beekeeping and honey harvesting, food as medicine cooking classes, bracelet making, tea blending and a lot more. An important part of growing healthy food is cultivating healthy soil, so in partnership with DPR the farm has built composting bins to teach how to reduce food waste. Feedback from everyone that visits The Well at Oxon Run is important. Rominiyi explains that two yearly sessions are scheduled to gather data on what improvements can be made. At the end of the tour, he proudly shows o the greenhouse, lled with row upon row of tender seedlings. The little shoots are an apt metaphor for The Well at Oxon Run’s mission: Nurturing a deep knowledge and appreciation for the way the earth can serve us and how to pay that knowledge forward. Rominiyi loves seeing visitors light up as they reestablish a connection to a food culture that’s been systematically eroded. “That’s what I want to get back to. That simplicity of life. Growing and eating healthy food, taking care of your body. It’s a basic human right.”

The Well at Oxon Run is open during the growing season (March thru October), Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am4pm, closed Sun and Mon. Follow @ward8well to get updates on classes, workshops, volunteering opportunities and the ward 7 and 8 Resource Fair. www.dcgreens.org ◆

Monday, Sept. 29, to Oct. 20.

“I very much enjoyed working with Commissioner Goodwin,” said Strege at the meeting. “Goodwin resigned with his customary attention to detail, submitting the correct forms and completing the reports that the commission would vote on at the meeting, he added. “[It] doesn’t sound like he was thrilled to have to resign, so I wish him the best.”

Short-Term Housing

Saiga Thomas, a pri ncipal of Maedwell Development, requested the commission’s support for the development of short-term rental housing on a vacant lot at 1105 10th St. SE. He described the project as “micro unit development.” This is the second of three neighboring lots the rm is developing. Construction is 90% complete on an identical building at 1107 10th St. SE, next to Domino’s Pizza, Thomas stated. When complete, the three structures will look like one building, he added.

Each building is 1100 square feet and has ve 9 x 15 foot units available for short-term rental, said Thomas. The project is located in a commercial row. The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) must approve a transition setback, a special zoning exception, said Thomas. The Historic Preservation Review must also approve the project’s design. He asked the commission’s support for both applications.

Thomas made an initial presentation on the project to ANC 6B two years ago, and the commission was ready to o er support, Thomas said. However, the site had been redistricted from ANC 6B to ANC 6/8F, the commission and Thomas later realized.

The project generated heated discussion among the commissioners, once they realized the micro units were for short-term rental. Daniels and Bryant wanted discussion about the possibility of building a ordable housing on the site or other community bene ts. The relatively a ordable place to stay was itself a community bene t, stated Thomas. If the support for the planned construction is not there, the rm would consider other developments by right for the space, he said.

The commission took no action. Thomas is expected to meet with commissioners at the administrative meeting.

Crime Drops Considerably in August

There was “considerably less crime” in August than usual for a 30-day period, said Capt. Adam Crist of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The department had no reported robbery or assault with a dangerous weapon for the month-and-a-half previous to Sept. 14, covering the main part of the federal surge.

The surge caused a tumult in the District government, Crist acknowledged, but “from a law enforcement standpoint, we will take the extra visibility wherever we can get it.” Added federal o cers were not answering radio calls, but greater o cer visibility allowed MPD to focus on policing and get some rest.

The National Guard are primarily a “visible deterrent” in high-pro le areas, Crist said, but are not necessarily acting as law enforcement. They could act in the face of an assault as any good Samaritan might, Crist added.

Crist reminded attendees that as many as 30 di erent federal law enforcement agencies work in the District and have been cooperating with MPD for years. The major change is that federal o cers are coming out of the ofce and onto the streets, he said, adding that he expects that to continue. The Department of Defense would make decisions around National Guard deployment, he noted.

ANC 6/8F meets on the third Tuesday of the month. Many ANCs do not meet in August. The next meeting is at 7 p.m., Oct. 21. Find more information and how to join at www. anc8f.org. ◆

Representing the Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and the RFK Stadium Complex.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Login: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/82241 895770?pwd=30xgxP1oqOWhDHUuXw1vbrC1 rYieSe.1 and enter password: anc7d

neighborhood news

Night of the Living Zoo

The Zoo is bringing its adult-only Halloween party back from the dead for two nights, Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, 6 to 11 p.m. This year’s event includes an extra “witching hour” lled with ghoulish delights, including special after-hours access to the Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats exhibits from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This event features an open cocktail bar, circus cats, temporary tattoos and glitter constellations; silhouette artists, photo booths, DJs, and live performances by White Ford Bronco and Billy “T” Wilde. $80. Parking is $30. nationalzoo.si.edu.

Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest

The National Park Service will host its annual oratorical contest at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site from Nov. 18–22. Students ages six to eighteen are invited to perform a portion of a Dou-

glass speech from memory before a panel of judges, experiencing the power of language that shaped Douglass’s life. ASL interpreters will be available. Winners are invited to perform at the Frederick Douglass Birthday event in Washington, DC, in February or at a July 2026 program at the Historic Site. Applications are due Nov. 11. Details: nps.gov/frdo/ learn/kidsyouth/oratorical-contest.htm.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders Watch Tailgate Party

On Sunday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m., at Kenilworth Track, 1300 44th St. NE, bring your car, grill, and friends to catch the Cowboys-Commanders rivalry on a jumbo outdoor screen. Enjoy food, a guest DJ, a BBQ cooko , giveaways, and family activities. The Commanders vs. Lions tailgate party follows on Nov. 9, 4 p.m. commanderswatch.splashthat.com.

Ribbon Cut on The Ana Townhomes in Anacostia

On Sept. 12, Mayor Bowser and community members celebrated the ribbon cutting of The Ana Townhomes, a new townhome community in Ward 8, just steps from the Anacostia Metro Station. The 20-unit Ana Townhomes represents a major investment in a ordable homeownership, with most units targeted toward workforce housing, and six units designated for households earning between 50% and 80% of the Median Family Income. The project was made possible through a $1.6 million investment from the DC Housing Finance Agency’s Housing Investment Platform.

Building Bridges Across the River Announces New Leadership

Building Bridges Across the River, the Ward 8-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents East of the Anacostia River, has announced the departure of Rahsaan Bernard who has led the organization for the past 10 years and announces the promotion of Scott Kratz to President and CEO, and Lynnita Jones to Executive Vice President. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal time, as 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Building Bridges’ stewardship of the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC)--a 16.5-acre community hub that has become a national model for cross-sector collaboration. Building Bridges also runs a network of seven urban farms in SE DC, the Skyland Workforce Center and is building the rst elevated park in the nation’s capital—the 11th Street Bridge Park. buildingbridgesdc.org.

Ward 8 Advanced Technical Center and Health Care Apprenticeship Programs Launched

On Oct. 2, Mayor Bowser joined Bloomberg Philanthropies and local partners to open the Ward 8 Advanced Technical Center (ATC) and launch the DC Health Care Employment & Apprenticeship Link (DC HEAL).

Supported by a $9.5 million Bloomberg grant, DC HEAL connects Career Technical Education and high school graduates with one-year, paid apprenticeships in health care elds such as certi ed nursing assistant and patient care technician. Working with hospitals, nursing facilities, and community health centers, DC HEAL o ers hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and a living wage.

District Arcade 2025

Halloween Late Skate at Anacostia Park

On Saturday, Oct. 25; skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band. Events last throughout the day and include double dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion--the one and only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. nps.gov/anac.

Mental Health Drop-In Hours at Anacostia Library

On Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, you can drop-in at Anacostia Library, 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE, to meet with a licensed social worker for support and connection to community resources. If you are going through something, DC Public Library’s Mental Health Specialist, Leta Davis, is available to meet with you. Leta is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) who supports library patrons by providing a listening ear and tools to help patrons reach their goals. She connects patrons with community resources, including long-term mental health care. What library patrons share with Leta is con dential. You don’t have to sign up; just drop in during o ce hours for a one-on-one session. All library patrons 18 and over are welcome. dclibrary.org. ◆

The District Arcade returns to MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 to 5 p.m. It’s a free celebration of games and game makers from the DC and DMV area. Play locally-crafted indie games and chat with the devs in this fun, family-friendly in person event. There will be 20-30 local developers showcasing games of di erent genres and levels of completion, ranging from prototypes to complete games. If you are interested in game development come by and check out what local devs are up to. dclibrary.org.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

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 mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst 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) rst-time home buyer program.

DC4ME

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed 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 governmentbased 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.

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME VA Loan Product

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered 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.

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered 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

COVID-19

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered 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.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

COVID-19

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

The DC4ME VA Loan Product is a VA mortgage product offered by the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). In addition to the traditional VA benefits, like no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, this product includes 3% assistance, funded by DCHFA, that can be used toward eligible closing costs or prepaid items. This makes the DC4ME VA Loan Product one of the most affordable and accessible loan options for qualified military-connected borrowers.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

Andy Shallal’s Book Launch A Seat At the Table

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

It would be unnerving for many authors to sit with three illustrious District news personalities and answer pointed questions about their life and work. But that’s exactly what Andy Shallal did Sept. 30, when he sat on stage at Politics and Prose to talk about his new book, A Seat At the Table.

Shallal shared the stage with NPR personality Kojo Nnamdi, former WJLA Bureau Chief Sam Ford and Denise Rolark Barnes, owner and publisher of the Washington Informer.

The three news personalities asked Shallal pointed questions about his life, work and book at an event that also celebrated 20 years of Politics and Prose at the chain’s Anacostia location.

Path to the Table

In the book and on stage, Shallal described arriving in DC in 1966, when he was 11 years old. His father came to DC to as representative of the Arab League. A year later, when war broke out in the Middle East, his father was recalled. Instead, he decided to buy a restaurant in the District.

“For me, the funniest line in the entire book is the one, when confronted with running a pizza restaurant, his father the professor said, ‘How di cult can it be?’”

Said Kojo Nnamdi.

It was while working at his father’s pizza restaurant that Shallal got the nickname “Andy” from a customer who found his given name, Anas, too di cult to get right. At rst, Shallal embraced the name. He tried to reclaim his rst name in college, but it was too late. “Now even my mother calls me Andy,” Shallal said.

Conscious Diversity

When he arrived in the U.S., Shallal did not speak English and did not understand why his classmates found their mispronunciation of his name, Anas, so amusing. When his uncle met the family at the airport in 1966, 11-year old Shallal sported a deep tan and voluminous curly hair. “My God, you look Black,” Shallal recalls his uncle saying. “I had no idea what he was talking about,” he recalled. At Stratford Junior High, where he began middle school shortly after arriving, he was classi ed as “Black,” “White” or “other” by teachers. The diversity of the clientele at Busboys and Poets is intentional, Shallal said, as is the approach to race. Shallal discusses the role of race with employees in orientation, ad-

dressing the small things that can make a big difference in making people feel comfortable, a place where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted, as the Busboys “tribal statement” goes. “We believe in creating such a place we can begin to transform our community and transform the world,” Shallal said.

Food as Spiritual Experience

Shallal said he enjoys the restaurant business because he gets satisfaction from serving and feeding people. It’s a spiritual experience, he said. “Many of us remember our favorite meal, but it’s not always because it’s the most delicious,” he told the crowd. “We remember the meals that were served with love, with kindness, with grace.”

Food and dining can impact people in a serious way, Shallal said. Every year, Politics and Prose opens their doors and serves Thanksgiving dinner to anyone who comes in, pairing single diners with volunteers so they don’t have to eat alone. A man in his early 40s came in and sat with a volunteer. As they ate, they started an animated conversation that lasted for hours.

“And at the end of the meal, the guy walked up to me. He says, ‘Are you the owner of this place?’ I said, ‘Yes’. He said, ‘I just want to let you know today I had planned to kill myself,” Shallal recounted, stopping as he was over-

whelmed with emotion.

“It made a huge difference for this one individual,” Shallal said. “I don’t know where that person is today, but I know that he had one more day.”

Better Agitator

With such an illustrious collection of news people, of course the panel couldn’t pass without looking for a headline. Ford referenced Shallal’s 2014 run for Mayor of DC, asking if another run was in his future. Shallal said that was unlikely, adding that he thought someone younger should make the run and describing himself as a “better agitator than a legislator.”

The event also celebrated the 75th birthday of noted District activist Phil Pannell.

Pannell joked about his birthday and those of the panelists as he made opening remarks, noting that his generation has “completely changed the concept of aging in the United Sates,” rock climbing, jumping out of planes. “Excuse me, but 70 can be sexy,” he said.

In introducing Shallal, Pannell said, “if we had more businessmen and women like Andy Shallal, a lot of the problems we see in this city would evaporate.”

Purchase Shallal’s book, A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, online at orbooks.com or at Politics and Prose throughout the District. u

32nd ACC Brunch Cruise Ships Serious Style

Hundreds of stylish supporters sailed the Anacostia River Saturday, Oct. 4 in support of the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC).

ACC was stablished in 1983 as a volunteer, membership consortium of organizations and individuals involved with the revitalization of Anacostia and its adjacent neighborhoods including drumming up support for the Anacostia Metro Station built. The organizations efforts have expanded to address the many issues that face the community.

The cruise was attended by numerous luminaries, including Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Councilmembers Wendell Felder (Ward 7-D) and Brooke Pinto (Ward 2-D), DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) and many former Councilmembers, including former Ward 8 representative Sandra Allen and former at-large member Carol Schwartz.

More than the waters sparkled as attendees turned up in their best to show their love for the ACC and for co-founder Phil Pannell, who continued his 75th birthday celebration on board.

Learn more and support ACC by visiting accdc.info u

The Man from Anacostia USA: United States of Assaults

by Phil Pannell

Whenever a prominent political figure is killed in our country, there occurs a vigorous national conversation about politically inspired violence. Such is the case with the heinous and cowardly assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. As usual, President Trump did not miss an opportunity to demagogue the issue and characterized Kirk’s murder as an example leftist violence. He blamed the left for using rhetoric that demonizes conservatives and makes them targets for violence. Of course, that is pure hypocrisy coming from Trump who has used violent rhetoric for the past decade. At some campaign rallies he has encouraged his supporters to “knock the crap out of” protestors.

On July 4, 2026 our nation will celebrate its semiquincentennial. Political violence has been a constant during the 250 years of the USA. The American Revolutionary War established our nation and the American Civil Ward kept it together. Four presidents have been assassinated (Lincoln, Garfield, McKinnley, Kennedy). President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump were wounded while campaigning for president. The civil and labor rights movements were forged in the crucible of violence. The Stonewall Riot was considered the pivotal event for the Gay rights movement. Violence is as American as apple or cherry pie. It stains and it entertains. Homicide is routine to the urban experience. If you turn on the television and channel surf, scenes of violence are unavoidable. Mass shootings now occur almost weekly throughout the country. And with there now being more guns than people; we live in the United States of Arms.

However, the pervasiveness of violence in our society should and must not mean that it is acceptable in our politics. No matter how intense and passionate a person feels, violence must never be used to make a point or win an issue.

The rejection of political violence must include the verbal as well as the physical. Insults can lead to assaults. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has coarsened political discourse with his profanity laced attacks and not so subtle threats. What is disheartening about this situation is the silence of Christian evangelicals who are integral to the MAGA movement. They do not criticize or denounce the crass and incendiary behavior of the president. When it comes to President Trump, they never ask the question “what would Jesus do?”.

Cable television and social media have ushered us into an era where it is acceptable to demean, debase and dehumanize. Some media persons are paid handsomely to do so. Recently Donald Trump referred to some Democratic leaders using a scatological expletive. Brian Kilmede, a FOX cable personality, suggested that mentally ill homeless people should be executed. So much for the right to life. To his credit, he did apologize for the statement.

The increase in political violence is eliciting different responses. Some Republican and Democratic leaders are asking political activists “dial it down.” Trump and some of his allies are advocating and implementing measures that would censure and silence critics.

Hopefully we will get to the point in our politics where people can be tough on issues and soft on people.

Ward

community activist Philip Pannell can be contacted at philippannell@ comcast.net. u

Changing Hands

Changing Hands is a list of residential sales in Capitol Hill and contiguous neighborhoods from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Realty on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

kids and family

by Kathleen Donner

NSO Music for Young Audiences: Super Cello! at the KC

The city is safe with the help of a unique cellist: professional musician by day, superhero by night. The day begins as usual--from waking up in the morning, to traveling to rehearsal, to getting ready for a concert… but things take a turn when robots and aliens try to take over the music hall. It’s up to Super Cello to use the soothing power of music to save the day. Super Cello! unites puppet artist Scottie Rowell and NSO cellist David Teie to tell a wordless story using puppets, props, and plenty of original music. Super Cello! on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 19, 1:30 and 4 p.m., is

The Big Build at the National Building Museum

On Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, children and adults will learn side-by-side with roofers, plumbers, designers, artisans, and more in this free, hands-on festival celebrating the world we design and build. Kids of all ages will explore a wide variety of unique, interactive activities from professions including plumbing, home remodeling, construction, woodworking, and many more. The Museum’s Great Hall will be filled with dozens of booths with activities such as wiring a light, pouring concrete, and hammering nails. Everyone will have the opportunity to use real tools and even climb inside construction equipment like a crane at the outdoor Truck Petting Zoo. Storytimes throughout the day will inspire younger visitors to explore the world and find their place within it. Free admission. nbm.org.

most enjoyed by ages five+. Tickets are $25 and $26. kennedy-center.org.

Constitution 101 Course

The Constitution 101 course provides learners of all ages with a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure, and case law. Drawing on primary source documents, learners will study the historical and philosophical foundations of America’s founding principles from a range of diverse voices. Participants will also learn how to think like constitutional lawyers—cultivating the skills necessary to analyze constitutional questions. Each module in-

cludes primary source readings, landmark Supreme Court cases, and Interactive Constitution essays. This course is entirely selfpaced, so you can complete it on your schedule. constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/ constitution-101-course.

Dead Man’s Run Kid’s Race

Dead Man’s Run, Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5k fundraiser, is on Sunday, Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m. The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun. The race fee is $40. There is also a children’s race prior to the start of the 5k. Participation in the children’s run is free for any child who has a parent, guardian, or friend registered for the 5k. Children may still participate, if no runners are registered, for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in the chapel the day of the race and a parent or guardian must sign a waiver. Registration and packet pickup opens at 3:30 p.m. Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.

Hilloween at Eastern Market

On Friday, Oct. 31, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Eastern Market, get ready for a spine-tingling adventure at Hilloween, the ultimate community event that delivers extra-spooky thrills and shriek-inducing excitement for families and kids of all ages. You can be part of the spine-chilling festivities including pumpkin carving, a dance party with DJ, Zumba and more. For 20 years, Hilloween

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails! at the National Children’s Museum

National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, announces the return of the world’s most beloved #1 blue engine to their Visiting Exhibit Hall. Through Jan. 4, Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails! invites guests to explore the whimsical Island of Sodor as they play their way through interactive experiences inspired by the popular animated series featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his locomotive friends. It is targeted for ages two to seven. Tickets to the museum are $18.95 for adults and children one and older and are free for children under one. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

has been a cherished tradition. It’s a chance for kids of all ages to show their creativity, dress up, play, and make some of the best, most exciting memories of their childhood and it’s a chance for parents to meet, relax, have a laugh, and connect with friends. hilloweendc.com.

Halloween Late Skate at Anacostia Park

On Saturday, Oct. 25; skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band. Events last throughout the day and include double dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion--the one and only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. nps.gov/anac.

Art in the A.M. at SAAM

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10:30 a.m., inspire early childhood creativity with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets NW, during Art in the A.M. Children ages up to five years and their caregivers are invited to the museum before hours to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. During this program, participants will take a journey through the seasons by exploring the exhibition Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work. Afterward, participants will craft their own Grandma Moses-inspired greeting cards. americanart.si.edu.

Portrait Gallery Kids at the NPG

On Mondays, Oct. 6, 20 and 27, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., children and families are invited to learn, play and create at the National Por-

ELEMENTARY

PK3-5th 2021 13th St NW (202) 387-9830

MIDDLE

6th-8th

Kenyon St NW (202) 793-2667

• We prioritize a comprehensive education approach and redefine student achievement through our membership in the EL Education partnership.

• Our curriculum accommodates multilingual learners programs through a diverse range of interests and courses such as Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Performing Arts, and Technology.

• Our Before Care, After School, Meridian Clubs and Athletics programs provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and discover their path in life.

kids and family

Kids’ Day at the Horse Show

The Washington International Horse Show Kids’ Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine), is a free, fun, and educational event created to share the joy of horses with kids. It features pony grooming and rides, face painting, a horseless horse show, a mini pony kissing booth, a chance to meet the steeplechase Shetlands, a photo op with WIHS mascot Major and special guest horses and ponies. Enjoy the activities outside, then come into the arena to watch the competition in action. All events are free. Parking is free and has easy access to all Kids’ Day activities. WIHS Kids’ Day is at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD. wihs.org/kids-day.

trait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Join educators every Monday as they explore a variety of topics and artistic materials. Participants will get a closer look at art with hands-on activities, music and story times. Portrait Gallery Kids is a fun way to engage with art and each other. Free; no registration required. npg.si.edu.

Boo at the Zoo (always sells out)

Boo at the Zoo, the National Zoo’s beloved family-friendly event, is back Oct. 17, 18 and 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.). Put on your favorite costume and explore the Zoo after hours, collecting treats at 30 trick-ortreat stations throughout the park. Watch as animals enjoy jack-o’-lanterns and other spooky enrichment surprises, and stroll past whimsical Halloween scenes featuring skeletons and fantastical creatures along the main walkway. Admission is $35; and $30 for parking. nationalzoo.si.edu.

DAR Museum Saturday Family Craft Activity

Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the DAR Museum at 1776 D St. NW is open to the public to join the Daughters of the American Revolution for a fun-filled time of creativity and crafting. In this hands-on activity, kids will learn how to make their very own project based on the DAR Museum’s collection and the “Fighting for Freedom” exhibition to take home. The craft project will change each month, so plan to join them monthly. Free admission. dar.org.

Colorful Pumpkins, Creative Minds at the ACM

On Saturday, Oct. 25, noon to 2 p.m., celebrate the fall season with creativity. Join the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort. Pl. SE, for a festive Pumpkin Decorating Workshop, perfect for families, friends, and neighbors of all ages. Instead of carving, guests will have the option to paint pumpkins with bold patterns, whimsical characters, or abstract designs or adorn them with dried flowers and greenery for a more modern and elegant touch. Either way, you’ll transform an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind seasonal masterpiece that’s safer, easier, and just as fun. All materials are provided—just bring your imagination and fall spirit. anacostia.si.edu.

Race For Every Child and Kids Dash

The Race For Every Child on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Freedom Plaza, is a fun event with a serious purpose--to promote children’s health and wellness and raise funds that help Children’s National ensure every child can benefit from world-class medical care. Pre-race activities start at 7 a.m.; 5k at 8:45 a.m.; and Kids’ Dash at 10 a.m. The Kids Dash is a 100-yard run on Pennsylvania Avenue NW for children ages three to ten. Look for entrance signs. The Kids Dash course (ages 3-10) has a designated parents’ lane, so parents may follow along while their child participates. You may accompany your child if they are 3 or 4 years old and unable to dash without help. Registration is free through Oct. 12. childrensnational.org.

SW Fall Family Fest 2025

On Sunday, Oct. 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., join the Southwest DC Community Center, 425 M St. SW, for a fun community event. Among the planned activities are a Mutt Strutt; Community Mural Project; Family and Pet Portrait Station; Food and Market Vendors; Pet Costume Contest; Live Music by DiToro; Pet Adoption by Rural Dog Rescue; Face Painting for the Kids and Raffle Prizes. There will be food and items for sale at the event by market vendors and some activities, such as the family and pet portrait station, are an extra charge. swdccc.org.

Trick or Fruit at the Botanic Garden

On Friday, Oct. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., explore plants that produce edible fruits throughout the US Botanic Garden Conservatory during this fun evening program for families. Hear stories about what makes each plant interesting, learn about

the environments they grow in, and experience the fruits with all of your senses--including taste. Costumes are highly encouraged. Free, but preregistration is required. usbg.gov.

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf

On Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 to 7 p.m., in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute and Fiesta DC, this family-friendly afternoon includes live music by La Unica and cultural performances. The afternoon also includes free activities for the kids including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Don’t forget to dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers. wharfdc.com.

HÉCTOR, EL NIÑO ELÉCTRICO:

Héctor, The Electric Kid at GALA

In this thrilling bilingual musical, Hector, a shy 10-year-old boy, meets a wizard in the auto shop where his mother works. After this mysterious encounter, Hector finds he has a special power: Now Hector is electric. Can Hector manage his new power? Héctor, The Electric Kid is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, from Oct. 18 to Nov. 1. The performances are Mondays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for kids. GALA has parking in the adjacent lot (over the Giant) for a $4 fee. galatheatre.org.

Black and Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair

The Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair is on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 to 5 p.m., at UDC. The Fair is one of the largest school fairs of its kind in the region and provides a networking opportunity for thousands of families in the metropolitan area to meet with representatives from more than seventy independent schools. Parents and prospective students get first-hand knowledge about each school’s programs, community, admissions requirements and financial aid process. In addition, the fair features seminars focused on the admissions process, the financial aid process and personal/ family financial management. Register at blackstudentfund.org. u

Take some Zees

by Myles Mellor

Across:

1. Brewery specialty, perhaps 4. Streaky rashers

10. “So there!”

13. “Goldberg Variations” composer, in brief

16. Evaluate

19. Biblical son of Isaac

21. This could become one

23. Popular take-out

25. Big Ten inits.

26. Face-off

27. Stuff

28. “Jake’s Thing” author

29. Apt name for a short haired little dog with a flat nose and wrinkly face

32. Consecrate

35. Mister, politely

36. Grind together, as teeth

37. Wine list heading

39. Lean-___ (sheds)

41. Most pleasing

43. Cardin rival

46. Room for jugs and linens

48. Pedicurist’s concern

49. Where you might go to see Kenny G

51. Dash

55. Original manufactured equipment, for short

56. Recorded

57. “___ in victory” (grade school lesson)

59. “Silas Marner” author

61. Spanish king

62. Gadget, for one: Abbr.

64. Didn’t stop

65. Chanel fragrance

69. Youths

73. Advance amount

74. Vipers’ place

75. “The Sound of Music” name

77. The Pointer Sisters’ “___ Excited”

78. Falcon film

81. Climber’s hindrance

82. Hosp. section

83. He played the Pope in “The Tudors”

86. Emirates, for short

89. Spanish Moors’ palace

92. Flashiness

95. Demagogue, for short

96. Cirrus e.g.

97. Paris’s Arc de Triomphe de l’___

98. Lampoons

101. German article

102. Hershiser of ESPN

103. Pretentious sort

105. ___ clip

107. Fable maker

110. Defense research group, abbr.

114. On ___ with

115. Homebuilder’s strip

117. Circle

119. Summer month, abbr.

120. Stripy safari view

122. Cold weather phenomenon

127. Garden invader

128. Fleet huntress of myth

129. Heebie-jeebies

130. Dentist qualification

131. Darling!

132. Call off

Down:

1. Prominent ‘70s feminist

2. ___-Boy (brand of furniture)

3. Ecolab’s stock symbol

4. Deli item

5. Envy or red delicious

6. Life saving technique

7. Treasure on the Spanish Main

8. Captures

9. “___ Marner”

10. Savvy

11. Indonesians, Filipinos, for example

12. Scary freight, for short

13. Tokyo musical genre

14. ____rrant: making low sounds

15. Holed up

17. Begin, as bad weather

18. Retired professors

20. Commando weapons

22. Central parts

24. Mountain ___ treee

30. Austria’s second largest city

31. Desire strongly

33. Comedian, Martin

34. Short-billed rail

36. Fuddy-duddy

38. Compound with two double bonds

40. Nicole Hollander comic strip

42. Child of your unc

43. Type of garlic

44. Ontario Premier Bob

45. Finance acronym relating to the money supply

46. Sched. data

47. Reddi-___ (topping brand)

50. Needles

51. “Hey!”

52. Former head of the Federal Reserve, first name

53. Self-published publication

54. Chaotic places

58. 60s actress, Margaret

60. Explosive stuff

63. Black tea

65. Price abbr.

66. Sea World attraction

67. Director Reiner

68. Crude group?

70. Independent ruler

71. U.S. Army medal

72. Reporter’s need

76. Vegetable container

79. Golden-ager

80. Not standing

83. Atmosphere layer

84. Lao-___ (Chinese philosopher)

85. Seasoned

86. “Pulp Fiction” weapon

87. The sum of __ fears

88. Shoe designation

90. “Petting” place

91. Cattle feed

93. Others, in Latin 94. French novelist, Emile

98. Ocean floor

99. Expressed feline felicity

100. Initiation

102. Kind of column

103. La ___, Bolivia

104. Gush

106. Top performers

108. ___ Domingo

109. Heart or liver e.g.

111. Leveled

112. Cheap mag

113. Middle ___

116. Prefix with pad

118. Bend

121. Freeway distractions

123. Make a sharp turn

124. Holiday, as one

125. See red quality

126. School of Buddhism