$424,900 - Penn Quarter 801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Unit 1125
$965,000 - Wesley Heights 3273 Sutton Pl., NW Unit A
$774,000 - Georgetown 2527 Q Street, NW Unit 202
$2,030,000 - Logan Circle 1611 13th St., NW
$630,000 - Riggs Park 5515 Chillum Pl., NE
$749,000 – Capitol Hill 1345 K St., SE #401
$1,750,000 - Georgetown 2719 Dumbarton St., NW
$1,450,000 - Chevy Chase 3736 Military Rd NW
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IN THIS ISSUE
28]
34) GIVING HYPERLOCAL
Fall Garden: Plant Some Bulbs by Annette Nielsen
Pottery on the Hill Rooted in Function and Art
by Rindy O’Brien
Perils and Perks of Exercising Outdoors in Winter
by Pattie Cinelli
Poetic Hill: Chet’la Sebree by Sandra Beasley
on the cover: Cris Clapp Logan, Untitled A quick sketch from November 2019 Cris Logan Art • www.crislogan.com @crisclapplogan
Cris is a Hill artist who has worked with fashion houses, local businesses, stylists, bloggers, and other creative types to create unique, colorful and energetic illustrations and portraits for her clients’ walls, websites and social media platforms.
Cris has lived and worked in the D.C. metro area since 2001. She is a huge fan of the Nats and the Capitals and she never tires of discovering new beauty in the city she calls home. Follow her daily illustrations and life on Instagram (@crisclapplogan), or contact her to discuss collaborations, commissions or to inquire about her live-illustration services.
More about the cover: ‘Tis the season for even more abundant generosity and kindness. Every day my kids and I pass homeless people on our commute to and from school, and so talking about people in need is a constant conversation. We try to give change or a granola bar or pack of almonds to those who approach our car, but sometimes in the traf c and craziness in the morning, I don’t always have these things at my ngertips. Earlier this week, a man came up to our window and I had no cash and my own snack pack was in our trunk. I looked the gentleman in the eye and apologized that I had nothing to give him, and that’s when my youngest whispered up to me that the man could have his applesauce. The man graciously accepted, and I was reminded how our kids learn and grow from opportunities to be generous. – Cris
To HILL with the Suburbs!
In lieu of skeletons and pumpkins, and,
The Second Coming
BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds. The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
In the olde days when hippies roamed . . . We had a book, the Whole Earth Catalog. With witty words it made directives like ones to grow food, build shelters, save water. (one of my favorites, “Save water, Shower together!”)
Food is a necessity, Water is essential, Housing is safety. These things are still true. Grow Food, Improve your Home, Save Water! (money too) and enjoy yourself! And Yes, The Smith Team
Next Issue: December 6
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
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.
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Ceremony: Artist Lindsay Adams at JHU Bloomberg
Through May 7, 2026, there is a major solo exhibition featuring all new work by emerging artist Lindsay Adams at JHU Bloomberg, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Drawing on artist Lindsay Adams’ background in international studies and cultural anthropology, Ceremony explores the histories of Black movement, migration, and world-building. Guest curated by Claudia M. Watts, the exhibition places Adams’ new works in conversation with never-before-seen archival objects from the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries’ collection, including rare books and personal correspondence from Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, and more. Free admission. washingtondc.jhu.edu.
GALA Film Fest: Latin American Innovation
From Dec. 3 to 7, this year’s GALA Film Festival features six contemporary films by emerging directors and a classic from the Mexican Golden Age. Join GALA, 3333 14th St. NW, for exclusive talkbacks with producers, artists, directors, and experts, and receptions after the screenings. Here’s the schedule: Dec. 3, 7 p.m., Oasis (Chile, 2024); Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Las Cosas Indefinidas (Argentina, 2023); Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Casi El Paraiso (Mexico, 2023); Dec. 6, 2 p.m., Valentina O La Serenidad (Mexico, 2023); Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Llueve Sobre Babel (Columbia, 2025); Dec. 7, 2 p.m., El (Mexico, 1953); Dec. 7, 5 p.m., The In Between (Mexico, 2024). Individual film tickets are $10; Festival pass, $35. galatheatre.org.
Jane Austen, 1870.
Celebrating Jane Austen at 250 at the Folger
This year, the Folger’s annual birthday tribute to American poet Emily Dickinson will also honor English novelist Jane Austen on her 250th birthday. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., noted scholar Martha Nell Smith will discuss the life, work, and legacy of Dickinson and Austen and how they continue to shape writers of today, highlighting well-known passages. The reading, which is co-sponsored by the Emily Dickinson Museum, will be followed by a book signing in the Great Hall. Emily Dickinson’s famous black cake, based on her own recipe, will also be served. $20. 201 E. Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.
Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral
On Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., the Washington National Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Dana Marsh, perform Handel’s beloved Messiah under the Cathedral’s soaring Gothic architecture. Witness the concert that has captivated audiences for generations. Livestream is available for the Sunday performance only. Run time: 2.5 hours, including intermission. Tickets start at $32. cathedral.org.
Solar Searching, 2025, 60 x 72 in, Oil on canvas
Still from Llueve Sobre Babel (Colunbia, 2025), screening on Dec. 6, 5 p.m.
“Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection” at the Phillips
Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection is a celebration and examination of the beauty and complexity of this nation’s history at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Nov. 8 to Feb. 15. Out of Many builds a dynamic story about how, from the early 20th century to the present, various artists have imagined and depicted the people, cultures, landscapes, and histories of the United States. To tell a more diverse constellation of stories, the exhibition includes artworks from the historic collections of African American art at Howard University Gallery of Art and The David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, among other institutions. Adult admission is $20; seniors, $15; students and educators, $10; military, $12; 18 and under, free. phillipscollection.org.
Pottery on the Hill Show & Sale
Pottery on the Hill is a weekend at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, celebrating functional pottery (that which can be regularly used, such as dinnerware, drinkware, vases, platters, and more) featuring top ceramic artists from across the country. Avid ceramics fans will love the chance to talk with the potters in a casual, fun environment and continue to grow their collections. There is a ticketed reception on Friday, Nov. 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($45 in advance) and free shows on Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. hillcenterdc.org.
Umbrella Art Fair (100 artists, three days – free to attend)
“Some Like It Hot” at the National Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, “Some Like It Hot” is the glorious, big, high-kicking story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the lifechasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. Tickets are $69 to $179. “Some Like It Hot” is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7. nationaltheatre.org.
The Umbrella Art Fair on Friday, Nov. 21, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 22, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., at The Square at International Square (fifth floor), 1850 K St. NW, is where the heartbeat of Washington, DC’s art scene converges with the avant-garde talents of global artists and makers. Umbrella is a declaration of artistic independence, a rebellion against the mundane, and a celebration of the daring. But more importantly, Umbrella is a space to provide economic opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs as a platform to showcase and sell their works. umbrellaartfair.com.
“Anonymous Was a Woman” at the Kreeger
Through Dec. 31, 2025, The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW, presents “Anonymous Was a Woman”. Curated by Dr. Vesela Sretenović, the exhibition features the recent work of Anonymous Was a Woman grant recipients and DMV-based artists Jae Ko, linn meyers, Joyce J. Scott and Renée Stout. In this respect, The Kreeger Museum’s exhibition not only celebrates artists based in the DMV area--aligning with the Museum’s mission--to support and bring greater visibility to the creative output of women artists. kreegermuseum.org.
Michael Kline Vase
Keith Crown, Midwestern Illinois Land, 1971, Watercolor on paper, 30 x 22 3/4 in., The Phillips Collection, Gift of Ray Kass, 1981.
Tavis Kordell (Jerry) and Matt Loehr (Joe).
Photo: Matthew Murph
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Air Supply: 50th Anniversary Celebration at MGM National Harbor
On Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m., at MGM National Harbor, Oxen Hill, MD, celebrate 50 years of Air Supply as Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock bring their timeless hits to the stage. With a career spanning nearly five decades, the duo continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their signature romantic sound. From chart-topping classics like “All Out of Love” to their upcoming 18th studio album, their legacy lives on. Tickets start at $79. mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
“Mother Play: A Play in Five Evictions” at Studio
Glenstone: Experience art, architecture, and nature.
Glenstone, 12100 Glen Rd., Potomac, MD, offers a serene and contemplative art, architecture and nature environment. It spans 300 acres, with several miles of paths and trails. Glenstone is not only a place, but a state of mind created by the energy of architecture, the power of art, and the restorative qualities of nature. At the core of the museum is a collection of postWorld War II art, a very personal project driven by the pursuit of iconic works that have changed the way we think about the art of our time. Schedule a visit in advance. Free tickets are required to visit the grounds and buildings Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors over the age of 12 (and infants under 12 months) are welcome. From downtown DC, travel takes 30–45 minutes without traffic. glenstone.org.
The latest semiautobiographical work from Pulitzer Prize-winner and DMV native Paula Vogel traces 40 years and five evictions in a very funny play about a very unhappy family. Siblings Martha and Carl are barely teens for their first eviction in 1964, growing up gay in the out-sized orbit of their glamorous, exacting, alcoholic mother. The family’s odyssey through the DC suburbs takes them from one roach-infested apartment to another, and from the Sexual Revolution to the Disco Era to ’90s New Age. A Broadway hit last season, Mother Play: A Play in Five Evictions at Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW, from Nov. 12 to Dec. 21. studiotheatre.org.
“Fiddler on the Roof” at Signature
Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, his family and their tightknit community honor tradition but must contend with a changing world and a rise in antisemitism at their home in Czarist Russia. The glorious score with songs “Sunrise, Sunset” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker” unite with exquisite dance in this classic of the musical theater canon filled with humor, heart—and life. Tickets begin at $47. “Fidler on the Roof” is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA, from Nov. 4 to Jan. 25. sigtheatre.org.
Brandy & Monica: The Boy is Mine Tour
Iconic Grammy Award-winning artists Brandy and Monica have embarked on their first-ever co-headlining tour. It also marks a moment more than 25 years in the making, building on the legacy of their 1998 duet “The Boy Is Mine,” which spent 13 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining cultural touchstone of late ‘90s R&B. They are at Capitol One Arena, 601 F St. NW, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. (doors at 6 P.M.). Tickets start at $139. capitalonearena.com.
Brandy Norwood of Brandy & Monica.
Air Supply in Denver, March 2023.
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The Improvised Shakespeare Company at the KC
Based on one audience suggestion (a title of a show that has never been written), The Improvised Shakespeare Company creates a brand new, fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right be- fore your eyes. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All dialogue is said for the first time, characters are created as you watch, and if you’re ever wondering where the story is going...so are they! The Improvised Shakespeare Company is at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab from Nov. 28 to Dec. 23. Tickets are $35 to $49. kennedy-center.org.
American Railroad: Silkroad Ensemble featuring Wu Man at Strathmore
On Sunday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., at The Music Center at Strathmore, this compelling reimagining of Silkroad’s acclaimed American Railroad program features an intimate, powerful ensemble of eight world-class musicians led by internationally renowned pipa master Wu Man. The program weaves a sonic tapestry that honors the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, along with Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities who laid the tracks that transformed a nation. Amplifying the voices of those who built the railroads—and those displaced by them—the Silkroad Ensemble reveals a richer, more inclusive portrait of America’s past. Tickets are $28 to $88. strathmore.org.
The Lone Bellow at Union Stage
With their upcoming sixth studio album, The Lone Bellow embarks on a bold new chapter while honoring the deep bonds that have defined their journey. Written collaboratively for the first time with their full touring band—founding members Zach Williams, Brian Elmquist, and Kanene Pipkin joined by drummer Julian Dorio and multi-instrumentalist Tyler James—the album channels the raw, ecstatic energy of the band’s live show into a dynamic collection of songs that pulse with warmth, honesty, and human connection. The Lone Bellow is at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW, on Nov. 14, 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). Tickets start at $50. unionstagepresents.com.
Tawny Chatmon: Tawny Chatmon, Blossom, from the series
Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies at Women’s Art Museum
Through her photography-based art, Tawny Chatmon addresses racist myths and elevates cultural truths. She centers and celebrates Black childhood and family bonds while also recontextualizing dehumanizing dolls, figurines, and food histories. Chatmon intensifies and embellishes her large-scale photographs through both digital techniques and meticulous handmade elements. She elongates the bodies of her models, heightens their features, and adds mosaic-like and embroidered patterns. Presenting these powerful works in ornate frames, Chatmon honors the preciousness of her subjects. Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies is at the National Museum of Women in the arts, 1250 New York Ave. NE, through March 8, 2026. NMWA is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Mondays. Admission is $16 ($13 for seniors). nmwa.org.
Wu Man performing at Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Samara Joy at the Warner
Voices Festival Productions’ “November 4”
Samara Joy McLendon is an American jazz singer who released her self-titled debut album in 2021 and was subsequently named Best New Artist by JazzTimes. Her second album, Linger Awhile (2022), reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. She has received five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2023, and two wins each for Best Jazz Vocal Album (2023 and 2025) and Best Jazz Performance (2024 and 2025). Samara Joy is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $86. warnertheatredc.com.
Assiduously-researched and told with an up-to-the-minute frame of reference, “November 4” explores the personal and political landscape of 1995 for Rabin in 19 stylisticallyambitious songs. The musical collision-course between the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister and the Talmud quoting law student takes us to the final month of Rabin’s life, ping-ponging between his office and family, and the world of his assassin. Tensions build to the rousing peace rally in Kings of Israel Square, on Nov. 4, 1995, when a crowd of over 100,000 sang “Shir L’Shalom” (Song of Peace) together with the often gruff war-hero-turned-peace-making prime minster, only moments before he was gunned down. That murder derailed a peace process and changed history forever. “November 4” is at the Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St. NW from Nov. 12 to Dec. 7. Tickets are $25 to $45. voicesfestivalproductions.com.
Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival
On Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival takes over the first block of West Street in downtown Annapolis in a familyfriendly celebration of all-things-chocolate. 2025 marks the 11th year of the event. The festival features entertainment, chocolate, holiday shopping, and the festive West Street Holiday Light Canopy. Adult admission is $5 (12 and under, free) when you purchase your tickets in advance online. This event is expected to sell out, get your tickets online at iwsannapolic.com/annapolis-chocolatebinge-festival.
Robyn Hitchcock (Live & Electric) at the Atlantis
“Guys and Dolls” at Shakespeare
The oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York just got busted and Nathan Detroit needs cold hard cash to get it up and running again. Enter high-roller Sky Masterson, who Nathan wagers can’t get a date with the straightlaced Sarah Brown, a Salvation Army missionary trying to save them all from sin. Directed by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, dance the night away to “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and more classic tunes in the must-see show of the holiday season. “Guys and Dolls” is at the Shakespeare Theatre’s Harmon Hall, 610 F St. NW, from Dec. 2 to Jan. 4. Tickets start at $43. shakespearetheatre.org.
With a career spanning six decades, Robyn Hitchcock remains a truly one-of-a-kind artist – surrealist rock ‘n’ roller, iconic troubadour, guitarist, poet, painter, and performer. An unparalleled, deeply individualistic songwriter and stylist, Hitchcock has traversed many genres with humor, intelligence and originality over 30 albums and seemingly infinite live performances. From The Soft Boys’ protopsych-punk and The Egyptians’ Dadaist pop to solo masterpieces like 1984’s milestone I Often Dream of Trains and 1990’s Eye, Hitchcock has crafted a strikingly original oeuvre rife with sagacious observation, astringent wit, recurring marine life, mechanized rail services, cheese, Clint Eastwood, and innumerable finely drawn characters, real and imagined. Robyn Hitchcock is at The Atlantis, 2047 Ninth St. NW (behind the 9:30 Club). Admission is $45.30. theatlantis.com.
Eccentric English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock performs at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco.
Photo taken on November 8, 1995.
Michael Frias Owner / Broker / Property Manager
LOCAL CALENDAR
Damn Yankees at Arena. Through Nov. 9. All the elements that made it famous are there: a diehard love of baseball, one man’s fateful (and hilarious) pact with the Devil, and Broadway’s sexiest femme fatale...but gently re-tooled for its first major revival in the 21st Century. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org.
Half Street Central Farm Market. Open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Dec. 20. 1250 Half St. SE. centralfarmmarkets.com/half-street.
John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert. Nov. 6, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. An annual celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. The Marine Band plays the music the “March King” composed at his graveside every year on his birthday and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.
Virtuosos of Violin and Verse at the Folger. Nov. 7 to 9. In a collaboration with Folger Poetry, Folger Consort will be joined by poet, author, and actor Rose Solari for a performance across the centuries in words and music. $20 to $50. folger.edu.
Hill Center Concerts. Nov. 7, 7 to 9 p.m., featuring National Fiddle Champion Luke Bulla. $20. Nov. 21, 7 to 9 p.m., featuring Session Americana with Eleanor Buckland (Lulu Wiles). $25 to $30. Dec. 7, 7 to 9 p.m., Make the Yuletide Gay Featuring Crys Matthews, Heather Mae, and Flamy Grant. $20. hillcenterdc.org.
Chiarina Chamber Players’ Appalachian Spring. Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring for 13 players pairs with Mendelssohn’s joyful string octet. Works by John Williams and DC’s Mary Howe round out this grand program. $33.85; 18 and under, free. St. Mark’s, 301 A St. SE. chiarina.org.
Eastern Market November Fest. Nov. 9 and 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days. Enjoy live music from local bands, cozy fall vibes and community love. 225 Seventh St. SE. easternmarket-dc.org.
Pottery Jam at Eastern Market North Hall. Nov. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. Co-hosted by Eastern Market Pottery and District Clay Center, the Pottery Jam is a lively event showcasing the clay artistry of guest ceramists from Pottery on the Hill alongside music, food, and drink. Free. hillcenterdc. org/event/pottery-jam.
Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus: For Ukraine. Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m. Join the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, for a moving and memorable evening of music, history, and culture as one of the world’s oldest Ukrainian male choirs takes the stage. $34.75. atlasarts.org.
Capital City Symphony: Zoom! Nov. 16, 2:30 and 5 p.m. Fast, fun, and full of heroes! Join Capitol City Symphony at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, for a lively family adventure where music tells stories of bravery and quick thinking. $40.75 (free for ages 16 and under). atlasarts.org.
Ave. at Arena Stage. Fremont Ave., at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, through Nov. 23, is a raw, electric world premiere that moves across decades. 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-to-face with each other. Tickets start at $49. arenastage.org.
Fremont
Bradley Gibson, Stanley Andrew Jackson, Wildlin Pierrevil, and Jeffrey Rashad in Fremont Ave. at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running through Nov. 23. Photo: Marc J. Franklin
Dejeunè H. | Personal Stylist (202) 681-9843
Sing Out Piano Bar and Open Mic with Gay Man’s Chorus. Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 8 to 11 p.m. Come out to sing with live piano accompaniment or just enjoy the music. Free admission. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.
Capitol Hill Tree Lighting at Eastern Market Metro Park. Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m. “Men in Blue” serve hot chocolate and doughnuts while local musical groups perform. capitolhillbid.org.
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park. Open Nov. 28 and 29; Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 24; 4 to 10 p.m., each day. Activities include: 100’ tubing slide, northern lights experience, train ride, LED SeeSaws; puttputt curling lanes, snowball throws, sculpture garden and 21+ hidden speakeasy. General admission tickets are $29.50. nationals.com/event.
5th Annual “Get In The Mood” with Laura Tsaggaris. Nov. 30, 8 p.m. Tsaggaris’ original track, “Get in the Mood,” has become everyone’s favorite cure for the holiday blues. Adults, $51.40; 18 and younger, $33.67. The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre.com.
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Dec. 1, 8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with performances of cool classics by Shorty Rogers, Thad Jones, Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn, Stan Kenton, and a handful of arrangements by BCJO Ghosts of Christmas Past. $36.75. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. arlasarts.org.
Folger Consort’s “Resplendent Joy”. Dec. 5 to 14. The performance will showcase the lush, many-voiced motets of 16th-century Portuguese composer Vicente Lusitano and lively 16th- and 17th-century villançicos (early Spanish Christmas carols). $20 to $65. folger.edu.
Canal Park Holiday Tree Lighting at Ice Rink. Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. Lighting features photobooth, live holiday music, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Season’s Greenings at the Botanic Garden. Open Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27 through Jan. 4 (except Christmas), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Conservatory is full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor throughout plus their outside model train show. Free admission. usbg.gov.
First 100 receive a Capitol Riverfront mug and hot cocoa. 200 M St. SW. capitolriverfront.org.
Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf. Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., Corona Cheer Garden, s’mores, ornament decorating, live music by DC bands, visits with Santa; 7 p.m., boats arrive; 8 p.m., fireworks. wharfdc.com.
Baila DC’s (bi-monthly) Salsa Socials at La Cosecha at Union Market. Upcoming dates are Nov. 6 and 20 and Dec. 4 and 18; 7 to 11 p.m. Enjoy a beginner Salsa Footwork lesson with Baila DC, music by a live DJ, and open dancing; plus cocktails and food at nearby vendors at La Cosecha. Salsa lesson and open dancing, $25; open dancing only, $20. A limited number of walk-up spots are available. unionmarketdc.com.
DC Beer Festival at Nat’s Park. Nov. 8, noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Features seasonal brews from over 80 craft breweries, local food trucks, live music and more. General admission is $55. mlb.com/nationals/tickets/events/dc-beer-festival.
Congressional Cemetery Holiday Market. Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer a diverse array of vendors, who offer distinctive gifts, artisanal crafts, and delicious holiday treats against the enchanting backdrop of our historic cemetery grounds. 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.
Jolly Jog 5k Run at Yards Park. Dec. 13. Runners must check-in by 9 a.m. to receive post-5k breakfast and giveaways. Participants will be lead along the scenic Anacostia Riverfront by Pacers Running guides so that, no matter your level, a jolly jogging elf will be there to help you finish the festive route. All ages are welcome and at all levels. Free registration. capitolriverfront.org.
Wreaths Across America
Wreath Laying at Congressional Cemetery. Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To help honor and remember, they invite you to join Congressional Cemetery and their community partners for the annual Wreaths Across America Wreath Laying Ceremony and event. 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.
The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case. Dec. 13, 6 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.) and 8:30 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.). In this live theatre show, you are the jury—the power to deliver justice is entirely in your hands. You’ll examine every piece of the puzzle, from witness testimonies to forensic data, and ultimately decide: guilty or innocent? $45 to $65. The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre. com. ◆
K s today tomorrow always 0
Thanksgiving on the Hill HAVE A HILLACIOUs TURKEY DAY
by Sarah MacLellan
When Mr. Rogers Neighborhood theme song, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, comes on the TV, I think of Capitol Hill. We do things a bit di erently in our urban village. Both residents and businesses form a “tribe,” and we’re proud of it. It’s been like this for decades. Mutual admiration and support are our watch words. Here, community is felt year-round.
Now, what does that look like for Thanksgiving on The Hill? From neighborhood block parties, to Friendsgiving’s and beyond, there are many traditions enjoyed for those who choose to stay local.
Football In Lincoln Park
Eastern market is the go-to for all your Thanksgiving dinner ingredients.
ing, they’re a part of the eld,” said Paul Woodhull, the organizer, known as “Woody” to neighbors. Nothing stops this game. “We’ve played before on ice, and we’ve played in 80 degrees,” said Woody.
As my toddler son, Alec, and I are starting to plant our roots and create our own traditions here on The Hill, I can’t think of anything better than to start joining this annual football tradition, making it one of our own memories for the Thanksgivings we share together.
Giving Back
Many of our residents have been here for much of their lives. They’ve raised their children here, started businesses here, and invested in building Capitol Hill to what it is today. They are the generations that established the neighborly support that we get to enjoy today in this community we share.
Every year on Thanksgiving Day, around 10 a.m. after putting the turkey in the oven, neighbors join together in Lincoln Park to work up an appetite with a friendly game of football. Established by the Woodhull family in 1996, all are welcome. Don’t be surprised to see folks from ages six to sixty, with various athletic abilities. Even furry, four-legged are welcome. “When it comes the game, dogs are part of it. They’re part of our family and on Thanksgiv-
Capitol Hill Village (CHV), www.capitolhillvillage.org, is an organization that supports these senior neighbors yearround and during Thanksgiving, The Village organizes volunteers to prepare holiday meals and deliver them. Last year, they delivered 73 Thanksgiving meals to 43 homes across the Hill. “Your contributions go a long way in helping older neighbors celebrate the holiday with dignity,” says Director of Operations, Mary Bloodworth.
Neighbors gather for the annual Thanksgiving Football Game in Lincoln Park. All are welcome.
This
Jackie Sink
202.352.5793
jackie.sink@compass.com
Libby Clarke
202.841.1812
libby.clarke@compass.com
Crystal Crittenden
202.246.0931
crystal.crittenden@compass.com
CHV is still looking for help to make this year’s Thanksgiving another success – restaurants can donate meal components, or make them available at cost. There are sponsorship opportunities for businesses as well as hands-on volunteering for preparing and delivering these meals. Contact Mary at MBloodworth@capitolhillvillage. org for more info.
Preparing The Meal
Head to Eastern Market at 225 Seventh St. SE, www.easternmarket-dc.org, for fresh, locally sourced food. Every time I step inside Eastern Market, I feel time slow down. I’m no longer in a rush. Each counter isn’t just where you buy food; each is sta ed by a familiar face, the force behind a small business that they made happen, and work hard to keep alive.
Look for Thanksgiving pies from Fine Sweet Shoppe (www. nesweetshoppe.com), stroll down to Capitol Hill Poultry or Market Poultry for that special turkey or fowl of your choice. Make sure you order ahead of time. The long lines to pick up your pre-ordered turkey are a Thanksgiving tradition. Stop by Union Meat Company for ham, lamb, and various rib roast options if you’re looking for something oth-
Weighng a turkey at Market Poultry.
Photo: A. Lightman
er than turkey. And should you be on the “hunt” for turkey, On the farmer’s line outside nd Gro ’s Content Farm (www.groffscontentfarm.com), which offers turkeys, half turkeys, turkey bone broth and more.
Dining Out or Ordering-In
Tunnicli ’s at 222 Seventh St. SE is The Hill’s version of Cheers, the place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” Tunni’s is a regular go-to for all and Thanksgiving day is no di erent. The manager, Micah Wallet, will have a Thanksgiving menu available to view in-person for ordering in advance, placing to-go orders day of, and for diningin on Thanksgiving. Their regular menu will also be available.
Café Berlin at 322 Massachusetts Ave. SE (www.cafeberlin-dc.com) turned my relationship with sauerkraut from disdain to love. Their menu includes traditional American Thanksgiving items along with some German specialties, based on availability. On Thanksgiving Day, you can dine-in or order to-go.
Belga Café at 514 Eight St. SE (www.belgacafe.com) has a delicious Thanksgiving menu (including turkey) available for preorder and pick-up.
A unique Thanksgiving option for dining out, that’s apparently also a known spot for locals to go to on this holiday, is La Plaza Mexican Cuisine at 629 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (laplazatogo.com). They’ll have deep fried turkey along with their regular menu available.
At The Point, 2100 2nd St. SW, celebrate Thanksgiving with a gorgeous river view. Begin with your choice of starter and move on to
• Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water
• Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes
• Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens
• Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work
• Restoration and Enhancement
PATIOS MASONRY URBAN GARDENS CUSTOM
COOKING CLASSES & TASTINGS
Pie Perfection: Crusts, Fillings & Flavor with Sugachef!
Saturday, November 1, @ 11:00 am
Back to Wine School: Pour Choices Are Good Choices!
Friday, November 7, @ 5:30 pm
Eat to Heal: Anti-Inflammatory Cooking Made Simple
Friday, November 7, @ 6:30 pm
Five Bottles, Four Holidays, One Epic Host, Featuring Wine Expert Leslie Frelow
Sunday, November 9, @ 2:00 pm
The Kitchen Cabinet Series –Edible Gift Creation (Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen)
Wednesday, November 19, @ 5:30 pm
Elevate Your Thanksgiving Holiday Table: A Trio of Sides
Friday, November 21, @ 8:00 pm CONCERTS
Stone Room Concerts @ Hill Center
Featuring National Fiddle Champion Luke Bulla
Friday, November 7, @ 7:00 pm
Session Americana with Eleanor Buckland (Lula Wiles)
Friday, November 21, @ 7:00 pm
STUDIO ARTS
Contemporary Watercolors Workshop
Saturday, November 1, @ 12:00 pm
Introduction to Linocut Printmaking Workshop
Saturday, November 1, @ 2:30 pm
Knitting for Beginners
Monday, November 3, @ 5:00 pm
The Knitting Club: Intermediate Class with Wine & Community Tuesday, November 4, @ 5:00 pm
The Paper Architect Hack® Wednesday, November 12, @ 5:30 pm
LECTURES & CONVERSATIONS
Celebrating Fifty Years of Capitol Hill Poetry
Sunday, November 2, @ 5:00 pm
Ask Tom Sietsema (almost) Anything Live & in Person. Sietsema Dishes on the DC Dining Scene with Food Maven Carla Hall
Tuesday, November 18, @ 7:00 pm
Programmatic support provided by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
carving stations of roast turky, honey-glazed ham, prime rib, agave roasted salmon and more. All your favorite sides — including sweet potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese — are served family style at the table. Adults are $60 and kids under 12, $30.
Party Supplies, Seasonal Décor & More
Need party supplies and autumn themed decorations for
gether with family and friends over the holidays, I think of the replace going, music playing, laughter – and of course, Labyrinth games and puzzles. Visit them at 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (labyrinthdc.com) on the day after Thanksgiving for the kick-o of their seasonal “surprise games”! You’ll be given a few clues to ensure it’s not a game you already have, and the proceeds will bene t Toys for Tots.
Thanksgiving? Pop into Groovy DC at 321 Seventh St. SE (www.groovydc.com) where the owners, Manuel and Dennis, are happy to help you in selecting just the right items to make your gathering memorable.
Wanting to deep fry your turkey this year? Frager’s Hardware at 1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (acehardware.com) has deep fryers available. Wanting some mums? They check that box, too. Fall wreaths? Check. When thinking back on Thanksgiving traditions and time spent to-
On Turkey Day
It’s afternoon the day before Thanksgiving and you’re picking-up the last of the items on your shopping list –adult beverages from Chat’s at 503 Eighth St. SE (www.chatsdc.com) and Schneider’s at 300 Massachusetts Ave. NE (www.cellar.com). You’ll go to bed resting easy knowing you’re fully prepared for the next day. It’s now Thanksgiving morning, perhaps after The So Others Might East Annual Trot for Hunger (www.
Volunteers organized by the Capitol Hill Village bring Thanksgiving dinner to senior neighbors.
some.org). You’re feeling the endorphins from the run, you’re feeling extra thankful for all you have, and the caffeine is kicking-in from the coffee you grabbed from Wine & Butter at 1023 East Capitol St. SE (www.wineandbutterdc.com). They will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and suddenly decide to invite a few more people over, maybe even make it an “open house” kind of party…
For wine, beer, liquor and such, Hayden’s at 700 North Carolina Ave. SE will be open Thanksgiving Day 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as The Corner Market at 400 East Capitol Street SE from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yes! Organic at 410 Eighth St. SE and Safeway at 415 14th St. SE will be open for whatever you forgot.
As you’re walking home after the annual football game in Lincoln Park, the air is crisp and you’re excited to get home, envisioning that first bite of stuffing. Looking down East Capitol Street on your walk, you catch a glimpse of the Capitol’s dome, the wind gently blows the red, yellow, and orange leaves around you and you feel the peaceful stillness. At that moment, you smile and think about how thankful you are to be here, to live here.
Suddenly you’re brought back into the present by a gentle double-honk from a car passing by. Waving and wishing you a “Happy Thanksgiving!” it’s your neighbor, inviting you to stop by for some pie later.
This isn’t a fairy tale, nor a story of how the town used to be. This is the feeling of daily life on Capitol Hill. So, now that I’ve shared these insights, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”. u
GIVINGTHANKs THANKsGIVING
GIVING HYPERLOCAL Impact of funding cuts in our backyard
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Little Lights founder Steve Parks met Marquette, then a recent high school graduate, during the pandemic. “He was sitting at home with nothing to do because he could not gure out how to get to college,” Parks remembered. Four years later, Marquette graduated with honors from Oregon State and entered a teaching program allowing him to teach at DC Public Schools while he earns his graduate degree to prepare him to be a lead DCPS teacher by Fall 2026.
Little Lights, headquartered in Capitol Hill at 7th and I Street, SE, provides holistic youth development, economic development, and college and career support for underserved families particularly in public housing in Capitol Hill. Only eight out of every hundred students who
graduate from DC schools nish college within six years, Parks said. The Little Lights College and Career program works to change that, providing resume and job search strategies to adults and college readiness to students. The program is currently supporting 16 college students and boasts several graduates since it began three years ago, some now doing graduate work. “We’ve had great success in a short amount of time,” Parks said.
And it does it with the support of the community. Over 50 percent of funding to Little Lights comes from gifts given by many individual donors. Donations pay for staing, curriculum and program supplies, eld trips, and general operating expenses.
”The federal cuts and potential cuts have made low-income children and families even more vulnerable,” Parks said. “The safety net provided by the government is decreasing and will likely continue to decrease so personal, charitable giving becomes even more essential.“
Local nonpro ts say that’s the key: a
little goes a long way and makes a big impact here at home. As federal funding and grants dry up, even the smallest gifts can make a huge impact right in your backyard when put together with those from many neighbors.
“It’s important to support hyper-local charities because they know the specific needs of the community far better than organizations with a broader reach,” said Elizabeth Nelson, who has been a local giver for decades. Those organizations are not always wellknown outside their communities. So although they are doing critical work where they are, their outreach is limited, she added. “Giving time and money to large organizations is a good thing to do,” Nelson said. “But it’s important not to neglect the good work done by our neighbors who may need our support even more.”
A Little Goes A Long Way
You may feel like you don’t have much to give, but it all adds up. The Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF, capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org) has been turning small donations into big grants since 1989. CHCF collects donations from the Capitol Hill community to support small and medium-sized grants to a wide range of schools and nonpro t organizations in the neighborhood. Over the past few years, it has granted over $600,000 a year to organizations working in ve categories—schools, youth programs, arts and culture, social services and beauti cation, giving to over 100 school projects and organizations each year. Every dollar that the Foundation raises from the community goes back out to these organizations, said Mark Weinheimer, CHCF Secretary and head of the
Laura Kim speaks at the dedication of the Little Lights Jubilee Center. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN
Youth at Sasha Bruce. Courtesy: SBY
Grants Committee. Need has increased. This fall, grant applications requested twice the money that CHCF had to give.
Social service organizations are facing large reductions in support from the District and federal funding. Local arts organizations could once rely on support from the local Commission on the Arts and the federal National Endowment for the Arts, but many grants have now been eliminated. Even local schools are su ering from budget pressures; CHCF saw a 50 percent increase in requests from Capitol Hill schools in the last six months, Weinheimer said.
One of the organizations that could be deeply impacted by government cuts is Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY, www. sashabruce.org). The nonprofit provides safe spaces and critical support for youth experiencing homelessness across DC and Prince George’s County, including at the drop-in youth house on Barracks Row. Last year, less than 10 percent of their funding came from community donations and another three percent from corporations. The rest came from local and federal government, said Deputy Director of Advancement Jasmine Thakurdas.
But at the same time as funding decreases, more and more young people are responding to outreach and visiting the DC drop-in centers downtown and on Barracks Row. SBY served 960 kids last year, a 23 percent increase from the year prior. And there’s a need to expand mental health programming and do critical updates to buildings. Part of the reason for the increased need
OUR SERVICES
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is skyrocketing costs of rent and food, driving homelessness up but also increasing the costs for organizations trying to prevent it. Food costs have risen as much as 44 percent and SBY says as of 2026, expenses are expected to increase by 47 percent over the past three years.
“We’re facing signi cant uncertainty across every level of government funding—District, Prince George’s County, and federal. Even as the need grows, we’re being asked to do more with less, and the margin for exibility is rapidly disappearing,” said Debby Shore, Sasha Bruce’s Founder and Executive Director.
Helping the Homeless
Founded in 1967 as the Capitol Hill Group Ministry, Everyone Home DC (everyonehomedc.org) is committed to realizing a vision of the District as a place where everyone has access to a safe, comfortable and a ordable home. Reaching out to people living on the streets, they help neighbors like Mr. Leon*, who
moved from living outside for nearly three years into a home, and moms like Crystal*, who could nally bring her daughter home from the hospital once she had stable housing.
It’s a time when need is rising and resources are shrinking, as residents face higher rents, utilities and bills but more cuts to assistance programs, said Everyone Home Director of Strategic Initiatives Kate Akalonu.
“When Hill residents give, they’re investing directly in their own community,” said Akalonu. That support not only helps people in need, she said, but it also demonstrates that work around homelessness and housing stability is an issue of importance to the community.
The federal cuts and furlough have had an impact and Everyone Home will face tough budget decisions in 2026. It’s a hard time to give, but for those who can, you should check if your employer matches your contributions, she suggests. Everyone Home is a participant in many workplace cam-
Everyone Home DC Community Engagement Team at a Hill Center Volunteer Fair. Courtesy: Everyone Home DC
paigns, including World Bank’s Community Connections Campaign (C3) and the recently revived Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). “We’re doing more with less—but our community’s support helps us keep showing up,” Akalonu said.
Community Shows Up
Those behind the nonprofits based on the Hill say that the community is meeting the moment as best as it can. “This moment feels challenging, and yes, there are many reasons to be concerned,” Akalonu said. “But because this community shows up, again and again, to ensure everyone has a place to call home, there is always reason for hope.”
CHCF President Nicky Cymrot agrees. She says CHCF is constantly getting messages from other communities asking how the organization raises so much and is able to raise enough to support so many of those asking for support.
“All I can think to answer is that there is just something remarkable about the residents and businesses here on Capitol Hill,” Cymrot said.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
To contribute to Capitol Hill Community Foundation go to capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org; Everyone Home – everyonehomedc.org, Sasha Bruce Youthwork – Sashabruce.org; Little Lights Urban Ministries – Littlelighst.org. ◆
BASEBALL IN PARADISE
GIVINGTHANKs THANKsGIVING
GOOD NEIGHBORs SECUREs NONPROFIT STATU STATUs
Hill refugee helpers celebrate 10 years in 2026
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Only a few weeks after nding out they had secured US Green Cards via lottery in October 2022, Barkat Aziz and Latifah Haidari were in the United States. It was a whirlwind process, but Haidari, who had trained in a mixedgender karate dojo and worked in television, was in danger. She ed to Pakistan from Kabul, Afghanistan on her family’s advice a week after the Taliban took over in August 2021; her husband joined her in January 2022.
They arrived in the US in October 2022, with not much more than a few blankets and some clothing. It was Haidari’s rst time living without her extended family. They were both lonely and experiencing culture shock.
They quickly learned there was a lot they didn’t know, such as
what a social security number was or why they would need one. Since many people operated solely in cash at home, they were also confused by credit cards and bank accounts and why they needed these before nding a place to live. Language barriers added to their challenges; while Aziz was relatively pro cient, Haidari spoke little English.
Among their rst meetings was with members of Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill who assisted as they navigated the systems. Founded in 2016 as a coalition of ten neighborhood congregations, Good Neighbors worked with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) to welcome immigrants eeing persecution, helping them to settle in homes throughout the DMV, but largely among the Afghan community in Northern Virginia. Many of those they helped are families of translators and other special immigrant visa holders who assisted the US military in Afghanistan, but they have also helped families escaping war and persecution from Ukraine and El Salvador.
“It was so helpful for us,” Aziz said. Good Neighbors members helped them secure furnishings for their rst apartment, providing funds to get the couple through their rst few months. They helped Aziz nd a job and gave support and even a laptop
as Aziz, formerly CEO of a printing company, earned a certi cate in software testing and quality assurance and Haidari improved her English.
But it was more than that. The people at Good Neighbors invited them for Thanksgiving and co ee, called to check in and give advice. “They take care of us,” Haidari said. “Right now, I don’t feel I am alone here. I feel like I have a big family.”
Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill celebrates ten years in 2026.
Current Administration Slashes Refugee Support
In the past, each family was given $1,200 per person to help them get established. Settlement assistance was provided by the State Department’s Refugee A airs o ce, which funded eight national nonpro ts offering help with forms, school enrollment, employment counseling and navigating health care.
But recent changes by the current administration have decimated o cial resettlement agencies and funding. On Jan. 27, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), halting processing of refugees. It also cut funding, sharply reducing the ability of LSSNCA and two other agencies to provide services. Many continue to help but now rely solely on private donations and volunteer hours.
Afghan families who received
special immigration visas (SIV) are still arriving, but without the promised nancial and social support. Fueled by Capitol Hill volunteers and neighbor donations, Good Neighbors continues to assist two to three families each month.
To facilitate that, in September 2025 Good Neighbors secured status as a 501(c)(3) nonpro t. “We realized that in order to keep going ourselves, we were going to need to have our own 501(c)(3),” Gettman said.
Good Neighbors is small and focussed. They know they don’t have the capacity to be social workers or provide expert health advice. The skill set they developed with the Capitol Hill community was in pulling together an entire household of furnishings and lling the cupboards. “There are so many people on Cap-
Latifah Hairdari and Barkat Aziz outside Peregrine Espresso in Eastern Market. Photo: E.O’Gorek, Courtesy B. Aziz
Sullaman (7) and Ali Abdullah (4) play on the floor of their new apartment. Photo: Catherine O’Brien
How You Can Help!
Learn more about the work of Good Neighbors Capitol Hill and contribute donations and nancial support during the Open House at the Church of Latter-Day Saints (522 Seventh St. SE) open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15, 2025. To nd out how you can help with donations of time, money or in-kind household items, visit their new website at www.goodneighborscapitolhill.org.
itol Hill who are really generously donating both new and gently used items that we can re-gift to the refugee families,” Gettman said.
Residents respond to calls for dishes, atware and kitchen implements. They donate small appliances, toys, laptops and even sewing machines.
A group of up to 40 volunteers helps set up each new household, moving and assembling furniture and placing linens in closets, dishes on shelves, nishing in about a workday.
Hill residents also give cash donations, a process simpli ed by nonpro t status. Funds are used to buy things that can’t be upcycled, such as mattresses, pillows, toiletries and food. Sometimes, Good Neighbors provides emergency assistance for dental work or families with children with special needs. They have also supported families pursuing education, such as community college or English courses.
Volunteers Help One-on-One
Mark Crawford has been working with Good Neighbors for four years, tutoring a young man named Abdul in math and English. Abdul, he said, is a polite teenager who takes his responsibility as a big brother seri-
ously and is meeting the tough challenge of moving from his home country. For Crawford, watching Abdul learn and grow was deeply ful lling. “He was a kind of embodiment of other things that have been central to my career,” Crawford said. “It’s been great to see.”
Prior to retiring, Crawford worked on education policy with major international organizations. He said many people are forced to start over in another country, and Good Neighbors has done an excellent job connecting with Afghan community leaders and bringing people together in goodwill.
“Immigrants, they’re facing huge challenges, right? And so organizations like this one, they can be the di erence between sinking and swimming,” he said.
Aziz and Haidari agree. Both are employed at Trader Joe’s near Eastern Market as Aziz looks for work in software. Haidari, a former member of Afghanistan’s National Karate Team, plans to o er karate classes to children in the neighborhood. They are happy in the District, they say.
“I don’t know how I should say –in which language I could say – thank you,” Haidari said. “But I do know it is not enough. They are like family.”
Learn more about the work of Good Neighbors Capitol Hill and contribute donations and nancial support during the Open House at the Church of Latter-Day Saints (522 Seventh St. SE) open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15, 2025. To nd out how you can help with donations of time, money or in-kind household items, visit their new website atgoodneighborscapitolhill.org. ◆
Larry Broun, Dale Manty and Alex Vore (seated) take a break as they help to settle a family in their new home.
Photo: Kathy Tobias
GIVINGTHANKs THANKsGIVING
HOLIDAY CALENDAR
by Kathleen Donner
The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Warner. Nov. 29 to Dec. 28. It’s Christmas Eve in 1882 in a Georgetown mansion. Clara and her family prepare for a holiday celebration. As the guests arrive, Clara’s mysterious godfather, Mr. Drosselmeyer, enters with his handsome young nephew, who greets Clara with a kiss on her hand. Drosselmeyer entertains the guests with a puppet show and dancing dolls and presents Clara with a special gift—a nutcracker. $49 to $180. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. warnertheatredc.com.
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Visit pickyourownchristmastree.org for farms and directions. Then follow the prompts
“A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s. Nov. 20 to Dec. 31. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Tickets start at $51. fords.org.
Zoolights (Pending Federal Government Reopening). Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. Now in its 17th year, this annual holiday light spectacular welcomes visitors to walk down festive pathways and explore immersive displays throughout the Zoo. $6 admission. nationalzoo.si.edu.
DowntownDC Holiday Market. Nov. 21 to Dec. 23. Monday to Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The market is on F Street NW, between Seventh and Ninth. downtowndcholidaymarket.com.
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Hook State Park. Nov. 23 to Jan. 1; Sunday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Annual drive-through holiday lights display
along the Chesapeake Bay. $20 per car. lightsonthebaymd.org.
Shamrock Tenors: Christmas in Belfast at the KC. Nov. 25 to 30. Get ready for the festive season with Irish PBS favorites, the Shamrock Tenors, and their all-new show Christmas in Belfast. $39 to $139. kennedy-center.org.
Turkey Trot for Hunger 5k on Thanksgiving morning. Nov. 27, check in at 6:30 a.m.; Little Turkey one-miler, 7:30 a.m., 5k at 8:15 a.m. Festivities are at Freedom Plaza, 13th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $65 fee for 5k; $15 for Little Turkey. trotforhunger.org.
Season’s Greenings: Dino-mite! at the Botanic Garden. Nov. 27 to Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Celebrate the holiday season in the US Botanic Garden’s annual holiday display full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor throughout plus their model train show with dinosaurs. usbg.gov.
Heurich House Museum Christmas Market. Dec. 4 to 7; Thursday and Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon. to 6 p.m. Christ-
mas Markt is DC’s only multi-day holiday market consisting of all local makers. Inspired by traditional German Christmas markets (but featuring DMVbased makers), the event features between 40-50 local vendors annually. $12 adult admission ($14 at door); kids, $2. Heurich House Museum is at 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW. heurichhouse.org.
Folger Consort’s “Resplendent Joy”. Dec. 5 to 14. Continuing a beloved tradition for the winter holidays, Folger Consort celebrates with festive music from Spain and Portugal. $20 to $65. 201 E. Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage. Dec. 5 to 21. Leap into the holiday spirit with the joyful return of Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show. Tickets start at $49. arenastage.org.
Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral. Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; Dec. 6 and 7, 6 p.m. Washington National Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Dana Marsh, perform Handel’s beloved Messiah under the Cathedral’s soaring Gothic architecture. Tickets start at $32. cathedral.org.
Chanukah in the Dark at Theater Jr. Dec. 6 to 21. When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and family begin sharing songs, stories, and traditions--only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along. 1529 16th St. NW. $24.69. edcjcc.org/theater-jr.
Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy the parade from anywhere along the mile-long route through Old Town.
As seen on NPR and Religion News, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church is a welcoming congregation serving furloughed workers.
Sunday Services at 11:00 AM
Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf. Dec. 6; 5 to 8 p.m., wharf activities; 7 p.m., boats arrive; 8 p.m., fireworks. This free event features 60+ beautifully decorated boats parading along up the Washington Channel, as well as fun landside holiday activities including hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, a signature music performance by Yani the Band, family photos with Santa, fireworks and more. wharfdc.com.
After the last parade unit has finished the route, participating pipe bands reassemble at Market Square to play a few tunes as part of a massed band concert. visitalexandria.com.
National Museum of the American Indian Native Art Market (Pending Federal Government Reopening). Dec. 6 and 7; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. americanindian.si.edu.
Maker’s Market at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, for a special holiday market featuring goods from women and gender-expansive vendors, makers, and artists. Shop handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, and vintage finds in the museum’s Great Hall. nmwa.org.
Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival. Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival takes over the first block of West Street, in a family-friendly celebration of all things chocolate. Be sure to also check out the Gingerbread House contest. annapolischocolatefestival.com.
Daughters of the American Revolution Christmas Open House. Dec. 10, 5:30 to 8
p.m. The public is invited to the annual DAR Christmas Open House at its DC headquarters, 1776 D St. NW, to view the holiday decorations, historic rooms and a visit from Santa. (Visit the National Christmas Tree across the street at the Ellipse then get out of the cold and join them for refreshments, cookies and a taste of history.) dar.org.
An Irish Carol at the Keegan. Dec. 11 to 28. This comic and touching play, set in a modern Dublin pub, follows one evening in the life of David, a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity in the interest of self-protection and material success. Tickets are $65 for adults; $54 for seniors, students and under 25. 1742 Church St. NW. keegantheatre.com.
NSO’s A Holiday Pops! With Melinda Doolittle at the KC. Dec. 12, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Get ready to sing along, laugh, and embrace the magic of the season with sparkling renditions of your favorite holiday classics, pop showstoppers, and more. $39 to $132. kennedy-center.org.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Holiday Show. Dec. 13 and 20, 3 and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 14, 5 p.m. This year their holiday extravaganza at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW, is bigger than ever with new, soulful arrangements of your favorite holidays car-
Mount Vernon by Candlelight. Nov. 28 to Dec. 23., on select nights, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Mount Vernon for a candlelit guided tour and hear about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia. Learn about the buildup to the American Revolution as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the year 1775. $41 for adults; $33 for ages six to eleven; five and under, free. mountvernon.org.
ols. The reindeer will be high-kicking and the snowflakes will sparkle. Tickets start at $26. gmcw.org.
Wreaths Across America at Arlington Cemetery. “Please help them Remember, Honor, and Teach on December 13, at noon (wreath placement is at 8 a.m.) by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or inviting friends to help.” wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Coyaba Dance Theater: Kwanzaa Celebration. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. and Dec. 14, noon. Celebrate the joy and heritage of Kwanzaa with Coyaba Dance Theater at Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. General admission, $33.50 and discounts for seniors, artists, college students and kids. danceplace.org.
Christmas Oratorio (Parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6). Dec. 13, 4 p.m. Now a cherished Washington DC tradition, the Washington Bach Consort’s annual performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW, is as joyous as the ringing-in of the holiday spirit itself, no matter how you cele-
brate. Tickets are $10 to $98.97. bachconsort.org.
Cathedral Choral Society: Joy of Christmas. Dec. 13, 2 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 14, 6 p.m. Ring in the holidays with Cathedral Choral Society’s Joy of Christmas at the Washington National Cathedral. Celebrate the season with brilliant brass, jubilant organ, and soaring choral music in one of the city’s most awe-inspiring spaces. Sing along, soak in the splendor, and share in the joy. Tickets start at $39. cathedralchoralsociety.org/events/joy-ofchristmas-2025.
Jingle 5k. Dec. 14, 8 to 11 a.m. This flat and fast 5k course takes runners along the streets of downtown Washington DC, taking in gorgeous views of the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River. $50. The start/finish line is located on Ohio Dr. SW, directly next to the West Potomac Park softball fields. runsignup.com/ Race/DC/Washington/DCJingle5K
The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas at the KC. Dec. 14, 3 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; Dec. 21, 7 p.m.; and Dec. 22, 8 p.m. Celebrate the season with The Washington Chorus’ beloved A Candlelight Christmas, led by Eugene Rogers and featuring festive favorites and interactive carols for a joyful holiday tradition the whole family will enjoy. $15 to $99. Kennedy-center.org.
Join the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. The nation’s longest-running community bird project fuels Audubon’s work throughout the year. Sign up to receive information and results about all of Audubon’s community science programs through American Birds, their email newsletter. audubon.org/ community-science/christmas-birdcount. ◆
and Sunday. 10AM-3PM
Photo: Courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
CAPITOL STREETS
NEWS ROU N D PU-
Many of the hundreds of people in the gymnasium at St. Coletta (1901 Independence Ave. SE) Oct. 22 had long been part of discussions around the future of RFK. Some had even been in the same room eight years previous, when the community discussed early plans for “RFK Futures,” then the name of the 20-year plan for the RFK site.
“Many of them were stakeholders who represented organizations that had either fought the NFL stadium or were looking to impact planning. H Street Main Street Executive Director Anwar Salem was there, pushing for a connection with the area now that the end of the H Streetcar has been set. A young man offered his resume, looking for a job. But most people were there to tell the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development team what they wanted to see.
DMPED Director of Strategic Initiatives Giles Stucker opened the meeting, introducing others from the Office of Planning and the
Hundreds
Attend First NFL at RFK Development Meeting by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Washington Commanders. Little was new in the half hour presentation. The meeting was billed as an opportunity for neighbors to provide input into the master plan for the 180-acre site.
Two interesting bits of news emerged. First, the demolition of RFK, already underway, is expected to take another year, meaning it would conclude in about October 2026.
Second is the timeline for the master plan, the document that guides development and land use on the site. Visioning for the plan is set through to the end of 2025. The Master Plan will be created between January and June 2026, with a draft released for input that summer. The team is hoping to bring the RFK Master Plan to DC Council between fall and December 2026.
It’s a quick turnaround. Engagement around the 90-acre Ivy City Small Area Plan, for example, took place from November 2021 to August 2024.
Community Input
After the presentation, attendees scattered to tables divided into categories for public input. These included stadium and site design, civil amenities and open spaces, mobility and parking and finally, retail and business opportunities. Attendees could speak to their concerns at each table, write on a flip chart or leave comments on sticky notes.
tendees overwhelmingly pointed to the need for a grocery store and the continuation of an open-air or farmers market, emphasizing that services and shops be small and locally-based. In terms of transportation, the emphasis was on public transit, including a call for a new Metro station and connection points to the site from the other side of the river. Someone proposed DC look into underground parking.
Some of the comments were not new: concern for the tree canopy and for heritage trees, about water access for humans and wildlife, and the potential for a riverside beach for humans or animals. At-
There was agreement around calls for a flexible design for the stadium, with one proposing that it could be designed so it can be subdivided into smaller venues to facilitate it’s use, and of the space around it, 365 days a year.
Anacostia Riverkeeper Trey Sherrard attended the meeting. He said it was a good turnout. But he wanted to hear more about how planning would account for water levels, which are expected to significantly rise in the future, and how the statute came to a 200-foot width for the riparian zone, setting aside the area next to the river. He was glad to see that the city and the Commanders were taking input. “But a lot depends on what they do with the information they’re receiving, once it goes into the black box,” he said.
DMPED did not respond to a re-
Map of RFK development, showing planned allocation of 180 acre site. Chart shows expected completion. DMPED/E.O’Gorek
quest for comment on how the information would be handled or the date of the next meeting in time for publication.
Other Ideas
But Skip Stroebel has already turned the page. He attended all the meetings back in the 2010s on “RFK Futures,” before an NFL stadium was publicly on the table. He had opposed an NFL stadium when it was made public, wearing “NO NFL at RFK” buttons. But now that it is inevitable, he said, “I threw all my buttons out. I’m on to the next fight.”
That fight is for the RFK Democracy Center and Stadium Museum (RFKDC&SM) which he proposed at the meeting to be three floors on a halfacre site. The first floor, he said, would be a museum of the former stadium; the second floor, a library and the third, community and meeting space.
DMPED’s Stucker told attendees that this was the first of many meetings to collect feedback for the master plan. Residents will also be able to submit their views online at ourrfk.dc.gov u
Maury Third Graders Discover Rare Dinosaur Tooth
“I…am…speechless!”
John Henry and Max were wide-eyed, staring at one another across the top of their 115-million-
year-old find, which Max was holding in the palm of his hand.
The two eight-year-olds had discovered the tooth of an Acrocanthosaurus, a 38-foot-long, meat-eating dinosaur, during an Oct. 1 field trip with their Maury Elementary grade 3 class to the Maryland Dinosaur Park (DPM, 13100 Mid Atlantic Blvd., Laurel, MD).
It is a rare and scientifically significant find, said Sarah Kunis, Program and Volunteer Coordinator at the park. Palentologists estimate that each adult Acrocanthosaurus had about 66 teeth, but the park only holds 24 in its collection.
““It’s very rare that we find really, really big teeth,” Kunis said. “We have done it, but their tooth is super cool.”
115 Million Years of History
Acrocanthosaurus lived about 115 million years ago, about 50 million years before Tyrannasaurus Rex. The dinosaur was almost as long as a yellow school bus, with sail along its back supported by spines. Large claws were at the end of its three fingers and the teeth were serrated like steak knives, used for tearing flesh. “Acrocanthosaurus is the apex predator, the top meat-eating dinosaur that we have at our site,” Kunis said.
The site is the Maryland Dinosaur Park in Prince George County. During the Cretaceous period, the area was a slow-moving river system, Kunis said, similar to the Florida Everglades. Crocodiles, turtles, mussels and small sharks lived under cypress and sequoia trees, living in a lush landscape alongside a variety of dinosaurs that included Acrocanthosaurus.
In the period leading up to the Civil War the property operated as an iron mine when the first discoveries were made. Later mining for clay likely destroyed many of the fossils on site. In an effort to preserve future finds, in 1995 the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission bought 22 acres of the former mines, opening in 2009 as a public park. Today, it is a mostly outdoor facility featuring a playground, garden and the grounds of the fossil site. It is publicly accessible twice monthly for open houses as well as by appointment for regular student field trips.
During those sessions, students and vis-
itors act as citizen scientists, helping to hunt down the valuable specimens that regularly surface on the site. People are allowed to take home plant fossils if they are deemed not to have scientific importance, Kunis said.
“Everybody Needs to Drink, Right?”
Max and John Henry were extremely strategic in their hunt. After an education session where they and their class learned about animals and plants that lived on the site during the Cretaceous Period, they and about 35 of their classmates were allowed to search the site.
Max said John Henry immediately zeroed in on the riverbed, “because everybody needs to drink, right?”
About five minutes into their hunt, that is where they found the tooth.
John Henry and Max have their names on specimen DPM 276, now catalogued for further research and data, putting them in the Maryland Dinosaur Park archives. “It’s a bit strange know-
Maryland Dinosaur Program and Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Kunis holds an ancient snail fossil and the Acrocanthosaurus tooth the students found while acting as citizen scientists. L-R: Max, Kunis and John Henry. Photo: Courtesy S. Conant
Demolition continues at RFK Stadium. The stadium is expected to be completely de-molished by October 2026.
ing that I’m there forever, and that I might be used for demonstrations,” Max said.
Dinosaur Park Maryland is accepting field trip bookings for 2026. But you can be a citizen scientist at their open houses on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Put in field trip requests and learn more about the park at www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/ dinosaur-park u
Resources for Furloughed Federal Workers
As of Nov. 1, the government shutdown is entering its second month. It is far from clear that there is a bill that can meet the 60-vote threshold to pass. With no end in sight, the effects of the shutdown are being felt in households in the District where family members are federal employees. Here are some resources to turn to.
File for Unemployment
You can file a claim for unemployment insurance in DC if that is where your duty station is located. There is a one-week waiting period, beginning Sundays and ending Saturdays. You have to fill out a weekly certification but don’t have to complete the job-search section. A large number of applications are expected; review your answers because errors may cause delays in payment. Fill the application out online at www.dcnetworks.org or via automated telephone system at 202-724-7400.
Utilities
Pepco o ers assistance to residential customers. Use their assistance nder (https://secure. pepco.com/assistance/landing) to match with the best option. Impacted federal workers are also encouraged to call the Customer Care team at 202-8337500 for information on expanded bill payment support options.
Washington Gas also has various programs to help customers meet their bills, as well as a list of community organizations that can help. See www. washingtongas.com/get-assistance/energy-assistance
DC Water has everything from flexible payment plans, monthly discounts and the SPLASH program, which o ers one-time emergency assistance. www.dcwater.com/customercenter/ nancial-assistance
Housing
If you are concerned you cannot meet your mortgage or rent payments, reach out to your lender or landlord as soon as you can. Many are o ering consideration but need the time to make their own arrangements.
Student Loans
You can apply for temporary relief of your student loans. Learn more at studentaid.gov
Food
José Andrés is offering free lunch when furloughed employees dine in at his local restaurants. Employees just have to show their federal I.D. at one of his four restaurants: Jaleo by José Andrés – Free sandwich;
China Chilcano – Free donburi; Zaytinya – Free durum or pita; Oyamel Cocina Mexicana – Free torta; Beresovsky’s Deli – (1201 Half St SE) is o ering a buy-one-get-one-free sandwich deal; Get free co ee at all Colada Shops, including the Wharf location (10 Pearl St. SW); Paraiso – (1101 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) is o ering all-day happy hour for government employees with a valid ID, including $4 Tecate beers. KNEAD restaurants
Gatsby, The Grill, Mi Vida, Bistro Du Jour and Succotash offer a free punch to government workers with ID. Henceforth DC (1335 H St. NE) o ers 25 percent o tabs with government ID. Ti any’s Bar and Bistro (709 H St. NE) also o ers 25 percent o with government ID.
Capital Food Bank
The Capital Food Bank can help you nd one of their 400 partners near you that act as pantry or distribution sites. Or call their Hunger Lifeline, to get help nding local organizations that can assist you with emergency food help. To reach the Hunger Lifeline, call (202) 644-9807 or email hungerlifeline@capitalareafoodbank.org
Moving On
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has launched an initiative to attract federal talent to local government in the Capital Region. Talent Capital (https://talentcapital.ai/) o ers training, coaching and support, networking opportunities and job listings specically targeted at talent with federal experience. ◆
No Settlement Agreement With Proper Exotic
ANC 6A REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Mike Velasquez Steps Down
M“With mixed emotions,” Mike Velasquez announced his resignation as representative of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A02 at the Oct. 9 meeting. His resignation is e ective Oct. 31. Velasquez’s SMD covers the block south of H Street between Seventh and 11th Street NE, two blocks south of H Street between 11th and 13th Streets NE and ve blocks north of H between Seventh and Tenth Streets NE.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Oct. 9 with Commissioner Mike Velasquez (6A02) presiding. Commissioners Paul Spires (6A01, Vice-Chair), and Roberta Shapiro (6A03, treasurer), Je Giertz (6A06, Secretary) and Stephen Kolb (6A07) were in attendance. Amber Gove (6A04, Vice Chair/Parliamentarian) and Dave Wethington (6A05, Chair) were absent.
usa Al Najah, owner of Proper Exotic (313 Eighth Street NE) requested support for his application to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) for a medical cannabis dispensary license, touting a draft settlement agreement (SA) with the ANC.
ANC Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Committee Chair Velasquez noted that the ANC had protested the application in February. The ANC speci cally challenged the location of a cannabis facility so close to child care facilities. However, ABCA advised the ANC that the location is legal according to statute, meaning that is not grounds for opposition. An SA is the best method for the community to ameliorate any concerns they have with the facility should ABCA grant them a license, which seems likely, Velasquez said. Shapiro said that the current law as interpreted by ABCA allows for no legal way to block the license. However, community members objected to a SA, urging the ANC to ght the license. Some argued that the ANC should ask the O ce of the Attorney General (OAG) to look into ABCA’s interpretation of the law, arguing the restriction on cannabis facilities within 300 feet of schools or recreation centers should include child care facilities.
Commission Kolb said that the ANC had looked into involving OAG. He said they found that if they challenged the way ABCA worked, OAG would represent the agency rather than the ANC or the public.
The ANC has worked with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) to change the law, but Allen was having di culty getting buy-in from council, Velasquez said.
Residents pointed out their resistance to the applicant and asked Al Najah why he wanted to open anyway. Al Najah said he has a lease he cannot break. Shapiro opposed an SA, saying she wanted to draw a line in the sand to make clear that the ANC opposes the location of a cannabis facility so close to day cares and businesses serving children. Most commissioners appeared to agree. A motion to protest a medical cannabis license for Proper Exotic unless a settlement agreement is reached with the applicant failed. A previous protest, sent to ABCA in February, remains in e ect.
Velasquez said that he was stepping away from the role on the ANC, but not away from the neighborhood. The demands of parenting two teenagers required more of his time and energy than ever before, he explained, stretching his energy beyond what the role deserves.
First elected in 2023, Velasquez served as the Chair of the ANC Alcohol, Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Committee. In comments made while announcing his resignation, he pointed to successes in welcoming more than a dozen new bars and restaurants to the H Street corridor.
Commissioner Roberta Shapiro thanked Velasquez for his work. Expressing her empathy for the trials of adolescence, she told Velasquez that he would leave “a huge hole in this ANC.” The DC Board of Elections will le the vacancy with the DC Register after Oct. 31. Once the Board has done so, quali ed candidates for ANC 6A02 may le petitions with the board. Learn more and check the vacancy list at dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners
Opposition to “Rewarded Blight”
The ANC voted to send a letter to the DC Council, Department of Buildings (DOB) Director Brian Hanlon, with copies to Dila Developments, OAG and ANC 6C expressing concern about the delays in developing property along 10001014 H St. NE. The letter notes Dila Developments terminated leases at 1000-1014 H St.NE several years ago in order to develop the property, but it has remained vacant and periodically vandalized.
ANC 6A has granted several extensions to various requirements in order for the work to start. Then, Dila withdrew plans, citing a lack of funding. But the developers are building condominiums at 901 Third St. NE in ANC 6C. The letter calls it “disturbing” that a developer responsible for the continued blight of nearly an entire block of H Street would be “rewarded” with approvals to develop at another location.
In Other Business
The ANC voted to:
• support the renewal of a Class
C Tavern Licenses for the following applicants:
• support the renewal of a Class C Tavern License for Paste and Rind at 904 H St. NE;
• support the renewal of a Class C Tavern License for The Queen Vic at 1206 H St. NE;
• support the renewal of a Class C Tavern License for Nomad Hookah Bar at 1200 H St. NE including a sidewalk endorsement.
• write to DOB in support of a DC Public Schools (SCPS) application for an after-hours work permit for Goding Elementary School (920 F St. NE) for work on Sundays and holidays. The application will allow the Department of General Services (DGS) to complete work repairing a foundation wall before the weather becomes too cold to pour concrete.
ANC 6A generally meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month, except August. The next meeting of the full commission is set for Nov. 13. Find the full calendar and the link to join by visiting anc6a.org u
the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, and H Street communities
ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, virtually on Zoom.
ALL ARE WELCOME
**The next meeting is 2nd Thursday, November 13, 7:00 p.m.**
Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting 3rd Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Economic Development & Zoning Committee meeting 3rd Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Community Outreach Committee meeting 4th Monday, November 24, 7:00 p.m.
We seek community-minded 6A residents interested in joining ANC 6A committees. Visit anc6a.org or email 6A06@anc.dc.gov for more information.
Instructions for accessing the meeting via Zoom have been posted under Hot Topics at anc6a.org. Call in information will be posted under Community Calendar at anc6a.org 24 hours prior to the meeting. You will be able to enter the
Representing the Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and the RFK Stadium Complex.
Virtual Login: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/82241 895770?pwd=30xgxP1oqOWhDHUuXw1vbrC1 rYieSe.1 and enter password: anc7d
Brian Alcorn, Chairperson 7D08 – Capitol Hill 7d08@anc.dc.gov
Dev Myers, Secretary 7D10 – Hill East 7d10@anc.dc.gov
Artilie Wright 7D03 – Parkside 7d03@anc.dc.gov
Katie Murphy 7D04 – River Terace 7d04@anc.dc.gov
Ebony Payne 7D05 – Kingman Park 7d05@anc.dc.gov
Ashley Schapitl 7D09 – Hill East 7d09@anc.dc.gov
Vacant SMD 7D02 – Mayfair 7d@anc.dc.gov
Vacant SMD 7D06 – Rosedale 7d@anc.dc.gov
ANC 6A voted against a settlement agreement with Proper Exotic, with commissioners saying they wanted to draw “a line in the sand” about the location’s proximity to child care facilities. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN
Opposition to Historic Designation for Chisholm
ANC 6B REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person Weds, Oct. 15 at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. On the dais: Tyler Wolanin (6B01); Gerald “Jerry” Sroufe (6B02); David Sobelsohn (6B03, Secretary); Brian Gorman (6B04); Samuel Pastore (6B05); Anna Krebs (6B06, Treasurer); Vince Mareino (6B07, Chair); Edward Ryder (6B08, Vice Chair) and Karen Hughes (6B09).
Greg Zielinski from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Chisholm Elementary (1001 G St. SE) asked the ANC to weigh in against the historic preservation of a part of the school during the upcoming modernization process. Chisholm Elementary is slated for construction in 2026. The building has suffered serious issues over the last decade, including a gas leak requiring evacuation last year, sewage leaks in the library and poorly maintained brick exterior features. When the building went through review by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) advised DC Public Schools and Department of General Services (DGS) that the 1949 portion of the school should be preserved, despite the fact that the official period of significance requires preservation of buildings constructed before 1945, Zielinski noted.
Zielinski said that the move to preserve the 1949 section is essentially the default position taken by HPO: that all schools built between 1867 and 1960 are “eligible” for preservation. However, research undertaken by school community members indicates that schools hurriedly built from 1940 to 1945, a period when DC’s population boomed, were of particularly low quality due to materials shortages and were not intended to be used forever. That construction was criticized at the time, he added.
A historic designation limits the design op-
tions possible to address the current and future needs of the school, Zielinski said. Families do not see a justification for the requirement. Chisholm parent and former ANC 6B commissioner Nick Burger said DCPS and DGS decided to preemptively defer to HPO guidance before a HPRB hearing. The agencies argued the decision is in the community’s interest. Zielinski said that they have more than 100 signatures of Chisholm comment members to their opposition letter. Commissioner Mareino said that Chisholm was getting different treatment than other elementary schools such as Watkins and Brent, which were not limited by historic considerations.
The ANC unanimously supported sending a letter to DCPS, DGS, HPRB and Councilmember Charles Allen (D) urging that Shirley Chisholm Elementary not be classified as a historic building in support of a better design for students.
DC National Guard Director Grilled
Director of DC National Guard Marcus Hunt offered the use of National Guardsman to the ANC for beautification projects. During an ANC Executive Board meeting the previous week, the ANC had voted not to add Hunt to the agenda as a presentation or a voting item. But after persistence from Commissioner Sobelsohn at the Oct. 15 meeting and with a large number of attendees there to hear from Hunt, he was allowed twenty minutes during community speak out.
Hunt’s offer was met with a barrage of questions from attendees and commissioners, most skeptical of the presence of the National Guard in the District. Hunt deflected all questions related to what he called “Operation Safety,” referring those to Master Sgt. Arthur Mondale Wright, State Public Affairs Officer (PAO), District of Columbia National Guard at arthur.m.wright.gov@army.mil
One attendee asked if Hunt truly believed there was a beautification emergency. Hunt said that determination wasn’t within the jurisdiction of the National Guard. Asked if the Guard answers to the Constitution or the President, Hunt at first alluded to the President before confirming that the troops “follow law forms.” When asked by attendees who paid him to go from ANC to ANC meeting offering National Guard services to the ANCs, Hunt said that it was the District Government.
But speaking at a Southwest AARP event that same day, Mayor Muriel Bowser said there was no need to use National Guard for beautification, attendees pointed out. They challenged Hunt’s explanation and expressed skepticism about his authority and relationship to the District administration.
ANC 6B asked Mayors Office of Community Relations and Services Noah Glasgow to clarify Hunt’s role vis-a-vis the District government and the National Guard. They also asked Glasgow to find out whether the lead of his District department, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsay Appiah, had sanctioned Hunt’s offer of the National Guard to ANCs for beautification purposes. Sobelsohn pointed out that if she had, it goes against Mayor Bowser’s publicly expressed view that the National Guard shouldn’t be used for landscaping but also implies that the Mayor wants ANCs to consider the offer. If she hadn’t, Sobelsohn said, it should be clear who had granted Hunt the authority to do so. Glasgow agreed to find out.
A resolution to refer Hunt’s offer to the ANC Parks and Public Space and Public Safety Committees failed for lack of a second.
In Other Business
The ANC voted to support:
• support a Class “C” Tavern license for Awakening Bar & Grill at 520 Eighth St. SE in the former Extreme Pizza building, pending signing of Settlement Agreement (SA);
• support a license r enewal for Ginza BBQ Lounge & Karaoke Spot at 526 8th Street SE (ABRA-120833) with entertainment and summer garden endorsements;
• support a license for Omakase @ Barracks Row at 522 8th Street SE (ABRA-125827);
• w rite to DPR and DGS asking for a status report on the renovation of Rumsey Aquatic Center.
ANC 6B generally meets the second Tuesday of each month. Most Ward 6 ANCs do not meet in August. NOTE: the next regular meeting of the full ANC will be a hybrid online and in-person meeting held at 7 p.m. Nov. 12, to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, other events. See calendar and get information on how to join at anc6b.org u
by Elizabeth O’gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met on Oct. 8, 2025 via Webex. The following were on the virtual dais: Jeremiah Foxwell (6C01), Karen Wirt (6C02, chair); Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, vice-chair); Daniela McInerney (6C05); Andrew Hayes (6C06, secretary) and Tony Goodman (6C07). Jay Adelstein (6C03, treasurer) was traveling.
Marcus Hunt, Director of the DC National Guard, o ered the commission beauti cation assistance. Hunt is the District liaison between Commanding Brigadier General Leland Blanchard and Public Safety and Justice Deputy Mayor Lindsay Appiah, he stated. A third-generation Washingtonian who currently resides in Ward 8, Hunt has served three tours of duty including during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The DC National Guard has two missions, Hunt said. The Air Force Mission is out of Joint Base Andrews and uses F16s to patrol the skies to protect the Capital area from aerial threats. The US Army mission is based at the DC Armory.
The DC National Guard is the only one of the 54 states and territories Guards that reports to the President of the United States, Hunt noted. The governor has
fully autonomy and authority over the guards in states, but in DC the authority is delegated to the President via the Secretary of Defense.
Hunt told commissioners that he was only present to discuss beautification, referring all questions about Operation Safety to Master Sergeant Wright. The beautification mission is going out with the community, planting and picking up trash at the invitation of ANC Commissioners. A half dozen Ward 8 commissioners have invited the National Guard out to do community clean up and youth mentorship, Hunt said, touting youth programs such as the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy. That is targeted towards teenagers at risk, teens between the ages of 15 and a half through 18. A free, quasi-military program, designed to instill discipline and physical fitness in teens interacting with DYRS, the program gives youth an opportunity to do credit and earn GED certificates.
ect. The nonprofit is based in Union Station and works primarily with unhoused neighbors. They are requesting $5,000 to provide certificate training in CPR, first aid, Narcan and opioid administration, as well as certificates in the management of aggressive behavior and emergency response. Employment and resume assistance will also be available. The trainings are administered by certified entities working with H3 and are designed to assist unhoused residents but would be available to all, said Grants Committee Chair Victoria Lord.
On Consent
Commissioner Foxwell asked if the National Guard could help with safe passage across H Street for students at Ludlow Taylor. However, Commissioner McInerney interjected, noting that community members were alarmed when armed and uniformed National Guard were patrolling the area around the school during drop off and pick up earlier in the year. There was no notice to the school community, McInerney said. She said that if such support were provided the National Guard should be in civilian uniform rather than fully armed. Hunt referred inquiries around safety to Wright.
Commissioner Hayes asked if the National Guard can conduct civilian operations in civilian gear. While he appreciated the offer from Hunt, Hayes did not think it appropriate to accept support that could further the perception that DC is living in a police state, calling it “seriously disturbing”. There was no vote on the matter.
Training Grant Approved
The ANC unanimously supported an application to the ANC 6C Grants Committee from H3 Proj-
The commission voted to protest a renewal of a retail liquor license for Lost Sock Roaster (1100 Fourth St. NE) in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA). The applicant wishes to offer bottles of wine for retail sale but not on site consumption. The license in question is a Class B retail grocery license. Alcohol Beverage Committee (ABC) Chair Drew Courtney said that the applicant would need to work out whether they met the criteria to hold that license with ABCA.
The commission opposed a Historic Preservation Application (HPA) to construct a third floor addition and add a second floor at the front of a home at 605 Constitution Ave. NE. ANC 6C first heard the application in June. Neighbors have been opposed to the application largely because of the second floor addition at front, but Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Chair Mark Eckenwiler noted that the recommendation to build there came from the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), putting the applicant in a difficult place.
ANC 6C supported a Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application for special exceptions and an area variance allowing the applicant to subdivide an alley lot at 304-308 K St. NE into three separate lots and to construct three semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling units in the RF-1 zone.
ANC 6C generally meets via Webex on the second Wednesday of every month. Most Ward 6 ANCs, including ANC 6C, do not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12. See the full calendar of meetings and instructions to join at anc6c.org. u
First District
Commander Hall Visits
ANC 6D REPORT
by Andrew Lightman
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on Oct. 20 in person. Commissioners Gottlieb Simon (6D02, chair), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Chearie Phelps-El (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, vice chair), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, treasurer) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08, secretary) were in attendance. Marquell Washington (6DO1) was absent.
Metropolitan Police Dept. (MPD) First District Commander Colin Hall briefed the commission on public safety with the assistance of Captain Adam Crist. Overall crime in DC has decreased by 13 percent, Hall said. The situation in the First District mimics that citywide decrease. The First District’s main focus has been robberies and stolen autos. The First District has secured significant double-digit reductions in both crimes, he said.
There was a gunfight after an altercation among students after Richard Wright and Washington Global Public Charter Schools let out in the afternoon on Sixth Street SW, Hall said. One of the bullets pieced the windows of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. MPD has not made an arrest in the case.
Large groups of juveniles have been a persistent problem at the Waterfront Metro, The Wharf, Union Station and The Navy Yard, Hall stated. Policing such gatherings is very resource intensive, the commander said. The weekend of Oct. 18, a large group of more than a hundred young people gathered first at the Waterfront Metro and then moved to The Navy Yard, he said.
MPD is committed to enforcing Vision Zero,
Marcus Hunt, Director of the DC National Guard visited multiple ANCs to offer guardsman assistance with beautification projects. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN
Halls stated. “People complain when we enforce tra c and when we don’t,” he said. These checkpoints are not new. They are a proven method of reducing tra c fatalities, he said. The more recent checkpoints do not involve federal o cers.
What is the real purpose of tra c compliance checkpoints such as the recent one on the 300 block of M Street SW? asked Vice Chair Levine. The operation yielded ve arrests, Hall said. These operations require a lot of resources due to the inherent danger of tra c stops and the need to provide safe areas for drivers to pull over.
There are concerns about masked police in Southwest, stated Levine and Treasurer Kramer. MPD o cers do not mask to hide their identities, although they may mask for medical reasons. MPD o cers display their badges and wear body cameras, he added.
Federal o cers are still patrolling with MPD, Hall said. For the most part, MPD serves as lead and is directing their deployment in higher crime areas, he added. The MPD ocers serve as community liaisons in these situations and are available to answer community questions. “For us, it is an additional resource,” Hall said. What is happening with the groups of men hanging out at the Duck Pond entrance on Makemie Place SW during the day around noon? asked Commissioner Fast. MPD is aware of the group, Hall replied. “We are monitoring them,” he added. Hall encouraged neighbors to provide photographs, videos or information on the matter.
“I appreciate your listserv communications,” stated Chair Simon.
ABC Matters
Vice Chair of the ANC 6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee (ABC Committee) Laura DiAngelo briefed the commission on license matters.
The ABC Committee recommended taking no action, said DiAngleo, on the following license renewals due to the existence of settlement agreements:
• Zooz at 636 Maine Ave. SW;
• Pearl Street Warehouse at 33 Pearl St. SW;
• Rappahannock Oyster Bar at 1100 Maine Ave. SW;
• Thrashers Rum Distillery at 1130 Maine Ave. SW.
Love 420, a medical cannabis dispensary located in Buzzard Point, requested an endorsement to their cannabis license for a safe-use summer garden. The commission voted to protest on the grounds of peace, order and quiet.
PUD Renewal for 801 Maine Avenues
Jair Lynch Development Manager Malcom N. Haith asked the commission to support their request to the DC Zoning Commission (DCZC) for a one-year extension of their Planned Unit Development at 801 Maine Ave. SW. The future address of the project will be 899 Maine Ave. SW. The issue is nancing, Haith stated.
Neighbors at the nearby Capitol Square townhomes remain concerned about construction management, the impact of the raising of the old structure and tra c issues, stated Erin Berg, a representative of homeowner’s association. “At this stage, the community just wants it over with,” said Berg.
Commissioners Pawley and Fast urged the commission to support the extension, given the DCZC is unlikely to reexamine the project. Chair Simon and Treasurer Kramer both suggested taking no action, since the developer has not o ered to renegotiate earlier objections to the project.
“I assume the Zoning Commission will simply approve the extension, so what is the point of objecting? stated Kramer rhetorically.
The commission voted to postpone the matter with Commissioner Fast voting in opposition to the matter.
FY26 Budget
The commission considered the adoption of its FY26 Budget. A more traditional presentation would include a comparison of the previous year’s expenditures, said Commissioner Pawley. This one does not, she observed.
Given the large amount in the ANC’s account, Commission Fast suggested that some
In lieu of skeletons and pumpkins, and,
The Second Coming
BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
In the olde days when hippies roamed . . .
We had a book, the Whole Earth Catalog. With witty words it made directives like ones to grow food, build shelters, save water. (one of my favorites, “Save water, Shower together!”) Food is a necessity, Water is essential, Housing is safety. These things are still true.
Grow Food, Improve your Home, Save Water! (money too) and enjoy yourself! And Yes, The Smith Team
unspecified monies be put aside for community grants.
The commission voted to table the matter until the following meeting when a more traditional budget presentation would be available and approved a continuing resolution in the interim.
Other Matters
The commission invited Washinton Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ( WMATA) representatives from the Better Bus Program to attend their October meeting. However, there were scheduling conflicts. However, DDOT and WMATA welcome feedback, said Chair Simon. They adjust the system every six months, He reported. Commissioners Fast, Hamilton and Krammer all reiterated complaints about bus frequency, routing and traffic safety.
The commission voted to write to Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) objecting to Pepco’s plans for the renovation of the shuttered Pepco Buzzard Point Plant and its adjacent electrical substation and asking for his assistance in the matter.
The commission unanimously agreed to support the America’s Trot for Hunger 5k and the Little Turkey 1-Miler on Thanksgiving Day.
The commission unanimously approved it FY25 Fourth Quarter Financial Report.
ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is Nov. via Zoom. For more information visit www.anc6d.org. u
(7D05), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, chair), Ashley Schapitl (7D09) and Dev Myers (7D10, secretary) were in attendance. Single Member Districts (SMD) 7D02 and 7D06 remain vacant.
ProLogis representatives asked the commission to support three new proposed curb cuts to allow access to their property on the site of the old Benning Road Pepco power plant. In December 2023, the company, which specializes in supply chain warehouses, purchased 10 acres from Pepco. ProLogis plans to construct more than 150,000 square feet of warehouse space, 104 vehicle parking spaces and 42 loading berths.
ProLogis proposed two permanent curb cuts along Anacostia Avenue NE. The company also plans to install a temporary traffic signal along Benning Road NE to allow direct access to the site during Anacostia Avenue bridge work. Following the bridge project’s completion, the Benning Road signal would be removed and site access would be limited to Anacostia Avenue NE.
“We’ve heard from the community,” legal counsel for ProLogis Meridith Moldenhauer said, emphasizing that no vehicular access to the site would come from nearby Foote Street NE.
Commissioner Murphy questioned where the temporary signal would be implemented? The temporary traffic measure would be installed on Benning Road NE near the Shell gas station at 3355 Benning Rd. NE, Moldenhauer confirmed.
“DDOT does not want to allow left-hand turns into the Shell station,” said Moldenhauer. “There will be a signal to provide more safety and security.”
Large trucks and trailers, Commissioner Wright said, are of concern to the community. The site’s location, “adjacent and sandwiched in between two very residential communities,” present concerns about noise and pollution, Wright added. She also questioned how the site would impact local traffic patterns, particularly if developers anticipated large trucks to back up along Benning Road NE.
While warehouse tenants have yet to be identified, ProLogis plans to return to the commission additional, specific information about these concerns in the future.
Emphasizing the community’s interest in eco-friendly construction practices, Commissioner Alcorn expressed excitement about positive development and use of the facility. “Certainly, we do want to see it consistent with what the community would like to see, as well as with sustainable practices,” he added
The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
Office of Planning Community Planner, Alex Freedman, shared updates to DC 2050: a rewrite of the District’s Comprehensive Plan. This “long-range vision for the growth and development of the District as a whole” will serve as an “umbrella plan” for all other district agencies, Freedman shared. The plan aims to shape equitable policies on housing, transportation, environmental protection and more. The project hopes to begin implementation by 2028. Community members are invited to attend in-person workshops this fall on Nov. 6, and Nov. 15, at the Office of Planning at 899 N Capitol St. NE. Visit dc2050.dc.gov to learn more. President of the Ward 7 State Board of Education (SBOE) Eboni-Rose Thompson shared information about the High School Graduation Task Force. This group of residents, students, teachers and employers will work collaboratively to review and amend graduation requirements. Thompson hopes the task force will ensure that students at the River Terrace Education Campus have the opportunity to graduate with a diploma, create clearer pathway for students to access trade and career education and “lift up voices of residents” across the city.
Ward 7 Community Engagement Specialist for DDOT, Kisha Anderson, briefed commissioners on the Nash Street NE pedestrian bridge demolition project. The bridge had a low clearance leading it to be struck by several trucks and it was “not usable,” according to Anderson. Constriction began in mid-October and is estimated to take four months to complete. Work will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The commission voted to:
• support the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application with special exceptions to construct a two-story with basement rear addition at 307 15th St. NE;
• support the BZA application with special exceptions to construct a third story addition to a row home at 1828 Massachusetts St. SE;
• elect Commissioner Joshua Taborn (7D01) to serve as the commission’s vice chair following former Commissioner Marc Friend’s resignation in September;
• appoint Meredith Holmgren, a resident of SMD 7D05, as the community chairperson for the commission’s Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee.
ANC 7D will meet next on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. You can learn more about the commission and register to attend at 7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1. Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u
Crossing DC Community Benefits Allocated
ANC 6/8F REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6/8F met both in-person at 250 M St. SE and on line via Zoom Oct. 21. On the dias were Commissioners Vice Chair Markita Bryant (6/8F02), Chair Brian Strege (6/8F03), Secretary Edward Daniels (6/8F04) and Treasurer Nic Wilson (6/8F01). There is a vacancy in 6/8F05 as of Sept. 15.
Capitol Riverfront BID Vice President of Planning and Public Spaces Ted Jutras presented a proposal for use of $106,000 in community benefits. $100,000 was allocated as part of an agreement with Tishman Speyer for construction of Crossing DC, Commissioner Daniels explained as background. The funds have since made about $6,000 in interest. The building was completed in 2020 and the benefits were designated to go to a community nonprofit.
The agreement was negotiated with ANC 6D in 2008, but Crossing DC was redistricted into ANC 6/8F in 2020, delaying the dispersal of funds. The funds can be transferred to the community for public benefit via the Capitol Riverfront’s Parks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 2017 to support and enhance public space in the neighborhood, Daniels said.
Jutras said the foundation is hoping to use the funds to support two projects. The first is a semi-permanent activation concept for Tingey Plaza. That site is allocated to affordable hous-
ing, but construction is on hold pending funding. The foundation wants to use it as gathering space in the interim, planning a winter market and celebration in December. The space would be outfitted in a way that made it flexible for markets, concerts, performances and showcases. The foundation hopes to activate the space for at least six months of the year with events that are largely free and open to the public.
The second concept is artistic fence wrapping on the space between New Jersey Avenue and Second Street SE. Currently a vacant lot, the idea is that the art would make the space contribute rather than detract from the community. Jutras said the foundation would work with the community to get ideas and concepts for the work.
The total cost of these two projects is about $165,000 and so would not be fully funded by community benefits funds, Jutras added. The Capitol Riverfront BID will partner with the Parks Foundation to bring the projects to life. The $6,200 in earned interest is earmarked for use at Van Ness Elementary (1150 Fifth St. SE).
The ANC voted 3-0-1 to ask the bank to disperse $100,000 of the funds in escrow to the Riverfront Parks Foundation and the remainder to Van Ness Elementary. Daniels abstained from the vote, noting that he has worked as a vendor for the BID.
Support for Living Classrooms
Representatives from Living Classrooms presented the design of their new building to get support prior to a design review for use approval by the DC Zoning Commission. The project requires a special exception due to its location within the floodplain because it is an educational and restaurant use in Yards Park, the team said.
Living classrooms focuses on environmental education, workforce development and building healthy communities. The nonprofit currently operates out of Kingman Island and primarily Title 1 schools throughout the District. Living Classrooms is planning a three-story, wood-andglass pavilion that will allow them to expand their programming right on the shores of the Anacostia River in Navy Yard. The building would allow them to expand offerings. It was first presented to the ANC strictly for information purposes in May.
The proposed design is a pavilion structure, in appearance and scale similar to the lumber shed and the District Winery building with wood, glass and dark metal elements. The threestory 17,000 square foot building will be on the boardwalk at Fifth Street SE, south of the Navy Yard power plant. Each story is set on an angle to the one below, creating outdoor spaces on each floor as well as varied views from windows on all sides except those facing north, for reasons of Navy Yard security.
The first floor includes the lobby, locker rooms for the Marina and a kitchen and dining room for culinary training in the adult Workforce Development Program. Above are offices, music and technology spaces and classrooms for younger students. The top floor holds flexible space that can be used for events or fundraisers or subdivided for classroom and workforce development space. There is a green roof on top and a mechanical penthouse.
Commissioners voted unanimously to support the design review and the application for special exception and uses.
In Other Business
The commission voted to support a completed petition presented by Commissioner Wilson for Residential Parking Program around Capitol Quarter, located on the 300 block of I Street, 300 block of K Street and the 400 block of Virginia Avenue SE. The petition is intended to address parking concerns as a result of Department of Transportation signage changes that reduced parking spots in the area.
The commission protested a liquor license renewal applications to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Commissioner (ABCA) in pursuit of a Settlement agreement (SA) with: Vida Penthouse Pool and Lounge at 1212 Fourth St. SE, Albi Maxwell at 1346 Fourth St. SE, Homewood Suites at 50 M St. SE and Atlas Brew Works at 1201 Half St. SE, Ste. 120.
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. Nov. 18. Find more information and how to join at anc8F.org. u
Bulletin Board
Friends of
the National Arboretum Fall
5k
On Sunday, Nov. 9, 8:30 to 11 a.m., enjoy autumn at the US National Arboretum during FONA’s Fall 5k. This run or walk will take you past garden collections brightly colored with fall foliage, over tree-lined rolling hills, and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River. All roads are closed to cars during this race so you can safely enjoy running or walking through this 451-acre urban green space. A professional race announcer will call out runners as they cross the finish line and there will be music before and after the event to get you in the groove. Strollers and dogs are welcome, but dogs must stay on a 6’ non-retractable leash. Race tickets are $45 to $60; kids under 13, free. fona.org/events_programs.
Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Lighting
On Saturday, Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m., join the Capitol Hill BID for the 19th Annual Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Lighting. Their “Men in Blue” will serve hot chocolate and doughnuts while local musical groups perform. All festivities will be held at the tree known as “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza (corner of Seventh and D streets SE). Members of the Didden family will flip the switch to illuminate the tree that was planted to honor the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community. capitolhillbid.org.
DC’s Four Outdoor Ice Rinks Open this Month
They are: the Canal Park Ice Rink at 200 M St. SW. (skatecanalpark.com); the Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. (nga. gov/ice-rink-sculpture-garden.); the Wharf Ice Rink at 970 Wharf Street SW. (wharfdc.com/wharf-ice-rink); and the Washington Harbor Ice Rink between 3000 and 3050 K St. NW. (thewashingtonharbour.com/ice-skating). At press time, opening dates have not been announced.
St. Joseph’s Restored Pipe Organ at Preservation Cafe
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society presents a free, in-person Preservation Cafe about the full restoration and return of the church’s historic pipe organ on Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 313 Second St. NE. The talk will include information about the 1891 Hook & Hastings organ as well as the history of St. Joseph’s, which was founded in the 1860s by a community of German immigrants. Please RSVP through Eventbrite. chrs.org.
The Atlas Presents: Broadway Masterclass
On Saturday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m., get a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (Lab Theatre I), 1333 H St. NE. Broadway stars Christine Dwyer (Wicked, Waitress) and Matt DeAngelis (Hair, Waitress, American Idiot) lead a master class with students from The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts. The public is invited to observe as they coach participants on performance, stage presence, and storytelling. The session concludes with a mini-concert featuring both artists. Recommended for ages 13+. Free tickets: atlasarts.org.
Inaugural Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at Hill Center
Through March 27, 2026, Hill Center’s Inaugural Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition brings a new showcase for sculpture to Washington, DC. Set amid the gardens of the Old Naval Hospital, the works balance whimsy, craftsmanship, and respect for nature through materials such as steel, forged iron, and wood. Titled the John Franzén Gathering Terrace & Hill Center Galleries Sculpture Gar-
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource
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
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 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.
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.
www.DCHFA.org
Veterans Day Observance at Arlington Cemetery
The annual National Veterans Day Observance to honor all veterans who served and continue to serve, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the Memorial Amphitheater no later than 9:30 a.m. Here’s the schedule: 8 a.m., Arlington Cemetery opens; 10:15 a.m., last shuttle from welcome center departs to Amphitheater; 10:30 a.m., prelude concert; 11 a.m., wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; 11:05 a.m. to noon, National Observance Program at the Memorial Amphitheater. Free parking is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center parking garage. arlingtoncemetery.mil.
den, the exhibit pays tribute to Hill Center’s historic cast-iron fencing, transforming forged and welded steel into expressive, conceptual works. The pieces invite reflection on nature in a lush urban garden. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.
Music on the Hill’s “MOTH After Dark” Birthday Bash and Community Food Drive
Music on the Hill has announced that its 12th birthday celebration, “MOTH After Dark,” is taking place on Saturday, Nov. 15, 6 to 9 p.m., at 801 D St. NE. This festive evening features arts and crafts, a rummage sale, raffle giveaways, and light refreshments. Support the Capital Area Food Bankand bring nonperishable donations to support local families in need. Win instruments, group-class packages, and music accessories. The rummage sale will offer deals on pre-loved instruments and gear with proceeds supporting community music programs. “MOTH After Dark” is free and open to the public. musiconthehilldc.com.
Ask Tom Sietsema (almost) Anything Live & in Person
Comfort and Conveniences in Capitol Hill Row Houses
Heating, lighting, and plumbing provide comfort and convenience to the modern home. How did the historic row houses of Capitol Hill accommodate these modern inventions? On Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. (seating begins at 6:30 p.m.), at the Overbeck History Lecture at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, architectural historian and author Alison K. Hoagland highlights how people’s houses and lives changed in the decades after the Civil War. As fireplaces evolved into central heating, lamps became electrified, and outdoor privies moved indoors, new designs of row houses were called for, influenced by changing ideas about sanitation. This examination of heating, lighting, and plumbing will also look at the broader ideas concerning public health as well as the specifics of introducing new facilities into row houses with an emphasis on Capitol Hill. Admission is free but a reservation is requested. hillcenterdc.org.
Tom Sietsema was the food critic for The Washington Post, for almost 26 years. He recently announced his retirement—no more dining out at 10 meals a week. Before his tenure at The Post, where he won various honors including a 2016 James Beard Award, Sietsema wrote for Microsoft, the San Francisco Chronicle, and publications nationwide. His byline has appeared in Gourmet, GQ, Travel and Leisure, and elsewhere. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Sietsema dishes on the DC dining scene with food maven Carla Hall. $10. hillcenterdc.org.
Covenant House’s Sleep Out: Washington, DC
The annual Covenant House Sleep Out is on Thursday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. to Friday morning, Nov. 21. Sleep Out is a rain or shine event. Young people on the street don’t always have a place to seek refuge until they find Covenant House. During the Sleep Out, the same goes for you. As long as it is safe to be outdoors, they encourage you to remain there, however they
I Too Am America: A Generative Poetry Writing Workshop at MLK Library
On Saturdays, Nov. 15, Dec. 13 and Jan. 10; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., at MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, join the Library and Story Tapestries for three poetry workshops inspired by the life and works of Langston Hughes. Participants will write together and share their poetry in a nurturing environment. This event is for all ages and poets of all levels and is free with registration. Select participants will have their poems published in a digital format for Langston Hughes’ birthday, February 1, 2026, highlighting DC’s diversity and resilience. Register at dclibrary. libnet.info/event/14812844.
will always have indoor space available if needed. When you Sleep Out, you’re supporting young people right in your local community. Read more and register at sleepout.org/ pages/2366?eventID=1103.
Tree Planting Season Begins
DDOT has announced the start of the 2025-2026 tree planting sea-
Langston Hughes by Winold Reiss, 2024.
son, with plans to plant several thousand trees across the District. These efforts both replace trees that have been removed and expand the canopy in new locations identified as suitable for growth. Planting new trees improves the quality of life for Washingtonians by cleaning the air and water, beautifying streets, calming traffic, and strengthening community spaces. Request a new tree on your street, city park, or recreation center using texting 311, calling 311 or 311.dc.gov. Free trees also are available for your yard.
Find Love For Your Single Friends
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Bridge District (633 Howard Rd. SE) hosts Cuffing Season: Pitch a Friend, a happy hour where singles and their friends search for love. This live dating show lets guests take the stage and use a short PowerPoint to pitch their single friends as the perfect catch. Emceed by local influencer Onose, each presenter gets two to three minutes to make their case. With brews from Atlas Brew Works, local food trucks, and plenty of laughs, the audience can play matchmaker–or join the fun themselves. Free admission; register at eventbrite.com.
SW Waterfront AARP Monthly Meeting
The Southwest Waterfront AARP invites the Washington, DC senior community, their families, friends, and neighbors to the meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at noon, at River Park Mutual Homes, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. Guest speaker is First District Commander Colin Hall of the Metro-
America’s Trot for Hunger on Thanksgiving Morning
Be part of a time-honored DC tradition at SOME’s (So Others Might Eat) annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger 5k on Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th St. NW. Race morning check-in is at 6:30 a.m.; Little Turkey One-Miler is at 7:30 a.m.; 5k waves begin at 8:15 a.m. The route runs along Pennsylvania Avenue and is an official 5k course and is timed and certified by USATF. Registration is $65; $15 for Little Turkey One-Miler for ages ten and under. Best dressed turkey contest is at 9:30 a.m. Roads reopen at 10:30 a.m. Funds raised from America’s Trot for Hunger help benefit thousands of families and the elderly, by providing much-needed food, housing, access to healthcare and employment training. trotforhunger.org.
politan Police Department. The subject is public safety. Lunch is $5. Contact Betty Jean Tolbert Jones, Vice President of Programs at jonesbettytolbert@gmail.com with questions.
10th Anniversary of LDS Chapel Open House
On Nov. 15, at 3 to 5 p.m., the community is invited to the chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 522 Seventh St. SE, for an open house and short program of interfaith speakers, music and a plug for Good Neighbors Capitol Hill (from 4 to 4:30 p.m.). The event is to help fundraise for Good Neighbors Capitol Hill, an organization focused on refugee resettlement.
Community Forklift’s Donation Wish List
Community Forklift (reuse warehouse), 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston, MD, accepts donations of a wide range of items and is now looking for some that are in high demand. They are particularly looking for donations of wall and floor tile, appliances, small solid wood furniture, window A/C units, decor and artwork and cabinet sets. If you have questions, contact their donations team at Donations@CommunityForklift.org or 301-985-5180. communityforklift.org.
Thanksgiving Services at the National Shrine
On Thursday, Nov. 27, you are invited to attend Holy Mass at the National Shrine at 8 a.m. and noon. There are no confessions and the Shrine Shops will be closed. The church will close at 3 p.m. nationalshrine. org. On Thursday, Nov. 27, attend Thanksgiving services at the National Cathedral from 10 to 11 a.m. This service is not a Eucharist. ASL interpretation is offered for this service. cathedral.org.
Project GiveBack ‘25 at the DC Armory
On Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol St., SE, the Project GiveBack Thanksgiving Food Distribution (held on the weekend prior to Thanksgiving) provides food baskets to needy families during the holiday season. Learn more and register to volunteer at projectgiveback.org.
Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board? The Hill Rag Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send it your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u
The Fall Garden
Plant Some Bulbs
article and photos by Annette Nielsen
Prepping the soil and planting bulbs in fall shows optimism and confidence in another growing season. Advance planning, especially when you still have a memory for what you grew and harvested this year, is helpful in thinking about changes or enhancements you might want to make in the next go around. Before your indoor chores are competing for garden cleanup time, it’s important to pay attention to how you wind down your garden space and maybe plant some tulips or daffodils, or for a culinary addition, some garlic or shallots. Your future self will thank you.
Make a Plan
As urban dwellers, we may be more inclined to think of spring as the time to plan and prepare our gar-
den beds, sow seeds and plant seedlings we’ll be enjoying in the months to come. When seed catalogs start showing up after the winter holidays, we look forward to spending a lazy January weekend afternoon with a cup of warm tea making our 2026 garden wish list. However, there’s still work to be done now and the opportunity to get a head start before the holiday mania hits. This is also the time of year you consider moving some of your plants – changing up the look or focal points, or deciding to move a plants that seems to need more shade.
Sketching out a garden plan that’s close to scale is helpful to know how much will fit. Know how far apart (and how deep) your fall bulbs need to be to ensure their appropriateness for the space. Do they need early season
ABOVE: Ellie at Frager’s Hardware with their extensive selection of flower bulbs – a wide variety of crocus, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
Elias in the garden planting some shallots, garlic and flower varieties for spring color.
LEFT: Tools like a dibbler ease the soil and make room for placing bulbs, providing an easier way to tackle the task at hand .
sun (like tulips and daffodils)? They might be ok planted beneath a tree, as the tree’s canopy may not have fully leafed out before they bloom. As you plan out where to place your bulbs, also remember the order these flowers will bloom in the spring – typically you’ll see the crocus first, followed by daffodils and hyacinths and finally tulips.
Prepping the Soil
Not every leaf needs to be raked off your lawn or planting area, though leaving a dense leaf cover can smother a lawn. Decomposing leaves provide nutrients for the soil and improve soil structure, and a light covering of leaves will also enhance water retention. Those fallen leaves also provide habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies and wildlife, assisting with natural pest control. And besides saving you time – you don’t have to rake and bag so much to bring curbside – leaves are a natural mulch, saving you from purchasing large amounts of commercial mulch and fertilizer.
What to Plant Now
Kole at Gingko Gardens notes our 7B plant har-
diness zone – something that should be considered for all types of planting. The 7B designation means our average annual minimum winter temperature is between 30- and 32-degrees Fahrenheit, our average first frost date is mid-November and our average last frost date occurs around mid-April. He notes that you can stop watering other plants now, too, as most are going dormant for the winter.
Kole says beyond bulbs, there are things to put in the ground now, “Pansies, violas (known as ice pansies) and ornamental cabbage all like the cold and will continue to bloom throughout the winter.” Nice to have when most of our garden is sleeping.
His tip for some decorative items you may be placing in your yard or garden, “If you need a hack to keep squirrels away from your gourds or pumpkins, try spraying peppermint oil on them as they dislike strong scents.” Others suggest planting tulips and other floral bulbs together with garlic can fend off pesky mammals from raiding the bulbs.
Bulbs (Floral), Garlic and Shallots
When you have your bulb selection to put in the ground, it’s good to make sure the soil is loosened up with a small shovel or trowel, creating a space larger that the bulb size. Most bulbs need to be planted 4- to 5-inches deep, leaving the same space between each one. Crocuses can be planted more densely, to have greater impact when they show up above ground.
Use a dibbler to provide the right-sized hole. Most will have markings in inch increments, so you easily see how deep you’re going. These are a multipurpose tool as they can also be useful in prying out roots and tamping the soil after you plant.
If you’re leaning into the savory and culinary planting, know that each garlic clove planted (pointy end up) will turn into a bulb. Typically, a pound of garlic ‘seed’ (a few large heads) will yield between 4 and 7 pounds at harvest. Those tender shoots that come up in the springtime will be trimmed (so the plant can use the energy to grow the bulb) and are a great addition to sautés, frittatas, soups and stews – they are beautiful, too,
twisting and spiraling and lovely (and aromatic!) in a vase. The shallot is planted similarly, with the ‘seed’ you receive split in half – each one planted separately and turning into its own shallot.
Also, remember to use some mulch on your planted bulbs – helping with moisture retention, and maybe masking them from clever squirrels. Your work now and throughout November will set you up for a beautiful spring garden – either with a harvest of delicious garlic and shallots to use in the kitchen or with a riot of color to welcome you in the next season.
One last ‘green’ tip – the holiday season celebrates with different varieties of evergreens. You may find many great trees, wreaths and garlands throughout the Hill – sold at Eastern Market (along the farmers’ line), at Frager’s, Ginkgo Gardens, WS Jenks & Sons– and pop-ups. You really don’t need to leave the Hill for shopping, and that applies to holiday décor, too.
Local Resources (Advice, Bulbs and Tools):
Frager’s Hardware/Garden Center, 1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, acehardwaredc.com
Mail-order (Bulbs and Tools): Fedco Seeds, fedcoseeds.com
High Mowing Seeds, highmowingseeds.com
Hudson Valley Seed Company, hudsonvalleyseed.com
Johnny’s Seeds, johnnyseeds.com
Mountain Valley Garlic, mountainvalleygarlic.com
Annette Nielsen is a writer and food and agricultural systems advisor. She has returned to Capitol Hill from New York where she led the NYC office of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and served as the executive director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. u
Sam at Ginkgo Gardens with flower bulbs, garlic, shallots and tools for easy bulb planting.
In The Weeds
by
I’ve been admiring the fall displays of colorful gourds. Can you tell me more about these plants? Could I grow them? I seem to remember that my family used the same dried gourds every year. How do I preserve them?
Gourds, pumpkins, squash, melons and cucumbers are all part of the same botanical family, Cucurbitaceae. This diverse group of plants consists of approximately 1,000 species, collectively called cucurbits.
Ornamental gourds are grown for their appearance rather than for eating. These small, colorful gourds—ranging from yellow and orange to green—are often striped, warty, or a
combination of both, and are primarily used for decoration. Each plant produces only one type of gourd. Many di erent plants are needed for a display with a variety of ornamental gourds. Ornamental gourds belong to the Cucurbita pepo species, one of the oldest domesticated plants, with a history dating back over 8,000 years to Oaxaca, Mexico.
Bottle gourds or calabash, Lagenaria siceraria, a hardshell gourd, can be harvested young and eaten or harvested when mature and used for utensils, beverage containers, birdhouses or musical instruments. Varieties include ‘Bird House’, ‘Speckled Swan’ and ‘Caveman’s Club’ Bottle gourds are native to Africa and have white owers that bloom at night.
Gourd vines need lots of nutrients and space, and may not be best for small gardens. Trellising is a good idea, both for saving space and to keep the gourds o of the ground. Gourds that rest on the ground are subject to rot and insects, and are also likely to have a at side. Gourds are ready to harvest when their skin becomes hard and their stems turn dry and brown. Cut the stem, leaving about 2 inches attached to the gourd. Freshly harvested gourds can last for a few weeks before beginning to decay. When selecting gourds, look for intact skins with no soft spots or blemishes as the key to successful preservation is avoiding rot.
Preserving gourds takes three to six months and requires no special equipment. The process involves four main steps: cleaning and sanitizing, drying the exterior, curing, and checking for mold and rot. To begin, wipe o visible dirt, wash the gourds in soapy water, air dry them, and then wipe with rubbing
Ornamental gourds, Cucurbita pepo
Longhandle Dipper Gourd, Lagenaria siceraria
Capitol Hill Garden Club
alcohol to ensure the surface is clean. Store them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for about a week. During this time, the skin will harden and change color. After a week, the outside of the gourd should be fully dry. Next, move them to a dry, dark space for the curing period of three to six months. Hang the gourds with string without touching any others to allow for optimal air ow around them. Check the gourds every few days and discard any that become soft or show signs of decay. Gourds are ready for use when they feel light, are hard to the touch and you can hear seeds rattling inside. They are then ready for either a clear coating of wax or shellac, or can be decorated in other ways.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? The next Capitol Hill Garden Club meeting is on Wednesday, November 12 at 7pm, “Books in Bloom” at the Northeast Library, 330 7th St NE. Contact capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.com for more information.
Gardening advice, information and commentary from the Capitol Hill Garden Club. Send your questions to capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.com. ◆
Swan Gourd, Lagenaria siceraria
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.
ARTS& DINING
Theater Night A Curated Review of Theater in the DMV
by Matthew McClure
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, a treaty signed in a railroad car in France marked the beginning of the end of World War 1. In Europe, November 11th is marked as Armistice Day while here in the US we commemorate the veterans that have defended our country in every war since that historic moment over one hundred years ago. On this day perhaps more than any other, we’re reminded that conflict is an indelible part of our shared DNA. This month’s column looks to theater that explores conflict and its consequences.
In the Spotlight
The Wild Duck, Shakespeare Theatre Company Showing October 18 – November 16 www.shakespearetheatre.org
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said that “Family quarrels are bitter things” that are more akin to splits in the skin than wounds because they take much longer to heal. Norwegian play-
wright Henrik Ibsen’s rarely produced play The Wild Duck vividly captures this unique aspect of familial conflict and its unintended consequences, with David Eldridge’s adaptation directed by Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic director Simon Godwin being a particularly searing portrayal of the hurt inflicted by those who love you the most.
The Wild Duck was written by Ibsen in 1884 during his 30-year exile in Rome while Norway was being rent asunder by political and social strife. It’s set in a 19th century Norwegian town and is populated by characters Ibsen based on either his direct relatives or the Pauses, a noble scion of Ibsen’s family from Norway’s Upper Telemark region. Between the sumptuous setting of the wealthy Werle home and the Ekdal’s humble abode, we are introduced to two families whose histories are intertwined in ways that the audience gradually learns are
Maaike Laanstra-Corn as Hedvig and Melanie Field as Gina Ekdal in The Wild Duck.
Photo: Gerry Goodstein.
Alexander Hurt as Gregers Werle and Nick Westrate as Hjalmar Ekdal in The Wild Duck. Photo: Gerry Goodstein.
more complicated – and combustible – than they initially appear. Gregers Werle (played by Alex Hurt in his STC debut) is the older Werle’s only son and sole heir. His tenuous relationship with his father Håkon (Robert Stanton) spills over into his friendship with Hjalmar Ekdal, the son of Håkon Werle’s old business partner, whose life will change forever when an explosive and deadly secret is revealed.
Eldridge’s adaptation of The Wild Duck is fresh off a September run at New York’s Theatre for a New Audience, where it garnered rave reviews. With a cast that includes Nick Westrate as the melancholic Hjalmar Ekdal, Melanie Field as his long-suffering wife Gina and exceptional lighting, music and scenic design by Stacey Derosier, Alexander Sovronsky and Andrew Boyce, it’s not hard to see why the play’s visceral sense of creeping dread has affected theatregoers and critics so profoundly. Ibsen’s play is at once darkly brooding and tragically comedic. Ostensibly a meditation on the mistakes that men make and the Freudian obsession with the father-figure (Ibsen modelled the character of Old Ekdal on his
own father Knud), Eldridge and Godwin’s version gives plenty of expressive space to Ibsen’s female characters. Maaike Laanstra-Corn is exceptional as Hjalmar and Gina’s daughter Hedvig, whose failing eyesight means her whole world is narrowed down to the small photographic studio she shares with her parents, a couple of drunken lodgers and an injured wild duck that she dotes on obsessively. Hedvig’s innocent vulnerability (mirrored by the eponymous wild duck) is the counterfoil to Gregers Werle, who with “chronic righteousness” sets about dissecting the Ekdal’s meticulously assembled life with scalpel-like precision and an icy detachment.
The Wild Duck’s overarching theme of conflict (both internal and external) jostles with those of willful and accidental blindness, the burden of truth and the benefits of a lie in a play that manages to be simultaneously compact and expansive. You’re guaranteed to leave the theater with a lot to think about after the curtain drops.
Special Mention
In Flanders Fields, Alliance for New Music-Theatre Showing November 11 www.newmusictheatre.org
On Armistice Day, John and Elizabeth Chapman invite you into their home and back in time to 1917 to remember their son Victor, the very first American aviator to perish in what later became known as the Great War. This immersive, salon-style performance by the Alliance for New Music-Theatre is named after the titular 1915 poem by Canadian poet and soldier John McCrae and will take place at the Arts Club of Washington’s historic Monroe House. John Boulanger (Caesar, The Man Ray Project: Caesar and the Mannequin) plays John Jay Chapman, alongside Cara Schaefer as Elizabeth Astor Chapman and Alan Naylor as Victor Chapman.
“The project really began back in 2017,” Boulanger explains, referring to the first incarnation of In Flanders Fields at The President Woodrow Wilson House in April eight years ago to commemorate the centennial of America’s entry into WWI. “That was more cabaret style with performers reading letters, poems and singing songs.” Over the years, Boulanger developed the concept to include content from the historical letters – first published by Victor’s father in 1917 as Victor Chapman’s Letters from France – and Victor himself, speaking from beyond the grave to offer solace to his grieving father and stepmother through his words and music. “That’s what I call the magical realism version,” says Boulanger.
In Flanders Fields elicits both the dignity and trauma of WWI through the personal testimony of soldiers writing in the mud and muck of the trenches. The evening’s selection will also include poems by Alfred Edward Housman, Edith Wharton, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, George Butterworth and of course John McCrae. DC’s own John Phillip Sousa (the March King) will also be featured in the repertoire. This salonstyle event is small so seating will be limited. Purchase your tickets now and dress in your best period attire. Pearls and medals are encouraged. u
John Boulanger, Cara Schaefer and Alan Naylor as John Jay Chapman, Elizabeth Astor Chapman and Victor Chapman in In Flanders Fields. Photo: J. Paul Lewis.
Capitol Cuisine
by Celeste McCall
While temperatures fall, our local food scene is heating up.
Korean food is hot, in more ways than one. We’ve discovered Momo Chicken & Grill, at 1001 Fourth St. SW, specializing in Koreanstyle fried wings. On a warm autumn afternoon, Peter and I enjoyed a delicious lunch there. Momo’s atmosphere is cheerful and friendly. The décor features a long, convivial bar with two large TVs overhead, ideal for sports viewing, especial-
ly during happy hour. The dining room is divided into sections with comfy banquettes. A mirror makes the space seem larger.
Sipping hot sake, I perused the luncheon menu and decided on Korean chicken wings. Among the best wings I’ve ever tasted, the ve pieces were crisply fried, resting on dollops of soy sauce. Accompanying crunchy fries were addictive; I normally eschew fries, but not this time! The generous plate also provides ketchup and a tiny cup of coleslaw. Peter went for the Korean tacos. A marriage of Latin America and Asia, the trio of our tortillas enveloped plump shrimp dressed with mayo, pickles and pico de gallo. The crustaceans were coated with a gossamer, tempura-like batter. The side of kimchi was spicy but not incendiary.
Besides the signature wings, breasts and drumsticks, Momo also o ers dumplings, fried shrimp, pork buns, bibimbap, salads and banh mi sandwiches. Lunch for two with my hot sake came to about $50. Service,
provided by Que, was friendly and helpful. Momo is open daily for lunch and dinner. For hours and more information visit www.usmomo.com.
And…
Speaking of Korean, after an appointment in the Navy Yard area, Peter enjoyed a late lunch at Bonchon, 1015 Half St. SE. He sat at the snazzy bar and ordered Korean BBQ fried chicken. Eight strips of succulent white meat were fried to a golden hue and coated with a tangy BBQ sauce. As a side, he ate pickled radishes—all for less than $15. You can also nd wings, drumsticks, kimchi, Korean corn dogs, fried rice and more. Bonchon is open daily. For hours and more information visit www.www.bonchon.com.
Nearby…
We’ve revisited an old favorite: Station 4, at 1101 Fourth St. SW. Before attending “Damn Yankees” at nearby Arena stage, we enjoyed brunch at this 14-year-old standby. Among the kitchen’s “new American” creations are wings, smoked Gouda mac-and-cheese, Philly cheesesteak, fried chicken, burgers. Mediterranean o erings include homemade hummus, grilled beef kofta with tzatziki, and chicken kebabs. From the eggy brunch menu, I went for the popular shakshuka. The yummy dish— a savory stew laced with tomatoes, bell peppers, onion and spices—was capped with an over-easy egg and choice of chicken or shrimp. I chose the latter, a half dozen perfectly cooked crustaceans. Peter selected Chesapeake Benedict: English mu ns topped with lump crabmeat, poached eggs and rich Hollandaise sauce. The accompanying home fries were a welcome change from the usual fries. Other options are omelets, pancakes, breakfast burritos and bacon-egg- and-cheese sandwiches. Station 4 is open daily, with weekday happy hours. For more information visit www.station4dc.com.
In Southwest DC, Que, our server at Momo Chicken & Grill, also pitches in as bartender.
Filled with crispy shrimp, Momo’s Korean tacos provide a tasty marriage of Latin America and Asia.
LEFT: A luncheon special, Momo’s crisply fried chicken wings are escorted with delicious fries.
Coming Soon
Now, these restaurants are arriving soon; some might already be here: Dos Toros Taqueria is due to arrive at 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The latest spino of a nationwide chain, Dos Toros (“Two Bulls”), will sling “mission style” burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, salads, nachos, and yes--myriad tacos. For updates visit www.dostoros.com.
On Barracks Row, Civic on Eighth, a co ee and cocktail bar, is coming to 501 Eighth St. SE, the former Ophelia’s Fish House space. Owner is Rhonda Foxx, an area resident and former congressional staer. You’ll nd the chic newcomer next to Chat’s liquor store, which is being spruced up. For Civic updates visit www.salonforthecity.com.
Across the street, Awakening Bar & Grill was set to open in early November at 520 Eighth St. SE, where Extreme Pizza used to be. Operated by Warren Ban eld Jr., son Warren Ban eld III and Aaron L. Ratli , the 50-seat restaurant is named after the iconic sculpture “arising” at National Harbor. Awakening’s eclectic menu will showcase DC’s beloved dishes including crispy wings with homemade mumbo sauce, Old Bay shrimp, crab cakes, half smokes, fried green to-
matoes, chicken-and-wa es. For hours, menu and other information visit www.awakeningdc.com.
We’re also awaiting Mott’s Market, 233 12th St. SE, in the former Mott’s Corner Store site. Housing a neighborhood grocery for decades, the historic building dates from 1916. Now, local restaurateur/ tenant Peyton Sherwood is creating a grocery/deli sandwich shop in the renovated space. For updates visit www.mottsmarket.com.
Food Fight!
Coming up November 6: Capital Food Fight, to be held at the Anthem (District Wharf). Dozens of top restaurants and bars from the DMV will participate, including many from Capitol Hill and nearby. Doors open at 6 p.m. The edible evening will bene t DC Central kitchen, a wonderful organization which combats hunger and poverty. For tickets and more information visit www.capitalfood ght.org.
Sixty-Five Years!
Congrats to the Monocle Restaurant, 107 D St. NE, for celebrating 65 years serving presidents, senators, other celebs and neighbors. To mark the milestone, on November 6, from 9 p.m. to midnight, the Monocle is hosting a festive evening of cocktails and dancing. Admission is $50 per person in advance and $65 at the door. Proceeds go to MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital. Attire is “1960s chic.” RSVP to: themonocle1960@gmail.com.
And….
As always, La Plaza Mexican Cuisine, 629 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. For menu, hours and reservations visit www.laplazatogo. com. ◆
Poetic Hill
Chet’la Sebree
by Sandra Beasley
Chet’la Sebree has lived in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C., for the past three years, having returned to the city after ten years away. She rst came to Washington, D.C., in 2010 to attend graduate school at American University and has returned to be a professor at George Washington University. Chet’la currently serves on the board of The Inner Loop— a DC-based literary arts organization—and writes poems about
I feel furthest from where I’ve come when womb wreckage comes in clumps— thick, slick ruby ruins from which I could birth spring artichoke, summer melon. I thank the night sky for fertile blood— having mapped myself in moon and menstruation— but mourn the muck I ush in monthly separation.
Many in my family have been plagued by menorrhagia in early middle age— brinous weeds causing their bodies to bleed streams, ooding lands no longer suitable for plants. This our history, our modern matrilineal legacy. And then there was me, at thirty-three, a still-arable plot I was afraid to (not) plant and till.
Sandra Beasley is the curator of “Poetic Hill,” a resident of Southwest, and the author of four poetry collections. If you live in D.C. and you’re interested in being featured, you can reach her at sandrabeasley@earthlink.net for questions and submissions (1-5 poems). ◆
Rhonda Foxx, proprietor of Barracks Row’s upcoming Civic on Eighth, pauses before her work-in-progress.
Photo: Shannon Woodloe
Pottery on the Hill
Rooted in Function and Art
article and photos by Rindy O’Brien
The very popular Pottery on the Hill returns to Capitol Hill with an opening reception on Friday, November 14th and the show and sale over the 15th and 16th weekend. It offers multiple opportunities to meet, create, and buy functional pottery from some of the top ceramic artists in our region and beyond.
This is the 14th year that the Old Naval Hill Center has hosted this event, which is curated by Dan Finnegan of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This year, activities will kick off a day earlier with a Thursday, November 13th pottery jam at the North Hall of Eastern Market. The jam features Eastern Market Pottery’s Sara Buffaloe joined by Dan, and several other potters to demonstrate, educate and celebrate the joy of pottery. The potters will make pieces and collaborate with each other in the making. “If you are a student of pottery or just a fan, it is a fun way to see potters in action,” says Dan.
A Resurgence in Handmade Pottery
Pottery turns raw earth, clay, into functional and beautiful objects. It is one of the world’s oldest crafts with archeol-
tion. As an artistic, hands-on activity, pottery provides beginners with many, friendly options. District Clay Center is participating in the Thursday jam and will also be teaching kids how to make small pots on Saturday in the late morning outside on the Hill Center grounds. The process will take about 45 minutes for the pots to be made and ready to take home. District Clay is the largest and most comprehensive ceramic center in the DMV, a great resource for novices and experts alike.
ogists continuing to discover ancient pots and household objects. It is estimated that pottery has existed for over 20,000 years. Today’s potters may specialize in a hand-thrown mugs, elegant vases, platters or sculpture. Whatever the focus, their work connects us to the past through the cultural artifacts of history, religion, or geographic place.
With people rejecting plastic plates and glasses, and becoming more aware of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, pottery has become a new trend in home goods. Pottery classes are booming around DC as residents seek a way to escape their digital devices and reduce stress through the kneading, shaping, and smoothing of clay.
Potting is therapeutic and an opportunity to place your focus in a new direc-
Dan Finnegan Curator Extraordinaire
Dan Finnegan has made tens of thousands of pots, mugs, and vases, but he still gets excited when trying out new ideas and techniques. “I will be doing a couple of firings in the next few weeks,” says Dan while taking a day off to visit DC in preparation for the Pottery on the Hill show. “It is going to be fun to see if any of my five new ideas I have worked on this summer turn out.”
This summer was the first in many years that Dan stayed home and didn’t spend time at the Winchcombe Pottery studios in Chelenham, England, in the heart of the Cotswold’s. Dan started his career as an apprentice there some 40 years ago. But, staying home gave him time to try those new ideas.
His current studio and kiln is on the Cymrot farm near Fredericksburg and a short commute from his home. He has a wood fired, two chamber box kiln that can fire up to 2400 degrees. It accommodates his salt glazes and the different clay pieces he makes.
Dan Finnegan has curated the ever-popular Pottery on the Hill show for the past 14 years and is a well-known mid-Atlantic pottery maker.
The kiln Dan Finnegan has built to fire his work is on the Cymrot farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and one Dan fires 4-5 times a year. It can heat to 2400 degrees and has two chambers.
Photo courtesy of Dan Finnegan.
Donna Polseno creates beautiful rich decorative surfaces with layers of glaze using resists.
“It is such a privilege to be able to produce Pottery on the Hill every year,” says Dan. He notes that while pottery is trending, there are just not many functional pottery shows by professionals around. “To be able to bring such amazing artists together and offer Hill residents a chance to buy and learn more about pottery is such a gift.”
Stacy Snyder a Global All-star
One participating local potter, Stacy Snyder, is described by Dan as a global all-star. Based in Arlington, she will be bringing some amazing work to the Hill for the weekend. Unlike Dan, Stacy works from a converted garage studio in her backyard, and uses two electric kilns to fire her work.
November Art Openings
“Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection,” The Phillips Collection, November 8, 2025, through February 15, 2026. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the exhibition present well-known and understudies work from the permanent collection, with work from Howard University Gallery of Art and the David Driskell Center at the University of Maryland. Special members tour, November 9, 2025, 10:25 – 11am. Gallery is free on third Thursday of the month, November 20, 2025 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
“The Large Head Project, FOM Gallery and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, October 11, through November 7, 2025. Martin Rundle presents a dozen portraits he drew while at CHAW. The Frame of Mine gallery is at 545 8th Street, SE and is free to the public.
A lot of time goes into the creation and
layering of her clay objects before she gets to the glazing and firing stages. Her architecturally inspired platters, bowls, and salt and pepper shakers are fired five times. “My process is not a quick one,” says Stacy, “but the layering is my favorite part of my work. It takes weeks for me to complete a piece.”
She is best known for her mugs, which commemorate the different professional grand cycling tours, like the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, the Tour de France Femmes, and the Vuelta a Espana. She began making these mugs in 2019, and they are marketed through The Cycling Podcast, which is produced in Scotland. The mugs feature a racing cycle and are sold in limited editions with the money going to charities. Over the years, many of the rising stars of cycling have received a mug. Stacy also gifted one to her Senator, Tim Kaine, who uses it daily in his office. “I am not a hard core rider myself, but I do enjoy following the sport, and it has opened up the world to me,” says Stacy. And, yes, she will have cycle mugs at the Hill Center.
“Imagining Together,” Mosaic Arts at The Parc at Tysons, October 4, 2025 through December 13th, 2025.The Parc is located at 8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182. DC’s Lisa Gusty has two drawings as part of these 120 artists and over 200 artworks exhibition. The closing party is December 13th from 12:00 to 6:00p.m. The exhibit experience features creativity, connection, and community—imagined together. Free to the public.
Mark your Schedules for a Great Weekend
Thursday, Nov. 13: Pottery Jam, North Hall, Eastern Market, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Free but registration is required. districtclaycenter.com
Friday, Nov. 14: Preview Reception, Hill Center, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Ticketed Event, $45. Tickets hillcenterdc.org/event/ poh-2025-calendar-tickets/. First 100 event goers receive a free mug made by Dan Finnegan.
Saturday, Nov. 15: Show and Sale, Hill Center, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Free. Children’s event, check website for times. Sunday, Nov. 16: Show and Sale, Hill Center, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Free. Demonstrations throughout the day.
For up to the date information: hillcenterdc.org/partner/pottery-on-the-hill districtclaycenter.com or easternmarketpottery.com
Rindy O’Brien writes about Capitol Hill’s art and cultural scene and can be contacted at rindyobrien@gmail.com u
Stacy Synder is a local potter that has participated in almost all the Pottery on the Hill shows and is known for her stunning architectural items. She will also be bringing her global cycling mugs this year.
If you are a grand tour cycling fan, you will want to come early to purchase one of Stacy’s commemorative mugs.
Perils and Perks of Exercising Outdoors in Winter
by Pattie Cinelli
Any outdoor activity in cold weather is fantastic for stimulating your senses, replenishing your vitamin D and getting you moving during a season where many prefer hunkering down in a warm home and snuggling with kids, partners or pets. The grilling, porch sitting and leisurely walk to Eastern Market gets packed away with the bathing suits, flip flops and shorts. Exercising outside in winter can be invigorating and fun and can keep you healthy and fit but it also can be dangerous if you are not prepared.
Exercising outdoors in winter has surprising physical, mental and emotional benefits beyond just staying fit. Regular moderate exercise outdoors can strengthen immune defenses and help fend off winter colds and flu. It can reduce seasonal blues and improve mood. Outdoor movement and fresh air can reduce cortisol levels, improve focus and because they help regulate circadian rhythms, can lead to deeper, more restorative sleep.
Our bodies work harder to stay warm and burn more calories. Each breath feels stronger, cleaner and sharper. As the cold presses against
you, you find warmth from within.
The same chill that can be energizing can also be dangerous. Hypothermia, frostbite and slippery surfaces are real risks. Muscles, tendons and ligaments are more prone to pop or pull if not adequately warmed up. The cold air can sting your lungs. “You can’t get away with not warming up in winter,” said Elizabeth Brooks, personal trainer and fitness instructor at One Life Fitness. “You have to give yourself a good 15 minutes.” Brooks recommends starting to warm up inside then end it outside. “General calisthenic movements such as jumping jacks, toe taps, lunges are all good movements to warm up for any activity,” said Brooks. “In fact, any movement that brings good mobility to your hips, which is rhythmic and a full range of motion before you start pounding outside is important.” She stressed that static stretching belongs in the cool down not the warmup phase of the workout.
“You want to take about five minutes not 15 minutes cooling down outside,” said Harvey Johnson, functional training specialist at Jade Fitness. “Get out of wet clothing immediately then continue your light static stretching indoors.” Johnson is
a veteran of winter outdoor activity. Years ago, he played football, and he has been a distance runner year-round for decades. “Hydration is so important during winter workouts because even though you may not be thirsty or sweating you are losing lots of water,” he said. “Hydrating occurs typically before and after a run.” He recommends electrolytes in our water. “It keeps you hydrated at the cellular level. Your thirst sensation is dulled in the cold, so you want to be intentional about your liquid intake.” He recommends drinking at least 16 ounces a couple of hours before and then eight ounces after.
When I play pickleball in the winter I am more thoughtful about the clothes I choose to wear. Instead of throwing on one of my many colorful t-shirts, some shorts, socks and sneakers, in winter, I protect myself with layers of clothing that can be easily removed if I overheat. Johnson recommends a base layer to wick away moisture, another layer to keep warm and an outer layer to keep dry. Brooks suggests adding a hat and gloves which are both easy to take off and on during a run or during any outdoor activity.
“You don’t want to try for a personal best
BEMER Enhances:
~ Local Blood Flow
~ Oxygen Delivery
~ Energy & Vitality
~ Endurance
~ Recovery
~ Well-being
~ Stress Reduction
during the winter,” said Johnson. “I was running just to protect my base.” He said it’s a good time to supplement your workout inside working both slow and fast twitch muscles and your aerobic base, doing things to balance your body. Winter is not typically a running season, he stressed. It’s looked upon as off-season training. Brooks agreed. “There’s nothing wrong with mixing up workouts in winter,” she said. “But if you need to run, be sure to balance risk of injury to bene t from outdoor activity.”
Most people don’t need to eat heavily before exercising outside but our bodies crave a balanced meal afterwards. “When you are nished exercising outdoors, it’s a good time to consume some kind of balanced meal with protein,” said Brooks. “Muscles are looking for that protein you are about to consume. Do what is best for your body.”
Winter can be a season of connection with the world around you even when it’s covered in frost. Outside, in the stillness of winter, we remember that strength isn’t just about power, performance and pace. Sometimes it’s about presence. Sometimes, it’s about doing something good for yourself, even when the world is frozen.
For more information contact: ebrooks@thinkingcorrectly.com; or coachharvey99@gmail.com.
Cinelli loves exercising
and so do her dogs. She has been writing her column for more than 30 years. Please email her at: tmiss44@aol.com. ◆
Elizabeth Brooks, working out on a TRX. Brooks is a personal trainer and fitness instructor at One Life Fitness and adjunct professor at George Washington University.
Harvey Johnson, functional training specialist at Jade.
Pattie
outdoors in the winter
Pattie Cinelli is a writer and holistic fitness professional who focuses on how to get and stay well and thrive.
The District Vet Understanding Diarrhea
by Dan Teich, DVM
Everything we know is a product of a nuclear reaction – deep within the sun and from collapsing stars going supernova – emerge larger and larger atoms and limitless energy. All of this is a process millions, if not billions of years in the making. What does this have to do with pets? Well, when your dog or cat’s butt goes nuclear, as many clients have said over the years, the x will not be instantaneous. The planet didn’t coalesce from primordial materials in a day, and the dog’s diarrhea will not resolve overnight, either.
The body of most animals can be considered a tube. Think about it - food enters the mouth and journeys through the intestines and pops out the other end. Dogs have been known to eat a sock and unceremoniously defecate it out whole on the oor. It’s what happens within the tube — the intestines — that’s a bit of magic. This protected hollow tube capable is of absorbing and even digesting nutrients.
The intestines are longer than the body itself, coiling and folding to t within the abdomen. A dog/cat’s intestines, as a general rule, are about 4-6 times the length of their body! This can range from about three feet for a Chihuahua to
over 15 for a large Labrador! But the surface area of the intestine is much, much greater. On a microscopic scale, the inside lining of the intestine, the mucosa, is lined with billions of small ngerlike projections — villi, making the absorbing surface 500-1000 times greater than if the intestines were a smooth surface! For example if a mediumsized dog has about 10 feet of intestines, the absorbing surface area can be as great as 1000-2000 square feet, bigger than many people’s apartment!
Intestines perform many functions, with nutrient acquisition and water retention being the most well-known. Now that we see how great the surface area can be, it’s easier to understand that healing of a sick or diseased intestine isn’t an immediate process. Diarrhea can result from various causes, including damage to the intestinal lining. While damage can occur quickly with toxins and parasitic or bacterial infections, and more slowly with immune diseases and allergies, healing is variable and can take time.
After food exits the stomach, the small intes-
tine’s villi take in nutrients. When damaged, the body in essence starves, although food intake may be appropriate, since absorption decreases. Further along the large intestine resorbs water, lessening the need to drink and producing a more rm, sanitary stool.
A pet with diarrhea isn’t always going to be better within the day. Healing takes time. Acute damage can heal within days, as the intestines are amongst the fasting healing tissues in the body, but resolution of allergic disease and autoimmune disease is prolonged.
Bland diets are used to give the intestines a break, while providing essential nutrition to regenerate the villi. Blandness may also be calming, requiring less digestive enzymes from other organs. Carbohydrates from rice may help to gum up stool too, producing a more solid product. Veterinary diets for acute diarrheas usually resolve or greatly improve stool within a few days. There’s magic in the diets, but they need time to work. It’s the more chronic cases where patience is needed.
Hydrolyzed and novel-protein diets may eliminate or greatly reduce allergens or compounds which cause irritation and intestinal upset. Changing a diet doesn’t produce immediate results, though. Intestinal regeneration and healing in chronic in ammatory bowel disease can take 6-12 weeks to regain normal structure, and even longer in severe cases, if ever. In addition to the villi regenerating, intestines are laden with bacteria, and these need time to adjust to new diets and conditions, too. Bacterial imbalance readily leads to diarrhea.
When a dog or cat has diarrhea, clients want an immediate x. The problem is that it’s not so easy. Most diarrheas are managed successfully through diet manipulation, which takes time, but yields a much better long-term result than medications or antibiotics.
Dan Teich, DVM, is the Founder of District Veterinary Hospitals ◆
Brent Building Modernization Enters the Archaeological Phase
The Brent Elementary modernization project has entered the archaeological investigation phase, exploring the historic site that has been home to more than 219 years of public education. Excavations will focus on
S chool N otes
edited by Elizabeth O’Gorek
areas once occupied by two early schools: the Eastern Free School (built 1806), one of the first “free” schools east of the Capitol, and the Robert Brent School (built 1886), named for Washington’s first mayor. After a 1962 fire destroyed much of the previous structure, a new school was completed in 1968. That is the building that will soon be demolished to make way for Brent’s next chapter: a state-of-the-art elementary education facility. As we prepare for this exciting transformation, archaeologists are uncovering artifacts that connect our past, present and future of learning on the Hill.
Brent Elementary @ Meyer, 2501 11th St NW, brentelementary.org
DCI Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, District of Columbia International School (DCI) observes Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This year, students and staff shared what makes them proud to be Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e, with reflections featured in community newsletters. The school celebrated with daily themed activities, Spirit Week and the annual La Gran Fiesta — honoring culture, community and joy. dcinternationalschool.org
Creativity and Culture at DC Prep
DC Prep’s Benning Middle Campus celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with creativity and culture! Students explored Latin American traditions by sculpting clay pupusas inspired by Salvadoran cuisine, painting vibrant portraits in honor of Frida Kahlo, and designing colorful tropical birds native to El Salvador. The celebration highlighted the beauty and diversity of Hispanic culture bring-
ing learning to life and inspiring students to appreciate the rich traditions that shape our community.
DC Prep, 2330 Pomeroy Rd SE, dcprep.org
FCS Brings More Than Memories Home From Camp
During their recent trip to Catoctin Quaker Camp, Seventh graders brought back more than just memories to FCS—they returned with lagoon water for science class! Building on their life science study of the characteristics of life, they used microscopes to examine water samples from Catoctin, bottled water and their own outdoor collections to determine which contained living organisms. They made detailed written and visual observations and are now writing lab reports to share their process and findings.
Friends Community School, 5901 Westchester Park Dr, College Park, MD; friendscommunityschool.org
Jefferson Middle School Academy Family Engagement Night
Jefferson Middle School Academy recently hosted a Family Engagement Night at Arena Stage, bringing together students, families and staff for an evening of connection and community. Arena Stage is one of Jefferson’s many community partners in the Southwest. The event created meaningful opportunities for families to connect with one another, build relationships with Jeffer-
Brent
DCI
son staff and strengthen the school community.
Jefferson Middle School, 801 Seventh St. SW, jeffersonmsacademy.org
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary in Full Swing
In September, the Ludlow-Taylor community gathered for a fun-filled Movie Night, enjoying The Smurfs under the stars, along with Pupatella pizza. Families enjoyed tie-dyeing uniform shirts to show school spirit. The PTO and staff look forward to a wonderful year ahead as they celebrate two beloved educators — Ms. K. Henderson and Ms. Gordon, who mark an incredible 28 years of dedication to Ludlow-Taylor!
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary, 659 G St. NE, ludlowtaylor.org
Maury Elementary Engineers
Students in Ms. Conant’s fifth grade Think Tank are learning how to be engineers. They prototyped armatures to protect eggs, using only paper straws and masking tape. Then the kids ventured onto the playground to test their designs, cheering and chanting as an adult dropped real eggs from a very tall ladder. A few went splat on the first try but most survived the initial round. Some even made it through the third round, in which they were hurled forcefully onto the tarmac.
On Oct. 7, joy and gratitude echoed through Miner Elementary as almost 500 student, from pre-K through fifth grade, were fitted with new sneakers, socks, and shoe charms. It happened through Nordstrom’s partnership with Shoes That Fit. The celebration was about more than shoes; it was a show of care and community spirit, investing in each child’s confidence today to nurture their success tomorrow.
Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE, minerelementary.org
New Leadership at Mundo Verde
Mundo Verde begins this school year
with a renewed and robust leadership team committed to advancing academic excellence and strengthening our beloved community. Executive Director Shalini Shybut, Chief of People and Culture Erin Pitts and Chief Academic Officer Katie Lundgren bring extensive experience in education, leadership and staff development, guiding Mundo Verde toward an even brighter and stronger future.
J.F. Cook Campus, 30 P Street NW • Calle Ocho Campus, 4401 8th Street NE. mundoverdepcs.org
Payne Produces G.L.E.E.
In the first six weeks of the school year, Payne Elementary has focused on fostering Social Emotional Learning and academic excellence through intentional community building. The school hosted grade-level potlucks to strengthen family-teacher relationships, led a student Peace Walk to Lincoln Park and established
Ludlow-Taylor
Maury
Mundo Verde Payne
Jefferson Middle School
The Britleys School
A Gift of an Extraordinary Foundation and an Exceptional Beginning for Children ages 3 months to 5 years
Our Distinctive Offerings:
• Small Classes for Individualized Attention
• Curated International Montessori Curriculum
• Mandarin & Spanish Immersion
• Daily Etiquette Lessons with celebrated Ball events
• Robust Outdoor Program with Harvard University
• Intentional Lessons for Developing Executive Functioning Skills
“Hopes and Dreams” goals for students and sta . These e orts re ect Payne’s commitment to producing G.L.E.E.— Genius Level Excellence Everyday—by nurturing both emotional growth and academic achievement across all grade levels. AND: the science teacher team at Payne — Mr. Creef and new this year Mr. Stoehr dazzles with science all day long. Somehow they bend the space time continuum, making time to arrange restaurant fundraisers for science, teach robotics classes at our famous Saturday Academy, raise shad in trash can tanks in the school lobby for release in the Anacostia River and raise baby chicks. They met students one fantastic Friday with a freshly hatched DUCKLING! Go Payne Wildcat SCIENCE!
Payne Elementary School, 1445 C St. SE, paynedc.org
Richard Wright Hosts Veterans
Richard Wright Schools proudly hosted the South Carolina Combat Veterans Annual Luncheon, honoring the courage and dedication of our nation’s heroes. Students warmly welcomed the veterans, served lunch and dessert and showcased their talents through heartfelt performances. Throughout the afternoon, they engaged in meaningful conversations, expressing gratitude and admiration for the veterans’ service and sacri ces. The event beautifully highlighted Richard Wright Schools’ commitment to community, respect, and learning through shared experiences. –Ms. Trinity McCrorey
Richard Wright Public Charter School, 475 School St. SW, richardwrightpcs.org
SPS Student of the Month
Liam Niethold (Second Grade) was named St. Peter School Student of the Month for September’s virtue of courage. Teachers witnessed Liam embrace new things this year—a star student
who comes to school every day with a smile. He is ready to learn and make friends, follows the rules, participates consistently, and is kind to all. Student Council President Teagan Hurley presented Liam with the rst Student of the Month Award for 2025-26.
St. Peter School Capitol Hill, 422 Third St. SE, stpeterschooldc.org
Templeton Studies Data
Middle School Math and Pre-Algebra went to the NASA Information Center exhibit at the Natural History Museum. They explored how professional scientists communicate their data to the public and how that compares to the math they are learning in class now.
Templeton Academy, 406 Seventh St. SE, templetonacademy.org/dc
Waterfront Academy Finds a New Home on Capitol Hill
It’s been an exciting season of growth and new beginnings for Waterfront Academy, a dual-language Montessori school in the Catholic tradition. The school is now settled into its new home on Capitol Hill after relocating from the Southwest Waterfront this fall. Students, sta , and families are thriving in their new neighborhood and are delighted to attend monthly Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, strengthening the school’s connection to faith and community. In October, Waterfront’s latest Parent Workshop, “Silent Journey and Discovery” offered parents a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the Montessori environment. Finally, Head of School Melissa Rohan recently represented Waterfront Academy on the national stage as a featured speaker at the National Catholic Montessori Conference.
Waterfront Academy, waterfrontacademy.org
OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION SESSIONS
Join us for building tours and information sessions to learn more about our programs: WED. NOV. 12 10 AM - 11 AM WED. DEC. 17 10 AM - 11 AM WED. FEB. 4 10 AM - 11 AM
Richard Wright PCS
St. Peter School
Hill
Family Biking: Garfield Park Re-Opening Littles Ride
On Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join Hill Family Biking for a Littles Ride—geared toward ages three to six with a one-mile route from Stanton Park to newly renovated Garfield Park. Older siblings may ride along. Parents should be on bikes. A Holiday Lights Ride follows Dec. 13, 4:30–6:30 p.m., from Watkins Elementary, 420 12th St. SE. hillfamilybiking.org.
Saturday Morning Live at the National: Capoeira and The Nutcracker
On Saturdays, Nov. 8 and 22, 10 a.m., experience capoeira—a blend of dance, music, and martial arts—with EducArte instructors. On Dec. 13, enjoy an abridged Nutcracker adventure through Clara’s journey and the Kingdom of Sweets. Free at the National Theatre’s Helen Hayes Gallery, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Registration suggested; walk-ins welcome. nationaltheatre.org.
Thanksgiving
Day’s Little Turkey One-Miler
Join a DC Thanksgiving tradition— SOME’s Annual Trot for Hunger 5K—at Freedom Plaza. The Little Turkey OneMiler for ages ten and under begins at 7:30
a.m.; the 5K run/walk starts at 8:15 a.m. Registration is $15 for the One-Miler and $65 for the 5K. Funds support food, housing, healthcare, and job training for DC residents. trotforhunger.org.
Washington National Opera’s The Little Prince at the KC Terrace Theater
From Dec. 12 to 14, the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater brings Antoine de SaintExupéry’s classic The Little Prince to life in Rachel Portman’s opera. The story of friendship between an aviator and a mysterious prince unfolds with humor, charm, and wonder for all ages. Tickets start at $40. kennedy-center.org.
Ukulele Family Sing Along, Jam Along on the Millennium Stage
On Friday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., join Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer for a joyful family sing-along and ukulele jam on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Free; online reservations open two weeks before each performance. kennedy-center.org.
Upcoming Library of Congress Family Days
On Saturday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., celebrate family recipes and harvest traditions in the Jefferson Building Mezza-
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
From Dec. 5 to 21 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, leap into the holidays with Step Afrika!’s high-energy Magical Musical Holiday Step Show. Enjoy laughter, songs, and dance with DJ Nutcracker and his Arctic friends in a lively celebration for the whole family. Tickets start at $49. arenastage.org.
FLAMENCO EN FAMILIA at GALA
On Saturday, Nov. 15, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, join Sara Jerez, Richard Marlow, and guest dancers for an interactive introduction to flamenco. Learn palmas, zapateo, and the use of castanets, fans, and other traditional instruments. Free for children and families. galatheatre.org.
nine. Create your own cookbook using materials from Library collections. On Dec. 26–27, craft holiday cards and bookmarks with winter imagery from the archives. Free, tickets required. loc.gov.
US Army Orchestra American Holiday Festival
Celebrate the season with the US Army Orchestra’s American Holiday Festival Dec. 5–7 at DAR Constitution Hall. Free tick-
Photo: Margot Schulman
ets available Nov. 3, 10 a.m. Showtimes: Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. First-come seating opens one hour before showtime; unticketed entry allowed 15 minutes prior if seats remain. usarmyband.com.
NMAAHC Kids Story
Time: Jabari
Tries
On Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids ages four to eight can get creative with NMAAHC Kids at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Enjoy a reading of Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall, then build inventions with recycled materials and explore related museum objects. Free; registration required. nmaahc.si.edu.
NMAAHC Kids Story
Time: When Grandma
Gives You a Lemon Tree
On Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., celebrate Kwanzaa and the principle of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) through Jamie L.B. Deenihan’s When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree. Create garden-inspired collages, enjoy lemon-themed play, and explore related exhibits. For ages four to eight. Free; registration required. nmaahc. si.edu.
Capital City Symphony: “Zoom” and “Spark!” at the Atlas
On Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:30 & 5 p.m., enjoy Zoom, a musical adventure featuring Peter and the Wolf and Finlandia at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 & 5:30 p.m., Spark! returns with holiday music and Potomac Fever from the Gay Men’s Chorus. Free youth tickets (16 and under). Adults $40.75. atlasarts.org.
The Puppet Co.’s Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
From Dec. 11 to 22, join Hershel as he battles the Goblin Queen and King to save Hanukkah for his village. This delightful adaptation runs at Glen Echo Park’s Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. Tickets $16 (under age two free). thepuppetco.org.
The Puppet Co.’s Nutcracker
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, enjoy this classic Nutcracker retelling with a Puppet Co. twist at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s score and beloved characters, the show is recommended for ages four and up. Run time 60 minutes. Tickets $16 (under age 2 free). thepuppetco.org.
National Children’s Museum Free Day of Discovery
On Saturday, Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, celebrates National STEM Day with free admission. Sponsored by Topsoe, this community event features hands-on STEAM activities, wind-powered projects, and interactive exhibits to spark creativity. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.
Monthly Family Fun Days at the National Cathedral
One Saturday a month, families can enjoy scavenger hunts, hands-on activities, a pop-up library, and the Cathedral LEGO exhibit. The next Fam-
Chanukah in the Dark at Theater J
When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and his family discover the miracles already among them. Chanukah in the Dark runs Dec. 6–21 at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. Perfect for ages five and up. Tickets $24.69. edcjcc. org/theater-j.
ily Fun Day is Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets $17 adults; $12 ages 5–12; four and under free. cathedral.org.
A Family Christmas at the KC
On Saturday, Dec. 20, and Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 11 a.m., the Choral Arts Chorus fills the Kennedy Center Concert Hall with holiday classics, singalongs, and a visit from Santa. Perfect for ages five and up. Tickets $20–$59. kennedy-center.org.
Discovery Theater’s Seasons of Light
This Discovery Theater favorite celebrates global winter holidays including Diwali, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the Winter Solstice through music and storytelling. Dec. 1–19, weekdays at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. Ages 5–10. Tickets: $8 kids, $9 adults, $3 under two. discoverytheater.org.
ELEMENTARY
PK3-5th
2021 13th St NW (202) 387-9830
MIDDLE
6th-8th
770 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.
• Academics & Lab Model
• Athletics & Sports Programs
• Enrichment Opportunities
• College & Career Readiness
•
Season’s Greenings: Dino-mite! at the Botanic Garden
Celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving Day through Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the US Botanic Garden’s annual “Season’s Greenings” display. The Conservatory features poinsettias, holiday décor, and DC landmarks made from plants. Outside, festive lights and décor surround the Garden’s model train show. This year, G-gauge trains chug through plant-made dinosaurs alongside. The Garden stays open late on Dec. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and Jan. 1, and closes Dec. 25. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW (southwest corner of the Capitol grounds). usbg.gov.
Discovery Theater’s New Squid on the Block
Join a curious squid seeking friendship in Antarctica in this playful puppet show from Barefoot Puppets. New Squid on the Block runs Nov. 12–14, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., at the Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. Ages 3–8. Tickets: $7 kids, $8 adults, $3 under two. discoverytheater.org.
A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Lincoln
jah Chorus,” enjoy this holiday tradition together. Tickets start at $32. cathedral.org.
Girls on the Run DC Celebration 5K
On Sunday, Nov. 23, at The Field at RFK, 401 Oklahoma Ave. NE, join the Girls on the Run DC Celebration 5K. Pre-race festivities begin at 9 a.m.; race starts at 10 a.m. Walk, run, or roll at your own pace. Registration $40–$55. Proceeds support confidence-building programs for girls. gotrdc.org/5k.
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. (doors 6 p.m.), the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage returns to the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Based on Charles M. Schulz’s story and Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music, this production delights the whole family. Tickets start at $45. thelincolndc.com.
Handel’s (Family-Friendly) Messiah Highlights
On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m., experience the most beloved selections from Messiah in this 60-minute, family-friendly concert at Washington National Cathedral. From the “Sinfonia (Overture)” to the stirring “Hallelu-
Calling Young Playwrights: 2026 High School Playwriting Contest
Mosaic Theater invites students in grades 9–12 from DC, Maryland, and Virginia to submit original 10- to 20-minute plays (max 25 pages, up to six characters). Winning scripts will be staged at the High School Playwriting Contest Reading on Saturday, March 15, 2 p.m., at MLK Jr. Memorial Library. Submissions due Jan. 16, 2026. mosaictheater.org/playwritingcontest. ◆
Apply today for School Year 2025-2026. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org
#ChoosePaul and we’ll choose you back! Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection
• 2024 Bold Performance School recipient in the High School and 2022 Bold Performance School recipient for the Middle School
• Virtual instruction for all students on Fridays
• Guaranteed seat for Paul 8th grade families into 9th grade at Paul IHS
• Bilingual Family Engagement team to meet the needs of all families
• SAT Prep, Tutoring, Honors AP Classes, Dual Enrollment, and In-House College Assistance
• Wraparound services, counseling, and student support resources for families with IEPs
• Free daily breakfast and lunch for all students Over 20 competitive middle school, junior varsity, and varsity athletic teams
• Extended day after school programs including tae kwon do, cooking club, dance, and tutoring
CROSSWORD Aesthetic starts
by Myles Mellor
Across:
1. Billy Joel’s “___ to Extremes”
4. Islamabad’s country, abbr.
7. Sound booster
10. French brandy
16. Mumbai dress
18. Tea server
19. ___ Lama
21. Worst, as an excuse
22. Painter’s challenge
25. Garfield’s vice president
26. Goddess of wisdom and war
27. Act like a wounded finger
28. Carrier
30. Picked
31. It towers over Taormina
32. Puts forward
36. Swing around
40. “Chicago” lyricist
42. Rat-Pack member
45. Compass point
48. Ole Miss rival
50. Bob Dylan song
52. Chocolate trees
53. L.A.’s Getty Center, for one
55. “Jealous mistress,” to Emerson
57. Digital photos, for short
58. Air-conditioning gas
59. NY concert venue
66. Recipe measurement. abbr.
67. Global finance group
70. 1965 Beatles concert venue
71. Foiled
72. Atlantic is one
74. Like many cold meds
75. Prod
76. Not necessarily against
77. Dr. Zhivago’s girlfriend
79. Ballad’s end?
80. Wax collector
83. Dickens character
85. Pretentious
87. “Adam and ___”, painted by Tintoretto
88. “You betcha”
89. Dental discomfort
93. Battle in the American Revolution
97. Branch
100. Litigant
101. Biblical pronoun
102. Weapon supply
104. Rap doctor
105. Flower or eye part
107. Iago’s wife
109. Many an office has one
112. “Matrix” actor Reeves
117. Atmospheric prefix
118. Deplete
120. Unspoiled
121. Channel
126. Where many works are hung
129. Playwright Norman
130. Hike
131. Part of le printemps
132. On bended ___
133. Sri Lanka, formerly
134. Dark and feminine (Chinese)
135. ____ gow poker
136. Slip a cog
Down:
1. Sci-Fi great, Asimov
2. Big name in country music
3. Prefix with pedic or dontic
4. Fast, fierce feline
5. Dada notable
6. Nautical measure
7. Fictional password user
8. Statesman in a Warhol series
9. Picture of a star
10. Enduring literary work
11. Canoe equipment
12. Clock standard, abbr.
13. O.T. book
14. The Sun Devils of the N.C.A.A.
15. NYC’s Rockefeller, for one
17. Summer coolers
19. Grime
20. Makes up (for)
23. Change machine input
24. Common pronoun
29. Med. test result
33. ___ pickle (jam)
34. Tic-___-toe
35. Mainstay
37. Weight abbr.
38. Emirates, for short
39. Outback runner
41. Dundee hillside
43. Disturb
44. Australian stock exchange, abbr.
45. Miscalculates
46. Milestone
47. Rock music style
49. Pacers and Ramblers, e.g.
51. Object
53. Fore’s opposite
54. Agency concerned with kid’s health
56. Color
60. Get __ of yourself
61. Put a new price on
62. Iridescent substance
63. Advantage
64. Triumphant shout
65. Mass. peninsula
68. Computer list
69. Broadly
72. Decide
73. Bumps
76. End of a warning
78. These may be fine
80. Mark permanently
81. White as a sheet
82. A whiskey
83. State confidently
84. Opinion piece in a newspaper
86. Hamelin critter
87. Environmental watchdogs
90. Arles assent
91. Over, poetically
92. Three way
94. Fashion line
95. Groove-billed ___
96. Singapore inhabitant
98. Salad tit-bit
99. Come-ons
103. Fabrication
106. Humorous piece
108. Sheikdom of song
110. Word with book or message
111. “What’s that?”
113. “CHiPs” co-star Estrada
114. Nickname for the Red Sox’s Adrian Gonzalez
115. Frisco gridder
116. Family name at Indy
119. MTV’s “__ My Ride”
120. Roman 8
121. Car co. bought by Chrysler
122. Actress ___ Dawn Chong of “The Color Purple”
123. Encouraging word
124. Night school subj.
125. Fraternity letter
127. Toulouse king
128. Sheep bleat
153 E Street SE
Warm, wonderful space and the Brent school district!
