Issuu

MIDCITY AUGUST 2013

latory Affairs

Vending Regulations Training Symposium “Capitalizing on the Thriving Vending Industry in the District of Columbia” - FREE OF CHARGE On June 18, 2013, the City Council voted to approve new Vending Regulations which will dramatically change the vending industry in the District.

Please attend our Vending Regulations Training Symposium to learn about: • Vendor Licenses (Classes, types, and requirements) • Sidewalk Vending • Mobile Vending (Food Trucks) • Vendor Employee Badges • Public Markets • Fees and Fines • New Vending Opportunities • And many other topics DCRA, OCFO/OTR, DDOE, DOH, FEMS, MPD, DDOT and others will be in attendance to answer questions related to vending.

The Training Symposium dates and times are: Session 1: Saturday, August 17, 2013 9:00 am – 11:00 am Session 2: Monday, August 19, 2013 6:00 pm – 8:00pm Session 3: Saturday, August 24, 2013 9:00 am – 11:00 am Session 4: Monday, August 26, 2013 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Session 5: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Multiple language interpretation) Location: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW 2nd Floor (Room E-200) Washington D.C. 20024

To Register, Go To: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/Conferences.action (Keyword: “Vending”)

If you need further assistance with registering for this workshop, please call the Small Business Resource Center at (202) 442-4538 or email claudia.herrera@dc.gov or india.blocker@dc.gov.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

IS A DID YOU KNOW? If you knowingly collect benefits by intentionally providing false or inaccurate information when you filed your claim, you are committing FRAUD. Examples include: • An individual returns to work but continues to collect UI benefits. • An individual works a part-time job but does not report his or her earnings to the state, thereby collecting more benefits than he or she is allowed.

UI Fraud is punishable by law! PENALTIES Can Include: • Criminal prosecution • Penalties and fines • Forfeiting future income tax refunds • Ineligibility to collect UI benefits in the future Don’t make your unemployment problem worse. If you think you may have committed UI Fraud, let us help you address the issue.

• An individual performs temporary work while collecting UI benefits, but does not report the earnings when filing his or her weekly claim. • An individual holds back information or gives false information to the state UI agency.

1.877.372.8360 Call us today or visit does.dc.gov to read more about UI Fraud.

Midcity DC | August 2013 u 3

CONTENTS AUGUST 08

08 What’s on Washington.com 10 Calendar out and about 16

Insatiable • Jonathan Bardzik

Retail Therapy • Mariessa Terrell

your neighborhood

16 24

E on DC • E. Ethelbert Miller

Logan Circles • Mark F. Johnson

Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann

Bloomingdale Bites • Jazzy Wright

ANC6E • Steve Holton

at home 28

Garden Fairy • Jesse Wyner

Changing Hands • Don Denton

30 Classifieds

COVER photo by Jazzy Wright

MIDCITY

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THOMAS LANDSCAPES

Full -Service Landscape Design & Maintenance Firm Midcity DC | August 2013 u 5

Hill Rag • Mid City DC • East Of The River • Fagon Community Guides Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com

Look for Next Issue of MCDC on September 7 Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com School Notes Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Kids & Family Notebook Editor: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Arts, Dining & Entertainment Art: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Dining: Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Hit the City: Joylyn Hopkins • joylyn@joylynhopkins.com Literature: Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Movies: Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Music: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.com Retail Therapy: Scott Fazzini • scott.fazzini@gmail.com Theater: Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com Travel: Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com The Wine Guys: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com Calendar & Bulletin Board Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com General Assignment Martin Austermuhle • martin.austermuhle@gmail.com Maggy Baccinelli • mbaccinelli@gmail.com Dana Bell • dana@hillrag.com Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ralph Brabham • ralphbrabham@yahoo.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Gwyn Jones • gwynjones@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Charnice Milton • charnicem@hotmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Alice Ollstein • alice.ollstein@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Linda Samuel • indabsamuel@yahoo.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com Jazzy Wright • wright.jazzy@gmail.com Jennifer Zatkowski • jenn@hillrag.com

KIDS & FAMILY Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Society & Events Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com Homes & Gardens Rindy O’Brien • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com COMMENTARY Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com Production/Graphic/web Design Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Designer: Kyungmin Lee • lee@hillrag.com Web Master: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Jennifer Zatkowski, 202.543.8300 X20 • Jenn@hillrag.com Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 carolina@hillrag.com Distribution Distribution Manager: Andrew Lightman Distributors: MediaPoint, LLC Distribution Information: distribution@hillrag.com Deadlines & CONTACTS Advertising: sales@hillrag.com Display Ads: 15th of each month Classified Ads: 10th of each month Editorial: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com Bulletin Board & Calendar: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

BEAUTY, Health& Fitness Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Mariessa Terrell • mterrell@sbclawgroup.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com

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. 6 u midcitydcnews.com

Midcity DC | August 2013 u 7

s! ent v E ore rM o f ite ebs W Our See

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a month-by-month guide to events

Michael Graves Designed Scaffolding on the Washington Monument

Don’t miss having a long look at the scaffolding around the Washington Monument. The structural work is ongoing and the closest anyone at the National Park Service can come to the Monument’s reopening is 2014, but don’t miss the wrapping. The lights come on at dusk and stay on all night (488 lamps restore the marble tower’s glow). Michael Graves Associates tells us that the current scaffoling is from drawings done for the 1998-2000 millennium restoration work. Because everyone loved it, a bill was even introduced in Congress to keep the scaffolding up. Well it’s back now, due to the damage done by the 2011 earthquake. nps.gov/wamo

Pennsylvania college students join the 1963 March on Washington, the largest civil rights protest in history. Photo: Flip Schulke Archive

50th Anniversary of March on Washington

Photo: Courtesy Michael Graves & Associates

On August 28, 2013, citizens from across this country will gather in Washington, DC to commemorate and celebrate the historic March On Washington which occurred 50 years ago on August 28, 1963. Two important sites to visit during this time are the Lincoln Memorial and the new Martin Luther King Memorial. On Saturday, August 24, there will be a march along the historic 1963 route. On August 28, the actual anniversary of the march and the “I Have a Dream” speech, there will be an interfaith service at 9 a.m. at the King Memorial before a 1 p.m. celebration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, culminating with a ceremonial bell ringing at 3 p.m., the exact time of King’s famous speech. “Make Some Noise: Students and the Civil Rights Movement” at Newseum explores the new generation of student leaders in the early 1960s who fought segregation by making their voices heard and exercising their First Amendment rights. “Make Some Noise,” the Newseum will launch a three-year changing exhibit, “Civil Rights at 50,” which will be updated each year to chronicle milestones in the civil rights movement from 1963, 1964 and 1965 through historic front pages, magazines and news images.

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Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair was born out of the desire of 4-H leaders to provide a county show for the 4-H members in Montgomery County to exhibit their prize livestock, garden and home economics projects. Their initial meeting on a cold, March night in Rockville in 1945 started what today is the largest county fair in Maryland. A network of more than 2,000 volunteers continue making contributions of their time, making the fair and agricultural center a vital part of the business community in Montgomery County. As the years passed, the facilities were continually expanded upon and upgraded, as well as the upgrading of the classes and prizes offered at the fair. Check out the fairway, the rides, the animals and exhibits on Aug 9-17 at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center, 16 Chestnut St. Gaithersburg, MD. 301-926-3100. mcagfair.com Image: Rex Reed, Amberlea Photography & Design, LLC

Asia After Dark: Chinese Martial Arts

Their motto is Art, Drink and be Merry. This will cost you $25 in advance and $30 at the door (includes one dirnk). On Saturday August 17, 7-11 p.m. at the Sackler Gallery you’ll enjoy live hip-hop scores of classic kung fu flicks with DJs Hop Fu; watch wushu martial arts performances; get in balance with tai chi demonstrations; decorate a teacup sleeve with mash-ups of Asian art designs; meet experts behind the Smithsonian’s new frontier of 3D imaging; get 3D savvy in building a laser-cut Cosmic Buddha; join gallery conversations with Chinese art curators Keith Wilson and Daisy Wang; and sip a special cocktail. The suggested attire: Chinese-inspired dress. You must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend. asia.si.edu/asiaafterdark

Crowd at a prior Asia After Dark event at the Sackler. Photo: Cory Grace

Courtesy of NoMa BID

NoMa Beer Fest

All of DC’s favorite beer-makers will converge on Saturday, August 17 for the inaugural NoMa Beer Fest during DC Beer Week. Sample special summer ales and local favorites, with live music, DJs, games, and tasty food by Union Kitchen and local food trucks. All-local breweries include DC Brau, Chocolate City Brewing Company, District Chophouse, Capital City Brewing Company, Three Stars, Right Proper Brewery (opening soon in Shaw), and the Brewer’s Art (Baltimore). Reserve your beer tickets online now! $10 for 2 beers, or $10 for four sample tastings. Saturday, August 17, 2-8 p.m. (last call, 7:30 p.m.). Festival is in the parking lot at 1250 First Street, NE. Entrance at First and N Streets, NE. NoMaBeerFest.org Midcity DC | August 2013 u 9

calendar H H H

AUGUST

SPECIAL EVENTS Digital Commons Opens at MLK Library. While many public libraries are offering some element or elements of what Digital Commons offers, MLK Library is the first to offer this size of space and number of services and programs focused on digital learning, digital literacy, and digital collaboration! Digital Commons is a new, state of the art incubator space for the tech enthusiast, small business start up and the tech novice. Digital Commons is equipped with a 3D printer, a self-publishing book machine, a Skype station,video phones, the latest eReader devices, smartboards, more than 80 public computers, spaces for meet ups and collaborative creation and more. Located on the first floor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, it’s your one stop shop for all of your technology needs. MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk Family-friendly Community Open House at the DC Streetcar Testing & Commissioning Site. Aug 10, 10 AM-noon. In anticipation of the system opening in the upcoming months, they invite you, their valued community members, to join the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the DC Streetcar Team for an Open House at the DC Streetcar Testing and Commissioning Site. Testing & Commissioning Site, 2860 So. Capitol St. SE. International Unmanned Systems and Robotics Exposition. Aug 12-15. “The largest display of robotics and unmanned systems hardware in the world.” Walter E. Washington Convention Center. auvsishow.org Arts & Humanities Festival at St Elizabeth’s East. Aug 17 and 18, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM. The Arts & Humanities Festival at St. Elizabeth’s East is a free festival showcasing the history, culture and community of Ward 8. The events feature an exciting scope of activities, live performances, art exhibits, readings and workshops that will be fun for the entire family. Artists and performers from all disciplines, including storytellers, exhibition artists, singers, bands, rappers, workshop artists, historians, actors, dancers, drummers and musicians will be a part of this family-friendly festival. The heart of this free festival is located at one of the District’s most

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Derek Smith as Benedick and Kathryn Meisle as Beatrice in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Photo: Scott Suchman

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All “Much Ado About Nothing” Aug 20-Sep 1. The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public. Tickets for each performance of Much Ado About Nothing will be made available to the public on the day of the show by visiting Sidney Harman Hall as well as through an online lottery system. Seating is general admission. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. shakespearetheatre.org

prized historic campuses, St. Elizabeths East, in the 1100 block of Alabama Avenue SE. The East Campus will soon be the home of a new Gateway Pavilion currently under construction and slated to open in September 2013. stelizabethseast.com Truckeroo. 2013 remaining dates are Aug 16 and Sept 6, 11:00 AM-11:00 PM. Truckeroo is a monthly festival held at the corner of Half St. and M St., SE (across from the Navy Yard Metro Station on the Green line) showcasing food trucks from the Washington, DC area. It features 20 food trucks, picnic tables, games, cold

drinks, plenty of shade and live music all day. Free admission. truckeroodc.com NoMa Beer Fest. Aug 17, 2:00-8:00 PM. All of DC’s favorite beer-makers converge for NoMa Beer Fest during DC Beer Week. Sample special summer ales and local favorites, with live music, DJs, games, and tasty food by Union Kitchen and local food trucks. All-local breweries include DC Brau, Chocolate City Brewing Company, District Chophouse, Capital City Brewing Company, Three Stars, Right Proper Brewery (opening soon in Shaw), and the Brewer’s Art (Baltimore). Reserve your

beer tickets online now! $10 for 2 beers, or $10 for four sample tastings. Festival is in the parking Lot at 1250 First Street, NE. Entrance at First and N Streets, NE. NoMaBeerFest.org Marine Barracks Evening Parade. Friday evenings through Aug 30. Guests admitted starting at 7:00 PM. Guests should be seated by 8:00 PM. Program begins at 8:45 PM. The Evening Parade has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines. The ceremony begins with a concert by the United States

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Play Giveaway & Concert Packs are also available at nationals.com/ flex for those who want to ensure their seat for each of the four postgame concerts. Documentary Film Series at Southeast Library. Aug 12-Grizzly Man. This documentary explores the life and death of amateur grizzly bear expert and wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell. Southeast Library, 403 7th St. SE. 202-698-3377. dclibrary.org/ southeast National Shrine Summer Organ Recitals. Sundays in Aug, 6:00 PM. Free. Free will offering accepted. All welcome. 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com Screen on the Green. Aug 12-Tootsie. On the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets. friendsofscreenonthegreen.org Navy Band “Concerts on the Avenue.” Tuesdays, 7:30 PM (new time). US Navy Memorial. The United States Navy Band and its specialty groups will perform. Free. Seventh and Penn. Ave. NW. 202-737-2300. navymemorial.org Summer Breeze Jazz Concert. Aug 18, 3:00 PM. Anacostia Diaspora Group presents the Summer Breeze Jazz Concert featuring Jazz Saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr. and The Marcus Mitchell Project! $25. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Congresswoman Norton greeting employers at last year’s fair. Photo: Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Annual Norton Job Fair Aug 21, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold her 16th annual Job Fair at the Washington Convention Center, 800 Mount Vernon Pl. NW-between 7th and 9th Sts. NW. There will be practical workshops for people seeking employment from 10-11 a.m. This year’s job fair is expected to feature over 100 employers with opportunities for federal, state, local and private-sector jobs. The job fair is open to DC residents only. Job-seekers must bring a photo ID, utility bill, or other proof of residency. 202-225-8050. norton.house.gov

Marine Band. Free. It is wise to have reservations that can be made online at mbw.usmc.mil. Marine Barracks (front gate), Eighth and I sts. SE. 202-433-4073. mbw.usmc.mil 2013 Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer. Wednesdays, through Aug 28, 7:00 PM with pre-ceremony pageantry starting at 6:45 PM. Members of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” Fife and Drum Corps and the US Army Drill Team will perform an hour-long sunset military Pageant. Over 100 Old Guard soldiers dressed in period uniforms will provide a glimpse of Army history from colonial times to the soldier of the future. Summerall Field on historic Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. usarmyband.com Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran. This summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, enjoy special exhibitions and programming free of charge in addition to Gallery tours, select workshops, demonstrations, and performances for all ages. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. 202-639-1700. corcoran.org

SUMMER MUSIC AND MOVIES Free Summer Concert at National Building Museum. Aug 11, 2:00 PM. WPAS Summer Steps with Step Afrika! National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org NoMa Summer Screen “Outlaw Heroes”. Aug 14-Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Aug 21- (rain date). 7:00-11:00 PM. Movie location at L St. between 2nd and 3rd, NE. nomabid.org

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Go-Go Swing: Washington DC’s Unstoppable Beat. Aug 16, 7:00-10:00 PM. DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities cordially invites you to Go-Go Swing: Washington DC’s Unstoppable Beat. A red carpet art exhibition revealing the untold stories of Washington DC’s signature sound, Go-Go. Join them in an evening of interactive art, music, photography, fashion, and poetry that will document the history of Go-Go from its African, Latin, Jazz and Funk roots to the present. Go-Go Swing: Washington DC’s Unstoppable Beat will celebrate pioneers of the indigenous genre featuring performances by Rare Essence and Black Alley Band. All-White-Attire Affair. 200 I St. SE. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Valet parking available, $5. 200 I St. SE. 202-724-5613 Military Band Concerts at the US Capitol. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in summer (weather permitting). 8:00 PM. Mondays, US Navy Band; Tuesdays, US Air Force Band; Wednesdays, US Marine Band; Fridays, US Army Band. Free. West Terrace US Capitol Building. Yards Park Marine Band Thursday Night Concerts (before the movie). Thursdays, 7:30 PM, through Aug 29. Yards Park is in the Capitol Riverfront at 355 Water Street SE, three blocks from Nationals Ballpark. Take the Green Line to Navy Yard (New Jersey Avenue exit). yardspark.org Postgame Concerts at Nationals Park. Gavin DeGraw (August 31) and Montgomery Gentry (September 21) will comprise the lineup for the 2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series following select Nationals home games throughout the summer. The performances will begin approximately 15 minutes after the final out of each Nationals game. Fans who wish to attend the free concerts must have a valid ticket for that day’s Nationals game, which can be purchased at nationals.com/NatsLive. The Double

U Street Movies. Aug 21 and Sept 18. Contact harrison@ustreetdc.org to help organize or donate. Movies shown at the Harrison Recreation Center field, V St. between 13th and 14th sts. NW. Free admission. Attendees are encouraged to come early to picnic in the park and listen to music spun by local DJs. movies.ustreet-dc.org Rhythm in NoMa Concerts. Aug 29, Sept 26; 6:00-8:00 PM. Connect with business partners, family or friends while listening to a variety of popular musical styles, from Motown to funk to quiet jazz ensembles. location TBA. nomabid.org Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series. Fridays, 8:30 PM. Here’s the lineup: Aug 16, Crowded Streets; Aug 23, Alma Tropicalia; and Aug 30, Framewerk. Yards Park is in the Capitol Riverfront at 355 Water Street SE, three blocks from Nationals Ballpark. Take the Green Line to Navy Yard (New Jersey Avenue exit). yardspark.org Air Force Band Concerts. Fridays in summer, 8:00 PM. Air Force Memorial at One Air Force Memorial Drive in Arlington, VA. (14th St. Bridge into Virginia, merge onto Washington Blvd. and then Columbia Pike in the direction of the Navy Annex. Then follow signs.) Expect a pleasing mix of contemporary and patriotic tunes and spectacular views of the nighttime Washington, DC skyline. Free. airforcememorial.org Jazz in the Sculpture Garden. Fridays, through Aug 30 (rain or shine), 5:00-8:00 PM. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Live jazz performed by an eclectic mix of top artists from the Washington area entertains visitors outdoors in front of the fountain or in the Pavilion Cafe (if it’s raining). The Pavilion Cafe features a seasonal tapas-style menu and bar service during the concerts. Everyone can enjoy these concerts. You do not have to order food or drinks. Free. 202- 289-3360. nga.gov Live American Roots Music. Friday and Saturday nights in summer. The National Building Museum has partnered with Hill Country Barbecue Market to present Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue, a unique branded outdoor experience featuring Hill Country’s award-winning Texas-style barbecue, ice-cold Shiner beers, and signature cocktails on the Museum’s spacious and picturesque West Lawn. Throughout the summer, the space features live American roots music on Friday and Saturday nights, presented by Hill Country Live, Hill Country’s Austin-inspired music program. National Buildiong Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org Labor Day Concert at the Capitol. Sept 1, 8:00 PM (gates open at 3:00 PM). The National Symphony Orchestra performs a free Labor Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol each year, the Sunday before Labor Day. Call the NSO Summer Concert Hotline at 202-416-8114 after 11 a.m. in the evnent of inclement weather.

Annual 1812 Overture Concert. Due to construction at the Sylvan Theater, there will be no 1812 Overture concert at the Washington Monument this summer.

MUSIC Music at The Howard. Aug 10, Remembering Whitney-the Harlem Gospel Choir Remembers Whitney Houston; Aug 11, RnB Spotlight-Revisiting the 90’s; Aug 12, DC Beer Week; Aug 14, The New Mastersounds; Aug 15, Shindig-A Variety Show; Aug 16, Howard Hewett; Aug 17, LeToya Luckett; Aug 18, The Original Wailers; Aug 19, Howard Jones; Aug 20, Carolyn Wonderland; Aug 21, Turquoise Jeep; Aug 22, Chuck Brown Birthday Bash; Aug 23, Dru Hill; Aug 24, K-OS; Aug 25, Gilberto Santa Rosa; Aug 26, Eve; Aug 28-29, An Evening with Anthony Hamilton; Aug 30, The Bar KapsA Taste of Honey & Brick; Aug 31, Salt-N-Pepa; Sept 4, Tom Brown and Fred Wesley; Sept 5, Midnite. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Music at Sixth and I. Aug 10, Chris Eldridge (of Punch Brothers) & Julian Lage; Aug 18, Good Soul with Rabbi Scott; Aug 20, Parachute; Aug 24, Luray. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100. sixthandi.org Laura Marling at the Lincoln. Sept 4, 7:00 PM. Brooding photographs and lyrics scrawled on hotel paper pepper Laura Marling’s Facebook page as of late. It’s clear that inspiration can be found just about anywhere for this fast-rising folk songstress. Take a listen to “Master Hunter” and get see how quickly you can get lost in that shuffling rhythm. According to the lyrics, nothing gets in her skin. At Lincoln Theatre this September, her songs will cut right to your core. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202328-6000. thelincolntheatre.org Sunday Gospel Brunch Featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. Every Sunday, 12:30-2:00 PM. $30-$45. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Gospel Choir Brunch at Union Market. First Saturday of every month, 10:00 AM. Experience Gospel Choir Brunch on the first Saturday of every month with a dynamic performance featuring the Israel Baptist Church. Brunch specials are available from vendors. Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE. unionmarketdc.com HR 57 Weekly Jam Sessions. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 PM-midnight. Since 1993 HR-57 has provided a place where aspiring musicians gather to learn the history and

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cultures of the genres of jazz and blues. It’s a venue for the exchange of ideas and information between aspiring and professional musicians, students, aficionados and the general public. $8. 1007 H St. NE. 202-2530044. hr57.org Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Every Tuesday, 12:10 PM. Free but free will offering taken. 1317 G ST. NW. 202-3472635. epiphanydc.org

THEATER The Second City “America All Better”. Extended through Aug 18. 2012: The economy’s in the dumps. Unemployment is sky high. The middle class is disappearing. A national poll reveals that Americans prefer cockroaches to Congress. 2013: Haven’t you heard? Obama’s been reelected. The economy is on the rebound (sort of). Marijuana and gay marriage are legal (kind of). America, now you’re All Better!! Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202393-3939. woollymammoth.net A Few Good Men at Keegan. Aug 10-Sept 7. First produced on Broadway in 1989 and inspiring an Academy Award-nominated film of the same name, Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men tells the story of military lawyers at a courtmartial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, two United States Marines accused of murder. Keegan Theater, 1742 Church St. NW. 703-892-0202. keegantheatre.com Rorschach Theatre’s Neverwhere at the Atlas. Aug 16-Sept 15. The London Underground takes on new meaning in this stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s best-selling fantasy adventure novel. In the tradition of Alice’s looking glass and Dorothy’s cyclone, Richard Mayhew’s adventure begins when a wounded girl appears on the sidewalk in front of him. The girl pulls Richard from the comfort of his life in modern London into a world where society’s unwanted live in a dark subculture; where monsters are real and where death waits in the dark of Night’s Bridge. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. 202399-7993. atlasarts.org Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All “Much Ado About Nothing”. Aug 20-Sep 1. The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public. Tickets for each performance of Much Ado About Nothing will be made available to the public on the day of the show by visiting Sidney Harman Hall as well as through an online lottery system. Seating is general admission. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. shakespearetheatre.org Torch Song Trilogy at Studio. Sept 4-Oct 13. Drag queen Arnold Beckoff comes by his blues honestly: he knows what it is to long for love. Tired of trawling New York’s gay bar backrooms, and armed with fierce humor, Arnold decides to find a family on his own terms. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org

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Potted Potter at Shakespeare. Sept 5-15. Playing to sold out houses all over the world, Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a firebreathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. shakespearetheatre.org

5-12. MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-7270321. dclibrary.org/mlk

After the Revolution at Theater J. Sept 7-Oct 6. The brilliant, promising Emma Joseph is primed to follow in the footsteps of her progressive political family. But when she discovers a troubling secret about her blacklisted grandfather, Emma must confront her family’s legacy, and her own path. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800 494-8497. washingtondcjcc.org

Children’s Programming at the National. The National Theatre invites families to take a break from the pressures of the outside world and spend a morning together in an atmosphere of adventurous theatrical fun at a price everyone can afford-free. On most Saturdays throughout the year, families from across the Washington region gather each week in our Helen Hayes Gallery and enjoy performances that introduce kids to the spectacle of live theater. Their storytellers, magicians, puppet shows, musicians, plays and dancers engage inquisitive minds with fun and educational presentations guaranteed to entertain everyone in the family! Performances take place at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes prior to show time on a first-come, first-served basisone ticket per person in line. Shows do sell out, so arrive early to assure your place in line!

Detroit at Woolly. Sept 9-Oct 6. Recently laid off, Ben starts an e-business from his suburban home while his wife, Mary, keeps up with the Joneses. But when mysterious new neighbors Sharon and Kenny arrive, the façade of their upwardly mobile lives begins to crack. Soon they find themselves increasingly pulled towards their wild new friendsto incendiary effect. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net

KIDS Shooting Stars Dance Recital. Aug 10, 3:00 PM. Join them in the MLK Library Great Hall for a special recital by Shooting Stars, a children’s dance ensemble! Their performance will include hip hop and modern dance, along with “A Hip Hop Wiz.” Stop by the Children’s Division, or call them at 202-7271248 to learn more about this Shooting Stars performance, or if you would like to learn more about the group! MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk First Day of Open Early Childhood Registration at Sitar Center. Aug 12. Open to both current and new students, ages 0-5. Call 202-797-2145 for more information. Sitar Arts Center provides multidisciplinary arts education to the children and youth of Washington, DC in a nurturing, creative community where young people discover their inherent talents and gifts. The Center fosters personal and artistic growth through the visual arts, music, drama, dance, digital arts, creative writing and early childhood arts education. We offer afterschool, weekend and summer classes to more than 700 students a year, 80 percent of whom come from low-income households. Sitar Arts Center is located at 1700 Kalorama Rd. NW. 202-797-2145. sitarartscenter.org Slim Harrison and the Sunnyland Band. Aug 17, 3:00 PM. Slim HarrisonSlim Harrison and his handmade jug band are sure to get children up and moving with his great celebration of American folk music. For ages

Children’s Movie Matinée ‘Wall-E’. Aug 20, 3:00 PM. The year is 2700 and WALL-E is a robot still spending every day doing what he was made for. Soon he is visited by a sleek robot named EVE whom he chases across the galaxy with a pet cockroach and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots. This movie is rated G and 97 minutes long. Fun for all ages! MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk

Kids Classes at Dance Place. Classes include Ballet, Creative Movement, Hip-Hop, Step, Tap, Tumbling and more. Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NE. 202-269-1600. danceplace.org

SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS DC United Soccer Home Matches. Aug 24. $23-$52. RFK Stadium. 202-587-5000. dcunited.com Washington Mystics Basketball. Aug 11, 20 and 23. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. wnba. com/mystics Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating. Aug 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 30, 31 and Sept 2 at various times. DC’s only indoor ice skating. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202584-5007. fdia.org Nats Baseball. Aug 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31; Sept 1. Nationals Park. 202675-6287. washington.nationals.mlb.com National’s Ballpark Tours. Wednesday-Sunday (non-game days), 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. On day of night-time home games, tours at 10:30 AM. Take the Nationals Park Ballpark Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at Nationals Park. Over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes you will visit the PNC Diamond Club, the Lexus Presidents Club, the Stars & Stripes Club, luxury suites, the Shirley Povich Media Center, Nationals dugout and Nationals clubhouse. Throw a pitch in

the Nationals bullpen. $12-$15. All proceeds from Nationals Park Tours will be donated to the Nationals Dream Foundation. washington.nationals.mlb.com Bocce at NOMA. Thursday nights through Aug 29 at First and M Sts. NE. dcbocce.com Shaw Skate Park. A new 11,000 sq. foot skate park has opened in the Shaw neighborhood. 11th and Rhode Island Ave. NW. Nearby public tennis courts. Banneker Community Center (eight outdoor tennis courts), 2500 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-673-6861. Kennedy Recreation Center (one outdoor tennis court), 1401 Seventh St. NW. 202-671-4794. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for one-hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. dpr. dc.gov/dpr Nearby outdoor public pools. Francis Pool, 2435 N St. NW; East Potomac Pool, 972 Ohio Dr. SW; Randall Pool, S. Capitol and I sts. SW. All DC public pools are free for DC residents. Have ID. dpr.dc.gov Nearby indoor public swimming pools. Turkey Thicket, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE. 202576-9236. Rumsey Pool, 635 No.Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495. All DC public pools are free for DC residents. Have ID. dpr.dc.gov NSBC Boxing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-7:00 PM. Self defense/PVA boxing class. New Samaritan Baptist Church, 1100 Florida Ave. NE. Contact Coach Odell Montgomery, 202-905-5215 for more information. Roller Skating at Anacostia Park. Skate weekends, sunrise to sunset. This is a covered, outdoor skating pavilion. Free. Onehour free skate “rental” has started but sizes and supplies are limited. During summer months, open daily. Go east on Penn. Ave. across Anacostia River and make the first right turn onto Fairlawn Ave. and another right onto Nicholson and then into the park. 202-472-3873 Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month, noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-505-3567. dcroadrunners.org

MARKETS Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market. Open Saturdays through Dec 21, 7:30 AM-1:00 PM. 18th and Columbia Rds. NW. lickingcreekbendfarm.com Brookland Farmers’ Market. Open Tuesdays through October, 4:00-7:00 PM. At the Brookland Metro, under the bridge. lickingcreekbendfarm.com Aya @ SW Waterfront. Saturdays, 9:00 AM1:00 PM. On the grounds of Christ United Methodist Church, 900 4th St. SW.

Capital Riverfront Farmers Market. Open Tuesdays through October, 4:00-7:00 PM. Every Tuesday, Canal Park’s southern block will transform into a festive marketplace with a dozen local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, locally prepared food, and artisan crafts. Canal Park is located in the Capitol Riverfront at 2nd and M Sts. SE. H Street FreshFarm Market. Saturdays through Dec 21, 9:00 AM-noon. H St. and 13th St. NE. Vendors are Atwater’s; Blueberry Hill; Cedarbrook Farm; Dolcezza Gelato; Full Cellar Farm; Garden Path Farm; Gordy’s Pickle Jar; Keswick Creamery at Carrock Farm, LLC; Quaker Valley Orchards; Red Apron Butchery; Richfield Farm. freshfarmmarkets.org Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Every Tuesday, 3:00-7:00 PM. Tuesday afternoon farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-6985253. easternmarket-dc.com Union Market. Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM8:00 PM. The newly-opened Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarket-dc.com Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market. Saturdays, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture every Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market will also feature local specialty food items such as fruits and vegetables, flowers, preserves, prepared foods and beverages. 2215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. bigchairmarket.com Penn Quarter, DC FreshFarm Market. Thursdays through Dec 19, 3:00-7:00 PM. North end of 8th St. NW, between D and E Sts. NW. freshfarmmarkets.org

potted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th St. and Mass. Ave NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the available items. 1819 35th St. NW. 202-775-3532. or georgetownfleamarket.com

CIVIC LIFE Height Master Plan for Washington, DC Public Meeting. Aug 13, 6:30-8:30 PM. Share your thoughts on the Height Master Plan Phase 2 modeling study and economic feasibility analysis. Hosted by the National Capital Planning Commission and the DC Office of Planning. DC Office of Planning, 1100 4th St. SW, 2nd Floor Conference Room (Waterfront Metro). Photo ID required for entry. 202-482-7200. ncpc.gov/ heightstudy Home Rehabilitation Workshop. Aug 13, 6:00 PM. Housing Counseling Services, Inc., a HUD approved non-profit, now offers free Home Rehabilitation Tips classes for homeowners planning to renovate or rehabilitate their homes. Homeowners will learn how to plan, finance, and manage their renovation projects and will receive information about programs that offer financial assistance for certain types of home rehabilitation. Class at 2410 17th St. NW. 202-667-7365. housingetc.org Grosso Near You (informal) Meeting. First Thursday, 8:00-9:30 AM, Pound the Hill, 621 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The meetings will provide the opportunity for constituents to bring ideas and issues directly to Councilmember Grosso as part of an effort to make the DC Council more accessible. Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202-783-5065. norton.house.gov u

14th and U Farmers’ Market. Saturdays through Nov 23, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Reeves Center Plaza at the corner of 14th St. and U St., NW. marketsandmore.net Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers,

Midcity DC | August 2013 u 15

out and about

+ Dining

by Jonathan Bardzik

Summer Survival Dining Guide

In the words of Cole Porter, “I want to sup with my baby tonight, but it’s too darn hot!” When the sun finally goes down, my husband Jason and I eventually get hungry. But this summer’s heat has us both so languid and lazy, we won’t even be bothered to use silverware. Time to eat Ethiopian. In the last month we’ve hit three Ethiopian spots. Sporting similar menus, we expected similar results (when’s the last time you were really surprised by a plate of General Tso’s Chicken?), but our dining experiences turned out to be dramatically different. I had eaten this African cuisine before with friends, but being in the driver’s seat of the menu for the first time can be a bit intimidating. Ethiopian cuisine is filled with

wats, tibs and gomans. Wat is a slowly cooked stew, typically with a base of red onions and niter kibbeh - spiced clarified butter. Tibs are sautés, typically made with meat. Gomen is a leafy green, usually made with collards or cabbage in the US. I’m painfully indecisive and love the common offer of sample platters. They arrive with piles of food served atop a base of injera, a large, thin, spongy, grey pancake (it’s far more appetizing than it sounds). Injera is made with teff flour, a grain compatible with gluten-free diets. Ask to make sure the injera is 100% teff. Stews and sautés are interspersed with spicy powders and sauces. H Street’s Ethiopic brings elegance to the dining experience and traditional flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. Additional injera, rolled up like hand towels, is torn into pieces, and spiced, clarified butter. Scared of raw Etete: Boldly Spiced used to pick up food with your hands. Eating at Etete (www.eteteres- beef ? Etete will serve it cooked, but taurant.com, 1942 9th St, NW) raw beef ’s delicate flavor is the perfect is like biting into a garden-fresh canvas for bold flavors. tomato for the first time - exactly what you expect, only better. Etete’s Queen of Sheba: chefs combine spices boldly and Some Like it Hot expertly. The strong exotic flavors Two weeks later, friends in tow, achieve the same layers of comwe walked into Queen of Sheba plexity that western chefs create (www.queenofshebadc.com, 1503 through sauces and stocks. 9th St NW ). The intoxicating fraOur sample platter was edged grance of freshly ground and toasted with lentils in greens and browns, and yellow split peas seasoned spices creates as distinct an atmowith smoky peppery flavor of bere sphere upon entering as the best debere - think Ethiopian chile pow- signed and lit spaces in the city. We der with a blend of more than 20 sat down salivating. If Etete dazzles by deftly balancspices - and floral and mild seasoning bold and complex spice, Queen of ings like turmeric and cinnamon. At the center of the platter was a Sheba shines by delivering fiery heat pink mound of kitfo. The lean raw without obscuring flavor. We began beef is finely chopped, then sea- with impossibly crisp, flaky sambusoned with ground hot pepper and sas, a fried pastry stuffed with spiced

Queen of Sheba delivers fiery heat balanced with bold, exotic spices. 16 u midcitydcnews.com

U O

lentils. We deferred to our hosts to combine their favorite dishes on two large platters. My first bite of Alicha Kik delivered bright heat from garlic and ginger, combined with sweet, starchy yellow split peas, all of which somehow maintained balance with the floral turmeric. The Awaze tibs, beef marinated with tomato, jalapeño and berebere was a culinary cousin of red curry paste while the lamb tibs, also sautéed with onion, tomato and jalapeño tasted more like fajita meat. Seeing me reach for collard greens, hoping to cool my palate, our friend Kevin, his brow beginning to sweat, said “Good luck, they’re just as spicy.” A mound of ayibe - mild, salty, feta-like cheese - provided much needed relief.

Did we complain? Not a bit. While some Americans add heat to their food like a sadistic dare, blotting out all flavor, Queen of Sheba dazzled allowing bold, complex flavors to shine through the fire.

Ethiopic: Elegant

Our third outing was on a quiet Sunday lunch at Ethiopic (www.ethiopicrestaurant.com, 401 H St NE). Simple and elegant, the space conveys a feeling of fine dining compared to the earthy, rustic atmosphere of our first two stops. Tables tucked into window nooks around the outer edge of the small dining room are intimate and provide great people-watching views of 4th and H streets. Before committing to full glasses, we were offered a taste of the three Ethiopian wines on their menu. Though delicious for a sip, the honey wine was sweet and rich. Gouder, a dry, bitter red, was a bit sharp. The medium dry and musty flavors of Axumite, a “sweet” red, made perfect sense when paired with our meal. The vegetarian sampler allowed us to taste all seven of their vegetarian offerings. The Miser Wat and Shimbra Aser Wat, lentil and chickpea stews, delivered some heat, but offered a delicate balance where Etete successfully combined broad brush strokes. I loved every bite of the rich, sweet, caramelized green beans. However, Ethiopic’s elegance came up a bit short when it came to their Gomen - collard greens. I missed the bold, vinegar and heat I had enjoyed at Queen of Sheba. The verdict: whether you want to be delighted by bold spice, deftly applied fiery heat, or elegant balance, DC”s Ethiopian offerings can satisfy your yen and we’ll be back to all three.

Restaurant Week at Sonoma

Union Market is the site of Fresh Farms producer only market, Sundays from 10-2 through October 27.

July delivers the worst of summer in DC - heat, humidity, and with Congress’ summer recess still a few weeks away, we’re paying full price to dine out. Fortu-

nately, Restaurant Week (www.ramw.org/restaurant week), held August 19-25, approaches. Eight years ago Jason and I had our first date during restaurant week. Sonoma (www.sonomadc. com, 223 Pennsylvania Ave SE) offered their full menu at the deep restaurant week discount. I fell in love over a whole branzino. This past Monday at the launch event for the third annual Eat Local First DC week (www.eatlocalfirstdc.com) I bumped in Sonoma’s executive chef Joshua Hutter. He told me they will again be offering their full menu during restaurant week this year. “We want to show off our very best,” he said. Jason and I will be celebrating our first date anniversary over Sonoma’s summer menu. I’ve called dibs on the the watermelon salad with a honey chili vinaigrette. He’s claimed a decadent plate of black pepper fettucini carbonara with house made pancetta. Sharing is still under negotiation.

FRESHFARM Markets Comes to Union Market

On July 21st, FRESHFARM Markets arrived at Union Market. Known for producer-only markets around DC including the Dupont Circle and Thursday Penn Quarter Markets, FRESHFARM will bring over ten different produce farmers to Neal Place, right outside the market, from 10-2 on Sundays through October 27th. Co-founder and executive director, Ann Yonkers told me, “FRESHFARM Markets worked with EDENS to bring an outside farmers market to Union Market. I just visited and there is a steady gaggle of people discovering all the delicious local food at our newest market site - our eleventh FRESHFARM Market!” Congrats to FRESHFARM Markets and all of Union Market’s lucky neighbors in Northeast. Jonathan Bardzik is a storyteller, demo chef and food writer in Washington, DC. You can find him outside at Eastern Market, each Saturday morning, cooking with local, fresh produce. Jonathan’s first cookbook, Simple Summer: A recipe for cooking and entertaining with ease, is due out this summer. Find out what Jonathan is cooking by reading his blog www.whatihaventcookedyet.com or his Facebook page of the same name. Need some foodporn? Follow @JonathanBardzik on Twitter and Instagram. u Midcity DC | August 2013 u 17

out and about

+ Shopping

RETAIL THERAPY

ever one to follow the crowd, I routinely choose to spend August in Washington, DC. I guess I am nostalgic for that bygone era when the District was more akin to a little town. I recall the 1980’s and 1990’s when DC was virtually empty after 6 p.m. every week day. Not only could you roller blade down the middle of many of the city’s thoroughfares, but you could drive from one end of the city to the other in about 10 minutes. Still, living in the present has its advantages. MidCity DC how has countless restaurants, bars, and cute retail establishments all within a few blocks of 14th and U.

LASH UP

by Mariessa Terrell shop at Urban Escape located at 1781 Florida Avenue, NW. Although Helena specializes in cultivating a natural look she happily accommodates my occasional need to look like Diana Ross during her stint with the Supremes. In order to provide more va-va-voom with no Lamb Chop puppet effect, Helena has perfected a technique that builds glamour by layering one lash at a time. This systematic approach punctuated by frequent mirror checks ensures that her clients can easily regulate their lash volume. Et Voila!

GIN FIZZ

Even if you never become a princess, you can for about $160 smell like one. Or at least that was my reasoning for purchasing Gin Fizz, a perfume formulated by Lubin and sold at Good

I’ve been wearing Ardell strip lashes ever since I began riding the 34 bus from Potomac Avenue to Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School for Girls. So, when I heard about a lash technique that would enable me to wake up every day wide eyed and lash ready, I was over the moon. To my utter delight, Helena, famed esthetician and lash Supreme Lashes at Urban Escape. Photo: Kristopher Johnson stylist recently set up 18 u midcitydcnews.com

Wood located at 1428 U Street, NW. The Lubin French Perfume House was founded in 1798 by Pierre Francois Lubin who became quite famous for creating perfumes for the Imperial Court. In 1955, Lubin perfumer Henri Giboulet continued the tradition and created Gin Fizz as a tribute to Princess Grace Kelly, the charming American actress best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock movies including, “Rear Window,” “To Catch a Thief ” and “Dial M for Murder.” Named after the cocktail in fashion during the 1950‘s, Gin Fizz combines Sicilian lemon, juniper berries, irises from Florence, Turkish jasmine and vetiver grass. To the chagrin of the four other perfumes languishing atop my dresser, Gin Fizz has become my new favorite applied generously thrice a day to captivate the imaginations of everyone in my vicinity. Imperial Perfume at Good Wood. Photo: Kristopher Johnson

FARM 2 FREEZER POPS

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, I along with everyone else in DC have been looking for clever ways to remain cool. Ice works in a pinch. However Mexican ice pops on a stick (called paletas) work even better. In keeping with the tradition of the paletas,

Ice Lollies at Pleasant Pops. Photo: Kristopher Johnson

Summer Time Tye-Dye at C’mon. Photo: Kristopher Johnson

Pleasant Pops likewise uses fresh fruit plucked from nearby farms to create their fruit popsicles. I prefer the non dairy alternatives, Peach Hibiscus and Sweet Iced Tea. But the dairy options like cookies and cream and blueberry pancake are equally delicious. Because Pleasant Pops are all natural and never modified to melt slow, you have to work fast to avoid any damage to your couture. I have perfected the following technique: lean (gracefully), slurp (politely) and blot (routinely). Pleasant Pops is located at 1781 Florida Avenue, NW. In addition to selling ice lollies, Pleasant Pops also sells sustainable sandwiches, salads and coffee.

Ethiopian REstauRant 1503 9th St. NW • 202.232.7272/7788

DYE JOBS

If I was Bill Cunningham (New York Times street photographer) and I was looking for the newest trends for men, I would set up my tripod in the middle of the C’MON showroom floor. C’MON (Common) like Hip Hop and like Punk before it thrives on “disparate fashion united by customization.” This summer to my utter delight, C’MON chose to highlight a bespoke line of hand (tie) dyed t-shirts and Vans sneakers customized by C’MON staff. The pastel versions in soft pink, seafoam green and sky blue are remarkable for their lack of bleed in the design and for their uniqueness. No two sneakers or shirts are alike. C’MON and the hip hop enthusiasts that shop there provide more proof that Art is Fashion and DC fashion never disappoints. Mariessa Terrell, aka Simone Butterfly, Fashion Investigator, does her sleuthing atwww.yoohoodarling. com and @SimoneBtrfly u

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Praying for Miracles Not To Melt

ugust remains my favorite month in this city. Maybe it’s because I never have enough money to get away and other people do. I’m a solitary type of guy. August finds me sweaty and hot. Humidity rocks! I’ve never been a lover of cold or winter - no sleds or skis for me. Did Eli Whitney invent the shovel after the cotton gin? What’s the difference between snow and cotton when it comes to lifting and you’re getting up in age? When you become older you start thinking about your back hurting much like the pitch count in a game. Which brings me back to baseball. This is the month one sits in the ball park and prays for miracles not to melt. Nothing worse than a team having a losing streak and falling behind a division leader. August is the month when players smell September and playoffs. Some hitters get hotter than the weather, while a dead arm can be a nightmare for a pitcher who was once a flame thrower. It’s worse than losing sight of the strike zone. It’s a writer’s block in front of a crowd. In a few weeks I’ll start following wins and loses. Every game will matter. This will be around the time relationships fail. A late summer argument beginning at the beach might end on the boardwalk. Your favorite player starts to slump. A no name kid begins to make a name for himself. Is this why the ball park is called a field of dreams? In a hot August night I could be 20 u midcitydcnews.com

by E. Ethelbert Miller one fan among many; one crazy cheering individual stretching in the seventh inning, looking around at a sea of red hats and jerseys, a big pond of curly Ws overflowing with excitement and suspense. Why would I want to be anywhere else? This August will mark the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. What if baseball was our barometer or measuring stick of how much our country has changed? Is improved race relations a pennant chase? Who is our MVP or Rookie of the Year in 2013? I remember after the Watts Riots of 1965 how every summer was predicted to explode into a festival of violence and anger spilling into our urban streets. We pulled together special commissions and compiled reports in order to explain the ills of our nation. We relied on stats and numbers long before the arrival of moneyball. Back in 1963, King said the following: “In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.

Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.” But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.” If you are in the minority, America will make you sweat at times. Baseball reminds us that we commit errors - not fouls or penalties, but errors. Fifty years ago King challenged our country to fulfill its promise to all of its citizens. Our playing field when it comes to economics must be fair with everyone having an opportunity to move beyond first base. So, this August I tip my cap to King, knowing that it’s hotter than July. But who ever said things would be easy? At the beginning of every baseball game we pause for a moment and listen to the singing of our national anthem. If one imagines a slight chill in the air it might come from great expectations and our inability to hit the curve. E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activist. He is the author of several books of poetry and two memoirs. Mr. Miller is the director of the African American Resource Center at Howard University as well as the board chair for the Institute for Policy Studies. u

your neighborhood

Logan Circles by Mark Johnson

Dog Days

We are into the Dog Days of summer and in U/14, that means business owners are sweating over sales and figuring out ways to increaser them to match the soaring temperatures! The 14th annual Sidewalk Sale weekend is one answer. At this year’s event there were the usual store markdowns, raffles and cross promotions between businesses. As in the past few years, Dog Days had as much a street party atmosphere as it did a sale event designed to get customers through the doors,

Bye Bye Blackbyrd

The Hilton Brothers, owners of nearby Marvin and Gibson Speakeasy, opened restaurant/bar Blackbyrd about two years ago. The new spot, a two-level space that offered light food and some interesting décor, was said to be the Hilton’s answer to the very popular Busboys and Poets just up the block. But, as far as I could tell, the spot never seemed to be terribly busy. It wasn’t as large as Busboys nor as open, although it did offer different seating areas throughout the space, with décor as varied as Louis IV to Mid-Century Modern. But right now, all this is history. Blackbyrd has now closed and a Vietnamese pop up, called Hanoi House, has moved into the space at 2005 14th. Hanoi House comes to us from the owner of Toki Underground. The H Street restaurant owner is about to bring an Asian Market spot to the hip `hood to the east to be called Maketto.

Hanoi House is kind of a test spot in the meantime as I hear it. One thing is clear though, Atlas has been heeding the “go west” mantra big time! &Pizza of course has opened up at 13th and U and Taylor has been in these parts for about two years now with talk that they will open a new concept at 14th and P.

Kapnos Opens at 14W

By the way, the tastes of northern Greece are now tempting diners at the new 14W along 14th Street just below Florida Avenue. Kapnos restaurant has just opened on the ground floor of the residential building. No new neighbors yet but perhaps another restaurant is on the way. In the meantime, the heat is on for Kapnos, which means “smoke” in Greek.

District Flea On the Way

Watch for the new District Flea market sometime in September if things go as planned. Those familiar with the famed Brooklyn Flea in Gotham will recognize where this outdoor antique bazaar comes from. The DC version, like in New York, will be open on Saturdays and will be located in the spot that has housed the U Street flea market, at 9th and Florida Avenue. In addition to furniture, collectibles and some clothing and personal items, organizers say they will also offer food. Vendors not only from DC but

Hanoi House replaces Blackbyrd at 2005 14th Street.

Baltimore, Philly and New York are invited to display at the upcoming outdoor market. u Midcity DC | August 2013 u 21

your neighborhood

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann

Wonder Bread Factory Opens

Douglas Development Corporation recently held a grand opening party for the Wonder Bread Factory at 641 S Street, NW, to celebrate com-

en floors, wood trimmed ceilings and the use of glass block walls. The large third floor terrace, accessed through a glass garage door, was another amenity that was appreciated by the attendees. Adjacent to Progression Place and the Howard Theatre, the Wonder

leasing for the Wonder Bread Factory is being handled by StreetSense, while Jones Lang LaSalle will manage office leasing.

City Market at O Housing Nearing Completion

The leasing office for the City Market at O apartments has opened at 880 P Street, NW. There are four unit sizes available, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. Prospective tenants are signing commitments to lease quickly. The first of the 407 units of market rate rental housing will begin to be delivered in November 2013, shortly after the opening of the new Giant supermarket. Construction on the project’s affordable senior apartments has also topped out. The Senior Housing at O will have a Community Room Wonder Bread Factory at Night: Wonder Bread Factory at its Grand Opening. on the second floor that opens onto to pletion of the historic a garden on that building’s renovation. level. The building The building had will also provide a sat vacant since the variety of services 1980s, with develto seniors, and acoper Douglas Jemal cess to many of the purchasing the propcomplex’s amenierty in 1997. At the ties during weekcelebration, countless days. All 90 units boxes of Twinkies in the building will were on hand as a rebe one-bedroom minder of the buildapartments. Resiing’s previous incardents on the eighth nation as a factory for floor, the highest Hostess snack cakes. Norman, Douglas and Matthew Jemal at Wonder Bread Factory: Norman, Douglas and Matthew Jemal at senior residences, Developers, realtors, the Wonder Bread Factory opening. will get wide views Shaw residents and of the city inmembers of the historic preservation Bread Factory has a total of 80,000 cluding the National Cathedral to community assembled on the third square feet of space on five levels. the west and McKinley High School floor, where they admired the recon- Skylights bring additional natural il- and the Basilica of the Immaculate structed and renovated building. Par- lumination to the upper floors. The Conception to the east. The expected ticularly notable was the retention of lower level has 7,849 square feet of date of delivery for the building is an industrial theme, with solid wood- space with a separate entrance. Retail April 2014. 22 u midcitydcnews.com

Ivy and Coney Coming to 7th Street

Several members of the Kangaroo Boxing Club team are planning to open a small neighborhood bar at 1537 7th Street, NW, this fall. Ivy and Coney will have a Chicago and Detroit theme (the former homes of three of the owners). It will serve as a Shaw hangout for Chicago and Detroit expats while providing other DC residents a taste of the “best” from their home towns.

Rodney Carroll Marriott Marquis Sculpture: Signature sculpture by Rodney Carroll awaits installation in the Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel lobby.

The menu will initially start with such items as hot dogs (Chicago-style and Detroit Coney-style, of course), Chicago Italian beefs, peanuts and cracker jacks. Beers on tap will be Stroh’s, Old Style, Goose Island 312 and Bell’s Two Hearted. The bar will also serve a selection of spirits and mixed drinks. TVs throughout the bar will show sports, with an emphasis on Chicago and Detroit teams. A jukebox will play Blues, Motown and Rock.

Pekoe Acupuncture and Wellness Center Opens

Pekoe Acupuncture and Wellness Center, which was voted DC’s “Best Med Spa” in the recent 2013 City Paper Reader’s Choice poll, has moved to Shaw. They are now at 1410 9th Street, NW, across the street from City Market at O. The move has provided their customers with easier evening and weekend access, better climate control, a bigger space on two floors and a direct entrance from the sidewalk. Pekoe invites clients to “take a break from the city in our serene clinic and walk away on a cloud.” The center offers several types of bodywork, energy work, counseling, and health coaching from different alternative therapy backgrounds. The treatments offered by this holistic health clinic include acupuncture, Chinese herbology, massage, meditation, nutritional counseling, Reiki, yoga (classes and private instruction), reflexology, craniosacral, thai yoga therapy, detox, and transformational life coaching.

Marriott Marquis Hotel Progresses

Work on the 1,070-room Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel at 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, continues on schedule to open on May 1, 2014. The pieces of the 55-foot tall stainless steel sculpture by Baltimore artist Rodney Carroll were placed on a lot across L Street in order to allow the artist to complete its assembly. The completed sculpture will be installed in the hotel’s skylit atrium lobby. The hotel already has 360,000 roomnights booked for future conventions, with an additional 220,000 room-nights pending. u Midcity DC | August 2013 u 23

your neighborhood

Bloomingdale Bites by Jazzy Wright

Will Parking Proposals Alleviate Bloomingdale Woes?

After years of rewriting, city-wide parking rules and regulations will soon be updated as the D.C. Zoning Commission considers parking proposals submitted by the Office of Planning in late July. Among the changes is a proposal that the city reduce mandatory parking minimums-zoning regulations that require a minimum amount of parking--in transit-rich areas. The proposals come after parking recommendations were made by both the Office of Planning and the D.C. Department of Transportation to address the “over-supply” of street parking availability in the city, a problem that traffic engineers say can lead to traffic congestion (“parking available becomes parking used”) and lessen accessibility City-wide parking rules will change soon. for pedestrians, transit users and bicyclists. of the city closest to mass transit and According to a memorandum released by the Office of Plan- allow for reductions in parking rening, the city is attempting to allevi- quirements by special exception. Originally, Harriet Tregoning, ate traffic congestion by limiting the director of the Office of Planning supply of street parking and providing planned to eliminate parking minigreater public transportation alternamums in high-transit zones, but nixed tives. To accomplish this, the Office the plan after receiving backlash from of Planning wants to establish a maxiDistrict residents and transportation mum level of parking for new development and to reduce the number of groups who said the new rules would make the city less livable for drivers. minimum parking requirements. “At a time when the District’s As part of the proposal, the Office downtown and its neighborhoods are of Planning is pushing for the Zoning increasingly seen as exciting places to Commission to eliminate parking rebe, let’s not seize defeat from the jaws quirements in dense downtown areas, of victory by making parking so timedecrease parking minimums in parts 24 u midcitydcnews.com

consuming and expensive that the District becomes a place drivers avoid,” said Mahlon G. Anderson, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s managing director of Public and Government Affairs. Many say the current proposals allow the government to exert excessive control over a parking system that should be controlled by the market. “Parking minimums are a real problem for affordable housing in the city because everyone is paying to subsidize parking costs,” said Cheryl Cort, policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, a group focused on ensuring the region’s growth offers more housing and travel choices while protecting the environment. “On U Street, parking prices are on average $220 per month per space to rent. But it actually costs $480 per month to build and maintain that space. “With parking minimums, people who don’t own cars might

end up paying for parking they don’t use,” Cort added. “This unnecessarily makes housing more expensive. Rather than force more parking to be built than is demanded, it’s better to leave it up to the market to provide the amount of parking people want.” Since the parking proposals focus on reducing minimums in transit zones, Bloomingdale is unlikely to be affected by the changes, according to Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Teri Janine Quinn. Residents in the area, however, are facing their own share of parking difficulties. As the population and commercial growth continues to expand in the neighborhood, parking availability is shrinking. “There are too many parking rules because there are too many cars in the area since there are not enough transportation options,” said Grassroots Gourmet bakery co-owner Jamilyah Smith-Kanze. Long-time resident Nicole Guise wants the city to give assigned parking spaces to area residents. “We’re struggling to accommodate

The community participates in Rafael Deli’s Appreciation Day. Photo by Randy Kelly.

the number of cars on our streets, and it’s becoming a safety issue when people have to park blocks away from where they live and walk blocks back to their homes by themselves,” said Quinn. “While there are clear limits on how much the Commission can do, we can encourage developers to do what we think is best for residents as a condition of our support.” Residents who are struggling to find parking in close proximity to their homes are petitioning to participate in the DDOT’s Enhanced Residential Parking Program, which grants car owners who hold Residential Parking Permits and zone stickers to park on designated blocks. The problem with the program? Car owners end up parking on blocks that do not have the enhanced status.

Rafael Grocery and Deli Celebrates 15th Anniversary

To mark its 15-year anniversary, Rafael Grocery and Deli (233 Florida Avenue NW ) gave away free food to more than 150 community residents as part of the store’s Customer Appreciation Day, which took place on June 29. The event featured grilled food, music and giveaways. Store owner Letekidan Habtimichael says that she hosted the event because she wanted to give back to the community that has supported her for so many years. Since opening the store 15 years ago after moving to the United States from Eritrea, Habtimichael has been known to offer lines of credit to locals who could not afford to purchase items from her store. Rafael Grocery and Deli will host a Back-to-School drive in August to provide school supplies for children in the area. u

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your neighborhood

ANC 6E by Steve Holton

Walmart Drops Anchor

Michael Fonseca and Nina Albert, spokespeople from Walmart, requested support from the commission board for a Class B Liquor License for their new location on 99 H Street NW. The license will make Walmart a full service grocery store by enabling it to offer beer and wine between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. There will be a mechanism in place at the cash register which will block any attempts to purchase alcohol before 7 a.m. Some concern was raised at the meeting over the possibility of small businesses getting hurt or forced out. “We have so much empty retail space now an we can’t afford to have any more go out of business”, said ANC6E05 Commissioner Marge Maceda. Walmart Representatives pointed out that H Street supports the store because it anchors certain dead zone’s where areas are lifeless. Walmart also has lease space in the upper units of their building where businesses usually jump to go to because of the brand name. “Walmart is acting as an anchor for small businesses. The most successful retail is around an anchor and private businesses will benefit from the traffic”, said Albert. ANC6E01 Commissioner Alexander Padro referenced one situation where small stores figured out a niche to keep customers by carrying specialty beer and wines and holding tasting events when a local Giant Food Store acquired a liquor license. “We will be happy to sit down with small business owners and show them what other stores did to adapt to similar circumstances”, said Padro. The board agreed to approve Walmart’s request for support 26 u midcitydcnews.com

of a liquor license by a vote of four to two.

Downtown Development

Jason Jacobson, who is the Managing Director at Hines, appeared at the meeting to give an update on the City Center DC project in downtown. The project will develop and encompass a 2.5 million square foot neighborhood with a mixture of apartments, retail shops, offices and public spaces. The area boundaries are New York Avenue, 9th Street, H Street and 11th Street NW. Jacobson said they are offering 20 percent of the units to affordable housing and his purpose of attending the meeting was to reach out and make people aware of the program. A lottery selection will be used to pick occupants with a minimum yearly income of $36,000 and rent and utility costs will be set at 35 percent of the individuals salary. He also said that discounted units are designed the same as regular priced spaces. Visit www.citycenterdc.com for more details.

An Avenue of Art

The board approved a request for support for the Roadside Development/Transformer companies to receive a Public Art Grant in the amount of $100,000 from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). The grant would fund a public art project at the City Market on the 700 block of O Street NW. Local DC artists are sought after in hopes of displaying their artwork for a period of one to two years. Applications are due on August 12 and there will be an

Art Advisory Panel Meeting for the Shaw area on July 26. Susan Linsky, who is a Project Manager for Roadside Development said that art pieces will be selected in early October and will be displayed the following Spring. She also noted that everything will be illuminated at night with subtle lighting. “We are always open to ideas and thought provoking art”, said Linsky.

dropped dramatically but K2, which is a substance available to minors at any convenience store, is taking over. Officer Ford said that it rapidly kills brain cells and he would almost rather catch someone in possession of marijuana than such a dangerous chemical substance as K2. He also asked everyone to contact him at timothy.ford@dc.gov with tips or knowledge of suspicious activity.

6E Area Crime Report

Urban Tree Sprawl

DCPD Officer Timothy Ford attended the meeting and gave attendees a monthly crime update for the area. A lot of cars have been broken into with most of them having out of state tags and three vehicles were stolen. There were six home burglaries and all occurred during the day when occupants were not at home. Officer Ford urged the audience to have “stay at home” neighbors keep their eyes open while you are away at work. “Have your neighbors reach out to us if they see anything because it is very likely that thieves will not return to an area where we are aware of their presence”, said Officer Ford. There were two shootings where Officer Ford describe one as being a “targeted shooting”, which meant the victim and shooter knew each other. The victim was shot in the foot and is recovering. ANC6E Commissioner Rachelle Nigro commented that there is a large amount of beggers on the 3rd and 4th blocks of New Jersey Avenue and they’re looking to make a quick buck from individuals getting off work. Officer Ford said that law enforcement has advised them of what they can and can’t do, which is not being aggressive when panhandling. Drug trafficking has

Ian Leahy from the Tree Services Division of the DC Department of Transportation spoke and informed meeting attendees of the city’s tree planting and maintenance service. Leahy said the city has planted over 7,000 trees in residential areas and asked anyone who would like a tree in front of their home or need pruning services to go online to 311. dc.gov or call 311 with a request. He also said that individuals who adopt an older tree will receive a free green planter bag (Tree Gator) which are used to properly irrigate trees for the first couple of summers to promote healthy root development. You can also contact Leahy individually at ian.leahy@dc.gov with questions or a request. The next ANC 6E meeting occurs on Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Shaw Library located at 1630 7th Street NW. Visit www.anc6e.org to view the ANC 6E newsletter. Follow on Twitter, @ANC6E, and Facebook by searching ANC6E. u

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at home

+ Garden Fairy

+ Changing Hands Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

Where People and Plants Come Together

by Jesse Wyner

have worked for OLD CITY Farm and Guild and OLD CITY green since spring of 2009. I’d like to explain how my view on nature and gardening has evolved over the past few years. When I started working for Frank Asher, I was fresh out of high school and ready to put my “green skills” to use. A horticultural class in high school taught me the value of exploring the life (and death) cycles of our leafy friends as well as jumpstarting my interest in plant propagation, especially the edible kind. My interest in the elective class budded into a hobby, and since then has bloomed into a passion (major pun intended). I then turned my parent’s front yard into a mini farm experiment. I grew towering corn plants, beefy pumpkins, as well as peanuts, chamomile, and a few others. A rough start at college and the desire to enter the workforce led me

into the Craigslist vortex and soon enough I was at Frank’s front door being interviewed for a job. It didn’t take long for me to realize I had found something good. One look at the shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals and veggies that were coming in made me realize how little I knew. It woke me up to just a glimpse of the diversity that nurseries can offer. Making sure all the plants are taken care of is no easy task in the radiating heat of an abandoned car lot. But there is nothing more gratifying than pouring some nice cool water on the soil surface of a parched plant. On a really hot day, when the dry soil starts to crack and peel away from the pot, you can almost hear the plant take a sigh of relief, “Water at last! Ahhh!” Helping care for the plants and speaking with customers made me realize how much there was still to learn and 28 u midcitydcnews.com

how different two seemingly similar plants can be. Although a garden center is not the most natural setting, it does put you up close and personal with the life and rhythms of the plant world. Vines sitting for too long on the sale rack stretch their tendrils towards the heavens, buds emerge into glowing flowers and soon enough vanish as faded petals, birds find the quiet protected niches of the solitary evergreens, and multitudes of insects find homes amongst the greenery. Over time, cracks fill in with rich organic matter, and seeds lying dormant send out roots into the limited supply of nutrients. My personal transformation during the last four and half years at many times paralleled the ever evolving oasis that we helped create. It’s true that being in touch with nature can put you at balance, part of that balance is being aware of the cycles around you. As I’ve begun to explore the complex relationships in plant communities, I’ve found an increased connection not just to nature, but to friends and family. In an age where perfectly sterile, manicured lawns are valued higher than naturally overgrown thickets, we can lose sense of the rich and vibrant network of life that surrounds us. We can apply this strong connection to our home life as well as our gardens. The closer attention you pay, the more nature reveals, and the more humbled your weeding attempts become. I guess what has really changed for me is my gardening perspective. I’m no longer viewing a garden or area as a patch of separated species, clearly defined by a dark, lifeless sea of mulch that is constantly under attack from ferocious “weeds.” I’m seeing a series of interdependent relationships, breathing life in and out of the soil, and filling the garden with those sweet aromas and vibrant colors that inspire many of us. Recently I have begun to explore the beautiful world of ecological gardening. Combining our knowledge of natural plant systems and relationships, we have the ability to create rich communities of plants in our own front yard. We can provide habitats and food for our animal friends as well as food for us! With this new outlook on gardening, I have been re-charged, re-inspired, and ready to plant!

NEIGHBORHOOD PRICE BR FEE SIMPLE BLOOMINGDALE 125 U ST NW 12 S ST NW 48 CHANNING ST NW 2112 FLAGLER PL NW 65 V ST NW

$640,000 $700,000 $728,000 $753,700 $849,000

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 3012 SHERMAN AVE NW 744 HOBART PL NW 758 FAIRMONT ST NW 650 LAMONT ST NW 1525 MONROE ST NW 3916 13TH ST NW 742 HOBART PL NW 1317 SHEPHERD ST NW #H 3817 KANSAS AVE NW 1011 IRVING ST NW 518 HOBART PL NW 540 COLUMBIA RD NW 3220 SHERMAN AVE NW 3025 11TH ST NW 1370 TAYLOR ST NW 1445 EUCLID ST NW 1358 KENYON ST NW 307 ATLANTIC ST SE 724 CONGRESS ST SE 1004 BARNABY TER SE 893 BELLEVIEW DR SE

$250,000 $399,999 $408,100 $425,000 $435,000 $468,000 $475,500 $540,000 $560,000 $575,000 $589,000 $649,000 $750,000 $794,889 $805,000 $990,000 $1,063,000 $74,000 $122,000 $225,000 $227,000

3 4 3 3 4 3 3 0 1 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 3 4 4 7 7 2 3 3 4

DUPONT 1331 18TH ST NW 1725 19TH ST NW 1517 CAROLINE ST NW

$1,300,000 $1,950,000 $797,500

KALORAMA 2134 LEROY PL NW 2320 TRACY PL NW 2238 Q ST NW

$2,300,000 $2,485,000 $3,195,000

4 6 2 5 5 6

LOGAN 1334 13TH ST NW 1308 WALLACH PL NW 1740 13TH ST NW

$848,000 $960,000 $1,525,000

MOUNT PLEASANT 1739 HARVARD ST NW 1829 INGLESIDE TER NW

$752,500 $940,000

3 3 5 3 4

You don’t have to work at a garden center for four years to gain this perspective either, it can all start with a single plant and OLD CITY Farm and Guild is a good place to start. Note from Frank Asher: Jesse is leaving OLD CITY Farm and Guild to study Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland full time with a concentration on Environment and Agriculture. I am happy that our green space has had a positive impact on this young person’s life. He is a gift! OLD CITY Farm and Guild: Where people and Plants come together. u

r n Y

D l d t e s :

3136 17TH ST NW 1718 HOBART ST NW 1937 PARK RD NW 1816 MONROE ST NW

SHAW

412 FLORIDA AVE NW 221 BATES ST NW 1542 3RD ST NW 1601 5TH ST NW 401 R ST NW

U STREET

986 FLORIDA AVE NW 1756 SEATON ST NW

$941,000 $1,000,000 $1,015,000 $1,053,300

4 4 5 4

$640,000 $645,000 $748,000 $1,100,000 $706,200

3 3 3 3 4

$485,000 $755,000

2 3

$654,900 $679,900

2 2

$312,000 $324,500 $346,000 $365,000 $365,000 $555,000 $585,000 $601,500 $625,000

1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2

$239,900 $329,000

0 1

$270,000 $295,000 $310,000 $311,900 $312,000 $327,000 $340,000 $345,000 $429,000 $429,900 $449,900 $489,900 $540,000 $540,000 $554,500 $570,000 $575,000 $585,000 $595,000 $599,000 $657,000 $670,000 $837,000 $670,000

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2

CONDO 14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1421 FLORIDA AVE NW #4 1421 FLORIDA AVE NW #7

ADAMS MORGAN

2922 18TH ST NW #5 2630 ADAMS MILL RD NW #108 1949-1/2 CALVERT ST NW 2305 18TH ST NW #202 1855 CALVERT ST NW #LL01 2713 ONTARIO RD NW #4 2328 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #204 1701 KALORAMA RD NW #201 1708 SUMMIT PL NW #1708

BLOOMINGDALE 149 W ST NW #12 2201 2ND ST NW #22

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

2576 SHERMAN AVE NW #102 1317 SHEPHERD ST NW #A 3900 14TH ST NW #719 1440 COLUMBIA RD NW #305 3900 14TH ST NW #415 1438 COLUMBIA RD NW #206 701 LAMONT ST NW #46 1414 BELMONT ST NW #102 1451 HARVARD ST NW #7 1427 CHAPIN ST NW #305 1447 GIRARD ST NW #1 1447 GIRARD ST NW #4 1447 GIRARD ST NW #3 1317 SHEPHERD ST NW #H 3039 16TH ST NW #302 1465 COLUMBIA RD NW #401 1308 CLIFTON ST NW #417 1328 PARK RD NW #28-A 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #3005 1414 BELMONT ST NW #301 1105-1103 PARK RD NW #5 1331 FAIRMONT ST NW #A 1466 HARVARD ST NW #PH-2 1451 BELMONT ST NW #113

DUPONT

1736 WILLARD ST NW #506 1615 Q ST NW #313 1757 T ST NW #F 1704 T ST NW #103 1916 17TH ST NW #207 1747 CHURCH ST NW #5 1800 R ST NW #604 1401 17TH ST NW #913 2031 Q ST NW #3

DUPONT CIRCLE

1401 17TH ST NW #404 1731 WILLARD ST NW #304 1615 Q ST NW #511 2201 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #5 1725 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #502 1730 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #17 1801 SWANN ST NW #301 1817 SWANN ST NW #C 2440 16TH ST NW #421 1660 BEEKMAN PL NW #B

KALORAMA

2032 BELMONT RD NW #223 1858 MINTWOOD PL NW #1 2410 20TH ST NW #102 2022 COLUMBIA RD NW #604

2032 BELMONT RD NW #212 2022 COLUMBIA RD NW #303 1858 MINTWOOD PL NW #3 1910 KALORAMA RD NW #304 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##2 1880 COLUMBIA RD NW #304 1827 FLORIDA AVE NW #404 1903 KALORAMA PL NW #19 1807 CALIFORNIA ST NW #104 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##5 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##4 1810 KALORAMA RD NW #A2 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##7 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##8 1845 KALORAMA RD NW ##9 2001 COLUMBIA RD NW #B 2139 WYOMING AVE NW #11 2201 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #1

LOGAN

$270,000 $322,000 $357,500 $360,000 $380,000 $385,000 $415,001 $474,500 $1,095,000

0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3

$560,000 $330,000 $336,500 $550,000 $560,000 $594,900 $632,100 $776,500 $308,000 $639,000

2 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2

$280,000 $288,300 $299,900 $311,500

1 1 1 1

1111 11TH ST NW #511 1300 N ST NW #518 1306 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #1 27 LOGAN CIR NW #3 1515 15TH ST NW #607

LOGAN CIRCLE

1440 N ST NW #216 1420 N ST NW #904 1115 12TH ST NW #105 1133 14TH ST NW #210 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #906 1515 15TH ST NW #406 1340 VERMONT AVE NW #7 1515 15TH ST NW #220 1300 N ST NW #301 1 LOGAN CIRCLE NW #7 1111 11TH ST NW #407 751 P ST NW #3

MOUNT PLEASANT

1615 KENYON ST NW #20 2426 ONTARIO RD NW #102 2611 ADAMS MILL RD NW #402 1654 EUCLID ST NW #306 3220 17TH ST NW #301 3220 17TH ST NW #204 3420 16TH ST NW #402S 1652 BEEKMAN PL NW #C

MOUNT VERNON SQUARE 475 K ST NW #1220 442 M ST NW #7 1135 6TH ST NW #2 1135 6TH ST NW #3

MT. VERNON TRIANGLE

811 4TH ST NW #816 1228 4TH ST NW #1 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #809

SHAW

1510 6TH ST NW #1

U STREET COORIDOR 1330 BELMONT ST NW #101 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #1 1624 U ST NW #302 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #4001 2131 10TH ST NW #3 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #802

$369,000 $380,000 $410,000 $425,000 $449,900 $465,000 $519,000 $523,000 $538,000 $549,900 $549,900 $550,000 $599,900 $619,900 $839,900 $1,010,000 $1,515,000 $696,500

1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2

$363,500 $415,000 $659,000 $865,000 $1,900,000

1 1 2 3 3

$222,000 $315,000 $325,000 $399,999 $445,000 $520,000 $540,000 $550,000 $700,000 $1,015,000 $585,000 $552,900

0 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 2

$325,000 $369,900 $399,900 $415,000 $539,000 $549,000 $549,900 $624,500

1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2

$460,000 $608,000 $539,900 $595,000

1 2 2 2

$417,000 $642,014 $430,000

1 2 1

$740,000

$750,000 $369,000 $379,000 $465,000 $631,500 $965,000

2 1 1 1 2 3

COOP COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1415 GIRARD ST NW #404

DUPONT

1701 16TH ST NW #401 1514 17TH ST NW #406

KALORAMA

1875 MINTWOOD PL NW #34 2100 19TH ST NW #601 2220 20TH ST NW #32

MOUNT PLEASANT

1801 CLYDESDALE PL NW #501 1661 CRESCENT PL NW #507 u

$160,000

$442,500 $417,000

2 1

$276,000 $357,000 $399,999

1 2 1

$265,000 $395,000

1 1

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER 30 ◆ midcitydcnews.com

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240-305-7132 Earl Dennis

capitalcommunitynews.com

Midcity DC | August 2013 ◆ 31

Tell Them, â€œShaw Main Streets Sent

Me!â€?

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Vincent C. Gray, Mayor.