Issuu

DECEMBER 2021

CONTENTS

NEXT ISSUE: January 8th

DECEMBER 2021

04 what’s on washington out and about 10 Shaw Holiday Guide • Pleasant Mann

ON THE COVER:

14 Insatiable • Celeste McCall

your neighborhood 18 Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann

Photo: Washington Harbour Ice Rink Opens for Season

20 ANC 6E • Pleasant Mann 22 Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner 30 New DCRA Platform Connects Customers and Inspectors • Elizabeth O’Gorek

at home 32 Changing Hands • Don Denton

kids and family 34 Notebook • Kathleen Donner

38 classifieds 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

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F A G O N

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew.hillrag@gmail.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2021 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.

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Photo: Marsel van Oosten/ Unforgettable Behavior

UNFORGETTABLE BEHAVIOR: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION

Through next spring, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is hosting an exhibition that highlights the wonder of nature through photographs of extraordinary and often rarely seen animal behaviors. Featuring 38 award-winning images, visitors will be challenged to think differently about their relationship with nature. Each photograph tells a unique story—from life-or-death decisions to changing environments and human interactions. The images ignite curiosity about the natural world and invite visitors to become advocates for the planet. naturalhistory.si.edu.

Robert E. Person (left) and Marcel Worrell Miller (right)

A SNOWY NITE AT THE DEW DROP INN

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET

The Downtown Holiday Market, F St. NW, between Seventh and Ninth Sts., is open daily through Dec. 23 (except closed Dec. 6), noon to 8 p.m. The market features more than 70 exhibitors. Six food vendors provide tasty treats and hot beverages, spread across the market. This extensive outdoor market supports small businesses and entrepreneurs across the region, welcoming shoppers for a safe, festive shopping experience in the heart of the District. downtownholidaymarket.com.

From Dec. 11 to Jan. 9, you’re invited to the rowdiest juke joint on earth. Anacostia Playhouse’s madcap fun house of Dew Drop performers are letting the good times roll... sassy, hot and steamy on a cold snowy night. Building on 2019’s smash hit, they revisit some truly great music with songs made famous by Big Mama Thornton, Fats Waller, Etta James, and Dinah Washington, to name a few. Take a break from the busy season and join them at the Inn. $35. The Anacostia Playhouse is at 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. anacostiaplayhouse.org.

Photo: Matthew Murphy

AIN’T TOO PROUD

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, it’s a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” Ain’t Too Proud tells the story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time. $45 to $175. Ain’t Too Proud is at the Kennedy Center from Dec. 15 to Jan. 16. kennedy-center.org.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

FLIGHT AT STUDIO THEATER

Created by Scottish theatre company Vox Motus, Flight is the story of orphaned Afghan brothers on an epic cross-continental journey from Kabul to London in search of safety. Like a 3D graphic novel, the story is told in breathtaking miniature, with more than 200 moving dioramas illustrating Aryan and Kabir’s odyssey as they brave hazardous sea crossings, unfamiliar cities, and the constant threat of violence on their adventure. The DC premiere of Flight also notably parallels the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, sparking droves of Afghan citizens to ﬂee the country. $42 to $52. Flight is at Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW, from Dec. 16 to March 6. studiotheatre.org.

SEVEN GUITARS BY AUGUST WILSON AT ARENA

The 1940s Pittsburgh is the backdrop for August Wilson’s ﬁfth cycle play and the second production in the August Wilson Festival. Seven lives are interconnected when old friend and blues singer Floyd Barton vows to turn his life around after a surprise windfall leaves him hopeful for a second chance. Infused with deep and soaring blues rhythms, this exceptionally vivid play pits the desire for a better future against the harsh realities ultimately leading to heartbreaking and inescapable circumstances. On stage at Arena, 1101 Sixth St. SW, through Dec. 26. arenastage.org.

JOHN OLIVER DOES STAND -UP

From Dec. 28 to Jan 1, at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, John Oliver takes a break from television and returns to his ﬁrst love: standup. John Oliver is an Emmy and Writer’s Guild award-winning writer, comedian and host of the HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. From 2006 to 2013, Oliver was a correspondent on the multi-award winning The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Prior to this, he starred in his ﬁrst stand-up special John Oliver: Terrifying Times before going on to host four seasons of his own stand-up series for Comedy Central, John Oliver’s New York Stand Up Show. $79.50 to $99.50. kennedy-center.org.

Running through Athens. Image from Flight by Vox Motus. Photo: Beth Chalmers.

MAYOR BOWSER’S FRESH START 5K

Mayor Bowser seems determined to get us all in as good a shape as she is and, therefore, invites us to join her in the eighth annual Fresh Start 5K (run and/ or walk) on New Year’s Day at Haines Point. As always, it’s free. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the race is at 10 a.m. As the New Year looms, visit FITDCFreshStart5k. com for details.

CONFLICT TO CREATIVITY: TRANSITIONS AT HONFLEUR GALLERY

This group exhibition, at Honfleur Gallery and the adjacent Anacostia Arts Center through Jan. 2, 2022, embodies continuity of service by veterans as leaders in the art world. The space between veteran and civilian fades as visual forms of expression connect both of their worlds. Conflict to Creativity: Transitions examines sometimes difficult and personal subject matter in two- and three-dimensional forms. While often taken for granted, artistic exploration of controversial topics is possible through freedom of expression, guaranteed to all Americans by constitutional right, a right which all veterans have sworn to uphold and defend. honfleurgallery.com.

Benjamin “Pins” Leese. 7 Deadly Sinx, pen and ink prints, 18”x24”.

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Photo: Courtesy of Keegan Theatre WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Photo: Morris Mac Matzen

AN IRISH CAROL

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL AT THE NATIONAL

Keegan’s own holiday tradition—an original work by Keegan company member Matthew J. Keenan, An Irish Carol is a homage to Dickens’ classic, told as only the Irish can. 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 selfprotection and material success. But on this Christmas Eve, challenged by a voice from the past, provoked by those in the present, and faced with the reality of a lonely future, David’s life may change forever. $50 to $60. 1742 Church St. NW, from Dec. 10 to 31. keegantheatre.com.

A play to lift your spirits and light up your heart, Pretty Woman: The Musical is at the National Theatre for one week only from Dec. 28 to Jan. 2. Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. Pretty Woman, the film, was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990. $50 to $110. Parental guidance suggested. National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. nationaltheatre.org.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH (PART I) & BACH’S MAGNIFICAT

From Dec. 16 to 19, one of DC’s favorite holiday traditions returns to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. For the first time, Gianandrea Noseda conducts the NSO in selections from the quintessential musical crown of the season: Handel’s Messiah. Experience the beauty of “Rejoice,” “For unto us a Child is born,” “Comfort Ye,” and more iconic music of Messiah’s Part I—coupled with Bach’s celebratory showpiece Magnificat—heralding in the grand arrival of holiday festivities. $15 to $99. kennedy-center.org.

Music Director Gianandrea Noseda conducts the National Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Tracey Salazar

RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE: NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE ANTHEM

Rainbow Kitten Surprise is at The Anthem on New Year’s Eve. The music of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also known as “RKS,” is known for its harmonies, instrumentation and lyrics. The alternative rock indie band features lead vocalist Sam Melo, Darrick “Bozzy” Keller (guitar, backup vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (electric guitar), Jess Haney (drums), and Charlie Holt (bass). The show starts at 9 p.m.; doors at 7:30 p.m. $56 to $126. The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW. theanthemdc.com.

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Shaw Holiday Gift Guide by Pleasant Mann

here are over 300 small, mostly independent businesses in Shaw Main Streets’ service area, many of them minority-owned and/or womenowned. Most offer a variety of items suitable as holiday gifts, including gift certificates. Here are 10 popular stores, each offering many items that would make perfect gifts, as well as gift certificates. Shop Local! For more info on Shaw Main Street businesses, visit shawmainstreets.org

Lee’s Flower and Card Shop: Photo by Pleasant Mann

Lee’s Flower and Card Shop

Poinsettias make any home feel ready for the holidays with their bold red flowers and green leaves. Each plant includes a wicker basket and comes adorned with a festive bow. $62.95. In-store or online. Delivery available. 1026 U Street, NW • leesflowerandcard.com

Lettie Gooch: Photo by Alexander Padro

Lettie Gooch

Handmade in India: Leather and hair hide wristlets and crossbody bags, handmade from recycled leather and hides. Each is unique, featuring bright colored genuine leather and hair on hide detailing. $78-$198. Bangali makeup bags made from handwoven jacquard fabrics. $48. In-store or online. 2128 Eighth Street, NW • lettiegooch.com

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Cheryl Lofton & Associates: Photo by Alexander Padro

Cheryl Lofton & Associates

Gift certificates for custom dress shirts for men and women, featuring a variety of fabric, style, collar, cuff, and button options. Measurements taken at the shop for a precise fit. $125 each or three for $300. 719 T Street, NW • cheryllofton.com

The Roasted Boon Co.: Photo courtesy of The Roasted Boon

The Roasted Boon Co.

16-ounce bags of whole-bean or ground coffee, roasted on the premises using centuries-old traditional methods. Select from a range of roast and grind preferences, and house blends or single-origin Brazil, Columbia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Tanzania, and coming soon, Rwanda. $18.99 per bag at the shop or online. 1018 Rhode Island Avenue, NW • roastedboon.com

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Modern Liquors: Photo by Alexander Padro

Modern Liquors

Filibuster Bourbon and Gin is handcrafted in small batches in Virginia. Choose from dual cask straight bourbon, single estate single barrel bourbon, dual cask straight rye whiskey, Boondoggler whiskey (aged in five barrels), dual cask gin, and gin rose. Combos and gift sets with glasses available, too. $21.99-$699.99. In-store or online. Delivery Available. 1200 Ninth Street, NW • modernliquors.com

Grand Cata: Photo by Pleasant Mann

Grand Cata

Treat a wine lover to a Grand Cata Wine Club subscription, featuring two different bottles of wines from Latin America and heritage nations, a release party, and a surprise gift. Includes discounts on past Wine Club selections, wine classes, and special events. One, three or six-month memberships available. $40-$240. In-store or online. 1550 Seventh Street, NW • grandcata.com

Touchstone Gallery: Photo by Pleasant Mann

Touchstone Gallery

Contemporary art for the home or office from one of Touchstone Gallery’s 50 member artists, like Heather Lynn, makes a lasting impression. Choose from works in a variety of media and sizes. Online or in gallery. $50-$10,000. 901 New York Avenue, NW • touchstonegallery.com

TG Cigars: Photo by Pleasant Mann District Cryo: Photo courtesy of District Cryo

District Cryo

A 40-minute full spectrum infrared sauna session will help detox and reduce stress, recover from workouts, and burn up to 600 calories while purifying the skin. Single and introduction two-session packages for first-timers. $40-$60. 1300 Ninth Street, NW • districtcryo.com

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TG Cigars

Padrón Family Reserve cigars are hand-crafted in five highly- rated selections, the No. 44, 45, 46, 85 and 50, sold individually or beautifully packaged in 10-count boxes. Available in both sun-grown natural and maduro wrappers, the tobacco is aged 10 years, then blended to create an exceptionally smooth, complex, balanced and full-bodied flavor. $32.99-$369. 1120 Ninth Street, NW • tgcigar.com

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OUT AND ABOUT

Insatiable Article and Photos by Celeste McCall

y husband Peter and I had been planning to return to the Unconventional Diner, 1207 Ninth St. NW, on the west side of across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Last month’s Eat. Drink.Shaw. promotion, sponsored by Shaw Main Streets, provided an ideal opportunity. Participants

Near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Unconventional Diner—anything but conventional—serves upbeat cuisine in a convivial atmosphere.

paid $100 for packages containing vouchers valid for food and beverages from two dozen Shaw establishments. Unconventional Diner was among them. Unconventional Diner is anything but conventional and we were eager to return. Although its EDS coupon was intended for chicken pot pie popovers at dinner (we went for brunch), management agreed to substitute delicious avocado toast. The

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mound of avocado resembled guacamole, laced with peppers, and sprinkled with cilantro sprigs. An egg yolk in the center stared at me. For the unconventional (deconstructed) “toast,” small baguette rounds were served alongside the avocado. At a previous (dinner) visit, we’d loved chef/partner David Deschaies’ srirachaglazed meatloaf and those divine chicken At Unconventional Diner, avocado toast is unconventional, presented with separate baguette rounds. pot pie popovers. But and shakshuka—the Middle Eastern inspired dish those dishes were not that’s appearing frequently on menus. This version available for brunch. Instead, Peter opted for Lebainvolves sweet potatoes, sorrel and choice of protein nese style fried rice, a generous bowl of crispy rice and capped with a pair of sunny side eggs. Red pork pilaf studded with toasted almond slivers, plump pozole is rice with avocado, cotija cheese and cabraisins and spices. For a protein, he chose chicken. bage, again topped with an egg. A “dirty Caesar” is The white meat rested atop the rice, crowned with enhanced with smoked tomatoes, aged gouda and a fried egg along with a dollop of what tasted like optional add-ons. tzatziki. The effect was like a de-constructed kebab. A comprehensive wine and beer listing is Other menu options encompass the ubiquitous joined by sassy cocktails like the Salinger Sour, chicken and waffles, Caribbean shrimp and grits made with blood orange, egg white and saffron bitters, and brunch standbys like Bloody Marys and mimosas. Unconventional Diner is open daily. (Deschaies and partner Eric Eden have also unveiled L’Ardente, a “simple but elegant’ Italian restaurant at 200 Mass. Ave. NW, in the new Capitol Crossing development.) For more information, visit www.unconventionaldiner.com and www.lardente.com.

Pizza Pleasure

Shaw’s Emmy Squared Pizza outlet offers a welcoming ambience with its square Detroit-style pizzas.

Also in Shaw, we’ve checked out Emmy Squared Pizza, 1924 Eighth St. NW. (Part of a nation-wide chain, there’s another Emmy’s in the Navy Yard.). On a rainy mid-week evening, we warmed up in the sprightly dining

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OUT AND ABOUT

my pizza and server Cameron kept my glass full. Dinner for two came to $60.50. Shaw’s Emmy Square Pizza is closed Monday. For more information, visit www. emmysquaredpizza.com.

New Heights

Nearby, Ciel Social Club has landed atop the AC Marriott Hotel, 601 K St. NW. The rooftop penthouse lounge and restaurant provides a stunning vista of downtown DC, the US Capitol and the Washington Monument. Emerging from executive chef Paul Yellin’s kitchen is seared tuna tower, braised octopus stew, and lamb carpaccio with naan. The eclectic menu is joined by Emmy Squared’s “Good Paulie” pizza is crowned with sausage, caramelized onion and smoked Gouda. beverage director Hank Bowers’ inventive cocktails, incorarea and perused the menu. Our personable server, porating the likes of cotton candy and bubble tea. Chattanooga native Cameron, explained things. For now, Ciel (French for “sky” or “heaven”) The Detroit-style square pizzas are made with King is open Thursday through Saturday (dinner only), Arthur organic flour or gluten free ingredients. Pies with brunch planned for the future. For updates, can be red (tomato based) or white (sans tomato). visit www.cielsocialclub.com. Presented on an elevated stand, options include “Deluxe,” piled with sausage, peppers and mushrooms, the traditional Margherita (tomato, burrata, basil), “Timothy” (chicken, Korean wing sauce), and Good news from Ivy City: The Barrel Room Restau“Hot Nashville chicken.” We decided on the “Good rant & Wine Bar, 1350 Okie St. NE, on the ground Paulie,” stacked with caramelized onion, sausage level of City Winery, has reopened. Besides beaucoup crumbles and smoked gouda. We added extra topwine choices, diners may choose from Sophia’s poke pings: boquerones (white anchovies) and olives. bowl, chock full of “Bad Paulie” adds some wicked-sounding hot chili tuna, quinoa, carrots peppers. What makes Emmy’s pies unique? Sauces and other goodies; extend to the edge of the crust, which has a chewy mushroom and goat texture, almost like focaccia. cheese risotto balls; While brussels sprouts have become a culinary cast iron skillet maccliché, we savored Emmy’s Brussels sprouts salad and-cheese; Ivy City laced with pickled red onion and dried cherries wings and, burgers; and a miso dressing, enlivened with the tang of braised short rib bleu cheese. There’s also the Nashville hot chicken gnocchi and more. wedge, draped with Alabama white sauce, cherry Hours are Wednestomatoes and yet more bleu cheese. day through Sunday Another nod to the South is the Nashville hot (dinner only); closed chicken Katsu sandwich with greens, plopped on a Monday and Tuespretzel bun; and the obligatory burgers. day. For more inforHeading the potent potables lineup are cockmation, visit www. tails like Hibiscus tequila punch and “Mom’s twistcitywinery.com. ed tea,” as well as a brief wine and beer listing. My Marieatta Old Vine (red) blend went nicely with

Wine about It

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Old and New Thai

The 20-year old Thai Titanic has morphed into Ammathar, 1326 14th St. NW. The old but new menu showcases crispy pork belly; fried calamari; larb gai (spicy chicken scented with scallions, onion, cilantro and lots of chili peppers). Spring rolls are stuffed with cellophane noodles, cabbage, carrots and mushrooms; tummy warming Thai soups and traditional Siamese standbys--pad Thai and pad and kee mao (drunken noodles laced with chili, garlic, basil, onions and tomatoes), with choice of protein. I usually choose shrimp. For hours and more information, visit www. thaititanic-dc.com

Tea Time in NoMa

If tea is your thing, check out Spot of Tea, 51 M St. NE. You’ll find it inside Streets Market, in NoMa. Established in 2017, Spot of Tea brews all teas to order, using high-quality leaves, without artificial creamers, powders or syrups. Recently reopened after its pandemic shutdown, Spot of Tea specializes in bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, tapioca or boba. But aficionados may also order blue jasmine, lavender Earl Grey, and other quality teas. The proprietors are Taiwanese, so they know what they are doing; bubble tea was reportedly invented in Taiwan. Since it’s located inside a market, Spot has no tables or chairs. Closed Monday and Tuesday. There’s another Spot of Tea at 2400 14th St. NW, also inside a Streets Market. For more information, visit www.drinkspotoftea.square.site. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann (1539 Seventh Street NW) is holding its first commemoration of Festivus, the festival for the rest of us, marked by the airing of grievances and other traditional activities.

Mayor Marks Black Restaurant Week in Shaw

Mayor Muriel Bowser came to Shaw on November 8 to kick off this year’s DMV Black Restaurant Week and to announce an important initiative to support food equity in the DC. The mayor’s press conference was set up in front of FishScale (637 Florida AvFishScale co-owner Brandon Williams and Mayor Muriel Bowser kick-off DMV Black Restaurant Week. Photo: Pleasant Mann enue NW), one of the neighborhood’s notable Black-owned establishments. Brandon Williams, co-owner of FishScale, welcomed the crowd to the event. He was folShaw started off the holiday season this year with its lowed by Mayor Bowser and a number of economic celebration of Shaw Business Saturday on November development and hospitality professionals, including 27, the neighborhood version of the national Small the venerable owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Virginia Ali, Business Saturday event that gives prominence to outlining how important it is to strengthen the Black local small businesses during the shopping season. restaurant industry in the District. This year, Shaw Main Streets offered its ever-popular The major announcement made at the event was Shawbucks, five dollar-denominated coupons that the inauguration of the Food Access Fund. The fund could be used at 17 neighborhood businesses durwill provide $9 million in grants to eight recipients ing the day. The Shawbucks seemed to do the trick to provide new restaurants and fresh food groceries to generate business right after Thanksgiving, with in Wards 7 and 8. HalfSmoke (651 Florida Avenue businesses reporting the redemption of thousands NW), the Shaw restaurant on the opposite end of the of dollars’ worth of Shawbucks for purchases. Small block from FishScale, will get a grant to open estabBusiness Saturday also got national attention when lishments at Skyland Town Center and Downtown the administrator of the U.S. Small Business AdMinnesota Avenue in Ward 7. HalfSmoke’s owner ministration, Isabel Guzman, visited Lee’s Flower Andre McCain spoke about how he had started on and Card Shop to promote the effort. Wall Street but wanted to do something else. He said Shaw’s Small Business Saturday also saw the inthat he would not be able to open the East of the auguration of a Shaw Art Market at the Cornerstone River locations of his popular restaurant without the at 625 T Street NW. Each of the plastic bubbles pregrant from the new fund. viously used by the HalfSmoke restaurant to serve Mayor Bowser also used the occasion to introduce outdoor diners will feature a local artist, offering artthe new director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife work for holiday gift giving. The Shaw Art Market and Culture, Solander Vander Nat. Ms. Vander Nat will be open weekends in December through Sunhas had 11 years of experience managing nightlife day, December 19. and event planning programs, most recently directing There were other holidays being celebrated durHook Hall’s pandemic meal kit program for workers ing the season. Shaw’s famous dive bar Ivy and Coin the hospitality industry. ney (1537 Seventh Street NW) is bringing back its The event was closed by FishScale co-owner annual Hanukkah Bar decorations, in a year when Kristal Williams, who invited attendees to sample the Hanukkah starts early. Next door, The Passenger fish burgers and other items their restaurant offered.

Shaw Gears Up for the Holidays

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Oyster Oyster, Shaw Restaurants Get Respect

Oyster Oyster (1440 Eighth Street NW), Shaw’s hot plant-based restaurant, received a notable honor recently when it joined Esquire magazine’s prestigious list of the Best New Restaurants in America, 2021. Esquire describes the restaurant as “one of experimental exuberance, where chef Rob Rubba serves watermelon with peanuts and oysters (it just works) and a dish of mushroom, corn truffle, and potato that tastes like the forest floor in the best way possible.” Oyster Oyster also topped the new Washingtonian magazine Reader’s Poll as Best New Restaurant. Ghostburger, the Shaw pandemic pop-up at Espita Mezcaleria (1250 Ninth Street NW) that has gone permanent, took the No. 1 spot for Best Pop-Up. The Dabney (122 Blagden Alley NW) was the best restaurant for a Special Occasion in the poll (Vice President Harris and First Gentleman Emhoff celebrated his birthday there in October), while Unconventional Diner (1207 Ninth Street NW) took the title for best Family-Style Carryout. Columbia Room (124 Blagden Alley NW) had the Best Cocktails, with Shaw establishment Oohh’s and Aahh’s (1005 U Street NW) winning Best Soul Food, Capo Italian Deli (715A Florida Avenue NW) taking Best Sandwiches, All Purpose (1250 Ninth Street NW) for Best Pizza, and Beau Thai (1550 Seventh Street NW) for Best Thai. Other Shaw establish-

DeAndre Green of Stop Smack’n Restaurant collects Shawbucks during Shaw Business Saturday. Photo: Alexander Padro

ments including Seylou, El Techo, Shouk, Chaplin’s and Chercher also got high rankings in the poll.

Tony Hawk Comes to Shaw

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk visited Shaw on Sunday, November 7 to check out the newly refurbished Shaw Skate Park. Hawk published an Instagram Reel showing himself at dawn, throwing one of his trademark skateboards through the locked gates of the park. Later, Hawk came back to try out the park and got to meet the skater who got his board. Hawk stayed in the neighborhood to go to The Dabney for dinner.

New Businesses Opening in Shaw

As the District continues to recover from the pandemic, Shaw is starting to see new businesses filling previously vacant commercial spaces. Yoga Heights has opened at 905 U Street NW. Their third location in DC, the U Street Yoga Heights will be the only studio in the District offering Aerial Yoga. A movement experience like no other, Aerial Yoga involves suspension from the ceiling using a silk hammock. Yoga Heights is a locally-owned, community-oriented studio that offers classes for every body, at every level and every budget. Kiki, a new LGBTQ-friendly establishment, will open by the end of the year at the spaces at 915-917 U Street, formerly home to nightspots Dodge City and the Velvet Lounge, according to Eater DC. Led by Keaton Fedak, formerly general manager of the Dirty Goose, Kiki will have two dance floors, a stage for weekly drag shows and a bar serving margaritas on draft. Plans are to add a lounge, a sports-themed bar dedicated to LGBTQ teams and a beer garden. u

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ANC 6E by Pleasant Mann Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E held its monthly meeting for November 2021 on Tuesday evening, November 2. Commission Chair Rachelle Nigro (6E04) called the meeting to order with Michael Eichler (6E01, Vice Chair), Alex Lopez (6E02, Secretary), Frank Wiggins (E03, Treasurer), Patrick Parlej (6E05), Denise Blackson (6E06) and Kevin Rogers (6E07) in attendance. There was a quorum to conduct official business.

Police Service Area (PSA) Reports

Captain Small of the Third District reported that crime in the ANC’s area had gone down significantly. The only violent crimes during the previous month were a female struck by gunfire on M Street that was closed with an arrest and a report of a gun discharge on Ridge Street. Commissioner Nigro noted that she had asked for additional patrols in these areas. She also inquired about the status of carjacking cases. Small replied that except for the recovery of a stolen car, the cases were still open. He concluded that there has been a significant reduction in violent crime and crime in general. Captain Dorrough said that the First District had a pretty good month. The only reported violence was a robbery in front of Walmart and a domestic assault incident. Property crimes were also down significantly. The number of reported stolen autos, historically a major problem in the Mount Vernon area, was also down.

Ward Redistricting

Councilmember Elissa Silverman, the Chair of the DC Council’s Subcommittee on Redistricting,

2 0 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

came to discuss the District’s redistricting process, which is coming to a decision point. The District is required to balance the population between the eight wards every ten years. The results of the 2020 Census meant that Ward 6 would have to lose population, while Wards 7 and 8 have to gain population. After holding hearings, the subcommittee developed three “discussion maps” to focus the debate on where to draw new ward boundaries. Silverman said that she was trying to keep communities of interest together. For example, a historic district could be considered a community that should stay in one ward. Commissioner Nigro commented that most neighborhoods do not mind which ward they are in as long as the neighborhood stays together. Commissioner Lopez complained about the same areas moving back and forth from one ward to another every ten years. Commissioner Eichler asked if there would be a change in zone parking designations, which were previously based on ward boundaries. Silverman replied that although some on the Council have talked about changing the rules for parking, they would not change right now. The redistricting process has to finalize ward boundaries by December 23. Over the next year, new ANC boundaries will be developed.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing Committee (ABC)

1011 Fourth Street NW ( JOKR US Corp.). Request for support of a new Class A retailer license. JOKR is a new concept of food delivery that currently has stores in New York, with deliveries of orders within 15 minutes. Customers will also be able to walk in and

order provisions on a computer screen. They are hoping to partner with local providers of food stuffs. Alexander Padro, the chair of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing Committee, said that the committee supported the license. Commissioner Nigro mentioned that JOKR had already signed a settlement agreement that included provisions for limiting noise and trash. Commissioner Rogers made a motion to support the license, which passed by five yes votes and one abstention. Nigro also offered a motion to accept the settlement agreement with JOKR and send it to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The motion passed with five yeses, one abstention. 1025 Fifth Street NW (Bartaco). Request for Class C license for a new restaurant. They are finalizing construction and might open in November. Their hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. They will have a summer garden, sitting on private space, that they have agreed to close at 11:00 p.m. Because they are opening soon, they are seeking a stipulated license. Padro said that the committee was pleased with the restaurant’s planned hours and supported both its liquor license and a stipulated license. Commissioner Parlej said some residents were concerned about noise, but that the settlement agreement has the same conditions as other ANC 6E agreements. He made a motion to support the permanent and stipulated licenses, which passed unanimously.

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

The committee had three issues that required the ANC’s support. Fifth and S Streets. The Dis-

trict Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued a Notice of Intent to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Fifth and S Streets NW. Commissioner Lopez, the chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, requested that the ANC support the move. The motion to support passed unanimously. Bus-only Lanes on Seventh Street. Lopez said that the committee was considering methods of improving bus transportation on Seventh Street, given that the capacity of Metro Rail is currently diminished. They wanted the commission to send a letter to DDOT to establish bus lanes on Seventh Street between Massachusetts Avenue and Florida Avenue to improve service. Lopez mentioned that DDOT already had plans to make the length of Seventh Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue a no-car zone devoted to only buses and bicycles, although the plan has been put on hold. Commissioner Wiggins noted that there were several apartment buildings along Seventh Street that would have their parking taken away. Then Commissioner Michael Shankle, who represents ANC 2C01, joined the discussion to argue against the proposal. He said that the proposal for a no-car Seventh Street Downtown was never fully discussed with the community and that it was strongly opposed by residents, business owners and the Downtown BID. He said that DDOT has virtually abandoned the project. Commissioner Eichler suggested that given the Climate Crisis, there should be a move to discourage car use and push people to use public transit. Commissioner Nigro said that she understood that the residents and business community

Downtown opposed the bus-only proposal. Given the disagreement, Lopez suggested two separate motions. The first motion called on DDOT to study and propose a design for bus and bicycle lanes and other infrastructure that will improve transit service on Seventh Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue and Florida Avenue. That motion passed, five yeses, one no. The second motion would have asked DDOT to reengage its efforts to implement its plans for Seventh Street but was dropped after there was little consensus on how it should be worded. Wiltberger East Alleys Designation Act of 2021. The committee also wanted the commission to support a resolution regarding the ceremonial naming of three alleys that was going before the DC Council Committee of the Whole in a public hearing the next day. The act, which was shepherded by Wiltberger Street resident John Shaw and former ANC commissioner Alexander Padro, will designate symbolic names for three alleys in the Wiltberger Street area. The three alleys named by the act: Holzbeierlein Bakery Alley, Joe and Mae Hurd All Sports Club Alley, and Wiltberger Club House Alley, recognize the business and social activity that occurred in this historic area. Commissioner Lopez said that he was going to testify in favor of the Act and that he wanted the commission to endorse his testimony to ensure that it was given “great weight” by the Council. Lopez made a motion to have the commission support his testimony, which passed unanimously. ANC 6E will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc6e. org for more information. ◆

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BULLETIN BOARD Washington Harbour Ice Rink Opens for Season

Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3000 K St. NW in Georgetown, is open for public skating on Sundays to Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. $10 for adults; $9 for kids, seniors and military; $7 for skate rental. thewashingtonharbour. com/ice-skating-rink.

Sixth & I Friday Night Services Happy Hour Returns

Friday Night Services at Sixth & I, 7 p.m., led by Rabbi Aaron and musicians Aaron Shneyer, Jeff Geld, and Sarah Fredrick blends contemporary and traditional elements for an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. Uplifting music and the rabbi’s thought-provoking sermon combine for a welcoming one-hour service that’s a good fit for those new to Shabbat or those looking for space to wind down and reflect. Happy Hour, at 6 p.m., returns starting with Friday Night Services on Dec. 10.

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Stop by to grab a drink and catch up with old friends before welcoming in Shabbat at the 7 p.m. service. Masks are required when not actively eating or drinking. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Sixth and I Historic Synagogue is at 600 I St. NW. sixthandi.org.

MLK Library Tour

The MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, offers docent-guided tours weekly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. Sign up for a tour at dclibrary. libnet.info/event/5876809. They will accommodate walk-ins as space is available. For a group tour for five

people or more, email library.tours@ dc.gov.

Rock ‘n’ Roll 2022 Running Series Registration Open

National Shrine Christmas Dinner and Volunteer Registration

The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception provides meals for

hundreds of poor, homeless, elderly, and needy individuals living in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas on Christmas Day. Meals will be available for pick-up or delivery only. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Shrine in-house meals will not be served. To request a Christmas Day dinner, call 202-526-8313. All meal requests must be received by Friday, Dec. 17. Volunteers are also needed to fill many different positions. To register as a volunteer, visit nationalshrine.org/event/2021-christmas-dinner-registration. For more information, contact rsvp@bnsic. org or 202-526-8300.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

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

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

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is offered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

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

Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001 • 202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG

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Craig Wallace as Scrooge. Photo: Carol Rosegg

Ford’s Theatre Society Selects Donation Drive Recipient

Ford’s Theatre Society has announced that the company of the 2021 production of A Christmas Carol has selected Theatre Washington’s Taking Care Fund as recipient of this year’s donation drive inspired by the themes of charity in Dickens’s holiday classic. The Taking Care Fund provides financial assistance to DC area theatre professionals in times of unforeseen hardship. During the curtain calls for performances, the company will encourage monetary donations on behalf of the Washington-based non-profit. Patrons may make donations in person, by mailing a check made payable to “Taking Care Fund, Theatre Washington” to the Ford’s Theatre offices, 514 Tenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, or give online at my.fords.org/donate/q/takingcare. A Christmas Carol plays at Ford’s Theatre through Dec. 27. fords.org.

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Del Ray Artisans Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market

Del Ray Artisans annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists. Different artists each weekend. Choose from wall art, pottery, photography, jewelry, glass, and much more! Plus, FUNdraising 2022 wall calendars and upcycled tote bags to support Del Ray Artisans. Free admission. Market is Dec. 10 to 12 and 17 to 19; Fridays, 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. DelRayArtisans. org/event/holiday-market-2021.

Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Ice Skating

The Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE, schedule for public skating through the end of February 2022 is Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $5; kids, $4. Skate rental is $3. fdia.org.

Public Service Training Academy Call for Applications

The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has announced the next cohort of the Claudia L. McKoin Public Service Leadership Training Academy (McKoin Academy). The McKoin Academy is a free training academy designed to train women to lead and shape public policy in their communities. Their mission is to increase the number of women of color participating in public policy development and running for elected office. They are looking for bright, driven women who are ready to become part of the solution and bring diversity to the public policy and political realm. While the program is open to women of color in all eight wards, they are particularly looking

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mornings. $105 for five weeks of lessons. Private lessons are also available. canalparkiceskating.com.

Wreaths Across American

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreathlaying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. This year Wreaths Across America is on Dec. 18. Those interested in placing wreaths at Arlington Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day must pre-register at wreathsacrossamerica.org. Proof of pre-registration is required for entry into the cemetery.

NGA’s Clouds, Ice, and Bounty

A Holiday Fireworks Show at Mount Vernon

On Dec. 17 and 18, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., join Mount Vernon for a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with an enchanted evening of Christmas Illuminations. Tour the Mansion, 5:30 to 8:15 p.m.; see the fireworks, 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. Throughout the evening, enjoy the lantern-lit Historic Area, the Mansion aglow in beautiful amber light, and the Upper Garden and Greenhouse dazzling in blue and lavender with moving wintry light patterns. You’ll also hear classic holiday music, a winter encampment, a camel, and patriotic inspirational quotes on the Bowling Green. $38 to $60. mountvernon.org.

Depicting a rich cross section of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish life and culture, this exhibition includes landscapes by Jacob van Ruisdael and Salomon van Ruysdael, winter scenes by Jan van Goyen and Adam van Breen, genre paintings by Dirck Hals and Caspar Netscher, seascapes by Reinier Nooms and Simon de Vlieger, still lifes by Clara Peeters and Frans Snyders, and portraits by Thomas de Keyser and Jan Miense Molenaer.

for women in Wards 5, 7 and 8. Applications must be received by Thursday, Dec. 23, 11:59 p.m. Contact mckoinacademy @thefcacdst.org for more information and/or questions.

Photo: Ron Blunt

Gospel Christmas Service at the National Cathedral

On Sunday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m., hear the good news of great joy as it comes to life in the National Cathedral annual service of gospel Christmas music and readings from Holy Scripture. The Reverend Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., delivers the homily. Passes are not required. cathedral.org.

Canal Park Ice Skating

The Canal Park Ice Skating Rink, 200 M St. SE, is open Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 11 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adults, $11; children and seniors, $10. Skate rental, $5. Youth group lessons are offered on Saturday mornings. For the very beginner to intermediate, they offer lessons in a group format. $95 for five weeks of lessons. Adult (16+) lessons are on Sunday

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Hirshhorn’s Laurie Anderson: The Weather

Through July 31, 2022, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden presents the largest-ever US exhibition of artwork by groundbreaking multimedia artist, performer, musician, and writer Laurie Anderson. Laurie Anderson: The Weather features more than 10 new artworks, interspersed with select key works from throughout her career. Guiding visitors through an immersive audiovisual experience in the Museum’s second-floor galleries, this dynamic exhibition showcases the artist’s boundless creative process, featuring her work in video, performance, installation, painting, and other media. (This exhibition contains dark galleries with immersive light and sound installations.) The Hirshhorn is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. hirshhorn.si.edu.

Seen together, this collection offers a unique opportunity to enjoy some of the finest productions of Dutch and Flemish artists of the 17th century. National Gallery of Art West Building through Feb. 27, 2022. nga.gov.

Security Camera System Incentive Program

The Private Security Camera System Incentive Program, administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), encourages residents, businesses, non-profits, and religious institutions to install security camera systems on their property and register them with MPD. MPD has used footage from camera program participants to identify suspects in a variety of crimes and has led to the arrest and successful prosecution in several violent crimes, including homicide. There are two ways to participate in the Private Security Camera Incentive program: The Private Security Camera Rebate Program creates a rebate for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions to purchase and install security camera systems on their property and register them with the Metropolitan Police Department. The Private Security Camera Voucher Program provides a private security camera system to eligible residents free of charge. District residents—either owners or tenants—who receive public assistance may be eligible to have a camera system installed at their home. security.cameras@dc.gov.

DC Prepares for Winter Weather

On Nov. 10, members of the District’s Snow Team hosted a training exercise to ensure they are prepared for every aspect of the District’s snow and ice operations. The District Snow Team consists of 882

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National Cherry Blossom Festival Dates Announced

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, in partnership with Washington, DC officials, Festival sponsors, and stakeholders, have announced plans for the return of its springtime celebration and revealed 2022 official artwork crafted by local artist Lea Craigie-Marshall. Festival President Diana Mayhew has announced that the Festival’s signature events will be back in person March 20 to April 17, 2022. NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org. employees and a 296-vehicle fleet, including 120 heavy plows and 100 light plows, and this year will include 46 100% biodiesel plows. Each year, snow-plow operators clear 2,644 lane miles of residential and commercial streets, as well as the National Highway System. Residents can track snow removal progress in real-time by visiting snow.dc.gov/page/abouttrack-our-plows.

Join Serve DC’s Volunteer Snow Team

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Residents are encouraged to join Serve DC’s Volunteer Snow Team which helps clear sidewalks for registered seniors who are 65 and older, and residents with access functionality needs. This year, Serve DC especially needs volunteers in Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8. Volunteers can sign-up at servedc. galaxydigital.com. For more information about DC’s snow program, preparing for winter weather, or where District Snow Team plows are during a storm, visit snow.dc.gov.

DDOT Kicks Off Tree Planting Season

DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division’s annual planting program begins every Fall and runs through March, where arborists work to fill every possible public tree space with a new tree that’s chosen based on arboriculture best practices and the existing diversity of trees in the neighborhood. This year, DDOT will plant nearly 8,000 trees across the District. Request a new tree on your street using dc.gov or calling 311.

Disability Justice Virtual Forum at Dance Place

On Dec. 18, as an extension of Dance Place’s ongoing equity and inclusion work for people with disabilities, this free virtual series will spotlight artists with disabilities. danceplace.org/ livestream.

Residents Urged to Get Health Coverage During Open Enrollment

DC residents are urged to sign up for high-quality, affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment for individuals and families continues through Jan. 31, 2022.

Solar for All Program Launched

On Oct. 27, Mayor Bowser launched a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs and the Department of Energy and Environment that will help more residents participate in the Solar for All and Solar Works DC programs. The program is not just for people who own homes or who have solar panels. Participants can lower their energy bills by receiving solar power, either directly on their roof or through community solar, if their household income meets the required threshold. doee. dc.gov/service/solar-works-dc.

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms

To find cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia visit pickyourownchristmastree.org for farms and directions. Then follow the prompts.

Find a Vaccination

Enter your zip code and get vaccination sites within one mile, five miles, ten miles and farther from your home—anywhere in the country. Also get information on incentives, childcare and free rides. You can also call 1-800-232-0233. vaccines.gov. ◆

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New DCRA Platform Connects Customers and Inspectors

Find Third-Party Inspection Services WithTertius by Elizabeth O’Gorek

n Tuesday, Nov. 9, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced they will launch an online marketplace for construction inspections. Called Tertius, the Latin word meaning ‘third,’ the system is designed to easily connect residential and commercial property owners and managers with certified and approved third-party inspectors. “Think of Tertius as an online marketplace for construction inspections, with oversight from the regulator. Its innovative design allows us to speed up the timeline for a project and provide transparency into third party inspection processes,” explains DCRA Director Ernest Chrappah. “As a result, residents and businesses have wider options and improved customer service, and that is our Ernest Chrappah, Director of the District Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), speaks at the Nov. 9 launch of the Tertius platform. Courtesy: DCRA top priority.” tion through the site. provide more convenient options for customers, Tertius provides cusDCRA-conducted construction inspections shortening the timeline to complete inspections. tomers with direct access to private inspectors. Cusare free, but customers pay independent inspection It also provides a platform to conduct and report tomers create an account, identify their projects and agencies for services. The system costs each private inspection activity. accept bids from inspectors that are matched to their company a platform fee amounting to 10 percent Customers are not required to use Tertius or projects. DCRA says this results in competitive prices of payments received, to be used to maintain and third party inspectors. They can still go directly to from commercial inspection agencies. Customers can upgrade the platform. DCRA said the system will DCRA’s website (https://dcra.dc.gov/page/inspeccommunicate with inspectors and pay for the inspec-

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tion-services-residents) and use an agency-approved inspector. But there are so few inspectors that in 2019, DCRA initiated the Resident Inspector Program, a pilot program to train inspectors in an effort to meet demand. DCRA said the Tertius system creates a more efficient platform to conduct and report inspection activity. It can streamline and speed up the process, reducing the time and effort it takes to complete inspection reports and get that information to customers and the agency. “DCRA continues to lead in the development of transformative platforms that deliver better and faster service to our customers,” said Chrappah. “These products create better experiences for our customers.” The agency was transitioning from paper-based to digital services well before the pandemic pointed the direction, saying they wanted to leverage technology to improve their operations. Tertius is only one of several new technological applications that will make the DCRA customer journey seamless for many agency services. In addition to Tertius, DCRA has other new products: • Dispatch (https://dcra.dc.gov/ dispatch): DCRA’s inspectionon-demand system. • An expanded Permit Wizard (https://dcra.dc.gov/permitwizard) - DCRA’s innovative, faster, easier-to-use permitting application which helps users determine what permits are required for a project • The Pre-Approved Plans platform (https://dcra.dc.gov/ preapprovedplans)will allow customers to choose from a selection of plans that are preapproved for code compliance by DCRA and shorten the plan review time. Learn more about DCRA and access online resources at dcra.dc.gov ◆

SPEAK ONE-ON-ONE WITH A LAWYER FOR FREE! Wednesday, December 1, 2021 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/55913

WEBINAR: MARSHALL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE Thursday, December 2, 2021 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/56397

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE) Wednesday, December 8, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/56498

WEBINAR: HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR MADE IN DC CERTIFICATION Thursday, December 9, 2021 10:00 am – 11:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/55599

WEBINAR: NAVIGATING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING WITH THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER Thursday, December 9, 2021 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/52322

WEBINAR: ALL THINGS NON-PROFIT Thursday, December 16, 2021 10:00 am – 11:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/55688

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE Monday – Friday By appointment between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

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changing hands

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

Price BR

14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1446 Swann St NW

$2,009,000

ADAMS MORGAN 2478 Ontario Rd NW

$1,425,000

BLOOMINGDALE 121 U St NW 122 Seaton Pl NW 125 Randolph Pl NW 31 Adams St NW 50 Rhode Island Ave NW 2225 Flagler Pl NW 115 Seaton NW 2218 Flagler Pl NW 40 R St NW

$1,489,000 $1,360,000 $1,250,000 $1,200,000 $1,060,000 $925,000 $901,100 $875,000 $868,600

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1500 Monroe St NW 1118 Fairmont St NW 1133 Columbia Rd NW 3547 13th NW 1130 Girard St NW 2825 13th St NW 3027 15th St NW 3666 Park Pl NW 444 Park Rd NW 1351 Meridian NW 1226 Shepherd St NW 1246 Irving NW 3923-3923 NW 14th St NW 3533 Hertford Pl NW 3121 11th St NW 1330 Fairmont St NW 1460 Newton St NW 917 Euclid St NW 1448 Spring Rd NW 762 Irving St NW 636 Columbia Rd NW 3663 13th St NW 754 Columbia Rd NW 639 Morton St NW 1436 Meridian NW #P3

$1,425,000 $1,360,000 $1,315,000 $1,295,000 $1,185,000 $1,100,550 $1,095,000 $1,060,000 $1,055,000 $1,024,500 $1,022,500 $975,000 $963,000 $950,000 $930,000 $925,000 $895,000 $860,000 $800,000 $789,000 $780,000 $769,000 $739,000 $600,000 $30,000

DUPONT CIRCLE 1707 19th St NW 1719 Q St NW 1528 T St NW 1815 T St NW 1614 V St NW 2120 Florida Ave NW 1727 Massachusetts Ave NW #817

$2,200,000 $2,225,000 $1,750,000 $1,400,000 $1,100,000 $885,000 $227,000

LEDROIT PARK 1946 3rd St NW 402 U St NW 417 T St NW 519 U St NW 165 Adams St NW 413 Elm St NW

$1,700,000 $1,500,000 $1,155,000 $980,000 $780,000 $777,000

LOGAN CIRCLE 1443 Q St NW

$3,000,000

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4 6 5 4 5 5 4 4 4 3 2 4 4 7 6 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 0 4 4 4 2 4 3 2 2 0 5 8 2 3 4 2 0 5 5 3 3 4 2 4

1700 13th St NW 1820 13th St NW 5 Logan Cir NW 1443 Corcoran St NW 1508 Kingman Pl NW

$2,695,000 $2,650,000 $2,500,000 $1,575,000 $1,550,000

OLD CITY #2 1914 15th St NW 1536 8th St NW 244 P St NW

$1,870,000 $900,000 $900,000

PENN QUARTER 801 Pennsylvania Ave NW #1020

$489,900

7 5 4 3 3 5 3 3 1

SHAW 1325 Naylor Ct NW 2114 10th St NW 942 O St NW 1511 Marion St NW 1612 8th St NW 86 P St NW 410 Franklin St NW 411 Warner St NW

$1,950,000 $1,775,000 $1,200,000 $1,099,000 $979,000 $949,900 $682,500 $605,000

TRUXTON CIRCLE 88 P St NW

$1,250,000

U STREET CORRIDOR

4 3 3 2 3 4 2 2 4

783 Morton St NW #B 1462 Chapin St NW #8 3566 13th St NW #4 1322 Kenyon St NW #3 1221 Kenyon St NW #1 1444 Taylor St NW #2 1101 Fairmont St NW #6 1345 Irving St NW #1 3114 13th St NW #B 732 Columbia Rd NW #1 1380 Quincy St NW #2-B 1462 Chapin St NW #1 1462 Chapin St NW #4 1462 Chapin St NW #6 3622 Georgia Ave NW #31 3238 13th St NW #4 1462 Chapin St NW #5 1462 Chapin St NW #3 1308 Clifton St NW #509 1495 Newton St NW #404 1417 Newton St NW #506 1457 Park Road NW Park Rd NW #108 1495 Newton St NW #B101

$1,099,000 $935,000 $812,500 $768,000 $721,000 $681,000 $676,000 $657,900 $645,000 $615,000 $580,000 $525,000 $480,000 $479,900 $469,900 $451,000 $450,000 $440,000 $429,000 $390,000 $385,000 $314,000 $299,000

CONVENTION CENTER 910 M St NW #620

$675,000

2217 12th Pl NW $810,000 2 DUPONT CIRCLE 2215 13th St NW $1,055,000 3 2200 17th St NW #207 $1,035,000 1745 N St NW #108 $890,000 $885,000 CONDO 1617 Swann St NW #4 1816 New Hampshire Ave NW #908 $440,000 14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1280 21st St NW #805 $327,000 2125 14th NW #320 $694,000 2 1825 T St NW #P5 $45,000 3916 14th St NW #THREE $489,000 1 1312 21st St NW #2 $950,000 1704 T St NW #404 $939,000 ADAMS MORGAN 1625 Q St NW #107 $770,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #6 $1,180,000 3 1823 Corcoran St NW #9 $617,500 2380 Champlain St NW #303 $883,000 2 1316 New Hampshire Ave NW #102 $540,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #2 $815,000 3 1730 New Hampshire Ave NW #4 $517,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #5 $750,000 2 1600 Q St NW #3 $515,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #1 $725,000 2 1931 17th St NW #401 $495,500 2337 Champlain St NW #PH406 $695,000 2 1816 New Hampshire Ave NW #1008 $419,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #4 $675,000 2 1301 20th St NW #406 $345,000 1827 Florida Ave NW #301 $640,000 2 1758 NW Corcoran St NW #2 $329,000 2429 Ontario Rd NW #3 $450,000 1 1718 P St NW #703 $300,000 2008 16th St NW #103 $449,000 2 1825 T St NW #301 $250,000 2300 18th St NW #312 $429,000 1 1711 Massachusetts Ave NW #331 $239,000 1840 California St NW #17A $420,000 1 1545 18th St NW #P44 $35,000 1855 Calvert St NW #LL4 $400,000 2 2300 18th St NW #207 $385,000 1 LOGAN CIRCLE 1840 Mintwood Pl NW #102 $189,000 0 2125 14th St NW #401 $790,000 1314 Massachusetts Ave NW #505 $449,000 BLOOMINGDALE 1401 Q St NW #503 $1,135,000 49 Quincy Pl NW #B $747,000 2 1300 13th St NW #701 $1,004,000 CENTRAL 1515 15th St NW #426 $909,000 1010 Massachusetts Ave NW #PH113 $696,000 2 1433 S St NW #2 $887,000 1150 K St NW #908 $595,000 2 1440 Church St NW #304 $877,000 1280 21st St NW #309 $535,000 2 1401 Church St NW #302 $805,000 400 Massachusetts Ave NW #721 $530,000 1 1527 Church St NW #PH $799,000 616 E St NW #209 $360,000 0 1224 11th St NW #3 $755,000 1437 Rhode Island Ave NW #412 $744,000 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1401 R NW #202 $630,000 1300 Euclid St NW #6 $1,160,000 2 1325 13th St NW #205 $549,000

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

1120 Rhode Island Ave NW #1 1211 13th St NW #202 1245 13th St NW #513 1111 11th St NW #504

$504,000 $455,000 $410,000 $430,000

MT VERNON SQUARE 475 K St NW #804 1111 11th St NW #703 925 H St NW #809 811 4th St NW #411 811 4th St NW #311 475 K St NW #1017 1117 10th St NW #812

$555,000 $514,000 $1,375,000 $861,000 $850,000 $624,900 $504,000

OLD CITY #2 1918 15th St NW #1 1718 P St NW #915 1312 P St NW 910 M St NW #113 437 New York Ave NW #1006 1227 N NW #B 1001 L St NW #810 1545 18th St NW #318 1545 18th St NW #818 1545 18th St NW #203 1545 18th St NW #203 1711 Massachusetts Ave NW #132

$840,000 $675,000 $675,000 $660,000 $540,000 $516,000 $515,000 $415,000 $399,900 $365,000 $365,000 $220,000

PENN QUARTER 915 E St NW #711 915 E St NW #914

$475,000 $432,500

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

SHAW 1011 M St NW #906 1316 8th St NW #1 2030 8th St NW #207

$710,000 $599,000 $590,000

TRUXTON CIRCLE 1515 3rd St NW #B 1510 N Capitol St NW #401 55 M St NW #107

$865,000 $669,000 $292,800

2 2 2 3 2 1

U STREET CORRIDOR

2120 Vermont Ave NW #405 $482,000 1 1935 12th St NW #1 $1,042,000 2 2020 15th St NW #2 $870,000 2 2120 Vermont Ave NW #611 $600,000 1 2020 12th St NW #404 $515,000 1

CO OP ADAMS MORGAN

2605 Adams Mill Rd NW #31 2707 Adams Mill Rd NW #401 1661 Crescent Pl NW #202 1801 Clydesdale Pl NW #619

$754,000 $599,000 $545,000 $144,538

DUPONT CIRCLE 1701 16th St NW #509 1701 16th St NW #308 1701 16th St. NW #250 1526 17th St NW #212 u

$415,000 $217,500 $399,000 $240,000

2 2 2 0 1 0 1 0

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DEC EM BER 2 0 2 1 3 3

Holidays at the Botanic Garden

This year, the US Botanic Garden, at the foot of the Capitol, offers an outdoor holiday display, running through Jan. 2 (closed on Christmas day). The display includes festive decorations, trains, evergreens, and lights in the outdoor gardens. G-gauge model trains will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day in the gated outdoor gardens. The trains will circulate through agricultural displays from across the United States and around the world, all made from plant parts. These farm scenes will range from orange groves, cranberry bogs, and wheat ﬁelds in the US to grape vineyards in Australia, coffee farms in Uganda and olive orchards in Spain. No tickets required. The trains may not run during inclement weather. usbg.gov/holiday.

y l i m a f kids &

Join the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count

Photo: Nick Eckert

Waterskiing Santa on the Potomac

Waterskiing Santa appears along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront on Friday, Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. (pre-show at 12:45 p.m.). Santa’s helpers come out early to ensure it’s safe for Santa (considering the Grinch or Jack Frost may be around). waterskiingsanta.com.

A family holiday tradition for many, the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement. It’s an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds. To participate, you need to join an existing CBC circle by contacting the compiler in advance of the count day. All Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, inclusive dates, each season. Read more and sign up at audubon.org/content/join-christmasbird-count.

BELOW: Marine Staff Sgts. Hugh Wood and Randall Ayers, NORAD and USNORTHCOM, take calls at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center. Photo: Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher

NORAD Tracks Santa

NORAD tracks everything that ﬂies in and around North America in defense of our country. However, on Dec. 24, they have the special mission of also tracking Santa. NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidentally dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole. Thus, a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives nearly ﬁfteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls (phone number appears on the website on Dec. 24) to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline. This year, children are also able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. noradsanta.org.

3 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

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KIDS AND FAMILY

National Cathedral FamilyChristmas Service

On Thursday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m., the Nativity story comes to life in the glorious nave of the National Cathedral. Gather loved ones of all ages for a joyful service of carols and prayers featuring a menagerie of live animals to welcome the Holy Family. Free passes are required to attend in person. cathedral.org.

A Family Christmas at the KC

On Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m., bring the kids to the Kennedy Center for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them. They’ll take you on a merry tour of holiday sing-alongs and Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph. This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages five, up. $20 to $45. kennedy-center.org.

Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show

Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is one of the most vibrant holiday celebrations in town. This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats. The Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Dec. 9 to 30. Get tickets and updates at stepafrika.org.

Christmas Movies at The Miracle Theatre

See some of the great Christmas movies on the big screen. Here’s this year’s lineup: The Polar Express, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. and Dec. 12, 2 p.m.;

3 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Elf, Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m.; It’s a Wonderful Life, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. and Dec. 18, 4 p.m.; White Christmas, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. All tickets, $6. The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre.com.

“A Christmas Carol” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Through Dec. 18, LTA rings in the holiday season with a return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian humbug, travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present, and future to find the true meaning of the holidays. Complete with special effects, Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim. A Christmas Carol is a must for the entire family. The Little Theatre of Alexandria is at 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA. thelittletheatre.com.

year. Celebrate the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice—right from your home or classroom. Recommended for ages five to 12. Available for school/ groups, Dec. 6 to 23; families, Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. Following the show, students can discover more with a pre-recorded activity, led by Teaching Artist, Jessica Andrews. $25 for groups; $12 for families. discoverytheater.org/seasonsoflight.

Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Ice Skating

Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE, is open for public skating through the end of 2021 on Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $5; kids, $4. Skate rental is $3. fdia.org.

Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) at GALA

On Sunday, Jan. 2, 1:30 p.m., join

GALA for this annual tradition, the celebrated Three Kings celebration which brings Latin-American tradition to the streets of DC with local music and dance groups, and free gifts for all children. Attendance is capped at 200 and allows only one adult per every three children in the group/family. Tickets are $2 per person. All patrons ages five and up are required to show proof of vaccination or recent COVID test. galatheatre.org/post/ threekingsday.

Annual Children’s Christmas Mass at the National Shrine

On Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m., the Basilica of the National Shrine and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart invite the faithful to participate in the annual Children’s Christmas Mass in the Great Upper Church. Students from the Stone Ridge school will provide the music ministry, and a special presentation of the Bambinelli will take place. The National Shrine is at 400 Michigan Ave. NE. nationalshrine.org. u

Cinderella at Synetic Theater

Just in time for the holidays, Cinderella joins Synetic’s family series repertoire. Led by an all-female team of Syneticons, this innovative take on the classic fairytale is a perfect fit for audiences of all ages. $15 to $30. Cinderella is on stage at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell St., Crystal City, on select days through Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. synetictheater.org.

Discovery Theater’s “Season of Light” Show On-Demand

See the beloved holiday favorite that bridges communities and cultures the world over—virtually! An adapted version of this enchanting, signature Discovery Theater show will be available for digital viewing this

Photo: Alice Rose

See the Trains at the National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is lit every day, through Jan. 1, from approximately 4:30 p.m. to midnight as part of the America Celebrates display at President’s Park (White House). Ahead of this holiday season, the National Park Service planted a new National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The new tree, a 27-foot white fir from Middleburg, Pa. was donated by Hill View Christmas Tree Farm and will be the first white fir to serve as the National Christmas Tree. You can visit the tree, surrounding model trains and decorations any time throughout the season. thenationaltree.org.

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SHOP SMALL FOR THE

SHAW-LIDAYS!

Remember to Shop Small and Shop Local this holiday season. You can enjoy holiday traditions, including shopping for gifts for friends and family and enjoying great meals at restaurants and at home—and support small, local, independent businesses in Shaw at the same time!

LEE’S FLOWER AND CARD SHOP

Shaw retailers offer great merchandise that can be purchased in person or ordered online and picked up curbside or delivered to you or your gift recipients. Whether you’re looking for women’s wear, paintings, plants or single malts, you can order them from Shaw Main Streets businesses. And many Shaw businesses offer gift cards and certificates, often delivered via email, taking the stress out of choosing the perfect gift. Certificates for fitness classes or haircuts are also great options.

And whether you choose a favorite meal to dine in or take out from your go-to restaurant or a special menu from a place you’ve been meaning to check out, treat yourself often this month.

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See the Shaw Holiday Gift Guide in this month’s Mid City DC or visit www.ShawMainStreets.org for gift and dining ideas. Shaw Main Streets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor. ©2021 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.