MIDCITY AUGUST 2012
CONTENTS AUGUST 2012
10 out and about 23
08 10
GO SEE DO DC North Calendar
18 20 22 23
Retail Therapy • Scott Fazzini Insatiable • Celeste McCall Jazz Avenues • Steve Monroe Bicycle Artist • Jazzy Wright
your neighborhood 24 26 28 29 30 31 32
E on DC • by E. Ethelbert Miller The Numbers • Ed Lazere District Beat • Martin Austermuhle Logan Circles • Mark F. Johnson The Triangle • Amanda Wilson Shaw Streets • Ralph Brabham Bloomingdale Bytes • Jazzy Wright
kids and family 33
Kids and Family Notebook • Kathleen Donner
at home 35 36
Changing Hands • Don Denton Home/Style • Mark F. Johnson
38 Classifieds
30 COVER:
Photo: Courtesy of Events DC. Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium The Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium is an outdoor venue for skateboard lovers of all ages and skills. Located in Parking Lot 3 adjacent to RFK Stadium, this new 15,000 square foot facility is open daily for public use from dawn to dusk and is only closed during inclement weather. Use of the park is free as is parking. Designed by Pro Skater Geoff Rowley and California Skateparks, the Maloof Skate Park is the first major skate park in DC. 202-608-1100. dcsportsent.com
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HOMES & GARDENS
Rindy O’Brien - Hill Gardener • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com
NEWS & NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTS
ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Art: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Dining: Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com 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 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
Hill Rag, MidCity DC & East of the River: Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT
Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Heather Schoell • hschoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Peter Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Kathleen Donner • kathleen.donner@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Alice Ollstein • alice.ollstein@gmail.com Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com Gwyn Jones • gwynjones@aol.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Amanda Wilson • amanda.mc.wilson@gmail.com Dana Bell • dana@hillrag.com
BEAUTY, HEALTH& FITNESS
Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com
KIDS & FAMILY
Kathleen Donner • kathleen.donner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com
anc6a, 6b, 6c, 6d:
Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com • clapol47@gmail.com Barracks Row: sharon@barracksrow.org H Street Life: Elise Bernard • inked78@hotmail.com the Nose: thenose@hillrag.com Logan Circle • mark@hillrag.com Shaw • Ralph Brabham: Ralph • ralphbrabham@yahoo.com The Triangle • Amanda Wilson • amanda.mc.wilson@gmail.com anc6b: Emily Clark
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DEADLINES & CONTACTS
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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.
Publisher: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2012 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
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GO.SEE.DO. Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series at the Corcoran
A pivotal figure in the history of modern painting, Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) was an innovator whose work inspired legions of artists and greatly advanced the lexicon of abstraction. The Corcoran is the only East Coast venue for Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series, the first major museum exhibition to focus on the artist’s most celebrated body of work. The exhibition features more than 80 works, including large-scale paintings, smaller paintings made on cigar box lids, mixed-media drawings on paper, monotypes, and prints. On view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art from June 30-Sept 23. 500 17th St. NW. 202-639-1700. corcoran.org
Richard Diebenkorn, Ocean Park #38, 1971. Oil on canvas, 100 1/8 x 81 inches. The Phillips Collection, Gift of Gifford and Joann Phillips. ©The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation. Image courtesy The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation.
Havre de Grace Seafood Festival
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Crowds line-up at a popular crab shack. Photo: Heppner Imaging
From August 10-12, Havre de Grace, Md welcomes seafood lovers with over 30 vendors serving more than 175 seafood delicacies. This historic town located “where the Chesapeake Bay begins” puts on this annual event that has been named on of the 10 best food festivals in the country. Other things-to-do are visit an arts and crafts market with 120 vendors with locally made products, 24 hours of live entertainment, a classic car show and the general fun of a festival on the water. Havre de Grace is about 75 miles from DC; take Route 95 north. 410-9391525. HdGSeafoodFestival.org
Summer Music in the Courtyard Gallery OonH Concerts
Gallery OonH continues its Summer Music in the Courtyard Series on Saturdays, 5:30-10:30 p.m., through September 2, with performances by the John Stone Reggae Band; Sir Allen and the Calypso Ponzi Schemers; and Wheelie and Tia Nina. The gallery and adjacent courtyard, at 1354 H Street, NE, provide an indoor/outdoor space where art, music, and minds intersect for cultural experiences appealing to a broad range of ages and interests. Presentations will include pop-up markets for food and retail while continuing to feature gallery exhibits from the private collection of the owners Mary Ellen Vehlow and Steve Hessler. “We see this as an opportunity to infuse the local community with an energy beyond the bars and night life of H Street,” explains Vehlow. galleryoonh.com Photo: Courtesy of Events DC
Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium
The Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium is an outdoor venue for skateboard lovers of all ages and skills. Located in Parking Lot 3 adjacent to RFK Stadium, this new 15,000 square foot facility is open daily for public use from dawn to dusk and is only closed during inclement weather. Use of the park is free as is parking. Designed by Pro Skater Geoff Rowley and California Skateparks, the Maloof Skate Park is the first major skate park in DC. Inspired by Freedom Plaza and the architecture along Pennsylvania Ave., the skate park includes replicas of the Golden Rail and Freedom Plaza Ledges. Located by DC’s Metro Center rail station, the Golden Rail has been made world famous by local skate boarders. 202-608-1100. dcsportsent.com
A Celebration of Gaming at Labyrinth
From August 5-12, join Labyrinth Games & Puzzles for a week-long Celebration of Gaming. On Sunday, August 5, the week will start with a super-bargain sale of used and donated games and puzzles for all ages. It will continue throughout the week with their annual store-wide sale. On Thursday, August 9, they will celebrate the store owner Kathleen Donahue’s birthday with Party Game Night! Award-winning game designer Dave Chalker will play Get Bit and friends from local North Star Games will join everyone to play their award-winning Wits & Wagers. There will be door prizes and cake! The Celebration will culminate in a weekend-long celebration of board games and tabletop role-playing on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12, featuring game designers from all over the east coast. Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202544-1059. labyrinthgameshop.com capitalcommunitynews.com u 9
H H H
calendar
AUGUST
Illuminare, early music women’s vocal ensemble, performs on Aug. 14. Photo: Gregory Hutton
Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts
Every Tuesday, 12:10 PM. Aug. 7, Levine School of Music Faculty–Jacob Clark, piano; Aug. 14, Illuminare, early music women’s vocal ensemble; Aug. 21, US Army Chorus; Aug. 28, Douglas Wolters, Solo Masterworks for Cello, Baroque Cello, & Viola da Gamba. Free but free will offering taken. 1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org
SPECIAL EVENTS 2012 Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer. Wednesdays, Aug. 15, 22, and 29. 7 PM with pre-ceremony pageantry starting at 6:45 PM. The 2012 Twilight Tattoo season has been extended and will run through the entire summer. Members of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” Fife and Drum
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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 Marine Barracks Evening Parade. Friday evenings through Aug. 31. Guests admit-
ted starting at 7 PM. Guests should be seated by 8 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 story of the ceremony reflects the story of Marines around the world. The ceremony begins with a concert by the United States Marine Band. Free. It is wise to have reservations that can be made online at mbw.usmc.mil. Marine Bar-
racks (front gate), Eighth and I Streets SE. 202-433-4073. mbw.usmc.mil Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran. This summer, 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 1st Thursday @ First Church. First Thursday of every month, 5:30-7 PM. First Congregational United Church of Christ hosts a “Different kind of Happy Hour” for those passing by the corner of 10th and G Streets NW-music, art, refreshments and conversation. Childcare provided. 945 G St. NW. FirstUCCDC.org
SUMMER MUSIC Fort Dupont Summer Concerts. Saturdays, Aug. 11 and 18. The National Park Service offers six Rhythm and Blues performances in July and August as part of Fort Dupont Park’s “Summer Theatre” concert series. The concerts’ are sponsored solely by the National Park Service and free to the public. On Aug. 11 at 7:30 PM, it is DC’s Legends ‘n Soul Night, Al Johnson & His A Team, Peaches & Herb, Skip Mahony & the Casuals and HALO. On Aug. 18 at 8 PM, see KLYMAXX featuring Bernadette Cooper and B’ela Dona. There is a Jr. Ranger tent offering programs for children and general information about Fort Dupont Park. nps.gov/fodu 1812 Overture on the Mall. Aug. 14, 8 PM. US Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” and the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery. Sylvan (open air) Theater on the Washington Monument grounds (southeast corner). usarmyband.com South on South Capitol Southern Rock Concert Series. Aug. 24; 11:30 AM, Bands all day, mechanical bull, picnic tables. Half and M Streets SE at the Navy Yard Metro. fairgroundsdc.com Evenings at Zuppa Fresca. Third Thursdays, 6-8 PM; Aug. 16, Jimi Smooth &
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the Hittime (Motown), Sept. 20, Levi Stephens (Funk/Blues). 250 K St. NE. nomabid.org
$30-$45. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com
Yards Park Friday Evening Concert Series. Through Sept. 14, 6:30-8:30 PM. Spend your Friday evenings on the river, relaxing on the terraced lawn steps with family and friends and listening to live music from the Yards Park’s boardwalk stage. Friday evening concerts will feature a wide range of live musical performances including jazz, salsa, reggae, and more. capitolriverfront.org
National City Christian Church Organ Concerts. Every Friday, 12:15-1:15 PM. Free. 5 Thomas Cir. NW. 202-232-0323. nationalcitycc.org
Military Band Concerts at the US Capitol. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in summer (weather permitting). 8 PM. Mondays, US Navy Band; Tuesdays, US Air Force Band; Wednesdays, US Marine Band; Fridays, US Army Band. Free. West Terrace US Capitol Building. US Marine Band Concerts at the Sylvan Theater. Thursdays in summer (weather permitting), 8 PM. You are welcome to bring folding chairs, blankets and refreshments to the concert. Free. 15th St. and Independence Ave. SW (on Washington Monument grounds). 202-433-5717. mbw.usmc. mil
Steinway Series of classical music concerts at American Art Museum. Second Sunday, 3 PM. The Steinway Series is a classical music concert that features the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s refurbished Steinway Concert Grand piano. Free. McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level American Art Museum (between Seventh and Ninth and F and G Streets NW.) 202-633-1000. americanart.si.edu “Take Five” (free jazz at the American Art Museum). Third Thursday, 5-7 PM. Smithson-
THEATER AND FILM AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Nora Ephron Film Tribute-“When Harry Met Sally.” Aug. 13, 6 PM. Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, this viewer favorite is set mainly in New York City. It follows the relationship between two college students as they mature and seek the elusive “soulmate”. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk U Street Movies. Aug. 22 (rain date Aug. 29), “The American President.” Showtime at sundown. Gates open at 7 PM. Movie shown at the Harrison Recreation Center field, V St. between 13th and 14th Streets. NW. Free ad-
Navy Memorial Concerts on the Avenue. Tuesdays, through Aug. 28, 8 PM. Come out to the US Navy Memorial for an evening of relaxing music by the United States Navy Band and its specialty groups. Free. US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-7372300. navyband.navy.mil
Jazz in the Sculpture Garden. Fridays in summer (rain or shine), 5-8 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
MUSIC AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Sunday Gospel Brunch Featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. Every Sunday, 12:30-2 PM.
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Shakespeare Theatre’s Free-For-All. Aug. 23-Sept. 5. Featuring “All’s Well That Ends Well.” Free tickets available online and inperson. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. shakespearetheatre.org/about/ffa “Body Awareness” at Theater J. Aug. 25Sept. 23. A touching comedy from the Obie Award-winning author of Circle Mirror Transformation. It’s Body Awareness Week at Shirley College, and the non-traditional Vermont family members Phyllis, Joyce and their possibly autistic son Jared are rocked by a visiting photographer and his ‘male gaze.’ As sexuality, identity, role modeling and political-correctness get stirred up, the results are both touching and hilarious. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 202-518-9400. washingtondcjcc.org “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” at Woolly. Sept. 3-30. This 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist is a drop-kicking, body-slamming, ballsout theatrical happening about the larger-than-life world of professional wrestling. Tired of making other pro wrestlers look good, Macedonio “The Mace” Guerra recruits a smartmouthed Indian kid to dethrone the current All-American champ, Chad Deity. But in wrestling, as in life, even the most idealistic freedomfighter can be seduced by the roar of the crowd. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-3933939. woollymammoth.net
National Shrine Summer Organ Recital Series. Sundays in Aug., 6 PM. Free. Free will offering accepted. All welcome. 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202526-8300. nationalshrine.com
Air Force Band Concerts. Wednesdays in summer. 8 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
“Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson” at Studio. Through Aug. 26. This rowdy and irreverent musical imagines President Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson as a rock star. American history has never been this sexy! Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org
Photo: Courtesy of the US Army Band
1812 Overture on the Mall
Aug. 14, 8 PM. US Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” and the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery. Sylvan (open air) Theater on the Washington Monument grounds (southeast corner). usarmyband.com
ian American Art Museum, (Great Hall on the 3rd floor), Eighth and F Sts. NW. 202-6331000. AmericanArt.si.edu
mission. Attendees are encouraged to come early to picnic in the park and listen to music spun by local DJs. movies.ustreet-dc.org
Hip Hop Legend, Common at Lincoln Theatre. Sept. 8, 6:30 PM. The Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute presents the 2012 Paul Robeson “Here I Stand” award to hip hop legend Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. aka Common. In the featured portion of our event, Common will be interviewed live on stage on his remarkable career. Other fantastic on-stage performances include Malcolm X Drummers & Dancers, Indonesian dance troupe Whratnala USA, Ivy Rose Band featuring guest vocalist Chessa Toboada, Dragon Princess Olivia Zhang, and children and youth from the Hung Tao Choy Mei leadership Institute. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202328-6000. thelincolntheatre.org
August: “Osage County.” Through Aug. 26. Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major new play that unflinchingly-and uproariously-exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family. Church Street Theater, 1742 Church St. NW. keegantheatre.com
EXHIBITIONS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Art Enables Annual Inventory Show. Aug. 11, 1-4 PM. Art Enables is a studio and gallery for emerging artists with developmental disabilities. Their chance to make art comes through Art Enables. Their reasons for doing it are their own: to have something to do, to make money, to feel important, to tell the world who they are, to become famous. All those reasons and more. 50 percent off work that’s one year old. Special drawings for surprise discounts on other items. Art Enables, 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE. 202-554-9455. art-enables.org African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond. Through Sept. 3. African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond presents a selection of paintings, sculpture, prints, and photographs by forty-three black artists who explored the African American experience from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights era and the decades beyond,
which saw tremendous social and political changes. In response, these artists created an image of America that recognizes individuals and community and acknowledges the role of art in celebrating the multivalent nature of American society. American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets. NW. 202-6337970. americanart.si.edu Fire & Ice: Hindenburg and Titanic. Through Jan. 6, 2014. This innovative new exhibit will bring together two marvels of transportation. Titanic and Hindenburg served demands for rapid worldwide communication and transportation. Both operated as the world’s largest mobile post offices. Each in its day promised the fastest possible worldwide mail service. Each offered onboard gentility and opulence. Each met a tragic end. National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-6335555. postalmuseum.si.edu/fireandice House and Home at National Building Museum. House & Home, a long-term exhibition, takes visitors on a tour of houses both familiar and surprising, through past and present, challenging our ideas about what it means to live at home in America. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org The American Revolution at Sea. Through Dec. 29, Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 PM. The American Revolution at Sea traces the maritime dimensions of the conflict from the end of the Seven Years’ War, when France—humiliated by defeat—began to rebuild its navy for a war of revenge, through the last naval battles of the Revolutionary War. The naval war of the American Revolution was a world war that reached from the coast of North America to the Bay of Bengal. Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202-785-2040. societyofthecincinnati.org By, For, and Of the People: Folk Art and Americana at the DAR Museum. Through Sept. 1. The DAR Museum has an impressive collection of decorative arts, and much of the published work about the museum stresses that fact. Over the years however, important examples of American folk art and Americana have enlivened the collection. Free admission. DAR Museum, 1776 D St. NW. 202-628-1776. dar.org LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition. Through Sept. 3. This exhibition showcases fifteen buildings from around the world made entirely from LEGO® bricks by Adam Reed Tucker. $5$8. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org Inventing a Better Mousetrap: Patent Models from the Rothschild Collection. Through Nov. 3, 2013. The exhibition Inventing a Better Mousetrap features thirty-two models illustrating the wide variety of nineteenth-century patented inventions submitted by in-
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ventors from across the United States. All of the models on display are from the collection of Alan Rothschild, whose holdings of 4,000 patent models is the largest private assemblage of American patent models anywhere. American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. 202-633-7970. americanart.si.edu 1001 Inventions-Discover the Golder Age of Muslim Civilization. Through Feb. 3. From the 7th to 17th centuries, Muslim Civilization stretched from southern Spain to China. Scholars of many faiths built on the ancient knowledge of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, and others, making breakthroughs that paved the way for the Renaissance. $8. National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. 202-857-7588. nationalgeographic.com
LITERARY EVENTS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Shades of Black Book Club. This adult club focuses on black fiction and non-fiction authors. Discussions are held the third Tuesday of every month in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in the Popular Library Division. MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-7270321. dclibrary.org/mlk Sunday Kind of Love at Busboys. Every third Sunday, 5 PM. Sunday Kind of Love features emerging and established poets from the Washington, DC area and around the nation. Each program includes featured poet(s) and an open mic segment centered around a predetermined social or poetic theme. Hosted by various local poets, Sunday Kind of Love has showcased poets as diverse as Esther Iverem, Richard Blanco, and Kathi Wolfe. $5. Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St, NW. 202-387-7638. busboysandpoets.com Tuesday Night Open Mic Poetry. Tuesdays, 9-11 PM. For two hours audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, musicians and a different host every week. Expect to be moved, expect a packed house, expect the unexpected, but above all come with an open mind and ear. $4/person. Wristbands for Tuesday night open mic at 14th & V are sold all day in the Bookstore beginning at 10 AM until sold out. Limit of 4 wristbands per person. Cash only. Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St, NW. 202387-7638. busboysandpoets.com Urban Fiction Book Club. This club meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Interim Library, 1630 7th St. NW. 202-727-1288. dclibrary.org/watha Fiction Lover’s Book Club. Aug. 20, 6:30 PM. Please join The Fiction Lover’s Book Club in Room 221 as they discuss Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. For more information, please contact the Popular Library at 202-727-1295. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk Nine on the Ninth Open Mic Poetry. Aug. 9, 9-11 PM. “Nine on the Ninth” Open Mic
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Poetry, the now legendary monthly poetry series that falls on every 9th day of the month at 9 PM. Hosted by Derrick Weston Brown. $5 suggested donation. Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St, NW. 202-387-7638. busboysandpoets.com
fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, 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
Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library History Book Club. Second Monday, 6:30-8:00 PM. The History Book Club is a lively discussion of American historical biographies and how personal histories intersect with historical events. The typical book selected is entertaining and thought-provoking, which always leads to interesting conversations. Books range in reading level from teen books to adult books. Open to ages 16 and older. 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-727-1288. dclibrary.org/watha
14th and U Farmers Market. Saturdays. 9 AM-1 PM, until Thanksgiving. Producers-only market. 14th and U Streets NW, in front of the Reeves Building. marketsandmore.net
National Book Festival (save the date). Sept. 22-23. National Mall. loc.gov
Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8 AM- 4 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
MARKETS NOMA Farmers Market. Wednesdays, through Oct. 31, 3-7 PM. 1200 First St., NE. nomabid.org Penn Quarter FRESHFARM Market. Thursdays, through Dec. 20, 3-7 PM. North end of Eighth St, between D and E Streets NW. freshfarmmarket.org By the White House FRESHFARM Market. Thursdays, through Oct. 25, 11 AM-2:30 PM. 810 Vermont Ave. NW. freshfarmmarket.org Farmers Market at National Geographic. Tuesdays in summer, 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. Join National Geographic every Tuesday this summer for their Farmers Marketing. Enjoy seasonal selections from Orchard Country Produce including fresh, local produce, organic eggs, grass-fed beef, jams & jellies and sweet local honey. The market will be held in the courtyard, weather permitting, 17th and M Streets NW. nationalgeographic.com Mount Vernon Triangle Market. Sundays, 10 AM-4 PM. Initiating its second season, the market is situated in Mt. Vernon Triangle, at the corner of 5th and Eye Streets NW just north of Chinatown. The market will feature a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture. The market will also highlight local prepared foods such as handmade chocolates and breads; and beverages, such as organic juices, teas and coffee. The food truck, Curbside Cupcakes and Bita Diomande, of Sarafina will also be at the market. Also find handmade jewelry, vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories. mountvernontriangle.org 9th and U Flea Market. Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM-5 PM. 9th and U Streets NW. Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9 AM-1 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,
Mi Tierra (Latino) Market at Unity Park. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting). 9 AM-7 PM. Unity Park at Champlain St. Euclid St. and Columbia Rd. NW. Mi Tierra market has 18 approved vendors that sell foods and crafts from their native countries in the heart of Adams Morgan.
Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM-7 PM; Saturdays, 7AM-5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM-5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM-6 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 7th St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarket-dc.com
SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Nats Baseball. Aug. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 30 and 31; Sept. 1. $5, up. Nationals Park. 202-675-6287. 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 DC United Soccer Home Match. Aug. 19, 5 PM, vs. Philadelphia Union; Aug. 22., 7:30 PM, vs. Chicago Fire; Aug. 29, 8 PM, vs New York Red Bulls. $23-$52. RFK Stadium. 202587-5000. dcunited.com Washington Mystics Basketball. Aug. 19
and 24. $17, up. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. wnba.com Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Saturdays and Sundays in Aug., 2-3:30 PM. Dress for warmth and safety. Clothes should be easy to move in, and pants must not fall below the heel of the skate (sweatpants or leggings are a good choice). Everyone needs to wear gloves or mittens, and one pair of thin, long socks or tights that fit snugly (no ankle socks). A helmet or knit hat is strongly recommended (loaner helmets are available). $5. $4 for kids and seniors. $3 for skate rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org Dance Classes at Dance Place. Classes offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Classes offered in modern, African, belly dance, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop. The mission of Dance Place is to improve the quality of life in the metropolitan area through the presentation of educational and cultural programs and to nurture and expand the field of dance nationally. $120 for 10 classes, valid for 3 months. Drop-in for $15 ($13, seniors). 3225 Eighth St. NE. 202269-1600. danceplace.org Waterfront Workouts at the Wharf. Saturdays, 9-11 AM. Yala Fitness at 9 AM and Flow Yoga at 10 AM. 7th Street Landing at 7th and Water Streets SW. wharfdc.com Pick-up Field Hockey on the Mall. Every Monday at 6 PM. Meets at the fields in front of the Smithsonian Metro stop for males and females who have a passion for field hockey. No experience necessary. Bring water, shinguards, mouthguard, cleats, a field hockey stick, and either a reversible jersey or a light and dark shirt - no grays please. Free. Rock Creek Park Trail Rides. On Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug., take a one-hour guided horseback ride through Rock Creek Park. Weekend rides are at 9:30 AM, 11 AM and 12:30 PM on Saturdays and 11 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays. Weekday rides are at 6 PM. No prior experience is necessary but riders must be under 200 lbs. except for one horse that can carry up to 225 lbs. Reserve you ride well in advance at rockcreekhorsecenter.com or call 202-362-0117. $40. Rock Creek Horse Center, 5100 Glover Road, 1/2 block south of Military Road, NW. Watch for signs. Sunday Road Ride. Every Sunday, meet at 8:30 AM, depart by 8:45 AM. The Bike Rack. A 40-mile, moderately paced ride that emphasizes group riding techniques, newcomers to the group riding are welcome as riders regroup throughout, so that nobody is left behind. Helmets mandatory. Free. 1412 Q St. NW. 202-387-BIKE. bikerackdc.com. Saturday Road Ride. Every Saturday, meet at 10 AM, depart by 10:15 AM. The Bike Rack. The Saturday ride is more of an introductory ride and caters to road riders who are new to the sport, hybrid riders intimidated by the faster pace of the Sunday ride, and anyone who just wants a shorter (approx. 20 to 30 miles) and slower (12 to 14 mph) pace. Helmets mandatory. Free. 1412 Q St. NW. 202387-BIKE. bikerackdc.com.
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Shaw Skate Park. A new 11,000 sq. foot skate park has opened in the Shaw neighborhood. 11th St. 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. 202671-4794. All courts open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for onehour 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 Streets 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. 202-576-9236. Rumsey Pool, 635 No.Carolina Ave. SE. 202-7244495. All DC public pools are free for DC residents. Have ID. dpr.dc.gov
CIVIC LIFE Congresswoman Norton’s Annual Job Fair. Aug. 23, 10 AM-3 PM. Professional development workshops, 10-11 AM. Over 80 employers will be represented. Washington Convention Center. norton.house.gov
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Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9 AM-6 PM. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202783-5065. norton.house.gov Be aware that many regular monthly community meetings to not happen in August. Rainbow Response Monthly Meeting. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Rainbow Response is a grassroots coalition that brings together organizations and leaders from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) communities, along with traditional domestic violence service providers and government agencies. 5 Thomas Circle, NW. 202-299-1181 x105. rainbowresponse.org All-Ways Mount Pleasant. First Saturday, noon-2 PM. LaCasa. All-Ways is a citizen’s association primarily for the tenants of the larger apartment buildings of Mount Pleasant. 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. aa-ss.org Chinatown Revitalization Council. Fourth Monday, 7-8 PM. 510 I St. NW. Chinatown Revitalization Council (CRC) promoting the Chinatown renewal and the preservation of its
16 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
cultural heritage. The public is welcome. Convention Center Community Association. Last Tuesday, 7-8:30 PM. Kennedy Rec Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW. www.ccca-online. Downtown Neighborhood Association. Second Tuesday, 7-9 PM. US Naval Memorial Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. miles@dcdna.org. dcdna.org East Central Civic Association of Shaw Meeting. First Monday, 7 PM. Third Baptist Church, 1546 Fifth St. NW. Contact: Al Hajj Mahdi Leroy J Thorpe Jr., 202-387-1596. Eckington Civic Association. First Monday, 7-8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. www.eckingtondc.org Edgewood Civic Association. Last Monday, 7-9 PM. Edgewood senior building, 635 Edgewood St. NE, ninth floor 7-9pm. They encourage all Eckington and Edgewood residents to come out and take part in the lively civic life of our communities. www. theedgewoodcivicassociationdc.org Logan Circle Citizens Association. Please contact Jennifer Trock at jennifer.trock@logancircle.org for meeting dates and times. logancircle.org Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association. Third Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 PM. Yale Steam Laundry, 437 New York Ave. NW. lifein.mvsna.org U Street Neighborhood Association. Second Thursday, 7-8:30 PM. Source (second floor classroom), 1835 14th St. NW ANC 1A. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th St. NW. 202-588-7278. anc1a.org ANC 1B. First Thursday, 7 PM. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW (second floor). 202-870-4202. anc1b.org ANC 1B11. Second Monday, 7 PM. LeDroit Senior Building (basement community room), 2125 Fourth St. NW. 202-481-3462. www.anc1b.org ANC 1C. First Wednesday, 7 PM. Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2355 Ontario Rd. NW. 202332-2630. anc1c.org ANC 1D. Third Tuesday, 7 PM. 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW. 202-4628692. anc1d.org ANC 2C. First Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 PM. Watha T. Daniel Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW (new location). 202682-1633. anc2C.org. u
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out and about
+ Shopping
RETAIL THERAPY article and photos by Scott Fazzini
Miss Pixies 1626 14th Street NW www.MissPixies.com 202.232.8171
Serving as a constant source of amusement, inspiration, and relief from the daily grind, Miss Pixies is more than just a shop; it’s a cultural institution. At a time when the landscape and attitude of the 14th and U Street area seems to be altering in a “upward motion”, Pixies one of the landmarks that remind me of “the good old days”. The vibe is kind of Victorian-Industrial-Granny-Chic. On a recent trip I scouted a sinuous mahoganyframed Victorian sofa ($325.), a modern marble and wood cocktail table ($195.), a spiky pineapple-shaped glass and metal table lamp ($110.), and an awesome sketch of a classical Greek couple ($110.). Although the prices are more than fair throughout the year, Pixie is offering 20% off of the entire store for the Dog Days Sale in August. A great time to shop and save!
GoodWood 1428 U Street NW www.GoodWoodDC.com 202.986.3640
After 18 years, GoodWood has grown, expanded, and evolved into a mercantile and dry goods store offering not just wickedly cool vintage and antique items, but an inspiring collection of new product as well. In terms of vintage furniture, GoodWood gets new shipments every week with the largest arriving each Thursday – full of items like a late 19th century mahogany chest ($695.), a Saarinen-style table with stunning green onyx top ($325.), and a Victorian wood and metal ice cream parlor table with matching set of four chairs ($295.). In the last couple of years GoodWood has layered in grooming products, personal fragrances, and clothing too. The fragrances by Lubin include Gin Fizz ($145.), created in 1955 for Grace Kelly, and Black Jade ($145.), created for Marie Antoinette while she was imprisoned. The clothing includes denim by EmersonMade ($135.), dresses by LA based designer Corey Lynn Calter, and simple linen tunics by Guru. 18 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
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Showroom 1412 1412 14th Street NW www.Showroom1412.com 202.745.0118
A collaboration of local interior designer Lori Graham, gallery curator Lauren Gentile of Contemporary Wing, and mid-century furniture dealer Mike Johnson of Sixteen Fifty Nine has yielded an inspiring collection of home furnishings, accessories, and artwork that is unique to the area. The furniture is stylish, graphic, and beautifully arranged. The Edinburgh Sofa ($5875.) with its tufting and white upholstery looks like something straight out of a movie set circa the 1930s. The Spencer Table ($945.) is white lacquered and reminiscent of an ionic capital. Particularly handsome is the Carved Console ($1275.) in dark gray and with a dramatically exaggerated base. But, it was the carved Carrara marble pieces by local (Baltimore) artist Sebastian Martorana that caught my undivided attention from the moment I walked into the showroom. “Frustration” ($2800.) gives the appearance of a stack of 8 1/2” by 11” paper with the top sheet crumpled, and “Heavy on My Soul” ($2500.), with its theme of heaviness and lightness, would make the perfect birthday gift for my great friend Anna... if only I had a spare $2,500.
Buffalo Exchange 1318 14th Street NW www.BuffaloExchange.com 202.299.9148
It wasn’t until about a year ago that I had even heard of Buffalo Exchange: I’m not remotely cool. My boyfriend, at the time, was from Arizona and would often wax nostalgic about the shop and his experience with it back home. On a trip to Manhattan he took me to one, or maybe two, of the stores. I didn’t get the hype, but then again I’m old. Anyway, cut to a year or so later and lo-and-behold Buffalo Exchange has migrated to the greatly gentrified 14th Street. They’ve now got over 40 locations from coast-to-coast. There are a lot of vintage clothing shops in the 14th and U Street area. One of the greatest things about having such a concentration of similar stores is that each is entirely different in its point of view, visual appearance, and product assortment. Buffalo Exchange seems to possess certain hepster qualities that one often associates with Urban Apparel, but at a fraction of the price. Levi jeans for anywhere from $12.00 to $16.00, plaid shirts around $15.00, scads of ironic and novelty tees averaging $10.00, and loads of various hats ranging from $10.00 - $18.00. Buffalo Exchange also buys your old wares for cash-money as well as store credit. Note: give them a call before lugging your things to the store to find out what they’re looking for. u
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out and about
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By Celeste McCall
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Celebrated chef and author, Marcus Samuelsson. 20 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
ere is something we had not experienced for awhile, at least not in Washington: An old-fashioned supper club. The scene was the beautiful Howard Theatre. Built in 1910, the theatre launched the careers of such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and the Supremes. Sadly, the structure deteriorated after the 1968 riots and lay vacant for 32 years. Beautifully restored to its original Beaux Art glory, the historic building reopened last April with a gala bash and much fanfare. Now, patrons enjoy good food with their culture. On July 6, we experienced the setting and cuisine as we clapped, swayed and danced our way through a marvelous concert by Johnny Clegg, noted musician and songwriter from South Africa. Before the 8 p.m. show, we crammed ourselves into a snug space which we shared with an interesting, transplanted South African family. (Howard accommodates 650 people seated, 1100 standing.) As we chatted before the concert, we learned that we have a friend in common, a former neighbor. Then we sipped a pleasant Kim Crawford (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc, and perused the Southern-influenced menu, created by award winning New York chef and cookbook author Marcus Samuelsson. To start, Peter and I shared a “red” Caesar salad (so named because of the addition of red leaf lettuce). Peter chose an appetizer crab
cake, while I went for the shrimp and grits. This generous dish contained a half dozen shrimp and a fresh tomato sauce. (Next time we will try the ribs and mac-andcheese.) In spite of the crowded (but friendly) conditions, service was swift and efficient. For pre-andpost-prandial libations, a handsome, long bar stretches along the front of the theatre. Bonus: We loved Johnny Clegg’s performance. He exudes an energy similar to Bruce Springsteen’s, performing non-stop without an intermission and getting the audience on their collective, jumping feet. And we did get to meet Clegg; after the show, the famous singer was autographing his latest CD. Dining at the Howard is not cheap; dinner for two with three drinks came to about $125. But the experience was well worth the bucks. Born in Ethiopia and raised and educated in Sweden, chef Samuelsson lives in Harlem. He currently wields his whisk at the Red Rooster while maintaining a presence in the Nation’s Capital. In 2009, Samuelsson served as guest chef for Barack Obama’s first state dinner, a largely vegetarian feast served on the White House South Lawn for India’s Prime Minister Maumohan Singh. Samuelsson also finds time for Howard. Besides his theatre menu, he consults for the Sunday gospel brunch, a bountiful buffet served from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. accompanied by the Harlem Gospel Choir. Howard Theatre is located at 620 T St. NW; call 202-803-2899.
New on U
Ulah Bistro, 1214 U St. NW (202-234-012), welcomes a new executive chef, Eddie Moran, formerly with Station 4 and Sou’Wester in the Mandarin Hotel, both in Southwest DC.
Night Owl
Until recently, we’ve griped about Washington’s dearth of late dining spots. Not any longer. Joining our night owls is Bar Pilar, with a special menu available Friday and Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Served in the upstairs dining room, the menu will offer the downstairs “shareable plates,” including roast pork, fried buttermilk chicken, halibut ceviche, smoked trout roe, vegetarian dishes, seafoods, salads and desserts. With his expanded kitchen, executive chef Justin Bittner has added new dishes as well. Located at 1833 14th St. NW, Bar Pilar is open daily, including weekend brunch. Call 202-265-1751 or www. barpilar.com.
Birthday Bash
Black Restaurant Group chefs/ owners Jeff and Barbara Black – named “Restaurateurs of the Year” at the 2012 RAMMY Awards in June – are also marking the one-year anniversary of Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Black Jack. The birthday bash is slated for September 20. Party guests will be treated to two new kinds of oysters: Old Black Salts and Black Pearls, a result of the partnership between the Blacks and Rappahannock River Oyster Company in Chincoteague, Virginia and Toby Island Oysters in Topping, Virginia. The party goes from 7 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.; tickets are $150 per person, which includes open bar, food and live music. (Pre-sale until September 1.)
Tickets may be purchased at www. blackjackdc.com/events-offers. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Food & Friends on behalf of the Black’s Family Foundation. Food & Friends helps persons living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses by preparing and delivering meals and groceries. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace & Black Jack is located at 1612 14th St NW; call 202- 986-8778.
More from the Black Family
Upstairs from Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, the Black Jack bar has also unveiled 10 festive summer cocktails. Priced at $12 each, the potables are created by the mixology brothers Ari and Micah Wilder. Appropriate for our sizzling August weather, two will be frozen. Newcomers include the Blue Vein (vodka, lime, house-made cassis and ginger beer); Sazerac (rye, absinthe, bitters and lemon gomme –similar to simple syrup); El Dorado (jalapeno Tequila, mezcal, habanero, fruit bitters). You get the idea. Black Jack also dispenses nine draft beers, plus 40 in cans.
Cluck Cluck in Bloomingdale
Early next year, look for the Red Hen, a restaurant due to hatch at First Street and Seaton Place NW, not far from Bacio Pizzeria. We’re not sure if chicken will appear on the “Italian-influenced” menu. However, for the 50-seat project, former sommelier Sebastian Zutant and executive sous chef Mike Friedman of Penn Quarter’s tony Proof are teaming up with Mike O`Malley of 9 Group, a Las Vegas casino resort. Zutant, by the way, lives right here in Bloomingdale. Why the moniker Red Hen? The guys just liked the name, we’re told. u capitalcommunitynews.com u 21
out and about
+ Music
Jazz Avenues
August Highlights:
by Steve Monroe
Silver Screen Jazz
Now we have our city’s image on the silver screen honoring our own national treasure – and it’s not all about white marble buildings or the mall and monuments downtown. “Oxygen for The Ears,” the brainchild of Stefan Immler, a jazz fan whose day job working as a physicist, is the movie released this year that is all about jazz and is set in DC at HR-57, Bohemian Caverns, the Kennedy Center, Twins Jazz, Utopia and many other jazz spots around town. The film’s next screening is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21 at the World Music and International Film Festival at the National Navy Museum, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW For ticket information go to wmiff.net. Featured in the movie are Buck Hill, the late Dr. Billy Taylor, Dwayne Adell, Michael Thomas, Akua Allrich, Brian Settles, Mark Saltman, Esperanza Spalding, Donvonte McCoy, Larry Applebaum and many other jazz personalities and performers. The movie is directed by Immler and produced by Immler, Tom Abel, Cathy Abel and co-produced by Thomas Walker. Immler’s website, giganova.com, where you can see a trailer of the film, says this about the movie: “’Oxygen for the Ears: Living Jazz’ is a story of the trials and triumphs of jazz in America. Like every jazz tune with a starting point – a simple note – from which the music
starts its journey and rises, ‘Oxygen for the Ears’ portrays Washington DC as such a departure point for its documentary story, ‘Living Jazz.’ ” The movie has had screenings already in Boston, San Francisco, and in Canada, among other places, and is scheduled for another showing in DC in October at Trumpeter Donvonte McCoy, who also appears in the movie “Oxygen for The the REEL Independent Ears,” appears weekly at the 18th Street Lounge. Film Extravaganza. Says Immler, “After Road Shows, Vol. 2 was chosen as Best four years of hard work, we are happy Record of the Year and he was judged that our …[film] … is finally complete! Best Tenor Saxophonist. For complete The motivation to work on such an am- information on the 2012 JJA Awards bitious project for such a long time was winners, go to www.jjajazzawards.org. to show people what an amazing jazz scene DC has, and give the amazingly “Standard Domain” talented jazz artists in DC a platform to It’s a recording honoring standards, promote their music.” some well-known, others not so much,
Congrats to Ben!
Washington’s own Ben Williams has another laurel to add in his impressive young career as an outstanding bassist, with his being voted Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in its 2012 awards. The 2012 JJA awards honored “excellence in jazz music, recordings, presentation and journalism” and were presented at the 16th annual JJA Jazz Awards gala June 20 at the Blue Note in New York. Williams, a Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Michigan State University and Juilliard School graduate, was winner of the Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition in 2009, and is still drawing acclaim for his debut album last year, “State of The Art,” on the Concord label. Sonny Rollins scored a trifecta in awards. He was named Dynamic vocalist Akua Allrich, who appears in the movie,“Oxygen for Musician of the Year; his album The Ears,” performs at Bohemian Caverns this month. 22 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
but there is nothing just “standard” about Paul Carr’s recent release, “Standard Domain.” The CD, on the Paul Carr Jazz label, delivers some catchy, innovative twists on tunes like “Cheek to Cheek” and “Till There Was You” and others and is an entertaining listen throughout. The Thelonious Monk tune “Sixteen” has Carr blaring and bluesy and Monk-like on tenor sax, with pianist Joey Calderazzo appropriately jagged and edgy but always grooving, and is one of the CD’s highlights. But Cole Porter’s “Dream Dancing” is a winner as well, the bass work by Michael Bowie meshing in elegant rhythms with Calderazzo and drummer Lewis Nash’s fine work, along with Carr’s work on soprano sax and Terell Stafford’s deft lines on trumpet. Too, “Warm Valley” shows off Carr’s always sterling melancholy delivery on ballads, and “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” simply rocks and rolls, Stafford leading the way with his spearing rips and spurts . All good stuff. u
Dwayne Adell, Aug. 6, Blues Alley ... Freddie Redd, Aug. 10-11, Twins Jazz ... Frederico Pena, Aug. 10-11, Bohemian Caverns ... Christian Scott, Aug. 16-19, Bohemian Caverns ... Dohn Nunley, Aug. 17, Westminster Church ... Harold Summey Jr., Aug. 17-18, Twins Jazz ... Lori Williams, Aug. 18, Blues Alley ... Michelle Webb, Aug. 22, Twins Jazz …Terence Blanchard, Aug. 23, Blues Alley ... Sharon Clark, Paul Carr, Aug. 24, Westminster Church ... Allyn Johnson & Divine Order, Aug. 24-25, Twins Jazz ... Akua Allrich, Aug. 24-25, Bohemian Caverns ... Mose Allison, Aug. 30, Blues Alley ... Cedar Walton, Javon Jackson, Aug. 30, Bohemian Caverns ...
August Birthdays:
Big Nick Nicholas 2; Eddie Jefferson 3; Louis Armstrong, Sonny Simmons 4; Lenny Breau 5; Rahsaan Roland Kirk 7; Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter 8; Jack DeJohnnette 9; Claude Thornhill 10; Russell Procope 11; Earl Coleman, Pat Matheny 12; Mulgrew Miller 13; Stuff Smith 14; Oscar Peterson, Mal Waldron, Bill Evans 16; Ike Quebec, Duke Pearson 17; Oscar Brashear 18; Jimmy Rowles 19; Count Basie, Art Farmer 21; Bobby Watson 23, Claude Hopkins 24;Wayne Shorter, Pat Martino 25; Branford Marsalis 26; Lester Young 27; Kenny Drew 28; Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington 29; Kenny Dorham 30.
Bloomingdale Artist Brings Recycled Art to the Streets
I
f you’ve ever passed by the busy intersection between First and T Streets and Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest, then you have probably seen the row of white-painted children’s bicycles sitting in the small, lush triangle park in that area. The five painted bicycles are the work of Bloomingdale sculptor and landscape artist Tom Noll, and are the products of Noll’s “real-life sculpture” collection. Noll, who is originally from Manassas, Va., found the bicycles at a local dump in northern Virginia more than 20 years ago. After painting the bikes white, Noll decided to publicly display the artwork in Manassas for the next two decades before relocating to DC in 2010. During the spring of 2011, Noll brought the bicycles to Bloomingdale to celebrate the Easter holiday. While the bicycles sit uncovered in the park for most of the year, Noll decorates the artwork several times the year to mark major holidays, bringing everything from life-sized snowmen to large balloon bunnies to the park to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Father’s Day. Most recently, Noll decorated the bicycles for Fourth of July with large American flags. He says that he has created more than 30 “outfits” for the white bicycles. In addition to his sculpture artwork, Noll trims and prunes plants in the park himself as a gift to the neighborhood. Noll says that he maintains the bicycles—or “real-life sculptures,” as Noll calls them—to teach spectators about the importance of recycling and
by Jazzy Wright repurposing materials. “The bikes teach people to look at things differently instead of just throwing things away,” he said, adding that the bicycle art brings community to the neighborhood. “I always decorated for the holidays, and doing this art brings joy to everyone. When people get off the bus [on Rhode Island Avenue], I see them smile.” Noll says that he prefers to work on the bicycle display at night so that people see the artwork when they rise in the morning, almost like a Christmas present. Residents in the area have taken note of the distinctive artwork. “It’s definitely a conversation starter. People recognize Bloomingdale more because of it,” said Christina Lara, a bartender at Rustik Tavern, a restaurant located across from the triangle park. The bicycle project inspired Noll to write a children’s picture book, titled “The Bicycle Fence,” which will be released at the end of August. When Noll is not in the triangle park revamping on the sculpture, he builds and sells large totem poles and interactive sculptures—artwork that includes barbs and pieces that can be moved and shifted—for neighborhood purchasers. Noll is also working on an art project proposal with DC Public Schools, which if granted, will allow Noll to teach recycling art to high school students. Until the proposal project is completed, Noll will continue to work silently on the bicycle sculpture, reminding neighborhood residents a little bit every day about the power of recycling. u
Bicycle Art by Tom Noll at the intersection of First and T Streets and Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest.
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your neighborhood
The Nationals, A Love Affair by E. Ethelbert Miller
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ith August ending, I’m praying baseball will be more than a summer love. I want to be seduced by the playoffs and maybe married to a World Series – forever. That how I feel watching the Washington Nationals right now. I fell in love with this team after being a New York Yankee fan since birth. Sports in Washington can break your heart. I can’t believe I once owned a Wizard’s cap. Talking heads for a moment, it’s easy to measure the wonderful success of the Nationals by simply counting the number of African Americans around the city wearing red caps with a curly W. Remember when this head gear was code for being Republican and a Bush supporter? No way one could hustle those red caps in some of our wards. The poet Jody Bolz gave me a red one last year and I only wore it while working in my yard. Today I swear allegiance to the Nationals and my hat is on a peg near the front door. D.C. needs good baseball. I want life to be decided now and then by one pitch. Who doesn’t’ cheer for a rally after staring at a small paycheck? There is something about the game that encouraged me to return to it after I turned 50. Almost every evening this summer, I’ve found myself turning on the television in order to catch a game. I immediately became a Bryce Harper fan. “The Kid” for a spell was the straw stirring the drink, at bat, on 24 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
the bases and in the field; he made things happen. His presence was not a promise or a tease. It has been a date with success and fulfillment. Winning is not simply contagious, it’s addictive. This summer I found myself becoming slightly depressed after a National’s loss. How quickly one relies on a relief pitcher to get the job done, and when they fail it’s like Pepco telling you about your power. You’re angry and ready to kick anything, even a tree. When a player suddenly stops hitting, it reminds me of a child not listening anymore. Just swing. Take a pitch. Clean your room. Why do I have to keep repeating myself ? I prefer watching baseball at home alone. I’ve never been a fan of sports bars. I’m very selective with who I attend a game with. It’s like dating and realizing by the third inning one’s tongue has nothing in common with another person’s lips. But I’m a romantic and need to see the ball park several times a year. I’ve always been curious about old black men who sat near street corners or in front of their apartments and homes. What are they thinking about when the sun starts going down? At 61, the game of baseball has slipped back into my life like a funny knuckleball thrown at my head. I’m amazed and dazzled by how it floats and dips. I’m surprised by how much enjoyment it brings and this makes me proud and happy for our city.
There are those moments between pitches when there is nothing to do but wait. Maybe the batter has stepped out of the box or the catcher wants a new ball, or the pitcher wants a new sign. This is what one sees at weddings. Heads turning around waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle. Or a lover waiting near the altar. Baseball is what you learn to cherish when you hear the crack of the bat and it lifts you from your seat. What happens next is why you take vows and say prayers. I want to see a few miracles this year. I want to witness something amazing. In 1969, I was a student at Howard University going crazy in Cook Hall as the New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in five games. Nets manager Davey Johnson was playing second base for the Orioles and made the last out in the series. Where have you gone, Donn Clendenon? It would be nice to feel that excitement again; to be a city where champions reside. I want the ball park to bring us together. I want to celebrate this American pastime under the sun and the night sky. I want to turn and high five a stranger’s hand, stare at the scoreboard and count the outs needed for another win. This is the game I wanted to play while growing up; this is the game I continue to watch while growing old. This is baseball. This is life.
In my office at home there is a ball that I caught in the late Sixties at Yankee Stadium. I never thought of myself as being lucky. But maybe there were moments in my life when I was and never thought about it. A few years ago I caught a second ball at RFK Stadium. How many people attend more games than me and never come close to catching a ball? Once at the Nationals ball park a man dropped his child while attempting to catch a baseball. I was in the crowd surrounding him and everyone was shocked by what he did. Was a baseball worth risking the safety and well being of a love one? What was the man thinking? What is it about the game that intoxicates us? What pulls us even backwards to catch a foul ball or a home run? This is why I’ve started writing more about baseball . I think there are questions and answers in wild pitches, stolen bases and errors. I think a dropped ball, a missed tag or a sacrifice fly becomes a metaphor for the mysteries that surround us. Baseball is the “beautiful wonder” every generation embraces. E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activist and author. His last book is a second memoir The 5th Inning.It was the first book published by Busboys and Poets. Mr. Miller is also the board chair of the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), a think tank located in Washington, D.C. www. eethelbertmiller.com u
capitalcommunitynews.com u 25
your neighborhood
+ The Numbers
Warren Buffett Is Right
Wealthy Investors Should Not Pay Less Tax than the Average DC Family
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t’s hard to deny that the super-rich sometimes get to live by a different set of rules than the rest of us, like the celebrities who get all sorts of fancy stuff for free just for showing up somewhere. DC may soon have its own case in point of preferential treatment for the well-heeled. Legis-
lation before the DC Council would allow some very wealthy DC residents to pay a lower income tax rate than the typical working DC family, mostly because some high-income residents said they didn’t want to pay DC’s normal tax rates. 26 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
by Ed Lazere To be clear, the bill in question — introduced by Mayor Gray — would not turn DC’s income tax structure entirely upside down. Instead, it would set a very low tax rate for investments in DCbased tech firms. Yet because investments provide the main source of income for the super-wealthy, and because DC’s growing tech sector is making a number of people rich, this tax cut would let some very well-off residents pay a lower income tax rate than you or I do. This dramatic departure from progressive tax rates — the tech investment tax rate would be lower than the DC’s lowest income tax rate for wage and salary income — could be justified only if there were convincing evidence that the rest of us would be better off as a result — that it would, for example, create a lot of jobs and boost DC’s economy. Yet supporters cannot point to any such benefits. In fact, when pressed, the tax-cut supporters in DC government say the lower rate is needed because they have heard from wealthy investors who are planning to move from the District to Virginia to avoid paying DC taxes when they cash in on their tech investments. This suggests that the rich and powerful get to dictate DC government policy, down to the income tax rate they will pay to the city. There clearly is something wrong with this, especially since the District actually does a good job attracting and retaining high-income residents. DC’s richest residents have higher incomes than similar families in any major U.S. city. If any of this tax debate sounds familiar, it may
be because Warren Buffett has brought attention to something similar at the federal level. The billionaire investor (who graduated from DC’s own Wilson High School) has challenged federal capital gains tax laws that allow him to pay a lower tax rate on his investments than his secretary pays on her salary. The issue also has gotten Mitt Romney into some hot water, since his tax returns show that he pays a low rate on his investment-heavy income. DC’s policymakers would do well to follow the Buffett Rule — that wealthy investors pay a higher tax rate than middle-income families — rather than violating it.
Tech Investment Tax Break Plan Goes Too Far
The “Technology Sector Enhancement Act” is intended to support growth in DC-based technology companies, a worthwhile goal at a time when the federal government may be shrinking. But good intentions are not enough. A close look at the proposed investor tax credits raise lots of serious questions. • Ridiculously low tax rates for investors: The bill would set a 3 percent tax rate on gains from investments in DC-based tech firms. That is lower than the tax rates paid by any working DC resident — even a minimum wage worker — where the rates start at 4 percent and go up to 8.95 percent. • Tax breaks for venture capital companies: The low tax rate would apply to venture capital companies, which are in the business of investing in other companies. They don’t need special tax breaks to be encouraged to do so. • No focus on start-ups: New companies are the ones most likely to face challenges attracting investors. Yet the proposed legislation would offer the low tax rate for investments in any tech companies, including successful well-established ones.
Letting the Rich Set Their Own Tax Rates: Not a Wise Move
Perhaps the most shocking element of the
Mayor’s bill is that it would lower the tax rate for people who currently hold investments in DC tech companies. If the goal of the tax cut is to encourage more investment in tech companies, we shouldn’t offer tax breaks to people who already have made such investments, right? This is where the plot over a seemingly mundane tax proposal gets more interesting. The Gray Administration, in a document shared with the DC Council, says that the tax cut is needed because there are “high-value tech employee stockholders” that have told the Mayor’s people that they are considering “relocating to Virginia to shelter themselves” from paying taxes to the District. To be clear, this means that there are residents who plan to cash in their tech investments soon — standing to make very large sums, no doubt — who have said they would rather not pay taxes on their substantial gains. And the Mayor’s response has been to offer them a lower tax rate than any other DC resident pays. This proposal is disturbing on many levels. Not only does it fly in the face of fair tax policy, it also is policy made based on anecdote. It does not make sense to reduce taxes deeply in response to concerns raised by a small number of people. While it’s not surprising that some wealthy residents would ask for lower taxes, but there is no evidence that DC’s tax system is creating widespread agitation among our richest residents. The average income of the top 5 percent of DC families is $473,000, and that is higher than in any major U.S. city.
Investment Tax Breaks Won’t Turn a Frog Into a Prince
As if this isn’t enough to cast doubt on cutting investment taxes, what about the simple fact that it won’t even work? That it is unlikely to result in greater investments in
DC tech companies? Investing in a new company with a new product or idea is risky. There is no FDIC insurance protecting that investment. An investor could stand to lose everything if the company fails. So it is no surprise that the people and companies that invest in tech start-ups are very choosy and only pick the start-ups they feel are likely to succeed. Offering investors a low tax rate on earnings from DC tech companies is unlikely to change investors’ behavior, because a low tax rate does not turn a risky investment into a safe one. David Weaver, who mentors and educates “angel investors,” the kinds of people who invest in startups, says it best: “[T]ax credits won’t make angels invest in a company that they wouldn’t invest in without the credit…[Investors] aren’t so foolish to throw their money away because someone waves an incentive in from of them.”
Follow the Warren Buffett Rule
This brings us back to Warren Buffett, the billionaire who supports efforts to raise taxes on investments, because current federal tax law allows some of the wealthiest Americans to pay some of the lowest income tax rates. The good news is that DC doesn’t have the problem that Warren Buffett points out — yet — but we would if the tech investor tax cut is adopted. Rather than bribing a handful of very well off residents to stay and invest in DC with tax rates that are lower than anyone else’s, DC’s leaders should keep supporting efforts to make DC a healthy and attractive city — which will do more in the end to create the right atmosphere for economic growth. Lazere is the executive director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. u
capitalcommunitynews.com u 27
your neighborhood
+ District Beat
The Gray Area
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n September 2010, Vince Gray defeated Adrian Fenty in the Democratic primary. Wait, did he? That’s not the sort of question any voter should have to ask themselves close to two years after the election. But that’s exactly where we are today, as further revelations in the everevolving scandal surrounding Gray’s 2010 campaign have suddenly cast doubt upon the most basic element of democracy: did the winner actually win? It’s no longer a black and white issue—we’ve entered a gray area. In terms of sheer number of votes, yes, Gray won. He defeated an incumbent who, while enjoying a two-to-one fundraising advantage, ran an uninspired campaign and failed to turn back the tide on an electorate that had largely soured on him. At the end of the day, Gray emerged with 13,000 more votes than Fenty—a 10 percent margin. But all of that is now being revisited. Gray’s supporters could excuse some of his first missteps, but as more irregularities have been revealed, the more impossible it has become to shrug off the doubts.
The Shadow Campaign
In early July, donor Jeanne Clarke Harris pleaded guilty to running a massive straw donation scheme that directed $653,800 in off-the-books contributions to a shadow campaign that helped elect Gray. Only weeks later, the Washington Post uncovered further wrongdoing within Gray’s campaign—members of his staff had improperly obtained a database of the names of 6,000 public housing residents, gaining a treasure trove of personal information on a segment of the population that while sympathetic to Gray’s message, doesn’t often exercise its rights at the ballot box. 28 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
by Martin Austermuhle Additionally, campaign treasurer Betty Brown—that’s the official campaign, mind you—admitted that $100,000 in day-of walking around money was mislabeled on campaign finance reports as being payments for polling and mailing lists. In June former D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown pleaded guilty to much of the same—giving poll workers more than the $50 they are allowed to get in cash.
Cheating Your Way to Victory
Had it only been one slip-up or violation, residents may have dismiss it. Had things been limited to paying Sulaimon Brown to say mean things about Adrian Fenty—which he did with gusto—maybe that too could have been brushed aside. But with the enormity of the scandal having become that much more apparent, many voters have started asking a key question—was the election fairly won? Sure, Gray crossed the line first. But did he trip up his principal competitor along the way, making a fair race all but impossible? For those who have lined up to say that Gray should resign, it’s an easy answer—the process was so corrupted that even a wide-margin victory like the one Gray received is likely suspect. “The legitimacy of the election has been called into question. Whether the Mayor knew of the shadow campaign or not does not matter. He should not be the beneficiary of that illegality,” said Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large). Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), who endorsed Gray in the 2010 primary, said much the same when she called on him to resign, saying that he had benefited from “massive election fraud.” The scandal seems to reveal as much. According to the investigation led by U.S. Attorney for D.C. Ron Machen, the shadow campaign didn’t
shy away from the light of day—in fact, the money that Harris funneled into it (along with co-conspirator Jeffrey Thompson) openly benefited the campaign. Some $203,100 went to pay for staff, $127,700 bought campaign materials, $58,000 went to supplies, and $265,000 covered rental vans, hotel rooms and other expenses. For a campaign that legally raised close to $2 million for the primary, $653,800 isn’t a rounding error—it’s a substantial percentage. As for the list of public housing residents, it provided a distinct advantage for Gray’s campaign. The Post found that same-day registrations from precincts with large public housing populations surged during the September primary—and those precincts largely went for Gray. In one precinct in the southwestern segment of Ward 6, for one, turnout increased by 26 percent, with the majority of the new votes going for Gray.
made it impossible to know who was supporting his candidacy, what they were paying to get him elected and what they might get in return. These might seem like semantic distinctions, but they matter. I called upon a number of elections experts to ask whether any elections had ever been nullified by massive campaign finance violations, and they couldn’t think of any that fit the bill. The closest case came from Baltimore, where a city councilwoman failed to file any campaign finance reports at all during her re-election bid—but still kept her seat after having won the election. At this point, then, there’s no real legal case to be made for the claim that Gray “stole” the election. Did he play the game unfairly? Absolutely. But did that style of play push him over the top against Fenty? Short of finding evidence that the $653,800 was used to buy votes, we’ll likely never know.
Not All Fraud Is The Same
“Mayor” Gray
The case seems to be weighing heavily against Gray at this point— politically, at least. Election fraud and campaign finance violations are very different beasts, and Gray’s campaign is accused primarily of violating the latter. No one has yet said that Gray paid people to vote for him, much less that he stuffed ballot boxes. This may seem like a low standard for what’s right and wrong in electoral democracy, but directly linking money to votes without proving that voters were paid is extremely difficult. Campaign finance violations are certainly of concern, though. This country’s democratic system is premised on fair competition, and that’s partly judged on money being raised and spent according to set rules and in a manner that is open to public review. Gray’s shadow campaign effectively
Of course, little of that seems to matter now. The standards for political guilt are significantly lower than they are for legal guilt, after all. Looked at that way, a large part of D.C. residents seem to think Gray is guilty as charged. According to a Post poll in midJuly, 54 percent of respondents said that Gray should resign. (That majority largely crossed demographic and geographic lines, a reality that’s richly ironic since Gray’s dream of forging “One City” seems to be limited to pushing a majority of residents to want him gone.) The poll also found that if there were a do-over of September 2010 today, Fenty would win by a two-to-one margin. Ouch. While Gray has said little as the scandal has blossomed, he has steadfastly denied having known anything
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about what was happening in his own campaign. At the advice of his attorney, though, he has said nothing of his involvement in the investigation—only further fueling conspiracy theories, rumors and chatter as to how long he will remain in office. Short of any further revelations, though, it’s looking like he’ll survive through the dog days of summer. After that, though, the D.C. Council will return and Gray will be faced with the reality that he’ll have to govern with very little political capital at his disposal. That may ultimately be the thing that does him in—does he want to seem like a lame duck for the next two years, governing over a city that largely doesn’t trust him? Until he makes that decision for himself—or Machen comes back with a case against him—Gray is putting his head down and insisting that it’s business as usual. In late July, he rolled out a 60-page “One City Action Plan” (basically bullet points of what his administration had already said it would do), presented the results of an initiative that allows residents to more easily grade D.C. agencies and announced plans for a number of longstanding development projects fromwWalter Reed to Reservation 13. But it’s hard to pretend nothing has happened while the very legitimacy of his mayoralty crumbles beneath him. Journalists constantly pepper him with questions about the scandal, and residents can only lower their gazes and hope that D.C. doesn’t stumble any lower than it already has. Sure, we’re in a far better place than we were during the worst of Marion Barry’s days, but at least then everyone could say that they knew he won the election. Nowadays it’s even hard to admit that much. Martin Austermuhle is the editor-in-chief of DCist.com and a freelance writer living in Petworth. u
Logan Circles by Mark F. Johnson
Happy “Dog Days” are Here Again!
For the past 13 years in U/14, the first weekend in August has meant one thing! Well maybe two things: 1. The weather is hot, hot, hot; 2. Shops, restaurants and pretty much any other establishment observe the Dog Days of Summer with extra discounts, sidewalk sales, snow cones in the sweltering street, Chinese dragons, dunking stands and lots of other things that go along with a carnival streetfest. Started in 1999 as a way to stimulate business during traditionally the hottest time of year in this town, Dog Days has come to be more than a discount gimmick. It has grown to be a street party that increasingly, those who stay in town for much of the summer, have come to look forward to. With the increase in the city’s population, especially in Mid City, the streets are not nearly as barren
every evening should be a tip off as to where she has decided to call home. Apparently the Justice, the first Hispanic on the bench, paid a bit under $700,000 to live near the restaurants, bars, theaters and shops that call U/14 home.
U Street Film Series Continues
Now that the Supreme Court is out on summer recess, perhaps you’ll catch Justice Sotomayor at the U Street Filmfest before it ends in September. The fest, which began in June, continues through September 26 offering a film a month at the Harrison Recreation Center on V between 13th and 14th Streets. This month’s film is the ‘American President’ and it screens on August 22. Films usually start at around 7:30 p.m.
Openings:
Batch 13
It may be summer but the pace never seems to slow down around here! A new liquor store, Batch 13, has opened in the large space at 1724 14th St., NW that used to be occupied by Dogs By Day, which has since moved to Florida Avenue near 18th Street. Batch 13 stocks beer and wine on two levels. As we hear it, an outdoor deck, replete with graffiti-ied walls is to open next year.
Sixteen Fifty Nine
Mid City Dog Days shoppers come out annually the first weekend of August
as they used to be when only the dogs dared to come out. Even in a time of economic unease, or perhaps as a direct result of it, DC streets are more and more filled with shoppers, not only in U/14, but also in other parts of town throughout the year. But, one thing is certain, no one puts on a streetfest during the summer like U/14! Hear that H Street festival?
Living in U/14 Can be Supreme
This being Washington, DC and all, there are notables living pretty much all over town! But the number in the Shaw area has just increased by one. The jury is in and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, an Obama-appointee to the Supreme Court has decided in favor of a condo just off U Street in Shaw. The exact address is being withheld for security reasons, but the black limousine pulling up to the door every morning and dropping the Justice off
Adding to the stock of furniture sellers on 14th is Georgetown transplant Sixteen Fifty Nine. They very recently landed a space in the 1400 block of 14th Street, between P and Rhode Island Avenue. The store, which sells Mid-Century Modern pieces, left its Georgetown location at 1659 Wisconsin Ave., in March of 2011, has been rumored to be looking for less expensive rent in the U/14 area for some time.
Essential Moves
Urban Essentials, the U Street furniture staple that as far as we heard, wanted to ditch U Street for 14th for a while, has apparently decided to go into the old Reincarnations store at 14th and Rhode Island next year. The store made a push to relocate to the District Condos last year but that effort apparently fell through. Not to be outdone by other bigger furniture stores in town, Urban Essentials took the opportunity to move to a bigger, two level spaces on 14th that opened up with the closure this past spring of Reincarnations. Maybe they will sell musical chairs at their new location! u capitalcommunitynews.com u 29
your neighborhood
Summer in Mount Vernon Triangle
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ount Vernon Triangle residents have a busy calendar this summer. The agenda for the neighborhood features a summer bike “Night Out” in the beginning of the month and, toward the end of the month, a forum on education in the neighborhood will offer a chance to chat with educators from Walker Jones School. The neighborhood also has a new sculpture, and – if things go according to schedule - will have a new pizza restaurant within the next few months. That business owner says he is going to put Mount Vernon Triangle on the New York street pizza map.
The Triangle by Amanda Wilson
New Sculpture
Mount Vernon Triangle has a massive new sculpture on its changing street-scape. A 16-foot, stainless steel sculpture has been installed at the corner of 3rd and I Streets NW. The sculpture, titled “Aria” by the sculptor Rodney Carroll, adds to the neighborhoods collection of public art that already includes two large-scale sculptures at the corner of 5th and K Streets NW. The sculpture is a gift from the development team of Quadrangle Development Corporation and The Wilkes Company, the developers of Mount Vernon Place. The development is a major mixed-use community clustered around the triangle formed by Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd and K Streets. It is one day expected to include a total of ten buildings, 1 million square feet of office and retail space,
Mount Vernon Triangle “Night Out” on August 7
The Mount Vernon Triangle BID will hold a group bike ride coinciding with the city-wide event “Night Out Against Crime.” The August 7th ride begins at 6:00 p.m. and bicyclists should gather at 555 Massachusetts Avenue. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department bicycle unit will join the ride. Organizers promise stops along the way, giving participants the chance to meet local business owners and merchants. The ride will culminate with a cookout at Golden Rule Plaza, located at 1050 New Jersey Ave. NW at 7:00 p.m. The cookout is planned to “celebrate the outstanding work the Metroopolitan Police Department has done to maintain public safety in The Triangle,” according to an MVT BID press release. 30 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
The new sculpture “Aria” in Mount Vernon Triangle at 3rd and I Streets NW
and 1 million square feet of residential space.
Education Forum – August 21
Before the start of the next school year, the Mount Vernon Triangle BID will hold an education forum on August 21 The next education forum will be held on Tuesday, August 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. Restaurateur Tony Erol shows scrapbooks from his pizza tours. at Busboys and Poets, located He is set to open “Wiseguy New York Pizza” at 300 Massachuat the corner of 5th and K. setts Avenue in September. Faculty from our neighborhood’s Walker Jones School and keeps scrapbooks with photowill be on hand to discuss education, graphs, even of the bottom of every registration, and challenges faced by pizza crust he eats. Erol has planned school-age children in our changing and gone on pizza tours of Italy, New neighborhood. York, Los Angeles, and even a special
New York Pizza Coming to Mount Vernon Triangle
Tony Erol, a pizza aficionado who has already owned or managed successful pizzerias in Germantown, Centreville, Herndon, and Ashburn hopes to open his new restaurant at 300 Massachusetts Avenue in September. It will be called “Wiseguy New York Pizza.” Erol signed a 10year lease with a possibility to extend on April 20th, and he hopes to open by the end of September. He was all set to open Georgetown but decided against it. That’s when Erol set his sights on 300 Mass. Ave in Mount Vernon Triangle. The restaurant will serve authentic New York “street style” pizza and use a gas-fired deck oven in the tradition of famous New York street-style pizzerias. The concept is one that Erol has been working on for years. He has traveled the world tasting pizzas and documenting his travels
trip to Phoenix to visit one pizzeria only, “Pizzeria Bianco,” which serves Napolitan-style pizza. He waited in line three hours, but says it was worth it. He has a picture of himself waiting in line on his iPhone. “I always wanted to know more than the next guy about pizza,” Erol told me. He opened a pizzeria in Germantown in 2003. He leased space in a Chevron gas station and started making pizza and sandwiches. “People couldn’t believe they were eating food from a gas station,” Erol recalls. He once was making a turkey sandwich for a customer, who looked at him and said she’d never seen someone get so into making a turkey sandwich. Erol told her it was because he loved preparing food. “It was like my life depended on that sandwich,” Erol explains. He was working open to close every day, seven days a week, and sleeping in the car. He was just 26 years old. By the time he sold the 500 square-foot shop in Germantown in 2005, he employed seven or eight drivers and five or six people making pizza and sandwiches.
His goal was to have a sit-down place. He then took over a 25-seat pizzeria in Burke, VA, a little place in a dead-end shopping center on Burke road. It was beside a Papa John’s, a store in the ubiquitous fast-food pizza delivery franchise. The place was called “Mangino’s.” People said he was crazy and asked him if he thought the business could survive. Tony was resolute. “It’s better that Papa John’s is there,” he told them. “Their customers are going to come here and they are going to get hooked.” One time Tony took a photograph of two Papa John’s employees eating at his restaurant and hung it on the wall alongside photos of other patrons eating pizza at his place. When a district manager for Papa John’s ate at Erol’s restaurant too, he saw the photographs and went back to confront the photographed employees. They later came to Tony asking him to take their photograph down. He did. Later came pizzerias in Centreville, Ashton, and Herndon, as well as pizza tours of the world. Since Erol says he first fell in love with pizza when he was in New York, he has made it a quest to learn more about pizza. He has visited the top pizzerias in Italy, New York, and even in California. He has saved photographs and clippings. Inside thick black binders, he keeps menus from every restaurant he has visited. Erol won’t give away all his ingredients, but he says the meatballs, pizza sauce, sausage, and fior di latte mozzarella will all be made in house. He also says he is going to focus on this restaurant and not open others. “You cannot run two or three businesses at the same time, you will lose service and lose customers. It will become a franchise,” says Erol, who says he plans to visit 10 more New York pizzerias before he opens in September in Mount Vernon Triangle. “You lose the owner’s touch.” u
Shaw Streets by Ralph Brabham
first African American to serve in the US Senate, was appointed Register In the past decade, the 1300, 1400 of the Treasury, and was the first Afand 1500 blocks of 11th St. NW, have rican American to have his signature seen an impressive residential boom. on US currency), Ralph Bunche (who Five new notable projects have delivwas a Nobel Prize winner, chair of ered 77 new units to the street: Lothe Department of Political Science gan Row (in the 1400 block of 11th, at Howard University, a Civil Rights completed in 2008 and comprised of leader, and member of Roosevelt’s 28 units), The Providence (in the 1500 “Black Cabinet”), Edward Kennedy block of 11th, completed in 2008 and “Duke” Ellington (who was a leading comprised of 10 units), The RenaisAmerican musician, jazz composer, sance at Logan (in the 1600 block of pianist, and band leader), Samuel 11th, completed in 2008 and comGompers (who was an American laprised of 16 units), St. John’s Wood (in bor and political leader and founder the 1600 block of 11th, completed in of the American Federation of Labor 2005 and comprised of 7 units), and (AFL)), Bishop Charles Daddy Grace Logan Park (in the 1600 block of 11th, (who was founder, builder and orgacompleted in 2008 and comprised of A four unit residential project is under construction nizer of the United House of Prayer 16 units). at 1511 11th St., NW. Photo by Ralph Brabham For All People), Helen Hayes (who Earlier this year, K Miller Properties was an Academy Award winning acLLC began construction on the redeveltress and Broadway star namesake of opment of a former carpet store at 1511 11th St. NW. The project will preserve the historic sandstone façade and add the Helen Hayes Awards), Langston Hughes (who was an three stories above, delivering four new units when complete. American poet, novelist, playwright, short-story writer and Other developments are on the drawing boards for 11th newspaper columnist), John Wesley Powell (who was a CivSt., including a project at 1431 11th NW thus ensuring that il War veteran, geologist, explorer of the American West), A. Philip Randolph (who was an African American Civil the population will continue to grow. Rights leader and founder of the first Black labor union in the United States), Alma Thomas (who was the first AfriThe Brixton Opens at 9th and U The Brixton – the latest hotspot from the Hilton broth- can American woman to have a solo exhibit at the Whiters – opened at 901 U Street in June. A British gastropub, ney Museum of Art in New York), and Carter G. Woodson the hip venue feels authentically English in every interior (who was the founder of Black History Month, historian, detail. The kitchen produces fantastic fare, including deli- author and journalist). cious, almost light, fish and chips. A major draw to The Brixton will undoubtedly be its New Tavern Coming to 1314 9th St. NW A new tavern will soon occupy 1314 9th St. NW, forexpansive roof deck. Offering impressive views of the merly home to the Lamont Bishop Gallery. While details Washington Monument (and Nellie’s Sports Bar across the are scarce, the venture will be the product of Dan O’Brien of street), it has two bars, plentiful fans to keep patrons cool on Seasonal Pantry and Ali Bagheri of SUNdeVICH. Seasonal hot summer nights, and room to roam. Pantry and SUNdeVICH are celebrated foodie destinations adjacent to the upcoming tavern. Banners to Celebrate Legends of Shaw The name of the tavern will be A&D, likely a nod to the Shaw Main Streets will enliven the neighborhood with first names of its founders. According to the liquor license colorful banners on light posts up and down 7th and 9th application, the menu will “consist of mostly cold prepared Streets. Each post will receive two banners – one celebrating foods and other bar snacks.” Bagheri recently told a local a nationally renowned individual who once lived and walked food blog “Eater” that A&D “will be a friendly and comthe streets of Shaw, and another branding the neighborhood. fortable neighborhood bar, serving rustic bar food. Some Dubbed “Legends of Shaw,” the people to be featured cool original crafted cocktails will compliment the food on the banners include Blanche K. Bruce (who was the menu.” A&D is expected to open this fall. u
11th Street’s Residential Boom
capitalcommunitynews.com u 31
your neighborhood
Bloomingdale Bites by Jazzy Wright
City Cuts Public McMillan Tours
In a move shocking to both Bloomingdale residents and city government officials alike, the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development last month banned public access to the Northeast DC McMillan Sand Filtration Site, the historic treatment facility located across the street from the Washington Hospital Center. DC Real Estate Director Jeff Miller sent an email in June to neighborhood resident and McMillan tour guide John Salatti telling Salatti that he could no longer continue the tours because the city was going to hand over management of the site to the Department of General Services due to safety concerns (a few cells on the site have collapsed over the years). In response, Salatti contacted the Department of General Services, which told Salatti that they were given orders to manage the property by Miller’s office. The locks to the historic site have been changed, preventing Salatti from giving tours of the McMillan underground vaults and water meters that supplied the city with clean water for years before being shut down during World War II. “I’ve tromped those grounds without incident,” said Salatti, who is the vice president of the Bloomingdale Civic Association. He says that the Gray administration has been helpful in allowing the public to view the site. “The city’s been very cooperative as long as the public signed the city’s liability waivers. They put the tours back in the hands of the community.” The city is currently considering the site for development, and has assembled a team of builders, engineers and architects, called the Vision McMillan Partners, to create proposals for the site. The team’s most recent proposal includes plans for town homes, apartments and offices for the site. In July, the DC Historic Preservation Review Board accepted public testimony on the Vision team’s most recent proposal. The board will hold a continuation meeting in September on the McMillan site. Thus far, several community groups and 32 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
Jeremiah Wright Speaks During Florida Baptist Church Celebration
leaders oppose the development plans because of issues such as environmental and traffic concerns. The Bloomingdale Civic Association passed a resolution to oppose the plan and request a new plan that preserves the history of the McMillan site and is “more reflective of the long-expressed needs and desires of the local residents.” Salatti says that he is looking for a development plan that includes more park space and continues the recreational-use feel of the McMillan site, which used to be a public park. He hopes that the city will create a design contest for the project, similar to the contest used by New York City officials to develop the World Trade Tower space. “McMillan is one of the most unique sites of that size that the city owns. If you were going to renovate it, there should be a design contest where the city would give top-notch designers parameters. They can create innovative housing that can integrate the cell space underneath [the site].” In the meantime, Salatti is hoping that the city will open the site up to tours again. “The site’s just too amazing when you see it and walk around the cells,” he said. “There are things at McMillan that you can’t see anywhere else in the city.”
On July 8, 2012, one of the hottest days of the year thus far—a day where temperatures climbed to more than 100 degrees in DC—dozens of churchgoers attended the centennial anniversary celebration of Florida Avenue Baptist Church, a landmark institution located in Northwest Washington. Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the controversial former spiritual advisor to President Barack Obama, served as the guest preacher of the centennial worship service that Sunday. While at the pulpit, Wright discussed religion, politics and American history, speaking mostly about racism and the African-American experience. Wright told audience members that the African-American community is not doing enough to teach children about black history. “The centennial celebration of a historical place like the Florida Baptist Church is a good time to talk about the good and the bad,” Wright said to claps and cheers from the audience. “Most of our children do not know our stories. History disses our story, cancels it out and makes it non- existent in the minds of our children.” Wright ended his sermon on an upbeat note by telling the audience to “repent, remember and rejoice.” “When you look back at your own life, there is no way you can look back without rejoicing,” he added. The three-week long centennial celebration included a musical concert, dinner banquet and a church open house. Florida Avenue Baptist Church was founded in 1912 after a group of worshippers decided to form their own church after
kids and family withdrawing their membership from Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, a historic church in the Shaw neighborhood. In the last century, Florida Avenue Baptist Church has helped to revitalize the LeDroit Civic Association and established the “Mo’ Than Jazz” music arts series.
Bloomingdale Flooded by Summer Rain
A few strong thunderstorms dropped heavy rainfall on Bloomingdale in July, causing serious flooding issues and power outages in the neighborhood. Within the span of two weeks, the area received nearly six inches of rain, resulting in raw sewage backups in many Bloomingdale homes. Many residents are unsatisfied with the city’s response to the recent flooding. To address resident concerns, representatives from the DC Water and Sewer Authority and Pepco spoke at the Bloomingdale Civic Association general meeting in mid-July. “I’m scared to take a shower because sewage is coming up in my bathroom,” said Bloomingdale resident Adrienne Lightfoot at the civic association meeting. Lightfoot has lived in the area for two years. “DC Water and Pepco both come out and they blame each other. If I have known it was like this I would have never moved to the neighborhood.” DC Water representatives say that a large part of the flooding issues stem from population growth in the area and sewer system overflow in Bloomingdale and the surrounding area. The agency has created the Clean Rivers Project, a 20-year sewage project that will build a 13-mile sewage tunnel from the Bloomingdale area to the treatment facility in Anacostia. The project will be completed in 2025. DC Water officials will attend a special Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting to discuss flooding issues on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at St. George’s Episcopal Church. u
by Kathleen Donner
Arts for Families at Textile Museum
+ Notebook
Notebook
Spend a Saturday afternoon, Sept. 8, 2-4 p.m., creating your very own dragon puppet with ribbon, paper, and glue. Will your dragon be gentle or fierce? Scaly or smooth? Bring your creative dragon ideas along. Free; no reservations required. The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. 202667-0441. textilemuseum.org
Kids Free at Newseum Through Labor Day
Up to six kids (7-18) are free with each paid adult or senior admission through Sept. 3. These tickets are regularly $12.95. Children 6 and under are always free. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 888639-7386. newseum.org
LEGO Exhibition at the National Building Museum Ends Labor Day
Untitled by Trya Bell
T
yra Bell, 18, is from Ward 1 and will be attending the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design in the fall. Tyra came to Sitar Arts Center as a student in Sitar’s first Teen Arts Intensive program in 2008 returning each year after as an intern with Sitar’s summer mural program. In 2010 Tyra participated in painting a mural with the First Lady, Michelle Obama, and the Congressional spouses at Marie Reed School. During her time at Sitar, she has studied mural arts, sewing and fashion design, scenic painting, pottery and graphic design. As a growing, talented artist, Tyra also participated in a program with one of Sitar’s partners, the Corcoran, in their summer programs in 2011. Tyra’s work is featured in Sitar’s Re:Visions Gallery Exhibit with five DC youth who have found their passion for the arts with the support and guidance of Sitar Arts Center. sitarartscenter.org
Piece by piece, brick by brick, this exhibition features large-scale artistic models of some of the world’s most famous structures including the Empire State Building, St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece Fallingwater. The simplicity and nostalgic quality of LEGO affords viewers a new, detailed look at familiar buildings. Visitors can lean in close to see the complexity of a building’s intricate design and engineering or take a step back to appreciate its stunning sculptural form in full. After drawing inspiration from awe-inspiring structures, visitors are encouraged to create buildings to include in a LEGO community. Based on the principles of good urban design, participants will be invited to create a building from one of the four categories—residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial—and then place the LEGO models on a large-scale map of a city. As the day goes on and the Museum welcomes more visitors, the LEGO city Capitol Jazz Project Ensemble. National Building Museum, will grow and grow. Exhibition open through Sept. 3. Na- 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org tional Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org High Achievement Centers
Sunday Youth Ensemble Concerts at National Building Museum
The National Building Museum and the Washington Performing Arts Society have teamed up to present free concerts every Sunday at 2 p.m. in August. The concerts, featuring some of the best youth ensembles on the scene, will be held in the Museum’s Great Hall. Scheduled artists include: WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir; Step Afrika! with WPAS Summer Steps Steppers; Feder Memorial String Competition Winners; and The Jazz Update with
Need Volunteers
Higher Achievement is in need of mentors and study hall aides at six of their Achievement Centers in DC and Alexandria. The commitment is one evening per week, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday; study hall aides, 3:30-6:15 p.m., mentors, 6-8:15 p.m. 96 percent of Higher Achievement graduates finish high school and 76 percent graduate from college. In a city where 59 percent finish high school and only 9 percent get a college degree, these results are astounding–and desperately needed. Higher Achievement is creating lasting change in the lives of youth–and you can capitalcommunitynews.com u 33
be a part of that change in the DC Metro area! For more information or to fill out an application, go to higherachievement.org/volunteer.
Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321.dclibrary. org/mlk
DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation Funds Dozens of DC Programs
Children’s Defense Fund Launches Freedom School with Boys and Girls Clubs
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s (BGCGW) George Ferris Jr. Clubhouse Six partnered with the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) to launch a Freedom School program, which began on June 25 and ended on Aug. 3. The program stimulates high-quality academic enrichment; civic engagement and social action; family involvement, intergenerational leadership development; and nutrition, health and mental health. The CDF Freedom School accommodates 50 members between 5-13 and is free to all participants and maintains BGCGW’s goal to help those most in need despite financial restraints. The six-week program utilizes an Integrated Reading Curriculum, which is comprised of 80 of the country’s best authors and illustrators that are approved for youth between the ages of 5-18. The curriculum is reinforced by the reoccurring book themes, I Can Make a Difference in: My Self, My Family, My Community, My Country, and My World with Hope, Education and Action. One of the largest academic hurdles for today’s youth is summer learning loss, which is an extended break in the academic routine. George Ferris Jr. Clubhouse Six was an ideal destination for impactful summer education programs due to its location in the District. According to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education there has been a 20 percent decline over the past two years in high school graduation rates amongst the District youth. These graduation rates also reflect a 16.4 percent gap below the national average. bgcgw.org
Under African Skies Free Planetarium Show
Bridges Public Charter School kids enjoy a moment on the playground with their teachers. Photo: Isabel Tumblin
Bridges Public Charter School-No Waiting List for Kindergarten
Ditch the wait lists and join the Bridges Public Charter School family. Bridges currently has no wait list for its inaugural kindergarten class this September. Bridges is in its 7th successful year and looking forward to welcoming more families to the school community as they expand into an elementary school program. Bridges will serve preschool-kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year and add a grade each year until 5th grade. With small class sizes, highly qualified teaching staff, and a hands-on investigative curriculum, Bridges is designed to meet the needs of all students. Bridges is a free public school open to all DC residents. Non-residents may apply and attend for a fee. To learn more about Bridges, and get information about eligibility and applying, visit bridgespcs.org. 1250 Taylor St. NW. 202-545-0515.
Discover the wonders of the African skies in a special presentation compiled by staff of the National Air and Space Museum. Featuring astronomical objects that can be seen in different parts of Africa, the program will be shown in a temporary planetarium at the National Museum of African Arts. It complements “African Cosmos,” an exhibition that explores how inspiration from the sky is reflected in African art. Shows run continuously on Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. 202-633-4600. africa.si.edu
Hok-noth-da? American Indian Storybook Program
Hok-noth-da? (“Did you hear?” in the Shawnee language), brought to you by the National Museum of the American Indian, gives young people a chance to hear a Native American story and engage hands-on with cultural objects that deepen their understanding of the tribe and traditions represented in the story. Register at 202-727-1248. For ages 5 and up. Space is limited, so register early. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 34 u Midcity DC | AUGUST 2012
Nearly 80 organizations are providing enriching summer experiences to more than 3,000 youth in the District of Columbia before they return to school, thanks to funding from the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation. The Trust has awarded grants for this summer totaling $2.5 million. Programs are offering children diverse opportunities that will help them build academic success, create their own arts, explore future careers, become financially savvy and stay healthy. Selected programs include those from areas targeted by the One City Summer Fun Initiative—an inter-agency collaboration to provide high-quality summer programming to DC youth—for factors including teen pregnancy rates, academic proficiency and obesity. The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation is the primary resource for developing partnerships that expand and improve services and opportunities for children and youth in the District of Columbia, especially during their time out of school. The partnerships include public schools, city agencies, and employers, including non-profit providers. Since its inception in 1999, the Trust has provided grants, technical assistance, youth worker training, capacity building, learning opportunities, convenings, and policy support in the District. For more information, visit cyitc.org.
Teaching Inquiry Science to 3, 4 and 5-Year-Olds
The National Air and Space Museum will be offering a free, live webcast for early childhood educators, parents, and enthusiasts to learn how to teach inquiry science to 3-5 year-olds. Using hands-on, recyclable and easily found materials, early childhood museum educators Ann Caspari and Lizzie Cammarata will give teachers the confidence to teach science to young children. They will provide lesson plans, activities for the classroom, and clearly defined science goals that are ageappropriate for young learners. The theme of the two-hour webcast will be Light and Shadows–so get ready with your flashlights to learn some science and have fun too! Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-noon. Register at smithsonianconference.org/inquiryscience.
Family Day with Project Enlightenment at Gadsby’s Tavern
On Sunday, Aug 19, all families are invited to tour the historic Gadsby’s Tavern as junior docents (volunteers from grades 4 through 8) share their enthusiasm for history. Then enjoy your hand at 18th century entertainments! Tour times are 1-4 p.m. and cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children (ages 5-12). No reservations necessary. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, Va. 703-746-4242. alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern u
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+ Changing Hands
Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms. Neighborhood
Close Price
BR
FEE SIMPLE ADAMS MORGAN 2254 ONTARIO RD NW
$723,000
3
BLOOMINGDALE 67 SEATON PL NW 21 S ST NW 79 V ST NW
$595,000 $630,000 $725,000
4 3 5
CLEVELAND PARK 3910 RENO RD NW 2930 UPTON ST NW 3218 WOODLEY RD NW 3509 LOWELL ST NW
$910,000 $1,245,000 $1,500,000 $1,850,000
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 755 FAIRMONT ST NW 1043 QUEBEC PL NW 3011 WARDER ST NW 3544 WARDER ST NW 1004 LAMONT ST NW 2907 SHERMAN AVE NW 4019 14TH ST NW 3907 KANSAS AVE NW 4002 14TH ST NW 1351 TAYLOR ST NW 521 HARVARD ST NW 1019 IRVING ST NW 3664 PARK PL NW 1446 PARKWOOD PL NW 604 HARVARD ST NW 607 IRVING ST NW 715 KENYON ST NW 3530 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 1260 COLUMBIA RD NW 2523 UNIVERSITY PL NW 1438 FAIRMONT ST NW
$301,000 $350,000 $375,000 $376,390 $386,000 $406,000 $448,000 $477,500 $509,000 $510,000 $535,000 $535,000 $550,000 $591,000 $615,000 $624,000 $650,000 $749,500 $750,000 $815,000 $1,850,000
4 5 5 5
$1,185,000 $1,250,000 $1,617,500
KALORAMA 2332 19TH ST NW 1812 24TH ST NW
$1,180,000 $1,657,500
LEDROIT PARK 330 U ST NW 50 CHANNING ST NW 333 U ST NW 1919 6TH ST NW 511 U ST NW #1-4
$410,000 $431,000 $545,000 $630,000 $1,375,000
4 5 5 5 5 3 3 4 3 7
LOGAN 1449 Q ST NW
$1,100,000
MOUNT PLEASANT 1628 OAK ST NW 1658 MONROE ST NW 1838 IRVING ST NW 2125 ONTARIO RD NW 2033 ROSEMONT AVE NW 1615 IRVING ST NW 2039 PARK RD NW 1754 KENYON ST NW 2719 ONTARIO RD NW
$557,000 $725,000 $731,000 $781,000 $800,000 $815,000 $1,050,000 $1,152,000 $1,200,000
3 3 3 3 2 4 7 4 5 6
PETWORTH 919 DECATUR ST NW 808 MARIETTA PL NW 905 EMERSON ST NW 239 GALLATIN ST NW
$220,699 $245,000 $287,750 $300,000
$302,000 $329,900 $341,000 $375,000 $379,000 $392,500 $421,000 $425,000 $455,000 $515,000 $548,000 $608,000 $615,000 $615,000 $628,000 $629,000 $639,000 $659,000
4 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 5
2109 S ST NW #G 1812 WYOMING AVE NW #303 1831 CALIFORNIA ST NW #20 2138 CALIFORNIA ST NW #107 2127 CALIFORNIA ST NW #201 2120 WYOMING AVE NW #1 2022 R ST NW #1
4 3 3 3
208 N ST NW 118 BATES ST NW 420 WARNER ST NW
$345,000 $585,000 $529,000
U ST. 1919 9 1/2 ST NW 956 FLORIDA AVE NW 2248 12TH ST NW 1463 FLORIDA AVE NW 1347 T ST NW
$584,900 $474,900 $600,000 $677,700 $1,210,000
2035 2ND ST NW #G107
ADAMS MORGAN 1811 WYOMING AVE NW #T-7 2714 ONTARIO RD NW #4 2440 16TH ST NW #202 2440 16TH ST NW #306 1750 HARVARD ST NW #5A 2351 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #PENT #2
$203,000 $321,000 $330,000 $354,000 $434,000 $845,000
3 2 2 3 6
BLOOMINGDALE 1929 1ST ST NW #T-2 2035 2ND ST NW #G200 2022 FLAGLER PL NW #F202 150 V ST NW #V-105
$237,000 $247,000 $315,000 $395,000
0 1 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 1
CENTRAL 701 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #1009 1150 K ST NW #606 2141 P ST NW #906 715 6TH ST NW #901 701 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #1010 1177 22ND ST NW #7-E
$280,000 $385,000 $405,000 $425,000 $510,000 $2,150,000
CLEVELAND PARK 3022 WISCONSIN AVE NW #B10 3010 WISCONSIN AVE NW #208 2710 MACOMB ST NW #315 3430 39TH ST NW #700 3850 RODMAN ST NW #231 3815 RODMAN ST NW #17 3630 39TH ST NW #533 3410 38TH ST NW #426 4315 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW 3883 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #309
$255,000 $285,000 $315,000 $325,000 $329,900 $406,000 $417,500 $440,000 $465,000 $625,000
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 526 KENYON ST NW #203 3060 16TH ST NW #706 4010 KANSAS AVE NW #201 3517 13TH ST NW #002 1417 NEWTON ST NW #502 1421 COLUMBIA RD NW #203 1444 FAIRMONT ST NW #4 1450 HARVARD ST NW #D 1340 FAIRMONT ST NW #44
$183,000 $290,000 $294,500 $299,000 $312,000 $313,000 $326,205 $355,000 $359,000
1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2
$399,999
1 1 2 2 2 3 4 1
LOGAN
3 5 3
CONDO
$489,000 $498,000 $540,000 $597,000 $670,000 $1,650,000 $2,695,900
LEDROIT PARK
SHAW 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 7 5 4 5 12
DUPONT 1528 SWANN ST NW 1321 21ST ST NW 1774 WILLARD ST NW
201 JEFFERSON ST NW 5115 8TH ST NW 819 FARRAGUT ST NW 441 INGRAHAM ST NW 527 KENNEDY ST NW 126 HAMILTON ST NW 5523 2ND ST NW 5110 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW 5 MISSOURI AVE NW 4419 ILLINOIS AVE NW 115 VARNUM ST NW 721 TAYLOR ST NW 4008 5TH ST NW 705 VARNUM ST NW 727 SHEPHERD ST NW 4713 KANSAS AVE NW 231 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW 4309 KANSAS AVE NW
1444 FAIRMONT ST NW #5 1436 MERIDIAN PL NW #306 1444 FAIRMONT ST NW #1 2518 13TH ST NW ##3 1419 CLIFTON ST NW #105 1305 CLIFTON ST NW #3 1419 CLIFTON ST NW #202 1444 FAIRMONT ST NW #2 1390 KENYON ST NW #809 1435 CHAPIN ST NW #5 1307 CLIFTON ST NW #31 1330 PARK RD NW #C 1341 FAIRMONT ST NW #3 1331 KENYON ST NW #1
$364,500 $377,500 $419,900 $436,600 $445,000 $473,000 $485,000 $489,900 $490,000 $492,000 $505,000 $577,500 $614,000 $675,000
DOWNTOWN 1101 L ST NW #503
$299,000
1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1
DUPONT 1727 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #611 1 SCOTT CIR NW #116 1601 18TH ST NW #403 1301 20TH ST NW #803 1316 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #305 1815 18TH ST NW #202 1545 18TH ST NW #406 1918 18TH ST NW #32 1918 18TH ST NW #46 1642 BEEKMAN PL NW #B 1823 16TH ST NW #1/2 2000 16TH NW #3 1545 18TH ST NW #519 1615 Q ST NW #1107 1280 21ST ST NW #701 1325 18TH ST NW #R-806 2141 P ST NW #1007 1325 18TH ST NW #R-1006 1330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #913 1939 17TH ST NW #3 1735 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #403
$207,000 $232,500 $310,000 $339,000 $344,000 $389,400 $416,000 $435,000 $465,000 $620,000 $950,000 $389,000 $392,000 $395,000 $396,000 $397,000 $413,500 $425,000 $435,000 $455,000 $652,200
KALORAMA 1900 BILTMORE ST NW #9 1840 CALIFORNIA ST NW #5A 2415 20TH ST NW #17
$132,000 $339,900 $345,000
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 0 1 1
1440 N ST NW #815 1420 N ST NW #305 1133 14TH ST NW #809 1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #210 1215 11TH ST NW #2 1215 11TH ST NW #1 1215 11TH ST NW #3 806 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #2 1245 13TH ST NW #900 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #510 1529 14TH ST NW #308 1225 13TH ST NW #412 1102 R ST NW #301 1440 CHURCH ST NW #203 1300 13TH ST NW #604 1004 N ST NW #2 2125 14TH ST NW #808 1300 N ST NW #813 1440 N ST NW #1014 1300 N ST NW #122 1300 N ST NW #417 1402 SWANN ST NW #2 1203 N ST NW #C 1300 N ST NW #705 1437 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #411 1300 N ST NW #501 1229 12TH ST NW #104 1830 11TH ST NW #PH-5 1210 R ST NW #314 1343 Q ST NW #B 1505 8TH ST NW #1 1316 S ST NW #B
$180,000 $254,250 $333,000 $350,000 $362,000 $380,500 $389,000 $399,900 $425,000 $480,000 $509,000 $519,000 $542,500 $619,000 $664,000 $861,400 $995,000 $200,000 $242,500 $255,000 $388,000 $399,000 $451,500 $535,000 $610,000 $620,000 $677,000 $815,000 $830,000 $1,395,000 $395,000 $510,000
MOUNT PLEASANT 3420 16TH ST NW #409S 2301 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #306 2627 ADAMS MILL RD NW #401 1673 PARK RD NW #103 1636 IRVING ST NW #7 2633 ADAMS MILL RD NW #105 3420 16TH ST NW #410S 1626 BEEKMAN PL NW #D
$330,000 $355,000 $355,000 $362,500 $365,000 $448,000 $449,000 $620,000
MOUNT VERNON 437 NEW YORK AVE NW #306 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #419 1226 4TH ST NW #1
$353,000 $390,000 $594,900
PENN QUARTER 915 E ST NW #511 809 6TH ST NW #21 915 E ST NW #905 475 K ST NW #708 912 F ST NW #207
$370,000 $500,000 $599,900 $650,000 $785,000
U ST CORRIDOR 2001 12TH ST NW #103 2100 11TH ST NW #305 2125 14TH ST NW #325-W 1418 W ST NW #502 2120 VERMONT AVE NW #218 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #16 2020 12TH ST NW #818
$445,000 $573,000 $835,000 $375,000 $440,000 $507,000 $875,000
0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 2
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capitalcommunitynews.com u 35
at home
+ Home / Style
What to Do When You and Your Furniture Are No Longer A “Match!”
W
e spend a lot of time talking about furniture in this column, particularly where to find it. Recently someone asked me for suggestions on parting with a few favorite pieces. Once the love has gone away, or you and your furniture must go separate ways because of a move or for whatever reason, furniture in good shape, still attractive and functional should find another to covet it. Someone is always looking for what you may have no more use for. My “abc’s” for what to do with the pieces you seek to send to a new home are really more “cde’s.” In the “c” category is Craigslist and consignment. “D” stands for donation or dollars (selling your pieces) and “e” stands for hosting events like yard sales or pop up flea markets at a popular venue that will provide a location to have the sale. Pop up fleas are increasingly popular outlets for city folk to sell previously owned pieces.
Craigslist and Consignment
In the age of the Internet, pretty much everyone knows the power of Craigslist. Whether the goal is to find a service provider, a job or to sell grandmother’s favorite easy chair, Craigslist is by nearly all accounts, the way to go. “Furniture by seller” is one of the biggest and most popular categories on
by Mark F. Johnson the site. Of course selling furniture on Craigslist usually means having folks come to your home to actually see the piece(s) for sale. Often, it also means selling a much-loved piece for considerably less than value. Folks have come to expect a bargain on this site and sellers who wish to get a piece
moved quickly often price it low to motivate buyers to take it away. Regardless, Craigslist is often the first place that many sellers think of when they have decided to part with furniture. And for many potential buyers seeking a bargain, it is generally the first place to go.
Fewer sellers think of consigning furniture they wish to sell to a retail shop. Consignment is an arrangement between the seller and the retail outlet that actually offers the piece for sale in the store. The seller shares a percentage of the profit with the store where the sale is made. The exact percentage arrangement between seller and outlet should be set at the outset. Generally it is not less than 50-50. Sellers are more likely to get a higher price with consignment than on Craigslist in many cases, because buyers expect to pay more at a store. Several stores in the area that sell furniture that has been previously owned may be approached about consignment. Of course the seller should keep in mind that most “vintage” stores specialize in a particular period or style of furniture so it is best to approach a store that focuses on the style you’re looking to sell. Local stores that may possibly be interested in consignment include Ruff & Ready, Goodwood, Hunted House, Foundry and Sixteen Fifty Nine. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list and stores do change their policy on accepting consignment items so it is best to check with the store you are considering consigning to.
Donation or Dollars
Thrift stores have accepted furniture donations for generations.
Often furniture is donated because it isn’t considered to be in the best shape for selling or many times owners must part with it quickly. Most thrift stores who take donations provide the donor with a form that may allow them to take a tax write off for their donation. If you don’t want to give it away, you can always try to sell it directly to stores. Check the list provided earlier for stores who may be interested in purchasing your pieces. Remember that you cannot expect a retailer to buy your furniture at the same price that you would sell it directly to a buyer. Retailers have to make a profit so they are interested in buying at a price that will allow for that.
Events
Having an “event” to sell the pieces that you are looking to send to a new home may be the most fun but it could also be the hardest work. Yard sales require preparation and planning. Hosting a temporary flea market sale, otherwise known as a “pop up” flea can be even more work because it depends on finding a venue that is known to attract a crowd. It may also mean sharing profits with the venue that agrees to host your sale. But it can also be a fun experience for selling. Events can also go beyond the personal. Consider a communitywide sale. The fact that there are multiple sellers and the promise of more merchandise to choose from is much more likely to bring out potential buyers. Keep in mind that the summer and fall months are the best times for this kind of selling. Pop up flea markets can also be successful around the holidays as buyers look for inexpensive and atypical gifts. Be willing to “bargain” and remember your goal is to get the piece sold! u
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capitalcommunitynews.com u 39
Tell Them, “Shaw Main Streets Sent
Me!�
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.