EAST of the RIVER 0910

East of the River Magazine • September 2010

ELECTION SPECIAL

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CONTENTS East of the River Magazine | September 2010

20 Neighborhood News 08

Go See Do

10

East of the River Calendar

16

Winn Residential Community Day • by Shannon Holloway

17

Adams Morgan Day Festival • by Sheray Wright

Election Special 18

Gray Contests Fenty’s Plan for DC • by Paul D. Shinkman

20

Kwame Brown vs Vincent Orange • by Paul D. Shinkman

24

Mendelson vs Ray vs Brown • by Paul Shinkman

26

Changes in This Year’s Election Procedures • by Paul Shinkman

28

The Key Fiscal Challenge? • by Jenny Reed

46

The Nose • Anonymous

47

Advice to Our New Mayor • by Charles H. Wilson

34

East Washington Life 30

Bulletin Board

34

More to a Butterfly Than Meets the Eye • by Krystle Cantu

36

Good Eats: Maple View Deli & Catering • by Nikki Peele

38

Living Local: Animal Clinic of Anacostia • by Veronica O. Davis

39

Back to School • by Lisa Raymond

40

Roosevelt’s Culinary Arts... • by Jazelle Hunt

Homes & Gardens 42

Changing Hands • compiled by Don Denton

44

The Classifieds

16 COVER Mayoral candidate Vincent Gray congratulates Willard Poteat at last year’s Hillcrest Anniversary. Poteat is the Committee Chairman for Goodhope Market Place Shopping Center, and a former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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HILL RAG MIDCITY DC EAST OF THE RIVER FAGON COMMUNITY GUIDES

Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 • www.capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner melissaashabranner@hillrag.com EDITORIAL STAFF HOMES & GARDENS

MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman andrew@hillrag.com CFO & ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Maria Carolina Lopez carolina@hillrag.com KIDS & FAMILY EDITOR: Susan Braun Johnson schools@hillrag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Mary-Frances Daly maryfrances@hillrag.com

Rindy O’Brien - Hill Gardener • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com

NEWS & NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTS

ART: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com DINING: Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com LITERATURE: Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu MOVIES: Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net MUSIC: Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.com THEATER: Brad Hathaway • brad@potomacstages.com TRAVEL: Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com THE WINE GUYS: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com

WARD 1: Mark Johnson • ward1@hillrag.com WARD 2: Amanda Abrams • ward2@hillrag.com WARD 4: Tanya Snyder • ward4@hillrag.com ANC6A: Tanya Snyder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com ANC6B: Kyle Johnson • kylejoh@gmail.com ANC6C: Kyle Johnson • kylejoh@gmail.com ANC6D: Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com WARD 7: Virginia Spatz • ward7@hillrag.com WARD 8: Virginia Spatz • ward8@hillrag.com BARRACKS ROW: 202-544-3188 H STREET LIFE: Elise Bernard • inked78@hotmail.com THE NOSE: thenose@hillrag.com

CALENDAR & BULLETIN BOARD

PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC DESIGN

HILL RAG, DC NORTH & EAST OF THE RIVER: Hill Rag & East of the River Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner BULLETIN BOARD EDITOR: Mary-Frances Daly calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

LEAD DESIGNER: Jason Nickens 202.543.8300 X17 • jason@hillrag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jason Yen 202.543.8300 X21 • jay@hillrag.com

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT

ADVERTISING & SALES

Monica Cavanaugh • monica.cavanaugh@gmail.com Michelle Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Mary-Frances Daly • maryfrances@hillrag.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Heather Schoell • hschoell@verizon.net Tanya Synder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Peter Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Paul D. Shinkman - pdshinkman@gmail.com Melanie Sunukjian - melsunuk@gmail.com Shannon Holloway - holloway.shannon@gmail.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Deborah Bandzerewicz 202.543.8300 X13 • deb@hillrag.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Kira Means 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Maria Carolina Lopez 202.543.8300 X12 • carolina@hillrag.com

BEAUTY, HEALTH & FITNESS

WEBSITE

Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Peter Sherer • Peter@expmatters.com

WEB MASTER: Jason Nickens 202.543.8300 X17 • webmaster@hillrag.com

ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

KIDS & FAMILY Mary-Frances Daily • kidsnotebook@hillrag.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com

SOCIETY & EVENTS

DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Andrew Lightman DISTRIBUTORS: David Sledgister and Southwest Distribution DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: distribution@hillrag.com

DEADLINES & CONTACTS ADVERTISING: sales@hillrag.com DISPLAY ADS: 15th of each month CLASSIFIED ADS: 10th of each month EDITORIAL: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com BULLETIN BOARD & CALENDAR: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com.

We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word.

Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com.

For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.

PUBLISHER: JEAN-KEITH FAGON • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2010 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

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September 2010

FREE SEMINARS Presented by the…

Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (WACIF)

WACIF to Increase Assistance to Ward 7 Small Businesses!

WACIF Staff will provide: One-on-one consulting, technical assistance and business expertise to Ward 7 small businesses Monday and Tuesday • 10:00am-2:00pm Friday • 11:00am-2:00pm (by appointment) WACIF Staff will be at: 3939 Benning Rd., Washington, DC 20019 202-396-1200

For more information Call WACIF to RSVP: (202) 529-5505 Additional WACIF information can be found at www.wacif.org Interpretation services and accommodations for persons with disabilities are available.

Contact WACIF one week prior to event for any special assistance needs.

Support for WACIF’s programs and services is provided by the DC Dept. of Housing & Community Development, DC Dept. of Human Services – Early Care & Education Admin., Prince George’s Co. Dept. of Housing & Community Development, MD Dept. of Housing & Community Development, US Small Business Administration, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Economic Development and Training Institute, Inc., National Capital/RLA Revitalization Corporation, Capital One, Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, Cafritz Foundation, Wachovia Bank and other individual and corporate donors and investors.

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GO.SEE.DO. Turkish Festival The Turkish Festival offers a full day of activities such as folk dancing, music, arts and crafts for kids, traditional cuisine, fortune reading, and a bustling bazaar. This year’s festival theme is “Explore the Wonders of Turkey in the Heart of DC,” and will take visitors on a journey through two continents and thousands of years of history. Festival attendees will be able to leave their worries behind and feel as if they have traveled across oceans and through time. Free. Sunday, Oct. 3 (rain or shine), 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. On Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 12th and 14th sts. NW (adjacent to Freedom Plaza). 1888-282-3236. www.turkishfestival.org

Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival The Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival is held on the first Sunday of every month through October, noon-5:00 PM. Be prepared to be entertained with live music, dance, street performers and food. Thousands attend...both locals and tourists shopping handcrafted and originals gifts, art and crafts from local and regional artists and crafters. Over 100 artists, crafters, musicians and other performers will showcase their art at First Sunday Arts. Admission is free.

Calvert Street and West Street Annapolis, Maryland. 410-741-3267. www.firstsundayarts.com

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September 2010

Adams Morgan Day The Adams Morgan Day 18th Street Festival is characterized by two large signature music stages and other innovative and dynamic cultural, music, arts and dance activities. The famous Columbia and Florida Stages (located strategically on 18th Street at Columbia Rd. and at Florida Ave.) feature live music acts from all genres from Central and South America, Latin rock, salsa, jazz, to soul, funk and American rock. It is the the longest continuous neighborhood festival in DC. Sunday, Sept.

12, noon-7:00 PM. 202-232-1960. www.adamsmorgandayfestival.com

Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner Connecting Communities through Language “Word, Shout, Song” documents the historical journey made by people from Africa, their language, and their music, to the Americas. Through words, music, and story, Lorenzo Dow Turner discovered in the 1930s that the Gullah people of Georgia and South Carolina still possessed parts of the culture and language of their enslaved ancestors, which had long been believed lost.

Free. On exhibition through March 27, 2011. Anacostia Community Museum, open daily except Christmas, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

H Street Music Festival and Bazaar The H Street Festival is an annual street festival designed to showcase the unique qualities of this vibrant Washington, DC community. The event is a part of the revitalization strategy to bring attention to the developing arts and entertainment district at the eastern end of the H Street NE corridor. This year’s festival includes more than 30 musical and dance performances, a fashion show preview of DC Fashion Week, face painting, rock climbing, basketball games, carnival games, free popcorn, cotton candy, and dog tag making, a fully-loaded Hummer display, luxury car displays, free health screenings, crafts, and international foods. Sept.

18, noon-6:00 PM.

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Calendar

SEPTEMBER | 2010

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Ward 7 Businesses Fundraiser Kwame R. Brown. Sept. 6, 8:00-10am AM. Breakfast served. Thai Orchard’s Kitchen, 2314 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Checks payable to “Kwame for Chair” or make an online donation at www.kwameforchair. com. For more information, call Julius Ware, II. 202-3519569. juliusware@comcast.net Ward 7 Economic Development Showcase. Sept. 11, 10:00 AM-noon. Free admission. Continental breakfast.

IDEA Public Charter School, 1027 45th St. NE. 202-351-9569. www.ward7bpa.org “East of the River” at Honfleur Gallery. Tuesday through Friday, noon-5:00 PM; Saturdays, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM Gallery closed on Sundays and Mondays. For the fourth year running, artists rooted in Wards 7 and 8 will be featured in Honfleur Gallery’s juried East of the River exhibition.

Eleven artists are included in the exhibition; BK Adams, Nigil Brice, Ralston Cyrus, Melani Douglass, Matthew Mann, Samuel Mercer, Marlon Normon, Luis Peralta, Amanda Stephenson, Deborah Terry and Renee. 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-580-5972. www.honfleurgallery.com Ward 7 Business and Professional Association Strategic Planning Breakfast Conversations. First Monday of every month, 8:00-10:00 AM. Engages interested parties at this monthly happening to topics and issues that impact Ward 7 business. Denny’s on Benning Road, 4445 Benning Rd. NE. 202-351-9569. PRESIDENT@WARD7bpa.org Celebrate New Life at The Rock Christian Church. Every Saturday, 3:00-6:00 PM. If you have hurts, habits or hangups! This is the place to come to. Help is here. Free. 1300 Good Hope Rd. SE. Call Dwain Lynch 301-523-0381 with questions. Church office, 240-770-5041.

Big Chair Chess Club. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4:00-10:00 PM; Saturdays, noon-9:00 PM. “To teach the un-teachable, reach the un-reachable, and always think before you move” is the core mission of the Big Chair Chess Club, Inc. at the Deanwood Branch located in the nation’s capital. The organization teaches chess to innercity children and adults, not only as a board game, but also as an application to life skills, such as improving one’s concentration and self-discipline. $30 a year for adults, $10 for kids. 4322 Sheriff Rd. NE. 202-396-1780. www. bigchairchessclub.org Ward 7 Parent and Family Resource Center Family Book Club. Every Wednesday, 6:00 PM. Enjoy the evening reading with your child, meeting other families, and strengthening your child’s reading skills. Free books and snacks.

For new and struggling readers, ages 6 and under. 5601 East Capital St. SE. For more information, call Marketta Wiley at 202-724-7568.

Community Day/Health Fair. Sept. 11, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Fort DuPont Ice Arena (park area), 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-582-4569.

Big Chair Breakfast Bunch. Saturday, Sept. 11, 10:00 AMnoon. Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill (upstairs). All are welcome to attend and discuss what’s happening East of the River.

2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. 202-525-4287.

Bringing Out The Beauty In Our Community The Ward 7 Arts Collaborative and the Verizon Center Wireless Foundation partnered to bring this mural to 4645 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE (east side). View anytime. 202-399-1997. www.w7aconline.org 10 ★ East of the River

September 2010

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Open daily, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is about 700 acres and is part of Anacostia Park. The park includes the gardens, Kenilworth Marsh, ball fields and recreational facilities. It is the only National Park Service site devoted to the propagation and display of aquatic plants.

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calendar

september 2010

Councilmember Barry’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. 2100 MLK Ave, SE, #307. 202-698-2185.

AT THE ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. As the Smithsonian Institution’s museum of African American history and culture, the museum explores American history, social and creative expression from an African American perspective. Free. 1901 Fort Place, SE. 202-633-4820 anacostia.si.edu Separate and Unequaled: Black Baseball in the District of Columbia. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Exhibition about segregated baseball from from Reconstruction to the second half of the 20th century. Free.

Yoga Class. Every Saturday 10:00-11:15 AM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

THEARC. $10. 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. www.thearcdc.org Free.1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. www.nps.gov/kepa Frederick Douglass National Historical Site.

Open daily, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Tours at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM From 1877 to 1895, this was the home of Frederick Douglass, the nation’s leading 19th century African American spokesman. Visitors to the site will learn more about his efforts to abolish slavery and his struggle for human rights, equal rights and civil rights for all oppressed people. Free. 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5960. www.nps.gov/frdo A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail. Discover, or see with new eyes, this traditionally African American enclave in Far Northeast when you follow “A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail.” Fifteen poster-sized street signs combine storytelling with historic photographs and maps to transport you back to the days before Deanwood was Deanwood. To pick up the trail go to Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. and Division Ave. NE. Walk one block south to Foote Street, at the edge of Marvin Gaye Park. The 90-minute, self-guided tour will bring you along Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, up 49th St. and along Sheriff Rd. back to Minnesota Ave. and the Metro station. Walk the trail at your own pace and take time to enjoy this small town in the city. Don’t forget to pick up a free trail guide from businesses along the way. 202661-7581. www.culturaltourismdc.org Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 AM5:30 PM. Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00-9:00 PM. Closed Sundays. The new 22,000 square foot library has more than 40,000 books, areas for children, teens and adults, Mac computers for teens, 32 computers for the public, community meeting rooms and more. 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-715-7707. dclibrary.org/anacostia

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September 2010

Anacostia Neighborhood Library Book Club.

Thursdays, 6:30 PM. Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Book club just now forming. 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-715-7707. dclibrary. org/anacostia Deanwood Neighborhood Library. Monday and Wednesday, 1:00-9:00 PM. Tues, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM. Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Sundays. 1350 49th. St. NE. 202-698-1175. dclibrary.org/deanwood Deanwood Adult Book Club. First Monday of every month, 7:00 PM Engage in thought-provoking conversations and share your interests.

1350 49th. St. NE. 202-698-1175. dclibrary. org/deanwood Francis A. Gregory Interim Library. Monday and Wednesday, 1:00-9:00 PM. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM. Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:30 PM. Closed Sundays. 2100 36th Pl. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis Washington Highlands Interim Library.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM. Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00-9:00 PM. Closed Sundays. 4037 S. Capitol St. SW. 202-243-1184. dclibrary.org/washingtonhighlands Aquatic Resources Education Center of DC. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (summer hours). Sitting on the banks of the Anacostia River in Anacostia Park, the Aquatic Resources Education Center is an ideal place to study aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and local fish and fisheries. The Center features live species exhibits, and an indoor pond for handling live animals. Free. Anacostia Park, 2700 Anacostia Dr. SE. (202) 535-2260 Councilmember Alexander’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 10:00 AM6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560.

The Gullah Islamic Connection. Sept. 11, 1:00 pm. Amir Muhammad discusses the Islamic influence among African Americans living in the Gullah region of the United States.

Free.

Gullah Tales. Sept. 12. 11:00 am. Storyteller and actor Dylan Pritchett presents a delightful afternoon of interactive Gullah tales from the South Carolina Low Country for the whole family. Free.

Discovering Our Communities: Researching “Place” in DC (Part 1). Sept. 14, 7:00 PM. Join Matthew Gilmore for a workshop on the use of archival records to discover the history of your neighborhood. Free.

43rd Anniversary Event, “Word, Shout, Song: Connecting Communities.” Sept. 15, noon. National Press Club. The Anacostia Community Museum celebrates its 43rd anniversary at a benefit luncheon featuring Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC) as honorary chair; Marquetta “Queen Quet Goodwine, as keynote and honoring Melvin Deal, Zora Martin Felton, and Josephine Wharton. For info and tickets call, 202-633-4875 or email ACMinfo@si.edu.

Making Bling! 10:30 AM. Join Kathleen Manning in creating five basic designs for earrings. Fee required.

Chavez Ravine. Sept. 19, 2:00 PM. A film showing the bittersweet story of how an American Community in Los Angeles was displaced and became the new Dodger Stadium.

Free.

Create Jewelry Inspired by the Gullah Culture. Sept. 22, 10:30 AM. Deidre Bell will conduct a beginner’s workshop on creating beautiful and vibrant jewelry you can wear.

Cooking Up Your Family’s History—Finding Your Heritage in Food. Sept. 25, 10:30 AM. Historian Maria Goodwin will show how looking at food and customs can offer a lesson about your family’s history.

Crocheting Bright Geechie Colors. Sept. 26, 1:00 PM. Mary Gaskins offers basic instruction in crocheting.

Discovering Our Communities: Researching “Place” in D.C. (Part 2). Sept. 28, 7:00 PM. Matthew Gilmore presents on how to use local archival resources to discover the history of your neighborhood. Free.

FALL FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Black Family Reunion Celebration. Sept.

11 and 12, noon-8:00 PM (both days). This fun-filled weekend celebrates the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African American family and features educational pavilions, live music, ethnic foods and an international arts and crafts marketplace.

Free. National Mall between Seventh and 14th sts. (between Constitution and Pennsylvania aves.) 202) 383-9130. www.ncnw.org Arts on Foot 2010 Festival. Sept. 11, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Arts on Foot Market, September 8, 9 and 10, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. Arts on Foot is a multimedia festival that kicks off the fall arts season in Downtown DC’s Penn Quarter.

Free. Centered at Seventh and F sts, NW. www. artsonfoot.org Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park.

Sept. 19, 2:00 PM (gates open at noon).

Washington National Opera season opening live simulcast from the Kennedy Center of Un Ballo in Maschera. Free. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE. 202) 572-3057. www.dcopera.org 2010 Unity Conference. Sept. 16-18, Thursday and Friday, 7:00 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM2:00 PM. Free but reservations required. Allan Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2498 Alabama Ave. SE. 301-919-1624.

Fiesta Musical at the National Zoo. Sept. 19, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. FONZ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with an annual fiesta at the National Zoo. With animal demonstrations, Hispanic and Latino music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts, and Latin American foods.

The event offers something for everyone. Free.

National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202673-4717. www.fonz.org Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill.

Sept. 25, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Military Chefs Cook-Off, Ragin’ Cajun Chef Paul Prudomme, Redskins cheerleaders, Chesty the Marine Corps bulldog, Commandants’ home and Marine Barracks 8th tours, Ten authentic uniforms representing 1775 through 2010 will be worn by Marines, clowns, magicians, face painting and contests for kids, booths selling wares from around the world, parachutist will make a precision landing at Eighth and G sts., bands play all day and dancing is encouraged! 400 to 700 blocks of Eighth St. SE 202-544-3188 Free Guided Walking Tours. Sept. 25 and 26 (rain or shine). Tours vary in length. Enjoy

Ward 8 Farmer’s Market HEALTHY FOOD, HEALTHY COMMUNITY Fresh produce from local farmers, plants, art, food-preparation workshops, children activities, nutrition, give-always, music and more...

“We Serve Our Clients with Good Deals!”

Call the Smith Team

EBT, Snap Cards, WIC CVC & Senior Coupons accepted

We have 2 Days and a New Location!

Saturdays.......................................9:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesdays ........................................3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

@ United Medical Center Front parking lot - 1310 Southern Ave. SE Ward8FM@gmail.com www.Ward8FarmersMarket.com

John Smith 202-262-6037 Peter Davis 301-332-1634 Aaron Smith 202-498-6794

CALL

Ken Ross 703-216-2687

TO HILL WITH THE SUBURBS! #1 Prudential Agents in Washington, DC 2001-2007 www.John.Smith.pcragent.com • jsmithteam@gmail.com Office: 202-243-7907 • 216 7th Street, SE • Washington, DC

Peter Grimm 202-270-6368 Kristine Jones 202-415-4716

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free, guided walking tours in neighborhoods across Washington. 202-6617581. www.culturaltourismdc.org Christ Lutheran Church Annual Yard Sale. Sept. 25, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; Sept. 26, noon-4:00 PM. Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW. 202829-6727.

MUSIC

Deanwood Heights Main Street presents their annual event

Family Round-Up Saturday, September 18th, 2010 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Activities: • Tour of Historic Deanwood Churches & Places of Interest (sponsored by the Hummanities Council of Washington, DC and the DC Historic Preservation Office)

• Food • Music • Games • Carnival Style Activities!

e Welcom All are FREE Event is

Deanwood Community Center • 1350 49th Street, NE, WDC 20019 Volunteers Needed - Please Call Deborah Jones 202-621-2288

They helped you, now it’s YOUR TURN to help them!

Walk for a Homeless Veteran at the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon Saturday, November 20th, 2010 To Register to walk visit: www.helpthehomelessdc.org Register Under Access Housing, Inc(DC) Code DC002 For more information on how you can assist please call

202-561-VETS (8387) 9533

14 ★ East of the River

9533 22663

September 2010

Get Involved!

Live! on Woodrow Wilson Plaza.

Weekdays through Sept. 24 (weather permitting), noon-1:30 PM. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. LIVE!’s lunch-time performances feature world-renowned entertainers in a variety of flavors, such as African dance, legendary R&B, Motown sounds, hip hop, Latin swing and pop rock. Free.1300 Penn. Ave. NW. 202312-1300. www.itcdc.com Eastern Market Music. Sundays Sept.

5 through Oct. 10, 10:30 AM and 1 PM. Patio outside Port City Java, Seventh Street and North Carolina Avenue SE. Sept. 5, 10:30 AM, Bad Hair Day, 1:00 PM, Finnegan’s Jig; Sept. 12, 10:30 AM, Gibraltar, 1:00 PM, Blue Rhythm Boys; Sept. 19, 10:30 AM, Karen Collins & Backroads, 1:00 PM, Janine Wilson & Max Evans; Sept. 26, 10:30 AM, Archie’s Barbershop Jambassadors; 1:00 PM, Seth Kibel & Bay Jazz Project; Oct. 3, 10:30 AM, Runakuna, 1:00 PM, The Capitol Hillbillies; Oct. 10, 10:30 AM, The Lovejoy Group, 1:00 PM, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Free. www. capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org Steinway Series of classical music concerts at American Art Museum.

Second Sunday of every month, 3:00 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 Nineth and and F and G sts.

NW.) 202-633-1000. www.americanart. si.edu Blue Monday Blues. Mondays, 6-9 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry from 5:30-8:30 PM. $5/general; free/ children under 16. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700. www.westminsterdc.org/blues.htm.

Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Daily (including all holidays), 6:00 PM. The Kennedy Center Grand Foyer.

“Performing Arts for Everyone” at the Millennium Stage was instituted to introduce the Kennedy Center to wider audiences by offering free performances, 365 days a year. Free. 202-4441324 or 202-467-4600. www.kennedycenter.org Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine: Noon Pipe Organ Recital Series. Sept.

10, 12:15-1:00 PM. ...pipe-organ-only focus, a burst of renewed energy, and a fun and interactive approach which will open your eyes to the amazing world

of the pipe organ. Free. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle. 202-232-0323. www.nationalcitycc.org

dedicated exclusively to recognizing the contributions of women artists. Free. (regular admission, $10). 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202783-5000. www.nmwa.org

MARKETS

Shakespeare Theatre Company Ticket Deals. 20% for seniors, 60 and older; $10 tickets for 35 and younger; $10 standing-room-only tickets. Two performance spaces: Lansburgh Theatre at 450 7th St. NW and Sidney Harman Hall at 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. www. shakespearetheatre.org

Farmer’s Market at United Medical Center. Every Tuesday and Saturday through Oct. Tuesdays, 3:007:00 PM. Saturdays, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Stands offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, free samples, and new recipes using fresh produce. In addition, features fresh herbs and live plants, teas, oils, potpourri, and honey. 1301 Southern Ave. SE. 202-574-7121.

Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. 200 block of 7th St. SE. 202-544-0083. www. easternmarketdc.com H Street Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 9 AM-noon, through Nov. 20.

Parking lot in the 600 block of H Street. The market is a producersonly outdoor market offering fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, cheese, flowers and more for sale. www.freshfarmmarket.org Capitol Riverfront Farmers’ Market. Thursdays through Nov., 3:007:00 PM. New Jersey Avenue and M St. SE, (adjacent to the Navy Yard Metro, New Jersey Avenue exit).

Farm-fresh produce, baked goods and more. www.capitolriverfront. org/calendar/do/riverfron-farmersmarket Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7:00 AM-9:00 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-4842722.

SPECIAL BARGAINS Community Night at International Spy Museum. Last Wednesday of each month, 5:00-9:00 PM. All area residents are welcome to experience all that the museum’s permanent exhibition has to offer for.

Gain access to the world’s largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Free. (regular admission, $18). 202-393-7798. 800 F St. NW. www.spymuseum.org National Museum of Women in the Arts. First Sunday of each month, noon-5:00 PM. This museum is the only museum in the world

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Ticket Deals. Patrons 25 and under, $15 tickets. Stampede Seats--side balcony seats at $15 each, sold 2 hours prior to showtime. 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. www.woollymammoth.net Washington National Opera’s “Generation O”. This is a program for students and young professionals between 18 and 35. For the first time this fall, there will be a 50% season ticket discount for “Generation O.” The Washington National Opera performs at the Kennedy Center. Registration is free. 202295-2400. www.dcopera.org/beyondstage/generationo Living Butterfly House at Natural History Museum. Free on Tuesdays (regularly $6). Opens daily at 10:15 AM. Final entry at 5:00 PM. Smithsonian Natural History Museum, 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202-633-1000. www.mnh.si.edu Learn to Swim in DC. Basic lessons are $10 for DC residents. More advanced classes are $30 for a 4 week session (2 lessons a week). For more information, 202-724-4495. www.dpr.dc.gov Arena Stage $15 tickets for 30and-under. Designated for patrons ages 30 and under. $15 tickets go on sale beginning on Monday for the following week of performances (Tuesday through Sunday) until all available $15 tickets sell out. 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-554-9066. www. arenastage.org

SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Washington Nationals Baseball Home Games. Sept. 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.

7:05 PM (Sunday games at 1:35 PM). $5 and up. South Capitol and N sts. SE. www.washington.nationals.mlb.com Post-Game Fireworks at Washington National’s Stadium. Sept. 10 and 24, (about) 10:00 PM. The firworks take place immediately after all Friday night home games. You Tai Chi Class. Saturday mornings (except when it’s below zero or very inclement weather), 8:00 AM. Lincoln Park. Dr. David Walls-Kaufman,

a Capitol Hill chiropractor, conducts this class every Saturday morning.

Please dress comfortably. Free. East Capitol St. between 11th and 13th Sts. 202-544-6035.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS Anacostia High School School Improvement Team Meeting. Fourth Tuesday. 6:00 PM. Anacostia High School, 16th and R sts. SE. Fairlawn Citizens Association, Tuesday September 21. 7:00 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. PSA 607 Meeting. Second Thursday. 7:00 PM. Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. ANC Meeting for 7-A. Third Tuesday. 7:30 PM. Benning-Stoddard Rec. Center, 100 Stoddard Pl. SE. 202-727-1000.

7A@anc.dc.gov. www.anc7a.org ANC Meeting for 7-B. Third Thursday. 7:00 PM. Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE).

202-584-3400. anc7b@pressroom. com. www.anc7b.us ANC Meeting for 7-C. Second Thursday. 7:00 PM. Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. 202398-5100. anc7c@verizon.net ANC Meeting for 7-D. Second Tuesday. 6:30 PM. Sixth District Police Station, 100 42nd St. NE. 202398-5258. 7D06@anc.dc.gov ANC Meeting for 7-E. Second Tuesday. 7:00-8:30 PM. Jones Memorial Church, 4625 G St. SE. 202-5826360. 7E@anc.dc.gov ANC Meeting for 8-A. First Tuesday. 7:00 PM. Anacostia UPO Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-889-6600. www.anc8adc. org

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ANC Meeting for 8-B. Third Tuesday. 7:00 PM. Seventh District Police Station Community Center, Alabama and McGee Sts. SE. 202610-1818. www.anc8b.org

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ANC Meeting for 8-D. Fourth Thursday. 7:00 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202 561-0774 ANC Meeting for 8-E. Third Tuesday. 7:00 PM. SE Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-561-6616. 8e02@anc.dc.gov ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 15

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Winn Residential Community Day The Rain Can’t Make the Day Go Away

by Shannon Holloway

O

n August 5, Winn Residential held a community day. Arrivals were greeted by the sound of music, the sight of children at play, and the smell of delicious BBQ. Families lined up for hot dogs, burgers, deep fried chicken, and to talk and enjoy themselves. It was the beginning of a lovely afternoon with residents, community members, children and families on hand, but as winds started to pick up and thunderbolts began to fly, all headed for shelter. Even amid the sudden and intense thunderstorm spirits could not be dampened, and once safe from the chaos of wild

16 ★ East of the River

September 2010

weather, the group shared a laugh, dried off, and began sharing stories and popping popcorn.

Monique Lilly-Moore, Property Manager, made introductions and explained the importance of a neighborhood center such as the one in which we now sat. It turns out that three of Winn’s local development properties -- Atlantic Gardens, Atlantic Terrace, and Southern Hills Apartments -- are part of a larger plan to establish a sense of community within their living facilities, “creating [spaces] where people feel comfortable living and working,” (Winn Companies). These affordable housing communities have neighborhood centers supplied with computers, TVs, fax machines, scanners, and classes and workshops on all kinds of topics from spiritual services, to crime reduction, literacy and addressing the barriers to employment.

It was lovely to hear the different ways that people can participate in bettering their community. Monique is know as “the cleaner,” coming in to stabilize situations bridging the gap from misunderstanding to communication. Shelia Locks is the Resident Service Coordinator, She addresses resident concerns, provides children with school bags, and keeps the little ones happy by handing out ice cream. There were conversations with Mr. Jordan, President of the Tenants Association, James McEachin, Pastor of spiritual services and facilitator of the onsite programs with the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), Andrew Green, a young resident and Associate Director whose job it is to setup/cleanup events, and young residents Keyon Carter, Curtis Lester, and Donald Hammond who stopped in to participate in to inform the room that they “eat, breathe, and live by football.” It was a lighthearted day for all the residents.

Winn Residential can be reached at (http://www.winncompanies.com/ main.php?id=wresi).

Shannon Holloway is a local artist living in the district. You may reach her via e-mail at holloway.shannon@ gmail.com. ★

Adams Morgan Day Festival All Kinds of Fun on Sept 12

by Sheray Wright

W

ith the theme of “A Global Community of Diverse Cultures,” the Adams Morgan Day Festival will run from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 12.

“Arts on Belmont” opens early at 10 am for early shoppers but late comers can still enjoy live music, dance, food, diverse wares and themed pavilions up and down 18th Street NW, and at Kalorama Park and Marie Reed school.

Adams Morgan Main Street Group is a non-profit dedicated to promoting the small neighborhood and commercial district of Adams Morgan. The success of the 32-yearold festival is due largely to its volunteers who help plan and produce the festival known for celebrating international cuisine, cultures, diversity, and music. Festival goers can enjoy a variety of live music, theatre, dance, and spoken word across several stages as well as take in local shopping & restaurants.

New This Year New in 2010 are themed pavilions for Health & Wellness and a Pet Zone. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the Health Pavilion is visible from 18th & California streets NW. Hooping and yoga demonstrations will liven the pavilion as it showcases health, sports, fitness, diet, and social service organizations. Highlights also include health screenings, clinics, personal health, holistic and positive lifestyle sessions and co-sponsor Georgetown University Hospital.

The Pet Zone will have services, products, green pets and pet health grouped together on the 18th St Marie Reed tennis court. The Pavilion welcomes both owners and fourlegged visitors to the Festival while offering doggie games and a cooling doggie wading pool. Get advice from the Maryland Dog Whisperer

or learn about what pet is right for you and how adoption and rescue works.

The DC Dept of the Environment (DDOE) sponsors The Green Pavilion where purveyors of all things green await under a common tent on the 18th street tennis courts.

Vendors specializing in planetfriendly services, products, and info are co-sponsored by Washington Gas. Find solar systems design & installation, tree planting and care, energy-saving remodeling, renewable energy, personal care and home products, organic food, and recycled furniture.

Music, Dance and Art The popular Columbia and Florida live music stages, sponsored by the Adams Morgan Partnership and Bolt Bus, anchor the Festival main entrances on 18th Street, NW. Latin and world music will energize the Florida stage. According to long-time Festival attendee, now a coordinator, Pablo Grabiel, “It’s exciting to start with an Irish Band, go to Latin Fusion and World Latin, then to Latin Jazz and Reggae, concluding with Afro funk.”

For the more daring, they might try the salsa competition scheduled for 3

p.m. The Columbia Stage, coordinated by Kat Hansen, will feature groups with roots from American music tradition, but will explore different avenues covering, rock, neo-soul, blues funk, and Afro pop.

The Dance Plaza is always a crowd pleaser with live dance lessons and workshops. People can watch, learn and dance on the temporary wooden dance floor set up on the basketball court at Marie Reed School. Sponsored by Safeway, watch belly dancing, line dancing, Latin performers and Malcolm X Drummers. A special appearance is planned by Batala DC joined by its international counterparts totaling fifty female performers together at one time.

Popular but a little quieter venues of the festival include Arts on Belmont and Jazz in the Park sponsored by Harris Teeter. Coordinated by photographer Avner Ofer, the popular Arts on Belmont opens at 10 a.m. for serious shoppers and browsing on a shady Belmont Street.

Some 45 original artisans show, dis-

cuss and sell their creations either handmade or one of-a-kind jewelry, photography, pottery, fine art, mix media, textiles and more. Items cover all price ranges and fit any budget, large or small.

Jazz in the Park is an oasis of music hosted at local Kalorama Park.

Visitors can relax in the shade and grassy area while listening to a range of jazz by vocalists and groups such as Zeebop, Andrea Wood, Lovesome Thing, John Lee Experience and Jolley Brothers. Always a popular collector’s item, the commemorative Festival T-shirt will be available throughout the Festival. Additional sponsors are DC Lottery, Comcast and Zip Car. Bank of America sponsors the Cultural Stage, located near the Kid’s Fair at Marie Reed school. Coordinated by volunteer Celestino Zapata, it showcases a broad mix of musical genres, theater, dance, and cultural performances, including students from the famed local Sitar Arts Center. The nearby Kid’s Fair offers free activities and games for all ages in a family-friendly area that includes a rock climbing wall, obstacle course and prizes. “Chalk 4 Peace” shows kids and adults how to create colorful sidewalk art with a love theme.

Executive Director, Janet LugoTafur notes that “we could not do the Festival without the tremendous support of local volunteers, who donate their time and organize vendors, layouts, work on petition signatures, stages & plazas, and execute the actual ‘day of ’!” Volunteer opportunities include working at stages, pre-festival activities, and ‘day of ’ and breakdown.

To volunteer, email VolsAMDay@ AMMainStreet.org or call 202232-1960. More information can be found on www.AdamsMorganDayFestival.com. Visitors are encouraged to use Metrorail, Metro and Circulator buses to get to and from the festival. Limited parking available at The Park at Adams Morgan (1711 Florida Ave NW.) For more info, call 202-232-1960.

Shernay Wright is a Festival Volunteer Coordinator. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 17

ELECTION SPECIAL

Gray Contests Fenty’s Plan for DC article by Paul D. Shinkman | photos by Andrew Lightman themselves at the ballot box: how do you want to see change in your city?

On Background

City Council Chairman Vincent Gray

A

drian Fenty is a man who believes in getting things done. Period. One need look no further than the laundry list of development projects he boasts of at campaign events. The firstterm mayor brought the city together to win the 2006 election. He swept each of the 142 precincts in the primaries by personally approaching residents in all eight wards, and creating a sense of unity behind a banner of change in economic development, healthcare and public safety.

But “Fenty the Unifier” soon gave way to “Fenty the Chief Executive,” reeling in power spread throughout the city–particularly in education and economic development–under the command of the Office of the Mayor.

This apparently explains why Gray is now ahead in the polls by doubledigits. Many constituents are concerned about Fenty’s arrogance – causing him to adopt a more conciliatory and selfeffacing attitude in these last few weeks of the campaign.

With Vince Gray promoting a long-term vision for the District with a significantly more thoughtful and inclusive approach to the main issues of the day, residents of the DC will ask

18 ★ East of the River

September 2010

A native Washingtonian, the professional background of Adrian Fenty, 39, is steeped in politics – after graduating from Oberlin and Howard Law School, he was staff member for Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-Mass.), and former Council member Kevin Chavous (Ward-7) before winning a seat on the Council himself in 2000 representing Ward 4. He was reelected to the position in 2004 before successfully running for mayor in 2006.

Vincent Gray, born in the District 28 years before his main opponent, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from George Washington University. He began his career working in local social service non profits, such as the DC Association for Retarded Citizens and Covenant House Washington as the founding executive director. He was first elected to the Council as the Ward 7 representative in 2004. Two years later he successfully ran for chairman.

Raise the Roof Much of the meat of Fenty’s campaign, both in public forums and through his campaign materials, has focused on expanding the control of central government, specifically development projects he has pushed through during his four-year tenure as mayor.

He cites the completion of many of these projects as a direct result of his closing the semi-governmental development organizations like the National Capital Renovation Corporation and the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation that were in control of the projects.

the city as much as they could have.

“There have been projects, there have been initiatives, but what is the strategy?” Gray inquired. In the economic development plan Gray posted on his campaign website, he lays out an eight-step plan for economic development, including restructuring the Office of the DMPED into two separate roles, one to manage real estate development and another devoted to area businesses.

“There really needs to be a component that focuses on business development, especially small businesses in the city,” he told The Capital Community News, “because they really have not gotten the focused attention that they deserve.”

Gray also cites the importance of reforming the Department of Employment Services to make it a “leader in adult training, especially when you look at the level of unemployment in the city at this stage, especially east of the [Anacostia] river.”

Fenty does not believe these, like many other smaller projects throughout the city, were operating efficiently and so he instead transferred their authority to his administration under the city’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

“Mayor Fenty has a proven track record of delivering results as the executive,” said campaign spokesman Sean Magidan. Fenty’s campaign staff was not able to schedule a time for the mayor to speak with The Capital Community News directly. “We have pushed this city much farther than anybody has ever pushed it before in three and a half years.”

Within just the southwest waterfront district, Madigan points to completed projects like the Diamond Teague park, where water-taxis ferry in and out from the area around the new Nationals baseball stadium; the Schoolhouse Rock Gray has pushed for a “birth completion of the Yards Park; the near completion of the Arena Stage renova- through 24” education plan with a tions and the groundbreaking for Ca- particular focus on a universal pre-kindergarten program available to all DC nal Park.

“Columbia Heights is probably children, a greater “parity” of funding the best example of what became of and resources between charter and NCRCs projects,” Madigan added, public schools and continuing to deexplaining how the complex was com- velop undergraduate institutions. pleted under the Fenty administration. “There are, something to the tune of in the last 10 years, now a billion dollars invested in Columbia Heights.”

Madigan cited the Columbia Heights DC USA shopping center as “the last piece of the puzzle” for that project, which he said put “a thousand people at work, at Target and Best Buy and some of the other stores there because of that project.”

However, Gray supported the existence of the NCRC and AWC and believes that the mayor’s recent development projects may not have benefitted Mayor Adrian Fenty

Gray also suggests the potential for co-mingling the public and charter school systems into one building in some instances.

“It would save everybody money, it would be an opportunity for them to share best practices, and to improve the collaboration between the two approaches to governing,” he said.

Gray calls for the expansion of the DC community college, which currently has more than 2,000 students in twelve locations by the end of the next school year, and making UDC a “flagship,” “first class university.”

While he has not committed to keeping Michelle Rhee as schools chancellor under his administration, Gray will maintain this “new governance approach,” which he voted in the City Council, and help it “continue to evolve.”

“It’s not just about a chancellor,” he said, “it’s about a new role for the Board of Education.”

Fenty, on the other hand, has based his education platform around his unwaivering support for Chancellor Rhee, who he said “makes tough decisions: she closes schools, she holds people accountable. We’ve been waiting 30 years for someone to do that in DC.” Rhee has fired hundreds of teachers, including 165 earlier this summer, for “having poor appraisals” under a new evaluation system she established.

The mayor also cites particular schools programs the chancellor has put into place, such as the arts integration program at Ludlow Taylor Elementary, the world cultures catalyst program at Payne Elementary and significant renovations to schools throughout the District, like the $90 million projected upgrades to Anacostia High School.

“The mayor supports the chancellor 100%,” Fenty’s spokesman Madigan said. “She is at the very vanguard of school reform.”

Mo’ Money Fenty has maintained the campaign promise he made four years ago to not raise taxes during his first term.

However, facing significant budget shortfalls and a nationwide recession, he has signaled recently that he is open to shifting that approach.

“It’s OK to consider raising taxes,” Fenty said at a recent mayoral forum in Ward 6.

“His approach is that the Dis-

trict of Columbia forever has had an efficiency issue,” spokesman Madigan said of Fenty. “We have to continue to keep spending within our means and raising taxes is a last resort for him.”

“At the same time, we can’t allow service delivery to fall through the floor,” he said.

The mayor also defends the “tough decisions” he has had to make during his tenure by firing more than 2,000 city employees, which he acknowledges makes people angry, “but it’s the right thing to do.”

“We can’t go back to the days when we overspent on budget, when politicians wouldn’t make tough decisions and the federal government…thought they needed to take over the city,” he added.

Fenty has approached the costoverruns in many of the city agencies under his purview by shifting monies to where he believes they will be better used; last spring he pushed to divert the funds raised from the recently implemented bag tax – slated to go to Anacostia River cleanup efforts -- towards paying for municipal street sweeping, which he argued would help protect the river.

“I think the first thing we have to do is convince people we’ve reduced expenditures down to what is absolutely necessary,” said Chairman Gray of the possibility of raising taxes under a larger umbrella plan for the city. “People are going to be more supportive of…increased taxes if they feel like there are no other options toward being able to retain certain important services.”

Gray pointed out the gasoline, cigarette and sales tax increases the City Council passed last summer after making the case that they had “squeezed a lot of reductions, first.”

The chairman has also publicly criticized the Fenty administration for raising “every fee and fine in sight,” specifically referencing increased parking meter fees that affect local businesses and force drivers to keep “nine rolls of quarters” in their pockets.

Fenty believes he has so much more to do. Gray wants to hear everyone’s ideas before implementing the next phase in a long-term plan, and believes DC is on a treacherous fiscal course. Their constituents will decide in this election when it’s the right time to shift hands at the helm. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★

19

ELECTION SPECIAL

Kwame Brown vs Vincent Orange The Fight for Council Chair

by Paul D. Shinkman Harry Thomas father-son duo -- where he served as chairman of the Committee on Government Operations with oversight over local government offices including the Chief Technology Officer, the City Administrator, the Inspector General and the office of the Mayor.

His chief contributions during his tenure include coordinating the establishment of big-name businesses in his ward, establishing a living wage and rebuilding McKinley High School.

You’re a Good Man, Kwame Brown LEFT: At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown. Photo: Andrew Lightman RIGHT: Vincent Orange. Photo: Orange for Chair Campaign

I

t’s a colorful race between Vincent Orange and Kwame Brown for Council chairman.

The first draws upon extensive academic, fiduciary and big-business experience – and a few years on the Council, to boot – as the key to becoming an effective leader for job and economic development within the city. The latter looks for support from the little guy, and is billed as a tireless, eager worker whose current colleagues are ready to see him take the reins.

Clockwork Orange Vincent Orange was born into “an extremely poor” family, he describes, and earned a scholarship to attend boarding school in Colorado.

He went on to earn BA’s in business administration and communication from the University of the Pacific, a law degree from Howard University, a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown, a certificate

20 ★ East of the River

September 2010

from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government for successfully completing the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government, and another certificate from Harvard for Crisis Management.

Among his professional positions, Orange has worked at the U.S. Department of the Army and other positions at the Pentagon, the University of the District of Columbia, the DC Department of Finance and Revenue and more recently as a government affairs lobbyist for Pepco.

Through his public and private financial positions within DC and at the Federal level, Orange has also participated in numerous trade delegations to Japan, West Africa, southeast Asia and northern Europe.

He was elected to the City Council to represent Ward 5 Council for two terms between 1999 and 2007 -- wedged between the terms of the

Brown was elected to the Council as an At-Large member in 2004 and has made a name for himself as a focused leader with great support from his fellow Council members.

After attending DC’s Woodrow Wilson public high school, Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Morgan State University. Prior to his elected office, Brown was appointed by President Clinton as a senior advisor to the US Commerce Department, where he eventually became director of the Business Liaison Office. He also served as president and CEO of the Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council.

Past and present colleagues on the City Council have pointed to Brown’s eagerness to listen, ask questions and cooperate.

“I’ve watched Kwame work extremely hard on the Council. I think he will bring the qualities that are necessary, and I think he will reach

out to people,” said Vincent Gray, who points out that he himself became the Council Chair after serving for only two years. “We all have gaps, so I think he’ll reach out in the way he needs to, to fill those gaps.”

“I remember he would come in to question me about certain programs within the department,” said Clark Ray, candidate for the At-Large Council seat and former director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “I liked the way he talked to me, and not at me.”

Brown currently serves as chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Committee, and cites his ability to concentrate on what he believes are the most important issues of the day.

“While people have been focused on the [Nationals] baseball stadium…I worked with my colleagues to open up the most modernized vocational institution in the country,” Brown told Capital Community News, referring to the “revitalization” of Phelps High School in Ward 5, which focuses on training its students in industries like architecture, construction and engineering.

Giving Them the Business Brown has worked to replicate the successful main street program on Barracks Row on Capitol Hill elsewhere in the city. He added that these kinds of environments did not exist in Ward 7, and were sparse in Wards 4, 5 and 8.

“Now we have two or three in each one of those wards,” Brown said. “And we can create more Barracks Rows in places like Martin Luther King Avenue.”

“It’s about bringing businesses in town as opposed to downtown,” he added.

Brown also pointed out the affect on industry during commercial transition, such as the recent streetcar development on H Street; local citizens expect the transit system to greatly increase property values and foot traffic, but in the interim they have to put up with upheaval to area businesses.

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Kennedy Institute – 801 Buchanan St. NE, DC 20017 Please contact Ms. JoAnne Ransome 202-281-2784 What is Early Head Start?

The EHS program enhances children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development and assists pregnant women with prenatal and postpartum care through home visits

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Pregnant women and children ages 0-3 who meet income guidelines or who have special needs.(Example: TANF, WIC, other Supplemental income)

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Parent/Child Activities/ Parental Education Support for children with disabilities Access to Occupational/Physical and Speech Therapy Child Health and Developmental Screenings Referrals for health care and other social services resources Social activities “twice per month” with other children and parents in large and small groups

Kennedy Institute – 801 Buchanan St. NE, DC 20017 Contacte por favor con Sra. JoAnne Ransome 202-281-2784 ¿Qué es Early Head Start (EHS) ?

El Programa Early Head Start enriquece el desarrollo fisico, social, emocional e intellectual del niño a traves de visitas peronalizadas con un Educador de Familia capacitado; ayunda a mujeres embarazadas acceder a cuidado amplio tal como cuidado durante el embarazo como posparto; apoya a los padres en el papel de ser padre Y los ayuda a empezar a lograr la autosuficiencia a traves de visitas en sus casas.

¿Quién es elegible?

Mujeres embarazadas y niños con edades de 0-3 anos quienes cumplan con los limites de ingresos o tengan necesidades especiales; Familias que reciban: WIC, TANF, u otro programa suplemntario

¿Cuiles servicios prove el programa?

• • • • • •

Actividas para padres y sus hijos/Educacion para padres Apoyo para niños con discapacidades acceso Acceso a Terapias Fisicas/Ocupacionales y Terapia del Habla Evaluaciones de salud y desarrollo para el niño Referencias para cuidados medicos, servicios sociales y otros recursos comunitarios Actividades sociales “dos veces al mes” en grupos grandes y pequenos con otros niños y padres.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 21

Sept. 19 Chavez Ravine, 2 p.m. A film showing the bittersweet story of how an American community in Los Angeles was displaced and became the new Dodger Stadium.

the city forward, this is a perfect example of it,” he said.

Orange, on the other hand, has used his corporate and high-finance positions, and experience in trade negotiations to aggressively push for corporate expansion in the District. On his campaign site he lists big-box stores and national chains like Bank of America, Citibank, Footlocker, Radio Shack and Shoe City, which he successfully petitioned to open branches in Ward 5 while he was a Council member.

He also cites the establishment of the Home Depot on Rhode Island Avenue.

“My approach is where there’s an opportunity to be at the table, to have a seat and participate in the discussion,” he told The Capital Community News. “With Home Depot, I found out that [former] Mayor [Anthony] Williams was going to Las Vegas to talk about development. So at my own expense, I flew out to Vegas too, and I was sitting there at the meeting.”

During this meeting the Home Depot reps were discussing putting their store on Wisconsin Avenue in Ward 3, he said.

“I jumped in and said ‘wait a minute, what about Ward 5? We have a parking impoundment lot.

That would be a great place for development,” Orange recounted, adding that the reps were also concerned about the additional funding it would take to plan for parking.

“I turned to the Mayor and said ‘you know a million dollars is not going to stop the citizens of Ward 5 from having mayor economic development,’” he added.

“And just like that, it turned around and the project in Ward 3 fell apart, and the project in Ward 5 – full speed ahead.”

Sept. 22 Create Jewelry Inspired by the Gullah Culture, 10:30 a.m. Deidre Bell will conduct a beginner’s workshop on creating beautiful and vibrant jewelry you can wear.

Providing Good Council

Public Programs at the Anacostia Community Museum Sept. 4 Film, 10:30 a.m. The Language You Cry In - 52 min. film. A historic meeting between a Mende woman of Sierra Leone and Gullah woman of Georgia linked through a song discovered by Lorenzo Dow Turner.

Sept. 4 Mambo on Film - Part 1 of 3, 2 p.m. Metro Mambo is back in a three part series. Jim Byers, host of WPFW 89.3 FM’s “Latin Flavor” presents rare and significant Latin musical and dance moments in Hollywood and world cinema. Program features dance party with Orquesta La Leyenda band.

Sept. 5 Stories for All, 1 p.m. Diane Gardner, also known as Um Attiya, shares historical, values-inspired, imaginary, and family-related stories that educate and entertain.

Sept. 11 The Gullah Islamic Connection, 1 p.m. Amir Muhammad discusses the Islamic influence among African Americans living in the Gullah region of the United States.

Sept. 12 Gullah Tales, 11 a.m. Storyteller and actor Dylan Pritchett presents a delightful afternoon of interactive Gullah tales from the South Carolina Low Country for the whole family.

Sept. 14 Discovering Our Communities: Researching “Place” in D.C. (Part 1), 7 p.m. Join Matthew Gilmore for a workshop on the use of archival records to discover the history of your neighborhood.

Sept. 15 43rd Anniversary Event, “Word, Shout, Song: Connecting Communities.”, noon at the National Press Club. The Anacostia Community Museum celebrates at a benefit luncheon featuring Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC) as honorary chair; Marquetta “Queen Quet” Goodwine, as keynote and honoring Melvin Deal, Zora Martin Felton and Josephine Wharton. For info and tickets call, 202. 633.4875 or email ACMinfo@si.edu.

Sept. 18 Making Bling! 10:30 a.m. Join Kathleen Manning in creating five basic designs for earrings.

Fee required.

Sept. 25 Cooking Up Your Family’s History—Finding Your Heritage in Food , 10:30 a.m. Historian Maria Goodwin will show how looking at food and customs can offer a lesson about your family’s history.

Sept. 26 Crocheting Bright Geechie Colors, 1 p.m. Mary Gaskins offers basic instruction in crocheting.

Sept. 28 Discovering Our Communities: Researching “Place” in D.C. (Part 2), 7 p.m. Matthew Gilmore presents on how to use local archival resources to discover the history of your neighborhood.

Reservations required, call 202.633.4844 *LAST WEEKEND to take SHUTTLE ANACOSTIA, offering free weekend roundtrip transportation service from the Mall to the Anacostia Community Museum through Labor Day Monday. Stops include several Mall museums, the Anacostia Metro and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Visit anacostia.si.edu/shuttle for schedule.

1901 Fort Pl. SE, Open 10am-5pm daily except Dec. 25. 202.633.4820 anacostia.si.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

22 ★ East of the River

September 2010

The two candidates are divided on their approach to Council committees. Orange would like to drastically reduce what he believes is bloated Council bureaucracy, while Brown thinks the direct involvement from each member fosters a greater sense of accountability in the Council.

“Having 13 committees, in my view, is too much,” Orange

said. “When you have all that, it’s like mini-mayors running around.

Everyone is calling hearings and investigations and there is no cohesiveness.”

“The motivation is to make sure the Council is an efficient and effective organization, providing aggressive oversight and without hindering the executive branch,” said Orange. “You have to have an agenda set in the beginning with a consensus on the agenda for the legislative period, and then go out and get the job done.”

Orange adds that he will reestablish a committee for education - an issue which Council Chairman Vincent Gray placed under the Committee of the Whole early into his tenure in 2007 – to add more transparency to the process by which teachers have been fired under schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. This would provide a “buy-in into the system and the teachers [will] know what they will be held accountable for.” “[Orange] believes there should only be seven committees,” said Brown. “I believe everyone should be responsible for something, whether that be small committees, large committees, and that you shouldn’t make $100,000 or so per year to work part time and not be responsible for helping to move the city forward.”

Brown said he has been working with the Council’s nonpartisan Office of Policy Analysis to “really hone in on revenue, on the expense side of the government,” to increase efficiency among committees.

“To say you’re just going to take committees from people,” he added, “I don’t know how that gets things done.”

Both men have significant issues-based professional experience. But as each mentioned to The Capital Community News, the position of Council Chair is devoted primarily to leading the 13-member body. It will be up to the winner of this fall’s election to harness past experience toward moving the people’s legislature forward.

Every currently serving member of the Council has endorsed Brown, with the exception of chairman and mayoral hopeful Vincent Gray. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 23

ELECTION SPECIAL

Mendelson vs Ray vs Brown Voter confusion may be the deciding factor

by Paul D. Shinkman

affected individuals would not be able to attend.

The mayor indirectly asked him to resign from that position in April 2009 after Ray voiced concerns about the mayor’s decision to privatize child-care programs that fell under the purview of the parks department, Ray said.

Education

Above: Clark Ray. Photo: Courtesy Ray Campaign Left: Phil Mendelson, City Council Member At Large. Photo: Andrew Lightman.

P

hil Mendelson is a steady force, evidenced by his long track record of legislative and political accomplishments during his 12-year tenure in his At-Large seat. Clark Ray bills himself as the fresh, eager alternative who is willing to bring some new approaches to the Council. While the two don’t differ tremendously on the issues at the forefront of their campaigns, they have particular common ground in their mutual frustration with Michael D. Brown: the third man running for this seat who doesn’t seem to mind that some voter’s are confusing him with the popular Michael A. Brown, a sitting member of the Council who is not up for election this year.

Fresh vs. Seasoned “What sets me apart is I have a long record and experience,” Mendelson told Capital Community News. “The record I have is one that is good on issues and responses to the community.”

24 ★ East of the River

September 2010

Mendelson came to DC to earn his BA in political science from The American University. He became involved in political activism when he joined the McLean Gardens Resident Association in 1975 to prevent the demolition of that housing complex, and served on his advisory neighborhood commission from 1979 until winning the City Council At-Large seat in 1998. Mendelson is currently the chairman of the Council’s Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.

He has had a long legislative history with environmental and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender advocacy, referencing his authoring “probably the best bill in the country with regard to parentage rights,” and his strong public support for increased hate crimes reporting to more clearly identify trends.

Crime reform has also been a large part of Mendelson’s focus, having authored two omnibus crime bills and amended 39 different laws to increase penalties for human traffick-

ing, liquid PCP usage, and tightened prohibitions for drug paraphernalia.

Challenger Clark Ray is quick to point out his own professional and academic history, offering practical experience in education, public safety, gay rights and government transparency.

Ray holds a master’s degree in administrative management from Temple University, and a bachelor’s in education which required him to student-teach 6th, 7th and 8th grade as a part of the University of Arkansas’ curriculum.

He attended the DC police academy to become a reserve officer, riding along with professional officers and walking beats around Adams Morgan at night. He also served on the City’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.

After working on the Fenty campaign, Ray eventually earned a position as director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. He pointed out his surprise at how many meetings were held during normal business hours, when parents and other

Ray has been adamant in his support for the creation of a schools chancellor position, and clear in his backing of Michelle Rhee since she took that office. But he believes the position could use some tweaks.

Ray references the decreasing confidence in the District’s school board system during his 23 years as a resident which caused many of his friends with school-age children to move to municipalities that they believed had stronger education programs. There was a clear “writing on the wall” that the city needed a new approach to education, he said.

“She’s [Rhee] got to include parents and teachers, and administrators in the process or it’s not going to be successful,” Ray said, adding, “Sit down and say ‘This is how I see it.

What are your thoughts and will you move with me?’”

In contrast, Mendelson was particularly vocal in the summer of 2007 in his opposition to the creation of a school chancellor position, and was one of only two members of Council to vote against the initiative.

His attitude has changed in the two years since Michelle Rhee became chancellor, as he now looks for someone to remain in the position long enough to be held accountable for their decisions.

“To me, one of the fundamental issues with reforming anything is that there be continuity,” he said.

Mendelson pointed out that the DC government is “marked with constantly starting over,” referring particularly to the numerous, different initiatives since 1990 aimed at reducing crime.

“If you stop and start over, then with what goes wrong next year, who will you blame it on?” he inquired.

Michael Brown or Michael Brown?

Both candidates, but particularly Mendelson, have expressed their concern that their mutual opponent for the At-Large seat, DC’s current Congressional Shadow Senator Michael Brown, garnered much of his success from voters confusing him with sitting Council member Michael A. Brown.

Candidate Brown even won the Ward 5 straw poll in late August. As a result, Mendelson has released a clarifying flyer reminiscent of a DC paper ballot, including pictures of the two Michael Browns and explaining which one is which.

“He’s doing very little campaigning,” Mendelson said, adding that Brown also beat Clark Ray in Ward 4.

“I’m a DCPS parent. I want to see the reform succeed.”

Political approach Mendelson’s logic about retaining Chancellor Rhee does not extend as far as the Mayor, for whom four years has been long enough to deem him unsuccessful, he said.

He particularly “alarmed” with the current administration’s fiscal policies, which he believes has put the city “on the brink of the abyss,” potentially relegating DC to Control Board rule.

“The way the executive handles the public and the legislature in terms of transparency and accountability, and collaborativeness is appalling,” he added.

He specifically mentioned the judiciary committee he chairs which passed eight “substantial” bills to amend the criminal law, but was “rebuffed” by the Mayor who refused “working with the Council on these issues,” said Mendelson.

“I believe that this government has slipped backwards significantly over the last four years,” he added, “and I believe Vince Gray would be a far better mayor.”

Despite never receiving a specific reason behind Fenty’s request that he resign, Ray believes that he would have a good working relationship with Mayor Fenty if he is reelected.

“I’m an adult, Adrian’s an adult,” Ray said. “I think I have demonstrated my ability to let him know when I don’t agree with him – I lost my job over it.”

“He and I interacted many

times since my removal as director,” he added. “He’s going to have to bring up the reason why.”

Ray adds that he has a “great deal of respect” for Council Chairman Gray, with whom Ray worked as Parks Department director.

Time Served Much of Ray’s criticism of Mendelson revolves around his belief that the incumbent has spent long enough on the City Council.

“Twelve years in one spot, to me, is long enough,” said Ray. “If you’re that good of a legislator, or that good of a Council member, move up or move out.”

Ray “applauds” Council member Kwame Brown for seeking the chairmanship of the Council, though he admits it is a slightly different situation, as a loss for Brown would return him to his current At-Large seat since he is not up for reelection.

“Would you say that to Eleanor Holmes Norton, or David Catania?”

Mendelson retorted to an inquiry

by Capital Community News, referencing the 19-year tenure of DC’s delegate to the US Congress, and the 13 years his colleague has spent on the City Council. “I happen to think there’s a value to experience.”

Only six of the current twelve members of the Council have been serving for longer than three years.

An approach to a position may be as important as the results. The At-Large seat isn’t broken, but it also isn’t new. Voters will decide this September: is it worth fixing? ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★

25

ELECTION SPECIAL

A Day At The Polls

Changes in This Year’s Election Procedures Early Voting, iVotronic Equipment are New this Year photos and article by Paul D. Shinkman

Chris Iglesias, 27, was the first voter to use the new iVotronic electronic voting machines.

“It was very simple,” Iglesias said of the new balloting procedures.

R

ecent legislation has ushered in a new era for DC voting procedures, providing voters with a myriad of changes aimed at preventing the errors that have plagued previous elections. However, some area residents are concerned that the changes are “too much, too soon,” and will lead to even more confusion at the polls in what is already gearing up to be a hotly contested September primary.

The new procedures set forth in the recent Omnibus Election Reform Act of 2009 include: •

•

Allowing 17-year olds to register to vote, provided they will be 18 at the time of the general election.

Allowing voters to cast their ballots early at select vot-

26 ★ East of the River

September 2010

ing stations up to two weeks before the Sept. 14 primary, starting Aug. 30.

• The implementation of new, more easily auditable electronic voting equipment.

• Not requiring a reason to request an absentee ballot.

• Allowing DC residents to register to vote on the day of the election.

The changes will also change the atmosphere of the polling stations, where an increased number of better trained poll workers will be assisting voters (who will be allowed to wear candidate paraphernalia inside) and encouraging them to use the new electronic voting machines.

New Machines The September 2008 primary

election was fraught with controversy in what Board of Elections and Ethics administrators have since determined was a “pure equipment malfunction,” causing the miscounting of thousands of votes. “[This year] we have all new machines, new software, a new vendor,” said Council member Mary Cheh (Ward3), who conducted an investigation of the 2008 primary errors. “We also have a paper trail for all votes and auditing procedures.”

Cheh also cited her confidence in the election board’s recent thorough testing to ensure the new equipment will function properly.

Rokey W. Suleman II, the DCBOEE executive director, explained how in addition to reaffirming faith in the voting process through greater transparency, the elections board is also trying to increase turnout at the polls.

The elections board has met “one on one” with each of the voting precinct captains, Suleman said, and every poll worker must pass a threehour training session familiarizing them with the new technology and the atmosphere of their specific polling station.

“We are weeding out those poll workers who are not comfortable with the technology through training and poll worker assessments,” he added.

The elections board has also implemented electronic poll books to document each voter as they check in at the polling station.

The rules for registering for the September primary are the same as in the past, except that 17-year olds will be allowed to register, provided they will be 18 by the time of the general election. Sixteen-year olds will also be allowed to “pre-register” to vote.

New registration cards will be sent to all registered voters in August, equipped with a barcode to be scanned at the polling stations allowing for a quicker check in. Voters can still bring their old registration cards to check in.

DC residents may also register on the same day they cast their ballot. These voters must present a government photo ID, bank statement, government check, paycheck or utility bill displaying their name and current address. They will then cast “special” ballots, held separately from the general votes until the elections board can confirm the veracity of the registrants’ information.

“Same day registration is great, but we prefer that you register beforehand,” said Executive Director Suleman. “It’s not going to be a quick process.”

Once polls open on primary day at 7:00 a.m., voters will be able to use “widgets” from the elections board website (dcboee.org) to determine the length of the lines at their polling stations and whether the station is functioning normally.

Upon arriving at their polling place, voters can cast a paper ballot or use the new iVotronic election voting equipment. A trained poll worker will need to activate the machine for each new voter, and will be available to help guide the voter through using the new hardware.

Starting Aug. 30 to the day before the Sept. 14 primary, voters will be allowed to cast paper or electronic ballots early at the Board of Elections office in the One Judiciary Square building (441-4 4th St. NW ) from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Four satellite polling stations will also open beginning Sept. 4:

The first voter in line, Joe Bishop, 75, casts his ballot using the new iVotronic electronic voting machines. “I think it facilitates getting the job done,” said Bishop, a former NASA employee. “And as long as they have a check in the system to make sure the electronics are working properly, then I think it’s ideal.”

Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Ave. NW) Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave. NE)

“All of these [changes] are enhancements,” added Cheh. “They aren’t something new that someone has to grapple with if you don’t want to.”

War Games Hine Junior High School (335 8th St. SE) SE Tennis and Learning Center (701 Mississippi Ave. SE) These sites will only have electronic voting, said Suleman, as maintaining paper ballots for each city precinct would be too expensive.

Change We Can Believe In? To help familiarize the general public with the changes, elections board representatives have been advertising the new elections procedures and equipment at community meetings and forums, such as the recent Ward 8 Democrats’ primary endorsement forum at Mathews Memorial Baptist Church.

Sandy Allen, the former City Council member representing Ward 8, attended the forum, and tried out the new equipment, selecting dummy candidates on the screen.

With the step-by-step assistance of Voter Outreach Coordinator Kathy Fairly, Allen was able to successfully make her choices.

Council member Cheh emphasizes this actually is not that much of a change to the voting process, pointing to the paper ballots at the polling places and the available registration process identical to previous elections. She also cites the additional training poll workers receive to help each voting location run even more smoothly.

These changes to the election process, particularly the wide-open early voting schedule, have prompted new approaches from the candidates and their campaign staffs.

Earlier this summer Mayor Fenty pocket vetoed City Council legislation calling for the prohibition of paying people to vote. A strategist for the Fenty camp and friend of the Mayor encouraged the veto because he believed the Council, led by mayoral hopeful chairman Vincent Gray, was trying to undercut Fenty campaign-sponsored concerts to register voters in the low-income African American community, according to an August Washington Post report.

Later in August the Fenty team made an unsuccessful appeal to the Board of Elections and Ethics to “interpret” election law to allow Republicans and Independents to vote in the September Democratic primary.

“Obviously any time you have something new it presents a lot of challenges but also a lot of opportunity,” said Adam Rubinson, campaign manager for Vincent Gray, of their approach to the new election policies.

Rubinson adds that voting on actual election day will not be “as ‘do or die’’ as it used to be.

For more information, visit the DC Board of Elections and Ethics website at dcboee.org. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 27

ELECTION SPECIAL

The Key Fiscal Challenge?

Recovering from the Recession

ing to adopted budgets. With DC’s finances being so tight, overspending in one area of the budget could mean another area of the budget is unfairly cut as a result.

by Jenny Reed

T

he all-important DC primaries are finally upon us.

By the time you read this, voters may have selected candidates for the November ballot – or they will very soon.

Whoever wins will inherit a city that has been hit by a devastating economic and financial storm. Poverty has risen sharply as unemployment soared to nearly 30 percent in some areas of the city. Faltering DC finances have forced cuts from libraries and recreation centers to affordable housing and adult education, just to name a few. While there actually are more jobs today than before the recession, DC residents aren’t getting those jobs. And gentrification continues to price more and more residents out of the city.

DC’s finances have received a lot of attention this election season, but the focus has been mainly on how DC’s savings account – or fund balance – has declined. That focus is puz-

28 ★ East of the River

September 2010

zling because is it really so surprising, or bad, that DC has spent down savings in a recession? Isn’t that what you do? You save during good times, to get you through the bad times. The fact that our fund balance is healthier than that of 43 states suggests the worry is overblown.

Much greater fiscal challenges facing the mayor and council next year. How will the city restore cuts to services that support neighborhoods and residents? How will DC make smart investments in training and economic development to make sure residents benefit from the economic recovery we hope to see? How can policymakers update the tax system to help the city grow out of the recession?

Here are three key issues that need to be addressed.

Getting DC Back on Its Feet Post-Recession DC’s finances will continue to

be tight for some time. Yet after three years of high unemployment and budget cuts that affected nearly every city service, the challenge for policymakers will be to set an investment agenda, especially as the economy bounces back and more jobs are created. Some of the major questions to be answered: How can we keep neighborhood services strong?

DC has built or renovated a number of libraries and recreation centers in recent years, but money to operate them has been cut. It will be important to make sure new facilities can offer a full range of services and that they are maintained for the long-term.

How can we keep DC an affordable place to live?

The recession led to huge increases in homelessness and foreclosures, and at the same time to severe cuts in funding for affordable housing.

Rents have started to rise again, after a short break in the recession, suggesting a return to the gentrification that is revitalizing the city, but also pricing out many of our neighbors. How will the Mayor and Council ensure that this city remains livable for all residents?

How will DC prepare residents for a resurging job market? DC is adding jobs, but they are not going to many of the unemployed DC residents.

Just this July, jobs in the city jumped 18,000, but the number of working DC residents actually fell. Where, and how, will policymakers make investments to help residents get the training they need to take advantage of the jobs the District is creating?

A smart investment agenda calls for clear priorities and stick-

Building a Tax System for the Future Every major source of revenue has suffered, leading to a huge drop in tax collections. Both the Mayor and Council moved to raise some revenue sources, but it was done in a haphazard way. Increases in parking rates and other fees and fines left residents feeling nickled and dimed. Increases in sales and gas taxes, among others, have fell most heavily on middle class and low-income residents.

We are now at a point where taxes paid by DC residents generally are lower than in the suburbs (no, seriously). But we have a tax system where working poor residents shell out a larger share of their income than high-income residents.

Two big questions facing the mayor and council on taxes are: Will taxes need to be raised?

Given DC’s fragile finances, this is a definite possibility. It would be better to make smart adjustments to our basic tax system than to rely on more fee and fine increases. Take DC’s income tax. The top income tax rate starts at $40,000, meaning middle-class residents and wealthy residents pay the same rate. Creating new brackets for high-income folks would be a good place to start because it makes our tax system fairer and helps us weather the financial storm. It is an approach taken by many states in recent years and endorsed by many economists.

Is it time for tax reform? There hasn’t been a hard look at DC’s tax system for over a decade. Yet there have been notable changes throughout. A comprehensive review to make sure our taxes are efficient, well matched to DC’s economy, easy to administer, and fair is in order. It’s also a good time to look at the hundreds of tax exemptions and credits on the books. Not only could this strengthen DC’s financ-

es, but some have been on the books for years and years, and may no longer be giving DC much bang for the buck.

Making the Most of Economic Development Investments As DC’s economic engine starts to rev up again, we’ll be looking to see how the Mayor and Council target development aid to areas that need it the most, how they will use economic development to create more quality jobs, and how they will help small neighborhood businesses.

Getting a handle on DC’s latest economic development craze – tax abatements for big developments – is important both to DC finances and a better economic investment strategy. An increasing number of developers and businesses have come to DC officials asking for tax breaks that cost the city tens of millions of dollars each year. Yet, research finds that they don’t really encourage new development (most tax abatements are sought after a business has decided to locate), they tend to favor big businesses over small local businesses (think of DC’s attempt to lure Northrop Grumman), and no one is checking to see if the businesses actually need the abatement to move their projects forward.

A Focus on DC’s Future The fiscal health of the District is important, but focusing simply on DC’s savings account balance doesn’t tell us all we need to know. Instead, focusing on how policymakers will reinvest in our city and its residents, reform our tax system, and get a handle on economic development will go a long to setting a fiscal policy agenda that will address DC’s biggest fiscal problem – getting out of the recession.

Jenny Reed is a policy analyst with the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 29

Bulletin Board Deanwood Community Day On Saturday, Sept. 18, noon-4:00 PM, at the Deanwood Recreation Center, be a part of this grand celebration! Enjoy fun, food and fellowship for the whole family. The day features a rock climbing wall, live music, dancing, safari petting zoo, a talent showcase, trackless train, moon bounces, face painting, games and choirs. Please bring non-perishable foods. Free. 1350 49th St. NE. 202-399-4750.

Free Home Energy Audits from DDOE If you are a homeowner in the District of Columbia and your home is a single-family house or townhouse (no condominiums or co-ops) and 4,000 sq. ft. or less, you can get a free home energy audit from District Ddeparment of the Environment. This program promotes energy efficiency assessments for single family homes. Based on a home energy rating system, auditors will suggest specific cost-effective, energy efficient improvements that should be done to reduce the home’s operational costs and improve comfort. Such improvements and ratings may help you qualify for lower rate mortgages or energy efficiency home mortgages. Your energy rating should also help sellers be more attractive to home buyers. Apply online at ddoe.dc.gov

“Beat The Streets” Community Event

Feet in the Street An annual event at Fort Dupont Park sponsored by the National Park Service and the District Department of Transportation that encourages people to walk, bike, run or skate on the parks roads instead of traveling by car. This active recreation event includes a host of partner organizations and features free activities such as exercise classes, a rock climbing wall, face painters, nature hikes, a 5K fun run and more... Roads were closed in the park from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for all of the fun! You can find out more about other activities at Fort Dupont by checking us out on the web at www.nps.gov/fodu 30 ★ East of the River

September 2010

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Patrol Services and School Security Bureau in conjunction with the Seventh District are hosting a “Beat the Streets” event on Friday. Sept. 24, 4:00-8:00 PM at Ketcham Elementary School, 15th and U sts. SE. “Beat the Streets” focuses on celebrating peace in violent neighborhoods, promoting togetherness and providing vital social services to residents in need. Local bands, step teams, community dancers and multiple youth performances will be featured. They are asking for your support to encourage community participation. For more information or to participate, please contact Lendia Johnson at 202-439-5475 or Officer Arthur Douglas at 202-576-6600.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Workshop Series DDOE and DPR are hosting free educational, hands-on workshops at various locations around the city to help property owners create unique and important habitat for wildlife on their own land. The workshops will include presentations on conservation landscaping and gardening for wildlife, plant selection, general landscape design principles and how to do a site assessment. Participants will help plant a demonstration garden at the workshop site, and will receive a habitat kit at the conclusion of the workshop. Preregistration is required. For more information or to sign up please visit ddoe. dc.gov/fisheries and click on “Backyard Habitat Education.”

Penn. Ave. Great Streets Project Revitalization Acceleration After receiving a number of comments and concerns about the impact the Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets Project has had on local residents and businesses, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced that work on this construction project has been accelerated. Originally designed as a four-phased project, DDOT has reviewed the current scope of work and determined the portion of the project, currently under construction between 27th St. SE and Branch Ave. SE, can be consolidated into one larger phase allowing construction to be finished by the end of October 2010, instead of December 2011. In order to successfully complete this portion of the project on an accelerated schedule, work hours will be extended to 7:00 AM-10:00 PM, 7 days a week and construction work zones will be expanded.

If you have any questions please contact DDOT Project Engineer Luan Tran at 202-671-4649.

Housing Workshop @ Deanwood Center On Saturday, Sept. 18, 10:00 AM1:00 PM the DC Office of Planning will host a workshop on DC agency housing, tax and energy efficiency programs. There will be a drawing for home energy audits and Nationals

Clark/Smoot, acting as General Contractor, in conjunction with Hines|Archstone, Master Developer is hosting a Pre-Solicitation Workshop for construction subcontractors for CityCenterDC. Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Place: Embassy Suites Hotel 900 10th Street NW Washington DC 20001 Time: Session I - 8:30 am to 10:30 am – Exterior & M/E/P Contractors Lunch Session – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm – CBE Joint Ventures Session II - 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Finish & Specialty Trades

The CityCenterDC project will include the construction of two office buildings, two apartment buildings, and two condominium buildings, plus underground parking and extensive site work. This work will be bid in fall 2010. Topics to be covered at the workshop include contracting requirements and bid schedule, with a working lunch session from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on CBE joint venture requirements (all trades are welcomed – pre-registration is required).

Please register online at www.citycenterdc.com by September 3, 2010.

For more information about the Pre-solicitation Workshop, contact Chrystal Stowe at Clark/Smoot, 202/243-6688 or via email at cstowe@srsmoot.com.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 31

baseball tickets. Free. Deanwood Community Center and Library, 1350 49th St. NE. 202724-4314.

DDOT Reopens DC 295 Pedestrian Bridge

Animal Clinic of Anacostia Candace A. Ashley, DVM 20 years of serving Capitol Hill (minutes from Capitol Hill & Southwest via 11th Street Bridge)

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE

202.889.8900 American Express, MasterCard, Visa & Discover accepted

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has reopened the pedestrian bridge over DC 295, restoring an important link between Anacostia High School and the Anacostia Pool/Fitness. With the bridge open, DDOT has ended its temporary shuttle service transporting local children between the school and the pool/fitness center where they swim and participate in summer jobs and feeding programs.

“ReCREATE” Art Exhibition in DC The ReCREATE art exhibition is accepting submissions for its green-themed inaugural show at the new Center for Green Urbanism’s Tubman-Mahan Art Gallery. In keeping with the “green” mission of the gallery, ReCREATE focuses on art created from items that are normally thrown away but can be recycled. Submissions must be postmarked by Sept. 10. Save the date for the center’s grand opening on October 15, which will include an open house for the exhibit. The Gallery is part of the Center for Green Urbanism, a new eco-friendly business incubator facility providing office space for small to mid-sized businesses and start-ups interested in locating to Ward 7. It is located at 3938 Benning Rd. NE on the edge of Fort Mahan Park, a national park site and gateway to the Fort Circle Park Trail. 240-304-6354. www.centerforgreenurbanism.org.

Anacostia HS Class of 1970 40th Reunion The reunion will celebrate with two spiritfilled events on October 9, 2010, at the Camelot

by Martin’s. There will be a prayer breakfast in the morning and an evening dinner. The Camelot by Martin’s is at 13905 Central Ave. Upper Marlboro. MD. For those who want to have some fun in the sun, our class is sponsoring a 6-day 5-night trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, October 11 – 16, 2010. Individuals interested in any of these events may contact Lawrence Thurston, 202-832-2239; Gwendolyn Black McFadden, 202 584-1050; Pam Brown Smith, 202-582-4316; or email us at anacostia70@aol.com

COME JOIN US FOR “A MEETING AT THE WELL” 2 NIGHT CHURCH REVIVAL Thursday, September 30th & Friday, Oct. 1st, 7:00PM Faith Presbyterian Church 4161 South Capitol Street, SW Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-2035 Rev. Bernice Parker-Jones check us out on: www.faithpchurch.org or email us at: www.faith.church@verizon.net

32 ★ East of the River

September 2010

More Pedestrian Crosswalk Beacons Just in time for the start of the new school year, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is installing new warning beacons with flashing lights to help pedestrians of all ages safely cross four busy, and previously uncontrolled, intersections in the District.

DDOT is installing solar-powered rapidflashing crosswalk beacons at the following locations in Ward 8: Alabama Ave. and 15th Pl.

Faith Mitchell, author of “HooDoo Medicine: Gullah Herbal Remedies,” is guest speaker at the benefit luncheon, “Word, Shout, Song – Connecting Communities” on Sept. 15 at the National Press Club celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum. Congressman James “Jim” Clyburn (SC) is honorary chair for the benefit. Gullah advocate Marquetta “Queen Quet” Goodwine is keynoter at the event which honors Melvin Deal, founder of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers among the awardees and features an auction including work by Sam Gilliam, Faith Ringgold, David Driskell and Jonathan Green. For tickets and more info call 202. 633.4875 or email ACMinfo@si.edu

SE (This location serves pedestrians walking to a new restaurant, as well as nearby housing, shopping center and bus stops.) and Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. and Milwaukee Pl. SE (This location serves children walking to and from a nearby school and utilizing nearby bus stops.). Prior to entering the crosswalks, pedestrians push a button to activate the beacons.

As seen in the photo above, the solar-powered beacons emit yellow LED light clusters that signal to approaching vehicles that pedestrians are waiting to cross the road at the crosswalk. ddot.dc.gov

Anacostia Community Museum, 43rd Anniversary Luncheon: Word, Shout, Song!

The theme of this year’s special luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 15, noon-2:00 PM, celebrates the exhibition “Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner Connecting Communities through Language.” The keynote speaker is Marquetta L. Goodwine, known as Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/ Geechee Nation.

Goodwine is a native of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, and one of the expert commissioners for South Carolina for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, one of forty congressionally designated National Heritage Areas. Melvin Deal, founder and director of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, is the 2010 honoree for the John R. Kinard Leadership in Community Service

Award. Tickets are $125 each, a portion of which is tax deductible. For more information or to reserve your tickets, please call 202-633-4875 or email ACMinfo@si.edu.

Writer’s Evening On Monday, Sept. 27, 6:00-8:00 PM, there will be an informal and informative evening where writers can learn such things as what an agent can do for you and what is the latest in publishing law. There will be a question and answer session with some of DC’s top publishing attorneys and agents, including panelists: Gail Ross, Elaine English, Jeff Kleinman and John Mason, Esq. $15.

International Arts & Artists Hillyer Gallery, 9 Hillyer Ct. NW. 202-3380680. www.artsandartists.org

Capital City Church’s KidsFest At Lincoln Park on Saturday, Sept. 11, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, there will be fun and games for kids, ages 14 and under, and their parents, including: face painting, a temporary tattoo parlor, bike decorating, honey bee hoedown, square dancing, capture the flag, 3 legged race, doggie treats and more! Be sure to be there at 10:00 AM for a special performance from the renowned band “Rocknoceros”-one of the hottest kids’ bands around!

Free. It’s B.Y.O.P, so bring your own picnic! 202-234-3716. www.capcitychurch.com/kidsfest

“Setting The Captives Free” Addictions Ministry “Setting the Captives Free” is a ministry designed to help those who are having difficulty dealing with life situations and feel stuck. They help those who feel abandoned, cast aside, left out, dismissed, abused, neglected, and judged. The program is on Mondays from 7:00-8:30 PM. It offers intake services, assessment, individual and group counseling, referral services and case management. 3440 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-581-9100.

Become a Founding Member of Capital Bikeshare Cyclists in the Washington area can now sign up in advance for Capital Bikeshare, the regional bikesharing network that is scheduled to start service this month in DC and Arlington, Virginia. The program’s website is now live at www.capital-

bikeshare.com and by signing up online. For a limited time, Capital Bikeshare is offering annual memberships for $50. That is $25 off the regular annual price. One thousand bikes will be available at 100 locations throughout the District in all 8 wards as well as 14 more stations in the Crystal City and Pentagon City areas of Arlington County. The station locations are still being finalized. Visit www.capitalbikeshare. com for more information.

Arena Stage Pilot Class of Theater 101 The newest venture of the American Voices New Play Institute launches this fall with Theater 101, an audience enrichment seminar designed to deepen audiences’ understanding of the development of new plays. The program will start at the end of September in the Mead Center for American Theater.

Program participants will be limited to 50, and enrollment will be held on a first-come, first-served basis.

The registration fee, which includes the price of one ticket to see “every tongue confess,” is $75, or $50 for participants under 30. Participants will follow the production’s development from the first rehearsal through its opening, with several behind-the-scenes opportunities.

Each event will be followed by a discussion with members of the artistic staff at Arena Stage. All events will take place in the evenings and during weekends, and a specific schedule will be announced at a later date. Participants can register at arenastage.org/new-play-institure/ theater-101. For more information on Theater 101 or other programs of the American Voices New Play Institute, visit www.arenastage.org.

202-488-4377.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School Correction In August “East of the River,” we stated in error that St. Anselm’s Abbey School tuition is $26,022.

Their tuition is $20,600 for middle school and $21,300 for high school.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School is an independently owned and operated Roman Catholic boys. It is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington and under the authority of the Archbishop. ★

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33

MORE TO A

BUTTERFLY THAN MEETS THE

EYE Yvonne Corbett Photographs Nature

by Krystle Cantu

A

iry, cream-colored butterflies cluster in verdant leafy bushes. Yvonne Corbett steps out her front door, with a camera in hand and ventures next door to her neighbor’s garden, her favorite place for photography. The butterflies continue to dance between leaves and tulips. She snaps a photo.

Corbett is known for her butterfly photographs and other nature photography. The 70-year old Washington native has been taking pictures of nature since she was twelve. Corbett took her first picture in the Botanical Gardens on a trip with several family members and friends. It was there, on an Easter Sunday in her first pair of heels, that Corbett fell in love with nature photography and her first picture.

“It was just of a flower, of course,” she laughs. “As soon as I could get a camera, I did, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”

Flash Forward Corbett, wife and mother of two, now resides on the southeast side of Westover Drive, up on a hill. She occupies the calm, nature-set household with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandkids. The tranquil home is filled with artwork and Corbett’s photos of course. Red and white couches furnish the livingroom with a glass table in the center. The stairs and railing are carved, handmade from wood in an artistic theme. Corbett’s husband, Kenneth, is the talented wood carver in the family. Her daughter, Kim, sings and designs cell phone covers made of jewels and stones and anything else creatively imaginable. Michael, her son, produces music for a record company and plays the drums.

“We’re a very talented and gifted family,” Corbett says.

Life is essentially what drew Corbett into photography and photographing nature is her real passion.

“I’ve played on and off with different types of photography,” Corbett says. “But the flowers and the butterflies and the birds, they move me to where I can’t even describe the feeling. They’re so calming,” she says. “I can’t wait for the spring and summer. I get really excited.”

Along with photography, Corbett possesses other artistic talents, including writing and painting. She has written and published a book of poetry with her own photos and illustrations, titled “Birth of a Lover.” She has also held a variety of careers before her retire-

Enchanted. Photo by Yvonne Corbett

TOP (left to right) 1. Yvonne Corbett. Photo by Krystle Cantu 2. Angel Wings.

BOTTOM (left to right) 3. The Color of Me. 4. I am.

Photos by Yvonne Corbett

ment from attending nursing school to cosmetology.

Devotion to the Craft Heat, rain, sleet or snow, nothing stops Corbett from taking a picture.

“I‘ll go out in the rain,” she laughs. “Ever heard of those people that will do anything to get a picture? Well, I’m one of them.”

Once, when she was scheduled to pick up her granddaughter, she spied an orange and blue butterfly and couldn’t resist its charms.

“It was just sitting right there for me,” Corbett chuckles. “I was a

little late picking her up, but I got my picture.”

Her new challenge-subject is a black, white and red butterfly. Corbett has managed to photograph it once, but is still in search for that prizewinning picture.

“I have one,” she says. “But it’s not really what I want.”

Technique and Inspiration Corbett’s photos are both serene and intense. Her photographs take you on a safari, filling the senses with adventure and inquisition. Corbett likes nature photography because it brings life to a slower pace.

“This is a hard world and sometimes you just need to come out and relax and see something” she says. “ I think that’s what my pictures do.”

For her photos, Corbett uses a digital 12x zoom Sony 6mg steady shot and an 18x zoom Lumix Panasonic. Corbett said she usually has to set the aperture and speed for the Sony camera, but the Lumix simply does it on it’s own. Corbett does most of her shooting outdoors and makes excellent use of natural light.

Her greatest shots manifest from “spur of the moment” mixed with a “natural eye.”

“It just happens,” she says.

“When I look at my pictures, I’m amazed and I think if I’m amazed, I guess other people will be.”

Other Goals Corbett said her next agenda in photography is to master indoor and night pictures. Corbett plans to pursue more of night and indoor photography, and of course continue to shoot her outdoor nature photos for all to see. Though she insists, she is no master at anything.

“I would like to say that I’m still learning instead of mastering,” She says. “Because mastering sounds so final.” ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 35

east washington life

Good Eats

Maple View Deli & Catering Down-home Cooking and Great People article & photos by Nikki Peele

TOP: 1. My delicious tilapia dinner ABOVE (left to right): 1. Miss Rose: the sweetest thing in Maple View Deli 3. Maple View Deli & Catering in Historic Anacostia

Maple View Deli and Catering: 1208 Maple View Place SE • 202-610-6150 Monday – Saturday, 7am-8pm • Sunday, 10am-5pm

36 ★ East of the River

September 2010

I

never stop being amazed at all the East of the River gems that I’m discovering. Lately, I have been spending a lot of time in Anacostia and even after living in Ward 8 for three years, it is so exciting to know that there are still so many great places to see and great people to meet. A recent Saturday was one of those awesome days where a chance encounter leads to a lifelong memory. Out doing my weekend errands, I popped into Maple View Deli and Catering located at 1208 Maple View Place, SE in Historic Anacostia.

Don’t let the exterior fool you!

Behind the window bars is a very charming, very warm clean and inviting place to eat. Although I’m not a fan of ordering from behind glass, the friendly and inviting service more than makes up for it. Maple View has more in common with a down-home southern kitchen.

The darling owner and chef, Ms. Rose, makes it hard not to fall in love with her instantly. Ms. Rose is a lifelong Anacostia resident who has three passions in life: The Lord, her Anacostia neighborhood and serving delicious food at reasonable prices. With the slowing economy, things have been very tough for this small business; most of the original staff had to be laid off while the deli works to make ends meet through catering jobs. However, Ms. Rose is committed to keeping her shop open and serving the community with her mouth-watering ribs, fried fish, half-smokes, t-bone steaks, meatballs, hot wings, homemade macaroni and cheese, greens, rice and gravy and her AMAZING sweet tea.

Ms. Rose reminds you of your charming grandmother or aunt, the one who always calls you “Honey” or “Baby”, who always has something mouthwatering cooking in the kitchen. In no time flat after our very first meeting, she was calling out to her niece Kirsten who assists with the cooking, “Kirsten, get

Community Child Development Center

this baby a tilapia dinner!”

My fried tilapia was soooooo good! It was tender, mouthwatering and flavorful all at the same time. My macaroni and cheese was made from scratch and my greens had that smoky turkey flavor that reminds you of the South - regardless of where you were born. My tilapia platter also came with dinner rolls and Ms. Rose even threw in some pound cake for dessert -- okay two pound cakes -- don’t judge me.

My experience at Maple View Deli was a great one and I will be going back again very soon, not only for the excellent eats, but for the great company.

Check out Maple View Deli today. Either for breakfast, lunch or dinner and please try them for catering.

They have lots of experience doing catering and the presentation is top-notch. From the staff uniforms, to food presentation, Maple View deli is focused on the details and their experience catering wedding receptions, baby showers, school events, etc make them a great option for your catering needs. Maple View is a great treat and a gem in our community. It is well worth your time and business!

Nikki Peele is a Ward 8 resident, community activist, and blogger for Congress Heights on the Rise (www.congressheightsontherise. com) and River East DC Blogs (www.redcblogs.com). She is the founder and principal of reSPIN Public Relations, a boutique public relations and social media f irm focused on the River East community. You can reach Nikki at nikki@respindc.com. ★

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east washington life

Living Local, Viva Local

Animal Clinic of Anacostia Nothing is too good for my little ones article & photos by Veronica O. Davis

Dr. Candance Ashley with client.

I

used to make fun of pet owners that treated their pets like children. You know the ones that talk to their pets like babies. I never understood how people could treat their pets like they were people until I became a pet owner. Yes, I am THAT pet owner who talks to their pets like they are people.

Last year I adopted two Tibetan Spaniels that I named Roxie and Joanie. From the moment I first saw their little faces at the animal shelter, I knew I was going to spoil them rotten. I wanted them to have the best of everything…

38 ★ East of the River

September 2010

the best food, toys, blankets, and most importantly their veterinarian. I was driving them all the way to Alexandria, Virginia for routine check-ups, shots, and monthly medications, when a neighbor told me that the best place to take them was the Animal Clinic of Anacostia at 2210 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, right in my own back yard.

I still thought the clinic in Alexandria would be better than one in Anacostia (in my myopic view).

But, as part of my challenge to live local, I decided to at least give the Animal Clinic of Anacostia a try.

I called their number (202-889-

8900) to get their hours of operation. While the hours are a little unorthodox, they make sense for working people. Most weekdays they have morning and late afternoon/early evening hours.

Since no appointment is necessary, I arrived promptly at the start of their afternoon hours thinking that I was going to have to wait forever. At our old veterinarian you could wait up to twenty minutes despite having an appointment and arriving before your appointment time. Roxie, Joanie, and I walked into the Animal Clinic of Anacostia and within seconds we were handed ‘New Patient’ paperwork. Before I could even sign, we were called back for their examination. Dr. Candace Ashley spent a few moments getting to know my dogs by talking to them while rubbing them behind their ears. Even though both of my dogs have a fear of doctors, Dr. Ashley’s warm spirit and the coziness of the office immediately put them at ease.

The examination, including an annual check up, vaccinations and drawing blood for tests took less than ten minutes for both dogs.

We were in and out of the office is

less than 20 minutes, the amount of time I would have still been waiting to be seen by the veterinarian at the other office--not to mention the forty minute round-trip commute time from my neighborhood to Alexandria. Another plus for the Animal Clinic of Anacostia is it is significantly cheaper than the place I was taking them. For example, a vaccination that was $56 in Alexandria was only $26 at Animal Clinic of Anacostia. That is a $60 savings for two dogs.

I’m really glad my challenge to live local forced me to look at local businesses in a different way.

Without this challenge, I would have never stepped foot in the Animal Clinic of Anacostia and Roxie and Joanie would have missed out on a great veterinarian. Now if some enterprising individual opens a doggy daycare and boarding East of the River, we will be your faithful customers.

Animal Clinic of Anacostia is located at 2210 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, 202-889-8900. The clinic also offers grooming and boarding services.

Veronica O. Davis is a resident of Ward 7 and manages the blog, Life in the Village (http://fairfaxvillage. blogspot.com) ★

Back to School Giving and Receiving

by Lisa Raymond

T

his year, my twins are in first grade and the night before school started was a restless one for me. Although they’ve been in school for three years, thanks to DC’s commitment to early education, this was a big deal -- a new campus, unfamiliar teachers and most exciting of all (to them), lockers. I was comforted that many of their friends and the parents that we have gotten to know would

be joining them on this journey, but I was worried.

I wondered about the overall health of their school. I know that test scores aren’t everything, but the fact that their school hadn’t made AYP this year was somewhat troubling. Were the teachers and administrators up to the task of moving this school forward? I worried about my children’s experience: Would they like their new teachers? Would they

be ok eating lunch in a large cafeteria and being around big kids? I’m happy to report that so far the answers seem to be “yes.” But now that the immediate worry has passed, my thoughts have moved to how I can help support the school as a whole, my children’s classrooms and their education as individuals.

Education is an experience of giving and receiving. On the receiving side, your child(ren) deserve a high quality education. This includes effective teachers, school leaders and other staff who ensure that your child, and all children, are learning and that they have the unique help that they need; a well-maintained building that supports learning; and opportunities beyond the basic curriculum – like fine arts and physical education courses – that meet students’ needs and interests.

The giving part is in the hands of parents and others who help schools. This may sound simple – “I can just go and paint the cafeteria or sell some holiday wrapping paper.” But anyone who’s volunteered to help a school knows that it’s much more complicated. As a parent, I look at the needs of my children and their school and then figure out how much time I can carve out of my schedule. All volunteers wrestle with the questions of where they are most needed and where they can have the greatest impact.

Do we focus on one individual child or one specific classroom, or do we work to improve the entire school?

Can we offer help that will make the entire system better?

All of these types of volunteering are crucial for schools – you just need to figure out what is most needed and where your skills and schedule can fit. For parents like me whose schools didn’t meet AYP, we can ask our principal to publicly explain the results in detail and share his or her plan for helping more

kids reach proficiency (the receiving). Then we can figure out how to support this plan (the giving). If the principal thinks that more kids need one-on-one reading support, I could help organize a reading buddy program or just sign up to read with one child each week. If he or she wants to supplement the curriculum with extra materials or field trips to reinforce the learning standards, I could raise money, volunteer to organize a trip or serve as a chaperone.

Using your time to share information with leaders beyond the school walls is a type of volunteer work and can ultimately help improve the entire system. Whether you send an email to the Chancellor or meet with a charter school’s board of directors, know that good leaders use individual feedback to make policy changes that can improve things for lots of kids. Improvements to school nutrition or safety don’t happen in a vacuum; policies change when parents and others work within schools and then share their concerns and their successes with “higher-ups.”

The first thing I’ve volunteered to do is bring healthy afternoon snacks for my son’s class. His teacher feels that this will help the class focus more on their lessons; makes perfect sense to me, and healthy eating is one of my personal passions.

A small step, but still forward motion. So give some serious thought to how you as a parent – or one of the many wonderful volunteers who give of their time because they care and they believe that our city is only as strong as our schools – can best support learning for your child and for all children in DC. For more ideas, contact the National Coalition for Parent Involvement www.ncpie.org. Also, AARP has a Grandparent Information Center for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and need ideas about getting involved: 800-424-3410 or www.aarp.org/grandparents/.

Lisa Raymond is the Ward 6 Member of the DC State Board of Education, a parent of two DCPS students and an education consultant. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 39

east washington life

Roosevelt’s Culinary Arts Students Win Big article & photos by Jazelle Hunt

LEFT: (From left to right) Lewis Dunn, Markus Freeman, Malasia Hasan, Angela Johnson, and Aaron Johnson thank their instructor and mentors for their hard work.

The five students competed in the national NAACP ACT-SO culinary arts competition to win a total of $84,000 in scholarships.

BOTTOM (left to right): 1. Gold medalist Markus Freeman poses with his trophies.

He will be attending The Culinary Institute of America this fall with a $44,000 scholarship. 2. Rising-junior Malasia Hasan (right) seen here with her mother and trophies, took home the silver medal and $30,000.

3. Bronze medalist Angela Johnson will be attending Stratford University with $10,000 when she graduates in 2012.

F

ive students from the Culinary Arts Program at Roosevelt Senior High School were honored at a ceremony last month for their success in the pilot run of the national NAACP ACT-SO Culinary Arts competition. Roosevelt was chosen from a national pool of high-school level culinary programs for their enthusiasm and integrated approach to foodservice industry education.

Lewis Dunn, Markus Freeman, Malasia Hasan, Aaron Johnson, and

40 ★ East of the River

September 2010

Angela Johnson competed against one another in a challenge that required an entrepreneurial business plan for a culinary endeavor, an original three-course menu, and two hours to prepare the menu for a panel of judges from the foodservice industry.

Recent-graduate Markus Freeman was awarded first place, along with a $44,000 scholarship to The Culinary Institute of America and a personal set of professional knives.

Rising-junior Malasia Hasan was

the second place winner, earning a $30,000 scholarship toward her post-secondary education when she graduates in two years. In third place, rising-junior Angela Johnson was awarded $10,000 toward Stratford University when she graduates. Lewis Dunn and Aaron Johnson were also honored for their hard work and participation. Each participant received a monogrammed chef jacket, a trophy, a copy of Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg, and personal recognition from their Sodexo sponsors and school administrators.

The ceremony was held at the Roosevelt Inn (a student-run café within the school), and was catered by other Culinary Arts Program students. About 50 guests came to show their support, family and friends, representatives from Sodexo who helped the students prepare, and school administrators, including Roosevelt’s new principal Dr. Ivor Mitchell. “[The students] have set a great example here,” he announced to the guests. “And we couldn’t have this progress without excellent educators like Chef Monroe, our other partners, and resources.”

Program instructor Chef Fredrick Monroe added, “We are very proud of our students. It was a great event, the kids had a wonderful time, and they got the opportunity to present several skills, especially their business plans.”

The NAACP Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics is a youth initiative which gives African American teens from across the country the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills for national recognition and scholarship money. Thanks to a partnership with Sodexho and Hyatt Hotels, this year marks the first culinary arts competition and the first time in decades that another category has been added to the program. There are 26 other categories in total, including architecture, filmmaking, computer science, and sculpture. ★

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HOMES & GARDENS

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 $385,000 $335,000 $200,000 $149,000 $120,000 $120,000 $85,000 $65,000

2 2 3 1 2 2 1 1

$149,000 $106,000

1 1

$260,000 $235,000 $170,000

1 2 2

$270,000 $265,000 $205,000 $195,000 $180,000 $175,000

3 3 2 2 2 2

BARRY FARMS 1502 HOWARD RD SE 2641 WADE RD SE

CHILLUM 129 LONGFELLOW ST NW 5411 NORTH CAPITOL ST NE 6626 BLAIR RD NW

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3221 10TH PL SE 115 MISSISSIPPI AVE SE 806 HR DR SE 109 DANBURY ST SW 3318 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE 1123 VARNEY ST SE

42 ★ East of the River

September 2010

$149,900 $129,000 $85,000 $75,000

2 2 1 2

$224,000 $199,999 $199,000 $178,000 $73,000 $70,636 $62,000 $60,000 $58,500 $58,000 $55,500 $41,500 $32,900

2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

$239,900 $224,000 $222,000 $220,000 $200,000 $151,900

2 2 2 2 2 2

$294,900 $182,000

2 2

DEANWOOD

ANACOSTIA 2203 RETTA GILLIAM CT SE 1984 RETTA GILLIAM CT SE 1532 V ST SE 1626 W ST SE 1339 T ST SE 1617 W ST SE 1400 S ST SE 1603 U ST SE

1337 BARNABY TER SE 729 CONGRESS ST SE 3910 1ST ST SE 509 BRANDYWINE ST SE 4261 BROOKS ST NE 4642 HAYES ST NE 818 51ST ST NE 4501 EADS ST NE 1013 47TH ST NE 5639 CLAY PL NE 839 52ND ST NE 4410 EADS ST NE 218 63RD ST NE 804 51ST ST NE 5003 JUST ST NE 4251 CLAY ST NE 305 47TH ST NE

FORT DUPONT PARK 1550 41ST ST SE 4242 NASH ST SE 1736 40TH ST SE 801 ADRIAN ST SE 4365 F ST SE 1610 FORT DUPONT ST SE

HILL CREST 3642 CAMDEN ST SE 3469 MASSACHUSETTS AVE SE

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$270,000 $49,000

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RANDLE HEIGHTS 3113 20TH ST SE 3210 BUENA VISTA TER SE

CONDOs ANACOSTIA 1611 T ST SE #1 2320 CHESTER ST SE #103

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 43

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The NOSE

SEPTEMBER | 2010

“Not That” Brown

by Anonymous

A

fter being buried in campaign mailers, hounded by midnight robotic voices and hiding from idiotic, paid door knockers, The Nose has lost interest in the contest between Mayor Blackberry and The Undertaker, since it all boils down to a simple choice between THE JERK and ANTI JERK. Overwhelmed by ennui, The Nose turned his attention to the At-Large race, which has evolved into a food fight between Phil “The Nitpicker” Mendelson, Clark “The Castaway” Ray and Michael “Not That” Brown.

What’s in a name? Michael D. Brown, whom we call Shadow Senator, by any other name would never poll so well.

By finessing his middle initial, “Not That” Brown has thrown a wrench into the electoral plans of The Nitpicker and The Castaway without raising a dime in campaign funds or even walking Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue.

Brown’s brilliant strategy of political brand confusion has inspired The Nose to throw his own hat into the ring. Yes, there is a general election after the District’s Democratic Primary. Dear Readers, you are the first to know -- The Nose is running for Mayor.

To assist in this Sisyphean endeavor, a secret cabal of The Nose’s dwindling fraternity recently assembled around his dining room table to select his new moniker. Here is snippet of their deliberations: Reporter 1: “What about Mahatma Gandhi?”

Reporter 2: “Nah, that won’t work. Folks will think they are voting for the Chief Financial Officer. You know, the guy that lost 50 million dollars to a second rate swindler.”

Reporter 3: “Jesus Christ is always a good choice.”

Reporter 2: “Well, we’ll certainly pick up the religious vote, but gay voters will think we are funded by Stand for Marriage.”

The Nose: “What about Barrack Hussein Obama?”

Reporter 1: “The only ones who will object to that

46 ★ East of the River

September 2010

are the Birthers. None of them pay taxes in the District. It’s perfect.”

And so, The Nose acquired a new name. While adopting the President’s brand might earn the votes of the ignorant, the District’s political cognoscenti demand that every candidate state their governing intentions unambiguously. Cribbed from that spoof of international politics, the movie “Duck Soup,” these are the laws of The Nose’s proposed administration...

No one’s allowed to toke Or tell a dirty joke And fraternity parties are forbidden.

If a councilman is sued, The debtor is pursued And in the hoosegow hidden.

If any form of pleasure is prohibited, Report to me, and it will be exhibited.

I’ll put my foot down, so shall it be.

DC is the land of the Fee. The last man nearly ruined this place.

He didn’t know what to do with it.

If you think this city’s bad off now, Just wait ‘til I get through with it.

The District’s def icit must be f ixed, And I know what to do with it.

If you think the tax rate is too high, Just wait ‘til I get through with it.

I will not stand for anything that’s crooked or unfair.

I’m strictly on the up and up, So developers beware.

If a contractor is caught taking graft And I don’t get my share, We stand ‘em up against the wall, And bang goes the handgun.

To assist with the execution of his platform, The Nose secured a permit for his own personal safety device from a reluctant Cathy “The Gunslinger” Lanier and Peter “Consigliere” Nickles. Turns out, it’s easier to get a legal gun than to process a FOIA; who knew?

So, all you politicians be warned! One more midnight robocall on the phone, and The Nose will make use of his new toy. Campaign signs make excellent targets. ★

Advice to Our New Mayor

by Charles E. Wilson

F

our years ago I walked to the voting polls as an undecided voter. I was torn about who actually deserved my vote. There was a sense of excitement about a young City Council candidate, Adrian Fenty.

As a young professional who had just moved to the city, my friends tried to persuade me that because Fenty is young, like we are, that we should support him with our vote.

However, I was hesitant to vote for Adrian Fenty because of my perception that as a Council Member he was unwilling to work with his colleagues on the dais. It seemed that he was more of a do-it-yourself type leader. That concerned me because in order to run a small community organization or a world-class city like Washington, DC, you need to be able to bring many parts of the community to the table to move an agenda forward.

By the way, I did not vote for Fenty; I was just too nervous about his working style.

Now, four years later, I’m not sure who will win this election, but I have advice for the front running candidates. First, Mayor Fenty, If you are re-elected, I hope you realize you have a greater responsibility than just making Washington, DC the best city it can be. You also represent young politicians around the city who may want to follow in your footsteps. Your last four years in office have made it difficult for that to happen. This is, in part, because the seniors who have held the community up on their shoulders for so many years are concerned about young politicians pushing them to the side and not including them in on the decision-making process.

I remember discussing with you at the end of Collaborative Candidate forum hosted in Ward 8 which was

co-sponsored by the River East Emerging Leaders, your willingness to change your approach while achieving the same end goal. This can be your legacy. You can be the Mayor that made it possible for young people to rise in local politics and government Chairman Gray, if you are elected as Mayor, I hope you value participating in conversations with young professionals across the city. I am hoping that if you are elected Mayor, that you will reserve several seats at the table for young leaders. In order for the City to grow and prosper, there is a need to have young people in leadership positions to carry the torch of those who came before us.

One of the turn-offs about politics and even business is that the older generation is unwilling or has failed to mold and shape young minds to take the helm. It seems folks are scared to relinquish power for fear of being tossed aside. As a result, young people are uninterested in taking on leadership roles because they have not been groomed. This can be your legacy. You can be the Mayor that made it possible for young people to rise in local politics and government I am still not sure who will win, but this is definitely an exciting election season. The Ward 7 and 8 Communities will be sure to benefit because this election has “rekindled the fire” behind improving the quality of life for those East of the River.

No matter who wins, I expect some big changes and improved development to happen soon.

Charles E. Wilson is a neighborhood activist in Historic Anacostia in Ward 8. He is running for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Single Member District 8A04.

He can be reached at charleswilsonhu@gmail.com. ★

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