Hill Rag Magazine March 2016 by Capital Community News

hillrag.com â&#x20AC;˘ March 2016

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THE SECOND ANNUAL

DICK WOLF LECTURE F R I D A Y , M A R C H 1 8 AT 7 P . M . T H E H I L L C E N T E R - 9 2 1 P E N N S Y L VA N I A AV E S E

The 2016 prize winner, Brook Hill, a student at Georgetown Law School, will address the question of: “How To Retain Affordable Housing and Its Contribution to Maintaining Character of Place?” A champagne reception will follow. The event is free, handicapped accessible and the public is encouraged to attend. Dick Wolf (1933-2012) was one of the District’s most ardent and effective visionaries in terms of community planning, sound neighborhood development and historic preservation. The Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture program seeks to preserve and advance that vision.

Capitol Hill is a special place. We promote, preserve, and enhance the character of our historic neighborhoods.

Join Us Today at 202-543-0425; info@chrs.org; www.chrs.org; @CHRSDC 10 H Hillrag.com

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Grant, Ryall & Andrew are proud to salute

Don Denton

and our Coldwell Banker colleagues for decades of community involvement, hands-on support and financial contributions which continue to make our Capitol Hill community what it is today!

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to be a part of this team and the vibrant fabric of this dynamic neighborhood! Thank you for your continued confidence in us.

Grant Griffith, (202) 741-1685 | Ryall Smith, (202) 741-1781 | Andrew Glasow, (202) 741-1654 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Don Denton, VP Broker | 605 Pennsylvania Ave SE, WDC 20003 - Main: 202.547. 3525

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Real Estate Broker

5,000 $1,69 LISTED JUST

Capitol Hill / Eastern Market

,500 $749 LISTED JUST

0s h $30 N – Hig G SOO COMIN

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Brookland

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Capitol Hill / Lincoln Park

,000 $420 TRACT N O C R UNDE

,022 $409 TRACT N O C R UNDE

800 A Street SE 5BR/3.5BA

3109 17th Street NE 4BR/2.5BA

00 $340,0 RACT CONT R E D UN

,000 $635 RACT CONT R E D UN

Cheverly, MD

16th Street Heights / Brightwood

6016 Hawthorne Street 4BR/2BA

1357 Nicholson St NW 3 units, 6BR/4BA

1710 Gales Street NE 6 Residential Units

Hillcrest

3305 Highwood Drive SE 5BR/3BA

1130 Constitution Ave NE 2BR/2.5BA

Anacostia Park

669 Anacostia Avenue NE 3BR/2.5BA

R ALE O FOR S

,500 $249 RENT

Baltimore, MD

1826 Fleet Street 3BR/1BA

$764,7 GONE

Capitol Hill

245 12th Street SE 3BR/1BA

Participating Food / Beverage Vendors

“In addition to helping Buyers and Sellers on greater Capitol Hill & DC for over 14 years, we are committed to building community in Arlington, Alexandria & close-in MD.”

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside?

homes and gardens SPECIAL

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Washington

Calendar

164 Classified Ads 170 Last Word

How to Make the Most of a Home Remodeling

Roscoe and the Undercover Knight

Special Capitol Hill Multi-Family Roofing Project

Seven Small Trees for Capitol Hill Gardens

Planting Time

Dear Garden Problem Lady

Bruce Wentworth, AIA

Project

In every issue: 20

Virginia Avniel Spatz Tom Daniel

Cheryl Corson

Catherine Plume Wendy Blair

capitol streets 65

Bulletin Board

Historic Preservation Fails Archibald Walk

Kathleen Donner

Andrew Lightman Andrew Lightman

The Death of Archibald Alley

South by West

Mayor Unveils Southwest Shelter Plan

The Numbers: Why We Should Protect Our Industrial Areas

Mar. William Rich

from Disappearing

Andrew Lightman

Ed Lazere

ANC 6A Report

Elizabeth Nelson

ANC 6B Report

Jonathan Neeley

ANC 6C Report

Christinia Ruston

ANC 6D Report

Andrew Lightman

ANC 6E Report

Steve Holton

Thanks to Neighborhood Police

Carol Anderson

community life 93

Heard on the Hill

What the Hill?

Reverend Michael Wilker

Giving the Gift of Music

100

Our River: The Anacostia

102

H Street Life

104

Activities Increase with Warmer Weather in the

Jared Stern Stephanie Deutsch Christinia Ruston Bill Matuszeski

Elise Bernard

Capitol Riverfront 106

Jen DeMayo

Michael Stevens

Bike Collection for Bikes for the World at the Hill Center

Will Haislmaier

119

on the cover: “Bloomers” by Jill Brantley. Acrylic with mixed media collage, 28” x 22”. See more of her work at Touchstone Gallery: 901 New York Avenue NW, Wash., DC 20001. 202-347-2787. www.touchstonegallery.com. Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11AM-6PM, Saturday-Sunday 12PM-5PM.Jill’s paintings are about color, pattern, texture and found objects all working together to create an image that evokes curiosity and visual excitement in the viewer. More of her work can also be seen at www.jillbrantleyart.com.

107

Past Leaders & Present Portraits at Hill Center’s

Young Artists Gallery

Elizabeth Nelson

real estate 109

Benning Road Emerges as Gateway to

Shaun Courtney

111

Capitol Hill Residential Market 2015

112

Changing Hands

Don Denton

arts and dining 119

A Robust Theater Season Gathers Steam

Barbara Wells

122

Ambar: A Unique Balkan Treat in the City

Meghan Markey

124

Wine Girl: Schneider’s

126

At the Movies

128

Art and The City

130

The Literary Hill

131

The Poetic Hill

Lilia Coffin

Mike Canning Jim Magner Karen Lyon Karen Lyon

health and fitness 135

Tae Kwon Do Master Erica Gutman

138

The Problem with Praise

Pattie Cinelli

Dr. Meg van Achterberg

140

Training Chewbacca for a DC Marathon

Stacy Peterson

142

A Real Threat to Dogs and Their People

Dan Teich, DVM

kids and family 145

Kids & Family Notebook

152

School Notes

Kathleen Donner

Susan Braun Johnson

Chiropractic Adjustments Reduce Blood Pressure A pilot chiropractic study, run in part by Dr. Dickholtz, showed delicate chiropractic adjustments on the upper neck can reduce blood pressure 17 points in its subjects. The lead author on the investigation is one of the world’s foremost experts in hypertension. Dr. Dickholtz passed away a few months ago at age 91. He had been contacted by a wellknown cancer researcher to do a second study on the effects of chiropractic on the immune systems of cancer patients. He will be sorely missed. For the better health and life experience of you and your family Capitol Hill Chiropractic Center 411 East Capitol St., SE 202.544.6035.

Watch the ABC News report on the Blood Pressure study on www.capitolhillchiropractic.com Serving The Capitol Hill Community Since 1984

WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking Cradles • Easy Street Slingshots are Back

EST.

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

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Marlow Heights Shopping Center 4123 Branch Ave. Marlow Heights, MD

301-702 1401 www.simplywide.com

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Real Estate

Kids & Family

Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com

Homes & Gardens

Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com Cheryl Corson • cheryl@cherylcorson.com

Commentary

Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com The Last Word • editorial@hilllrag.com

Society News

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The Great Vigil of Easter at the National Cathedral

The Great Vigil of Easter is on Saturday night, March 26, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Passes are required for entry. Passes for the Easter Vigil and 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Easter services are available at cathedral.org or by calling 202-537-2228. There is complimentary parking in the Cathedral parking garage. “On this night, Christ broke the bonds of death and rose victorious from the grave. We light the Easter fire and hear the stories of God’s redeeming work among God’s people. As solemn chant turns to joyful song, we baptize new Christians and worshipers ring bells to announce the Resurrection.” Photo: D. Thomas, Washington National Cathedral

Kay WalkingStick: An American Artist

“Kay WalkingStick: An American Artist” is the first major retrospective of the artistic career of Kay WalkingStick (b. 1935), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and one of the world’s most celebrated artists of Native American ancestry. Over decades of intense and prolific artistic production, WalkingStick sought spiritual truth through the acts of painting and metaphysical reflection. Featuring more than 65 of her most notable paintings, drawings, small sculptures, notebooks and well-known diptychs, the exhibition traces her career over more than four decades. It culminates with her recent paintings of monumental landscapes and Native places. At the National Museum of the American Indian through Sept. 18, 2016. nmai.si.edu.

Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee, b. 1935), New Mexico Desert, 2011. Oil on wood panel, 40 x 80 x 2 in. Purchased through a special gift from the Louise Ann Williams Endowment, 2013. National Museum of the American Indian 26/9250.

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Virginia Horse Festival at the Meadow

The Virginia House Festival is held April 1 to 3 at The Meadow, home of Secretariat, in Doswell, Va. The festival features horse health clinics, demonstrations, everything-for-the-horse-and-rider vendors, a Parade of Breeds and the annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration. The birthday celebration at The Meadow Event Park honors not only “Big Red,” but also his birthplace. 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of Meadow Stable in 1936. Doswell is about 85 miles south of DC on interstate 95. Adult oneday admission is $12 ($15 at gate) and kids one-day admission is $7 ($10 at gate). A three day pass is $20 ($25 at gate). virginiahorsefestival.com.

The Wild Irish Roses, Dueling Fiddlers. Photo: Courtesy of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Washington, DC

St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC

The 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC, is on Sunday, March 13, at noon on Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th Streets NW. Over 100 marching bands, military units, dance schools, floats and a variety of other organizations participate. This annual parade has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred participants on Massachusetts Avenue to a mile long, two-hour celebration of Irish culture along Constitution Avenue. dcstpatsparade.com.

Mustang Makeover Finals held at the 2015 Virginia Horse Festival. Photo: Kathy Dixon

US Botanic Garden Production Facility Open House

Rarely does the public get to see the US Botanic Garden (USBG) growing facility, the largest greenhouse complex supporting a public garden in the United States. The site, completed in 1994, includes 85,000 square feet under glass that is divided into 34 greenhouse bays and 16 environmental zones. In addition to foliage and nursery crops, see all of the USBG collection including orchids, medicinal, carnivorous, rare and endangered species. At the open houses, get a brief orientation to the facility, meet the gardeners, ask questions and wander through this working wonderland of plants. Fifty people are allowed per entry time. The open house is on March 12 with entry times at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. $10 entrance fee. Pre-registration required. usbg.gov. US Botanic Garden staff talk with visitors amidst cacti at the 2015 Production Facility Open House. Photo: US Botanic Garden

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M A R C H CALENDAR Blossom Kite Festival. April 2, 10 AM to 4:30 PM. The Blossom Kite Festival kicks off the kite flying season with five areas to explore and enjoy: The Competition & Demonstration Field, The Family Field, The Kite Club Display Area, activity tents, and The Public Field. Free. Washington Monument grounds, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street NW. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

SAINT PATRICK’S Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria. March 5, 12:30 PM. The parade steps off at the intersection of King and Alfred Streets. ballyshaners.org. ShamrockFest. March 12, 3 to 11 PM. ShamrockFest is America’s largest St. Paddy’s Day celebration features Celtic and alternative rock. RFK Stadium. shamrockfest.com. Christ Church St Patrick’s Dinner and Auction. March 12, 5 PM, silent auction begins; 6:30 PM, dinner served. For more than 40 years Christ Church has celebrated St. Patrick’s with a feast

Photo: Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

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of corned beef and cabbage. Cost for adults is $25 a person. The silent auction begins at 5 PM. Dinner is served at 6:30 PM. Childcare provided. Christ Church, 620 G St. SE. 202-547-9300. washingtonparish.org. Gaithersburg Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. March 12, 10 AM to noon. Rio Washingtonian Center. gaithersburgmd.gov. IRISH BARS Molly Malone’s. March 17, 11 AM to 3 AM. Drink specials. 713 Eighth St. SE. 202-547-1222. mollymalonescapitolhillsaloon.com.

CAPITOL HILL VILLAGE CORNER

Capitol Hill Village – helping the community navigate the future.

Capitol Hill Village is improving how it supports community members. Beginning in April CHV has two new offerings Star and Shamrock. March 17, 8 AM to 1:30 AM. Drink specials. Live music in evening. 1341 H St. NE. 202388-3833. starandshamrock.com. Hawk ‘n’ Dove. March 17, 11 AM to 2 AM. Irish menu. 329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-547-0030. hawkndovedc.com. Kelly’s Irish Times. March 17, 11 AMto 1:30 AM. Live Irish music starts at noon. 14 F St. NW. 202-543-5433. kellysirishtimesdc.com. Dubliner. March 17, 10 AM to 2 AM. Three bands on two stages and giveaways. Full menus served with $10 cover. The Dubliner also features live Irish music every night at 9 PM; Sundays at 7:30 PM. 4 F St. NW. 202-737-3773. dublinerdc.com. Rí Rá Georgetown. March 17, 9 AM to 2 AM. Live music and drink specials. 3125 M St. NW. 202-7512111. rira.com. Fado Irish Pub. March 17, 8 AM to 2 AM. Full Irish breakfast. $10 cover starts at noon; live music at 2 PM. 808 Seventh St. NW. 202-789-0066. fadoirishpub.com. James Hobans Irish Restaurant & Bar. March 17, 9 AM to 2 AM. Live music. 1 Dupont Circle NW. 202-2238440. jameshobansdc.com.

EASTER

The Great Vigil of Easter at National Cathedral. March 26, 8 PM. Intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues. NW. 202-5376200. nationalcathedral.org. Solemn Easter Vigil Mass at National Shrine. March 26, 8 PM. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202526-8300. nationalshrine.com. Easter Sunrise Service at Lincoln Memorial. March 27, (rain or shine),

Resources and Referrals for the broader community. Capitol Hill Village will make its resource and referral services available to non-members for $75.00 an hour, beginning April 1, 2016. these services are available for any resident within our boundaries—such as a senior whose children may or may not live on Capitol Hill, or an adult child who lives on Capitol Hill but whose parents do not. This service is provided on an “as available” basis. The services will be scheduled and coordinated, not provided on a drop-in basis or in crisis. Services may include: 1. Resources and referrals for legal, medical, health, documents. This includes explanations, referrals and articles, etc. It can also include connections/ introductions to service providers. It may include research on providers outside of DC (out of state). 2. Senior Family planning: working with families to facilitate family conversations, provide counseling services and referrals / recommendations. This may include a home visit (on Capitol Hill), research on resources outside DC, facilitation among various family members. 3. Transition Planning: Support to families whose members are going from hospital to re-habilitation facility, or from re-habilitation to long-term nursing care, or from home to assisted living. These new methods are meant to provide services for Capitol Hill residents across the community in new and dynamic ways. It will put Capitol Hill Village in a position to expand dialogue about longevity and aging in community. New Membership Category: CHV is introducing a new membership category for households that have delayed joining the Village, but need services, volunteer supports and expertise with some urgency. Individuals who are not Village members, but find themselves needing support and guidance can join at an $800 and $1200 / year for individuals and households respectively. This rate is for those who have not been members but need a range of services. Individuals who have been members and have invested in Village programs will not experience any increase in rates if/when they need care services. The new rates will go into effect April 1, 2016. Rates for members who join without needing urgent care services will remain at $530 and $800/year for individuals and households respectively. This rate has been in effect since January 2009.

The Key to Your Community

Have you seen? Have you heard? Capitol Hill Village’s numerous free, public programs? • March 9: Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Prevention: Attend CHV’s Medicare/ Medicaid Fraud Prevention Class A Local Expert from the Senior Medicare Patrol Program will discuss: Preventions on Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse Medicare/Medicaid Identity Theft How to Read Your Medicare Summary Notice Legal Services Resources • March 10: Bikinis, Atom Bombs, and U.S. Debt to the Marshall Islands The U.S. was spared atomic bombs, but the U.S. territory of the Marshall Islands was not. The U.S. conducted 67 atomic tests in the Marshall Islands. 62 years later, Trudy Peterson will talk about these nuclear tests, the lasting effects on the Islanders, and the unresolved debt. • March 19, 10-11:30: Social Media for the Non Tweeter. A speaker from Tech Moxie will speak about what social media is and why this dynamic technology is so compelling and important and how newbies can understand and use it without becoming Iphone zombies. • March 23: How can diet improve arthritis symptoms? Have lunch with us and learn about how diet can be a great antidote to arthritis. Stacy Peterson, MS, MA, CHHC, CSCS, USAW Nutrition Based Holistic Health, Wellness & Sports Performance coach will speak and give a cooking demonstration.

Coming this spring – • Health, housing and community wellness – what should it look like on Capitol Hill? • Financial planning, supplementing income and managing costs – a series for the newly retired.

Let’s Talk. www.capitolhillvillage.org • info@capitolhillvillage.org

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{march events calendar}

27, 8 AM and 11 AM. 1357 East Capitol St. SE. 202-547-2036. holycomforterstcypriandc.parishesonline.com. St. Marks Episcopal Church. Easter Vigil, March 26, 8 PM; Easter Holy Eucharist at 8:45 AM and 11:15 AM; Contemplative Eucharist at 5 PM. Easter Egg Hunt, 10 AM. 118 Third St. SE. 202-543-0053. stmarks.net.

MUSIC Sunday Concerts at the Phillips. Feb. 28, Steven Osborne, piano; March 6, Jordi Savall, viol; March 13, Christopher Park, pianos; March 20, Sandbox Percussion/Amphion Quartet; March 27, Richard Goode, piano; April 3, Valentin Uryupin & Stanislav Khristenko, clarinet and piano; April 10, Ingolf Wunder, piano. $30, $15 for members, students and visitors 6 to 18; includes museum admission for day of the concert. Reservations recommended. phillipscollection.org/music. Blues Night in Southwest. Every Monday, 6 to 9 PM. Feb. 29, Bad Influence Band; March 7, Danny Blew & the Blues Crew; March 14, Lou Jerome Band; March 21, Nadine Rae & the All-Stars; March 28, Vintage #18 Blues Band. The cover is $5. Children are free under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc.org.

Aura Curiatlas premieres new work at Atlas Performing Arts Center. For all ages.

Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre in Dream Logic. March 5, 7 PM; March 6, 5 PM; March 11, 8 PM; March 12, 3 PM and 8 PM; March 13, 7 PM. Join Aura Curiatlas to find enchantment in ordinary situations presented in unexpected ways through theatre, dance and acrobatics. $20. Read more at ACPhysicalTheatre.com. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-3997993. atlasarts.org. 6:30 AM. Thousands gather annually at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate Easter. Lincoln Memorial.

Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. March 27, 10:45 AM. 421 Seward Sq. SE. 202-546-1000. chumc.net.

Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington Cemetery. March 27, 6:15 AM. The Easter Sunrise Service at the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater will begin with a musical prelude. There is no rail service at this hour but parking is free. 703-607-8000. arlingtoncemetery.org.

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. March 27, 11 AM. Easter egg hunt follows service. 201 Fourth St. SE. 202-547-8676. capitolhillpreschurch.org.

Festival Holy Eucharist at National Cathedral. March 27, 8 AM and 11 AM (free tickets required); 4 PM, Evensong on Easter Day; 5:15 PM, Organ Recital. Intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW. 202-537-6200. nationalcathedral.org. Easter Sunday Mass at National Shrine. March 27, 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, noon, 4:30 PM. Spanish Mass at 1:30 PM. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com.

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Christ Church on Capitol Hill. March 27, 9 AM and 11 AM. Easter egg hunt on grounds following each service. 620 G St. SE. 202-547-9300. washingtonparish.org. St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill. Easter Vigil Mass, March 26, 8 PM. Easter Sunday Masses at 9 AM, 11 AM and 1 PM. 313 Second St. SE. 202-547-1430. saintpetersdc.org Lutheran Church of the Reformation. March 27, 8:30 AM and 11 AM. 212 East Capitol St. NE. 202-543-4200. reformationdc.org. Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Roman Catholic Church. March

Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Every Tuesday, 12:10 PM. March 1, Washington Bach Consort; March 8, Sarah Biber, cello Jeremy Filsell, piano; March 15, The Choir of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK; March 22, Richard Giarusso, Baritone Lauren Rausch, violin Jeremy Filsell, continuo; March 29, Andrew Sords, Violin Ina Mirtcheva, piano; April 5, Washington Bach Consort. Free, but offering taken. 1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org. Music at Mr. Henry’s. March 3, Karen Jonas; March 4, Dial 251 for Jazz; March 5, Tacha Coleman Parr; March 10, Hollertown; March 11, The Kevin Cordt Quartet; March 12, Kim Scudera with Batida Diferente; March 17, By & By; March 18, Anthony Compton; March 19, Renee Tannenbaum with Dial 251; March 24, Roof Beams; March 25, Aaron L. Myers II; March 26, Cecily; March 31, Stewart Lewis. Capitol Hill Jazz Jam every Wednesday night. Shows run 8 to 11 PM.; doors open at 6 PM; no cover; two items per person minimum. Henry’s Upstairs, 601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-546-8412. mrhenrysdc.com. Jazz Night in Southwest. Every Friday, 6 to 9 PM. March 4, Michael Thomas Quintet; March 11, Eric Byrd & Friends; March 18, Shannon Gunn & the Bullettes; March 25, Tribute to Calvin Jones and Jazz Night at the Movies, 9:15 PM, Gloria Lynne – I Wish You Love; April 1, The Fabulous Sharon Clark; April 8, Howard University Jazz Ensemble. The cover is $5. Children are free under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-

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484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc. org. Music at Rock and Roll Hotel. March 4, Aztec Sun; March 5, Common Kings; March 8, RNDM; March 9, Porches and Alex G; March 10, Shearwater; March 11, Mount Moriah; March 12, White Ford Bronco and DJS Rex Roit & Basscamp; March 13, Those Darlins â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farewell Tour;â&#x20AC;? March 15, Trixie Whitney; March 16, Foxing; March 17-18, J Roddy Walston & The Business; March 19, DJS Rex Roit & Basscamp; March 26, The Family Crest; March 28, Intronaut; March 29, Basia Bulat; April 1, Autolux; April 3, Young Fathers. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. 202-388-7625. rockandrollhoteldc.com. Music at Ebenezers. March 5, Max Garcia Conover & Ben Cosgrove; March 19, Frank Viele. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, 201 F St. NE. 202-5586900. ebenezerscoffeehouse.com Music at the Library of Congress. March 10, noon, The Anchiskhati Ensemble; March 23, noon, Cheick Hamala Diabate Ensemble. These free concerts are in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov. Music at the Atlas. March 12, Great Noise Ensemble DANCEWORKS; March 13, Capital City Symphony Haunted Topography, Heavenly Life; March 17 to 20, Congressional Chorus-Tinseltown A Hollywood Cabaret. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org. Folger Consort Playing with Fire. March 18 to 20. Virtuoso instrumental music of the Renaissance. $25-$40. Folger Theater, 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077. folger.edu. Society of the Cincinnati Concerts. April 2, 10:30 AM, William Baskin, acoustic guitar; May 21, 10:30 AM,

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Together for the first time, the Capitol Hill Chorale and Voce Chamber Singers perform choral masterworks by Monteverdi, Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Rheinberger and the Chorale’s Composer-in-Residence, Kevin Siegfried.

Saturday, Mar. 12 at 7:30 pm | Sunday, Mar. 13 at 4:00 pm Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 201 4th Street, SE (4th and Independence Ave., SE) Tickets $25, preferred seating | $20, general seating $15, 30 and under | Free, 12 and under

www.capitolhillchorale.org | voce.org

Holy Comforter – Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church A welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family

LENT & EASTER EVENTS 2016 Reconciliation (Penance) Every Wednesday 6:30-7:15pm

Holy Thursday (3/24) Mass at 7:00pm

Lenten Soup & Scripture Series Every Wednesday at 6:30pm A lite meal along with scripture study

Good Friday (3/25) Neighborhood Stations at 12noon Chorale Stations w/Music Ministry at 3:00pm Passion of the Lord (Youth Pageant) at 7:00pm

Eucharistic Adoration (Holy Hour) Every Friday from 6:00-7:00pm Stations of the Cross Every Friday from 7:00-7:45pm Palm Sunday (3/20) Mass at 8:00am, 11:00am & 7:00pm

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (3/26) Mass at 8:00pm Easter Sunday (3/27) Mass at 8:00am 11:00am & 7:00pm

1357 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 www.hcscchurch.org • 202-546-1885 Weekend & Daily Mass Schedule

Sunday: 8:00am, 11:00am & 7:00pm Saturday: 8:00am & 4:30pm (vigil) • Weekdays: 7:00am (chapel)

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Beau Soir Ensemble. Free. Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202785-2040. societyofthecincinnati.org.

THEATER AND FILM

The City of Conversation at Arena. Through March 6. Georgetown hostess Hester Ferris runs in an elite circle, opening her home for political foes to lay down arms and raise a glass. When her son’s formidable, conservative wife comes on the scene, the parlor pleasantries of DC’s past descend into entrenched posturing and an ultimatum that could implode the family. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org. Constellations at Studio. Through March 6. On paper, the romance between Marianne and Roland seems improbable, if not impossible: she’s a theoretical physicist; he’s a beekeeper. If there were only one universe, they might not be together. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202332-3300. studiotheatre.org. Spooky Action Presents Collaborators by John Hodge. Through March 6. Thursday to Saturday, 8 PM; Sundays, 3 PM. Recipient of the 2012 Lawrence Olivier Award for Best New Play, Collaborators is a darkly comic take on an imaginary relationship between Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov and dictator Joseph Stalin--who is the author and, who is writing history? 1810 16th St. NW. 202-248-0301. spookyaction.org. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Folger. Extended through March 13. This magical comedy of tangled lovers, mischievous fairies—and a band of players to boot—is given a fresh, new staging by Aaron Posner, with DC favorites Holly Twyford as Bottom and Erin Weaver as Puck. Folger Theater, 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077. folger.edu. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf at Anacostia Playhouse. Through March 26. This stirring choreopoem weaves together 20 separate poems with music and movement to tell the stories of love, empowerment, and struggle of seven African American

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women. Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. theateralliance.com. Word Becomes Flesh at Anacostia Playhouse. Through March 26. Through spoken word, dance, djing, and visual images, a collective of performers delivers a series of letters from a single father to his unborn son, documenting the range of emotions, fears, and expectations. theateralliance.com. Othello at Shakespeare. Through March 27. Among the exotic airs and mysterious shadows of Cyprus, newly married and promoted Moorish general Othello finds himself the pawn in the manipulative games of his right-hand man, Iago. As his imagination is poisoned, Othello turns on his new bride Desdemona and his loyal lieutenant Cassio, and rapidly spirals from hero to villain in one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies. Sidney Harman Hall, 10 F St. NW. 202547-1122. shakespearetheatre.org. The Lion at Arena. Through April 10. Singer/songwriter Benjamin Scheuer’s solo musical The Lion makes its Washington, DC debut at Arena Stage. Scheuer uses his guitar to take audiences on a rock ‘n’ roll journey and tell a comingof-age story that explores his transition from boyhood to manhood. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org. The Flick at Signature. March 1 to April 17. The Flick follows the story of three employees at a crumbling Massachusetts movie theatre. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Shirlington. signaturetheatre.org. Journalism in DC Film Series at the Hill Center. March 4, All the President’s Men; March 11, Broadcast News; March 18, Shattered Glass; March 25, State of Play. All movies at 7 PM. Mike Canning, author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC” continues his examination of films made in and about Washington with this series of screenings that looks at how Hollywood has treated the media in our capital city. Free. Reg-

ister online at hillcenterdc.org or call 202-549-4172. Screening of Spotlight. March 5, 7:30 PM. Film screening and discussion its ethical implications afterward. Alice Bellis, Professor of Hebrew Bible at Howard University School of Divinity, will lead the discussion. Free. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SE. The Merchant Workshop--A Shakespeare Staging. March 6 to 8. A company of six artists will explore workshop stagings of several scenes from one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays, in an effort to reclaim it from a modern discourse. $5 minimum donation. Eastman Studio Theatre, Elstad Annex at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. 800-838-3006. factionoffools.org. Howard Jacobson Retells The Merchant of Venice. March 14, 7:30 PM. The Man Booker Prize-winning novelist Howard Jacobson reads from his novel, “Shylock Is My Name,” and discusses it with Helen Hayes Award-winning playwright and director Aaron Posner at Folger Shakespeare Library. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at folger. edu or by calling 202-544-7077. Environmental Film Festival. March 15 to 26. An Art That Nature Makes at the Folger Shakespeare Library on March 22 and at THEARC in SE on March 23; and Saving Jamaica Bay, on March 24 at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library in NE. dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org. Moment at Studio. March 16 to April 24. In the suburbs of Dublin, a longabsent son returns home to visit his ailing mother. But his reappearance— and the welcome he receives—ignites his sisters’ long-simmering resentments and sets the siblings on a collision course over his criminal past. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202332-3300. studiotheatre.org. Mosaic’s After the War at the Atlas. March 24 to April 17. This new play from the author of The Admission

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tells the story of Joel, a world-famous concert pianist and Israeli expatriate who returns to Tel Aviv following an 18-year absence to perform with the Israeli Philharmonic. Buy tickets at mosaictheater.org. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-3997993. atlasarts.org. All the Way at Arena. April 1 to May 8. Robert Schenkkan’s Tony Award-winning drama All the Way, about President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s impassioned struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org.

SPORTS AND FITNESS Washington Wizards Basketball. Feb. 29; March 5, 14, 16, 19, 23 and 25; April 6, 10 and 13. Verizon Center. nba. com/wizards. Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. March 2, 4, 15, 18, 26 and 28; April 5 and 7. Verizon Center. capitals.nhl.com. Washington Capitals Practice Schedule. Non-game day, 10:30 AM; game day, 10 AM; and day after game, 11 AM. All practices are at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, 627 No. Glebe Rd., Suite 800, Arlington, VA. They are free and open to the public. kettlercapitalsiceplex.com. Boxing at DC Armory. March 5, 10 PM. WBA Interim Heavyweight World Champion Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) will make his first title defense of 2016 when he faces former world title challenger Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (40-6, 27 KOs) in 12-round main event at the DC Armory. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3 to 10 PM. Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. March 10, noon to 7 PM, and March 11, 10 AM to 7 PM. Free and open to the public, this expo, at the DC Armory, features the lat-

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est in running technologies, fitness apparel, health and nutrition information and interactive displays. runrocknroll.com/dc. Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. March 12, 7:30 AM. Starts at Constitution Avenue at 14th Street NW. runrocknroll.competitor.com/dc. Washington Nationals Spring Training Games at Nat’s Park. April 1, 6:10 PM, and April 2, 12:05 PM; vs. Twins. Home Opener on April 7, 4:05 PM vs. Marlins. washington.nationals.mlb.com. Canal Park Ice Skating. Through midMarch. Monday and Tuesday, noon to 7 PM; Wednesday to Friday, noon to 9 PM; Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM; and Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM. Adults are $9; children/ seniors/military are $8; and skate rental is $4. Holidays hours vary. Canal Park is at 202 M St. SE. canalparkdc.org. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Skating. Through March 13. Open Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 9 PM; Fridays, 10 AM to 11 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 11 PM; Sundays, 11 AM to 9 PM. $8.50 for adults; $7.50 for age 50 and over, age 12 and under, and students with a valid school ID for two hour session beginning on the hour. $3 for skate rental. Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-216-9397. nga.gov. Washington Harbor Ice Rink. Through mid-March. Monday-Tuesday, noon to 7 PM; Wednesday to Thursday, noon to 9 PM; Fridays, noon to 10 PM; Saturdays, 10 AM to 10 PM; Sundays, 10 AM to 7 PM. Skating is $9-$10. Skate rental is $5. Washington Harbor is at 3050 K St. NW. 202-706-7666. thewashingtonharbour.com. (indoor) Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon to 2 PM, and Saturdays 12:45 to 1:45 PM. Public Skate, $5 for adults (13-64); $4 for seniors and children (5 to 12); $3, skate

March 2016 H 31

rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org. Zumba @ Southwest Library. Mondays, 7 PM. Instructor Roshaunda Jenkins will lead this one-hour fitness and dance workout – all fitness levels welcome. The class is free and no registration required. Southwest Neighborhood Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. 202724-4752. dclibrary.org/southwest. Yoga with Caroline at Northeast Library. Wednesdays, 7 PM. Bring water and a mat and wear comfortable clothing to this free class. All levels welcome. Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 Seventh St. NE. 202698-0058. dclibrary.org/northeast.

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Friends of Southeast Library Book Sale. Monthly on the second Saturday (March 12), 10 AM to 3 PM. Most books are $1. Proceeds benefit children’s programs. Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 Seventh St. SE. 202-698-3377. dclibrary. org/southeast. Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. 200 block of Seventh Street SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com. Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays, year-round (weather permitting). Set up after 10 AM. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD. Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Tuesdays, 3 to 7 PM. Farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-6985253. easternmarketdc.com.

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Union Market. Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 8 AM to 8 PM. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com.

CIVIC LIFE Talk of the Hill with Bill Press: E.J. Dionne. March 14, 7 PM. Hill Center and Bill Press welcome E.J. Dionne for a discussion of his new book, Why the Right Went Wrong. The book offers a historical view of the right since the 1960s. Free. Register online at hillcenterdc. org or call 202-549-4172. Southwest Waterfront AARP Meeting. March 16, noon. Speaker is Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. $5 for lunch. Meeting at River Park Mutual Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Room, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. ANC 6A. Second Thursday, 7 PM. Meeting at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE. 202-4238868. anc6a.org. ANC 6B. Second Tuesday, 7 PM. Meeting at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-543-3344. anc6b.org. ANC 6C. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Meeting at Heritage Foundation, 214 Mass. Ave. NE, first floor conference room. 202-547-7168. anc6c.org. ANC 6D. Second Monday, 7 PM. Meeting at 1100 Fourth St. SW, DCRA meeting room, 2nd floor. 202-554-1795. anc6d.org. ANC 6E. First Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Meeting at Northwest One Library (new location), 155 L St. NW. anc6e.org.

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State of the Art Service Center

Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival 2016. Through March 6. The lineup follows. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org.

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Sound. Feb. 27, 3:30 PM, The In Series: Latina Supremes; Feb. 27, 4 PM; Feb. 27, 10 PM, Cantigas: On Our Way to Cuba; Feb. 27, 10 PM, Black Masala: Live Performance; Feb. 28, 4:30 PM, Domingues and Kane: Gut + Voltage: Viola da Gamba and Electronics in Synthesis; Feb. 28, 5 PM, John Kocur Presents: Jazz Meets Irish Music; Feb. 28, 6:30 PM, Opera on Tap, DC Metro: Opera on Tap presents: We got 99 problems but a pitch ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one; Feb. 28, 7 PM, EcoSono / Matthew Burtner / Rita Dove: The Ceiling Floats Away; March 4, 7 PM, Cristian Perez Quintet: South American Jazz; March 4, 8 PM, Capital City Symphony/Go-Go Symphony: Go-Go Symphony; March 4, 8:30, Night Watch Paradox: Magnificent Machines and Astonishing Tales; March 5, Washington Balalaika Society: From Russia with Love: The Art of the Russian Folk Orchestra; March 5, 6:30 PM; March 5, 9:30 PM, Brad Linde: Roger Over and OUT!; March 6, 6 PM, William Brent & Noah Getz: StreamStretch; March 6, 7:30 PM, Phonic Wrinkle: Vintage Divergence. Movement. Feb. 27, 5 PM, Zip Zap Circus USA / AirBorne DC: Reaching the High Notes; Feb. 27, 1:30 PM, MOVES/ The Maverick Lemons Dance Project: HASHTAG; Feb. 27, 2:30 PM, Xuejuan Dance Ensemble: A Dance of Languages; Feb. 27, 4:30 PM, and March 5, 2 PM, Jane Franklin Dance: Wash Over You Part I and II; Feb. 27, 6:30 PM, Taurus Broadhurst Dance: Defining Love; Feb. 27, 8 PM, and Feb. 28, 6:30 PM,, Furia Flamenca Dance Company: Flamenco to the Max!; Feb. 27, 9 PM, and March 5, 1:30 PM, Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company: Mortal Tongues, Immortal Stories; Feb. 28, 2 PM, Dissonance Dance Theatre: Heads or Tails; Feb. 28, 2:30 PM, Alice Howes: The Jury;

Heather Schoell Capitol Hill Real Estate

202-321-0874 heathersdc@gmail.com

Cristian Perez Quintet plays South American jazz on March 4, 7 PM. Pictured left to right: Yana Hristova, ﬂute; Emmanuel Triﬁlio, bandoneon; Cristian Perez, guitar; Joe McCarthy, drums; Daniel Brown, bass. Photo: Michele Egan Feb. 28, 3 PM, Motion X Dance DC: Altered Archives; Feb. 28, 4 PM, MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet: Perspectives: Contemporary Women in Dance; Feb. 28, 7 PM, NACHMO/DC: NACHMO Ordinary Dance Show--Final Showcase of National Choreography Month/DC; March 5, 5 PM, Gin Dance Company: Introspections; March 5, 6:30 PM, Tehreema Mitha Dance Company: Blue Gold; March 5, 7 PM, and March 6, 5 PM, Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre: DREAM LOGIC; March 5, 8 PM, Mirenka Cechová: FAiTH; March 6, 2 PM, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble – Stomping Grounds: where art and life intersect; March 6, 2:30 PM, NEA Youth Arts Connect; March 6, 5 PM, Company Danzante & Veronneau: Rhythms of the Heart; March 6, 7:30 PM, DC Dance Theatre Company: Re’surjens: Faith, Life, Love. Story. Feb. 27, 7 PM, Annalisa Dias: Servant of the Wind; Feb. 27, 7 PM, Aaron Reeder: IMAGE – Life in the comics; Feb. 27, 2 PM, The Rude Mechanicals: Antigone Reflected; Feb. 27, 1:30 PM, and Feb. 28, 2 PM, Terry Nicholetti: Meeting Bessie Bluefeld: Immigrant, Feminist, Entrepreneur; Feb. 27, 5 PM, and Feb. 28, 9:30 PM, Sepia Works/Marjuan Canady: Girls! Girls? Girls.; Feb. 27, 9 PM, Conscience Drama Directive: THE PRESCIENT CONSCIENCE OF ERIC BENTLEY: the SCOTUS Marriage Decision (2015) and “Lord Alfred’s Lover” (1978); March 4, 6:30 PM, Éamon Boylan & Company: Juvenilia; March 4, 9 PM, Goldie Patrick and Dave McDuffie: Body Language: Image and Imagery; March 4, 9:30 PM, Restoration Stage Inc: Veils; March 5, 8

PM, Story District: Mind Over Matter: True stories about living with mental illness; March 5, 9 PM, and March 6, 8 PM, AWoL Productions: Ten Principles; March 6, 1 PM, Arena Stage: Voices of Now Program Mead and Mentor Ensembles; March 6, 3:30 PM, FRESHH Inc: My Mic Sounds Nice; March 6, 5:30 PM, City at Peace: Live; March 6, 6:30 PM, Youth Summit Meeting: What’s up with your art? Free in the Lobby. Feb. 27 and March 5, 9 AM to noon, DJ Dustin; Feb. 27, noon to 2 PM, Bellwether Bayou; Feb. 27 and March 5, 2 to 2:45 PM, Mosaic Theatre Company of DC; Feb. 27, 3 to 5 PM, Flo Anito; Feb. 27 and March 5, 5 to 6 PM, Musical Theatre Division of the Catholic University of America; Feb. 27, 6:15 to 7 PM, Furia Flamenca and Guests; Feb. 27, 7:30 to 10 PM, and March 5, 8 to 10:30 PM, Analog Soul Club; Feb. 28, 1:30 to 3:30 PM; March 4, 6:30 to 9:30 PM, and March 5, 2 to 4 PM, DJ RBI; Feb. 28, 3:30 to 5:15 PM, eXposure Film Series; Feb. 28, 5:30 to 7:15 PM, Not What You Think; March 4, 6:30 to 7:15 PM, Michelle Ava Dance; March 5, noon to 2 PM, Hari Vasan; March 5, 3 to 4:45 PM, Boris Willis Moves; March 5, 6 to 8 PM, Just Vibe Ensemble; March 6, 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Redwine Jazz Band. See Kids and Family Notebook in the back of the paper for INTERSECTIONS family programming schedule Have an item for the Calendar? Email calendar@hillrag.com ◆

I donate $500 of every sale to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org), to strengthen the fabric of our neighborhood.

When you work with me, you make a difference! Heather was not only efficient, easy to work with and responsive - but she got the job done - moving from our first conversation to a signed contract within a week. Everyone on the Hill should know and work with Heather! ~ Kristin & Chad T. We appreciated how Heather takes the time to get to know us and our needs. She worked relentlessly to find the perfect home for our family. ~ Tara C. Heather’s knowledge of the Hill and passion for local schools was a tremendous asset in our search for a family home. ~ Brian C.

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I appreciate your referrals! 216 7th Street, SE Eastern Market Office (C) 202-321-0874 (O) 202-608-1882 x175 heathersdc@gmail.com heatherschoell.penfedrealty.com @HeatherSchoell Heather Schoell Real Estate

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How to Make the Most of a Home Remodeling Project Tips for getting What You Want When Embarking on a Major Renovation

The Wentworth Inc. design-build team opened up the kitchen, dining, and family rooms to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing enﬁlade. Photo: Geoﬀrey Hodgdon

by Bruce Wentworth, AIA

any factors come into play when embarking on a home renovation, including budget, time constraints, whether to stay in the home during renovations or relocate short term, and, probably one of the more challenging efforts from the contractor’s perspective, permitting. Many homes, including townhomes or rowhouses and single-family homes also have a

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community homeowners’ association that must approve proposed renovations as well.

Where to Begin The first step for homeowners is deciding which renovations are essential, which will have the greatest impact on your quality of life. Is it a kitchen remodel, and if so will other areas of

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Deﬁning Spaces

Framed openings are architectural elements that clearly deﬁne spaces, which in this case include the kitchen, dining room, dry bar, and family areas to allow for informal modern living. Photo: Geoﬀrey Hodgdon

the home also need renovations to complement the new kitchen? What about dated baths? Renovations increase the value of a home, but kitchens and baths are among the most beneficial.

Who to Work With The second step is fi nding the right fi rm to work with. Design-build firms such as Wentworth Inc. provide architectural, design, and building services under one roof, and this is often the best option because you have one point of contact throughout the process, and licensed professionals will see the job through from beginning to end.

Questions to Ask A recent example, a 1980s townhouse in Rock Creek Park, highlights some of the challenges homeowners and contractors face when embarking on a home remodeling project. In this case the homeowners loved the woodland views in their newly purchased home, but disliked the compartmentalized and dated rooms that didn’t suit their modern, informal family living. Once you decide what room or rooms you want to remodel, you have to think about what you want to accomplish. Do you need more fam-

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ily space? Do you like the open room concept? Or do you want some formal spaces with delineation between rooms?

For the Rock Creek family – a young couple with children – the solution came down to gutting several interior spaces to create an open living-diningkitchen plan that takes advantage of the forested surroundings and enhances the natural light. The generous space, measuring 17 x 37 feet with 9-foot ceilings, was an ideal clean canvas for the updates. While the family wanted an open concept, it’s still important to blend each space together. For instance, a new custom built-in dry bar with wine storage acts as a focal point for an existing entry that bisects the open space and defines the family room from the dining area. Consider architectural elements to define spaces. In this home, framed openings outline the kitchen, dining room, dry bar, and family areas while also allowing informal modern living. The rhythm of the openings acts as an organizational system for design choices including the color palette, lighting, and furniture selections, all of which provide aesthetic consistency throughout the remodeled rooms. Color is another important element. Here the dining area features an accent wall in a dark grayblue that complements the wood tones of the furniture and art, as well as connecting thematically to

A custom eight-foot island with storage anchors the kitchen and provides space for buﬀet-style dining. Other key elements include 4 x 8-inch subway tiles in the kitchen, and blue-gray focal points blending all the rooms together. Photo: Geoﬀrey Hodgdon

March 2016 H 41

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The Wentworth design team reorganized the main rooms in this townhome to provide more function and to enhance the light and views. Photo: GeoďŹ&#x20AC;rey Hodgdon

the kitchen and dry bar through the use of color. Think about custom and unique pieces to set the spaces apart. For instance, the eight-foot island with storage anchors the kitchen and provides a spot for buffet-style dining. Largescale 4 x 8-inch subway tiles placed in a zigzag pattern offer a fresh, updated take on a more traditional material, while a votive-like frosted glass fixture in the dining area, and pendants reminiscent of hurricane lamps in the kitchen, provide understated yet ample lighting.

Those Extra Touches Each of the remodeled areas in this Rock Creek Park townhouse features a blue-gray focal point. For the kitchen, dark gray countertops at the perimeter and the blue-gray island cabinetry ground the white space. The dining area features a painted accent wall. Between the dining and family rooms, the dark gray dry bar (in the same paint color as the island) acts as a focal point for a side entry. And in the family room itself, large windows welcome in the blue-gray woodland sky. To continue the design concept

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expressed in the lighting and color choices, the design-build team considered shape and proportion. The rectangular, furniture-like kitchen island is echoed by a bespoke walnut dining table of similar proportions. Rectilinear forms repeat throughout the space in everything from the choice of subway tile to the cabinet fronts to the proportions of the framed openings.

The Solution Originally the overly large rooms were closed off from each other and not conducive to informal family life. An excessively large, inefficient kitchen took up more space than was required and isolated itself from the rest of the first floor. The design-build team reorganized the space to provide more storage in a smaller footprint and removed unnecessary walls to open up the space to provide light and woodland views throughout. Key elements to a successful remodeling project include deciding early on what your remodeling goals are and finding the best firm to accomplish them. Bruce Wentworth, AIA, www.wentworthstudio.com. u

March 2016 H 43

SPRING

Roscoe and the Undercover Knight A Tale of One Block’s Shifting, Shining Armor by Virginia Avniel Spatz

Roscoe the Knight at the Jodry-Stafford home, 2016. Photo: V. Spatz

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“Silent Knight,” early in Roscoe’s time on the Hill. Photo: W. Perry

ost Hill blocks experience changes as leadHill, in the spring of 2014, we Piet Mondrian-ed him. He ers, local and national, come and go. The was blocked in black electric tape and painted in square comings and goings of a knight errant appatches of blue, red, white, and yellow.” pear to be unique to one such block. For Early on, Roscoe’s mouth was duct-taped for that year’s close to eight years now, a knight has been Perry Christmas card, traditionally involving a visual pun; steering conversation and directions on the 100 block of 14th another neighbor, Don Hurlbert, returned the card, pierced Street SE. He was once declared “lawn ornament of the day” by grommets: Silent Knight, Hole-y Knight. Roscoe’s influby a local blog. But to his nearest neighbors ence was expanding. In particular, Don and the knight has come to mean far more. his wife, Barbara Watanabe, and Dennis StafHe arrived, nameless and rusty, in ford and Pegi Jodry – all Smithsonian col2008, rescued by Warren and Shannon Perry leagues – shared many a beer and late-night from an obscure existence in a nearby nursconversation in the knight’s company. ery. He became Roscoe the Knight, WarEventually the Perry family prepared ren explains, “when the first person drove to leave town, along with Roscoe. But Don by and asked his name. I don’t know why I wanted to keep our knight errant on the thought of Roscoe. I have a graduate degree Hill. Warren agreed, and Roscoe moved in medieval literature, and to the best of my two doors down, eventually taking on a pure knowledge the name Knight Roscoe never white guise. The following year, on June 8, appeared in any epic or poem or song.” 2015, a red heart appeared in his hands sigIn Roscoe the Knight’s six years at the naling that Don had succumbed to injuPerry door he has appeared in copper, gold, ries sustained in a May car crash. The aptly red, and pink guises, based on season and named Judy Knight later incorporated this whim. “When our daughter Jeanne Lynn into her tale of “the undercover Knight in was born in August of 2012, he had just reShining Armor,” shared at a memorial gathAt the Hurlbertceived a new coat of silver paint,” Warren ering for Donald E. Hurlbert (May 12, 1954Watanabe home, 2014. says. “Toward the end of our time on the June 8, 2015). Photo: V. Spatz

March 2016 H 45

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“I was onto Don from the start,” Judy Knight told the memorial crowd at the National Museum of Natural History, where Don had served for many years as senior science photographer. “I was just one person who Don and Barb rescued. Consequently it was getting harder and harder for Don to disguise his true identity ... according to the modern knight Code of Chivalry.” “Warren, recognizing his dilemma, encouraged Don to ‘come out’ and presented him with his very own Shining Armor, which you see displayed behind me today,” Ms. Knight continued, pointing to Roscoe, temporarily transported to the Smithsonian. “Before Don passed, he and [colleague] Stephanie Canington were planning to paint him like Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Knight.’ Steph even drafted a beautiful blueprint of how they were going to paint it together.” A “starry night” in the auditorium, organized by Pegi Jodry, who gave participants small green lights reminiscent of those on Don’s and Barb’s back porch, closed the me-

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Don Hurlbert and Stephanie Canington Grinch-ing Roscoe after his Mondrian period, 2014. Photo: B. Watanabe

Jeanne Lynn Perry with Shannon and Roscoe, 2012. Photo: W. Perry

morial. Returning to 14th Street, Roscoe now resides on the back porch of the JodryStafford home. He borrowed Stafford’s Santa suit this past December, awaiting transformation to Starry Knight.

Adventures Continue Back when the Perry home was on the market, some 18 months ago, I came home one day to find Roscoe missing. I assumed the culprit was the usual realtor advice: Remove anything peculiar to the current owners so that prospective owners can more easily imagine themselves at home. Now I was doubly bereft. I remember telling Warren that I was already sad enough about their departure, adding in something of a tearful panic, “I don’t want to live next door to people who have no sense of humor.” I need not have feared, though, for our knight errant was even then busy drawing others into his adventures. While the block’s newest residents were house shopping, they viewed the Perry home on Google Maps’ street view. Roscoe, in all his peculiar glory, awakened their interest. Disappointed to find the knight errant gone on their first visit, our new neighbors were delighted to see, once they moved in, that Roscoe the Knight was watching from nearby, ready for new adventures. Virginia Avniel Spatz, with her husband Cary O’Brien, has lived for nearly 30 years in what is now Hill East. Edmund Warren Perry, together with Shannon and Jeanne Lynn, now lives in Knoxville, where he is a writer and founder-director of the Perry Library of Theatre. u

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A Multi-Family RooďŹ ng Project by Tom Daniel

apitol Hill is considered to be one of the most family-oriented, walkable, and close knit communities in the DC area. The beautiful, mostly brick rowhouses have many different architectural styles including Queen Anne, Federal, and Richardsonian Romanesque, among numerous others. The different choices of the original builders add to the charm of the Hill. It is easy to overlook the many multifamily residential buildings on the Hill that are usually mixed in with the rowhouses. These condo buildings, apartments, and converted churches and schools offer many lifestyle choices to families and also to the singles community that is thriving on the Hill. Many residents are Hill staffers for Congress and the Senate, attorneys at downtown law firms, employees of associations and nonprofits, or even a member of Congress or a senator. These buildings are usually owned by family businesses, real estate partnerships, apartment investors, and the like. The roofing problems of the building owners are not dissimilar to the problems of individual homeowners. The buildings usually have flat and low slope roofs that

3 1), 2) Building crane utilized to haul heavy supplies to roof 3) View of ďŹ nished new roof and vents

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need routine maintenance and replacement after a period of time. But there are numerous other challenges to the owners and to the roofing firms doing the work. Often there are numerous HVAC structures, satellite dish platforms, large vents, and skylights that create a complex situation for the replacement of the roof. Our firm has replaced numerous roofs on these larger buildings on the Hill, and one such project was near Union Station at Third Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. The building is a large, 30+ unit apartment building that was built many years ago and is attached to two different office buildings. Directly across Third Street is a residential neighborhood of typical Capitol Hill rowhouses. The building height is 80+ feet and abuts the sidewalk on Third Street and a parking lot on the side. It is a five-story building with no elevators. The roof was an older rubber roof that was at the end of its useful life and needed to be removed and replaced with a modified bitumen roofing system. The tactics to do the job were challenging and complex. The roof was too high to access by ladders. It was not feasible to use scaffolding to get access to the roof because we could not block the busy sidewalk for a week or more. Nor could we site the scaffolding in the parking lot, which was used by the commercial tenants of the adjacent building. The only possible solution was to deploy a large

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boom lift encased in a mobile truck housing unit parked in the parking lot, and to do the loading of materials on a Sunday (when the lot was not being used). The old roofing materials would also have to be off-loaded down to the ground. The entire project took about a week, and the roofing crew accessed the roof by climbing the five flights of stairs each day. It’s a lot of extra work when you consider the physical nature of roofing work in general! The rooftop had several large skylights, a pop-up structure that housed the stairwell, significant flashing that had to be connected to the brick walls of the adjacent office buildings, and many larger roof vents that had to be removed and new ones added. All of these structures had to be assessed to determine the best way to work around them and retain the integrity of the new roof. While this was a special project, we have completed numerous other large, complex projects on Capitol Hill and in Georgetown and the Dupont Circle area. It is interesting and challenging work that we look forward to. Tom Daniel is owner and general manager of R. Thomas Daniel Roofing LLC. He is the third generation of the family to provide roofing services to Capitol Hill homeowners over the course of nearly 100 years. Tom was born on Capitol Hill and is an active supporter of numerous community organizations. For help with your roofing project he can be reached at 202-5691080, 202-544-4430, or tom@ rthomasdanielroofing.com. u

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Seven Small Trees for Capitol Hill Gardens by Cheryl Corson, RLA, ASLA

t’s time to prepare for spring, and the single most significant garden action you can take is to plant a tree. And, as designer Jan Johnson says in “Heaven is a Garden,” “while grand old trees thrill us, it is the smaller ornamental trees that unify a garden…[and] provide unparalleled seasonal interest.” Capitol Hill gardens often have room of only one small tree and great care should be taken to match the garden with a tree in which it will thrive. This is a matchmaking process similar to adopting a dog, and if it goes well the tree will live for generations.

Seven Trees to Consider

Awake, north wind! O South wind come, breathe upon my garden, let its spices stream out. – Song of Songs 4:16

Here are some smaller urban-friendly trees that deserve more of the spotlight than they receive. There are options for sun, for shade, and the toughest of situations. They are listed in alphabetical order by botanical name. To hear how they’re pronounced, see Fine Gardening Magazine’s web page of spoken Latin plant names: http://www.finegardening. com/pronunciation-guide/a?page=2. 1. Aesculus pavia, Red Buckeye. This shrubby small tree is noted for its showy upright red flower clusters (panicles) appearing in spring atop dark green glossy palmate leaves (clusters of five). The flowers attract hummingbirds. This native tree which grows 10’-20’ tall, is in the horse chestnut family. It is not drought tolerant and would appreciate some afternoon shade. 2. Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry or Shadbush. This multi-stem tree prefers shade to part-shade and is a modest sized (10’-20’) tree preferring acidic soil. In early spring delicate drooping clusters of white flowers appear before its new coppery glossy leaves, then small delicious berries appear in June (you’ll be lucky to get any after the birds find them). Shadbush has gorgeous scarlet fall color, if only for a long weekend. Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) has bold red upright blossoms on glossy new leaves.

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Red Buckeye has a rounded habit when open grown yet can be shaped to fit Capitol Hill yards.

3. Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam or Ironwood. Smooth, light gray, sinewy bark is the calling card of this slender beauty. In the forest it will appear in shade together with American Beech trees, but it will also stand up to sun and French style pruning as at the Dumbarton Oaks ellipse where it functions as an aerial hedge. Small green serrated leaves turn yellow to scarlet in fall. 4. Celtis occidentalis, Common Hackberry. In fairness, this is more of a medium sized tree, though still a candidate if you only have room for one single-stem tree in your yard. This treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim to fame is its urban toughness and pollinator friendly fruits. It is the only larval host to the butterfly, Hackberry Emperor. Seeing the dark hackberries with its yellow fall foliage is stunning. 5. Chionanthus virginicus (not retusus), Fringe tree. This drought tolerant sun loving tree is best

known for its fragrant fringed white blossoms which appear after the dogwoods. The tree has a wide rounded crown so plant it where you want eyelevel screening. It leafs out late, accepts a wide range of soil types, and has beautifully bright yellow autumn leaves. The native C. virginicus will support many pollinators. 6. Crataegus viridis â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Winter Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Winter King Hawthorn. Another tough native happy in cities, this small drought tolerant tree offers year round visual interest to humans and great pollen and red berries for butterflies and birds. Happiest in sun, this tree has cinnamon colored exfoliating bark which shows nicely in winter, great fall color, and bright white flower clusters contrasting with spring green leaves. Winter King Hawthorn is largely spineless, another bonus. 7. Halesia carolina, Carolina silverbell. This tree can be found in single or multi-stemmed forms. Its delicate clusters of drooping bell-

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Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) blossoms are fragrant and appear just after the dogwoods.

shaped blossoms come at the same time as the showier dogwood, also before the leaves appear. It’s a nice tree to place where you can get close, to better appreciate its flowers, leaves, winged fruits, and golden fall color. When established, the silverbell will tolerate dry shade.

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DIY tree planters should avoid big box stores where trees receive, at best, uneven care. Buying an already stressed tree is risky. Better to use the garden center locator on the Casey Trees web site, http://caseytrees.org/programs/planting/ rebate/. When on that page, look into the $50 - $100 rebates that are likely available to cover the cost of your tree. Garden centers will have more knowledgeable staff and will be set up to handle special orders, allowing you to receive exactly the species you want. There are many free resources on how to site and plant a tree. Here is

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Fringe tree is often multi-stem and has a rounded crown like this example from the U.S. National Arboretum.

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one from the U.S. Forest Service, http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/ uf/plant_trees/planting_trees.htm. And remember, if you stake a new tree, which is often unnecessary; be sure to remove the stakes after one growing season to avoid the ties cutting into the tree trunk. This is called “girdling” and will kill the tree. Before you dig a hole for your tree, you will also want to call Miss Utility, a free service that will mark the locations of underground utilities. Although you will be digging by hand, it’s best not to plant your tree directly above gas lines or other utilities which may have to be dug up in the future. Miss Utility in DC is located at http://www. missutility.net/washingtondc/. You may wish to specify a particular tree and have it installed by qualified landscape contractors experienced with tight Capitol Hill spaces. Many advertise in these pages. If you do so, you will be able to obtain a larger specimen than you can manage on your own (these guys are stronger than us and have bigger trucks, and they’ll dig wider holes than you probably will). Hopefully your contractor will practice sound tree selection in the nursery on your behalf. Your contractor will also warrantee the tree for some period of time provided it is well cared for after planting.

Digging Deeper Trees are fascinating organisms worth learning more about. They are the largest plants on Earth and can live for thousands of years. For a 119 page book, “The Tree Care Primer,” published by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an easy read and very informative. Reading it in preparation for writing this column reminded me of how good it is. See: http://shop.bbg.org/a575/

Thomas Landscapes Over 20 Years of Experience the-tree-care-primer.html. Ornamental trees planted for your personal enjoyment benefit the environment well beyond your property line. U.S. Forest Service scientists, according to one paper (https://www.itreetools.org/news/ articles/PNW_scifi126_Sept2010. pdf) “have been exploring the economic links between urban trees and a suite of environmental and social amenities, including cleaner air, moderated stormwater runoff, sequestering carbon dioxide, reduced energy consumption, and improved human health.” This research helps make the case for publicly funded green infrastructure, which is why tree rebates are available from both DC’s Riversmart Homes program and Casey Trees. The U.S.D.A. Forest Service has created a research tool called i-Tree, now being piloted in D.C. middle schools in collaboration between the school system, Davey Tree Expert Company, and Casey Trees (https://www.itreetools.org/ resources/itreelessons.php). Using special software, students will assess tree canopy cover percentage in their neighborhood, research trees’ hardiness zones, and then create a planting plan. They will calculate how much more carbon would be sequestered in their neighborhood if those trees were planted. Getting young people interested in trees is critically important. Hopefully, after their tree research is done these DC students will go outside, plant some young trees and climb some mature ones. Happy spring! Cheryl Corson is a local licensed landscape architect and writer practicing on the Hill and beyond. She is responsible for dozens of trees being planted on the Hill and enjoys seeing them mature. For garden design assistance, see www.cherylcorson.com. u

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Planting Time How Does Your Community Garden Grow? by Catherine Plume

t’s March, and while it’s been a winter of extreme temperature fluctuations, it’s high time to think about this year’s garden. Limits of time and space can provide challenges to Capitol Hill homes when it comes to gardening. Community gardens can provide a practical and neighborly option.

Community Gardens 101 Capitol Hill has 11 or so active community gardens, some on land owned by DC Parks and Recreation

and others on land owned by the gardens themselves. The number of plots varies by garden, while the plot size ranges from 24 to 80 square feet. Most community gardens are run by a board and operate under a set of bylaws. Almost all of them have an annual fee ranging from $50 to $100, while some also have an initiation fee used to cover water use costs, insurance, and compost delivery. Community gardens typically require tenants to take on at least one “communal task” such as weeding or watering common areas.

Finding up-to-date information on the location and point of contact for any community garden seems to be one of DC’s best kept secrets. A list of 2016 Capitol Hill community gardens is presented below. Community gardens are very popular these days, and most have waiting lists of more than a year. You may not be able to pick and choose which garden you want to be a part of, and you may find that creating a garden in your own yard is the bet-

Pat Taylor, a longtime community garden advocate in a Capitol Hill Community Garden.

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ter option. Either way, here are a few things to consider before undertaking a garden plot. • Commitment is important. Tenants are expected to maintain their garden during the season, and those who don’t can lose their plot. Done correctly, maintaining a garden plot should only take three or four hours a week, but that may include a quick but daily or even twice-daily watering visit during a hot, dry period. A plot near your home is going to be easier to maintain. • Some gardens are more child friendly than others. While gardens provide ample opportunity to play in dirt they also include a wealth of potential hazards for young gardeners. The Green Seed Community Garden bounded by 17th, 18th, E, and D streets SE is designed to accommodate children and even has enough community space to accommodate a moon bounce! • Not all community gardens are dog friendly. Ask. If a garden allows dogs at all, they must be on leash. • Check soil, fertilizer, and pesticide use. In urban areas it’s a good idea to have soil tested for heavy metals (copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead), which can be absorbed by some plants – and then by humans. A test can also provide recommendations for fertilizers based on any nutrient deficiencies. Most community gardens have had their soil tested and know its composition. Most raised plots have

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been filled with imported soil from a known source that is free of high metal content. You can have any soil sample analyzed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (www.soiltest.umass.edu/) for a small fee. Meanwhile DC Water is producing Class A biosolids fertilizer for use in DC community and school gardens. Some community gardens welcome these biosolids while others prohibit or discourage their use due to health concerns. Ask about rules regarding the use of any commercial products in the garden and any rules and ideas for protecting your plants from pests. Consider composting. Most community gardens don’t allow composting on site (it attracts rodents) but will usually allow you to bring in your own. Some gardens provide compost that has been tested and meets certain standards. Balance what you will eat with what’s practical to grow. How much kale will your family really consume in June? Stag-

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gered planting can prolong your harvest season and avoid food waste. Pat Taylor is a long-time Hill resident and one of the founders of the community garden movement on Capitol Hill. In her years of gardening Taylor has found that crops such as salad greens, kale, chard, pole beans, herbs, and even okra grow very well in a small raised bed. “Unfortunately everyone wants to grow tomatoes, and especially heirloom varieties. These can be difficult to grow as community garden soil often carries viruses that blight or kill plants,” she says. Taylor favors grafting heirloom varieties onto more vigorous rootstock. The National Arboretum will be offering a tomato grafting workshop on April 9. For other tips on urban gardening Taylor highly recommends Mel Bartholomew’s “Square Foot Gardening” as a primer. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” Catherine Plume is an environmentalist, writer, and blogger for the DC Recycler: www.DCRecycler.blogspot. com; Twitter @DC_Recycler. u

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My lovely hydrangea should be pruned, it’s a thicket. But I’m so afraid of losing flowers because I don’t know what kind of hydrangea it is, and I’ve heard that if it blooms on so-called old wood I should have pruned it after it bloomed last year. How can I tell whether it blooms on old or new wood just by looking at it closely? You can’t, that’s the problem here. You pretty well need to know your plant’s name! Find the label it came with if at all possible. If its flowers were blue or pink, or if it’s an oak leaf variety, then it definitely blooms on old wood and should not be pruned now. Prune any hydrangea only if it has dead or crossing branches or is too large. The difficulty is that many of the 1,000 types of big leaf or Macrophylla hydrangeas (don’t prune now) look like the two other main types of hydrangea that can be pruned now. These (blooming on new wood) are the PeeGee, or Paniculata grandiflora, hydrangeas – of which there are some 80 cultivars – and the Hydrangea arborescens genus, of which Annabelle, with its huge white mop head blooms, is the best known. My best advice, however, is to do nothing unless you are certain. March is already a bit on the late side for best pruning. In-

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stead, do some research in Michael A. Dirr’s “Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs.” Three grandchildren are coming for a whole month, without their parents. The youngest is four, the oldest seven. I’m trying to think of some gardening project they might enjoy. Any ideas? Seeds are a great motivator – find something fast-sprouting like sweet alyssum or broccoli. But in March you will need more light – meaning gro-lights – than just a sunny window. Another idea would be to show them how the ends of existing veggies – carrots, a whole radish, a sprouted potato – will begin to produce roots and leaves when put in water. If too boring, try storybooks: “Jack in the Beanstalk,” for example. What can I plant under tall trees without hurting the tree roots? First, without covering the roots more than a couple of inches, mulch under the trees with organic humus. Then choose shallowrooted, shade-loving ground covers, planting them as far from the trunk as you can. Try foamflower, barrenwort, Siberian bugloss, little ferns, or small spring bulbs.

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The next public meeting of the Capitol Hill Garden Club is Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. Jay Jensen of Potomac Rose Society will expand our horizons beyond Knock Out roses. Find membership details at capitolhillgardenclub. org. We meet at the Northeast Public Library, corner of Seventh Street and Maryland Avenue NE. Meetings are free and open to all. Feeling beset by gardening problems? Send them to the Problem Lady, dearproblemlady@gmail.com. Your problem might prove instructive to others, and help them feel superior to you. Complete anonymity is assured. u

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Home Service Index HOME SERVICES ADT Security System Shawna Swann (202) 361-1616 Brass Knob Architectural Antiques 202-332-3370 www.thebrassknob.com Buffalo Company, LLC 703-786-3863 www.buffalocompanyusa.com David Mahoney Painting Company 866-967-6711 www.mahoneypainting.com DC Dept. of Energy and Environment 202-535-2600 www.doee.dc.gov/pollinators DC Sustainable Energy Utility 202-479-2222 www.dcseu.com/heating First Class Plumbing 202-589-0031 www.1stclassplumber.com Fragers Hardware 202-543-6157 www.fragersdc.com G&G Roofing 202-425-1614 www.gandghomeimprovements.net Hall & Hill Construction Company, LLC (202) 910-1056 www.hallandhill.com HandyMan Masters, LLC 202-528-0621 www.HandymanMasters.net Hill’s Kitchen 202-543-1997 www.hillskitchen.com Ikebana International 202-245-4523 www.ikebanainternational.org Integrity Home Pro 301-499-1076 www.integrityhomepro.com

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J.F. Meyer Construction 202.965.1600 www.jfmeyer.com

Standard Cleaning Service 703-719-9850 www.standardcleaning.com

Joel Truitt Builders 202-547-2707 www.joeltruittbuilders.com

Suburban Welding 703-765-9344 www.suburbanweldingcompany.com

Joel Truitt Management 202-547-2707 www.joeltruittmanagement.com

Sundance Contracting LLC 202-547-4483 www.sundancecontracting.com

Keith Rooﬁng 202-486-7359 www.keith-rooﬁng.com

The Allied Group LLC 301-484-0196 www.thealliedgroupllc.com

Maggio Rooﬁng 800-ROOF-495 www.maggiorooﬁng.com

Two Lions Antiques & Interiors 202-546-5466

Maid Pro Cleaning 202-399-3090 www.maidpro.com/capitolhill Max Insulation 202-341-6015 www.maxinsulation.us Michaliga Masonry 202-544-4484 • 202-257-8957 www.michaligamasonry.com

W.S. Jenks 202-529-6020 www.wsjenks.com Wentworth Studio 240-383-1226 www.wentworthstudio.com Wilcox Electric 202-546-1010 www.wilcox-electric.com

N&M House Detectives www.nmhousedetectives.com

Window Washers Etc. 202-337-0351 www.windowwashersetc.com

National Capital Kitchens 202-544-3316 www.nationalcapitalkitchens.com

Windows Craft Inc. 202-288-6660 www.windowscraft.com

National Rooﬁng 202-271-4377 www.nationalrooﬁngdc.com

GARDEN SERVICES Branches Tree Experts 301-589-6181 www.branchestreeexperts.com

Newman’s Gallery & Custom Frames 202-544-7577 www.newmangallery.com Nova Spray Foam 855-NOVAFOAM www.novasprayfoam.com Polar Bear A/C, Plumbing & Heating, Inc. 202-333-1310 www.polarbearairconditioning.com R. Thomas Daniel Rooﬁng 202-569-1080 www.rthomasdanielrooﬁng.com

Capitol Tree Care 202-234-0577 www.capitol-tree-care.com Garden Wise Inc. 202-543-3422 www.gardenwise.com Ginkgo Gardens 202-543-5172 www.ginkgogardens.com Thomas Landscapes 301 -642-5182 www.thomaslandscapes.com

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The Anacostia River Festival The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the second annual Anacostia River Festival, the official closing program of the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival. On April 17, this year’s festival celebrates “connecting people to parks” in recognition of the National Park Service’s 2016 Centennial celebration. Activities include: kayaking, boating, fishing workshops, hands-on art projects, musical performances, bike parades, pop-up stores and other programs. Held in Anacostia Park, this free event will encourage District residents and tourists alike to explore communities and parks east of the Anacostia.

Southwest Group Starts Village The Waterfront Gateway Neighborhood Association has taken steps to establish a Waterfront Village. The goal is to ensure that aging neighbors have the means to stay in their own homes throughout their lives. Village members gain access to a wide range of professional and volunteer services and also educational and social programs. Volunteers and staff provide transportation to events and appointments, medical and legal advocacy, advice on home renovations, and other services. For updates on Waterfront Village, join the listserv by emailing dcwaterfrontvillage@ gmail.com or calling 202-812-0291.

Games Days at Labyrinth Game days with The Capitol Hill Village are on the first and third Thursdays of every month, 2 to 4 p.m. The Capitol Hill Village is a non-profit or ganization dedicated to improving the lives of Capitol Hill’s senior residents.

Photo: Courtesy of The National Cherry Blossom Festival

Volunteer at The Cherry Blossom Festival The National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 20 to April 17, provides cultural experiences that are (largely) free and open to the public. As a volunteer, support an event that not only enhances, but defines life in our community. Festival organizers seek friendly, cooperative, and reliable volunteers. Knowledge about Washington, DC and the surrounding area is especially helpful – many visitors are from out of town and may need advice getting around. For more information and to sign up, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/get-involved. Every Thursday night, 6 to 10 p.m., learn new games or play favorites. There are hundreds of open board games to play. Game nights are always free and open to the public without RSVP. Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-544-1059. labyrinthgameshop.com.

Audition for Principal Role in “Alice Adams” “Alice Adams” is a new musical in progress by Composer Robert Convery that will be workshopped and performed during July and August. The director seeks Sopranos with good low range to audition for the Principal role of Alice Adams. The selected singer should be able to begin solo rehearsals in May. There is an honorarium

for the role. Auditions will be held Wednesday, March 9, and Monday, March 14, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE. Auditions are also available by appointment. Email jill@ chaw.org or call 202-547-6839..

Free Financial Workshops On Tuesdays, April 5 to 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Skip Thompson of Capitol Hill will host a free Financial Workshop: Your Source for Financial Education at the Hill Center. The fourweek workshop assists individuals in setting financial and investment goals. Topics include: April 5: Rules of the Road and Stocks; April 2: Focus on Fixed Income; April 19: An Investor’s Tour of Mutual Funds;

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and April 26: Tax Free Investing. Contact Skip Thompson at 202-223-1179 with any questions.

Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture

Flora of the National Parks Art Exhibition More than 75 illustrations, paintings, photographs, and other art forms ranging in size from intimate 12 inch pieces to large-scale, six foot dramatic panoramas showcase key flora from national parks across the country are on exhibit at the National Botanic Garden. Rare and familiar plants from Florida to Alaska and from Maine to Hawaii represent National Park Service locations such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Everglades National Park and Acadia National Park. A sampling of artwork includes iconic flora such as giant sequoia, bald cypress, saguaro cactus, mangroves, ghost orchids and magnolias. Large floor graphics of the ground from different national parks let visitors look down and “stand in” those parks as they move throughout the gallery. Live plants will accompany the art throughout the show. On exhibition at the US Botanic Garden through Oct. 2, 2016. USBG.gov/FloraoftheNationalParks.

Enter the Marine Corps Marathon Lottery Here’s the schedule for registering for the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon scheduled for Oct. 30. Enter the Lottery between March 24 and 30. No charges for registration or training items will be incurred until a runner is officially registered when the MCM announces the field on March 31. marinemarathon.com.

Mayor’s Plan to Close DC General The District’s Department of General Services (DGS) conducted a monthslong search to identify suitable sites for the new short-term family housing. DGS looked for spaces that could collectively serve the same number of residents at DC General, with access to services and public transportation. The locations include a mix of District-owned properties, as well as newly purchased or leased private property. They are: 2105-2107 10th St. NW in Ward 1; 2619 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Ward 3; 5505 Fifth St. NW in Ward 4; 2266 25th Pl. NE in Ward 5; 700 Delaware Ave. SW in Ward 6; 5004 D St. SE in Ward 7; and Sixth and Chesapeake Streets SE in Ward 8. Each short-term family housing site will accommodate up to 50 families. Unlike DC General, these facilities will have places for children to play and do homework. They will also include the kind of services that help families exit shelter and move to permanent housing as soon as possible. A new women’s shelter in Ward 2 at 810 Fifth St. NW has opened. This facility will accommodate up to 213 women and will replace two outdated facilities at Second and D Streets, NW.

DOEE Says Don’t Eat The Fish Many District residents use the District’s waterways – the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, Rock Creek, and their many tributaries – for recreational, boating and angling. Some anglers rely on the fish caught in these waters for food. To protect public health, the District of Columbia Government routinely samples common game fish for contaminants regularly found in US waters. If contaminant concentrations are found to be above levels established by the EPA and therefore may be unfit for human consumption, the DC Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) issues a public health fish consumption advisory. Under an advisory, anglers are still encouraged

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by Monte Edwards

rook Hill, a student at Georgetown Law School and winner of the 2016 Dick Wolf Memorial Prize, will address this issue in a lecture sponsored by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS). Existing affordable housing often has restrictions limiting the rent for just 15 to 30 years. As those restrictions expire, many owners are moving to market rents. The result is a loss of affordable housing. Recent redevelopment in the District has created integrated neighborhoods in the short term, but without affirmative action by the City to preserve and expand the stock of affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods that integration will be short lived. Economic segregation will take the form of racial segregation because of income disparities along racial lines. According to Hill, the Fair Housing Act requires District officials to consider the impact of its policies and actions on patterns of residential segregation, but the City is not exercising its authority to do so. The public is invited to consider Hill’s position at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at HillCenter, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The lecture is free and will be followed by a champagne reception. Brook Hill will present The Dick Wolf the 2016 Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture Memorial Lecture is an annual competition to showcase excellence in research and writing on urban planning and historic preservation in the District of Columbia by a student or intern. Dick Wolf (19332012) was one of the District’s most ardent and effective advocates. His vision for Washington was of a great, worldclass city that houses both the nation’s great institutions as well as families with young children; balances its appetite for growth with preservation of the character of its irreplaceable historic residential neighborhoods; and integrates sound, sustained city planning principles, practices and administrative processes into all the city’s business. The Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture program seeks to preserve and advance that vision.

to fish the District waters, but are discouraged from consuming the fish species it identifies. Catching and handling fish that may be contaminated poses zero risk to the angler. The Advisory pertains to all portions of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers within the District’s boundaries. Please do not consume or share your catch before consulting the advisory as printed on the back of District fishing licenses, or online at doee. dc.gov/service/fishing-district.

Acceleration Sports Opens Acceleration Sports, newly located on the Hill, is a nutrition-based, holistic health, wellness and sports performance company helping individuals and groups of people of all ages and abilities reach their health goals. For more information, visit accelerationsports.net.

Bikes for the World Collection at Hill Center, March 19

www.hillrag.com

On Saturday, March 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can recycle your bike for a good cause. Bring it to the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. They want any serviceable complete (or nearlycomplete) bicycle, adult or children’s, accompanied by a suggested minimum $10 per bike donation to defray a share of the costs in getting bikes to quality programs overseas. Flat tires or a missing seat or pedal matter little. Fat-tired mountain bikes and one-speed “cruisers” are the most-desired models. They also accept tandems, recumbents, adult tricycles, trail-a-bikes, and even unicycles. Read more at bikesfortheworld.org.

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Attendees at the 2014 Women in the Arts edit-a-thon. Photo: Gerald Shields

Women in the Arts Wikipedia Edit-a-thon 2016 On Sunday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrate Women’s History Month by helping the National Museum of Women in the Arts improve Wikipedia. The lack of women contributors has contributed to gender disparities in Wikipedia representation. The museum’s fourth annual edit-a-thon focuses on improving articles related to notable women artists and art-world figures. Training for new editors, and refreshments, will be provided. Attendees should bring a laptop, power cord and photo ID. Registration required. For a schedule and more information, visit nmwa.org/events/wikipedia-edit-thon-2016. Attend in person or participate remotely. Lunch and refreshments provided by Wikimedia DC. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is at 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000. nmwa.org.

CSX VAT Mitigation Fund Applications are being accepted for Phase 2 of the CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Mitigation Fund. Grants are awarded in several categories, including but not limited to: neighborhood beautification/ infrastructure/permanent improvement, arts/culture, schools/education, social services, community development and mitigating temporary inconvenience. The phase 2 application period deadline is March 15, 2016. To review criteria and submit and application, visit nscpartners.org.

Union Station Expansion Project Informational Forum The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) invites the public to review the draft project elements for the Union Station Expansion Project. The project elements include rail infrastructure, public concourses, parking, bus, and taxi facilities, retail space, and public open spaces. FRA is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. The Informational Forum will be an open house on Wednesday, March 30, 4 to 8 p.m., at Union Station’s Presidential Room with two brief identical presentations at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Visit WUSstationexpansion.com for more information.

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Benning Ridge DMV Service Center To Open

New Phase of I-395/Third Street Tunnel Construction

DC DMV will open its Benning Ridge Service Center at 4525 Benning Rd. SE on Tuesday, March 1, at 8:15 a.m. This location is replacing the existing Penn Branch Service Center, which closed at the end of the business day on Feb. 27. Benning Ridge will offer the same services that are available at DC DMV’s current service centers. The agency’s largest facility, it includes inside queuing allowing customers to wait inside the building.

A series of new traffic patterns around the I-395 Center Leg freeway and surrounding areas of the Third Street Tunnel Project will start in conjunction with a new phase of construction that includes steel erection. The developer has begun installation of heavy steel beams and tunnel decking to support the three new city blocks of business and retail space. Installation of the steel elements needed for the deck will involve the use of a 300-ton crane along the I-395 traffic lanes. Both southbound lanes of I-395 from New York Avenue to E Street NW will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Most southbound traffic will use one of the northbound lanes. Northbound traffic will be diverted to the 2nd Street off-ramp and on to New Jersey Avenue. Some southbound traffic will be detoured to Fourth Street NW. In early March the northbound lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Northbound traffic will then be detoured to the Second Street off-ramp. Southbound lanes will be open and operate under normal conditions during this time. The southbound and northbound closures will continue to alternate through the construction period. Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding through work zones. The

2016 Walk For Wishes The Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic’s Sixth Annual Walk For Wishes takes place on April 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Washington, DC. This is a community-wide effort to grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. Walkers fundraise leading up to the event, and then walk with children, families and other enthusiastic supporters of the Make-A- Wish mission. Form a team of family, friends or colleagues. Activities will include inflatable games, crafts, face painting and music – all while enjoying the beautiful National Mall. Read more at walkforwishesdc.org.

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FAMILY FUN DAYS Saturday, February 27, 9AM–12PM Saturday, March 5, 9AM–12PM

Photo Credit: Michele Egan

FAMILY PERFORMANCES From singing crickets to beat-boxing space explorers, INTERSECTIONS Family Performances are fun, engaging, and perfect for young kids! Bring the whole family for free family activities filled with music, balloons, clowns, instrument “petting zoos” and more on Saturday mornings during INTERSECTIONS!

Shakespeare for the Young Midsummer Magic February 27 at 9:30AM March 5 at 9:30AM Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream brought to life for children.

Cri-Cri El Grillito Cantor The Singing Cricket

February 27 at 10:30AM March 5 at 10:30AM Fun with a bilingual singing cricket!

General Mischief Dance Theatre Mischief Goes Mobile/ “Up and Away”

February 27 at 11:30AM Dance for all ages featuring a 20 foot mobile!

Arts on the Horizon Space Bop

March 5 at 10AM & 11:30AM March 6 at 11:30AM & 3:30PM A musical celebration of the Cosmos for babies and toddlers.

For more information about FAMILY Performances and more at INTERSECTIONS Festival 2016, visit atlasarts.org/intersections.

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1333 H Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 202.399.7993 ext. 2

work begun Feb. 1 will continue for approximately seven months, ending in Oct. 2016. For realtime traffic updates, live camera feeds, phasing and Third Street Tunnel project information, visit 3rdStTunnel.com.

Gay Men’s Chorus Harmony Award Recipients The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) announces three Harmony Awards that will be given in the spring of 2016. The award is given to an individuals from the community, organizations and individuals from within the Chorus family who exemplify GMCW’s mission. The National Center for Transgender Equality, two of GMCW long-time singers and supporters, as well as the founder of GMCW will receive the organization’s highest honors.

Food Truck Convention As a part of the Capital City Food Truck Convention, the DMV Food Truck Association is hosting the Saturday Night Shindig on March 12, 5:30 p.m. at the Hecht Warehouse District in Ivy City. It is open to the public and will be the social highlight of the weekend. Attendees will enjoy events such Bite of the DMV (tastings from some food truck favorites), the Curbside Curation (an engaging exhibit highlighting the history of food trucks), specialty drinks (courtesy of District Restaurant Group) and live entertainment from the Swingin Swamis. Tickets are $49 and include event admissions, tastings from three food trucks and your first drink. Learn more and purchase tickets at dmvfta.org/convention/shindig.

Project Manager Multi-Media Content Full Time or Part-Time

Working with the owner of the company and other technical staff to maintain existing family websites. Assisting in the development of new websites related to an art gallery and a travel business. Assisting in the development of a nationwide traveling art exhibition scheduled for 2018.

job opening

• Extensive internet research and editing to develop text and content. • Organizing and digitizing photos for insertion into the website. • Assisting in the development of YouTube videos. • Internet research and writing skills are required, Mac experience preferred. • Web or graphic design experience would be a plus. • Competitive salary depending on experience , full benefits including healthcare, dental and 401K. • 1 bedroom furnished apartment as part of the compensation package if desired. • Family friendly and flexible. Some work can be done remotely.

CAPITOL HILL LOCATION

Please send resume and cover letter titled Project Manager Capitol Hill to: lplant@wccms.com March 2016 H 71

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WACIF Announces New Executive Director The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) has announced that it has named Harold B. Pettigrew, Jr. as its new Executive Director. Pettigrew, who succeeds Timothy Flanagan, joined WACIF in early February. Pettigrew has over a decade of economic development experience leading successful initiatives to help small businesses grow. Most recently, he served as the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Corporation for Enterprise Development, one of the nation’s leading asset building organizations focused on the financial security of low-and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Before joining CFED, he led Washington, DC’s Department of Small and Local Business Development.

American Folklife Center Launches “My Tradition” Photo Campaign In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress (AFC) has launched a year-long campaign asking Americans to share photos of their folk traditions. The photo campaign asks people all over the United States and beyond to submit photos of a folk tradition in which they themselves participate. Subjects can include performances; artworks; cuisine; handmade objects such as baskets, textiles or furniture making; or customs observed, such as anniversaries, holidays or other traditions. The campaign asks participants to upload the photos to Flickr with the tag “MyTradition” and a Creative Commons license. The campaign will last throughout 2016, and at the end of the year the Library of Congress will harvest photos that have both the tag and a license adding them to the AFC’s collections. For details on how to participate, visit the

AFC blog, Folklife Today (blogs.loc. gov/folklife/).

DC Health Link Data for Third Open Enrollment Period The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) has released preliminary individual marketplace data for the third open enrollment period for DCHealthLink.com. The enrollment period for individuals and families ended Jan. 31, 2016. There are 22,912 customers with 2016 health insurance coverage through DC Health Link’s individual marketplace. 6,012 new customers have completed their insurance applications and selected a health plan. 13,815 existing customers were renewed automatically. This open enrollment produced a 23 percent increase in new customers. Existing customers who shopped saved on average 4 percent in premiums.

Flora of the National Parks Art Exhibition More than 75 illustrations, paintings, photographs, and other art forms ranging in size from intimate 12 inch pieces to large-scale, six foot dramatic panoramas showcase key flora from national parks across the country are on exhibit at the National Botanic Garden. A sampling of artwork includes iconic flora such as giant sequoia, bald cypress, saguaro cactus, mangroves, ghost orchids and magnolias. Large floor graphics of the ground from different national parks let visitors look down and “stand in” those parks as they move throughout the gallery. Live plants will accompany the art throughout the show. At the US Botanic Garden through Oct. 2, 2016. USBG.gov/FloraoftheNationalParks. Have an item for the Bulletin Board, email bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

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Historic Preservation Fails Archibald Walk By Andrew Lightman

long-time public consensus on maintaining the Capitol Hill neighborhood’s ambiance is based in large part on the integrity of its architectural fabric. Preservation is such a valued ethos that the community agitated to create a legal framework to enforce it – the Capitol Hill Historic District, now in place for over 40 years. Any home renovations or new construction are subject to government review to ensure their appropriateness. Here is the story of how the protections afforded under the Capitol Hill Historic District failed to protect the residents of a tiny alley.

A Family Builds a Tree Fort Modern Archibald Walk is a Ushaped mews that wraps around two houses on F Street Terrace SE. It contains four alley dwellings. The paved alley itself is about 10 feet wide. In the summer of 2015, Ellen Psychas and Bonding “Bing” Yee, owners since 2011 of 516 Archibald Walk, decided to build a play fort for their children on a tree at the end of the tiny front yard of their property that abuts the alley. “Before beginning work on the project, we spent a considerable time ... researching building permit issues related to its construction,” the couple stated in a letter to Advisory Commissioner James Loots (SMD 6B03) dated Oct. 28, 2015. In the end the couple went ahead

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without filing permits with any city agencies. Before commencing construction, the letter states, the couple repeatedly attempted to inform their alley neighbors by leaving notes in mailboxes explaining plans for the tree house. The neighbors dispute this. In late August 2015 the fort was installed. Constructed out of a kit purchased from Treehouse Supplies, it resembles a small, bright blue castle possessing four walls, windows, and a floor. It is eight feet in height at its tallest with a platform approximately 70 square feet. There is no roof. One edge rests on the property’s back fence for support. The remainder juts out into Archibald Walk. The fort is accessed solely through the couple’s property by a ladder locked in a garden shed. Further security is provided by video cameras. The tree fort was not embraced by the other residents of Archibald Walk.

Neighbors Object “In my opinion, this tree house has no place in an historic neighborhood walk located just seven blocks from the US Capitol. Therefore, I strongly suggest that this tree house structure be brought before the Historic Review Board for a thorough examination,” wrote alley resident John Klaja, in a letter to the DC Public Space Committee dated Jan. 27, 2016. “This structure offers no value to the historic walk or its neighbors and in fact it grossly detracts from the beauty and char-

The large, bright blue tree house dominates the alley in Archibald Walk. Photo: Andrew Lightman

acter of my 115-year-old historic home,” wrote Klaja. “BUILT WITHOUT PROPER PERMITS and RESPECT for the neighbors and community who actually LIVE in the neighborhood,” he wrote, “the tree house was constructed without any of the longtime neighbors consent; it lacked any sort of review by our own Capitol Hill Historic Society and was constructed without proper permitting. How can this be allowed?” Carol B. Strapp, owner of 522 Archibald Walk, agreed. “The tree house is a constant physical and visual presence in the daily lives of the owners and residents of the neighboring houses,” she wrote in a Jan. 22 letter to the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT). “A view of an American elm tree has been replaced by an approximately 560 cubic-foot structure, towering over Archibald Walk, which – when in use – invades the privacy of the fenced-in front yards of both 520 and 522 Archibald Walk.” Eleven nearby residents of Archibald Walk united in opposing the tree house as an anachronistic eyesore. They were convinced that it violated the regulations governing the Capitol Hill Historic District. They fully expected the city to force its remov-

al. And given the location of Archibald Walk in the heart of the Historic District, it might have seemed that a bureaucratic pen stroke could lead to the tree house’s quick removal.

nies, bay, oriel or show windows, or towers shall not project over alley spaces.” Seeking resolution, Loots petitioned DDOT to refer the matter to the agency’s Committee on Public Space (CPS), as would have been the ordinary course for such applications. ComThe Historic District posed of members drawn from DCRC, Capitol Hill hosts the largest historic disDDOT, and the Office of Planning as trict in DC. Strict regulations govern any well as the Secretary of the District of renovation and landscaping work done Columbia, CPS is chartered to review within its boundaries. According to the applications for unorthodox uses of pub“District of Columbia Historic Preservalic space. The CPS quickly put the mattion Guidelines for Landscaping, Landter on its January agenda. It asked ANC scape Features and Secondary Buildings 6B as a matter of routine for its input. in Historic Districts,” “Changes to existAfter much discussion at their January ing secondary buildings, or the design of meeting, commissioners voted to oppose new ones that can be seen from the pubthe tree house’s permit due to the technilic street or alley should be compatible cal classification of it as a balcony. with the design of the existing building, On Jan. 28, all the disputants gathits landscape and the neighborhood.” ered at the monthly CPS meeting to the guidelines further state, “Similarly, Two of the charming mews houses fronting Archibald Walk. Photo: present their arguments. Convening the the design, location, materials and other Andrew Lightman meeting, the chair, DDOT Deputy Asattributes of a new garage, shed or other sociate Director Matthew Marcou, statsecondary building should be compatiities occurring within the boundaries of any piece ed that the committee was prepared to hear a public ble with the main and other secondary buildings and of private or public property. DDOT, on the other application for “playground equipment in the public the landscaping of the property. This is particularly hand, through its Committee on Public Space, overspace.” After a detailed discussion that included preimportant if the new secondary building can be seen sees the public space beyond those boundaries. Besentations on both sides, CPS voted with one abstenfrom a public street or alley.” fore issuing any permits within a historic district, both tion to deny the permit. Speaking for the committee, The guidelines do not confine themselves to agencies are required to consult with HPO. Marcou gave three reasons for their decision: (1) the walled structures. “If a new deck or patio is to be addtree house could have been built entirely on private ed,” they state, “it should be located in the rear yard Adjudicating the Tree House property, (2) the structure was very large for such a and designed to be compatible with the building and Due to the tree house’s position above the alley, Lonarrow alley; (3) a permit would not be in keeping landscaping if it can be seen from the public street or raine Heckenberg, the neighbor living at 520 Arwith previous rulings. alley.” The tree house has characteristics that would chibald Way, brought the matter to the attention of CPS’s denial of the permit, while requiring the seem to fall under this rubric. It could be compared DDOT. On Oct. 26, 2015, DDOT inspector affixed removal of the tree house from public space, did not to a roofless shed or an elaborate walled deck. Its dea stop work order (#0237) to the already built tree order its dismantlement. The structure could remain sign, location, and materials do not seem to conform house. At issue was its projection into public space. as long as it was moved entirely within the property of with the surrounding buildings or landscaping as adOn Nov. 4, a DDOT representative reinspectYee and Psychas. vised by the guidelines, yet it is visible from the Walk. ed the tree house. On Nov. 6, the agency granted A piece of “playground equipment” housed Given the structure’s apparent variance with the Psychas a permit legalizing the tree house as a 7-bywithin the boundaries of a private home, it turns guidelines, how did it escape review? 2-foot balcony. Despite its alley location in the Capout, does not require a construction permit under itol Hill Historic District, the matter was not referred the District’s building code. In fact such equipment Policing The Historic District HPO or ANC 6B for review prior to the permit beis specifically exempted from the regulations governPolicing renovations in historic districts is the proving issued, as was usually done. ing historic districts. ince of the inspectors of the DC Historic PreservaMatters did not end there. Neighbors brought the “The Public Space Committee hearing was the tion Office (HPO) under the guidance of the Hisissue to the attention of Loots, whose single-member first time I had heard anyone at DDOT or DCRA toric Preservation Review Board (HPRB). However, district includes Archibald Walk. Loots was perplexed term the tree house ‘playground equipment,’ Loots HPO’s role is limited by its dependence on two sister by the fact that DDOT had granted a public space perobserved after attending the meeting. agencies: DDOT and the DC Department of Conmit absent ANC deliberation. He also questioned the According to Edward Giefer, associate director sumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). legality of a balcony permit in an alley. The Municiof the DC Office of Planning (OP), “The determinaDCRA has purview over all construction activpal Building Code Section 3202.10.1 states, “Balcotion as to what constitutes a structure or playground

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equipment, or what requires a permit or does not, is determined by the Chief Code Official at DCRA. HPO only has authority to review work that the Chief Code Official determines requires a building permit and forwards to HPO for review.” Giefer adds that “HPO inspectors do not have the authority to issue a notice of violation for a project that does not require a DC building permit.”

Historic Preservation Fails DCRA determined that the construction of a tree house needed no permit provided it was on private property. In the absence of a permit application, there could be no review by HPO or consultation with the ANC. In other words, under this ruling, tree houses may be constructed as a matter of right with no reference to the larger community or the surrounding historic architectural fabric. The community has no role. The dispute over the tree house “is a disagreement over participation and involvement,” says Rosenfeld, who has lived at 637 E St. since 1986. In building the treehouse, says Rosenfeld, Psychas has “used the alley as a bit of a private playground. There is no commonality of interest here. Someone from the outside came in with a personal interest without regard to the interests of the group as a whole.” This is precisely what historic preservation laws are designed to prevent. u

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The Death of Archibald Walk by Andrew Lightman

garden benches and lobster crates. Slowly the collection grew as various neighbors made their own contributions. The alley literally blossomed organically. “Everyone nurtured their little section of it,” recalls John Klaja, owner of 514 F Street Terrace, who moved to the alley in 1991. “It was a live and let live mentality.” Klaja is one of the most active gardeners. Stephanie Cavanaugh, a notable local blogger (whoneedsflowers.blogspot.com) as well as a regular contributor to The Washington Post’s real estate section and the Hill Rag, describes Klaja’s home as a “tropical wonderland of banana trees out front and a hidden garden of Lilliputian proportions in the back, mirrored to play with space and light.”

rchibald Walk is one of the last remaining inhabited alleys in DC. Nestled behind the buildings that front G, E, Sixth, and Seventh streets SE, it was once part of a large cluster of brick residences and workshops that housed a bustling community of nearly 100, stables, and later a dairy. In the 1952, in the wake of a civic campaign against squalid conditions in the city’s alleys, most of the surrounding alley dwellings were demolished to create a parking lot. Today’s Archibald Walk is a U-shaped mews, about 10 feet wide, that wraps around two houses on F Street Terrace and provides access to four alley dwellings. The remaining homes have an historic and architectural uniqueness that has earned them pride of place on the Barracks Row Heritage Trail. The walk itself was named for Archibald Donohoe, a long-time resident whose attestation to the houses’ prior habitation permitted the reThe lush plantings and comfortable benches provided a tranquil living space for maining alley dwellings to be Archibald Walk residents and others. Photo: David Peterson renovated by preservationist Barbara Held. In 1998 Klaja was joined in his beautification efforts by artist William Fleishell, who had purchased an An Alley Community Flowers alley house to use as a studio. Fleishell built the plant“The alley was in rough shape, since none of the neighers and installed sculptures. Residents grilled together, bors cared about it,” recalls Carol Strapp, owner of 522 organized elaborate parties, hosted weddings. “We call Archibald Walk, who moved to the neighborhood in the area back there ‘the grotto,’ it was sort of an outdoor 1981. According to Shirley Rosenfeld, who has lived at room,” says Fleishell. 637 E St. since 1986, “it was very plain and nondescript. Every Christmas, the men of the Walk would don Nothing would distinguish it from any other alley. It was Santa hats and troop off collectively to Eastern Market to just a passageway.” pick out a tree. Hauling it back on their shoulders, they That began to change with the addition of a few flowwould install it in the alley. er pots in the early 90s. None of the residents remembers The Rosenfelds, while not directly participating in who put out the first planters. Soon they were joined by

the Walk’s planting and decorations, enthusiastically supported the efforts of Klaja and Fleishell and provided cash infusions whenever asked. “We just appreciated the beautifying effort,” remarks Shirley Rosenfeld, who always felt welcome at the periodic celebrations. “This was life and activity in an alley. It wasn’t just a dead space in which we were afraid to be out.” Cavanaugh, who made regular visits to the Walk with her out-oftown guest, describes the neighbors as “a wonderful lot, an engaging, funny, and endlessly creative bunch.” She continues: “With so little interior space, over the years the gardens have mushroomed into the alley, with quirky bits and pieces – statues and disco balls and beautiful pots mixed with the floral display.”

Meet the New Neighbors After a decade and a half of celebrating and planting, a new couple joined Archibald Walk. In the summer of 2011, according to District tax records, Bonding “Bing” Yee purchased 516 Archibald Walk. Yee, an attorney, is married to Ellen Psychas, a high

reports Yee as living at 644 Lexington Place NE. A search of the LexisNexis Accurint database of public records shows Psychas also resides on Lexington Place. The tax records show that this house, purchased in 2007, is owned by Psychas. In addition, Psychas holds a current business license for a one-family rental at the couple’s Archibald Walk property that expires in 2017. In the late summer of 2015 Psychas and Yee constructed a tree fort for their two children at their Archibald Walk property. The structure, which perched on a tree in the alley and the wall of their front gate, became a matter of heated contention between the couple and their neighbors. The dispute generated two visits by public space inspectors of the DC Department of Transportations (DDOT).

An Unintended Consequence

Each year, alley residents celebrated with an outdoor Christmas tree. Photo: Jessica Sacco

school counselor. Their two young daughters attend a nearby school. The family members are regular parishioners at Christ Church. Yee claims a homestead exemption for the property. The couple is registered to vote at that address. However, an entry on 411.com

The DDOT public space inspectors tasked with inspecting the fort “discovered the alley residents were keeping 70 potted plants, several benches, hundreds of bricks and other items in public space,” Psychas wrote in a letter to Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jim Loots dated Jan. 9, 2016. Anything that is constructed or installed occupying the “publicly owned property between the property lines of a street, park, or other public property,” “including roadway, tree space, sidewalk, or parking between such property lines,” requires a Public Space Permit from DDOT. Klaja, Fleishell, and their neighbors had never secured permits for any of their planters, benches, or other alley decorations. On Nov. 12, DDOT posted a 72-hour notice requiring the clearance of all private property from Archibald Alley. On Nov. 18, Psychas wrote to DDOT: “As you may know personal property hasn’t budged from Archibald Walk in the week since DDOT posted the 72-hour removal orders on doors.” She continued, “Bing and I see no reason for them to continue to keep potted plants on the Walk itself.” By Dec. 7, Klaja and Fleishell had completely cleared Archibald Walk. “I had to take three days off to move the plants,” states Fleishell. “Everyone jumped in to help.” The planters are now stored in the backyard of his home. Klaja, meanwhile, has placed the orphan plants with hosts throughout the neighborhood.

An Alley Vacated Today, aside from the tree house, Archibald Walk stands denuded. Psychas summed up her thoughts on the Walk’s new appearance in her January letter to Loots: “We focus on enjoying the newly open alley – a great place for children to ride scooters – and our fort with other young families.” These sentiments are not universally shared. “What we had was something that was vibrant, alive, and joyful,” states Rosenfeld. “Now it has been returned to a lifeless space without any character.” Says Cavanaugh, Archibald Walk was “exactly what we need in this sober-sided city that has overdosed on HGTV. It’s a tragedy to see it destroyed. It makes me weep.” u

Archibald Walk as it is today. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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South by West by William Rich The Bard Developers File PUD Application The development team behind The Bard, a mixed-use arts/residential project planned for the former Southeastern University (SEU) campus site at 501 I St. SW, intends to move forward. The Bard, as planned, would include a costume design shop and administrative, educational, and rehearsal space for Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC), with

School USA. The campus building had been vacant since the Graduate School USA absorbed SEU and the university lost its accreditation in 2009. At first, it was thought that the Graduate School USA would expand its Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Enfant Plaza campus to Sixth and I streets SW. Then it was announced in 2011 that the school would become the anchor tenant at The Wharf (a deal that has been cancelled). Afterwards the SEU campus was put on the market.

raze permit was filed for the campus building, which spurred the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) to file an historic landmark application for the property. The building was first constructed in 1948 for the Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 4, with a brick exterior in a smaller footprint than what it ultimately became. The building was one of the few that survived urban renewal. Then in 1961 the Hawthorne School (a private coed high school) purchased the building, expanded it to the north and south, and clad it in concrete in a brutalist design done by Charles Goodman, the same architect who designed River Park Cooperative Homes. Declining enrollment and financial difficulties at the school caused the sale of the property to Southeastern University, which operated at the site until 2009. SWNA eventually withdrew its historic landmark application, but in exchange STC agreed to several community benefits as well as a $60,000 payout to SWNA. The property then was sold to STC and Erkiletian in the fall of 2014. During the Southwest Small Area Plan process community members expressed a preference for keeping the zoning for the SEU campus as R-3, which permits matter-of-right development of single-family residential uses (including detached, semi-detached, and row dwellings), churches, and public schools. After

The former campus of Southeastern University was razed over the summer. Photo: William Rich

actor and fellow housing and market-rate apartments to be developed above STCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations by Arlington-based Erkiletian Development Company.

Some History The Bard is nearly three years in the making. Back in the fall of 2013, STC had the site under contract with the Graduate

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Suitors for the campus included Apple Tree Early Learning Public Charter School, which wanted to renovate the building for a school, but that proposal never resulted in the sale of the building. Ironically Apple Tree will now be expanding at The Wharf instead of the Graduate School USA. Then in the spring of 2014, a

The Bard, as designed, will vary in height from four to seven stories. Rendering: Shalom Baranes Associates

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the Small Area Plan was developed by the Office of Planning, the owners of 501 I St. lobbied the DC Council without success to rescind this portion of the plan. That left them with the option to file a planned unit development (PUD). The one-acre Southeastern University campus building was demolished last summer and the site cleared in anticipation of development. Several forums have been held with the community over the past three years to gather input, which resulted in changes to the development plan.

Neighborhood Opposition Some neighbors of 501 I St. from Townhouse Management I and III have mobilized efforts to try and stop the development, which would replace a two-story building under R-3 zoning with a much denser project (under SP-2 zoning) and has the potential to block sunlight to surrounding residential properties and Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. Yard signs can be found along Sixth Street deriding the project, and a blog called “Out, Damned Developer! Out!” has been developed in opposition to The Bard. Andrea Pawley lives across the street from 501 I St. and is the author of the blog, through which her vociferous opposition to the project is channeled. In late January more than 50 neighbors signed a letter sent to the attorneys representing the development team asking for a delay in submitting the PUD application. This letter did nothing to dissuade the development team, since a PUD application was subsequently submitted in early February. Here is an excerpt from Pawley’s blog in reaction to the PUD submission: “Shakespeare Theatre is NOT responsive to community concerns. Shakespeare Theatre’s Planned Unit Development application is an attempt to gloss over the community’s numerous deep concerns. Shakespeare Theatre’s application also attempts to subvert the Office of Planning’s work with the community to help shape the future of Southwest D.C.” The neighbors are now in the process of hiring a lawyer to formally oppose the project as it winds its way through the PUD process.

velopment of the property into The Bard will “complement the existing arts uses along I Street SW, serving as a bookend to the burgeoning I Street SW arts corridor.” The project includes 93 market-rate units, nine inclusionary zoning units for households earning up to 80 percent of area median income (AMI), 29 actor and five fellow housing units (each fellow housing unit will have four bedrooms) that will accommodate up to 20 fellows, with the remaining 43,100 square feet dedicated to STC artist studio space, nonprofit office space, and educational uses. STC’s costume fabrication studio will be located on the first floor, which will also have art panels along I Street depicting quotations from William Shakespeare. The residential entrance to the building will be at the corner of Sixth and I streets, and a courtyard on Sixth Street will serve as the entrance to STC’s space. Building heights range from 73 feet at the corner of Sixth and I streets to about 42 feet on the northwest side of the site. A total of 70 belowgrade parking spaces will be provided, accessible from Sixth Street, and 85 bicycle parking spaces (75 long-term and 10 short-term). The Bard will be designed to achieve LEEDSilver status. Two meetings were held in February to inform the community about the revised plans for the project, which includes the reduction in size by two stories to a maximum height of seven stories; a reconfigured unit mix to increase the number of larger units and reduce the number of studio apartments; reducing the number of planned units from 177 to 136; and moving some of the massing from the north side of the project more toward I Street. The meetings were held on Feb. 1 and 16 at Blind Whino SW Arts Club. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D will have its say later this year on whether it supports the project before The Bard goes to the Zoning Commission.

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The Bard According to the PUD application the rede-

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Mayor Unveils Southwest Shelter Plan Neighbors Skeptical

ayor Muriel Bowser visited Southwest last Thursday to present the District’s plan to build a shelter at 700 Delaware Ave. SW behind the historic Friendship Baptist Church, now home of Blind Whino SW Arts Club. Addressing a capacity crowd at Friendship Baptist Church, the mayor framed the decision to build the local shelter within the context of her larger initiative aimed at closing DC General.

by Andrew Lightman are under age two. The mayor’s proposal for eight new, smaller, and smarter shelters is part of her larger, three-step strategy – prevention; safe, dignified short-term housing; and fast transitions to affordable permanent housing – that she claims will end

Framing the Issue “A city as prosperous and ours must and can do better by families who are vulnerable and in need of a safe place to land on their way to permanency,” the Mayor stated. However, there will always be families that face hard times, she continued, and DC law requires that during the coldest months all families must be sheltered. “Not only is that our law, but my strong sense is that those are values too,” she concluded. On any given night of the week a thousand people are housed at DC General. Forty percent A rendering of the propose Southwest shelter.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser announces plans for the Southwest shelter. Photo: Andrew Lightman

homelessness in the city. “Homeless can be solved in Washington. It can become rare, brief and nonrecurring,” Bowser forcefully stated. However, the problem cannot be solved without a major change in the social service system. The new Southwest shelter is one of eight, one in each ward. Collectively they will have the capacity of DC General but they will be small, well-run, dignified, service enriched, and with outstanding architecture. The new shelters, she assured the audience, will be an “enhancement” for the surrounding community. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen cautioned listeners that “no part of this plan seeks to recreate the experience of the Randall School or what we have at DC General.” He threw his support behind the mayor’s plan, calling it a “radically different approach.” He challenged the audience to think about how the plan could be successful. The new shelter, Allen argued, could serve as a catalyst for improvements at Landsburg Park, Randall Recreation Center, Amidon Elementary School, and the Unity Health Clinic. “We need to make this something we can be proud of,” he concluded.

The Plan Admiral Christopher Weaver, director of the Department of General Services, and Christie Greenwald, chair of the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness, walked the audience through details of the mayor’s plan. By 2018 the plan anticipates constructing 271 units of emergency family housing at eight sites to replace the current capacity of DC General. Weaver explained that the city issued a request last fall for proposals for possible sites and at the same time reviewed the inventory of District-owned properties for appropriate parcels. Twenty-six private landowners responded. Eight sites were selected. The criteria were threefold: ability to house a 30,000 to 35,000 square-foot facility; easy access to public transportation; availability to meet a completion date of May 2018. The Southwest facility will be located behind the landmarked former Friendship Baptist Church that currently houses the Blind Whino art gallery. The new seven-story building, with a capacity for 50 families, will be designed to blend into the surrounding neighborhood. The city will lease the land from developer Steve Tanner, who will construct an additional four-story building on the northern edge of the parcel. Construction of a seven-story building will require rezoning the parcel, now R-4, for higher density and will need an application for a planned unit development (PUD) and an Advisory Neighborhood Commission ruling, according to Capitol Hill Restoration Zoning Chair Gary Peterson. The lease for eight sites, their construction costs, and the contracts with nonprofit operators require DC Council approval. Last Friday the mayor submitted legislation to exempt the shelter leases from the city procurement laws and limit the council’s review of the construction contracts, expected to total more than $40 million. She insists the council approve all eight sites as a package. The city’s plans for the facilities involve much more than their physical construction. According to Greenwald the Southwest shelter will feature extensive wrap-around services for its residents, which will include assistance in the search for permanent quarters, healthcare, and educational support. The presenters stressed that in contrast with DC General the facility will welcome neighborhood engagement. Greenwald emphasized that the city will negotiate a “good neighbor agreement” with the local community that will include standards for facility maintenance, a safety

plan, a neighborhood “code of conduct” for residents, and arrangements for respectful communication with neighbors. The agreement will be incorporated into a contract between the city and the new shelter’s nonprofit shelter operator. In addition, she noted, neighborhood volunteers will have opportunities to aid in the enrichment of the facility’s environment. The presentations by Weaver and Greenwald were met with skepticism and some outright hostility.

Commissioner Cloyd Engages Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Stacy Braverman Cloyd (6D02), whose single-member district will play home to the new facility, offered a more skeptical assessment. “I first learned about the plan to locate a shelter on this site at 6 p.m. on Monday night,” stated Cloyd, observing sardonically that the news had unexpectedly sparked off a very busy week. “People are concerned. They’re excited. They’re angry. They’re scared and they are hopeful too. I have felt all those emotions myself, because the location of the proposed shelter is 150 feet from my front door,” Cloyd stated. “If the mayor had asked my opinion on the location of shelters, I would have told her that I don’t think this is the best place in ANC 6D, in Southwest, or even in my single-member district to locate it.” Cloyd, however, remained open-minded about the new facility. “While concerns about the location of the shelter are valid, and many of us are going to need a lot of assurances about how it is going to be constructed and operated, I don’t want that to be the end of the discussion tonight. We need to take the opportunity to get the mayor and city officials to commit to Southwest,” she said, observing that the facility would place heavy demands on a neighborhood that is already home to a great deal of public housing and social services. “If you are going to put a shelter in our neighborhood, it is going to be one that is ten times cleaner, safer and more effective at getting people into permanent housing than any shelter you have run before,” Cloyd said. “The shelter has to be a catalyst for good things coming to our community,” Cloyd said, challenging the mayor to commit the resources required to renovate the nearby Greenleaf Gardens public housing project. “It makes no sense to commit to bringing in 50 new families without committing to the families that we already

have here.” Cloyd also pointed out that the mayor had yet to respond to the detailed letter that ANC 6D sent to the administration in December outlining its position on any decision to locate a shelter within its boundaries. The missive, Cloyd observed tersely, had been met with silence.

Neighbors Share Concerns Some Southwest residents complained of lack of notice or consultation. Others questioned the shelter’s location in relation with the multi-million-dollar development of an art gallery, stores, and 400,000 square feet of market-rate housing planned for historic Randall Junior High School next door. “The RFP had nothing to do with community input,” stated Robert Sockwell, a nearby Capitol Park IV resident. “I have personally looked at every site you have selected. We are the only one that is near a large development.” Members of the audience took issue with the facility’s location in a neighborhood already home to three major public housing developments. “We already have James Creek, Syphax, a halfway house, and Greenleaf,” stated one man. “We are really doing our part. How many housing projects are Dupont Circle and Kalorama getting?” he asked sarcastically. One woman with children at Amidon-Bowen Elementary asked about the impact of having the shelter in boundary for the school. Federal law allows homeless students to remain in their home schools, Greenwald replied. Most choose to do so, which will reduce the impact on Amidon. Not all residents were hostile. Robert Stoddard, age 72, a long-time resident of the neighborhood and parishioner at the modern Friendship Baptist Church, took issue with his neighbors. “Step outside and feel that cold and thank God that you are not homeless,” he said. “My sister’s kid with five babies is at one of those hotels,” he continued. Stoddard, a volunteer at the Friendship’s soup kitchen, urged neighbors to accept the new facility with an open heart. Greenwald promised that the Thursday meeting would be the first of many conversations, and that the administration would return within eight weeks with an update. In the meantime those with concerns were asked to email dmhhs@dc.gov or call 202-442-8150. Information on the Ward 6 shelter can be found at http://mayor.dc.gov/sites/ default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/publication/attachments/Ending-Homeless-ward6.pdf. u

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The Numbers

Why We Should Keep Industrial Areas From Disappearing by Ed Lazere

leaming condos may soon replace a gritty industrial area of DC north of Florida Avenue NE – and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Residential development is spreading throughout the District, with a growing number of college-educated and middle-to-higherincome households contributing to population growth, revitalized commercial areas, and a stronger tax base. There are also downsides, of course. Housing costs are growing faster than incomes for most of us, with the most devastating impacts felt by low-income residents. The city’s daunting homelessness crisis is the most obvious sign. Development also is eating into the city’s industrial land, overtaking areas that have played a vital role in the DC economy for decades -- and provided thousands of blue-collar jobs. This is most evident in Ward 5, especially the Florida Avenue NE warehouse that is now home to Union Market. Developers are buying up land near there with plans for residential development and retail to support it. Preserving industrial space is important for many reasons. Businesses in these areas are a major source of good-paying jobs for residents without a college degree. In contrast, retail jobs generated by residential development, while welcome, tend to be part-time and pay close to minimum wage. DC’s industrial areas are home to important things all cities need, like repair shops, and in DC are increasingly home to small-scale manufacturing, like local breweries, that support a creative class and add unique vitality.

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photo: Andrew Lightman

The developers eager to build around Union Market want $90 million from the city to support infrastructure improvements to move their project forward. (So far, Mayor Bowser has not shown much interest in giving them that.) Yet it may be more important to invest precious economic development resources to help the displaced wholesalers find a new home, and more generally to support a vibrant small-scale industrial sector.

What’s Happening at the Florida Avenue Market? Union Market, an upscale food hall, opened up in 2012 on 6th street NE, just north of Florida Ave and walking distance to H Street and Capitol Hill. It opened up in a former warehouse with a parking lot that had hosted a weekly flea market. Union Market has been wildly popular. A pop-up movie theater and “gelato factory” have opened up nearby. And more is coming. One developer has plans for a 300-unit residential building a few

blocks away, and the owner of Union Market is planning hundreds of more units of housing, a movie theater, and possibly office space. Not surprisingly, commercial rents in the nearby warehouse district are going up and some businesses have been told by landlords that they have to leave to make way for the new development.

Wholesale Jobs Are Better Than Retail Replacing industrial space with residential also means replacing wholesale and related jobs with retail jobs to serve the new residents. A new Chipotle or &Pizza are popular additions to most of us. But in general, retail jobs are not living wage jobs. A survey of 436 retail and food service workers in 2015 found workers earning about $10 an hour for 32 hours a week. The 11,000 industrial jobs in DC – in production, distribution, and repair -- pay $5 to $7 more per hour, according to a DC government study on Ward 5 industrial land. For a full-time worker that amounts to

a $14,000 annual difference, which could mean a lot for someone trying to afford to stay in DC. The typical DC resident with a high-school education has seen their pay fall to $13 an hour, from $15 a decade ago. These residents are desperate for better paying jobs, including the kinds of jobs found in industrial areas.

Industrial Space Supports a Creative Class That 2014 report from the DC government also highlights the important economic role that industrial land plays in Ward 5, which is home to much of the city’s industrial areas. This includes fresh produce markets, restaurant supply, construction contractors, repair shops for cars and equipment, breweries and distilleries, and maintenance yards for taxis and the District’s fleets and equipment, and artist studios. A Metro trip from Brookland to Union Station (or a bike ride down Metropolitan Branch Trail) is a reminder that DC has industrial areas – for now. These businesses “support a very different workforce from the city’s prevailing knowledge economy,” according to the study. That’s a nice way of saying better job opportunities for workers who didn’t go to college. Cheap industrial space also supports a “maker economy,” or small-scale production that usually start small but has the potential to take off. Artists and start-up manufacturers depend on cheap rents found in industrial areas for the space they need.

Steps to Preserve Industrial Spaces and Their Jobs in DC As more people move to the District, and as residential development continues to spread, pressure to re-

develop industrial space will only grow. Is there anything we can do about it? Yes, in fact. The Ward 5 Industrial taskforce recommended that DC’s economic development agency – the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development – create a position to serve as an advocate for the industrial sector. An industrial advocate would focus on marketing, business attraction, technical assistance and coordination among businesses. An advocate can also help ensure that zoning rules preserve industrial land as residential development gets closer and closer. This work could start with taking steps now to preserve the warehouse businesses near Union Market. It may be too late to keep those businesses there, but the city could help them relocate in the city. Other jurisdictions, like Prince George’s County, are already working to lure them out. And the industrial sector should be an active part of all of the city’s economic development programs. The grants, loans, tax abatements, and technical assistance DC offers should be directed to industrial development as much as to other more visible and high-end projects. And industrial businesses should be vital partners in the city’s efforts to train and place DC residents in jobs. Economic development shouldn’t just be about the next gleaming office or retail development. It should be about good jobs for DC residents, wherever they can be generated, including in a greasy repair shop. DC shouldn’t let its industrial sector disappear.

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ANC 6A Report by Elizabeth Nelson

dvisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A Chair Phil Toomajian called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with Commissioners Mike Soderman, Omar Mahmud, Patrick Malone, Calvin Ward, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, and Stephanie Zimny in attendance. Matt Levy arrived at 8 p.m.

Report from Executive Office of the Mayor Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden did not attend the meeting as planned. She was called instead to attend a community meeting regarding the mayor’s plan to site small homeless shelters across the District. Toomajian announced that Ward 6 liaisons Seth Shapiro and Frank Maduro have been promoted to other positions in District government. Shapiro will be the head of permitting at the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR); Maduro will be at the Department of Government Services (DGS). Their replacements will be named shortly.

Report from MPD Commander Robert Contee of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) introduced himself as the new First District commander, replacing Commander Brown who recently retired. Contee is familiar with the area, having grown up in the neigh-

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borhood and maintained local ties. Robbery is his “number one focus.” He cited a double-digit decrease in property crimes, thanks in part to plainclothes officers operating in the area. He is also very keen on mountain bikes, noting that officers using them can respond quickly and with an element of surprise. He expects to deploy more of them in the near future. In response to concerns from those living in or near the Fifth District, he gave assurance that the commanders meet twice a week to coordinate their activities across the border. Commissioner Zimny reported that there are problems with students attending Kingman Academy Public Charter School (PCS) (1375 E St. NE), as there were with Options PCS, the previous occupant of that property. Neighbors have been harassed and have reported many instances of smoking, fights, and other misbehavior. Constituents are complaining that they’ve witnessed police “shrug it off” and apparently fail to take any action. Contee agreed that these incidents should be taken seriously. Commissioner Malone said there was a need for “Internet exchange zones” where residents wishing to exchange cash for goods on Craig’s List could do so safely. Contee responded that police stations are already in existence and provide an ideal venue for these activities, as they are always open. A neighbor reported having found apparent stolen goods (a backpack with an iPad and other hard-to-replace items) but not having an effective means to return it to the owner. She asked if MPD could establish a public “lost and found” for such items. Contee promised to look into it,

perhaps creating a web presence for this purpose.

Transportation and Public Space Actions The commissioners voted 6-0-1 (Mahmud abstaining due to his position with DC Public Schools; Levy had not yet arrived) to send a letter to the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) in support of the 2016 Capitol Hill Classic, which will take place on May 15. As noted by Toomajian, the event is “always well run.” The request was presented by Jason Levine, representing the Capitol Hill Cluster School PTA. This will be the 37th year for the race, which last year raised over $100,000. The course this year will be slightly different. The orga-

nizers couldn’t get permission to close streets near the Capitol because President Obama has an event scheduled at that location for the same day. The course will be extended east around RFK Stadium to compensate. Maps and street closing details can be found at capitolhillclassic.com.

Economic Development and Zoning Actions The commissioners voted unanimously to write a letter to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) in support of the technical modifications that the developer is submitting for 1300 H St. NE. Brad Greenfield, chair of the Economic Development and Zoning Committee, explained that there were no changes to the plans that the commissioners had previously approved. The commissioners also voted unanimously to write a letter of support to BZA for a two-story rear addition to a single-family home at 230 12th St. NE. Zoning relief in the form of a special exception is needed, as the proposal does not meet the lot occupancy, open court, and nonconforming structure requirements. Located in the Capitol Hill Historic District, the addition will require review by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).

main vigilant” in this matter. He also noted that the 7-Eleven is as “problematic” at its new location as it was in the old one. Commissioner Toomajian noted that the Madison Emergency Shelter/ House of Ruth (651 10th St. NE) is being redone. He reported that razes can result in damage to adjacent properties, especially when there is a long delay between demolition and subsequent construction. Commissioner Levy reported that Neighborhood Watch training was held at Maury Elementary School on Feb. 8. Commissioner Ward expressed dissatisfaction with Mayor Bowser’s plan to end homelessness, saying that it “doesn’t add up” and “isn’t well thought out.”

Other Announcements •

Single Member District Reports Commissioner Zimny reported that she intends to write a letter of support for funding in the DC Public Schools budget for a language immersion program at Miner Elementary School (601 15th St. NE). Commissioner Mahmud announced that the H Street Connection is now entirely vacant and has been fenced, pending redevelopment. Mahmud expressed continued concern about businesses storing trash in public space, especially in alleys, noting that it is essential to “re-

•

Former Commissioner David Holmes reported on the status of the decommissioned Pepco Benning Road powerplant. He noted that it was notorious for its airborne coal ash and for polluting the Anacostia. Research on the extent of the environmental damage was started in 2012, following a US District Court order. A report about land and water sampling of the site and nearby river will finally be released on Feb. 29. Some efforts to mitigate the damage have been undertaken, but the Environmental Protection Agency has recently filed suit against Pepco. The US District Court is monitoring the situation. A public presentation and discussion of the report will be made soon. More information can be found at benningservicecenter.com. Councilmember Charles Allen’s legislation to provide free books to all District children up to age five has gone into effect and is being administered by the Dis-

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A PHIL TOOMAJIAN, CHAIR, PHILANC6A@GMAIL.COM Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and H Street communities ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.

www.anc6a.org Next ANC 6A meeting is 2nd Thursday, Mar. 10th 7 p.m, Miner E.S., 601 15th St. NE Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee - Tuesday, Mar. 15th, 2016 7pm at Sherwood Recreation Center • 640 10th St., NE Jay Williams - Co-Chair (906-0657) / Christopher Seagle - Co-Chair

Transportation & Public Space Committee - Monday, Mar. 21st, 2016 7pm at Capitol Hill Towers Community Room • 900 G St., NE J. Omar Mahmud - Co-Chair (594-9848) / Todd Sloves - Co-Chair

Economic Development & Zoning Committee - Wednesday, Mar. 16th, 2016 7pm at Sherwood Recreation Center • 640 10th St., NE Brad Greenfield - Chair (Brad.greenfield@gmail.com 202 262-9365)

Community Outreach Committee - Monday, Mar. 28nd, 2016 NOW HELD EVERY 4TH MONDAY OF THE MONTH 7pm at Maury Elementary School • 1250 Constitution Ave., NE Multi-purpose Room (enter from 200 Block of 13 Street) Dana Wyckoff - Chair (571-213-1630)

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trict of Columbia Public Library. The commissioners and library volunteers are encouraging the public to register as many children as possible. Details on the Books from Birth program can be found at dclibrary.org/booksfrombirth. Councilmember Allen will attend the next ANC 6A meeting on March 10. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif Dormsjo will attend the Feb. 22 meeting of the Transportation and Public Space Committee. That agenda will include discussion of traffic calming on the 400 block of 19th Street NE, Maryland Ave. pedestrian safety improvements, and streetcar operations. ANC 6A meets on the second Thursday of every month (except August) at Miner Elementary School. The 6A committees meet at 7 p.m. on the following dates: Alcohol Beverage and Licensing, third Tuesday of each month, Sherwood Recreation Center. Community Outreach, fourth Monday of each month, Maury Elementary School. Economic Development and Zoning, third Wednesday of each month, Sherwood Recreation Center. Transportation and Public Space, usually third Monday of every month, Capitol Hill Towers.

Visit www.anc6a.org for a calendar of events, agendas, and other information. u

ANC 6B Report by Jonathan Neeley 6B Weighs In on Dc’s Handling of January’s Blizzard ANC 6B sent a letter to Mayor Bowser’s office about how the city handled the January blizzard. It contained praise for what it called major improvements over past years, including a more organized government effort and better communication with the public, but the bulk was suggestions on how to do better in future storms.

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The commission put focused on non-driving residents having a hard time getting around after the storm, saying that residents were going to go outside, even if it meant walking in the streets, and it asked that DDOT hire more workers to clear snow. “The reality is that after being cooped up for two days, people wanted to get outside and move around,” it read. “Quite a few of our residents, especially those with young children, actually enjoy cold weather outings.” 6B called out businesses and big apartment buildings for not shoveling their snow, and pointed toward Mayor Bowser’s decision not to enforce the city’s new shoveling rules (which include fines for not shoveling) as a big contributor. It also asked for a more comprehensive map of which streets are priorities to plow first (the scale generally goes from emergency routes to major arterials, and so on), asked that certain alleys be included in plowing plans, and said it’d be best to leave school yard and park gates unlocked before a storm so residents can enjoy the snow in nearby fields.

6B Voices Support for the 11th Street Bridge Park Plans are moving along for the 11th Street Bridge Park, a public space that will span the old 11th Street Bridge. On Sunday, April 17th, the design team will team with the National Park Service to host the Anacostia River Festival, with activities that include kayaking, bike parades, fishing workshops, music, and arts projects. Looking more long-term, the design team is also investing in a plan to use the Bridge Park to promote economic development in its community while not displacing residents. As the design team is currently working with DDOT to get the go ahead for an engineering assessment, 6B sent a letter to Mayor Bowser and DC Council chair Phil Mendelson voicing support for the project. “The Anacostia River has long divided the communities of Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, and Anacostia/Fairlawn,” it read. “The 11th Street Bridge Park offers the opportunity to become a physical and metaphorical bridge stitching together the city.” The letter praised the Bridge Park’s staff for its community outreach efforts, and said it believed the project would realize its goals of giving residents a place to exercise and play, and generating jobs and economic activity.

“Given the potential for what the 11th Street Bridge Park would mean to our community, the city and the nation’s capital, we support the continued planning.”

Another Step in the Southeast Boulevard Process In January, DDOT presented the draft results of its latest study on how to develop the Southeast Boulevard. Among what came out of the study were that there could be an underground bus garage with entrances and exits at 11th Street and Barney Circle, and that it will likely be at least ten years before construction finishes. After February’s regular meeting, 6B sent a letter to DDOT with a number of different requests for moving forward, including at DDOT look to use the project to build connections with the Anacostia Riverfront and that it create a new neighborhood linked to the existing street grid. The letter also asked that DDOT make public more detail about the cost of building a new road, and that it provide more information on how it created its traffic study. “The Commission is committed to working with DDOT and various stakeholders… to realize this new, connected neighborhood,” the letter ended.

On Residents’ Behalf, 6B Speaks To the Dc Council About DDOT In late February, 6B chair Kirsten Oldenburg testified at the DC Council’s transportation and environment committee’s oversight hearing about the commission’s experiences with DDOT. Regarding both the effort to redevelop the Southeast Boulevard and Barney Circle, Oldenburg acknowledged that both projects will be expensive and labor-intensive, but also that the community will benefit from new parks, housing, and access to the Anacostia River once they are finished. She said that both need continued support from the mayor, DDOT, and the council to ensure that they happen. Oldenburg also praised DDOT for adding a crosswalk on 11th Street SE just south of K Street (installation started in early February), and asked for more information on how resident permit parking will work in DC moving forward. She also voiced frustration over DDOT’s handling of alley and sidewalk repairs, saying they seem to be haphazardly planned.

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Mass liquor license renewal in March About 1,500 ABC licenses are up for renewal in 2016, with all restaurant and hotel licenses needing to be completed by the end of March (bars have until the end of September). Renewal applications went out on February 8th. 6B is going to have a lot of settlement agreements to negotiate this month. ANC 6B’s next full meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th at the Hill Center, which sits at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. u

ANC 6C Report by Christine Rushton

nowzilla” dominated the discussion at February’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C meeting. Commissioners expressed both disapproval and praise of the way the District handled the late-January snowstorm, but one conclusion stuck: the DC government needs to enforce parking and shoveling laws for snow events. All agreed that the decision to waive snow emergency parking tickets and not enforce sidewalk shoveling hurt the precedent for future events and the overall city budget. The quorum: Karen Wirt (6C02 chair), Tony Goodman (6C06), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04), Scott Price (6C03), Daniel Schiffman (6C01), and Christopher Miller (6C05). Miller left after giving the fourth quarter report due to illness.

Snow Removal Plows pushed snow onto sidewalks and obstructed crosswalks during the January storm, and the ANC expressed frustration at the lack of attention paid to pedestrian safety. Commissioner Goodman said the snow team worked hard to help the disabled shovel sidewalks, but added, “I don’t know what the el-

derly and disabled would do once they got to the sidewalk.” The commissioners voted unanimously to send Eckenwiler as a representative for a Feb. 18 hearing on how the city handled the snow. Eckenwiler will explain that the District should enforce parking fines and reevaluate the subpar care paid to bicycle lanes.

Petition for Cathy Hughes Way Tribute A group on H Street requested that the 400 block of H Street NE be renamed Cathy Hughes Way as a tribute to a prominent business owner on the street. The petitioning group’s representative said Hughes did not request the sign, but the locals felt they wanted to “pay homage” to her for her success. The committee struggled with their final decision to deny the request, because they saw the community benefit of supporting local inspirations. But Commissioner Price said the road sign is out of context, and several other commissioners suggested the group research other tribute ideas such as displayed artwork, plaques, and the DC Historic Trail. The final vote came to 3-2 to deny.

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Capitol Hill Classic Commissioners unanimously supported the Capitol Hill Classic race set for May 15. It requires road closures and restricted parking on residential roads. This year the runners will take a new route because an event involving President Barack Obama will block the area near the West Front Lawn of the Capitol.

Turning RFK Lots into Play Fields Parks and Events asked the commissioners to weigh in on the discussion for turning some of the parking lots at RFK Stadium into a playfield, green space, and location for a farmer’s market for the Capitol Riverside Youth Sport Park group and the community. Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to the DC Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser to support the project and obtain possible funding help. “It would be a complement to the efforts to improve the river,” said Parks and Events Committee Chair Christine Healey.

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202-547-1777 noelkane@earthlink.net March 2016 H 87

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Updating the NoMo Vision Plan With increased development through the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID), the commissioners requested an updated plan for the projects in the growing community. The current NoMo vision plan came out in 2006, but Commissioner Goodman wanted a new version to reflect recent acquisitions including the two-acre plot near Harry Thomas Way, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and New York Avenue NE. The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of request to the DC Office of Planning.

Other Actions Commissioner Eckenwiler encouraged the community to attend or support the Feb. 29 DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) oversight hearing. He will testify at the meeting and send a letter to At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange stating that DCRA on several occasions failed to comply with and enforce policy. “They have rules and they straight up do not follow them,” Eckenwiler said. He added that DCRA also does not put public documents online per District government policy. Toscana’s request for a liquor license is back to square one, after representatives for the restaurant on the 600 block of Second Street NE failed to appear at the Jan. 13 hearing. The commission agreed unanimously on several measures: • They approved a petition to calm traffic by putting in a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Seventh and C streets NE. Residents have complained that cars speed through and pose a danger to pedestrians. • They agreed that Stuart Hobson Middle School’s new tree-box fences exceed the height regulation and disrupt unloading and loading of school buses. The commissioners agreed to send a letter of complaint to the District Department of Transportation and the Department of General Services. • The commissioners proposed new rules for maintaining newspaper and other publication boxes. Boxes that did not meet the rules would be subject to removal. Commissioners discussed the opening of the REI store in NoMa scheduled for the fall of 2016 on the 1100 block of Third Street NE in the historic former Uline Arena. After the District auditor’s office recovered the

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commission’s previously lost fourth quarter report, Commissioner Miller reported an account balance of $51,868.20 for 2015. As of February 2016, the ANC reported a balance of $47,965.33 due to regular payments and attorney fees for settlement cases. ANC 6C meet regularly on the second Wednesday of the month at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. The next meeting is on March 9 at 7 p.m. u

ANC 6D Report by Andrew Lightman

t its meeting on Feb. 8, ANC 6D grappled with an agenda focused on development. Commissioners Marjorie Lightman (6D01), Stacy Braverman Cloyd (6D02), Chair Andy Litsky (6D04), Roger Moffatt (6D05), Rhonda N. Hamilton (6D06), Meredith Fascett (6D07) and Vice Chair Rachel Reilly Carroll (6D03) were in attendance.

PN Hoffman Presents Pier 4 Representatives from PN Hoffman presented their plans for Pier 4. Originally part of the Wharf’s second phase, the pier is designed to accommodate all Southwest cruise boat operations. It will be located at the current embarkation site next to the new waterfront park. The time table for its construction has been moved up to minimize disruptions to the new park and adjacent condos. The existing head house at the base of the pier will be renovated and a new 35,000 square foot structure added. The facility will provide secured waiting and embarkation areas for tourists on its lower level. A finger pier at the end, now under construction, will allow all five existing tour boats to dock. Bus loading will be moved to both sides of Maine Avenue in front of Arena Stage. There will be no increase in tour operations for the waterfront as a whole. All boats will be moved to the finger pier upon its completion. There will be no stoppage due to construction. “We didn’t want our waterfront park to be a holding area for those waiting for the boats,” pointed out Chair Litsky speaking in support of the design.

Two upper levels will house the office facilities of Entertainment Cruises. The structure will be completed along with the other phase one projects. It is being built as a matter of right with the exception of a parking easement. It will be a LEED gold building. Commissioners questioned the lighting plan for the pier. According to the Hoffman representatives, it very modestly employs four eight-foot light poles and recessed sconces. Most of the light will be blocked by the canopy. Commissioners also expressed concerns over the use of the pier’s third floor terrace. A Hoffman representative promised that it will not be an event space and will be reserved solely for the use of the office tenants. The developer is also amenable in incorporating usage restrictions in the Planned Unit Development stipulations. The Harbor Square Cooperative Board has submitted detailed questions to the developer regarding the Pier 4 design and the management of its construction, Litsky reported. The Hoffman representative also informed the commission that plans were well under way to create a water taxi connection between The Wharf and Haines Point. The National Park Service is supportive of the developer constructing a small vessel launch near the point’s tennis courts. The taxi service would run from the Municipal Pier near the Fish Market beginning in 2018. A request for proposals is in the works to select a future operator.

Stadium District Lofts Sparks RPP Discussion Tyler G. Merkeley, a Southwest resident, presented his plan for the Stadium District Lofts. This four story, eight unit, infill project will be built at 1542 First St. SW on the site of what was formally a derelict, abandoned single family home. The DC Zoning Commission will review the project on March 17. The development will feature a mix of one and two bedroom units with the fourth floor loft having three-bedrooms. The project features permeable pavers, an interior trash room, bicycle accommodations and a bioretention garden. It will be silver LEED. No public space will be used by the development. Its design incorporates a 12 foot setback. A public sculpture will grace its entrance. It is being designed to align with the nearby 1990s flats. It will have public pet waste dispenser. Merkeley is a part-time real estate investor who

has previously converted four blighted properties. He requested for that commission support the project’s application for a parking exception. The building is far too narrow for onsite parking, Merkeley pointed out. There is also no rear alley access. The law requires eight spots. However, a study he commissioned revealed that only 39 percent of the adjacent street parking is utilized at night. To encourage residents towards transportation alternatives, the development will provide free bike helmets, and five years of free bike or car-share memberships to residents. A $30 Uber credit will be awarded to residents on move-in. “It is rare you see a developer come to us with a plan that is this well thought out. This is truly a neighborhood project,” stated Chair Litsky. Commissioner Hamilton, whose SMD contains the project, echoed his assessment. Commissioner Braverman Cloyd questioned whether the ANC’s support for the parking variance and on street parking for the project’s residents signaled a change in the commission’s stance. Would this mean Residential Parking Permit (RPP) restrictions for new construction would be considered on a caseby-case basis, she asked. “People should not be worried that we are just going to allow 6,000 people to park on the street,” responded Vice Chair Reilly Carroll speaking in support of the variance for the project. Commissioner Moffat stated he could not vote in support of the project if the residents were allowed RPP. Up until this time we have had an informal approach of no RPP for residents of new construction, he pointed out. Using RPP denial as a weapon, does not ensure developers put in sufficient residential parking, Commissioner Lightman observed. New

residents quickly become old residents. They will question the discrimination, she pointed out. “If we don’t make any exception, the project cannot move forward. A massive building will take its place when the property is sold,” stated Commissioner Hamilton. “This is not an opportunity for any other developer to come before us and ask for RPP,” stated Chair Litsky. He suggested commissioners sit down and work out a formal policy for future developments. “We are not going to have a full discussion of RPP at this time,” he stated ending the discussion. Six commissioners voted in support of the project’s design and zoning exceptions. Moffat abstained on both counts.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C

Buzzard Point Plan Problematic The commission voted unanimously to send a resolution to the DC Office of Planning detailing their caveats regarding its proposed Buzzard Vision and Implementation Plan. The commissioner is concerned that more than 6,000 units of housing are being squeezed into a few small blocks. That development, in the commission’s opinion, lacks sufficient commitment to affordable housing other than the minimum required under Inclusionary Zoning. The transportation plan is “bare bones” and unbudgeted. The commission also had concerns for arrangements for public safety in such an intensively developed and geographically isolated area.

P.O. Box 77876 • Washington, D.C. 20013-7787 www.anc6c.org • (202) 547-7168 ANC 6C generally meets the second Wednesday of each month. 214 Massachusetts Ave NE

ANC 6C COMMISSIONERS ANC 6C01 Daniele Schiffman Daniele.Schiffman @gmail.com ANC 6C02 Karen Wirt (202) 547-7168 6C02@anc.dc.gov ANC 6C03 Scott Price (202) 577-6261 6C03@anc.dc.gov scott.price@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C04 Mark Eckenwiler 6C04@anc.dc.gov ANC 6C05 Christopher Miller 6C05@anc.dc.gov ANC 6C06 Tony Goodman (202) 271-8707 tonytgood@gmail.com

ANC 6C COMMITTEES Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee First Monday, 7 pm Contact: anc6c.abl.committee@gmail.com Grants Committee Last Thursday, 7 pm Contact: lesliebarbour.dc@gmail.com

Parks and Events Committee First Tuesday, 7 pm Contact: christinehealey100@gmail.com

Transportation and Public Space Committee First Thursday, 7 pm Contact: mark.kaz.anc@gmail.com Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development First Wednesday, 7 pm Contact: zoning@eckenwiler.org Twitter: @6C_PZE

Public Safety Report Sergeant Architzel provided the commissioners with a public safety briefing. In PSA 105, there were no homicides, sexual assaults or burglaries. There were thefts from automobiles. There were six regular thefts. There was an increase in assaults with deadly weapons. There was one robbery

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with a gun and three purse snatches. In PSA 106, there were no homicides, one case of sexual abuse, an assault with a deadly weapon, six robberies, one burglary, 24 thefts from automobiles and 16 thefts. The MPD is deploying a new traffic unit to enforce the traffic laws at Fourth and M Streets SW.

Miscellaneous Matters The ABC Committee held no January meeting, reported Chair Coralie Farlee. The protest package for Bardo has been submitted. Commissioners approved the addition of two new committee members by unanimous vote. The commission unanimously approved Vice Chair Reilly Carroll testifying at the DC Housing Authority oversight hearing on Feb. 24. The commission voted to send a letter to the DC Council supporting a text amendment to the city’s inclusionary zoning law (IZ) requiring that all IZ rental units be affordable at 60 percent median family income; and that all IZ for-sale units be affordable at 80 percent median family income. The commission voted to let Commissioner Fascett testify in support of this position at the coming March 3 council hearing. The commission voted unanimously to support the DC Statehood march planned for April 15. The commission unanimously expressed its support for the National Police Week 5K race that will be held on May 14. The commissioners approved the February agenda, the January minutes, the Treasurer’s report and the Quarterly Report unanimously. There were no community concerns. ANC 6D will meet next at 7 p.m. on March 14 at 1100 Fourth St. SW, second floor. For more information, visit www.anc6d.org. u

ANC 6E Report by Steve Holton Homewood Suites Receives ABRA Support A representative of the Homewood Suites hotel chain joined the meeting to ask the commissioners

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of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E to support an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) license. The hotel is located at 465 New York Ave. NW and will open for business on April 20. It is requesting support to serve alcohol between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. The hotel will offer manager’s receptions, for hotel guests only, four or five times a week, when beer and wine will be served between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. The hotel has a total of 88 parking spots reserved for hotel guests only, which should help alleviate parking concerns in the neighborhood. Homewood Suites is hiring employees and reaching out to the community with job opportunities by publicizing its workforce development. The commissioners voted in favor of supporting the liquor license and will communicate that support to ABRA.

Zoning Request for Ground-Floor Retail A representative of a two-story property located at 1525 Ninth St. NW requested a special exemption to the first floor of the building that will allow the use of ground-floor retail. The first floor was originally used as office space and has been vacant for over a year. The second floor is residential; the applicant is asking for retail use on only the first floor. Neighbors to the north of the property support the application, but neighbors on the south side are not supportive and attended the meeting to share their concerns. ANC 6E01 Vice Chairman Alexander Padro provided a list of restrictions that the retail space tenant would have to abide by to receive the commission’s support. The restrictions include hours of operation, where no business transactions can be made past 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The tenants will not be able to obtain an entertainment endorsement if an alcohol license is associated with the property. Sound-proofing measures will have to be installed on the property; daily trash removal and delivery restrictions from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. are also part of the agreement. The tenants who live on the south side of the property and who also share a common wall with the proposed retail space stated their concerns of sound, rodents, and odor transferal. They also noted that the front of the property is on the sidewalk, and they are worried about the extra foot

traffic and people hanging out on their steps. Despite the list of restrictions they feel that this will not be good for their living situation and property values. The neighbors also noted that when they purchased their homes the first-floor zoning status was considered office space only, and they were assured that it would stay that way and not be used for retail. They requested that the zoning status remain the same. The commissioners noted that the District Zoning Board has permitted use for other businesses in the neighborhood and that the character of the block is changing. The commissioners of ANC 6E believe that the two properties can co-exist and voted in favor of supporting the zoning request, provided that the retail space tenant agrees and obeys the aforementioned restrictions. The tenant stated that they are installing sound-proofing material, taking extra precautions to eliminate rodents, and taking other measures to alleviate issues of concern.

Zoning in U Street Historical District A third-story addition will be added to a home located at 919 R St. NW; the property has approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). The renovation follows historic guidelines, and the addition will not be visible from the street. The interior renovation plans include turning a single-family home into two condo units that will each have three bedrooms, and the rear of the building will receive a patio. Project representatives noted that they have letters of support from neighbors on each side of the building. The commissioners voted to support the zoning request and communicate their decision to HPRB.

Next Meeting ANC 6E will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on March 1 at the Northwest One Library on 155 L St. NW. Visit www.anc6e.org to view the newsletter; follow on Twitter @ANC6E and on Facebook by searching ANC6E. Steve Holton can be contacted at ssholton@gmail.com and followed on twitter @ssholton. u

Community members gather to present valentines as thanks to the officers of 1D1.

Hill Residents Sing Their Thanks to Neighborhood Police

by Carol Anderson op sensation Adele wasn’t only at the Grammys. She also was well represented at a Capitol Hill police station. At the 17th Annual Police Valentine Tribute, a group of church and community members turned Adele’s mega-hit “Rolling in the Deep” into “Patrolling City Streets” and honored many officers by name in the lyrics. Soloist Dan Felton handled the more acrobatic parts of the song, with everyone singing the chorus. A second paean to the officers entitled, “Anytime We Need to Call,” was sung to the tune of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Each February, members of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church and other community leaders descend on the First District Substation (1D1) at 5th & E St., SE to thank neighborhood police for their dedicated service. They surprise police officers with valentines, good food, gag gifts and songs written in their honor. Each time an officer hears his name, a loud “That’s me!” rings out. “This annual tradition is a great way that neighbors share a “heartfelt” thank you to the men and women of our city’s police department for the hard work they do each and every day on our behalf,” said Ward 6 DC Councilmember Charles Allen, who regularly attends the fetes. Knowing the cops love attention from the kids, Capitol Hill UMC’s Deacon of Discipleship, Troy Sims, kicked things off by presenting a “boatload” of valentines from CHUMC’s Sunday School kids, which were stuffed inside a big paper boat they had made especially for the police. Rev. Alisa Wailoo, pastor at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, encouraged the officers to come to CHUMC for breakfast

or lunch, where they would be warmly welcomed with hearty food and fellowship. “We are grateful for the officers of 1D1. From the moment I arrived on the Hill in 2008, there has been a beat officer ready to partner with us to help those in need and to keep our community safe. We deeply appreciate how you sacrifice for and serve our neighborhood,” said Wailoo. The 1D1 crew gave as good as they got. They presented the church kids with a boxload of individual bags of candy they had put together as a thank you gift. “The kindness and generosity of the members of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church and Ebenezer UMC will long be remembered. We are humbled that you would bring our community together to show support and appreciation for the officers who serve this community,” said Capt. Mark Beach, the interim chief of 1D1. “For the 17th straight year now this outpouring of love and kindness resonates deeply as America struggles to maintain strong relations between police and the citizenry. It has been my honor to work with such an outstanding group who are committed to serving others. Thank you all so much,” added Beach. Echoing Capt. Beach, Robert J. Contee, the new First District Commander, said he, too, was grateful for the show of generosity toward the officers. The kids were as excited as the cops. One little boy said, “I’ve been inside a hospital. I’ve been inside a fire station. Now my wish has come true -- I’ve been inside a real police station!” And he was over the moon. And so were many of the bigger kids wearing badges. u

Rev. Alisa Wailoo, pastor at CHUMC, and Capt. Mark Beach of 1D1.

Officers Steven Love, Andrea Harris, George Baldwin, and Michael McCreary with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen

Carol Werner of CHUMC; Capt. Mark Beach; Lorna Morgan, Ebenezer UMC; Councilman Charles Allen; Officer George Tompa and Officer Nick DeCuitiis.

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{community life}

Heard on the Hill

by Jen DeMayo

Some Thoughts on Home Ownership Moving to the Hill 16 years ago changed our lives in many dramatic ways. We found ourselves part of a deeply committed community of passionate, interesting people. We also became parents and have enjoyed raising kids in this community where there are many eyes looking out for them. But perhaps our deepest, most aggravating yet rewarding result of that move was the fact that we became homeowners for the first time. What were we thinking? There are many days when we are pleased about the sheer dumb luck that brought us to the H Street neighborhood before anyone was talking about a streetcar. That long ago. The fact that soon Morning smiles along with coffee and pastries from Pineapple and Pearls on Barracks Row

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a Whole Foods will be within walking distance is truly mind boggling. The financial investment we made in this house has paid off. And of course we love all of our neighbors and the larger Hill community, which has proven to be the small town I didn’t know I wanted but have come to adore. But the practicalities of home ownership? Ugh. Seriously for the birds. In 16 years we have had two new kitchens, two basement renovations, two washing machines, four refrigerators, five flooded basement incidents, rodents, a burst pipe, frozen pipes, busted water heater, and most recently a tanking AC system that required a top-to-bottom doover. The never-ending cycle of upkeep and improvements has been a challenge to sanity and bank accounts. It is ultimately rewarding, though I confess that I long for the simplicity of calling a landlord when something goes wrong. What did we do with all that free time? You know, the days before weekend meant visiting Frager’s Hardware no fewer than three times. A time when snowstorms meant sledding and snuggling and not worrying about the roof’s collapsing. Sigh. Not being remotely useful with a hammer or drill I had the foresight to marry someone who is capable and unafraid of sawdust, knocking things down, and electrical wiring. In the early years of home ownership he did much of the renovation work himself. While that DIY ethos is a moneysaving endeavor for sure, advancing age brings the wisdom to hire professionals. We have been lucky with the contractors, plumbers, electricians, and, gulp, exterminators who have helped keep this old house standing. While I am not saying I have given up on the doorman building fantasy, I enjoy being surrounded by the memories of home ownership mistakes and improvements. Our house is just so US. Almost as much as our kids and sometimes more so, because some days I have no idea where they came from.

East Side Books I know I am not alone in mourning the loss of Trover Books. I have fond memories of a thrilling midnight release event there for the final Harry Potter book with my then seven-year-old. The store closed in 2009 after serving the Hill for 51 years. While the neighborhood still has two great used book stores, we have had to venture to the

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wilds of Northwest or, gasp, the suburbs to get new releases. Doom for the independent bookstore has been predicted for years due to competition from the Internet and big-box stores, and indeed many succumbed. But book lovers knew that the visceral joys of browsing the aisles of a bookstore could not be replicated by deep-pocketed competition, and it seems they were right. Independent bookstores are back. Northwest has several, of course, and even the online behemoth-who-shall-not-be-named is opening brick and mortars because they are just that shameless. Well, rejoice nerds, for we too will soon have a bookstore to call our own thanks to the efforts of longtime Hill resident Laurie Gillman. The shop, called East City Bookshop, will have its grand opening on the weekend of April 30, which happens to be National Independent Bookstore Day. The following day, May 1, is the annual Literary Hill Bookfest, which celebrates the many, many authors who make the Hill home. Eager readers should be able to begin nosing around the store during a soft opening in early April. The 3,200-square-foot store will be located at 645 Pennsylvania Ave. It will carry fiction and non-fiction new books for all ages, as well as gifts and book-related items, toys, and art and craft supplies, letterpress cards, and a curated selection of prints and locally made items. There are plans for storytimes, author events, book clubs, and other ways for book lovers to find a home. “One of the great things about a neighborhood bookstore is that it can respond to the needs and wishes of the community,” said Gillman. “In addition to selling books, there are so many things a bookstore can do to enhance your reading pleasure, extend your knowledge, and add dimension to our neighborhood.” She explained, “We want community input about what you want to read and what kind of events you enjoy. You can tell us what you think on our website, www.eastcitybookshop.com.” Gillman has already received a lot of feedback from the community since word began to spread before the doors opened. “The neighborhood’s response so far has been fantastic! People are very welcoming, supportive, and excited,” she remarked. “I’m loving hearing from future customers as I choose books for the opening inventory and place orders for really cool gifts; there’s so much great stuff out there. I love sharing the

excitement!” she said. Why call it East City Bookshop? Gillman said that she wants to serve the eastern side of the city, where there are no general interest bookstores. “I want to focus on the fact that lots of us live in the eastern part of the city, we read books, and we’re interested in a variety of topics. Capitol Hill is just one of the city’s lively, vital eastern neighborhoods, and I hope East City Bookshop’s proximity to many other neighborhoods in Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest will spread the literary love.” You can also keep up with East City Bookshop on its Facebook page, which has pictures of the work in progress. Happy reading!

What Else Is New? Mr. Henry’s, the beloved restaurant/home away from home, has recently renovated the downstairs dining area. Longtime customers will not be disappointed since the space retains the same cozy, homey atmosphere, just slightly more contemporary. The space had not had a good facelift since the 60s so it was probably time. During the renovation the upstairs continued to host a full roster of music including jazz and bluegrass. The downstairs menu remains its glorious burger/nachos self, while the upstairs features items like risotto and steak.

More Coffee on Barracks Row Pineapple and Pearls, the little sister to Rose’s Luxury, has opened the coffee and sandwich part of the space. They are currently offering three sandwiches, sweet rolls and coffee in sleek, downright fancy packaging. The sandwiches will have to suffice since the fine dining, reservations-taking part of the restaurant is still months away.

High-Flying Fun The Washington outpost of The Trapeze School of New York has reopened in a new location in the Navy Yard at 1299 New Jersey Ave. SE. Larger than the original location near Yards Park, the school is offering an expanded array of classes in trapeze, aerial arts, and conditioning. Grand opening events are planned for later this spring, so stay tuned to their social media for updates. u

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What the Hill? by Jared Stern

ver since Rose’s Luxury was listed in Bon Appetit magazine as “America’s Best New Restaurant” everyone wants to taste for themselves its delectable morsels. Unfortunately Rose’s doesn’t take reservations, which means that to get a table you have to get in line and wait for the doors to open at 5 p.m. The line starts forming at 3 p.m. But this is Capitol Hill. Important people like you don’t have time to stand outside in the cold for two hours. That’s where I come in. For the last month I’ve been offering my services as a professional line stander, a concierge placeholder, the waiter before the waiter serves you. Unencumbered by a day job, I decided to monetize the one skill that I’ve been honing ever since I could stand upright: taking up space. It’s a service you probably didn’t know you needed until now. Wanting to take my new business seriously, I crafted an ad and put it where the dining elite would be sure to spot it, Craigslist. I gave my new venture the classy name “Standing Appointments.” For a nominal fee I will stand in line for a party of six or fewer. It wasn’t long before people realized that

time is money and patience is a virtue. I had my first customer. Here’s what I learned when I queued up for the first time: getting paid to stand around is not an original idea. In fact it might be the world’s second oldest profession. I got there at 3:00 to find that I was the fifth person in line. Three of the other four people in line were also being paid to hold spots for other parties. Apparently there’s a whole community of standers-by. They would stand for just about anything from concert tickets to the new Jordans, basically whatever is anticipated. One of them, a very nice lady named Nadine, offers an array of concierge services. She’ll buy your groceries or help you move or change a light bulb. The second thing I learned while I whiled was that standing is a workout. If you’re going to do this, please make sure to limber up. Once I was done being inert, it was tough to get myself moving again. I don’t know how people with standing desks at their office jobs do it all day. They say sitting is the new smoking, and after two hours of standing I was ready to light up a sit. One of my favorite ways to pass the time was messing with the gawking out-of-towners

and the constant question, “What is this line for?” My favorite response was, “The antidote.” Either my customers took my spot before the doors opened or I gave the host a name and cell number so the restaurant could seat them promptly when they arrived. I charge $25 an hour for my saint-like patience. If only I could stretch that out to a 9 to 5 workday. I don’t think the cast of “Waiting for Godot” makes that much. As 5 p.m. drew near I was in close contact with my client via text. He and his family wanted to be in on the first seating, and I was ready to make the switch once the doors opened. As he and his family waded up the sidewalk toward the front of the line, trying to see who matched my description, I gave him a knowing nod. He smoothly slipped three twenties into my palm. As we parted ways, I wished him a hearty “Bon appetit.” If you need me, I’ll be waiting. Jared Stern makes strangers laugh at him for money. Follow him on Twitter @FunnyJared. u

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Reverend Michael Wilker

he pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Michael Wilker, likes to say that he sees his work as opening the doors of God’s love to our neighborhood, to the nation, and to the world. Standing three blocks from the US Capitol, the church building does indeed have impressive wooden doors and, in “Pastor Mike,” a friendly and welcoming person to open them. Wilker first came to Washington as a high

by Stephanie Deutsch Wilker grew up on a hog farm in a family with an activist tradition. Great Grandma Winnie, on his mother’s side, founded a resort on Kitchi Lake in northern Minnesota and was active in her community, organizing the rural electrification coop and the local public school district. On his father’s side in southern Minnesota, Grandpa Laverne would go out to speak to other farmers about soil conservation and the environment, sometimes taking his grandson with him, and he was the lead-

Rev. Michael Wilker. Photo: David Deutsch

school student on a trip sponsored by the 4-H club in his home town, Owatonna, in southern Minnesota. The focus of the trip was citizenship, defined by 4-H as “acting with informed concern for yourself and others.” Thinking about it today, in his sunny, book-lined office looking out on East Capitol Street, Wilker says that this concept is at the root “of what I’ve tried to do with my life and my vocation.”

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er of the 4-H Club where young Mike earned recognition as “Reserve Champion 4-H Swine Showman of Minnesota.” He still has his award plaque, hanging on the wall with the family portraits. “Around our dinner table,” Wilker remembers, “my dad would be debating the Republican side of things and my mom would be taking the Democrats’ point of view.” His parents disagreed about which campaign signs to allow at the end of their

driveway, but their values were similar enough that when the car radio announced the death of Hubert Humphrey, who had been a progressive senator from Minnesota before becoming vice-president and then running for president himself, Wilkerson’s dad pulled the car to the side of the road because they were both tearing up. Lutheran faith and tradition were always at the center of his family and community life. The local Lutheran church, St. Paul’s, had been founded in 1865 in Wilker’s great grandparents’ living room. As farmers, his dad and others saw feeding the hungry as their vocation. At St. Olaf College, 30 miles from home, Wilker got involved in everything – the movement pushing for the school to drop investments supporting apartheid in South Africa, student government, and planning for social events, and he even found himself, as a senior, invited to deliver a sermon. As he considered what he wanted to say, a friend suggested that it was summed up in Micah 6: 8, “And what does the Lord command of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” In those words Wilker found the three strands that would direct his life. After college he got a job with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) which took him first to serve at a food bank in Chicago and then to Washington, DC, where he joined the LVC staff and became the program director. After singing in the church choir on Thursday nights he also volunteered at N Street Village in one of its programs working primarily with women recovering from addiction to crack. One evening as they were having dinner one of the women asked him, “Why aren’t you a pastor?” As he was discerning a call to the ministry Wilker was also starting to learn Spanish in response to the large number of refugees from El Salvador and Guatemala he was encountering in

Book Launch Event Washington. In the aftermath of the killing of six Catholic priests and their two co-workers in El Salvador in 1989, he felt the call become specific – not just to the church but to become a bilingual pastor. In 1990 Wilker set off by car for seminary in California, stopping in Iowa to get married. The wedding was on the lawn of a Norwegian-American Lutheran church surrounded by cornfields, the bride a woman he had met in Washington where she worked at the church’s voter registration and education committee. It was Judy who had suggested they choose a school in “a place with no snow.” Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley was small but surrounded by other seminaries, a stimulating and “very ecumenical environment.” After two years on campus, Wilker served a year in the South Bronx in a community that was largely Puerto Rican and African-American, where he used his Spanish and was sobered by a mass killing in the neighborhood that went largely unreported in the press. The episode became the subject of his honors thesis, which looked at the biblical concept of scapegoating. “I think Jesus’s death,” he explains, “like those murders in the Bronx, revealed our complicity as a society in scapegoating people. In killing them.” After positions with very diverse congregations in Watsonville, Calif., and Freeport, Long Island, Michael and Judy returned to Washington, DC, in 2005. With their two children, Maija and Karl, they moved to Mount Pleasant, where Judy, who had gotten a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language, became the lead teacher in an ESL and family literacy program and Michael become executive director of the national Lutheran Volunteer Corps. “The volunteers work for social justice, live together in community, and explore simpler, sustainable lifestyles,” Wilker says. “I had experienced that kind of community before and I like it.” And he enjoyed working with a program that supports young people at an important year in their lives. But presiding at worship and being in a more intergenerational context called to him, so he was thrilled to be invited to apply for the job as pastor of the Church of the Reformation. The congregation, founded in 1869, had seen

its membership fall in the 1950s and 60s as people fled urban problems. But it still had a magnificent 1934 building, a vibrant outreach program centered on the food pantry, and devoted members. Today, after four years as pastor, Wilker says the church is in need of more bike racks and a place to park strollers as a younger generation is being called to Reformation and the building is bustling with activity. There are two preschools in the basement, offices for Jubilee USA, a consortium of organizations that work to protect “the most vulnerable,” and Capitol Hill Group Ministry’s office of permanent supportive housing. Five different music programs including Reformation’s own choir practice there. The food pantry distributes 3,000 bags of groceries a year. Representatives of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service are regularly hosted at the church. Wilker accompanies them on visits to congressional offices. Wilker sees his ministry as not just to his own congregation but to the whole city. He is active with the Washington Interfaith Network, which has been advocating for major changes in the way homeless families are housed. He sees the shelter at DC General as a “hellhole,” an example of scapegoating of children, and he is excited at the prospect of the city closing DC General and creating smaller facilities to house families in more apartment-like settings in every ward. He hopes this will be greeted by neighbors with an attitude he calls YIMBY – Yes in My Back Yard. Wilker sees the three strands of his activity in the larger community as fighting racial injustice, supporting legal immigration reform, and ministering to the gay and lesbian communities. When he feels discouraged that these goals are large and there is much to do, he reminds himself that he is in it for the long run. “This work can be despairing, and big changes don’t come quickly,” he says. “But I am a marathoner, in for the long race.” He will run his 14th marathon just after Easter. He likes to remember that his best time ever was in a race he trained for while doing a 40-day partial fast and praying for immigration reform. “Praying and fasting and running all work together,” he says. “These runs up and down Capitol Hill are spiritual.” u

Taking Care of a Stranger by Shelia Garner

An afternoon with Sheila: Meet the Author - Book Signing - Discussion Hors Oeuvres and Beverages

March 19, 2016 2pm – 5pm

650 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and EBook

MEET AND GREET

Ameer Flippin CEO, NickelDefense.net

Meet Ameer Flippin for bowling at Lucky Strike! AmeerFlippin@gmail.com for appointments and to learn more.

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Giving the Gift of Music

The Capitol Hill Presbyterian Choir Director Offers the Community A Chance to Sing, Together article and photos by Christine Rushton

itting on a worn wood bench, Caitriona McEniry-Roschke, music director at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, places her fingers carefully on the aged white ivory. Sunlight streams through the stained glass onto the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church pews sitting empty on a late Wednesday afternoon. Then, music fills the sanctuary.

and support the church’s programs — music and the Lutheran Church of the Reformation soup kitchen and food pantry. The program varied from French love songs to Beatles tributes. McEniry-Roschke knows the church can lead the local community in spreading music to all ages and wants to use her talents to give back to what she loves. “Music is a culture that doesn’t affect or benefit one group — it’s children to pensioners,” McEniry-Roschke said. Her mission for the Capitol Hill community is to bring the arts to daily life.

Hailing from Donegal, Ireland Parties, festivals, church services and community gatherings all involved music for McEniry-Roschke growing up in the region of Donegal, Ireland. Never a day passed when she didn’t sing or play piano, organ or flute. But after meeting her husband in Ireland and then moving to the United States, she discovered a strange cultural difference — not all Americans feel comfortable sharing music. “I can’t even imagine not singing,” she recalled. “But when I came over here I noticed some children don’t sing. Where I come from, we all sing. You don’t fully appreciate it until it’s not there,” she added. Also a piano teacher at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), she teaches young families through sing-a-longs and has private piano students.

Building A Sense of Accomplishment in Musical Abilities

Caitriona McEniry-Roschke sits at the piano to play.

Her face is rapt and intense as she practices on the hall’s baby grand piano and plays from memory the songs she performs for the congregation each Sunday. The choir and instrumental music incorporated into regular and special church services reflect the energy she has brought to the congregation when she took over the church’s music responsibilities in 2014. Each service held for the church at 201 Fourth Street SE invites the patrons to explore musical spirituality alongside the lessons of the sermon. “On Capitol Hill, there’s a core group of people dedicated to every thing that they do,” McEniry-Roschke said of musicians and churchgoers on the Hill. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning.” Directing a group of 12 vocalists, McEniry-Roschke mixes both traditional hymns and pop music into her programs. On special occasions, the church hires the Second Strings Orchestra to accompany. At a concert and sparkling wine tasting fundraiser on Feb. 13, the choir invited neighbors to join them in a Valentine’s Day celebration

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Leslie Barbour, an elder at Capitol Hill Presbyterian, considers McEniry-Roschke extremely talented with an ambitious sense of musicality. “There is nothing but accolades about her ability to choose music for our very small choir,” she said. When the choir sings in front of the small congregation of roughly 100, Barbour said it adds a dynamic touch to the routine Sunday service. McEniry-Roschke either prepares a new piece with the choir or performs a new solo piece on the piano or organ every week. Barbour appreciates the consistent exposure to fresh songs. “It’s an uplifting experience,” Barbour said. “She brings a different voice to the church. She is bringing new music to us, a new flare and twist on familiar songs.” The previous music director started encouraging the church to embrace more music until she left for another position in 2014. McEniry-Roschke picked up where she left off, but added more instrumental and special holiday performances to draw musicians out of the audience onto the stage. Her focus on highlighting vocalists’ strengths gives them a sense of confidence in their abilities. Put Caitriona McEniry-Roschke sits at the piano to play.

March 20 Palm Sunday Service at 11:00 am March 27 Easter Sunday Service at 11:00 am

visit www.capitolhillpreschurch.org for more information.

www.hillrag.com Caitriona McEniry-Roschke, choir director at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church.

201 4th Street, SE (at Fourth and Independence Ave SE) Washington, DC 20003 • 202-547-8676

Pastor Scott Wilson

simply, she fosters talent. “When she is looking for somebody to perform a special part, there is never a shortage of people wanting to try,” Barbour said. “The response has been nothing short of miraculous.” Instead of picking music that stresses the skill level of the amateur choir, the young choir director relies on pieces that play to the strengths of her vocalists. She said some directors pick too challenging of music for their group and end up fighting the fear of a poor performance. She wants to advance the church choir’s level, but not at the expense of losing the love of music and community. “It’s important to choose music that they can sing well and feel good about,” she said. “It’s getting people together to do music.” She hopes to grow the choir and incorporate more instrumental performances beyond holiday specials in the future at Capitol Hill Presbyterian. Reaching any patrons with music — congregation members or community — she considers a success. “You’re giving the gift, but it keeps on giving,” she said. For more information about the church and its programs go to www.capitolhillpreschurch.org. The church is located at 201 4th Street, SE. u

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Our River: The Anacostia Down by the Riverside ’16 – What We’d Better Keep an Eye On by Bill Matuszeski

here are lots of good things in store for the Anacostia in 2016. Two that come to mind are the beginning of regular boat trips funded by the city and run by the Anacostia Watershed Society and Riverkeeper; and completion of the last gap in the trail system between Benning Road and the Bladensburg Marina. But there are also a few places we had better watch for developments. I see at least five along the tidal river that deserve our vigilance. All are large-scale efforts and right on the river. Some warrant attention because there is nothing happening and something should. Others are because something seems to be happening, but exactly what is not clear. And for still others there is a lot of disagreement over what should be happening. Let’s start in the north and come south. 1. Dredge ponds in Colmar Manor. It takes a good deal of dredging to keep the river open for boaters in the Bladensburg area, where all the tributaries gather, reach tidal waters, and drop large amounts of sediment. The US Army Corps

River’s edge on Buzzard Point. Photo: Bill Matuszeski

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Kenilworth playing fields. Photo: Bill Matuszeski

of Engineers has created and used a series of artifor building materials and little else. Meanwhile ficial ponds across the river from the Bladensburg the new bike path is being routed “temporarily” Park and Marina on land adjacent to the village through nearby residential neighborhoods. Temof Colmar Manor. For many years these ponds porarily until when? supported a wide variety and volume of wildlife – 3. RFK Stadium parking lots. This 80-acre birds and especially turtles and other amphibians slab of virtually unused asphalt surrounds the staand reptiles – along with grasses and other natudium and receives enormous amounts of stormral vegetation. But according to Fran Toler, head water, which washes directly into the Anacostia. of the nearby Friends of Dueling Creek, in recent times the ponds have been drained and allowed to dry out. The habitat and the wildlife they supported are gone. Why was this management decision made and what can be done to question and possibly reverse it? Shouldn’t the ponds become a natural area with public access? 2. Kenilworth Park athletic fields. This large area north of the now removed Pepco plant on Benning Road in the District was used by the DC government as essentially an unregulated open landfill between 1942 and 1970. Old-timers report that it was constantly smelly and smoldering. After it Dredge pond near Colmar Manor. was closed it was leveled off, covered Photo: Bill Matuszeski with a thin layer of earth, seeded, and opened as a set of athletic fields by the NaNobody likes this, but nobody seems to want to tional Park Service. My kids played and do anything about it, at least for the next decade refereed soccer games there. But eventualor more. The mayor holds out hope for a return ly it was agreed that it was in need of toxof the Redskins, but their current stadium lease ic remediation. in Maryland runs until 2026. Dan Snyder is nonBeginning years ago the south part committal, but apparently vast areas are needed was closed for cleanup and the rest was alfor tailgate parties, which folks evidently don’t lowed to fall into decay and disuse. Not like to have in multilevel parking garages. It is Namuch seems to be happening to this park of tional Park Service land, under a long-term lease several hundred acres right next to the rivto the city, which has assigned management to the er. Despite a cleanup plan issued over two Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a years ago, progress seems nil. There is activEVENTS DC. You can pretty much tell from the ity with trucks on the south side of the site, name where their priorities lie. but it looks mostly like a temporary dump Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park

(CRYSP) hopes to use much of the land for a complex of youth playing fields and a permanent site for the farmers’ market. It is not clear if the fill under the parking lots is free of contamination, so CRYSP is thinking of layering soil and turf on top. That might be OK for the kids, but it is not going to prevent the stormwater from hitting the old asphalt and moving right over to the river. What should happen? If you ask me, we should get rid of all the asphalt now! If there are toxic spots underneath, we should remediate regardless of future use. That is the law and the right thing to do for everyone including the kids and the river. If there is eventually a decision to build a new stadium, a very minor part of the cost would be the installation of parking areas with state-of-the-art stormwater management including permeable pavers, rain gardens, and the like. 4. Buzzard Point. The DC government has done it again for poor old Buzzard Point! Last summer it waited until everyone left town in mid-August and released the cleanup plan for the soccer stadium site for a 30-day comment period ending the week after Labor Day (they did kindly extend it for an additional 15 days when residents complained). Then we had the Office of Planning’s 90-page Vision Framework and Implementation Plan for the entire Buzzard Point land area, conveniently issued for comment on December 28, 2015, just when we were looking around for something to read. It is actually a well-presented 15-year plan for building a “Vibrant MixedUse Neighborhood” of several thousand new housing units and substantial commercial areas around and south of the new stadium. There is at least one piece of refreshing news. Turns out, the place got its name way back in 1673. Those folks who told us it was named much later for all the dead horses that were dragged down there and left for the buzzards are wrong! But there are real issues here. Access to this area of proposed extensive high-rise and high-density development will be off the new and potentially very congested traffic circle at the base of the South Capitol Street Bridge. Drivers would have only three streets which pass to the south from the existing Southwest neighborhoods. That does not even consid-

er the impact of the soccer stadium and related parking issues. There is much food for thought for the folks in the neighborhood, who have already spent so much useful effort on getting the stadium right. 5. Poplar Point. Right over the bridge from Buzzard Point is land owned by the Park Service that runs from the entry of the Anacostia River into the Potomac all the way upstream to the 11th Street Bridge. This is Poplar Point, an area of primarily landfill that has been called the last great riverfront development opportunity in the East. In 2006 Congress passed a law transferring the 110 acres from the Park Service to DC, with the proviso that 70 acres be kept in parkland and the rest developed. A number of issues have cropped up and the transfer is yet to be completed. For one thing, the Park Service regional office and its supporting Park Police and helicopter facilities are located on the 70-acre parcel and will need to be relocated; funds are lacking. For another, much of the land has been contaminated by three prior landowners – the Navy, which used it as a “recovery station” for decades; the city for a tree nursery; and the Architect of the Capitol for greenhouses. The latter two contaminated the soil with pesticides and other chemicals and the Navy left a long list of toxics. The environmental community brought a lawsuit to require EPA investigations under Superfund. These efforts are ongoing, and it is unclear when, if ever, the city will find the funds, the Park Service will get new facilities, the contamination will be remediated, and the courts will let it proceed. But there are those who still think it could all happen and soon. On the other hand, “the last great riverfront development opportunity in the East” could remain just that. So enjoy the river, the trails, the history, and the parks – but keep your eyes open for what is happening around us. Bill Matuszeski writes monthly about the Anacostia River. He is the retired director of the Chesapeake Bay Program, DC Vice- Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Anacostia River, and a member of the Mayor’s Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River. u

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pring is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for some great reasons to get out of the house, I have you covered. The newly launched Trinidad Crafting Salon and a variety of local running clubs are a great way to meet your neighbors while doing something fun. Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca offers a menu that’s sure to leave you dreaming of warmer temperatures.

Two Boots Pizza to Sling Pies at 11th & H Streets

H Street Life by Elise Bernard

can spot them by club t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Faster than the streetcar.” All groups said they welcome runners of different experience levels. Adam Siple, who organizes H Street Runners’ events, explained that “weeknight runs are designed to be on the slower side (think ‘fun run’) in an effort to allow folks to meet and chat with other runners. And we don’t go more than three or four miles on those. We will cover more ground on a Saturday run, usually six to eight miles, and we often have faster folks with us on weekends.” Siple added that “members have found running partners or met folks to run with, train with in the neighborhood.” H Street Runners will set up outside the Queen Vic (1206 H St. NE, http://www.thequeenvicdc.com) on Saturday, March 12, to support those running the full and half Rock & Roll Marathon.

Quirky New York City-based pizza chain Two Boots (http://twoboots.com) is coming to town. More specifically they are coming to 1025 H St. NE, formerly home to Northeast Beauty & Barber Supply. Two Boots has only a handful of locations outside of the greater New York area, including one in Baltimore. Participants gather at Capital Fringe for the first TriniThey also serve heroes and po boys and are known dad Crafting Salon. Photo: Karen Ramsey Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca for their signature thin cornmeal crust. There’s also Makes a Splash a gluten-free option. Vegans and those who othercan meet up on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. to take on There’s a new taqueria along H Street NE, and wise don’t do dairy will appreciate the Daiya cheese a route between three and six miles long. The new it is well worth a visit. In less than two months it’s and vegan ricotta. Look for an opening date in late running club is based out of the Big Board (421 H managed to generate quite a bit of buzz. There is spring or early summer. St. NE, http://thebigboarddc.com), a place better plenty of seating at Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca known for its burgers and beers. (701 H St.), but you can also opt to take your tacos Capital Fringe Launches If a restaurant or tavern having its own runor tortas to go. Trinidad Crafting Salon ning team strikes you as odd, you haven’t been payI’ve tried several menu items, and found them There’s something new coming together at Capital ing attention. The Big Board Runners join at least all very satisfying. Outside of side orders, their least Fringe (1358 Florida Ave. NE, https://www.capitalthree other running clubs along the H Street corexpensive offerings are the pupusas ($2). Among the fringe.org). It’s called the Trinidad Crafting Salon. ridor, and two of those are associated with restaumore expensive items is the tampiquena ($13.50), The event takes its name from the neighborhood rants that also serve drinks. The Argonaut Running a sizable platter that includes grilled beef, sausage, in which Fringe is based. A collaborative effort beClub’s (https://www.facebook.com/Argonaut-Runsalad, fries, and three enchiladas. Order your tatween Fringe and a group of local residents, it’s a ning-Club-930990220274162) home base is the cos ($2.75) a la carte, and yes, they do offer lengua chance for folks to come together and cultivate their family-friendly Argonaut (1433 H St. NE, http://arde res (beef tongue) as a filling option. You won’t creative sides. Whether your thing is paper crafts gonautdc.com). They meet every Friday at 6 p.m. find any cheese sneaking into your tacos. These are (card making, stamping), fiber arts (knitting, sewing, for runs of two, four, and six miles. Runners also the real deal, served in tiny corn tortillas. Tamales crocheting), visual arts (filmmaking, photography, enjoy post-workout drink specials. If you’re more of ($2.50) come wrapped in either corn husks (chickpainting, drawing, collage), writing, woodworking, a morning runner, head over to Maor something else entirely, it’s a chance to mix, minketto (1351 H St. NE, http://maketgle, and share inspiration. The first salon took place to1351.com) at 9 a.m. on any givin February. The second is scheduled for Monday, en Sunday for a run of roughly three April 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., with a third set for the miles. The final group is the H Street same time-slot on June 13. This event is free and Runners (https://www.facebook.com/ open to all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring groups/hstreetrunners), and while portable craft projects to work on at the Craft Salon they aren’t associated with any particto encourage discussion and the exchange of ideas. ular business they have been known to enjoy happy hours or group brunch H Streeters Stay Fit & Social after a good run. They don’t have regLast month brought the launch of the Big Board ularly scheduled runs, but they meet Runners (https://www.facebook.com/Big-Boardup about once or twice a month. You Runners make their way up H Street NE during a marathon. Runners-174763762893756). Prospective runners

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The Hill Rag & Schneider’s of Capitol Hill

C o n g r a t u l a t e Josh Genderson & Morgan (Greenhouse) Genderson on their Marriage, Saturday, February 13th at Union Market. Morgan is the love of Josh’s life!

Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca starts everyday with breakfast.

en or sweet corn) or banana leaves (pork, chicken, or vegetable). You can even order a quarter ($6.99), a half ($8.99), or a whole ($15.99) pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken) with salad or fries (yucca or potato). Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca does not have a liquor license, but that doesn’t mean it lacks for fun things to imbibe. The crew at the taqueria make their own agua frescas ($3.50), refreshing fruit beverages that will likely prove popular when the weather warms up this spring. Those seeking something slightly more substantial can order a licuado con leche (a fruity milkshake) ($4.50) in banana, strawberry, cantaloupe, pineapple, or papaya. Breakfast (all selections $7.75) is served seven days a week starting at 10 a.m., allowing you to crush that craving you’ve been having for huevos rancheros or chileaquiles (tortilla strips, crema, cotija cheese, onion, eggs, and spices). It closes at 8 p.m. weeknights and 6 p.m. on weekends. Do yourself a favor and stop by soon. For more on what’s abuzz on and around H Street NE you can visit my blog at http://frozentropics.blogspot. com. u

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202-548-0081 Mon.-Fri. 7-7 Sat. 8-6, Sun. 8-5 sidamocoffeeandtea.com FREE 417 H Street, NE March 2016 H 103

{community life}

Activities Increase with Warmer Weather in the Capitol Riverfront

of beers, bikes, and amusements on Saturday, May 20. Summer outdoor movies will return on Thursday nights beginning June 2. The preliminary line-up has been voted on by our movie fans, and the results can by Michael Stevens, AICP, President, Capitol Riverfront BID be seen via our website at www.capitolriverfront.org. The movies will show on the ith the arrival of March and the approach northern block of Canal Park. Numerous restaurants offer take-out meals, and now Neapolitan pizof spring and hopefully warmer weather, za is available for dine-in or take-out at the newly opened Il Parco Cafe (formerly the Park Tavern) the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvein the southern block of Canal Park. ment District (BID) is in full planning Fitness classes will take place every weekday throughout the summer in Yards Park and Canal mode for a range of activities that aniPark. Visit the Capitol Riverfront website to see when yoga, cardio, Zumba, and boot camp classmate the neighborhood from May through September. The es will occur in neighborhood parks. As a reminder, Pacers Running Store and GNC in the Boillast of our winter programming, skating at Canal Park, will end ermaker Shops have athletic apparel and nutritional recommendations for fitness and running. after the first week in March, so come down for a few more The Rockin’ the Block concert series will also return to Canal Park this summer, with four famskates on the ice rink. And like the Nationals and spring trainily-friendly concerts programmed for Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us for live ing, we are using this month before spring to prep for a very music, food, and beverage vendors, a moon bounce, and lawn games for the kiddos. The concerts busy season of activities in our parks and public realm. take place in the middle block of Canal Park in June, July, and August. The Nationals will return to Nationals Park in the CapWe are pleased to announce that a number of our most popular festivals will be returning to itol Riverfront with their opening day game on Friday, April the neighborhood in 2016: 7, at 4:05 p.m., against the Florida Marlins. Half Street Fair• Matsuri Japanese Street Festival – April 16 grounds fans should note that this will be the last open season • Tour de Fat at Yards Park – May 21 for the outdoor venue before new development takes place • DC Jazzfest – June 18-19 along Half Street. The fairgrounds is open two hours before • Snallygaster – Sept. 17 and after every Nationals home game, with live music, fro• Ragnar Relay – Sept. 17 zen favorites from The Bullpen bar, and a Game Day Happy Hour with $5 drinks between the third and seventh innings. The new Buffalo Wild Wings is open on Half Street, offering hand-spun wings and wall-to-wall sports. We will be celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival in April by hosting the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival in our neighborhood on Saturday, April 16. The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the United States, with over 50 cultural groups, vendors, and food booths, and over 30 hours of performances. The festival, which typically attracts over 25,000 visitors, will take place in the vicinity of First, N, and Tingey streets SE. The BID will be hosting other Cherry Blossom Festival activities, such as lantern making in Yards Park, at the same time. The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is the grand finale of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which draws performers and vendors from all over the country and the world to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions. The best way to get to the festival is to take Metro to the Navy Yard/Ballpark station on the Green Line. The Capitol Riverfront’s Summer Concert Series in Yards Park will begin on Friday, May 20, with music being programmed by Tour de Fat. The series will present 16 Fri1) Opening Day at Nationals Park day-night concerts, with all performances beginning at 6:30 2) Performers at Cherry Blossom Festival Lantern Making Day in Canal Park p.m. and lasting at least two hours. The first concert will be 3) Tour de Fat Presented by New Belgium Brewery in Yards Park 4) Capitol Riverfront Thursday Night Movies in Canal Park the prelude to the New Belgian Beer’s Tour de Fat festival

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• VegFest – Sept. 24 • Oktoberfest – Sept. 25 • All Things Go Music Festival – Oct. 8 Follow the Capitol Riverfront online calendar for all event updates. Warmer weather also brings thoughts of being out on the water. Opportunities to engage the Anacostia River in the Capitol Riverfront will be enhanced with the opening of the Yards Marina in May. Forest City Washington is completing a 50+ slip marina that offers daily (up to 10 days) and monthly rentals, as well as docking facilities for canoes and kayaks. The Ballpark Boathouse will be reopening at Diamond Teague Park in May as well, and the Anacostia Watershed Society will again offer their free paddle nights this summer. The warmer weather also means the reopening of the popular water features in Yards Park and Canal Park, which have become known as the splash parks for Ward 6. The water features in both parks will open for interaction on May 1, weather permitting. Several development projects will deliver or start soon: • The segment of I Street SE between New Jersey Avenue and Second Street has officially reopened, thereby providing better bicycle and auto connectivity between the Southwest Waterfront and Capitol Riverfront neighborhoods. • The 429-unit Park Chelsea apartment building by W.C. Smith has started leasing and will be open for move-ins in mid-April. • The 337-unit Arris apartment building by Forest City Washington has started leasing and will be open for move-ins by April 1. • The 168-room Hampton Inn & Suites on First Street SE has opened for business. Its rooftop bar with excellent views of the

Anacostia River and Nationals Park will be open in time for the baseball season. • The Capper Carrollsburg Community Center should open for business in late spring or early summer. Located at the corner of Fifth and L streets SE, the building will serve as a community center for residents of all ages from the Capper development project. • Whaley’s, a new seafood-focused dining concept and raw bar to be located in the historic Lumber Shed in The Yards at 301 Water St., is expected to open this summer. • District Winery, the Brooklynbased winemaking and restaurant/event facility, will begin construction in late spring/early summer on the green parcel located at Water and Fourth streets SE. One aspect of development in the Capitol Riverfront that we are excited about is the return of for-sale residential product as part of our neighborhood. The BID’s development tracking indicates that possibly seven different condominium projects could start construction in 2016, and this would bring approximately 800 for-sale units to the market. On Jan. 16 the Capitol Riverfront BID held its Eighth Annual Meeting Luncheon and Membership Meeting at Nationals Park. We celebrated the efforts of our Clean & Safe Team members, presented our Foundation Awards to Congresswoman Norton and MRP Realty, and heard from Mayor Muriel Bowser as our keynote speaker. We also released our 2015 BID annual report and state of the Capitol Riverfront. I encourage you to view the document at www. capitolriverfront.org and learn about all the development underway in the Capitol Riverfront, as well as all that transpired in 2015. u

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{community life}

Bike Collection for Bikes for the World at the Hill Center by Will Haislmaier

Donated bikes provide children with a way to school and a means for transporting goods to market. Photos: Bikes for the World

Photo: Bikes for the World

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n Saturday, March 19, Eagle to school, but owning a bike can save them a lot Scout candidate William Haislof time, and they get to school less tired.” The maier from St Peter’s Boy Scout benefits extend to adults too, because “having a Troop 380 will be running a bike bike can enable them to get to a job or even start collection at The Hill Center for their own business.” Owning a bike can save lives. his Eagle Scout Service Project on behalf of Bikes “Mothers can get their children to clinics for for the World (BFTW), wellness visits and vaca US-based nonprofit cination programs. Bikes which collects used bieven help people access cycles as well as bike and transport clean water parts (new and used) and back to their homes more tools. Donated bicycles efficiently. I love the idea and parts are sent to sethat our old bikes from lect organizations across Capitol Hill will make the globe, which distribsuch a difference for ute them to individuals those less fortunate than for a variety of uses, from us in other countries.” getting to work to bringThe BFTW blog ing farm produce to mar(http://bikesftworld. ket. Different kinds of blogspot.com/) presents bikes go to different parts compelling stories about of the world, so they are the importance of the Will Haislmaier, organizer of the Bikes for the best matched to the varCapitol Hill bike collecWorld bike collection. Photo: Stuart Hovell ious terrains. For examtion. The blog entry of ple, mountain bikes are Nov. 25, 2015, talks about often sent to Africa since how in rural Africa “a bithere are very few paved cycle is the momentum roads. Racks on the back behind economic develof bikes are great for haulopment. A bicycle can ing. The heavier loads redeliver goods faster over quire a sturdy bike. a greater distance, saving After volunteering at time and energy. It can be the Bikes for the World used to haul four times as headquarters in Arlingmuch produce or othton, Haislmaier, who ater goods to market or the tended the Hill Preschool home, making trips more and St Peter’s School and efficient and lucrative.” is now at the Lab School The blog entry of Washington, was excitpoints out that the lack Bikes are repaired before they are shipped. ed to have the bike colof affordable transportalection approved for his tion affects the quality of Eagle Project. He explains that “in many parts life for the poor, who are unable to leave a ruof the world owning a bike can make a huge difral community to gain greater opportunity. More ference to people’s lives. In many Third World than half of all Africans, according to the blog, countries children have to walk for hours to go live more than four miles from a health facili-

Past Leaders & Present Portraits at Hill Center’s Young Artists Gallery ty. “It can cost a month’s wages for a poor person to hire a motorcycle to take them to a clinic.” The bicycle provides a way to overcome many of these obstacles. In Ghana and Sierra Leone, Village Bicycle Project focuses on empowering women and girls with bicycles to break education barriers. It costs about $25 to collect, store, and ship each bike. Donations also help BFTW follow up with programs overseas to ensure the bikes are being repaired and reused. To help with this the Eagle Project includes collecting financial contributions, payable to Bikes for the World. Whether you have an old bike or some old bicycle tools to donate, or would like to make a (tax deductible) donation to Bikes for the World to help defray shipping costs, please come to the Hill Center at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE on March 19, 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Boy Scouts will help unload your bike donations (if you’re delivering them by car) at the Hill Center’s parking lot on Ninth Street. At approximately 3:30 p.m. the bikes will be loaded onto the truck for delivery to the BFTW warehouse in Arlington. Tax donation slips will be available, along with free donuts for early drop offs! If you have any questions please feel free to contact William Haislmaier at dcscout380@gmail.com. See you on March 19. You can find out more about Bikes for the World at http://bikesfortheworld.org/. u

by Elizabeth Nelson

hat do George Washington Carver, Ida B. Wells, Daniel Hale Williams, Granville Woods, Matthew Henson, Shirley Chisholm, Jackie Robinson, Billie Holiday, and Rosa Parks have in common – besides being African-American icons? They are all the subjects of portraits by students in Amanda Swift’s art classes at Tyler Elementary School (1001 G St. SE). Swift introduced them to portraiture through a study of Mickalene Thomas’ paintings of African-American women. Thomas is a contemporary artist, with works on view in local museums including the National Portrait Gallery. Swift chose her as an example of a living African-American who supports herself through her art, and also because “her style lends itself nicely to students’ creativity with bright colors, patterned background, glitter, and gems.” Students were given a selection of images and biographies from a wide range of historical figures, and asked to choose someone with whom they felt connected in some way. Caroline was inspired by Bessie Coleman because “she was determined to do something and she did it and didn’t stop trying.” Santiago painted Richard Wright “because he is a very good guy and he stands for other people.” Swift’s goals for her students were how to plan a portrait using eye, nose, and mouth lines, and to learn tricks for representing facial features. According to Swift, students also came to understand “how leaders that are no longer with us influence their life today.” Her students clearly got the message. The project, as Santiago says, is an opportunity for “showing my heart to the people who helped it be good here.” Or, as Nate quotes his subject, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can.” The portraits were executed on paper, in paint and marker, with the addition of patterned papers, embellishments, and magazine clippings. Each one reflects the artist’s unique vision and the inspirational power of the subject. “Past Leaders, Present Portraits” will hang in the Young Artists Gallery on the ground floor at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, through the end of April. Swift encourages you to “come out to see the students finished portraits … They have a lot of personality!” Clearly the same could be said of her students. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see their creativity on display. u

Above and Below: Tyler Elementary School students at work on their portraits. Photo: Amanda Swift

Portraits of African-American leaders on view in the Hill Center Young Artists Gallery. Photo: Amanda Swift

March 2016 H 107

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{real estate}

Benning Road Emerges as Gateway to Downtown The Corridor is Primed for Economic Redevelopment on the Heels of H Street

by Shaun Courtney

evelopers and city leaders cast their eyes east to Benning Road for the next wave of economic development, as H Street’s economic reinvigoration is increasingly seen as a fait accompli. New development is making the hop over the Starburst intersection (H Street, Bladensburg Road, 15th Street, Benning Road, Maryland Avenue, and Florida Avenue) where several large mixed-use projects are now in the pipeline.

Development Marches (Slowly) East Well before the much-delayed official start of streetcar passenger service in late February, developers began acquiring parcels along the route on Benning Road. Proposed developments include: • Valor Development bought a site at 1603-1625 Benning Road from Trinidad Baptist Church for $9.3 million and has initial plans to build an estimated 250 apartments. The developer’s website estimates a 2018 delivery timeline. • Capital City Real Estate plans a mixed-use development at the corner of 17th Street and Benning Road, where today sits a used car lot. The project could contain 180 residential units and 14,000 square feet of ground floor retail, according to plans submitted to the Zoning Commission in December. The project website estimates a 2018 delivery timeline. • JBG quietly joined the fray in October, securing the rights to eventually develop the site occupied

Capital City Real Estate plans a mixed-use project at 17th Street and Benning Road NE

by the Developing Family Center at 17th and H streets, NE. The soonest the property would change hands would be July 2019, the latest July 2022. “I’m not surprised that we’re seeing that march heading down Benning Road,” said Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, who represents H Street and a portion of the Benning Road corridor. Allen called Benning a “gateway to the city.” Joe Bous of Valor Development, the team behind the Maryland condo development at 13th and Maryland just south of H Street, said the jump over the Starburst to the Trinidad Baptist site was a “logical extension” of their existing investment in the area. “We feel like that’s where all of Northeast meets,” said Bous, about Benning Road and the Starburst intersection in particular. For some though, the march has taken too long. As H Street started to thrive, Benning and Bladensburg roads were left behind, said An-

war Saleem, executive director of H Street Main Street. Since its founding in 2002 the organization has helped bring in over 300 businesses and an estimated 2,600 jobs to the H Street corridor, which was the recipient of a 2013 Great American Main Street Award. Last year, H Street Main Street expanded its borders to include Benning and Bladensburg Roads to try to do for those corridors what it has helped accomplish for H Street. “Benning road really should not be where it is today; it should be a lot further, especially with the streetcar,” said Saleem. Benning Road needs a plan and a vision, he said. H Street Main Street is working with community organizations, private businesses and city leaders to create that vision and advance it.

Vision or Hodge Podge H Street’s community-supported overlay helped direct the type and scale of development on the

March 2016 H 109

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110 H Hillrag.com

now-thriving stretch of Northeast, but no such official guide exists for Benning and Bladensburg Roads. â&#x20AC;&#x153;H Street went through [the overlay] process and H Street is better for it,â&#x20AC;? said Allen. Already development proposals are filling in the gaps or replacing existing structures along the stretch east of H Street without any overarching guidance for what the community and city would like to see in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be great if the city could get onboard with the Benning Road corridor and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is the grand vision and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here to make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cohesive. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to build too much of this and not enough of that,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? said Bous. Bous has worked with Saleem and agrees that getting invested parties in the same room will take some of the tumult out of the development that he sees as inevitable for the corridor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to plan the whole corridor instead of having people putting up things hodge podge,â&#x20AC;? said Saleem. Saleem would like to see leadership come from the District Council.

Opportunities and Challenges Three council membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wards converge along Benning Road: Ward 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Allen, Ward 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kenyan McDuffie and Ward 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yvette Alexander. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time you have three wards that connect on a commercial corridor, you should be able get anything you want,â&#x20AC;? said Saleem. Input on housing preferences and tax incentives would be a start, he said. But the same confluence of political boundaries is also something of a handicap. Benning Road is included in three different advisory neighborhood commissions, which each have their own perspective and preferences for zoning and econom-

ic development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All within a couple blocks of each other, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got three completely different ANCs, so managing the zoning process is difficult as well. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tricky the way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laid out.â&#x20AC;? In addition to the challenge posed by imaginary lines along Benning Road, the type of buildings and the size of lots along the stretch also make it a different economic puzzle from H Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stock of smaller-footprint buildings. Benning Road lends itself to bigger, denser development, but Allen and Saleem both want to make sure that dense development can support small, non-chain businesses, like those that make H Street unique. Allen said as the community has conversations with developers and as he and his fellow council members work to support a vision for Benning Road, they must be cognizant of striking a balance between encouraging density and supporting small businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;H Street has shown what happens with some very thoughtful work that goes into supporting small businesses as well as adding in different levels of density,â&#x20AC;? said Allen. For his part, Saleem is working on a plan. He commissioned a future development study of the corridor that he is now taking to the nearby advisory neighborhood commissions and community organizations for input and changes. The concern is less about whether the corridor will change, but how. The answer depends on the speed of new development, the level of initiative from the Council and the degree of cooperation among varied community organizations. Shaun Courtney is a freelance reporter and real estate writer. Shaun has called DC home since 2002 and now lives in Kingman Park with her husband and son. â&#x2014;&#x2020;

{real estate}

Capitol Hill Residential Market 2015

by Don Denton

or Capitol Hill, 2015 turned out to be another banner year, with the market again driven by tight inventories, high demand, and exciting new developments. At the same time, commuting into the city (or traveling around the city during rush hours) has become ever more challenging. Younger buyers have transportation options that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t involve owning a car, and young families with children can select from many more public and private school options. More and more people, young and old, find life in our urban neighborhood attractive. The following chart illustrates what has happened on the Hill. Except for a brief respite in 200708, progress as measured by price escalation has been steadily and solidly up since 2000. This is not to imply that every home is worth a million dollars, but it shows what is happening on Capitol Hill. Here is a quick look at the 2015 residential market. The following numbers are for Capitol Hill defined as stretching from the Capitol building south to the river, east to Benning Road, west along Florida Avenue, and then south along North Capitol to the Capitol building again. In our market, like any other, supply and demand rule the day. The following represents a snapshot of inventory at the beginning each year. Coming out of the 90s we had a lot of people who wanted or needed to sell. Some were long-term investors who finally had an opportunity to cash out (after a decade of tough market). There were also a lot of reluctant land-

lords who never wanted to have a rental property, but when they were forced to move (maybe a job transfer) had no way in 1995 to sell and come out whole. So they rented until they got a chance to sell the property and maybe make a few dollars. This type of market activity kept our inventories artificially high for a few years, but by 2005 it was long gone. The inventory was leaving our marketplace because, 99 times out of 100, when a single-family rental property came on the market it was sold to an owner occupant. Another phenomenon that would affect our marketplace was an increase in the number of families who needed more space. When their rental unit became available, they incorporated the unit into their home. All of this and the demand for Capitol Hill living space contributed to a significant increase in rental rates over the past decade. A cautionary note going forward: thousands of new rental units (mostly in large buildings) will be coming on the market over the next decade, with lots of amenities and lots of entry-level enticements for tenants. This could slow or halt the increase in rents before a resumption of the march upward. Our median prices have steadily increased over these past 15 years. This has been a quick review of our 2015 market. I will expand on where we have come from and where I see us going in the Capitol Hill Community Guide due out next month. Don Denton is branch vice president, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Capitol Hill, 202-741-1683 or ddenton@cbmove. com. â&#x2014;&#x2020;

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

CLOSE PRICE BR

FEE SIMPLE 16TH STREET HEIGHTS 1427 MADISON ST NW 1408 VARNUM ST NW 1316 LONGFELLOW ST NW 5600 COLORADO NW 1317 ALLISON ST NW

ANACOSTIA

2243 PROUT ST SE 1326 MAPLE VIEW PL SE 1446 V ST SE

BERKLEY

4802 FOXHALL CRES NW 4615 FOXHALL CRES NW

BLOOMINGDALE 77 R ST NW

BRENTWOOD

2224 16TH ST NE 2251 13TH ST NE 1816 CORCORAN ST NE 1923 CAPITOL AVE NE

BRIGHTWOOD

1362 SOMERSET PL NW 6621 7TH PL NW 1416 ASPEN ST NW 1321 WHITTIER PL NW 6008 7TH ST NW 625 TEWKESBURY PL NW 624 GERANIUM ST NW

BROOKLAND

3303 22ND ST NE 2910 10TH ST NE 629 FRANKLIN ST NE 45 GIRARD ST NE 915 HAMLIN ST NE 223 CHANNING ST NE 3613 18TH ST NE 1416 OTIS ST NE 2517 3RD ST NE 2427 3RD ST NE 1122 UPSHUR ST NE 114 URELL PL NE 1346 SHEPHERD ST NE

BURLEITH

4030 MANSION CT NW 4011 MANSION DR NW 3612 T ST NW 3614 T ST NW 3724 T ST NW 1811 36TH ST NW

CAPITOL HILL 631 F ST NE

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1 1 1 1 1 7

$1,300,000 $810,000 $799,900 $645,000 $415,000

8 4 5 5 3

$425,000 $315,000 $250,000

4 3 3

$2,350,000 $1,195,000

6 5

$855,000

$417,000 $378,000 $360,000 $115,000

3 3 3 2

$685,000 $660,000 $659,500 $646,000 $595,000 $560,000 $470,000

3 4 3 3 4 4 3

$770,000 $749,000 $715,000 $695,000 $679,000 $629,900 $560,000 $555,000 $505,000 $464,000 $451,000 $335,000 $265,000

4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3

$1,695,000 $1,375,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $955,000 $720,000

4 4 6 6 3 2

$1,345,000

5 6 3

3 3

1 3 5 7 3 7

6 3 2 1

9 5 4 1 5 5 1 5 4 4 4 2

4 1

1 3 7 4

4 1 4

M A R CH IN T O

YO U R NEW H ILL HOME! 1104 D ST SE 1217 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 1005 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE 1346 SOUTH CAROLINA AVE SE 1327 D ST NE 7 9TH ST SE 416 D ST NE

$1,100,000 $1,082,300 $937,000 $908,000 $819,500 $749,500 $670,000

CHEVY CHASE 5370 27TH ST NW 6421 33RD ST NW 3252 ABERFOYLE PL NW

$1,172,000 $961,500 $799,999

3 4 4 3 3 2 2

$470,500

CLEVELAND PARK 3800 RENO RD NW 3197 PORTER ST NW

$900,000 $860,000

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1221 QUINCY ST NW 3600 11TH ST NW 517 LAMONT ST NW 756 GRESHAM PL NW 3803 13TH ST NW 758 GRESHAM PL NW

$925,000 $865,000 $770,000 $760,000 $650,000 $425,000

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 637 ALABAMA AVE SE 3217 12TH PL SE 214 MALCOLM X AVE SE 165 CHESAPEAKE ST SW

$285,000 $250,000 $235,000 $184,219

DEANWOOD 926 45TH PL NE 5215 DIX ST NE 4039 CLAY PL NE 120 54TH ST SE 5045 CAPITOL ST SE 5212 JAY ST NE 1045 47TH ST NE 5103 JUST ST NE 4250 DIX ST NE 4073 GRANT ST NE 4806 HAYES ST NE 239 57TH ST NE

$384,000 $327,900 $300,000 $294,000 $280,000 $275,000 $220,000 $180,000 $130,000 $125,000 $115,000 $107,500

5 4 3

ECKINGTON 46 QUINCY PL NE 155 RANDOLPH PL NW

$615,500 $525,000

FOGGY BOTTOM 2514 I ST NW

$1,280,000

FOREST HILLS 2710 BRANDYWINE ST NW

$2,400,000

FORT DUPONT PARK 1644 FORT DAVIS ST SE 3322 CROFFUT PL SE 718 HILLTOP TER SE 4336 F ST SE

$290,000 $278,000 $163,000 $150,000

3 3 3

LD S! SO AY D 5

4 4 4 5 3 3

1217 Independence Avenue SE $1,082,300 4BR/3.5BA

3 4

Perfectly placed between Lincoln Park and H Street - wide open main level leads to flexible kitchen space and central dining area with deck and private yard backing up to accessible alley. On the upper level, you’ll find a DRAMATIC master suite with built-ins and a large bedroom and 2nd bath and bedroom level laundry!

650 G Street NE 4BR/3.5BA Bay-front Victorian just blocks from Union Station and Stanton Park!! Fully renovated -- new kitchen, 3 full baths, powder room, custom built-ins, exposed brick walls, wood-burning stove & large back yard w/ double decks. Parking option. Plus lower level bed/bath suite rented at $1100 and Saturday fresh farm market just beyond your back gate!

339 8th Street NE 3BR/1BA Adjacent to Music on the Hill and Zoned C2A for Ultimate Flexibility - Inside, well-preserved wide plank heart pine floors, original post and trim, 2 wood-burning hearths, and more! Final touches underway - keep your eyes peeled for this NEW listing!

1 block to THE PARK! preserved marble and chestnut hearth, original newel post, hardwood floors, original carpentry details and built-ins throughout, PLUS expanded brick footprint to bring this row home to nearly 2,500 SF with private brick patio beyond. Don’t miss this BIG piece of Victorian history!

3 2 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 4 4 2

1222 D Street NE $710,000 2BR/2.5BA

Another stunning renovation by Quest Home Builders - this time in lovely Kingman Park near RFK Metro. COMPLETE rebuild featuring optimal mix of semi-detached layout and custom craftsmanship! Unique butler’s pantry adjacent to kitchen of stone and steel. 3 BR up and fully finished walk-out lower level w guest bath PLUS secured private parking!

CHILLUM 5621 2ND ST NW

337 18th Street NE $649,000 3BR/2.5BA

E BL A IL W! A AV NO

507 14th Street SE $689,000 2BR/1.5BA Just steps from Potomac metro, Jenkins Row and countless new Pennsylvania Avenue developments! Featuring, open living and dining with hearth, custombuilt kitchen overlooking perfectly planned brick and slate private patio. On the upper level, BIG bedrooms and walk-in closets with updated bath!

3 6 3 3 2 4

FOXHALL 4555 INDIAN ROCK TER NW 1422 44TH ST NW 4407 GREENWICH PKWY NW

$1,775,000 $890,000 $849,000

GANGPLANK MARINA 600 WATER ST SW #B17

$197,000

5 4 4 1

March 2016 H 113

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GEORGETOWN 4009 HIGHWOOD CT NW 4009 HIGHWOOD CT NW 1313 28TH ST NW 3234 N ST NW 1417 33RD ST NW 2905 Q ST NW 3050 WEST LANE KEYS NW 3012 O ST NW 3413 DENT PL NW 3641 WINFIELD LN NW 1665 WISCONSIN AVE NW 1646 33RD ST NW

$2,375,000 $2,375,000 $2,295,000 $2,280,000 $1,875,000 $1,825,000 $1,800,000 $1,750,000 $1,750,000 $1,275,000 $895,000 $840,000

GLOVER PARK 2111 37TH ST NW 3546 W PL NW

$789,000 $740,000

HILL CREST 2111 32ND PL SE 2322 BRANCH AVE SE

$320,000 $277,000

6 6 4 5 2 5 4 2 2 4 1 3 2 3 3 2

KENT 5120 WATSON ST NW 5048 KLINGLE ST NW

$1,435,000 $855,000

LEDROIT PARK 1910 4TH ST NW 49 BRYANT ST NW 208 ELM ST NW

$865,000 $790,000 $625,000

LOGAN CIRCLE 1448 CORCORAN ST NW

$1,410,000

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 5027 CALL PL SE 5109 BASS PL SE

$284,500 $274,900

MASSACHUSETTS AVE HTS 4 THOMPSON CIR NW

$5,800,000

MICHIGAN PARK 1822 TAYLOR ST NE

$415,000

MOUNT PLEASANT 1722 LAMONT ST NW 3317 17TH ST NW 1787 COLUMBIA RD NW

$1,550,000 $980,000 $975,000

NORTH CLEVELAND PARK 4319 RENO RD NW 3730 VAN NESS ST NW

$1,015,000 $925,000

OLD CITY #1 1421 CAROLINA AVE NE 1120 E ST SE 1013 7TH ST NE 1016 D ST NE 1117 PARK ST NE 1120 K ST NE 1617 EAST ST NE 1251 CARROLLSBURG PL SW 322 19TH ST NE 1906 D ST NE 1207 WYLIE ST NE 622 19TH ST NE

$880,000 $831,500 $780,000 $700,000 $682,000 $632,500 $560,000 $543,400 $490,000 $435,000 $350,000 $294,000

OLD CITY #2 1914 15TH ST NW 1525 O ST NW

114 H Hillrag.com

$2,149,000 $1,605,000

4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 6 3 7 5 3 4 3 4 5 5 4 3 3 4 2 2 3 2 2 4 3

1237 10TH ST NW 919 R ST NW 1541 4TH ST NW 409 RICHARDSON PL NW

$1,150,000 $940,000 $879,500 $327,500

7 4 4 2

PALISADES 4815 RESERVOIR RD NW

$918,900

PETWORTH 333 WEBSTER ST NW 831 MARIETTA PL NW 5718 8TH ST NW 5117 8TH ST NW 222 MISSOURI AVE NW 401 EMERSON ST NW

$830,000 $612,000 $605,000 $460,000 $450,000 $435,000

RANDLE HEIGHTS 2422 HILLSDALE PL SE 2305 MINNESOTA AVE SE 2420 18TH ST SE

$315,000 $260,000 $160,000

RIGGS PARK 1252 FARRAGUT PL NE 712 OGLETHORPE ST NE 5056 11TH ST NE 5353 CHILLUM PL NE 5248 CHILLUM PL NE

$420,000 $415,648 $366,400 $310,000 $300,000

4 4 3 3 3 3 3

$1,310,000 $727,042

SHEPHERD PARK 7315 15TH PL NW

$805,000

TAKOMA PARK 6612 2ND ST NW 216 WHITTIER ST NW

$585,000 $565,000

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 2

TRINIDAD 1271 OWEN PL NE 1107 OWEN PL NE 1119 QUEEN ST NE 1125 WEST VIRGINIA AVE NE 1849 L ST NE 1252 16TH ST NE 1153 SUMMIT ST NE 1706 LYMAN PL NE 1827 L ST NE

$674,999 $644,000 $500,000 $440,000 $417,600 $399,900 $397,500 $345,000 $295,000

TRUXTON CIRCLE 1545 3RD ST NW

$674,900

U STREET 954 FLORIDA AVE NW 1423 W ST NW

$525,000 $801,600

WAKEFIELD 3535 ALBEMARLE ST NW 3823 ALBEMARLE ST NW

$1,526,000 $923,888

WESLEY HEIGHTS 2917 GLOVER DRWY NW

$1,900,000

WOODRIDGE

14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1412 CHAPIN ST NW #306

$610,000

ADAMS MORGAN 2434 ONTARIO RD NW #3 2200 17TH ST NW #G--68

$557,500 $48,500

3 3 4 3 2 3 2 2 2

4101 ALBEMARLE ST NW #319

$710,000

BRENTWOOD 18281830 CAPITOL AVE NE #2 1351 BRYANT ST NE #202 3719 12TH ST NE #202

$239,000 $231,000

2 2 6 4 6

3417 SOUTH DAKOTA AVE NE $574,800 4 3009 SOUTH DAKOTA AVE NE $360,000 4 2224 S ST NE $336,000 3

$273,000

CAPITOL HILL 218 20TH ST NE #4 245 15TH ST SE #402 229 14TH ST SE #2 1024 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE #7 1840 D ST NE #1 806 MARYLAND AVE NE #22 1391 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #206 1603 NORTH CAROLINA AVE NE #5 1603 NORTH CAROLINA AVE NE #1 649 C ST SE #309 18 9TH ST NE #110 630 14TH ST NE #5 1304 F ST NE #1 1010 8TH ST NE #2

$525,000 $490,000 $472,000 $441,500 $419,000 $399,999 $385,000 $379,000 $334,000 $299,000 $265,000 $750,000 $645,000 $902,500

CAPITOL RIVERFRONT 1025 1ST ST SE #1216

2 25

$641,000

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

CENTRAL 1111 25TH ST NW #519 1124 25TH ST NW #102 1280 21ST ST NW #910 1133 14TH ST NW #705 2201 L ST NW #519

$603,500 $455,000 $445,500 $295,000 $290,000

CHEVY CHASE 5410 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #301 5315 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #409

$300,000 $172,000

CLEVELAND PARK 34013420 38TH ST NW #424

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK

BROOKLAND 3 3 3

SHAW 1834 9TH ST NW 1542 8TH ST NW

CONDO

$300,000

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1300 EUCLID ST NW #6 1451 BELMONT ST NW #104 511 KENYON ST NW #A 747 MORTON ST NW #2 1513 OAK ST NW #3 3222 WARDER ST NW #6 3222 WARDER ST NW #3 2910 13TH ST NW #1 3517 13TH ST NW #202 1390 KENYON ST NW #530 1438 COLUMBIA RD NW #405 1750 HARVARD ST NW #B-2 3318 SHERMAN AVE NW #106 2639 15TH ST NW #105 2910 GEORGIA AVE NW #204 1225 FAIRMONT ST NW #301

$1,060,000 $829,000 $825,000 $759,900 $675,000 $629,900 $625,000 $575,000 $555,000 $468,750 $450,000 $435,000 $390,000 $349,000 $325,000 $290,000

1 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 5 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1

FIRST OPEN

SUNDAY, FEB. 28TH, 1-3PM

CAPITOL HILL 1106 COLUMBIA RD NW #305

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 210 OAKWOOD ST SE #106 709 BRANDYWINE ST SE #101 724 BRANDYWINE ST SE #203

DUPONT

1720 S ST NW #S-D 1750 16TH ST NW #3 1734 R ST NW #1 1536 15TH ST NW #5 1618 S ST NW #6 1816 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #409 1718 P ST NW #T-11

ECKINGTON

340 ADAMS ST NE #303 340 ADAMS ST NE #304 14 S ST NE #205 314 V ST NE #202

FOREST HILLS

4701 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #302 2939 VAN NESS ST NW #624 3901 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #109 2939 VAN NESS ST NW #1103

FORT LINCOLN

3122 APPLE RD NE #14

GARFIELD

2829 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #710

GEORGETOWN

3303 WATER ST NW #5G 1632 30TH ST NW #2 2111 WISCONSIN AVE NW #113 3299 K ST NW #402 2500 Q ST NW #322

GLOVER PARK

3921 FULTON ST NW #7 4000 TUNLAW RD NW #116 2339 40TH PL NW #204

KALORAMA

1922 BELMONT RD NW #3 2230 CALIFORNIA ST NW #2BW 2115 S ST NW #2A 1922 BELMONT RD NW #1 2227 20TH ST NW #405 1911 BELMONT RD NW #71 1954 COLUMBIA RD NW #312

KINGMAN PARK 423 18TH ST NE #12

LEDROIT PARK 25 U ST NW #1 67 V STREET NW W #2

LOGAN CIRCLE

1309 CORCORAN ST NW #2 1437 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #712 1229 12TH ST NW #209 1520 O ST NW #T5

MOUNT PLEASANT 1666 BEEKMAN PL NW #B

$285,000

$205,000 $70,000 $40,000

2 2 1

$575,000 $355,000 $725,000 $490,000 $373,000 $315,000 $268,000

1 1 2 1 1 1 1

$544,600 $539,650 $275,000 $210,000

2 2 1 1

$615,000 $530,000 $415,000 $215,000

2 2 1 0

$240,000

$225,000

$2,500,000 $649,000 $485,000 $475,000 $351,250

2 2 2 1 1

$595,000 $350,000 $340,000

2 2 1

$1,325,000 $1,300,000 $757,000 $595,000 $562,000 $525,000 $255,000

3 3 2 2 2 1 0

$350,000

$399,000 $659,000

2 2

$1,500,000 $670,000 $595,000 $569,000

2 2 2 2

$750,000

Hub Krack is our favorite realtor. He found us the house we have been in for 11 years, he helped my business locate our amazing office space on Capitol Hill… we are now turning in the direction of another move… And we look forward to the days we go look with Hub. NANCY, BUYER

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MT VERNON

301 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #1203 302 M ST NW #2 301 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #607

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE

2501 WISCONSIN AVE NW #101 4100 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #PH 17 2111 WISCONSIN AVE NW #507

OLD CITY #1

1025 1ST ST SE #306 1820 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE #4 440 12TH ST NE #106 440 12TH ST NE #105 401 13TH ST NE #407 1434 CAPITOL ST NE #1434 412 19TH ST NE #101

OLD CITY #2

1125 11TH ST NW #701 1759 T ST NW #E 2120 VERMONT AVE NW #26 1300 13TH ST NW #403 1520 O ST NW #T3 234 N ST NW #4 302 M ST NW #1 1545 18TH ST NW #803 811 4TH ST NW #106 1621 T ST NW #305 1718 P ST NW #501 1 SCOTT CIR NW #719 475 K ST NW #707 2008 16TH ST NW #2 440 L ST NW #306

PROUD TO BE AGENTS WITH THE # 1 CENTURY 21 FIRM IN THE WORLD!

PARK VIEW

511 KENYON ST NW #B

PETWORTH

417 RANDOLPH ST NW #2 817 VARNUM ST NW #PH 417 RANDOLPH ST NW #1 110 GALLATIN ST NW #11 110 GALLATIN ST NW #4

RLA (SW)

242 G ST SW #131 604 3RD ST SW #103 350 G ST SW #N510 355 I ST SW #212

SHAW

941 S ST NW ##1

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2 2

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2 2 2

$1,115,000 $898,500 $530,000

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$690,000 $682,500 $600,000 $515,000 $399,900 $359,000 $299,000

2 2 2 2 1 1 1

$1,050,000 $699,000 $574,500 $555,000 $549,000 $420,000 $399,900 $391,200 $375,000 $350,000 $280,000 $237,000 $224,664 $215,500 $167,860

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

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$599,900 $555,000 $550,000 $275,000 $225,000

3 2 3 1 1

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SW WATERFRONT 620 3RD ST SW #111 252 G ST SW #126

$966,000

$750,000 $466,615 $459,000 $365,000

4 3 1 1

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3 3 3 3

$616,125 $545,000

3 2

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WOODLEY

2829 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #I7 2829 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #405

$261,000

$600,000

$330,000

$489,000 $475,000

1 1

$35,000 $212,000

0 0

$120,000

$415,000 $361,000

1 1

$730,000 $285,000 $209,000 $173,000 $165,000 $164,892

2 1 0 0 0 0

$530,000

$510,000

$173,000

$153,000 $147,000

0 0

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COOP BRIGHTWOOD

1446 TUCKERMAN ST NW #307

DUPONT CIRCLE 1725 17TH ST NW #204 1526 17TH ST NW #118

FOGGY BOTTOM

2500 VIRGINIA AVE NW #904S 730 24TH ST NW #815 730 24TH ST NW #212 940 25TH NW #709-S 950 25TH NW #213N 940 25TH NW #707S

FOREST HILLS

3001 VEAZEY TER NW #1311

KALORAMA

2122 CALIFORNIA ST NW #653

LOGAN

1701 16TH ST NW #204

MOUNT PLEASANT

1801 CLYDESDALE PL NW #520 1801 CLYDESDALE PL NW #404

PALISADES

4581 MACARTHUR BLVD NW #202

RLA (SW) HARBOR SQUARE 560 N ST SW #N8909/8911

WAKEFIELD

4514 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #501

WATERFRONT 490 M ST SW #W411 ◆

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118 H Hillrag.com

{arts & dining}

A Robust Theater Season Gathers Steam

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan (Maggie) and Gregory Wooddell (Brick)

by Barbara Wells

ast fall and all winter long, Washington theaters showed their stuff – from Studio Theatre’s gritty “Between Riverside and Crazy” to Shakespeare Theatre’s delightful “Kiss Me Kate.” An abundance of memorable productions has captivated audiences, but fasten your seatbelts: There’s more. Whether you eagerly scan local season’s announcements for prospects or haven’t even considered buying a ticket, it’s a great time to see what’s in store this spring. Here’s just a sample of shows that have something special.

Yes, I’m a Fan Actors and directors become your favorites for both the work they produce and the pieces they choose. So this spring I’m taking a chance on “110 in the Shade” at Ford’s Theatre simply to see Lynn Olivera, a gifted actress and singer who rarely gets a star turn. As the “eternally single Lizzie Curry” she’ll be awakened by a charming stranger in this musical scored by the creators of “The Fantasticks.” Next I’ll head out to Round House Theatre for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” a production with Helen Hayes Award-winning director Mitchell Hebert at the helm. His cast features several local favorites, including Gregory Wooddell, who is familiar to Shakespeare Theatre audiences and anyone who saw his remarkable performances in “Stage Kiss” at Round House or Signature’s “Cabaret.” In addition to Wooddell’s Brick, the fabulous Rick Foucheux and Sarah Marshall – recently seen sparring and bonding as siblings in Studio’s “The Apple Fam-

March 2016 H 119

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ily Plays” – will play Big Daddy and Big Momma. Foucheux also returns to Theater J this spring for “Another Way Home,” a drama about the search for a child who’s missing from summer camp. The play’s cast includes the versatile Naomi Jacobson, last seen as Mrs. Drudge, the hilariously surly housekeeper in Shakespeare Theatre’s “Real Inspector Hound.” Another Washington-area treasure returns this spring. The ubiquitous Ed Gero follows his indelible Scrooge with his debut in “The Nether,” a futuristic crime drama at Woolly Mammoth. Gero was so convincing as Antonin Scalia in Arena’s production of “The Originalist” last year that one senator mistakenly posted Gero’s picture in his online tribute to the justice. Serge Seiden, who wowed Washington with his productions of Studio’s “Bad Jews” and “The Apple Family Plays” two years running, will direct Mosaic’s “When January Feels Like Summer” about the unlikely collision of five young lives in Anacostia and on H Street. He’ll also make a welcome return to family fare with Adventure Theatre’s “Jumanji,” building on the success of his Helen Hayes Award-nominated productions of “A Little House Christmas” and “Charlotte’s Web.” Mathew Gardiner, another director who captured my heart with Disgraced at Arena Stage. his masterful revival of “West Side Story,” brings “La Cage Aux Folles” about the son of south Asian immigrants grappling to Signature Theatre in June. And as I noted in my with the conflicts between his success and culturseason roundup last September, I’m eagerly anticial identity. As a bonus, in this production Nehal pating Ethan McSweeny’s Studio debut directing Joshia finally takes on a leading role, following his Deirdre Kinahan’s “Moment.” impressive performances in “Mother Courage and

Ask the Experts Every great show begins with inspiring material. While an esteemed award is no guarantee of a winning production, it offers assurance that a show stands on sound footing. “Disgraced,” opening at Arena Stage in April, earned a Pulitzer Prize for Ayad Akhtar’s story

120 H Hillrag.com

Her Children” and “Oklahoma!” at Arena and in Shakespeare Theatre’s “Man of La Mancha.” Arena also presents “All the Way,” which won a 2014 Tony Award for its take on the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Look forward to Jack Willis assuming the role of LBJ on the heels of his formidable performance in Arena’s “Sweat.” Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company’s Obie-

winning “An Octoroon” promises provocative humor in what The New York Post called an “entertainingly demented” satire on the legacy of slavery. And don’t forget Signature Theater’s “flick,” a play I noted last September for winning an Obie Award in 2013 and a Pulitzer Prize in 2014.

OK, I’ll Bite Amid the tried and true, many companies offer familiar material with a twist. Theater Alliance re-envisions two popular plays about AfricanAmerican youths – “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf” and “Word Becomes Flesh” – by juxtaposing them in repertory. Through poetry, music, and movement the first play comprises 20 poems about the triumphs and challenges of seven black women, while the second presents a single father’s letters about becoming a man. At the Folger, “District Merchants” reimagines “The Merchant of Venice.” Aaron Posner, winner of four Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding direction, wrote this adaptation – a comedy of sorts about predatory lending, love, and mercy, set in Washington during Elizabethan, post-Civil War, and modern times – all at once. In another novel take on the Bard, The Reduced Shakespeare Company returns to the Folger with the premiere of “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged),” the latest of Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor’s witty distillations of revered texts (including the Bible) into wordplay, puns, and physical comedy. Other shows bring unusual performance methods. At Studio, physical theatre artist Geoff Sobelle teams with scenic designer Steven Dufala for a “performance-installation” called “The Object Lesson,” battling boxes stacked to the ceiling in a funny but poignant exploration of the human relationship with things. I’d be more skeptical if Time Out New York hadn’t said, “Go to the show

... You won’t be prepared for how beautiful it is.” Faction of Fools Theatre Company at Gallaudet University hearkens back to the Renaissance, infusing its production of Moliere’s “The Miser” with its signature commedia dell’arte, a high-energy, physical style of performance that marries the play’s rapid-fire dialogue with improvisation by masked actors. This intriguing troupe won the 2012 Helen Hayes Award for outstanding emerging theatre company and regularly earns glowing reviews.

Don’t forget the kids In addition to Adventure Theatre’s “Jumanji,” the Puppet Co.’s “Beauty and the Beast” offers high-quality family entertainment featuring a cast of large marionettes. The production won a Citation of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionette and has played to enthralled children and families nationwide. Another fairy tale comes to life at Imagination Stage in its second collaboration with the Washington Ballet. Choreographed by the ballet company’s longtime artistic director Septime Webre and former associate artistic director David Palmer, “The Little Mermaid” follows this team’s 2012’s highly acclaimed “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.” Washington’s theater offerings seem to grow more expansive, diverse, and fascinating with every year. With the 2015-16 season the momentum just keeps building. Barbara Wells is a writer and editor for Reingold, a social marketing communications firm. She and her husband live on Capitol Hill. u

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{arts and dining}

Ambar

A Unique Balkan Treat in the City

E TOP: The Chef’s Tasting from the kajmak bar. Photo: Andrew Lightman RIGHT: The squash salad with mixed greens, panko, crusted mozzarella, crispy bacon and pomegranate dressing. Photo: Andrew Lightman BELOW LEFT: Grilled Calamari with Gremolata. Photo: Andrew Lightman BELOW RIGHT: Ajvar with super awesome fried puffed sourdough. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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by Meghan Markey

very metropolitan area has its selection of modern American, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Asian, and French eateries – and fusion iterations of the lot – to select from when the weekend hits and you want a great meal (or cocktail). Barracks Row has something that isn’t represented in DC or many other places across the country. Enter Ambar, a fantastic spot that offers an array of tasty Balkan dishes and drinks. It’s been open a while now but may unfortunately be unfairly overlooked in favor of nearby culinary darlings Garrison and Rose’s Luxury. Before we get into the food, let’s begin by stating that Ambar is a beautiful and deceptively large restaurant. It almost feels like a few restaurants in one, but everything is coherent as you move from the downstairs dining area, upstairs dining area, and out the back to the patio and bar nook, each space hip and glowy, yet relaxed and intimate. Downstairs the walls look like wooden farm doors and the bar sits below Edison lights, which would be homey and rustic if it weren’t for the yellowish, ethereal light illuminating the bar and the walls. The effect is wholly European and modern, perfect for sipping cocktails with your cohort. Balkan cuisine is at once familiar and exotic, melding dishes from a handful of countries that appear not unlike food we’ve all grown up with – a mixture of spreads, vegetables, sausages, breads, and seafood. Take all that and add Mediterranean, Turkish, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, and Greek flourishes and you’ve now got a sense of what Balkan cuisine actually is, which is as spice-laden and exciting as it is comforting. At Ambar the small-plate style and $50 all-youcan-eat-and-drink (!) option means you can sample a little bit of everything. Begin your Balkan journey with traditional ajvar, a red pepper spread with oil, salt, and pepper. This sounds simple enough, except this kind is made from baked peppers, eggplant, and garlic which are then ground and cooked over very low heat, bringing out a nice acidity that is balanced by the earthiness of the eggplant. For a little more interest, pair it with the spicy crab spread from the kajmak selections, a type of tangy cheese prevalent across the region. The crab/cheese combo with pickled chilis can only be made better by the bread that comes with both dishes. You’ll want to pay attention to this: with our ajvar and kajmak, two small bowls of fried puffs of sourdough arrived in warm, chewy perfection. As you tear this airy bread apart and watch the savory steam escape, it’s almost impossible, but try, to resist asking for more (although they’ll gladly resupply you), as you’ll want to save room for the rest of your meal. Roasted mushroom crepes, like the heavenly sourdough puffs, are a satisfying highlight, the type of dish that makes you close your eyes upon first bite and then knowingly look at your dining companions. Savory crepes are fairly hard to mess up,

Delicious beverages from the bar. Photo: Andrew Lightman

but these were light yet deeply flavorful, accompanied by a red pepper emulsion with bechamel that didn’t overwhelm, as it often does. A smoked pork sausage dish with mustard is an elevated version of a classic; the sausage peppery and mustard zesty. But what of vegetables? Ambar has its own version of the ubiquitous Brussels sprouts and bacon combo, and while it is a solid choice with its lemon and garlic yogurt base, it does not quite live up to the knockout Brussels sprouts dishes across the city (I’m looking at you, Rasika palak chaat). But a real standout is the squash salad, featuring perfectly roasted squash with melty pankocrusted mozzarella atop leafy greens and a sweet pomegranate dressing. This was hearty enough for two people (especially if you, ahem, accidentally ate one or two more sourdough puffs than you should have). Ambar has enough menu variety to satisfy whoever is in your group, and with its tapas-esque set up makes a great sharing experience. The restaurant is also extremely wallet friendly for a place that looks like a chic European lounge. Not only do they offer the $50 all-you-caneat-and-drink special, they also have

a convenient mixed grill selection perfect for a duo. Brunch is similarly convenient for a group setting, with a $39 bottomless brunch (yep, all you can eat and drink) that will make the mental lethargy from the previous evening’s festivities disappear; at least until you take that late afternoon nap. And happy hour? You’d be hard pressed to find anything for $4 in this city, yet Ambar offers a selection of beer, cocktails, and appetizers for just that. Don’t think I have forgotten the all-important cocktail menu. Here is where Ambar surprised me. A bourbon girl at heart, I had to try their riff on an old-fashioned – a Sarajevo old-fashioned – which adds a bit of plum rakia to the classic cocktail. Rakia, a low-alcohol-content fruit brandy, is a Balkan staple. The difference was subtle but noticeable. The rakia mellowed the bourbon a bit, making it very drinkable. Ambar offers over 30 rakias, the most in the region, so if you are looking for a unique spirit this is a good choice. A companion ordered a pomegranate Collins, comprised simply of vodka, pomegranate, and lemon spritz. I am not inclined to drink vodka, ever, yet this was so well balanced and lovely that I ended up getting one myself. There are so many things to love about Ambar, from the enchanting décor and the delicious plates of Balkan fare, to the great service from the staff, who are always on hand to explain a dish or recommend a certain kind of rakia. Next time you have a two-hour wait at Rose’s, consider adjusting your plans and ducking into Ambar with your date. You’ll be more than pleasantly surprised. Amber is located at 523 Eighth St. SE on historic Barracks Row. Visit www.ambarrestaurant.com for more information. u

Healthiest and Tastiest Lunch IN TOWN

Any two Balkan Specialty Sandwiches + House Wine, Beer and Craft Lemonades 523 8th Street, SE DC 20003 202 813 3039 www.ambarrestaurant.com

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{arts and dining}

Schneider’s: Rooted in Capitol Hill by Lilia Coffin

chneider’s of Capitol Hill is a family enterprise owned by brothers Rick and Jon Genderson. They now have been joined by Rick’s son Josh, who is the fourth generation in the business. All three are proud residents of Capitol Hill. The Genderson family has a long and storied history on the Hill that dates back to the dim decades before Prohibition. In 1915 Rubin Genderson, Jon and Rick’s grandfather, purchased a bar on the corner of 10th and C streets SE. Known as Walter’s, the establishment sold beer brewed down the street at the National Capitol Brewing Company. Rubin’s family lived above the bar. Unfortunately for Rubin, Prohibition arrived in the District in 1917. It forced Rubin to officially sell “near” beer. In the meantime the real stuff continued to be brewed upstairs in the bathtub. The police occasionally fined the bartenders, but otherwise life proceeded. Rubin, however, decided the tailoring business was a safer bet and moved to the Stanton Park area. His broth-

ers eventually divested themselves of the bar altogether. In 1949 Abe Genderson, Rubin’s son, returned to the liquor business in partnership with his father-in-law, Max Schneider. Their new establishment was known as Schneider’s. There were only two other employees, Jon and Rick’s mother Charlotte and Ester, their grandmother. Schneider’s has now been a Capitol Hill institution for over 60 years. Jon, Rick, and Josh maintain the same commitment to customer service, selection, and low prices as did Max and Abe. All three can regularly be found on the store’s sales floor, pouring a taste of a new favorite wine or suggesting a bottle to a long-time customer. Jon, the youngest of Abe’s sons, was the first to join the family business in 1978, followed by Rick in 1981. As soon as Josh was old enough, he was cashiering on weekends and spent time studying wine in New York and Spain before taking on his legacy. As DC’s oldest wine shop, Schneider’s

from left ro right: Josh Genderson, Rick Genderson & Jon Genderson

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the wine girl

claims senators, members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, federal and DC employees, interns, TV journalists, Amtrak employees stopping through Union Station, diplomats, major corporations, and the everyday commuter as their clients. With a federal direct import license, courtesy of DC’s non-state status, Schneider’s has exclusive distribution of many small wineries throughout Europe, the Northwest, and South America. Schneider’s also purchases private cellars, and so has developed one of the best collections of old and rare vintages in America. It currently has a 1929 Mouton Rothschild, one of the last in the world, in its inventory. If by some chance you haven’t visited Schneider’s in the last 67 years, make a trip soon! You will find that, even four generations in, Schneider’s has not lost the small, familybusiness feel. u

Rated One of the Best Wine Shops by Washingtonian Magazine July “Best & Worst” Issue Listed in the Wall Street journal as one of the most enjoyable places to shop for wines nationwide. “Best Website Award”, 2008 by the Wine Spectator’s Market Watch

Voted “Best Liquor Store” and “Best Wine Selection” an unprecedented FIVE years in a row by the City Paper

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At the Movies

Foreign Language Standout: The Afghan War Up Close and Personal by Mike Canning

he end of February will see the 2016 Academy Awards distributed, and this year’s nominees for Best Foreign Language Feature offer one of the most varied selections ever. Hopefully Oscar attention will give local filmgoers a chance to catch some of these intriguing offerings. One major contender is “Son of Saul” (from Hungary), with the camera’s eye giving an unblinking look at the Holocaust through one man’s agony. In an utterly different vein is “The Embrace of the Serpent” (Colombia), an historic meditation on the demise of an Amazon tribe, or “Mustang” (France/Turkey), showing how buoyant young women can be crushed by traditional social dictates. To round off this diverse lot, I note below another fine nominee, “A War,” from Denmark.

A War We may be bone weary of film and television depictions of our Middle East wars, but now from Denmark comes “A War,” which merits a look. This story of a Danish soldier in the war in Afghanistan has rightly been nominated as one of the five foreign language Oscar nominees, and it may come out with a statuette. (Already in release, the film is rated “R” and runs 115 min.) Company commander Claus Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk) of the Danish Army and his men are stationed in a barren Afghan province, trying to protect a small rural enclave from Taliban incursions. He is a taciturn but fair leader who has the confidence of his team. Back in Denmark, his wife Maria (Tuva Novotny) is trying to hold her hectic life together with her husband at war and three young children missing their father. One of her sons, in fact, has a discipline problem at school that just adds to the familial pressure. During a routine mission Pederson’s soldiers, with him out front at the point, are ambushed and caught in a panicky, confused shootout. With lives on the line, commander Claus makes a decision that has grave consequences for him, his career, and his family back home. Before returning to Denmark for long-deserved leave, Pederson learns he must face an army tribunal investigating his alleged ordering of the killing of civilians. His stalwart army-assigned attorney Martin Olsen (Søren Malling), tries to make the best

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Pilou Asbæk in “A War,” a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures

case for him, while the members of his company and his wife nervously await the judgment of the court. Danish director/writer Tobias Lindholm came to attention in the United States through his too-little-seen “A Hijacking” (2012), a highly effective naturalistic depiction of the taking of a Danish freighter by Somali pirates (well before Tom Hanks assayed the same subject in “Captain Phillips”). “A Hijacking,” which starred both Asbæk and Malling in indelible performances, received both national and international acclaim, winning a critics’ award for Best Danish Film of the year as well as the equivalent of five Danish Academy Awards. With his new film, again striving for utmost realism in a most dramatic setting, he comes through with another winner. As he did with “A Hijacking,” Lindholm concentrates on those closest to the conflict itself. In the case of “A War” he uses both real Danish soldiers and true Taliban warriors, along with their relatives and refugees, in his quest for realism. He also consulted with relatives of soldiers, an auditor, a defense attorney, and a former Taliban figure he met in Turkey where the film was shot. While in Turkey he contacted Afghan refugees there and

cast some of them. In the war sequences only three of the roles are played by professional actors: Asbæk as Claus, Dar Salim as his second-incommand Najib, and Dulfi Al-Jaburi as the soldier Lasse. The rest of the army company were played by veterans of the Afghan conflict, who added dimension and understanding to the details of military operations. Lindholm also purposely avoids any overt political stance in his film but rather aims to illuminate the consequences of the war on one unit and one personality. His filmmaking style of self-control in examining men under pressure comes through in a recent interview, where he stated, “I would always rather say too little than too much. Some films seem to think that people check their awareness in the cloakroom before they go into the theatre. So they serve up all sorts of unimportant details that take up space and become oppressive instead of giving the viewer room to invest their own experiences and get into the film.” That admirable restraint shows in the final product of “A War.” Some viewers, used to a more hyped and obvious American style, may find the final courtroom sequences too staid, too cool, but for this reviewer the tone

is estimable, providing a fitting climax to a tale told with care and sensitivity.

Environmental Film Festival on Capitol Hill The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital is the largest and longest-running environmental film festival in the country and the largest film festival in Washington. The 24th annual festival, running March 1526, presents over 100 films selected to provide fresh perspectives on a wide variety of environmental issues facing our planet. It features cinematic work from dozens of countries and many DC, US, and world premieres. Most screenings include discussion with filmmakers, environmental experts, and cultural leaders. Many showings are free. One of the local premieres will take place at a Capitol Hill venue, the Folger Shakespeare Library. In “An Art That Nature Makes” (United States, 2015, 73 min.) director Molly Bernstein examines the work of photographer Rosamond Purcell, who finds life and beauty in the most unlikely of places. Purcell photographs junkyards and libraries and the backrooms of natural history collections. Her use of only natural light makes decaying objects become uncannily alive, bearing the marks of their atmospheric conditions while evoking fantasies of stranger life forms. Delving into the environmental engagement that informs Purcell’s photography, “An Art That Nature Makes” incorporates interviews with scientist collaborators and admirers like filmmaker Errol Morris. A discussion will follow the screening with filmmaker Bernstein, film subject Purcell, and Dr. Michael Witmore, director of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The program is

on Tuesday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m., and is free though reservations are required. Reserve at http://anartthatnaturemakes.bpt.me/, Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE.

Shameless Plug – DC Films on Journalism at Hill Center In March at the Hill Center your friendly movie reviewer will be moderating a series of film screenings on journalism in DC. Entitled “Journalism in DC Movies,” the series runs for four consecutive Friday nights, March 4-25. The films shown are treated in my book “Hollywood on the Potomac,” which examines movies made in and about Washington. To show how Hollywood has treated aspects of the media in our capital city, the series highlights four distinctive and superior films: the iconic “All the President’s Men”(1976, newspapers), “Broadcast News” (1987, television news), “Shattered Glass” (2003, magazines), and “State of Play” (2009, investigative journalism). I will introduce each film, placing it in its historical context, then take questions after the screening. Attendance is free but you must register with the Hill Center for each showing. Copies of my book will be available for sale and signing. Go to the Hill Center website (www.hillcenterdc.org) and check in the “Arts and Performances” category to register and learn more about the series.

• • • • • • •

A diverse product line of quality beverages from all over the world One of the largest and most unique wine selections on Capitol Hill A friendly and knowledgeable staff Located just minutes form Downtown, DC and Alexandria, VA 1 block south of Eastern Market Metro on the vibrant Barracks Row Owned by the Williams Family since 1978; established before 1919

The best weekly wine tastings on “The Hill”- Sat (3-6pm)

Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on film can be found online at www. mikesflix.com. u

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lan Braley begins with an idea. It grows and sends out shoots, and a series is born. Alan envisions his art not as single painting or structure but as variations on a core idea. It has always been that way. When I profiled Alan almost 14 years ago his paint flowed in both application and style. I wrote: “Time disappears as color moves you in and among spaces that play with your fantasies. It could be somewhere from your world of experience or a place only imagined. It could be a dream or the uncertain memory of a childhood adventure.” Paintings like “Red Waters”

have an untamed, almost mystical exuberance. Loose. Flowing. The paint is allowed to drip or do whatever it wants. Our eyes turn it into a landscape – a forest pond maybe, but it’s the idea of a forest pond inside the bigger idea of landscape. New ideas have come and flourished over the years, each growing into a new series. With “Mending Fences” Alan constructed new realities from old cedar wood. “Sentinel” evokes a fishing village. Maine? The composition, with strong verticals and repeating circular motifs, is carefully put together, but it has a light feel. It’s fun. The forms sway with their own inner music, and col-

by Jim Magner

Tools & Things #9 mixed media on wood 16x20

Red Waters acrylic on board 24x30

artandthecity

Artist Portrait: Revisiting Alan Braley

ors dance in the moonlight. “Tools and Things” is Alan’s most recent idea-centric series. It is overtly mechanical, hard edged. But still … it somehow has lightness. It’s what your tool shed would look like if it gave a party. The hand tools might seem a bit threatening, but then they turn their playful side. They emanate a central idea: craftsmanship. Alan has a BFA from the University of Cincinnati and has been on the Hill since 1971. He has been making art the whole time and is unlikely to run out of ideas anytime soon. You can see “Mending Fences” and “Tools and Things” at the Hill Center this month. (See At the Galleries.) www.braleyart.com

Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art On Location (self portrait) acrylic on canvas 36x48

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“An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success, etc.” Henri Matisse (1869-1954)

The Sentinel mixed media on wood 20x20

If Henri were still alive he would pat me on the back for following his advice. That has been my happy situation my whole art life. (Or unhappy if success is to be measured solely by money.) I have never been able to stick with any one style. Can’t help it. For Alan Braley, on the other hand, it’s deliberate. Like his inspiration, Robert Rauschenberg, he refuses to allow himself to be a prisoner of anything except ideas. He paints, draws, carves, constructs, and builds on a central concept. It may be something he sees, or it could be tools that no one will ever use. Currently paint may play a supporting role, but it’s not the main event. “It’s no more pretty paintings.” For now, anyway. For most professional artists the central idea is something that grows but is not easily discarded for another. Rarely have I seen a realist sud-

denly become an abstract painter. It’s a whole different way of thinking. People who love to luxuriate in color have their own idea about what it is and how it should be used, and their idea of color is not going to be abandoned. Draftsmen rarely give up the pen and their love for capturing the detail that’s overlooked by others to fly off into uncharted space in search of some other way to express themselves. Is that what it means to be a prisoner of yourself? What about “reputation,” “style,” or “success”? It’s true of just about any field, in or out of the arts. It’s hard, maybe foolhardy, to risk reputation and success to go in search of a new challenge. A new idea.

Thirteen Years…and Beyond I began this column in March 2002. I had written a guest editorial for the Hill Rag in December 2001 entitled

“Keep the Capitol Open,” which boldly proposed that the Congress should not cower behind physical defenses, that we were protected by the big idea: Freedom is worth taking risks for, even dying for. (As a combat vet that didn’t seem too outrageous.) I wrote, “Take away the idea of freedom and it is just a building. Take away openness and it will be a very dangerous place.” After that exercise in futility I suggested to the executive editor, Melissa Ashabranner, that the Hill Rag should have an art column. She replied, “Write one.” I have been writing one ever since. It started as “Art on Capitol Hill,” became “Art on Capitol Hill … and Beyond,” and is now “Art and the City.” What hasn’t changed is that the column is about art and those who are compelled to look at life deeply, beneath the obvious. More than “profiles,” I have wanted to discover what artist see, think, and feel from my separate perspective, and give my personal interpretation. I have also offered a personal viewpoint, “Thoughts on Art.” I have a conversation with each artist, which gives me insights that I hadn’t considered. In that sense art has no boundaries, no limits. I could write this column for a century and still discover new things to say about the whole incredible phenomena of creativity, including all the arts: visual, tactile, music, photography, and the art of writing (which I try to smuggle into the column as often as I can). Now, in year 14, there will be a few changes. I will be looking back as well as forward. I will “revisit” artists whom I profiled in the early years and who are still working. I will compare then to now. That will leave little room to cover museum exhibits and most gallery shows, but they will

At the Galleries Capitol Hill Art League 545 Seventh St. SE March 5-April 15 Opening: March 5, 5-7 p.m. This is the Capitol Hill Art League’s annual open-call, juried exhibit, “Appetite for Art.” The challenge for the artists is to “interpret your art and food.” Both 2D and 3D works are included. The exhibit is in partnership with CHAMPS, the “Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. The jurors, Deirdre Ehlen MacWilliams and Stephen Cheung, will present awards to the winning artists at the opening. www.chaw.org Hill Center Galleries Old Naval Hospital 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE March 3-May 1 Opening: March 9, 6-8 p.m. This is a terrific show with nine mostly local artists working in a variety of materials and styles, including Alan Braley’s latest series, “Tools and Things.” Rik Freeman’s joyous and powerfully energetic scenes of African-American folklife can make your eyes dance, if not your feet. The paintings and prints of Anna Demovidova are similarly powerful images of women, with mystical storytelling. The botanical prints of Andrea Ottesen, the “Every Day Objects” of Rindy O’Brien, and the Cuban life profiles and stories inherent in the photography of Shirley Fiske, Jonathan French, Kris Swanson, and Roy Mustelier make this a special show. A Capitol Hill artist and writer, Jim Magner can be reached at Artandthecity05@aol.com. His award-winning book, “A Haunting Beauty,” can be acquired through www.ahauntingbeauty. com. u

be covered elsewhere in the paper.

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LITERARY HILL

A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events

by Karen Lyon Can You Say “Nuzzled” in Spanish? “Drum roll, please …” writes Dia Michels, president and director of Platypus Media. With its extensive catalog of books and other materials geared toward families, the Hill publisher has long been a go-to source for parents and teachers in search of healthy childrearing models. Now they’re breaking new ground with a bilingual book that Michels calls “a literary safari.” “Nurtured and Nuzzled (Criados y Acariciados)” takes kids to age five on a bilingual journey, in English and Spanish, that celebrates the bonds between parents and children. Accompanied by illustrations so soft and warm you want to reach out and pet them, the book shows how babies are cared for, nurtured, and loved in a variety of different settings, from foxes in a meadow to tigers in a snowy den, and ends with a beaming human family seated in their own cozy den. The text, in simple English on the left with a Spanish translation on the right, describes all the guiding, cuddling, and sheltering pictured on the pages. As Michels observes, “the bilingual market is

Local publisher Platypus Media’s new bilingual book is all about babies.

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itor’s Pick at DC’s Capital Fringe Festival. Visit their Facebook page at dcdeadcats.

Something to Shout About

Relo: playwright Wayne Nicolosi moves “Romeo and Juliet” to New Jersey.

a growing segment of elementary education,” and Platypus Media has added to the available offerings with a lovely and loving new book. “Nurtured and Nuzzled” is illustrated by Mike Speiser and has a free, downloadable teacher’s guide by Sue Garcia in English or Spanish at www.PlatypusMedia.com. Connect with Platypus Media on Twitter (@platypusmedia) or Facebook.

Verona Via Jersey Local playwright Wayne Nicolosi had a different vision of “Romeo and Juliet.” What if Romeo was a bumbling architect hired to design a balcony for an attractive Italian-American vamp? And what if she was having an affair with Mario, the handsome contractor engaged to build the balcony? And further, what if this ill-fated love triangle all took place in that hotbed of passion, New Jersey? “The Tragedy of Mario and Juliet,” a new play by producer/director Nicolosi, was performed at The Corner Store on Capitol Hill in February. Nicolosi’s DC-based production company, Dead Cat Productions, has also staged “The Interview” and “Glengarry Glen Ross,” a Washington Post Ed-

A local nonprofit is providing a megaphone for unheard voices. Shout Mouse Press partners with organizations to help design custom book projects that benefit the communities they serve. “We believe everyone has a story to tell,” says Shout Mouse. And yet many of these authors – because of color, limited resources, illness, or age – are not being heard. Now, thanks to Shout Mouse Press, they have a voice. Among the groups helped by Shout Mouse are Beacon House, which provides tutoring and other services to children around the Edgewood Terrace community in Ward 5; the Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop, an initiative that uses books, creative writing, and peer support to awaken the potential in DC youth incarcerated as adults; and Writers in Schools, a PEN/Faulkner Foundation program that inspires students by bringing authors into DC classrooms. Shout Mouse Press also publishes books for Reach Incorporated (www.reachincorporated. org), a literacy program that engages teens to tutor younger students. Then, during the summer, the teens write books designed to reflect the lives and concerns of their charges. For more visit www. shoutmousepress.org.

On the Hill in January The Hill Center hosts a discussion with poet, translator, and journalist Dunya Mikhail, moderated by Ron Charles, editor of The Washington Post’s Book World, March 2, 7 p.m. Free but register at www. hillcenterdc.org or 202-549-4172. The Fo l g er Shakespeare Library presents “I Feel Your Pain,” a PEN/ Faulkner reading with novelist Mitchell S. Jackson (“The Residue Years”) and essayist Leslie Jamison (“The Empathy Ex-

Shout Mouse Press partners with Reach Incorporated and other organizations to publish books for kids.

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The Poetic Hill by Karen Lyon

arolyn Joyner is a DC poet whose work has been featured in many publications and anthologies including Obsidian, Beltway Quarterly, Amistad, Gathering Ground, Mass Ave. Review, and the 2004-05 Cave Canem collections. A former WriterCorps and River of Words Project instructor, she was a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and Cave Canem, and in 2010 co-hosted Poet’s Corner, a program on local radio station WPFW. She earned a master of arts degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and was awarded an Artist Fellowship grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in 2013. While her pantoum below focuses on what “happens every year” in October, the “icy surge” she speaks of knows no season. The Now of Aunt Marie Days of heat dissolve in the cool damp of fall. Walking alone, I know the time is now. Now happens every year in October.

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In the cool damp of fall, now breaks the seal of memory’s crowds. Now happens every year in October, slowly snaking the bends and turns of me. Now breaks the seal of memory’s crowds; it freezes Aunt Marie in a final frame, slowly snaking the bends and turns of me. A shiver rushes through unsuspecting veins. It freezes Aunt Marie in a final frame; my walk becomes a run. A shiver rushes through unsuspecting veins, forced from a heart that knows all too well. My walk becomes a run. I want to leave behind the icy surge forced from a heart that knows all too well, in October when coral leaves wither and fall. I want to leave behind the icy surge, the cold I felt some twenty years ago in October, when coral leaves wither and fall, when Aunt Marie chose secretly to do the same. It is the cold I felt some twenty years ago, in autumn, when living things retreat to be reborn, when Aunt Marie chose secretly to do the same, to fly from a bridge, fall away like summer. In autumn, when living things retreat to be reborn, I see the fire of a dance fade to a flicker, to fly from a bridge, fall away like summer, whose days of heat dissolve. If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org. (There is no remuneration.) u

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(Continued from pg. 130) ams”), March 21, 7:30 p.m.; and co-sponsors a reading in response to the Phillips Collection’s “Seeing Nature” exhibition with poets Mark Doty and Aimee Nezhukumatathil, March 10, 6:30 p.m., at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. www. folger.edu or 202-544-7077 The Library of Congress presents talks by Zambian writer and 2015 Caine Prize-winner Namwali Serpell, author of “The Sack,” March 14, noon; and Hayden Herrera, author of “Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi,” March 24, 7 p.m.; a reading and discussion by novelists Bonnie Jo Campbell and Emily Mitchell in celebration of Flannery O’Connor’s birthday, March 25, noon; and a poetry reading by Allison Hedge Coke, the 2015 Witter Brynner Fellow, introduced by Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, March 9, 4 p.m. www.loc.gov The Smithsonian Associates continues its “World War I: A Literary Legacy” course with a discussion of the play “Journey’s End” by R.C. Sherriff, March 8. 9, 6:45 p.m.; and presents “The Purple Crayon and

the Red Scare: More Than a Children’s Story,” a discussion about an illustrator and writer active during the Cold War, March 15, 6:45 p.m. www.smithsonianassociates.org

Next Month Here Don’t miss April’s Literary Hill column, when we’ll review a brandnew novel by author Frederick Reuss, “Maisie at 8000 Feet,” about a little girl who discovers she can fly; and a new book of poetry, “The Collected Poems of E. Ethelbert Miller,” by a writer whose thoughtful essays you enjoy here in the Hill Rag.

The Lyon’s Share Dear Readers, imagine how excited we were at the news that Capitol Hill is getting a new bookstore. Then picture us jumping for joy when owner Laurie Gillman agreed to be part of the Literary Hill BookFest! East City Bookshop, at 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Suite 100, will have its grand opening on April 30 (National Independent Bookstore Day) and on May 1, when they’ll also be at the BookFest handling sales for some of

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our authors. (How they’ll be in two places at once is yet to be determined, but, having met Gillman, I have no doubt she’ll manage it somehow.) Gillman tells us that her store will offer new books of all kinds for all ages, as well as bookrelated items, gifts, art supplies, and toys. She’s also got space on the lower level for events such as readings, author talks, book clubs, and story times. East City Bookshop will provide the perfect complement to our existing bookstores, Capitol Hill Books, Riverby Books, and The Fairy Godmother – and promises to become a lively gathering place for Hill booklovers of all stripes. For more visit www.eastcitybookshop.com. Be sure to greet East City at the Literary Hill BookFest on May 1 in the North Hall of Eastern Market. Find the BookFest at www.literaryhillbookfest or on Twitter or Facebook #LHBF16. u

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{health & fitness}

Master Gutman corrects her student’s stance. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Master Erica Gutman by Pattie Cinelli

A Black Belt Instructor Who Teaches Capitol Hill Students the Art of Self-Defense

rica Gutman has been practicing and teaching the ancient martial art of Tae Kwon Do to children and adults on Capitol Hill and in northern Virginia for more than four decades. She began her journey in the 1960s in Manhattan, where she was living at the time and teaching art in New York City schools. “I was concerned about safety and self-defense so I started taking classes.” She found a not so obvious similarity between her career and her avocation. “Tae kwon do is very much an art. Each student develops specific skills depending on his/her body type. It becomes a very personal art form.”

Students warm up together. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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What is Tae kwon do? Tae kwon do is an art of self-defense that originated in Korea. It is more than 2,000 years old and is recognized as one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world. The name means tae (foot) kwon (hand) do (art). It includes physical techniques, mental discipline, and deep philosophy. The benefits of practicing tae kwon do include developing coordination, speed, and agility and increasing flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning. A practitio-

ner can gain self-confidence, improve selfcontrol, and gain better judgment. Tae kwon do appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. It became a full medal sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and has been a sport in the Olympic Games since then.

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inism and moved to DC, where she met her teacher, Grandmaster M.P. Kim. She was living on 12th Street SE, close to Motts Market. One day in 1975, when she went in to buy something, she met the owner of Motts at the time, Master Kim. “We worked out of his garage at first, then he opened his school in Fairfax, where I studied and taught

An older student mentors their younger peers. Photo: Andrew Lightman

for 15 years.” During this time, in addition to taking classes, she was head instructor at the Fairfax location and ran programs at several elementary schools in Virginia and on Capitol Hill. Master Gutman (the title master is given by a Grandmaster) holds first-degree through seventh-degree Black Belt certificates from the Ku Ki Won, the World Governing Body of tae kwon do in Seoul. She is proficient in weapons, hap ki do, and many advanced tae kwon do forms. She also holds a master’s degree in education. Although Master Kim has never used her skills outside the classroom she appreciates all she has learned and gained from her training. “I love tae kwon do. It embodies mind, body, and spirit. You are never more focused than when you are

defending your life. I didn’t start the altercation yet I feel a strong sense of justice when I have to defend myself. This confidence affects every aspect of my life.”

Practicing a Holistic Lifestyle Master Gutman continues to develop the skills she mastered in tae kwon do in her daily life. Even though she lives on the Hill, she travels three days a week to swim in a pool in Burke, Va. She also lifts weights and stretches every night. “I’m in excellent health and want to stay in shape. I also pay attention to what I eat and take supplements.” She loves to watch old movies and often goes to jazz concerts, consistently challenging both her mind and body. Master Gutman currently is teaching classes at St. Monica and St. James Episcopal Church four evenings a week. Class registration is ongoing; she allows children to take a trial class to determine their interest. “It’s hard work, but fun, too,” she explains. “Students get the satisfaction of a job well done. Tae kwon do is more than kicking, blocking and punching. We focus on discipline and self-control. Students gain a sense of being grounded and learn about their ‘chi’ [energy].” To learn more about classes and tae kwon do contact Master Gutman at mastergutman@gmail. com or call 202-546-6275. Pattie Cinelli is a holistic personal trainer who focuses on teaching functional fitness methods – how to feel better in everyday life. She has been writing her health/fitness column for more than 20 years on leading-edge health/fitness topics. You can contact Pattie at fitness@pattiecinelli.com. ◆

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{health and fitness}

The Problem with Praise

by Dr. Meg van Achterberg

e all love praise. When people we care about tell us we’re smart or talented or beautiful, it feels great. But is there such a thing as too much praise? For kids, the answer is: Yes. And as counter-intuitive as it might seem, parents who reach too quickly for the compliment – “You’re a genius!” “You’re amazing!” or “That’s wonderful!” – risk undermining a child’s belief in herself. When we greet a child’s every small achievement with proclamations of greatness, we signal that anything short of greatness amounts to failure. Let me give you an example. When a friend of mine was a girl, her mother told her she was “brilliant, beautiful,

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and the most amazing person on earth.” My friend’s mother bragged to her own friends about what a “genius” she was when she brought home an excellent grade. But when that grade was something less than perfect, the mother would turn ice cold. That friend is now in a strong marriage with two happy kids. But she often feels like a “failure” because she hasn’t lived up to her mother’s impossible expectations. Her mother’s insistence that she was a genius when she got good marks sent her the message, “I love you because you are the most brilliant and special person on earth.” Though my friend graduated from an elite college, it didn’t take long for her to meet people who were more accomplished in her field. Her

• Classic Manicure and Pedicure • Spa Manicure and Pedicure • Organic Spa Manicure and Pedicure • Acrylic • Shellac • Waxing Services USING TOP PRODUCTS: O.P.I, CND, ESSIE AND GELISH life’s work has been meaningful and a success by most standards. But because she hasn’t lived up to her mother’s billing as an Einstein destined to “change the world,” she concluded that she was not the exceptional person her mother imagined, and therefore a failure. It starts young. When kids are very little they feel a natural joy and enthusiasm when trying something new. They climb mounds of dirt, they scribble with crayons to see what happens, they see how many blocks they can stack and how many pretty stones they can gather. They delight in burying their hands in mud and rolling in the grass. Unfortunately, well-meaning adults can hijack this open-ended sense of pride and wonder with too many words of praise. “You’re the best boy!” “What a pretty picture!” Even “I love that!” can turn the child’s freewheeling delight in an experience into something subject to an adult rating system. The small child longs to please adults. So instead of simply enjoying the feeling of the crayon in her hand and watching the colors shine on the paper, she thinks, “Mommy says that picture is pretty, so I will make more like that and see if she likes them.” The child begins to turn to adults to ask, “Is this one pretty? Do you like it?” As kids get older, such expectations grow, and many kids find themselves branded with parental labels – “The smart one,” “Our family athlete” – that they dread falling short of. Children need their parents’ love and affection. But it is important to insulate that love from a child’s success or failure in school, on stage, or on the playing field. It is also better to praise specific actions rather than label the whole child. “I could tell from that last hit how hard you’ve been working in the batting cage” is better than “Do that again, and you could be the next Bryce Harper.” Similarly, “That’s right, you’re watering all the flowers” is better than “You are such a helpful boy” or “Mommy loves you for that!”

Best of all is giving your child full attention as he shares something he is proud of. If your kindergartener comes to you with a papier-mache blob and a twinkle in his eyes, try starting a conversation rather than cutting it off with an overblown “That’s beautiful!” Simply try, “Tell me about that,” and really listen as he tells you what he has made and how much he loved making it. To the eight-year-old asking what you think of her spontaneous dance performance in the living room, a smiling “Tell me about your dance” and a willingness to watch her with enthusiasm or join her on the dance floor will do more for her self-esteem than, “You’re a beautiful ballerina.” To the glum teenager who asks if her piano recital was any good, you may want to check your, “Of course, it was fabulous!” and say, “It sounds like you’re worrying about how you did.” That may lead her to tell you her true feelings: she got through the first two movements okay but thought she could have done better with that arpeggio in the third. A conversation like that, based on a parent’s genuine interest, may help a child conclude, “I did pretty well, but before the next recital I want to spend more time practicing.” I don’t want to overstate the dangers of praise. Kids won’t be traumatized by an occasionally overzealous compliment. But praise should be focused and calibrated lest it become a label a child can’t live down. In an age of “helicopter” parents and of young adults paralyzed by self-doubt at the first rejection they receive in the grown-up world, let’s give kids the tools they need to chart their own way in the world. Meg van Achterberg, MD, is board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. She is the founder of Capitol Hill Child Psychiatry PLLC. ◆

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{health and fitness}

Training Chewbacca for a DC Marathon

by Stacy Peterson

hy would a Wookiee ever want to run a marathon? To feel the wind in his hair? Make a few new friends? Check it off his bucket list? Many of us have thought about running a marathon. For some of us the thought is an easy “yes” or “no,” while others might need a little more time to consider. But have you ever thought of running a marathon as Chewbacca? I was recently approached on the hill by Chewy and asked to train him for an upcoming marathon here in the District. Despite having worked with a broad range of individuals from Olympic-caliber athletes to soccer moms and their children, it was a first for me. We started the lovable fuzzball’s training program the same way I always have, with a detailed program. Chewy’s goals are to “have fun, raise funds to fight cancer, and not limp across the finish line.” He does not have a finish time in mind – he’d rather high-five the cheering crowds along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for a picture with Chewbacca if you see him. The Wookiee’s program consists of the following five elements.

Foam Roller and Active Dynamic Warmup Foam rolling (not a Wookiee’s favorite) consists of rolling out certain muscle groups on a foam roller. This is great for promoting and maintaining optimal physical health, such as: improving blood circulation, lengthening muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and promoting optimal range of motion. After the foam roller, Chewy performs an active dynamic warmup for no longer than 15 minutes, when he holds each stretch only briefly to warm up the body and prepare for the upcoming workout.

Running Workouts Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are Chewy’s running days. We picked them because they work best in his schedule. Tuesdays consist of speed days

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when Chewy runs at a faster pace, doing a certain number of sets in the range of 400- to 1600-meter runs at a 10K to 15K pace. An occasional fast 5K will be thrown in there once or twice, as I’m a believer that the faster Chewy is and feels, the more comfortable he’ll be out on the course (he is not going for time, but for enjoyment). Thursdays are Chewy’s tempo running days and Saturdays are his longer runs.

Strength Training Lifting three days a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays is critical, especially since he’s put on an additional 20+ pounds “lately.” One of Chewy’s upcoming strength training workouts includes Bulgarian split squats, Romanian deadlifts, dumbbell alternate bench presses, pullups, dumbbell one-arm one-leg rows, rotator cuff exercises, and core.

Stretching Chewy uses daily post-workout stretches encompassing PNF (proprio neuromuscular facilitation) and static stretching to help increase and maintain muscle elasticity, increase muscular strength and power, and increase athletic performance while helping to prevent injuries.

Nutrition and Recovery We all know that recovery, including sleep, is essential (even for Wookiees). By looking at daily life activities and stresses, in addition to how Chewy is feeling throughout the

week, we can evaluate his program. Sleeping 8-10 hours each night enables Chewy to feel and perform at his best. Living a busy and active life on the Hill does not always allow Chewy to get as much sleep as he would like. It’s about listening to his body and knowing the health and performance downsides, then weighing what he really wants and keeping in mind the moderation aspect. Looking at Chewbacca’s signs and symptoms, we have found what works for him based upon his ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Several years back, Chewy used to consume Ibuprofen before, during, and after long runs because his knees and joints ached. Now that we have dialed in his nutrition by consuming anti-inflammatory foods – mostly colorful vegetables and fruits (lots of them!), nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fish, good healthy fats and proteins, fermented foods, herbs, and spices – Chewy is off the painkillers and feeling years younger. You can see Chewbacca training with Acceleration Sports around Eastern Market and the rest of the Hill in the weeks leading up to the March 12 marathon. Stacy Peterson is a nutrition-based holistic health, strength, and conditioning coach with Acceleration Sports. For more information about reaching optimal health, achieving your goals, or donating to help fight cancer visit www. accelerationsports.net, email stacy@ accelerationsports.net, or call 805704-7193. ◆

Create a New You in the New Year Embrace a Holistic Approach to Fitness Partner with Pattie Cinelli to: • Learn how to lose weight without dieting • Find an exercise program you enjoy and that works • Learn techniques to release stress Choose a single, partner or group session in your home, office, Results Gym or Lavender Retreat

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A Real Threat to Dogs and Their People The District Vet by Dan Teich, DVM photo: Andrew Lightman

hen thinking of disease hazards to dogs, most people are aware of rabies, parvovirus, and kennel cough, but leptospirosis should not be ignored, especially in our urban environment. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that may infect domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. It may cause fever, liver failure, kidney failure, abortion, and even death. It is of particular concern as it is a zoonotic organism, meaning that it can be passed from animals to humans. Leptospirosis has been seen in a number of dogs here in the city. Of note, the disease is rarely seen in cats. Leptospirosis is spread from animal to animal via urine. This may occur from direct contact with contaminated urine, but is most frequently transmitted via contaminated water sources, such as stagnant puddles, ponds, and creeks. It may also be found in soil, contaminated bedding materials, or dead animals, or be transmitted via bites. In the city the main hazard is from rats and raccoons, but other wildlife may be vectors. The disease is most common in warmer times of the year in the DC metro area but

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may be found year-round, especially in southern climates. Initial clinical signs of leptospirosis are nonspecific and can look like many illnesses. Fever, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the mucous membranes and skin) are the most common signs. But some dogs may never even show signs of illness. These dogs have the potential to not appear ill but may still spread the bacterium to other animals. Oftentimes the infection is not diagnosed until late in the disease process. The bacterium is most damaging to the liver and may cause liver failure. The kidneys donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fare much better. Liver failure frequently results in yellowing of the skin, and kidney failure is seen as either not producing urine or producing too much urine, leading to dehydration. Leptospirosis is a differential diagnosis in any dog that presents with kidney failure or liver failure (or both), or presents simply not feeling well. In addition to a physical examination and thorough history-taking, blood and urine tests may be performed to assess organ function and to look for mark-

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HAIR DESIGN A Full Service Salon ers of leptospirosis. An ultrasound of the abdomen or X-rays may also be helpful in the proper diagnosis. Treatment involves antibiotics, hospitalization, fluids therapy, nutritional support, and supportive care. The likelihood of recovery is good when the disease is caught early and treated aggressively, but some dogs may not respond and others may suffer permanent damage to the liver and kidneys. Dogs may sometimes benefit from kidney dialysis, which allows the kidneys time to recover. In households where a dog has been diagnosed with or is suspected of having leptospirosis, family members should contact their physician immediately. Remember, leptospirosis can be passed to people. The best ways to prevent leptospirosis include vaccination, decreasing the exposure to contaminated water (stagnant ponds, puddles, rivers, marshes), and minimizing contact with dead animals, especially rats. The vaccines are effective at protecting dogs for at least a year and are seen as being safe. They are no more likely to cause adverse reactions than any other vaccine commonly administered. When assessing your dog’s health at annual physical examinations, ask your veterinarian if it is appropriate to vaccinate your dog against leptospirosis. Many shelters and rescues do not provide it as part of their routine vaccination series. Owing to the ubiquitous nature of the bacterium, your dog may benefit from the vaccine. Dan Teich, DVM, is at District Veterinary Hospital, 3748 10th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017; 202-8271230 and desk@districtvet.com. ◆

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{kids & family} N O T E B O O K by Kathleen Donner Easter Eggstravaganza at Lincoln Park The Easter Eggstravaganza will take place at Lincoln Park on Saturday, March 26. It is one of the largest egg hunts in the area with 100 volunteers and over 15,000 eggs. Last year it attracted 2,000 participants. Aimed at toddlers through fifth graders, it includes live entertainment, an Easter Bunny, a bike raffle, popcorn and cotton candy and six egg hunts. Register for an egg hunt at 1:30 p.m., 2:10 p.m. or 2:50 p.m. at eggstravaganzadc.com. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the hunt. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DC State Athletic Association Scholarships The DC State Athletic Association is accepting applications for the DCSAA 2016 Student-Athlete Academic Scholarship Awards program. Now in its third year, the program provides $1,000 college scholarships to 15 of the District’s top high school student-athletes in partnership with Modell’s Sporting Goods and Wendy’s restaurants. The scholarships are designated for DC high school seniors who have played at least two seasons of varsity sports and maintain at least a 3.0 average. Applications must be received by April 25. More information and an application can be found at dcsaasports.org/ student-athlete-scholarship. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join Capitol Hill Little League This year Capitol Hill Little League offers a full program for baseball and softball. For older baseball players, the organization offers divisions for Junior and Senior league programs. Both play on a 90 foot diamond. Opening Day is April 9. Tryouts for Majors baseball are held March 5, 6 and 8; workout days for other divisions are on subse-

Kites of Asia Family Day at Air and Space

quent weekends. Softball conducts workout days in early March. Find out more at chlldc.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youth Workshop at the Botanic Garden Interested in science and art? On Sunday, March 13, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. or 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., join Lee Coykendall, the Botanic Garden Children’s Education Specialist, for a hands-on workshop where students will dissect an orchid using microscopes to understand how orchids work. Using their Orchids in Focus exhibit for inspiration, students will then create original pieces of art. This workshop is designed for ages 12 to 16. Parents and care providers are welcome to attend, but are not required to do so. Pre-registration is required, visit usbg.gov. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Space Bop at the Atlas On March 12, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., journey to the musical cosmos in Arts on the Horizon’s world-

On Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate spring at the National Air and Space Museum’s Kites of Asia Heritage Family Day. Talk to kite experts, see pan-Asian kite displays, marvel at indoor kite flying, make your own kite – and maybe even take a dance lesson. Throughout the museum. airandspace.si.edu. A young visitor designs her own kite at the Kites of Asia Family Day, an annual event at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Photo: Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

premiere piece for babies and toddlers, Space-Bop. Drawing on a little one’s early love of light and vocal play, Space-Bop takes place under the starry sky and features GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop artist and beatboxer, Christylez Bacon, a Chaplinesque hero, and the endearing denizens of outer space. The $9 performance last 60 minutes. The Atlas Performing Arts Center is at 1333 H St. NE. The box office number is 202-399-7993 Ext. 2. atlasarts.org.

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Give Your Child an Extraordinary Start to School! Enroll in kindergarten at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, where every day is a new adventure! Open House: Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 10:15am – 11:30am Application Deadline: Monday, February 29, 2016 Questions? Contact Meredith McMahon at 202.633.1395 or mcmahonm@si.edu

Merry Women of Shakespeare A fan of Beatrice or Ophelia? What about Viola, Juliet, or Kate? On Saturday, March 5, 10 to 11 a.m. (ages 5 to 7) and 11 a.m. to noon (ages 8 to 14), in honor of Women’s History Month, explore the lives of favorite heroines from the works of Shakespeare. Register to attend at folger.edu/family-programs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sleep Basics and Infant Soothing This class is designed for expecting parents who want to learn about the importance of infant sleep and how to best prepare to ensure better, longer, more restful sleep for both baby and parents. Class is Saturday, March 5, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Hill Center. Cost is $75 per person. Register online at hillcenterdc.org/ home/programs/2642. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Capitals and DCPS Launch Street Hockey OUR ORDINARY IS EXTRAORDINARY!

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Through a partnership with DC Public Schools, the Washington Capitals will introduce hockey to more than 48,000 students across 111 schools through a multi-week streethockey curriculum. The programming, which will become a core unit in the physical education curriculum, is part of the Capitals’ investment of more than $1.6 million toward the development of youth hockey in Maryland, Virginia and DC. It is funded primarily by the National Hockey League’s Industry Growth Fund (IGF). $300,000 has been awarded to initiatives focusing on diversity and $900,000 has been allocated toward the advancement of ball and street hockey. The Capitals will contribute an additional $401,000 toward the growth of youth hockey. In December the Capitals provided each elementary, middle, and high school PE teacher in the city with hockey skills training. In January, the Capitals provided schools with a full set of branded street hockey equipment specifically designed for their students’ age group. During the school year, Capitals staff will continue to provide guidance and instruction to DCPS. Select schools will be invited to the Capitals practice facility to watch the team practice and participate in a free skate.

Saturday Morning at The National You and your children are invited to the National on Saturday mornings for a series of free programs that engage and inspire the young mind. Play, laugh, learn and discover through interactive performances, puppets, dance and music. Saturday programming is best suited for children four to 10 years. Siblings and friends of other ages are always welcome. Performances take place each Saturday of the season at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Helen Hayes Gallery. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets may be reserved one week prior to the performance. The reservation system closes at 10 a.m. on the Friday before the performance. Visit thenationaldc.org/saturdaymorning-at-the-national for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Infant & Child CPR at Hill Center During this class you will be taught CPR by a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse. Learn Infant and Child CPR, AED and what to do if a child or infant is choking. The class applies to children up to age 12. This is a class for parents, nannies, babysitters or family members who might be caring for children. It is on Sunday, March 20, 1 to 3 p.m. Class fee is $65. Register online at hillcenterdc.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explore Japanese Arts and Design On Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate Washington, DC’s cherry blossom season at the National Building Museum with a series of hands-on family programs exploring Japanese arts and design on weekends. Note: this series will require pre-registration, and will be presented in lieu of the usual larger festival day. Register at nbm.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student Tours of the Folger The Folger Shakespeare Library encourages students to experience the world of Shakespeare and Elizabethan England. Docents lead tours for school groups that provide a glimpse into the world of Shakespeare in his day and Shakespeare scholars in our own day. Students will visit the three-tiered Elizabethan

Theatre, see one of the Folger’s 82 First Folios and walk through the Great Hall. For more information or to book a tour, contact Greg Armstrong at 202-548-8779 or garmstrong@folger.edu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

DC Do The Write Thing Publishes Anti-Bullying Books In response to the growing problem of bullying, a Do The Write Thing of DC (DTWT), has developed an anti-bullying program. DTWT has published two books to encourage youth to pledge not to bully others – Be A Superhero by Saying No To Bullying (third to fifth graders) and Stand Up Against Bullying Like a Superhero (pre-K to second graders). Read more at dothewritethingdc.com. The books are available at amazon.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSO Teddy Bear Concert On Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, 1:30 and 4 p.m., ladies and gents, tots and teddy bears, step right up to this daring double act of classical fun at the Kennedy Center. Bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green take a break from the NSO to introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written. Designed for ages 3 to 5. Come early for “musical playtime.” Starting a half hour before each Teddy Bear Concert. $20. kennedy-center.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

El mundo es un pañuelo at GALA El mundo es un pañuelo/The World is a Handkerchief is a bilingual play for children that teaches them how our planet can be a better place when

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earthlings care for the environment, value diversity and enjoy life. The play will run at GALA from March 7 to 19. Tickets are $10 per child; $12 per adult. Discount and group tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call 202-234-7174 or visit galatheatre.org. GALA Hispanic Theatre is at 3333 14th St. NW. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fly Afghan Fighter Kites In the exhibition Turquoise Mountain, venture into an Afghan caravanserai, complete with artisan stalls and architectural elements. Hear stories about the people, places and heritage of Afghanistan. Then, return to the classroom to work with an Afghan American kite maker to create a kite. This program, March 19 and 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., is designed for children ages six to 12 and adults to enjoy together. The Sackler Gallery is at 1050 Independence Ave. SW. asia.si.edu. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kids’ INTERSECTIONS On Saturdays, Feb. 27 and March 5, the Atlas comes alive with performances and activities for all members of the family. The Atlas lobby will be filled with music, balloons, clowns, instrument “petting zoos” and more. All lobby activities are free. INTERSECTIONS ticketed family events: Shakespeare for The Young: Midsummer Magic, Feb. 27 and March 5, 9:30 a.m.; Cri-Cri El Grillito Cantor: The Singing Cricket, Feb. 27 and March 5, 10:30 a.m.; General Mischief Dance Theatre: Mischief goes Mobile/”Up and Away”, Feb. 27, 11:30 a.m.; Arts on the Horizon – Space Bop, March 5, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and March 6, 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m.; Classical Ballet Theatre presents “Day on the Ranch”, March 5, 11:30 a.m. The

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Atlas Performing Arts Center is at 1333 H St. NE. Box office number is 202-399-7993 ext. 2. atlasarts.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superman 2050 On Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, at 1:30 and 4 p.m., seven performers on a tiny platform act out the Man of Steel’s latest adventure at hilarious breakneck speed using only their bodies and voices to create every prop, scene, character and sound effects. For ages 7, up. $20. kennedy-center.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

District to Offer Free Children’s Books There is a new component of the DC Sing Talk and Read (STAR) Program called Books From Birth. The program, introduced to the DC Council by Councilmember Charles Allen, will send every child in the District under the age of five a free book each month. With the potential for newborns in the District to receive more than 50 books by the time they turn five, this program will substantially impact the city’s work to create better educational outcomes for children and families. To sign up for this program, residents can visit dclibrary.org/freebooks or email booksfrombirth@dc.gov. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Register for CHAW Arts Summer Camps Registration is open for the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop summer camp program, CHAW Summer: Arts Exploration Camps. For almost 45 years, CHAW has offered high quality arts programming in a safe and dynamic space that encourages confidence, creativity and community. CHAW offers a variety of programming through their half-day Jr. Arts Camp (for pre-K, ages 4 and 5) and full-day Arts Adventure Camp (for Grades Kindergarten to 5). Jr.

Arts Camp takes place 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Arts Adventure Camp takes place 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both offer the option of extended day, before and after care. Sessions are offered weekly from June 20 through July 29. Specialty performing arts camps, including dance, theatre, and music, will be offered in one-week, half-day sessions from Aug. 1 to 20 for ages 4 through 12. No before or after care will be provided. For pricing, tuition assistance and payment plans visit chaw.org or call 202-547-6839. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summer Camp at the Smithsonian Smithsonian Associates offers one-of-a-kind learning experiences that spark the imagination—and offer plenty of great fun—during Smithsonian Summer Camp, now in its 47th year. A wide variety of camps for children in kindergarten through ninth grade will be held Monday, June 20, through Friday, Aug. 19, at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. More than 90 camps are offered with a camper-to-instructor ratio of 4:1. For more information, visit smithsonianassociates.org/camp or call 202-633-3030. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

NGA Family Guides Kids ages six and up can discover the secrets and stories of the National Gallery of Art’s collections by using booklets available online or at the Gallery. Either print the guides in advance or ask for them at any Information Desk. Bring colored pencils and/ or crayons. Find them at nga. gov/content/ngaweb/education/ families/family-guides. ------------------------------------------------------------------

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Maury ES Cougars Win Regional Playoff The Cougars lost their first game, then won six straight to finish out the regular season at 6-1. The boys then went on to win both of their DCPS Region D playoff games, edging out Burville ES on February 11 in a really close, 20-19, game. In twenty-two years, this is the first time Maury will go to the District playoffs. Their coaches, Chris Graham and Jalen McLendon, are both Maury alumni and have been looking forward to this for most of their lives. The entire Maury community is proud of these student athletes who will move on to the next round on February 23: Kevin Anderson, Ian Ashton, Cique Blount, Delonte Douglas, Max Genderson, Jabari Hall, Amari Hill, Tylik Long, Roger Marable, Jae’Vian Marshall, Keith Pierce and Bryce Griffin (manager).

DPR Reduces 2016 Summer Camp Fees The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has announced Federal household income guideline changes effective Jan. 1 for the 2016 summer season. The DPR Summer Camp Reduced Rate program allows children of qualifying families to attend with a discount of either 50 or 75 percent per child. DPR can only accept applications for reduced rate in person. Applications must be approved prior to registering for camp. For more info, contact the DPR Summer Camp office at 202671-0372 or DPR.Camps@dc.gov.

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Postal Museum Women’s History Month Family Festival On Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate Women’s History Month at the National Postal Museum’s family festival. Meet a United States Postal Inspector and Amelia Earhart as you learn about women’s roles in the postal service both past and present. Leave with your own airplane and stamp collection. Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. postalmuseum. si.edu. u

H y p e r L o c a l | hīpər

. lōk(ə)l |

Hyperlocal connotes information oriented around a well defined community with its primary focus directed toward the concerns of its residents. synonym:

HillRag.com

Daily online. Monthly in print.

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School Notes

by Susan Braun Johnson

Amidon-Bowen Elementary NSCP Third Annual Teacher Appreciation Event Near Southeast Community Partners (NSCP) and Nando’s Peri-Peri in Yards Park hosted its third annual Teacher Appreciation Dinner on Feb. 4. This year, NSCP featured teachers from Amidon-Bowen Elementary (Adopt-a-School Partner) and the recently re-opened Van Ness Elementary. Thirty-five teachers, along with Principal Izabela Miller and Head of School Cynthia RiversRobinson, enjoyed a family style dinner and drinks. Friends at Edgewood Brookland Collaborative provided dessert. Teacher Appreciation was started three years ago as a way to thank these dedicated people for their hard work. In addition to the success in the classroom, the event celebrated the Amidon-Bowen sports teams a very successful year. Ward 6 Council Member Charles Allen and his family joined the festivities. Allen thanked the teachers for all that they do for the kids. Amidon-Bowen Elementary is located at 401 Eye St. SW. To learn more: www.amidonbowen. org; @AmidonBowen.

JO Wilson also hosted an excellent Math Night in February. Each grade level set up stations to teach key math concepts through games from counting and pattern recognition with preschool classes to comparing fractions with fourth grade. Participants used an interactive number line to solve addition and subtraction problems. Others played Time Bingo and 24. The stations demonstrated the different ways that math is taught throughout the school. JO Wilson is located at 660 K St. NE. To learn more check out www.jowilsondc. org; Twitter: @JOWilsonDC. Kate Sweeney. u

Maury Elementary Super Spellers Maury held its annual Spelling Bee on Jan. 29. After more than 20 rounds and a nail-biting third-place spell off, the winners were finally declared: First place, Oliver Pa-

terson (third grade); second place, Benjamin Klein (fifth grade); third place, Kingston Stephen (fourth grade) and Talan Manago (fifth grade). Benjamin and Kingston represented Maury at the DCPS Cluster Bee on Feb. 23. Students in third grade are not eligible to participate.

Bruce DarConte, NSCP, www.nscpartners.org. u

JO Wilson Elementary Visiting the Rainforest JO Wilson’s Kindergarten classes visited the Amazonia exhibit at the National Zoo recently after studying the Amazon Rainforest. They saw piranhas and other Amazon River fish, mammals such as monkeys and many reptiles and amphibians. The trip allowed the students to make real-world connections with the content they had been learning. Their three-week study was anchored by the book “Afternoon on the Amazon” by Mary Pope Osborne.

Detecting UV Rays Did you know that the sun’s UV rays are present even on a cloudy day? Kindergarten and first grade students recently discovered this for themselves in Think Tank. They made bracelets out of UV sensitive beads. The beads didn’t change color in their classroom lighting or with an ordinary flashlight, but when they took them outside on the playground – bingo! They reacted even though the sky was heavily overcast. Their next project is to design a playground that can keep students cool and protected from these rays, which can be harmful to skin and eyes.

Math=24 Math is in the air at JO Wilson this winter. Students competed in a schoolwide tournament of “24.” In this game, students use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to make four numbers equal 24. Each first through fifth grade class held a class competition. The top four players from each advanced to the schoolwide tournament. The math fun didn’t stop there.

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Fourth grade students compete in a tournament on Feb. 24.

Ski Trip

Maury students and chaperones at Ski Liberty.

The Maury Ski Club made its annual pilgrimage to Ski Liberty in February. This was followed by a qualifying trip to identify the ten students who will represent the school in the DCPS champion-

March is all about reading at Miner Elementary.

ship on March 3. They are Ian Ashton, Max Genderson, Aiden Herron, Amari Hill, Daniel McFarlane, Mikalah Ray, Joshua Simpson, Owen Stamper, Hazel Wartchow and Malia Weedon. The blizzard was a bonus for them – they got to ski on Mother Nature’s snow instead of the man-made stuff. Maury Elementary is located at 1250 Constitution Ave. NE. Call for more info 202-6983838 or log on to www.mauryelementary.com. Elizabeth Nelson. u

Miner Elementary Literacy Night Planned for March 10 “Hats and Books Reading Night” is scheduled for March 10. Celebrating Read across America, Literacy Month and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, “Hats and Books Reading Night” will bring volunteers from Folger Shakespeare Library, Rosedale Library and the Miner Elementary library program together for family literacy activities that will include story time, arts and crafts, games, a book fair and more. For information about Literacy Night, contact minerpto@gmail.com.

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Marion Fox Nominated for LifeChanger Award

Standing (from left to right): Fox, Glover, Fitzhugh-Johnson, Baggett, Mitchell, Mason-Thompson, Lucas and Brown. Seated (from left to right): Miller, Douglas, Turner, Workman, Whitaker and Stokes. Not Pictured: Corbitt, Gatling and Judd.

Literacy Lab Comes to Miner Part of a District grant-funded program to help advance literacy skills, the Literacy Lab program recently launched at Miner. In addition to training, the program funds full-time reading intervention specialists who work one-on-one with students to boost their skills. Miner welcomed its two specialists late last month.

Cultivate the City Partnership Gardening, recycling, sustainability, cooking, a weekly farmers’ market and more will be a part of Miner’s new partnership with Cultivate the City. Miner boasts more than an acre of open space. The school is taking advantage of this land to rejuvenate its community garden ─ tying in “the growing” with a holistic, school-wide set of lessons. To follow progress, “Like” the Miner Garden on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinerGarden. Miner is at 601 15th St NE. To learn more log on to www.minerelementary.org. Holly Harper u

Payne Elementary Payne Educators Recognized DCPS’ finest were recognized for their hard work and dedication at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in February. Dubbed “DC’s Most Inspiring Night of the Year” and hosted by

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DC Ed Fund, the Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools “is a star-studded awards show and celebration that shines a spotlight on the achievements of DC Public Schools’ finest teachers, leaders and school communities.” This year’s event was hosted by Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Sixteen educators from Payne Elementary School were recognized for their work including early childhood educators Melissa Baggett, Jacqueline Douglas, Marion Fox and Juanita Stokes; primary grade educators Danielle Glover, Dionne Mason-Thompson, Christina (Phelps) Mitchell and Tiffani Turner; intermediate grade educators Mary Fitzhugh-Johnson and Judith Miller; related service providers Janice Brown, Iris Corbitt, Mary Judd, Kesha Lucas, Chanda Whitaker and LaBone’ Workman. Payne Assistant Principal Crystal Gatling received The Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership for her work last school year at Cleveland Elementary in NW. She was one of eight educators recognized. The Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership is funded through the generosity of Alice and David Rubenstein. Mr. Rubenstein is the co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group and chairman of the Boards of Trustees of the Kennedy Center. Congratulations to all of these dedicated professionals. Payne says: “BRAVO!”

Marion McDowell-Fox has been nominated for the LifeChanger of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes K-12 educators and school employees from around the country. A LifeChanger could be a math teacher who stays after school to tutor struggling students, a guidance counselor who encourages every student to reach their full potential, or a custodian who offers encouraging words. McDowell-Fox has been an educator for nearly 26 years. She has a passion for teaching that goes beyond many peoples’ expectations. Taking a strong interest in the development of students and parents, she provides the emotional and academic support essential to enriching lives both within and outside of the classroom. McDowell-Fox even uses her own paycheck to purchase classroom supplies and fund trips and parties. Many parents consider McDowell-Fox the epitome of a pre-K teacher. She helps her students have a positive attitude toward school and learning. In her free time, she finds enough time to volunteer in her community and at church. To read more about LifeChangers, visit www. lifechangernominees.com. Payne Elementary School is located at 1445 C St. SE. For more information go to www.paynedc.org;

Tyler Spelling Bee organizer and first grade teacher Ms. Victoria Willis congratulates a winner.

Facebook: PayneES; Instagram: PayneDCPS; Twitter: @PayneDCPS and @PrincipalPayne. u

Tyler Elementary Sharp Minds and Healthy Bodies at Tyler Elementary Tyler students participated in the Jan. 29 school-level Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winners were (in order): kindergarteners: Aleanna Flores, Logan Bunn and Dash Cawthorne; first graders Amber Jackson, Anna Elizabeth Martinez-Graham and Kaidyn Bennett; second and third graders Niamh O’Donovan, Zoe Buckman and Robert Water III; fourth and fifth graders Abigail Taster, Trinity Kittrell and Elias Sharpe. Congratulations! Other February activities included a successful Scholastic Book Fair and the return of Tyler’s popular “Girls on the Run” after school track program for third to fifth grade girls. Coaches include Tyler moms and a Tyler grandmother. Tyler staff members are fitness and wellness role models for their students. Taking advantage of “Teacher Made,” a program to improve the health and wellbeing of teachers by providing onsite fitness opportunities, they now work out in a newly renovated fitness studio and participate in free weekly boot camp and yoga classes at school! Tyler also offers thanks to school partner Akin Gump. Gump helped send nine Tyler Elementary students to Liberty Ski Resort for a skiing competition. A special thanks to Ms. Barnett, Ms. Balaton and Coach Mo for their involvement in this year’s ski trip and making it a safe and fun experience for the kids. Tyler Elementary is at 1001

10 YEARS ON CAPITOL HILL

Run by Mr. Tony

Affordable Weekly Summer Sessions June 27 to July 29 $250/ 8:00am-3:00pm – $50/ aftercare 3:00pm-6:00pm $20/ week registration fee – 50% sibling discount To enroll go to www.adventurecampdc.com / enrollment

Our main goal is to get out to have an ADVENTURE every day! * exploring real nature * splashing around in a water adventure * city’s shows and exhibits We will walk and use public transportation

Located at JO Wilson Elementary School (660 K St. NE) More info (202) 725-6087 • www.adventurecampdc.com March 2016 H 155

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G St. SE. For more information: www.tylerelementary.net; FB:John Tyler Elementary. Meredith Baker u

Van Ness Elementary Van Ness Hosts NSCP Check Presentation Van Ness Elementary School welcomed members of the Near Southeast Community Partners (NSCP), Councilmember Anita Bonds, as well as representatives from DC Public Schools’ Office of Family and Public Engagement for a check presentation ceremony in February. The presentation was in recognition of Van Ness Elementary School’s successful application for funds through the CSX Mitigation Fund Grant, which is overseen by the NSCP. NSCP awarded the school $19,483. These funds will used to purchase supplies for the school’s growing art education program and iPads to supplement classroom instruction. “We are grateful for the generosity and support from CSX and NSCP. Our students are excited to start playing with these needed art supplies,” stated Van Ness Head of School Cynthia Robinson Rivers. Van Ness Elementary School is located at 1150 Fifth St., SE. Tara Cheston. u

The Capitol Hill Cluster School The 2016 Cluster Rocks! Gala & Auction will be held on March 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Atlas Theater, 1333 H St. NE. One of the Cluster’s biggest events, it raises money for all three campuses; and is attended by hundreds of parents, faculty and community members. The evening is filled with great food, exciting auction items, fun music and lots of dancing.

Peabody is featuring DC Public Library’s “Books from Birth.” This program, a creation of Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, mails all kids in DC a free book each month from birth until they turn five. The initiative’s objective is to help parents make reading a daily habit; thus creating a solid foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Peabody students are building that love already. They have read 11,741 books since beginning the winter reading program, “Reading Takes You out of This World,” in early December.

Watkins Elementary School Watkins students competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for students in grades 4 to 8. Watkins’ top three winners will go onto a cluster bee. Then, those winners will compete in the national bee. Watkins also hosts a “just for fun” spelling bee for students in grades 1 to 3, who did a great job spelling tough words too! Fourth and fifth grade winners are: Hayden Soderman (First), Elizabeth Weinschenk (Second), Zoe Riedel (Third), Daniel Houghton (Fourth). First and third grade winners are: Beverly Lee (First), Io Huttinger (Second), Godiya Dakim and Maeve Viola (Third). On Feb. 1, DCPS held its annual “Standing Ovation” ceremony at the Kennedy Center. This event honors the District’s highly effective teachers. This year, Watkins Elementary was one of three schools invited to perform the grand musical finale. Twenty fourth and fifth grade Watkins students sang alongside students from Harris Elementary and Wilson High school in a soulful rendition of “Home” from “The Wiz” and were rewarded with a standing ovation of their own.

Stuart-Hobson Middle School Stuart Hobson will participate in the Model UN for the first time this year. Students will take the

roll of delegates from around the world and work to solve real world problems. This year’s challenge is global climate change. Model UN will take place April 8, at the Pan American Health Organization building. Stuart Hobson students are completing deep research now to prepare for this inaugural and exciting opportunity. In the quarterfinal round of the DCIAA Middle School Basketball Championships on Feb. 8, Stuart-Hobson Lady Panthers advanced to the Final Four by defeating Jefferson Academy 34-21. The Capitol Hill Cluster School’s website is www.capitolhillclusterschool.org and features weekly updates for all three campuses. Peabody is located at 425 C St. NE. Watkins is located at 420 12th St. SE. Stuart-Hobson is located at 410 E St. NE. Katharine Kaplan u

The School Within a School 19th Annual SWS Gala & Auction The 19th Annual SWS Gala & Auction will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 31 A St. SE, on March 5. Not only is this adults-only evening fantastic, it raises critical funds for the school. Auction items include luxury vacation rentals, home improvement services, restaurant gift cards and much more. New this year, attendees will use mobile devices to bid on silent auction items. The gala includes a live auction that never disappoints: music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. This year’s featured musical performers are world-class violinist Enrique Reynosa and guitarist Erik Tans, both teachers from Music on the Hill. And SWS’s music teacher James Castaneda will join them on cello. The auction’s success depends on the generosity of SWS friends, families, businesses and community members. Auction proceeds and charitable giving have supplemented the school’s music,

Peabody Early Childhood School Each Peabody artist is creating a clay bowl made out of clay balls. The student artists first make many uniformly sized clay balls. Using a cheesecloth-lined bowl as a form, student artists then build clay bowls by placing the balls in concentric circles within the form. They then smooth the clay on the inside with their fingers and water. Once the bowls have been fired, student artists glaze the bowls, readying them for display at the Clay Ball Bowl Open House on May 20. With the aim of building lifelong readers,

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Watkins students perform in the grand finale of the Standing Ovation ceremony.

Stuart Hobson Lady Panther Basketball Team has advanced to the final four.

Friends Community School

Enc Empowouraging e Imagin rment and Safe anation in a d Enviro Caring For Chnment il Ages 3 dren -10

Progressive Quaker Education Kindergarten - Grade 8

Experience the

From June 20 - August 12, 2016

SUMMER CAMPS!

Younger children (ages 3-5) will enjoy performances, trips, picnics in the park, water play. Older ones (ages 6-10) will enjoy science classes, field trips, Labyrinth games, fitness classes, arts, weekly visits to the pool, gardening, cooking classes and more.

Download applications at www.politepiggys.com Mail to PO Box 31215, WDC 20030 Flexible Scheduling: ages 3-5: ages 6-10:

Weekly $315 $345

Early Bird Discount:

Whole Day $63 $69

Half Day $41 $47

Drop In $68 $74

$15 weekly discount for all prepaid weeks paid for by 4/4/2016.

Joy of Extraordinary

June 13 through August 12, 2016 SCIENCE, NATURE, ARTS, MUSIC, DANCES, CODING, FILMMAKING, LANGUAGE IMMERSION, THEATER, SPORTS, ROBOTICS, HARRY POTTER, and more! • • •

Early Registratio n Discounts!

Dynamic teachers and age-appropriate groups Extended Day enrichment activities. Silver LEED “green” school, 17 acres, next to Greenbelt Park.

For details: www.friendscommunityschool.org

5901 Westchester Park Drive, College Park, MD 20740 More Info: 240-396-8957 ask for VanNessa www.politepiggys.com politepiggysdaycamp@yahoo.com

Tel: 301.441.2100

Only 15-20 minutes up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway!

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p.m. – all ages welcome. Free event. • March 9, PTO Meeting, 6 p.m. Learn about plans for Watkins’ swing space at EH. Eliot-Hine IB Middle School is located at 1830 Constitution Ave. NE. For more information call: 202-939-5380 or @EliotHine; FB Eliot-Hine. Heather Schoell. u

Jefferson Academy MS Trojans Trek to Ecuador Eliot-Hine students (l to r: Anna, Lance, Clara, Katelyn, Nafisa, & Olivia) pose with Mayor Bowser and Mr. Birks after their broadcast of the Ward 6 Democrats Town Hall Meeting.

dance and art programs, as well as classroom supplies, school technology, teacher development and hiring teaching assistants. The auction is open to everyone, even those who do not have children or a child at the school. Consider donating to the auction or attending the event. A strong education for children will strengthen their future, as well as the community’s vitality. School within School is located at 920 F St NE. For more info: schoolwithinschool.org. Allison Klein. u

Eliot-Hine MS Highly Effective Educators at Eliot-Hine Huge congratulations to Eliot-Hine’s educators who were honored for their “highly effective” status at the Kennedy Center during DCPS’ Standing Ovation. Eliot-Hine’s winners included: Math Chair Lawrence Dance, a seventh grade teacher, ski coach, LSAT Chair and new dad; technology teacher Mandrell Birks, the force behind the only streaming TV and radio broadcast station in DCPS; eight grade English teacher Stephanie Johnson, ELA Chair and a new mom; social worker Tara Harris, who keeps at-risk students in

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uniforms and toiletries; and Assistant Principal Jocelyn Lockhart, a welcome new addition to Eliot-Hine this year. Congratulations!

EH Students Film Ward 6 Town Hall Eliot-Hine IB Middle School was asked by Ward 6 Democrats Town Hall Meeting organizers to film and broadcast the event. Students interviewed Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen prior to the start. By the way, technology teacher Mandrell Birks has finally secured an interview with President Obama – they head to the White House in March!

As part of its international programming, Jefferson Academy staff will be taking nearly a dozen seventh and eighth grade students to Ecuador during spring break. This nineday trip will immerse students in the country´s rich history, culture and traditions. It will also promote an ethos of service as students participate in a vital community development project with a local indigenous tribe. Students are in the last weeks of their $15,000 fundraising drive and are seeking last minute contributions at www.gofundme.com/jeffgoestoecuador to make this trip possible.

Principal’s Honor Roll Jefferson Academy has high expec-

tations for academic success. The school celebrates its high achieving students each quarter at an Honor Roll assembly. Students who have all A’s and B’s receive an Honor Roll recognition. Those with all A’s earn the coveted Principals’ Honor Roll award. Along with the ceremony, medals, certificates and reception, the Principal Honor Roll recipients receive an added bonus. After the Quarter 1 Honor Roll ceremony the Principal Honor Roll scholars had the privilege of dressing up and having lunch at one of the Jefferson’s adopt a school partners, Cadawalder Law Firm. During their most recent fancy law firm lunch, the students were introduced to our Principal Honor Roll buddy program. Each scholar chooses a peer in their grade to support to earn a place on the Principal’s Honor Roll. The goal was to double the Principal Honor Roll recipients for Quarter 2. The Honor Roll recipients and their buddies meet for breakfast three times during Quarter 2 to check in on their progress. Jefferson Academy has been a significant increase in students joining the honor roll over the past two years. Even more students have made Princi-

Books upon Books! Thank you to First Book for the enormous shipment of books! There were enough to bolster classroom shelves, give students to keep, and still fill the library bookcases!

Thank you, CHCF! Thank you to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) for supporting Eliot-Hine’s ski club!

Upcoming Community Events at Eliot-Hine • March 3, Karaoke Night, 6 to 8

Jefferson Academy Honor Roll participants.

Y A A W W D D A A O RO BR e on th

HILL!

/ Ages 5-12 ing Arts Camp and Music rm fo er P k ee -w 6 ance 29 / Acting, D NE) June 20–July hool Within School (920 F Street Located at Sc

pal’s Honor Roll through the buddy program! Jefferson Academy is located at 801 Seventh St. SW. To contact the school please call 202-7293270 or log on to www.jeffersontrojans.org to learn more. Check out the school on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Blyth-Templeton Academy

• Fun Rehearsals • Acting & Improvisation Games • Choreography • Music • Character Creation • Scene Building • Set Designs • And More

This exciting, 6 week-long program culminates in a closing dinner theatre performance – family and friends are invited!

performing arts camp

Oral Histories Blyth-Templeton Academy students enjoyed a presentation by Bernadette McMahon of the Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project. Students were able to learn about how this organization memorializes the oral histories of people right on Capitol Hill. Blyth-Templeton Academy is located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. For more info log on to www.blythtempleton.org. Jennifer Rivers.

Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:30pm $1950 for 6 weeks ($325 per week) No extra charge for early drop off at 8:00 am or late pickup at 6:00 pm

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Capitol Hill Day School Trading Places – Curriculum Night Curriculum Night is an annual CHDS event that magically transforms parents into students by immersing them in lessons and activities. This year’s theme was “New Initiatives for Deeper Inquiry: Math & Technology at CHDS.” Eight workshops were developed and taught by teams of teachers from various grades: • Tech-Savvy/Tech Smart (Foreign Language; Human Development & Sexuality) – interactive Smartboard games, video interviews, smart notes and Google Drive; • Technology in the Art Room – exploring Chinese brush

Learn a new musical instrument or improve your current skills at

DCYOP’S SUMMER MUSIC! June 27 - July 9, 2016 for ages 5-13 Full and half day programs offered on Capitol Hill; no experience necessary Tuition assistance available!

More at dcyop.org or 202-698-0123 March 2016 H 159

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skills. Capitol Hill Day School is located at 210 South Carolina Ave, SE. Call 202-386-9919 for more information. Jane Angarola. u

DC International School Black History Month

ity. Participants include government officials, photojournalists, and conservationists. DCI offers advanced Spanish, Chinese and French language immersion in a technology-rich learning environment. DCI has begun the process to become an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the world-renowned IB Middle Years Program to DC public school students. Follow @DCISchool on Twitter to see daily snapshots of classroom and extracurricular activities like the ones highlighted above! DC International School is located at 3220 16th Street NW. To learn more: www.dcinternationalschool.org.

February is both Black History Month and the Chinese New Year! To celebrate, DC International School (DCI) hosted lunch speakers, Lauren Games. u special classroom activities and field trips to celebrate the school’s diversiFriends Community School ty and cultures. Black History Month CHDS Parents use tech tools to explore Chinese brush painting Learning Earth Science activities included taking an all at Curriculum Night. through Music and Dance school field trip to see “Soundtrack Fifth-grade students at Friends Community School for a Revolution,” focusing on the painting, using iPads and QR codes to better spent much of last month studying earth science Civil Rights Movement in classes, understand tools and techniques; not only through traditional classwork and readhearing from the first US ambassador to South Afings but also by learning and performing music • iPad Apps in the Classroom – using apps in rica about the dangers of racial inequality and listenand dance. Interact Story Theatre, an arts-in-eduthe classroom for content creation, interacing to a representative from the State Department’s cation organization, brought an artist to the school tive reading, and more; chapter of “Blacks in Government” highlight sucto teach students to use music and dance to demcessful African American diplomats and discuss why • Lights, Camera, YouTube – using YouTube to onstrate changes that formed the Earth. the organization is still relevant today. strengthen foreign language skills by recordKelly King, a dance specialist, used the eleing skits, interviews, and dialogues; ments of dance – Body, Effort, Space, Shape and Chinese New Year • “My calculator doesn’t have a button for Time – to teach students to model the movement To celebrate Chinese New Year, students decorated that!” – taking math beyond mere computaof tectonic plates, the creation of continents and the school hallways with traditional Chinese sayings tion through critical thinking, number sense, the influence of convection currents that gave on red paper. Chinese classes celebrated with tradiand algebraic reasoning; shape to Earth over millennia. The residency was tional Chinese foods. Chinese track students gave • Math all the time in Early Childhood-Third funded by grants from the Maryland State Arts presentations and Hong Bao (red envelopes) to their Grade – hands-on activities that show how Council and the Prince George’s Arts and Huhomerooms to teach the significance of the holiday teachers build conceptual understanding by deto other students. liberately integrating math throughout the day; • “You took that out of context!” – solving a Lunch Speaker Series real-world problem and learning the imporDCI has started two lunch tance of maintaining mathematical meaning speaker series! The first, through structure, description, and explanacalled #jobhacks, features tion of reasoning; career advice from profes• Problem-based tasks in elementary grades – sionals in fields in which exploring the value of learning through doing students are interested. by solving a problem-based task, seeing examThis gives them a special inples of differentiation and discussing the valsight into the daily duties of ue of this approach to 21st century students. these jobs and how to start Parents experienced how CHDS uses technolpreparing now for their fuogy thoughtfully to enhance learning, engage stutures! The second, called dents helping them become responsible digital cit#foodforthought, is cenizens; and teaches student-centered, problem-based Fifth grade students at Friends Community School used dance to demontered on social justice and strate how the supercontinent Pangaea broke into present-day continents math that focuses on understanding of ideas and environmental sustainabil175 million years ago.

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The only full service toddler/preschool Montessori program on Capitol Hill Rolling Admissions Ages 24 months to 5 years old

manities Council.

The Arts Integrated-arts education is used throughout the years at Friends Community School. Kindergarten students, for example, use the approach to learn about rain forests. Their work combines science and social science with visual arts, music and dance. Third and fourth grade students write and perform short musicals about characters and stories from early American history as part of their social studies curriculum. In middle school, students write poetry and put it to music, focusing both on melody and beat. Performing arts teacher Kiersten Whitehead believes that the arts can help students master other subjects. “Learning concepts through the arts solidifies memory and knowledge because it engages both hemispheres of the brain,” she says. “When students demonstrate a concept through singing or dancing, they often recall it much more quickly because it is a tangible way of learning. Integrated-arts wakes up their brains and allows them to make connections they may never have made otherwise,” she says. FCS is located at 5901 Westchester Park Drive, College Park, MD. To learn more check out: www.friendscommunityschool.org.

Montessori and More •

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Weekdays, 8 AM to 3 PM

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Fully licensed by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for over 13 years! We follow strict guidelines and procedures with regard to safety, security, comfort, and health of our children.

Summer Camp 2016!

International Preschool Style/Montessori in spirit, designed for summer fun • Water days • Children’s environment for imagination and adventure • Week long themed activities

• Licensed, accredited teachers (not camp counselors) • Weekly enrollment

Eric Rosenthal. u

St. Peter School Student Scholars The New Year saw another solid showing from St. Peter School’s budding scientists and geography geniuses! Under the tutelage of science teacher Ms. Hinkson, St. Peter School students in grades four through eight presented science projects to a pan-

Schedule an Observation! 703.945.0408 Capitol Hill Campus: 1325 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 www.nestars.net • northeaststarsmontessori.nes@gmail.com Like us on Facebook | Northeast Stars Montessori

Offering a NEW HALF DAY PROGRAM in addition to our regular program • ½ day program is integrated into our Montessori curriculum and classroom, taught by our certified Montessori teachers. • Children do not need to be potty trained. • $890 per month

24 months to 5 years old 8 AM-12 PM. STARTS FEB. 8 March 2016 H 161

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organizing a fantastic evening filled with laughter, dancing and aggressive bidding! The extraordinary generosity of families, friends and neighbors enabled the school to raise additional funds for scholarships, improvements to the school facility and curriculum development. St. Peter School is at 422 Third St, SE. To learn more log on to www. stpeterschooldc.org. Sally Aman. u

Chavez PCS UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova Visits Chavez On Feb. 10, Chavez Schools welcomed UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova to their Capitol Hill campus. Students engaged Bokova in a lively dialogue. Chavez young St. Peter School Art Teacher and Motorcycle Safety Instructor women scholars in grades 6 to 12 Trish Blomquist speaking to students at Career Day. from each campus asked DirectorGeneral Bokova questions about her el of esteemed judges. First-place winners in each experiences as female diplomat, and the challenggrade move on to the DC Science, Technoloes she had had to overcome in pursuit of this career. gy, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair include: “I travel all over the world,” Bokova said. fourth grader Nolan McDaniel, fifth grader Wesley “Education is so essential for women. We canPeot, sixth grader James Hardy, seventh grader Rinot talk about gender equality without talking ley Morton, and eight grader Nathan Peot. Meanwhile, fifth grader Jack Priebus emerged the victor of the school-wide Geography Bee for the second year, and is in the process of qualifying for the state bee. Congratulations scholars!

about education.” Bokova’s visit to Chavez Schools was co-hosted by The Wilson Center’s Women in Public Service Project.

Open House On March 15, Chavez Schools Capitol Hill Campus will host an interactive Open House for prospective partners and families. Participants will learn more about Chavez Schools and participate in scholar-led campus tours. They can also sign up for extracurricular, enrichment and athletic offerings. Chavez Schools Capitol Hill High School is at 709 12th St. SE. Learn more at www.chavezschools. org. Twitter/FB/IG: @chavezschools. Ashlee Lawson u

DC PREP PCS DC Preppies Are Going Places For the month of January, DC Prep profiled former students. This #ExcellenceAlways Campaign shines a spotlight on alumni achievements and involvement with the PrepNext student support program. To date, 100 percent of all DC Prep eighth grade graduates (nearly 300) have been accepted by college-prep high schools earning $7 million in scholarships. In addition, 96 percent of DC Prep’s first five

Exploring Careers For the third year, St. Peter’s students gathered in the Costantino multipurpose room to learn more about a range of exciting careers and religious vocations. Students heard from a seminarian, a religious sister, a journalist, a motorcycle safety instructor, a pastor/writer as well as folks from the World Wildlife Fund, the National Institutes of Health and United States Postal Service. The room was filled with excited chatter as students discussed what the future may hold.

Totally Awesome Auction & 80s Dance Party! Members of the St. Peter School community gathered for a fantastic evening at the Mandarin Oriental. Many thanks to auction co-chairs Sheila Walter, Angela Rathgeber and Victoria Jackson for

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Chavez scholars pose with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

cohorts of graduates (Classes 2007 to 11) have earned their high school diplomas. Of those students who graduated from high school, 74 percent matriculated to college – 78 percent of whom are still working to their degrees. DC PREP is located at 707 Edgewood Street, NE. Get more details at: www.dcprep.org. Amber Gorman Walker. u

Paul PCS Paul hosts key Funders from New Classrooms Teach to One Paul Public Charter School hosted “New Classrooms, Teach to One: Math” (TTO: Math) key program partners on Jan. 15. Representatives from New Schools Venture Fund, CityBridge Foundation and the McLean School in Potomac had the opportunity to meet with Paul leadership, tour the school and observe its math center. TTO: Math, developed by New Classrooms Innovation Partners, reimagines the classroom for math. It integrates a variety of instructional approaches – instruction, student collaboration, software and virtual instructors – to personalize instruction. Each student moves through a rich, individualized learning experience at his or her own pace. Teachers leverage their time and expertise to better support student learning. “TTO: Math allows Paul PCS to offer math instruction at the level our scholars need. From the scholar that is coming to us two grade levels below, this program meets our scholar where they are. It also allows us to challenge the 8th grade scholar who is ready for high school algebra. We look forward to seeing how this program impacts our scholars in the long run,” stated Paul Middle School Principal Danielle Singh. Paul Public Charter School

serves students in grades 6 through 12 and is the home of the M.E.R.I.T. scholars (motivated, educated, responsible, independent thinkers). For more information please visit www.paulcharter.org. Paul Public Charter School is located at 5800 Eighth St. NW. Takita W. Mason. u

Washington Global PCS Entrepreneurship Program Launched In partnership with The George Washington University (GWU), Washington Global PCS (Washington Global) recently launched BEAD, a new business-focused female entrepreneurship program. Designed and taught by GWU business major Alice Murray, the program provides female students in grades 6 and 7 the opportunity to design, market and sell their own handmade jewelry. By creating their own business, BEAD teaches female students leadership, business development and entrepreneurial skills while offering a creative outlet. Murray developed BEAD after participating in several other financial literacy opportunities for students. She secured the funding for the program from GWU through a competitive grant process. Washington Global’s students enthusiastically participate in BEAD weekly. “It’s a good opportunity for girls to learn about entrepreneurship and launching their own company. It’s also really fun!” states six grader Lailah. Washington Global PCS is located at 525 School St. SW. Discover more at www.washingtonglobal.org. Elizabeth Torres, E.D. u Have an item for School Notes? Email schools@hillrag.com. u

March 2016 H 163

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March 2016 H 169

{the last word}

The Last Word Objections to the Southwest Shelter [Letter to Mayor Murial Bowser] As President of the Board of Directors, Capitol Park IV Condominium Association, I am writing to inform you that by unanimous vote the Board is resolute in its opposition to the plan to build a transient shelter for homeless families as presented by you and your staff to the Southwest community on Thursday, Feb. 11. Capitol Park IV is an association of 243 condominium townhouses spread over a 15-acre park-like setting. We are the immediate and proximate neighbor to the planned shelter site on three sides. Without much more definitive information on its design, operation, and why the Historic Friendship Church site was deemed appropriate, we cannot in good conscience support this proposal. We seriously question any plan that combines a residential facility for needy and unstable families with children in a location where alcohol is consumed in conjunction with its activities (Blind Whino). We believe that there are more suitable, nearby sites, with far better access to public transportation, shopping and schools, as well as excellent access to health care, e.g. Greenleaf Gardens. We believe that other nearby sites may also bring the city a greater and certainly quicker return on its investment. The proposed site has an historic landmark designation, known environmental contamination (lead paint and asbestos), existing buildings that must be demolished, is shoe-horned in an existing low-rise community and will be mired in legal challenges indefinitely. We do not understand how it could have been chosen. The District of Columbia created the Zoning Commission, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions system, and the Historic Preservation Review Board -- among other regulatory mechanisms -- to give residents statutory voices regarding development when such developments do not conform to the norms of their neighborhood. However, in announcing

170 H Hillrag.com

Toxic snow dump at RFK Stadium parking lot. photo: Diana Hibbs

the eight “pre-chosen” transient shelter sites, you have abandoned the idea of granting citizens their deserved input to the planning process, and have only vaguely described any details about the implementation strategy. We have no intention of rubber-stamping any unacceptable, forced solution to the pressing problem of housing the homeless in our city. I am certain that from your experience as the Ward 4 Councilmember, you understand the value of meaningful community input to resolving important neighborhood issues. In the spirit of transparency and accountability in government, which your administration has promoted, our attorneys have submitted a Freedom of Information Act Request (attached) to obtain copies of any comparative analyses prepared toward evaluating site candidates for the proposed Ward 6 shelter. That information and other data will help us to understand the city’s compliance with its own procurement regulations and selection process. When we have digested available documentation we will coordinate a meeting with you to present our concerns, alternatives, and suggestions we believe will make the finalized Ward 6 shelter a community benefit, accepted and fully supported. Robert W. Hall, President, Board of Directors, Capitol Park IV Condominium xrobertwhall@aol.com

District Fails to Protect Anacostia River after Snowzilla Although the District Department of the Environment (DDOT) has made it a goal to clean up the Anacostia River ever since 1984, the city continues to collect and dump toxic snow on the parking lots of RFK Stadium which sit adjacent to the wetlands of the river. While this practice may make an easy short term fix for DC drivers and city officials, the long term implications for the river are precarious. The RFK parking lots are already deteriorating and the added mixture of melting snow laced with vehicle fluids, salt and ice melt further expose the riv-

er to a host of heavy metals, oil, grease, pesticides and bacteria. If you have ever been told not to eat snow, you can be sure this is advice you should follow. Crisp white snow may look pristine but snowflakes are actually ice particles that are excellent at absorbing toxic chemicals from exhaust particulate pollutants. Now picture RFK‘s parking lots, and the blackened mountain range of city wide polluted snow sitting adjacent to the Anacostia River and you begin to see the danger. DDOE needs to be proactive in best management practices. One way is to find alternative locations to compile the city’s snow which are not adjacent to the Anacostia River or other bodies of water; and/or by creating snow storage catch basins which could then filter out pollutants from storm water before it enters our waterways. A possible solution to the District’s snow conundrum might lie with Snow Dragon, the manufacturer of the snow melting machine that city officials borrowed for January’s Snowzilla. In 2010, Snow Dragon, an Ohio based company, collaborated with AquaShield, a water filtration engineering firm; Twin City Outdoor Services, a Minneapolis based snow removal service; and the Minneapolis Pollution Control Agency. They worked together to develop and test a new water filtration system that attached to the Snow Dragon melting machine. The new prototype was retrofitted to filter out not only trash, but toxins, petroleum byproducts and pollutants from the snow, providing an environmentally safer way to mitigate problems from snow storm water run-off. This is one proactive way for the District Department of the Environment to prepare for the next Snowmaggedon and show national leadership by creating, in advance, a more environmentally sensitive snow removal and treatment plan and uphold its own goal of making the Anacostia River swimmable and fishable by 2032. Diana Hibbs, Kingman Park resident dianaleewdc@yahoo.com u