Hill Rag Magazine October 2010

capitalcommunitynews.com • October 2010

Est. 1981

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D L O S CAPITOL HILL 820 I Street, NE

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D L O S SHEPHERD PARK

1508 Portal Drive, NW

CAPITOL HILL

16th STREET HEIGHTS

Barrack’s Row Renovation

4617 Arkansas Avenue, NW

Listed @ $460,000

$789,500

Coming Soon!

www.chriszimmer.com/4617arkansas

www.MouseOnHouse.com/11435

www.MouseOnHouse.com/11435

(Call Genie for Details)

Listed @ $549,000

Stan Bissey 202-841-1433 THE BISSEY TEAM

Fern Pannill

240-508-4856

608 D Street, SE

CAPITOL HILL

Genie Hutinet

202-413-7661

Bright & cheerful semi-detached 1830s Farmhouse is 3 rooms deep, has 2BRs+Open 2nd Floor Den, original tin ceiling, wood FP, & a fabulous rear garden! $534,500

911 G Street, SE

Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD THE BISSEY TEAM

16th STREET HEIGHTS

1224 Crittenden Street, NW

Coming Soon!

$839,500

(Call Genie for Details)

www.MouseOnHouse.com/12312

Genie Hutinet

Todd Bissey 202-841-7653

Stan Bissey 202-841-1433

202-413-7661

Fern Pannill

240-508-4856

!

D L O S DEANWOOD

200 43rd Road, NE #203

CAPITOL HILL

204 5th Street, SE

CAPITOL HILL

CAPITOL HILL

501 Seward Square, SE

1311½ South Carolina Avenue, SE

$74,500

$1,100,000

www.chriszimmer.com/200NE43

www.homevisit.com/DC7413087

$900,000

Listed @ $299,000

8 Unit Apartment Building.

Victorian Shell.

Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD THE BISSEY TEAM

Pete Frias 202-744-8973 www.peterfrias.com

Pete Frias 202-744-8973 www.peterfrias.com

Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD THE BISSEY TEAM

“WHERE WASHINGTON SHOPS FOR A NEW ADDRESS!”® 225 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003

Tel: 202-544-3900 www.johncformant.com

Sales • Rentals • Commercial Leasing • Property Management • Investments

Top to Bottom NEW Renovation

613 Independence Ave, SE

Spectacular Victorian W. Income Unit!

Expect to be Envied!

Presented by Wm. C Murphy

826 A Street, SE

A Stately Affair!

Victorian Treasure!

White House on the Hill!

Steps to the Capitol!

1118 S Carolina Ave, SE Inaugural Parade Views!!

Balcony Beauty!

505 East Capitol Street

601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Condo at the Court!

Location! Location!

HOT HOT!!

Howard & U Street

11 2nd St., NE

1811 Wiltberger, NW

Grande Dame at the Market 4 BR 3.5 baths + 2-Bedroom Income Unit!

Simply Fabulous !

4 br 3ba + GARAGE!

801 Independence Ave., SE

1362 East Capitol St.

Phyllis Jane Young

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE LICENSED BROKER IN DC, MD, AND VA

202-544-4236

Opportunity for Sale!

705 N. Carolina Avenue, SE Spectacular Eastern Market Location + C2A Zoning + Parking!

Visit my listings at cbmove.com, realtor.com, oodle, trulia, cyberhomes, zillow, google, yahoo, aol, craigslist, washingtonpost, nytimes, AND OF COURSE...

WWW.PHYLLISJANEYOUNG.COM

First Open Sunday October 10th 1-4pm

Chesapeake Beach, MD 4002 17th Street • VACATION ALL YEAR! You won’t believe the amazing views of the Chesapeake Bay from almost every room of this beautiful, spacious townhome in the much sought after community of Chesapeake Station! Steps to the beach, boardwalk, restaurants, shopping, public library, railway museum, water park and marinas! This home is in ‘move-in’ condition and features three bedrooms, three and one half baths, two-sided fireplace in master bedroom and master bath. Fireplace in living room, chef’s kitchen, finished lower level with large recreation room, one bedroom and full bath. Multiple decks, and much more! $429,900

Huntingtown, MD - The Old Bowen Farm At Sandy Bottom 1525 Old Plum Point Road • FULLY RESTORED HISTORIC HOME CIRCA 1832 Lovingly restored three bedroom, one and one half bath farm house with wood floors throughout, formal living room, separate dining room, country kitchen, guest cottage/office/artist studio with running water, garage/barn with electric, water and wood stove. A large parking area surrounded by granite curbs and walkways. This home boasts two center halls with formal staircases, nine and ten foot ceilings surrounded by 92 feet of porch. Historic zoning allows for a bed and breakfast, antique or craft shop. The main house has the original woodwork, doors, wood floors and plaster walls. Property is surrounded by rolling farmland and is an easy commute to DC, Annapolis or Baltimore. $525,000

1352 South Carolina Avenue, SE Grand Home On A Grand Avenue!

Wonderful almost new EYA constructed home within steps of Lincoln Park and Eastern Market! The façade of this three bedroom, three and one half bath home blends perfectly with its’ historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. But behind the façade awaits a home designed for modern day use! The first floor features a guest bedroom with a full bath and access to the rear-loading two car garage. The second level has a sunken living room with a gas burning fireplace, a large dining area conveniently located off the gourmet eat-in kitchen. Two bedrooms on the third level include a large south facing master with a walk-in closet and a designer bath that will wow. Topped off with a roof top deck with absolutely stunning views!! Perfect for viewing 4th of July fireworks or fair weather al fresco entertaining! $819,000

Capitol Hill - Price Reduced!!

Capitol Hill

Columbia Heights

Capitol Hill

Waterfront/SW

1377 Independence Avenue, SE Semi-Detached Grande Dame!

Wonderfully maintained and updated home convenient to Eastern Market and two Metros! This corner property is flooded with light from three exposures and boasts hardwood floors, original moldings and three working fireplaces. Upstairs features a large eat-in kitchen, separate dining and living rooms, a charming den plus three bedrooms and two and one half baths. Downstairs is a one bedroom/one bath rental unit. The side gardens have been professionally landscaped and provide an oasis from city life. Plus a private rear patio for entertaining and dining al fresco. $919,000

903 G Street, SE European Flair on Barracks Row! Perfectly located steps to the bustling and exciting 8th Street Corridor. Two blocks to the Eastern Market Metro and a stroll to the Market. Fantastic three bedroom/one and one half bath home with original details galore. Tastefully updated and decorated to magically transport one to Tuscany or Provence! Absolutely adorable rear garden and a spacious lower level in-law suite with a charming bath and a large eat-in kitchen completes this lovely offering! $849,000

3537 14th Street, NW Prime Commercial Space...Steal A Deal!!

Fabulous opportunity to purchase a prime commercial property located close to the Tivoli Theatre, the new Giant and the Target shopping complex. The 14th Street Corridor is booming with new restaurants, shops and condominiums! This property has been renovated and consists of four office suites, a kitchenette and an unfinished basement. Also could be used for residential as well!! $464,000 or for rent $2,200 per/month

1818 C Street, SE Fantastic Four Unit!!

Four one bedroom units with updated kitchens, hardwood floors all units equal in size. Large yard with possible off-street parking.

Building is in good condition - shows well. Great location near Stadium/Armory Metro. Perfect for condo conversion or the savvy homeowner--live in one--rent out the other three and let your tenants pay your mortgage!! $699,000

Gangplank Marina • 600 Water Street, SW For the unique, discriminating and adventurous home buyer...

Floating House… Own a snug contemporary home on the water. Cathedral ceilings, skylights, large fully equipped kitchen, step-down living room, step-down bedroom, den/loft, roof-top deck with fantastic views of the sunsets, 4th of July fireworks and surrounding yacht marina. CAC, electric heat pumps, great neighbors and much more. Must see to appreciate. A whole new experience in living! $185,000

Finding Folks Their Perfect Capitol Hill Home Since 1988 Proud Sponsor of Hilloween

202-547-5088 www.jackiev.com Allegiance

Licensed in DC, MD, VA & FL

)*--08&&/ Friday October 29th 5:30 to 7:30 PM 200 Block of 7th Street, SE @ Eastern Market

SPONSORED BY:

Hayrides – Moon Bounce Carousel Rides – Toys Balloons & More!

Additional Contributors: Acacia Federal’s Chris Cox, Terry R. and Geoffrey W. Lewis, Congressional Title, Dr. Fissel, C&M Exterminators, Morris Battino, Yarmouth Managment, Belga Cafe, Clothes Encounters, Capitol Hill Acupuncture and Mario Camero, Aarray Title & Escrow, Capitol Title, and Monarch Title.

For Information or to Volunteer, Email: Mikieholt@aol.com or call 202-355-5158 and ask for Michael

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Marvelous Market 303 7th Street SE (202) 544-7127

*Your Neighborhood Realtors* Studio H and CITY Gallery present the Fall’s First

“ART HOUSE OPEN HOUSE” 748 Seventh ST, Unit C, SE OCT 14 • 5:30 - 7:30 pm More info www.megandgeorge.com www.studiohdc.com

BAKERY CAFÉ BISTRO DELI

748 7th ST, SE | Unit C $794,999 | A RARITY INDEED: 2100+ Square Foot, 3BR condo (bigger than many Hill homes!) with view of capitol, outdoor space, and parking!

1307 S Carolina Ave, SE $998,500 | 3 levels, 6BR (on the HILL?!), 3.5 baths, 4 car pkg, fireplace - best block on the Hill.

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SNACKS ENTERTAINING CATERING TGI MARVELOUS: Through October, live entertainment EVERY Friday from 5-7 on the patio featuring Redwood Classical Guitar Duo and Dave Mosick & Friends.

1st Friday of each month: Kids music with MR. SKIP Last Friday of each month: Wine Tast

**Have a MARVELOUS HILLOWEEN Friday Oct 29th 5:30-7:30 p.m.** WWW.MARVELOUSMARKET.COM

606 Kentucky Ave, SE | Unit A $539,999 | Providence Square: Gorgeous, like-new (2005) 1200 SF, 2 Level, 2 BR/2BA plus loft condo with parking & fireplace.1 block to Metro.

1311 Delaware Ave, SW Unit S445 | $109,900 Studio, 1BA, Yards Park, Waterfront, METRO, NATS Stadium

COMING SOON: 409 1st St, SE- 2 bd, 1/2 bath beauty, choicest locations on the Hill.

317 10th St, NE #11- beautiful 1 bd, 1 bath condo at the Hawthorne.

UNDER CONTRACT: 736 7th St, SE ................................................................... $599,000 1238 D St, SE.................................................................... $699,000 355 I St, SW...................................................................... $299,000

Megan Shapiro (Cell) 202-329-4068 meg@megandgeorge.com

George Olson (Cell) 202-203-0339 george.olson@rmxtalk.com

www.megandgeorge.com Hours: 7am-9pm Monday-Saturday 8am-7pm Sundays

Allegiance

The Norris Group

10.10

What’s Inside

ineveryissue 14 16 34 44 99 142 150

Go ... See ... Do Washington’s Best Calendar The Bulletin Board The Numbers / by Ed Lazere Dining Coupons Classified Ads Last Word

newsofthecapitolstreets

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31 46 46 50 52 52 54 50 58 60 62 64

Hill Buzz / by Celeste McCall Arena Comes Home To Southwest / by Brad Hathaway Ward 6 School Board Race / by Marjorie Lightman Republican Hopes: Jim DeMartino / by Peter Waldron ANC 6A Report / by Heather Schoell ANC 6B Report / by Roberta Weiner ANC 6C Report / by Paul Shinkman ANC 6D Report / by Roberta Weiner ANC 6A Candidates /by Heather Schoell Competition Comes too ANC6B / by Virginia Avniel Spatz Ducks Return to Southwest Park / by Roberta Weiner The 2nd Annual Hill Awards / by Julia Christian

communitylife 65 67 68 70 72 74 76 78

Spotted on the Hill / by Peter Vankevich Christ Church Installs New Rector / by Shannon Holloway H Street Festival is a Hit! / by Shannon Holloway Friendship With A Ghost / by Robert Pohl In Memorium: John Harrod / by Peter Waldron Our Mainstreet Success Story / by Sharon Bosworth H Street Festival Highlights Area’s Potential / by Elise Bernard Southwest Up for Major Update / by William Rich

realestate 81 84

Capitol Hill 2010 Market Update / by Don Denton Changing Hands: Residential Home Sales

ARTSdiningentertainment Special 89 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106

The H Street Corridor Art District / by jim Magner The Village Reinvented / by Heather Schoell Dining Review: Bistro Cacao / by Celeste McCall Dining Notes / by Celeste McCall Wine Guys / by Jon Genderson Art and the City / by Jim J. Magner At the Movies / by Mike Canning The Literary Hill / by Karen Lyon The Jazz Project / by Jean-Keith Fagon

kidsandfamily 107 110 112

Kids & Family Notebook / by Mary-Frances Daly Educating the District/ by Lisa Raymond School Notes / compiled by Susan Braun Johnson

beautyhealthfitness 119 122 124

Hill Expats Open Winery In Virginia / by Pattie Cinelli Neither Nature or Nurture / by Gary Weitzman Tapping Into the Healing Power of Nature / by Ronda Bresnick Hauss

homesgardens 125 128 130 148 136 138 140

A Preview of Pumpkins / by Rindy O’Brien Renovator’s House Tour / by Karen Bates At Your Service / by Heather Schoell Ask Judith: Vestibule Blues / by Judith Capen Garden Spot: Drought Resistant Plants / by Derek Thomas What To Do With Your Roof / by Tom Daniel Dear Garden Lady / Anonymous

COVER: “Mr. McGregor” by Ellen Cornett is a painting of the farmer from Beatrix Potter’s “Peter Rabbit.” Working in chalk pastel, Ellen creates whimsical and quirky interpretations of classic fairytales and stories. She is an instructor at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and one of the founders of City Gallery, a cooperative gallery at 804 H Street, NE. For more information about Ellen’s work or City Gallery go to www. citygallerydc.com or email info@citygallerydc.com.

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HILL RAG DC NORTH EAST OF THE RIVER FAGON COMMUNITY GUIDES

Tourette’s Syndrome and Chiropractic

By Dr. David Walls-Kaufman

I

always knew in my heart chiropractic adjustments could help Tourette’s syndrome and always hoped someone with it would come into my office. In the August 2010 edition of Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research such a case is described along with its extraordinary outcome.

In this column, I mentioned the case of my school-mate, Dr. Jerry Casista, who at age 7 fell out of his bunk bed onto his head, and by the time they got his comatose little person to the hospital his entire body was black from anoxia.

The doctors told his parents he wouldn’t live and pushed his gurney against the wall so that it wouldn’t be in the way until the pastor came to deliver the last rites.

Jerry’s father was a chiropractic student and he called in one of his professors, who came to the hospital, snuck in a chiropractic adjustment of the bone right under the skull — and in 2 weeks no one could tell Jerry had ever been injured.

Given that power locked into the spine to change the course of human events, it isn’t surprising to me at all that chiropractic care tremendously relieved the battery of symptoms this poor man suffered. (A 45-year-old man with a history of fatigue, Tourette’s syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, and Calcinosis, Raynaud’s, Esophageal thickening, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia (CREST) syndrome. JVSR – August 18, 2010;1-9. www.jvsr.com.

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

SOCIETY & EVENTS

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

Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com

HOMES & GARDENS Rindy O’Brien - Hill Gardener • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com

NEWS & NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTS ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

ANC6A:

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

CALENDAR & BULLETIN BOARD HILL RAG, DC NORTH & EAST OF THE RIVER: CALENDAR EDITOR: Kathleen Donner calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Michelle Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Heather Schoell • hschoell@verizon.net Tanya Synder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Peter Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Paul D. Shinkman - pdshinkman@gmail.com Melanie Sunukjian - melsunuk@gmail.com Shannon Holloway - holloway.shannon@gmail.com

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

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

For the better health and life experience of you and your family – Capitol Hill Chiropractic Center 411 East Capitol St., SE 202.544.6035.

Serving our neighborhood since 1985.

Tanya Snyder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com ANC6C: Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com ANC6D: Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com BARRACKS ROW: sharon@barracksrow.org H STREET LIFE: Elise Bernard • inked78@hotmail.com THE NOSE: thenose@hillrag.com LOGAN CIRCLE • mark@hillrag.com SHAW • shaw@hillrag.com MOUNT VERNON TRIANGLE • triangle@hillrag.com BLOOMINGDALE • bloomingdale@hillrag.com 14TH & U • 14thandU@hillrag.com ANC6B:

PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Jason Yen 202.543.8300 X21 • jay@hillrag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ WEB MASTER: Jason Nickens 202.543.8300 X17 • jason@hillrag.com

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

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

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

We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com.

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

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

For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.

PUBLISHER: JEAN-KEITH FAGON • fagon@hillrag.com ADVERTISEMENT

Copyright © 2010 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

capitalcommunitynews.com 12 ★ HillRag | October 2010

GO.SEE.DO. “Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians in Popular Culture” Native people have been active in contemporary music for nearly a century. Many Native artists have had successful and influential careers in almost every form of popular music. “Up Where We Belong” tells their stories and histories and provides visitors the opportunity to hear music and discover artists with whom these exceptional musicians collaborated. Visitors will also learn of the musical greats who inspired these artists, as well as the growing number of contemporary performers who follow in their path. Free. Daily (except Christmas) through Jan. 2, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. National Museum of the American Indian, Third St. and Independence Ave. SW. 1-800-242-6624. www.americanindian.si.edu

Hilloween at Eastern Market This Capitol Hill tradition happens this year on Friday, October 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Eastern Market on Seventh Street, SE. There will be hay rides, moon bounces, carousel rides, toys, balloons, candy and a chance to win a $150 gift certificate toward a class at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. This much-anticipated, free Halloween event is sponsored by the Von Schlegel Realty Team and Tunnicliff’s Tavern.

If you would like to volunteer, call Mike Holt at 202-355-5158.

14 ★ HillRag | October 2010

“A Literary Feast” on the Hill Don’t Miss the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s sixth annual A Literary Feast held this year on Saturday, October 23 in 35 private homes throughout the neighborhood.

These book-themed dinners are a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle, all in support of an important cause. After dinner, guests are invited to continue the party with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sundaes and dancing at Eastern Market North Hall, Seventh St. and North Carolina Ave. SE. Proceeds from this year’s A Literary Feast support the foundation’s grants to neighborhood schools. In 2009, grants totaling more than $100,000 were given to fund special projects and programs for our school children. Tickets go fast. $75-$1,000.

202-544-1845. aliteraryfeast.org

18th Century Market Fair at Claude Moore Colonial Farm Notice is herewith given that a Market and Fair shall be held on the third full weekend of the month of October of this year, at the grounds so set aside and designated near the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run below the Little Falls of the Potowmack on the Georgetown Pike in McLean Virginia. Entertainment includes demonstrations in the art of fencing, Gypsy fortune teller, a militia march, music by Mr. Packard and Ms. Dubinsky, a puppet show, Signora Bella the Slack Rope Walker, Turkey Run Players Theatrical Troupe, craftsmen, demonstrations. $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids and seniors. October 16 and 17, 11:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia. 703-442-7557. www.1771.org

Drag Queen High Heel Race Always fun, always outrageous and always held on the Tuesday before Halloween, this annual event features elaborately costumed drag queens racing down 17th Street NW from R to Church Street. It attracts large crowds to cheer them on, so don’t expect to park in the area. The race begins at 9:00 p.m., but come early because the real fun begins before the race. An informal block party follows. Tuesday, October 26. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 15

★ ★ ★

OCTOBER

HillRag CALENDAR HALLOWEEN

Hilloween at Eastern Market. Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 PM. . There will be hay rides, moon bounces, carousel rides, toys, balloons, candy and a chance to win a $150 gift certificate toward a class at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

Free. Eastern Market on Seventh Street, SE. BOO at the ZOO. Oct. 22, 23 and 24 (rain or shine), 5:30-8:30 PM. Children and adults travel through the zoo, trick or treat in the animal houses collecting candy from costumed volunteers and walk long haunted trails. $15. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-633-4470. www.fonz.org Air and Scare at Air and Space. Oct. 23, 2:00-8:00 PM. Enjoy classic science fiction TV shows featuring air and space themes and creepy curator comments; spooky simulator rides; a scary Mars Yard; haunted arts and crafts; and chilling stories. Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum (Chantilly, VA near Dulles International Airport). Free but parking is $15. www.nasm.si.edu Fall Frolic at Glen Echo. Oct. 30, 1:00-4:00 PM. Pumpkin painting, decorating trick-or-treat bags, a costume parade through the Park, and trick-or-treating at the park’s galleries and theaters. 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD Free. 301-6342222. www.glenechopark.org A PeterBug Affair Halloween on the Hill. Oct. 30, 8:00 PM-1:00 AM. Light refreshments. Cash bar. $150 for best costume. Eastern Market North Hall, 225 Seventh St. SE. $15.

202-689-4549.

East Capitol Street at Halloween.

Oct. 31, 5 :00 PM-whenever. Everyone will be out! See skeletons, caskets, spiders, spider webs, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, witches and everything else typically associated with Halloween. East Capitol Street between Third and 11th sts.

16 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Day of the Dead Festival. Oct. 30, noon-5:00 PM; Oct. 31, 10:30 AM4:30 PM. National Museum of the American Indian. Come to learn about this Latin American holiday tradition, create art, enjoy music and dance performances, and meet the artists. Free. Fourth St. and Independence Ave. SW. 202-633-6980. www. americanindian.si.edu

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

St. Augustine’s Art & Spirit Coffeehouse: “Spirituality for a Busy Life: the Pure Love of Madame Guyon.” Oct. 6, 7:00 PM. Rev. Dr. Nancy James, Episcopal priest, and author of several books about 17th century mystic Madame Jeanne Guyon, will discuss Guyon’s relevance to 21st century’s stressful times. Coffee and desserts, followed by audience Q & A with Michael Mack, an interdisciplinary artist and thinker. Free, donations accepted for artists’ honorarium. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 600 M St. SW. 202-554-3222. staugustinesdc.org.

St. Augustine’s Family Game Night.

Oct. 8; 6:30 PM, potluck; 7:00 PM, games. Bring a potluck dish to share.

Board and card games provided, but feel free to bring your own games too. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 600 M Street, SW. 202-554-3222. staugustinesdc.org.

Southeast Library Book Sale. Oct. 10, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. 403 Seventh St. SE. 202-698-3377. www.dclibrary. org/southeast Southwest Library Book Sale. Oct. 16, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. (Preview night for DCPL Friends Members--membership is $10/yr payable at the doorOct. 13, 6:30-8:30 PM), 900 Wesley Pl. SW, behind Safeway and Waterfront Metro Station on the Green line.

Church across the street is having a flea market in the morning.

Capitol Hill Solar & Sustainable Home Fair & Tour. Oct.16; (fair)10:00 AM-2:00 PM; (tour) noon-4:00 PM. Talk to Hill residents who went solar; see solar and green homes. Learn about wind power, geothermal, organic cleaning, weatherization, green roofs, rain gardens. Vendors on hand to discuss green products. Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St. NE. www.capitolhillenergycoop.org Renovator’s House Tour. Oct. 16,10 AM-4:00 PM. Designed for the modern

R

homeowner, this walking tour showcases a wide variety of homes and styles.

The emphasis is on clever solutions to everyday problems and how to create the house of your dreams on a real-life budget. 100% of the proceeds provide critically needed funds for the Capitol Hill Cluster School, a unique DC public school celebrating over 20 years on the Hill. $20 in advance. $25, day of. www. renovatorshousetour.org Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Sundays, 2:00 PM. Sidamo Coffee and Tea. Visit Sidamo on Sundays and take part in a centuries-old ceremony led by storeowner Yalemzwed “Mimi” Desta. 417 H St. NE. 202-548-0081. www.sidamocoffeeandtea.com Eastern Market Pottery Classes. Monday through Thursday., 7:00-10:00 PM. $268 for 8 weeks including materials, firing and Saturday practice time. 7th and C Sts. (use the outside stairs to the basement under the market) 202-5446669. www.easternmarketpottery.com U.S. Capitol Exterior Walking Tour.

Every Monday through November (including holidays, rain or shine), 10:00 AM. Meet at the top of the escalators at Union Station by the METRO sign post.

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society tour explains why it took 40 years to build the Capitol; why and how it has been continually enlarged since then; famous incidents and crucial events that took place inside it; the scope and purpose of the massive construction project now underway; and daily activities that occur in and around the building. $10 (cash) per person. No reservations are necessary. 202-543-8919. www.uschs.org

Jazz Night (and fishfry) in Southwest.

Fridays, 6-9 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry 5:30-8:30 PM. $5/general; free/children under 16. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700, www.westminsterdc. org/jazz.htm.

Historic Congressional Cemetery Tour.

Saturdays, through mid-Nov. (weather permitting), 11:00 AM. General tours of the cemetery are conducted by knowedgable volunteer docents. There are 19 Senators and 71 Representatives interred at Congressional Cemetery and monuments to honor 120 other members of congress who died in office. 150 of the sites are marked by these monuments which were designed by Benjamin Latrobe. The remaining sites are marked by private monuments. Free. 18th and E sts. SE. 202-543-0539. www.congressionalcemetery.org

Marine Barracks Washington Tour. Every Wednesday (except holidays), 10:00 AM. Marine Barracks. Marine Barracks Washington, also known as “8th & I,” is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. The Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s capital. Free. 8th and I Sts. SE. 202-433-4173. www.mbw.usmc.mil Supreme Court Tour. Weekdays except Federal holidays, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (every hour on the half-hour). The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in thenation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution of the United States. Free. One First St. NE. 202-4793211. supremecourtus.gov Vivat Rex! Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII. Open Sept. 24-Dec. 30.

18 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Folger Shakespeare Library. Rare books, manuscripts, handwritten letters, and prints offer an in-depth look at the real Henry and the machinations of his court in a time of extraordinary change for England. Free. 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-4600. www.folger.edu Tour Folger Shakespeare Library. Weekdays, 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Saturdays, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. It is devoted to the life and times of Shakespeare and is home to the world’s largest collection of the Bard’s printed works. Don’t miss the replica “Globe” theater. Free. 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-4600. www.folger.edu The Corner Store is closed in October.

FALL FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Turkish Festival. Oct. 3 (rain or shine), 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. Live entertainment, Turkish food, fortune telling,

LAS LAS PLACITAS PLACITAS RESTAURANT RESTAURANT Twenty years on the Hill is certainly a reason to celebrate!

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We would like to thank everyone who has supported us.

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20 ★ HillRag | October 2010

National Museum of Women in the Arts.

First Sunday of each month, noon-5:00 PM. This museum is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the contributions of women artists. Free. (regular admission, $10). 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202783-5000. www.nmwa.org Shakespeare Theatre Company Ticket Deals.

20% for seniors, 60 and older; $10 tickets for 35 and younger; $10 standing-room-only tickets. Two performance spaces: Lansburgh Theatre at 450 7th St. NW and Sidney Harman Hall at 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. www. shakespearetheatre.org Woolly Mammoth Theatre Ticket Deals. Patrons 25 and under, $15 tickets. Stampede Seats--side balcony seats at $15 each, sold 2 hours prior to showtime. 641 D St. NW. 202393-3939. www.woollymammoth.net

The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Expo. Oct. 23-24, 10:00 AM-5:30 PM. More than 1500 fun, hands-on activities and over 75 stage shows. Free. National Mall and surrounding areas. 760-846-3473. www.usasciencefestival.org

TICKETPLACE (half-price theater tickets).

Wednesday through Friday, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sunday, noon-4:00 PM. 407 Seventh St. NW. The Washington area’s only authorized 1/2 price ticket outlet. www.ticketplace.org

DaVita Kidney Awareness 5K Run|Walk™.

Saturday, Oct. 16, 9 am, RFK Stadium – Lot 8. Entertainment, refreshments, Kid Zone, and Kidney Health Expo. Advance registration is FREE at www.kidneyawarenesstime.org.

Washington National Opera’s “Generation O”. This is a program for students and young professionals between 18 and 35. A limited number of discounted “Generation O” tickets will be available for every Washington National Opera production. For the first time this fall, there will be a 50% season ticket discount for “Generation O.” The Washington National Opera performs at the Kennedy Center. Registration is free. 202-295-2400. www. dcopera.org/beyondstage/generationo

The Daily Show’s Rally to Restore Sanity.

Oct. 30, on the National Mall. Check details online as event gets closer. http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com

SPECIAL BARGAINS Specially Priced Kennedy Center Tickets.

Full-time students (grade school through graduate school), persons with permanent disabilities, seniors (65 and older), enlisted military personnel, and persons on fixed low incomes are able to purchase tickets to many Kennedy Center performances at a 50% discount. You must come in person to the Kennedy Center Box Office. Each eligible person may purchase one SPT ticket per performance, subject to availability. 202-467-4600. www. kennedy-center.org/tickets/spts

202-741-1770 / 202-741-1786

7798. 800 F St. NW. www.spymuseum.org

Arena Stage Homecoming Grand Opening Celebration. Oct. 23, 11:30 AM-6:00 PM. Performances and activities in seven venues including the Fichandler Stage, Kreeger Theater and Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, as well as an outdoor stage. Various theatrical performances and children’s activities will occupy one of the rehearsal halls, the lobbies and the classroom. General admission tickets are free, but are required to enter events in theater spaces. 1101 Sixth St. SW. www.arenastage.org

Stephen Colbert’s March to Keep Fear Alive.

Oct. 30, on the National Mall. Check details online as event gets closer. www.keepfearalive.com

And, most importantly,

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Columbus Day Wreath-laying at Union Station. Oct. 11, 11:00 AM (musical prelude,10:45 AM). Columbus Circle at the large fountain in front of Union Station. 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-619-7222.

Washington International Horse Show. Oct. 26-31. “Where the World Comes to Ride.” This is a non-profit event benefiting local and national charities. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. www.wihs.org

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music and folk dancing, children’s arts and crafts. Free. On Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 12th and 14th Streets (adjacent to Freedom Plaza). www.turkishfestival.org

Community Night at International Spy Museum. Last Wednesday of each month, 5:009:00 PM. All area residents are welcome to experience all that the museum’s permanent exhibition has to offer for. Gain access to the world’s largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Free. (regular admission, $18). 202-393-

Living Butterfly House at Natural History Museum. Free on Tuesdays (regularly $6).

Opens daily at 10:15 AM. Final entry at 5:00 PM. Smithsonian Natural History Museum, 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202-6331000. www.mnh.si.edu Arena Stage $15 tickets for 30-and-under.

Designated for patrons ages 30 and under. $15 tickets go on sale beginning on Monday for the following week of performances (Tuesday through Sunday) until all available $15 tickets sell out. 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-5549066. www.arenastage.org Southwest Performances at Arena Stage. If you live or work in Southwest DC, you can purchase $25 tickets for one specially designated evening performance of each production. Proof of Southwest DC residency or employment for each member of the party must be presented at the time of purchase. Tickets are limited to four per person and are based on availability. Dates for Southwest Night can be found on the season calendar. 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-554-9066. www.arenastage.org

FOUR GREAT WAYS TO MEET PEOPLE Phillips after 5. First Thursday of every month, 5:00-8:30 PM. The Phillips Collec-

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

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

202-561-VETS (8387) 9533

9533 22663

Get Involved!

tion, 1600 21st St. NW. Gallery talks.

Live jazz. Museum shop. Food. Socializing in the Galleries. Cash Bar. Admission is the price of the current exhibition. 202-387-2151. www.phillipscollection.org First Wednesday Jazz @ The Historical Society. First Wednesday of every month, 6:00-9:00 PM. The Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW. Described as a “motivational mixer” featuring jazz, R&B and neo soul. $10 cover. Food and spirits are extra.

202-383-1850. www.historydc.org Volunteering Made Easy by One Brick.

One Brick brings volunteers together to support other non- profit organizations by adopting an innovative twist to the volunteer experience: they create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or cafe where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting. www.onebrick.org Evenings at the TM. Thursday, Oct 28, 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM).

The Textile Museum. Drawing on her museum research and fieldwork, Lotus Stack, Curator Emerita of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, considers the aesthetic and the cultural implications of the protective edgings that are so pervasive in this textile tradition. $25.

Advance registration is required. 2320 S St. NW. 202-667-0441, ext. 64 to register. www.textilemuseum.org

MUSIC Eastern Market Music. Sundays through Oct. 10, 10:30 AM and 1 PM. Patio outside Port City Java, Seventh Street and North Carolina Avenue SE. Oct. 3, 10:30 AM, Runakuna, 1:00 PM, The Capitol Hillbillies; Oct. 10, 10:30 AM, The Lovejoy Group, 1:00 PM, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Free. www. capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org Malcolm X Dancers and Drummers at Meridian Hill Park. Every Sunday (if the weather is 60 degrees or above and the sun is shining), 3:00 PM-sunset.

Drummers and dancers from all walks of life and from every level of drumming abilities, other musicians of all varieties, and spectators of all nationalities and ages come together to create a wonderful, Africa-oriented expression of creative energies. Free. Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park), 16th and Euclid sts. NW. 202-368-8677.

Music at Epiphany. Tuesdays, 12:101:00 PM Church of the Epiphany. The music is generally classical in this church known for its great acoustics.

On the third Tuesday of each month, the music performed is from another culture or style--you may hear a steel drum band or a sitar. Free. A free-will

22 ★ HillRag | October 2010

COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS Our mission is to help homeless, at-risk individuals and families return to self-sufficiency and independent living, through a range of residential and social services.

In 2009 the Coalition served

• 550 individuals and families daily.

• 344 individuals and families were placed into permanent housing • 194 adults were placed in jobs • 41 families with children were prevented from becoming homeless

Rebuilding lives and strengthening communities Please support us by donating through the 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 83436 Suite C-1015, Washington, DC 20005 or United Way #8194 Main Office: (202) 347-8870 / Fax: (202) 347-7279 Open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm

For more details on our program and services, please visit our website at www.dccfh.org.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 23

CHRIST CHURCH ON CAPITOL HILL We invite you to join us for worship, fellowship, outreach and education.

Sunday Services and Children’s Sunday School at 8:15 am and 11:00 am Nursery care available at both services Adult Forum at 9:45 am October 3 – join us for a special blessing of the animals at the 11:00 am service or at 2:00 pm at Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Call 202-547-9300 or e-mail Office@WashingtonParish.org 620 G Street, SE Washington, DC 20003-2722 Visit our website at WWW.washingtonparish.org

donation ($5 suggested) will be taken to help support the artists.

1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635. www.epiphanydc.org

ian and Spanish music. Free. 2881 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Dupont Circle area)202-785-2040. www.societyofthecincinnati.org

Farm-fresh produce, baked goods and more. www.capitolriverfront. org/calendar/do/riverfron-farmersmarket

Carillon and Peel Bell Recitals.

Carillon Recitals on Saturdays, 12:30-1:15 PM. Peel Bell Rehearsals on Tuesdays. 7:30-8:30 PM. Peel bells ring every Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM after the 11:00 AM service. Washington National Cathedral. Manufactured by the John Bellfoundry of Loughborough, England, the smallest bell weighs 17 pounds; the largest 12 tons. The carillon is played via a keyboard and pedals, situated high in the cathedral’s central tower (150 feet above the nave floor) and directly amid the bells. The carillon recital and peel bells are best heard from the Bishop’s Garden. Look for signs as you enter the cathedral grounds.

202-537-6200. www.nationalcathedral.org

“Homegrown: The Music of America” Concert at the Library of Congress. Oct. 13, noon. Not Too Ban Bluegrass Band—Bluegrass from Indiana. Free. Coolidge Auditorium in Jefferson Building (First St. between East Capitol St. and Independence Ave. SE). 202-7075510. www.loc.gov

Friends in the Market “Funky Flea Market” with a DJ. Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. New and used clothing, tools, furniture, jewelry, plants, soaps, art, CD’s, videos and electronics. 6th St. NE (north of Florida Ave. beside DC Farmers Market). 202-399-6040.

Steinway Series of classical music concerts at American Art Museum. Second Sunday of every month, 3:00 PM The Steinway Series is a classical music concert that features the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s refurbished Steinway Concert Grand piano. Free. McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level American Art Museum (between Seventh and Nineth and and F and G sts. NW.) 202-633-1000. www.americanart. si.edu Blue Monday Blues. Mondays, 69 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry from 5:308:30 PM. $5/general; free/children under 16. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700. www.westminsterdc.org/blues.htm.

Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Daily (including all holidays), 6:00 PM. The Kennedy Center Grand Foyer. “Performing Arts for Everyone” at the Millennium Stage was instituted to introduce the Kennedy Center to wider audiences by offering free performances, 365 days a year. Free. 202-444-1324 or 202467-4600. www.kennedy-center.org Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine: Noon Pipe Organ Recital Series.

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

Free. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle. 202-232-0323. www. nationalcitycc.org Anderson House Concert. Oct. 9, 1:30 PM. Ron Onda, classical accordionist, presents light classical accordion favorites featuring Hungar-

24 ★ HillRag | October 2010

235th Navy Birthday Concert.

Oct 16, 8:00 PM. This is a brilliant event. Secure your tickets early.

Free. DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW. www.navyband.navy.mil Anderson House Concert. Oct. 30.

Ruth Rose, pianist, plays Stravinsky’s L’histoire du Soldat with ensemble and narration. Free. 2881 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Dupont Circle area)202-785-2040. www.societyofthecincinnati.org

MARKETS Farmer’s Market at United Medical Center. Every Tuesday and Saturday through Oct. Tuesdays, 3:007:00 PM. Saturdays, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Stands offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, free samples, and new recipes using fresh produce. In addition, features fresh herbs and live plants, teas, oils, potpourri, and honey. 1301 Southern Ave. SE. 202574-7121.

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

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

Mi Tierra (Latino) Market at Unity Park. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting). 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Unity Park at Champlain St. Euclid St. and Columbia Rd. NW. Mi Tierra market has 18 approved vendors that sell foods and crafts from their native countries in the heart of Adams Morgan.

Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market.

Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country.

During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, potted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. www.freshfarmmarket.org Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8:00 AM4:00 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the available items.

1819 35th St. NW. 202-775-3532. or www.georgetownfleamarket.com Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market. Inside market open year round, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Outside market open year round (weather permitting), Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM. 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD. 301-652-0100. www.farmwomensmarket.com Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7:00 AM-9:00 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-484-2722.

SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Army Ten-Miler. Oct. 24, Ceremony, 7:40 AM; wheelchairs,7:50 AM; foot

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 25

race, 8:00 AM. Information for spectators and course map. www.armytenmiler.com Marine Corps Marathon. Oct. 31, First wave, 8:15 AM; second wave, 8:45 AM; Wheelchairs, 8:42 AM. Information for spectators and course map, www.marinemarathon.com St. Mark’s Yoga Center. Classes emphasize effective breathing, mastery of asanas (comfortably held postures), relaxation, positive thinking, and meditation as elements of healthy spiritual living that promote happiness and true knowledge of self. $70/8 classes in 12 weeks; $50/5 classes in 8 weeks; $70/ one month unlimited; $15/single class.

118 Third St. SE. 202-546-4964. www. stmarks.net Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating.

Fridays in Oct., noon-1:50 pm; Saturdays in Oct., 11:15 AM-12:15 PM. $5, adults. $4, children and seniors. Skate rental, $3. 3779 Ely Place, SE. 202-584-5007. www.fdia.org Tai Chi Class. Saturday mornings (except when it’s below zero or very inclement weather), 8:00 AM. Lincoln Park. Dr. David Walls-Kaufman, a Capitol Hill chiropractor, conducts this class every Saturday morning. Please dress comfortably.

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

Kung Fu and Tai Chi at the Historical Society of Washington, DC. Every Saturday (rain or shine). Kung Fu, noon; Tai Chi, 1:00 PM. Suitable for all ages. Kung Fu is a broad term that is used to describe all martial arts of Chinese origin.

The ancient art of Tai Chi is a style of Kung Fu that emphasizes internal energy.

Free. No RSVP required. Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW (Mount Vernon Square). 202-383-1850. www.historydc.org Play Bocce (aka Lawn Bowling). Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Garfield Park, Second and F St. SE. Check website for times. www.dcbocce.com

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Rumsey Pool. Weekdays public swimming, 6:30-9:00 AM; noon-5:00 PM; 6:30-7:30 PM (adult lap swimming only); 7:30-9:00 PM; Saturdays, 1:005:00 PM; Sundays, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Rumsey Pool Water Aerobics. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:307:30 PM. Saturday, 8:00-9:00 AM. Rumsey Pool. $25 for 16 sessions. 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495.

East Potomac (outdoor heated) Pool.

Open daily except Wednesdays through Oct. 17; weekdays, 4:00-8:00 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-6:00 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-727-6523. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr

Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month, noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Drive at West Basin Drive, near the Tourmobile. stand). 703-505-3567. www. dcroadrunners.org African Dance Class. Every Monday, 7:158:30 PM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome. THEARC. $10.

1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. www.thearcdc.org Yoga Class. Every Saturday, 10:00-11:15 AM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome. THEARC. $10. 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. www. thearcdc.org Pick-up Field Hockey on the Mall. Every Monday at 6:00 PM. Meets at the fields in front of the Smithsonian Metro stop for males and females who have a passion for field hockey. No experience necessary. Bring water, shinguards, mouthguard, cleats, a field hockey stick, and either a reversible jersey or a light and dark shirt - no grays please. Free.

Yoga & Meditation Mindfulness Classes.

Every Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 PM. Prevention Works! Stretch, strengthen, and let go of stress by joining this weekly mindfulness class that combines yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. After a few yoga stretches that can help sooth aches and tension, we calm and center through meditation. Breathing exercises can also help us pause, energize, cope, and relax.

These classes are open to anyone who wants respectfully to join in. No special clothing is required, but you will be asked to take your shoes off during class. Free. 2501 Benning Rd. NE. 202-588-5580. www.prevention works.org Roller Skating at Anacostia Park. Skate any time. This is a covered, outdoor skating pavilion. Free. Go east on Penn. Ave. across Anacostia River and make the first right turn onto Fairlawn Ave. and another right onto Nicholson and then into the park. 202-4723873.

East Potomac Mini Golf. Open weekends only through Oct., 11:00AM-7:00 PM. East Potomac Park. Built in the 1920’s with stone bumpers and obstacles. $6 for adults and $5 for kids under 18. 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-4888087. www.golfdc.com East Potomac Driving Range. Open daily except Christmas, 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Tuesdays open 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. The East Potomac Driving Range features 50 covered and 50 uncovered stalls for year-round golf practice. $6 for 51 balls. East Potomac Golf Course, 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-554-7660. www.golfdc.com Langston Driving Range. Open every day except Christmas, sun-up to sun-down. In addition to the driving range, Langston has an 18 hole course, snack bar, pro shop and offers golf lessons. 45 balls, $4.75. 180 balls, $14.25. $2, golf club rental. 26th and Benning Rd. NE. 202-397-8638 www.golfdc.com

Southeast Tennis and Learning Center.

Open daily; Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Four indoor courts. Six outdoor courts. Summer hourly fees at $6 to $10 for adults. Kids 17 and under play for free. 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-645-6242. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Free public tennis courts in Ward Six. King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW; Garfield Park, Third and G sts. SE; Randall Park First and I ts. SW; Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales St. NE; Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for one-hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. www.dpr. dc.gov/dpr

PUBLIC AFFAIRS Community Office Hours with Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells. Second Thursday of the month in Southwest and fourth Thursday of the month on H St. NE; both are 8-9:30 AM. All Ward 6 residents encouraged to come out and meet with Wells and members of his staff. Call Wells’ office for meeting location, 202-724-8072. www. tommywells.org Champs Links Lunch. Oct. 21, 11:30 AM1:00 PM. (3rd Thursday of every month except August) Location TBA. Goals, Strategies and Setting Benchmarks for Accomplishment. $20. RSVP to Champs @capitolhill. org or 202-547-7788. www.champsdc.org ANC Meeting for 6-A. Second Thursday, 7:00 PM. Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE. 202-423-8868. anc6a.org ANC Meeting for 6-B. Second Tuesday, 7:00 PM. 535 8th St. SE (The Peoples Church).

202-543-3344. anc6b.org ANC Meeting for 6-C. Second Wednesdays, 7:00 PM. Call 202-547-7168 for meeting location. anc6c.org ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee Meeting. First Tuesday of every month. 7:00-8:30 PM. To verify the meeting location, contact: ANC6C ABL Committee Chair Anne Phelps at anne.phelps@ gmail. com or (202)607-7826.

ANC Meeting for 6-D. Second Monday, 7:00 PM. Call 202-554-1795 for meeting location. anc6d.org Orange Hat. Every Friday, 7:30-8:30 PM. An informative, pleasant stroll around the neighborhood to discuss current neighborhood issues and visit areas of interest. Dogs, kids welcome. Rain cancels. Meet at corner of Kentucky, 14th and D sts.SE Lonestar Toastmasters. Every Tuesday, 7:00-8:00 PM, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St. SE. 240-604-3575

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 27

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28 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Complete Cleaning

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10% Discount to Mothers on the Hill Washington, DC (Capitol Hill Area) expires 10/31/2010

GREAT LISTING For the Month of October 2010!

OUT OF TOWN Cajun/Zydeco Fall Festival at Glen Echo. Saturday, Oct. 16, 11:00 AMmidnight; Sunday, Oct. 17, noon-6:00 PM. This festival features a variety of bands, lots of dancing, and talks about this unique musical heritage. Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 301-634-2222. www.glenechopark.org Iwo Jima Memorial. Visit any time.

The Marine Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of this grateful Nation’s esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775. Memorial is on Marshall drive next to Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA. 202-433-6060. www.iwojima.com Mount Vernon Trail. Available for use daily. Bike, jog, run and walk. Nearly 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac’s Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island (near Rossyln, Va) to George Washington’s Estate located at Mount Vernon. Many people bike one way and have friends in a car with a bike rack pick them up at Mount Vernon. www.bikewashington.org Antietam National Battlefield. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM. One of America’s best preserved battlefields. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on Sept. 17, 1862.

The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

5831 Dunker Church Rd., Sharpsburg, MD (about 75 miles from DC). 301-4325124. www.nps.gov/anti Surratt House Museum. Open Thursday through Sunday; Thursdays and Fridays, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4:00 PM. Built in 1852 as a middle-class plantation home, historic Surratt House also served as a tavern and hostelry, a post office, and polling place during the crucial decade before the Civil War. During the war, it was a safehouse for the Confederate underground which flourished in Southern Maryland. It was the country home of Mary Surratt, first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. $3. 9118 Brandywine Rd., Clinton, MD. 301-868-1121. www. surratt.org ★

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 29

CFC LISTINGS

Association for the Preservation of The Congressional Cemetery CFC #7537 In 1807 a burial ground for citizens in the east end of the new federal city was founded. In the first five years, 13 members of Congress, two vice presidents, and numerous military and government officials were interred, along with a number of ordinary citizens. The Association maintains and operates the 35+ acres, 14,000 headstones, and burial place of over 55,000 people. 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-0539, http:// www.congressionalcemetery.org/

Access Housing, Inc. CFC #22663

Public Programs at the Anacostia Community Museum Oct. 2 Metro Mambo: Congas on the Potomac, 2 p.m. D.C. drum circle facilitator James “Jumbe” Gilliam teaches a few basic drumming techniques and patterns. Experience the healing power of the drum!

Oct. 3 De Florida A Coahuila (50 minutes), 10 a.m. This film tells the story of present-day Black Seminole ranchers in Texas and Mexican communities through historical documents and interviews.

Oct. 6 Tales from the Land of the Gullah for Kids (44 minutes), 10:30 a.m. In this video, the character Aunt Pearlie Sue tells the Gullah (West African) version of popular nursery rhymes and fables.

Oct. 9 At Home East of the River, 11 a.m. A special discussion and book signing of “Washington at Home” sheds light on the special character of east-of- the-river communities.

Oct. 10 Experience Carnival, Dance the Samba!, 2 p.m. The Zezeh Brazil dance troupe is performing teaching the history of samba in Brazil as well as its roots in Afro-Brazilian culture and life.

Oct. 12-15 Weave with the Master, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This 4-day workshop has been postponed. New date -TBA. Oct. 17 “The Long Awaited Return—The Beginning”, 2 p.m. Part 1 of a three-part dramatic performance and original presentation by David Vandy explores traditional community life in Sierra Leone. Part 2 takes place on November 14, 2010, with Part 3 on January 9, 2011.

Oct. 19 Perspectives on East of the River, 7 p.m. In recognition of the printing of the ACM publication East of the River: Continuity and Change, this program provides an overview of various topics in social history, community activism, and future visions in the east-of-the-river communities with presentations by authors of the essays in the publication. A reception follows the forum.

Oct. 23 Family First!, 10:30 a.m. Historian Maria Goodwin shows you how to research your family history -- where to look, what to search for, and creative ways to use what you have found.

Oct. 24 The Music of West Africa, 2 p.m. Brother Ah and the Sound Awareness Ensemble lead a workshop that provides a compelling introduction to the rhythms of traditional Africa.

Oct. 26 Don’t Call Me Geechie!, 10:30 a.m. Ricardo Williams, from Gullah region of South Carolina, discusses the meaning behind “Geechie” and recalls a life retaining aspects of traditional African culture.

Oct. 28 Looking Back: Black Baseball in the Washington, D.C., Area, 7 p.m. Program features clips from Ken Burns’s film,“The Tenth Inning,” which includes information about local black teams and black baseball collectibles.

Oct. 30 Go-Go Music from West Africa to Washington, D.C. Plus a Tribute to Little Benny, 1 p.m. The authors of The Beat! Go-Go Music from Washington, DC, discuss this music phenomenon.

Reservations required, call 202.633.4844 1901 Fort Pl. SE, Open 10am-5pm daily except Dec. 25. 202.633.4820 anacostia.si.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

30 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Access Housing, Inc. (DC) operates the Southeast Veterans Service Center and Chesapeake Veterans House in Southeast Washington, DC. This is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing supportive services and housing to formerly homeless veterans. Both male and female veterans reside at the facilities following a brief screening by the Veterans Administration. Veterans from all branches and wars have been served by the SEVSC; which celebrated its 10 year anniversary last November.

820-840 Chesapeake Street, SE, Washington, DC 20032, 202-561-8387, Accesshousingdc.org

The Arc of the District of Columbia CFC #35103 The Arc of the District of Columbia is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) membership organization serving persons with intellectual and their families since 1950. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all persons with intellectual disabilities and their families through supports and advocacy.

Contact us at www.arcdc.net. 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20017, 202-636-2950, www.arcdc.net

Capitol Hill Restoration Society CFC #50747 CHRS encourages and provides guidance on the preservation of historic sites and buildings on the Hill and conveys the views of its nearly 1,000 members to governments and other organizations on issues affecting the Capitol Hill community. CHRS convenes several forums annually on key community issues such as education, crime, transportation, development, zoning and the environment.

420 10th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-5430425, www.chrs.org

Capitol Hill Village CFC #55474 Capitol Hill Village is a nonprofit organization of neighbors working together to provide the services and expertise Hill residents need to live safely and comfortably in their own homes throughout their lives. With one phone call or e-mail message, Village members gain access to professional and volunteer services and a variety of educational and social programs. Box 15126, Washington DC 20003, 202-543-1778, www.capitolhillvillage.org

Coalition for the Homeless CFC #83436, United Way #8194 The Coalition for the Homeless was established in 1979. Our mission is to help transition homeless and at risk individuals and families in the Washington area to self-sufficiency through housing

programs and supportive services. The Coalition fulfills its mission by operating 13 housing and shelter facilities. 1234 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Suite C-1015, Washington, DC 20005, 202347-7279, www.dccfh.org

Capital Area Food Bank CFC #30794, United Way #8052 The Capital Area Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is the Washington, D.C. metro area’s hub for food sourcing, distribution and nutrition education - serving over 478,000 people struggling with hunger. Through direct service and a network of 700 nonprofit partners, the CAFB distributed 27 million pounds of food last year, including 10.8 million pounds of fresh produce. The Capital Area Food Bank has served the National Capital Region over 30 years. For more information on hunger, visit our website at CapitalAreaFoodBank.org. 645 Taylor Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, 202526-5344, www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org

Green Door CFC #13954 , United Way #8197 Since 1976, Green Door has been empowering people with mental illnesses to take charge of their own recovery and rehabilitation by focusing on their three biggest challenges: stigma, poverty and recovery. Today, we serve nearly 1,500 individuals through programs and services at our Clubhouse and Clinic locations. 1623 Sixteenth St, NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202.462-4092, http://www. greendoor.org

N Street Village CFC #90946, United Way #8281 N Street Village is a community of empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women in Washington. With comprehensive services addressing both emergency and long-term needs, we help women achieve personal stability and make gains in their housing, income, employment, mental health, physical health, and addition recovery.

1333 N Street NW Washington, DC, 202-939-2076, www.nstreetvillage.org

So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E) CFC#74405 Since the 1970s, SOME has offered meals, a medical clinic, job programs and affordable housing programs to those in need. 1,000 meals are served each day in our dining room. SOME offers comprehensive programs that meet a full spectrum of needs while giving a sense of dignity to the poor and homeless of the District of Columbia. 71 O Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-797-8806, www.some.org

Washington Humane Society CFC #58899 The Washington Humane Society, the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the U.S., has been the area’s leading voice for animals since 1870. As the only open-access shelter in the Nation’s Capital, WHS provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, Humane Law Enforcement, lost and found, human– animal therapy programs and Humane Education.

4590 MacArthur Boulevard, NW Washington, DC 20007, 202-234-8626 , www.washhumane.org

Capitol Streets HillBuzz

by Celeste McCall

A

s Capitol Hill Veterinary Clinic prepared to settle into it sprightly new digs (hopefully by the end of September) at 1240 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, we recalled taking our succession of cats to Dr. Dan Murphy and his competent, personable staff at his former office on Barracks Row. A few weeks ago, we hauled in Gypsy and Jesse–our 7-year-old litter mates-- to the old location. They were due for their physicals, flea treatment and shots. As the ever-patient assistant hoisted a squirming, 13-pound Gypsy onto the scales, he told me about a feline patient who weighs a whopping 36-pounds. That obese house cat is a black and white “tuxedo” named Marcello, who dwells with our neighbor Mary. “Marcello is now on a diet,” Mary told me recently, adding that Marcello’s cholesterol and triglyceride counts were down.

“But his weight remains the same,” she lamented.

The new CHVC office is next to Zeyno Kitchen and Bath, a beautiful new design store at 1242 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Dr. Murphy appreciates the support of neighbors and clients, who have stopped by to visit the new place. For more information on CHVC, call 202-546-1972.

Las Placita Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary One of our favorite local restaurants has always been Las Placitas located at 517 8th Street, SE, along the bustling Barracks Row strip.

This family-friendly place plans

Dr. Dan Murphy of Capitol Hill Veterinary Clinic, now at 1240 Penn. Ave. SE. Photo Andrew Lightman

its celebration on October 5. Expect music and lots of well-wishers along with the top-notch food that they are known for.. Call 202-543-3700 for more inormation.

Giant. Coming Soon, We Hope As you might have heard, Giant Food has confirmed plans to unveil a much-needed supermarket at Third and H streets NE. According

to Michael Neibauer of the Washington Business Journal, who broke the story, an agreement with Chevy Chase-based Steuart Investment Co. is almost in place. (Plans for a Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s in the planned mixed-use development at the site had fallen through.) Details on the size and scope of the future Giant store are still forthcoming.

Watch for more details. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 31

Kitty Kaupp & Tati Kaupp Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 605 Pennsylvania Ave SE 202-741-1699, kkaupp@cbmove.com 415 Walker Court SE $875,000 Behind 414 11th St SE at 11th & Pa Ave SE. A unique Capitol Hill carriage house rarely available on the market. Beautiful light-filled open space.

Approx. 2960 SF on 2 levels, lush gardens,patio, 1 Pkg.Featured in the Capitol Hill homes book “Majesty of capitol Hill” by Tom Grooms. Totally detached, windows on 4 sides, 5 skylights, glass block walls. Original heart pine floors, exposed beam ceilings& brick walls. C of O for Art Gallery.Within the District Enterprise Zone 635 Pennsylvania Ave SE Lease $3,000 / Month Commercial Lease.

2nd Floor office space, 1200 Square Feet with street front entry. Renovated with open layout, glass block, light-filled windows, roof deck.

Located between 6th & 7th and Pa Ave SE at the Eastern Market & Metro, retail & commercial corridor. Barracks Row-8th Street & Navy Yard just blocks away. Walk to US Capitol, House side, Library of Congress 230 11th Street SE $699,000 Near Lincoln Park & Eastern Mkt/Metro. 2 Unit with C of O. Semi-detached and light-filled w/windows on 3 sides. 1st floor unit is 1BR 1BA with graceful LR, hardwood floors, CAC, Kitch/DR, Deck, Lower Level with Den/Office, W/D, Storage & Utility Room. 2nd Floor is a separate 2nd unit, 1BR 1BA, CAC, skylight, DR/LR large open floor plan & sun-filled space, Deck. Possible to rejoin to one house.

316 F Street NE Commercial Lease Strategic location on Historic Capitol Hill at US Capitol and Union Station,Senate side, SEC building,& Mass Ave retail corridor. 6402 Square Feet available in increments from 165 SF up, on 1st & 2nd levels. Lower level available 2000 SF. Beautifully renovated building with high ceilings, large windows, marble lobby. Grand presence.

621 Pennsylvania Ave SE LEASE Prominent Pa Ave retail address at Eastern Market Metro. 1167 SF 1st Floor + 820 SF Bsmt. $4542 /month or $27 /SF. Great for retail / office / restaurant use. Rear yard for patio use. Café permit possible for outdoor seating on Pa Ave. Set up for office use currently: CAT5 networking ,electrical system totally upgraded 2003, recessed receptacles every 8' grid layout on floor, tel incl in networking receptacles, 2 sep HVAC units.

1400-1404 K Street SE Land 3 Buildable Lots $695,000 6000 SF Land Area, 3 Buildable lots, 6 Grand units 2000sf each or 3 2Unit Town houses, 13,000 GBA, Blueprints available. Traditional Capitol Hill design. 1.5 blocks to Pennsylvania Ave, Jenkins Row Condos & Harris Teeter grocery. Potomac Avenue metro steps away. Walk to Eastern Market & Barracks Row retail.

View on www.kittykaupp.com 32 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Noor ul Islem sells soaps, incense, fragrances and accessories near C street at Eastern Market on the weekend.

Photo Andrew Lightman.

Sneak Peek As a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, my husband Peter was treated to a preview tour of the beautifully renovated and much expanded Arena Stage–the Mead Center for American Theater--in Southwest. Naturally. HillBuzz tagged along. After being closed for two and a half years, Arena reopens the weekend of October 22-24 with performances of “Oklahoma,” an open house, gala reception and other festivities. (See the feature story in this month’s Hill Rag.) Since we belong to the Waterside Fitness & Swim Club next door, we’ve watched Arena’s progress, as the building got bigger and bigger. The result is stunning. A 35-foot glass wall sweeps around the old Arena theater complex, which has been retained and upgraded. They’ve also added a new theater, the 200-seat, intimate Kogod Cradle, so named because it nurtures artists and new visions of existing (theater) works. (Alas, the Old Vat Room is no more.)

Our group also enjoyed an added bonus: While Arena’s Group Sales Manager David Mink was showing us Kogod Cradle, Artistic Director Molly Smith stopped by to say a few words: “The Arena Stage focus is on American voices, and Arena is the only theater of its size to showcase American plays....it’s the best in the country.” Smith added that she had traveled around the world for inspiration for the renovation.

We’re especially thrilled that Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells will operate the theater’s café. He’ll be joined by Design Cuisine, D.C. Central Kitchen’s Fresh Start Catering, and the Sheila Johnson/Todd

Gray Salamander Hospitality. Watch for menu and more details. We were also impressed with the ladies restrooms. Potty parity rules here; we counted more than two-dozen stalls in one of the main downstairs bathrooms.

Noor ul Islem, the Soap guy Alas, summer’s bounty at Eastern Market is diminishing, as fall’s chill begins to settle over the region. Gone are the succulent peaches and tangy heirloom tomatoes.

But in their place are West Virginia apples, pears, butternut and spaghetti squash and other fall produce.

We have a favorite, non-food vendor, Noor ul Islem, whom we’ve dubbed the “soap guy.” We’re especially partial to his Heritage Nubian Shea Butter Soap. Known for his sunny personality and distinctive orange beard (tinted with henna, an Islamic custom), ul Islem also sells a colorful array of incense, lotions, dresses, scarves, hats and other apparel. You will usually find himSaturdays or Sundays at Eastern Market opposite the far side of the farmers row, near C street SE. A life long Washingtonian, Noor was born 62 years ago in the old Gallinger Hospital, later called DC General. He lives on Capitol Hill. A devout Moslem, he converted about 30 years ago and attends various mosques throughout the Washington area.

Yes, he fasted faithfully throughout the holy month of Ramadan, even when surrounded by all those victuals at Eastern Market. For more information, call Noor’s Collection at 202-427-3688. ★

735 10thWashington,DC St SE 20003 FOR SALE

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bulletin board Meet PETS2VETS on the Hill On Oct. 30, Capitol Hill’s American Legion Post 8 Auxiliary invites the Hill’s pets and all pet lovers to come to a Halloween Party to meet some P2V veterans and their four-legged companions and learn more about P2V programs. PETS2VETS (P2V) brings military veterans together with homeless pets, both of whom need loving companionship. P@V was founded

by David Sharpe, who credits his adopted dog with saving his life after his deployments to the Middle East led to a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Realizing how mutually beneficial the relationship could be, Sharpe founded his new group in the Metro area, and P2V is now working to heal the lives of our nation’s heroes and sheltered animals.

The Post 8 Auxiliary chose P2V to receive donations from this year’s Memorial Day Poppy Campaign and is pleased to join the P2V effort since supporting veterans and the community is the Auxiliary’s mission. Post 8 34 ★ HillRag | October 2010

member Joon Kum, a U.S. Marine veteran and owner of The Corner Market, helped promote the poppy campaign among his customers and has offered to host the Halloween gathering at his store at 400 East Capitol St. NE. Please stop by The Corner Market on Saturday, October 30, between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to celebrate Halloween in a fun and meaningful way. Pets, kids and other friends in costume are especially encouraged to come and enjoy light refreshments and treats provided by the Post 8 Auxiliary.

For more information, contact Rebecca Forrest, PETS2VETS, 703-6290738, Rebecca.forrest@pets2vets.org

Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church Oct. 3 There will be a blessing of the animals’ service at Christ Church Capitol Hill on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 11:00 a.m.

All are welcome but pets must be kept on leashes or in carriers for their own safety. The service will take place in the

Capitol Hill’s American Legion Auxiliary Presents Poppy Drive Donations to PETS2VETS. Photo: Melinda Tomaino

church. This service is an opportunity to thank God for animals and to ask for God’s blessing for the well being of our animal friends. Photos or drawings of animal friends are welcome as are stuffed animals. A second blessing will take place at Historic Congressional Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. For more than 200 years, Christ Church + Washington Parish has been located on Capitol Hill and seeks to be a welcoming, diverse, thankful, and joyous Episcopal community of faith committed to nurturing its members and neighbors through worship and service. Christ Church holds services on Sunday at 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. with Sunday School for children after each service. 620 G St. SE. 202-5479300. www.washingtonparish.org.

Meet ANC 6A Candidates, Oct. 5 Candidates for seats in ANC 6A have been invited to attend the Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., meeting so you can meet them. This will not follow a “candidates forum” format. Instead, each candidate will be given space in the room to meet with potential constituents and have informal conversations.

Lane Memorial CME Church (corner of 14th and C sts. NE). Find a

map www.anc6a.org.

Poets Laureate to Read at LOC, Oct. 6 Some of the most distinguished voices in American poetry--eight former U. S. Poets Laureate/Consultants in Poetry--will reunite in the historic Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress for a night of poetry on Oct. 6. at 7:00 p.m. The event marks the publication of “The Poets Laureate Anthology,” which brings together for the first time in print a sampling of poems by all of the U.S Poets Laureate/Consultants in Poetry. The evening, “A Celebration of American Poets Laureate,” will feature readings

by Billy Collins, Rita Dove, Daniel Hoffman, Donald Hall, Maxine Kumin, Kay Ryan, Charles Simic and Mark Strand, and will be followed by a reception and book-signing. The program is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets may be ordered beginning Sept. 1 from Ticketmaster for a small handling fee. There is a limit of two tickets per person. Contact www.ticketmaster. com or phone 202-397-7328 or 703573-7328. The Coolidge Auditorium is located in the Library’s Thomas Jef-

www.atlasarts.org | 202.399.7993 | 1333 H Street, NE

SYMPHONY DANCE Sunday, October 17 at 5pm with guest artist Sarah Barham, piano Tickets $12-$25 Kids FREE! (16 & under, tickets required) www.capitalcitysymphony.org

Washington Savoyards present

The Pirates of Penzance October 23 - November 7th, 2010

Gross National Product presents

Don’t Tea on Me October 21 - November 5, 2010

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 35

ferson Building, 10 First St. SE.

CHRS Preservation Café: What to Expect from Your Architect If you need to select an architect for work on your house, what should you look for? What key questions should you ask a candidate? What are some warning signs to be aware of? To find out, come to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s 20 Preservation Café, where DC architect Michael Lee Beidler will explain what to look for and what to expect from your architect. The Preservation Café is free, accessible, and open to all in the Capitol Hill community. No reservations are required. Oct. 20, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, Second and F sts. NE.

sales associate with the company’s Dupont office, was recognized as a leading sales associate nationally.

Powell was among NRT’s top 1,000 sales associates in the first quarter of 2010 representing the top 2 percent of performers among NRT’s 45,000 sales associates across the country. “This recognition is a testament to JT’s hard work and his dedication to meeting his clients’ needs. He is an invaluable member of the Coldwell Banker team,” said Paul Valentino, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Greater Washington, DC. Contact JT Powell with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dupont at 202-387-6180. www. jtpowell.com

Garden Club Now Selling Bulbs at Eastern Market The Club is selling top quality spring-flowering bulbs from Holland at a new location, in front of the “temporary market” building, on the east side of Seventh Street.

Look for the booth with the Garden Club banner! Club members are on hand to guide choices: tulips, daffodils, crocus, iris, allium, paperwhites, amaryllis and more, in a wide selection of colors and heights.

Bulb Planting tips for dummies: 1. Plant in the fall, before frost.

2. If you have to use an axe to plant, you are too late.

3. Three of something is too few to make a decent display.

4. The bigger the bulb, the deeper you plant it. Crocus 2”, Daffodils 7”.

5. Water once, then ignore.

6. Your bulbs start coming up in February but 7. If you plant a range of bulbs, bloom can last through May.

Coldwell Banker Realtor JT Powell Recognized Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage announced that JT Powell, a native Washingtonian and 36 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Theater Alliance Artistic Director Paul Douglas Michnewicz

Art4Art--You Can Take Home a Work of Art! Theater Alliance annual Art4Art fundraiser is set for Saturday Oct.16, 7:00 p.m., at the new, hip Gallery OonH, 1354 H St. NE. Theater Alliance has already collected over 75 works of art from area visual artists that will be given away to patrons as part of a random drawing undertaken periodically throughout the evening.

Meanwhile there will be a chance all night long to mingle with the artists and other theater supporters enjoying the music, the champagne and the great food from H Street restaurants, including Argonaut, Dangerously Delicious Pies, and Start & Shamrock.

Long time patrons know how the Art4Art works: pay $150 each ($250 for two) and get to wander through the gallery finding a few of your favorite pieces; nosh; sip champagne (or beer or wine); chat with friends and listen for your name to

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be called. Then you get to select a piece of art to take home! A new wrinkle this year--the Artless Arty Party-- for just $85 you can just enjoy the art, enjoy the food and drinks, enjoy the people and dance to the music, but leave the art for others. The art can be viewed online now at http://art4art.squarespace.com.

The party will also be a chance for Theater Alliance fans and supporters to toast to outgoing Artistic Director Paul Douglas Michnewicz. He’s announced plans to try new adventures--including resuming his own acting career. All his fans can join the Theater Alliance Board in briefly recapping his successes as Artistic Director and toasting to his future successes. Purchase tickets at www. theateralliance.com.

Artist Portfolio Reviews at CHAW On Saturday, Oct. 16, noon5:00 p.m., artists may have their work reviewed by Kate Fraser, owner of the Fraser Gallery. Participating artists can bring between five to twenty pieces for review. $20 for CHAL members/$30 for non-members.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE. Register at 202547-6839 or at www.chaw.org

Boosting Your Immune System Seminar, Oct. 17 Just in time for cold & flu season! Learn simple dietary shifts and easy herbal remedies for optimal health through the changing seasons. Taught by herbalist and health coach Tricia McCauley of Healing Arts of Capitol Hill. $15. Oct. 17, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Healing Arts of Capitol Hill, 320 G St. NE. 202-812-2342. www.healingartscapitolhill.com.

Forum on Domestic Violence A community forum on domestic violence will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Tyler Public School, 38 ★ HillRag | October 2010

1001 G St. SE. Its aims are to educate victims of abuse about locally available legal and social services, explain how physical and emotional abuse destroys victims’ self esteem, and provide attendees with an opportunity to meet with legal experts and social service representatives.

Speakers include Valerie Collins, Director, US Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency; Retired Superior Court Judge E. Queen; and Attorney Clarissa Edwards. It is sponsored by Sasha Bruce Youtthwork, the Law Offices of C. Thomas Chartered and Olekanma A. Ekekwe, and the South Washington/West of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative.

Second Annual AARP-DC Food Drive, Oct 22

ANDREA T. NIELSEN

Some of the most vulnerable residents in our community will go to bed hungry, and you can do something to help change that. AARP-DC is inviting you to participate in their food drive on Oct. 22. You can volunteer by donating food or by collecting donated food at these supermarkets: Giant, 4303 Connecticut Ave. NW; Giant, 1050 Brentwood Rd. NE, Giant, 1535 Alabama Ave. SE; Giant, 1414 O St. NW; Giant, 1345 Park Rd. NW, Safeway, 1747 Columbia Rd. NW; Safeway, 6500 Piney Branch Rd. NW; Safeway, 322 40th St. NE; Safeway, 401 M St. SW. Volunteer shifts are 8:30 a.m.-noon, noon-3:00 p.m. and 3:00-6:00 p.m. For this and other opportunities to volunteer, email cpage@aarp.org or call 202-434-7703.

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Southwest Performances at Arena Stage If you live or work in Southwest DC, you can buy $25 tickets for one specially designated performance of each production. Proof of Southwest DC residency or employment for each member of the party must be presented at the time of pur-

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chase. Tickets are limited to four per person and are based on availability.

Here are the 2010/2011 season performances: “every tongue confess” Friday, Nov. 26, noon; “Oklahoma” Friday, Dec. 24, noon; “Let Me Down Easy” Saturday, Jan.1, 8:00 p.m.; “The Arabian Nights” Sunday, Feb. 13, 1:00 p.m.; Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Sunday, March 27, 1:00 p.m.; Edward Albee’s “At Home at the Zoo” Sunday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.; “Ruined” Sunday, May 29, 1:00 p.m.; “A Time to Kill” Friday, June 10, 8:00 p.m.

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Tommy Wells Wins Big in Ward 6 Tuesday, Sept. 14, Ward 6 voters gave Councilmember Tommy Wells and his vision for building a livable and walkable city a resounding victory in his re-election bid in the Democratic primary. Just as in his race four years ago, Wells won every precinct in the Ward. “I am thrilled with the result, which is a big win for our shared vision of a livable, walkable city,” noted Wells.

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William H Rumsey (indoor) pool at 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. is open at 6:30 a.m. weekdays, closes at 9:00 a.m., reopens at noon and closes at 9:00 p.m. The pool opens at 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. on Sundays and closes at 5:00 p.m. both days. All DC pools close on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Some pools are open some Federal holidays. Please confirm. All DC public swimming pools are free for DC residents. Have photo ID. 202-724-4495.

NCPC`s 2010 Commission Meeting The National Capital Planning

40 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Commission meets on Oct. 7, 12:30 p.m. at NCPC`s offices, 401 Ninth St. NW, North Lobby, Suite 500.

The tentative meeting agenda includes proposed action items such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial; Tidal Basin, West Potomac Park (bench modifications); Thomas Jefferson Memorial, West Potomac Park (perimeter security). www.ncpc.gov

The Laramie Project at Arena Stage Arena Stage announces the award-winning New York theater troupe Tectonic Theater Project will join the 2010-2011 season with its national tour of The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. Five performances will be presented in the Kreeger Theater November 19-21, 2010 and will feature many of the original cast members from The Laramie Project. 202-5549066. www.arenastage.org

New Schedule for Hazardous Waste Disposal at Ft. Totten The DC Department of Public Works has a new monthly schedule for providing household hazardous waste/e-cycling/document shredding services. Starting Saturday, Oct. 2, once a month, residents may bring these items to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Rd. NE, the first Saturday of the month, except holidays, 8:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. This new schedule does not affect residents’ ability to bring bulk items to Ft. Totten or pick up compost between March and Oct. For these services, Ft. Totten will be open weekdays, 1:00-5:00 p.m., and each Saturday, except holidays, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 202-671-2375. dpw. dc.gov

Do-It-Yourself Home Weatherization Improvements The Capitol Hill Energy Cooperative and Weatherize DC have partnered to help Hill homeowners and residents undergo basic do-ityourself home weatherization improvements - weatherstripping doors and windows, chaulking cracks and small openings; insulating pipes, etc.

This is a free service through which

residents only have to pay for materials. If you are interested in participating in this pilot program or would like to learn more, email info@capitolhillenergycoop.org

Homeless Children in DC Symposium, Oct. 23 “No Child Left Outside” - is a symposium of church and faith-based nonprofit organizations, sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary, that will focus on the plight of children living in homeless families in DC. Feature speakers offer strategies for churches and nonprofits to help address this problem. Sat., Oct. 23, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church. RSVP to NoChildLeftOutside@gmail.com

DDOT Launches Redesigned goDCgo.com The website is dedicated to helping the public move about the District and the region and provides interactive information on commuter programs, cycling, transit and other sustainable forms of transportation. The website makes these options easier to use and more desirable to residents, visitors and employees working within our nation’s capital. The newly re-launched website caters to multiple audiences with a redesigned interactive map, carbon calculator, news and events section, blog, links to additional regional transportation options and provides other helpful resources. goDCgo.com

“Obama’s Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power,” at LOC Sociologist Jeff rey Alexander offers a new way of looking at the Democratic struggle for political power, discussing what happened and why during Barack Obama’s run for the presidency. Alexander will discuss his book “The Performance of Politics: Obama’s Victory

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HEADLINES SALON and the Democratic Struggle for Power” at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, in Room 119 on the first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. 202-7072692. www.loc.gov

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Higher Achievement is a four-year, yearround academic enrichment program that extends learning opportunities for middle school youth, guaranteeing underserved students equal access to success in both school and life. Higher Achievement will be offering two volunteer positions for this upcoming school year: (1) teach a small group of fifth or sixth graders in a core academic subject and (2) work with a group of 5th8th graders to help them complete homework after school. Volunteer opportunities are available at six different locations in the DC Metro area-- Capitol Hill, Brightwood/ Petworth, Adams Morgan, Benning Road, Anacostia, and Alexandria, VA. www.higherachievement.org/volunteer

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On Saturday, Oct. 9, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, the Office of the People’s Counse is sponsoring an energy expo with panel discussions on solar panels and geothermal installation; solar coops; benefits of a professional energy audit, grants and other available programs; hands-on energy demonstrations, etc. Free.

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Proposed Alterations to Union Station’s Great Hall Proposed development of Union Station’s Great Hall has alarmed preservation groups and prompted the DC Preservation League (DCPL) to nominate the landmark structure for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matters” challenge. Plans by the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) would cut a 1,300 square-foot hole into the center of the Great Hall and install a 3-story glass elevator and staircase to connect the food court to a raised Center Café. The proposed hole echoes one carved into the same floor during the 1970’s for a bicentennial exhibit, something commonly known as “The Pit.” That alteration, widely agreed to be a preservation and aesthetic failure, was corrected in the ‘80s. The National Trust has asked communities around the country to nominate historic

places that they deem worthy of support. The winner, based on the place that receives the most votes, will receive $25,000. If Union Station receives the most votes, DCPL will use the funds to campaign against the pit’s construction, and for work to maintain the historic character of the District. 202-7835144. www.dcpreservation.org

High Risk Insurance Enrollment The District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) announces the availability of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) through the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The program provides affordable health insurance for District residents unable to purchase health coverage in the commercial marketplace because of a pre-existing medical condition. Information on the application process and monthly premium rates for DC can be found at www.pciplan. com. District residents that have questions about health insurance can get answers from the Districts Health Care Ombudsman at 1-877-685-6391.

Building in the 21st Century, Oct 20 “Clean, Green, and Mobile: Designing the GreenMobile® Home Unit.” Oct. 20.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Through its ongoing lecture series, Building in the 21st Century, the Museum increases the public’s awareness of the need for environmentally sensitive design.

The National Building Museum is a preeminent venue for the presentation of topics that address sustainable design and energy-efficient building technologies and construction techniques. Free. Registration required.

Walk-in registration based on availability.

401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org

DDOT Soliciting Feedback on Parking Pilot Programs The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is inviting the public to participate in a survey about the five parking pilot programs currently underway across the city. DDOT will use the survey results to help evaluate the various vendors and payment methods they offer, including payby-phone, pay-by-space and pay-by-license plate parking. The survey is online at www. surveymonkey.com/DDOTparkingsurvey.

The public can also provide feedback on any of the parking pilots by sending an email to Tierney.Viteri@dc.gov or by calling 202673-6813.

Traffic Changes on 4th St. NW The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising motorists there is a new traffic pattern on Fourth St. NW. The new traffic pattern will convert Fourth St., between L St. and Massachusetts Ave., into a two-way street and includes the addition of new traffic signals at the intersection of Fourth and I sts. NW. That stretch of Fourth St. is currently one-way southbound. The changes are designed to address safety issues associated with the increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic generated by new housing and commercial development throughout the Fourth St. corridor.

Free Wireless Internet Access on National Mall The DC government has installed 220 free Wi-Fi hotspots on the National Mall. The DC government installed the hotspots along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Smithsonian Institution.

The private company Cisco donated the network hardware, and Level 3 donated the Internet services.

Foreclosure Prevention Clinics Housing Counseling Services, a local non-profit approved by the department of Housing and Urban Development, now offers free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics to help homeowners in the DC metropolitan area in danger of losing their homes. Clients will receive valuable information and individual counseling to help them identify their realistic options for avoiding foreclosure and to avoid “foreclosure rescue scams.” Wednesdays, October 6, 13 and 20, noon; and Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m. Housing Counseling Services, 2410 17th St. NW. 202-667-7712. ★

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Job One for Mayor Gray – Getting DC Residents Back to Work

By Ed Lazere and Jenny Reed “Mayor Gray, I need a job.”

DC’s presumptive mayor is likely to hear this a lot from DC residents over the next four years.

There’s no doubt education reform was a key issue in this year’s mayoral campaign, but a strong case could be made that unemployment was equally important, maybe more so. In the end, Michelle Rhee was largely a wash — with as many residents turned off by her as there were people excited by her.

That left jobs as a key defining issue. Gray frequently cited Ward 8’s 28 percent unemployment rate — and he called DC resident’s lack of jobs “a ticking time bomb” — while Mayor Fenty struggled to sound sympathetic or offer proposals. Gray’s win in the Democratic primary was more than just anger with Fenty. It was a collective plea from DC residents desperate to get back to work.

This means that Gray will be judged four years from now on his ability to turn the unemployment numbers around. So will Kwame Brown, the likely new Council Chair, who has focused on jobs as a Council member.

The challenges are great. Some 30,000 jobless DC residents are looking for work. Even before the downturn, many residents were struggling to succeed in the city’s highly competitive job market. The employment rate for black adults, for example, had fallen to the second lowest level in 30 years.

Gray will have to chart his own path. He cannot afford to build up the middle class by expand-

44 ★ HillRag | October 2010

ing DC government employment a la Marion Barry. He doesn’t want to take the Fenty approach of a massive summer jobs program either, which wouldn’t really address DC’s unemployment problem, anyway.

Instead, he will need to help DC residents get jobs in sectors of the economy that are growing and that offer living-wage career options. That will require a new, vigorous, emphasis on education and training.

Equally important, it will require DC government to engage employers to hire DC residents— through a mix of cajoling and support — in ways it has not in the past.

This is a challenge worth taking. Our research shows that getting residents into jobs paying $12 to $15 an hour could do a lot to lift families out of poverty. That’s an achievable goal.

DC’s Enduring Jobs Problem – It’s Not Just the Recession The phrase that “DC is recession-proof ” should be retired. Unemployment doubled in the city from 2008 to 2010, reaching 12 percent in January, the highest level on record.

The good news is that the DC economy has started to rebound, and jobs are being created again.

Yet there is no guarantee that DC residents will see much benefit, for two reasons. *Only a small fraction of jobs in DC go to DC residents. About 30 percent of jobs in the District

are held by DC residents. The results have been worse over the last year, with only about a quarter of jobs created in the city in the last year going to DC residents. *Employment conditions for many were bad even when the economy was good. Last year, just 48 percent of residents with a high school diploma, but no post-secondary education, were working, the lowest level in 30 years. Meanwhile, the employment rate for DC residents with a college degree has held steady at around 80 percent.

The gentrification visible through many DC neighborhoods isn’t just about retail and housing prices. It’s also about jobs. DC residents without college degrees are increasingly finding themselves left out of the DC economy.

The First Step to Increasing Employment: Education and Training The new Mayor and Council will have to address the mismatch between the skills of DC residents and the demands of jobs in the city if they want to make a dent in unemployment in Ward 8 and other struggling neighborhoods. *Community College: It’s amazing that DC didn’t even think of having a community college until recently. While Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have long understood the vital role community colleges play, the Community College of DC is still in its infancy. The next four years will be critical in determining whether it will become a meaningful resource for DC residents looking for training and basic education *Literacy: Up to one-fifth of DC’s adults have trouble with tasks like finding an intersection on a map, filling out an application, or adding up the total on a receipt. Programs that teach literacy and numeracy in the context of occupational training seem to be most successful. * Welfare to Work: One-third of DC families with children participate in DC’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF). Unfortunately, most TANF parents get just basic job readiness services and are pushed to find jobs as quickly as they can. Not surprisingly, many end up in jobs that are not the right fit and that leave them still in poverty – with most paying an average of $9 an hour.

The Second Step to Increasing Employment: Connecting DC Residents to Jobs Expanding opportunities for residents to enhance their skills is important, but it is not enough. Employers may be willing to hire DC residents but have no incentive to seek them out. The Mayor and Council must use their clout to create such pressure. Some residents, particularly ex-offenders, will be overlooked unless they have an advocate to explain why they are worth hiring. Residents with limited job experience often have limited “soft skills,” such as understanding the importance of showing up on time every day and taking criticism from supervisors well.

In other words, the District needs to play the role of coach and matchmaker. In his campaign, Gray talked about enforcing DC’s “First Source” law, which requires businesses doing work with the city to hire DC residents for a majority of jobs. Holding businesses to this standard is important, but so are city efforts to make sure there are pools of job-ready residents for employers to find easily. That will make it harder for businesses to throw up their hands and say they cannot find qualified DC residents, which is what happens now.

What a Difference a Job Makes Unemployment is linked with poverty, of course. When people lose jobs, or cannot find a job, they lose their ability to provide for

themselves and their family. Tackling DC’s unemployment problem also would help tackle DC’s poverty problem.

Lifting DC families out of poverty through jobs may sound like wishful thinking, but it is not. A full-time job at $15 an hour would be enough to lift four out of five low-income DC residents and their families above 150 percent of poverty, according to a soon-to-be-released report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.

That’s a realistic goal. Secretaries and administrative assistants, cooks, landscapers, security guards, and receptionists are just some of the jobs that pay around $15 an hour in DC. And DC’s living wage — the wage paid to those working on projects subsidized by the DC government — is $12.10 an hour.

Come see our new Fall clotheslines

A Vision of a City that Works The recession may have thrust DC’s unemployment problem into the spotlight, but employment opportunities for many DC residents have been dwindling for some time now.

Creating top-notch workforce development programs and connecting residents to jobs that pay decent wages will be Gray’s biggest challenge. But it also has the potential to be one of the most beneficial to the District.

Tianello, Mycra Pac, Willow, Gertie's and More!

Lazere and Reed are staff of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect lowand moderate-income DC residents. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 45

capitolstreets news

The Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Nic Lehoux, courtesy of Bing Thom Architects.

Architect Bing Thom, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Arena Stage Project Facility Director Guy Bergquist on the construction site in October 2008. Photo by Scott Suchman.

Arena Comes Home To A Jewel Box in Southwest Three-Theater Complex Offers Full Season and Special Events

by Brad Hathaway

S

ince 1950, when Zelda Fichandler founded it, Arena Stage has been a significant presence in the Washington theater community. In the 60s and 70s, Arena became a presence in the national theater community as the first regional theater ever to transfer a show to Broadway. Later it received the first Tony Award ever given to a regional theater.

Now, with the opening of the company’s newly modernized campus in Southwest, it becomes one of the most visible landmarks in a city of landmarks. It will be one of the shapes instantly identifiable when flying into or out of Reagan National Airport, as easy to spot as the Capitol dome, the Washington Monument or the White House.

This is because the company, under the guidance of Artistic Director Molly Smith, decided not to build a new facility when the company’s campus of two theaters began to age. Instead, they chose to undertake a modernization in place, using a design by architect Bing Thom that literally makes the entire campus into an icon: an icon to be known as the Mead Center for the American Theater.

Thom’s grand idea was to retain the two theaters, but tear out their lobbies, dressing rooms, scene shops and all the rest of the aging complex and build new facilities and encapsulate it all in an unmistakably dramatic glass-walled building. Under a swooping cantilevered arrowhead of a roof (pointing right up the Washington Channel’s waterfront toward the Washington Monument) both of the original theaters are visible as you pass on either 6th Street or Main Avenue SW. The enclosed space becomes one

46 ★ HillRag | October 2010

big lobby where audiences from multiple shows can meet and mingle and where theater artists can work their magic.

The 700+-seat theatre in the round, the Fichandler, and the 500+-seat proscenium house, the Kreeger, will be joined by a 200-seat semi-flexible space to be called the Kogod Cradle, devoted entirely to the development of new works by American authors. In the words of Mark Shugoll, who chaired Arena’s board of trustees during the selection of the architect and the raising of the $125 million needed for the project, “the two jewels of the existing theaters are joined by a new one in a beautiful glasslined jewel box.”

To accomplish the project, Arena had to vacate the premises for two and a half years. Arena continued to produce quality theatre during those years, and even managed to set a few records. They performed a number of productions in the Lincoln Theatre on U Street NW, including a revival of the musical “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies” directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and choreographed by Maurice Hines. It became the highest grossing show in Arena’s history. At the Lincoln, they also hosted a preBroadway stop of Carrie Fisher in her one-woman show “Wishful Drinking.”

Broadway was also the destination for a production Arena staged in temporary space across the river in Crystal City, the rock musical “Next to Normal” which captured the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for its composer and lyricist, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. That space also hosted the world premiere

of Karen Zacarías’ American Theatre Critics Association/Steinberg citation winner “Legacy of Light.”

In October, Arena comes back to Southwest in a big way.

It all starts with an all-afternoon celebration of free events on Saturday, October 23. The Fichandler will be open every hour of the afternoon for a preview of the inaugural production of “Oklahoma!” while the Kreeger will host a different big name star in a concert performance each hour.

First it will be E. Faye Butler who has come back to Arena to play Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma!” Then the local boy who made good on Broadway, Brad Oscar takes the stage followed by Kate Baldwin, who charmed Arena audiences in “South Pacific.”

Later, the stage belongs to Matt Bogart taking a day off from “Jersey Boys” on Broadway, and finally Alice Ripley who went from Arena to Broadway in “Next to Normal” and won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

The brand new space, the Kogod Cradle, will offer a series of events fitting for its mission of fostering new works by American playwrights, as some of the better known playwrights working today talk about their latest projects. Among them will be Karen Zacarías, Anna Deavere Smith and Charles Randolph-Wright.

Tickets to these events will be free, but you need to reserve them online starting October 8.

Don’t worry if you don’t get the tickets you want,

however. There will be plenty of things going on that won’t require tickets. There will be continuous entertainment on an outdoor stage. Inside there will be glimpses of some of the Washington area’s other theater companies, such as the Washington Improv Theatre and Synetic Theater, while the area called “The Study” will have performances by local cabaret performers of note including Diego Prieto, Eleasha Gamble, and Tina Fabrique and the Blue Sky Puppets will be found on the terrace.

Jaylee Mead, whose contributions led the way in the fundraising, at the 2008 groundbreaking of Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo

by Scott Suchman.

All of this is open to the public at no charge but, of course, there is also going to be a big, black-tie gala with cocktails, dinner and an appearance by one of Broadway’s biggest stars, Brian Stokes Mitchell. President and Mrs. Obama share the honorary co-chair duties with Mayor and Mrs. Fenty on Monday night, October 25. Tickets run between $1,500 and $2,500.

The season that Arena has scheduled offers a variety of works in the three venues but they all relate to what Molly Smith has laid out as the mission of Arena Stage and its new Mead Center for the American Theater. Arena has adopted a single sentence mission statement that really pins down a specific area of the theater arts as the company’s focus: “Arena Stage is a national center for the production, presentation, (Continued on 48)

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development and study of American theater.” It couldn’t be clearer than that.

There aren’t many theater works as all-American as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical which revolutionized the musical theater form, “Oklahoma!” Smith herself directs a revival of that show as the opening production in the renovated Fichandler. The renovated Kreeger will open with Anna Deavere Smith’s onewoman/many-character play about the human body, “Let Me Down Easy.” The Kogod Cradle, true to its mission of fostering new American plays, opens with the world premiere of a gospel-infused play Arena commissioned from Marcus Gardley, “Every Tongue Confess,” which will feature Phylicia Rashad.

The season also offers the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner, Lynn Nottage’s “Ruined,” Mary Zimmerman’s high-design staging of “The Arabian Nights,” a stage adaptation of John Grisham’s novel “A Time to Kill,” a seven-play “New Play Festival” in the Cradle, and a festival of Edward Albee works including “At Home At The Zoo,” his “return” to the short piece that launched his career.

Brad Hathaway is The Hill Rag’s theater columnist. He operated Potomac Stages, a website and email service covering theater in the metro area and has written about theater for Theatre.Com, Musical Stages Online, The Connection Newspapers and such magazines as American Theatre, Show Music, the Sondheim Review and Live Design. He and his wife live on Capitol Hill. He can be reached by email at Brad@ PotomacStages.com. ★ 48 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Two Qualified Candidates: the School Board Election in Ward 6

by Marjorie Lightman, PhD

T

wo candidates are vying to represent Ward 6 on the State Board of Education.

Melissa Rohan and Monica Warren Jones are articulate and informed women. They both have children.

The schools are a big piece of their everyday life and running for the Board is their first step into elected office. They have an overlapping vision of the circumscribed responsibilities and obligations of a Board member and both emphasize their intent to provide every DC child with the best possible education by an accountable school system.

The Reform Act of 2007 Accountable quality education is a major part of the District’s public political life. To address the failings of public schools, the school system underwent a controversial reorganization in 2007 which made the Mayor directly responsible for the District’s schools.The Reform Act of 2007 accorded the Mayor the right to appoint a Chancellor to run the school system and in addition established under the Mayor’s authority a Department of Education headed by a Deputy Mayor of Education and a State Education Agency directed by a State Education Officer.

Under the new Reform Act, the financing of the schools became the responsibility of the City Council, which must vote on all school appropriations. Finally, the Act reorganized the old School Board into a State Board of Education composed of nine elected members. The State Board of Education, which is independent of the Mayor, became an advisory body with responsibility:

Melissa Rohan. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Monica Warren Jones. Photo: Andrew Lightman

* to set academic standards that include “rigorous content;” * high school graduation and equivalency requirements; * Oversight for federally supported activities under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; * parental involvement; * residency verification; * the list of charter school accrediting organizations; * the categories and format of the annual report card under the No Child Left Behind Act; * approve the list of private placement accreditation organizations.

Despite being stripped of any budget powers, staff or responsibility for teachers and curriculum, in the short time since 2007, the State Board of Education has gained an influence and authority that extends beyond its limited legal mandate.

Retiring Board member Lisa Raymond points to the long-term importance of the Board’s adoption this past July of the Common Core, a set of learning expectations and standards that puts DC in line with 37 other states and opens the door to funds to develop standardized assessments. She notes that: “…Although the Board has no power to affect the curriculum that will implement the Common Core standards, as a district-wide elected body with the right to call public hearings, set school graduation requirements, and establish the criteria for certifying teachers, it is far from powerless.”

Jones and Rohan It is the authority and the policy focus of the Board that attracts Jones

and Rohan, although they come to the election campaigns from different backgrounds. With a graduate degree from Harvard University in public administration, Jones is well versed in the complexity of public policy.

Jones sees the Reform Act as a set of relationships that links the policy, administration and the financing of the schools into a process dependent on the goodwill and collaboration of everyone involved. She is excited at the prospect of being part of an elected Board that “…can bring all the stakeholders into a process of exchanging ideas through open discussions and public hearings, which is an extension of my background in consensus building for affordable housing.”

Rohan, a native of Florida and a graduate of Florida’s university system, works in the field of government relations. She holds a strong personal commitment to volunteer activities and has extensive grassroots experience in the community. In her view the Board has extraordinary opportunities “to encourage policies that would directly benefit the District’s children.” Truancy, an area over which the Board sets policy, for instance, is also an opportunity. She would propose that “truancy be monitored beginning in middle school and that at the first signs of a problem support services be brought to bear so that the young student doesn’t grow into a high school drop-out.”

Board Roles According to Laura Slover, the Board’s vice president, “members of the Board play a critically important, but informal role as parent advocates.” It isn’t always easy for parents unfamiliar with the system to determine which office could best solve their problem and Board members are often called by parents who need help. As Slover notes, “the Board works with many parts of the system and over time grows to know people throughout the administration and can often be an informal connector between parents and school officials.”

Both Jones and Rohan emphasize that they look forward to working with parents and using their knowledge of the school system to advance the needs of children. Both support strengthening neighborhood schools,

agree with the new Middle School plan and support the Board’s adoption of the Common Core. Although the Board will have only a limited role in the development of standardized assessments over the next several years, both candidates see the Board as a place where public hearings could enhance discussion and understanding of the assessments. Moreover, one of the mandated responsibilities of the Board is to set the criteria for teachers, and both candidates emphasize that “the best possible teachers are at the heart of building a top notch system.”

Differences of Degree However, there also are differences between Jones and Rohan, although with regard to the specific responsibilities and obligations of the Board, they are differences of degree rather than opposites. Jones’ framing of her potential work on the Board stresses the Board’s unique quality as “ the only elected body with a focus on education” and how this allows it to mix informal moral persuasion with legal authority to work effectively with the administration and the City Council. Rohan, alternatively, appears more the champion of parents and efforts to keep the school system accountable. She supports parents’ right “to have the widest choice of educational opportunity” and sees herself as ready and willing to take up battles that insure a wide array of options for children and parents.

As everyone who lives in Ward 6 knows, the physical environment of the community is in flux. There are new apartments in the Southwest near the National’s stadium and behind Union Station in the Northeast near the former Children’s Museum.

There is also a large development of town houses in the new Southeast near the Navy Yard. New people are coming into the ward along with new buildings. Jones and Rohan are a part of an expanding family-oriented Ward 6 .

Marjorie Lightman is a Senior Fellow at the Women’s Research and Education Institute in Washington, and a partner in QED Associates LLc, a consulting firm that specializes in not-for-profit organizations. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 49

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Republican Hope

A W

Jim DeMartino Runs for Ward 6 City Council Seat

by Peter J. Waldron We are in the same situation as twenty years ago. Homelessness has increased. Juvenile crime has increased.

Maybe it’s time for another perspective.”

DeMartino’s perspective on urban transportation contrasts sharply with Wells’ central tenet of a livable, walkable neighborhood: “This trolley system (on H St) is a black hole of money. We are not too much further along after Republican candidate Jim DeMartino and Tommy Wells, Democratic spending $1.5 billion. I don’t incumbent for the Ward 6 City Council seat. Photo: Andew Lightman think it is a benefit that busses couldn’t provide at a much cheaper expense.

There is a DDOT study that ith the Hill and its outlying it costs $30-40 million per mile. And only neighborhoods undergoing con30% of its cost will be covered by riders.” tinuing gentrification, it seems Addressing “livable, walkable,” DeMarnot an unlikely possibility that one day Ward tino says: “It’s a nice mantra, but there is no 6’s politics, currently heavily Democratic, substance to it.

Th ere is nowhere in my neighmay find a new direction, one that is likely to reflect a younger and increasingly indepen- borhood where you can walk. I go to CVS for dent voter not particularly attached to party bread and milk. The amenities are not there labels. Whether that time has come or not in every neighborhood. Where I live there will be tested by the Republican candidacy of are only four new businesses, all restaurants.

Jim DeMartino, a four year Ward 6 resident Bicycles are great but seniors can’t use them who lives in the newest of our neighbor- nor the disabled.” The Riverfront does lack hoods near the Nationals ballpark. With the the promised amenities principally due to the Democratic primary race settled, DeMartino recession and slowdown in development.

According to DeMartino, crime is espewill see if he can convince the voters to supcially a concern for young women and seport his effort to unseat Tommy Wells, the niors: “Walking through the neighborhood Democratic nominee and current Councilis not something people want to do.” Rejectmember, in the Nov. 2 election. Wells won ing Wells contention that well lighted streets 75% of the Democratic vote in the Septemand outdoor cafes will lower crime, he adds, ber primary. ”Th e issue is getting from your home to the DeMartino, New York City born and well-lit areas.

Th ere has been an increase in raised and the grandson of immigrants who assaults, and car thefts.

We need jobs and built a flourishing family seafood business in other activities for youth and we need to inlower Manhattan, attended the Citadel (‘79) crease police presence.” before earning a law degree from Fordham (‘84). He served in the Marine Corp for 20 years, and his professional life has been in Education Reform the defense industry. DeMartino thinks his DeMartino is a strong proponent of city experiences and “street smarts” uniquely charter schools, criticizing the District as qualify him to deal with today’s urban issues. having the “worst school system in the counDeMartino has two grown sons. try” though he gives a nod to progress under Chancellor Rhee. Sharpening his contrast with Wells on vouchers he says: “VouchCriticism of Wells Asked about Wells’ incumbency, DeMar- ers are federal money being received for tino replied: “There is so much opportunity 1700 students. Wells sent a letter opposing that is not being maximized. The leadership this program.” Asked about Wells concerns is lacking. I do not see any accomplishment. about possible discrimination, DeMartino

W

responded: “I don’t think that is a viable argument He is making a choice for parents. They may not be going to Catholic schools. You are eliminating the possibility for a child to go to a better school.”

Jobs & Taxes DeMartino would work to bring “integrated manufacturing” campuses to Ward 6 made up of cutting-edge industries such as wind turbines and electric batteries. He points to underdeveloped areas like Buzzard Point in SW as ripe for economic development adding that many DC residents in adjacent neighborhoods could be trained for these new 21st century careers. DeMartine would hire ex felons. “We need to create jobs with that in mind,” he argues, citing tax credits as a way to “incentivize” employers. “That is why I am running.

That is the biggest contrast to anyone in the city.”

De Martino says tax cuts are off the table in this economic climate “until we get the budget under control. But what are we getting for our tax money? We have the worst schools in the country. Thirty per cent of the roads needs repair. To increase taxes is outrageous and unaffordable.” His solution: “to rectify the budget we need to eliminate waste and duplication of effort at the same time increasing our tax revenue base.”

Marriage Equality DeMartino believes in full benefits for non-traditional partnerships. However he struggles with the concept of marriage even as he supports civil unions: “ Marriage as a term is very controversial. It is a traditional term. There should be a term that both sides can come to agreement on.” Wells supports the Marriage Equality Act.

“Monica Warren-Jones is the best choice for Ward 6 for the DC State Board of Education.”

--Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Council Member

Left to Right: Lisa Raymond, Monica Warren-Jones and Ted Trabue

★ Monica Warren-Jones ★ FOR DC STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION • WARD 6

“Monica Warren-Jones is my choice for the DC State Board of Education for Ward 6. Monica is a highly talented, dedicated citizen and involved DCPS parent. She will fight for high quality schools for every child in Ward 6 and in our entire city; she understands the role of the State Board like no other candidate and is ready to leverage it for the good of all students. She will be an advocate for our students, our parents, and our entire community.

As the person who has served in this role for the past four years, I know what is required to do this work and I know that Monica is the best choice for Ward 6.”

--Lisa Raymond DC State Board of Education Member, Ward 6

“As President of the State Board of Education, it is my view that Monica has demonstrated a clear commitment to support and continue to work on education reform initiatives” --Ted Trabue President, DC State Board of Education

As the School Board member for Ward 6, I will ensure that the District has: ★ Strong neighborhood schools, including traditional public and public charter schools, that meet high standards from Pre-K through high school. ★ Effective school leaders and well trained, highly qualified teachers. ★ A special education system that meets the needs of DC students. ★ Quality programs that prepare students for success in college and the workplace.

www.monicawarrenjones.org Paid for by Monica Warren-Jones for Board of Education | Sandra Warren, Treasurer

For more information on Jim DeMartino go to http://www. jim4ward6.com. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 51

capitolstreets ANC reports

NEWS ANC 6A Meeting Report

by Heather Schoell

W

ith the clock ticking, commissioners voted unanimously after little or no discussion, item after item. Efficient?

Oh, yeah. Easy for the audience to understand what just happened? Not so much, but with only half an hour to vote, commissioners made it work.

Roll Call The September 9, 2010 was a “wham bam” affair. Commissioner Raphael Marshall (6A 01) came to the meeting for half hour, despite a scheduling conflict, for 6A to have a quorum to vote. Present were Vice Chair Mary Beatty (6A 05), Treasurer Nick Alberti (6A 04), Drew Ronneberg (6A 02), and David Holmes (6A 03). Commissioners Robinson, Schultheiss, and Mack were absent.

Single Member District Reports 6A01 – Marshall is not seeking re-election, but endorses Lawrence Russell, and reports that according to DDOT’s Damon Harvey, the Residential Parking signs in 6A01 will be changed in October.

6A02 – Ronneberg reports that a women’s health studio will go in above 10th Street Auto, and that the paperwork for zoned parking on the 600 block of 11th St. was submitted.

52 ★ HillRag | October 2010

6A03 – Holmes had success in getting the alley repaved at 8th/9th and C/Constitution.

6A04- Alberti reported that 1518 Constitution was declared “blighted”, and will be taxed accordingly.

6A05 – Beatty, along with Holmes, successfully had installed a stop sign at 12th and D Sts. 6A06, 07, and 08 were not represented at the meeting.

Zoning There was unanimous approval for supporting the nomination of the Atlas Theater for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, for approving plans for an in-law suite at 203 12th St., for support of a special exception for a third story addition and rooftop deck at 243 8th St NE, and to expand the H Street Overlay. “Just so you know, we’ve seen this,” Holmes explained to a bewildered audience, some of whom wondered aloud how the panel could vote on issues without discussion.

ANC 6A will support the proposed changes to the H Street Connection (901 H Street) PUD proposal, including installation of a buffer wall and bollard (a short post), and supports either option for vehicular ingress to the site. Ronneberg reported that DDOT and Commissioner Schultheiss agree that it should be located on the alley side instead of the street side.

As part of a concept of H Street not littered with chicken bones, ANC 6A unanimously approved an appeal of 7-Eleven’s Certificate of

Occupancy as a fast food establishment if 7-Eleven at 957 H St NE does not sign a Memorandum of Understanding that includes a ban on the sale of boned chicken wings (the boneless variety will hit stores soon). The 7-Eleven chain meets the definition for a “fast-food establishment,” which is only permitted by special exception for all properties within the H Street Overlay.

Garden Grant Commissioners voted to approve a $1,000 grant for the Sherwood Recreation Center Garden (10th and G Sts.). Sherwood volunteers applied for the grant through the ANC 6A Outreach Committee to pay for supplies as well as “woody perennials including rosebushes, hibiscus, and mahonia, dwarf conifers and grasses.”

Parking Pilot DDOT started a visitor parking permit pilot in parts of the city, allowing residents to give visitors a temporary parking permit for as-needed use, without having to get a new one from the police for each houseguest. ANC 6A is asking to be included in this pilot program.

Alcohol Issues The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) wants the authority to change signed Voluntary Agreements (VAs). Beatty, who chairs the 6A ABL Committee, “would feel more comfortable with restrictions” to the “right of the ABC Board to make changes unilaterally.” Alberti, who sits on the ABC Board, explained that the board can’t make changes to signed VAs within four years, and that the restrictions are written into the law.

Kahn’s BBQ (1125 H St.) needs their VA amended to accommodate uncorked bottles of wine. Currently, an uncorked bottle is an “open container,” which can’t be taken in and out of an establishment. Outside seating and wine service would require an amendment. Alberti pointed out, “The law has always been that you can bring in an uncorked bottle, and did not intend for H St. to prohibit that.” Ronneberg agreed. Beatty will move forward with this “without acceptation,” as there were not enough Commissioners present for a quorum at this time.

Comments and Presentations Captain Paul Martin of the DC

National Guard Run presented the plan for the 500+ participants in a unit run on Sept. 11.

Residents of Emerald St. (6A05) questioned why after so many years of asking for them, they still didn’t have speed bumps on their block.

Commissioners will follow up with Schultheiss.

A new Rosedale resident sought Commissioners’ wisdom in dealing with neighborhood teens sitting on her porch and rummaging through her mail. She was directed to Police Service Area (PSA) meetings. (PSA 103 meets the 2nd Wed. at Miner Elem. at 7 p.m.)

The North Lincoln Park Neighborhood Assoc. (NLPNA) will host the ANC 6A candidates for an informal meet ‘n’ greet. Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Lane Memorial Church, corner of 14th/C St., NE. Speaking of 6A candidates, be sure to check out the rundown on each of them in this issue!

Heather Schoell is a regular contributor to Capital Community News and can be reached at hschoell@verizon.net. ★

ANC 6B Meeting Report

by Roberta Weiner

C

ommission Ratifies Executive Committee Actions Facing deadlines that could not be met if action was delayed until the scheduled ANC meeting, its Executive Committee took actions regarding two issues before the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board, and on City Council generated legislation.

Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board Eastern Thrifty Market: On August 18, the ABC Board, ignoring strong opposition by the neighborhood, granted the Eastern Thrifty Market an exemption to the Ward 6 ban on the sale of single cans or small bottles. The ANC had only ten days

to request reconsideration of the decision, and so, at a meeting on Aug. 26, the Executive Committee decided to request that the ABC Board reconsider its decision. Mr. Jarboe pointed out that the ABC Board had ignored the will of the community and the ANC, and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the Executive Committee’s action.

Park Café: The ANC was informed that the ABC Board would hold a hearing on September 15 on a protest filed by neighbors against granting the renewal of a license for the Park Café for a sidewalk café. The license had been previously granted to the establishment without a hearing or notice to the ANC. The neighbors requested the support of the ANC in their protest of its reinstatement because the neighbors were not given the opportunity to weigh in on the matter.

It was pointed out that the ANC had missed the deadline to file its own protest against the sidewalk café, but comments by the Commission will be taken into consideration. The Commission voted unanimously to support the Executive Committee decision.

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Eastern Market Metro Plaza Project Kristin Oldenberg read a letter to the chairs of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Task Force that she and Commissioner Ken Jarboe sent, disputing the report they had heard that one of the three options presented on the project has been accepted as the “Preferred Option” of the Task Force.

ANC 6B not only has not taken a position, but its representatives were not present when a straw vote was taken at the time the Task Force’s report was issued in March. They said that, for example “there is no traffic analysis of the three alternatives at the level that would be required to determine a ‘Preferred Option.’

We strongly believe that the final development of the Preferred Option should occur during the details of any Environmental Assessment process of the three proposed alternatives and the no-build alternative,” and that ANC 6B would have to evaluate the options at that time.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 53

capitolstreets news Verizon Wireless Plans Generator on 8th Street Verizon Wireless, represented by Stephanie Pettaway, presented a request for support for a public space permit to place a backup generator and wireless equipment at the end of an alley behind 801 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, the first step in a process to ultimately install an antenna on top of the building itself, for which Verizon Wireless is currently negotiating with the building’s owners. The generator will be erected over an existing fuel tank, and should not affect the two existing parking spaces at the end of the alley. However, representatives of the fire station on 8th Street said that at the time of shift changes they require 22 spaces, and the loss of two spaces is significant. The Planning and Zoning Committee had recommended supporting approval of the public space permit, which the full ANC did, with the proviso, however, that Verizon work out a satisfactory arrangement with the fire station to make sure there were adequate parking spaces.

Proposed Artist’s Studio Considered Too Massive A proposal to construct a second story above two adjoining garages in the alley behind 313-311 9th Street, SE was presented by Kitty Kaupp, the property’s owner and Amy Weinstein, prior to seeking Zoning Commission review. While the building design is simple, the scale of the building is large—in response to neighbors’ objections, its height has been lowered from 23’ to 20’—and neighbors in the surrounding area came to the meeting to speak against the size and massing of the building in a broad alley with one-story garages that is currently uniform from one end to the other. Katherine Plume, who lives at 309, was particularly concerned that the structure would cut off the light to her property. The Planning and Zoning Committee noted that the building’s footprint would do “considerable violence to the largely unobstructed view above the current roof line…that residents have come to expect across this alley.”

The full Commission largely agreed, 54 ★ HillRag | October 2010

but Chair Dave Garrison noted that despite his being impressed with the changes made to meet neighbors’ objections, there was still a great deal of opposition. Commissioner Jarboe said there were still numerous zoning issues and the masses would have to be further broken up. The Commission voted 8-1-1 to support the Committee’s recommendation to oppose the proposal.

Other Actions In a series of votes on recommendations by the Planning and Zoning Committee, the ANC • Voted unanimously to approve a request by CSX to do archaeological core samplings in Garfield Park. These are a requirement related to the railroad’s construction of its new tunnel on Virginia Avenue SE. In the course of its presentation the CSX representative announced that the first of three community meetings on the tunnel would be held on October 20th.

• Approved the enclosure of an existing two-story open structure on the rear of a three-story residence at 907 East Capitol St. SE. There are no zoning issues involved, and the applicant submitted supporting letters from his neighbors, who suggested that the applicant grow vines up the side of the structure. Commissioner Jarboe, a neighbor of the Applicant, abstained from the vote.

• Voted 9-0-1 to support a Historic Preservation review request for the addition of new rear dormers to convert the attic of a fourstory apartment building at 616 S. Carolina Ave. SE into dormers so that a partial third floor can be added to the building. The rear of The Maples (formerly Friendship House) faces the building, and it was suggested that the owners contact the new owners of The Maples.

• Approved a Historic Preservation review request by Xavier Cervera, owner of several Barracks Row restaurants, for a one-story addition to the rear of 520 8th Street SE, where he plans to open an-

•

other establishment. He said he does not plan to use the roof of the addition for seating.

Voted unanimously to support a Historic Preservation review request for a two story addition to the rear of 328 4th St, SE. The addition will include, along with enclosed space, a screened-in porch on the ground floor and an open deck on the second.

The next meeting of ANC 6B will be on Tuesday, October 12, at 7 p.m. at The People’s Church, 535 8th St. SE. ★

ANC 6C Meeting Report

by Paul D. Shinkman

Primal Fear The ongoing saga of a local gym housed in a former firehouse finally made some headway, as the commission voted to support – by a very narrow margin – a certificate of occupancy for Primal Fitness at 219 M Street NW. The decision, which followed months of deliberation between the gym and area residents, angered many who attended the September meeting to voice their continued grievances about the gym and its members.

The commission’s approval came with the caveat that the D.C. Office of Zoning should consider these neighbors’ concerns about noise and vibrations caused by gym members moving and dropping weights, which some claim affects the structural integrity of neighboring buildings.

“Last Wednesday when they had their full session over there; ‘Boom, boom, boom,’ you feel the full vibrations in my building,” said Brenda Keys, owner of B & M Food Store, housed in an unattached building immediately next to the gym. Through commission negotiations in previous months, gym owner Ray Valentine agreed to put down mats in the gym to dull the impact of the weights, but

Keys does not think this has been enough.

“Who’s to say in the long run this is going to work? We’ve had four buildings cave in in this one area,” Keys said. “I don’t want my building to cave in.”

“If they’re not equipped to handle the situation, then they shouldn’t be operating,” said Gene Cope, who has lived on the adjacent New Jersey Avenue for 25 years. “It’s very destructive to our community and I’d like it stopped.”

The two residents also described how Primal Fitness does not have treadmills like most area gyms, relegating members to running around the neighborhood wearing what they describe as skimpy clothing.

“This is not acceptable in a residential neighborhood,” Keys said.

“We have schools there, we have day care centers, we have churches.”

The commission, however, decided after much discussion not to include the runners in their conditions for approving the gym’s occupancy.

“We can’t specify that they can’t run outside,” said Commissioner Anne Phelps.

Commissioner Keith Silver inquired how the gym has been able to operate for years without having a certificate of occupancy or a zoning variation for the former firehouse.

Chair Rob Amos of the Planning, Zoning and Environment Committee, the overseeing body for this issue, explained that due to the ongoing legal case between the gym, the zoning office and the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory affairs, the DC Court has forbidden the gym to be shut down.

“The bottom line is with all this going on, they’re still operating and making money,” said Silver.

“If we get the license, that does not give us license to do whatever in the community,” said owner Valentine.

“We still have to be decent neighbors.”

“The only way we can do that is to communicate back and forth with all this,” he said. Valentine added that his daily operations manager has not heard any of these recent concerns from local residents.

After an initial failed motion to oppose, the commission voted to back

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granting the occupancy certificate with commissioners Tony Richardson, Charles Docter, Tom Hamilton, Mark Dixon and Phelps supporting, and commissioners Karen Wirt, Lena Brown and Silver opposing.

The zoning board will hold a hearing on Sept. 28 to make a final decision on the gym’s occupancy certificate and the zoning adjustment that goes with it.

Who Needs ‘Make a Wish’?

The commission was in the business of making dreams come true last month, twice exceeding grant requests to meet the full budget for local organizations.

DC resident Ikisha Little, founder of local non-profit Girls in Action, requested $1,000 from the commission to purchase supplies.

Her organization and its volunteers focus on helping to “educate, empower and encourage” area girls 8-18 at the Sursum Corda Youth Center, 1175 1st Terrace, NW. Commissioner Phelps requested the commission raise the grant to $3,000 to pay for all of the organization’s needed supplies. The motion passed unanimously.

“I think it’s remarkable that a young lady born in this community is staying and giving back,” said Commissioner Silver. “I think that’s commendable... . that speaks to the fact that not all is lost in Sursum Corda.”

Later, Commissioner Karen Wirt recommended raising the amount of a grant request from Charles Garris, president and founder of the Innovative School of Performing Arts.

Garris was seeking $1,500 to develop a video, promoting exercise, dance and nutrition choices for the students at Walker Jones Education Campus.

“You’re giving participants exposure to music, dance and nutrition. I think that’s tremendous,” said Silver.

The commission unanimously approved a $2,500 grant.

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ANC 6-C meets on second Wednesdays, 7:00 p,m,. Call 202-547-7168 for meeting location. anc6c.org. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 55

ANC 6D Meeting Report

By Roberta Weiner

Construction Picks Up in the Yards

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Hot on the heels of the opening of the well-received waterfront Yards Park, Forest City came to the ANC to present the concept plans for the next phase in the development of the Yards, the former Southeast Federal Center, at M and 4th Street SE. The project, with groundbreaking scheduled for early 2012 and completion planned for completion by 2013, will be a mixed use structure containing residential and neighborhood-serving retail, including a 55,000 square foot supermarket.

‘The development has been modified since the Yards was originally planned, and the new building has a slightly more modest scale than the original.

Alex Nyhan, representing Forest City, described a development that will feature 225 rental units, and, beyond the supermarket, an additional 55,000 square feet of retail. 20% of the apartments will be affordable housing, at 50% of AMI. While the building will be 110’ tall, including three utility penthouses, the density of the project is well below the maximum permitted in the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay. In addition, Forest City is planning to achieve a Silver LEED Certified rating for the building. There will be underground parking for retail, as well as expanded bicycle racks. The residential parking will be above ground on the second floor of the building.

Unlike other emerging parts of the Yards—a loft apartment building and a retail “mall”—the proposed building will not itself have historic elements, but will be in keeping with the historic environment in which it is being built. Mr. Nyhan said that they are moving forward with the necessary design reviews the project must undergo before it is approved.

An application to the Zoning Commission for a design review will be filed by the end of September.

Another Sl owdown In an all-too-familiar action, ANC 6D was asked by the developers of 250 M Street SE, the office building that is part of the Hope VI Capper/Carrollsburg project, now called 250 at Canal Park, came to the Commission to request support for a petition to the Zoning 56 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Commission for a two-year delay in starting construction on the building because William Smith, the developers, have been unable to raise the funding to begin. Part of the problem, according to Kyrus Freeman, of Holland and Knight, representing the developer, is that funders ask that at least 70% of the building be leased prior to the start of construction.

The ANC voted unanimously to support the request.

Name that Metro Station Do the Waterfront-SEU and Navy Yard Metro stops need more information? Michael Stevens, Executive Director of the Capitol Riverfront BID and Desiree Urquhart, Director of Community Outreach for Arena Stage think so. They each asked the ANC to support expanding the names of the two stops to reflect the changing neighborhood. They said that next year WMATA will be changing the routes of the Yellow and Blue Lines and will need to re-do its Metro maps enabling the new names to be incorporated without incurring any extra expense for Metro.

Ms. Urquhart said that as a pre-emininent regional theatre and with its new building, the name of Arena Stage should be included in the name of the Waterfront-SEU station. She said she has spoken with the developers of the waterfront project and with representatives of the Graduate University, which now owns Southeastern University, and she reported that they each support Arena’s request, and will have their own suggestions for the name.

Some of the Commissioners were concerned that Waterfront remain the primary name of the station and voted to urge WMATA and DDOT to keep Waterfront first on the list.

The Commission voted unanimously to support the designation, Commissioner David Sobelsohn urged the Commission to ask WMATA and DDOT to remove the name of SEU from the name because the new leadership at the Graduate University have not been forthcoming with their plans for the school, and it would be a way to inspire them to communicate with the Commission. Chairman Ron McBee said that he found that punitive, and it would be more appropriate to invite them to discuss their plans at a meeting. Commissioner Sobelsohn made a motion to that effect, but it failed 2-3, with Commissioners Rhonda Hamilton, Jane Jorgensen and McBee voting against it, and Roger Moffatt joining Mr. Sobelsohn in voting in favor.

Mr. Stevens said that the businesses in his area had unanimously voted to adopt the name Capitol Riverfront as the name of the area. He

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A Kelvin Robinson, Chair, 744-0379 said that Capitol Riverfront and the ballpark are now as important as the Navy Yard in identifying the area and is requesting that Capitol Riverfront and Nationals Park be added to the name of the Metro stop. He said that the number of letters in the name falls within Metro guidelines. He mentioned that the Nationals would be happy if the “curly W” logo could be used, but that’s probably not possible. The ANC voted unanimously to support the request and will send letters to WMATA and DDOT informing them of that,

Art at the Underpass The transition from Capitol Hill to Capitol Riverfront on New Jersey Avenue is made explicit by the underpass at the Southwest Freeway. The Capitol Riverfront BID announced to the ANC that it has applied for a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts for a Public Art project that will make that transition a happier experience—a twopart sculptural work that will cover the “roof ” of the underpass with a wave-like construction in shades of blue and turquoise representing the waterfront, and the painting of the existing concrete pylons that hold up the freeway in similar colors, Members of the Commission reacted enthusiastically to the initiative and voted unanimously to write a letter supporting the grant submission.

Other Actions The Commission supported applications to the Emergency Management Office for a number of races: On October 2, the annual Whitman-Walker AIDS Walk, and the National Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Association, which will take place mostly within Nationals Park, as will the American Diabetes Association event on October 23 and the American Heart Association Start! Walk on November 6.

The ANC was somewhat harder on the Best Buddies Special Olympics Challenge, a twenty mile bike ride, scheduled for Saturday, October 23, which will travel across I Street SW, where several residential buildings are located, and past Arena Stage which will be having its grand

opening all day the same day. The ANC voted 3-2 to support the race, with Commissioners Moffatt and Sobelsohn in opposition, with the proviso that the organizers coordinate with Arena Stage, and provide placards announcing the race so that residents in its path will have some advance notice of the disruption.

The Alcoholic Beverage and Licensing Committee made several recommendations to the ANC: • The ANC voted to approve Arena Stage’s request to bring its license out of safekeeping, and ANC and Arena at the meeting.

• The license renewal for The Bullpen was unopposed by the ANC and an amended VA, including provisions on security cameras and screening procedures was approved and signed by the ANC. • Despite a series of violations, which resulted in fines and closure for several days, Ziegfeld’s/ Secrets has had no violations since January and its security and screening have improved.

The Commission accepted the Committee’s recommendation to take no action and allow the license to be renewed without any action by the ANC. • Committee chair Coralie Farlee catalogued the list of violations that Zanzibar has committed—16 incidents since August 2008—and said that the Committee recommended that the ANC oppose the club’s license renewal because of the number of incidents, and the lack of clarification of future ownership, as the club’s owner has revealed that Zanzibar is in negotiations to see the business and its license. The recommendation was unanimously accepted.

Serving the Kingman Park, Linden, Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and Stanton Park communities

# # #

ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, 7 pm, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.

www.anc6a.org ANC 6A, 2nd Thursday October 14 Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee 3rd Tuesday, October 19, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Mary Beatty, 546-4196 Transportation & Public Space Committee 3rd Monday, October 18, 7pm • Community Room of the Capitol Hill Towers 900 G St. NE • Chair, Omar Mahmud, 546-1520 Economic Development & Zoning Committee 3rd Wednesday, October 20, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Drew Ronneberg, 431-4305 Community Outreach Committee 3rd Monday, October 18 • Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Annex 1235 C Street, NE • Chair, Elizabeth Nelson, 543-3512

Please check the Community Calendar on the website for cancellations and changes of venue.

Attend a meeting! Volunteer for a committee! It’s your ANC!

The next meeting of ANC 6D will be held on Monday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 6th Street and Maine Ave. SW. The meeting is being held one week late because of the Columbus Day holiday. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 57

capitolstreets news

ANC 6A Candidates Important Issues Spark Interest In This Important Level of Government

by Heather Schoell ment, transportation, public safety, ning on H and Benning in 2012. Do Onto the Races...

“ANC Commissioners play an alcohol beverage licensing are as im- what we can to facilitate the smooth 6A01 important role in our community,” portant today as they were then,” he re-opening of Eastern High School, Adam Healy, who is running for said Nick Alberti, who has lived said. “The ban on single sales of al- and assist and push PSAs 102 & 103 6A01, sees crime as the biggest isin his 6A04 home since the 1980s. cohol in ANC 6A has done much to to continue to keep crime down,” sue. “Although good progress has “Commissioners are responsible for relieve the negative effects of some he said. been made,” he said, “we still have Alberti attributes much of ANC too many muggings, break-ins, stoidentifying solutions to issues that licensees. There are new pressures on the historic charm of H Street 6A’s success to providing access to len cars, and shootings.” Healy says impact our quality of life.”

He didn’t add that they do this and increased demand for density information on www.anc6a.org, as he brings “a commitment to be an for free. Sure, cab fare to hearings is throughout the ANC. Possibly the well as to the committee structure accessible and responsive Commisreimbursed, but the time sioner who will work hard they take off from work to resolve problems and to attend hearings is perto find solutions so they sonal leave time. There don’t keep occurring.” is no stipend, and when Additionally, “As a former Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A is about to get a major injection of new blood. Of there is a hot issue on the Hill staffer, I have experithe eight Single Member Districts (SMDs) in 6A, only half seek re-election. Half of the SMDs (1, 5, 7, table, such as working ence navigating governand 8) are contested. The only challenged incumbent is in 6A07. with city officials to draft ment agencies at all levels 6A01 Raphael Marshall not seeking re-election the H Street Overlay, or to find solutions on behalf Lawrence “Russ” Russell candidate pfcrusselll@hotmail.com crafting language used to of those having problems. clearly define what conAdam Healy candidate healy.adam@gmail.com That’s a key role for a comstitutes a fast food estabmissioner, so I can hit the Angelia Rice candidate angeliarice@gmail.com lishment, the job of an ground running,” he said.

6A02 Drew Ronneberg uncontested incumbent ronneberg6a02@gmail.com ANC commissioner can Healy wants this position 6A03 David Holmes uncontested incumbent holmes6A3@gmail.com be full-time. “to help residents solve 6A04 Nick Alberti uncontested incumbent alberti6a04@yahoo.com The role of Commisneighborhood problems 6A05 Mary Beatty not seeking re-election sioner is to act as a liaison and make our community between the DC govSharee Lawler candidate an even better place to ernment and the people. live, work, and play.”

William “Will” R. Mohring candidate william.mohring@gmail.com ANC Commissioners are Russ Russell, also run6A06 Bill Schultheiss not seeking re-election the lowest level of elected ning for 6A01, disagrees.

Andrew J. Hysell uncontested candidate ahysell@hotmail.com officers in the District, “If you go to any ANC 6A07 Gladys Ann Mack incumbent and closest to the comor PSA meeting you will Necothia “Nikki” Bowens candidate goldndb@hotmail.com munity they serve. immediately discover that Each ANC is broken 6A08 Kelvin Robinson not seeking re-election the largest problem in our into SMDs, one through area is parking,” he said.

Erica Anderson candidate geraldinemt2@gmail.com eight in 6A. This allows “The issue is also very Lia Veenendaal-Selck candidate lia.veenendaal@gmail.com for a point person for each complex because you have area, but it also allows difto balance the H Street ferent SMDs to work on business parking with the parking greatest change – and it’s a great that “relies on citizen-members to that residents need to have...Resiissues that affect the area most. thing - is the emerging confidence support the work of the ANC. “For- dents must have dedicated parking... in our public schools.” tunately we have been able to attract without hurting the H St. businesses ANC 6A Issues and Successes David Holmes has taken an ac- capable and dedicated volunteers that have helped improve our area.”

According to Alberti, “Generally tive role in the community for years. to perform this essential service. speaking, the issues we face today “I’d say the principal tasks for ANC This has allowed for more in-depth Russell, former Army, current pubare much the same as those we faced 6A in the new year will be seeing the research, greater community par- lic servant has worked in “close colin 2003 when I first became a Com- H Street streetscape to its conclu- ticipation, and more efficient ANC laboration with counterparts from multiple federal agencies, academia, missioner. Zoning, business develop- sion. Work to get the streetcars run- meetings,” he said. and otherwise and have received

Commissioner 101

ANC6A Candidate List

58 ★ HillRag | October 2010

multiple awards for my dedication,” he said. “I pride myself on customer service and have worked very hard to support our current ANC Commissioner for several years.”

6A02-6A03-6A04 (Uncontested Incumbents) Drew Ronneberg said, “I have served as Commissioner for the past 8 months and there are still quite a few issues left that I would like to see addressed. I am very involved in H Street issues and would like to continue the ANC’s positive role in its revitalization.” Ronneberg filled Joe Fengler’s seat last year, but before that, “I have been involved in the ANC for the past 7 years and have served as Chair of the Economic Development and Zoning Committee for the past 3 years. I understand the issues that face our community and work hard to make ANC 6A02 a desirable place to live.”

David Holmes, who represents 6A03, sees traffic calming and crime as his SMD’s main issues. In his work as commissioner, he has “repaved most streets, many sidewalks, two alleys, and obtained police intervention in several continuing neighborhood problems. Experience and knowledge” are what he brings to 6A, and is running again because there is “much left to do.”

Nick Alberti, who has served 6A04 for six years, says that the issues facing his SMD include “transportation and public safety – including traffic calming measures, enhancing pedestrian safety and creating a bikefriendly community and addressing the pressures on the architectural fabric our neighborhood as it grows and becomes more densely populated.”

years,” said Sharee Lawler, “from volunteering on the ANC 6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee and writing for thehillishome.com to serving on the boards of CHAMPS and the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

I bring experience and local knowledge that will be valuable as a commissioner.” Her big issue: commuter traffic. She’s been writing about the C Street Project and “staying abreast of resident-led traffic calming initiatives” Opposing candidate Will Mohring doesn’t disagree. “ANC6A05 needs work. Our sidewalks are dilapidated, our streets are dark at night, C Street is a speedway and unsafe for pedestrians crossing it, and we need a greater sense of community,” he said. “Public service is a calling, and I believe there is no more noble profession than politics.

It would be an honor to serve my neighbors as their elected representative. My familiarity with DC government, organizing principles, and past success in advocacy make this position a natural fit for my talents.”

6A06 “I’m a new resident to Capitol Hill Northeast, having purchased a house on Emerald Street in January,” said Andrew Hysell, the only candidate for 6A06. “I’m a big fan of the area. The people are wonderful – both longtime residents and newcomers alike. The growth in new businesses and city infrastructure is exciting. With so much at stake, I feel a common cause to work with my neighbors to make sure our interests are represented and we get our fair shake from the Mayor and City Council.”

6A07 (Challenged Incumbent) 6A05 “I have been a strongly-rooted member of the community for nine

Nikki Bowens wants this position because, she said, “I am a product of my community, and for many

years Rosedale yearned for a harvest.

I am that harvest. I am more than ready and willing to serve Rosedale, while working with Community and City Officials to further the growth and development of Rosedale and DC.” Bowens faces Mack in the election. “The platform I stand on is one full of passion, energy, innovation and transparency,” Bowens said.

“I believe if you feel better about where you live, you will live better.”

Her top issues? The social and economic environment, as well as community relations, communication, and programming.

6A08 Erica Anderson wants to be commissioner for 6A08 because “I think one way to make your neighborhood great is to volunteer and help make your neighborhood a great place for adults, children and visitors,” she said. “I want my neighborhood to be a neighborhood I can be proud of and a place where people want to live, visit, and feel safe.” The biggest challenge? She sums it up in one word: safety. Anderson, who has lived in the Lincoln Park area for 12 years, said, “I have volunteered for various groups and now that I am a homeowner I am ready to help give back to my community. I bring to the table enthusiasm and a true love of where I live.”

Lia Veenendaal-Selck’s “primary concern will be to make sure all of my fellow neighborhood residents have a voice in how our community develops,” she said. “Additionally, I’d advocate for reduced commuter traffic, street beautification, and increased access to public transportation, neighborhood parks and recreational and community education programs.” Veenendaal-Selck works as a senior managing director at Teach for America, which she says

gives a lot of experience working towards tangible results. “I love the people in my neighborhood and I’m passionate about serving the community in which I live. If the residents of 6A08 want a commissioner who is willing to work hard on behalf of our neighborhood, I’d be honored to represent you.”

That there are two candidates for this position, which for years went unfilled, is evidence that 6A08 must be headed in the right direction.

New Year, New Commission “I’ll miss Bill, in particular,” said Holmes. “It’s been great having a professional traffic engineer to provide help and expertise – a lot of a commissioner’s job is traffic safety, streets, alleys and sidewalks. The qualifications of the new people look good. All look like they know what they’re getting themselves into. We should be really strong next year.”

“I am excited about the new term. It will be new challenge,” said Alberti. “The challenges of dealing with new issues and new ideas makes the job of ANC Commissioner exciting. As long as new Commissioners are rational and fair in how they approach the issues, I will be enjoy working with them. I look forward to making new friends.”

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I emailed each candidate with the opportunity to answer a few questions – the same for each candidate, with a few additional “historic knowledge” questions for Alberti and Holmes. I attempted to contact Mack four times through email and phone messages, which she did not return. Angelia Rice’s number was incorrectly listed at the DC Board of Ethics and Elections, and despite web and social media searches, I could not find a way to contact her when she did not respond to emails. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 59

capitolstreets news

Competition Comes to ANC6B Full Slate of Candidates Requires Citizen Homework

By Virginia Avniel Spatz

T

here are more active races for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner across ANC 6B in this year’s General Election than at any time in recent years. The total number of candidates for 10 seats in ANC 6B ranged from 9 to 14 in election years 2002-2008. In 1998 and 2000, prior to the most recent redistricting, there were 11 and 15 candidates, respectively, for 13 seats. This year, in contrast, 22 candidates for ANC 6B returned completed petitions to the Board of Elections and Ethics.

In three of the last four elections,

at least one of ten viable Single Member Districts (SMDs) had no candidate at all. This is in addition to 6B11, encompassing DC Jail and the Congressional Cemetery, which remains empty every term. Most candidates ran unopposed. Similarly sparse or empty ballots appeared before the last redistricting. This year, eight of ten SMDs have two or three contenders and no SMD is without a candidate.

Stakes are Higher “There are a lot of major changes being proposed for this part of the Hill, and the number of candidates

probably reflects a growing desire to be part of what ultimately happens here,” says Barbara Riehle, an active 6B resident who participated in the Sept. 21 meeting’s Community Speakout.

“Stakes are higher,” says one candidate in a contested race, citing in particular redevelopment of the former Hine Junior High School and the proposed re-routing of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. “We need to have more active engagement and representation.”

“There are strong views about the Hine project,” David Garrison, chair

of the commission until Jan. 2011 and running unopposed in November, agrees. For ANC 6B, “Eastern Market and its plaza, its redevelopment after the fire, and conversations about Hine Junior High School are probably the most important in the area by far.”

In addition, Hill East (DC General Hospital and environs) will be a “huge development area when it finally gets underway.” Moreover, ANC 6B is asked to weigh in on abutting developments such as Near Southeast/Navy Yard, the 11th Street Bridge and trolley cars along

ANC 6B Candidate List ANC/SMD 6B01 6B02 6B02 6B02 6B03 6B03 6B04 6B04 6B04 6B05 6B05 6B06 6B07 6B07 6B07 6B08 6B08 6B08 6B09 6B09 6B09 6B10 6B10 6B10

Name Dave Garrison Vernon Mallu Mary Wright Ivan Frishberg Norman Metzger Jason E. Townsend Tim Casey Larry Janezich Kirsten Oldenburg Kenan Jarboe Brian Pate Jared Critchfield Carol J Green Deanna R. Laufer Jon Marker Neil Glick Michael McCamman Laura McSorley Brian Flahaven Michael O. Patterson Ian Stumpf Francis M. Campbell Larry Frankel Richard Counts

60 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Address 8 - 4th Street, SE 624 C Street, SE 649 C Street, SE #401 620 D Street, SE 638 G Street, SE 327 4th Street, SE 1014 7th Street, SE 1012 S. Carolina Ave., SE 423 12th Street, SE 911 E. Capitol Street, SE 111 13th Street, SE 1505 K Street, SE 1343 Ives Place, SE 1377 K Street, SE #2 1391 Penn. Ave.,SE #208 1515 Mass. Ave., SE 104 13th Street, SE #2A 1520 A Street, SE #2 1628 Potomac Ave., SE 1512 Penn. Ave., SE 301 17th Street, SE 1805 Burke Street, SE 1822 A Street, SE 1806 Bay Street, SE

Zip 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003 20003

Phone 543-3591 215-5014 544-4075 543-9725 527-9460 415-7400 494-9298 544-7756 546-8542 547-7064 546-1792 525-9350 546-2051 703-298-3775 558-9251 547-1551 258-5009 556-0536 290-3409 409-6555 961-2323 543-2528 271-8294 709-3297

Pick Up Date 8/5/2010 8/9/2010 8/6/2010 8/13/2010 8/5/2010 9/1/2010 8/4/2010 8/10/2010 8/6/2010 8/4/2010 8/19/2010 8/4/2010 8/17/2010 8/18/2010 8/26/2010 8/4/2010 8/5/2010 8/26/2010 8/4/2010 8/9/2010 8/9/2010 8/4/2010 8/11/2010 9/2/2010

Date Filed 8/17/2010 8/27/2010 8/16/2010 9/2/2010 8/17/2010 9/3/2010 9/3/2010 8/19/2010 9/2/2010 8/9/2010 9/3/2010 9/2/2010 8/31/2010 – 9/2/2010 8/30/2010 8/24/2010 9/2/2010 8/31/2010 8/30/2010 – 8/23/2010 9/3/2010 9/3/2010

Email Address davegarrison@mac.com vernma@gmail.com marysea@verizon.net Ivanfrishberg@gmail.com normanmetzger@verizon.net (n/a) tc7430@hotmail.com ljjanezich@hotmail.com (n/a) (n/a) patebc@gmail.com critchfieldaj@gmail.com carolgreen27851@msn.com deanna.laufer@gmail.com jamarker@gmail.com pickglick@hotmail.com (n/a) laura.dallas.mcsorley@gmail.com bflahave@gmail.com (n/a) ian.stumpf@gmail.com fmcampbell6b10@yahoo.com taxibylarry@aol.com richcounts@gmail.com

Additions & Basement Experts H Street in ANC 6A. Finally, Garrison notes some controversy about the proposed historic district for the Barney Circle area.

The Historic Preservation Office process has taken three or four years responding to a citizen proposal; meanwhile, “new people have moved in and expressed opposition.”

“Because of the geography, we represent a wide variety of substantial development processes,” Garrison concludes, and any of these issues could be spawning interest in specific ANC seats.

Riehle suggests that the plethora of candidates may also reflect “a desire to see ANC6B take on other issues important to families such as the resurgence of neighborhood schools, transportation and parking, public safety rather than focusing only on home renovations and liquor licenses for local eateries.”

“Sunshine” Issues A substantial portion of the ANC 6B meeting each month involves discussing liquor-licensing matters and issues relating to individual home or business renovations.

In addition, many of the same matters must be considered again from the perspective of Historic Preservation Applications.

Separate committee meetings examine the details of Planning and Zoning matters and ABC board issues. These committee meetings are open to the public and take place on a regular schedule. In addition matters to be discussed are posted as part of the “next meeting” information on the ANC’s website. But minutes of the committee meetings are not posted until after the full commission meeting. When the full commission meets, it regularly provides copies of the reports under discussion only to commissioners and, on request, to journalists. As a result, full ANC 6B meetings can be cryptic for anyone previously unfamiliar with details under discussion.

In addition, an executive committee meets, in closed session, to set the agenda for the full commission each month. This process was in place when he joined the commission, Garrison noted, and has been approved by the District’s attorney general.

Riehle is among a group of citizens, including some candidates for ANC, who would like to see more “sunshine” in the ANC’s work, however. Riehle brought a proposal to the Sept. 21 meeting asking for an end to closed executive committee meetings and easier public access to committee meeting transcripts. Her proposal

also asked for a clearer reporting process for commissioners who serve on other civic bodies, such as the Eastern Market Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the Marine’s Community Integrated Master Plan and the Town Square Task Force. Even if individual commissioners are not serving as representatives of the ANC to these bodies, they should report on these activities, she argued.

“The ANC needs to be voice of the people,” says Jared Critchfield, who is running unopposed in his SMD. “I see frustration on the [Hill East] listserv that people don’t know what is happening....There are ways to get information to people, and the ANC has not tapped into those.”

Doing Homework “I am often struck by how much people don’t know about the ANC and how much work we do,” Garrison explains. “This particular commission is a working commission. We have a lot of work, take on assignments. We need people who are prepared and willing to commit to the work.”

“There is no structured way for candidates and incumbents to come together to talk about issues facing the commission and discuss views in a public forum,” Garrison adds. “Some other cities have a citizens’ league which publishes information about candidates side-by-side. But the process, in the ANC case, breaks down because of sheer logistics....So, citizens will have to do homework by contacting each candidate individually.”

“My advice? A) It’s not that difficult, and B) The candidates will answer.” Simply email, or call, the candidates in your SMD and “ask them to tell you a little about themselves and their views. Be sure to ask about their background and the extent to which they’ve worked on various issues, the skill- set they bring to the work.”

It’s cumbersome, perhaps, Garrison acknowledges. But, “this is a unique form of government -- no other city in the country has anything like it – and it presents its own challenges.”

ANC 6B meets the second Tuesday of the month, at The People’s Church, 535 8th Street, SE, beginning at 7 p.m. Notice of upcoming meeting agenda, calendar of committee meetings and minutes of prior meetings are available at www.ANC6B.org. ★

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Ducks Return to Southwest Park Neighbors’ Hard Work Restores A Public Park

By Roberta Weiner

A

sunny late summer Saturday morning, sitting beside the pond, watching the ducks dive for fish, contemplating the plumes of water shooting into the air, watching some neighbors drink their coffee and read the newspaper. An idyllic morning in the country? In reality, it’s Southwest DC and we’re sitting in a newly refreshed and cared for Town Center West Park.

Completed in 1972, Town Center West Park is one of three parks connected by “lanes,” behind Waterside Mall. The land, south of I Street and stretching from Delaware Avenue on the east to 6th Street on the west, was owned by the National Park Service. Several years ago, the parks were part of a land transfer to the District from the federal government and they were taken over by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). With the re-opening of 4th Street, the center park is gone, and there is community sentiment building to turn the easternmost park into a playground, community garden and dog park.

This past spring, Bob Craycraft, a trade association executive who is a neighbor of the park, responded to an e-mail from ANC Commissioner Jane Jorgenson who was looking for help cleaning up the park after a long-needed new pump was installed to restart the plumes of water that are a feature of the pond. Deciding it was a project worth doing, Craycraft jumped in and four months later, the Friends of Town Center West Park is flourishing, with a newsletter, a Facebook page and a mailing list that has grown from five to 40. Starting out in May with a group that consisted of, coincidentally, one person from each of the five housing developments surrounding the park, 19 enthusiasts showed up for the group’s September 11 clean-up. The Friends is now in the final stages of negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding with DPR to become an official Park Partner, which will give the

Friends official sanction to apply for grants and seek contributions for new projects. According to DPR it will be the only citizen-based organization in the Partners program, rather than a corporation or BID. “The biggest success of the project,” Craycraft says, “is the response of our neighbors.” He also spoke highly of the cooperation and hard work that DPR has done Discussing restoration proposals for the Park are (left to right) ANC6D01 to make the project work.

Commissioner Jane Jorgensen, DPR’s Partnerships Manager Kathy Zarate What have the Friends ac- and Project Manager Derek Schultz, and Neighbors of Town Center West complished? They started by Park Coordinator Bob Craycraft. cleaning the drains surrounding the pond after which DPR provided assistance with snaking them up. The litter has been cleared away, and members of the Friends check daily to make sure it stays clean. The sightlines on the perimeter have been restored with the cutting back of shrubbery and low tree branches, which has improved the security of the park and decreased the drug activity. Within the next few months, a hard dirt “floor” at a small playground in the park will be replaced with gentler-to-land-on wood chips.

Most importantly, the pond has been restored to being a welcoming habitat for the ducks. The Jefferson Middle School PTA President Raymond Russel and local resident Jay Dintaman join in the clean-up effort to improve sightlines throughout the park and to the perimeter streets.

62 ★ HillRag | October 2010

water is green—and it should be.

The park has long been known as the Duck Pond, but the contractor DPR was using to clean the pond was using chemicals, and the ducks deserted. One of the Friends’ successes in working with DPR has been to prod them to hire a contractor that specializes in maintaining ponds—hence the green water.

There are also now fish in the pond (possibly a result of their swimming in through the drains during the summer’s torrential downpours)— and the ducks have returned to enjoy their environment. Craycraft reported counting as many as eleven one morning.

He pointed out a brick-walled area at the park’s northeastern end, across the street from Amidon-Bowen School and next door to Westminster Church and talks enthusiastically about its potential as an outdoor science classroom, or as a place for receptions after weddings at the church, or even as a location for a small café.

The park’s original designer, noted Philadelphia landscape architect William Roberts, has been very supportive of the organization and has shared ideas and provided archival photographs of its original design. The Friends’ long-term plans include restoring the seating and lighting. Much of the park’s “furniture”—trash cans, water fountains, benches, etc. are the original, but need refurbishing, and while the street light poles are original, the globes on top are not and need replacing. Craycraft also mentioned putting lights in the water. A critical project is to deal with the landscaping. Because of the trees’ age, variety and the ”voluntary” saplings they have spawned, the park is 3040% overplanted.

Craycraft is an enthusiastic advocate for Town Center West Park, and is providing the impetus for the restoration and use of one of Southwest’s delights. He can use more help: the Friends of Town Center West Park can be reached at swdctowncenterwestpark@gmail.com, or at 202/207-1079. Their Facebook page is Town Center Park West SW Washington, DC. ★

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capitolstreets news

The 2nd Annual Hilly Awards CHAMPS Business Awards on November 19

by Julia Christian

CHAMPS Business Volunteer of the Year: Sharee Lawler, Black Lab Advisory

Libby Sangster Award for CHAMPS Member of the Year: Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells accepting the 2009 President’s Award from CHAMPS Board President Bill Phillips” Photo: Stuart Hovell, Stuart Hovell Photography

T

he election season is just starting to heat up on Capitol Hill.

Sure, the primary elections may have come and gone, but the real politicking in our little neighborhood centers on one hot button issue: who will take home this year’s Hilly Awards?

The second annual Hilly Awards, produced by CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce, is just under two months away and the race is on.

In September, thousands of nominations were cast for six categories: Restaurant of the Year, Bar/Tavern of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Service Provider of the Year, Café/Coffee shop of the Year, and Best New Business.

The top five businesses with the most nominations in each category have earned their place on the official 2010 Hilly Awards ballot. Now it’s up to you, Capitol Hill. Who will you elect as Capitol Hill’s Restaurant of the Year?

What about Best New Business? You have from October 4 until November 4 to make your voice heard by casting your vote. In an effort to avoid dimpled chads, recounts, and provisional ballots, voting will only be available online at www.capitolhill.org.

The Hilly Awards debuted last 64 ★ HillRag | October 2010

November as one of the first major events to be held in the North Hall of the newly re-opened Eastern Market.

Hundreds of community members packed the star-spangled North Hall for a grand Academy Awards style production—celebrating the best of the best in our little corner of the world.

The host for the evening was none other than local celebrity and 2010 Capitol Hill Community Achievement Award winner, Chuck Burger.

Need a brush up on the incumbents? Here’s who took home last year’s Hilly Awards:

Restaurant/Cafe of the Year: Cava

Service Provider of the Year: DC Access

Retailer of the Year: Frager’s Hardware

Best New Business: Hill’s Kitchen

CHAMPS Community Service Award: Winner: Capitol Hill BID

CHAMPS Individual Volunteer of the Year: Mary Kay Williams, Voice of the Hill

Winner (TIE): The Hill Rag and The Voice of the Hill

CHAMPS President’s Award: Tommy Wells, DC Councilmember, Ward 6 The 2nd Annual Hilly Awards promises to surpass the inaugural event. This year, CHAMPS has added two more award categories. In addition to the six publicly chosen awards, the CHAMPS Board of Directors will select winners in four additional categories: CHAMPS Community Service Award, CHAMPS Volunteer of the Year, CHAMPS Member of the Year, and the President’s Award.

The night will feature fabulous food by Marvelous Market and an open bar – yes, OPEN BAR with libations provided by Schneider’s of Capitol Hill. Local “celebrity” bartenders will be on hand to ensure that your drinks are always filled to the brim ...

Tunni’s Tapwater, anyone? But it’s not all about food and drink, people. This year, the entire design of the room is being donated by Aesthetic Answers, owned by Hill residents Scott and Amy Herbert. Aesthetic Answers did the design work for Peregrine Espresso and won a couple of prestigious awards for their design for 7th Hill

Pizza. We are excited to see how Scott and Amy transform the North Hall into a magical starry wonderland.

The red carpet will be rolled out again, but you can expect a little extra pizzazz this year — and a few more paparazzi. Local photographer Stuart Hovell will be sure to catch you on film, er, memory card, so be sure to look your best! The attire is festive, so go ahead and pull out the sequins and feather boas.

Current Hilly Awards sponsors are the Hill Rag, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, Marvelous Market Capitol Hill and Aesthetic Answers. Want a little bit of the notoriety? There’s plenty of time to add your name to the list.

Sponsorships start as low as $250 and come with great benefits. Sponsorship information is available online at www. capitolhill.org or by emailing Nichole Remmert, Hilly Awards Event Chair at nichole@capitolhill.org.

This year, we’ll be offering a few exclusive opportunities to win free tickets through Twitter. Be sure to follow @ capitolhilldc for your chance to win.

So let’s review … a magical landscape setting the scene for a neighborhood celebration with great food, flowing drinks, sequins and boas, surrounded by your friends and neighbors, the dance floor is calling your name. It’s ok to be excited. We won’t tell.

The 2nd Annual Hilly Awards will be held on November 19 from 8pm to midnight in the North Hall at Eastern Market. Tickets are $65 for CHAMPS members, $70 for BUY LOCAL members, and $80 for the general public. CHAMPS, Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce, promotes, educates and advocates for Capitol Hill businesses and connects Hill businesses with the greater community.

Julia Christian grew up on Capitol Hill and is the executive director of CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce. ★

Community Life Spotted on the Hill

The Wood Duck Text and photos by Peter Vankevich

O

ur featured subject this month is not only a beauty, but is also a bird with a fascinating life story. Let’s take a look at the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

Back in the early 1980s, after one day in the Everglades, I kind of plunged off the deep end and became a bit of a fanatical birder, spending nearly all of my weekends building a life bird list. Starting with little knowledge of birds in general, it made my field observations all the more exciting. Perhaps one of the more astonishing moments took place at the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area down in Charles County, MD, off of Route 225. Hearing some unusual high pitched whistles in some trees one early spring day, I was rather astonished to see ducks perched on branches. Whipping out my Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds, I determined that they were indeed Wood Ducks.

So what was a duck doing in a tree?

One of the Birding 101 observa-

tions is that ducks are generally divided into two classes, dabblers and divers, which characterize how they feed. Divers totally submerge when in search of food, which is often fish.

Their preferred habitats are bays, deep rivers and the ocean. Dabblers, also referred to as puddle ducks, do not submerge but will upend or feed off of the surface. They prefer shallower water. The Common Merganser is a diver, the Mallard is a dabbler. There is a third class of waterfowl that many may not be aware of which is a perching duck, i.e., waterfowl that perch in trees. Unlike most other ducks, they have sharp claws used to grip branches. Worldwide there are only seventeen species, including some geese, that have this capability. Outside of this peculiar trait, they are not considered to be related. Setting aside the Muscovy Duck, the Wood Duck is the only North American species in this group. Although a so-called percher, Wood Ducks spend the ma-

jority of their time in shallow water or on nearby land.

Not surprisingly, the Wood Duck is also one of seven North American duck species that nest in cavities or hollows of old or decaying trees, including holes drilled by Pileated Woodpeckers. Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Common Goldeneye, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded merganser and Common Merganser are the others. Competition for decent housing is not only from other ducks, but also from owls, squirrels and even honey bees.

In the late 19th century many worried that the Wood Duck would join the Labrador Duck in becoming extinct. The sharp decline was due to over-hunting and loss of habitat including massive deforesting and draining of swamplands. Also, a victim of their good looks, they were killed so their feathers could be used for fishing lures and to satisfy the fashion trends of the day. Drastic action was needed and as soon as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 went into effect, a complete ban on their hunting was invoked. It lasted until 1941 when sufficient numbers were restored to resume limited hunting. In addition to the hunting ban, in 1937 the U.S. Biological Survey (the precursor to the Fish and Wildlife Service) began an artificial nest box experiment along the Illinois River. Once they learned that the ducks would use them, the use of nest boxes expanded throughout the country. Nest boxes are considered to be a capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 65

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contributory factor to the Wood Duck’s recovery which has been so successful that these days the need for more nesting boxes is no longer considered to be crucial. Today the Wood Duck is second only to the Mallard in numbers harvested by hunting.

The first reports of Wood Ducks on a DC Christmas Bird Count didn’t occur until 1949 and they were rarely reported until the mid-1960s; and they have been observed in every count since then. The highest number, 134 individuals, was reported on December 15, 2001. This past December an unusually low number of three individuals was tallied. In addition to the Anacostia River, where these birds were photographed, and Myrtle Grove, a good local location for seeing them in spring are the wooded areas of the C&O Canal.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as “Duck Stamps,” are produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and serve as a federal license for hunting waterfowl. The proceeds are used to purchase or lease wetland habitat. Begun in 1934, each year there is a contest for talented artists to depict a duck or goose. One would think that the Wood Duck would be a popular winner, but that is not the case. Only twice, in 1943 and 1974, was it selected to be on the stamp. Don’t expect it anytime soon. Having taken second place this year to the American Wigeon painted

by Waldorf, MD artist Robert Bealle, it is not on the list of the five birds that will be considered for 2011.

If you have any comments or know of any interesting birds on Capitol Hill that could be a possible feature for this column, or would like to join me for a stroll on the Hill with your binoculars or camera on a weekend morning, feel free to contact me, petevankevich@gmail.com. ★

Christ Church Installs New Rector

by Shannon Holloway

“T

Counter-clockwise from top: The Episcopal Christ Church Washington Parish.

Christ Church Parish Choir.

Reverend Cara Spaccarelli, holding one of her sons, recently relocated to Capitol Hill from Minnesota with her husband Michael and sons Riley and Aden.

The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane, Presider with The Reverence Cara Spaccarelli, Preacher.

Crucifier Zachary Denton, Acolytes Isabela Wilson and Vidic Jenkins with Liturgist Lynne Mallonnee Schlimm.

he opportunity to live, worship, lead and raise my family in such an exciting, multifaceted community is a wonderful gift,” said Cara Spaccarelli, Christ Church Washington Parish’s Twenty-eighth Rector, who was installed by The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane on Saturday morning, September 11, 2010. There was a full service attended by parishioners, neighbors, friends, family and clergy.

“We loved her the first time we met her two months ago. The Reverend is only 30 years old and although most people here are twice her age. But she is far more mature than most of us. She is a phenomenal speaker, ” said Usher Sid Neely.

The installation was a glorious event. There was wonderful liturgy, music and fellowship with parishioners, friends and family. Rector Spaccarellli gave an insightful and thought provoking sermon on the anniversary of a sad day in our nation’s history.

Over 200 years old, Christ Church, 620 G Street, SE, was established in 1794 as Washington, DC’s first Episcopal parish. Several early U.S. Presidents (Madison, Monroe,) worshiped there. The Gothic Revival-style church was built in 1807. For more information go to http://www.washingtonparish.org. ★

All Photos: Shannon Holloway capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 67

capitolstreets news

H Street Festival words and photos by Shannon Holloway

T

1 2

3

4 68 ★ HillRag | October 2010

5

he H St. Festival hosted vibrant performances showcasing artists, musicians, vendors, and shops unique to the H Street corridor. This fun filled event took place on September 18 from noon until 6 p.m. between 8th & 14th Street.

People came from two blocks away and from around the Metro area. “I came in from Maryland, said Susan. “I read about the festival on Facebook, and it seemed like something fun to do for the day.” They walked, drove, took the metro and biked to get there.

I asked several people what they particularly liked about the H Street Festival. Here’s what they had to say: “We love festival food and we wanted to see what the promoter meant by ‘family friendly entertainment.’ We also love to peoplewatch and there is some good people watching here.” Contessa “There is acceptable day drinking and the wide variety of festival content makes this the best festival in DC.” Tony Veach “It’s young and vibrant on H St. in comparison to others areas of the city. Its really exciting to watch the area grow,” Ian. There was a lot of entertainment. The group Nu-Era, with their great harmonies; Waylon Henry, a 7-year-old who sang Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes; the Baltimore Rock Opera Society’s show; the pre-fashion week fashion show; and the 2nd Annual Skin + Ink Tattoo Competition sponsored by British Ink. And everyone loved the art cars presented by provided by Gallery O on H. In the words of one festival goer “It’s lively, hip and delicious!”

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

6

1.

Food trucks get creative; Fojol Brothers of Merlindia’s Marty and Justin.

7

2.

Andrew performing his karaoke version of The Rolling Stones hit (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

3.

The pre-fashion week show, Corjor International, by local designer Ean Williams.

4.

Young models take to the catwalk showing off designer duds by local boutique Spoiled and Rotten Kids.

8

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5.

Garrett, Contessa, and baby.

6.

Boxer Bernard K. Jackson after his match with Antonio Ivey.

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7.

Amy Becker, Tony Veach, Jenn Dale, and Matt Barnes enjoying some day drinking.

8.

Street bands keep the crowd entertained on their way to their next event.

9.

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communitylife

Friendship with a Ghost The Supernatural Inhabitant of A Local Landmark

by Robert Pohl

F

riendship House, also known as the Maples, has been a landmark on Capitol Hill since it was built in 1795-96. In the news recently because the property has been sold to developers, there has been much discussion of the competing visions for its future. One small incident from its past that has not been mentioned is the ghost that haunted this historic place for many years. With Halloween approaching, it seems like a good time to tell the tale.

per under the pen name “Olivia.” She also founded and was the first president of the League of Women Correspondents, and was one of the earliest women to have the right to sit in the Congressional press gallery.

In short, Ms. Briggs had not gotten to where she was by being easily frightened, and rather than fleeing, or attempting to chase the ghost from the house, she decided to look into who this ghost might be. In her research, she discovered the sad tale of Helena Nicholson.

A Ghost Appears The year is 1872. Emily Edson Briggs, the new owner of The Maples, is home alone – her husband passed away not long ago, shortly after they bought the house. She awakes one night and hears sobbing coming from elsewhere in the house. Her search of the premises uncovers no one. The sobbing fades away, and she returns to bed.

A few days later, she hears music being played downstairs. As she goes down to investigate, she realizes that the music is being produced by some strange, ethereal instrument.

When she opens the door to the living-room, from where the music appears to emanate, she is confronted with a silent piano in a dark, empty room. Over time, it becomes clear that there is a ghost at large in her new house, “a most gentle and refined female ghost,” as a newspaper article from 1927 described it.

Mrs. Briggs was a newspaper reporter. Her spirited defense of women who were taking on the job of clerks in the US government during the Civil War had caught the eye of a Philadelphia editor, and she soon had a regular column in his newspa70 ★ HillRag | October 2010

A Tragic Tale Helena Nicholson was the wife of Major Augustus A. Nicholson of the Marines, and when he was stationed at the Marine Barracks in July 1838, they had needed a house that was near the barracks that was large enough for their five children.

The Maples was an obvious choice, and it soon became a social focal point for members of the Marine Corps as well as local society, and the walls reverberated with the sounds of gaiety and laughter.

Mrs. Nicholson was used to the social whirl; she came from New York City, where at one time her family had owned large parts of the city, and continued to be important members of New York society. Major Nicholson, on the other hand, had been orphaned as a young boy, but had worked himself up through the Marine Corps, and had lately been made the Quartermaster of the Corps.

In short, in spite of the differences in background, it appeared that this was a happy union, and the arrival of their 11th child, Virginia Bache Nicholson, on August 12, 1846 was sure to have been a moment of joy.

TOP: The Maples in 1936. Photo Library of Congress.

ABOVE: The entrance to The Maples today. Credit RSP.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Nicholson was increasingly sure that her husband was carrying on with someone behind her back. Her suspicions focused on Sarah Carroll, a local socialite usually called Sallie. She was about 30 years old, and therefore a decade and a half younger than Major Nicholson. Furthermore,

Carroll’s father was Daniel Carroll, a member of the local aristocracy who owned a large manor house called Duddington a few blocks to the west of the Maples.

A little over a month after the birth of Virginia, Mrs. Nicholson committed suicide. Major Nicholson, for his part, married Sallie Carroll not six months

Polar Bear AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING, INC. Historical Preservation with Modern Convenience FAST SERVICE / FAST INSTALLATION Emily Edson Briggs.

Photo The Library of Congress

later, confirming without a doubt his late wife’s fears.

A Final Goodbye Emily Briggs became convinced that it was Mrs. Nicholson’s ghost who was sharing her house with her, and realizing that the ghost meant her no harm, went about her business and, in fact, became quite fond of the ghost. To the lonely widow, it was nice having someone else in the house with her. This cohabitation went on for several uneventful years until Briggs awoke one morning with a deep sense of loss, a feeling whose origin she was unable to place.

Getting up, she found herself drawn towards a particular guest bedroom, and when she opened the door and entered, she found that the bed, though properly made up, appeared to have been slept in: the pillow had an indentation in it, as if made by a head. Drawing near, Briggs found in the indentation what she took to be the final farewell from her ghost, a ghost who was never again heard from: A single white pearl.

Robert Pohl will be giving ghost tours of Capitol Hill throughout the month of October. More information here: http://ghosttoursdc. com ★

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THE TEMPTING TASTE OF TURKEY GET READY, THE BIRD IS COMING!

Market Poultry Since 1977

IN MEMORIUM

John Harrod A Capitol Life

by Peter J. Waldron

guitar. Wilkins recalls: “ I remember when he took it on Market 5 Gallery. I thought he was crazy. Next thing I knew he was over there giving everyone an opportunity to exercise their talent.” Wilkins talked of a friendship which began on a winter evening in the ‘50s at a James Brown concert at the Howard Theatre Brown did the concert despite a handful in the audience: “That is when we bonded” he says, “ That is when we became life-long friends.”

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225 7th St. SE • 202-543-7470 John Harrod. Photo: Elizabeth Dranitzke

J

ohn Harrod, 69, founder of the Market 5 Gallery and the nationally-known and flourishing weekend flea market at the Eastern Market, died on Monday, August 23 at Prince George’s Community Hospital due to complications from an infection.

Early Life

GOT NEWS? capitalcommunitynews.com

WANT TO SEE YOUR LOCAL ORGANIZATION’S NEWS IN THE HILL RAG? E-MAIL A BRIEF WRITE-UP AND A PHOTO TO:

bulletinboard@hillrag.com 72 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Harrod opened the Market 5 Gallery in 1973 as part of an agreement with the District’s Arts Commission which wanted an arts and cultural presence in each of its wards. The North Hall had previously been used as a storage area for broken parking meters as well as District’s vehicles in need of repair. Harrod conceded he knew little about the arts when he began Market 5. Commenting on a modern dance event he scheduled, Harrod said: “That got me hooked. All I knew was to have a pool table and basketball team. This was a new area and it was kind of exciting. So I read up and got involved as much as I could.

Right then there was a community arts movement going on all across the country -- where people were using photography and dance and theatre and things like that to involve youth at risk.”

From his earliest days, Harrod held affordable concerts, art performances, readings and plays as well as the occasional go go concert, political fund raisers, and wedding receptions to enhance revenue all in a building that was without heat or AC and without bathrooms.

One life long friend Roy “Monk” Wilkins who knew Harrod from their teen years remembers Harrod fondly, telling of repeated invitations to come to the Market to play his

Diane Freeman, a performance artist and assistant director at Market 5 Gallery, who worked for Harrod for fifteen years, says that Harrod was “a tough boss in the best way, “ adding “he expected you to do your very best.

For me he was a good mentor and a good friend,” she said.

“He was a good man. A lot of people did not understand what he was about. It was not about the money. He wanted things right.”

Cindy Warren, a long time friend and board member of Market 5 Gallery, says she has thought carefully about Harrod and his place in the community: “John’s vision was the community builds what it wants in an arts setting. All levels should be given a chance to do what they can do. He came in with an idea of how a community arts family should grow.

It grew organically with what people brought through the door.”

Donald Temple, a friend and an attorney who helped Harrod successfully sue the District when attempts were made to evict him from the North Hall, says that his lasting memory of John Harrod is of someone “committed to the arts.

He loved the arts.

A Celebration of Life He loved people.

Memorial Service for He loved diverJohn Harrod sity and that is Saturday October 9th in the the tragedy. That North Hall of the Eastern Market, the government from 7 until 10:30 p.m. and those who tried to run him off don’t see [this].”

The Market 5 Gallery ceased operations in the North Hall in late 2007 when Harrod lost his lease with the District.

Arts & Crafts Flea Market Tom Rall, who was Harrod’s business partner and friend, is bittersweet in his reflections on the years they shared at the Market and the partnership they forged, recalling how he met with Harrod in 1984 to reach an agreement on the future of the nascent arts and crafts vending: “ I remember we sat down at the Glasgow’s picnic table on a nice spring day and forged the only written agreement

et,

we ever had. It was all handshakes after that. Sometimes in the early days I was the only exhibitor there.”

Rall recalled that Harrod gave representatives of many ethnic groups their first chance to exhibit, and that there were many “an ex alcoholic from Goodwill or the Salvation Army who struggled to start new lives.” Harrod’s Flea Market was the “incubator of many a business which got its start at the Market,” achieving a success which translated into more permanent settings. “John was all about inclusiveness. He liked me because as he put it ‘we are both two guys out of the sixties’.

It was the trust that John had in people.” Rall continued: “He was not the greatest at business.

There was never enough money.

He was a generous man. And he gave people a second chance.”

Family Man & Struggles Harrod’s daughter Aisha describes a man who was absolutely devoted to the Market. ”It was his life,” she said.

Aisha Harrod recalled a never-ending financial a struggle and how Harrod managed it, saying that “if the vendors didn’t make money then he wouldn’t collect his fee. It took a toll on him.” She tells of times when he would walk home to their home in Anacostia from the Market because money was so tight and needed for the family. She describes a father who told wonderful “made up” stories at bedtime and of countless Saturdays she spent at the Market, literally growing up among the vendors.

As far as lasting memories Aisha says watching him hold his grandson on his lap at his office one day at the Market was for him “the best of both worlds“ as she put it. “He loved life.”

★ ★ ★

the district BEAT

by Gabriel Pacyniak

For a sense of Harrod’s openness and creative energy see his Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project interview at http:// www.capitolhillhistory.org/interviews/2009/harrod_john.html ★

every month. read it. be informed. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 73

communitylife

Our Main Street Success Story A Lot Has Been Accomplished, But It’s Not Over Yet

by Sharon Bosworth

W

hen things go right, it’s impossible to prove how easily they could have gone wrong. That’s the dilemma we find ourselves in at Barracks Row Main Street. We walk our corridor in the evenings and see crowds of all ages and descriptions tucked into patio tables at our eateries, enjoying lovely September weather. They feel secure and content under the fall moon, as attentive wait staffs bring plates brimming with the best from our Eighth Street chefs. Search the DC metro area –it’s a scene that’s hard to beat. Today it’s hard to remember that is wasn’t always like this.

But when our fundraising requests arrive we hear, “Why is Barracks Row asking for donations… aren’t you funded by the city… what do you do anyway?” No memory re-

BARRACKS ROW FESTIVAL Photos by Andrew Lightman

74 ★ HillRag | October 2010

mains of the role Barracks Row Main Street played in creating this urban oasis.

Times have changed in the past two years. While our Eighth Street elm trees grew another foot, our national economy grew in an entirely different direction. All of us ask a lot more questions now, especially about money. And we want answers: what does Barracks Row Main Street do, exactly?

Founded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation The answers go to the heart of Main Street programs, to our founder and mentor, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The NTHP went private many years ago, a move that allowed it to set its own course, saving important buildings from America’s past without the complica-

tion of federal approvals and appropriations. The NTHP survived and prospered by forming public-private partnerships and raising money from private donors.

But one day they realized that despite their economic stability and success in saving individual buildings, America’ streetscapes were dying.

Entire blocks usually referred to as downtown but often, literally, called “Main Street” were being abandoned.

The National Trust’s strategic mission could easily encompass the preservation these urban treasures. In 1980 the NHTP created the Main Street Program.

NTHP decided Main Streets would be independent, and focus both on preserving historic assets and creating economic prosperity for the corridors they would serve.

The NTHP taught the new Main Streets programs to use the NTHP time tested winning template: fund raising from individual donors and creating economic initiatives through public-private partnerships. In 1999 Barracks Row Main Street was organized evolving from the Barracks Row Business Alliance. By 2005 our program received the National Main Street Award: top honors for Eighth Street SE, chosen from 1400 competitive groups. Today there are over 2000 Main Streets and the concept is spreading globally.

But what have we done lately here on Barracks Row? We break down the job of physically reinvigorating this corridor by working one building at a time. In the past five years alone we have completed over fifty new facades, and helped with many

more. We hire architects and contractors who understand historic renovation. We manage much of the work. The look of the street remains authentic, just ask the patio diners why they love the street – three long blocks that form a charming, historic background.

No Place Like This Place Anyplace Even with the opening of Nationals ballpark in 2008, there are few outside of DC who actually know about our transformation. We promote Barracks Row activities every month though ads, blogs and articles like this one. We give year-round historic tours. January, February and March jump during our WinterCity Weekends, April brings us Taste of 8th. There is Jazz in June, the Fourth of July Parade and our annual August Dog Days Sales. Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill, our annual fall event is a phenomenon: every September we host a Military Chef ’s Cooking Contest in tents while a street fair happens all around it. In December, our fire department gently delivers Santa on a hook and ladder fire truck to the corner of Eighth and G Street. All afternoon he listens as kids tell him their wish lists.

Our corridor appears on Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 map as the link between the new port he envisioned on the Anacostia (now the Navy Yard) and his grand thoroughfare, Pennsylvania Avenue. And to this day our corridor remains a connector. The challenge today is to connect the upper three blocks of Eighth Street with the equally booming ball park neighborhood, six blocks to the west. In between, the southern-most blocks of Eighth Street remain much as they did ten years ago. Bridging the two dynamic neighborhoods is our new goal. To bring the lower blocks to their best and highest use we are beginning at the 295

freeway which divides upper and lower Eighth Street. Over the past several years we wrote, and won a generous grant to pay for a new original mural on the east tunnel wall; we will manage the mural construction. In May we cut the ribbon on a new parking lot under the freeway. We are making progress.

Two Blocks to Go Meanwhile, we have joined with the Capitol Riverfront BID in a Visioning Process asking neighbors to bring us their ideas for the future of the blocks between the freeway and M St. The Marine Corps is going to expand, possibly bringing new construction to this area. One of the top jobs for our Main Street today is to blend and meld different stakeholder concepts for lower Eighth Street into a cohesive, prosperous concept, a true extension of the three blocks above the freeway.

To make the emerging vision a reality, we must pay staff and consultants. Most of our grants disallow monies for operating expenses. We raise money to pay for a place to work, as well as to pay consultant and staff salaries. We look to voluntary contributions from our stakeholders: business and building owners and members of the community. We hope you will consider donating through Network for Good, attending one of our fundraising events or contributing as a sponsor for one of our many promotional events. Remember as you bring your friends to show off the neighborhood scene and have lunch or dinner on our patios… it took ten years to get this far and we still have two blocks to go!

For more information or to volunteer contact sharon@ barracksrow.org or call 202-544-3188. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 75

communitylife

h street streetlife life

H Street Festival Highlights Area’s Potential article and photos by Elise Bernard

Revelers literally danced in the streets at the H Street Festival

W

e on H Street NE have much to look forward to this fall. We can likely expect the opening of at least five new restaurants before December, and at least one this month.

Pity the poor souls who missed this year’s H Street Festival. The crowds were large, the eats were tasty, and the beers were cold. There was a children’s zone with wall climbing, moon bounce, face painting, and much more. The Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE, http://rockandrollhoteldc.com) sold cotton candy, and Napa Valley Catering (former operators of Napa 1015) staged a surprise return with fish tacos. It was glorious -- and popular! The 2009 H Street Festival drew around 20,000 people. This year the unofficial early numbers are coming in around 30-35,000.

That’s a huge jump.

So what exactly went on at the H Street Festival? Pretty much every bar or restaurant between 8th and 14th had a sidewalk patio area where one could enjoy food and drink. The largest sidewalk

76 ★ HillRag | October 2010

were also family friendly music performances.

The ever-popular art cars rolled on to the scene yet again, beginning with a parade the night before. A popular new attraction was the Baltimore Rock Orchestra Society. They had a decorated vehicle with a platform on which individuals were invited to stand and rock out with a faux guitar as music played and society members paid homage to the rock god of the moment. I’m quite certain that these guys will be back next year.

Dance fans found plenty of interest at the Festival. From belly dancing, to hand dancing lessons, to an electric slide flash mob, the Festival pretty much had it all, including public dancing on a wooden stage outside of the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1233 H Street NE). Heightening the jovial atmosphere was a roving brass jazz band that wound its way through the crowds.

As in years past the Festival offered the chance to explore food and drink from not yet opened businesses on the Corridor. This year we had samples from Smith Commons (1245 H Street NE, http://www.smithcommonsdc.com), The Queen Vic (1206 H Street NE, http://www.facebook. com/thequeenvicdc), and Toki Underground (1234 H Street NE, http://tokiunderground.

patio probably belonged to the Biergarten Haus (1355 H Street NE), which was also celebrating the first day of Oktoberfest. Britishink’s (508 H Street NE) tattoo contest continued for a second triumphant year, and Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H Street NE) joined in with a popular pie-eating contest.

Though many festival goers no doubt enjoyed the numerous fine craft beers available on tap at various establishments, there were also many events that the whole family could enjoy. Over in the kids zone they had games, hula hooping, pint sized padded boxing, and lots more. There A brass jazz band snaked its way through the crowd

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34th anniversary of Joy of Motion, and they plan to celebrate with a special concert called Inside Out Celebrate Halloween and El Dia (8 p.m., tickets $25 in advance, de Los Muertos on H Street $30 at the door). Capital City Many of you may have noticed Symphony (http://www.capitalcithe Day of the Dead altars (odes tysymphony.org) presents its conto music legends in this case) that cert Symphony Dance October 17 many businesses created last year. (5 p.m., $25). Musical theater fans Expect to see even more of those will want to check out the Washthis year as the project gathers ington Savoyards’ (http://www.sasteam. The big Halloween sensation voyards.org) production of Pirates on H Street in 2009 was the Thriller of Penzance when it returns to the re-enactment, and preceding dance Atlas from October 23rd-Novemclasses from Joy of Motion (1333 ber 7th ($15-45).

H Street NE, http://www.joyofmotion.org). Plans are in the works to do it all again. On actual Hallow- Comings and Goings Miracles Beauty and Barber een Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Shop (1102 H Street NE) recently Street NE, http://www.rockandrollshut its doors. On the other hand, hoteldc.com) hosts the Halloween Desperados Pizza plans to open its Bash with Pimps of Joytime (doors doors at 1387 H Street NE in late 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., $12-15).

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Enjoy 3,206 base square feet of space, 3 BR’S, 3.5 BA’S, extensive decking, brand new hardwood flooring, a freshly painted interior, brand new carpeting on the upper level, a stylish living room plus a main level family room, an eat-in kitchen with service counter that opens onto a 2 story dining room, master bedroom with ensuite bath, and a fully finished LL w/separate entrance, separately zoned HVAC & family room that offers flexible space for au-paire or in-laws.

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Enthusiastically serving clients on both sides of the river. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 77

communitylife

BYwest

SOUTH

The Jacques Johnson Band performed jazz music at opening night of 7th Street Landing, a temporary park built along the Southwest Waterfront. Photo: William Rich

District Doghouse, a new food concept from the proprietors of Cantina Marina, is the main food provider at 7th Street Landing, with hot dogs ranging from the traditional to those made of lamb and wild boar. Photo: William Rich

This is a rendering of what the Southwest Waterfront may look like once its redevelopment is complete around the year 2018.

Courtesy of PN Hoffman

Southwest Waterfront up Next for Major Overhaul

By William Rich

S

o far, 2010 has proved to be a pivotal year in the evolution of Near Southwest. In the spring, the first phase of Waterfront Station, a development along Southwest’s “Main Street” that replaced the old Waterside Mall at the corner of 4th Street, SW and M Street, SW, opened with a new 55,000 square-foot urban lifestyle Safeway and two fully-leased office buildings - a new CVS later opened in July and other convenience retailers are slated to open over the next few months. At the end of October, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (6th and m Street SW) will reopen in its expanded 200,000 square foot three-theater campus after a two-year construction period. Now the first tangible signs of redevelopment have begun to take shape on the Southwest Waterfront, a multi-phased project spearheaded by DC-based developers PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette. Other partners in the project include Struever Brothers, Eccles & Rouse, ER Bacon Development, McCormack Baron Salazar, Gotham Waterfront Development, Triden Development Group, CityPartners, and Paramount Development.

Mayor Adrian Fenty joined rep-

78 ★ HillRag | October 2010

resentatives from the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development, developers and community leaders in August at a ceremonial demolition ceremony of the Hogate’s building at 800 Water Street, SW. Once the Hogate’s building is demolished later this year, the HoffmanMarquette team will have a four-acre site to use as temporary programming space while the waterfront redevelopment plan goes through the design and approvals stage over the next couple of years. Programming at the site will include festivities for the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

7th Street Landing Meanwhile, a temporary park called 7th Street Landing opened in September further south from Hogate’s at the intersection of 7th and Water streets, SW. It took about three weeks for the city to build the park, which replaced a concrete plaza. For about six weeks in September and October, 7th Street Landing will host events from Thursday to Sunday -jazz bands will perform on Thursdays; food cart corrals on Fridays; yoga on Saturday mornings; and community events on Saturday afternoons and

Sundays. In addition, Arena Stage actors will perform on some weekends.

Lawn games are available each day as well as free Wi-Fi access.

Elements of the park, designed

by Manhattan-based firm Matthews Nielson Landscape Architects, include a “beach” area with compacted soil that looks and feels like sand, landscaping, chaise lounges, tables, string lights, and a hot dog kiosk run by the proprietors of Cantina Marina called District Doghouse. So far, according to Tyson Pitzer, Director of Investments at Madison Marquette, the response from the community has been mostly positive. “People have generally been impressed with the hardscape improvements, seem to enjoy the new movable furniture, are actually playing ping pong and the bean bag throw games and have said the live jazz on Thursdays is a great compliment to the overall experience,” said Pitzer.

Southwest Waterfront Overhaul An overhaul of the Southwest Waterfront, a 26-acre swath of underutilized land stretching along the Washington Channel from the Maine Avenue Fish Market to Fort McNair, has been planned for several years.

Back in 2006, the city selected from a nation-wide pool of suitors a team lead by PN Hoffman and Baltimorebased Struever Brothers to transform the waterfront into a $1.5-billion, mixed-use development with over two million square feet of space, including three hotels, 800 multifamily units, 200,000 to 300,000 square feet of retail, offices, a marina, parks, and cultural uses. In late 2008, the District government approved a land disposition agreement to allow the Hoffman-Struever team to move forward and $198 million of public financing was approved by the City Council to fund infrastructure improvements.

The recession hit Struever Brothers hard in Baltimore and as a result, their involvement in the Southwest Waterfront deal was reduced in 2009 and Madison Marquette, with its extensive retail background, joined the team in 2010. According to Pitzer, the retail program anticipated for the Southwest Waterfront “is intended to include an array of destination and neighborhood-oriented retail and is anticipated to include a mix of unique, local and regional retailers with an emphasis on waterfront dining, entertainment and specialty food complimented with gal-

leries, services, apparel, gifts and other types of retail.”

Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects has been charged with designing the master plan for the waterfront, but according to Kevin Riegler from PN Hoffman, several architects will be used to avoid giving the development a monolithic design. “We want each building to have a distinctive look,” said Riegler. “Bing Thom, who designed Arena Stage next door, is also providing input on the design.”The approvals process will begin this fall and construction along the waterfront is slated to begin by the end of 2012 in three phases. Phase one will be from 7th Street, SW to 9th Street, SW and includes a parcel controlled

by Chevy Chase-based developer JBG, who plans to build a hotel in place of what is now Zanzibar on the Waterfront. Phase two will run from 9th Street, SW to the Maine Avenue Fish Market and includes a cultural component.

Phase three will be the southern parcels from 7th Street, SW to Fort McNair and includes a large park. Office and residential uses (including an affordable housing component) will be incorporated in all three phases of development, while hotels will be built in the first and third phases. A riverfront promenade will run through the development to connect the Southwest Waterfront to the Anacostia Riverfront Trail. Water Street will be removed to give Maine Avenue a more prominent role as an urban boulevard with a bike trail running alongside the roadway, as well as room for a future streetcar line.

A construction timeline has not been determined by the developers yet, but once the Southwest Waterfront redevelopment is complete, it will become a regional destination and hopefully elevate Washington, DC to be one of the world’s great waterfront cities.

William Rich is a blogger at Southwest…The Little Quadrant that Could (www.southwestquadrant. blogspot.com) ★

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 79

RealEstate & Finance The Capitol Hill Market The Hill Remains One of the Bright Spots Across the Country

by Don Denton

W

e are now two thirds of the way through 2010 and our local residential market is having a terrific year. Inventory remains tight and the number of settlements are on track to be the highest since 2005.

My family and I just returned from a “road trip” to and from West Yellowstone (four of us in a car for 6,000 miles -- three laptops, a Verizon hot spot and a few IPODS!) and I can personally attest to the fact that Capitol Hill is one of the bright spots in residential real estate in the country. Sotheby’s and Christies local real estate sales magazines in Jackson Hole are looking like catalogues and most small towns between here and there are blanketed with for sale signs.

Our “prosperity” can point directly to a growing Federal workforce (and all the support that comes with it) and an overall movement of buyers from the suburbs to the city.

Couple that with a relatively finite number of properties and in the midst of a recession (oh, I forgot, that ended some months ago!) you have a stable neighborhood with stable prices.

Current inventories on the Hill remain very tight. We have remained at 50 single family properties for sale plus or minus for some time now. As a point of reference, 1990 to 1996, we consistently had 400 to 450 properties on the market all the time. Dropping prices and no sense of urgency on the part of prospective buyers. Not the case today.

A property priced for less than a $1.0M has an excellent chance of selling and settling within 90 days. Priced a little less aggressively, the same property will draw multiple offers and settle within 30 days.

Another factor that is different this time around is that we are seeing buyers with a lot more cash. Not unusual at all to sell a house for $800,000 and have a buyer with 20% to 30% down. This is a far cry from what we have seen in the not-to-distant past.

Capitol Hill has an energy that you won’t find in many neighborhoods today. As a veteran of two recessions, I can attest to the fact that when a residential sales market crashes and when people can’t sell their homes, a sense of desperation permeates the entire neighborhood. Not here. Drive around the neighborhood and you have trouble navigating many or our streets. They are jammed with dumpsters outside restoration sites and trades people putting in new kitchens and just generally upgrading our housing stock.

As I have said in the past, during the recessions of 1980 and 1990, we were pummeled. Crime surged, prices plummeted and those who could fled. Not this time. In my opinion, barring any cataclysmic event, property values and our neighborhood in general are only beginning what should be a long period of great prosperity.

Don Denton is the Branch Vice President at Coldwell Residential Brokerage on the Hil ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 81

real estate 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 1310 EMERSON ST NW 1409 VARNUM ST NW 4617 ARKANSAS AVE NW 5410 13TH ST NW 1358 INGRAHAM ST NW

$635,000 $549,000 $543,000 $525,000 $345,000

6 3 4 3 5

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK 4620 BRANDYWINE ST NW 4340 WINDOM PL NW 4408 WINDOM PL NW 4721 ELLICOTT ST NW

$932,500 $925,000 $860,000 $752,000

4 5 4 2

$124,900 $85,000 $74,900

4 3 4

$450,000 $440,000 $435,000 $350,000 $295,000 $287,500 $269,900 $260,000 $245,520 $190,000

3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3

$430,000 $393,000 $380,000 $375,000 $325,250 $300,000 $289,900 $287,000 $265,000 $240,000 $190,000 $175,000 $160,000 $150,000

3 7 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 2 2 3 2

$2,110,000 $775,000 $670,000

5 6 3

ANACOSTIA 2231 MOUNT VIEW PL SE 1132 CHICAGO ST SE 2262 MOUNT VIEW PL SE

BROOKLAND 1903 JACKSON ST NE 1400 NEWTON ST NE 1322 GIRARD ST NE 323 BRYANT ST NE 1318 RANDOLPH ST NE 1712 EVARTS ST NE 3027 HAWTHORNE DR NE #3027 4720 10TH ST NE 106 V ST NE 4810 DAKOTA AVE NE 2306 2ND ST NE 661 EMERSON ST NE 2824 6TH ST NE 4803 6TH ST NE

CAPITOL HILL 512 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 710 MARYLAND AVE NE 19 7TH ST NE 904 CONSTITUTION AVE NE 431 1ST ST SE 1367 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 255 KENTUCKY AVE SE 1204 D ST SE 1322 MARYLAND AVE NE 1323 EAST CAPITOL ST SE 244 11TH ST NE 328 6TH ST SE 1249 SOUTH CAROLINA AVE SE 112 KENTUCKY AVE SE 522 6TH ST SE 302 4TH ST SE 1259 F ST NE 611 F ST NE 1436 CAROLINA AVE NE 636 D ST SE

82 ★ HillRag | October 2010

3 3 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 4

$1,395,000 $1,200,000 $962,500 $759,000 $718,000 $650,000 $627,000 $925,000

5 6 4 4 3 4 2 5

$285,000

2

$950,000 $815,000

6 3

$786,000 $549,000 $465,000 $455,000 $335,000 $296,500 $290,000 $280,000

8 4 3 3 3 4 2 4

$255,000 $240,000 $239,000 $211,900 $200,000 $150,000 $65,000 $63,050 $53,900

4 5 5 3 3 4 2 2 2

$1,300,000

6

$305,000 $275,000 $274,999 $225,000 $211,894 $200,000 $185,900 $180,000 $165,000 $112,000 $110,000 $105,000 $92,000 $70,000 $69,900 $65,000 $60,100 $33,900

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

$660,000

2

CHEVY CHASE 3902 INGOMAR ST NW 3803 HUNTINGTON ST NW 5328 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 2950 NORTHAMPTON ST NW 6215 32ND PL NW 5553 30TH PL NW 4040 ELLICOTT ST NW 3630 EVERETT ST NW 5612 KANSAS AVE NW

CLEVELAND PARK 3610 IDAHO AVE NW 3726 VAN NESS ST NW

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1309 EUCLID ST NW 3824 10TH ST NW 924 SPRING RD NW 3306 PARK PL NW 3525 HOLMEAD PL NW 523 IRVING ST NW 3221 6TH ST NW 1367 PERRY PL NW

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3351 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE 3818 1ST ST SE 3820 1ST ST SE 750 UPSAL ST SE 1109 WAHLER PL SE 103 ELMIRA ST SW 410 OAKWOOD ST SE 226 MALCOLM X AVE SE 313 ATLANTIC ST SE

CRESTWOOD

BURLEITH 4135 PARKGLEN CT NW 3530 S ST NW 3711 S ST NW

$645,000 $629,000 $605,000 $579,990 $569,000 $562,500 $499,000 $496,000 $450,000 $435,000 $330,000

CHILLUM

BRIGHTWOOD 323 PEABODY ST NW 1366 SHERIDAN ST NW 1325 SHERIDAN ST NW 729 TUCKERMAN ST NW 732 TUCKERMAN ST NW 609 SOMERSET PL NW 618 POWHATAN PL NW 5714 5TH ST NW 815 SHERIDAN ST NW 908 SHERIDAN ST NW

1209 D ST NE 1229 E ST NE 525 4TH ST SE 307 10TH ST SE 615 K ST NE 1317 C ST NE 1005 SOUTH CAROLINA AVE SE 1011 CAROLINA AVE SE 1523 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE 228 9TH ST NE 906 12TH ST NE

$900,000 $870,000 $829,000 $822,000 $800,000 $785,000 $759,625 $752,300 $750,000 $739,000 $735,000 $730,000 $725,000 $720,000 $715,000 $710,000 $700,000 $697,500 $690,000 $657,000

4 5 3 4 3 4 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 3 3 2 4 2

4220 ARGYLE TER NW

DEANWOOD 5541 JAY ST NE 5359 HAYES ST NE 5357 GAY ST NE 5029 BLAINE ST NE 1023 50TH ST NE 124 53RD ST NE 19 ANACOSTIA RD NE 103 56TH ST SE 834 50TH PL NE 4211 FOOTE ST NE 4919 FOOTE ST NE 158 36TH ST NE 601 57TH ST NE 859 52ND ST NE 4525 EADS ST NE 5119 LEE ST NE 5332 JAY ST NE 826 46TH ST NE

DUPONT CIRCLE 2136 NEWPORT PL NW

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$499,900

$809,000

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507 E ST, NE

Renovated Federal porchfront with dual master suites and a third bedroom in the finished lower level. Parking for two cars! (3BR/3.5BA)

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$585,000

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3BR/2.5 BA with private patio and exposed brick walls.

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Large LR and BR. $289,000

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ECKINGTON 28 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW 1743 NORTH CAPITOL ST NE 26 SEATON PL NE 27 QUINCY PL NW 1826 LINCOLN RD NE 153 TODD PL NE

$560,000 $465,000 $399,900 $360,000 $277,000 $214,000

4 5 3 3 3 3

$1,150,000 $825,000

4 3

$218,000 $209,000 $65,000

2 2 3

$1,000,000

5

$3,250,000 $1,850,000 $1,425,000 $1,252,000 $1,200,000 $1,085,000 $1,060,000 $912,500 $890,000 $882,930 $829,000

5 3 4 6 3 3 3 3 3 2 3

$655,000

3

$745,000

4

$280,000 $247,200

2 3

$1,275,000 $885,000

5 4

$2,050,000 $1,200,000 $1,100,000

9 4 4

$420,000 $320,000 $275,000

3 4 3

$90,000 $58,000

2 2

$1,450,000 $355,000

4 2

FOREST HILLS 2946 UPTON ST NW 2944 BRANDYWINE ST NW

FORT DUPONT PARK 4302 D ST SE 1500 41ST ST SE 4303 GORMAN TER SE

FOXHALL 1617 FOXHALL RD NW

GEORGETOWN

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2914 P ST NW 3609 R ST NW 2819 Q ST NW 3620 RESERVOIR RD NW 1631 SUTERS LN NW 1506 34TH ST NW 3408 DENT PL NW 1627 33RD ST NW 1320 27TH ST NW 3031 CAMBRIDGE PL NW 3273 P ST NW

GLOVER PARK 2400 37TH ST NW

HAWTHORNE 6934 GREENVALE ST NW

HILL CREST 3660 CAMDEN ST SE 3661 ALABAMA AVE SE

KALORAMA 1926 BELMONT RD NW 2557 WATERSIDE DR NW

KENT 5254 LOUGHBORO RD NW 5005 MACARTHUR CT NW 5208 MACARTHUR TER NW

LEDROIT PARK 411 U ST NW 44 W ST NW 2412 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW

LILY PONDS 409 34TH ST NE 4350 POLK ST NE

Capitol Hill Suites Fall & Winter Neighborhood Rates Start from $99.00

LOGAN CIRCLE 1310 VERMONT AVE NW 1805 6TH ST NW

MARSHALL HEIGHTS

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5329 DRAKE PL SE 4956 ASTOR PL SE 236 54TH ST SE 5452 C ST SE 5134 H ST SE 5020 A ST SE

$278,000 $210,000 $200,000 $160,000 $115,000 $38,500

5 3 3 2 5 2

$5,225,000 $1,900,000

5 5

$438,500 $380,000

4 4

$781,500 $750,000 $700,000 $678,100

5 6 5 2

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Please call 800.619.9468 and ask for the Capitol Hill Suites Neighborhood rate.

Rates are subject to availability.

84 ★ HillRag | October 2010

3413 OAKWOOD TER NW 2714 ONTARIO RD NW 1809 KENYON ST NW 1725 HARVARD ST NW

$623,000 $544,000

3 2

$1,500,000 $1,315,000

4 4

$610,000 $559,000 $549,000 $539,000 $535,000 $530,000 $499,000 $451,000 $415,000 $415,000 $410,000 $410,000 $379,500 $350,000 $335,000 $325,000 $319,000 $280,000 $265,000 $250,000 $195,000 $190,000 $150,000 $130,000 $710,000 $505,000 $479,750 $400,500 $379,000 $356,000 $320,000

3 3 3 3 3 5 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 0 4 0 2 3 3

$1,070,000 $725,000

5 3

$548,500 $482,000 $465,000 $410,000 $390,000 $369,900 $360,000 $270,000 $214,000 $210,000 $205,000 $205,000 $195,000

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

$201,900 $155,000 $35,500

3 3 3

$249,000 $248,000 $237,900 $219,000 $190,000 $164,100 $149,000

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$599,000

3

$630,000 $620,000 $579,800 $475,000

6 4 7 3

$1,300,000 $586,000

5 3

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE 2999 38TH ST NW 3537 EDMUNDS ST NW

OLD CITY 341 KENTUCKY AVE SE 105 14TH ST NE 1826 BURKE ST SE 605 ACKER ST NE 1506 D ST SE 1740 BAY ST SE 218 17TH ST NE 407 11TH ST NE 632 15TH ST NE 1123 D ST NE 1007 4TH ST NE 1816 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 315 17TH ST NE 1011 8TH ST NE 1533 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE 513 FLORIDA AVE NE 1716 E ST NE 1820 A ST SE 1216 MARYLAND AVE NE 1210 I ST NE 1814 H PL NE 1512 MASSACHUSETTS AVE SE 610-612 19TH ST NE 524 23RD PL NE 1334 13TH ST NW 1132 6TH ST NW 1513 8TH ST NW 2226 13TH ST NW 407 RICHARDSON PL NW 313 M ST NW 77 NEW YORK AVE NW

PALISADES 4563 MACARTHUR BLVD NW 5323 MACOMB ST NW

PETWORTH 308 UPSHUR ST NW 829 RANDOLPH ST NW 732 VARNUM ST NW 927 FARRAGUT ST NW 418 JEFFERSON ST NW 5126 9TH ST NW 4132 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 44 HAMILTON ST NW 4716 8TH ST NW 4906 4TH ST NW 5410 8TH ST NW 5127 5TH ST NW 400 FARRAGUT ST NW

RANDLE HEIGHTS 2818 BRUCE PL SE 2409 18TH ST SE 2315 ALTAMONT PL SE #103

RIGGS PARK 512 HAMILTON ST NE 915 HAMILTON ST NE 1242 EMERSON ST NE 5121 SOUTH DAKOTA AVE NE 516 ONEIDA ST NE 612 INGRAHAM ST NE 457 RIGGS RD NE

SHAW/LOGAN

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE HEI 2808 WOODLAND DR NW 2622 31ST ST NW

1733 HARVARD ST NW 2333 17TH ST NW

1629 MARION ST NW

SHEPHERD PARK 7708 MORNINGSIDE DR NW 1431 GERANIUM ST NW 7529 16TH ST NW 1309 ROXANNA RD NW

SPRING VALLEY 4994 GLENBROOK RD NW 4629 TILDEN ST NW

TAKOMA PARK

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219 UNDERWOOD ST NW 202 WALNUT ST NW

$510,000 $419,000

4 4

$325,000 $320,000 $312,000 $247,500

3 4 3 3

$660,000

3

$822,000

3

$1,718,000

5

TRINIDAD 1217 STAPLES ST NE 1224 ORREN ST NE 1209 HOLBROOK ST NE 1329 WEST VIRGINIA AVE NE

WAKEFIELD 3723 ALBEMARLE ST NW

WESLEY HEIGHTS 4520 FOXHALL CRES NW

WOODLEY PARK/MASS AVE HTS 2800 CALVERT ST NW

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WOODRIDGE 3113 DAKOTA AVE NE 2579 RHODE ISLAND AVE NE 3511 24TH ST NE 3018 VISTA ST NE 2730 28TH ST NE 2220 S ST NE 3101 ADAMS ST NE

$399,000 $345,000 $285,000 $270,000 $249,995 $217,000 $161,500

5 3 3 3 3 3 3

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$197,500

1

$535,000 $495,000 $334,000

2 1 1

ADAMS MORGAN 2328 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #310 2428 17TH ST NW #GNW 2426 ONTARIO RD NW #102

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AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK 4101 ALBEMARLE ST NW #447

$383,000

1

$475,000 $265,000

3 1

$569,000 $545,000 $452,000 $431,000 $397,000 $344,075 $305,000 $299,900 $299,900 $299,900 $281,000 $233,000 $225,000 $209,000 $203,750

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

$575,000 $530,000 $525,000 $475,000 $465,000 $420,000 $362,000 $335,000 $300,000 $295,000

2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0

$645,000 $440,000 $425,500 $355,000

2 2 2 1

$570,000 $543,530 $499,900

2 2 2

BLOOMINGDALE 1722 1ST ST NW #2 70 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #401

CAPITOL HILL 625 3RD ST NE #4 1020 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #201 440 12TH ST NE #305 1401 POTOMAC AVE SE #5 1222 MARYLAND AVE NE #1 420 16TH ST SE #202 624 MARYLAND AVE NE #1 1401 POTOMAC AVE SE #1 1401 POTOMAC AVE SE #4 1401 POTOMAC AVE SE #3 1524 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE #103 105 6TH ST SE #0203 1007 MARYLAND AVE NE #103 1815 A ST SE #102 101 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE #104

CENTRAL 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #606 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #504 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #411 915 E ST NW #405 2311 M ST NW #906 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #505 915 E ST NW #714 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #1203 675 E ST NW #440 1133 14TH ST NW #209

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CLEVELAND PARK 3901 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #104 3871 PORTER ST NW #E-293 3801 NEWARK ST NW #E431 2723 ORDWAY ST NW #1

This charming flat front Federal is not your cookie cutter version!

Deeper than most with chef’s kitchen addition, open floor plan, living room, dining area large enough for full size table, wood burning fireplace, plantation shutters, and beautiful hard wood floors. The second floor has 2 very nice sized bedrooms with East/West exposures, plus a bonus room for den or office. Private sun filled patio for your herb garden and entertaining. Full sized garage with automatic door opener. Picture perfect!

capitalcommunitynews.com

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 85

Looking For Your New Home?

Search at www.LeeMurphy.net A Classic Georgetown Residence, (without the classic offered price)!

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1624 34th Street Beautifully appointed & finely restored Georgetown classic Victorian. 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths. PLUS renovated basement office/ 4th bedroom. Traditional & uncommonlylarge garden. Open space for maximizing entertaining. Lovely kitchen with designer flourishes. Steps to Volta Park. Hyde-Addison public school. Offered at a purse pleasing $1,425,000.

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1348 EUCLID ST NW #6 1458 FAIRMONT ST NW #4 1200 EUCLID ST NW #3 1454 EUCLID ST NW #8 1461 GIRARD ST NW #301 1438 COLUMBIA RD NW #301 1461 GIRARD ST NW #201 2650 15TH ST NW #3 2920 SHERMAN AVE NW #3-1 1451 HARVARD ST NW #7 701 LAMONT ST NW #36 1308 CLIFTON ST NW #411 3500 13TH ST NW #504 3318 SHERMAN AVE NW #102 1461 GIRARD ST NW #100 2535 13TH ST NW #303 2750 14TH ST NW #307 3534 10TH ST NW #330 1420 CLIFTON ST NW #301 3005 SHERMAN AVE NW ##1

$484,900 $455,000 $425,000 $425,000 $421,950 $419,000 $406,650 $398,000 $396,000 $395,000 $362,000 $341,746 $315,000 $309,900 $309,000 $307,000 $283,500 $269,000 $250,000 $249,000

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

$95,000 $38,000

2 2

$160,000

1

$750,800 $549,999 $475,000 $411,000 $410,000 $373,000 $370,000 $325,000 $325,000 $318,000 $315,000 $274,000 $930,000 $502,062 $259,000 $1,310,000 $615,000

2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 1

$285,000 $277,000 $228,900

3 2 2

$363,000 $290,000 $166,000

1 1 0

$364,000

1

$43,500

1

$340,000 $325,000

1 1

$760,000 $432,000 $330,000

2 1 1

$52,000

1

$940,000 $453,000 $265,000

2 2 1

$488,000

2

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3221 8TH ST SE #15 3211 8TH ST SE #12

CRESCENT TOWERS 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #506

DUPONT 1529 Q ST NW #2 1715 15TH ST NW #3 2141 P ST NW #1008 1715 15TH ST NW #41 1733 20TH ST NW #402 2008 16TH ST NW #304 1704 T ST NW #303 1301 20TH ST NW #707 1816 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #1002 1515 16TH ST NW #2C 1833 S ST NW #45 1330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #319 2031 Q ST NW #1 1414 22ND ST NW #1 1711 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #811 2311 15TH ST NW #5 1414 22ND ST NW #43

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FOREST HILLS 4701 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #109

FORT DUPONT PARK 3937 S ST SE #A-7

GARFIELD

GEORGETOWN 3267 N ST NW #3 3239 N ST NW #12 2500 Q ST NW #216

HILL CREST 2046 FORT DAVIS ST SE #201

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86 ★ HillRag | October 2010

FOGGY BOTTOM

2501 CALVERT ST NW #708 2737 DEVONSHIRE PL NW #426

“We are part of Capitol Hill, We don’t just work here... We live here, too.

Let our neighborhood experience work for you...”

202.546.3100 210 7th Street, SE. #100. WDC 20003 www.monarchtitle.net

212 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #2 2002 4TH ST NE #3 301 SEATON PL NE #4

2412 Minnesota Ave. SE Ste. 204 Washington, DC 20020 www.AnacostiaRiverRealty.com

2301 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #7A 2103 S ST NW #B 1811 VERNON ST NW #101

LEDROIT PARK 161 RANDOLPH PL NW #04

LOFTS OF LEDROIT CONDOMINIUM 322 T ST NW #1

$587,630

3

LOGAN 1406 T ST NW #3 1520 O ST NW #206 1111 11TH ST NW #611 2109 10TH ST NW #101 1309 T ST NW #2 1621 12TH ST NW #2 1529 14TH ST NW #406 1211 13TH ST NW #203 1300 N ST NW #705 1300 N ST NW #222 1115 12TH ST NW #502 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #209 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #101 1313 VERMONT AVE NW #12 1420 N ST NW #602

WESLEY HEIGHTS $585,000 $383,000 $332,500 $675,000 $1,150,000 $1,000,000 $830,000 $525,000 $499,000 $475,000 $457,500 $352,000 $318,000 $283,000 $243,000

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

$623,500 $335,000 $245,000

3 1 1

$545,000

1

$382,500

2

NORTH CLEVELAND PARK 4444 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #202

$680,000 $239,000 $163,000

1 1 0

$320,000 $58,200 $1,500,000 $671,905 $515,000 $469,000 $449,000 $387,000 $355,000 $349,000 $325,000 $299,900 $267,000 $250,450 $230,000 $199,420 $180,000

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

$575,000

2

$479,000 $420,000 $365,000

2 1 1

$136,000 $117,500

1 0

$310,000 $272,000 $195,000

2 1 0

$29,000

2

$292,000 $189,000 $171,360

2 1 1

$465,000 $433,000 $399,900 $385,000 $650,000 $572,250 $431,000 $315,000 $699,900

2 1 2 1 2 2 1 0 2

OLD CITY 730 11TH ST NE #403 300 OKLAHOMA AVE NE #101 1701 18TH ST NW #202 1515 15TH ST NW #614 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #804 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #410 1725 WILLARD ST NW #3 1700 15TH ST NW #103 1718 P ST NW #904 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #508 1115 12TH ST NW #505 1440 N ST NW #506 1111 11TH ST NW #810 1445 N ST NW #105 1601 18TH ST NW #315 2125 14TH ST NW #212-W 1420 N ST NW #314

PETWORTH 738 LONGFELLOW ST NW #106 738 LONGFELLOW ST NW #210

POTOMAC PLACE 355 I ST SW #S-325 800 4TH ST SW #S308 800 4TH ST SW #S403

2 2 2

$370,000

1

$515,000 $365,000

2 1

$63,000

1

$687,500 $278,500

3 1

$414,000

1

$187,500

0

$235,000

1

$485,000 $441,888

2 2

$99,500 $438,750

0 2

$452,430 $425,000

1 1

$379,900

1

$285,000

1

$235,000

1

$150,000 $138,000

1 1

$1,235,000 $1,215,000 $350,000

2 4 1 ★

WOODLEY 3100 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #418

COOP 2852 ONTARIO RD NW #B 2853 ONTARIO RD NW #518

BRIGHTWOOD CATHEDRAL 3900 WATSON PL NW #B-4BC 3900 WATSON NW #B-G/1E 3601 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #814

DUPONT CIRCLE 1526 17TH ST NW #115

FOGGY BOTTOM 730 24TH ST NW #719

FOREST HILLS 3001 VEAZEY TER NW #1001 3001 VEAZEY TER NW #625

HARBOUR SQUARE 560SW N ST SW #N 516 530 N SW #S609

KALORAMA 1852 COLUMBIA RD NW #603 1840 BILTMORE ST NW #24

LOGAN/DUPONT 1300 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #502 1669 COLUMBIA RD NW #409

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE

PENN QUARTER 777 7TH ST NW #314 616 E ST NW #611 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #809

$1,737,500 $1,128,500 $2,250,000

MOUNT PLEASANT

PALISADES 4611-1/2 MACARTHUR BLVD NW #B

1177 22ND ST NW #9H 1177 22ND ST NW #2L 2501 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #3C

CLEVELAND PARK

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE 2801 NEW MEXICO AVE NW #1404 2800 WISCONSIN AVE NW #203 2800 WISCONSIN AVE NW #706

2 1 0

WEST END

1440 TUCKERMAN ST NW #302

MOUNT VERNON TRIANGLE 437 NEW YORK NW #Y-29

$521,000 $465,000 $215,000

ADAMS MORGAN

MOUNT PLEASANT 3365 18TH ST NW #C 3314 MOUNT PLEASANT ST NW #28 3060 16TH ST NW #410

3227 SUTTON PL NW #3227 4200 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #801 4201 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #418W

4101 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #814

RLA (SW) 1311 DELAWARE AVE SW #S428 1301 DELAWARE AVE SW #N-710

WATERGATE 700 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #1104 2510 VIRGINIA AVE NW #1204-N 700 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #1512

RANDLE HEIGHTS 1907 GOOD HOPE RD SE #309

RLA (SW) 282 M ST SW #282 700 7TH ST SW #511 1425 4TH ST SW #A203

U ST 2001 12TH ST NW #117 1390 V ST NW #219 2020 12TH ST NW #T-11 2004 11TH ST NW #430 2250 11TH ST NW #401 2250 11TH ST NW #403 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #606 2125 14TH ST NW #309 1918 15TH ST NW #1

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 87

The H Street Corridor Art District

by Jim Magner

H

Street NE is hot and happening. It’s a neighborhood in transition, in the best sense of the term. How can you tell?

For one thing, artists and private art galleries are moving in, creating the newest art district in the city. Many of the galleries have openings coming up, so stop by, enjoy the art and then head to one of the many new restaurants on the strip.

City Gallery At 804 H St NE, “City” is primarily an artist membership gallery, with both Full and Associate members. Full members, who have had considerable gallery exposure, are provided a solo show during the year. The Associates exhibit in an all-member show and a special Associate exhibit, which allows them the opportunity to develop a body of work and prepare for “full” status.

There is also an all-media juried show with cash prizes that is open to everyone, including non-members.

The gallery’s main goal is to present accessible and affordable art by local artists, but don’t let “affordable” “Red Index” by M.M. Panas, from the Action Painting exhibit at mislead you, this is very high quality work. In the cur- City Gallery, 804 H St. NE through Oct. 30 rent show, abstract painter, M.M. Panas, draws from the “action painting” of the abstract expressionists of the 40’s and 50’s. www.citygallerydc.com.

Conner Contemporary Conner Contemporary Art is on the forwardlooking edge of the contemporary movement but also highlights “exceptional figure art.” In their large new space at 1358 Florida Ave NE, they have two major indoor galleries, a dedicated media room and open courtyard space. The gallery is well known for hosting the celebrated “Washington Color School” and John Kirchner’s “Infinity,” 2010, installation and live performance, from one of three conother Washington-based legends. You will also find current shows at Connor Contemporary Art. younger, provocative artists who travel in their own direction while carrying on a “meaningful dialog with the art of the established international artists.” In October, Conner is featuring three concurrent solo exhibitions including a sculptural installation by John Kirchner, recently completed oil paintings by John Stark and new video by Susan MacWilliam. www.Connercontemporary.com.

Evolve Urban Arts The Evolve Urban Arts Project scouts the local open, non-juried group shows looking for overlooked artists who may have some art education but

Eric Hope, Curator of the Evolve Urban Arts Project with “Its All There Is,” by Michele Cormier, a piece from the current show “What We Leave Behind,” through Oct. 30. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 89

don’t have a lengthy exhibition history. The selected artists all have “something to say and push aesthetic and emotional buttons.” This is a great opportunity for real exposure, which is rare for most artists. Of course, at Evolve, the opening reception helps sell the art. It’s much more a party than a traditional wine and cheese reception, with a free appetizer menu and signature cocktails based on the art in that particular exhibit. All of this is free to the artist and as well as the public. It is not to be missed. It has been showcasing local artists for over six years at 1375 Maryland Ave NE (14th and Maryland), in the remodeled Pierce School building. In the October show, “What We Leave Behind,” encaustic collage artist Marty Ittner and painter Michele Cormier create dense, powerful work that dissect the remnants of our everyday existence. www.evolvedc.com.

G Fine Art At 1350 Florida Ave. , the gallery was founded in 2001 “to exhibit and promote international art from the ‘60s to the present.” The emphasis is on exploring cultural and artistic questions by “pushing the boundaries of what is considered traditional media.” The gallery is

Industry Gallery’s show “Nature/Data” is the first solo exhibition for New York-based Italian designer and architect Antonio Pio Saracino. Included are two large scale models of triumphal arches representing Italian emigrationto North and South America.

always looking for artists with new ways of using old methods in painting and sculpture. It also promotes the expansive use of “Installation Art” to let ideas loose in large settings without restrictions. The gallery pursues younger artists who are expanding on the work of the established pioneers of previous decades and who are celebrated for “depth and contemporary relevance.” This month, Julia Oldham, with “Fundamental Constraints,” recreates historic physics experiments and theories with common materials as seen through video recorded at her Brooklyn studio. www.gfineartdc.com.

Gallery OonH Heading up H Street to 1354, you will find a 17’ rocket assemblage. You have come upon Gallery OonH. It’s in the building next to the courtyard. Inside is a private collection of folk

ART CAR: Interior of Gallery OonH featuring artists from the deep south. Pictures are works

by Dr. Bob Schaffer (memory altars, window screen), Purvis Young (harmonica player), Charles Gillam (totem) and Mae Kuegler (framed memory paintings).

ABOVE: Gallery O on H organized a spectacular display of art cars for the H Street Festival held on Sept. 18 here is CM and Grace Kelly Laster’s Inner Galactic-Shack-o-LLacc.

90 ★ HillRag | October 2010

art acquired over 20 years by Dolly Vehlow and Steve Hessler that they share one or two weekends each month as “pop-up” experiences. These events are coupled with free live local music groups in the courtyard. They have been collecting “self-taught” artists, for 20 years. Some are well known, most obscure. The collection is just there to be seen and loved. At this point, none of it is for sale. OonH is not a commercial gallery. Eventually it will be a non-profit corporation that will offer gallery space for local artists, and some of the collection will be sold to benefit artists. But for right now, the gallery is “a spontaneous intersection of culture and fun - an accidental cultural experience that becomes part of the serendipitous fabric of the street.” They are now posting the events on the website so keep an eye on www.galleryOonH.com.

Artist Camille Schefter and Studio H Gallery Director Phil Hutinet posing with imaginary sling shots to mimic the scene in Camille’s painting “Bet Between Friends,” 2010, oil on canvas in the gallery’s current show. Photo: Courtesy of Studio H, copyright Tom Pullin Photography

Industry Gallery 1358 Florida Ave. NE, Suite 200. Shows at Industry Gallery could be narrated by Sam Elliot, the deep voice guy who does pickup truck commercials, using words like downright rough, tough, durable and gettingthejobdoneright. This is a big space, over 4000 sq. ft., filled by a single artist with site-specific works of art using modern, industrial resources. Some are low tech, like cement, recycled paper and glass. Others are cuttingedge aerospace materials like carbon fiber. Each artist works within the framework of an installation telling a personal story designed to transform your perception of the space. The results can be downright powerful. The October exhibition is by Italian Designer and Architect Antonio Pio Saracino. He premiers two large-scale models of triumphal arches representing Italian emigration to North and South America, executed in plywood, metal, carbon fiber and synthetics. He also introduces eleven imaginative chair designs that may look light and airy but are rough, tough and durable. www. industrygallerydc.com.

Studio H Maybe the first to open on H Street, at 408, the gallery varies its shows from “High Art to Street Art and everything in between.” It is already drawing interest in the area. In this, its first year, the attention is on local emerging talent. In 2011, that focus is going to shift more to international painters who will be new to area art buyers. This is a small, intimate space that pulls you in for a very personal conversation with the work. This month, see a solo exhibition by a young painter, Camille Schefter, entitled “Insoluble.” She captures the conflict between the public and private self with complex images and the use of dramatic light and dark contrasts. www. studiohdc.com. ★

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The Village Reinvented

Alan and Claire among their craft.

Article and Photos by Heather Schoell

C

laire Southerlin, Alan Braley, and Casey invite you to the reinvention of The Village to see Alan’s painted works and Claire’s handmade jewelry in their new gallery. You won’t find any clothing for sale, and you may be surprised by the newfound space and light.

Art & Jewelry Art and jewelry, art and jewelry. Gone are the clothes, and the racks they hung from. This purge and rebirth of the space at the corner of North Carolina and 7th Street, tucked behind a flourishing garden to the side of Port City Java, happened in September, and after some renovation, it is ready for guests.

The Village’s space is open and airy, with

Claire and Alan with their associate, Casey. In front of two paintings Alan did while on vacation in Maine this summer.

92 ★ HillRag | October 2010

The Village boast a light, airy space for gallery viewing.

Alan’s colorful acrylics and watercolors adorning every wall. Light pours in from a long, narrow skylight. Walls are as-needed – there are more posts than there are walls. The unique configuration of an open space going up to the ceiling of the 2nd story, and a window space in the stairwell – those are still there. Currently, the downstairs art is all of Alan’s, but after the first of the year, Alan will move his art to the second floor, and the first floor will showcase other artists’ work, both local and not.

Claire’s jewelry case is filled mostly with her own work. She also gives space to her “beading friends,” she said. There are some pieces that are still available from before they transformed from store to gallery. Claire buys African beads that call out to her. “It’s a chunky aesthetic,” she

said of her look. “It’s an African tribal influence, but contemporary.”

Some of her necklaces include sand-cast brass, which lends an exotic flavor to the beadwork.

Life in The Village Claire and Alan have lived on the Hill for forty years! They opened The Village in 1997, a year after Claire took an early retirement from teaching for 27 years at Anacostia’s Ketcham Elementary – nine years each in grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. “They offered me an early retirement package,” and she took it without hesitation.

The Village is just four blocks from their home, so their commute is enviable. “We enjoy coming down, being in the garden,” said Claire. The front of the store is a charming venue for a garden party or event, which they occasionally host.

Over the summer, Alan and Claire spent two weeks in Maine, a trip which resulted in two mixed media paintings done in pieces of paper – one of which features a tree that actually looks like bark on the canvas. “No, it’s just paper,” Alan said. “It’s a paper collage.”

Other works are done on Gesso board, or salvaged wood. Some are human forms, many are oceans – or at least give the impression of the ocean. Alan is not bound by any one subject. Well, maybe one.

There are many pictures of Casey.

“It was a long winter inside with a puppy,” Claire explained.

Please stop in the gallery and enjoy the new space. The Village is open Wed. through Sat. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment, and is closed Mon. and Tues. Visit their website at www.thevillageoncapitolhill.com, which is also about to be reinvented – it still features Winston, may he rest in peace.

705 North Carolina Ave., SE. 202-546-3040.

Heather Schoell is a regular contributor to Capital Community News and can be reached at hschoell@verizon. net. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 93

Bistro Cacao A Gallic Charmer Excellent French Fare

By Celeste McCall

T

his place just keeps getting better, husband and constant dining companion Peter exclaimed as we sank into our plush seats in a red-sheathed booth at Bistro Cacao. We have visited several times since this Gallic charmer debuted last December in a townhouse that formerly housed Two Quail.

And we have never been disappointed.

At the most recent addition to Massachusetts Avenue’s “restaurant row,” the cooking is Gallic, by way of Turkey, thanks to the partnership of three Turkish friends: Brothers Harun and Yavuz Bolukbasi, and chef Kemal Deger. Deger learned French cooking at culinary school in his native Istanbul, arriving in the United States in 1993. Over the next two decades, he honed his skills at top local restaurants including Cities, where he cooked with chef Mary Richter. His favorite mentor, however, was Yannick Cam, who brought us La Pavillion, Le Paradou, and the now-defunct Provence in the West End, which was reborn as Bistro Provence in Bethesda.

More Gallic expertise comes from wine expert Veronique Onteniente, who was born in Beziers, in the South of France.

If the attractive, former ballerina looks familiar, it is because she helped launch Montmartre (near Eastern Market) in September, 2001.

Bistro Cacao’s decor has been freshened up since the Two Quail days. Much of the funky Victorian ambience remains, but the front parlor looks brighter, sunnier. In the other dining areas, the addition of deep red drapes and cozy, cushioned booths evokes the Orient Express. The “restaurant’s green room,” which accommodates 25 to 30, is bistro style, ideal for private parties.

Co-owner Yavuz has also added his own touch: antiques.

On a balmy, late summer evening, we had hoped to dine al fresco on the restaurant’s spacious front patio, but the outdoor area was empty, and we didn’t want to dine alone. So, we ventured indoors. Our booth was tucked into the “red room,” which some say resembles a Victorian bordello. (I wouldn’t know.)

After we ordered glasses of Ferraton Cote du Rhone and Magneau Sauvignon Blanc, I reluctantly passed up the octopus salad and decided on the house made pate faison, a homey, course-textured pheasant pate studded with pistachios, with a hint of what tasted like cloves. The hefty slab was wreathed with a colorful confetti of diced radishes, tomato, arugula and accompanied by a quartet of cornichons.

Moules Cacao, steamed mussels in white wine, shallots, parsley and saffron in a delicate lime broth. Photo: Andrew Lightman 94 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Peter ordered a circa 1960s French standby, chilled vichyssoise, a creamy potage with a smattering of leeks, and enlivened with a deep crimson swirl of balsamic. That last touch is something we would not have encountered 40 years ago.

Peter’s filet de fletan (halibut) was crowned with a whole baby artichoke, grilled the way they do in Sicily, providing a nice, Mediterranean flourish. Scalloped potatoes added substance.

I succumbed to another old favorite– magret de canard–beautifully cooked duck slightly pink in the center–sliced and interspersed with tangerine slices and napped with a rich wine sauce. Spinach sauteed with wild mushrooms and delicious potatoes complemented the fowl, which I could not finish. I took my leftover portion home, which provided a

Chef Kemal Deger. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Saturday & Sunday 11: 30am - 3pm

Tuesday: Wine bottles 1/2 off Wednesday to Friday 5 - 8 PM: Beers & Wines $5 Now Offering Lunch and Dinner!

Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 am-10 pm Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am-12 am

Check Out our New Tapas in our Expanded Menu

1208 H St. NE • 202.658.4224 • www.souk-dc.com

A luscious tableau of Frog Legs. Photo: Andrew Lightman

great lunch the next day.

Previous visits to Bistro Cacao had produced a sublime trout stuffed with herbed goat cheese, as well as moules Cacao–steamed mussels in white wine, shallots, parsley and saff ron in a delicate lime broth. Although billed as an appetizer, the tender mussels suffice as an entree.

For lunch on a beautiful fall day, we did score an outside table. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, the wooden tables and chairs–which seat 42–were small and cramped, not at all conducive for lingering. The narrow chairs needed cushions.

However, our server Robert Baer explained that the outdoor seating would be improved and expanded when the restaurant’s wine bar finishes navigating DC red tape and opens later this year.

At our midday repast, we began with a halfdozen escargot, presented in the traditional fashion, bubbling in garlicky parsley-flecked melted butter. Fortunately, the plump snails were sans shells. The latter tend to catapult across the room when a hapless diner struggles to extract the escargot. Believe me, this has happened. We eagerly devoured the escargot. Rather than causing a scene and licking the white porcelain plate, we sopped up the savory sauce with crusty French bread.

For an entree, I had planned to order Bistro Cacao’s best selling onglet de boeuf aux eschalottes–hanger steak with shallots with red wine sauce escorted by a thatch of pommes frites. But after seeing a fellow diner’s avocado salad with sea scallops, I opted for that lighter dish instead, more appropriate for lunch. The velvety avocado slices were fanned beautifully under a mantle of creamy, thyme vinaigrette. However, the three scallops could have been snatched off the grill a few second earlier, rendering them more tender.

Peter’s grilled swordfish was accompanied with steamed potatoes and grilled vegetables, which included bright red bell peppers. The generous wedge of fish was cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside with a tender center.

Heading Bistro Cacao’s dessert lineup are rich profiteroles with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream; poached pear with kiwi coulis; an international cheese plate (Saint Andre, petit Basque sheep’s milk; chevre) with the trimmings, and a trio of sorbets: pomegranate, peach and strawberry. The sorbets were artfully arranged in an oblong glass dish, with indentations to hold the sorbet.

Besides the intriguing wine listing, potables encompass such post prandial libations as absinthe Vieux Carre, eau-de-vie Poire Prisioniere Massenez, and an assortment of ports.

Lunch for two–with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc apiece–came to about $50. Naturally, dinner is somewhat pricier, but not outrageous. Bistro Cacao is located a few blocks from the Union Station Metro stop (Red Line). Parking is also possible, if not abundant. ★

Now Brunch at Souk!

Souk

Catering Available

Moroccan Tapas Restaurant

Trattoria Alberto

Fine Italian Family Friendly Dining.

LUNCH SPECIAL

Buy One Entree, Get Second at 1/2 Price expires: 10/31/10

LUNCH: Monday - Friday: 11:30am – 2:30pm DINNER: Monday - Sunday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

506 8th Street, SE Just 2 blocks from Eastern Market Metro.

202.544.2007 www.trattoriaalbertodc.com A Capitol Hill Tradition for over 20 years capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 95

Dining Notes

By Celeste McCall

Moroccan on H

Belga Celebrates 6th Anniversary

Our friend Nan had been raving about Souk, the new Moroccan eatery on H, since it opened nine months ago in the Atlas District. So we finally got around to visiting on a recent Sunday evening. Were we in for a pleasant surprise. Souk–which means a market in an Arab or Berber city--started out as a modest carryout (with a few tables). It’s now full-service, atmospheric supper club.

We were led into the back dining area, which was almost too dark for reading the menu or even following our waiter to our table. Pulsating Middle Eastern style music was being piped in, inspiring me to take a few steps recalled from long-ago belly dancing lessons at the YWCA. After ordering wines-by-the glass, we ordered an assortment of mezze (tapas), a house salad, and two entrees. Almost too much!

Among mezze we chose kibbah. This North African and Middle Eastern staple was a small dish of crunchy bulgur wheat shells plumped with exotically seasoned ground beef. Chiflour–huge cauliflower sections–were lightly breaded, fried and served with tahini. But my favorite tapa was the ample portion of mergues, seasoned lamb sausage combined with zaalouk–a Moroccan-style cooked salad of eggplant, roasted peppers and olives. Sort of an exotic version of ratatouille.

On to entrees: lamb cous cous consisted of a trio of lamb chops arranged atop a generous medley of cous cous (semolina wheat), roasted zucchini and delicious carrot spears. Four chicken kebabs were perched on basmati rice napped with a ginger-saffron tomato sauce. The skewered white meat was moist and flavorful, not overcooked like breast meat often is.

We were too satiated to peruse the dessert menu.

Maybe next time, and who knows? Maybe we’ll take up belly dancing again.

Located at 1208 H St. NE, Souk is open daily for dinner only, but promises lunch and brunch service soon if not already. Call 202-658-4224. For go to http://www.souk-dc.com.

Belga Café, famous for its mussels and specialty beers, has a number of interesting special events this month. * Oct. 6-14: Special Pork and Beer Menu featuring whole hog dishes paired with October seasonal beers * Oct. 12: Belga’s second fall wine dinner lead

by Benoit de Francisco, general manager and beverage director * Oct. 23: Belga’s 6th Anniversary For updated info go to www.belgacafe.com, 514 8th St. SE, 202-544-0100.

Bier hier Bring out your Lederhosen and brush up on your polka. Through the end of October, Café Berlin is showcasing its Oktoberfest menu. Served for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Café Berlin will offer such Teutonic specialities as Kartoffel Suppe 96 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Saigon Cuisine comes to the Hill

Souk owner Rahim Alami, from Morocco, grew up in the restaurant business--his grandmother was a chef, and her influence is present on the pan-Mediterranean menu. Photo: Andrew Lightman Lamb chops and cous cous at Souk. Photo: Andrew Lightman

(creamy potato soup), Schweinebraten mit Kummelsosse und Rotkohl (roast pork with caraway sauce and red cabbage), Munchener Schlactplatte (sausage platter with sauerkraut), breaded catfish with house-made remoulade, and Scheinehaxen (pig’s knuckles). Desserts include apfelstrudel.

There’s lots of beer, including Spaten Oktoberfest, plus German and Alsatian wines.

First held in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese, Oktoberfest is a 16-day bash lasting from late September until the first weekend in October. But most German American restaurants–including Café Berlin-extend the festivities.

Located at 322 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Café Berlin is open from 11:30 to 10 p.m. weekdays; until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturdays. Call 202-543-7656 or visit www.cafeberlindc.com.

Finally, it appears that Capitol Hill will welcome a new Vietnamese restaurant. We have missed the tummy warming pho (beef noodle soup) at the departed Pacific Café, although we do enjoy the Cuban cooking of its replacement, Mi Vecindad. Well, coming soon is Ba Bay, a “modern” Vietnamese eatery at 633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, former home of Locanda Mediterranean restaurant.

Created by chef Khoa Nguyen and cousin Denise Nguyen, Ba Bay will seat 49, plus another 10 at the outdoor café (which might not be in place until next spring). Look for Ba Bay in late fall or winter.

“The name Ba Bay translates to ‘Madame Seven,’ a nod to our grandmother who married my grandfather, the seventh son,” Denise explained, adding that Khoa Nguyen will oversee the kitchen until they hire a chef. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Khoa was a manager at downtown’s Vidalia, and also wielded his whisk at Bao 111 and DB Bistro Moderne, both in New York City.

“We selected the Hill because we love the neighborhood, and with bustling Eastern Market, it reminds us of the fun streets in Saigon,” Denise said.

Community Wednesdays at Biergarten Haus on H Street Show your server or bartender your ID with address and get 10% off on Wednesdays if you live within zip codes 20002 and 20003. Biergarten Haus, 1355 H St NE. Open Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.; Saturday, 11:00-2:00 a.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-midnight. www. biergartenhaus.com.

a taste of Delicious Dolcezza Husband Peter’s sweet tooth was more than satisfied after sampling the tangy lime-cilantro gelato at Petit Gourmet, across from Eastern Market. He had planned to bring the rest of the $6 half-pint cup home for dessert that evening, but once he started scooping up the Dolcezza Artisanal gelato he just couldn’t put down his tiny plastic spoon. At least, he let me have a tiny bite.

Washington native Phyllis Marriott, owner of the five-year-old shop at 224 Seventh St. SE, purchases Dolcezza from Robb Duncan, who provides his hand-made products to local restaurants and markets in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter and Capitol Hill. In addition to lime-cilantro, Le Petit Gourmet usually offers Mexican hot chocolate gelato, prepared especially for Rosa Mexicano restaurant across from the Verizon Center. The Argentine-inspired Dolcezza gelatos are naturally made with local milk (many Italians settled in Buenos Aires). Gelato and sorbet flavors, which run seasonally, also include blueberry mint, yellow peach & cream, chocolate and hazelnut. Half-pints sell for $6; full pint cups go for $9.90—and they are worth it, according to Peter.

Call 202-544-5999.

Old Havana!

Banana Cafe & Piano Bar Where Every Customer is Family!

Serving the Finest Cuban, Puerto Rican and Latin Cuisine.

202-543-5906 500 8th Street, SE www.bananacafedc.com

Watch The Redskins with Your Friends Sunday & Monday Night Football Game Time Specials • 1/2 Priced Wings • $2 Bud & Bud Light Drafts

Chipotle at Union Station Capitol Hill is getting a Chipotle Mexican Grill, this one in Union Station’s West Hall (main level). The latest offshoot of the nationwide chain, Union Station’s Chipotle is slated to arrive Oct. 25 in the old Station Grill space near the West Hall entrance. This newcomer should be a boon for tourists and nearby government workers who want a quick, but nutritious lunch.

Known for tapping ultra-fresh, sustainable, often organic ingredients and humanely raised chicken, the Chipotle group was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells and now boasts 1,000 restaurants. The Union Station Chipotle will be at 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE; call 202-898-4798 or check out the website; it’s really cool.

Go to www.chipotle.com. ★

The Hill’s Best Happy Hour 5 to 8 PM - Call for Specials

TUNNICLIFF’S TAVERN

The Gathering Place On The Hill…

Right next to Eastern Market Metro across from Eastern Market Tunnicliff’s Tavern 222 7th Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003 www.tunnicliffstaverndc.com

Phone: 202-544-5680 Fax: 202-544-9630 Email: tunnicliffs@gmail.com

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 97

Kathryn Morgan, Master Sommelier

by John Genderson

T

he quality of restaurant wine lists is improving dramatically across the city and the principal reason is the influx of talented young sommeliers. One of these outstanding sommeliers is a Hill native and recently was awarded the title “Master Sommelier” by The Court of Master Sommeliers American Chapter. After years of preparation and a rigorous four-day exam, Kathryn Morgan was the only candidate to successfully prove that she has what it takes to attain the highest level of standards of wine theory, beverage service and tasting ability. Held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, the invitation-only exam was attempted by 48 individuals, each of whom has dedicated years of study to this pursuit of excellence. At the end of the exam, only Kathryn Morgan was left standing, joining just 105 other individuals, and only 15 other women, who have earned the title of Master Sommelier since the organization’s inception.

Before taking over the cellar at the prestigious Michel Richard Citronelle last year, she headed the wine programs at “2941” in Falls Church and “Ristorante Tosca” and “The Occidental” here in Washington. Now, in addition to her tastevin, she sports the red lapel pin of a master sommelier.

“Studying for the Court of Master Sommeliers’ exams has made me so much better at what I do,” said Master Morgan. “It’s been an amazing process and I have so many mentors who have helped me throughout this journey. The Court is wonderful community of very talented individuals, and I am exceptionally proud to be the newest member of this organization.”

The Master Sommelier Diploma is considered the highest distinction a wine professional can attain in the hospitality industry and to achieve the title of Master Sommelier is no easy feat. Candidates must have successfully passed the other three

The Hill Rag Restaurant Wine List Awards The Rag will be making a award for the Best Restaurant Wine List on Capitol Hill in the November issue. If you would like to nominate your favorite restaurant, send your vote to jon genderson at jon@cellar.com by October 15.

Restaurants- Please email your wine lists to jon@cellar.com by October 12th, 2010 to be entered for a chance to win.

98 ★ HillRag | October 2010

stages of the Court’s educational programs: the Introductory, Certified and Advanced Exams. As the final stage, the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam consists of three sections, including a theory examination, blind tasting and practical service component, and candidates must receive passing scores in each category in order to earn the highly coveted title of Master Sommelier.

The Time is Right for Cabernet Cabernet lovers have seen the price of top Napa Valley bottling hit stratospheric proportions over the last several years, but there now seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. Two things are happening that will put a smile on the face of Cabernet consumers. First, many wineries are lowering their prices to try to recapture the sales that went away after the financial meltdown. The vaulted Harlan Cellars dropped the price of their top bottling ($500$1500 for some older vintages) by a modest $50, but some wineries are realizing that the only way to sell is at half price. Other wineries are making a lot less wine in their primary label and bottling a “second label” at a much lower price with pretty much the same juice. Still others are bottling the amount of wine they think they can sell in the current climate and selling off the rest. All these practices make it a great time to buy for the Cabernet consumer. Listed below are some of my favorite Cabernets that represent incredible value.

Bacio Divino Napa Valley Red (Cabernet and Sangiovese) $49.99 I have always loved this delicious Sangiovese and Cabernet blend from Napa and I love it even more at half price. Robert Parker has called it “Napa’s finest interpretation of a proprietary red wine from Italy’s Tuscan coastline”. The 2006 is delicious with a forward nose of black cherry, blackberry and vanilla oak.

The wine is opulent, fat, rich and fleshy showing licorice and blueberry along with the cherry and vanilla notes. It has great mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a great balance of acidity, fruit and oak. Simply delicious!

Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa $39.99 Another half price bargain, this delicious 2007 Cabernet from the Napa Valley is very full bodied, soft and deliciously approachable for its deep blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruit mixed with soft vanilla. It is a pleasure to drink now and will con-

tinue to improve for years.

It represents an incredible value from veteran winemaker Claus Janzen.

Eagles Trace Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Napa $39.99 Yet another half price deal, this relatively new project is from Gus Anderson of Anderson Conn Valley fame. It represents the best selection of wine from each vintage. The Eagles Trace 2004 Cabernet is an elegant, fullbodied wine, showing an opaque plum-purple color, a perfumed nose of flowers, cassis and blackberries and a full palate that fills the mouth with black currants and a hint of licorice. The tannins are sweet, ripe and well integrated.

Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa $19.99 This is the work of Roots Run Deep Winery. It is made from the “overproduction” of some of Napa’s finest. It is medium to full bodied with ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, cocoa and vanilla. It represents an outstanding value.

Worthy Sophia’s Choice Napa Valley Red 2006 $29.99 A perpetual bargain, this delicious blend from top Napa wineries “overproduction” is made by my good friend Gus Kalaris. The 2006 vintage is very Bordeaux like with medium body, earthy, herbal and spice box notes mixed with the cassis and blackberry.

It is elegant, restrained and delicious.

Wine of the Month Great “overproduction” is not just for Cabernet.

Schneider’s recently purchased 300 cases of Chardonnay 2009 from a winery that retails their award winning Chardonnay for $80 a bottle. It is a blend of their Napa and Sonoma Coast bottlings with great fruit, balance, structure and grip. Its rich, buttery flavors are balanced by crisp acidity. The label is Barrique Cellars and at $29.99 a bottle, it is a spectacular value. ★

DINING COUPONS

Oktoberfest 2010 at Café Berlin BAYERISCHE KARTOFFELCREMESUPPE – $7.50 Bavarian Cream of Potato Soup with Marjoram

BAYERISCHER SCHWEINEBRATEN MIT KÜMMELSOßE – $21.95 arian-style Roast Loin of Pork with Caraway Sauce Served with Red Cabbage and Bread Dumpling MÜNCHNER SCHLACHTPLATTE – $21.95 Assorted German Sausages and Kassler, Served with Sauerkraut and Home Fries

The City’s Finest Pakistani Restaurant Tandori Charcoal Cuisine Buy One Entree, “The Master of Tandori on Capitol Hill” Washingtonian “Excellent Pakistani Food” Washington Post “A wonderful dinner...” Hill Rag “Great value, great food” City Paper “Best Tandori Trip” Shuttle Sheet, Delta Airlines

BREADED CATFISH – $ 18.95

Get the Second One HALF OFF

With a Home Made Remoulade, Served with New Potatoes and a House Salad

*of equal or lesser value dine-in only

10% OFF Carry Out

JUMBO LUNCH BUFFET $9.95, 11:30AM-2:30PM

RINDERSCHMORBRATEN IN BURGUNDER SOSSE – $22.95 Beef Roast in Burgundy Sauce, Served with Spatzle and Cream of Leek

Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm daily • Dinner: Su-Th 5-10pm • Fr-Sa 5-10:30

GEGRILLTE SCHWEINEHAXE – $22.95

609 Pennsylvania Ave. SE • 544-0931 www.aatishonhill.com

Grilled Pig's Knuckle Served with Sauerkraut and Home Fries

Expires 10/31/10

FOR OUR VEGETARIAN GUESTS

(Equal or lesser value)

Buy 1 Burrito Get 2nd at 1/2 Price

BURRITO BROTHERS

$18.95 Creamy Ragout of Forest Mushrooms Served with Grilled Bread Dumpling

(202) 543-6835

HOME MADE APPLE STRUDEL WITH VANILLA SAUCE – $7.50

205 Pennsylvania. Ave., SE Now Open on Sundays 11-7pm

Try any of our protien smoothies or shakes, and get 50¢ off (Valid only at Pennsylvania location. Not good with any other offer)

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.

LAS PLACITAS RESTAURANT Home-style Salvadorian/Mexican Cuisine

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

Mexican Happy Hour: Drink Specials 3 pm - 6 pm

2006 White Burgundy Sale!

517 8th St. SE Open 7 days a week - 11:30 am - 10:30 pm Carry Out & Catering Available 202.543.3700 • www.lasplacitas.com

Buy One Entree Get 2nd at 1/2 Price with coupon.

Valid Sun - Thurs

Sunday Nights – 5 to 11 PM; Buy 2 Entrees, Get Second Entrée Half Price*

Monday Nights – 5 to 11 PM; Buy 2 Entrees, Get Bottle of Wine at Half Price

TUNNICLIFF’S TAVERN The Gathering Place On The Hill…

Right next to Eastern Market Metro across from Eastern Market

1/2 Price Late Night Menu from 11-1 AM; Bar open until 2 AM *Not valid with other discounts. 2nd entrée must be of equal or lesser value.

“Best Website Award”, 2008 by the Wine Spectator’s Market Watch

Sunday Nights – 5 to 11 PM; Buy 2 Entrees, Get Second Entrée Half Price* Monday Nights – 5 to 11 PM; Buy 2 Entrees, Get Bottle of Wine at Half Price

222 7th Street, SE

202.544.5680

Boissard-Lardy 1er Meursault les Genevrieres Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $79.99/Sale: $55.99 A very full bodied, rich and fat wine with concentrated honeyed butter flavors that go on and on. This is a truly magnificent Meursault that is drinking beautifully now.

Champy Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chalumaux Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $89.99/Sale: $63.99 A beautiful Puligny with exceptional weight and mineral qualities that make it perfect with shellfish. Here is a white Burgundy for lovers of California Chardonnay but with more grip and complexity.

Dublere Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $79.99/Sale: $63.99 This is my current favorite. The vigneron, Blair Pethel, tends his four rows of vines at the top of the Chassagne hill almost as well as he does his two children. This delicious wine is a contradiction; full bodied yet elegant, fat, but not buttery. It is impeccably balanced with complex mineral and pome fruit aromas, full body and a finish that lasts for several minutes. Outstanding!

Dublere Corton Charlamagne Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $139.99/Sale: $99.99 A tour de force in winemaking. The aromas suggest fruit pits, licorice, and spices. On the palate, power, opulence and elegance unite to make a wine with full and complex body that leads to a seemingly unending finish. Very Special!

Dublere Puligny Montrachet Village Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $54.99/Sale: $43.99 This is a village wine in name only. It possesses truly deep, complex flavors of nuts, mineral and earth, a rich texture, and a clean, pure finish. It is an outstanding value.

Patrice Rion Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches Vintage: 2006 | Size: 750 – Retail: $69.99/Sale: $55.99 White Chardonnay grapes planted in Nuits-St.-George? I was surprised as well when I first tasted the 2005 at Patrice's cellars.

The 2006 is even better is. It's full body and lush, complex flavors linger on and on with notes of mineral, delicate spice and white pepper. Awesome!

“One of the Best Wine Stores in the Country is Right Here on Capitol Hill” SELECTION The country’s most complete range of spirits, beer & wine. Our old and rare wine list is the most extensive anywhere, and it’s in your neighborhood.

Eighty Dollar Chardonnay for $29.99 Barrique Cellars Chardonnay Vintage: 2009 | Size: 750 – Retail: $79.99/Sale: $29.99 Schneider’s recently purchased 300 cases of this delicious wine from a winery that retails their award winning Chardonnay for $80 a bottle. It is a blend of their Napa and Sonoma Coast bottlings with great fruit, balance, structure and grip. The rich, buttery flavors are balanced by crisp acidity leading to a very long and lingering finish. This spectacular wine is an exceptional value.

PRICING We will not be undersold.

Come see for yourself.

SERVICE Second to none, with seven full time wine specialists to assist you. Come in and be treated like family!

300 Massachusetts Ave., NE • www.cellar.com 1.800.377.1461 • 202.543.9300 • fax: 202.546.6289 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 99

Artist Portrait: Gail Vollrath

A Capitol Hill artist and writer, Jim can be reached at ArtandtheCity05@aol.com

G

ail Vollrath can’t get away from art. Her interest started at a very young age, and the forces of paint and pencil have firm control of her destiny and aesthetic vision. Her view of the world hovers in that place between representational and abstract and lies close to the essential truth of the mysteries of life.

She began her professional life as a technical Illustrator in the early ‘70s, and became a mechanical draftsperson. But drawn to her first love, she went back to school and completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine arts. She then moved to the District where she has been featured in a number of group shows and solo exhibitions.

Her work goes well beyond traditional materials and methods in developing and constructing each composition. She begins with oil colors, builds a “history on the surface,” and continues with china markers and tar, letting intuition take the lead, to reach the idea that moves in and out of the forms.

For her current show at Gallery Plan b, in addition to her large paintings, Gail has gone back to drawing on old and “new” Polaroid film – about 85 drawings which are hung alongside her larger works and incorporate those images Untitled (camp II), oil, tar on canvas, 14” x 13”, 2010

Is there a story hiding in the moving lines and animated shapes that combine to give dimension to the ideas? Maybe, but you have to discover your own story in the memory-sparking forms. Ultimately, it is not any one individual element but the over-all effect that creates the narrative.

See her show this month at Gallery Plan b, 1530 14th St NW, and more at www.gvolllrath.com.

Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art

Gail Vollrath at the installation of her Gallery b show.

100 ★ HillRag | October 2010

A stand-alone private art gallery can be a pretty lonely business unless it has something special going on, or has a lot of walk-by traffic in the right part of town. This doesn’t happen very often, which is why galleries often hover together in something called the “Art District.”

New York and Santa Fe have probably the best known and subsequently the most successful art districts. In NYC it’s Chelsea, but even that is an insider’s secret. The tourists swarming around the great museums in midtown don’t have a clue as to where you can buy real art.

On the other hand, the whole town of Santa Fe is an art destination. Santa Fe was originally identified with traditional Indian arts and, of course, paintings of the magnificent southwest landscapes. That expanded to “Western” themes: cowboy and Indian art. In recent years it has broadened its reach to include other styles and galleries. But most of all, Santa Fe is incredibly successful because of the effort of the entire community.

Washington has a number of self-promoting art districts,

artandthecity

BY JIM MAGNER

but local government has not given them much support or attention.

That seems to be changing. The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities is considering official recognition of some broad areas in the city and some funds have been allocated. The commission also provided an “Art Bus” to celebrate the beginning of the fall art season, connecting “three of the hottest art destinations,” including the H Street/ Florida Ave area in Northeast DC, which I highlight in a separate story in this issue.

This is a step in the right direction, and much more needs to be done, but the Commission deciding what’s “hot” makes me uncomfortable. Art districts come and go primarily as a result of property values and costs. This is where the DC government could help the most. Art galleries not only return benefits in the nature of a public good – they are good for the whole town – but they also bring in bucks.

You get your money back. Just ask Santa Fe.

At the Museums “TruthBeauty: Pictorialism” Phillips Collection 1600 21st St. NW Oct. 9 - Jan 9 In TruthBeauty: Pictorialism and the Photograph as Art, 18451945, the Phillips Collection gives you two shows in one: The American expatriate Alvin Langdon Coburn, (1882-1966) one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, is featured in TruthBeauty. Included are recently-acquired book illustrations from his celebrated portfolios, London (1909) and New York (1910).

Pictorialism moved photography beyond the literal description of a subject and produced some of the most spectacular photographs in the relatively short history of the medium. With over 130 photographs, the exhibition retraces the beginnings from early experiments to the durable and brilliant images of some of the important names in photography. www.phillipscollection.org.

“Nature and Fantasy” National Gallery of Art East Building 4th and Constitution Ave. – Jan. 9 This is one of those “you gotta see this” exhibits. Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1526–1593, painted fascinating and yes, eerie human heads composed entirely of plants, animals, and other objects. This exhibit features 16 of his paintings, along with drawings by Leonardo and Dürer, small bronzes, ceramics, and illustrated books and manuscripts, which provide a context for his work. While you are there, you still have time to take in the Master Prints of Edvard Munch. www. nga.gov.

At the Galleries “Painted Seasons” American Painting Fine Art 5118 MacArthur Blvd. NW Oct. 9 – Nov 13 Andrei Kushnir created a series of paintings of the C&O Canal 20 years ago and then put them in box for “safekeeping” and, yes, forgot them. As he completed his first large major work of the canal in July, this is a good time to “commemorate the passage of time, both on the canal and on the artist.” Reception: Sat. Oct. 9. www.classicamericanpainting.com.

Chaff, oil on panel, 6” x 6”, 2010

Site #2, oil, china marker on panel, 14” x 13”, 2010

“Land, Air and Sea” Foundry Gallery 1314 18th St, NW - Oct 31 Check out Ron Riley’s expansive land and seascapes, painted with a good deal of movement, but ending up with a sense of peace and tranquility. www.foundrygallery.org.

“Autumn Eqinox” Zenith Gallery Chevy Chase Pavillion 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW - Nov 28 “Autumn Equinox” features three artists new to Zenith and a few of the longtime members, presenting a dramatic mix of styles and media. www.zenithgallery.com. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 101

ATTHE MOVIES

Waiting for “Superman Plenty of Children Left Behind in New Education Documentary

By Mike Canning

E

ducational reform, an issue which has reached a critical mass nationally, is the subject of the provocative new documentary “Waiting for “Superman,’” written and directed by Davis Guggenheim.

Appropriately, the film features the much-lamented DC public school system and its much publicized chancellor, Michelle Rhee. Not surprisingly, the film outlines a grim and sober overview of our public schools, yet it offers, too, glimmers of hope in the persons of public school kids themselves (the film opens October 1, runs 111 min. and is rated “PG.”).

Davis Guggenheim comes to his new film nicely credentialed from his last effort on an equally daunting subject: the Oscar-winning “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006). He was apparently not eager to take on the subject of US public education when the subject was broached to him, but he admits that he took it on in part because of guilt, which he sensed when, driving his kids to private school in Los Angeles, he passed three public schools where he did NOT send his children.

Much of what “Superman” describes about our educational morass will be familiar to anyone interested in the state of our schools: the paltry test scores of students at many levels, especially at urban schools (DC’s scores being the worst), the relative demise of US educational achievement compared to other countries, a doubling of expenses per student which does not translate into classroom achievement, the rampant lack of discipline in our schools, the presence of too many incompetent and time-serving teachers, the chaotic mélange of educational jurisdictions and boards which makes 102 ★ HillRag | October 2010

coherent reform improbable, ing Latino couple, who wants to etc., etc. All of these inadequabe a doctor; angelic Francisco cies are pithily underscored in the Bronx, a first-grader of a with a sad and sardonic monsingle mom, working doggedly tage Guggenheim mounts of to improve his reading; and every president since Kennedy Emily, a middle-class eightpromising to be some version grader from Redwood City, CA, of the “education president.” who wants to be a teacher but Time to shake your head. has been “tracked” in her school All of the above malaand needs more academic chaldies are well documented in lenges.

Guggenheim’s earnest plaint.

Finally, there is Anthony The usual numbers and graphs who lives in Southeast DC, goes are displayed, the reformers to Kimball School, deemed a and protestors interviewed, mess, and scheduled to go on to the shabby schools themselves Sousa Middle School, deemed depicted. In this context, Ms. an “academic sinkhole.” He Rhee is given considerable lives with his grandmother. Anscreen time and comes off as thony, in the fifth grade, talks to one of the film’s heroes, her interviewer Guggenheim with cause against a stodgy bureauan open, hopeful face topped by cracy and recalcitrant teachers’ Anthony with his grandmother Gloria (right) in their DC home. enormous eyes. He’s a good kid union sympathetically told. DC fifth-grader Anthony looks to the future. Photos by Wiley who has the chance to do betHer relative lack of teaching Foster, copyright Public Education Pictures. ter than his forebears, to break experience is deemed no handthrough with an education. closest to a villain, if there is one, is icap as is her frank admission All these five kids are shown of having no long-term ambitions in Randi Weingarten, head of the Amer- on the verge of attempting to move on education and her refreshing candor ican Federation of Teachers, who may to a better school, one more academi(she states that DC school kids “are have good arguments on her side but cally or monetarily endowed. Bianca getting a crappy education.”). A miss- who appears to be strident and defen- hopes to win a spot at a city charter ing piece of the story, however, is that sive in making them, arguing more school, Francisco looks to move to a the film was in the can before Rhee about the “adults” in our educational better class, Daisy to a KIPP charter DID cut a deal with the local teachers’ scheme than about the children they school (charters and their potential for union—basically on her terms—and are supposed to serve. some kids are strongly and positively And it’s specific children that fi- featured in the film), Emily to a morethe fact that the film arrives exactly at the moment when the chancellor may nally claim one’s attention in “Wait- challenging academic high school, ing for ‘Superman.’” Five public and Anthony, to an ambitious SEED lose her job.

Other reformers are featured, like school kids from across the country school in Anacostia. The final intercut Geoff rey Canada, CEO of the Har- are followed, all endearing and yearn- scenes of the film, with each child and lem Children’s Zone (whose early be- ing, with families who so want them his family on tenterhooks, are riveting, lief in a Superman to change his fate to succeed. There is sweet Bianca, a reminiscent of the tension built up in offers the film’s title), Bill Strickland, kindergartener living with her strong other documentaries featuring chilan educational reformer in Pittsburgh, single mom, who goes to a parochial dren, like “Spellbound” or “Mad Hot and David Levin and Mike Feinberg, school in Harlem; sad-eyed Daisy liv- Ballroom.” In this film, however, the the founders of the KIPP schools. The ing in an LA slum, daughter of a striv- payoff means much more than such

a Capitol Hill landmark since 1967

competitions, and the filmgoer agonizes and rejoices with them in Guggenheim’s carefully calibrated finale.

Still, that finale, with some kids “making it” and some not, raises the film’s most disturbing question: must the future of so many of our precious kids be determined by the bouncing of lottery balls?

h c t a W e s e Com m a G o r P & e g All Colle

Short Take - Jack Goes Boating One of our best film actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman. makes his directorial debut in “Jack Goes Boating,” a slice of contemporary New York life about a pudgy, isolated loner who has his first (last?) chance at love. This is a “Marty” for the new millennium whose principal merit is tone-perfect acting (it opened September 24 in limited release; rated “R,” 91 min.).

Written for the screen by Bob Glaudini and based on his own play by (in which Hoffman originally starred), the movie finds Jack, a mildly morose, fairly inarticulate limo driver, set up for a date with Connie (Amy Ryan) by his only friends, a married couple, Clyde and Lucy ( John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega). Connie is as tentative as Jack but, having no other options, quietly lets him try to romance her. Jack’s technique is to try to identify competences to impress her, like cooking and swimming, for which he has shown zero aptitude. But his dogged pursuit of new skills shows his genuine desire to do right by her.

“Jack Goes Boating” moves at a unhurried pace with some of the stumbling encounters between the principals almost excruciating, but the relationship that develops is never less than honest and believable, made more so by the excellent ensemble of four. Hoffman directs himself with no vanity—with sizable paunch and ratty hairdo in evidence—and nails down precisely this figure of lowerclass angst. Yet it is Amy Ryan, as the shy but gently persistent Connie, who most exquisitely embodies her character, an unassuming woman with a hidden capacity to radiate human warmth and honest spirit. Ryan is a character actress who seems to grow significantly with each role, and here she triumphs with matchless naturalism. ★

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★ ★ the OCTOBER CALENDAR ★LITERARY HILL

A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events

by Karen Lyon

Local writer Richard E. Rubenstein considers the reasons — both past and present — why America goes to war.

Why War? Here’s a self-assessment quiz for you. When our leaders tell us we need to go to war, are you more like Billy Budd or Davy Crockett?

According to author Richard E. Rubenstein, you’re probably neither a trusting dupe nor a frontier fighter, but rather a rational person who simply may not have not have studied the arguments put forth by those advocating war. His new book, “Reasons to Kill: Why Americans Choose War,” will remedy that.

Based on both historic and current events, Rubenstein puts forth the rationales often used to lead America into war: self-defense, humanitarian intervention against an evil enemy, patriotism, and war

104 ★ HillRag | October 2010

as last resort. He then deconstructs George Mason University and lives each of them, looking behind the on Capitol Hill. bluster to find the facts. Was Andrew Jackson’s war against the Seminoles The Hunted and a case of self-defense or a land grab?

Did Saddam Hussein’s absolute evil the Mourned James Swanson, author of the justify invading Iraq? Is today’s new brand of patriotism merely a way of bestselling “Manhunt,” is in hot justifying American moral superior- pursuit again. In “Bloody Crimes: ity? And finally, have we really ex- The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s hausted all other options?

Rubenstein reasonably demands Corpse,” Swanson skillfully weaves that, given the high cost of war, together two incredible journeys those advocating it should bear a – “the rise and fall of the two Civil heavy burden of proof. He exhorts War presidents, each a martyr to his Americans to think carefully when cause” — that “haunt American hisconfronted with the possibility of tory down to the latest generation.”

Thanks to his extensive research, engaging in war, suggesting five parameters to apply: don’t accept that Swanson frequently lets historical war is a normal state of affairs; in figures speak for themselves through the case of self-defense, consider what we are defending and from whom; question the validity of “evil” enemies and moral crusades; analyze emotional appeals to patriotism; and demand that war advocates disclose their own interests.

Inspired by George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq, “Reasons to Kill” makes a forceful case for questioning politicians and ensuring that we are not led blindly into war.

“My fondest wish,” writes Rubenstein, “is that this book… will strengthen the healthy skepticism that has traditionally been such a strong component of the American character.” Richard Rubenstein is Professor of Conflict ResoHill superstar James Swanson continues his historical lution and Public Affairs at manhunt with a dual tale of two Civil War presidents.

telegrams, letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts. Such telling details lend authenticity and immediacy, as when Lincoln visited a defeated and burning Richmond. The president sat quietly in the study that Davis had been forced to abandon not 36 hours before, an eyewitness recalled, lying back in the chair “like a tired man whose nerves had carried him beyond his strength.”

Later, as the funeral procession wended its way by train through Baltimore, New York, Cleveland, and Chicago, its emotional momentum, fueled in part by newspaper reports, continued to build. Meanwhile, Davis was driven further and further south, publicly accused of conspiring in the assassination plot but still considering the cause more important than his public safety. Knowing the inevitable outcome does not detract in the least from Swanson’s suspenseful tale. In his masterful hands, history truly becomes a pageturner.

James Swanson will be at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, on Oct. 2 at 2:30 PM.

Celebrating Jewish Literature The 12th Annual Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival, presented by the Washington DC Jewish Community Center’s Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts, brings the best of history, humor, fiction, politics, and children’s stories to DC in a ten-day celebration of Jewish creativity. Headliners include Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, author of “36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction,”

great festival.”

The Jewish Literary Festival will be held at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St., NW (near the Dupont Circle Metro), October 17-27. For information and tickets – which range from $11 for readings to $25 for the opening and closing ceremonies – visit www.washingtondcjcc.org/litfest or call 202-777-3251.

Three Looks at Books Did the New York Times succumb to pressure to squelch a story about the invasion of the Bay of Pigs in 1961? Was Edward R. MurThe Library of Congress presents a trio of “Books row responsible for bringing and Beyond” talks this month on the role of books down red-baiting Senator and journalism.

Joseph McCarthy? And did feminist protestors really Jessica Jiji, author of “Sweet Dates burn their bras at the 1968 Miss in Basra,” Michal Govrin, Israeli America pageant in Atlantic City? poet and author of “Hold on to W. Joseph Campbell examines the Sun”; and Allegra Goodman, these and other media myths in the award-winning writer of “The his new book, “Getting It Wrong: Cookbook Collector” who has Ten of the Greatest Misreported been heralded as “a modern day Stories in American Journalism.” A Jane Austen.” professor in the School of Commu“We’re very excited about the nications at American University, authors we’re bringing to the HyCampbell reminds us that the meman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewdia’s ubiquitous presence should not ish Literary Festival this year,” be mistaken for power and that we says Festival Director Lili Kalish would all do well to scrutinize the Gersch. “I’m looking forward to sources of news stories to avoid fallfascinating discussions about Jewing prey to the media’s sometimes ish comedy, Iraqi Jewish commuself-perpetuating mythology. nities, the interplay of faith and Campbell’s talk on October 28 reason, truth in memoir, and Jewat noon at the Library of Congress ish cowboys… This is going to be a is one of three “Books and Beyond”

events there this month. On October 5 at noon, John B. Hench discusses “Books as Weapons: Propaganda, Publishing, and the Battle for Global Markets in the Era of World War II.” Hench explores the partnership between American publishers and the U.S. government to win the hearts and minds of citizens liberated from the Axis forces following the D-Day invasion.

Robert Darnton presents “The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future” on October 15 at noon. A pioneer in the history of the book, Darnton addresses the timely question of whether the era of the book as we know it is coming to an end and, if so, whether the development is one to celebrate or mourn. For more information about “Books and Beyond,” visit www.loc.gov or call 202-707-5221.

A Literary Feast Start working up your appetite for A Literary Feast! This year’s event on October 23 will feature a record 35 book-themed dinners in homes all over Capitol Hill. Sponsored by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, the 2010 Feast will benefit CHCF’s Grants to Neighborhood Schools which funds special projects and programs for local school kids. For tickets and more information, visit www.aliteraryfeast.org. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 105

A critic’s choice of new CDs. Check them out online to choose the ones that speak to you.

Mirror •••• Charles Lloyd, ECM A seminal jazz album that offers some stellar performances from a quintessential musician at his finest with impeccable timing and colorful interpretations. Featured artists appearing with Mr. Lloyd (sax) include Jason Moran (piano), Reuben Rogers (double-bass), and Eric Harland (drums). Highlights “I Fall In Love Easily,” “Desolation Sound,” “Caroline,” “Mirror,” “Monk’s Mood,” and “Ruby, My Dear.”

stone’s voice is one that is both narrative and beguiling with subtle invocations of life’s drama, most notable with “Cradle Song (Hoy Nazan)” and “Just Sometimes.” Other standouts include “Like A Lover,” “Sisyphus” and “The Titles.” Appearing on the album Ms. Winstone are Klaus Gesing (bass clarinet, soprano sax) and Glauco Venier (piano).

Let’s Touch The Sky ••• Fourplay, Heads Up A smooth jazz album that offers a relaxing and enjoyable collection of songs like “More Than A Dream,” “Pineapple Getaway,” “I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You,” “Love TKO,” and “You’re My Thrill.”

Trinary Motion/Live In Europe ••• Mike Mainieri/Marnix Bustra Quartet, NYC Records

And If ••• Anat Fort Trio, ECM Peaceful, reflective and meditative best describes this album that anchors around the piano along with the timeless sounds of the drum and double-bass.

Performers include Anat Fort (piano), Gary Wang (double-bass) and Roland Schneider (drums).

Highlights are “And If,” “Minnesota,” “Paul Motion 1 & 2” and “Something ‘bout Camels.”

Stories Yet to Tell ••• Norma Winstone, ECM This album is a dancer’s dream for some dramatic interpretative dance movements along the storyline of faith and redemption. Norma Win106 ★ HillRag | October 2010

This double CD offers a retrospective and somewhat idyllic music on some delightful live performances beginning with “Three years, three months, three weeks, three days,”“The Secret Lake,” “Kanada,” “It’s Done,” and “Lost In Little Spain.”

Performers include Mike Mainieri (vibraphone), Marnix Busstra (guitars, bouzouki), Eric van der Westen (double bass) and Pieter Bast (drums).

Healing Within ••• Lori Williams, Pacific Coast Jazz Vocalist Lori Williams has a fabulously rich jazz voice and on her latest album you can hear much of it on both new and old standards like “Healing Within” (Blue In Green, “How Can I Begin Again,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and “Amazing Grace.”

Ms. Williams is well supported by some fine performances from Tracey Cutler (sax), Antonio Parker (sax), Derrick Gardner (trumpet), William Knowles (piano), Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (drums) and Michael Bowie (bass).

Pushing The Envelope ••• Gerald Albright, Heads Up Let’s get one thing clear: good music is one of life’s best rewards for many of us. Saxophonist Gerald Albright agrees, and after 23 years of performance recently summed up his latest album by declaring that “people all around the world need music.” To which we all shouted: “Please bring it on!” From the soulful “Capetown Strut,” “Embrace The Spirit,” to “From The Soul,” the man just sweetens your heart with pure unadulterated honey until you want to jump with ecstasy to that jubilant “Get On The Floor” and the funky “What Would James Do?” featuring Fred Wesley. On a more somber note the album also features a very humane and underlying appeal for help in a tribute to Haiti with “The Road To Peace.”

Batavia ••• David Becker, DBT Music All of the compositions on this album are written by David Becker (guitar) as a tribute to the ill-fated events and experiences of his mother’s family in Indonesia and Holland during WWII. According to Mr. Becker, his entire mother’s family, including a younger brother and stepfa-

ATrue Taste of Tuscany.

ther spent fours in a concentration camp in Indonesia while her father, older brother and sister were under siege in Holland. This is not dark music but more like healing music for the forgotten souls and a message of hope and forgiveness for those that are still alive. Highlights include “Batavia Reprise,” “In Search Of His Father,” “Li,” “A Long Night In Cairo,” and “Train To Bandung.” Other musicians include Bruce Becker (drums), and bassists Bolle Diekmann, Ravi Knypstra and Alexis Sklarevski.

Déjà vu ••• George Duke, Heads Up The reading from the picture of George Duke on this latest album is one of accomplishments and satisfaction. The eyes look out at you as if the man is standing on another planet and savoring the joy of aying “Please come join me and I’ll take you to places you have always longed for.” The majesty of the man and his music is almost sacred if not downright religious. This is music for everyone and you’re going enjoy such lavish standouts like “A Melody,” “Bring Me Joy,” Oh Really?” and the hot sensational “You Touch My Brain” and “6 O’Clock Revisited.”

The Glory of Love ••• Rob Keiter, Sketchin Records This album showcased Rob Keiter’s suave, sophisticated, and silky smooth voice on a collection of classic love songs. Although “The Glory of Love” is distinctly

jazz — contemporary, swing and straight-ahead — Mr. Keiter and producers Amber and Rob Whitlock culled material with jazz, pop, R&B and even theatrical roots.

He recorded jazzy versions of eleven songs written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Neil Sedaka, John Lennon & Paul McCartney, and a pair of songs each by Hal David & Burt Bacharach and Stevie Wonder. The Whitlock’s penned an original song, “Grateful For A Pleasant Trip,” specifically for Mr. Keiter. Backing the crooner in the studio was a fine cast of musicians including Grammy winner Randy Brecker (trumpet), Rob Whitlock (piano), Pat Kelley (guitar), Trey Henry (bass), Cliff Almond (drums), Amber Whitlock (vocals) and a horn section consisting of Wayne Bergeron (trumpet and flugelhorn), Andy Martin (trombone) and John Rekevics (saxes and flutes). Highlights include “Laughter in the Rain,” “What The World Needs Now,” “Looking For Another Pure Love,” “For No One” and “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life.”

All CDs and DVDS reviewed in this article are heard through Bowers & Wilkens 802D Speakers and ASW 4000 subwoofer, and Rotel Preamp 1070, amplifier 1092 and CD player 1072. CDs are available for purchase through amazon.com For more information about this column, please email your questions to fagon@hillrag.com. ★

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Kids & Family NOTEBOOK

by Kathleen Donner

Hill Brownie Troop recognized as Honor Troop

serving grades 6-9. With its focused academic program with an emphasis in literacy, Paul PCS regularly hosts book talks. www.paulcharter.org

Troop 4935 was recently recognized by the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital as an Honor Troop for 2009-2010. This award is Kids Fest at Lincoln Park given to troops that demonWith hundreds of children strate good financial manageexcitedly running around, a ment, strong programming casual observer may have wonand outstanding adult leaddered if the circus or Miley ership. Troop 4935 meets at Cyrus was in town. It wasn’t the Peabody School and is comVerizon Center that was abuzz, Hill Brownie Troop recognized as Honor Troop. Photo: Brownie prised of girls who live on Troop 4935 but Capitol Hill’s own Linthe Hill and attend Watkins, coln Park, which played host St. Peters and the Beauvior to DC’s inaugural Kids Fest.

Cheetah Girls Series, made an appearSchool. Members include (from left) ance at Paul Public Charter School in Capital City Church (CCC), hosted Perrin Brady, Emma Morris, Mary Northwest DC to speak with students the event. Kids Fest included dozens Jane Schmidt, Julia Buzacott, Aman about her latest book, Catwalk. Fox of games and activities, free snacks, Aine Porter, leader Angie Schmidt, 5 Morning Show with Tony Perkins arts and crafts, face painting, and even Mary Kozeny, Chloe Pine, and Maisie coverd the event live. Deborah Grego- a bike decorating station. The popular Arlotto. Congratulations ladies! ry is a well-known author with a back- kids’ band Rocknoceros kicked things off. After the band finished their set of ground in the fashion industry.

Many of books focus on promoting playful tunes, kids scattered in all diCheetah Girls Author visit to young women’s self-esteem through rections to participate in the plethora Paul PCS major fashion trends. Paul Public of activities. After nearly four hours of Deborah Gregory, author of the Charter School is a middle school fun festivities, the event finally closed

with a bike parade, a honeybee hoedown, and an incredible performance

by C&C Dance Company, a dance troupe made up of five smooth youngsters. www.capcitychurch.com

Student Matinee of Henry VIII There will be a student matinee of Henry VIII at the Folger Shakespeare Library on October 28, 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office 202-547-7077. www. folger.edu/education

World Animal Day at National Geographic On Saturday, Oct. 16. 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m., enjoy this family-friendly celebration of the animal world, including art workshops, photo safaris, storytelling, Mama Mirabelle and Toot & Puddle film screenings--and more! Visit two lively Museum exhibitions, Geckos: From Tails to Toepads and Wild Music: Songs and Sounds

Deborah Gregory, author of the Cheetah Girls Series, makes an appearance at Paul Public Charter School to speak with students about her latest book, Catwalk. Photo: Paul Public Charter School 108 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Kid-centric Barn Night at the Washington International Horse Show The Washington International Horse Show Barn Night offers an exciting evening for riders, their barn mates, friends, and families to celebrate equestrian sport and pay tribute to those that excel at all levels of hunter-jumper competition. Thursday Oct. 28, 6:00 p.m. The Ashley M.and Kobe pose at DC’s inaugural Kids Fest hosted by 52nd Annual Washthe Capital City Church, www.capcitychurch.com. ington International Horse Show will take place Oct. 26-31 at of Life. Co-presented with National Verizon Center in Geographic Museum and National Washington, DC. 202-525-3679.

Geographic Kids Entertainment in www.wihs.org recognition of World Animal Day. Free but Geckos exhibit is $4. 202857-7700. www.nglive.org Blessing of the Animals Introduces

New Cathedral Cat, “Carmina” Washington National Opera Family Look-In What happens when four kids end up lost in an opera house? They discover the wonders of lights, scenery, costumes, music, and more! This behind-the-scenes introduction to the magical world of opera is perfect for children ages 6-12 and their families. Saturday, Oct 16, 2:00 p.m. $10. Kennedy Center Opera House.

202-295-2400. www.dc-opera.org

Fall 2010 ArtReach Classes Oct. 18-Dec.10. For ages 1218; Mondays, 4:30-6:00 p.m. or Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. For ages 8-12; Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. or Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Register online at www.THEARCdc.org.

Registrations forms available at the front desk at THEARC. The Corcoran ArtReach Studio, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. Contact ArtReach at artreach@corcoran.org if you have any questions. 202-889-5901. www.

THEARCdc.org.

Washington National Cathedral’s 2010 Blessing of the Animals will officially welcome Carmina, the new Cathedral cat adopted by the Cathedral Choral Society from the Washington Humane Society (WHS). The event marks the 734th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, whose feast day the Cathedral celebrates with its Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 p.m., on the Cathedral’s west steps. All pets and their caretakers are invited to attend. Carmina takes the place of Catherine of Tarragon, the much-beloved Cathedral cat who has retired in her old age to a home in North Carolina.

WHS rescued Carmina and her litter of week-old kittens from a deserted parking lot in Southeast DC. All of Carmina’s kittens have found adoptive homes as well. 202-537-5548. www. cathedral.org or www.warl.org

“Sprouts” for Preschoolers at the Botanic Garden Bring your preschooler (ages 3-5)

to the U.S. Botanic Garden for plantrelated fun. Sign up for a one-month session and attend four different programs. Each Wednesday session will have varied activities that may include a story, art activity, or walk in the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participating children must be 3 years of age. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free but pre-registration required. Conservatory Classroom. 202-225-1116. www.usbg.gov Family Fun Saturdays at the DAR, Third Saturday of Every Month (Sept. through June), 10:00 a.m.-noon. Event features hands-on activities for the whole family, such as crafts and games, and a short tour of the museum. Children should be seven years old and older. $5. Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, 1776 D St. NW (entrance is on D St. between 17th and 18th sts.). Reservations are requested but drop-ins are welcomed. 202-8793240. www.dar.org/museum

Energizers’ Boys and Girls Club at Dance Place Since 1995, the Dance Place Energizers have been learning and giving back to the local community. This after-school program focuses on academic enrichment, life skills, character development, community service and entrepreneurial skills. Graduates have gone on to finish high school, graduate college and create their own business.

Taught by Dance Place’s dedicated youth leadership staff, college students and Dance Place interns. For youth ages 7-13. 202-269-1600. www.danceplace.org

Wild Beasts and Creatures Journey to the wild and discover fierce lions, serpents, and beasts on this gallery safari. Let the bronze sculptures of Antoine-Louis Barye be your guide along the way as you learn about animal fables from cultures around the world. Continue the adventure in our art studio and create your own wild creature out of clay. Workshops are limited to children ages 8-12 and their adult companions. Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Space is limited and advance registration is required. $15.

Corcoran Gallery of Art. 202-6391700. www.corcoran.org

Teen Volunteer Program at the National Zoo Teen Volunteers can participate in programs that primarily run in the summer, but limited opportunities are also available throughout the year.

Many teens find they can fulfill their school’s requirement for student service learning hours while having fun at the Zoo. Minimum age, depending on the program, is 13 years old. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-6333052. nationalzoo.si.edu

The First Tee (free golf lessons for kids) The First Tee provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as confidence, perseverance and judgment through golf and character education. Ages 8 through 18.

Lessons are weekdays 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Langston Golf Course and Driving Range, 26th and Benning Rd. NE. 202-397-8638. www.thefirsttee.org

Carousel on the Mall Operates Daily In October, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (weather permitting and based on staff availability). $2.50/ride. 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall, near the “castle”). www.si.edu

Storytelling at the American Indian Museum A Native staff member reads books by or about Native Americans.

“Hok-noth-da?” means “Did you hear?” in the Shawnee language. For ages 5-9. Mondays through Fridays, 1:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. Free, walk-in. Seating is first-come, first-served. American Indian Museum, Resource Center, third level. On the Mall at Third St. and Independence Ave. SW. 800-242-6624. www.americanindian.si.edu. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 109

kidsfamily EDUCATING THE DISTRICT

A New Beginning for our Most At-Risk Students What We Can Do to Help Make Their Transition Successful article by Lisa Raymond | photos by David Domenici

A

few weeks ago, I visited what many would consider a model school. Class sizes are between nine and twelve students, each student is visibly engaged, the adultto-student ratio is about 1:8 and lessons are based on rigorous standards and focused on each student’s individual learning needs. The building is inviting and beautifully designed.

Unlike most other schools, all 60-70 students are young men, ages 13-17.

But its most unique characteristic is that each class has two security staff members.

The Maya Angelou Academy is the school at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center – a secure facility in Laurel, Maryland for youths who have been committed to DC’s Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Most are considered serious and

chronic offenders and they stay at New Beginnings for a six to twelve month program. During this time they receive, in addition to intensive classroom learning and support, wraparound services such as mental and physical health care. The focus is on behavior modification and “reintegration.” But while it seems clear that these students are receiving a quality education during their stay, it is also clear that there are not adequate services and programs to help them continue their success when they leave.

Our city must take a birth to adulthood approach to education.

This is our only hope of improving the outcomes for our most at-risk residents. And we’re on the right path: Programs like pre-K have been proven to reduce the number of young adults who commit crimes, and DCPS and public charter schools

Art is part of the program at Maya Angelou Academy.

110 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Maya Angelou Academy student working in math class.

seem to have gotten the message that we need to make education meaningful to students in order to keep them in school. But for those who end up in the criminal justice system, it is our responsibility to give them the education and other supports that they need to try and change their lives.

Most of the young men who end up at Maya Angelou Academy have had negative experiences with education; many have skipped school or dropped out because personal struggles prevented their academic success.

School principal and Maya Angelou founder Dave Domenici sees an opportunity to provide these students with something that most of them haven’t had: High expectations; a safe, nurturing environment; the support of numerous adults who help students reach their academic and career potential and an academic pro-

gram tailored to meet each student’s need and maximize his ability to earn transferrable credits. This approach is getting results, as demonstrated by the fact that students gain one to 1.5 years of growth during their six to twelve month stay, and they are earning credits at a faster rate than they ever have in their lives. But what happens when they leave?

A 15-year old who begins at Maya Angelou a few years behind academically has a good chance to be successful when he returns to school in his community. But one who enters reading at the third grade level and leaves at the fifth grade level has made tremendous progress, but is far from being ready for tenth grade. Dropping him into a traditional DCPS or public charter high school without significant support isn’t likely to result in success, which is defined as not only

staying out of trouble, but becoming self-sufficient. This may mean earning a high school degree or GED and completing career and technical education, but it could also include the opportunity and support to obtain a two- or fouryear college degree. While DYRS, with the help of Maya Angelou, provides some transition services for these young men, it is not nearly enough. And the existing middle and high school programs in DC may be a poor fit for them, even with adequate assistance.

Some programs, including Youth Build, the Luke C. Moore Academy and the three other Maya Angelou middle and high schools, serve students who have been unsuccessful in traditional school environments. But we need more that address the needs of not only our most at-risk students, but those in danger of dropping out or becoming entangled in the juvenile justice system. I have known many students who felt that, because of their advanced age and lack of credits, obtaining a GED would be their best option. But quality GED preparation programs in DC are hard to identify and hold accountable.

We need innovative programs that provide a range of educational supports to middle and high school students, and that can be flexible enough to meet their needs, including on-line learning, intensive tutoring and guidance, GED preparation and career and technical training. We can build these programs within existing DCPS or public charter schools, and we should also seek higher education partners, such as the new Community College of DC (CCDC) to help prepare our most at-risk young people for success in careers and in life. Until we recognize that many of our students need something different – and we provide it for them – the gains that they make at places like Maya Angelou will be lost.

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Lisa Raymond is the DC State Board of Education Member for Ward 6, a DCPS parent and education consultant. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 111

kidsfamily school notes

school notes Compiled by Susan Braun Johnson

Payne Elementary Students Receive Backpacks from MPD

Two Rivers PCS 7th Grade girls kayak on the Chesapeake Bay at NorthBay.

Two Rivers Expeditionary Learning at Its Best!

When you think of the first day of school you think of the excitement of meeting your new teacher, seeing your new classroom, meeting up with your classmates that you haven’t seen all summer and exchanging stories.

Well all that happens at Two Rivers Public Charter School, but for TR middle school students, things started off a little differently this year.

On August 30th, while the elementary school students were settling into their new classrooms, the middle-schoolers were heading off to North Bay Environmental Education Center, an “outdoor classroom” whose mission is to challenge middle school students to realize that their attitudes and actions have a lasting impact on their future, the environment and the people around.

Grades sixth, seventh and eighth spent an entire week on the Chesapeake Bay in northern Maryland studying science, in an exciting and 112 ★ HillRag | October 2010

hands-on outdoor setting where there is also a focus on adventure, life skills, and character development. They learned about the native and nonnative species of clams in the Bay, and then went clamming to find and sort them. They went hiking and measured trees to estimate their monetary worth and the best way to use them. The students also collected trash, caught and identified fish, learned about compost, and went vulture-watching.

Exciting adventure activities – from rock-climbing to ziplining to kayaking were also enjoyed by everyone. Through the entire week, the students reflected on themselves and their community. They did an outstanding job and came back ready for a great year! Two Rivers hopes this trip will become a rite of passage for all rising 6th graders. - Barbra Silva. 202-546-4477. TRPCS, 1227 4th St, NE; www.tworiverspcs.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ tworiverspcs. Twitter @TwoRiversPCS., bsilva@tworiverspcs.org.

On Sept. 7th representatives from the office of Police Chief Katherine Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) paid a special visit to Payne students. Fiftyfive Payne students were given a new backpack as part of MPD’s book bag give-away. The new bags were filled with healthy back to school snacks intended to boost the brain power of the smart and energetic Payne students. While there was general excitement around the new backpacks, students were even more thrilled to meet McGruff the Crime Dog. McGruff talked to the student body about treating friends with kindness and being safe on the playground and in the neighborhood.

Payne Embraces World Cultures Year one of the catalyst program at Payne is off to a strong start and the students are thrilled about their new world cultures theme! When you enter

Payne this year, you might be greeted in Japanese by a second grader, taught about the geography of Australia by a third grader, or hear a song about Washington DC from the youngest students. Teachers are focused on creating authentic learning opportunities for all students by connecting learning to their community and our world. Payne welcomes community involvement. If you want to share your experience living in another country, demonstrate international art or music projects, or have other ideas please contact Kyle Evans at kyle.evans@ dc.gov . -Vielka Scott-Marcus, Principal, Kyle Evans, Catalyst Coordinator, Juanita Stokes, Preschool Teacher.

Payne, 305 15th St., S.E.. 202-6983262. Vielka.Scott@dc.g

Tyler Elementary Healthy Harvest The Tyler Elementary community will be growing a healthier future this year, thanks to several new and exciting programs. Tyler recently became a member of the Alliance for a

McGruff the Crime Dog and Inspector M. Reese greet students at Payne on Sept. 7.

Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program -a national program that promotes physical activity and healthy eating. Tyler parents Mandy Slater and Dan McKenna will be leading efforts to craft a plan to promote parent, community and professional involvement to create a healthier and safer school for staff, students and the community. Tyler students are already enjoying free healthy snacks as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program.

The nation-wide program aims to improve students’ eating habits by offering a variety of fresh produce snacks each day. The snacks will be delivered to the classrooms every afternoon by teachers and aides. As part of the program, Tyler Librarian Audrey Duff and Arts Integration Coordinator Lauren Eskovitz will engage students with lessons in eating healthy, fresh, and nutritious foods.

Later this month during DC Farm to School Week (October 12th – 15th), student menus will feature healthy, locally grown food.

During the week, several classes will travel to a local farm to harvest, pre-

pare and sample local produce. Chef Cathal Armstrong from Restaurant Eve and Chefs as Parents will be on hand to lead a cooking demonstration with locally grown food generously provided by Whole Foods.

But the healthy harvest doesn’t end there. Thanks to a grant from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, students will also get to be farmers this fall. As part of the growing array of aftercare programs, students will be planting and harvesting food in Tyler’s Outdoor Classroom.

Thanks to the tireless cultivation of parents, staff and the community, Tyler students will be reaping healthy rewards throughout the year. - Suzanne Wells.Tyler, 1001 G St. SE. tylerpta@hotmail.com.

Brent News At Robert Brent Elementary School, a DCPS museum magnet school, 330 happy students streamed through the doors for the first day of school. The resurgence in enrollment (backed by a waitlist of over 600 students) has been a blessing to the many families who live nearby and are pleased to be

Second-graders at Brent enjoy the outdoors capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 113

kidsfamily school notes able to send their children to their neighborhood school. There has been a school on the Brent site since 1809; originally Eastern HS was located there and then in 1883, an 8-room schoolhouse was built on the spot where the brand-new playground is now situated. A fire in 1963 necessitated the building of a new structure, which underwent a full renovation in the last couple of years. Students are now greeted by gleaming new classrooms with the latest technology, an expanded curriculum to include Chinese and an advanced studies program, and a fabulous PE program partially funded by the PTA. Learning doesn’t just take place inside the school. Thanks to an ex- Correction: Last month’s caption for CHDS should have read: Upper School Science Teacher Liza tremely active Parent Green Team Esser helps students dissect sheep hearts.” Photo: Heidi Ruesswick. that works closely with the teachers, Brent is surrounded by outdoor classrooms. There are rain and butterfly gardens where students can see with their own eyes what they are learning about inside the classroom. Science teacher Mr. Mangiaracina takes it even further off campus on the weekend. He is organizing a fall migration bird walk for Brent families in Rock Creek Park.

Fall Fest Join the families of Brent at the annual Fall Festival on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event promises fun for kids of all ages and their parents too! In addition to traditional carnival games and food, there will be an obstacle course, a moon bounce, and a bake and book sale. The fabulous children’s hip hop artist, Mr. Derby, will get young and old out on the dance floor. Cost is $5 per person, $25 maximum per family. The festivities will take place rain or shine (but we hope for shine)!

Subs Wanted Brent is looking for great substitutes! Requirements are a college degree, experience/interest in education and a love of children. Please contact Denise Diggs at denise.diggs@dc.gov if you are interested. –E.V. Downey.

Brent, 301 North Carolina Avenue, SE. www.brentelementary.org; 202698-3363.

114 ★ HillRag | October 2010

CHDS 7th graders work on their first podcast. Photo: Jill Brandenburg

St. Anselm’s Academics and Sports St. Anselm’s Abbey School is usually thought of more for its academics than for its athletics, but the school year is off to a roaring start both in the classroom and on the playing fields. The cross country team is defending its title for a second straight year, hoping to capture a three-year championship streak. The Abbey’s 43acre grounds make a popular venue for the sport; few schools in the city can boast so much room in which to practice their long-distance runs. The Middle School and Upper School

soccer teams have also taken the field, ready to compete against the other teams in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC). Playing teams from schools such as Washington International and Edmund Burke, the St. Anselm’s Panthers have won more than 45 league championships since joining the PVAC in 1996. As a small school, St. Anselm’s can give nearly all who want to participate the opportunity to do so. And despite the school’s small size, the Abbey boasts some of the finest athletic facilities in the city. In addition to ample room for the cross country course and several outdoor playing fields and tennis

courts, the school has a state-of-theart gymnasium which was completed in 2003. The facility features a main gym with seating for 500 fans, team rooms for home and visiting teams, indoor practice facilities and weight rooms for wrestling, basketball, and fencing, and a trainer’s room.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C., about four miles north of Capitol Hill. The school serves 232 boys in grades 6 – 12. For more information, please contact E.V. Downey, Director of Admissions, at admissions@ saintanselms.org.

Capitol Hill Day School Music Students’ Podcast Production Laptops, Wi-Fi, SMART boards . . . and now podcasts! Capitol Hill Day School 7th and 8th grade music students are preparing the first in what they plan to be monthly podcasts, featuring events and news from the CHDS community. A podcast is simply a web broadcast of audio or video files that can be downloaded automatically onto a computer or mp3 player. The first CHDS podcast will highlight new Head of School, Jason Gray, as well as Back to School activities. Look for it on the school’s website, www.chds.org; it also will be streamed to the iTunes store.

Music teacher Jill Brandenburg’s 7th and 8 grade students arrange and create original music in the classroom. This year, they will record and edit their music using programs such as Garage Band and Logic Express, as well as manipulate and arrange pre-recorded tracks. Photography and video will factor into the final product, requiring students to become familiar with iMovie and iPhoto. Finally, they will write stories and conduct interviews, and produce podcasts that allow them to consider and experiment with the ways music enhances a story.

Head of School Jason Gray reported that the students who interviewed him took their job seriously and handled it with maturity, while

clearly enjoying the challenge of producing the podcast. Teachers and students are pleased that this project offers yet another opportunity for CHDS upper grade students to take on leadership roles in the School. While the podcast project is a small part of the overall music curriculum, it has energized and motivated everyone.

Upper grade music students also learn hand drumming, rehearsing increasingly complex rhythms, and use their voices and instruments to create musical works. One of the highlights of recent CHDS Spring Music Festivals is the performance of a highly rhythmic body percussion ensemble piece from Sumatra – the Saman Hand Dance.

- Jane Angarola & Jill Brandenburg.

CHDS, 210 South Carolina Ave., SE. 202-386-9919. www.chds.org.

Maury Elementary President’s Trainer & More!

Maury students trained with the Obama’s personal trainer, jumped rope with an Olympian, and shot baskets with an NBA player! The launch of One Million Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge happened Sept. 15 at Maury Elementary School! It featured Ken Powell, Chairman and

CEO, General Mills; 1996 Gymnastic gold medalist Dominique Dawes; fitness expert and workout video star Donna Richardson Joyner; 2008 Track and Field gold medalist Allyson Felix; NBA Phoenix Suns’ Grant Hill; Chris Paul, point guard, NBA New Orleans Hornets; Curtis Pride, head coach of Gallaudet University and former MLB player; fitness expert Cornell McClellan, First Family’s personal trainer, and more. The goal is to help kids across the country secure their PALA certificate and lead healthy and active lives. The events, organized by Box Tops for Education volunteers in up to 8,000 schools across the country, educate students and their families about the merits of healthy eating and exercise.

Maury Teacher Honored by Nats!

Maury teacher VanNessa Duckett-Thomas was honored by the Nationals at the Sept. 12 game! Mrs. Thomas received the Spirit Award from their Executive VP Bob Wolfe while the announcer listed her accomplishments for children and families; shown on the jumbo-tron with mascot Screech, students Vivian and Rachel Dougherty, Amelia Huxley and Sophia Royer, Maury parent Drew Golin, and Principal Albert-Garvey.

Maury 3rd graders with fitness star Donna Richardson Joyner, with 1st Family’s personal trainer Cornell McClellan behind. Credit: Jerome Young. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 115

kidsfamily school notes

Dressing up at River Park Nursery school

Calendar of Maury Events Oct. 2 – Maury Yard & Bake Sale. The triangle park at A St. & N. Carolina Ave., NE between 13th and 14th Sts. NE. Cull your closets to make room for new stuff (we’ll take your tax deductible donations)! From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Oct. 2 – TB Testing. Same time and location as Yard & Bake Sale. $15 cash, receipt provided.

Oct. 4 - TB follow up and DCPS fingerprinting. Get your negative TB test results onsite, and fingerprinting is free of charge. At Maury from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oct. 23 – Fall Festival and Recipe Cook-off. So much fun – save the date!

-Heather Schoell. www.mauryelementary.com, 202-698-3838, or visit the campus and Principal Carolyne Albert-Garvey at 1250 Constitution Ave., NE.

116 ★ HillRag | October 2010

River Park Nursery School Yard & Bake Sale Oct 23

Expanded Technology at Stuart-Hobson

The annual River Park Nursery School Yard & Bake sale is scheduled for Oct. 23rd from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in front of the Rumsey pool area at Eastern Market. Please stop by early to enjoy homemade goodies and find some great bargains too -- from baby gear and kids’ clothes to household items and small appliances. If you would like to donate goods for the yard sale, please contact Suzanne Nelson at suzcnn@yahoo.com. For more information about River Park Nursery school, visit the website at www.riverparknurseryschool.org.

Last spring, the City Council awarded Stuart-Hobson $1.27 million dollars to support technology upgrades. Cluster parents Peter MacPherson and Clayton Witt worked with the school administration and numerous partners to bring this wonderful project to fruition over the summer. The technology upgrade includes computers for classrooms and the library, laptops for use by students and teachers, SMARTboards, 2 new science labs, a computer lab, a Read 180 lab (an intervention program for struggling readers), and a new classroom.

Capitol Hill Cluster School

New Music Classes and Band Programs

Stuart-Hobson Middle School students started the school year with many exciting additions to the school, including a $1.27 million technology upgrade, a new instrumental music program, and expanded school gardens.

Stuart-Hobson students have a new class to look forward to this year – instrumental music! All students will learn the fundamentals of musicianship under the direction of

Stuart-Hobson’s new music educator, Jim Edwards. Mr. Edwards has been a music teacher and band director for 22 years. Band instrument instruction will be offered as part of the afterschool program this year and expand into the regular school curriculum next year. Mr. Edwards has many exciting plans for expanding music education opportunities at StuartHobson, including a comprehensive school band program featuring both concert and marching bands, as well as smaller ensembles.

Growing Gardens The gardens surrounding StuartHobson have been abuzz with activity as volunteers and students work to expand the Nancy Cunningham Memorial and Native Plant Garden.

Lands and Waters, an organization dedicated to watershed protection and education, installed a stone patio for classes to use for learning and working in the garden. The patio stone was recycled from a concrete

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 117

kidsfamily school notes North American College in Rome.

Ordained to the priesthood in 2004, Father Carter served as priest-secretary to Cardinal McCarrick and Archbishop Wuerl for three years. In 2008 he returned to Rome to pursue a doctorate in Moral Theology, which he will complete this fall. Welcome Father Griffin!

Celebrating Summer Reading Students marked the end of back-to-school week as super heroes!

As part of the annual St. Peter School summer reading celebration, students participated in a super hero obstacle course; arm wrestling contests; scavenger hunts; donning capes in a lifesize telephone booth and so much more! With a focus on graphic novels, students in grades two through eight were challenged to successfully read and prepare graphic reports on at least four books during the summer break. This year participating grades boasted 99 per cent participation! And of course, eighth grade students took part in an important right of passage – sitting in the dunk tank while students from the lower grades aimed to drench!

Father Byrne and Father Griffin bless students at beginning of new term at St. Peter School. Photo: Bruce Schill

wall removed to help decrease the school’s storm-water runoff. This fall, students will help fill the garden with native plants. Former Stuart-Hobson student Will Warren generously donated money to purchase a drip irrigation system for the garden.

The garden has been designed to attract lots of winged visitors. Butterflies were spotted throughout the summer in a new monarch habitat featuring milkweed and butterfly bushes. The Stuart-Hobson Environmental Club worked with retired Cluster School teacher Laurie Siegel to create a beautiful fused glass bird bath for the garden.

Future plans for the Stuart-Hobson gardens include new plantings on the West side to help reduce stormwater runoff, a vegetable garden, and 118 ★ HillRag | October 2010

a composting system. If you are interested in helping to grow the Stuart-Hobson gardens, please contact Suzanne Wells (m.godec@att.net).

Capitol Hill Cluster School Open House The first Open House of the year will be held on Oct. 26 on all three Cluster School campuses – Peabody, Watkins, and Stuart-Hobson. Contact www.capitolhillclusterschool.org for more information. - Melanie Pittard. Stuart-Hobson, 410 E St. NE.

St. Peter School Blessing the Beginning of the New School Term Students began the school term with the annual school blessing by Father Byrne and the newest member of the school community, Father Carter Griffin. As part of his duties as parochial vicar, Father Griffin will be working with the administration to support the school’s mission of offering an education characterized by Catholic values and academic excellence. Before entering the seminary, Father Griffin completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University and served as a naval officer.

He pursued his philosophical studies at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD and his theological studies at the

A Wet Welcome Back!

Families and students celebrated being back in school during a gloriously soggy afternoon of food, friends and a water logged fun! Tug-of-war, three-legged races, capture-the-flag -- topped off by a massive water balloon battle! Welcome back everyone!

Fall Open House St. Peter School Fall Open House will be held on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. – 11:a.m. Applications will be available, and prospective families are invited to tour the school and meet with faculty and parents. - Sally Aman.

St. Peter School, 422 Third St. SE.; 202-544-1618 www.stpeterschooldc.org ★

Health & Fitness Living You Best Life

Hill ExPats Open Winery in Virginia

By Pattie Cinelli

J

ust an hour and a half ride from Capitol Hill down Route 66 exists a fantasy land with rolling hills, renovated farmhouses, working orchards, and acres of cows grazing in lush green open fields.

The tiny town of Hume, Virginia, population 263, is home to one of the state’s newest wineries, owned by Stephane Baldi and his wife, Andrea. They have seven acres under vine and celebrated their grand opening just this past summer.

When we exited the highway in Marshall we knew we were in wine country. Just a few miles to Hume, the twolane road wound over hills and past several wineries.

The sign “Hume Vineyards” pointed us up a gravel road to the top of the Hume Vineyard Winery driveway where a panoramic view of the vineyard spread out before us. Mountains rose in the distance behind the big white newly renovated farmhouse and barn turned wine tasting site. John Kennedy once owned a home on one of the most

TOP: Stephane and Andrea Baldi. BOTTOM: A barn on the Hume Vineyards property. Photos by Karen Voellm. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 119

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We found Stephane and Andrea in the barn serving guests tastes of their four releases: a 2009 Vidal Blanc, a crisp, dry-style Vidal with a hint of sweetness; a 2009 Chambourcin, a vibrant, firm intense Chambourcin exploding with spicy plum and layered with dried currant, black pepper and licorice; a 2008 Detour, a tight and austere youngster with fresh cut grass, tobacco leaf and mineral giving way to subtle oak and cedar notes, and a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, loaded with hints of roasted coffee, leather, vanilla bean and bacon. Future releases will include a Chambourcin Rose, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.

“I’ve been interested in wine and winemaking since growing up in France,” said Paris-born Stephane. His family had a farm in Burgundy then moved to the Loire Valley where they still live today.

Stephane came to the U.S. to attend college. He received his doctorate degree in social sciences from Ohio State and came to DC in search of a job. He eventually moved to Capitol Hill where he was living when he met Andrea five years ago. He began collecting wine

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The wine bar at Hume Vineyards. Photos by Karen Voellm 120 ★ HillRag | October 2010

and learning as much as he could about it. He devoured the University of California – Davis textbooks on winemaking and viticulture.

“I started thinking about doing a winery as early as the late 1990s. I just needed the right partner. Then I met Andrea, and she was crazy enough to do this with me. The rest, as they say, is history.” Andrea smiled. “It sounded so romantic to have vineyards and a winery. I had no idea what was involved. Neither of us really knew.”

Stephane and Andrea got married almost four years ago in the town of Hume at the Marriott Ranch, 4200 acres owned by the Marriott family. Stephane said it is the largest privately owned piece of land in the U.S. and it’s reasonably-priced bed-and-breakfast is Hume’s best kept secret.

Just a week after their honeymoon the Hume farm came up for sale. “The 50-acre farm used to have cattle. When we bought it, the farm house was a wreck,” said Stephane.

They roughed it for four or five months in the unrenovated farmhouse. Then this past winter – their worst weather yet-- the roof on their barn, which was in the process of being reno-

R. Kevin Flood, M. Ed vated, collapsed under the weight of snow.

Although Hume is physically a short commute from Capitol Hill, living in Hume offers a huge contrast culturally and socially to urban life. The closest store is 15 miles away, the only commercial enterprise in Hume is a post office. Although they commute to jobs as research consultants in D.C. a few times a week, Stephane said their goal is to transition into the winery business full time as they increase production. When asked if they miss life on the Hill Stephane piped up, “No, not at all. If I never had to go back, it’s fine with me.” Andrea said she still looks forward to doing her shopping in Balducci’s near her DC office. And she had a touch of regret in her voice when she explained how she had to sell her sports car. During the snows last winter it proved useless even after Stephane towed it to the top of the driveway.

The Baldis have adopted a sustainable approach to everything they do on the vineyard. “Our rows may not look pretty or manicured, but it’s better for the grapes.” Once the grapes were planted, the most important daily job is marketing – getting visitors to Hume Vineyards. They have been successful in attracting a steady stream of visitors, many of whom bring their lunch, buy a bottle of wine and relax at one of the picnic tables that dot the property. Stephane said he has been working with Virginia Tech in an effort to be organic, but in Virginia this is hard to do because of the humidity.

“We hardly sprayed this year because it was so dry.” They use migrant workers to tie and thin shoots, prune and fertilize. Right now, Stephane said they work with another winery to produce wine, but his goal, “is to be set up to process on Hume instead of going to Leesburg.”

Hume Vineyards is open for wine tasting on Saturdays from 12 to 6 pm and on Sundays from 12 to 5 pm. For directions or more information log onto: www.humevineyards.com. Check out their facebook page at: www.facebook. com/humevineyards.

Pattie Cinelli has been writing feature stories for the Hill Rag for over two decades. Please email comments or story ideas to: fitness@pattiecinelli.com. ★

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Neither Nature nor Nurture No Simple Answers in the Debate about Pit Bulls

by Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH

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W

ith September’s tragic dog shooting at Adams Morgan Day, the seizure of 200 fighting dogs in Ohio that same month, and the recent release of a book about the rehabilitation of Michael Vick’s dogs, pit bulls have been much in the news of late. There’s nothing new about that, I know, but it does give us cause to consider just what is going on with these dogs.

As a resident of Capitol Hill, I’m sure you have had some exposure to pit bulls, and your opinion of them may be positive or negative.

There are those who think pits are wonderful dogs, and the entire onus for their occasional misbehavior lies with their owners. And then there are those who do not trust the breed under any circumstances.

And so it is that, on one hand, a police officer at a public festival shoots a pit bull he believes is aggressive, while on the other hand, police chief Cathy Lanier comes by the Washington Animal Rescue League regularly to spend time with our dogs and embraces all the pit bulls literally and enthusiastically.

How is it that different intelligent and well-meaning people look at the same dog and see totally different animals? I’d suggest it’s because they have had either a good experience with pits, or a bad one. The experience need not even be direct. Maybe they saw a news report that made pit bulls look like 40-pound Godzillas. Or perhaps they were impressed by the movie “The Incredible Journey,” which shows a pit bull in a positive light. It really is that simple.

The lesson I gather from all this is that those of us with pit bulls and those of us who rescue pit bulls are taking on a grave responsibility. We had better do things right because the eyes of the world are upon us and the stakes are high.

The Adams Morgan Day dog, Parrot, was in foster care when he was shot. Whoever you think is the guilty party—pit bull or police—we can all agree that the incident was a tragedy. That’s what I mean when I say the stakes are high: with any dog, but especially with pit bulls, things can go very bad very quickly, and then prejudices can be established. It pays to be careful.

And what does “careful” mean?

First of all, I think we have to be honest and admit that there are dogs who are simply too dangerous to be out in public. I’m not just talking about pits, of course.

Any type of dog can fall into this category, but that category definitely includes pit bulls.

Those organizations that are a source of companion dogs owe it to the adopters, the public, and the dogs themselves, to make sure that our dogs do not fall into the dangerous category and that they are trained and, above all else, that they are cared for properly.

A dog must have proven itself to be temperamentally sound before we place it with an adopter, whether permanent or a foster. At the League, every dog whose den carries an “Available for Adoption” sign has been through two comprehensive and rigorous behavior evaluations conducted by a professionally certified trainer. And knowing that large sectors of the adopting public tend to be leery of them, we generally put a bit more work into the pit bulls we have. We’ll give them basic obedience training and extra socializing with other dogs. Several of our pits have even earned their AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate while in the shelter.

Because they are de facto ambassadors for their breed, the pit bulls we adopt out have to be absolute gems. And most of them can

easily become that with consistent positive reinforcement training.

But it doesn’t end there. We always counsel adopters of all dogs, pit bulls included, to use common sense with their dog. There are dogs who should not attend large public gatherings. Taking my own two dogs through Eastern Market on a weekend morning proves that clearly enough. It’s like a Cirque du Soleil performance minus the grace and fluidity.

And we all know that Parrot should have probably have been left at home on Adams Morgan Day. In fact, the Web site for Pit Bull Rescue Central, a very wellrespected group, says point blank that it “does not recommend dog parks or dog daycares” for pit bulls.

They’re not saying that pits are terrible dogs—they think they’re the best breed there is—but they are sensible and acknowledge the responsibility that pit bull guardians and rescuers have taken on.

One thing is irrefutably true, pit bulls really can be the very best of dogs, and pit bull rescue and adoption can certainly be done right. We played a pivotal role in the successful medical and social rehabilitation of eleven of Michael Vick’s pit bulls a few years ago. And as I write this, we have just taken in ten more pit bulls from a suspected dog fighting operation in Ohio. Over the summer, we held a special pit bull adoption promotion that found great homes for 20 great pit bulls.

These dogs deserve the best chance we can give them, just as all dogs do. But that demands a clear-headed, sensible approach to their rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing, as well as education and common sense in how they are cared for after adoption.

Dr. Gary Weitzman is a veterinarian, CEO of the Washington Animal Rescue League, and Chair of the DC Board of Veterinary Medicine. He is also the co-host of “The Animal House,” National Public Radio’s only program devoted exclusively to animals. Dr. Weitzman can be reached at gary.weitzman@warl.org. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 123

beautyhealthfitness

Tapping into the Healing Power of Nature Moving Talk Therapy Outdoors

By Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW

“I

only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” – John Muir.

Imagine meeting your therapist at Lincoln Park for your psychotherapy session. You take a walk around the park for about an hour and talk about the issues that have been on your mind. You enjoy the park, the sunshine, the fresh air -- it helps you to feel more centered and allows you to relax so that you can talk more easily about your feelings.

We know that exercise is good for both the body and the mind.

It helps prevent depression and can reduce anxiety. The evidence for the protective effects of exercise has convinced some therapists to offer “walk and talk” therapy -- traditional talk therapy with a walk in the park -- because it can help stimulate the process of self-discovery.

from being face-to-face with a therapist in a traditional office setting. As one client put it, “It allows me to open up more than I would have sitting in a room staring at someone. Also, since my blood is pumping, I’m more open to new ideas, my brain is working in a different way.”

to home again. Being outdoors can be soothing and relaxing. It can also help a person find their way.

Confidentiality Concerns

Scientific studies have shown that natural environments have positive health benefits. After spending time in nature, people report having a reduction in stress, anger and aggres-

What happens if you are walking and talking to your therapist and a neighbor or colleague walks by? What are the boundaries and what about your privacy? These are questions that must be addressed between the client and the therapist before beginning “walk and talk” therapy.

A client’s confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when walking outside as it

siveness. Natural surroundings have also been found to improve mood and reduce depression. Still more reports show that spending time in nature helps to lower blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and stress hormone levels.

Walking in local parks, along quiet side streets, or near water - being around nature - can help people heal.

It can create an environment conducive to possibility and change. We live in a very hectic world and many of us don’t feel we have the time to get outdoors - we go from home to office

can be in a therapist’s office. However, therapists that provide “walk and talk” therapy report that this has not been a problem. They may slow down or speed up walking if they are within earshot of another individual, or change the route altogether. If a client sees or is approached by someone they know, most “walk and talk” therapists report that it is up to the client to handle the situation however they wish. If the therapist is approached by someone on the street, they excuse themselves politely without any introductions.

Tapping Into Nature’s Healing Power

Working It Out Kate Hays, the past president of the American Psychological Association’s division of exercise and sport psychology, and author of “Working It Out: Using Exercise in Psychotherapy,” cites three key reasons for combining exercise and therapy: • It encourages the client to be more physically active.

• It helps a client get “unstuck” when confronting difficult issues.

• It spurs creative, deeper ways of thinking which can be stimulated by the biochemical effects of physical activity.

Movement propels us forward both literally and figuratively. Being outdoors allows people to experience a sense of freedom and can help reduce a sense of confrontation that can come 124 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Getting Off the Couch Combining therapy with nature and activity isn’t as new as it would seem. Sigmund Freud walked with some of his patients through the streets of Vienna, says Jacques Barber, associate director of the Center for Psychotherapy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Before antidepressant medications became common, people suffering from depression were sometimes sent to rural retreats to be outdoors -- gardening or taking a stroll with their doctors. Even today, therapy isn’t limited only to the office. A behavioral therapist might take an obsessive–compulsive patient for a drive across a bridge to address their fear of heights or to a public toilet to address their fear of germs.

Getting off the couch and walking during therapy can help to reinforce mental health in a natural, holistic way. It can help a client to open their mind to new possibilities and to think more clearly.

It is also a healthy approach to fighting isolation, depression and anxiety. As one therapist said, “It is time to work on issues from a position of health and “walk and talk “therapy reinforces mental health, not mental illness.”

Ronda Bresnick Hauss is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of the Quiet Waters Center for Trauma, Stress and Resilience, on Capitol Hill. She uses an integrative & holistic approach to psychotherapy – addressing the connection between the mind, body and spirit through the use of traditional talk therapy, meditation, visualization, and creative, non-verbal techniques. She can be reached at 202-544-5050 and is on the web at www.quietwaterscenter.com. ★

Homes & Gardens the hill gardener

A Preview of Pumpkins Local Farmers Predict A Short Crop

by Rindy O’Brien

E

ach fall, Capitol Hill goes nuts for Halloween. Pumpkins and gourds decorate many a Hill home before turning into the family jack-o-lantern by the end of the month. For the past several years there have been shortages of pumpkins due to weather and farm conditions. So, when pumpkins started showing up at Eastern Market in the middle of Sep-

tember, it seemed an investigation of all things pumpkin was in order.

Bakers and cooks on Capitol Hill may remember last year’s shortage of Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin puree. A 10-ounce can of Libby’s pumpkin puree sold on E-Bay at the height of last year’s shortage for a rumored $54.50.

My quick survey of Hill grocery stores found canned pumpkins on the shelves,

but still in limited supply.

What Has Happened To Our Local Pumpkin Patches?

David Fowler’s family has owned and farmed at Sunnyside Farm in Mechanicsville, Maryland for over a century. The family has been bringing pumpkins to Eastern Market since

Farmers at Eastern Market predict that home grown pumpkins from Maryland and Virginia may be in short supply this fall. Photo: Rindy O’Brien capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 125

Pumpkins started to replace the summer vegetables at Eastern Market stands in mid-September this year, almost 3 weeks earlier than usual. Photo: Rindy O’Brien

1873. David and his wife Valerie sell tomatoes, lettuce, cantaloupes, green onion, cucumbers, peppers, and apples in the summertime. By fall, they are harvesting squash, kale and pumpkins.

But this year is a little different. “This is the earliest we have ever sold our pumpkins,” said David. “The lack of rain in St. Mary’s county in Maryland and across the river in the Northern Neck of Virginia has really devastated our fall crops.” As a result, the pumpkins are ripe and ready to bring to market much earlier than usual. “I would tell you that you may not want to wait too long to buy your pumpkin this year,” said Valerie Fowler, “because we are not going to have that many locally grown ones.”

In addition to the lack of rain, the Fowlers say the squash bug is also killing a lot of their crop. The squash bug, Anasa tristi, shows up late in the planting season and can eat off the plant foliage or the pumpkin and squash itself. It is a bug that is difficult to kill and the result of its attack on the pumpkin vine can also be hard to distinguish from a bacterial mildew that also attacks the pumpkin. The bug itself is often misidentified as a stinkbug. Pumpkins can also be attacked by aphids that feed on the ground vines. So, farmers really have to keep a close watch on their pumpkins to stay ahead of the invaders.

“This year has been really a hard one for us, and a hard one to predict what is coming next,” commented David. “We started out with the unusual 126 ★ HillRag | October 2010

cold and snow in winter, then an early spring, followed by some frost in May. Pumpkin seeds do not germinate in cold soil, so you have to wait for frost to pass before planting them.”

The Fowlers were selling their small gourds and pumpkins for a dollar a piece and the middle size pumpkins sold for seven dollars. But prices could go up by early October when farmers and vendors have a better idea how many pumpkins will be available for sale.

But all is not lost. Farmers in Pennsylvania and Delaware did get rain over the summer and reports are that pumpkin patches just a little north of Washington are harvesting bumper crops. They may just cost a little more to cover the transport of the pumpkins to our area.

squash and gourd all come from the same plant family, “cucurbits,” and so are often called by each other’s names. The peanut squash actually has been around since at least 1885, when it appeared in publications in France being called “Brodee Galeuse” or “Vilmorin-Andrieux.” The peanutlike warts continue to grow until harvested. But buyers should know that it is a pumpkin that doesn’t keep as

long as other varieties, and only lasts about 90 days.

Inside Eastern Market, Paik Produce at the far end of the market near the bakery are selling these and they estimate that the average peanut pumpkin will cost about thirteen dollars. This particular pumpkin is being sold based on the weight of the pumpkin. A number of shoppers were stopping and

Weird and Unusual Pumpkins Some of the pumpkins, squash and gourds being sold this season don’t look like your average orange round jack-olantern. Every year, there seems to be a new “hot” pumpkin that everyone must have. Last year it was white pumpkins.

The white pumpkin seeds come in a variety called ghostly white, baby boo pumpkins, and cotton candy.

This year, there is an even scarier new version – the Bumpkin Pumpkin Peanut Pumpkin. The outside of this pumpkin looks like someone has glued peanut shells all over the round pumpkin. They are gnarly, bumpy and quite unattractive. The pumpkin,

Starbucks has been selling its Pumpkin Spice Latte for 7 years, and for coffee lovers it is the sure sign that fall is here. Photo: Rindy O’Brien

snapping cell phone pictures of the pumpkins, amazed at what they were seeing.

Even Starbucks is into Pumpkins The three Starbuck shops on Capitol Hill at Union Station, 3rd and Pennsylvania Ave. SE and at Eastern Market Metro, all began selling their fall favorite, Pumpkin Spice Latte, in midSeptember. This is the seventh year that Pumpkin Spice Latte has been offered by the coffee chain. The beverage is a delicious blend of pumpkin, and fall spices, such as cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg, combined with Starbuck’s espresso and freshly steamed milk. Of course, you can ask your Hill barrista to make it with skim or whole milk, and served with or without the whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice. Starbuck regulars seemed to be very happy to find this fall drink back on the menu.

Last word, Punkin, Chunkin, And, it wouldn’t be right not to mention that when your pumpkin has had its fall run, you might want to consider the pumpkin chucking competition.

ESPN and the Smithsonian network both cover the increasingly popular sport of pumpkin chunking competitions. Sussex County, Delaware is one of the official competition sites and is not that far away if you’re looking for a fun adventure. The action is hurling a pumpkin in a competition by mechanical means.

Slingshots, catapults, trebuchets and pneumatic air cannons are used. In 2008, the air cannon called Young Glory III broke the world record by firing a pumpkin 4,483.51 feet. If you are interested in learning more about pumpkin chucking, the official website is at www.punkinchunkin.com.

Rindy O’Brien enjoyed her Pumpkin Spice Latte and is still debating what kind of pumpkins to decorate her Hill home with for Halloween. Contact Rindy at rindyob@mac.com ★

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homesgardens

Renovators House Tour, Oct. 16 Eight Homes Showcase Style and Function

by Karen Bates

The Althuis-Morris kitchen marries traditional and contemporary features for aesthetic appeal and functionality. Photo: Stacy Goldberg

M

ichelle Althuis and Sean Morris purchased their Lincoln Park home in 2007 because it had great bones and they saw the potential to transform it into an ideal family home. For the last twoand-a-half years, they’ve worked with Capitol Hill architect Steve Lawlor (www.lawlorarchitects.com) to renovate the entire house. They began with the kitchen, which was small, unappealing and cut-off from the rest of the main floor by a narrow hallway and dated powder room. Steve’s design removed the remnants of a 1970s-era renovation and opened up the space, creating a bright and functional family-friendly gathering place with enough room for the couple’s three children and a handful of friends who often stop by after school. Adjoining the kitchen is a large dining room and a bold modern piece

by Hill artist Jan Kern adds lively visual 128 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Mark and Bobbie Merlino’s carriage house kitchen reflects the couple’s strong sense of style and varied interests. Photo: Stephen Barrett

drama to both spaces.

Michelle says she and Steve forged a creative partnership right from the beginning – sharing a rigorous attention to detail that resulted in maximizing the utility of all spaces in the home, but also played out in the addition of playful finishes such as edgy light fixtures

and Victorian hardware. The couple loves how the modern banquette and Italian glass pendant Steve chose for the kitchen work with the shaker-style cabinets and the handmade Victorian tile (from L’Esperance Tile Works, Saratoga Springs NY), and Sean prizes the banquette for its functionality and

because it reminds him of his native England. The kitchen has won numerous design awards; more importantly, the couple says the house turned out even better than they imagined when they undertook the project.

Hill contractor Mark Merlino (www.markmerlinogroup.com) and his wife Bobbie took a slightly different approach when they created the kitchen in their 1899 carriage house behind the Northeast Library. Originally a stable, Mark used the space for a few years to store materials salvaged from his construction projects and several “collections” that didn’t quite fit in the couple’s home at 3rd and D streets NE. When they decided in 2007 to move into the carriage house, they had what was essentially a blank canvas to work with (albeit one with a lot of structural character and a number of treasures needing homes). Mark, who is a trained architect, divided the two-story trapezoid into a kitchen and dining area, living room and bath on the first floor and two bedrooms, two baths and an upstairs office/guestroom upstairs.

And then Bobbie came in with the color – creating a show-stopping kitchen with Chinese red cabinets (with five sets of unmatched pantry doors from other Hill houses), countertops of red/ gold and green granite, and a wheatcolored polished concrete floor. Handmade red pendant lights, a bright red dishwasher and toaster and a collection of large red and yellow “Merlino Tomato” cans Bobbie had shipped from Seattle add extra punch. The warm wood finish of the undercabinets, exposed brick, and antique full-view glass doors and a wall covered with 1”x 6” grey tiles (ordered by mistake for another project) pull it all together.

While she loves the entire space, Bobbie points out two favorite features of the new kitchen – “a sink for drinks and flowers” on the bar near the din-

ing area and a warming drawer, which was her “splurge.” Mark’s favorite: the cabinet that houses his antique model truck collection. And the author’s favorite: A vibrant painting of cooking utensils by local artist Jody Bergstresser that hangs over the dining table, next to a pile of antique cigar boxes.

Homeowners Kate and Doug Fears had the good fortune to purchase their house on D Street NE after the prior owners (the husband and wife team who own Think.Make.Build) completely renovated the first and second floors of what had been essentially a shell. Kate says the kitchen, with its gorgeous tin ceiling, rich cherry cabinets and colorful tile backsplash, is the “hub of the house.” A favorite feature is the counter dividing the kitchen and dining area, which is in constant use, as often covered with her five-year-old son’s lego projects as the makings of a meal.

The Fears have put their own stamp on the space with art and artifacts reflecting their love of the water and Doug’s Coast Guard postings, including a dining table made from a giant Civil War-era ship’s wheel the couple inherited from Doug’s grandmother, a ship’s bell and clock mounted lumber salvaged from the bottom of the Cape Fear River, which is homeport for Doug’s most recent command, and a painting of the Tred Avon River as seen from a family home in Oxford, Maryland.

The rest of these three houses, and five other creative and functional Hill renovations, will be open to the public for the Tenth Annual Renovators House Tour on Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available at Frager’s Paint Store, Hill’s Kitchen, and Schneider’s of Capitol Hill or online at www.renovatorshousetour.org (advance price: $20); on the day of the tour, they can be purchased for $25 at Eastern Market. All proceeds support programs of the Capitol Hill Cluster School, which is a DC public school. ★

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homesgardens biOrb Aquarium New at Pawticulars!

You don’t need to change the water but for every 6 to 8 weeks with this aquarium! Enjoy watching fish, frogs, or snails with no smell, no gunky water, and no weekly chore. Pawticulars owner Jen Zatkowski had to see it to believe it, and set up her aquarium in August. As of Sept. 22, the water was still crystal clear, and her family has really enjoyed watching the snails and fish. With Baby biOrb’s special filtration system, you’ll have crystal-clear water for 6 to 8 weeks in this lightweight acrylic tank. Add one of several lighting options to it, and it’s great for a kid’s room – fun, educational, and a night light.

Baby biOrb runs $90, with accessories ranging from $2 to $20.

@ Your Service

by Heather Schoell

G

reetings Hill consumers, and welcome to the maiden voyage of “@ Your Service,” a compendium of what’s new in the service and consumer industry on the Hill (food and drink excluded). Know something really cool and new for sale or for service? Let us know!

Pawticulars, 407 8th St., SE, 202546-7387, www.pawticulars.com

Heather Schoell is a regular contributor to Capital Community News and can be reached at hschoell@verizon.net. ★

New at Frager’s – Mythic® Paint Mythic® paint is a non-toxic, ultra low-odor paint without VOCs and cancer-causing toxins. It’s safe for people and pets – even pregnant ones! The paint comes in an array of hues, or bring in your color to match.

Jump into your project with a gallon of this environmentally-friendly paint, or tiptoe into it with a pintsized sample.

Frager’s, 1115 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, 202-543-6157, www.fragersdc.com

80s & Avatar at Backstage Get into Halloween with costumes and props from Backstage! New this year is Avatar, if you’re in the mood for slinky and blue. Or be Michael Jackson – he’s off the wall! Look rad in a bitchin’ 80s costume, or feel the funk in some 70s threads. Rental costumes are available as well – elaborate, outlandish, modest or...not. Beat the crowds for your first choice, and bring the kids!

Backstage, 545 8th Street, SE, 202-5445744, backstagebooks.com

130 ★ HillRag | October 2010

P&C Market – Bistro Glasses Nestled in one of the well-stocked nooks of P&C Market shelves are charming and (surprisingly!) reasonably-priced bistro glasses for juice or wine. Co-owner Chase Alan Moore describes the glasses as “reminiscent of what you would find in a Parisian café along the Champs-Élysées.” Unlike the Champs-Élysées, find them on the left. $2.25 each or four for $8.

P&C Market, 1023 East Capitol St., SE, 202-3913509, www.facebook.com/pages/...DC/PC-Market/164589065004

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 131

?

Ask Judith Vestibule Blues

by Judith Capen, RA

Q.

We plan to renovate the vestibule in our Hill row house but don’t know what is appropriate. Could you recommend resources? ~Air Locked A. I hope the rest of the story is that your original vestibule was remuddled in horrible ways (flocked wallpaper? Yellow ‘50s bathroom ceramic mosaic tiles? Popcorn plaster? All, sadly, seen in Capitol Hill vestibules…) and you would like to return it to something more appropriate to the rest of your gloriously intact house.

If you’d like a modern and edgy vestibule, the following advice doesn’t apply.

(You do need a building permit for

the work, but unless it involves exterior work it won’t have to be reviewed by “Historic Preservation,” the Historic Preservation Review Board, since DC Law 2-144 (1978) applies only to the exteriors of buildings in historic districts.)

This question was sent to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and was well answered by Nancy Metzger, Chair-forLife of the Historic District Committee, Board Member, Volunteer Extraordinaire.

Nancy suggested finding similar houses with vestibules that look good and/or you admire “…often visible through the front glass doors. It takes a bit of nerve but if you drop a note

ABOVE: This is a sketch I made years ago of one of the floor tile patterns in the Arts and Industries Building, which was built quickly and economically to house exhibits from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia so it got a relatively simple floor. This section is an expanded octagon-and-spot. It could be recreated today using quarry tile, possibly even stock tiles. Sketch by Judith Capen RIGHT: An ad from an architectural magazine for tile that is a “recreation of a traditional encaustic appearance.” Interestingly, still from England.

TOP: The Heurichs were very rich and these are some finishes in the vestibule of their Dupont Circle 32-room mansion built 1892-94. The floor is a marble mosaic and above the baseboard is a pressed panel. Today a pressed and patterned material is available that, when painted, can look like this or like Lincrustra.

ABOVE: This floor is in the Heurich Mansion’s conservatory and could easily be recreated using modern quarry tiles. All photos by Judith Capen.

132 ★ HillRag | October 2010

through the mail slot and ask, people are often willing to invite you for a closer look and tell you what they know.

“Go on house tours and see what’s out there in historic houses—what tiles were popular among the Victorians, color combinations, etc…there were many enticing ones.

“Write to the Hill Rag’s “Ask Judith” and ask for her thoughts (by the way, her office has a lovely little vestibule with original Victorian tile).

“Finally, if your renovation includes new tile on the vestibule floor be sure that the subfloor has no ‘give’ as the tiles will crack under weight.”

Nancy’s advice is good: one of the very best ways to research original designs in Capitol Hill houses is looking to the neighbors: next door, down the block, or among the 8,000 contributing structures in our historic district.

Lots to look at.

I call this on-the-ground research methodology. Buildings like ours rarely have a paper archival record. Ours are the 19th c. equivalents of the houses the people who built the pyramids occupied. Therefore, hours in archives with primary sources is unlikely to yield much. Instead, all of the Victorian-era buildings of Capitol Hill, Washington, and the rest of the country provide an amazing record that can be reverse-engineered for your house.

Our vestibules typically had ceramic floors that Capitol Hill builders called “encaustic” tile, even though technically it isn’t encaustic. (Since people around here have called these tiles encaustic for a century we’ll accept the terminology, even if flawed.)

The elaborate designs worked into these tiles with colored clays made the decoration more durable than glazing. But some floors were just solid colors laid in complex patterns. The British company, Minton, was a major manufacturer of these tiles supplying the encaustic tile in the 1850s House and Senate wing

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134 ★ HillRag | October 2010

“extensions” at one of our neighbors. These Minton tile floors are wonderfully intact in the Senate wing. Too bad we don’t have a Senator who can get us in to look at the floors….

Another building with encaustic tiles is the 1881 National Museum Building (now Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building) built to house the wonders of the Centennial exhibition from Philadelphia. It was designed by prolific 19th c.

Washington architect Adolph Cluss, also architect of our Eastern Market, and has characteristic late-ish Victorian tile work. Closed for now but we can hope.

The easiest encaustic tiles/ high Victorian floor to see is in the Reynolds Center, aka Smithsonian American Art and Portrait Gallery. Visit the top floor keeping your eyes down. The building, begun in 1832 during the dominance of classicism and the Greek Revival style and extended in the same vein, suffered a serious fire on its top floor in 1877, which was then renovated by Adolph Cluss in what he called “High Renaissance,” including encaustic floor tiles.

If you Google “encaustic” you will find companies that make “encaustic” or similar tiles, today. Also, a lot of salvaged historic tiles are to be had through the Web, a resource not available to me 22 years ago when we were working on the vestibule Nancy mentioned.

Actually, our building only has some of its original Victorian-era tile. When we bought the very neglected row house some of the wall and floor tile was missing.

I found a curious tile emporium on Eighth Street north of Mount Vernon Square called Edwin Ellet Tile and took tiles from our vestibule there. They directed me to the back, a series of open sheds with disintegrating cardboard boxes of salvaged and new tiles where I was actually able to match some

very strange glazed border tiles from our wainscot. I wasn’t able to match the sheen of the yellow field tile. So we reinstalled all the salvaged tile on the more prominent wall while tiling the other wall, capped with the appropriate border, in a matte finish yellow tile that matched size and color, just not gloss.

On the floor, modern quarry tile, the same stuff used in our Metro but in tan, cream, and dark brown colors, was a surprisingly good match for the missing encaustic tile.

It can be done but like so much restoration our vestibule was a labor of love and tedium. I continue to think it worthwhile, especially now that it passes the first look test.

Our vestibule has flat plaster above its tile wainscot. But if you look around, you may find vestibules with lincrusta, beaded board, or even elaborate wood paneling.

The outside and inner doors are more than half the vestibule’s wall surface so consider them, too. I hope you have your original doors because they are so hard and expensive to replace appropriately. (Take a look at my May 2009 Rag article on exterior doors…)

Nancy’s practical advice about the stiffness of the substrate under ceramic tile is spot on. If ceramic tile, a very stiff material with no give at all, is installed on a surface that moves, like our wood subfloors, it will crack. If the tiles are small they won’t break but the grout between them will crumble.

The solution is to install a very stiff material (usually a cementitious board) over the subfloor and install the tile on that. I hope you enjoy your vestibule project: it is full of fun possibilities!

Judith Capen can be reached at Judith.capen@architravepc.com with questions and comments. Praise is always welcome. ★

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homesgardens gardenspot

Drought Resistant Plants Eight tough plants that survive in the harshest of times

by Derek Thomas

T

his summer was unforgiving to our gardens. The heat was relentless with day after day in the upper nineties. The Hostas have fried, the Columbines have been reduced to a clump of parched leaves, and all those new trees that the city planted everywhere this spring are having a difficult time staying alive. However, there are plants that do love the heat, in fact thrive in it. And fall is the best time for planting when the soil is warm and the night temperatures cool, a great recipe for plant success. Planting now will TOP: Left to Right 1. Crape Myrtles shine even in the hottest and driest of times 2. Daylilies are the stars of every summer garden BOTTOM: Left to Right 3. Euonymus will survive well in containers all year long 4. Aucuba is perfect for dry shady areas

Plant in full sun. Divide clumps in early spring for best results.

Euonymus Fortunei give plants the fall to root in and take hold for next years great garden.

The following plants will perform in the hottest and driest of times. Many are flowers, so the garden will be interesting through the year. Many of these plants establish quickly and require low maintenance.

Aucuba Japonica This variegated form of Japanese laurel is an evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves are boldly speckled with golden yellow. The females have small purple flowers in spring followed by red berries in fall. Perfect for a specimen plant or informal hedge. Grows well in any but waterlogged soil. Plant in 136 ★ HillRag | October 2010

full sun for best color. Plant a male close by for heaviest berries.

Crape Myrtle With over 50 species in this genus, and a range from Asia to Australia, it should come as no surprise that these small to large trees (Lagerstroemia) are one of the most popular in the summer landscape. There are many hybrids that have been developed by the Arboretum that are reliably hardy in Washington gardens. Their real attraction comes from their conical shaped pompoms of flowers. Borne at the tips of shiny dark green to burgundy leaves, set on fawn colored smooth limbs, this quick growing, drought tolerant, tree is a show stopping specimen in any garden. It

needs moderately fertile, well-drained soil and a full sun location. During more humid summers, treat with a fungicide to prevent powdery mildew.

Pampas Grass For many years this was the most popular ornamental grass. Cortaderia selloana is a bold, extremely dramatic grass, reaching nearly twelve feet when its huge puffy white and pink blooms explode in mid-August. The mature clumps can reach nearly five feet in diameter. This native of Argentina requires moist well-drained soil particularly in winter. Provide a mulch about 4” deep of straw, or hardwood to protect roots in colder winters.

This wonderful compact, mounding, evergreen shrub is also a climber when supported. Its leaves are small, ovate, and are brilliantly golden in variegation. Use this plant to fill in the gaps, add color, and contrast, or wall train for a hardy evergreen climber. Prune in mid spring to keep compact. Prune runners at any time to maintain shape.

When trained as a climber this plant can reach heights of up to fifteen feet.

Grow in any soil except water logged.

Leaves have best color in full sun.

Helleborus Hybrids These evergreen, clump forming, early-flowering (late winter to very early spring) perennials are well suited to a shaded border. At a time when most plants are still dormant,

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the Helleborus erupt with their large clusters of nodding, pastel hued, freckled flowers. They are the first sign that spring is on its way. Grow in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil. Helleborus will prefer moist soil, but during time of drought, if planted in shade, they will survive quite well.

Daylilies These are the stars of many a herbaceous perennial border.

With many different colors and flower shape and sizes available there is a daylily that is perfect for your sun-drenched garden.

Depending on the variety that you choose you can have flowers from late spring to late summer.

When established Hemerocallis can be very drought tolerant.

Their strap-like leaves resemble an ornamental grass. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil. Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall.

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Liriope Muscari This tough-as-nails plant is perfect for tree boxes and heavy traffic areas. Liriope will form clumps of dark green, strap like leaves. Spikes of small violet flowers open in fall followed by black berries. Grow in well-drained slightly acidic soil.

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Rudbeckia Black-Eyed Susans are tough herbaceous perennials. These prolific bloomers erupt from early summer to frost. They are a native of North American grasslands and meadows. The flowers are daisy-like with intense yellow petals and dark brown centers. Excellent in sunny borders.

Soil should be well drained. Fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.

Derek Thomas is principal of Thomas Landscapes. His garden designs have been featured on HGTV’s Curb Appeal. His weekly garden segment can be seen on WTTG/Fox 5 in Washington. He can be reached at www.thomaslandscapes.com or 301.642.5182 ★

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What To Do With Your Roof?

A Capitol Hill Roofing Makeover

By Tom Daniel

S

ince your roof is one of the most important investments in your home it’s a good idea to know what to do when problems strike. Capitol Hill is filled with older, flat roofed homes. The snow and ice of this winter and the heavy rains and winds of this summer have caused significant roofing problems. Many of these roofs need to be repaired or replaced. Most homeowners can see what they need to repair or replace in their home, whether it’s new kitchen cabinets, repairing your hardwood floors or plumbing fixtures. But how about your roof? Probably not!

Yet what happens on the roof can have a major impact on the rest of your home. Hopefully, these examples will take some of the mystery out of roof work, what roofers do and serve as a guide to homeowners.

Condition of roof before work began. Photo by Tom Daniel.

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Capitol Hill homeowner, Maryann, lives on G St., SE In the process of repairing the roof. Photo by Tom Daniel. and has owned her home for over 15 years. “The storms of Would it need to be torn off or could a last winter were tough on my new roof be installed on top of the old roof? roof; there were leaks after the second or third What about the removal of the debris of the blizzard. I last had it repaired 12-13 years old roof?

Would the work impact her neighago when the roofer added a layer. I knew I bor’s roofs?

Was a permit required from the couldn’t add yet another layer so it was either a D.C. government?

Would the air conditionfew patches or a whole new roof.” ing and heating units on top of the roof be Should she repair or should she replace? impacted by the roofi ng work? Was it time These were the options. “I don’t plan to move to replace the old skylight and hatch at the anytime soon so I really wanted to avoid a same time?

What about the gutters and quick fix. If I just patched the worst spots, down spouts? it seemed I would be facing more problems every time the weather got bad.” So she had decided to replace the roof.

And More

Questions & Choices Here are a few of the questions Maryann and all homeowners in a similar situation are faced with.

What type of roof did she currently have?

Would the new roof have to be made of the same materials? Was the roof in multiple layers (an older roof with a newer roof on top)?

138 ★ HillRag | October 2010

What different types of roofs could she choose from? What were the benefits of each? What were the costs of each? Were warranties available on the work and the materials? Do new roofing systems include insulation (under the roof top) to assist in energy efficiency? Can the materials on top of the roof system increase energy efficiency?

Time For Answers In the case of Maryann the roof was actually in multi-layers, an old “slag” roof on bottom (gravel and asphalt) and a membrane roof on top.

Because there were two roofs, a “tear off ” down to the wood foundation was required. The roof debris would have to carefully be taken off and hauled away. The new roof system would be installed from the bottom up.

She chose to have a new modified bitumen roofing installed (with a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty on materials) which includes three layers of materials including a layer of insulation to assist in energy efficiency and a white granulated surface

N.E. They were faced with a similar situation to Maryann. However, Jeff said, “I had tried for a time to repair numerous leaks on the roof that were causing a significant amount of water to enter the interior. For a while I had some success, but over time I realized I needed to bring in a roofing contractor before the situation got out of hand.” Jeff and Laurie had an old standing seam tin roof that was only one layer. They also chose a modified bitumen roof which could be installed directly over the tin roof once the standing seams were made flat. They decided on a complete roofing “makeover” which included a new skylight, hatch and gutter.

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The final outcome of repairing the roof. Photo by Tom Daniel.

on the top to help reflect the sun and further increase energy efficiency. The other choice of a roofing system was a new metal roof of either tin, copper or stainless steel. These roofs are very long lasting but significantly more expensive than modified bitumen.

The AC/heating units would not be impacted by the roofing work (sometimes these units have to be disconnected and reconnected by a qualified professional before the work begins and after it is completed) and there would be no impact on the neighbor’s roofs. She chose to retain the existing skylight, hatch, gutter and down spout.

And, yes, a permit was required by the D.C. government!

Another Case Jeff and Laurie live on 5th St.

These actual case studies are very typical of what Capitol Hill homeowners must consider when their aging flat roof begins to show signs of stress and call out for a roofing makeover. It’s not a bad idea to contact a roofing professional for guidance early on to avoid major potential problems to the interior of the house.

Tom Daniel is the owner of R. Thomas Daniel Roofing and specializes in working on flat roofs in Capitol Hill. He and his family have been in the roofing business on the Hill for three generations and nearly 90 years. He can be reached at 443-968-0311 (Maryland#) or by email at rtd80209@aol.com.

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Tom Daniel is the owner of R. Thomas Daniel Roofing, 443-968-0311. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 139

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All Work Fully Guaranteed 140 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Dear Garden Problem Lady,

T

his year I planted sunflowers from seed. They were 20 feet tall with one flower atop each stalk. Help please.

Next year, instead of traditional sunflower seeds, try planting “Autumn Beauty.” It has multiple flowers to a stalk.

Why is there so much talk about native plants being environmentally better than socalled alien species? Aren’t the beautiful azaleas, camellias, peonies, hydrangeas – aren’t they all so-called aliens? If I must now think in terms of things like milkweed and goldenrod, I am going to cry.

The plants that host the insects that birds rely on while they are nesting and feeding their young are not available any more. Forests are disappearing, and the native plants those insects ate are being crowded out by invasive alien species. Whole species of songbirds are dying out. Development, urbanization and human ignorance are all involved here. Asclepias tuberosa (milkweed) and solidago (goldenrod) support insects that birds need. So do a host of smaller, more compact and very beautiful native plants. Don’t cry. Change – and see your backyard fill up with butterflies and beautiful birds. There are native azaleas – and many other stunning native perennials.

Is chicory a native plant?

No. This weed with a blue flower, a deep taproot, and leaves closely resembling a dan-

delion’s, comes originally from Italy and Greece.

Is liriope a native plant?

No. A tough and ubiquitous groundcover, liriope, a.k.a lilyturf, comes from Asia. There are beautiful native groundcovers that do support bird/insect life – for both sun and shade.

Just Google.

Three people I know have lime disease – one seriously.

One contracted hers while weeding at a nearby church property. Another still doesn’t know where his tick bite is – but he has the disease. What should we know?

Ticks are not sanctified.

City animals like rats, squirrels and mice can carry the tick that carries lime disease. After any exposure to plants, grass and branches out of doors, strip, shower, and look for places that could be small bites. The socalled “bull’s eye” appearance on skin after a tick bite does not always show up. Worse, some doctors are still unclear about diagnosis. Immediate treatment is 100% successful. Delays in diagnosis can be deadly. Take symptoms seriously and get immediate medical attention for a rash that doesn’t go away, lack of energy, headache, stiff neck, muscle or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever or chills.

Feeling beset by gardening problems? Send them to the Problem Lady c/o The Capitol Hill Garden Club at andrew@hillrag.com.

Your problems might prove instructive to others, and help them feel superior to you. Complete anonymity is assured.

Capitol Hill Garden Club programs are free. On Tuesday, October 12, co-founder of D.C. Urban Gardeners, will identify and describe the SLOW FOOD movement – for eaters everywhere. 7 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 4th Street door, corner North Carolina Ave. and 4th Street, SE. Membership details at 202-5437539. ★

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One-time, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly Move in – Move out Residential and Offices Work Guaranteed Supplies & Equipment Provided

PHOTOS WITH REFERENCES FREE ESTIMATES

Bonded & Insured For Free Estimates

Please visit my Website before you call.

202-543-0087

Carl • (301) 449-5964

Polar Bear

AIR CONDITIONING PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

202-333-1310 www.polar-bear-hvac.com

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

www.carlscustomwoodworking.com

Additions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basements Renovations • Decks • Patios • Porticoes Painting • Fine Carpentry Custom Bookcases & Built Ins • Murphy Beds Mantels • Furniture Restoration & More

•

Over

Service, repairs, installations, replacement on furnaces, a/c, water, heaters. Residential Boiler Specialist. 40years experience. Free estimates. Call John Fulcher at 202258-6158.

142 ★ HillRag | October 2010

• •

LICENSED BONDED INSURED FALL & WINTER SPECIALS FREE ESTIMATES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

We use the latest line of green products and applications Scheduled or last minute move-in/move-out We do it all, big or small, from the routine to specialized cleaning Available weekends! Residential and Commercial

25 years experience

Grace Custom Build Professional Remodeling & Design

240-550-3177 gracecustombuild@yahoo.com Licensed & Insured • References

703.486.1234 www.domesticall.com Bonded, licensed and insured Celebrating our 25th year!

a clean house........ a clean mind........

A Cleaning Service, Inc.

~ All Carpentry & Remodeling ~ All Masonry & Brick Pointing ~ Interior & Exterior Custom Painting ~ All Roofing & Rubber Roofs ~ Concrete Driveway ~ Kitchens ~ Bathrooms ~ Chimney Services

2 PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS 1 hour ......................$65 1.5 hours ..................$85 2 hours.....................$105*

Call

*Please call for estimates over 2 hours

* customized services to fit your cleaning needs * complete residential services, including laundry & ironing * commercial & janitorial special rates * major credit cards accepted * licensed, bonded & insured

703.892.8648

301.651.7515

www.MaidInDc.com

HODGSON

DESIGN/BUILD, L.L.C

Award-winning Quality

25 years of service on Capitol Hill

Larry Hodgson | 202.236.5800

H0kilian@aol.com

CONTRACTORS

202-674-0300 • 301-929-0664

PATRICK'S

HOME IMPROVEMENT Complete Home Improvement Services Kitchens & Bathrooms Basements & Additions

Distinctive Kitchens | Historic Restoration

www.acleaningserviceinc.com satisfaction guaranteed serving DC, MD & VA since 1985

Additions | Master Suites

Painting, Carpentry & Renovations

301.943.8186 • 301.515.5987 www.patrickshomeimprovement.com NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

RENDEROS

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

REMODELING

ELECTRICIAN

Kitchens & Basements Panting & Drywall Ceramic & General repair

THE HILL’S ELECTRICIAN

Free estimates

Since 1990

www.wilcox-electric.com

202-546-1010

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

240-281-0900 301-942-1548

Residential & Commercial New Work • Rewiring • Repairs • Interior/Exterior Lighting

Awarded the Super Service Award from Angie's List in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Home Improvement, LLC

CLEANING SERVICE, INC.

Agmar Raymundo R e s i d e n t ia l & Co m m e r ci a l

Kitchens & Bath Experts

202.492.9513 Renovations and Remodeling including Plumbing & Electrical

Customized cleaning according to your needs and budget References Available • Free Estimates Licensed, Bonded & Insured

703-864-7634 info@palomascleaningservice.com www.palomascleaningservice.com

No Job too Small!

12 years experience licensed • bonded •

insured

•

10% off any job over $1,000

F&C

references

• • • • • • • •

Home Improvement Kitchens & Baths Flooring & Tile Plumbing • Electrical Carpentry • Renovations Landscaping • Painting Windows & Doors And Much More

Stephen D. Wilcox Master Electrician References Available Licensed - Insured - Bonded

HERNANDEZ Construction Painting, Carpentry, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, Decks, Drywall, Remodeling

Our website just got a whole lot better!! capitalcommunitynews.com

Free Estimates & Competitive Prices Maurilio Hernandez Cell:

202-207-4799 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 143

FLOORS

INTERIOR DESIGN

Jim's Handyman Service, LLC

JACKS

Too busy to do it yourself?

Installation of Electrical Fixtures and Appliances • Window Treatments & Furniture Assembling • Fix Plumbing & Change Locks • Hang Pictures & Repair Cabinets • Painting

202-370-7902 www.jimzinn.com

Heritage Wood Floors, Inc.

• Free estimates • No job is too small Affordable rates • Licensed, insured and bonded

Installation • Sanding • Refinishing • Hardwood Mouldings Free Estimates • MHIC #120190

301-855-3006 888-227-2882

NWM COMPANY GENERAL CONTRACTORS & HANDYMEN

Open a Window of Possibilities

Property Management’s General Contractor Since 1971

Residential Floors Dedicated to Perfection • Sanding and Refinishing • Installation • Repairs • Cleaning & Waxing

7 days a week - Free Estimates Reasonable Rates Residential & Commercial

(301) 990-7775 Family owned and operated 3 Generations of Experience

Kitchen Cabinetry and CounterTops Flooring: ceramic, vinyl tile, linoleum, marble and quarry tile Door and Window Repair and Replacement Locks and Emergency Repairs Plaster, Drywall and Painting

jkhuynh@cox.net

• • • • • • • • •

Painting Plumbing Drain Service Kitchen Disposal Carpentry Ceiling Fan Electrical Caulking General Repairs

KITCHEN

With the assistance of

Kathleen Soloway Interior Designer/Psychotherapist

Please call to discuss your needs

301-277-9292 Fax 301-209-8248

Design for Change 202 543-7040 ksoloway@designforchange.net www.designforchange.net

Handyman Masters 20 years experience working in fine homes like yours

Bathrooms • Kitchens Masonry • Handyman • Roofing

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN EXPRESS

Create a home that nurtures you

IRON WORK

A+ Rating

LANDSCAPING

“I have worked with Masters over the years and have been extremely happy with the workmanship. They are very professional”.

- Georgetown Resident

W.F. Bowman Landscaping 202-234-6282

202.528.0621

No job is too small!

HandymanMastersllc.com

Reasonable Rates • Free Estimates

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Yard Clean Up • Sodding

Call Ty • 703.615.7122 Home Improvement

· Painting Interior & Exterior · Carpentry · Drywall · Moulding · Floors · Hardwood · Kitchen & Bath Remodel · Plumbing · Doors & Windows · Brick Pointing · Patios

F&C

Home Improvement, LLC Kitchens & Bath Experts

202.492.9513 Renovations and Remodeling including Plumbing & Electrical

Free Estimates Cell

202-247-0104

15% off all jobs over $1000

No Job too Small!

12 years experience licensed • bonded •

144 ★ HillRag | October 2010

insured

•

10% off any job over $1,000

E D D I E

references

Suburban Welding Company

®

Welding & Ornamental Iron Work • • • • •

Repairs of Original Cast Iron Staircases Window bars and door security gates Handrailings & Stair Railings Fences, Sidewalk Gates, Tree Box Fences DC code approved bedroom window security bars • Excavating, back hoe services and tree stump grinding • Certified welding

Mulching • Trimming Shrubs Aeration • Dethatching Planting Leaf Removal Mowing Seeding & Fertilizing Hauling

REGINALD’S LANDSCAPING 24-hours, 7-day service Free estimates

703-765-9344 www.suburbanweldingcompany.com

Specializing in perennial gardens, landscape design, yard maintenance, seasonal contracts-free estimates for major cleanups, spring/fall cleanups, mulching, pruning, trimming, weeding, debris removal, leaf removal, light hauling, planting and much, Call today! 301-420-7027, 301-908-8331.

Why Pay a Lot for a Beautiful Yard?

$50 OFF Fall Clean Up Package Edge & Mulch Existing Beds, Pruning & Leaf Removal

LRS, INC. (since 1988) 202.543.2004 • 202.345.7523 Lawn Maintenance Contracts Available Powerwashing • WE DO IT ALL

START HAVING THE YARD OF YOUR DREAMS · Comprehensive Design and Maintenance Services · Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water features · Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work · Restoration and Enhancement

Residential, Office, Commercial

20 years of experience in the District

SHORT NOTICE MOVES

• Re-pointing with historical method mortar

Local & Up to 300-mile Radius Expert Packing & Unpacking Temporary Storage by the Day Packing Materials Available

• Strip painting (remove paint) • Rebuilding arches and historical architecture

202.368.7492

• Restoration cleaning on historical brick and stone

Licensed & Insured Hourly Rates

• Stone Masonry

bricklands@msn.com www.bricklandsandsons.com

JHI CONTRACTING Masonry & Concrete Contractor LOWEST RATES ON THE HILL GUARANTEED! • Tuckpointing - Historical Restoration • Pavers & Patios • Driveways • Basement Excavation • Garages & Waterproofing • Retaining Walls • Paint Removal

202.396.0105 license # 1948

JUNK / BULK TRASH REMOVAL 20% TO 40% OFF SCHEDULED SATURDAY PICK UPS

202-528-2877 • 202-544-1813

5% TO 10% OFF EVERYDAY PICKUP

www.thomaslandscapes.com

THOMAS LANDSCAPES

• •

Derek Thomas / Principal - Certified Professional Horticulturist, Master Gardener. Member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association & the Association of Professional Landscape Designers

DC

MD

VA

Junk Removal – House *Office *Apt Yard Contract Service – Demolition & Construction Estate Clean Out

(202)437-4413 24 hours • license #2106

PAINTING

MOVING & HAULING COMPANY • Bulk Trash • Appliances • Basement Furniture • Yard Cleanup • Weekly Trash Pickups • Evictions • Demolition • Local or Long Distance • Residential or Commercial MD DC VA • 24 Hour Same Day Service “No job too small or big”

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Specializing in urban landscapes since 1989

Tenly Bulk Trash Removal & Moving

DISCOUNT PAINTINGS & POWER WASH

202-544-9301

Speak Directly to Owner, John

301.642.5182

When Trust Matters Most

Your first step to preservation

Free estimates with picture portfolio Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time

MOVING & HAULING

MASONRY

• •

Same Day Service Available We demo, load and haul concrete, brick, dirt, and trash.

Handyman Services Bobcat Loader for Hire

Residential Only – Free Estimates 30 Years Experience!

Tony: 202-427-6204 References Available

• Residential • Commercial • Insured • DC LIC 4748 • Established 1974 Interior & Exterior Custom Painting Restoration & Repair Services

202-965-1600 www.jfmeyer.com

WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS

BOYD F. GRAY 202-561-0498 202-210-7439 (cell)

FOR A STRESS FREE MOVE

Excellent References Every Single Job is Supervised

T.R. Sellheim Construction, Inc. All Masonry Work New & Restoration Historic Pointing Over 30 years of Experience Free Estimates • Work Guaranteed Licensed • Bonded • Insured

202-362-1700

• Local & Long Distance • Packing Service • Pianos and Big Objects • Affordable 15 years of experience

CONTINENTAL MOVERS

www.continentalmovers.net Cmora53607@msn.com 202-438-1489

301-340-0602

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 145

Ricardo Ramos PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

Stopping Leaks is our Specialty!

Our Prices Won’t be Beat!

DANIEL PARKS Roofing & Gutters

Free Estimates Insured • Licensed

NO JOB TOO SMALL!!!

Remodeling • Painting General Repairs

“Stopping Leaks is Our Specialty”

EMERGENCY REPAIRS

Inquire about our cleaning company

WE DO IT ALL

RamosPainting1956@live.com

301-661-3515 301-680-2065

WHS PLUMBING & HEATING Superior Service and Quick Response

PEST CONTROL

We are Repiping & Drain Cleaning Specialists

F L K Termite, Pest &

· Competitive On The Spot Pricing · Same Day, Nights, Weekends & Emergency Service · Licensed Plumbers and Gasfitters · Underground Domestic Water and Sewer Line Leak Detection · Underground Pipe Locator

Rodent Control More than just killing bugs, we take care of your home

Hill Family Owned & Operated Call William at

(202) 255-9231

• Babies, children, pets, no worries, customized treatments • Latest environmentally sound methods and products • One time, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, yearly

20 years of experience Licensed, Bonded and Insured LSDBE Certified

www.whsplumbingandheating.com

LICENSED & INSURED

Serving Capitol Hill for 50 Years

Free Estimates

301.273.5740 301.576.3286

OSEPH C. BAUER, INC.

PLUMBING

Plumbing and Heating Licensed and Insured

WAIT NO MORE PLUMBING 24 hour plumbing service. Master plumber. No job too small. DC license # 1164. Darrell White. 202-575-1885 or 202-812-7115 (tf)

DC 202.547.3477 MD 301.420.3200

ROOFING/WATER PROOFING Just Say I Need A Plumber

®

Dial A Plumber, LLC®

• Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement

Specializing in Residential & Commercial Flat Roof Systems Kenny

202-251-1479 L U M M E R

Star Roofing Company RELIABLE

Licensed Bonded Insured

DC P

ALL TYPES OF ROOFING REPAIRS

’

S

L

I C E N S E

146 ★ HillRag | October 2010

#707

RUBBER & FLAT ROOFS WATER PROOFING SLATE ROOFS LEAK REPAIRS METAL ROOFS GUTTER REPAIRS SHINGLE ROOFING CHIMNEY REPAIRS FACIAL/SOFFITS ALUMINUM ROOF COATING

Flat • Rubber • Slate • Metal • Tiles & Shingles • Vinyl and Aluminum Siding • Skylights • Gutters & Downspouts • Chimneys • Waterproofing

We Do it All! 202.637.8808 Serving DC Since 1927 Licensed, Bonded & Insured

202-489-1728 Licensed, Bonded & Insured Free Estimates Senior and Government Discount 10% SPECIALIZING IN SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Keith Roofing EXPERT WORKMANSHIP AT REASONABLE PRICES! Residential/Commercial Over 40 years in Business Chimney Repairs Storm & Wind Damage Repair

• New or Re-Roofing • Tear-Off & Replacement • Flat Roof Specialist • Copper, Tin, Sheet Metal & Rolled • Seamless & Flat Roofs • Re-Sealing • Tar, Asphalt, Gravel, Hot Coats • Modified Bitumen • Ask about our gutter specials Insurance Claims • Free Estimates • 24Hr. Service

Fully Insured • Licensed • Bonded “No Job Too Large or Small” Senior & Military Discounts Available!

202-543-6383

202-486-7359

All work done by owner • Free Estimates Insured • Licensed • Bonded

All Work Inspected by Owner...Deals Directly with Customers!

All Work Fully Guaranteed

FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST WE STOP LEAKS! • Roof Repairs • Roof Coatings • Rubber • Metal • Slate

• Tiles • Chimneys • Gutters • Waterproofing • Roof Certifications

We Do Everything!

75

BOYD CONSTRUCTION INC.

years in service

LIC. BONDED. INS

BBB Member

202-223-ROOF (7663)

A.A.

Est. 1974

Lic. #9360

ROOFING CO. ROOFING Shingles • Metal • Slate Slag • Rubber

Prices too high?

Give AA a try!

GUTTER REPAIR & REPLACEMENT Aluminum • Copper Galvanized

$100 OFF ANY NEW ROOF 736-8987

(301)

aaroofingco@aol.com FREE ESTIMATES • ESTABLISHED 1971

Johnston & Johnston Roofing

Gabriel Roofing

ISAAC HOLDEN Roofing, Gutters & Painting OVER 30

“Try a new coating vs. a roof replacement.”

• FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST • WATERPROOFING • BASEMENT LEAKS • ALUMINUM ASPHALT COATING • SLATE REPAIRS • SHINGLE REPAIRS

From Small Repairs and Coatings to Entire Roofing Systems

Specializing in: Slate / Tile / Flat Roofs

202-276-7531

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

DC Lic. 7610

• New Roofs & Maintenance • Seamless Gutters • Waterproofing • Chimney • Brick Pointing • Interior & Exterior Painting

202.486.7184 15% off with Ad LICENSED & INSURED

24 Hour Emergency

19 D Street, SE

1880 ON THE OUTSIDE 2010 ON THE INSIDE

• CHIMNEY REPAIR • BRICK POINTING • GUTTER REPAIR/GUTTER REPLACEMENT • INQUIRE ABOUT OUR SPECIALS • FREE ESTIMATES

Replacement Window & Door Installation Group Historically Accurate Replacement of Exterior Window Casings The Best Installation Crew Wood, Fiberglass Framed & Vinyl Windows, Replacement & Full Tear Out Installation, Wide Range of Custom Moldings

Windows Craft, Inc.

FREE MAINTENANCE!

Trusted Name for Three Generations

WINDOWS

Specializing in historic buildings

Licensed • Bonded • Insured Family owned & operated 40 Years Experience

202-288-6660 alex@windowscraft.com www.windowscraft.com

Licensed, Insured and Bonded DC Home Improvement License # 69006200

202-607-4038

www.JohnstonandJohnstonRoofing.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured R.W. ROOFING

R. THOMAS DANIEL ROOFING “Great Roofing is our # 1 Priority” • • • • •

Experts in roof repair Roof coating Roof replacements Gutters Spouts

Recommended roofer of Capitol Hill Village Licensed-Insured-Bonded

Family owned and operated for nearly 90 years.

Call for now a FREE ROOF INSPECTION

We offer the most competitive price in town. All Roofing & Rubber Roofs. We do everything: replacements, repairs, maintenance and coatings. See our ad under general contracting. 202-674-0300 or 301-929-0664.

FLAT ROOF SPECIALISTS LOWEST RATES ON THE HILL! • Rubber • Metal • Slate • Slag • Shingles • Tile

443.968.0311

• Repairs • Roof Coatings • Gutters • Chimney Repair • Water Proofing

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Member Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professional Services (CHAMPS)

OTHER SERVICES BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS

PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING 202-638-1708 WhelanStrengthTraining.com

JHI CONTRACTING Speak Directly to Owner, John

202-528-2877

Burn Over 700 Calories in one class

WELDING

H IS FOR HOT YOGA ON H STREET!

LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

202

271

4377

Introduction Offer $29 for 7 days of unlimited yoga!

Alex Williams WOOD & WHITACRE HISTORIC RENOVATIONS 20 years on the Hill Slate - Tile - Copper Specializing in all Flat Roof Systems and Leaks Free Estimates • Work Guaranteed Licensed Bonded Insured

JEFFREY WOOD cell

301-674-1991 202-828-0713

www.wood-whitacre.com

Seamless Gutters • Box Gutters • Gutter Guards • Gutter Repairs • Gutter Cleaning • Flat Roof Repairs

Suburban Welding Company

®

Welding & Ornamental Iron Work Repairs of Original Cast Iron Staircases Window bars and door security gates Handrailings & Stair Railings Fences, Sidewalk Gates, Tree Box Fences DC code approved bedroom window security bars • Excavating, back hoe services and tree stump grinding • Certified welding

(202) 256 6981 (301) 858 6990 Licensed • Bonded • Insured

• Melt Off Pounds • Reduce stress • Increase Strength + Flexibility

• • • • •

• Water Proofing Free Estimates

ALL LEVELS WELCOME! No reservations required!

24-hours, 7-day service Free estimates

703-765-9344 www.suburbanweldingcompany.com

Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill 410 H ST. NE 202-547-1208 www.BikramYogaCapitolHill.com Look better, feel better and change your body! capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 147

Living on & serving the Hill since 1986

Dr. David Walls-Kaufman

Computer Weenies On-site Service for Homes and Businesses

Chiropractor 411 East Capitol St., SE All are welcome to Dr. Walls-Kaufman's free Saturday morning Tai Chi class at 8 am in Lincoln Park

202-544-6035 Because Optimal Health is Impossible Without Optimal Posture!

COMPUTERS/SOFTWARE

Larry Elpiner

• Troubleshooting, Repairs & Upgrades • Virus and Spyware Removal • New and Existing Computer Setup • Network and Wireless Installation • Data Recovery, Transfer and Back-up • Webpage Development

301.767.3355

Our website just got a whole lot better!! capitalcommunitynews.com

HILL RAG CLASSIFIED RATES

202.543.7055

www.computerweenies.com

INSTRUCTION Professional Tennis Instruction

PET SERVICES LINE CLASSIFIEDS: $25 for the first 15 words; 25 cents for each additional word

Bailo Ba Davis Cup Veteran 202-415-2807 bailoba@verizon.net

BOX CLASSIFIEDS: $25 per column inch, two inch minimum; $25 each additional inch; 3 month minimum Multiple paper discounts available.

Paid in advance and billed quarterly

All Skill Levels $62 private $35 semi-private $26 group lesson Lessons on Capitol Hill Professional Tennis Registry

LOGOS COMPUTER SERVICE

Computer Set-up • Computer Tune-up Email • Back Up Software Installation • Hardware Installation Technology Consultation Virus and Spyware Removal Security and Performance On-site Service • Reasonable Rates

logos.comtech@gmail.com • 202-250-1215

 MAC ONLY  Take the puzzle out of operating your computer  Software Installation  Troubleshooting  Upgrades  Reasonable Rates

fagon@hillrag.com 202-250-1217

ORGANIZING Closets Running Amok?!? STOP! Before you call for an expensive closet system to be installed -- check in with Jill first. Most clients are so happy with the organizing and downsizing (choosing for style, fit, flattering colors, etc.) and also the space-saving, easy-to-use hangers - that they discover they don’t need to have burly guys bang things into their old closet walls after all. “I’m going shopping in my own closet!” is the consistent refrain after they see all the new combinations of items that they never wore together. No more torn, pilly, awkward fitting losers taking up precious space and hiding all the really great stuff. Visit www.jillofalltradesdc.com to learn more and call 202-544-5455 to schedule your consultation today. Read 5-STAR reviews at www.hellowashingtondc.com

SHOE REPAIR

Eastern Market Shoe Repair • Shoes • Boots • Purses • Luggage 645 Penn Ave., SE upstairs M-F 8:30-7 • Sat 9-6

202-543-5632 148 ★ HillRag | October 2010

Personally Serving our Neighbors since 1999

pets on the hill Support your local Hill business "We live, work and play on the Hill"

Mid-day Dog Walking AM & PM, Weekend Walks, Petsitting • Women Owned and Operated • Expert Cat Care - All Areas of the Hill • Medications, Plant Watering, Mail and Paper • Trustworthy and Reliable

Kerith Grandelli bonded & insured

202.546.6785 H I L L P E T S @ YA H O O . C O M

FREE CATEGORIES: Lost and Found, Items to Give Away, Club Meeting Notices E-mail your ad with credit card information to carolina@hillrag.com or call 202.543.8300 x12

NEW ON THE HILL!

zoolatry

MISCELLANEOUS

(zoo-ahl’-uh-tree) the worship of animals – especially a pet

We Pamper your Pooch While you Wait!

Full Grooming Services

Mid-Day Dog Walking Service

FOR RENT – 2BR HOME Pet sitting – Medications Administered Crate Training

* Big or Small We Do Them All

K-9 Training

* Obedience On & Off leash * Family Protection * 8 weeks–8 years * Life Time Guarantee

423 13th Street, NE 202-717-2651

Insured – Bonded Member of National Association of Professional Petsitters

(202) 547-WALK (9255) Meet Our Walkers Online at

www.zoolatry.com

Big dogs, puppies, hard to handle and older dogs.

I love them all ….and I also love kitties.

Phillip DuBasky

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking • Mid-day dog walks • AM/PM/Weekend Walks • House visits for kitties

FOR RENT / SALE

Dog Walking, Kitty Care & Pet Sitting

Serving Capitol Hill Since 1995

Lovely 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home in Penn Branch area of SE DC offers a friendly neighborhood, away from the hustle of the city, but just a short ride away from Capitol Hill and downtown DC! Monthly rent $1700, utilities included! Call 202-669-6048.

WELL SEASONED FIREWOOD Conveniently Located Just Outside DC • Pickup or Delivery • Large or Small Amounts • Over 10 years Serving Capitol Hill Open M-F 10am - 4pm • Sat 10am - 2pm

Never missed a walk in 10 years

Call

Experienced and Reliable Outstanding Hill References • Insured by PSA

(202) 554-4100

202.889.0996

firewdfac@yahoo.com

Insured and Bonded Pet first aid certified

dogdotcatdc@yahoo.com www.dogdotcat.com

TOTAL WELL BEING FOR YOUR PET

202-388-8111

Dog Walking - Midday, A.M & P.M, Weekdays & Weekends

dot

Vacation Dog Sitting In-home and Overnights

4521 Kenilworth Avenue, Bladensburg, MD - Rear Lot

HELP WANTED

Cat Sitting

HELP WANTED – ASSISTANT MANAGER

202-546-7387

Clothes Encounters, a women’s retail consignment shop across from Eastern Market, is seeking an assistant manager. The hours are 11:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Wednesday. Please call 202.546.4004.

www.pawticulars.com Licensed, Bonded & Insured

OFFICE ASSISTANT

PET ADOPTION

Home based hauling business seeking administrative support. Full or Part Time. Salary + Commission.

202-561-0498.

CAPITAL CATS

Adoption Event

HILL RAG CLASSIFIED RATES

LINE CLASSIFIEDS: $25 for the first 15 words; 25 cents for each additional word BOX CLASSIFIEDS: $25 per column inch, two inch minimum; $25 each additional inch; 3 month minimum Multiple paper discounts available.

Paid in advance and billed quarterly FREE CATEGORIES: Lost and Found, Items to Give Away, Club Meeting Notices

at Chateau-Animaux

Sundays Noon to 3 PM 524 8th Street, S.E. a five-minute walk from Eastern Market Metro.

Visit our Web site to view pictures and their engaging personalities at www.capitalcats.petfinder.com or www.homealone.petfinder.com Capital Cats is a non-profit cat rescue organization on the Hill that has many wonderful, personable cats and kittens available for adoption to good homes.

Our website just got a whole lot better!! capitalcommunitynews.com

E-mail your ad with credit card information to carolina@hillrag.com or call 202.543.8300 x12 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 149

thelastword

Thank You Ward 6!

On Tuesday, Ward 6 voters gave our campaign for building a livable and walkable city a resounding victory. Just as in our race four years ago, we won every precinct in the ward. I am thrilled with the result, which is a big win for our shared vision and shows our message has resonated in every corner and in every neighborhood of Ward 6. At its best, Washington -- and Ward 6 in particular -- supports strong neighborhoods, offers residents an exciting environment, and celebrates a diverse and welcoming community. Building a livable and walkable city means creating neighborhoods that thrive with activity, connected by transit and served by small businesses that add jobs and make our streets safer for all. Thank you very much for your support and your vote. I look forward to continuing our work together for Ward 6 and DC. Tommy Wells Councilmember Ward 6

Back to the Future on the Eastern Market Metro Plaza There seems to be a fair amount of confusion and controversy about the Barracks Row report on the possible redesign of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Some claim that this is an official proposal. It is not. It is simply a report from a non-governmental organization. Some claim that this is the consensus of the community. It is not. It is one orga150 ★ HillRag | October 2010

nization’s suggestions. Some claim it is expensive. That it is. The cost estimates are between $18 and $30 million (depending on the alternative).

Frankly, I can’t support any of the proposals in this report. I think it is time we take a step back.

Back in 2003-2005, the landscape design firm of Oehme, van Sweden & Associates did some preliminary designs for the re-landscaping of the plaza. Those designs were posted in the window of the CVS on 7th Street and, I believe, published in the Hill Rag. Yet, those proposals were never carried forward. They seem to have disappeared into a black hole.

We need to take another look at those more modest landscaping plans.

There are a lot of improvements that can be made to the Plaza that are in keeping with both the needs of the Plaza, the concerns of the neighbors and the realities of our fiscal situation. We need to come together now and work on fashioning those improvements.

Ken Jarboe Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. Single Member District 6B05

Why I am Running for School Board My name is Melissa Rohan and I am a candidate for DC State Board of Education in Ward 6.

In Ward 6 we have a unique public school system. Our parents

invest a great deal of resources - time, sweat equity, and capital -into our schools. This investment has certainly paid dividends: we are seeing higher scores than past years and increased hope for the future.

Is this enough? It doesn’t seem so.

Middle class families feel pressured to take their children out of our schools once parents realize that similar families will be moving their children or have already moved them. This exodus, due to a lack of confidence in the schools as the children progress, creates less diversity in the higher grades.

As a mother of two who is running for school board, I hear these taboo conversations more times than I’d like to admit.

My goals include maintaining diversity throughout the grades and schools, retaining middle class families, and ensuring that all families have quality school options for their children.

I plan to accomplish these goals by raising all schools’ performance to excellence, specifically by: • Bringing down truancy through intervention programs • Increasing graduation rates by maintaining high standards • Reducing delinquent behavior by elevating expectations • Encouraging parental involvement from all families through available school options While the primary elections were exciting and heated, the general election is just around the corner. A

vote for me on November 2nd is giving children the chance they deserve to succeed.

Melissa Rohan Candidate for School Board Ward 6, melissa@melissarohan.com

Running for School Board I am Monica Warren Jones, and I am seeking the office of Ward 6 Member of the DC State Board of Education in order to help continue the incredible transformation that is occurring in our public schools. As a Ward 6 resident of over twelve years, a parent with two children in Ward 6 public schools, and a housing and community development professional, I appreciate that Ward 6 is a vibrant, diverse, and supportive set of communities and I know that our schools are critically linked to the area’s future success.

I am committed to ensuring continued educational reforms so that our children will have the best possible school environments, including outstanding principals, effective teachers, supportive school cultures and high quality curricula that challenge them and prepare them for success. I will work also to ensure that the State Board continues to make the elimination of the achievement gap a top priority.

As a State Board of Education member, I would work to: Make all DCPS and public charter schools in Ward 6 outstanding options for Ward 6 families. Our

schools should be able to compete with the best in the nation. The State Board of Education can help make this a reality through implementation and oversight of the new “Common Core” educational standards, which DC has adopted along with the majority of states. The Common Core Standards define what every child needs to know to be successful in school, college, and beyond, and the state must ensure that teachers and students have the support to meet them.

DC’s recent award of $78 million from the U.S. Department of Education will help by supporting teachers and principals and helping low-performing schools develop excellent learning environments. F Facilitate meaningful parental involvement. We need strong state policies on parental engagement to provide guidance for our schools.

Some schools have a strong and engaged parent community; others struggle to keep parents involved. I will support measures to increase the capacity of low-performing schools through things like PTA peer mentoring and convening parents to determine their specific needs.

Champion that which is going well in our schools. While we must improve and continue with reforms, we must also highlight what’s working, and recognize that one size does not fit all – our schools are individual learning communities with unique characteristics. For example, Tyler is known for its Spanish immersion; Miner Elementary offers Reggio

Emilia; Two Rivers employs handson, expeditionary learning that addresses the whole child; and EliotHine and Eastern High School are in the middle of exciting transformations. We must support all schools. I hope you will support my efforts to push forward with education reform in the District. Learn more about me by at monicawarrenjones.org or by emailing me at contact@monicawarrenjones.org.

Monica Warren-Jones contact@monicawarrenjones.org

Running for ANC 6C05 My name is Jennifer Zatkowski and I am running for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC 6C05. I have lived on the Hill for 13 years and purchased my home on 3rd St. NE 11 years ago. I also own Pawticulars on 8th St. SE - we have been open for 7 years. I have witnessed tremendous progress on the Hill and would like to see that momentum continue. As a home owner, small business owner and mother with three kids in DC public schools, I am committed to the Hill. I will work hard for continued progress and development for the residents of our ANC District.

I believe the role of Commissioner is to serve the residents. First and foremost, every resident of our ANC should know who their Commissioner is and how to reach them.

When residents have issues and concerns, they should know who to turn

to and know that their concerns will be responded to and addressed.

I have been proactive in responding to my neighbors’ concerns and have worked hard with DC Government agencies to resolve those concerns. For example, I worked with DDOT to have a mirror installed in the blind alley between 2nd & 3rd St. NE to make the turn and alley safer. I am currently working with DDOT to have the 600 block of 3rd St. NE rezoned to deter commuter parking. I am working with DCPS on the reopening of Logan School to minimize negative impact on our neighborhood.

I pledge to work hard on your behalf to improve our ANC. I will work to increase police presence, keep Union Station commuters from using residential parking spaces, clean and maintain our alleyways and work with small business owners to stimulate consumer spending in our neighborhood. Most importantly, I pledge to be responsive to the concerns of every resident in our ANC. Thank you and please email any questions to jenzatkowski@gmail. com. Check out my Facebook page at Jennifer Zatkowski for ANC Commissioner 6C05.

between Seward Square and Eastern Market, the heart of our neighborhood.

I live here, I work here, I walk, bike, and Metro here.

I have been very involved in seeing that the city and business properties around the Eastern Market maintain our neighborhood especially regarding property maintenance, trash collection and others.

The ANC faces more than just zoning exemptions and alcohol licenses. We need to have attention paid to our problems as residents in this neighborhood.

As your commissioner, I will be proactive: If I see something that needs attention, I will bring it to the ANC rather than wait for you to.

I will keep you informed and seek your input on the issues we face.

Reactive: If you see or have a problem, I will work with you and the ANC to try and find a solution.

Involved: I will add your voice to the various Eastern Market area committees and organizations including EMCAC and EMMCA. Visit me at mallu4anc.com.

Vernon Mallu 600 Block of C St SE vern@vjmnet.com ★

Running for ANC 6B I am Vernon Mallu and I would like to be your ANC Commissioner.

I have owned my home on C St SE since moving to DC in 2004. I live capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 151