Mid City DC Magazine January 2017 by Capital Community News

JANUARY 2017

WEEKEND Child Care with Northwest Settlement House

Saturdays & Sundays 1739 7th St., NW WDC 20001 Directly across from the Shaw Metro Station

6:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. 4 Hour Block, Minimum

Fun Learning Activities

Outdoor Play & Games and More 202-332-4040 & info@nwsh.org AGES 3 MONTHS - 12 YEARS

YO U ’ R E I N V I T E D

LAUNCH PARTY PRESENTING

NEWEST MODEL HOME

PHASE III - ONLY 5 LEFT

JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS AND A TOUR | JANUARY 28 & 29 | 4 2 4 W O O D C R E S T D R I V E S E | WA S H I N G T O N , D C 2 0 0 3 2 The latest buzz in the NEW SOUTHEAST is WOODCREST VILLAS, a new townhome and condominium community in Congress Heights. Exceptional 2 & 3 bedroom | 2.5 to 3.5 baths residences outfitted with standard features typically sold as upgrades by builders. Phase III is selling fast, only 4 townhomes and 5 condos, priced from $299,900 to $499,900, still available.

12-3PM

Spacious light-filled; wood floors throughout the main level; gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite counters and 42” espresso-stained maple cabinets; Smart Tech package, and some homes with garages. Surrounded by parks and schools, minutes from I-295, National Harbor, downtown DC & Capitol Hill, you won’t find anything better than WOODCREST VILLAS.

Delivery expected in Q1 2017 Limited time builder 3% CLOSING CREDIT

Sales by the LIVINGDCMETRO TEAM COLDWELL BANKER Residential Brokerage

Sales Office Hours 11AM—4PM TUESDAY—SUNDAY except Holidays

EVELYN BRANIC | SHEILA WALTER FAISON | MATT WHITE www.WoodcrestVillas.com | 202.750.7795 | WoodcrestVillasDC@gmail.com

JAnU ARy 2 0 1 7 0 3

MIDCITY

contents JAnUARy 2017 06 08 38

what’s on washington calendar classifieds

on tHe coVeR:

32 your neighborhood 18

Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner

District Beat • Jonetta Rose Barras

The Numbers • Claire Zippel

Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann

East Side News • Max Moline

Bloomingdale Buzz • Max Moline

Photo: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Illustrates the Belle Époque. (SEE CALENDAR) The Phillips Collection 1600 21st St. NW phillipscollection.org.

out and about

kids and family

Insatiable • Max Moline

SEE EDUCATION SPECIAL (CENTER)

Depeche Art • Phil Hutinet

at home

How to Deal With Mold • Cathy Plume

Changing Hands • Don Denton

EST.

1976

MIKEY’s

Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20003 • 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com

Pet Care DC Pet Wellness: Exercise, Nutrition, Massage, Training, Walking & Pet Sitting, and more!

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com

Editorial Staﬀ

M�� E��: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO � A�� E��: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com S�� N�� E��: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com K�� F�� E��: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com

Arts, Dining & Entertainment A��:

D��: L��: M��: M��: T��: W�� G��:

Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Phil Hutinet • phutinet@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Jonathan Bardzik • jonathan.bardzik@gmail.com Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • steve@jazzavenues.com Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com Elyse Genderson • elyse@cellar.com

Calendar & Bulletin Board

C�� E��: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

General Assignment

Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ellen Boomer • emboomer@gmail.com Karen Cohen • kcohenphoto@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Pleasant Mann • pmann1995@gmail.com Meghan Markey • meghanmarkey@gmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com

Beauty, Health & Fitness

Patricia Cinelli • ﬁtmiss44@aol.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com Stacy Peterson • stacy@accelerationsports.net

Real Estate

(202) 718-9219 mikeyspetcaredc.com

Don Denton • DDenton@cbmove.com Heather Schoell • heathersdo@gmail.com

Kids & Family

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

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US?

Homes & Gardens

Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com Cheryl Corson • cheryl@cherylcorson.com Tom Daniels • tom@rthomasdanielrooﬁng.com Rindy 0’Brien • rindyobrien@gmail.com

Call Carolina Lopez. 202-400-3503

or Carolina@hillrag.com for more information on advertising.

Commentary

Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com T�� N�� • thenose@hillrag.com T�� L�� W�� • editorial@hilllrag.com

Production/Graphic/Web Design

A�� D��: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Design: Lee Kyungmin • lee@hillrag.com W�� M��: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com

REDEFINING BEAUTY ONE CLIENT AT A TIME!

Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Laura Vucci, 202.543.8300 X22 • laura@hillrag.com Account Executive & Classiﬁed Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • Carolina@hillrag.com

Distribution M��: D��: I��:

Over 20 Years of Experience

Andrew Lightman MediaPoint, LLC distribution@hillrag.com

Deadlines & Contacts

A��: sales@hillrag.com D�� A��: 15th of each month C�� A��: 10th of each month E��: 15th of each month; editorial@hilllrag.com B�� B�� C��: 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.

Capital Community News, Inc. Publishers of:

Thomas Landscapes

Advertising & Sales

MIDCITY YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

F A G O N

GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL

Full-Service Landscape Design & Maintenance • • • • •

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

Winter Garden Special Coupon

15% OFF

All Masonry and Fencing Projects. New Clients EXP 01/31/2017

DEREK THOMAS / PRINCIPAL Certified Professional Horticulturist Member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association

Member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers

301.642.5182 | WWW.THOMASLANDSCAPES.COM

JAnU ARy 2 0 1 7 0 5

Art & Soul at 415 New Jersey Ave. NW is a Winter Restaurant Week 2017 participant. Photo: Courtesy of Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington

0 6 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

Winter Restaurant Week 2017

The semi-annual area Restaurant Week, Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, features the best restaurants in the region, encouraging locals and visitors alike to dine out, eat up and support local businesses. Restaurants in DC, Maryland and Virginia will serve up three course meals with dinner menus available for $35, lunch menus available for $22 and brunch available for $22. Total of 250 outstanding restaurants are participating. For the first time this year, Restaurant Week diners can dig in to $22 brunch menus from more than 50 restaurants spanning an array of cuisines from Balkan to Japanese to American seafood. Diners can visit neighborhood favorites or explore new restaurants in neighborhoods stretching from South Riding, VA, to Gaithersburg, MD. View menus and reserve a table at RWDMV.com.

2 Matisse/Diebenkorn at the Baltimore Museum of Art

In the Matisse/Diebenkorn exhibition, more than 90 paintings and drawings by Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), show the French modern master’s enduring influence on one of the greatest post-war American painters. Diebenkorn’s long engagement with Matisse’s work is among the most productive instances of one painter looking at another’s work in the history of 20th Century art. This landmark exhibition brings together a stunning array of works loaned from museums and private collections to follow the trajectory of Diebenkorn’s long and successful career with some of the powerful works by Matisse that the younger artist would have been familiar with. The Baltimore Museum of Art, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, is at 10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, MD. The exhibition ends on Jan. 29. Tickets are $17.50 for adults; $15, seniors; $10 for students; $7.50 for kids (7-18), and under six are free. artbma.org.

Henri Matisse. The Yellow Dress. 1929-31. The Baltimore Museum of Art. ©2016 Succession H. Matisse / ARS NY. Richard Diebenkorn. Seated Figure with Hat. 1967. National Gallery of Art. Washington, D.C. ©2016 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation

Photo: Courtesy of the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Photo: Carol Woodward National Geographic

Photo: Courtesy of visitthecapitol.gov

3 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

On Jan. 16, the DC Commission on National and Community Service and Serve DC commemorates the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by supporting and promoting service and civic engagement across the city. Serve DC connects residents with volunteer opportunities and community-based organizations with resources and volunteers. It tracks the number and locations of volunteers and service projects citywide. Looking for MLK Day volunteer opportunities? Visit serve. dc.gov/service/martin-luther-king-jrday-service.

4 National Geographic Earth Explorers

National Geographic Earth Explorers is an interactive family experience showcasing the work of some of the most innovative and exciting National Geographic explorers. This hands-on exhibition will allow visitors to let imaginations run wild as they embark as world explorers discovering new species, studying animal behavior and learning about the important roles that technology, innovation and ingenuity play in documenting these discoveries. Through interactive and immersive areas, visitors explore six regions of the world. Visit a base camp in a life-sized explorer’s jeep. Take a simulated hot-air-balloon ride. Document the migration of herds across Africa. Board a deep-sea submersible for a virtual dive to survey life at all levels of the water column from abundant coral reefs to deep-sea thermal vents. Earth Explorers is at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW, Feb. 10 to Sept. 10, 2017. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors/students; and $10 for children (3-12). natgeomuseum.org.

5 “Out of Many: One” Film and Capitol Tour

Tours of the Capitol begin with the inspiring 13-minute orientation film, “Out of Many: One.” This wonderful film describes the beginnings of Congress with the “Great Compromise” that led to our bicameral legislative branch and the ratification of the Constitution. The film calls the Capitol, “The Temple of Liberty,” where Americans find common ground to both solve the country’s problems. Viewers come away with a greater understanding of our nation’s history, the history of Congress and the impact of the laws passed under the Dome and the critical role they play as citizens in the democratic process. The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day. Walk-in or book ahead at visitthecapitol.gov.

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 0 7

JANUARY

Calendar MLK EVENTS

Let Freedom Ring! at the Kennedy Center. Jan. 16, 6 PM. The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University present the Grammy Award winning “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight and the Let Freedom Ring Choir in a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Free. kennedy-center.org. A Tribute to Dr. King-Sanctuary, Witness, Covenant. Jan. 16, 2 PM. Dr. King called on faith communities, specifically the church, to be sanctuary for those in need and to demonstrate public witness to injustice. Through song, narrative and reflection, this celebration will explore how faith communities have lived into that call and what sanctuary and witness look like today. Washington National Cathedral. cathedral.org. Opera Carolina’s “I Dream” - A Rhythm and Blues Opera. Feb. 2, 6 PM. This is a one-hour performance of “I Dream: The Story of a Preacher from Atlanta.” Book, music and lyrics by Douglas Tappin. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. operacarolina.org. Visit the MLK Memorial. Open to visitors all hours, every day. 1964 Independence Ave. SW. nps.gov/mlkm.

MUSIC

Louis Anquetin, Inside Bruant’s Mirliton, 1886–87. Oil on canvas, 57 1⁄16 × 61 13⁄16 in. Private collection

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Illustrates the Belle Époque. Feb. 4 to April 30. Through his lithographs and posters, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captured the heart of Parisian nightlife in dynamic cabaret and caféconcert scenes. The Phillips Collection presents one of the foremost collections of the artist’s prints drawn from his most prolific years. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. phillipscollection.org.

0 8 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

Irving Berlin: A Simple Melody. Through Jan. 28. A cabaret-revue evening of hit songs by Irving Berlin. Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets at inseries.org, or 202-204-7763. Music at The Howard. Jan. 14, Reggae Fest vs. Soca MLK Weekend; Jan. 15, Harlem Gospel Choir and 3rd Annual

H y p e r L o c a l | hīpər

. lōk(ə)l |

Hyperlocal connotes information oriented around a well defined community with its primary focus directed toward the concerns of its residents. synonym: M I D C I T Y D C N E W S . C O M Daily online. Monthly in print.

JAnU ARy 2 0 1 7 0 9

Tim Getman and Michael Russotto. Photo: C. Stanley Photography

COPENHAGEN at Theater J. Through Jan. 29. In 1941, the German physicist Werner Heisenberg traveled to Copenhagen to meet his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr. Old friends and colleagues, now they find themselves on opposite sides in a world war and embroiled in a race to create the atom bomb. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497. washingtondcjcc.org.

MLK Birthday Celebration feat. Rare Essence & Friends; Jan. 16, Eric Gales; Jan. 17, The Young Senators Reloaded; Jan. 18, Red Not Chili Peppers; Jan. 21, The Sweet Spot DC and Bomba Party; Jan. 22, Sam Cooke Birthday Brunch and Sevyn Streeter; Jan. 27, Ginuwine; Jan. 28, Morris Day & The Time; Jan. 31, Harlem Gospel Choir Sings Adele; Feb. 1, Black Tiger Sex Machine; Feb. 3, Richard Smallwood; Feb. 5, John Early & Kate Berlant; Feb. 6, The Cannabis Cup Reggae Band; Feb. 9, The Blues Brothers Soundtrack - Live; Feb. 10, The Whispers. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com. Music at 9:30 Club. Jan. 14, Lotus; Jan. 15, Dark and Twisted; Jan. 18, Wax Tailor; Jan. 19, And Still We Dance: A Dancefloor Journey; Jan. 25, PHOX; Jan. 26, Luke Combs; Jan. 27, The Infamous Stringdusters; Jan. 28, Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party; Jan. 29, G. Love & Special Sauce and G. Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PreShow Pop Off; Feb. 1, White Lies; Feb. 2-4, Greensky Bluegrass; Feb. 7, AFI; Feb. 8, Sampha; Feb. 10, BoomBox; Feb. 11, The Wood Brothers. 815 V St. NW. 877-435-9849. 930.com.

1 0 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

Music at Black Cat. Jan. 14, We The People and Fresh to Death; Jan. 18, Cigarette; Jan. 19, TV Girl; Jan. 22, Tokyo Police Club; Jan. 27, The 9: Songwriter Series; Jan. 28, Austra; Feb. 2, Alison Crutchfield & The Fizz; Feb. 4, Bae Bae: A K-Pop Dance Night; Feb. 10, Awkward Sex and the City. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. blackcatdc.com. Music at Rock and Roll Hotel. Jan. 14, The Shadowboxers; Jan. 20, Steve Gunn/Lee Ranaldo; Jan. 22, Into Another; Jan. 25, Cold Cave; Jan. 27, Staycation: Feb. 3, Leon. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. 202-388-7625. rockandrollhoteldc.com. Music at Sixth and I. Jan. 14, Piers Faccini; Jan. 18, Kyle Morton (from Typhoon); Jan. 28, Mogwai Play Atomic; Jan. 29, Kennedy Center Chamber Players; Feb. 4, Carlos Henriquez Sextet; Feb. 8, Ute Lemper: Songs for Eternity; Feb. 11, Colin Currie. Sixth and I, 600 I St. NW. sixthandi.org. Music at the U Street Music Hall. Jan. 14, J. Phlip; Jan. 17, D.R.A.M.; Jan. 18, Plaid; Jan. 19,

concerts are at the Coolidge Auditorium, Thomas Jefferson Building. lov.gov.

DJ Sega; Jan. 20, Ben Nicky; Jan. 21, Our DC ft. Eau Claire & Madame Gandhi; Jan. 25, Mobb Deep; Jan. 26, Xilent & Far Too Loud; Jan. 27, Basecamp and Whethan: Savage Tour; Jan. 28, Tim Presley & Cate Le Bon and Claptone; Feb. 1, Moon Hooch; Feb. 2, Isaiah Rashad and Valentino Khan; Feb. 3, Escort and Young Art Sound ft. TOKiMONSTA & CRi; Feb. 4, Bear’s Den and Worthy + option4; Feb. 10, Savoy (live); Feb. 11, Book of Love and Deep Sugar: Ultra Naté & Lisa Moody. U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. 202-588-1889. ustreetmusichall.com.

THEATER AND FILM

Blues Night in Southwest. Every Monday, 6 to 9 PM. Jan. 16, Linwood Taylor Band; Jan. 23, Lil Margie Live!; Feb. 6, Midnight Blue; Feb. 13, Moonshine Society; Feb. 20, Full Power Blues. $5 cover. Children are free under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc.org.

Mosaic’s Charm at the Atlas. Through Feb. The colorful inner workings of an etiquette class taught by Mama Darleena Andrews, an African-American transgender woman, in an LGBTQ organization known as The Center. atlasarts.org.

Music at Hill Country. Jan. 17, Man About A Horse; Jan. 18, 25 Hill Country Live Band Karaoke; Jan. 19, Hollertown; Jan. 20, Kevin Fowler; Jan. 24, Old Salt Union; Jan. 26, The Plimsouls Re-Souled; Jan. 31, Bobby Thompson; Feb. 3, The Woodshedders and Scott Kurt & Memphis 59; Feb. 10, The Howlin’ Brothers. Hill Country Live, 410 Seventh St. NW. hillcountry.com/dc.

Titanic at Signature. Through Jan. 29. Musical about the heart-stopping and riveting ride through the final moments of Titanic’s fateful journey. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Shirlington, VA. signature-theatre.org.

LIZZIE the Musical at Anacostia Playhouse. Through Feb. 5. Four women, a six-piece band, and a spine-chilling tale of murder — LIZZIE is the rowdy recipe for a cold-blooded winter in our nation’s capital. For tickets, visit lizziethemusical@brownpapertickets.com.

Music at the Lincoln. Jan. 17, Tom Chaplin; Feb. 14, Tinder Live! with Lane Moore. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202-3286000. thelincolndc.com.

Scena Theatre: Someone is Going to Come at the Atlas. Through Feb. 5. See an acclaimed, poetic play about paranoia and jealousy. A quirky couple moves into a remote, run-down house to be alone. Yet, they grow increasingly anxious a visitor may come. atlasarts.org.

Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Tuesdays, 12:10 PM. Jan. 17, Jaely Chamberlain, soprano, & Andrew Welch, piano; Jan. 24, Barbara Hollinshead, alto, & Howard Bass, lute; Jan. 31, Naira Babayan, piano; Feb. 7, The Heritage Signature Chorale. 1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org.

The Hard Problem at Studio. Through Feb. 19. Bristling with intellectual energy and searing wit, “The Hard Problem” explores the complexities of consciousness, the nature of belief and how to reconcile hard science with lived experience. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org.

Jazz Night in Southwest. Every Friday, 6 to 9 PM. Jan. 20, 18th Jazz Night Anniversary Dick Smith & Friends; Jan. 27, The Wes Biles Quartet Presenting Gail Shipp; Feb. 3, Remembering Maurice Lyles; Feb. 10, Kristine Key Jazz Ensemble. $5 cover. Children are free under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc.org.

Roe at Arena. Through Feb. 19. The lawyer: a young, brilliant, courageous woman arguing Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court. The plaintiff: a complex, single woman seeking to end an unwanted pregnancy. The landmark 1973 case legalized abortion, but also began their separate journeys that would come to mirror the polarization in American culture. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-488-3300. arenastage.org.

Music at the LOC. Jan. 23, 8 PM, Pacifica Quartet and Jörg Widmann, clarinet; Jan. 25, Musicians from Marlboro; Jan. 26, 7 PM, The Rhythmic Imagination in African Music (Montpelier Room, James Madison Building); Feb. 3, 7 PM, Toon Tunes with Solomon Haile Selassie (Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building); Feb. 4, 8 PM, Gateway to the East: The Millenarian Venice 770-1797. All concerts are free. Unless otherwise noted,

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Ford’s. Jan. 21 to Feb. 19. In this American theatrical masterpiece and Tony Award-winning play, George and Martha invite Nick and Honey to their home after a faculty party. What awaits their late-night guests is not a welcoming nightcap but tempestuous verbal sparring fueled by alcohol and 20 years of marital dysfunction and illusion blur. Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. 202-347-4833. fords.org.

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 1 1

Mack, Beth at the Keegan. Jan. 21 to Feb. 11. Mack, Beth is set in the present day tech business world. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. 202-265-3767. keegantheatre.com.

different hours. Adults, $9; children, military and seniors, $8; skate rental, $5. Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE. canalparkdc.org.

Convention Center Community Association. Last Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Kennedy Rec Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW. facebook.com/pages/Convention-Center-Community.

As You Like It at the Folger. Jan. 24 to March 5. Rosalind is banished from court and flees to the Forest of Arden, where she discovers Orlando and a world of passion and possibility. folger.edu.

NGA Ice Rink. Mondays through Fridays, 10 AM to 8 PM; Friday, 10 AM to 11 PM, Saturdays, 11 AM to 11 PM; and Sundays, 11 AM to 9 PM. Skating fees for a two-hour session are $8.50, adults; $7.50, seniors, students with ID and children 12 and under. Skate rental is $3. nga.gov.

Downtown Neighborhood Association. Second Tuesday, 7 to 9 PM. US Naval Memorial Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. miles@dcdna.org. dcdna.org.

Mosaic’s Hooded (or being Black for Dummies) at the Atlas. Jan. 25 to Feb. 19. A dark comedy/satire set in an around Baltimore about growing up black in America, riffing on the Trayvon Martin case, mistaken identity, incarceration and being black on a privileged college campus. atlasarts.org. Baby Screams Miracle at Woolly. Jan. 30 to Feb. 26. A small house is besieged by an apocalyptic storm. Great trees crack and splinter, garbage shatters windows, a deer impales the car windshield and the wind hurls a trampoline into the living room. While their family home collapses all around them, a prodigal daughter and her zealous relatives try to pray their way to safety. Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net. Yo también hablo de la rosa/I Too Speak of the Rose at GALA. Feb. 2 to 26. In this searing look at poverty and society’s response to it, two poor teens who accidentally derail a train while skipping school become the subject of a media frenzy. Performed in Spanish with English surtitles. GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. galatheatre.org. Watch on the Rhine at Arena. Feb. 3 to March 5. With America on the brink of entering World War II, Fanny’s daughter escapes to the DC suburbs with her German husband, a man deeply involved in anti-fascist movements. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-488-3300. arenastage.org.

SPORTS AND FITNESS Washington Wizards Basketball. Jan. 14, 16, 18, 24 and 31; Feb. 2, 4 and 6. Verizon Center. nba.com/wizards. Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. Jan. 15 and 23; Feb. 1, 5 and 7. Verizon Center. capitals.nhl.com. Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating. Public ice skating is on Jan. 14, and 25, 1 to 3 PM; Jan. 15, 22 and 28, 3:30 to 4:40 PM; and Jan. 20, noon to 2 PM. Skate rental: $5 for adults, $4 for 12 and under and $3 for seniors 60 and over. Fort Dupont Ice Arena is at 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org.

Washington Harbor Ice Rink. Through mid-March. Mondays through Tuesdays, noon to 7 PM; Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 PM; Fridays noon to 10 PM; Saturdays, 10 AM to 10 PM; Sundays, 10 AM to 7 PM. Skating is $9 to $10. Skate rental is $6. Washington Harbor is at 3050 K St. NW. 202706-7666. thewashingtonharbour.com.

Eckington Civic Association. First Monday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. eckingtondc.org. Edgewood Civic Association. Last Monday, 7 to 9 PM. Edgewood senior building, 635 Edgewood St. NE, ninth floor.

MARKETS AND SALES Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays. Weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. 200 and 300 blocks of Seventh Street. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com. Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays, year round, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 20th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW. 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org. Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Tuesdays, 3 to 7 PM. Farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh Street SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com. Union Market. Tuesdays to Fridays, 11 AM to 8 PM; Saturdays to Sundays, 8 AM to 8 PM. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com. Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around, 8 AM to 4 PM. 1819 35th St. NW.

CIVIC LIFE Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202-7835065. norton.house.gov.

Water Wizards Senior Swim Open House. Feb. 9, 9 to 11 AM. Over 50 DC resident who wants to learn to swim, improve skills or compete in local and national events? Meet the Water Wizards. It’s free. Please wear deck shoes. Rumsey Aquatic Center, 635 North Carolina Ave. SE.

All Ways Mount Pleasant. First Saturday, noon to 2 PM. LaCasa. All Ways is a citizen’s association primarily for the tenants of the larger apartment buildings of Mount Pleasant. 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. aass.org.

Canal Park Ice Skating. Through Feb. 26; Mondays and Tuesdays, noon to 7 PM; Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 PM; Fridays noon to 10 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 10 PM; and Sundays, 11 AM to 7 PM. Open all holidays but with

Chinatown Revitalization Council. Fourth Monday, 7 to 8 PM. 510 I St. NW. Chinatown Revitalization Council promotes the Chinatown renewal and the preservation of its cultural heritage. The public is welcome.

1 2 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

East Central Civic Association of Shaw. First Monday, 7 PM. Third Baptist Church, 1546 Fifth St. NW. Contact: Al Hajj Mahdi Leroy J Thorpe Jr, 202-387-1596.

Logan Circle Citizens Association. Visit logancircle.org/calendar for meeting dates and times. logancircle.org. Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association. Third Tuesday, 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Yale Steam Laundry, 437 New York Ave. NW. lifein.mvsna.org. U Street Neighborhood Association. Second Thursday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Source (Second Floor Classroom), 1835 14th St. NW. ANC 1A. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th St. NW. 202-588-7278. anc1a.org. ANC 1B. First Thursday, 6:30 PM. DC Housing Finance Agency, 815 Florida Ave. NW. 202-870-4202. anc1b.org. ANC 1B11. Second Monday, 7 PM. LeDroit Senior Building (Basement Community Room), 2125 Fourth St. NW. 202-4813462. anc1b.org. ANC 1B04. First Thursday, 6:30 PM. Banneker Recreation Center, 2500 Georgia Ave. NW. LaKisha M. Brown Commissioner. 202-503-4605. groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ANC1B04/info. ANC 1C. First Wednesday, 7 PM. Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2355 Ontario Rd. NW. 202-332-2630. anc1c.org. ANC 1D. Third Tuesday, 7 PM. 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW. 202-462-8692. anc1d.org. ANC 2C. First Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Watha T. Daniel/ Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-682-1633. anc2C.org. ANC 6E. First Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Meeting at Watha T. Daniel/ Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. anc6e.org.

Have an item for the Calendar? Email calendar@ hillrag.com. u

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 1 3

OUT and ABOUT

INSATIABLE In-Still-Able by Max Moline

Still to Table

It’s finally here. The highly anticipated third DC establishment in the Farmers Restaurant Group opened in December, after months of rumors, planning, and construction. Located in the brand-new glass building at the intersection of Sixth Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, Farmers & Distillers hopes to build on the wild success of its older sisters – the original Founding Farmers in Foggy Bottom (as well as its satellite locations in Tysons and Montgomery County) and Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown.

All Farmers & Distillers menu items are customizable, with the option to add a protein to any salad.

The District Distilling flight offers a taster of each of the distillery’s four liquors: vodka, gin, white rum, and bourbon.

Founding Spirits is the Farmers Restaurant Group’s venture into distilling at a new facility in Farmers & Distillers and is currently producing vodka and amaro.

1 4 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

The hook? Not only does Farmers and Distillers have, as its name suggests, its own distillery, but it also features a prominently located bakery, where donuts are put on display to get you excited for dessert before you even glance at the cocktail menu. The restaurant group has titled its in-house distilling venture Founding Spirits. While Founding Spirits vodka is available in drinks and for purchase, the amaro isn’t quite ready yet, but should be soon, as your server will tell you. At Farmers & Distillers you’ll be overwhelmed with incredible options from the get-go. I recommend going for the in-house taste of their vodka which is distilled on-site; and the featured Cucumber Delight is just that: delightful. Combining the refreshing taste of cucumber with the mild bite of ginger makes for a well-balanced drink that’s enjoyable year-round. If you’re interested in exploring the amaro, try the Farmer Jon’s Sour, which blends the liqueur with bourbon and cognac for a hearty, robust drink. It’s not a Farmers Restaurant without a full complement of exceptional appetizers. The crispy vegetables are basically onion rings made with a variety of different veggies, and the Parmesan pound cake is a savory take on the

traditional dessert, like a cross between a biscuit and cornbread. An order of dumplings will keep your whole table happy. Entree salads offer the ability to add a protein, and the Rainbow Salad is perfect for the beet lover (I can’t get enough beets). The menu offers many different categories of foods, but the real treats are in the steak and seafood sections. While you can’t go wrong with any steak, the signature Proper Prime Rib Roast Beef Supper is a tender, moist, perfectly cooked masterpiece. For the fish lover, try the fish of the day (I had rock), and go with the Hong Kong-style preparation; the bok choy and soy sauce enhance rather

The bowls at eatsa are made with quinoa and fresh vegetables and are vegetarian.

than overwhelm the fish’s flavor. Finish your meal with a $1 donut, the devil’s food, chocolate, or cinnamon sugar, though they’re all amazing. Due to the wide variety of options and prices, you can expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $50 and higher per person. Farmers & Distillers can be found at 600 Massachusetts Ave. NW and www. farmersanddistillers.com.

Meesa Eat-sa

rifice food quality for innovation. Not so at eatsa. “Fortunately,” according to cofounder Scott Drummond, “once customers give us a try, they almost always come back!” Drummond continued, “With our range of over 60 ingredients and numerous flavor profiles, we’ve got a satisfying solution for every taste.” The eatsa menu, in addition to being all vegetarian, with many vegan and gluten-free options, has 10 different lunch/dinner bowls. As Drummond notes, they offer a wide variety of tastes, from Japanese (the bento bowl, with edamame and teriyaki sauce) to Mexican (the burrito bowl features guacamole, salsa, queso, and more) to Mediterranean (try the hummus and falafel bowl which includes moist and spicy falafel), and everything in between. Though I’ve tried several bowls, my favorite has to be the aloha bowl and its combination of orange miso, edamame, pickled ginger, and more. All bowls are made with a quinoa base, because, according to the eatsa website, it is

I know, I’m the worst. You just saw the amazing spectacle that is “Rogue One,” and I had to ruin it by dropping a Jar Jar reference. But it’s a solid pun and I apologize for nothing. For over a year, eatsa has been making waves nationwide with its unprecedented approach to fast-casual dining: a fully-automated purchasing process with no cashiers. And the prices reflect that. All bowls cost $7 (with optional add-ons), but come in larger portions than other fast-casual restaurants with similar dishes. The prices are lower because eatsa does not have to pay salaries for customer-facing employees. However, an attendant present at all times makes sure there are no problems or mistakes on orders. The K Street location is the sixth restaurant eatsa has opened since its first San Francisco franchise in August 2015. DC joins San Francisco, Woodland Hills, Berkeley, and New York as towns with an eatsa. The innovative system at eatsa will display your name on a cubby where your prepared food will be waiting for you. The Achilles’ heel of restaurants with an unprecedented setup is that they often sac-

a gluten-free superfood with protein and essential nutrients that “can absorb flavors and sauces, making it the perfect base for all kinds of deliciousness.” Find eatsa at 1627 K St. NW and www.eatsa.com.

Distill, Still?

Yes, there’s another new distillery in the DC scene. DC Noodles’ neighbor District Distilling Co. opened in August. Since its first vodka run finished in early September, it has been offering four different varieties of homemade liquors to pair with its vibrant, classy bar scene. As you enter the building on U Street, you pass by the retail store as well as part of the distillery. The restaurant has two bars and plenty of space to mill about, even during a private event. DC’s first combination distillery, restaurant, and bar has both classic and innovative options for food and drink. The food menu is pricey, but you’ll know where that money went. Chorizo-stuffed quail and venison-loin stroganoff and egg noodles anchor a diverse menu. Definitely go for the bourbon pecan pie a la mode to finish off. Before you get to the food, several classic cocktails (such as the bonded Manhattan, daquiri and the whiskey sour) and an impressive draft menu featuring only beers from DC, Maryland, and Virginia will give you options outside of my personal recommendation, which is a flight. The Manhattan and martini flights are amazing, but every customer should try the District Distilling flight. You’ll start with the incredibly easy, subtle taste of their rye-based vodka, with the grainy taste that rye whiskey drinkers love. Next, the gin will start mild, then build into a bigger taste with a little bite, then fade quickly. The third drink is a strong white rum that has a sweetness to it with a small flash of tart at the end. Finish it off with the beautifully smooth and sweet bourbon with just a tiny nibble of harshness on the finish and a lingering maltiness. Cocktails run $10-15; food is mostly in the mid-$20s, flights are all $20, beers are under $10, and most wines are in the teens. Find District Distilling Co. at 1414 U St. NW and www.district-distilling.com. Max Moline is a communications specialist living in DC. He frequents Nationals Park and enjoys writing about food as much as he does eating it. He’s always looking for new places to try. Rooftops and cigar lounges are a plus! Get in touch: molinecommunications@ gmail.com; @MaxMoline425. u

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 1 5

OUT and ABOUT

DEPECHE ART

East City Art’s Mid-City Gallery Exhibitions and News by Phil Hutinet

Foundry

This January, Foundry Gallery celebrates its 45th anniversary and its first year at the Shaw location. In 1971 four students of colorist painter and teacher Gene Davis began the gallery. At the time, Davis showed work at the Duval Foundry in Georgetown. The next spring the four founders attended the Conference for Women in the Visual Arts at the Corcoran. Inspired by June Wayne’s call for women to work together, they expanded and organized as Foundry Artists. By the 1980s the gallery had become coed. In 2000 the gallery gained nonprofit status and shifted its mission to exhibiting work of member artists and offering public programs in education and art appreciation. Foundry had several homes before finding its current location. In 1973 Foundry Artists moved to 33rd Street NW, above Cannon Seafood. Subsequent locations include Indiana Avenue NW, Seventh and P streets NW, and Hillyer Court, where the gallery resided from 1985 until 2004. In 2005 it moved across Dupont Circle to 18th Street NW. Most recently,

in November 2015 it opened its new space at 2118 Eighth Street NW, around the corner from the 9:30 Club.

creates. Social, political, and environmental commentary unfolds within the painstaking details of Tolman’s work. He studied at the Corcoran and at American

Gallery Neptune & Brown

Ben Tolman will open his first solo exhibition with Gallery Neptune & Brown. “WELTSCHMERZ” will showcase Tolman’s most recent drawings in ink and gouache on paper. From the German, “Weltschmerz” translates as “world-pain.” The artist’s work reflects the overwhelming feeling that affects the United States and many parts of the world given the

Ben Tolman, “Entrance,” 2016. Ink and gouache on paper, 15 x 21 inches.

University and has exhibited drawings in the Washington area since 2005.

Touchstone

Kathryn Wiley, “Peach Ice.” Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 20 inches.

Craig Moran, “Bright Spot.” Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches.

1 6 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

current geopolitical shift to the extreme right. Extensive travels in Serbia and Germany during 2015 and 2016 informed and influenced Tolman’s most recent work. He explores the urban fabric through detailed ink drawings of cityscapes. Woven into his imaginary cities are the trapping of quotidian urban life, from the revered to the repellent, moving in parallel with the dense architectural structures and forms he

Non-juried group exhibition “What’s Next?” fills all three gallery spaces at Touchstone in January. Each member artist invited a friend to show work side-byside. Comprised of all media, works by 90 local contemporary artists examine today’s society, along with challenges and solutions. According to Touchstone Gallery’s press release, “Characters on the television series ‘The West Wing’ would say, ‘What’s Next? at the end of each episode to indicate that there was a long list of issues to resolve at any given moment.” Drawing inspiration from this concept, participating artists believe that understanding what’s next has never been more salient than in today’s America. Artists reflect contemporaneity, consciously and sometimes subconsciously, and in so doing give audiences the opportunity to reflect on the zeitgeist and discuss it.

Exhibitions on View

Gallery Neptune & Brown 1530 14th St. NW 202-986-1200, www.neptunefineart.com Hours: Wed.-Sat., noon to 7 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. “WELTSCHMERZ,” recent drawings by Ben Tolman Opening reception: Sat., Jan. 28, 5-7 p.m. On view Jan. 19-Feb. 25

Pete McCutchen, “Trump.”

Washington Project for the Arts

Sara Dittrich’s “Room for a Score” is a 1,000-square-foot, experimental music notation. It comprises a false floor resembling staff paper, sound sensors, and an amplifier. The daily movements of gallery visitors and staff mark and score the floor, producing an accidental composition to be interpreted and performed by musicians. An interdisciplinary artist working primarily in Baltimore, Dittrich creates objects, installations, and performances using the

Kristen Victoria Harner, “Please Darling, Keep Quiet.”

forms of musical instruments and interactive electronic technologies to investigate the acts of listening, communicating, and moving. She received her BFA in interdisciplinary sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has exhibited frequently including a solo show at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids, Mich. She has exhibited internationally in the Czech Republic, where she studied at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague with Dominik Lang. Dittrich received the 2013 Beers Contemporary Award for Emerging Art and has been awarded residencies at Sculpture Space, Vermont Studio Center, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts.

Bookish

On the heels of the Washington Project for the Arts’ successful run of “Broken Scissors, A Ghost, and Some More Old News,” an exhibit of art books at its Shaw location, the organization has invited artistrun Bookish to return this winter and spring. Bookish, a nomadic bookshop that began in Baltimore in April 2016 and operates out of a converted 1980s Chevy Stepvan, offers an excellent selection of artist books, poetry, theory, and criticism. For more information about Bookish visit www.bookishbaltimore.com. Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u Takefumi Hori, “Gold and Color 41.” Metallic leaf, acrylic, and oil, 36 x 36 inches.

Foundry Gallery 2118 Eighth St. NW 202-232-0203, www.foundrygallery.org Hours: Wed.-Sun., 1-7 p.m. Through Jan. 29 45-year-anniversary group exhibition Hamiltonian Gallery 1353 U St. NW 202-332-1116, www.hamiltoniangallery.com Hours: Tues.-Sat., noon to 6 p.m. January calendar TBA Hemphill Fine Arts 1515 14th St. NW 202-234-5601, www.hemphillfinearts.com Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Jan. 19 Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi, “Everything became nearness and all the nearness turned to stone” Long View Gallery 1234 Ninth St. NW 202-232-4788, www.longviewgallerydc.com Hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through February Takefumi Hori, new work Touchstone Gallery 901 New York Ave. NW 202-347-2787, www.touchstonegallery.com Hours: Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. / Sat.-Sun., 12-5 p.m. Through Jan. 29 “What’s Next?” group exhibition Washington Project for the Arts 2124 Eighth St. NW 202-234-7103, www.wpadc.org Hours: Mon.-Sat., noon to 6 p.m. Through Feb. 11 Sara Dittrich, “Room for Score” Through June 30 Bookish at WPA Through Jan. 31 Cory Oberndorfer, “Beta Fla-Vor (after Louis),” offsite at Shinola Logan Circle, 1641 14th St. NW

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 1 7

Neighborhood

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Individuals or teams register at specialolympicsdc.org/event/polar-plunge-2017, set up a Personal Plunge page where their supporters can donate. Then on Feb. 11, noon to 4 p.m., they jump in a giant pool of ice water at Nat’s Park to the delight of hundreds of spectators and fellow plungers. This annual event is one of Special Olympics’ biggest fundraisers and sustains their many programs that provide recreational and lifestyle support to those with disabilities. Visit specialolympicsdc.org/event/polar-plunge-2017.

Free Tax Help

Every Saturday at 10 a.m. get free tax help at Shaw

Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. From Feb. 1 through April 18, meet with a qualified AARP tax aide to help answer tax questions and prepare a 2016 income tax filing. For more information and to find other sites offering tax assistance, visit dclibrary. org/incometax.

Build a Website 1-2-3 at MLK Library

On Jan. 18, 6:15 p.m., learn how to build a website by engaging three critical considerations: choosing a domain name, a web host, and a method for creating the content. Seats will be filled on a first-come, space-available basis. MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk.

The 2016 Ford’s Theatre cast of “A Christmas Carol” present a check for $88,067 to Food & Friends board member Richard Arentz. The cast collected donations for Food & Friends during performance curtain calls. Photo: Carolina Dulcey

Major Enhancements to DC’s First-Time Homebuyer Programs Announced

Enhancements have been made to homebuyer programs administered by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that provide down payment and closing cost assistance. Those programs include the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), which provides assistance to first time homebuyers making up to 110 percent of the area median income (AMI); the Employee Assistance Housing Program (EAHP), which provides assistance of up to $10,000 for eligible District government employees; and, the Negotiated Employee Affordable Housing Program (NEAHP) which provides assistance of up to $26,500 for certain unionized District government employees. The enhancements will increase the FY2017 budget for the homebuyer programs by almost 50 percent, to $16 million; increase HPAP’s maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $80,000; revise the repayment terms for 70 percent of HPAP borrowers; and add a second HPAP administrator to enable the District to more efficiently and effectively implement these enhancements. For more information, visit dhcd.dc.gov.

DC First-Time Homebuyer Programs Enhanced

“A Christmas Carol” Collects $88,000 for Food & Friends

A donation drive during performances of Ford’s Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” has raised $88,067 for Food & Friends. This brings the company’s eight-year totals to more than $639,595. Donations were collected from Nov. 17 to Dec. 26. In addition to a collection at each curtain call, patrons were encouraged to donate at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office. Members of the “A Christmas Carol” company and Ford’s Theatre Society staff contributed to the campaign.

1 8 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

Enhancements are being made to homebuyer programs administered by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that provide down payment and closing cost assistance. Those programs include the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) which provides assistance to first time homebuyers making up to 110 percent of the area median income (AMI); the Employee Assistance Housing Program (EAHP) which provides assistance of up to $10,000 for eligible District government employees; and the Negotiated Employee Affordable Housing Program (NEAHP) which provides assistance of up to $26,500 for certain unionized Dis-

f )

)

e m

m f

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 1 9

Neighborhood

trict government employees. The enhancements increase the FY2017 budget for the homebuyer programs by almost 50 percent, to $16 million; increase HPAP’s maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $80,000; revise the repayment terms for 70 percent of HPAP borrowers; and add a second HPAP administrator to enable the District to more efficiently and effectively implement these enhancements. For more information, visit dhcd.dc.gov.

DC United Hosts Sporting in Home Opener

DC United opens its 2017 MLS Regular Season at home against Sporting Kansas City at RFK Stadium on March 4 at 7 p.m. Since 1996, DC United has a 9-6-6 record at home. dcunited.com.

Hypothermia Alerts

The District’s Winter Plan for homeless services is in effect. When the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit between Nov. 1 and March 31, all people who are homeless must be housed. Call the Shelter

Hotline to report a person who is homeless and may be impacted by extreme temperatures. The Shelter Hotline is operated by the United Planning Organization at uposh@upo.org; 202-399-7093; or 211. Families seeking emergency shelter should go to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC), 920 Rhode Island Ave. NE. VWFRC operates between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursdays except for holidays and days on which the District government is closed. After 4 p.m. and on Fridays and weekends, families should call the Shelter Hotline for transportation to the DC General family shelter or other available family shelter.

visiting nmaahc.si.edu/groups. On Jan. 4, NMAAHC started issuing advance timed passes for April. Advance timed passes for May will be available starting Feb. 1, at 9 a.m., by visiting nmaahc.si.edu or by calling 866-297-4020. The museum will be open on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, but there will be no same-day online passes or any walk-up passes. Passes are required for entrance into the museum and will continue indefinitely. Passes may be printed or displayed on a smartphone. There is no limit on the amount of time visitors spend inside the museum.

Annual J.O. Wilson Summer Camp Fair

Just in time to help residents learn how to avoid holiday scams such as fake charities and identity theft, the Office of the Attorney General has launched a comprehensive library of consumerprotection resources. The resources are available online as well as in print, and residents and community groups are welcome to download and print their own copies or request a printed version from the Office of the Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection. The new library covers a broad range of topics including how to recognize lottery and student loan scams, how to get incorrect information removed from credit reports and what protections exist for car buyers under the District’s Lemon Law. To access all of these resources, visit oag.dc.gov/consumerprotection.

Looking for a summer activity for a school-aged child or something to do over spring break? On Jan. 26, 6 to 8 p.m., J.O. Wilson Elementary School, 660 K St. NE, hosts its annual Summer Camp Fair. There will be more than 30 art, theater, music, sports and overnight camps for ages three to eighteen represented. Attendees can take advantage of early-bird registration rates and a camp drawing. Admission is free; refreshments available for purchase. For more information, visit dccampfair.com or email jowilsonpta@gmail.com.

New Pass System at NMAAHC

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has introduced new ways of obtaining passes for entry. The museum will no longer distribute same-day, in-person passes at 9:15 a.m. A limited number of walkup passes on weekdays will be available starting at 1 p.m. No walk-up passes will be available on weekends. Sameday, online, timed passes will be available only through the museum’s website, nmaahc.si.edu/sameday, beginning at 6:30 a.m. daily. Non-commercial group visits of 10 or more, including student groups, will now be available for scheduling up to one year in advance by

Consumer Protection Library Launched

Mayor Signs GPS Monitoring Legislation

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has signed legislation that makes it a criminal offense for persons on probation or parole to tamper with GPS monitoring devices. The legislation, part of the Mayor’s Safer Stronger DC initiative, closes a critical loophole that allowed individuals on supervised release who were ordered to wear electronic monitoring devices to go unpunished after removing, disabling, or tampering with the device. Under the new law, any agency that can order a person on supervised release to wear a GPS monitoring device, such as the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, the Pretrial Services Agency and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, can enforce attempts

Join Women’s March on Washington

2 0 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

The Women’s March on Washington is on Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. It will proceed from Independence Avenue and Third Street SW. The March was conceived in solidarity and the spirit of democracy; for equality, diversity and inclusion; and to protect women’s rights. For more information, visit womensmarch.com. To sign up for local updates, visit WMWDClocal.com.

at tampering with the device. Individuals found guilty of tampering with their GPS monitoring devices can face up to six months in jail.

Prepare for Winter Weather

In preparation for what forecasters are predicting to be a long, cold winter, Mayor Bowser is urging residents to prepare for the weather. Winter storms can include extreme cold, high winds, freezing rain, sleet and snowfall. Severe winter storms can block roads, down power lines, create power outages, cause transportation accidents and result in loss of life. Residents are encouraged to heed the following suggestions: Make a family emergency plan. Plan how to communicate in the event of power loss. Keep a list of family membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; phone numbers along with other important numbers that may be needed during an emergency. Charge cell phones so they have a full battery. Buy a solar or battery powered phone charger. Have all prescription and other medications in full supply for family members and pets. Stock up on fresh bottled water and food that does not need to be cooked along with a manual can opener. If going outside, dress for the weather. Keep flashlights, extra batteries and a firstaid kit accessible. Ensure that worn out shovels are replaced. Stock up on deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter. Refuel kerosene heaters outside keeping them at least three feet from flammable objects. Keep water faucets open to a slow drip. Remove any dead, broken, or rotting tree branches that could fall during a storm. Keep kitty litter on hand in cars to provide traction when stuck in snow or ice. Keep scrapers, blankets, flashlights and a charged mobile charger inside vehicles.

Free Local Donation Delivery Service

Goodwill of Greater Washington has launched a pilot program that allows donors to mail their donations to Goodwill through the US Postal Service for free. Place dona-

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 2 1

2 2 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

tions of clothing, shoes and accessories into any box. Visit DCGoodwill. org to schedule a pick-up through the US Postal Service. Print and affix a mailing label to the box. Place it on the front porch for pick up. Upon receipt, Goodwill will email the donor an IRS compliant donation receipt.

CAAB Launches EITC Campaign

Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) has launched the 2017 DC EITC Campaign. This campaign is a citywide, cross-sector initiative that promotes economic security and asset building for low and moderate income individuals and families by providing access to information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), free tax preparation services and capacity building opportunities throughout DC. The goals of the DC EITC Campaign are to: 1. promote awareness of the Federal and DC Earned Income Tax Credit to ensure that eligible workers know how to claim the credits; 2. educate taxpayers about numerous Federal and DC tax benefits; 3. provide opportunities for free tax preparation for qualified DC residents; connect taxpayers with programs and services to improve financial stability. For more information on the DC EITC Campaign, contact Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, CAABâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Associate Director and Manager of the DC EITC Campaign at 202-419-1440 x 102 or jleitmann-santacruz@caab.org.

The Resident Snow Team is a coalition of community members who help shovel snow for seniors and residents with disabilities across all eight wards. To sign up as a volunteer for the Resident Snow Team, visit snow.dc.gov.

nesses and organizations that sell or serve food or beverages in the District must use only recyclable or compostable food service products. The law applies to any food service products designed for one-time use. These include take-out containers, bowls, plates, trays, cups and other items. The law does not apply to food or beverages filled and sealed in foam containers before an entity receives them (e.g., foam cartons of eggs packaged outside of the District); materials used to package raw, uncooked, or butchered meat, fish, poultry, or seafood; or foam food service products purchased for home use. Read more at dcregs.dc.gov.

Perform Among the Blossoms at the Tidal Basin

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is seeking applicants to perform on the ANA Performance Stage at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area from March 25 to April 9. Cultural performances during the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrate the friendship symbolized by the gift of flowering cherry trees from Tokyo to DC. The festival is seeking performers who incorporate live music; cultural traditions; historic costuming; wide demographic appeal; and solicit crowd interaction. Applications received prior to Jan. 15, receive first consideration. Applications received after Jan. 15, will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call 877-44-BLOOM for more information.

Anacostia River Festival

Save the date! The third annual Anacostia River Festival will be on April 9, 2017 in Anacostia Park. bridgepark.org. Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Email bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

DC Foam Ban Update

Effective Jan. 1, 2017, District busi-

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 2 3

Neighborhood

The District Beat

Will Mendo’s Council Committee Shuffle Challenge Bowser?

he DC Council’s new committee structure could mean Mayor Muriel Bowser’s next two years will be as challenging as the last two – except she won’t have several allies to help soften the blow of an increasingly emboldened legislature filled with deep-blue progressives and antagonists, chiefly her predecessor Vincent C. Gray. “One thing is certain, the mayor is going to have a hard time,” said Greg Rhett, a Ward 7 resident active in local politics and civic affairs. “The [council voting] bloc that’s sprouting up has more muscle than before.” Complicating that is the fact that the mayor and seven legislators are expected to launch reelection bids. Therefore, the committees will morph into campaign platforms replete with posturing and rhetorical flourishes designed to please constituents and raise money. Consider that the council’s Committee on Economic Development has been the consistent foot-stool for politicians looking to advance their careers: Kwame Brown parlayed it to the job of chairman of the council. Bowser used it to ride into the mayoral suite. Even before he was assigned economic development, some observers had suggested Kenyan McDuffie would be a mayoral contender in 2018. That means the field of candidates already is crowded with the prospect of DC Attorney General Karl Racine adding his name. All of this simply means that Council Period 22 will be all politics, all the time. Ed Lazere, head of the nonprofit DC Fiscal Policy Institute, said it’s not in the interest of either the executive or the legislature to be fighting all the time, especially considering the changes caused by the federal government that could hit the city. “If the mayor wants to succeed, “it’s in her interest to build new relationships.” Achieving that goal is more than a notion, however. During Council Period 21, key progressives like Ward 1’s Brianne Nadeau, Ward 6’s Charles Allen, and At-large Elissa Silverman didn’t chair any standing committees. Still, they created headaches for the executive, although they were unable to inflict permanent damage. Bowser often had a six-pack of members who could help

2 4 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

by Jonetta Rose Barras drive her agenda. That changed with the November general election. The pro-Bowser force dwindled to three. Now Chair Phil Mendelson has exacerbated the mayor’s wound. (He probably wouldn’t share that assessment.) The progressives are not just at the door; they are in charge of the house and have sway over key areas Bowser may have hoped to deploy as springboards into a second term. Consider that At-large Councilmember Elissa Silverman controls the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. That includes the Department of Employment Services and the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity. Bowser won’t be able to pass around money through contracts and jobs to gain support from residents and businesses. Silverman, considered by many to be expert in workforce development issues, will demand accountability and measurable outcomes. She has challenged the mayor over expansion of the summer job’s program, demanding an evaluation and requiring the executive to ensure full-time employment for a select number of enrollees. Further, Silverman led the fight for universal paid leave, which the Council passed last month. Bowser opposed the bill and pledged not to sign it. Gray has jurisdiction over the Committee on Health. He is expected to advocate, once again, for a public hospital east of the Anacostia River, in Ward 7 or Ward 8. When Bowser was on the Council she opposed a similar proposal offered by then-mayor Gray. Since he continues to believe he was cheated out of a second mayoral term, Gray is expected to be the proverbial thorn in the side. “Things are going to be very interesting,” said Rhett. “When we go into the budget season that’s when we really will know who’s got the juice.”

Public Frustration

Bowser isn’t the only one expected to catch heat, however. Some business owners, residents, and advocates acknowledge a slight improvement in the committee structure – from eight to 11 standing committees, including the Committee of the Whole. But many I spoke with remain unhappy with the organization Mendelson has crafted for

Council Period 22. They complained that some committees are not properly aligned with their mission and the agencies under their purview; some remain too large; and still others lack knowledgeable personnel. Those issues create problems associated with transparency and effective and efficient oversight. “Committees should be in the hands of people who have experience and passion about the area over which they have jurisdiction,” said Alex Padro, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Shaw. “We would be better off if the Council placed a higher priority on oversight and better off if the subject areas were more keenly defined,” said long-time DC-based political consultant Tom Lindenfeld. Dorothy Brizill, head of the good government group DC Watch, agreed but asserted that ultimately the current committees aren’t “set up to do the oversight that is needed.” She cited as problematic the composition of the Committee on the Judiciary, under which Mendelson has placed at least 36 agencies and commissions. She raised questions about whether Business and Economic Development, headed by Ward 5’s Kenyan McDuffie, has staff with the knowledge to conduct dive-deep oversight. Mendelson also has permitted some councilmembers to continue chairing committees despite what some characterized as “poor performance.” Consider that several people interviewed for this article rated the chair of the Education Committee, At-large David Grosso, mediocre. “I haven’t been overly impressed,” said Padro, whose Shaw community has been fighting for the modernization and opening of Shaw Middle School. Grosso “has done an okay job. I’d like to see someone more effective. Maybe Phil [Mendelson] was right when he wanted education to be part of the Committee of the Whole.” Then there is the Department of General Services (DGS), a behemoth agency charged with, among other things, managing the city’s real estate holdings and school modernization. As chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, Ward 3’s Mary Cheh had jurisdic-

Strapped and Dissatisﬁed

“The quality of oversight always depends on the quality of the committee,” said Mendelson, during an interview with the District Beat in which he explained and defended his decisions. Interestingly, not only does Mendelson recommend the chair for each committee, he also determines which councilmember sits as a member of which committee. If anyone has control over the quality of a committee it is Mendelson. Adding credence to that observation, he told me that he broke up some of the previously large committees to “allow for better focus.”For example, he split the Committee on Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, giving McDuffie one half and Silverman the other. Mendelson said creating a separate business development committee could provide relief for businesses. Last month he called for a moratorium on new businessrelated legislation. Mendelson also divided the former Committee on Health and Human Services. Gray got control of health, although technically he is a freshman; Mendelson’s edict has been that freshman legislators don’t get to chair committees. “Everybody got what they wanted,” Mendelson said. Actually, neither Robert White

A Divine Shine

723 T Street, NW

NW Settlement House - S St.

1739 7th Street, NW

Al Crostino

1926 9th Street, NW

Off Road Cycling

905 U Street, NW

Bank of Georgetown

1301 U St NW

Passport

11th & U Streets, NW

Beau Thai

1550 7th St. NW

Paul Laurence Dunbar Sr. Apts U & 15th Street NW

Ben’s Chilli Bowl

1213 U ST NW

Pekoe Acupuncture

1410 9th Street, NW

Big Bad Woof

117 Carroll ST NW

Peregrine Epresso

1718 14th St NW

Big Bear

1700 1st ST NW

Petco Unleashed

1200 First St. NE

Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits

1836 First St. NW

Phyllis Wheatly YWCA

901 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Bread for the City

1525 7th Street NW

Piassa

1336 9th ST NW

Bus Boys & Poets

1025 5th ST NW

Planet Pet

1738 14th St NW

Bus Boys & Poets

2021 14th ST NW

Politics & Prose

5015 Connecticut Ave, NW

Calabash

1847 7th St. NW

Rahama African Restaurant

1924 9th Street, NW

Cambria Hotel

899 O St. NW

Reeves Center

2000 14th ST NW

Cantania Bakery

1404 North Capitol NW

Reeves Center Street Box

14th & U Street, NW

Capitol Food Market

1634 North Capitol St.

Reformation Fitness

1302 9th St NW #1

CCN Office

224 7th ST SE

Right & Proper Brew

624 T St. NW

Chaplin

1501 9th Street, NW

Rite Aid

1306 U Street NW

Chinatown Coffee

475 H ST NW

Rito Loco

606 Florida Avenue, NW

City First Bank

1432 U ST NW

Safeway

490 L St. NW

City Paws Hospital

1823 14th St NW

Safeway

1747 Columbia RD NW

Coldwell Banker

1606 17th ST NW

Safeway

1701 Corcoran ST NW

Commissary

1443 P St NW

Sbarro

1101 7th St. NW

Compass Coffee

1535 7th St. NW

Seaton Market

1822 North Capitol St. NW

CVS

2129 14th ST NW

Senior Building

1713 7th St. NW

CVS

3031 14th ST NW

Shaw Library

945 Rhode Island AVE NW

CVS

1000 U ST NW

Shaw Mainstreet

875 N Street, NW, Suite 201

CVS

1418 P ST NW

Shaw Metro

1800 7th St NW

CVS

1637 P Street, NW

Shaw Metro Box - NE Corner

8th & R NW

CVS

400 Massachusettes AVE NW

Shaw Metro Box - NE Corner

7th & S NW

CVS

1900 7th ST NW

Showtime Lounge

113 Rhode Island Ave. NW

Dodge City

917 U Street, NW

Simon Vintage

1911 9th Street, NW

Dove House

1905 9th Street, NW

Skynear Design Gallery

1800 Wyoming Avenue, NW

Drafting Table

1529 14th ST NW

SMASH Records

2314 18th Street, NW

Dunkin Donuts

1739 New Jersey Ave NW

Solid Core

1821 7th Street, NW

Emmaus Services for Aging

1426 9th ST NW

Starbucks

1425 P St NW

First Cup Coffee

900 M ST NW

Starbucks

2225 Georgia AVE NW

Flash

645 Florida Avenue, NW

Starbucks

1301 Connecticut Ave, NW

Foster House Apartments

801 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Studio Theatre Street Box

14th & P Street, NW

Giant

1345 Park RD NW

Sunset Spirits

1627 First St. NW

Giant

1050 Brentwood RD NE

T Street Market

80 T St. NW

Giant at O Street Market

1400 7th St NW

The Coffee Bar

1201 S St NW

GMCHC Family Life Center

605 Rhode Island Avenue NE

Third District MPD

1620 V ST NW

Grassroots Gourmet, LLC

104 Rhode Island Ave NW

Trilogy NoMa

151 Q Street, NE

Habesha market

1919 9th st

Tryst

2459 18th ST NW

Harris Teeter

1631 Kalorama RD NW

Tynan Coffee

1275 First St. SE

Harris Teeter

1201 First St, NE

U Street Cafe

1301 U ST NW

Home Rule

1807 14th Street, NW

U Street Metro

11th & U Streets, NW

Howard Founders Library

500 Howard Place, NW

U Street Wine & Beer

1351 U St NW

Howard University

2225 Georgia Avenue, NW

Universal Gear

1919 14th Street, NW

Java House

1645 Q ST NW

Unleashed

1550 7th St. NW

Kafe Bohem

602 Florida Avenue, NW

Uprising Muffin Company

1817 7th St NW

Kennedy Recreation Center

1401 7th ST NW

Velvet Lounge

915 U Street, NW

Lettie Gooch

1517 U Street, NW

Vida

1612 U St NW

Lincoln Westmoreland Apts.

1730 7th Street, NW

Walgreens

1325 14th ST NW

Logan Hardware

1734 14th St NW

Wanda’s

1851 7th Street, NW

Lost & Found

1240 9th St. NW

Whole Foods Yellow Box

1440 P Street NW

Marriott Hotel

901 Massachusetts Ave NW

Why Not Boutique

1348 U Street, NW

MLK Library

901 G ST NW

Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania AVE NW

Modern Liquors

1200 9th ST NW

Windows Cafe

101 Rhode Island AVE NW

Mount Vernon Sq. Metro

7th & M ST NW

Wydown Coffee Bar

1924 14th St NW

Nelly’s

900 U St NW

Yes Organic Market

2123 14th St NW

Nest DC

87 Florida Ave. NW

YMCA

1711 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Northwest One Library

155 L ST NW

Yoga District

1830 1st ST NW

MIDCITY MIDCITY

tion over the DGS. By most assessments her oversight of DGS was inadequate. The agency mismanaged school modernization funds, according to the city auditor. More recently there were allegations two top-level employees changed the procurement scoring system without approval from either the mayor or the Council. “The primary function of the committee is oversight, not creating new legislation,” said Brizill. The emphasis on introducing legislation is not likely to change during an election season, however.

FIND US AT THESE LOCATIONS!

JAnU ARy 2 0 1 7 2 5

Neighborhood

nor Trayon White was assigned a committee. “My belief is that a body as small as the District Council with oversight over 100 agencies and commissions needs every member to have a committee so we can reach down into every agency,” said Robert White, adding that he had discussed with Mendelson his “desire to chair a committee” and noting his years of conducting government oversight in previous roles. The failure to assign each of the two Whites a committee means that 40 percent of the black male council members are without chairmanships. Also putting Trayon White on the sidelines translates into more than four years that a representative from Ward 8 would not have chaired a committee. Chairmanships are important commodities. Not only do they provide council members an opportunity to develop a level of expertise, they also provide resources that could be traded to secure better outcomes for their constituents. During the budget process, for example, chairs often move money between their committees to ensure funding of pet projects. Neither Robert White nor Trayon White will wield that political clout and influence. Speaking through his spokesperson, Mendelson reiterated his position that it “takes some time for new council members to get up to speed.” He also argued that “east of the river has a chairmanship with Vincent Gray.” Wards 7 and 8 are both east of the Anacostia River. They are two different communities, with different demographics and needs, however. “Trayon White has thus far been very impressive,” Mendelson continued, “and I will be helpful and responsive to his requests. I will do all I can when he asks.” The problems didn’t stop there, however. Government sources said Ward 6’s Charles Allen had lobbied for the Committee on Health. Instead he was saddled with the Committee on the Judiciary. Initially Mendelson had sought to keep McDuffie as chairman of that committee. Mendelson said he even asked McDuffie to serve “as a favor to me.” McDuffie still refused, choosing business development instead. McDuffie had thought DGS would come along with that committee, but it didn’t. When the Council met last month for its administrative meeting, where the committee assignments were first recommended, McDuffie was visually unhappy. Later, he was given the Committee on Business and Economic Development. While DGS wasn’t part of that configuration, he won control over the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, a broad and lucrative terrain.

2 6 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

When reached by telephone earlier this month, McDuffie, said after the initial assignments were made “as is customary there was continuing discussion. Ultimately I am pleased with the committee I have.” Allen acknowledged in an interview with District Beat that he hadn’t expected to be assigned judiciary and public safety. “I got my hands around it really fast, [however]. This is a really important committee; it touches people’s lives every single day. The committee has a lot of challenges; it is dealing with some of the toughest stuff in the city.” The Judiciary Committee has under its purview fire and emergency services, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of Campaign Finance, among others. Allen has gone from no committee to one of the largest and most significant. Further, as chairman, he now has a bulls-eye on his back for the next two years, particularly since there has been a measurable uptick in crime in his Ward 6. “This committee comes with expectations and I am going to be working hard to meet them,” he continued. Don’t expect him to focus only crime and punishment in the traditional sense. Allen said high on his list of priorities will be preventing government corruption and improving government ethics. “You’re talking to someone who didn’t take a single dime from a corporation in my campaign. No PAC [political action committee and no corporation,” he continued. That experience, he said, makes him the right person to push for campaign finance changes. “It’s something I care a lot about.” He will advocate for strong legislation to prevent pay-to-play, which could mean contractors doing business with the city may not be able to make campaign contributions while they have active contracts. He also said he would push for fair elections, helping to balance the influence of large donors with that of low-dollar donors. The saving grace for Allen’s vault into the chairmanship of such a large and critical committee is that prior to his election he was chief of staff for several years to then-Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, who chaired the same committee. Grosso also was unhappy with initial assignments. He sought to have Mendelson add the University of the District of Columbia, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and DGS to the Committee on Education. The university is under Mendelson’s Committee of the Whole, and DGS is under Cheh’s committee. The mismatch of agencies under committees was a common complaint during Council Period 21. Residents had a hard time determining which

councilmember was responsible for what. “These things have a huge effect and shouldn’t be dismissed. The net result could be a lack of transparency and a lack of effective oversight,” said Lindenfeld Without six other members to join him, there was no way Grosso could alter Mendelson’s assignments. “When Vince Gray was chairman, everyone had a committee,” said Jack Evans, adding that if he had made the decisions he would have divided DCRA between Robert White and Trayon White. “This is Phil’s world. He is just very stubborn.” Mendelson suggested his motives in the selection process were pure, although he deliberately removed some legislators as members of committees and refused to assign agencies to others, even as he sought their assistance. “The Council is stronger and a better institution than it was two years ago. We are working better and working more collaboratively.”

The ‘Titanic,’ Maybe

Creating the standing committees isn’t some deck chair exercise, however. The assignments are political, providing Mendelson leverage to maintain control of the legislature and rally voters around him as he seeks reelection. “How much of this is being done for good government? How much is being done for the chairman to have improved relations with councilmembers? How much is being done for politics?” asked one political operative. Noted Brizill, “All of the people up for reelection have committees with constituencies that can provide early money, which can preclude anyone from running against them.” Allen, Cheh, Silverman, McDuffie, Nadeau, Mendelson, and Atlarge member Anita Bonds are expected to position themselves this year for their 2018 reelection. Consider that Bonds was assigned the chairmanship of the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization. That includes jurisdiction over public housing, the Housing Production Trust Fund, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Curiously it also includes the Commission on Aging and the Office of Aging. Senior citizens are considered the most dependable voting bloc in the city. Silverman could successfully tap labor unions and city contractors. Mendelson, as chair of the Committee of the Whole, oversees several critical agencies including the Zoning Commission, the Office of Contracting and Procurement, and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. After the paid leave bill he has to kiss and

make up with business leaders who have been strong sources of campaign contributions for candidates in previous elections. One John A. Wilson Building source said Mendelson even made sure that he wouldn’t have Gray snapping at his heels. “[Mendelson] cut a deal with Gray and threw Allen under the bus. The chairman doesn’t want Gray challenging him in two years.” There has been much talk that Gray may run against Mayor Bowser in 2018, as part of his campaign to restore his political influence and clout. He could just as easily run for Council chair, however. Still, the level of dissatisfaction over committee assignments, said one District government insider, and the fact that members running for reelection will want to tout achievements, could create an opportunity for Bowser to rebuild alliances. “I think it plays well for the mayor.” Mendelson has not set up any direct roadblocks for Bowser. In fact he has placed Ward 4’s Brandon Todd, the mayor’s protégé, as head of the Committee on Government Operations. Among other things it has jurisdiction over the Executive Office of the Mayor, the mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel, and the Office of the City Administrator.“There is nothing to be gained by causing trouble for the mayor and nothing lost by giving Brandon oversight of the mayor’s office,” said Mendelson. If you believe that, Mendelson has a bridge to sell you. Freelance writer jonetta rose barras blogs at www.jonettarosebarras.com. u

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 2 7

Neighborhood

The Numbers

DC’s Housing Crisis Leaves Low-Income Families Without a Foundation

he District’s affordable housing crisis is threatening the very foundation of thousands of DC families. More and more of the city’s lowestincome residents now spend half or more – even 80 percent – of their income to keep a roof overhead, with damaging ripple effects in their lives. When families are at risk of eviction, or cannot afford to fill the fridge or even bus fare because nearly everything goes to rent, the chances of getting ahead are slim. The disappearance of affordable housing in DC is undercutting the dream of economic mobility. One of five children in our city lives in a fam-

2 8 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

by Claire Zippel ily with limited resources and severe housing affordability problems. Children in stressful housing situations are more likely to fall behind in school and drop out. Despite the District’s substantial investments in affordable housing local housing resources are not reaching the DC residents who need them most. While 26,000 DC households have extremely low incomes and very high housing cost burdens, only 2,100 extremely low-income households got help in recent years. DC has the tools to address this crisis, but action is needed to increase investments in affordable housing – and importantly, to direct a greater

share of investments to the families most at risk. When families have affordable housing as a strong foundation, their lives become more stable and they are better able to meet their basic needs.

Too Many Households Spend Nearly All for Rent

Rising rents have eliminated nearly all low-cost housing options in DC’s private market over the past decade, and thousands of subsidized apartments have been lost because their requirement to stay affordable expired. As a result, extremely lowincome households (incomes below $32,000 for a family of four) must put an even larger share of the household budget toward rent. Of 43,000 renter households with extremely low incomes, 62 percent now face severe housing hardship, up from 50 percent a decade ago. About one-third can afford rent of no more than $200, yet only nine percent have housing at that price. While few extremely low-income renters can afford to pay more than $800 a month in rent, most do. DC’s extremely low-income families with housing challenges are working moms, people with disabilities relying on fixed incomes, and single adults in low-wage service-sector jobs. Seventy percent of lowincome renters who are able to work are engaged in the labor market. Many low-income renters are seniors or have a disability and must rely on low fixed incomes. Social Security benefits average just $15,000 in DC, for example, enough to afford $400 a month in rent. Nearly all of the District’s severely cost burdened, extremely low-income renters are African-American (and most of the rest are Latino). This reflects the city’s stark racial inequalities, which are getting worse as more college-educated residents – who are mostly white – make DC their home.

Serious Consequences for Families

Struggling to make rent each month often means cutting back on groceries, putting off medical care, living on the brink of eviction, and being under constant stress which makes it hard for children to learn in school and for adults to perform well at work. Families may find themselves moving from place to place, losing belongings, and ending up in a neighborhood with even more challenges than their prior locale. Unaffordable housing has contributed to a rise in homelessness, especially among families with children. For the first time in 15 years there are now more homeless children and parents in DC than homeless single adults. Living in unaffordable housing poses long-term risks to health and well-being. Families without affordable housing spend $150 per month less on food, on average, because “the rent eats first.” Very young children who move frequently do worse than their peers on measures of behavioral school readiness, such as attention and healthy social behavior. They are more likely than others to fall behind and drop out of school. Families who have trouble paying the rent or live doubled-up are more likely to delay medical care or filling needed prescriptions, and are more likely to report being depressed. Having the security of affordable housing, by contrast, provides a strong foundation for families. It reduces instability, improves the ability to meet basic needs, and increases the ability to succeed. Children who grow up in affordable housing earn more as adults, and job programs work better when adults have a stable affordable home. The city’s investments in schools and workforce training will be more effective if they’re matched with investments in affordable housing.

Reaching Residents Most in Need

Local housing is not well targeted to the households in greatest need.

The DC Fiscal Policy Institute estimates that 77 percent of the DC renters in need of affordable homes are extremely low income. Yet since 2010 just 39 percent of affordable housing financed by the city served extremely low-income renters. Only 2,100 extremely low-income households got housing aid over the past six years, while 26,000 need help. At the current pace it will take 75 years just to help the families who need help today. DC has many tools to address housing needs. Mayor Bowser has committed a record sum to the fund to build or renovate housing. A new law requires city-owned land sold for housing purposes to include a substantial affordable set-aside, and the city has increased assistance to help low- and moderate-income residents buy their first home. But action is needed to increase investments in affordable housing and to direct a greater share of those investments to the families most in need. Policymakers should direct more of the Housing Production Trust Fund – DC’s tool to produce affordable housing – to the lowestincome households. DC should expand rental assistance through the Local Rent Supplement Program to serve some of the 42,000 families on the DC Housing Authority waitlist. Finally, the city should do more to preserve disappearing low-cost subsidized housing, by implementing the recommendations of Mayor Bowser’s housing preservation strike force. DC’s lowest-income families need the stable foundation of an affordable home, and our entire city benefits when we improve the ability of all residents to succeed. Claire Zippel is a policy associate at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org). DCFPI promotes budget and policy solutions to reduce poverty and inequality in the District of Columbia, and to increase opportunities for residents to build a better future. u

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 2 9

Neighborhood

Shaw Streets

Shaw Main Streets Chair Gretchen Wharton accepts Brickie Award from Councilmember Charles Allen. Photo: Simone Ellison

by Pleasant Mann

Shaw Main Streets Holds Holiday Party

Shaw Main Streets held its ninth annual Holiday Party at the Howard Theatre on the night of Dec. 7. The free event, open to the neighborhood, was supported by Douglas Development, the Howard Theatre, and U Street Parking, while 23 neighborhood restaurants provided food for

Black Santa. There were also singing performances by Queens and contestants from the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant, as well as David “DC Lou” Bratton, a Lou Rawls tribute artist. Former mayor and Councilmember-elect Vincent Gray greeted the crowd and congratulated Shaw Main Streets on its work. Gray then joined the dancing until the end of the party.

Community celebrates at Shaw Main Streets Holiday Party. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Shaw Main Streets Wins Brickie Award

On Dec. 1, Shaw Main Streets won one of the 2016 Ward 6 Brickie awards. They were established by a Ward 6 councilmember nine years ago as the Livable, Walkable Awards to recognize the people, places, and organizations that contribute to the quality of life. This year Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen bestowed the Community Organization Award on Shaw Main Streets, noting that it had been nationally recognized as a Great American Main Street, and concluding that “Shaw Main Streets has been instrumental in making the Shaw neighborhood a vibrant, diverse, thriving place to dine, shop, live, and play.”

Shaw Holiday Market Pops Up the hundreds of partygoers. Shaw Main Streets Executive Director Alexander Padro welcomed the crowd and thanked them for their continuing support of the organization. Board Chair Gretchen Wharton then outlined the goals that guide the work of Shaw Main Streets and what it plans for the new year. Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau expressed her support for Shaw Main Streets and the importance of its work to the economic development of her ward. Music was provided by DJ

3 0 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

A holiday market called Shop ‘n Shaw popped up on Dec. 17 and 18. Despite the icy morning on Saturday, a crowd arrived at the Event Space in the basement of the Wonder Bread Factory to check out the wares of 32 vendors. The market was organized by popup specialists Poppir.com, with support from Shaw Main Streets to promote small, local vendors of unique, made-in-DC items. The offerings ranged from men’s and women’s fashions, jewelry, gourmet foods, toys, and household goods all the way to South African cowhides.

Apple Store Planned for Shaw

Shop ‘n Shaw popup opens for holiday sales. Photo: Alexander Padro

Events DC, the District’s convention and sports authority, announced that it has (Contunied on pg. 33)

East Side News by Max Moline

Indi-Going Strong

he East Side’s bestknown Indian restaurant has had an eventful fall. Indigo, a familyowned restaurant on K Street NE, was included in Michelin’s first-ever guide to DC restaurants – less than a month before announcing a second location, coming to Brookland in early 2017. “Located in a cheerful yellow house with a patio full of colorful picnic tables, Indigo is far from fancy,” the guide’s entry says. “But, how can you not adore a place where love notes from customers cover the walls?” The small restaurant’s walls are adorned with messages written by fans of the restaurant – from more traditional praise like, “Always remember: you can’t make everyone happy. You aren’t food from Indigo,” to slightly more unusual comments like, “We mustache Indigo!” The owners, the husband-wife team of Nidhi and Dinesh Tandon, got their start in a popup stand in Union Station. Indigo is short for “Indian food on the go.” Anyone who’s attended the restaurant know that the Tandons get their inspiration from their eight-year-old daughter Grace, who is always credited in Facebook posts and is mentioned on several of the notes on the walls of the small yellow house. The Tandons and their three children live above the restaurant. The Indigo DC Facebook page, in addition to posting menus (which change daily) and other pictures, announced on Nov. 14 that the Tandons have secured their second location. “Friends,” the post started, “me and Nidhi are very excited to share our big day with you all. But before that we want to remind you that we owe all

this to you and a lot to mom’s blessings and family support. My little Grace is our inspiration. Indigo is very proud yet excited and humbled at the same [time] to announce our new location coming up in early 2017.” The menu offers a wide variety of options, most of which are in the $12-14 range. Chicken tikka and lamb curry are phenomenal options, and neither is overwhelmingly spicy. Vegetarians can choose from the “Vegetarian Paradise” menu, including vegan and non-vegan options. And no meal is complete without a delicious garlic roti. Indigo is located at 243 K St. NE, with a second location opening soon at 3301 12th Street NE. Find them online at www.IndigoWDC.com and Facebook.com/Indigo.DC.5.

A Musical Joint

On a frigid night in December, the coldest night of the winter to that point, Mount Vernon Triangle residents gathered in the raised back area of A Baked Joint to hear the relaxed, soothing music of indie folk singersongwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Eli Schwarzschild. More than a dozen people watched and listened intently in the lounge-like back room as Schwarzschild played original music as well as covers of everyone from Ray Charles to Oasis. The first in what should become a series of evening concerts at A Baked Joint allowed for ease of listening but did not overtake the entire restaurant. While Schwarzschild and his listeners sat in a circle, the front room carried on normally with the music playing through speakers. Though the chatter and buzz from the front room was noticeable in the back, it did not distract from the music. “It’s been really nice,” said Sarah,

Eli Schwarzschild played for the laid-back crowd on a cold Thursday night at A Baked Joint.

who’d braved the cold to catch up with a friend over tea and pastries. “At other places these live performances are blasted really loud in the whole space, but this is the perfect volume so that we can hear it but still have a conversation … It’s almost like they’re play-

ing from a recording, but then you can just stand up and see him playing. It’s a great experience.” As Schwarzschild played, the mellow crowd selections from the diverse (Contunied on pg. 33)

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 3 1

Neighborhood

Bloomingdale Buzz by Max Moline

Big Bear Bazaar

Bloomingdale’s Big Bear Cafe, a central hub of activity for residents, hosted its Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 17. Despite the cold and rain, locals turned out to browse and purchase everything from holiday wreaths and boutique floral arrangements to scarves and pottery, lotions and honey products. The first booth encountered was run by Jen Galvin of The Dirt Society, a nonprofit working to establish a common vocabulary among farmers, regulators, distributors, and consumers about the opportunities and challenges that come with farming, such as the widely unknown high costs of switching to organic farming. Galvin was selling her handmade wreaths and other plant-based decorations. Learn more about The Dirt Society at www.thedirtsociety.com. Once inside, customers had the chance to purchase tie-dyed scarves and pillows, jewelry, pottery,

and more – all made by hand. Little Red Bird Botanicals (www.littleredbirdbotanicals.com) offered, among other items, their winter health kits, featuring a specially blended cold and flu tea and “everything you need for the winter – except someone to cuddle with,” according to owner and herbalist Holly PooleKavana. Also featured was the Honey Project, in BCA’s annual holiday party diffused the tension following a heated discussion during the Decemits 17th year, from Langber meeting. ley Elementary School, which produces flavored honey, beeswax, and other Cox says she waters hers by filling her sink and products. The project is chronicled on www.faceletting the plants “take a bath.” A Strange Flowbook.com/langleyes. er also offers floral arrangements. Learn more at Tucked in a back corner was www.astrangeflowerdc.com. the booth from Leafyhead Lotions Big Bear Cafe is at 1700 First St. NW and & Potions (www.leafyhead.com), www.bigbearcafe-dc.com. run by founder Tricia McCauley, who has a master’s degree in herbal medicine. She is Common Good At the Dec. 19 Bloomingdale Civic Association City Farm’s herbalist and makes (BCA) meeting a debate raged about the ongoing everything from peppermint hand efforts of the BCA Historic Preservation Commitand foot cream (which doesn’t tee to achieve historic district status for the neightingle but does “just make you feel borhood. The meeting, which was pushed early to great”) to cilantro lip balm. 7 p.m. to accommodate the holiday party that folBrent Pafford (www.brentpaflowed it, featured a room filled with residents, many ford.com) had his own porcelain of whom expected to be voting on whether to apply creations on display. In addition for historic district status at the meeting. to designing the dishes, Pafford BCA President Teri Quinn informed those ashas planned and executed sevsembled that the vote could not take place until a eral meals featuring original foods full presentation on the plan was given, and because served entirely on his own dishes, that presentation would take at least 45 minutes it and he hopes to organize one for would need to be postponed to a future meeting. DC soon. As Quinn pointed out, there had been no advance Adjacent to the Big Bear counannouncement that a vote would take place at the ter was Lily Cox and A Strange December meeting, and the entire BCA memberFlower. Cox designs plants in ship would have to be notified before such a vote moss balls (kokedamas), which ofcould take place. The group voted to have the BCA fer a creative, hanging alternative Historic Preservation Committee present a full reto traditional houseplants. Most port at the Jan. 23 meeting, with the final vote set notably, the moss balls need to be for February. dunked in order to be watered;

History in the Making?

Bloomingdale residents gathered to browse booths with locally made crafts at Big Bear Cafe.

3 2 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

The public safety report revealed that while the neighborhood experienced an overall decrease in crime in December, motor vehicle break-ins had increased. Package thefts were down, thanks in part to security cameras in the area. Many of the perpetrators were school children, including one who didn’t even bother to cover up his uniform when he took packages, and it’s a simple matter for the police to send images to local schools to help identify them. The pot-meeting holiday party featured pizza, sandwiches, hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and hot cider. Residents milled and chatted as they enjoyed the food and festive decorations.

Neighborhood Notes: Comings and Goings

A Dec. 12 Washingtonian article announced that a new mixed-use project, The Denizen, will break ground in Bloomingdale in mid-2017. The president of Maedwell Companies, Syga Thomas, told the magazine that the space is likely to feature a Maedwelloperated co-working space, as well as a culinary school and a grocery store. The development will be on the 1600 block of North Capitol Street NW. DCity Smokehouse held a highly anticipated reopening at its new location at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Second Street NW. In sadder news, the Grassroots Gourmet Bakery permanently closed its doors on Dec. 24, just nine days after announcing the closure on Instagram.

Neighborhood Notes: Metrobus Changes

WMATA announced several Metrobus changes effective Dec. 18, including alterations to the 80, 90, and 92 buses (all of which serve Bloomingdale). For a full list of the changes visit www.WMATA.com/ service/status/details/Metrobus-Service-ChangesDecember-18/cfm.

Neighborhood Notes: Free Improv Workshops

Bloomingdale’s Unified Scene Theater has brought back its free monthly improv workshop, with the first taking place on Dec. 11. For more information visit www.unifiedscenetheater.com. Max Moline is a communications specialist living in DC. He frequents Nationals Park and enjoys writing about food as much as he does eating it. He’s always looking for new places to try. Rooftops and cigar lounges are a plus! Get in touch: molinecommunications@gmail.com; @ MaxMoline425. u

(Shaw Streets – Contunied from pg. 30) signed a letter of intent with the Apple Corporation to locate a store in Shaw’s Carnegie Library. The possibility of the hip retailer’s locating a store in downtown DC has been the subject of speculation for a number of years. Openings of Apple stores are still major events around the world. While the first stores attempted to be on the cutting edge of architectural design, the corporation has lately tended to look for distinguished older buildings that could be renovated into modern retail hubs. The architecture and site of the Carnegie Library fit what Apple is looking for. The store will become a major retail destination. The letter of intent envisions Apple taking a 10-year lease, with two five-year renewal options for the ground floor and basement. Events DC chief Gregory O’Dell noted that the partnership with Apple will “cement the Shaw neighborhood as a convention and entertainment district in the city,” while Events DC’s board chair Max Brown believes that the agreement will succeed in “creating jobs, enlivening a neighborhood and providing a place to gather.”

Shaw Restaurants End the Year on Top

Shaw restaurants appeared frequently on end-of-the- year best dining lists compiled by media outlets such as Eater, Brightest Young Things, Thrillist, and WTOP. Laura Hayes of The City Paper notes that in a city that has had 500 new restaurant openings over the past two years, “Shaw ballooned the most with new options like Kyirisan, Hazel, Haikan, La Jambe, Chao Ku, All Purpose, Espita, Smoked and Stacked and Buttercream Bakeshop.” The Washington Post’s “Going Out Guru” Becky Krystal simply declared that “Shaw was the District’s hottest dining neighborhood of 2016,” adding that there is more to come in 2017 with the Uncommon Diner by Central Michel Richard executive chef David Deshaies, Morris American Bar from Spike Mendelsohn, the Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork, and Union Kitchen Grocery. Those openings will be on just two blocks in Shaw. u

(East Side News – Contunied from pg. 31)

menu. The sister restaurant to Georgetown’s Baked and Wired opened in the summer of 2015 and has quickly become a neighborhood favorite due to its pastries, breads, hot drinks, cocktails, and sandwiches. In particular, the fried green tomato and pernil sandwiches go great with a DC Mule, Chaider Toddy, or one of the many available teas. A Baked Joint also offers a daily happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m.: $5 tap beer and $2 off wine. A breakfast menu features their incredible Biscuit Sammie. Prices are very affordable. Sandwiches are $10 or $11, with add-on options available for several. Cocktails are under $10 and teas range from $3.50 to $5.50. Expect to spend $15-$20 and get a very good meal. A Baked Joint is at 440 K St. NW and www. ABakedJoint.com. For a selection of Eli Schwarzschild’s music visit www.SoundCloud.com/EliSchwarzschild.

Neighborhood Notes: Carnegie Library

Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District President and CEO Kenyattah Robinson issued a joint statement with Downtown DC Business Improvement District Executive Director Neil O. Albert on Dec. 9, expressing support for Apple’s recent announcement to open an Apple Store in the Carnegie Library. “We welcome the announcement that Apple has executed a letter of intent to open a global flagship store in the historic Carnegie Library,” the statement read. “Apple’s proposal is yet another signal of the retail growth and business opportunities that are flourishing at the center of our vibrant city.” The Historical Society of Washington DC will remain in the building.

Neighborhood Notes: Construction and Sidewalk Closure

NoMa residents have seen construction on a new office building on the 100 block of M Street NE, between the Flats 130 apartments and the NoMa/ Gallaudet U Metro stop. The construction will lead to closure of segments of the sidewalks on M Street and Second Street; a new crosswalk on M has been added to allow for safe crossing. Max Moline is a communications specialist living in DC. He frequents Nationals Park and enjoys writing about food as much as he does eating it. He’s always looking for new places to try. Rooftops and cigar lounges are a plus! Get in touch: molinecommunications@gmail. com; @MaxMoline425. u

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 3 3

real estate

How to Deal with Mold

old. If you’re a homeowner or landlord, it’s not a word you want to hear. Yet in older homes mold can be quite common. Dan Davis, owner/operator of AdvantaClean here in the District, notes, “In DC, and specifically the Hill, most mold issues that I see are in basements. Older homes tend to have leaky foundations. Over time, structures settle, materials degrade, and tree roots push through cracks and enlarge them. Moisture finds its way inside, and wood, drywall, and other organic materials will start to grow mold if they remain damp over time.” Mold can grow on almost any organic material where oxygen, water, and a cozy temperature are present. Davis notes that drywall, which has widely been used in home construction and remodeling over the last 60 years, is an excellent host for mold as the paper surface provides an ideal food while the gypsum core acts like a sponge and retains water. Uncontrolled mold can degrade walls, furniture, clothing, and almost anything. Mold can also irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of people and their pets, and may cause allergic reactions or asthma attacks.

Getting Rid of Mold

What do you do if you discover mold? Mold on

by Catherine Plume Mold: an unwelcome visitor. Photo: AvantaClean

a nonporous surface such as ceramic tile or counter tops can be removed with a good commercial mold and mildew cleaner. Some staining may remain in grout and caulk, and if it persists it should be professionally cleaned or replaced. While bleach is widely used as a home remedy for eliminating mold, Davis cautions that it isn’t effective. Household bleach is too diluted to penetrate beneath the surface, and while it may look as though the mold has disappeared, it’s likely to return and possibly with a vengeance as the water in the bleach penetrates and provides moist conditions. If you spot mold on wood, drywall, furniture, clothing, or carpet, call a professional. According to Davis, getting rid of mold has three steps: removal, cleaning, addressing the moisture source, including a backup plan to

The AvantaClean DC Riverfront Team: Eric Kirby, Choutee Kelly, and Dan Davis. Photo: AvantaClean

3 4 M I d ci t y d c n ews . c o M

coat the structure with an antimicrobial infused encapsulant to prevent the mold from spreading. Professional mold remediation involves the removal of wet and damaged nonstructural material. Areas around the structure are cleaned with broad-spectrum antimicrobial solutions to kill any remaining mold. These solutions don’t have a harsh bleach or chemical odor. Some effective products are plant-based oils (mostly thyme) that, while generally more expensive, are more environmentally friendly and more accommodating to those who are highly sensitive to smells, chemicals, or allergens. In some cases ultraviolet lighting may be used to prevent mold growth. For additional tips on controlling mold, the Occupational Safety and Health and Health Administration (OSHA) has a helpful brochure at https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_ Hurricane_Facts/mold_fact.pdf.

Discovering Mold

Mold isn’t always visible, and it’s often identified by a whiff of musty, earthy smell when opening a closet or basement door. Mold should also be sus-

pected when residents (including pets) experience a persistent cough, sore throat, headache, or other respiratory symptoms – especially if they lessen or stop when away from home or business. Michael “Max” Grove of the Capitol Hill-based Max Insulation was recently talking with a client who mentioned that she’d never had allergies until she moved into her home. A quick trip to the basement revealed three basement walls thick with mold. Another Hill resident noticed some mold growing on one of his indoor air vents. He called in a professional service that found a healthy stock of mold growing in the heating ducts. Finding mold under flooring or behind paneled walls can be challenging. Working with a good inspection company is key. They can better pinpoint the location of any mold through moisture and temperature readings and infrared technology. Air samples can detect if there are elevated spore and particulate counts. There is even testing available that detects the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that mold gives off as it grows. Some of these VOCs are the musty odors associated with mold.

Thomas Landscapes REDEFINING BEAUTY ONE CLIENT AT A TIME!

Over 20 Years of Experience

Preventing Mold

You can prevent mold by fixing leaks, removing and replacing molded materials, and frequently cleaning ducts. Mold growth in basements or bathrooms can be avoided through more frequent cleanings, the use of dehumidifiers, and frequent airing of the space by opening windows. Joan Carmichael is a Capitol Hillbased realtor who’s seen a lot of mold issues in homes over the years. “The worst cases always stem from deferred maintenance,” she notes. “I’ve seen ceilings falling in that are covered with mold. The problem usually begins with a small leak that was not corrected and then became a huge problem down the road. Homeowners are using what used to be storage basements as living

Call Laura Vucci 202-400-3510 or laura@hillrag.com

Joel N. Martin Licensed in DC, MD & VA Since 1986 DC resident since 1970 / Shaw resident since 2002

Full-Service Landscape Design & Maintenance • • • • •

Winter Garden Special Coupon

202-274-1882 office direct 202-338-8900 office main

“honesty, integrity, service & market knowledge” each office independently owned & operated

15% OFF

All Masonry and Fencing Projects. New Clients EXP 01/31/2017

DEREK THOMAS / PRINCIPAL Certified Professional Horticulturist Member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association

Member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers

301.642.5182 | WWW.THOMASLANDSCAPES.COM

JAnU ARy 2 0 1 7 3 5

G G ROOFING

Any mold living up there? Photo: J. Canon

AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”

Flat Roof Specialists • Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate •

Chimney Repairs • Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs

1 1

•

2 2 1

1 3 3 1 7 1 6 7 3 1 3 1 5 4 5 7 7

10% OFF WITH THIS AD

202.425.1614 WWW.GANDGHOMEIMPROVEMENTS.NET

Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners spaces. It’s hard to see cracks or seepage when the basement, now the family room, has carpeting on the floor and drywall on the walls.”

New DC Regulations

Have You Liked Us Yet? MidCity DC NW News – Shaw, Noma, Logan Circle, Ledroit Park and more!

3 6 M I d cI t y d c n ews . c o M

Recognizing the negative impact of mold on human health, in May 2016 DC enacted comprehensive mold regulations that will become operant in 2017. According to Tommy Wells, director of DC’s Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), “Mold is not new to the District of Columbia. We are putting a new focus on the issue, creating the emphasis it deserves, due to its potential negative impact on the health of our residents, young and old.” Here are some key aspects of the new DC regulations: 1. A licensing requirement for mold professionals includes passing a DOEE-approved exam. By law, only licensed professionals may use terms such as licensed, certified, qualified, or professional, and professionals should be willing to show their license. 2. A licensed mold professionals must notify DOEE of all projects and follow perfor-

mance standards and work practices required by the regulations. 3. While homeowners do not need a license to inspect and/or remove mold in their home, as long as it is not occupied by a tenant, with limited exceptions they must follow DOEE guidance to remediate any mold issue. 4. In any home occupied by tenants, the assessment and remediation of mold occupying 10 square feet or more must be performed or supervised by a DOEElicensed mold professional. Find more information on DC’s Mold Regulations at http://doee.dc.gov/moldlicensureregs. While dealing with mold is not something any homeowner wants to do, ignoring the problem is not a viable option. It will not just go away on its own. Catherine Plume is a lifelong environmentalist, a writer, and a blogger for the DC Recycler: www.DCRecycler.blogspot.com; Twitter @DC_ Recycler. u

2 7 4 1 1 2 2

4 3 2 1 3

1 1 1 1 1 1

2 1 1 2 1 1

2 1 1

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

FEE SIMPLE Adams Morgan 1741 SEATON ST NW 1753 U ST NW

$970,000 $1,200,000

Bloomingdale 28 QUINCY PL NW 2207 FLAGLER PL NW 147 T ST NW

$960,000 $950,000 $840,000

Columbia Heights 1205 LAMONT ST NW 3425 HOLMEAD PL NW 3558 13TH ST NW 1313 FLORIDA AVE NW 721 FAIRMONT ST NW 1341 MERIDIAN PL NW 608 HARVARD ST NW 707 HARVARD ST NW 3116 PARK PL NW 1221 RANDOLPH ST NW 3025 SHERMAN AVE NW 1015 QUEBEC PL NW 516 NEWTON PL NW 4017 13TH ST NW 542 NEWTON PL NW 744 LAMONT ST NW 734 HOBART PL NW

$1,050,000 $1,050,000 $920,000 $855,000 $729,000 $689,000 $675,000 $670,000 $665,000 $600,000 $592,500 $590,000 $585,000 $555,000 $540,000 $494,000 $430,000 $800,000 $775,000 $735,000 $660,000 $610,000 $574,000 $568,000

Ledroit Park 408 U ST NW 313 ELM ST NW 2205 FLAGLER PL NW 143 ADAMS ST NW 331 U ST NW

$1,113,500 $872,000 $850,000 $835,000 $710,000

Logan Circle 1514 SWANN ST NW 1837 12TH ST NW 1519 P ST NW 1320 RIGGS ST NW 1310 S ST NW 1318 10TH ST NW

$1,895,000 $1,760,000 $1,640,000 $1,300,000 $1,200,000 $1,110,000

Mount Pleasant 2727 ONTARIO RD NW 1701 KILBOURNE PL NW 1709 LANIER PL NW 2035 PARK RD NW 1887 INGLESIDE TER NW 1853 INGLESIDE TER NW

$1,400,000 $1,380,000 $947,500 $899,000 $850,000 $800,000

Mt Vernon Triangle 458 M ST NW

$760,000

Old City #2 2014 15TH ST NW 1414 SWANN ST NW 1730 18TH ST NW

$1,576,000 $1,422,000 $1,330,000

$1,001,000 $895,000 $825,000 $787,500

3 3 3 3

Petworth 3 4 4 5 4 5 6 6 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 2 3 4 3 3 2 2

Eckington 2014 3RD ST NE 7 S ST NW 41 T ST NW 148 QUINCY PL NE 15 R ST NE 210 V ST NE 2127 4TH ST NE

1457 SWANN ST NW 447 M ST NW 1526 1ST ST NW 1621 NEW JERSEY AVE NW

3 5 4 3 3 3 4

14 SHERMAN CIR NW 4910 3RD ST NW 4614 KANSAS AVE NW 4431 5TH ST NW 929 FARRAGUT ST NW 305 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW 5233 KANSAS AVE NW 435 BUCHANAN ST NW 722 JEFFERSON ST NW 912 MADISON ST NW 424 DELAFIELD PL NW 5415 4TH ST NW 718 JEFFERSON ST NW 4831 ILLINOIS AVE NW 4113 7TH ST NW 615 FARRAGUT ST NW 418 INGRAHAM ST NW 437 INGRAHAM ST NW 507 KENNEDY ST NW 822 MISSOURI AVE NW 454 DELAFIELD PL NW

$835,000 $775,000 $760,000 $755,000 $750,000 $740,000 $715,000 $699,000 $660,000 $654,000 $650,000 $649,900 $573,500 $566,000 $551,000 $550,000 $540,000 $535,000 $529,000 $500,000 $460,000

3 7 2 4 4 3 5 8 5 5 2 3

46 RHODE ISLAND NE #2 46 RHODE ISLAND NE #1

$780,000 $385,000

2425 L ST NW #741 1111 25TH ST NW #521 2425 L ST NW #635 1230 23RD ST NW #515 777 7TH ST NW #414 1099 22ND ST NW #202 1133 14TH ST NW #1011 2114 N ST NW #41 801 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #PH05 2301 N ST NW #102 616 E ST NW #1120 1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #708 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #810 1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #408 801 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #1205 1330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #719 1314 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #808

$1,485,000 $895,000 $642,500 $616,000 $550,000 $540,000 $480,000 $470,500 $459,000 $449,000 $445,000 $400,000 $399,999 $395,000 $358,000 $340,000 $252,000

920 I ST NW #515

$1,285,000

Columbia Heights 4 3 5

3 1

Central

City Center 4

$690,000 $633,000 $624,900 $585,000 $572,500 $550,000 $550,000 $525,000 $525,000 $500,000 $490,000 $475,000 $452,500 $440,000 $423,000 $405,000 $399,950 $390,000 $339,000 $325,000 $323,000 $315,000 $278,400 $172,500

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

Dupont

1778 WILLARD ST NW #1 $739,000 2 2101 N ST NW #T5 $521,000 1 1301 20TH ST NW #1004 $470,000 2 U Street Corridor 1726 17TH ST NW #202 $449,000 2 1217 V ST NW $915,000 3 2001 16TH ST NW #205 $422,000 1 2255 12TH PL NW $695,000 2 1827 FLORIDA AVE NW #403 $399,999 1 1740 18TH ST NW #303 $399,999 1 1711 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #613 $284,900 0 $780,000 2 CONDO 1754 WILLARD ST NW #3 1801 16TH ST NW #410 $605,000 1 1827 CORCORAN ST NW #E $515,000 1 Adams Morgan 1414 22ND ST NW #23 $689,500 1 2337 CHAMPLAIN NW #102 $643,000 2 2337 CHAMPLAIN NW #309 $420,000 1 Eckington 2550 17TH ST NW #208 $297,900 0 130 U ST NE #2 $675,000 3 2464 ONTARIO RD NW #2 $725,000 2 1917 2ND ST NE #102 $450,000 2

Bloomingdale 3 4 3 3 3

4 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 4 3 4

3815 14TH ST NW #5 1470 CHAPIN ST NW #2 3566 13TH ST NW #1 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #16 1451 BELMONT ST NW #207 1303 FAIRMONT ST NW #A 3112 13TH ST NW #1 1105 PARK RD NW #1 1300 TAYLOR ST NW #103 1350 KENYON ST NW #1 1419 CLIFTON ST NW #103 1451 BELMONT ST NW #214 1341 FAIRMONT ST NW #1 1390 KENYON ST NW #330 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #1 1423 NEWTON ST NW #104 1020 MONROE ST NW #206 1390 KENYON ST NW #518 3900 14TH ST NW #308 1321 FAIRMONT ST NW #207 610 IRVING ST NW #203 3515 HERTFORD PL NW #31 1415 CHAPIN ST NW #2 1304 FAIRMONT ST NW #2

1316HALF SHEPHERD ST NW #4 3566 13TH ST NW #4 706 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW #2

$900,000 $779,900 $779,000

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

H Street Corridor 1111 ORREN ST NE #501

$579,900

Ledroit Park 46 CHANNING ST NW #PH 46 CHANNING ST NW #2 150 V ST NW #V306

$699,000 $610,000 $353,000

Logan Circle 1320 13TH ST NW #PH2 27 LOGAN CIR NW #8 1401 Q ST NW #503 1211 13TH ST NW #201 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #519 1306 O ST NW #301 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #315 1440 N ST NW #203

$1,025,000 $1,339,000 $1,199,000 $699,900 $674,900 $595,000 $354,000 $249,000

Mount Pleasant 1604 BEEKMAN PL NW #D 3350 17TH ST NW #PH2 1613 HARVARD ST NW #406 1708 NEWTON ST NW #305 3060 16TH ST NW #301 1801 CALVERT ST NW #107 3314 MOUNT PLEASANT ST NW #7

Mount Vernon Triangle 301 MASS AVE NW #403 437 NEW YORK AVE NW #1101

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

$775,000 $715,000 $549,000 $429,000 $385,000 $372,500 $219,900

2 3 2 2 2 1 0

$765,000 $500,633

2 1

910 M ST NW #522 430 M ST NW #2 460 RIDGE ST NW #4

$680,000 $592,500 $595,000

Old City #2 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #613 1222 4TH ST NW #2 1832 SWANN ST NW #D 1410 12TH ST NW #3 1726 S ST NW #1 1111 11TH ST NW #701 2001 12TH ST NW #112 1735 P ST NW #3 1209 4TH ST NW #1 811 4TH ST NW #218 811 4TH ST NW #503 1529 14TH ST NW #311 1450 CHURCH ST NW #C02 933 M ST NW #1 1634 14TH ST NW #T003 1001 L ST NW #507 1224 13TH ST NW #1 76 NEW YORK AVE NW #403 811 4TH ST NW #413 1502 13TH ST NW #4 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #219 1900 S ST NW #1 1413 T ST NW #408 1440 N ST NW #804 1440 N ST NW #311 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #P-112

$960,000 $800,000 $780,000 $680,000 $658,000 $639,000 $636,000 $630,000 $607,000 $601,500 $562,900 $561,000 $510,000 $505,000 $500,000 $500,000 $455,000 $440,000 $435,000 $390,000 $325,000 $320,000 $229,900 $229,000 $215,000 $40,000

Park View 777 MORTON ST NW #2 3542 WARDER ST NW #301 3542 WARDER ST NW #304

$995,000 $803,500 $738,400

Penn Quarter 925 H ST NW #301 616 E ST NW #449 631 D ST NW #738 912 F ST NW #303

$869,900 $625,000 $335,000 $530,000

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

Petworth 4126 8TH ST NW #8 4126 8TH ST NW #7 4126 8TH ST NW #3 4126 8TH ST NW #6 4226 7TH ST NW #303 603 KENNEDY ST NW #2 4710 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #2 804 TAYLOR ST NW #402 804 TAYLOR ST NW #302 5611 5TH ST NW #L2

$679,900 $649,900 $559,900 $529,900 $429,000 $390,000 $372,000 $355,000 $335,000 $232,000

3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

Shaw 918 N ST NW #1 440 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #303 207 R ST NW #1

$875,500 $570,000 $510,000

U Street 2120 VERMONT AVE NW #223 2250 11TH ST NW #302 1332 BELMONT ST NW #101 u

$673,000 $420,000 $825,000

2 2 2 3 1 2

JANU ARY 2 0 1 7 3 7

CLASSIFIEDS 3 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

AIR CONDITIONING

MASONRY

ELECTRICIAN

CHIMNEY REPOINTING, LINING & REPAIRS!

GEORGE HALLIDAY

MASONRY CONCRETE & BRICKPOINTING Historic Masonry Repointing & Repairs Restoration cleaning on historical brick and stone Basements & Waterproofing Experts in both in new and traditional masonry NO Job Too Small! We Do it All!!

Serving D.C. since 1918

202.637.8808 Licensed, Bonded & Insured, DC

CLEANING SERVICES S TANDARD C LEANING S ERVICE I NC . Commercial & Residential

LANDSCAPES

Thomas Landscapes

Ana Julia Viera

DEREK THOMAS / PRINCIPAL

703.719.9850 • 703.447.9254 Days

PLUMBING

Free Estimates • Bonded & Insured References Upon Request

Just Say I Need A Plumber®

Dial A Plumber, LLC®

15% Discount New Customers

FOR SALE

• Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement

Over 20 Years of Experience REDEFINING BEAUTY ONE CLIENT AT A TIME!

Full-Service Landscape Design & Maintenance • 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

301.642.5182

WWW.THOMASLANDSCAPES.COM

Licensed Bonded Insured

Kenny

202-251-1479 DC PLUMMER’S LICENSE #707

SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS

AND LOCAL BUSINESSES!

er er k C es e nt

PAINTING

FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST

G G ROOFING

WE STOP LEAKS! • Roof Repairs • Roof Coatings • Rubber • Metal • Slate

• Tiles • Chimneys • Gutters • Waterproofing • Roof Certifications

BOYD CONSTRUCTION INC. LIC. BONDED. INS

AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE” • Flat

We Do Everything! 75 years in service

BBB

Member

202-223-ROOF (7663)

WELDING

Roof Specialists Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate •

Chimney Repairs Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs • •

10% OFF WITH THIS AD

202.425.1614 WWW.GANDGHOMEIMPROVEMENTS.NET

Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners

SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES!

contact CAROLINA at

202.400.3503 carolina@hillrag.com

ROOFING

Keith Roofing

EXPERT WORKMANSHIP

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESSFUL!

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!

202-486-7359

All Work Inspected by Owner...Deals Directly with Customers! All Work Fully Guaranteed

WE WILL BEAT YOUR BEST PRICE New Roofs, Maintenance & Repairs Seamless Gutters Experts Stopping Leaks is our Specialty!

WE DO IT ALL!

202.637.8808 Licensed, bonded & Insured, DC

BOX CLASSIFIEDS (quarterly)

2”x 2” 2.5” 3” 4” 5” 7”

$150 $180 $225 $300 $360 $400

• Ad design free of charge with one revision. • Rates are per publication.

MIDCITY

LINE CLASSIFIEDS (monthly)

FA G O N C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E

$25 for the first 15 words, 25¢ for each additional word. Bold heading (25 characters max) is free.

CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC. Hill Rag | Midcity DC | East of the River | Fagon Community Guides *Prepayment by check or credit card is required.

Tell Them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shaw Main Streets Sent

Me!â&#x20AC;?

Like Us on Facebook

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor.