Mid City DC Magazine – March 2022 by Capital Community News

MARCH 2022

CONTENTS

NEXT ISSUE: April 9th

MARCH 2022

04 what’s on washington your neighborhood 10 Recycling: From Blue Bins to Uncertainty • Mark R. Smith

ON THE COVER:

16 Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann 20 ANC 6E • Pleasant Mann 22 Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner

Photo: Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

at home 27 Changing Hands • Don Denton

out and about 28 At The Movies • Michael Canning 30 Business Briefs • Sarah Payne

kids and family 32 Notebook • Kathleen Donner

38 classifieds

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We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.

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CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PARADE

The National Cherry Blossom Parade is on Saturday, April 9, at 10 a.m. The energy-filled Parade runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue NW, from Seventh to Seventeenth. Grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a spectacle of music and showmanship. Portions of the parade are free to the public to view along the route and are first-come, first-served. Reserved grandstand seating in the performance areas of the Parade are available for purchase at $25 to $40. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

BEDOUINE AT THE MIRACLE THEATER

Singer-songwriter Azniv Korkian, known by her stage name Bedouine, is an Aleppo-born SyrianAmerican musician. She has a unique sound—’60s folk meets ’70s country-funk with a glimmer of bossa nova cool—the guitar picking and precise lyrical excursions, that mesmerizing voice and phrasing. Her ﬁrst album “Bedouine” was released in 2017; the second “Birdsongs of a Killjoy” in 2019. Bedouine released her third fulllength album ”Waysides” on October 22, 2021. She appears at The Miracle Theater, 535 Eighth St. SE, on Sunday, April 3, 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). $18. unionstage.com.

Photo: Ayanah George

ANACOSTIA RIVER FESTIVAL

The Anacostia River Festival, Sunday, April 10, 1 to 4 p.m., is a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The eighth annual Festival is a celebration of the Anacostia River, Anacostia Park and the neighborhood. Musical performances honor the history and sounds of communities on both sides of the river and amplifying the stories, culture, and heritage of neighboring African American residents. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Go-Go music, local drum lines, and military bands. Guests will be socially distanced through chalked “pods” to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The Festival, at Good Hope Rd. and Anacostia Dr. SE, will also feature preregistered and socially distant river activities such as canoeing and ﬁshing. Visit bridgepark.org to register.

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ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

Each March, Washington, DC hosts the largest environmental film festival in the world, presenting 100+ films to advance understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film. The festival is all-virtual again this year from March 17 to 27. Festival passes are now on sale. dceff.org.

High Tide Don’t Hide. Photo: Niva Kay

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

SAKURA MATSURI: JAPANESE STREET FESTIVAL

See, hear, taste, and experience Japan when you join Japan-America Society of Washington, DC on April 9, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and/ or Sunday, April 10, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the 60th anniversary of the Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival. Held on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between Third and Seventh, it is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and is the grand finale of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Every year, performers, artists, and restaurants travel here from across the country and around the world to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions with the Festival attendees. In 2022, the festival will be held over for two days for the first time. $10 admission. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Sakura Matsuri: Japanese Street Festival is produced by Japan-America Society of Washington DC.

On Thursday, March 31, 7 p.m. and Friday, April 1, 8 p.m., 2019 Kennedy Center Honoree Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Mahler’s rousing, five-movement “Resurrection” Symphony. A champion interpreter of Mahler’s work, MTT has recorded all nine of the composer’s symphonies and major orchestral works—a feat earning him seven (of his 12) Grammy Awards. Since his close friend Leonard Bernstein famously conducted the symphony at Madison Square Garden’s “Night of Stars” memorial to President Kennedy, Mahler’s “Resurrection” has remained a poignant message of life, rebirth, and immortal triumph for the human soul. $15 to $99. kennedy-center.org.

MOSAIC THEATRE PRESENTS

In the not-too-distant future, Corbin has just been offered his dream job at an industry-leading technology company. But there’s a catch. The terms of his employment stipulate that Corbin and his wife Georgia must both agree to round-the-clock monitoring and audio surveillance by Corbin’s potential employer. Will the threat of having their secrets exposed– especially to each other–be too much for their young marriage to survive? $50. “Private” is at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NW, from March 23 to April 17. mosaictheater.org.

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GLEN HANSARD AND MARKETA IRGLOVA OF THE SWELL SEASON

Glen Hansard is an Irish songwriter, actor, vocalist and guitarist for the Irish group The Frames, and one half of folk rock duo The Swell Season. He is known for his acting, having appeared in the BAFTA-winning film The Commitments, as well as starring in the film Once, which earned him a number of major awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly”, with co-writer and co-star Markéta Irglová. $55 to $125. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). theanthemdc.com.

COSI FAN TUTTE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER

Mozart’s comedy returns as charming as ever after it was postponed in the Kennedy Center’s 2020–2021 season. A cast of opera’s rising international stars assembles to sing Mozart’s sublime music backed by an onstage orchestra, from the luminous “Soave sia il vento” trio to Fiordiligi’s determined “Come scoglio” aria. Don’t miss the moment puppet master Don Alfonso exerts unique control of the lovers with the help of Mozart! Everyone fools and everyone is fooled in this satirical romp. Are love’s strings more loosely attached than we’d like to admit? $69 to $200. NSO’s Cosi fan tutte is at the Kennedy Center from March 12 to 26. kennedy-center.org.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

John Douglas Thompson. Photo: Henry Grossman

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE AT SHAKESPEARE

Shakespeare’s remarkable exploration of justice returns to Washington, stoking the debate on what is right, what is fair, and what is lawful—and who gets to decide. Shakespeare’s most provocative problem play compels us to examine our own prejudices and the true nature of mercy. The Merchant of Venice is at the Michael R. Klein Theatre, 470 Seventh St. NW, from March 22 to April 17. shakespearetheatre.org.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN AT ARENA

From March 4 to April 17, humor, music and dance drive this rousing musical based on true events and a critically acclaimed film. See how charming, young con man Frank Abagnale Jr. posed as an airline pilot, a lawyer and a doctor, and then escaped police custody, all before he turned 22. The Tony-nominated comedy is a highflying musical roller coaster filled with glamour and delight for the entire family. $86 to $105. Arena Stage is at 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org.

NASA/USGS Landsat; Geoscience Australia

Composer Nolan Williams

GRACE AT FORD’S THEATER

Packed with an eclectic mix of styles including jazz, R&B, rousing up-tempos and raise-the-roof ballads, Grace is an electrifying musical feast celebrating the perseverance of family and the power of traditions. Created by DC’s own celebrated composer Nolan Williams, Jr., Grace examines the little-told history of African-American culinary tradition and the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses. The musical captures a day in the life of the Mintons, a Philadelphia family who gather to mourn the loss of their matriarch and deal with the future of their family restaurant in a changing neighborhood. Heartfelt and hopeful, timely and timeless, Grace is the new American musical where, although family comes first, everyone has a seat at the table. Grace is at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, from March 18 to May 14. fords.org.

EYES ON EARTH: EXPLORING SPACE LECTURE SERIES

The 2022 Air and Space Exploring Space Lecture Series highlights work done in space today to better understand our shared history with our planet, from remote sensing, human observation, and exoplanet science searching for a new Earth. Here’s the schedule: March 29, 8 p.m.; NASA’s Earth Information System—Open and Accessible Science to Improve Life on Earth: April 20, 8 p.m.; Ancient Cities and Landscapes from Space--How Remote Sensing is Transforming Archaeology: May 18, 8 p.m.; Space2inspire-An Orbital Perspective of Earth as a Geoscientist, Artist, and Poet: and June 29, 8 p.m.; Earth, Exoplanets, and Everything in Between. Lectures are free and presented online and in person at the American Indian Museum. airandspace. si.edu/event-series/exploring-space-lectures.

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NEIGHBORHOOD

RECYCLING: From Blue Bins to Uncertainty

Part One of a Four-Part Spotlight DC Investigation

by Mark R. Smith

newspapers, magazines and soft-cover books; elinda, a resident of Northwest, considers paper bags, various office stationary and herself a conscientious environmental envelopes; and shredded paper. citizen. Like many of her neighbors, she is troubled by climate change and the • Rigid plastic containers: beverage bottles, food containers, tubs and lids and produce manner in which mankind has damaged containers. the Earth. She wants to do her part to right that • Aluminum and steel packaging: aerosol cans, wrong by conscientiously recycling. Separating aluminum foil and pie pans and food and and placing her bottles, cans, paper and cardboard beverage containers. items into one of those ubiquitous blue bins that • Glass bottles and jars dot the city’s landscape seems like an easy way to Glass is accepted in blue bins, but goes to help save the planet. what’s called alternative daily cover at landfills. It However, the waste that Melinda and isn’t recycled, since it is low-quality when collected thousands of fellow District residents place in in a single-stream system and because there are no their bins every week with the best intentions might not be getting recycled. Funded by Spotlight DC, this four-part investigation of recycling will demonstrate how the District has failed to meet its own stated recycling objectives by sending items sorted by residents for recycling to landfills or incinerators. While much of what the city says – Annie Leonard, executive director, Greenpeace is slated to be recycled has not ended up sorted and sold on what today is a healthy open market, guidance is offered on the website of the Department of Public Works (DPW). glass recyclers in the mid-Atlantic. There are two ways in which the Mayor’s Recycling Guidelines: The Reality List informs the citizenry and businesses what’s The top link that’s highlighted in blue on that desired: material type and packaging format. “It’s page is called The Mayor’s List of Recyclables and the simplest way to explain to the average person Compostables, which is better known as simply what’s expected to be recycled,” said Charlotte “The Mayor’s List.” It is available at https://dpw. Dreizen, a former DPW employee who now works dc.gov/recyclingcompostlist. as sustainability manager for a trade association in Technically, all private residences and business the city. are required to recycle as the list dictates. It contains The Mayor’s List is to be reviewed for possible a detailed list of what items are acceptable and updating at least every two years given evolving which are not. The basic rundown is as follows: market conditions, with the most recent changes • Paper and cardboard, with a wide range of made in February 2021. “If anything placed with products eligible: They include corrugated (but recycled items is deviant from what’s on the unwaxed) cardboard; publications including list,” Dreizen said, “the household or business is

technically not in compliance.” Compliance is big part of this issue and while the DPW has not collected as many recyclable items as intended in the blue bins, the Bowser administration is still attempting to go big to hit a diversion goal that more than a few insiders think it won’t be able to reach.

ZeroWasteDC: The Dream

With a June Democratic Primary looming, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration is talking up its eventual waste diversion goals of 80 percent by 2032 via its Sustainable DC 2.0. The zero waste concept the mayor is touting is based on a set of principles that encourage the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators or dumped in the ocean. The ZeroWasteDC legislation targets waste diversion by increasing organics diversion, improving USA the District’s now $11.1 million recycling program and promoting reuse and waste reduction. On its website, while acknowledging that there will be some materials that are not recoverable and will be sent to landfills or waste-toenergy facilities (incinerators), the ZeroWasteDC goal of 80 percent seems like a pie-in-the-sky figure, especially given that the District’s number currently generally hovers around 16 percent citywide, according to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW ) own studies. The ZeroWasteDC dictum means 80 percent would be sent anywhere for higher or better use than a landfill or an incinerator, Dreizen points out. “I don’t think anyone realistically thinks that goal is possible.” While the new facilities will be a boost for the city, there’s a legal side at play, too. “Few places have

“There is no such thing as ‘away.’ So, when we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.”

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Residents line up to deposit recyclables and/or trash on a recent Saturday afternoon at the Fort Totten Solid Waste Transfer Station. Photo: Mark R. Smith

ever reached such heights without innovative laws,” Dreizen said, noting that Belgium and Germany have been able to do so because “those countries require manufacturers to pay for recycling. Their citizens don’t pay and the cost is picked up by the companies that produce the packaging.” Dreizen, who is known for her frequent recycling advice via Twitter and who often answers questions as to what items are recyclable, said that the ZeroWaste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 represents “a great opportunity” for getting a solid program foundation in place. “It’s not best in class, but it’s a down payment on a commercial waste management program to properly recycle food waste and for glass.”

A glance under the reports category on the DPW’s ZeroWasteDC web page gives District citizens access to Waste Characterization Studies from 2021, which Dreizen called an “intrepid effort to figure out what’s being generated in the city by who and how much gets recycled.” The next most recent entry, the Desktop Waste Characterization Study for the District of Columbia, is dated 2017-18. The other entries are from 2018 or much earlier, with one item dating back to 2002. A key number from the perspective of the DPW concerns the number of homes it serves every week, which exceeds 100,000 single-family and multi-family dwellings of three units or less.

Although the Benning Road Solid Waste Transfer Station has been shuttered since mid-2021, residents can still drop off shredding on one Saturday per month; and gas, paint and other household hazardous waste chemicals on the other Saturdays. Photo: Mark R. Smith

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NEIGHBORHOOD

ubiquitous plastic grocery bags that are errantly is impressed with that filled with recyclables. first part of the operation The items then proceed along conveyor belts in the District. “DC through sorting equipment and various separators has an excellent record for cardboard, paper and aluminum. The facility, of picking up materials which employs 170 workers (including more than for recycling, as well as 80 sorters) on two shifts, opened in 2006 and breakdown. I compare operates with older equipment that in some cases it favorably to any city has been upgraded. in the country, as far as Mike Taylor, WM area recycling operations efficiency goes. The DPW director, said the single-stream approach means are very good at that part customers don’t need to separate items, which saves of what they do. money on transport and handling and hopefully “But as for the next make it easier for the public to recycle. He added phase,” said Seldman, “the that the contamination rate at the facility is “about system is broken because 15 percent, which is down about five percent from of the lack of processing the level of recent years.” capacity for waste at From that point, recyclable materials are baled, the two DC transfer sold in the commodity market and shipped to stations, one of which manufacturers who get to the main point of (Benning Road) was turning the final product into new items, with recently condemned. The Workers on the late shift at WM’s Recycle America facility in Elkridge, Md., sort recyclables to rid the recycle contaminants sent to the Wheelabrator Baltimore reason is disinvestment. stream of contaminated items. Photo: Mark R. Smith Refuse Energy Systems Co. (BRESCO) plant in The city never invested Baltimore for incineration. in rudimentary Will that still be the case when the new maintenance.” Benning Road facility comes on line? Construction The recyclables that are picked up by the Recycling: The Practice is due to begin within a year. DPW’s trucks are taken to Fort Totten, unloaded The DPW serves roughly 105,000 residences and “When any new facility comes online, and immediately transferred into a third-party collects roughly 10 percent of the city’s recycling that could change the dynamic of the regional transporter. The transporter uses its long-haul stream through the efforts of 80 workers who marketplace,” said Blake Adams, manager of the trailers to deliver the recyclables directly to the move around the District in 24 trucks that are DPW’s Office of Waste Diversion. “We think that WM’s 37,000-square-foot Recycle America based out of yards on W Street NE (off Rhode the investments the city is making in our facilities facility in Elkridge, Md., which is DC’s currently Island Avenue) and at Lot 8 in the RFK Stadium contracted materials parking lot. recovery facility Historically, the public service has collected (known as a MRF or from 30,000-40,000 tons per year of single-stream “murph.” Republic’s (mixed) recyclables. There are approximately 116 MRF in Manassas, recycling routes throughout the city and at the Va., serves as a back-up end of their routes, these days they all head to the MRF for the city). same place: Fort Totten, which is the only transfer Upon arrival in station in the city that’s in normal operation. Elkridge, the cargo is The private system serves the owners of weighed, then dumped large apartment buildings, as well commercial on the tipping floor properties. Landlords, community associations before proceeding to a and business owners are required by the city to conveyor belt. The next provide recycling services through commercial stop is the presort area, solid waste collectors, which are often the where a variety of items industry’s heavyweights like WM and Republic – which can be anything Services (which recently purchased Tenleytown from dirty diapers Trash), as well as some smaller private concerns. to patio furniture to More than 100 haulers collect, haul and manage soccer balls, golf balls nearly 90 percent of the city’s 1.13 million tons and bowling balls (and of waste. that’s just a very short Neil Seldman, director, Waste to Wealth list) – are removed, as Initiative with the Washington-based Institute for One of the worst issues faced at a recycling facility, such as this WM location, are the unfortunately concerns contaminants – most notably plastic bags – getting tangled in the equipment. Photo: Mark R. Smith Local Self-Reliance, is among the observers who

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Contaminated and inappropriate items from the WM recycling facility, in Elkridge, Md., are sent to Baltimore’s well-known BRESCO trash incinerator, which is a dominant presence to motorists when they enter the city via Russell Street. Photo: Mark R. Smith

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and the work that we’re doing to educate the public on recycling behaviors will allow us to reach our zero waste goals. However, that “will ultimately require two things,” said Adams. “Strong policy and planning and the infrastructure to support new programs.”

Next Up

The Hill Rag’s four-part series about recycling efforts in the District will continue with the second installment next month, which will be an examination of the city’s public recycling system for single family and small multi-unit dwellings. It will delve into what happens to that plastic bottle that Melinda just tossed into her blue bin, where it’s dropped off and its final destination. It will query public officials about their role in managing the system and delve into how their efforts live up to the rhetoric. In May, the third report will focus on what happens when city residents who live in apartments and condos, as well as businesses, toss those plastic bottles into their recycle bins and where haulers large and small take it for processing and the end

of its journey. The final installment in the series, set for June, will look to the future. What best practices are being used around the region, the U.S. and world and how can the city leverage what it knows and turn it into practical improvements for the local efforts? Might legislative action imminent assist in reforming or even reinventing recycling as we know it now? Mark R. Smith is a freelance writer based in Odenton, Md. He writes for The Business Monthly, in Columbia, Md., where he also served as editor-in-chief for almost 15 years; earlier, he spent 16 years contributing to The Daily Record, in Baltimore. He has also recently worked for Expansion Solutions, the Georgetown University Law Center and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Off icials, as well as many other publications during the past three decades. This article was supported by a grant from the Spotlight DC: Capitol City Fund for Investigative Journalism. Spotlight DC encourages the submission for proposals by independent journalists. For more information, visit www.spotlightdc.org. ◆

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NEIGHBORHOOD

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann District government and Shaw community leaders break ground for new housing at Parcel 42. Photo by Pleasant Mann

Groundbreaking on Shaw’s Parcel 42

In a recent review of Shaw’s projects in development, the real estate blog Urban Turf asked if Shaw was “DC’s Busiest Development Neighborhood?” In surveying 20 projects, the blog noted that “the neighborhood has seemingly gotten a shot in the arm, development-wise.” Shaw got its latest shot in the arm on February 26 when ground was broken on long-vacant Parcel 42, a District-owned site that was recently conveyed to Dantes Partners, a local developer

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noted for building affordable housing. Bua Binitie, Dantes Partners principal, started the groundbreaking event by noting that Women’s History Month was about to begin in March, and that there were a number of prominent women that got the project finalized. In particular, he said that although disposition of the parcel was attempted by three previous mayors, it took the current mayor, Mayor Muriel Bowser, to get it finished. Binitie also thanked his mother, who was present at the event, for bringing him to the United States 20 years ago.

Alexander Padro, Executive Director of Shaw Main Streets, who Binitie said he had worked with for 15 years on various housing projects in Shaw, was next to speak. Padro started with the history of the site, noting that before the riots, the lot was the home of Manhattan Auto, a dealership known for selling foreign sports cars. After the dealership was burned down during the 1968 riots, the site became the location of the Shaw Health Clinic for a number of years. Padro referred to the Beatles tune “Long and Winding Road” as a metaphor for the

Mayor Muriel Bowser with daughter Miranda at Parcel 42 Groundbreaking. Photo by Pleasant Mann

20+ year effort to redevelop the site. He also noted that the vacant lot had been used for the past decade as the main site for Shaw’s annual Art All Night festival. Padro then announced that the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development had promised to help replace the site for the festival by closing R Street and using the field at Banneker High School for the one-night event, to be held in September. Then Mayor Bowser took to the podium, noting that the project was the first to use the District’s “Our RFP” process to incorporate community input into government development decisions. “When we engage the community early, then we can deliver a project that people are excited about – and that’s what we are doing here at Parcel 42,” she said. The mayor added “As much as

we have been able to do in our city, there is still a big anxiety here. It is ‘I love what’s happening, but will I be able to afford to live here?’” She pledged to fight for more dollars for affordable housing. Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto was next, praising how the project was adding to the development activity in Shaw. John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, started by thanking his staff, along with District workers at the DC Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for putting this project over the finish line. He noted that almost all the apartments in the 110-unit building will be affordable and will put the District closer to its goal of creating 36,000 new housing units by 2025. Finally, Catherine Buell, for-

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NEIGHBORHOOD

Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce holds Town Hall

The Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce held a Town Hall, over Zoom, on February 17. The Taskforce was appointed by Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto to determine the changes needed in the ward’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) as a result of the Council’s redistricting that was completed last year. The Taskforce has been meeting regularly since January and must come up with a new map of Ward 2 ANCs and their Single Member Districts (SMDs) by April 1. It held the Town Hall to get input from the wider community on any changes that should be made in ANC and SMD boundaries. A large number of the participants in the Town Hall gave their opinions about the options for ANC 2D, which covers the Sheridan-Kalorama area of the ward. ANC 2D is

troublesome because it has only two SMDs, both of which have populations well below the legislated requirements. Still, a number of residents in the area argued for keeping things as they had been in the past. The Town Hall also showed maps of possible configurations for the ANC in Shaw, tentatively referred to as ANC 2G. Both maps shown called for an ANC with six SMDs, taking some population from neighboring ANC 2F. The Zoom meetings of the Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce are open to all to view, while the Redistricting Town Halls allow participation by anyone in the community. However, participants must register for meetings at https:// www.brookepintodc.com/anc-redistricting. The next, and final, Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Town Hall will be held on March 14. u

Shaw’s Oyster Oyster: Nominated for James Beard Award as Best New Restaurant in the US. Photo by Pleasant Mann

merly chair of the District’s Historic Preservation Review Board and now director of the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, closed the event. The $2 Billion fund is devoted to providing more than 20,000 affordable housing units in the DMV. The $15.6 million loan that the Amazon fund provided to the Parcel 42 project is their first investment in the District, although Buell assured the crowd that it would not be the last one.

Shaw Restaurants Still Getting Recognition

If you wondered if Shaw had emerged from the pandemic retaining its repu-

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tation as a famous destination for fine dining, wonder no more. The James Beard Foundation has come out with its 2022 semi-finalist award nominations for all things edible, and Shaw has a number of places on the list. The Michelin-starred dining room Metier is on the list for Outstanding Restaurant in the country, while upstairs, Anne Specker at Kinship is nominated for the nation’s Best Pastry Chef. Oyster Oyster, Shaw’s acclaimed plant-forward eatery, is nominated as the Best New Restaurant in the US. Finalists for nominations will be announced on March 16, with the final awards given in June.

Affordable housing coming to Shaw’s Parcel 42. Graphic Courtesy of Dantes Partners

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NEIGHBORHOOD

ANC 6E by Pleasant Mann

dvisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E held its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, February 1. Commission Chair Michael Eichler (6E01) called the meeting to order with Alex Lopez (6E02, Secretary), Frank Wiggins (6E03, Treasurer), Rachelle Nigro (6E04, Vice Chair), Patrick Parlej (6E05), Denise Blackson (6E06) and Kevin Rogers (6E07) in attendance. There was a quorum to conduct official business.

Police Service Area (PSA) Reports

Captain Dorrough of the First District reported an assault at the 7-Eleven on K Street and a robbery on the 500 block of New York Ave. in January. Property crime has trended up, with 10 stolen autos around the Mount Vernon Triangle. Thefts from autos were also up, with 13 last month compared to seven a year ago. Commissioner Parlej stated that the community believes that the crime situation is moving in the wrong direction. Dorrough responded that crime numbers are still fairly low and not out of the norm. Plans to put more resources in the PSA should improve the situation in the Triangle. Parlej declared that public safety has now skyrocketed to one of the top issues in the neighborhood. A resident asked about a situation where there were a number of police cars at Plaza West. Dorrough said that the police Emergency Response Team had been deployed there to serve a warrant and made two arrests. In answer to a question about the resolution of carjackings, the captain said that a number of the perpetrators were juveniles. Juvenile cases are handled by the Office of the Attorney General, which makes the decision to prosecute and does not inform the police of the resolution of cases. Captain Small of the Third Police District said that there had been 11 violent crimes over the previous 30 days. The Third District has had a rash of carjackings, most of the time perpetrated by juveniles. There appears to be a small gang committing a series of carjackings. Commissioner Nigro mentioned that she had a constituent who was pistol whipped on Fourth Street and that an Uber driver was ambushed recently.

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Councilmember Brooke Pinto

Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto attended the ANC meeting to introduce herself to the people of the former Ward 6 portion of Shaw, who are now part of her ward and to get their opinions on the redistricting process. She offered a little of her background, graduating from Cornell and coming to Washington to go to law school at Georgetown. She had planned to become a health care lawyer and worked for Senator Blumenthal and the Coalition for the Homeless before she went to work for the DC Office of the Attorney General as a tax litigator. On the DC Council, Pinto is trying to address crime by getting more officers on foot and welcoming the violence interrupter team planned for Shaw. She also wants to implement Vision Zero to reduce the number of traffic fatalities to zero. Pinto is focused on homelessness and is trying to expedite the issuance of housing vouchers. One priority is the building of a new Shaw Middle School. Pinto will have a Council roundtable on the issue soon, and she has put $3 million in the budget to plan for the new school. Pinto has created a Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce to establish the new boundaries for the ward’s ANCs. Gretchen Wharton represents Shaw on the taskforce and Ankit Jain is the Mount Vernon Square representative. The taskforce has to produce a final report by April 1. Pinto was planning to send a letter on Thursday to Mayor Bowser outlining her priorities for next year’s budget. They include a permanent senior center for Ward 2, an expansion of the Shaw Clean Team to 11th Street, accelerated implementation of DDOT’s S Street Revitalization project and a restroom for the Shaw Skatepark. Commissioner Nigro said that her constituents support more police on the street. She also asked how to provide input to the Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce. Pinto replied that people who want to comment on redistricting should contact the taskforce chair, Austin Naughton. People can also approach the Council after the taskforce submits its report to give their opinions on ANC redistricting.

1707 Eighth Street, NW

Mid City Development came to the ANC to introduce their redevelopment project on the 1700 block of Eighth Street. The company has owned garden apartment buildings on the site for a number of years and now wants to replace them with a nine-story apartment building. Designed by noted architect Eric Colbert, the new building will have 317 apartments, 48 of which will be income restricted (affordable) units. The developer has already discussed their plans with Shaw neighborhood groups and made a presentation before the ANC 6E Zoning and Development Committee. They will soon submit an application for approval of a Planned Unit Development to the DC Zoning Commission. Commissioner Nigro suggested that the developers agree to restrict residents in the building, which will have some parking spaces, from applying for residential street parking permits from the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. Commissioner Wiggins objected to the idea of restricting onstreet parking.

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

The Transportation Advisory Committee presented a resolution in support of a proposal from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to establish dedicated bus lanes along H Street NW from North Capitol to 13th Street NW. The committee included a number of conditions in the resolution, including that the lanes prohibit parking in them all day, instead of DDOT’s assumption that parking would only be prohibited during rush hours. Commissioner Wiggins expressed opposition to the idea of dedicated bus lanes, assuming that they would increase overall traffic congestion on H Street. The resolution failed by a vote of two ayes, two nays and three abstentions. ANC 6E will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc6e.org for more information.u u

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NEIGHBORHOOD

BULLETIN BOARD

Spooky Action’s New Works in Action is Back LIVE

How many times during the pandemic have you asked yourself, “Am I alone?” Or “Am I the only one feeling like this?” Moved by the certainty that playwrights have been challenged with new emotional and psychological experiences and moments that have inspired them to change for the better, Spooky Action Theater asked them to send in short plays that explore the human experience of CONNECTION and ISOLATION. On Saturdays, March 5, 12 and 19, at 7 p.m., as part of Spooky Action’s New Works in Action Program, they invite you to come and see what they have found. You won’t be alone! Reserve your free tickets at spookyaction.org/ upcoming-new-works. Spooky Action Theater performs at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St. NW. spookyaction.org.

Theater J Receives $100,000 NEA Grant

Mayor Bowser invites residents to celebrate the history making women of our nation’s capital by joining in the fourth annual FITDC HerStory 5K, which will be held in-person at Freedom Plaza on Saturday, March 19 at 9 a.m. Sign up at herstory5k.com.

Ireland at The Wharf

On Saturday, March 19, 1 to 6 p.m., The Wharf and Kirwan’s Irish Pub are bringing the luck of the Irish to the waterfront with their Ireland at The Wharf festival. Celebrate the beauty and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, live music, dance performances and a Guinness beer garden on District Pier. All ages are welcome. wharfdc.com.

Free St. Patrick’s Day Lyft Rides

In solidarity with the brave and resilient people of Ukraine, we light the John A. Wilson Building (Washington DC’s city hall and statehouse) in blue and gold in support of their courageous fight for democracy.

Theater J has announced that they have been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. Theater J will use this funding to save jobs for theater artists. In total, the NEA will award grants totaling $57,750,000 to 567 arts organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. With this support from the NEA, Theater J will hire five additional actors for each of the next two seasons, allowing one of the nation’s leading Jewish theaters to produce more ambitious plays and musicals. Located just a few blocks from the White House, Theater J produces plays and musicals that explore, wrestle with, and celebrate Jewish history, culture, and people. The theater strives to program work that paints a true picture the great diversity of the American Jewish landscape. theaterj.org.

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HerStory 5K Celebrating Women’s History Month

GALA Hispanic Theatre to Receive NEA Grant

GALA Hispanic Theatre has announced that it has been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. GALA Hispanic Theatre is recommended to receive $150,000 and will use this funding to save jobs and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance. In total, the NEA will award grants totaling $57,750,000 to 567 arts organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. For more information on the grants, including the full list of arts organizations funded in this announcement, visit arts.gov/ COVID-19/the-american-rescue-plan.

Offered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program will be in operation beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 and operate until 4 a.m. on Friday, March 18 as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk period. During this twelve-hour period, area residents ages 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may download the Lyft app to their phones, then enter the SoberRide code in the app’s “Payment” tab (under the “Add Lyft Pass” option) to receive their no-cost, up to $15, safe transportation home. WRAP’s SoberRide promo code will be posted at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 on SoberRide.com.

Arboretum Native Plant Sale

On Sunday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friends of the National Arboretum are having their annual native plant sale along Meadow Road between the Arboretum’s Visitors Center and the National Herb Garden. Use the R Street Entrance at 2400 R St. NE. fona.org.

Carpe Librum Used Book Sales

On Saturdays, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11 and 21 and July 9; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., join Carpe Librum in the southern block of Canal Park, 200 M St. SW, for a pop-up, nonprofit used book sale. Browse through thousands of books under $6 in an outdoor setting. These outdoor book sales are weather dependent. On Tuesdays in advance of the Saturday sale, you can donate books. They will be picked up in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

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Development’s first-time home buyeras a program. up to $84,000(DHCD) combined. DCHFA serves serves as a co-administrator of program. co-administrator of this Department of this DC Department of DC Housing and Community Housing and Community Development’s Development’s (DHCD) first-time home buyer years or older who have fallen behind on insurance program. (DHCD) buyerofprogram. and tax first-time payments home as a result their reverse mortgage. Qualified District homeowners can receive up to years or older who have fallen behind on insurance years orpayments older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax or as ahave result of their reverse mortgage. years older who fallen behind on insurance DC4ME and tax payments as a result of their reverse Qualified District homeowners can receive up mortgage. tomortgage. and tax payments as a result of their reverse DC4MEDistrict provides mortgage assistance Qualified homeowners can receivewith up to Qualified District homeowners can receive up to optional down payment assistance to D.C. DC4ME provides mortgage with government employees. DC4ME is offered to optional years or older who have fallenassistance behind on insurance down payment assistance to D.C. government and taxfull-time payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. current District government employees, DC4ME provides mortgage with optional employees. 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Columbia. employer falls under the is oversight of the Council ofof employer falls under oversight of the Council employees. DC4ME offered to current full-time theDistrict District of of Columbia. Columbia. the District government employees, including employees DC MAPgovernment-based (Mortgage Assistance ofCOVID-19 District instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial assistance to Program) COVID-19 and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial assistance to COVID-19 those affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial those affected byQualified theunder impacts ofoversight the COVID-19 employer falls the of the Council of DC MAP COVID-19 provides financial assistance pandemic. borrowers can receive atoto loan of DC MAP COVID-19 financial assistance assistance toby those aprovides ected by the impacts of pandemic. 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NEIGHBORHOOD

DDOT Deploying New Traffic Cameras

The Lincoln Theatre in 1925.

Lincoln Theatre Turns 100

Initially conceived and built in 1922 as a segregated movie house on U Street NW--what came to be known as “Black Broadway”--the Lincoln Theatre brought the latest top Hollywood films directly to Washington’s Black audiences for the first time. In the 100 years since, the theatre has catered to musical, theatrical and comedic artists, boxers, cinema stars, presidents, and hundreds of thousands of patrons from all walks of life. In recognition of the centennial of the Lincoln Theatre, located at 1215 U St. NW, Mayor Bowser has issued an official proclamation congratulating the theatre on its 100th Anniversary and for serving as a center of Washington, DC arts, culture, and entertainment. As part of the Lincoln Theatre’s centennial celebrations, the theatre is looking to collect memories, mementos, historic ticket stubs, news articles, and more. To share your story (or that of your parents and grandparents), visit bit.ly/ LincolnDC100. The history of the Lincoln Theatre can be found at thelincolndc.com/history/. Donors simply leave their donations on a porch or sidewalk in boxes or in a building lobby. If interested in donating, email Marin at mkirk@turningthepage.org. capitolriverfront.org/canal-park.

DC Writes Seeks Participants

Have you ever thought about writing? Perhaps you need a push? Maybe you need community to help you out? DC Writes workshops, organized by Petworth Library, are made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and writing levels. They write creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry and scripts. Participants have the opportunity to forge sustained relationships with the membership, allowing for peers to get to know each other. They meet every other Wednesday at 6 p.m. over Zoom (for now). If interested, email chris.stevenson@dc.gov.

Traffic speed enforcement cameras are being installed in new locations throughout the District. Once Photo Enforced signs are installed in the direction of travel within at least 100 to 150 feet of the approach of the location, a 30-day educational phase will start for each camera and violators will receive warning citations. After the 30-day warning, DDOT will begin issuing notices of infraction with fines that will range from $100 to $500 based on excess of the speed limit to violators. New camera locations are: 400 block of Irving St. NW; 1300 block of Ninth St. NW; 1400 block of East Capitol St. NE; 34th and Quebec Streets, NW; 3700 block of 14th St. NE; and 3700 block of Wheeler Rd. SE; 300 block of Oklahoma Ave, NE. For more information, visit ddot.dc.gov/ publication/automated-trafficenforcement-camera-locations.

DPR Introduces Adaptive Programs

DPR in partnership with Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes, Military Adaptive Court Sports, and Medstar Health, is bringing DC residents new Adaptive Programing. Adaptive Programs are built for DC residents of all ages who have unique needs and wish to participate in group

Arts and Humanities Grants Panelists Wanted

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities relies on volunteer panelists to evaluate grant applications at various times throughout the year, but especially over the summer. Like their Commissioners, panelists play a critical and essential role in the agency’s largest responsibility, providing grants to DC artists and arts organizations. Panelists review applications, provide comments, and score applications in order to advise on proposals submitted to the agency’s various grant programs. It is a unique opportunity for members of the public who are served by the grant programs to have a direct impact on the funding process. Panelists will be paid a stipend. Apply at dcarts.dc.gov/node/408342.

DPR Opens Registration for Spring Programming

Registration for 2022 Spring Programs has be-

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gun. Programs include an array of out-of-school time and youth development activities. DPR offers Spring Break Camp during District of Columbia Public Schools Spring Break and a DCPS Fun Day on April 18, a DCPS professional development day. DPR continues to offer Young Ladies on the Rise and Young Men, Future Leaders for ages six to twelve and Supreme Teens for ages thirteen to nineteen. Registration also opens for new spring sports, including baseball, t-ball, double dutch, and flag football, soccer, pickleball, tennis, and cheerleading. Additionally, residents have an opportunity to register for urban gardening, therapeutic recreation, aquatics, dance, music, and senior programs. DPR will also add combat sports to its lineup of fitness classes, including Bootcamp, combat sports, spin, yoga, and Zumba. For a complete list of programs, visit DPRprograms.com.

Theater J’s Nathan the Wise

On March 16 through April 10, Theater J, in partnership with the Folger Theatre, brings a world premiere adaptation of Nathan the Wise by Michael Bloom to the stage. The original 18th century morality play is by German writer and scholar Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. The story is set in 12th century Jerusalem, during the Third Crusade, where Jews, Christians, and Muslims live side-by-side in peace—or so they hope. As tensions rise, the ruling sultan asks: “Which religion is the most beloved by G-d?” Lives, and the future of Jerusalem itself, are on the line as the brilliant Jewish merchant Nathan seeks to answer the question. $35 to $50. Purchase tickets at theaterj. org or 202-777-3210. Theater J is at 1529 16th St. NW. theaterj.org.

sports and specialized classes. These programs are created for a range of abilities and interests. New programing will include: Adaptive Tiny Tots (ages three to five); Adaptive Badminton; Adaptive Boccia Ball; Yoga for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Adaptive Wheelchair Rugby; Adaptive Pickleball; and Goal Ball for the Blind and Visually Impaired. dpradaptiveprograms.splashthat.com.

Hamilton at the KC Dates Adjusted

The Hamilton touring schedule has been adjusted to accommodate the rescheduling of performances that were cancelled in other cities due to COVID-19. As a result, the Kennedy Center engagement will play ten weeks instead of twelve. Hamilton will now run Aug. 2 to Oct. 9. Tickets go on sale to Kennedy Center Members on Tuesday, March 8 at 10 a.m. and to the public on Tuesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. online at kennedy-center.org, in person at the Kennedy Center box office, or by calling 202-467-4600. There is a maximum purchase limit of eight tickets per household for the engagement. Forty $10 orchestra seats will be offered for all performances. Details will be announced closer to the engagement. kennedy-center.org.

Free Tax Prep Services to Help Residents Take Advantage of Earned Income Tax Credit

Mayor Bowser has announced that free and virtual tax preparation services are being offered to low- and moderate-income District residents by the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) and the United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA). The EITC, one of the nation’s largest and most effective anti-poverty programs, is a refundable tax credit.

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BetMGM Retail Sportsbook Opens at Nationals Park

BetMGM and the Washington Nationals have opened of the first retail sportsbook connected to a Major League Baseball stadium. The BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park is open year-round, daily, from 11 a.m. to midnight, providing sports fans an innovative entertainment destination to watch and wager on games. Publicly accessible from N Street SE next to Center Field Gate, the new sportsbook features 40 big-screen TVs with live odds boards that update as the action progresses. Visitors can place wagers directly with cashiers at six betting windows or utilize user-friendly betting kiosks. Additionally, the BetMGM Sportsbook offers full-service beverage and dining options. It will not be accessible by fans while they are in attendance at a Nationals game, but fans will be able to place bets via BetMGM’s mobile app.

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For the 2021 tax year, households with incomes not exceeding $57,414 can qualify for the EITC, which could put up to $6,700 into the pockets of eligible taxpayers. According to the IRS, 25 million workers and families got about $62 billion in EITC as of December 2020. The average amount of EITC received nationwide was about $2,461. Tax preparation services are available virtually or in person (following COVID-19 safety protocols). All United Way NCA FECs except the DC office, as well as IRS VITA sites located throughout Maryland and Virginia, will be offering free tax services until the week of April 15, 2022. For more information, visit unitedwaynca.org/vita.

Free Electronics Recycling in DC

Reverse Logistics Group (RLG), in partnership with electronics manufacturers Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung, and VTech will hold 32 free electronics recycling events on Sat-

urdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout 2022 in each of the District’s 8 Wards, rain or shine. Collection vehicles will be stationed near various Department of Parks and Recreation community or recreation centers, District parks or local Farmers Markets. Residents, small businesses, and non-profit organizations are welcome to drop off any of the listed acceptable items in as-is condition for safe handling by a responsible recycler. Examples of items that are accepted include computers, tablets, monitors, TVs, desktop printers, mice, keyboards, video game consoles, and cell phones. A complete list of acceptable items, collection event dates, and locations can be found at rev-log. com/DCecycling. They cannot accept items that are not listed on the acceptable items list.

DC High School Students Take College Classes for FREE

Calling all DC public and public

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charter high school students: Jumpstart your college career for free. Dual enrollment allows high school students to experience the academic rigor of college courses and understand what is required for success in college. The fall 2022 Dual Enrollment Consortium Program application opens for all DC Public and Public Charter school students on March 3, 2022 and closes April 1, 2022. Read more about qualifications and apply at osse. dc.gov/page/osse-dual-enrollment-opportunities.

Residential Street Sweeping Started

The Department of Public Works has resumed residential street sweeping. Motorists are asked to obey posted signs indicating the schedule of parking restrictions in order to ensure streets are swept thoroughly. A warning period will last through March 14. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours (9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) while sweeping is underway. dpw.dc.gov. u Photo: Dan Swartz

Boardwalk Bar & Arcade Opens at The Wharf

A new drinking, dining, and entertainment experience joined The Wharf on Feb. 18 as Boardwalk Bar & Arcade, 711 Wharf St. SW, opened its doors. With creative takes on craft cocktails, beachy bites, and a wide range of classic arcade games, this new waterfront venue aims to recapture the youthful flavors and carefree atmosphere of a day spent by the ocean. The 10,000+ square foot property features two levels, a covered outdoor patio that is operable year-round, four events spaces, and three bars, making Boardwalk Bar & Arcade the largest indoor/ outdoor bar in DC. Both levels of the venue are outfitted with a variety of arcade games including Skeeball, Dance Revolution, shuffleboard, Mario Kart, pinball and more. Open Sunday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. boardwalkwharf.com.

changing hands

Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area 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

Price

BLOOMINGDALE

54 Rhode Island Ave NW 59 Bryant St NW 124 W St NW 216 Rhode Island Ave NW

$1,500,000 $1,125,000 $1,010,806 $999,555

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 3525 16th St NW 3909 13th St NW 3516 10th St NW 1352 Parkwood Pl NW 1011 Otis Pl NW 4025 13th St NW 1113 Clifton St NW 612 Otis Pl NW 718 Gresham Pl NW 1031 Euclid St NW 764 Gresham Pl NW 746 Irving St NW 3232 Warder St NW 1323 Florida Ave NW 750 Lamont St NW

$1,450,000 $1,406,000 $1,275,000 $1,239,000 $1,050,000 $1,025,000 $965,000 $939,000 $925,000 $850,000 $850,000 $836,500 $825,000 $785,000 $580,000

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

3212 13th St NW #2 3212 13th St NW #1 2717 Sherman Ave NW #2 ECKINGTON 3039 16th St NW #401 302 Rhode Island Ave NE $1,100,000 4 3004 13th St NW #2 $924,650 4 181 Uhland Ter NE 3585 13th St NW #1 LEDROIT PARK 732 Columbia Rd NW #2 41 V St NW $1,001,000 4 1300 Taylor St NW #304 $800,000 6 1905 4th St NW 1444 Harvard St NW #301 3043 15th St NW #5 LOGAN CIRCLE 3523 14th St NW #6 1311 S St NW $2,049,000 4 2914 11th St NW #103 $1,775,000 4 1313 Riggs St NW 1308 Clifton St NW #312 1201 Rhode Island Ave NW $1,100,000 3 3404 13th St NW #102 $1,850,000 5 1635 13th St NW 2910 Georgia Ave NW #402 MOUNT VERNON SQ 1308 Clifton St NW #116 1227 4th St NW $625,000 3 1444 Harvard St NW #202 1435 Chapin St NW #108 OLD CITY #2 1444 Harvard St NW #201 1539 Marion St NW $757,000 2 3318 Sherman Ave NW #206 402 R St NW $705,000 3 2518 13th St NW #4 1450 Harvard St NW #C SHAW 1527 Park Rd NW #B1 1709 6th St NW $880,000 3 907 Euclid St NW #103 1534 Marion St NW $825,000 4

$942,500 $899,900 $895,000 $859,000 $819,900 $749,000 $739,900 $725,000 $710,000 $680,000 $655,000 $640,000 $615,000 $600,000 $500,000 $495,000 $479,381 $475,000 $470,000 $431,000 $429,000 $420,000 $399,999 $390,000

2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1

1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #508$999,900 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #313$849,900 U STREET CORRIDOR 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #311$844,900 1446 Florida Ave NW $990,000 3 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #104$799,900 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #105$799,900 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #106$799,900 CONDO 1500 Harry Thomas Way NE #110$794,900 14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1952 3rd St NE #202 $520,000 2125 14th St NW #304W $1,060,000 3 $505,000 50 Florida Ave NE #409 306 Todd Pl NE #1 $410,000 BLOOMINGDALE 303 Seaton Pl NE #1 $357,000 59 Randolph Pl NW #1 $745,000 2 2 150 Rhode Island Ave NW #303 $600,000 LOGAN CIRCLE 1010 Massachusetts Ave NW #308$640,000 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1445 N St NW #102 $585,000 756 Princeton Pl NW ##2 $1,150,000 4 1737 11th NW #200 $1,350,000 1454 Belmont St NW #14 $1,130,000 2 1410 S St NW #1 $1,280,000 1201 Kenyon St NW #4 $1,075,000 3 27 Logan Cir NW #11 $800,000 1214 Fairmont St NW #3 $1,035,000 3 1306 O St NW #TH1 $775,000 1336 Meridian Pl NW #2 $1,005,000 3

3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2

TRUXTON CIRCLE 228 P St NW

$689,000

1445 N St NW #303 1207 N St NW #E 1317 11th St NW #5 936 N St NW #3 910 M St NW #509 1918 12th St NW #1

$751,000 $560,000 $494,500 $732,500 $649,000 $1,015,000

MOUNT VERNON SQ 1110 6th St NW #3 424 M St NW #8 1112 5th Street NW #3 1112 5th Street NW #4 310 M St NW #5 1117 10th NW #301 475 K St NW #923

$815,000 $784,000 $630,000 $626,900 $375,000 $759,000 $590,000

OLD CITY #2

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

1527 12th St NW #4 $802,500 1750 16th St NW #21 $760,000 1402 Swann St NW #6 $739,111 1505 8th St NW #2 $685,000 555 Massachusetts Ave NW #718 $650,000 1201 Q St NW #205 $650,000 1930 New Hampshire Ave NW #34$590,000 $495,000 440 L St NW #507 1825 T St NW #103 $225,000 ECKINGTON

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0

516 M St NW #3 $1,205,000 810 O St NW #206 $799,900 1720 New Jersey Ave NW #403 $699,000 1912 8th St NW #B $675,000 $589,900 912 U St NW #605 910 M St NW #1002 $518,000

3 2 2 2 1 1

2 2 3 2 2 2

SHAW

U STREET CORRIDOR 1931 16th St NW #2 1931 16th St NW #3 1111 W St NW #13 929 Florida Ave NW #7008 1330 Belmont St NW #202 2001 12th St NW #109 2020 12th St NW #517 2100 11th St NW #G06

$935,000 $900,000 $1,090,000 $737,500 $685,000 $675,000 $635,000 $430,000

2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1

M ARC H 2 0 2 2 2 7

OUT AND ABOUT

At The Movies

Two Oscar Contenders: An Inspiring Document of New Journalism and an Historic Look Back at an American Prison Tragedy by Michael Canning

very year during Oscar season, Academy voters come up with a winning list of five films for the Best Feature Documentary category. Since this column comes out before the ceremony (March 27, 20122), I thought I would describe two of the five nominees for the statuette which readers might try to catch.

porter Suneeta Prajapati. After intensive training with Meera, they and other young women, already more attuned to new technology, are now more imbued with journalistic principles and techniques. Indian co-directors Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas worked on the film over five years and pulled off a casting coup in finding its trio of unassuming

also won awards at more than 20 international film festivals and competitions across the world. If I wanted to characterize this picture with one word (one heard too little these days) I would say “heartening.” A winner.

Attica

Last year marked 50 years since the country’s most infamous and deadly prison upBravery comes in the form of gently smilrising, an anniversary recognized by the reing women brandishing smartphones in lease of a major documentary of that name. the new documentary “Writing with Fire.” “Attica” was recently chosen as one of the The film shows a fight against great odds: Best Documentary films of 2021 by the a determined group of female journalists Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scimaintain India’s only women-led news outences, an amazing re-telling of a landmark let, working in a social environment built to event. The film’s setting is grim, yes, but the marginalize them based on caste and gender. historical recounting of this searing event The women of the outlet Khabar Lahariya merits discovery by new generations (The (‘Waves of News’), all from the Dalit caste film is rated “TVMA” and runs one hour and (“untouchables”), are shown preparing the 56 minutes, it is now available on Showtime transition of their newspaper from print to and streaming on YouTube). digital even though many of their reporters Attica had seen unrest for some time don’t even have access to electricity at home before the uprising with inmates protesting (From Left) Intrepid Dalit journalists Shyamkali Devi, Meera Devi, and Suneeta Prajapati (this film is unrated and runs 93 minutes). horrendous conditions at the facility and attending an event in Kashmir in new film “Writing with Fire.” Photo: Black Ticket Films Armed with their new smartphones, systemic racist attitudes omnipresent (the Chief Reporter Meera Devi (an imposprison population was about two-thirds stars. The filmmakers also prove that they have a great ing presence) and her team of dogged investigative black and brown.) As one surviving inmate sardonicamera’s eye, introducing us to lively and colorful journalists take on some of India’s biggest issues cally says in the film: “We had 70 percent brown and sketches of Indian sites and landscapes. The picture – exposing the relentless discrimination against black prisoners and all the guards were white; what is the first feature-length film by the co-directors who women in their country and magnifying the voices could go wrong.” As one oldster from the time realso produced and shot it, while Ghosh also edited it of those who suffer from the oppressive caste syscounted: “Inmates were considered like animals.” (and perhaps also handled catering on the set). tem. They also directly confront stodgy government A morning incident on September 9, 1971, trigThough released late last year, “Writing with officials and party mouthpieces in their aim to get gered a sudden lockdown in one section of the Attica Fire” was seen in only a few US markets, but its truthful news stories out in dangerous regions of with inmates breaking barriers and taking 42 hostagOscar nomination last month has brought it new their increasingly polarized country. They do this es. In an overcrowded prison of over 2,000 prisoners, critical raves and renewed attention, enough for it serious work partly on the fly but with a wondrous more than half took part in the protest, taking over to be re-released in some parts of the country. It spirit of collaboration and good humor, with gigone whole wing of the facility. will be on digital platforms (Vudu) at the beginning gles spicing their private moments. Asked about how the directors, Stanley Nelson of March and later be available on DVD. Its initial Meera is the veteran, touchstone, and mentor for and Traci Curry, came up with the film’s footage, discovery came early last year when it won two maher team, and in the film she is ably seconded by two Nelson said they had plenty of material, principally jor awards—the Audience Award and Special Jury younger colleagues, Shyamkali Devi and crime rebecause the inmates invited the media in to see their Award at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. It has

Writing with Fire

2 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Grim aftermath of the assault in the prison yard of the Attica Correctional Facility on September 13, 1971, in “Attica.” Photo courtesy of Showtime Pictures

plight. There was no lack of footage from local TV stations and national networks because the story was so singular and stunning. Among the most intriguing footage shown, at length, are the negotiations between prison authorities and inmates, which lasted three days, and was fraught with tension and drama between unrelenting sides. The impasse broke on the morning of September 13, with the arrival of an assault helicopter and the release of tear gas over one of the prison yards, followed by a full scale assault on the unarmed inmates gathered there. It was no contest and lasted less than 20 minutes before the inmates surrendered and the uprising was over. The result: 33 inmates killed, 10 prison guards, all but four of them dead by police bullets. Key to re-telling this appalling story was the decision to include dozens of interviews, many with surviving inmates of the time, now in their 70’s and 80’s, grizzled and regretful, eyewitnesses to the worst prison riot in our history. One of those witnesses wryly observed that Attica was, “In many ways, the end of the 1960’s,” if not the end of prison reform. Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on film can be found online at www.mikesflix.com ◆

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#BakedinShaw Enjoy fresh baked goods right out of the oven at these great Shaw bakeries, or take them home.

www.shawmainstreets.org 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 ©2022 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Business Briefs by Sarah Payne

Visit Qui Qui for Puerto Rican Eats in Shaw

Bright, colorful walls, Spanish music and tropical vibes welcome neighbors to Qui Qui (1539 7th St. NW ), Shaw’s destination for creative Puerto Rican cuisine and cocktails. Ismael Mendez, the owner and chef, was formerly an IT programmer at Barclays. He landed a similar opportunity in programming in Maryland after being laid oﬀ, but found himself unhappy. “My boss pretty much said, ‘What do you want to do?’,” Mendez remembered. “So, I pretty much got severance pay, went to L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg and went to school. The rest is pretty much history.” When he visited the District before moving Father and daughter Andy and Vi Vo, owners of Gloss Bar at City Market at O in Shaw. Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.s.

Gloss Bar Offers Inventive Salon Services

If you’re looking for a modern space for a manicure, pedicure or waxing, then look no further than Gloss Bar (825 O St. NW) one of Shaw’s popular new additions. Owner and nail technician Vi Vo said what sets Gloss Bar, her family business, apart from other nail salons is their cutting-edge products. She said that when they ﬁrst opened, Gloss Bar was “the only one doing the dip powder,” a long lasting and safer alternative to acrylic nails. They are also one of few salons carrying Dazzle Dry polish, a natural, vegan quick drying polish that lasts 7-14 days. Vo said they will soon also be carrying Japanese Gel manicures, a high-quality gel polish, in addition to oﬀering many other more traditional nail services. The family’s other salon, Enchanted Nails, opened in 2011 in Adams Morgan. Vo said she was excited about the Shaw neighborhood despite the nearly two years it took to open Gloss Bar amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were noticing that a lot of our clients were moving to the Shaw and Navy Yard area,” Vo said. “It took us almost two years to actually open up Gloss Bar, and we almost had to shut down

3 0 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Enchanted Nails just to try to get Gloss open, but thankfully, we were able to keep both afloat.” Since they opened, Vo said Gloss Bar has been well received by the Shaw community. “We felt very welcome by all the residents at City Market and the neighborhood,” Vo said. “At the beginning, it was just me sitting in the salon trying to get a client and now we’re up to eight full time technicians and we’re still hiring.” Even with the addition of several nail technicians, Vo said they stay extremely busy throughout the day, and she recommends booking an appointment in advance. “Clients book so far in advance, and we fill up so fast,” Vo said. “If there is room, we can fit a walk in, but most of the time, I would say we are booking 80% online.” Gloss Bar is also known for its nail art. Their Instagram (@glossbardc) features some of their most creative designs. Services range in price from $26 for a classic manicure to over $100 for the Gloss Signature Manicure and Pedicure. Gloss Bar is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You can read more about their services and products and book an appointment at glossbardc.com.

Ismael Mendez is chef/owner of Puerto Rican restaurant Qui Qui on 7th Street in Shaw. Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Street

here 13 years ago, Mendez found a surprising lack of Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican cuisine available. “I could never find good [Puerto Rican] food,” Mendez said. “The opportunity (to open a restaurant) presented itself in Shaw and I love the diversity that’s here.” Before Mendez opened his restaurant, he started out operating a food truck which he sold two years ago. While working at other restaurants around the District, Mendez worked did pop ups on his days off. He emphasized that creating a place for neighbors to come and enjoy his authentic cuisine was a big part of his decision to open at his current location above the popular Passenger bar. “I wanted to create a space where people can come in and just enjoy food,” Mendez said. “I want to bring our food to the forefront of DC and educate people on Puerto Rican food and how delicious and good it can be.” Qui Qui only seats 35 people, but Mendez said he is eager to expand. He hopes to have bartop seating available for customers soon. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes from the islands, including Puerto Rican specialties Pastelon (a sweet and salty Puerto Rican version of lasagna made with plantains) and Chuleta Kan Kan (a Tomahawk pork chop with criollo seasoning). The restaurant also offers a wide selection of creative alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Qui Qui is open Thursday 5-9 p.m., Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.-3p.m. and 5-10 p.m. and Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. See their menu, order food to go and make reservations at quiquidc.com.

Taqueria Xochi Offers Authentic Mexican on U

Situated on bustling U Street, Taqueria Xochi (924 U St. NW) oﬀers unique and authentic Mexican bites to

Teresa Padilla, chef/owner of Taqueria Xochi on U Street in Shaw. Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

go. The quick service window serves a variety of dishes from central Mexico, including cemitas (Mexican style sandwiches) and many diﬀerent varieties of tacos and taco/quesadilla-hybrid mulitas. Chef/owner Teresa Padilla and Director of Operations Geraldine Mendoza both lost their restaurant jobs due to the pandemic. Padilla had always wanted to introduce authentic Mexican bites to the District, and with Geraldine’s help, used her

furlough as an opportunity to open the fast-casual Mexican restaurant. Both Padilla and Mendoza are from Mexico. The restaurant is named after the ruins of Xochitecatl in Tlaxcala, Mexico where Padilla is from. Taqueria Xochi started out in a ghost kitchen, where they worked together to expand the menu and eventually opened their Shaw outpost. Mendoza and Padilla love the location and say it “works perfectly” with the concept they had in mind for the restaurant. “It has been great,” Mendoza said. “We have a lot of supporters. People always come by and say they love the food, they love that we’re in the neighborhood, and we just love being there. We’re just so glad that we got that space.” The duo were eager to open the restaurant in DC because both she and Padilla had mostly worked in the District’s restaurant industry. She also emphasized their passion and appreciation for how accepting the community is in DC. “I think people in DC are a little bit more open minded about their food,” Mendoza said. “They love to try new things.” Many customers say Taqueria Xochi’s birria are the standout on the menu. Dip the lamb tacos and beef quesabirrias into the zesty red broth and you’re suddenly in Jalisco. Add tres leches cake or chocoflan for a sweet finale. Taqueria Xochi is open Sunday and Monday, 4 - 10 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 4 - 11 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. 4 p.m. - 1 a.m. You can explore the menu and place orders for pickup and delivery at taqueriaxochi.com. Sarah Payne is a general assignment reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u

M ARC H 2 0 2 2 3 1

Blossom Kite Festival

On Saturday, March 26 (rain date, March 27), from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rediscover the joy of kite flying back on the Washington Monument grounds, at featured parks, and at home in 2022. The Blossom Kite Festival is a longstanding DC tradition encouraging attendees of all ages fly kites among the cherry blossom trees. The iconic outdoor event is fun, free, and open to the public. This year will feature both virtual and in-person options so that you can fly your kite from your favorite neighborhood park or anywhere across the globe. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/blossom-kite-festival/.

y l i m a f & s kid

Photo: Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

NPG Teen Portrait Competition

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has opened the Call for Entries for its triennial Teen Portrait Competition. Artists between the ages of 13 and 17 may submit a photographic portrait to the juried competition at NPG-TeenPortraitCompetition@si.edu. The two grand-prize portraits will be printed and displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in 2022. Local teenagers designed the competition for their peers under the supervision of the museum’s education department. The competition was designed to introduce teenagers to the concept of representing identity through portraiture. The competition accepts submissions of photographic portraits only, though digital editing is allowed. The submission deadline is March 29, 2022. npg.si.edu/teen-portrait-competition-rules-requirements. Teen Photo Exhibition by Matailong Du, 2016. Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Anacostia River Festival

The Anacostia River Festival, Sunday, April 10, 1 to 4 p.m., is a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The eighth annual Festival is a celebration of the Anacostia River, Anacostia Park and the neighborhood. It will present a series of musical performances honoring the history and sounds of communities on both sides of the river amplifying the stories, culture, and heritage of neighboring African American residents. Guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of Go-Go music, local drum lines, and military bands and will be socially distanced through chalked “pods” to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The Festival, at Good Hope Rd. and Anacostia Dr. SE, will also feature pre-registered and socially distant river activities such as canoeing and fishing. Visit bridgepark.org to register. Photo: Ayanah George

3 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Critically endangered spider tortoise hatches at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Photo: Connor Mallon, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Be a Conservation Hero: Join Zoo Guardians

Calling all animal lovers and budding conservationists: the National Zoo is recruiting you for the Young Guardians Initiative. Your mission: save species. If you choose to accept it, you’re in for a wild ride—caring for animals and combating the threats they face. Join Zoo Guardians, a mobile game where players build their own zoos, interact with animals through augmented reality, and learn what species need to thrive under human care and in the wild. Guided by their animal keeper mentors, players can choose from among 67 species to adopt, care for and conserve. Grow your Zoo IQ by completing quests, building habitats, creating social groups and adding enrichment items. Zoo Guardians is free and available at zooguardians.com.

Have you applied to Pre-K yet? Open to ages 3 and 4 FREE for all DC residents.

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KIDS AND FAMILY

All Aboard for Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails!

The world’s most beloved #1 blue engine has rolled into National Children’s Museum this winter for exciting fun and adventure. Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails!, will be at the Museum through Sunday, May 15. Featuring favorite engines and destinations from Thomas & Friends, this STEM–focused exhibit seeks to engage children, ages two through seven, and families in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences. The exhibit incorporates foundational STEM practices that encourage thinking mathematically, making comparisons, experimenting to solve problems using a variety of methods and tools, thinking creatively and reflecting on actions and results. Museum admission is $15.95 for one adult and one child. The National Children’s Museum is at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

DC High School Students Take College Classes for FREE

Calling all DC public and public charter high school students: Jumpstart your college career for free. Dual enrollment allows high school students to experience the academic rigor of college courses and understand what is required for success in college. The fall 2022 Dual Enrollment Consortium Program application opens for all DC Public and Public Charter school students on March 3, 2022 and closes April 1, 2022. Read more about qualifications and apply at osse.dc.gov/page/osse-dualenrollment-opportunities.

Black Kids Swim

The Black Kids Swim website celebrates and publicizes the truth that African-American children can and do excel in the sport of swimming. Black Kids Swim highlights the accomplishments of Black children in the sport of swimming and also serves as a resource for families with experienced swimmers and those with children who want to explore the sport of swimming. There are also multiple resources to help Black children learn basic water safety skills. Black Kids Swim wants to see children do more than simply survive in the water. They want them to develop valuable techniques that can benefit them physically and professionally throughout their lives. blackkidsswim.com.

Applications Open for DPR Summer Camp

This summer, DPR will have a wide range of sum-

3 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

mer camp offerings for ages three to thirteen. Registration for camps will open on a rolling basis during the week of April 4. To ensure their programs are accessible, DPR will again offer reduced rates to qualifying DC residents. dpr.dc.gov/page/ about-camps.

NMAAHC Launches Website for Kids

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has launched an educational website that will provide a variety of learning activities designed to share African American history using the museum’s collection. The “North Star: A Digital Journey of African American History” website is designed for the discovery and creative use of Smithsonian’s digital collections and tools by educators and students

Mother Goose at Imagination Stage

in grades six through twelve. Accessible through desktop, laptop and tablet devices, this site gives students and educators access to more than 35 digital education curricula that will share an overview of American history through the African American lens. The North Star digital journey exposes users to themes, people and moments in history, with units such as Slavery in Colonial America, The Civil War, The Black Arts Movement and the Modern Civil Rights Movement. nmaahc.si.edu/ learn/digital-learning/north-star.

Me and the Bee Playground

Kids of all ages can “shrink” to bee-size on this pollinator-themed playground sponsored by Land O’Lakes, Inc.! Discover towering flowers and larger-than-life bees, hop along particles of pollen and climb over honeycomb steps. Slide down a hive dripping with golden honey and crawl inside hollow trees where bees build their homes. Then, check out the real pollinator garden that lines the playground. Learn the story of pollination, from bee to food production, and find out how you can help protect bees in your own backyard. The National Zoo is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free entry passes are required for all guests including infants. nationalzoo. si.edu/visit/attractions/me-and-bee-playground.

Beastgirl at the KC

In this exciting world premiere for young adults based on the chapbook Beastgirl and Other Origin Myths by New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo, playwright C. Quintana and composer Janelle Lawrence bring this collection of folkloric poems to the stage with live music.

A brand new, music-filled piece by the creators of Wake Up, Brother Bear and Mouse on the Move!, Mother Goose leads the audience through some of her most beloved nursery rhymes, using puppets and props to bring to life Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, the Eensy Weensy Spider, and more. The magical Mother Goose invites your little ones to join in with each rhyme’s story, teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together. Tickets are $12 for kids and adults. Mother Goose on stage at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, March 11 to April 9, is best suited for ages one to five. ASL-interpreted performance is March 26 at 10 a.m. imaginationstage.org.

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KIDS AND FAMILY

The play explores the mythological and geographic adventures of three first generation American sisters. From the border in the Dominican Republic to an apartment rooftop in New York City, Beastgirl considers what it means to walk the world as “beastly” beings and how the myths that make us can be both blessing and birthright. $20. Beastgirl is at the Kennedy Center from April 7 to 22. Most enjoyed by age twelve and older. kennedy-center.org.

Make Way for the Ducklings

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are exhausted from their search for a starter home when they land in the Boston Public Garden as a potential home. Surprised by a few conditions in the Garden, the Mallards move on to continue their search until their baby ducklings are born. When the ducklings begin to explore the world around them, the challenges of parenthood in the busy Boston

PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”

In PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. When Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap’n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure. The performance is an interactive live stage show, encouraging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie and help the pups follow the treasure map and solve picture puzzles throughout their mission. PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” is at the EagleBank Arena, 4500 Patriot Cir, Fairfax, for seven performances from March 31 to April 3. Tickets are on sale now. ticketmaster.com.

Music to the Rescue! Super Cello!

Because: A Symphony of Serendipity (Little things can have a big effect.)

Smithsonian Summer Camp Returns

Whether in person on the National Mall or virtually from your home or vacation getaway, Smithsonian Summer Camp offers one-of-a-kind opportunities to connect with the Smithsonian’s museums and research and meet the people behind it all. A diverse, creative, and experienced team of instructors have designed content for kids entering first through ninth grades. Through visits to museums, talking to experts, and creating projects and artworks, kids explore Smithsonian-focused themes including the natural world, space, art, design, history, world cultures, and much more. Registration is open now at smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/adventures/. Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Associates

The city is safe with the help of a unique cellist: professional musician by day, superhero by night. Scottie Rowell of Atlanta’s Teller Productions and NSO cellist David Teie unite to tell a fantastic story using puppets, props, and plenty of music to help a very super musician save the day. Most enjoyed by age three, up. Super Cello is at the Kennedy Center April 9 and 10. Sunday, April. 10 at 4 p.m. is a sensory-friendly performance. kennedy-center.org.

3 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

engineergirl.org

The Engineer Girl website is designed to bring national attention to the exciting opportunities that engineering represents for girls and women. Why girls and women? Because despite an increase in female participation in many traditionally maledominated professions such as medicine and law, women remain grossly under-represented in engineering. Engineering and engineers are central to the process of innovation, and innovation drives economic growth. Diversity of thought is crucial to creativity, and by leaving women out of the process of innovation, we lose a key component of diversity and stifle innovation. The website is a service of the National Academy of Engineering and grew out of the work of the NAE Committee on the Diversity of the Engineering Workforce. engineergirl.org.

environment create a fun bit of family drama. A classic story for all ages, this world premiere musical celebrates family, Boston, children, and the beings who make an unfamiliar place a home. $25. Adventure Theatre’s Make Way for the Ducklings is on stage at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD, through March 27. adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

How can music change a young person’s life? See for yourself when Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems’s story of chance makes its world premiere as a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 20 at 2 and 4 p.m. The 2 p.m. concert is sensory-friendly. Most enjoyed by age five, up. $20 to $55. kennedycenter.org.

Family Dance Workshop: American Ballet Theatre

Free, no tickets required. On Sunday, April 3, 11 a.m., join dancers at the Kennedy Center for this 45-minute workshop led by artists from American Ballet Theatre. Designed for families with children ages 10 and under, the workshop explores music, movement, and/or themes of a ballet while taking families through learning simple ballet steps or choreography. Children must participate with an adult. Pre-registration will be available approximately one month before the event and is highly recommended. kennedy-center.org.

SERVING GRADES 6-12

The DC MPD Cadet Corps High School Program

The DC MPD Cadet Corps High School Program is designed to prepare high school seniors for entrance into the full-time Cadet Corps. This program enables high school seniors to complete their senior year of school while working part-time for the Metropolitan Police Department Cadet Corps. This part-time option will provide students with unique opportunities to develop their leadership skills, participate in physical training, and learn about policing. Participants will work 12 hours per week and earn an annual salary of approximately $10,691 ($16.91 per hour). Upon graduation from high school, part-time cadets will be converted into a full-time member of the Cadet Corps, and they will be enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia and complete the remainder of their training. joinmpd. dc.gov/career-position-2020/cadet.

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras Applications Open

With a nationally recognized artistic staff, a dedicated professional staff, and a host of volunteers, AYPO annually selects and trains more than 400 of the area’s most talented young musicians. Students up to age 21 are encouraged to audition in June for the opportunity to participate in one of their six orchestras and six instrumental ensembles. Auditions will take place virtually this season with video submissions due Friday, May 27. Rehearsals for the 2022-2023 season will start on Monday evenings in September and continue through May. aypo.org. ◆

YOUR LEGACY STARTS HERE. Apply today for School Year 2022-2023. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org. #ChoosePaul and we’ll choose you back! Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection.

WHY PAUL PCS FOR 6-12 GRADE? • Tier 1 High School; on average 1:15 ratio for MS and HS classes • Guaranteed seat for Paul middle school families into Paul IHS • SAT Prep, Tutoring, Honors AP Classes, Dual Enrollment and In-House College Assistance

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