MidCity DC Magazine October 2010

MIDCITY OCTOBER 2010

A full service Ethiopian Restaurant Traditional meat & vegetarian dishes

1919 9th STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001 TEL 202-232-1919 www.habeshamarket.com

1934 9th Street, Northwest • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 387-0765 • www.axumethiopianrestaurant.com

$

XUM Restaurant highlights the diversity that exists among Ethiopian culture and cuisine. Once occupied by Italy, Ethiopia has regions that are rich with an eclectic mix of both traditional Ethiopian and Italian dishes No other restaurant celebrates this synthesis of cuisines more than Axum. Check out their spaghetti and meat sauce or their staple Chicken Cotteleti served with pasta in additional to all of the traditional Ethiopian delights we love.

$;80

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2010

20

out and about 10 12 18 20 22 23

Hit the City • Kathleen Donner DC North Calendar • Kathleen Donner Insatiable • Celeste McCall Cheryl Lofton – Passionate About Clothes that Fit • Amanda Abrams Retail Therapy • Scott Frazini Jazz Avenues • Steve Monroe

your neighborhood 26 28

34

31 32 34 35 36

The Nose • Anonymous The Numbers: Job One for Mayor Gray • Ed Lazere & Jenny Reed Shaw Gala Celebrates Renewal • Jazelle Hunt 14th and U • by Tanya Snyder Logan Circles • Mark F. Johnson New Shaw Library Opens • Alex Padro Bloomingdale Bytes • Amanda Abrams

38

Shaw Streets • Ralph Brabham

kids and family 40 43

Kids and Family Notebook • Kathleen Donner Shaw’s Pumpkins photos • Andrew Lightman

at home 44 47 48

Plant a Tree, Go to Heaven • Joe Carmack Easy Maintenance • Frank Asher Changing Hands • Marcus Jaffe

49

Classifieds

COVER:

44

Watha T. Daniel Library in Shaw.

Photo by Alex Padro.

November 26th-27th Fri-Sat December 4th, 11th & 18th Saturdays December 23rd – Thursday 10 AM to 8 PM Holiday Cards Black Angel Tree Toppers African Artifacts, Fabric & Clothes Unique Home Decor Collectible Dolls Books & Calendars Children’s Toys Designer Clothes, Shoes, & Hats Fine Art & Crafts Bath & Beauty Leather Goods Loc Adornments Gold, Silver & Diamond Jewelry Negro League Collectibles Black Memorabilia

General Admission: A Smile!

Shiloh Family Life Center • 1510-9th Street NW, Wash. DC 20001 (9th & P Streets) • 202.610.4188 Ample Parking, Metro Accesible (Mt. Vernon, Greenline)

www.bzbinternational.com

8 â—† Midcity DC | October 2010

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

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capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 9

by Joy Hopkins

Studio Theatre Secondstage Brings Racially--Based Parody to Stage This month, Studio Theatre presents Young Jean Lee’s Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven, a work about Asian identity and shifting balances of power. The drama focuses on a young KoreanAmerican woman who is joined by three, more traditional-presenting Asian-American women in discussions about topics such as prostitution, giant dragons in parades and the Bible. The quartet is then interrupted by a white couple discussing their relationship difficulties.

Playwright Young Jean Lee was born in Korea in 1974. After moving to the United States when she was two years old, she grew up in Pullman, WA, and attended college at UC Berkeley, where she majored in English.

When asked about the description of the play as a parody, director Natsu Onoda Power said, “I think the play is a very sophisticated parody. By saying ‘parody,’ I don’t mean that the play is ‘making fun of something’ (though, admittedly, it is super hilarious), but the play reworks something, some existing convention or genre (in this case it’s Asian American identity narratives), with a mastery of that form AND ‘critical distance.’”

The play runs through October 24, and tickets are $30.

The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202332-3300 www.studiotheatre.org.

9:30 Club Presents Acts from Early to Late Career Ingrid Michaelson brings her folksy pop sound to the 9:30 Club on October 14. Gaining national attention from the many featured uses of her music on TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, Michaelson’s music rose up the iTunes pop chart. Many music fans may also recognize her most popular single, “The Way I Am,” from an Old Navy commercial.

Opening for Michaelson is Guggenheim Grotto, a Dublinbased alt-folk duo. They have slowly been gaining fans in the US over the past five years. Their song “Philosophia” was included on the first generation iPhone as a sample song on in-store test models and their “Told You So” landed on a Starbucks Hear Music sampler.

Doors open for the Ingrid Michaelson-Guggenheim Grotto show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Later that evening the Max Weinberg Big Band brings the sounds of a bygone era to DC. Influenced by such musical heroes as Count Basie and Doc Severinson, Weinberg now leads a fifteen-piece ensemble focused on instrumental jazz and swing music. Throughout his career, he has remained true to his credo, “…show up, do a good job, and give the people more than their money’s worth.”

Doors open for the Max Weinberg Big Ban show at 10 p.m.

Sue Jin Song and Jihae Park in Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven. Photo by Lance Hayden Kump 10 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Tell Them,

The Max Weinberg Big Band

Tickets for the late show are also $25.

9:30 Club 815 V ST. N.W. Washington, DC, 202-265-0930, Tickets: 877-435-9849, www.930.com

Gallery Plan b Exhibits Sheep Jones

suggest a narrative. Disparate images finally come together and start to hint at some kind of sense.”

Jones grew up in rural Maine and earned a degree in fine art from the University of Maine.

The opening reception with Jones is on Oct. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit runs through November 21, 2010.

Plan b is a grass roots kind of operation with a simple, three-prong mission to present an eclectic mix of artwork from established and emerging artists, to cater to a diverse and growing audience of art buyers, and to offer a casual and comfortable gallery space. Gallery plan b is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 12 – 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

Gallery Plan b 1530 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 202-234-2711 www.galleryplanb.com.

“Shaw Main Streets Sent Me!”

Joy Hopkins has been a resident of the District of Columbia for 12 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Industry from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Arts Management from American University. Her interests include reading, wine, music, crochet, and food. ★

Fairfax resident Sheep Jones presents a new collection at Gallery plan b on October 13. Jones’ paintings are described as charming and whimsical. She works in oil and encaustic (where colors are burned in) and uses a unique layering technique to create her work.

Her iconic imagery like sheds, vegetables, bugs, fish, birds and sweet little girls stands out due to Jones’ limited depth perception; she is blind in one eye.

Jones describes her process like this: “My paintings begin with layers. From my past work in watercolor and wax I’ve held on to the opportunities that mixing transparent colors offers.

Layers add extra interest, leaving swatches of colors in their wake. These are perfect tidbits for the imagination. I always am looking for the puzzle pieces to Lexicon, by Sheep Jones

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 11

★ ★ ★

calendar

OCTOBER HALLOWEEN

BOO at the ZOO. Oct. 22, 23 and 24 (rain or shine), 5:30-8:30 PM. Children and adults travel through the zoo, trick or treat in the animal houses collecting candy from costumed volunteers and walk long haunted trails. $15. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-6334470. www.fonz.org Air and Scare at Air and Space. Oct. 23, 2:00-8:00 PM. Enjoy classic science fiction TV shows featuring air and space themes and creepy curator comments; spooky simulator rides; a scary Mars Yard; haunted arts and crafts; and chilling stories. Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum (Chantilly, VA near Dulles International Airport). Free but parking is $15. www.nasm.si.edu Hilloween at Eastern Market. Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 PM. . There will be hay rides, moon bounces, carousel rides, toys, balloons, candy and a chance to win a $150 gift certificate toward a class at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. Free. Eastern Market on Seventh Street, SE.

Drag Queen High Heel Race.

Oct. 26, 9:00 PM (the real fun begins before the race, however) 17th St. NW from R St. to Church St.

12 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Fall Frolic at Glen Echo. Oct. 30, 1:004:00 PM. Pumpkin painting, decorating trick-or-treat bags, a costume parade through the Park, and trick-or-treating at the park’s galleries and theaters. 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD Free. 301634-2222. www.glenechopark.org Day of the Dead Festival. Oct. 30, noon5:00 PM; Oct. 31, 10:30 AM-4:30 PM. National Museum of the American Indian.

Come to learn about this Latin American holiday tradition, create art, enjoy music and dance performances, and meet the artists. Free. Fourth St. and Independence Ave. SW. 202-633-6980. www.americanindian.si.edu East Capitol Street at Halloween. Oct. 31, 5 :00 PM-whenever. Everyone will be out! See skeletons, caskets, spiders, spider webs, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, witches and everything else typically associated with Halloween. East Capitol Street between Third and 11th sts. pumpkinpatchesandmore.org. Great website for finding pumpkin patches in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Also find hay rides, pony rides, corn mazes and more..

FALL FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

River Front Fest. Oct. 9, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. Capitol Riverfront @ Water St. SE (adjacent to Yards Park). Kids’ Funzone, 16 bands, break dancing, arts and crafts, food. $15. Children 12 and under, free.

202-413-0956. www.riverfrontfest.com 10.10.10 Bread for the City Sustainable Food Block Party. Oct. 10, noon-dusk.

Bread for the City Northwest. Come for free local food, local hip-hop and a 5:30 PM (bring a dish) massive vegetarian potluck. Fantastic speakers throughout, and sneak previews of Bread for the City’s expansion, including our soon-to-be-built rooftop community garden--which will be the largest rooftop ag site in the DC area.

Free.1525 Seventh St. NW. 202-386-7609. breadforthecity.org Columbus Day Wreath-laying at Union Station. Oct. 11, 11:00 AM (musical prelude,10:45 AM). Columbus Circle at the large fountain in front of Union Station. 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-619-7222.

Kidney Disease Screening. Oct. 16, 9:00 AM. RFK Stadium, lot 8. Get screened at no cost for kidney disease at the DaVita Kidney Awareness Run|Walk. Event features live entertainment, refreshments, Kid Zone, and Kidney Health Expo. www. kidneyawarenesstime.org Arena Stage Homecoming Grand Opening Celebration. Oct. 23, 11:30 AM-6:00 PM. The festivities will include performances and activities in seven venues including the Fichandler Stage, Kreeger Theater and Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, as well as an outdoor stage. Various theatrical performances and children’s activities will occupy one of the rehearsal halls, the lobbies and the classroom. General admission tickets are free, but are required to enter events in theater spaces.

1101 Sixth St. SW. www.arenastage.org The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Expo. Oct. 23-24, 10:00 AM-5:30 PM. More than 1500 fun, hands-on activities and over 75 stage shows. Free. National Mall and surrounding areas. 760-8463473. www.usasciencefestival.org

Washington International Horse Show.

Oct. 26-31. “Where the World Comes to Ride.” This is a non-profit event benefiting local and national charities. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. www. wihs.org Stephen Colbert’s March to Keep Fear Alive. Oct. 30, on the National Mall.

Check details online as event gets closer. www.keepfearalive.com The Daily Show’s Rally to Restore Sanity. Oct. 30, on the National Mall. Check details online as event gets closer. www. keepfearalive.com

MUSIC “Take Five” (free jazz at the American Art Museum). Third Thursday of each month. 5:00-7:00 PM. Smithsonian American Art Museum, (Great Hall on the 3rd floor), Eighth and F sts. NW. 202-6331000. www.AmericanArt.si.edu Music at Epiphany. Tuesdays, 12:101:00 PM Church of the Epiphany. The music is generally classical in this church known for its great acoustics.

On the third Tuesday of each month, the music performed is from another culture or style--you may hear a steel drum band or a sitar. Free. A free-will donation ($5 suggested) will be taken to help support the artists. 1317 G St. NW. 202-3472635. www.epiphanydc.org Malcolm X Dancers and Drummers at Meridian Hill Park. Every Sunday (if the weather is 60 degrees or above and the sun is shining), 3:00 PM-sunset. Drummers and dancers from all walks of life and from every level of drumming abilities, other musicians of all varieties, and spectators of all nationalities and ages come together to create a wonderful, Africaoriented expression of creative energies.

Free. Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park), 16th and Euclid sts. NW. 202-368-8677.

Carillon and Peel Bell Recitals. Carillon Recitals on Saturdays, 12:30-1:15 PM. Peel Bell Rehearsals on Tuesdays.

7:30-8:30 PM. Peel bells ring every Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM after the 11:00 AM service. Washington National Cathedral. Manufactured by the John Bellfoundry of Loughborough, England,

the smallest bell weighs 17 pounds; the largest 12 tons. The carillon is played via a keyboard and pedals, situated high in the cathedral’s central tower (150 feet above the nave floor) and directly amid the bells. The carillon recital and peel bells are best heard from the Bishop’s Garden. Look for signs as you enter the cathedral grounds. 202-537-6200. www. nationalcathedral.org Eastern Market Music. Sundays through Oct. 10, 10:30 AM and 1 PM. Patio outside Port City Java, Seventh Street and North Carolina Avenue SE. Oct. 3, 10:30 AM, Runakuna, 1:00 PM, The Capitol Hillbillies; Oct. 10, 10:30 AM, The Lovejoy Group, 1:00 PM, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Free. www.capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org Steinway Series of classical music concerts at American Art Museum.

Second Sunday of every month, 3:00 PM The Steinway Series is a classical music concert that features the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s refurbished Steinway Concert Grand piano. Free.

McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level American Art Museum (between Seventh and Nineth and and F and G sts. NW.) 202633-1000. www.americanart.si.edu Jazz Night (and fishfry) in Southwest.

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

Blue Monday Blues. Mondays, 6-9 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry from 5:30-8:30 PM. $5/general; free/ children under 16. Modestly priced food.

400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700. www.westminsterdc.org/blues.htm.

Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Daily (including all holidays), 6:00 PM. The Kennedy Center Grand Foyer. “Performing Arts for Everyone” at the Millennium Stage was instituted to introduce the Kennedy Center to wider audiences by offering free performances, 365 days a year. Free. 202-444-1324 or 202-4674600. www.kennedy-center.org

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 13

Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine: Noon Pipe Organ Recital Series. Fridays in Oct., 12:15-1:00 PM. ...pipeorgan-only focus, a burst of renewed energy, and a fun and interactive approach which will open your eyes to the amazing world of the pipe organ. Free. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle. 202-232-0323. www. nationalcitycc.org “Homegrown: The Music of America” Concert at the Library of Congress. Oct. 13, noon. Not Too Ban Bluegrass Band—Bluegrass from Indiana. Free. Coolidge Auditorium in Jefferson Building (First St. between East Capitol St. and Independence Ave. SE). 202-707-5510. www.loc.gov 235th Navy Birthday Concert. Oct 16, 8:00 PM. This is a brilliant event. Secure your tickets early. Free. DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW. www.navyband.navy.mil Anderson House Concert. Oct. 30. Ruth Rose, pianist, plays Stravinsky’s L’histoire du Soldat with ensemble and narration. Free. 2881 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Dupont Circle area)202-785-2040. www.societyofthecincinnati.org

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14 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Steam Laundry, 437 New York Ave. NW. lifein.mvsna.org U Street Neighborhood Association Meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7:00-8:30 PM. Source (second floor classroom), 1835 14th St. NW PSA 101/Downtown Neighborhood Association Meeting. Second Tuesday of every month. 6:30-8:00 PM. Calvary Baptist Church, 755 Eighth St. NW (entrance on Eighth St. between G and H). www.dcdna.org Public Safety 305 Monthly Meeting. First Tuesday of every month. 7:00-8:15 PM. DC Housing Finance Agency, 815 Florida Ave. NW. Monthly meeting with MPD, Howard U. Police, residents, community groups and others. publicsafety305.csnadc.org PSA 308 Meeting. Second Thursday of every month. 6:308:00 PM. Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW. Lieutenant Jeffery Carroll, MPD Third District, 1620 V St. NW. Cell 202-437-8198. jefferyw.carroll@ dc.gov PSA 501 Monthly Meeting. Third Wednesday of every month. 7:00-8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE

Ward 1 Town Hall Meeting. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6:30-8:30 PM. Columbia Heights Youth Center. Meeting hosted by Democratic Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray with Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham and At-Large Councilmembers David Catania, Phil Mendelson, Michael Brown and Kwame Brown. 1480 Girard St. NW. 202-682-4729. www. buildonecity.org

ANC 1A Meeting. Second Wednesday of every month.

7:00 PM. Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th St. NW. 202-588-7278. anc1a.org

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:308:30 PM. Eastern High School. Meeting hosted by Democratic Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray with Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and At-Large Councilmembers David Catania, Phil Mendelson, Michael Brown and Kwame Brown. 1700 East Capitol St. NE. 202-682-4729. www. buildonecity.org

ANC 1B11 Meeting. Second Monday of every month, 7:00 PM. LeDroit Senior Building (basement community room), 2125 Fourth St. NW. 202-481-3462. www.anc1b.org

Political Rules of the Road. Oct. 21, 7:00 PM. National Archives welcomes four former members of Congress to share “political rules of the road”—what worked and what didn’t – during their years of public service. Free.

Use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Ave. and Seventh St. NW. 1-866-272-6272. www.archives.gov

ANC 1D Meeting. Third Tuesday of every month. 7:00 PM. 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW. 202- 462-8692. anc1d.org

All-Ways Mount Pleasant. First Saturday of every month, noon-2:00 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. aa-ss.org

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning and the Environment Committee Meeting. First Wednesday of every month, 7:008:00 PM. NPR Headquarters, 635 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Contact Planning, Zoning and the Environment Committee Chair Rob Amos at robamos@yahoo.com. anc6c.org

Convention Center Community Association. Last Tuesday of every month. 7:00-8:30 PM. Kennedy Rec Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW. www.ccca-online.

Eckington Civic Association. First Monday of every month. 7:00-8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. www.eckingtondc.org Edgewood Civic Association Meeting. Last Monday of every month. 7:00-9:00 PM. Edgewood senior building, 635 Edgewood St. NE, nineth floor7-9pm. They encourage all Eckington and Edgewood residents to come out and take part in the lively civic life of our communities.www. theedgewoodcivicassociationdc.org Logan Circle Community Association Monthly Membership Meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7:00-9:00 PM. The guest speaker is Councilmember Jack Evans (invited) and the discussion topic is “What’s Next for Ward 2 and Logan Circle?” Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW. 202-641-6934. www.LoganCircle.org Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association Meeting. Third Tuesday of every month. 7:30-9:30 PM. Yale

ANC 1B Meeting. First Thursday of every month. 7:00 PM. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW (second floor). 202-8704202. anc1b.org

ANC 1C Meeting. Third Tuesday of every month. Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2355 Ontario Rd. NW. 202-332-2630. anc1c.org

ANC 2C Meeting. First Wednesday of every month. 6:308:30 PM. Watha T. Daniel Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW (new location). 202-682-1633. anc2C.org

ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee Meeting. First Tuesday of every month. 7:00-8:30 PM. To verify the meeting location, contact Committee Chair Anne Phelps at anne.phelps@ gmail.com or 202-607-7826.

PRIVATE AFFAIRS (great ways to meet people) Phillips after 5. First Thursday of every month, 5:008:30 PM. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Gallery talks. Live jazz. Museum shop. Food. Socializing in the Galleries. Cash Bar. Admission is the price of the current exhibition. 202-387-2151. www.phillipscollection.org First Wednesday Jazz @ The Historical Society. First Wednesday of every month, 6:00-9:00 PM. The Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW. Described as a “motivational mixer” featuring jazz, R&B and neo soul. $10 cover. Food and spirits are extra. 202-383-1850. www.historydc.org

capitalcommunitynews.com â—† 15

Volunteering Made Easy by One Brick. One Brick brings volunteers together to support other non- profit organizations by adopting an innovative twist to the volunteer experience: they create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or cafe where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting. www.onebrick.org Evenings at the TM. Thursday, Oct 28, 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM). The Textile Museum. Drawing on her museum research and fieldwork, Lotus Stack, Curator Emerita of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, considers the aesthetic and the cultural implications of the protective edgings that are so pervasive in this textile tradition. $25. Advance registration is required. 2320 S St. NW. 202-667-0441, ext.

64 to register. www.textilemuseum.org

H Street Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 9 AMnoon, through Nov. 20. Parking lot in the 600 block of H Street. The market is a producersonly outdoor market offering fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, cheese, flowers and more for sale. www.freshfarmmarket.org Capitol Riverfront Farmers’ Market. Thursdays through Nov., 3:00-7:00 PM. New Jersey Avenue and M St. SE, (adjacent to the Navy Yard Metro, New Jersey Avenue exit). Farmfresh produce, baked goods and more. www. capitolriverfront.org/calendar/do/riverfronfarmers-market Friends in the Market “Funky Flea Market” with a DJ. Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 AM5:00 PM. New and used clothing, tools, furniture, jewelry, plants, soaps, art, CD’s, videos and electronics. 6th St. NE (north of Florida Ave. beside DC Farmers Market). 202-399-6040.

Hirshhorn After Hours. Oct. 29, 8:00 PMmidnight. Back By Popular Demand: DJ Matt Bailer teams up with his Peach Pit co-creator, DJ Robert Bozick, to celebrate the first anniversary of DC’s favorite 90s Dance Party. $18.

Advance sales only. Buy tickets online or call 202-633-4629. hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours

Mi Tierra (Latino) Market at Unity Park.

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

MidCity Mixer. Nov. 1, 6:00-8:00 PM. Cafe Saint Ex, Gate 54 (basement), 1847 14th St. NW. 202-265-7839. www.saint-ex.com

Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the available items. 1819 35th St. NW. 202-775-3532. or www.georgetownfleamarket.com

MARKETS 14&U Farmers Market. Saturdays, 9:00 AM1:00 PM. 14th and U sts. NW Bloomingdale Farmers Market. Sundays, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. It’s a genuine farmer’s market, so the only things sold are produce, meat, dairy, and herbal/floral items – along with minimally-processed products based primarily on these items, such as preserved foods and baked goods. Merchandise must be in-season and locally grown/made. Re-sellers are banned. First and R sts. NW, next to Big Bear Cafe.

Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, potted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank).

202-362-8889. www.freshfarmmarket.org Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. 200 block of 7th St. SE. 202-544-0083. www.easternmarketdc.com

16 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market. Inside market open year round, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Outside market open year round (weather permitting), Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM. 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD. 301-6520100. www.farmwomensmarket.com Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7:00 AM-9:00 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-484-2722.

SPECIAL BARGAINS Specially Priced Kennedy Center Tickets.

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

Wednesday through Friday, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sunday, noon-4:00 PM. 407 Seventh St. NW. The Washington area’s only authorized 1/2 price ticket outlet. www.ticketplace.org Community Night at International Spy Museum. Last Wednesday of each month, 5:00-

9:00 PM. All area residents are welcome to experience all that the museum’s permanent exhibition has to offer for. Gain access to the world’s largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Free. (regular admission, $18). 202-3937798. 800 F St. NW. www.spymuseum.org National Museum of Women in the Arts.

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

20% for seniors, 60 and older; $10 tickets for 35 and younger; $10 standing-room-only tickets. Two performance spaces: Lansburgh Theatre at 450 7th St. NW and Sidney Harman Hall at 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. www. shakespearetheatre.org Woolly Mammoth Theatre Ticket Deals. Patrons 25 and under, $15 tickets. Stampede Seats--side balcony seats at $15 each, sold 2 hours prior to showtime. 641 D St. NW. 202393-3939. www.woollymammoth.net Washington National Opera’s “Generation O”. This is a program for students and young professionals between 18 and 35. A limited number of discounted “Generation O” tickets will be available for every Washington National Opera production. For the first time this fall, there will be a 50% season ticket discount for “Generation O.” The Washington National Opera performs at the Kennedy Center. Registration is free. 202-295-2400. www. dcopera.org/beyondstage/generationo Living Butterfly House at Natural History Museum. Free on Tuesdays (regularly $6).

Opens daily at 10:15 AM. Final entry at 5:00 PM. Smithsonian Natural History Museum, 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202-6331000. www.mnh.si.edu Learn to Swim in DC. Basic lessons are $10 for DC residents. More advanced classes are $30 for a 4 week session (2 lessons a week).

For more information, 202-724-4495. www. dpr.dc.gov Arena Stage $15 tickets for 30-and-under.

Designated for patrons ages 30 and under. $15 tickets go on sale beginning on Monday for the following week of performances (Tuesday through Sunday) until all available $15 tickets sell out. 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-5549066. www.arenastage.org

SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Army Ten-Miler. Oct. 24, Ceremony, 7:40 AM; wheelchairs,7:50 AM; foot race, 8:00 AM. Information for spectators and course map. www.armytenmiler.com Marine Corps Marathon. Oct. 31, First wave, 8:15 AM; second wave, 8:45 AM; Wheelchairs, 8:42 AM. Information for spectators and

course map, www.marinemarathon.com Sunday Road Ride. Every Sunday, meet at 8:30 AM, depart by 8:45 AM. The Bike Rack.

A 40-mile, moderately paced ride that emphasizes group riding techniques, newcomers to the group riding are welcome as riders regroup throughout, so that nobody is left behind.

Helmets mandatory. Free. 1412 Q St. NW. 202387-BIKE. www.bikerackdc.com.

Saturday Road Ride. Every Saturday, meet at 10 AM, depart by 10:15 AM. The Bike Rack.

The Saturday ride is more of an introductory ride and caters to road riders who are new to the sport, hybrid riders intimidated by the faster pace of the Sunday ride, and anyone who just wants a shorter (approx. 20 to 30 miles) and slower (12 to 14 mph) pace. Helmets mandatory. Free. 1412 Q St. NW. 202387-BIKE. www.bikerackdc.com.

Dance Classes at Dance Place. Classes offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Classes offered in modern, African, belly dance, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop. The mission of Dance Place is to improve the quality of life in the metropolitan area through the presentation of educational and cultural programs and to nurture and expand the field of dance nationally. $120 for 10 classes, valid for 3 months. Drop-in for $15 ($13, seniors). 3225 Eighth St. NE. 202-2691600. danceplace.org Donation Community Yoga Class. Every Tuesday, 7:45-9:00 PM. Shakti Mind Body Studio. Uncover freedom and openness in your yoga practice by playfully experimenting in dynamic, vigorous, and energizing vinyasa yoga class. This yoga experience class allows you to transcend the unattainable, and open your heart to uninhabited exploration. It’s a challenge, but you will love it (arm balances and inversions will be taught during the practice). The instructor may incorporate chanting, yoga philosophy, and specific pranayama (breathwork). refreshments. Make a donation.1302 Ninth St. NW. 202-783-6463. www. shaktimindbodystudio.com Gentle Morning and Evening Yoga at Smith Farm Center. Mondays, 10:15-11:30 AM, and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 PM. Designed for people living with illness and caregivers. $10/ session; $25/month. 1632 U St. NW. 202-4838600. www.smithfarm.com.

Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating. Fridays in Oct., noon-1:50 pm; Saturdays in Oct., 11:15 AM-12:15 PM. $5, adults. $4, children and seniors. Skate rental, $3. 3779 Ely Place, SE. 202-584-5007. www.fdia.org Nearby public tennis courts. Banneker Community Center (eight outdoor tennis courts), 2500 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-673-6861. Kennedy Recreation Center (one outdoor tennis court), 1401 Seventh St. NW. 202-671-4794.

All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for one-hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. www. dpr.dc.gov/dpr Rumsey Pool. Weekdays public swimming,

Home

WE BRING HEALTHCARE 6:30-9:00 AM; noon-5:00 PM; 6:30-7:30 PM (adult lap swimming only); 7:30-9:00 PM; Saturdays, 1:00-5:00 PM; Sundays, 10:00 AM5:00 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495. www. dpr.dc.gov/dpr Rumsey Pool Water Aerobics. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 PM. Saturday, 8:00-9:00 AM. Rumsey Pool. $25 for 16 sessions. 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495.

East Potomac (outdoor heated) Pool. Open daily except Wednesdays through Oct. 17; weekdays, 4:00-8:00 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-6:00 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-727-6523. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Pick-up Field Hockey on the Mall. Every Monday at 6:00 PM. Meets at the fields in front of the Smithsonian Metro stop for males and females who have a passion for field hockey. No experience necessary. Bring water, shinguards, mouthguard, cleats, a field hockey stick, and either a reversible jersey or a light and dark shirt - no grays please. Free.

Tai Chi Class. Saturday mornings (except when it’s below zero or very inclement weather), 8:00 AM. Lincoln Park. Dr. David WallsKaufman, a Capitol Hill chiropractor, conducts this class every Saturday morning. Please dress comfortably. Free. East Capitol St. between 11th and 13th Sts. 202-544-6035.

Kung Fu and Tai Chi at the Historical Society of Washington, DC. Every Saturday (rain or shine). Kung Fu, noon; Tai Chi, 1:00 PM. Suitable for all ages. Kung Fu is a broad term that is used to describe all martial arts of Chinese origin. The ancient art of Tai Chi is a style of Kung Fu that emphasizes internal energy. Free. No RSVP required. Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW (Mount Vernon Square). 202-383-1850. www. historydc.org Pick-up Field Hockey on the Mall. Every Monday at 6:00 PM. Meets at the fields in front of the Smithsonian Metro stop for males and females who have a passion for field hockey. No experience necessary. Bring water, shinguards, mouthguard, cleats, a field hockey stick, and either a reversible jersey or a light and dark shirt - no grays please. Free.

Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month, noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Drive at West Basin Drive, near the Tourmobile. stand). 703-505-3567. www.dcroadrunners.org East Potomac Mini Golf. Open weekends only through Oct., 11:00AM-7:00 PM. East Potomac Park. Built in the 1920’s with stone bumpers and obstacles. $6 for adults and $5 for kids under 18. 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-4888087. www.golfdc.com East Potomac Driving Range. Open daily except Christmas, 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Tuesdays open 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. The East Potomac Driving Range features 50 covered and 50 uncovered stalls for year-round golf practice. $6 for 51 balls. East Potomac Golf Course, 972

Ohio Dr. SW. 202-554-7660. www.golfdc.com Langston Driving Range. Open every day except Christmas, sun-up to sun-down. In addition to the driving range, Langston has an 18 hole course, snack bar, pro shop and offers golf lessons. 45 balls, $4.75. 180 balls, $14.25. $2, golf club rental. 26th and Benning Rd. NE. 202-397-8638 www.golfdc.com

OUT OF TOWN Cajun/Zydeco Fall Festival at Glen Echo. Saturday, Oct. 16, 11:00 AM-midnight; Sunday, Oct. 17, noon-6:00 PM. This festival features a variety of bands, lots of dancing, and talks about this unique musical heritage. Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 301-634-2222. www.glenechopark.org Iwo Jima Memorial. Visit any time. The Marine Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of this grateful Nation’s esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775. Memorial is on Marshall drive next to Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA. 202-4336060. www.iwojima.com Mount Vernon Trail. Available for use daily.

Bike, jog, run and walk. Nearly 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac’s Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island (near Rossyln, Va) to George Washington’s Estate located at Mount Vernon. Many people bike one way and have friends in a car with a bike rack pick them up at Mount Vernon. www.bikewashington.org Antietam National Battlefield. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM. One of America’s best preserved battlefields. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on Sept. 17, 1862.

The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. 5831 Dunker Church Rd., Sharpsburg, MD (about 75 miles from DC). 301-432-5124. www.nps.gov/anti Surratt House Museum. Open Thursday through Sunday; Thursdays and Fridays, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4:00 PM. Built in 1852 as a middle-class plantation home, historic Surratt House also served as a tavern and hostelry, a post office, and polling place during the crucial decade before the Civil War. During the war, it was a safehouse for the Confederate underground which flourished in Southern Maryland. It was the country home of Mary Surratt, first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. $3. 9118 Brandywine Rd., Clinton, MD. 301-868-1121. www.surratt.org ◆

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

For more details on our program and services, please visit our website at www.dccfh.org. capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 17

out and about

I

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+ Dining

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By Celeste McCall

Rogue 24 “24” is coming. No, not the Fox TV action-packed drama; hero Jack Bauer departed from our airwaves last season. Instead, Chef R.J. Cooper plans to unveil a destination restaurant called Rogue 24, in the Blagden Alley off Ninth St, NW, next to the Long View Gallery. Located near the Washington Convention Center, the “edgy” spot will showcase 24 courses–that’s right–two dozen--at a single seating each evening.

Cooper developed these dishes at Vidalia before leaving that restaurant last summer to pursue his latest project.

In the style of Komi and Café Atlantico’s Minibar, Cooper will present a progression of small dishes –with innovative wine pairings--in the intimate, 52seat venue. Rouge 24 will be a celebration place, with a $130 per person dinner tab and $140 with wine.

Expect the uber-chic space to open next year, probably in the spring.

Ethiopian power ABOVE: Etete Ethiopian Cuisine co-owner Henok Tesfaye in the restaurant’s second floor dining room. Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

LEFT: Etete Ethiopian Cuisine’s chef Tiwaltengus Shenegelgn and son/co-owner Henok Tesfaye pose in front of restaurant with bus ad featuring their establishment. Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

18 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

For lunch one day, we checked out Etete, the Ethiopian charmer in the heart of Shaw’s Little Ethiopia. We arrived shortly after noon, and already the place was populated with patrons from the area’s

Tell Them, “Shaw Main Streets Sent Me!”

sizeable Ethiopian community. (We’re told that Washington DC has the largest Ethiopian population outside Africa.) Etete (which means “mama”) is named after the mother of Henok Tesfaye, CEO of U Street Parking. He also co-owns the restaurant and serves on the Board of Shaw Main Streets.

Etete is pretty to look at. Pale salmon colored walls are punctuated with framed reviews (many consider Etete the area’s top Ethiopian eatery), and Afro-centric art work. Furnishings are attractive and modern looking. Last year, the restaurant expanded to the upstairs area, which features a handsome granitetopped bar.

Since Ethiopian cooking can be rather filling, we decided to split a salad and entree. Good idea. The salad was a refreshing melange of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and onions, tossed with a zippy vinaigrette.

For our main course we decided on a typical dish: yebeg wat, minced lamb cooked with onions and garlic and enlivened with berbere (made with African hot peppers), all arranged on the pizza-size circle of injera. The latter is spongy, Ethiopian bread made from fermented teff, an East African grain. Accompanying the lamb was a small salad and a mound of gomen-tasty collard greens. Prices are reasonable; our lamb was $14; the salad was $7.

Lunch for two with ice tea came to $29, before tip.

Service was leisurely.

Located at 1942 Ninth St. NW, Etete is open daily.

Call 202-232-7600.

Viva Espana!

One mid-week evening, we were leaving a reception less than satisfied, and decided to seek more substantial–and festive--sustenance. We opted for Logan Circle’s fairly new in-spot, Estadio. As we arrived, we gawked at the stately, wooden-beamed Spanishstyle decor, almost expecting Fernando and Isabella to stroll regally through the front door. Well, not quite, but the 15th-century ambience did evoke memories of those wonderful tapas bars we visited on our long-ago trip to Spain.

A dozen or so lucky patrons are seated at the bar facing the busy open kitchen, watching the chefs work their ballet-like magic.

While awaiting our table, we perched at a U-shaped concrete topped bar, and observed the young, chic clientele. When I inquired about some of the unfamiliar Spanish vintages, the bartender helpfully poured me a sample of Treixadura vina mein ribero, a pleasant vino blanco similar to Sauvignon Blanc. I promptly ordered a glass for $8.

Meanwhile, Peter sipped a tangy mojito. The bartender was also dispensing slushitos–fruit-based adult slushies.

Although we had no reservations, our wait was

relatively short, just 15 minutes or so.

At our table, we nibbled dainty pintixos (tiny morsels speared with toothpicks): chorizo, manchego and pistachio-crusted quince; jamon (ham)-wrapped fig, cabrales (Spanish bleu cheese) and Marcona almonds.

From tapas options-larger portions–we ordered boquerones, tasty little white anchovies steeped in olive oil. We progressed on to crispy sweetbreads (heavenly tempura-like), paired with filet beans, tomatoes and bacon. Then we plowed into a plate of tender grilled octopus with potato-caper salad, pimenton (peppers), then on to steamed mussels, chorizo and scallions, steamed in txakoli (sparkling white wine).

Needing something healthy to round out our meal, we ordered a roasted beet, endive, orange and sheep’s milk salad. Estadio’s beet rendition is one of the few ways I’ve really enjoyed this normally bland root veggie, which Peter happens to love.

There’s much more to sample at Estadio–much more. We want to sample some of the cheeses and cured meats, and plan to return soon with friends.

Hopefully, we may sit at the bar and watch the amazing kitchen ballet.

Estadio. 1520 14th St. NW, 202-319-1404, Open for dinner only; closed Sunday. ◆

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 19

out and about

+ Fashion

Cheryl Lofton She’s Passionate About Clothes that Fit

By Amanda Abrams

I

t’s funny how life can push you in the exact wanted to do it.” direction you were trying to avoid—and that In 1981, Lofton joined the business, the same turns out to have been the best path all along. year her grandfather died. “He never saw the new Cheryl Lofton can talk all about that. She’s shop that I opened that year” at 14th and Corcothe owner of Cheryl A. Lofton & Associates, a ran Street, she said. “I was really proud of it, and custom tailoring shop unobtrusively located on T was heartbroken that he never got a chance to Street, NW, just off of 7th Street. It’s one of those see it.” places that barely seems to exist anymore: it’s not Lofton went through some ups and downs: a dry cleaners that has alterations tacked on as an afterthought, nor is it a clothing shop that also does custom fittings. Lofton is solely in the business of making people’s clothes look better on them, a cause she’s passionate about.

And yet it almost didn’t happen.

“I was determined that I wouldn’t become a tailor,” explained Lofton, a stylish woman with a cropped haircut and a straightforward style. She grew up in a family of tailors: her grandfather, J.C. Lofton, taught himself to sew and started the business in 1939 after moving to Washington from rural Texas. He did well; Texas hadn’t been a good place for an ambitious young African American man, but in DC he attracted all kinds of clients, including white lawyers and judges who worked downtown.

Everyone contributed to the family enterprise, which was initially located downtown in the old Quaker State Building at 6th and F streets. “We all worked in the business when we were kids—sewing, waiting on customers,” said Lofton. “We had to do it. It wasn’t an option.”

Maybe that was a drag for an adolescent Cheryl Lofton, but it turned out to be a ben- Cheryl Lofton in her store, standing under a photograph of her grandfather.

Photo: Amanda Abrams efit once she got to college, where she earned spending money helping friends with their hems. Still, she studied marketing and figured real estate issues left her store-less several times, she’d contribute to the business that way. “I didn’t and family conflicts had her working from home like being confined to a machine, coming home for several years. But she’s been at the 7th and T with threads hanging off of me,” she remembers. Street location since 2006.

Around that time, business casual was big— But a strange thing happened: little by little, she began to notice that she loved sewing. “It just and that wasn’t great for business. But things have grew on me,” she said. “Every day I got up and changed. Maybe it’s the economic downturn, 20 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

maybe it’s all those rappers turning their focus to fashion. Whatever the cause, people seem to care about their look again.

Lofton’s happy to play her role in helping people look snazzy. “Clothes can make a huge difference,” she said. Actually, she added, “that is the difference—even if you don’t have a great shape.” For her part, it’s all about seeing exactly what would make a piece of clothing fit just a little bit better—taking in the waist, shortening the sleeves—so that it looks like it’s supposed to. Consider her an advocate for the well-contoured garment.

“I see people on the street dressed badly all the time,” said Lofton. “So everywhere I am, I educate people.”

A couple of years ago, she was at a conference for the Congressional Black Caucus and spied a woman wearing a great suit, except that the crotch was hanging way too low. Lofton isn’t shy. “I went up to her and grabbed the crotch and said, ‘You’ve got to fix that,’” she explained.

“I said, ‘You are way too beautiful to be walking around not knowing you look like this.’”

The woman, Sharon Jarrett, who lives in Mitchellville, Md. and owns the PR firm Jarrett Affairs, became one of Lofton’s best customers.

“I’d thought, either she’s crazy or she knows what she’s doing,” recalled Jarrett. It turned out to be the latter, and Jarrett has since asked Lofton to make several custom ladies’ suits for her.

Lofton says one of her secrets is simply her work ethic. “It doesn’t mean I don’t make mistakes, but I’ll rectify them until it’s right,” she said. “I’ll go the extra mile, stay with you from beginning to end.”

That’s something her grandfather would surely be proud of.

For more information, visit cheryllofton.com, or drop by the shop at 721 T Street, NW. Amanda Abrams is a freelance writer and dancer who lives in Adams Morgan. ◆

“We love, miss and remember you Ben. Thank you for the legacy you left us in Ben’s Chili Bowl.”

See Ben Ali Tribute videos on www.bensbigblog.com

Ben Ali departed this world last year on October 7, yet his dynamic presence remains vital in the DC community and beyond. We, his loving family and friends, appreciate him more with each passing day as the immense value of his work and wisdom continue to unfold in our lives. Ben, you were one of a kind, ahead of your time, and truly unforgettable. The world is a better place because you lived, and we deeply thank you for all that you have given us.

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 21

out and about

+ Shopping

RETAIL THERAPY RETAI RETAI RETAI LRETAIL LTHER RETAIL L THER RETAIL THER RETAIL AP TH RETAIL AP TH YAP ERA YERA TYHERA TPY HERA TPY HERA PYPY PY

by Scott Fazzini

Rue 14 1803A 14th Street NW 202.462.6200 Celebrating their two year anniversary, Rue 14 has quickly established itself as a destination for the District’s most trend-conscious residents. Opened by husband and wife team, Jiwon Paik-Nguyen and Andrew Nguyen--veterans of the New York fashion industry, to contribute to the sartorial fabric of DC. I spoke with the owners about fall fads and musthaves, and was thoroughly delighted by their answers and examples.

Jiwon describes the fall look for men as ‘refined workwear’ -- think Paul Bunyan minus the big blue ox. If you’re not quite sure how to achieve this style, follow Jiwon’s simple fashion advice; mix a shirt-jacket with a pair of raw selvedge denim -- et voila!

Gant offers soft flannel shirt-jackets in a wide array of plaid. As for selvedge

denim, the shop carries Edwin jeans - a 60-year-old company that is known as the “Levi’s of Japan,” as well as other lines. These jeans are hard to find in the U.S., and the inventory is limited, so grab them as soon as you can!

The fall trend for gals, according to Jiwon, is inspired by the military, but with a fun feminine twist. Furcollared jackets, like the cropped example from Eryn Brinie, or the trench from BB Dakota will surely become staples of Federal Fashionistas.

Do you love skinny jeans, but wish that they were just this much tighter?

They carries the hottest Jeggings (leggings fashioned to resemble jeans) from James, Rich & Skinny and J. Brand. Rue 14 is not just a clothing and accessories shop, but a source for fashion inspiration.

A snapshot of fall Fads: faux fur, plaid, and selvedge denim. Photo: Scott Fazzini

fully stocked with gorgeous little things, from an absolutely adorable navy corduroy jacket sporting wood buttons and leather elbow patches, to more collectable designer items such as a classic Etienne Aiger trench coat and a stellar green and white striped Gucci shirt dress.

When asked about fall trends Shannan led me to an area of her store designated specifically to highlighting trends year-round. Some of the keywords that she used when describing the must-haves for autumn included: animal print, 1950’s, denim, sequins, and statement jewelry all of which can be found at Junction.

The product changes often, so there is ample opportunity to visit frequently.

Junction 1510 U Street NW 202.483.0261 It all started with an ad placed in a local paper by the current owner, Shannan Fales, who was looking for other like-minded individuals interested in collectively opening a shop. It seems perfectly fitting that a store specializing in vintage finds would have started out in such an oldschool way. Today, Junction is solely owned by Shannan and has grown from a tiny boutique to a larger, yet still modestly sized, lifestyle store.

Junction’s men’s section features vintage designer neckties, bronze belt buckles, jackets, and hats. The Mad Men style is au courant, and easily accessible here -- Shannan has done all of the work for you! The ladies department is The best costume for the fall; a vintage suede skirt, leather Coach bag, and double strand of crystal beads. Photo: Scott Fazzini 22 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Tell Them, “Shaw Main Streets Sent Me!”

Habitat Live & Wear 1512 U Street NW 202.518.7222 Habitat Live & Wear is a small boutique that packs a lot of punch. Although most well known for collections of ecologically conscious bags for men and women, this shop affords the savvy shopper the opportunity to snag some very accessories.

There are unique product from around the globe. Jelly Kitten, from England, crafts the softest, sweetest gifts for kids; stuffed toys, A collection of ecologically-friendly faux leather bags. slippers, and blankets to name a few. Vacava- Photo: Scott Fazzini liente is an Argentinean company specializing soaps, and even a supply of in-house designed in witty faux leather office goods -what desk jewelry. would be complete without a dog on wheels Habitat Live & Wear is truly a gem of a designed to hold various office accoutrements. store, and well worth a visit for the product Shiraleah, a Boston-based design firm, offers alone, but if you need further enticement the an interesting assortment of bags made of owner informed me that he regularly gives out animal-friendly faux leather. And you’ll find coupons available to redeem immediately--all layers of items ranging from sunglasses to you have to do is ask!

Lettie Gooch 1517 U Street NW 202.332.4242 A unique name for a unique boutique.

The shop is named after owner Theresa Watts’

One stop shopping; clothes, accessories, and bags galore!

Photo: Scott Fazzini

grandmother who was a seamstress and style maven. The store is neatly merchandised, and staffed with exceedingly helpful and fun ladies. Although, they carry only women’s clothing and accessories, men should keep in mind that this is an ideal spot to find something special for those glamorous women in your life.

The store is known for their wide assortment of dresses, those designed by Beth Bowley are particularly sought-after. Theresa deftly selects pieces that not only relate to current trends, but she also possesses the remarkable ability to forecast upcoming fads.

For fall the shop is brimming with faux fur, tall boots, and clogs. To maintain the exclusiveness of the product, stock is limited and therefore changes quickly.

When you enter Lettie Gooch, even if for the first time, you can’t help but feel endeared to the staff. Because of this, and the stellar selection of goodies, you will surely come back for more.

Scott Fazzini is a modern dandy and District designer who blogs at www DomicidalManiac.com ◆ capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 23

out and about

+ Music

JAZZ AVES

by Steve Monroe

CBC Jazz Night It was the night of the 26th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation jazz forum and concert and the standing room only crowd in the Washington Convention Center ballroom was one of those unique, appreciative, attentive audiences fully aware of the special night of music and special people in attendance.

Foremost of course was Congressman John Conyers Jr. of Michigan who was responsible for sponsoring legislation honoring jazz as a national treasure (H.R. 57) and helping make the event a fixture of the CBC annual leadership conference every September.

Cedrick Hendricks, executive producer of the forum and concert, made sure all were aware that Conyers was also responsible for the funding that launched the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, which for 20 years has helped spearhead jazz as a national treasure with its frequent concert tours. The SJMO kicked off the music with some hard swinging sounds by composers Oliver Nelson, Benny Carter and Quincy Jones, with area musicians as prominent players.

James “Tex” King was on bass, Charlie Young had some trademark spirited riffs on alto sax and pianist Harry Appleman, trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse and trombonist John Jensen also helped keep the music hot, with crowd cheering and applauding all night.

Howard University product Geri Allen, one of the leading pianists of our generation, came on to honor Mary Lou Williams in the 100th year anniversary of the birth of that renowned composer, pianist and bandleader. Allen played a rollicking version of Williams’ classic “Roll ‘Em,” with its boogie-woogie, finger-snapping melodies a highlight of the night.

Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, the vocal group Afro Blue, guest arranger, composer, conductor Gerald Wilson and conductor Dr. David Baker also helped make the night a blast.

24 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Saxophonist Charles Woods has played with Roy Haynes, Helen Humes, Don Cherry and others.

A New One from Rahmat Shabazz Charles “Rahmat” Woods, who plays weekends at Johnny’s Half Shell Restaurant near Capitol Hill, has released a new CD of standards and popular tunes.

“Charles “Rahmat” Woods Live! At Johnny’s Half Shell,” produced by Woods’ label Rahmat Shabazz, “was a natural outgrowth of the very good association that my band has had

October Highlights: Kenny Werner Quartet, Oct. 8-9, Twins Jazz ... Chick Corea Trio, Oct. 9, Kennedy Center ... Howard Alden with Jeanne Geis, Oct. 14, Madison Hotel ... Joshua Redman, Oct. 14-17, Blues Alley ... Larry Brown, Michael Thomas, Oct. 15, Westminster Church ... Fall Jazz Night Benefit Concert, Oct. 16, UDC ... Butch Warren, Oct. 19, Blues Alley ...

Sharel Cassity, Oct. 22, Kennedy Center ... Geri Allen, Patrice Rushen, Terri Lynne Carrington, Oct. 23, Kennedy Center ... Kenny Garrett, Oct. 27-30, Blues Alley ...

Davey & Esther Yarborough, Oct. 29, Westminster Church ... Jimmy Heath, Oct. 29, Kennedy Center ... Freddie Redd Quintet, Oct. 29-30, Twins Jazz ...

October Birthdays: Walter Bishop Jr. 4; Jo Jones 7, Larry Young 7; Pepper Adams 8; Abdullah Ibrahim, Kenny Garrett 9; Thelonius Monk 10, Junior Mance, Harry Edison; Art Blakey 11; Mel Rhyne 12; Art Tatum, Ray Brown, Von Freeman, Lee Konitz, Pharoah Sanders, Johnny Lytle 13; Fela Anikulapo-Kuti 15; Roy Hargrove 16; Cozy Cole 17; Wynton Marsalis 18; Jelly Roll Morton 20; Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas 21; Ernie Watts 23; Jimmy Heath 25; Milton Nascimento 26; Zoot Sims 27; Clifford Brown 30; Illinois Jacquet, Booker Irvin 31.

WIDE SHOE OUTLET with this premier Washington DC establishment for some time,” says Woods on the liner notes. “I was originally asked to perform at Johnny’s during the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival (now called the DC Jazz Festival) over three years ago for its’ Jazz in the Hood series.

We were invited back every year since and in 2009 Johnny’s enthusiastically offered us the opportunity to perform on a weekly basis. Johnny’s is a wonderful venue and we think this CD captures its unique ambience.”

The recording features Woods on alto and soprano sax and flute, Terry Marshall, piano, Christian Gonzalez, bass and Joe Link drums, with “But Beautiful,” and “Strode Rode” particular highlights. It is from a date in March at the restaurant that features seafood and is owned by Johnny Fulchino and his partner Ann Cashion.

This writer was fortunate enough to meet Woods this year and get his earlier recording, “DC Love Orchestra Live At Twins Jazz,” a 2004 CD that is a must, especially for its free association, avant garde voicings. See rahmatshabazz.com for more on Woods.

Caught: Hamiett’s 70th Speaking of free or avant garde or just music that is spirited out there in the winds for lovers of creative sounds, those who wandered into Liv, above Bohemian Caverns Sept. 18 for Hamiett Bluett’s 70th birthday celebration are no doubt wondering if anyone recorded that afternoon’s gems. We’ll check.

It was loft jazz come to D.C., with an overflow crowd enjoying living legend Bluett with his witty and bluesy baritone sax sounds, along with special guests like tenor man Kidd Jordan, trombonist Craig Harris, pianist Avery Brooks, drummers Lee Pearson and Greg Bandy and trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah. ◆

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capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 25

your neighborhood

By Anonymous

V

incent “The Undertaker” Gray has triumphed. The thirty somethings (Peter “Consigliere” Nickles excluded) who run the Blackberry administration are suddenly not so smug.

Had they spent less time staring into the tiny screens of their portable devices, reading the prognostications of the suburbanite editors of WaPo, and more time talking to DC citizens, this upset might have proven less of a revelation.

That being said, the party’s far from over. A general election looms this November. And, Dear Readers, as you may recall from our September column, The Nose is running for Mayor.

Unfortunately, The Undertaker, now holding a series of public forums as a sort of victory lap, has been unwilling to engage The Nose in that most sanguinary of The District’s political rituals, the public debate. So, let us imitate Elmo and put on our Imagination Hats, It’s incredible where you can go, In your imagination, Raise taxes on the wealthy, Without a Evans-Catania altercation, Ask your favorite pals, To join your new administration, There’s even a balanced budget, Waiting for you, Wheee!

Placed your hat on your head on firmly? I knew you could.

Deep in the wilds of far far Deanwood, in a sweaty, ill-lit church basement, The Nose sits across from the Undertaker in

26 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

front of a mostly octogenarian audience, who have no doubt heard it all before. A reporter from WBTM serves as the moderator, prodding his two poor victims with insightful audience queries: WBTM: The District faces an estimated $175 million budget short-fall in fiscal year 2011. What do you intend to do about it?

The Undertaker: Right now I am looking at the expenditure side. Once that avenue has been exhausted, we will have to consider revenue enhancements. In the meantime, I support an immediate hiring and promotion freeze.

I also oppose nickel-and-diming residents with outrageous hourly parking rates and punitive municipal service fees.

The Nose: As someday it may happen that a victim must be found. I’ve got a little list. I’ve got a little list.

The Nose pulls out what looks like an endless roll of scribbled paper that mistakenly rolls off the dais.

Of District employees who might well be not around—who never will be missed! * There’s the pestilential policy wonks who create bar graphs—All agency heads who have flabby hands and irritating laughs. * All teachers who are low in DCCAS and give their students a pat. * All DMV workers who in taking a photo, take one of you like that—And all regulators who on denying fence

permits insist.

They’d none of ‘em be missed— they’d none of ‘em be missed!

WBTM: Will you keep Michelle A. Rhee as Chancellor of the DC Public Schools?

The Undertaker: I will make all personnel decisions after I am elected Mayor in November.

dogs and enjoy working out. This is patently ridiculous. Many unemployed people are dog lovers.

Moreover, when one is jobless, one has lots of time to enjoy the local rec center. The unemployed also need bicycle lanes; they can’t afford to pay for gas. And, why single out the unemployed and the dog people anyway? What about the “kid people?” Want to save some money? Modernize a few less schools.

The Nose: Off with her head!

WBTM: What do you say to those who criticize the city as expending too many resources on public amenities like dog parks and rec centers, while ignoring the problem of unemployment?

The Undertaker: Job training focused on high-demand fields, development of industry partnerships using leveraged resources, re-invigoration of the Workforce Investment Council (WIC), and improved coordination among the Community College, University of the District of Columbia (UDC), District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools, the Hospitality High School, vocational education, the labor community and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) are a priority and must produce results.* The Nose: Work is overrated. I would much rather sit at home eating bonbons and watching Council hearings on Channel 13. That being said, the problem is that the question assumes that the city is divided up between those who are unemployed, and those who love

WBTM: Each of you may make a 30-second closing statement.

The Undertaker: I grew up in this city. I have spent my whole career trying to make it better. I intend to work hard for the residents of the District of Columbia as Mayor to make this One City.

The Nose: If I am elected, in the famous words of that paradigm of politicians, Herbert Hoover, I promise “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” Don’t have a garage? We will put the unemployed to work building you one. Vegetarian? Well, then we really can’t help you.

The Nose acknowledges that it is unlikely that his campaign for public office will ultimately prove successful. But imagine for a minute how much more entertaining public discourse would be if The Nose were writing the lines. * This statement was cribbed directly from campaign website for Vincent “The Undertaker” Gray. ◆

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

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

Oct. 12-15 Weave with the Master, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This 4-day workshop has been postponed.

New date -TBA. Oct. 17 Rhythm Café: The Long Awaited Return—The Beginning, 2 p.m. Part 1 of a three-part dramatic performance and original presentation by David Vandy explores traditional community life in Sierra Leone.

Part 2 takes place on November 14, 2010, with Part 3 on January 9, 2011.

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

Oct. 22 FREE REGISTRATION DEADLINE, Nov. 12 & 13 Symposium: Connecting the Worlds of the African Diaspora: The Living Legacy of Lorenzo Dow Turner. Panel of contemporary historians, linguists and anthropologists discuss the ways Turner’s work inspired their research. Event includes a reception. For info and registration, call 202.633.4832 or email Alcione Amos at amosal@si.edu.

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

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

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

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

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

Nov. 3 The Talking Drum, 10:30 a.m. Joseph Ngwa, master drummer from Cameroon, Africa, demonstrates how the talking drum transmits messages and meaning through various sounds.

Nov. 6 Meet Author Eloise Greenfield, 12:30 p.m. This award winning children’s author discusses several of her books including Paul Roberson and her career. Book sale and signing follow discussion.

Nov. 6 Metro Mambo: Mambo Memory, 2-4 p.m. Filmmaker Mimi Machado-Luces discusses the preservation of Latin music legacies on film. Dance party with Verny Varela y su Orquesta follows.

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

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 27

your neighborhood

+ The Numbers

Job One for Mayor Gray Getting DC Residents Back to Work

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

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

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

That left jobs as a key defining issue. Gray frequently cited Ward 8’s 28 percent unemployment rate — and he called DC resident’s lack of jobs “a ticking time bomb” — while Mayor Fenty struggled to sound sympathetic or offer proposals.

Gray’s win in the Democratic primary was more than just anger with Fenty. It was a collective plea from DC residents desperate to get back to work.

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

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

Gray will have to chart his own path. He cannot afford to build up the middle class by expanding DC government employment a la Marion Barry. He doesn’t want to take the Fenty approach of a massive summer jobs program either, which

28 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

wouldn’t really address DC’s unemployment problem, anyway.

Instead, he will need to help DC residents get jobs in sectors of the economy that are growing and that offer living-wage career options. That will require a new, vigorous, emphasis on education and training. Equally important, it will require DC government to engage employers to hire DC residents— through a mix of cajoling and support — in ways it has not in the past.

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

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

The good news is that the DC economy has started to rebound, and jobs are being created again. Yet there is no guarantee that DC residents will see much benefit, for two reasons. *Only a small fraction of jobs in DC go to DC residents. About 30 percent of jobs in the District are held by DC residents. The results have been worse over the last year, with only about a quarter of jobs created in the city in the last year going to DC residents. *Employment conditions for many were bad even when the economy was good. Last year, just 48 percent of residents with a high school diploma, but no post-secondary education, were working, the lowest level in 30 years. Meanwhile, the employment rate for DC residents with a college degree has held steady at around 80 percent.

The gentrification visible

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

The First Step to Increasing Employment: Education and Training The new Mayor and Council will have to address the mismatch between the skills of DC residents and the demands of jobs in the city if they want to make a dent in unemployment in Ward 8 and other struggling neighborhoods. * Community College: It’s amazing that DC didn’t even think of having a community college until recently. While Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have long understood the vital role community colleges play, the Community College of DC is still in its infancy.

The next four years will be critical in determining whether it will become a meaningful resource for DC residents looking for training and basic education * Literacy: Up to one-fifth of DC’s adults have trouble with tasks like finding an intersection on a map, filling out an application, or adding up the total on a receipt. Programs that teach literacy and numeracy in the context of occupational training

seem to be most successful. * Welfare to Work: Onethird of DC families with children participate in DC’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).

Unfortunately, most TANF parents get just basic job readiness services and are pushed to find jobs as quickly as they can.

Not surprisingly, many end up in jobs that are not the right fit and that leave them still in poverty – with most paying an average of $9 an hour.

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

In other words, the District needs to play the role of coach and matchmaker. In his campaign, Gray talked about enforcing DC’s “First Source” law, which requires businesses doing work with the city to hire DC residents for a majority of jobs. Holding businesses to this standard is important, but so are city efforts to make sure there are pools of jobready residents for employers capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 29

to find easily. That will make it harder for businesses to throw up their hands and say they cannot find qualified DC residents, which is what happens now.

What a Difference a Job Makes Unemployment is linked with poverty, of course. When people lose jobs, or cannot find a job, they lose their ability to provide for themselves and their family. Tackling DC’s unemployment problem also would help tackle DC’s poverty problem. Lifting DC families out of poverty through jobs may sound like wishful thinking, but it is not. A full-time job at $15 an hour would be enough to lift four out of five low-income DC residents and their families above 150 percent of poverty, according to a soon-to-be-released report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.

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

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

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

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

30 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

your neighborhood Shaw Gala Celebrates Renewal

by Jazelle Hunt

W

hen former mayor Anthony A. Williams brought the national Main Streets program to DC in 2002, Shaw-Cardozo was still a largely-forgotten casualty of the 1968 riots. The program brought the promise of rebirth for Shaw, a revitalization that would preserve the neighborhood’s history while advancing it as a commercial hub where small business could thrive.

In 2004, ANC 2C01 Comissioner Alexander M. Padro took the helm of the Shaw Main Streets organization.

The goal was to make Shaw “an exciting place for residents and visitors alike to live, work, shop, play, and pray.” Over the years Padro has led volunteers and revolving volunteer members of the Board of Directors through several accomplishments, including the preservation and popularization of Shaw’s historic landmarks and architecture.

The idea for a grand fundraiser to celebrate the organization’s achievements was always on the back burner.

At one point, an event company estimated that such a gala would cost Shaw Main Streets about $20,000. There was never enough time or money to make it happen.

But last month the stars aligned. On Thursday, September 30, inside the Historic Society of Washington, DC, more than 150 guests came to enjoy the first Shaw Main Streets Gala. Hannon Law Group Client Coordinator Jonathan Webb organized the event, along with the Shaw Main Streets Board of Directors and 16 sponsors including Douglas Development, Washington Convention Sports Center, and U-Street Parking. “[The Gala] has been a long time coming,” Webb said. “With all the visible change that Shaw Main Streets has effected on the community, it’s about time to recognize the individuals and businesses that contributed to that change.”

Despite the downpour that night, the gala brought out an impressive mix of Shaw’s business owners, residents, stakeholders, partners, and their guests.

Several Ward 2 ANC commissioners were present; Councilmembers Kwame Brown and Jim Graham, as well as Democratic mayoral candidate Vincent Gray stopped by to tip their hats and say a few words before leaving for other engagements.

Mayor-elect Gray spoke for a few minutes on his goals for the city. “I wanted to be here to salute those who have helped Shaw grow,” said Gray, “and I want to agree with Alex in making sure we continue to have diversity in the city.”

Some representatives from nonprofits and community organizations also came to support Executive Director Padro in particular.

“I’ve been working with Alex Padro for seven or eight years,” said Todd Weiss, Roadside Development Partner.

“His dedication to the community is amazing. He’s a real inspiration to local community involvement.”

Yael Nash-Hubbard of Because We Care (an organization that promotes wellness and is housed in the same building as Shaw Main Streets’ headquarters) had similar kind words.

“We’ve been partnering with Alex for about six years; we are both nonprofits and he supports us so we can help build a better community,” she explained. “And I’m here to support his accomplishments.”

Padro began the evening with a dedication to former Shaw Junior High School principal and founding SMS boardmember Gregory Thomas, who passed away in May. During Thomas’ six years on the Board, he helped conceptualize the celebration that was realized with this gala.

Following the tribute, the guests

SMS Board of Directors Chairman Timothy Mack presented Executive Director Padro with the Shaw Hero Award.

SMS Executive Director Alexander M. Padro presented Mrs. Margaret Thomas with a gift to honor the memory of her late husband, Shaw JHS principal Gregory Thomas. capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 31

RIGHT: The Shaw Main Streets Gala was held at the Historical Society of Washingon, DC, and welcomed about 150 guests.

BELOW: The food was provided by several Shaw eateries, and served by volunteers from the senior ladies American Classic Woman of the Year pageant.

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were invited to the buffet featuring food and drink from several Shaw eateries and bars, served by the “ladies in red”—past winners of the senior ladies pageant, the American Classic Woman of the Year, run by 50-year Shaw resident, Letha Blount. Following dinner, the program turned to an awards ceremony to recognize key players in Shaw Main Streets’ successes.

Alexander M. Padro earned the Shaw Hero Award, given to the individual who has done the most to advance the revitalization of Shaw.

The guests gave a standing ovation as Padro approached the podium to accept his award, and the room quieted as he paused to reflect. He began with a look to the past when he first moved to Shaw—recounting Ninth Street’s desolation, O St. Market’s notoriety as “the city’s largest openair crack market,” and a lack of attention to Shaw’s rich African-American history.

“It is such a privilege to work with all of you,” he said. “We still have a lot to accomplish—we’re not done—but just think back to where we were ten years ago. I do believe we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Six other awardees were honored: the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative for

the Shaw Champion Award; Miller Copying Service for the Shaw Contributor Award; Washington Convention and Sports Authority for the Shaw Community Partner Award; Douglas Development and Roadside Development tying for the Shaw Development Partner Award; and Letha M. Blount for the Shaw Lifetime Achievement Award. Each winner received a unique, crystal trophy, and each nominee received a framed print of a collage titled “Shaw” by artist Byron Peck. Jazz band CDH Brassworks, young violinist Bismillah Ba’th, and 2009 American Classic Woman of the Year/jazz singer Rose Bullock provided entertainment. The boardmembers also raffled prizes including doggie gift baskets from Wagtime Pet Spa & Boutique and a $100 gift certificate to Hudson Restaurant & Lounge in Dupont. Organizer Jonathan Webb, who will be attending law school next year, was thanked for his efforts with the institution of a scholarship fund in his name.

The Gala was open to the public and raised over $28,000, the most funds raised with a single event in SMS history. The monies will go toward continuing programs such as the Storefront/Façade Improvement Program. It is undetermined whether another gala will be held in the future.

“We were supported completely by the businesses of Shaw, from food, to valet, to drinks,” Webb said. “And we were backed 100 percent by the community for this event, which is a testament to the love that exists in Shaw.” ◆

your neighborhood

14th and U

by Tanya Snyder

Hotel Howard?

If you were hoping the U Street corridor would start looking a little less uptown-chic and a little more sophomore-year, you may be in luck.

Metro’s trying to get rid of some properties on Florida Ave. between 7th and 9th Streets, and developer LaKritz Adler has an idea.

Metro took one look and decided to start seeing other people, opening a competitive bidding process after seeing the design. LaKritz Adler would turn 28,000 square feet of vacant space into 280,000 square feet of hotel, conference, office, and retail space, according to the Washington Post.

The developer’s plan would turn it into a conference center and hotel serving Howard University. Their design is a little more cinder-blockshaped than most of the new developments in the area. There are some nice big windows but the rectangular brick design is kind of a throwback to my public high school.

The U Street corridor doesn’t have any hotels east of the Hinckley Hilton. As the city goes, the neighborhood is a relative hospitality dead zone. Plans for one at the corner of 13th and U have stalled, partly because the Rite-Aid there has a tight hold on the space, and partly because of community pushback. Neighbors are concerned about traffic and congestion as well as the height of the proposed hotel (ten stories), which some say would dwarf the rest of the area. However, U Street businesses like the idea, since a hotel could bring daytime foot traffic to the retail stores.

Once Metro picks a winner for the Florida Avenue properties, this plan, too, could come up against similar protest. But this location is

A rendering of a proposed hotel, retail and conference space on Florida Ave. Between 7th and 9th Sts.

significantly different. It’s east of the U Street crush, right where U Street turns into Florida, and a bit of dense development there might be more welcome. Previous plans for the properties, which would have turned them into a 124-unit residential project called the Jazz, fell through in March.

Get On the Bus Overcrowded buses. Long waits.

Traffic jams. Double-parked trucks.

Slow-boarding passengers. These are just a few of the complaints voiced by riders of the 90/92 bus line, the primary bus of the U Street corridor and, with 14,700 riders on an average day, the third busiest line in the Metrobus system. Help is on the way, says Metro. They’re studying the line to see what improvements might be possible.

Riders say the solution is simple: more buses. Adding a few more vehicles into the rotation could go a long way toward getting people to work (or their Saturday night date) on time and offering them the luxu-

ry of a seat for their ride.

Metro just finished the third and final round of public meetings on the 90/92 bus. They’re thinking of adding a new express “99” bus from 17th and U to Anacostia, with potential extensions to Dupont Circle or the Duke Ellington Bridge.

They’ve also thought of breaking the bus line up into a few different, overlapping routes. The 90, 91, and 93 would still take U Street, but the 92 would go east from Florida and 7th, ending up at Congress Heights station via a roundabout route east of the river. The 91 bus would end west of the river, at 8th and M Streets SE, at the end of Barracks Row. Also on the table: dedicated transit lanes and signal priority.

These additions could make it more frustrating than ever to drive singleoccupancy cars down U Street – and add new converts to public transit.

that U Street could be the site of a new addition to the crowded pack of DC-to-New York bus lines.

Instead of picking up passengers at 10th and H Streets NW, like most of the others, the Washington Post is reporting that the Knowit Express will use U Street as its DC base.

It’s an offshoot of Theknowit. com, a DC-based travel website, owned by Shalonda Hunter (who refers to herself as the Chief KnowBody.) She’s leased one bus for weekend trips between the two cities, and she’s picked hipper destinations than the classic Chinatown bus stops. The bus that picks you up on U Street will drop you off in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood.

Hunter plans to start with morning and evening service Friday to Monday for $25 one way or $45 round trip. ◆

More Bus News (This Time, to New York) While we’re on the subject of buses, it seems worth mentioning capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 33

your neighborhood

Logan Circles

by Mark F. Johnson pass about a mile between east and west, going from 7th Street to 16th Street. The distance north and south is roughly the same, with U Street as the upper boundary and Massachusetts Avenue as the lower. And some say that real estate in the designated area would become even more expensive to buy or to rent with the Arts District moniker. Right now square footage is generally cheaper east of 13th Street and south of P Street, which is often attractive to new business ventures.

Put Up a Banner and Call it An Arts District The face of U/14, Logan Circle, Shaw and the Convention Center neighborhood has been getting prettier over the past several years, that is, if you consider new and tony restaurants, bars and shops, higher-end furniture stores, and highrise (by DC standards) condos attractive additions.

So now that the area looks different, officials in DC government as well as many in the community, feel as though a new name is the next stage in this transformation.

To that end, the city has put up $200,000 to help ‘rebrand” these contiguous `hoods as the Arts District.

Even though the city wants to make the designation official, this branding doesn’t come out of the blue. U Street has been a showplace since the early 20th century. Formerly, it was known as The Black Broadway because of its many theaters, dance and music halls catering to African-American audiences at a time when Washington was segregated. Likewise, 14th Street which actually was blue, back in the day, offered burlesque entertainment at clubs located between U Street and Thomas Circle.

Over the years the remaining theaters, like the Lincoln and the Studio, have been renovated and expanded and joined by art galleries, restaurants, bars, night clubs and considerable foot traffic, especially at night. Part of the rebranding campaign would include banners on area lamp posts heralding the Arts District as well as a PR campaign and new website to publicize the area to tourists, suburbanites 34 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Capitalizing on the City’s Biking Craze Studio Theater sells off props this past summer. Photos: Mark Johnson

who already travel to the area frequently, and to locals. Essentially, the idea behind the campaign is to unify the various neighborhoods into one big entertainment district smack in the middle of town.

Many business owners that are part of the community feel that the official designation will be a boost for their businesses, especially those on the eastern edge in Shaw and Convention Center.

Those communities haven’t yet experienced the hormone-induced growth spurt that has impacted U Street and particularly 14th Street, the two Main Streets. But others feel as though the city should give more direct help to the struggling art galleries rather than funding banners and marketing the area to tourists and bridge and tunnel visitors. A few of the galleries along 14th Street say that landlords are raising rents as commercial space in the area continues to go at a premium due in part to the higher

grossing restaurants who can afford to pay more for their space. Help the starving artists, some say.

Another concern about the plan is that the designated Arts District is too large. As currently conceived, the area would encom-

This may be a slightly sensitive topic coming right after the Mayoral Primary, but DC just launched what may be the largest bikeshare program in the country.

I say it may be “sensitive” for reasons that I think are obvious. The guy most considered responsible for bike lanes, and similar yuppifi-

Capital Bikeshare station at 14th and Rhode Island Ave. NW

New Shaw Library Opens article and photos by Alex Padro

H

ighlights of the new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library’s grand opening celebration on August 28, 2010 included a water ball fight that even DC Public Library Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper joined in, outdoor checkers, free food, tem is pretty simple. Rent a bike from one of the stations and off you go. Bikes may be rented for an annual introductory fee of $50 which is soon scheduled to climb to $75. Alternatively, a bike may be rented for the day for only $5. For more information on how the program works and on locations around the area, visit the website at www.capitalbikeshare.com

Whole Foods Reno Nears Completion

“Next!” The new express line at P Street’s Whole Foods store.

Whole Foods recently unveiled its new eat-in area.

cation, Mayor Adrian Fenty, just lost the primary election to Council Chairman Vincent Gray.

But, even with Fenty out, this bike thing has come too far to turn back now.

The plan will eventually call for 110 bike stations and about 1100 bikes throughout DC and Arlington, Va. The closest Capital Bikeshare stop to Logan is located at the corner of 14th and Rhode Island Ave., in front of the 7-Eleven. There is also a station at the corner of 14th and U, in front of the Reeves Center. The sys-

P Street’s high-priced food store, Whole Foods, known semi affectionately to some as Whole Funds, is at the end of its remodeling project. Back in late September they had a grand opening for the mezzanine level eat-in area with tables for those who purchase carryout food downstairs at the hot bar. The hot food bar has always seemed to be popular in a neighborhood full of busy urban professionals with apparently little time or interest in cooking. The store has apparently also taken a cue from West End competitor Trader Joe’s as well. They’ve installed a fast-moving express line with several cashiers . Trader Joe’s has only one single line which leads to several cashiers. It always seems to move pretty quickly. While Whole Foods has kept its old checkout points, shoppers with just a few pricey items in their basket are encouraged to go express.

and a Hip Hop dance performance. The library’s entrance, at the intersection of 7th and R Streets and Rhode Island Avenue, NW, with the stunning neon sculpture “Vivace”by internationally renowned Shaw artist Craig Kraft, has become the neighborhood’s new front porch: a place where young and old linger as they come to and leave the branch. Photos by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Mark Johnson is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Ward 2. He currently owns a business on 14th Street and has covered local issues in DC for nearly twenty years. ◆ capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 35

your neighborhood

Bloomingdale Bytes

by Amanda Abrams

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Citizen?

It’s a small community, yet Bloomingdale boasts an impressive amount of citizen participation: residents get involved on their own time and dime simply because they care about what’s going on in the neighborhood. Here are a few who came to my attention this month (please note, though, that this is far from a complete list).

Vote for Me: I’m Not Him

And regarding McMillan, where plans hatched between the city and EYA, the developer, are murky, Fournier said, “Barrie’s been the biggest block to getting anything done. He’s not transparent.”

So you could say Fournier’s platform is essentially “Not Barrie Daneker.” But he does have his own ambitions for the neighborhood; at McMillan, which looms largest, he’d like to act as a facilitator between the community and the city so that the area eventually

years,” he said. Daneker stated that he’s been open about plans for McMillan and is actively pushing for a balanced design that addresses the community’s needs for lowincome senior housing and a grocery store. He said he’s also spoken to Councilmember Graham and others about adding the streetcars that will serve the area on a faster schedule than currently planned.

He’s never had a slogan before, but this year, Daneker decided to create one; it’s “Prosperity, progress, and putting people first.”

Mr. Restless Energy, A Visual Primer Ready to Serve on a Thorny Topic the Neighborhood

One route to greater community participation is poliThe McMillan issue tics, and there are a couple can get tricky if you haven’t folks vying for the (unpaid) been following it. Luckily, ANC 5C07 seat, which covBloomingdale resident Eva ers northern Bloomingdale, Hambach recently made a Stronghold, and Park Place. series of videos (http://www.

The new guy, James youtube.com/user/BloomFournier, is a lawyer and ingdaleNow) outlining the single father of three who’s development’s pros and cons, lived on Bryant Street for plus all the micro-issues in11 years. On his website, volved. www.dcanc.us, he comes out “It’s very difficult to get swinging, actively criticizing access to any information,” the incumbent commissioner, said Hambach. “I wanted to Barrie Daneker, for a lack of present an objective piece so engagement. that the neighborhood could “I can’t think of anything James Fournier lays out his platform (credit: Amanda Abrams) make up its own mind.” he’s done,” said Fournier in The hardest part, she an interview. The key issues said, was lining up a meeting holds a healthy mix of residential, for the neighborhood, in his opinwith city officials. But her persision, are crime, economic growth, retail, and recreational space. tence paid off: Harry Thomas is Right now, though, the issue and the pending development of prominently featured in the videos is name and face recognition, so the McMillan Sand Filtration explaining what he thinks develhe’ll be knocking on doors and Site. But on crime, Fournier said, opment would mean for the neighhosting meet-and-greets throughDaneker refused to set up an interborhood. out October. view between citizens and the Fifth Hambach, who is deputy photo Unsurprisingly, Daneker disDistrict’s Commander Greene; director for Agence France-Presse, agrees with Fournier’s assertions. on economic growth, “has Barrie made the videos in part to keep fought for a single business?” he “I’ve been completely engaged in her documentary filmmaking skills this community for the last four asked rhetorically. fresh. Despite doing it for free (it 36 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

took much of her summer), she doesn’t describe herself as a neighborhood activist. But she admits that a few things regularly draw her in. One is Halloween: for the past few years, she and neighbors have shut down Thomas Street, where they live, strung up lights, and given out candy.

Whether it’ll occur again this year is unclear. “There’s a lot of labor involved, so I don’t know if we’ll be able to close the street, but we’ll have something,” she said.

To the south of the neighborhood is someone else who’s decided to throw his hat into the ring and get involved in super-local politics. That’s Hugh Youngblood, the only candidate (at this point) signed up to represent ANC 5C03, which covers the southern end of the community.

Youngblood says he got involved in community activities after he dropped out of a band he’d been playing with. “I have an analytical mind and am always looking to burn off some of my mental energy, keep myself out of trouble,” he said. So he wandered around the neighborhood saying “Hi” to people, and soon enough was embroiled in a number of burgeoning community initiatives.

Youngblood, it seems, is one of those guys with restless energy and lots of ideas. He runs a clean technology development firm doing “project development” in a number of areas that sort of went over my head. (It sounded impressive, though.) That means

he’s got expertise in infrastructure development and other serious issues that could really benefit the neighborhood.

He’s already helping to put solar panels in Crispus Attucks Park, and hopes to build the area’s “information infrastructure.” Add to that his interest in energy efficiency and community health and fitness, and he’s got a full plate.

But most important, said Youngblood, is that the community is united in its plans for the future. “I like to bring people together,” he said. “I want to apply a sunshine approach—open the kimono, if you will.”

lot through working with them,” said des Marais, explaining her motivation. So anyone hanging around the Wilson Building next year might catch her testifying at hearings focusing on property issues in DC, for example.

Regular readers of the Bloomingdale or Prince of Petworth blogs might know that des Marais is also an accomplished artist who frequently paints the neighborhood’s row houses. In part,

Yes, She Does All That – and She’s an Artist, Too But not all participation has to be political. Take Suzanne des Marais, a real estate broker living in the neighborhood.

She’s not just passionate about the community; “1st and V Street NW,” by Suzanne des Marais, © 2009 she’s also presidentelect of the Washington DC Association of Realtors, which means that in 2011, the paintings are another way of she’ll be representing the District celebrating the area. “I think it’s a really special part of the city,” at the national level.

True, it’s not community said des Marais, who’s lived in participation per se, but it is Bloomingdale since 2004. “I’m reabout volunteering considerable ally happy to see that people are amounts of time for something appreciating the architecture.” she believes in.

“I’ve been involved [in the as- Amanda Abrams is a freelance writsociation] for several years, and er and dancer living in Adams Morfelt it was very important to give gan. ◆ back to the group; I’ve learned a capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 37

your neighborhood

Shaw Streets

By Ralph Brabham

Beau Thai Blossoming at New Jersey and R About a year ago, a transformation began at the corner of R and New Jersey, NW. After construction delays and zoning hurdles, Beau Thai finally opened and has fast become a favorite dining destination among neighbors.

For all of its 100 plus year history, the building Beau Thai occupies has continually had some sort of ground floor commercial use. It has been home to a store, lunch counters, restaurants, and even a beauty salon. The last tenant was a rather unsavory looking fast-food establishment known as Dave’s Seafood House.

Beau Thai’s renovation involved a complete build out of the gutted space. The interior now boasts a new kitchen with a state of the art ventilaopened Beau Thai serves fresh, delicious and authentic Thai dishes from its beautiful corner in tion system, a new dining area, Newly Shaw. Photo: Drew Porterfield and a new bar. The beautiful environs feel modern yet cozy, Beau Thai, 1700 New Jersey Ave., with crystal pendant lights above and drunken noodles.

Due to zoning restrictions, NW, 202-536-5636, ww.facebook. the bar, dark hardwood floors, cusBeau Th ai initially opened as com/BeauTh aiRestaurant tom concrete counters, light green a carryout.

On Sept.

21, 2010, walls, and purple accent walls.

Beau Thai served its first meal the Board of Zoning Adjust- DC9 Opens in August. The menu features ment granted Beau Thai’s special Roof Deck fresh, authentic and delicious Thai exception application and it In September, DC9 (1940 9th can now operate as a sit down food. One of the things that sets St. NW, (202) 483-5000, www. restaurant.

Th e next steps in Beau Beau Thai apart from similar resdcnine.com) opened its new roof Th ai’s metamorphosis include taurants is that the chef makes deck.

Nicknamed “The Sauna securing a restaurant liquor liall of the curries from scratch Bar,” the wooden oasis above 9th cense and applying for a public and utilizes soy milk instead of Street features about 600 square space permit in order to provide coconut milk to make the dishes feet of standing area, a fully stocked outdoor seating.

Th e restaurant is healthier. Popular items on the menu include red curry duck, surrounded by a vast, brick paved bar, and a cadre of stools for pad Thai, Scott’s Favorite (lemon and concrete open space that sitting and people watching.

Planned for years, the roof marinated chicken stir fried with could provide a great opportunity deck’s construction commenced for cafe seating. crispy lemon grass), Thai sausage, this spring. The project entailed 38 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

moving an interior staircase for better flow to and from the deck.

DC9 is the second roof deck in the 9th and U Street area, and several more outdoor spaces are in the pipeline. A few doors to the north, Nellie’s Sports Bar’s (900 U Street, NW, 202-332NELL, www.nelliessportsbar. com) rooftop deck has been a popular destination since it opened in 2007. Dickson Wine Bar, (903 U St., NW, 202-3321779, http://www.dicksonwinebar.com/) plans a summer garden, as does The Brixton Pub, which will occupy the long-vacant building next to Dickson at 901 U Street, NW. 1905 Restaurant also plans a roof deck.

Independence Bank Makes Timely Addition to Streetscape In the summer of 2009, Independence Bank (1301 9th

Independence Bank’s new clock on 9th St. adds charming functionality to the streetscape. Photo: Drew Porterfield

Street NW, 202-628-5500, www.ifsb.com/) relocated its headquarters to The Exchange, Douglas Development’s beautiful, historic mixed use project at 9th and N Sts, NW. Since then, the bank has been a key player in the revitalization of Shaw.

Among other things, Independence Bank’s executives have served on community boards and participated in community workdays like last year’s tulip planting on 9th Street, its banking services have added an amenity and draw to 9th Street, and its popcorn machine has fed visitors to the branch and made cameos at community functions.

In September, Independence Bank completed its installation of an iconic, historically appropriate clock in front of the main entrance.

Manufactured by the Electric Time Co., the metal clock “brings attention the continuing restoration of the Shaw community, and does add a significant, beautiful and historically appropriate marker to this area,” says Karen Keegan, Independence’s Manager of Branch Sales and Community Development.

Ralph Brabham is a Shaw resident, Vice Chairman of the board of Shaw Main Streets, an attorney, and the author of the neighborhood blog www. renewshaw.com. ◆

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 39

kids and family

+ Notebook

by Kathlee

n Donner

ol to Public Charter Scho appearance at Paul ul Public Charter School an s ke ma s, rie Se : Pa Girls thor of the Cheetah book, Catwalk. Photo Deborah Gregory, au speak with students about her latest

Fox 5 Morning Show covers Cheetah Girls author visit to Paul PCS Deborah Gregory, author of the Cheetah Girls Series, made an appearance at Paul Public Charter School in Northwest DC to speak with students about her latest book, Catwalk.

Deborah Gregory is a well-known author with a background in the fashion industry. Many of books focus on promoting young women’s self-esteem through major fashion trends. Paul Public Charter School is a middle school serving grades 6-9. With its focused academic program with an emphasis in literacy, Paul PCS regularly hosts book talks. www.paulcharter.org

Student Matinee of Henry VIII There will be a student matinee of Henry VIII at the Folger Shakespeare Library on October 28, 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office 202-547-7077. www. folger.edu/education

Book of the Month

Caption: ?????

Hispanic Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt at the American Art Museum Daily through Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., follow the clues to discover new art. With more than 3,300 artworks displayed in floorto-ceiling glass cases, the Luce Foundation Center is the perfect place for a scavenger hunt! Materials are available in both English and Spanish. 202-633-7970. americanart.si.edu

Haunted Halloween at the National Building Museum On Oct. 30, 10:00 a.m.-noon, celebrate the spirit of Halloween as you build and design your very 40 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

own haunted house; fun for the whole family! The festivities include crafts, treats, and ghost stories (more silly than spooky!) about the Museum. Recommended for ages 6 and up. $15. Adult tickets are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-paid registration required.

Rockwell Family Day On Saturday, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the American Art Museum, travel back to Rockwell’s era through craft activities, games, and music -- all inspired by artworks from the exhibition “Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Speilberg.” Free. Kogod Courtyard

The National Building Museum is pleased to announce its newest early childhood programming—Book of the Month! Each month, this series features a new book with activities that your family can explore together at the Museum and at home. At 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, the museum will introduce a new book during a read-aloud in the Building Zone’s Book Nook. The books explore themes such as patterns, city planning, construction, and celebration of other cultures. Families will then be invited to participate in corresponding hands-on play activities in the Building Zone. The Book of the Month program is free and recommended for ages 3-5. 202-272-2448. www.nbm.org

Kids Euro Festival 2010 Europe comes to Washington this fall with an arts festival starring the most talented European children’s entertainers in more than 200 free performances all around

the city. Mimes, storytellers, dancers, puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts scheduled to appear during almost four weeks of wonderful artistic adventures – no passport required! Kids Euro Festival will feature both in-school presentations and weekend events for the whole family: performances, workshops and a large variety of movies … Designed for children ages 6-12, the festival is the largest — and most diverse in the country, and is offered through the cooperation of 27 EU embassies and more than 25 major cultural institutions. Oct. 14-Nov. 10. www.kidseurofestival.org

World Animal Day at National Geographic On Saturday, Oct. 16. 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m., enjoy this family-friendly celebration of the animal world, including art workshops, photo safaris, storytelling, Mama Mirabelle and Toot & Puddle film screenings—and more! Visit two lively Museum exhibitions, Geckos: From Tails to Toepads and Wild Music: Songs and Sounds of Life. Co-presented with National Geographic Museum and National Geographic Kids Entertainment in recognition of World Animal Day. Free but Geckos exhibit is $4. 202-857-7700. www.nglive.org

Washington National Opera Family Look-In What happens when four kids

capitalcommunitynews.com â—† 41

end up lost in an opera house? They discover the wonders of lights, scenery, costumes, music, and more! This behind-the-scenes introduction to the magical world of opera is perfect for children ages 6-12 and their families. Saturday, Oct 16, 2:00 p.m. $10. Kennedy Center Opera House.

202-295-2400. www.dc-opera.org

Fall 2010 ArtReach Classes Oct. 18-Dec.10. For ages 1218; Mondays, 4:30-6:00 p.m. or Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. For ages 8-12; Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. or Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Register online at www.THEARCdc. org. Registrations forms available at the front desk at THEARC. The Corcoran ArtReach Studio, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. Contact ArtReach at artreach@corcoran.org if you have any questions. 202-8895901. www.THEARCdc.org.

Barn Night and Kids’ Day at Washington International Horse Show On Thursday Oct. 28, 6:00 p.m., the Washington International Horse Show Barn Night offers an exciting evening for riders, their barn mates, friends, and families to celebrate equestrian sport and pay tribute to those that excel at all levels of hunter-jumper competition.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m., as Olympians and their horses get ready for the President’s Cup Grand Prix and junior riders practice in the schooling ring to compete at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a team will be erecting a tent on F Street outside the Hotel Monaco for WIHS Kids’ Day. This free, family-friendly event will offer kids an opportunity to ride and meet ponies and learn about equestrian sport!

WIHS Kids’ Day will host free pony rides, a grooming station, a chance to meet Bubbles, a miniature horse, a book nook, arts and crafts as well as photo opportunities with Dr. Bear from Children’s 42 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

National Medical Center, Klinger-the Caisson horse, Pinkie-Pie from “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” on The Hub, and Major, the WIHS mascot.

The 52nd Annual Washington International Horse Show will take place Oct. 26-31 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 202-525-3679. www.wihs.org

Blessing of the Animals Introduces New Cathedral Cat, “Carmina” Washington National Cathedral’s 2010 Blessing of the Animals will officially welcome Carmina, the new Cathedral cat adopted by the Cathedral Choral Society from the Washington Humane Society (WHS). The event marks the seven hundred thirty-fourth anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, whose feast day the Cathedral celebrates with its Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 p.m., on the Cathedral’s west steps. All pets and their caretakers are invited to attend. Carmina takes the place of Catherine of Tarragon, the muchbeloved Cathedral cat who has retired in her old age to a home in North Carolina. WHS rescued Carmina and her litter of week-old kittens from a deserted parking lot in Southeast DC. All of Carmina’s kittens have found adoptive homes as well. 202-537-5548. www.cathedral.org or www.warl.org

“Sprouts” for Preschoolers at the Botanic Garden Bring your preschooler (ages 3-5) to the U.S. Botanic Garden for plant-related fun. Sign up for a one-month session and attend four different programs. Each Wednesday session will have varied activities that may include a story,

Great Websites for Kids Shakespeare; folger.edu/Content/Teach-and-Learn/Shakespeare-for-Kids US House of Representatives; kids.clerk.house.gov America’s Story for America’s Library; americaslibrary.gov National Zoo; nationalzoo.si.edu/Audiences/kids National Gallery of Art; nga.gov/kids Newseum; newseum.org/fun-and-games

art activity, or walk in the garden.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participating children must be 3 years of age. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free but pre-registration required. Conservatory Classroom. 202-2251116. www.usbg.gov

Energizers’ Boys and Girls Club at Dance Place Since 1995, the Dance Place Energizers have been learning and giving back to the local community. This after-school program focuses on academic enrichment, life skills, character development, community service and entrepreneurial skills. Graduates have gone on to finish high school, graduate college and create their own business.

Taught by Dance Place’s dedicated youth leadership staff, college students and Dance Place interns. For youth ages 7-13. 202-269-1600. www.danceplace.org

Wild Beasts and Creatures Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m.noon. Journey to the wild and discover fierce lions, serpents, and beasts on this gallery safari. Let the bronze sculptures of Antoine-Louis Barye be your guide along the way as you learn about animal fables from cultures around the world. Continue the adventure in our art studio and create your own wild creature out of clay. Workshops are limited to

children ages 8–12 and their adult companions. Space is limited and advance registration is required. $15.

Corcoran Gallery of Art. 202-6391700. www.corcoran.org

Teen Volunteer Program at the National Zoo Teen Volunteers can participate in programs that primarily run in the summer, but limited opportunities are also available throughout the year. Many teens find they can fulfill their school’s requirement for student service learning hours while having fun at the Zoo. Minimum age, depending on the program, is 13 years old. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-633-3052. nationalzoo.si.edu

The First Tee (free golf lessons for kids) The First Tee provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as confidence, perseverance and judgment through golf and character education. Ages 8 through 18. Lessons are weekdays 3:30-5:30 p.m. Langston Golf Course and Driving Range, 26th and Benning Rd. NE. 202-3884141. www.thefirsttee.org

Carousel on the Mall Operates Daily In October, 11:00 a.m.-5:00

p.m. (weather permitting and based on staff availability). $2.50/ride. 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall, near the “castle”). www.si.edu

Storytelling at the American Indian Museum A Native staff member reads books by or about Native Americans. “Hoknoth-da?” means “Did you hear?” in the Shawnee language. For ages 5-9.

Mondays through Fridays, 1:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. Free, walk-in. Seating is firstcome, first-served. American Indian Museum, Resource Center, third level.

On the Mall at Third St. and Independence Ave. SW. 800-242-6624. www. americanindian.si.edu

Kids’ Corner Fall Fair, Saturday, October 16

Shaw Sweet Potato Festival

TOP TO BOTTOM: Three happy festival goers. Photo: Alex Padro Nellies Mini Sweet potato Cupcakes. Photo by Alex Padro Chatman’s Sweet Potato Pie Samples. Photo: Robert Isard

by Alex Padro

A

s part of the final DC Main Streets First Saturday event of 2010, Shaw Main Streets conducted the first-ever Shaw Sweet Potato Festival. Partnering with the Mid Atlantic Gleaning Network (MAGNET), which provided the produce, Shaw Main Streets had restaurants and bakeries prepare and offer free samples of sweet potato recipes, including Nellie’s mini cupcakes and sweet potato fries, and Chapman’s celebrated sweet potato pie.

Kids were invited to decorate sweet potatoes at Old City Green and compete for prizes: Mr. Potato Head toys.

Free reusable shopping bags full of sweet potatoes were also distributed. Photos by Robert Isard and Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw

Right: Prize Winning Sweet Potato.

Photo: Alex Padro Below: Nellie’s Sweet Potato Fries.

Photo: Alex Padro

Oct. 16, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m., is a fun-filled day of pumpkin carving, international food, hay rides, face painting, music, dancing and more!

The event raises money to support the Kids’ Corner music program.

Purchase an all-inclusive fall fair bracelet from the Kids’ Corner Front Office or at the event ($25).

Tickets may also be purchased for food and individual activities. Rose Mitchell Park, 23rd and sts. NW. www.kidscornerdcc.wordpress.com ◆

Hans Zook shows off his Mr. Potato Head. Photo Alex Padro

capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 43

at home

+ outdoors

Plant a Tree, Go to Heaven

by Joe Carmack

P

A lovely Japanese maple softens the lines of the streetscape.

44 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

lanting a tree is a good deed, more so if planted on public space. Adopting and saving a tree is sacred too.

Tree planting is a selfless act. Everyone benefits from its environmental contribution In addition to cleaner air, trees block noise pollution, offset carbon emissions, and reduce global warming. Adding to the quality of life equation, trees create beautiful healthy spaces for all of us. So if you want to do something good, plant a tree. Green is great!

On the home front, having trees can increase your property value as much as 15%.

That’s pretty good considering DC home prices. Shade trees strategically placed on the west side of the home can lower your Pepco bill. Here’s even more incentive. The Casey Tree Foundation is offering a $50 rebate on all trees purchased and planted in DC. You’ll find rebate forms at your local garden shop.

There are economic benefits having trees in our community. Take note 14th and U business owners and residents. Trees send a positive message about the appeal of a district. Taking care of our street trees, and flanking entryways with contained, evergreen shrubbery—such as tall-pyramidal Juniper or Arborvitae, chunky Boxwood, and columnar Japanese Plum Yew-- is good business. To get a street tree, contact DDOT, Urban Forestry Administration.

Fall is the very best time of the year to plant a tree because you’re almost guaranteed more rain and cooler weather, exactly what a tree youngling wants. Plant a tree in spring and you’re heading in to summer drought time, high heat, and missed watering opportunities while on vacation. This leads to a sick tree, or worse, a dead tree. Planting in fall greatly improves your chances of survival by giving it more time to establish itself. If you can get a tree, shrub or perennial to survive one year, you’ve made it and are in it for the long haul.

Plant small, ornamental trees in small

Joe Carmack

spaces. For the front townhouse garden, I recommend Dogwood, Crape myrtle, Japanese maple, Japanese Snowbell, Eastern Redbud. Always plant off center. The sweet spot is 45 degrees away from the front gate towards the back. For decks, patio and container planting, always go up two colder temperature zones. We live in zone 7, so plant a specimen cold hardy to zone 5 in containers (if you want it to survive winter). Next on the list, make it pop. The tree color should have a contrasting color with its background. For instance if your home is yellow, you could plant a blue weeping conifer, like a weeping False Cypress or Blue Atlas Cedar.

You might be thinking, this all sounds great, but I don’t have space to plant a tree. Fear not. There are plenty of organi-

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

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

202-561-VETS (8387) 9533

9533 22663

Get Involved! capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 45

JOB OPPORTUNI TY

CBE SUBCONTRACTORS NEEDED Bids due by 11/30/2010 Manna, Inc. is seeking CBE subcontractors for the construction of new 2-family houses in the Ivy City neighborhood. Trades being considered are: Concrete & Masonry, Plumbing, Fire Sprinklers, HVAC, Electrical, Roofing, and Interior finishes (drywall & painting, ceramic tile, carpet). Plans & specifications are available to view for bidding purposes at the Manna offices.

Bid requirements: CBE certificate, DC license, Liability & Worker’s Compensation Insurance, Davis Bacon Certified weekly payroll reports, Section 3 compliance, First Source Agreement compliance for contracts over $100,000.

Bids due November 30, 2010.

Please contact Charlene Tibbs (ph. 202-832-1845 X 202) Monday thru Friday between 9 AM & 4 PM to reserve a viewing time for the plans & specs for bidding purposes.

OPORTUNIDAD LABORAL

SUBCONTRATISTAS CON CERTIFICACION CBE Licitación Cierra en Noviembre 30, 2010 Manna, Inc. necesita subcontratistas con certificación CBE para la construcción de 2 viviendas familiares nuevas en la vecindad de Ivy City. Los oficios que se consideran son Concreto y Mampostería (albañiles), Plomería, Sistema de Extinción de Incendios, Unidad de Calefacción, Ventilación y Aire Acondicionado, Electricista, Construcción de Techos, y Terminados de Interior (placas de yeso y pintura, cerámica, baldosa y tapetes). Los planes y especificaciones están disponibles para propósitos de estudio de la licitación en las oficinas de Manna.

Requerimientos de la Licitación: Certificado CBE, licencia del Distrito, Seguro de Compensación Legal para Accidentes de Trabajo, Formularios certificados de informe de nómina de pago semanal Davis Bacon, conformidad con la Sección 3, Cumplimiento con el Acuerdo de Primer Origen para contratos por encima de $100,000.

La licitacion cierra en Noviembre 30, 2010.

Por Favor contactar a Charlene Tibbs (tel. 202-8321845 X 202) de Lunes a Viernes entre (9 AM & 4 PM) para reservar un tiempo par ver los planos y especificaciones para propósitos de licitar.

46 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Crapemyrtles are drought resistant and a good size for urban gardens.

zations that plant trees with your donation.

They’re all over the Net. Here at Garden District, staff member and expert tree and shrub guy, Jerry Potter, is planting 1100 trees in his native home country – Costa Rica. He’s rebuilding a rainforest, and will be planting these trees in January. If you care to make a donation to his cause, please drop off a check at Garden District made out to Jerry Potter or email him at jpottercr@gmail.com for more information.

I came upon this quote about “planting a tree,” the number six good deed in Islam: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Whenever Muslims plant a tree, they will earn the reward of

charity because of the food that comes from it; and likewise what is stolen from it, what the wild beasts eat out of it, what the birds eat out of it, and what people take from it is charity for them” (Muslim:2904).

Joe Carmack is owner of Garden District and a landscape designer/consultant, graduate of The George Washington University, Landscape Design Studies Program. He’s a lifelong gardener dedicated to bringing great plants and resources to the urban-landscape and to making DC a more green and inviting city. You can reach him at 202-797-9005 or send email to joecarmack@ gardendistrict-dc.com. ◆

Additional Resources: Casey Trees, Washington DC http://www.caseytrees.org/ This is a one stop shop for tree planting, with a mission to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of our Nation’s Capital.

Urban Forestry Administration, DDOT http://ufa.ddot.dc.gov/ufa/site/default.asp To schedule tree service, tree removal or get a street tree planted on public space. Their street planting season runs from October through April.

National Arboretum http://www.usna.usda.gov/ A collection and museum of trees offering garden lectures, and more. It’s also an incredibly romantic place to bring a first date and go for a walk among trees.

at home Easy Maintenance

By Frank Asher

I

was looking over a project with a colleague when he said to me: “My client wants a ‘no-maintenance’ garden where everything will just grow.” Well, needless to say, we chuckled at the thought. Even an abandoned lot requires maintenance, especially in this urban arena.

That got me thinking. While a no-maintenance garden is not realistic, a low-maintenance one is. That’s certainly a realistic goal, with a little planning and “premaintenance,” if you will.

Choosing plants that are drought tolerant is a good place to start, because not having time to water is a common complaint.

One such plant is sedum, which needs very little attention if planted in the right space. Some varieties offer good ground cover, which deters weeds. (Less weed pulling equals less maintenance.) Their small, densely packed blossoms typically appear in early summer and last until late fall. Some varieties of sedum even can handle full sun to full shade.

Another perennial is creeping thyme. It is a good choice for a sunny area. Yarrow is another hardy perennial. Serviceberry is a hardy shrub one can use, as well.

Creeping juniper is always a strong choice, too. Consider mint and vinca, with their gifts for filling empty spaces. They can be invasive sometimes and may need a thorough cutting in mid summer…Ooops…

A little maintenance there…Very little, though.

For shade gardens, try pachysandra, as an effective, evergreen groundcover. It is a workhorse of a plant that helps fill areas of a gar-

den with no direct light. This hardy plant can handle our temperatures easily once established. A few varieties of geraniums can work also. Yes, we do have native, perennial geraniums in our part of the forest that work in part sun / part shade gardens.

The most important thing a garden enthusiast can do to make her or his garden low-maintenance is to ensure proper watering. Laying down a soaker hose is easy and effective. Circle it around your plants about two inches below the surface. These hoses will keep your plants roots sufficiently watered.

Of course, the key here is putting your hose on a battery-powered timer, which costs about $125.00 or less. Not only do your plants get adequate moisture consistently, you don’t have to do a thing except make sure your water is on, your timer is working and your irrigation system is flushed out just before winter and again in early spring. There are even a couple of above ground watering devices that will do the job. In my years of experience as landscaper, the soaker hose is generally best.

You must also take into account your soil. Most soil in our area is hard clay. I wonder how anything can live in that stuff, but it does. Most plants appreciate a little help from us, though, with a “clay buster.” My recipe for that is one-part compost with one-part fresh topsoil.

Mulch is key to low-maintenance gardens. Mulch protects plants in the winter by keeping their roots warm and protects plants in the summer by keeping the soil around them moist.

Sedum

It also blocks light and reduces weeds.

Put about two inches of mulch in your garden. It’s a cost-effective purchase, and this is the time of year to add it. I prefer shredded pine mulch. Rich in color, it is the most Frank Asher ascetically pleasing of the mulches. And as it gets mixed into your soil over time, it’s a natural clay buster. Try to steer away from black and red mulches, some of which are dyed with chemicals that you do not want in your soil or water table.

Plus the colors fade.

Of course the simplest way to have a low-maintenance garden is to hire a professional gardener for just a couple of hours every two weeks.

Frank Asher, a certified master gardener, is the owner of Fairies¹ Crossing, a landscaping and garden design firm. He is also the founder of OLD CITY green, a nursery and coop on the corner of 9th and N Streets, N.W. He can be found online at www.oldcitygreen.com. ◆ capitalcommunitynews.com ◆ 47

at home

+ 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.

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

1329 WEST VIRGINIA AVE NE $560,000 $465,000 $399,900 $360,000 $277,000 $214,000

4 5 3 3 3 3

$1,275,000 $885,000

5 4

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

3 4 3

KALORAMA 1926 BELMONT RD NW 2557 WATERSIDE DR NW

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

$1,450,000 $355,000

4 2

MICHIGAN PARK 1934 QUINCY ST NE 4501 17TH ST NE

Neighborhood

Close Price

BR

FEE SIMPLE 16TH STREET HEIGHTS 1310 EMERSON ST NW 1409 VARNUM ST NW 4617 ARKANSAS AVE NW 5410 13TH ST NW 1358 INGRAHAM ST NW

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

6 3 4 3 5

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

3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3

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

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

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

8 4 3 3 3 4 2 4

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

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

4 4

$781,500 $750,000 $700,000 $678,100 $623,000 $544,000

5 6 5 2 3 2

$610,000 $559,000 $549,000 $539,000 $535,000 $530,000 $499,000 $451,000 $415,000 $415,000 $410,000 $410,000 $379,500 $350,000

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

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

4 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3

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

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

OLD CITY 341 KENTUCKY AVE SE 105 14TH ST NE 1826 BURKE ST SE 605 ACKER ST NE 1506 D ST SE 1740 BAY ST SE 218 17TH ST NE 407 11TH ST NE 632 15TH ST NE 1123 D ST NE 1007 4TH ST NE 1816 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 315 17TH ST NE 1011 8TH ST NE

48 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

308 UPSHUR ST NW 829 RANDOLPH ST NW 732 VARNUM ST NW 927 FARRAGUT ST NW 418 JEFFERSON ST NW 5126 9TH ST NW 4132 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 44 HAMILTON ST NW 4716 8TH ST NW

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

$599,000

3

3

$399,000 $345,000 $285,000 $270,000 $249,995 $217,000 $161,500

5 3 3 3 3 3 3

WOODRIDGE 3113 DAKOTA AVE NE 2579 RHODE ISLAND AVE NE 3511 24TH ST NE 3018 VISTA ST NE 2730 28TH ST NE 2220 S ST NE 3101 ADAMS ST NE

CONDO 5754 COLORADO AVE NW #101 2328 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #310 2428 17TH ST NW #GNW 2426 ONTARIO RD NW #102 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #606 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #504 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #411 915 E ST NW #405 2311 M ST NW #906 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #505 915 E ST NW #714 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW #1203 675 E ST NW #440 1133 14TH ST NW #209

1

$535,000 $495,000 $334,000

2 1 1

$575,000 $530,000 $525,000 $475,000 $465,000 $420,000 $362,000 $335,000 $300,000 $295,000

2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0

$570,000 $543,530 $499,900 $484,900 $455,000 $425,000 $425,000 $421,950 $419,000 $406,650 $398,000 $396,000 $395,000 $362,000 $341,746 $315,000 $309,900

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

$325,000 $320,000 $312,000

3 4 3

$285,000 $277,000 $228,900

3 2 2

$940,000 $453,000 $265,000

2 2 1

$488,000

2

LEDROIT PARK LOFTS OF LEDROIT CONDOMINIUM $587,630

3

$585,000 $383,000

2 1

LOGAN 1406 T ST NW #3 1520 O ST NW #206

3365 18TH ST NW #C 3314 MOUNT PLEASANT ST NW #28 3060 16TH ST NW #410

$623,500 $335,000 $245,000

3 1 1

$545,000

1

$320,000 $58,200 $1,500,000 $671,905 $515,000 $469,000 $449,000 $387,000 $355,000 $349,000 $325,000 $299,900

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

$479,000 $420,000 $365,000

2 1 1

$136,000 $117,500

1 0

$465,000 $433,000 $399,900 $385,000 $650,000 $572,250 $431,000 $315,000 $699,900

2 1 2 1 2 2 1 0 2

$515,000 $365,000

2 1

$63,000

1

$452,430 $425,000

1 1

$379,900

1

$285,000

1 ◆

OLD CITY 730 11TH ST NE #403 300 OKLAHOMA AVE NE #101 1701 18TH ST NW #202 1515 15TH ST NW #614 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #804 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #410 1725 WILLARD ST NW #3 1700 15TH ST NW #103 1718 P ST NW #904 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #508 1115 12TH ST NW #505 1440 N ST NW #506

PENN QUARTER 777 7TH ST NW #314 616 E ST NW #611 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #809

PETWORTH 738 LONGFELLOW ST NW #106 738 LONGFELLOW ST NW #210

U ST 2001 12TH ST NW #117 1390 V ST NW #219 2020 12TH ST NW #T-11 2004 11TH ST NW #430 2250 11TH ST NW #401 2250 11TH ST NW #403 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #606 2125 14TH ST NW #309 1918 15TH ST NW #1

COOP 2852 ONTARIO RD NW #B 2853 ONTARIO RD NW #518

BRIGHTWOOD 1440 TUCKERMAN ST NW #302

KALORAMA 2301 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #7A 2103 S ST NW #B 1811 VERNON ST NW #101

1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

ADAMS MORGAN

ECKINGTON 212 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #2 2002 4TH ST NE #3 301 SEATON PL NE #4

$332,500 $675,000 $1,150,000 $1,000,000 $830,000 $525,000 $499,000 $475,000 $457,500

MOUNT PLEASANT

437 NEW YORK NW #Y-29 $197,500

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1319 EUCLID ST NW #2 1451 BELMONT ST NW #301 1451 HARVARD ST NW ##3 1348 EUCLID ST NW #6 1458 FAIRMONT ST NW #4 1200 EUCLID ST NW #3 1454 EUCLID ST NW #8 1461 GIRARD ST NW #301 1438 COLUMBIA RD NW #301 1461 GIRARD ST NW #201 2650 15TH ST NW #3 2920 SHERMAN AVE NW #3-1 1451 HARVARD ST NW #7 701 LAMONT ST NW #36 1308 CLIFTON ST NW #411 3500 13TH ST NW #504 3318 SHERMAN AVE NW #102

1111 11TH ST NW #611 2109 10TH ST NW #101 1309 T ST NW #2 1621 12TH ST NW #2 1529 14TH ST NW #406 1211 13TH ST NW #203 1300 N ST NW #705 1300 N ST NW #222 1115 12TH ST NW #502

MOUNT VERNON TRIANGLE

ADAMS MORGAN

322 T ST NW #1

TRINIDAD 1217 STAPLES ST NE 1224 ORREN ST NE 1209 HOLBROOK ST NE

1306 W ST NW

161 RANDOLPH PL NW #04

SHAW/LOGAN 1629 MARION ST NW

$660,000

U STREET

CENTRAL

PETWORTH

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

$438,500 $380,000

MOUNT PLEASANT 3413 OAKWOOD TER NW 2714 ONTARIO RD NW 1809 KENYON ST NW 1725 HARVARD ST NW 1733 HARVARD ST NW 2333 17TH ST NW

3

16TH STREET HEIGHTS

LOGAN CIRCLE 1310 VERMONT AVE NW 1805 6TH ST NW

$247,500

KALORAMA 1852 COLUMBIA RD NW #603 1840 BILTMORE ST NW #24

LOGAN/DUPONT 1300 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #502

MOUNT PLEASANT 1669 COLUMBIA RD NW #409

To place a classified in HILL RAG, please call Carolina at 202.543.8300 x12 or email: Carolina@hillrag.com.

CLASSIFIEDS ADDRESS NUMBERS

HANDYMAN

CONTRACTORS Over 20 years of Experience

For all Your Home Improvement Needs

W.F. Bowman Landscaping 202-234-6282 Yard Clean Up • Sodding

The Affordable finishing touch to your home restoration.

Traditional 23 Carat Gold Transom Address Numbers with black drop shadow installed at your home.

MONUMENTAL GRAPHICS

202-251-7980 www.monumentalgraphics.net

202.575.1064 240.620.2992 * Senior Discount Available * Discount for Church Members

AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING

ELECTRICIAN THE HILL’S ELECTRICIAN Since 1990

www.wilcox-electric.com

202-546-1010

Polar Bear

• • • • •

Painting & Drywall Remodeling Woodwork Roofing Landscapes: Installation & Maintenance

301-512-9454 Licensed • Bonded • Insured

www.maf-enterprises.com

202-333-1310

Residential & Commercial

www.polar-bear-hvac.com

New Work • Rewiring • Repairs • Interior/Exterior Lighting

Awarded the Super Service Award from Angie's List in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Stephen D. Wilcox Master Electrician

LANDSCAPING START HAVING THE YARD OF YOUR DREAMS

References Available Licensed - Insured - Bonded

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

CLEANING SERVICES

MOVING & HAULING

Call Miguel Flores for your fee estimate

AIR CONDITIONING PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

LICENSED BONDED INSURED FALL & WINTER SPECIALS FREE ESTIMATES

Mulching • Trimming Shrubs Aeration • Dethatching Planting Leaf Removal Mowing Seeding & Fertilizing Hauling

Residential & Commercial 24 Hour Service

FITNESS & HEALTH

PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING

MOVING & HAULING COMPANY • Bulk Trash • Appliances • Basement Furniture • Yard Cleanup • Weekly Trash Pickups • Evictions • Demolition • Local or Long Distance • Residential or Commercial MD DC VA • 24 Hour Same Day Service “No job too small or big”

202.396.0105 license # 1948

PAINTING · Comprehensive Design and Maintenance Services · Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water features · Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work · Restoration and Enhancement

Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time

301.642.5182 www.thomaslandscapes.com

202-638-1708 WhelanStrengthTraining.com

THOMAS LANDSCAPES

Specializing in urban landscapes since 1989 Derek Thomas / Principal - Certified Professional Horticulturist, Master Gardener. Member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association & the Association of Professional Landscape Designers

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 49

PET SERVICES

Our Prices Won’t be Beat!

ROOFING

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“Stopping Leaks is Our Specialty”

ISAAC HOLDEN Roofing, Gutters & Painting OVER 30

EMERGENCY REPAIRS WE DO IT ALL RUBBER & FLAT ROOFS WATER PROOFING SLATE ROOFS LEAK REPAIRS METAL ROOFS GUTTER REPAIRS SHINGLE ROOFING CHIMNEY REPAIRS FACIAL/SOFFITS ALUMINUM ROOF COATING

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

DC Lic. 7610

• • • • • •

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New Roofs & Maintenance Seamless Gutters Waterproofing Chimney Brick Pointing Interior & Exterior Painting

202-489-1728 Licensed, Bonded & Insured Free Estimates Senior and Government Discount 10%

202.486.7184 15% off with Ad LICENSED & INSURED

Just Say I Need A Plumber® • Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement

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We are Repiping & Drain Cleaning Specialists · Competitive On The Spot Pricing · Same Day, Nights, Weekends & Emergency Service · Licensed Plumbers and Gasfitters · Underground Domestic Water and Sewer Line Leak Detection · Underground Pipe Locator

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(202) 255-9231 20 years of experience Licensed, Bonded and Insured LSDBE Certified

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER 50 ◆ Midcity DC | October 2010

Keith Roofing EXPERT WORKMANSHIP

AT

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• 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

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS call Carolina at 202.543.8300 x12

capitalcommunitynews.com â—† 51