WI Bridge - December 2016

Christmas in the District

DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER In Numerology, 2016 [2+0+1+6= 9] breaks down to nine making this a nine year. According to many who engage in spiritual practices and Numerology this year represented death, endings, completions, transformations and ultimately rebirth.

In layman’s terms, 2016 has universally been awful for a lot of people, maybe even painful as growth often is, but there is definitely more to look forward to that the hard times were preparing you for.

The next year is a prime time to reap what you have sewn over the past year, literally and figuratively. When the one year starts in January 2017 [2+0+1+7=10] you can expect new interests, experiences, goals, and gaining a new understanding about life, all that has happened to you and why it happened.

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Christmas Bar Brings Cheer To DC

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

Kwanzaa Celebrates 50 Years Local Events Honors Tradition

PHOTOGRAPHER Things That Made Us Smile in 2016

With So Much Negativity, Don't Forget About the Positive

Dejah Greene

A Jumpstart Guide to 2017

Retrospection, Resolutions & More

New Year’s Eve Going Out Guide

ON THE COVER

LAYOUT Dominiqua S. Eldridge

Prepare for an abundant, prosperous year ahead because the universe says so!

Before we get to the New Year we must stay present and enjoy the moments. Check out inside of the issue where to celebrate the holidays including Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve. Relax, relate, reflect during this down time and get ready for an exciting year on the horizon.

Don’t forget to keep up with us on social media!

If you’re a writer/photographer and you want to be a part of the Bridge team email me at swright@washingtoninformer.com. I look forward to hearing from you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Miracle on 7th Street at Mockingbird Hill in Northwest. / Photo by Joy Asico.

Sarafina Wright Jade James-Gist Lauren Poteat

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

r a B s a m t s i r Ch BringsCheerTo D C

By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor-in-chief

The Miracle on 7th Street Pop-up Christmas Bar returned bigger and better just in time to celebrate the end of the holiday season in the District.

A day after Thanksgiving, Derek Brown, Angie Fetherston and Drink Company brought back the viral sensation to craft cocktail bar Mockingbird Hill in addition to adjoining bars Eat the Rich and Southern Efficiency in Northwest.

“Last year was so much fun, it's hard to imagine how we could make it more fun, but guess what: we will,” Brown said.

Miracle on 7th Street, includes whimsical winter wonderland décor touches like a dreidel chandelier and a nativity scene starring gilded dinosaurs.

Beer giants Stella Artois and Budweiser have partnered with the group to create a new beer cocktail for the themed menu, along with beer inspired swag and other boozy treats.

Miracle on 7th Street at Mockingbird Hill located at 1843 7th St NW. / Photo by Joy Asico.

Some of the festive cocktail menu items for $13 include:

GRETCHEN, STOP TRYING TO MAKE FETCH HAPPEN Moscatel Sherry, Dry Curaçao, Spiced Cranberry Syrup, Sparkling Wine

XMAS IS RUN BY A BIG EASTERN SYNDICATE

Dark Rum, Five Spice Syrup, Lime, Bitters, Fortune Cookie

SNOW ANGELS, ICE SKATING, COOKIE DOUGH & SNUGGLES Butter-Washed Vodka, Don Ciccio & Figli Coffee Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, Cookie Dough-Infused Frangelico, Milk, Salt, Cookie Dough Bites

PUT ON A YARMULKE

Armagnac, Don Ciccio & Figli Nocino, Crème de Cacao, Lemon, Boker's Bitters

RUM HAM! “Gretchen, Stop Trying to Make Fetch Happen” cocktail from Miracle on 7th Street. / Photo by Joy Asico.

Christmas Rum Blend, Pineapple Bud Light Syrup, Lime

Patrons can enjoy the offerings and limited-time menu until Saturday, Dec. 31, which will conclude the winter wonderland with a New Year’s Eve bash.

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DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Kwanzaa Celebrates 50 Years Local Events Honors Tradition

By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor-in-chief

The African-American week-long celebration of heritage and culture returns this year for its 50th anniversary.

From Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 millions of Africans throughout the diaspora, particularly the United States will observe Kwanzaa, or “first fruits” in Swahili.

Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University Long Beach, started the holiday as a way to bring AfricanAmericans together as a community according to history.com.

Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa.

The celebration includes songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading and a large traditional meal.

On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara [candleholder] then together they discuss the principles.

The Nguzo Saba [seven principles in Swahili] are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans.

They are Unity/Umoja, to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race; Self-determination/Kujichagulia, to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves; Collective work and responsibility/Ujima, to build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together; Cooperative economics/Ujamaa, to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together; Purpose/Nia, to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness; Creativity/Kuumba, to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it; Faith/Imani, to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

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Kwanzaa photo courtesy of Holiday Vault.

Kwanzaa Events 2016 1

Annual Kwanzaa Celebration Day 1 - Kujichagulia Live with Culture Queen

Join Culture Queen [Jessica Smith] as she brings to life the Kwanzaa principle Kujichagulia which means “self determination” through live music, interactive movement and storytelling the whole family will enjoy!

Tuesday, December 27, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fort Stanton Recreation Center 1810 Erie Street SE

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National Black United Front Kwanzaa 101

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Annual Citywide Umoja Kwanzaa Celebration

Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Kwanzaa featuring Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble, KanKouran West African Dance Company and Ujamaa Shule Afrikan Drummers and Dancers.

Monday, December 26, 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Four Walls Education Center 1125 Neal St NE

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The Kwanzaa Children's Party

An Interactive Workshop Series on Understanding A free event featuring a host of entertaining Kwanzaa and How to Celebrate It. and engaging educational activities for children Thursday, December 22: including cultural arts & crafts, African The Symbols and Activities of Kwanzaa dance and drumming classes. Storytelling, Thursday, December 29: face painting, healthy kids cooking class, Ujamaa Kwanzaa Celebration Karamu feast, candle lighting ceremony, and Emergence Community Arts Collective performances featuring Ayanna Gregory, 733 Euclid Street NW Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble, Ka’ba SoulSinger, and Iya and the Kuumba Kids will also be on the agenda. Every child in attendance will receive a Kwanzaa gift bag full of goodies and a t-shirt.

Friday, December 30, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

St. Martin's Church 1908 North Capitol Street NW

2016

POLITICS:

ENTERTAINMENT:

Protestors of the Dakota Access Pipeline won a victory with the government suspending construction on the site.

Things That Made Us Smile in

DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

With So Much Negativity, Don't Forget About the Positive By

WI Bridge Staff

Photo courtesy of indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com

The U.S. and Chinese government ratified the Paris climate deal.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s mega-hit Hamilton, won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Harriet Tubman, announced by the US Department of the Treasury It also received a record-setting 16 Tony Awards nominations, will grace the $20 bill. winning 11 - including Best Musical.

Unprecedented number of minority women were elected to Congress in the 2016 election.

President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that gives sexualassault survivors a basic set of rights under federal law.

Over 800 Boko Haram hostages were rescued.

Photo courtesy of Paste Magazine.

Actress and writer Issa Rae moved from YouTube to HBO with her breakout hit Insecure, which got renewed for a second season. Rae also received her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy.

Photo courtesy of Gangsta Rap Talk.

Photo courtesy of Gossip on This.

S P O RT S :

Chance the Rapper had his best year ever with the success of his independent album Coloring Book and his partnership with the NAACP to start a youth Photo courtesy of postnewsreport.com voting initiative.

Gymnast Simone Biles won the individual all-around, vault and floor gold medal during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Photo courtesy of Sporting News.

Swimmer Michael Phelps made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals.

Photo courtesy of NPR.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made history winning their first championship coming back from a 3-1 deficit, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Rapper Childish Gambino took his talents to tv with his hit FX show Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a championship in Atlanta, named one of the best shows of 2016 by Forbes, The Super Bowl 50 defeating the Carolina Panthers. Manning went out Atlantic and Variety. on a high note retiring after 18 seasons.

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DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

A Jumpstart Guide to 2017

Photo courtesy of ebony.com

By Jade James-Gist WI Bridge Contributing Writer

Retrospection, Resolutions & More

With the passing of beloved celebrities Prince, Muhammad Ali and David Bowie, the arrival of the Zika virus, unceasing terror attacks, Brexit, the Syrian war and refugee crisis, and a shocking 2-year-long election, 2016 will be one of the worst years on record--at least in our lifetime.

any case, phone calls are the main way to alert your representatives to the issues their constituents care about.

However, as deeply as recent events influenced our lives, we, as U.S. citizens, have the potential and privilege to constructively reciprocate that impact.

Whether you were inspired by the resilience of #NoDAPL and Black Lives Matter protesters or by Simone Biles’ explosive gymnastic performance at the Summer Olympics, use the worst (or best) moments of 2016 to spur a terrific 2017.

Drafting feasible New Year's resolutions usually takes time, honest reflection, and practical goal-setting. But I’ve come up with a few sample New Year’s resolutions, keeping our collective experiences in mind, to jumpstart this process for you.

Activate Your Citizenship:

Many, if not most people were upset with the results of the election this year, but we cannot remain passive, wounded observers.

Our politics, however reminiscent of reality TV, is not a spectator sport. Dedicate one call per month to your congressman. Many of us are transient transplants hailing from less decisively leaning states across the country. In

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Donate:

Give your time or money to a local advocacy group to support the issues you care about the most for 2017. Strengthen your resolve to DO something about how you feel. Read more. Talk more. Act!

DIY Health:

Did you feel as incompetent as I did watching Katie Ledecky blow her Olympic competitors away in the 1200M Freestyle in Brazil? Fitspo [fitness inspiration]. If you have an iPhone, check out your step count on the Health app [they’ve been tracking you ever since the update]. What’s your average? Try to top it, then set a date to double it.

And if can push through 10 to 12 minutes, I suggest trying YouTube workout series, “Pop Pilates” or any other yoga or HIIT videos. “Couchto5K” is another excellent app for beginner runners, or for those of us getting back on the horse. No equipment needed.

Mindful Eating:

While we’re on the exercise tip, reflect on how you eat. Do you eat when you’re hungry? Do you eat when you’re full? Get in tune with your body next year by eating mindfully. Flip the script on dieting by paying attention to your physical hunger signals instead of mental ones. It’s a low-stress, important first step if you’ve been meaning to change your

eating habits. This ultimately leads to better digestion, less bloating, and just feeling more balanced. Or if you find yourself with an unwanted sweet tooth after the holidays, challenge yourself to cut out processed sugar products. Replace them with low-glycemic index foods like sweet potatoes or plantains, which will raise your sugar levels slowly to prevent that notorious crash. Pair this with upped water intake and say hello to clearer skin and dependable energy levels throughout the day.

Go Green:

This year the CO2 [Carbon dioxide] surpassed 400 parts per millions in our atmosphere--the highest level ever experienced by humans in our existence. As we face unprecedented weather patterns, mass extinctions, and plastic-polluted water, many are considering new ways to reduce their consumption and carbon output. Meatless Mondays, a weekly pledge to one day a week substitute meat [especially red meat] for, literally anything else. This makes a financial impact on the meat industry, which creates a huge carbon footprint [~8% of all carbon emissions]. Here are a few tips to contribute to a better planet: - Carry a water bottle instead of relying on single-use containers.

- Opt for the metro more often - Use dish towels over paper towels - Use low-energy light bulbs - Ditch plastic bags

DECEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 11

e v E s ’ r a e Y New Going Out Guide

New Year photo courtesy of Bird Stone.

By Lauren Poteat WI Bridge Contributing Writer

No plans for New Year’s Eve? The capitol city still has lots to offer, with New Year's Eve celebrations ranging from nightclubs to legendary musical performances, romantic dining and even familyfriendly events.

Take a look at this New Year’s Eve Going Out Guide and see some of the not-so-obvious, but great events happening in the D.C. metro area.

Attend a concert from legendary band Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and ring in the New Year, with love, peace and soul, on Saturday, Dec. 31 at DAR Constitution Hall, located at 1776 D St, NW. Show starts at 10 p.m.

Feeling charitable? Celebrate the New Year in a new way by benefiting a good cause. The Art & Fashion Haiti Benefit helps victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. The goal is to use the celebration to help provide clean water, seeds for replanting, tools for farming, and material to rebuild homes for over 250 families in ● Just want to relax or have a romantic night? Take a cruise the Grand'Anse area of Haiti. The event begins on Saturday, Dec. along the Potomac River on the Odyssey or the Spirit of Washington, 31, 9 p.m. at Seabrook Ballroom, 8888 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, for a memorable New Year's Eve evening full of dining, dancing and Md. 20706 .W skyline views of Washington, DC. Visit odysseycruises.com. ● First Night Alexandria provides an exclusive outside winter ● 5 The Hard Way is a collaboration of several young dancers experience for attendees to partake in day-long interactive activities, whose mission is to maintain and perpetuate traditional African music and food, followed by a majestic display of fireworks over culture and to create a supportive, noncompetitive, positive, and the Potomac River at the Alexandria Waterfront, located at 1 Prince nurturing environment for the expression of that culture. The St, Alexandria, Va. 22314.

New Year's Eve West African dance marathon is a 6 hour long celebration of back to back dance classes, marketplace, food and music on Saturday, Dec. 31, located at 1405 Brentwood Pkwy, NE, starting at 2 p.m. ●

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