East of the River Magazine – June 2024

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

26 Ban Cell Phones In Schools: A No Cost Policy That Pays Educational Dividends by Heidi Carlson 28 Naming of Alley Controversial: ANC 7D Report by Sarah Payne

Councilmember Henderson Visits: ANC 8F Report by Andrew Lightman

Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner

A Motown Family Reunion at the Anacostia Arts Center: Beverly Lindsay-Johnson and Nikki Graves Henderson’s Exhibition Celebrates Motown by Matthew McClure

Meet Jim Conway: Influencer and Executive Director of Conways Field & Court by Anthony D. Diallo

The Man from Anacostia: D.C. (and the U.S.) Should Change Election Day by Philip Pannell

Hands compiled by Don Denton

by Kathleen Donner

Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com

Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com

Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com

Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com

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WASHINGTON

Capital Fringe Festival

The Capital Fringe Festival runs from July 11 to 21, on Thursdays and Fridays, 6 to 11 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It features original theater, dance and unclassifiable productions with a total of 150 cast and crew members, 83% of whom are from the DMV area. The festival has moved and will take place in the Golden Triangle neighborhood, in three vacant retail storefronts on Connecticut Avenue NW. 1150, 1122 and 1129, equipped with three stages, as well as two additional stages at the Edlavitch DCJCC and Theater J. On June 20, the full festival schedule will be released and tickets will go on sale. www.capitalfringe.org

The Wandering Associates at the 2017 Capital Fringe Festival at the Atlas

National Capital Barbecue Battle

The 32nd Annual National Capital Barbecue Battle is on the weekend of June 22 and 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Sunday, on Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW. Attractions are an art to go-go village, kid’s activities, DC sports teams, Monumental Sports Zone, cooking demonstrations, four stages of live music, DJs, bike and skateboarding stunts and more. $20 admission; $30 weekend pass; under 12, free. www.bbqindc.com

Kenilworth Park’s Lotus & Water Lily Festival

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a unique destination within Anacostia Park. The summer lotus and lily blossoms are a “must see” during the peak blooming period in July, not unlike viewing the cherry blossoms in spring. The Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens’ Lotus & Water Lily Festival is from Friday to Sunday, July 19 to 21: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are children’s activities and a neighborhood night on Friday. Saturday and Sunday feature stage performances, art classes, yoga, ranger programs, food trucks and an artist market. The park is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. There’s a parking lot and neighborhood parking. www.nps.gov/keaq

National Park Service/Rachel Hendrix

Performing Arts Center.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Hot August Music Festival

The Hot August Music Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 10 (rain or shine), from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (gates at 11:00 a.m.), at Oregon Ridge Park, 13403 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville, Maryland. Hear Grace Potter, Snarky Puppy, Neal Francis, Eggy, Cris Jacobs, Sam Grisman Project, Pressing Strings, PRS Eightlock, Hot August Collective and others. General admission tickets are $89; kids 12 and under are free. www.hotaugustmusicfestival.com

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington: “Portraits”

Through visual art, music and dance, “Portraits” represents the spectrum of sexual, gender, racial, ethnic and cultural identities in a brand-new, nine-movement oratorio. Each movement features one of nine artworks brought to life through music and motion by GMCW and 17th Street Dance. Each piece will highlight an aspect of the human experience, inspired by the “Portraits” artwork of the composer’s choosing. On Sunday, June 16, at 5 p.m., in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, the music and artwork will be combined by a choreographer to create the final piece. Tickets are $25. www.kennedy-center.org

Around the World Cultural Food Festival

On Saturday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town Alexandria, enjoy a celebration of cultures from every corner of the world. This free festival features over 20 ethnic food vendors. Performances will showcase the rich tapestry of global cultures and explore unique treasures, from handmade crafts to cultural artifacts. www.visitalexandria.com

A Taste of the DMV: Food, Music & Cultural Festival

On Saturday, June 15, noon to 7 p.m., indulge in a gastronomic adventure with over 175 vendors, including food trucks, food booths and a plethora of non-food vendors. The festival features 40 acts on multiple stages and a diverse lineup from all over the DMV and beyond. An adults-only area offers beer and alcohol vendors, local breweries, bartenders, music and vendors geared toward adults. A Taste of the DMV is on Pennsylvania Avenue at Third Street NW. Admission is $10; free for kids 10 and under. Tickets at gate. www. atasteofdmv.com

Grace Potter

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Blues Singer Buffalo Nichols at Jammin Java

This is music that comes straight from the present, and as such is a reminder that the same urge that drove the first blues singers to pick up a guitar is still present behind the throbs of hits today. Buffalo Nichols is at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave., East, Vienna, Virginia, on Friday, June 21, 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). General admission tickets are $15. www.jamminjava.com

the KC

“10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography” at

A blossoming initiative to recognize and elevate Asian creatives working in ballet will grace Kennedy Center stages as a weeklong festival, June 18 to 23. “10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography” spotlights Asian and Asian American choreographers representing the ethnic heritages of Singapore, China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and more. The Washington Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Singapore Ballet, Goh Ballet, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, Ballet West, Houston Ballet and dancers from the National Ballet of China will join the festivities. www.kennedy-center.org

Beethoven’s Ninth at the National Cathedral

On Sunday, June 30, at 6 p.m., the National Orchestral Institute and Festival, conductor Marin Alsop and the Heritage Signature Chorale perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with poetry by 2017 Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s composition “blue cathedral.” $94. www.cathedral.org

National Book Festival

The 2024 Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Pl. NW, on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (doors at 8:30 a.m.). The event is free and open to the public. For those who cannot attend in person, a selection of programs will be livestreamed online, and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the festival. Follow “bookmarked” for all festival news at www.blogs.loc.gov/bookmarked. www.loc.gov/events/2024-national-book-festival

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company in “A Tribute to Marian Anderson.” Dancers Joan Ayap & Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo.

Photo: Robin Michal

Buffalo Nichols performing at the 2023 Winnipeg Folk Festival (Bird’s Hill Provincial Park) at the Old Time Feeling workshop at Snowberry stage.

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Comedian Steve Treviño at MGM National Harbor

Comedian Steve Treviño, “America’s Favorite Husband,” can “speak wife fluently” and knows better than to “make his own decisions,” since decision-making is a privilege reserved solely for his wife. His relatable approach affirms his status as one of the nation’s premiere stand-up comedians. Tickets start at $25. Steve Treviño is at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Friday, July 12, at 8 p.m. www.mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com

Photo: Paul Mobley

La Placita DMV: DC’s Puerto Rican Fest

On Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., join La Placita DMV 2024, a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, music, food, crafts and more. Dance all day to the pulsating beats of Limite 21 and the Marc Anthony tribute by Luva. Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors and a large area for kids. Participate in the fun and competitive spirit of the People’s Choice Awards and Domino Competition. $25 admission; kids under 12, free. La Placita DMV 2024 is at Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE. www.laplacitadmv.com

DC Arts Center’s “WallMountables” 2024

From Friday, July 12 (opening celebration), to Aug. 11 (closing reception), experience the inclusive spirit of “WallMountables,” one of the District’s largest open community exhibitions, at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. Since its establishment in 1989, DCAC has been committed to nurturing underrepresented artists. During “WallMountables,” DCAC transforms its gallery walls into a floor-to-ceiling grid of 2 x 2-foot squares, as a canvas for artists to display their work. The result is a visual tapestry encompassing creations from children, students and self-taught artists, as well as emerging, mid- and late-career artists. www.dcartscenter.org/wallmountables24

Iron & Wine at the Anthem

American singer-songwriter Sam Beam, better known by his stage name Iron & Wine, has released six studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases. Beam released his first Iron & Wine album, “The Creek Drank the Cradle,” in 2002. The album’s music has been compared to that of Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel. He brings his Light Verse 2024 Tour to The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Aug. 9, at 8:00 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). $45. www.Theanthemdc.com

Sam Beam aka Iron & Wine.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Maryland Seafood Festival

The Maryland Seafood Festival is a two-day event offering a wide array of food vendors and activities on Sept. 14 and 15, at Sandy Hook State Park on Chesapeake Bay. Hear live music while enjoying your favorite seafood. You can even order fresh steamed crabs ahead of time. The Crab Soup Cook-Off occurs onsite on Saturday, and tickets are available in advance. This year’s event will also feature local restaurants and chefs. General admission is $20; kids, 12 and under, free. www.abceventsinc.com/maryland-seafood-festival

Sing-Along “Sound of Music” at Wolf Trap

On Friday, Aug. 16, at 7:00 p.m. (gates at 5:30 p.m.), before the Oscar-winning family favorite film begins, the audience will be led through a vocal warm-up, gifted an interactive fun pack and asked to judge if their costume really is “Something Good!” Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children. www.wolftrap.org

Rock the Dock Free Summer Concerts

All summer long, through Labor Day, come to The Wharf on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for free concerts on Transit Pier. Here’s the lineup: June 5, Keeton (rock); June 12, David Thong (pop); June 19, Juneteenth Extended Concert, 3 to 9 p.m.; June 26, Capital Effect (80s pop); July 3, Jimi Smooth & HitTime (Motown); July 10, La Unica (Latin); July 17, Pebble to Pearl (R&B/soul); July 24, Uncle Jesse (90s pop); July 31, So Fetch (2000s pop); Aug. 7, Justin Trawick and the Common Good (Americana); Aug. 14, Nkula (reggae); Aug. 21, Driven to Clarity (pop and rock); and Aug. 28, Perfekt Blend (R&B/pop/jazz). All ages are welcome; also dogs on a leash. Limited bench seating and tables and chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. www.wharfdc.com

National Dance Day at the REACH

On Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at 10 a.m., find joy in communities created through dance. Join the Kennedy Center at the REACH for another National Dance Day celebration with free classes, performances and parties. This year’s event explores how dance builds and strengthens community wellness. National Dance Day coincides with the fifth anniversary of the REACH’s opening, so get ready for arts activities and performances all weekend long. www.kennedy-center.org

Justin Trawick and the Common Good perform on Aug. 14.

Photo: Jati Lindsay

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

“Motown DC” at the Anacostia Arts Center

The African American Music Association in partnership with the Anacostia Arts Center presents “Motown DC: A Photographic and Memorabilia Exhibition.” It is on display through Tuesday, July 7, at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave. SE, daily, except Mondays, noon to 5 p.m. The exhibition displays photographs of legendary Motown artists as well as personal items on loan by a number of original Motown artists and Globe posters promoting the famous 1964 Motortown Revue. www.anacostiaartscenter.com

The Folger Shakespeare Library Reopens

Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment at the NGA

From Sept. 8, 2024, to Jan. 19, 2025, discover the origins of the French art movement in a new look at the 1874 exhibition considered the birth of modern painting. A presentation of 130 works includes a rare reunion of many of the paintings first featured in that now-legendary exhibition. Revisit beloved paintings by Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and meet their lesser-known contemporaries. The National Gallery of Art is the only US stop for this historic exhibition. www.nga.gov

After a four-year renovation, the “new” Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, will open on Friday, June 21 at 1 p.m. Items on public exhibit for the first time include 82 copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio and a new installation by renowned artist Fred Wilson, whose works reframe cultural symbols and encourage users to reconsider social, racial and historical narratives. And much more, including the new Quill & Crumb cafe. www.folger.edu

ABOVE: The First Folio was printed in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. Without it, 18 of Shakespeare’s plays might have been lost forever.

Lloyd Wolf, Folger Shakespeare Library

Auguste Renoir, “La Loge” (Theater Box), 1874, oil on canvas. The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust). Photo © The Courtauld

Photo:

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Waxcahatchee.

Waxcahatchee, Snail Mail and Tim Heidecker at Wolf Trap

On Sept. 6, at 7:00 p.m. (gates at 5:30 p.m.), indie rockers Waxcahatchee and Snail Mail join comedian and musician Tim Heidecker for an evening under the stars at Wolf Trap. Waxcahatchee, the work of Katie Crutchfield, has released three Top 10 Billboard folk albums in the past decade. Snail Mail, a project of Maryland native Lindsey Jordan, delivers emotionally vulnerable songwriting with a doctorate in shredding. Heidecker, best known as half of the comedy duo Tim & Eric, released his sixth solo album, “High School,” in 2022. Tickets are $39, up. Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Virginia. www.wolftrap.org

Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Indigenous Voices of the Americas

In celebration of the National Museum of the American Indian, from June 26 to July 1, at the 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, Indigenous artists and makers, professional chefs and home cooks, musicians, dancers, athletes and storytellers will demonstrate multigenerational traditions as well as innovative approaches to cultural expression. Learn stories that underlie Indigenous sports and games. Hear how Indigenous youth are reclaiming their languages through spoken-word and hip-hop. Explore traditional arts that flourish in their connections to place and environmental knowledge. Festival hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with evening concerts Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. www.festival.si.edu

The Hold Steady at the 9:30 Club

The Hold Steady is an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2003 and now based in Brooklyn, New York. Noted for lyrically dense storytelling and classic rock influences, the band’s narrative-based songs frequently address themes such as drug addiction, religion and redemption. The Hold Steady is at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW, on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets start at $45. www.930.com

International Rugby: Scotland vs. US

Read the rules before you go. A match consists of two 40-minute halves. Play starts with a kickoff from the center of the field. Players can run forward with the ball, pass the ball backward to teammates or kick the ball forward. The defending team tries to prevent the attacking team from encroaching on its territory and seeks to gain possession of the ball. Read more at www.britannica. com/sports/rugby. Tickets start at $29. See a professional match, Scotland vs. US, on Friday, July 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Audi Field, 100 Potomac Ave. SW. www.audifield.com

Photo: Wade Bricknell

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

“Bye Bye Birdie” at the KC

From Friday, June 7, to Saturday, June 15, teen idol Conrad Birdie is drafted into the Army in this ebullient winner of four Tony Awards, but before he leaves, he’ll perform a new song on the Ed Sullivan Show and give one last kiss to a lucky fan. Tickets start at $67. www.kennedy-center.org

“Comedy of Errors” at Shakespeare Theatre Company

From Sept. 10 to Oct. 6, confusions collide at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in this hilariously illogical comedy. Lookalikes Alex Brightman and David Fynn come together as Dromio and Dromio (respectively) to add a splash of rock ‘n’ roll to Shakespeare’s play. Directed by Simon Godwin (“Much Ado about Nothing,” “Macbeth”). Tickets are $35 to $119. At the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre. www.shakespearetheatre.org

Smithsonian Solstice Saturday and Astronomy Festival on the Mall

On June 22, the Smithsonian marks the first Saturday of summer, Solstice Saturday, by staying open late and hosting programs and performances throughout the day and night. Solstice Saturday is held in association with Hofstra University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival on the National Mall also takes place Saturday, June 22, from 6 to 11 p.m., in front of the Hirshhorn Museum. www.si.edu/solsticesaturday

“The Hatmaker’s Wife” at Theater J

Magic and realism collide in this modern fable about learning to love. A young woman moves in with her boyfriend, and when she has trouble getting comfortable, her strange new home seems determined to help out, literally. The walls start to talk, words magically appear, and a golem with a taste for Cheetos gets into the action. A cross between a ghost story and a Yiddish fable, Lauren Yee’s moving and whimsical “The Hatmaker’s Wife” redefines home, family and love. At Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, from June 5 to 25. www.edcjcc.org/theater-j

Alex Brightman (left) and David Fynn (right).

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JUNETEENTH CALENDER

Juneteenth Commemorative Collection. The National Museum of African American History and Culture Juneteenth Merchandise Collection has launched.

First page of the Emancipation Proclamation.

See the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, he said, “I never in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right than I do in signing this paper … If my name ever goes into history it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it.” The document proclaimed that enslaved people held in areas still in rebellion “are and henceforward shall be free.” By the end of the war, nearly 200,000 Black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation is on display at the National Archives, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from June 18 to 20, with extended hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.archivesfoundation.org

It includes tote bags, scarves, tumblers, shirts, towels and more. Visit www.nmaahc. si.edu/visit/museum-store.

“Fighters for Freedom”:

William H. Johnson Picturing Justice. Through Sept. 8 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets NW. William H. Johnson (1901-70) painted his last body of work, the “Fighters for Freedom” series, in the mid-1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. For the first time since 1946, this exhibition brings together 34 paintings featured in the series. www. americanart.si.edu

Juneteenth Half-Marathon & 10k. Saturday, June 15, at 6:19 a.m. Both start at Fort Stanton Park, 1820 Erie St. SE, and take runners along the entirety of the Civil War defenses of the Washington Trail. Free registration. Post-race festivities, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.juneteenthmarathon.org

Heroes of Civil Rights Specialty Tours at the Capitol. Weekdays at 3 p.m. Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and Charles Sumner all fought for an end to slavery and the equality and freedom of all Americans. Learn how they shaped the path from slavery to civil rights. The tour includes Emancipation Hall and the Old Senate Chamber. Free passes are at the information desk in Emancipation Hall. The tour lasts one hour. www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit

The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour. Daily, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Listen to the stories of the enslaved people who built and operated Mount Vernon, and learn about their daily lives during this 60-minute tour. www.mountvernon.org

Lincoln’s Toughest Decisions: Complexities of Emancipation. Saturday, June 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Commemorate Juneteenth at President Lincoln’s Cottage by discovering often unheard perspectives on emancipation. $15. President Lincoln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. www.lincolncottage.org

“A Seat at the Table”: A Juneteenth Conversation with Bryant Terry and Kevin Young. Saturday, June 15, from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m., at the Nation-

al Museum of African America History and Culture. Indulge in a special, plant-based meal curated by Bryant Terry, designed to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of African American cuisine and Juneteenth. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss healthier ways of eating, explore ancestral forms of cooking and learn how to share time-honored meals and practices with families and communities. $40. www.nmaahc.si.edu

Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival. June 15 to 19. Spanning five days and eight venues, the festival will offer 23 events across Montgomery County. June 19, at 8:00 a.m., Juneteenth 5k Road Race and One-Mile Family Walk; 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Children’s Carnival and Food Court at Cabin John Park; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Juneteenth Parade. www.juneteenthscotland.org

NMAAHC Juneteenth Community Day. On Saturday, June 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., visitors can celebrate the history, art and culture of Juneteenth at the National Museum of African American History and Culture with events at the annual Community Day. All programs are free, but registration is required for indoor activities. Register at www.nmaahc. si.edu/events/juneteenth-community-day-celebration.

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Southwest Juneteenth Festival (History, Heritage, Hope). On Saturday, June 15, noon to 3 p.m., enjoy music, dance, food, children’s activities, games, giveaways, free books and a walking tour. 1354 First St. SW. www.asalh.org

Family 365 Genealogy Block Party. Saturday, June 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. This is a first-ever event in a celebration of similar and shared heritage, history and identity. Discover how to unlock the secrets of your ancestry with renowned genealogists. The DC Office of the Medical Examiner will be onsite to highlight Black and Brown missing persons cases. This event also features live music, cultural, performances, free food, a game truck and giveaways. Free and open to all. Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 5073 East Capitol St. SE. www.info@majani.org

A Gospel Symphony Celebration at the Kennedy Center. Tuesday, June 18, and Wednesday, June 19, at 8 p.m., both days. In celebration of Juneteenth, witness the fusion of two musical worlds. Grammy Award-winning producer Dr. Henry Panion III leads the NSO, local gospel choirs and special guests at an evening of soulful celebration. $33 to $114. www. kennedy-center.org

Juneteenth Celebration at Church of the Epiphany. Tuesday, June 18, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth with countertenor Andrew Chukwu-

JUNETEENTH CALENDER

ku Egbuchiem. Free; donations accepted. 1317 G St. NW. www.epiphanydc.org

Juneteenth at Lincoln Park. Wednesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. Program features Nathan Richardson as Frederick Douglass. Bring chairs or blankets. Lincoln Park is on East Capitol Street at 12th Street SE. www.nps.gov/cahi

Juneteenth for the City Block Party. Wednesday, June 19, from 1 to 6 p.m. This family-friendly block party in the heart of Anacostia features a local Black-owned business marketplace, food, live performances and educational sessions – all rooted in Black culture and history. Bread for the City, 1700 Marion Barry Ave. SE. www.breadforthecity.org/Juneteenth

Civic Season at the American History Museum. Juneteenth on June 19 to July 4. An annual Civic Season connects Americans nationwide with ways to explore our complex past, take action in the present and shape the future. The Fourth of July commemorates the moment when a new generation articulated the values of freedom, equality, justice, rights and opportunity. Juneteenth reminds us that people in the United States have fought to make those values a reality for hundreds of years. www.thecivicseason.com

Juneteenth at National Harbor. Wednesday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth at National Harbor and visit the Freedom Day Black-Owned Marketplace in the Capital Canopy. Support the community and stick around for cultural performances starting at 5 p.m. on the Plaza Stage. www.nationalharbor.com

Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent Tours at Tudor Place. Extended through Oct. 13. The tour uses audio recordings, maps, artifacts and photographs to reveal how individuals practiced resistance and activism while navigating the traumas that came from the institution of slavery. Tudor Place Historic House & Garden is at 1644 31st St. NW. www.tudorplace.org

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at the ACM. Wednesday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, for a daylong celebration as family, friends and neighbors honor the present and reflect on shared tradition and history. www.anacostia.si.edu

Live! at the Library: Juneteenth Celebration Concert. Thursday, June 20, from 8 to 10 p.m. Immerse yourself in the rhythms and energy of two-time Grammy-nominated Cha Wa, a musical force guaranteed to make you move and groove. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium. www. loc.gov/live

Mount Vernon Juneteenth Family Days. On Wednesday through Saturday, June 19, 20, 21 and 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., each day, discover how enslaved men and women at Mount Vernon defined their agency and the legacies they left behind. Also learn about Ona Judge, Christopher Sheels and Mount Vernon’s many enslaved people who resisted enslavement and sought freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation. Activities are included with Mount Vernon admission. www.mountvernon.org

African Americans at Congressional Cemetery: Guided Docent Tour. Saturday, June 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From the formerly enslaved to philosophers, to DC’s Mayor for Life, come and join an expert docent for an exploration of African American history in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. $5 donation. Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. www.congressionalcemetery.org

Home Rule Music Festival at The Parks @ Walter Reed. Saturday, June 22, from noon to 9 p.m. This event celebrates all things jazz and gogo, where talented artists take the stage to rock your world. Free admission. The Parks @ Walter Reed are at 1010 Butternut St. NW. www.homerulemusicfestival.com u

Photo: Southwest Juneteenth Committee

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WEBINAR: BUSINESS FOUNDATION SERIES: THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS

Thursday,

WEBINAR: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

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SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS”

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Small Business Resource Center (202) 442-4538 | dlcp@dc.gov

neighborhood news

Ban Cell Phones In Schools

A No Cost Policy That Pays Educational Dividends

by Heidi Carlson

It happens every day in our DC schools. Thousands of children ages six to 18 take their seats and start scrolling. In schools across America, smartphones are pervasive in the classroom. Our Ward 7 and 8 classrooms are no di erent.

This has catastrophic consequences for learning.

Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2012, there has been an exponential increase in anxiety, self-harm and depression among teens, particularly girls. By now, most of us have heard a variation on the statistics. We know smartphones are bad for youth mental health. We know they facilitate bullying. But allowing them in our classrooms takes the injury of smartphones to the level of absolute insult.

Smartphones are di erent from the cellphones many of us rst experienced. We weren’t addicted to our ip phones, much less incessantly texting, when it required us to push a button three times to get one letter. Those cellphones were used for direct communication (calls and texting). Smartphones are used for scrollable media consumption, a veri ably addictive activity.

We know smartphones with social media are addictive because we adults can’t stop scrolling. How much more di cult is it for youth, who are less mature and have less self-control, to place limits on when and where they use their phones.

It’s taken years of active policy decisions and enforcement to keep addictive and harmful substances out of our schools, yet smartphones are allowed to walk right in. If Tracy Chapman wrote Bang, Bang, Bang today she might have called it Scroll, Scroll, Scroll. “Give ‘em [smartphones], give ‘em candy, anything to make them think they’re happy...”

Smartphones should not be accessible during the school day, much less in the classroom. Teachers are quitting because they are demoralized and “tired of trying to engage students who are lost in their phones.” Smartphones sap the joy out of the learning environment. They condition children to have short attention spans. Giving a teacher undivided attention and eye-contact for the length of a short lecture becomes an impossible endeavor. Students are “bored” without a phone and develop an inability to engage creatively with their environment. Educators thus aren’t just battling to teach the material, but battling to teach students that don’t care about learning.

Many schools have a “no personal device” policy on the books. But those policies often place the responsibility on the child to self-regulate. We cannot expect our children, who literally get dopamine hits from scrolling, to be able to ght this addiction alone. Furthermore, when they know they can access their phone between classes, they are less likely to stay after class to ask a question about the homework or engage with the teacher. They simply rush out to get the next hit.

If the policies are already in place, why don’t teachers enforce them? As any teacher knows, it takes the full support of parents and administrators to enforce a policy that students abhor. If an addictive substance is at their ngertips, children can’t say no. They need our help to break free.

At a recent forum for Ward 7 Councilmember, I asked the candidates if they would support a policy of “no smartphones in the classroom” for Ward 7 schools. Half the candidates said unequivocally yes, the others said no. There appeared to be some confusion on the di erence between “technology” in the classroom and “personal devices” in the classroom. Technology is essential in the classroom. Personal smartphones are not.

One concerned parent approached me after the forum. He liked the idea, but was concerned about reaching his child during an emergency. I understand that sentiment.

Until a few years ago, parents did not have the expectation they could reach their child at any time of the day. However, the mechanisms and policies to reach children

in an emergency are still in place. They didn’t disappear when children started carrying smartphones. The only thing that changed is child and parent expectations.

Schools must have an office phone that is answered by a person during school hours. [The charter schools my children attend answer the phone in-person]. Parents should contact the school in the case of a family emergency. If the school has an emergency, school administrators will contact the families. My children’s elementary school has gone on lockdown three times this year for active shooters in the vicinity of the school. Each time, I received a text or email from the school before I heard about the events on the news or from other parents. Unfortunately, our schools must have well-practiced policies for these terribly frequent events. Fortunately, they do. If schools don’t practice the proper procedures, the solution is not “give the kids smartphones,” but enforce and practice the proper, required procedures.

Educators want a “no smartphone” policy in schools. Children need this policy. As a parent, I want this policy and I want it enforced. I’ve lived all over the world and I can attest that our schools are more than adequate for our children’s education. Our DC educators are highly quali ed, competent and well-paid. Our district government prioritizes education and our facilities are improving. But lack of phone policy enforcement makes all those tremendous bene ts worth as much as a pile of old tires. Funding won’t help a child who enters a state-of-the art lab at a new STEAM campus, plops on a stool, pulls out their phone and scrolls for the rest of class. Policy enforcement will.

If Wards 7 and 8 lead the way in eliminating smartphones from classrooms, parents will drive their children to this side of the river to attend schools where kids are learning in the best possible educational and mental health environment.

Heidi Carlson and her husband have four children and live in Ward 7. Her children attend DC Public Charter Schools within two miles of her home. You can nd her on X @willtravelwkids and www.willtravelwithkids.blog. ◆

Naming of Alley Controversial ANC 7D Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met May 14 via Zoom. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Wendell Felder (7D03, chair), Mike Davis (7D04), Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, vice chair), Ashley Schapitl (7D09, secretary) and Brianne Eby-Stockert (7D10) were in attendance. Single Member District 7D02 remains vacant.

Alley Naming

Builder Jeffrey Keil requested the assistance of Alcorn for naming an alley in Square 1084, which sits between 16th and 17th streets and East Capitol and A streets NE. Keil is developing a carriage house on the alley that requires service from DC Water. The utility requires a street address, which the alley does not have because it is unnamed.

Alcorn queried his constituents by flyer, receiving more than 15 suggestions. Those included several “thematic” and “localized” recommendations. “Typically, the District of Columbia looks to designate its public places and spaces to recognize people or institutions that were locally significant,” he said.

Some community members objected to two proposed names, Moriah Court and Mount Moriah Court. These appellations refer to nearby Mt. Moriah Baptist Church at 1636 East Capitol St. NE. The alley, they said, serves as a community space and therefore should be named nondenominationally.

“There are definitely two Hindu families, there are multiple Muslim families and multiple Jewish families who all live and own houses right on this alley,” a neighbor noted. “We play in the alley and our kids play in the alley.”

The church “does not use the alley at all,” neighbors pointed out, suggesting a naming representative of all residents who live nearby. “I don’t have any negative feelings or anything toward them, I just don’t believe that the name is inclusive,” said another. Another neighbor suggested that Friendship Court would best represent the “diverse neighbor group” living there and emphasized that residents prefer a nondenominational name.

Former commissioner Sondra Phillips-Gilbert questioned the neighbor’s relationship and knowledge of the church’s history. “We need to be considerate of the history of the community,” she said. The proposed names emphasized the importance of maintaining the history and legacy of community institutions. “It [isn’t] just about the religion, it is the history,” said Phillips-Gilbert.

The commission took no vote on this matter.

Other Matters

Representatives from Prologis briefed the commission about the company’s proposal to redevelop land decommissioned by Pepco at 3340 Benning Rd. NE as large wholesale distribution centers. Commissioners were concerned about the project’s impact on nearby residential neighborhoods and roadways.

A representative from the Department of Energy & Environment’s RiverSmart Homes Program shared information about how residents can reduce the impact of stormwa-

ter runoff through landscaping measures available at a subsidized cost. The program is completely voluntary. Residents can schedule an assessment of their property at www. doee.dc.gov.

The commission voted to:

• write the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) about after-hours and holiday construction permits for the Old Miner School renovation;

• ask the DC Council to fund a new library and new recreation center in the Rosedale community;

• write the National Capital Parks East, Events DC and DOB about the raze permit for RFK Stadium;

• ask the office of Councilmember Vincent Gray and the office of Councilmember Brianne Nadeau to rename the entirety of Gales Street NE to memorialize Malachi Jackson.

ANC 7D will meet on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. You can learn more about the commission and register to attend at www.7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u

Councilmember Henderson Visits ANC 8F Report

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8F met on May 14. Commissioners Nic Wilson (8F01, treasurer), Rick Murphree (8F02, vice chair), Brian Strege (8F03, secretary), Edward Daniels (8F04, chair) and Clayton Rosenberg (8F05) were in attendance.

Briefing by Councilmember Henderson

At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson (I) briefed the commission on the DC Council’s FY25 budget discussions. Henderson, chair of the Committee on Health, detailed recent legislative achievements.

In January 2025, infertility treatment will be covered by health insurance for the first time, Henderson stated. The DC Council has increased resources to DC Healthcare Alliance and Medicaid to provide their members parity in securing surgical approvals. It has allocated additional funds to DC’s Produce Plus to give SNAP recipients online grocery delivery options, she continued. The council made targeted investments in maternal health. Henderson’s committee is also involved in discussions to employ DC’s portion of the national opioid legal settlement proceeds to deal with fentanyl addiction, she said. Murphree asked Henderson her views on ranked choice voting. The councilmember

has been a proponent, introducing legislation to introduce the practice. However, due to the current voter initiative, Henderson has backed o her e orts.

Murphree then turned his attention to transportation since Henderson serves on the council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment. The Tra c Operation and Parking Plan of DC’s Department of Transportation (DDOT), which governs transportation issues on game days at the stadia, “is a copy and paste every year,” Murphree complained. Moreover, the plan “is focused on making visitors’ transportation easier, not residents’, he contended. He asked Henderson to raise the issue at the committee level. He requested Henderson’s assistance in making Vann and Half streets SE one-way thoroughfares.

Henderson should examine DDOT’s provisioning of protected bike lanes (PBLs) and priority bus lanes, Daniels stated. These lanes cut o curb access for delivery vehicles, which has created chaos in the Navy Yard, he said. DDOT has not listened to residential concerns about this issue. Henderson needs to be a fresh set of eyes, he argued.

Strege asked Henderson for her view of the recently proposed Initiative Amendment Act. Henderson opposes the measure, promising to move an amendment to strip any such language from the FY25 Budget Support Act if necessary. This act needs to go through regular order, since it changes the rights of the electorate, she stated.

Murphree queried Henderson on her views of crime and public safety. Henderson laid the problem of accountability at the feet of federal prosecutors and judges, responsible for charging and adjudicating adults under the District’s unique federalized criminal justice system. There is no accountability for the federal elements of the city’s justice system, she stated.

Strege raised the issue that the old ANC 6D kept all its funds. How should new ANCs be funded? Murphree requested Henderson’s aid in securing government space for an ANC 8F o ce, complaining about the current cost of renting space at a local co-working location. Strege added an observation about the di culties that new ANCs face when

the commissions whence they are spun o retain existing funds.

Murphree asked if the council has discussed reestablishing a standalone Education Committee. “That debate is coming,” said Henderson.

Other Matters

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor briefed the commission on public safety. Crime is generally down, particularly violent crime, Taylor stated. Homicides for the First District have dropped 50%, he said. The only uptick has been theft from autos. Criminals have been targeting cars in parking garages, he warned.

Sta member Noah Glasgow gave an update on the range of constituent services o ered by the o ce of Congressmember Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D).

US Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa outlined the activities of his o ce, which serves as an advocate for DC statehood.

The DC Housing Authority (DCHA) has agreed to clean the fenced lot on Square 739, said Strege. Strege and Daniels had met with DCHA. The BID is working with them to gure out alternative temporary uses for the parcel, he added. The commission resolved to resubmit an earlier resolution from ANC 6D to the Zoning Commission, opposing any extensions for development of four the remaining DCHA parcels in the Navy Yard.

The commission voted to:

• protest the renewal of Harry’s license on the grounds of peace, order and quiet, speci cally objecting to its delivery vehicles continually blocking the intersection at New Jersey Avenue and I Street instead of using the provisioned loading zone;

• approve its Q2 nancial statement;

• request extra funds from the DC O ce of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC) for provisioning a camera for hybrid meetings.

ANC 8F’ s next meeting is scheduled for June 18 at DDOT headquarters, 250 M St. SE, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.anc8f.org. ◆

Join us for our Next Virtual Public Meeting Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

How to participate:

By computer: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/9162864

7160?pwd=NVdldTZiRitFODdSUVJZQVBGdHk5UT09

Passcode: anc7d Or by phone: 1-301-715-8592

Webinar ID: 91628647160 Passcode: 776540

YOUR

2023-2024 COMMISSIONERS ELECTED TO SERVE YOU

Wendell Felder Parkside – 7D03 7d03@anc.dc.gov

Chairperson

Brian Alcorn Capitol Hill/Hill East – 7D08 7d08@anc.dc.gov

Vice Chair

Brett Astmann Rosedale – 7D07 7d07@anc.dc.gov

Treasurer

Ashley Schapitl Hill East – 7D09 7d09@anc.dc.gov

Secretary Siraaj Hasan Eastland Gardens/ 7d01@anc.dc.gov Kenilworth – 7D01

Mike Davis River Terrace – 7D04 7d04@anc.dc.gov

Ebony Payne Kingman Park – 7D05 7d05@anc.dc.gov

Marc Friend Rosedale – 7D06 7d06@anc.dc.gov

Brianne Hill East – 7D10 7d10@anc.dc.gov

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Vacancy in Single Member District 7D02

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

On Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m., join the National Park Service at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE, for the annual performance of Frederick Douglass’s classic speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? In addition to a dramatic portrayal of Mr. Douglass, there will be live music and house tours. nps.gov/frdo.

Food and Farm Fridays Launched at THEARC

Building Bridges Across the River has announced the kicko of Food and Farm Fridays at the THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. The weekly event supports urban farms and community partners o ering free, locally grown produce and seedlings, cooking demonstrations and supporting Black-owned, East of the River small businesses. The produce will come from THEARC Farm, the Giving Garden at Nationals Park, Hopkins Garden & Orchard and Capital Area Food Bank. DC Central Kitchen will serve healthy meals to go, lead cooking demonstrations, and feature recipes tied to each week’s theme. It is supported in part by a $100K Novo Nordisk grant and runs from June 7 to Nov. 15, noon to 3 p.m., or while supplies last. buildingbridgesdc.org/event/Food-Farm-Fridays.

The Migration: Re ections on Jacob Lawrence by Step Afrika

Using its hallmark style of percussive dance-theater, Step Afrika!’s The Migration: Re ections on Jacob Lawrence tells the story of one of the largest movements of people in United States history, when millions of African Americans moved from the rural South to the industrial North in the 1900s to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings. Inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s iconic 60-panel “The Migration Series” (1940-41), this signature work from the award-winning dance company uses the images, color palette, and motifs in the painting series to tell this astonishing story through pulsating rhythms and visually stunning movement. $56 to $95. The Migration: Re ections on Jacob Lawrence is at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, through July 14. arenastage.org.

Step Afrika!’s company performs The Migration: Re ections on Jacob Lawrence. Photo: Jati Lindsay

Wordplay at Hon eur Gallery

Wordplay is a monthly event for creatives who wish to test excerpts of their work in front of a live audience. It is open to artists of all kinds: theater makers, poets, comics, writers, musicians, lmmakers, etc. The only criterion is that it is your original work. There will be an online signup sheet and each artist will be given up to 15 minutes to share whatever they are working on. It is free to the public, and they welcome enthusiastic supporters. The next Wordplay is on Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m. To sign up for a time slot in advance, visit honeurgallerydc.com/wordplay or show up and join the waitlist. Hon eur Gallery is at 1241 Marion Barry Ave. SE. honeurgallerydc.com.

AfterDark@THEARC (save the date)

On Saturday, Sept. 7, 6 to 11 p.m., join THEARC for AfterDark@THEARC as they celebrate Building Bridges’ 19 years of improving the quality of life for children and adults who reside east of the Anacostia River. Funds raised at this year’s gala will ensure the future of the 11th Street Bridge Park, Washington, DC’s rst elevated public park. Perched above the Anacostia River, this seven-acre park will stitch together long-divided neighborhoods and serves as a national model for inclusive economic development. buildingbridgesdc. org/event/2024-after-dark-thearc.

Anacostia River Trail Monthly Clean Up

On the second Tuesday of the month, May to October, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join a clean-up e ort along the beautiful

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Anacostia River Trail. Meet at 350 Anacostia Ave. NE to help keep the trails clean and pristine. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and enjoy the outdoors. Don’t forget to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring a reusable water bottle. nps.gov/anac.

Non-Native Invasive Species Removal at RFK Meadows

The NPS Invasive Plant Management Team is hosting nonnative invasive plant removal events on the rst Sunday of each month, at 10 a.m. to noon, at RFK Meadows/the entrance of Kingman and Heritage Islands Park along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Volunteer to help rescue green spaces from non-native invasive species through the handson removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and owering plants. Learn how to identify and control several non-native invasive plants threatening our natural communities. Wear sturdy shoes, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. All sup-

plies will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to participate. nps.gov/anac.

auxilium continuum: reframing at Hon eur Gallery

Through June 29, Hon eur Gallery presents auxilium continuum: reframing, a group exhibition (re)constructing support as a uid and matriarchal practice that relies on collaboration and generativity. For this exhibition, ve contemporary women-identifying artists practicing in the greater Washington DC area were each provided stipends to create an artwork of their choosing—without any creative, conceptual, or practical limitations. In exchange for their participation they engage in un ltered conversations about their experiences with support (and lack thereof), inequality, and discrimination in their art careers, and how they imagine/desire art spaces and publics to evolve in the future. Hon eur Gallery, 1241 Marion Barry Ave. SE, is open Thursday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment. honeurgallerydc.com.

Capital Brutalism Exhibition at National Building Museum

Capital Brutalism is a new exhibition that explores the history, current state, and future of seven polarizing buildings and the WMATA Metro system in Washington, DC. Using archival documents, drawings, architectural models and contemporary photographs, the exhibition explores how the Brutalist phenomenon and these structures rst emerged in the US capital during the Cold War. Designed and constructed with exposed structural elements and building materials such as concrete, brick, steel, and glass, these buildings were cost-e ective and e cient, but many haven’t aged well, and public reaction continues to debate their architectural signi cance. Speculative designs from leading architecture rms help reimagine potential futures for some of these buildings. Co-organized in collaboration with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Capital Brutalism is the largest-ever survey of Brutalist architecture in Washington, DC and will be on display at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, through Feb. 17, 2025. nbm.org.

Hot Topics and Cool Drinks at Anacostia Library

On the First Tuesday of the month, 3 to 4 p.m., library customers are invited to join a casual conversation with other library customers and individuals from the neighborhood. Snacks and cool drinks will be provided. 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE. dclibrary.org.

Family Cinema Sundays at Francis Gregory Library

On Sundays, June 9 and 30, July 21; and Aug. 11; 2 to 4 p.m.; you’re invited to join them for a Family Cinema Sundays at Francis Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. Come and enjoy a blend of relaxation and fun for all. dclibrary.org.

Go-Go on the MLK Library Rooftop Returns

On June Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m., MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, is honoring the rich history and enduring in uence of Black music.

From iconic artists of the past to the vibrant sounds shaping the present, attend exciting free concerts, author talks and screenings; check out recommended reads for all ages; stream unlimited music with your library card and more. Here’s the lineup: June 9, E.U. with Still Familiar and MAB 2.0; June 16, Black Alley; June 23, Backyard Band with Relentless Band; and June 30, Junkyard Band with R&S Project. dclibrary.org.

Cultivate Summit: Women Leading with Intention

On Friday, June 21, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at 600 14th St. NW, the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business (EWOC) Center at WACIF presents the second annual Cultivate Women’s Summit. This year’s theme, Leading with Intention, underscores their deep commitment to fostering a supportive environment where women founders can invest in their personal and professional growth and development. Through the Cultivate Summit, women entrepreneurs transition from the day-to-day operations of their businesses to strategic and intentional leadership roles. Here women entrepreneurs nd cross-sector collaboration, educational opportunities, networking, and individualized technical assistance. Breakfast and lunch provided. The day will culminate with a networking happy hour. Registration is $100. Read more and register at ewocthecultivatesummit.org.

Major League Pickleball in Southeast DC

From June 13 to 16, experience the excitement of the sport sweeping the nation, and witness the world’s top professional pickleball players battle it out at Major League Pickleball’s rst-ever event in the region, at Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, 200 Stoddert Pl SE. MLP Washington DC will feature 15 teams, including hometown favorite DC Pickleball Team, and 35 matches over four days. Major League Pickleball features eight regular season events, a mid-season tournament, and the 2024 MLP Playo s—with nearly 100 of the best athletes in the sport spread across 22 teams. General Public tickets are $40 a day; $120 for a four-day-pass. eventsdc.com/events/major-league-pickleball-washington-dc.

Family-Friendly Late Skate at Anacostia Park

Skate any time at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion—the one and only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. Skate rental is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rentals are free with a government issued ID. Socks are required to rent skates. On the last Saturday of the month, June through October, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26; skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band. Events last throughout the day and include double dutch, lawn neighborhood news / bulletin board

games, job fairs, boat trips and more. nps.gov/anac.

Creek Restoration Project to Begin at Fort Dupont Park

The National Park Service, in partnership with the DC Department of Energy and Environment, is expected to begin a creek restoration project this fall that will restore approximately 18,900 linear feet of Anacostia River tributaries that flow through Fort Dupont Park. This will reduce streambank erosion, improve stream habitat, manage invasive vegetation, and protect existing sanitary and storm water infrastructure. There will be minimal tra c, noise and air quality impacts on the neighboring community during implementation. parkplanning.nps.gov/document. cfm?documentID=131621.

Safe Commercial Corridor Hub Opens in Anacostia

Folger Shakespeare Library Presents DC&Me

The Folger Shakespeare Library has opened the rst in a series of art installations dedicated to representing the personal stories of residents living in the District of Columbia. The installations are part of the Folger’s DC&Me project. Each installation weaves together paintings and mixed media pieces created by residents of the community with QR codes directing viewers to short lms of actors portraying the residents and their stories. The installation also features a hotline prompting viewers to engage with the project by either recording their own story or listening to the stories recorded by residents. There is an Anacostia Library installation on view through July 24 and an MLK Library installation, July 27 to Sept. 9. The Folger will also exhibit the installations at its home on Capitol Hill after each library presentation. Other venues may be incorporated as well. folger.si.edu.

The District’s second Safe Commercial Corridor Hub has been opened at 2300 MLK Ave. SE, following the February opening of the rst hub in Chinatown. Safe Commercial Corridor Hubs connect residents to a range of city services, with a speci c focus on working across government to keep corridors safe and clean. The hubs are sta ed by outreach teams from multiple community relations, public safety, human services, and behavioral health agencies that are able to respond in real-time to challenges in the community. DC residents can walk-in on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Department of Employment Services will also be represented at the hub until the agency moves into their permanent o ces at 2201 Shannon Pl. SE later this spring.

The Legacy of Federal Planning in the Nation’s Capital Planning Washington: Capital and Community is a historical exhibition, June 6 to Sept. 2, at MLK Library, commemorating the centennial of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) in 2024. NCPC’s 100year anniversary o ers a unique opportunity to re ect on the agency’s history, examine the evolution of planning in Washington, DC and the region, acknowledge inequities created by past planning practices, and consid-

er lessons learned to inform planning today and into the future. Through this exhibit and other initiatives, NCPC will share stories about people, events, and issues that have shaped this region, as well as engage diverse audiences on the role of planning in the context of equity, power, and decision-making. ncpc.gov.

2024 Homeless Point-In-Time Results Released

The District’s Department of Human Services has shared the results of the 2024 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, the annual census of individuals experiencing homelessness. This year’s count took place on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, and showed an overall 14% increase from 2023. Despite this increase, the total count remains 12% lower than the count recorded in 2020, the last PIT conducted before the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Between 2023 and 2024, homelessness among unaccompanied individuals increased 6%, and is similar to the level recorded in 2020; homelessness among families increased 39% but remains down 30% from 2020. Addi-

tionally, between 2020 and 2022 the District saw the largest percent decrease in homelessness nationwide, with a 30.9% decrease. The District successfully decreased in ows into homelessness in 2021 and 2022 which can be attributed to the historic federal investments in housing retention e orts and the implementation of the eviction moratorium. mwcog.org/homelessnessreport.

DC Community Grant Reviewers Sought

The Mayor’s Office of Community A airs is seeking FY25 grant reviewers. Volunteer reviewers are part of the Mayor Bowser’s commitment transparency and accountability in this process and having direct community input in the decision-making process. By volunteering as a grant reviewer, you’ll have the chance to make a di erence in the lives of your fellow Washingtonians. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a concerned citizen eager to lend a hand, there’s a place for you to help. Apply at tinyurl.com/MOCAReviewer. Contact communitya airs@ dc.gov or call 202-442-8150 for more information.

One-on-One Small Business Advice at MLK Library

On Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., come to MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, for expert advice from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development. DSLBD o ers one-on-one meeting time for DC-based entrepreneurs and businesses to learn more about their programs, connect with additional services in the District, and develop a for-pro t business. Topics covered include resources for new business, opportunities for certi ed business enterprises, procurement readiness and more. Registration is required at dclibrary.libnet. info/event/9657337.

Do You Have a Notice for Bulletin Board? The EOR Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send it to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆

A Motown Family Reunion at the Anacostia Arts Center

Beverly Lindsay-Johnson and Nikki Graves Henderson’s Exhibition Celebrates Motown

by Matthew McClure

In the early 1960s, as segregation and Jim Crow tore at the fibers of American society and the Vietnam War drove restless American youth out of the suburbs and into the streets in protest, a distinctive sound began to trickle out of transistor radios from Ohio to Oregon and from New York to New Mexico. This was Motown, and in recognition of its cultural significance and DC roots, the African American Music Association has partnered with the Anacostia Arts Center (powered by Wacif) to present an exhibition paying tribute to the people who made Motown the global success that it eventually became. Titled Motown DC: A Photographic & Memorabilia Exhibition,

Curator Beverly Lindsay-Johnson (left), and co-curator Nikki Graves Henderson (right) at the opening of the Motown DC: A Photographic & Memorabilia Exhibition at the Anacostia Arts Center. Photo: Ed Henderson

Motown Memorabilia Gallery: A collection of memorabilia provided by Motown artists including a special feature that pays tribute to Motown acts from Washington, DC. Photo by Ed Henderson.

this heartfelt homage to Motown music and the people that made it has been funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and curated by Beverly Lindsay-Johnson and Nikki Graves Henderson. “Motown had such a significant impact on the music culture not only of America, but the world.” explains Lindsay-Johnson. “It still resonates today. This exhibition displays the impact that Motown – the labels, the corporation, the artists, and the music – had on America and the world.”

The materials on show include promotional posters, album covers, instruments, outfits and evocative archival photographs of the artists that performed under the various Motown labels. Mabel John, the first singer to sign to the Tamla/Motown label in 1959, is featured, along with many other artists. The Funk Brothers, the band members responsible for the distinctive Motown sound – hints of 1940s Doo-Wop, a shake of rhythms and blues, and a liberal sprinkling of inspiration from Gospel and Pop – are also included.

Every diehard Motown fan knows an anecdote about Berry Gordy, the man who along with his family founded the Motown/Tamla/Gordy labels and their subsidiaries. Gordy’s taste for music started when he opened a record store in 1953 and he’s perhaps most well-known for his almost industrial approach to cranking out Motown chart toppers, many of which smashed through billboard hit lists and stayed there for weeks at a time. Beautiful photographs of Gordy’s “Hitsville USA” recording studio at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit (the place that many consider the spiritual home of Motown) are an especially poignant feature of the exhibition.

The photographic archive of the Motortown Revue included in the exhibition is also particularly touching. “This was a tour of young Motown artists.” says Lindsay-Johnson, smiling wistfully. “When they were young and spry and had dreams.” The Revue would frequent performance venues in the Eastern and Southern states that were amenable to hosting African American artists. The route along which these venues were placed became known as the Chitlin’ Circuit which, Lindsay-Johnson tells me, stretched as far as DC. “Did you know that the very first stop on the Motortown tour was the Howard Theater in 1964?”

A Retrospective at Anacostia Art Center

On May 18, the exhibition featured a special program at the Anacostia Art Center’s BlackBox Theater. Motown DC: In Discussion, Song and Dance was an opportunity to meet Motown royalty in person: Frank Hooker of DC’s own The Young Senators, Joe Herndon of The Temptations (time has done little to dull Herndon’s deep

baritone), George Spann of The Dynamic Superiors (who recollected being signed up to the Motown label by Ewart Abner after an exhausting concert tour in 1971), Carolyn Crawford and Louvain Demps of The Andantes. The discussion was moderated by ATX Soul Radio’s Dr. Nick.

Crawford recollected marathon recording sessions in the Detroit ‘Hitsville USA’ studio, nicknamed the “Snake Pit” because Gordy was notorious for his fastidious approach to production, including insisting meticulous control of everything from outfits to dialect. Pageantry was an undeniable part of Motown’s success and the Motown label eventually branched out into feature film production in the early 1970s. Crawford won a talent competition at the age of 13, she told us, and recorded her first single in the early morning hours of her 14th birthday. “Mr. Gordy sent a limo for me at 11:30. My session was at midnight, and I was home by 3 a.m. He gave me three things that were very important to me. He let me write my first song. He didn’t change a word or note. I didn’t want him to change my name, and I wanted to be on the Motown label.”

It’s ironic that Louvain Demps is so soft-spoken for someone whose vocals have featured on over 25,000 Motown records. “I went down to the studio to audition a song for my friend.” Demps recalls. “It turned out that Berry Gordy was at the piano. I had a very wide range. We had to pay $100 to make a record and I was the first paying customer for Motown, which nobody knew because it wasn’t established.” A special treat was archival footage organized by Lindsay-Johnson and Graves Henderson of The Dynamic Superiors playing to crowds in the 1970s. Being in the same room as these musical legends was a spine-tingling experience.

The Detroit riots of 1967 and Motown’s move to Los Angeles heralded what some view as the end of Motown’s ‘Golden Age’. Gordy sold his interests completely in the late 1980s and Motown went on to sign stars such as Lionel Ritchie, Boyz II Men and Erykah Badu, eventually becoming part of the Universal Music Group. Motown’s cultural impact can’t be understated: It was a true crossover, becoming not only accepted but embraced by listeners both within the US and beyond, its influence extending out from the African American communities that incubated it and beyond the continent that it helped transform. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this exhibition before it closes next month.

Motown DC: A Photographic & Memorabilia Exhibition is open to the public free to view at the Anacostia Arts Center, powered by Wacif, through July 7. 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE. Tues-Sun: 12:00 to 5:00. Closed on Mondays.

www.anacostiaartscenter.com u

Louvain Demps and Carolyn Crawford.

Panel participants George Spann, Frank Hooker and Joe Herndon with moderator Dr. Nick of ATX Soul Radio.

Meet Jim Conway Influencer and Executive Director of Conways Field & Court

by Anthony D. Diallo

Unlike social media influencers who build their reputations by posting on social media channels, Jim Conway has developed his influence primarily by meeting with parents and their children and orchestrating the best fitting colleges, trade schools, or other venues that will ensure the students’ future success.

Conway, standing six feet, seven and a half inches tall, is a commanding figure who has demonstrated his positive influence on the lives of many students, and their families.

“My motivation comes from the consulting that I do and have done,” declared Conway. “Conways Field & Court is designed to create a level playing field for all kids no matter their socioeconomic background. Our program helps kids to strive and thrive through academics first and athletics second and to then deliver a higher education.”

District Ties

Conway, who lives on Holbrook Street in Northeast DC, has fostered strong, binding relationships with many people in the District of Columbia and particularly East of the River. Some of those friendships developed because he often attended mass in Anacostia at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church (STA, 1244 V Street, SE) which is pastored by the widely known and respected priest Rev. Monsignor Raymond East, who Conway describes as “not quite my ultimate hero but definitely a rockstar!” He reserves the moniker of hero sorely for his late parents, Mike and Doris Conway. The elder Conway was a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy and his wife worked as administrative personnel.

Besides being a parishioner of the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in Southeast, Conway, 63, also joined the church’s fraternal organization—The Knights of Columbus—and particularly Bishop Patrick J. Byrne Council 3877. In addition to St. Teresa, Byrne Council represents three other local parishes in southeast. Conway will assume a leadership role in

July by becoming the council’s Chancellor and third in command.

“Jim is one of those rare guys who grew up in Maryland but has a DC perspective. I call it Maryland-DC. He played basketball in a Catholic league and knows DC schools. That’s how he got his passion for athletics and working with young people. Jim knows everybody—veterans to businesspeople. He has that synergy to make good contacts and work with children who everybody else might have given up on. Jim turns chumps into champions and mere athletes into athlete-scholars,” said Father East, a prelate and former executive director of the Office of Black Catholics who has been pastor of STA for three decades (1988-1997 and 2006 to now).

It is appropriate that Conway encourages young girls and boys about their futures and the probability of being student-athletes. As a high school senior at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Montgomery County where he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per a game, he was recruited by several schools including American University and Niagara University. He elected to attend St. Francis University (SFU) in Pennsylvania where he was team captain in his senior year. He graduated in 1985 with a degree in Business Management. Most recently he was

Rev. Monsignor Raymond G. East, the pastor of St. Teresa of Avila and Jim Conway (right) at St. Teresa of Avila.

Jim Conway, ball in his hand, is playing power forward/center at St. Francis University and competing against Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas.

a client solutions specialist with Novitex Enterprise Solutions (formerly known as Pitney Bowes).

Student Athletes, Grateful Parents

“I am eternally grateful to Jim for helping Nehemiah find the right college,” said Tawanda Johnson about her 17-year-old son who is a senior at IDEA Public Charter School. “I met him while he was helping another student who attended E. L. Haynes [Public Charter School] about five or six months ago. He is such a well-rounded individual and simply a great person.”

Nehemiah, who resides in Deanwood with his mother, has been accepted to Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland on a full scholarship. It is a twoyear junior college where Nehemiah will play on the basketball team while majoring in psychology.

After School and Summer Programs

Conway (www.conwaysfieldandcourt.com), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) and DC Public Schools, has implemented a six-week summer camp at Randle Highlands Elementary School (1650 30th St. SE) that starts on June 24 and ends on August 9, 2024. The target audience is for youth ages 7-13 and the camp may have as many as 50 students. MPD will have four to six members on site daily when the stu-

dents arrive at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Activities that are scheduled include baseball, basketball, and lacrosse. In addition, field trips will be taken three to five times a week to amusement parks, museums, and the Smithsonian National Zoo.

“[The summer program] seeks to develop life skills that children need to become responsible young adults. Positive role models and mentors will be provided. The kids will be engaged in a safe, fun, and productive learning environment without outside distractions,” Conway said.

Meanwhile, Conway’s after-school plan is even more ambitious and incorporates MPD providing security between the hours of 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. A daily routing system will be prepared for each student in the program that is designed to help them achieve success in college, the job market, and all areas of life.

“We will provide them with soft skills— adaptability, communication, conflict management, critical thinking, problem-solving, resourcefulness, stress management, and time management. We will introduce new sports and new disciplines for each kid. Basketball isn’t the only sport. We will teach the fundamentals of the sport and not just play to play. Elementary and middle schools’ athletics don’t prepare our kids for the full array of high school sports opportunities. Many students are not exposed to baseball and lacrosse.”

Conway has influenced student athletes by “evening out the playing field and providing resources [in East of the River] like the affluent DC neighborhoods.”

Neither participants nor parents/guardians will have to pay for either program. Funding will stem from five sources: private donors, other nonprofits, local grants, fundraisers, and corporations.

Conway has proudly partnered with such corporations and organizations as Panera Bread, Missionaries of Charity, Velocity of Books, Habitat for Humanity ReStore/Rockville, and the Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library in southwest.

He recognizes that parent involvement is sometimes low because of limited finances, work priorities, transportation issues, and health concerns. With this after-school program, Conway attempts to address every obstacle. His motto: “To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, or perfect. You just have to care.”

The site for the after-school program was still being negotiated when this publication went to press. Conways Field & Court, Inc. a nonprofit (public charity) 501(c)(3). Further information can be obtained by emailing Conway directly at james@conwaysfieldandcourt.com. u

James Conway (left) with Sergeant Sonja Flipping who works at the 6th District Youth and Family Services Division.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED 2025 MOVING TO WORK PLAN

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is providing notice of a Public Hearing and Comment Period to solicit comments on the agency’s proposed 2025 Moving to Work (MTW) Plan.

MTW is a HUD program that allows select public housing authorities to design and implement innovative programs and policies with the intent to: 1) reduce costs and improve efficiencies; 2) encourage residents to obtain employment and become economically selfsufficient; and 3) increase housing choices for lowincome families. The MTW Plan outlines operating plans for the fiscal year and requests and provides updates regarding MTW flexibilities.

To request a copy of the MTW plan, please call 771240-4377, send an email to MTW@dchousing.org, or download from the DCHA website at https://www.dchousing.org/ProposedMTWPlan

The Public Hearing will take place online at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024. To join the live event, please visit https://www.dchousing.org/ MTWPublicHearing, and when prompted enter meeting access code 2300 780 5217 and meeting password MTW2025. This event will also be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/dchousing

Comments: Written comments regarding the MTW Plan will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Email your comments to MTW@dchousing.org.

Alternatively, you can mail comments to:

District of Columbia Housing Authority Office of the General Counsel, Attn: General Counsel 300 7th Street, SW – 10th Floor Washington, DC 20024

Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation: DCHA strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. It is the policy of DCHA that all agency-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. DCHA is committed to providing equal access to events for all participants & residents with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, or assistance in participating in a meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact our ADA/504 Program Office at 202535-1000 or at ADA504@dchousing.org with your complete request. Every reasonable effort will be made to meet your request.

If you need a sign language interpreter or foreign language interpretation or translation, please contact our Office of Customer Engagement at 202-5351000 or go to www.dchousing.org/language. Please allow at least 5 business days to make the necessary arrangements.

The Man from Anacostia D.C. (and the U.S.) Should Change Election Day

by Philip Pannell

The District of Columbia has made it far more convenient for people to vote. All registered voters receive mailed ballots with postage paid return envelopes. There are drop boxes and a week of early voting. On Election Day there is same-day registration and voting. One would think that these convenient opportunities would result in dramatically increased voting rates, but that is not the case.

I propose that to introduce those under the age of 18 to the election process, voting machines could be made available for them to participate in mock elections using the same ballots provided for the adults. Imagine voting becoming a family affair when students accompany their relatives to the polls to vote. Maybe the high school students could be given community service hours for participating.

Mail balloting has yet to dominate our local political culture and there are many voters (particularly the elderly) who are still wedded to voting on Election Day. In my opinion, Election Day should be moved from Tuesday to a weekend for purposes of convenience and to increase turnout.

Congress passed a law in 1845 that designated the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day for federal elections. That date was chosen because of worship, weather and harvest. During that time the United States was mostly an agrarian society. In order to vote, farmers had to travel to the election sites by horse. So, Tuesday was chosen because they could worship on Sunday, travel on Monday, vote on Tuesday and be back on the farm by Wednesday. Early November was chosen for Election Day because it would not interfere with the planting season and would be after the harvest and before winter.

Our society has radically changed and the traditional Election Day is an agrarian anachronism that should be changed. Also, weekday elections make the United States an outlier among advanced democracies. If the federal government will not change it, then DC should change the day of its municipal elections. Voting on Tuesday is not convenient for most working people. Voting before going to work is problematic. Most people cannot leave their jobs to vote. So, most of the employed vote after work in the evenings and that can result in long lines at the polls. Also, inclement weather can decrease turnout on Election Day.

I propose that Election Day be moved to a weekend and that there be voting on Saturday and Sunday. Not only would Election Days be convenient for more people but it would present opportunities for more volunteers and organizations to be involved in get-out-the-vote activities. The floodgates would open with creative and innovative strategies to increase turnout.

What should be obvious and clear to DC election observers and analysts is that making the voting process more convenient is not resulting in significant increases in turnout. There are four political parties officially recognized by the DC Board of Elections: Democratic, Libertarian, Statehood Green and Republican. The leaders of these parties could and should be in the forefront of advocating election reforms. Unfortunately, they are not.

There are and have been many voices in the political chorus of decrying the low voting turnouts in east-of-the-river neighborhoods. Yet, no coherent, cohesive strategy or plan has been developed to change the situation.

But there are stirrings for change.

Last October 25th in the public housing Highland Addition of Ward 8, there was a special meeting for chronic nonvoters. The Board of Elections voting roster was used to identify those residents who registered but never voted. The nonprofit DC Appleseed partnered with the Anacostia Coordinating Council, Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative, Right Directions and Families First DC to convene the luncheon discussion with the nonvoters. Basically those residents said that they were not being reached out to by candidates or organizations.

Usually political campaigns focus on the “super voters.” The chronic nonvoters are generally ignored and eventually are purged from the voting rolls. Until community organizations and the political parties make a sincere effort to reach out to them, the rates of voting participation east of the river will never significantly increase.

Long-time Ward 8 community activist Philip Pannell can be contacted at philippannell@comcast.net. Pannell is the executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council. Help make Wards 7 and 8 great! Become a member of the Anacostia Coordinating Council. Visit http://www.anacostiacc. org/join-us.html. u

Changing Hands

Changing Hands is a list of residential sales in Capitol Hill and contiguous neighborhoods from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Realty on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

SMYAL supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth ages 6-24. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains, and advocates for programs, policies, and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood.

kids & family

by Kathleen Donner

Friday Night Fishing on the Anacostia

Anacostia Riverkeeper’s Friday Night Fishing program is a free, family-friendly learn-to-fish program. Open to all ages, it takes place along the Navy Yard on the Anacostia each summer. The Anacostia Riverkeeper and partner Earth Conservation Corps provide fishing gear, safety vests and a mini demo on fishing, fishing safety and fun facts about the fish in the river. The 2024 season takes place Friday nights June 21 to Sept. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Diamond Teague Park Recreation Dock. (No Friday night fishing on June 28 and July 5.) Adults need a DC fishing license to actively fish. Registration is recommended via the Anacostia Riverkeeper Eventbrite page. Every participant must fill out and complete the Anacostia Riverkeeper’s liability waiver. Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring water to drink. www.anacostiariverkeeper.org/friday-night-fishing

Story Time at Nats Park

Join the Washington Nationals this season for Story Time at Nationals Park. These pre-game programs are held on Sundays before the 1:35 p.m. games start. The Left Field Gate opens at noon. Remaining dates this season are all on Sundays: June 16, “Ballpark”; July 7, “Just Like Josh Gibson”; Aug. 4, “Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings & Adventures in Ana Park”; Sept. 1, “Clemente.” Families in attendance will read along with a Nationals player, receive free books and participate in literacy-focused activities in partnership with the Library of Congress, Smithsonian National Postal Museum and National Geographic Kids. Anyone with a ticket for the day’s Nationals game can attend. Story Time is held in the Kennedy Conference Room and begins at 12:15 p.m. www.mlb.com/nationals/community/summer-reading/story-time

Mount Vernon Juneteenth Family Days

On June 19, 20, 21 and 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., discover how enslaved men and women at Mount Vernon defined their agency and the legacies they left behind. Learn about Mount Vernon’s many enslaved people who sought freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation. Here’s each day’s schedule: Welcome Table and Family Hub, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tours, 10:00 a.m., noon and 2:00 p.m.; Story Time, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; Character Programs, 9:00 a.m.; Meet Christopher Sheels, 10:00 a.m.; Meet Ona Judge, 11:00 a.m.; Meet Ona Judge and Christopher Sheels, 1:00 p.m.; Meet Christopher Sheels, 2:00 p.m.; Meet Ona Judge; Slave Memorial Commemoration Ceremonies, 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Activities are included with Mount Vernon admission. www.mountvernon.org

“Star Wars: A New Hope” in Concert at Wolf Trap

On Saturday, July 13, at 8:00 p.m. (gates at 6:30 p.m.), “Star Wars” comes to Wolf Trap from a galaxy far away. From the triumphant opening fanfare to the ethereal “Princess Leia’s Theme,” the National Symphony Orchestra brings John Williams’ Oscar-winning score to life in this multimedia experience. The full feature film will be projected in HD onto screens in-house and on the lawn, accompanied by the mu-

NMAAHC Juneteenth Community Day

On Saturday, June 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., celebrate the history, art and culture of Juneteenth with several wonderful events at the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s annual Community Day. This special day is designed to engage people of all ages in a meaningful celebration of freedom and cultural evolution, commemorating Juneteenth’s significance in the journey toward equality and recognition in American history. Visitors can explore the gifts of gardening and the culinary arts, listen to stories and music and discover an inner artist with crafts for all ages. They can visit the museum’s galleries, grounds and Sweet Home Cafe to create memories and learn more about this historic holiday. All programs are free, but registration is required for indoor activities. Registration permits entry to events at the museum throughout the day. www.nmaahc.si.edu/events/juneteenthcommunity-day-celebration

sic of a live symphony orchestra. Tickets start at $46. Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children. www.wolftrap.org

July 4th Family Activities at the National Archives

Join the National Archives on Constitution Avenue in celebration of July 4th. Celebrate America’s birthday on the steps of the National Archives with reenactors, family fun and the iconic Declaration of Independence reading ceremony. The music starts at 9:00 a.m. From 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. there are speeches, readings and music. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there are family activ-

Photo: Courtesy of Anacostia Riverkeeper

The Atlas Presents “City at Peace” in Performance

“City at Peace” is the Atlas Performing Arts Center’s year-round, social justice and theater program for area youth. This year, the performances are on Friday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 8, at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m. $12. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. www.atlasarts.org

ities. Inside the building sign the Declaration of Independence, make your own ag, do a scavenger hunt and have your picture taken with Revolutionary War gures. www.archivesjuly4.org

New Digital Game Shows

Historical US Presidents’ Perspective

iCivics, the nation’s leading civic education nonpro t, and the White House Historical Association have launched Brief the Chief, a digital game that teaches students how the President of the United States makes difficult governing decisions. Brief the Chief also gives an inside look into the White House o ces of Thomas Je erson, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson as they navigated some of the most pivotal moments of their presidencies. The game positions students as trusted advisors to the president, challenging them to consult with a variety of sources and con dants within the White House and use evidence-based reasoning to give counsel on di erent sit-

uations. They also speak with historical gures such as civil rights leader Amelia Boynton, the Johnsons’ personal cook Zephyr Wright, and Haitian leader Jean Jacques Dessalines. Brief the Chief is available for free at www.icivics.org/ games/brief-chief.

Free Summer Film Nights at the Zoo

Come to the National Zoo for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Summer Film Nights at the Zoo is a free outdoor summer event series, showing movies on Lion-Tiger Hill, the grassy lawn located near the Harvard Street entrance. Select food options will be available at the family-friendly event. Guests may bring their own blankets. Relax under the stars on Thursdays: June 20, “Turning Red” (2022), and July 18, “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” (2012). Entry at 6:00 p.m.; previews and zoo trivia at 6:30 p.m.; movie starts at 7:00 p.m. Movies are free; parking is $30. Entry passes to the zoo are required. www.nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events

Children’s Book Festival

Family-Friendly Late Skate at Anacostia Park

Skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion ‒ the only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. Skate rental is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rentals are free with a governmentissued ID. Socks are required to rent skates. On the last Saturday of the month, June through October, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26, skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band. Events last throughout the day and include double-Dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. www.nps.gov/anac

The 2024 Children’s Book Festival returns to Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tented, outdoor event features award-winning local authors and activities from partners such as National Children’s Museum, DC Public Library, Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC, Washington Nationals and more. www.turningthepage.org

Climate Action Heroes at the National Children’s Museum

The National Children’s Museum has launched its “Climate Action Heroes” exhibit-distribution project in partnership with Nickelodeon Our World. The project enables children’s museums and science centers across the globe to receive complimentary access to a version of the museum’s exhibit that integrates beloved Nickelodeon IPs, including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. “Climate Action Heroes” was developed by the National Children’s Museum to empower children to effect change through a suite of digital extension tools, including an exhibit headquarters with monthly missions, virtual field trip, at-home activity videos and podcast episodes. www.climate-heros.org

National Capital Barbecue Battle

(Free, under 12)

The National Capital Barbecue Battle is on

Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine). The two-day event along Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, between Third and

Free Family-Friendly Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field

On select Thursday nights, Audi Field transforms into an outdoor cinema as Movies on the Pitch shows films on the stadium’s Jumbotron screen. Here’s the remaining lineup: June 6, “Barbie”; June 20, “Mean Girls”; June 27, “The Marvels”; and July 18, “Wonka.” The family-friendly experience will begin at 7:00 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Audi Field offers concessions for purchase during each movie (no outside food or alcohol permitted). www.capitolriverfront.org/events

Seventh streets, features barbecued and grilled food samples all weekend, 30 bands performing across three stages, celebrity chefs, cookbook authors, microbrew and wine sampling and cooking competitions. Kids 12 and under are free. Kids will enjoy sports activities from the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Wizards, DC United and others. There will be BMX stunt bike and skateboarding shows, free food, candy and ice cream samples, arts activities and more. Daily pass, $20; two-day pass, $30; family four-pack (adults), $60. www.bbqindc.com

SW Night Market: A Family & Pet Friendly Gathering

Market SW, at Fourth and M streets SW, is on alternate Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m. Remaining dates this season are June 7 and 21; July 5 and 19; Aug. 2, 16 and 30; and Sept. 13 and 27. It offers a mix of local and creative businesses, food trucks, live music, a fully stocked beer garden, colorful lights and family-friendly activities. The market is directly across the street from the Waterfront Metro station and near Arena Stage. www.DiverseMarkets.net

Three DPR Outdoor Kids’ Swimming Pools

Happy Hollow Children’s Pool at 2200 Champlain St. NW, Park View Children’s Pool at 693 Otis Pl. NW, and Lincoln Capper Children’s Pool at 555 L St. SE, are open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Additionally, Park View and Lincoln Capper close from 2 to 3 p.m. www.dpr.dc.gov/outdoorpools

Kids Run the Bases at Nats Park

Kids ages four to 12 can run the bases after every Sunday day game throughout the season. This year’s remaining dates are June 9 and 16, July 7 and 21, Aug. 4 and 11 and Sept. 1 and 15. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First Street. www.washington.nationals.mlb.com

Building Readers Club at the National Building Museum

The Building Readers Club explores the world of architecture, engineering, construction and design found in the pages of children’s books. The primary educational program of the National Building Museum’s exhibition “Building Stories,” the club provides suggested books to read and monthly activities to inspire children to find their place within a complex world and become agents of change. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade, along with their families, are invited to sign up. Joining the club is free and easy. Membership includes monthly age-appropriate activities and book suggestions, free access to the “Building Stories” exhibition and family-friendly club activities at the museum four days per year, a monthly newsletter, book and prize giveaways and early access to “Building Stories” programming. Sign up at nbm.org/building-readers-club.

“Children of Anguish & Anarchy” with Tomi Ademeyi

On Wednesday, June 26, from 7 to 9 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library hosts New York Times bestselling author Tomi Ademeyi, for her book “Children of Anguish & Anarchy.” Guests ages 13 to 19 can use code KNOWYOURPOWER24 for a complimentary copy of the book, care of the DC Public Library Foundation and the KNOW YOUR POWER Teen Arts Contest. www.dclibrary.org u

XWORD

Foods for Thought

by Myles Mellor

Across:

1. Goodfellas actor

6. Blues legend, “Muddy”

12. TV company, part of Disney

15. Maker of sculpture

17. Of the study of cultures

20. Event attended by Cinderella

22. Type of soup

24. Word with green and rings

26. Geological time division

27. Skater Thomas

28. Inventor of the rst passenger elevator

29. Smart of ‘’24’’

30. Waste

33. Portable Indian dwelling

36. Believer, suf x

37. __ Terre, MO.

38. Up the road

40. Experts in warfare tactics

43. Report back to

46. “___, Brute?”

47. Neither’s alternative

48. Prepared the beef in a special pot, perhaps

55. Go downhill fast?

56. Jazz singer Reeves

57. Khloe’s sister

58. Packing

61. “The ___ of Wake eld”

62. Good thing for rock climbers

64. Unsophisticated

65. Covers up

70. Quip

72. British biscuit

73. It’s softer than gypsum

77. Boxing term

80. Out of port

81. Scooby-___ (cartoon dog)

82. Mexican muralist

84. Business degree

87. Perfects the salad perhaps

92. Post delivery, abbr.

93. Budge

94. Manual motoring

95. Used in “keyhole” surgery

100. Obscure

102. Formula 1 champion, Mansell

103. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of ___”

104. Jostle

106. Tough, durable wood

110. Accomplishment

111. Rather

113. It may be on a roll

115. “Yo!”

116. Eaten with onions

118. Dairy product with a strong odor

123. Claudius’s successor

124. Shiftier

125. Plaid fabric

126. Storm heading: Abbr.

127. Dry gulch

128. Domesticated sh

Down:

1. Walked nervously

2. Typo

3. Old-style dictation expert

4. Foreign analyzers

5. School of thought

6. Duck foot shape

7. “Take ___ down memory lane . . .”

8. Notwithstanding, brie y

9. SASE, for one

10. Rich, Spanish

11. “Nova” follower

12. Hematological system

13. Blue grass instruments

14. Patron

16. The fox in Disney’s “The Fox and the Hound”

18. Select group

19. Heeds

21. Financing options

23. Greek cheese

25. Compass direction

31. Polio vaccine developer

32. Started back

34. Job preceder

35. Jazz singer Jones

37. Indian rice dish

39. Salad ingredient

41. Sweetened biscuits

42. Government dot

43. IV amounts

44. Excellent

45. French for law

46. Sicilian peak

49. Midriff

50. Business magazine

51. Olive or castor

52. “Kill Bill” star, Uma

53. Pain in the neck

54. Persian Gulf leader

59. Actress, Longoria

60. Like L.B.J.

63. Cut at an angle

65. Guinness suf x

66. Of cer, abbr.

67. Soprano Ponselle

68. Flat

69. This could __ __ __! (bargain)

71. Era

74. Include

75. Mauna ___

76. Popular Hearst mag

77. Humble oneself

78. Jacket type

79. Lacto-___-vegetarian

83. Pro t

84. Yours truly, facetiously

85. Storage receptacle

86. High school subj.

88. Elder

89. Frank admissions

90. Bill Clinton’s birthplace

91. Wit Bombeck

95. Be situated

96. Desert plants

97. Fizzles (out)

98. Big name in vaccines

99. Black Sea neighbor

100. Lively dance

101. Decorative pitcher

102. Patriot’s org.

105. Stroke over par

107. Scarlett’s love

108. France’s equivalent to an Oscar

109. African carnivore

112. Black Diamond need

114. Halloween mo.

117. Line

119. Kiev is its cap.

120. Southern vacation spot

121. Tam or beret

122. Afore