East of the River Magazine February 2014 by Capital Community News

FEBRUARY 2014 EAST of the RIVER MAGAZINE

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

IS A DID YOU KNOW? If you knowingly collect benefits by intentionally providing false or inaccurate information when you filed your claim, you are committing FRAUD. Examples include: • An individual returns to work but continues to collect UI benefits. • An individual works a part-time job but does not report his or her earnings to the state, thereby collecting more benefits than he or she is allowed.

UI Fraud is punishable by law! PENALTIES Can Include: • Criminal prosecution • Penalties and fines • Forfeiting future income tax refunds • Ineligibility to collect UI benefits in the future Don’t make your unemployment problem worse. If you think you may have committed UI Fraud, let us help you address the issue.

• An individual performs temporary work while collecting UI benefits, but does not report the earnings when filing his or her weekly claim. • An individual holds back information or gives false information to the state UI agency.

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1.877.372.8360 Call us today or visit does.dc.gov to read more about UI Fraud.

SBRC’s NonProfit Workshop Featuring

DCRA’s Corporations Division, DC Office of Tax and Revenue & DC Bar Pro Bono Program: What: If you want to learn and or deepen your knowledge about organizational types (i.e. LLC., INC., etc) and basic federal, state and local tax liabilities then you should register for this workshop. Presented By: DCRA’s Corporations Division and DC Office of Tax and Revenue When: Thursday, February 27, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

SBRC’s Money Smart for Small Business Program Banking Services and Insurance Workshops What: If you want to learn basic banking services and how to choose the insurance products that are best for your business then these sessions are for you. Presented By: BB&T Bank When: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Organizational Types and Tax Planning and Reporting Workshops What: If you want to learn and or deepen your knowledge about organizational types (i.e. LLC., INC., etc) and basic federal, state and local tax liabilities then you should register for this workshop. Presented By: DCRA’s Corporations Division and DC Office of Tax and Revenue

DC Chamber of Commerce’s:

Small Business DC Health Link Enrollment Days What:

When: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

If you need help enrolling through the DC Health Link for health coverage for you and your employees, you can schedule an appointment for one-on-one assistance in creating an account and completing the enrollment process. During this session, a certified In-Person Assister (IPA) and insurance broker will work with business owners to navigate the DC Health Link online system and answer questions during the one-on-one meeting. By appointment only. Call 202-624-0614.

Presented By: DC Chamber of Commerce – DC Health Link Program When:

4th Wednesday of each month

Time:

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 | CAPITALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

CALENDAR

08.............What’s on Washington 10.............East of the River Calendar

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL 16.............Frederick Douglass in Washington • by John Muller 21.............E on DC • by E. Ethelbert Miller

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 22.............The Bulletin Board

25............. The Nose • by Anonymous 26............. District Beat • by Andrew Lightman 30............. The Numbers • by Ed Lazere and Jenny Reed 32............. Shepherd Park Clean-up Enters Third Year by Charnice A. Milton

34.............The Power of a Nickel • by Catherine Plume 35............. Nspiregreen Owners Named Businesswomen of the Year • by Charnice A. Milton

36.............DC Water Thinks It’s Easy to Be Green • by Denise Romano 38............. Behavior Health Clinic Debuts in Congress Heights by Candace Y.A. Montague

40............. MPD, Community Want Answers in School Burglaries by Charnice A. Milton

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE 42.............In Your Kitchen • by Twyla Alston

44............. Anacostia Community Museum Celebrates MLK and Mandela’s Legacies • by Charnice A. Milton 46............. National Park Service Talks • by Stephen Lilienthal 48.............Jazz Avenues • by Steve Monroe

REAL ESTATE

49.............Changing Hands • compiled by Don Denton

KIDS & FAMILY

50.............Kids & Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner

THE CLASSIFIEDS 56.............The Classifieds

CROSSWORD 58 ............The Crossword

ON THE COVER:

Annual Mardi Gras Family Day. Photo: Courtesy of the Anacostia Community Museum. Story on page 52.

Saturday, March 8th 6:30pm International Spy Museum 800 F Street, NW Please join BASIS families and friends in celebrating BASIS teachers and a world-class education. All proceeds support the BASIS DC Annual Teacher Fund.

questions volunteer donate contact: bassisstarsgala@gmail.com www.facebook.com/BASISStarsGala

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Hill Rag • Mid City DC • East Of The River • Fagon Community Guides Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com

Look for Next Issue of East of the River on March 8 Online Daily, Printed Monthly | www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com

Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com School Notes Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Kids & Family Notebook Editor: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Arts, Dining & Entertainment Art: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Dining: Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Hit the City: Joylyn Hopkins • joylyn@joylynhopkins.com Literature: Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Movies: Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Music: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.com Retail Therapy: Scott Fazzini • scott.fazzini@gmail.com Theater: Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com The Wine Guys: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com Calendar & Bulletin Board Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com General Assignment Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com Martin Austermuhle • martin.austermuhle@gmail.com Maggy Baccinelli • mbaccinelli@gmail.com Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Gwyn Jones • gwynjones@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Charnice Milton • charnicem@hotmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Alice Ollstein • alice.ollstein@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com Jazzy Wright • wright.jazzy@gmail.com Jennifer Zatkowski • jenn@hillrag.com Pleasant Mann • pmann1995@gmail.com Meghan Markey • meghanmarkey@gmail.com Ellen Boomer • emboomer@gmail.com Elena Burger • elena96b@gmail.com Jonathan Neeley • neeley87@gmail.com

BEAUTY, Health& Fitness Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Mariessa Terrell • mterrell@sbclawgroup.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com Jazelle Hunt • jazelle.hunt@gmail.com KIDS & FAMILY Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Society & Events Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com Homes & Gardens Rindy O’Brien • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com COMMENTARY Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com Production/Graphic/web Design Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Designer: Kyungmin Lee • lee@hillrag.com Web Master: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Jennifer Zatkowski, 202.543.8300 X20 • Jenn@hillrag.com Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • carolina@hillrag.com Distribution Distribution Manager: Andrew Lightman Distributors: MediaPoint, LLC Distribution Information: distribution@hillrag.com Deadlines & CONTACTS Advertising: sales@hillrag.com Display Ads: 15th of each month Classified Ads: 10th of each month Editorial: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com Bulletin Board & Calendar: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

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

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see our website for more events! www.whatsonwashington.com

The Summit: In-Depth Exploration of DC Theater in Three Acts

Arena Stage is offering a rare opportunity for DC-area theatergoers to hear groups of distinguished actors, directors, playwrights and artistic directors discuss their work and the myriad challenges facing their art form, in a series of three Monday evening panels entitled The Summit. The three free installments (Feb. 17, March 24, April 28) will gather some of the region’s most accomplished theater professionals to talk about everything from their passion for their craft to the problems of trying to lure new audiences to live theater. Tickets are free, but reservations are encouraged. Tickets may be reserved online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-4883300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 6th St. SW.

Arena’s Molly Smith. Photo: Tony Powell

INTERSECTIONS Festival at the Atlas

Imagine: Art that encourages compassionate listening and provocative questioning. The best established, emerging, community and student artists from DC and beyond. Theaters filled with diverse, dynamic audiences. Conversations over a glass of wine in the café with someone new who has just had the same experience as you. Chances to perform, engage, party! All this and more await you at the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival over three weekends from Feb. 21-Mar. 8. Many performances are free! Celebrating their fifth anniversary, this unique all-arts festival brings together more than 100 performing groups over eight days to offer intersections of music, theatre, dance, film, opera and spoken word that capture a kaleidoscope of perspectives on our ever-evolving community and world. All five of our performance spaces will be alive with world premieres and innovative collaborations among artists of all ages, races, cultures, communities, and art forms. The Atlas is at 1333 H St. NE. intersectionsdc.org There is an INTERSECTIONS Mutts Gone Nuts Beneﬁt Performance for Atlas Family Programming and animal rescue on Saturday, Feb.22 at 1:30 p.m.

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TAPAS - Spanish Design for Food

TAPAS - Spanish Design for Food features more than 200 objects and instruments, videos, photographs, and installations to explore the interaction between design and gastronomy, two creative disciplines enjoying a boom in Spain and currently achieving international acclaim. The exhibition, in the former residence of the Ambassadors of Spain at 2801 16th St. NW, and will be on view through Mar. 23, 2014. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. Dress For Dinner napkin designed by Héctor Serrano, produced by Worldwide

Post-Oil City: The History of the City’s Future

More than half of the world’s population is living in cities. “Post-Oil City” is an international planning and landscape architecture exhibit which originated in Germany. Innovative projects in Asia, Africa, and America address urgent questions: How will the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy affect the process of urban planning and the city? How will the use of renewable energies affect urban metabolism and the politics of sustainability and mobility? The exhibition is on view through Mar. 1, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at the University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, Architectural Research Institute, Building 32 (2nd floor). Mars Exploration Rover. Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Spirit & Opportunity: 10 Years Roving Across Mars

Fifty stunning Mars images are on display through Sept. 14, 2014 at the National Air and Space Museum, Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW. This exhibition celebrates the amazing images and achievements of the two Mars Exploration Rovers on the 10th anniversary of their landings on the Red Planet. The twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity were launched toward Mars in the summer of 2003. airandspace.si.edu

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CALENDAR

Primary Urges—Brad Fesmire, Vanessa Irzyk & Sarah Boyts Yoder at Honfleur Gallery.

ar 7-Apr 25 (opening reception Mar 7, 6:00-9:00 PM). Though singular in voice, the works of Brad Fesmire, Vanessa Irzyk, and Sarah Boyts Yoder share a sense of urgency imparted through the handling of their selected materials. In their distinct compositions, each artist makes clear that bringing their engrossments with color, line, and fabrication into the tactile world is paramount to their practice. Primary Urges brings together works by each artist that highlight conversations about process, narrative, and the handmade that resonate between them. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. honfleurgallery.com

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Civil Rights Litigation Case Files from the Department of Justice. Feb 11, 11:00 AM. Tina Ligon, archivist, discusses recently processed Department of Justice litigation case files that relate to the modern civil rights movement and highlight key events in African American history. Room G-25, National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. archives.gov

Days,” which allows their bodies to be possessed by their ancestors. For more information, call 202-698-6373. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. dclibrary.org/francis

Visionaries of Black Education: Julius Rosenwald and Dr. E.B. Henderson. Feb 20, 6:00 PM. Join them for a special Black History Month event to examine how philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Dr. E.B. Henderson created educational opportunities for black children and introduced the game of basketball to Washington in the process. $15. Carnegie Library, 801 K St. NW. historydc.org

Mount Vernon Celebrates Black History Month. Feb 1-28. In observance of Black History Month, Mount Vernon highlights the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington. Throughout the month, a daily Slave Life at Mount Vernon tour explores the lives and contributions of the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon. A wreath laying and presentation occurs daily at the slave memorial site throughout the month of February. Black History Month activities are included in regular Estate admission: adults, $18; children ages 6-11, $9; and children under 5 are admitted free. mountvernon.org

Author Talk with R. Kayeen Thomas at Francis A. Gregory Library. Feb 26, 6:00 PM. In celebration of Black History Month, R. Kayeen Thomas will discuss his latest novel and prequel to his critically acclaimed novel “Antebellum, The Seven Days,” which tells the story of two men in modern society who become possessed by the spirits of dead slaves. Though they have never met, their shared bloodline is one of African royalty, and this bloodline makes them both susceptible to a condition known as “The Seven

Tour the Frederick Douglass House. Tours are at 9:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Ranger led tours are the only way to see the inside of the Frederick Douglass house. Tours are ticketed, and there are a limited number of tickets available for each tour. Tour tickets are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. Visitors are strongly encouraged to make a reservation to guarantee their place on the tour. Tours last approximately 30 minutes. 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5960. nps.gov/frdo

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Flight by Vanessa Irzyk. Courtesy of Honfleur Gallery

Trace Your DNA with AfricanAncestry.com. Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Gina Paige, this Washington, DC based company has helped more than 100,000 people connect with their original roots in Africa. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of more than 32,000 indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries of origin-and in most cases-ethnic groups with the highest level of accuracy. African Ancestry is committed to providing a unique service, working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical, spiritual, and economic well-being of peoples across the African Diaspora. For more information, visit africanancestry.com. Civil Rights at 50 at Newseum. On display through 2015. “Civil Rights at 50,” a three-year changing exhibit, chronicles milestones in the civil rights movement from 1963, 1964 and 1965 through historic front pages, magazines and news images. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NE. 888-639-7386. newseum.org 1964: Civil Rights at 50 at Newseum. Through Dec 2014. “1964” features powerful images of Freedom Summer, from volunteer training sessions in Ohio to clashes with segregationists and the search for three missing civil rights workers who were later found murdered. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NE. 888-639-7386. newseum.org

Alexandria’s Watson Reading Room. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Visitors should call in advance for holiday hours. Located next door to the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Watson Reading Room is a non-circulating research repository focusing on issues of African-American history and culture. Black History Museum staff and volunteers are available (by appointment) to work with visitors of all ages who are researching African-American history. Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA. 703-746-4356. alexandriava.gov/historic NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom Online Exhibition. The NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom exhibition presents a retrospective of the major personalities, events, and achievements that shaped the NAACP’s history during its first 100 years. myloc.gov/Exhibitions/naacp MLK Memorial. Open to visitors all hours, every day. 1964 Independence Ave. SW. nps.gov/mlkm Separate and Unequaled: Black Baseball in the District of Columbia. On view indefinitely. From Reconstruction to the second half of the 20th century, baseball, the great American pastime, was played in Washington, DC, on segregated fields. “Separate and Unequaled” looks at the phenomenal popularity and community draw of this sport when played by African Americans. Featured are such personalities as Josh Gibson and “Buck” Leonard, star players of the Negro Leagues most celebrated team, the Washington Homestead Grays. The show also highlights community teams that gave rise to the various amateur, collegiate and semi-pro black baseball teams and leagues. For special viewing hours and tours, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

VALENTINE’S A Drag Valentines Salute to the Divas. Feb 9, 8:00 PM. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Amel Larrieux-Come Be Our Valentine. Feb 14, 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Woo at the Zoo. Feb 14. Valentines will enjoy a complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to decorate sweets for your sweetheart. A cash bar will also be available featuring specialty drinks served in the exclusive Woo at the Zoo commemorative glass. All the fun takes place in the Zoo’s Visitor Center. For ages 21 and older. $125 for two. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. nationalzoo.si.edu Sweet “Arts” and Valentines at American Art Museum. Feb 14, 11:30 AM-7:00 PM. Make a last-minute card, take themed scavenger hunts through the collection, and snap a picture at their photo booth.

Enjoy sweet treats and wine in our café and get your Valentine something special in our museum store. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F Sts. NW. 202-633-7970. americanart.si.edu Chocolate for Your Valentine Cooking Demonstration. Feb 14, noon-1:30 PM. Demonstration presented by Adrienne Cook, Gardening Specialist and Danielle Cook, Nutritionist. What’s more fitting for Valentine’s Day than plenty of chocolate? Join the Cook Sisters for a delicious menu of dishes that incorporate chocolate. Free. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. usbg.gov Mating Call—The Dating Life of Birds and Bees Concert. Feb 14, 3:00-5:00 PM. This concert program reveals the hidden mating practices of our winged and feathered friends. Along with accessible scientific commentary, vocal artist Nancy Scimone celebrates these convivial courtships with lively bee and bird-themed songs by Mercer, Gershwin, Bizet and more. Free. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. usbg.gov Cupids Undie Run. Feb 15, noon-4:00 PM. Cupid’s Undie Run is returning for its 5th year in Washington, DC. On Valentine’s Day weekend, come put the hilarity in charity with hundreds of half-naked runners taking to the streets in celebration of their fundraising for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Last year Cupid’s raised over $1.3 Million to end NF and they’re relying on you to join and make this year’s fundraising (and party) the biggest and best yet. Start a team, join a team, or just run solo and make some new friends. The party, at Pour House, Hawk ‘N’ Dove and Capitol Lounge on Capitol Hill, starts at noon; run time is 2 p.m.; then back for more fun until 4 p.m. Arrive early and stay late... and feel free to remain pants-less the entire time! Registration (still open) is now $100. cupidsundierun.com

SPECIAL EVENTS Washington, DC International Wine and Food Festival. Feb 13–15. Thursday, 8:0011:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM. In its 15th year, the Festival returns for DC’s oenophiles and gastronomy enthusiasts to enjoy three days of signature events, master classes and wine dinners. Guests can look forward to opportunities to sample highly rated wines, artisanal cocktails and craft beer while sharing in the art, culture and fun of food and wine. $120. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. wineandfooddc.com George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade. Feb 17, 1:00-3:00 PM. The nation’s largest George Washington birthday parade marches a one-mile route through the streets of Old Town Alexandria. visitalexandriava.com Music at INTERSECTIONS Festival at the Atlas. Feb 21. 7:30 PM, Gay Men’s Chorus of EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 11

CALENDAR Washington, My First Time; 8:00 PM, Capital City Symphony, Go-Go Symphony; 9:30 PM, UrbanArias, Opera Like You’ve Never Seen It. Feb 22. 1:30 PM, Charles Williams and The Royal Family Blues Band, Roots of the Blues; 4:30 PM, Remembering the Palladium, An Encore and More Production; 4:30 PM, Atlantic Reed Consort, Acoustic Disturbance; 5:30 PM, After the Show, Music Geeks Meet Up; 7:00 PM, SynchroniCity, Classics from an Urban Perspective; 9:30 PM, Christylez Bacon and the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, Hip-Hop UnPlugged Album Release Concert; 9:30 PM, Alarke, Shrugging Sounds; 10:30 PM, Open Jazz Jam Session, Presented by The Washington Post. Feb 28. 9:00 PM, Library of Congress Presents Lansiné Kouyaté and David Neerman; 8:30 PM, Before the Show, Ukulele Moment; 9:30 PM, Victoria Vox-Vox Ukulele Cello, Outside the Box. Mar 1. 12:30 PM, Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra Expressions of Youth: New Music for Steel Band; 4:00 PM, Mark Sylvester and Natalie Spehar, New Duets; 7:00 PM, All Points West, DarkCity. Mar 2. 4:00 PM, Not What You Think, We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest; 5:30 PM, UrbanArias, Opera Like You’ve Never Seen It. Mar 7. 5:30, DC Youth Orchestra Percussion Ensemble, Strength and Sensitivity; 10:00 PM, Eme and Heteru Afro Roots: 70’s African Music Revolution. Mar 8. 4:00 PM, Alif Laila Sitar, Colors & World Percussion; 7:00 PM, Nistha Raj & Behzad Habibzai No Hay, Yahan; 8:00 PM, No BS! Brass, An Evening with No BS! Brass. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. intersectionsdc.org The Dalai Lama Washington National Cathedral. Mar 7, 9:30 AM. Through a talk entitled, “Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World,” the Dalai Lama will share his vision of a path to leading an ethical, happy and spiritual life, and offer a road map to building a more compassionate and peaceful world. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. cathedral.org National Cherry Blossom Festival. Mar 20-Apr 13. Kite Festival, Mar 29; waterfront fireworks, Apr 5; parade and Japanese street festival, Apr 12. .nationalcherryblossomfestival.org Volunteer at the Cherry Blossom Festival. By volunteering for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, its events largely free and open to the public, you support an important event in and for our community. You’ll also have the opportunity to make new friends and have fun. Join us in welcoming the many visitors and residents to the Festival! Go to nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/get-involved.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD “Question Bridge: Black Males” at THEARC. Through Feb 16. Framed as an internal conversation within a group too

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often defined externally, Question Bridge uses candid discussion to expose the diversity of thought and identity among black males, challenging monochromatic views of “blackness.” The wide-ranging conversation touches on family, love, masculinity, discrimination, community, education, violence, and the past and future of black men in society. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org Home Sewn: Quilts from the Lower Mississippi Valley. Through Sept 21, 2014. The first in a series of collections-focused exhibitions, Home Sewn features quilts created by Annie Dennis (1904¬¬–1997) and Emma Russell (1909¬¬–2004). Quilts rep-

exhibits close February 28, 2014. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-3658392. honfleurgallery.com Adrift at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. Through Feb 28. Adrift showcases multiple in-camera exposure landscapes by Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah. Artist talk is on Saturday, Feb 1, 2:00 PM. The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202365-8392. vividsolutionsgallery.com Jewelry Making Workshop. Feb 9, 1:004:00 PM. Join artist Deidra Bell as she leads a hands-on workshop making personal jewelry for different occasions. Free. For more information or to attend, call 202-633-

Guild and Daughters of Dorcus, it will showcase two dozen quilts in a variety of styles and sizes around the Center’s Lounge and common areas. Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. Artist Studio Tour: Baltimore (from Anacostia Community Museum). Feb 15, 10:30 AM-3:00 PM. Visit the studios of painter and printmaker Larry Poncho Brown, printmaker and mixed-media artist Karen Buster, and Baltimore’s Downtown Cultural Arts Center with director Adrian Bobb. Bus tour. Bus leaves promptly from the museum at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. $10 transportation fee. Call 202-633-4844 for information or to attend. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu The Sound of Islamic Soul-Featuring Suad El-Amin. Feb 16, 3:004:00 PM. America’s Islamic Heritage Museum, 2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE. 202-610-0586. facebook.com/AmericasIslamicHeritageMuseum Conserving Your Textiles, Part 1 (Quilts). Feb 19, 10:30 AM-noon. Learn the practical do’s and don’ts of caring for your quilts with Esther Méthé, Margaret Wing Dodge Chair in Conservation, Textile Museum. Free. For more information or to attend, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Valentine’s Day Comedy Show at THEARC. Feb 14, 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. Funny Duo Nema Williams and Ed Blaze are on a mission to deliver funniness to all who need a laugh one tour bus stop at a time..and Why not? Who doesn’t like to laugh? $30. THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. Ticket information at metroconcert.com/?event=test-comedy-show. Funny Duo Nema Williams and Ed Blaze are on a mission to deliver funniness to all who need a laugh one tour bus stop at a time..and why not? Who doesn’t like to laugh?

resent classic American quilt patterns and techniques passed down through five generations. This exhibition examine the generational, social, and economic fabric of an African American quilting community in rural Mississippi. In addition, fieldwork and interviews with present-day African American women quilters give voice to the continuing tradition of quilting in these communities. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu Common Ground at Honfleur Gallery. Through Feb 28. Common Ground presents the work that arose from a collaboration between painter Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann and photographer Michael B. Platt. Artist talk is on Saturday, Feb 1, 2:45 PM. ; Jadallah’s talk begins at 2 p.m., Mann and Platt’s talk will follow at 2:45 p.m. Both

4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Selection from the Washington, DC Environmental Film Festival. Feb 13, 2:004:00 PM. The museum screens an environmentally-conscious film every month from February through May as part of this annual event. Group discussion follows each screening. Free. For more information or to attend, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu “Stitched DC” Quilt Show at Anacostia Arts Center. Feb 15-Mar 29 (opening reception Feb15, 4:00-7:00 PM). Anacostia Arts Center will present a curated exhibition of DC-area quilters. Working primarily with local powerhouse quilt organizations, DC Modern Quilt

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Feb 21, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The time is 1959. The place is a dodgy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, given four months before her death. More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty, often humorous, reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music. Adult themes and language throughout performance. $15-$20. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org “Brother Outsider” Film Screening. Feb 27, 11:00 AM. This awardwinning documentary follows the career of Bayard Rustin, the openly gay architect of the 1963 March on Washington. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andrew Young, actress Liv Ullman, and others who knew Rustin provide insightful commentaries. A discussion follows the screening. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens Bird Walk. Mar 1, 8:00-10:00 AM. Join a Park Ranger and explore Kenilworth Gardens and Marsh to see how many birds you can identify. Binoculars and Bird Guides provided. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. nps.gov/keaq Double Time Jazz @ THEARC Theater presents Snarky Puppy. Mar 7, 8:00 PM. A collective of musicians in Dallas and New York City playing an infectious mixture of jazz,

funk, and world music. Music to move the brain and booty! Snarky Puppy seamlessly fuses a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation in a way that is able to reach the most critical-or most carefree-audience. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org Adrian Loving-Fade 2 Grey at Vivid Solutions. Mar 7-Apr 25 (opening reception Mar 7, 6:009:00 PM). Fade 2 Grey is a groundbreaking new solo art exhibition by artist Adrian Loving. His works explore androgyny, gender roles, fashion and the sensationalism of style in 80’s pop music. The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. vividsolutionsgallery.com “Stitched DC” Quilt Show Lecture and Pop-Up Shops at Anacostia Arts Center. Mar 8, 1:00-5:00 PM. Speakers: Author Katie Blakesley and Designer Laura Gunn. Retailers: Del Ray Fabrics and Finch Sewing Studio. $12-15 (lecture). Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. Knitting and Crocheting at Francis A. Gregory Library. Mondays, 6:30 PM. Come to the weekly knitting/crocheting meeting. Knitting will be the primary focus, but crocheting lessons and support will continued to be provided. All levels of experience welcome. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-6986373. dclibrary.org/francis Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market. Saturdays, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture every Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market will also feature local specialty food items such as fruits and vegetables, flowers, preserves, prepared foods and beverages. 2215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. bigchairmarket.com Home Sewn: Quilts from the Lower Mississippi Valley. Through Sept 21, 2014. The first in a series of collections-focused exhibitions, Home Sewn features quilts created by Annie Dennis (1904¬¬–1997) and Emma Russell (1909¬¬–2004). Quilts represent classic American quilt patterns and techniques passed down through five generations. This exhibition examine the generational, social, and economic fabric of an African American quilting community in rural Mississippi. In addition, fieldwork and interviews with present-day African American women quilters give voice to the continuing tradition of quilting in these communities. An-

acostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

SPORTS, DANCE AND FITNESS Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. Feb 8; Mar 2 and 8. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. capitals.nhl.com Washington Wizards Basketball. Feb 9, 18, 22 and 25; Mar. 3 and 5. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202397-SEAT. nba.com/wizards TWB Adult Zumba Class at THEARC. Feb 10, 17 and 24; 7:158:15 PM. Please call The Washington Ballet for pricing information or to purchase class cards at 202274-4533. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org TWB Adult African Dance Class at THEARC. Feb 13, 20 and 27; 7:158:15 PM. Please call The Washington Ballet for pricing information or to purchase class cards at 202274-4533. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org Dance at INTERSECTIONS Festival at the Atlas. Feb 21. 10:30 PM, Kaution Dance Kru, The Banji Project. Feb 22, 1:00 PM, Before the Show, Unlocking Indian Dance; 2:00 PM, Jayamangala Navgathi, New Directions. Feb 23, 2:30 PM, Dance Dimensions, Reflections; 3:00 PM, Vision Contemporary Dance Ensemble, Heritage Celebration of Praise; 5:00 PM, Tehreema Mitha Dance Company BLUE JEANS Classical and Contemporary; 5:30 PM, MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet & Musical Guests, Spark. Feb 28. 7:00 PM, DEVIATED THEATRE, Creatures and Cosmos; 9:30 PM, Taurus Broadhurst Dance, The Underground. Mar 1. 1:00 PM, Dance Performance Group, It’s Us!; 1:30 PM, Dance Dimensions, Reflections; 7:00 PM, B-FLY ENTERTAINMENT, The Nayika Project; 9:30 PM, Dissonance Dance Theatre, Watch Me Bounce. Mar 2. 2:00 PM, Xuejuan Dance Ensemble, Two-Way Mirror; 2:00 PM, Jane Franklin Dance & Percussionist Tom Teasley, Blue Moon /Red River. Mar 7. 7:00 PM, Bowen McCauley Dance, From the Ground Up. Mar 8, 1:00 PM, Gin Dance Company, An Afternoon with Gin; 1:30 PM. Metropolitan School of the Arts, Anybody Can Get It; 4:30 PM, Furia Flamenca Dance Company, Recordando la Alhambra. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-3997993. intersectionsdc.org Canal Park Ice Rink. Open Monday-Friday, noon-9:00 PM; Satur-

day, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Adult fee is $8; children, seniors (55+) and military fees are $7. Skate rental is $3. On Tuesdays, two can skate for the price of one from 4:00-6:00 PM. The park is at Second and M sts. SE, one block from the Navy Yard Metro (New Jersey Avenue exit). canalparkdc.org Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Open through mid-Mar (weather permitting). Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM. $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, students with ID and seniors 50 and over. Skate rental is $3. Seventh St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/skating Public Skate at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon-1:50 PM and Saturdays 11:45 AM-12:45 PM. Children (12 and under) and seniors are $4, adults (13 and older) are $5. Skate rental is $3. For more information, call 202-584-5007. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. fdia.org Washington Harbour Ice Skating. Open through mid-Mar (weather permitting). Monday-Thursday, noon-9:00 PM; Friday, noon-10:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. At 11,800 square feet, the new Washington Harbour Ice Rink is DC’s largest outdoor ice skating venue, and is also larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center rink. Adults, $10; children/seniors/military, $8. Skate rental is $5. 3050 K St. NW. thewashingtonharbour.com Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. Open daily; Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Four indoor courts. Six outdoor courts. Summer hourly fees at $6 to $10 for adults. Kids 17 and under play for free. 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-645-6242. dpr.dc.gov Yoga @ the Library. Every Saturday, 10:00 AM. Wear some comfortable clothing and bring a mat to this adult Yoga class, but if you don’t have one, yoga mats are available for use during the class. The classes are taught by Yoga Activist and are held on the lower level of the library in the Larger Meeting Room. This class is free and open to the public. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating. Open through mid-Mar, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM. $7-$8. $3 for skate rental. 1201 South Joyce St. Ar-

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THRIVE! A health and wellness program for breast cancer survivors The George Washington University Cancer Institute is looking for women who have completed active treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation) for breast cancer and received their breast cancer diagnosis more than 18 months ago who are interested in participating in a 12-week online program aimed at empowering survivors to improve their health and well-being. Women currently taking hormonal medications are eligible to participate. If you qualify to participate in this research program, you would be asked to: complete several surveys before, during, and after the program; set health and wellness goals; and provide information weekly to the research team regarding your dietary intake, physical activity, and progress toward your goals. You will receive: · 12 weeks of information and tools regarding nutrition, physical activity, stress relief, and emotional coping– including recipes, video demonstrations, and more · Motivational support from a health coach · A pedometer and nutrition application to track health goals If you complete the 12-week program and surveys, you will also receive a $30 gift card to Amazon.com. Contact Elizabeth Hatcher, RN at 202-994-2215 for details.

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY SOLICITATION NO: 0007-2014 “Property Management Services for MetroTowns at Parkside” THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY (DCHA) is seeking an experienced property management company to provide property management services at the MetroTowns at Parkside community. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available at the Issuing Office located at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Administrative Services/Contracts, Washington, DC 20002-7599, between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday; and on our web site at: www.dchousing.org beginning Monday, January 13, 2014. SEALED PROPOSALS RESPONSES are due to the issuing office by COB (8:15am-4:45pm) on Thursday, February 13, 2014. Contact the Issuing Office, LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod on (202)535-1212 or by email at lmcleod@dchousing.org for additional information.

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Deanwood (indoor) Pool. Mon-Fri 6:30 AM8:00 PM; Sat-Sun, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Free for DC residents. 1350 49th St. NE. 202-6713078. dpr.dc.gov Ferebee Hope (indoor) Pool. Open weekdays, 10:00-6:00 PM. Closed weekends. Free for DC residents. 3999 Eighth St. SE. 202645-3916. dpr.dc.gov Rock N Roll Marathon Registration Open. Marathon is Mar 15. runrocknroll.competitor. com Rock N Roll Mini Marathon (new in 2014). Mar 15. Feel all of the excitement in just 3.1 miles. Participate in the Mini Marathon, which will be an officially timed 5k. runrocknroll.competitor.com

CIVIC LIFE moveDC Transportation Plan Advisory Committee Meeting. Feb 10, 6:30-8:30 PM. The TPAC is made up of District residents from each ward that are active in transportation-related issues and other civic endeavors and is charged with acting in an advisory role to the moveDC project team throughout the plan development process. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW (2nd floor public meeting room). wemoveDC.org Spanish Language Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic. Feb 12, 5:00-7:30 PM. All are welcome but they will have additional Spanish speaking attorneys to assist DC’s Spanish speaking entrepreneur pool. This clinic is for aspiring or existing small business owners. Attendees will meet oneon-one with attorneys for brief advice on any legal issues their businesses may be facing. Clinic is in the Office on Latino Affairs, 2000 14th St. NW at the Reeves Municipal Building. Grosso Near You (informal) Meeting. Third Thursday, 8:00-9:30 AM, Big Chair Coffee and Grill, 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The meetings will provide the opportunity for constituents to bring ideas and issues directly to Councilmember Grosso as part of an effort to make the DC Council more accessible.

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Congresswoman Norton’s SE District Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2041 MLK Ave. SE, #238. 202-678-8900. norton.house.gov Councilmember Alexander’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 10:00 AM6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560. Councilmember Barry’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. 2100 MLK Ave, SE, #307. 202-698-2185. Anacostia Coordinating Council Meeting. Last Tuesday, noon-2:00 PM. Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort St. SE. For further details,

contact Philip Pannell, 202-889-4900. Capitol View Civic Association Meeting. Third Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memorial United Methodist, 25 53rd St. NE. capitolviewcivicassoc.org Historical Anacostia Block Association. Second Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM. UPO-Anacostia Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. For further details, contact Charles Wilson, 202-834-0600. Anacostia High School School Improvement Team Meeting. Fourth Tuesday. 6:00 PM. Anacostia High School, 16th and R sts. SE. Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE. Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE. Eastland Gardens Civic Association Meeting. Third Tuesday. 6:30-8:30 PM. Kenilworth Elementary School (auditorium), 1300 44th St. NE. Greg Rhett jrhett3009@ aol.com or 202-388-1532. Fairlawn Citizens Association. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE.

ANC MONTHLY MEETINGS ANC 7B. Third Thursday, 7:00 PM. Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE). 202-584-3400. anc7b@pressroom.com. anc7b.us ANC 7C. Second Thursday, 7:00 PM. Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. 202-398-5100. anc7c@verizon.net ANC 7D. Second Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Sixth District Police Station, 100 42nd St. NE. 202-398-5258. 7D06@anc.dc.gov ANC 7E. Second Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 PM. Jones Memorial Church, 4625 G St. SE. 202582-6360. 7E@anc.dc.gov ANC 7F. Third Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, 200 Stoddert Place, SE ANC 8A. First Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Anacostia UPO Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-889-6600. anc8adc.org ANC 8B. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Seventh District Police Station Community Center, Alabama and McGee Sts. SE. 202-610-1818. anc8b.org ANC 8C. First Wednesday, 7:00 PM. 2907 MLK Jr Ave. SE. 202-388-2244. ANC 8D. Fourth Thursday, 7:00 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202 561-0774 u

Celebrating Black History

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE H 15 H FEbRuARy 2014

F D re W ou de a g r sh la ic in ss k g i to n n Frederick Douglass in his early ﬁfties. Photo: Library of Congress.

n June 1853 an editorial in the Daily Evening Star, “Handiwork of Abolitionists,” warned that Frederick Douglass, the newspaper publisher and editor from Rochester, New York, was not welcome in the nation’s capital. The powerful oratory of Douglass, in his mid-thirties, before crowds in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as his own editorials condemning the policies of slavery in the United States, made his potential presence an inflammatory threat where slavery was the law of the land, as was the case on the streets the District of Columbia. A decade later, Douglas, the most famous fugitive slave in our country’s history, came to Washington City during the Civil War and met with President Abraham Lincoln for 16 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

the fi r s t time. “A n y of our citizens who will take the trouble to walk through and around our city, can see what the skinflint abolitionists of the North are doing for us,” wrote the Evening Star. “There was a time when it was possible to preserve order among the negro portion of the population of Washington; but then the great majority of that portion were slaves. now, since Mrs. Stowe and compatriots, Solomon Northrup and Fred Douglass, have been exciting the free negroes of the North to ‘action.’” Frederick Douglass’ relationship with the United States Capitol was, in fact, curious and lifelong. In his 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Douglass revealed he finally came to understand who abolitionists were when, as a young teen, he read in a Baltimore newspaper of their activities in Congress. “In its columns I found, that, on a certain day, a vast number of petitions and memorials had been presented to Congress, praying for abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and for the abolition of the slave trade between the states of the Union.” He would later tell this story throughout the country and across the Atlantic Ocean, adding, “From this time I understood the words

abolition and abolitionist, and always drew near when that word was spoken, expecting to hear something of importance to myself and fellow-slaves.” From a distance, Douglass knew the nation’s capital city symbolized an inherent hypocrisy in the United States Constitution. In May 1846, while in England, Douglass said, “In the national District of Columbia, over which the star-spangled emblem is constantly waving, where orators are ever holding forth on the subject of American liberty, American democracy, American republicanism, there are two slave prisons.” Through the 1850s, while an editor, writer, orator and activist, Douglass did not waver in his faith that the day of jubilee would be realized, when American slavery would be forever abolished. During the Civil War Douglass met with President Lincoln on two separate occasions and was in Washington City to attend Lincoln’s second inaugural in March 1865. President Andrew Johnson was wholly uninterested in the citizenship claims of the more than four million freed slaves; Douglass and a group of prominent black men met him in February 1866, but were unable to persuade Johnson to change course.

Frederick Douglass Comes to Washington

Following the Civil War, Douglass’ three sons - Lewis, Frederick, Jr. and Charles - secured government positions in Washington and began establishing relationships, socializing with leaders of the city’s black community. Businessman George Downing and pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, John Sella Martin, encouraged the elder Douglass and his children to launch a newspaper in Washington that would serve as the black community’s voice in

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 17

The front of Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass from 1877 until 1895. Photo: John Muller.

chronicling both local affairs and Reconstruction efforts throughout the former Confederate States. On Thursday, January 13, 1870 the New Era was published as a weekly, making it the only paper of its day published and edited by “colored men.” In September Frederick Douglass purchased all ownership rights and rechristened the paper the New National Era. At the time Douglass was the only black member of the Press Gallery. The paper would later merge with another weekly, but ultimately ceased publication in September 1874. While editing the New National Era, in April 1871 Douglass was appointed by President Grant to serve on the city’s legislative council. This local position would be the apex of Douglass’ legislative career, although others had loftier aspirations on his behalf. The year before, Hiram Revels from Mississippi became the first black American to join the United States Senate. Charles Douglass, Frederick’s youngest son, had a front row seat to the swearing-in. “Many voices in the Galleries were heard by me to say, ‘If it would only have been Fred Douglass,’ and my heart beat rapidly.” Charles urged his father to seize the moment as “the door is open, and I expect to see you pass in.” Never one to aggrandize his own self-importance, Douglass would later write, “I was earnestly urged by many of my respected fellow-citizens both colored and white, and from all sections of the country, to take up my abode in some one of the many districts of the South where there was a large colored vote and get myself 18 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

elected, as they were sure I easily could do, to a seat in Congress--possibly in the Senate.” Writing in his 3rd autobiography, Douglass explained, “I had not lived long enough in Washington to have this sentiment sufficiently blunted to make me indifferent to its suggestions.” However, Douglass trusted his instinct and knew his own limitations. He confessed, “I had small faith in my aptitude as a politician, and could not hope to cope with rival aspirants.” While living in the nation’s capital for the last 25 years of his life, Douglass was a prescient voice for local representation. Less than a month before he died, Douglass attended a meeting of the District Suffrage Petition Association where he asked, “[W]hat have the people of the District done that they should be excluded from the privileges of the ballot box?” Known for his principal roles as an abolitionist, suffragette, editor, author, intellectual, and statesman, Douglass was an advocate for the full rights of citizens of the District of Columbia, a cause that remains active today.

Douglass as a Neighbor

After his home in Rochester was destroyed by a fire in the summer of 1872, Douglass permanently moved his family to Washington, buying his first home on Capitol Hill, 316-318 A Street NE, which still stands today. For the five years Douglass lived on Capitol Hill he became a prominent Washingtonian and used his influence to help nurture the next generation of black intellectuals and civil rights activists. He accepted an appointment

to serve on the Board of Trustees at the recently founded Howard University, where for more than two decades Douglass was a public advocate and private mentor to students at the university, lending a hand in the organization of the first alumni association and helping students secure government positions upon graduation. In March of 1877 Douglass was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes to serve as Marshal of the District of Columbia and was confirmed by the Senate. In his lifetime, Frederick Douglass was the American Myth incarnate—once a fullflight fugitive slave, the world’s most famous bondsman, three decades later he was appointed United States marshal of the nation’s capital city by the president. Douglass’s 1845 autobiography, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, stands the test of time. At the time of its release, Douglass was an outlaw flaunting the freedom he enjoyed in the North. Traveling and orating on both coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, his clarion voice boomeranged throughout American and British reformist communities making his capture imperative for the antebellum South. Before anyone could capture him, his freedom was purchased while he traveled throughout the British Empire. Upon his return to the United States, Douglass was no less of a risk

taker; his Rochester home, just as it had been in Lynn and New Bedford, Massachusetts, was a safe house for runaway slaves seeking the safety of Canada. Often, Douglass would arrive in the early morning to his newspaper offices to find fugitives awaiting him. He recalled, “I had as many as eleven fugitives under my roof at one time.” As marshal of the District of Columbia, Douglass had the responsibility of bringing fugitives to justice, a long way from his days of quartering them. Douglass was in close contact with Washington’s criminal class nearly every day as marshal. He said as much, telling readers in his last autobiography that the marshal’s office “made me the daily witness in the criminal court of a side of the District life to me most painful and repulsive.” The irony of Douglass serving as Marshal was captured by the Evening Star in April 1877 when the paper reported, “An ex-constable was in the criminal court at Washington on business the other day, and was asked by one of the bailiffs if he was looking for Marshal Douglass. ‘No sir,’ was the reply, ‘not now; but there was a time, when he was a fugitive slave, when I tried hard to find him.’” No matter the turn of history, his position as Marshal gave Douglass the ability to purchase a larger home to accommodate the bundle of grandchildren he often looked after, the

Neighborhood children spend hours playing at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Anacostia. Photo: John Muller.

journalists frequently coming to his home to seek comment, and the groups of Howard University students who regularly called upon their mentor. Deeds to Frederick Douglass’s purchase in September 1877 of a mansion and a nineacre homestead in Uniontown, present-day Anacostia, for $6,700 can be found both in the National Archives and DC Archives. The Douglass home across the Eastern Branch afforded new comforts and privacy. Within weeks of moving his family from Capitol Hill to Uniontown and becoming one of the neighborhood’s most prominent property owners, Marshal Douglass busied himself in the affairs of his community. From participating in recreational readings with the Uniontown Shakespeare Club to investing in the local street car, the Anacostia & Potomac River Railway Company, Douglass was a ubiquitous member of his neighborhood.. “Frederick Douglass, in spite of his age, walks about Washington as briskly as a boy,” observed the New York Tribune in early 1884. Approaching seventy years old, Douglass, standing slightly over six feet tall, “weighs more than 200 pounds, his hair is white, and his health is perfect.” Two years earlier, Douglass had told a friend, “I have not felt in better health at any time during the last five years. I now walk every morning from ‘Cedar Hill’ to the City Hall and am less fatigued than when I adopted the practice.” By the late 1870s, Uniontown had begun to see a merchant class develop, with barbers, pharmacists, grocers, carriage builders, coach painters, feed dealers and blacksmiths. These Uniontown business owners were among the many individuals who advocated for a larger police force. Francis Allen was known in the community and thought to be an ideal candidate to join the police force. He was born in Maryland in 1845 but had moved into the District during the war, where EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 19

he served with the D.C. Volunteers for three years before being honorably discharged. He was thirty-two and employed as a streetcar driver when he filled out his initial application in 1877 to join the force. “I wish to add my good word for Mr. Allen,” Douglass wrote to Major Thomas P. Morgan, superintendent of police, on letterhead from the U.S. Marshal’s Office on September 11, 1878. “I am not very well acquainted with him but I am with those who are. From them I learn that Mr. Allen is a man of excellent character.” Joining Marshal Douglass in an undated letter to the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia supporting Allen’s application to join the police force were local postmaster and hotelier Robert F. Martin, real estate investor Henry A. Griswold, druggist Samuel F. Shreve, fancy goods merchant James Grimes, feed dealer Charles Jenkins, clerk William Green and other notable citizens. According to scholar Sandra Schmidt, Allen was finally appointed on March 8, 1879, serving nearly twenty years. Allen was assigned the Uniontown beat. Plans to commemorate the bicentennial of Douglass’s birth in 2018 are just now beginning. Original scholarship is expected that will bring Douglass into greater focus. With the planned opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture on the National Mall, more attention by scholars and greater public interest into the life and times of Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent Civil Rights leaders in the history of this country, and, in fact, our local history as Washingtonians, will surely emerge. To arrange a tour of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site please call 202426-5961 or visit http://www. nps.gov/frdo/index.htm John Muller is the author of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia (The History Press, 2012). u 20 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

When Black History Turns A Tad Dark

by E. Ethelbert Miller

’ve started to forget black history. I can’t remember when my mother or father died. The date and year seems like yesterday, no it was years ago, but how long? I check a bookcase in my home office; there is a place where I keep the funeral programs of family members. I also have a small altar consisting of pictures and items that belonged to those I loved. A small toy monkey with a silly smile on its face was the last thing my mother held in the hospital just before death arrived to comb her hair. Why do we keep things the dead once touched? I am leaving work again. I join the walking dead. A death city (DC) zombie. I head down the street to catch the Green Line. My journey home has become a regular underground tragedy without Shakespeare to take notes. It’s a lesson in tolerance and the search for beauty and small acts of kindness. I’ve read enough black books to know something is happening to my people. We are no longer blues people. Some of us have been kicked off easy street. But easy street was never easy. We are trapped in shadows with pockets filled with discarded lottery tickets. How many of us no longer feel lucky? I want to love my people not in the abstract but in the flesh. I want to feel the warmth of blackness that I once felt on that day the heart’s trumpet blew and a million black men walked these streets. I want our clothes to fit again. My ears demand new spirituals and not the vulgarity of sound. It’s almost time for me to lay my burden down. There comes a point in one’s life when you pick-up a form, an application, or a survey and there is only one more box to check. History is sitting next to you willing to loan you a pen or pencil. So it looks as if soon everything will end and I’ve been 63 years

a slave. Outside the Metro there are places where my ancestors were sold. Today the chains are invisible and the subway car I enter makes me feel like Clay the threatened character in the play The Dutchman that a young LeRoi Jones once wrote. I’ve started calling Washington the District. Not the District of Columbia but simply The District – as if it was a zone. A place gone bi-polar and torn suddenly between becoming heaven or hell. Where is my train heading and why are there only two tracks? There is something about the L’Enfant Plaza metro station that annoys me. Is it the sounds of youth or the noise of despair? Is it my imagination that this station is darker than all the others in the system? At times I mistake the station as being some mystical crossroads. A place where one would either sell oneself to the devil or maybe simply hand over a cell phone. I once accidently touched a person and it was a medieval moment. My hand was almost bitten off and I was only saved by my salamander instincts. There is something “wicked strange” happening in our city. I fear a big fog coming in. With all the construction taking place and an economic movement to change the height restrictions for buildings, maybe our Tower of Babel is near. On the trains and buses I already hear many languages being spoken. I also see countless people wearing headphones – listening to what can only be a different world or District. There seems to be a growing darkness, shaping even our nights. E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activist. He is the author of two memoirs and several collections of poems. Mr. Miller is the director of the African American Resource Center at Howard University. www. eethelbertmiller.com u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 21

BULLETIN BOARD Zandile Ntobela “Cherry Tree”, 2011. Glass beads sewn onto fabric. Private Collection. Photo: Susana Raab, Anacostia Community Museum

Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence at Anacostia Community Museum

dwango (means “cloth”) is a new form of bead art developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Ubuhle (means “beautiful”) artists’ community was established in 1999 by local resident Bev Gibson and master beader Ntombephi Ntombela to empower local women with the means to provide for their families through their art. Using black fabric as a canvas and different colored Czech glass beads as the medium of expression, the Ubuhle community has re-imagined the longstanding beading tradition as a contemporary art form. Twenty-nine works are featured, including The African Cruxifixion. Ubuhle: pronounced Uh-Buk-lay in Xhosa (Ho-Sa). On Display through Sept. 14, 2014 at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

The Wacky & Whimsical Tea for THEARC

The Wacky & Whimsical Tea for THEARC is a fun-filled Sunday afternoon at the RitzCarlton Hotel that will include high tea, a silent auction and creative games for kids of all ages and their families, including a treasure trove, special entertainment and other surprises. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC). Sunday, Mar. 9, 2-4 p.m. To volunteer, please contact Janet Stone at jstone@ thearcdc.org. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

AARP Tax Help at Capital View and Anacostia Libraries

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older. Through a cadre of trained volunteers, AARP 22 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Foundation Tax-Aide has helped low-to moderate-income individuals for more than 40 years in every state and the District of Columbia. Tax help is available at Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE on Feb. 11, 18, 25 and Mar. 4 from noon-5 p.m. Tax help is available at Capital View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE on Feb. 10, 12, 24, 26 and Mar. 3 and 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. dclibrary.org

District Releases Work Plan to Clean Up the Anacostia River

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) has released its initial plan, Remedial Investigation of Anacostia River Sediments, to help transform the Anacostia River into a fishable and swimmable river by 2032. The work plan is currently available at DDOE’s website, ddoe.dc.gov/riwork-

plan2014, for the public to review. It was also published in the DC Federal Register on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, for a 30-day public comment period.

DC’s Longtime “First Mom” Virginia Williams Succumbs to Illness

Former Mayor Anthony A. Williams has announced that his mother Virginia E. Hayes Williams died in Los Angeles after a brief illness. Mrs. Williams, a former professional singer and postal worker, was 87. A colorful and energetic woman, Williams was known for her enthusiasm for the District of Columbia and her love of song. It has been said that she would never miss an opportunity to sing, and did so frequently at official functions, churches and social gatherings. Virginia Williams was the mother of eight children and managed to send them

all to college. When her son Anthony Williams announced his candidacy for mayor in Petworth in 1998, she was by his side and she stayed in the District throughout his eight years at the helm of the Nation’s Capital. She quickly assumed the role of “First Mother” of the District and her days were filled with appearances where she would serve as a surrogate for the mayor, attending events at schools, ribbon cuttings and senior citizens centers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Covenant House in the District of Columbia. covenanthousedc.org

Winter and Spring Shepherd Parkway Community Clean-Ups

Join your neighbors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 15, Mar. 22; Apr. 26, and May 17. Meet at picnic tables near the corner of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Aves. SE. Gloves, bags, and light refreshments will be provided. Wear boots and clothes you can get dirty. Since 2011, they’ve removed tens of thousands of pounds of trash and invasive species. The 205 acres of Shepherd Parkway are the cleanest they’ve been in decades, but there is much work still to be done. For more information, contact Nathan Harrington at nbharrington@yahoo.com or 301-758-5892.

Saturday Volunteer Event at Kenilworth Park

On Saturday, Feb. 22, 9-11 a.m., come help prep for a productive and wonderful spring. On-site registration opens 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. Please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. Kenilworth Park service projects run rain or shine except for severe weather as forecast on WTOP.com. Bring a water bottle; light snacks will be provided. Volunteers should wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and no open toe shoes. You may also want to bring an extra set of

clothes, just in case. Gloves and all equipment will be provided for you. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. The park has ample free, off-street parking and is metro accessible (Deanwood). For additional information, visit friendsofkenilworthgardens.org. RSVP recommended but not necessary. Contact Tina O’Connell at tina@friendsofkenilworthgardens.org.

Inclusionary Zoning Lottery and Lottery Orientation

Looking for an affordable housing option in DC? DC government now provides incentives to developers to set aside units for affordable purchase and rental through the Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) program. The IZ program allows low-to moderate-income households to lease or buy these properties for below market prices through a lottery run by the Department of Housing and Community Development. You can register for the lottery at dhcd.dc.gov and find out more about how this program works by attending an Inclusionary Zoning Orientation. The next orientation will be held on Feb. 19, 6 p.m. at Housing Counseling Services, 2410 17th St. NW. Call 202-667-7006 for more information.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE FINANCIAL SERVICES RFP No. - DCHE 2014-1

THE DC HOUSING ENTERPRISES (“DCHE”) is seeking to solicit proposals from qualified respondents to provide Audit and Compliance Financial Services that will include comprehensive professional services related to the organization and administration of the Audit, Tax Return, Underwriting and Closing responsibilities required for the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program to support DCHE staff, principal stakeholders, investors, CDFI Fund and borrowers. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS will be available at the DC Housing Enterprises Procurement Office, 1133 North Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services, Washington, D.C. 20002-7599 (Issuing Office); between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, January 13, 2014. SEALED BIDS ARE DUE: Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 11:00 a.m. at the Issuing Office identified above. Please contact Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist at 202-535-1212 for additional information.

More than 20,000 Get Health Coverage Through DC Health Link

The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority has released new data showing strong enrollment activity through DCHealthLink.com, the District of Columbia’s new on-line health insurance marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses. Since the exchange opened for business on Oct. 1, DC Health Link has enrolled 20,290 people. This includes District residents who enrolled in private health plans and in Medicaid, as well as people with coverage through their employers. EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 23

BULLETIN BOARD Open enrollment for individuals and families will continue through Mar. 31, 2014 and there is no enrollment deadline for small businesses. Small businesses can establish their own open enrollment periods for their employees whenever they choose throughout the year.

New Resources for Jobs in Growing Hospitality Sector

Mayor Gray has announced the award of up to $700,000 in performance-based hospitality job-training grants to DC Central Kitchen and the University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC) as part of the District’s Workforce Intermediary Pilot Project, a key component of the Mayor’s Five-Year Economic Development Strategy. With these grants, which will be administered by the District’s Workforce Investment Council (WIC), DC Central Kitchen will provide training for at least 70 District residents in culinary-arts

occupations, and UDC-CC will partner with Goodwill of Greater Washington and Progressive Partners LLC to provide training for at least 70 residents for jobs in the hotel industry. An industry advisory committee of hotel and restaurant stakeholders will assist the WIC in overseeing the program and ensuring that program services are meeting the needs of employers in the hospitality industry. Read more at dmped. dc.gov/node/636982.

DC Nation’s Triathlon Registration Open

The only triathlon held in Washington, DC is open for registration. The 9th annual Events DC Nation’s Triathlon To Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will take place on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Triathletes can register at NationsTri.com, with opportunities to join one of the many raceswithin-a-race-ranging from military to congressional challenges. The Events DC Nation’s Tri-

athlon is a weekend celebration with a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo and a finish line festival featuring a live band. The prestigious event is renowned for a scenic course that winds through the National Mall and Memorial Parks including a 1.5k swim in the Potomac River, 40k bike course through the streets of Washington and Maryland, before finishing with a 10k run through Washington DC’s historical landmarks with a spectacular finish south of the FDR Memorial.

Volunteer for Black History Month Luncheon

The luncheon is on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The 2014 theme is Civil Rights in America. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is recruiting volunteers for the event. Help as a greeter, host, stage production and raﬄe support. Contact them at 202-238-5910 or at info@ asalh.net.

March on Washington Exhibition Extended

“A Day Like No Other: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington” exhibition at the Library of Congress, consisting of 40 black-and-white photographs and another 75 images on a video screen, has been extended three months and will run through Saturday, May 31, 2014. The exhibition opened on Aug. 28, 2013 and was originally scheduled to close on Mar. 1, 2014. The exhibition is at the Graphic Arts Galleries on the ground level of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov

Abraham Lincoln’s Briefcase Returns to Washington, DC

The briefcase that held Abraham Lincoln’s handwritten notes during the Civil War returns to DC for a six month exhibit at President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home. While living at the Cottage with his family dur-

Get your own garden plot at the Fort Dupont Community Garden. Photo: National Park Service

Fort Dupont Community Garden Classes and Sign-Up

nterested in obtaining a garden plot for the upcoming season? Then you must attend one of the mandatory two-hour Garden Orientation Course at the Fort Dupont Activity Center. After the class you can register for a plot for the 2014 garden season. Classes are Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.; Saturday, Mar. 22 at 10 a.m. and Saturday, Apr. 5 at noon. At the conclusion of the orientation, you can choose a plot. Plots are assigned one per person to persons 18 or older, and there will be a limit of two plots per address. nps.gov/fodu

24 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

THE NOSE ing the summers of 1862, 1863, and 1864, President Lincoln carried papers in the briefcase on his daily commute to the White House. A photo album made for Tad Lincoln by the 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers, a company stationed at the Cottage during the Civil War to guard the Lincoln family, will also be on view in the exhibit. The briefcase and photo album are on loan through the end of June 2014. The briefcase served as a repository for some of President Lincoln’s greatest work. Members of President Lincoln’s military guard regularly observed him carrying around a portfolio “containing papers relating to the business of the day” when returning home to the Cottage, where he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. Robert Lincoln later gave the briefcase to Estella Heyser, his housekeeper, as a gift in appreciation for her service. The Heyser family privately held the briefcase until 2004, when Tom Heyser generously donated the artifact to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. President Lincoln’s Cottage, “the Cradle of the Emancipation Proclamation,” is located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. While living here for more than a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln bonded with soldiers and veterans, made crucial decisions about the Civil War, and, most notably, developed the Emancipation Proclamation his first summer in residence. The site offers an intimate, never-before-seen view of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and private life, and new perspectives on the influential ideas Lincoln developed while living here. Hours of operation: The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center is open 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Cottage tours are on the hour, 7 days a week. For more information on President Lincoln’s Cottage, visit lincolncottage.org or call 202-829-0436. u

by Anonymous

ue to the cold snap, The Nose has fled to his hidey-hole where the whiskey is delicious and the takeout soulful. Slightly tipsy late one recent evening, he lay on the couch, his redbone coonhound Dixie warming his feet, pondering the fate of our fair metropolis. Suddenly, much as Paul saw the cross that fateful evening centuries ago, The Nose had an epiphany while staring at the ceiling. The central question of the 2014 mayoral contest is not gentrification, urban growth, unemployment, affordable housing or education. These shibboleths have long ceased to fire the electorate’s limited imagination. Rather, let us take ‘transformative politics’ seriously and ask ourselves, “What would Andy do?” Put on your imagination caps, Dear Readers, and join The Nose in some unspecified future dimension in which Andy “Barrista” Shallal holds dominion over The Wilson Building. Walking in on the first day of a Shallal raj, one notices an array of large photos on the wall. It is a rogue gallery of radicals. Che Guevara, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Angela Davis. They adorn an entryway blessedly free of metal detectors. Rather, a smartly dressed young woman behind the desk asks politely, “Do you and your party wish to be escorted to your destination?” Up the stairs on the right is elegantly appointed cafe. This oasis combines the serving of snacks and lattes with the social mission of training the unemployable. On the top shelf behind the bar to The Nose’s delight are stronger medicinal remedies. Andy shares The Nose’s faith in the efficacy of caffeine and alcohol. After fortifying his constitution with the appropriate poisons, The Nose is escorted upstairs through hallways filled with the soft melodies of Trane and Johnny Hartman. He walks carefully to avoid tripping over the backpacks and power cords of the many new millennial employees of the District government sitting in armchairs, faces lit by the glow of their laptops and iPads, ears plugged into buds. Glancing into a conference room, The Nose is regaled by a bureaucrat extolling the advantages of a new municipal app

in the dulcet tones of spoken poetry. So, excuse The Nose for not believing “the hype.” With apologies to Public Enemy, here is a rap for the Shallal utopia: Back, caught you voting for the same thing It’s a new thing, check out the lattes I bring Uhh, oh, the roll below the Beltway, cause I’m campaigning low Next to Kojo, (C’mon!), turn up the radio They claiming I’m marginal But now I wonder how, some people never know That voter could be my friend, guardian I’m not a Virginian, I rock District elections and Clear all the crassness, I’m not here to gentrify Number one, never on run, leave Che to the guns, Listening to my opponents I wish I had one The minute they see me, fear me I’m the epitome, a public enemy Enthused, infused when others make you snooze I refuse to blow a fuse Let them see my face on the news Don’t believe the hype, it’s not a sequel As an equal can I get this through to you In the evenings debaters are scared of me Cause I’m mad, plus I’m the enemy Word to Tommy, yo if you can’t swing this Learn the words, you might sing this The meaning of all of that, most media is the wack Some writers I know are damn devils For them I say, don’t believe the hype (Yo Tom, they must be on the pipe, right?) Their pens and pads I’ll snatch cause I’ve had it I’m not a addict fiending for static I’ll see their tape recorder and I grab it No, you can’t have it back, I’m on the ballot I’m going to my media assassin, Chuck -I gotta ask him Yo Chuck, you were commentator, are we that type? Don’t believe the hype! Can the man who merchandized radicalism to sell lattes really change the face of District politics? Have a comment for The Nose, email thenose@hillrag. com u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 25

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Handicapping The Race

he first real glimpse of the mood of the District electorate appeared in The Washington Post’s January poll of voters conducted by Abt-SRBI. There were few surprises. Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s support hovered at 27 percent of likely voters. In the next rank, Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), each garnered half Gray’s support in a statistically even split of roughly 36% of the electorate. The other candidates in this crowded field, mired in the single digits, divided 18 percentage points. Another 11 percent of those surveyed had “No Opinion.” This article attempts to handicap the race for the four candidates who received double-digit approvals. Tempering the poll data with an analysis of historic voting patterns, it will estimate the number of votes for Gray, Evans, Bowser and Wells.

Estimating Voter Turnout

One always starts an election analysis by estimating the turnout. In this article, we have chosen to average the percentage of registered Democratic voters who voted in the last three Democratic Primaries in each ward and apply that ratio by ward to the Board of Election’s current tally of 336,779 registered Democrats. This exercise yields an estimate of 105,274 likely votes. As seen in the accompanying table, the two wards with the largest number of votes are Ward 4 (16,029) and Ward 6 (15,495). Wards 5 (14,698) and 7 (14,050) follow. Wards 3 (13,073) and Ward 1 (12,285) are next. Ward 8 and Ward 2 voters contribute the smallest amount (11,313 and 8,151 respectively). Together the city’s eastern wards (4, 5, 7 & 8) contribute 53.37 percent of the estimated vote. The western wards (1, 2 & 3) together supply 31.88 percent. Ward 6, at the city’s political center, itself comprises 14.74 percent of the estimated vote. Given that the majority of estimated vot26 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

by Andrew Lightman

ers lie in the city’s eastern wards, Gray’s status as a native son should prove strong. As importantly, both Ward 4 and Ward 6 might prove potential springboards if they can be persuaded to back their respective councilmembers. Given its 7.76 percent contribution to the estimated vote, Ward 2 provides a much less secure perch to launch an Evans bid.

Assessing Gray Historically

In the 2006 and 2010 Democratic primaries, Mayor Gray averaged 55.30 percent of the vote across all eight wards. However, his performance was geographically skewed to the east. East of the Anacostia, the mayor racked up overwhelm-

Estimated Voter Turnout by Ward for the 2014 Democratic Primary

ing margins (slightly over 82 percent). His average majorities in Ward 4 and Ward 5 ran roughly 60 percent. In Ward 1 and Ward 6, Gray garnered an average in excess of 44 percent. Gray proved weakest in Ward 3 where he only got 23 percent of the vote. In neighboring, votepoor Ward 2, he amassed a more respectable 32 percent. The continuing federal probe into the 2010 ‘Shadow Campaign’ has certainly negatively impacted Gray’s popularity with the electorate. Thus his historical performance at the ballot box cannot provide sole guidance to his future prospects. So, it is time to add insights offered by polling data.

Trending Positive?

In July of 2012, The Washington Post had Abt-SRBI conduct a poll on public impressions of Mayor Gray. It found that 34 percent of all adults had a favorable impression of the Mayor. When asked whether Gray should step down as mayor, 62 percent of whites agreed joined by 48 percent of AfricanAmerican respondents. A year later, a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners for Candidate Tommy Wells, found only 31 percent of likely voters in the Democratic Primary had a favorable impression of the Mayor. This dismal view of Gray’s stewardship was confirmed by a poll of voters conducted by Hart Research Associates this past September, which found support for the Mayor hovering at 35 percent of District voters. However, this winter Gray’s prospects seem to be trending positive. In the January Washington Post poll, 54 percent of respondents viewed Gray as untrustworthy, a 7 point improvement. The proportion that saw him as trustworthy increased to 32 percent. Most importantly, the majority, 59 percent, believed the city to be on the right track. Asked whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the mayor, respondents split evenly: 41 percent affirmative and 41

percent negative. Interestingly, 18 percent had no opinion.

A City Divided

Digging deeper into the Washington Post poll paints a much more nuanced picture. Respondents divided along fault lines involving length of residency, race, class and geography. Length of residency plays a major role in the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for Gray. Only 15 percent of registered Democrats, who have resided in the city for five years or less, plan to vote for the mayor. Conversely, 29 percent of those with 40 or more years in the District plan to cast their vote for Gray. The mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support rises to 30 percent among registered Democrats who have resided in the city for between 20 and 39 years. Support for the mayor is also strongly differentiated by race. Among registered Democrats, six percent of white men and nine percent of white women plan to vote for the mayor. Conversely, 33 percent of black women and 30 percent of black men plan to cast ballots for Gray. Class plays a role as well. 61 percent of wealthy respondents earning above $100,000 disprove of the mayor. Among registered Democrats in this demographic 15 percent plan to vote for him. Opinion of those earning under $100,000 but over $50,000 is split with 43 percent disliking the mayor while 40 percent retain a favorable opinion. In this group, 22 percent of registered Democrats say they will cast their ballots for the mayor. Of those earning under $50,000, 50 percent like the mayor, 28 percent dislike him, with 22 percent holding no opinion at all. Yet, 34 percent of its registered Democrats are committing their support to Gray. The last factor that seems to play a role in the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion of the mayor is geography, which in the District often correlates with class and race. 52 percent of all respondents in the poll in Wards 2 and 3 held EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 27

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Estimating the Gray Vote

an unfavorable view of Gray with 18 percent holding no opinion. Across the Anacostia River, 56 percent of those polled liked the mayor with 14 percent holding no opinion. (Due to the grouping of the Washington Post poll data into ward pairs, the situation in Wards 1, 4, 5 and 6 is not clear.) The poll indicates that Gray can expect little support from the city’s wealthy western wards (1, 2 & 3) and on Capitol Hill. Rapidly gentrifying areas full of newer residents such as Bloomingdale, the U Street Corridor, Columbia Heights, Logan Circle, Shaw, The Capitol Riverfront and Petworth are also likely to provide slim support. Fortunately for the mayor, these deficits are more than offset by his strength in the DC’s vote-rich, eastern neighborhoods, which are full of older, long-term, mostly AfricanAmerican residents, many of whom possess lower incomes.

Estimating the Gray Vote

To estimate Gray’s potential vote, this article averages his percentages by ward in the 2006 and 2010 Dem28 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

ocratic primaries with Gray’s percentage of support among registered Democrats in the recent Washington Post poll. These percentages are then applied by ward to the earlier estimate of votes. As show in the accompanying table, this mixed model shows Gray tak-

ing 42,017 out of an estimated total of 105,274 ballots, roughly 40 percent.

Polling the Challengers

Three ward councilmembers, Bowser, Evans and Wells, are Gray’s strongest challengers. As with the mayor, factors of age, race, income

and geography shape the pool of their supporters among registered Democrats according to the Post poll. Evans and Wells perform best among white men, 19 and 21 percentage points respectively. Wells pulls ahead of the entire pack with 26 percent of white women, a share double that of any other candidate. Black women favor Bowser with 15 percent compared to 33 percent for Gray. Evans garners 9 percent. Wells falls behind with 3 percent. (Vincent Orange (D-At Large) was supported by 14 percent.) Among black men, Bowser pulls in 12 to the Mayor’s 30 percent. Wells and Evans both earn a respectable 9 percent. Interestingly, Wells, long a proponent of progressive taxation, garners 23 percent of those making over $100,000. He does worst, three percent, with those making under $50,000, where the Mayor is strongest. The middle income, $50,000 to $100,000, splits its support evenly among the challengers, while the mayor garners 22 percent. Candidate support also varies strongly by geography. Wells takes 29 percent of a combined Wards 5 and 6, seven points ahead of the mayor. Bowser pulls 17 percent in a combined Wards 1 and 4, a point short of the mayor’s 18 percent. Evans polls at 22 percent in a combined Wards 2 and 3, with Gray hot on his heels at 20 percent.

Predicting the Challengers’ Vote

Length of residency most strongly shapes Wells’ constituency. Recent arrivals to the District, give him 19 percentage points. Conversely, only four percent of those who have lived in the city in excess of 40 years plan to vote for him. Most telling was the degree to which the poll respondents remained unaware of the challengers. 56 percent had no opinion of Wells. 52 percent held no opinion of Bowser. 48 percent had no opinion of Evans.

History Provides a Guide

Another important consideration is the challengers’ historical performance in ward Democratic primaries. This provides an excellent measure of the strength of their base. Wells had the strongest performance. In his first election in 2006, he received 8,323 votes. In 2010, he garnered 12,862. Bowser received 7,132 in her second election to the Ward 4 seat in 2008. Her reelection effort in 2012 garnered 7,541 votes. Evans won Ward 2 with a paltry 3,175 against a strong challenge. With no opposition, he received 2,947 votes in the 2012 primary. So, of the three, Wells is the proven vote getter historically.

Estimating the Challengers

To estimate the potential vote for the three challengers, we averaged their percentage of votes in their home wards in the 2006, 2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries with their percentage of support among registered Democrats in the recent Washington Post poll. Outside the challengers’ homewards, the percentages from the poll are solely relied on. These percentages are then applied by ward to the article’s earlier estimate of votes by ward. As show in the accompanying table, this mixed model shows: • 18,814 votes for Bowser or 17.90 percent; • 16,562 votes for Wells or 15.76 percent; • 14,704 votes for Evans or 14 percent. These three together possess 55,014 votes, 12,997 more than estimated for Gray. In addition, if one adds up the estimated votes for the three challengers and Gray and subtracts from the total estimated, 12,957 votes remain unaccounted for. While Bowser leads her two rivals in estimated votes, Wells has proved his ability to run strong in his home ward, which by itself constitutes 14.74 percent of the estimated vote. Ward 2’s weak contribution to District

elections seems likely to hamstring Evans.

Breaking Away

Unless voters change their allegiance, or a new federal indictment surfaces, Gray is clearly the strongest candidate with an estimated 40 percent of the vote. Yet the election is not a shoe-in. In the eastern wards, Gray must fend off challenges by Bowser and Orange in Wards 4 and 5. Bowser, in particular, has the money to mount an effective ground war on her vote-rich home turf. Gray could also lose votes in Ward 6, whose Southwest quadrant proved a key element of his 2010 campaign, if Wells mounts an effective field operation. Given the fault lines of race, geography, residency and class, there also appears to be little opportunity for Gray to grow his share of the vote in the city’s western precincts. And, of course, the threat of future federal indictments hangs over Gray’s head like the sword of Damocles. To beat Gray, the challengers must accomplish a simple set of tasks. First, they must turn out voters in their wards with an effective GOTV (Get Out The Vote) operation. Wards 4 and 6, which are both voterrich and possess large pools of registered Democrats, can provide the numbers to overcome Gray’s eastern base. Evans is at a severe disadvantage here. Wells, on the other hand, is the only one of the three who has ever received more than 10,000 votes in an election. As importantly, the challengers must convince the electorate of the efficacy of their campaigns. Voters do not like to waste their votes. They will seek to cast them for a likely winner. So, a successful challenger must create the appearance of momentum to pull voters from the camps of their rivals. Remember, it was Gray’s surprise victory in the Ward 4 straw poll during the 2010 campaign that distinguished him in voters’ minds as a viable challenger to former Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. Publicity and advertising are the keys to creating a sense of momentum. Here, Evans and Bowser retain the edge over Wells with their potent fundraising machines. No doubt, the wealthier campaigns intend to use robo calls and direct mail to acquaint the voters with their candidate. Creating momentum and running effective field operations are the keys to defeating Gray. It remains to be seen if his three prominent challengers can put these pieces together before April Fool’s Day is upon us. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 29

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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A Review of the DC Tax System Recommendations for Making It Fairer

t’s that time of year when we get the forms needed to file our taxes, which triggers thoughts about how much we contribute to the DC and federal treasuries. It’s an important thing to think about, but it’s hard to get a full picture of why we tax the way we do from our individual perches. So lucky for all of us, there’s been a group of people who just spent 18 months looking at the DC tax system – whether it is fair and easy to follow, whether it supports our ability to attract residents and businesses, and whether it follows sound taxing principles. That was the mission of the DC Tax Revision Commission, of which our own Ed Lazere was a member, which spent more than a year taking a comprehensive look at our tax system. It approved a package of recommendations at the end of 2013 that soon will be considered by the DC Council. The Commission was tasked with addressing issues of fairness, broadness, and competitiveness, and it reached consensus on alterations to personal income, business, and sales taxes. The commission did not feel any major changes were needed to property taxes, yet the Council recently considered two property tax cuts: One bill, which seems to be on a path to be adopted, would lower property taxes for longtime senior homeowners. The other, which was tabled but will be reconsidered this month, would tightly limit how much a homeowner’s property tax bill could grow each year. Both raise red flags about fairness and seem to undo the commission’s goals. It’s important to keep in mind that tax changes don’t occur in a vacuum. There’s a cost to lowering a tax rate that has to be made up either through reduced services, higher taxes for another group

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by Ed Lazere and Jenny Reed of residents or businesses, or growth in tax collections from an expanding economy. Luckily, revenue is projected to be on the upswing for the District given the influx of new residents, so many of these recommendations could be adopted without affecting funding for things like education, health care, or libraries.

Making the Income Tax Fairer

The Commission heard early on in its deliberations that DC’s tax system was not balanced and that lowand moderate-income DC residents pay more than anyone else in combined sales, property and income taxes, as a share of their income. There were several recommendations to try to level the playing field for individuals. • Expanding the earned income tax credit (EITC) for childless workers. The EITC helps boost the wages and takehome pay of low-income workers. Unfortunately, the current benefits are very low for workers without children. A parent with one child qualifies for a maximum credit of $1,300, while a single person with no children can get no more than $190. The commission recommended raising the maximum EITC benefit for childless workers to about $500. • Raising the personal exemption and standard deduction to match the federal levels. DC’s current deductions offer far less relief than the average state. Raising these deductions to federal levels would help reduce taxes for a large share of

DC households, particularly low and moderateincome residents. The Commission also proposed phasing out the personal exemption for households with incomes over $150,000, which is similar to federal income tax provisions. • New income tax brackets and rates. Currently, DC’s tax system imposes high marginal tax rates on low-and moderate income residents. The commission proposed lowering rates for households with income between $40,000 and $60,000 (or $40,000 and $80,000 for married couples and heads of household). • Maintaining a top tax rate. Until recently, DC’s top income tax rate was 8.5 percent and started at $40,000 of taxable in-

WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE come. That changed when DC adopted a higher tax rate of 8.95 percent on income over $350,000. However, that top rate was set to expire at the end of 2015. The Commission recommended maintaining a top tax rate on incomes above $200,000 ($350,000 for married couples and heads of household) but at 8.75 percent. • Broadening the Sales Tax Base The Commission also proposed to make important changes to the sales tax by expanding the base of goods and services that are covered by the sales tax. The Commission examined research that expanding the sales tax to cover services is important because services represent a steadily growing share of personal purchases. The commission proposed to broaden the sales tax base by including the following services, based on expert research: construction contractors, carpentry and other construction related services, storage of household goods, mini-storage, water for consumption at home, barber and beautician services, carpet and upholstery cleaning, health clubs and tanning studios, carwashes, bowling alleys and billiard parlors.

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The commission proposed cutting the income tax rate paid by businesses in DC, in order to match Maryland’s tax rate. Yet research presented to the Commission showed that DC has out-performed surrounding jurisdictions in business and job growth in the last decade, despite having a higher corporate income tax rate. The experts who testified before the commission did not endorse a commercial property tax cut. The commission also recommended exempting all estates worth less than $5.25 million from tax. Currently, estates under $1 million are exempt. A number of states phased out their estate taxes in the mid2000s, yet there is no evidence to suggest residents are leaving DC to find lower estate taxes – our estate tax collections have remained solid. Researches who have studied the impact of residential migration due to estate taxes find the effects are very modest – and not large enough to justify exempting wealthy estates.

Cutting Property Taxes: Not A Top Priority

The District has the lowest residential property taxes in the metropolitan Wash-

ington region. In fact, most homeowners pay tax on only three-fourths of what their home is worth. In addition, the District offers substantial property tax help to seniors and to all lower-income homeowners – through a 50 percent break for seniors with incomes below $125,000 and a property tax credit for any homeowner with income below $50,000 who faces high property taxes. Those are big reasons why the Commission did not recommend changes to the property tax, and the DC Council should heed that decision. However, the Council is currently debating two property tax bills that both give disproportionate benefits and raise questions about tax fairness. The Residential Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2013, which was tabled last month but will likely come up this month, proposes to reduce property taxes in a way that will give the biggest benefits to owners of the most valuable homes in the District and will create large disparities in tax bills among owners of similarly valued homes. The legislation proposes to reduce the property assessment cap – which limits the yearly growth in a homeowner’s taxable assessments – from 10 percent to 5 percent. On the surface, it may sound like a good way to help all District homeowners deal with increasing property taxes. But if DC’s property taxes already are on the low end, it doesn’t make sense to put broad-based property tax reductions a priority. Then there’s the Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief Act of 2013, which passed on a first reading last month. DCFPI agrees with the goal of this bill – to provide assistance to DC residents struggling with high-housing costs – but believes it is not the most effective way to target property tax assistance to those who need it the most. Most important, the bill would leave out half of all seniors, who rent their homes and are actually more likely to have housing cost challenges. DCFPI recommends expanding the city’s property tax credit, which has provisions to help renters as well as homeowners, while adopting provisions to provide extra help to lowerincome seniors. Instead of creating these inequities, the DC Council should prioritize proposals that provide tax relief to low- and-middle income residents. Enacting the tax commission’s proposals would be a great place to start. u

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 31

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Shepherd Park Clean-up Enters Third Year by Charnice A. Milton

n Jan. 18 groups of volunteers met at the park area on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X avenues. From there it is a short drive to an area behind Brothers Place, where tires, bottles, and other types of trash are scattered around the trees. This area is part of Shepherd Parkway, one of 19 sites under National Capital Parks-East, a section of the National Park Service (NPS). According to clean-up organizer Nathan Harrington it is one of the most neglected parks in the city.

Shepherd Parkway

Running parallel to Interstate 295, Shepherd Parkway spans 205 acres of wooded area and is home to a variety of wildlife, including snakes, deer, groundhogs, wild turkeys, and two bald eagle nests. Shepherd Park is home to the remains of two Civil War defense sites, Fort Greble and Battery Carroll. Initially built to prevent attacks on the Navy Yard and Washington Arsenal, the sites saw little action but became training grounds for soldiers and a refuge for runaway slaves. In 1927 the National Capital Parks and Planning Commission acquired the area in an attempt to connect all Civil War-era sites with a proposed Fort Drive. A lack of financing and interest from Congress, among other factors, forced proponents to abandon the idea. Shepherd Parkway did not become a part of NPS until 1933.

Problem and Solution

Before he moved to Congress Heights in 2009, Harrington considered himself an outdoors man. “We have a lot of green space here,” he said. “However, I was upset at how 32 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

it was being mistreated.” Over the years, he explained, Shepherd Parkway became a dumping ground for residents and outsiders. The effects are not aesthetically pleasing and the pollution eventually makes its way to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers through rain runoff. While it is the responsibility of National Capital Parks-East to maintain the park, the organization has limited resources for maintenance. Seeing that other parks located west of the Anacostia River had better resources than others, Harrington began cleaning the park himself. “There needs to be a lot of structural changes and education to help facilitate change,” Harrington said. “We can start by undoing the damage.” In 2011 Philip Pannell, president of the Congress Heights Community Association (CHCA), asked Harrington to chair a committee responsible for maintaining Shepherd Parkway. The group and other volunteers meet one Saturday a month to pick up trash and get rid of invasive species such as the English Ivy.

Partners and Volunteers

In three years the committee has partnered with many organizations in the city, including the Anacostia Watershed Society, Anacostia Coordinator Council, and the Steinbruck Center for Urban Studies. Harrington credits National Capital Parks-East as their biggest supporter, providing bags, gloves, and staff members for each event. “Without their support this wouldn’t be possible,” he said. The Shepherd Parkway Clean-up has become a well-known volunteer event, attracting groups from as far as Canada. Jan. 18’s event was no exception: the official “Restore Shepherd Parkway” blog named more than 20

Volunteers welcome others to January’s clean-up event. Nathan Harrington (second from left) has led the effort since 2011. Photo: Charnice A. Milton

volunteers from a church youth group in Charlottesville, Va., 15 students from Sandy Spring Friends School, several AmeriCorps members and alumni, and a member of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, a Marylandbased nonprofit.

mindset.” He admits that some residents perceive the clean-up as an act of gentrification, due to the amount of outside help. “We’re not doing this because more people are moving in,” Gloster explained. “It’s about showing pride in our neighborhood.”

Bringing in More of the Community

Environmental Justice

While many of the volunteers come from other parts of the city, a few Congress Heights residents also attend. “Sometimes we get onetimers,” said CHCA member John Gloster. “Other times, neighborhood kids come to help.” However, the event needs more community volunteers. “When residents come to help, it’s usually in a passive role,” Gloster said. “All urban parks are important. This is an unrealized opportunity for people to get in touch with nature.” Gloster feels that Shepherd Parkway has become a symbol for Congress Heights. “It’s an outward sign of what they feel: dejected and tossed aside,” he explained. “It only takes a small percentage to help change a

While Harrington said that they will do the clean-ups “as long as it takes,” his ultimate goal is environmental justice. “We have a lot of green space,” he reiterated, “but there is a discrepancy in how much money is spent.” He points out that parks in high-income areas have more resources for maintenance; other parks, like Shepherd Parkway, require the same amount of care and maintenance. “People don’t realize that it’s there,” he said. “They just see it as a place to get rid of stuff.” While the clean-ups help, Harrington believes that there is still work to be done. For more information, including future dates, visit shepherdparkway. blogspot.com or contact Nathan Harrington at nbharrington@yahoo. com or 301-758-5892. u

Published Daily Online | www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 33

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

The Power of a Nickel Results from DC’s Bag Tax, Four Years Out by Catherine Plume

“Y

ou can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” according to the adage, but DC’s Bag Law suggests you should never underestimate the power of a nickel to change behavior. On Jan. 1, 2010, DC’s Anacostia River Clean up and Protection Act (the Bag Law) went into effect, requiring all District businesses selling food or alcohol to charge 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. Four years out, how is this law working? Has the amount of trash been reduced? Is the Anacostia getting any cleaner? A recently published report cosponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation surveyed residents’ use and impressions by ward. Major findings of the study include: • Four of five DC residents are using fewer disposable bags – an average of 10 bags per week per household before the tax compared to 4 bags today. • Two-thirds of residents and businesses are seeing fewer bags as litter in their neighborhoods and on their properties. • Fifty percent of businesses are saving money as a result of this law (by not buying as many plastic bags). Across the District residents generally favor the law, with support ranging from 76 percent in Ward 2 to 35 percent in Ward 7 and 34 percent in Ward 8. Forty three percent of Ward 7 residents had “no feelings” about the law, while 46 percent of Ward 8 residents shared this sentiment. Capitol Hill’s Ward 6 had the highest proportion of people “bothered” by the law – 23 percent of those surveyed. Meanwhile another study sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society and the

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DC Department of the Environment (DDOE) monitored a trash trap on a stream leading into the Anacostia and found a decrease in plastic bags polluting the stream from January 2010 to November 2012. Sponsored by Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, DC’s Bag Law was the first of its kind in the nation. The law was passed after a

law also requires that reusable paper and plastic bags meet specific material and labeling requirements. According to a spokesperson for the website plasticbagbanreport. com, DC is one of only four municipalities using a “fee only” system for regulating plastic bags. The national trend is for outright bans on the use of plastic bags, with over 80 munici-

Who Needs Plastic Bags: Reusable one are readily available!

study found that plastic bags were one the largest sources of litter in the Anacostia River. The ultimate goal is to reduce a common source of litter in District waterways by reducing the amount of disposable bags – both paper and plastic – that people use. With the slogan “Skip the Bag, Save the River,” under the law businesses retain 1 cent (or 2 cents if they offer a rebate when customers bring their own bag), with the remaining monies going to the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund. The

palities in California alone implementing bans. Los Angeles began implementing a plastic bag ban in January 2014. Shoppers there can use their own bag, buy a canvas sack, or pay10 cents for each paper bag – making DC’s 5-cent charge seem like a real bargain. Dee, a long time resident east of the river, isn’t a huge fan of DC’s tax, asking “Isn’t the river cleaned up by now?” Learning that it’s not and that there are still health warnings against eating any fish from the Ana-

costia, she’s more supportive. Meanwhile staff at the Penn Way Market say that while some people complain about the tax, most don’t. They also note that only about a quarter of their clientele bring their own bags, which would allow them to avoid the tax altogether. A Fairlawn Grocery representative in Anacostia said that he hears a lot of complaints about the law. According to him the real problem is that people just don’t know where the money goes. The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund is managed by DDOE. As of September 2013 the Bag Law had raised over $7.4 million from bag fees. The funds have been spent on: • Surveys to measure the impact of the Bag Law on reducing litter and to assess the effectiveness of the law in reducing disposable bag consumption • Traps that prevent trash from reaching the main stem of the Anacostia River • Anti-littering campaigns • Environmental education programs for DC students • Stream restoration of Nash Run, a non-tidal tributary in Ward 7 • River Smart Homes program (http://green.dc.gov/riversmarthomes), offering up to $1,200 to homeowners who install a rain garden, BayScape, or permeable pavement. (Be sure to check this program out!) • Green roof subsidy program And so DC cleans up the river – a nickel at a time. Catherine Plume is a blogger for the DC Recycler, www.dcrecycler.blogspot. com. u

Nspiregreen Owners Named Businesswomen of the Year by Charnice A. Milton

n Jan. 20 Veronica O. Davis and Chanceé Lundy, owners and proprietors of Nspiregreen LLC, received the Small Businesswomen of the Year Award from the Great Streets Business Leadership Council. While the organization’s board of directors makes the final selection, the community nominates their favorite business owners. “We were very surprised and excited when we got letter announcing our award,” said Lundy. “One of the most humbling things about this award is that it’s granted by a communitybased organization, and we do a lot of community work through our projects,” Davis said. “For us, it’s a testament to our work.”

graduate student members of the National Society of Black Engineers. “At this leadership conference we were roommates,” Lundy explained. “And within the first 20 minutes we were discussing our backgrounds, stuff we liked to do, and we said that one day we would start a business together.” While they went on to success in their own careers, they kept reminding each other about their business plan. In 2009 they opened Nspiregreen with a virtual office. Later they worked out of The Hive, a smallbusiness incubator on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Today Nspiregreen and their now five-person staff work from offices located on downtown Pennsylvania Avenue.

Nspiregreen’s Beginnings

Running a Small Business

Nspiregreen is an environmental sustainability consulting firm with three business units: environmental engineering, urban transportation, and community engagement. Some of their most recent projects include helping the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) with the MoveDC campaign and community outreach for the upcoming DC Streetcar North-South Corridor line. For the latter Nspiregreen is working with residents, businesses, and government agencies to discuss which streets can be used and where the line should go. While most of their projects are local, Davis and Lundy hope to do more projects outside of the DC area. For instance, one of their first projects involved finding grants for communities affected by 2010’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The idea for Nspiregreen came when Davis and Lundy first met as

While their company is successful today, it was a challenge for Davis and Lundy when they began. “We started our company at the height of the recession in 2009,” said Lundy. “So, of course, you had a lot of people who didn’t believe in you or thought you were crazy for wanting to do this.” That was especially true for her and Davis, who were successful in the engineering and urban planning fields, respectively. “One of the risks was the uncertainty ... when you find out that what you believe to be true is not true,” Lundy explained. “We thought that we would open a business and have immediate access to capital and that just wasn’t true.” They credit their success to staying authentic to their identity. “The key to our success is that we are Nspiregreen,” said Lundy. “It reflects our values. It reflects our beliefs as people. People can see that we are authentic and we say what we mean.”

Veronica O. Davis (left) and Chanceé Lundy (right), owners and proprietors of Nspiregreen LLC, were named Businesswomen of the Year by the Great Streets Business Leadership Council. Photo: Charnice A. Milton

Davis believes that winning Small Businesswomen of the Year helps send a positive message to present and potential small-business owners. “I’ve talked to a lot of women who are hesitant to start their own business because they realize that it’s risky,” she explained. “But at the same time it’s something that’s very rewarding. We’re open to helping people in terms of business advice and whatever way that we can.”

Connecting with the Community

“For us, there’s really no separation between our volunteer lives and our professional lives,” Lundy said. “One of the things we’ve done on some of our projects is specific outreach to high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools with a STEM focus and invite them out for public meetings.” She points to a partnership with McKinley Tech as an example; not only were students given extra credit for attending a meeting, but they also had to participate. “There was one young man when we were at Union Station for

an open house,” she said. “He was there for about an hour and a half, writing down his feedback on the future of transportation.” “I think that it’s beneficial,” Davis stated. “Not only does it give people an opportunity to find out more about transportation, transportation planning, future construction work ... and the industry itself, but it also gives them a chance to become civically involved.” She believes civic responsibility goes beyond voting. “This is how you give your voice to planning in the District. So, when you look at the future of the District, you can say, ‘You know what? I had a voice in that.’” According to Lundy, as the company continues to grow the award “speaks to a beginning for us. We don’t feel like we reach any type of pinnacle; we feel like this is just the beginning.” Nspiregreen LLC is located at 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, South Building, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20004. They can be reached at 202-434-8921 or info@nspiregreen.com. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 35

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

DC Water Thinks It’s Easy to Be Green by Denise Romano

“H

ow do you handle the flow?” That’s the question that DC Water General Manager George Hawkins is trying to answer with his proposed $2.6 billion plan – which will be footed by ratepayers – to build green infrastructure (GI) and also bore new tunnels to alleviate DC’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) problems. GI includes cisterns and rain barrels, native landscaping, vegetative swales, green roofs, permeable pavement, and bio-retention/rain gardens that will help soak up storm water before it gets into the ground. When much of the infrastructure was built in the late 1800s, the city fathers combined both sanitary and storm sewers into a single structure, the CSO, never imagining that the population would become so dense. The same pipes that handle sewage are the same pipes that take in rainwater. For most neighborhoods in the District, including much of Northwest, this is still the case. When it rains the CSOs can’t handle the volume, so the overflow goes into streets, homes, and our waterways. Hawkins noted that GI “has been on my personal agenda since I arrived” and is “what will be done to hold the line until the tunnel comes into place.”

Gray, Green, and Hybrid

DC Water has proposed investing $1.8 billion in 13 miles of “gray” or cement infrastructure. The proposal includes building another diver36 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

sion sewer at Tingey and M streets in Georgetown; constructing another 1st Street tunnel in Northeast; building a Northwest Boundary tunnel leading into the Anacostia River Tunnel and then the massive Blue Plains Tunnel; replacing the existing Poplar Point Pumping Station and constructing a tunnel-dewatering pumping station and enhanced clarification facility in the southern tip of DC, by the Anacostia River. This facility is needed because the Anacostia flows slowly and toxins stay there longer. In addition the Piney Branch tunnel will be totally eliminated and

$60 million in GI will be added to the drainage system. DC Water proposes to spend $100 million on green and gray infrastructure for drainage into the Potomac and Rock Creek: 90 percent is going to GI and 10 percent to sewer separation. Including the $60 million in GI for Piney Branch, also proposed are: $30 million in GI for CSOs 27, 28, and 29 and separating CSOs 25 and 26. This hybrid plan should reduce overflows by more than 92 percent for the Potomac River and more than 96 percent for Rock Creek. The proposed Potomac and Rock

Creek plans will be completely finished in 2032, but Hawkins said that benefits will be seen sooner, thanks to GI and CSOs 27, 28, and 29 entering in service by 2028.

Green Infrastructure Challenge Winners

Another way DC Water is delaying gray infrastructure is by announcing the winners of the GI Challenge. The most innovative proposals were unveiled at an awards ceremony held at the Ronald Reagan Rotunda on Thursday, Jan. 9. DC Water has al-

located an additional $1 million for the projects, and at least half will come to fruition. “The District stands at the lip of a very important decision … that will affect the whole city,” Hawkins said. “We are about to invest millions of dollars of ratepayers’ money … to last for the next hundred years. Doing this on such a public scale, we want to make sure that we get it right.” One plan proposed putting blue roofs, watersheds, permeable paving, and bio-retention bumpouts in Georgetown on the block of Wisconsin Avenue, M Street, and the C&O Canal. Another proposed the greening of Kennedy Street between Georgia and 13th Street, by planting 47 new trees on the street; installing 7,300 feet of pervious surfaces, and adding 1,800 feet of storm water planters, as well as 7,480 gallons of subsurface storage. A plan to green Lamont Park suggests adding a five-foot-wide permeable bike lane with a stone reservoir below along the southbound lane of Mount Pleasant Street beside the park, between the driving and parking lane, and putting a 20-by-5-foot bio-retention planter at the southern end of the park. Another plan proposes adding permeable pavers, a trench and well system, green facades, solar streetlights, flow-through planters, and movable garden planters along Prospect Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Potomac Street. One proposal includes installing water collection canopies and cisterns along Prospect Street to collect rainwater. That plan also includes permeable paving and additional trees.

Other Initiatives

DC Water is not the only one trying to alleviate the CSO problem. The steering committee of the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Project met on Friday, Jan. 10. The National Park Service (NPS) was on hand, talking about the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, which aims to connect urban areas with their waterways, especially those

that are overburdened. “I am helping to do whatever I can, to be a catalyst, coordinator, and administrator to bring more partners ahead,” said Steve Whitesell, regional director for the NPS, adding that an Anacostia River angling study, greenjobs training, and forestry and youth programs are already underway. As another way to combat the problem, Brian LeCouteur, a committee liaison for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, presented the Metro Washington Regional Tree Canopy Workgroup, which aims to increase the city’s tree canopy to 40 percent from 37 percent. “Trees need pruning from time to time and that can cause problems with the sewer system, but I think they provide more benefits than costs,” LeCouteur said. “Trees are good to have and we are trying to get more of them in our planning processes. They can be done in commercial and residential settings. It’s cheaper to preserve than it is to plan.”

Community Comment Encouraged

DC Water encourages residents to comment on the aforementioned proposals. The plan is open to public comments until 5:00 p.m. on March 14. Weigh in by sending an email to CleanRiversGI@dcwater, visiting their website, www.dcwater. com/green, or by mail to DC Clean Rivers Project, 5000 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20032. DC Water’s Clean Rivers Team will publicly present and explain its proposal to leverage green infrastructure (GI) to reduce combined sewer overflows into the Potomac River and Rock Creek while greening portions of the District on a large scale. The public is encouraged to attend to learn more and to submit comments on the proposal. The meetings will be held the week of Feb. 17, as follows: • Feb. 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (1524 35th St. NW) • Feb. 20, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Petworth Public Library (4200 Kansas Ave. NW) u

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Behavior Health Clinic Debuts in Congress Heights Congress Heights Life Skills Center Opens with Great Expectations by Candace Y.A. Montague Dr. Emma Jean Norfleet-Haley, clinical director, and staff at Congress Heights Life Skills Center

Right to Left: Danny Bellamy, chief operating officer, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN). John Mathewson, executive vice president, The HSC Health Care System. Dr. Carolyn Haynie, chief psychiatric medical officer, HSCSN and chief executive officer, Urban Behavior Associates. Dr. Yasmeen Fareeduddin, medical director, Congress Heights Life Skills Center

avid Wolley describes his son, 9-yearold Isaiah, as a really good kid. He loves school. He plays football outside with friends. He loves to eat. But Wolley started noticing problems with Isaiah’s attention span two years ago after gaining custody. “He was fine at home. But when he went to school he tended to act up. I told him that when he went to school, don’t talk, don’t disrupt the class. But it was like whatever I said to him he would do the exact opposite.” Isaiah was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by his case manager. His father reached out for help to avoid using corporal punishment. “I didn’t want to put my hands on him or use a belt.” The Congress Heights Life Skills Center (CHLSC) provided Wolley with counseling and services for his an-

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ger and guidance to help his son gain control over his ADHD problems. Wolley says things have improved. “I understand him better now. I don’t have to call him as many times as before to get his attention. I’m controlling myself better because I want to keep the bond with my son going.” Wolley is benefitting from a catered behavioral health service that provides parenting skills and education. It’s a service that is hard to find in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. Thanks to a new partnership that trend could be changing.

More than Mental Health

Congress Heights Life Skills Center opened in December 2013 under the direction of Dr. Carolyn Haynie, who serves as the chief psychiatric officer. Haynie was heading mental health ser-

vices at Urban Behavior Associates in Baltimore when she was approached by Health Services for Children with Special Needs in the District about forming a partnership and starting a similar program for children with special needs. Thomas W. Chapman, M.P.H., Ed.D., president and CEO of The HSC Health Care System, said in a press release that the partnership was a good fit for the needs of the population HSC serves. “With the majority of our member population having a primary diagnosis that includes mental health issues, we identified the need to reach further in establishing direct tailored services in the community. This partnership is a natural step to assure appropriate services.” The clinic would offer more than just mental health counseling. It would be a one-stop shop where families could get assistance according to

their individual needs. Dr. E.J. Norfleet-Hayley, clinical and executive director, says the individualized attention is part of what makes CHLSC stand out. “What I embrace about this model is that we are aiming to cater interventions to suit the needs of the client. The best practice is to include the whole family. We really cater to the needs of the client, so if that’s not what you need that’s not what you get.”

Health Care Right Outside Your Door

Children and families with Social Security insurance who receive services from CHLSC are referred there by Health Services for Children with Special Needs in Northwest. Most of the children have been diagnosed with ADHD or some other disability. From that point the family history and evaluation are performed to see what other needs may exist. Pre-screening determines if a behavior specialist is needed. Finally a treatment plan is developed especially for the child and a therapist is assigned to monitor progress. Families can come to the center or receive services at home. Dr. Yasmeen Fareeduddin, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and medical director, says this kind of at-your-door service proves to be beneficial for the family as well as the therapist. “I really believe in our community model because when we go into homes and schools it helps us contextualize what’s going on in these kids’ lives. It’s very tailored because no two families are the same.” Dr. Rhonique Harris, chief medical officer for Health Services for Children with Special Needs, adds that CHLSC brings the services to the family whenever possible to ensure continuity of care. “Families get help with whatever they need, from substance abuse to housing. You might say, well, you only live two blocks away, why don’t you come

in? For some families that may not be feasible. So the concept is, if you can’t come in we come to you. We meet you where you are.” Receiving therapy at home can have a large impact on school performance. Students who suffer problems with ADHD, depression, and other disorders are often put out of classrooms and miss instruction time. According to Harris behavioral issues and disorders quite often interfere with growth. “They get labeled behavior problems because they may not understand some things. Or they get passed on to higher grades but can’t read. So their behavior impacts their academic growth and their social growth. Lot of kids get bullied. They are sometimes alienated. We are trying to solve the problem instead of saying we don’t have enough mental health professionals.”

Scarcity of Services

and mood disorders. Some of these disorders require medication for treatment in certain patients, which must be prescribed by a licensed physician. The shortage of providers further delays treatment for mental disorders. There is an issue with locating providers east of the river. Wards 7 and 8 are designated as mental-health-professional shortage areas. According to DC Kids Count, Ward 8 has eight pediatric mental health providers to serve the estimated 20,000 children living there under the age 18. As for psychiatrists who specialize in pediatrics, only one practices in Anacostia. Once a parent receives a referral for a specialist, they can expect to wait up to 10 weeks, on average, for an initial appointment. The DC Department of Behavioral Health (DCDBH) has developed a Children’s Plan to address the challenges of mental health and counseling. The Children and Youth Services Division is building a system that will focus on early de-

For many years mental health advocates have voiced concerns regarding the shortage of mental health providers for children in low-income families. According to the National Comorbidity Survey, one in every five children met the criteria for a mental disorder. Local experts estimate that for DC that number would translate into 7,300 to 9,200 adolescents. The most prevalent mental disorders among children are anxiety, Interior of Congress Heights Life Skills Center behavior disorders, Exterior of Congress Heights Life Skills Center, located at 3029 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20032

tection, continuity of care, and community alternatives to out-of-home placements. DCDBH also operates school-based programs in 53 public and charter schools, more than half of them located in Wards 7 and 8. Congress Heights Life Skills Center has a clear mission: to fill in the gap between need and service. They achieve this by treating the patient and their family holistically so that children with special needs can have mentally healthy childhoods and thrive every day. Congress Heights Life Skills Center is located at 3029 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20032. For more information, call the Center directly at 202- 487-6996 Candace Y.A. Montague is the health reporter for Capital Community News. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 39

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

MPD, Community Want Answers in School Burglaries by Charnice A. Milton

avoy Elementary School played host to First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Kerry Washington last May. Six months later the school was host to a more unwelcome type of guest: the burglar. School burglaries are not uncommon, though the number was lower between August and December 2013 than around the same time in 2012. However, a recent spate of burglaries seems to have targeted Ward 8 more than other areas.

The Facts

Between August 2013 and January 2014, 18 schools were burglarized across the city. Seven of them were in Ward 8: Savoy, Johnson Middle, Excel Academy, Anacostia High, Ballou High, KIPP PCS, and Friendship PCS. During the Seventh District Community Advisory Council meeting in January, Lt. Sabrina Sims of the 7D Detective Office updated recent case developments. First, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) closed the Friendship case and found a possible suspect in the Hart case. Second, they identified two juvenile burglary rings operating from Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and 22nd St.; they believe that the former is responsible for most of the school burglaries in the area. Of the affected Ward 8 schools Savoy gained the most attention. According to an MPD report several suspects entered Savoy around 11:46 p.m. on Nov. 25, stealing two televisions and several computers. However, DC Public Schools security did not call MPD; the following Monday, staff members found the doors open and called MPD to investigate. The securi40 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

ty lapse was later attributed to human error, as the system had malfunctioned earlier that week. “So, the person who was responsible for monitoring the alarm, when the alarm started going off again ... they assumed it was another malfunction and treated it as such,” said Sims. MPD later recovered some of the equipment.

School Security

The recent burglaries have raised questions about the state of school security. MPD has two main units to ensure school safety, one of which is the School Safety Division (SSD). This unit’s responsibilities include hiring and deploying school security personnel for DCPS and deploying School Resource Officers (SROs) to both DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools (DCPCS). “It is important to understand that SROs are first and foremost police officers who have a legal obligation to address crime and make arrests when a criminal offense occurs in their presence,” stated MPD’s school safety report for this school year. Although the report did not address burglaries, it discussed the importance of school security assessments in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings in December 2012. “The Department, in partnership with the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice and the DCPS Office of School Security, used this as an opportunity to review this important issue locally,” the report read. “Together, they have met with schools to discuss crisis preparedness, training, physical and personnel security, and internal and

Stills from surveillance video show three suspects breaking into Savoy Elementary on Nov. 25, 2013, and their car. The case is still open. Photo: Metropolitan Police Department

community linkages.” This includes safety assessment and facility-check training for DCPS and DCPCS, and facility tours with school administrators identifying vulnerable spots and enhancing security. While preparation can help prevent crimes, human error can play a part in burglaries. “In some cases ... there have been times when the alarm systems haven’t been set very well,” said 7D Cmdr. Robin Hoey. “The one good thing that they do have ... DCPS has good footage and our detectives are available to identify these people pretty quick.”

Can More Be Done?

Some community members wonder if more can be done. “I was angry when I heard,” said Arrington Dixon, director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC). “That equipment was for our kids.” Worth over $40,000, the stolen electronics represent recent investments for the school, including a School Improvement grant from the Turnaround Arts Initiative. The ACC, one of Anacostia’s major community organizations, raised money for a reward and organized a community meeting with Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry (who couldn’t be reached for comment) and DCPS representatives. “There was outrage,” Dixon said. One point of contention was the perceived lack of attention from MPD. “They’ve caught people on the other side of the river,” he said. “I don’t want to think that we’ve been given less attention.” Gwendolyn Crump, MPD’s com-

munications director, acknowledged that there were issues promoting the Savoy case. “The video for the Savoy Elementary School burglary probably was not publicized as quickly as we would have hoped,” she stated. “We apologize for any inconvenience and we are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for this crime.” She also points out that MPD recently closed two school burglaries, including one located east of the river.

Community Help

While many school burglary cases are still open, MPD needs the community’s help in solving them. “It’s going to take someone who knows who they are to tell us who they are,” said Sims. “That’s the biggest block that we’re running into; we’re not getting the support that we need with helping to identify them.” While security footage helps put a face to the crime, it may not be enough. “We’ve had many [cases] where they wore gloves, so there’s no fingerprints,” Sims explained. “They use crowbars and things like that to pop the locks, and they don’t leave stuff behind.” Dixon hopes that the Ward 8 community will remain vigilant on the issue. “We owe some responsibility to our children,” he said, urging cooperation with the police and creating positive awareness on the issue. “I hope this doesn’t happen again.” If you have information on any open cases call the police at 202-7279099 or send a message to the Text Tip Line to 50411. u

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EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Luis Peralta Del Valle by Twyla Alston

Love, Hope, and Art in Cooking

Entering the Historic Anacostia home of Luis Peralta Del Valle is like stepping into a posh lounge. His entertaining, art-filled area postures asymmetric to a rich brown galley kitchen. The notes of love, hope, and art are the fresh aroma on everything from the home’s international furnishing to its dinner guests. Tonight, along with his son Aden (age 2) and wife Amanda we are joined by Efraim Ramirez (former collaborator) and Brother Joseph Britt (archivist at the Vatican Embassy). Also joining us for dinner is an exceptional party of painted figures: singer Celia Cruz, the Holy Vicar, Pope Francis, baseball player Roberto Clemente, and an Aztec warrior to name a few. These works of art dance in and out of the space in vibrant color as we discuss the connection between food and Del Valle’s life. He drives the discussion with a simple phrase: “Love, hope, art.”

A Chat on the Couch – Abundant Love in Hope’s Skillet

Luis Peralta Del Valle preparing to fry the last portion of pork. Photo: Amanda Stephenson

42 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

A Nicaraguan native, Del Valle arrived in the United States in 1987 at age 5. “We left one war (between the Contras and Sandinistas) and ended up in another war, arriving during the DC crack epidemic.” For the next 12 years his family lived in Columbia Heights. Coming to the United States meant many changes, but a steadying force was his family. It seems that despite the labor often associated with cooking, in the Del Valle home this task served as a centering act, a place to love. “Cooking and baking is part of a family tradition.” Growing up in DC, attending public schools, Del Valle could always look forward to coming home to a kitchen flowing with love and mutual support, a constant reminder of family values. “My mother really enjoyed cooking,” said Del Valle, but unlike the typical Nicaraguan family, where “women do all the work in the kitchen,” in this household his father “equally shared in the task … and loved to cook.”

Luis Peralta Del Valle enjoying Vigoron with his painting of Pope Francis in background. Photo: Twyla Alston

Del Valle proudly shared that his father would often work an eighthour day, come home, and cook. “My dad would also cook on the weekends.” The entire family would bounce in and out of the kitchen, cleaning and prepping the food together much as the scene tonight at Del Valle’s home. Like the typical DC teen, Del Valle dabbled in and overcame temptation to folly. At age 13 he began honing his artistic skills in a less accepted form, graffiti. In the 11th grade he met the founder of the Corcoran Art Mentorship Program, Judy Byron, who mentored him. “Judy believed in the art that I was doing, believed in me as an artist, and thought I was a good example for the kids.” He received his first commission at age 16. Del Valle taught kids in danger of joining gangs to approach graffiti using fineart techniques and to make money from their art. Del Valle met his wife Amanda (founder of UNIFI) in 2008, when he donated a painting to her nonprofit organization to support a medical mission to Nigeria. The two paired as visionaries with a kindred entrepreneurial spirit. “We saw this neighborhood as the final frontier in DC,” Del Valle remarked of their 2008 move to Ward 8. It was a chance to put down roots in their hometown, invest, and build a family. Six months after purchasing their home they married.

Meet Me in the Kitchen

The increasing busyness of Del Valle’s lifestyle came with the com-

mon woes of eating on the run. Fast food became a common sport. “I really started cooking when I got married,” he recalled. “I remembered my parent’s example.” Today he readily cooks, “it’s never a burden.” Amanda, when asked if she likes cooking, replied with a smile “not really. Luis does most of the cooking. I help.” Del Valle remarked, “Many artists think that being an artist is living and just painting. You have to discipline yourself and be on a schedule … Amanda helps me.” Their synergy in the kitchen is organic, even with their 2-year-old running around taking imaginary pictures with his toy camera. What would be anarchy in most kitchens looked like synchronized movement. Del Valle described the artistry in his approach: “the spoons, spatulas, and knives are like brushes and the ingredients are like paint. Also I use color to arrange things.” In cooking as in other forms of art “you sometimes use a thing in its completed form and repurpose it for a new creation.” He and his wife raved about a cranberry chicken dish that began with pulled rotisserie chicken meat. The list of dishes Del Valle can prepare is long. When they enjoy food somewhere, he “will come home and make it.” His palate spans many cultures including that of his Nicaraguan homeland. In less than 30 minutes Del Valle has prepared a popular Nicaraguan dish, Vigoron. Made of pork, cassava, and vegetables, it can be found in places as common as a vendor at the Nicaraguan airport or as special as a wedding feast. The completed

Luis and Amanda in their kitchen plating with Aden watching closely. Photo: Twyla Alston

Vigoron on plate ready to be served. Photo: Twyla Alston

dish is appealing. An aroma of savory spices greets my nose before the fork reaches my mouth. Converging the ingredients to my mouth proves a worthwhile task. “Delicious,” Efraim exclaims, “it reminds me of home.” His family’s home is Mexico, but this taste reminds him of New York City, recalling the flavors in Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban cuisines. Brother Joseph adds that the mellow flavor of the cassava and the spiciness of the pork are nicely offset by the sweetness of the beets. The painting is complete. In an offset frame Del Valle had painted a picture of his childhood kitchen with family buzzing about, while living out his own Michelangelo in this lovely space. Here he paints the next chapter in his family’s legacy.

Del Valle Family Vigoron

Yields 6-8 servings Prep time, 25 minutes Inactive prep time, 8 hours Cook time, 25 minutes Ingredients 3½ pounds pork shoulder (with fat trimmed) in 3-inch cubes 1½ teaspoons salt ½ garlic head minced 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ green cabbage (julienned into 1/8-inch pieces) 2 medium tomatoes (in ¼-inch slices) 1 can sliced beets 2cups vegetable oil 1 lemon in 8 wedges 3 pounds peeled cassava in 4-inch pieces 4½ cups water 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon

Marinate Pork

In a large bowl mix salt, garlic, paprika, and black pepper. Add the pork, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Cook Pork

Pour one cup of vegetable oil into deep 10-inch frying pan over medium heat (360 degrees). Test oil with a pinch of flour, it should quickly sizzle. Place each pork piece into the oil (do not crowd). Cook on one side for 15 minutes. Cook the second side for 10 minutes. Drain the pork on absorbent paper. Cook batches until complete (replenish with reserved oil as needed). Note: Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of no less than 160 degrees according to the USDA.

Boil Cassava

Combine water, chicken bouillon, and garlic powder in a 5-quart pot. Place over medium-high heat. Add cassava and cover. Bring to a boil and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

Assemble Vigoron

Layer each plate as follows: 1/2 cup of shredded cabbage, 4 slices of tomato and 4 slices of beets, and 5 to 6 pieces of cooked meat. Accompany each portion with four pieces of cassava. Squeeze with fresh lemon to taste. Serve immediately. Writer, artist, minister, and IT manager Twyla Alston is a DC native who is passionate about food, gardening, technology, and community development. She has a bachelor’s degree in information technology management and resides in Ward 8 with her husband and two children. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 43

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Anacostia Community Museum Celebrates MLK and Mandela’s Legacies

he Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) held its 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. program on Jan. 14 at the National Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium. “Each year, we bring you speakers and performers whose own life’s work and efforts emulate the principles of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said ACM Director Camille Giraud Akeju in her opening remarks. “We punctuate this by bringing you program participants from all walks of life, in various professions, and with a variety of talents who each further the ideals that Dr. King lived and died for.” This year the program focused on parallels between King and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

The Secretary’s Remarks

“The passing of South African anti-apartheid revolutionist Nelson Mandela this past year reminded us of his courage, his leadership, his passion and his selflessness,” said G. Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institute. “In word and deed he set an example for us all. As did obviously, Martin Luther King.” As a college student in Atlanta, Clough met with Andrew Young and John Lewis, King’s former colleagues, and former mayor Ivan Allen Jr. “While I was not able to meet Dr. King personally, I feel almost as if I did,” he said of his experiences. “I am proud to be here to celebrate his life tonight,” Clough 44 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

by Charnice A. Milton

(Left to right) Anacostia Community Museum Director Camille Giraud Akeju, TransAfrica President Nicole Lee, Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough, Prof. Sylvia Hill, and ACM Director of Education and Outreach Paul Perry at the 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program. Photo: Charnice A. Milton

concluded. “In celebrating the legacies of King and Mandela, we prepare for a better future for all Americans and people around the world.”

The King-Mandela Connection

“For me, the connection between these two men and their vision has never been more clear,” said Nicole Lee, Esq., president of TransAfrica, in her keynote address, “Lifting the Torch: The Legacy of Nelson Mandela.” She pointed out that they both received the Nobel Peace Prize, were well-educated, and were known for their work on local and national levels. “We lost one to a bullet. We lost one

to prison for 27 years,” she said. “And while we know a part of their triumph is the struggle, we have to wonder what would our world be like if we had a little more time with them.” Lee also stated that while Mandela and King’s civil rights victories are significant, the spirit of apartheid still lingers worldwide. “Our world is filled with inequity and discrimination,” she stated. “Mandela’s fight is an ongoing one.” One solution Lee suggested was solidarity: King and Mandela “recognized that the destiny of all people, no matter where they are from or what they possessed, is inexplicably entwined.”

Solidarity

The theme of solidarity continued in Lee’s dialogue with Sylvia Hill, professor of criminal justice at the University of the District of Columbia and TransAfrica board member. “Somehow or another ... people of African descent, no matter what country they’re in, tend to find themselves in certain circumstances,” Lee explained. “Solidarity is a survival tactic, frankly.” She explained that TranAfrica’s work outside of the United States helps garner support for issues in our country. For example, Lee talked about the emails of support she received worldwide af-

ter the Travon Martin case. She explained that while AfricanAmericans are in a position to be empathetic because of their struggles, they must support those of African descent in other countries, even when it is beyond their comfort zone.

The Next Generation

Lee and Hill also discussed the next generation’s role in the social justice movement. “My concern, frankly, is that they’re finding these really interesting and appropriate ways, but they’re not the endgame,” Hill stated. For example, she talked about those who want to dig wells in Africa. “What I worry about is young people not asking the question, ‘Why am I going to Africa to dig a well? Don’t they have shovels there?’” While it is a noble pursuit, not everyone asks the right questions. “I think that’s where us older folks can start asking our young people questions. Really take interest,” Lee suggested. She also advised the audience to encourage young people to get a passport. “It shows the young people in your life that you value travel and understanding new places.” One way ACM encourages a new generation to ask more questions is the Anacostia Community Museum Academy Program (MAP). “One of the best things about being the education director of the Anacostia Community Museum is that I get to oversee programs like the museum academy,” said Paul Perry. “Another reason why I like my job is that I get to cultivate and shape a new generation of museum advocates.” One of these future advocates is Kayla Rosemond, a MAP alumna attending Charles Hart Middle School. Her original poem, “Mandela, a Courageous Soul,” memorialized the late leader. “The passion that is left should be shared throughout the world,” Rosemond wrote. “Deep under the soul and devouring the mind, lives the legacy.” u

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 45

National Park Service Ranger Susan Philpott at the MLK Memorial.

National Park Service Talks Revealing the Stories in the Stones by Stephen Lilienthal

“D

o we have anyone who lives here in DC?” asks Susan Philpott, a US National Park Service (NPS) ranger stationed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, on the day before the holiday celebrating the life of the civil rights leader. No one raises their hand. It’s too bad. Special Ranger talks on the Mall are excellent learning opportunities for students from middle school through college as well as adults. Many Washingtonians may know about the monuments, but the talks add value and meaning. There’s more to the Mall than cement, marble, and grass.

The Mall and Its Significance

Talk to Jan Buerger, National Park Ranger, and the Mall becomes more than a place of monuments of the past. “It’s the nation’s central expression of our ideals,” she says. As Scott Berg wrote in “Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed 46 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Washington, D.C.,” the Mall represents the vision of Pierre Charles L’Enfant (who Americanized his first name to Peter) as “a great civic meeting place, the greensward of Versailles turned on its political head, the Champs-Élysées reincarnated and renovated in the cause of democracy.” To Buerger it’s fitting that the nation’s “front yard” has made room not just for honoring former presidents such as Lincoln and Washington, and wars and the veterans who fought in them, but also leading advocates for human rights and peace. On the King Day weekend, the usual daily tour talks and Junior Ranger talks take place, but talks by Buerger and Philpott deliver more extensive information about King.

MLK Birthday Week

Buerger delivers talks about King’s books and the philosophy underlying his thinking. King and his associates and followers

strove to more fully achieve the thought behind the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that “all men are created equal.” But King’s thinking is quite challenging, undergirded by strong beliefs in Christian love and Ghandian non-violence. She notes that many historians say the King birthday has fossilized an image of King that downplays his com-

plex moral message. King’s belief in non-violence, even if it meant ceasing action in the Vietnam War, ran counter to the viewpoint of most American leaders and the public, and led to his estrangement from President Lyndon Johnson. Even supporters of civil rights were divided by the war. Yet the monument presents a true vision of King. Perhaps

the most revealing point Buerger makes is not just which quotations are used at the Memorial but which are not.

The King Quotations

Originally the King Memorial featured this quotation: “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” Buerger relates how in a 1968 talk King imagined the end of his life and how he would be remembered. People often like it when their name is praised. Yet that “drum major instinct” can lead to a distorted view of one’s own self-importance. King expressed his desire to be remembered not for winning a Nobel Peace Prize or other accolades but for trying to serve others. He insisted, “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.” Some objected to the condensed version of King’s thought, including Maya Angelou, who charged that it made him appear egotistical. Buerger relates the controversy and the decision to strike the quotation. That’s not the only littleknown fact that surfaces during the talks. Philpott, using an iPad to produce photographs for the audiences, talks about important visits to Washington by King which preceded and followed the historic 1963 March on Washington, including his 1965 rallies to promote home rule for DC.

Coming Attractions

To demonstrate the range of special talks, just a week after the MLK Birthday weekend a talk at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial examines how America prepared for World War II, and a talk at the Korean War Veterans Memorial discusses the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. This year’s special event programming will focus on Black

History Month, Women’s History Month, the Cherry Blossom Festival, Constitution Day, Fourth of July, Hispanic-American Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month. Buerger says the 200th anniversary of the burning of Washington will be recognized by talks on the War of 1812, and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War will be recognized in talks featuring “new discoveries and insights” about the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, and the Thirteenth Amendment so “DC residents can learn from them.” Residents can also participate in bike tours and “Runs with a Ranger,” which provide an excellent opportunity to grasp the “full scope” of the Mall. Buerger expects to give a bike tour of “Madison’s Washington” later this year. Special Ranger talks for visitors can be arranged with advance notice. Special talks are promoted in the weekly events calendar of The Washington Post and NPS’s National Mall and Memorial Parks webpage.

Come on Out!

Buerger says she would like more outreach to DC schools, colleges, and civic organizations promoting the talks and tours. Ranger talks are the equivalent of spending an hour watching C-SPAN’s programming on American history. Best of all, the Ranger talks are free, enjoyable, and thought-provoking. Maryland resident Samuel Boykins made a point of traveling to the MLK Memorial to honor King’s memory. He believes that the purpose of monuments is to tell a story. But the Ranger talks provide added meaning: “Without someone to relay the history, all you have is a monument.” Stephen Lilienthal is a freelance writer. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 47

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

jazzAvenues

Romantic evenings of dynamic song stylings are in store for Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 14-15, when Akua Allrich performs at Bohemian Caverns.

by Steve Monroe

The Heritage of the History Lives On

African-American History Month 2014 finds many outlets for enjoying the heritage of the music in and around the area. For starters Transparent Productions presents The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Feb. 9, at Bohemian Caverns. Kahil El’ Zabar, founder of the ensemble, is an internationally celebrated percussionist, composer, and innovator. Corey Wilkes, trumpet, and Ernest Dawkins, reeds, are the other formidable talents. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, has the dynamic vocalist Akua Allrich at Bohemian Caverns and the always entertaining Ann Hampton Callaway at the Kennedy Center. UDC’s JazzForum series presents drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, Feb. 19, at the university’s Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West). Redd has had a long and distinguished career working with some of the legends of jazz including Charlie Byrd, Bill Potts, Mel Torme, and Barney Kessel. Born and raised in the area, Redd has been a fixture on the Washington jazz scene for many years, playing for 15 years with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra as well as teaching at the University of Maryland. He will speak about his background and experiences, his current projects, and his upcoming participation in a tribute to legendary jazz radio programmer Felix Grant on Feb. 20 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. On Feb. 19 vocalist Armand Ntep, whose compositions range from salsaJazz to reggae to traditional “lihongo” from his native Cameroon, performs at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Black History Month at THEARC presents “Lady Days,” a Theater for Young Audiences production about the life and times of Billie Holiday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, Feb. 20, at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus in Southeast DC. Reservations required, email kdouglas@thearcdc.org. “Thinking about Jazz/Ellington at the White House,” Feb. 22, at Westminster Presbyterian Church – this month’s discussion is about President Richard Nixon’s presentation of the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to Duke Ellington, a first for an African-American 48 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

and a jazz musician, an event considered by some as making jazz “a legitimate art form in America.”

In Person ... Avram Fefer, Elijah Balbed, Wayne Wilentz

Saxman, pianist, and composer Avram Fefer brought his Nuju Quartet to the Bohemian Caverns to start off Transparent Productions’ shows for the year in early January. Fefer, bassist Adam Lane, trombonist Reut Regev, and drummer Igal Foni delivered a pulsating set of rhythmic fusion/free jazz sounds. Fefer, who lists Sonny Rollins, King Sunny Ade, and Stanley Turrentine among his influences, and Regev traded edgy riffs on most tunes, such as “Wishful Thinking” and “Eliyahu,” with Lane’s bass also a highlight, rumbling and grooving along with his own tapestry of melodies. Our own Elijah Balbed played cocktaillounge tenor sax at Loew’s Madison Hotel one night last month, but managed to inject some authentic bop riffing into the elegant surroundings on standards like “Skylark.” Chris Grasso on piano and Zach Pride, bass, provided supple support as Balbed, still drawing acclaim for his 2012 debut CD, “Checking In,” showed his versatility as a coming player on the scene, with the ability to blow hard and free in some settings and soft and warm in others. Ulah Bistro has become another hotspot on U Street, thanks to Wayne Wilentz and friends hosting Friday night jam sessions. One night last month Wilentz, the piano maestro of Brazilian jazz and straight-ahead talents for many years and at many area venues, kicked things off with bassist Dave Jernigan and drummer Jim West, and with saxophonist Brad Linde, among others, sitting in for some popping sounds in the upstairs music and dining area of the restaurant.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

Paul Carr’s Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival returns, Feb. 14-17, at the Hilton in Rockville, with school band competitions, workshops, vendors, and performers including Vanessa Rubin, Freddy Cole, Gary Bartz, Sharon Clark, Christian McBride, Bobby Watson, Reginald Cyntje, Benny Golson … and Paul Carr! See www.midalanticjazzfestival.org for more information. February Highlights: Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Feb. 9, Bohemian Caverns … Danilo Perez: Panama 500, Feb. 11-12, Blues Alley … Greg Lamont Experience, Feb. 14, Westminster Presbyterian Church … Valentine’s Day with Akua Allrich, Feb. 14-15, Bohemian Caverns … John Guernsey, Feb. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, New Deal Café/ Greenbelt … Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio, Feb. 16, Bohemian Caverns … Todd Marcus Quartet, Feb. 17, Blues Alley … “Lady Days,” Feb. 20, THEARC … Lori Williams & Collaboration, Feb. 21, Westminster Presbyterian Church … UDC Small Jazz Ensembles, Feb. 25, University of the District of Columbia Recital Hall … Tim Green, Feb. 28, Bohemian Caverns … Carl Grubbs Ensemble, Feb. 28, Randallstown Community Center/Randallstown … Gerald Clayton, Feb. 28, Kennedy Center … February Birthdays: James P. Johnson, Joshua Redman 1; Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz 2; Eubie Blake 7; Chick Webb 10; Machito 16; Stan Kenton, David Murray 19; Nancy Wilson 20; Tadd Dameron 21; James Moody 26; Mildred Bailey, Dexter Gordon 27. u

CHANGING HANDS

Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

Neighborhood Price BR FEE SIMPLE ANACOSTIA

1507 S ST SE 1724 W ST SE 1322 TALBERT TER SE 1844 MINNESOTA AVE SE

$363,000 $275,000 $135,000 $70,000

MARSHALL HEIGHTS

4 4 2 2

CHILLUM 64 LONGFELLOW ST NW

$320,000

DEANWOOD

4832 JAY ST NE 3815 MINNESOTA AVE NE 419 55TH ST NE 422 EASTERN AVE NE 718 55TH ST NE 4254 BROOKS ST NE 832 DIVISION AVE NE 1016 48TH ST NE 853 51ST ST NE 1052 48TH ST NE 1054 48TH ST NE

$299,000 $250,000 $240,000 $220,000 $113,000 $111,500 $93,000 $92,500 $90,000 $40,000 $30,000

HILL CREST

3308 POPE ST SE 2730 FORT BAKER DR SE 3115 MINNESOTA AVE SE 1103 ANACOSTIA RD SE

$392,500 $319,000 $202,000 $175,000

3 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 3

5359 CALL PL SE 5420 B ST SE 5515 B ST SE

$280,000 $195,000 $185,000

RANDLE HEIGHTS

2413 SKYLAND PL SE 2000 TREMONT ST SE 2471 ALABAMA AVE SE 2411 HILLSDALE PL SE 2301 WAGNER ST SE 2233 RIDGE PL SE 2100 T ST SE 1506 23RD ST SE 2016 SAVANNAH PL SE

$299,000 $235,000 $231,000 $203,000 $191,000 $188,500 $185,000 $170,000 $130,000

3 2 2 3 3 4 2 3 3 2 4 3

CONDO CONGRESS HEIGHTS

3870 9TH ST SE #201 19 GALVESTON PL SW #202

$75,700 $43,000

DEANWOOD 200NE 43RD RD NE #303

$65,000

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4820 C ST SE #304 u

$47,000

3 1 2 2

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | February 2014 H 49

KIDS & FAMILY

Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner

Lloyd D. Smith Foundation College Scholarships Available for Ward 7 Students

The Lloyd D. Smith Foundation announces college scholarships for 2014 high school graduates of Ward 7. Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded, provided the applicants meet all eligibility requirements. Applications must be received by the Lloyd D. Smith Foundation P.O. Box 10473, Washington, DC 20020-9994 by Apr. 16. To download an application, visit lloyddsmithfoundation.org or e-mail the Foundation at info@lloyddsmithfoundation.org.

Family-Friendly Harlem Globetrotters at Convention Center in March

The Harlem Globetrotters will be bringing their 2014 “Fans Rule” World Tour to the DC metro area for three games in March. The first game will take place Mar. 15 at Verizon Center at 1 p.m., followed by a second game that evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. A third game will take place on Mar. 16 at the Patriot Center at 2 p.m. harlemglobetrotters.com

Sunday Art Time at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library

On Sunday, Feb 9 and 23 and Mar. 9 (alternate Sundays) at 2 p.m., coloring

and drawing supplies will be available. Each Sunday Art Time will also feature a craft, and supplies and demonstrations will be available. This event is open to children from ages 6-12, and parents are also welcome. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-2812583. dclibrary.org/benning Also at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Li-

Taratibu Youth Association Presents “Freedom is an Action Verb”

n Sunday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m., join Taratibu Youth Association for an exciting, Black History Month performance at THEARC Theater. Taratibu Youth Association is a group of young people connecting with their culture and community and helping to build social change through the performing arts. General reserved tickets are $20-$25 (box seats, $30). To purchase tickets, email taratibuyouth@gmail.com. More information available at taratibu.org. THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Courtesy of Taratibu Youth Association

50 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade

Building on our strong foundation as an early childhood program

Information / Open House Sessions on the Following Thursdays, 9:30 am-10:30 am*:

February 20 & 27 March 20 & 27 April 24 May 1 *You must register to attend, limit of 20 people per session. Call (202) 545-0515 to register.

Apply for admissions at: www.myschooldc.org • Application deadline March 3, 2014.

The First Hebrew Language Immersion Public Charter School in DC

Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Voted Best Preschool in DC, City Paper Readers Poll 2013!

• Before & After Care • Small classroom size and well trained staff • Individual planning for each student • Hands-on and project-based curriculum Free and open to all DC residents. Tuition paid by non-residents.

www.bridgespcs.org 1250 Taylor Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 p: 202.545.0515 e: info@bridgespcs.org

www.bridgespcs.org

Accepting Applications for SY14-15 Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2

ay every Tuesd from ld e h s e s u Open Ho Thursday afternoon d morning an ecember-March D To apply visit: myschooldc.org

*With the new common application, families must rank order their school choices. Each child will only receive one offer of admission in the lottery. If Sela PCS is your family’s first choice, you should rank order Sela PCS FIRST. Application Deadline: March 3, 2014

FREE Before and After School Program Small Class Sizes with 2 teachers in each classroom Student Shuttle available with stops at: Eastern Market, 16th and Q, Ft. Totten Metro

Learn more: SelaPCS.org 6015-17 Chillum Place, NE Washington, DC 20011 202-670-SELA (7352) Follow us: @SelaPCS

Like us: SelaPCS

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 51

KIDS & FAMILY brary, on Fridays at 4 p.m., there is a Drawing Club for kids ages 8-12. The Drawing Club will use books from the library collection to sketch, copy, draw and create artwork, manga and comics.

Perfect Performances for Kids and their Grown-up Friends at Atlas’ INTERSECTIONS Festival

On Saturday, Feb. 22, noon-4 p.m., join DC Actors for Animals, Atlas Vet, Metro Mutts and more for free family activities in the Kogod Lobby. Boogie Babes’ The Singing Lizard performs at noon. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a Mutts Gone Nuts a beneﬁt performance for Atlas Family Programming. Entertainers Scott and Joan Houghton and their mischievous pound puppies present a hilarious canine thrill show for the whole family for two great causes-the Atlas and animal rescue for ages 2 and older. $15-$12. On Mar. 1 and 8 at 1:30 p.m., Body Wise Dance wants you to meet a gentle character who longs for spring and a friend in a participatory dance-theatre piece and post-show interaction with innovative dance artist Margot Greenlee. For ages 5, up. $8. On Mar. 1 at 10 a.m. and Mar. 8 at 1 p.m., GALA Hispanic Theatre & Wit’s End Puppets Fábulas Mayas offer a bilingual adaptation of traditional Mayan legends and fables featuring puppets, movement, and song from an innovative puppet company and awardwinning Hispanic theatre. For ages 5, up. $8. There’s more. Go to intersectionsdc.org. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org

STEM Mondays at the library!

Come after school on Mondays at 4:15 p.m. and explore STEM concepts and activities. Do experiments, study nature, do real world math problems, and even take the Hour of CODE challenge. Hour of CODE is an introductory lesson in computer science, where children learn basic concepts of problem solving and programming. STEM is an acronym for fields of study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To RSVP for 52 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Annual Mardi Gras Family Day at the Anacostia Community Museum

n Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., join them for their annual Mardi Gras Family Day, which includes the celebratory traditions in South Africa this year. There will be storytelling, face painting, maskmaking, and other hands-on activities, live performances, and more. Attendees can also participate in the Art of Adornment workshop with creative artist Januwa MojaNelson (workshop space is limited, sign up upon arrival). For more information, call 202-633-4875 or e-mail ACMinfo@si.edu. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Annual Mardi Gras Family Day. Photo: Courtesy of the Anacostia Community Museum

STEM, call the Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library children’s room at 202-698-3873. This program is intended for children ages 8-12. Please note that children under 9 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, 13 years of age or older, at all times. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-6986373.; dclibrary.org/francis

Family-Friendly-The Wacky & Whimsical Tea for THEARC

The Wacky & Whimsical Tea for THEARC is a fun-filled Sunday afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel that will include high tea, a silent auction and creative games for kids of all ages and their families, including a treasure trove, special entertainment and other surprises. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC). The event is on Sunday, Mar. 9, 2-4 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Janet Stone at jstone@ thearcdc.org. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Black History Month at THEARC Theater presents “Lady Days”

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) theatrical production performs in Lady Days adapted from the stage production Lady Day @ Emerson’s Bar and Grill about the life and

times of Billie Holiday! This is a free performance for Elementary schoolaged children on Thursday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. and noon. Reservations required and it is for school groups only. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

choose to run the 1-mile course on race day. Registration is $15 through Feb. 15; and $20, Feb. 15-Mar. 9. kidsrock.competitor.com

Registration Open for KiDS ROCK D.C. Run

On Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., become an engineer for a day. Every February, the National Building Museum and the National Engineers Week Foundation invite you to discover how professional engineers turn an idea into reality. Celebrate National Engineers Week by participating in this free, hands-on, and fun-filled festival. Become a rocket scientist and explore aerodynamics; learn to build a suspension bridge using only basic items; discover the concepts of mechanics and motion using

On Mar. 16, noon, at RFK Stadium, kids can be part of Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon weekend excitement by participating in KiDS ROCK D.C. KiDS ROCK, is a non-timed, non-competitive event for children in grades K-6. Kids can become marathon finishers on race day by completing a cumulative marathon training program in the weeks leading up to the race. Or, they can simply

Discover Engineering Family Day at the National Building Museum

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 53

a wind tube; make slime and learn the properties of a “semisolid”; dsign and construct a structure to help protect from a tsunami; invent a pop-fly lever and see how high it launches a ping pong ball. Discover Engineering Family Day is a free, drop-in program. $5 donation suggested. Program and activities are most appropriate for children ages 4-12 with adult supervision. Registration is not required. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202272-2448. nbm.org

G-Rated “Hidden Universe 3D” at Air and Space

Planning to go to the World Cup? Speak Spanish and want a 2nd foreign language? Afro-Brazilian Capoeira for Kids 5-12 Starting on February 4th At Momentum Dance Studio (534 8th St, SE)

Brazilian Gastronomy

From March 1st to March 29th (5 classes) Saturdays from 11 AM to 1 PM At the Hill Center

Learn Portuguese on the Hill! Fun and highly effective small group classes

Winter 2014 classes start on February 3rd.

Contact Valeria Buffo (202)546-5229 brasilonthehill@gmail.com www.brasilonthehill.com Also offering cultural workshops featuring Brazilian music, cinema, culinary and more!

An extraordinary journey into deep space, Hidden Universe 3D brings to life the farthest reaches of our universe with unprecedented clarity through real images captured by the world’s most powerful telescopes. Stunning, highresolution 3D images of space allow you to peer deep inside the earliest galaxies and nebulae, watch stars being born in vivid clouds of gas and dust, tour the surface terrain of Mars, and witness images of distant celestial structures including awe-inspiring views of the Sun. Seen for the first time in IMAX 3D, these dramatic new images offer fresh insight into the origins and evolution of the universe. National Air and Space Museum on the Mall. airandspace. si.edu

Arts and Technology Academy Charter Denied

54 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) has voted not to renew the charter of Arts and Technology Academy Public Charter School (ATA PCS) for another 15-year term. The school’s charter will expire this year, but the PCSB Board stated that it would be open to entertaining proposals for the school to transfer its assets and operations to a high-performing charter operator. Charters in the District are granted for

a 15-year term. The Board voted 7-0 not to renew the charter. PCSB found that the school failed to meet its charter goals and academic achievement expectations. Located in Ward 7, ATA PCS was granted a charter from PCSB and opened in 1999. It has 624 students in grades PK3 to 5.

The Tutu Readers Book Club at Francis A. Gregory Library

Tutu Readers is a creative playbased reading program for children interested in reading books about ballet, dance and fairy tales. Children can come dressed in tutus or fairy tale themed costumes. Books will be followed by simple ballet related arts and craft activities. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is over 13 years of age. The Tutu Readers Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis

Saturday Morning at the National Free Performances for Children

On Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. there are free live performances for children in the Helen Hayes Gallery. Tickets are required and distributed first comefirst seated. Tickets are distributed 1/2 hour prior to performance. One ticket per person in line. The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. 202-783-3372. On Feb 1, Bright Star Theater-George Washington Carver; Feb. 8, Paul Hadfield-General Foolishness; Feb. 22, Blue Sky Puppet Theatre: The Barker of Seville; Mar. 1, Andres Saklquero-Uno, Dos Tres,con Andres; Mar. 8, Laureen O’Neill James Irish Dance; Mar. 15, Rich Potter, Bert the Nerd; Mar. 22, Bright Star Theatre, Jack’s Adventure; Mar. 29, Tim Marrone, Clowning Around with Shakespeare; and Apr. 5, Curtis Blues, Delta Blues.

DC Parks and Recreation Outdoor Explorer Family Adventures

Outdoor Explorer: Family Adventures is series of outdoor recreation excursions, designed

for families to enjoy the great outdoors together. Excursions are on the 2nd Saturday of each month. The next adventure is ropes course and zip lining at Go Ape! on Mar. 8. Other adventures are Apr. 12, hiking the Capital Crescent Trail; May 10, kayaking Piscataway Creek; June 14, horseback riding at Misty Manor Stables; July 12, white water rafting on the Potomac; Aug. 9, hiking the Anacostia River Walk; and Sept. 13, biking in Rock Creek Park. All adverntures leave from a DC recreation center. dpr.dc.gov

Purchase DC Student Transit Passes at WMATA’s Website

DC Student Transit Passes can now be purchased through WMATA’s website using a debit or credit card. The WMATA website allows the purchase of a monthly rail/bus pass, 10-trip rail passes and 10-trip bus pass at wmata. com. DC Student Rail transit passes will be available for use two business days after the on-line purchase and the discounted 10trip bus pass will be available for use three business days after the purchase on-line. Transit passes may still be purchased at any one of the Metro Sales Offices in the District and other approved retail outlets. For more information on DDOT’s School Transit Subsidy Program, visit ddot.dc.gov/ SchoolTransitSubsidy.

Celebrate Youth! High School Choir Festival at the National Cathedral

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the National Cathedral Choral Society brings together choirs from DC public, charter, and independent schools with members of the DC Youth Orchestra for the ninth annual Celebrate Youth! high school choir festival. The groups work together in a day of music making that culminates in a grand concert in the nave of the Cathedral. Ben Hutto, festival director. The festival concert is at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. nationalcathedral.org u

Tae Kwon Do with Master Gutman MEMBER: WORLD TAE KWON DO FEDERATION

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEbRuARy 2014 H 55

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“VIP’S”

Crossword Author: Myles Mellor • www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com

by Myles Mellor and Sally York Across:

1. Span partner 6. “Lawrence of Arabia” director and family 11. Gauchos’ weapons 16. Behind the times 18. Fawned 20. Like the Godhead 21. Buff 22. City in Georgia 23. Ill will 24. Black hole physicist 27. Rani’s wear 28. Arrange 29. 40 winks 30. Eye affliction 31. Native American tribe 34. “The Lord of the Rings” figure 36. Chasers 38. German resort 39. “West Side Story” girl 42. Pincered insect 46. #26 of 26 49. Pulitzer Prize winner 57. ___ Club 58. Display unit 59. Port of ancient Rome 60. Riddle-me-___ 61. Argentine president 62. Kind of cycle 63. Search thoroughly 67. Darn 70. Kitchen meas. 71. Alleviate 72. Architectural projection 74. City named for an Indian tribe 76. Beast of burden 79. Former Portuguese province 80. Tropical tree 83. Vigna sinensis 87. Astronaut 91. “Amen!” 92. Biblical prophet 93. NBC morning show 94. Best guess: Abbr. 97. Piques 100. Chap 103. Bonanza find 104. “Beetle Bailey” creator Walker 106. Dusk, to Donne

107. “Seinfeld” uncle 110. Accomplishment 113. U.S. Supreme Court justice 121. Afternoon service 122. Imbue 123. Exploit successfully 124. Marx collaborator 125. Speaker part 126. River of Western Bulgaria 127. Editorial directives 128. 8-12-year-old 129. Poetic feet

Down:

1. Absorbs, with “up” 2. Conspiracy 3. Inactive 4. Old TV show 5. Buckwheat groats 6. Vuitton 7. American symbol 8. Not for minors 9. Not yet final, at law 10. ___ record 11. Brightly colored and showy 12. Sty utterances 13. See-through sheet 14. Alias 15. Twilled cloths 17. “___ Is,” Box Car Racer’s song 18. Choice marble 19. Curses 20. Circus apparatus 25. Bubkes 26. Controls 31. Pilgrim’s journey 32. ___ about 33. Dwarf refrain 35. Casbah headgear 36. Swiss philosopher 37. Lewd ones 40. Big bang maker 41. Many miles away 43. Basis of some divisions 44. Abbr. after a name 45. Tin foil, e.g. 47. Hydroxyl compound 48. Come to pass 50. Anger 51. Boxer Fields 52. Plummet

58 ★ EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 53. Cognizance 54. Europe’s highest volcano 55. “Buenos ___” 56. Norfolk river 63. Deep sleep 64. Kind of hygiene 65. Popular insulator 66. Skullcap 67. Blue books? 68. Young raptor 69. Deals partner 73. Garage job 74. “___ the glad waters of the dark blue sea”: Byron 75. Voting “no” 76. Big heart? 77. Bribe 78. Belt

81. “___ De-Lovely” 82. Flue residue 84. ___ bono 85. Taro variety 86. Close to closed 88. Postulates 89. Beldam 90. Bar order 94. Overacts 95. Narrow channel in the U.K. 96. Process for sorting patients 98. Green, in a way 99. Bumbling 101. Amateur video subject, maybe 102. Pound sounds 105. Image maker 107. Bank 108. Carry away, in a way

109. Ancient 111. Fine fiddle 112. ___ incognita 114. Congers 115. Colorful salamander 116. Attracted 117. Lyndon Johnson dog 118. Urban renewal target 119. Door part 120. Shag rugs

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 ★ 59