East of the River Magazine January 2013 by Capital Community News

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2013 | CAPITALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 08.............Go See Do

10.............East of the River Calendar 16.............The Bulletin Board 20.............The Numbers • by Soumya Bhat 22.............E on DC • by E. Ethelbert Miller 23.............Empower DC Organizes Residents • by John Muller 24..............First Phase of Skyland Center to Open

..................by 2016 • by Charnice A. Milton

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

26.............Let’s Get Physical • by Candace Y.A. Montague 28.............Funding EOR Art • by Virginia Avniel Spatz 29.............Changing Hands • by Don Denton 30.............Sunday Brunch Provide Variety of Tasty, ..................Musical Treats • by Steven Monroe 32.............Anacostia Playhouse Opens in Spring • by Annette Nielsen

KIDS & FAMILY

34.............Kids and Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner

HOMES & GARDENS

38.............Affordable and Green • by Virginia Avniel Spatz

40.............The Classifieds 42.............The Nose • by Anonymous

ON THE COVER: J.C. Nalle Elementary School students celebrate winning the Golden Mic Trophy at the DC SCORES Poetry Slam! Story on page 34. Photo: Courtesy of Ian Weston

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 February 9

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

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

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 Travel: Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com The Wine Guys: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com

KIDS & FAMILY Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com

Calendar & Bulletin Board Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

COMMENTARY Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@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

General Assignment Martin Austermuhle • martin.austermuhle@gmail.com Maggy Baccinelli • mbaccinelli@gmail.com Dana Bell • dana@hillrag.com Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ralph Brabham • ralphbrabham@yahoo.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Gwyn Jones • gwynjones@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.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 Linda Samuel • indabsamuel@yahoo.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

Production/Graphic/web Design Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@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: Southwest Distribution 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 lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.

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GO.SEE.DO. The Inauguration

It will probably be cold. It may be rainy, snowy, soggy and/ or windy but if you’re hearty enough, the splendor of a Presidential Inauguration is not to be missed. For those without tickets, there will be Jumbotrons at various locations along the Mall as far back as the Lincoln Memorial. After the ceremony, you can make your way to the parade route for a possible spot on the sidewalk. You’ll be doing a lot of walking so wear sensible footwear and dress warmly. P.S. Historically, the ofﬁcial Inaugural balls are open parties after the President and First Lady leave. They always have top entertainers and you can dance through the night.

Annual Anacostia Community Museum Martin Luther King, Jr. Program

marjora Carter. Photo: Photography by m. david leeds

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On Friday, January 18, 7-9 p.m., Majora Carter, Peabody award-winning radio broadcaster, eco-entrepreneur and urban revitalization strategist, is the keynote speaker for the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program presented by the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum. Carter will participate in a discussion with Jeffrey K. Stine, curator for environmental history (National Museum of American History), following her talk. The program will include performances by Grammy-nominated, progressive hip-hop music phenomenon Christylez Bacon. The program is free but reservations are suggestions. Call 202-633-4875 or email ACMrsvp@si.edu. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.

Olney Farmers & Artists Winter Market

On Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through April 29, come to the Sandy Spring Museum for a Winter Market complete with fresh coffee, tea or hot chocolate, cafe seating, strolling musicians, chef demonstrations, artists at work and a children’s room for fun activities throughout the day. The Sandy Spring Museum, on Rte 108 and Bentley Rd., across from Sherwood High School is about 45 minutes from DC. olneyfarmersmarket.org. The Sandy Spring Museum began when a group of residents noted that the community’s history was being sold off with every passing of a long-time resident. The organization was incorporated in 1981 by volunteers who set up shop in the basement of the Sandy Spring Bank. For many years, they operated out of the bank, exhibiting artifacts in handmade cases and hosting many lectures on local history. The museum set up residence at Tall Timbers in 1986 and celebrated its grand re-opening in 1997 at its permanent location on Bentley Road. The land on which the museum sits was donated by the Bentley Family, whose ancestors moved to Sandy Spring in the late 1700s. The museum, which sits on seven beautifully landscaped acres, is the heart of the Sandy Spring community. sandyspringmuseum.org

Winter Market artist at work. Photo: Arthur Hoiland

Reignite Your Natitude at NatsFest

Following the most exciting season since baseball returned to Washington, the Nationals invite fans across the region to reignite their Natitude for 2013 at NatsFest. On Saturday, January 26, NatsFest will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and will allow more fans than ever to gear up for opening day alongside select Nationals players and coaches. Open to fans of all ages from noon to 4 p.m., NatsFest will offer access to a variety of activities including live batting cages, exclusive Q&A sessions with players and coaches, a Kids Zone, interactive games and much more. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12. Season Ticket Holders will receive $5 off the entry fee ($15 for adults, $5 for children) and will have exclusive access to the event for an entire hour (11 a.m. to noon) before NatsFest opens to the general public. washington.nationals.mlb

Courtesy of the Washington Nationals

Reclaiming the Edge: Urban Waterways and Civic Engagement

Based on research by the Anacostia Community Museum on the history, public use, and attitudes toward the Anacostia River and its watershed and on review of urban waterway developments in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Louisville, London, and Shanghai, Reclaiming the Edge explores various issues regarding human interaction with natural resources in an urban setting. It looks at densely populated watersheds and at rivers as barriers to racial and ethnic integration. The exhibition also examines civic attempts to recover, clean up, re-imagine, or engineer urban rivers for community access and use. This exhibition, on view through September 15, 2013, kicked off the museum’s 45th anniversary. 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu Learning to paddle a voyageur canoe on the Anacostia River. Photo: Keith Hyde, US Army Corps of Engineers, 2011; Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, Minnesota. EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H 9

CALENDAR Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

Martin Luther King. Jr. National Memorial

Visit anytime. The memorial is located at the intersection of Independence Ave and W. Basin Dr. SW. nps.gov/mlkm

INAUGURAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE TICKETLESS Presidential Inaugurations “From the Vaults”. Jan 16, 17 and 18, noon. In celebration of the 2013 Presidential inauguration, the Charles Guggenheim Center for Documentary Film presents a selection of archival motion pictures drawn from the holdings of the National Archives related to the ceremonial inaugural events. National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. archives.gov Every Four Years: Presidential Campaigns and the Press. On display through Jan 27. The Newseum’s new election-year exhibit explores how media coverage of presidential campaigns has evolved from William McKinley’s 1896 front porch campaign to Barack Obama’s 2008 Internet campaign, as candidates and reporters tangle over issues, images and control of the story. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 888-6397386. newseum.org “Decision 2012” Newseum’s Digital Classroom. Visit newseum.org/digital-classroom anytime. This stan-

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dards-based learning module uses videos, primary sources and interactive features to explore presidential campaigns through the lenses of civics, history and media literacy. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 888639-7386. newseum.org Mount Vernon Special Inauguration Activities. Jan 18-21. George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, offers special activities in honor of the 44th presidential inauguration. Children are invited to participate in a “George Washington Presidential Scavenger Hunt”! Explore Washington’s Estate looking for clues that will lead to a special prize (while supplies last). Mount Vernon will give the 44th visitor through the gate a special gift. While at Mount Vernon, take the oath of office! View a replica of the first presidential inauguration with a life-size figure of Washington taking the oath of office. Visitors have a chance to “step into Washington’s shoes” by placing their hand on a reproduction of the Bible upon which Washington took the oath of office. Visitors recite the presidential oath and, upon completion, lift their hand to hear the roar of a cheering crowd! Adults, $17; children, 6-11, $8; and children under 5 are free. MountVernon.org Inaugural Parades and Protests. Jan 19, 3:30-4:30 PM. Walk along the Inaugural Parade route, which also has seen many protest marches, such as the Suffragette Procession during President Wilson’s inauguration. Free. Old Post Office Tower-Ben Franklin statue. 202-606-8691. Presidential Inauguration Shabbat. Jan 19, 9:00 AM. Following their re-election, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will recommit to serving the people of the United States at the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, January 21. This year’s activities will kick off on Saturday, January 19 with the National Day of Service-a tradition started by the Obamas in 2009. As part of the National Day of Service, Sixth & I will host a Shabbat service on Saturday morning. Rabbis Shira Stutman and Scott Perlo will lead a service rooted in the spirit of community and social justice. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Capital Area Food Bank. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202408-3100. sixthandi.org The Dream Moving Forward Inaugural Gala. Jan 20, 7:00 PM. $200. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Screening of “The Obama Effect”. Jan 20, 5:30 PM. John Thomas (Charles S. Dutton), who is faced with some difficult life questions after having a heart attack, takes on the Obama campaign with full force in an effort to fight for something in which he believes. The screening will be followed with a reception. RSVP at 202.633.4875 or at acminfo@si.edu. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Inaugural Balls: Reflections of Presidents’ Personalities and Agendas. Jan 20, 10:3011:30 AM. Inaugural balls are, and were, opportunities for celebration and recognition, as demonstrated by Ulysses S. Grant’s ball in the Treasury Building. Meet at Freedom Plaza-Casimir Pulaski statue. Free. Contact: Julia Clebsch 202-606-8691. nps.gov Swearing-in at the National Archives. Jan 21, beginning at 11:30 AM, the President’s swearing-in ceremony will be shown live in the William G. McGowan Theater at the National Archives. Free. National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. archives.gov Presidential Inauguration Volunteer Opportunities. On Monday Jan 21, the District of Columbia will host the 57th quadrennial Presidential Inauguration. On behalf of the District of Columbia Government, Serve DC is recruiting volunteers to serve in various capacities over Inauguration Weekend, Saturday, January 19th through Monday, January 21st, to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all residents and visitors. Visit serve. dc.gov for more information. Official US Senate Inauguration Website. inaugural.senate.gov.

MLK REMEMBRANCE Martin’s Dream: My Journey and the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 10, noon. In his candid memoir, Dr. Clayborne Carson, editor of the King Papers, recounts his decades-long quest to preserve King’s great legacy and understand his “dream.” Taking the reader on a journey of rediscovery, he reveals little-known aspects of Dr. King and shows how our image of him has evolved over generations. A book signing will follow the program. 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. archives.gov Dr. King and the Movement: Why Does Civil Rights Matter Today? Jan 15, 6:30 PM. The Civil Rights movement is considered one of the most pivotal events in American history. Many political figures would acknowledge that America has made strides in equal rights, but has “The Dream” been realized in the face of the nation’s legacy of institutional racism? Join them for a lecture by Joe Madison, activist and talk radio personality on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio channel 169 and WOL-AM. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk Trans-Atlantic Tales: Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 15, 22 and 29;noon-1:00 PM. Exploring the link between Ghana’s independence and the black American struggle for civil rights in America. Free. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Contact: Tessy Dunoboh at 202-629-6820. Dr. King and Malcolm X: Two Visionaries for a Better America. Jan 16, noon. During the American Civil Rights Movement,

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CALENDAR Monday, Jan 21, 10:00 AM-noon. Free lessons and free skating. 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-5845007. fdia.org

several black leaders emerged that captured the attention of the American public. Dr. King and Malcolm X were two of the most influential visionaries for a better nation. Join Askia Muhammad, News Director of WPFW 89.3 FM for a lecture comparing and contrasting the philosophies of these men, based on their activities and most important speeches. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk

Remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 22, 7:00 PM. The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will offer a “Remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.” at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 4th and Independence Ave. SE. Participants in the Remembrance include Fortissima, Capitol Hill Youth Chorus, Not What You Think, Nuance, Jubilee Singers of All Souls Unitarian, Washington Youth Chorus, and individual artist Pamela Jafari. The performance

MLK Day of Service. Jan 19. Each year, Americans across the country come together on the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy by serving their communities. The MLK Day of Service is part of United We Serve, the President’s national service initiative, which calls on Americans to work together to solve our most pressing problems. Learn more about national MLK Day initiatives at mlkday.gov and serve.dc.gov. Behind the Dream: The Making of a Speech that Transformed a Nation. Jan 19, 2:00 PM. Washington Post staff writer and author Wil Haygood and Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Institute visiting professor Dr. Clarence B. Jones discuss Jones’s latest book, Behind the Dream. Jones, who served as speechwriter and counsel to Martin Luther King Jr., explores his relationship with Dr. King, the weeks leading up to the March on Washington, and his collaboration on King’s resounding “I Have a Dream” speech. Book signing follows. Free tickets, but registration requested. National Museum of American History, 4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. americanhistory.si.edu

ect, Michael Dax Iacovone and Kathryn Zazenski map spaces and experiences. Iacovone’s The Mississippi River Project: Record of a 3600 Mile Drawing, chronicles his journey driving across the 123 bridges that span the Mississippi River. In a selection from her ongoing Memory Maps series, Zazenski presents maps from time spent in Haukijärvi, Finland, Washingon, DC, and Beijing, China. From Here to There: Ezra Pound brings the two artists’ diverging interests together in a project that examines the history of Anacostia. 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-3658392. honfleurgallery.com

Schmigel. The exhibition will also include a digital slideshow of select contest submissions. 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE (upstairs). 202365-8392. vividsolutionsdc.com/gallery Rhythm Café Jazz Greats. Jan 13, 2:00-4:00 PM. Acclaimed vocalist Barbara King will present musical selections from Sarah Vaughn and other jazz greats. Enjoy this afternoon of great jazz music with a talented vocalist. Space is limited. For reservations, call 202.633.4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu East of the River Artists Bus Tour. Feb 2, 10:30 AM2:00 PM. Take Shuttle Anacostia and visit the working spaces of mixed-media painter Sheila Crider, photographer Tommie Adams, and painter Luis Peralta. This art experience will provide you with an in-depth look at how these artists plan and create their work. Artists, art followers, students, and collectors are welcome. All participantsages 16 to adult-must travel on the museum’s shuttle bus, which leaves the museum at 10:00 AM. For reservations, call 202-633-4844 by January 24. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

Special Inauguration Tours at the Frederick Douglass House

During Inauguration no reservations will be necessary to visit the Frederick Douglass house (including big groups). They will do their best to have all visitors see the house. Tour length will reflect the number of visitors. Free. Daily, Jan 17-21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE (corner of 15th and W). 202-426-5961. nps.gov/frdo

MLK Peace Walk. Saturday, Jan. 19, assembly at 9:0010:00 AM at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2500 MLK, Jr. Ave. SE. Destination and program at 11:30 AM at Covenant Baptist UCC, 3845 So. Capitol St. Bring a new pair of socks and a bar of soap for Haitian earthquake victims. 202-561-4101. MLKPeaceWalk.org

Annual MLK Poetry Extravaganza. Jan 19, 1:00 PM. Collective Voices, an ensemble of poets known for their messages of social consciousness, presents their annual literary tribute honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary. org/mlk Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday Public Skate. Fort Dupont Ice Arena welcomes all skaters on

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will conclude with a special appearance by the youth of the Bokamoso Youth Centre in Winterveldt Township near Pretoria, South Africa who will talk and sing about their challenges and dreams. The event is free. For more information, call 202-547-6839.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD “The Points That Bring Us from Here to There” at Honfleur Gallery. Through Feb 22. In diverse solo works and a collaborative proj| JANUARY 2013

“The Soul of the City”at Vivid Solutions. Through Feb 22. For its third-annual photo contest, the InstantDC photo collective put out an open call for images in response to the following quote from Oswald Spengler: “It goes without saying that what distinguishes a town from a village is not size, but the presence of a soul.” The Soul of The City exhibition at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions presents a selection of responses to the prompt by nine members of InstantDC: Michael Andrade, Jorge Bañales, James Campbell, Jim Darling, Keith Lane, Ryan Maxwell, Emily Reid, and Greg

Calling All Doll Collectors (workshop). Feb 3, 2:003:30 PM. Local DC collectors share their latest doll designs and discuss the future trends of doll collecting. Participating audience members are encouraged to bring in their dolls (limit of 2 dolls per person) to share their stories and passion for collecting. Doll collectors will swap their informational resources on marketing, supplies, and promoting your art. For reservations call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Creative Workshop with Artist Tamara Thomas. Feb 7, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Participate in this exciting workshop as you design and create your own takeaway. Artist Tamara Thomas will assist you in developing your very own special creation. All materials will be provided. Reservations are required for this traveling workshop. Call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Black History Month Program-A Matter of Worth. Feb 9, 10:30-11:30 AM. Come and bear witness and listen to a dramatic reading of “A Matter of Worth” by Marcia E. Cole. The year is 1855 and every enslaved man,

woman, and child is subject to being sold. On this day, someone else makes the call, but 73-year-old Hannah and others have plenty to say as they provide special insight and wisdom. For reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Ranger Tours of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Every Saturday, 10:00 AM-noon. Join a Ranger for tours of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Every Saturday we will lead visitors to some of the remaining Civil War forts in the Nation’s Capital. Visitors are ask to Contact Ranger Kenya Finely at 202-426-7723 for more information on the specific program themes. Fort Dupont Park. nps.gov/fodu Crochet Club. Mondays (except on library holidays), 6:30 PM. Skill levels range from beginner to advanced. All teens and adults are welcome. Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis Movies for Adults. Jan 15, 6:00 PM (every third Tuesday). Based on Steve Harvey’s relationship self-help book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. Four women have decided to take the advice in Harvey’s book and use the recommendations to get their men on track. When the men discover this, they try to turn the tables on their women. Free. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning CR Gibbs Black History Month Lecture Tour. Feb 2 and 9, 1:00 PM. Griot C.R. Gibbs will lead a Black History Month Lecture Tour for two Saturdays in February in the large meeting room on the lower level of the library. Feb 2: African Gifts to America. Feb 9: Stony the Road We Trod: From the Civil War to Civil Rights. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning CR Gibbs Black History Month Lecture Tour. Feb 4, 11 and 25, 6:30 PM. Feb 4: Tangled Web: Race, Urban Renewal and Gentrification in the Nation’s Capitol. Feb 11: Let Your Motto Be Resistance: Great Slave Revolts. Feb 25: The African Origins of Christianity. Cap[itol View Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. 202-645-0755. dclibrary. org/capitolview 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”

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CALENDAR 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

What’s Blooming at the US Arboretum in January and February? Witch-hazels, conifer foliage and cones, hollies in fruit, Japanese apricot, sweet-box, winter jasmine Free. There are two entrances: one at 3501 New York Ave. NE, and 24th and R sts. NE, off of Bladensburg Rd. 202-245-4521. usna. usda.gov

Reclaiming the Edge: Urban Waterways and Civic Engagement. Through Sept 15. Based on research by the Anacostia Community Museum on the history, public use, and attitudes toward the Anacostia River and its watershed and on review of urban waterway developments in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Louisville, London, and Shanghai, Reclaiming the Edge explores various issues regarding human interaction with natural resources in an urban setting. It looks at densely populated watersheds and at rivers as barriers to racial and ethnic integration. The exhibition also examines civic attempts to recover, clean up, re-imagine, or engineer urban rivers for community access and use. 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

SPORTS, DANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

Tour Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Open daily, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is about 700 acres and is part of Anacostia Park. The park includes the gardens, Kenilworth Marsh, ball fields and recreational facilities. It is the only National Park Service site devoted to the propagation and display of aquatic plants. Stop by the visitors center and ask if a ranger is free to show you around. You can also borrow a guidebook and binoculars if you leave a driver’s license. Free.1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. www.nps.gov/kepa 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 A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail. Discover, or see with new eyes, this traditionally African American enclave in Far Northeast when you follow “A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail.” Fifteen poster-sized street signs combine storytelling with historic photographs and maps to transport you back to the days before Deanwood was Deanwood. To pick up the trail go to Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. and Division Ave. NE. Walk one block south to Foote Street, at the edge of Marvin Gaye Park. The 90-minute, self-guided tour will bring you along Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, up 49th St. and along Sheriff Rd. back to Minnesota Ave. and the Metro station. Walk the trail at your own pace and take time to enjoy this small town in the city. Don’t forget to pick up a free trail guide from businesses along the way. 202-6617581. culturaltourismdc.org

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Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. Jan 15, 22 and Feb 1. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202628-3200. capitals.nhl.com Washington Wizards Basketball. Jan 12, 14, 25, 26 and 28. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-SEAT. nba.com/wizards DC Rollergirls. Jan 12, 4:00 PM. (Doors open at 3:00 p.m.) Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for children 6-11, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available in advance at ticketmaster.com or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military ID can purchase tickets for $10 at the door. Bouts are at DC Armory. dcrollergirls.com Free HIV Testing. Jan 17, 4:30 PM. In the quiet, relaxed environment of your library, Metro TeenAIDS will offer free, confidential HIV testing to teens and adults, ages 13-24 (though no one will be turned away). The test, held in Meeting Room 2, is very short and can save your life. Representatives will also be on hand to share vital information about how to live a healthy life. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning Capitol Wellness Expo. Feb 7, 10:00 AM5:30 PM. They will start with personal wellness (beauty and athletic performance tips, nutrition, mindfulness, and more) and then integrating wellness practices. In the afternoon, they will examine wellness policy issues and discuss the future of health care and wellness. In an adjoining room, they will have exhibits, demos, networking, discussion groups, and classes. The program is designed for members of Congress and staff but all are welcome. Free. See details at Mcbarnette.com/capitolwellness2013. Cannon House Office Building, Rooms 121 and 122. If you are interested in exhibiting, teaching a mini-class, helping out, write to:capitolwellnessexpo@gmail.com. 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. 202-289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/ skating DJ’s in the Garden-Spin, Cut and Groove. Thursdays through Feb 28, 6:00-9:00 PM. Keep warm on the ice while a DJ spins popular music from the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s,

| JANUARY 2013

including a wide range of musical styles such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Disco, Pop, Rock and Roll, and Soul. Skaters may make requests to guest DJs and twirl across the ice to their favorite tunes. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Seventh St. and Constitution Ave. NW. 202-289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/skating Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon-1:50 PM; Saturdays, 11:15 AM-12:15 PM. Dress for warmth and safety. Clothes should be easy to move in, and pants must not fall below the heel of the skate (sweatpants or leggings are a good choice). Everyone needs to wear gloves or mittens, and one pair of thin, long socks or tights that fit snugly (no ankle socks). A helmet or knit hat is strongly recommended (loaner helmets are available). $5. $4 for kids and seniors. $3 for skate rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202-5845007. fdia.org Canal Park Ice Rink. Open Monday-Friday, noon-9:00 PM; Saturday, 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 i $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. Adult Dance Classes. Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 PM, Pilates; Wednesdays, 7:00-8:15 PM, Jazz; Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 AM, Zumba. The Washington Ballet @ THEARC offers three adult classes this year. Classes are $12 each or you may purchase a $100 class card for 12 classes. Classes are only $5 for Ward 8 residents. The class card for Ward 8 residents is $50. (Valid ID required.) THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org Free Exercise Classes at Kenilworth Elementary School. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6:00-7:00 PM. Bring your own mat, water and towel. 1300 44th St. NE. For more information, email peppypromotions@ gmail.com or call 301-395-1013 Free Yoga Classes at Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Every Thursday, 7:00-8:00 PM. Yoga is a great way to relax, unwind and get grounded. Even if you’ve never done yoga before--this class is for you. Open to people of all abilities, ages and body types. All you need to bring is yourself, comfortable clothing and an open mind. Judgment free zone: having a great time is encouraged! Register in person at Anacostia Neighborhood Library or call 202-715-7707. 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. dclibrary.org/anacostia 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 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

MARKETS Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Every Tuesday, 3:00-7:00 PM. Tuesday afternoon farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-6985253. easternmarket-dc.com Union Market. Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM8:00 PM. The newly-opened Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com

CIVIC LIFE Big Chair Breakfast Bunch. Saturday, Jan 12, 10:00 AM-noon. Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill (upstairs). All are welcome to attend and discuss what’s happening East of the River. 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. 202525-4287. 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 202388-1532. Fairlawn Citizens Association. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. ANC 7A. Second Tuesday, 7:30 PM. Benning-Stoddard Rec. Center, 100 Stoddard Pl. SE. 202-727-1000. 7A@ anc.dc.gov. anc7a.org 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. 202-582-6360. 7E@anc.dc.gov 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 (June meeting is on the nineth because of the holiday), 6:30 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 ANC 8E. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. SE Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-561-6616. 8e02@anc.dc.gov u EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H 15

BULLETIN BOARD Addiction Recovery Group Leader Beverly Sellers-Robinson, Deputy Director of Operations at The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness Cornell Chappelle, Executive Director Kristine Thompson, and Campaign Chair Cindy Schwarz cut the ribbon at Calvary Women’s Services’ new facility on Good Hope Road and ofﬁcially welcome women into their new home. Photo: Katie Bradley

the bridge project and AWI Program’s progress, visit anacostiawaterfront.org/11thStreetBridge. To join the project or AWI community contact list or ask questions, email ddot.awi@dc.gov or call 202-741-8528.

Get a Garden Plot at Fort Dupont Community Gardens

Calvary Women’s Services Opens New Facility in Anacostia

11th Street Bridge Project Nears Milestone

On Dec 9, local nonprofit Calvary Women’s Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open their new, state-of-the-art facility in Anacostia. Since 1983, Calvary Women’s Services has offered housing and support to women who are homeless in Washington, DC. The organization undertook this expansion project in 2010 as a response to the growing crisis of homelessness in the nation’s capital. In their new home, Calvary will grow to serve even more women every year and expand the range of support services they offer to homeless women. As winter temperatures in DC continue to plummet, the opening of this new facility also means even more women will be offered a safe, warm home before the coldest days of winter hit, and just in time for the holidays. The facility includes a brand new Life Skills, Education, and Arts Center for women to build new skills and prepare for employment. For nearly 30 years Calvary Women’s Services has been a turning point in homeless women’s lives. Its three housing programs offer housing and comprehensive services to help each woman identify her strengths, set personal goals, and build the skills she needs for independent living. Each year, Calvary supports 150 women as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency, providing “a safe, caring place for tonight; support, hope and change for tomorrow.” For additional information about Calvary Women’s Services, contact info@calvaryservices.org or 202678-2341. calvaryservices.org 16 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

Commuters and residents of Anacostia and Capitol Hill have something else to celebrate this holiday season as the 11th Street Bridge Project crosses another significant milestone. Phase I of the project has moved one step closer to completion with the outbound ramp between I-695 outbound and northbound DC 295 opening for traffic. The new ramp from southbound DC 295 ramp to the I-695 inbound freeway bridge opened on July 30, 2012. When Phase I is completed next year, the project will feature three new bridges, a new 16feet pedestrian and bicycle path that connects to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, and space for future streetcar tracks. Phase II, which began this summer, is located within the Capitol Hill/Navy Yard area and includes replacing the 2-lane outbound I-695 (SE/SW Freeway) flyover bridge over M St. with a new 3-lane bridge structure. It will also lay the groundwork for replacement of the SE Freeway with a neighborhood boulevard between 11th St. SE and Barney Circle. As part of Phase II construction, DDOT closed the westbound Southeast Freeway between Pennsylvania Ave. and 8th St. SE on Nov 29. The full closure of the westbound SE Freeway will remain in place for approximately 18 to 20 months while crews complete improvements to the freeway. During the closure, motorists traveling southbound on DC-295 (Anacostia Freeway) and westbound on Pennsylvania Ave. SE will use the new I-695 inbound freeway bridge to reach the Southeast/Southwest Freeway and I-395. The entire 11th Street Bridge project is scheduled to be complete in mid-2015. For more information and to follow

If you are interested in planting a garden for the upcoming season, you must attend one of the mandatory 2-hour Garden Orientation Courses at the Fort Dupont Activity Center. After the class you can register for a plot for the 2013 garden season. Please call the Activity Center for more information: 202-426-7723 (press “0” to speak with a staff member). At the conclusion of the orientation session, everyone has an opportunity to choose a plot. Anyone who fails to present a photo ID will not be assigned a garden plot at the meeting. Plots are assigned one per person. Plots are assigned only to persons 18 years old or older, and there will be a limit of 2 plots per address. nps.gov/fodu

Cotton Club at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library

Come knit, crochet or stitch with friends. Share what you’ve learned and learn from others. Share patterns, techniques and projects. This is a needlecraft circle for all ages and levels. Bring your own materials. They meet the second Saturday of every month at noon. Please contact the library if you would like to be added to their email list. This class is free and open to the public. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning

Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration

On Feb 16, celebrate Frederick Douglass’s 195th Birthday and explore Douglass’s Civil War. They will have music from the period, reenactors demonstrating a soldier’s life and weapons, activities for kids, and lectures on African American soldiers in the Civil War. And there has to be birthday cake! Saturday, Feb 16 at the Frederick Douglass National

Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE. Opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and activities run all day until 3:30 p.m.. Free and open to the public, no tickets required. Swing by and wish Mr. Douglass a happy birthday. 202-426-5961. nps.gov/ FRDO

Honfleur Gallery Accepting Proposals for Gallery Exhibitions in 2014

Honfleur reviews unsolicited proposals from artists and independent curators on a quarterly basis. Applicants must submit a disc with the following materials: 10-20 JPEG images of works proposed for the exhibition, resume/CV, 1 page proposal/artists statement, artists bio, support information (URL of artist’s website, articles, reviews, past projects, etc). Submissions should be sent to Honfleur Gallery (attn: Beth Ferraro / PROPOSAL), 1227 Good Hope Rd. SE, Washington DC 20020. Email submissions will not be considered. Read more at honfleurgallery.com.

Investigating Where We Live: Connecting With Anacostia

Investigating Where We Live (IWWL) is a four week summer program at the National Building Museum for teens from the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Participants use digital cameras, creative writing, interviews, and their own observations to explore, document, and interpret the built environment in DC neighborhoods. 2012’s exhibit explores Anacostia, a historically rich and developing neighborhood east of the Anacostia River. After collecting and sorting through their images, writing, art, and interviews, the teens planned, curated, and installed an exhibit of their perspective on Anacostia. Investigating Where We Live: Connecting With Anacostia is on exhbibition through May 27, 2013 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. nbm.org

Interagency Responsibilities for the Anacostia River Community Forum

On Tuesday, Jan 15, 7 p.m., vari-

ous organizations discuss the intricacies in accomplishing the plan to making the river swimmable by 2032. Space is limited. For reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Prince Among Slaves: The Film and Discussion

Over the course of four centuries, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade removed an estimated 12 million Africans from mostly West and Central Africa to the New World. Of this number, about 600,000 (5%) were imported into the United States. By 1860, the nation’s 4 million slaves played a major role in laying the socio-economic foundation of the United States, particularly in the South. Join them for a screening of the PBS documentary, Prince Among Slaves, the amazing true story of Abdul Rahman Ibrahima Sori, who in 1788 arriived on a tobacco plantation in Natchez, Miss. and endured forty years of human bondage without losing his dignity or hope for freedom. A discussion follows the film. Feb 6, 6:30 p.m. Capitol View Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. 202-645-0755. dclibrary. org/capitolview

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O Street, SE Closures between 11th Street Local Bridge and 12th Street Set to Begin

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is planning to close O Street, SE between the 11th St. local bridge and 12th St. overnights in order to remove the old bridge girders over the roadway. The road closures will start at 7 p.m. each night from Jan 13-15 and be in place until 5:30 a.m. each following morning. During the O St. closures, motorists should anticipate delays along 11th St. as traffic will be detoured around the work zone by flagging operation. Electronic message signs will be in place to provide motorists advanced notice of the scheduled detours. In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions, this work will be rescheduled and an updated advisory will be distributed. For more information and to follow the bridge project and AWI

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Program’s progress, visit anacostiawaterfront.org/11thStreetBridge. To join the project or AWI community contact list or ask questions, email ddot. awi@dc.gov or call 202-741-8528.

al travel, neighborhood accessibility and safety.

87th Annual Black History Month Luncheon Tickets Available

North America’s premier wind quintet, the Grammy nominated Imani Winds brings dynamic playing and culturally poignant programming to the stage. The group is enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire while meaningfully bridging European, American, African and Latin American traditions, and hailed for performances that are “stunningly beautiful and technically amazing.” A reception in honor of African American History Month follows the concert. No charge. Photo ID and registration required. Sunday, Feb 10, 3:00 p.m., NAS Auditorium, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW. cpnas.org

The 2013 luncheon theme is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.” The luncheon is on Feb 23 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Individual tickets are $75-$125. They may be purchased online at asalh.org.

Shepherd Parkway Cleanup

On Jan 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., join the Congress Heights Community Association as they work to restore one of the most unique wooded areas in the District! Meet at 4th and Mellon sts. SE. If you have questions, contact Congress Heights Community Association member Nathan Harrington at nbharrington@yahoo.com or 301-758-5892. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, as well as sturdy shoes. The hills can be steepplease reconsider if you think that will be an issue.

Design for New Frederick Douglass Bridge Unveiled

Mayor Gray has unveiled plans for the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, heralding the new structure as a linchpin for the revitalization of the Anacostia waterfront. An Environmental Impact Study (EIS) has been completed and preliminary engineering and land acquisition have begun for the new bridge. The Mayor shared a video animation and renderings showing early design concepts of the new bridge, which are available online at anacostiawaterfront.org. Construction for the new bridge and needed landside improvements is estimated to cost $660 million. The improvements include constructing a traffic oval and circle on either end of the span and reconstructing the Interstate 295/Suitland Parkway interchange. These improvements are part of a larger South Capitol Street Corridor Project that will promote economic development, multi-mod18 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

Imani Winds Concert at National Academy of Sciences

Wacky and Whimsical Tea to Benefit THEARC (save the date)

The “Wacky & Whimsical Tea to Benefit THEARC” is a fun-filled Sunday afternoon 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. Event takes place Mar 3, 2-4 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC).

Journey with Paper Exhibition at Center for Green Urbanism

Celebrate the new year with the Center for Green Urbanism TubmanMahan Gallery with a solo exhibition of works by Sandra D. Davis: Journey with Paper. Artist Sandra D. Davis transforms paper in various forms to create unique images and one of a kind works of art. Journey with Paper will be on display until February 8, 2013. The opening reception is Saturday, Jan 12, 3-6 p.m. It features the rhythmic sounds of drummer Michael Friend’s of Soul In Motion. There is an Artist’s Talk on Sunday, Jan 27, 2-4 p.m. The Center for Green Urbanism Tubman-Mahan Gallery, 3938 Ben| JANUARY 2013

The Nash Run trash is sorted into categories to identify what they are catching. Photo: Masaya Maeda of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

Nash Run Trash Trap Cleanup Volunteers Needed

The Anacostia Watershed Society has been experimenting with a stationary device built to strain the trash from the flowing waters of Nash Run, located adjacent the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the trash challenges of the Anacostia-and what is being done to address it. They need about 10 people for this cleanup. The task requires squatting down for a relatively long time, and may be physically demanding. The cleanup is on Jan 26, noon-3 p.m. around the intersection of Anacostia Ave. NE and Douglas St. NE. This site is about an 8-minute walk from the Deanwood Metro station on the Orange Line. Please RSVP because they need to communicate with you prior to the event. This event might be canceled suddenly because the trash trap lies across a small stream and we cannot work during high-flow events. Also, there may be no trash at the end of the month if there is no intense rainfall event by then. For more information, contact Masaya Maeda at mmaeda@anacostiaws.org or call 301-699-6204 x110. Dress for field activities. ning Rd. NE. 202-506-3867. centerforgreenurbanism.org Sandra D. Davis works with recycled paper and items that can be used as painting surfaces that we as consumers throw away. Davis states “The common theme of my work is generally female oriented, afro centric portraits with specific themes.” Other pieces are abstract in nature exploring movement, color and materials. Considered art that is “Green” or “Re-purposed”, the medium is “mixed media” which consist of paper from magazines, shredded documents, paper towels, tissue paper and gift bags along with other found papers. She incorporates acrylic paint and utilizes the leftover acrylic skins as well. .” The technique allows the work to take on movement based on the application.

It can be bound together with color and gel medium or it can be applied color specific to create a surface that cannot be done with paint alone. Davis holds a degree in Commercial Art from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She lives with her husband, photographer Aaron Davis, and two sons in Gaithersburg, MD. She actively participates in exhibitions throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and District.

Possible Off-Peak Lane Closures for 11th Street Bridge Project

Contractors for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) may close lanes during off peak travel times on the 11th Street bridges, related ramps, and portions of the SE/ SW Freeway, I-295/DC 295 and lo-

WIDE SHOE OUTLET cal streets through Monday, April 1, for the 11th Street Bridge Project.. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District.

African American Church Inaugural Ball

The African American Church Inaugural Ball will be held on Sunday, Jan 20, at 6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington. Like its premiere event in 2009, this year’s event will feature leaders and influencers from the religious, civic, business, arts, and entertainment communities. Attendees will gather to honor the 44th U.S. president, Barack Obama, and the great history and strength of the African American church, and its impact on the community. Themed, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the African American Church Inaugural Ball will honor extraordinary leaders with the “2013 Keepers of the Flame” Award. The recipients are individuals who have sustained an unshakable commitment to our future and who have earned an undeniable place in the African American book of history. Confirmed honorees include: Muhammad Ali; Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.; Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.; Andraé Crouch; Ed Dwight; Joycelyn Elders, MD; Bishop William H. Graves, Sr.; Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale; Hugh Masekela; Rev. Dr. Otis J. Moss, Jr.; Jessye Norman; Beny Primm, MD, and Cicely Tyson. For more information on the African American Church Inaugural Ball, visit AACIB.org.

Illegal Fees for Foreclosure Prevention Services

Have you paid up-front fees for mortgage prevention services? The Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule (MARS) makes it illegal for companies offering foreclosure prevention services to charge upfront fees. This means that before a company can charge clients for foreclosure prevention assistance, the company must first help the client obtain a written agreement from their lender offering foreclosure relief. This rule went into effect Jan 31, 2011, to combat “foreclosure rescue scams” that prey on

distressed homeowners. If you believe you have been illegally charged for foreclosure prevention services please contact Housing Counseling Services, Inc. (HCS) at 202-6677006 to file a complaint. HCS is a HUD approved non-profit housing counseling organization and all of its services are free.

150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

On Sunday, January 13, at 5:00 p.m., the Florida Avenue Baptist Church commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, with Emancipation Jubilation, an original composition by Mr. William H. Sydnor, Sr., FABC Minister of Music. Featured are an ensemble of musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the combined choirs of FABC and other churches of the Shaw neighborhood. Florida Avenue Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave. NW (across the street from the Howard Theatre). Free and open to the public. 202-667-3409. 1fFlavBC.org

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DC Hypothermia Hotline

Temperatures are dropping to dangerous lows. Hypothermia is a condition that can occur when the temperature falls below 32. The District of Columbia provides residents with information on helping others to stay warm. If you believe that someone is in distress and may be in danger of out-of-doors, call the DC Hypothermia Shelter Hotline at 1-800-535-7252. The Shelter Hotline provides transportation to emergency shelters, and distributes items such as blankets, gloves and jackets.

DC Water Gives Customers One-time Rebate

DC Water will issue a one-time rebate to customers in the form of a credit on their monthly bill. Some customers will see the credit in January, though due to different billing cycles and account statuses, some customers may see the one-time credit as late as April. The average household rebate will be slightly more than $9. u EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

The Numbers

Will Closing DCPS Schools Will Make the System Stronger? No One Knows by Soumya Bhat

his month, DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson will announce which schools will be closed at the end of the school year, from a list of 20 announced last fall. She says that these schools are under-enrolled and expensive to operate. The implication is that closing schools will allow DCPS to create stronger education environments in the consolidated schools. Unfortunately, the Chancellor has not shared much with the public to demonstrate just how expensive the under-enrolled schools are, how much would be saved by closing them, and how the savings would be used. Perhaps that is because there really won’t be major savings. Right now, smaller DCPS schools receive only slightly more per pupil funding than larger schools and have teacher-student ratios that are roughly the same as in larger schools. Together, these don’t suggest that

Figure 1

the smaller schools are overly expensive or under resourced relative to larger schools. This means cost savings from closing and consolidating schools may not be substantial. We estimate that savings in staffing costs next school year would be about $10 million, but the transition costs of closing schools will be very close to that, erasing any savings in the first year. If closing schools does not generate much savings or greater benefits to students, what is the point? Even if all 20 schools are closed, there will still be under-enrolled schools, particularly if enrollment drops as it did after the 2008 round of school closures. Chancellor Henderson has set a bold goal of improving test scores in low-performing schools, but the school closure plan does not say what will be done to improve overall quality of the remaining schools, which is needed to improve outcomes and draw families back into DCPS. In other words, the real question is not which schools will be closed, but what will be done with the schools that stay open to make them better?

Are Small Schools Cost Inefficient?

One of the main arguments in the Chancellor’s proposal for school closure and consolidation is that the under-enrolled schools or small schools are inefficient and require additional funding from the school system to operate. Yet an analysis of general education spending per pupil shows that small schools are not spending much more on a per pupil basis than large schools of the same school type. At the elementary level, for example, the typical general education budget for smaller schools is $8,472 per 20 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

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pupil, compared with $8,149 per pupil in the larger schools. (See Figure 1)

Will Closing Schools Save Money?

An initial analysis from DC education finance analyst Mary Levy shows that DCPS could see $10.4 million in staff savings next school year from shuttering the 20 schools. This reflects the staff savings from closed schools net of the new staff costs that would be allocated to the receiving schools, based on DCPS staffing guidelines. Additional funding may also be generated by leasing vacant buildings to charter schools or other organizations in the future, but that is still uncertain.

Will Closing Schools Cost Money?

Consolidating schools may save money over time, but there definitely are short-term costs that should not be ignored. The cost of closing 23 schools in 2008 was estimated at $9.7 million, but a DC auditor’s report found the actual costs totaled $39.5 million, including demolition of school buildings, moving and relocation, and transportation of displaced students. This time around, Mary Levy estimates $10.2 million in one-time costs related to inventory, relocation and storage. This would erase any staff savings in the first year, although there should be net savings in future years. DCPS has also stated that certain schools may reopen in a few years, if the population of school-age children grows at projected rates. The cost of closing and reopening these schools, both in terms of actual funding and the disruption to the community, is worth considering before making final decisions about school closings.

The Key Question: Will Closing Schools Lead To Greater Quality?

Chancellor Henderson has said that savings will be used to reinvest in our classrooms, and that larger schools are able to have small class sizes and more flexible groupings of students to help teachers work together in teams. DCPS also states that when schools reach certain size thresh-

Figure 2

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olds, it gives the school’s principal more flexibility to use their resources better. But if there are no cost savings, it is not clear how additional resources can be steered towards the schools that need them the most. Beyond that, it is not apparent whether the consolidated schools really will bring new levels of classroom flexibility. The student-to-teacher ratios in large DCPS schools were not much better than in small schools of the same type. (See Figure 2 below.) For example, the average student-to-teacher ratio for large elementary schools (more than 350 students) is actually higher than in smaller elementary schools. What’s more,after the 20 schools close, it is not certain that the consolidated schools will see smaller class sizes. In fact, it looks like their student-teacher ratios and class sizes will go up as a result of consolidation. For example, many students in closing schools will gain a librarian that they may not have had before, but the ratio of librarian to students will increase for the newly consolidated school.

What Steps Are Being Taken To Show System-Wide Vision?

Perhaps most important, it is not clear that closing 20 small schools addresses the issue of under-enrollment throughout DCPS, either now or in the future. There are 40 DCPs elementary schools under the recommended size of 350 students and just 24 above this level. Only three out of 13 middle

schools and six out of 18 high schools meet criteria for a fully enrolled school. If students continue to leave the system, as they did after the 2008 round of closings, DC may be looking at even smaller schools in the following year. In other words, losing schools does not address the root causes of under enrollment and low quality of DC public schools. It is reaction to a problem rather than a proactive solution. Chancellor Henderson should have coupled her school closure plan with other more forward-looking plans to improve the quality of the school system. With other major changes coming, including a review of school boundaries and a new plan for modernizing school facilities, a plan for improving academic performance would have helped parents and others see the silver lining in the difficult process of closing schools. It is not too late. With proposed school budget guidelines coming out soon, DCPS can start to communicate how school closings will help address the lack of sufficient funding that individual school budgets continue to face, particularly those schools with the most ambitious goals for improving performance. Without that, it is hard to see why school closures will be anything other than another painful chapter in the history of DCPS.

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Bhat is an education finance and policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. u EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

More Than King For A Day or President for Four More Years by E. Ethelbert Miller

ometimes I wish I could see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial from a distance, the way one can see the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Maybe if I could see King from afar it would be a reminder that the skyline of this city has been changed and maybe also the soul of America. Today we lean into President Obama and it’s a slow dance with a slow economy. Many will think about King’s dream and believe that Obama becoming president of the United States was its symbolic fulfillment, but that should not be the case. Martin Luther King’s March on Washington was a social protest demanding jobs and justice, full employment and voting rights. One could certainly make a case that in 2013 many of these demands have not been met. I’ve always felt that King gave two speeches on August 28, 1963. He started by looking back before he decided to look forward. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free; one hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination; one hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity; one hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land. King would then begin to move into what is a radical indictment of America’s promise to African Americans. He spoke about the promissory note the country had defaulted on. A note that guaranteed all people the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He spoke about how his people were given a bad check, one that came back marked “insufficient funds.” The reason why more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington back in the summer of ’63 was because of what King described that day as the fierce urgency of now. It is not until near the end of his speech – with Mahalia Jackson encouraging him – that King begins to talk about his dream. It is this part of his speech that our eyes and ears return to many years later. We overlook the beginning of King’s speech the way we blow out candles on the top of a birthday cake. I view King as not just an inspirational leader but also as a man who was a father. His dream at the end of his speech embraced his children.

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I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. It’s sad to see that King’s oldest child is now balding and America has not changed. Meanwhile for four years we have watched Sasha and Malia grow up. They will spend eight years watching their father serve as president of the United States. This is not a dream. Yet what about the people beyond the White House? Last year I pulled a video of the March on Washington and watched Mahalia Jackson sing “How I Got Over.” There is no way one cannot be moved by this woman’s voice, aura, or simply the way she closes her eyes and turns her head into song. “Mahalia!” My mother mentioned her name when I was growing up and always said, “What a voice.” Maybe this is the voice we need to hear everyday if we can’t wait for the dream. We need to be reminded how we got over all these years. How we elected Obama not once but twice. We had to pinch ourselves again in 2012, stand in long lines, and know that one’s feet might be tired, but our soul is rested. I don’t know too much about climate change. I do remember how cold it was when Obama placed his hand on Lincoln’s bible back in 2008 – now it’s 2013 – how much warmer is it? Is it still winter in America? That was a song once sung by Gil Scott-Heron. He was much the poet-prophet before his death in 2011. He joined Stevie Wonder in the early 1980s on his “Hotter than July Tour” which was billed as a way of building support for King’s birthday to be celebrated as a national holiday. How far have we come? We have a song, a holiday and a monument. We have an African American who is president. But what is the true measure of all this? Are we truly free at last? Reflect on these words spoken by King in that same “I Have A Dream” speech: This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy… Yes, we need to be reminded again and again about the fierce urgency of now. u

Empower DC works to Organize Public Housing Residents

by John Muller

ver the last ten years thousands of units of public housing in the District, most of them east of the river, have been redeveloped, scattering hundreds of residents to the wind, declares Schyla Pondexter-Moore, a resident of Highland Addition public housing property off Wahler Place SE and Public Housing Organizer for Empower DC. This past October Pondexter-Moore and members of Highland Dwellings Together We Stand, working alongside pro-bono counsel, reached a groundbreaking settlement with the DC Housing Authority (DCHA). Although renovation of the 208-unit Highland Dwellings, jumpstarted with federal stimulus funds and now coupled with private capital, has been on and off for more than two years, when completed it will remain a public housing property for 40 years, according to the settlement. DC Superior Court Judge Joan Zeldon presided over the case and in a press release called the outcome “unchartered territory.” All of Highland’s former residents will be able to return to the renovated property as a matter of right, without going through additional procedures such as credit and background checks that have kept residents from returning to other redevelopments, says Pondexter-Moore.

Sheridan Terrace is undergoing a multi-phase construction of 183 units as Sheridan Station. Under the “Choice” banner more than 250 units at Kenilworth Courts in Ward 7 and more than 300 units at Barry Farm Dwellings in Ward 8 await redevelopment should they receive implementation grants after receiving planning grants. (In December HUD announced that DCHA, one of nine finalists this year, did not receive an implementation grant for Kenilworth.) “What we need is community power,” says Pondexter-Moore, speaking for those whose landlord is the city. “We have the mindset to fight government but we don’t have the tools Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry speaks at the Barry Farm or the resources.” Recreation Center last month. To enable engagement in the planning process from public school closures to the problems they’ve had at Sheridan, turning 80 [marredevelopment of public housing, Empower DC ket] units into rentals.” builds relationships with other service providBefore Barry arrived, Janice Burgess of DCHA ers across the city, including Bread for the City. walked residents through a PowerPoint presentation “But as organizers, we often take a more aggresthat outlined the criteria used by HUD to recently sive approach,” says Empower DC’s Executive award Barry Farm a $300,000 Choice NeighborDirector, Parisa Norouzi. “Our basic purpose is to hoods Planning Grant that the city is matching. enhance low-income people’s abilities to advocate Barry Farm is an area of extreme poverty, a for themselves.” neighborhood infected by crime, most notably the

The Goal Is Self-Advocacy

“Graveyard for organizers”

Empower DC was formed nine years ago as a grassroots, membership-based organization committed to organizing low-income communities directly impacted by issues of displacement. It focuses on self-advocacy and building coalitions to magnify the political power of residents. During the past nine years the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has changed the branding of its redevelopment grants from “Hope VI” to “Choice Neighborhoods Initiative,” but the goal of “transforming areas of concentrated poverty into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods” has not changed. Under Hope VI the 650 units at the Frederick Douglass and Stanton Dwellings off Alabama Avenue SE have been transformed into Henson Ridge; the 230 units at Eastgate Gardens off East Capitol Street NE have become Capitol Gateway; and only steps from the Anacostia Metro station the former

“Make way, big Marion Barry coming through!” a man announced as he opened the door to the Barry Farm recreation center on Sumner Road SE on a Tuesday evening last month. Arriving a half hour late, the Ward 8 Councilmember quickly knocked heads with DCHA Director Adrianne Todman over the pace of Barry Farm’s redevelopment. “The council approved the [redevelopment] plan in 2007,” said Barry. “In all that time I haven’t seen one brick laid,” he continued, as he addressed a dozen residents, flanked by that many officials from DCHA and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DPMED). “Since then we’ve had meeting after meeting and nothing has happened here but we’ve had Sheridan and Matthews Memorial completed.” However, in his next breath Barry said, “No offense to the people who live here, but I don’t think anyone’s going to buy a condo here. Look at the

violent variety, and with failing schools, according to Burgess. Representatives of HUD were scheduled to visit the site within 30 days, after which a master planning and development team would be selected along with a vendor to undertake a “comprehensive needs assessment.” “Barry Farms has been called the graveyard for organizers,” Pondexter-Moore said. “But something strategic has to be done because people are living in fear and uncertainty.” Ongoing concerns and the needs of residents of Barry Farm Dwellings led Empower DC and local college students to form the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association. The organization will conduct its own needs assessment and assist residents with organizing and representing their collective voice to “DCHA, DC GOV & any chosen developer(s) that will redevelop the Farms community,” according to the group’s initial flyer. The first meeting will be on Jan. 22. For more information call (202) 681-9457 or email bfwrtaa@ gmail.com. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

First Phase of Skyland Town Center to Open by 2016

n January 3, community members packed Francis Gregory Neighborhood Library for an update on the longawaited Skyland Town Center. Although the demolition process began during the fall, it was only after years of litigation and push-back from business owners and some neighbors. However, the development team, led by Gary Rappaport of the Rappaport Companies and Chris Smith of WC Smith, reported that they now have a tangible time line. They expect to break ground by March 2014 and open the Walmart, along with the development’s first residential building by 2016. This was welcome news for many residents, including the area’s ANC Commissioner, Dr. Zina Williams. “My constituents have been waiting for the last twenty years,” she said.

by Charnice A. Milton Eliminating Legal Hurdles

The audience, which included Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander, received more good news thanks to DC Attorney General Irvin Nathan: the city won its last eminent domain case. Last month, a three-judge panel for the DC Court of Appeals rejected landowner Mary Rose Greene’s claim that the city inadequately compensated her after seizing her seven acres for the Skyland Town Center project. Rejecting the city’s original offer of $943,000, Greene and her appraiser argued that the land was actually worth $9.56 million. When the case went to trial before the DC Superior Court in May 2011, the jury sided with the city and DC increased their offer to $1.85 million. Although Greene has 90 days from the decision to appeal to the US Su-

During a community meeting held on January 3, developers announced that the first phase of Skyland Town Center, which includes a Walmart Supercenter and the development’s largest residential building, will open by 2016. Photo Credit: Rappaport Companies

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preme Court, Nathan believes that is unlikely. With the litigation phase essentially over, the city can move forward with the project.

Project Status

With selected demolition underway, most of Skyland’s present businesses are in the process of relocation; however, cable provider RCN will have the most challenging move. The Washington Business Journal reported in March that the city reimbursed the company $4.25 million to cover costs for disconnecting and reconnecting equipment, purchasing and installing new equipment, and rebuilding their operations building nearby. The city hopes that the RCN building will be vacant by May. Jose Sousa, a representative from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), says that while completing litigation is a major accomplishment, “...several steps

still remain ahead of us, but the end is in sight.” In addition to relocating tenants, the city must negotiate deals including the land disposition agreement and construction and use covenant. Then, the city’s chief financial officer has to re-underwrite the project. Finally, the council must introduce and approve land disposition legislation so that the project can be formally turned over to the developers.

What to Expect From Walmart

According to Nina Albert, the Community Affairs Director for Walmart, the chain plans to open a Supercenter, meaning that the store will have a full-service supermarket, pharmacy, and vision services. This could create competition for the nearby Safeway located at the Good Hope Road Marketplace, which, Mayor Gray says, could be a “good thing.” When the Walmart opens, customers will notice that there will

FREE

be less parking spots than its suburban counterpart; the finished product will have 1400 above-ground commercial parking spaces, as plans for an underground parking area were scrapped. Despite the many perceived benefits to having the store in the neighborhood, there are still some negative feelings against Walmart. Albert replied that frequently heard critiques, including claims that Walmart isn’t labor or environment-friendly, are not accurate; in fact, the chain donated $21 million in community benefits and $3 million in grant money to citywide non-profits. Walmart also has the highest employment retention with its competitive wages and health care benefits. “We’re finding that the more people learn facts about us, the more they see the value in bringing a Walmart store to their community,” said Steven Restivo, another representative from the chain.

Community Concerns

The meeting also gave residents a chance to voice their concerns about the project. For instance, one resident from Fort Baker asked how construction could affect the neighborhood. “Fort Baker has four houses that will be impacted,” Dr. Williams explained. “Those houses are built on silt, so their structure could be in trouble.” Anticipating that concern, Rappaport said that they will document potentially impacted houses before and after construction and videotape them during construction to check for damages. Another concern discussed during the meeting was how traffic and pedestrian safety would be affected, considering that Skyland is located on the intersection of Good Hope Road, Naylor Road, and Alabama

Avenue. After completing traffic counts and studies and meeting with the DC Department of Transportation, the developers plan to improve five signals and add two more, as well as add safer crossing paths for pedestrians. Also, the Metropolitan Police Department will be working with DMPED to create safety measures for the area while it is still in transition.

Community Partnerships

“Since our 2002 selection as the developer of Skyland, our partnership has worked regularly with a number of stakeholder organizations including ANC 7B and ANC 8A to create a project that realizes the community’s vision for a redeveloped Skyland,” said Sam Rank, Senior Project Manager at Rappaport. “We are very proud of the community relationships we have built over the last eleven years.” Dr. Williams pledges to continue this relationship with the developers, not only as the ANC commissioner, but also as part of a special task force. “We will be meeting monthly and we will keep the community updated,” she said of the task force. “That’s going to be the big thing right now: keeping the community involved.” Councilmember Alexander, who says she will do what it takes to move the project forward, is also asking for the community to stay involved. “Between development, demolition, and this meeting, many residents have been involved at some point.” She suggests Ward 7 residents to give input regarding which retailers they would like to see or taking advantage of job opportunities during the development and construction processes. In the end, she says, “I look forward to the ground breaking and the ribboncutting ceremony.” u

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EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Let’s Get Physical

Ways to Get in Shape in Wards 7 & 8 by Candace Y.A. Montague

t’s January! Time to turn over a new leaf in health. Step one is to begin (or begin again) a new exercise routine. Finding a new exercise routine is like finding a perfect shoe. It has to fit well, be affordable, and be enjoyable. If you are shopping for a way to get fit on the east side of the Anacostia River, here are a few selections to try on for size. What suits you best?

Are You a Gym Rat?

Corey Hooks, manager of Spirit Fitness, poses on the rooftop track. Photo: Candace Y.A. Montague

Spirit Fitness on the fifth floor of the Salvation Army Building in SE Photo: Candace Y.A. Montague

Spirit Fitness is a full-service gym located on the fifth floor of the Salvation Army building on Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue in Ward 8. This public facility, owned by Union Temple Church, offers a variety of methods to achieve physical fitness. Spirit has cardio and weight machines as well as a running track on the roof. They also offer classes in zumba, yoga, crossfit, tai chi, and self-defense. In spite of recent discussions about the possible closing of Spirit, manager Corey Hooks says that they will offer even more services in 2013. “We help people learn their bodies. We show them the proper way to exercise and eat so they can see results. Hopefully we can continue this in the upcoming year.”

Do You Think You Can Dance?

Anacostia Yogi Sariane Leigh instructs students on poses for stress relief and so much more. Photo credit: Randall Myers

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Think of zumba, one of the hottest new exercise crazes around. Now imagine the moves being done to go-go music. What do you have? Z-GoGo, a homegrown dance fitness class developed by the queen of go-go fitness, Dani Tucker. This 60-minute, high-in-

tensity dance workout combines the moves of zumba, hip hop dance, and old school go-go moves into a workout. Classes are offered at Rosedale and Fort Davis Recreation Centers for $5 a session and fill up quickly. What makes it so popular? According to Tucker it’s the music that brings them back for more every time. “Our women don’t come out for Latin music, which is what is used in traditional zumba classes. We use go-go music to do the workout and the women respond. Nearly half of our women have never worked out but they’re coming out for Z-GoGo.” For more information including how to purchase the DVD, join their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/zgogoworkout or email at tuckerdanette@ yahoo.com.

Do You Need Some Flexibility?

Come to Ryland Epworth Methodist Church on Branch Avenue on Monday evenings and see Sariane Leigh, also known as the Anacostia Yogi. She teaches yoga and healthy living. Leigh says that yoga helps with reducing stress and improving the functions of your circulatory and lymphatic systems. “People think of exercise and think they want to jump up and down and they want all this movement. Yoga helps you to maintain the benefits of exercise by recalibrating your body and helping your equilibrium. It also helps you to listen to your voice through meditation.” Classes will

begin again this month. For more information visit www. anacostiayoga.com.

Want Some Tough Love?

Look no further than FRU Fit. Certified Personal Trainer Patrice Jones leads a boot camp in various locations in SE. Cardio is the name of the game in boot camp, with intervals of team exercises, kettle bell work, plyometrics, and core and glute exercises. The results show, with clients losing as much as 30-40 pounds after just a couple of months. Jones wants women to remember one important lesson: “Healthy weight loss depends on your body and your journey. Are you really working out at the gym? Are you adding strength training to your workout? How is your stress level? All of these things need to be considered when you begin your journey to weight loss.” For more information about the next boot camp go to www. frufit.com.

Are You a Homebody?

Kai Bandy, personal trainer and owner of Body by Kai, Spirit by God, says that fitness can begin at home. After consultation with your doctor you can start with basic walking with proper form for 15 to 30 minutes. “Then once your body is used to working out you can incorporate some strength training into your routine. All you need are five-pound weights and a mat. You can also use steps and do a step up, step down routine. If you incorporate your arms, you get a total body workout.” Bandy says that if you keep up the routine for three to four days a week you will see results, but it takes time and a change in attitude. “People have to understand,” she says, “that this is a lifestyle change. It’s not a temporary fix. It’s a way of life.”

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Candace Y.A. Montague is a freelance writer in Washington, DC. u EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H 27

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Funding “EOR” Art: Can EOR Artists/Organizations Compete? by Virginia Avniel Spatz

s Big Bird bankrupting the United States? What are “Arts” with a capital “A,” and what is “traditional and folk art”? How do east-of-the-river organizations fare in arts funding? These questions have numerical responses (see sidebar). But they also reach into the heart of our society’s values. And the question of equity in arts funding raises a host of historical and cultural issues. These topics buzz through academic, budgetary, and coffee-table discussions. EOR Concerned Arts Organizations gathered in mid-December to explore these questions as a matter of survival.

EOR Concerned Arts Organizations

Late in 2012 the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) announced five new grants totaling $6.8 million in supplemental FY13 funds. For many east of the river, however, the new funding appeared out of reach. In response, Wanda Aikens of Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, Deborah Bernard of Howard University, and Melvin Deal of African Heritage Drummers and Dancers convened EOR Concerned on Dec. 12 to discuss “the reality” that the guidelines for the new grants “systematically limit even our eligibility to apply.” The EOR grant guidelines have recognized the fiscal realities for many east-of-the-river artists and omitted the provision for one-to-one cash matching. But the new grants include it, leaving EOR

Concerned artists, already in financial crisis due to funding cutbacks, unable to apply. Meanwhile, most EOR grants (without the 1:1 provision) go to organizations west of the river, including the Washington Ballet and the Levine School of Music, both with annual budgets over $8 million. East-of-the-river arts organizations face other barriers, they say. None has a grants writer or accountant on staff, and most rely on busy volunteers. Equipment and expertise to produce presentations and provide transportation and other resources are limited. Added to this uneven playing field, Deal argues, are prevailing views about what constitutes art, along with the common assumption that anyone working east of the river is not a “professional” artist but “just doing something for a few at-risk kids.” Concerned artists described disrespect in the DCCAH jury process, some even arguing that funding seems an eeny-meeny-miney-moe process, with random winners and losers each year.

A “Definitional Battle”

“The challenges that small arts organizations east of the river face are the same difficulties felt by arts organizations across the country,” responds Marquis Perkins, spokesperson for DCCAH. The commission, directed by Lionell Thomas, “recognizes these challenges – specifically those of organizations east of the river. This is the primary rea-

son why the East of the River (EOR) grant program was created.” Why, then, are EOR grants offered to west of the river artists? DCCAH awards are based on “merit,” not “need,” Perkins explains, adding that the EOR grant program “is for arts programming with high

Arts by the Numbers National

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – including Big Bird and friends – represents about one one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%) of the federal budget. Arts funding more generally captures about four times that much. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) spends about 47 cents per person in the United States, while the Canada Council of the Arts spends $5.19 and the Arts Council of Wales $17.80. A few artists or projects with an African focus are recognized through “dance,” “music,” “performing,” or “arts education” NEA grants; several more receive “folk and traditional” or “Challenge America FastTrack” grants. The National Capital Art and Cultural Affairs Program (NCACP) offers up to $9.5 million each year in federal dollars for DC-based arts performances and exhibitions. The Washington Ballet, for example, received $73,725 in the last grant cycle, and the Shakespeare Theatre received $90,572. No recent awardee focuses on African or Africaninfluenced art.

Local

Melvin Deal, with dancers rehearsing for a Kwanzaa performance, African Heritage Drummers and Dancers studio, Good Hope Road SE

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DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) awarded $4.2 million in FY13 grants. Artists based in Ward 7 or 8 received 19 of the total 246 grants and 9 of the 20 “East of the River” grants. Only 22 of the 521 applicants were generated by east-of-the-river artists, according to DCCAH. DCCAH is preparing to award an additional $6.8 million. The combined grant total for FY13 is one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of DC’s $9.4 billion operating budget.

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. artistic quality and impact to the residents east of the river and not solely for arts organizations east of the river.” To help even the playing field, DCCAH offers “grant writing workshops as well as one-on-one application reviews before and after the adjudication process.” But the real issue is a “definitional battle,” according to EOR Concerned Arts Organizations. Their work will not be consistently funded as long as “excellence” is viewed as a narrow, “classical” ideal.

“More Work to Be Done”

“There is room to grow on both sides,” suggests Deidre Gantt, a DC-bred artist with experience as an applicant – rejected and approved – and as a panelist with DCCAH. “We as community folk can do better to improve our presentation ... create more competitive proposals,” she says. “But the commission should also consider how an organization without resources, maybe presenting work samples with a video shot on some borrowed equipment, could really grow and develop with funding support.” Gantt, who worked with the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative before moving to New Orleans, believes the need for change in arts funding is not unique to DC. “It’s the same all over, too much emphasis on art of, and for, the powerful and wealthy and well-connected. The concept of ‘excellence’ in art should reflect all aspects and level of talent, not just a vaguely defined and often elitist standard.” Faced with a small applicant pool from Wards 7 and 8, Perkins says, DCCAH has “been proactive in addressing the challenge,” creating satellite offices and extending outreach, for example. “But we recognize there is more work to be done.” u

Neighborhood

Price BR

FEE SIMPLE

ANACOSTIA 2106 MINNESOTA AVE SE 2268 MOUNT VIEW PL SE 1932 NAYLOR RD SE

$235,000 $205,000 $165,000

CAPITOL HILL 19 9TH ST SE 118 3RD ST SE 718 EAST CAPITOL ST NE 623 6TH ST NE 1210 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 502 E ST NE 530 5TH ST SE 1310 MASSACHUSETTS AVE SE 309 6TH ST SE 918 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 133 E ST SE 409 6TH ST NE 23 3RD ST NE 628 6TH ST NE 1300 C ST NE 645 K ST NE 406 TENNESSEE AVE NE 1319 SOUTH CAROLINA AVE SE 615 ACKER PL NE 1324 F ST NE 700 4TH ST SE 536 10TH ST SE 1123 7TH ST NE 1312 F ST NE 1508 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE 1211 D ST NE 1021 6TH ST NE 768 11TH ST SE 1355 IVES PL SE 1205 C ST SE 260 WARREN ST NE 1614 A ST NE 335 18TH ST NE 1821 E ST NE 2002 C ST NE 627 SOUTH CAROLINA AVE SE 1209 FLORIDA AVE NE

$1,550,000 $1,215,000 $1,200,000 $1,180,000 $1,180,000 $1,029,000 $924,500 $875,000 $820,000 $815,000 $800,000 $789,096 $740,000 $730,000 $724,000 $693,000 $689,000 $675,000 $655,000 $650,000 $627,500 $624,000 $615,000 $602,000 $600,000 $596,000 $579,000 $551,500 $520,000 $515,900 $485,000 $481,000 $437,500 $425,000 $425,000 $400,000 $381,500

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 526 FOXHALL PL SE 510 NEWCOMB ST SE 856 MARJORIE CT SE 4410 BARNABY RD SE 1216 BARNABY TER SE 160 DANBURY ST SW 1264 BARNABY TER SE

$225,000 $224,000 $215,000 $215,000 $190,000 $160,000 $95,100

GLENNCREST 5038 KIMI GRAY CT SE

$285,000

GLOVER PARK 5 4 3

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

3 4 3 3 3 2 3

3803 BENTON ST NW 2336 HUIDEKOPER PL NW 2311 HUIDEKOPER PL NW

$805,000 $760,000 $750,000

HILL CREST 716 BAYLEY PL SE 1211 34TH PL SE 1629 30TH ST SE 3116 W ST SE 2512 Q ST SE

$247,200 $229,000 $185,000 $150,000 $115,000

MICHIGAN PARK 1927 SHEPHERD ST NE 4414 19TH PL NE 5115 SOUTH DAKOTA AVE NE

$575,000 $399,999 $350,000

RANDLE HEIGHTS 1907 RIDGE PL SE 2703 KNOX TER SE 1806 MORRIS RD SE

$255,000 $212,000 $170,000

SHERIDAN STATION 2536 SHERIDAN RD SE

$279,900

1113 CHAPLIN ST SE 4274 SOUTHERN AVE SE 3322 ELY PL SE 3949 R ST SE 1509 FORT DAVIS PL SE

$235,000 $225,000 $205,000 $130,000 $115,252

FOXHALL RIDGE 1707 SURREY LN NW 4460 MACARTHUR BLVD NW 44521/2 MACARTHUR BLVD NW 4454 MACARTHUR BLVD NW

$790,000 $997,990 $958,120 $951,980

GEORGETOWN 3123 DUMBARTON ST NW 3128 P ST NW 2708 P ST NW 3327 O ST NW 1312 31ST ST NW 1338 28TH ST NW

$7,000,000 $3,250,000 $1,850,000 $1,825,000 $1,525,000 $755,000

3 4 3 3 3

4 3 3 3

6 6 4 4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3 2 3

3 3 4 4 4 3

TRINIDAD

1429 MORSE ST NE $372,500 3 1719 LYMAN PL NE $312,500 3 1417 WEST VIRGINIA AVE NE $278,000 3 2017 M ST NE $262,500 3 1670 MONTELLO AVE NE $213,000 4 1230 OWEN PL NE $210,000 3 1121 HOLBROOK TER NE $171,000 2

CONDO CAPITOL HILL 401 13TH ST NE #211 629 CONSTITUTION AVE NE #204 626 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE #203 1391 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #224 920 15TH ST SE #C 614 MARYLAND AVE NE #3 1477 A ST NE #1477 1341 MARYLAND AVE NE #101 101 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE #302

$469,950 $449,000 $406,000 $404,500 $399,256 $327,000 $311,000 $234,500 $194,000

FORT DUPONT PARK 4469 B ST SE #303

$160,000

H STREET 215 I ST NE #1A

$775,000

RLA (SW) FORT DUPONT PARK

771 DELAWARE AVE SW 1101 3RD ST SW #406 410 O ST SW #404 300 M ST SW #N314 355 I ST SW #S-318 800 4TH ST SW #S-516

$460,000 $375,000 $352,000 $310,000 $304,000 $248,000

2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 0 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 0

CO-OP RLA (SW) 360 N ST SW #T-360 1311 DELAWARE AVE SW #S126 1311 DELAWARE AVE SW #S549

$410,000 $155,000 $138,000

WATERFRONT 520 N ST SW #S 131 1245 4TH ST SW #E-410 430 M ST SW #N100 560 N ST SW #N501 u

$399,950 $140,000 $136,000 $497,000

3 2 2 2 0 0 2

EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H 29

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Sunday Brunches Provide Many Musical Treats by Steve Monroe

Georgia Brown’s - Jazzing up Your Waffles

unday brunch. A tasty treat to reward yourself with every now and then. Expensive sometimes but a delight nonetheless. Throw in some live gospel or jazz and you’re really living it up. DC has a range of Sunday brunch venues, and recent visits found large crowds, friendly and helpful wait staffs, food mostly fresh and tasty, and pleasing and entertaining music.

The Hamilton Luxurious Treats with Soulful Gospel

One warm Sunday morning a long line of well-dressed patrons, a cosmopolitan mix of folks of A jazz group plays at the Hamilton during Sunday brunch. Photo: Maddie Meyer all ages, ethnic groups, and backgrounds, waited paThe gospel show presented Jacque Johnson tiently off 14th and F Street outside of The Hamand Friends with Little Margie, one of the groups ilton, a still fairly new and showy restaurant and The Hamilton features. Other Sundays might performance venue. Then the doors were opened find the Howard University gospel choir. Johnand everyone filed into the spacious and brightly son and friends – including DC’s own legendary decorated downstairs that serves as the performbandleader and musician Bobby Felder at the ing area and hosts the Sunday brunch shows. The piano – took the stage with a rousing blend of crowd, including many families with children, soulful gospel, pop, and funk for the large crowd, quickly filled up most of the tables, where they many with their heads bobbing to the music and were greeted by servers and then scattered to the clapping along. coffee station, the omelets or carving stations, Highlights were “He’s Got the Whole World and, most of all, to the steaming buffet tables. in His Hands,” “Summertime,” “This Little Light The Hamilton brunch menu features breakof Mine,” and “Oh Happy Day,” which saw Little fast classics and Southern dishes, including eggs Margie, a silver-haired lady as energetic and spry and waffles, bacon and sausage, as well as shrimp as they come, leading the song in front of the sixand grits, chicken and Andouille gumbo, molasses piece band and doing a little dancing herself. collards, BBQ pork and sweet potato hash, along The Hamilton, 600 14th Street NW, Washwith fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, smoked ington, DC 20005, 202-781-1000, thehamilsalmon, salads, beef brisket, ham, and a variety of tondc.com, Sunday gospel brunch shows at 10:00 pastries and sweets. There are complimentary mia.m. and 12:30 p.m., $30. mosas and Bloody Marys. 30 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

A few blocks away from The Hamilton, many families were filling up the decorative space of Georgia Brown’s for Sunday jazz brunch, lines forming at the food tables under the room’s distinctive crawling bronze sculpture on the ceiling. Unlike the spacious Hamilton, Georgia Brown’s is squeezed between blocks of office buildings, an established downtown venue long famous with lunch and dinner crowds for its “Low Country” Southern cuisine. The brunch menu features omelets and waffles, sausage and bacon, and also creamy stone milled grits, roasted red potato home fries, Carolina gumbo, black-eyed-pea cakes served with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes, jambalaya, fried chicken, catfish, Carolina red rice, collard greens, and desserts like lemon squares, brownies, and sumptuous oatmeal cookies. Also very tasty that day was the music, with the jazz and pop offerings of pianist Wayne Wilentz and friends, including vocalist Todd Googins and drummer Toby Jameson. Before a packed room Googins entertained with his rich, soulful voice on “My Foolish Heart,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Since I Fell for You,” and other standards. Wilentz, as always, offered expert melodic lyricism and verve on the keyboards, and Jameson was crisp with his rhythms and tasteful on drums. Georgia Brown’s, 950 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202-393-4499, gbrowns.com., Sunday jazz brunch 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $40.95. $21.95 children 5-12.

B. Smith’s - Fine Dining, Grits and Piano Lullabies Too

Also featuring jazz with Sunday brunch is B. Smith’s, a venerable fixture at Union Station, with its large space on the east end of the busy transportation hub. One recent Sunday around mid-day a modest crowd, at first, was enjoying the high-ceilinged, luxurious ambiance of the space with its white tablecloths and shining glasses, all illuminated by streaks of sun coming through the tall windows. At first a little Miles Davis was playing from the speakers – before Noble Jolley, Jr., one of our jazz scene’s younger lions, took his seat at the piano. He began playing gentle, rippling melodies like “Alone Together,” “Darn That Dream,” and “Sophisticated Lady,” while the crowd slowly got larger, first sitting down then venturing to the buffet tables in the sunlit patio area off the main dining room. The patrons, mostly adults, looking like they had come from church, sampled a menu which featured Belgian waffles and omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, maple sausage and vegetarian sausage, cheese grits, fried chicken, roast beef, turkey ham, catfish, and also Southern grits, Southern style collard greens, country style French toast, home fries, assorted breads and muffins, including a very tasty blueberry muffin, and fresh fruit. Champagne and mimosas are available. Desserts included sweet potato pie, chocolate cake, and a delicious fruit berry cake with cream cheese. B. Smith’s, 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-261-6199, bsmiths. com, Sunday jazz brunch 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., $34, $17 children 12 and under

Praising the Lord – and the Fried Chicken

The newly refurbished Howard Theatre, opened in April, can still jump with soul and funky music and gospel, as you can hear for yourself at Sunday brunch. A first visit for brunch might have

been a little unsettling for one used to the luxury of other venues. You walked in, went down some steps and you were in the middle of the theater’s ground floor, with a few hundred folks sitting tightly together at plain, no-tablecloth tables. The cafeteria-like atmosphere was noisy, with fairly loud gospel music coming from the speakers. The menu was limited compared to the other venues but featured the basics: grits, eggs, waffles, sausage, bacon, as well as fried chicken – the highlight that day – potato salad, macaroni and cheese and collard greens, cornbread muffins, and salads. Desserts included an assortment of cookies, with some very tasty chocolate-chip cookies, and cakes. The show is the thing here. The large crowd, including several children, mostly finished their eating by the time of the show, with folks watching the stage for the appearance of the Harlem Gospel Choir. When the group came on stage they really revved things up, with seven singers all in black, each with a colorful kente cloth wrap around their necks, in front of a fivepiece band. The singers launched into a chorus, singing “C’mon and Praise the Lord with Me,” backed by the musicians rocking it on their keyboards, drums, and guitars, and soon many in the audience were clapping and bobbing their heads to the music. The group played other gospel favorites like “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” and a rousing “I Am a Friend of God,” with the choir members dancing and singing into the afternoon, and the crowd right along with them. Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-803-2899, howardtheatre. com, Sunday gospel brunch 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., $20-35 in advance, $30-45 day of show.

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No Added Sugar, Additives, Coloring, or Preservatives! AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS The Silver Spork - 303 7th St. SE., WDC Rodman’s - 5100 Wisconsin Ave., NW., WDC GLUT Food Coop - 4005 34th St., Mt. Rainier, MD Potomac Adventist Book & Health Food Store - 12004 Cherry Hill Rd., Silver Spring, MD

Questions? Email us at info@larrysweetcorn.com

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Steve Monroe is a writer based in Washington, DC. He can be reached at samonroe2004@yahoo.com. u EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Anacostia Playhouse to Open This Spring

ith sights set on an early April opening date, Adele Robey, CEO of the Anacostia Playhouse, is ready to retrieve permits from the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to start on the next stage of the project. As Robey and Managing Director Julia Robey Christian transition from the more than decade-long run in northeast DC with the H Street Playhouse to their new address at 2020 Shannon Place, SE in Anacostia, the transformation continues. Demolition has already started on the interior space, led by Jabali Nash, proprietor of Housing Evaluations Plus and Director of Construction at ARCH Development

by Annette Nielsen

Corporation in Anacostia (ADC). ADC, a 501(c)(3) not - for - profit community - based organization is dedicated to the use of the arts as a catalyst for comprehensive revitalization and economic development. Robey appreciates the hard work of Nash and his crew, “He’s the main go-to and hands-on guy,” she says, and notes that they’re planning on using local contract help whenever possible, building on the plans drawn up by DC-based PGN Architects. On December 30, Robey and Christian hosted a reception bringing together community leaders, elected officials, those in the theater arts and others interested in this new Anacostia performance space.

Rendering of the Anacostia Playhouse. Courtesy of PGN Architects, Pllc.

32 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

Says Robey, “We were able to showcase the drawings for the new space and continue the dialogue of how the Anacostia Playhouse can be a dynamic hub for the community at large, offering a great performance venue, bringing people here from all over the region.” With expansive ceilings and an open floor space, the Anacostia Playhouse will function as a rental facility as well as a producing organization. The current plan allows for 100-120 seats with flexible seating and the ability to host everything from intimate readings and concerts to children’s events and community meetings. Easily accessible, it’s only five minutes from Capitol Hill by car over

the 11th Street Bridge (with ample parking), an easy Metro ride (Green Line Anacostia stop), short cycle to the nearby Capital Bikeshare, or a quick ride on the Circulator from Barracks Row.

An Art Center in Anacostia

Anacostia recently won the Curbed Cup 2012, beating out 15 other neighborhoods as the best neighborhood of the year. There is increased optimism here – with a flourishing arts and business district boasting of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative and a popular art-focused celebration in its second year, Lumen8Anacostia, taking place this year on June 22.

Phil Hutinent, Chief Operating Officer of ADC says that since the July 2012 press conference announcing the H Street Playhouse’s move to Anacostia, he’s seen a definite uptick in interest in properties throughout the area. He noted Anacostia’s transition was similar to other neighborhoods like Barracks Row in the late 1990’s and to what happened a little later on H Street. “With people aware of the fast-tracking for the St. Elizabeths’ property, a significant neighborhood investment with the Anacostia Playhouse, the 11th Street Bridge, and the many ARCH projects going on here – such as the HIVE, the HIVE 2.0 (both small business incubator spaces), numerous art-focused spaces like Honfleur Gallery, and many business and development initiatives – it’s just a matter of time before we see a further influx of restaurants and supporting businesses on our commercial strip.” Christian notes the community and small town feel in Anacostia. “I’m thrilled that we will be able to expand our operations to include producing some of our own shows rather than just serving as a rental facility. I’m particularly excited to create a youth training program that will provide technical education coupled with opportunities to gain professional experience. We will also be hosting visual art exhibitions, providing another venue for east of the river artists to display their work. Our goal is for the Anacostia Playhouse to be a true community resource and to serve as a creative neighborhood gathering place.” Robey looks forward to seeing performances from various regional groups – and she and Christian have had interest from Verbal Gymnastics, Southeast Trinity, being a venue for the DC Black Theater Festival, Washington Shakespeare Company Avant Bard (from Arlington) and possibly continuing the tradition of Black Nativity next season. She says conversations with Vernard Gray of East River JazzFest, as well as the US Coast Guard relating to some of their combo

groups have brought up the possibility of Monday night music programming.

Theater Alliance

Award-winning Theater Alliance was founded in 1993 and used to be housed at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and later, was the theater-in-residence at the H Street Playhouse. They’ve recently received a $17,500 East of the River grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to assist with production costs of “Broke-ology,” a performance that will be part of the inaugural season at the Anacostia Playhouse in late April or early May. Theater Alliance’s artistic director, Colin Hovde, said that while they will have their base of operations at the Anacostia Playhouse with offices and rehearsals on site, they have multiple venues at their disposal. Hovde states, “This is a really exciting opportunity and Anacostia is a beautiful neighborhood that will benefit from live theater and performances. ” Robey also says she’s enthusiastic about incorporating a focus for youth. For the Lumenz-Anacostia event this year, the Anacostia Playhouse will offer children’s theater performances. “I started out working in children’s theater and I miss it – I’m really looking forward to establishing children’s theater programming at the Anacostia Playhouse.” “We learned a lot and we’re proud of what we were a part of on H Street and what we helped to make happen there,” said Robey, “and we’re really excited about the Anacostia Playhouse. We’ve received an incredibly warm welcome from everyone in our new community – from our great landlord (Curtis Properties), the ADC staff, to offers of assistance from the staff at Councilmember Marion Barry’s office to neighbors and people from organizations looking for a performing arts venue.” Look for further updates and announcements for community events leading up to the opening by visiting anacostiaplayhouse.com. u

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KIDS & FAMILY

Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner

Get Crafty! Inaugural Ball for Teens

Wish you could attend a ball this weekend? On Jan 19, 3 p.m., come by the Teen Space to create duct tape corsages and more to get fancy in time for the Inaugural festivities. For ages 12-19. Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary. org/francis

African American Pioneers in Aviation Family Day

On Saturday, Feb 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors will meet famed African American pilots from World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought discrimination both at home and abroad; learn about the accomplishments of other black pioneers of aviation and space; talk to Museum experts; participate in hands-on

activities; and listen to stories. Free. National Air and Space Museum. 202-633-1000. airandspace.si.edu

East of the River Non-Profit Receives $1 Million to Combat Tobacco and Substance Abuse Among Ward 8 Youth

The Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FS-

FSC) announces three initiatives to not only reverse the alarming rates of tobacco and illicit drug use among youth living in Ward 8, but to prevent other high-risk behaviors, such as premature sexual activity, fighting and bullying. As the first non-profit organization in Ward 8 to receive $1 million in prevention grants, FSFSC will address these social challenges by partnering with other community-based

“Investigating Where We Live” at the National Building Museum

This photo was taken on July 2, 2012 using a Nikon Coolpix L24. Photo: Courtesy of the National Building Museum

34 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

Created by the National Building Museum in 1996, Investigating Where We Live (IWWL) is a summer outreach program designed for middle school and high school students ages 12-16 from the DC metropolitan area. IWWL participants learn to use creative writing and photography as a means of understanding and describing DC neighborhoods. At the end of the program, participants have an opportunity to show what they have learned by creating a museum exhibition that features their insights and work. IWWL is a 12 session summer program that takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for four weeks. Up to 30 participants are selected each summer. Two optional work sessions are offered to provide participants the chance to work directly in the gallery space. The exhibition planned and produced by the students is on display for six to nine months. This year’s exhibition, Investigating Where We Live: Connecting with Anacostia, explores this historic neighborhood through the themes of diversity, change, and community, and is open until May 27, 2013. Applications for the 2013 session will be available online in March. Contact outreach@nbm.org if you would like to be placed on their mailing list and receive updates. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org

organizations to implement All Stars; “My Style is Smokin’ But I’m Smoke Free”; and the Drug Free Communities Grant. All Stars is a 13-week intervention focusing on middle school students who have never used alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Funded by a $240,000 grant from the DC Department of Health’s Addiction Prevention Recovery Administration (APRA), the program will be administered in partnership with four other community groups-Hope Finders, Inc., Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Parklands Community Center, and Non-profit Community Development Corporation of DC. Recognized as a model program by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, All Stars addresses factors that lead young people to begin experimenting with substances and participating in risky behaviors. The 2011 Communities that Care Survey administered by the Ward 8 Drug Free Coalition found that 66% of youth living in Ward 8 had used tobacco during the previous 30 days, compared to a citywide rate of 12.5%. In response, FSFSC created “My Style is Smokin’ But I’m Smoke Free.” With a $140,000 grant from the D.C. Department of Health, FSFSC is presenting smoking as unpopular and unfashionable in hopes of changing group norms. The Communities that Care Survey administered by the Ward 8 Drug Free Coalition found that marijuana use among youth in Ward 8 is 65%, compared to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey data citywide of 26.1%. Similarly, alcohol use in Ward 8 is 65% compared to citywide use of 32.8%. Through the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities, FSFSC was awarded $625,000 over five years to

specifically work to prevent youth substance use in Ward 8.

“Why was Martin Luther King Jr. a Great Leader?” Children’s Program

The Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library Children’s Room will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as seniors discuss their memories of the Civil Rights Movement and participate in lively discussions with children on who King helped in his struggles in America. Come and share your thoughts and ideas in our Children’s Program room on the main level. There will be entertainment, including a song by Stevie Wonder and sharing birthday cookies with Dr. King. Stories, songs and rhymes for ages 3-5. Why was Dr. Martin Luther King considered to be a great leader discussions for ages 6-12. Jan 16, 1:15 p.m. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-2812583. dclibrary.org/benning

Ward 8 After-School All Stars Prevention Program at THEARC

The “Ward 8 After-School All Stars” is fun-filled and educational after-school program for pre-teens and adolescents ages 11-14 living in Ward 8. Participants will learn about positive, healthy lifestyle choices including abstaining from drugs, alcohol and sexual activity. This free program operates twice a week; every Monday and Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Stipend and refreshments available. To register or receive more information, call 202678-6500 or visit Parklands Community Center at THEARC. 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org

Earth Conservation Corps Celebrates 20 Years

ECC is a nonprofit youth EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H

KIDS & FAMILY

development and environmental service organization located on the Anacostia River in southwest DC in the Matthew Henson Center. Since 1992, ECC has provided hundreds of unemployed, out of school youth with hands on workforce and lead-

DC SCORES Poetry Slam!

ership development training, environmental education and media arts training, while also assisting in the cleanup of the Anacostia River. Through the support of community partners and friends, ECC has given over 1,000 young people in the

The 15th annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam!, the largest youth slam in the District, showcased original poetry and songs written by students who participate in the after-school program. December’s two-night event was held at Columbia Heights Education Campus and H.D. Woodson High School. On the second night of the Poetry Slam! at Woodson, students from 17 schools used the spotlight to wow the audience of over 500

community the opportunity to be environmental leaders. These corps members have led over 1,000,000 hours of river restoration and engaged thousands of school children in meaningful environmental education. ecc1.org

guests with group and individual performances about everything from preventing bullying; to a historical lesson on the U.S. presidents; to dispelling stereotypes. Elementary school winners were J.C. Nalle Elementary School (1st); Arts and Technology Academy (2nd); and Burrville Elementary School (3rd). DeAndre Walters of Perry Street Preparatory Academy won the individual Shine Award for the second straight year. Middle school

PLAY WORK BUILD at the National Building Museum

Research has shown how important play can be to a child’s development. Through this exhibition, visitors (young and old) begin to see the

winners were Jefferson Middle School (1st); Cesar Chavez Public Charter School-Parkside (2nd); and Kelly Miller Middle School (3rd). Jefferson’s Juliah Bobo won the Shine Award. DC SCORES builds teams through afterschool programs for over 1,450 DC youth at 42 schools by instilling self-expression, physical ﬁtness, and a sense of community. To learn more, visit DCSCORES.org.

J.C. Nalle Elementary School students celebrate winning the Golden Mic Trophy at the DC SCORES Poetry Slam! Photo: Courtesy of Ian Weston

36 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

1250 Taylor St. NW Washington, DC 20011 p. 202 545-0515 f. 202 545-0517 www.bridgespcs.org

connections between play, design, and the work of building professionals like architects and engineers. Conceived in partnership with the internationally renowned design firm the Rockwell Group, this exhibition combines a presentation of the Museum’s world-class Architectural Toy Collection, a hands-on block play area, and an original digital interactive that allows visitors to fill an entire wall of the exhibition with virtual blocks-and then knock them down. After viewing a selection of construction toys from the Museum’s collection, from the familiar Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs to the lesserknown Bumpalow House and Ringa-Majigs, visitors have the opportunity to reconfigure their environment and design their own course of play with individually-sized blocks. In the subsequent gallery, visitors are invited to work individually to reimagine their small-scale structures created into oversized structures using supersized foam blocks or to work in groups to design and build something entirely new. Whether visitors choose the tactile experience with the small or large blocks, the virtual block-play experience, or all of the activities, children and adults alike are encouraged to participate in unstructured, imaginative play that exercises muscles and minds. $8 for adults; $5 for youth, students and seniors. On exhibition at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, through Nov 18, 2014. 202-272-2448. nbm.org

Common Sense Parent Training at THEARC

Starting Jan 8, every Tuesday for six weeks, Children’s Hospital Center @ THEARC will offer parenting sessions led by dynamic instructors. Education credits have been approved for foster parents and meets requirements for the court system and CFSA. Classes are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Children’s Health Center at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. To Register, please call Ellen Wiggins, LICSW at 202-436-3076. thearcdc.org

School of American Ballet Auditions

Washington, DC-Maryland-area ballet students are invited to audition for the School of American Ballet’s 2013 Summer Course on Sunday, Jan 27, from 2-6 p.m. The auditions will be held at Maryland Youth Ballet, 926 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD (301-608-2232). The times are 2-3:30 p.m. for 12-13 years; 3:30-5 p.m. for 14-15 years; and 5–6 p.m. for 16-18 years. Students should arrive one hour in advance of their audition time to register. Optional preregistration for the audition is also available at sab.org/summercourse. The application fee is $35. Auditions are for intermediate and advanced ballet students, 12 to 18 years old as of July 31, 2013. All students should bring a copy of their birth certificates to the audition. Girls must bring pointe shoes to the audition. During the next month, more than 2,000 aspiring ballet dancers in 20 cities will vie for approximately 200 coveted spots in SAB’s five-week summer program in New York City. Suzanne Farrell, Darci Kistler, Sara Mearns, Ethan Stiefel, Gelsey Kirland, Benjamin Millepied and Wendy Whelan are just a few of the notable dancers who attended the School of American Ballet as part of their formative training. For more information, visit sab.org or call the School of American Ballet at 212-769-6600. u

Serving Pre-K3, Pre-K4, Kindergarten and 1st grade for the 2013-2014 school year

A new grade will be added each year through 5th grade. INFORMATION / OPEN HOUSE SESSIONS ON THURSDAYS: January 10 & 24 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am February 7 & 21 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am March 7 & 14 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am You must register to attend, limit of 20 people per session. Call (202) 545-0515 to register.

Application deadline March 15th, 2013. Lottery March 22nd, 2013 Apply for admissions at www.bridgespcs.org or by coming to the school. We are building on our strong foundation as an early childhood program. Come be a founding member of the elementary school!

Program Features: Before Care starting at 7:30 am and after care until 6:00 pm. Small classroom size and well trained staff. Individual planning for each student. Hands-on and project-based curriculum. Bridges Public Charter School is free and open to all DC residents. Tuition paid by non-residents.

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HOMES & GARDENS

Affordable and Green:

Deanwood’s Empowerhouse Showcases Collaborative Approach by Virginia Avniel Spatz

ith back porches that look out on Marvin Gaye Park, the District’s first “net-zero” houses make Ward 7 a showcase for energy-efficiency. While many environmentally friendly designs come with high price tags, Deanwood’s “Empowerhouses” are recognized as models of affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity plans six replications of the design in DC alone. The Deanwood collaboration is serving as a model for sustainable community development, and each new Empower-

house will serve as a hub of local environmental education. Residents move into the new homes, on Gault Place NE, beginning this month. But the Empowerhouse project began several years ago as the New School’s entry in the 2011 Solar Decathlon, the US Department of Energy’s biennial design competition. The New School, a university in New York City, is “committed to doing new things, but doing it for real people, to address real problems,” university president

Lakiya Culley, the first Empowerhouse owner, and family cut the ribbon at the Dec. 4, 2012 dedication of the District’s first net-zero homes.

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David Van Zandt said at the December 2012 ribbon-cutting. The Solar Decathlon “pushes what’s possible,” added Joel Towers, executive dean of Parsons the New School for Design. “But our real goal was to change housing.”

Net-Zero without the Hefty Price Tag

Net-zero buildings are so energy-efficient that their solar panels produce all the electricity needed to heat and cool, power lighting and appliances, and heat

Visitors stream through one-story Empowerhouse entry during 2011 Solar Decathlon, West Potomac Park.

hot water. This can reduce utility bills by thousands of dollars per year while helping the environment. Initial costs can be prohibitively high, however. In fact, early winners of the Solar Decathlon were often too expensive to replicate. The Decathlon’s Affordability challenge was added in 2011 to encourage more practical design. Empowerhouse was inspired in particular by the affordability challenge. Empowerhouse tied for the Decathlon’s first Affordability Award, constructing their home for just under $230,000 ($20,000 lower than their fellow winner’s estimate). The team went a step further, planning to bring its affordable design directly to low-income home owners. Most houses constructed for the Decathlon become educational or research

facilities at their sponsoring universities after completion of the competition, held biennially in DC. But the New School envisioned a less academic result. Empowerhouse went beyond contest rules, designing their house to meet DC zoning and building codes. DC’s Housing and Community Development donated land that had been vacant for decades. Habitat for Humanity helped add second-floor bedrooms to the competition design and then replicated the larger house, creating two adjacent homes ready for DC area families. Lakiya Culley, the first resident certified for the special opportunity through Habitat’s homeowner process, and her three sons are scheduled to move in during January. Culley is excited about her new home and its cost-saving features. She is also enthusiastic about being part of a project that is “bringing environmental awareness to Deanwood and to the entire city.”

A Cast of Hundreds

Camari watches participants check out his new house – complete with two floors of living area, front and back porches – now located on Gault Place in NE.

Prior to the competition, Empowerhouse collaborated with ANC 7C, the Deanwood Citizens Association, Groundwork Anacostia River DC (GWARDC), and others to offer local workshops on renewable energy and sustainability. During the Decathlon 50,000 people viewed the original version of the house, on display in West Potomac Park, seeing firsthand how affordable green housing can look. Now that the houses are complete in their Deanwood location, GWARDC will help maintain the properties – including groundwater and bio-retention systems – for two years,

while training homeowners in their management. They will also collect data on how the houses function in DC conditions. GWARDC Executive Director Dennis Chestnut says his organization will “serve as a buffer between the general public and the homeowners,” preserving the families’ privacy while ensuring that the houses continue to serve their educational mission. To bring their project to fruition, Empowerhouse developed a rich coalition across nonprofit, government, academic, and community sectors. As a crowd gathered on the porch for photos at the ribbon-cutting, a team member noted that “180 people are missing from this picture.” Ninety organizations including several “solar innovators” and dozens of green energy/building associates – participated in one way or another. In addition to homeowners, who assist in building as part of their agreement with Habitat for Humanity, Habitat and New School volunteers contributed specialized skills and many person-hours. The web of involvement is growing, as the project is replicated in DC, Philadelphia, and beyond. “This was a vacant lot for 40 years ... kids played here, we used to use it for cook outs,” neighbor Celestine Grant said after the dedication. “It’s wonderful to see it used now for a great purpose.” Grant and her visitor, Jennie Drew, noted that some of the area’s newer housing consists of higher-priced condos. “We should find more areas like this to put houses that people can afford,” Drew concluded. Visit http://parsit.parsons.edu/ for more on Empowerhouse, or contact Groundwork Anacostia River DC, http://groundworkdc. org/, 4127 Minnesota Ave. NE, Suite 203. 202-506-139. More photos at Ward7. wordpress.com. u

EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM H 39

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THE NOSE

by Anonymous

012 might best be characterized as an annus horribilis. Revelations of dirty tricks, misbehavior and corruption among District’s elected officials stunned even The Nose’s jaded brethren. These poor scribblers fairly wore out their cell phones tweeting followers the latest juicy tidbits. From the sticky web of financial contributions woven by Jeffrey “Piggy Bank” Thompson, which ensnared even the pious Nitpicker, to the sentencing of Kwame “Bullet Proof ” Brown and Harry “Light Fingers” Thomas Jr., scandal was the gift that kept on giving. Yet 2012 ended with an unexpected whimper. Despite the many rumors of imminent indictments, which consumed the District’s chattering classes in June, September and November, Mayor Vincent “Tight Lipped” Gray remains the head of the District’s dwarfish political establishment. The unindicted coconspirator named by federal prosecutors in Jeanne Clarke Harris’ charging documents remains unindicted. And Jim “The Deal Maker” Graham survived unscathed multiple angry savagings at the hands of the Washington ComPost’s editorial board. In DC, it is truly a rubric that the more things change, the more they remain the same. So, taking inspiration from the Romantics’ What I Like About You, here is a paean of appreciation for the DC pols whose antics support The Nose’s bourbon habit: Hey, uh uh! What I like about Phil is his office files, rooting around in endless piles, yeah! Colleagues whining all time trying to avoid committee assignments they find asinine. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you! What I like about Jack is his belief in ethics light telling voters he is the only one to keep city’s finances safe at night, yeah! Developers whispering in his ear helping to avoid the taxes that they fear. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you! What I like about Marion is his optimism, his chutzpah dimming not a whit from prison. Ward 8 falling down around his ears grinding his Jag’s complicated gears. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you! What I like about Dave is his irritating ways pulling out his laptop to navigate DC’s fiscal maze. Balancing the council and full time job some issue always boiling on the hob. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you! What I like about Jim is his attention to detail 42 H EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE

| JANUARY 2013

emailing hundreds of complaints to journalists without fail. Riding down 16th Street in his retro bug hanging with the hipsters can make an old guy smug. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you! What I love about VO is his sense of pride, Ask him and he’ll tell he’s the best on every side. Doing a Muhammad Ali improv on the dais, reminding everyone that accounting is a science. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I like about Mary is her charm, staring over those sexy glasses like a stern schoolmarm. Prosecuting witnesses until they fear by mercilessly dissecting all they hold dear. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I like about Tommy is he never takes a chance, putting a finger in the wind ‘fore asking a partner to the dance, yeah! GGW is twittering on his phone mapping all the byways for his bicycle to roam. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I love about Muriel is her hoard of cash raising money in a race with no opponent to really bash. With Lightfoot and Lindenfeld plotting very near telling every constituency what it wants to hear. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I love about Yvette is her choice of friends seeing her as truly a means to an end. Taking over the health committee will be a bonanza if Wilmot and company turn her into their Kung Fu panda. ‘Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I love about Kenyan is his serious mien, cleaning up Ward 5 requires a real superman. Chairman Pro Tempore may lead to elevation if Vince is offered an all-expense-paid federal vacation. Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. What I love about the Council is y’all keep me entertained at night sipping bourbon while watching hearings is a satirist’s delight. Twittering furiously on my cell taking the road straight to hell. Cause that’s true it’s what I like about you. Should old politicians be forgot and never brought to mind? We’ll trade an indictment back and forth for auld lang syne. Have a thought for The Nose, email thenose@hillrag.com. H

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